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

August 2016

FELC STAFF

Senior Pastor: Rev. Frank H. Fitch III 308-520-7469 Church Council, President: Lori Evans, 534-2263 Custodian: Wes Thompson Financial Secretary: Rae Gullion Front Office & Publications: Amy Lynch Music & Preschool Director: Gail Jensen, 534-4290 Office Manager: Olene Beck, 386-8677 Jr. & Sr. F.L.Y.: Mindee Mohr, 539-8549 Amy Lynch, 660-6283 Sunday School: Church Office: 532-0250

O f f i c e H o u r s

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

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

Contact Us...

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

www.firstevlutheran-np.com

Greetings 1

Announcements/Attendance/Lessons

2

Calendar 3

Prayers/Ministries/Thanks/Flowers

4

Announcements 5

WELCA 6

Birthdays/Anniversaries/Financials/Thrivent Choice

7

Upcoming events... 8

Inside This Issue...

WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF POWERPOINT VOLUNTEERS!

If you know how to make PowerPoint's or would like to learn, please call the church office!

Thank you!!

“As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people”. Matthew 14:16-19

“They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” He could have just done it Himself, just made food appear from nowhere, but He wanted them to be a part of the miracle. He wanted them to understand that His plan was to enable them to do more than they were capable of doing on their own. In the same way, He wants us to experience first-hand what God is doing so that we can better understand who He is and how much He loves his us…His people.

God is doing some amazing things! We want you to volunteer, so you can have stories like this one. We know that God shows up when He gives us what seems like impossible tasks. When we offer what we have, He will use it to accomplish amazing things. We want you to be in on that. We don’t want something from you. We want something for you: a story of God using what you offer to accomplish the impossible!

Everybody has something to offer even if it seems small compared to the need. What do you have to offer? How should you join God at work?

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

Congregational Council Minutes: NO JULY MEETING

Jody Lamberty Worship & Music

Gus Lieske Christian Education/Youth & Family/Care Committee

Dr. Daran Rudnick

Jerry Stoll Preschool T

erm

: 2016-2

018

Ashley Aloi

Lori Evans, President Worship & Music, MMI

Jody Hill, Secretary Care Committee & Worship & Music

Frankie Moore Library & MMI

Term

: 2014-2

016

Jake Wawrzynkiewicz

Devin Lunzman Property Steve Gulzow

Term

: 2015-2

017

1st Lesson Psalm 2nd Lesson Gospel

August 7 Gen 15:

1-6 Psalm 33:

12-22 Heb 11:

1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:

32-40

August 14 Jer 23: 23-29

Psalm 82 Heb 11:

29—12:2 Luke 12:

49-56

August 21 Isa 58: 9b-14

Psalm 103: 1-8

Heb 12: 18-29

Luke 13: 10-17

August 28 Prov 25:6-7 or Sir 10:12-18

Psalm 112 Heb 13:

1-8, 15-16 Luke 14: 1, 7-14

Average Weekly Attendance JuLY Year 2016

(4 wks) 97

Year 2015 111 Year 2014 123

For information on volunteer

opportunities in our church and the

surrounding area, please call the

church office! (308)532-0250

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T 1

2

1:00 Quilts/Library

3

9:30 WELCA Board 5:30 Autism Grp./Gym Praise Band 7:00 Pastors Bible Study 6:00 Sand Volleyball @ Rec Center

4

6:00 Yoga 6:00 Basketball @ Church

5

1-3 Grace Pantry

6

5:30 Worship w/Communion OVERNIGHTERS

7 12 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am

Worship w/Communion

9:15 Donuts/coffee 9:30 Christian Ed. Mtg. 10:00 Praise Band

8

9

1:00 Quilts/Library 2:00 Bingo at Centennial

10

Praise Band 7:00 Pastors Bible Study 6:00 Sand Volleyball @ Rec Center

11

1:00 Quilts 6:00 Yoga 6:00 Basketball @ Church

12

1-3 Grace Pantry

13

5:30 Worship w/Communion

14 13 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am

Worship w/Communion Sending Communion

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

15

6:30 Ruth Circle

16

9:00 Adah Circle at Airport 1:00 Quilts/Library 2:00 Centennial Communion 3:00 Buffalo Bill Communion

17

Praise Band 7:00 Pastors Bible Study 6:00 Sand Volleyball @ Rec Center

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

18

1:00 Esther/Lois Circle Library 6:00 Christian Care Committee Mtg. 6:00 Yoga 6:00 Basketball @ Church 7:00 Council Mtg.

19

1-3 Grace Pantry

SALVATION

ARMY DINNER

20

NO Worship w/Communion

21 14 Pentecost

10:30 am Worship w/Communion

LUAU Service!

9:15 Donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band Noon W&M Mtg

22 6:30-8 ESL Classes

23

1:00 Quilts/Library 6:30-8 ESL Classes

24

Praise Band 6:30-8 ESL Classes 7:00 Pastors Bible Study

25

1:00 Newsletter 6:00 Yoga 6:30-8 ESL Classes

26

1-3 Grace Pantry 6:30-8 ESL Classes

27

5:30 Worship w/Communion

28 15 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am

Worship w/Communion

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

29

6:30-8 ESL Classes 7:00 Miriam Circle

30

1:00 Quilts/Library 6:30-8 ESL Classes

31

Praise Band 6:30-8 ESL Classes 7:00 Pastors Bible Study

2016

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING

PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Katie Coriell Marion Effenbeck John & Joyce Feeney Ken George Mary Sue Grabenstein Dan Guenthner Rae Gullion Thomas Lortz Roger Lunkwitz Jon Petersen Don Shahan Shirley Tisher Marlin White Ardith Woolson

OTHER PRAYERS: Todd Chase, Justin Falcon, Tim Salinas, Samantha

Schlaffman-Grosdidier, Trent Schomp, Evan Williams and all in the military.

If you know somebody or would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact Pastor Frank. If you are unable to reach Pastor Frank, please call Holly Fitch 530-8357; Sandy Stoll

534-2219; Arleen Petersen 530-1276 or Jennifer Hurst 696-6771.

BIBLE STUDY Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM

CHOIR Choir Practice: Sundays at 9:30 AM

CIRCLES (WELCA) Board Meeting: First Wednesday at 9:30 AM

Adah Circle: Third Tuesday at 9:00 AM

Esther/Lois Circle: Third Thursday at 1:00 PM

Miriam Circle: First Monday at 7:00 PM

Ruth Circle: Third Monday at 6:30 PM

Eve Circle: Fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM

COMMUNITY COMMUNION 3rd Tuesday at Centennial Park @ 2:00 PM

3rd Tuesday at Buffalo Bill Manor @ 3:00 PM

GRACE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY Friday from 1-3 PM

QUILTS Quilting: Every Tuesday at 1:00 PM

Tie Quilts: 2nd Thursday at 1:00 PM

SALVATION ARMY SOUP SUPPER First Lutheran Church will sponsor the Friday

evening soup supper at the Salvation Army on

August 19 & November 4.

P

R

A

Y

E

R

S

~

-

M

I

N

I

S

T

R

I

E

S

-

T

H

A

N

K

S

-

F

L

O

W

E

R

S

2016 Altar Flowers: Available Sundays

We are in need of Altar Flowers!

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.

August 7 14 21 28 n/a

September n/a n/a 18 25 n/a

October n/a 9 n/a 23 n/a

Thank you so much for the mug of beautiful birthday flowers. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are a gift from God. ~Pastor Steve Meysing

I would like to thank the church for the pretty flowers that were delivered to me at the nursing home. They brightened my day! ~Beulia S.

I would like to thank everyone for the cards and phone calls to wish me a happy birthday. Also, thank you to Bonnie Thanel and her sons for the beautiful flower bouquet you sent to the church! ~Twila M.

First Lutheran Middle School VBS, Thank you very much making the breakfast burritos for our volunteers. They were delicious! ~Habitat for Humanity

The RV Care-A-Vanners want to thank you for the delicious lunch you provided for us on July 1st. The roast pork stew with potatoes and carrots was such a wonderful treat along with those gooey brownies! We appreciate your involvement with North Platte Habitat and its mission. Blessings to all of you!

Middle School Youth VBS, Thank you for the care packages! That was very nice of you to think about us! From Everyone at the N.P. Police Department!

The Christian Care Committee (CCC) thanks the congregation of First Lutheran for donating items needed for the Habitat for Humanity Home project meal. The members of the Habitat crew were appreciative for the noon meal we provided on July 1st. The CCC also appreciated your generosity, the menu included roast pork with roasted potatoes, onions and carrots plus a dessert bar. May God Bless You!

Huge thanks to all of our VBS 2016 helpers!!! This year was once again, a great success! Without amazing volunteers like you, VBS would not happen! Thanks again!!

A

N

N

O

U

N

C

E

M

E

N

T

S

Luau Church Service & Potluck:

August 21, 2016

10:00 Praise Band 10:30 Worship

Speaker: L2 For kids

W

O

M

E

N

O

F

T

H

E

E

L

C

A

FELC Library News!

There are three new books in our library for your enjoyment!

Daughter of the Reformation, by Mary Helene Rasmussen Jackson,

is a historical perspective of the life and times of the wife of Martin

Luther. Learn about the role of Catharina von Bora in the momentous

life of her husband and the history shaping events of the

Reformation. This book comes to us as we look to observe the

500th anniversary of the Reformation.

We also have two books written by Michelle DeRusha, who is a member

of Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. The first book, Spiritual Misfit, a Memoir of Uneasy

Faith, chronicles Michelle’s journal from doubt to finding her faith. The second book, 50 Women Every

Christian Should Know, tells the story of fifty

incredible heroines who, throughout history, have boldly stepped out in faith and

courage, leaving their indelible mark on those around them and on the kingdom of God. Michelle writes a

monthly column on religion and spirituality for the Lincoln Journal Star and is a regular contributor to The

High Calling and other online journals. She also writes about faith in the everyday on her blog at

www.michellederusha.com.

Happy Reading, Frankie Moore

Scott & Olene Beck August 3 Lee & Jody Lamberty August 4 Stephen & Karla O'Rourke August 6 Brad & Amy Lynch August 9 Dr. Thomas & Elnora Miller August 10 David & Judy Pederson August 10 Ernest & Patricia Schuster August 10 Jerry & Gail Jensen August 12 Keith & Becky Kempke August 12 Darrell & Linda Sukraw August 12 Brian & Michelle Moore August 14 Steve & Donna Bomark August 20 Shawn & Becky Rossell August 20 Benjamin & Ashley Aloi August 21 Bob & Kathy Hinrichs August 23 Glenn & Bonnie Johnson August 26

Tim Pederson August 1 Dillon Thompson August 1 Nicolas Thayer August 2 Jean Boyle August 3 Tessa Clair August 3 Brian Moore August 3 Eden Rudnick August 3 Janice Beza August 4 Alicia Brittenham August 4 Tracie Clair August 4 Doris Howard August 4 Jenny Peterson August 4 Beulia Sonneman August 4 Linda Fleharty August 5 Verna David August 6 Ashden Schwartz August 6 Ezra Williams August 6 Ethan Bokoskie August 7 Brenda Monson August 7 Joyce Hipwell August 8 Cash Johanson August 8 Tenzley Powell August 8 George McCammon August 9 Todd Aden August 11 Jason Merz August 12 Makynzi Smith August 12

Frankie Moore August 13 Susie Flock August 17 Virginia Humphrey August 17 Mindee Mohr August 17 Cindee Wright August 17 William Bokoskie August 18 Marcus Silos August 18 Debra Sweet August 18 Henry Aufdenkamp August 19 Arlene Jepsen August 19 Tevon Schomp August 20 Ashlyn Robinson August 21 Frank Carland August 22 Bailee Keller August 22 Joshua Merz August 22 Flo Gadway August 23 Nicole Schmidt August 23 Pamela Short August 23 Noah Wawrzynkiewicz August 23 Daran Rudnick August 24 Jim Falcon August 27 Jacob French August 27 Brad Lynch August 27 Jane Ann Allen August 28 Amber Plaster August 28 Jill Stevenson August 29

Balance 07/01/16 $6,111.35

Thrivent Choice donations: +$40.00 Salvation Army Meal: -$114.10

Balance 07/30/16 $6,037.25

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: Ardith Woolson, Mary Johnson, Joan Johansen or Betty Hamit. 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.

To fulfill the mission and ministry of First Ev. Lutheran Church, as we seek to reach out to others with Jesus, we require $24,561/month in General Budget offerings. 2016 Annual Budget $294,731

NOT included above: $20,000 from Shrake Fund.

WE HAVE GIVEN BACK TO GOD JUNE 2016 Year to date

General Budget Offering $12,871 $101,680

2016 Expenses $23,112 $141,848

Surplus or (Shortfall) $(10,241) $(40,168)

JUNE 2016 Month-To-Date summary: Offerings are $11,690 BELOW the 2016 budget. Expenses are $1,449 BELOW the 2016 budget. Monthly Summary: SHORTFALL $10,241

Year-To-Date summary as of 6/30/2016: Offerings are $45,685 BELOW the 2016 budget. Expenses are $5,517 BELOW the 2016 budget.

SUMMARY: 2016 SHORTFALL of $40 ,168

Thrivent Choice has been sharing the gifts ...

A

A

Sho

rtfa

ll S

urpl

us

Note: Easter: March 2016, April 2015

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Non-Profit Organization

North Platte, Nebraska

PERMIT NO. 7

Worship Services

Saturday Evening: 5:30 PM ~ Worship Service

Sunday Morning: 8:15 AM ~ Traditional Service

10:30 AM ~ Praise Service

Sunday School Schedule

Sunday School will resume in the September!

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

2016

Confirmation Class Meeting Sunday, September 18, 2016

9:30 am in the Church library.

Confirmation is an intentional time of faith education and exploration for youth during their 7th grade year

or when they reach age 13.

August Donations needed for

Lutheran World Relief!

Fill Backpacks; Backpacks will be in the

narthex with a list inside! Money donations

are also helpful to fill with needed items.

A donation basket will be

placed in the narthex!

THANK YOU!!