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3481 Campus Loop Road ● Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

770-427-0325 office@fulc.org ● www.fulc.org

Visit us on Facebook:

facebook.com/groups/Go.FULC

“To Share the Good News of Christ”

March 2018

Honoring Healthcare Workers

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Ethan [Dudley friend]; Ward [K Moran’s dad]; Julie LaFever [Strudthoff niece]; Dick [Carolyn McCarthy’s brother-in-law]; Randy [M Seden’s brother], Glenn Corbin, Dean [Werner fami-ly]; Reba [R Mattock’s family]; Deborah & Atreyu Gardner; Lee Roy [Kendrick friend], Tammy [Brandau-Shirley friend]; Christa [S Olney’s cousin]; William Stickney, [Einert family]; Camesa family; Dick [Douglass friend]; Jason [C Johnson’s nephew]; Lou Boyer; Kay Grubb; Vi Tatz; Duane Whitese]; Caryn Miller Jackson; Sherry, Rink [B Newton's fami-ly]; Ron Emberg & his sister, Linda; Tim W [P. Beyer’s friend]; Jimmy & Sharon [ B Metcalf’s family]; Mitzi [G Peterson's sister]; Christopher & Jessica [S Link's son & daugh-ter]; newborn Bohdi, Heather, David [P Thompson's friend & family]]; Brian [N Boccadoro’s friend]; Pete Kesler; Brett Roks; Danielle, Jeff, Derrick [J Russell's friends & family]; Mol-ly Werner; Sherry Quitter; Terry [E Tennis’s son]; Tiffany [M Stahlman's niece]; Eva, Helen & Kevin [B Woodward's friends & family]; Bill S [Copenhaver’s brother-in-law]; Carl H [J Smith's cousin]; Lucille Murphy; Gladys Schlegel & the Abu Bashar family.

Dot Llewellyn; Bob McCarthy [Carolyn McCarthy’s brother-in-law]; Juanita Bagge; Dave Smith [Nancy Fryman’s brother]; Gregory Eliopolis [George Eliopolis’ brother]; Suzanne Thomie [ Brett Roks’ mother]; Kat Are [Kathy Grizzle’s mother]; Wendy Greene [Trudy Kendrick’s mother]; Joann Gustafson [Dave Gustafson’s sister]; and Frank Greene [Trudy Kendrick’s father].

Brandon [Kathy Grizzle’s cousin], Cheyenne Caulfield [former stu-dent of Molly Werner]; Wayne Harrah [Nephew of Anita Norman]; [Brandau-Shirley family] Nicholas Brandau, Marshall Wish & Stephen Kotowski; Brian Uncapher; and Casey Peterson [Great grandson of Doug & Evelyn Tennis].

Julia & Vincent Leiyoole [Kenya]; Baraka Women’s Centre [Kenya]; Lutheran Church of Guatemala [ILAG] and ILAG Elementary Schools; Anna & Kevin Kornelis [Bethlehem]; Adrainne & Ben Gray family [Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land]; Christ Lutheran Church’s visit to Kenya in March.

If you have friends or loved ones that can be removed from this list, please contact the

prayer chain at prayerchain@fulc.org.

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Pastor’s Page

Want to help out God’s smaller creatures? Donations of wild birdseed, suet etc. for our feeders on the church grounds, would be ap-preciated. See Dave Gustafson for details.

Keep Those Coupons Coming Please remember that we are still cutting and sending the grocery coupons to the overseas com-missaries. Even though Jayne Mattocks is no long-er heading this project, we are so grateful for her leadership and interest in helping the military fam-ilies overseas. Janet Stover is happily continuing Jayne’s work. These families appreciate this finan-cial help as they serve our country in places that are away from the continental U.S. Please contin-ue to bring in your coupons and we will keep send-ing them. Thank you for your response to this en-deavor. We are so blessed to be able to help our brave mili-tary with this small gift. PLEASE KEEP THOSE COUPONS COMING!!

FULC - United in Caring for Each Other

The Keeping In Touch (KIT) team is seeking those who are interested in lifting spirits, giving hope and sharing the love of Christ with our mem-bers in need. This group will be making phone calls, sending notes and visiting members who, due to illness or other misfortune, are unable to attend church regularly. Some members also serve home communion to those who desire it. You may participate in any way you choose. If in-terested in joining or for more information, con-tact Marty Stahlman @ 770-422-7675 or mar-tystah@gmail.com Current members are Marty Stahlman, Nancy Boccadoro, Carolyn McCarthy, Bertie Newton, Phyllis Beyer, Janet Stover, Evelyn

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Wednesday, March 7:

Serving dinner at MUST Ministry

Wednesday, March 14:

Lent, Class “The Crucifixion”

Wednesday, March 21:

Lent, Class “The Resurrection”

Wednesday, March 28:

Holy Week—no class

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I have read the first chapter of Mark many times. Perhaps you too are fa-miliar with the story? John the Baptist has been arrested, Jesus has just be-gun his ministry, and He has just called Simon & Andrew and James & John to be his disciples. He heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and as the news gets around, the entire town begins to bring their sick to Jesus for healing. Eventually he slips away to be quiet and to pray. When his disci-

ples finally locate him, they tell him everyone’s been looking for him. His answer? He tells them they will go on to other towns so he can preach – for that is why he came out.

In hearing this particular scripture recently (Mark 1:29-39), it occurred to me that every-one was so amazed at the healing that Jesus was doing that they missed the message he had been giving them. He had a mission to follow to the end. He knew where He was headed even as He began.

There is an interesting piece of art called La Clairvoyance by artist René Magritte. In it we see the artist sitting at an easel, looking at an egg while painting a picture of a bird with wings extended. Magritte sees the egg but knows what it can become. He sees the end as he looks at the beginning, and that is what he paints. He relies on his experience from the past to predict what He believes will be the future.

We too rely on our past experiences to predict the future. Our journey of life shapes us and influences our attitudes, but what shapes our faith life is how fully we rely on God for His care and guidance. We can become one who lives a life of love and giving, teaching others to do the same. The word “discipline” contains the word “inline”, meaning we are to be “inline” as Christ’s followers (disciples). Looking at the trials in my life, seeing them as opportunities, dis-ciplines for growth in my faith life, I begin to realize the benefits of being a “disciple inline” with Jesus’ teachings and examples. Quiet time and prayer help me leave what I predict will be future outcomes so I can focus on the present with Him.

Often in difficult times when we don’t understand why bad things happen, I hear people say, “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.” I don’t believe God gives us the trials. If God is about Love, then evil is not caused by God. I struggle with that. My human search for understanding often has me questioning God’s purposes and intentions, blaming Him, accusing Him, pleading with Him. Perhaps it’s not understanding we need but to learn that through it all we should rely less on ourselves and more fully on Him to get us through the trials. Are we able to trust that His intentions for us are for good? Do we read Jesus’ story but miss the message? God never leaves us alone to handle what happens. Can we trust that the Author sees the end as He looks at the beginning?

What’s the message? That God is Love. That He chose to come as a human so you might understand and experience that Love more fully. That you are never alone. Believe that and rely on it. May your walk along the road be one that leads you to the person He knows you can become. God bless and keep you on your journey.

What’s the Message By Anna Seden

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To plan an event view the FULC calendar on our website at fulc.org.

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Gotta Talk?

If you or your committee is interested in scheduling a Temple Talk, we ask that you sign up your request in the church office. Make sure you leave a date and contact infor-mation, so we can let you know whether it's possible to schedule one.

You also may email Jennifer Russell directly and she will add you to the request list.

Temple Talk

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Levites They meet every Tuesday around 9:00 am Stop by and meet the guys, get a feel for it! Have any general maintenance skills? Do you like to fix things? Do you love helping out the church? Have some spare time on Tuesday mornings? Know how to change a lightbulb? If you answered “yes” to any of the above… The. Levites. Want. You! These classy gentlemen keep the church up and going! Some duties include: re-stocking the pews with attendance cards, helping with fire inspections, small aes-thetic tasks and changing a couple light bulbs here and there… the Levites keep busy with that and more. Take a chance and be a part of something big!

All Are Welcome!

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Christian Concerns Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Our Church Council met on Thursday evening 3/1/2018 to finalize our selection for the 2018 Call Committee. In addition to the two members selected by the congregation last Sunday, Katilyn Boy-er and Ben Harris, the committee will consist of Susan Lyke, Gene Douglass, and Traci Green. We also selected two alternate members who will not vote, but will participate in call committee meetings, discussions, and other activities. In the event that one or two of the 5 voting members of the call committee cannot fulfill their duties at some point in the future, the alternates who are completely up to speed on plans and progress of the committee can be moved into their voting position(s). Our alternates are Jerry Arends and Molly Werner. Council and the congregation sincerely thank each and every one of our members who stepped up to be considered for this responsibility. We ask for all of your prayers and your continued dialogue with members of the committee as well as members of the church council as we go through the process of calling a new pastor for FULC this year. Blessings, Martha

Via de Cristo weekend is a 3-day retreat held in Dahlonega, GA from Thursday night to Sunday evening. It’s designed to help Christians gain a deeper, more personal relationship with Christ, better equipping them to be more effective leaders in their churches and communities. It’s a combined effort of lay people and clergy who help bring us to a new awareness of living in God’s grace, of walking the way of Christ. You have an op-portunity to experience this retreat as well. There will be a co-ed retreat weekend on Thursday April 19th - Sunday the 22nd. For more information see the brochures on the welcome table in the narthex or contact Anna Seden (or any of our other mem-bers who have attended a Via de Cristo Weekend).

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04/01 Cathy Hairston 04/03 Morgan Waller 04/04 Barbara Schwanebeck 04/09 Pam Brown 04/09 Erich Moran 04/10 Barbara Kennell 04/11 Bishop Gustafson

04/11 Shirley Olney 04/13 Julie Caslow 04/15 Dave Heiser 04/15 Cynthia Henry 04/15 Laurie Solano 04/17 Kenny Ellsworth 04/19 Brandon Newberry

04/20 Helen Gustafson 04/20 Kelly Merwitz 04/24 Brett Roks 04/25 Russ Thompson 04/28 Evelyn Green 04/28 Susan Lyke

March Anniversaries

03/05 James & Tina Paul 03/14 Barbel & Jeff Woodard 03/19 Kenny & Erin Ellsworth 03/20 Duane & Shelly Whitesel 03/26 Nathan & Traci Green

03/02 Alijah Andrews 03/02 Mary Engels 03/02 Jessica Larson 03/03 David Brennan 03/03 Kayla Merriman 03/03 Ginger Peterson 03/04 Donna Mize 03/05 Jennifer Russell 03/07 Laurel Copenhaver 03/07 Bertie Newton 03/10 Wayne Mize 03/10 Chris Schwanebeck

03/13 Ardy Boyer 03/13 Lee Gregory III 03/13 Trey Samples 03/14 Donna Eliopoulos 03/15 Elise Brown 03/15 Kevin Caslow 03/16 Carolyn McCarthy 03/17 Dave Winchell 03/19 Jim Rooks 03/19 Mason Woodard 03/20 Julie Harrison

03/20 Anita Norman 03/21 Paul Brandau-Shirley 03/21 Frank Hull IV 03/21 Marty Stahlman 03/22 Christie Smith 03/22 Markus Werner 03/28 George Eliopoulos 03/28 Evelyn Werner-Garcia 03/29 Nancy Fryman 03/30 Melissa Smith 03/31 Addison Willis

04/01 Brad & Rozalyn Mattocks 04/04 Damon & Lucy Denzin 04/05 Kerri & David Bell 04/08 Paul & Cheryl Johnson 04/16 Ryon & Sarah Thompson 04/17 Georgia & Brian Johnson 04/21 Jack & Barb Liptak 04/22 Mike & Eva Haitchi 04/22 John & Sally Pearson 04/22 Keith & Joann Uncapher 04/24 John & Phyllis Beyer 04/27 Aaron & Mary Engels 04/30 Rich & Nancy Fryman

April Anniversaries

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Join Us Sundays!

Congregational Mission Statement: First United Lutheran Church is called to worship, serve, and learn together as

we grow disciples of Jesus Christ for God's mission of love for the world.