FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON August 2015 Volume 18 No. 8 First Things First… The mission of First Lutheran Church is to reach out to all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Grace, remembering our baptismal promises and at all times spiritually supporting one another. If you sum up our mission it simply says: To Love…and To Go… Love God, love Neighbor and to Fulfill the Great Commission But are we really “…reaching out to all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ?” If your answer to this question is yes, then how so? Are we really “at all times” spiritually supporting one another? Is the congregation of First Lutheran holding each other accountable to upholding the mission statement you see printed in your bulletin week after week that you set forth a number of years ago…or have you perhaps become desensitized to it? It’s time for a congregation-wide check-up. Let’s consider first, individually, then later together in the near future the following questions: What kind of church do you believe we are? What kind of church do you hope for this church to be? Are we working together as we should be as members of the Body of Christ? ( 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV) How are we doing in fulfilling the Great Commission, reaching out to all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ? (Matthew 28: 16-20) Do you believe that as a Christian church we have a clearly defined mission and purpose? Is it possible, in your opinion, for FLCEC to ever even hope to fulfill its mission without faithful accountability toward one another in being good stewards and freely and regularly giving of our first fruits (of time, talents, & treasures)? What is our vision? What are our goals for the future? As a congregationally-led community able to determine our goals for the future…how are we doing in this? How do you believe we can better engage our mission statement? Let us each ask - are we working together toward a common goal? What would happen to our congregation if we decided that we would make it our only priority to do what Jesus told us to do: 1) Love God and love people 2) Go make disciples and hold each other accountable in doing so? Vision…Where are we headed? Your council has been attending a series of Church Council Workshops centered on The Great Commission designed by Mark Vander Tuig, Service Coordinator for the LCMC over the last few months. This month we will explore where we are headed in the future and how we can get there together as the Body of Christ. Vision comes when we seek God’s will, are conformed to God’s Word, and begins in the context of prayer. Once vision is given, we are accountable to pursue it: † Accountable to God † Accountable to each other † Accountable to communicate regularly I believe there is a better way for us to achieve these goals as we prayerfully begin to seek God’s Will for our future. I am seeking your input on the future of First Lutheran Church. Please prayerfully consider the answers to the above questions. At upcoming worship services I will ask you to please write out your answers to help myself and your Congregational Council in our long-range planning. I have begun conducting random visits with some of you for this purpose as well. If you have a day ahead that will be convenient for you, I would like to come over to discuss our future and how we, as a community of believers called First Lutheran Church can march ahead into the future in our continued ministry together. Pastor Donna
Transcript
FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON
August 2015 Volume 18 No. 8
First Things First…
The mission of First Lutheran Church is to reach out to
all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ and His
Grace, remembering our baptismal promises and at all
times spiritually supporting one another.
If you sum up our mission it simply says: To Love…and To Go… Love God, love Neighbor
and to Fulfill the Great Commission
But are we really “…reaching out to all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ?” If your answer to this question is yes, then
how so?
Are we really “at all times” spiritually supporting one another? Is the congregation of First Lutheran holding each other
accountable to upholding the mission statement you see printed in your bulletin week after week that you set forth a number of years
ago…or have you perhaps become desensitized to it?
It’s time for a congregation-wide check-up. Let’s consider first, individually, then later together in the near future the following
questions:
What kind of church do you believe we are?
What kind of church do you hope for this church to be?
Are we working together as we should be as members of the Body of Christ?
(11
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
12 to equip his people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV)
How are we doing in fulfilling the Great Commission, reaching out to all people with the Good News of Jesus
Christ? (Matthew 28: 16-20)
Do you believe that as a Christian church we have a clearly defined mission and purpose?
Is it possible, in your opinion, for FLCEC to ever even hope to fulfill its mission without faithful accountability
toward one another in being good stewards and freely and regularly giving of our first fruits (of time, talents, &
treasures)?
What is our vision?
What are our goals for the future?
As a congregationally-led community able to determine our goals for the future…how are we doing in this? How do you believe
we can better engage our mission statement? Let us each ask - are we working together toward a common goal? What would happen
to our congregation if we decided that we would make it our only priority to do what Jesus told us to do: 1) Love God and love people
2) Go make disciples and hold each other accountable in doing so?
Vision…Where are we headed?
Your council has been attending a series of Church Council Workshops centered on The Great Commission designed by Mark
Vander Tuig, Service Coordinator for the LCMC over the last few months. This month we will explore where we are headed in the
future and how we can get there together as the Body of Christ. Vision comes when we seek God’s will, are conformed to God’s
Word, and begins in the context of prayer. Once vision is given, we are accountable to pursue it:
† Accountable to God † Accountable to each other † Accountable to communicate regularly
I believe there is a better way for us to achieve these goals as we prayerfully begin to seek God’s Will for our future. I am seeking
your input on the future of First Lutheran Church. Please prayerfully consider the answers to the above questions. At upcoming
worship services I will ask you to please write out your answers to help myself and your Congregational Council in our long-range
planning.
I have begun conducting random visits with some of you for this purpose as well. If you have a day ahead that will be convenient
for you, I would like to come over to discuss our future and how we, as a community of believers called First Lutheran Church can
march ahead into the future in our continued ministry together.
Pastor Donna
First School
And Day Care ews
First School is gearing up for the school year with
currently 65 enrolled and more children coming back
when school starts! We are in the process of
evaluating our curriculum, schedules, and classroom
assignments. Lots to do and we want to start the
year this year on the right foot! We are finishing the
summer with a bang in August with weekly themes
such as, “Miracles of the Bible”, “Rumble in the
Jungle,” and “Science Fun”!! Thank you for your
continued prayers and support for our school!
Many Blessings, Bree Joines
First School Director --- --- --- --- -- --- --- ---
CONFIRMATION Begins in Fall! If you have a child in grades 6-8 or know someone who does, please contact Pastor Donna or the church office.
Basics of Christianity Lynn Talafuse will lead our Adult Sunday School in a series of sessions on the “Basics of Christianity.” This will be coming in August. Be sure to join our adult class at 9:30 a.m.!
08/02 Psalm 78:23-29; Exodus 16:2-4,9-15, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35
08/09 Psalm 34:1-8; 1 Kings 19:4-8, Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35,41-51
08/16 Psalm 34:9-14; Proverbs 9:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58
08/23 Psalm 34:15-22; Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18, Ephesians 6:16-20, John 6:56-69
08/30 Psalm 15; Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
Camp Sunday The youth will lead the worship on Sunday, August 2. They will share the camp songs they learned and their
Coming Event. . . . The Lutheran Basics course will be offered again on Sunday mornings this fall, October 11, 18, and 25. This is a great class for newcomers to the congregation, for inquirers who want to learn more about the Lutheran faith, or for the long-time member who needs a refresher course. Check for sign-up sheets in the Narthex or the info center in the Fellowship Hall
+ + + + + + + +
Registration Fees: (for LCMC National Gathering)
Registration deadline is October 1, 2015.
Voting Delegate, Church Leader/Member, Visitor:
Before 9/1 - $200; 9/2 - 9/25 - $225; After 9/25 - $250. **Register by 9/1 & save $50.
Seminarian: FREE One Day Visitor: $95
Click here for online Registration.
Sunday, August 9th Polka Service
10:45 am Friendship Luncheon
12:15 pm
This is a special worship opportunity. Please join us for worship and for our German luncheon which will follow!
The Women, Wine and the Word
Retreat will happen September 17-19 on the
beach in Matagorda. This is an opportunity for
women to come together to build relationships,
discuss healthy life-styles, share in fellowship
and explore God’s word. We invite women to
bring their Bible, their favorite Wine to share,
and a friend.
Reservations have been made for us to
stay in a beachfront cottage with a beach view
and beach access!
Third Thursday – August 20th Our July In the Garden event was a great success! Plan now to join us In the Garden from 5-8 PM on August 20th for our “Back to School Splash!” This is not only a time for us as a church family to enjoy food and fellowship together, but also the perfect time to meet and greet not only your First Lutheran Church neighbors from the adjoining neighborhood, but also the children and families of First School who will be joining us! There will be a water slide for the children, snow cones and popcorn, plus information for the community on how they can become involved in community gardening! Bring yourselves, your friends and families and your lawn chairs. Expert hotdog grillers are being sought to staff the pit--please let Pastor Donna know you would like to help by either grilling, or donating supplies for hot dogs, popcorn bags, snowcone cups and syrup, watermelons, etc.
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