First English Evangelical Lutheran Church June - August 2016

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1 First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1603 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA Office (804) Fax (804) Web pages: Rev. Dr. John T. Schweitzer, Pastor: Mr. Linwood D. Lunde, Director of Music: Mr. Brian Wingfield, Parish Administrator:

2 From the Pastor The sun is shining again! The past few weeks were wet and somewhat cool for Richmond, and now we hear that May was the wettest one on record since they ve been recording such things. It's hard to believe the month is over and June is here, but the blooming Southern Magnolias all over the city and the beautiful flowers around our building (thanks, Fred!) serve to remind us that it s almost summer. As the old Bobby Rydell hit from the 60s states: "Spring'll soon be done, summer's comin' on." (How many of you can tell me the name of this hit record? Hint: a New Jersey beach destination is mentioned in the title.) There are two events on our calendar for June that I would like to call to your attention. First: our church picnic on Sunday, June 5, after the second service (beginning about noon), which will be held this year at Forest Hill Park, 4021 Forest Hill Avenue, just over the Boulevard Bridge (turn left onto Forest Hill and turn left into the park after four blocks. Ask at church for detailed directions). As usual, we provide hamburgers and hot dogs and ask our members to bring a salad or desert (or potato chips and such delicacies!). This event is for all ages and since we're in a pavilion (the first one you come to), the weather won't be a factor. The other special event for June is a special celebration during the 10:30 service on Sunday, June 12: the 50 th Ordination Anniversary of FELC member Pastor Richard Ruff. Since joining our congregation in 2014, Richard has become active in many areas: choir (with his wife Carolyn), Council, and as a member of the Christian Education committee, to name just a few. In addition, he helps Congregational Life coordinate our homebound member visitation group; on April 10 he conducted a training session on how to make homebound visits which was very well attended. Also, he has supplied several times for me in the pulpit when I am on vacation. 50 years in ministry is always a time to celebrate, and Richard's anniversary will be observed both at the Annual Assembly of our Virginia Synod, held that same weekend at Roanoke College (50 th ordination anniversaries will be recognized Friday evening), and then here at First English on Sunday. A special hospitality time after the service will continue the celebration. Finally, we d like to list all the high school and college graduations of members in this issue of the newsletter, but so far not all the names have been submitted. So please, if you haven t done so yet, please let us know if you or someone in your family has graduated recently or will graduate this spring. One of our graduates is Laura English, who will be spending a year teaching English in Columbia, South America. Congratulations! The list will be updated on the website and Constant Contact as we receive more names. I m not aware of any of our young people who graduated from high school this year. We have a lot to look forward to this summer! And remember, our church is healthfully air conditioned, the new system works great, and God doesn t go on vacation. ~ Pastor John Schweitzer

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4 "God's Grace" will be Power theme Dr. Kathryn Kleinhans, chair for heritage and mission at Wartburg College in Iowa, will be the keynote speaker for the 30 th annual Power in the Spirit at Roanoke College July The Bible leader will be Bishop Edwin Gulick Jr., now assistant bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and formerly bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky. The theme will be "By God's Grace This is Most Certainly True." Benevolence Mission Fund Committee is Seeking Grant Requests The FELC Benevolence Mission Fund is dedicated to non-congregational projects which are compatible with the mission and ministry of FELC. A major source of the monies is ten percent of undesignated gifts and bequests to FELC. The Benevolence Mission Fund Committee is currently seeking grant requests of up to $1200 from congregation members. The grants are to (1.) complement the benevolence programs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Virginia Synod and FELC or (2.) directly relate to the current mission goals of FELC such as social ministry, with the agency or organization operating in the Richmond area. Requests for projects to receive funds should be written with sufficient detail, including name of the FELC contact, and placed in the Social Ministry mailbox in the church office area no later than July 3, The Committee makes recommendations to Church Council where the final decision is made on requests. A limited number of grant requests will be approved. The Benevolence Mission Fund Revised Policy is available from Jeff Nelson (jeff289@comcast.net). Musician for the annual three-day conference will be Jonathan Rundman, a songwriter and musician who has worked as a touring artist based in Chicago. His music has been played on CBS and National Public Radio. Kleinhans, who holds degrees from Valpariso University and Christ Seminary-Seminex, has focused her work on the contemporary relevance of Martin Luther and Lutheran confessional theology. She is a student of global Lutheranism. Her "Lutheranism 101" is the most frequently requested article of the former The Lutheran magazine. Twenty-eight concurrent sessions will explore such topics as "The Soul of Money," A Tree is not a Forest, Math and Science in Our Faith and the Bible, Bible Story Telling---God's Word by Heart, and What Happens When You Die? (Other than Heaven). The service project for Power in the Spirit will be a collection of non-perishable food, supporting Micah's Backpack at Roanoke College, for distribution to students at a local school. Among items requested will be canned pasta, chicken noodle and tomato soup, canned green beans, mixed fruit, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese. A conference choir, led by George Donovan of Winchester, will sing Thursday evening and at the closing worship service on Saturday. The Diet of Worms, a musical group from Ebenezer, Marion, will play. First English almost always has several members attending Power in the Spirit and we hope this year will be no exception. You can find more information at the Synod s website:

5 Join us for an afternoon of VBS fun on Sunday, July 31 st. Bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch immediately following 10:30 worship. There will be Bible stories, games, crafts and a social ministry project. All ages are welcome. We will wrap up about 2:30. Look for an announcement from Soul Stitchers in the bulletin during the month of June. We are planning a Saturday "work day" for the summer. We are planning to have a fall craft sale and hope to raise funds for Joyce Smith's ongoing needs as she recovers. We congratulate the following members of First English upon their recent graduation: Laura English, who graduated on May 14 from VCU. Haley Hoke, who graduated on May 14 from Christopher Newport University. Erin Nelson, who graduated May 14, 2016 with a Master of Health Administration from the School of Allied Health Professions, VCU. Please let us know if anyone who should be on this list was left off.

6 JUNE WORSHIP ASSISTANTS June 5 3 rd June 12 4 th June th June th 8:15 Lector Marlene James Pat McAfee Nancy Mondrey Laura Rice 10:30 Lectors Polly Brickman Rob Comet Lydia English Bill Fenerty Crucifer Stuart Myer Kirk Fenerty Jake Hamilton Jim Byerly Acolyte Ellie Fenerty Amanda Jarvis Nate Fenerty Spencer Vida Altar Guild Stuart Myer Nate Fenerty Linda Wallace Jim Byerly Kirk Fenerty Communion Polly Brickman Rob Comet Debbie Lane Carol McCue Elements to Altar Head Counter Wayne Griffin Laura Rice Laura Rice Laura Rice Counters Rob Comet Betty Davidson Bill Fenerty Jennifer Gentry Grace Gulick Julie Goodman Bob Lane Debbie Lane Ushers Rob Comet Bill Fenerty Reni Gower Jeff Nelson Lynn Heltzel Debbie Lane Mark Crumpton Roger Riggle Bill Davidson Roger Riggle Kirk Fenerty Stuart Myer Reni Gower Jeff Nelson Sheryl Finucane Joe Smith Hospitality Church Picnic Sheryl Finucane Deborah Hubbs Readings 1 Kings 17:17-24 Gal 1:11-24 Luke 7:11-17 Isa 65:1-9 Gal 3:23-29 Luke 8: Sam 11:26 12:10,13-15 Gal 2:15-21 Luke 7:36 8:3 1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21 Gal 5:1,13-25 Luke 9:51-62

7 JULY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS July 3 7 th July 10 8 th July 17 9 th July th July th 8:15 Lector Jane Stockman Grace Gulick Kathy Massie Kevin Murphy Maggie Southwell 10:30 Lector Reni Gower Wayne Griffin Chris Hamilton Deborah Hubbs Nicole Krause Crucifer Nate Fenerty Molly McCue Jake Hamilton Stuart Myer Jim Byerly Acolyte Molly McCue Ellie Fenerty Amanda Jarvis Nate Fenerty Kirk Fenerty Altar Guild Polly Brickman Stuart Myer Billy Duke Libby Riggle Jim Byerly Linda Wallace Peggy Davis Communion Elements to Altar Carol McCue Wayne Griffin Molly McCue Debbie Lane Sheryl Finucane Head Counter Ken McCue Ken McCue Ken McCue Ken McCue Ken McCue Counters Kathy Massie Carol McCue Kevin Murphy Stuart Myer John Ritz Rob Comet Betty Davidson Bill Fenerty Jennifer Gentry Grace Gulick Ushers Wayne Griffin Joedy Smith Jim Byerly Nate Fenerty Roger Riggle Bill Fenerty Linda Smith Joe Smith Lynn Heltzel Debbie Lane Jim Byerly Bob Lane Mark Crumpton Bill Davidson Kirk Fenerty Roger Riggle Wayne Griffin Debbie Lane Jeff Nelson Ellie Fenerty Hospitality Congregational Life Committee Readings Isa 66:10-14 Gal 6:[1-6]7-16 Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Deut 30:9-14 Col 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37 Gen 18:1-10a Col 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 Gen 18:20-32 Col 2:6-15[16-19] Luke 11:1-13 Vacation Bible School Ecc 1:2,12-14;2:18-23 Col 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21

8 AUGUST WORSHIP ASSISTANTS August 7 12 th August th August th August th 8:15 Lector Marlene James Pat McAfee Nancy Mondrey Laura Rice 10:30 Lector Charlie Schumann Carol McCue Jeff Nelson Sheryl Finucane Crucifer Kirk Fenerty Nate Fenerty Molly McCue Stuart Myer Acolyte Spencer Vida Kirk Fenerty Amanda Jarvis Ellie Fenerty Parker Vida Altar Guild Lynn Heltzel Libby Riggle Billy Duke Stuart Myer Peggy Davis Linda Wallace Communion Elements to Altar Bob Lane Mark Crumpton Jeff Nelson Polly Brickman Head Counter Bob Lane Bob Lane Bob Lane Bob Lane Counters Julie Goodman Debbie Lane Kathy Massie Carol McCue Kevin Murphy Stuart Myer John Ritz Ushers Sheryl Finucane Jeff Nelson Reni Gower Nate Fenerty Wayne Griffin Joedy Smith Jim Byerly Kirk Fenerty Rob Comet Bill Fenerty Linda Smith Joe Smith Mark Crumpton Bill Davidson Kirk Fenerty Roger Riggle Hospitality Congregational Life Committee Readings Gen 15:1-6 Heb 11:1-3,8-16 Luke 12:32-40 Jer 23:23-29 Heb 11:29 12:2 Luke 12:49-56 Isa 58:9b-14 Heb 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 Prov 25:6-7 Heb 13:1-8,15-16 Luke 14:1,7-14 ** Please find a replacement when you cannot serve and notify the church office at as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and service.

9 Baptisms Adeline Claire Cullen Child of Arik and Jeanie Maddox Cullen Born in Chesterfield County, VA, February 12, 2015 Baptized in church, May 1, 2016 Cora Grace Manzer Child of Benjamin Jason and Jacqueline Abrams Manzer Born in Henrico, VA, October 13, 2015 Baptized in church, May 15, 2016 Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating a birthday in the month of June, July or August! Congratulations to all celebrating a Wedding Anniversary in June, July or August!

10 Sunday June 5 3 rd 12:00 pm: Hospitality Church Picnic Friday June 10 12:00 pm: Women of the ELCA Sunday June 12 4 th and 50 th Ordination Anniversary of Pastor Richard Ruff 11:30 am: Hospitality Sheryl Finucane 12:00 pm: Congregational Life Committee Sunday June 19 5 th Fathers Day 11:30 am: Hospitality Deborah Hubbs 12:00 pm: Outreach Committee Meeting Tuesday June 21 7:00 pm: Congregational Council Meeting Sunday June 26 6 th 12:00 pm: Hospitality 12:00 pm: Worship & Music Committee Meeting

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12 Sunday July 3 7 th Deadline for grant requests to Benevolence Mission Fund Committee 12:00 pm: Hospitality Congregational Life Committee Sunday July 10 8 th 11:30 am: Hospitality 12:00 pm: Congregational Life Committee Thursday July 14 Power in the Spirit Friday July 15 Power in the Spirit Saturday July 16 Power in the Spirit Sunday July 17 9 th 11:30 am: Hospitality 12:00 pm: Outreach Committee Meeting Tuesday July 19 7:00 pm: Congregational Council Meeting Sunday July th 11:30 am: Hospitality -- 12:00 pm: Worship & Music Committee Meeting Sunday July th 11:30 am: Vacation Bible School

13 Sunday August 7 12 th 12:00 pm: Hospitality Congregational Life Committee Sunday August th 11:30 am: Hospitality 12:00 pm: Congregational Life Committee Tuesday August 16 7:00 pm: Congregational Council Meeting Sun. August th 12:00 pm: Hospitality 12:00 pm: Outreach Committee Meeting Sun. August th 11:30 am: Hospitality 12:00 pm: Worship & Music Committee Meeting Newsletter Deadline All submissions for the September issue need to be turned in to the church office no later than Monday August 15. Thank you for your cooperation. Church Office Staff

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