FIRST FRUITS. September 2013 Volume 16 No. 9

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1 FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON September 2013 Volume 16 No. 9 First Fruits September ( Ringgggggggggg Ringgggggggggg Ringgggggggggg ) Well, it s that time for the school bells to start ringing again. I know for many the key word is Whew!! Yes, I know the summer seems long and endless to the parents and grandparents who have to deal with rotating family members and friends to watch their kids so they can continue to work. Or the expensive cost of daycare combined with the desire for a family vacation or getaway, especially since it s almost impossible to take during the school year. Of course, these statements come from a parent s perspective. Now that I am a grandpa, I must admit I see it all differently. I remember it being May one day and now it s August where did the summer go? There were so many plans I had for my grandkids and I to do this summer. While we did get to spend some time together, it wasn t close to what I wanted. I love them all so much and the time I have with each of them is precious to me. Somewhere in my weird psyche I thought that as I got older the days would seem longer, not gone in a wisp. I pray I still have 30+ years to enjoy my kids, grandkids and more, but it seems like it was just yesterday when I had 60+ years. As some of you have heard me say inside every old person is a young person who says, What the heck happened? Ephesians 5:16 tells us, Look carefully how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and the witless, but as wise people. Make the very most of the time because the days are evil. It s said that the thing most people ask for in their last days is more time. Regardless of all our differences, as human beings we all have this one thing in common our days are limited. So I have said all of this to ask you Where do you go from here? Where, who and on what have you chosen to spend your (limited) time on? I pray that you thought before you answered and said your kids, grandkids, and spouse. I also pray that the top of the list included time with Him (God). I pray that you are spending time with Him in prayer, that you are connecting and learning through reading His word EVERY DAY, and that every day you are singing His praises and worshipping Him. You see, I believe He is anxious for the day He has you ALL TO HIMSELF, the day when He doesn t have to compete with the world for your time and attention. You do not have to wait for eternity to enjoy the fullness of His joy or His unlimited and unconditional love. He is a prayer and a thought away RIGHT NOW!! Our time is precious and limited. You, and only you, can decide how you want to spend every God-given moment. I pray you choose Him, your family and all the things that bring you closer to experience the love and joy He created you for. God the Father loves you so much and only desires that you want to spend time with Him as much as He wants to spend time with you. The school bell of life is ringing. Is your reaction Whewww or Hallelujah? It s time Choose Wisely!! Pursuing His Presence, Pastor Rusty

2 First School And Day Care News Bells are ringing and back to school we go! We had a great summer break and now it s time to start our new curriculum with ABeKa books. All the teachers are excited about our new start. We have gotten new solar screens and blinds in all our rooms. The Toddler 1 room has been painted. Our Fall fundraiser has begun. You can check out a catalog in the church office. We welcome our new teacher, Carolyn Mitchell and our new cook, Kacie McKelvy. We are also excited to have new families joining our family here at First School! God Bless, Diane FUND BALANCES as of 08/20/13 Jesus Well $ 550* Building Fund 4,149 Paint the Church Fund 6,602 Youth Fund 387 Flower Fund 1,209 Scholarship Fund 939 Memorial Fund 15,061 Luke Johnson Fund 754 Radio Advertising Fund 119 Scottie Englund Fund 1,934 TOTAL $31,704 * Figures are rounded OUR FINANCIAL ACTIVITY FOR AUGUST Monthly Offering needed to meet Budget $10,067* Offerings as of 08/20/13 $3,910 Offerings 2 Misc Income Total Income for Budget Expenses $3,912 Budget Needs thru August: $80,536 Income received thru 08/20: 59,656 Amount (under) budget ($20,880) Total Annual Income as of 08/20/13 $59,656 Total Annual Expenses as of 08/20/13- $54,068 Annual Income Actual Expenses = 5,588 09/01 Psalm 112; Proverbs 25:6-7, Hebrews 13:1-8, Luke 14:1, /08 Psalm 10:12-15,17-19; Proverbs 9:8-12, Philemon 1:(2-9) 10-21, Luke 14: /15 Psalm 51:1-18; Exodus 32:7-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15: /22 Psalm 113; Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16: /29 Psalm 146; Amos 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-16, Luke 16:19-31

3 09/04 Abrianna Falcon 09/07 Henrietta Bram 09/07 Harry Kight 09/16 Ty Mathews 09/16 Jolie Konarik 09/19 Will Joines 09/20 Luke Langston 09/21 Diego Hernandez 09/21 Adeleigh Labay 09/24 Marilyn Kight 09/25 Parke Christenberry 09/26 Sawyer Schoenfield 09/29 Nelda Wagner Meridian - Henrietta Bram, room 402 Teddy Ash Nora Hollingsworth Lloyd Nelson Dorothy Atchetee Robert Hollingsworth Forrest & Norma Newton Charles & Vernell Bard Jewel-Deen House Odis & Lorraine Newton Lorene Bard Cindy Howell Joe Novak Lois Barosh Debbie Hubenak Joni Ranke Donald Berglund Michael Hughes Debbie Reeves Buck & Judy Bezdek George Jalowy Ishmael Rodriguez Diane Boyd Bonnie Jones Dave Schoelman Martha Cantu Marie Kight Gloria Schoenfield Kristine Mock Carroll Justin Lormand Ed Spradlin Joan Carter Connie Martin Ann Strarup Mary Carter Jack McDonald Esther Swanson Bill Englund Joyce Mendez Andy Talbert Lisa Englund Nancy Mozisek Mary Lou Thane Elvis Garcia David Moore Jeff Thigpen Elnora Hadash George Morris J.P. Watson Anitra Haynes Gaynard Wiggington 09/07 James Herrington 09/10 Crystal Rodriguez 09/10 Christopher Rosniak 09/10 Tristen Rosniak 09/10 Kirsten Rosniak 09/11 Ariella Falcon 09/11 Arianna Falcon 09/11 Avery Falcon 09/11 Abrianna Falcon 09/11 Jay Konarik 09/11 Amy Konarik 09/12 Jimmy Nielsen 09/13 Will Joines 09/17 Charles Bard 09/18 Karla Johnson 09/20 Kim Englund 09/23 Milton Johnson 09/30 Lorene Bard WE RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US OR Pray for our loved ones In the Military Jake Barosh Justin Cerny Jenny Hernandez Sarah Langston Office hours: Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 4:30pm Wed: 8:00am 12:00pm Phone: office@firstlutheranec.com 09/07 Ed & Gloria Campbell COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, September 12 7:00 p.m.

4 Altar Flowers are needed for: September 1 st and September 8 th WOMEN OF THE WORD MEETING Monday, September 9 th 7PM WOW Food Drive Sunday, September 29 th National LCMC Annual Gathering Theme: The Grace of Giving Dates: October 6-9 Place: Adoba Hotel Dearborn, Michigan Activities: Two worship services, 30 breakout sessions, music, Bible study and opportunity for fellowship Keynote Speakers: Rev. Kyle Idelman, Mr. Chuck Bentley, Rev. Enrique Estrada El Campo Life Advocates --- First Lutheran Wednesday, September 4 th --- 6:30 PM WOW COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Thursday, September 19 th Garden Villa Birthday Party We will be hosts along with St. Paul United Methodist Church. Volunteers are needed to provide cakes (3), gifts, and also to come and help serve that day. Sunday, September 29 th Food Drive for EC Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Saturday, October 5 th El Campo Prairie Days Festival Volunteers are needed to help serve tea. Christ Lutheran Sausage Fest Sunday, September 15 th 11am 1pm Fireman s Training Center $8.00 per plate Prayer s September 3rd & 17 th 6 PM We want to thank: Nelda Wagner for making new communion linens. They will enhance our communion worship services. Harry Kight for fixing a water leak and doing a few other fix-it jobs. Helen Johnson, Cathy Schoenfield and Jaki Smith for working on new curriculum for First School and also some projects in the classrooms. We appreciate all of your work! Everyone is invited! Labor Day September 2 Dear Lord, Creator of all work and sufficient strength to do it, we recall that Your Son said, We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day (John 9:4). Give us that same joy and motivation to do our work with You in mind, not just for our earthly supervisors or for the paycheck. Thank you for providing for us and our family s needs out of Your supreme love for us. In Christ s name we pray. Amen. ---Portals of Prayer (July-September, 2013) p.109

5 September Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday w/ Communion 2 3 Prayer 6PM 4 El Campo Life Advocates 6:30PM WOW 7PM Church Council 7PM w/communion Prayer 6PM Garden Villa Birthday Party (WOW) Newsletter Items Due WOW Food Drive 30 September Responsibilities ASSISTING MINISTER: Ted Schoenfield SEXTON: Forrest Newton USHERS: Doug Mathews, Ed Campbell ALTAR GUILD: Helen Kight, Ruth Speckles 1 st Open September FLOWER CALENDAR ACOLYTE READER 1 st Stephanie Flota Helen Johnson 8 th Ty Schoenfield Kirk Marek 15 th Sawyer Schoenfield Ty Schoenfield 22 nd Stephanie Flota Karen Middlebrook 29 th Ty Schoenfield Don Al Middlebrook If you are unable to serve on your date, please find someone to take your place. 8 th Open 15 th Jimmy & Kathy Joines 22 nd David & Karen Kight 29 th Daniel & Claudia Wilfert

6 First Lutheran Church 304 Oscar El Campo, TX ESTABLISHED FEB 1893 Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century. Rusty Cook, Interim Pastor Helen Marie Kight, Organist Christine Richter, Office Manager Diane Garcia, Director of FirstSchool Join us on FACEBOOK or check us out at CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Evon Atchetee, Calvin Borak, Billie Jean Bram, Doug Mathews, Jimmy Nielsen, Ted Schoenfield, & Daniel Wilfert. Our Newsletter can be found on our website at