First Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 THE VISITOR IS THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD + EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA THE VISITOR AUGUST 2015 First Lutheran Church PARISH STAFF Pastor Pastor Ben Schori Organist Elaine Sweeney Secretary Nancy White Custodial Services Range Center Job Corps PARISH COUNCIL William Clymer Larry Elj Mazie Englund Renae Grabanski Elizabeth Kolden Genevieve Lervik Pastor Benjamin Schori Linda Smith Paul Stavnes CONGREGATIONAL TREASURER Alice White YOUTH EDUCATION Sunday School September May Sunday morning Pre-Kindergarten Grade 6 Confirmation September May Wednesday evening 6:00 7:00 pm Grades 7 9 High School Youth Group September May Wednesday evening 7:00 8:00 pm ADULT EDUCATION Bible Study September - May Wednesday 10:00 am 11:00 pm Young Adult Group First Tuesday of the Month 7:00 pm WORSHIP & MINISTRY Holy Communion Service Sundays at 9:30 am Nursery provided Telecast Live HPAT channel 5 Rebroadcast: 10pm Wednesdays 2pm Thursdays Weddings Make arrangements in advance by contacting the office. Baptisms Make arrangements in advance by contacting the office. Pastoral Care Contact the office CONTACT US PARISH OFFICE Hours: Mon Thurs, 8:00 am 12:00 pm; 1:00 5:00 pm on Fridays rd Avenue East, Hibbing, MN Tel: Pastor Benjamin Schori Office office@firsthibbing.org pastorben@firsthibbing.org Website: "Like" our Facebook page,

2 From July 10 th to July 20 th, three of our youth (Hannah Anderson, Hanna Knuckey and Gracie Stimac) joined together with five more young ladies from Our Savior s Lutheran, along with an experienced chaperone, and they traveled to and experienced the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit. Below are some of the girl s thoughts and reflections on their time at the gathering in Detroit. - It was memorable meeting all the different people from 35 different states, Puerto Rice, Washington DC and even an international group, along with the citizens of Detroit themselves. - The atmosphere of the gathering. Being a part of a cool group of teens singing, dancing, and praying. Not being judged for being a Christian teen, it was great be to a part of something larger than yourself. - How resilient the City of Detroit is. The people of Detroit living there proudly. Seeing a store window with a sign Nothing Stops Detroit. Seeing that first hand from the people and being a part of that. - The service project in Detroit. Cleaning up a neighborhood and around abandoned houses. I realize how very lucky I am for everything I have. - Hope we had an impact on the City of Detroit, because it had a huge impact on me. - Opened my eyes to poverty and hardships that people go through and how they work to make their lives better. I am thankful to be able to help in a small way towards that goal. - A sea of 30,000 peoples all sharing a common goal. The speakers were inspiring with topics such as racial inequalities, hunger and poverty, and the City of Detroit. And then singing and praying (30,000+) all together. - Through both the 30,000 other youth attending and the people of Detroit we have had an incredible eye-opening experience, and are much more aware of a larger world and communities surrounding us. The group s chaperone, Shelley Rask, wrote the following sentiment and I echo it, and I know the girls do as well: I want to thank the congregations of First Lutheran and Our Savior s Lutheran Churches, for supporting these young ladies making it possible for them to go, with spiritual and financial help. I want to thank the parents of these girls for entrusting me with your beautiful daughters on this amazing and, to use the most frequently used word of the week, awesome trip. Looking forward, and staying on the topic of children and youth ministry, I want to bring your attention to the registration forms for Sunday school and Confirmation for the upcoming year, which are inserted into this newsletter. Sunday school will again begin in Pre-K (children in the year before they ll start Kindergarten) and will now conclude in 5 th grade. The 6 th graders will now assume the acolyte responsibilities in worship. Sunday school will begin Sunday September 13 during 9:30 am worship. Confirmation will now be a combined ministry between First and Our Savior s Lutheran, and will begin in 7 th grade and go through 10 th grade. The confirmation year will kick off with a special Laurentian Conference event at Our Savior s Lutheran in Virginia on Wednesday September 15 th at 6:30 (First and Our Savior s in Hibbing will bus over together for the event), and classes will begin the 23 rd. Please fill out the appropriate form(s) and return them to the First Lutheran Church Office ASAP. One final exciting thing to share with you all: This fall, First Lutheran will start offering a Sunday evening worship service. The service will start Sunday September 20 th and will be at 5 pm. It will look and feel different than morning worship, with music led by piano and guitar, and more relaxed, reflective and meditative atmosphere. We hope you ll check it out! I am very excited about all that has happened and is coming up here at First Lutheran. I can feel the stirring of the Spirit in our midst, bringing us into new and exciting things. I can t wait to see what happens in this year to come. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Peace & Blessings, Pastor Ben

3 + First Lutheran Church Council + Congregational Meeting Minutes July 14, 2015 Members Present Bill Clymer, Renae Grabanski, Larry Elj, Linda Smith, Pastor Ben Schori, Gen Lervik, Paul Stavnes Members Absent Mazie Englund, Liz Kolden Call to Order 4:50 PM Prayer May meeting minutes approved June financial statement received Line Item # 3, Organ Fund Savings to be closed Pastor Ben Schori s report Funerals Glenn Greenwood - May 18, 2015 Michael Rossetter June 5, 2015 Eleanor Miller June 15, 2015 Baptism Kaitlyn Grace Schnortz May 17, 2015 Confirmation to be combined with Our Saviors. Confirmands will be separated and will meet by grades. Property Committee Report Fireside room ceiling completed Air Conditioning for Fellowship Hall is completed Old Business National Youth Gathering $5, FLC donations as of 6/30/15. Cost was covered by donations. Thank you to all who donated! VBS/Day Camp Combined 54 campers Thank you to all who helped host the VLM Day Camp Staff New Business Sunday evening worship service One year trial period Elaine Sweeney Music for service Council approved compensation increased by $75/week Angela Schweiberger Music for service and Yoga class. Council approved compensation of $20/hour (5 hours/week) Salvation Army newspaper article Food needed to help feed children in need during the Summer information to be included in August Newsletter Next Council Meeting August 11, :00 pm Lord s Prayer Meeting Adjourned 5:42 PM Submitted by Larry Elj, Council Secretary The FLC Young Adult Group is for individuals in their 20s and 30s. This ministry group will be an opportunity to explore and grow in our faith and spirituality, ask real and honest questions about God, faith, and life, and engage in deep conversation and devotion. This ministry is for any and all young adults, even those who maybe don t identify themselves as Christian. If you are interested in this new ministry, or know of a young adult who might be, please know that that we meet the first Tuesday of the month, 7:00 pm, at First Lutheran. Lutheran Social Service From Here On Building the Center for Changing Lives The Lutheran Social Service Center for Changing Lives will be piloted in Duluth and become a model for solving the problem of youth homelessness across Minnesota. LSS and the Synod office are hoping the congregations and individuals of NE MN can raise $2.5 million to help fund the building of this great facility. Anticipated ground breaking is the fall of To make a donation make your check payable to First Lutheran Church and note Center for Changing Lives (CFCL) on the memo line, and also note it on your donation envelope. Church Finances Many thanks to all who support First Lutheran Church and its extended ministries. FLC's General Fund contributions fuel this congregation's operational needs and extended ministries. Currently seven percent of general fund offerings is shared with our NE MN Synod and the ELCA Churchwide office to help ELCA Bible camps, youth ministry, seminaries, global outreach, various endeavors to promote peace and justice, and administrative costs. Individuals also may contribute special gifts to support seminarians, missionaries, hunger & poverty concerns and alleviation of suffering caused by natural disasters. Weekly contributions received: June 28 & July 5 $6,759,00 July 12 $2, July 19 $5, July 26 $2, Submitted by Alice White Congregational Treasurer

4 WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American) will not meet in August. If you have questions please contact our WELCA president, Barb Tanem at Widows Lunch will be held at Sammy s Restaurant on August 5, 11:30 am. Call Delores Gilbert at if you have questions. First Lutheran Hobby Quilt Club! This group will resume meeting in September. Please think of joining us in the fall we welcome (and need) new members. We meet on Mondays at 1:00 pm. LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF I thought it would be good to let all of you know some interesting things about Lutheran World Relief. After WWII an estimated one-fifth of the worlds Lutherans were homeless. Here in the states, Lutheran Churches in at least 20 states mobilized to help Europe through a new agency called Lutheran World Relief. The recipients of LWR aid have changed but in thousands of parishes, in millions of offerings and in uncounted prayers, U.S. Lutherans have supported LWR s work every since. Service to all suffering people became a vital part of Christian witness. Local partners in the many countries were responsible for using the shipments wisely. With 100 local partners, LWR works to improve harvests, health and education in some 35 countries each year. LWR partners train local women and men to produce local foods, dig low-cost wells and protect and restore their local environments. Some partners are small village groups on the edge of the Sahara, others are nationwide programs that may reach across the Andes. Over the course of 60 years, LWR has learned a lot about walking with people who set out to better their lives and communities. Throughout its history, LWR has worked on behalf of U.S. Lutherans. Basic support today is provided through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal and by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Relief. LWR believes that we are all on the same path for a life of peace and dignity. By walking together with our partners (rather than doing for them), we achieve more powerful changes for communities and individuals. One way LWR does this is by recognizing that communities no matter how poor already have resources and assets that can be harnessed for their wellbeing. Building on these assets, LWR establishes a relationship with local partners based on mutual trust and respect to create a flexible plan to improve the wellbeing of the poor. LWR has expanded its projects and ministries all around the world. This means that LWR s work has focused on very remote regions within developing countries. As mandated by the founding Lutheran Church bodies, they have remained an international humanitarian organization in order to be the most effective and have the greatest impact. Since LWR s niche is overseas relief and development work, LWR relies on domestic agencies, such as Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Social Services and Habitat for Humanity to address those in need in the U.S. Submitted by Barb Tanem

5 What s Happening at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry vlm@vlmcamps.org Camp Hiawatha, and Camp Vermilion Gretchen Bachman, Program Director Labor Day Family Weekend September 4-6 at Camp Vermilion Enjoy one final summer get away to camp! We ll have activities for all ages, including crafts, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and faith conversations. Unplug one more time before fall and enjoy the peace that time at camp offers. Cost: $75 for adults; $50 for kids ages 4-12 $250 family maximum cost Fall Festival Sunday, October 11 at Camp Hiawatha 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Open to individuals, families, church groups, and anyone who is interested in an afternoon getaway, this day event is a great chance to visit camp. Activities throughout the afternoon include pumpkin decorating, canoeing, crafts, and a picnic supper. Fees cover all activities and supper. Cost: $5 per person with a $20 family maximum. Father Son weekend October at Camp Vermilion (for boys ages 10 and older) Don t miss our Father-Son weekend - a time to work and play together as you try new things, perhaps get a little dirty, and grow in faith. Cost: $95 per person with a $200 family maximum. Alleviating Hunger in our Community Revised donations received in June is $390, and in July we received approximately $ This amount is divided between the Hibbing Food Shelf and the First Lutheran Salvation Army Soup Kitchen Account. The soup kitchen account provides meals for the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen two times a month. If you wish to make a donations, make your check payable to First Lutheran Church and note in the memo Food Shelf/Soup Kitchen. All donations made to the parish are included on your financial statements for tax purposes. On the second Thursday and the third Tuesday of the month, First Lutheran members volunteer at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. Volunteers are always needed to help at the soup kitchen; please call Rodney Jacobson at , or Jean Nelson at Fall is fast approaching! If your group/committee is planning an activity at the church, please check with the office so it can be put on the calendar, and to be sure another event isn t scheduled for that day. Please keep your contact information current. Let the church office know your address, cell/ landline phone number, mailing address, or any changes that we should be aware of. By doing this you help us keep your membership information upto-date! Cathy Koland s Smoothie A handful of fresh spinach 1/4 C. blueberries 1/4 C. plain Greek yogurt About 1/2 C. orange juice Blend really well so it s not chunky. (You may also add grated carrots or part of a banana)

6 First Lutheran Church is blessed with many volunteers who with dedication and commitment serve the church, the Hibbing community, and the world. During July these people helped Sunday worship happen: Assisting Ministers: William Clymer, Gen Lervik, Candy Clark, and Dennis Flynn Readers: Linda Smith, Jean Nelson, Dennis Flynn, and David Rian Greeters: Mel & Shirley Scofield, Richard & Karen Podominick, Gladys Griffiths, Joanne Zozgornik, Gladys Griffiths, Doris Baasi, and Jean Nettle Ushers: George & Gloria Maras, Mel & Shirley Scofield, Bob & Sheryl Tokarczyk, and Loyal and Barb Tanem. Videographers: Larry Elj, Cathy and Forrest Koland, Dave Rian, and Marty Vadis Offering Counters: Art & Mazie Englund, Darlene Bennett, Bobbi Nyland, Paul and Darlene Stavnes, and David & Phyllis Rian Altar Guild Group: Connie Bryant, Kay Dague, Karyl Giombetti, Deon Kubena, and Gen Lervik Fellowship Hosts: Russ and Linda Smith, Betty Aanes, Bob & Sheryl Tokarczyk, Louise Perunovich, Betty Brandt, Cindy Brandt, Gen Lervik, and Bill Clymer. Helping Worship Happen! If you would like to participate in ushering, reading, greeting, hosting fellowship or any of the other Sunday Morning Helpers categories but haven t been called, please contact the church office. Volunteers are needed to weed and water the patio and front gardens. Maybe a few of you could work as a group? Let the office know if this is something you would be interested in doing! Thank you to Paul Stavnes and Melissa Schori for trimming the bushes around the church! Thank you to Gen Lervik, Art & Mazie Englund and Karyl Giombetti for providing meals for the Vacation Bible School Day Camp VLM Counselors. Memorial Fund Report Thank you to those who underwrite the cost of altar flowers and/or telecasting of FLC s Sunday morning worship service. During the month of July, telecasts were given in memory of Andie Zozgornick by her mom Joanne, in memory of Ted Eddy by Agnes Eddy, in memory of Butch Scofield by Donna Scofield, in memory of Kathy Olson by her mother, Gladys Griffiths and family, and in memory of Mary June Rossetter and Michael Rossetter by their friends. Altar flowers were given in memory of Evelyn Toots Anderson s loved ones. To underwrite the telecast of FLC's Sunday morning worship service, to contribute Altar flowers, or to donate a memorial gift for other designated purposes, please call the church office. The weekly telecast cost is $30 which includes the live-feed on Sunday morning plus re-telecasts on Sunday, 9:30 pm, Wednesday, 8:00 pm and Thursday, 2:00 pm, all on the local cable television, channel 5. (Please note the new times for the re-telecasts.) FLC s Memorial Fund and Campership Committee: Sandy Carlson, Jean Crep, Liz Kolden, Gen Lervik Condolences to and prayers for the family and friends of Earl Paul Rancourt. Earl died on July 8, A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, July 18, at the Range Funeral Home in Hibbing. Pr. Ben Schori officiated at the service. Gianna Marie Tokarczyk was baptized on August 2. Her parents are Paul and Vanessa Tokarczyk. She has a brother, Landon, and a Sister, Kiah. Sponsors are Steve and Sandy Carlson.

7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday First Lutheran Church 2201 Third Avenue East Hibbing, MN Pr. Ben Schori Office AUGUST 2015 AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 1 2 Tenth Sunday of 3 4 7:00 pm Young Adult Group 5 11:30 am Widows Lunch at Sammy s Restaurant 12:00 pm Organs in Revue Recital at Hibbing High School Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) 9 Eleventh Sunday of 10 Lawrence, deacon, martyr 11 Clara, Abbess of San Damiano 4:00 pm Property Committee Meeting 12 12:00 pm Organs in Revue Recital at Blessed Sacrament 13 Florence Nightingale, Clara Maass, renewers of society 12:00 pm FLC serves meal at Salvation Army 14 Maximilian Kolbe, Kaj Munk, Martyrs 15 Mary, Mother of Our Lord 5:00 pm Church Council Meeting 3:00 pm ELCA service at Guardian Angels 16 Twelfth Sunday of 9:30 Worship :00 pm FLC serves meal at Salvation Army 19 September newsletter articles are due today. 20 Bernard, Abbott of Clairvaux Happy Birthday to Pastor Ben! 23 Thirteenth Sunday of 24 Bartholomew, Apostle Augustine, Bishop of Hippo Moses the Black, monk, martyr Fourteenth Sunday of 31 on September 7 for Labor Day Holiday