Volume 31, Issue 3 MARCH 2018 The Anchor INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANO, ILLINOIS Grace and Peace to you and your household: There are many rhythms of living. Life and death, winning and losing, sickness and health, baptism and communion, work and play, study and practice, eating and sleeping, ups and downs. These rhythms are all part of the normal pattern for most people. Although we confess that we would prefer one of the pairing more often than the other. The church has its rhythm as well. The church year provides us with the possibility to hear on a regular rhythm the life and the death and the teaching of Jesus. The rhythms of soup supper and Lenten worship the rhythms of Palm Sunday and the 3 holy days. It is such a powerful experience when the rhythms of the church year, and the readings which accompany them intersect with our own lives in a way that is so rich, we could not have planned it on our own. Here we discover once again that within the rhythms of living, God’s rhythm is intersecting with our lives and we are able to recognize God’s grace still at work despite the ups and the downs. May your journey through this Lenten season allow you to discover the way in which your life intersects with God’s story. So that the meaning of your ups and downs, your rhythms of life might bring you joy and the knowledge of the presence of God working in you and around you. Pastor Black Clothing Drive, DST notice, Lenten Worship & Supper, Thank you, First Communion Classes, Kids Good Firday event, Recipe- “Oatmeal Cake”, Family Bowling, Puzzle, Prayer Shawls 2/3 “Ruth Ann Ramblings” Council Highlights, Sympathy, Prayer list info & Prayer List, Prayer Chain info 4/5 Offering, Women’s Bible Study, Holy Week schedule, Contribution Reminder, March Calendar 6/7 March Volunteers, March Birthday & Anniversaries, March Prayer List 8/9 NIS CRE, Meatball Dinner, Sunday School Snippets 10/11 Readings for March 2018 3/4/2018 3 rd Sunday of Lent Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 3/11/2018 4 th Sunday of Lent Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 3/18/2018 5 th Sunday of Lent Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-23 3/25/2018 Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1—15:47
Transcript
Volume 31 , I ssue 3
MARCH 2018 The Anchor INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
F IRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANO, ILLINOIS
Grace and Peace to you and your household:
There are many rhythms of living. Life and
death, winning and losing, sickness and health, baptism and
communion, work and play, study and practice, eating and sleeping,
ups and downs. These rhythms are all part of the normal pattern for
most people. Although we confess that we would prefer one of the
pairing more often than the other.
The church has its rhythm as well. The church year provides
us with the possibility to hear on a regular rhythm the life and the
death and the teaching of Jesus. The rhythms of soup supper and
Lenten worship the rhythms of Palm Sunday and the 3 holy days. It
is such a powerful experience when the rhythms of the church year,
and the readings which accompany them intersect with our own lives
in a way that is so rich, we could not have planned it on our own.
Here we discover once again that within the rhythms of living, God’s
rhythm is intersecting with our lives and we are able to recognize
God’s grace still at work despite the ups and the downs.
May your journey through this Lenten season allow you to
discover the way in which your life intersects with God’s story. So
that the meaning of your ups and downs, your rhythms of life might
bring you joy and the knowledge of the presence of God working in
you and around you.
Pastor Black
Clothing Drive, DST notice, Lenten Worship & Supper, Thank you, First Communion Classes, Kids Good Firday event, Recipe- “Oatmeal Cake”, Family Bowling, Puzzle, Prayer Shawls
2/3
“Ruth Ann Ramblings” Council Highlights, Sympathy, Prayer list info & Prayer List, Prayer Chain info
March Volunteers, March Birthday & Anniversaries, March Prayer List
8/9
NIS CRE, Meatball Dinner, Sunday School Snippets
10/11
Readings for March 2018
3/4/2018 3rd Sunday of Lent
Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
3/11/2018 4th Sunday of Lent
Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21
3/18/2018 5th Sunday of Lent
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-23
3/25/2018 Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1—15:47
Volume 31 , I ssue 3 Page 2
Join us every Wednesday during Lent at 7:00 PM for worship. We will be using the Holden Evening Prayer liturgical setting on the Wednesdays during Lent. Pastor’s messages during this 2018 season of Lent will focus on ‘Christian Living’. The topics for the remainder of the season are: Wed., Feb 28th - “Sabbath Keeping” (Exodus 20:8-11). Wed., Mar. 7th - “Making Choices-What’s
More Important-Ways of Thinking” (Philippians 4:8 and Joshua 24:14-15) Wed., Mar. 14th - “Living Well” (Thessalonians 2:14 and Ephesians 4:4) Wed., Mar. 21st - “Telling Our Story” (Jeremiah 1:6-9) Please come & worship with us!
Clothing Drive …. The 5th/6th grade Sunday school class is organizing a clothing drive during Lent for people in need. The last date to donate will be
Easter Sunday. All donations will go to the Kendall County Food Pantry. There will be bins around the church to collect your donations, so clean out your closets and help others in the pro-cess. Clothes should be clean. Your donation will be much appreciated and also it’s ecologically sound.
Thank you from …..
Paige, Olivia, Autumn, and Brooke
Thank you to all that sent cards and condolences after the recent death of my sister-in- law. It’s been a tough couple of
years for the family. My First Lutheran “family” has helped to ease the sorrow. Sincerely, Ruth Ann Hoehn
SOUP SUPPERS: Wednesdays during Lent join us for soup suppers before Worship. Soup will be served from approximately 6-7 p.m. We are asking for volunteers to help set up and serve through that time each Wednesday evening through March 21st. There is a sign up poster in the back of the sanctuary for those who can serve, as well as donate soup, bread or a dessert. Your free will offering supports the Youth. Thank you for your willingness to serve!
Set your clocks ahead -
Saturday evening - March 10th!!
Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March
11th!!!!
COMMUNION CLASSES ….. During Lent we will have First Communion Class for any youth in 5th grade or above who has not yet attended a First Communion Class. If you did not receive a letter from Pr. Black, and would like to have your son or daughter in the class, please contact Pastor Black. The classes are scheduled for March 18th (parents & students) and March 25th, at 11:15 AM (after Sunday School). First Communion will be received by these students at the Maundy Thursday service on March 29th.
New this year!!!
Good Friday Kids’ Time! Mark your calendar for a special kids event on Good Friday, March 30th, from 10AM-Noon. There will be music, crafts, snacks, a special kid’s talk by Pastor Black and more fun! Everyone is welcome and bring a friend!
The Anchor Page 3
Oatmeal Cake (from the Imogene Bohrer
cookbook)
Ingredients: 1¼ cup boiling water 1 cup quick oatmeal 1 stick butter 1 cup brown sugar 2 whole eggs 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla 1⅓ cup flour 1 tsp. baking soda
Instructions: Pour boiling water over oatmeal. Let stand 20 minutes. Cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, cinnamon and vanilla. Mix well, then add oatmeal mixture. Add flour and baking soda. Mix thoroughly. Bake at 3500 for 30 to 35 minutes.
Ingredients: 3 Tbsp. melted butter ⅔ cup brown sugar 3½ Tbsp. Cream of Tartar 2 egg yolks 1 cup coconut
Recipe Corner
Do you know of someone who would be comforted by a PRAYER SHAWL or LAP ROBE? These are wonderful gifts to give anytime of the year, especially now that the weather is COLD! Please feel free to take one from the quilt rack at the back of the sanctuary. These beautiful items are made by members of First Lutheran Church.
Topping:
Instructions: Mix together first four ingredients. Spread over hot cake. Sprinkle with nuts and coconut. Bake 10 minutes or until coconut is brown.
FREE!!!! NEW ITEMS APPEARING! Some church cleaning and ‘purging’ is
continuing. Check out the table in the Fellowship Hall. It has books and other articles that are no longer wanted/needed. Take what you want!!
All Plano Church Family Bowling … Plano Church Families are invited to an afternoon of fun and entertainment at Plano Hometown Lanes Sunday, March 4th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. This
afternoon of fun is sponsored by the Plano United Methodist Church Fellowship Team. Donation is $8.00 per person (shoes included), which includes two games of “Fun and Crazy Bowling”. Colored pins and prizes are added incentives. You may bring your own bowling ball too! For questions - contact Linda Oleson at 630-552-3828.
Page 4 Volume 31 , I ssue 3
Ruth Ann’s Ramblings …(contributed by Ruth Ann Hoehn)
Beautiful Savior is a hymn that I’ve enjoyed singing for most of my life. When I saw the information at the bottom of this hymn in the ELW hymn book, I knew that I had to check it out - I had no idea where Selesia is.
From the ELW hymn book: Text: Gesangbuch, Münster, 1677; Trans: Joseph A. Seiss; Music: Silesian folk tune, 19th century
Silesia is a region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, along the Oder River. The first known states to hold power there were probably those of Greater Moravia at the end of the 9th century and Bohemia early in the 10th century. In the 10th century Silesia was incorporated into the early Polish state. In the 14th century it became a part of Bohemia under the Holy Roman Empire. Most of Silesia was conquered by Prussia in 1742 and transferred to Prussia in the Treaty of Berlin. Later, Silesia became a part of the German Empire. After World War I, the easternmost part of this region was awarded to Poland. The remaining former Austrian parts of Silesia were partitioned to Czechoslovakia, and are today part of the Czech Republic. In 1945, after World War II, the bulk of Silesia was transferred to Polish jurisdiction by the Potsdam Agreement. The small strip west of the Oder-Neisse line, which had belonged to Silesia since 1815, remained in Germany. The varied early history with changing aristocratic possessions resulted in an abundance of castles in Silesia.
Modern Silesia is inhabited by Poles, Silesians, Germans, and Czechs. Most inhabitants of Silesia today speak the national languages of their respective countries. Historically Silesia was about equally split between Protestants (overwhelmingly Lutherans) and Roman Catholics. After World War II, the religious demographics changed drastically as Germans, who constituted the bulk of the Protestant population, fled or were forcibly expelled. Poles, who were mostly Roman Catholic, resettled in their place. Today, Silesia remains predominantly Roman Catholic.
“Beautiful Savior” (or “Fairest Lord Jesus”) is a popular English translation of “Schönster Herr Jesus.” It was published in the Münster Gesangbuch (Münster Hymnbook) in 1677.
The original German version of Beautiful Savior was well known in the U.S. because of the many hymnals published by immigrants that arrived during the 19th century. The 1850 publication of the hymn arranged by Richard S. Willis in Church Chorals & Choir Studies was its first introduction to the English-speaking public in the U.S.
The familiar tune was known as the “Crusader’s Hymn”, and according to legend is said to have been sung by the crusaders and pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. The tune is also sometimes called “St. Elizabeth” because of its use in Franz Liszt's 1862 oratorio “Legend of St. Elizabeth” where it is featured in the “March of the Crusaders.” It is a traditional Silesian tune and appeared for the first time in print in the Schles-ische Volks-lied-er (Silesian Folk Songs) in 1842.
Joseph Augustus Seiss (March 18, 1823 – June 20, 1904) was an American theologian and Lutheran minister. Seiss was born in Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland, to an agricultural family. His interest in religious studies reportedly began in childhood. Seiss was confirmed at age 15 as a member of the Moravian Church. Beginning in 1839, Seiss enrolled at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania for a year or two of studies, but completed his theological courses by private study. He was licensed to preach in 1842 by the synod of Virginia, and ordained to a Lutheran ministry in 1844. Seiss held pastorates in Virginia, Maryland and Philadelphia. His contemporaries described him as "an eloquent pulpit orator" and said his style as "clear, ornate, attractive, and forcible." Seiss was first published when he was 22 years old, and he eventually published more than a hundred works. Joseph Seiss died in Philadelphia in 1904.
Bill Flowers, Andy Mack, Claudia Brown, Mary Olson, Sue Hyte, Alice Crawford, Linda Landis, Ann Hagemann (member), Sherry
Anderson, Jesse Stonecipher, Don Sampson, Matt Papaeliou, Juanita Hatcher, Eric Hatcher, Lori Black, Bob Ottum, Dan Mytnik, Karla Reinbolt, Jack Wassler, Kara Trenhaille, Kathleen Schultz, Peggy Schultz, A J Lenert, Chris Krause, Donna Wade, Dave Lancina, Dan Sebby, Virgil Hyte, Carl Anderson (Carol Robinson’s brother), and Sherry Ill.
Please remember those serving in the military.
Remember your own special needs as well.
Council Highlights – January 9, 2018 (see complete report on bulletin board at back of sanctuary)
Nominating Committee having trouble getting people to serve;
Social Concerns will donate $200 to ‘Feed My Starving Children’ outing; looking for nurses to do blood pressure checks;
Sign-up sheet will soon be posted for soup supper volunteers and donations;
Approved 2018 budget, with increase to Pastor’s compensation per Synod guidelines;
Discussed repairs necessary to fix the wheelchair lift, and are waiting for estimate;
Congregational Resourcing Event is March 10th
Council meeting to be held immediately following Annual Meeting for purpose of electing officers
Next meeting: Tues, Feb. 13th, 2018 at 7:00 PM
It is with sadness that we report the death of Greg Feitl. Our deepest sympathy to Julie, Jaedence and Gaige. Greg passed through death to eternal life on February 4th. The funeral service was held on Friday, Jan 9th. Please keep the Feitl family in your prayers. Cards may be sent to Julie and family at 323 Alexis St.; Plano, IL 60545.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital of John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD in care of Dr. Christopher Wolfgang – pancreatic cancer research, phone #410-361-6548.
FAITH
Lord, give me faith – to live from day to day, With tranquil heart to do my simple part, And, with my hand in Thine, just go Thy way. Lord, give me faith – to trust, if not to know; With quiet mind in all things Thee to find, And, child-like, go where Thou wouldst have me go. Lord, give me faith - to leave it all to thee, The future is they gift; I would not lift The veil they love has hung between it and me.
The Women’s Bible Study Group will meet on Thursday March 15th
at 1:00 PM at the church. Join us for Bible study, refreshments and fellowship. We will continue to study Martin Luther. Women of ALL ages are invited!
OVER or OFFERINGS RECEIVED (SHORT)
1/27 & 1/28 $ 2,800.97 ($ 1,084.76)
2/3 & 2/4 $ 3,721.30 ($164.43)
2/6 (Thrivent) $ 376.98
2/10 & 2/11 $ 1,679.94 ($2,205.79)
2/14 (Ash Wed) $ 1,307.53
2/17 & 2/18 $ 3,041.46 ($844.27)
GENERAL FUND BUDGET Need Per week $3,885.73
(Annual Budget divided by 52 weeks)
YTD YOUTH DIRECTOR DONATIONS: $0.00
THROUGH February 18th
Received $ 20,583.82 Need $ 27,200.11 Short $ (6,616.29)
1/01/2018 - 2/18/2018 CHECKING ACCOUNT
Beginning Bal. $20,334.78
Income $22,496.00 Expenses
$23,419.85 Ending Balance
$ 19,410.93
Newsletter Offering Report
Page 6 Volume 31 , I ssue 3
Holy Week / Easter Services Schedule
Palm Sunday (3/24 & 25) Sat., 5 PM Sun., 9 AM Maundy Thursday (3/29) 7:00 PM First Communion Good Friday (3/30) 1:00 PM Good Friday - Tenebrae Service 7:00 PM
Easter Sunrise Service 7:00 AM Easter Breakfast “Eggstravaganza” ~8:00 AM Easter Egg Hunt ~8:45 AM Easter Worship Service 10:00 AM
If you would like to contribute to a specific fund or line item, in addition to giving toward the General Fund, please make checks out to “First Lutheran
Church,” or you can add it to your regular offering amount. You can designate on your Sunday envelope how much to apply towards a specific fund. We will do our best to direct your donation properly.
If you have not yet picked up a copy of the Annual Report, or a ‘Grace Overflowing’ booklet, please do so by March 12th. I will be removing them from the sanctuary, and putting them away (somewhere) in my office. Thank you.
31 11:00 AM - Easter Breakfast Prep NO Sat Evening Service
Page 8 Volume 31 , I ssue 3
March 2018 Worship Volunteers
Page 9 The Anchor
MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1– Grayson Colbert Ellen Maaske 2- Emily Wennmacher Marcus Ramirez 3- Jeremy Johnson 4– Ellie Campbell 6- Jonathan Jensen Desmond Nunez Michele O’Hara 9- Jennifer Brown Eric Hatcher 10-Ryan Englehart 11-Briante Bagg Taylor Beal 12-Ryan Tyler 14–Paige Phillips 15-Joyce Johnson 16-Forest Jones 17–Gaige Feitl Tim Hubbartt Becky Klatt 18-Erin Gillman Nancy Martin Nicholas Superczynski 23-Mike Pease 25-Katherine Howell 27-Laura Nicoletti 31-Carole Wehrs Kurt Schobert
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
3- Darin & Cherrie Severson 9- Bruce & Kris Magnotti 15-Dean & Denise Krause 26-Chuck & Sandy Johnson 27-Tim & Diane Kupp 28-Don & Brenda Albright
The world is a chaotic and confusing place. Prayer is the conduit that connects us to God and opens up the possibilities of direction and understanding. Prayer is not just for pastors. All of God’s people are invited to pray on the behalf of others. Please include the following members of the First Lutheran family in your daily prayers:
MARCH
1 - Bill, Deborah, Jacob & Katie Roberts 2 - Zachary & Alyssa Roberts 3 - Carol Robinson 4 - Kailea Hamlin Sackett 5 - Don & Martha Sampson 6 - Mark, Leann, Austi & Marshal Savitski 7 - Heather, Cael, Tyler, Genevieve Schindlbeck 8 - Norm & Diane Schlesinger 9 - James, Shelley, Bryson, Vance, McKenna, Mikayla, & Braylon Schmidt 10 - Chris & Emily (Albright) Schindler 11 - Kurt, Laura & Mitchell Schobert 12 - Anne Sears 13 - Barb Sears 14 - Dan Sebby 15 - Darin, Cherrie, Kiya & Cade Severson 16 - Wilma Simms 17 - Ron & Kerin (Meyer) Skarr 18 - Conrad, Laura, Ryan & Abigail Smith 19 - Staci, Stephanie, Rachel & Clarissa Smith 20 - Joseph Somma 21 - Jim Stevens 22 - Jesse & Linda Stonecipher 23 - Kathy Stuttle 24 - Steven, Jennifer, Nicholas, Gregory, Rachael, & Abigail Superczynski 25 - Jason & Melinda Swanson, Jacob & Justin Burchianti 26 - Burdell Thomas 27 - Steve, Jahni, Mya, Porter & Olivia Thrall 28 - Kevin, Lisa, Mitch, Erik & Shannon Tierney 29 - Brian Torkelson 30 - Dale & Karen Torkelson 31 - Timothy, Carrie & Kiley Torkelson
PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AND LET US KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY DATE, AND WE WILL UPDATE OUR RECORDS. THANK YOU.
Page 10 Volume 31 , I ssue 3
The NIS Congregational Resourcing Event will be
held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 9:00 AM – 3:15 PM at Kishwaukee College. Keynote Speaker
Rev. Nathan C.P. Frambach, Professor of Pastoral
Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary will
speak on “Being Church, Now & Then: what the church of the future might look like”. All members
of First Lutheran are invited.
A sample of the (many) Workshops being offered:
“F This!” When Forgiveness is Difficult
Growing in Faith through Diakonia™
Feeding a Community: Grapes, Granola & Grace
How Foods Resource Bank Programs are Reducing Hunger in
Nicaragua
Ten Steps for Effective Ministry
Caring for the Earth: A Responsibility of Faith - Ecology
A New View – Changing the Way We See Mental Illness
Year Round Stewardship and New Resources
Faith Fix: Ideas for Strengthening Faith in the Home
The Anchor Page 11
Sunday School Snippets
Good Friday Kids’ Time! Mark your calendar for a special kids event on Good Friday, March 30th, from 10AM-Noon. There will be music, crafts, a special kids talk by Pastor Black and more fun! Everyone is welcome and bring a friend! Donations Accepted for Easter Egg Hunt Sunday School staff will be busy stuffing plastic eggs for the Easter Sunday egg hunt. Donations of individually wrapped small candy (kisses, tootsie rolls, peanut butter cups, etc.) will be happily accepted. Hard candy is not recommended, because some of the children are too small to enjoy these. Thanks!!
Fun Bowl on March 4 Everyone is invited for an afternoon of fun and
entertainment at Plano Hometown Lanes on Sunday, March 4th from 2-4 PM. $8 donation per person (ball and shoes are included) for two games of “Fun & Crazy Bowling.” Colored pins and prizes are added incentives. You may bring your own bowling ball. Join our Methodist and Baptist friends for an afternoon of family fun! Secret Pals are Sneaky… Our adult secret pals have been SHINING during the recent holidays! Christmas greetings and Valentine hearts were everywhere in the Sunday School classrooms. The home mailboxes of Sunday School students have been stuffed full of joy and love! Students are even beginning to send thank you notes in return. Adults and students have been filling out their questionnaires and exchanging notes, too! We hope everyone is enjoying this fun event!
Easter Sunday at First Lutheran—Kid Friendly! Come join us for all of the kid-friendly Holy Week festivities: Sunday, March 25 – 9:00 AM service – Palm Sunday Processional with all children Friday, March 30 – 10:00 AM-Noon – Good Friday Event for Kids (Families invited to stay for Good Friday service at Noon) Sunday, April 1 - 7:00 AM – Sunrise Easter Service with children’s sermon Sunday, April 1 - 8:00 AM – Easter Breakfast. After breakfast, children can help decorate the Easter cross with beautiful flowers Sunday, April 1 - Approx. 8:45 AM – Easter Egg Hunt in the basement education area. All children through 8th grade are invited. The Easter bunny usually hops in to take pictures with the children and their families. Bring your camera! There is NO Sunday School on Easter Sunday, April 1 - 10:00 AM – Church Service with communion and children’s sermon
Mark Your Calendar - Important Dates: March 4 - Fun Bowl at Hometown Lanes Sunday’s, March 18 & 25 - First Communion Classes at 11:15 AM. Sun., March 25 - Palm Sunday Procession - 9:00 AM Service Sun., April 1 - Easter Sunday - Children decorate Easter cross after Sunrise Service and are invited to Easter Egg Hunt at approximately 8:45 a.m. There is no Sunday School this day Sun., May 20 - Awards Sunday - Secret Pals Revealed
200 N Center Street
Plano, IL 60545
First Lutheran Church
Plano, Illinois
Phone: 630-552-8263
Fax: 630-552-7198
Email:
churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net
"First in Spirit, First in
Faith, First in
Outreach"
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