Come to worship!

Sunday, April 24
We continue to celebrate the risen Lord this Fifth Sunday of Easter with two services of Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. using the Heritage of Song Liturgy. The Sanctuary Choir will sing in the 8:30 a.m. service, with special music offered in the 10:45 a.m. service. Donuts & Dialogue will continue the series entitled: Shalom: The Biblical Concept of Peace.

Sunday, May 1
On this Sixth 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 Bell Choir will ring the anthem at both services. Donuts & Dialogue will feature Emmanuel Kamana as guest speaker.

Pastor Nelson's Notes
"Cathy Daharsh Resigns to go to Seminary"

This past week we all received a letter from Cathy Daharsh which shared the exciting news of her Call to ordained ministry and her plan to attend Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa this fall. She has been an incredible part of our church staff these past years as Director of Youth and Family Ministry. She is a wonderful team player, working energetically with other staff members and all the dozens of volunteers she has recruited. We will miss her presence among our church family, her upbeat "can do" attitude and her ever present smile and laugh. She has brought vitality and growth to our youth ministry program. The young people love to be around her and her creative and new ideas have fostered many youth to remain active at church.
While we will miss her a great deal, we rejoice that God has called her to ordained ministry. It is wonderful that First United has provided the setting, the inspiration and the means to help her discern her call to being a pastor. We can rejoice that we are part of the supporting and caring family that will stand behind her as she goes to seminary this fall. Because of a Greek language course she must take, Cathy will complete her work with us at the end of July. I hope you will make a special effort to thank her for her work and wish her God's blessing as she and her family relocate and begin this new venture.
We are fortunate that First United has over the years been a congregation that has sponsored other pastoral candidates. In addition to Cathy, Pres Hoffman attends the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is in his second year and will be going on internship next year. His particular interest is urban ministry. He has represented First United at Cross Church, Milwaukee, for a number of years. He juggles work and seminary in an amazing and creative way. The church will be blessed to have him as a pastor.
Beyond that Pastor Gail has been approved to the Doctor of Ministry program at LSTC in Chicago, a three-year professional degree program which is closely tied to ministry and preaching at First United. The program is three years long, involving three weeks on the LSTC campus each summer. Importantly, she plans to be here throughout the transition time after I retire sometime in 2006. Because people have been asking, you should know that while there will be an interim pastor hired by the congregation for at least a year in the senior pastor role, during the more than one year transition, Pastor Gail will continue as associate pastor and is eligible to remain at First United until 6 months after the new senior pastor is installed. She, after that long length of time, can either be called again as an associate, or move to a new call. The bottom line – she can be here a long time after the transition starts.
A closing invitation: The Foundation Fund has sought to provide some financial support for those going into ordained ministry. However, the income from the fund for scholarships has been low for several years. Therefore, the council established a Seminary scholarship fund to help provide a higher level of support for those called into ordained ministry and seminary. The usual cost each year (seminary is four years long) is $11,000 - $12,000 for tuition and books. I would hope that we could fully pay for each of our full-time seminary students (Pres and Cathy) each of their seminary years. I invite you to consider giving a generous check out of the generosity of your heart to cover their tuition and books. Please make the check (or you may pay by Visa or Mastercard!) out to First United and indicate "seminary fund." We wish God's blessing on their calling and I thank you for your generous response.
Pastor Karl

Spring

Spring is finally here! And that means the flowers are blooming, which also brings the WEEDS! Volunteers are needed to maintain the flower beds around the church. If you have volunteered in the past and would like to continue, or if you would like to become a first-time weeder for an area, please contact Bob and Marian Gorges at 458-6301.

Singles Potluck

The singles of First United will gather on Sunday, May 8, at 12:00 noon, for a potluck lunch and to continue our study on the Psalms. If your last name begins with A-M, please bring a salad or dessert. If your last name begins with N-Z, please bring a main dish. Beverages and tableware will be provided. Even if you missed our first Bible study, you are more than welcome to join us for our second study. Bring a friend and join in the fellowship!

Monday Night Books

The last Monday Night Books for this school year will take place on May 2 with Nora Gallagher's Practicing Resurrection. A description of the book and a sign-up sheet are located on the kiosk in the gathering area. Please read the book prior to May 2 and come prepared to discuss! Questions? Contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

Become Part of our Church Family

If you are interested in joining the community of faith at First United, you are invited to come to the New Member Workshops scheduled for:
Sunday, May 8, at 9:40 a.m.;
Thursday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.
Child care will be provided for all workshops. Please plan to attend and hear more about our Lutheran heritage as well as learning what it means to be a member of this church and the special ministry opportunities at First United. New members will be received into membership during the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday, May 15. Please contact the church office if you have questions.

Cathy Daharsh Recognition Sunday

Sunday, May 15, at 9:40 a.m., during Sunday School hour, we will celebrate the work and ministry of our Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Cathy Daharsh. Cathy is leaving us to begin seminary this summer. Over the years she has provided invaluable service to our children and youth through her energy and creativity. All Sunday School children, middle and high school students, parents and congregation members are invited to this reception in her honor. Please plan to attend!

Donuts & Dialogue

Donuts and Dialogue has begun 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!


Great Beginnings

Mrs. T and Mrs. J and the Great Beginnings Board would like to thank everyone for their support of Great Beginnings Sunday! Great Beginnings is an excellent preschool for young children and your continuous support helps keep it going strong.
There are still a few opening for the 2005-2006 school year. If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please stop by the church office to sign up or to get more information.
Thursday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. is regis-tration night! Stop by the school to register, to get more information, and see what we are all about!
~Amy Bogenschuetz, Preschool Board

Something NEW in the Library!

Thanks to a generous donation from one of our First United congregation members, the Church Library is offering a new and special section of books. The books are primarily novels, located on a cart in the center of the Library. These books will be available on a READ - ENJOY - SWAP basis. No check-out is needed.
More information will be offered in future issues of the Good News. Until then, stop in to pick out a book or two for your reading enjoyment.
Note: other materials in the Library must still be checked out before removing them from the Library. Thank you!
~Bonnie Doyle, Librarian

Holy Communion Bakers

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

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 Monona, which includes a lunch buffet. There will also be a stop at the Veterans' Museum, and a stop at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. The cost is $50 per person, and the trip is filling up. Call the church office for reservations!

Global Mission Events Summer 2005

Come and celebrate God's grace in the world at this summer's Global Mission Events.
Global Mission Events are the ELCA's premiere summer events, where congregations, families, youth and seniors discover a global community of God's grace. Challenging speakers from all over the world and engaging Global University sessions will sharpen your sense of God's mission and open new opportunities for participation.
A Global Mission Event is an adventure, a family reunion full of new faces and challenging ideas, a unique occasion to have fun and learn together with other mission-minded Christians.
This year's Global Mission Events will be held: July 14-17 at North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, and August 25-28 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland. Check the kiosk for more information. You may also register on-line at www.elca.org/gme.

May Flower Sale

It's time once again 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 6th! 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

We're having a Baby Shower!

During the entire month of May, members of the South Dakota Mission Trip will be collecting baby items of all kinds for the Lakota Indians. Items most needed are disposable diapers, wet wipes, infant formula, new and gently used clothing, and baby blankets. Twin sized (only!) sheets and blankets are also needed. Please place items in the play pen in the gathering area. Thank you!

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!

One or Two Meals on Wheels Drivers Still Needed

First United has Meals on Wheels routes on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays! But we still need one or two more people who can deliver on the fourth Friday of each month. We occasionally need "subs" 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.


Prayer Shawls are Well Received

The "Holy Knitters" have been busy making prayer shawls, and all who have received a shawl have been very grateful.
Since the "Holy Knitters" began, about two months ago, more than 14 prayer shawls have been made and given away! Some have been given to members of First United, and some to family members and friends of the knitters who are suffering from various physical illnesses. Each shawl is knit in prayer and given in love, with a special card and a healing prayer bookmark.
If you would like to be a Holy Knitter, talk to Deaconess Deb or pick up a blue knitting instruction card on the round table in the office. The card has all the information needed to make a shawl, as well as prayers to offer before you begin knitting. We meet together as a group on the second Monday of the month, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in Room 8. We ask God to bless our work and the people who will be receiving the shawls, and then knit, chat, listen to music and just enjoy each other's company.
Each prayer shawl uses three skeins of Lion brand Homespun yarn and needles size 13, 15 or 17. Three skeins can be ordered through Marilyn Froh for only $11.00 (including tax!) in the church office. Sample swatches and an order form are available on the round table.
We have a number of very dedicated "Holy Knitters" who are giving their time and resources to provide beautiful prayer shawls for others. We want this ministry to continue and grow, but are finding it to be a financial burden for some. 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! Your financial support is very much appreciated! Please make checks out to First United Lutheran Church, and write "Holy Knitters" on the envelope. Thank you!
~Deaconess Deb

2nd Annual SCIO Bike-A-Thon Scheduled!

Mark your calendar today! The 2nd annual Bike-A-Thon, sponsored by the Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization, will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 26, 2005. The ride begins and ends at Salem UCC Church, 217 Salem Drive, Plymouth. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a group start at 12:30 p.m. There will be three routes: 15, 25 or 50 miles.
Registration fees are $15 if postmarked before June 17, or $20 if postmarked after June 17. Proceeds from the Bike-A-Thon will be used to support SCIO sponsored programs such as Bridgeway, the Farmer's Market, Women's Wear Daily, and others. Call SCIO at 457-7272, ext. 12, to receive a registration form, or through e-mail at scio@excel.net.

Congratulations!

Our congratulations to Ellen (Russell) and Douglas Christel who were married April 2. May God bless them as they establish their new life together!