August 2013 Page 1

First Lutheran Church 1212 Minneapolis Ave.

Gladstone, MI 49837

906-428-4565

www.firstlutheran-gladstone.org

office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

or find us on facebook.com

Peggy A. Rose, Pastor

pastor@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Lisa Bouche, Family & Discipleship Ministry

lisa@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Lisa Zuehlke, Office Manager

office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Donna Caron, Administrative Assistant

office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Musician: Kris McDonald

Choir Accompanist: Mary Bastian

Chancel Choir Director: Kris McDonald

Junior Choir Directors: Marie Hirn and Kris McDonald

Handbell Choir Director: Kris McDonald

Custodian: Chris Creten

A congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod

of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

August 2013 Page 2

What’s Inside ...

Pastor’s Page Page 3 Ministry Message Page 5 Fortune Lake News Page 6 Sunday School Page 7 Confirmation Page 7 Sunday Adult Education Page 7 Summer Sewing Page 8 Youth News Page 9 World Hunger Page 9 Adopt-a-Grandparent Page 10 3Fs Page 11 River Tubing Party Page 12 Church Picnic Recap Page 13 EyeSee & Cartridges for Kids Page 14 Book Club Page 15 UP State Fair Page 15 Circle News Page 16 Salvation Army Lunch Page 16 WELCA Page 17 Farewell Potluck Page 17 Lutheran World Relief Page 18 Christ Care Corner Page 18 Something New Page 19 Tried ‘n True Page 20 Seminary News Page 21 Worship Celebration Page 23 Stewardship Corner Page 24 Thank Yous Page 26 Memorials Page 30 Congregation Council Highlights Page 31

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I will listen to what the LORD God is saying; For you speak peace to your faithful people,

And to those who turn their hearts to you. ~ Psalm 85:8 ~

Dear Friends in Christ: I consider it a great privilege to be invited to pray and journey with you through these interim times of change and challenge. Through the years parishioners have asked me how to discern God’s will in their lives. As one who also seeks God’s direction in discerning next steps in my life (especially with moving about so much in the role of intentional interim pastor), I have often referred to and recommended a book by Debra K. Farrington, Learning To Hear With The Heart: Meditations for Discerning God’s Will. In the introduction to her book Farrington outlines these steps in the discernment process:

Pray Pay Attention Study Balance Reason & Imagination Balance Patience & Action

Her chapters go on to encourage a 30-day process of prayer & discernment. Some of the highlights include:

Ask the right question Read your Bible again Resting in the Word Hearing your heart’s desire Seeing yourself as God sees you Practicing the presence of God Play & Pray Small steps

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At First Lutheran Church, we are looking forward to next steps in the interim process:

Leadership – Choosing & equipping a Transition Team – Winter/Spring 2013

Heritage – I Love To Tell the Story Event & Timeline – Summer 2013

Mission – defining & redefining sense of purpose & direction

Connections – discovering all the relationships we build within & outside

Future – vision, mission, goals, & developing our ministry profile

At our meetings the Transition Team does some discerning together – prayer, appreciative inquiry, sharing our lives, and our journey of faith. Whenever we do this, it’s amazing how God shows up and we get creative. So here’s where we’re headed:

Mission – Cottage Meetings – Fall 2013 (We’ll need your help here to serve as hosts, facilitators, follow-up phone callers, & scribes as well as participants.)

Connections – membership letter (reconnecting with those we’ve missed) – 2013 125th Anniversary – 2014

I encourage you continue to participate in this process of prayerful discernment. Interim time is, by nature, a time of discernment – a time to listen for God’s direction for First Lutheran Church and its members. I want to thank all of you who have prayed, played, and stayed – who serve on the Transition Team, have participated in congregational events, and who pray, worship, and serve faithfully. It is helpful to have such delightful companions on this journey of discernment, so thank you again for your continued prayers and participation. Living in God’s Amazing Grace, Pastor Peggy

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Ministry Message I CAN’T WAIT! Remember that feeling when you were a kid? That feeling of

excitement – the feeling of, “I can’t wait till….?” Christmas Eve

was always a biggie for me, or the scary excitement of some big

new thing that was going to happen – the first day of the new

school year, being next in line for the roller coaster, folding little

tiny, freshly washed baby things, waiting…

That is the feeling that I have this summer…maybe it’s the

coffee… the parents in our 3F Playgroup can relate (our

devotional book is entitled, The Coffee Mom’s Devotional.)

Things are growing, changing, and blooming, and I don’t just

mean outdoors.

I have been in this position for over a year and a half now, and

things that were just little sparks of ideas are happening in full

force. Slowly but surely (like a garden) things have been taking

root. Like our 3Fs group, Confirmation Camp at Fortune Lake,

a growing relationship with our ecumenical partners (the other

churches here in Gladstone), a new Christian Ed segment –

“Adult Christian Learning,” and so much more… I can’t wait!

The River Tubing Party that was thought up by accident (thank

you, Pat!), is actually happening on Aug. 3 – (after calls to the

DNR for safety and logistical reasons, property owners along the

river, etc.)

A new time for our confirmation classes - to be held at the same

time as Sunday School - has met with such positive response from

both parents and prospective teachers, I was amazed! That, plus

the addition of an Adult Christian Ed time – God’s house is gonna

be rockin’ on Sunday mornings this year! (Not to mention that

this also opens up time on a weekday for an awesome Youth

Group Night!)

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Dear Lord, THANK YOU for all of the gifts you give us, but most

especially for this wonderful church family, for ideas, for opening doors,

for excitement, for this ministry. THANK YOU for making me your

child, so that I can be part of your church!

In Jesus’ name~ AMEN!

Blessings!

Lisa Bouche

Christian Ed Appreciation & Planning Cook-Out If you were involved in any way with our Christian Ed last school

year (teacher, helper, etc.), and/or plan to be involved this year,

YOU ARE INVITED!! (@ Lisa & Neil’s house in Danforth.)

August, date TBD.

SUMMER CAMP!! Theme: “Faith Alive”

In God we live, move, and exist Acts 17:28

7/ 28 – 8/2 ~ Family Camp, Night Owls (completed gr. 5- 8)

8/4 – 8/9 ~ Victory Camp, Night Owls (completed gr 9 -12)

For more information on any of the above information,

see the Fortune Lake bulletin board in the fellowship hall,

or go to www.fortunelake.org.

Also, you can check out Fortune Lake on facebook!

FORTUNE LAKE NEWS

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Sunday School News…

Save the date!!

Rally Day –

Sunday, September 8th at 9am!

CONFIRMATION NEWS

Join us on Rally Day ~

Sunday, September 8th at 9am

For the kick-off of our exciting new format!

Watch for more information to come.

More Education News: Sunday Adult Educational Hour to begin this fall! Terry Frankenstein & Pastor Peggy will co-lead a learning

opportunity for adults in our congregation & those who are

interested in learning more about First Lutheran Church &

what it means to be a Lutheran Christian.

Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism as a Way of Life … is a four week short course on Lutheran Christianity as a way of

seeing, hearing, teaching & following. Mark your calendars now

for September 8th – 29th at 9:15 A.M. to be part of this exploration.

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Summer Sewing Circle (for youth & family)… continues!

Ever wonder what happens here at

First on Tuesdays from 9am-12pm?

Find out this summer!

* Trace/cut quilt squares

* Help lay out a quilt

* Tie knots

* Make your own quilt to send to third-world nations,

or auction it off this fall!

Come on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM, through August 13th , with

a parent or caregiver (a must if you are under 10), a friend, or just

yourself! For more info., contact Lisa

Summer Worship Times

continue through

Labor Day Weekend (September 1)

8:00 AM and 10:00 AM

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*FIRST! Youth *

Summer is winding down, but there is still plenty to do!

Summer Sewing- Ever wonder what happens here on

Tuesday mornings? Now is your chance to find out! Thru

August 13th. Check out the “Summer Sewing Section” of

this newsletter.

Fortune Lake Summer Camp- check out the Fortune Lake

section;

River Tubing Party – check out the River Tubing section;

UP State Fair- want to get in free? Sign up to help at our

booth! (August);

NEW! Youth Group! Stay tuned for more information –

coming soon!

WORLD HUNGER Thank you to all who bought fair trade coffee for World Hunger.

I was sold out within 5 minutes!!! I would like to get feedback

from those of you who purchased the coffee or if you would have

liked to have purchased some. Did you like the coffee? Would

you buy it on a continuous basis? I am

trying to see if it would be feasible to

sell it on an ongoing basis. You can

email me at annchristiansen9130@

yahoo.com or call me at 906-280-1302.

Thanks again!!!!

Ann Christiansen

August 2013 Page 10

Adopt-A-Grandparent

Our homebound members are our “elders…”

Here is just a little of what the Bible has to say about “elders” :

Genesis 50:7 ~

a person clothed with authority, and entitled to respect and reverence;

Exodus 24:1 ~

the elders attended Moses on all important occasions;

Numbers 11 ~

were selected from the Israelites to bear the burden of the people

w/Moses;

1 Samuel 30:26-31 ~

were men of extensive influence…

Contact Lisa with any questions. (PS- More than one person can

sign up for the same shut-in ... share a grandparent!!)

What is Adopting-a-Grandparent?

* Visit the grandparent 1to 2x/mo.;

* Send your new grandpa a birthday card;

* Bring your new grandma cookies, etc.

They NEED us!

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3 Fs

~ Family, Fun & Faith

More than just a playgroup!

This is a group for parents & their

young* children, specifically designed

to promote family, fun & faith.

Our June and July meetings included Father’s Day, Bubbles,

Communion, and David & Goliath. We made hand prints,

homemade bubbles, and communion bread! As always, there

were faith-based stories, songs & movement activities to go with

the themes. Join us in August for more kid-friendly, faith-based

fun!

* Are your kids all school age? Meet us in the Youth Room at

11am for the parent devotional – June and July included

“Humor,” “Support,” “Self-control,” and “Satisfaction” – one of

the favorite parts being the iced-coffee and French silk pie…

Mmmm!

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(1st Ever) River Tubing Party 2013 This is a MULTI-CONGREGATION EVENT!

When: Sat., August 3rd, 2013 @ 1:30pm (aprx 3hr)

Who: Everyone is invited! Families, singles, friends, etc.

Bring: 1 snack to share*; Swimming gear; River shoes;

Tube/kayak/float of choice; Life vest (if you are in a boat- It’s the law!)

*We will stop at the halfway point for snacks. There will also be lemonade & hotdogs.

August Meeting Schedule:

Fri., Aug. 23rd

@ 10am

(Note: Normally 3Fs is always on

the 2nd & 4th Fridays, but during

the summer months, the dates

will vary.)

Where: The Ford River LAUNCH: US2 & 41 (across from Highland Golf Course)

EXIT: Ford River Boat Launch on M35. Each vehicle will need a person responsible for moving it from the launch to the exit point. (Cty Rd 521 is the quickest route.)

THE RIVER: This is a 6 mile river trip. According to the DNR, the Ford River is shallow with few to no rapids – easy enough to walk. SAFETY: Each person will sign in prior to entering the river

August 2013 Page 13

First Lutheran – Picnic 2013 Thank you to everyone that helped to make our church picnic a

success! Many hands were involved in the planning, prep, and

running of this event! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

According to our ushers, 130 attended to enjoy the worship, food,

and games!

Our judges for our 2nd annual pie baking contest were: Cooper

Koski, Emma Bouche, Emily Vester, Gabe Kloet, Mike Salmi, and

Miko Salmi. Thank you all for your hard work! ;)

AND the winners were…

Best Looking Pie – White Chocolate Raspberry (Ann Christiansen)

Flakiest Crust – Strawberry Rhubarb (Nora Smith)

Most Original Pie – Multi-Berry Hand Pies (Connie Salmi)

Best Overall Taste – Strawberry (Geri George)

Best Texture – Heath Pie (Autumn Tall)

Most Impressive – French Silk (Sally Pouliot)

Most Memorable – Pumpkin (Sally Pouliot)

Most Artistic – Cherry (Geri George)

Biggest Pie – Apple (Terry & Stacey Frankenstein)

Grand Prize– Strawberry Rhubarb (Dolly Salmi)

Our pie auction raised $50 for Miriam’s Scholarship Fund!

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The most popular games

included the bounce house, a

bird seed treasure hunt, and

new this year, a water piñata,

and pie eating contest!

Harry was the big winner, there!

A big “THANK YOU!” goes to

the Delta Pub for their donation of two $10 prize gift cards!

Cartridges for Kids!

Help us earn cash for old electronics!

We are working on raising money for our Youth here at First Lutheran by recycling

your old electronics!

Do you have old: cell phones * laser & inkjet cartridges * laptops * iPods * digital cameras * DVDs * GPS devices * PDAs video games &

consoles * scientific & graphing calculators * iPads/tablets/eReaders … ?

PLEASE NOTE: CFK ONLY ACCEPTS ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE ABOVE LIST.

The CFK collection box is on the shelf near the nursery & kitchen door in the Fellowship Hall.

+ + + + + + + + +

EYESEE

139 pairs of glasses were blessed at our

July 14th Church Picnic and sent off to the

EYEsee Headquarters in Chicago. They

will be sorted and sent around the world to

people that would not be able to purchase

glasses on their own!

~Bless YOU for your donation!

August 2013 Page 15

Cooper Koski

Charlotte Strom

Matt Swanson

Want to donate toward our next shipment? Look for the EYEsee box in the narthex to deposit your old & unneeded glasses.

For more info.: eyeseemission.org.

Thank you for your support of our work in the name of Jesus!

BOOK CLUB The Book Club will meet on Sunday,

August 4th, at Connie Salmi's home from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. We will be discussing

the book Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles Lane.

Please feel free to join us if you are

interested and have read the book.

The next book has not been selected yet,

suggestions are welcome. For more

information, please contact Pam Durbin

at 428-4429.

Help Wanted: Members to serve on a Wedding Committee or to act as Wedding Coordinators. Please see Pastor Peggy for details.

August 2013 Page 16

UP STATE FAIR First Lutheran will once again

be helping out with the Delta

Conference booth at the UP

State Fair this year. We will be

manning the booth on Tuesday, Aug. 13th, 2013. Sign-up now-

the slots are going fast!

Grace Circle … Grace Circle will meet at 2:00 pm on Thursday,

August 8th , at Fairview Manor. Pastor Peggy Rose

will share a message and the celebration of Holy

Communion. Nora Smith will lead the Bible study by Max

Lucado from Psalms 128:1 - 6 "The Happy Home". Audrey Ansell

and Delores Kivekas will serve as hostesses. Guests are always

welcomed. If you need a ride, please call the church office.

+ + + + + + + + +

NEEDED......a piano for Fairview Manor Grace Circle meets at Fairview Manor every other month for

worship, Holy Communion and Bible study. Those who gather

enjoy singing hymns during the worship time. The piano there is

sadly 'out of tune' and cannot be repaired. If anyone has a piano

to give to Fairview, please contact Nora Smith or Mike Lindahl at

the Gladstone Housing Authority at 428-2215. The piano needs to

be in good working condition.

+ + + + + + + + +

August 2013 Page 17

Salvation Army Luncheon First Lutheran Church will serve lunch at the Salvation Army

On Saturday, August 24 at noon. Please check the sheet on the

bulletin board in the narthex for ways to help. Talk to Nora Smith

if you have questions.

Women of the E.L.C.A. The WELCA executive board will meet on Monday, August 12 at

6:30 pm to plan programming for 2013-14. All newly elected

officers and circle leaders and others with ideas for programming

are encouraged to attend. The WELCA is looking for someone to

fill the treasurer’s position for the coming year. Please contact

Sally Strom or Connie Salmi if you are willing to serve in this way.

+ + + + + + + + +

Farewell and Godspeed Faith Circle will be hosting a pot luck dinner to wish God speed

and a fond farewell to Brecken Gries and her family. She and Jim

will begin a new chapter of their family adventure in Bemidji,

Minnesota later this month. All are welcome to share in dinner

and stay for Bible study if you are

interested. The study will be looking

at the miracle feeding of many

followers of Jesus according to the

gospel of Luke. An offering of non-

perishable food items will be collected

August 2013 Page 18

for a local food pantry; monetary offerings will go to World

Hunger. Please consider joining us on Thursday, August 8th for

the pot luck (bring a dish to pass) starting at 5:30 p.m. Bible study

will begin at 6:30.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS Sixty-five school kits have already been assembled for shipment

to Lutheran World Relief in October. As back to school sales

begin, please consider helping us reach the goal of sending over

100 school kits this fall. A list of items needed can be found on the

bulletin board in the narthex.

+ + + + + + + + + LOOKING AHEAD … In 2014 First Lutheran will celebrate our 125th anniversary.

We’d like to plan ahead, so if you have any ideas or are willing to

help out please call Cindy Sjoquist at 428-9103.

+ + + + + + + + + CHRIST CARE CORNER: Hospital Devotions & Visits Did you know that Pastor Peggy has written a devotional to take

along to the hospital? She would be happy to share this resource,

visit, & pray with you.

August 2013 Page 19

Whether it’s an emergency, outpatient surgery, a hospital stay, or

move to a care facility; please remember to contact the office or

Pastor Peggy: 906-428-4565. Also, remember that HIPPA

guidelines do NOT allow hospitals, nursing homes, or other care

facilities to contact the church or pastor, or give out any

information. So, if you would like a pastoral visit –

YOU NEED TO CONTACT US – THANK YOU!

SOMETHING NEW … Would you like to receive your Messenger via e-mail?

In an effort to improve communication, save paper and cut costs

we would like to e-mail the newsletter to those who “opt-in”.

We will do a trial run in September, sending both a paper and

electronic copy to those we have e-mail addresses for. After

that we will ask you to choose how you would like it delivered.

If you would like to receive the electronic version please make

sure we have your current e-

mail address by sending it to

office@firstlutheran-

gladstone.org. Thank you!

+ + + + + + + + + SOMETHING ELSE NEW … Beginning in August you’ll notice a new addition to the pews.

Instead of Communion Cards council has decided to try using

“Welcome Sheets.” There will be a clipboard stocked with

Welcome Sheets at the end of each pew. Please print your name

and complete the form (there will be a box to check if you receive

August 2013 Page 20

Holy Communion), and then pass it to the next person. Once the

clipboard reaches the end of the pew pass it back. Then, during

the Peace or after worship, please take time to greet any visitors

sitting near you.

The Congregation Council is working on putting together an

accurate congregational roll – active, inactive, lapsed. This is

determined by keeping a record of those who commune or make a

contribution of record each year. Thank you for your help.

All seniors, those 55 years young and older, are invited to a

-- Tried-n-True –

Program and Luncheon

“Christianity in China”

Friday, August 16 at Noon

Dave and Mary Lou Blomquist from Messiah Lutheran in

Marquette and friends of Dale and Jo Skogman will present the Tried ‘n True program on Friday, August 16th. The Blomquists taught English as a second language in China and were pleased and surprised to find large and vibrant Christian congregations in China, which has been perceived as strongly communistic and atheistic. Dave and Mary Lou will not only speak about their worship experiences, they will share the challenges of living in an environment where customs and life styles are very different. Sign up for lunch and join us for an interesting

program.

August 2013 Page 21

Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex or call the church office (428-4565) to RSVP by Wednesday, August 14th.

COMING UP … September 20: “Russia Part II: St. Petersburg and Environs” by Dale and Jo Skogman October 18: “Australia and New Zealand” by Dale and Donna Schlemmer

Seminarian Support Tuition: Then and Now!

I graduated from college in 1961 and

from seminary in 1965. I came from a home where I was very

well cared for, but it was also a home with very modest financial

resources. My father agonized, wondering where the money

would come from to pay for my tuition. It was a succession of

summer and part-time employment that made the difference. In

those days we called it "Working your way through college and

seminary."

Included in my work experience were the following: laborer

and expeditor at the Iron Fireman Manufacturing Plant and

dishwasher at the Newberry Store in Portland, OR. In Rock Island,

IL I worked in the college cafeteria, served as an assistant

seminary archivist and night custodian at the Missman, Stanley

and Farmer drafting firm. In Upper Michigan I worked as a

laborer for the Groveland Mining Company, Dickinson County

Road Commission and as a pulpwood piece cutter.

August 2013 Page 22

As a result of my efforts and, with some support from my

parents, I was absolutely thrilled and grateful to complete my

education DEBT FREE!

Today it's not uncommon for our college and seminary

students to graduate with staggering debt, often reaching $50,000.

and more. What made the difference between then and now?

Today's students are as energetic and resourceful as in the past.

There are major hurdles, however, to graduating debt free today.

Number one: With an economy in recession, part-time and

summer jobs are not as available as they were in the past. Number

two: An even bigger obstacle to graduating debt free these days is

the DIMINISHING CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT!

When I went to a church college and seminary, local

congregations were far more generous with benevolent support of

the larger church which meant that our schools could keep their

tuition and fees much lower. Today this is not the case. An ever

larger portion of a college and seminary education has been

shifted to the students in the form of much higher tuition!

What does this mean for us at First Lutheran and our seminary

students? It means that the financial support we give to our

seminary students is far more crucial than it was in the past! By

your support and mine we help to offset the diminishing support

provided by the larger church.

On behalf of our seminarians, past, present and future,

THANK YOU for your financial support. While today's students

may not graduate "debt free", we can do our part to ease their

financial burden. Enclosed in this newsletter is an envelope for

you contribution.

August 2013 Page 23

Dale Skogman,

on behalf of your Seminary Support Committee

PS: Who will be our next seminary student from First Lutheran?

Let’s Celebrate! Sunday, August 25th 8:00 A.M. Worship Service Congratulations to Terry Frankenstein on her acceptance to

Wartburg Seminary! She will begin work on a Master of Divinity in Distributive

Learning this September. So…let’s affirm her in her call to the

Ministry of Word & Sacrament & bless her as she begins her

studies. As part of our 8:00 A.M. Worship on August 25th we’ll

join in a Blessing & Affirmation of Vocation for Terry. Please join

us as we celebrate with Terry & John the beginning of this new

faith venture.

We continue to pray for our other seminarians & their families:

+ Tera Lowe; & her husband Roy, & children Isha, Daniel, &

Antwaine; as she begins her internship year at South West

Iowa Ministries, a six-point cooperative parish in SW Iowa

& Nebraska. Check it out at:

http://swimwebsite.weebly.com/index.html

+ Ben Durbin, & his wife Ruth, as he completes his senior

year classes at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN following

internship.

August 2013 Page 24

+ Diane Srutowski, & her husband John, as she continues

Theological Education for Emerging Ministries & serves as

a Licensed Lay Minister at Trinity in Stonington, MI.

+ + + + + + + + + Keeping in Touch We recently heard from David Hopp (his letter is posted on the

bulletin board) and he’d love to hear back from us. His address

is: 833 Clark St. Apt B

Stevens Point, WI 54481

dhopp731@uwsp.edu

Stewardship Corner WHAT, ALREADY?

It's not too soon to start thinking about how

much money you plan to give in 2014 to

support the various ministries of which we, at

First Lutheran, are privileged to be a part. Yet

it seems like we just got through talking about

estimates of giving--can it be that time again

already?

Just like the "back to school" sales that seem to start showing up

WAY too early, planning your giving for next year may be the last

thing on your radar screen. It's never too early to take a hard look

at how much money you typically give to the work of the church

each year, ask whether you need to give more and challenge

yourself to grow in your giving. Notice the wording, "NEED to

give, not how much you CAN give".

It really needs to be a conscious, well thought out and prayerful

process. If you are like a lot of us, we have to resist the temptation

August 2013 Page 25

to let things go until the last minute and settle for giving what we

gave the year before. God deserves better and so do we!

We have been blessed, abundantly, with many, many generous

givers at First and lots of good people willing to estimate their

future giving. Wonderful gifts for which we give great thanks.

At the risk of repeating challenges you’ve heard me talk about

before, PRAY about becoming:

--a tither

--a giver of an ever increasing percentage of your income

--someone who uses, or continues to use, electronic giving

(simply giving)

--committed to supporting "special ministries" like seminary

support, world hunger, mission+

There continue to be lots of worthy ministries that need your

support, those that call for enhancements to better fulfill our

missional focus and new ones as we seek to "love our neighbors"

in our community, Synod, nation and world-wide. 2014 will be an

exciting year! We earnestly pray for and are excited about the new

pastor whom God will send us and, together, look forward to

being the "hands" that do His work.

Seizing these opportunities requires resources. It requires each of

us to renew our commitment to give generously of our energy,

time, abilities and money. It's good to be reminded that all of

these resources are "on loan" to us from a gracious and generous

Savior. Thanks be to God that we have the chance to be good

stewards and share the love.

In Christ,

Dirk Manson, Stewardship Chair

August 2013 Page 26

+ + + + + + + + +

Mid Year Giving Statements … are available on the table in the narthex.

Please pick yours up. Thank you!

Thank you …

… to those who helped with the June/July

Messenger –Donna Caron, Dionna Fritz,

Virginia Johnson, Gayla Louis, Connie

Salmi, and Carole Wedell.

And to Patt Shampo, Sally Strom and

Nora Smith, Donna Caron, Henrietta Cox,

Dionna Fritz, Sally Pouliot, Connie Salmi, and Cindy Sjoquist for

the June and July Tried ‘N True programs and meals.

~ Thank you so much for the use of the room for piano lessons.

My parents really appreciate how close we are to the school. You

are so generous to let us come here. Thank you for a great year.

Lori Anderson

~

August 2013 Page 27

Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes – especially to

the staff for lunch & gifts. Also, for your kindness & support at

the death of my cousin Debby Bietila Olsen. You are truly the

living body of Christ “rejoicing, weeping, & harmonizing” our

shared lives.

God’s Grace & Peace & Blessings, Pastor Peggy

Thanks to the following persons who gave of their time and

energy to "spruce up" the church grounds and provide

nourishment for the hard workers on Saturday, May 18th: Chuck

Strom, Charlie George, Walt Kanerva, Andy Nelson, Pat Shampo,

Connie Salmi, Cindy Sjoquist, Lisa Bouche, Vicki Marshall, Wayne

Marshall, Dave Ottensman, Dale Schlemmer, Rob Salmi, Russ

McClinchy, Doug Hewitt and Geri George. In addition to a lot of

raking, trimming, edging mulching, etc., a new light was installed

on the south parking lot and some cleaning was also done inside

the church. Thanks to everyone for their hard work which

prepared our grounds for summer and your efforts are deeply

appreciated!

~

For help with Vacation Bible School 2013 –

Thank you to… Kris McDonald, Amber, Claire & Sarah Soderman,

Charlotte Strom, Emma & Harry Bouche, Jane Coyne-Smith,

Hunter & Riley Starnes, Cooper Koski, Donna Caron, Jackie

Sinnaeve, Jenna & Jared Larsen, Tami Aderman, Wendy,

August 2013 Page 28

Makenna, & Hunter Taavola, Peggy Austin, Annabelle & Hannah

Christie, Autumn Tall, Karleen Thorbahn, Nora Smith, Natalie

Hansen, Sally Pouliot, Vickie Marshall, Matt Swanson, Dirk

Manson, and everyone else that helped to make VBS a success this

year! We had many comments on how much fun the kids had

and that they will be back next year! Also, a big thanks goes to all

of the parents for bringing your kids to share the week with us,

and to the kids – thanks for being awesome!!

Lisa Bouche

Thank you for the Prayer Shawl for Toni Dell.

Sincerely, Lynn Brockway

~

Thank you to Robert and Sarah Yu (son-in-law and daughter of Al

& Dolly Salmi), for driving our EYEsee glasses to the EYEsee

Headquarters in Chicago.

The First Lutheran EYEsee Team

~

Thanks so much to everyone who helped out with the “I Love to

Tell the Story Event” by providing food or money or by helping in

the kitchen:

Joan Anderson Gail McEachern

August 2013 Page 29

Barbara Ball Lois McPherson

Helen Belongie Bev Martin

Avis Fairchild Allie Rajala

Geri George Dolly Salmi

Judy Hammond Sophie Scholer

Sally Hillman Pat Soderman

Debbie Koski Anita Stockham

Judy Larson Lillian Strom

Kris MacDonald Sally Strom

Chris Ziems

Your contributions are greatly appreciated!

First Lutheran Bell Ringers Do It Again!! For the second year, the Salvation Army volunteer ringers

manned the kettles the weekend of Saturday, June 29th – all

proceeds went to support their summer day camp program.

The Army had ringers at four locations in Esky and at SuperValu

in Gladstone. Major Hansen said that Supervalu raised the most

money of any of the locations.

With help from a couple of Lions Club members (Dave

Nemacheck and Rick Jones) and two of our lifelong friends, Nan

and Bill Adams, the following good people of First Lutheran

outdid themselves and deserve a HUGE thanks:

Ruth & John Skellenger

The Gries Family

Jack & Pat Soderman

Sherri & Dewayne Ide

Cindy Sjoquist

Dirk & Sue Manson

Hope no one was missed – the names were taken from the master

sign-up sheet.

By the way, the take was $380.62!! God bless everyone for gifting

the kids and their families. God’s work, our hands!!

In Christ,

Dirk Manson

August 2013 Page 30

Thank you to all who helped make the Saturday lunch at the

Salvation Army on June 29th a success.

Food prep on Friday----Geri George, Sue Manson and Nora Smith

(Thank you VBS workers for sharing the kitchen!)

Monetary donations----Pat Hewitt, Connie Salmi and Jane

Coyne-Smith, and a very nice donation from an anonymous

someone

Workers on Saturday----Sue Manson, Anita Stockham, Dewey

Fairchild, Pastor Peggy Rose and Nora Smith

We served 37 guests plus kitchen crew a luncheon of pulled pork

sandwiches, potato salad, raw veggies and dip, watermelon and

grapes, strawberry and chocolate cupcakes, milk, lemonade and

coffee. First Lutheran Church will serve again on August 24th.

~

Memorial Gifts

Gifts have been given to First Lutheran Church in memory of …

William Tuskan

for Seminarian Support from: Lloyd and Mary Tuskan

August 2013 Page 31

Yoko Ingebrigtsen

for Kitchen Supplies from: Pamela Gould

Steve Helgemo

for Camperships from: Pat Hewitt

Congregation Council Highlights The Congregation Council met on Monday,

June 17th and on Monday, July 15th with President

Cindy Sjoquist presiding. At these meetings the

council:

Heard that Pastor Peggy attended two excellent continuing

education conferences and that she brought back some ideas to

use here at First. We also heard that she is planning a new

member class in the fall.

Heard that Lisa Bouche attended Confirmation Camp at Fortune

Lake with six of our young people and that the group had a

wonderful time (except for the giant mosquitoes!). We also heard

that she is planning a river tubing party in August and an Adult

Education class for the fall.

Decided that we will look for input from parents who use the

nursery as we revise the Nursery Policy.

Learned that Vacation Bible School went well and was attended

by 22 children.

Heard that plans are proceeding for “Hope at the Inn,” a homeless

August 2013 Page 32

shelter serving Delta County, that will revolve between churches

on a weekly basis.

Decided to look for volunteers to serve as planning coordinators

for First’s 125th Anniversary next year.

Approved the purchase of 132 new folding chairs to replace

some of the older ones. Old chairs will be offered for sale to the

congregation.

First Lutheran Church ...

“Christ’s people, called to worship, learn, witness, serve and share in love.”

Guiding Principles:

Jesus is Lord!

God’s Word reveals his love in Jesus.

Prayer makes the difference.

God welcomes all with open arms.

August 2013 Page 33

All have God given gifts to share.

We have something the world needs.