The Anchor. Pastor s Corner

Transcription

1 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANO, ILLINOIS The Anchor We had a wonderful Vacation Bible School. Once again it was a ministry we shared with our brothers and sisters in Christ at First Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church of Plano. We had a number of children from our congregation, but also many from the community. It was great to talk with the kids for a week about God s purposes for them and for all creation, centered in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is a powerful outreach program for our congregation. Thank you for all your support for VBS. I especially want to thank Renee Mahoney, who directed VBS this year, as well as our members who served as teachers, leaders and helpers: Donielle Anderson, Katelyn DeBolt, Candy Johnson, Ryan Phillips, Carol Robinson, Heather Schindlbeck, Brad Schindlbeck, Kathy Stuttle, Jayne Turner, and Steve Turner, Lindsay Magnotti, Isabella Mahoney and Selina Urbina. (See complete list in article on pg. 13). I also want to thank all those who donated snacks and other items. Thank you all so much! From August 2-7, Renee Mahoney, three of our confirmation students and I will attend Confirmation Camp at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Elkhorn Lake, WI. Church camps can have a powerful impact on the lives of those who attend. Penny and I met as counselors at Camp Good News on Cape Cod. All three of our children attended church camps. I am glad that our congregation has supported Lutherdale for years, and that we have both Lutherdale and Lutheran Outdoor Pastor s Corner Ministries Center in Oregon, IL available to us. I know next summer is a long way off, but let me encourage parents to consider sending children to camp next summer. Our congregation has funds that were designated to help send children and youth to camps, so we can help if money is an issue. We have the opportunity to run a booth with children s games at the Smallville Superfest on Saturday, August 15 th. If we are going to do this we will need volunteers to work 2 hour shifts. If you are interested in helping to reach out to our community in this way, please talk to Renee Mahoney, our Director of Youth and Family Ministry. We will have our Worship in the Park on Sunday, August 16 th. It will be advertised as a community worship service through the Smallville Superfest. The service will be held at 10:30 AM (Note the new time!!) so that those who want to participate in the Andrew Kuebrich 5K run that morning can also participate in the worship service. Watch for more information. We will have our annual 5Bs Pork Chop and Chicken BBQ on Friday, August 28 th. Plan to join us for great food and fun! For more information see page 12. Two announcements for September On Labor Day weekend, we will just have one service at 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 6 th. Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 13 th. Rally Day will be held on Sunday, September 20 th. Pastor Bruce V OLUME 28, ISSUE 7 AUGUST 2015 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Baptisms, SOS blurb, God s Work, Our Hands news: Thank You, Men s Quartet to perform, Recognition, Secret annc Recipe - Strawberry Spinach Salad & Dill Dip, August Library News, Council Notes, Sympathy, Prayer List, Prayer Chain info Book Club, Offering, Pancakes, Women s Bible Study, Community Worship, August Calendar August Volunteers, August Birthdays & Anniversaries, August Prayer List 2015 Quiltfest, Ruth Ann Ramblings Annual BBQ, Youth Director Article 2/3 4/5 6/7 8/9 10/11 12/13 Sunday School Snippets 14/15 Readings for August /2/2015 Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6: /9/ Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:1-8 Ephesians 4:25 5:2 John 6:35, /16/2015 Proverbs 9:1-6 Psalm 34:9-14 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6: /23/2015 Joshua 24:1-2a, Psalm 34:15-22 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6: /30/2015 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

2 P AGE 2 V OLUME 28, I SSUE 7 Our New First Lutheran Church Members! First Lutheran welcomed these new members into our church family through the sacrament of baptism. Elizabeth Jo Agajanian was baptized on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at First Lutheran Church of Plano. She was born on May 11, Elizabeth is the daughter of James & Laura Agajanian. Her sponsors were Abel and Jacqueline Anderson. Pastor Bruce Booher officiated. Big sister Olivia, great grandmother Nancy Martin, and several family members and friends joined in the celebration.welcome Elizabeth to First Lutheran s church family. Gaige Raymond Feitl was baptized on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at First Lutheran Church of Plano. Gaige is the son of Julie & Gregory Feitl. He was born on March 17, Garrett Marquis and Jennifer Perkins were Gaige s sponsors. Pastor Bruce Booher officiated. Big sister Jaedence joined in the celebration. Welcome Gaige to our First Lutheran Church family. Sassy Ol Seniors (SOS) Watch your bulletin for announcements regarding the August event!! Hailey Lynn Curtis was baptized on Saturday, Jul;y 11, 2015 at First Lutheran Church of Plano. She was born on September 12, Hailey s parents are Benny Curtis and Samantha Tischhauser. Her Baptismal sponsors were: Rebecca Brunning, Christina Sandberg, Alex Schutt, Joy Van Gilder, Brandon Jones & Kevin Tischhauser. Pastor Bruce Booher officiated. We welcome Hailey to the First Lutheran Church family.

3 T HE ANCHOR P AGE 3 Celebrate who we are as the ELCA - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.. We can t begin to express our appreciation to all who supported Peggy's Peeps in the 2015 Walk to Defeat ALS: There were over 55 walkers at the event on May 30 th, even with the possibility of rain showers all morning! We had 95+ people donate to our team, bringing our final amount raised to $7, We especially wanted to give a huge thank you to the congregation at First Lutheran Church. As Mom (Peggy Fields) said, "A big Thank You from the bottom of my heart. There were so many people who supported Peggy's Peeps during the coffee fellowship hour who I wish I could thank personally." We all had a blast and we are beyond thankful for our family at First Lutheran Church. Sara Fields & the Fields Family Ruth Ann Hoehn was recognized after service on Sunday, June 28 th. She graduated from the Diakonia program the previous day, and worked hard to achieve this honor! The Men s Quartet and Friends will be performing on Saturday, August 8 th at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. Our mid-summer show An Evening of Music is a mix of uplifting spirituals and classic oldies that you ll love to sing along with. Please join us and bring a friend. And just a note, we are always interested in adding talent to the group. If you d like to be a Friend and perform with the group, or support the group with some other talent you may have please see Randy Jensen or Virgil Hyte before or after the show. ATTENTION!! IT S A SECRET!!!!!! Friends of Larry Weeks, you are invited to an Open House to celebrate the 75 th Birthday of Larry. When: Aug. 1 st from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Where: First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall Join us for cake, coffee & punch. Shhhh! Right now, it s a surprise, but we don t know how long we ll keep it from him! We want to do this for him, but we know he wouldn t want all the fuss! We happen to like fussing! If you are unable to attend, but would like to drop him a card, please mail them to arrive in time for the party to: Jerri Lynn Baker 73 Clark Rd. Oswego, IL 60543

4 P AGE 4 V OLUME 28, I SSUE 7 Recipe Corner Spinach Strawberry Salad (Lisa Tierney) Ingredients: Dressing ½ c. sugar 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds 1 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion ¼ c. cider vinegar ¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce ¼ tsp. paprika ¼ c. vegetable oil ¼ c. water Ingredients: Salad 1 pt. strawberries 1 bag fresh spinach 1 bag slivered almonds Instructions: Combine dressing ingredients and refrigerate. Wash spinach, tear, and toss with dressing. Cut cleaned strawberries in thirds and add to above. Sprinkle with almonds. Dill Dip (Kathy Benoit) Ingredients 1 pt. Hellman s Mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip) 1 pt. sour cream 2 Tbsp. dried parsley 2 Tbsp. dried onions 2 Tbsp. dill weed Instructions: Mix together and serve with crunchy vegetables. ** A must have at Benoit parties & get-togethers) AUGUST LIBRARY NEWS (submitted by Diane Schlesinger) We have been blessed with many donations to our library this summer. Books donated by Steve and Kathy Benoit are Notes From the Valley (A Spiritual Travelogue Through Cancer) by Andy McQuitty and Chicken Soup for the Cancer Survivor s Soul. These were given in memory of their sister-in-law, Karren Wonders. Juanita Burton gave us a large print edition of the King James Bible. Three historical novels were donated by Ruth Ann Hoehn. They were written by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller, both well-known writers of Christian fiction. The books, A Daughter s Inheritance, An Unexpected Love, and A Surrendered Heart are part of the Broadmoor Legacy series which is about a New York family in the 1800 s. Linda Landis has donated several sets of CD s of the Bible. They are as follows: The entire King James Bible narrated by Alexander Scourby The entire King James Bible with Old Testament narrated by John Shurberg and the New Testament narrated by James Earl Jones. The New Testament (King James) narrated by James Earl Jones Two sets of the New International Version of the Bible. These present the Bible in a unique and entertaining format. A cast of award-winning actors and faith leaders bring each biblical character to life. A musical score provides further inspiration. Thank you to all you generous donors!! Please enjoy any of the books and CD s on our shelves. We ask that you sign the check-out book so we can keep track of where things are.

5 T HE A NC HOR P AGE 5 Council Highlights June 9, 2015 (see complete report on bulletin board at back of sanctuary) Pastor s Report - Pastor reviewed upcoming events: FMSC, Synod Assembly, VBS, ELCA Youth Gathering is July 15-19; Treasurer Report taxes & insurance are due; will not renew service contract for chair lift; will use money from Sears bequest for physical improvements to church properties; Director of Youth & Family Ministry Report VBS report presented & approved; Worship and Music Report renewed CCLI music license; Property major rental property issues resolved; looking into new property management company; Stewardship Report reviewed finances; Social Concerns Prayer Chain still having issues; Meal Train for Peggy Fields is operating; investigating projects for God s Work, Our Hands ; reception for Ruth Ann on June 28 Outreach Report did not meet; Education/Youth Report VBS is July 6-10; Long Range Planning did not meet Executive did not meet; Old Business remember to review Planning retreat ideas; check Time & Talent sheets for additions; Katelyn DeBolt & Sarah Kuntzman working on a something gathering; New Business None; Next meeting: Tuesday, Aug 11th at 7:00 PM; Our deepest sympathy to Steve & Karen DeBolt and their family Steve s brother, Jimmy DeBolt, unexpectedly passed through death to eternal life on June 23rd. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 29th at St Mary s Catholic Church in Plano. Please keep the family in your prayers. PRAYER LIST: Ryan Heller, Lois Tweedt, Jonathan Tweedt, Marty Lincoln, Carole Ardelean, Rose Tullock, Harper Family, Josie Hanlon, Mary Olson, Renee Lee, Bonnie, Scott Littlejohn, Delores Hartman, Sherry Anderson, David, Heather D., Sandra Zonzo, Alice Crawford, Sue Hyte, Leslie, Amy, Todd E., Kathy K., Kelsey, Mary Kincannon, Don Sampson, Melinda Swanson, Joyce Schmitt, Linda Landis, Shirley Tucek & family, Ann Hagemann (member), Peggy Fields, Aaron Weeks, Nonnie Booher, Jane Hyte, Shirley Hozie, Marge Briggs & Karen DeBolt; Please also remember those serving in the military; and anyone not named here who is in need of prayers. Remember your own special needs as well. Our deepest sympathy to Steve & Kathy Benoit and their family on the death of Kathy & Steve s sisterin-law, Karren Wonders. Please keep the family in your prayers. 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 P AGE 6 V OLUME 28, I SSUE 7 BOOK CLUB NEWS The Book Club will meet on Wed., Aug 5 th, 2015 at 9:15 AM. The book for discussion is Stella Bain by Anita Shreve. Books for future discussion are Holy Ghost Girl by Donna Johnson (Sept) & Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (Oct) The Women s Bible Study Group meets the 3 rd Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM at the church for Bible study, refreshments and fellowship. Women of ALL Ages are invited! Meetings will resume in September! SUPERFEST Community Worship Service in the Park The First Baptist Church, The First Lutheran Church, and United Methodist Church will hold a Community Worship Service on Sunday, August 16 th at 10:30 AM at Lathrop Park (corner of Hale and North St). *** Note the time is different from previous years. This is an ecumenical faith witness in our community; a time of prayer, praise, song, and fellowship. Bring your lawn chairs and come listen to the wonderful music! Tell your friends and bring you neighbors! Hope to see you there! FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH Lutheran Men in Mission Newsletter Offering Report OFFERINGS RECEIVED 5/24 $ 1, /31 $ 1, /6 & 7 $ 2, /13 & 14 $ 3, /20 & 21 $ 2, /27 & 28 $ 1, /5 $ 2, /7 $ /12 $ 3, /19 $ 1, GENERAL FUND BUDGET Need Per week $3, (Annual Budget divided by 52 weeks) YTD YOUTH DIRECTOR DONATIONS: $ Sunday, August 9, :30 AM 10:30 AM Fellowship Hall MENU Pancakes Pork Sausage Applesauce Syrup Coffee & Juice (Free Will Offering) The Golden Harvesters will not meet in August. THROUGH July 21 st Received $ 86, Need $ 89, Over $ (2,494.94) 1/01/2015-7/21/2015 CHECKING ACCOUNT Beginning Bal. $ Income $95, Expenses $90, Ending Balance $ 6, Borrowed from Bequest $5, Ending Balance $ 1,058.17

7 T HE ANCHOR P AGE 7 August 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 1:00 PM - Event in Fellowship Hall 5:00 PM - Worship 2 9:00 AM - Worship 1:00 PM - Member Event in Fellowship Hall 3 Pr Bruce Day Off 7:00 PM - LMM 4 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 6:30 PM - Worship & Music 7:00 PM - Property 5 9:15 AM - Book Club 6 6:30 PM - Stewardship? 7 8 5:00 PM - Worship Confirmation Camp Confirmation Camp Confirmation Camp Confirmation Camp Confirmation Camp Confirmation Camp 9 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM - LMM Pancake & Sausage Breakfast 10 Pr Bruce Day Off 11 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting :00 AM - Worship 6:15 PM - Social Concerns 7:00 PM - Church Council (NO Golden Harvesters!) 5:00 PM - Worship 16 ANCHOR DEADLINE 10:30 AM - 3-in-1 Ecumenical Worship in the Park Noon - Member Event in Fellowship Hall 17 Pr Bruce Day Off 18 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting (NO Women s Bible Study) 6:30 PM - Education / Youth 7:30 PM - Outreach :00 PM - Worship 23 9:00 AM - Worship 24 Pr Bruce Day Off 25 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting :00 PM - Worship 30 9:00 AM - Worship 31 Pr Bruce Day Off

8 P AGE 8 V OLUME 28, I SSUE 7 August 2015 Worship Volunteers

9 T HE ANCHOR P AGE 9 AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1- Heather Fowler Debbie Goldsmith Larry Weeks 5-Leann Savitski Jillian Torres 6-Madison Fowler Chuck Johnson Genevieve Schindlbeck 7-Tegan Torres 10-Olivia Thrall, Isabel Hyte 11-Katelyn Miller 12-Steve DeBolt 15-Dorsi Hubbartt, Jane Colbert Tom Mahoney 16-Niki Niemann, Erik Tierney 17-Piper Weeks 18-Tyler Krause, Julie Loux, Evan Corrado 19-Aimee Anderson, Eric Gillman Bruce Magnotti, John Meszaros 20-Floyd Anderson Bobbi Dettman 21-Connie Kolzow 23-Jack Koteles 25-Zac Roberts, Mark Savitski 26-Gary Blankenship 27-Steve Turner, Ashlyn Weeks 28-Evan Bagg 29-Dan Kuntzman 30-Sarah Kuntzman, Robert Hubbartt Andrew Nicoletti 31-Brenda Albright Carl Johnson AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES 1 David & Jane Ford 3 Carl & Joanne Johnson 4 Zachary & Alyssa Roberts 5- Jim & Kathy Porter Wally & Kathy Hamlin 6- Steve & Karen DeBolt 10-Bob & Mary Kay Pilmer Jim & Pat Ruzicka 20-James & Karyl Reents (50 years) 25- Keith & Jerri Lynn Baker 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. AUGUST 1 - Mike, Michelle & James O Hara 2 - Glenn Olson 3 - Mary Olson 4 - Matt, Theresa & Abigail Papaeliou 5 - Mike, Debbie, Alan & Mark Pease 6 - Virginia Phelps & Nicole Niemann 7 - Ryan, Melissa, Paige & Grady Phillips 8 - Robert, Mary Kay, Katherine & John Pilmer 9 - Jim & Kathy Porter 10 - Alex Porter 11 - Andy Porter 12 - Franklin, Susan & Kaylee Read 13 - James & Karyl Reents 14 - Tim, Sheila, Rachel & Travis Robbins 15 - Bill, Deborah, Jacob & Katie Roberts 16 - Zachary & Alyssa Roberts 17 - Carol Robinson 18 - Jim & Pat Ruzicka 19 - Kailea Hamlin Sackett 20 - Don & Martha Sampson 21 - Mark, Leann, Austi & Marshal Savitski 22 - Brad, Heather, Cael, Tyler, Genevieve Schindlbeck 23 - Norm & Diane Schlesinger 24 - James, Shelley, Bryson, Vance, McKenna, Mikayla, & Braylon Schmidt 25 - Chris & Emily (Albright) Schindler 26 - Kurt, Laura & Mitchell Schobert 27 - Anne Sears 28 - Barb Sears 29 - Dan Sebby 30 - Darin, Cherrie, Kiya & Cade Severson 31 - Wilma Simms PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AND LET US KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY DATE, AND WE WILL UPDATE OUR RECORDS. THANK YOU.

10 P AGE 1 0 V O LUME 28, I SSUE 7 Soooo Wondering who signed up to be on a committee you are on? Looking to see who is willing to bring in Sunday School snacks, or to help with the BBQ? Looking for a sub for a Worship service? Well, the answers are easily available!! The results of the Time & Talent sheet submissions have been compiled and are contained in the two white binders that on the shelf where the mailboxes are located (by the restrooms). Each binder is clearly labeled 2015 Time & Talent and contains the list of volunteers for every choice on the sheet (provided someone actually signed up J ). One binder also contains a copy of each Time & Talent sheet submitted. Please do not remove the binder from the church premises. Feel free to make a copy of whatever info you are seeking. Thank you.

11 T HE ANCHOR P AGE 11 Ruth Ann s Ramblings (contributed by Ruth Ann Hoehn) Now Thank We All Our God (Nun danket alle Gott) Martin Rinckart ( A.D.) was born in Eilenburg, Germany. Rinckart studied for the Lutheran ministry, and was called to serve as pastor of the church at in his home town of Eilenburg. He arrived there just before the beginning of the Thirty Years War of Being a walled city, Eilenburg became a place of refuge and soon became badly overcrowded. Because of the overcrowding, the citizens were susceptible to disease. The plague of 1637 decimated the town, killing 8,000 people, including Rinckart's wife. Rinckart often conducted forty or fifty funerals a day for plague victims. Rinckart wrote the first two stanzas, not as a hymn for public worship, but as a table grace for his family. At the end of the war, his hymn was sung to celebrate the signing of the Peace of Westphalia -- the treaty that ended the war. The hymn was set to music by Johann Crüger about 1647, and translated into English in the 19th century by Catherine Winkworth. This is My Father's World Maltbie Davenport Babcock was born at Syracuse, New York, graduated in 1879 from Syracuse University with highest honors. He studied theology at the Auburn Theological Seminary, receiving his degree there in He married Katherine Eliot Tallman youngest daughter of John Peck Higgins Tallman a prominent lawyer. They had two children, both of whom died in infancy. Upon receiving his degree in theology in 1882, Babcock became pastor of a church at Lockport, New York. From 1887 to 1900, Babcock was senior minister of the prestigious Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. He was honored by a Doctor of Divinity degree from Syracuse University in He was called to the Brick Church of New York City in He was so popular at the Brick Church that many prominent Baltimoreans unsuccessfully implored Babcock to remain at Brown instead of accepting the call to Brick Presbyterian Church. Babcock died at age 42 in Naples, Italy, on May 18, He was returning from a trip to the Holy Land and being treated in the International Hospital in Naples for what was called "Mediterranean fever," an archaic term for brucellosis. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York. When Babcock lived in Lockport, he took frequent walks along the Niagara Escarpment to enjoy the overlook's panoramic vista of upstate New York scenery and Lake Ontario, telling his wife he was "going out to see the Father's world". Shortly after his death in 1901 she published a compilation of Babcock's writings entitled Thoughts for Every-Day Living that contained the poem "My Father's World." Franklin L. Sheppard set the poem to music in 1915 to a tune entitled "Terra Beata" (Latin for "Blessed Earth").

12 P AGE 12 V OLUME 28, I SSUE 7 COMING SOON!!!!!!! FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH ANNUAL 5 B S BAR~B~QUE The annual Pork Chop and Chicken Bar-B-Que will be held Friday, August 28 th from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. This is an important fundraiser for the church and it can only be successful if everyone helps. The money raised is used for church improvements and special needs. The most important thing is ticket sales. Ticket sales will begin on August 1 st / 2 nd. Please stop by the table at the back of the sanctuary and pick up a few books of tickets to sell to your family, friends, and co-workers. You may also purchase your own meal ticket at this time. All dinners include applesauce, baked beans, bun, butter, and drink. Take-outs available. $12.00 ~ Combo dinner ~ 1 pork chop & 1/4 chicken $12.00 ~ 2 pork chop dinner $12.00 ~ 1/2 chicken dinner $11.00 ~ 1 pork chop dinner $11.00 ~ 1/4 chicken dinner $5.00 ~ Hot dog dinner We also need help setting up on the 27 th (day before the Bar-B-Que) and final set-up and running the Bar-B-Que on Friday the 28 th. There are a number of jobs that can be done by all ages. Watch for a sign-up sheet at the back of the sanctuary for jobs and times. Please sign up to help. This can be a family affair. We can use helpers of all ages!!!!! The Bar-B-Que is an evening of work, fun, and fellowship. Let s all work together to make it a successful one. Thank you, Property & Management Committee ~~~ SENTENCE SERMONS ~~~ - Many of us have the right aim in life. We just never get around to pulling the trigger. - When life knocks you to your knees, you are in a perfect position to pray. - The one thing worse than a quitter is the person who is afraid to begin. - You have the rest of your life to be miserable, so you might as well enjoy today. - Never let yesterday use up too much of today.

13 T HE ANCHOR P AGE 13 From the Youth & Family Ministry Director: Where has summer gone? I can t believe that we are already talking about back-to-school. I hope that you have all had a chance to do some of the things on your summer list. It was great to be able to see some of our youth throughout the summer. At First Lutheran, we certainly have really been busy. In June, we had 30 volunteers pack meals at Feed My Starving Children. As a group we donated $137 to help fund FMSC s mission. It was a great turnout for such a great cause. Everyone had a wonderful time serving and many have said they would like to participate in this event again. I would definitely like to set up a time for us to serve with FMSC again in the winter. Our joint Vacation Bible School with United Methodist and First Baptist was a success despite me being a newbie at the process. I really feel the students took many meaningful memories and messages with them. We had approximately 47 students attend and 7 outstanding teen volunteers. I really need to say a very sincere THANK YOU to all who volunteered. I can tell you that every person who volunteered served with a caring and patient heart, and went above and beyond to make VBS a wonderful experience for everyone involved. I would like to recognize our amazing adult volunteers from First Lutheran: Donielle Anderson, Katelyn DeBolt, Candy Johnson, Jeannette King, Ryan Phillips, Carol Robinson, Heather Schindlbeck, Brad Schindlbeck, Kathy Stuttle, Jayne Turner, and Steve Turner. In addition, our lovely Secretary, Ann Hagemann, was a huge help in pointing me in the right direction along with Pastor Booher! We had a really fun and dedicated group of teens help this year. I am really so proud of all of them for how graciously they were willing to help wherever needed with a smile. I would like to recognize our fantastic teen helpers (some from other Congregations): Ethan Cadena, Leah Cadena, Kylie Flynn, Carissa Johnson, Lindsay Magnotti, Isabella Mahoney, Haley Morris and Selina Urbina. We also had several volunteers generously donate food! Thank you to each person who sent in snacks and beverages. We had several other adults help serve from United Methodist and First Baptist. Every volunteer has been such a huge blessing to our joint mission. Thank you for all your contributions that have served to make VBS a success. We couldn t do this without you! This fall, I would like to send along some encouraging notes and small care packages to our students going to College or serving in the Military. Please me the name and mailing address for your College Student or Son or daughter serving our Country to firstluthyouth@gmail.com by Sept 1 if you can. Please watch the weekly bulletins for more information about items needed and a date of packing and writing for our youth. I have to say though I am sad to see our summer come to an end, I am very excited to see a new Sunday School year start and spend more time with all of you. Upcoming Events: August 2-7, Confirmation Camp Pastor Booher and I will be attending Lutherdale Camp with three of our youth. Please join us in praying for our group for safe travels, good health, an opportunity to build relationships, and grow in our faith. Saturday, August 15 Smallville Fest Old Fashioned Kids Games Booth 9:45-6pm. We have been invited to volunteer to run a small games booth at Smallville Fest. I will not be able to monitor the booth the entire day, so youth signing up will need to have an adult with them. We will serve in two hour shifts, and once our prizes run out, we are done with our booth. Please contact me for further instructions. There will be a sign up poster in back of the sanctuary. Thank you for helping! Saturday, Sept. 12 3pm We would like to invite ALL students to come help us get the church ready for Sunday School by decorating the boards and designing artwork for the basement restroom. We would also have time at this point to make encouraging notes and cards for College Students and those serving our Country. ~Renee Mahoney

14 P AGE 14 V OLUME 28, I SSUE 7 Sunday School Snippets Sunday School Begins September 13 th We will discover the wild wonders of Jesus as we begin the Sunday School year on Sunday, September 13 th at 9:30 AM. Come sing together, meet your teachers and get a fun goodie bag! On September 20 th, we will join with our Methodist and Baptist friends for a Rally Day celebration from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Please note that this is a different time than Sunday School is usually held, which is 9:30 a.m. All Sunday School children, their parents and the entire congregation is invited to attend the exciting program on August 20th, featuring Tim Hannig (Christian ministry magician) to be held at the Methodist Church Following this program we will return to First Lutheran for donuts and juice. Come join us! Sunday School Teachers: Sunday School teachers who plan to stay on (or are going to retire) are requested to please send Kathy Benoit an at benoits4@sbcglobal.net. Also, if you are not currently a Sunday teacher or helper and wish to help, please do the same. We will need to rearrange teachers, so our Youth Director, Renee Mahoney, can move into her new high school teaching position. Pray about how you can help our youth and come discover the wild wonders of Sunday School with us! Thanks! VBS Thank You Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make our VBS so successful this year! What a fantastic experience it was for our youth. Special thanks to Renee Mahoney and all the other people who taught, helped, donated, volunteered. You are special to God!

15 T HE ANCHOR P AGE 15 Sunday School Snippets Skate on Over and Help Us Decorate Sunday School students are invited to help decorate the education areas for the new Sunday School year. Come join us from 3-5 PM on Saturday, September 12 th, if you like to do bulletin boards or just like to help!! Student Information and Secret Pal Forms On the first day of Sunday School on September 13 th, we will send home student information and secret pal forms with each child. Parents and their child(ren) should complete these and return them the next Sunday. We would like to have up-to-date information on each family, in the event of an emergency. If your child has any allergies or special restrictions, it should be listed on this form. Information on these forms is also shared with adult secret pals, so they get to know their secret pal a little better. Sunday School Donations We have been blessed with many donations for Sunday School and we are in really good shape with crayons and construction paper. Our Sunday School IS in need of scotch tape, markers, lunch size bags and Kleenex, if anyone has some laying around. Thank you for always supporting our students! Adults Invited to Become a Secret Pal Adult members of the church are invited to become a Sunday School Secret Pal. The only requirement is that you would like to provide support and encouragement to a Sunday School child throughout the school year. This encouragement may be in the form of anonymous notes, cards, little snacks or surprises. This should be a loving (not expensive) venture! If you are interested in becoming a Secret Pal, please sign your name to the list at the back of the church. We will assign you with the name and address of a Sunday School child and the rest is up to you. Secret pals will reveal their names to the Sunday School children at the Sunday School Awards Program in May. This is a great way to share your love of the Lord with a child and help them realize how important they are in His eyes (and yours, too!)

16 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" Statement of Purpose Because God loves the world, we live and work together to: *Grow As Disciples *Nurture other Disciples *and Make New Disciples for the Kingdom of God! We are on the Web! firstlutheranchurchplano.com And on Facebook: ChurchOfPlanoIl & Hit the LIKE button! Deadline for September Anchor: Sunday, Aug 16 th! Be ready to submit articles by this date! Saturday: Sunday: 5:00 PM 9:00 AM Communion offered at both services. A nursery area is available. Pastor: Rev. Bruce Booher Starpastor@aol.com Youth & Family Ministry Director: Renee Mahoney firstluthyouth@ gmail.com OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 6:30 am-12:30 pm Secretary: Ann Hagemann churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net