Come to worship at 9:30 a.m.
or
Thursday worship at 6:30 p.m.
at
Deland Park

Thursday, July 20

The Worship Café begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Deland Center on the lakefront.

Sunday, July 23

On this Seventh Sunday after Pentecost we celebrate Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. , using the liturgy from Feast and Celebration.

Thursday, July 27

The Worship Café begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Deland Center on the lakefront.

Sunday, July 30

On this Eighth Sunday after Pentecost we celebrate Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. using the With One Voice liturgy.

Pastor Nelson’s Notes:

The boxes are gone but the memories remain...

It’s hard to empty and clean out the office. It isn’t the physical work of emptying file drawers or cleaning off my computer messages that’s hard, it’s the history, the memories that are hard to leave. For years and years I’ve been adding to my files new program ideas, new innovation possibilities, new kernels of insight for sermons, new long range planning thoughts, all carefully sorted and stored for retrieval when they might be needed. Now I don’t need them anymore. That’s the hard part. Changing my focus, retraining my direction, opening up my mind and heart to new adventures, that’s a challenge. As I pulled all those files out of my drawers and my computer, I went through many of them. That’s the hard part, too. It takes so much time, but I have enjoyed reflecting on the content of many of them. Inside many of those folders are treasured memories and thoughts. I went through the hundreds of reference letters I’ve written, glanced through the funeral sermons, the wedding meditations, the calendars that tell me who I’ve seen and when. All of them bring you, my beloved people of God, alive in my memory. I am most grateful for the ministry we’ve had together and the work we’ve accomplished in bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God to ourselves and others. We’ve grown much in size, we’ve changed much in our worship and we’ve become much more open and welcoming to all people, regardless of their “differences.” But there’s much more room for growth, openness, and your future is bright as you let the Holy Spirit guide you.

In this transition time as you prepare intentionally for a new senior pastor, be quick to embrace the leadership of your interim pastor, Pastor Sandy Jacobs. He is a wonderful pastor and good leader for the process you are going to undertake. You will enjoy working with him.

Also, go out of your way to thank and show your gratitude for your wonderful staff. Pastor Gail and Deaconess Deb provide excellent gifts, far better than many churches experience. Cindy Wigdahl is an incredibly competent and dedicated colleague that brings warmth and a positive attitude toward everything she does, and she does more than anyone will ever see. Debbie Frick, Lee Anne Gilson, Lance Nennig, Kori Novicki, Bertha Martinez, Jeanne Mueller and the Great Beginnings teachers all keep the operation of the church running smoothly. Mary Gorges and Wayne Wildman share their talents in such creative ways that we are blessed by the work they do. Do make a point to say thanks.

While I will no longer be available for pastoral duties at First United, I remain always a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . I will do ministry, but it will be different. We will remain members of First United, but I will not be attending worship here for a long time. I’ll be at worship at many of our other ELCA congregations. With no church work schedule, I hope to spend more time enjoying and practicing piano, organ and, of course, my tuba! My office at church is all cleaned out and empty but you are fully in my heart. Thanks for your partnership. Pastor Karl

VBS FIESTA

Approximately 70 youth have already signed up to attend this year’s Vacation Bible School - FIESTA, Where Kids are Fired Up About Jesus! It will be held the week of

July 31-August 4. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so now as pre-registration helps the leaders when planning for this exciting week.

Want to help? Middle School, High School and College students are doing a lot of the work! Students entering middle school this fall can be Crew Leaders, helping in the 3 and 4 year old classrooms. Seventh grade and up can also be Crew Leaders and travel with their crews from location to location. Help is also needed in other areas - let us know your talents and we’ll put you where needed!

Important dates to mark on your calendar:

VBS Set-up & Decorating

Thursday, July 27, 9 am-12noon

Friday, July 28, 1:00-4:00pm

Crew Leader Training

Monday, July 24, 6:30 p.m.

All Crew Leaders must attend this meeting! If you cannot attend, please call Mary Gorges to make other arrangements.

Want to donate food and/or other items? Food items needed are itemized on lists in the gathering area. We also need Mexican sombreros, maracas, blankets, or any other items.

Graduates from College

Joe Zechlinski graduated from UW Madison with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. He will be attending the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Wanted: Teachers for Sunday School

Fall may seem a long time away, but the Youth & Family Committee is already hard at work planning and preparing for Sunday School classes to begin on FIESTA Rally Day, Sunday, September 10. Four-Star teachers and Guardian Angels are needed for rotational Sunday School. And for traditional Sunday School we are looking for team teachers for the first and second grades. If you are interested about learning more about our programs, or are ready to volunteer your time, please contact Mary Gorges.

Christmas in July

Yes! We are celebrating Christmas in July!! Look for the decorated Christmas tree in the Gathering Area during the entire month of July. Each of the ornaments on the tree have a school supply item printed on them. Please help us celebrate Christmas in July by taking a few of the ornaments from the tree, purchasing the items listed, and placing them back under the tree.

All of the supplies will be sorted, 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.

If you are not able to pick up an ornament, we are always in need of backpacks and calculators. Other items include: washable markers, child’s Fiskar scissors, box of tissues, highlighter markers, crayons (16 or 24 count), glue sticks, 4 oz. white school glue, erasers, blue and red pens, pencils, colored pencils, small pencil sharpener, 70 count spiral notebooks, and loose-leaf wide-lined paper.

Please have your items under the Christmas tree by Sunday, July 30! Thank you for making a difference in a child’s life!

~the Social Ministry Committee

Christmas in July Special Offerings

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.

PINE LAKE WOMEN ’S RETREAT

You are invited to attend a Women’s Retreat at Pine Lake Camp this summer, August 18-20. The theme for the weekend will be “Boundless Love”.

The pastor for the weekend will be Pastor JoAnn Fabie, from Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin. Activities will include fun and games, Bible study, a Saturday program, worship with Holy Communion, a sunset sing with meditation, a book exchange, a candlelight Taize service, and fellowship with other women.

The weekend starts with a light supper on Friday and ends with lunch on Sunday. The cost for the entire weekend is only $80 ($85 after July 29). Invite your friends, and enjoy a weekend away with a caring community of Christian women! Registration forms are available on the kiosk.

August Meeting

The Youth & Family Committee will be meeting on Monday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. Rally Day and the Sunday School calendar will be the main topics that night. If you are unable to attend, please contact Kevin Maslanka or Mary Gorges.

The Youth & Family Committee is always looking for new members. So, if you are ready to become more involved with the youth and children of our congregation, please come to a meeting and check us out!



Fireside Christmas Show

The weather is hot, but we’re thinking snow! Join us for the annual VIL trip to the Fireside for their special Christmas Show on Wednesday, December 6! The cost is $69 per person, which includes the luncheon, show and transportation. Several more reservations are needed to be able to offer this event at this price. If you, or members of your family, or your friends and neighbors are interested in going, please contact the church office today!

Worship Café

Summer Thursday worship services are offered each week at the Deland Center , near the marina on the lakefront, beginning at 6:30 p.m. In conjunction with other area ELCA churches, First United shares the hosting of these services. It’s very casual - wear your shorts and sandals! And you can help yourself to lemonade and coffee.

Our church is set to host again on Thursday, August 3. We are in need of set-up helpers at 5:30 p.m. , ushers, bakers and refreshment servers. If you can help, please contact Lee Anne at 452-2401, or sign up on the kiosk.

We offer our Christian love to the family of Barbara Brost at her death.

And to the family of Mavis Funk, wife of former associate pastor of First United during the ‘70s, Paul Funk, who died at age 82 on June 29, 2006, in Bella Vista, AR. Her husband of 60 years survives her. Condolences may be sent to: Paul Funk, 7 Tarleton Lane , Bella Vista , AR 72714 .