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

2017

FELC STAFF

Transitional Pastor: Steve Berke, Pastor 303-709-8305 Church Council, President: Jerry Stoll: 534-2219 Custodian: Wes Thompson Financial Secretary: Claudette Nelson Front Office & Publications: Amy Lynch Music & Preschool Director: Gail Jensen: 534-4290 Office Manager: Olene Beck: 386-8677 Jr. & Sr. F.L.Y.: Mindee Mohr: 539-8549 Amy Lynch: 660-6283 Sunday School: Church Office: 532-0250

O f f i c e H o u r s

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

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

Contact Us...

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

www.firstevlutheran-np.com

Greetings 1

Council Minutes 2

Calendar 3

Announcements/Attendance/Flowers/Lessons/Ministries/Prayers/Thanks

4

Announcements/Transition Team/Reformation 500

5

WELCA 6

Birthdays/Anniversaries/Financials

7

Worship Service/VBS 8

Inside This Issue...

Dear Friends: Sometimes when I am writing for the newsletter, I try to share a story or idea that I hope will be inspirational. Sometimes I use this space as a way to announce or promote an important emphasis or activity of our congregation’s ministry. At other times, it is good to do some thinking about the place of the witness of our church in the wider society. For this month, I would like to share a recent letter, from our Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Elizabeth Eaton. She has composed a very helpful summary on an issue which you may have heard about in the news; that is, she addresses the lure of political campaigns and our desire as Lutheran churches to uphold the integrity of our proclamation of the gospel. I hope that you will read through these brief paragraphs, because she points the way to a healthy witness and cautions our church communities to avoid getting involved in partisan political endorsements. Blessings, Pr. Steve

[letter dated May 5, 2017] On May 4, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.” The measure addresses the IRS ban on political campaigning by tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, an important protection for houses of worship. That regulation is codified into law, so it would take an act of Congress to reverse, but President Trump signaled his administration’s opposition to the rule by directing the IRS to use maximum discretion to refrain from enforcing it. The Lutheran Confessions state “the power of church and civil government must not be mixed ... [while] both be held in honor and acknowledged as a gift and blessing” (Augsburg Confession, Article 28). The ELCA Constitution affirms that one of the purposes of this church is to “work with civil authorities in areas of mutual endeavor, maintaining institutional separation of church and state in a relation of functional interaction” (ELCA Constitution 4.03.n.). Our social teaching encourages members and leaders to be politically active as citizens and to provide moral leadership that advocates for just and fair policies. Nothing in the current IRS rules prohibit such activities. Neither our theological heritage nor our social teaching lift up what we would understand today as partisan activity by church officials - endorsing or funding specific candidates, for instance - because that confuses the appropriate responsibilities of church and state leadership. Exemption from taxation is an appropriate benefit granted to churches and other charities. The restriction on endorsement of political candidates in no way restricts freedom of religion. In fact, it allows churches to continue to focus on ministry and protects them from being lured into participation in partisan politics to the detriment of their proclamation and mission. The ELCA provides this guidance to ministries on participation in the electoral process. Earlier this year, the ELCA joined with 99 diverse faith groups in sending a letter to Congress opposing any effort to undermine the so-called Johnson Amendment - those IRS regulations that protect both the taxpayer and our houses of worship. We do not seek or desire a change in tax law that could prove divisive in our congregations or detrimental to our witness of Christ. Let us not be tempted to participate in partisan politics, but rather focus on being part of God's reconciling work through Christ in the world and proclaiming the gospel word. God’s peace,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop

Call to Order by Jerry Stoll at 12:10 PM

Members present: Pastor Steve Berke, Steve Evans, Betty Knepke-Hamit, Ryan Henry, Jody Lamberty, Emily McCreery, Mark Obermeier,

Becky Robinson, Jerry Stoll and Jake Wawrzynkiewicz

Members absent: Dr. Daren Rudnick

Other present: None

Opening devotions and caring conversation: Pastor Steve Berke

Congregational members’ forum: NA

Minutes of previous meetings: Motion made by Betty Knepke-Hamit and 2nd by Becky Robinson to approve the minutes from the

March 2017 meeting. Motion carried.

Pastor's Report: See last page

Correspondence: Pastor Steve read a thank you note from Lauren Hopken for the honor of receiving a First Lutheran scholarship.

Standing Committee Reports/Committee requests and motions:

Finance, Jake Wawrzynkiewicz: March 2017: Shortfall $6,034 compared to a short fall of $9,022 in 2016

YTD 2017: Shortfall of $16,704 compared to a shortfall of $15,704 in 2016.

Christian Ed/Youth & Family, Emily McCreery: The committee met 3/22/17. The youth hosted a biscuits & gravy breakfast on Easter

Sunday. The youth received a nice contribution from a First Lutheran Church member. The committee decided to serve the extra food

on Mother's Day.

Care Committee, Betty Knepke-Hamit: The Time & Talent sheets are finished. Betty indicated that the committee needs to specifically

define the charities. The committee discussed the possible need for a fundraiser for a member family. The committee served the Inter

Church Reserve supper. The committee received $96 in donations.

Foundation, Jake Wawrzynkiewicz: No report

Library, Steve Evans, Becky Robinson: Becky Robinson made sticks to put in the slots when books are checked out. These will remain in

the slots until the book is returned to the library.

Mutual Ministry, Pastor Steve Berke: No report

Preschool, Jerry Stoll: No additional information.

Property, Mark Obermeier, Ryan Henry: Update on weather stripping on Narthex doors. The weather-stripping on the Narthex doors of the

church has been replaced.

Worship & Music, Jody Lamberty: The committee felt that we had a very successful Seder Supper with an attendance of around 90.

Pastor Steve indicated that Olene made a possible template for pew pads. Pr. Steve will bring one of the templates to the next council

meeting

Old Business

North wall in Sanctuary needs repaired. Council to discuss and approve paint color(s). The council voted to use the paint color Quinoa for

the North wall in the Sanctuary.

Elevator upgrades. The Property Committee is aware of the problems with the elevator. Discussions are ongoing and they are working

with Olene to find solutions. An inspector from the State of Nebraska will be coming to look at the elevator and advise the property

committee of changes that need to be made.

Transition Team: Pastor Steve Meysing presented the Call Process to congregation members between services on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

He will give another presentation on Wednesday before services. Pastor Steve Berke will write up a description of what the Transition

Team members will do. A notice will be put in the church bulletin asking for people to sign up to be on the Transition Team if they are

interested.

New Business

Council President Report: Update on property inquiry on ½ lot north of church. Due to unexpected repairs that had to be done to the

house, Deb Bertrand has indicated that she is unable to purchase the ½ lot from First Lutheran Church.

Use of facilities requests and reminders (back of agenda)

c. Remove Frank Fitch and assign agent on First National Bank credit card for Olene Beck and Gail Jensen.

Emily McCreery made a motion to remove Frank Fitch and assign Pastor Steve Berke as agent on the First National Bank credit card

for Olene Beck and Gail Jensen. Jake Wawrzynkiewicz seconded the motion.

Motion carried.

Membership changes (back of agenda).

Council member’s forum: Jake W. made a motion per the Constitution to go back to the original number of 12 council members until the

Constitution is amended. A notice will be put in the Church bulletin to have people sign up to fill the additional 2 seats. Betty Knepke-Hamit

asked to amend the motion with the addition of “with volunteers” to fill the additional 2 seats. Jake W. seconded. Motion carried.

Celebrations:

Adjournment at 1:05 PM with the Lord's Prayer. Jerry Stoll made a motion to adjourn and Mark Obermeier second. Motion carried.

Next two meetings: May 21, 2017 and June 18, 2017 Becky Robinson and Betty Knepke -Hamit will be unable to attend the May 21, 2017

meeting.

Minutes prepared by Jody Lamberty and presented on behalf of the Congregational Church Council.

Full minutes and financials available in the Narthex.

MISSION STATEMENT: To make Christ known in our love for one another, by service to our neighbor, and in worship of God.

Congregational Council Meeting, April 23, 2017

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

1

June 1-3: Nebraska Synod Assembly

2

1-3 Grace Pantry

June 1-3: Nebraska Synod Assembly

3 June 1-3: Nebraska Synod Assembly

4 Pentecost

8:15 am & 10:30 am Worship

w/Communion

9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band

5

1:30 Staff Mtg. 7:30 Miriam Circle

6

1:00 Quilts/Library

6:00 Yoga 7:00 Boy Scouts

7

9:30 WELCA Board 5:30 Worship w/Communion 6:30 Pizza & Movie “Martin Luther”

8 1:00 Quilts/Library

9

1-3 Grace Pantry

10

11 Holy Trinity

ONE SERVICE TODAY 9:00am Worship w/Communion

BLESSINGS & SEND-OFF:

FELC YOUTH: Sky Ranch (June 11-16)

12

FELC YOUTH: Sky Ranch

13

1:00 Quilts/Library

2:00 Bingo at Centennial 6:00 Yoga 7:00 Boy Scouts FELC YOUTH: Sky Ranch

14 FELC YOUTH: Sky Ranch

15 6:30 CCC Mtg

FELC YOUTH: Sky Ranch

16 1-3 Grace Pantry

FELC YOUTH: Sky Ranch

17

Overnight Group

from Minnesota

18 2 Pentecost

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

9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 10:00 Praise Band

NOON Council Meeting

19

1:00 Staff Mtg 2:00 Buffalo Bill Communion 3:00 Centennial Communion Family Night: Reformation 500

20

9:00 Adah Circle at Airport Inn 1:00 Quilts/Library

6:00 Yoga 7:00 Boy Scouts

Overnight Group

from Minnesota

21 2-6:30PM Community Dinner 5:30 Worship w/Communion

22

23

1-3 Grace Pantry

Overnight Group

Minnesota

24

25 3 Pentecost

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

9:15 Fellowship donuts/coffee 9:15 “Luther and the Reformation” by Rick Steves in Sanctuary 9:30 Eve Circle 10:00 Praise Band

26

1:30 Staff Mtg

27 1:00 Quilts/Library

6:00 Yoga 7:00 Boy Scouts

28

5:30 Worship w/Communion

29

1:00 Newsletter

30

1-3 Grace Pantry

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING

PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Katie Coriell Lillian Higgins Doug Howard Ella Kisslinger-Lynch Jon Petersen Colleen Reutzel Bernie Ludemann Sharon Thompson Family of Dan Guenthner Family of Edyth Schomp Wawrzynkiewicz Family and baby girl, Julia

OTHER PRAYERS: Gabriel Baumgartner, Todd Chase, Justin Falcon,

Eric Kocher, Capt. Joe Moeller, Tim Salinas, Samantha Schlaffman, 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 @ 308-532-0250.

BIBLE STUDY (No Summer Bible Studies) Sunday’s at 9:30 AM in the church library. Monday’s at 1:30 PM in the church library.

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 ** No meeting in June and July Miriam Circle: First Monday at 7:00 PM Ruth Circle: Third Monday at 7:30 PM ** No meeting in June Eve Circle: Fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM

COMMUNITY COMMUNION 3rd Monday at Buffalo Bill Manor @ 2:00 PM

3rd Monday at Centennial Park @ 3:00 PM

COMMUNITY MEAL 3rd Wednesday of each month at Episcopal Church. Sign up to help or get more information at First Lutheran church office!

FUNERALS Ken George, April 6, 2017 Edyth Schomp, May 1, 2017 Dan Guenthner, May 11, 2017

GRACE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY Friday from 1-3 PM

Jr. & Sr. F.L.Y. YOUTH EVENTS Stay informed, sign-up to receive text/emails! Text @flyyo to (308)224-2345 (unsubscribe at any time)! For emails, send a message to flyyo@mail.remind.com (subject line can be left blank).

QUILTS Quilting: Every Tuesday at 1:00 PM Tie Quilts: 2nd Thursday at 1:00 PM

A NNOUN C E M E NT S - A t t E N D A N C E - F L O W E R - L E S S O N - M I N I S t R I E S - P R A Y E R - T H A N K S

1st Lesson Psalm 2nd Lesson Gospel

June 4 Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b 1 Cor 12:3b-13 John 20:19-23

June 11 Gen 1:1—2:4a Psalm 8 2 Cor 13:11-13 Matt 28:16-20

June 18 Exod 19:2-8a Psalm 100 Rom 5:1-8 Matt 9:35— 10:8-23

June 25 Jer 20:7-13 Psalm 69:7-18 Rom 6:1b-11 Matt 10:24-39

Average Weekly

Attendance May

Year 2017 (3 weeks) 115

Year 2016 108

Altar Flowers: Available Sundays

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 office. The cost is $35.00 for one pair of bouquets.

June — — — 25 —

July — — 16 23 —

August — 13 20 27 —

September — — 17 24 —

October — 8 15 22 —

Thank you to the Boy Scout Troop for power ranking the church lawn. It looks wonderful!

Thank you to the Girl Scout Troop for cleaning out the planter signs/flower beds and planting the geraniums after Pentecost Sunday on June 4, 2017.

A huge thank you to Joan, Twila, Tammie & Claudette who have been helping in the church office during May!

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Keep the following in your prayers June 11-16 they will be attending a week long spiritual journey at confirmation camp!

2017 Nebraska Synod Assembly “Grace to Us, Grace Through Us”

(Kearney, Nebraska, June 1-3, 2017)

Voting members representing First Ev. Lutheran Church: Gail Jensen, Jerry Jensen and Linda Lehmann

Also attending: Pastor Steve Berke

Join us for a farewell party for Polly Shahan!

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

at Noon in the church basement.

Pease bring a salad or dessert to

share! Everyone invited!!

June 7, 2017 @ 6:30 PM

Join us to watch: “Martin Luther”

Please sign-up on the clipboard or call the church office at 308-532-0250 for this event to ensure we have enough pizza and drinks.

June 25, 2017 @ 9:15 AM

Join us in the

church sanctuary

for:

graduated from North Platte High School on Sunday, May 14,2017 at 2pm on Bauer Field. Kaliann was active in Girl Scouts, Troop 10020. She received her Silver Star, the second highest in Girl Scouts. She was involved in Speech, traveling around the state on Saturdays for Speech competitions. Kaliann was involved in high school plays, "Psycho Beach Party", "Sleeping Beauty the magic of the Spell" and

"Romeo and Juliet seven very busy days". Kaliann enjoys painting, drawing, and photography. She participated in Art Club.

Did You Know? (sponsored by CCC)

CCC

is the abbreviation for

Caring Christian’s

Committee

This committee is part of the Outreach Council Committee

Pastor Steve Emily Hansen Melody Jansma Debbie Slagle Jesson McClintock Eva McCreery Devon McCreery Zach Saathoff Dakota Slagle Dawson Slagle

W O M E N

O F

T H E

E L C A

Are you a new member to First Lutheran Church? Or a young mother wanting to meet other Christian women?

Contact the church office and we will be happy to have one of our WELCA circle members contact you. Join in our fellowship, bible study and service.

Women of ELCA Visitor for May 2017 Duties: Bingo at Centennial (see below)

Women’s Board met Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.

Linda opened the meeting with prayer

Attendance: Adah - 1, Esther/Lois –1, Eve - 1, Miriam - 1, Ruth -1, Other - 0

Next Board Meeting June 7, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.

Secretary Report and Treasurer Reports Approved Mary presented bills for the Tucker and Schomp funerals totaling $471.40. Joan moved we allow payment for these Wal-mart and Gary’s bills. Seconded by Mary. Approved. (Bills that are on a credit card will be turned in to Olene for handling and we will pay the church. $1500 paid for Mitchell Drywall for North wall work. Correspondence: Salvation Army, Lutheran Family Services Connection, Oaks Indian Mission Work Groups:

Help tie quilts: Each Tuesday at 1:00. Cut, build and tie. Second Tuesday at 1:00. Tie quilts. Kathy Hinrichs and Linda Lehmann are sewing receiving blankets. Polly Shahan is making diapers. Save your original SunMart receipts. We have received $30,000 as of 5/1/17. Place your receipts in the container in the vestibule or at the office. When we collect $150,000 in eligible sales slips, we will receive a check for $1000. Old Business: Bonnie Johnson and Linda will make a quilt to donate to the Auction for Camp Carol Joy Holling. Pr. Steve Meysing will deliver for us. New Business: Discussion about changing Mother Daughter Sister Friend event on Sunday next year. Circles should discuss and let the board know their feelings. We will need feedback by August 1st. Bingo: May 9th Pat Glass, Mary Johnson, Linda Lehman, Sandy Stoll, Cheryl Fisher

June 13th Loretta Ellett, Bonnie Johnson, Linda Lehmann, Jane Ann Allen, Carla Jensen We closed with the Lord’s Prayer Joan Johansen, Secretary

Beginning balance 5/01/17 $5,566.52

Thrivent Choice donations: +$34.00 Gifts given: Reformation 500 Celebration -$262.83

Ending balance 5/31/17* $5,337.69

*Approved, not removed from ending balance: $995.02

Thank you to all members who have designated Thrivent Choice dollars to First Lutheran.

We are open to suggestions as to how to use this money. Contact one of the members of the committee: Betty Knepke-Hamit, Joan Johansen, Mary Johnson or Sandy Stoll. If you are a Thrivent member, you can designate your Choice dollars to First Lutheran Church by logging onto www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or by calling 800-847-4836.

Year 2017 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC TOTAL

Income $19,471 $13,758 $18,012 $25,342 $76,583

Expenses $23,183 $20,716 $24,046 $23,636 $91,581

Surplus (Shortfall)

Shortfall $(3,712)

Shortfall $(6,958)

Shortfall $(6,034)

Surplus $1,706

Shortfall $(14,998)

Higher income levels around Easter/Christmas.

Lower income levels typically received in the summer months.

Income excludes any donations received for “designated gifts”.

The expenses vary month to month, depending on the spending requests by the ministry leaders and committees.

Detailed financial reports are available in Narthex, council & committee mailboxes and office.

Year 2017 APRIL

ACTUAL APRIL

BUDGET

DIFFERENCE

YR. TO DATE ACTUAL

YR. TO DATE BUDGET

DIFFERENCE

GENERAL BUDGET OFFERING - INCOME

$25,342 $24,646 Above Budget

$(696) $76,583 $98,583

Below Budget $(22,000)

2017 EXPENSES $23,636 $24,646 Below Budget

$1,010 $91,581 $98,583

Below Budget $7,002

SURPLUS

(SHORTFALL) Surplus $1,706

$0

Surplus $1,706

Shortfall $(14,998)

$0

Shortfall $(14,998)

APRIL 2017 F INANCIAL REPORT

To fulfill the mission and ministry of First Ev. Lutheran Church, as we seek to reach out to others with Jesus, we require $24,646/month In General Budget offerings.

Thrivent Choice has been sharing the gifts ...

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Non-Profit Organization

North Platte, Nebraska

PERMIT NO. 7

Worship Services

Sunday Morning: 8:15 AM ~ Traditional Service

10:30 AM ~ Praise Service

Wednesday Evening: 5:30 PM ~ Mid-Week Worship

Sunday School Schedule

Will resume in the fall!

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

June 11, 2017 9:00 am

JOIN US AS WE

BLESS AND SEND-OFF 2 ADULTS/8 YOUTH TO: