January 2020

What’s Inside ...

From the Pastor Page 2 From Kelly Ylalito, LLM Page 4 Up Coming Scriptures Page 5 Confirmation Schedule Page 6 Christian Ed News Page 6 Tried – n – True Page 7 Bible Study/Circle News Page 7 WELCA Page 8 Fortune Lake Page 9 Stewardship Page 10 Special Giving Page 11 News Updates Page 11 Thank You Page 12 Gifts to our Congregation Page 13 Special Announcements Page 14 Hope at the Inn Page 15 Tanzania 2020 Page 16 Birthdays & Anniversaries Page 17 Council Highlights Page 18 Contact Us Page 19

Our Mission Statement ... First Lutheran Church is God’s people inviting, involving equipping and empowering to serve, that all may know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

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From the Pastor

January: Pastor’s Gratitude Part 2 This may be my last chance do a sermon series on Matthew and his Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes, the blessings and the challenges of discipleship so here it is. I can’t wait.

January 12th – Why are you a Disciple: Something to do with Jesus I’m guessing?.

January 19th – When to be a disciple: God’s timing and my opinion of God’s timing

January 26th – Who to be a Disciple: Are you talkin’ to Me?

February 2nd – How to be a Disciple: No, really! We’ll be alright.

February 9th – What it takes to be a Disciple: When you say salt do you mean Salty?

I feel blessed by the people and events that all just came together so that I would feel confident getting my hip and knee attended to. I am thankful that I can be fully involved in leading worship again. I am greatful to have a few weeks to talk about being blessed and living out blessings.

Our Faith Teaches We don’t do this life alone. That is a hard lesson for a rather independent, stubborn old mongrel like me. We are blessed. If we are meant to do a thing we need to learn to stop and look around. What resources, what people has God put in our lives?

Our Faith Commitment I know I would rather help ten people than ask one for a hand. It is fun to help others and it feels good. Not only should we share our gratitude by serving, be we need to have the courage to let our gratitude allow others to serve us. We are indeed blessed. It is often true that we are

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too stubborn to use the blessings of help that God has put right in front of us.

God Holds Us Last month I said, “The prayer and promise of Christmas is Immanuel, “God with us”, reminding us that God will come again and again, into our lives. “God with us” is the message behind the Gospel of Matthew. Even when Matthew’s challenges seem too great, the promise of blessing is there. When the call to be salt is too challenging, when the judgement of “outer darknes with weeping and gnashing of teeth” looms large in our imagination, there is always the return to the Sermon on the Mount. Do not fear, God is with us. You are blessed. So live out your faith boldly. Live large and when you fall flat, remember to ask for help because you are blessed.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Otis

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FROM KELLY, LLM Just a little blurb . . .

If you haven’t already heard the announcement, I have completed my internship and have been approved for ordination by both the faculty of Wartburg Theological Seminary and the bi-synodical candidacy committee of the Northern Great Lakes Synod and East-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the ELCA. Woo Hoo! That is cause for celebration.

This means the following: 1. I have one more semester of coursework to complete before graduation in May. 2. As my internship is complete, I am no longer Intern Kelly. If you feel the need to give me a title, you may refer to me as “Licensed Lay Minister” or “Seminarian,” however both titles are better suited to formal occasions and communications. Calling me “Kelly” is just fine. 3. I will remain at First Lutheran until my studies have been completed AND I receive my first call as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. That means I will be around until at least the end of May 2020.

I would like to express my gratitude for everyone’s support and prayers. Blessings, Kelly

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Upcoming Scripture Readings

January 5 – Second Sunday of Christmas Jeremiah 31: 7-14; Psalm 147: 12-20; Ephesian 1: 3-14; John 1: [1-9] 10-18

January 12 - Baptism of Our Lord Isaiah 42: 1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10: 34-43; Matthew 3: 13-17

January 19 – Second Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 49: 1-7; Psalm 40: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9; John 1: 29-42

January 26 - Third Sunday after Ephiphany Isaiah 9: 1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18; Matthew 4: 12-23

DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL REPORTS Written and financial reports to be included in the 2019 Annual Report of the Congregation are due in the office no later than Monday January 6th, 2020.

If at all possible, please send your report via e-mail to office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org. Thank you!

First Lutheran Church is scheduled to serve

lunch to guests at the Salvation Army on

February

15 and April 11. Watch the bulletin for ways

to help.

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Confirmation Class Schedule is as follows

January 12th February 16th

March 8th April 9th

May 3rd – Confirmation Sunday May 10th – Party 4:00 – 7:00pm

Christian Ed News

New Year's Greetings, Our children did a wonderful job for their Christmas Program! We appreciate the hard work Kelly put into making it happen it for us, and all who attended, donated food for the coffee hour, and volunteered their time to help! Through Noisy Offering and Coffee hours, Sunday School has raised over $500, and purchased Christmas gifts for a local mother and her 5 young children. A big thank you for all of your support! Sunday School resumes on January 5, we look forward to seeing you all! **There will not be Sunday School on January 19** The Christian Ed Team

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Tried -n-True

Friday, January 17th, at 12:00pm. Speaker, Dr. Kirsten E. Smith, MD from OSF Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Group.

Bible Study

Meets every Wednesday at 9:30am. No Bible Study on January 1st.

Grace Circle

Grace circle will resume meeting in March. Please watch for news in the March newsletter for Bible study information and meeting place.

Love Circle

Meets on the third Thursday of each month, 9:30am at First Lutheran Church. Study material will be in the narthex. Every woman is invited. Please call 428-1696 if you need a ride or more information.

Faith Circle

Meets on the third Thursday of each month, 7:00pm at First Lutheran Church.

Operation Christmas Child

We sent 155 boxes to Operation Christmas Child this year that have been sent to Peru. Peru is located on the western coast of South America. It contains a part of the Amazon rainforest as well as the Andes Mountains, where the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu is a popular tourist attraction. Thanks to all who made up boxes and gave money for them.

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WELCA

Will not be meeting in January. WELCA will resume fellowship in February.

WOMEN OF THE E.L.C.A. NEWS

Thank you to all who came to enjoy an evening of Crafty Christmas Creations. It was a fun and festive night for women from First and Calvary Lutheran churches and friends. Thank you to everyone who showed those attending how to make the crafts....7 or more as well as signing handmade Christmas cards by Doris Sundstrom for our shut-ins. Faith Circle did an awesome job with all the goodies. Women of the E.L.C.A. extends an invitation to attend their February event of SOUP and SEWING on February 4th. Thank you to all who helped in any way with the Christmas Day dinner at Memorial United Methodist Church. A detailed report will be shared in the February newsletter.

Greeters, Ushers and Communion Assistants We are in need of Greeters for both services and the 10:30 service is in

need of Ushers and Communion Assistants. This is a great way to meet fellow members of our congregation and a wonderful ministry.

Thank you to all who have helped by being a greeter before each of the

services. If you would like to be a part of this hospitality ministry, please sign the sheet in the narthex. If you would like to usher or become a communion assistant, let Rhonda or Reyna know in the

office.

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Fortune Lake News Senior Day

January 13, 2020 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Come and join us for a day of wonderful conversation, delicious food, and great fun!

Winter Wonderland Retreat January 17 - 19, 2020: The snow will be cold, and the

sauna will be hot! Enjoy snowshoeing, sledding, cross country skiing and maybe even ice skating! There will be time to hear Scripture and reflect. Optional Ski Brule packages available

JR/SR High Retreat February 7 & 8, 2020: Come to camp for

one day and night crammed full of friends, faith, food and winter fun!

Bring a buddy with you, reconnect with camp staff and friends, and

enjoy the winter at Fortune Lake!

Registration Deadline: January 30, 2020

Winter Wellness Retreat: Love Your Heart

February 21 - 23, 2020 For adults 21 and over.

Spend a few days enjoying the outdoors, relaxing by the fire, learning,

and recommitting to taking care of yourself.

Weekend includes:

*yoga and tai chi *interactive workshops on heart health

*food and wine pairings *healthy recipe swap

*along with optional snowshoeing, belly dance, and saunas with essential oils

Yoga and nutritional sessions will be led by Pam Roose, Registered

Dietitian and Certified Yoga and Tai Chi Instructor, from Inspiring Roots

Yoga, Marquette County.

Registration Deadline: February 13, 2020

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Stewardship

OLDER AND DUMBER

I could make a case that the older I get, the dumber I get. Exhibit A is that making such a statement is evidence of that dumbness. It makes more sense to argue that the older I get the more I realize how much I don’t know. Are you following me here? Two factors may be at play here-memory loss with aging and the huge amount of information we are saturated with via the internet.

It would be comforting to claim that as we confront the awareness of how much we don’t know, we are getting wiser. After all, shouldn’t wisdom come from age and experience?

To make matters worse, we are at a time when there are “alternative” versions of the facts and truth. What is factual or truthful depends upon the lens through which we view life. That’s a big problem when we try to verify information we receive. Getting smarter is infinitely more difficult if we can’t count on the veracity of the facts or truth. Getting wiser suffers, as well.

What’s all this got to do with stewardship? I would contend that being a good steward requires wisdom. When we are wrestling with what it means to be wise, turning to God should always be our default setting. How? Prayer and the bible will provide good guidance (some would say even “divine guidance”). Stewardship is all about giving. James 1:17 says, “every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of light, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”. Regarding wisdom, James 1:5 says, if any of you is lacking wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you”.

It always amazes me how simple it can be for wisdom to come to us. Just view the world through the God lens.

In Christ,

Dirk Manson, Stewardship Chair

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Special Giving Envelope

This month’s Special Giving will go towards Mariam Scholarship

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Family Graduating from College? Please let us know!

The First Lutheran Welcome and Outreach Team recognizes First Lutheran members who experience significant accomplishments/milestones in their lives. We don't always know who those

persons are! Please call the church office, 428-4565, if you, a member of your family, or someone you know graduates from college.

Lutheran World Relief update

Thank so much again to all who helped in a variety of ways to make our Quilt Auction a success. A check in the amount of $3260.00 has been sent to Lutheran World Relief to help with shipping costs.

Thanks to all who donated mittens, socks, gloves and scarves. We had a total of 463 items. Some people were very busy knitting! All items were given to Salvation Army and they

were very thankful. We are looking for someone to take over handling the once a year mitten tree. If you would like to help, see Ann Christiansen.

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To those who helped with the December Messenger; Sue Manson, Judy Hammond, Gloria Kenerva, Judy Haulotte, Cindy Sjoquist, Pat Casteel Thank you all, so much!

Thank you to Connie Salmi, Paula LaCrosse, Pam Chouinard and Sherri Makowski for taking care of kitchen duties for the Christmas luncheon on Dec. 12th and to Pastor Diane Srutowski for her message and sharing communion. Many food items and the generous offering was given to the Rock Food Pantry. First Lutheran Church, I want to thank everyone who helped plan mom’s service. Pastor Tom and Kelly, thank you for everything. Kris McDonald and Kelly for the beautiful music. Nora Smith for being who she is. And last, but not least, the luncheon ladies who made a most delicious meal. Thank You, Sharon

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Gifts to our congregation have been given ...

In Memory of Helen Williams…. From Gen Morley

For the Music Fund

From Tom and Dotti Ford For the Music Fund

From Sharon Norman For the Kitchen Fund

From Anne Movalson For the Music Fund

In Memory of Lisa Hanson

From Diane Hanson For Christmas

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Change of Address

As some of you leave town to spend the winter in warmer, sunnier places please remember to let the office know your warmer, sunnier address. Thank you!

Changing Phones??? We Need Your Help!!!

to this? Going from this

A vast number of First Lutheran members are changing phones (from land-line to cell, etc.) and WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! Please call the church office, 428-4565, if you are changing numbers or have changed numbers. This would be most helpful if we need to contact you! THANK YOU!

OFFERING ENVELOPES Offering envelopes for 2020 are now available on the tables in the narthex. Please pick yours up. Remember, those who use Simply Giving/Give Plus also have envelopes.

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Hope at The Inn

Thank You! Thank You! To all those who supported our week of hosting Hope at the Inn. Many thanks to all those who volunteered their time, made the ohhhh sooo delicious meals, contributed to kitchen supplies, clothing, outer wear, breakfast items and snacks. We distributed 5 winter jackets, some long underwear, and many socks. The guest also enjoyed the variety of hygiene products available.

We are still in need of:

Lg. disposable & sturdy plates - Styrofoam cups & Plastic cups

Next round in February we could use the most needed hygiene products: toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, and deodorant.

Thank you for all your support! Rhonda Husbye and Pat Casteel

Interested in becoming a H.A.T.I Volunteer? There will be a training at:

at Harbor Lights Church 612 2nd Ave. South, Escanaba

January 16th at 7pm

No Pre-Registration Needed - Just show up!

Donate your Elmer’s Rewards Card Points to

Hope at the Inn

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Tanzania 2020 Companion Synod Visit to the

Eastern & Coastal Diocese

Assistant to the Bishop, Jim Duehring invites you to travel with him to Tanzania to build relationships with your Companion Congregation in Tanzania.

July 23 – August 6 2020

This is open to pastors and lay people who already have a companion relationship in Tanzania or those interested in forming a companion relationship with a congregation in Tanzania. Plan on spending about ½ of your time with your companion congregation in Tanzania developing relationships and ½ of your time with the Northern Great Lakes Synod group visiting various ministries of the Eastern & Coastal Diocese in Tanzania.

A safari trip is also an option!

See the bulletin board for more details.

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Happy Birthday to ... 01/02 Debra Koski 01/19 Holly Hadel 01/02 Abel Ellison 01/19 Kelly Coyne 01/02 Benson Ellison 01/19 Adrian Brazeau 01/03 Gail McEachern 01/19 Hailee Coppock 01/03 Lisa Zuehlke 01/20 Jane Coyne-Smith 01/03 Lisa Thomas 01/20 Peggy Austin 01/03 Iris Ellison 01/21 Ruth Botbyl 01/06 Nicholas Thomas 01/22 Matthew Swanson 01/06 Alison Austin 01/23 Erin Wickman 01/07 Michael Bilkey 01/24 Ellen Swenson 01/07 Madeline Moreau 01/24 Jared Larson 01/8 Bernice Marshall 01/25 Raymond Brandt 01/08 Norah Dahlgren 01/26 Elvera Kallio 01/11 David Gobert 01/27 Bonnie Anderson 01/13 Sally Hillman 01/28 Carlene Otis 01/13 David Tianen 01/29 William Movalson 01/13 Jason Hanson 01/30 Mary Plante 01/19 Patricia Hewitt 01/30 Derek Weide 01/19 Dustin Lucier 01/31 Ava Menard

Happy Anniversary to ...

01/12 Dewey & Avis Fairchild 01/31 Derek & Collette Weide

(If we’ve missed your birthday or anniversary please let us know)

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Defibrillator Training On-Line

Pam Durbin has graciously trained persons to use the defibrillator in the church entrance. At our last Property Committee, it was mentioned that this training is available on-line in the comfort of your own home. We encourage members of First Lutheran to go on-line and receive this training. If you do, it would be appreciated if you informed Property chair Dale Skogman so we can track the persons who are trained. Thank You! The web sites are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFdCc64h7U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsWf8XgyoI#action=share

Council Highlights The Congregation Council met on December 19th. It was decided to postpone Jodi Pfarr’s next 90-day visit until April. Dirk Manson discussed the Income Projection for the annual meeting. The Annual Meeting date was set for February 2nd. A Casserole Cook-off is being planned for the luncheon. Council talked about removing the snow in the parking lots before it builds up too much. Plans for the Preschool/Daycare are underway and the electric work for the new Sound System will begin after the first of the year. The next council meeting is set for January 9th at 7pm.

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Contact Us: First Lutheran Church 1212 Minneapolis Ave. Gladstone, MI 49837 906-428-4565 www.firstlutheran-gladstone.org or find us on facebook.com

Rev. Tom Otis, Pastor pastor@firstlutheran-gladstone.org Office: 428-4565 Cell Phone: 280-9997

Kelly Ylitalo, LLM intern@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Office Manager: Rhonda Husbye office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Secretary: Reyna Rose office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Director of Music: Kris McDonald Musicians: Kris McDonald, Oliva Wery Chancel and Handbell Choir Director: Kris McDonald Christian Ed Coordinators: Amelia Seawright and Reyna Rose Custodian: Dave Strom

Congregation Council: Amber Hess-Soderman, President George Botbyl, Vice President Doris Sundstrom, Secretary Bill Ehrhardt, Treasurer Steve Bolek Dotti Ford Kathy Gobert Ken Groh Jeff Gudwer Judy Haulotte Cooper Koski Dirk Manson Marshall Seawright

A congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America