First Lutheran Church Good News 1900 W Highway 44 Inverness, FL 34453 Celebrating 50 + years Serving the Lord LCMS Members since April 18th, 1966 Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid Inverness, FL 34450 Phone: 352-726-1637 Fax: 352-344-0628 E-mail: pastor or secretary@1stlutheran.church May and June 2018 Volume 34, Issue 5 & 6 or current resident W E RE ON THE WEB 1 STLUTHERAN. CHURCH May Service Schedule Worship Services at 7:45am & 10am May 6,13,20, Bible Class 9am - 9:45am Children s Special Time With God 9:30-11:30 am May 13th Mother s Day May 20th Pentecost 9am only Voters Assembly Following Service Children s Special Time With God 8:30am - 11:30am Good News is published to enhance the ministry and mission of First Lutheran Church by providing timely information to active members and prospects both locally and away. Please inform the church office of address corrections.
Good News Volume 34 Issue 5 & 6 PASTOR S 2018 MAY & JUNE NEWSLETTER WHAT KIND OF RESTAURANT WOULD YOU CALL FIRST LUTHERAN? Pastors page 1 Birthdays and Anniversaries 2 LWML 3 Evangelism 4 Prayer Partners 5 Banner Ministry 5 Sunday Morning 5 Thrivent 6 Memorial Day 6 Bible 7 Pantry Workers 7 Lector 7 Altar Guild 8 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. [Ephesians 4: 16] As I was attending Pastor's Leadership Missional Church Institute class last week, our PLI leader, Pastor Jeff posed this question to us pastors: What Kind of Restaurant would you and your congregation say you are? This is an interesting question in how we see ourselves in our community and in the eyes of our Lord Jesus! As the discussion followed one particular answer really intrigued me. Another pastor shared with me and our table he believed his church was like a CRACKER BARREL! His explanation of this was that at a Cracker Barrel when you first walk in you are surrounded by great smells, wonderful gifts, and a pleasurable atmosphere that makes you feel like your home and welcomed. You just want to look around and take in all that the store has to offer. By the time you look around the store a bit, your name is called for supper and you sit down at your table, already feeling like you are a part of the Cracker Barrel family! Is this what your church feels like? Our Lord's House is the Best Restaurant ever created...wonderful Smells of Grace, Love, and Mercy...Wonderful Gifts of Forgiveness and Salvation, and a Wonderful Meal of His Word, Body and Blood! The Lord's House is a Cracker Barrel Plus! You see, our Lord uses each one of use to share His Love and Grace, to help others see His gifts of Forgiveness and Salvation, and for us to invite to dinner our friends and family yo enjoy the wonderful meal of God;s word, His Body and His Blood shed and given to us! What kind of Restaurant are we...i believe we are the Lord's Restaurant, giving to others the rich blessings of Christs Resurrection and love to all! In Christ Alone! The Beaverson Family
Good News Birthdays for May Cameron Bass 5/1 Paul Miller 5/9 Don King 5/11 Taylor Schantz 5/15 Monica Bessell 5/20 Joan Hudson 5/21 Ed Graham 5/21 Jan Sherrill 5/21 Paul Heuer 5/22 Orda Podratz 5/23 Buddy Hulse 5/25 Jerry Raymond 5/26 Bobby Diestler 5/29 Chase Black 5/29 Anniversaries for May Birthdays For June Robert Koob 6/1 Georgia Kosik 6/2 Ellen Manning 6/6 Arne Ekeli 6/7 June Stigler 6/13 Mabel Iverson 6/14 Judy Doescher 6/17 Sally Litras 6/17 Georgia Bass 6/18 Jeff Schulz 6/21 Dorothy Keller 6/24 Barb Koelling 6/25 Sandy Skylstead 6/26 Carol Cegielski 6/27 Donna Earling 6/27 Jodie Henderson 6/28 Mary Rood 6/29 Virginia Golec 6/29 Nancy Sorensen 5/12 Bill and Lorrie Bowman 5/25 John and Renate Stewart 5/30 Anniversaries in June Bill and Donna Phillips 6/8 Clyde and Diana Rohde 6/10 Gary and Rosanna Wunrow 6/12 Dave and Carol Schmidt 6/15 John and Esther Klay 6/25 Art and Fae Johnson 6/26 Robert and Shelly Schantz 6/29 Page 3
Volume 34 Issue 5 & 6 News of WFL/LWML Four members, Cindy Navarro, June Stigler, Joe and Digna Beckman, traveled to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chiefland to attend the North Central LWML Zone Spring Rally Saturday, April 21. The Bible study theme was taken from 2nd Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline." 3 tables were filled on and under with Gifts from the Heart that were given to the Shelter for domestic violence and rape Crisis Center. plus $456. Scarlett Holcombe, mission speaker, showed us many pictures as she told about her mission trip to Kenya, and the school there that housed 700 students. Cindy Navarro and Virginia Golec were elected delegates to the LWML FL-GA District Convention that will convene in September at the Orlando Airport Marriott Lakeside Hotel. They will be collecting empty toilet tissue rolls (the cardboard tube) for a servant event. A box for donations will be in the Narthex. Judy Doescher volunteered to head the committee for next year's rummage sale. She brought a sample of the new counter tops and announced that the work to upgrade the kitchen in Bailey Hall will begin November 5. once the electrical check is completed by Dan Schultz and the Board of Trustees. Even though the WFL/LWML will not meet until November, the monthly Mite Offerings continue and may be placed in the Mite Box on the counter in the Narthex. Take a small Mite Box as you need one, fill it and bring it to church through the summer months. The FL-GA LWML District Mission Goal is $104,192.01. More than $74,800 of this amount has been paid for the 12 Mission Grant requests. We praise God for the generosity of our many Mite givers. We have sent $238.50 in the four monthly Mite collections this year from First Lutheran Church. The first LWML event following the District Convention in the fall will be the Zone Rally at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, October 20, 2018. All women, pastors, and men of our congregation are invited. Three positions will be elected: President, Treasurer, and V.P. for Spiritual Growth. 1 Peter 2.9-12 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Live as Servants of God 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. Page 3
Good News Evangelism in Action at First Lutheran Church For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47 We, all as Christians, know that we are instructed by Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior, to spread the Word of God. We are taught the importance of presenting everyone with the Word of God in 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 Verses 8-12,. 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfil by his power every good resolve and work of faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Taking this into mind, we are going to find out how we spread God s Word. Remember, we all have different ways to spread the Good News. On May 6 th, there will be a table set up for you to write on how you, right now spread the Good News. We will be giving you other ways to spread the Good News. Then on May 27, Pastor will present a sermon with regards to spreading the Good News. Would it not be with a heavy heart that if someone you knew did not go to heaven because he was never told about the eternal life that Jesus Christ, died to give us ALL. No names will be used. It is just an activity we should learn from and find new ways to present the Word of God. We are still looking for new members, so please don t hesitate to join. We really are a nice bunch of Christians. Blessings Kayla Page 5
Sunday Morning Bible Study IN THE WORD I would just like to say, if you are not attending the Sunday morning Bible Class, you are missing the Good News "I Have Good News For You" by Dr. Donald F. Ginkel. Last Sunday, we began the chapter "About a Devotional Life Which Blesses You". What does Scripture say about worship? "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to LISTEN rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong." Ecclesiastes 5:1. "I love the house where You live, O LORD, the place where Your glory dwells" Psalm 26:8. How do we bring glory to God? Dr.Ginkel writes "The time spent in Bible study groups brings spiritual growth, encouragement, and good fellowship." See you Sunday at 9:00 AM in Bailey Hall. PRAYER PARTNERS Printed each week in our Sunday Bulletin is a page of Individuals and concerns for prayers. Our Prayer Partners lift these individuals and groups to the Lord daily. If you would like to be a Prayer Partner and have an email address, the only requirement is to take 10 minutes to name each individual and concern listed in the bulletin before the Lord in your devotional time daily. Please email Digna Beckman at jkdf50@outlook.com. to be a Prayer Partner. To put someone on the Prayer Partners list you can call Nancy Wilt in the church office, and/or Pastor Beaverson and/or call Digna to add a need to the Prayer List, then, each Prayer Partner is contacted by e-mail to add these concerns. This has proven to be a more efficient way to contact partners who pray, rather than a calling chain. Be a part of this praying group. When we turn to the Lord in prayer, He promises to respond. Also if you see a name on the current list that no longer needs to be there, please contact the office or Digna to remove it. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened Banner Ministry The first meeting of the Banner Ministry was a great success. Eight ladies were in attendance. We looked at some banner pattern books, selected patterns that interested us, and discussed ideas. Since we haven't actually made a banner yet, we decided to order three ready made patterns to use to start us on this journey. We are all looking forward to starting this process. As soon as we receive the patterns, we will schedule our first working meeting. Watch the bulletin and the Good News for more information. Judy Cartier Page 5
Thrivent Choice Dollars... Are you a Thrivent or Associate Member? If Yes, do you know that Thrivent Choice Dollars are available for you to share with your favorite charitable organization and/or here at First Lutheran? Just go to www.thrivent.com, & type in your membership number & enter choice dollars. DEADLINE FOR CHOICE DOLLARS 2018 Contact Pastor, or Joe/Digna Beckman, Designated 2018 Thrivent Action Team Events 50 th Anniversary Celebration First Lutheran Church Replica Molds sponsored by the Cat s Meow! It will be a replica of First Lutheran Church with History printed on the back! Coming soon 50 th Anniversary Crazy Fun Bowling Adventure! Will be for all ages (Kids to Adults) to celebrate our 50 th Anniversary! (Being re-scheduled) Volume 34 Issue 5 & 6 MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION MEAL WE NEED YOUR HELP (Volunteers) We need your Loving Assistance helping with the memorial day celebration BBQ Needed are; Cooks, Servers, Clean-up and etc. Can be a shared experience between many Monies available Through Thrivent Financial! See Pastor or call the Church Office Would Love someone to volunteer to Steer this committee. 50 th Anniversary Silent Auction Fund Raiser & Fun! Stay in touch there s More (Pastor Tom) Please Take Note There are 2 Sundays at the end of May, that will be one Service only Sundays. They Are May 20th for Voters Assembly and May 27th for a family Memorial Day Celebration. Page 7
Bible Study Opportunities First Lutheran Church LCMS Pastor Thomas Beaverson 1900 Hwy 44 W Inverness FL 34453 Phone: 352 726-1637 Fax: 352 344 0628 Our Mission is to: Worship The Lord, Love one Another, Share the of Love Christ J OIN US ON THE WEB 1stLutheran.church Will resume in September Date 2018 Lector Bailey Hall 9:00am 9:45am I Have Good News for You 5/6 Nancy Wilt 5/13 Edwin Martin Sandy Cobb s Good Morning Ladies Bible Study resumes in February 5/20 Ann 2018 Cook Women of First Lutheran 2 5/27 Bonita nd Martin Wednesday of each Month (Led by Digna) Resumes in September 6/3 2018 Virginia Golec 6/10 Edwin Martin 6/17 Ann Cook Week of Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 6/24 Bonita Miller May and June WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES Betsy Sovereign Cindy and Larry Puhrmann Ellen Manning FIRST LUTHERAN 50 th ANNIVERSARY CRUISE CRUSING THE OCEANS WITH PASTOR & FRIENDS NEW DETAILS COMING SOON 50 Years Serving the Lord and Sharing Christ! Date Lector 5/6 Nancy Wilt 5/13 Edwin Martin 5/20 Ann Cook 5/27 Bonita Martin 6/3 Virginia Golec 6/10 Edwin Martin 6/17 Ann Cook 6/24 Bonita Martin Page 7
ALTAR GUILD A touch of the Altar Guild s Importance to the church The Altar Guild is the partner of the Pastor. The Altar Guild is a ministry - a gift of time and talent to serve God in His house. It is a very great privilege to serve God in this way. The housekeeping and decoration of God s house should be done with sincere devotion and dignity in good taste. The major duty of the altar guild is to prepare all the things necessary for the celebration of the Sacraments. Two Communion candles are used on the altar proper. They are lit only when the Communion is being celebrated. The candelabras may be used to adorn the sanctuary at all services. We are blessed to have 2 donated brass candles that stand on the credenza. SACRISTY The word sacristy is derived from the Latin word sacra, meaning holy things. The holy things kept in the sacristy are the sacred vessels and the vestments for the Pastor and altar. In most churches the sacristy is also the Altar Guild s workroom. The sacristy should have: 1. a wardrobe or closet for the Pastor s vestments. 2. A cabinet for storing the vessels and other articles used for the Sacraments. 3. A large chest of drawers for altar hangings and communion linens. 4. Sink with hot and cold running water 5. A table, counter top or other work surface. 6. A cabinet for cleaning supplies and supplies for flowers. FLOWERS are not necessary for a church service. They are a free offering of the people. Flowers are given to the glory of God and should be taken to the sick or home bound after the service. If there is a definite preference for vases, they should be selected with great care. Consider the overall space that flowers may take and still not overpower the cross. As a general rule the flowers and candles should not be taller than the cross-arm of the cross. Flowers should not extend over the altar, or interfere with the candles, and especially should not get in the Pastor s way. Special caution is urged here, to assure the neck of the vase is wide enough and the vases not too tall, or some other difficulty that makes them unsuitable for your own sanctuary. Page 8