First Lutheran Church May Newsletter

Transcription

1 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURC H 408 Ninth Street NW Mandan, ND Phone: Fax: jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org First Lutheran Church May Newsletter Building Faith and Transforming Lives in Christ. We re on the web! May 2014 First Lutheran Staff Administrative Pastor Rev. Lee Herberg Associate Pastor Rev. Jack Carlson Associate Pastor Rev. Christina Martin Administrative Assistant & Coordinator of Lay Ministries Jackie Schulz (o) (h) Custodians Ron & Mavis Watson Financial Administration Jennifer Scheet First Lutheran Is A Mission Partner with Camp of the Cross Ministries Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2 NRSV As we enter a new season of the church year, the season of Easter, a season of 50 days, we might give pause and look back at the just completed season of Lent, a season of 40 days. The season of Lent and the season of Easter could not be more different however, as people we often behave the same way regardless of season. As Saul (whom we know better as Paul) was planning to enter Damascus, his plans were all made, his agenda in place. He was going to make things come out the way he wanted them to. No surprises were anticipated. He could be as ruthless and as heartless as he pleased. He had authority from the high priest, after all. He would just do what he had planned to do, and then move on to his next agenda item. The season of Lent may be like that. We ve been this way before; we know what to expect. We probably know how much time we will invest in it. Ash Wednesday will be gone with Thursday s shower. Will that 40 day season of Lent have made a difference? Maybe part of the answer depends on what we confront on the journey...or (Who) confronts us. We are now in a new season celebrating life in the resurrected Christ. In Easter, life is given a new direction. Saul became Paul. The same zealousness that Saul had in eradicating Christianity became a new passion for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Saul s agenda was changed...he was moved from death to life. Will we act differently? How will we spend these next seven weeks, these 50 days? Consult the calendar, get on with the routine, cross things off as they occur? After all, this is a busy time of year, what with school winding down, outside activities picking up, graduations on the horizon, etc. In this new season of life, we tend to carry forward the same old worries, the same old attitudes, the same old grudges. Saul didn t know what the Lord had in store for him right around the next bend. Neither do we. Perhaps because life is often routine and able to be planned, we take for granted that things are going to work out the way we anticipate. Maybe this Easter season, we will let ourselves be surprised. God is always calling us to new adventures, new paths, new ways of seeing God s world. Sometimes breaks in the routines of life are good...they are opportunities to plant some new seeds, some new ways of celebrating the life we share together in Christ. Have a blessed Easter season...all year long! Until next time, Pastor Lee

2 PAGE 2 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH May 2014 First Lutheran Church will be preparing and serving The Banquet on Thursday, May 8 th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for those who are interested in participating. We are looking for cooks, servers, dishwashers, and people to help clean up. If you would like to help, please call the church office at Thank you! PAGE 11 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH MAY 2014 Attention Senior Parents: We mailed a letter out to you on April 22 nd regarding the senior recognition service that will be held on Sunday, May 18 th at the 10:45 A.M. service. Thank You! Seniors we also need to have your picture sent to the church before 5:00 P.M. on Friday, the 9 th of May. Please send the picture to jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org. WE'D LIKE ALL FIRST LUTHERAN MEMBERS TO DONATE ALL THEIR USED OR UNWANTED ITEMS SO WE CAN HAVE A HUGH RUMMAGE SALE. IT WILL BE JULY 19 TH IN THE BASEMENT OF OUR CHURCH. THE REASON WE ARE HAVING IT INSIDE IS BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER...WHO KNOWS WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE THEN. THE MONEY WE RECEIVE WILL BE USED FOR OUR CHRISTMAS TREE OF CARING FOR THE YOUTH WE HELP SPONSOR WITH GLOVES, HATS AND SCARFS. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP SET UP AND CLEAN UP WE SURE WOULD BE GRATEFUL. THIS IS BEING PUT ON BY THE EVANGELISM AND OUTREACH TEAM. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! CASH DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ALSO-THANKS JANET REINEKE - for the Evangelism and Outreach Team We want to THANK everyone who has helped us with LAF (Lunch at First) this last fall & winter. We have fed approximately 400 kids every Thursday! This ministry is such an important part of our church, and we are grateful to everyone who helped us keep it going. We would love to have you come check out this awesome event here at First Lutheran. Come down any Thursday and join us!

3 PAGE 10 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH MAY 2014 FLOCK YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, TEACHERS...OUR FLAMINGOS NEED A GOOD YARD! A flock of pink flamingos may visit your yard! The youth going on the mission trip will conduct it's first annual pink flamingo fundraiser. We have many lovely pink flamingos that are ready to migrate around Bismarck/Mandan. A gorgeous flock of 10 flamingos will be $ However, if you do not wish to see a flock of pink flamingos in your yard EVER you may buy anti-flocking insurance for only $ Please see the youth sitting in the narthex to purchase your lovely flock to send to someone or insurance starting May 1 st. This event will end on May 27 th so HURRY and purchase your flock right away! Mark Your Calendar 1st: LAF-Hot Dogs 8th: LAF-Sandwiches 15th: LAF-Hot Dogs Upcoming Events VBS is gearing up!! Camp of the Cross will be here with us for VBS this year!! All 4 year olds - 5 th graders are invited to First Lutheran s VBS on Monday, June 9 th through Friday, June 13 th. We need some adult volunteers to help out. If you are interested or have questions, please talk to Pastor Christina or Jack. Please watch for more information in next months newsletter. Happy Mother s Day to all our mom s at First Lutheran Church! Save the date for W.I.N.G.S - May 18th. We are going to the Amusement Park at Sertoma. We will be having a BBQ at shelter #7 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. Please bring money for the Amusement Park. Food is free. Please come and join in the fun!

4 MAY 2014 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 4 PAGE 9 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH MAY 2014 Pastoral Acts Baptisms: April 3 April 6 April 27 Haevynnn Jane Speten Ty Daniel Pulkrabek Brendan William Dailey Weddings: April 5 Dustin Gloria & Keri Erlandson Funerals: April 7 April 9 April 14 Gwyneth Jensen Josh Sailer Eunice Keller Memorial Fund In memory of Ellis Brandt given by Marlin & Mary Brandt. In memory of Terry Piper given by Ed & Ginney Gall. In memory of Steve Dockter given by Kurt Quanbeck. Deadline for articles for the June/July Newsletter will be May 23 rd. May ~ Mission of the Month Camp of the Cross Ministries Items needed are Food, Crafts, Paper Goods, Office Supplies, & Miscellaneous Items. You may put your items in the boxes in the Narthex. Please check the full list on pages 8, 9 & 10. Thanks! Special Thanks Thank you to all the greeters, ushers, communion servers, readers, communion set-up, coffee hour workers, and to all who have supplied goodies for the last month. Your help is greatly appreciated! Worship Schedule Sunday ~ 8:30 am ~ Traditional 10:45 am ~ Contemporary 9:30 am ~ Coffee Wednesday ~ 6:00 pm ~ Transitional

5 MAY 2014 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 5 First Lutheran Church Council Minutes Thursday, March 20, :00PM Present: Pastor Lee Herberg, Pastor Jack Carlson, Pastor Christina Martin, Vice-President Brock Schmeling, Secretary Jill Miller, John Pake, Janet Reineke, Hope Swank, Den Na Lee Fewson, Kris Elijah Guests: Carol Nitschke, Casey Kautzmann, Nick Behrens Absent: President Tammy Lapp-Harris, Dot Frank Devotions: Vice-President Brock Schmeling called the meeting to order. Pastor Jack had an opening prayer. Approval of Agenda: Brock added Carol Nitschke to the agenda to talk about the upcoming Mayors Breakfast. Moved by Kris, seconded by Hope to approve the amended agenda. Motion passed. AFLAC: Casey Kautzmann and Nick Behrens representing AFLAC supplemental insurance had information about the different coverage s for church staff. As of now, the support staff has a $2,000 per year in a medical spending offset account. Pastor Lee will check with the staff to see if this is something they would be interested in acquiring more information about. Mandan Mayor s Breakfast: Carol Nitschke represented the Mandan Kiwanis Club for the upcoming Mandan Mayor s breakfast which will be held at the Seven Seas, Thursday, May 8 th at 7 a.m. Tickets are $12 each and some will be available in the office at the church with Jackie. Secretary s Report/Review and Approval of the minutes: Moved by Janet, seconded by Den Na Lee Fewson to approve the minutes from February 20, Motion passed. Financial Report/Review: Pastor Lee reviewed the February financials. Expenses are still exceeding income at this time. The annual budget is based on the congregations pledges, which were higher this year; however many households are donating less than pledged. LAF is under budget from last year. Lenten meals have been a success with the February 19 th meal of cheese buttons, knoephla and kraut bringing in around $800. Unfinished Business: Moving forward in faith: L & H Manufacturing is ready with the first piece of the candle sticks for the chancel area. Hopes are to have completed & installed by Easter. Strategic Plan 2013: no update. Air Handling Unit: on hold. Policy and Procedure Manual: Pastor Lee is continuing on the progress of the manual. He is hoping to have updates of the first half by the next meeting in April. Mission Trip to El Salvador: Hope will be unable to participate in the mission trip this year. The dates are June 6-15 th. Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring the trip and a minimum of eight people will need to go.

6 PAGE 6 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH MAY 2014 NEW BUSINESS: There has been a food truck vendor in contact with the church to use the kitchen for a food truck. The pick-ups would be early in the mornings. She would be using half of a shelf in the refrigerator for her prepared foods and also the ice machine. A monthly usage fee was discussed and the amount of $50/month was agreed upon. Moved by Hope, seconded by Den Na Lee for the use of the kitchen for a food truck with the condition there is a meeting with the vendor and a rental term is agreed upon. Motion passed. Pastor Lee will meet with staff members to discuss the AFLAC supplemental insurance to decide if the staff would like to do this. There will need to be a three member minimum. Moved by Den Na Lee, seconded by Kris to have the pastors meet with staff regarding AFLAC. Motion passed. REPORTS: Pastor Lee s report 3 baptisms, 5 mentoring meetings with William Dodd. Banquet dinner at Trinity Lutheran will need about 35 volunteers, menu set up, worker list and donation list will be set up by Lori Meyers. The banquet will be held Thursday, May 8 th. Last year about 335 people were served. Pastor Jack s report 1 funeral. Pastor Jack held a worship service at the Edgewood Vista nursing home. Pastor Chris s report 1 baptism. Special Events There are three more Lenten dinners, sloppy Joes, scalloped potatoes & ham and the final dinner of super nachos. Senior Easter & banquet will be held April 8 th at 11 am and is open to seniors in the community. There is a new member banquet Sunday, February 23 rd at 6 p.m. There are eight families joining the congregation. Stewardship no report. Worship hymns have been chosen through April. Parish Education/Youth Pastors Jack and Chris are looking at meeting with the education team to come up with a plan for the increasing number of students in Wednesday School. Sunday numbers continues to decrease. There are 62 students register for Sunday classes with 13 teachers and 107 students registered for Wednesday with 11 teachers. Safety is a concern for students outside the church with traffic and also concerns for the teachers that have 15+ students with only one teacher per class. Pastor Chris would like to have meetings with teacher two Sundays prior to Sunday/Wednesday school starting in the fall to discuss safety and the Spark program. Pastor Chris would also like to see policies set in place for students and parents for Wednesday and Sunday school programs. Also setting in place health information for allergy risks or medical emergencies. Evangelism and Outreach Information was in the bulletin about hats and scarves for the tree placed in the narthex in the fall/winter. Janet has received a few calls and has some interest in people making/donating materials. There will also be information in the April newsletter for the rummage sale in July. Property and Management Mark Ereth has contacted the church and is no longer spraying. Bids have been requested and will wait to hear back on numbers. Arden & Pat Hagerott have said they will pay for a new pine tree for the one that was died and removed last year. CORRESPONDENCE: Thank you letters were received from Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center for our contributions of $ and $ Camp of the Cross sent a thank you letter for our contribution of $ Golden Age Services sent thank you letters for our monetary donations towards the Mandan Home Delivered Meals program of $78.25 Mandan High School Boys Swim & Dive Team sent a thank you. Bismarck High FCCLA sent a thank you for the use of the church for their district event and also for the caramel rolls. Mandan Sanford Health Continuing Care Centers sent a thank you for the gift of 53 Bibles for the residents and staff. Motion to Adjourn/Lord s Prayer: Moved by Kris Elijah, seconded by John Pake to adjourn the council meeting. Motion passed. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Submitted by: Jill Miller A huge THANK YOU to all of our Church School teachers who gave of their time and talents this year to bring the Gospel of our Lord to our children of First Lutheran! You are a blessing to us all! Pastor Jack and Pastor Christina