THE IMMANUELITE First Immanuel Lutheran Church 1816 NW Irving Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 “A Welcoming Community Centered in Christ’s Love, Joyfully Reaching Out Together” July 2015 published monthly Dear friends in Christ, It has been so much fun making preparations for our youth to attend the ELCA National Youth Gathering this summer. Part of the fun has been the wonderful fundraisers, like the mini-golf course in Fellowship Hall and the “Murder at Mike’s” mystery dinner theater. Even more fun has been hearing from so many of our adults who have shared their memories of attending a youth gathering years ago when they were young! So what is a National Youth Gathering like? Imagine 25,000 high school youth, from congregations all around the country. There are youth who come from urban, rural and suburban churches, big churches and small churches, east coast, west coast, and everywhere in between. The gathering this year takes place in Detroit, July 15-19. It is a lively, high-energy, fun event that can have a tremendous impact on a young person’s faith and their sense of how God is calling them to be part of God’s work in the world. Each day begins with a variety of community experiences, with worship, prayer, music, food, games and activities—at the hotels and the COBO Convention Center. During the day, youth and sponsors will have a variety of opportunities for learning and serving in Detroit. They will experience hands-on serving in the Detroit metropolitan area, and an interactive group learning experience at the convention center. These experiences offer the chance for youth to share a blessing with the people of Detroit, and to learn the heart of faith in profoundly personal and powerful ways. The day ends with everyone together in one place—Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. There will be lively (and loud) music and engaging speakers who will both inspire and challenge the youth. After returning to the hotels, the day winds down with a “Final 15”—the last 15 minutes of the day Vol. 26 No. 7 dedicated to reflecting on scripture. Our youth—Nathan Couch and Emily Drexler— will be traveling to Detroit with a group that includes youth from Mission of the Atonement in Beaverton and two congregations in Hillsboro, Community of ChristChurch and Calvary Lutheran. Thank you for all of your support that has made it possible for them to attend this powerful event. I’m excited to see how our congregation has matured to the place where we have youth to send to such an event! We celebrate these young people and our congregation's commitment to them. I invite you to pray for our youth while they are in Detroit, that they will have a great experience that will give them a glimpse of the power of God’s love, the joy of Christian community, and the meaning of Christian serving. Pray also that they will return empowered and inspired to share God’s love in ways large and small. I, for one, can hardly wait to hear about their experience! Pastor Aaron RESTORING GOD’S HOUSE BUILDING FUND APPEAL 2015-2018 Many thanks to everyone who has pledged to the Building Fund! We continue to welcome gifts and pledges to our three-year Building Fund Appeal. We are seeking gifts totaling $245,500 to fix our steeple, power-wash and paint the exterior of the sanctuary, repair the Sodergren Hall roof, and more. To date, we have received 41 pledges for a total of $94,018. There is still time for you to participate. If you need a detailed Building Fund Appeal packet or pledge card, contact the church office (503-226-3659, office@firstimmanuelluth.org). If you choose not to make a three-year pledge, please know that Building Fund gifts of any amount are still appreciated at any time. FIRST IMMANUEL ARCHIVES First Immanuel has a long and interesting historya history that is documented in its records, memorabilia, and artifacts. FILC Council member Becky Shoemaker is interested in forming a task force to review the archival holdings of the church and develop a plan for their long-term preservation and management. If you have an interest in participating in the task force, please contact Becky by phone at (503) 232-5274, or by email at jianhewu@msn.com. ADULT FORUM takes a summer break We’ve had a rich experience studying some works by Marcus Borg, and will continue in the fall. But for now we’ll take a little break. Why not check out one of Borg’s books from our library and see what interests you most? Your ideas can help shape our class this fall. God bless, Pastor Melinda & Leslie Wong THE PERFECT SENDING On July 12, 2015, during Worship, Nathan Couch and Emily Drexler, along with teens from Mission of the Atonement, will receive a special blessing and sending before their trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. We will close the service with the beautiful hymn “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” (ELW 543). The text was written by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919-2008), a Lutheran pastor of Slovak descent, who wrote texts for numerous hymns and translated many more. “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” is set to a traditional Welsh tune, arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). Pastor Vajda’s poetic text is a personal communication from God to us: God tells us that through Baptism, we are His forever; He reminds us that He is with us at all times, no matter if we are asleep or awake; He loves us so much that He sent His Son so that our sins would be forgiven; we are nourished by God’s love and God asks us to grow that love by joyfully, freely serving others. This is a perfect hymn to send Emily, Nathan and the others to the ELCA Youth Gathering. At that event, they will make many friends and learn more about what it means to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and to use their hands, joyfully and freely, to do God’s work. Risë Johnson, Worship and Music Committee Prayer is a powerful tool that God wants us to use always. To join First Immanuel’s e-mail prayer ministry, just send your e-mail address to Wanda Black at 2ugeebee@comcast.net. Each Wednesday, you’ll receive a list of who we’re praying for. During the week, you’ll also receive additions and updates, so those who need our prayers receive them as soon as poosible. To request prayer, simply note it on the back of your worship attendance card on Sunday, or contact a pastor (503/226-3659, office@firstimmanuelluth.org). FIRST IMMANUEL CORE VALUES Spiritual Life Friendly Community Acceptance & Diversity Tradition & Heritage Music & Worship Growing in Faith Family Focus Serving & Volunteering FILC BOOK GROUP Sunday, July 12, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Tyrell Servo, SW Portland, 971-563-2731/305-2023 Join us for great company and stimulating conversation. Please give a call for directions and to let us know you’re coming. July selection: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery For summer, we return to a beloved 1908 novel originally written for all ages. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town. Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into 20 languages. Enjoy! Read ahead for September 20 at the home of Lynn and Mike Akerman, in BeavertonThe Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration, by Isabel Wilkerson. In this epic, beautifully written masterwork, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decadeslong migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America. With stunning historical detail, Wilkerson tells this story through the lives of three unique individuals: Ida Mae Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster. A superb account of an “ unrecognized immigration” within our own land. WEBSITE UPDATE NOW COMPLETE www.firstimmanuelluth.org Our church website update is now completetake a look! The new site uses an interactive platform from weebly.com and is a work in progress. If you have suggestions for additions, please be in touch with Ryan Traetow (rtraetow@yahoo.com). One project we have in mind is a weekly e-newsletter, which could link to the website. Stay tuned… As we make this transition, we’d like to say a very special word of thanks to Richard Wong, who dedicated countless hours and much creativity to maintaining our previous website for many years. Fortunately, Richard will continue to share his talents by contributing photographs to the new site’s photo gallery. Thanks, Richard! FILC Outreach Committee SUMMER “NIGHT OUT” BACKYARD POTLUCK, SATURDAY, JULY 18! Thanks to everyone who attended our two Nights Out at the Lucky Lab this spring. Our goal has been to deepen relationships in the congregation and beyond. We’ve had great feedback and hope to plan more opportunities for fellowship this fall! In the meantime, there will be one gathering over the summer, and we’re doing things a little differently. Our summer Night Out will be a potluck BBQ at the home of Jeff Olson in NW Portland on Saturday, July 18. We’ll gather at 5:00 PM to share a meal and conversation. Childcare will be provided on-site. And it’s all FREE ☺ Please RSVP to Anna Wilde at annapwilde@gmail.com so we can give you directions and start to coordinate food. We hope you can join us! Listening Leadership Team Anna Wilde, Chris Wiens, Landon Harman, Risë Johnson, Marja Selmann, Deb Frost, Pastor Melinda Wagner SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER YURT CAMPING Enjoy great fellowship in God's beautiful Creation August 26-30, South Beach State Park near Newport OR Two-night & four-night options available this year! Sign up now to save your spot for our end-ofsummer yurt camping trip, August 26-30. We've reserved 10 yurts at beautiful South Beach State Park south of Newport. We’re back to our usual weekend before Labor Day weekend, with a twistyou can come for the usual two nights or stay up to four nights, your choice! Both options include a group barbecue dinner on Saturday evening and s’mores: • Two Nights, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 28-30: Cost for one yurt is $125 for two nights. • Four Nights, Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 26-30: Cost for one yurt is $225 for four nights. This is camping in style! Possible activities include playing on the beach, biking, nature hikes, a trip to the aquarium or Newport, our Saturday group barbecue, and worship Sunday morning. The yurts have electricity, heat, and furniture including bunk bed and foldout couch. You bring your own food plus the usual camping necessities (bedding, dishes, etc.). For more info see www.oregon .gov/OPRD/PARKS/rustic.shtml#RUSTIC_YURTS. Full payment will assure your spot. Reservations are firstcome, first-served, and these spots do fill fast. Tent camping is also available at a reduced price. Please contact one of the planners to make your reservation or with any questions: Tyrell Servo (tyrell.servo@gmail.com), Marja Selmann (marja_selmann @comcast.net), Pastor Melinda Wagner (pastormelinda@first immanuelluth.org). “STEADY AS YOU GO” Project Your Elder Ministry Team is brainstorming ways to best welcome those who may be unsteady on their feet during Sunday worship. Here are some items of note: • Two parking spaces are reserved in our lot for those with special transportation needs marked “Reserved Sunday for Volunteer Driver.” Please feel free to park here if you are transporting a special passenger. And if you’re able to walk further, please consider street parking to free this small lot for our elders. • For greater safety dropping off passengers, consider pulling all the way into the lot and turning around to face toward 19th Avenue before delivering a passenger to the sidewalk. This makes for a shorter and smoother walk to the church door. • We need a few more ushers so we can station a helper outside the entrance each Sunday, to assist passengers navigating to the front door. To volunteer, please contact head usher Craig Langley (c.langley@comcast.net). • We’re seeking training tips for ushers and others who offer assistanceso stay tuned for updates on “Steady As You Go”! FILC Elder Ministry Summer soloists wanted – all ages welcome! Do you play an instrument or sing? Would you like to play for the congregation this summer during worship? Please talk to Choir Director Ralph Nelson or email him (Ralph.nelson@ yahoo.com). We especially encourage students who have been studying instruments or voice to play or sing during the summer. PRAYER SHAWLS AVAILABLE The women of First Immanuel have a lively ministry creating handmade prayer shawls―beautiful signs of God’s healing touch in times of illness or struggle. Each shawl has been blessed, asking that God will use it to comfort and strengthen the person who receives it. If you’d like to knit shawls, or donate yarn (3 skeins per shawl), contact Rita Gocken (503/667-8408). There are shawls ready to be delivered to someone who may need such comfort; if you or a close friend would like a prayer shawl, just call or come by the church office. God bless you. Endowment News What dreams do you have for First Immanuel’s compassionate and outreaching work? The Endowment Committee invites you to prayerfully consider applying for an endowment grant to serve Christ’s work in our neighborhood and our world. This fall we’ll be awarding grants for a total of $10,950 to fund your ideas for serving God and our neighbors. $6,300 will be available from the FILC General Endowment Fund, designated for Evangelism Outreach, Social Ministry Outreach, and Building Improvements. $4,650 will be available from the Doris Palmblad World Missions Endowment Fund, designated for ministry and service activities outside the United States. We ask our members and ministry groups to actively pray, plan ahead, and talk together about creative and faithful ways to use these funds. One-page grant applications and instructions are available in the church office. Please note that applications must be presented to a First Immanuel sponsoring committee by September 1 to be reviewed and approved. The grant applications, ranging in size, will be awarded in November. Please speak with an Endowment Committee member to learn more about the process. Your FILC Endowment Committee: Jim Dunn, Emily Traetow, Bobbi Varnes, Judy Wick, and Pastor Aaron Couch JUNE COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Actual pledge giving: May: $26,584 2015 TOTAL: $94,886 Budgeted pledge giving: May: $18,859 2015 TOTAL: $94,295 Couch Park. Council passed a motion to send a letter of support to the Friends of Couch Park, for rebuilding the park’s playground. New Insurance Policy. Kent Fredrickson negotiated the addition of earthquake insurance to the new Church Mutual policy, for a cost within the FILC budget. Rose Haven. Rose Haven will begin its new use of Fellowship Hall on June 23, 2015. Confirmation. Council, by motion, officially received Emily Drexler and Kyla Cantrell as confirmed members of the congregation. Risë Johnson, Secretary “Thank You” to VBS Volunteers! Vacation Bible School was wonderful! It happened because of the many gifts of love and time and care and service shared by all of those who helped make our Everest VBS happen! You gave a precious gift to help 35 children learn about conquering challenges with God’s mighty power. Thank you!!! Thank you and congratulations to our VBS director, Nicole Peterson, and to the VBS planning group for their work: Michael Larsen, Pastor Melinda and Pastor Aaron, Tyrell Servo, and Greg Bruce from Zion Lutheran. Thank you to all of the group leaders and everyone who helped with opening, skits, Bible stories, games, crafts, and more: Pastor Melinda and Pastor Aaron, Greg Bruce, Linda Rae Coon, Andrew Couch, Nathan Couch, Brendan Huedepohl, Viktoria Mustonen, Jan Nelson, Leigh Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Nicole Peterson, Sierra Peterson, Brenna Reamer, Erin Reamer, Tyrell Servo, and Emily Traetow. Thank you to everyone who helped provide dinner each night: to Misty Ibsen for organizing the meals, to James Bash, Linda Rae Coon, Bonny Groshong, David Ibsen, Risë Johnson, Kristine Jurgenson, Chris and John Koonce, Craig and Linda Langley, Nancy Matthias, Karen Rasmussen, Marja Selmann, Becky Shoemaker, Chia Stockwell, Emily Traetow, Bobbi Varnes, Leslie Wong, Yin Yu, and Linnea Zahradnik for preparing and serving delicious, healthy meals each evening! Thank you to everyone who helped in every other way, including pictures, decorating, publicity, security, and registration: Risë Johnson, Mary Kate Otto, and Debbie Rehn. And finally, special thanks to our congregation of First Immanuel, and our partners, Zion Lutheran and St. James Lutheran, for supporting VBS, spreading the word about this lively ministry, praying for the children, and for encouraging this effort with such good spirit! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! PS. If we forgot to list your name, please forgive us. Coffee Hour & Flower Volunteers Needed Coffee Hour hosts are needed! The Coffee Hour sign-up chart is up in Fellowship Hall. We’ve posted some guidelines for hosting Coffee Hour in the kitchen (by the coffee machines), in the hope that more people will feel comfortable taking part in this important church ministry. Coffee Hour provides a great opportunity to welcome newcomers, and for fellowship. If you’re new to hosting Coffee Hour, feel free to contact one of these people to help you: Chris and John Koonce, Craig and Linda Langley, or Bonny Groshong. It’s easy to provide flowers for Sunday worship. Just sign up on flower chart in Fellowship Hall. Debbie, our office manager, will call you to ask if you have a dedication you would like in the bulletinin memory or celebration or to God’s glory. Bring two bouquets or potted plantsno need for formal or fancy. Vases are provided by the church or you can bring your own. Call the church office for flower “ housekeeping” details. Thank you for helping! FOOD PANTRY NEEDS HEALTHY FOODS Many of us are trying to eat more wisely these days, and our food pantry clients need healthy food too. Below are some great options for nutritious donations— just place yours in the bin near the front door of church. All donations go to Lift Urban Portland Food Pantry, located right here at First Immanuel. Every month, hundreds of people are served by the Food Pantry, delivered Food Boxes, and Food for Kids backpacks for low-income schoolchildren. Thanks! • Canned Vegetables & Fruit • Dried Fruit (no sugar added) • 100% Fruit or Vegetable Juice • Canned Meats (not in oil): Chicken, Tuna, Salmon • Canned or Dried Beans: Black, Navy, White, Garbanzo, Lentils, etc. • Shelf-Stable Milk: Soy, Almond, or Rice Milk • Cooking Oil: Olive, Coconut, Canola, Sesame, etc. • Nuts, Seeds: Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews, etc.; Pumpkin/ Sunflower Seeds • Nut Butters: Natural, Non-Hydrogenated • Whole Grains: Rice (Brown or Wild); Oats (Whole, Steel Cut, 5 Minute); Quinoa or Couscous • Pasta (Whole Wheat or Brown Rice); • Whole Grain & High Fiber: Breads, Cereal, Crackers • Canned and Boxed Meals: Chili and Soups, Meat & Vegetarian Options, Low-Fat, Low-Sodium • Paper shopping bags with handles BAPTISM BLESSINGS 3: Landon Harman 4: Morgan Borwieck 5: Catherine Bailey Peter Traetow 7: Cecelia Berg Bonnie Borwieck 8: Benjamin Quiring 10: Anna Rogoway 11: Lucy Rogoway 12: Angela Sera 15: Sierra Peterson Elizabeth Schwartz 16: Waldo Johnson 17: Sharon Seafeldt 18: Tyrell Servo 19: Nick Truman 24: James Bash Chuck Bessette, Jr. 30: Stephanie Porter 31: Marlow Cochran Gus Johnson 2: Ron & Sandra Schulz 5: David & Sierra Modro 8: Chris & John Koonce Bobbi & Don Varnes 13: Les & Myrna Wierson Don’t see your special day? Just contact Debbie (503/226-3659, debbie@firstimmanuelluth.org) with your details! Manage your giving online You can now manage your giving online! It’s easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history anywhere you have access to the Internet. Through online giving you may schedule transfers from your checking or savings account to the church’s account. You may also use a credit or debit card. Simply follow these easy steps: 1) Visit the church website at www.firstimmanuelluth.org, 2) Click on the Give Online button, 3) Click on the Create Profile button, then 4) Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring contributions. Questions? Please contact Treasurer Kent Fredrickson, Financial Secretary Leslie Wong, or Office Manager Debbie Rehn (503-2263659, office@firstimmanuelluth.org). Donate from your smart phone First Immanuel now offers a mobile version of our online giving page to make it easy for you to give anytime from your smart phone. Simply scan the image you see here using your phone’s QR code reader or go to www.firstimmanuelluth.org and locate the online giving page. Parking Alert for Timbers Games DATE Sun., July 5 Sat., July 18 Parking is restricted during Timbers games, from Burnside to NW Irving, and NW 18th to 24th (90 minutes for cars without zone permits, from two hours before game to two hours after game time). GAME TIME PARKING RESTRICTION BEGINS 2 PM 12 PM (tickets issued starting 1:30 PM) 7:30 PM 5:30 PM (tickets issued starting 7 PM) We ask God’s blessing for Caroline Louise Bailey, baptized into the family of Christ on June 28, 2015. Caroline was born to Catherine and Steve Bailey (and welcomed by big sister Siri) on September 17, 2014. We look forward to many years of sharing God’s love with you, little one! IN LOVING MEMORY Honorene June (Smith) Lanning 3 January 1925 17 June 2015 Our sister in Christ, Honorene Lanning, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday morning, June 17. Honorene was a resident of Northwest Portland for many, many years until her health declined. She lived most recently in a Gresham foster care residence, where she was part of a small and loving community. Honorene was known for her independent spirit and that mischievous twinkle, as well as her deep loyalty to First Immanuel Lutheran Church, which she was always proud to name as her congregation. She will be missed. No service will be held in the Portland area, but Honorene’s family will gather for a graveside service on June 26 in Faribault, Minnesota, where Honorene will be buried alongside her parents and grandparents. + + + Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and light perpetual shine upon her. + + + Dear Friends, May 15th marked my 6-year anniversary with Meals on Wheels. It also marked my 6-year anniversary with First Immanuel Lutheran Church. I can remember being really excited about coming to a place that was both new and at the same time familiar to me. I wondered if I would ever really get to know the names of people, beyond the Joyce and Joan question. And who was that character, Howard? He was pretty funny! Chuck was the property person and we teased each other constantly. The congregation nurtured the Meals on Wheels relationship and my personal relationship. You saw me through sickness and health, prayed for me, laughed with me and cried with me. The Meals on Wheels program was close to your hearts and pocketbooks; we were able to sustain a viable meal for our senior community because of your generosity of coffee, sugar, hot chocolate, and dollars. Moving to Marshall Union Manor is bittersweet for me; I am excited and sad at the same time. I hope you will come to visit us and take a meal with us. Most of all, know that I will carry you with me always, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Kathy Buss July 2015 at First Immanuel Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 1:30 PM Lift UP Meeting 7 PM AA 5:30 PM Food Pantry 6 PM ACOA 10 AM Rose Haven Bingo 12 PM Food Pantry Happy 4th! 5 6 10 AM Worship 11 AM Coffee Hr. 8 PM AA Happy 4th! Office Closed 12 13 10 AM Worship: Blessing & Sending of Youth Gathering Participants 11 AM Coffee Hr. 6:30 PM Book Group 8 PM AA 19 10 AM Worship 11 AM Coffee Hr. 8 PM AA 8 8 AM Lift UP Farmers’ Market 9:30 AM Lift UP Development Committee 7 PM AA 14 15 9 AM Rose Haven Beading Group 12 PM Food Pantry 1 PM Rose Haven Support Group 20 10 AM Worship 11 AM Coffee Hr. 8 PM AA 26 7 9 AM Rose Haven Beading Group 12 PM Food Pantry 1 PM Rose Haven Support Group 6 PM Executive Committee 21 9 AM Rose Haven Beading Group 12 PM Food Pantry 1 PM Rose Haven Support Group 6 PM Property Dev. Task Force 27 28 9 AM Rose Haven Beading Group 12 PM Food Pantry 1 PM Rose Haven Support Group 7 PM AA 22 7 PM AA 29 7 PM AA 9 11 AM Esther Circle 5:30 PM Food Pantry 6 PM ACOA 16 5:30 PM Food Pantry 6 PM ACOA 23 5:30 PM Food Pantry 6 PM ACOA 30 5:30 PM Food Pantry 6 PM ACOA 10 11 10 AM Rose Haven Bingo 12 PM Food Pantry 12 PM Property Development Task Force 17 10 AM Rose Haven Bingo 12 PM Food Pantry 24 10 AM Rose Haven Bingo 12 PM Food Pantry 31 10 AM Rose Haven Bingo 12 PM Food Pantry 18 5 PM Summer “Night Out” BBQ Potluck 25