FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON

October 2017 Volume 20 No. 10

First Things First …

REFORMATION CELEBRATION

For in (the Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

Dear Friends in Christ, Five hundred (500) years ago this verse opened the gates of heaven for an Augustinian monk in Germany. He had spent most of his life striving to please God and to gain a release from God’s wrath by a self-inflicted suffering. He almost lost sanity in his efforts. He found no peace in his attempts to placate, in his words, “an angry God.” So deeply did he experience the frustration of his failures, he reportedly told his mentor, “I cannot love God…indeed, I hate Him!” Then, he discovered the truth of the Gospel: the just (the righteous one) will live by faith. He knew in that moment that it was neither his work nor his efforts that would bring his deliverance. It was the finished work of Christ on the cross that purchased forgiveness for those who believe. His continuing study of Scripture prompted him to action, and on October 31, 1517, he posted a call for a scholarly debate. The topic would discuss a particularly egregious corruption of Biblical doctrine. That call became known as “The Posting of the Ninety-five Theses.” His name was Martin Luther. Publication of his proposed debate theses became the birth of the Protestant Reformation. This month we will observe that momentous work of the Holy Spirit which restored the truth and power of Scripture to the Church. We will look at four of the solas (alones) which are taught in Reformation theology: Sola Gratia (grace), Sola Fide (faith), Solo Christo (Christ), Sola Scriptura (Scripture). The sermons will reveal the Biblical foundation of these doctrines and the application and necessity of proclaiming these truths today. We will complete our celebration of the Reformation’s 500th anniversary by examining the need for ongoing reformation in the Church and the congregation. Some theologians have added other solas to the list and one of those carries enough importance to be mentioned in all our studies: Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). May this thought pervade all of our days and all our lives! In the love of Christ, Pastor Grier

First School

And Day Care ews

First School currently has 67 children enrolled. We have just passed our seasonal transition time and things are moving forward fast. Children are still adjusting to their new environment since we recently have promoted the children into a new classroom for this school year. During the month of August we suffered a financial setback due to the hurricane. We had some delayed parent payments and food program funding was delayed. We have recovered and are going strong for September! The school office has officially been moved to another area of the school next door from where it was. First School has had chapel with Pastor Grier several times now and the children are receiving a lot out of the lesson. We are very thankful to him for dedicating his time to interact with and teach the children of First School. Fall is approaching and we will have our annual Trunk or Treat event in the front parking lot on Thursday, October 26th from 6pm-7pm. If you would like to come and help in any way or donate candy please let me know.

Many Blessings, Bree Joines First School Director

First School Board Meeting – Tuesday, October 19th, 5:00 p.m.

10/01 Psalm 25:1-9; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:33-46

10/08 Psalm 80:7-15; Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46

10/15 Psalm 23; Isaiah 25:1-9, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14

10/22 Psalm 96:1-9[10-13]; Isaiah 45:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22

10/29 Psalm 1; Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46

Budget Planning –

It is time to prepare for 2018. The Church

Council will be working to create a budget for the upcoming new year.

WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US

OR

Office hours: Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 4:30pm Wed: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Phone: 979-543-5847 Email: office@firstlutheranec.com

10/02 Michael Barosh

10/02 Sharon Nielsen

10/05 Claudia Wilfert

10/06 Daryle Wigginton

10/08 Kirk House

10/13 Lois Barosh

10/14 Cheryl Young

10/19 Grace Moulden

10/19 John Nelson

10/25 Sarah Barosh

10/29 Lori Cykala

10/29 Lynette Hernandez

10/06 Loretta Johnson

10/16 Odis Newton

10/09 Asa Lundy

10/18 Sawyer Schoenfield

10/23 Gloria Campbell

10/27 Ty Mathews

10/20 Parke & Lynda Christenberry

10/23 Jimmy & Kathleen Joines

10/26 Evon & Linda Atchetee

10/30 Kirk & Pat Marek

10/31 Larry & Cheryl Young

COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, October 19

th

6:00 p.m.

Pray for our loved ones

In the Military

Jake Barosh Sarah Langston (Reserves)

Interim Pastor Clyde Grier:

Phone: 979-541-6173

Our FLC Family

Dorothy Atchetee

Charles Bard

Calvin & Nora Borak

Benjamin Hernandez

Nora Hollingsworth

Boogie & Marilyn Kight

John Nelson

Forrest & Norma Newton

Friends of FLC

Vanessa

Brian McMillan

Preston Dornak

Eugene Bard

Meredith Borak

Mike Bergstrom

Rozell Giesie

Debbie Hamman

Peggy Glaze

Verna Roy

Kim Walker

Monica Harris

Riley Sless

Cathie Fane

James & the Svatek Family

All communities and families

impacted by Hurricane

Harvey, Hurricane Irma &

Hurricane Maria

Ron Chambles

Everett Clark

List will be cleared on the 1st

in January, April, July

and October. Please help us stay current; call the

office with changes or additions.

WOMEN OF THE WORD

MEETING

Monday, October 9th

6:00 p.m.

WOW Food Drive

Sunday, October 1st

Prayer Meetings

Wednesdays

5:30 PM

October 4th & 18th

Everyone is invited!

LCMC Annual Gathering

October 8-11, 2017

Hilton Minneapolis

1001 Marquette Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN

Keynote Speakers – Worship -- Fellowship –

Networking – Service Project

Theme: We Confess Our Faith

To Register: Registration forms are available in the church

office

For more information and to register online:

www.lcmc.net/annual-gathering

Fall Festival

Our Annual Fall Festival will be on Sunday, October 22

nd. For the meal, barbeque chicken will

be provided and members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.

+ + + + + + + +

Fall Festival Raffle

The Fall Festival Raffle will benefit our FLC Youth, the Women of the Word group and the general fund of the congregation. Thank you to everyone who made monetary donations and/or contributed specific items for the raffle. Thank you to Heather Langston and Billie Jean Bram for planning and organizing the raffle – and to all who are selling tickets!

+ + + + + + + + +

Holy Communion

For October only, Holy Communion will be on October 1

st,15

th and 29

th (the 1

st, 3

rd and 5

th Sundays). October 8

th

and 22nd

will be non-communion Sundays.

Reformation Day Tuesday, October 31, 2017

By the end of the seventeenth century, many Lutheran churches celebrated a

festival commemorating Martin Luther's

posting of the Ninety-five Theses, a

summary of abuses in the church of his

time. At the heart of the reform movement was the gospel, the good news that it is by

grace through faith that we are justified and

set free.

Christ Alone Grace Alone Faith Alone Word Alone

Children’s Church

All children (ages 5 and younger) are invited to participate in our Children’s Church immediately following the Children’s Sermon each Sunday morning.

--- --- --- --- --- First Communion Class

Any parent interested in having their child/ren participate in a First Communion class are asked to contact Pastor Grier at 979-541-6173.

--- --- --- --- ---

Garden Villa Birthday Party

First Lutheran Church hosted a birthday party at Garden Villa Nursing Home (to celebrate September birthdays). Thank you to our volunteers who helped provide cakes and small gifts for the birthday honorees. Special thanks to Jewel Deen House for coordinating the plans and also to those who were there to help make the party special!

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Sunday School

9:30 AM Worship Service

10:45 AM w/Communion

WOW Food Drive

2

3

4

Prayer Meeting

5:30PM

5

6 7

8 Sunday School

9:30 AM Worship Service

10:45 AM

9

WOW Meeting

6PM

10

11

12

13

14

15 Sunday School

9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM

w/Communion

16

17

18 Newsletter Items Due

Prayer Meeting

5:30PM

19 First School

Board Meeting 5PM

Church Council Meeting 6PM

20

21

22 Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM

Fall Festival

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 Sunday School

9:30 AM Worship Service

10:45 AM w/Communion

33

31

Church Council: Milton Johnson 979-543-6662 Sheila Herrington 979-541-4921

Sheila Miller 979-543-4927 Jimmy Nielsen 979-543-8476

Cathy Schoenfield 979-543-3001 Lynn Talafuse

979-578-3531

Daniel Wilfert 361-404-0984

October Responsibilities

ASSISTING MINISTER: Kirk House

SEXTON:

USHER: Ted Schoenfield

ALTAR GUILD: Sheila Miller, Sharon Nielsen

ACOLYTES READER

1st

Kirk Marek 8

th

Ted Schoenfield

15th

Sheila Herrington 22

nd Cathy Schoenfield

29th

Diane Stewart

If you are unable to serve on your date, please find someone to take your place.

OCTOBER FLOWER

CALENDAR

October 2017

1st

Open

8th

Open

15th

Betty Nielsen

22nd

Open

29th

Kirk & Pat Marek

First Lutheran Church

304 Oscar

El Campo, TX 77437

979-543-5847

Email: office@firstlutheranec.com

ESTABLISHED FEB 1893

Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century.

Clyde Grier, Interim Pastor Helen Marie Kight, Organist

Christine Richter, Office Manager Bree Joines, Director of First School

Join us on FACEBOOK or check us out at

www.FIRSTLUTHERANEC.COM

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Sheila Herrington, Milton Johnson, Sheila Miller, Jimmy Nielsen,

Cathy Schoenfield, Lynn Talafuse & Daniel Wilfert.

Our Newsletter

can be found on

our website at www.firstlutheranec.com

Join us for our Fall

Festival on Sunday, October 22nd!

Sunday School – 9:30 a.m

Worship Service – 10:45 a.m.

Fall Festival – 12:15 p.m.