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CROSS CURRENTS First Lutheran Church Newsletter—November-December 2015

600 W. Sumner Ave. Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 (951) 674-2757

Pastor e-mail: [email protected] Web page: www.firstluth.com

Pastor

Rev. Kevin L.

Kolander

Music Director

Gail Christensen

Church Council

President Rob Sandberg

Vice President

Dave Anton Secretary

Susie Mericle

Treasurer Wm Neebe

Financial

Secretary

Gail Christensen

Education

Director Melody Anton

Evangelism

Director Bob Brown

Stewardship

Director Mark Steiner

Trustees

Duane Van Patten

Jesse Washington

Tom McDermott

Maurice Kaneshiro

Elders

Reed Steiner

Justin Morris

Don Crow

Larry Hall

Michael Sunshine

Dear Family and Friends of First Lutheran,

“CHRIST AND HIS CHRISTIANS SAVE THE WORLD” Wouldn’t it be

great to see such a headline in the news when you got up this morning? In a land

where so many are poor, so many are fighting, lying, sick and dying, etc.

Honestly, most of us don’t like listening to the news because it’s so awful what

human beings are doing to one another. Today Luther reminded me again from God’s

Word that there is good news for us and for the world. Take heart dear Christian, you

and Christ are so necessary in this world.

“…as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

2 Co. 6:10

“Every single Christian is a man such as the Lord Christ Himself was when

He was on earth, and performs such great deeds, that in things divine he can rule the

whole world, and help and serve everyone and do the greatest works which can be

done on earth. For in the sight of God he is esteemed higher than that whole world, so

that for his sake God sustains the world and gives it all it has. Hence if there were no

Christians on earth, no town or land would have peace, yes, in one single day the

devil would ruin everything there is on earth. The fact that there is still corn growing

in the fields, that men recover from their illnesses, that they have good, peace and

security, all this they owe to Christ and the Christians.

Indeed, we are poor beggars, and yet we make many rich. In very truth we

possess nothing, and yet we have all things, and whatever kings, princes, citizens and

peasants have in this world, they have it, not because of their fair hair, but because of

Christ and His Christians.

To them is given the Gospel, Baptism, and the Sacrament to convert the

people, to win souls from the devil, to snatch them out of hell and death, and take

them up to Heaven; and again to strengthen, comfort and uphold the poor and

instruct and advise the afflicted consciences in their sore temptation; and again to

teach all people in all occupations how to do their work as good Christians.

This sort of work kings and emperors, the mighty and the rich, the learned and

the wise cannot perform, nor could they pay for it with all their possessions. For there

is not one amongst them who could comfort and cheer a single soul, when it is

burdened and weighed down by sin.”

Whoa! Did Luther just say what I think he said? Yes. Re-read. Slower. Kneel.

Give thanks. Joy to world, the Lord is come.

Blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas to you dear ones,

+Pastor

First Lutheran Church Newsletter CROSS CURRENTS November/December 2015

Official Acts-

Memorial Services-

In Memory of Charles Cheek (Cheryl's

Husband), October 3

In Memory of Harold Atkinson, October 21

Receiving of New Members, October 17

Lee & Sue Mein from Immanuel Riverside

Honored Guest Visit

Pastor Bernard has been invited to FLC and

will visit us on November 15. A special

Thanksgiving dinner will be given in his

honor after Church Service

Acolytes-

Nov 1-Christian

8-Luke

15-Zach

22- Will

29-Christian

Dec 6- Luke

13-Zach

20-Will

27-Christian

******************

Attendance Aug 9 16 23 30 Worship 95 97 95 84

Communed - 84 - n/a

Bible Class 40 36 36 26

Sun.School 10 12 6 8

Sept 6 13 20 27

Worship 104 103 95 90

Communed 96 - 90 -

Bible Class 40 n/a 34 33

Sun.School 14 n/a 15 15

Stewardship—

Month of September 2015:

Income $19,060.00

Expenses $16,056.68

Jan Thru September 2015

Income-$151,366.10

Expenses-$138,295.06

Clean Team November-Kolanders

December-None Listed

-2-

Praying for Our Church family & Loved Ones

Members and our loved ones serving in the Armed

Forces –Austin Wilson, Frank & Pat (granddaughter,

Jessica) Robert Steiner, Mary Kenagy-nephew

Joshua, Nancy Purcha-3 grandsons, Brenda

Romanek-brother, Alan & Helene Peterson- son

Erick, Francine Wellington- grandson, Andrea Hall-

nephew, LCMS chaplains: Rob Mueller & Dann

Ettner.

Pray for Our Church Family & Loved Ones

Nick Pomo, Pat Crow, Bob Mericle, Betty Leonhart,

(severe arthritis), Jean Eilers, Bob Brown, Kathy

Neebe, Barbara Greco (Sister Wendy) Ruth & Don

Detviler (Son Mike), Jenny Lawson. Need work-

Dave Anton & Larry Hall.

Pray & Visit Our Homebound Bud & Betty

Leonhart, Madeline & Jack Dulmatch, Sylvia Carter,

Kay & Don Foster, Delores Zegestosky, Beverly

Christiansen.

Pray for our Lutheran Mission Pastors- Rev.

Thomas Bernard (Lutheran Church in Haiti, West

Indies) & Rev. Gary Rohwer (Muslim ministry in

Dearborn, MI).

Loved Ones recently died .

Charles Cheek (Cheryl's Husband), Family of Harold

Atkinson, Erla Cloer's dear friend, Karol Steiner

(Dad).

Our Lutheran Pastors- Rev.Gary Rohwer (Muslim

ministry in Dearborn, MI), Rev. Bernard (Lutheran

Church-Haiti, West Indies).

Our College Students

Brian Christensen, Travis Wilson, Noah Kolander,

Lana Brannon, Enoch Berus (member of Pr Bernard's

church)

LWML Tea in November "BRINGING IN THE HARVEST"

All ladies are invited to join us the first Tuesday of

the month at 10:00 a.m. to enjoy the blessings of a

Bible Study with Pastor Kolander, hymn singing, a

short business meeting and the fellowship of sharing

a theme lunch together. Each month we celebrate our

members’ birthdays by singing their favorite hymns.


LWML (Cont'd from page 2)

On October 24th, eight of our ladies enjoyed a

morning of fellowship, Bible study, and lunch with

L.W.M.L. members from 7 churches at the Zone 18

Fall Rally. It was hosted by Faith Lutheran Church,

Riverside.

During our November 3rd meeting we will sing the

hymns Frieda Bartsch and Susie Mericle chose for

their birthdays and finalize plans for the Cranberry

Tea on November 7th. An election for the offices of

vice-president and treasurer will be held for the two

year term 2016-2017. The lunch theme features

Thanksgiving dishes.

L.W.M.L. presents our Fall Cranberry Tea and Sales

Faire. This year we are combining our fall fund raiser

to include both our Fellowship Tea and Luncheon

with our Craft and Bake Sale! We will add some fun

with BINGO and singing and have a blessed time.

You will find baked goods, collectibles, crafts, and

artisan gifts on sale for Missions. Please set aside

Saturday, November 7th to come to our CRANBERRY

TEA and join us in our theme of BRINGNG IN THE

HARVEST.Tickets are on sale now after Sunday

services or at the door. Please buy your ticket in

advance. You may contact Diane 678-6916 or Betty

235-0550. We always have so much fun at our teas

and especially enjoy God’s blessings to us as we

raise money for local missions with your ticket

donation of $10.00.

At the December 1 meeting we will celebrate the

birth of Jesus with a Christmas party. A birthday

hymn chosen by Nancy Purcha as well as Christmas

carols will be sung. There will be a gift exchange

and Christmas goodies for lunch. Please join us.

Betty Van Patten, President

Birthdays and Anniversaries November Birthdays 4-Joseph, Jr.Caithammer 21-Susie Mericle

6-Don Foster 28-Don Detviler

10-Frieda Bartsch 28-Emilyn Kyle

11-Travis Wilson 28-Sue Rohrbach

12-Joseph Caithammer 30-Shirley Brown

19-John Wilson

December Birthdays 2-Bob Fuhr 16-Kimberly Neebe

2-Hedder Steiner 16-Nancy Purcha

3-Robyn Gogue 18-David Neebe

December Birthdays (cont'd)

8-Christine DeKoker 21-Ted Rosenbladt

9-Tiffany Casey 29-Mary Kenagy

12-Yolanda Arp

November Anniversaries

7-Frank & Pat Crow

7-Michael & Kim Sunshine

18-Leonard & Erla Cloer

21-Edward & Dolores Kieta

23-Reed & Hedder Steiner

24-Bob & Shirley Brown

December Anniversaries

10-Bob & Lois Salchow

15-Justin & Susan Morris

20-Mark & Karol Steiner

Flower Schedule

Nov 1-Frank & Pat Crow-62nd Anniv

8-Jan's Bday; Geri's Daughter

15-Joe,Sr. & Jr.Caithammer-Bdays

22-Susie Mericle Bday& Memory of Mom

29-Emilyn Kyle Bday

Dec 6-Sandberg-Friendship & Memory of

Harold Atkinson

13-Praise the Lord-David & Kathy Neebe

20-None listed

27-None Listed

Ongoing Ministries

E-Prayer—Pastor Kolander

Greeters---Susan Kaneshiro & Brenda Romanek

After Services Refreshments…….

Nov 1-Susie Mericle, Sue Rohrbach, Betty Van

Patten, Francine Wellington 8-Dana Davidson, Bonnie Harlow, Kelley Kyle

15- Honored Guest Dinner

22-EllieNiehouse, Helene Peterson, Gerry Rice

29-POTLUCK- Leo & Jenny Fay, Tom

McDermott, Jesse Washington

Dec 6- Erla Cloer, Ana Currier, Joline Terry

13-Ida Williams, Nancy Purcha, Lore Tucker

20-Andrea Hall, Kim Sunhine, Karol Steiner

27-POTLUCK--Maurice & Susan Kaneshiro

-3-


ED Note: A special note of thanks to Ernie Alber for

keeping the membership picture files up to date. It is

most useful for new members and old members with

bad memories! Ernie is also preparing a Picture

Membership Directory for issue in 2016!! Mission News........

Long After the Inquisition, Lutheranism

Returns to Spain

by Megan K. Mertz

After Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door

of Wittenberg’s Castle Church in 1517, the ideas of

the Reformation spread across Europe during the

next few decades.

In Spain, these ideas took root among some Spanish

Christians, especially in monasteries like San Isidoro

near Seville. But after seeing the growing religious

unrest that was occurring elsewhere in Northern

Europe, the Spanish Inquisition, which had been in

effect since 1478, moved to quell the movement

within its borders. Reformation-minded Spanish

Christians who chose not to flee were arrested, and

some were even burned at the stake.

It wasn’t until nearly 500 years later that a Lutheran

presence would again return to the country.

In the 21st Century

In 2000, a Lutheran family in Spain partnered with

the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina to lay

the foundation for a Spanish Lutheran church.

Between 2000 and 2014, three Argentine

missionaries served in Spain, where they led outreach

efforts and established Lutheran missions.

With the partnership of the LCMS, the Evangelical

Lutheran Church of Spain (IELE) was planted and

recognized by the Spanish Government in 2004. In

October 2010, the Rev. Juan Carlos was installed as

the first — and only — Spanish pastor of the IELE.

The Rev. David Warner and his wife, Shelee, moved

to Seville in April to become the first LCMS

missionaries to the country. Warner provides pastoral

care to some 80 Lutherans scattered around Spain,

mentors four men who are currently studying to

become pastors, and provides ongoing Greek and

Hebrew instruction to Juan Carlos.

-4-

Warner also is working to secure a permanent

worship space for the growing congregation in

Seville, as well as looking for funding for similar

sites in Madrid and Cartagena.

“The members of the IELE are very inspiring,”

Warner said. “They became members because they

were convinced that Lutheran doctrine is true and

faithful. … They are committed even though they

lack facilities, worship opportunities and pastoral

care. I am humbled to begin serving them.”

On May 23, Warner performed his first Baptism on

the mission field. While many Roman Catholic

family members watched, the grandson of one of the

original members of the IELE became God’s child

through the waters of Holy Baptism.

“I preached a Law-and-Gospel sermon about the

miracle of Baptism and salvation by faith and then

went out to dinner and spoke with members of the

family for a couple of hours as the plates of food kept

coming,” he said. “Lord willing, the many seeds

planted will take root and grow.”

Later this year, the Rev. Adam Lehman and his

family will join the Warners as LCMS missionaries

to Spain. The Lehmans are currently raising the

support necessary for their life and work on the

Iberian Peninsula.

“Having learned more about the history and

development of Spain, I have realized what a great

blessing it is to be privileged to serve as a Lutheran

pastor in Spain at this time,” Lehman said, reflecting

on his call to serve as a church planter there. “After

being snuffed out via the Spanish Inquisition, the

Lutheran Reformation has now returned to Spain!”

Eurasia, International Mission, Spain

Our Concordia University System Did You Know?

There are 10 Concordia colleges and universities regionally located around the United States. Over 28,000 students attend the colleges and universities of the Concordia University System. Concordia colleges and universities offer over 150 undergraduate majors and more than 60 graduate programs.

http://blogs.lcms.org/tag/eurasia

http://blogs.lcms.org/tag/international-mission

http://blogs.lcms.org/tag/spain


Did You Know? (Cont'd from page 4) More than 1,550 professors teach at our Concordia University System colleges and universities. More than $85 million in financial assistance is awarded to Concordia students. Concordia students graduate in four years. Concordia professors personally challenge and help students to achieve their educational goals.

Concordia students grow in their spiritual journey by participating in faith-life experiences.

Our Concordia Story--

Founded by a small group of Southern California

Lutheran church leaders, Concordia Irvine began as

Christ College Irvine launching its first academic

year in 1976 with only one building and 36 students.

Today Concordia Irvine os recognized nationally and

globally in academia and serves over 4000 students

annually. The university marks its 40th anniversary

in 2016 which includes plans for a new Music,

Worship, and Theology Building! The university is

tucked away in a serene setting of natural open

places and hillsides in the city of Irvine!

Both our dear Pastor Kolander and his Wife

Christina are exemplary products of this Christ

pleasing institution!!

If any of our members have not visited the campus--

please avail yourselves by attending one of the many

musical offerings offered--currently scheduled:

December 5 & 12 -Christmas Concerts

7- Jazz Combo Concert

9-Art Exhibit

14-Fall Honors Recital

January 16-Concordia Keyboard Day

22-31- "Pride & Prejudice"

30-Family Pops Concert

February 5-Faculty Recital

5&6 CUI Dance Company Annual

13-Handbell Invitational Concert #1

14-A Night for Valentines Concert

20-Fine Arts Preview Day

Tickets may be purchased online at the theatre arts

website www.cui.edu/thearts or by calling

(949) 854-8002 ext. 1526

Concordia Irvine is located at:

1530 Concordia West,

Irvine, CA 92612

-5-

A Pastor in California lamented that it was very difficult to get his message across to his congregation. "It's so beautiful here in the winter," he said, "that heaven doesn't interest them. And it's so hot here in the summer that hell doesn't scare them."

****

The Wednesday-night church service coincided with the last day of hunting season. Our pastor asked who had bagged a deer. No one raised a hand.

Puzzled, the pastor said, "I don't get it. Last Sunday many of you said you were missing because of hunting season. I had the whole congregation pray for your deer."

One hunter groaned, "Well, it worked. They're all safe."

-30-

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 ALL SAINTS

SUNDAY

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Worship (Elder led Service)

2

7:30 PM AA Meeting

3

10:00AM LWML

7:30 PM AA Meeting

4

10:30 am Bible Class

5:30 PM Choir Practice

7:30 PM Elders Mtg

5

7:30 PM AA Meeting

6

Friday Night Bible Study

6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

7

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

LWML FALL TEA

8 TRINITY 25

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Worship with Lord’s Supper Voters Meeting

5

7:30 PM AA Meeting

10

7:30 PM AA Meeting

11 veterans day



7:00 pm Church Council

12

Pastor Bernard

begins visit

7:30 PM AA Meeting

13


6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

14

10AM -1:30 PM

Handbell Practice

15 TRINITY 26

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Worship with Lord’s Supper Thanksgiving Dinner for

Pastor Bernard

5

7:30 PM AA Meeting

17

Last day of Pastor

Bernard’s visit

7:30 PM AA Meeting

18



19

7:30 PM AA Meeting

20


6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

21

22 LAST SUNDAY

IN CHURCH YEAR

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Worship

5

7:30 PM AA Meeting

24

7:30 PM AA Meeting

25


7:15 PM -

THANKSGIVING EVE

HOLY COMMUNION

WORSHIP SERVICE

(Pie to follow service)

26 THANKSGIVING DAY

27


6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

28

9:00AM Decorate

Church for Christmas

29 ADVENT 1

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Worship with Lord’s Supper

POTLUCK SUNDAY

5

7:30 PM AA Meeting

November 2015

November 1—Elder led service, page 5. Pastor is away. No communion this Sunday. Communion on November 8. November 12-17—Pastor Bernard will be visiting.


1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

December 2015


1

10:00AM LWML

7:30 PM AA Meeting

2

4:30 PM Choir

6:00 PM Soup Supper

7:15 PM Advent

Vespers

3

7:30 PM AA Meeting

4


6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

5

10 AM -1:30 PM

Handbell Practice

6 ADVENT 2


7

7:30 PM AA Meeting

8

7:30 PM AA Meeting

9

4:30 PM Choir

6:00 PM Soup Supper

7:15 PM Advent

Vespers

10

7:30 PM AA Meeting

11


6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

12

13 ADVENT 3

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Worship

14

7:30 PM AA Meeting

15

7:30 PM AA Meeting

16

4:30 PM Choir

6:00 PM Soup Supper

7:15 PM Advent

Vespers

17

7:30 PM AA Meeting

18


6:00 PM Potluck

7:00 PM Bible Study

19

20 ADVENT 4


21

7:30 PM AA Meeting

22

7:30 PM AA Meeting

23

4:30 PM Choir

24 Christmas Eve

7:15 PM Christmas

Eve Service

25 Christmas Day

9:00 AM Christmas

Day Service

Holy Communion

26

27 CHRISTMAS 1

9:00 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30 AM Matins POTLUCK SUNDAY

28

7:30 PM AA Meeting

29

7:30 PM AA Meeting

30

31 NEW YEARS EVE

7:15 PM New Year’s

Eve Vespers

December 2015


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10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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January 2016

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e-mail: [email protected] Web page: