November 2019

What’s Inside ...

From Kelly Ylitalo Page 2 Up Coming Scriptures Page 4 Confirmation Schedule Page 4 Christian Ed News Page 5 Operation Christmas Child Page 5 Lay School Schedule Page 5 Tried – n – True Page 6 Bible Study/Circle News Page 6 WELCA Page 7 Fortune Lake Page 9 Stewardship Page 10 Special Giving Page 11 Seminarian-Intern Support Page 12 Thank You Page 13 Gifts to our Congregation Page 14 Special Announcements Page 14 Bay College Meal Page 15 Hope at the Inn Page 16 Birthdays & Anniversaries Page 17 Council Highlights Page 18 From the Bishop Page 18 Contact Us Page 20

Our Mission Statement ... First Lutheran Church is God’s people inviting, involving equipping and empowering to serve, that all may know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

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Dear Friends in Christ,

As I write this message, it is not yet the end of October, so many folks are still anticipating and preparing for the holiday that will fall on October 31. A common question asked of children and adults alike is “Who or what are you going to be for Halloween?”

The answers vary, identifying any number of things. Witches, Goblins, Ghosts, and Ghouls. Princesses, Pirates, Ninjas, and Wizards. The possibilities are only as limited as the imagination. As a small child, my favorite Halloween disguise was one of my dad’s button-down shirts, a wig that belonged to my mom, a basic eye mask, and some pink lipstick. As I got older, I eventually delved into the realm of black cats, scary witches, Fred Flintstone, and Holly Hobbie.

All of these different costumes have me thinking about the people we sometimes pretend to be, the various masks and costumes we often wear in and out in the world, portraying something other than our true selves.

For instance, we may proport ourselves to be “good” and “fine” in circumstances when everything around us is literally falling apart. We hide behind disguises to prevent others from seeing our fears, failures, ills, and heartaches, not wanting to expose our “naked” selves when we feel most vulnerable. Perhaps, at times, we are even attempting to fool ourselves.

At other times, we attempt to make ourselves something more than we are. We seek to impress and perhaps gain recognition or prestige. We exaggerate our talents, accomplishments, and capabilities. We “dress” ourselves in ways that call attention to us and make us stand out in a crowd, bold and flamboyant. Look at me! How wonderful and important am I!

But who are we really? When we’ve removed the masks and washed the makeup away, when we’ve stripped off our costumes, when we’ve come out of hiding, who and what are the persons beneath it all?

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The biblical witness tells us that we are all sinners. We are all people who have failed to trust and put God first and foremost in our lives, and we are all people who have broken our relationships with God, with one another, and with all of creation. Under the law, which reveals our sin, we are condemned, and our sentence is death.

But the good news – the gospel message for all – is that God loves us so much that God did not desire for us to remain in our sinful state. So, God took on human flesh, clothing God’s self in humanity in the person of Jesus Christ, so that we might see and know God and God’s immense and unconditional love for us and all of creation. Jesus, the one who is fully God and fully human, gives his life for us upon the cross that we might have life and have it abundantly, and in this outpouring of God’s love upon the cross and in Jesus’ resurrection, we are named children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High, heirs with Jesus of the Kingdom. In the cross of Christ, we are granted new identities, made new creations.

This is who we are! We are God’s beloved, and because of Jesus, there is nothing which can now ever separate us from God’s love. Nothing can take away this free and amazing gift God has given to us. Nothing can change the identity God has given us in the cross. You and I, we are God’s forever.

Grace and Peace, Kelly Ylitalo, Seminarian and LLM

P.S. The following links may be helpful in exploring your identity in God further.

For a list of scriptures references: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/36/ba/9c/36ba9cd19799b7df7269b4673cab9a88.jpg

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If you enjoy music – and I do – I invite you to listen to the following songs on YouTube: “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA “You are a Child of Mine” by Mark Schultz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m14KgtwCw1s “Children of the Heavenly Father” performed by Concordia College Choir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_NqzFGLYyo

Upcoming Scripture Readings

November 3 – All Saints Sunday Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesian 1:11-23; Luke 6: 20-31

November 10 – Twentysecond Sunday after Pentecost Job 19: 23-27a; Psalm 17; 1-9; Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17; Luke 20: 27-38

November 17 – Twentythird Sunday after Pentecost Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; Thessalonians 3: 6-13; Luke 21: 5-19 November 24 - Twentyfourth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1: 11-20; Luke 23: 33-43

Confirmation Class Schedule is as follows November 10th, December 1st

4:00 – 7:00pm Meal included

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Christian Ed News

From now until December, any donations we receive through noisy offering (2nd Sunday of each month) or Coffee hours will go toward adopting a family in need for Christmas. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Remember, No Sunday School on December 1st. Blessings, Amelia & Reyna

Operation Christmas Child

There are boxes in the narthex with a brochure with suggestions of items to put in the box. Pick a boy or girl, pick an age group and begin shopping. If you don't want to shop but would like to participate, Ann Christiansen will shop for you. Items recommended are school supplies, hygiene items and a toy like a ball that more than one child can play with. A small stuffed animal is good too. NO liquids, toothpaste or candy are allowed as are any military type toy. Thank you for bringing the gospel and love to children in need. Please return your shoebox for Operation Christmas Child by November 24th to our church or you can bring them to Grace Church the week of November 18th.

Lay School

November 7th, 21st and 21st and December 10th, 12th and 19th. For more information, contact Pastor Steve Gauger at Calvary Lutheran Church: 474-9353 or 474-6020.

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Tried -n-True

Friday, November 22nd at 12:00pm. Shades of Gray will be sharing their vocal talent.

Bible Study

Meets every Wednesday at 9:30am.

Grace Circle

Grace Circle will meet at Bayview Manor on Thursday, November 14th at 2:00 pm Nora Smith will lead the Bible study “Eternal Life Now” by Max Lucado based on 1 John 5:6-13. Holy Communion and coffee fellowship will be part of the afternoon.

Guests are always welcome. Please join us.

Love Circle

Meets on the third Thursday of each month, 9:30am at First Lutheran Church. Study material will be in the narthex. Every woman is invited. Please call 428-1696 if you need a ride or more information.

Faith Circle

Will meet on the third Thursday of each month, at 7:00 in the evening. They also meet at church.

Altar Guild

Altar Guild will meet on Thursday, November 21st at 7:00 p.m. Please make every effort to attend, we will be discussing and planning Advent

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ELCA

Sunday, November 17th is Women of the ELCA Sunday at First Lutheran Church. Our women and girls will serve in a variety of ways at both services. Intern Kelly Ylitalo will lead worship and share a message. A coffee fellowship will follow the 10:30 am worship hosted by Charity and Love Circles. Your free will donations will support the outreach missions and ministries of our women.

Thank you to all who gathered for the potluck dinner at First on Thursday evening, October 10th. Good food and fellowship were shared and we got to see slides and hear about the ministry of Todd and Ann Ziems. They work with the people of Tanzania sharing water filters that provide clean drinking water as well as sharing the love of Jesus Christ. To help them in their ministry, monetary gifts were given to them by the Women of the ELCA as well as the evenings offering.

Mark your Calendars for…….

Quilts and Treasures at First Lutheran

The silent auction begins Sunday, November 3rd and continues through Sunday, November 17th at noon.

Stop in anytime during the week or on Sunday morning and check out what is available. Quilts, handmade items, table runners, and some vintage things will be displayed in the narthex. Place your bid along with your name and phone number. If you are the highest bidder and cannot be here on the 17th, you will get a call and can pick up your item/items any time that following week.

Also, the church will be open and you can check out the display and make a bid on an item/items of your choice on Saturday, November 16th, from 10am until 2pm. All money raised will be sent to Lutheran World Relief to help with shipping costs. Anyone from the congregation may donate homemade items for the silent auction.

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LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF This year First Lutheran Church sent…

640 Quilts 524 Baby Care Kits 200 School Kits

The Square Ladies made 321 tops. Quilts were also given to graduates, to the Place of Hope project and look for many in the upcoming Silent Auction which will support shipping costs. We had boxes from 17 churches put on the semi from Escanaba Moving Systems the morning of October 12th. Tom Woodaz, from Escanaba Moving Systems was our driver and the semi was ¾ full. The quilts are taken to a railroad car in Menominee.

The weather cooperated and we had a great crew of people who helped in many ways.

Those who supplied treats were Jean Noskey, Mary Tuskan, Paula LaCrosse, Connie Salmi, Mary Bjorkquist, Donna Schlemmer, Nora Smith and most helped with serving and clean up.

Those loading boxes were Lloyd Tuskan, Rick and Paula LaCrosse, Katie Smith and children Sophia and Kellan, Gail McEachern, Dale Schlemmer, Kelly and Carson Shea, Dave Ottensman, Bonnie Groh, Carolyn Nelson, Gary Larson, Pam Brown and Doug, Ben, and Sam Hewitt.

A note from a recent devotion of mine… ”A teacher asked her pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said…well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread, that would be kindness. But, if they put a little jam on it, that would be loving-kindness!”

Thank you to all who in any way and in a variety of ways put a “bit of jam” on our Lutheran World Relief. Nora

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Fortune Lake News

November 11 Senior Day Come and join us for a day of wonderful conversation, delicious food, and great fun!

November 15-17 UnFinished Object (UFO) Crafter’s Retreat Do you have an arts or crafts project that has been tucked

away for years, waiting for your attention? Commit to finishing it on this fantastic weekend away with other crafters!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Individuals and Families are invited to join the Community Foundation of Delta County for a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner.

November 28th Noon Escanaba Senior High School Meal reservations, rides, or home delivered meals can be arranged by calling the Escanaba Senior Center 786-8850

Change of Address As some of you leave town to spend the winter in warmer, sunnier places please remember to let the office know your warmer, sunnier address. Thank you!

Roast Turkey

Dressing

Vegetables

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Rolls

Pie

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Stewardship

STEWARDSHIP IN DECLINE?

Do we have the resources to continue what we have been doing as a

church? Can we maintain the various ministries that we have come to

know and love? Wouldn’t it be great to get back to the “good old days”

of setting up extra chairs in the sanctuary for worship, Sunday school

classes bursting at the seams and tons of ministries with great leadership

and attendance.

Nostalgia is a comforting state of mind when we sense we are losing our

grip on a time and place where we felt happier and more secure.

As we think about the future of the church, statistics paint a pretty dismal

picture. There are fewer people “plugging in” to the life of the church,

whether it be in worship or in any of the various ministries needed in any

given congregation. Fewer people translates into less stewardship. There

aren’t as many people around to divide up the load. We are aging and

there are fewer of us to volunteer, fewer of us to give of our abilities,

skill and time and less money to work with.

WOW! What a bummer! Seems like we ELCA Lutherans have hand

wringing down to a fine science. We are not alone. Most main line

churches are wallowing around in this depressing “pity party” that many

times causes us to pull in on ourselves, circle the wagons and settle for a

maintenance mentality.

One response is to fall back on God and trust that God will provide and if

it’s God’s will, we will survive and, maybe even, thrive. Trusting God is

the best response, but ONLY if we DO NOT sit back on our hands and

wait for God to act.

“God’s work, our hands” means action-not sitting around pining for “the

good old days” and hoping for the best. We need to be about the business

of “doing”. First, with prayer, then with outreach and love to our

neighbors in need. We need to faithfully search for guidance from the

Holy Spirit WHILE we are on the move.

As we are taking action, we will have to be open to changes in the way

we do church that are more dramatic and of greater magnitude than those

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with which we have become comfortable. By all the measures we use to

judge the success of the ELCA corner of Christendom, we are in decline.

Defining the problem is the easier part, by far. Settling on viable solutions-well, that’s the really tough part. The tinkering and tweaking of the past hasn’t seemed to help much. We need to be willing to color WAY outside the lines and do battle with the inertia that we feel keeps us safe.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. In this battle we, at First Lutheran, have some formidable allies. We have the resources and leadership of the of the ELCA and the Northern Great Lakes Synod as partners in this discernment process.

One thing of which we can all be certain-God is with us through all this disequilibrium. Christ is our center and the Rock upon which we stand amid all the shifting sand. God is with us as we venture out to scary places searching for what God wants from us. If we stay in conversation with and in a right relationship with God, the answers will come. Are we listening?

In Christ, Dirk Manson, Stewardship Chair

Special Giving Envelope

This month’s Special Giving will go towards WELCA Thankoffering

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Seminarian-Intern Support

“Practice these duties, devote yourself to them!” 1 Timothy 4:15a

One of the things that I loved during my soon fifty-five years as a pastor is the variety of opportunities and challenges that the calling provided! There was never time to be bored! Few other professions can provide the variety of tasks which are presented to a parish pastor:

Public Speaker: Sunday sermons, mid-week services, funeral and wedding homilies, addressing local service clubs, an occasional commencement address, all were a part of the calling.

Financial Planner: Church budgets, annual stewardship drives, building fund drives, benevolence quotas for the larger church, special appeals for world hunger, hurricane relief, church agencies, refugee resettlement, etc.

Counselor: Baptismal and wedding counseling, marriage, grief and stress counseling, etc.

Visitor: Home visits, hospital and nursing home visits, home communions, grief visitation, invites to celebrate special occasions in the homes of members.

Prayer Professional: “Pastor, would you please offer a prayer?” “Please pray for Kathy, Mike, Susie….”

Teacher: Confirmation, Sunday Church School, Vacation Church School, Bible studies, Lay School for Mission, text study and much more.

Conference Delegate: Attendance at conference, synodical and national church meetings, conventions and conferences.

Meeting Planner: Agenda planner, committee leader, minute writer, annual reports, tax filings, etc.

Host: Welcoming a continuing parade of folks to a vast variety of gatherings, social and business meetings at the church.

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Handy-Man/Setter Upper: When custodial or parishioner help was not available you rolled up your sleeves and attended to the tasks to be done. “Pastor do you know where the church tablecloths are, I can’t find them?”

You get the “picture!” If you want to pursue a career that is multi-faceted, challenging and never boring, consider becoming a parish pastor! Every day and hour another opportunity awaits you. The phone rings and your off to the hospital, nursing home or summoned for a house call! I assure you, there’s little time to be bored! Join the excitement – become a parish pastor!

Dale Skogman on behalf of Seminarian and Intern Support ___________________________________________________________

those who helped with the October Messenger; Judy aulotte, Sue Manson, and Cindy Sjoquist Thank you all, so much!

Thank you to all those who helped with the Bay College Meal. It was much appreciated. Connie Salmi Thank you for your support of the ministry of Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp….. Amanda Rasner, Camp Director Dear First Lutheran, I just want to thank you for the scholarship I received from you. It went towards my tuition. Also, thank you so much for the care package. I really like the blanket (quilt) you sent me. It’s really going to help me out here at Finlandia when it’s going to be -30 degrees during the winter. Sincerely, Sam “Vova” Hill

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Gifts to our congregation have been given ...

Donation for School Kits

From Laila Whitfield

Donation for the National Youth Gathering Trip From the Sunday School

Gladstone Ecumenical

Thanksgiving Worship

Sunday, November 24th Time and location to be announced

(watch for updates in the bulletin)

Join us as we gather with others in our community

to give thanks to a good and gracious God!

BAY DE NOC CHORAL SOCIETY Presents “Joy to the World” Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 1st 1:30pm

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All Saints Day All Saints Day this year falls on Sunday, November 3rd. During worship that day we will lift up in prayer the following saints who have gone before us, who have witnessed God’s love, and who now celebrate eternal life with Jesus: Chris Ziems Willard Morley Beverly Gurney Dorothy Westerback Loyal ‘Banjo’ Swenson William Sundling Geri Labre Eiko Olson Vi Christiansen If you have a loved one to add to the All Saints Day list, please contact the office so they can also be lifted up on All Saints Day.

Fall Back We set our clocks BACK one hour on November 2 at 2:00 AM. You can sleep in an extra hour and still be on time for church!

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Hope at The Inn

Hope at the Inn begins Sunday, November 3rd. Rhonda and Pat are gearing up for First Lutheran’s serving week of December 8 – 15. We are looking forward to seeing all our great volunteers and will be available for sign-ups, two weeks before our week of serving, in the narthex. You may also sign up in advance for a shift or meal online at hopeattheinn.org.

This season and we are need of:

Lg. disposable & sturdy plates -Plastic utensils; Forks, knives, spoons - Styrofoam cups & Plastic cups -Napkins - Bowls for soup or cereal

We’ve noticed, from past seasons, the most needed hygiene products are: toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, and deodorant. We’ve also have had the need for; underwear, both men’s and women’s (size med, lg, x-lg) and socks (black preferred, white gets too dirty looking), and waterproof winter outer wear.

Thank you for all your support! Rhonda Husbye and Pat Casteel

Interested in becoming a Volunteer? There will be a training at:

Wellspring Church in Escanaba's mall, next to the old ShopKo

Tuesday, Nov. 12 6:30pm

at Harbor Lights Church 612 2nd Ave. South, Escanaba

early January

No Pre-Registration Needed - Just show up!

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Happy Birthday to ... 11/01 Elaine DeRoeck 11/15 Dale Hongisto 11/02 Anna Smith 11/18 David Cowen 11/03 Mark Nelson 11/18 Annabelle Christie 11/03 Sally Strom 11/18 Hannah Christie 11/05 Jacob Siedlecki 11/20 Austin Brown 11/06 Eric Husbye 11/20 Carson Sovey 11/08 Laura Coleman 11/22 Ira Goetsch 11/08 John Skellenger 11/22 Diane LaPorte 11/09 Sharon Ide 11/22 Kaden Menard 11/10 Susan Snowaert 11/23 Connor Sovey 11/10 Kara Salo 11/25 J. William Ehrhardt 11/12 Addam Claes 11/25 Sally Pouliot 11/13 Barbara Tauzer 11/26 Susan Mason 11/13 Raino Maki 11/27 Lorraine Moreau 11/14 Donald Casteel 11/29 Marie Hirn 11/14 Kimberly Roman 11/29 A. Lee Anderson 11/29 Nicolle Trudeau

Happy Anniversary to ...

11/03 Matt & Carrie Oney 11/11 Joseph & Pamela Durbin 11/28 Gerald & Carol Ebbesen 11/28 Irwin & Monica Bostwick 11/28 Jason & Leah Hansen

(If we’ve missed your birthday or anniversary please let us know)

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Council Highlights The Congregation Council met on October 3rd with President Amber Hess-Soderman presiding. At this meeting the council: They talked about the Blessed to be a Blessing event with Jodi Pharr. All agreed she was worth having and they discussed having her back after the committee’s first 90 days. A quote for the new sign, out front, is coming. The new logo on the sign will be the same as the T-shirts the Sunday School sold, except, it will read “You are a Child of God” The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be on Thursday, November at 7:00 pm.

From the Bishop

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Sunday, September 15, 2019, First Lutheran Church of Dollar Bay, Michigan closed. For 119 years, the people of First Lutheran faithfully strived to be a blessing, not only to the people of Dollar Bay, but also to our Synod and to the world.

The worship service on September 15th celebrated these 119 years. I am thankful for the many people from all over the conference and neighboring congregations who came to support the people of First, adding their voices to the songs, their hearts to the prayers, and their presence to the spirit of that worship service that both celebrated the life and mourned the death of First Lutheran.

We recounted the many ministry efforts: fundraisers for the needs of the community, Lutheran World Relief quilts, hunger offerings, Scout Sundays, the Sunday School bus and afterschool programs…the list goes on and on.

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With all this activity, with all the effort and energy that was expended in faithful service, one might ask the question, “Why then did they close?”

One would think that faithful service and dedicated leaders would translate to stability and sustainability. It is an uncomfortable and disquieting truth that this is not the reality.

We don’t want it to be true, but a congregation can be faithful, with a clear sense of mission and purpose, and still close. This season of our time in church life takes place in a culture of shifting ground. Congregational life and the mission of the church is happening today in the midst of changing paradigms, attitudes, priorities and more that have nothing to do with who we are as Church. Yet, they have everything to do with who we are as Church.

You have no doubt heard it before, but I will say it again, the Church and your church are in the midst of challenges that previous generations did not face. The Church globally is growing (Ethiopians and Tanzanians comprise the largest segments of booming and expanding Lutheran congregations), and we are glad for this, but this good news doesn’t make our future path any clearer.

There is no pill, or program, or exercise that will guarantee any congregation’s future sustainability. But my hope is that even in the face of uncertainty, our focus would be on the most basic purpose of what a church is for…. proclaiming Christ crucified and risen and all the attending comfort, challenges, ministry, fellowship, worship, witness and faith formation efforts that this proclamation requires. Even in its closing, First was mindful of its mission. They could have chosen to eke out an existence until the last nickel and dime was spent. Instead, they were proactive, choosing a time for this purpose so that they could share any remaining resources with other local congregations, conference partners, and the greater Church.

We give thanks for the ministry of First Lutheran Church in Dollar Bay, and the blessing that this congregation was to so many.

Yours in Christ, Bishop Katherine Finegan

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Contact Us: First Lutheran Church 1212 Minneapolis Ave. Gladstone, MI 49837 906-428-4565 www.firstlutheran-gladstone.org or find us on facebook.com

Rev. Tom Otis, Pastor pastor@firstlutheran-gladstone.org Office: 428-4565 Cell Phone: 280-9997

Pastoral Intern Kelly Ylitalo intern@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Office Manager: Rhonda Husbye office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Secretary: Reyna Rose office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Director of Music: Kris McDonald Musicians: Kris McDonald, Oliva Wery Chancel and Handbell Choir Director: Kris McDonald Christian Ed Coordinators: Amelia Seawright and Reyna Rose Custodian: Dave Strom

Congregation Council: Amber Hess-Soderman, President George Botbyl, Vice President Doris Sundstrom, Secretary Bill Ehrhardt, Treasurer Steve Bolek Dotti Ford Ken Groh Jeff Gudwer Judy Haulotte Cooper Koski Dirk Manson Marshall Seawright

A congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America