FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST- Week of Aug. 17
FIRST FORUM
Forums will resume in September.
+ We encourage you to visit the courtyard. The “Generation Garden” is faithfully maintained each week by the volunteer gardeners who come and weed, deadhead and water regularly. We thank them for sharing the benefits of their green thumbs with us. You are invited to express your enjoyment in a tangible way by designating memorials or donations for the courtyard. The committee is planning to make additional furniture purchases to enhance the usability of this delightful space.
THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE begins in the water and word of baptism. What an important date to remember and to celebrate! Each week we list names of children (ages 3 through 8th grade) who celebrate baptismal birthdays in the coming week. This week’s birthdays are Mariah Johnson (8/24/1996), and Sophia Saputo (8/26/2007). Wish them each a happy baptismal birthday!
YOU ARE INVITED to join in fellowship today following the service as we bid Farewell and Godspeed to Kari Lipke. Kari is a former congregation president who has served as director of our First Players productions and been active in our Youth and Christian Education programs. She will be leaving us to attend Harvard Divinity School in the fall. We wish her God’s blessings on this next step in her journey.
WE ARE STILL in need of some teachers and helpers for Sunday School. Prayerfully consider joining one of the teams of teachers for any of the classes. At the present time we have at least one person for each class but would like to have teams of 2-3 for each. Our greatest needs are Pre-K, K, 3rd, 4th and 6th but we will certainly add to any of the other teams if you see that as your best fit. Please contact Barb soon at baseball@hickorytech.net or 934-6821. Thank you!!
WASABIE will begin its program year on September 10. There are registration forms available in the narthex and at the SS desk. Two GAC students will be returning to lead the program this year. Please join in and invite a friend or two. The program is open to any student in K-6th grade; the student does not need to be a member of First Lutheran. There is bus service from South to First Lutheran on Wednesdays. The program runs until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
MN VALLEY AIM will meet Saturday, September 13, at Swan Lake Lutheran in Klossner, MN. Pastor Jim Knutson of South Africa will present the program. Gather for coffee at 9:30 a.m., the program and business meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and a noon meal will follow. All are welcome to attend.
NEVER TOO OLD TO GO TO CAMP! Shetek Lutheran Ministries Senior Adult Retreat still has room for you! Pastor Cy Solberg and Betty Jo Solberg will be leaders for the retreat to be held this Friday through Sunday. For more information, see the brochures on the bulletin board by the Dining Room, or contact Shetek at 507-763-3567. (Mark your calendars for the Women’s Retreat, September 19-20!)
WE’RE WORKING on an arrangement with KNUJ Radio (860 AM) to resume the Sunday morning radio broadcast. It involves additional cost and equipment, but as soon as we are “on the air,” we’ll let you know. In the meantime, First Lutheran’s worship service is on Public Access television, Channel 7, each Monday at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m.
WE’VE BEEN DISCREET! The lagging economy has resulted in many calls for assistance from the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. If you are in a position to help revive its dwindling balance, it would be appreciated. Donations can be placed in the offering, just make a notation on the check memo line or envelope. Thanks for your generosity!
HARDLY SEEMS POSSIBLE, but summer worship is nearly finished! We return to the regular schedule of Worship at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., on Sunday, September 7. That date is also Rally Sunday, with presentation of Bibles to the three-year-olds, installation of the Sunday School Staff, the Blessing of Backpacks (briefcases, or other totes included,) and rally day festivities during the education hour from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Plan to join us in worship as we begin the school year routine again!
LIVE! Nativity, that is. After a hiatus of several years, this holiday tradition is making a comeback. We need to get planning underway soon. If this is a project that interests you, and you would be willing to help with the organization and details, please contact the church office. Note: There are a lot of resources to help you see how it has been done, so give it some consideration!
CHERISH OUR CHILDREN is a national community of Lutherans dedicated to preventing the sexual exploitation of children through prayer and action. Its national director, Amy Hartman, is also Halla Dontje Lindell’s baptismal sponsor. Amy, Halla and her family will celebrate Halla’s 11th birthday on Sunday, September 7, by riding in the 30-mile “St. Paul Classic Bike Ride” to raise money for, and awareness of this program. Please see Halla if you’d like to offer further per-mile-incentive for her (or her siblings) to pedal up those hills. All proceeds will go towards two projects: 1. Creation of a book of prayers for children, to be used by members of congregations committed to praying for children every day.
2. Scholarships for Cherish Our Children leaders to attend the first National Gathering at Luther Seminary in October.
OUR FRIENDS at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church invite our participation in a project which will generate funds for the Food Resource Bank. Some 86 rows of soybeans have been planted west of their church. The cost of planting, fertilizing and caring for the beans is $50 a row… or a total of $4,300. When harvested, the profit from the sale of the soybeans will be given to the Food Resource Bank. We can help by contributing to meet the $4,300 initial cost. Please make a notation on the check or envelope: Food Resource Bank. Thanks!
IN OUR PRAYERS
Of immediate concern: Eunice Amos; Stan Benson; Bruce Gray; Betty Gustafson; Joe Kraatz (father of Jonathan Kraatz); John Malmborg; Ron Morrow (father of Gretchen Bray); Bob Peterson; and Volline von Seggern (mother of Connie Wegner).
Of on-going concern: Greg Aune; Louise Benson (sister-in-law of Stan and Marie Benson); Zaida Ellefson (granddaughter of Bruce and Linda Ellefson); Anne-Marie Gunderson (daughter of Stuart & Marlys Johnson); Stefanie Hailperin; Nadine Haukoos; Christopher Johnson (son of Stuart & Marlys Johnson); Clair Johnson; Yaya Kamara (African son of Jack & Maralyn Flinner); Cooper Larson (great-grandson of Martin Larson); Dan Lundeen (brother of Cindy Johnson); David Otterness; Elmer Schafer (brother of Marie Benson); Dorothy Ulrich; and Paul Williams (son of Mer & Joan Williams).
Those who mourn: The family of Sam Sanford; Lorraine Pedersen and family as they mourn the death of her sister, Marilyn Soule; the family of Peggy Schwichtenberg; Ruth Westberry and family as they mourn the death of her aunt, Mildred Pehrson; Lila Wilmes and family as they mourn the death of her brother, Marvin Attenberger.
Our military: Dietrich Christenson (grandson of Kathryn Christenson) in Iraq; Roderick & Rita Herron (friends of Bruce & Sue Gray) in Iraq; and Michelle Motto and Josh Reynolds in Iraq.
Our sponsored missionary family: Dr. Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig.
Prayer Notes: Names are removed from the Prayer List after six consecutive weeks. If you would like a name added or continued on the list, please notify the church office (934-3060). If you would like a name included on the prayer chain but not in the bulletin, please call Diane Stenson (931-6633) or Mary Long (931-4788). To be included on the prayer chain and bulletin, call the church office.