starting off with this obscure text? The point isn’t
to give you some words of wisdom or deep insight
from this text because I still scratch my head
whenever I read it. The point also isn’t to warn you
about the dangers of teasing bald people or God’s
prophets or both. Maybe the moral of the story is
that boys shouldn’t tease a bald prophet of God in
front of two mama bears as they are caring for their
cubs. The point is that I still read this passage and
have my questions.
How many of you know that this passage in
the Bible exists (hopefully anyone reading this letter
knows now)? When was the last time you cracked
open your Bible and read something from it; how
often do you do so? How many of you don’t even
know where your Bible is or don’t own one (if this
is the case, please let me know; I’ll make sure you
get a Bible)?
The point of this article is to encourage you
to read your Bible. We all have our questions about
God, how he works in this world, and where He is
in our everyday lives. Now you may not get the
answers that you’re looking for from 2 Kings 2:23-
24…or at all, but what reading our Bible does is
include us all into a dialogue that God has been
having with humanity from the moment humankind
took its first breath. We get to hear, see, and learn
all the times that God has been faithful even when
those whom He had saved turned their backs on
Him. We get to experience to what lengths God
will go to save you and me from the death and
despair that sin brings in our lives. We get to read
about the experience of a people that have most
likely shared similar experiences in joy, pain,
sorrow, grief, despair, hopelessness, and so much
more and where God was in the midst of it all.
2 Kings 2:23-24 – 23 From there Elisha went up to
Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys
came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of
here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He
turned around, looked at them and called down a curse
on them in the name of the LORD. Then two she-bears
came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the
boys.
This is the May Newsletter, and what is so
significant about May for me is that on May 15th,
2011, I preached as the pastor of Faith Lutheran
Church (I still have that bulletin hanging up in my
office). This was now five years ago! Can you
believe how fast time has gone by?! Anyways, as I
was thinking about being here for five years, I
thought about one of the questions during my
interview here, what is your favorite Bible verse.
My answer was this wonderful piece from the Bible
that you just read from 2 Kings.
It really is one of my favorites mainly
because whenever I read it I ask myself, “Why is
this in here?” Why was it important to record this
event about the she-bears mauling 42 boys who
were teasing Elisha for being bald? Looking at this
story as it is, it is a terribly tragic story about one of
God’s prophets that just moves on to his next
destination as two bears come out of the woods and
mauls the boys who were just teasing him. Did
Elisha know? Was he thinking that these boys were
getting what was coming to them for teasing him
and his bald head? Do I dare talk about his
baldness for fear of two she-bears coming to get
me? So many questions!
I was also asked how I would preach on this
text. I think my answer today is still the same as it
was five years ago; I have no idea. So why am I
Faithfully Yours
Faith Lutheran Church ~ Rev. David Johnson, Pastor
Congregation of the ELCA and its Northern Great Lakes Synod Church: (906) 486-9083 Parsonage: (906) 204-2401 email: [email protected]
Membership Newsletter ~ May 2016
2
Stewardship Talk ~ April 17, 2016
Mission Minute Number 1
Our congregation here at Faith Lutheran Church is a part
of God’s plan for our community. This year we are asking
you to increase your giving to the work of our
congregation and the whole ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America. God provides and God is
generous! How shall we respond to God’s grace?
I read about a fellow who was driving home from work
one day when he stopped to watch a local Little League
baseball game being played in a park near his home. As he
sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, he asked
one of the boys what the score was.
“We’re behind, 14 to nothing,” came the reply with a
smile.
“Really,” the man said. “I have to say you don’t look very
discouraged.”
“Discouraged?” the boy asked with a puzzled look on his
face. “Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t been
up to bat yet.”
Our congregation is now up to bat! Our need to give will
develop our spiritual life. Can we grow as people of faith
this year? Our stewardship ministry focuses on three
words, “Welcome, Worship and Witness.”
The Church--this congregation is called to be a welcoming
place. As we grow as people of faith we are privileged to
encourage our community to love the Lord Jesus Christ.
This building and our work together should be seen as a
place of refuge and hope. Your faithful commitments of
time, talent and treasure allow this work of welcome to
continue. We indeed are “up to bat.” What will we do to
invite in God’s people?
F r o m t h e P a s t o r ’ s D e s k c o n t . . .
I can’t guarantee that cracking open that
book or dusting it off and opening for the first time
or even getting a new Bible and opening it will
answer all of your questions. You may come across
obscure passages like 2 Kings 2:23-24 or left with
more questions than you have answers. But what I
believe is that God will speak to you through the
words that you read; that you will take part in a
journey that has led many to have strength when
they felt they had nothing left to give, hope in the
midst of hopelessness, peace when things were most
chaotic through the words they heard God speak to
them. And if you start your journey in Matthew,
Mark, Luke, or John, you will read about a God who
became human like us and gave up everything,
including His very life all for you.
Fa i th L u t h er an Ch u rc h Cou n c i l
Jeff Swanson
Kathy Solka
Norma Denney
Nancy Harmala
Ross Carlson
Cheryl Salmer
Bob Katajamaki
Jerry Kippola
Steve Bailey
2016
Mi ss i o n St a t e me n t It shall be the mission of Faith Lutheran Church of
Ishpeming to develop, strengthen, and share witness
to the message of the Gospel; through an increased
understanding of our ministry, and our daily living,
both individually and as a congregation.
In God’s Peace, Pastor Dave
MYTH 3
Stewardship is about getting dollars
in the offering plate! If this is what stewardship is about, why did Jesus
talk so much about how we use what is entrusted
to us? Stewardship is about growing in our
relationship with Jesus through the use of time,
talents and resources entrusted by God. It is not
about achieving a budget or getting enough to
keep the doors open.
3
Signe Carter - Eastwood
Mary Denney
Elmer & Shirley Juntila -Valenti
Lois & Simeon Richards
Geraldine Harrison—Valenti
Judy Garceau
Lois Toy - Valenti
Reflections on Stewardship by Kathy Richards
I wanted to be part of our stewardship ministry this year
for my first time because giving back to God for all that
he has provided for me and my family is very important
to me. I want to share with all of you three reasons why
this is so.
First of all, tithing was very important to my parents. I
remember them discussing this when I was younger and,
as a result of their example, it is important to me to
show my thankfulness to God for all he has provided. It
also helps me to grow my trust in God; to trust that He
will take care of me and my family.
The verse I think of when I am preparing my church
offering is “Whoever can be trusted with very little can
be trusted with much” Luke 16:10
I believe that God is trusting me to do good for others
with what he has provided me.
Secondly, giving to others now has more meaning to me
than buying more things for myself. I have learned over
time that having more stuff sometimes just causes me
more stress. Because with my schedule, finding time to
use it, somewhere to store it, having to clean it, repair it
and then possibly dispose of it just adds more stress.
While giving to others, brings me peace and joy.
The two verses that reflect my thoughts are “Tell them
to use their money to do good. They should be rich in
good works and should give happily to those in need,
always being ready to share with others whatever God
has given them.” 1 Timothy 6:18
Also, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also.” Luke 12:34
Finally, there are many good organizations that one
could support. However, I choose our church as my
main recipient because I can actively participate in
helping to fulfill God’s mission through our church in
the area my family and I live.
The verse that resonates with me in this regard is “Go,
therefore, and make disciples of all nations” Matthew
28:18. Through using my time, talent and offerings, I
feel like I am meeting this commandment.
These are the reasons why stewardship and giving back
to God through our church is important to me.
With that, let us pray: Lord, instill in our hearts a spirit
of love and compassion. Inspire us to make a difference
in our parish and community, by being generous with
our time, talent and treasure in order to build up your
Kingdom. Let us constantly remember that all we have
comes from you, in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Jackie
Bev
Judy G.
Judy H.
Judy H.
Donna
Lois
Allen
Cindy
Sandi
Bill
David
Dennis
Blake
Jennifer
Bob
Ed
Karen
Shirley
Elmer
Simeon
Maryann
Pat
Reggie
Ann
Mary
Helen
Amy
Cliffs Workers
Pat
Family of Pastor Rudy Kempinen / Family of Lorraine Aho
Those we keep in
our Prayers
Stewardship Talk continued...
Our Home-bound and Nursing Home Residents
4
Quilters craft table is new for
Spring / Summer. All proceeds go
directly to Faith Lutheran Church.
(Anyone can add a craft for sale :)
Faith Lutheran Church Quilters’
While you are Spring
Cleaning, the Quilters are looking
for gently used sheets, blankets,
mattress pads, fleece blankets and
throws to be used as fillers. If you
have some of these items to donate,
please leave them on the bench downstairs outside
the Fellowship Hall.
Thanks to all for the past donations and all
future donations; these are GREATLY appreciated
by the Faith Lutheran Quilters.
5
On the evening of
March 23rd my cousin
Eric Lequia was in a
horrible accident. In an
effort to help a student
and defend his wife from some kids who grabbed
her. He was hit in the face, knocked backwards,
tripped, and cracked his skull on the pavement. He
was rushed to Green Bay where he was placed in
the neuro ICU unconscious for three or four days.
In the process he has gone through facial
reconstruction surgery which included putting a
metal plate and pins in the left side of his face, but
he still has a long road of recovery to go. The
doctor had said that if he had been hit just a quarter
of an inch higher our family would have been
going to his funeral.
This man and his wife Andrea have
sacrificed and served our country with honor. Eric
spent 10 years in the military serving in Iraq 2006-
2008 for OIF-OEF and serving in Afghanistan
2009-2010 for OIF-OEF. His wife Andrea has
also served 15 years including three tours in Iraq.
As a result of the injuries that he has sustained
from this incident, Eric has still not been given the
all-clear to go back to work.
It was brought to my attention that there
was a desire to take up a collection for Eric and his
family as they journey down this road of recovery
and the trials that they face. We are planning to
take up a collection for Eric Lequia and his family
on Sunday, May 15th after the worship service
(starts at 10:00 am) in order to help in any way that
we can as they incur travel costs, medical
expenses, and loss of income due to his inability to
work. I am thankful for the prayers that you have
provided and continue to ask for your continued
prayers for health and healing.
In God’s Peace,
Pastor Dave
Keep in Your Prayers
Please note that on May 15, the coffee “Love” offering is for Eric Lequia to assist with his extra
medical expenses, Marilee is serving. Please donate if you can.
JOSEPH’S COAT RACK Sponsored by the Altar Guild
Instructions:
If you need a ‘coat’ …………………………...….... take one!
If you know someone who needs a ‘coat’…….….....take one!
If you have a good, clean ‘coat/jacket’………….....bring one! (For men, women, and children)
This is a free recycle, reuse project sponsored by the Altar Guild. At the end of each
month of there are any coats/jackets on the rack they will be boxed and sent to Gaastra
Mission. If the Mission is not in need that month they will be brought to either St.
Vincent DePaul's or Goodwill.
APRIL UPDATE: Twenty-six more coats, jackets and shirts have been donated to Gaastra Mission
through this program at Faith Lutheran; thank you to all that donated. They are still in need -- they will
accept gently used flannel shirts and sweaters as well as Spring jackets and vests. They are very grateful to
get our donations. Coffee offering on April 24, was for Gaastra and we donated $140. Gaastra is in
desperate need of a new furnace. The Mission has 66 beds and helps men and women recover from drugs
and alcohol. Questions—please call: Marilee Koval 485-4349 / Irene Kindstrand 486-4373.
May God Bless You! Faith Lutheran Altar Guild
6
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day, please switch with someone or contact the following:
Irene Kindstrand— Lectors and Ushers Kathy Magnuson— Communion Servers Cheryl Salmer—Counters
C o f f e e S e r v e r s 05/01 Irene and Judy for Melissa H Graduation 05/08 Mothers Day Gathering 05/15 Marilee for Eric Lequia “Love” Offering 05/22 Kathy Richards / FLLC Scholarships 05/29 Graduation Sunday - Fellowship
C o m m u n i o n S e r v e r s May Carole Watson June Kathy Magnuson
U s h e r s 05/01 The Baileys 05/08 Karen and Ken Blau 05/15 Marlene and Claude Kautz 05/22 Mary Hewitt and Irene Kindstrand 05/29 Bev and Jerry Kippola 06/05 Melissa and Ward Harmala
L e c t o r s 05/01 Marilee Koval 05/08 Irene Kindstrand 05/15 Bailey Peterson 05/22 Irene Kindstrand 05/29 Marilee Koval 06/05 Emily Kaare
C o u n t e r s 05/01 Cindi Armitage and Robyn Stille 05/08 Kathy Richards and Laura Korte 05/15 Debbie Kroon and Robyn Stille 05/22 Judy Swanson and Laura Korte 05/29 Cheryl Salmer and Robyn Stille 06/05 Elaine Maki and Laura Korte
W i t h T h a n k s t o T h o s e W h o S e r v e i n M a y
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
May 2016
Mutual Ministry
6:30pm
Church Council
6:30pm
Confirmation 7pm
Confirmation 7pm
Confirmation 7pm
Children’s Sunday
School 9:45am
Worship 10am
Graduation
Celebration
Children’s Sunday School 9:45am
Worship 10am
Children’s Sunday School 9:45am
Worship 10am
Mothers Day Children’s Sunday
School 9:45am
Worship 10am
Share & Care
Children’s Sunday School 9:45am
Worship 10am
Confirmation 7pm
Grass cutting volunteers are needed for Spring and Summer.
If you can lend a hand (or two) with the church and
parsonage lawns, please see Nancy Harmala.
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