First News - First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lexington
Transcription
First News - First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lexington
BU SINESS NAME First News F i r st N e w s September 2016 Volume 22 Issue 9 MISSION STATEMENT: To connect ourselves and others to Christ through acts of faith and love. VISION STATEMENT: First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lexington shall be a Christ-centered community participating in Spirit-led worship, challenging learning and loving outreach; willing to be transformed by the Gospel and eagerly using our gifts to transform the world around us. Walking Devotions The Rev. Matthew L. Miller I am excited to tell you of a marvelous new opportunity for wellness! Please take a moment to read the following article from the Health and Wellness Team. God’s peace, Pastor Matt First Lutheran is a wonderful place to enrich your mind and nourish your soul! Now, we want it to be a place for you to strengthen your body as well! The Health and Wellness Team is excited to launch a new program called “Walking Devotions”. “Walking Devotions” will meet every Tuesday at 6 pm beginning on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Walkers will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm. We’ll have a brief devotional (we are starting with the Gospel of Luke) and then we’ll set off on our walk. If the weather is nice we can walk outdoors. If the weather isn’t conducive to outside walking, we’ve got lots of ground we can cover within our facility. While we walk we can be thinking about our devotional and sharing our ideas on the devotion with fellow walkers. At 7 pm everyone will reconvene in the Fellowship Hall to revisit the evening’s devotional and share their thoughts and ideas. “Walking Devotions” is open to everyone! This program isn’t just for First Lutheran members, anyone can participate. And, all ages can walk so bring the whole family! Everyone walks at their own pace and walks as far as they feel comfortable. The Health and Wellness Committee has measured specific walking routes within the church and outside of the church so that mileage can be tracked by walkers if they so desire. The simple act of walking provides so many health benefits. It can strengthen your bones and muscles, help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system and reduce stress. It also gives you time to think and time to mediate and time to share with you brothers and sisters in Christ. Come and be a part of this special journey! Have a peace filled day, Laura Conrad Turlington INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Calendar/Ministry Schedule Prayer Requests 2 FLC Seniors/Thrivent News 11 Announcements/Publicity 3 Hymn of the Month/Notes 12 Joys and Cares Council News 4 Thoughts from the Heart 13 Walking Devotions Notice of Congregational Meetings/Rehearsal Schedules 5 Outreach News Lutheran Men in Mission/Beer and Bible 6 Youth News/Lost and Found Learning Team News 7-9 Inreach News Blood Drive/Directory Updates 10 Disaster Response 14-17 18 19-21 21 22-23 24-29 29 FIRST NEWS PAGE 2 Prayer Requests Mary Harken (Carol Leonard’s mother) Angie Shaw (friend of April Thompson) Julia Harkey Gracie Shepherd Jane Harris (Friend of Kelly Newsome and Jim Lovelace) Susan Sidden (friend of Dan and Lynn Smith) Doris Haywood (Friend of Sabrina Conrad) Johnny Siler (father of Karen Riggs’ friend) Doris Helms Louise Sink James Hewett (Friend of Bill and Christy Nebrich) Lynette Skeen (friend of Susan Shell) Albert Hill (friend of April and Danny Thompson) Forest Adderhold (friend of Bleasha Carroll) John Hilton (Father of April Thompson’s friend) Donald Akers (father of Bing’s co-worker) Jeff Hutcherson (Husband of Karen Rigg’s coworker, Jill) Barbara Allred (friend of FLC) James Anderson (Sabrina Conrad’s uncle) Anna (friend of Ross Kearns and Susan Cisco) Ariel ( 2 yr. old friend of April Thompson) Howard Askwith (Father-in-law of Sarah Pless Askwith) Caleb Hutcherson (Son of Karen Rigg’s coworker, Jill) Dewey Jordan (friend of Greg and Laura Turlington) Justin (friend of April Thompson) Mary Kestler Leandra Staley (FLC Seminarian at Gettysburg) Marilee Strasser (friend of Bill and Patsie Baker) Dan Swaim (Carole Gasque’s son-in-law) Pegge Swicegood (Pauletta Conrad’s sister-in-law) Sue Tanley (Grandmother of Jordan and Gavin Tanley) Terry Triplett (Debbie Triplett’s husband) Betty Trivette (Friend of Beth and Katie Lemly) Marvin Trivette (Friend of Beth and Katie Lemly) Susan Avery and Family (Friends of Christy Nebrich) John Kleine (Nancy Carlson’s brother-inlaw) Charles Baker (Bill Baker’s father) Jack Kunz (Nancy Carlson’s father) Alice and Mike Barnette (Sabrina Conrad’s parents) Michael Landerberger Kitzman’s nephew) Willie Bowers Clint LeGette Pamela Boyd (Friend of Sabrina Conrad) Beth and Katie Lemly Anthony Westmoreland (friend of Susan Shell) Herbie Branson (former FLC member) Logan (April Thompson’s young friend) Mary Louise Wilkerson (Friend of FLC) Bobby Buie (friend of Christi Nebrich) Clifford Lopp (Pauletta Conrad’s nephew) Jan Willette Anne Burkhart (friend of Pam Mabry) Hazel Lovelace (Jim Lovelace’s mother) Adam Cheely (Michelle Eppinga’s son) Mandy Marshall (Debbie Triplett’s daughter) Martha Lemly Williamson (sister-in law of Katie and Beth Lemly) Noruida Cisco (Susan Cisco’s mother) Martha Clodelter (Ken Clodfelter’s cousin) June Conrad (friend of Pam Mabry) (Dalane Mark Mathis (friend of Peggy Everhart) Nancie McMillan (Friend of Sabrina Conrad) Shelby Von Canon Nell & Terry Ward (Lori Conrad’s parents) Pearl Way (Sylvia Sink’s mother) Devone Wohl (Dalane Kitzman’s sister) Nathan Wohl (Dalane Kitzman’s nephew) The families of those who have passed to life eternal: Judy Cottrell Jennifer Meehan (friend of Melanie Bumgardner) Don and Jackie Craft (Rebecca Moretz’ parents) Mary Miller (Susan Cisco’s sister-in-law) George Randall Dunn Rev. Eric Murray (Messiah Lutheran Church) Robert Tabor Judy Dowell (Tracy Miller’s aunt) Nick Nelson (Nephew of Corrie and Crystal Laehn) Expectant Parents: Marina Dunaway (friend of Karen Riggs) Richard Payne (Friend of FLC) Barrett and Danielle Leonard Long Delores Farrel (Dalane Kitzman’s sister) Linda Pless Dyllan and Anna Deyton Rankin Debbie Gallimore (Friend of Sabrina Conrad) Willie Ruth Pless Laura MacCloud Susie Cumbo (friend of Jim Lovelace) Kristie Davis (friend of Bleasha Carroll) Bill Gasque (Carole Gasque’s son) Myra Powell (Friend of John and Sabrina Conrad) Carole Gasque Blake Ragsdale (former FLC member) Rick Gransee Dwight Rhodes (Deborah Wertman’s brother) Becky Greening (Friend of Kelly Newsome and Jim Lovelace) Jessica Robbins (cousin of Lynn Smith) Doris Gordon (Jacob Gordon’s grandmother) Gladys Rodriguez (friend of Jim Lovelace) Sarah Hamby (Debbie Triplett’s aunt) Betty Saunders (friend of Martha Davis) Craig and Lisa Royal (friends of FLC) William Remissong PAGE 3 FIRST NEWS FLC Announcements Beer and Bible Beer and Bible will meet on Tuesday, 9/13/2016, at 7:00 PM, at Bull City Ciderhouse. Lutheran Men in Mission Agape Circle The Agape Circle will meet on Monday, The Lutheran Men will meet on Monday, 9/26/2016 at 6:30 PM. 9/12/2016, at 6:30 PM. Endowment Team Meeting Mary Circle The Mary Circle will meet on Tuesday, The Endowment Team will not meet. 9/6/2016, at 10:30 AM. Movie Night Movie Night will be held on Friday, Outreach Team The Outreach Team usually meets on the 9/23/2016 at 7:00 PM. second Thursday of each month. Our next Harris Team meeting; will be 9/8/2016 at 6:30 PM. The Harris Team will not meet. Prayer Shawls The Prayer Shawl group usually meets on the Monday Bible Study second and fourth Thursdays of each The Monday Bible Study will meet each month. We will meet again on Thursday, Monday at 2:00 PM in the Family Life Center on the lower level first classroom. 9/8/2016 and 9/22/2016 at 7:00 PM. Pericope Inreach Team The Inreach Team will meet on Monday, Come join us each Tuesday at 8:00 AM for our Weekly Pericope at Southern Lunch. October 10, 2016, at 6:30 PM Property Team The Property Team will meet on Monday, 9/12/2016 at 7:00 PM in the first floor conference room of the main church building. Newsletter Deadline If you have something to be included in the next Edition of First News, please have your articles or announcements to Kelly or Celie by the 20th of each month. You may e-mail y o u r i n f o r m a t i o n t o [email protected]. Thanks! FLC Publicity/The Dispatch Thanks to Pam Mabry for serving as our Dispatch contact for all news pertaining to FLC. Just a reminder: project chairs and team leaders who would like for her to do this for you, please e-mail her with the details as soon as possible. Items need to be in to the paper on Wednesday morning of the week before the week the event is to be published. (In other words, we need it about two weeks before it is to run in the paper.) PAGE 4 FIRST NEWS Council News First Lutheran Church is switching to Time Warner Cable Business Class to save approximately $700 a year. The September Council meeting has been moved to September 18th beginning at 8:00. First Lutheran Church Council Meeting August 14, 2016 Pastor’s Report: First Lutheran Church will have a joint confirmation class with Becks Lutheran and Holly Grove Lutheran this year. There will be four students in the class. Present: Joe Carroll, Danny Leonard, Joanna Deyton, Tawn Bizzell, Bill Farris, Pastor Matt Miller, Teena Walker, Greg Turlington, Scott Wertman Team Reports Inreach: The Inreach Team has helped with eight funeral meals so far this year. They also helped with food for Vacation Bible School. The meeting began with devotions by Greg Turlington. Danny Leonard made a motion to approve the minutes of the July Council meeting, seconded by Scott Wertman. The minutes were approved unanimously. Outreach: The team made cookies on August 13th and will bake again on August 27th. Cookies will be delivered on September 11th to First Responders. First Responders will also be invited to the service on the 11th. Property: On Saturday August 13th the Property Old Business/New Business Wellness Ministry: The Wellness walking team held a workday. Among the projects that were done: hand railing was put up, stepping program will begin in September. stones made by the children were placed in the Building Use: The Lexington Youth Theater columbarium garden, robe racks were put up in the handbell room, and work was done on the has been approved to use the Fellowship Hall. lighting. An Irish Dance troupe has also been approved to Support: Budget requests by the ministry teams use the Youth Room, starting in September. are due to the Support Team by August 28th for Nominating Team: On Tuesday August 16 the the 2017 church spending plan. Nominating Team will meet to discuss nominaMutual Ministry: The Mutual Ministry Team is tions for Church Council. asking for a full-time person to fill the Director of Congregational Meetings: On October 2nd and Youth and Family position. October 16th there will be Congregational meetings to discuss and vote on the 2017 Financial Report: Bill Farris shared the finanspending plan and the election of church council cial report for June and July. members. The meeting ended with a prayer by Pastor Rebecca Moretz was recognized for the wonder- Matt. ful work she did on Vacation Bible School to make it a huge success for both young and old. Respectfully submitted, Tawn Bizzell, Church Council Secretary Kim and Berry Odum were recognized for the long hours and work they have performed for our Youth Group. Fir st Ne ws P age 5 NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS October 2, 2016 There will be a called Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 2, immediately following worship for: Presentation of the proposed 2017 Spending Plan List of nominees for Church Council Names of the 2017 Nominating Team October 16, 2016 On October 16, 2016, the Annual Congregational Meeting will be held for the purpose of: Voting on the 2017 Spending Plan Election of Council Members Approval of 2017 Nominating Team Rehearsal Schedules Handbell Choir September 7 Wednesdays, 6:30 PM Calling all “ding-a-lings”! Come have fun making music with us as we resume weekly Wednesday evening rehearsals on September 7 in the upstairs rehearsal room behind the sanctuary If you would like to join us, please contact Jacob Gordon at [email protected], or call the church and leave a message on my voicemail for more information. Chancel Choir September 7 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 PM! If you would like to join the choir or have any questions, feel free to email Jacob at [email protected] or call the church and leave a message on my voicemail. Also, if you would like to sit in on a rehearsal or two, that would be completely fine! FIRST NEWS PAGE 6 Lutheran Men in Mission Lutheran Men In Mission Don’t forget: Lutheran Men (all FLC men and President: friends of the congregation!) meet every month Vice-President: on the fourth Monday at 6:30 PM. All are Secretary: welcome! Treasurer: Allen Mabry Dalane Kitzman Denny Whalen David Apple SCHEDULE FOR 2016 (111 YEARS!) Date Meal (6:30 pm) & Program September 26 John Leonard October 24 Berry Odum November 28 John Conrad and Bob Sink – Oysters and Elections December (TBA) Everyone – Christmas Banquet Beer and Bible Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Bull City Ciderhouse 7:00 PM Please note: the group will meet the second Tuesday in September due to the Labor Day holiday weekend. If you are between 20 and 50 (or so) years of age, please join us in our new opportunity for ministry with this particular age group in mind. The group usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Come join us! Child care is provided in the church nursery. Questions? — Call Pastor Matt Fir st Ne ws P age 7 Learning Team News Sunday School Class Outlines Classes begin on September 11 at 9:30. Please remember that you do not have to be a “member” to attend Sunday school. We would love to have you, so please come and join us! Sunday, September 11 Breakfast 8:00 AM for those “God’s Work. Our Hands” folks who will be delivering the cookies. 8:30 for the rest of the congregation 9:30 Sunday School begins! “Denny and Earl’s Class” – Denny and Earl will combine their classes and will co-teach this class. They will meet in the second room on the left on the second floor above the Family Life Center. Curriculum consists of scripturebased studies (continuing with Augsburg series). “Young Adult Class” - Anyone is welcome to join this class; there are no age requirements! It will be held in the second classroom on your left as you enter the Family Life Center. Rebecca Moretz is your fearless leader. The Middle/Senior High School class will be led by Rick Grubb and will be held in the Youth Room. Melissa’s class (pre-school) is located in the Nursery next to the Narthex. We would love to get this class started again! Please encourage your little ones to come participate in this awesome learning experience! FIRST NEWS PAGE 8 Learning Team News Amy’s class (Kindergarten through 5th grade) is in the newest addition; first classroom on the right. Mondays - A weekly Bible study is held on Mondays at 2:00 PM. in the Family Life Center conference room. There are great exchanges of ideas and experiences. We normally meet all year round, but have been known to take a week off here or there. If you stop in for a visit, you won't feel lost. We usually look at where we have been and where we are going in the section of scripture we are "studying". Tuesdays - Every Tuesday morning, the pericope Bible study group meets at 8:00 AM at Southern Lunch for breakfast, and to study the appointed readings for each Sunday’s worship service. Come join us for good food, fun, study and fellowship!! Vacation Bible School July 31 – August 4 Our theme was “Egypt”. Becks Lutheran Church joined us this year. Thanks to Rebecca Moretz for her planning and implementation, and to all the volunteers involved to make this program so successful! Fir st Ne ws Learning Team News P age 9 VBS Photos PAGE 10 FIRST NEWS Give the Gift of Life Becks Lutheran Church Tuesday, September 6, 2016 2:00 – 6:30 PM Please contact Becky Hoppensteadt at 336-859-4810 to schedule your appointment. Directory Updates Leandra Staley Lutheran Theological Seminary 61 Seminary Ridge — Box 203 Gettysburg, PA 17325 College Addresses Ciara Carlson UNCW Station 24542 601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28407-4543 Cody Carlson 508 Mill Creek Ct. Apt. B Wilmington, NC 28403 Wyatt Whitley 1300 Varsity Lane, Apt. 1034 Charlotte, NC 28262 Copies of the Church Directory are now available in the Narthex. They were also sent electronically through e-mails. You will find information about our staff, pictures, birthday lists, and address information. Please review your listing to make sure it is complete and accurate. Let us know of any corrections needed. Thanks! Fir st Ne ws P age 1 1 FLC Seniors/Thrivent News Wednesday, September 21 11:30 Seniors will meet at FLC and go out to eat lunch somewhere locally. FIRST NEWS PAGE 12 Hymn of the Month Brannon Gilliam provided beautiful vocal and guitar ministry during worship on August 21. His prelude was entitled, “Rank Strangers,” and we thought you might want to read the lyrics below. Gary Combs comments, the older you get, the more you realize that author Thomas Wolfe got it right when he said, ‘you can’t go home again.’ That’s what the old song ‘Rank Strangers’ written by Albert E. Brumley of Powell, Missouri, in 1942, was about. The lyrics describe a man’s visit to his childhood home where he could no longer find anyone that he recognized. Everywhere he looked around his old home place, the people he met seemed to be ‘rank’ (‘complete’) strangers to him, ‘no mother or dad, not a friend’ did he see. “Rank Strangers” Author: Albert E. Brumley I wandered again to my home in the mountain Where in youths early dawn I was happy and free I looked for my friends but I never could find them I found they were all rank strangers to me Everybody I met seemed to be a rank stranger No mother no dad not a friend I could see They knew not my name and I knew not their faces I found they were all rank strangers to me They've moved all away said the voice of a stranger To a beautiful home by the bright crystal sea Some beautiful day I'll meet them in heaven Where no one will be a stranger to me Notes of Appreciation Dear Church Family, Jan Willette is home and we want to thank everyone at First Lutheran for all the wonderful cards, letters, calls, visits, and prayers over the past six months - exceptional love! A special thanks to the six individuals who visited Jan almost daily for the past six months…you know who you are. I’m blown away by your loving care and kindness something I will always treasure. Please keep us in your prayers. Earl Willette Dear First Lutheran Friends, I just wanted to send a note to tell you good folks at First Lutheran thank you for the lovely birthday cards you sent to my dad, Jerry Kearns (Skye Ledbetter Crook’s grandfather), at Pruitt Healthcare. I know his birthday was in April, but I just discovered them the other day! He keeps them in a cabinet by his bed, and the CNA told me he re-reads them very day! This gesture of Christian outreach brought joy to an otherwise lonely soul and I hope the blessing will be returned to you all tenfold! Thanks again, Holli Smith Fir st Ne ws P age 1 3 Thoughts from the Heart This is a page for our readers to share their thoughts. It can be anything you would like to write about through poetry, prose, or just simple “ponderings.” Please share with us! Danny Leonard served as our worship leader while Pastor Matt was away on vacation, August 7. During his moving sermon, Danny read the “Legend of the Fork”. We thought you might want to read it again: “Legend of the Fork” A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. She asked her pastor to come to her home to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral, what scriptures she wanted read and which outfit she wanted to be buried wearing. Then she said, "One more thing... I want to be buried with a fork in my hand." The pastor was surprised and she must have noticed the puzzled look on his face. She explained to him, "In all my years attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably say to everyone, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite time of the dinner, because I knew something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie --- something wonderful. So, I want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then, I want you to tell them, 'Keep your fork because the best is yet to come.'" The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he told the woman goodbye. He realized she had a better grasp of Heaven than he did because she knew something better was coming. At the funeral, when people asked him why she was holding a fork, the pastor told them of the conversation he had with the woman before she died. He said he could not stop thinking about the fork and knew they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. "Keep the fork. The best is yet to come." FIRST NEWS PAGE 14 Outreach Teena Walker OUTREACH NEWS Next Team Meeting: September 8, 6:30 PM We would like to extend an invitation to join our group to anyone who is interested; we are always looking for new ideas for outreach projects. Please contact Teena Walker at 787-3211; or e-mail her at [email protected] if you are interested in being part of this exciting group, or have any questions or ideas! September 18 Positive Wellness Alliance On the third Sunday of each month, members are invited to contribute their change (we also accept bills and checks!) as the children take up our “Noisy Offering” during worship service. Different agencies and programs receive these contributions throughout our church year. Clothes Closet Work Nights September 1 and September 15 6:30 PM Really important need: we need volunteers to help sort and stock shelves monthly on the first and third Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00. Davidson County Senior Services is looking for volunteers to deliver meals in the several areas. If you can spare just one to two hours a month to help eliminate senior hunger, promote healthy aging, and reduce the feeling of isolation that many seniors experience, please contact the agency. Current area needs: Cotton Grove, Hasty, Noahtown, Pilgrim, Pilot, Silver Valley, Southmont, Tyro, West Lexington and Wallburg. Interested volunteers may contact Jacob Gordon, Volunteer Services Coordinator, by phone at 336-5964059 or by email at [email protected]. Fir st Ne ws P age 1 5 Outreach Teena Walker September 17 9:00 AM - Noon The Closet will be open the third Saturday of each month. It would be nice if donated items were sorted by male/female/children and winter/summer clothing if possible, with bags or boxes marked before donating. This would help us keep up with the sorting, but it is NOT required. Please bring clothing donations to the Closet when it is open (3rd Saturday), or during work evenings (1st & 3rd Thursdays, monthly). During the Closet hours on August 20, 1778 items were distributed to 208 people! Please note: We need men’s clothing: work pants and jeans, underwear and socks, as well as casual shirts and tee shirts. We are really desperate! Please clean out your closets and consider making donations. Thank you! Please note: We have an additional drop-off location, now at FLC. You can leave donations in the first classroom to the right on the lower floor of the original building (directly under Kelly’s office). “Friday Night at the Movies” is a regular event! This is a community event, free of charge on the fourth Friday of every month. September 22, 2016 Cracker Ministry Churches throughout the county are assigned specific grocery items to keep the food pantry stocked at Crisis Ministry. First Lutheran is responsible for keeping a supply of crackers stocked. We continue to need your contributions of crackers for this ministry. Please bring them to church and place them in the Chapel hallway. Thanks to Phil Lohr for coordinating this ministry. FIRST NEWS PAGE 16 Outreach Teena Walker Genesis House Ministry September 25 Music and Worship Team The fourth Sunday of each month FLC provides a meal to serve those individuals staying at the Genesis House (our local shelter for homeless women and children). September - assorted canned vegetables October – oatmeal (individual serving-size packets) Please be generous with your November – soups donations; the Pantry now distributes December – macaroni & cheese to all in need, not just to older adults. PLEASE NOTE: Bins for donations to the Pastor’s Pantry and other causes are on a rack located right outside the chapel, to the right of the sanctuary doors in the Narthex. If anyone is collecting for a particular purpose, please let Teena know and she will label bins for that purpose. Don't forget to share your "joys and cares" with us! Please call Celie Lough at 249-6038, so that we may "double your joys and halve your cares!" In order to meet printing deadlines, please have all items submitted by the 18th of each month. Thanks! Please note: articles may also be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. Fir st Ne ws P age 1 7 Outreach Teena Walker Cookie Workdays Cookie baking: September 9 and September 10 We will be making nearly 300 dozen cookies for our “God’s Work. Our Hands.” service project. Plan to join the fun baking cookie dough. We will be delivering cookies on Sunday September 11. Since “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday will be on the 15th anniversary of 9/11 this year, we will be inviting first responders to attend our service that day. “Tent City” needs Currently several “tent city” sites are located around Davidson County! We will be assembling hygiene packs and other items for these folks; please bring your contributions to the church. Please note that we currently have toothpaste; we may add items to the list as we see specific needs. Toilet paper Baby wipes Hand sanitizer Toothbrushes Small jars of peanut butter and packaged crackers (to supplement meals) First Lutheran Church is scheduled to help feed those who are hungry at Grace Episcopal Church the five Sundays in October. We will need 3 or 4 people each Sunday. The meal will have been prepared—we are only asked to assist in serving the guests. A sign-up list will be on the bulletin board beside the Nursery. Fir st Ne ws P age 1 8 Youth News/Lost and Found September 11 2:00 – 4:00 PM Pool and Pizza Party at YMCA! For Youth, Lambs and Families!! September 11 – 4:00 - 5:00 PM September 18 – 4:00 – 5:00 PM September 25 – 4:00 – 5:00 PM Classes this season will be offered at First Lutheran and we will welcome confirmands from both Becks Lutheran and Holly Grove Lutheran Churches! September 18 – 5:00 – 7:00 PM Pastor Matt, program/ A meal will be provided. September 25 – 5:00 – 7:00 PM Karen Riggs, program and meal A lovely white girls’/ ladies’ scarf with little silver “O” rings has been found at the church hanging in the acolyte/crucifer robing room. Please come by the robing room to retrieve this or call the church office. Thanks! Fir st Ne ws P age 1 9 Inreach News Please let Team members or Sabrina Conrad know of your ideas! Next Team meeting will be Monday, October 10, 6:30 PM Thursday, September 8, 7:00 PM Thursday, September 22, 7:00 PM The prayer shawl ministry meets on the second and fourth Thursdays each month at 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center. Everyone is invited to attend, from beginners to experienced knitters or crocheters. There will be some experienced people there to help teach the beginners or show new stitches to those who already know how to knit/crochet. Please bring your own knitting needles/crochet hook to the meeting. Thanks to everyone who has donated funds or yarn for our prayer shawl ministry; as a result, we have two closets full of yarn! At this time, we do not any more yarn donations. If you are unable to come to our sessions (or simply prefer to work on your own), the shawls can be made at home. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Smith at (336) 249-9704 or e-mail [email protected]. If anyone has a need for a shawl, please contact someone in the prayer shawl ministry or Pastor Matt. Plastic Bag Drive for Plastic Bag Mat Project The Agape and Mary Circles are sponsoring a plastic bag drive. There is a black can in the hallway near the Chapel for your donations. These bags will be used to make mats for folks who are homeless. We are also receiving donations of shower curtain liners to be used as a moisture barrier between the ground and the mat. Sturdy bags are needed for folks to carry their mat. Reusable grocery bags such as sold at Aldi’s are ideal. Please neatly fold bags before putting them in the receptacle; it makes it easier for us. Thanks! (Refer to our Inreach page of our FLC February newsletter to see pictures of a finished mat.) If anyone would like to help cut bags, come to the church at 6:30 PM on September 12; the Agape Circle will do this prior to their meeting. FIRST NEWS PAGE 20 Inreach News Agape Circle will meet on September 12 (due to Labor Day) at 6:30 PM (normally meets monthly on the first Monday evening) Mary Circle will meet on September 6 at 10:30 AM (normally meets monthly on the first Tuesday morning) Bulletin Board Please note that our bulletin board has been moved to the wall across from the Chapel to the right of the Sanctuary. Patti Grant is responsible for our bulletin board. If you have items to share on this board, please give them directly to Patti. Thanks! “Building Community” Please join us in the Narthex for coffee prior to and after Sunday School! Bags of coffee are available for purchase: “Proud Mama” and “Organic Breakfast Blend Decaf” - $10, each variety. Our new coffee shipment will be arriving soon. Remember, coffee makes a great gift!! WE NOW HAVE K-CUPS! Thanks to Frank Mills for providing us with a snack each Sunday! Note: We would love to have help with setting up each Sunday, and with making the coffee. If you can help, please sign up on the bulletin board outside the Nursery. Thanks so much! Sermon bags have been made for our children and have been updated. The bag contains crayons to use during worship to color their bulletins. A basket is located at the rear of the sanctuary. Please remember to return the bags to the basket in the Narthex each Sunday. Several meals were prepared for those who are homebound or are in need of meals during illness. They are in the freezer in the room where the washer and dryer are located. If you know of someone who could benefit from this ministry, please contact Pastor Matt or Sabrina Conrad. Thanks! FIRST NEWS PAGE 21 Inreach News Mambo Grill & Tapas Downtown Salisbury 122 East Fisher Street 704-637-0192 September 17 6:30 PM Meet at 6:00 PM to carpool. Watch for sign-up sheet on bulletin board! Family recipes make Mambo Grill & Tapas about as authentic as you can get. From pork, beef, chicken or seafood there is something to delight everyone's taste buds. Starting off in a small shopping center as a small buffet style restaurant, Specialties: Craft Beer, Cocktails, Cuban Mambo has grown to full sit down restaurant with Cuisine, Spanish Tapas over 160 seats. With our move to Downtown Salisbury, Mambo merged together with its lounge to offer a large array of craft beer and cocktails. Menu: http://www.mambogrillandtapas.com/menu.html We are proud to now serve 20 craft beers on tap from our custom designed beer cooler and draft system. Disaster Response News The Disaster Response Team is collecting metals for recycling-tocash to equip the trailer and fund mission trips. As you clean out the basement or the garage, remember the recycling program to help fund the Disaster Recovery Ministry. For those heavy items, call Denny Whalen (336-7874295) or e-mail him ([email protected]) and he’ll arrange for pick up. Thanks to all who continue to call for pick-up of their recyclables! Just a reminder: Vegetable/fruit/juice cans may be recycled. However, please remember that the labels have to be removed and the cans rinsed, otherwise the recycling centers will not take them. PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: The recycling container is located at the back of the picnic shelter. Thanks! PAGE 22 Bleasha Carroll Lee Conrad The Moretz Family John Conrad Sabrina Conrad Bob Sink Altar Flowers Sound System Nursery Attendants Debra Kitzman Amy Whalen, Carol Leonard Walt Lindsey Roy Shepherd, Joanna Deyton, Jack Deyton, John Leonard Communion Stewards Communion Preparation Ushers Debra Kitzman John Conrad Open Paraments Emma Apple Dalane Kitzman Jennifer SchoonmakerDasch Lector Tellers Mattias Miller Eric Wertman Crucifer Jarrett Whitley Isaac Moretz Acolyte Jeff Schmitt 17th after Pentecost Walt Lindsey 16th after Pentecost Lectionary Calendar September 11, 2016 Assisting Minister September 4, 2016 Duty Ministry Schedule Jim Lovelace Rick Grubb Dottie Sigmon Teena Walker Ashley Barr Dalane Kitzman Susan Bizzell Pat Mills Eric Wertman Kara Conrad Jeff Schmitt 19th after Pentecost September 25, 2016 Carol Leonard Dalane Kitzman Open Frank Mills Alex Nebrich Abbi Thompson Jeff Schmitt 18th after Pentecost September 18, 2016 FIRST NEWS PAGE 23 PAGE 24 Joys and Cares CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO: Tracy Miller and family upon the death of her uncle, Robert Tabor on July 27 in Grand Haven, Michigan. “Tony,” 84, had battled Alzheimer’s for the last few years. Over his career, Tony worked as a traffic manager for United States Gypsum (Atlanta, GA and Chicago, IL) and Samsonite (Murfreesboro, TN). Tony was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; he loved to read, to play bridge and to discuss religion and politics, turning many a family gathering into a spirited discussion; he enjoyed working in his yard and was an avid walker, walking many miles a day until the last few years. He loved giving wild horsey rides to young grandchildren and was always willing to participate in whatever crazy activities they wanted to do. There will be a graveside memorial service October 29 at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, VA. Jim Lovelace upon the death of his friend, George Randall Dunn, on August 1 in Anderson, South Carolina. “Randy,” 60, graduated with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design. He worked 20 years as Visual Director in over 30 Belk stores; after a serious illness in 1995, Randy was forced into early retirement in 1999. His funeral service was held on August 6. Mark Remissong (husband of Laura Remissong, daughter of Frank and Pat Mills) upon the death of his father, William Remissong, on August 10 in Oswego, Illinois. “Bill,” 91, spent his working years as a tool and die maker before retiring in 1988. Bill had a mind for mechanics and enjoyed learning “what made things work.” He had a droll sense of humor and a quick wit, and liked to make people laugh. His mindset was always positive and looking at the bright side of life. He was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora, Illinois where he served as a trustee and as an usher for more than 40 years. His service was held at the church on August 16. He is survived by Mark’s mother, Carol Remissong. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: Jenny Schroeder (mother of Rebecca Moretz’ sister-in-law) has bone cancer. Historic floodwaters have required tens of thousands of people to be rescued and even more have been evacuated as rain sweeps across southern Louisiana. Floodwaters have affected communication, overwhelmed streets and highways, and damaged or destroyed more than 40,000 homes. This flood comes on the heels of several other floods that have hit the Gulf Coast region, starting earlier this spring. Entire neighborhoods and communities still remain under water, and the full extent of the damage has yet to be realized. We know that it will be a long road to recovery, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to assist through every phase of this disaster recovery process. If you would like to contribute to this appeal, please contribute to Lutheran Disaster Response and designate “Gulf Coast Flooding.” Bishop Tim Smith comments, "ELCA Lutherans aren't always the first ones responding on the scene of disasters, but almost always we're among those there the longest helping to rebuild lives. Your contributions help us to be the Church together: God's work. Our hands. (and our stored servanthood of monetary gifts that can be released and exchanged for God's work)." During a random shooting spree on August 19, three people and two Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dogs were shot and injured as they were traveling in a church van to an activity in St. Louis, Missouri. One dog handler was shot through the lung and is lucky to be alive; fortunately, he seems to be recovering. Both of the dogs are recovering also. May we extend our prayers for the handlers, the Comfort Dogs and this congregation (Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, MO). (Coincidentally, Earl Willette’s sister is a member of that very congregation!) THANKS! Worship Leader – Thanks to our very own lay leader Danny Leonard for serving as our worship presider on August 7 while Pastor Matt took a vacation Sunday; Pastor Matt joined his family at his father’s vacation cabin in Canada. Children’s Sermon – Carol Leonard asked the children, “What is faith?” Her answer was that faith is knowing that you are taken care of and believing in things you cannot see. She assured the children that God wants us to believe and trust in Him. “You don’t ever have to be afraid because God is with you.” Sermon – “The Best Is Yet to Come” – Danny opened his message with a scripture about faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen” (from our second reading from Hebrews). When asked what kind of faith we should have, he responded that it should be a “childlike faith.” Then he referred to our Gospel reading from Luke: “It is our father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Danny challenged us FIRST NEWS PAGE 25 Joys and Cares to love each other, pray for each other and see that justice is done. Faith is a gift from our Father and can guide our thoughts, words and deeds. God gave us Jesus so that we might attain eternal life. God has shown His faithfulness throughout our Bible stories: parting the Red Sea, the prodigal son, Jesus walking on water, feeding of thousands, casting out demons – God’s will prevailed. Danny referenced our own travails; God has been there with us. We know “the best is yet to come.” He then read the “Legend of the Fork” (printed elsewhere in this bulletin). (Prior to worship, Danny gave each worshiper a fork to remind us of this story.) “The next time you reach for your fork, remember ‘the best is yet to come.’ What a friend we have in Jesus!” Vacation Bible School – Prior to worship on August 14, Joanna Deyton expressed appreciation to Rebecca Moretz and her “team” (those who provided food, made costumes, built props, helped with crafts, etc.) - everyone who made this year’s Vacation Bible School a tremendous success (see pictures elsewhere in this newsletter). Joanna then recognized Rebecca and thanked her for her leadership; she presented her with a card of appreciation, as well as a gift card. The flowers at the Altar on August 7 were given by Jack and Joanna Deyton to the glory of Almighty God and” in honor of Rebecca Moretz and the many talented volunteers who made VBS a marvelous success.” Clothes Closet – Thanks to our “Clothes Closet Crew” who faithfully serve in our ministry, giving out clothes monthly to needy families every third Saturday; and also work to fold, sort and re-stock all our items. Pictured are some of the folks who work in this ministry (from August 20). Work Day – Thanks to our Property Team and all those who worked at the church on August 20. They tackled such chores as putting up hand railing, placing stepping stones made by the children in the columbarium garden, installing robe racks in the handbell room, and working on the lighting. Nuestros Ninos – Thanks to those who supported our Nuestros Ninos ministry by purchasing beautifully handcrafted items set up at FLC on August 20 and August 21. Prior to worship, Angela Grussig spoke about the program. Profits are not only helping people to make a living in Guatemala, but also helping some to attend college and others to improve their standard of living. PAGE 26 Fir st Ne ws Joys and Cares Special Music July 31 – Offertory - Kelly Newsome, pianist – “My Tribute” (A. Crouch) August 7 – Offertory - Jasmine Minkley (daughter of Trixie Minkley and Rich Minkley, granddaughter of Judy Cottrell) – “On Eagle’s Wings” (Michael Joncas) August 14 – Offertory – Jacob Gordon, tenor – “I Want to be Ready” (Phillip McIntyre) August 21 – Brannon Gilliam, soloist and guitarist – member of First Baptist Church Prelude – “Rank Strangers” (Albert Brumley) – see lyrics printed elsewhere in this newsletter Offertory – “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Joseph Scriven, Charles Converse) Noisy Offering –Thanks to you, the Noisy Offering collected on August 21 for the Hattie Burgess House Domestic Violence Shelter came to a total of $117.55, to be matched by our FLC Endowment Fund (up to $100) for a total of $217.55. Genesis House – Thanks to the Mutual Ministry and Support Teams for providing the meal for the Genesis House on August 28. Prayer Shawl Ministry – Thanks to those who lead and participate in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. On July 31, prayer shawl number 314 was blessed! Lynn Smith announced this milestone and thanked all those involved in all areas of this ministry (donating yarn, making the shawls, blessing the shawls, etc.). An additional “thanks” goes to our “friend of the congregation” who makes special shawls for those suffering with cancer and has a readily available supply. (See “thoughts and prayers” section preceding or in prior newsletters that list individual’s concerns). July 31 – Jenny Schroeder (by “friend”) August 21 – Carol Remissong (by Leila Hosley) CONGRATULATIONS Anniversary – On July 30, Allen and Pam Mabry celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! The flowers at the Altar on July 31 were given by Allen and Pam to the glory of Almighty God and in in celebration of their anniversary. Engaged – On August 8, Matthew Jackson (son of Angie Jackson and Tom Jackson) proposed “to my best friend and love of my life,” Hannah Stirewalt (and she said “yes”)! Spirit Award – Jordan Tanley (daughter of Laura Tanley) plays the flute in the North Davidson High School Band. On August 12, during Band Camp, Jordan and her friend Whitni Duffey were each presented with a“Spirit Award.” With that smile, she surely is a winner! Way to go, Jordan! Fir st Ne ws PAGE 27 Joys and Cares Real Estate Broker – Kelly Streetman Mavropoulos (daughter of Nancy Beck, granddaughter of Willie Bowers, niece of Patti Grant) passed her real estate test and is now a licensed real estate broker. She will continue her full -time job as Dropout Prevention Specialist at Northwest Cabarrus High School; her long-range goals are to retire in five years, and her new license will allow her to continue working in that area upon retirement. Kelly will be working for Exit Elite Realty in Concord. She lives with her family in Kannapolis, NC. Mom Nancy beams, “she will finish anything she has her mind on!” Wedding – On August 13, Robin Lockwood (daughter of Bob and Eve Lockwood) married Kyle Young at Lyonns Farmett outside of Boulder, Colorado. Officiating was Pastor Liliana Stahlburg; Pastor Liliana is the pastor of Highlands Lutheran Church in Denver where Robin worships. Sister Kathleen Lockwood was Robin's Maid of Honor, and Robin's other attendant was Amanda Vaughn (Robin's best friend and roommate at UNC-Chapel Hill). Kyle's best man was Justin Neely, his best friend from Dallas, Texas; and his groomsman was Henry Nguyen, a fraternity brother. Robin is a Project Scientist at Eagle Environmental Consulting in Denver. Kyle is from Dallas, Texas; and works for AT&T, where he is a Senior Business Manager. Robin and Kyle live in Denver, Colorado. Youth Council Appointment – Eric Wertman (son of Scott and Deborah Wertman) was personally asked by Linwood Bunce to serve on the Lexington Youth Council! He was sworn in around mid-August. Eric will be working with the City Council and Mayor on youth issues and activities in Lexington. Milestone Ministry – During worship on August 21, we celebrated those children who were entering new levels of education. Each was recognized with a gift (Nuestros Ninos handcrafted item – except for the Bible), followed by a prayer of blessing by folks laying hands upon them: Kindergarten – Ben Barr (son of Aaron and Ashley Barr, grandchild of Joe and Bleasha Carroll, greatgrandchild of Anne Fisher Williams and Carolyn Scott), and Mason and Gracelynn Hedrick (twins of Jason and Abbey Hedrick, grandchildren of Janie Galko, great-grandchildren of Alyce Galko) – each received a beaded sheep (“to remind you that you are sheep and Jesus is your shepherd”) Third Grade – James Schoonmaker ( son of Keith and Jennifer-Schoonmaker Dasch, grandson of Cindy Schoonmaker and Stan Schoonmaker) and Abbi Thompson (daughter of Danny and April Thompson) – a Bible Sixth Grade – Kara Conrad (daughter of Lee and Lori Conrad, granddaughter of Pauletta Conrad), Jocelyn Laehn (daughter of Cory and Crystal Laehn) and Caroline Dasch (daughter of Keith and JenniferSchoonmaker Dasch, granddaughter of Cindy Schoonmaker and Stan Schoonmaker) – beaded bookmark and key chain Freshmen – Nathan Morris (son of Aaron and Melissa Morris, grandson of Denny and Amy Whalen) and Alex Nebrich (son of Bill and Christy Nebrich, grandson of Teena Walker) – beaded bookmark with cross PAGE 28 Fir st Ne ws Joys and Cares OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS Moving – On September 1, Luke Conrad (son of John and Sabrina Conrad will be moving to Paris with his girlfriend, Bonnie Smith; they will live there for two years. We lift up prayers for traveling mercies for Luke and Bonnie, as well as prayers of peace for John and Sabrina. College Transfer – Hannah Jackson (daughter of Angie Farmer and Tom Jackson) has transferred college and will enter Appalachian University this year. School begins again! – Many of our congregation are employed, or have been employed, in a school system; and we are thankful for their influence in our children’s lives! At the All About Education’s eighth annual Back to School Luau on August 3, teachers Megan Carlson (daughter of Tom and Lorraine Carlson) and Katie Foster (daughter of Chris and Susan Foster, niece of Teena Walker, niece of Denny and Amy Whalen) were first in line as the doors opened. Each was rewarded with a gift certificate to the store (they had arrived at 6:30 AM!). The store holds this event to show their appreciation for customers and to kick off the back-to-school season. Guest Column – Dalane Kitzman wrote a guest column for The Dispatch on August 4, “Mother sends an unusual care package.” He fondly recalled the memory of his mother sending two freshly killed chickens from North Dakota to him while he was attending medical school in Baltimore, Maryland. “Sometimes love comes in unusual packages.” Dr. Dalane W. Kitzman is a professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine. His writing aims to highlight how the world becomes a better place when we realize how we’ve benefited from the kindness of others, and choose to do the same. Family Cruise – This family sure does know how to have fun! Ron and Sylvia Sink take all their children and grandchildren on a vacation together each year. This year it was a cruise. As you can see by the smiling faces, everyone had a good time! Backpack Blessings – On August 14, children brought their backpacks to lay against the altar; they were blessed during our worship service. Please continue to keep our children and teachers in your prayers as they begin their new journey this season. PAGE 29 Fir st Ne ws Joys and Cares Canine Caregivers – Bob Redwine writes: In July, Canine Caregivers (the therapy dog group Champ and I are affiliated with) had the privilege to be invited to interact with a day camp at North Rowan High School for mentally challenged youth of Rowan county. There were approximately 30 youth from first grade to high school age at the day camp and we had eight therapy teams present. We had a wonderful time with the connection between the dogs and children. Teams from our group regularly visit: Trinity Oaks in Salisbury (many know it as the Lutheran Home), the VA Hospital in Salisbury, the VA Nursing Facility, Novant Health Hospital, Lexington Health Care, and Brian Center. We are available to visit anywhere we are asked or needed. We are completely trained, certified and insured. A picture at the day camp and posters that the youth made for us. From left to right are Jared Rowland and Doodle, Cheryl Peevy and Reba, Mary Shinn and Etta, Amy Carlton and Lacey, Joseph Hall and Chester, Amy Ritchie and Murphy, Magnum & Nina Dix (our trainer and Fearless Leader) and Champ. (Bob took the picture.) For information and pictures of our therapy dogs and handlers please visit our website at: http://www.caninecaregiversnc.com/ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Don't forget to share your "joys and cares" with us! Please call Celie Lough at 249-6038, so that we may "double your joys and halve your cares!" In order to meet printing deadlines, please have all items submitted by the 18th of each month. Thanks! Please note: articles may also be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. Walking Devotions Begins on Tuesday, September 13, and continues weekly! Walkers will meet in the Fellowship Hall of First Lutheran Church at 6:00 PM for a brief devotional and then we’ll set off on our walk. If the weather is nice, we can walk outdoors. If the weather isn’t conducive to outside walking, we’ve much ground inside the facility. While we walk, we can think about our devotional and share our ideas on the devotion with fellow walkers. At 7:00 PM, everyone will reconvene in the Fellowship Hall to revisit the evening’s devotional and share their thoughts and ideas. “Walking Devotions” is open to everyone! Everyone walks at their own pace and walks only as far as they feel comfortable. Join us! Invite your friends and neighbors! Come and be a part of this special journey! Return Service Requested First Evangelical Lutheran Church 320 S. State Street PO BOX 308 Lexington, NC 27293 Phone: 336-248-6018 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: 9 AM till 1 PM Monday ~ Friday Sunday School ................. 9:15 AM Morning Worship ......... 10:30 AM God’s Work. Our Hands. First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lexington is a Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The congregation was formed in 1905, and built its original structure in 1906. The current facility was completed and occupied in 1959, and was the first public building in Lexington of a contemporary design. Yet, the people of First Church recognize that the church is the people, and not the building. So stated Martin Luther: “The church is not wood and stone, but it is the company of God’s people.” We’re on the Web: WWW.FLCLEX.ORG Church Staff & Volunteers The Rev. Matthew L. Miller ~ Pastor Joe Carroll ~ Council President Bill Farris ~ Controller (Vacant position) ~ Youth and Family Ministries Kelly Newsome ~ Organist / Parish Associate Jacob Gordon ~ Director of Music Ministries Kelly Newsome/Celie Lough ~ Newsletter Editors Sudarmono (Bing) FNU ~ Sexton Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday of the month.