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| Newsletters > Good News > 01-17-07 | ||
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ON PRAYER Last Sunday during Donuts and Dialog, a group of us were watching the video about "African Christianity: the Real Church Growth Experts." We learned that the Lutheran churches of Africa are growing at an extraordinary rate. It is estimated that in a few years, one in five Lutherans will be an African. I was particularly struck by the comment of one Ethiopian evangelist who said that the church grows through its knees, "as we kneel in prayer." During the subsequent discussion about our new partnership with a congregation in the Meru Diocese of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, we were told that the first and best thing we can do is to pray for each other - to daily and weekly lift up the needs of each other in prayer. I started a list of random thoughts about prayer:
I will not attempt to answer any of these thoughts, only to invite you to create your own list. When I find myself getting too busy to pray, I remember Luther = s comment: "With all of the concerns of the churches and all of the problems of the people, I will have to spend at least three more hours in prayer each day." When I find myself depressed at the ravages of war, the sadness of HIV/AIDS, and the enormity of poverty in our world, I remember the words of Hildegard of Bingen: "You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God." When I find myself fearful for the future of the planet, distressed about global warming and the disappearing Amazon jungle, I remember the words of the Psalmist: "the earth is the Lord's and the abundance thereof, the world and all those who live in it." When I find myself apprehensive about my own needs, insecure about my pension or my retirement, worried about keeping all my ~Pastor Jacobs
REMEMBER: The second part of the Annual Meeting of our congregation will take place on Sunday, January 28, at 9:40 a.m. in the Genszler room. The purpose of this meeting will be to adopt a Budget for 2007. Reports from the ministry committees will be available. The Stewardship Committee will present an update. Your attendance as a voting member of First United Lutheran Church is most important!
Donuts & Dialogue Learn more about Tanzania and what it means to be in partnership with a congregation in the Meru Diocese of Tanzania! Pastor Ed and Gloria Weiskotten will be our guests on Sunday, January 21. Gloria and Ed were the first people to welcome Pastor Elias Kitoi Nasari into their home when he and his family came to the U.S. in 1993 to do graduate study. It was through Pastor Elias and Pastor Ed = s connection with our synod that the companion synod program between the Diocese of Meru and our synod began. Ed and Gloria have been a part of the partnership committee from its beginning in 1996, and were with the initial delegation to visit Tanzania in 1997. Come and hear their stories on January 21, at 9:40 a.m., in the Genszler Room!
A message from the Care for Creation Committee Over the last thirty years the Property Committee has taken many steps to reduce First United' s energy needs: These efforts have required a lot of manpower from the members of the Property Committee, and we are truly grateful for their dedication. These conservation efforts are beginning to pay off economically as well. For instance, in 1994 we used 220,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. In 2005 we used only 171,000, a savings of about $5,600 in just one year. There are other measures we, as a congregation, can take to reduce our energy dependence. The Care for Creation Committee will keep you informed about how each member in our congregation can help. If you would like to become involved in the work of the Care for Creation Committee, please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).
Winter Farmers Market Benefit "Harvest of Hope" Co-sponsors, Churches Center for Land and People & the Harvest of Hope Fund, are offering a Winter Farmers Market Benefit on Saturday, January 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ebenezer United Church of Christ on Taylor Drive. It = s open to the public! The foods and gifts you buy this season can help Wisconsin farm families through a crisis this winter. Farmers donate 10% of their sales to the Harvest of Hope Fund, and they pass ALL donations to farmers in need.
Grief Group to meet January 30 The cold, dark months of winter after Christmas can seem especially difficult and long when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Well-meaning family and friends may say that you = ve grieved A long enough, @ and that you need to A snap out of it, @ or A get on with your life. @ But you know that it = s not that easy. Grief is extremely hard work, and it takes time! If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, please come to a meeting of Grief Support on Tuesday, January 30, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Genszler Room. Our time will include a devo-tional and prayer, a short video with Rev. Dudley Riggle on the A stages and length @ of grief, and lots of time for discussion and sharing. Please feel free to invite family and friends! ~Deaconess Deb
Congregational leaders and volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend a one day event in Racine, sponsored by our Greater Milwaukee Synod, titled, "Ending Poverty: a 20/20 Vision." The event is Thursday, February 15, and features Bishop Peter Rogness, from the St. Paul Area Synod, as the keynote speaker. Elieshi Mungure, PhD candidate, Luther Seminary, will preside at the opening worship. Registration includes lunch and materials, and is only $10/person. The event begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Pick up a registration form at the kiosk, and sign-up if you'd like to carpool.
Help needed at Bridgeway Are you available Wednesday, February 7, to help single moms prepare an evening meal for their families at Bridgeway? Bridgeway is a transitional housing facility for women with children, and is located at 1251 Geele Avenue. It is run by the Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO). First United is a member of SCIO and has agreed to help with their evening meal program on the seventh of every month. This might mean helping the moms prepare, serve, and clean up the evening meal, or it might be playing with the children so the moms can make dinner. The food is provided, and the volunteers are invited and asked to stay for dinner to eat with the family. Can you help? Please sign-up on the kiosk, or call the office (452-2401). Thank you!
Anti-Racism Training Do you have a passion for justice for all people? You = re invited to an anti-racism training session sponsored by Crossroads Ministry called, A Under-standing and Analyzing Systemic Racism. @ It will be held Thursday evening, January 25, through Saturday afternoon, January 27, in Milwaukee. The training will help define racism, explain the causes of individual, institutional and cultural racism, and will offer strategies to help us begin to dismantle racism in our congregation and community. Are you interested? Registration forms are on the kiosk. Please fill out a form and contact Pastor Jacobs at 452-2401 to attend. Trans-portation will be provided, and the registration cost is covered!
Good News Deadline The next deadline for Good News articles is Monday, January 29. Please mail, email, or bring your article/s to the church office so that we can include it in the next issue. Thank you!
Monday Night Books Monday Night Books will take place on Monday, January 22, featuring Pope Joan by Donna Cross. The legend of Pope Joan says that when her older brother died in a Viking attack, Joan assumed his identity and entered a Benedictine monastery. Eventually she is drawn to Rome and, still disguised as a man, rose to rule Christianity for two years. A full book description can be found on the kiosk in the Gathering Area, along with a sign-up sheet. Even if you have never attended a Monday Night Books group, you are welcome to come join the conversation!
Holy Communion Preparation Holy Communion instruction will be offered to the second graders this year, as well as anyone who may not have received instruction thus far. Parents are encouraged to attend all classes which begin Sunday, February 25, and continue Sunday, March 4 and March 11, at 9:40 a.m. Students who complete the classes will receive Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, April 5, at the 7:00 p.m. worship service.
Valentine' s Day Goodie Boxes The 7th and 8th grade youth will be preparing Valentine goodie boxes for First United's college students. Homemade A shipper friendly @ baked goods, along with other treats, are needed to fill these boxes. If you would be willing to provide goodies, please see the sign-up sheet on the kiosk and bring the pre-cut items (items that won = t crumble when shipped) to the Youth Room by 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 11. And please call the church office with the name and address of your student/s before January 31!!
Super Bowl Sunday Sub Sale! If you don't want the hassle of putting dinner together when there is so much excitement revolving around the "big game," let the youth of our church help! They will be putting together pre-ordered 6" submarine sandwiches on the morning of the Super Bowl. Please fill out ONE order form PER SANDWICHand drop them in the order box in the Gathering Area. Cost is just $4 per sub, and 10% will be given to local hunger. (Order forms are available in the Gathering Area.) Subs can be picked up in Fellowship Hall.
Experience Wanted Members of St. Matthew's in Wauwatosa will be traveling to Biloxi, Mississippi, March 17-24. Currently about 25 people are going. We have been informed by the Volunteer Village where we are staying that we need a few very experienced people (electricians, plumbers, carpenters) to help lead our work. If you know of someone with these skills who might be willing to join us, please contact one of the pastors at St. Matthew's Church, 414-774-0441. The need for rebuilding continues to be great!
Very Important Lutherans (VILs) Up-coming Events On Monday, February 19, all retirees of our congregation are invited for a "drop-in" beginning at 1:30 p.m. We will share refreshments and fellowship time. On Monday, March 19, join us for a potluck luncheon to be held at noon in Fellowship Hall. You are invited to bring a dish to share if you are able. We also ask that you bring your antiques and crafts to show! Please call the church office to reserve a spot, so that we know how many people to plan for!
Great Beginnings Notes This month is an exciting time to be a pre-schooler at Great Beginnings! This month they = ll be focusing on the topic of Penguins and Polar Bears. Then, at the end of January, the children are A taking a break @ from the winter weather and will enjoy their annual A Pool Party @ right in their classroom! Great Beginnings Preschool is now offering enrollment to congregational members and friends of Great Beginnings for the 2007-08 school year. If you have or know of a child who will be three years old by September 1, 2007, please consider enrolling them in our wonderful preschool. Enrollment information is available in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Gorges in the office (452-2401).
In Deepest Sympathy We offer our Christian love to the family of Craig Roever at the death of his mother.
Second & Third Grade On Sunday, January 21, the second and third graders and parents will continue their study of the scriptures with New Testament Bible instruction at 9:40 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall and the Sanctuary. Parents are encouraged to attend this session so they can further help their children at home understand the scriptures.
Help Wanted for Kiddie Keep First United Lutheran Church is seeking to hire a warm, nurturing person(s) to be in charge of our Kiddie Keep program. The ideal candidate will love caring for children and be our primary caregiver on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, along with our adult and youth volunteers. Salary and flexibility in scheduling is negotiable. Please contact Mary Gorges in the church office to discuss specific details.
Mission Exploration Team (MET) Presents: WALL OF DREAMS Sunday, February 4, 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall Help us CELEBRATE the history of First United Lutheran Church! Bring your memories and your dreams to be written onto one wall. All ages are invited to participate!
Hospice Volunteers Sought Volunteers are an important aspect of hospice care, providing the extra dimension of timely and giving friendship for terminally ill patients and their families. Interested individuals can assist hospice patients in a variety of volunteer roles through St. Nicholas Hospital Home Health & Hospice. Volunteers may work directly with patients or behind the scenes in one of many support services. Individuals interested in providing this important assistance to hospice patients are invited to attend hospice volunteer training at St. Nicholas Hospital. Training is provided free of charge. Interested persons should call Sara Hester-Johnson at St. Nicholas Hospital Home Health & Hospice at 457-5770 for more information or to register.
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