First Things. May 2018

Transcription

1 NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID TAYLORS FALLS, MN PERMIT NO. 5 First Things May 2018 The Newsletter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church 561 Chestnut Street, Taylors Falls, MN If you ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don t push your way to the front; don t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. 561 Chestnut Street, Taylors Falls, MN Dear friends in Christ, Before I was ordained a pastor, I once had a dream of coming into a new congregation, and getting to know everyone there in a somewhat systematic way, learning about the lives and wishes and dreams of the people, old and young, and then prayerfully, as a community, building a ministry from what needs we saw around us, both in our congregational community, and in the community of neighbors we came in contact with, both on the next street, and around the world, matching the unique gifts we had to unique needs we could do something about, extending God's love in ways that made a difference, and continuing to prayerfully discern as a community how we were doing that, and asking God to lead us in doing God's will to the best of our abilities. After I was ordained - (and this may sound a bit jaded, so remember, I am talking about all the churches I know about, not just you, not just the congregations I've served, but all the ones I know about), I learned that some 16 Continued on page two

2 Continued from front cover congregations called you and told you they wanted you to be a "change agent," but they didn't really want anything, including themselves, changed at all; some congregations wanted vibrant, meaningful liturgy, but they meant they wanted to sing out of a particular book, (green, blue, cranberry) OR they never wanted to sing out of a book and they never wanted anything that might stretch their singing, or their praying or their listening. Some congregations complain about the people in their church, to anyone who will listen, but never invite any one to join them for worship. Some churches care more about other things than what can this person teach me about prayer or music, or ministry, or how faithfully this person does everything to make their ministry go well, or how to build relationships with other people of faith. (And if you hear yourself in any of that, that's not really my goal, but to contrast it with the first paragraph about the dream.) So I'd like to try an experiment, a strategy, that I think might benefit us, and others. I'd like to talk with you about your gifts, your dreams, your skills & talents & resources, and what God might be calling you to do with them. And I'd like you to be praying about that, too. See, I believe that God has a mission for this community of believers, from Suntina to Annie. And I believe that we are fulfilling many of them. I worked one day last month subbing in a junior high band classroom where a poster said, "If you're wondering whether your mission in life is complete: If you're alive, it's not." Guess I think that's how God makes us - there's always a way we can bless or be blessed. SUNDAYWORSHIP New Member Welcome! OFFICE HOURS@FELC COUNCIL MEETING SARAHCIRCLE Adult CHOIRSCHEDULE QUILTERS MONTHLYGIVING REPORT If you're interested in dreaming with me, or telling me where God seems to be leading you, or needs you've noticed that you feel called to work to change, I'd love to listen. This congregation, (and it's congregational neighbors) have SO MUCH potential. Thanks for listening! In God's grasp, as you are, Pr. Mary Kaye Our choir always has fun!!! 2 15

3 MAYBIRTHDAYS Clasen, Lisa 05/01 Johnson, Kevin 05/03 Vodenka-Reed, Sunshine 05/03 Vodenka-Reed, Daytona 05/03 Hansen, Donald 05/04 Collins, Eleanore 05/06 Grover, Donald 05/06 Johnson, Steven 05/06 Johnson, Gail 05/06 Magnuson, Julie 05/06 Vetter, Morgan 05/06 Rogers, Chieko 05/07 Halstrom, Callie 05/09 Langer, Spencer 05/10 Bjork, Jacqueline 05/15 Dahlquist, Jeremy 05/15 Hasselquist, Daniel 05/15 Museus, Dana 05/18 Lundholm, Sally 05/20 Carlson, Michael 05/22 Lindgren, Hjalmer 05/22 Boesel, Scott 05/23 Donahue, Timothy 05/24 Johnson, Rita 05/25 Enebak, Tom 05/26 Johnson, Zachary 05/26 Johnson, Lyla 05/26 Loen, Jacob 05/27 Vodenka-Reed, Poppy 05/27 Vogt, Anthony 05/30 Nelson, Tim 05/31 Please contact the church office if there are any errors or omissions. Thank you. 14 First Lutheran Youth FLY Schedule C O N N E C T I N V I T E E Q U I P END OF THE YEAR PICNIC Wednesday, May 23rd 6:00 to 8:15pm Please meet at the church at 6pm and the picnic will be at the St. Croix Falls Lions Park. ALL new youth currently in grade 5 who are not already in youth group are invited to attend! A Very Special Thank You to ALL who helped with the 2018 Sap Season! As we tried something very new by partnering with another youth group from Peace Lutheran I believe it was very successful and new and wonderful friendships were made! 3 Summer Mission Trip Team Looking for a VAN to help with transportation. If anyone has information or is able/ willing to help with this, please contact Michelle Lynch at Thank you!!!!! One Space has opened up for the Summer Mission Trip! If you have been wondering in the back of your mind that maybe you should have signed up to try this amazing experience we HAVE A SPOT FOR YOU!! All you need to do is contact Michelle Lynch at and she will bring you up to speed! The only responsibility you have at this moment to sign up is to pay the nonrefundable deposit of $60. Checks payable to First Lutheran Church.

4 Palm Sunday Pancakes with our own Maple Syrup.YES!!!! 4 13

5 Sundays at 10:15am in the downstairs Sunday School Room Orientation for Junior Staff is Thursday, June 14th at 9:00 am at the Baptist Church. Junior Staff Applications will be coming in May. First day of camp is June 26th starting out at the Baptist Church. TWF will be at First Evangelical Lutheran Church July 17th, 19th, 24th & 26th for anyone interested in helping with teaching the bible lesson, providing and/or serving the children snacks - your help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Angie Linngren, Judy Peterson, and Miranda Tverberg and will be organizing a Bake Sale & Plant Sale Saturday, June 2nd 9am to 12pm. The Sunday School children joined the Church Choir for a beautiful song for Palm Sunday! Bake-A-Thon The Sunday School children made door hangers to remind them that JESUS LIVES HERE!!! Lucy is proudly showing her artwork!!!! Guest Preacher, Cathy Pino, talking to the children during worship on April 8th. 12 We are looking for any donations of either baked goods or plants, please contact Angie in the church office. We will be planning to have a children s table with a fun, simple garden project as well. All funds raised from the bake sale and plant sale will go towards grounds & yard needs and all funds from the children s table will go towards Sunday School needs. 5 Friday, June 1st 2:00pm to 7:00pm Pastor Mary Kaye will be hosting a bake-a-thon at FELC! Watch for signups!!!!!!

6 River Valley Christian Women s Connection & Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Request the honor of your presence at the Royal Wedding Tea 11:30 AM May 21, 2018 Chisago Lake Lutheran Church 1 Summit Avenue, Center City, Minnesota Please come with a guest of your choosing. R.S.V.P. by noon Tuesday, May 15 Call/Text Diane or call Shirley, $12 Pay at the door Dressy attire, hats and gloves are encouraged. Bring a friend and your favorite tea cup. Special Feature: Mary Anderson, Pins n Needles Quilting ideas for gifts Music: Mother & daughter, Alicia & Sage Fisk Speaker: Ellein Lutz Have You Found the Pioneer in You? We meet at a different site each month. Specific questions? Call Barb River Valley Christian Women s Connection CWC Stonecroft Please note: Luncheon sites change each month. There is still time to register for Summer Camps!!!! Luther Point Bible Camp information for the summer 2018 programs are available in the current brochure. We encourage you to take one from the table under the mailboxes at church and make plans to attend one of the many camps offered!!!!! Did you know. Every Monday, from 4:00 to 6:00pm, Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City hosts a free community meal! ALL ARE WELCOME!!! The Chisago Lakes Area Community is cordially invited to participate in a time of Food and Fellowship!!!! First Lutheran Church of Harris is 127 years old & in desperate need of some maintenance! The roof starting leaking in March 2018 & is top priority on the fix-it list! Saturday, May 5th at 2:00pm FELC is a offered a $55 Member Concert Featuring: Church Discount as well!! Our SONNY WINBERG The Prize Band church offers a New Creation Award Pastor Caroline Harthun-Woodridge for each child in the amount of $50 and Others! that can be earned for their camp th Street (& Gates Ave) stay!!!! Harris, MN Suggested minimum ticket For more info and to register, visit: 6 donation of $ SPRING CLOTHING EVENT Friday, May 4, 9am-12pm & 5-7pm Saturday, May 5, 9am-12pm Lakes Free Church in Lindstrom Olinda Trail Lakesfree.org We have gathered gently used spring and summer clothing for men, women and children. There will be a 25 cents charge for each clothing item, and 50 cents for coats and shoes. Money will be used to purchase new undergarments and to fund Hope Ministries, a new ministry that supports adoptive and foster care families.

7 Meeting Agenda Church Council of First Evangelical Lutheran Church April 22, 2018, 11:30 to 1:30pm Saturday, May 19th 9:00am Please come to the church and together we will spring clean our church! Bring work gloves, a garden rake, and any other yard tools you d find helpful! 2018 Annual Meeting Sunday, June 24th Immediately following Worship SUNDAY JUNE 3rd at 9am. We have 8 graduates this year & you will see cards at the back of the sanctuary for you to sign & wish them well as they move on to this next chapter in their life. Graduates are: Honey Vodenka-Reed, Caleb Moberg, Luke Valez, Luke Rogers, Annalise Parks, Peter Vitalis, Ethan Bjorklund, Chase Lundholm, and one student who will continue working towards his graduation requirements Donald Huffman. They will be receiving a homemade quilt as a wonderful tradition from our church quilting ladies; a special prayer/blessing over them during worship; & a reception to follow. Please join us in celebrating these young adults! To worship God as an intergenerational community, learning God s Word, and building lasting relationships as we grow in God s love and grace. Members Present: Duane Olson, Pastor Mary Kaye, Don Hansen, Wendy Szczepanski, Rose Anderson, Gayle Langer. Members Absent: Joe Landgreen A. Opening Prayer Wendy B. Sharing story-where you have seen God working in your life this month. C. Pastor Report PMK-connecting with people with positive feedback from Birthday Cards and Notes. PMK is working with Collaborative team of the 3 churches, Immanuel, Trinity, and First Lutheran for a summer alternative worship gathering. There is a baptism scheduled in June. D. Worship Committee Report-PMK-attached E. President s Report Don 1. Annual meeting scheduled for June 24 following worship 2. Synod Assembly is May 18 and 19. Don, PMK, and Wendy are scheduled to attend. 3. Council meeting scheduled for May 20th at 10:30am 4. Council meeting scheduled June 3rd 10:45am 5. Don will contact Chair of nominating committee to begin nominees for vacancies. 6. Committee reports for annual report are due May 30th draft budget was reviewed-council will note on the budget at the May 20 Council meeting for recommendation to the Congregation F. Memorial Committee Report Duane distributed new pew cards for the memorial fund. G. Property - Don will follow up with Joe on the letter to the Congregation regarding furnace repair this summer. There is a trip hazard with the paving at the back door. Don will follow up with Bruce Carlsted to purchase the new Confirmation photo stand and rack. H. Other-Motion by PMK seconded by Rose to Adjourn 10 7

8 Some pictures of our 2018 sapping season!!!! Church Office Council/Officers: Don Hansen President Duane Olson Vice President Joe Landgreen Treasurer Gayle Langer Secretary Wendy Szczepanski Rose Anderson Pastor Mary Kaye Ashley Financial Secretary Jerry Rhoads Mission Statement The mission of FELC is to worship God as an intergenerational community, to learn God s Word, and to build lasting relationships as we grow in God s love and grace. (Mission Statement approved 2017) Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Psalm 90:1 Please send submissions to: parishc@tflutheran.org 8 9