|
First Lutheran Church
WEEKLY E-NEWS
|
|
|
|
|
WEEKLY FAITH-LIFT
|
|
|
Have you ever
wondered why in the world the Magi brought gifts to a baby? What in the world could Jesus have done with those gifts? They seem quite impractical for an infant. For me it is more likely these gifts were actually for Mary. We could even call it the first baby shower. Though we often sing "Silent Night," anyone that has been anywhere near the birth of a child knows that there is nothing silent about that experience. Giving birth is a messy and dangerous. Today a mother dies in childbirth once every two minutes. In many parts of the world, it is the most dangerous thing a woman can do. According to the Lukan account, Mary gave birth in a stable, surrounded by animals, with no midwife. She gave birth in what we would consider deplorable conditions.
In Matthew it says that the Magi "Saw the child with Mary his mother, and then knelt down..." (Matthew 2: 1-12) These gifts might have saved Mary, and indirectly Jesus himself. This "Baby Shower" can be seen as an act of valuing the life of a woman. And like the Magi so long ago, we can also pay homage to the newborn King by recognizing this act of gift-giving as a reminder of how important a mother is to a child.
~Emily Lemoine
|
|
|
 |
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
|
|
FAITH FORMATION CLASSES RESUME
THIS SUNDAY AT 10 AM!
* * * * * * *
Exploring the Sacraments Parent Meeting THIS Sunday at 10 am in Room A10:
Is your child curious or asking questions about Communion? Each year we offer instruction for families with children ages 4 to 5th grade who are interested in learning about Communion. The class, "Exploring the Sacraments", is designed to help families prepare their children to receive the bread and wine when we celebrate communion together on Sundays. Please join us as we begin our journey together at this mandatory parent meeting. Pastor Jay and Bonnie will answer questions and hand out at home material to prepare both you and your child for our first group meeting. At the parent meeting, we will schedule two additional classes for the families to attend. Please contact Bonnie at
bonnie@firstlutheran.com
if you have questions or would like to sign up to attend. First Communion Sunday will be February 26 at all services.
* * * * * * *
SAVE THE DATE! The 3rd-5th grade lock in is this month! Join us starting on Friday, January 20 at 6 pm for fun, games, food and movies. Pick up will be on Saturday, January 21 at 9 am. Cost is $5. A sign-up genius with more information will be sent out soon. Don't miss this fun event!
|
|
|
|
|
Youth and Family Ministries
|
|
COMING UP FOR YOUTH
Youth & Parents -- THIS Sunday -- All youth, gr 6-12 and parents, we will start the year off together. Meet in the Youth Commons at
10 AM to find out how we can continue to partner in faith. Please feel free to bring a breakfast item to share.
Winter Fun Retreat Participants & Parents -- meet with Carol and mentors at
10:45 AM in the Youth Commons to go over details of our upcoming trip and fill out paperwork. Please let her know if you cannot attend.
|
|
|
|
First Lutheran Mission Trip - Summer 2017
HABITAT EL SALVADOR July 22-30
COME JOIN US!
|
|
|
Interest Meeting:
Sunday, Jan. 22nd 10 am, 11 am, and 12 pm - Room A10
Jenna & Erik Rhyne will be leading another mission trip Summer 2017 and it's sure to be an amazing experience and adventure! Come learn about the trip with Jenna who will be joining us via live video to answer all questions!
We will partner with Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Builds Worldwide. This 8 day trip will involve assisting the partner family in building their new home near Ahuachapán. There is a job for everyone! In this world of seemingly increasing poverty and poverty related disaster, let's take steps together to make our world a better place.
Can't participate in the build? We still need you! Help by supporting our team members logistically, financially and emotionally. We have many ways for you to take part in this powerful mission. Ages 16 and up are welcome, no skills required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WORSHIP
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
COMMUNION IN
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
|
 |
|
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
Pastor Jay Hilbinger
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
Emily Lemoine
Community Worship
1st and 3rd Sundays
(see below)
|
|
|
|
COMMUNITY WORSHIP NEWS
|
|
Join us January 15 for Community Worship with a free meal at 5:30 pm and then worship at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to either or both to this meaningful time spent together in community with one another.
January 15- Meal TBA at 5:30 pm (Sign up
here)
and Worship at 6:30 pm
|
|
|
|
CAREGIVING
CLASS STARTS MONDAY:
Learn how to enhance your listening skills to help others in a course called "What Not to Say" from
7-8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Jan. 9, 16 & 23.
Classes will be held in the Luther Cafe. Pastor Bernie, Ruth Schenk and Ellenor Shepherd are facilitating these sessions.
|
|
|
CALLING ALL AUTHORS
|
 |
If you have ever had anything published,
please share & leave on library table.
In February, we plan to display & highlight all
First Lutheran writers.
This includes books, poetry, music, technical materials, text books, etc.
We need all material
ASAP
[by Jan. 18]
|
|
|
|
FACEOUT FOR
JANUARY 10
|
|
|
Jim Cooper, (Doctor of Pharmacy) a first Lutheran member and married to Frances, has amazing stories to tell of his many discoveries in the pharmaceutical industry. His focus will be primarily on
"Horseshoe Crabs and Human Health". Do you know that Jim's thesis work led to his discovery of how to assure bacteria free injectable medications?
In his retirement, Jim teaches, consults, and chairs a federal committee. Come and learn about this fascinating world!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GENEROSITY REPORT
|
|
|
Income Income % of
Mission & Ministry Plan Received Budgeted Budget
July - December 2016 $527,974 $523,115 100.9%
Thank you for your generosity in 2016, and Happy New Year! Halfway through our 2016-17 fiscal year, we are on target with projected income as seen in the numbers above. Spending is less than expected at 95.5%, so good stewardship of our finances is in place. We appreciate your partnership in fulfilling the work of Christ through First Lutheran Church.
The goal for our Mission & Ministry Appeal was to gather 300 responses. We are very close at 292, so if you have not turned in an Estimate of Giving Card for 2017, please help us reach our goal! 2016 contribution statements will be sent electronically to those for whom we have an email address. Statements to others will be mailed. If you would like your statement mailed even though we have an email address on file for you, please contact Janice Eberenz in the church office (336-292-9125) or email her at Janice@firstlutheran.com.
|
|
|
|
GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS.
Some ways to help during the winter ...
- BEDDING FOR BARNABAS: Please bringnew and gently used twin, full and queen-size sheets and pillowcases to Frank Moore's office during January for the Barnabas Network, which provides household items and furniture to families in need. Thanks to Thrivent Financial for a $250 grant; 36 twin-sheet sets bought! Contact: Chris Gibson, chris.gibson107@gmail.com.
- MEN'S SHELTER: Provide a warm,safe place for men on Monday nights through March 27 at W. Market St. United Methodist Church. Help with check-in/registration, preparing or serving meals. Also, one male volunteer with a staff person needed to stay overnight. Check this link. Sign-up sheets in the Community Center. Details: Colette Gibson, hornung107@triad.rr.com, 336-856-7481. Also, please put quarters in a container in Frank Moore's office for laundry costs (about $50 each Monday).
- FAMILY SHELTER: This shelter for homeless families has the following needs; please put in box near library: Diapers and pull-ups (sizes 4-6), infant formula, twin-size sheets/blankets, cold and hot cups (12,16 oz.), paper towels, lawn/leaf size black trash bags (39+ gal.), paper/Styrofoam plates & bowls, plastic forks/spoons, paper napkins, mayo packets, fruit cups/applesauce, chips/popcorn, granola bars/peanut butter crackers, juice drink boxes, $5/10 gas cards to Walmart or Speedway.
- WOMEN'S SHELTER: Join other FLC members from January-March to offer a helping hand and serve a meal at the winter women's shelter at Summit House on Fairview. Time needed about 3 hours; the experience is priceless! Details: Ginny Hultquist, 336-707-6781, ginnylee511@yahoo.com
- HUGS (Hats, Underwear, Gloves, Socks) needed for HUGS box near Frank Moore's office.
- A SIMPLE GESTURE: This food collection done every other month is expanding into High Point and Guilford County. If you are willing to pick up bags six times a year to fight child hunger, please contact asimplegesturegso@gmail.com or talk with Ginny Hultquist or Frank Moore. The next collections are either Jan. 21 or Feb. 11, depending on where you live. ASG will be in touch with you.
* * * * * * *
FLC MAGNETS AVAILABLE:
Thanks to the Endowment Fund for providing FLC magnets, many of which were sold for $1 each. Now, they are FREE at the north entrance and near the narthex. Please put on your car or another place to promote the church.
BUILD COMMUNITY:
Make a resolution to wear your First Lutheran nametag, and keep it on the racks at either the north entrance or in the narthex. Need
a nametag?
Email
lisa@firstlutheran.com
, and it will be put on the oval table near the Community Center about a week after your request.
* * * * * * *
COMING SOON
SOUPER BOWL FEBRUARY 5:
We'll collect food items for Greensboro Urban Ministry and Food Assistance and financial donations for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Stay tuned for details.
NEW BEGINNINGS CLASS:
Explore a deeper connection to First Lutheran 10-11 a.m. on Sundays Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and February 12 in the parlor near the traditional worship space. Pastor Jay will lead the first session on the mission of the church and will answer questions about First Lutheran or other topics. Frank Moore, a staff person, will lead the second session on the ministries of the church. Feb. 12 is the joining date at the service of your choice, and the group will meet from 10-11 a.m. for a tour of the church. Questions? Contact either Pastor Jay or Frank,
jay@firstlutheran.com
,
frank@firstlutheran.com
, 336-292-9125.
* * * * * * *
NC SYNOD ENEWS:
Take a few minutes twice a month to learn more about the ministries of the NC Synod by subscribing on
this link
. In this edition, for example, NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith describes what a bishop does, and the ELCA offers
summary of some strategic directions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
