First Things. October 2018

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com 561 Chestnut Street, Taylors Falls, MN 55084-1110 12 Dear sisters & brothers in Christ, Why do we "do confirmation" in our church, and what is it for, what does it mean?

1 NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID TAYLORS FALLS, MN PERMIT NO. 5 First Things October 2018 The Newsletter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church 561 Chestnut Street, Taylors Falls, MN Chestnut Street, Taylors Falls, MN Dear sisters & brothers in Christ, Why do we "do confirmation" in our church, and what is it for, what does it mean? Contrary to what some may believe, "getting kids to confirmation" is not the last thing that we ask parents and godparents to do as part of their baptismal promises on behalf of their child when a child is baptized; it's an important part along the way. Confirmation is faith formation. It is the part of the process by which Christians learn & grow into their discipleship; learning about/exploring our faith practices of encouraging others; inviting people into a life in Christ; welcoming all people to our worship & community; praying for ourselves & others, and learning that prayer is as much about listening as about talking; giving, and growing in our sharing of our time, talents & treasures on behalf of our neighbors near & far; studying God's word, and other meaningful texts & contexts for growing disciples; and serving all in Jesus' name. It's a big list we try to accomplish, but we know that the 3+ years we devote to it cannot fully mature us as God's servants, so we hope that all of us continue to grow and learn! In the Lutheran church, children are full members of the body of Christ at their baptism. And as we watch them, and how delightful they are, we know that they are only at the beginning of being fully-formed disciples, (something I'm not sure we ever are until we go home to Christ at our death.) Confirmation is intended to be a growing process, by which we live more and more into the love & freedom God has given us, and into the responsibilities into which we are called. The only difference in our church between baptized members and active confirmed members is that active confirmed members get to vote in congregational meetings. We baptize people of any age, in response to Jesus' admonition to "go into the world and baptize," and we at FELC may get to rejoice in an adult baptism this year. But on 9/30, we begin again our ministry of confirmation education for people 6th grade and older who have not yet been confirmed - and this year, we have 2 adults joining us, (who've not yet been confirmed). Our learning community will be enriched by this intergenerational gift! If you know someone who is in 6th grade or older who'd like to be part of this ministry, please let Pr. Continued one page two.

can make sure that they get a letter going out this

We will meet on select Sundays, (beginning on

participate are certainly welcome, just let us

We will begin by meeting in the library, unless we

among other things, so be sure to bring your Bibles

In October, we will offer a service of affirmation

who has completed the 3 year learning process.

growing & deepening, as we continue to offer

study, Together with Friends, many worship

discipleship coordinators, and many other ways.

are you learning & growing as a child of

question of what you do with the one precious life

And if you'd like to talk more about that, let me

HOURS@FELC COUNCILMEETING QUILTERS OCTOBERBIRTHDAYS

Kirchoff, Brayden Jorgensen, Kelly Halstrom, Teresa

2 Continued from page one. Mary Kaye or Angie in our office know, so that we can make sure that they get a letter going out this week welcoming them to our learning community. We will meet on select Sundays, (beginning on 9/30), from 10:15-11:30am, and very occasional other days & times. Parents & others who would also like to learn & participate are certainly welcome, just let us know, so we have enough materials, etc. We will begin by meeting in the library, unless we outgrow the room, (which would be a great challenge to have:)! We will be focusing on the Old Testament this year, among other things, so be sure to bring your Bibles every time we meet. In October, we will offer a service of affirmation of baptism/ confirmation for 1 (I think) student who has completed the 3 year learning process. This is certainly not meant to be the end of growing & deepening, as we continue to offer LifeGroup, youth ministry, women's circle, Bible study, Together with Friends, many worship opportunities, and myriad chances to serve as discipleship coordinators, and many other ways. If you're reading this, and you're an adult, how are you learning & growing as a child of God/disciple of Christ? How would you like to? What will you do about that? This is not just a question for Sundays, but a question of what you do with the one precious life God has given you. And if you'd like to talk more about that, let me know! Adult SUNDAYWORSHIP CHOIRSCHEDULE OFFICE HOURS@FELC COUNCILMEETING QUILTERS OCTOBERBIRTHDAYS Looking forward to a great year! In God's grasp, as you are, Pr. Mary Kaye Lindgren, Annie Fehrenbacher, Ben Kirchoff, Brayden Jorgensen, Kelly Halstrom, Teresa Kittleson, Autumn Lundholm, Kent Nelson, Brittany Clasen, Lucas Johnson, Brittany Tverberg, Lucy Parks, Kullan Dexter, Cody Luschen, Kelly Olson, Karen Buchholtz, Dennis Johnson, Weston Riis, Otto Carlsted, Bruce Alexander, Lexie SARAHCIRCLE New Members Welcome! MONTHLYGIVING REPORT October Confirmation Classes Sunday, October 7th & 21st Bring your Bibles and meet in the library at 10:15am! (Confirmation schedule will be out soon. Call church office to make sure you're on the list of those in the class!) 2 10/03 10/05 10/08 10/09 10/10 10/11 10/12 10/12 10/14 10/15 10/16 10/20 10/21 10/23 10/23 10/24 10/26 10/27 10/29 10/30 Please contact the church office if there are any errors or omissions. Thank you. 11

3 First Lutheran Youth Meet Our Awesome Youth Leaders Michelle Lynch Rose Anderson C O N N E C T I N V I T E Nia Glynn E Q U I P FLY Schedule Jason Linngren Jake Glynn 10 3

Steeple Repair and Reroofing Project Over the last 10 years the Property Committee has informed the Congregation of the need to re-roof the steeple because of bird damage and weather deterioration.

This repair was only temporary because the wood peckers returned and put large holes in the steeple again. As a result, we now have water entering the balcony after a hard wind driven rain.

If you d like to know more, please talk to Pastor Mary Kaye or Angie Linngren! We d love to hear from you! Not Your Parents Offering Plate By J.

Hearing a young attorney speak of the faith based reasons for which he had just made a substantial monetary gift to a community youth center, Clif Christopher asked the speaker if he would consider

That, in a nutshell, describes the problem churches are facing in their stewardship efforts, says Christopher.

In this book, Christopher lays out the main reasons for this failure to capture the imagination of potential givers, including our frequent failure simply to ask.

4 Steeple Repair and Reroofing Project Over the last 10 years the Property Committee has informed the Congregation of the need to re-roof the steeple because of bird damage and weather deterioration. 7 years ago the bird damage was repaired when the property committee rented the lift to repair the decorative figures on the base of the steeple. This repair was only temporary because the wood peckers returned and put large holes in the steeple again. As a result, we now have water entering the balcony after a hard wind driven rain. There is a rubber roof below the bell and that roof is leaking. We are looking for more Sunday School teachers to help teach the word of God to our children in our congregation! If you d like to know more, please talk to Pastor Mary Kaye or Angie Linngren! We d love to hear from you! Not Your Parents Offering Plate By J. Clif Christopher People don t give to church because we don t offer them a compelling vision of the good their giving will achieve. Hearing a young attorney speak of the faith based reasons for which he had just made a substantial monetary gift to a community youth center, Clif Christopher asked the speaker if he would consider making a similar contribution to the congregation of which he was an active member. Lord, no they would not know what to do with it was the answer. That, in a nutshell, describes the problem churches are facing in their stewardship efforts, says Christopher. Unlike leading nonprofit agencies and institutions, we too often fail to convince potential givers that their gifts will have impact and significance. In this book, Christopher lays out the main reasons for this failure to capture the imagination of potential givers, including our frequent failure simply to ask. Written with the needs of pastors and stewardship teams in mind, Not Your Parents Offering Plate provides immediate, practical guidance to all who seek to help God s people be better stewards of their resources. 4 Last July, representatives from Central Roofing inspected the Steeple, and said that they could re-roof the steeple with a custom made interlocking steel, aluminum or copper shingle. They were confident they could make it water proof and the metal would make it bird proof. They did not know what the structure integrity is and that would be extra if they found rotten framing. The bid for re-roofing came this week and was $28.00 per square foot. There is about 1,200 square feet of steeple roof area. The total cost would be $33, The re-roofing requires 4 people and 2 large hydraulic lifts to reach to the top. The cross will temporarily be removed to allow water proofing at the base of the cross. The bid is for the copper shingles, the steel or aluminum would be about $3,000 less. Most of the bid was comprised of labor and lift rental. We can no longer afford to delay the steeple repair because we have water coming into the balcony area. My intention is to ask Joe Landgreen to set up a designated/restricted account to receive donations and proceeds from f u n d r a i s i n g e v e n t s. T h e r e h a v e b e e n individuals who have asked me about the repair and I have been waiting for the bid so that I could provide that information before asking for donations Thank you for your support in this project and details for ideas of fund raising will be coming. Let the fund raising begin. For the Council, Don Hansen Council President 9

(If we want to know more about God, we need to know more of God's word.) Book study at the Lodge!

If you re interested in participating, please contact PMK or call the church office so we can make sure you know about schedule changes.

River Valley Christian Women s Connection invites both MEN & WOMEN to WHAT S NEW FOR OUTDOORS 11:30 LUNCHEON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 Luther Point Bible Camp Quilting Retreat October 17-21,

Room and meals are provided! $180, Wednesday Sunday (arrival after 2:00pm) Join Angie & Jason Linngren in a night out!!! We would love to invite you to Ballroom Classes!

!! $165, Thursday Sunday If you are interested in more information, check out the church bulletin board OR call the church office to talk with Angie!

Pay at door CAMP WAPOGASSET 738 Hickory Point Lane, Amery WI 54001 We meet at a different site each month. Special Feature: Fishing & Hunting Lures Todd Angel, St.

5 Come join us! We will plan to meet in the library, unless we get too big for the room! If you want to sign up & tell PMK you're coming, she may have something to snack on. (Or bring your own bag dinner!) 6:30-8pm on select Wednesdays: October 3, 10, 17, November 7, December 5 & 12. We are studying the Old Testament book of the prophet Micah. (If we want to know more about God, we need to know more of God's word.) Book study at the Lodge! Participants are reviewing Be the Surprise: Experiments in Spontaneous Faith by Terry Esau. If you re interested in participating, please contact PMK or call the church office so we can make sure you know about schedule changes. M e e t i n g time at the Lodge will be 10:30-11:30am on Wednesdays. October Dates: 2nd, 10th, 17th, 31st. Friends & neighbors are welcome! River Valley Christian Women s Connection invites both MEN & WOMEN to WHAT S NEW FOR OUTDOORS 11:30 LUNCHEON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 Luther Point Bible Camp Quilting Retreat October 17-21, 2018 All quilt retreats are held in Luther Point s Retreat Center. Each quilter is given a table to work on you bring you own machine, sewing supplies, & anything else you will need. Room and meals are provided! $180, Wednesday Sunday (arrival after 2:00pm) Join Angie & Jason Linngren in a night out!!! We would love to invite you to Ballroom Classes!!!! November 10th & 17th Three beginner classes are offered: Night Club 2 Step $20/couple/class West Coast Swing $20/couple/class Ballroom Dance Latin $20/couple/class Ages 16 & Up!!! $165, Thursday Sunday If you are interested in more information, check out the church bulletin board OR call the church office to talk with Angie! $150 Friday Sunday If you have questions or to register over the phone, call: Reservation deadline is Tuesday noon, October 9 Call/text Diane $12 Pay at door CAMP WAPOGASSET 738 Hickory Point Lane, Amery WI We meet at a different site each month. Special Feature: Fishing & Hunting Lures Todd Angel, St. Croix Outdoors Sporting Goods, Hwy. 8 Music: Lee Elmer Speaker: Steve Tadevich, Diamonds are NOT Forever! Come, bring someone. First timers are expected and welcome. The autumn drive is always nice. Questions? Call Barb Like us! River Valley Christian Women s Connection CWC Stonecroft 8 2nd Annual Trunk-or-Treat October 20th at 4:30pm Luther Point Bible Camp Come for an evening filled with fun, games, dinner, costumes, and Trunk-or-Treating! If you are able to help out or provide a decorated trunk, please sign up online or call Luther Point: or

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband s employer s home.

The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The husband s employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her

There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd!

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer.

A smile crept across the man s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see.

She read the words United States of America. No, not that; read further. One cent? No, keep reading. In God we Trust? Yes! And?

It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it!

When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment.

6 Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband s employer s home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband s employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? Look at it, he said. Read what it says. She read the words United States of America. No, not that; read further. One cent? No, keep reading. In God we Trust? Yes! And? He explained, And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as my response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God s way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are 6 plentiful! Church Office Council/Officers: Don Hansen President Wendy Szczepanski Vice President Joe Landgreen Treasurer Miriam Flysjo Secretary Rose Anderson Duane Olson Craig Loen 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 7

First Things. May 2018

First Things. May 2018 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 55084-1110 651-465-5265