Come to worship

Sunday, April 10

We continue to praise the risen Lord this Third Sunday of Easter with two services of Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. The Christus Choir will sing in the 8:30 a.m. service, and the Sanctuary Choir will sing in the 10:45 a.m. service. We will honor our Great Beginnings Preschool at the 8:30 a.m. service, and Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) will take place at the 10:45 a.m. worship service.

Sunday, April 17

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter we will celebrate Holy Communion at 8:30 and

10:45 a.m. using the Heritage of Song Liturgy, with Holy Baptism at 10:45 a.m. The Cherub Choir will sing at 8:30 a.m., and the Sanctuary Choir at the 10:45 a.m. service Donuts & Dialogue will continue the series entitled: Shalom: The Biblical Concept of Peace. A special benefit, Gifts of Love, will be held for Michael Gorges in fellowship hall featuring an Italian dinner, music and a silent auction, beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Pastor Nelson’s Notes

By the time you receive these notes we will have celebrated the joyous festival of Easter. However, I write them to you on Good Friday. We are preparing to hear the Passion Gospel that tells us of the tragic sufferings our Savior went through in order to free us from our sins. We again face his death, cruelly on a cross, where he took the burden of our failures and covered our sins with his blood. With so much human misery and suffering around us, we need to cling to the One who suffered and died on that cross for us. People being gunned down during worship, high schoolers killed in northern Minnesota, a Florida woman in a vegetative state for 15 years being caught in the middle of a political volleyball game with her parents and husband fighting over who has right over her, a 9 year old raped and killed by a man living 150 yards from her bedroom. On and on it goes. We hear over and over of “man’s inhumanity to man.”

We need to fervently pray every day for mercy and forgiveness and then receive the gifts of Easter’s resurrection through a living Christ who walks with us in all our sufferings and our daily journey. While Christ calls us to love each other, many of our fellow humans inflict violence on each other instead. Daily we are driven to the cross of Christ for mercy and forgiveness. Daily we need to tell our loved ones they are loved, important in our lives, and surrounded with our care.

May this Easter season fill you with hope and courage to live out your life in love to God and to your neighbor. May we not take for granted those around us who we love and who count on us. Each Sunday be sure to be at worship and receive the gift of God’s grace through Holy Communion. During the 7 week season of Easter we will stand instead of kneel at the rail as a gesture of respect and honor to the risen Christ and in thanksgiving for his gift of salvation.

I look forward to seeing you at worship.

Pastor Karl

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Our Deepest Sympathy

We offer our Christian love to the family of Judy Bohrofen at the loss of her father; to the family of Mark Zehfus at the loss of his grandmother; and to the family of Shirley Lassila at her death.

Easter Egg Hunt

A special thank you to all the families and individuals who attended this year’s Easter Egg Hunt at the Milsted’s, and to all the wonderful people who helped to make this year’s event a huge success!

~Joyce & Louis Milsted

Gluten Free Wafers

A growing number of individuals are diagnosed each year with celiac disease, “a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. When a person with celiac disease eats foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in the small intestine, resulting in damage to the surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients from food.” Source: www.mayoclinic.com Even a small amount of gluten, such as is contained in communion wafers, can cause a reaction in people who live with celiac disease.

In light of this, First United is now offering gluten-free Communion wafers, purchased by a member who cannot consume gluten. In addition to the regular wafers, these gluten-free wafers will be available at the communion station on the far east side of the sanctuary on the Sundays when we receive communion by intinction. When we commune at the rail, gluten-free wafers will be offered on the east side of the rail, in addition to the regular bread. When you come forward for Communion, please indicate your need to receive a gluten-free wafer and it will be given to you.

By providing gluten-free wafers, we can ensure that all people may receive both gifts of Christ’s body and blood every Sunday.

Singles Potluck

The singles of First United will gather on Sunday, April 3, at 12 PM for a potluck and Bible study on the Psalms. If your last name begins with A - M, please bring a main dish. If your last name begins with N - Z, please bring a salad or dessert. Beverages and tableware will be provided. Bring a friend and join in the fellowship!

In the hospital?

Our pastoral staff is always willing to visit those who are hospitalized in order to offer

prayers and support. Due to the privacy laws, we depend on you to inform the hospital that you are a member of First United so that the hospital can legally inform us that you are there. Or, you can contact the church office to let us know you would like a visit from the pastoral staff.

Over the weekends it is oftentimes difficult to know if we have members who are hospitalized. If you are admitted over the weekend, please feel free to contact Pastor Karl (452-8280), Pastor Gail (208-8308), or Deaconess Deb (565-2649). One of us will visit you in your time of need. So please, help us to be of assistance to you by informing us when you are in the hospital.

Donuts & Dialogue

Donuts and Dialogue has resumed with a new series entitled Shalom: The Biblical Concept of Peace. Beginning with the Old Testament Hebrew word for “peace,” shalom, and the New Testament Greek word, eirene, we are exploring the meanings of “peace” throughout the Bible and their relevance for today. This study, written by an Old Testament scholar, shines a Biblical light on the issues and unsettled moods of our times and helps us to focus on peacemaking as a central concern of the church today. Join us for this engaging study!

Those beautiful bulletin covers

Each Sunday our bulletin has a beautifully designed cover, hand-drawn by many of the children of our congregation. If you enjoy drawing and would like to design a bulletin cover for worship, please sign up on the kiosk!

What’s New in Our Library:

More new children’s books!

Every Day and Sunday, Too, written by Gail Ramshaw and illustrated by Judy Jarrett. The art work of this book helps interpret the story of every day life and Christian worship. The actions of daily life and Sunday worship are placed side-by-side as a way to see every day in life as Sunday worship, and to see again Sunday’s gathering as a way of life for every day. Engaging words set next to delightful artwork invite children and adults to explore the relationship between every day and Sunday. Each action has a corresponding scripture lesson, and an illustration of Sunday worship. Young children who are beginning to participate in Sunday worship may find this book helpful.

A Child’s Book of Values, written by Lesley Wright. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a strong foundation of personal values based on God’s teachings in scripture. The author does a wonderful job of helping children understand and practice Christian values such as love, forgiveness, kindness, faithfulness, generosity, patience, gratefulness, responsibility, hard work, honesty, bravery, faithfulness, and joyfulness. These values can be linked to a child’s everyday experiences in many ways. Each section of this book contains a simple definition of each value, Bible stories that illustrate the value, quotes from children, discussion points on practical ways to develop each value, and an informal prayer written by a child. The book has beautiful illustrations and photographs to depict each value.

Monday Night Books

Our last Monday Night Books for this school year will take place on Monday, May 2, with Nora Gallagher’s Practicing Resurrection. Questions? Contact Pastor Gail at 452-2401.

VIL Kohler Company Tour

On Monday, April 18, the VILS will take a 3-hour tour of the Kohler Company beginning at 8:30 a.m. followed by lunch at the Horse & Plow (on your own). Or you can tour the Design Center just prior to lunch if you think the 3-hour tour would be too strenuous. Please call the church office by April 7 if you plan to attend.

A VIL Private, 2-Hour Cruise

The VILs are also planning a day in Madison on Monday, May 16. One of the activities on the agenda is a private, two-hour cruise on Lake Menona, which includes a lunch buffet. There may also be a stop at the Veterans’ Museum. More details will be coming, but you might want to make your reservation now by calling the church office!

SCIO Flower Sale

It’s time once agin for SCIO’s Annual Spring Flower Sale! Order forms can be found on the kiosk. Please fill one out and make checks payable to SCIO Flower Sale. Please bring your order form and check to the church office, and we will place our final order to SCIO on May 6. No orders will be accepted after May 6 th! Flower pick-up will be on Saturday, May 14. You will be notified as to the area pick-up location and time. For more information, contact the SCIO office at 457-7272.

Flower Price List

Bedding Plants $16/Flat

Geraniums $3 each

Vines $3 each

Hanging Baskets $20 each

SCIO Mother’s Luncheon and Fashion Show

Save the date! Saturday, May 14

SCIO is hosting a special Luncheon and Fashion Show in fellowship hall, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a silent auction. Watch for further details!

The “Holy Knitters” are Knitting Away!

The “Holy Knitters” will meet from 5:00- 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of the month, beginning Monday, April 11. The meeting will be over in plenty of time for the All Committee Night dinner and meetings. We’ll ask God to bless our work and the people who will be receiving the shawls, and then we’ll knit, chat, listen to music and make beautiful, soft, warm Prayer Shawls. (Bring your favorite CD!)

Each prayer shawl is made with the sole purpose of giving it away to people who are suffering from serious or long-term illnesses, or to the elderly. They are “Prayer Shawls” because every knitter prays a special prayer each time they begin knitting. Each shawl is given with a card and a bookmark that has a special “healing” prayer that the recipient can pray to remind them of God’s love & presence that is always with them.

One prayer shawl uses three skeins of Lion brand Homespun yarn and needles size 13, 15 or 17. You can order three skeins for only $11.00 (including tax!) in the church office. Sample swatches and an order form are available on the round table.

If you aren’t a knitter, but would like to help financially support our new Holy Knitters ministry, a gift of $11.00 can purchase enough yarn for one more prayer shawl! Please make your checks out to First United Lutheran Church, memo: Holy Knitters. Thank you!

~Deaconess Deb

“Laugh Your Way To a Better Marriage” Seminar

Most marriage seminars tend to be serious, technical, and emotionally taxing. The “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” seminar is very different because it helps couples by dealing with tough issues in a way that is fun and non-threatening. There are no workbooks to fill out, no emotional “break-out” sessions, and no one is ever forced to speak in front of people. The setting is more like that of a comedy club than that of a typical marriage seminar. Mark Gungor, pastor, motivational speaker and comedian, leads this event.

The event will be held in the Sheboygan Falls High School auditorium on Friday, April 8, from 7:00-10:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 9, from 9:00 a.m.-noon. Invite your friends to come along, because you will get two free tickets for every two tickets that are bought! Tickets are $50/couple, and can be purchased at Sonlight Books. Check the kiosk for more information!

One or Two Meals on Wheels Drivers Still Needed

With the help of many of our members, First United has Meals on Wheels routes on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays! We are extremely grateful to all who are helping to make this possible, but we still need one or two more people who can deliver on the fourth Friday of each month. It would also be very helpful to have a few people who could occasionally “sub” on a Friday for the other drivers. We have a number of First United drivers, so it is easy to “switch days” when you can’t drive. Each delivery takes about 90 minutes, from approximately 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please sign up on the kiosk or call the church (452-2401) if you can help. Thank you!

KAMANA FAMILY UPDATE

The Kamana family has been actively involved in learning - gaining skills in the English language as well as learning the customs and holidays of their new country. Pettin is enrolled in both English as a Second Language and Kindergarten classes at Pigeon River School. Jospin attends the Even Start Program at the Sheboygan Early Learning Center and also our Great Beginnings Preschool. Chauvin and Godwin accompany their mother and brother, Rebecca and Jospin, to the Even Start classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

Helle Willis, Gail Showerman, Marianne Comstock, and Kathy Nelson are volunteer tutors who visit Rebecca and the family once a week for practice in the English language. They share conversation with Rebecca and encourage her to share - in English - her experiences in Tanzania, Africa and the United States, and have become good friends in the process.

We welcome anyone who would like to join us as tutors. If you would like to be a volunteer tutor, please contact Kathy Nelson at 452-8280.

~Kathy Nelson

WANTED Clothes for the Needy

We are collecting new and gently used children’s clothing, sizes infant to pre-teen, including coats, shoes, and all kinds of everyday and Sunday clothing. These clothes will be going to the children of Wellington Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, and to their Clothing Pantry, which serves 35-60 families each month. Pastor Howard Fintzen, a member of First United, is serving as interim pastor at Wellington Park. He is asking for our help because they don’t have a mission partner, and have nowhere else to turn for assistance.

Please bring your clothing items to the designated area in the Gathering area. All items must be CLEAN, UNSTAINED, and in VERY GOOD CONDITION! Thank you!

Holy Communion

Bread Bakers: we need Holy Communion bread bakers for June 5 and September 4. Bread recipes are available in the church office. Please contact Lee Anne Gilson if you are willing to bake!