July Newsletter - First Lutheran Church

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Newsletter

July 2017

Coffee & Donuts 8:30am

Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 8:45am

Worship w/Holy Communion 10:00am

From Pastor John

Many Thanks This July

The Fourth of July holiday was a big deal when I grew up in New Jersey. We went to the parades, the fireworks (even to New York City), and the barbecues. We were very thankful for living in the country. We still are! Now, I realize what a precious thing it is to live in such a free country, with freedom of movement, and the freedom to worship. Thanks to all those who sacrificed and still sacrifice so that we can live free.

Special thanks also go to the many hands and feet who helped Norm Nesheim with the vicarage. There was a lot of planning and execution of the refurbishment to prepare for Vicar James' arrival. We look forward to his arrival on July 15th.

Thanks also to Jennifer Spillane who is helping us make VBS possible this July. I hope you marked your calendar for July 24-28 in the evening. Thanks also to the many volunteers who are pitching in to make VBS an exciting opportunity for ministry.

Thanks to the DCE Call Committee under Marie Broling's leadership. The committee has worked hard this past year and have been discerning. On July 9, we will have a Voter's Meeting to call Stephanie Karolus of Barnesville, MN. We had a great visit with Stephanie in late June. I really appreciate how she knew who we are. She asked good and sharp questions while with us. Our interactions with her were very positive. She had good energy and ideas for how to do and implement our vision for ministry at Open Arms and the church. Please pray for her and for us as we await her decision. Hope you all are having a great summer! See you soon!

July Prayer Thoughts

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever,

Praise the LORD. Psalm 117:1-2

July is the month we celebrate the independence of our nation. It is a time of remembrance for the many women and men who paid the price to fight for our freedom.

"It is impossible rightly to govern the world without GOD and Bible." George Washington

We as Christians have the privilege to pray diligently for our country, military/policemen, and the ones who are elected to be our leaders. For it is only under GOD's banner through our prayers and petitions to Him can we continue to have freedom and be victorious. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." Says the LORD of hosts. Zach 4:6 "And in the name of our GOD we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. ...He will answer from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His Right Hand." Psalm 20:5b-6

Paul wrote, "I counsel that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all human beings, including kings(president, governors, congressmen, judges) and all others in the positions of prominence; so that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives, being godly and upright in everything." I Tim 2:1-2

Let us pray that our Leaders:

will be men worthy of respect, sincere, not pursuing dishonest gain...that they will keep hold of the deep truths of faith with a clear conscience. Those who serve will gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus I Tim 2:1-2

will submit to GOD and be at peace with Him Job 22:21a

will maintain justice and do what is right Psalm 37:28

will remember that many are the plans in a man's heart but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

will heed their conscience, confess their sins, and repent Prov 28:13, James 4:8

will recognize their own inadequacy and pray and seek the will of GOD Pro 3:5-8, Lk 11:9-13

will have the courage to resist manipulation, pressure and the fear of man Prov 29:25

Will recognize that "only our LORD GOD is worthy to receive glory and honor and power, for He created all things, and by His will they were created and have their being." Rev 4:11

With our consecrated effort praying and petitioning the LORD our GOD for our country, leaders, and for protection; will we make our country a blessing to all people.

Special Voters Meeting

There will be a special voters meeting to call DCE candidate Stephanie Karolus Sunday July 9th following service.

Craft Group

T hank you to all who helped prepare the patriotic "drums" to give to our shut ins and to share with the VA residents. We were able to make over 100! The veterans love being remembered especially on patriotic holidays. Thank you for sharing of your time and talent to help our vets.

Thank you also to the many people who have helped us collect milk tops for various projects. At this time, we have plenty of tops and no longer need to collect them. Thank you for your faithfulness in helping the FLC craft group spread some cheer.

Bible Study

"You've Lost Me!"

Church people need to be aware of the latest trends in research on the churched and unchurched. Starting on July 16, Pastor will be leading a six-week class based on the Barna Group book, You've Lost Me .

"More than half of all Christian teens and twenty-somethings leave active involvement in church. Based on research conducted by the Barna Group, You Lost Me exposes ways the Christian community has failed to equip young adults to live "in but not of" the world--to follow Christ in the midst of profound cultural change. This wide-ranging study debunks persistent myths about young dropouts and examines the likely consequences for young adults and for the church if we maintain the status quo."

"The faith journeys of the next generation are a challenge to the established church, but they can also be a source of hope for the community of faith. Kinnaman, with the help of contributors from across the Christian spectrum, offers ideas for pastors, youth leaders, parents, and educators to pass on a vibrant, lasting faith, and ideas for young adults to find themselves in wholehearted pursuit of Christ."

School Bags

Last year, FLC made and donated 312 school bags that went to children living in Nicaragua, Africa, Yemen and Lebanon. Without school bags, children are not able to attend school. FLC made a big difference in 312 young persons life by providing a few simple supplies.

For the last several years, Shirley Bagnall has spearheaded the collection of the school supplies and making the book bags that hold the supplies. She needs our help. Please consider donating from the list of supplies below or providing heavy cloth material for the bags. If you can help sew a bag, please see either Shirley or Juanita Bagnall for directions.

Four 70 sheet notebooks of wide or college ruled paper approximately 8 X 10 ½ "; no loose leaf paper please.
One 30 centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other.
One pencil sharpener
One pair of blunt tip scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; if possible please secure together with a rubber band
Five black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) if possible please secure together with a rubber band
One box of 16 or 24 crayons
One 2 ½ " eraser.

There will be a box in the narthex for donations. Look for the back-to-school sales and consider donating the requested supplies. In September, we will have a "stuffing party" where we will gather to put the supplies in the bags. Further info to follow.

Please make a difference and help these children be able to attend school.

Thank you

Thank You

My heart felt thanks to all who have kindly remembered us in your prayers and thoughts. This has been a very difficult time as we continue to move ahead day by day. I know that everything would be harder without your support and being part of the FLC family. Words do not cover all that I want to say so I will repeat by sincerely thanking you.

Marge Polkowski and Family

Book Club

In July, the FLC Women's Book Club will be reading selections from the mystery author Ralph McInerny. The library has selections from which to choose. Grab a book, give it a read, and join us at Sweet Berries, 505 NW 13th ST, Sunday 7/23, after church.

Miriam Circle

Miriam Circle does not meet over the summer. Their next meeting will be Tuesday, September 12th. Have a good summer, ladies!

In This Issue

Calendar

Prayer Circle - First Sunday of each month at 9:15am

Women's Book Club - Second Saturday of each month at 10:45am

Phoebe Circle - Third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm

Celebrations

Click here to see the July Birthday celebrations!

Click here to see the July Anniversaries!

Newsletter Editor - Kimberly Green

If you have news to share with the FLC community, please send a word document (or content within the body of an email) to Kim Green by the third Monday of the month.