February
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| ASH WEDNESDAY Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent for Western Christian churches. It's a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast. Churches hold special services at which worshippers are marked with ashes as a symbol of death, and sorrow for sin. The use of ashes, made by burning palm crosses from the previous Palm Sunday, is very symbolic. The pastor marks each worshipper on the forehead, and says remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return, or a similar phrase based on God's sentence to Adam in Genesis 3:19. The marking of their forehead with a cross made of ashes reminds each person that: Death comes to everyone, they should be sad for their sins, they must change themselves for the better, God made the first human being by breathing life into dust, and without God, human beings are nothing more than dust and ashes. The shape of the mark and the words used are symbolic in other ways: The cross is a reminder of the mark of the cross made at baptism. The phrase often used when the ashes are administered reminds Christians of the doctrine of original sin. The cross of ashes may symbolize Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as atonement for sin replaces the Old Testament tradition of making burnt offerings. Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Soup Supper—6:00 p.m. Join us for a soup supper provided by our Confirmation class, prior to the Ash Wednesday service. Ash Wednesday Worship Imposition of Ashes 7:00 p.m. Quilters Corner by Estelle Segaitz From the 6-7 women who make up our quilting group meeting weekly, we sent 48 quilts and 43 health kits to Lutheran World Relief in October 2008. In addition, 12 quilts were given to various local organizations and one quilt representing the work of First Lutheran Church quilters was auctioned off for $250.00 at Applefest for the Lutheran Retreat Camp and Conferences. We thank everyone who supports our mission with the donations of sheets, blankets, sewing machines, and supplies. Those things help to keep our hands busy. Many THANKS to Carl Mattson for his continuing efforts to help with the boxing of the quilts for the quilting group. He puts them neatly in the box, seals the box, stores the box, and then uses his own vehicle to take the boxes to Pasadena to have them sent to Minneapolis where they are distributed world-wide. Thanks, Carl! The Lord’s Kitchen As part of our mission to help the needy in our community, First Lutheran Church provides a free meal on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 12:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. This month a hearty, nutritious (and many said delicious!) beef soup was served with cornbread, salad and dessert. Attendance has recently varied from 15-40 people per month. All are welcome so if you know someone who would benefit from this service or would like to donate your time or money to The Lord's Kitchen Ministry please talk with Lillian, Joe, Estelle or me after church or by phone (818) 240-9000. - Judy Onstead Hitchhikers Guide to Evangelism 2009 Bill Easum and Bill Tenny-Brittian will explore how to share the Good News in a postmodern world in understandable, practical, and effective ways. Based on the upcoming book of the same name, this conference will help clergy, laity, and congregations come to terms with the "E" word. The sessions begin with a reminder that culture has changed and the church is largely operating as if the community is what it used to be. From there, the conference explores how effective evangelism is changing (and must change) to reach the growing population of both unchurched and never churched. The conference will help participants discover their own answer to the question "Why do evangelism?" as well as giving them practical tools for sharing their faith … not just a rehearsed evangelistic "plan," but real-deal experiences with Jesus. The final sessions include practical tools for pastors and lay leaders to develop a congregation full of evangelists. Please call Audrey or Pastor Ken if you can serve in any way including as refreshment host – everything is paid for – mainly we want several people to make it all feel like home to all our guests. 818 240 9000 February 6th and 7th (Friday and Saturday) - 9:00 a.m. Bonnie Goris orders the flowers for decorating the Sanctuary at Easter and Christmas Holidays. They are always such a beautiful addition to our worship. She also acknowledges the monetary gifts from various people to the church by sending them a nice "Thank You" note. Bonnie makes up the coffee hours schedule and sees to it that each responsible party receives it well before the new schedule begins. This is the original arrangement and takes quite a bit of time to organize. Betty should be informed of any changes between parties. She is in the office on Monday or Wednesday mornings, but parties should be responsible for acquiring their own substitutions for Sunday coffee hours, ushers, or greeters. After getting your substitute, please inform Betty of the date and person so she can make changes in her paperwork. Bonnie is gracious in her manner and makes a good person for the handling of all these activities. Thank You, Bonnie! Church council is meeting on a regular basis to resolve the issues confronting our parishioners. Council recognizes the interest our fellow congregants have in being a part of the discussion and disclosure process. When council has definite answers for our fellow partners in Christ's work, we will be sharing all that we are aware of so we can all be a part of the Body of Christ together. Council has moved forward on a path to more unity and better loving understanding as we worship and fellowship together. As secretary of council, I send my love and all my hope for a great future for our church and its individual members. Your faithful servant, Ruth Binzley Adult Bible Study/Sunday School Please continue to give your feedback to the church council regarding an adult Bible Study/Sunday School. All thoughts and ideas will be discussed at the council’s next retreat on February 28th. Office Assistant Betty’s Corner I wish to thank all of the volunteers that are willing to give of their time on Sunday mornings. Each of your efforts are very much appreciated. If you would like to participate in our Sunday morning worship services by being a Reader, Server, or Assistant Minister, please call me at the church office on Monday or Wednesday mornings, from 10:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. 818.240.9000 or 323.245.4000 Thank you! A Message from the Council President, Jim Goris At our December Congregational meeting we elected two additional council members, Judy Onstead and Rich Paseman, to serve our ministry. This council is prepared to work hard to move our congregation forward. After the meeting to finish business from last year, and a half day retreat to look at the consultation report, we have developed a list of actions and goals to be implemented. The council met with the Bishop’s representatives and reviewed our current recommendations and actions concerning this report. We will be sharing them with you over the couple of months. Ruth Binzley has volunteered to help the office staff with the monthly newsletter. She is excited with the cooperation she is getting from all of you who have agreed to help gather information. The congregation will begin a stewardship program in February. The budget and Annual Report will be presented at the Annual Meeting Part II on February 8th. The congregation helped to celebrate Adelaide McNutt’s 100th birthday party earlier in January. After talking to Adelaide I discovered that she became a member of this church the year I was born! What a delight to have such a positive, delightful person in our congregation. Happy 100th Birthday, Adelaide! HELP WANTED As the number of people coming to the Food Pantry on Friday mornings continues to grow, we are considering putting in another table to check in the people at the door. This would relieve the strain on our helpers now trying to deal with 35 to 45 people in a three hour period. It takes two to tally. Please visit the Food Pantry on Friday morning between 9 and noon to see. Our chapel is opened to the community every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. so that any passerby may come in and pray, or just sit and feel God seeking them out. Some come seeking help and information about assistance in the city. Others want information about the Lutheran Church. I have several people visit because they used to attend church here, and want to visit old memories. During Lent, we have some members of the community attend the Synod’s Wednesday Worship service. Also, our own members are welcome, and are encouraged to come and worship from 11:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Our hope is to have a quiet place where citizens of this city can come and find peace, spirituality, and hospitality. - Connie Yeckley 2nd Annual Linus Blanket Project Sponsored by Southwest California Synodical Women’s Organization and Lutheran Youth Organization Saturday, February 7th from 9a.m. to 3p.m. Olivet Lutheran Church 2506 W. Imperial Hwy, Hawthorne Special guest speaker from Chicago, Linda Bushkofsky, Executive Director of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Plan to participate in making fleece blankets for children in emergency situations Engage in group sessions to learn about banner making and leadership development Register now with Lillian Simons, Board Member And arrange carpooling from our parking lot $7 donation includes continental breakfast and lunch February School News By Julie Sanchez Happy New Year…I hope 2009 is treating you well and that you had a wonderful Christmas Season! As we begin a fresh new calendar year, we look to our Lord for guidance and wisdom as the School Board, Pastor Ken, the teachers, and our Administration, plan for the 2009/10 year. We continue to thank Him for blessing us with increased enrollment that has allowed us to become a stronger school in which to minister to His children. God is good indeed!!! We welcome Ms. Helen Munez to our teaching faculty, as she replaces Carolyn Miller in Kindergarten. Carolyn Miller is on a Medical leave of absence through the end of the school year, in June. Ms. Munez is doing a fine job getting acquainted with our students and parents, and taking the children into the second half of the school year. The opening of Basketball season has commenced under the coaching leadership of Mr. Brent Tan our PE and Computer teacher. Coach Tan has formed 2 teams, one for the 5th/6th grade students and the other for the 7th/8th grades. This 12-week season will include games with local Glendale schools and others in the San Gabriel Valley. If you are interested in cheering us on at an upcoming game, please call the school office for a schedule of game times! Wednesday Chapel services have an added energy this year with student song leaders, gospel readings, and acolytes. Please join us each Wednesday morning at 8:45am; we would love to have you worship with us! <3 Happy Valentine’s Day and God Bless you! In His Service, Julie Sanchez, Principal Special thanks to the young people from the Kindergarten class of First Lutheran School, who with the guidance of teacher Caroline Miller, made a monetary contribution to the work of the Navajo Mission and School in Rock Point, Arizona. The Navajo children come from many miles to the school which is situated at the cross roads of two two lane roads. Most are bussed to the school. The children worship in the chapel on the grounds (desert sand) and help in many aspects of service to the Lord. The teachers include Navajo people who have grown up in the area, and also attended this mission school and church in the great Southwest. Thank you! The leadership group of our church's unit of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will have a board meeting on Thursday, February 5th at 12:30p.m. Plans will be made for the annual spring luncheon. Ideas will be welcome relating to the fund raising opportunities to meet our commitment to support local, national and world wide projects that "promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world".* *from the purpose statement of the Women of the ELCA Everyone in the congregation on Sunday, please observe what improvements are being made on the campus. Tom Hendricks, together with his contractors have been working diligently to see to it that we have a return to the beautiful, well-maintained campus we experienced in years past. Your Mite dollars are at work! A word of "Thanks" to Tom for all his efforts would make him feel glad he is involved with this greatly needed undertaking. We also need to notice the door rests that have been replaced by Oscar Segaitz all over the campus. Those little holders are so much appreciated when one’s hands are full and we need to have the door stay open while we go through it. Thank you, Oscar! Did you ever notice how much our campus is used? There is not a day in the entire week that someone or some group is not involved in an activity. Well, someone has to schedule these events and activities so that we do not have more than one thing going on in one place at a time. Even weddings have to be carefully scheduled so we do not interfere with any other Sanctuary worship. If you want to schedule an event or activity, please call the church office. This is essential to keep the flow of events intact. See you in church! We are starting to assemble our Health kits, which are sent all over the world to needy people. Each month, we will collect one item to go into the kit. Starting February, 2009, and continuing into March, we will be collecting WIDE-TOOTH COMBS. There will be a container in the narthex where you may drop the item you wish to donate to the Health Kit. If you would rather not shop, we will shop for you. Simply put a money donation marked “Health Kits” in the offering plate at the same time you put in your offering envelope. If you would rather give to someone personally, Elsie Roberts is the key person for this activity. Elsie extends her gratitude to all of you for your participation in this Mission. The Season of Lent (February 25—April 11, 2009) Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves, and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. |
February, 2009 Calendar
Thursday, February 5th Women’s Board Meeting * 12:30 p.m.* Room “C”
Friday, February 6th Hitchhikers Guide to Evangelism * 9:00 a.m. * ABC Rooms
Saturday, February 7th Hitchhikers Guide to Evangelism * 9:00 a.m. * ABC Rooms
Sunday, February 8th Congregational Meeting II * 10:00 a.m. * Sanctuary
Monday, February 16th Office Closed * Presidents Day Observed
Monday, February 16th Women’s Bible Study * 11:00 a.m. * Lounge
Tuesday, February 17th Church Council Meeting * 6:45 p.m. * Room “C”
Saturday, February 21st Synod Event— “Book of Faith” * 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 25th Ash Wednesday—Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m.
Worship at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 28th Church Council Retreat * 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. * 5th Grade Room