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:

As your transitional pastor, and as we arrive at August, 2018, let’s just say there’s a lot of transition going on!

After several months of preliminary work, your call committee and church council have met with a prospective pastor as July has wound down and August begins. August is a busy month to continue planning for a fall program in faith formation

for children, youth, and adults. Thank you for all of you for your prayers for the ongoing mission and ministry of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is, needless to say, an important time! I have been in this transitional role for nearly two years (in fact, I first met with the church council about 23 months ago!). Please pray for excellent discernment as the call committee and council leadership

continue to make recommendations to the congregation. One of the exciting dimensions of ministry at First has been the renewal of our

Confirmation and youth ministries over the past two years. We had six Confirmation students in 2016-17, nine in 2017-2018, and it looks like we’ll have about nine again this year. Last January we began a new approach to

Wednesdays, called “Wednesday faith night.” We offered a meal at 5:30 p.m., worship at 6:00 p.m., and then learning time from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. This led to increased attendance at 6:00 p.m. worship, as several youth and family took

advantage of that opportunity. Beginning in September, we are planning to have high school youth meet also at

that 6:30 p.m. time slot on Wednesdays. In order to get prepared, we have two events set for August:

Wednesday, August 15, 6:30 p.m. High school youth meet with Pr. Berke and interested adults here at the church (share the

vision; involve young people as leaders; plan the first weeks of gathering together in Sept.)

Sunday, August 26, 5:00 p.m. All youth (middle school through high school) invited to Cody Park for games, food, and sharing concerning the upcoming year

Thank you for your support in prayers, giving, and caring. Pray that many good things will come to fruition in these coming weeks and months.

In Christ,

Steve Berke, Transitional/Interim Pastor

CONTACT NUMBERS:

Transitional Pastor: Steve Berke, Pastor 303-709-8305 Church Council, President: Jerry Stoll: 534-2219 Custodian: Volunteers 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.

1. Call Committee continues to make good progress towards selecting a candidate.

2. The Transition Team’s statement of areas of potential cooperation has been well-received by both

Messiah Lutheran and the Episcopal Church.

3. A survey of the church property has been completed with recommendations to begin work on 2 projects. The first project to be addressed is a drainage problem on the east side of the church. Jerry S. also proposed that Memorial funds in the amount of $1,000.00 be used toward these repairs. Mark O. made

a motion to approve this project and to use $1,000.00 in memorial funds. Brent A. seconded. Motion carried. A second project has been proposed-to replace the windows in the church library. The current windows are old and need to be replaced to improve efficiency. Linda L. made a motion to replace one

set of windows at a cost of $1,000.00 and to use memorial funds to cover the cost. Mark O. seconded. Motion carried.

4. Jim Falcon also advised the council that he is getting bids for a new sprinkler system.

5. Pastor Steve is aware of memorial funds that may be designated to replace the green paraments used in the Sanctuary. He will research the cost and report back to council.

Full minutes and financials available in the narthex and office.

Congregational Counci l Meeting Highlights, July 15, 2018

Charles Aufdenkamp

Lori Evans

Deb Gulzow

Todd Jensen

Lee Lamberty

Mark Obermeier

Kate Wolford Wawrzynkiewicz

Thank you to our call committee.

(Thank you also to Mary Derby, who recently moved.)

First Lesson Psalm Second Lesson Gospel

August 5 Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a

Psalm 78:23-29 Psalm 51:1-12

Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35

August 12 1 Kings 19:4-8 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

Psalm 34:1-8 Psalm 130

Ephesians 4:25--5:2 John 6:35, 41-51

August 19 Proverbs 9:1-6 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

Psalm 34:9-14 Psalm 111

Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58

August 26 Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 1 Kings 8:[1, 6, 10-11] 22-30, 41-43

Psalm 34:15-22 Psalm 84

Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69

Average Weekly Attendance: July

Year 2018 117

Year 2017 104

Call Committee Update

The call committee is continuing to meet with a candidate!

Please pray for our call process.

2018

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

1:00 Quilts - Ed Unit 5:00 WELCA Board Meeting 6-9 East kitchen Fellowship reserved

2 1:00 Assemble Newsletter

3

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

4 6-10PM West fellowship reserved for the FOCAS group

5 11 Pentecost

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

(Rudnick baptism at 10:30 worship service)

9:15 Donuts/coffee 9:30 Special/Council Mtg. 10:00 Praise Band Noon-5PM East Fellowship/Kitchen reserved

6 11:30 Funeral Luncheon in the east kitchen/ fellowship hall

7 1:00 Quilts - Library 6:00 Yoga/West Classroom 7:00 Boy Scouts

8 1:00 Quilts - Ed Unit 6:00 Worship w/Communion 6:45 Christian Ed Meeting

9 1:00 Quilts 6:30 CCC Meeting

10

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

11

12 12 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

13

14 1:00 Quilts - Library 2:00 Bingo at Centennial 6:00 Yoga/West Classroom 7:00 Boy Scouts

15 1:00 Quilts - Ed Unit 2-6:30PM Community Dinner 6:00 Worship w/Communion 6:45 High School Youth meeting

16

10:00 Tumbleweed Cluster Mtg

17

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

18 4PM Leave FELC for Livin’ Out Loud free outdoor concert Gothenburg

19 13 Pentecost

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

9:15 Donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band

NOON Council Meeting

20 2:00 Buffalo Bill Communion 3:00 Centennial Communion

21 9:00 Adah Circle at Airport Inn 1:00 Quilts - Library 6:00 Yoga/West Classroom 7:00 Boy Scouts

22 1:00 Quilts - Ed Unit 6:00 Worship w/Communion

23

Deadline

24

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

25

26 14 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion Nat’l Youth Gathering Presentation at both services 9:15 Donuts/coffee 9:30 Eve Circle 10:00 Praise Band 5PM Youth Event at Cody Park

27

28 1:00 Quilts - Library 6:00 Yoga/West Classroom 7:00 Boy Scouts

29 1:00 Quilts - Ed Unit 6:00 Worship w/Communion

30 1:00 Assemble Newsletter

31

1-3 PM Grace Pantry

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 August 5, 2018 Hudson Ray Rudnick Son of Tonia and Daran Rudnick

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 August 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 July 10, 2018 Imogene Lois Boyle

July 13, 2018 Verna H. (Gebhards) David

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 July 13, 2018 Imogene Lois Boyle July 18, 2018 Verna H. (Gebhards) David

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 Wilma Guethlein Lillian Higgins Doris Howard Amanda Janas Katie Coriell Charley Mueller Jon Petersen Phyllis Shavlik Rick Springer

Family of Imogene Boyle

Family of Verna David Family of Sheila Lortz

Family of Harry Norman

Family of Debra Jo Schroeder-McElroy

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.

August 19

September 23 30 Oc tober 21

November 4 25 December 2 9 30

“The prayer of the righteous is powerful

and effective.” James 5:16

Polly Shahan sent a nice card to First Lutheran Church. The card is located on the bulletin board outside of the church office. She would love to hear from her church family at: Sunrise at Tustin 12291 S Newport Ave Rm 66 Santa Ana, CA 92705

Dear First Lutheran Church Family: Thank you very much for my senior quilt. I appreciate all the time and effort put into it. Thank you. ~ Jake French

Thank you for the birthday flowers. Your kindness means so much. Thanks again! ~ Arta Sonneman

Thank you for the beautiful flowers Sandy delivered to us for our 58th anniversary. It was good to receive them and we enjoyed them. ~ Lynn and Sharon Riley

Received a nice thank card for hosting St. Matthews Lutheran Church.

The family of Sheila Lortz (Olene Beck’s mom) would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers and kind expressions of sympathy. Also, thank you Sandy Stoll for the altar flower arrangement, it was very appreciated. We feel so grateful to be a part of the First Lutheran faith family.

~ Olene, Scott, Travis (fiancé Rebecca Robinson) Beck

THANK YOU for a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School! Everyone had a great time at VBS during July! Because of the hard work and dedication put in this week by many, the children had lots of fun as they learned about the Bible, awesome songs, games, crafts and snacks that filled the week. Thanks to everyone who made VBS such a success, whether by helping during the week or by supporting VBS with snack donations and prayers. We couldn't do it without you! A HUGE thank you to Carla Jensen and Heather Jensen for organizing this year’s successful Vacation Bible School! VBS couldn’t have been possible without the help of countless people. Thank You!

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!

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.

DRINKING FROM THE WELL is a new program of spiritual formation for adults, offering teaching and prayer practices to help open them to receive the fullness of life in Christ and the richness of God’s mercy - right here, right now! Information about the program and the process of registration can be found at www.seekingthespirit.org. You may also contact Deacon Connie Stover at 308-440-4450 or conniestover@nebraskasynod.org. Registrations will remain open until August 17th.

August 12, 2018 from 11:30AM-1PM: Fundraiser for Jim Gonzales. Pulled pork sandwiches, fruit salad, chips & salsa. American Lutheran Church, Gothenburg. Information on the bulletin board in east fellowship.

August 18, 2018: Livin’ Out Loud, Gothenburg, NE. Free outdoor event for all ages. Meet in the church parking lot at 4PM. Please sign-up on the clipboard.

BABY CARE KITS:

SCHOOL KITS

Time to go school shopping!

Backpacks have been sewn and are ready to be

filled for Lutheran World Relief!

If you would like to help,

please take an empty

backpack from the church

narthex. Supply lists will

be inside each backpack.

Backpacks wil l be avai lable

on July 22. Please return

your fi l led backpack by

September 1s t.

PERSONAL CARE KITS:

A DONATION BASKET WILL BE PLACED IN THE NARTHEX!

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2018

Women of ELCA Visitor for July 11, 2018 Duties: Bingo at Centennial (see below)

Women’s Board met Wednesday July 11th at 5:00 p.m.

Linda opened the meeting with devotions and prayer. Attendance: Adah - 2, Esther/Lois –2, Eve - 3, Miriam - 1, Ruth -1, Other - 0

Secretary Report and Treasurer Reports

Reports/Motions from Circles: Heather reported about Bible school and asked for help.

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.

Carla said the room was for anyone who wanted to use it. Gail will advise hours of Preschool so we will know when the room can be used.

Heather reported Christian Ed Committee is planning to clean and paint West Education rooms. This will be a 3 year project.

Old Business: Bible school July 16-19. Circles to serve meal at 5:30 pm. Monday Eve, Tuesday Adah (Pizza), Wednesday Miriam Thursday Esther/Lois and Ruth (Mac and Cheese and Little Smokies)

September 6th 11:45 a.m. Autumn Bread and Salad Luncheon. Install new officers. Hand out new year books. Ruth circle hostess.

Nominating committee Ruth Circle. New President Heather Jensen, Secretary Sharon Riley.

Autumn Renewal will be September 22 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Hastings.

New Business: Plan dates/functions for 2018-2019 WELCA calendar.

Bingo: September 11 – Pat Glass, Mary Johnson, Linda Lehmann, and Sandy Stoll.

Next meeting August 1, 2018 at 5:00 pm

Joan Johansen, Secretary

WELCA Autumn Bread & Salad Luncheon September 6th at 11:45 a.m.

Everyone welcome.

Bring a friend!

Bring a bread or salad to share.

Program details to be announced.

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 $16,703 $100,057

Expenses $21,882 $23,278 $23,816 $22,758 $21,827 $21,122 $134,683

Surplus (Shortfall)

Shortfall $(6,900)

Shortfall $(8,209)

Shortfall $(9,934)

Surplus $1,542

Shortfall $(6,706)

Shortfall $(4,419)

Shortfall $(34,626)

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 JUNE

ACTUAL MONTHLY

BUDGET

DIFFERENCE

YR. TO DATE ACTUAL

YR. TO DATE BUDGET

DIFFERENCE

GENERAL BUDGET OFFERING - INCOME

$16,703 $22,965 Under

$6,262 $100,057 $137,788

Under $37,731

2018 EXPENSES $21,122 $22,965 Under

$1,843 $134,683 $137,788

Under $3,105

SURPLUS

(SHORTFALL) Shortfall $(4,419)

$0.00 Shortfall $(4,419)

Shortfall $(34,626)

$0.00 Shortfall $(34,626)

June 2018 F INANCIAL REPORT

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

Beginning balance 07/01/18 $5,002.52

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

Ending balance 07/31/18* $5,002.52

*Approved, not removed from ending balance: $216.57

Tim Pederson August 1 Dillon Thompson August 1 Carter Barnason August 2 Nicolas Thayer August 2 Skyler Bokoskie 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 Chevi McClintock August 4 Jenny Peterson August 4 Linda Fleharty August 5 Hattie Ryan August 5 Ezra Williams August 6 Ethan Bokoskie August 7 Brenda Monson August 7 Jim Harvey August 8 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 Alan Sonneman August 15 Susie Flock August 17 Mindee Mohr August 17 Kari Turner 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 Trinidy VanDorn August 22 Flo Gadway August 23

Nicole Schmidt August 23 Pamela Short August 23 Brian Smyth August 23 Noah Wawrzynkiewicz August 23 Douglas Wilkinson August 23 Angela Gilbert August 24 Cayson O'Neal August 24 Daran Rudnick August 24 Kyson Johanson August 26 Karlie Armstrong August 27 Jim Falcon August 27 Jacob French August 27 Brad Lynch August 27 Jane Ann Allen August 28 Amber Plaster August 28 Elizabeth VanNatta August 28 Timothy Nielsen August 29 Jill Stevenson August 29

Scott & Olene Beck August 3 Lee & Jody Lamberty August 4 Heather & Todd Jensen August 5 Stephen & Karla O'Rourke August 6 Brad & Amy Lynch August 9 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 Ronald & Connie Schwindt August 16 Steve & Donna Bomark August 20 Shawn & Becky Rossell August 20 Benjamin & Ashley Aloi August 21 Bob & Kathy Hinrichs August 23 Alan & Becky Sonneman August 24 Glenn & Bonnie Johnson August 26

Wednesday Faith Night including confirmation will begin September 5, 2018

Eat ... Worship … Learn Together!

5:15 PM Meal 6:00 PM Communion Service (One-half hour) 6:30 PM Learning Time (one hour)

(Confirmation class, high school youth and adult study…

adding children’s activities as needed and as we grow)

Confirmation is an intentional time of faith education and exploration

for youth during their 7th grade year or when they reach age 13.

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

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

(No service on August 1th)

Sunday School Schedule

Will resume in 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

Message from Pastor 1 Announcements/Lutheran World Relief/Thank You notes

5

Council Minutes/Call Committee Attendance/Lessons

2 WELCA/Bread & Salad Luncheon 6

Calendar 3 Anniversaries/Birthdays/Financials 7

Flowers/Ministries/Prayers 4 Worship Services/Announcements 8

Inside This Issue : August 2018

Wednesday 6:00pm Service (No service Aug. 1st) 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 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.

Coming soon in September! Watch for more details!