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Forward
In
Faith
We face an uncertain future. While that is always true, we usually don’t think much about it. Most morn-ings when we get up we are not fearful about what may happen that day. We just assume the day will go much as previous days have gone.
There are times, however, when we become more aware of the uncertainty of the future and we worry and become fearful. That happens when a spouse or best friend dies. That happens when we lose our job or when we change jobs. That happens when we move to a new community. That happens when we get very sick. Events around us can also trigger fear for the future. The events of 9/11 caused great fear. The uncertainty of the economy can make us fearful of the future. Drought or violent storms can do it.
I must confess that my approaching retirement has given me moments of fear for the future. I wonder how I will feel not being part of First Lutheran which has been so much a part of my life for the past 31 years. I wonder what I will be doing with my time. I wonder about our finances when I am not receiving a paycheck each month. Such thoughts have given me moments of fear.
Some of you may be wondering how a change of pastoral leadership will affect the congregation. After all, this is something First Lutheran has not experienced in a long time.
You and I, though, face the future with a most valuable asset - our faith! We may not know what the fu-ture holds, but we know who holds the future! “God has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.’ (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Read what Jesus said about the future in Matthew 6:25-34. “Do not worry,” he says. “Your heavenly Fa-ther knows what you need.” Again, in John 14, Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Knowing that we are in God’s hands and that God has promised to take care of us, we can say with the Psalmist of old, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, for where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121)
We therefore face the future not with fear or with worry, but with confidence! We move into the future with faith, faith based on the promises of God! Each day, each month, each year, we go forward in faith!
Let’s take a moment to learn more about Pastor Keith before he retires!
What are some of your most fond memories of First Lutheran?
I will take countless fond memories with me! Some that come to me at the moment are taking a
group of youth backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, accompanying people on the way to faith, the
priceless expressions and reactions of people (from infants to older adults!) when they are bap-
tized, the Parish Hall expansion and renovation project, the service of Holy Communion on Christ-
mas Eve, listening to the choir sing the Hallelujah Chorus on Easter and many others!
What will you miss the most?
The people! Getting to know so many wonderful people, and especially, getting to share some of
the most significant, life-changing moments in their lives.
What is the funniest request you’ve ever had at First Lutheran?
To kiss a pig (a real live, eating, breathing pig)! And yes, I did. It was part of a youth fund raiser.
What is the oddest thing you have ever seen at First Lutheran?
A bride and groom both showing up 30 minutes late to their wedding.
What are you most looking forward to about retirement?
Having a more flexible schedule so that I can spend more time with family.
Forward in Faith
By Pastor Keith Wiens
After the Resurrection of Jesus, he remained with his followers for 40 days before as-
cending into heaven. After he was lifted up into the clouds, his disciples stood and
gazed after him, probably wondering what would happen next. After a period of time
spent in seclusion and dealing with their loss, the Holy Spirit came to them and they
spoke in different languages. This brought back Jesus’s words …. “you will be my wit-
nesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After this,
they went forward and healed the sick, fed the poor and spread the teachings of Jesus
throughout many lands to all people.
Just as the Holy Spirit worked through the early Christians, he works through each of us
here in this place. Through the guidance of Pastor Keith we have grown and developed
as a congregation rooted in Christ, growing in faith, to bear fruit to the world. Although
he won’t be here, his inspiration and legacy will be with us as we go forth and spread
the teachings of Christ.
Like the disciples, we have wondered what will happen next. The only answer is to
keep moving forward in our mission.
In Evangelical Outreach, we have developed and will continue to develop new ways to
help people in our community that are hungry,
sick, in need of clothing and especially to know
God’s love for each of them. “Jesus calls us in,
sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt, gives
us love to tell, bread to share: God everywhere!”
The prophet Isaiah told us in Chapter 43:18-19 -
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?”
We will do many new things together…
Moving Forward In The Lord
By Kathryn G. Focke, Director of Evangelical Outreach
Some of you may be wondering, what are the plans for moving forward at First Lutheran Church as
Pastor Keith retires after 31 years of ministry at First Lutheran Church. Yes, we will soon be experi-
encing leadership change in the congregation. This may be concerning to some of you; however, this
does not change any of the ministries and wonderful things we are doing at First Lutheran! We will
continue moving forward in faith. Let’s us reflect on all the wonderful years and memories we have
shared with Pastor Keith and what we can learn from him as we move forward in our ministries.
Let’s talk about Congregational Life. Have you heard of all the good things happening with this min-
istry? In the past couple of months, two new ministries have launched; the Single’s group and the
Health ministry. The Single’s group is intended for fellowship and support for anyone who is unmar-
ried. Last month, the first event was held and included dinner and fellowship at the home of Riley and
Claudia Gordon.
Some of you may have noticed Health ministry or Parish Nurse Program meetings on the calendar
over the past year and wondered do we have a health program at First Lutheran? Over the past year,
this team has met for multiple brainstorming sessions to determine the scope, vision, and purpose of
this ministry. In recent months, the group has substantially grown and included nine volunteers of
varying medical professions and backgrounds.
The first weekend of every month, blood pres-
sure screenings are held after the Saturday and
Sunday worship services in the Parent’s room.
Additionally, the team will host a health-based
educational event each month. I am very excit-
ed about this ministry and the potential for
health and wellness promotion it offer! We
have a wonderful group of volunteers eager to
be involved and I encourage you to get en-
gaged if you are involved in a health-related
career and have a passion for education or pro-
motion. Please be watching for all the informa-
tional and fun ways you can participate in
health activities at First Lutheran!
2014 is certainly off to a great a great start at First Lutheran! As we move forward in faith, let us re-
flect on all the wonderful things Pastor Keith has supported the congregation with and rejoice in his
opportunity to begin the retirement journey! Significant change can be frightening; however, I am
very optimistic about our next steps in moving forward in faith!
Congregational Life Forward In Faith
By Sarah Diamond, Director of Congregational Life
The church has taken many and various approaches to faith for-mation throughout the centuries. Many of these methods are still in use today. It was not until recently, however, that researchers have taken a critical look at the various models and considered what models yield the greatest long term results – that is, which models inspire the highest rate of church participation into adult-hood. In 2003, Lifeway Research found that 70% of high schoolers will stop attending church right after high school and 35% of those stu-dents will not come back. This does not mean that they are nega-tive toward religion. In fact, Kenda Creasy Dean in her book Al-most Christian asserts, "American young people are, theoretically, fine with religious faith---but it does not concern them very much." So, how do we move youth from a passive positivity to active par-ticipation?
Research shows that Church-sponsored activities such as Sun-day school, Vacation Bible School, youth group, and para-church groups like Young Life
are only mildly successful in inspiring future participation in church. The number one indicator of a child’s future church par-ticipation relies on the faith life in the home. It is for that reason that many congregations are becoming increasingly intentional about the way in which they equip homes for ministry. The Spiritual Growth Advisory Board, various ministry teams, and myself have been analyzing these trends and have prayerfully been considering how we might better equip our households of faith. Last month, we purchased a number of resources from Faith Inku-bators, which was written by the Rev. Dr. Richard Melheim, a Lu-theran pastor. At the core of this program is the “Faith 5,” which gives families a framework by which to engage in faith discussions through 5 disciplines: share, read, talk, pray, bless. I will be fea-turing information about this model in Soul Food after Pentecost. In the meantime, I encourage you to consider signing up for one of our 5 week courses on faith in the home. It was specifically de-signed for families with children in the home, but can be modified for couples or singles to do with a friend or colleague. The dates and times of the classes are listed in Soul Food under, “Let’s Grow.” I guarantee it will have a profound impact on your and your family’s faith life.
A return to our roots: faith formation the way it once was
By Kyle Olson, AiM, Director of Spiritual Growth
Models of Faith Formation Reformation to Present
1529 – Martin Luther writes the Small Cat-
echism as a faith formation resource for
parents to use while instructing their chil-
dren. Other catechisms are developed for
use in other denominations.
1780’s – The Sunday School movement
begins in England as a help to parents and
children who are working long hours in the
new industrial sector, but still honor Sun-
day as a sacred day.
1870’s – Vacation Bible School begins at a
Methodist church in upstate New York as
an outreach to unchurched kids living with-
in close proximity of the church.
1880’s – Denominational youth organiza-
tions such as Luther League were formed
with local, regional, and national chapters
providing different functions.
1940’s – The parachurch youth movement
begins with organizations such as Young
Live and Youth for Christ.
1970’s – Congregations begin to employ
youth pastors and youth ministers. Numer-
ic growth becomes the goal.
1980’s – The MTV generation craves me-
dia-driven church. Congregations respond
by incorporating contemporary elements
such as live bands and slide projectors into
worship.
2000’s – The consumer-driven model of
church proves unsustainable as youth tran-
sition to adulthood and are no longer inter-
ested in one more media outlet.
2010+ - Researchers conclude that the best
model for faith formation remains in home-
based education with the church acting as a
resource for parents.
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Return Service Requested
First Lutheran Church 930 Poyntz Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone:785-537-8532
Fax: 785-539-3507
Email: [email protected]
We’re On The Web!
Www.Firstlutheranmanhattan.org
“Rooted In Christ, we are growing in faith to bear fruit in the
world.”
Pastor Keith E. Wiens
Kyle Olson, AiM
Director of Spiritual Growth
Sarah Diamond
Church Admin./Dir. Of Congregational Life
Kathryn Focke
Director of Evangelical Outreach
Becky Marsh
Communication Specialist
Susan Schindler
Bookkeeper
