First Evangelical Lutheran Church 305 West 5th Street North Platte, Nebraska 69101

2018

Contact Us...

Phone: 308-532-0250 Fax: 308-532-5291 Email: frstluth@msn.com

www.firstevlutheran-np.com

Dear Friends: He was a friendly chap. I assumed that he was perhaps from England, but I soon learned that he came from Australia. We sat next to one another in the theater on the cruise ship, waiting for the show to begin, and he asked where I was from. I tried to explain where Lincoln County, Nebraska, was located, and that it was cattle country. I also told him that I was the interim pastor at a Lutheran church in North Platte. It turned out that we have some things in common. He, too, was familiar with the Lutheran church, having been an elementary teacher in a Lutheran school for some years. (Now, he works as a builder and handyman.) He also had an interest in agriculture, because his daughter and son-in-law raise cattle in a rural area of Australia. One of the opportunities of travel is to meet new people and to learn a bit about their context in the world. And then sometimes the conversations go to a deeper level! Soon my new friend began to lift up thoughts both religious and political. Just as we, he and his spouse had recently been to St. Petersburg and seen some of the spectacular churches and the royal palaces from the days of the czars. He had been impressed by all the trappings of wealth and power that these buildings embody. One can only shake one’s head in wonder! But he also wondered about the implications of what we had seen, not only in Russia, but in various shrines of Christendom along the way. What does such grandeur have to do with the message of Jesus? Why are human kingdoms and rulers so often focused on ostentatious display? If kingdoms are maintained by military might and sometimes ruthless violence, how does that square with the gospel? Now, there’s a tourist with whom I want to engage! I didn’t have to provide a lot of theological input, because he had already begun answering his own questions. It was clear to him, for example, that when we pray “Thy kingdom come,” we are asking for a reign of God which is far different from the glories of empire. Jesus is “king” in a different way—he rules from a cross! In fact, in these observations my friend was articulating what is one of the central insights of the Reformation. Martin Luther called it “the theology of the cross.” That is, we trust that we meet God in our honest encounter with suffering, weakness, and death, not in some divine adaptation of humanity’s pretentious kingdoms on earth. We talked for a few minutes, and then the show began. As it is with many of our conversations, we are not sure of the impact of what we had to share. That is the nature of Christian witness. But I am confident that I was listening to authentic Christian witness in what my passing companion had to say! In Christ,

Steve Berke, Transitional Pastor

CONTACT NUMBERS:

Transitional Pastor: Steve Berke, Pastor 303-709-8305 Church Council, President: Jerry Stoll: 534-2219 Custodian: Wes Thompson Financial Secretary: Claudette Nelson Music & Preschool Director: Gail Jensen: 534-4290 Office Manager: Olene Beck: 386-8677 Jr. F.L.Y.: Emily McCreery: 530-7175 Sr. F.L.Y.: Mindee Mohr: 539-8549 Sunday School: Heather Jensen: 650-0048

Monday - Thursday 9 :00AM - 4 :00 PM

Closed: Fr i-Sun

MISSION STATEMENT: To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God.

There are plans to get a lift to be able to check out the art glass window on the north wall. Members will determine if this is the problem with the water leakage and will follow up with more information.

Call committee update. 4 pastor candidate interviews are scheduled in the last 2 weeks of June.

Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment. Waiting on fire alarm beams to be installed. We are waiting to hear back from the Nebraska Safety & Fire Equipment.

Worship and Music has decided to have one service on Sunday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m.

Bulldog Seal Coat has completed the painting and sealing per their $5,001 bid.

Fire extinguishers have been replaced per their $999 bid. Council agreed to dispose of the old fire extinguishers. 2 church members have requested to take 2 of the old extinguishers.

Council approved to close the church office on July 4 – 6, 2018.

Discussion about “God’s Work, Our Hands” project to be done in September in connection with the painting in the west wing. More information to be presented at the next council meeting.

Full minutes and financials available in the narthex and office.

Congregational Counci l Meeting Highlights, June 17, 2018

Charles Aufdenkamp

Mary Derby

Lori Evans

Deb Gulzow

Todd Jensen

Lee Lamberty

Mark Obermeier

Kate Wolford Wawrzynkiewicz

Thank you to our call committee.

Call Committee Update

The call committee has begun interviewing, beginning with four candidates. Please pray for our call process.

First Lesson Psalm Second

Lesson Gospel

July 1 Lamentations 3:22-33 Psalm 30 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43

July 8 Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalm 123 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13

July 15 Amos 7:7-15 Psalm 85:8-13 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29

July 22 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23 Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 29 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-18 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21

Average Weekly Attendance:

June

Year 2018

87

Year 2017 104

2 0 1 8

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 6 Pentecost

One Combined Worship Service

at 10:30

2

3

1:00 Quilts 6:00 Yoga/gym 7:00 Boy Scouts 7-9 City Band/East Fellowship

4

5

6

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

7

9AM Wanda Tuenge Memorial Service

Luncheon in east hall following North Platte Cemetery

6-10PM West fellowship reserved for the FOCAS

8 7 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion Sending of Communion

9:15 Donuts/coffee 9:30 Property Meeting 10:00 Praise Band

9

10

1:00 Quilts 2:00 Bingo at Centennial 6:00 Yoga/Gym 7:00 Boy Scouts 7-9 City Band/East Fellowship

11

1:00 Quilts/Ed Unit 5:00 WELCA Board 6:00 Worship w/Communion 6:45 Christian Ed Meeting

12

1:00 Quilts 6:30 CCC Meeting

13

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

14

15 8 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion

9:15 Donuts/coffee 9:30 Council Meeting 10:00 Praise Band

16

2:00 Buffalo Bill Communion 3:00 Centennial Communion 5:30 Free Family Meal 6-8 VBS Activities

17

9:00 Adah Circle/Airport 1:00 Quilts 6:00 Yoga/Gym 5:30 Free Family Meal 6-8 VBS Activities 7-9 City Band/East Fellowship

18 1:00 Quilts/Ed 2-6:30PM Community Dinner 5:30 Free Family Meal 6:00 Worship w/Communion 6-8 VBS Activities

19

Deadline 5:30 Free Family Meal 6-8 VBS Activities

20 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

21

22 9 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion

9:15 Donuts/coffee 9:30 Eve Circle 10:00 Praise Band

23

24

1:00 Quilts 6:00 Yoga/Gym 7:00 Boy Scouts 7-9 City Band/East Fellowship

25

1:00 Quilts/Ed Unit 6:00 Worship w/Communion

26

1:00 Newsletter

27 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

28

29 10 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion

9:15 Donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band

30

31

1:00 Quilts 6:00 Yoga 7:00 Boy Scouts 7-9 City Band/East Fellowship

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JU LY 16 th to 19 th (5: 30 -8PM)

2 0 1 8 A l t a r F l o w e r s

~ A v a i l a b l e S u n d a y s ~

BAPTISMS None

BAPTISMAL STORY BIBLES

Norman & Mary Sue Grabenstein have started a story Bible fund to be given to newly baptized children. Contact the church if you are interested in providing or using a memorial for the Bibles.

BELL CHOIR Holy Harmony: Resume in the fall

BIBLE STUDY Pastor’s Bible Study: Resume in the fall

BINGO 2nd Tuesday @ 2PM: Centennial Park

BIRTHS None

CIRCLES (WELCA) Board Meeting: 2nd Wednesday @ 5PM Miriam Circle: No meeting in June and July Adah Circle: 3rd Tuesday @ 9:00AM Eve Circle: 4th Sunday @ 9:30AM

COMMUNITY COMMUNION 3rd Monday at Buffalo Bill @ 2PM 3rd Monday at Centennial Park @ 3PM

DEATHS June 9, 2018 Wanda Tuenge

June 23, 2018 Sharon Parker Kinsinger

DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY MEAL Thank you for signing up to help prepare or serve the Downtown Community Meal at the Episcopal Church. Upwards of 100 people or more are served each

Wednesday evening. Contact Shari Shore (Coordinator) @ 539-1715 if you wish to make any donations of protein for the meals, such as meat, sausage, or eggs.

Thank you!

GRACE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY Friday from 1-3PM

FUNERALS June 28, 2018 Sharon Parker Kinsinger July 7, 2018 Wanda Tuenge

QUILTS Quilting: Every Tuesday at 1PM Tie Quilts: 2nd Thursday at 1PM Quilting: Every Wednesday at 1PM

SOUND SYSTEM TRAINING

Please contact the church office if you would like to learn how to run the church sound system or create a service displayed on the screens!

YOGA Yoga every Tuesday at 6PM in the east Fellowship Hall. All ages are invited. For further information call Annie Pankonin at 308-539-2506.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Heidi Criddle Susie Flock Lillian Higgins Doris Howard

Amanda Janas Jon Petersen Phyllis Shavlik Rick Springer

Family of Wanda Tuenge Family of Sharon Parker Kinsinger

If you know somebody or would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office @ 308-532-0250.

OTHER PRAYERS: Todd Chase, Eric Kocher, Samantha Schlaffman,

Evan Williams and all in the military.

If you would like to provide flowers for a “special occasion”, “in honor of”,

“in memory of” or “to the Glory of God”, please pick up a form in the office.

The cost is $35.00 for one pair of bouquets.

July 15 22

August 12 19

September 23 30

Oc tober 14 21

November 4 25

December 2 9 30

“The prayer of the righteous is powerful

and effective.” James 5:16

Sincere thank you to Twila, Joan, Sandy, Brooklyn, Tamela and Steven for helping fold, staple and assembling the bulletins and newsletter in May and June! Thank you Claudette, Betty, Linda and Sandy for helping in the office during May and June. I truly appreciate your help! ~ Olene Beck

Kathy Hinrichs: Thank you for greeting the overnight guests during June. Your hospitality is very appreciated.

We can not express the gratitude of thanks to the Magnuson Family for planting the geraniums and pulling the weeds from the flower planters.

Thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers for our 45th anniversary. We enjoyed them! Thank you Sandy for delivering them! ~ Sharon Kleckner

Downtown Community Meal: Thank you for signing up to help prepare or serve the Downtown Community Meal at the Episcopal Church. Upwards of 100 people or more are served each Wednesday evening. Contact Shari Shore (Coordinator) at 539-1715 if you wish to make any donations of protein for the meals, such as meat, sausage, or eggs. Thank you!

Weekly devotional insert can be downloaded from the following website: http://faithformationjourneys.org/

We are in need of power-point volunteers! If you know how to make power-point’s or would like to learn, please call the church office @ 308-532-0250.

L2 for Kids seeks to provide under privileged children with new clothes for school to help increase their self-esteem and well being in an effort to show them Christ’s love. The money is raised primarily through local churches. To donate to L2 for Kids, Inc., a Nebraska Non-Profit Corporation, please make your checks payable to: L2 for Kids, Henry Potter, 76311 Rd 416, Willow Island, NE 69171. Volunteers needed! Call today at 308-530-0441 to see how you can help!

July 1, 2018: One Combined worship service at 10:30AM

July 4, 2018: No Wednesday evening worship service

July 4 - 6, 2018: Independence Day, Church Office Closed

July 7, 2018: Wanda Tuenge Memorial Service at 9AM at First Lutheran Church. Luncheon at First Lutheran Church following the graveside service at North Platte Cemetery.

July 16-19, 2018: 5:30 Free Family Meal; 6-8PM Vacation Bible School activities

F.L.Y. (First Lutheran Youth) Middle School: Emily McCreery 308-530-7175

High School: Mindee Mohr 308-539-8549 Vacation Bible School: Heather Jensen

Church Email: frstluth@msn.com

2018-2019

Women of ELCA for June 6, 2018 Duties: Bingo at Centennial (see below)

Women’s Board met Wednesday May 6th at 5:00 p.m.

Linda opened the meeting with devotions and prayer. Attendance: Adah - 2, Esther/Lois –2, Eve - 2, Miriam - 0, Ruth -1, Other - 0

Secretary Report and Treasurer Reports: Elyse moved to approve. Seconded by Sharon

Correspondence: Salvation Army, Rasmussen/Jewells thank you, Lutheran Campus Ministry, WofELCA Interchange, Lutheran World Relief Good News

Reports/Motions from Circles: Ruth Circle will discontinue holding meetings each month, however, will help with donations and help for funeral dinners, quarterly meeting, bible school and other events.

Work Groups: Quilts: Build and tie quilts each Tuesday at 1 pm, tie quilts second Thursday each month.

Sew and build quilts each Wednesday at 1 pm in the “Quilt Room” in the Parish Hall room. Help is needed.

Old Business: East Kitchen Range repairs complete

New Business:

Autumn Renewal will be September 22 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Hastings. Vacation Bible School – Monday thru Thursday, July 16-19. Circles to serve meal at 5:30 p.m.

Mon – Eve (pizza), Tues – Adah (nachos), Wed – Ruth and Esther/Lois (mac & cheese, little Smokey’s), Thurs – Miriam.

Bingo: June 12th – Jane Ann Allen, Loretta Ellett, Carla Jensen, Bonnie Johnson, Linda Lehmann. Next meeting July 11th at 5:00 pm

Joan Johansen, Secretary

Are you a new participant at First Lutheran Church? Or a young mother wanting to meet other Christian women?

Contact the church office and we will be happy to have one of our WELCA circle members contact you. Join in our fellowship, Bible study and service.

Thank you to all members who have designated Thrivent Choice dollars to First Lutheran.

We are open to suggestions as to how to use this money. Contact one of the other members of the committee: Betty Hamit, Joan Johansen, Mary Johnson or Sandy Stoll. If you are a Thrivent member, you can designate your Choice dollars to First Lutheran Church by logging onto www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or by calling 800-847-4836.

Thrivent Choice has been sharing the gifts ...

Birthday & Anniversary: Please advise the church office of any errors/omissions on the Birthday & Anniversary Calendar.

Year 2018 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC TOTAL

Income $14,982 $15,069 $13,882 $24,300 $15,121 $83,354

Expenses $21,882 $23,278 $23,816 $22,758 $21,827 $113,561

Surplus (Shortfall)

Shortfall $(6,900)

Shortfall $(8,209)

Shortfall $(9,934)

Surplus $1,542

Shortfall $(6,706)

Shortfall $(30,207)

Higher income levels around Easter/Christmas.

Lower income levels typically received in the summer months.

Income excludes any donations received for “designated gifts”.

The expenses vary month to month, depending on the spending requests by the ministry leaders and committees.

Detailed financial reports are available in Narthex, council & committee mailboxes and office.

Year 2018 MAY

ACTUAL MONTHLY

BUDGET

DIFFERENCE

YR. TO DATE ACTUAL

YR. TO DATE BUDGET

DIFFERENCE

GENERAL BUDGET OFFERING - INCOME

$15,121 $22,965 Under

$7,844 $83,354 $114,824

Under $31,470

2018 EXPENSES $21,827 $22,965 Under

$1,138 $113,561 $114,824

Under $1,263

SURPLUS

(SHORTFALL) Shortfall $(6,706)

$0.00 Shortfall $(6,706)

Shortfall $(30,207)

$0.00 Shortfall $(30,207)

May 2018 F INANCIAL REPORT

Thank you for your gifts to God through First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Beginning balance 06/01/18 $4,994.52

Donation from Thrivent Choice +$8.00 Gifts given: None -$0.00

Ending balance 06/30/18* $5,002.52

*Approved, not removed from ending balance: $216.57

Arleen Petersen July 1 Donna Effenbeck July 2 Betty Erb July 2 Shirley Larson July 2 Colleen Reutzel July 2 Treston Siefford July 2 Kristine Schwager July 4 Arta Sonneman July 4 Derik Juarez July 5 Nita Ross July 5 Monty Brandes July 6 Ambur Curry July 6 John Guzallis July 6

Alexis Hill July 6 Kathy Reifschneider July 6 Norman Grabenstein July 8 Twila Miller July 9 Connie Schwindt July 9 Darrell Sukraw July 9 Ryan Henry July 10 Dennis Peterson July 10 Marian Christiansen July 11 Cauy Robinson July 11 Kyle Obermeier July 12 Benjamin Rawalt July 12 Payzlie Toole July 12 Christina Slinde July 13 Bruce Blanchard July 14 Eli Morton July 14 Trent Schomp July 14 Matthew Snyder July 14 Nathan Merz July 15 Maurine Miller July 15

Travis Beck July 16 Casey Kadner July 17 Karla O'Rourke July 17 Gordon Reifschneider July 17 Patricia Schuster July 17 Ethan Silos July 17 Shirley Werner July 18 Glenn Cofer July 19 Donald Schmidt July 19 Kerri Murphy July 20 Dora Reutzel July 20 Albert Sonneman July 20 Tawnia Geisler July 21 Delphine Luenenborg July 22 Adam Brandes July 23 Nathan Epley July 23 Scott French July 23 John Schledewitz July 23 Kaden Bachman July 24 Kirsten Hurst July 24

Connie Murphy July 24 Lois White July 24 Eleanor Aufdenkamp July 25 Aaron Brandes July 25 Cynthia Russell July 25 Melissa Walsh July 25 Melissa Arensdorf July 26 Summer Brown July 26 Angela Hartner July 26 Brekkyn Powell July 26 Randy Robinson July 26 Kathy Bargell July 28 Gwendolyn Srock July 28 MacKenzie Reutzel July 29 Levi Arensdorf July 30 Laura Evans July 30 Bonnie Baade July 31 Kinsley Hansen July 31 Colleen Reutzel July 31 Gary Tesar July 31

Laurel & Nicholas Condon July 2 Boyd & Tawnia Geisler July 6 Douglas & Doris Howard July 8 Ken & Sandi Kaskie July 8 Bob & Missy Keller July 8 Joshua & Jill Thompson July 9 Michael & Jennifer Swain July 10 Steven & Deborah Gulzow July 11 John & Marian Guzallis July 13

Brett & Nikki Schmidt July 20 Julia & Matthew Kellie July 23 David & Joan Perry July 23 Lynn & Sharon Riley July 24 Robert & Arleen Petersen July 27 Lynn & Dorothy McCall July 29 Albert & Arta Sonneman July 29 Scott & Sherry French July 31

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Non-Profit Organization

North Platte, Nebraska

PERMIT NO. 7

Worship Services

Sunday Morning: 8:15 AM ~ Traditional Service

10:30 AM ~ Praise Service

(One combined service on July 1st at 10:30AM)

Wednesday Evening: 6:00 PM ~ Mid-Week Worship

(No service on July 4th)

Sunday School Schedule

Will resume in the fall!

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a church of the ELCA.

Our mission is “To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God.”

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 305 WEST 5TH STREET NORTH PLATTE NE 69101-3830

Address Service Requested

Message from Pastor 1 Announcements/Preschool/Thank You 5

Council Minutes/Call Committee Attendance/Lessons

2 WELCA 6

Calendar 3 Anniversaries/Birthdays/Financials 7

Flowers/Ministries/Prayers 4 VBS 2018/Worship Services 8

Inside This Issue : July 2018

Daily Bible story Helping with recreation Helping in a classroom Help with decorations prior to VBS Preparing crafts ahead of time Help with clean-up following VBS Helping in the craft room Prepare snacks Donating snack ingredients Monetary donations

Registration forms available in the narthex, church office or firstevlutheran-np.com.

Kids will enjoy an exciting week

of fun and adventure at this

year's VBS! We'll have plenty

of music and crafts, exciting Bible lessons,

games, and tasty snacks as we

grow in our faith.

I’d like to volunteer to help

with VBS! Call 532-0250 or stop by the church office.

Vacation Bib le Schoo l First Lutheran Church

July 16-19, 2018

5:30PM Free Family Meal 6PM-8PM VBS Activity

July 4, 2018 JULY 1, 2018 10:30 AM

Wednesday 6:00pm Service (No service July 4th): Worship with a simple spoken liturgical service, utilizing the Scripture readings and message from the previous Sunday. Normally, the sacrament of Holy Communion is shared.

Sunday 8:15am Traditional Worship (July 8, 15, 22 & 29): Traditional worship aims to faithfully and energetically carry forward the best of our heritage as Lutheran Christians. Using a variety of liturgies and hymns, we gather around Word and Sacrament with an order of service in the classic Western tradition of the church. The sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated on every Sunday.

Sunday 10:30am Contemporary Worship: Designed for those who love praising God in a spirited, contemporary worship format, the 10:30 service provides a welcoming blend of the familiar and the innovative. Each week the worship band supports our singing, and the pastor proclaims the good news of Christ. The service begins in an informal style with greetings and opening songs, and then moves to the scriptural Word (from the lectionary) and our sharing in the Lord's Supper each week.