PDF - First Lutheran Church of Longview
Transcription
PDF - First Lutheran Church of Longview
FIRST FACETS Formed and Loved by Christ to Live! May 2016 Newsletter First Lutheran Church of Longview Something to Think About… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) The 2016 NTNL Mission Assembly met in Arlington on April 22-24. In the primary item of business, Pastor Erik Gronberg, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, was elected Bishop. He will begin his service in that office on July 1. As most of you are aware, I was a part of the process prior to the assembly, traveling with colleagues to various parts of NTNL to meet with conference and congregational leaders. This process was interesting, enlightening, and a growing experience for me. I was able to learn about ministry in different congregational settings, as well as what it means to be the church as a whole. I believe that this will be a positive influence in my work as pastor of this congregation going forward. assembly experience that day as well. Some of the observations and things that I learned I shared in my address to the assembly as a part of the balloting process. As I was preparing and presenting that address, I realized that these were not just things that NTNL needed to deal with as a synod, but these were also things that we need to deal with as a congregation in order to grow and flourish. I believe that this was a work of the Holy Spirit and a process of discernment for me. I invite you to be present on the Day of Pentecost as we celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in the time of the disciples, but also the how the Holy Spirit is working in us and through us in our congregation and our daily life ministries. God is at work in us and through us as we seek to be witnesses to all that God has done for us, in our lives, our community, our church, and to the end of the earth. So, on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, I am looking forward to sharing some of my reflections from this process of “running for Bishop,” how the Holy Spirit was a part of the process, and what it meant for me and means for me going forward. Roger and Nancy Lineberry, who served as our voting members to the assembly, will be sharing reflections on their In Christ, Pastor Jeff 1 From the desk of Elizabeth Johnson Director of Youth and Family Ministries Hello All! Recently I was running the snack bar for our R3 Students and one of our R3 Little’s came into the kitchen with a request. This munchkin was asking not for snacks but the money from the snack shack. She had figured out that the kids were turning in money and receiving candy but instead of requesting the candy she wanted the cash. As I’m sure you know with a young child it is literally impossible to explain why I cannot simply hand over all the cash in the bag to her. She explained to me how this works a few times, “You have money in there” she said pointing to the bag, “Can I have some?” When I would explain that I have to keep the money in the bag she would start the whole conversation from beginning “You have money in there.” Eventually we were able to settle on a bag of skittles purchased by grandma but this hilarious little exchange got me thinking. A young child has no fear in asking a grownup he or she trusts for something good, why wouldn’t we give them good things? We obviously love them and want them to be happy? Sometimes parents and adults have to put boundaries on the good things (sugar all day is not good for teeth or health) but yet we are more than willing to give good things to the little ones in our lives. And little ones come to expect this kind of behavior if they are raised in a loving environment. In Matthew 7:11 Jesus says “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?” Now those who have been in the church for any length of time know that God is not a genie and much like earthly parents our heavenly father knows what is best for us at all times. Even so there is something special that happens when a child asks for something. If it is in our authority and within their well being to have it we want to give it to them. I believe it is the same with our heavenly Father, do we sometimes lack because we won’t ask? And why won’t we ask? Is it fear that if we ask and we don’t receive what we wanted or receive it in the way that we wanted that God has somehow abandoned us? Sometimes God’s answers to our prayers take time, sometimes God answers in a way that we would never have imagined and sometimes God gives us exactly what we wanted when we needed it. Our heavenly Father is never against us and even more than earthly parents His whole heart is for us and sometimes this means we do not get exactly what we want. But this doesn’t mean that we stop asking, maybe it means we change what we are asking for so that our Fathers heart is revealed to us more clearly. And when we see His heart more clearly our understanding of who He is and the great love that He has for us becomes even more evident. I encourage you today, approach your heavenly father with the heart of a child; He has great things in store for you. Blessings, Beth 2 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live… in Relationship with God These Bible studies are open to all women! Dorcas Circle will meet on May 2nd 7:00 pm in the home of Vivian McElligott Friendship Circle meets next on May 10th at 9:00 am at the church. Join us for great food, fellowship, and discussion May21st at 8 am in the Fellowship Hall. www.firstlutheran.us The church website includes sermons, church information, a place to leave prayer requests and make credit card donations. WELCA Spring Conference 2016 Saturday May 21st See Kathleen Bullock for details 3 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live… in Relationship with One Another Awesome for Men! What: Bible, Buddies, & Beverages Who: Men of all ages When: Tuesday, May 3rd, 6:00-8:00 pm Where: Pastor Jeff’s home, 1827 McCord Street Why: Food, Fellowship and conversation about guy things If you are free during the day, join us for a fun afternoon on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Potluck lunch at 11:30 Cards and Dominoes follow! First Lutheran Church Book Club FLC's Book Club meets the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is at 6:30 in the Books-aMillion Café on May 3rd. Awesome Widows will meet on May 13th at 5:00 pm at Posados restaurant, then to Dorothy Berg’s home for games and fellowship. This group is open to members of the congregation and their friends who are widowed. You are invited to join us on May 9th at 6:30 pm in the fellowship hall! Be a Daylighter! Join us for a Pot Luck Luncheon followed by cards and dominoes May 19th at 11:30 am 4 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live… in Relationship with One Another Mother’s Day Flower Sale May 8th Carnations $3 per stem Fundraiser for the R3 Student Ministries Mission Trip May 25th from 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm On Sunday May 22nd in the 10:45 worship service we will be recognizing our graduating High School Seniors: we will be celebrating the END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!! Join us at Pastor Jeff’s home, White Oak High School – Daniel Potichko 1827 McCord. Food and drinks provided. Longview High School – Megan Hall Christian Heritage School – Emma Slivensky The morning service will be followed by a reception so that you may congratulate and greet each student and their family. 5 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live… in Relationship with the Community Scouting News TUESDAY NIGHTS ARE SCOUT NIGHT AT FIRST LUTHERAN! CUB SCOUT PACK 613 On April 23 the 5th grade Webelos were honored with their Arrow of Light ranks (highest rank in Cub Scouts) in an impressive ceremony, and crossed over into Boy Scouts. Pack 613 has been enjoying the spring outside with their recent Family Campout and the annual Spring Fun and Son campout at Camp Pirtle. Kicking off the summertime activities is Cub Scout Day Camp June 13-17. On July 23, the pack will visit the National Scout Museum in Irving, Texas, where they will participate in several workshops and tour the museum. More summer fun is being planned. Cub Scout meetings are on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the church. It’s never too late to join in the fun! Boys who are first graders through 5th graders are welcome to join their friends in Cub Scouts. For more information, contact Luke Kimbrough at [email protected] or DeeAnn Kimbrough ([email protected]). BOY SCOUT TROOP 613 Troop 613 welcomed the Webelos from Pack 613 who crossed over into Boy Scouts. The new Scouts will immediately start preparing to attend summer camp. The weekend of April 29-May 1 is the Council Quad Jamboree (formerly the camporee). Memorial Day weekend will find the Scouts camping at Brazos Bend State Park near Houston. Preparations are already underway for the annual summer camp from June 26 – July 2 at Kinsey Scout Reservation in Louisiana. Weekly Boy Scout meetings are on Tuesdays at 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Monthly campouts are a part of keeping the “outing” in Scouting, along with a number of service projects and other activities! If you are young man in at least the sixth grade or are 11 years old, call Scoutmaster Tim Hill at 903-736-1094 for more information on joining in the fun. VENTURE CREW 613 Calling all young men and women in high school (or at least 14 years old) through age 20 to join Venture Crew 613! This program of the Boy Scouts of America includes lots of adventure and great activities – and, yes, girls are eligible to participate! Meetings are on Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. at First Lutheran. For information and an application on joining the crew, contact Tim Hill (903-297-3595) or Kurt Ritch ([email protected]) or Melanie Martin ([email protected]. 6 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live… in Relationship with the Community Texas Cards for Troops Every Thursday at 9 am at FLC The day for card making has been changed to Thursdays. We make handmade appreciation, holiday and all occasion cards for our active military and veterans, so they will have cards to send back home for occasions like mother’s day and birthdays. If you crochet or knit we have a place for you too! There is a need for helmet liners to be made according to pattern. Please feel free to join us Stew Pot in May May 10th – Jim & Roberta Sutton May 24th – Liz Murphy, Jeanette Nolen, Betty Brown First Lutheran Church of Longview Summer Day Camp JULY 18 – 22 8:30am — 3:30pm For students who have completed K — 5th grade Online Registration for FLC’s annual Day Camp will begin on May 15th at firstlutheran.us Due to having places for only 40 campers this year we are requiring a $25 fee per camper. Volunteers are needed for the kitchen, registration, classroom, arts & crafts, etc. Please sign up in the narthex, by calling the office 903-295-7423 or email [email protected] 7 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live May Volunteer Schedule 1 7 8:15 Lector 10:45 Lector 8:15 Servers 10:45 Servers / Baskets Offering Counters Mary Ann Gamel Roger Lineberry Mary Ann Gamel Renee Slegeir Carolyn Ramirez Mary Stuart Jeff & Melanie Martin Renee Slegeir Dee Stirling Belinda Walenta Dee Stirling Belinda Walenta Carl Landinger Diane Honey Terry Richter Diann Greifenkamp Leslie Jenkins 15 Liz Murphy Stacey Platt Liz Murphy Betty Kirkindoll Lex Janner Jeanette Nolen Bill Anderson Jeff Martin Stacey Platt Lucy & Vivian Loe 22 Carolyn Ramirez Tom Smith Carolyn Ramirez Karen Gentsch Roberta Sutton Mike Gentsch Deb Butts Cathleen Potichko Kathleen Bollock 29 Virgil Brown Bill Virgil Brown Anderson Betty Brown Teresa DeShazer Keith Honey Cathleen Potichko Diane Honey Bill Anderson 8 Formed and Loved by Christ to Live Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 1 8:15 am: Worship / Communion 9:30 am: Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am: Worship / Communion / Children’s Church MOTHER’S DAY 8 8:15 am: Worship / Communion Mother’s Day Flower Sale 9:30 am: Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am: Worship / Communion / Children’s Church 15 8:15 am: Worship / Communion 9:30 am: Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am: Worship / Communion / Children’s Church RECOGNITION OF 22 SENIORS 8:15 am: Worship / Communion 9:30 am: Adult Bible Study 10:00 Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am: Worship / Communion 2 7:00 pm Dorcas Circle @ Vivian McElligott’s home 3 6:00 pm 3 B’s for Men 6:30 pm Book Club 6:00 pm Girl Scouts 6:00 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 4 10:00 am Quilters 6:00 pm R3 Kidz & Confirmation 7:00 pm R3 Students and Choir Rehearsal 5 9:00 am Texas Cards for Troops 12:00 pm National Day of Prayer Gregg County Courthouse 6 7 9 6:30 pm Church Council 10 9:00 am Friendship Circle 11:30 am Stew Pot 6:00 pm Girl Scouts 6:00 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 11 10:00 am Quilters 6:00 pm R3 Kidz & Confirmation 7:00 pm R3 Students and Choir Rehearsal 12 13 5:00 pm Awesome Widows meet at Posados and then Dorothy Berg’s home 14 17 11:30 am Staff Meeting 6:00 pm Girl Scouts 6:00 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 18 10:00 am Quilters 6:00 pm R3 Kidz & Confirmation 7:00 pm R3 Students and Choir Rehearsal 19 20 21 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast 23 10:30 am Meals on Wheels 24 10:30 am Meals on Wheels 11:30 am Stew Pot 6:00 pm Girl Scouts 6:00 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 25 10:00 am Quilters 6:00 pm End of School Party at Pastor Jeff’s home Memorial 30 Day 31 6:00 pm Girl Scouts 6:00 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 29 8:15 am: Worship / Communion 9:30 am: Adult Bible Study 10:00 Choir Rehearsal 10:45 am: Worship / Communion 6:30 pm Ladies Bunco Fellowship 16 Church office closed Friday 9:00 am Texas Cards for Troops Saturday 9:00 am Texas Cards for Troops 11:30 am Daylighters WELCA Spring Gathering 26 27 28 9:00 am Texas Cards for Troops 9 Sundays' Schedule in May First Lutheran Church of Longview Staff Jeffrey Borgwardt ................................................... Pastor May 1 ......................................................................... Worship at 8:15 Bible Study at 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship at 10:45 Children's Church at 10:45 Lou Bass ................................................ Director of Music May 8 .......................................................................... Worship at 8:15 Bible Study at 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship at 10:45 Children's Church at 10:45 Teresa DeShazer ........................................... Bookkeeper Elizabeth Johnson .................................. Director of Youth and Family Ministries Tina Sewell .........................................................Secretary 2016 Congregational Council Roger Lineberry .................................................. President Diann Greifenkamp .................................... Vice President May 15 ........................................................................ Worship at 8:15 Bible Study at 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship at 10:45 Children's Church at 10:45 May 22 ........................................................................ Worship at 8:15 Bible Study at 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship at 10:45 Children's Church at 10:45 May 22 ........................................................................ Worship at 8:15 Bible Study at 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship at 10:45 Children's Church at 10:45 First Lutheran Church 3901 Bill Owens Parkway Longview, TX 75605 Office: 903.295.7423 Web: www.FirstLutheran.us Like us on Facebook! Carolyn Ramirez................................................. Secretary Terry Richter ...................................................... Treasurer Deb Butts............................................Relationship to God Lex Janner......................................Relationship to Others Renee Slegeir ......................... Relationship to Community Jeffrey Borgwardt ....................................................Pastor