Discipleship

By Kyle Olson, AiM

Director of Spiritual

Growth

I often wonder why

the Gospel writers

included the stories

they did. All four

Gospels speak of

Christ’s baptism, death and resurrection. These are

exciting things. By contrast, this week’s Gospel

reading shows us how Jesus called his disciples.

This is pretty boring compared to walking on water

and rising from the dead. However, this story is im-

portant because it gives us a model by which we are

to call the world into relationship with Christ.

We, as 21st century Christians, are not always so ef-

ficient in our discipleship efforts. I have witnessed

people expel much energy developing programs and

ministries, which few attend, and then wonder,

“Why?” This passage has much to teach us about

successful evangelicalization (sharing the faith).

Consider how our church has grown and changed

over the past few years. While there were some ma-

jor changes that have drawn some people in, a

strong number of our new parishioners have joined

because of relationships. Our members have re-

ceived the Good News and are telling their friends

and family. Programs like Lamb of God, youth

ministry, and First Suppers have some impact, but it

is more about the one-on-one relationships formed

that are bringing people to the church. Praise be to

God for Christ’s instruction on faithful sharing of

the Good News in our midst.

This Week’s Readings

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

John 1:43-51

Gospel Text

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He

found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now

Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and

Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We

have found him about whom Moses in the law and

also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from

Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything

good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him,

“Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming

toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israel-

ite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked

him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus an-

swered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip

called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the

Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus an-

swered, “Do you believe because I told you that I

saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater

things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly,

I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels

of God ascending and descending upon the Son of

Man.”

First Lutheran Church “Rooted in Christ, we are growing in faith to bear fruit in the world.”

S o u l F o o d

A weekly devotional and information resource for the people of First Lutheran Church

Saturday and Sunday, January 17 & 18, 2015 Second Sunday after Epiphany

Let’s Connect

Today Is The Day! The First Lutheran Church Health ministry is hosting a kick-off event for this ministry beginning at 11:15 AM in Fellowship Hall. This will include a chili lunch with a free-will offering. There will be fun entertain-ment for children and adults! This event will be partially funded by Thrivent.

Bring A Friend! What a treasure we have in Jesus Christ! This treasure is too good to keep to ourselves. Bring a friend with you to worship! Let’s share our treasure with others!

Friendship Registry- We invite you to sign the Friendship Register (the green pad in the pew, next to the center aisle) and pass it to the next person. When it reaches the end of the pew, pass it back, noting the names of others in the pew. Then, after the service, be sure to greet you fellow worshipers.

Coffee Fellowship- after the Sunday worship service will continue in the winter; however, in order to do so, we need your help! Please consider hosting one of the fellowship times after church. The coffee fellowships will be held in the parlor area near the chapel. The sign-up is in the narthex. Please contact Sarah Diamond in the church office with any questions. Thank you!

Let’s Grow

New Year New Book– New books are available on the bookshelf in the hallway, go check them out!

Reformation History Course- Have you ever wondered what it means to be Lutheran? How are Luther-ans different from other Christians? How are we the same? These questions will be answered during our 2 year study of Lutheran Heritage. Our first course, Reformation History, begins this semester and meets Feb-ruary 1, March 1, March 29. and May 3 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The cost for this course is $50 which includes lunch and educational material. Childcare available upon request (additional fee). Please email kyle@firstlutheranmanhattan.org to register.

Adult Classes +Bible Study – Sunday, 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM; Each Week +Financial Peace University - Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 PM; January 14-March 11. Cost is $93. Scholarships available (talk to Kyle). Register online at at http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/locations/org/5744/class/261382/atid/l_ln +Reformation History (for adults and youth)- Sunday, 11:30 AM-2:00 PM; February 1, March 1,April 5, May 3. Cost $50. Scholarships available (talk to Kyle). Register by emailing Kyle, kyle@firstlutheranmanhattan.org

F.I.R.S.T. Children Ministry (Birth-6th grade) Sunday Church School is 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM. Les-sons follow the lectionary readings for the day. Other courses include Faith Steppingstones. Upcoming Stones- -Faith Steppingstone 5: Holy Communion – January 11, 18 and 25; Blessing service February 1 -Faith Steppingstone 6: Entrance into Confirmation – April 19, 26; May 3 -Wednesday Church School is from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM on USD 383 early release days: January 14, Feb-ruary 25, April 8, May 6. Lessons are rotational “VBS Style” and cover a Biblical Theme. This year all les-sons will come from Genesis.

Luther League Youth Group (Grades 7-12)- Wednesday’s throughout the school year +Meal from 5:30-6:15 PM +Confirmation and High School Study from 6:15-7:45 PM

Let’s Serve

Annual Meeting- Plan now to attend our Annual Meeting for 2015. The meeting is scheduled for next Sunday, January 25, following the morning worship service. A vote to approve the Strategic Plan will be held and there will be an update from the Transition Team. The Annual Reports are available in the narthex.

New Offering Envelopes- Offering envelopes for 2015 are now available in the narthex (Parlor for Satur-day night worshipers). If you would like offering envelopes and there is no packet with your name on it, please inform the church office.

Positions Available: Members of First Lutheran to step forth and serve in an elected position with-in our church family. We are looking for Volunteers to serve in Council positions, our Endowment committee, Nominating committee and Synod Delegates. Please contact Phil Hastings 913-660-6121 for details on the responsibilities of these positions. Thank you for prayerfully considering assisting First Lutheran to go where God wants us to be!

Food Pantry Volunteer Needed– The Food Pantry is in need of one volunteer on the third Wednesday of every month from 1-4 p.m. If you would like more information or are interested please contact Dennis Winter at 537-7393. Souper Bowl– The Food Pantry is holding the Annual Souper Bowl. Please bring non perishable food and personal hygiene product items January 18, 25 and February 1. Please place all donations in the shopping cart located in the Narthex! Thanks for your support!

Pancakes for the Community- The Manhattan SERTOMA Club plans to make a major donation of equipment to the Community Meals Network (CoMN Table). CoMN Table is the local consortium of indi-viduals and churches (including this one) committed to providing meals for those who need them. Support SERTOMA and CoMN Table by attending the 53rd annual SERTOMA PANCAKE AND GROUND HOG FEED, Saturday Feb. 7, 7am-1pm Cico Park, Pottorf Hall, Tickets: Adults $6, Children Ages 6-12 $3, Part-ner: HCI Sales

Divorce Care Class for 2015– First United Methodist church at 612 Poyntz, in Manhattan, Kansas, will be holding the first of 13 Divorce Care classes on Thursday, January 22, 2015 from 7-8:30 p.m. in classroom 1 &2. Melanie Martin– associate pastor, Carolyn Scott– volunteer and Bob Sawyer– volunteer, will be the facilitator’s for this class series. There is a $20 fee for workbooks, but if this is a problem, scholarships are available.

Love working with children? Lamb of God School is looking for volunteers in their Infant and Toddler classroom (ages 0- 2 1/2 years). Volunteers must pass a background check and previous experience with chil-dren is preferred. Contact Director Jessica Prockish for more information.

Please pray for us . . . Prayers of concern and thanksgiving will remain on the first prayer list for up to a month. If the need con-tinues, they can be resubmitted or renewed.

We include in our prayers: Dick Hayter, Roger Dick (uncle of Jeremy Dick), Jeff Hoover (friend of Marcus Hoover), Ron Larios (father of Gavin Larios), Hoyt Schaefer (friend of Jared and Beka Meitler), Lot Taylor (Brother in law of Zelda Ho-erman)

We include in our prayers our children and youth who are observing baptismal anniversaries this week: Corbin Grote (January 19), Easton Grote (January 19), Addison Koch (January 22), Alex-ander Aramouni (January 23)

Please remember in your personal prayers . . .

Our military serving overseas, Adam Collins, Erik Peterson, Roger Williams, Jamin Williamson

Jade Davis, Madeline Dunn, Ellie Felzien, Wes Flinn, Edith Gralow, Lynne Lundberg, Brenda Mayberry, Fred Oehme, Ruth Okerlund, Adele Olgeirson, Roxanne Pelfrey, Marie Renz, Lora Salem, Matthew Schindler, Evelyn Schoeff, Christa Shaheed, Tammy Smith, Patricia Snyder, Delmar Toburen, Joyce Todd, Kelly Walker, Jim Wiegert, Marvin Abitz (uncle of Susan Schindler), Maxine Anderson (friend of Norma Blakely), Ter-ry Atkinson (friend of Stan Tilley), Ty Benson (grandson of Stan Tilley), Janet Brown (sister of Susan Schindler), Cody Dick (cousin of Jeremy Dick), Kathy Elliott (friend of Jessica Prockish), Agnes Finger (mother of Janice Schroeder), Shelly Hanson (aunt of Jesica Hanson), Michelle Schmit (sister in law of Caitlin Rusk), Amy Sloan (friend of Stan Tilley), Lee Swanson (brother of Verna Turnquist)

Contact Jelane Cook 313-2333 if interested in providing Altar flowers

If you have a prayer request or change please contact Becky in the office at becky@firstlutheranmanhattan.org

ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND

Sunday Organist Erika Cave

Saturday Pianist Lori Coleman

Acolytes Crysteen Brown and Josie Silva

Reader Anne Emerson

Hospitality Team Team 3: Jewel Christopherson, John and Jelane Cook, John and Sue Drach, Annette Hammons, Darlene Siegle, Charlee Smith, John Yadon and Sally Yahnke

Communion Assistants Mary Gordon and Charlee Smith

Altar Guild Claudia Gordon

Sunday 18

Monday 19

Tuesday 20

Wednesday 21

Thursday 22

Friday 23

Saturday 24

9:00 a.m. -First Communion Instruction (Fellowship Hall) -Bible Study (Room 28) -Choir Rehearsal (Music Room) -Children’s Church (Fellowship Hall) -Nominating Committee (Conference Room)

10:00 a.m. -Worship (Sanctuary)

11:30 a.m. -Health Ministry Kick-Off (Fellowship Hall)

10:00 a.m. -Line Dancing (Fellowship Hall)

7:00 p.m. -Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)

11:30 p.m. -Lydia Circle (Bluestem Bistro)

7:00 p.m. -Esther Circle (Home of Margaret Freshnock)

2:30 p.m. -Communion at Meadowlark

5:15 p.m. -Handbell Choir (Music Room)

5:30 p.m. -Youth Dinner (Youth Room)

6:15 p.m. -Luther League/Confirmation (Youth Room)

6:30 p.m. -Financial Peace University (Room 28)

1:00 p.m. -Director’s Meeting (Conference Room)

5:30 p.m. -Endowment Committee (Conference Room)

6:00 p.m. -First Suppers (Fellowship Hall)

9:00 a.m. -Luther League Youth Make Cheeseballs (Kitchen)

5:30 p.m. -Worship (Chapel)

First Lutheran Church 930 Poyntz, Manhattan, Kansas 66502

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday thru Thursday 8:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Friday Church Office (785)537-8532

Website: www.firstlutheranmanhattan.org E-mail: office@firstlutheranmanhattan.org

Interim Pastor, Pastor Bill George: prbill@firstlutheranmanhattan.org AiM, Director of Spiritual Growth Kyle Olson: kyle@firstlutheranmanhattan.org

Church Admin./ Dir. of Cong. Life Sarah Diamond: sarah@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Director of Evangelical Outreach Kathryn Focke: evanoutreach@firstlutheranmanhattan.org

Communication Specialist Becky Marsh: becky@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Volunteer and Organizational Assistant Catherine Carmichael: Catherine@firstlutheranmanhattan.org

Director of Lamb of God School Jessica Prockish: Jessica@firstlutheranmanhattan.org