M on d ay - T hu r sday 9 : 0 0 A M - 4 : 00 P M C l osed: Fr i - Su n

First Evangelical Lutheran Church 305 West 5 th Street North Platte, Nebraska 69101 2018 Dear Friends, M on d ay - T hu r sday 9 : 0 0 A M - 4 : 00 P M C l osed: Fr i - Su n Contact Us... Phone: 308-532-0250 Fax: 308-532-5291 Email: frstluth@msn.com www.firstevlutheran-np.com CONTACT NUMBERS: Transitional Pastor: Steve Berke, Pastor 303-709-8305 Church Council, President: Jerry Stoll: 308-534-2219 Custodian: Volunteers Financial Secretary: Claudette Nelson Music & Preschool Director: Gail Jensen: 308-534-4290 Office Manager: Olene Beck: 308-386-8677 Jr. F.L.Y.: Emily McCreery: 308-530-7175 Sr. F.L.Y.: Mindee Mohr: 308-539-8549 Sunday School: Jill Falcon, 308-520-5131 On Sunday, August 19, 2018, First Lutheran Church took a big step toward the future. Pastor Arnold Flater of Dubuque, Iowa, received a unanimous vote to be called as the next pastor of the congregation. This action is what I (together with all the people of the church) have been working toward since the end of August, 2016. Two years of prayer, self-study, writing, reflection, and pastoral interviews have culminated in the issuance of a call. Pastor Flater has indicated that he hopes to begin work around the 1 st of October. It is exciting to see how his ministry priorities and gifts are a solid fit with the ministry needs and objectives of First Lutheran Church. We are grateful to God for bringing us all to this junction in the pathways of life. Speaking as one who has been an internship supervisor for approximately ten pastoral interns (who generally work in a congregation for a period of about one year), it seems fitting for me to pull out a bit of wisdom from the experience of transitioning between interns. No intern has the same gifts as the previous one, nor does any pastor! It is important to enter into the relationship with the new person who is coming to a congregation (whether an intern, or a seasoned pastor) with a spirit of openness not seeking to make comparisons, but to have a spirit of learning about the unique gifts and interests of the new pastoral leader. I trust this will be the case as I move on and Pastor Flater receives the call to come to North Platte to be an advocate and leader for the mission and ministry of First Lutheran in the coming years. Thus, the coming month of September will be a time of farewells and of anticipating the future. I have been privileged and blessed to be your interim/transitional pastor since the end of October 2016 (nearly two years in total). The remaining weeks will fly by quickly! We hope to do a good job both of saying goodbye and of preparing for the ministry of Pr. Flater. Strong farewells help to bring out about fruitful new beginnings! I want to say thank you to all the people of First, to the council, ministry leaders, staff, young people, Transition Team, and Call Committee. Everyone has pulled together well to strengthen the church s ministry and turn our attention towards God s call into the future. Many of you have asked about our next steps in life. Lori plans to continue to work as an R.N. in home health and hospice at Great Plains. Having walked with three different churches through interim transitions over the past three-and-one-half years (called through the Rocky Mountain Synod and the Nebraska Synod, ELCA), I am now planning to take up a new position. Pending the Synod s approval, I am being called to work half-time at the Sonrise Parish (three congregations in Eustis, Cozad, and rural Cozad). My colleague there will be Vicar Kathy Gundell, who is now going to seminary as she continues to work in this parish. On August 19 I met with our church council at First and outlined a plan for finishing up here. My last Sunday will be September 9, and there will be a farewell reception between the services at 9:30 a.m. that day. I will continue to work through Wednesday, September 12. We had previously-scheduled vacation plans beginning Sept. 13, so it seems well to draw things to a close on the 12 th. Congratulations to the people of First Lutheran for uniting together in a productive interim time. God s rich blessings to you in the years ahead! In Christ, Steve Berke, Pastor

Congregational Council Meeting Highlights, August 19, 2018 MISSION STATEMENT: To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God. Council celebrated the volunteers for the window projects, and for the mowing, and cleaning that has been done in the church. Thank you to all the volunteers for their dedication and hard work to maintain our beautiful church! "The council is grateful for the openness to cooperative relationships expressed in the recent meeting of lay and pastoral leadership between First Lutheran and Episcopal Church of Our Savior." Council would like to thank the CCC Committee for planning the God s Work, Our Hands project scheduled for September 12 and September 16, 2018. "The council celebrates the strong congregational vote for the call to be extended to Pastor Arnold Flater." Full minutes and financials available in the narthex and office. Welcome Pastor Arnold & Julie Flater Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers delivered to me on my birthday. It was so nice to receive them. I really enjoyed them. Thanks again. ~ Karla O Rourke Thank you for the altar flowers in honor of our wedding anniversary. They were very beautiful and thank you Sandy Stoll for thinking of us. ~ Olene & Scott Beck First Ev. Lutheran Church: Thanks to all for the beautiful flowers. I will enjoy them very much. Thanks to Sandy Stoll for bringing them to our home. ~ Donald Parrish Thank you Sandy Stoll for bringing the flowers to Francis and me in remembrance of my sister Debbie Schroeder McElroy who passed away July 18th. ~Pamela & Francis Wever We are delighted to announce that God has answered our prayers for a new pastor. Please welcome the Reverend Arnold Flater and his wife Julie to our church family. CHURCH WINDOW RENOVATION PROJECT Several people have been working very hard on installing new windows in the church. Jerry Stoll, Mel Kempke, John Schledewitz, Bruce Jensen and Jerry Johnson have volunteered to install windows in the church offices and library. Memorial funds will be utilized for the window project. Average Weekly Attendance: August (Not including August 29 th ) Year 2018 110 Year 2017 121 First Lesson September 2 September 9 September 16 September 23 September 30 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Isaiah 35:4-7a Isaiah 50:4-9a Jeremiah 11:18-20 Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 Check out the two finished windows in the church library! Psalm Psalm 15 Psalm 146 Psalm 116:1-9 Psalm 54 Psalm 19:7-14 Second Lesson Gospel 1:17-27 2:1-10 [11-13] 14-17 3:1-12 3:13--4:3, 7-8a 5:13-20 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 7:24-37 8:27-38 9:30-37 9:38-50

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T 2018 1 2 15 Pentecost 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band 3 Labor Day 4 6:00 Yoga-East Hall 6-9 FOCAS Group-HS 7:00 Boy Scouts/West First day of First Lutheran Preschool 5 5:00 WELCA Board 1:00 Quilts-Ed Unit 5:30 Meal-East Hall 6:00 with Communion 6:30-7:30 Faith Night Learning Time 6 11:45AM WELCA Autumn Bread & Salad Luncheon (East Hall/Kitchen) 7 1-3 Grace Pantry 8 9 16 Pentecost 8:15 am & 10:30 am (Sending Communion) 9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 9:30 Pastor Steve Berke Farewell reception 10:00 Praise Band Property Meeting 10 7:00PM Miriam Circle at the home of Patty Birch 11 Patriot Day 2:00 Bingo at Centennial 6:00 Yoga-East Hall 6-9 FOCAS Group-HS 7:00 Boy Scouts-West 12 1:00 Quilts-Ed Unit 5:00 Christian Ed Mtg 5:30 Meal-East Hall 6:00 with Communion 6:30 CCC Meeting 6:30 God s Work, Our Hands 6:30-7:30 Faith Night Learning Time 13 14 1-3 Grace Pantry 15 6-10PM West fellowship reserved for the FOCAS group 16 17 Pentecost One 9:30 Blended 9:00 Praise Band 10:30 God s Work, Our Hands Adults and Children Join us at 10:30AM for special projects 17 18 9:00 Adah Circle at Airport Inn 6:00 Yoga-East Hall 6-9 FOCAS Group-HS 7:00 Boy Scouts-West 19 1:00 Quilts-Ed Unit 2-6:30PM Downtown Community Dinner 5:30 Meal-East Hall 6:00 Evening Prayer 6:30-7:30 Faith Night Learning Time 20 10:00 Tumbleweed Cluster Meeting 21 1-3 Grace Pantry 22 Fall Equinox 23 18 Pentecost 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 9:30 Eve Circle 9:30 Council Meeting 10:00 Praise Band 24 25 6:00 Yoga-East Hall 6-9 FOCAS Group-HS 7:00 Boy Scouts-West 26 1:00 Quilts-Ed Unit 5:30 Meal-East Hall 6:00 Evening Prayer 6:30-7:30 Faith Night Learning Time 27 1:00 Assemble Newsletter-Library 28 1-3 Grace Pantry Salvation Army Dinner 29 30 19 Pentecost 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band Wednesday Faith Night including confirmation will begin September 5, 2018 Eat... Learn Together! 5:30 PM Meal (East Fellowship Hall) 6:00 PM Communion Service (One-half hour) 6:30 PM Learning Time (one hour) (Confirmation class, high school youth and adult study adding children s activities as needed and as we grow) Confirmation is an intentional time of faith education and exploration for youth during their 7th grade year or when they reach age 13.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS! Katie Coriell Wilma Guethlein Doris Howard Charley Mueller Rick Springer Heidi Criddle Lillian Higgins Amanda Janas Jon Petersen Family of Faye Lundeen Family of Phyllis Shavlik If you know somebody or would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office @ 308-532-0250. OTHER PRAYERS: Todd Chase, Eric Kocher, Samantha Schlaffman, Evan Williams and all in the military. 2 0 1 8 A v a i l a b l e S u n d a y s September 23 30 Oc tober 21 November 4 25 The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 5:16 If you would like to provide flowers for a special occasion, in honor of, in memory of or to the Glory of God, please pick up a form in the office. The cost is $35.00 for one pair of bouquets. December 2 9 30 2 0 1 9 A v a i l a b l e S u n d a y s January 6 13 20 27 February 3 10 17 24 March 3 10 17 24 31 BAPTISMS Contact the Pastor. BAPTISMAL STORY BIBLES Norman & Mary Sue Grabenstein have started a story Bible fund to be given to newly baptized children. Contact the church if you are interested in providing or using a memorial for the Bibles. BELL CHOIR Holy Harmony: Resume in the fall BIBLE STUDY Pending BINGO 2 nd Tuesday @ 2PM: Centennial Park BIRTHS None CIRCLES (WELCA) Board Meeting: 2nd Wednesday @ 5PM Miriam Circle: 2nd Monday @ 7PM Adah Circle: 3rd Tuesday @ 9:00AM Eve Circle: 4th Sunday @ 9:30AM DEATHS None DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY MEAL Thank you for signing up to help prepare or serve the Downtown Community Meal at the Episcopal Church. Upwards of 100 people or more are served each Wednesday evening. Contact Shari Shore (Coordinator) @ 539-1715 if you wish to make any donations of protein for the meals, such as meat, sausage, or eggs. Thank you! GRACE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY Friday from 1-3PM FUNERALS August 11, 2018 Faye Lundeen QUILTS Quilting: Every Tuesday at 1PM Tie Quilts: 2nd Thursday at 1PM Quilting: Every Wednesday at 1PM SOUND SYSTEM TRAINING Please contact the church office if you would like to learn how to run the church sound system or create a service displayed on the screens! YOGA Yoga every Tuesday at 6PM in the east Fellowship Hall. All ages are invited. For further information call

September 5, 2018: Faith Night resumes. If you would like to serve a Wednesday evening meal at 5:30PM, please sign-up on clipboard at the church. Thank you. September 6, 2018 at 11:45 AM: WELCA Bread and Salad Luncheon. See page 6 for details. September 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.: Farewell Celebration for Pastor Berke. September 12, 2018: God s Work, Our Hands project (below). September 16, 2018: One blended service at 9:30AM. God s Work, Our Hands project (details below). A DONATION BASKET WILL BE PLACED IN THE NARTHEX! DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2018 PERSONAL CARE KITS: God s Work, Our Hands Sunday God has provided members of First Lutheran with a beautiful sanctuary for worship. Now we, as a congregation, need to use our hands to help maintain this structure. The congregation will observe the God s Work, Our Hands celebration in a two-fold event. Following the Wednesday evening service (September 12 th ), worshipers can participate in the cleaning of the church pews by applying a cleaner to the wood. After the Sunday service (September 16 th ), worshipers will be able to apply the polish to the clean pews. Care of the pews has been neglected in recent years. Everyone is encouraged to wear clothes suitable for the cleaning task. Babysitting will be provided for the Sunday session. Please consider lending your hands, even if it is only for a short period of time. Downtown Community Meal: Thank you for signing up to help prepare or serve the Downtown Community Meal at the Episcopal Church. Upwards of 100 people or more are served each Wednesday evening. Contact Shari Shore (Coordinator) at 539-1715 if you wish to make any donations of protein for the meals, such as meat, sausage, or eggs. Thank you! SCHOOL KITS: Time to go school shopping! Backpacks have been sewn and are ready to be filled for Lutheran World Relief! If you would like to help, please take an empty backpack from the church narthex. Supply lists will be inside each backpack. Please return your filled backpack by September 1 st. Pastor Berke will be honored with a card shower. Baskets for cards from the members of First Lutheran and the community will be available in the church narthex and the office beginning September 2 nd. Learning for Children and Households - Transitional Month in September September 9, 2018 Farewell for Pastor Berke September 16, 2018 God s Work, Our Hands September 23 and 30 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. (one service) 10:30 a.m. (special projects for adults and children) 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. (no education hour these two weeks) Because of changing family schedules, weekend Sunday mornings have not been working well as the primary educational focus for children in many churches. Newly-called Pastor Arnold Flater wants worship on the Lord s Day to be engaging and edifying for adults and children of all ages. He will also be working with the Christian Ed and Youth Committee to design learning opportunities for children and households in conjunction with the Wednesday Faith Night program of Eat Learn Together. Watch for further information and updates as Pastor Flater plans to arrive in October. BABY CARE KITS: Get information for First Lutheran Youth Group on your phone. Pick a way to receive messages:

Women of ELCA Newsletter for August 1, 2018 Duties: Bingo at Centennial (see below) Women s Board met Wednesday Aug 1 st at 5:00 p.m. Linda opened the meeting with devotions and prayer. Attendance: Adah - 2, Esther/Lois 1, Eve - 2, Miriam - 1, Ruth -1, Other - 0 Secretary Report and Treasurer Reports: Carla moved to approved with corrections. Seconded by Mary. Approved. Corrections: Adah served nachos for Bible school not Pizza. Autumn Bread and Salad Luncheon September 6 th not 5 th. Correspondence: Salvation Army, C Stark-Nebraska Synodical Women s Organization Reports/Motions from Circles: Work Groups: Quilts: Build and tie quilts each Tuesday at 1 pm, tie quilts second Thursday each month. Sew and build quilts each Wednesday at 1 pm in the Quilt Room in the Parish Hall room. Carla said the room was for anyone who wanted to use it. Gail will advise hours of Preschool so we will know when the room can be used. Old Business: Bible school: Circles served meals at 5:30 pm. Sixty to seventy people served each day! Thank you to circles for helping make Bible School a success. September 6 th 11:45 a.m. Autumn Bread and Salad Luncheon. Install new officers. Hand out new year books. Ruth circle hostess. Program to be announced. Autumn Renewal will be September 22 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Hastings. Funeral Dinner: August 6 th for Harvey Norman Bingo: September 11 Pat Glass, Mary Johnson, Linda Lehmann, and Sandy Stoll. Next meeting September 5th at 5:00 pm Joan Johansen, Secretary

Jason Reed September 1 Gordon Gosnell September 2 Khloe Stutzman September 2 Chastity Orr September 3 Amanda Janas September 4 Drew Hillertz September 5 Kaitlyn Aloi September 6 Matt LaRue September 6 Erica Bargell September 7 Carleen Tabke September 7 Michael Bland September 8 Parker DeBraal September 9 Carla Jensen September 9 Tyler Thayer September 9 Marcia Bland September 10 Sarah Evans September 10 Reese Grigg September 10 Joel Jensen September 10 Gary Bargell September 11 Zathan Pelland September 12 Lynn Riley September 12 Brandon Siefford September 12 Misty Tobiasson September 12 Cindi Walz September 13 Ryan Gifford September 14 Devin Lunzman September 16 Jacoby Silos September 16 Sandra Stoll September 16 Douglas Fisher September 17 Jeremy Gilbert September 17 Marcia Higgins September 17 Gerry Krueger September 18 Steven Gulzow September 19 Sara Hinrichs September 19 Margaret Norton September 19 Linda Schimek September 20 Seth Schuett September 20 Luke Fisher September 21 Brylie Robinson September 21 Kris Wardyn September 21 Ariel Gies September 22 Obermeier September 23 Marilyn Anderson September 24 Jimmy Snyder September 24 Miranda Moore September 25 Braxton Arensdorf September 26 Renae Hinrichs September 26 Kade Mohr September 26 Vicki Green September 27 Melissa Johnson September 27 Makenzie Dahlgren September 28 Gail Hubbell September 28 Keira Smyth September 28 Mary Benzel September 29 Haley Piper September 29 Debbie Berry September 30 Jason & Stacey Merz Sept 2 Travis & Rebecca Beck Sept 8 Randy & Becky Robinson Sept 8 Steve & Liz Evans Sept 11 Brian & Brandi Jensen Sept 11 Don & Polly Shahan Sept 11 & Jill Silos Sept 14 Chastity & Kevin Orr Sept 15 Donald & Gail Hubbell Sept 16 Bradley & Kari Turner Sept 18 Charlie & Joyce Hipwell Sept 20 Marvin & Lazette Knoll Sept 21 Brenda & Mike Monson Sept 21 Gary & Eloise Tesar Sept 27 Birthday & Anniversary: Please advise the church office of any errors/omissions on the Birthday & Anniversary Calendar. Year 2018 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC TOTAL Income $14,982 $15,069 $13,882 $24,300 $15,121 $16,703 $16,989 $117,046 Expenses $21,882 $23,278 $23,816 $22,758 $21,827 $21,122 $21,235 $155,918 Surplus () Year 2018 GENERAL BUDGET OFFERING - INCOME $(6,900) JULY ACTUAL $16,989 $22,965 2018 EXPENSES $21,235 $22,965 SURPLUS (SHORTFALL) Jul y 2018 FINANCIAL REPORT Thank you for your gifts to God through First Evangelical Lutheran Church. $(4,246) $(8,209) $(9,934) MONTHLY BUDGET DIFFERENCE Under $5,976 Under 1,730 $0.00 $(4,246) Surplus $1,542 $(6,706) $(4,419) YR. TO DATE ACTUAL $(4,246) YR. TO DATE BUDGET $117,046 $160,753 $155,918 $160,753 $(38,872) $0.00 DIFFERENCE Under $43,707 Under $4,835 $(38,872) Higher income levels around Easter/Christmas. Lower income levels typically received in the summer months. Income excludes any donations received for designated gifts. The expenses vary month to month, depending on the spending requests by the ministry leaders and committees. Detailed financial reports are available in Narthex, council & committee mailboxes and office. $(38,872) Thank you to all members who have designated Thrivent Choice dollars to First Lutheran. We are open to suggestions as to how to use this money. Contact one of the other members of the committee: Betty Hamit, Joan Johansen, Mary Johnson or Sandy Stoll. If you are a Thrivent member, you can designate your Choice dollars to First Lutheran Church by logging onto www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or by calling 800-847-4836. Thrivent Choice has been sharing the gifts... Beginning balance 08/01/18 $5,002.52 Donation from Thrivent Choice +$0.00 Gifts given: None -$0.00 Ending balance 08/31/18* $5,002.52 *Approved, not removed from ending balance: $216.57

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a church of the ELCA. Our mission is To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God. FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 305 WEST 5TH STREET Sunday Morning: NORTH PLATTE NE 69101-3830 8:15 AM ~ Traditional Service Address Service Requested 10:30 AM ~ Praise Service Services U.S. POSTAGE PAID Non-Profit Organization North Platte, Nebraska PERMIT NO. 7 (One Blended service 09/16/18) Wednesday Evening: 6:00 PM ~ Mid-Week (One-half hour) Special Congregation Meeting Update Dear Friends in Christ of First Evangelical Lutheran, In great celebration of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, I have received the endorsement from your leadership to be your pastor. Wednesday 6:00pm Service (One-half hour) with a simple spoken liturgical service, utilizing the Scripture readings and message from the previous Sunday. Normally, the sacrament After the congregational vote calling me to of Holy Communion is shared. serve in that capacity, Sunday 8:15am Traditional I wholeheartedly accept your call to serve as Traditional worship aims to faithfully and pastor and cherish the opportunities that energetically carry forward the best of our heritage God has set before us to serve the Good as Lutheran Christians. Using a variety of liturgies News of Jesus Christ to a waiting world. and hymns, we gather around Word and Sacrament with an order of service in the classic As I have shared with you and your fine leadership, I find Paul s word Western tradition of the church. The sacrament to his church in Corinth a mantra for life and for our joint ministry. of Holy Communion is celebrated on every Sunday. In Christ Jesus life, death, and resurrection, Paul proclaims that we live in a new era of hope and love as he wrote, 17 So if anyone is in Sunday 10:30am Contemporary Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, Designed for those who love praising God in a everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV) spirited, contemporary worship format, the 10:30 service provides a welcoming blend of the familiar In sid e T his I s su e : Se pt em b er 2018 and the innovative. Each week the worship band Announcements/Lutheran World Relief/ supports our singing, and the pastor proclaims the 1 5 Message from Pastor Berke Children s Learning/ good news of Christ. The service begins in an Council/Attendance/Lessons/Thank you/ informal style with greetings and opening songs, 2 6 WELCA and Autumn Luncheon Pastor Arnold & Julie/Window Project and then moves to the scriptural Word 3 7 Calendar and Wednesday Faith Night Anniversaries/Birthdays/Financials (from the lectionary) and our sharing in the Lord's Supper each week. Flowers/Ministries/Prayers 4 8 Services/Call to Pastor Flater