First Evangelical Lutheran Church 305 West 5th Street North Platte, Nebraska 69101

January 2013

FELC STAFF

Senior Pastor: Rev. Frank H. Fitch III 308-520-7469 Church Council, President: Rick Kolkman, 534-3617 Custodians: Wes Thompson Financial Secretary: Rae Gullion Front Office: Amy Lynch Music & Preschool Director: Gail Jensen, 534-4290 Office Manager: Olene Beck, 386-8677

O f f i c e H o u r s

Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM - Noon

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: 9:00 AM - Noon

Contact Us...

Phone: 308-532-0250 Fax: 308-532-5291 Email: frstluth@msn.com

www.firstevlutheran-np.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Greetings 1

Council & Congregational Meeting

2

Thank You/Lessons 3

Announcements 3

Prayers/Ministries/Flowers 4

Calendar 5

WELCA & Bookworm 6

Birthdays/Anniversaries/Financials

7

Upcoming Events 8

First Evangelical Lutheran Church Council Minutes

The Council Meeting was moved to December 30th. Minutes will be available in the church office in January.

Elyse Bohling (Secretary), 2010-2012

Mark Briley, 2012-2014 Property & Stewardship

Lori Evans, 2010-2012 Worship & Music

Jim Falcon, 2010-2012 (1 year partial) Christian Outreach, Mutual Ministries II Andrew Hillertz, 2012-2014 Worship & Music, Mutual Ministries II

Melissa Johnson, 2012-2014 Treasurer Advisor, Finance/Education /Youth

Rick Kolkman (President), 2011-2013 Preschool, MMI

Dr. Lee Lamberty (VP), 2012-2014 Finance/Foundation/Preschool/MMI Claudette Nelson, 2011-2013 Christian Education, Youth & Family, MMII

Arleen Petersen, 2010-2012 Stewardship

Lynn Riley, 2011-2013 Property, Mutual Ministries I

Jill Stevenson, 2011-2013 Christian Outreach

Avg. Weekly Attendance

December

2012 222

2011 195

2010 240

A huge thank you to Dorothy Schmidt for

24 years of service to

First Evangelical Lutheran Church!

Happy Retirement!

Please join us as we celebrate Dorothy’s

retirement with a card shower between services on

January 20th!

Each committee and organization will need to submit a report of membership, officers

and activities during 2012.

January 3, 2013 Financial reports need to be in the church office by NOON.

132nd

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, January 20, 2013 between the Sunday morning Worship services

First Evangelical Lutheran Church will hold their Annual Meeting in the east fellowship dining hall.

Thrivent will provide rolls from Heidi’s!

1st

Lesson Psalm

2nd Lesson

Gospel

January 6 Epiphany of our Lord Isa 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Eph 3: 1-12 Matt 2:1-12

January 13 Baptism of our Lord Isa 43: 1-7 Psalm 29 Acts 8: 14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 20 2 Epiphany Isa 62: 1-5 Psalm 36: 5-10 1 Cor 12: 1-11 John 2: 1-11

January 27 3 Epiphany Neh 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Cor 12:12-31a Luke 4: 14-21

T H A N K

Y O U

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L E S S O N S

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A N N O U N C E M E N T S

Thank you for the flowers on our

anniversary. It is nice to be remembered!

~Thanks again, Duane & Beth Dunbar

Thank you for your recent donation of

quilts to our program. We like to give each

lady at the shelter a quilt of their own.

Your kindness allows us to do so!

~Missy

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to

everyone who helped make this years

Sunday school program and youth service

a huge success! It was wonderful!!

Thrivent would like to thank everyone that

rang bells on Saturday. We had a great

success. We are not sure of the amount

that was raised yet. It was understood that

fun was had by all. The weather was

great. We also look forward to next year

when we will do the bell ringing again.

Have a blessed Christmas and a

Prosperous New Year. God be with you.

~Your Thrivent Board

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F.L.Y. will be serving breakfast the 2nd Sunday of each month

Annual Youth Valentine Dinner

Mark your calendars for a youth fundraiser on February 10th!

Thank you to all of the volunteers who

help out in the office throughout the

year! We truly appreciate all you do for

us! Without you, we would be lost!!

~Thank you again, Amy & Olene

Thanks so much for the lovely flowers.

~Lorraine Branting

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“The prayer of the

righteous

is powerful

and effective.”

James 5:16

BAPTISMAL STORY BIBLES

Norman & Mary Sue Grabenstein have started a story Bible fund to be given to newly baptized children. Contact the church if you are interested in providing or using a memorial for the Bibles.

BAPTISMS Brian Thomas Smyth, December 30, 2012 Claire Elise Smyth, December 30, 2012

BELL CHOIR Holy Harmony: Thursday’s at 5:30 p.m.

BINGO 2nd Tuesday @ 2:00 PM: Centennial Park

CHOIR Choir Practice: Thursday’s at 6:30 p.m.

CIRCLES (WELCA) Board Meeting: First Wednesday at 9:30 AM Adah Circle: Third Tuesday at 9:00 AM Esther/Lois Circle: Third Thursday at 1:00 PM Miriam Circle: First Monday at 7:30 PM Ruth Circle: Third Monday at 6:30 PM

COMMUNITY COMMUNION 3rd Tuesday at Centennial Park @ 2:00 PM 3rd Tuesday at Buffalo Bill Manor @ 3:00 PM

F.L.Y. (First Lutheran Youth) F.L.Y. will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All kids in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and grades 9 thru 12 will gather together for food and fun!

GRACE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY Friday from 1-3 PM

MEN’S BREAKFAST Friday at 7:00 AM with Devotions

PRAISE BAND Meets each Wednesday

QUILTS & W.I.G.S. Tie Quilts: 2nd Thursday at 1:00 PM WIGS: Every Friday: 9 AM to 11 AM

SALVATION ARMY SOUP SUPPER First Lutheran Church will sponsor the Friday evening soup supper at the Salvation Army: January 18, March 22, June 7, August 2, October 11, December 27.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Anna Baltz Marie Bonney Katie Coriell Pat Devino Dallas Dye Tracey Aden Gallagher Tom Gannon Berkley Hatch Charles Henderson LaVay Henderson Con Janas Amanda Janas Robert Johnson Alice Knox Ivan Knox Bernie Ludemann Kegan Marler Donald Parrish Jon Petersen Twila Voss Gretchen Witt

OTHER PRAYERS:

Joshua Blaesi, Ryan Criddle, Aaron Niles, Evan Williams and all in the military.

If you know somebody or would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office or Pastor Frank.

Prayer Chain Call Alice Knox, 532-3383, with your prayer concerns to include in private prayers of members of our prayer chain.

If you would like to provide flowers for a “special occasion”, “in honor of”, “in memory of” or “to the Glory

of God”, please pick-up a form in the front office.

The cost is $35.00 for one pair of bouquets.

Altar Flowers Are Given by...

O P E N S U N D A Y S

January 6: NONE January 13: NONE January 20: Barb Workman in loving memory of her husband, Roy.

January 27: NONE

January 6 13 X 27 X

February 3 10 17 24 X

March 3 10 17 24 31

April 7 14 21 X X

May 5 12 19 X X

Closings will be announced an hour prior to the activity

on KNOP, KELN, HOT 97, KJLT and any stations that

use Weather-

threat.com.

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1

2 9:30 WELCA Board 5:30 Praise Band 1:00 Quilts

3

5:30 Holy Harmony 6:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Choir

4

7:00 am Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am W.I.G.S. 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

5

5:30 Worship w/Communion

6 1st Sunday after Christmas

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship

w/Communion 9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band

7

10am Prayer Group 7:00 Christian Ed 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Miriam Circle

8

2:00 Bingo at Centennial 6:00 Yoga

9

5:30 Praise Band 1:00 Quilts 6:30-8:30 F.L.Y. 7:00 Confirmation

10

1:00 Library Mtg. 1:00 Quilts 5:30 Holy Harmony 6:30 BS Leaders 6:30 Choir

11

7:00 am Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am W.I.G.S. 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

12

5:30 Worship w/Communion

13 Baptism of Our Lord 8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship

w/Communion 9:15 Youth Breakfast 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band Sending Communion

14

10am Prayer Group 7 pm Boy Scouts

15

9:00 Adah Circle at Airport Inn Noon Finance Mtg 2:00 Cent Comm. 3:00 Buffalo Bill Comm. 6:30 Yoga

16 5:30 Praise Band 1:00 Quilts 6:30-8:30 F.L.Y. 7:00 Confirmation

17

1:00 Esther/Lois Circle Library 5:30 Holy Harmony 6:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Choir

18

7:00 am Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am W.I.G.S. 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

Salvation Army Soup Supper

19

5:30 Worship w/Communion

20 2 Epiphany

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion

9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band 9:30 Property Meeting

Annual Congregational Council Meeting

Card Shower for Dorothy

21

10am Prayer Group Noon Cardiac Support Group ** Use of East Kitchen **

6:30 Inter. Church 7:30 Ruth Circle @ Betty K. 7 pm Boy Scouts 7:00 Worship & Music Mtg.

22

6:30 Yoga 7:00 Council Mtg.

23

5:30 Praise Band 1:00 Quilts 6:30-8:30 F.L.Y. 7:00 Confirmation

24 1:00 Newsletter 5:30 Holy Harmony 6:30 Choir

25 7:00 am Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am W.I.G.S. 1-3 PM Grace Pantry

26 5:30 Worship w/Communion

27 3 Epiphany

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship w/Communion

9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 9:30 Sunday School Praise Band

28

10am Prayer 7 pm Boy Scouts

29 1:00 Hearing Imp. 6:30 Yoga

30

5:30 Praise Band 1:00 Quilts 6:30-8:30 F.L.Y. 7:00 Confirmation

31

5:30 Holy Harmony 6:30 Choir

Newsletter Deadline

Women of the ELCA Newsletter for December 2012 Duties: December 11th Bingo at Centennial Volunteer list see below

Women’s Board met Wednesday December 5th, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting opened with prayer. Attendance: Adah – 1; Esther/Lois – 3; Miriam – 0; Ruth – 1. Next Board Meeting will be First Wednesday, January 2nd at 9:30 a.m.

A motion was made by Joan, seconded by Loretta to give $50 to each of the following:

Good Samaritan Fund The Connection Bridge of Hope Habitat for Humanity Salvation Army COSA Rape & Domestic Abuse Mosaic Lutheran Student Center Lutheran Family Services UN of Kearney Campus

Motion approved.

“WIGS” meets Friday morning between 9:00 and 11 in the library. All are welcome. Projects: We will work on repairing banners. Wrap silverware for dinners. Continue working on quilts, prayer shawls and lap robes. (Yarn and needles are available.) Anyone can help with one of these easy projects.

Lutheran World Relief: Completed and sent to LWR

51 back packs 142 Layettes 123 Health kits 141 quilts 1 box individual bars of soap

Rape and Domestic Abuse, The Connection, and Bridge of Hope were each given 3 quilts. 5 quilts were given to a local family

Unfinished business

Turkey dinner November 8th was a success. We cleared $1529.88. A motion was made by Loretta to give $300 to the Carpet/Cushion fund. Seconded by Tammy. Approved.

Money for the clean water project. A share is $225. We have $203.25 that was donated at the Lenten

lunches to start this fund. Collection for this fund will be after first of year.

Spring Renewal Gothenburg, 3/23/13

48 boxes of Crayons were given to Sunday School. Remaining book markers left from Country Store were given to Pre-school.

New Business:

2013 Joy Holling Summer Camp, has requested 6 quilt kits be given to help support the project “Faith Alive through service”. Hundreds of campers will be taught how to make a quilt. The quilts will be given

to LWR.

Next meeting: December 5th at 9:30 a.m.

Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Joan Johansen, Secretary

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~ THE BOOKWORM SPEAKS ~

The Worm is happy to report the purchase of new books which are now on the cart and the window sill of the Fellowship Hall. There is a Christmas Book Section on the window sill - it is very inviting in that area as it has been decorated with garland and looks very festive.

Other books have been purchased and there are a couple the guys might like to take a look at. I would highly encourage the men to request book titles that they would like to read. We find our readership is highly “feminized” but would like very much to meet reading needs of the men of the congregation.

The Library Committee hopes everyone has a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Shawn Rossell January 14 Alan Sullivan January 14 Angela Mohr January 15 Bette Votaw January 17 Rikki Evarts January 18 Marian Guzallis January 18 Jeannie Hansen January 19 Emily McCreery January 19 Stephen Sanford January 19 Loreen Covington January 20 Ken Kaskie January 20 Roena Morton January 20 Mable Rasmussen January 20 Heather Jensen January 21 Karen Chase January 22 Jodi Evarts January 22 Missy Keller January 22 Carol Mohr January 22 Chad Nelsen January 22 Desiree Reutzel January 22 Harlie Saathoff January 23 Cole Schwager January 23 David Biere January 24 Jamie Einspahr January 24 Sydnee Isom January 24 Roberta Stenger January 24 Chris Malandrini January 25 Benjamin McDougall January 25 Jarett Siefford January 25 Sandi Jensen January 26 Marv Rankin January 26 Tylan Silos January 26 Shannon Vanderheiden January 26 Beth Dunbar January 27 Steve Evans January 27 Mary Sue Grabenstein January 27 Gail Jensen January 27 Justin Hubbell January 28 Lisselle Lucas January 28 Neissa Silos January 28 Sydney Vanderheiden January 28 Tara Jedrzejczyk January 29 Penny Koch January 29 Mollee Mohr January 30 Jill Barnason January 31 Gregory Bland January 31 Rojean Einspahr January 31 Bryan Siefford January 31 Jerry Stoll January 31

Russel Griesfeller January 1 Jacey Luttrell January 1 Marlayna Blanchard January 2 Cody Sweet January 2 Sharon Kleckner January 3 Keith Knoedler January 3 Brad Saathoff January 3 Mark David January 5 Amanda Connick January 6 Riley Murphy January 6 Genevieve Newman January 6 Trisha Stout January 6 Margurite Andrews January 8 Treyvon Bokoskie January 8 Jennie Gale January 8 Charlotte Griesfeller January 8 Ronald Schwindt January 8 Duane Dunbar January 9 Randy Heil January 9 Adysson Solie January 9 Tami Thompson January 9 Diane Epley January 10 Dan Janak January 10 Tina Isom January 11 Art Kesterson January 11 Peggy Knoedler January 11 Michael Beza January 13 Todd Brown January 13 Bruce Jensen January 13 Jordan Biere January 14 Ruth Brei January 14 Stacey Merz January 14 Jack Mohr January 14

Larry & Georgia Nelms January 3 Brent & Brenda Aufdenkamp January 6 William & Bonnie Thanel January 9 John & Melissa Walsh January 12 Norman & Marcelle House January 14 Rick & Debra Sandoval January 15 Larry & Kathie LaShell January 17 LaVern & Kathy Griffith January 19 Bill & Donna Keithley January 21 Roger & Ronda Stewart January 23 David & Jeanne Baade January 25 Tom & Cindi Walz January 27

To fulfill the mission and ministry of First Ev. Lutheran Church, as we seek to reach out to others with Jesus,

we require $28,285/month in General Budget offerings. 2012 Annual Budget $339,422

November 2012 Month-To-Date summary (minus Shrake): Offerings are $2,555 UNDER the 2012 budget.

Expenses are $4,741 UNDER the 2012 budget.

There is a negative $558 variance on the projected budget.

Monthly Summary: Nov. ended with a SURPLUS of $1,628

Year-To-Date summary as of 11/30/12:

Offerings are $61,461 UNDER the 2012 budget. Expenses are $17,977 UNDER the 2012 budget.

There is a negative $6,137 variance on the projected budget.

Yearly Summary: Year-To-Date (LOSS) of $49,621

Summary: Offerings do not support the approved 2012 budget.

WE HAVE GIVEN BACK TO GOD NOV 2012

Year to date

General Budget Offering $25,173 $243,539

Shrake Fund - $58,477

2012 Expenses $23,545 $293,160

Profit or (Loss) $1,628 $8,856

Without Shrake Income $1,628 -($49,621)

NOVEMBER 2012 FINANCIALS (PROFIT/LOSS) Report will always be a month in arrears due to the fact the current

month has not ended at the time the newsletter needs to be printed.

The Thrivent Choice committee has been sharing the gifts given to First Ev. Lutheran Church.

Balance 12/01/12 $3,679 Thrivent Choice donations: +$ 0 Gifts given: S.S. Program/W&M - $382.24

Balance 12/31/12 $3296.76

Thank you for your continued support.

Loss

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U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Non-Profit Organization

North Platte, Nebraska

PERMIT NO. 7

Worship Services

Saturday Evening: 5:30 PM ~ Worship Service

Sunday Morning: 8:15 AM ~ Traditional Service

10:30 AM ~ Praise Service

Sunday School

Ages 3 years through High School!

9:30-10:15

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a church of the ELCA.

Our mission is “To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God.”

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 305 WEST 5TH STREET NORTH PLATTE NE 69101-3830

Address Service Requested

UPCOMING EVENTS. . . January 1, 2013: Church Office Closed January 20, 2013: Annual Congregational Meeting

January 20, 2013: Card shower for Dorothy’s Retirement February 10, 2013: Annual Youth Valentine Dinner February 13, 2013: Ash Wednesday March 4, 2013: 10am WELCA Potluck Brunch March 16, 2013: Youth Garage Sale April 13, 2013: Jalissa (Falcon) & Seth Schuett Wedding May 4, 2013: WELCA Mother – Daughter – Friend Luncheon June 16, 2013: Luau at CodyPark June 22-28, 2013: 2013 Youth Mission Trip to Dallas, TX July 8-12, 2013: Vacation Bible School

2013

132nd

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, January 20, 2013 between the Sunday morning Worship services

First Evangelical Lutheran Church will hold their Annual Meeting in the east fellowship

dining hall.

Thrivent Financial will provide rolls from Heidi’s!