First Things

First Lutheran Church of Brookings, SD

Welcoming • Worshiping • Witnessing • Working

Volume 18 Issue 3 June and July of 2017

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DAVE

A couple of years ago we changed the way we read through scripture in our worship

services. The decision was made to help us see the narrative arc of the scriptures,

reading from Genesis through the New Testament each year, starting in September and

ending at Pentecost. Each week, we post in the bulletin a series of readings that helps

take you from Sunday to Sunday, more clearly following the narrative of God’s activity

and presence with God’s people.

One of the benefits of this series, is that the summers are then open for preaching

through a book (or books) of the Bible, and/or Biblical themes that might be harder to

develop. This summer, we’ll preach through five psalms, the book of Ephesians, then

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Of these, I’m especially excited about the Psalms – a book we don’t often preach from.

The psalms have been called the prayer-book of the Bible, the songbook of the Bible,

and a book of poetry. When I read them, I find the scriptures often laid open within

them, giving voice to the people’s search and struggle in the midst of life. The five we

will read this summer focus on creation (100), suffering (13), trust (23), deliverance

(30), and praise (150). If you look at that short list, you can find the arc not just of

scripture, but of the life of the faithful.

I often encourage people to use the psalms to give voice to the sorrow or grief, joy and

hope of life. They become our words when we have none; prayers when we cannot find

strength to name them; faith when we can only look forward in despair. “Protect me, O

God, for in you I take refuge”; “Yeah though I walk through the valley of death (the

places of darkness), I fear no evil; for you are with me”; “For the LORD is good; his

steadfast love endures forever”; “Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!”

The psalms are the voices of those giving thanks and praise, those crying in fear and

pain and grief for relief, those who cannot see God at work and still voice trust. But it is

important to remember that these voices do not arise out of a singular experience -

they are the voices of generations that have come before telling their stories of

deliverance and peace that God brought. They encourage and call us to lift up our eyes

to the hills, believing that salvation comes, trusting that God continues to act – because

this is who God has been throughout history, it is what God does.

I pray you’ll join us for worship this summer, listening for the voice of God from the

scriptures. The psalmist writes, “I remember the days of old, I think about all your

deeds, I meditate on the works of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul

thirsts for you like a parched land.” As you join us, may you find the words to give voice

the cries of your heart, the rejoicing in your soul.

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Dear Friends at First Lutheran,

Greetings from Wartburg Theological Seminary! It is hard to believe that my first year of

theological education has ended, and my last set of assignments were handed in last week.

It has been a year of new experiences, memories, challenges, and learning what life

together in Christian community at a seminary entails.

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend our commencement service and watch our final

year class receive their diplomas. Many of them have already received calls to congregations

and are in the process of moving. Aside for our staff and professors, our seminary will be

populated with a completely different student body next fall. We will have a brand new first-

year class, and the final-year class will be coming back from their year-long internships. One

of the things we have learned from life at seminary is that change happens often, and we

will get to build new relationships and begin again as a new community each year.

At the end of May, I will begin a summer unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at

Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. For my CPE unit, I will be working as an intern

in the chaplaincy department at Gundersen. I am excited for this opportunity to grow in a

pastoral care setting and gain some “real world” experience. My family and I hope for your

prayers as we transition to CPE and living somewhere in or around the La Crosse area for

the summer.

Over the past year, one of the many transformative changes in perspective for me is that

theology is a dialogue, and we are never done learning (or being revealed) something new

about God. We each have our own unique personal contexts that shape our thoughts about

God. While this unique perspective is important, it can also hinder us in gaining a better

understanding of God’s past, present, and future work in the world. That is why I think it is

important that we regularly engage in worship and participate in Christian community. In

Christian community, we pray for others, support one another, and learn from each other

about God’s saving and redeeming work in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My family and I miss seeing you all and worshipping with you. I think about you often and

continue to pray for you. Thank you again for your prayers and financial support of the First

Lutheran scholarship. Feel free to look me up on Facebook, Twitter, or email me at:

drewsky100@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you soon!

God’s peace be with you all and your ministry at First Lutheran Brookings!

Drew Riter

SEMINARY NEWS From Drew Riter

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Many activities are finished for this year

and we can all take a deep breath and

reflect on them. In the hustle and bustle

of life, we often forget that our music

ministry touches many peoples’ lives.

I recently read this in a devotional book for

choirs and I think we all need to absorb its

words.

“Though many choir rehearsals and

worship services may seem the same to

us, each tends to the kingdom

in its own way, planting seeds of which we

are not always aware. So we go about our

ministry of music ever improving

our skill, ever rehearsing our message,

ever praying that God will use us in

planting the seeds of the kingdom.”

Wayne Wold

What comfort this paragraph has brought

me. It is easy to get caught up in our own

lives and forget what our ministry may

mean to the congregation and us,

personally.

I encourage everyone to attend our

summer worship services where seeds will

be planted for God’s kingdom.

Thank you to all who participated in the

music ministry of First Lutheran this year.

Pat Anderson

Music Coordinator

JUNE GENERAL MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 19

First Lutheran Church Women will meet on

Monday, June 19th at 2:00 in the Parlor.

Pastor Nyla will lead a discussion on

different religions. All women of First

Lutheran are invited. Circle 1 will serve

refreshments.

SD WELCA SYNOD CONVENTION

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JUNE 23-24

The annual South Dakota WELCA Synod

Convention will be held in Yankton on June

23rd and 24th. All women from churches

of the ELCA are invited to attend. Contact

Barbara Ahartz or Dee Shanley if you

would like a registration form.

WELCA NATIONAL GATHERING

THURSDAY—SUNDAY, JULY 13-16

The national gathering of Women of the

ELCA will come to Minneapolis, Minnesota

for their Triennial Convention. Women

from all over the country will attend and

you are invited to attend what promises to

be an uplifting and exciting convention.

Contact Barb Ahartz or Dee Shanley if you

would like more information.

JULY GENERAL MEETING AND

POTLUCK

MONDAY, JULY 17

First Lutheran Church Women will meet for

a Pot-Luck Supper on July 17th at 5:30

p.m. in the Parlor. Please bring a small

dish to share and join us for supper, bible

study and fellowship. Board members will

set up and all FLCW members are asked to

bring a dish. All are welcome to come for

supper!

FLCW NEWS MUSIC NEWS

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Kindergarten through 5th graders (as of

the 2016-2017 school year) are invited to

join us and the awesome NeSoDak

counselors July 31st through August 3rd

from 12:00pm to 6:00pm for Vacation

Bible School.

3-year-olds through Pre-Kindergarten (as

of Sept. 1st 2016 and fully potty trained)

are invited to join us August 1st through

August 3rd from 10:00am to 12:00pm for

Vacation Bible School.

Cost is 10.00 dollars per child with

scholarships available. Registrations are

due June 29th. Online registration can be

found here:

https://goo.gl/forms/Vd6hjBQb7WPPKCR

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Contact Katie Eul at:

faithformations@firstlutheranbrookings.org or

at 605-695-6251.

Journey to Discipleship (JTD) is a Christian

Education program for children ages 3

years old (As of September 1st 2017) to

5th grade as of the 2017—2018 school

year. Journey to Discipleship is provided at

two times: 9:40 to 10:20 on Sunday

mornings or 6:00pm to 7:00pm Wednesday

evenings. Sunday JTD will start September

27th. Wednesday JTD will start October

7th.

Registrations can be found online at

https://goo.gl/forms/bCga3x4mqBgE88ms1

or paper registrations can be found at the

church.

Our theme for the 2017-2018 year is:

“Follow Me.” The theme comes from

Matthew 4:19 , “Come, follow me,” Jesus

said “and I will send you out to fish for

people.”

If you have questions please contact Katie

Eul at

faithformations@firstlutheranbrookings.org or

at 605-692-6251.

FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOLARSHIPS

The First Lutheran Church Foundation and Scholarship Committee are thankful to provide scholarships in the total amount of $12,000.00 for undergraduate study for the coming

school year. Thank you to all who contribute to Foundation and scholarship endowments.

FLC Gladys VanderWal Memorial Scholarship: Kristen Werpy

FLC Scholarships to graduating High School Seniors: Aspen Myer, Allyson Schleicher, Katie Sutton, Halle Maroney, Jace Larson, Klara Beinhorn

and Flannery Berreth

FLC Scholarships to students who are currently or will be attending accredited universities:

Lucas Abraham, Kaija Schoeld, Justin Nielson, Mallary Hoffmann, Kara Robbins, Tehra Christianson, Mia Phillips, Trey Tiefenthaler, Taylor Tiefenthaler and Cicely Goldhorn

There will be a change in our Faith Stepping

Stone program starting with the 2017-2018 educational year. In the past, Faith Stepping

Stone classes have been provided for children ages 1yr through 5th grade, 9th grade, and 12th

grade. For the 2017-2018 educational year, Faith Stepping Stone classes will be offered for

1-year-old, 2-year-old, Kindergarten, 3rd grade, 5th grade, 9th grade, and 12th grade kids.

Pastor Dave, Pastor Nyla, and Katie came to this decision after discussing the current

program and looking towards the future. We scaled back the elementary ages considering

families’ busy schedules, and a hope to better emphasize the program material.

5th grade Faith Stepping Stones, Holy Communion, will be held in August. Once we hear from

Schade Winery, we will send out more information.

3rd grade Faith Stepping Stone, “Opening the Bible”, will be held in September. NOTE:

September 10th, Rally Day, all 3rd graders will receive a Bible in worship. The class will be

held on September 13th and September 20th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

More information about the 1-year-old, 2-year-old, Kindergarten, 9th grade, and 12th grade

Faith Stepping Stone classes will be out later. If you have any questions, please contact

Katie by emailing faithformations@firstlutheranbrookings.org, by phone at 605-692-6251, or

catch her at church.

Senior Steven Bergmann is wrapped with a quilt by Quilter Bev Pottratz and Pastor Nyla during the Senior

Stepping Stone Blessing.

Senior Allyson Schleicher is wrapped with a quilt by Quilter Lila Bauman and Pastor Nyla during the

Senior Stepping Stone Blessing.

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Congratulations to our young people who

were confirmed at the Affirmation of

Baptism services held on Sunday, 21st.

Eleanor Jeanette Bergan Abraham

Jayden Manasi Almos

Abigail Claire Ayres

Jaidyn Bauman

Mackenzie Faye Begalka

Tyson Dale Boeve

BreyAnna Bunker

Hannah Marie Einspahr

Cole Eller

Caleb Fixsen

Gabel Berand Goldhorn

Sarah Ann Hanley

Ellison Hegdahl

Dylan Herrig

Reese Maren Hirrschoff

Charles Jamison Hoffmann

Zander Merritt Larson

Cole McElhany

Allyson Kay McMacken

Montana Martha Myer

Lily Palo

Trevor A. Pederson

Ainsley Diane Powers

Joseph David Prusa

Katherine Elise Ropp

Thomas Wendell Ropp

Emily Katherine Marie Rystrom

Kennedy Rae Schafer

Emily Morgan Schleicher

Anya Marie Schoeld

Tatum Sheridan

Morgen Zeller

Each moment of your life, may you feel

the Lord’s embrace. May you sense His

guiding presence in each challenge that

you face. May His peace and light be

with you, and may you realize how

deeply loved and precious you are

within His eyes.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

OUR GRADUATES! Congratulations to our 2017 High School

Seniors who were recognized on Sunday,

May 21st at the 10:30 worship service and

received quilts made by the Mission

Interest Quilters:

Sarah Ayres

Klara Beinhorn

Steven Bergmann

Flannery Berreth

Austin Eller

Melanie Fossum

Shaylee Kuehl

Jace Larson

Halle Maroney

Mikayla Meckelvaney

Connor Mennis

Joshua Mohs

Ally Milton

Aspen Myer

Lucas Olson

Allyson Schleicher

Spencer Schulte

Abby Sundet

Katie Sutton

Reece Weber

Kristen Werpy

Thank you to the Quilters who put so much

time, talent, and hard work into the

beautiful quilts that are given to our

graduates:

Signe Anderson, Debbie Pederson,

Marian Voelker, Faye Dahl, Carol Laabs,

Mary Moeller, Lillian Osvog, Lou Plymate,

Bev Pottratz, Dee Shanley, Lila Bauman,

Julie Bell, Dorothy Ishol, Mavis Krogman,

Brenda Hayne, Dee Davis and Sue Hegg

7

The FLC Confirmation Class of 2017 Row 1: Pastor Nyla Schoeld, Kate Ropp, Montana Myer, Mackenzie Begalka, Emily Schleicher,

Sarah Hanley, Jayden Almos, Morgen Zeller Row 2: Dylan Herrig, Allyson McMacken, Kennedy Schafer, Lily Palo, Abby Ayres,

Eleanor Abraham, Jaidyn Bauman, Anya Schoeld, Tatum Sheridan Row 3: Zander Larson, Cole Eller, Hannah Einspahr, Emily Rystrom,

BreyAnna Bunker, Ellison Hegdahl, Ainsley Powers, Reese Hirrschoof, Pastor Dave Schoeld Row 4: Pastor Steve Palo,

Trevor Pederson, Gabel Goldhorn, Charlie Hoffmann, Tyson Boeve, Joe Prusa, Cole McElhany, Tom Ropp, Caleb Fixsen

8

We are all enjoying the summer weather here along with our patrons! Tuesday morning is

still our caramel roll day and I know everyone enjoys this special treat and time to socialize

with all of their friends. The lunch hour rushes are slowing down and May 26th will be our

first Friday that we will be closed. Summer hours will be Monday through Thursday 8:00-

2:00 for food and coffee and Sunday mornings for coffee.

We do have a lot of scheduled activities in the coffeehouse, activity center, and meeting

room: graduations, weddings, senior breakfast, and a new member meal to name a few.

There are always plans to be made, details to check, and food and coffee to order to prepare

for all of these activities.

June 13th is the 8th Annual Women’s Ag Event and we have been working on the details

needed for this large gathering. Last year they planned for at least 250 attending and I

believe it will be the same this year.

Kurt at Kool Beans remains our faithful local roaster of coffee. Thank you for the service!! A

big thank you to all of the volunteers that dedicate their time, effort, and love into the

Mission Coffeehouse!!! We could not possibly make this a success without you!!! Love to

you all and have a great summer.

Mission of the Month for May:

“St. Dysmas-Springfield”

Mission of the Month for June: “Fistula Foundation”

Mission of the Month for July: “China Service Ventures”

News from Jeanne Eclov

A check for the amount of $1,237.02 was sent to Global Health Ministries, our Mission of the Month for March,

2017. Thank you to the First Lutheran Congregation and our Community for

your support!

Lyle Anderson, a member of the FLC Mission Team, presented a check for the amount of $1,265.66 to Dave and Jerilyn Hansen, directors of “Helping Hands for Haiti”, our Mission of the

Month for April, 2017.

The Membership

Records of First

Lutheran Church from

April and May

of 2017

Baptisms:

Blair Priscilla Staniszewski

(Child of Neil and Erin Staniszewski)

Passings: Alice Siver

Richard Gould

Thelma Dittman

Weddings: Michael & Presley (Door) Thompson

New members: (paperwork completed)

Christopher and Nicolette Bulian

Andrew, Brandi and Ky Dorn

Gabel Goldhorn

Ellison Hegdahl

Cole McElhany

Morgen Zeller

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March 23 - May 22, 2017

Many memorials were received, but this is the list of memorials that remained at

First Lutheran Church.

In memory of Marlin Hill: Roger and Virginia Walline, James and Ardyce Hill, Lillian Osvog, Mary Negstad, Marge Odegaard, Dorothy Ishol, Richard and Shirley Nichols, Dale and Paulette Heesch, Marcia and Clayton Ness, friends and family

In memory of Bun Nelson: Ken and Barb Ahartz, Ruth Hevle, Dean and Leona Krogmann, Gwen and Roger Pickett, Lewayne Erickson, Phyllis Senska, friends and family In memory of Michael Harrison: Thomas and Rebecca Jennings In memory of Aldon Almos: Judy Alickson, Mark and Jo Gauthier In memory of Thelma Dittman: Joy Bretsch, Mildred Juel, Marge Odegaard, LaVonne Plymate, Marge Sorenson, Dale and Paulette Heesch, Lewayne Erickson, Marian Rude, Lillian Osvog, Signe Anderson, Marian Voelker, Dee Shanley, friends and family

First Lutheran Church is on the schedule to

deliver Meals on Wheels from July 31— August 11!

If you can help with this valuable mission service, please sign

up in the church office starting July 2!

Thank you!

SUMMER HOURS

Main Office Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am—4:00 pm

Fridays 8:00 am—12:00 pm

Mission Cofffeehouse Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am—2:00 pm

Closed Fridays

10

1

9:00

FLCW Board

Meeting

2

MCH CLOSED

3

Eichmann/

Hatzenbeller

Wedding

Law/Sandine

Wedding

4

8:30 am

Festival

Service with

HC

10:00 am

Praise Service

with HC

5

9:00 Staff

10:00

ULC/PP

Communion

5:00

Hospitality

Meeting

5:30

“Sew What”

6

8:00

Quilters

7 10:00

Brookview

Communion

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in

the Chapel

8

2:00 Golden

Age

9

MCH CLOSED

10

11

8:30 am

Festival

Service

10:00 am

Praise Service

12

9:00 Staff

5:30

“Sew What”

13

12:30

Heritage/

Edgewood

Communion

14

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in the

Chapel

15

16

MCH CLOSED

17

Moret/

Bullington

Wedding

18 Father’s Day 8:30 am

Festival

Service with

HC

10:00 am

Praise Service

with HC

19

9:00 Staff

2:00 Joint

Circle

Meeting

5:30

“Sew What”

20

10:00 Staff

8:00

Quilters

21

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in the

Chapel

22

23

MCH CLOSED

24

25

8:30 am

Festival

Service

10:00 am

Praise Service

26

9:00 Staff

5:30

“Sew What”

27

28

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in the

Chapel

29

30

MCH CLOSED

1

2

8:30 am

Festival

Service with

HC

10:00 am

Praise Service

with HC

3

9:00 Staff

10:00

ULC/PP

Communion

5:30

“Sew What”

4

Offices and

MCH Closed

5

10:00

Brookview

Communion

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in

the Chapel

6

9:00

FLCW Board

Meeting

7

MCH CLOSED

8

O’Connell/

Shepardson

Wedding

9

8:30 am

Festival

Service

10:00 am

Praise Service

10

9:00 Staff

5:30

“Sew What”

11

12:30

Heritage/

Edgewood

Communion

12

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in the

Chapel

13

2:00 Golden

Age

14

MCH CLOSED

15

16

8:30 am

Festival

Service with

HC

10:00 am

Praise Service

with HC

17

9:00 Staff

5:30 Joint

Circle

Meeting

5:30

“Sew What”

18

8:00

Quilters

19

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in the

Chapel

20

8:00 Pub

Theology

21

MCH CLOSED

22

23

8:30 am

Festival Service

10:00 am

Praise Service

30

8:30 am

Festival Service

10:00 am

Praise Service

24

9:00 Staff

5:30

“Sew What”

31

9:00 Staff

11:00 Meals on

Wheels

12:00 VBS

5:30

“Sew What”

25

26

7:00 pm

Contemporary

Contemplative

Mid-Week

Worship in the

Chapel

27

28

MCH CLOSED

29

11

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Brookings, SD

Permit No. 87

If you have an

article or information

for the August/

September Newsletter,

please have it in to the

church office no later than

July 13th!

If you would like information

put into the Sunday

announce-ments, please have it in to the church

office by the Monday before.

Thank you!

First Lutheran Church PO Box 300 Brookings, SD 57006

Return Service Requested

X X

www.firstlutheranbrookings.org

Phone: 692-6251

Fax: 697-2760

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Beginning May 28!

Sundays in the Sanctuary:

8:30 a.m. Festival Worship Service

10:00 a.m. Praise Worship Service

Beginning June 7!

Contemporary Contemplative Mid-Week Worship Service

Wednesday Evenings in the Chapel

7:00 p.m.