109 West Third Avenue U.S. POSTAGE Warren, PA P A I D Warren, PA Permit No. 17 Return Service Requested

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1 First Lutheran Church Non-Profit Org. 109 West Third Avenue U.S. POSTAGE Warren, PA P A I D Warren, PA Permit No. 17 Return Service Requested May 2015

The May 2015 Lantern Reaching Upward and Reaching Outward First Lutheran Church 109 West Third Avenue 814-723-6450 www.firstlutheranwarren.com firstlutheran@westpa.

2 The May 2015 Lantern Reaching Upward and Reaching Outward First Lutheran Church 109 West Third Avenue To the family of God at Bethany, First and St. John s Lutheran Churches: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, the time has come where our walk together as pastor and parishioners has come to end. Here the road splits off and we now go a different path. It has been a great journey these nine years. I give thanks to God for the privilege of serving as your Senior Pastor. I thought this would be a good time to share with you what I will miss and will not miss from my time here in Warren as Judy and I begin my adventure in Grand Rapids, MI. What I will miss: 1. You, the people of our shared ministry. The smiles, warmth, and the compassion in sharing God s love through witness and caring.. 2. The worship experience especially at First Lutheran which has had a long tradition of a strong music program. 3. Our shared mid-week ecumenical Lenten experiences with Holden Evening Prayer. 4. The completion of First s office renovation. This congregation has such a talented group of individuals and I know the final product will be outstanding. 5. The place Judy and I called our home at the corner of Quaker Hill and Hill Street. The splendid view of the hills from our living room window. 6. The Fall season and the rich colors of the Allegheny Forest. 7. Bob s Trading Post (especially the pizza). What I will not miss: 1. Black flies or those little tiny gnats that fly in mass and gather around your eyes and ears while trying to work outside. I understand Grand Rapids doesn t have these but I was told there is a bounty of mosquitos. But according to some folks transplanted from Minnesota, the mosquitos in GR are babies compared to the dive bombers in the Land of Lakes. 2. Alternating worship services. The unfortunate result of trying to lead worship services at all the congregations. Don t get me wrong I enjoyed leading worship and being with all three congregations. But I missed the continuity of seeing people of the parish every Sunday. If someone missed a Sunday then I may not see them until two weeks later or longer. 3. Pot Holes! Oh, they have them in Michigan but not the size Pennsylvania grows them! No question about it, it is just plain difficult to leave. Judy and I will miss you. We wish you God s blessings in this transitional time. Our hearts and prayers will be with you always. In Christ s Love, Pastor Dave and Judy

John s Lutheran Churches of the worship, service and fellowship opportunities) Sunday Morning Worship: First: 8:00am & 11:00am St.

3 St. Luke s Lutheran Church Cordially invites you to the installation of the Senior Pastor The Rev. David M. Blank, Sunday, May 31, :00pm 3215 Four Mile Road Grand Rapids, MI LUTHERAN S TOGETHER MAY 2015 (Informing the families of Bethany, First, and St. John s Lutheran Churches of the worship, service and fellowship opportunities) Sunday Morning Worship: First: 8:00am & 11:00am St. John s: 9:30am Bethany: 11:15am PASTORAL ACTS Funeral A funeral was held for Ethelyne Larson on Monday, April 13, 2015, who joined the Church Triumphant on April 7, A funeral was held for Robin Owstrowski on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, who joined the Church Triumphant on April 15, 2015 Rest eternal, grant her, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon them. Wedding A wedding ceremony was held for Jennifer Mowrey and Anthony Tridico Saturday, April 11, Bethany Members - remember the second Sunday of the month is Food Pantry Sunday. Please bring your non-perishable food items to church and give so others may live! First Members may bring their non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army on any Sunday. A collection box is located in the narthex. BETHANY MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES May 1 Taylor Bell 21 Alex Grubbs 2 Nancy Blume 23 Winifred Benson 6 Michael & Connie Cochran-Barr 24 Nicholas Kipp 7 Michael & Marlene Kipp Travis Johnson 11 Connie Cochran-Barr Ellen McLaughlin 17 John Donovan 28 Kayle Bell Tom & Michele Grubbs Kim Gillotti 20 Jason Barner 31 Morgan McLaughlin Jason & Michele Barner

FIRST LUTHERAN MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 5/2 Sherry Burton 5/16 Marc & Brenda Hunter (24) 5/3 Gary Lester 5/18 Taylor Whip Craig Whitaker 5/19 Roger & Emily Gausman(14) 5/4 Dan Knupp Heidi Hedges

Dale Clark 5/23 Anne & Neil Benson (34) Stephanie Ferrie Vonda Hedges Kennedy Ford 5/26 Cheyenne Check 5/11 Kyle Argeny Lois Miller 5/12 Tracy Soderberg Richard Smith, Jr.

HIGHTLIGHTS Brianna Brooks Jack Elder First Lutheran Church Council met on Monday, April 20 with all members present. Reports were received from many active committees.

4 FIRST LUTHERAN MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 5/2 Sherry Burton 5/16 Marc & Brenda Hunter (24) 5/3 Gary Lester 5/18 Taylor Whip Craig Whitaker 5/19 Roger & Emily Gausman(14) 5/4 Dan Knupp Heidi Hedges 5/5 Aaron Gausman Tim & Cheryl Huber (31) 5/6 Susan Edwards 5/20 Ed & Carol Shaffer (32) 5/7 Pam & Jim Swanson (50) 5/21 Jim Zock Jordi Ewing 5/22 Doris Mason 5/8 Dale & Nancy Clark (16) Curtis Royek Dale Clark 5/23 Anne & Neil Benson (34) Stephanie Ferrie Vonda Hedges Kennedy Ford 5/26 Cheyenne Check 5/11 Kyle Argeny Lois Miller 5/12 Tracy Soderberg Richard Smith, Jr. 5/13 Abby Wenzel 5/29 Etta Andrews 5/14 Dave & Hallie Rigg (38) Arthur & Susan Stewart ((33) Al & Diane Stenstrom (38) 5/30 Mark & Stacy Simpson (18) 5/15 Nathan Brooks FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL 5/31 HIGHTLIGHTS Brianna Brooks Jack Elder First Lutheran Church Council met on Monday, April 20 with all members present. Reports were received from many active committees. Christian Education raised over $ for world relief thanks to everyone who purchased a duck or chick. The Witness committee is looking for volunteers to help with passing out bags and collecting recyclables at this year s 4 th of July parade. Contact Mike Wachter if you are interested. Two requests for Social Ministry were approved by council, the first was to sell Christmas cards earlier this year in the month of November. These cards raise money for Lutheran World Relief. The second was to raise money for the Pregnancy Center in North Warren by putting baby bottles to be filled with change in the Narthex between Mother s day and Father s day. Council will also be calling a very important congregational meeting soon after Pastor Blank s leaving in order for the congregation to officially call Pastor Jeff from the role of associate pastor to the role of pastor. SENIOR FELLOWSHIP May 12th PROGRAM End of year picnic. Senior Fellowship meets at 11:00 a.m. for a Eucharist Worship service and hymn sing, followed by a wonderful luncheon at noon! We hope you will be able to join us! If your name is not on our call list (we need to have an accurate count for the kitchen staff), please call the church office at and we ll be sure you get a reminder phone call each month! Tuesday May 19 th at 7pm. On the road again at Bethany, Sheffield. BS session and breakfast planning. Saturday, May 30 th : Men in Mission Breakfast. This outing is for all men in Warren and McKean Counties. 9:02 is the time, Bethany Lutheran is the place!

Our Congregational Unit attended the Spring 2015 meeting at Hessel Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 11, 2015. Twelve ladies attended from First Lutheran.

Curt Frank brought us information on the social message on Gender-Based Violence authorized by the ELCA Church Council. This new message will be considered for adoption in draft form in April 2015.

5 Our Congregational Unit attended the Spring 2015 meeting at Hessel Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 11, Twelve ladies attended from First Lutheran. Pastor Nancy Schwanke led us in devotions based on Nehemiah 8:10. The church leaders served us a very tasting lunch. Curt Frank brought us information on the social message on Gender-Based Violence authorized by the ELCA Church Council. This new message will be considered for adoption in draft form in April Dr. Julia Boozer, dressed in native Swedish costume, told us the interesting history of Swedish immigration to Hessel Valley. Collections were taken for the food bank of the Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church, the House of Hope in Warren, Pa. and the patients at North Warren State Hospital. Upcoming events will be our Convention at Olmstead Manor May 8 and 9 th, retreat at Lutherlyn September 18, 19, and 20, and our Conference Two Fall Gathering at Audubon on October 3, We continue to hold monthly meetings at 1 pm on the fourth Monday of each month. Please plan to attend all or any one of our meetings or events. Joyce Kelley, Planning Coordinator Committee Member, Conference ATTENTION MOMS, GRANDMOTHERS, AUNTS, AND ALL LADIES: You are cordially invited to a Ladies Day Brunch on Sunday, May 10 th at 9:48 a.m. in Niewoehner Hall. Strata, fruit and other goodies will be served by our Sunday s Cool kids because we want you to know how special you are!! Please sign up in the Narthex so we know how much food to prepare and get ready to be treated like the queen you are!! HEALTH ITEMS NEEDED: The Social Ministry committee is asking the congregations help to continue to provide basic health items for people in need. At our next meeting we will assemble more kits that will include a 4-pack of toilet paper, Kleenex, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, deodorant, washcloth, hand towel and bars of soap. Can you help? We hope so! We will place a collection box in the narthex until Tuesday, May 12 th. Thanks so much for your continued support of this valuable ministry! Children s Sermons: The Worship & Music Committee is in the process of setting up a rotation of people who are willing to give a Children s Sermon. We are hoping to have enough people so you would only have to give one 3-minute sermon per year. If you think you might be willing to participate in this ministry, please plan to attend an organizational meeting on Sunday, May 31 st at 9:15 a.m. in Hansen Parlor. The purpose of this short (1/2 hour) meeting is to hear guidelines for these sermons and brainstorm ideas for sermons. If you have any questions, please seek out a member of the committee. Thank you! Eunice and Bryce Herrington express their thanks to everyone for the prayers and cards on his behalf. Bryce is back at work and watercolor painting. A full recovery from two strokes is anticipated. Thanks be to God! My family and I would like to express our gratitude to my church family for the beautiful service and lovely meal served in Celebration of my Mothers life. I am truly blessed by each and every one of you. Nan Lindblad

6 MAY SERVING SCHEDULE Ushers: (8AM) Barry Keller, Irene Keller, Jan Peterson, Marilyn Dahlgren (11AM) Harry Boekkeloo, Ed Carr, Joe Colosimo, Al Dennis, Jack Elder, Jim Moore, Orren Wood, Zachary Ballard, Dale Clark Altar Guild: (8AM) Jan Peterson and Elaine Taraska (11AM) Lori Howard, Sue Candreia and Robin D Alessandro Greeters 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 5/3 Marilyn Dahlgren Bonnie Abplanalp 5/10 Carol Johnson Jean Ballard 5/17 Cathy Bertch Dale and Nancy Clark 5/24 Kersey Family 10:00a.m. Colosimo Family 5/31 Dan and Kathy Knupp Charles and Rita Cox Visitor Greeters 5/3 Randy & Sandy Britton Jim and Velma Zock 5/10 Andy & Jane Beardsley Rita Hawk 5/17 Joan Loree Dale and Nancy Clark 5/24 Doris Sadler 10:00a.m. Vonda Hedges 5/31 Randy & Sandy Britton Phil Howard Acolytes 5/3 Kaelah Knupp Jack Holland/Devin Colosimo 5/10 Erika Stevenson Elyse Hedges/Elizabeth Koebley 5/17 Liam Stevenson Jared Labowsli/Hunter Feeny 5/24 Megan Koerselman 10:00a.m. Emily Koebley/Stephanie Rowland 5/31 Jackson Knupp Allison Koebley/Rachael Rowland Assisting Ministers 5/3 Barb Kersey Linda Ross 5/10 Don Reed Donna Trubic 5/17 Kris Whitaker Roger Tubbs 5/24 Elizabeth Beardsley 10:00a.m.Denise Whipp 5/31 Randy Britton Colleen Witmer Cantors 5/3 John Beard Roz Hupp 5/10 John Beard Colleen Witmer 5/17 Anne Benson Joan Griesbach 5/24 John Beard 10:00a.m.Randy Baughman 5/31 John Beard Nursery (11:00) Crucifer 5/3 Abby Koebley 5/10 Kayla Kuppertz 5/17 Nathan Labowski 5/24 10:00a.m. Erica Littlefield 5/31 Curtis Royek

Produce Express! We served 112 families in April!

folks, bring food to the cars, load the cars, direct traffic,

Our next distribution is on Thursday, May 21 from

You can volunteer anytime between 12:30-4:30, though!

7 Produce Express! We served 112 families in April! Thanks to all the volunteers who help bag veggies, register folks, bring food to the cars, load the cars, direct traffic, and more!! Word about the Produce Express is getting out, too! Our next distribution is on Thursday, May 21 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. You can volunteer anytime between 12:30-4:30, though! We need about 20 folks to make this a smooth operation and an effective ministry and outreach. Want to help? Simply call pastor Jeff or sign up in the narthex!

9 SALVATION ARMY FOOD PANTRY! The Social Ministry Committee continues to collect your donations to help keep the pantry at the Salvation Army stocked so that no one in our community will go hungry. The collection box is in the narthex at all times. However, we know that many of us get to church without remembering to bring items for this collection. If this has happened to you, we would like to offer you another way to become a participant in this valuable ministry. We are now going to place a smaller box on top of the collection box that you can put monetary donations into. Members of the Social Ministry Committee will use this money to make purchases of grocery items to be taken to the Salvation Army along with the grocery items that are in the collection box. Thanks so much for helping the Salvation Army Food Pantry!

109 West Third Avenue U.S. POSTAGE Warren, PA P A I D Warren, PA Permit No. 17

First Lutheran Church Non-Profit Org. 109 West Third Avenue U.S. POSTAGE Warren, PA 16365 P A I D Warren, PA 16365 Permit No. 17 January 2019 JANUARY, 2019 Lantern FRIENDS LOVING CHRIST. FRIENDS LOVING