What’s the next step?

On Sunday, May 13, our daughter, Risa, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a major in Psychology and minors in Latin American Studies and Sociology. She also learned how to clean an apartment, how to do her own laundry, how to shop within reason, and many other non-academic subjects that are a part of taking the next step in life. After all, the meaning of graduation is taking the next step. Such steps take time. Risa, along with many of her classmates, spent five years getting to this step. For some it takes longer. NPR interviewed this year’s oldest college graduate: a 95-year old grandmother from Kansas, who now wants to be a storyteller on a cruise ship, around the world.

Many of you have asked me, “What is the next step for our congregation?” The quick answer is, “The Call Committee will interview candidates and recommend one, and the congregation will issue a call for a new Senior Pastor.” But that is only part of the answer. The rest of the answer will depend on how we respond to the Holy Spirit. Luther reminds us that our faith is in the Holy Spirit who:
has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with her gifts, made me holy, and kept me in the true faith, just as she calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. (Small Catechism)

And, on a quite different note, Nikos Kazantzakis reminds us:
They paint the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles’ heads in the form of a dove. For shame? Haven’t they ever felt the Holy Spirit burning them? Where did they find that innocent, edible bird? How can they represent that to us as a spirit? No. The Holy Spirit is not a dove, it is fire, a man-eating fire which clamps its talons into the very crown of Saints, martyrs and great strugglers, reducing them to ashes. Abject souls are the ones who take the Holy Spirit for a dove which they imagine they can kill and eat. (From Report to Greco)

So the next step is to trust the Holy Spirit to call, enlighten, make holy and keep us faithful - and to watch for fire to break out in the mission and ministry of First United. “Veni Sancte Spiritus. Veni Sancte Spiritus: Holy Spirit, Come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us.” Amen

Our next step will have measurable actions (?) and will also be full of surprises. The former we can control and plan, the latter we can only respond to with faithfulness and hope. ~Pastor Jacobs

Congregational Special Meeting

The Mission Exploration Team (MET) will present and discuss their report which will be presented to Rev. Sue Ruehle, Assistant to the Bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod. She will also talk to the congregation about the Call process. Copies of the MET Report, which will contain a mission statement, a mission strategy for the next 5 years, specific mission goals for the next 5-10 years, a plan to review and evaluate mission goals, a congregational profile, and expectations of “The Leader We Seek: Profile for a Senior Pastor,” will be available the week prior to the meeting. Please make plans to attend this very important meeting! It will be held on Sunday, May 20, at 9:40 a.m., in the Genszler Room.

In Deepest Sympathy

We offer our Christian love to the family of Mike Stockdale at the death of his grandmother; to the family of Carl and Betty Johnson at the death of their grandson; to the family of Ellen Danielsen at the death of her brother; and to the family of Jean Quicker at the death of her husband.

Sunday, May 20, is Volunteer Sunday!

During both worship services on that day, we will take the time to recognize all the hard work that so many of you do for First United. There will also be a small token of appreciation given to all our volunteers. It’s our small way of saying “thanks” for you do!

Please give of your Time & Talents

In the past few weeks we’ve asked you, the congregation, to consider volunteering in the many areas of our church’s life by filling out the new Time & Talent form, which can be found in the pew racks, or in the church office. Please take time to think about how God has blessed you and how you may be able to use your gifts to serve God, your church, and your community!

Summer Worship Responsibilities

Work has already begun on the next Worship Responsibility Book, which includes the months of July, August, September and October, and will include those of you who recently filled in a Time & Talent form.
IT WOULD BE SO HELPFUL...
if you would call the church office if you know of certain dates you will NOT be available during these coming months, especially the summer months! That way, we can work around you and save a lot of phone calling! Thank you!

TANZANIAN RALLY DAY

What: Tanzanian Rally Day!
When: Sunday, September 9!
Where: First United Lutheran Church
Why: To Celebrate God!
To Celebrate Tanzania!
To Celebrate Us!
How: African worship, music, games, dancing, crafts, drumming, food, and lots of fun! Mark your calendars!

CONGRATULATIONS!

First United’s own Dartball Team, Karl’s Kougars, took home the “Sportsmanship Trophy”this year! The trophy is on display right outside the church office, where you will also see a second trophy - this one belongs to our own Bob Leet for “Rookie of the Year!” Way to go, team!!

Our Food Barrel is Empty!

Many in our community are in great need, and have come to our church looking for assistance. But our barrel is quite empty! We need your help by filling it with non-perishable foods, such as: canned vegetables, canned fruits, Macaroni & Cheese mixes, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mixes (made with water only), syrup, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, canned soup, jello, bottled juices, etc. Anything that does not have to be refrigerated! Bring it to church with you the next time you come for worship and drop it in the barrel located near the triple doors as you enter the church. Thank you!

VIL Potluck
Monday, May 21

There’s still time to sign up for the VIL potluck luncheon to be held in Fellowship Hall on Monday, May 21, beginning at 12:00 noon. Al Loth will give a presentation following the meal on People-to-People’s special relationship with Los Niños, a non-profit organization based in Chula Vista, California, whose main mission is to help children and their families in the Tijuana area. Please call the church office to sign up, and let us know if you are able to bring a main dish, a salad, or a dessert to share!

VIL PICNIC

Reservations are now being taken for the annual VIL Picnic to be held here at First United on Monday, June 18! Traditional brats and hamburgers will be served, and afterwards there will be games and fellowship - Pastor Jacobs has already agreed to call the Bingo game! Call us now if you plan to attend, and let us know how many brats and/or burgers you plan to eat! If you need a ride, please give us a call and we’ll be glad to find you a way here!

Worship Café
Summer Worship Services on Thursdays

Beginning Thursday, June 7, summer worship will be offered each Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., complete with refreshments! The services are conducted at the Deland Center on the lakefront. We will once again gather with the other ELCA churches in Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls throughout the summer to worship God in this beautiful setting and to enjoy fellowship with one another.

Congratulations to our graduates

First United wishes to congratulate you on this exciting chapter in your life, and we would like to help you celebrate by inviting you and your parents to attend the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, June 10, so that we may honor your accomplishments. Please plan to wear your cap and gown and meet in the Chapel at 9:00 a.m. so that we can assemble for a group photo. Graduates will then process in together at the beginning of worship, and be introduced at some point in the service. We are asking that you send or bring a wallet-sized graduation picture to the church office by Sunday, May 27. May God continue to bless each and every one of you as you prepare for graduation and for your future!

Last Day of Sunday School

Sunday School comes to an end on Sunday, May 20. On that day there will be an Ice Cream Social and a Veggie Tale movie in Fellowship Hall. Students will receive their certificates that morning as well. Children should report to their classrooms and the teachers will take them to Fellowship Hall. They can be picked up in Fellowship Hall at the end of the education hour. Questions? Call Mary Gorges!

Vacation Bible School
Avalanche Ranch

Attention, Buckaroos! Get ready for our Summer VBS Avalanche Ranch: A Wild Ride Through God’s World by putting it on your summer calendar! We will learn about God’s love here on the Ranch, and enjoy hands-on Bible adventures with daily video visits from Chadder Chipmunk. Avalanche Ranch is great fun for children of all ages - even middle and high schoolers will enjoy signing on as Crew Leaders who will help the younger children. Come to the ranch the week of July 30 through August 3. The cost is just $15 per child with a limit of $35 per family. Registration and volunteer forms have been mailed out, but if you need additional forms, pick one up at church. A sign-up sheet for adult and youth volunteers is located on the Youth & Family Board in the Gathering Area.

Synod sponsored
Anti-Racism training
HERE in October

First United will be hosting a synod-wide anti-racism training called, “Building Bridges,” October 19-20 This Biblically based training will be facilitated by the Lutheran Human Relations Association, and is highly recommended for all of our youth and adult members.
Most synod-sponsored events such as this are typically held in the Milwaukee area. Having the event here will give you and other people from the Sheboygan area the special opportunity to attend locally
The event will be from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, and from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. Cost for the entire training, materials, a light meal on Friday, snacks, and a lunch on Saturday is $75. Scholarship assistance is available upon request. Registration forms are available on the kiosk in the Gathering Area. This event will be limited in the number of participants, so please register early Contact Deaconess Deb if you have questions.

Good News Deadline

Articles for the next issue of the Good News should be in the church office by Friday, May 25. The next issue will be in the homes on Wednesday, June 6.

Grief Group meets Thursday, May 24

Harold Smith writes, “Have you ever ridden the high-speed underground trams that link the terminals in airports? Recently, I boarded a tram that was being taken out of service. ‘Slow’ didn’t do it justice. As the tram slowly crawled down the dark tunnel, I thought, ‘This is like grief.’ Some people seem to whiz through the dark tunnel of loss; others plod foot by foot.”
It is very true that everyone works through grief in their own way, and in their own time. Yet having the support of others who are also working through grief can often be a tremendous help.
If you have experienced the death of a loved one, please come for a time of grief support on Thursday, May 24, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Genszler Room. Bring your family and friends, and if you want, bring pictures or something that reminds you of your loved one. You don’t have to go through this alone

Bike-a-thon for SCIO

The fourth annual SCIO Bike-a-Thon will be held on Sunday, June 24. Volunteers are needed to help at the registration table, for route safety monitors, and at rest stops. Contact SCIO at 457-7272 to volunteer.
There will be three routes for those interested in riding in the Bike-a-Thon, including a 64 miler Pick up registration forms and more information on the kiosk.

Great Beginnings Notes
Open House

On Tuesday, June 5, Great Beginnings Preschool will hold their annual Spring Open House/Enrollment Night. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. and will run until 7:30 p.m. Please take time to stop in and see our wonderful room, and meet Sandy Gosse and Erin Mueller, our excellent teaching staff. Appointments to view the room and meet the teachers can also be made by calling the office. We are still accepting enrollment for the 2007-08 school year. If you would like more information on our preschool, please contact Mary Gorges in the church office.
This month our preschool children are wrapping up their action-packed fun-filled year with a party at Triple Play on Wednesday, May 23. The kids are also busy making Mother’s Day gifts, and enjoying our recent warm weather by playing outside. The last day of class the children and their parents will enjoy a picnic to celebrate the day

High School Finals Study Night

On Monday, June 11, from 4:00-9:30 p.m., there will be a number of teachers of various subjects who will be available to assist high school students prepare for their finals here at First United in Fellowship Hall. Registration is a must. Please sign up on the kiosk in the Gathering Area, or at your local schools.

A note from Wartburg Seminary...

Dear Friends at First United Church,
You have been a great partner with Wartburg Seminary this past year, and we are very thankful.
Thanks to your financial gifts, given to Catherine Daharsh, another Bible study discussion will be deepened, another uplifting sermon will be preached, and another frightened family will be comforted in hospital room. Thanks to your generosity, Wartburg Seminary continues its mission to form valued leaders to work with you, declaring and serving Christ.
Again, we thank you for your participation and for your support. Your partnership means a great deal to the students and to the success of the mission of Wartburg Seminary, lifting up the good news of Christ for all peoples in all parts of the world.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Katharine Yarnell, Director for Annual Fund and Alumni Relations

We need your help... do we have your current address?

At this time of year when many people move, would you help us by calling us with your new address as soon as possible, as it saves us in postage each time mail is returned due to insufficient address. Thank you