First Things

“Summer thyme and the livin’ is spicy.”

I am writing after the Augustana Heritage events at Augustana College and the NOVA Singers concert at First Lutheran. It was a very full and satisfying week. After giving the Pastor Jonas Swensson re-enactment at church and at Jenny Lind Chapel 5 times, I think that he can rest for a while again. The NOVA Singers concert on the 13th was an excellent evening of fun and celebration for their 25th Anniversary and our 140th Anniversary. It was truly an “Out of the Ordinary” concert and celebration.

The quote at the beginning of this note reflects what is happening at the Church this summer and in my life. I love being able to go to my garden and cut the fresh herbs for cooking. The fragrance of the thyme, mint, chives, or basil fills our kitchen and house with the wonderful fragrance of summer and cooking with fresh herbs and produce. The sugar peas are ready to pick; the dill is seasoning the new potatoes; currants, raspberries, strawberries, and rhubarb are making their way to the table in many forms. Spicy BBQ ribs and salsa pique our pallets. We eat outside on the lawn to enjoy the season. The livin’ is good!

At Church, we are in the midst of Vacation Bible School, where Angie Harrell has recruited a wonderful group of teachers and helpers. In July, we are looking forward to the Congregational Camp-Out and a weekend filled with fellowship, fun, and learning. I am sure that the weather will be hot and “spicy” then, as we gather for worship outside and celebrate God’s great love for us and our oneness in the Body of Christ.

“Summer thyme and the livin’ is spicy.”

What a great season! What a great thyme!

In Christ,

Pastor Mayer

I enjoy this time of year, probably because winter is behind us, the sun is shining longer, and I can get into my gardens. The end of April and May are filled with opportunities to get out and do something completely different from the previous months. Here at First Lutheran we celebrated a great Easter Sunday. The Celtic service the week after Easter has really taken off; the music, the congregation, and the worship leaders enjoy this opportunity to celebrate God’s Peace in this tradition.

With April almost behind us, we are planning for May. We begin with the Basement Sale on the 1st. May 2nd is Blessing of the Fields. Bring plants and seeds to decorate the Church. May 9th is Mother’s Day, with the children singing. May 15th & 16th is the Scandinavian Folk Arts Fest. May 23rd is Pentecost Sunday with Confirmation of Kate Dix, Grant Myers, and Ivan Starenko. The Senior Luncheon is on Wednesday, the 26th, and we end the month with memorial Day.

This is First Lutheran’s 140th Anniversary Year and it looks like we are off and celebrating our history, the blessings of God, milestones in 3 young people’s lives, our senior citizens, and national heritage. Let’s “Get Fired Up” for May and the coming summer.

Pr. Mayer

The 20th of March greeted us with almost 3 inches of wet heavy snow. Comments from people ranged from, “It’s still only March,” to “We have had enough.” An early spring snow, though, does not last and it is not like getting 3 inches on the 20th of January. Knowing that, I was able to look at the beauty of the landscape, the way the snow lined the branches on trees and bushes; the way the crocus and snow drops and scilla showed their color through the pure white snow; the singing of the early robins and the wintering cardinals. Then, the sun came out and danced across the blanketed land and trees.

This is the last week of Lent and its somber mood. The sanctuary is garbed in purples and violets. The psalm tones are in a minor key. The hymns speak of repentance and sacrifice. On March 21st, we recognized “Rose Sunday” and the sanctuary had roses in vases and baskets brightening up the somber space. We recognized members for their special help in volunteering with programming, patience in illness, encouragement in financial support, and strength for the journey. The liturgy now moves into Holy Week and the Passion of Jesus. The bright spot in the sanctuary is the “Easter Tree” the children are decorating as we lift up symbols of the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord. I am waiting for the “tree” to bloom on Easter.

The sun is shining and bright today as I write this note and the warmth by the window encourages me to think Easter, think Spring, think Resurrection, and prepare for the gardens and the joy of the year ahead.

Pastor Mayer

Lent 2010

Lord Jesus, think on me, and purge away my sin;
From selfish passions set me free and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me, by anxious thoughts oppressed;
Let me your loving servant be and taste your promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me, nor let me go astray;
Through darkness and perplexity point out your chosen way.

Lord Jesus, think on me, that, when the flood is past,
I may the eternal brightness see, and share your joy at last.

Written by Synesius of Cyrene (c. 375 – 430 C.E.)

This prayer hymn, written around the year 410, sets the attitude for our Lenten season. Synesius was a philosopher and a bishop who was descended from the royal family of Sparta, Greece. He studied in Alexandria, Egypt, was an ambassador to the court of the Emperor in Constantinople, and, in 410, was elected Bishop of Ptolemais in the Libyan Pentapolis.

He was elected Bishop even though he was married and not an ordained priest. He only accepted the position after much struggle. He loved the worldly amusements of hunting and breeding dogs, as well as the good life of a wealthy philosopher, writer, and teacher. The hymn reflects his struggles with worldly pleasures, philosophy, and the need to focus on his calling in Christ as a Christian and then Bishop.

The sentiments of these words apply to our lives just as easily as they did to a man in the year 410. Our prayer is the same: Lord Jesus, think on me.

Pastor Mayer

Mardi Gras

Celebration and Masked Ball
Friday, February 12th
6:30 – 9:00pm
First Lutheran Parish House

$10/person; $15/couple
Free-will donation for children
Erase the last $2000 of our loan!

Break the Winter Blues
Celebrate with food:  Crepes, Plattar, Blintzes, and Bliny
(all pancakes)
Finger Food, too.

Dance to the music of the Silvertones, a 4-piece instrumental/vocal combo featuring

Nancy Nichols (piano), Bob Bosco (sax), Jim Bruhan (bass), and Lloyd Paulsen (drums).

Bring guests to share the fun!

Ash Wednesday

February 17th marks the beginning of Lent.
Worship is at 7:00pm each Wednesday throughout the season.

The series for mid-week services this year is
“The Power of His Last Words.”
These are dramatic readings, monologues on the 7 last words of Christ.
Each week we will hear from someone who knew Jesus during his ministry.

Needed are 3 men and 4 women to play the parts in these monologues.
See Pastor Mayer if you can help.

Ash Wednesday Services
1:30pm and 7:00pm

Candlelight Communion

Thursday,

December 24th,

4:00pm and 11:00pm

Lessons & Carols for Christmas

Sunday,

December 27th,

10:15am

Advent 2009

November 28th marks the end of the Church Year. After we celebrate the national day of Thanksgiving, Advent begins. With Advent, come the rushing and holiday celebrations that we all try to fill our calendars with, The air is crisp, the stress level rises, the stores push to sell you everything that you could possibly need for family, friends, home, and the holidays. I have already shut my ears and eyes to all of the advertising and music. It has become more invasive to me and I really don’t want to be exposed to all of it. Last year, spending December in the hospital and convalescing, I did not miss all of the chaos that surrounds commercial Christmas.

One of my favorite new hymns of the season is My Soul in Stillness Waits. This quiet lilting hymn sets the mood that I need for the season of Advent, quiet waitfulness. So, while I bake breads and cookies to prepare for Christmas and family gatherings, I focus on the “waiting for Christmas.”

Cut back on the rushing around. Wait for the after-Christmas sales. Focus on the Advent of our Lord. Prepare yourself spiritually and emotionally by reaching out to those in need, touching lives of the poor, the homeless, the sick, the shut-in, and the lonely. A card, a phone call, and a visit are all good ways to start. Helping with Christmas baskets and the Lutheran Social Services Christmas gifts are wonderful ways to celebrate.

The Sundays of Advent all focus on preparation and living the Good News. Begin the Church Year with Thanks and move into Advent with quiet watchfulness.

Pastor Mayer

“Now thank we all our God

With hearts and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

In whom his world rejoices;

Who, from our mothers’ arms,

Has blest us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.”

This is the first stanza of the familiar old hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God.” In November, we turn toward the end of the year and naturally thank God for all that we have received and experienced in the past year. And, we look forward to the year ahead of us.

I look back on a year of medical problems and thank god for the healing gifts of the Holy spirit and abiding love of Jesus. I thank the members of First Lutheran for their prayers and support. I look forward to continued healing and strength in the coming year.

First Lutheran celebrated a miracle of giving with raising over $43,000 to get rid of our debt to the bank and endowment fund. We have been fiscally responsible and have been able to stay on budget and giving during this difficult year of world recession. We are running about $6000 behind budget now and need everyone to pitch in to get back on track.

We are really doing well financially, especially when we look at all of the members (13) who have died since November 1 of 2008. We give thanks for all of these saints and praise god for the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

2009 marks the 139th Anniversary of First Lutheran. On the 22nd of November, we will celebrate at worship and bring anniversary gifts of money and items needed for cleaning, the office, and other supplies, as well as food items for the pantry. We will begin our 140th year giving thanks for all of the blessings that we receive from God as the Family of God at First Lutheran.

Pastor Mayer

Stitches and Seasons

I wile away the late evenings,

Stitching kloster blocks,

Building a pattern.

Five stitches right, five stitches up,

Five stitches right, five stitches up,

Building a pattern.

Around the linen buttonhole stitch,

Cutting threads, weaving threads,

Dove’s eye, Maltese cross,

Building a pattern.

Swedish embroidery, Hardanger,

Classic designs, new patterns,

Centuries of stitches, kloster blocks,

Flowers, ships, crosses,

The pattern continues.

Autumn, Fall, Herbst, Equinox;

Shorter days, longer nights,

Summer struggles to remain;

Sun, Rain, Fog,

The pattern is set.

Leaves color, flowers fade,

Cooler nights, temperate days.

Corn ripens, pumpkins turn,

The harvest is at hand;

Stitches and seasons,

Patterns of creation,

Rhythms of life,

Centuries and eons pass on by;

The pattern remains.

Late evenings come and go.

God is eternal, guiding,

Creation, and life;

Stitches and seasons,

One in Him.

Pastor Mayer

Summer is coming to an end. After a cool July, August has been warm and humid. But, there is so much to do and plan here at First Lutheran. The Learning Spiritual Unit is very busy, especially this time of year with Sunday School starting September 13, plans for a Young Adults Class in the works, Men’s & Women’s Bible Studies, Adult Forum, the Folk Arts Program picking up more classes, planning for the 2010 Tutoring Program, Catechism Classes beginning September 16, and a High School West Conference Youth Event at Augie.

Outreach is planning a Mission Sunday with Paul Johnson (Helen Anderson Johnson’s son), a Parish Visitors Program and Training, Guest Visitors’ Welcome Bags, Community Public Relations, and more.

Property has been planning Work Days, Scraping Paint and Painting on the Parish House Garage, Gardening, Maintaining the Lawn, getting Bids for a Heat Efficiency Boiler for the Church, and all those regular activities from Cleaning to Repair.

Social Ministry is looking for volunteers for the St. Joe’s Evening Meal and the St. Joe’s Coffee House. There are opportunities to help with a Habitat House Build, Angel Tree Gifts, Christmas Baskets, and more.

Worship and Music is planning Special Liturgies and Music on August 30, September 27, October 25, November 25, December 13, Christmas Eve, and December 27. Singers, Instrumentalists, Event Planners, Readers, Acolytes, Greeters, Liturgy Assistants, Altar/Communion Preparers and many more opportunities are available.

With the debt almost paid off, there is renewed energy and excitement as the Congregation looks at and plans for 2010. Congratulate yourselves for being a part of this Miracle – the Miracle of God’s Grace active in First Lutheran and the Miracle of Removal of the Debt. The field is ripe for the harvest. Pray then for the Lord to send laborers into the harvest. Answer the prayer, participate, and watch the Miracle grow.

Pastor Mayer

You have experienced a Miracle!!

First Way to Grow!
First Lutheran Church
Rock Island, Illinois

Miracle Sunday was June 28, 2009.

We have received $42,198 of our $50,000 goal!

Thank you!!!
Your Miracle Sunday gifts can make ministries happen
in the lives of people.

The Miracle is here!
You are making it happen!

Have you been a part of a miracle? On Sunday, June 28th, you can be a big part of a miracle for First Lutheran. We need everyone in the whole congregation to give from the heart. Give with thanksgiving! Give to set the congregation free from debt! There is going to be a miracle here at worship on Sunday, June 28th, and you are an important part of the miracle. For 138 years, First Lutheran has been a bright shining beacon in Rock Island. When we set our minds to it, we can overcome all obstacles. From our beginnings as a small Lutheran presence on the west side of the city to our prominence and beautiful campus on top of the hill, we make things happen! Social programs, youth ministry, choirs, ministry to the elderly, outreach to the Christian Mission, food and assistance for the down and out, church camp, ministry at Augustana, Lutheran Social Services, Seminary interns and assistance; all of these things we have done and continue to do. Now we need a miracle to expand our programming into Youth & Family, Elder Care, Parish Nursing, Folk Arts, Tutoring, and more.
Miracle Sunday is here and you are making it happen. God loves a cheerful giver! So give him all you got! Let’s Celebrate.

Peace,
Pastor Mayer

If you are not able to be at the Celebration on Sunday, June 28th, or received this after and haven’t given, you may still contribute. Thanks.