FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANO, ILLINOIS The Anchor Another year. Time seems to go fast. In the church year we tend to go fast. January 6 th is the beginning of Epiphany where we celebrate the coming of the wise men. (Jesus is a few days to a few weeks old here). January 7 th we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River. (Jesus is 30 years old here.) The last Sunday of Epiphany we celebrate the transfiguration of Jesus. His ministry is almost over and Jesus sets his face towards Jerusalem. (Jesus is 33 years old). So in a little over a month we go from Jesus being born to Jesus being 33. That is pretty quick. Each year we go through the life and death of Jesus. Each year we hear the teachings of Jesus during the summer. Why do we do this? We go through the church year each year as a way to deepen our faith and a way to speak to the variety of our needs and experiences. With each different season there is a different focus and a different voice that speaks to a variety of parts of our life. But mainly, we have the church seasons to remind us how God is works, is still and is still at work in our lives. In Advent, we prepare for God's coming through stirring up, through repentance (going in a different direction), through hearing God s promises past. In Christmas, we celebrate Emmanuel who is God with us. We remember that God chose human life as the form for the salvation of the world. In Epiphany, we celebrate that Jesus is for the whole world, every single person, every single race, every single sinner. In epiphany we also celebrate baptism which is God s way of calling us in his kingdom and into community, showering us with gifts and responsibilities. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with a stark reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Lent start somber as we deal with issues like temptation and our desire of what we would like god to be, not who he is. The great three days of the faith focuses on love and servanthood and the gift to the community in communion. The heart of our faith on Good Friday we remember Jesus s death. In the Easter season we celebrate new life, forgiveness and a call to tell the good news to the ends of the earth. In Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the spirit, the gift of the church, and our individual gifts and we journey through the teachings of Jesus. We remember in the course of the year that each one of us is part of the story and that the seasons of the church year help us individually to focus on certain areas of our life that are in need of connecting to God s vision and God s plan both for us and for the world we live in. May you be blessed this year as you walk with Jesus. Pastor Black Volume 31, Issue 1 JANUARY 2018 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Birth announcements, Annual Meeting, flower charts, Grace overflowing, prayer shawl, Recipe- Reuben Bake, New Years poem Ruth Ann Ramblings Council Highlights, Sympathy, Prayer list info & Prayer List, Prayer Chain info Offering, Women s Bible Study, Healthcare providers needed, Reports Needed, envelopes, January Calendar January Volunteers, January Birthday & Anniversaries, January Prayer List Bold Women s Day 2018, Sunday School Snippets 2/3 4/5 6/7 8/9 10/11 Readings for January 2018 1/7/2018 Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 1/14/2018 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Psalm 139:1-6,13-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 1/21/2018 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 62:5-12 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 1/28/2018 Dueteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28
P age 2 V o l ume 31, I ss ue 1 Congratulations to Floyd & Sherry Anderson who are celebrating the birth of their new grandson, Gunnar Michael Anderson. Gunnar was born November 21st, weighing 8lbs., 5oz. His parents are Courtney and Aimee Anderson of Indiana. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL Congratulations to Kurt & Laura (DeBolt) Schobert on the birth of their new baby boy, Dylan. He was born on Mon, Dec 11th, weighing 7 lbs., 14 oz. Dylan is the grandson of Steve and Karen DeBolt, and the great-grandson of Norm & Diane Schlesinger. Welcome Dylan!!! The Quilting Group is taking a Christmas break. They will resume quilting, knitting & crocheting on January 2ns, 2018. Come and join them! MEETING Sunday, January 28, 2018 10:00 AM Grace Overflowing.. If you choose to give your $20 to plant a seed, please don t forget to take a minute to let Pastor or Ann know what you decided to do with your gift why you chose what you did, and what you learned, etc. Thank you to those who have submitted their responses. The 2018 flower charts are now (or will soon be) posted in the Fellowship Hall (above the drinking fountains). Please sign up for those special dates. When you sign-up, you can indicate if the flowers are in honor of someone, or for a special event. Do you know of someone who would be comforted by a PRAYER SHAWL or LAP ROBE? These are wonderful gifts to give anytime of the year, especially now that the weather is getting cooler (COLD!)! Please feel free to take one from the quilt rack at the back of the sanctuary. These beautiful items are made by members of First Lutheran Church. A note from Dan Mytnik: Surgeries went well and for now, clear of Melanomas. Recovering from all of this and a sinus infection from a weakened immune system. My appreciation for the prayers and the cards and wishing all a Merry Christmas and hopefully will see you in the New Year's when given the "all clear".
The Anchor Page 3 Recipe Corner Reuben Bake (submitted by Sharon Mikelson) Ingredients: 1 (6 oz) pkg. noodles 2 Tbsp. margarine 1 lb. can sauerkraut 1 (12 oz) canned corned beef, or fresh cooked corned beef ½ c. mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. ketchup 1 Tbsp. minced dill pickles 1 tsp. grated onion 2 tomatoes, sliced 2 c. shredded Swiss cheese ½ c. crushed rye crackers ½ tsp. caraway seed 2 Tbsp. melted margarine Instructions: Cook noodles according to package directions. Toss with 2 tablespoons margarine. Place noodles in the bottom of a 7x11 inch pan. Top with drained sauerkraut, then corned beef. Thoroughly mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle and onion. Spread over corned beef layer. Top with tomato slices and sprinkle with cheese. Toss rye crackers and caraway seeds with melted margarine and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 0 for about 35 minutes. The Gate of the New Year Poem by Minnie Louise Haskins, 1908 And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East. So heart be still; What need our little life Our human life to know, If God hath comprehension? In all the dizzy strife Of things both high and low, God hideth His intention.
Page 4 Volume 31, Issue 1 Ruth Ann s Ramblings (contributed by Ruth Ann Hoehn) Of the Father's Heart Begotten (LBW 42), alternatively known as Of the Father's Love Begotten is a Christmas carol based on the Latin poem Corde natus by the Roman poet Aurelius Prudentius. It is probably the oldest Chistmas carol still sung today. The ancient poem was translated and paired with a medieval plainchant melody Divinum mysterium. An early version of this chant appears in manuscript form as early as the 10 th century. "Trope" versions with various melodic differences appear in Italian, German, Gallacian, Bohemian and Spanish manuscripts dating from the 13th to 16th centuries. Plainsong (or plainchant) is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Western Church. Though the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches did not split until long after the origin of plainsong, Byzantine chants are generally not classified as plainsong. Plainsong is monophonic, consisting of a single, unaccompanied melodic line. Its rhythm is generally freer than the metered rhythm of later Western music. Gregorian chant is a variety of plainsong named after Pope Gregory I (6th century A.D.), although Gregory himself did not invent the chant. Divinum mysterium first appears in print in 1582 in the Finnish song book Piae Cantiones, In this collection, Divinum mysterium was classified as "De Eucharistia" reflecting its original use for the Mass. There are two translations commonly sung today; one by John Mason Neale and Henry W. Baker and another by Roby Furley Davis. Neale's original translation in his Hymnal Noted (London, 1851) contained only six stanzas. Neale's translation was later edited and extended by Henry W. Baker for Hymns Ancient and Modern (London, 1861). Dissatisfied with Neale's translation, Roby Furley Davis (1866 1937), a scholar at St. John's College, Cambridge, wrote a new version for the English Hymnal of 1906. Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was a Roman Christian poet, born in the Roman province of Tarraconensis (now Northern Spain) in 348. He probably died in the Iberian Peninsula some time after 405, possibly around 413. The place of his birth is uncertain. Prudentius practiced law with some success, and was twice provincial governor. Towards the end of his life (possibly around 392) Prudentius retired from public life to become an ascetic, fasting until evening and abstaining entirely from animal food; and writing poems, hymns, and controversial works in defense of Catholicism. Prudentius later collected the Christian poems written during this period and added a preface, which he himself dated 405. The poetry of Prudentius is influenced by early Christian authors, such as Tertullian and St. Ambrose, as well as the Bible and the acts of the martyrs. His hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten and the hymn for Epiphany "Earth Has Many a Noble City", both from the Cathemerinon, are still in use today.
The An ch or P age 5 Council Highlights November 13, 2017 (see complete report on bulletin board at back of sanctuary) Joe & Sheryll Trost accepted as new members; wedding policy to be updated; identified Committees for 2018: Education & Youth, Social Concerns, Stewardship, Property & Management, and Worship these committees need to develop guidelines and goals for the year. ELW hymnals purchased members may purchase in honor/memory of someone. Property - need for improved lighting in parking lot; bell tower still leaking; pest control treatments done. Waiting for inspection approval from the state for rental use of the parsonage. Youth to fund raise for ELCA Youth Gathering. Discussed 2018 budget. Next meeting: Tues, Dec. 12th, 2017 at 7:00 PM Please note that the Prayer List has been updated a bit. PLEASE, PLEASE let the office know if there is someone you d like (back) on the list, or someone that can be taken off, and it will get updated. Thank you! Our sympathy to Nan Grommes. Nan s father, James Svoboda, passed from death to eternal life on Dec 5th, 2017. Funeral services were held on Sun., Dec. 10th. Please keep Nan and her family in your prayers. PRAYER LIST: Carole Ardelean, Bill Flowers, Andy Mack, Claudia Brown, Mary Olson, Sue Hyte, Alice Crawford, Linda Landis, Ann Hagemann (member), Sherry Anderson, Jesse Stonecipher, Don Sampson, Matt Papaeliou, Carol Stubbs, Juanita Hatcher, Eric Hatcher, Greg Feitl, Lori Black, Bob Ottum, Dan Mytnik, Karla Reinbolt, Kathleen Schultz, Peggy Schultz, and Donna Wade. Please remember those serving in the military. Remember your own special needs as well. PRAYER CHAIN PARTNERS 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM 1. Jane Hyte - 630-552-7095 2. Virginia Phelps - 630-552-3434 3. Diane Schlesinger 630-552-7533 4. Bev Vilmin 630-552-3550 5. Theresa Bagg 815-786-5069 * 6. Erin Gillman - 630-715-0843 * 7. Staci Smith - 630-999-4117 * 8. Karen DeBolt - 630-546-7451 * 9. Kathy Benoit - 630-816-3366 * 10. Brenda Albright - 630-277-6314 * Those with a * use texting capabilities.
Page 6 Volume 31, Issue 1 The Women s Bible Study Group will meet on Thursday Jan. 18 th at 1:00 PM at the church. Join us for Bible study, refreshments and fellowship. We will continue to study Martin Luther. Women of ALL ages are invited! Committee Chairpersons It s almost time to prepare the Annual Report! I am requesting that you submit your Committee Report to the church office no later than January 7, 2018. Thank you for your effort in getting this completed in a timely manner. Are there any members out there who are qualified to take blood pressure/vitals (RN s or healthcare providers)? The Social Concerns (Care) Committee would like to begin offering this service once per month to members, and would like to create a list of qualified individuals who would be willing to perform this service for others. Please contact the church office, and your name will be passed along to the Committee. Thank you for your willingness to help! Please remember to pick up your 2018 Offering Envelopes at the back of the sanctuary. If you don t find yours, and need a box, please contact Ruth Ann Hoehn, or the church office. Newsletter Offering Report OFFERINGS RECEIVED OVER or (SHORT) 11/25 & 11/26 $ 2,909.57 ($ 804.47) 12/2 & 12/3 $ 4,299.43 $ 585.39 12/6 (Thrivent) $ 42.53 12/9 & 12/10 $ 3,142.16 ($ 571.88) 12/16 & 12/17 $ 2,605.49 ($1,108.55) GENERAL FUND BUDGET Need Per week $3,714.04 (Annual Budget divided by 53 weeks) YTD YOUTH DIRECTOR DONATIONS: $727.00 THROUGH December 17 th Received $ 155,534.89 Need $ 189,416.04 Short $ (33,881.15) 1/01/2017-12/17/2017 CHECKING ACCOUNT Beginning Bal. $29,613.06 Income $171,857.00 Expenses $180,030.08 Ending Balance $ 21,439.98
The Anchor Page 7 Januar y 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Office Closed 2 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 3 4 5 6 6:30 PM - Worship & Music ~5:30 PM - Contemporary Musician practice 6:30 PM - Stewardship 5:00 PM - Worship 7 Food Pantry Collection 9:00 AM - LBW Worship 10:00 AM - Coffee Fellowship?? 8 9 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 10 11 12 13 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS DUE!!! 7:00 PM - LMM 6:15 PM - Social Concerns 7:00 PM - Church Council ~5:30 PM - Contemporary Musician practice 5:00 PM - Worship 14 9:00 AM - Worship 10:00 AM - Coffee Fellowship 10:15-11:00 AM -Sunday School 15 16 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 7:00 PM - Property 17 ~5:30 PM - Contemporary Musician practice 18 1:00 PM - Women s Bible Study 7:00 PM - Education / Youth 7:30 PM - Outreach 19 20 5:00 PM - Worship 21 Anchor Deadline 9:00 AM - LBW Worship 10:00 AM - Coffee Fellowship 10:15-11:00 AM -Sunday School 22 23 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 24 ~5:30 PM - Contemporary Musician practice 25 26 27 5:00 PM - Worship 28 9:00 AM - Worship 10:00 AM - Coffee Fellowship 29 30 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 31 10:00 AM - ANNUAL MEETING ~5:30 PM - Contemporary Musician practice
Page 8 Volume 31, Issue 1 January 2018 Worship Volunteers
The Anchor JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 2- Jesse Stonecipher 4- Colin Anderson Erik Englehart Denise Krause Michael Miller 5- Joe Anderson 8- Megan Johnson 10-Sharon Brue Anna Wennmacher 11-Doug Boring Jacob Burchianti 12-Franklin Read 13-Noah Abazi Coleson Blackwell 14-Ava Martin Ryan Phillips 15-Scott Englehart Jazmin Tullock 16-Halie Baker Don Baker 19-Karen DeBolt Renee Mahoney Dakota Malert Alex Porter 20-Jim Stevens Tim Miller Tom Huhn 21-Tim Kern 23-Ali Martin 25-Mikayla Schmidt Jeff Hoehn Garrett Sanmann 27-Braylon Schmidt 28-Marge Briggs 29-Donielle Anderson 30-Mike Grommes Erin Johnson Page 9 The world is a chaotic and confusing place. Prayer is the conduit that connects us to God and opens up the possibilities of direction and understanding. Prayer is not just for pastors. All of God s people are invited to pray on the behalf of others. Please include the following members of the First Lutheran family in your daily prayers: JANUARY 1 - Greg, Candy, Brooke & Cole Johnson 2 - James Johnson 3 - Michael Johnson 4 - Joyce Johnson 5 - Wayne, Cozette, & Brandon Jones 6 - Forest, Colt & Kinslei Jones & Kayla Hale 7 - Carolyn Kedzierski 8 - Tim & Vicki Kern 9 - Royce, Jr & Royce III Kimmel and Heather Engel 10 - Courtney Klatt 11 - Rebecca Klatt 12 - Zachery Klatt 13 - Connie Kolzow 14 - Jack & Kathy Koteles 15 - Dean & Denise Krause 16 - Mitchell & Hannah Krause 17 - Tyler & Maria Krause 18 - Gilbert & Shirley Krause 19 - Sarah & Dan Kuntzman 20 - Tim & Diane Kupp 21 - Katie Lalor 22 - Linda Landis 23 - Curtis & Lydia Larsen 24 - Martin & Valerie Lincoln 25 - Lucas & Ashley (Harmon) Losic 26 - David, Julie, Taylor & Rylie Loux 27 - David, Cindy, Jacob, Lucas & Ellen Maaske 28 - Bruce, Kristi, Trevor, Darren & Lindsay Magnotti 29 - Dakota Malert & Candice Rose 30 - Brad, Holly, Ava & Ali Martin 31 - Nancy Martin JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 11 Ron & Kerin (Meyer) Skarr PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AND LET US KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY DATE, AND WE WILL UPDATE OUR RECORDS. THANK YOU.
Page 10 Volume 31, Issue 1 Celebrate the bold women in your life... Women of the ELCA s mission is mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. We know that each woman will act boldly in a way that s unique to her, so we talk about each of us finding our bold. Below are a couple of excerpts from the online resource guide that helps you plan your celebration of Bold Women s Day. (www.womenoftheelca.org/boldwomens-day). If you can t print your own copy of the 7-page document, you can contact the church office, and I ll try to get a copy for you to pick up in my office... Boldness comes in many forms. Some boldness is firm and quiet. Some is bright and loud. We want to help each other find that bold. Bold Women s Day observed annually on the fourth Sunday of February celebrates all Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some women are bold in their unceasing prayers. Other women are bold in their service to those in need. Still other women are bold in their advocacy or through their hospitality. Whether we live out our bold story of faith in the workplace, family home or community, our faith compels us to make a difference in the lives of others. It s all about living out our baptismal call, about being a disciple of Christ. Sin boldly is a popular Luther quotation, but that statement needs to be understood in its full context. Luther recognized that we are sinful in this life even as we respond to our baptismal call to discipleship. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, says another translation, but let your trust in Christ be stronger yet and rejoice in Christ who conquers sin and death. We Lutherans have a theology that gives us great freedom to be risk takers. Our ability to act boldly is rooted in our baptism and continually enabled, empowered and supported by God s grace... Bold program resources - Several of the Women of the ELCA resources on our website, welca.org, speak to being bold. Visit the resources page (welca.org/resources) to download the free PDFs. Then print and photocopy for all who participate. Be sure to read through the sections How to use this resource to help in planning your event. Finding Your Bold: An Ice-Breaker Explore what bold is and determine your best bold. This is the perfect resource for opening a retreat or a celebration of Bold Women s Day. A Bold Life of Faith: Katharina von Bora Luther There s a little bit of Katie in all of us. Learn about Katie while learning more about yourself. (1 one-hour session) Act Boldly bookmark Make this easy-to-assemble bookmark for yourself or as a group project. It s a reminder of the mission of Women of the ELCA. Act Boldly for Health This three-part Bible study supports Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls, the Women of the ELCA health initiative. (3 one-hour sessions) Act Boldly for Mission This three-part Bible study explores how women can boldly take part in God s mission to love, bless and save the world. (3 one-hour sessions) I Am She This multi-session resource, perfect for a weekend retreat, helps participants discover their best bold and put it into action.
The Anchor Page 11 Sunday School Snippets Collections for Kendall County Food Pantry Sunday School children are invited to donate canned goods and non-perishable food items for the Kendall County Community Food Pantry. First Lutheran is always a drop-off location for these items. Food pantries experience shortages after the holidays, so January is a great time to donate. Kids Can Make Resolutions Too! The New Year is approaching and this is usually the time when adults make New Year s resolutions. Losing weight, exercising, staying organized, waking up early, etc. are the usual resolutions that people make (and break! ) What about our kids? Below is a simple checklist that will put some ideas in our children s mind about things that they can do for Jesus this year. It is a simple contract that they can check, sign, and date. Hang up a copy on the refrigerator and remind them of their promises throughout the year! Happy New Year! Sunday School Takes Winter Break There will be no Sunday School classes on December 24 th, 31 st & January 7 th. Classes will resume on January 14 th. We wish safe travels to all during the holiday season. Holiday Thank You s What a delightful Sunday School Program!! Thanks to the students for choosing very appropriate and meaningful readings and performing them in a delightful manner. Thanks to all the music leaders and teachers for preparing and practicing special performances. The Charlie Brown Christmas skit was well done and so meaningful!! Especially thank you to the students for doing such a great job singing, speaking and performing! Special thanks, too, to the adult secret pals who showered Christian love and special gifts to their Sunday School Secret Pals. What a joyful day as the children smiled from ear to ear while they opened their cards and gifts from their special anonymous angels.
First Lutheran Church Plano, Illinois 200 N Center Street Plano, IL 60545 Phone: 630-552-8263 Fax: 630-552-7198 Email: churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net Return Service Requested "First in Spirit, First in Faith, First in Outreach" Statement of Purpose Because God loves the world, we live and work together to: *Grow As Disciples *Nurture other Disciples *and Make New Disciples for the Kingdom of God! We are on the Web! firstlutheranchurchplano.com And on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.comfirstlutheran ChurchOfPlanoIl & Hit the LIKE button! Deadline for the February Anchor: Sunday, Jan. 21! Please be ready to submit articles by this date! WORSHIP TIMES Saturday Worship: Sunday: Worship Coffee Fellowship: Sunday School: Communion offered at both services. 5:00 PM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM A nursery area is available. Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Black E-mail: firstplanopastor@gmail.com Secretary: Ann Hagemann E-mail: churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 6:30 am-12:30 pm