FIRST FRUITS. September Volume 14 No. 09

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1 FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON September 2011 Volume 14 No. 09 First Fruits September I m writing this month s First Fruits from Indonesia. Most of you are aware of my adventure here to Indonesia. First Lutheran will be going on its own adventure this September. Beginning on Tues., Sept. 13th we will begin our study through the Book of Revelation. Many people have a fascination with this book of the Bible. Even Hollywood often makes movies with veiled references to the book or to the end of the world. During our adventure through the Book of Revelation, we will be using the Bible itself as our guide. We will attempt to put the images and symbols used by the Book of Revelation in their Biblical context. We will try to show that this book written by John the Apostle is using images that have been used throughout the Bible to convey God s covenant history and plan for our salvation. The main focus in God s plan of salvation is the Saviour, Jesus Christ. So guess what? The main focus of the Book of Revelation is Jesus Christ. Any interpretation that does not keep Jesus front and center is very questionable. The whole Bible is about Jesus/God and His tremendous love for us and His desire for relationship with us, even though we have rebelled against Him and are sinners. God has dealt with Sin in Jesus Christ since He is a Holy and Loving God. As such, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father as the King of the Universe. In the Book of Revelation we will explore the fact of God reigning over human history in Jesus Christ and the covenant fulfillment of all God s promises. So come out and learn what the Book of Revelation is really about Jesus Christ as Lord of history and Lord of Life. As the first verse says, the revelation of Jesus Christ, or the unveiling of Jesus Christ, is the key to the entire book. Those seeking to find out about end-time catastrophes and tanks in the Middle East may be a bit disappointed, but for those who want to know more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, come out at 7pm on Tues. nights. Whether you agree with the interpretation or not, know that the Bible and Jesus will be central to our study. You will learn more about all parts of the Bible in this study. The method of interpretation used will be the one that has been used in the Church for the first 1800 years of its history, and not those of more recent times that take Bible images out of context to make them say whatever the creative imaginations of many well-meaning people may manufacture. Regardless of how you feel about the interpretation, know that we will be glorifying Jesus Christ and Him alone. May we all seek to keep Jesus our focus in all our Bible investigation to Him be the glory forever and ever. See you soon. From Indonesia, Pastor Taylor +

2 First School & Daycare News Our Fall program has begun with full classrooms! We will be closed September 5th for Labor Day. This year, First School will begin our cookie dough fundraiser earlier than in the past. Instead of starting October 1st, we will run from September 1st September 16th. This fundraiser is the only one First School has during the year. Because of the outstanding sales in the past, First School has benefited in so many ways. Start thinking about which cookie dough you have enjoyed in the past. All our children and some of our teachers will be selling cookie dough. LCMC NATIONAL CONVENTION DES MOINES, IOWA OCTOBER 2ND 5TH Our Representatives Helen Kight Pastor Andy Taylor Women of the Word Great turnout in August at Helen Kight s house! Next meeting September 19th at 7PM. If you need a ride (and live in the vicinity), please call Sheila at WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Tony & Diane Hamilton 2001 Ave. F, #24 El Campo, TX Not pictured: Lori Cykala 1277 CR 314 El Campo, TX FUND BALANCES as of 08/23/11 Building Fund - $ 6,280 Paint the Church Fund - $ 5,874 Youth Fund -$ 422 Flower Fund - $ 957 Scholarship Fund - $ 939 Memorial Fund - $ 21,753 Luke Johnson Fund - $ 1,000 Chair Fund (14) $37,211 September Readings 4th Psalm 85:8-13, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14: th Psalm 67, Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Romans 11:13-15, 29-32, Matthew 15: th Psalm 138, Exodus 6:2-8, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16: th Psalm 26, Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:21-26

3 4th Abrianna Falcon 7th Henrietta Bram 7th Harry Boogie Kight 12th Ty Mathews 16th Jolie Konarik 16th Lily Schoeneberg 19th Will Joines 24th Marilyn Kight 26th Sawyer Schoenfield 29th Nelda Wagner 3rd Scottie Englund 4th Jack Hollingsworth 7th James Herrington 10th Crystal Rodriguez 10th Christopher Rosniak 10th Kirsten Rosniak 10th Tristan Rosniak 11th Ariella Falcon 11th Arianna Falcon 11th Avery Falcon 11th Abrianna Falcon 11th Jay Konarik 11th Amy Konarik 12th Jimmy Nielsen 13th Will Joines 17th Charles Bard 18th Karla Johnson 20th Kim Englund 23rd Milton Johnson 30th Lorene Bard Garden Villa: Gertrude Nordin, Elsie Nelson, Ida Mae Bloom, and others Charles & Vernell Bard Lois Barosh Donald Berglund Buck & Judy Bezdek Henrietta Bram Mary Carter Shirley Chatel Justin Cerny Carol Davis Bill Englund Scottie Englund Silverio Estrada Eddie Graeter Jo Della Grier Sherri Guin Elenora Hadash Anitra Haynes Clara Hicks Jack & Nora Hollingsworth Linda Hubenak Michael Hughes Bonnie Jones Darlene Kastner Lillian Konarik Gene Ladewig Justin Lormand Lucille Long Connie Martin Janice McCleskey Anna Marie McColgan Cody Morton Lloyd Nelson Forrest Newton Odis & Lorraine Newton Ray & Elsie Overstreet Eunice Pfeffer Leona Piekert Fransisco Rodriguez William Samora Donald Schoenfield Johnny Sibley Clara Sifford Ed Spradlin Haley Stewart Doug Thane Ashley Thonsgaard David Thonsgaard Tony Tupa, Jr Jake Barosh, Justin Cerny Michael Monreal, Sarah Langston, WE RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US OR Pastor Andy Taylor Cell # th Gloria & Ed Campbell Office Manager -Terry Butts Cell #

4 OUR BUDGET FOR AUGUST Monthly Offering Needed to meet Budget $10,435 BENEVOLENCE GIFTS TO BE PAID IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2011 (Approved at meeting 7/25/11) Blessing Cup $300 August Offerings Rec d as of 8/27 $ 5,936 Thrivent Choice Deposits 26 Murray Greenwood Sunday School Offerings $ 19 Covenant House (Houston) Total Income for Budget Expenses $ 5, American Bible Society Budget Needs thru August : $ 83,480 Offerings received thru 8/23/11: $ 58,886 Salvation Army Amount (under) budget ($ 24,594) American Red Cross Total August Expenses as of 08/23/11 - $9,796 Relay for Life Starting 2011 checking balance - $43,509 Prison Fellowship Ending 08/11 checking balance - $32,337 Pregnancy Help Center(Rosenberg).. Crisis Pregnancy (Rosenberg) Alliance Defense Fund Lutheran World Relief The Mayan calendar ending in Pastors predicting the end of the world in El Campo Life Advocates a certain month due to Biblical math. Hollywood and Christian movies about Armageddon, 666 and the end of the world. Books World by Christian authors about the Middle Vision-Sexually Exploited.. East and the coming crisis in the region that will lead to the end of the world. How are Gospel for Asia people to react to all these phenomenon? What does the Book of Revelation have to do150 TX District Church Plant with all this? Anything? Everything? 200 Sept. 13th this year to First Come out on Tues. evenings at 7pm starting District Lutheran Church, 304 Oscar Street, to find out Texas the answer. We will be doing a study of 200and the Book of Revelation will be this often misunderstood book of the Bible. The Bible our text book, so there will be no other book you willlcmc need to buy. We will be delving97into the Book of Revelation to see what it has to say to us, but especially to see JesusTOTAL Christ- as $2347 the center piece of the book, as He is of the whole Bible. THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS STUDY Come hear what Jesus has to say to you as Lord of history. Come learn about the amazing consistency of God s images in His Holy Word and how much He loves you. The Book of Revelation is supposed to be a revelation and blessing to all who read and hear it. Come hear how it can be a blessing to you today. We would love to have you join us for this study! See you there Tuesday evenings starting Sept. 13th at 7pm, First Lutheran Church. God bless you and your study of His Word! COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, SEPT 8TH 6pm EL CAMPO S LIFE CHAIN SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND 2PM-3PM Come support the Right to Life!

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Adult Sunday School Labor Day Holiday Office Worship w/communion and School closed Adult Sunday School Worship Service 12 Study of Revelation begins 7PM ALL Sunday School Bible Study Life Advocates Worship w/communion Meet 6:30PM Revelation 7PM RALLY DAY KID S/YOUTH SS BEGINS Sunday School Worship Service Saturday Friendship Club 10 am PRAIRE DAYS!!! 7 13 Friday 2 PASTOR RETURNS!! 14 8 Council Meeting 6PM Women Of the Word 7pm 26 School Board 6PM Bible Study Revelation 7PM September Responsibilities ASSISTING MINISTER: Ted Schoenfield SEXTON: David Kight USHERS: Lionel Chatel & Kirk House ALTAR GUILD: Nelda Wagner & Teresa Berglund First Lutheran Church ACOLYTE READER th 4 11th st 18 25th Sawyer Schoenfield Billie Jean Bram 304 Oscar Russell Konarik El Campo, TX Lane Schoeneberg Ariella Falcon Helen Johnson Kalin Christenberry Doug Thane If you are not able to serve on your date, firstlutheran3324@yahoo.com please let Pastor know. ESTABLISHED FEB 1893 Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century. SEPTEMBER FLOWER CALENDAR 4TH 11TH 18TH 25TH OPEN Special 9/11 Remembrance Susan & Lane Schoeneberg Mary Lou Thane

6 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Milton Johnson, David Kight, Daniel Wilfert, Jimmy Nielsen, Billie Jean Bram, Calvin Borak, & Ted Schoenfield Prairie Days October 1st! The Kids/Youth Sunday School classes start back up September 18th with First Lutheran Church Booth Will offer Free tea w/flc special cups Volunteers needed to set up, take down and take turns greeting the locals and guests to El Campo. Rally Day! Join us on FACEBOOK!!!!