PDF - First Lutheran Church of Longview

FIRST FACETS
Formed and
Loved by
Christ to
Live!
May 2016 Newsletter
First Lutheran Church of Longview
Something to Think About…
But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth. (Acts 1:8)
The 2016 NTNL Mission Assembly
met in Arlington on April 22-24. In
the primary item of business,
Pastor Erik Gronberg, of Trinity
Lutheran Church in Fort Worth,
was elected Bishop. He will begin
his service in that office on July 1.
As most of you are aware, I was a
part of the process prior to the
assembly, traveling with colleagues
to various parts of NTNL to meet
with conference and congregational
leaders. This process was
interesting, enlightening, and a
growing experience for me. I was
able to learn about ministry in
different congregational settings, as
well as what it means to be the
church as a whole. I believe that
this will be a positive influence in
my work as pastor of this
congregation going forward.
assembly experience that day as
well.
Some of the observations and
things that I learned I shared in my
address to the assembly as a part
of the balloting process. As I was
preparing and presenting that
address, I realized that these were
not just things that NTNL needed to
deal with as a synod, but these
were also things that we need to
deal with as a congregation in
order to grow and flourish. I
believe that this was a work of the
Holy Spirit and a process of
discernment for me.
I invite you to be present on the
Day of Pentecost as we celebrate
the work of the Holy Spirit in the
time of the disciples, but also the
how the Holy Spirit is working in us
and through us in our congregation
and our daily life ministries. God is
at work in us and through us as we
seek to be witnesses to all that God
has done for us, in our lives, our
community, our church, and to the
end of the earth.
So, on Pentecost Sunday, May 15,
I am looking forward to sharing
some of my reflections from this
process of “running for Bishop,”
how the Holy Spirit was a part of
the process, and what it meant for
me and means for me going
forward. Roger and Nancy
Lineberry, who served as our
voting members to the assembly,
will be sharing reflections on their
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff
1
From the desk of
Elizabeth Johnson
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Hello All!
Recently I was running the snack bar for our R3 Students and one of our R3
Little’s came into the kitchen with a request. This munchkin was asking not for
snacks but the money from the snack shack. She had figured out that the kids
were turning in money and receiving candy but instead of requesting the candy she wanted the cash. As I’m sure you know
with a young child it is literally impossible to explain why I cannot simply hand over all the cash in the bag to her. She
explained to me how this works a few times, “You have money in there” she said pointing to the bag, “Can I have some?”
When I would explain that I have to keep the money in the bag she would start the whole conversation from beginning “You
have money in there.”
Eventually we were able to settle on a bag of skittles purchased by grandma but this hilarious little exchange got me
thinking. A young child has no fear in asking a grownup he or she trusts for something good, why wouldn’t we give them
good things? We obviously love them and want them to be happy? Sometimes parents and adults have to put boundaries
on the good things (sugar all day is not good for teeth or health) but yet we are more than willing to give good things to the
little ones in our lives. And little ones come to expect this kind of behavior if they are raised in a loving environment. In
Matthew 7:11 Jesus says “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?”
Now those who have been in the church for any length of time know that God is not a genie and much like earthly
parents our heavenly father knows what is best for us at all times. Even so there is something special that happens when a
child asks for something. If it is in our authority and within their well being to have it we want to give it to them. I believe it is
the same with our heavenly Father, do we sometimes lack because we won’t ask? And why won’t we ask? Is it fear that if
we ask and we don’t receive what we wanted or receive it in the way that we wanted that God has somehow abandoned
us?
Sometimes God’s answers to our prayers take time, sometimes God answers in a way that we would never have
imagined and sometimes God gives us exactly what we wanted when we needed it. Our heavenly Father is never against
us and even more than earthly parents His whole heart is for us and sometimes this means we do not get exactly what we
want. But this doesn’t mean that we stop asking, maybe it means we change what we are asking for so that our Fathers
heart is revealed to us more clearly. And when we see His heart more clearly our understanding of who He is and the great
love that He has for us becomes even more evident. I encourage you today, approach your heavenly father with the heart of
a child; He has great things in store for you.
Blessings,
Beth
2
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live…
in Relationship with God
These Bible studies are
open to all women!
 Dorcas Circle will meet on May 2nd
7:00 pm in the home of Vivian
McElligott
 Friendship Circle meets next on
May 10th at 9:00 am at the
church.
Join us for great food, fellowship, and
discussion May21st at 8 am
in the Fellowship Hall.
www.firstlutheran.us
The church website includes sermons, church
information, a place to leave prayer requests
and make credit card donations.
WELCA Spring Conference 2016
Saturday May 21st
See Kathleen Bullock for details
3
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live…
in Relationship with One Another
Awesome
for Men!
What:
Bible, Buddies, & Beverages
Who:
Men of all ages
When:
Tuesday, May 3rd, 6:00-8:00 pm
Where:
Pastor Jeff’s home, 1827 McCord Street
Why:
Food, Fellowship and conversation
about guy things
If you are free during the day, join us for a fun
afternoon on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Potluck lunch at 11:30
Cards and Dominoes follow!
First Lutheran Church Book Club
FLC's Book Club meets the first
Tuesday of each month. The next
meeting is at 6:30 in the Books-aMillion Café on May 3rd.
Awesome Widows will meet on
May 13th at 5:00 pm at
Posados restaurant, then to
Dorothy Berg’s home for
games and fellowship.
This group is open to members
of the congregation and their friends
who are widowed.
You are invited to join us
on May 9th at 6:30 pm in the
fellowship hall!
Be a Daylighter!
Join us for a Pot
Luck Luncheon
followed by cards
and dominoes May
19th at 11:30 am
4
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live…
in Relationship with One Another
Mother’s Day Flower Sale May 8th
Carnations $3 per stem
Fundraiser for the R3 Student
Ministries Mission Trip
May 25th from 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm
On Sunday May 22nd in the 10:45 worship service we will
be recognizing our graduating High School Seniors:
we will be celebrating the
END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!!
Join us at Pastor Jeff’s home,
White Oak High School –
Daniel Potichko
1827 McCord.
Food and drinks provided.
Longview High School –
Megan Hall
Christian Heritage School –
Emma Slivensky
The morning service will be followed by a reception so
that you may congratulate and greet each student and
their family.
5
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live…
in Relationship with the Community
Scouting News
TUESDAY NIGHTS ARE SCOUT
NIGHT AT FIRST LUTHERAN!
CUB SCOUT PACK 613
On April 23 the 5th grade Webelos were honored with their Arrow of Light ranks (highest rank in Cub Scouts) in an impressive
ceremony, and crossed over into Boy Scouts.
Pack 613 has been enjoying the spring outside with their recent Family Campout and the annual Spring Fun and Son campout at
Camp Pirtle.
Kicking off the summertime activities is Cub Scout Day Camp June 13-17. On July 23, the pack will visit the National Scout
Museum in Irving, Texas, where they will participate in several workshops and tour the museum. More summer fun is being
planned.
Cub Scout meetings are on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the church. It’s never too late to join in the fun! Boys who are first
graders through 5th graders are welcome to join their friends in Cub Scouts. For more information, contact Luke Kimbrough at
luke96@aggienetwork.com or DeeAnn Kimbrough (longview613@gmail.com).
BOY SCOUT TROOP 613
Troop 613 welcomed the Webelos from Pack 613 who crossed over into Boy Scouts. The new Scouts will immediately start
preparing to attend summer camp.
The weekend of April 29-May 1 is the Council Quad Jamboree (formerly the camporee). Memorial Day weekend will find the
Scouts camping at Brazos Bend State Park near Houston. Preparations are already underway for the annual summer camp from
June 26 – July 2 at Kinsey Scout Reservation in Louisiana.
Weekly Boy Scout meetings are on Tuesdays at 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Monthly campouts are a part of keeping the “outing”
in Scouting, along with a number of service projects and other activities!
If you are young man in at least the sixth grade or are 11 years old, call Scoutmaster Tim Hill at 903-736-1094 for more information
on joining in the fun.
VENTURE CREW 613
Calling all young men and women in high school (or at least 14 years old) through age 20 to join Venture Crew 613! This program
of the Boy Scouts of America includes lots of adventure and great activities – and, yes, girls are eligible to participate! Meetings
are on Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. at First Lutheran. For information and an application on joining the crew, contact Tim Hill
(903-297-3595) or Kurt Ritch (kurt_ritch@webesa.com) or Melanie Martin (melaniemartin@cablelynx.com.
6
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live…
in Relationship with the Community
Texas Cards for Troops
Every Thursday at 9 am at FLC
The day for card making has been
changed to Thursdays.
We make handmade appreciation, holiday
and all occasion cards for our active
military and veterans, so they will have
cards to send back home for occasions like
mother’s day and birthdays.
If you crochet or knit we have a place for
you too! There is a need for helmet liners to
be made according to pattern.
Please feel free to join us
Stew Pot in May
May 10th – Jim & Roberta Sutton
May 24th – Liz Murphy, Jeanette Nolen,
Betty Brown
First Lutheran Church of Longview
Summer Day Camp
JULY 18 – 22 8:30am — 3:30pm
For students who have completed
K — 5th grade
Online Registration for FLC’s annual Day
Camp will begin on May 15th at firstlutheran.us
Due to having places for only 40 campers this
year we are requiring a $25 fee per camper.
Volunteers are needed for the kitchen,
registration, classroom, arts & crafts, etc.
Please sign up in the narthex, by calling the
office 903-295-7423 or email
Churchsecretary@firstlutheran.us
7
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live
May Volunteer Schedule
1
7
8:15
Lector
10:45
Lector
8:15 Servers
10:45 Servers /
Baskets
Offering Counters
Mary Ann
Gamel
Roger
Lineberry
Mary Ann Gamel
Renee Slegeir
Carolyn Ramirez
Mary Stuart
Jeff & Melanie
Martin
Renee Slegeir
Dee
Stirling
Belinda
Walenta
Dee Stirling
Belinda Walenta
Carl Landinger
Diane Honey
Terry Richter Diann
Greifenkamp
Leslie Jenkins
15 Liz
Murphy
Stacey
Platt
Liz Murphy
Betty Kirkindoll
Lex Janner
Jeanette Nolen
Bill Anderson
Jeff Martin
Stacey Platt
Lucy & Vivian Loe
22 Carolyn
Ramirez
Tom
Smith
Carolyn Ramirez
Karen Gentsch
Roberta Sutton
Mike Gentsch
Deb Butts Cathleen
Potichko
Kathleen Bollock
29 Virgil
Brown
Bill
Virgil Brown
Anderson Betty Brown
Teresa DeShazer
Keith Honey
Cathleen Potichko
Diane Honey
Bill Anderson
8
Formed and Loved by Christ to Live
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
8:15 am: Worship /
Communion
9:30 am: Adult Bible
Study
10:00 am Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am: Worship /
Communion / Children’s
Church
MOTHER’S DAY
8
8:15 am: Worship /
Communion
Mother’s Day Flower
Sale
9:30 am: Adult Bible
Study
10:00 am Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am: Worship /
Communion / Children’s
Church
15
8:15 am: Worship /
Communion
9:30 am: Adult Bible
Study
10:00 am Choir
Rehearsal
10:45 am: Worship /
Communion / Children’s
Church
RECOGNITION OF 22
SENIORS
8:15 am: Worship /
Communion
9:30 am: Adult Bible
Study
10:00 Choir Rehearsal
10:45 am: Worship /
Communion
2
7:00 pm
Dorcas Circle
@ Vivian
McElligott’s
home
3
6:00 pm 3 B’s for
Men
6:30 pm Book Club
6:00 pm Girl Scouts
6:00 pm Cub
Scouts
7:00 pm Boy
Scouts
4
10:00 am Quilters
6:00 pm R3 Kidz &
Confirmation
7:00 pm R3
Students
and Choir
Rehearsal
5
9:00 am Texas
Cards for Troops
12:00 pm
National Day of
Prayer Gregg
County Courthouse
6
7
9
6:30 pm
Church
Council
10
9:00 am Friendship
Circle
11:30 am Stew Pot
6:00 pm Girl Scouts
6:00 pm Cub
Scouts
7:00 pm Boy
Scouts
11
10:00 am Quilters
6:00 pm R3 Kidz &
Confirmation
7:00 pm R3
Students
and Choir
Rehearsal
12
13
5:00 pm Awesome
Widows meet at
Posados and then
Dorothy Berg’s
home
14
17
11:30 am Staff
Meeting
6:00 pm Girl Scouts
6:00 pm Cub
Scouts
7:00 pm Boy
Scouts
18
10:00 am Quilters
6:00 pm R3 Kidz &
Confirmation
7:00 pm R3
Students
and Choir
Rehearsal
19
20
21
8:00 am Men’s
Breakfast
23
10:30 am
Meals on
Wheels
24
10:30 am Meals on
Wheels
11:30 am Stew Pot
6:00 pm Girl Scouts
6:00 pm Cub
Scouts
7:00 pm Boy
Scouts
25
10:00 am Quilters
6:00 pm End of
School Party at
Pastor Jeff’s home
Memorial 30
Day
31
6:00 pm Girl Scouts
6:00 pm Cub
Scouts
7:00 pm Boy
Scouts
29
8:15 am: Worship /
Communion
9:30 am: Adult Bible
Study
10:00 Choir Rehearsal
10:45 am: Worship /
Communion
6:30 pm
Ladies Bunco
Fellowship
16
Church office
closed
Friday
9:00 am Texas
Cards for Troops
Saturday
9:00 am Texas
Cards for Troops
11:30 am
Daylighters
WELCA Spring
Gathering
26
27
28
9:00 am Texas
Cards for Troops
9
Sundays' Schedule in May
First Lutheran Church of Longview Staff
Jeffrey Borgwardt ................................................... Pastor
May 1 ......................................................................... Worship at 8:15
Bible Study at 9:30
Choir Rehearsal 10:00
Worship at 10:45
Children's Church at 10:45
Lou Bass ................................................ Director of Music
May 8 .......................................................................... Worship at 8:15
Bible Study at 9:30
Choir Rehearsal 10:00
Worship at 10:45
Children's Church at 10:45
Teresa DeShazer ........................................... Bookkeeper
Elizabeth Johnson .................................. Director of Youth
and Family Ministries
Tina Sewell .........................................................Secretary
2016 Congregational Council
Roger Lineberry .................................................. President
Diann Greifenkamp .................................... Vice President
May 15 ........................................................................ Worship at 8:15
Bible Study at 9:30
Choir Rehearsal 10:00
Worship at 10:45
Children's Church at 10:45
May 22 ........................................................................ Worship at 8:15
Bible Study at 9:30
Choir Rehearsal 10:00
Worship at 10:45
Children's Church at 10:45
May 22 ........................................................................ Worship at 8:15
Bible Study at 9:30
Choir Rehearsal 10:00
Worship at 10:45
Children's Church at 10:45
First Lutheran Church
3901 Bill Owens Parkway
Longview, TX 75605
Office: 903.295.7423
Web: www.FirstLutheran.us
Like us on Facebook!
Carolyn Ramirez................................................. Secretary
Terry Richter ...................................................... Treasurer
Deb Butts............................................Relationship to God
Lex Janner......................................Relationship to Others
Renee Slegeir ......................... Relationship to Community
Jeffrey Borgwardt ....................................................Pastor