December 2015 - First Lutheran Church
Transcription
December 2015 - First Lutheran Church
I t's early November as I write, but you will be receiving this article at the beginning of Advent. I love Advent. It slows me down. Advent re-centers me on the true joys of Christmas yet to come. The great danger of Advent is that we skip it altogether. We rush too quickly to Christmas missing the great themes of Advent: preparation, repentance, hope and waiting. Advent even draws me beyond Christmas to Christ's second coming, that great day when we and all creation will see Him face to face. And so, this gentle invitation comes to you: slow down and listen to the message of Advent. We'd love to have you join us for a light supper followed by worship on December 2, 9 and 16. Our youth will lead the worship and the pastors will share a little bit of what Christmas means to them. This will be my last 'in print' communication with you. It has been such an honor to serve among you. It has truly been a joy to get to know so many of you. My sorrow, of course, is that I couldn't get to know each of you and the story of your lives. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ministry here. I know that God is at work to lead and guide you into the future. The words of Psalm 37 speak truth to us when faced with the tasks of ministry and outreach: “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.” (vs 4-5) Paul reminds us as well that God is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13). I believe great things are in store for our church as we seek His guidance and transforming power. My last time to share a message with you will be at the 11:00 pm service on Christmas Eve. The following day, God-willing, Sandy and I will be caravanning back to Iowa. We certainly seek your prayers for good roads and a safe return home. Again, my thanks to Pastor Cudmore for his friendship, leadership and his heart for ministry. Thanks to each of you for your love and kindest words of support. God bless each of you. To Him be the glory! Pastor Tom Hunt ADVENT SERVICES Christmas events Wednesdays Dec. 2, 9, and 16 Potluck soup & bread at 6:30 pm Worship at 7:15 pm An opportunity for you to remember the reason for the season Volume 114—Issue 12 December 2015 Christmas Eve Candlelight Holy Communion Services Thursday, December 24 5:00, 7:30, and 11:00 pm Volume 114, No. 12 Inside this issue: Worship & Music Church Council Church Council, cont. Youth & Family Christian Education Fellowship Missions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 Care & Concern Calendar Announcements Worship Asst. Sched. Thanks & Prayers Scriptures 8 9 10 10 11 12 Insert: Intergenerational Activities Faith & Fellowship Photos December 2015 Worship & Music You are cordially invited to this year’s Journey to Bethlehem Dear First Lutheran Family of Faith, ~A Christmas Cantata~ Sunday, December 6 at 8:15 am, 11:00 am, and 6:30 pm Saturday, December 12 at 11:00 am for those with special needs (followed by soup and bread luncheon) Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm Offerings collected will be divided between IF Soup Kitchen, Food Bank, and Rescue Mission. Visit our website or Facebook to listen to last year’s Cantata, “Jesus, Our Peace”. What is “Take Three for 10?” I look forward to the day when I can discontinue saying at the end of worship along with the “As you share God’s peace with one another, please remember our “Take Three for 10 Rule.” Since I find there are still a number of our regular folks who don’t have any idea what this is about, I need to keep reminding us until it becomes a holy habit. So if you still don’t know, here it is: I would strongly invite you to take the first three minutes after worship to do what you can to connect with those who are within 10 feet of you—3 for 10! 3 minutes for 10 feet. Three minutes for ten feet. So often we gravitate to our friends right after worship and our guests leave our fellowship without being welcomed, greeted, and acknowledged. My guess is that most of your friends who you really need to talk to will still be around from minute four on, but uncomfortable, unwelcomed guests will leave in the first three minutes. Will you sacrifice your first three minutes after worship for those within 10 feet of your “Peace be with You?” It may even feel right for you to invite that person to join us for the coffee hour for fellowship. If they are new guests to our faith community, you may even offer to accompany them. Let’s try it and see what happens. Consider yourself informed. Consider yourself challenged. Let our “Peace be with you!” make an impact for the kingdom. You never know, you might be thanked right away, or…. someone might come up to you in heaven someday and say, “I’m here because of you.” Wouldn’t that be a sacrifice of three minutes to celebrate? Volume 114, No. 12 Pastor Tom Hunt leaves and Pastor Jason Ginsburg arrives! 2 December is going to be quite the month for us here at First Lutheran. Of course there is the aftermath of Thanksgiving, then the beginning of the Advent Season and our midweek soup and bread gatherings followed by brief worship, the Christmas Cantata, Christmas Caroling, the parties, the celebrations, and the Christmas worship. But we also have come to that point in our life together where we say farewell, thank you and God speed to Pastor Tom and Sandy Hunt. Pastor Tom is preaching at the 11:00 pm Christmas Eve service. Then Sandy and he are on their way back to Iowa by year’s end. What a blessing it has been to have both of them among us over these months since last May. I hope you will join with me in thanking them and praying them on their way as we honor them at the fellowship hour following worship on December 20. I will be forever thankful for Pastor Tom and Sandy putting their Iowa life on hold while they helped us during the call process in which we came to call Pastor Jason and Emily Ginsburg as our full-time Associate Pastor. Then on December 1, Pastor Jason Ginsburg will be arriving to begin his ministry among us. I so look forward to yet another new chapter beginning for us here at First Lutheran. We have much to be thankful for, and I hope the Hunt and Ginsburg families are on your prayer list as they are on mine. Please add these additional dates to your already busy December. Thanks be to God. Pastor Larry On Wednesday, Nov. 18th the King’s Men sang for the Wood’s Funeral Home Christmas Memorial program. You would have been really proud of the men and Pastor Larry who represented First Lutheran so beautifully. The men were given a $500 gratuity that will be placed in the music special funds. December 2015 Church Council Meet our new Council members: Your 2015-16 Church Council: President—Greg Katainen Vick President—Karen Hayes Secretary—Shelley Williams Treasurer—Alecia Martin Members: Bobbi Hasner, Makaylla Hayes, Jane Kaestner, Gary McDannel, Justin Shadley, Eric Swenson, Chris Walsh, Nathan Wentzel, Mariah Williams (Other Council members will be highlighted in future newsletters) Greg Katainen — Council President My name is Greg Katainen, and I am beginning my first full term as your Council President. I have served for the past several months as interim president and in some ways, it has been one of the toughest jobs I’ve ever loved. Being plugged into Council and our Ministry Teams really opens your eyes—in a good way—we have accomplished so much! I was born and raised in the motherland (Minnesota), spending my formative years in a profoundly rural, very Finnish region on a 40-acre spread. I was exiled to Idaho in 1983 by the company I was working for at the time. When offered another relocation opportunity a few years later, I declined. Idaho is my home. I moved here in December of ’83. In May of ’84 I returned to the old country to claim my bride, Kathy. We returned to honeymoon in Idaho Falls and have been honeymooning ever since. Both Kathy and I became members of FELC in April of 1990. Our kids, Alina, Kaisa, and Jori were baptized and confirmed at First. Daughter Alina was married here and on November 1 of this year, her husband Andrew and our grandson, Rudy were baptized. Kaisa’s wedding is scheduled for September of next year. FELC is my home. I graduated with a BBA from ISU as a late bloomer. Following a stint with a potato processor, I’ve been employed for 17 years at Development Workshop as VP of Marketing. I have thoroughly enjoyed my many and varied assignments. Kathy and I own a few acres east of town and rarely ride our horses. I must enjoy puttering around the place—there’s certainly always something to do. Over the years I’ve had many interests including restoring cars. We have a 1967 Nova SS that we’ve owned for almost 35 years and a ’70 Nova SS that is under construction. (Anybody have a ’68 Camaro they want to part with?) I still enjoy camping and hunting with horses. Another current interest involves gardening to raise and harvest my own heirloom seeds to grow in succeeding years—yawn. Over the years, I’ve served in several capacities in the congregation including teaching Sunday School for many years, serving on and chairing the Finance team, ushering, counting offerings, and more. I look forward to an exciting year as I humbly serve you as Council President—may God’s gracious hand guide us all. Volume 114, No. 12 Shelley Williams — Council Secretary Hello, my name is Shelley Williams. I am currently the FELC Council Secretary. I take and report minutes for all of the Council and congregational meetings at FELC. I also am the liaison for the Administration team. I work with our Church Administrator to facilitate communication between the Council, Ministry Teams and the Congregation. I was raised in a different room of God’s house—a Baptist church in a tiny Southern Idaho farming community. I am a classic oldest child (my 2 younger brothers will attest to this!) with tendencies toward perfectionism, bossiness and a love of learning. I love that I ended up marrying a lifelong Lutheran! I must tell you I am so thankful for the Amazing Grace that God continually covers me with as I learn and grow and follow our Jesus! Serving the people of FELC as your Council Secretary has been a great opportunity to get to know people whom I now call friends, but might never have spent much time with before. It’s also been difficult and very humbling to see God at work in this family of believers at FELC. My husband Richard and I came to FELC in 2009 with our 2 children, Andrew, Mariah and our granddaughter Lilla. We have been incredibly blessed by our children and grandchildren, especially with the addition of Andrew’s wife Chantelle and their son Charlie. Richard and I have recently started a new phase of our married life and are now learning how to be “empty nesters”! I help team teach the Jr. High Sunday School class on Sunday mornings mostly because I love God’s Word, and I love people! Helping others to see who they are in Christ through reading and studying His Word is a blessing beyond measure. I have also taken on a new role this year as the Adult Education Coordinator. If you would like to see a particular type of Bible Study at FELC that is not currently offered, feel free to contact me and we can talk about it! 3 December 2015 Church Council, continued Karen Hayes— Council Vice President My name is Karen Hayes. I am your newly elected Vice President. In 2002 I began attending FELC. I was raised Missouri Synod Lutheran but found a home at First Lutheran. I was drawn by the choir, the youth opportunities available for my daughter, and a friendly congregation. Since then I have been active on different ministry teams such as Missions, Finance, and Christian Education. I have served on the Church Council a few times, and also previously served as vice president and president. I currently enjoy singing in the choir, participating in the Christmas Cantatas, and ringing bells with the bell choir. I very much enjoy all that First Lutheran has to offer my family and me for fellowship and spiritual growth. I was born in California but grew up in Northern Virginia. I moved to North Carolina after graduating high school to work the summer in the Outer Banks. I remained there for a number of years until I moved to Idaho Falls in 2002 where I met my husband, David. I have been married for nine happy years and between us we have three children: Victoria, who lives in North Carolina with our five-month-old (first) grandbaby, MaKaylla (16) and Bryson (12). My mom is Nonda Meyer, who also is a member at First Lutheran. As a family we enjoy camping, riding ATVs, hiking and anything that involves being outside, even during the winter. I felt like a life-time student as I worked full time, attended ISU part-time to earn my accounting degree and raised a family. All of my hard work paid off and eventually led me to Super T Transport as their Chief Financial Officer where I hope to enjoy a long and fulfilling career. I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you to the best of my ability as your new Vice President and Council liaison to the Fellowship Ministry team. Volume 114, No. 12 Alecia Martin—Council Treasurer My name is Alecia Martin and I am beginning my first term as your Council Treasurer. I have never served on the Council at FELC; so I am excited for this new opportunity to work alongside other Council members and ministry teams. My past activities at FELC have been primarily involved in music ministry—singing in the Choir, Christmas Cantata, and attempting to play with the Glory Ringers Bell Choir. I have also done some volunteer work for the children’s Christmas Box and Angel Tree programs. I was born and raised here in Idaho Falls. I’m told that I made my debut in the middle of one of the worst snow storms on record. My dad regales the event, which involved leaving his warm bed at 3:00 am, breaking through snow drift after snow drift, and making several attempts to get his car up the hospital driveway and arriving at the front door before I made my entrance. However, none of this fazed him at the time as his baby girl arrived just in time to celebrate his birthday. I was baptized, educated (K-6), and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls, ID. I married Craig Kinghorn in 1989 (later divorced) and together we had two beautiful daughters, Hailey Christeen Kinghorn-Tew and Devann McKenzie Kinghorn-Jardine. Hailey completed her dental hygiene degree from ISU in May of this year, secured employment in a dentist office in Jackson Hole, WY, married Trevor Carlyle Tew in August, and bought their first home together in Victor, ID. Devann was married to Joshua Jardine in 2011 by Pastor Johnson of FELC in Idaho Falls. They have two handsome boys, Easton Joshua (age 3 1/2) and Houston Joseph (age 2) with their third child due in June of 2016. We are so blessed. I met and will soon marry my best friend, Dwayne Coburn, whom the Lord has so blessed me with. Dwayne also has two daughters and two granddaughters with a grandson due in December—even more blessings to be thankful for. I, too, am a “late bloomer” graduating with honors from University of Phoenix in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Together Dwayne and I have owned and operated a total of five small companies ranging from Property Management to Construction to the development and manufacturing of a fully biodegradable dust suppression product. With these companies we have provided services and product to an array of clients including exploratory and well-drilling projects in NM and NV, powerline construction projects in NV and UT, and solar installation projects in Southern NV. Prior to this, I worked for the Idaho National Laboratory as an Administrative Assistant for nearly 20 years which supported my growing family well, but provided minimal professional growth opportunities. Currently, I am working as the Business Developer for Express Employment Professionals. I enjoy this position because I am instrumental in assisting people find work and provide workforce solutions to our clients. It is very rewarding work indeed. We enjoy spending time with our parents, children and grandchildren. Dwayne and I love any activities we can do outdoors, such as running, hiking, backpacking, camping, snow/water skiing, gardening, and riding the Honda Valkyrie. I have served in many capacities at Hope Lutheran Church and School for many years such as School Board Committee, Parish Ed, Fellowship, and teaching Sunday School. Since changing my membership to FELC, I have been slow to engage as our businesses required much travel. Now as business responsibilities have been delegated, I am able to take on more responsibilities and I look forward to working with the Council, ministry teams, and to humbly serve our Lord and His people. 4 December 2015 Youth & Family December 5: Christmas Gift Wrapping Save t hese dates 7th—12th graders will gladly help with the stress of your Christmas season by wrapping your gifts for you on Saturday, December 5 from 9:00 am—1:00 pm. This is a Summer Mission Trip fundraiser. There will be no charge for the wrapping, but a free-will offering will be greatly appreciated. You can drop your gifts off in the Fellowship Hall anytime after 9:00 am and pick them up at or before 1:00 pm that day. You may want to just wait while your gifts are being wrapped. If you have questions, call Mariah at 521-9411. Thanks. December 11: Villa Coffee House—NEW address at 3102 Hitt Road Calling all 9th—12th graders!! Please join members of the Youth & Family Ministry Team for fellowship, fun and faith at the Villa Coffee House, 3102 Hitt Road, on Friday, December 11 from 7:00—8:00 am. It will be a great opportunity to check in with each other. Please remember this is one of the Team Relationship Building expectations for the Summer 2016 Mission Trip. We encourage all youth to attend even if you are not sure yet if you are going on the summer Mission Trip. If you have any questions or if you need a ride to school, please contact Jade Anderson at 589-2378 or Jeff Shadley at 521-4391. December 18: Christmas Caroling & Gingerbread Houses Calling all ages!! Please join members of the Youth and Family Ministry team for an evening of Christmas Caroling, hot chili, and Gingerbread House making on Friday, December 18. We will meet at the church at 5:30 pm and head out in groups to visit and sing to the shut-ins of our church and community. When we return from caroling, we will enjoy chili, fellowship and gingerbread house making. If you know of any shut-ins in our community that we can add to our caroling list, call the church office at 522-9301. Watch for sign-up sheets in the narthex to coordinate carpooling. If you have any questions or if you are willing to help in the kitchen or with gingerbread house making, contact Lisa Mullinix at 360-620-1949 or 534-6627 or Sara Wilmot at 208-681-1933. Come join us in making a joyful noise to the Lord! 8th – 12th graders, please remember this is one of the Relationship Building with Others expectations for the 2016 Summer Mission Trip. If you are unable to participate, please let Jade Anderson (589-2378) or Kami Shadley (520-1153) know prior to this event. January 16 & 17, 2016: Youth Group Lock-in and Youth-Led Worship Service All 7th—12th graders: If you haven’t already, please contact the Shadleys (Jeff at 521-4391 or Kami at 520-1153) if you are available to participate this weekend. We will have some fun relationship building activities Saturday night; and on Sunday morning the youth will lead Worship. It will be a great opportunity to highlight and share faith lessons that were experienced during the 2015 Summer Mission Trip. Please remember this is one of the Team Relationship Building and Faith Building expectations for the Summer 2016 Mission Trip. You do not want to miss the planning and organizing meetings, so watch for email updates. If you are a 7th—12th grader or parent and are NOT receiving email messages from Jade Anderson ([email protected]), please drop him an email. We want all FELC 7th—12th graders aware of the awesome and fun opportunity in store for us in January. You do not need to have attended the 2015 Mission Trip to participate in this fun weekend. Although 8th —12thgraders will be preparing for the 2016 Summer Mission Trip, ALL 7th graders are encouraged and very welcome to attend this fun weekend opportunity! ALL 8th—12th graders (& their parents) 2016 MISSION TRIP EXPECTATIONS If you missed the November 8 Mission Trip Meeting, please make sure Jade Anderson ([email protected]) has your email address. He will be notifying you of the opportunities in the 5 key areas (Service, Faith, Relationship with Others, Relationship with Team & Fundraising) where you are expected to participate. Some opportunities have already taken place. Service: Cantata help at the Homebound Service (December 12), Property Clean-up Day (March 19), Luther Heights Car Wash (May 7) Faith: Attendance at Sunday School, Youth Group (typically monthly unless another event supersedes it), Youth Led Worship Service (January 17) Relationship with Others: Christmas Caroling (December 18), Electronics Training (April 10) Relationship with Team: Coffee House (typically the 2nd Friday of each month), Lock in Night (January 16), LCMC District Gathering @ Sandy UT / service projects with their youth (March 11—12), Summer Campfires Fundraising: (dependent upon council approval) Christmas present gift wrapping (December 5), Spaghetti Dinner (February 12), Easter Breakfast (March 26—27) The Youth & Family Ministry Team recognizes you may have school, work, home or other conflicts with these scheduled events. Please notify Jade Anderson at 589-2378 or Kami Shadley at 520-1153 prior to the event if you CANNOT be present. Volume 114, No. 12 5 December 2015 Christian Education A 1st Century Church in the 21st Century As a Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ, we make the claim that we are a 1st Century Church in the 21st Century. It is part of our DNA. Exactly what does that mean? Well, in some respects in our relationship to the culture, life is very similar to how the church was received in the 1st Century. We are not the majority in our world, our country, our community, maybe even in our family. We are resident aliens. We get bashed pretty good in the media and in the communities in which we live. We are not taken seriously. We operate by a different handbook—a different set of principles. We march to the beat of a drummer we call Savior, Lord, Teacher and Friend. The most that many in the community know is to use our Lord’s name superstitiously or to curse, swear, lie or deceive. So how do we respond? How do we react? How will we be? Thinking about this, I have decided to make the Book of the Acts of the Apostles our point of focus in 2016. It includes 28 chapters written by the author of the Gospel of Luke which share faith stories from those first years after Easter. Maybe as we follow the journeys of these earliest brothers and sisters in Christ, we will pick up some hints as to how we live out our life in Christ in the same kind of culture. So as you come to the beginning of a new year, how about making this your point of focus as well? Doing this together will help make it be a much more doable New Year’s resolution as we encourage each other and hold one another accountable. I invite you along for the journey. Pastor Larry Study the Gospel of John Wednesdays 6:00 pm Lounge at FELC with Chaplain John Piirto All are Welcome! What Do We Believe—Table Talk In 2016 I am going to continue offering a 12:00 noon—1:00 pm time each Sunday for Table Talk. It is your opportunity to join your pastor in the lounge/library for conversation about what we believe as Christians that have the adjective Lutheran in front of Christian—”What Lutheran Christians Believe.” It will be a time when we talk about where the Lutheran church came from (history of Reformation), foundational teaching of the Lutheran church (small Catechism), and an orientation to our congregation’s life, ministry and mission. It is for the curious seeker, the member who wants to review, and those who have already decided to join our fellowship in a more formal way. Come every Sunday or once in a while. Come ask the hard questions or come and just listen to the conversation. Come ask questions about the sermon you just heard or concerns you have about our life together that are not addressed or don’t seem to be clear. Come and join with your pastor for Table Talk each Sunday from 12:00 noon—1:00 pm. Outreach to our Mormon Community In preparation for our Bridges Training February 19 & 20, 2016, we’ve preordered some of the seminar materials—namely the Bridges Workbook and the companion book, “I Love Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints.” These are available in the church office. Please register for the seminar with Heide at the church office, and she’ll provide you a copy of the workbook/book (while quantities last). Preparing for this class in advance will allow you to get more out of the seminar. Volume 114, No. 12 Transition Class rescheduled for 2016 On the weekend of February 19 and 20, 2016, we will have a Bridges Training event at First Lutheran. It is a better fit to have the Transitions Class, “From Religion to Relationship” after the Bridges Training weekend. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also called the LDS or Mormon Church, is one of the fastest growing religions in America. Some people call it a cult; others call it the restored Church. There is no lack of documentation on the differences between Mormonism and historic Christianity, but such material fails to address the human element and the needs and struggles of individual people. The Bridges Training program takes an entirely different approach. Bridges: Helping Mormons Discover God's Grace has helped over 60,000 Christians all over the country and around the world gain a new appreciation for effective, relational evangelism to Mormons. It combines video interviews with extensive workbook material and classroom instruction. Through colorful commentary, current data, and insightful interviews with people who live day by day with members of the LDS community, this program provides an honest and sensitive look at LDS culture, social structure, religious terminology, and values. Bridges equips Biblical Christians to better understand the culture of the Latter-day Saints, to build real connections with them, and to share with gentleness and respect our own heartfelt testimony concerning the Good News of Jesus Christ. This training program can change your life; but more importantly, it may change the lives of your Mormon friends and neighbors. So circle February 19 and 20, 2016, on your calendar for the start of an interesting journey. Transitions Class will follow. 6 December 2015 Fellowship Missions Volunteers needed to work on activities preparing for the Christmas season The “Power” of “Penny Power”. . . . How a Heifer International Goat Changed Her Life Dear Heifer Friends, I want to thank you because my mother is now doing business and has some money to spare. We have received goats (which I love to kiss) and chickens, which are my “titirs” (sweet things). Coordinators are needed to recruit teams Sign-up sheets on the shelf near the office Activities include: Setting up and decorating the Christmas trees Evening Cantata Fellowship time with punch/cold drinks, coffee Cheese, crackers, fruit veggies and cookies. Need to set up, serve, and clean up after the event. The 3 separate evening performances will each need a coordinator so that one person is not working at all three. The dates and times are: Sunday, December 6 at 6:30 pm, Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 pm and at 6:30 pm. My mother is my role model. She has shown me that when a person works hard, wonderful things can happen. The women work together in our village now, and I am proud that my mother is so friendly and helpful with everyone. Of course I am happy that I now get to eat eggs and milk and fruit and yogurt. But the thing I cherish most is that I am now going to school. My mother even has money to send me to supplemental school if I need extra help, which I do often. I now have books and pencils, and sometimes I get new clothes which my mother can now buy from the market. Cantata Brunch on Sunday, December 6 at 9:30 am. A coordinator for each of the following tasks would be extremely helpful. These coordinators should recruit helpers so one person doesn’t have to work on all of these tasks: —Someone to set up and help decorate on Saturday, December 5 (time to be set later) —Someone in charge of receiving food and arriving at the church early enough to check on coffee, put breads and fruit on serving trays/bowls. This person will also help set out food just prior to the brunch. —Waiters (youth included and appreciated) to serve coffee and cold drinks during brunch, check on condiments that are on the table, help older individuals by taking their plates when finished, cleaning the tables so that the next group of diners can sit at a clean table. —Clean up by washing dishes and checking the garbage cans so they’re not overflowing. Stay until the end of cleaning, wash tables after brunch and clean the kitchen and Fellowship Hall. When I grow up I want to be a teacher so that I can educate the people in my village about all the wonderful things I am learning now. Thank you Heifer friends, Pooja Regional Council News Community Food Basket - Idaho Falls is asking for More activities may be determined and will be listed on the sign-up sheets. Thank you from the Fellowship team Kathy Katainen & Michelle Hanson able bodied people to help unload food items from a truck on Wednesday mornings from 7:00 - 11:00 am The Soup Kitchen is in need of cream soups. FISH is asking for items for the homeless! Warm gloves, hats, soft nutritional bars, individual cups of jello or pudding and white tube socks. The youth group spent the afternoon of November 15th visiting and enjoying pie with the residents of Good Sam. After pie was served they participated in chapel that was led by Pastor John, the youth also led a song fest! It was a great afternoon! We have a wonderful fun youth group!!! Thanks to missions for purchasing the pies and the youth and sponsors for making it a fun afternoon!! Church Marquee Sayings Stop, drop, and roll doesn’t work in Hell! A half truth is a whole lie. Give Satan an inch and he will be your ruler. ASAP—Always Say a Prayer A narrow mind is usually accompanied by a wide mouth. If your life stinks, we have a PEW for you. Choose the bread of life or you are toast! Prevent TRUTH decay—brush up on your Bible. You can’t enter Heaven unless Jesus enters you. God answers KNEE-mail. Volume 114, No. 12 7 Cars are not the only thing recalled by their Maker. Faith makes things possible—not Easy. We don’t need more to be thankful for. We need to be more thankful. Whoever stole our AC units, keep them. It’s hot where you’re headed. Prayer: Wireless access to God with no roaming fees. Wrinkled with burdens? Come to church for a FAITH lift. Church shopping? We’re open on Sundays. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. December 2015 Care & Concern It’s not too late! Get your flu vaccine. December 6-12 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. It’s safe and your best protection against the flu. A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Vaccination is especially important for protecting those at high risk for serious flu complications including: Young children Pregnant women Adults 65 years and older Anyone with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease Parish Nurse’s Notes The Zoll AED defibrillator has arrived and will be installed in a central location soon. I am working on having hands-on simulated training in the near future. This unit is user friendly. I hope many of you will participate in the training. I will put out a notice when we firm up a training date. I have placed a survey on the Narthex table. Please pick one up, complete it and return it to me or place it in my mailbox in the office. This survey will help to plan a Parish Nurse program that will serve the needs of our congregation. The survey is a 3-page checklist that should take only a few minutes to complete, but please take enough time to think about what needs are important to you and your families. Please contact me if you have any questions while completing the survey. I have recently completed a 4-day training session at Hospice of Eastern Idaho and will act as a liaison between our congregation and Hospice of Eastern Idaho. While there I learned that Hospice has a large supply of durable medical equipment such as walkers, commodes, crutches, toilet risers, wheel chairs, bedpans, etc. that they will loan out to anyone in need (not just hospice patients!) of these items in our community. These items are clean and ready to use. You can contact Hospice of Eastern Idaho at 208-529-0342 or me if you or anyone you know has a short-term or long-term need for this type of equipment. These loans are not based on financial need. They have a surplus of many items and would like to share. I’d like to invite each of you on a Journey from Idaho Falls to Jerusalem beginning the first day of the New Year. Our virtual journey will depart from Idaho Falls on January 1, 2016, and we should arrive in Jerusalem on March 27, 2016, which is Easter Sunday. Prepare for a fun adventure as we learn a little, move a little, and maybe get a little competitive as we travel 5,964.4 miles!! Watch for more information in the December Crosswalk. Cathy Abreu “First Lutheran Church became a Stephen Ministry Congregation in 2004 and our first class of 28 (!) graduated in Spring of 2005. Several of that first class are still serving their assigned care receivers weekly! Today we have 30 trained Stephen Ministers and Leaders carrying on this beautiful ministry for those members and non-members needing someone to share their difficult times until healing occurs. We also welcome Sheila DaBell as an administrative associate. We are very blessed to have so many continuing dedicated persons and a caring pastor who actively supports them. May God continue to bless all who are receiving His love by caring trained ministers. Please continue to offer your prayers and support to all those serving us through Stephen Ministry!" Stephen Ministry is Celebrating 40 Years of Equipping the Saints for Ministry! 1975-2015 In 1974, founder Ken Haugk realized there were more hurting people in his congregation than he could care for alone. So, drawing on his background as a pastor and clinical psychologist, he trained nine members of his St. Louis congregation to assist with pastoral care. Soon after, two of those first Stephen Ministers approached Dr. Haugk saying, “This ministry is too good to keep to ourselves. Let’s share it with other congregations!” So in November, 1975, Stephen Ministries was born. Prayer Shawl Ministry Prayer shawls are for anyone who needs a hug due to sickness, sadness, troubles, frustrations or any problem of any sort. They are a symbolic way to show someone that he or she is being prayed for. You may help yourself to the blessed supply in the back supply room cabinet or call Judy Statham at 538-0454 to help you pick out or have one delivered for you to your loved one in or outside of your church community. If you are crafty and would like to donate a shawl, we will be happy to accept. You can deliver it to the office, or you can put it in the back supply room cabinet. There are donated yarn and patterns available as well. If you have questions, call Judy. Thank you to all our wonderful crafters that make this ministry possible. Volume 114, No. 12 8 December 2015 Calendar XSunday Monday For the most up-to-date events please refer to our webpage @ www.firstlc.com Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:00 AM Happy Stitchers/ presentation of quilts to preschoolers/Fellowship Hall 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting 10:30 AM FELC @ IF Soup Kitchen 1:00 PM Preschool 3:45 PM Kindermusik 6:00 PM Bell Practice 2 Pastor Jason’s 1st Day 9:00 AM Preschool 1:00 PM Preschool 6:00 PM Bible Study led by Chaplain Piirto/Lounge 6:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Advent Soup & Bread 7:15 PM Advent Worship 3 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Kaffeeklatsch 1:00 PM Preschool 1:00 PM Women in Prayer 3:45 PM Kindermusik 3:45 PM TOPS - Weight Loss Group 4 10:00 AM Kindermusik 1:00 PM Friends in Stitches/Fellowship Hall till 4:00 5 9:00 AM Christmas Gift wrapping/ Fellowship Hall Pick-up by 1:00 9:00 AM Bells Practice 10:00 AM Cantata Dress rehearsal/ Bring snack 6 7:00 AM Bells Practice 7:30 AM Choir warm-up 8:15 AM Cantata Presentation 9:00 AM No Christian Education Hour 9:30 AM Brunch 11:00 AM Cantata Presentation 6:30 PM Cantata Presentation 7 12:00 PM TOPS Weight Loss Group 8 9:00 AM Happy Stitchers 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting 12:00 PM Happy Stitchers Bible Study 1:00 PM Preschool 3:45 PM Kindermusik 6:00 PM Bell Practice 7:00 PM No Ministry Teams Meeting (December only) 9 9:00 AM Preschool 1:00 PM Preschool 6:00 PM Bible Study led by Chaplain Piirto/Lounge 6:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Advent Soup & Bread 7:15 PM Advent Worship 10 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Kaffeeklatsch 1:00 PM Preschool 1:00 PM Women in Prayer 3:45 PM Kindermusik 3:45 PM TOPS - Weight Loss Group 7:00 PM Stephen Ministry Meeting 11 NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE (12 Noon) 7:00 AM FELC Youth Coffee Hour/ Villa Coffee House (new location) 10:00 AM Kindermusik 1:00 PM Out to Lunch Bunch 12 11:00 AM Cantata Presentation to homebound 12:00 PM Lunch for Homebound/ Fellowship Hall 13 9:00 AM Choir 9:00 AM Christian Education Hr 10:15 AM Worship with Holy Communion 4:00 PM Cantata Presentation 6:30 PM Cantata Presentation 14 10:00 AM Development Workshop Christmas Party/ Fellowship Hall till 3:30 12:00 PM TOPS Weight Loss Group 15 9:00 AM Happy Stitchers 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting 10:30 AM FELC @ IF Soup Kitchen 1:00 PM Preschool 1:15 PM Preschool Program Practice/Sanctuary till 2:30 7:00 PM Christian Education Team Meeting 16 9:00 AM Preschool 9:30 AM Preschool Kitchen Fellowship Hall till 11:00am 1:00 PM Preschool 1:15 PM Preschool Program Practice/Sanctuary till 2:30 6:00 PM Bible Study led by Chaplain Piirto/Lounge 6:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Advent Soup & Bread 7:15 PM Advent Worship 17 9:00 AM Preschool 9:00 AM Preschool Christmas parties/ Fellowship Hall till 3:00 10:00 AM Kaffeeklatsch 12:30 PM Preschool Christmas Program/ Sanctuary till 1:30 1:00 PM Preschool 1:00 PM Women in Prayer 3:45 PM TOPS - Weight Loss Group 18 10:00 AM Kindermusik 1:00 PM Friends in Stitches/Fellowship Hall 19 9:00 AM Baptismal quilt tying/ Fellowship Hall till noon 20 9:00 AM No Choir 9:00 AM No Christian Education Hour 10:15 AM Worship with Holy Communion 11:30 AM Farewell for Pastor Tom/During Fellowship 21 Office open till noon 8:00 AM Newsletter Folding 12:00 PM TOPS Weight Loss Group 22 No Preschool/Christmas Break Office open till noon 9:00 AM Happy Stitchers 10:00 AM Staff Meeting 7:00 PM Council Meeting/ Lounge 23 No Preschool/Christmas Break Office open till noon 6:00 PM Bible Study led by Chaplain Piirto/Lounge 7:00 PM No Confirmation 24 No Preschool/ Christmas Break Office open till noon 5:00 PM Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion 7:30 PM Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 PM Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion 25 Christmas Day/Office Closed 27 9:00 AM No Choir 9:00 AM No Christian Education Hour 10:15 AM Worship with Holy Communion 28 Office open till noon 12:00 PM TOPS Weight Loss Group 29 No Preschool/Christmas Break Office open till noon 9:00 AM Happy Stitchers 10:00 AM No Staff Meeting 30 31 No Preschool No Preschool Office open till noon Office open till noon 6:00 PM Bible Study led by Chaplain Piirto/Lounge 7:00 PM No Confirmation Volume 114, No. 12 9 5:30 PM Christmas caroling to shut-ins/ Gingerbread house making 26 For the most up-to-date events please refer to our webpage @ www.firstlc.com December 2015 Announcements Preschool needs Dress-up Clothes The preschool is looking for gently used dress-up play clothes. If you have any you'd be willing to part with, please contact one of the preschool teachers: Anne McDannel, Wendy Cudmore, Barbara Carlson or Patti Chapin. Thank you! Hello from new Pastor, Jason Ginsburg First communion classes are being offered for 3rd graders and up on February 7, 14, and 21 after worship (approx. noon—1:30 pm); also Saturday February 27 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. First Communion Sunday is February 28. Please call the office at 522-9301 to RSVP. Hello First Evangelical Lutheran Church! On behalf of my wife, Emily, and I, we would like to say thank you for extending a call for me to serve our Lord and you as your Associate Pastor. I have been very antsy to get started and will start the beginning of December. Pastor Larry and I continue to stay in touch (in the meantime), and I greatly look forward to working with and alongside him. Emily and I would like to say thank you also for our visit in September and the hospitality and kindness you showed us. I’m excited about us as a church community working together and helping each other learn what it means to do real life with Jesus and help others to do the same. Please know that I am very excited to be your pastor and look forward to seeing you soon. Peace, Pastor Jason Ginsburg IS YOUR LID TOO SMALL? At the October potluck, did your casserole come home with a lid that was too small? Mine came home with a lid that was too large. If you are interested in swapping, give me a call at 524-0728. Nonda Meyer Bikes for Christmas: Bill’s Bike Shop has fixed up old, discarded bikes for many years. Then they give them away through the Christmas program with St. Vincent dePaul. Last year they did not have enough. If you have an old bike and want to donate it, just take it to Bill’s at Snake River Landing. The next Red Cross blood drawing at First Lutheran will be February 5. Worship Assistant Schedule DATE Dec. 13 10:15 am Dec. 20 10:15 am ACOLYTES & COMMUNION CRUCIFERS LITURGISTS GREETERS ASSISTANTS +=Cross Bearers Caleb Hanson+ None None Betty Neal Chloe Hasner, Damien Hasner Damian Kruckeberg+ Steve Galbraith Cheryl Swenson Joy Brown Katelyn Shadley, Justin Shadley USHERS & COORDINATORS # = Coordinator Greg Katainen# Jim & Peggy Jessmore Dave Sheldon# Jerry & Anita Litteer COUNTERS ALTAR GUILD Greg & Kathy Katainen Cathi Bean, Anita Litteer Jerry & Anita Litteer Cathi Bean, Anita Litteer Dec. 24 5:00 pm 3 needed None None Michelle & Marie Jim Sahr# Cleverly Shawn Cleverly Jim Dixon Dave Frederick Cathi Bean, Anita Litteer Dec. 24 7:30 pm 3 needed None None Diane Hackman Jim Dixon# Herm Hackman Jim Dixon Dave Frederick Cathi Bean, Anita Litteer Dec. 24 3 needed 11:00 pm None None Geri Magnuson Jim Dixon# Dave Frederick Jim Dixon Dave Frederick Cathi Bean, Anita Litteer Dec. 27 10:15 am None None Dick & Anne Mitchell Greg Dornfeld# Cal Miller, Paul Worth Richard & Shelley Williams Cathi Bean, Anita Litteer William Lerum+ Paul Lerum, Abigail Lerum Volume 114, No. 12 10 December 2015 Thanks and Prayers Thanks you so much, Eric Swenson, for leading the Picnic Shelter project and for your special addition of a cross at the top. Getting a building permit in Idaho Falls is not an easy task. Thanks for sticking with it. We all look forward to using it in the spring. Thank you all for the prayers, concern, and hospital visits this past week. As many of you know, I had an “episode” at church last Sunday that necessitated an ambulance ride to EIRMC. The symptoms were not consistent with a stroke this time, so it was decided that I must have had a TIA or mini-stroke. During a 2-day battery of tests it was discovered that I had a PFO, or a hole in my heart which has now been repaired. After five days I am home resting for a couple of weeks. Again, thank you and a special thank you to Kami and Jeff for taking Atticus home with you Sunday afternoon and all your offers of help that week. I am truly blessed to have all of you as my church “family”! Cathy Abreu The quilts that frame our church quilt (the Beatitudes and Psalms) were a creation of Kaye Peoples. We thank you, Kaye for sharing your God-given gift with FELC. We remember members of First Lutheran who have died during the past year: Sylvia Holley Bellairs Ryan Clements Brian Daniels Carol James Hal Johanson Bob Kaestner Cassie Kologi Mark Lincoln Nina Paulson Shirley Townsend A HUGE thank you to all the helpers for the 10,000 Village Event! We had unpackers, packers, shoppers, food suppliers, and worker bees. Thrivent Lutheran provided funds for advertising and free T-shirts and name tags. Two people asked about Operation Christmas Child and wanted to know if they could take boxes. Many inquired about the Cantata and every shopper was given a handout regarding times and dates. $2437 will be given to Hospice of Eastern Idaho as a result of all your efforts. A success in so many ways. Volume 114, No. 12 REACHING OUT WITH OUR PRAYERS AND CONCERN FOR… Those who mourn the loss of loved ones: Family & friends of Steve Gilbert, Sharon Gilbert’s brother-in-law Family & friends of Teresa Miller, Cal Miller’s niece Family & friends of Alan Fjeld Family & friends of Richard Gilbert, Sharon Gilbert’s brother-in-law Those who are ill: Jerry & Wes DaBell, Brad DaBell’s uncle and cousin Cathleen Smith, Brad & Sheila DaBell’s daughter Dean Mortenson, Richard & Geri Magnuson’s brother-in-law Don Johnson, Jean Robinson’s brother-in-law Cynthia Stuart, Michelle Cleverly’s mother Claudia Wallingford, Michelle Cleverly’s aunt Stacie Miller, George & Elaine Harris’s daughter Joan Moore, Cathy Abreu’s aunt Shirley Roberts, Shawn Cleverly’s mother Jean Bruno, Jo Glissendorf & Sue Cox’s friend Chaplain David Hunsicker, Chaplain John Piirto’s friend Gary Bean, Cathi Bean’s father-in-law Amy Schmutz, Carole Mason’s friend Barbara Steele Jan Gonzalez Karen Hayes Joyce Laney Ann Hurley Norma Eames Jerry Townsend Pat Matthews Dennis Kunerth Reba Lockman Debbie Holden Diane Sheldon Donna Amundson Makaylla Hayes Friends and family serving in the military: Marc Schoonmaker, Kali Rice, Jack Hogan, Michael Smith, Craig Bukowski, Jody Townsend, Mike Monroe, Rob Slanger, Eric Gratzke, Alton Helm, Thomas Butler, Jeff Knudson, Kyle Skeen, Garrett Marchington, TJ Litteer, Skylar Hudman, Mike Stultz Pastoral Acts (all officiated by Pastor Larry Cudmore) Confirmation 9/25/2015 Natalie Jessmore, Jacob Johnson, Tayler Murray, Jenna Tenerowicz Baptisms 9/27/2015 Laurie Alexis Skaar 11/1/2015 Andrew Justin Meng 11/1/2015 Andrew “Rudy” Rudolph Meng 11/8/2015 Connor James Douglas Clifton 11/15/2015 Briana Marie Lindberg Where is He who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the east and have come to worship Him. —Matthew 2:2 11 December 2015 Crosswalk is a publication of Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #216 Idaho Falls ID First Evangelical Lutheran Church 455 West Sunnyside Road Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 Tel: (208) 522-9301 Fax: (208) 522-1898 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.firstlc.com Address service requested Sunday Worship Schedule 8:45 am: Choir Rehearsal 9:00 am: Christian Education Hour 10:15 am: Worship Service 11:30 am: Fellowship and Coffee Staffed Nursery Care is available Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm Pastor The Reverend Larry Cudmore Associate Pastor The Reverend Tom Hunt Associate Pastor The Reverend Jason Ginsburg Pastor Emeritus The Reverend John Piirto Director of Music Ministries Penny Dixon Church Administrator Heide Weatherby Directors of Christian Preschool Wendy Cudmore and Patti Chapin Custodian Salvador Bolainez (Sal) Financial Secretary Barbara Carlson Crosswalk Editors DiAnn Brown and Karen Guilford Put news items for the Crosswalk in the “Newsletter” box at the church office OR e-mail items to: [email protected] and [email protected] December First Reading SUNDAY SCRIPTURE LESSONS Psalm Second Reading Gospel Festival December 6 Malachi 3:1-7b Psalm 66:1-12 Philip 1:2-11 Luke 3:1-20 2nd Sunday Advent December 13 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Psalm 85 Philip 4:4-7 Luke 7:18-35 3rd Sunday Advent December 20 Micah 5:2-5a Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrew 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-56 4th Sunday Advent December 24 Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 110:1-4 1 John 4:7-16 Matt 1:18-25 Nativity of our Lord December 27 Exodus 13:1-15 Psalm 111 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:22-40 Volume 114, No. 12 12 1st Sunday Christmas December 2015