Only a few days remaining until the formal launch of the Peel House Capital Campaign. I have attended and spoken at all of the Ministry Gatherings over the last couple of weeks and have been heartened by the excitement that is building for the what the generosity of our members will do for the Peel House. This is a wonderful asset with which we have been blessed, and we now need to put our actions behind the commitment that we made to re-store the property earlier this summer.

This Sunday will be the kickoff of the six-week campaign. During the six weeks, the cam-paign will focus very much on the spiritual benefits of giving to any project. Terry Hjelkrem has put together a compilation of thoughts from our members regarding gen-erosity, giving and how they view giving as part of their spiritual life. This booklet will be passed out at the October 12th & 13th worship services, and I think you will find this a very powerful collection of thoughts from mem-bers.

Our goal of $3.1 million is certainly ambitious, but I believe it is attainable. I ask that you and your family begin to consider and discuss the level of commitment that you are willing to make to the project over the next three years and to contribute to the success of it.

As a final reminder, mark November 7th on your calendar for the dinner at the Hilton Doubletree. A formal invitation will be mailed out later this month. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the campaign with me, my cell phone is 330.0762, and my email is tgoodenbour@bkd.com, I would enjoy speaking with you.

Capital Campaign Update Tad Goodenbour, Campaign Chair

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October 13 Sue Hyskell Kathlynn Jackson David Nehme Linda Winter

October 14 Caden Barness William Cleland Scott Kleine Dana Olson Naomi Valle

October 15 Trudy Lans

October 16 Larry Bagley Jean Boehnke Cheryl Pixley

October 17 Leslie Giordano Elizabeth Haver Dave Uddenberg

October 18 Cael Broom Dick Kennedy Katie Thorson Callie Trautner

October 19 Alan Jacobsen Aiden Torgerson

October 13 David & Nicole Moreno - 14 years Bill Perry & Amilu Stewart - 12 years

October 14 Clark & Candi Gaddie - 24 years Mark & Joy Stewart - 8 years

October 16 Keith & Tanya Charbonneau - 15 years Justin & Amber Jack - 15 years

October 17 Douglas & Naoko Kohlhepp - 27 years Randy & Kristin Kosley - 27 years Mike & Pam Steffen - 32 years

October 19 Dave & Kristin Huston - 17 years

Gallery of Living Art CD’s

The Gallery of Living Art CD’s are available in the Gathering Place at the Welcome Center on Sundays. The cost is $10.

Wallet Found

A wallet has been found in Fellowship Hall. If you lost one, please see Shelly.

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Ben Abney & Family Cliff Allen Cheri Anderson Wanda Anderson Felicia Arnold Jaclyn Arnold Charlotte Auten Eric Berg Kirsten & Garrett Boyd Andrea Bullock Frank Canady Gene Cartwright Leslie Crowley Anna Dillow Sierra Drager Kira Evans Amy Finger Edwin Foret Michael Foret Steve Gaspard Grace Gerard Andy Grasmick Lee Gross Thomas L. Grounds Ginny Hahn Mark Hallenbeck Molly Hamberg Jon Haring Naia Harrison The Hawkins Family Sara Hayden Jerry Herman Beverly Hodges Casey Jacobs Dodi Johnson Josh Jones Scott Keiler & Stephanie Deguzman Tonya Kemmling

Diana Keys John Klatt Roger Lane Jesse Lawrence & Family David Letcher Jay McCoy Brandon Miller & Family Debra Mills Mark Mueller Patrick Murphy Don Nelson Rhea Nordberg Craig Parlet Cullie Powell Angela Putzi Roger Putzi Don Reed Don Reichert The David Reid Family Roger Schomber Ron Scott Brandi Sherwood Paul Shupe Charles Simmons & Family Frank Sotomayor Lori Stevens Angie Stott Anita Stubblebine R. Swearingen Doc Timby Wayne Wemberley Martin Weston Scott Wilkinson Dave Wright Greg & Carolyn Young Nick Zuardo & Family Rene Zukowski

Please keep these members of First Lutheran, their family and friends, in your prayers this week.

From the Archives

January 16, 1927 weekly bulletin. "The council reported at the annual meeting the progress which had been made on our building proposi-tion. Further steps must await the securing of additional subscriptions. Not nearly enough has as yet been subscribed. Neither have our resources been clearly exhausted. Let us con-tinue to make this a matter of earnest prayer."

Thank You

“Thank you for the most generous donation of $958 to Mission Medical Center. With your do-nation, MMC is able to provide services for many in our community who have not been able to afford or have access to health care ser-vices. We truly are ambassadors for Christ when we minister to those in need.” Barbara Cronin

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FROM THE PASTOR

It feels like we are on the right track. I’ve just finished

the last of five ministry gatherings and the sense I get is that our congregation is unified in the direc-tion we are going. Things have calmed down con-siderably since the calling of two new pastors last year. It feels like we’ve settled and are ready to move forward with strength and unity. I presented our strategic plan progress and felt gratified that this document we developed last year is not just sitting on a shelf, but actually guiding our work together. It’s grati-fying to see what progress we’ve made in less than a year! The budget was presented, and everyone seems to feel that it is a prudent and faithful plan for the coming year. We spent time celebrating the year past in pictures and looking forward to the Peel House project which will be a major focus of the year ahead. First Lutheran is a special congregation with enormous capacity to accom-plish huge projects. I’m excited to see us rekindle the gift of the Peel House. In preparation for the ministry gatherings I asked the congregation to give me some feedback on my work in the past year through a survey. Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill that out. Those surveys were very helpful. The biggest theme across the majority was encouragement for me to learn names and get to know people. I’ve been working hard on that, and I will continue to do so. Thank you for helping me, by reminding me of your name and being patient with me. The other theme from the feedback was really that on

whole most of you are very pleased with the direction we are going and the ministry you are receiving. Thank you for the encouragement! This past couple of weeks I’ve also completed the quarterly staff reviews where I sit down and talk with those I supervise about their ministry. Each quarter we set goals and ad-dress areas of concern and then revisit those conversations in quarterly reviews. I don’t need to tell you (but I will) that you are blessed with an incredible staff. Your pastors, deacons and leaders love you and work hard to bless you in your relationship with our Lord. It’s not always easy being a leader; you receive a fair amount of criticism, and we all know that comes with the job. Your leaders are doing an excellent job, and I encourage you to reach out to those who work on your behalf at the church and let them know your appreciation. It goes a long way! With the ministry gatherings, the job perfor-mance reviews, and staff reviews all completed for the year I need to tell you that I feel very good about our congregation. We love each other. We are committed to do Jesus’ work. We are ready for the big under-taking that is the Peel House. We are being generous in our stewardship. We are in a strong place, poised for excellent ministry. May God bless us in these coming months of doing His work. Thank you for being such a wonderful congregation! - Pastor Travis

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Summer Camp

It’s time to start thinking about camp at Rain-bow Trail Lutheran Camp for next summer. The new schedule and fees for 2020 are al-ready on the website. Registration will official-ly open on November 1, 2019. Youth camp as well as Family Camp and Labor Day registra-tions will be received on a first come, first served basis. Youth camps, family camps, and Labor Day can all register on-line this year. Spend a week of fun and growth as part of great Christian community in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains!!

Lutheran Refresher Course

Pastor Travis will lead a refresher course on Lutheranism for any new member inquiries or members who are interested. This 90-minute class covers the basic Lutheran beliefs includ-ing topics such as baptism, the Bible, Holy Communion, salvation, vocation, and disciple-ship. This course is part of our new member program but is open to any who would like to attend. Sign up on the opportunity sheet in the Sunday bulletin, call Marcia at 632.8826 or email her: marcia@flccs.net.

Adventfest Is Coming

Does the Christmas season make you crazy with all the hustling about and hurried shop-ping? Bring your family to AdventFest and start the season off right. AdventFest is De-cember 6-8, 2019. This weekend is a wonderful spiritual weekend where we will walk through the four Sundays of Advent during our worship experiences. There will also be time to make great gifts such as stained glass, wooden lamps, pottery, pinecone wreaths, or Cribbage Boards, wooden candle holders just to name a few, that will be treasures for you to give. Let this weekend become part of your family’s Christmas traditions. You can register online now at www.rainbowtrail.org/adventfest.

Help RTLC with Your Thrivent Choice Dollars

If you are a Thrivent Financial member, Rain-bow Trail Lutheran Camp needs your help. Thrivent has changed the rules and you can no longer set up recurring distributions of your Choice dollars. You will need to go out to their website each quarter to direct your Thrivent Choice dollars. This is the only way to ensure that your Thrivent Choice dollars will make it to Rainbow Trail each quarter. Go to http://www.rainbowtrail.org/donate/thrivent-choice/ and follow the steps to make your designation.

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High School Youth Here are scheduled opportunities for fellowship and gathering, service opportunities, and fun events. Friends are always welcome!

Worship Together & Run to Dutch Bros

Help with Middle Schoolers at Boo at the Zoo

Church drop-in & take Boo-bags and Halloween invites to neighbors

Decorating for Halloween

Halloween Night in the Old North End

Middle School Youth We will have a regularly scheduled youth group time on the second Sunday of each month from 3:30 - 5 pm. Keep your eye on the Ekklesia, the e- newsletter FirstWeekly and your emails for ad-ditional events as they come up. As always, we love when you bring friends!

2nd Sunday meet-up

Boo at the Zoo

Decorating for Halloween

Trunk or Treat! Halloween Fun!

If you aren’t familiar with the idea of a “Trunk of Treat”, here’s what it is: you

decorate the “trunk” of the car and then hand out candy from there. We will line up cars in the parking lot between Luther Hall and the Peel House and in the staff parking lot. This gives us a great flow of traffic coming through campus. If you want more information or ideas for deco-rating your “trunk”, you can email Pastor Carrie at carrie@flccs.net. As always, you can sign up on an opportunity sheet, by calling the church at 632.8836 or emailing Pastor Carrie.

Thank you to the person who anonymously donated $1000 to the Youth Program.

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Halloween Is Coming - Help Us Welcome the Neighborhood!

Last year we had great success with over 1200 visitors coming through our campus on Halloween night! We are so excited to do it again! Here are some ways you can help now.

Things we’ll need: •Candy (last year we handed out over 20,000

pieces) •Cider (we poured 40 gallons for our visitors •Bags of Spider Web stretch material (we

used over 100 bags in 2018) •Gift cards (we will shop at Walmart, King

Soopers, and on Amazon) •Lights to put on the fences •Decorations for the Peel House and Luther

Hall

There will be a container in the Gathering Place for anything you bring. Please watch the Ekklesia and the bulletin for more infor-mation; we’ll be looking for volunteers for decorating, trunk or treating hosting, and helpers for Halloween night!

“Busy” bags - filled with activities for children are available during all three services from an usher. Thank you to all who put these bags together.

Senior High Retreat Theme: Fully Known Rainbow Trail, November 22-24 Cost: $100 Understanding ourselves helps us understand one another. Join in a weekend of exploring who you are in a community that trusts we are all created and beloved as God’s children- no excep-tions. We will explore the personality tools of the Enneagram and Meyer’s Brigg’s Type Indicator (MBTI). These will be used to deepen our self-awareness and how we can grow deeper in our relationships with God and one another. All of this takes place in the context of the beauty of God’s creation at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. Trusting God fully knows us and loves us, we get to be courageous and vulnerable as we learn, play, sing, dance and celebrate.

This promises to be a fantastic weekend of find-ing out more about what make us tick. It promises lots of fun and relaxation with time spent away from the rush of our regular schedules! If you are interested in attending please contact Pastor Carrie to register at carrie@flccs.net.

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Annual Meeting - October 20 Approve Ministry Spending Plan & Elect three new Council Members

Total 2020 Ministry Spending Plan: $1,982,006 .94% increase or $18,451

Summary of 2020 Budget Benevolence budget now a percentage of

giving and based on new outreach policy developed by Council

New line item for ministry to older adults

Increased youth budget to invest in the faith of young people

New policy to give full health benefits to all full-time staff

Increased music budget to allow for additional interns

Removed line item for Senior Pastor - initiatives and Living Lutheran magazine

Intentionally kept overall increase below 1% with an eye toward economic changes and Capital Campaign ask

Council Nominees

Pat Friedell My vision is for our congregation to view ministry as a privilege and responsibility owned by all and to continue our church culture so that others will come to and stay within our church family and glean the blessings afforded to my family the past 37 years.

Rob Ketchell My vision for the future of First Lutheran is to continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the parishoners and the church, to serve the larger community and to focus on the fact that Christ is our Savior.

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Council Nominees

Marcus Kochis I think the two most important things happening at First Lutheran right now are calling a pastor/deacon to replace Pastor Bob and completing the Peel House capital campaign and construction project. Seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will set the stage for the next chapter in First Lutheran’s history.

Cheryl Mahon I think it is important for First Lutheran to grow and engage our community. If we can reach more young families, I’d love to see us have more intergenerational activities. I’d like to be part of planning the legacy we’d like to leave to the next generations.

Suzanne Miller As a twenty- year member of First Lutheran, I have witnessed and received the many blessings of our congregation, including the recent call of a young and energetic senior pastor with a keen and articulate vision for the future. I strongly support that vision, particularly the directed expansion of the reach of our church to younger generations. I believe this goal is not only a Christian but a moral imperative upon which the future of our church and our society will depend.

Don Smith I envision First Lutheran Church providing for the spiritual needs of members and visitors of all ages while partnering with other agencies to serve the needs of the disadvantaged in our community.

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Theatre Group

Iron Springs Chateau Holiday Show and Dinner, Manitou Springs

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Good old-fashioned fun for the entire family! The Iron Springs Chateau offers a family-friendly, audience interactive and musical com-edy show with a Christmas sing-along intermis-sion and holiday musical comedy review. Come celebrate the holidays with us. Please sign up and pay at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Place by Sunday, November 17.

MOPS Is Coming to First Lutheran!

MOPS is an international Christian nonprofit organization that believes in the simple but revolutionary idea that remarkable things hap-pen when moms come together face to face. MOPS is a place where moms can gather and support one another through the, often diffi-cult, journey of motherhood. With the support of each other and Jesus, mothers can do any-thing! Expectant mothers through mothers of high schoolers are welcome to join First Lutheran’s MOPS. We will meet the second and fourth Saturdays of the month starting November 9th. Meetings will be held from 2-4:30 in the Fire-side Room. Childcare will be provided. Join us for an introduction to MOPS on our first Saturday, November 9th, to see if you’d like to join as a member. Please sign up on the op-portunity sheets in church or flccs.net so we can have a head count of those coming. Treats will be provided! If you have any questions, please reach out to Tasha Friedell, 719.650.1857, or Amanda Goff, 719.287.6263.

WOW!! A whopping 45 people attended the first Growing Old Gracefully class led by Pastor Hank Maertens on Thursdays at 10 am. The group met at tables and shared powerful stories of regrets in life and moving through them rather than dwelling on them. I encourage you to join the group this Thursday and get in on some fantastic conversation and learning. Bring a sack lunch and keep the conversation going! - Pastor Travis

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October Trail Trekker Hikes

Thursday, October 17 - The Crags (south of Divide), 9 am

This trail has a bit of everything: deep, cool pine forests, a bubbling stream, marshy meadows, spectacular rock formations, and an incredible view from the top. Will there still be some "gold in them thar hills?" We'll have lunch in Wood-land Park. (5 miles; rated moderate with eleva-tion gain/loss and a short climb at the top.)

Saturday, October 26 - Edmondson Trail (off Woodmen Road), 9 am

This trail is a section of the Pikes Peak Greenway that parallels I-25. It is mostly flat and easy with a few rolling hills along the railroad tracks. The distance to the Air Force Academy Ice Lake and back is 3½ miles. Lunch is optional after the hike.

Thursday, October 31 - BOO! - Mystery Hike (in Colorado Springs), 9 am

Join us for an easy hike with a few rolling hills. Who knows what might be hiding around the next corner on this spooky day of the year. The distance is approximately three to four creepy miles, round trip. Witch's brew (lunch) is optional after the hike.

Sabbath as Resistance Loving Your Neighbor Beyond Charity “Speak up and judge fair-ly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9).

Join us this fall as we introduce our devo-tional study of Sabbath as Resistance. Most people live in a world of 24/7 multi-tasking and relentless productivity. Exhaustion, anxiety and lack of leisure time are rampant. The Sabbath is a gift from God for all hu-manity, yet it is the most frequently broken commandment. Our devotional will focus on ways we can recapture God’s gift of Sabbath for rest and peace. Our devotional study precedes our business meetings. We examine social issues through the lens of Christian and Lutheran faith. We participate in activities through ELCA and Lutheran Advocacy-Colorado, and locally with Together Colorado. Our work includes congregational education, legislative advo-cacy and biblical study, and helps to connect our faith life with social issues. All are welcome to attend our meetings. Check the Ekklesia for updates or email Su-san Bolduc at susanabolduc@yahoo.com.

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Glen Eyrie Castle Tour and Lunch

Immerse yourself in the historical grandeur of the Glen Eyrie Castle! Come with us to visit Glen Eyrie, an English Tudor-style castle built in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs. The historical tour is approxi-mately 60 minutes in length. It includes a brief video filled with the history of General Palmer and The Navigators, and a guided walking tour through the Carriage House and the first and second floors of the Glen Eyrie Castle. The guides will entertain you with stories of the Palmer family, the Glen Eyrie estate, unique architecture of The Castle, surrounding landscape, and Colorado Springs history. After the tour, there will be a bit of free time to walk the grounds, sit for coffee, or visit the gift shop. Then we will enjoy a buffet-style lunch in the King James Dining Hall. Payment is required at time of sign-up. Seating is limited. Please sign up and pay at the Welcome Center.

The last day for signing up or for a refund is October 17.

Christmas Gifts

Our annual gift-giving opportunity is here. We plan to provide gifts for the residents of

Mosaic, Family Promise, Lutheran Family Ser-vices, Teens with Promise and the Colorado Mental Health Institute of Pueblo.

If you sign up to give a gift(s), you will be sent instructions the week of November 4 with gift suggestions for the recipients from any of the above-mentioned groups. You may select a gift or gifts that fit your budget. Please read your instructions carefully. Gifts are due back on Sunday, December 1. Sign up on the opportuni-ty sheet in church, online or call 719.632.8836 to indicate how many gifts you will provide.

Book Discussion Group

The German Girl: A Novel by Armando Lucas Correa Based on the true story of a twelve-year-old World War II refugee’s escape from Nazi-occupied Germany with her family and best

friend only to find that their promised overseas sanctuary is an illusion. This is a story of friend-ship, family, love and hope.

Upcoming Reading

December 4: Christmas party; book selections to be determined.

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eeds of Joy

Seeds of Joy Garden Group is starting a pro-gram that will assist members of the congrega-tion who could use help preparing their yard for winter at no cost. If you would like help rak-ing leaves in the next couple of months, please let Seeds know. If you are a member who would like to help a friend by volunteering for this program, also let Seeds know.

Sign up on the opportunity sheet or email bert@cabotmcpherson.com to become

Habitat for Humanity Volunteers Needed

The Pikes Peak Habitat needs volunteers to help build a new home for a special family and to prepare and serve lunch. If you’d like to join in, please sign up on the opportunity sheet in church. Direct any questions to Cheryl Mahon via email at cheryl.mahon@thrivent.com.

All Saints Day Remembrance

You are invited to remember a loved one who has entered eternal life between November 1, 2018, and the present, by adding their name to the opportunity sheet in church or by calling the church at 719.632-8836 by October 30, 2019. Loved ones will be remembered on a special list to be published in the Sunday bulletin on November 3.

Altar Flower Designations for 2019 and 2020 are being taken at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings or at the Reception Desk during regular office hours. You may also visit our website to download an order form.

Finding Your Place in God’s Family – New Member Class

Anyone who would like to explore membership at First Lutheran is invited to join our new member gathering. You will meet with the pas-tors and staff about the work and ministry of our congregation. The meeting includes getting to know you! The service of inclusion will be Sunday, November 10 during the 10:45 service. Sign up in church or call Marcia at 632.8836 or email marcia@flccs.net if you will be attending the gathering or would like to sponsor a new member.

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INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN EACH PERSONAL CARE KIT

• ONE light-weight bath-size towel (between 20” x 40” and 52” x 27”), dark color recommended

• TWO or three bath-size bars of soap equaling 8 to 9 oz., any brand, in original wrapping

• ONE adult-size toothbrush in its original pack-aging*

• ONE sturdy comb, remove packaging

• ONE metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging

• * Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size enve-lope; no plastic bags or wrap

Cleanliness may not actually be next to godli-ness, but it certainly helps a person feel more human. When families find their homes de-stroyed, or must flee for their safety, soap and a towel rarely make the cut for what they can car-ry. Arriving in a refugee camp or other place of safety, they are scared, vulnerable and dirty from the travel. The simple items included in a Personal Care Kit provide much-needed self-care, critical germ fighting, and the chance to regain dignity amidst situations of fear and uncertainty.

SOME IMPORTANT GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER • Be sure to shop for light- or medium-weight towels, which are easier for kit recipients to hand wash and air dry, take up less storage space and are considerably less expensive than the fluffier towels we may prefer to use. • Please give new items only. • Please do not donate items with any religious symbols, messages or your group’s name. • Please do not donate any items decorated with a U.S. flag, patriotic or military symbols, or ref-erences to the armed forces, including camou-flage. • Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. • All items should be new and in good condi-tion. Do not enclose the kit or any of its contents in plastic bags.

HOW TO PACK YOUR KITS OF CARE

• Fold the towel in half width-wise. Place the rest of the items in the towel, fold and roll so nothing falls out, and secure with yarn, ribbon, string or rubber bands.

Shipping cost is $5.00 per kit; make checks payable to First Lutheran. PLEASE, DO NOT PUT CHECKS INSIDE THE KIT: turn in your check at the Welcome Center, Round Desk or give to a staff member. Kits are due by December 15 in the Gathering Place.

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REGULARLY SCHEDULED

Pastor’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 10 am, Fireside Room

Cancer Prayer Support Group Fourth Saturday of the month, 10 am, Library Sign up in church, or call 719.447.6068.

Sunday Adult Seminar Is This the Time? Interpreting the Mystery of Revelation Sundays, 9:15 Worship Center October 13 Part Five: Revelation 12-13

The Heart of Christianity Thursday evenings, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Upstairs Conference Room

The Gift of the Years - Growing Old Gracefully Thursdays, through November 21 10 - 11:30 am, Fireside Room

SAVE THE DATE Trail Trekkers The Crags (south of Divide) Thursday, October 17, 9 am Meet at Safeway parking lot, 3275 W. Colorado Ave. (southeast corner)

High School Worship Together & Run to Dutch Bros October 13, 10:30 - 1 pm Meet Shelly in the back pew

Help with Middle Schoolers at Boo at the Zoo October 18th, 5 - 9 pm Contact Shelly at shelly@flccs.net if interested in helping by Oct. 17

Church drop-in & take Boo-bags and Halloween invites to neighbors October 22, 6 - 8 pm Baked potato bar for dinner

Decorating for Halloween October 27, noon - 3 pm Peel House

Halloween Night in the Old North End October 31 5 - 8 pm Pass out candy at the Peel House 8 - 9 pm Trick or Treating or Dutch Run

Middle School 2nd Sunday meet-up October 13th Youth Center, 3:30 - 5 pm

SAVE THE DATE, cont.

Middle School, cont. Boo at the Zoo October 18, 5 - 9 pm $20 for admission and snacks Meet at the Youth Center

Decorating for Halloween October 27, noon - 3 pm Peel House

Please sign up on an opportunity sheet, call the church office at 719.632.8836 or email the person listed at the end of an article. Online forms for signup are also available on the website.

Congratulations to Norm & Lynn Peterson who will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary on October 10.

Congratulations to Dean Arnold who celebrated his 93rd birthday on October 7.

Ministry Gatherings were well attended this year. Confirmation students joined the Sunday morning group.