Welcome Pastor Brad Semi Annual Meeting

Transcription

1 The Monthly Publication of First Lutheran Church, Portland, ME January 2019 Welcome Pastor Brad Semi Annual Meeting We officially welcome Rev. Bradley Eidson as the new pastor of First Lutheran. Pastor Brad, Lauren, Will and their three dogs have moved into the parsonage, and Pastor Brad began his tenure with FLC on December 30th, when he led his first service. Pastor Brad will be setting regular office hours. If you need to contact Pastor, you can call the church office, or you can him at If you have not yet met Pastor and Lauren, please take the opportunity to introduce yourself in the weeks ahead. We ask God to bless Pastor Brad and First Lutheran as we all begin this next chapter in the history of FLC. Our Semi Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 27th after the 10:30 service. We will be discussing and voting on the budget for the coming year, and will have an update on the church constitution. Please plan on attending this very important meeting. If you have any questions, please speak with any member of Council. Financial Update...page 2 Pastor s Notes...page 3 Outreach News..page 4 Give a Child a Chance.page 8 Birthdays.page 12 Calendar..page 14 Volunteer Schedule.page 15

2 From the Council Financial Update The Church Council met on Tuesday, December 11th which was Pastor Anne's last council meeting with us. We enjoyed an in-depth conversation about what we have learned as a church during this whole interim process. It was a time to share our thoughts with and express our thanks to Pastor Anne for her guidance and leadership of not only the Church Council, but all of First Lutheran. With all the violence in the news, including the shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh, the Council is working on a Safe Church Policy. We will be working hand-in-hand with the Children's Program to design a policy and outline a process for keeping people safe in the church. Look for more in the near future. We also finished reviewing our Constitution as it relates to the Model Constitution from the Synod. We will be presenting the updated Constitution at the semi-annual meeting in January. Also in January, the Council will be heading to Camp Calumet the weekend of the 25th and 26th for a Council Retreat. This will be a great opportunity for the Council and Pastor Brad to learn about each other and start to outline directions we would like to take as a congregation. The semi-annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 27th after the 10:30 service. As noted above, we will be reviewing the updated Constitution as well as approving the budget for Please plan to attend this very important meeting. FLC had a net operating loss for November of $6,910. Our budget called for a loss for the period of $2,884. The November regular giving was $2,864 less than we had budgeted for and therein caused the larger net loss. The net loss decreased our operating year to date results to a loss of $12,875. This is $2,822 less than our budgeted loss for the period of $15,697. Cash receipts in November were weak and further weakening our free cash position. We need a strong holiday season to build it up to safe levels. At the time I write this the first two weeks of December had strong cash receipts. If you have questions, please contact me by or on my cell phone, Ed Daggett, Treasurer treasurer@flcme.org Actual November 2018 Actual YTD Operating Income $23,193 $308,068 council@flcme.org Operating Expenses $30,103 $320,943 Net Operating ($6,910) ($12,875) 2

3 From the Pastor Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43: New year. New pastor. The words of the prophet Isaiah stuck out to me as I contemplated what my first written words to First Lutheran would be. Do not remember the former things I am about to do a new thing. Chapters in the Book of Isaiah are believed to be the work of a prophet who lived with the Hebrew exiles during the Babylonian captivity. This was a time in which the people of Israel longed for deliverance from their captivity. Along comes the prophet Isaiah who reminds the people of God s salvific deeds of the past, the Exodus in particular. Isaiah does this, not to prove that God is capable of these great deeds but to remind the people that their God loves them and will do anything to save them. When God, through the prophet Isaiah, tells the people to forget the former things he isn t telling them to forget their history or their past. He is calling their attention forward to the new thing that God is doing. That is where we find ourselves today brothers and sisters. We are being called to look forward to the new thing that God is doing. I am not the new thing. I, like the prophet Isaiah, am merely a servant called to accompany a people in this new thing that God has planned. What is this new thing? I have no idea, and therein lies the beauty of God and faith. As we move forward into our uncertain future, we know that God walks with us and guides us forward so that we may be his hands in the world. Don t forget the past but let us focus on the new thing that God is calling us to do and be in Portland. I am excited to walk this path with you as your new pastor. Peace, Pastor Brad pastor@flcme.org 3

4 Our Community Involvement Souper Bowl Sunday Sunday, February 3rd is Super Bowl Sunday. It is a big day in the sporting world and hopefully your favorite team is playing. It is also a big day at FLC. We will once again be collecting cans of soup for Project Feed. Project Feed is an emergency food pantry serving those living in Cumberland County. Clients are required to bring a referral form from a social service agency, church or synagogue, and need to wait one month between visits. Please drop off your cans of soup at the display in the Ministry Center. Thank you very much for your support of this much needed ministry for those who are hungry. Greater Portland Family Promise SIGN UP TODAY! Our week to support Greater Portland Family Promise families at St. Ansgar is coming up. The families will be with us January We look forward to meeting these new families and being a part of their lives even if for a short time. Any questions? Please call Wendy at (207) or Yvonne at (207) Thank you! Thank you! Fuel Assistance The Holiday fair raised over $4,300, which will be used to help members or friends of FLC with fuel assistance this winter. Pastor Brad will be disbursing the funds. If you, or someone you know, need help, submit the name, mailing address and name of the fuel supplier in a sealed envelope to Pastor. He will do the rest. Thank you to everyone that supported our December activities. The gloves, mittens and underwear you donated will help Preble Street keep those living on the streets warmer this winter. The Christmas cards you gave brought smiles to residents of the area nursing homes and reminded them that they are loved as children of God. outreach@flcme.org 4

5 Youth and Family Ministry News Cookie Walk The Cookie Walk raised $618! These funds will go towards providing camperships for our youth to attend Calumet and First Lutheran Summer Day Camp. Thank you to everyone that bought a tin of cookies. Thanks also to all the bakers that made dozens of delicious treats. Special thanks to Debbie Page, Anna Louise Englund and Lauren Eidson for manning the cookie tables all morning. 9:15 Nursery We are offering a nursery for our little ones who are still too young for Sunday School. There are still opportunities to volunteer for a Sunday or two to help in the nursery. The sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please Rebecca. Sunday School Christmas Pageant The pageant on December 16th was enjoyed by everyone. Thank you to all the children, parents and Sunday School teachers that helped with the performance. 5

6 From the Editor Let your Holy Spirit guide our journey in your grace so wide. We praise your holy name, from age to age the same! Fling Wide the Door (ELW #259) New year. New pastor. New sanctuary will be full of changes for First Lutheran Church. Some changes we have been planning for and we will await them with anticipation. Some changes are yet unknown, and we don t know how we will face them. Some people look forward to change, excited by new possibilities. Others fear change, preferring the known to the unknown. Some change we create ourselves. We go out on a first date, we accept a new job offer, we get married, we decide to have a family. Some change is unexpected and may be out of our control. We are beset by illness. Our economic fortunes change. A loved one dies too soon. Sometimes a change we wanted doesn t turn out the way we thought it would. Sometimes an unexpected change leads to something better that we may not have seen. There is a saying, Change is inevitable; struggle is an option. There will always be changes in our lives, whether we want them or not. How we face these changes is up to us. We can fight and try to hold on to things past; we can accept those things we have no control over; we can look forward to what may be ahead. As humans, we do all of these things, depending on the circumstance. As Christians, however, there is also a constant in our lives. We know that God the Father created each of us for a purpose. The Father loves us so much that He gave us his only son. We know that God the Son went to the cross on our behalf, taking our sins upon himself and conquering death, so that we might have eternal life. Jesus knows what it is to be human, to live and die, to love and struggle. He taught us how we should act toward others. We know that God the Holy Spirit is with us daily, continuing the work of the Father in the world today. The Spirit guides us and watches over us as we go through our lives. It is this constant that helps us to face any change. Knowing that we are saved by the grace of God knowing that we have all the promises of Baptism allows us to face the changes we encounter. Sometimes it seems that it is solely our faith that gets us through a challenge. The above verse, from one of my favorite Advent hymns, reminds us that this constant is from generation to generation. While the world changes even while the Church changes God s love is always with us. As we begin this new year and this new chapter in the history of First Lutheran, we know that the Spirit will be with us. We know that God will lead us through the changes, and we will put our trust in Him. As you face whatever changes you may have in your life, may you always remember the constant of the One who was, who is, and who is to come. Happy New Year! +In His service, Bill Mills 6

7 Sanctuary Update Nametags The team has been busy working with the architect's team to finalize fabric choices, tile flooring, carpet and cork flooring finishes and various colors. Samples will be on display for everyone to get an idea of what we have in mind for the final look. Bidding will take place in January and construction will start immediately following Easter Sunday. The team along with the architect is recommending this schedule to minimize the disruption of construction during Lent and Easter. Stay tuned for more updates; if you have any questions, please speak with Ken Conant or any member of the Building Team. Do you know where your nametag is? While some folks wear their nametags every Sunday, many of us have stopped doing so. With Pastor Brad beginning his time with us, please wear your nametag on Sunday mornings. This will be a great help to Pastor and Lauren as they learn who we all are. It also helps when you run into someone perhaps from another service and you just can t remember their name! If you don t have a nametag, please let the church office know, and we will make sure you get one. Thank you! Old Hymnals It has been over a year since we started using the new ELW hymnals. The old LBW (green) and WOV (blue) hymnals have been in storage, but with the sanctuary renovations starting, it is time to dispose of them. If you would like one of the old green or blue hymnals for your personal use, please speak with Bill Mills or the church office. If you know of some place that could make use of them (a nursing-care facility, assisted-living community, a mission church) please let us know. We have over a hundred of these hymnals that we would love to have someone use if they can. You may have noticed a new look to this issue of newsletter. The newsletter format had not changed in many years. With a new year and new pastor, a new and updated look for the newsletter was needed. With most people now viewing the newsletter online, we can make better use of graphics and photos and color. This will be a work in progress the next few months. Please let Bill know if you have any comments or suggestions. 7

8 Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.. Matthew KJV We wish you all a blessed New Year, and may 2019 be filled with God s wonder and love in all you do. Thank you for your generous support of the Give a Child a Chance ministry at First Lutheran this past year. We are providing $4,000 for tuition support for two little boys this year. Our fundraising goal is to raise a minimum of $4,000 per year. This year has been busy, productive and challenging and we are so thankful for our fundraising successes. During this year the Give a Child a Chance ministry has: Earned $ 2,000 because of your daily voting in the Town and Country Federal Credit Union s Better Neighbor contest. Our second plaque is hanging on the wall by the mailboxes! Our Scrip sales for the past year (from last June) have earned just under $700. Our Scrip sales will continue, and we will have some of the popular gift cards on hand, so we can sell them on the Sundays they are offered. Cards from Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Dunkin, Shaw s, etc. Just ask what we have that Sunday. Our ewaste Recycling event raised $1205 we will be deciding after the first of the year whether to hold another one this coming summer. The Ricetta s fundraiser raised $220 that included a $50 donation from Ricetta s restaurant to the fund! A nice surprise. Our sale of Fair-Trade products pays off in two ways. The growers of the products receive a fair price for their products and we buy the items through a $250 Thrivent Grant so we have no costs for these items. We have found that everyone LOVES the chocolate! Those of you who use Goodsearch.com as your search engine and have named First Lutheran Church- Give a Child a Chance have raised $237. You earn a penny every time you do a search, and you can see the pennies can add up nicely. If you do your Amazon ordering on the Smile.Amazon.com website, you can donate the rebates received to our fund, again just name First Lutheran Church Give a Child a Chance as your choice to receive the rebates Amazon gives back. Some are making monthly contributions to Give a Child a Chance. Others are making direct donations online and others include Give a Child a Chance in their memorial giving. It s possible to donate the Thrivent Dollars made available to those with Thrivent savings to designate those dollars to a cause of their choice. We d love to be one of the choices you consider! Every bit of money raised is used to support our church neighborhood children, in need, to attend preschool at First Lutheran Children s Programs. Our fundraising plans for 2019 are being worked on now. Stay tuned for some fun activities as we enter a new year. Please keep our Give a Child a Chance ministry in your prayers this year. Help us help them it means so much for the children and their families who benefit. We know we cannot help all the children in need of preschool experiences. But helping a few children? That s something we can do. Team Members: Wendy Carey, Ann Brown, Karen Johnson (Chair), Lynn Macken, Joan Mills, Mike Pleacher, Colleen Taylor ec-fund@flcme.org 8

9 Thank you! Confirmation Project Thank you to Glenn Grant, Eric Berry and his family for once again providing and setting up the Christmas tree in the sanctuary. And thank you to everyone that showed up on a Saturday morning to help decorate the tree. It always adds a special touch to the Advent and Christmas seasons. A huge thank you to everyone that donated towels, bedding, paper goods, food items and gift cards that Sydney Mueller collected for her Confirmation project. The items were given to Through These Doors. Through These Doors, formerly Family Crisis Services, was founded in 1977 and is the domestic violence resource center that serves victims and survivors in Cumberland County, Maine. They provide safe and accessible services to all people affected by domestic violence regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender, age, primary language spoken, or immigration status. 9

10 Thank you from Pastor Anne Dear members and friends of FLC, My heart is overflowing from the generosity and love shared with me on Sunday, December 16th. It was the day of the children's pageant, which I always love, and the day of the farewell luncheon given for me. I am so grateful for the gifts, the hugs, the well wishes, the lovely food, and all the people I have come to know and deeply appreciate these last three years. Thank you to all who prepared and served the food, the choir for its lovely leading of the song "Go Walk with God" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, for the kind words shared by Steve Barmore and Bill Mills, and for the all that was done to bring such joy to the day. The love offering I received was incredibly generous and I am humbled by your kindness. With deepest thanks, Pastor Anne To Portland, Maine s First Lutheran Church Farewell, oh dear ones of my heart your love has been evident from the start. It s deeper than the orange of a carpet soon (!) gone and purer than the melody of the most beautiful song. Thank you for handbells and choirs and Wafers that sing -- Thank you for 3 years of everything! For brunches and lunches and Lenten soup suppers! For the parsonage, my office, and holiday fair stocking stuffers; For worship which has always touched my soul and for all the prayers that have made me whole. For techno wizards in the choir loft so high and for crafters and quilters and bright blue Maine sky. For a staff which has always had my back: for their gifts and flowers and keeping me on track. For laughter and tears, for doorbells and lunches, for stashes of chocolate that force me to do crunches! For chickens who scream when receiving a blessing, For times of joy and even times of stressing. For child care programs and Family Promise and giving children some chances, For hanging stars and butterflies and Lenten tree branches. For messages with children who are full of surprise For church council and teams and people who are truly wise. For an interim that seemed like it would never end; for the Christ I see in each First Lutheran friend. Thanks be to the One who has led us to a new day through wilderness and change to God s preferred way. Trust in the God who graciously restores! May Christ s peace and love and blessing always be yours! 12/13/18 Pastor Anne Roser 10

11 Epiphany Epiphany begins on January 6, twelve days after Christmas. We celebrate the revelation of Christ to all the nations as represented by the magi (wise men) who come to worship Jesus. The season of Epiphany lasts from January 6 until the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday, which is celebrated as the Transfiguration of our Lord. Throughout the season, we remember the revelation of Christ to all mankind; we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord (and remember our own baptisms) on the first Sunday after the Epiphany; and we celebrate and remember that Christ is the light of the world. The liturgical colors for Epiphany are white on the first and last Sundays of the season, and green for the remaining Sundays. One Epiphany tradition used in Europe (though it is done here as well) is to write in chalk above the door of a house or church the letters C + M + B + the year. The initials stand for the names of the magi (traditionally named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), and also the phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates as "may Christ bless the house." Martin Luther once wrote of the Magi: For although they enter a lowly hut and find a poor young wife with a poor little child, and find less of royal appearance than the homes of their own servants presented, they are not led astray. But in a great, strong, living faith they remove from their eyes and their minds whatever might attract and influence human nature with its pretense, follow the word of the prophet and the sign of the star in all simplicity, treat the child as a king, fall down before him, worship him, and offer gifts. This was a strong faith indeed, for it casts aside many things which impress human nature. Perhaps there were some people present who thought: What great fools are these men to worship such a poor child. They must indeed be in a trance to make of him a king. This is the kernel of the Gospel, in which the nature and character of faith is explained as an assurance of things not seen. It clings alone to the words of God and follows the things that are not seen, as alone conveyed in the word of God, and looks askance at many things which urge it to disbelieve the Word (Sermons of Martin Luther, 1522). As we go through the season of Epiphany, let us believe as the Magi did, let us remember that Christ is the Light of the World, and let us daily reflect that light in all that we do. May God's blessings be yours in abundance as we begin a new year. ~Bill Mills Chair, Worship Committee 11

12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 Carol Adams Joan Mills Wendy Carey Kitty Chadbourne Wally Waugh Tom Allen Evelyn Moran January 4 January 6 January 7 January 8 January 10 January 12 January 13 January 14 January 22 January 24 January 27 Bill Lamb Barb Daggett Olivia Solari Natalie Santiago Iris LaFlamme Abbott Knowles Kari Brown Molly Page Bob Ahlquist Gary Dick Andrea Stubbendick Daisy Lamb Our thoughts and prayers are with Kris and Ken Conant and their family on the passing of Kris father, Peter Johnson. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Barb and Ed Daggett and their family on the passing of Barb s father, Dick Lorenz. May God continue to comfort and bless them in the coming days. Prayer is such an important part of our daily Christian lives, and sometimes extra prayers are needed. If you have any special prayer requests and you would like to have our Prayer Warriors praying as well, please send an . prayer-request@flcme.org 12

13 Worship Schedule Reminder A reminder that beginning on January 6th, our worship schedule changes. There is no longer a service at 8:00 am. Our contemporary worship service will be at 9:15 am. This service is led by the Wafers and features more modern songs. Sunday School will continue at 9:15, with the children starting off in worship before being dismissed to their classes. Our traditional Lutheran worship service takes place at 10:30 am. This service features music by the Senior Choir or the hand bell choir, and the hymns are sung from the ELW hymnal. Holy Communion is served at both services. A Poem for the New Year Did You Know? Another fresh new year is here Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give! This bright new year is given me To live each day with zest To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best! I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs! Christian Flag Dating to the early 20th century, the Christian flag represents all of Christianity, though it's been used primarily in the Americas and Africa. The red Latin cross symbolizes Jesus' blood shed on Calvary to grant us eternal life. The blue background represents Christ's faithfulness even unto death, as well as our baptism into Christ. The white field signifies Jesus' purity, nonviolence and surrender to God's will, plus the peace we gain by surrendering ourselves to Christ. William Arthur Ward 13

14 January 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year s Day 7:00 pm Quilters 2 6:30 pm Worship Committee 3 4 9:30 am Women s Bible Study 5 6 Epiphany Worship 9:15, 10:30 Sunday School 9: :30 pm E-Board 7:00 pm Council :00 pm Family Promise Mtg 11 9:30 am Women s Bible Study 12 Scrip Sales after each service 13 Baptism of Our Lord Worship 9:15, 10:30 Sunday School 9: :00 pm Quilters Scrip Sales after each service 20 Worship 9:15, 10:30 Sunday School 9:15 Newsletter Deadline Council Retreat 26 Council Retreat Family Promise Week Begins 27 Worship 9:15, 10:30 Sunday School 9:15 Semi Annual Meeting Family Promise Week Ends

15 January Epiphany 13 Baptism of Our Lord Semi Annual Mtg Altar Care Joy Carr Lorna Leo Celeste Heber Barb Daggett Counters Ken Carr Kris Conant Ken Carr Bill Mills Jason Hanley Nancy Houlihan Jason Hanley Bob Ahlquist 9:15 Worship Leader Steve Barmore Steve Barmore Matt Hayn Matt Hayn Intinction Assistant Doug Dressel Wendy Barmore Debi Curry Owen O Donnell Nursery Kris Pleacher TBD TBD Kris Pleacher 10:30 Assisting Minister Kathy Sensecqua Kathy Sensecqua Nancy Houlihan Abbott Knowles Intinction Assistant Abbott Knowles Paul Loven Jake Brown Bill Mills Reader Michael McIver Abbott Knowles Sue McIver Ann Brown Ushers TBD TBD TBD TBD Greeters Barb & Ed Daken Ann & George Johnson Kay & Bob Ahlquist Sue & Michael McIver Coffee Sue McIver Kathy Sensecqua Ann Brown Jennifer Hazelwood Bev Beliveau Lynn Carey Barb Daken Irene Nelson Thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord in this way. REMINDER: If you are unable to keep your assignment on any given Sunday, Please make every effort to change with someone on the list. Please call the church office when you have made changes so reminders will be mailed to the correct person.

16 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 132 AUBURN STREET PORTLAND, MAINE January 2019 First News is a monthly publication of First Lutheran Church. Articles can be submitted to the church office, or by to flcnews@flcme.org. The deadline is the 15 th. Worship Services are at 9:15 & 10:30 am Sunday School for all ages is at 9:15 am Church Office Hours are Monday thru Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ( ) STAFF Pastor... Rev. Bradley Eidson (pastor@flcme.org) Church Secretary... Joleen Knowles (FLC-admin@flcme.org) Director of Youth and Family Ministry... Rebecca Howell (rebecca.howell@flcme.org) Director FLC Children s Community Ministry... Jackie Nelson (flckids@flcme.org) OFFICERS President... Steve Barmore Vice-President... Debi Curry Secretary... Lynn Macken Treasurer... Ed Daggett Financial Secretary... Cheryl Cyr