H I G H L I G H T S

First Lutheran Annual Church Picnic / July 17

Come join us for great food and great company!

The Vacation Bible School program will be during the 10:00 a.m. service. Following the service we will meet in the Parish Hall for the picnic. Ham-burgers and Hot Dogs provided, just bring a side dish to share!

There will be an Ice Cream Sundae Station for dessert.

Sprinklers and water games for the kids (pack their suits!) and Church Trivia for the adults!

ONE Worship Service

Sunday, July 17 / 10 a.m.

Leaders’ Spotlight 2

Giving Opportunities 3

Church News & Events 4

P.O.P. 5

This summer is an exciting one as your pastor be-cause for me it represents how we are getting to grow together! Did you know that two years ago our confirmation students didn’t go to camp? Or, that last year, our high school youth weren’t able to go on a mission trip? And then this year, we are able to do both.

So how did all of this happen?...Because we are church together - all in the mission of Christ! We get to raise up disciples in God’s name as we grow in faith and reach out in love!! Our offerings, and our time, and our abilities are given into God’s care as

God does God’s work here!

And so thanks to your giving and the ministry that we do together, four of our youth got to go to confirmation camp for free! This makes a huge impact on their lives! They were able to experience a week’s worth of prayer, play, worship, food, fun and time with other Lutherans as they grow in their faith – and that because of what y’all have done! Because of you, I was able to spend time getting to know them, to talk to them about God, and to learn where they see God! And my hope is that this time of camp echoes God’s love for them for years to come! They are like seeds planted and watered in good soil; what a gift to watch them grow!

And then this Saturday, I will get to go with a hundred or so Nebraska Synod youth along with a few of our own to experience God in Kansas City as we “Journey” together to join in God’s mission there! My desire as I am writing is that our youth over the course of the week can grow in community with each other –AND- in faith in God! Already, I am impressed with them as they renovated housing and threw an Ice Cream Social to raise over $900! All this so that they could go serve God in Kansas! Clearly the Spirit is up to something there, and here in our church!

And if you haven’t heard, this year, we are taking our littlest ones to Egypt over a week of Vacation Bible School right here at First Lutheran Avoca! Together with them, we get to follow in the footsteps of Joseph, one of our ancestors in faith from the Old Testament! (Joseph was a younger brother, favored by his dad and thrown into a hole by his brothers, then sold into slavery. Think colored coat and you’ve got the right guy!) So many folks have already worked so hard to make this Vacation Bible School happen, and happen well. Again, what a wonderful way to be a part of God’s mission as we raise each other in faith!

And these are only some of the ways that we are tapping into the Holy Spirit, be-ing guided by God, Growing in Faith, and Reaching out in Love! I wonder, “What is God working within you?” - and I am excited to find out as we continue to get to be church together!

-Pastor David

July & August 2016

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Council Secretary

By Brenda Brockhoff

Leaders ’ Spot l ight

Whew! Is summer half over already?

As we were growing up and heard the adults con-stantly comment how fast time goes by, it isn’t until we ourselves are the adults that we sud-denly realize…yeah, time does move fast. In this world that we live in

now, with all the school obligations and extra activities families face, it seems that church services and events can fall off our calendars. What’s really neat about First Lu-theran Avoca is that we have choices to stay connected to our church and its people.

We have a website www.firstlutheranavoca.org as an easy way to keep informed with the latest news and get updat-ed information and to view our weekly Tuesday Medita-tions. Like our Facebook page, First Lutheran Church ELCA to see what is happening with our church and members. Pastor Buco posts sermons on Facebook as well as the Tuesday Meditations. Additionally, we have two Sunday morning services at 8:15 & 10:30 and occasionally have just one service at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate special events or holidays. Everyone is welcomed in, like an old friend. Whether it’s their first time visit, an occasional attendee, or has regular attendance; all that pass through our doors are children of God and deserve the love First Lutheran has to offer. It’s also easy to notice that the members of First Lutheran love their church and how Je-sus guides each through their day-to-day lives.

Hopefully, everyone is having an enjoyable summer this far and able to attend some of the upcoming church events noted within our monthly newsletters. These events are also noted on our Facebook page and the best communication of all; getting a good old fashioned verbal invite.

Remember Christ’s love because our new t-shirts say it all, “Small Church-Mighty God”

Youth and Family By Jacki Stubbendick

With summer in full swing we have been work-ing hard to make sure our young ones stay connect-ed with God. We are look-ing for opportunities to make God's Word come alive through the activities that we plan throughout the year.

As we gear up for Vacation Bible School this year, we wanted to focus on teaching our youth some key points from the Bible. This is one of our favorite ways to help us teach our youth through games, crafts, and music. Some of those key points are God gives us hope, God gives us wisdom, God gives us forgiveness, and most importantly, God gives us a family.

At the end of an exciting week of Vacation Bible School there will be a fun pool party to celebrate summer! This is always a fun way to unwind and have some fun together!

God gives us a family. Bringing together our Church family is what we are going to do at the annual Church Pic-nic. After coming together for worship to give thanks to God, we will show God's love by sharing a meal as a fami-ly. The Church Picnic is always a fun way to catch up with other members of our congregation.

When we plan these activities we are looking for ways to spread God's love, making sure that we have the oppor-tunity to share our belief in God. Thank you to all of the volunteers to help make these activities the best!

May 2016 meeting Old Business Church roof—materials are bring ordered. Board Reports:

Deacons: Scheduled Supply Pastor for the dates that Pastor David will be gone.

Christian Education:

Need 5-7th gr. Sunday School teacher.

July 11-15 VBS need helpers for serving the light sup-pers each day.

Need playground cleaned up

Youth & Family: July 15—confirmed date for the Family/Friends Swim Party at the Syracuse Pool.

Council Corner

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Giving Opportunities

The Little Red Wagon July: Cass County Food Pantry, Elmwood

Our needs this month are: Canned Fruit & Vegetables Spaghetti & Spaghetti Sauce Tuna Paper products Please have your donations to the church anytime before the

children bring it forward for blessing on July 26.

Second Mile Giving

Project Estimated Cost

Funds re-ceived to date

Kiruweni Disp. On going $ 14,918

What can you do today, to make tomorrow bet-

ter?? Pray, sing praises of thanksgiving, be kind, be gen-

tle. Share - smile. Enjoy the sunshine / rain. Admire the

beauty of mother nature that God so graciously has giv-

en to us. Visit the lonely, ill, and the old.

Because “faith without works is dead,” and Rev. Bob

Bryan spoke to us about prison

ministry, our Stewardship Board

voted to help the “Bridges of Hope

Ministry” who help prison inmates

return to the outside world. Their

secretary, Rhonda said, “what we

really need right now are beds, and

toilet tissue: Two items in my life

that I take for granted, but yes

they are very important so if you have a bed, box

springs, or a mattress that you can donate, our board

will deliver it. As for toilet tissue, which we all need, we

will set Sunday, July 10, as “Glad we can help day,” and

we ask all of you to bring one much needed item “toilet

tissue” to give to the Bridges of Hope Ministry. Thank

you.

Lutheran World Relief Kits Last year through the generosity and caring of our brothers and sisters in Christ, members of First Lutheran donated 10 Personal Care Kits and 56 School Kits to LWR. Let’s make it a personal challenge to better these numbers for this year! With school supplies going on sale soon and frequently bath towels on sale, it is a great opportunity to count our blessings and share with those who have so little.

Personal Care Kits “When LWR distributes Personal Care Kits, it’s often to peo-ple who have lost everything. In the wake of an earthquake, or having fled from violence as their homes were overtak-en, they clasp a towel from a faraway place, with a bar of soap, a toothbrush …and washing up, they know that they have not been forsaken by the world. The simple gesture of giving a Personal Care Kit can give someone the encourage-ment to start anew, starting with a bath!” What to include:

1 light-weight bath —size towel (between 20”x40” and 52”x27”) dark color 2 bath-size bars of soap in original wrapping 1 adult-size toothbrush (can purchase multi-pack and place toothbrush in a #10 envelope) 1 sturdy comb (remove packaging) 1 metal nail clippers (remove packaging)

Wrap items in the towel, tie securely w/ ribbons or yarn

School Kits “Why school supplies? To the children who receive School Kits, these supplies mean the difference between getting an education or not. Public school is usually free, but in the places where LWR works, even a few required supplies, like pens and paper, may be more than many families can afford. And when parents can only afford to send one of their children to school, girls rarely get priority…yet the ed-ucation level of mothers has the biggest impact on develop-ment.” What to include:

4 70-sheet notebooks (8’x10 ½”) NO Loose Leaf Paper 1 30-centimeter ruler OR ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other 1 pencil sharpener 1 blunt scissors 5 unsharpened #2 pencils w/erasers--secured w/rubber band 5 black or blue ballpoint pens (NO gel ink) –secured with a rubber band

1 box 16 or 24 count crayons 1 2 ½” eraser

Baby Care Kits

Baby Care Kits have very specific guidelines. Lists can be found on the kiosk in the narthex or by going to

http://buildkitsofcare.org/kits/babycarekits

Two items really needed: beds, box springs, or mattresses and toilet tissue. Sunday, July 10, set as “Glad We Can Help Day.”

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Church News and Events

Congratulations to Pastor David and Alma Gast on their engagement!

Wedding date: October 1, 2016 here at First Lutheran

First Lutheran, Thank you so much for allowing me to share the mis-sion and inspiring stories of Mosaic. What a beautiful church, welcoming congregation, enthusiastic pastor, and giving people. It was a pleasure to spend a Sunday morning with you! Thank you for your partnership .

Blessings, Kelli Joseph

Mosaic in Omaha

Dear Women’s Group and Pastor,

On behalf of all the patients that Hillcrest serves and leadership of the organization, Thank You for using your gifts in completing the End of Life Shrouds.

It is amazing how simple material and lace can create such a beautiful covering, to help preserve the dignity of an individual after they pass away.

Thank you Pastor Buco for the blessing you provided over the shrouds as well.

I truly appreciate each of you and your willingness to serve.

Sincerely, Tim Snyder

Hillcrest Hospice Care Administrator

Carol Joy Holling Quilt Auction Sat., July 30 Quilts on Display 9 a.m.

Auction 9:30 a.m.

Silent Auction Bidding 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Barbecue Lunch Served 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Swimming/Waterfront 12 - 5 p.m.

Hayrack Rides/Camp Tours Available all day

Preview all quilts online at www.caroljoyholling.org

Free Parking & Admission

HUGE Barbecue Lunch: Adults - $6, Kids - $3

The Last Laugh

Enough is Enough

My old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, “You’re next!”

After a while, I figured out how to stop them. I started doing the same thing to them at funerals!

VBS Program Practice / Friday July 15 at 5:00 *VBS kids will meet at Church for program practice from 5:00-5:45 and then head to the pool

First Lutheran Pizza and Pool Party!! Friday, July 15, 2016 / 6-8 pm Syracuse Aqua Center Open to all Church Members Pizza and drinks provided Please text/call Jacki Stubbendick at 402-525-4879 if you plan to come!

Vacation Bible School July 11 –14 / 5:30—8p A light supper will be provided for the youth and volun-teers. There’s still time to sign up for donations of food and supplies. There is a sheet on the table in the nar-thex if you are willing to help.

From the Cemetery Board All memorial decorations that were not placed on stones have been pulled from the cemetery so that mowing can continue. Those memorials have been placed in the parish hall in the back northeast Sunday school room. They were placed there for you to search through because they had not been picked up by June 15. Hopefully you find your memorial decoration there. They will remain there until Sunday, July 17. At that time any decoration that remains can be purchased by just leaving a small donation to help with cemetery mowing.

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As a congregation, we are committed to voicing our praises and “not sitting on our pinches”! To be a healthy, faithful community, we need to be open with one another about what we expect in all areas of our life together. If there is any-thing in our community life that brings you joy or causes you to be concerned, please share your feelings and questions. Thank you for taking the time to communicate about the ways we are doing well in our ministry together at First Luther-an, and areas that need attention. If you would like a personal response to your praise or pinch, please be sure to sign this form at the bottom

Praises:____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Opportunities:________________________________________________________________________________

Pinches:___________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Desired Outcome

(Solution):_________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

A specific question I would like answered:_________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________________(If you would like a direct response to your Praise, Opportunity, or

Pinch)

Please return this form to the Church Office or place in the box in the Narthex

May Updates We received a praise for the young men who were confirmed this past May, thanking them for sharing their faith

stories, and also providing a word of encouragement to continue sharing them, and that may we also all do the same.

We also received a pinch on behalf of the cemetery board about the growth of the dandelions. The cemetery board met and has decided at this time not to spray due to the high cost of spraying. The person who left the pinch may contact the cemetery board to discuss their decision.

Praises, Opportunities and Pinches