clef september 2014
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First English Ev. Lutheran Church
Inside this issue:
Pastor Veres Sunday Sermon
2
Call Process Update Summer Schedule
4
Letter from Bob Foster 5
Adult Education 6
With the Members
Music Lessons
7
Adult Education 8
Board of Fellowship
Sunday School/Youth News
9
Recycle
Preschool
Kroger Rewards 11
July Birthdays 12
Serving in July 13
Calendar 14
ORGAN UPDATE!
Dear Members and Friends of First English,
Over the past number of months we have been hearing about the needed repairs to our
pipe organ. Many of you have been asking what is going on, how much is needed, what will it
cost – all very good questions.
Yes, it has seemed to take a while, however, our policy is that when we are faced with
major projects we seek at least three bids which is good business practice. Those bids have taken
longer than we had hoped plus then we poured over those three bids as it is important that we are
comparing “apples to apples,” to use an old cliché.
Bob Foster, our Music Coordinator and organist who knows a great deal more about
organs than I do, has written a separate article with the details and I encourage you to see that
piece in this CLEF.
The bottom line is that Board of Worship and Music, with guidance from our members
who are knowledgeable in terms of music and instruments, and checking references, has
recommended that we accept the bid of S.P. Keith & Associates to do our needed pipe organ
repairs and enhancements. At the August 17, 2014 Church Council meeting, the Council
unanimously approved the recommendation. The council also voted to take this recommendation
to the congregation at a Congregational Meeting to be held Sunday, September 28, 2014,
immediately following the late service.
The amount of the bid, with extra monies needed for electrical work and unforeseen costs,
is $300,000. If this project is approved by the congregation, the Council recommendation
includes a “Fund Raising Campaign” for this fall with our goal that all needed monies be
committed by December 31, 2014. Fortunately, with $50,000 from the Gladys Greenburg
Memorial, plus several gifts and memorials already received, we have close to $75,000 at present
in our Organ Fund.
Yes $300,000 is a great deal of money, but to put it into perspective we have a high
quality pipe organ that would cost us well over $1,000,000 to replace. Not only do we have an
excellent instrument which is truly worth preserving and enhancing; but in Bob Foster, as we all
know, we are blest with his talents and abilities to make that organ sing!
This project is a major overhaul of our organ which will take approximately nine months
to complete. If all is approved, our plan is to begin the renovations right after Easter 2015 and
maybe we will have the project completed by Christmas. While the renovations are being carried
out Bob Foster will bring his own personal organ to First English to use for worship.
I believe that we all agree that our excellent pipe organ and Bob’s outstanding playing
certainly do enhance our worship and our music ministry. Throughout her history First English
Lutheran Church has “stepped up to the plate” when needs have arisen and I am confident that that
will be the case with our organ project. In fact we have been quite fortunate or should I say blest,
that our organ has not needed this major type of repair before now. Our regular upkeep and
maintenance of our organ has assisted us but now it is time for a major overhaul. If we do
nothing, the organ will simply stop working!
Thank you for your ongoing support of the varied ministry of First English. If you have
any questions, I suggest that you speak with Bob Foster.
See you at worship! God’s Blessings,
Pastor Schmidt
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14
2
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 14:22-33 August 7 & 10, 2014
Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers from God our Father and from our Lord and
Savior Jesus the Christ.
It doesn’t take much to imagine what this storm on the sea must have been like for the
disciples in today’s gospel story.
Here in southeast Michigan- on the East side of the Detroit metropolitian area- we have had
some pretty quick-moving storms this past week. The brought heavy down pours, flooding
and quarter sized hail to our area.
Now if you happen to be a boater and had the misfortune to be caught in the middle of Lake
St. Clair during one of these recent storms – you have experienced the peril of the disciples up
close and personal.
Think small fishing boat though with no life jackets or way to signal for help. Accuweather
has issued no small craft warning – the disciples are caught unaware and are tired from
weathering the storm.
Bleary-eyed and exhausted, sometime during the early morning hours of 3 and 6 AM, they see
what appears to be a ghost coming toward them. They are over come with fear.
Even if you have never been caught in the middle of a storm at sea or on Lake St. Clair – I’m
quite sure we have all experienced storms in our lives that have caught us off balance and
stirred up some waves of fear.
Loss of income
Receiving an ominous diagnosis from a doctor
An accident or injury
Death of a loved one – just to name a few.
Maybe even the upcoming retirement of a beloved Pastor.
We may not know exactly how this story of Jesus walking on water played out in reality,
much has been written about it including analyzing the Greek text.
There are two perfectly possible interpretations of this passage, so far as the actual Greek
goes.
It may describe a miracle in which Jesus actually walked on the water.
Or, it may equally mean that the disciples’ boat was driven by the wind to the
northern shore of the lake,
And that Jesus came down from the mountain to help them when he saw them struggling in
the moonlight. They may have then seen him walking through the surf and the waves toward
the boat – startling them by appearing suddenly to the already terrified disciples.
One thing is perfectly clear:
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WE’RE ON THE
WEB
www.feelc.org
MISSION STATEMENT
‘GO, MAKE DISCIPLES’
First English Ev. Lutheran Church
800 Vernier Road
Grosse Pointe Woods,
48236-1530
Phone: 313.884.5040
Fax: 313.884.4460
www.feelc.org
Senior Pastor
Dr. Walter A. Schmidt
Associate Pastor
Rev. Christina Veres
Education/Youth Coordinator
Renata Conger
Pastor Emeritus
Rev. Paul F. Keppler
OFFICE HOURS
8a.m. — 12:30 p.m. ****
1:30p.m. — 4:00p.m.
(Monday—Friday)
WORSHIP SCHEDULE:
Sunday after Labor Day 2014 thru Memorial Day 2015
9:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion
9:30 a.m. Adult + Youth Sunday School
11:00 a.m. -Traditional Worship
(Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday)
3
In the hour of the disciples’ need, Jesus came to them.
When the wind was contrary and life was a struggle, Jesus was there to help and to save.
It’s not always easy to recognize the presence of Jesus in a situation, is it?
Here in this story Jesus has been physically present with the disciples:
Travelling with them
Teaching them
Reassuring them throughout their travels together
And then in today’s story he compels them to go on ahead
While he tends to dispersing the crowds and spending some time in prayer alone with his Father in heaven.
It’s also interesting to note that by the time this story was written down some 50-60 years after the crucifixion and resurrection
of Jesus, his followers must have been struggling mightily. They would be wondering when Jesus would return to save them
from the trials and persecution they faced living under Roman rule.
Where was Jesus when they needed him most?
In our day and age some two thousand years later, we might be thinking and struggling with some very similar thoughts.
Struggling and thinking about our own personal issues of health and well-being
Struggling and thinking about and the events of the world around us- the raging storms of warring nations,
Struggling and thinking about the threat of the Ebola virus, starving children and downed jetliners.
Struggling and thinking about whatever the newest challenge of our daily life throws at us.
Where is Jesus when we need him most?
It’s not always easy to recognize the presence of Jesus in our times of great need, is it? There are times when our fear seems
to have the upper hand?
“And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘it is a ghost!’
And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
What a great story for us to hold on to. It’s a story that is much more than a story of a miracle Jesus executed during his time
on earth.
It’s a story that tells us what Jesus always does for his people when they are fearful, in trouble, or overwhelmed by storms.
Unbidden, Jesus comes.
Jesus comes even when we become so fearful that we are unaware of his presence and desire to be with us, to calm our
troubled spirits – Jesus comes!
As a matter of fact Jesus promises to be with us always – to the very end of the age – not just in times of trouble.
I want to let you in on a secret. Pastors often complain that for many people God is a fallback belief.
When people are imperiled, they pray.
When they get sick, lose their jobs, or their relationships are in trouble.
When their life is threatened by forces outside their control – they cry out to God.
If they will get well, find work, reconcile their relationships, or if the forces that threatened them will subside.
Well….then God has reached out his hand toward them and lifted them out of the raging seas. We then are thankful and go on
our way until the next crisis arises.
For some the crisis is ongoing, a life threatening injury, an illness that has no cure.
People are forced to face their limits and mortality. God walks with them in the midst of their physical, psychological and
social storms.
So fallback belief has two positions:
(Continued from page 2)
(Continued on page 6)
4
Update to the Senior Pastor Call Process The call committee has begun to review potential candidates for a new Senior Pastor at First English. On August
17th and August 20th the committee met and reviewed a list of candidates from the Synod. The potential candidates
that the committee identified will be contacted by the Synod for follow-up discussions.
The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) which is the congregation’s resume and defines “who we are” to help in the selec-
tion of our new Senior Pastor was uploaded to the Synod web site in July. Copies of the MSP are available in the
office for review.
The call committee and council are committed to getting the right person for the Senior Pastor position and as such,
we understand it may take several months to fill this position. To assist the congregation during the selection and
installation of a new senior pastor, the congregation voted to have Pastor Chris stay on as an Associate Pastor
through May 31, 2015. This will allow her to finish with the confirmation class and allow our new Senior Pastor a
chance to get settled. The Synod has also offered to provide a pastor to assist with services, visits and some admin-
istrative functions as required during our transition.
Please keep the call committee in your prayers and feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or
comments.
Marc Simone
President, FEELC Council
FALL SCHEDULE
Please note that we resume our fall schedule of services following Labor Day Weekend.
On Sunday, September 7, 2014, Contemporary Worship is at 9:30 AM and Traditional Worship is at 11:00
AM. This will be our schedule of services and Sunday School until Memorial Day, Weekend, 2015.
However, on Sunday, September 14, 2014, Rally Day we will have one service at 10:00 AM, followed
by our Church Picnic, here on our Church grounds, with events for children of all ages, including adults! Rally
Day is the “Kick Off” of our Sunday School year and on the 14th our Youth will be leading our worship.
On September 21, 2014, then back to our regular fall Schedule, 9:30 & 11:00 Worship, with Sunday School
sessions for ages three through adult, 9:30 -10:30 AM. More details elsewhere in your CLEF.
Attention: Confirmation Students and Parents!
When: Wed. September 17 @7:00 - 8:00 p.m. What: Mandatory Orientation Meeting for all students & parents (or sponsoring adult) Where: Fellowship Hall Why: You will receive the schedule, get an overview of the program and expectations and meet Teachers and guides. Bring: There will be serving opportunities that need to be fulfilled, so please bring your calendar and all school Schedules with you. You will also need to bring insurance cards and immunizations records.
5
Dear Members and Friends of First English:
As many of you know, I have served as organist and Coordinator of Music at First English since November of 1983. About a year before I was hired as organist at First English, several of my fellow U of M organ students and I participated in an “organ crawl” of about 8 pipe organs in the Detroit area. Many of the organs were prestigious instruments in historic buildings throughout the Detroit area. Our day ended with a visit to First English, and our fine 1958 Möller Pipe Organ. For me and many of the other students that day, the First English Pipe Organ was the highlight of our afternoon. We enjoyed its versatility, its excellent design as a worship service instrument, and, of course, the sound of the instrument in our outstanding acoustics. At that time, our organ had served our congregation for 24 years. Since that time, it has served our congregation well with relatively little maintenance other than the tunings which occur a couple times a year. About 20 years ago, some of the leather components which maintain pressurized air in the wind chests began to deteriorate, and some minor repairs were made with the understanding that eventually all of the leather would need to be replaced. With increasing frequency, our organ technician has warned us that these minor repairs would only provide temporary relief to the growing issue of the failing leather throughout the instrument. Compounding the organ’s integrity is the failing console action components, most of which became obsolete in the 1970’s. Replacement components for our console haven’t even been manufactured since 1974. Many churches with Möller pipe organs of the same vintage have had the instrument fail 10-20 years ago. It became apparent to me that ours is in serious trouble when on August 6th during a funeral service 3 of our 41 ranks (rows) of pipes failed.
After a very generous gift from the estate of Gladys Greenburg, the Board of Worship & Music (at my suggestion) sought out three proposals from reputable organ builders who were interested in restoring our instrument. All three of the proposals include the rebuild of all the leather and related components in the organ, and the replacement of the organ console (the keyboards & pedalboard & related stop controls) with a solid-state system. All three of these proposals each quoted a cost exceeding $200,000 to complete the project. Many Grosse Pointe area churches have replaced their 1950’s era instruments with completely new pipe organs at a cost that was near or above $1,000,000 dollars. If we were replacing our present instrument with a new instrument of comparable size and scope, its cost would easily match the million dollar amount. It would be foolish and wasteful to scrap our organ for a new one. It makes much more sense to rebuild and upgrade the Möller that has served our congregation so well for the past 56 years. The proposal that I recommended to the Board of Worship & Music, which was approved by them and Church Council, was the proposal that demonstrated the most creative approach for not only restoring our instrument, but for serving our congregation with state of the art 21st century techniques in pipe organ building for the next 50+ years. This process will involve totally disassembling the balcony and antiphonal organ components, removing both consoles, and completely rebuilding the organ from the bottom up. The process will take approximately nine months, and the results will sound and look spectacular. A couple of dramatic changes will be evident even to the members who may not be familiar with the sounds and workings of a pipe organ. The first is a redesign of the placement and finish of the balcony façade pipes, so that our beautiful balcony stained-glass window is featured more prominently. A second obvious change will be a console to replace the current transept console with a second 3 manual (keyboard) console that will operate both the antiphonal and balcony organ pipes. It is my belief that both our congregation and our community values the fine pipe organ that First English has featured in worship services, recitals, and community concerts for over fifty years. I believe we owe it to our members who so generously contributed to have the organ built, and to those who have contributed to maintain its integrity, to allow it to enhance our worship at First English for the coming generations. As one church council member stated, this will be the legacy of music that we will leave for generations to come.
Yours in Christ, Bob Foster
6
The first is renewed safety after a dangerous episode.
The second is personal safety even though life here on earth is coming to a close.
This way of believing is to perceive God as a safety net.
In our gospel story for today, Jesus climbs into the boat with the disciples and the storm calms. The disciple’s fear
turns to relief.
They recognize Jesus – “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Now that is all well and good – Jesus does come to us in our times of need to calm the storms. But is that where it all ends or
keeps recycling over and over? Crisis, relief, crisis, relief?
In the gospels, the ultimate safety of the follower of Christ, is not a fallback belief.
Rather it’s a launching pad for pushing into what threatens the life God wants for us. Cowering in the boat and then
rejoicing in Christ our Savior is only part of the story.
Now I want you to look up because this is something I really love about our worship space. What do you see? Anybody have
some thoughts?
The ceiling looks like the bottom of a boat! It’s a little disturbing that it’s an over turned boat – but it does keep the rain and
snow off of our heads.
The church throughout the ages has been referred to as a ship. The main part of this space is the nave, which means
ship – even though we usually refer to it as the sanctuary.
This is a place where we come:
To worship and praise Christ,
To gather in the safe confines with Christian community called First English Evangelical Lutheran Church—
And Christ is here with us!
But this isn’t where we live most of our life – is it? The church, in the greater world outside these doors, is where we live and
work and are sent as Christ’s disciples.
Peter, the disciple who often gets the bad rap for being too impetuous, too quick to speak before he thinks through things, is the
disciple who dares to step out of the boat. His failure wasn’t because he desired the wrong thing- he was headed toward Jesus.
Learning to confront what threatens the life Jesus desires for us is a good thing. Sometimes, and maybe all too often, we let
our own fears hold us back from the action Jesus is calling us to.
As Hebrews 11:1 says:
“Faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., translated this into the world of action when he stated:
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
The one who says, “Come!” does not abandon those who respond.
Amen.
Preached by Rev. Christina Veres
(Continued from page 3)
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THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS We continue to receive your “Thrivent
Choice Dollars” gifts! Thank you to all of our
members who have directed their “Thrivent Choice
Dollars” to support the mission and ministry of First
English. Over $2,000.00 was donated last year to
First English through this program. If you are a
Thrivent policy holder you are eligible to also direct
your support to First English. The rules have
changed a bit in that now the gifting of the “Thrivent
Choice Dollars” must be done annually. You can
direct your gifts to First English by calling Thrivent
at 1-800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and state
“Thrivent Choice” or on line at Thrivent.com. Again,
thank you for your support; it is greatly
appreciated!
Did you know that private music lessons take place at First English Church during
the school year?
Piano with Carrie Roach (586) 530-8872;
Piano/Organ with Donna Gorzelski (248) 990-3652 or
[email protected]; and
Saxophone, flute, clarinet, and oboe with Laura Schwanitz
(586) 744-5379 or [email protected]
Give them a call if you're interested!
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated for Lilou Grey Hull and Pippa Bleu Hull, children of Adam & Laura (Gilbo) Hull, on Sunday, August 3, 2014. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated for Megan Michele Riedl, child of Joseph & Karen (Zang) Reidl, on Sunday, August 10, 2014. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated for Grace Evelyn Nyquist, infant daughter of Matthew & Christi Nyquist, prior to surgery on August 12, 2014 at Children’s Hospital. Grace’s baptism will be publically celebrated at First English at a later date. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated for Evelyn Florence Nelson, child of Shawn & Carla (Trzeciak) Nelson on August 31, 2014. We welcome all of our newly baptized members in the Body of Christ and pray for them God’s richest bless-ings.
A Memorial Service was held for Lucy Stevens on Wednesday, August 5, 2014 at First English. Thanks be
to God who gives to us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
ALTAR CLOTH
Have you noticed the new Altar Cloth
for our Contemporary Worship? Thinking
that it would be very meaningful to have an
Altar Cloth from the Holy city of Jerusalem,
we purchased this Altar Cloth on our recent
tour to Israel and Jordan.
8
9:30 a.m. THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS
Join us for our Thursday Morning Bible Study!!! The Book
of Galatians will be the topic for our Thursday Morning Bible Study
Group this coming fall. We will have approximately six weeks this
coming fall following Labor Day before Pastor Schmidt retires, so this
time frame gives to us a great opportunity to study this relatively short
but powerful Epistle of St. Paul.
Martin Luther considered Galatians one of the purest presenta-
tions of the Gospel, and as one author put it, “The importance of the
brief letter (Galatians) is hard to overestimate. The declaration of the
principles reiterated in these six chapters made Christianity a true
world religion.”
Our sessions will begin after Labor Day, meeting Thursday
mornings, 9:30 -11:00 AM. Our first session will be Thursday,
September 11, 2014. Please be with us as together we explore this
powerful book.
We still have a few copies of the book Killing Jesus remain-
ing, and are available from Pastor Schmidt, Pastor Chris and Sue, in
the office, at the discounted price of $15.00.
Grace Circle - Fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m.
Peace Circle - First Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Faith Circle - First Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Hope Circle - Second Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
Check the calendar at www.feelc.org
WOMEN’S CIRCLE BIBLE STUDY
“Transforming Life and Faith” will be the topic of our
Women’s Circle Bible studies for this fall. This study will
look at the transforming power of Jesus, the transformations of
Paul and Moses and Lydia, Philip and the
Ethiopian, plus more. The September study begins
with St. Paul and a look at his transformation and faith
- from one who persecuted the church to
become her greatest missionary.
All women of First English are encouraged to
attend a Circle; please check the calendar for the
various Circles meeting schedule.
9:30a.m. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM -
Get ready to celebrate the 500th
Anniversary of the Reformation!!! On
October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his “95
Theses” to the church door of the Castle
Church in Wittenberg Germany. Historians
have assigned this event as the beginning of
the Protestant Reformation. This of course
means that in 2017 we will celebrate the 500
Anniversary of the Reformation. Our
Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, has
suggested that as we look forward to that
celebration we study Luther’s Small
Catechism. She points out that “it could be
argued that no other experience is more
universally Lutheran than studying Luther’s
Small Catechism.”
So, our Adult Sunday School Classes
beginning this fall will be an overview of
Luther’s Small Catechism. Not only will
this give us an opportunity to celebrate our
Lutheran Heritage, but Luther’s Catechism is
also an excellent review of the basics of the
Christian Faith!
So that parents might be able to
participate in the “Rally Day” activities on
Sunday, September 14, our first class will
be Sunday, September 21, 2014. We meet
during the Sunday School Hour, 9:30 -10:30
a.m. in the Lounge. Make your plans now to
join with us! These sessions will be led by the
pastors.
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GIFT WISH LIST
ORGAN FUND
COLUMBARIUM FOR FIRST ENGLISH
COLUMBARIUM PROJECT
As you know, First English congregation gave final approval for our Columbarium Project.
Our Board of Church Properties has carefully gone over the final plans and given their approval.
Eickhof Columbaria, the company who will be installing our Columbaria, has been notified and
will get back to us on installation dates.
We will continue with the same policy as approved earlier concerning sale of the niches, i.e.
before construction begins, the companion niches, which hold two urns, will be sold for $1,500.00;
after construction begins they will sell for $1,800.00. We will give the congregation sixty days no-
tice before raising the price to $1,800.00. Niches will be assigned on a “first come-first-served”
basis, with members being able to choose the location of their niche within the Columbarium. To
date thirteen double niches have been sold. If you are interested in purchasing a companion niche,
please speak to Pastor Schmidt.
.
Our organ at First English is over fifty years old, and over the past 10 years has had
switching components beginning to fail. Because the original components of the organ
console haven’t been manufactured since the early 1970’s, the console and its related
switching need to be rebuilt to have the organ fully functional again. The three bids that
we are looking at estimate repairs to be approximately $300,000. Total funding at this
point is at 71,405.96 in the Organ Fund, including the gracious gift from the estate of
G l a d y s G r e e n b u r g . I f y o u w i s h t o h e l p w i t h t h e s e
repairs, please mark your envelope "Organ Fund" and place in the offering plate or leave
in the office. Thank you! -The Board of Worship and Music.
Please see Bob Foster’s letter on Page 5.
SCHEDULES & CONTACT NUMBERS Just a reminder concerning the schedules of Pastor Chris and Pastor Schmidt. Pastor Chris’ day off is Friday and in an emergency she can be contacted at 248-231-5091. Her email address is [email protected]. Pastor Schmidt’s day off remains on Monday and his home phone number for emergencies is 313-882-3520. His email address is [email protected]. Church office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the office closed for lunch from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sue’s email is [email protected]
10
BOARD OF SOCIAL ACTION
CHRISTINE SIMONE: OUR NEW FACILITY COORDINATOR – THANK YOU KYLE
After many years of faithful and excellent service as our Facility Coordinator, Kyle Clor is stepping down
from that responsibility. Thank you Kyle, you graciously and efficiently guided us through, from the beginning of
our expanded facility, not an easy task!
Christine Simone is our new Facility Coordinator and we can see already that she is doing and will do an
excellent job. Christine, who is also our Pre-School Director, who is very familiar with our facility, will now be
doing the scheduling of our many and varied activities within our facility. If you have a facility request, please
contact Christine at 313-655-7367 or [email protected].
Pantry You’ve heard the expression “back to basics.” This time we’re talking food. Each month we’ll ask
members to donate another “basic” to restock our pantry. September is canned tuna/chicken and
canned fruits/vegetables. Consider buying one or two for our shelves. Obviously if you find a great deal for other
pantry basics, bring ‘em in. There’s always room for more!
The pantry is always open on Sunday mornings, so come take a look. Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oktoberfest, Friday, September 26, 6:00 – 9:30 p.m No, that’s not a typo. Oktoberfest is coming in September! Help us make our fall fundraiser for LSSM the
best one ever. Tickets go on sale Sunday, September 7. Can’t wait? We’ll sign you up on Labor Day week-
end. Bring someone new this year. It’s a great way to introduce friends to your FELC family. Become a spon-
sor (Edelweiss Level -- $100, receive 2 adult tickets; Lederhosen Level -- $50, receive 1 adult ticket). Vol-
unteer your time. Donate a prize – don’t worry about the packaging, we’ll make it pretty. Yes, there will be
great food and spirits…remember that chocolate beer? And it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without a silent auction
and ticket tin can prizes. One big attraction this year is our band, the popular Rheinlanders. They’ll have
you dancing around the Luther Center in no time.
Again, our proceeds will go toward tuition for foster care youth, part of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan’s
Share in Life social ministry works. Thrivent will provide matching funds (up to $1600). That can be life
changing for a deserving student.
The cost is the same as last year: $15.00 for adults, $5.00 per child (6-12 years), 5 years and un-
der are free. Buy your tickets after church services or contact our secretary, Sue Vallone, for res-
ervations.
And, help us advertise the event by displaying one of our lawn signs. Come one, come all!
Board of Social Action
(Kay Butler Berkesch, Penny Damore, BJ Decker, Virg Ditty, Claudia Gram, Pat Milne, Heide Montroy, Diann
Ohman, Sue Reck, Carolyn Schmidt, Pat Thomas, Shawn Vinson)
11
BOARD OF FELLOWSHIP news
September 14 – Rally Day & Family Picnic We would like to invite all ages to join in this event; there will be activities for children and a potluck picnic. For the picnic part we will supply grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and beverage. We are requesting that a dish is brought to pass (this is not mandatory). Please look for sign-up sheets in the Lounge area in August. We encourage you to take time to look at them and sign-up on one or more of the sheets. They are for limited times – so you will not be tied to a task all day. Here's what’s coming later this year Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Eve Service after glow (wine & pie) Dec 7 - Pre Carol-a-long light supper
Parish Education/Youth News from Renata Sunday School Rally Day is Sunday September 14th! To kick off the beginning of a new educational year at First English, we invite the whole church, it’s families and friends to join us for Raly Day. We will begin with one worship service at 10am, led by our Youth. Following the service, everyone will head down to the gym for a potluck lunch, fellowship, and activities. Please refer to the volunteer sign-up sheets in the Lounge to see how you can be a part of the celebration.
Thank You! A big thank you to the Board of Parish Education and all other volunteers who helped make our Jungle Safari VBS a success. We had about 35 children in attendance each day and heard such wonderful feedback from them and their parents. Thank you for your unending prayers and support and thank the Lord for allowing us to minister to the community in such a fun way!
Sunday School Registration Parents of children entering preschool through 5th grade, please visit sparksundayschool.org to register your child for Sunday School. If you already registered last year, there is no need to re-register—simply double check that your child’s information is up-to-date and correct. If you are registering for the first time, please enter “feelc” as the Church ID and create an account for yourself. From there, you will be able to add children to our roster. For assistance, please contact Renata at [email protected] or 313-884-5040.
Confirmation & Youth Group
Opportunities to Serve For middle and high school students, there are many opportunities to serve here at FEELC. If you would like to be put on an ushering team, on the lay reader schedule, or on the nursery schedule, please notify Renata or Pastor Chris. Middle schoolers are ,of course, encouraged to join the ringers and/or singers. High schoolers are welcome to join the adult choir and/or bell choir — please speak with Bob Foster or Chris Judson if you are interested in sharing your musical talents with us!
Sundays Mornings In addition to the various ways to serve listed above, Sunday School will also be led for Confirmation students. High school Youth are encouraged to join the adult bible study in the lounge. Both of these start at 9:30am every Sunday morning.
Upcoming Events August 27
MS & HS Cedar Point Trip
September 4 HS Youth Group Resumes
September 14 MS & HS Youth-led Service Church-wide Rally Day
September 17 MS Confirmation Resumes (parent meeting)
September 26 Church-wide Oktoberfest
October 4 HS Corn Maze and/or Apple Orchard Trip
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Accepting en- rollment for 3 & 4 year olds for
September 2014-15
First English Lutheran Preschool offers an academic program to help
prepare your child for kindergarten. With a small class size, our program includes Bible lessons, math, music, science, art, language,
beginning reading concepts and physical development. "Our first day of school for the new school year is Monday, September 8. We have
room for a few more students!" We have a very large and bright classroom for your child to spend their morning socializing with friends.
Please contact Christine Simone if you, or a friend, is seeking a preschool for the
fall. Call Christine at (313)655-7367 or email at [email protected] to arrange a classroom visit.
RECYCLE PAPER BIN BRING YOUR
PAPER for
RECYCLING!!
Please take time to drop all your clean, dry newspapers, magazines, office
and copy paper, advertising inserts and junk mail into the recycle bin in the
parking lot. You don’t have to sort anything or remove staples. Please bag
your shredded paper.
NO CARDBOARD OR PHONE BOOKS ARE ACCEPTED.
The AbiBow Recycling, LLC program is designed for organizations to recycle
paper -- most of all, it’s an opportunity for us to recycle and help the
environment.
Have you enrolled or re-enrolled yet?? Please take the time to go online and
sign-up or renew your card and make your donation designation to First English
(#83535). It doesn’t cost you anything. If you don’t remember the email address
that you used previously to enroll, you can call (877)576-7587 to remove any
email attached to your card number and then proceed to enroll again. Our fund-
raising efforts, by participating in the Kroger Community Rewards Program, have
added up to significant money - just by purchasing your weekly groceries! DOWN
from the last quarter, our latest quarterly check was in the amount of $240.56!!
If you have never signed up – go to Kroger’s website
krogercommunityrewards.com and follow the prompts. You will need your Kroger
card. Remember - It doesn’t cost you anything……..just a little time to register.
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM - PLEASE Re-enroll
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9/1: Penelope Damore, Sydney Eger,
Julia Guest, Marc Simone
9/2: Nancy Koester, Jack Schmid,
David Zwicker
9/3: Julie Brooks-Nyquist, Ronald Cislo,
Judy Leo, Brody Spicer,
Arnold Stenzel, Kent Strobl
9/4: Michael Mancani, Gordon Reck
9/6: David Mancini
9/7: Eleanor Staup
9/8: David Burau, Patrick Cisco, Zachary Potter, Annie Rao, Steven Sabol 9/9: Rachel Boutin, Nicole Stewart
9/10: Patricia Bertelsen, Colin Horbal, David Kreutzans, Patricia Palm
9/11: Ruth Dittman
9/12: Alexander Gassenfeit, Lindsey Mor-gan, Janet Quantz, Shawn Slaten 9/13: Kathy Buier, Kathy Jensen
9/14: Mason Nelson, Lindsay Wiitanen
9/15: Scott Homuth, Nikandra Koenig, Kathleen Lang, Eleni Telegadas
9/16: Madison Belisle, Anna Jackson, Tiffany Kreutzans, Deborah Sloss, Scott Vallee, Donald Wolford
9/17: William Bezel, Gertrude Hubbard, Conner Stempien 9/18: Keith Forbes, Ella Ford, Eric Gassenfeit, Jacqueline Michoski, Jodi Pudlo
9/19: Curt Sylvester, Connie Thomas
9/20: Edward Puddock, Jr., Irene Pyle, Joanne Swanson
9/21: Chris Ditty, Brent Gilbert, Beverly Jackson, Grant Strobl 9/22: Judith Elwert, Sally Link, Donald Nicol III, Brayden Pudlo, Gordon Stewart, Sr. 9/24: Andrew Stewart
9/25 Robbin Vitale
9/26: Paul Keppler, Charles Riffenburg
9/27: Walter Loehr, John Logan, Ernest Richardson 9/28: Mary Herbert, Mary Tampakes
9/29: Allison Cornell, Joseph Kreut-zans, Robert Swanson
9/30: Jodee Jones, Erynne Stanton If your birthday does not appear on
this list and you would like it to, please
contact the church office with your in-
formation in order to update our com-
puter records. Thank You.
14
GR
EE
TE
RS
9
:30
a.m
.
11
:00
a.m
. Sept. 7
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Sept. 1
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Sept. 2
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Sue R
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Matt N
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Sept. 2
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Ken K
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:30
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:00
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ark
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Sept. 1
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Team
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.m.)
Marc S
imone
Sept. 2
1
Team
#6
Team
#5
Mark
Balle
Mario
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cCle
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Sept. 2
8
Team
#8
Team
#7
Charle
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son
Ken K
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9:3
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.m.
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Sept. 7
Abig
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Sam
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ily D
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(One S
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0:0
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Sept. 2
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Noah S
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Em
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Kriste
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Sept. 2
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Ella
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Sept. 7
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iane T
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Sept. 1
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Judy L
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N
ancy
Heaphy
Sept. 2
1
Caro
l Saute
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Dottie
Bura
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Sept. 2
8
BJ D
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Cla
udette
Mom
enee
LA
Y R
EA
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-9:3
0 a
.m.
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1:0
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.m.
Sept. 7
Ja
ckie
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Marti M
iller
Sept. 1
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ervice 1
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Sept. 2
1
Bra
ndon T
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bourin
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vons
Sept. 2
8
Mik
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arrisi
Ja
ne S
tevens
CO
MM
UN
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SS
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AN
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9:3
0 a
.m.
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1:0
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.m.
Sept. 7
Shirle
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W
aynette
Hoste
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South
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Marti M
iller
Sept. 1
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Patty
Jack
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Marg
ot K
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Sept. 2
1
Kath
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ang
Patty
Foste
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Ste
ve L
ang
Rose
mary
Yake
Sept. 2
8
Shirle
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South
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CO
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Sept. 7
Fello
wsh
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Sept. 1
4
Rally
Day &
Fam
ily P
icnic
Sept. 2
1
Faith
Circle
Sept. 2
8
Socia
l Actio
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CO
UN
TE
RS
Sept. 7
Team
#5
Jeff G
ate
s
Sept. 1
4
Team
#6
Kyle
Clo
r
Sept. 2
1
Team
#7
Patty
Ford
Sept. 2
8
Team
#1
Waynette
Hoste
tler
FR
IE
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LY
CA
LLE
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Sept. 7
Marg
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Sept. 1
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Waynette
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Sept. 2
1
Patty
Foste
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Sept. 2
8
Judy L
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15