First English Ev. Lutheran Church Inside this issue: Pastor Veres Sunday Sermon 2 Call Process Update Summer Schedule 4 With the Members 5 Adult Education 6 Gift Wish List Tuck pointing Organ Fund Columbarium 7 Board of Social Action Gardening Team 8 Board of Fellowship Sunday School/Youth News 9 Recycle Preschool Kroger Rewards 11 July Birthdays 12 Serving in July 13 Calendar 14 SUNDAYS AFTER PENTECOST Dear Members and Friends of First English, In our Church’s Calendar we are now in that time of the many “Sundays after Pentecost.” Now this year, with Easter being later, there will not be as many “Sundays after Pentecost.” We only have 23 Sundays before we come to “Christ the King” Sunday, the last Sunday of the Church Year prior to the “Season of Advent,” the beginning of a new year. Now I have been around the block a few times and I realize that talking about the “Church’s Calendar” probably is not the most exciting of topics, but believe it or not there is meaning and logic in our “Church’s Calendar.” The “Church’s Calendar” is divided between the “Festival Half’ and the “Non Festival Half.” Now again, I will admit, maybe not the most catchy of titles, but the early church was more interested in substance and teaching rather than glamour! The “Festival Half” is so named because it contains the “Major Festivals of the Church;” namely, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. This “Festival Half” of the Church year highlights and emphasizes and celebrates what God has done for us – the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, his innocent suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, and the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His church at Pentecost. The “Non Festival Half” of the Church Year, which contains all of those “Sundays after Pentecost,” while always properly focused upon God’s great love for us; shifts the emphasis to you and to me, to our response to the Gospel! Indeed, if we stop and think about it, does not God’s great gift of a Savior and the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit demand a response on our part! To focus our thinking, just ask yourself “for whom would you be willing to die?” Indeed the lessons assigned for the Sundays during the “Non Festival Half” of the Church Year center on what it means to be a child of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I do not remember who to credit, but one short line from a commentary on Jesus’ Parable of the “Workers in the Vineyard,” sticks in my mind and I believe summarizes the reality of the church today, and that line is, “The greatest problem with the workers in the vineyard (i.e. members of Christ’s Church) is absenteeism !” Now yes, we all know and realize how hectic life is today. We all seem to have so many demands on our time and our energy. But I ask you why is it that we neglect the most important part of our life, our relationship with Christ and His Church??? I do not claim to have all of the answers, in fact, I am not even sure of all of the questions of life today; but maybe, just maybe the reason for our lack of commitment to Christ and His Church is because we can! My point is that our gracious God is so good to us and continues to uphold us even when we take Him and His love for granted, that we do just that – we take Him for granted! What do you think? We use the term “faith practices,” and we grow in that which we practice, right? Please join with us for these “Sundays after Pentecost” as we offer up our thanks and praise to God, as we hear His Word and receive His Blessed Sacrament, and together grow in our faith relationship and what it means to be a true Child of God! See you at worship! God’s Blessings, Pastor Schmidt J ULY 2 0 14 J ULY 2 0 14 J ULY 2 0 14
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Transcript
First English Ev. Lutheran Church
Inside this issue:
Pastor Veres
Sunday Sermon 2
Call Process Update Summer Schedule
4
With the Members 5
Adult Education 6
Gift Wish List
Tuck pointing Organ Fund
Columbarium
7
Board of Social Action
Gardening Team 8
Board of Fellowship
Sunday School/Youth News
9
Recycle
Preschool
Kroger Rewards 11
July Birthdays 12
Serving in July 13
Calendar 14
SUNDAYS AFTER PENTECOST
Dear Members and Friends of First English,
In our Church’s Calendar we are now in that time of the many “Sundays after
Pentecost.” Now this year, with Easter being later, there will not be as many “Sundays
after Pentecost.” We only have 23 Sundays before we come to “Christ the King” Sunday,
the last Sunday of the Church Year prior to the “Season of Advent,” the beginning of a
new year.
Now I have been around the block a few times and I realize that talking about the
“Church’s Calendar” probably is not the most exciting of topics, but believe it or not there
is meaning and logic in our “Church’s Calendar.”
The “Church’s Calendar” is divided between the “Festival Half’ and the “Non
Festival Half.” Now again, I will admit, maybe not the most catchy of titles, but the early
church was more interested in substance and teaching rather than glamour! The “Festival
Half” is so named because it contains the “Major Festivals of the Church;” namely,
Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. This “Festival Half” of the Church year highlights and
emphasizes and celebrates what God has done for us – the birth of our Savior, Jesus
Christ our Lord, his innocent suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, and the special
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His church at Pentecost.
The “Non Festival Half” of the Church Year, which contains all of those “Sundays
after Pentecost,” while always properly focused upon God’s great love for us; shifts the
emphasis to you and to me, to our response to the Gospel! Indeed, if we stop and think
about it, does not God’s great gift of a Savior and the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit
demand a response on our part! To focus our thinking, just ask yourself “for whom
would you be willing to die?”
Indeed the lessons assigned for the Sundays during the “Non Festival Half” of the
Church Year center on what it means to be a child of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a
faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
I do not remember who to credit, but one short line from a commentary on Jesus’
Parable of the “Workers in the Vineyard,” sticks in my mind and I believe summarizes the
reality of the church today, and that line is, “The greatest problem with the workers in
the vineyard (i.e. members of Christ’s Church) is absenteeism!”
Now yes, we all know and realize how hectic life is today. We all seem to have so
many demands on our time and our energy. But I ask you why is it that we neglect the
most important part of our life, our relationship with Christ and His Church???
I do not claim to have all of the answers, in fact, I am not even sure of all of the
questions of life today; but maybe, just maybe the reason for our lack of commitment to
Christ and His Church is because we can! My point is that our gracious God is so good to
us and continues to uphold us even when we take Him and His love for granted, that we do
just that – we take Him for granted! What do you think?
We use the term “faith practices,” and we grow in that which we practice, right?
Please join with us for these “Sundays after Pentecost” as we offer up our thanks and
praise to God, as we hear His Word and receive His Blessed Sacrament, and together grow
in our faith relationship and what it means to be a true Child of God!
See you at worship! God’s Blessings,
Pastor Schmidt
J U LY 2 0 14J U LY 2 0 14J U LY 2 0 14
2
Sixth Sunday of Easter Sermon from May 22 & 25, 2014
Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers from God our Father and from our Lord and
Savior Jesus the Christ.
Sunday is the day that we Christians celebrate again and again the great mystery of the
resurrection. Here at First English during the summer months we also celebrate on Thursday
evenings!
Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, continues to shine upon us with the warmth and
graciousness of God’s love – Sundays and all through the week.
Believe it or not we are still celebrating Easter. In the church’s liturgical year this is the sixth
Sunday of Easter. And, believe it or not, we still have yet another Sunday – the seventh
Sunday of Easter to celebrate before we arrive at Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Why such a long drawn out time to celebrate Easter?
The jellybeans and marshmallow peeps are long gone!
These seven weeks in the church year of course coincide with the time Jesus remained on
earth after his resurrection.
A time when he appeared to his disciples:
Assuring them,
Teaching them, about all that had happened,
And making some promises to them for the times ahead.
Our seven weeks of Easter are likewise a time for us:
To be assured
To be taught about all that has taken place
And to be reminded and receive once again the promises of Jesus for the times ahead.
Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of last Sunday’s text. The location and day have not
changed. It’s Thursday evening before the crucifixion. Jesus is gathered with his disciples in
the upper room. They have shared a meal together and Jesus has shown them an act of selfless
love and service – he washed their feet. There is an uneasiness in the air.
Even though Jesus has assured them with the promise:
That he goes before them to prepare a place for them,
That they are not to let their hearts be troubled because he will return and take them to the
place where he is….
Despite these assurances and all the marvelous things they have seen him do and lessons
they have been taught, the disciples are distressed! Jesus is going away!
This is what the threat of loss does – it shakes up our sense of safety and security. The
disciples have troubled hearts, and so do we at times.
Julia Rustmann, Sarah Rustmann, Bobby Simone, Grant Strobl and Madison Vens; and from Hillsdale
College—Matthew Reck
Jim Haley passed away June 10, 2014. A Memorial Service will be (was) held for Jim on Saturday, June 28, 2014,
11:00 a.m. at First English. Thanks be to God who gives to us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
6
9:30 a.m. THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
– THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS
Our Thursday Morning Bible Study Group has decided to study the
Book of Galatians this coming fall. We will have approximately six
weeks this coming fall following Labor Day before Pastor Schmidt
retires, so this time frame gives to us a great opportunity to study this
relatively short but powerful Epistle of St. Paul.
Martin Luther considered Galatians one of the purest presentations of
the Gospel, and as one author put it, “The importance of the brief let-
ter (Galatians) is hard to overestimate. The declaration of the princi-
ples reiterated in these six chapters made Christianity a true world
religion.”
Our sessions will begin after Labor Day, meeting Thursday
mornings, 9:30 -11:00 a.m.. Please make your plans now to join
with us as together we explore this powerful book.
We still have a few copies of the book Killing Jesus remaining, which
would make great summer reading, and are available from Pastor
Schmidt, Pastor Chris and Sue, in the office, at the discounted price of
$15.00.
Grace Circle - Fourth Monday at 7:00 p.
Peace Circle - First Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Faith Circle - First Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Hope Circle - Second Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
Check the calendar at www.feelc.org
WOMEN’S CIRCLE BIBLE STUDY
Our Women’s Circle Bible studies for this fall will
be: “Transforming Life and Faith.” This study
will look at the transforming power of Jesus, the
transformations of Paul and Moses and Lydia,
Philip and the Ethiopian, plus more. The Septem-
ber study begins with St. Paul and a look
at his transformation and faith - from one who per-
secuted the church to become her greatest missionary.
All women of First English are encouraged to
attend a Circle; please check the calendar for the various
Circles meeting schedule.
9:30a.m. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Adult Sunday School
offerings do not meet during the
summer months, but we take this
opportunity to thank all of our
members who participated in these
opportunities to learn and grow in
our faith. We also extend a sincere
thanks to our members who led
these classes when one of the
pastors was out of town. Thank You!
As we look to the fall, what would
you like to study??? Please share
your thoughts with Pastor Chris or
Pastor Schmidt
7
GIFT WISH LIST TUCKPOINTING AND PILLAR REPAIRS
ORGAN FUND
COLUMBARIUM FOR FIRST ENGLISH COLUMBARIUM PROJECT GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL
At the special congregational meeting Sunday, June 1, 2014 First English Congregation
voted to move forward with our Columbarium Project. Eickhof Columbaria, the company who
will be installing our Columbaria, has been contacted and now that they have formal approval to
move forward, will be getting back to us with specifics concerning construction.
We will continue with the same policy as approved earlier concerning sale of the niches, i.e.
before construction begins, the companion niches, which hold two urns, will be sold for $1,500.00;
after construction begins they will sell for $1,800.00. We will give the congregation sixty days
notice before raising the price to $1,800.00. Niches will be assigned on a “first come-first-served”
basis, with members being able to choose the location of their niche within the Columbarium. To
date twelve double niches have been sold, If you are interested in purchasing a companion niche,
please speak to Pastor Schmidt.
.
Our organ at First English is over fifty years old, and over the past 10 years has had switching
components beginning to fail. Because the original components of the organ console haven’t
been manufactured since the early 1970’s, the console and its related switching need to be rebuilt
to have the organ fully functional again. The three bids that we are looking at estimate repairs to
be approximately $300,000. Total funding at this point is at $66,363 in the Organ Fund,
including the gracious gift from the estate of Gladys Greenburg. If you wish to help with these
repairs, please mark your envelope "Organ Fund" and place in the offering plate or leave in the
office. Thank you! -The Board of Worship and Music.
This past year the first unit of our facility required tuck-pointing of the outer walls to
prevent costly water damage. In addition the pillars by the southeast entrance to the
Narthex required repair. Our Board of Church Properties received bids for the above
repairs and the Church Council approved these projects. The total cost was $19,600.00, and
these repairs have now all been completed. If you would like to assist with the cost of this
project simply mail your check to the church or place in the offering plate. Please designate
your gift for “Church Maintenance.” Thank You!
8
BOARD OF SOCIAL ACTION
BUILDING REMINDER With the busy schedule of events at First
English….a friendly reminder to turn off lights when leaving a room, and make sure that all of the doors are locked if you are the last one out. We want to keep our utility costs down
and our facility safe and secure for all to use. Please remember that all facility requests should be made through Kyle Clor ((313)-881-9703 or via her e-mail at
SCHEDULES & CONTACT NUMBERS Just a reminder concerning the schedules of Pastor Chris and Pastor Schmidt. Pastor Chris’ day off is Friday and in an emergency she can be contacted at 248-231-5091. Her email address is [email protected]. Pastor Schmidt’s day off remains on Monday and his home phone number for emergencies is 313-882-3520. His email address is [email protected]. Church office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the office closed for lunch from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sue’s email is [email protected]
Pantry
You’ve heard the expression “back to basics.” This time we’re talking food. Each month we’ll ask
members to donate another “basic” to restock our pantry. July is boxed mac & cheese and
canned fruit or vegetables. Consider buying one or two for our shelves. Obviously if you find a great deal
for other pantry basics, bring ‘em in. There’s always room for more!
The pantry is always open on Sunday mornings, so come take a look. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE: Oktoberfest, FRIDAY, September 26, 2014
THE FEELC GARDENING TEAM THANKS the
Vitale Family, Ruth Platts, June and Tim MacMichael,
the McIntyre family, the Ritts family, Dennis Gates family,
Claudia Gram, Penny Damore, John and Betty Blohm,
Renee Strobl, Virg Ditty, Carol Sauter plus several
anonymous donors who donated flowers this year. A very
nice cash donation was given by Claudia Strozeski to be
used for the gardening effort this year. All was planted by
Judy Leo, Carol Logan, Nancy Heaphy, Virg Ditty and
Carol Sauter. Help is always appreciated for maintaining
ALL OF THIS during the summer months. Have an hour or
so, on occasion, to help?? Please call Carol Sauter at
Summer is here. Please consider hosting coffee hour during the summer, which begins on June 1 through August 31. Summer Worship services for coffee hours are 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. There is a sign-up poster on the Fellowship bulletin board in the hallway. Tigers game outing will be on Sunday July 20 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are sold out.
Parish Education/Youth News from Renata Parish Education News The End of the Educational Year — Thank You!
Thank you all for a wonderful year of learning! Parents, we hope you will continue to read from the Spark Story Bible with your children this summer. A special thank you to all those who taught Sunday School, assisted in the nursery, were Confirmation small group leaders, acted as chaperones, or helped in any other way. We simply could not function if you were not so generous with your time, prayers, and creativity.
Sunday School will resume on September 14, 2014 with Rally Day. We hope to see you all then and hope that you will join us for Vacation Bible School this summer!
Youth News
Fundraising Updates Once again, the FEELC congregation has been amazingly supportive of its’ high school Youth. The Drive-in Lunch raised $327 for the Work Camp mission trip this summer. Thank you so much!
It costs approximately $3,500 for seven students to attend Work Camp and, thanks to your generous support, we have grossed over $2,500 so far!
10
Consider this:
Most of the words WE use to describe ourselves name relationships:
We are son/daughter, mother/father, husband/wife, sister/brother, pastor/teacher, friend/lover.
There are times when we conceive of ourselves as “pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps.” This is the “American
Way”, isn’t it?
But I think you will agree that this self-reliant caricature cannot stand up to scrutiny.
When the sense of “I” is pursued, we always find it grounded in an interdependent “we.” We need each other. We have
been created to be in relationship with one another.
The Holy Trinity is the perfect example/model of this.
Christian theologians have characterized the inner life of the Trinity as “perichoresis.” What this odd sounding Greek
term really describes is the relationship between each person of the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Their existence together is considered as a co-indwelling that allows for the individuality of the persons to be maintained,
while insisting that each person shares in the life of the other two.
Now stick with me, because I think this is the heart of what Jesus is promising for his disciples as he is about to leave
them.
Another way of describing this “perichoresis” this relationship of the Trinity, is a dance, a life-giving movement that goes
round and round without beginning or end. This is the love and life of the Father, of the Son and of the Spirit.
THIS is the love and life that Jesus reveals and imparts to his disciples.
When Jesus promised to send another advocate to be with them, he is promising so much more than someone to fill in the
empty space left when he returns to the Father. He is promising so much more than an advocate to be with us only when
times are tough, when we feel lost and alone.
As children of God, disciples of Jesus the Christ, WE are being invited to join, Father, Son and Holy Spirit in this ongoing
dance of life and love. We have not been left alone as orphans, we are God’s own.
So what does this all mean? What can each of us walk away with today?
Quite simply- we are not alone- and we can face the challenges and opportunities of life with confidence whether it
involves – changes involving loved ones, changes that involve close and significant relationships such as divorce or job
relocation, changes of employment through downsizing or retirement, changes in health or abilities through illness,
accident or aging…. or even retirements or changes in our pastoral staff.
Whatever life sends our way, we can face the future with confidence. The promises of Jesus are truth. We have not been
left alone. God is with us forever and ever! For we are God’s and he is ours – forever and ever!
Now may the peace of Christ which surpasses all of our understanding, be and remain with you this day and always.
Amen.
Preached by Rev. Christina Veres on Thursday and Sunday, May 22 & 25, 2014
(Continued from page 3)
11
Accepting enrollment for 3 & 4 year olds for September 2014-15
First English Lutheran Preschool offers an academic program to help
prepare your child for kindergarten. With a small class size, our program includes Bible lessons, math, music, science, art, language,
beginning reading concepts and physical development. We have a very large and bright classroom for your child to spend their
morning socializing with friends.
Please contact Christine Simone if you, or a friend, is seeking a preschool for the fall. Call Christine at (313)655-7367 or email at [email protected] to
arrange a classroom visit.
RECYCLE PAPER BIN BRING YOUR
PAPER for
RECYCLING!!
Please take time to drop all your clean, dry newspapers, magazines, office
and copy paper, advertising inserts and junk mail into the recycle bin in the
parking lot. You don’t have to sort anything or remove staples. Please bag
your shredded paper.
NO CARDBOARD OR PHONE BOOKS ARE ACCEPTED.
The AbiBow Recycling, LLC program is designed for organizations to recycle
paper -- most of all, it’s an opportunity for us to recycle and help the
environment.
Have you enrolled or re-enrolled yet?? Please take the time to go online and
sign-up or renew your card and make your donation designation to First English
(#83535). It doesn’t cost you anything. If you don’t remember the email address
that you used previously to enroll, you can call (877)576-7587 to remove any
email attached to your card number and then proceed to enroll again. Our fund-
raising efforts, by participating in the Kroger Community Rewards Program, have
added up to significant money - just by purchasing your weekly groceries! DOWN
a little from the last quarter, our latest quarterly check was in the amount of
$263.40!!
If you have never signed up – go to Kroger’s website
krogercommunityrewards.com and follow the prompts. You will need your Kroger
card.
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM - PLEASE Re-enroll