Come to Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. or Thursday worship at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church!

Sunday, June 5

This Third Sunday after Pentecost we will celebrate Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m., with Holy Baptism, using the Feast and Celebration liturgy. We will recognize our graduating seniors in this service, as well.

Thursday, June 9

The Worship Café opens this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church (1711 S. 11 th Street.)

Sunday, June 12

On this Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., using the With One Voice liturgy. Holy Baptisms will also be held at this service.

Thursday, June 16

Worship Café worship begins at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

Holy Communion for 2nd Graders!

At its March meeting, the members of the Congregation Council unanimously approved that Holy Communion instruction should be offered to children as young as second grade. In the past we have instructed fourth graders in preparation for their First Communion, but this decision to lower the First Communion age better reflects our Lutheran understanding of who should receive this Sacrament.

Holy Communion, like Holy Baptism, is a gift given to us by Jesus Christ, a physical reminder of Jesus’ gift of life to all who believe. In Scriptures, Jesus does not say when a person may receive Holy Communion for the first time, just as He does not say when a person should be baptized. He merely leaves us with the commands, “Take and eat,” “Take and drink,” as well as, “Go and baptized.” Jesus does not even require that we fully understand the meaning of these Sacraments before we participate in them, for Baptism and Communion “work” because of Christ’s presence and power.

Even though complete understanding is not required (thank goodness! for which of us completely understands the mystery of Christ’s presence in Holy Communion?), education is important as we grow in our faith. Since most second graders can read well on their own, the Council thought this was a logical age to being Holy Communion preparation. Our young people will continue to learn about Holy Communion throughout grade school and into Confirmation, so they will not forget the meaning of the gift they are receiving every Sunday.

Of course, when we offer Holy Communion classes next spring we will have third graders and another class of fourth graders who have yet to be instructed as well as the second graders. Pastor Karl and I plan on splitting the children into two or three classes, so that they may get the kind of attention the Holy Communion classes typically receive. More information will be made available as the time draws nearer.

I look forward to next Maundy Thursday when not just one, but three grades of students will be welcomed at the Lord’s Table! If you have any questions or concerns about this change in practice, please contact Pastor Karl or me.

Pastor Gail

Electric Blankets Needed

The First United Quilters are looking for your old electric blankets! These blankets can be used as liners for their quilts. If you have an electric blanket to donate, please bring it to the church office. (Mattress covers and old blankets can be used, as well!)

We offer our Christian love to the families of Dean Pratt at the loss of his mother; of Lloyd Petermann at the loss of his brother; and of Jackie Gore at the loss of her mother.

Worship Café: A Unique Summer Worship Experience

Marina Ministry has not only changed its name, but it has changed its location! Beginning Thursday, June 9, summer worship will take place in St. Andrew Lutheran Church’s courtyard, 1711 S. 11 th Street, which will be transformed into an outdoor café, complete with refreshments! We will gather with the other ELCA churches in Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday evening throughout the summer to worship God and to enjoy fellowship with one another. (Please bring your own lawn chair!)

VIL Annual Picnic

The annual VIL Picnic will take place on Monday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m. in fellow-ship hall, featuring brats and hamburgers served with baked beans and potato salad. Prior to lunch, you’re invited to bring wrapped “white elephant” gift (NO new items, please!) for an exchange game! Call the church office and indicate the number of brats and hamburgers you plan to eat to help the committee prepare!

May we also remind you to return your VIL survey to the VIL Planning Committee as soon as possible regarding your interest in an overnight trip. Please bring your survey to the church office. Thank you!

Worship Café Volunteers

First United will be hosting the Worship Café on the Thursdays of June 23, July 14, and August 18. On those dates we will need coffee hostesses, ushers, bakers, and set-up people. Please sign up on the kiosk in the coming weeks. Thank you!

Holy Weeders ...

Believe it or not our friendly weeds are growing rapidly! Please check your area soon.

Thanks to all of you for agreeing to keep our flower beds beautiful!

2nd Annual SCIO Bike-A-Thon

The Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization is hosting their 2 nd annual Bike-A-Thon on Sunday, June 26. The ride begins and ends at Salem UCC Church, 217 Salem Dr., Plymouth. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with a group start at 12:30 p.m. There are three routes: 15, 25 or 50 miles. Registration fees are $15 if postmarked before June 17, or $20 if postmarked after June 17. Proceeds will be used to support SCIO sponsored programs. Call SCIO at 457-7272, ext. 12, for a registration form, or by e-mail at scio@excel.net.

BEFRIENDERS

Befrienders are lay men and women who commit time to be available as listening and supportive friends. They provide friendship and love to people who are experiencing any of life’s transitions. If you would like to spend time with a Befriender from First United, please contact Deaconess Deb Ganser.

Partner Sunday at All Peoples’ is June 5!

All Peoples’ Church, Milwaukee, is one of our partner congregations. Sunday, June 5, is “Partner Sunday,” when we are invited to come and experience worship with them, and learn how to strengthen our ministry partnership. Worship times are 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. (The 5:00 service is in Spanish!) At 9:45 a.m. Pastor Greg Van Dunk will lead a conversation on “how to deepen our partnership.” Their women’s group will host a “Taste of All Peoples’ Church” from 12:15-1:00 p.m. A free-will offering for refreshments will support their eight women who will be traveling to the Women of the ELCA Triennial Assembly in July. If you want to go and would like to car pool, please sign up on the kiosk. Directions to All Peoples’ are also available on the kiosk.



2005 High School Graduates

Congratulations and God’s blessings to our seniors as they graduate from area high schools! They will be recognized on June 5 in the 9:30 a.m. worship service. They are:

Stephanie Apitz, Gary Bertram, Kaitlyn Binversie, Nadine Crisp, Caline Daun, Amy Ganser, Noah Heinemann, Eric Kleine,
Elizabeth Kuck, George Lee, Julia Markelz, Tyler Messner,
Nicholas Nelson, Kathryn Pidkowicz, Peter Prigge,
Matthew Rostollan, Heather Schuessler, Heather Schwarz,
Kristin Schwarz, Eric Thimmig, Lindsay Thomes,
Benjamin Thompson, Taylor Thompson, Eric Wigdahl.

College Graduates

We’d like to know who graduated from college this year, so we can also recognize them in the Good News. If you have a son or daughter who recently graduated from college, please call us at church (452-2401) and let us know what school he or she graduated from and his or her future plans.

Do you know someone who could use a Prayer Shawl?

We are blessed to have many dedicated “Holy Knitters”, who are committed to knitting prayer shawls and lap blankets. Soon some of them will begin making winter hats, mittens and scarves for the Adopt a Family program, the Clothing Exchange, and the Salvation Army. Many beautiful prayer shawls and lap blankets have already been given to individuals suffering from long-term illnesses or disabilities, or who are struggling with an especially difficult time in their life. If you know of such an individual - someone who would appreciate and benefit from receiving one of our prayer shawls or lap blankets, please contact Deaconess Deb (452-2401).

The “Holy Knitters” meet as a group on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 8. Anyone is welcome to come and join us!

We want this ministry to continue and grow so that we can provide shawls, lap blankets, hats, mittens and scarves to all who are in need. The Holy Knitters have not only given of their time, but have also donated the cost of the yarn and needles needed to make these items. Please consider supporting this ministry with a financial gift. 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

Thank You for the Baby Shower items!

Thank you for your generous Baby Shower donations for the Lakota Indians of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The needs of the Lakota people are great, and we know that all of the items donated will be very much appreciated!

(Wanted) Clothes for the Needy

We continue to collect new and gently used children’s clothing, sizes infant to pre-teen, including coats, shoes, and all kinds of everyday and Sunday clothing. Donated items will go 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.

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

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 .