2014 First Epistle. First Lutheran Church, Newton IA. From the Pastor...

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1 First Lutheran Church, Newton IA 2014 First Epistle From the Pastor... Every Wednesday, the 7th and 8th graders of First Lutheran arrive at the church building to learn about the Bible, faith, and life. We call this Confirmation. At the end of this two-year program, the students have an opportunity to stand in front of the whole congregation and make an Affirmation of Baptism. They will affirm the promises and responsibilities made to and for them in their baptisms and take on adult responsibilities in the church. Over the past several weeks the confirmation class has been studying the Apostles Creed. A creed is a statement of beliefs for a particular group of people. The Apostles Creed was written more than a millennium ago and Christians have used it to describe what we believe since. In our class, we looked at what each line of this creed means and how it connects to our lives. As part of this unit, the class split into two groups and spent some time writing their own creeds, their own statement of belief. This process helped them grasp the importance of each word and phrase in a creed there is a lot of meaning squeezed into a relatively few number of words. It also helped them to put into words what they actually believe right now as they worked with the other students to craft their own creeds. The students enjoyed this project quite a bit. In an effort to connect the life of these young people in our congregation with the whole family of First Lutheran, in an attempt to interconnect our stories, I now share their creeds with you. I invite you, as you read these statements of belief, to examine your own beliefs. What would your creed say? We believe in God, the Holy Spirit, that he will always love us no matter what. God will forgive us for our sins. God died for us so that we could live. God gave his only Son so that we can have eternal life. We trust that some day we will go to heaven and see all of our family and friends that have died. The way to get to heaven is through God, the only God, our God. He is the Way, the truth, and the life. We know that with a strong faith we will be guided to heaven. Guide us in the correct path. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen. Audrey Lucas, Marcelina Marvelli, Collin Hemann, Brad Portner, Michael Hodnett, Liz McVey, Bethany Baumgartner, and Anna Coyle. CREEDS continued on page 4 Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. Fellowship & Education 10:30 a.m.

2 First Evangelical Lutheran Church 309 E. 3rd St. N., Newton, IA Phone: Fax: Pastor Zach Bey President Kip Peters Vice President Kari Hemann Secretary Mark Monroe Treasurer Bruce Coyle Administrative Assistant Kellie Kramer Pastor s Office Hours Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:00-Noon or by appointment 3/1 Ron Grunig 3/4 Doug Wilken 3/5 Dawn Lucas Denise McVey Barbara Orsund 3/7 Andy Breuer 3/8 Pam Comer 3/9 Arlene Byers Pat Foote March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30 Chancel Flowers 3/15 Emily Bebout 3/18 Robyn Friedman 3/19 Sharon Petersma 3/24 Sebastian Peters 3/27 Michael Hodnett 3/29 Peyton Patterson 3/31 Meagan Frehse The Food Pantry would like us to emphasize a specific item for March. Remember, you may bring any item you wish, but spreading this among the contributing congregations keeps a steady supply of their most basic needs coming each month. For the month of March, Jello, pudding and canned fruit have been requested. There is a basket in the narthex for all food pantry items. Thank you for being so generous Year-end Giving Statements and 2014 Offering Envelopes Have been moved to the office, if you need them. March 2 March 9 March 16 Fellowship March 23 Hannah Circle March 30 Please sign up to provide flowers and fellowship.

3 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper March 4th, 5:30pm Bring your appetite! We will need helpers and extra griddles! Need help with.. SETTING UP, starting at 3:30-4:00, SERVERS during the meal, and CLEANERS for after the meal. ANY and ALL help is needed, the more HELP we have = success for ALL. Please sign up on the sheets provided in the narthex. Youth Cake Auction March 4th During the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper The youth Cake Auction is held to raise money for the youth fund and mission trip. Please join in! Thank you to all who participated in our January Choices in Mission for Megan Clausen s seminary tuition expenses at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago! The amount donated was $1245, and will be matched for a total of $2490. Thank you to all who baked and bought at the Sweets for the Sweet event at the YMCA and afterwards at the church. $ was raised to support the youth group trip to South Dakota! What a great event! Wednesday Night Community Dinners: THANK YOU to the people that helped with our Wednesday Night Community Dinner in February! The next dinner for First Lutheran will be on March 26th. Please watch for the signup sheet in the Narthex. Thank you for helping with this important community service. Choices in Mission: Thanks to all who gave to the Lutheran Disaster Response in December. The congregation gave $1,121.00, which was matched by the special gifts fund for Choices in Mission, for a total gift of $2, for Lutheran Disaster Response.

4 CREEDS continued from page 1 I believe there is a God, who is faithful and trustworthy, who make no mistakes and has a plan for everything. He will forgive us and welcome us into his family, he binds us together. I believe in the Holy Spirit who gives us courage. I believe in Jesus Christ who completes the trinity of faith who lived in the past and still exists today. I believe that we are all created equal and should be treated equally, that there is no such thing as a perfect life or way to express our beliefs. I believe that God has existed forever and through him we can achieve eternal life. I believe that this is all based on trust. Amen. Anna Forsyth, Matt Moran, Anna Van Dam, Brady Geilenfeldt, and Isaac Friedman First Lutheran Confirmation Class: standing: Isaac Friedman, Collin Hemann, Brady Geilenfeldt, Anna Coyle, Michael Hodnett, Matt Moran, Brad Portner; seated: Anna Van Dam, Liz McVey, Audrey Lucas, Bethany Baumgartner, Marcelina Marvelli, Anna Forsyth.

5 Stories from our Congregation... The signs of God are all around us, but where do they direct us? With our busy lives pulling us in many directions, it is difficult to know which direction to go. It can be hard with the onslaught of advertisements, friends, family, billboards, magazines, social media, & TV to not only know what the choices are, but what the BEST choice is. A visit to a restaurant or a grocery store are times where there are many choices. How does one decide Where to go, What to order, What to buy, What side dishes to have? Last week at Hy-Vee I stepped out of my car onto the cold, windy parking lot. I pulled on my fleece earmuffs tight and scrambled for my gloves as I slid my shoes through the ice and snow skating toward the entrance. Once inside, protected from the wind, I started to feel better immediately. I quickly grabbed a cart and headed past Starbucks coffee. Often the thought crosses my mind to grab a cup, with the smiling cashier ready and happy to serve, but not today as I m only in for a quick trip. So on to the produce section. I glanced down at my list a little sign to myself to remember what to buy and turned back to go to the citrus section at the front of the store. As this is citrus season, Hy-Vee always moves the citrus up to the front of the store with the advertising display that usually includes a tropical theme maybe a palm tree or beach ball pretty grand hopes on a day like today. The thought of a warmer place helps to shake some of the ice off my shoes, so it isn t all bad. I searched for the roll of bags and unfurled one where is that arrow that tells me which end to open from? Hmmmm, it seems to be missing from this bag, not really much bother, but it does save a little time and frustration when you are fiddling on the wrong end. I turn the corner moving around the citrus display with its piles of bright colored oranges, lemons, and limes. As I spot the pile of limes about half-way across the display, I notice another customer, his arm in a thick brown coat reaching down to pickup limes. I glanced up and at that same moment the other customer glanced back at me. We both realized we wanted the same thing a little brightness on this cold day. I gave a quick smile, he returned it with a fleeting look of confusion (along the lines of should I know you?), then he relaxed and smiled back (he realized he didn t know me). I had never noticed him before. I grabbed my limes and turned back into the produce section... what s next on my list? Kale, where is the kale? Ah there it is, down past the carrots, peppers, radishes, and celery. Stopping for a moment I grab a sizable bunch of the long, thin Lacinato type and take a quick look at the leaves. Most of this bunch is a deep dark green and heavily rumpled. One leaf looks a little limp and yellow, but overall the bunch is larger than the others, so I m not really out much I think I ll keep it. As I already had a plastic bag from the roll in hand, I stretched my arm out and whipped some air into it to open it wide. Quickly threading the stalks of kale into the bag before it closed again, I hear from behind me, do you want some more kale?... Umm, no; I already have some, I think to myself. I turn to my left and standing there is the guy in the thick brown coat from the citrus section. So you like kale? he asks. Oh, yes, it is one of my favorites, I say, and you? It is very healthy, he says and we fall into a conversation about his garden just outside of town. Russian Red is really my favorite. He grows a lot of kale, far more than he can use. He told me about how he even had a chance to sell some of it to the grocery store last year. With that he gave me his address and invited me out next summer to pick up some kale. Yeah, I would like to do that, I say, not believing my fortune! I turn to finish my shopping. I walk through a few more aisles before remembering I forgot canned chili beans in Aisle One. Turning back down into the aisle, I freeze for a moment! There is the thick brown coat guy! I m not too fond of the awkwardness of seeing the same strangers over and over again at the store. I m never really sure if I am supposed to say hi each time we cross paths, ignore them, or to say a little joke about seeing them again. Mustering up I charge forward, stopping briefly to grab three cans of chili beans before moving forward again. As I pass by, his head is down studying the back of a can of vegetables. He doesn t see me, but I pause for a moment and CONGREGATION STORIES continued on page 6

6 CONGREGATION STORIES continued from page 5 say, Hi Again! He turns and smiles back, and I am glad I paused to say hello. You are pretty healthy, I hear as I turn away, and then I pause, then I look back and say, Yeah, I try to stay pretty healthy. He tells me of his mother and how she lived well into her 90 s as we visit for anther few minutes. She sounded like a vibrant woman; I can see where her son gets his character. With the barrage of choices in our daily lives and all the different signs leading us this way or that, sometimes it is best to take the time to slow down and listen. I was glad I left the store meeting someone new that day and enjoyed talking and hearing his stories. There are many signs in the Bible helping us make the BEST choices in our daily lives. I think of the stories in the Bible a little like the stories from the guy in the thick brown coat in the produce section at the grocery store giving us some direction and leading us. By Andy Breuer Thank you to everyone who participated in Kids Against Hunger! We gave $425 and helped package the 19,440 meals that were packed on Feb. 15! Senior High Youth Bible Study Wednesday, March 12th, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26th, 7:30 p.m. At First Lutheran Following Lenten Services Adult Choir will practice at 7pm on Wednesdays March 19, 26 Set you clocks forward so you don t miss church on March 9th!

7 Thrivent News by Craig Peterson, Thrivent Advocate for First Lutheran Church I wanted to update everyone about the Jasper County Thrivent Chapter. The officers to this year s Chapter Leadership Board include First Lutheran members Betty Peterson, who will be the President, and Duane Quanbeck, who will serve as Director of Congregational Advocates. Duane also joins this writer as an assistant Congregational Advocate for First Lutheran Church. Thrivent Chapter projects sought: The Chapter began this year with the first meeting in February and has already begun planning for possible projects. As always the Chapter is looking for opportunities to initiate Care Abounds in Communities projects. Here is how this works: first a Thrivent Financial member identifies a need and the type of activity that is aligned with Thrivent Financial s mission to inspire generosity, promote being wise with money and strengthen local communities. Then, to receive Care Abounds in Communities funding, a community service team must be formed to plan, prepare for, publicize and hold the activity. At least one volunteer should be a Thrivent Financial member/team leader and in contact with the chapter board. Projects that are typically accepted and supported by the local chapter are either hands-on volunteer work projects or through matching funds that are raised through fundraising activities. In this way the Chapter can help local non-profits or help individuals with specific unmet needs. Past projects have ranged from the Thrivent Chapter helping to sponsor fundraising events to support individuals with meeting basic needs due to an unforeseen medical crisis to helping build playground equipment with materials the local Chapter purchased. If you have an idea for a project please contact Betty, Duane or myself and we can help you determine how to proceed with making the idea into a project! If you see an unmet need, even if you are not a Thrivent member, it is always appropriate to ask if that might be something the Thrivent Chapter could help with. Thrivent Choice Dollars remain unallocated from last year: The Thrivent Choice program is a charitable grant program that allows members to recommend where Thrivent Financial for Lutherans distributes a portion of its charitable grant funds each year. The funds that have been allocated to Thrivent members through the Thrivent Choice Program in 2013 are going to expire at the end of March. This means that if you are a Thrivent member and you have not checked recently to see if you have been allocated Thrivent Choice Dollars to give, you will lose the chance to have a say in where those dollars assigned to you last year are to be allocated. At First Lutheran Church records show we currently have 44 members who have Choice Dollars they can direct Thrivent to give to non-profit organizations; camps, colleges and/or First Lutheran Church, for example. In the calendar year 2013 only 11 of those 44 actually gave away or directed Thrivent to allocate their available money. That is only 25%. While those 11 people that did act last year gave a total of nearly $2000 to First Lutheran Church, who knows what First might have received if the other 33 individuals would have acted. The good news is that so far in January and February 2014, seven different Thrivent members at First Lutheran have allocated over $300. Have you checked to see how many Choice Dollars you might have? If you are a Thrivent member (own a Thrivent product) this could be important to you. Some eligible Thrivent members (own a certain kind of Thrivent Financial product; for example Life Insurance or Annuity) have Choice Dollars assigned to them. These dollars are assigned so that you can tell who Thrivent should give the money to (this is where the Choice comes in-it is your Choice ). Thrivent records indicate that currently there are 111 Thrivent members who report that they belong to First Lutheran Church. Of these there are 44 (40%) who are eligible to direct Choice Dollars. The bottom line is that the majority of Thrivent members at First Lutheran Church who have Thrivent Choice Dollars available to give are not doing so. So you might ask where the unallocated money goes? It will go back into a fund that Thrivent will use for other important causes; it is just that the money could have come to support our efforts here at First Lutheran Church. It is also worth noting that if you are eligible to direct Choice Dollars and have already done so at some point, you should get into the habit of periodically checking to see if additional Choice funds have been provided to you, because more money is added throughout the year. Each time you have Choice Dollars to designate, you must indicate where you want those funds to go. So if you are a member of Thrivent Financial, it would be worth checking to see if you might have Choice Dollars to give. You can check by signing into your Thrivent account on-line at: or by calling and say "Thrivent Choice" to be connected to someone who can help you find out. More information regarding Choice Dollars is available on the Thrivent website.

8 Prayer Corner Please pray for members Lonnie Portner and Ruth Kelly as they each recover from surgery. Also please remember members Helen and John Robson in your prayers as they struggle to adjust to Helen s move to Park Center. Please Join Us Each Wednesday in Lent As our walk to the cross is told In a series of dramas entitled Invited to the Banquet Of the King Don t miss part of the story! Join us as we share our walk to the cross with Holy Trinity Church in Newton and St. Andrews Church in Sully. EVENT DATE TIME LOCATION Shrove Tuesday March 4 5:30pm First Lutheran Ash Wednesday March 5 6:30pm First Lutheran SCHEDULE Midweek Services Meal 5:30pm Worship 6:30pm Offerings taken during midweek services go to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign March 12 Holy Trinity March 19 St. Andrews, Sully March 26 First Lutheran April 2 Holy Trinity April 9 St. Andrews, Sully Holy Week Palm/Passion - Sunday April 13 9:30am First Lutheran Seder Meal April 15 6:30pm Holy Trinity Maundy Thursday April 17 6:30pm First Lutheran Good Friday April 18 6:30pm Holy Trinity Easter April 20 9:30am First Lutheran