First Things

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.

It has been a hectic couple of weeks getting ready for the Scandinavian Fest. Rain filled days of dampened anxiety as we waited to find out what was in store for us on the 16th – 17th. Lo and behold, Saturday was cool and windy, drying out the soaked ground, with sun beginning to warm us in the afternoon. Sunday was a glorious day, sunny and warm. The weather kept some away, but we had a good turnout both days. A big thank-you to Wanda Esping, Judy Mayer, Clara & John Kangas, Art Renfro, Fred Koester, Ron Raymond, Bob Mortland, Jim Vogt, Marilyn Raymond, Mel McDannell, Andrew Elders, The Payne Family, Tim Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Kristin Anderson, Pam Edwards, Terry Harley, Lupe Trevino, Dayton Pruden, The Rob Johnson Family , the Dunn-Russell Family, Sandy Stoit, Joan Anderson, the Youth & Families who helped serve food, Ingemar Larson, Nena Myers, Mary Brodd, Gary Berg, Helen Enstrom, and all who baked, cooked, hosted, greeted, and planned.

It was a very successful weekend. Lots of guests visited First Lutheran for the first time. Our doors and hearts were open as hundreds walked our property, asked about the Lutheran Church, and were inspired by our Folk Arts program. Now we will look at the impact that the Fest had and see how it can be refined and made better for the future. Partnerships with other organizations in the Quad Cities will grow out of our efforts and I look forward to those partnerships.

Now it is on to Summer Programming: Miracle Sunday, Vacation Bible School, Church Camp, Family Camping, Vacations, Learning, Re-creation, and my Sabbatical in July. Look for articles on these activities in the newsletter!

Pastor Mayer

SCANDINAVIAN FEST
2009
May 16 and 17
10am – 4pm

This is the 2nd Annual Fest held at First Lutheran. 2008 was such a success, with over 400 attending the 2-day event, that it was thought worthwhile to hold it again this year.

There are 28 clubs, groups, food sales, displays, and craft and antique vendors participating this year. The Parish House, Church, and lawns will all be used for these groups. Dozens of members from First Lutheran are already involved in cleaning, baking, carving, needlework, planning, and preparing the property for this event. Pray for mild sunny weather. Invite family and friends to join us for those days. A schedule of events will be in the church bulletin and in the newspapers.

We can still use volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up, to greet people, bake, cook, serve food, and more. Sign up at church or contact the office, 309-788-9661 or office@firstlutheranri.org.

See you at the Fest.

Pastor Mayer

We invite you to join us.
Holy Week 2009
From Chaos to Redemption
Sailing on the Breath of God

April 5th, Palm Sunday
Procession and Worship, 10:15am
Wednesday, April 8th
Seder Dinner, 5pm
April 9th, Maundy Thursday
Paul’s Journey and Shipwreck (Acts 27:34-44), 1:30 and 7:00pm
April 10th, Good Friday
Prayer Around the Cross, 7:00pm
April 11th, The Vigil of Easter
Community Easter Vigil Worship,7:00pm
Ascension Chapel, Augustana, College
April 12th – Easter Sunday
Community Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30am
Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall, 7:30 – 9:30am
Sunday School Easter Activity, 8:45am
Festival Easter Worship – Redemption: The Ark of God, 10:15am

I write this note as we celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Valentine’s Day. As I rest in my chair at home – a chair that I have almost worn out – I am recuperating from yet another bump during our pilgrimage. My gallbladder surgery on Friday, February 6th, went well and I am well on my way to recovery. A thank-you to everyone who continues to remember me in prayer and to support Judy as she nurses me back to health and gets me out from under her feet!

Lent 2009 is upon us. The Mardi Gras Jazz Service on Sunday, February 22nd, leaves the Christmas/Epiphany Season behind us. This year we embark on a journey from “Chaos to Redemption, Sailing on the Breath of God.” From the Breath of God moving across the waters of chaos at creation to the Breath of God breathing the Holy Spirit on the Disciples with Shalom and the command to Peter to “feed my sheep,” God speaks to the people of God and moves them from sinner to repentance, renewal and re-creation. We begin on Ash Wednesday, February 25th, and continue through Easter Sunday, April 12th, and the season of resurrection celebration.

In Christ,

Pastor Mayer.

It seems like months since I wrote for the newsletter. But, as I write on the 12th of January, it has only been a month since I was hospitalized. It is amazing how swiftly the body mends itself. The Lord has been very good! From discovery of the heart problems in October to the open heart surgery for mitro-valve replacement and a maze procedure December 9th, I always knew that all would be all right. This is only one of those bumps in the pilgrimage of life that we all face one way or another.

I want to thank Wanda Esping for taking on so many of the administrative duties that usually fall to me. I thank Charles Dix, Council Vice President, for being such a great coordinator for snow removal at my house and coordinating meals, so that my family would not have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while I am recuperating at home. And, thank you to every one for yours prayers, notes, phone calls, and concern.

I am progressing well, but tire quickly. I will be back leading liturgy and preaching after February 8th, and ease back into a full schedule for Lent.

Thanks again and God Bless.

Pastor Mayer

2008 Christmas Message

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ~ Luke 2:15

Let’s go! Now! When angels came to some shepherds with a brilliant message one night long ago, the shepherds had a brilliant idea. Let’s go! Let’s see what God is doing!

The unknown dangers of the night did not hold them back. Perhaps they knew that some of God’s best work is done under the cover of darkness — the creation of all things, wrestling with Jacob, Israel’s escape from slavery.

Or maybe they didn’t. Maybe all they needed was the announcement of what God was up to this time. This time God would be conducting a rescue like none before — saving the whole world, bringing peace and goodwill. Once again it’s an undercover operation — God hidden deep in the flesh and working “under the sign of opposites” (as Martin Luther called it). Arriving as a baby in diapers, God’s Son recruited tax collectors and fishers, social misfits and despised sinners in a rescue mission that culminated in the hidden power of the cross.

What if the shepherds had yawned, “That’s interesting, some other time,” and remained sitting in the night, in the dirt, in the comfort of predictable hardships and familiar enemies? Would promised joy have found them anyway?

Let’s not test that speculation with our lives. Let’s go! Let’s see what God is doing!

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America