F I R S T E V A N G E L I C A L L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

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1 F I R S T E V A N G E L I C A L L U T H E R A N C H U R C H Celebrating Sixty-nine Years of God s Amazing Grace Mission Moments M a y Volume 13 Issue 5 First Things First In Response to the Good News of Jesus Christ: Our Purpose Gathered to worship! Sent to witness and serve! Our Vision To become more diverse, creative, nurturing, and welcoming within our congregation and in the wider community. Our Guiding Principles... We will follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We will read, teach, and preach God s Word faithfully. We commit to prayer and worship as a way of life. We invite people to know Jesus Christ. Reconciling in Christ Welcoming Statement First Evangelical Lutheran Church/La Primera is committed to being a radically loving and welcoming community of faith, centered in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in faithfulness to the Gospel and our Lutheran heritage, and to the best of our ability, we promise to provide programs, ministries, and pastoral care to all who seek God in this place. All are welcome here, including persons of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Contact Us Phone: (480) Fax: (480) felc@firstevlutheran.com Web: There s just something about kids. Kids just aren t happy until they see it. They not only must see it but they want to see it over and over and over again. We had a family reunion once upon a time. We had this reunion right around the time the Little Mermaid came out on video. It became part of that long, long week..every day three or four or five times a day one beautiful little girl or another would say Show me.i want you to show me the Little Mermaid. Now it would be okay if all they meant was turn on the tape and leave them to enjoy the whole tape again and again. That s not what they meant though..they meant they would show me every little favorite part of that movie and they d tell me why it was their favorite. It got so the whole family started to run away if they saw one of the beautiful little ones started toward them. By the time the reunion was over we could repeat every word of that tape and we knew every song by heart because we d been forced not just to listen to the song but we had to sing along. It was karaoke on steroids. show me became the most frightening thing we ever heard; I still shudder when I hear kiss the girl. We re in the second half of the Easter season..you might say we re in the show me part of Easter. We re in the place that wherever we are Jesus just seems to show up. I hope I d be like that crowd of beautiful little girls.. show me, then Jesus would show me his hands and feet, his side and I would be thrilled amazed and overwhelmed at seeing him.amazed no matter how many times he showed me he is alive. I have a little challenge for all of us in this last half of Easter. We need to live a show me life, expecting that when we whisper show me Jesus will do just that. Jesus willingly shows up and I d like us to be like those disciples and remember every word he speaks. Remember and repeat it until we know it by heart. We d be ready to tell everyone we meet what will happen next. I d like us each to show somebody Jesus tell somebody the story, tell it like we each were there when he showed us his hands, his feet, his side..show somebody, anybody the grace and love of God in Jesus. Go on Show me.. That s putting first things first. Pastor Melissa

2 2 It s Party Time! Christian Movement is having their annual spring party! We want you to join us for a potluck luncheon. Staff Melissa Harr, Interim Pastor Lynda Maraby, Synodically Authorized Minister Cassandra Chavez, Intern Joy Petroff, Admin. Secretary If you CAN, please bring a dish to share; If it s something you just can t do, please come anyway! Tuesday, May 8 11 AM Congregational Officers The Concordia Charter School students Evan Rogers, President Sarah Shaw, Vice President Kathleen Rogers, Treasurer Kay Mortensen, Financial Secretary will provide choral entertainment. We have some fun (nonbingo) games planned. Congregational Council Carmen Guerrero Diane Johnson Don Johnson Mary Kilber Lynda Maraby Evan Rogers Kathleen Rogers Rhonda Schmidt Sarah Shaw Please come and join us for food, fun & fellowship! It s Time to Make the Move to the Great! On May 28, we will begin worshipping in the Great instead of the Sanctuary. Senior Vicars Marilyn Bloom, RN Roger Hughes Mary Kilber Lynda Maraby Laura O Connell Ellen Riske Evan Rogers Kathleen Rogers Vicki Wilcox Wayne Wilcox This will save on energy costs through the hot summer months as well as giving us a cozier feeling. The Messenger is a monthly publication of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mesa, Arizona. Please submit information by to felc@firstevlutheran.com or in written form to the church office by the 15th of the month prior to publication. EDUCATION FOR ALL Children s Sunday School: Sundays, 10:30 AM Learning Center Adult Education Class Everything you wanted to know about Lutherans but were afraid to ask, a class for those new to being a Lutheran and those who wish to refresh their memory of just what it means to be Lutheran we ARE a special breed! Olson Conference, Sundays at 10:30 AM. Sunday Gathering for Confirmation youth Sundays, 10:30 AM Fellowship Hall Confirmation: Great This month: May 1, 15, 6-8 PM May 13 will be the final day of Christian Education until the fall. High School Class: Sundays, 10:30 AM Hahn Fireside Lounge

3 May 20: Pentecost, the date that we celebrate the birth of the Christian church. We will be having a joint bilingual service at 10 AM and we will welcome new members. After, we will enjoy a time of fellowship (convivio) with food, mariachi music and activities for kids! This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family especially those who may not have a church home. If you are not a member and would like to officially join our congregation on that day, please speak with the pastoral team. P E N T E C O S T M A Y 2 0 El 20 de mayo celebraremos el día de pentecostés en la iglesia. El día de pentecostés es el cumpleaños de la iglesia y un día cuando gente de todas naciones se unieron a seguir a Cristo! Este día tendremos una misa bilingüe a las 10 AM y daremos la bienvenida a nuevos miembros de la congregación. Después de la misa disfrutaremos de un convivio con comida, mariachis y actividades para los niños. Ademas, honraremos a las mamas por todo el amor y trabajo que nos dan. Esta es una oportunidad muy buena para invitar a sus amigos y familiares especialmente los que no tienen una iglesia. Si usted no es un miembro de la iglesia y quiere unirse oficialmente a la congregación ese día, por favor hable con una de las pastoras. 3 Cafecito Spanish/ Ingles in the Great Tuesday Evenings at 5:30 PM: May 8, 22 Wednesday mornings at 11 AM: May 2, May 16 Mi familia vota, one of our community partners needs volunteers on May 12th, for a Citizenship Workshop, where they will be filling out people's citizenship applications. This will be held at 6006 S 30th St. Phoneix, AZ Shifts are from 8 Am - 1 PM, 12 PM - 5 PM, 8 AM - 5 PM. They need help with checking in participants, filling out forms, and assisting with media coverage. May 8th, is a training for people who want to fill out forms at the Citizenship workshop (This is where we need a lot of people). This will take place at 1710 E Indian School Rd Phoenix, AZ from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. If you are interested, please contact Cassandra or mi familia vota directly. Contact Cassandra: / Cassandra@firstevlutheran.com Volunteers Needed Mi familia vota, una de nuestros organizaciones asociadas, necesita voluntarios para un evento el 12 de mayo para un taller de ciudadano para ayudar a las personas quienes quieren hacerse ciudadanos 6006 S 30th St. Phoneix, AZ Los turnos son de 8 Am - 1 PM, 12 PM - 5 PM, 8 AM - 5 PM. Necesitan ayuda principalmente llenando los formularios, también para registrar a las personas. Voluntarios de todas edades están bienvenidos! Si están interesados, por favor contacten a Cassandra o a mi familia vota directamente. May Change for Change Offering May 27 will support Sister Sarah s Uganda Orphanage which is in need of a new bus. Give generously! Choir rehearsal Wednesdays, 4-5:30 PM Hahn Fireside Lounge May 13, 12:30 PM Olson Conference MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT As of 3/31/18 Actual 2018 Budget 2018 Actual 2017 Budget 2017 Offerings $24,991 $36,940 $36,705 $37,700 Other Income $20,988 $28,525 $23,981 $27,500 Total Income $45,979 $65,465 $ $65,200 Expenses $65,934 $61,034 $48,253 $63,356 Inc. Less Exp. $-19,955 $4,430 $12,432 $1,845 Vicars Meetings Mondays, 10 AM Olson Conference

4 First Evangelical Lutheran Church/La Primera Council Minutes April 8, Present: Pastor Melissa Harr, Cassandra Chavez, Sarah Shaw, Rhonda Schmidt, Mary Kilber, Kathleen Rogers, Evan Rogers, Lynda Maraby A. The meeting was opened with prayer by Evan Rogers. B. Minutes for the March meeting were approved. C. Reports: 1. Treasurer s Report: Three months into 2018, our expenses are at % of the projected budget, while our Income is at 70.23%. This is largely due to weak weekly giving. Dedicated funds are at $53, Pastor Melissa s Report: People had good things to say about Holy Week and Easter services. The Schmidt family put on another great Easter breakfast, but they will need more help if they are going to continue, especially with set-up and clean-up. 3. Lynda Maraby s Report: * Our list of shut-ins is shrinking, but we are still behind on visitations. We expect to catch up now that the extra Easter services have passed. * The Easter Vigil was better attended this year and more diverse, both age-wise and culturally. The way we did it this year gave people an alternative to more liturgically formal services without losing the intent. * We are developing checklists for special events, such as memorial services. 4. Cassandra Chavez Report: * Cafecito/Spanish-English Café and Confirmation continue. Now that spring break is over, more people are coming back. * This month s Convivio is focused on children. We will have a petting zoo and pony rides, and we hope a lot of families will participate. * Cassandra is currently working on her approval essay for seminary. All reports were approved as presented. D. Old Business: 1. Call Process: We are moving ahead, now that the congregation has approved the Call Committee in a 4/8/2018 special congregational meeting. Evan will ask the synod office to forward the names of people that have indicated an interest in being considered. 2. HVAC System: - Things are working pretty well since the installation of the computer control system, but there is still work needed on the air handler that supplies cooling to the fourth-grade classroom. The cost is $3,500. We have $16,000 of the $22,000 it cost to install the computer system. Concordia will lend us the rest, including the cost of this latest expense. - Lawrence Shaw still may be available to take the three-day class to learn the new system once his school term is finished at ASU. The cost for the training is $1,500. Thanksgiving 3. Maintenance: Eve Worship Service Wednesday, November 22 6 PM - The Close has been restored, but we have no regular maintenance contract. Christopher Stoner is still interested in mowing, and Mary will ask Annmarie s gang. Pie and fellowship - The floor in the Great and adjoining restrooms needs attention, following especially worship. before we begin summer services there in May. We are in the process of getting quotes for a thorough cleaning. E. New Business: We need to clear out the donated furniture in the old parsonage, as the school will be putting Rachel's office there.

5 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PM Confirmation - Great 2 11 AM Cafecito - Great 5 6 6th Sunday in Easter 13 7th Sunday in Easter/Ascension 20 Day of Pentecost 27 The Holy Trinity 28 Memorial Day 3 OFFICE CLOSED 10 OFFICE CLOSED 17 OFFICE CLOSED 24 OFFICE CLOSED 4 OFFICE CLOSED 11 OFFICE CLOSED 25 OFFICE CLOSED 10:30 AM Sunday School LC 10:30 AM Confirmation Sunday Gathering - FH 10:30 AM High School Class HFL 10:30 AM Adult Class - OCR 10:30 AM Sunday School LC 10:30 AM Confirmation Sunday Gathering - FH 10:30 AM High School Class HFL 10:30 AM Adult Class - OCR 12:30 PM Church Council - OCR 10:30 AM Sunday School LC 10:30 AM Confirmation Sunday Gathering - FH 10:30 AM High School Class HFL 10:30 AM Adult Class - OCR 12:30 PM Convivios - Mother s Day tacos 12:30 PM Intern Lay Meeting - OCR 7 10 AM Vicars: Great Christian Movement Party set-up AM Vicars: Great AM Vicars: Great OFFICE CLOSED 8 NO LSSS 11 AM Christian Movement Party - GR 5:30 PM Cafecito - Great 15 DEADLINE: NEWSLETTER 6-8 PM Confirmation - Great 6:30-8:30 PM PFAG - OCR 22 9 AM New & Renewing Mission Table: - OCR 5:30 PM Cafecito - Great AM Cafecito - Great AM Mesa Migrant - Great 31 7 PM FELC Worship OCR 7 PM FELC Worship OCR 5 2 PM event OFFICE CLOSED 19 7 PM FELC Worship OCR GR Great S Sanctuary OCR Olson Conference HFL Hahn Fireside Lounge LC Learning Center 26 FH Fellowship Hall * - Off- Campus

6 First Evangelical Lutheran Church 142 N. Date Street Mesa, Arizona 6 May 2018 Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Wednesday, November 22 6 PM Pie and fellowship following worship. Please join us. All are welcome in this place. Friday Communion Worship: 7 PM Sunday Communion Worship: 9:15 AM La Primera Communion Worship: 11 AM Sunday School/Adult Class: 10:30 AM OFFICE HOURS Mondays through Wednesdays: 8:30AM-2:30PM First Evangelical Lutheran Church 142 North Date Street Mesa, Arizona Contact Us Phone: (480) Fax: (480) felc@firstevlutheran.com Web: