Interim Pastor Ted Kunze

May 2018 Inside From the Pastor 1 Prayer Concerns 2 Cantor 3 Christian Education 4 Call Committee 5 Garden Project 5 Calendar 6-7 Confirmation Insert Youth 8 Building Fund 9 Stewardship 10 Service List 11 Interim Pastor Ted Kunze This is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. --Acts 2:16-17 Pentecost would win the award for the most-overlooked Christian holiday. We always have crowds for Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many people come to worship on Easter Sunday as we celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead. Pentecost, though, is easy to overlook. I don t think Hallmark even has cards to sell! Pentecost, though, is an important day. Many have called it the birthday of the Church. It recalls the day, 50 days after Jesus resurrection on Easter, that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. It was a most extraordinary day (read about it in Acts 2:1-42). What was even more important, though, was that the Holy Spirit given that day empowered and equipped Jesus disciples to serve God in the world, continuing to spread the Good News about Jesus. It was through the Spirit that Jesus ragtag band of followers began to change the world! Pentecost is important for us, too, because God s Holy Spirit is still working within us! In John 14:26 Jesus said, The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of all that I have said to you. The Holy Spirit continues to guide us, comfort us, and equip us to serve God in this world, and directs the global reach of Christ s Church. Let s celebrate this gift! Pentecost this year will be May 20 th, and that will be our first Sunday of the summer schedule, with one service at 9:00 AM. A special, festive worship is being planned. Red is the color of the day, so if you have a red shirt, dress, tie, etc. we invite you to wear red. Let s not overlook Pentecost! Join us as we celebrate, on that day, the gift of God s Holy Spirit. In Christ s love, Pastor Ted Kunze 1

Prayer Concerns Last month we changed how we published prayer concerns. We know there are people who appreciate our prayer support as they deal with long-term disabilities or chronic illnesses and there are others who request prayers as they deal with a sudden illness or injury. We had kept both of these prayer requests on the same list but that became a very long list in worship. We now have a short-term list for recent needs or praise which is included every week in the bulletin. We still maintain a longer-term prayer list for people with chronic needs. This list is provided below and for whom we ask for your continued prayers: Mildred Anderson Marie Benson Kallie Brovold (grand-daughter of Sandy and Jan Brovold) Claire Cardwell (friend of Monique Sebring) Forrest Chaffee Abigail Christenson (daughter of Kathryn Christenson) Dorothy Eliason George Fasnacht (father of Vicki Demers) Anne-Marie Gunderson (daughter of Stuart Johnson) Betty Gustafson Stephen Hilding Grace Jacobs Christopher Johnson (son of Stuart Johnson) Stuart Johnson Wayne Johnson Jackie Kennedy Lee Landgrebe Rachel Larson Elgene Lund Daniel Luong (son of Pastor Nate Luong) Judi Malmborg Lu Melendez (father of Gabriela Roemhildt) Tom Michels (son-in-law of Bill and Betty Gustafson) Joan Miller Dick Muesing Rita Ogren (mother of Nancy Thorkelson) Betsy Paul Stan Solberg Bev Wetherill Gary Woinarowicz (uncle of Shanon Nowell) To request being on either of the prayer lists (or to be taken off), please discuss with Pastor Ted, call the church office at 934-3060 or go to our website at www.flcstp.org 2

Cantor Emily Bruflat Contact by email: musicflcstp@gmail.com Contact by phone: 507-934-3060 Ascension From the Cantor On May 13th, we will celebrate Ascension of Our Lord during Sunday worship. This day in the church year is particularly special to Cantor Emily because the focus of her final graduate worship project was inspired by Ascension (traditionally celebrated on the 40th Day of Easter, which falls on a Thursday each year). Much of the music during worship will come from this final project, including a Psalm paraphrase, a hymn concertato, a choral reflection, and an organ postlude by Jean Langlais. The project Emily designed focused on Christ's ascension as a metaphor for God's people to "rise" into the world and care for one another. The Flame Within Us: A Hymn Festival for the Day of Pentecost Join us on Pentecost Sunday, May 20th, for a hymn festival during worship at 9:00 a.m. You will hear languages from around the world and experience music based on many aspects of the Holy Spirit, from the birthday of the church to baptism and prayer. The "flame within us" is the Spirit at work in our lives, guiding us to practice spirituality in many and various ways, to use our gifts, and to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community. Don't forget Holy Trinity! The final "festival Sunday" before this fall is Holy Trinity Sunday, taking place each year the Sunday after Pentecost. Join us for 9:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, May 27th to celebrate our God - Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Festival Choir for a Festival Season! Choir has reconvened for the first few weeks of May. Anyone interested in singing with the choir for Ascension (both 8:15 and 10:30 services) and/or Pentecost (one service at 9:00), feel free to come to rehearsals from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, May 2, 9, and 16. Emily would like a large choir for these worship services! Wednesday Worship in May - Filled with the Spirit! As we gear up for Pentecost and Holy Trinity - both of which highlight the Holy Spirit as an integral part of our lives - our Wednesday worship throughout the month of May will be "Filled with the Spirit!" You are invited to worship in scripture, devotion, song, and prayer to be nourished and rejuvenated by this spiritual practice. Midweek worship will be in the chapel on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 on May 2, 9, and 16 and will switch to a summer schedule of 5:30 p.m. beginning May 23. Gustavus Handbell Ensembles in Concert: Join the three handbell choirs at Gustavus and director Dr. Chad Winterfeldt for a concert on Sunday evening, May 13, 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus. This free concert features sacred music as well as popular tunes from Disney movies and arrangements with flute and percussion. 3

Christian Education Confirmation Our 9th Grade Class of 2018 will affirm their baptisms May 6th during the 10:30 a.m worship service. A special reception will be held in their honor at 9:15 a.m. that morning in the Dining Hall. A special thank you to our Confirmation Leaders from this year: Interim Pastor Ted - 9th grade; Interim Youth Ministry Director Caitlin Jensen & Gustavus Student Dani Seeger for teaching the 7th & 8th grade group about the Old Testament. Also, a warm thanks to those guest pastors who helped with instruction: Steve Kidder, Mary Gaebler, and Siri Erickson. Thank you to the following Adult Guides who have been an integral, regular and blessed presence throughout the past 1-3 years: 7th Grade: Bonnie Davig & Mark Roemhildt 8th Grade: Joy Reese & Chad Winterfeldt 9th Grade: Dave Kennedy You are a partner with God, through Jesus Christ, in the creation and nurture of Christian disciples. What could be more wonderful or life-giving than that? Thank you for your faithful service! Reminder: Sunday School & First Forum have concluded for the year - back in session in September! Monday Morning Adult Study will conclude the year May 21st. Day Camp 2018 - June 11-14 9:00-2:30 $25 per camper Online registration is available on our website and Facebook page. Day Camp is open to those entering K-7th grade in Fall 2018. Register Now. Please invite a friend 4

Call Committee Members of the call committee (Ella Boomgaarden, Mary Gaebler, Bruce Gray, Shawn Hoenke, Amy Pehrson, Rachel Ribar, Mary Ann Scharf, and Mary Spear) and Pastor Ted met with Pastor Linda Pedersen from the Southwest Minnesota Synod on Thursday evening, April 19th. This was the first meeting of the call committee so Pastor Pedersen outlined our committee s duties and responsibilities in selecting a new pastor for our congregation including the need to select a committee chair and secretary. She also made us aware of online resources the synod has available for us to use during the call process. After answering a few questions from committee members, Linda left us to decide how we would organize our group. Shawn Hoenke volunteered to chair the committee and Mary Spear offered to serve as secretary. We agreed to meet twice a month. Our next step will be developing interview questions and deciding how we will frame our initial interview process. We plan to have a link on the church website for updates on the call process so check in with the website in a week or two. FLC Garden Project Even though the buds are not bursting forth, the grass is not green, and snow just recently left the ground, we are planning for better weather for the gardens at First Lutheran Church planted for produce for the St. Peter Area Food Shelf. In the past we have had a plentiful supply of green beans and plan to have more of them as well as our early crop of fine leaf lettuce and spinach, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and squash. With this plan we not only need donations of seeds and plants or money to purchase such, but we also want volunteers to assist to weed, water, and harvest our garden. Weeding is usually minimal and watering may also be so if it rains often. Harvesting is most rewarding as we gather and deliver the bountiful vegetables to the food shelf. The fresh lettuce in the early summer is wonderful. Taking a week this summer to volunteer to complete these tasks is a rewarding activity especially for families who are interested in seeing plants grown, harvested, and given to the poor in the community. It is a valuable activity to see how our earth is cared for and the results shared with others. Children have a lot of fun squirting water to get the plants watered and sometimes everybody else in the area!! To those interested in being a part of this gardening group caring for the earth, please leave your name and number at the Church office or sign up in the Gathering space during May. Remember it is just for as little as a few hours one week out of the summer, but more if you so desire. We will be pleased to work with you for a pleasant and rewarding gardening experience for you and your family. 5

May Sunday Monday Tuesday 1 2 7:00 a 8:30 a 5:30 p 5:30 p 6:00 p 6:15 p 6:15 p 7:00 p 7:15 p 6. Sixth Sunday of Easter 7 8 9 Confirmation Sunday 8:15 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Confirmation Reception (Dining Hall) 10:30 a.m. Worship w/ Affirmation of Baptism 6:00 p.m. NYG Parent Meeting 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. Adult Study 7:00 a.m. Executive Committee 6:00 p.m. Buildings and Grounds 6:30 p.m. Social Ministry 7:00 a 8:30 a 5:15 a 6:00 p 7:15 p 7:45 p 13 Seventh Sunday of Easter 14 15 16 Mother s Day 8:15 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. Adult Study 7:00 p.m. Council Meeting 7:00 a 8:30 a 6:00 p 7:15 p 7:45 p 20 Day of Pentecost Summer schedule commences 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Fellowship 10:30 a.m. NYG Fundraiser Carnival 21 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. Adult Study 7:00 p.m. Call Committee 22 23 7:00 a 8:30 a 5:30 p 7:45 p 27 The Holy Trinity 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Fellowship 28 Memorial Day Office Closed 29 30 7:00 a 8:30 a 5:30 p 6

2018 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday.m. Men s Conversation (GAC).m. Staff Meeting.m. Supper.m. Confirmation Photos.m. Choir Rehearsal.m. Confirmation.m. Confirmation Rehearsal.m. Youth game night.m. Worship 3 7:00 p.m. Call Committee 4 5.m. Men s Conversation (GAC).m. Staff Meeting.m. Worship and Arts.m. Choir Rehearsal.m. Worship.m. Youth Group 10 8:00 a.m. Finance 9:00 a.m. Stewardship 1:00 p.m. Green 11 12 9:00 Kitchen Cleaning.m. Men s Conversation (GAC).m. Staff Meeting.m. Choir Rehearsal.m. Worship.m. Youth Group 17 18 19.m. Men s Conversation (GAC).m. Staff Meeting.m. Worship.m. Youth Group 24 25 26 9:00 Mission Quilters.m. Men s Conversation (GAC).m. Staff Meeting.m. Worship 31 7

Youth Senior High Youth Group - Wednesdays 7:45 p.m. in the Pioneer Parlor thru May 23rd Except on May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. - Senior High Youth Group is meeting at the Ronnkvist household, 481 Swift Street for a Game Night. Bring your favorite game and a snack to share if you want. Youth Trip to Valleyfair on Friday, June 8th - Bus departs 8:45 a.m. & returns to FLC 5:15 p.m. This trip is open to any Youth just completed Grades 6-12; FLC members and friends are welcome!! $32 for admission and bus ride; if you have a season pass just pay $5 for bus Provide your own lunch. Register online: http://bit.ly/valleyfair2018 June 3 - Senior Blessing Sunday for High School Graduates 9:00 a.m. Worship Christian Ministries One of FLC s young people, Peter Stelter, a freshman at Luther College in Decorah, IA, will serve as a missionary in Grand Teton National Park this summer under the organization American Christian Ministries in the National Parks. Peter is excited and grateful for this opportunity and is asking for prayers & financial support to help him cover his living expenses. Peter would be grateful for any form of support that can be given. You can read more about his summer ministry and support him via these links. https://peterstelterministryblog.wordpress.com/ https://www.gofundme.com/mission-expense-funding 8

Building Fund 9

FORWARD IN FAITH OFFERING Stewardship As we look ahead to moving forward in faith with a new pastor for our congregation, we would ask your support with an over and above donation towards anticipated costs. During the interview process there will be expenses as we show candidates hospitality (paying mileage, providing a meal, and possibly lodging). Once a new pastor is called and has accepted that call, we would expect to pay the moving expenses. At this point we don t know how much we ll need, but your generosity will help us to be ready when the expenses arise. Please make your gift payable to First Lutheran and mark in the memo or on an envelope, Forward in Faith Call Offering. Has it been awhile since you have assisted in a worship service, or maybe you never have but would like to give it a try? Please check your calendar and find a role that fits! Check out our easy sign-up site: Worship Assistant Sign Up, or on the First Lutheran Church website www.flcstp.org Do You Know a Good Pastor? Members of our congregation are invited to suggest the names of pastors to be considered in the call process. Nomination forms are available in the Gathering Space or in the church office. Those names would be passed on to our Synod office to check on their availability and suitability for our needs. Please continue to keep the call process in your prayers for God's guidance. 10

Financial Notes: Through March 31, 2018 Income $131,284 Expenses $130,070 Balance $1,214 Prayer Ventures Prayer Ventures are available in the FLC website at www.flcstp.org. Paper copies are also available on the table in the narthex near the Gathering Space. MAY SERVICE LIST Jan Afdahl Chelsea Alger Jared & Amanda Anderberg Sharon Anderson Tom & Patty Bittner Amy & Terry Blaschko James Brostrom Forrest & Judy Chaffee Helen Getskow Shari Hantelman Stephen & Arlene Hilding Robert & Sara Hughes Harvey & Gloria Kane Barb Larson Taylor Karen Leighton Wesley & Brittany Orde Stefan & Amy Ronnkvist Jason & Kimberly Salisbury Owen & Jan Sammelson Monique Sebring Jessica Stadick Adam & Jill Stensrud Leighton & Donna Swenson Ken & Kristi Westphal Warren & Lynn Wunderlich 11

Renewed by Christ in Word, water, bread and wine, we serve the community and the world 1114 Traverse Road St. Peter MN 56082 Phone: 507-934-3060 Fax: 507-934-3847 E-mail: flcstpoffice@gmail.com Address Service Requested We re on the Web! www.flcstp.org Welcome to First Lutheran Church Public Access Channel 7 TV broadcast 3:00 p.m. Sunday 6:00 p.m. Monday 8:00 a.m. Tuesday 11:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Schedule Sunday Worship Schedule May 6 & 13: 8:15 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Worship May 20 summer schedule begins: 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Weekday Worship Schedule Monday 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer Wednesday Worship: May 2, 9 and 16-7:15 p.m. Starting May 23-5:30 p.m. 12