The First Lutheran Spotlight
September 1, 2010
At Worship this weekend… THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND OF OUR SUMMER SCHEDULE. PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION BELOW FOR THE NEW WORSHIP TIMES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 11 & 12.
Saturday 5:00 Simplified Traditional Worship, piano led
Sunday 8:15 a.m. Simplified Traditional Worship, organ led
9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30-10:40 Education Time
Pre-School Sunday School and Kid Zone, LFC
Middle School Education, 311
High School Education, Youth Room
Adult Education, Choir Room
11:15 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service
Marissa Letscher, Director of Children and Family Ministry will be preaching and her sermon will be, “High Priced Discipleship. The Gospel for this weekend will be Luke 14: 25-33 NRSV. We are continuing with our sermon series on The Parables.
HAVE YOU CLICKED YET?
Now is your opportunity to anonymously share your thoughts about our church and our future on the Church Assessment Tool. We’re asking you to give 20-25 minutes to provide input that will be helpful to our leaders as we discern the future for our church. Each First Lutheran member in your household who is 10th grade or older and capable of responding to the questions is encouraged to participate in the survey. All surveys must be completed no later than Sunday, September 19.
To take the survey, go to our website: www.firstlutherancr.org and click on the “Church Assessment Tool Survey” button. You should have received a letter or email with the survey password. If you have not, please call the church office at 365-1494 and we will be happy to assist you.
Please allow time to complete the entire survey. If you log off or don’t complete the survey, your answers will not be saved and you will have to start over.
If you have questions, please contact Lori Nietert, chair of the Transition Team at lorinietert@gmail.com.
Because of you…
…we are doing God’s work in ways no individual can do alone. By sharing God’s gifts of time, talent and treasures we grow in our relationship with God and experience God’s grace in our lives, which we then share generously with others. When each of us sees ourselves as a steward we are more intimately connected with God’s mission. Together, our work is magnified many times over. It’s because of you that we support:
· More than 200 congregations under development in our synod.
· 240 missionaries in 46 countries.
· 8 seminaries.
· 28 colleges and universities.
· 187 campus ministries.
· 1,530 Lutheran early childhood education centers.
· 267 elementary schools.
· 147 outdoor ministries.
· Advocacy with the United Nations, federal and state governments, and corporations.
· Partnerships with Lutheran World Federation, World Council of Churches, and National Council of Churches in Christ.
The lifeblood of the work that God asks us to do through our church, our synod and our partners are flowing with great health and vigor…it’s Because of God and Because of You.
Reminders
An Evening with the Bishop will be held on Tuesday September 7th from 6:30-8:00 PM at Hope Lutheran Church, 2736 Bowling Street SW. This will be an opportunity to hear from the Bishop as well as ask him questions or bring up topics you would like to have him cover.
Keenagers! You will be gathering together on Thursday September 9th at Noon for a delicious lunch of Swedish meat balls, whipped potatoes with gravy, green beans, cinnamon applesauce and rice pudding. The Dixie Notes will be entertaining after lunch. Please sign up at the Information Desk in the Narthex or call the church office.
Parents and volunteers who work with youth! Here’s an opportunity for you to hear Dr. Andy Root, Assistant Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, St. Paul. Minnesota on Thursday September 9th. Dr. Root will be showing us how to move past seeing relationships as “influencing young people” and to see them rather as “place-sharing”. There is no charge for First Lutheran members to attend. A light meal will be provided at 6:15 in the LFC. Dr. Root’s presentation will begin at approximately 6:45 p.m. We do need a count for supper so please give Vicki in the church office a call if you will be able to attend.
You Belong in Children’s Ministry!
Everyone wants to belong somewhere, and you belong in Children’s Ministry! This is the time to sign-up to volunteer to make our programs the best they can be. No matter what your time schedule, your gifts or even your age(!) everyone fits in and can connect in our ministry. To get connected, see us at the registration table in the Narthex, or simply call or email Marissa (marissal@firstlutherancr.org). Training for the Fall term for KZ volunteers will be Thursday September 9th from 10:00-Noon or Saturday September 11th from 9:00-11:00.
Child Safety Policy Training Everyone who works with youth will attend the same training, regardless of whether you have been active as a leader before or are completing the process for the first time. You will be able to pick up a training packet at the Information Desk in the Narthex or from the office beginning September 12th. The training will take approximately one hour.
Registration for Kidszone and Pre-School Sunday School continues until Kickoff Sunday on September 12th. Please register early either in the Narthex or on line. The start of the new program year also means we need volunteers! Come with us as we Meet God, Find Life and Make Friends! Volunteer positions and registration are on the website and listed in the narthex.
Alpha Returns! Ever wondered why God does the things he does? How about who gets to heaven? Is there a God and if so does he really care about me and my problems? Join Pastor Craig as he helps us uncover these questions and any you have about the Christian faith in Alpha: The Next Generation. This engaging class begins 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 and runs 10 weeks. There is no cost for the course. There is also free childcare for your kids! If you are interested in attending Alpha: The Next Generation with Pastor Craig, call Vicki in the church office 365-1494 or register on our website, firstlutherancr.org.
GroupLife is gearing up! Are you looking for a way to connect at First Lutheran? Is your group looking for a topic to study this fall? Check out our website for details of our upcoming study and group offerings! We hope you’ll join us!
New Member Orientation will be held on Saturday September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. A continental breakfast will be provided as well as child care if requested. Come and learn about First Lutheran’s mission and vision and how you can be a part of our church family. Please RSVP to Barb Hanson by September 13 at barbh@firstlutherancr.org or give her a call at 365-1494 ext. 270.
Contemporary Service Music Ministry – Do you have a passion for music? Do you enjoy singing, playing piano or other instrument? Consider sharing your gift of music with us! We are looking for spirit-filled singers and musicians to join our Praise & Joy worship team at our 11:00a.m. Contemporary Worship Service. Please contact Russ Moore at, russm@firstlutherancr.org or simply call the church office at 365-1494 and leave a message. We will be happy to provide you with further details and answer any questions you may have. Worship happens with you in it!
The Reading Bee Discussion Group is reading The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff. There are still a couple of books from the Book Club Kit that can be checked out. Stop in the Church Office or the Information Desk to check one out. We will discuss the book on September 19th at 11:00 in Room 312.
Mark Your Calendars! The Fine Arts event with Carrie Mineck, originally scheduled for September 26th has been moved to October 3 at 4:00 p.m. The program will consist of a wide variety of pieces around the theme “Joy”. Carrie is the granddaughter of First Lutheran member, Arlene Mineck.
Ate With 8
Do you eat? Can you visit with someone sitting next to you? If you answered yes to these questions - then you have all that it takes to enjoy a new and fun event called Ate With 8. Ate With 8 is strictly a social event - no studies or lessons - no pressure - no agenda - nothing but fun!!! We have all looked around the Narthex and saw people that we do not know, or know some people by their face as they come back from communion, but we don't know their name. Ate With 8 will give you the opportunity to met other people and share a few meals together and no other strings attached.
This is how easy it is:
Step One: Let us know you are interested in having fun.
Step Two: We will connect you with other couples and singles so there will be 8 people together. We will give you each other's name and contact information.
Step Three: Discuss with your group the frequency, time, date and place for your dining. You will dine together 4 times. It is all up to your group if you want to rotate homes, do a potluck each time, go to a restaurant, picnic or whatever you decide. Also discuss if you want to meet weekly or monthly or what works for you.
Step Four: Go and have fun. Meet these new friends and enjoy 4 meals together. If you enjoyed the experience and would like to meet more people, let us know and we will then introduce you to 6 or 7 other people to have 4 new dining outings.
Just four simple steps and you can met many new friends in our First Lutheran family! So if you like to have fun, visit with people and eat a meal - then let us know today and sign up to begin meeting other members. Insterested? Call the church office at 365-4914 or send an email to Barbh@firstlutherancr.org.
Renovaré groups will begin the week of September 20. If you would like to begin or continue your spiritual journey through a Renovaré group please contact Marcie Watson at marciew@firstlutherancr.org or contact her through the church office at 365-1494.
