THE CALL
January/February
First Lutheran
Church
6400 State Line Road - Mission
Hills, Kansas 66208
913.362.4150
www.firstlutherankc.com
Email: firstlutheran@kc.rr.com
Staff
Interim Pastor:
Michael Brecke, 920.421.0941, brecketitterington@dcwis.com
Parish Assistant:
Dudley Hogue, 816.519.2314, flcdudley@kc.rr.com
Director of Music:
Nick Brown, 913.232.3665, nicholase.brown11@gmail.com
Keyboardist:
Wayne Hawkins, wayne@waynehawkins.com, 913.488.6849
Interim Director of Ed. Center:
Tiffany Johnson, 913.677.2230, fledcenter@kc.rr.com
First Lutheran Church is a welcoming community that
strengthens people in their commitment to the Lord and supports
them in sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others.
Unless otherwise noted, Sunday worship services are held at 8:15 and
10:30 a.m. and include Holy Communion, with Interim Pastor Brecke
preaching and presiding. Sunday Church School begins at 9:15 a.m.
for all ages (Sept. - May). Child care is available beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Visitors are always welcome!
Sunday, January 19
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 26
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
10:30 a.m. Jazz Service
Ashley Masoni, preaching &
presiding
Sunday, February 2
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Susan Candea, preaching &
presiding
Sunday, February 9
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Tuesday, February 16
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, February 23
PARISH CALENDAR
Monday, January 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Office closed.
Tuesday, January 21
7:00 p.m. – FLC Book Club – Martin Home
Wednesday, January 22
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study – Room 107 – Don Coleman leading
6:30 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
Friday, January 24
6:30 p.m. – KU Lutheran Ministry Trivia Night – Fellowship Hall
Sunday, January 26 – Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Ashley Masoni Preaching and Presiding
8:15 a.m. – Worship Service - Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School!
10:30 a.m. Jazz Worship Service – Sanctuary
3:00 p.m. – Youth Game Night – Youth Room
Wednesday, January 29
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study – Room 107 – Don Coleman leading
6:30 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
Sunday, February 2 – Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Susan Candea Preaching and Presiding
8:15 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School!
10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
Monday, February 3
6:00 p.m. – Property Committee Meeting – Library
Wednesday, February 5
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study – Room 107 – Don Coleman leading
6:30 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
Sunday, February 9 – Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:15 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School !
10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
Monday, February 10
7:00 p.m. – Church Council Meeting – Library
Wednesday, February 12
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study – Room 107
6:30 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
Sunday, February 16 – Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:15 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School !
10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
Monday, February 17
Happy President’s Day – Office closed
Tuesday, February 18
7:00 p.m. – FLC Book Club – Terry Home
Wednesday, February 19
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study – Room 107
6:30 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
Sunday, February 23 – Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
8:15 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School !
10:30 a.m. Jazz Worship Service – Sanctuary
Wednesday, February 26
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study – Room 107
6:30 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 –
SMORGASBORD!!!!!
Sign Up to Bring Treats!
We have TWO opportunities for your family!
1. Bring cookies from the store for the stash.
2. Sign up to bring treats after the 8:15 a.m. service or the 10:30
a.m. service. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board in the
Fellowship Area.
Questions, ask Shirley Anderson or Dudley Hogue.
January/December Youth Game
Nights
We always have a great time at our game nights! I’ve planned the
next one for Sunday, January 26, 3-8 p.m. in the youth room with all
of the usual games. Snacks and drinks are provided, and friends
are always welcome. Any questions, speak with Jason Greenawalt
at 816.437.7314 or nsdatalore@aol.com. February’s game night is
Sunday, February 23, from 3-8 p.m. I hope we’ll see you on both of
these dates!
Thank you, First Lutheran!
The Sunday School Youth raised $750.00 at their bake sale in
December to earn money for Heifer International. They selected 3
shares of a water buffalo, 1 goat, 3 pigs, 4 flocks of chicks, 2
honeybees packages and 1 share of a Heifer! These gifts will
empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and
prosperity. Thanks for making the bake sale such a success!
The Altar Flower Chart for 2014 is on the bulletin board outside the
office. Please sign up for the week(s) you want to have altar
flowers. It is perfectly acceptable to have two arrangements a
week. Please give dedications to Dudley Hogue, Parish Assistant.
Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church Lunch!
Please sign up to provide, serve, and/or pay for the Saturday meal
at Children's Memorial Lutheran Church on February 1,
2014. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board outside the office.
We really need people to donate crackers, cookies, and
brownies – and people to help us serve! Questions - call Helen
or John Scheuch at 913-649-3284.
The Service Outreach Committee will continue to have a "Food Item of
the Month" for Metro Lutheran Ministries. The January Food Item(s) of
the Month for the MLM Food Pantry are saltines, Ritz crackers, graham
crackers, chewy granola bars or fruit filled snack bars (no protein
bars). The February Food Item(s) of the Month for the MLM Food Pantry
are cans of tuna or chicken. Please take a bag (with an attached note of
the food items requested) from a basket on the credenza outside the
church office.
The Service Outreach Committee's January Community Organization
is Blessings Abound Thrift Store. Please clean out your closets,
cupboards, and drawers and bring these items (no Christmas decorations)
to church. Look for the collection boxes under the credenza outside the
church office. Blessings Abound is a not-for-profit organization that
accepts gently used items to sell. All proceeds help others get back on
their feet, feed the hungry, help single parents, and fund outreach
programs through Metro Lutheran Ministries. Questions about donations
call John or Helen Scheuch at 913-649-3284.
Please consider volunteering at the store located at 9622 Nall Ave. in
Overland Park, KS. Call Tony Whitter, Store Director, at 913-648-0700 for
more information about volunteering.
The February Community Organization is the KU Campus
Ministry/Westwood House in Lawrence. On Sunday, February 16, a
meal will be provided and served after the 5 p.m. Worship Service. If
interested in attending the service and helping with the meal call John or
Helen Scheuch at 913-649-3284.
FLC Book Club: Read with us!
Love to read? So do we! The First Lutheran Church Book
Club is an informal, friendly group that meets the third
Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. to discuss that month’s
book selection. We meet in members’ homes, taking turns
leading the discussion. And because we are Lutheran, after
all, the evening always includes snacks and beverages.
Our reading list is varied and eclectic and contains both fiction
and nonfiction. Some of our 2013 selections were Jack
Kennedy: Elusive Hero, The Elephant Whisperer, Catcher in
the Rye, Gone Girl, Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland
America, and Shoeless Joe. Titles are chosen by book club
members and are readily available in paperback and/or from
local libraries.
Following are titles, discussion leaders, and hosts for the first
four months of 2014.
January 21: To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Hosting: Dwayne & Anita Martin
Discussion Leader: Dwayne Martin
February 18: The Light Between
Oceans by M. L. Stedman
Hosting: Keith & Dottie Terry
Discussion Leader: Melanie
Stevens
March 18: Call the Midwife: A
Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard
Times by Jennifer Worth
Hosting: Janet Taylor
Discussion Leader: Dwayne
Martin
April 15: The Red Badge of
Courage by Stephen Crane
Hosting: John & Helen Scheuch
Discussion Leader: Bob
Thesman
Join the discussion! Questions? Ask any book club member
listed or email the church at firstlutheran@kc.rr.com.
Activities for Children and Youth!
The 9:15 Sunday School Class is starting a new series called
"Learning to Read The Bible". The lessons combine fun activities
and crafts that introduce our students to what's in the Bible and how
to find it! We'll also be having special games, stories, and fun ways
of looking at related Bible stories every other week, led by Duane &
Cecelia Ball! And we're starting once a month Service Projects led
by Helen Scheuch. (We just finished making "I Care" bags, filled
with treats and hand-written notes, to be given to individuals who
are homeless through MLM.) We start every Sunday class with
music led by Jason Greenawalt, and plan to be learning some special
songs to sing in a worship service led by our young people this
spring!
The Pre-school class, led by Sarah Doyle, Bethany Hohly and
Danielle Hohly, will continue their lessons and fun activities during
the 10:30 Worship Service.
The monthly GAME NIGHTS for Middle & High School Age
Youth will continue (see separate article), led by Jason Greenawalt,
and we plan to add another monthly gathering focusing on service &
FOOD, starting in February! Watch for information on when that's
coming!
If you have questions - or would like to help with programs for our
young people - get in touch with any of the people listed above, or
Anne Wiedenkeller at 816-363-2370 or knaweeds@sbcglobal.net.
Marketing Committee Update
Several years ago, a friend of First Lutheran Church who felt we
have something special going on here, donated funds to be used for
marketing and getting the word out about our church. This fall, the
Church Council approved engaging Terrill Petri, a local marketing
person who has worked with churches in the US and Canada to
assist in this process.
A Marketing Committee was formed and has been meeting since
September. Co-Chairs for the Committee are Anne Wiedenkeller
and Danielle Hohly. Participating members include: Bev Bellinger,
Tessa Singer, Nicole Stone, Julie & Dieter Koch and Rick Huyett,
The Marketing Committee has identified the following priorities:
 Promote our strengths
 Help grow the youth program
 Increase involvement in Community Outreach
 Grow the congregation; increase attendance.
Members of the Marketing Committee have developed a monthly
calendar so people are more aware of what is going on at the church,
created a flyer to promote the Jazz Service with soloist Millie
Edwards, developed a new email format and a weekly schedule of email communication, developed a post card to remind people of
church activities during the holiday season, coordinated activities
with the Outreach Committee, edited a video of the Blue Notes to
promote the December 29 service and updated the website.
Current projects include: developing an interim letterhead and
envelope design; developing weekly email messages; developing a
post-card promoting Jazz service and researching mailing to
households in surrounding area, developing a volunteer brochure,
looking for ways to promote our programs for youth and children.
The Committee is also developing a Marketing Plan that will
provide a road-map for ongoing marketing activities at First
Lutheran Church.
We welcome anyone who is interested in getting involved in the
marketing efforts to join us at our next Marketing Committee
meeting on February 8 meeting from noon – 2:00 pm.
Council minutes from December 9, 2013:
The November Council minutes and the minutes of the November
Congregational Meeting were distributed and read.
Treasurer Linda Nelson distributed the Cash Flow Budget for the
period ending 11/30/2013 as well the amended 2014 Budget. She
reported that the mortgage payment had been received and she will
pay on the loan what was budgeted in 2013 to pay. A motion was
made, seconded and approved to approve the amended 2014 Budget.
This budget will be voted on at the Congregational Meeting after the
10:30 a.m. church service on Dec. 15, 2013. A motion was made,
seconded and approved to equally distribute the remaining $1700.00
in Other Ministries between Metro Lutheran Ministries and
Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church. A motion was made,
seconded and approved for the staff bonuses for Dudley Hogue
(Parish Asst.), Wayne Hawkins(Organist) and Nick Brown(Choir
Director).
An updated First Lutheran Church “To Do” List from the Property
Committee was distributed.
A motion to accept the minutes and written reports be accepted as
written was made, seconded and approved.
Pastor Michael asked the council about a church wide activity to
renew covenants on January 26, 2014. The council agreed during
this transition time to participate. He also wanted the council to start
the process of calling a Transition Team to begin in January. This
team would meet every Sunday for a month. They would collect
data for the Call Committee – getting First’s vision on paper. At
least 6 members need to be selected. He asked the council to give
names to J.D. Perkin by the end of the month. As council members
are asking members to consider being on this team and had any
questions to please call Pastor Michael. Pastor Michael reminded
the council that he would be gone on January 26, 2014 and February
2, 2014 on an already planned vacation.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept Trudy Hadl
into First Lutheran’s confirmed membership.
Jason Greenawalt will be leaving the council since he will attending
school. The Nominating Committee will need to find a replacement.
Tessa Singer reminded the council that it was time for an audit.
The next planned council meeting is January 13, 2014.
Congregation Meeting Minutes from
December 15, 2013:
The purpose of this meeting was to vote on the amended 2014
Budget from the November 17, 2013 Congregational Meeting. The
church council approved the amended budget and recommended
approval of the budget by the congregation. It was noted by a
member that the 2014 Budget showed a deficit of 56,634.00. A
motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the 2014
Budget.
Interim Pastor Brecke then gave a brief explanation of the first step
in “the call process”. Before the congregation enters into the
process of calling a new pastor there is a Transition Period directed
by a Transition Team. This team will organize discussions and
gather data. This team will be called by the Church Council by the
end of December so they can start work in January. When the five
areas of self-study have been completed then a Call Committee will
be formed by the Church Council.
There being no further business J.D. Perkins concluded the meeting.
Council minutes from January 13, 2014:
The minutes from Congregational Meeting on December 15, 2013
and the Council Meeting on December 9, 2013 were distributed and
read.
Linda Nelson distributed the Financial Report for the period ending
12/31/2013. For the period ending 12/31/2013 actual giving was
$36,079 and the budget was $26,096. She reported that all monies
were now at the Bank of Prairie Village.
Minutes from the Property Committee were distributed.
J.D. Perkins reported for the Stewardship Committee. Dottie Terry
will be working on a written report with the results of the 2014
Pledges.
Rick Huyett reported for the Worship & Music Committee. The
committee met and worship plans were made for the season of
Lent/Easter. Ash Wednesday is March 5. The Wednesday evening
Lent service will be streamlined in order for the choir rehearsal to
not be so late.
A motion to accept the minutes and written reports as written was
made, seconded and approved.
Pastor Michael reminded the council that he will gone on vacation
January 20 through February 6. Pastor Ashley Masoni will be
preaching January 26 and Pastor Susan Candea (Bishop’s Asst.) will
be preaching on February 2. Pastor Susan Candea will be helping
First Lutheran through the call process. He presented a flyer with
information about a workshop on January 31 to February 1 at Salem
Lutheran titled Building An Inclusive Church. He also reminded us
that PGI Services hired in August would need a review in February.
Tessa Singer will take care of that review.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept Denny
DePugh into First Lutheran’s membership by affirmation of faith.
Candidates for the Transition Team were discussed. The team needs
to consist of six members for a four to six week commitment. The
information they gather will used by the Call Committee. Pastor
Michael presented The Five Developmental Tasks and Guides for
the Transition Team.
J.D. Perkins will notify the Nominating Committee (Marilyn Moss,
Emily Ballentine, and Anita Martin) about the open council seat.
Helen Scheuch expressed a concern about the Constitution and
Bylaw change made at the April 28, 2013 Congregational Meeting.
Pastor Michael also noted that the Bylaws read that a total of fifteen
members should serve on the council. Helen will check about the
changes with the Synod.
There being no further business the meeting concluded with The
Lord’s Prayer.
Smorgasbord 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014!
Sign up sheets for the Smorgasbord are on the
bulletin board in the Fellowship Area. Please
sign up to help in any way that you can. Tickets
are on sale after both services beginning on
February 2. Ticket prices will remain the same
as they have been for several years, and
reservation forms are available on the table
outside the office door.
Posters and flyers are available for you to take to
co-workers or hang in your office or other hangouts.
Please tell your friends – and help us sell out
another great event!
WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER!
The Altar Guild is in need of a couple of
people who would be willing to help with
communion set-up for services. The
commitment is for one or two months a year
only, and training is available. Please let
Dudley know if you have any questions, or
would like to help us out! Thank you!
Sonja Abrahamson02/12
Mike Bellinger01/04
ClaireBolton02/08
James Brandt 01/25
Crystal Burkhardt 01/07
Andrew Freshnock 02/06
Lyla Fundermann02/19
George Heymach V 02/05
Elaine Hintz 02/02
JasonJolliff 01/23
Melissa Jolliff 02/10
Gilda Kneitz 02/15
Harold Lerew 02/24
Carol McClure 02/14
Penny Mellies 01/06
Austin Powell 02/19
Colin Powell 01/05
Victoria Schardt 01/12
Jim Sharp 02/14
Clara Singer 01/26
Mel Sjerven 02/19
Wilson Stafford 02/26
Drew Stevens 01/26
Nicole Stone 02/09
Gregory Strobel 02/12
Pete Veenstra 02/14
Connie Wicks 02/24
Lakisha Wiedenkeller 01/11
Travis Wiedenkeller 01/08
Arnold Wuertz 02/06
|
Number of birthdays in selection - 32
January 28, 2014 1:40:07 PM
1
01/03Page
– Susan
& Tim Strobel, 8816
Norwood,
Leawood, KS 66206
02/25 - Kevin & Kristina Stone, 7312
Martindale, Shawnee, KS 66218
(If your birthday or anniversary is not
listed, it means we don’t have it in the
database! Email it to Dudley at
flcdudley@kc.rr.com, and we’ll add it!)
Worship Assistants – FEBRUARY
Children’s Sermon
Host Teams
February 2
Joan Leavens
February 9
Pete Veenstra
February 16
Diane Stafford
February 23
Anita Martin
February 2
Sonja Abrahamson
February 9
Sonja Abrahamson, John Taylor
February 16
Sonja Abrahamson, Joe Hudec
February 23
John Taylor, Sonja Abrahamson
Lectors
February 2
8:15 – Jim Pyle
10:30 – Claire Bolton
February 9
8:15 – Dick Ballentine
10:30 – John Carey
February 16
8:15 – Carol Jenks
10:30 – Joan Leavens
February 23
8:15 – Bev Bellinger
10:30 – Keith Wiedenkeller
Communion
Assistants
February 2
Janie Schmidt, John Carey
Dudley Hogue, Debra Hohly
February 9
Janet & John Taylor
Anita Martin, Joan Leavens
February 16
Anne & Keith Wiedenkeller
James Whaley, Emily Ballentine
February 23
Diane & Wilson Stafford
Keith & Dottie Terry
Liturgical Assistants
February 2
23
Keith Wiedenkell
February 9
Anita Martin
February 16
J. D. Perkins
February
Blue Notes
If you’re listed as a worship assistant, and haven’t received materials you need,
please contact Dudley in the office at flcdudley@kc.rr.com.
We remember in prayer all who are in need of God’s presence
and care . . . especially:
Members of our First Community:
Kirk Andersen, Margaret Altman, Vicki Altman, Shirley Anderson,
Anne Grether, Joyce Huyett, Joan Kerdolff, Dorothy Lindeman,
Walter Martin, Royce Norburg; Muguie Powell, Travis Wiedenkeller,
Carol Windsor.
Homebound and Shut-in Members:
Marilyn Gulberg, Had Lerew, Betty Sharp, Mel Sjerven, Connie
Wicks.
Those Serving in the Military:
Talia Menezes, Jason Reynolds, Matt Norburg, Cody Gabriel, Greg
Gadson, Jay Reiniger.
Members of our Extended Community:
Marilyn Aylward, friend of Dorothy Ferm; Homer Walters, uncle of John &
Helen Scheuch; Loreta, friend of Dudley Hogue & John Carey; Pastor Ted
Schubkegel, friend of the Terry family; Will Kohnen, friend of the Nygaard
family; Luann Johns,family & friends of the Scheuch and Starforth families;
Pat Earl, sister of Phyllis Shaft; Rick Haselrick, father of Melissa Jolliff;
Abigail Cabamungao, Calvin Bryant, Merle Marsolf, Lawrence Hultquist,
Merrill Nelson, Gwynaeth Ann Pospech-Walulik, friends & family of Lillian
Brown; Jim McClure, brother-in-law of Carol McClure; Leigh Ann Morris,
sister of Keith Wiedenkeller; Lois Will, sister of Laura Whaley; Steve Cook,
friend of the Schweder family; Danny Griffith, son of Dee Griffith; Diane
Koken, friend of Sonja Abrahamson; Richard Love, friend of Rich Toftness
& Keith Hohly; Charles Hohly, father of Keith Hohly; Carla Cook, sister of
Cecelia Ball; Tim Farmer, Marcia Gingrich, & LeaAnn England, friends &
family of Cecelia & Duane Ball; Kevin Carr, friend of the Powell family;
Tonia Dierksen, sister of Darcy Frankenfield; Cheryl Morrison & Jim
Everage, family & friend of James Trefz; Colin Smith, great-grandson of
Elly Swenson; Judy Swope, & Ronald Dull, friends of Carol McClure; Hilda
Nitschke, mother of Debra Hohly; Everett Stamer, friend of Melanie &
Lloyd Stevens; Mariah, student of Sarah Starforth; Hannah Melvin, niece
of Diane Doran; Lauren White, Jerry & Sue Faier, friends & family of the
Scheuch family; Pat Monson, sister-in-law of Marilyn Moss; Nathan Pieper,
friend of the Strobel boys; Mary & Rick Crary, family of Sharlene Snyder;
Peggy Hunter, friend of Anita & Dwayne Martin; Robert & Ruby Magnuson,
mother & father of Kathy Fuger; Beth Watilo, Pauline Decker & Barbara
Marracino, friends & family of Bev Bellinger; Danielle Buettner, Ann Cody,
friends of Dee Griffith.
Welcome Statement - First Lutheran Church
Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to welcome all people, and indeed
First Lutheran Church has a long history and cherished identity
as a welcoming congregation.
We welcome all who are seeking spiritual growth and enrichment.
We offer Christian worship in the Lutheran tradition with the goals
of making worship meaningful and readily accessible for the
participant. Communion is open to all who are drawn to the table.
We welcome children and embrace our role as extended family. We
offer a place of worship where children are seen, heard, and
respected and accepted for who they are, as they are, and guided in
their faith development.
We welcome the diversity of families present in our society. We are
committed to ministry with persons in a variety of family
configurations.
We welcome gay and lesbian people as participants and members in
our congregation.
We welcome persons of color and persons whose primary language
is not English. We are eager to nurture exchange among all
cultures.
We welcome persons with varying disabilities, including physical,
mental and emotional. Our building is handicap accessible, and we
strive to provide other accommodations as needed.
We welcome people of all economic backgrounds.
YOU ARE WELCOME to learn of Jesus Christ and to share
fellowship, time, talent and treasure to His greater glory.
The CALL
Volume 45 number 1, January & February, 2014
THE CALL is published monthly by the church staff. Articles, reports and items
of information and interest are welcome. The deadline for the subsequent edition
is the 15th of each month. To receive The CALL, please contact the church office
at 913.362.4150 or email flcdudley@kc.rr.com.