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| Newsletters > Good News > 07-18-07 | ||
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The Wandering Preacher This past week, as my family and I were finalizing our travel plans to a cabin in Walker , MN , my father e-mailed me directions from Sheboygan to the resort. He addressed me as “Dearest Wandering Preacher,” a new addition to the long list of monikers he has lovingly (!) given me over the years. The name, “Wandering Preacher,” brought me back to a conversation I had with a friend while I was in Chicago for my final Doctor of Ministry in Preaching residency. The emotions of leaving First United, leaving my friends from the preaching program, and starting a new life in Milwaukee in very short order were catching up with me, and tears flooded my face. “I’m tired of the transient life,” I said, “I’m tired of moving every few years. I’m tired of having to cross out names of people in my address book with whom I’ve lost touch.” His reply: “Maybe that’s a part of the calling.” This was not the answer I wanted to hear, of course, but I knew my friend was right. To follow God’s call, to be a wandering preacher, engineer, student, or retiree, oftentimes means leaving the known and taking a plunge into the unknown, and trying to have the faith that God is guiding us. To follow God’s call is not easy, particularly if it means saying goodbye to those whom you love and to those who love you, but the rewards are immeasurable. I think about how God called me to serve as the associate pastor of First United Lutheran Church back in 2001, and even though I had no idea where Sheboygan was, I trusted that God would walk with me and, indeed, God has. I trust that God will go with me as I wander into this new call as well, to Village Church in Milwaukee, something that many have described as a challenge and something that I embrace as a new adventure. Our wandering together, as congregation and pastor, has come to an end, but my prayers will go with you as you wander into the new territory of calling a new senior pastor and, someday, a new associate pastor. I encourage you to walk with boldness and strength into this new time, comforted by God’s presence, the knowledge of God’s love and the assurance that since God has seen you through this time of transition, God will certainly see you into your new beginnings. Thank you for receiving this wandering preacher for the last five and a half years. The gift of becoming a pastor in this place is irreplaceable, and I am honored by your welcome and your love. Peace, +Pastor Gail
Marina Café Worship For those who know they’ll be away on the weekend, we offer a Thursday evening worship service at the Deland Center on the lakefront each week during the summer. These services are conducted by our Sheboygan area ELCA churches, beginning at 6:30 p.m. First United is hosting the Thursdays of July 19 and 26. Please sign-up on the kiosk if you are willing to help at either of these services. Thank you!
She has received and accepted a call to Village Church in Milwaukee . Pastor Gail will be preaching her final sermon with us on Sunday, July 29, at 9:30 a.m. Please join us after worship in Fellowship Hall to say “farewell and God’s speed” to her as she leaves for her new position as pastor of Village Church ! If you would like to contribute to the love gift for Pastor Gail, please make checks payable to FULC marked “love gift.”
In Deepest Sympathy We offer our Christian love to the family of Craig Roever at the death of his brother.
We Missed You in Worship! The summer already is half over and we have been watching our worship attendance decrease. We know that this is a busy congregation, full of people who love to travel and enjoy the warm weather, but our worship experience is not the same without you! When the pews are not full, our songs are not as joyful and our fellowship is not as complete. Please make worship at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings a part of your summer plans; we miss you when you are not here! Because of the decrease in attendance at worship, the summer months are awfully lean months, financially speaking. The church depends on your generous giving throughout the entire year in order to offer our various ministries, to reach out to those within the congregation and surrounding community, and to keep our building cool and welcoming. When people give through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), we can be assured of continual giving even when they are on vacation! Please contact Kori Novicki in the church office (452-2401) for more information about this giving opportunity. We look forward to seeing you in church! ~Pastor Jacobs, Pastor Gail, and Deaconess Deb
Good News Deadline Please have your articles to the church office by Monday, July 23. The next issue will be in homes on Wednesday, August 1.
Our own “Summer Missionary” Kristin Gueldenzopf For the summer of 2007, Crossways Camps hired nearly ninety college-age Christian adults to serve in the name of Christ as “missionaries” at their camps. Once again, Crossways invites congregations and families to “Adopt-a-Summer Missionary” and support them through prayer, letters of encouragement, care packages, or other ways. Our congregation has adopted Kristin Gueldenzopf at Pine Lake Camp and will be supporting her in various ways this summer. Please direct any mail or care packages to Kristin at the following address: Kristin Gueldenzopf Please keep Kristin and all the summer staff and full-time staff at all three of the Camps of Crossways in your prayers as they serve as examples of God’s love and grace to all those who they encounter this summer!
Habitat for Humanity We received a thank you for the $500 contribution received from First United in June. And they are looking for volunteers to help with the basic construction of a new home on 37 th Street . To volunteer, please call Lisa Reed at 457-5888.
It’s Christmas in July Following our recent heat wave, Christmas sounds pretty good! And now we’d like to invite you to play Santa! You will find a decorated Christmas tree displayed in the Gathering Area this entire month of July. Each of the ornaments on the tree have a school supply item printed on it. Please help by taking one or more of the ornaments from the tree, purchasing the items listed, and then placing the purchased items under the tree. All of the school supplies will be put in backpacks and given to needy children in the Sheboygan area and to our partner congregations, Cross and All Peoples’ Lutheran churches in Milwaukee. Thank you for helping to make a difference in a child’s life! - the Social Ministry Committee
Grief Support meets July 24 During the process of healthy grieving, there comes a time when each of us need to make decisions as to what we need to let go of in relationship to the person who has died. Tangible items we eventually need to let go of could include things like jewelry, collectibles, furniture, and clothing. Intangible things, like feelings of guilt, or blame, may even be harder to relinquish. At our next Grief Support meeting on Tuesday, July 24, our topic will be, “Relinquishing the Old Attachments.” Join us in the Genszler Room from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Friends and family are always welcome!
Christmas in July Special offerings through the month of July will be designated for school supplies as part of the “Christmas in July” program. Please give generously, and help the needy children in our community!
YOU are invited to come to the Genszler Room every Thursday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. , to spend some time in prayer. We meet each week to read the Bible lessons for the up-coming Sunday, up-date our prayer list, and then we take time to pray - praying for all of our members who have asked for prayer, and for all those whom you have asked us to pray for. We also pray for the church, and for community and world events and concerns. Please join us! If you have a prayer request, you may fill out a prayer request slip next to the white “prayer box” that’s located in the Gathering Area, and place it in the box. Please help us by indicating how long you would like us to pray for your specific prayer request. Without that information, we will keep each request on our prayer list for one month. It is always helpful and encouraging to receive prayers of thanksgiving and “updates!” Simply indicate on a prayer request card the person’s name and how God has answered our prayers. Thank you!
Health Care & Wellness Ministry Do you work in a health care related field? Are you interested in participating in a Health Care & Wellness Ministry committee that would take the lead in presenting health-related topics to our congregation? Our synod has passed a Health Care & Wellness Ministry Resolution at our last synod assembly. This resolution asks that each congregation identify all health care related individuals, identify a contact person, and develop a common e-mail/phone list of all willing participants that would be willing to work together to offer to the congregation such things as: * forums on a variety of health care topics for all ages If you work in (or are retired from) a health care related job, please fill out the information on the form on the kiosk.Thank you!
Synod Sponsored Anti-Racism Training HERE in October! First United will be hosting a synod-wide anti-racism training sponsored by the Lutheran Human Relations Association, called, “Building Bridges” October 19-20. Facilitators for this event will be Joyce Caldwell, Marilyn Miller, and Miguel de’Jesus. The event will run 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 only $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.
God bless our Holy Weeders! Have you noticed the flower gardens surrounding our church? They’re beautiful!! And it’s all thanks to the efforts and results of the Holy Weeders of First United! (And just a gentle reminder to our Holy Weeders to stop by and check your designated area sometime soon. Thank you!)
Thank you! On behalf of the entire congregation, the Worship & Music Team of St. Andrew Lutheran Church would like to thank you for your generous donation of the 100 Hymnal Supplements. We are now starting to use the “Now the Feast and Celebration” setting and really enjoy it. It was time for a change. Sincerely, Karen Russo, St. Andrew W & M Team
Sunday School teachers, The success of our wonderful children and youth programming begins with our dedicated group of volunteer adults. Please consider joining this group of adults, dedicating themselves to the children of this congregation, as a Sunday School teacher, a Guardian Angel, a Confirmation Guide or Confirmation Mentor. For more details on how you can share your faith with our children and youth, please see Thom or Mary in the church office. Blessings are guaranteed!
Our Wish List From the Youth & Family Board The Children & Youth ministry is looking for a couple of adult-sized desks to use in the classrooms here at First United. We are also looking for a Ping Pong table and Foosball table that are in good condition. For more information, or if you can help, contact Thom or Mary in the church office. Thank you!
Summer Story Hour for children! The Children’s Ministry continues to offer Story Hour for kids ages 3-6 on Wednesday mornings. The Story Hour is held in the Great Beginnings Classroom each Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and lasts for one hour. The kids read a story and then participate in a craft, finger songs and free play. Registration is required! A sign-up sheet and registration forms are located in the church office and on the Youth & Family Board. Questions? Please contact Mary Gorges!
Great Beginnings Preschool Registration The school year is fast approaching, and Great Beginnings continues to accept enrollments for the 2007-08 school year. You are invited to make an appointment to see our classroom and meet our wonderful teachers, Sandy Gosse and Erin Mueller. For more information, call Mary Gorges.
Vacation Bible School Howdy, Pardners! It’s time to round-up the children of our congregation for a week at Avalanche Ranch - for a Wild Ride through God’s Word! As the kids learn about God’s love, they’ll also enjoy hands-on Bible adventures and daily visits from Chadder Chipmunk. Avalanche Ranch is not only for children; we’re looking for middle and high school youth to sign on as Crew Leaders. And, we are need of an adult volunteer to lead the Wild Bible Adventures and Chadder’s Theater. A sign-up sheet for adult and youth volunteers is located on the Youth & Family Board by the Gathering Area. There will be a Youth & Crew Leader Training session on Wednesday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m. To make our “ranch” more authentic, we’re looking for hay or straw bales and cowboy hats. There is also a food sign-up sheet located in the Gathering Area. The cost of this year’s VBS is $15 per child, with a limit of $35 per family. And for only $8 you can purchase a CD featuring all the music and songs for this week of fun. If you would like registration information, or you know of anyone outside the church who might be interested in coming, please contact the church office or Mary Gorges to get them registered. The Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization has announced that they now have a new Executive Director, Kristin Blanchard, who previously served Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Inc. for seven years. SCIO is once again sponsoring three Farmers Markets. In Sheboygan , the market is held at Fountain Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. In Kohler, it’s held at The Shops at Woodlake on Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Plymouth ’s market is held in City Park (near the gazebo) on Thursdays from 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. The Sheboygan Farmers Market is looking for local musicians to perform during market hours. If you have been looking for a great outdoor venue to play your music, and don’t mind playing for tips, this is your big chance! Call Judy at 457-7272, ext. 11, for more information. Volunteer transportation drivers are needed. There is a variety of hours and options available (daily, weekly, monthly, part-time casual). Medical transportation, doctor appointments, transportation to out of county hospitals, counseling sessions, helping to transport children to and from visits from foster care to Bridgeway. If you can help, contact Judy. And, Above & Beyond Children’s Museum is also looking for volunteers. If you can help, please contact Char Pachniak at 458-4263.
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