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 JUNE 2016 First Lutheran Church PARISH STAFF Pastor Pastor Ben Schori Secretary Nancy White Organist Elaine Sweeney Pianist Ann Kleffman Guitarist/Yoga Instructor Angela Schweiberger Custodial Services Range Center Job Corps PARISH COUNCIL Consuelo Connie Bryant William Clymer Mazie Englund Genevieve Lervik Lynn Schweiberger Pastor Benjamin Schori Linda Smith Paul Tokarczyk Marty Vadis CONGREGATIONAL TREASURER Alice White YOUTH EDUCATION Sunday School September May Sunday morning Pre-Kindergarten Grade 5 Confirmation September May Wednesday evening 7:00 8:00 pm Grades 7 10 ADULT EDUCATION Bible Study September - May Wednesday 10:00 am 11:00 pm Yoga Class Mondays 9:00 am WORSHIP & MINISTRY Traditional Morning Service Sundays at 9:30 am Nursery provided Telecast Live HPAT channel 5 Rebroadcast: 9:30 pm Sundays 8:00 pm Wednesdays 2:00 pm Thursdays Alternative Evening Service Sundays at 5:00 pm 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 Pastor s pastorben@firsthibbing.org Website: "Like" our Facebook page,

2 Back in July of 2011, before Pastor Kevin s, Pastor Brian s and my time here in Hibbing, ELCA Lutherans in this community gathered for an outdoor worship service in Bennett Park. This event was dubbed Lutherans in the Park. Well, we re bringing this event back and, in my extremely biased opinion, it s going to be bigger and better than ever! On Father s Day, Sunday June 19 th at 9:30 am the three ELCA congregations in Hibbing (First Lutheran, Holy Trinity and Our Savior s) together with Faith Lutheran in Chisholm, will gather in front of the band shell at Bennett Park to worship and sing a joyful noise unto the Lord, receive our Lord s tangible presence through the sacrament of Holy Communion and celebrate our unity in the Body of Christ and call to be the hands and feet of our Lord to the world. In observance of Father s Day, Pastor Kevin and I will be co-preaching a duet sermon on the blessings and responsibilities of Christian fatherhood. This will be a great celebration for our congregations and for the ELCA presence in this area. This outdoor worship service will also serve as a Rally Day event for families with young children to sign-up and participate in our Day Camp (VBS) that will be held here at FLC from Monday June 20 th -Friday June 24 th. You can find more info and a registration form for Day Camp in this newsletter. Immediately after worship there will be a Coffee Fellowship at 10:30 a.m. with fun activities and games for the kids lead by Day Camp Counselors, and a burger and hotdog picnic beginning at 11:15 am. I look forward to seeing you in the park on June 19 th! Peace & Blessings, Pastor Ben Fellow Congregation Members, With ongoing changes in the membership and resources of our church communities, both globally and in our local congregations, the ELCA and the NE Minnesota Synod are encouraging all congregations to update or develop congregational mission plans. The mission planning process is intended to help congregations identify how we are currently working in the ministry of God, wonder about where else our ministry can go, and develop goals and strategies for how we can continue to be effective in our ministry efforts into the future. The Church Council has decided to embark on the undertaking of developing a new mission plan for First Lutheran. As we proceed on this undertaking there will be many opportunities for congregational members to be involved in the process of developing the direction of First Lutheran. The Council will be actively seeking input from members on questions such as: What are we like now and how do we see our congregation in the future? What do we do best? What are our unique strengths and capabilities? What resources do we currently utilize or are available to the congregation? In what directions do we most want to grow? The Council is developing a process for the mission planning. As the mission plan development proceeds, the opportunities for congregational input will include surveys, questionnaires, and group discussions. Input from congregational members will be the foundation for developing our congregation s mission plan. As we proceed on this undertaking for First Lutheran, we will be encouraging our fellow Hibbing ELCA congregations, Our Saviors Lutheran and Holy Trinity, to also develop their own congregational visions. If our fellow congregations decide to undertake their own mission planning, we hope to work with them to identify shared visions with possibility to combine efforts and resources to be more effective in our community ministry. We hope that you will all join us in this undertaking by offering your thoughts and ideas as we discern where the Holy Spirit would lead us and plan for the future ministries of First Lutheran Church. First Lutheran Church Council

3 First Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes May 17, 2016 Members Present: Paul Tokarczyk, Linda Smith, Bill Clymer, Pastor Ben Schori, Lynn Schweiberger, Mazie Englund, Gen Lervik, Marty Vadis Members Absent: Connie Bryant Meeting called to order at 5:07 pm by President Clymer Secretaries Report of April 12, 2016 was approved. Treasures Report for April 2016 was reviewed. Motion made and seconded to move $5000 from the general savings account to the checking account. Motion passed. Pastor s Report - Funeral for Gladys Tanem conducted an April 20, Property Committee Report Remodeling of the bathrooms began May 16. The project is on schedule. Looking for someone that will accept the opportunity to be responsible for the flag. Old Business Sunday evening attendance remains at a fairly low level. The continuation of the Sunday service will be reviewed in August. Mazie reported on an AED. The unit costs $1495 plus $169 for a storage case. Batteries last about 4 years. Paddles need to be replaced about every 2 years. The memorial committee will be informed on this opportunity for their consideration. New Business Outdoor worship service at Bennett Park scheduled for June 19. First Lutheran will be responsible for hotdogs, burgers and buns. Other ELCA churches are being invited to participate. Connie Bryant agreed to coordinate Day Camp VBS June A planning meeting will be held May 23 at 5:30 at FLC. Linda Smith has agreed to represent FLC at this meeting. Volunteers needed from FLC. FLC softball team fees were discussed. Motion made and seconded to pay a portion of the $800 yearly fee by paying $314. Motion passed. Paul Tokarczyk reported on the Synod convention. Other Business A process for conducting strategic planning for the future was discussed. Motion made and seconded that the First Lutheran s church council supports the development of a Strategic Plan for our church and for the future of the ELCA presence in Hibbing. Motion passed. Paul will do a draft letter for the next newsletter on this subject. May 24 at 5:00 pm council working session for a draft process and planning questionnaire at 5:00 pm June 8 at 5:00 pm is the next council regular meeting. June 21 at 6:30 pm to be proposed as a date to meet with other congregation council members/leaders to discuss planning Meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer at 7:15 pm. Marty Vadis, Council Secretary 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: May 1 $2, May 8 $3, May 15 $5, May 22 $1, May 29 $1, Submitted by Alice White, FLC Treasurer Alleviating Hunger in our Community May donations amounted to 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 donation, make your check payable to First Lutheran Church and note in the memo Food Shelf/Soup Kitchen. On the second Thursday (Noon) and the third Tuesday (1:00 pm) of the month, First Lutheran members volunteer at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. Volunteer help is always needed on the days we serve. You don t have to stay the entire time. Help with preparation, help serve help in any way you want. Please call Rodney Jacobson at if you can help on Thursdays, or Jean Nelson at if you can help on Tuesdays. Thank you! Sunday Evening Worship Is it difficult getting to worship during the summer months? Our 5:00 pm alternative evening service will continue during the summer months.

4 WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American) will not meet in June. If you have questions please contact our WELCA president, Barb Tanem. Thank you to Barb Tan and the WELCA ladies for putting on a wonderful All Daughters Banquet. Thanks to Barb Bautch and Mary Maki who prepared a delicious meal for this event. And, thanks to Loyal and his crew for serving the meals and cleaning up! Thank you to the First Lutheran Hobby Quilt Club! This year quilts were donated to the Hibbing Salvation Army, the Hibbing Food Shelf and Lutheran World Relief. The group will take a break for the summer and resume meeting in September. Think of joining us in the fall we welcome (and need) new members. We meet on Mondays at 1:00 pm. If you are interested in applying for the FLC WELCA College Scholarship contact the office. The scholarship is normally awarded to one student entering their second year or above. Applications are due in June. (Both males and females may apply.) WELCA will be collecting School Kits Lutheran World Relief Education is important for any community, especially where poverty or disaster has limited options for young people to reach their potential. School Kits contain essential supplies to help children and in some cases, adults continue learning despite the hardships they face. And that learning leads to a better life for them, their families and their communities. Include the following items in each school kit: Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide-or-college-ruled paper approx 8 X 10.5 (no loose-leaf paper) One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other One pencil sharpener One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well) Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band Five black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secure together with rubber band One box of 16 or 24 crayons One 2 1/2 eraser One sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bag approximately 14 X 17 with shoulder straps (no standard backpacks); recommended fabrics include heavy cotton, canvas, denim, and twill Do not add other items other than those listed above. All items should be new and in good condition. Remove any excess packaging, pack all items in bag and close. Do you like to create things or just socialize with a group of fun people? The Christmas BOUTIQUE CRAFTER S next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 7, at 1:00 in the fellowship hall. We are looking for women (men, too) who would like to help make crafts to sell at the bazaar. We have lots of great ideas (and are always open to more), but need workers to help complete the projects. NO special skills needed! Coffee, treats, and fellowship are enjoyed by all! Remember, that if you are a home crafter, your treasures are still needed, and appreciated, to make our bazaar a success. Talk with Sheryl Tokarczyk if you have questions. Congratulations to First Lutheran High School Graduates: Austin Galatz, Andrea Gargano, Savannah Haataja, Jordan Jesperson, Kaitlyn Maki

5 What s Happening at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry vlm@vlmcamps.org Gretchen Bachman, Program Director Camp Vermilion Community Picnic - Tuesday, June 21, :00-7:00 pm. Camp Vermilion is hosting a community picnic and we would love for you to join us. Our staff will be grilling and serving up delicious food! This event is free and open to the public, so be sure to invite your neighbors and friends! Schedule: 5:00 Appetizers and fellowship 5:45 Picnic dinner (free will offering accepted) 6:15 Songs by campers Please RSVP by June 17 so we can be sure to have plenty of food for everyone. You can RSVP by ing the Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry office or by calling or Where: Camp Vermilion, 2555 Vermilion Camp Road, Cook, MN Upcoming Event at VLM: Bluegrass Festival Saturday, July 30, :00-7:00 p.m. Join us for a day of great music, great food, and great family fun in God's great northwoods. This annual concert and fundraiser is an event you won't want to miss! First Lutheran/OSLC Day Camp! Monday, June 20 th through Friday, June 24 th 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Lutheran Church Day Camp is for children from Kindergarten to 6 th Grade. (As of September 2015) The Camp Counselor Staff from Voyageur s Lutheran Ministry (VLM) will be on hand to once again conduct another fun, faith-filled, awesome day camp experience for our children from Kindergarten to the Sixth Grade. For the fourth year in a row, the Camp Staff from VLM will be on hand to lead our children (ages Kindergarten through 6 th Grade) in songs, skits, Bible lessons, and crafts. This year s theme is entitled Inside Out: Naming, Claiming, and Taming Our Emotions topics include: anger, fear, disgust, sadness, and joy all tailored around Bible stories presented in a kid friendly presentation. There is no cost for Day Camp, however, free will offerings are graciously accepted to help defray the cost of this experience. The Day Camp experience will be held Monday, June 20 th through Friday, June 24 th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the option of an early drop off beginning at 7:45 a.m. (Note: on Friday, June 24 th, the day ends at 12 noon). First Lutheran will be responsible for providing lunches for the VLM staff Monday Friday. You may prepare a home cooked lunch, or purchase the lunches. Call the office if you would like to provide a lunch on one of these days. Note: On Friday lunches will be to go. Linda Smith is First Lutheran s Day Camp coordinator. Thanks Linda! Registration forms can be picked up at the FLC office, and/or register as a part of the Rally Sunday at the Lutherans in the Park worship service scheduled for Sunday, June 19. Look for the registration table. Forms are also included in this newsletter. Questions, and/or if you would like to help assist the Camp Counselors, provide snacks, or help with other supervision, please call the FLC church office.

6 First Lutheran Church is blessed with many volunteers who with dedication and commitment serve the church, the Hibbing community, and the world. During May these people helped Sunday worship services happen: Assisting Ministers: Marty Vadis, Jean Nelson, and Dennis Flynn Lay Worship Leader: Lynn Schweiberger Acolytes: Toby Inforzato Greeters: Betty Aanes, Barbara Wray, Phyllis Rian, Bill & Muriel Scofield, Greg & Candy Clark, Doris Baasi, and Jean Nettle Readers: Jean Nelson, Bobbi Nyland, Jean Nelson, and Tom Arnold Ushers: Kay Dague, Karyl Giombetti, Jeanne Albrecht, Janice Rice, Ken and Connie Bryant, Mel & Shirley Scofield, Darlene Bennett, and William Clymer Special music: Linda Smith Videographers: Larry Elj, Cathy & Forrest Koland, Dave Rian, and Marty Vadis Offering Counters: Kay Dague, Karyl Giombetti, Art & Mazie Englund, Sandy Carlson, Gen Lervik, Dave & Phyllis Rian, and Renae Grabanski Fellowship Hosts: William Clymer, Jeanne Albrecht, Janice Rice, FLC Men s Softball Team, Sue Sundvall, and Betty Aanes Sunday School Teachers: Patty Barsness, Nancy Greenwood, Melissa Peterson, and Linda Smith Altar Guild: Barb Bautch, Connie Bryant, Kay Dague, Karyl Giombetti, Deno Kubena, Gen Lervik and Mary Maki 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. Thank you to our Sunday School teachers for providing our youth with a wonderful Sunday School experience. Sunday School will start up again in September. 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 May, telecasts were given in memory of Kelsey Perkins by her mother Lisa, in memory of Kathy (Griffiths) Olson by Gladys and family, in memory of Kristine Joy (Snow) Bautch by Dawn Snow, in memory of loved ones by Nancy White, and to remember our veterans by William Clymer. Altar flowers were given in memory of Kelsey Perkins by her mother Lisa. 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. The FLC Campership Fund is used to help youth with their camp fees. Let s continue to support the camping experience. Donations may be made to the fund. Please make checks payable to the FLC Campership fund. Thank you to all who have donated to this fund. FLC s Memorial Fund and Campership Committee: Sandy Carlson, Jean Crep, Liz Kolden, Gen Lervik Pastor Arthur Wickstrom died on May 22 in Fergus Falls, MN. Pastor Wickstrom was born in Hibbing and graduated from Hibbing High School. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College where he earned his B.A. in 1949, and then he went on to attend Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois, graduating in June of Condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Barbara Erickson. Barbara died on Saturday, May 28. Her funeral was held at First Lutheran Church Wednesday, June 1.

7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday First Lutheran Church 2201 Third Avenue East Hibbing, MN Pr. Ben Schori Office JUNE 2016 AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH Check out the FLC website Don t forget to "Like" our Facebook page, Lutheran Social Service Supervised Visitation held at First Lutheran Monday - Saturday 1 Justin, martyr at Rome 2 3 The Martyrs of Uganda 4 5 Third Sunday of 9:30 am Traditional Morning Service 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Chapel of the Pines Pr. Ben 5:00 pm Alternative Evening Worship 6 7 Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy 1:00 pm Boutique Crafters meet in Fellowship Hall 8 Revue at St. Joseph s Catholic Church 4:00 pm Property Committee Meeting 5:00 pm Church Council Meeting 9 Columba, Aidan, Bede, renewers of the church 12:00 pm FLC serves meal at Salvation Army 3:00 pm ELCA service at Guardian Angels Pr. Ben Barnabas, Apostle 12 Fourth Sunday of 9:30 am Traditional Morning Service 10:30 am Fellowship Revue at St. Joseph s Catholic Church 16 July newsletter articles due Fifth Sunday of Father s Day 9:30 am Outdoor Worship and Picnic at Bennett Park No Alternative Evening Worship today 26 Sixth Sunday of 9:30 am Traditional Morning Service 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Chapel of the Pines Pr. Ben 5:00 pm Alternative Evening Worship 20 Summer Begins 27 Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria 21 1:00 pm FLC serves meal at Salvation Army 28 Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons 22 Revue at Wesley United Methodist 29 Peter and Paul, Apostles Revue at First Presbyterian Church John the Baptist First Lutheran and Our Savior s Lutheran Churches Day Camp The Presentation of the Augsburg Confession Phillip Melanchthon, renewer of the church Upcoming July Events: Fourth of July Office Closed for holiday Noon, July 13 Organs in Revue at First Lutheran