Come to worship

Sunday, September 24

We celebrate Holy Communion at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on this Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost using the liturgy from Lutheran Book of Worship, Setting Two, featuring the Bell Choir at both services. This morning Donuts & Dialogue begins at 9:40 a.m. in the Genszler Room. We begin a 4-week study entitled: Gospel, Gospel, Who’s Got the Gospel? led by Pastor Jacobs. All are invited!

Sunday, October 1

A Word from our Pastor: Signs of Fall

 For most people, the signs of the approaching fall season include the shorter days, the cooler breezes at night, and eventually, the changing colors of the leaves. For the church, the signs of fall include Sunday School registration night, confirmation orientation sessions, and the beginning of choir rehearsals. My godfather, a pastor in Washington , calls the first Sunday of the school year “The Festival of the Great Resumption,” as all the activities that went on vacation during the summer resume in September. It is a busier time, to be sure, and it is oftentimes difficult to move from the more relaxed schedule of the summer to the more hectic pace of filled-up calendars in the fall.

While I was not quite ready for the fall season to begin just five days after my return from England , I embrace this time of year. As a person who appreciates structure in my life, I like getting back to a regular routine, with All Committee Night and Council occupying Monday evenings and Confirmation scheduled on Wednesdays. Donuts and Dialogue returns on September 17 and Monday Night Books makes its reappearance in October. It is always great to see a full sanctuary again on Sunday mornings, not just for one service but two, and to hear the voices and sounds of all the choirs contributing to our worship services. I love hearing your stories of summer travel and I will likely regale you with more stories of my summer adventures, but I simply like having everyone back in the fall, carrying out the ministries that we each have been called to do.

Fall also presents us with opportunities to try new things, at school, at home, or at church. I, for one, am planning on reading and playing the piano on a more regular basis at home and may even offer my music in worship this year. What will be new for you this fall? Perhaps you will commit to coming to Donuts and Dialogue on a more regular basis as you seek to nourish your faith. Perhaps you will offer your time in Kiddie Keep or on a committee or maybe even put your name in for council this year. Maybe you always wanted to try to play the handbells or offer your reading skills as an assisting minister. Fall is a great time to explore new areas of life together at First United; if you need help finding a place to put your gifts to best use, please do not hesitate to call me!

May God bless you in this fall season and bless our work together serving in Christ’s name.

Peace, Pastor Gail

We offer our Christian love to the family of Hans Zumpft at his death; and to the family of Joan King at the death of her father.

Sunday Morning Youth Forum

We are still in need of AAA adults who would be willing to be involved with this great opportunity to be in ministry with our youth here at First United. AAA you say? It stands for:

Affirming

Available

Authentic

If you like kids and spending time with them and uplifting them, we have the job for you! Small group guides and help with Sunday morning youth forum. Please contact Thom Nicla in the church office.

Four Star Rotation Sunday School Teachers are needed!

We are looking for adults and youth leaders to help teach the different classrooms for Four Star Sunday School. The rooms this year are: Food, Arts & Crafts, Games, Movies or Science. If you have a desire to help out our youth on a short term basis, this program is for you. Sessions last 2-3 weeks. For more information, see the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area, or contact Mary Gorges.

Monday Night Books

 On October 2, participants of Monday Night Books will discuss The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. Everyone is welcome to attend at 6:30 p.m. in the Genszler Room; we typically meet until 8:00 p.m.. Please purchase and read the book before October 2. A book description and sign-up sheet can be found on the kiosk in the Gathering Area. If you have any questions about Monday Night Books, please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

New Member Workshops

Mark your calendars now! If you are interested in becoming a member at First United Lutheran Church, New Member Workshops will be held on October 15, 22, and 29, between worship services at 9:40 a.m. These workshops will introduce you to the ministries of First United and help us to get better acquainted with you and the gifts that you bring to this community of faith. Please attend all three workshops if you are able; new members will be received during the 10:45 a.m. worship service on October 29. If you have any questions about the workshops or being a member at First United, please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

Jesus and the Four Gospels

8-week Study Course

Pastor Howard Fintzen is offering an 8-week study course on Sunday evenings, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Genszler Room, beginning October 1 st.

This course uses the method of “video excerpts” along with some lecture, much discussion and lecture notes, and an optional New Testament textbook for interested students.

10/1 - Where Jesus Walked, Cities of His life & Ministry (A)

10/8 - The World in Which Jesus Walked/Greece-Roman,Jewish(B)

10/15 -An Introduction to the Gospels/ New Testament (B,C)

10/22 -Mark, Jesus Suffering Son of God (B,C)

10/29 -Matthew, Jewish Messiah (B,C)

11/5 - Luke, Jesus Savior of the World (B,C)

11/12 -John, Jesus the Man from Heaven (B,C)

11/19 -The Historical Jesus (B,C)

Source A is a new 90-minute DVD from the Biblical Archaeology Society which shows the cities of Jesus’ ministry.

Source B is the ELCA video course of the Select Series for the training of Associates in Ministry (AIM) with lectures by Dr. David Rhoads, New Testament professor at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. His clear teaching style makes this the primary source.

Source C is the Video Lecture series from the “Great Course” series by Dr. Bart Ehrman, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, and professor of New Testament in their Divinity School.

If you are interested in this study, please sign-up on the kiosk, or simply come to the first session. Text will be available for purchase and ordering.

From a Resident Seminarian: Pres Hoffman

Pres Hoffman, a member of First United Lutheran Church, is in his final semester of studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, preparing for ordained ministry.

“I was amazed again at the grace of God shown to Kathy and me as we opened the envelope from First United that contained a check for seminary expenses. That, on top of the ‘liberal generosity’ already shown to us in the past, is humbling and overwhelming. We are so grateful for the extraordinary support extended by our home congregation in this experience.

“Internship has been successfully completed. It has been a challenging, action-packed year! I am thankful for the support and encouragement and training of Pastor Lowell Timm and the congregation at Capital Drive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. God willing, I will finish my seminary studies in Chicago in December. In the meantime, I look forward to returning to worship at First United in September.

“We are deeply grateful to the congregation for its marvelous backing - which has shown itself in many, many ways.”

Faithfully in Christ,

Pres Hoffman

GOSPEL, GOSPEL, WHO’S GOT THE GOSPEL?

-led by Pastor Jacobs in the Genszler Room, 9:40 am.

For Lutherans, the “Gospel” is central to our identity. We are the “Evangelical – Gospel centered – Lutheran Church in America. In our founding documents, the Augsburg Confessions, we define the church as “the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the Sacraments administered according to the Gospel.” (Article VII). In a four week series, Pastor Jacobs will explore how the term “gospel” became synonymous with the message and person of Jesus Christ, as well as how the early church gave the authority and authenticity to what have come to be called ‘The Gospels.’

September 24 – The use of the term “the gospel” in the New Testament

October 1 – Mark, Matthew & Luke: the Synoptic/Look Alike Gospels

October 8 – John: Conflict and Confusion – neither Jew nor Greek

October 15 – Other gospels: the challenge of authority and authenticity.

Good News Deadline

The deadline for the next issue of the Good News is Monday, September 25. This issue will be in homes by October 4. Please submit your article/s in written form and mail or bring to the church office, or email to office@firstuni.org. Thank you!

VIL Movie & Refreshments

Join us on Monday, October 16, at 1:00 p.m. in the Genszler Room as we view the movie, “Eight Below.” Following the movie, there will be fellowship and refreshments in the Gathering Area. Bring a friend!

LWR BOXCAR

The Lutheran World Relief Boxcar will be in Sheboygan on Saturday, October 28. Members of local churches will be on hand to help load the car - including volunteers from First United! We are looking for 5 volunteers to help load the boxcar from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Please call the church office to volunteer!

Donations are also needed, such as blankets, men’s and children’s light weight clothing and sweaters (including women’s), wrapped bars of soap, sewing kits, school and health kits. Clothes can be new or used, but must be clean, unstained, and in excellent condition. NO heavy winter clothing, gloves, scarves, hats, boots, or women’s clothing (except for sweaters)! Cash donations are also needed, and can be sent directly to: Lutheran World Relief, 390 Park Avenue S., New York, NY 10016.

Please bring your donations to the church so that they can be properly packed for shipment. Thank you!

CROP Walk
Walk to Make a Difference!

The Sheboygan/Plymouth CROP Walk for Hunger is scheduled for Sunday, October 15, at 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, beginning at First Presbyterian Church, 1429 N. 5 th Street. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. Two routes will begin and end at First Presbyterian. If you are unable to join the walk, please consider pledging a walker, or simply making a contribution to the CROP Walk. Confirmation students in grades 7 and 8 and high school youth will be walking again this year, and will be accepting pledges from now until the day of the walk. Your tax-deductible donation can be made payable to Church World Service, or CWS/CROP. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Aker.

Nominations Committee seeks

candidate suggestions

In the church bulletin this week, you will find a survey asking for your suggestions as we seek qualified committee persons to serve in various elected and appointed positions for our church. We will be including the survey in the Sunday bulletin during the next few weeks. Your suggestions and ideas about possible candidates is very helpful, and you should feel free to nominate yourself for a position that interests you. If you have a questions about any of the various offices available, please call the church office. Please return your survey to the church office when completed.

Wanted: Clothes for the Needy

Pastor Fintzen is still collecting new and gently used clothing for Wellington Park Lutheran Church in Milwaukee which serves needy people of Milwaukee which serves needy people of Milwaukee through their monthly clothing distribution. Please bring your clean, unstained, and in great condition items to the gathering area. Thank you!

Sixteenth Annual Coats for Kids Campaign

“Coats for Kids,” a community service campaign sponsored by Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home in conjunction with 104.5 The Point Radio and ESPN 950 for the past fifteen years, will run from September 18 through October 27. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan County residents who would otherwise go without. If you are able, please drop your coats at the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home, 1535 South 12th Street, Sheboygan.