The Anchor. Pastor s Corner. Readings for January 2014

Transcription

1 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANO, ILLINOIS The Anchor O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. New Year s is tradi onally a me for looking back at the past year and looking ahead to the coming year. Certainly God has blessed us as a congrega on in so many ways this past year. We have much to be thankful for. Thank you for your par cipa on and service which has helped make so much possible. The Bible teaches us to look back with thankfulness and look forward with hope, not just at one me of the year, but each day. Several years ago, Biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann wrote a book en tled Deep Memory, Exuberant Hope. That tle says so much about how the Bible calls us to live. The Bible is filled with examples of recalling to mind the ways that God has acted in the past to bring healing, help and deliverance. It is this deep, rich, ac ve memory which enables us to live in the present with exuberant hope. This God of steadfast love and faithfulness promises to be with us, each day and every moment. This Good Shepherd who has faithfully led and tended his flock through the centuries is the One who leads us now into the future. The One who is seated on the throne says, "Behold, I am making all things new." We can live with exuberant hope, looking forward to the day when God will bring to fulfillment all of God s promises and purposes for us and for all crea on. Pastor s Corner Kennon Callahan offers this litany: Memory is strong; hope is stronger. We are the People of Hope. The cradle of Bethlehem is stronger than the thrones of Kings. We are the People of Bethlehem. The newborn Savior is stronger than the armies of the world. We are the People of New Life. Light is stronger than darkness. We are the People of Light. We are the Christmas People. We are the People of Wonder and Joy. ***************** On January 5 th our worship will be tradi onal style, on January 12 th it will be contemporary and on January 19 th and 26 th we will have blended worship. Also, in January I will begin a sermon series on Finding Ourselves in God s Story. I believe it is vitally important for us as Chris ans to have a clear sense of the big picture story of the Bible and understand how that story connects with the story of our life. I hope you will join us for worship and learning! ***************** We will have our Annual Congrega onal Mee ng on Sunday, Jan. 26 th at 10:45 a.m. I strongly encourage all members to a end this important mee ng. ***************** Penny and I want to thank all of you for your cards, gi s and other expressions of caring and support during the Christmas season. It is a joy to be a part of the First Lutheran Church family! May we grow and serve together in 2014 and in many more years to come. Pastor Bruce VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2014 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Baptism; Congratulations, Annual Meeting, Flower charts, Sympathy, Song History, Prayer Shawls, Prayer Recipe - Chocolate Coconut Bars, Pillow Case dresses, New Year Prayer Chain Guidelines, Prayer List Book Club, Offering, Women s Bible Study, Annual Reports Needed, Ha ha joke, Golden Harvesters, January Calendar January Volunteers, January Birthday & Anniversaries, January Prayer List Council Notes, Sunday School Snippets Readings for January /3 4/5 6/7 8/9 10/11 1/5/2014 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 Ephesians 1:3-14 John 1:1-18 1/12/2014 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3: /19/2014 Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40: Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1: /26/2014 Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23

2 PAGE 2 Our New First Lutheran Church Member! VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 Congratulations to Nan & Mike Grommes who are the proud grandparents of their first granddaughter! Audrey Lynn Ballinger was born on Thursday, Dec 12 th. She was 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Her proud parents are Scott & Therese Ballinger. Abigail Mae Papaeliou was baptized on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at First Lutheran Church of Plano. She was born on June 1, Abigail s parents are Matthew & Theresa Papaeliou. Baptismal sponsors were Alex Papaeliou & Emily Papaeliou. Pastor Bruce Booher officiated. Several family members and friends joined in the celebration. Welcome Abigail to the First Lutheran church family. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, January 26, :45 AM The 2014 flower charts will soon be posted in the Fellowship Hall (above the drinking fountains). Please sign up for those special dates. When you sign-up, you can indicate if the flowers are in honor of someone, or for a special event Maurice Dilts was called to be with our Father on Dec 3 rd, Pastor officiated at the funeral on Dec 5 th. Our deepest sympathy to Sue, and his family & friends. Mary Louise Johnson was called to be with our Father on December 9, Our deepest sympathy to her daughter, Sheryl Welsch, to (grandchildren) Erika Miller & Matthew Welsch, and to all of the family and friends. On Dec 18th, the family also suffered another loss: Tim Raffin, Sheryl s brother-in-law and Erika s & Matt s Uncle, passed away. Again our sympathy to them all.

3 T HE ANCHOR PAGE 3 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (contributed by Ruth Ann Hoehn) This carol, one of the first American Christmas carols, was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears as a five stanza poem in The tune most widely known in the US was written in 1850 by Richard Storrs Willis. Another tune written by Arthur Sullivan was adapted from an English melody. That tune is the usual accompaniment in the United Kingdom. The hymn was first sung at the Sunday school Christmas celebration at Sears church in Wayland, Massachusetts. Edmund Hamilton Sears was born on April 6, He grew up on a farm in Sandisfield, Massachusetts, near the Berkshire Hills. He attended Union College in Schenectady, NY and Harvard Divinity School. He served at several Unitarian churches in Massachusetts. He met his wife Ellen Bacon while student preaching and they were married in1839. Edmund Sears died January 14, Some have criticized this carol for not mentioning the Christ child. Sears was after all, a Unitarian. The theme of the hymn is understandable when you remember that the poem was written in This hymn is a melancholy reflection of the times. The US war with Mexico was still fresh in his mind, and while the civil war was still in the future, the debate of the future of slavery was ongoing. The author s only focus is the angelic request for peace on earth from Luke 2 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Sears wrote a five stanza poem. Most hymnals, including the LBW and ELW, omit what was written as the third stanza, showing the concern that Sears was likely feeling while writing his poem. Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world hath suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not the love song which they bring; O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing! This history was found on the internet, and in a book that is available in our church library Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan. For those of you that didn t notice the name, Edmund Sears is an ancestral relative of Barb and Anne Sears. I hope this brings more meaning to this carol when you sing it during this and future Christmas seasons. Do you know of someone who would be comforted by a PRAYER SHAWL or LAP ROBE? These are wonderful gifts to give anytime of the year, especially now that the weather is colder! Please feel free to take one from the quilt rack at the back of the sanctuary. These beautiful items are made by members of First Lutheran Church. Prayer is so simple, It is like quietly opening the door And slipping into the very presence of God; There in the stillness To listen to His voice; Perhaps to petition Or only to listen. It matters not; Just to be there In His presence Is prayer.

4 PAGE 4 VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 Recipe Corner Chocolate Coconut Bars (From Bev Vilmin) Ingredients: 2 c. graham cracker crumbs ½ c. bu er or margarine, melted ¼ c. sugar 2 c. flaked coconut 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk ½ c. chopped pecans 1 plain (7 oz) chocolate candy bar 2 Tbsp creamy peanut bu er Instruc ons: Combine the crumbs, bu er and sugar. Press into a greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Bake at for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine coconut, milk and pecans; spread over the crust. Bake at for 15 minutes; cool completely. In a small saucepan, melt candy bar and peanut bu er over low heat; spread over bars. Cool un l set. Yield: about 3 dozen.. Pillow Cases Dresses for Charity! On February 1 st, 2014, we will hold a day retreat to make pillowcase dresses for charity. We are in need of clean, in good condi on, pillow cases of any size, color or pa ern. We need quarter inch elas c, double fold bias tape, Ric Rac trim, and iron on or sew on decora- ve patches. If you would like to make a monetary dona on toward supplies or shipping you can give dona- ons to Brenda Albright, Jerri Lynn Baker, or Tammy De man. If you would like your dona on accounted for to your giving please submit your dona on to the Church office with a note explaining what your dona on is to be used for, make your note as Pillow Case Dresses. Please look for the box in the back of the sanctuary for your dona ons of supplies. The sign up sheet for volunteers to help make the dresses is now up in the back. If you sew please bring your portable sewing machine with you and mark the sheet that you will be sewing. If you do not sew but want to help we can use people to cut the pillow cases, sign up on the sheet as well and mark that you will help cut. All dresses we make will be donated to a charity organiza on called Li le Dresses for Africa. A DEFINITION OF THE NEW YEAR The new year is a door By which we reach new fields Of service for God and fellow man: A door by which we can explore Wide spheres of usefulness Our world to bless, And reap the sheaves God s word of witness yields. The new year is a task Set by the Master of our souls A little part of our life s work below: And so we ask holy wisdom which alone controls Our labor, teaching what and where to sow: That the year, at its end, May show God s glory and man s profit blend. The new year is a book With many pages, and as yet all white Or which to write The history of thoughts, and deed, and word In this new group of days. We pray thee Lord, As those shall look upon the book, When written over, may all be to Thy praise.

5 T HE ANCHOR PAGE 5 Prayer List Please keep the following people in your prayers Angela Sisko Ryan Heller Lois Tweedt Jonathan Tweedt Marty Lincoln Karen Slack Rose Tullock Harper Family Josie Hanlon Mary Olson Carole Ardelean Renee Lee Bonnie John & Pati Joe Tucek Paige Beal Steve P Vicki Fowler Geoff Sowders Rose Meszaros Scott Littlejohn Betty Kristofer Mary Mosely Delores Hartman Debbie Sherry Anderson Linda Stonecipher Linda Strader Matt Papaeliou Luella Hoehn Jayne Turner Sandy Johnson Marge Briggs Katelyn Miller Diane Kupp Karen Torkelson Those serving in the military Those not named here who are in need of prayers, and Also remember to pray for those who are closest to you and pray for yourself and your needs. New Prayer Chain Guidelines for Reques ng a Prayer be added to the Prayer Chain ANYONE may request a Prayer for ANYTHING they deem necessary or gives them cause for concern. Please call with the Church office at or the first person on the Prayer Chain. Please keep the prayer request as simple as possible: Name of person prayer requested for and reason. It is not necessary to go into a detailed message. God knows what is needed; we are simply the vessel to request His care. This will also help to keep the prayer request accurate as it passes down the list to members of the Prayer Partners. There no longer is a Day and Night Chain (one chain only). Calls can be made between 8:30am 8:30pm. Note those listed in italics 1 they have the capability to receive text messages, and they have requested to be part of the chain in this manner. Please contact Theresa Bagg with ques ons. PRAYER CHAIN PARTNERS 8:30 AM 8:30 PM 1. Jane Hyte Virginia Phelps Jerri Lynn Baker Erin Gillman Staci Smith Karen DeBolt Kathy Benoit Brenda Albright Theresa Bagg Penny Booher Diane Schlesinger Bev Vilmin Text capability

6 PAGE 6 VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 BOOK CLUB NEWS The Book Club will meet on Wed., Jan 8 th, 2014 at 9:15 AM. The book to be discussed is And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini It s time to prepare the Annual Report! Please be sure to submit your Committee Report to the church office no later than January 5 th, Thank you for your effort in getting this completed in a timely manner. Please watch your bulletin for the announcement indicating the date the Altar Guild will be removing the Christmas decorations. Your help will be appreciated Women of ALL Ages are invited to the Women s Bible Study Group. The next meeting of the Women s Bible Study Group will be Thursday, Jan 16 th at 1:00 PM. Watch your bulletin for further details about the meeting. Still accepting Time and Talent Sheets.... If you have not yet returned your 2013/2014 Time and Talent form, please complete it and drop it off at the Church Office anytime! We ll get you added to the volunteer list! We are always in need of volunteers for the 10:45 AM service! Please pray about how you can use your gifts to help support the ministries of the First Lutheran Church. There is no Golden Harvesters potluck in January. The next meeting will be Feb 14, Newsletter Offering Report OFFERINGS RECEIVED 11/24 $ 2, /1 $ 2, /8 $ 4, /15 $ 3, GENERAL FUND BUDGET Need Per week $3, (Annual Budget divided by 52 weeks) YTD YOUTH DIRECTOR DONATIONS: $9, : THROUGH December 15 th Received $ 139, Need $ 152, Short $ (12,923.83) 1/01/ /15/2013 CHECKING ACCOUNT Beginning Bal. $14, Income $154, Expenses $159, Ending Balance $9,681.41

7 T HE ANCHOR PAGE 7 January 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Office Closed :00 AM - Removal of Christmas decorations?? 5 Food Pantry Collection 8:15 AM - LBW Worship 9:15 AM - Coffee Fellowship 10:45 AM - LBW Worship COMMITTEE REPORTS DUE!!! 6 Pr. Bruce Day Off 5:30 PM - Social Concerns 7:00 PM - LMM 7 9:00 AM - Quilting 6:30 PM - Girl Scouts (basement) 6:30 PM - Worship 8 9:15 AM- Book Club 5:45 PM - Song Leader Practice - Contemporary? 6:00 PM - Confirmation Class 6:45 PM - Bell Choir 7:30 PM - Sr Choir 9 7:00 PM- Stewardship :15 AM - Contemporary Worship 9:15 AM - Coffee Fellowship 9:30 AM - Sunday School resumes 10:45 AM - Contemporary Worship 13 Pr. Bruce Day Off 14 9:00 AM - Quilting 6:30 PM - Girl Scouts (basement) 7:00 PM- Church Council 15 5:45 PM - Song Leader Practice - Contemporary? 6:00 PM - Confirmation Class 6:45 PM - Bell Choir 7:30 PM - Sr Choir 16 1:00 PM - Women s Bible Study 6:30 PM - Education / Youth 7:30 PM - Outreach Anchor Deadline 8:15 AM - LBW (Blended) Worship 9:15 AM - Coffee Fellowship 9:30 AM - Sun. School 10:45 AM - LBW (Blended) Worship 20 Pr. Bruce Day Off 21 9:00 AM - Quilting 6:30 PM - Girl Scouts (basement) 7:00 PM - Property & Maintenance 22 5:45 PM - Song Leader Practice - Contemporary? 6:00 PM - Confirmation Class 6:45 PM - Bell Choir 7:30 PM - Sr Choir 23 7:00 PM - Long Range Planning :15 AM - WOV (Blended) Worship 9:15 AM - Coffee Fellowship 9:30 AM - Sunday School 10:45 AM ANNUAL MEETING 27 Pr. Bruce Day Off 28 9:00 AM - Quilting 6:30 PM - Girl Scouts (basement) 29 5:45 PM - Song Leader Practice - Contemporary? 6:00 PM - Confirmation Class 6:45 PM - Bell Choir 7:30 PM - Sr Choir 30 31

8 PAGE 8 V O LU M E 2 7, I S S U E 1 January 2014 Worship Volunteers

9 T HE ANCHOR PAGE 9 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 2- Jesse Stonecipher 4- Colin Anderson Denise Krause Michael Miller 5- Joe Anderson 8- Megan Johnson 10-Sharon Brue Anna Wennmacher 11-Doug Boring 12- Franklin Read 13-Noah Abazi 14-Ava Martin 15-Jazmin Tullock 16- Halie Baker Don Baker 19-Karen DeBolt Renee Mahoney Dakota Malert Alex Porter 20-Jim Stevens Tim Miller 21-Tim Kern 23-Ali Martin 25-Mikayla Schmidt Jeff Hoehn Garrett Sanmann 26-Bob Robinson 27-Braylon Schmidt 28-Marge Briggs 29-Donielle Anderson 30-Mike Grommes Erin Johnson JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 9 Bill & Bonnie Howell The world is a chaotic and confusing place. Prayer is the conduit that connects us to God and opens up the possibilities of direction and understanding. Prayer is not just for pastors. All of God s people are invited to pray on the behalf of others. Please include the following members of the First Lutheran family in your daily prayers. JANUARY 1 - Michael Johnson 2 - Joyce Johnson Ninham 3 - Wayne, Cozette, & Brandon Jones 4 - Forest & Colt Jones 5 - William Kahle 6 - Carolyn Kedzierski 7 - Tim & Vicki Kern 8 - Courtney Klatt 9 - Rebecca Klatt 10 - Zachery Klatt 11 - Connie Kolzow 12 - Jack & Kathy Koteles 13 - Dean, Denise & Tyler Krause 14 - Mitchell & Hannah Krause 15 - Gilbert & Shirley Krause 16 - Sarah & Dan Kuntzman 17 - Tim & Diane Kupp 18 - Linda Landis 19 - Curtis & Lydia Larsen 20 - Martin & Valerie Lincoln 21 - Lucas & Ashley (Harmon) Losic 22 - David, Julie, Taylor & Rylie Loux 23 - David, Cindy, Jacob, Lucas & Ellen Maaske 24 - Bruce, Kristi, Trevor, Darren & Lindsay Magnotti 25 - Dakota Malert & Candice Rose 26 - Brad, Holly, Ava & Ali Martin 27 - Nancy Martin 28 - Bill & Judi Meier 29 - Shirley Melin 30 - John, Norma, Tristan & Lillian Meszaros 31 - Rose Meszaros PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AND LET US KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY DATE, AND WE WILL UPDATE OUR RECORDS. THANK YOU.

10 PAGE 10 VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 Council Highlights December 10, 2013 (see complete report on bulletin board at back of sanctuary) Pastor s Report - Pastor reviewed his reports & listed future events: Open House on Dec. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the parsonage. only one service at 9:00 a.m. on Dec 22 and 29, with a carol sing at 8:15 on Dec 22. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, there will be services at 5 and 11 p.m. Treasurer Report expenditures normal, but with added remodeling expenses; Approved hiring Ruth Ann Hoehn as Financial Secretary; Director of Youth & Family Ministry Report Profit from wreath sale is about $150; looking at dates for Feed My Starving Children and Laser Tag outing; Stewardship Report no meeting; Worship and Music Report report approved dates as discussed in Pastor s report; Social Concerns donated $400 to Rockin Christmas; Adding in donations from other Church groups, donations totaled over $700; Theresa Bagg is working to fix Prayer Chain; Property Steve DeBolt received the snowplowing contract; Bob Albright is retiring as chairperson from the Property Committee; Outreach Report picture-taking through December with Becky Gwilt assisting; Pastor working to get White Horse Band for a concert;; Education/Youth Report Sunday School Christmas program set for Dec 15 at 9:30 AM; Sunday School materials for next semester have been ordered; Long Range Planning no meeting; Executive no meeting; Old Business n/a; New Business discussed 2014 budget; budget accepted Motion passed to give employees 2% raise, (does not include Youth Director who is under a separate contract); Nominating Committee (Steve Benoit, Deb Pease, Nancy Martin, Lisa Tierney & Floyd Anderson) to meet on Dec 15 th after 1 st service) Annual Meeting set for Sunday, Jan 26 th, 2014; NI Synod Workshop on Feb 1 2; Discussed service times Next meeting: Tuesday, Jan 14th at 7:00 PM; January Coffee Hour Social Concerns Committee Life is a book in volumes three - The past, the present, and the yet-to-be. The past is written and laid away, The present we're writing every day, And the last and best of volumes three Is locked from sight - God keeps the key. Author: Author Unknown

11 T HE ANCHOR PAGE 11 Sunday School Snippets Sunday School Takes Winter Break There will be no Sunday School classes on December 30 and Jan 6. Classes will resume on January 13 th. We wish safe travels to all during the holiday season. Collections for Kendall County Food Pantry Sunday School children are invited to donate canned goods and non-perishable food items for the Kendall County Food Pantry. First Lutheran is always a drop-off location for these items. Food pantries experience shortages after the holidays, so January is a perfect time to donate. Thank You What a delightful Sunday School Program!! Thanks to the high school students for choosing very appropriate and meaningful readings. Thanks to all the music leaders and teachers for preparing and practicing special performances. The Time Machine Christmas had to be one of the best plays EVER!! Especially thank you to the students for doing such a great job singing, speaking and performing! Special thanks, too, to the adult secret pals who showered Christian love and special gifts to their Sunday School Secret Pals. What a joyful day as the children smiled from ear to ear while they opened their cards and gifts from their special anonymous angels! Christian New Year s Resolutions By Joanna Fuchs How can I use the New Year To better serve my Lord? I ll read my Bible every day, And be more in accord. I ll find new ways to serve others; I ll love my neighbor, too. I ll focus on give instead of get In everything I do. I ll forgive the people I m mad at; Angry feelings I ll discard; I ll try to love my enemies, Even though it s hard. In the new year, I ll lift people up, Instead of putting them down. I ll fill my heart with love and joy, And never wear a frown. I ll let go of my worries; I ll put it all in His hands; I ll repent and try to sin less, And obey all His commands. These new year s resolutions Are difficult, at best, But there s something I can do each day That will put my soul at rest: I ll love my Lord with all my heart, With all my mind and soul, And if I do that essential thing, All the rest will be in control.

12 First Lutheran Church Plano, Illinois 200 N Center Street Plano, IL Phone: Fax: churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net Return Service Requested Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit #3 PLANO, IL "First in Spirit, First in Faith, First in Outreach" We are on the Web! firstlutheranchurchplano.com And on Facebook: hurchofplanoil & Hit the LIKE button! Deadline for the Feb Anchor: Sunday, Jan 19 th! Be ready to submit articles by this date! Sunday: WORSHIP TIMES Coffee Fellowship: Sunday School: 8:15 AM 10:45 AM 9:15 AM 9:30 AM Communion offered at both services. A nursery area is available. Pastor: Rev. Bruce Booher Starpastor@aol.com Youth Director: Sarah Kuntzman firstluthyouth@ gmail.com OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 6:30 am-12:30 pm Secretary: Ann Hagemann churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net