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FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Our Mission:
We are deeply committed to our Savior Jesus Christ—desiring to
lengthen and strengthen His Kingdom through worship and
caring groups.
Our Core Values:
Word, Outreach, Service, Excellence
Worship Services
Saturday at 6:30pm
Sunday at 9:30am
Christ’s Kids Sunday School 8:30am
Clearwater, FL 33756
Contact Info:
1644 Nursery Road
First Lutheran Church & School
Adult Bible Class 10:45am
1644 Nursery Road, Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: (727) 462-8000
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.flcclearwater.org
FIRST THINGS FIRST—July 2015 Vol 6
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL STAFF CONT.
BIBLE CLASS OFFERINGS
Pre-School and Daycare Staff:
VPK:
Laurraine Marshall
PK3 & VPK:
Stephanie Davidson
Sunday Morning
Select Chapters of the Bible led by Carl Schleede
On Summer Break
Bible Study
10:45am in the Fellowship Hall
Youth & Young Adult Bible Study led by Andrew Apple
10:45am in the Gathering Place
Monday Women’s Beth Moore Study
On Summer Break
Tuesday Men’s Breakfast Study
Islam
On Summer Break
Wednesday Morning
Toxic Beliefs led by Rev. Pat O’Brien
9:45am in the Fellowship Hall
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Arnold E Piering, Pastor Emeritus
Mrs. Ann Hinz, Minister of Music
Mrs. Elaine Popp, Principal
Mr. Andrew Apple, Youth & Family Ministry
Rev. Pat F. A. O’Brien, Pastor Emeritus
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Summer Schedule
Wednesday-Friday 8:00am — 3:00pm
School Faculty & Staff:
Principal & 4th/5th Grade:
Kindergarten:
First Grade:
2nd Grade:
3rd Grade:
6th & 7th Grade:
Eight Grade:
Music:
Art:
Admissions:
Aftercare/PM Kindergarten:
Reading/Spanish:
Custodian:
Elaine Popp
Jennifer Bier
Michelle Pasierb
Anna Stapleton
Natalee Hallsted
Peter Kiehl
Dr. Keith Hutchison
Ann Hinz
Micki Barrow
Andrew Apple
Althea Elliott
Meagan King
Susan Hendess
x 201
x 210
x 211
x 213
x 214
x 217
x 218
x 104
x 222
x 232
Church Staff:
Pastor Emeritus:
Minister of Music:
Pastor Emeritus:
Youth & Family Ministry:
Administrative Assistant:
Maintenance:
Rev. Arnold E. Piering
Ann Hinz
Rev. Pat F.A. O’Brien
Andrew Apple
Daniela Christopherson
Bill Spoolstra
x 105
x 104
Church Officers:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Rick Howard
Melvin Maciolek
Renaann Apple
Marge Murray
Council Members:
Submissions to the Newsletter are due by the 20th of each month, please.
x 204
x 203
Sandy Brown
Marj Crosmer
Wendy Eschler
Aide:
Aide:
Althea Elliott
Keri Trommer
Aide:
Aide:
Jill Hordern
Sara Klingensmith
x 232
x 100
x 107
Lisa Maciolek
Lisa Vaughan
Arnie Piering
OFFICIAL CHURCH ACTS
Baptisms— Ayva Marie Donnelly
Births— None
Funerals/Memorials— None
Weddings— None
Transfers— None
First Lutheran continues to move towards the future. Here is a little of what’s happening.
LAY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL REPORT
The Lay Leadership Council is currently working on next years budget. A Voter’s Meeting is
scheduled for August 9th to approve the budget, elect officers, and hopefully select a new pastor.
ELDERS ASSIGNMENTS
Congregation
Families
Elder
Phone
Email
A through B
Dennis Miller
727-726-1332
[email protected]
C though D
Joe DeCresie
727-743-7938
[email protected]
E through J
Ed Makin
727-543-6692
[email protected]
K through L
Art Hahm
727-458-4196
[email protected]
M
Doug Carr
727-251-2993
[email protected]
N through P
Kurt Popp
727-524-4502
[email protected]
R through S
Carl Schleede
727-538-5621
[email protected]
T through Z
Chris Lindau
727-244-4669
[email protected]
Jon Harner
269-921-1671
[email protected]
Winter Residents
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL STAFF
Finance Officers:
Caroline Nunamaker
Ronda Farris
Eleanor Homer
x 180
x 102
A NOTE FROM OUR CONGREGATION’S PRESIDENT
Board of School Ministry:
Pam Smoot
Dortie Ford
Joy Bremer
Our Leadership Board has decided to postpone securing an Intentional Interim Pastor until August.
Our Call committee has resumed working. We have received 7 names from our district office for
potential pastors here at First Lutheran. God may have one of them in mind to be our next Shepherd!
The Call committee is reviewing the list and setting up interviews and visits. We may have a chance to
Call by August. Therefore, we have put the Intentional Interim Pastor position on hold. The LLC will
revisit that decision in August. During the summer months, we will be served by visiting pastors. Pastor
John Zeile and Pastor Jim Guelzow are leading worship in July and August. We also were pleased to
have our own Pastor O’Brien here in June.
Melvin and Zach Maciolek moved our new teacher, Ms. Anna Stapleton, from Illinois. This added a
personal touch in welcoming her to our church family here. Be sure to greet her when you see her and
also thank Melvin and Zach for their time and labor.
The church and CLC main air conditioner has had a major failure. We are trying both to fix the current
problem and make corrections so that these failures will not happen in the future. Our air conditioning
system is a large commercial unit and not everyone in the air conditioning business is qualified to
service it. We thank Roy Stevens for his expertise in trying to solve the issues as we work through this
difficulty. Thank you for your patience. We hope to have a better working system in the near future.
Mr. Bill is back to work and almost fully recovered from the fall he had last year. Please welcome him
back.
Andrew Apple has done a great job resurrecting our youth group and added a Bible class for the high
school and young adults. He’s also busy promoting our school with tours of the campus and church. Be
sure to talk to him about the Generations Ministry he’s starting and sign up if you haven’t already.
Renaann Apple was our delegate to the district convention and represented us well. She enjoyed the
experience, so please ask her about it and thank her for her service. It is always good to see what our
sister congregations are doing and be part of the body of Christ in the church at large as we walk
together as the children of the resurrection!
I ask you to keep praying for God’s guidance and presence in all we do together in this place, His place,
called First Lutheran Church.
In His service,
Rick Howard
President, First Lutheran Church,
Clearwater, Fl
First Lutheran Ministries
MUSIC & WORSHIP MINISTRY TEAM
CARE GIVING MINISTRY
Prayer Chain Ministry—If you are interested in participating in our Prayer Chain Ministry,
please call the church office and give the secretary your name, phone number, and email address.
Stephen Ministry— Our Stephen Ministers meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month,
September through May. If you are interested in becoming a part of our Stephen Ministry,
please speak to Arnie or Kathy Piering.
Prayer Shawl Ministry— Knit or crochet; we are making shawls for anyone that may need
our prayers and love. Come join us as we meet and stitch on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30pm
in the church office. If you are unable to join us, just knit or crotchet at home. Recipients of
these special gifts find comfort , peace and love as they snuggle in the shawls for warmth.
PARISH NURSE NOTES—SUE HELLER
Free blood pressure screening is available the second Sunday of every month after 9:30am
service in room 10—the first room on the right in the Fellowship Hall inside the door from
the breezeway. Keep track of your health in between doctor’s visits and stay healthy.
- Sue Heller, RN, FCN (Faith Community Nurse), BSN
Guest Pastors
We are pleased to welcome Pastor John Zeile, Pastor Jim Guelzow and Pastor Pat O’Brien.
They will be leading our worship services for the summer. By clicking the following link:
http://flcclearwater.org/flcclearwater/index.php/home-mainmenu-1/church-calendar/
month.calendar/2015/07/25/43 or checking the church web page calendar, you can see the
name of the pastor scheduled for each weekend through August 16. We are grateful to these
men for their service to us in the summer.
July 4-5
The Saturday night worship service is cancelled Saturday, July 4. On Sunday, July 5, we will
once again have a special Patriotic Worship Celebration during our 9:30 a.m. service. You
won’t want to miss this annual worship celebration.
Sunday Worship
Summer choir will be on hiatus for the month of July. Soloists and instrumentalists are encouraged to participate in our summer worship services. Please contact Ann Hinz if you are
interested.
Saturday Worship - Unplugged
Our Praise Team, Uplifted, is continuing to be unplugged for the summer. We are leading
worship acoustically (without any microphones or amplification). For the summer, we are meeting
in the Chapel area for a more intimate worship experience. We are pleased to welcome Andrew Apple on guitar.
Choirs
The Blood Mobile is scheduled to be at First Lutheran Church on July 19, 2015 from
10:45am to 12:00pm. Share your power to save lives – Donate Blood!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY
Bible Classes—Participation in Bible Class is an important part of a believer’s growth and
maturity in the faith. We invite you to look over the listing of our Bible Class offerings and
become actively involved in one or more classes.
Sunday School—Classes for all ages are held every Sunday morning from 8:30—9:15 am in
Room 10 & the church library. We encourage you to attend one of the classes. During the
summer, only Christ’s Kids will meet. Adult classes are on hiatus for the summer.
The adult choir and handbell choir music is being selected and scheduled this summer. We will
be learning some great new pieces.
Adult Handbell practice resumes in September on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the
church balcony.
Adult Choir practice resumes in September on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the church
balcony.
Praise Team: practice continues on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel.
Call Ann Hinz, Minister of Music, to join one of these musical
groups: 727-462-8000 ext 104.
May our music be a blessing to you and enhance your worship.
His peace,
Ann Hinz
OUTREACH MINISTRY
Our Walking Club meets every Saturday morning at 8:00am. We are currently on Summer
Break, but will resume in the fall.
Adult Open Gym is on hiatus during the summer. Starting in the fall, it will be scheduled
every Thursday evening from 6:30pm—8:00pm in our gym.
We are accepting vendor reservations for this year’s Holiday Bazaar. For more information,
or to obtain a vendor reservation form, contact the church office at 727-462-8000 x 1.
We as a congregation continue to collect food items for donations to the RCS Food Bank.
Donations may be dropped of in the Narthex and will be taken to RCS on a monthly basis. A
big thank you to Ed & Joni Bruce for their time and effort with this ministry.
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
Our June Offerings:
June 7th:
$ 7,850.00
June 14:
$ 6,491.00
June 21st:
$ 3,842.00
June 28th:
$ 5,787.00
Total:
$23,970.00
Budget needed through week #48:
Offerings received through week #48:
Needed each week: $6,512.00
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL NEWS—MRS. ELAINE POPP, PRINCIPAL
Summer camp is in full swing and the students are having a great time. Each week they have
been enjoying fun field trips. For example they have been going to the swimming pool for
lessons, bowling, attending a Threshers baseball game, and going to the movies and lunch out.
When they are on campus they have been having fun activities like face painting and having
dance contests. Our summer camp counselors are working really hard to make camp a fun
experience for our campers.
The school office has also been very busy. We are already gearing up for the next school year.
One of the biggest projects is ordering books. It is exciting that we are replacing our science
curriculum this year. When teachers return in August we will have an in service meeting with
the publishers to learn how best to use it. Summer is also a great time to get re organized after
a hectic school year.
We are also very excited to be getting new desks for students in grade 2-5. They are being
purchased by our PTO from their fundraisers during the school year. These desks will allow
students to keep more books in their desk. Now we can get rid of our lockers in the hallway
and make more room and also save time from students going out in to the hallway to retrieve
forgotten books. (They may miss that chance
to get out of the classroom but the teachers
won’t!)
Continue to keep our enrollment for next
year in your prayers. It is exciting that our 4th
and 5th grade class is full but we still have
openings available in our other classrooms. I
sure wouldn’t mind having to order more
books!
Average per week: $6,573.00
$312,576.00
$315,789.00
Thank you for your faithful and cheerful first-fruits giving to the Lord. If you have not already done so, please consider increasing your level of giving. We will need to maintain a high
level of sustained giving for this fiscal year. Let us together “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY
Inviting Atmosphere:
Our Altar Guild prepares the chancel area for weekend worship and Holy Communion, as
well as other services as needed.
Greeters are present in the Narthex before and after services to greet members and visitors
and to answer any questions. If you are interested in becoming a greeter, please call the church
office.
FAMILY MINISTRY
Children’s Ministry—Children's Church is usually held every other Sunday during the
9:30am worship service. We are taking a break during the summer, but starting in the fall,
Children ages 3 through 6th grade are invited and encouraged to attend.
Youth Ministry—Our Youth Group meets regularly on a monthly basis for social, spiritual
and service events. Check the “Happenings in Youth & Family page for more information.
Youth and Young Adult Bible Study dealing with “Issues” is starting on 7/12. Please contact Andrew or Renaann Apple to become involved and participate.
Men’s Ministry—A men’s breakfast and Bible Study group meets every Tuesday morning at
7:00am in the Fellowship Hall. We serve a hot breakfast and spend time in Bible Study. Currently, we’re studying Islam. All are invited to attend. The group is on hiatus until Tuesday,
August 25th.
Women’s Ministry— A Beth Moore Bible study is on hiatus during the summer. In the fall
it will be held every Monday evening at 6:30 pm in the Elementary School building (Room 5).
LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission praise the Lord for opportunities to share His message and love with people in all walks of life throughout the community and the world. The
LWML focuses on affirming each woman in her relationship with Christ.
Older Adult Ministry—Will not meet during the summer months of June, July, and August.
The “Lunch Bunch” will meet again on the third Wednesday in September.
A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRIES
Greetings in Christ,
It’s already July! The year is half over already…. Incredible isn’t? One year from this month our youth
will be attending the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Please keep our youth group in your
prayers and they continue to grow in the knowledge of Christ. Our youth are fund raising to help defer
the cost of the National Gathering, stay tuned to the church announcements and our Facebook page
for more information on upcoming fundraisers.
Christ Kids Sunday School is going on journey through God's awesome world. We will be exploring the
natural and powerful elements God created - clouds, fire, water, earthquakes, whirlwinds, and more.
Our kids will see how God uses those elements to show us who He is and to bring about His plan of
salvation for all humankind. Our theme this summer is, Even the Wind and Waves Obey Him.
Praying for our church, school and the work of Christ here in this place and around the world. Never
forget the persecuted church and continue to walk in humility and service to our Lord.
SERVICE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
DATE
Sat 7/4
Sun 7/5
Sat 7/11
Sun 7/12
Sat 7/18
Sun 7/19
Sat 7/25
Sun 7/26
Sat 8/1
Sun 8/2
Sat 8/8
Sun 8/9
Sat 8/15
Sun 8/16
DATE
Sat 7/4
Sun 7/5
Sat 7/11
Sun 7/12
Sat 7/18
Sun 7/19
Sat 7/25
GREETER
ACOLYTE
No Worship
Eleanor Homer
AV
No Worship
No Worship
Anna Lim
Rodger Seltzer
Jayda Blake
Andrew Apple
Anna Lim
Doug Carr
Alessandro Christopherson Andrew Apple
Joy Hanselman
Jayda Blake
Marge Murray
Jayda Blake
Bill Spoolstra
Andrew Apple
Rodger Seltzer
Andrew Apple
Peggie McClave, Linda McClelland
Jayda Blake
Doug Carr
Andrew Apple
Sandy Brown
Jayda Blake
Bill Spoolstra
Alessandro Christopherson Andrew Apple
Mary Esther Smith, Joni & Ed Bruce Anna Lim
GUEST PASTOR
No Worship
Rev. Jim Guelzow
Rev. Jim Guelzow
Rev. Jim Guelzow
Rev. John Zeile
Rev. John Zeile
Rev. John Zeile
DATE
Sun 7/26
Sat 8/1
Sun 8/2
Sat 8/8
Sun 8/9
Sat 8/15
Sun 8/16
Roger Seltzer
GUEST PASTOR
Rev. John Zeile
Rev. Jim Guelzow
Rev. Jim Guelzow
Rev. John Zeile
Rev. John Zeile
Rev. Jim Guelzow
Rev. Jim Guelzow
If you would like to get involved and serve in any of these capacities, please
contact the church office at 727-462-8000 x 1. For any changes to the schedule,
please contact the church office by close of business Thursday. We appreciate
your service and assistance with keeping the schedule current.
Thank you!
HAPPENINGS IN YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY
SERVICE SCHEDULE
DATE
Sat 7/4
Sun 7/5
Sat 7/11
Sun 7/12
Sat 7/18
Sun 7/19
Sat 7/25
Sun 7/26
Sat 8/1
Sun 8/2
Sat 8/8
Sun 8/9
Sat 8/15
Sun 8/16
DATE
Sat 7/4
Sun 7/5
Sat 7/11
Sun 7/12
Sat 7/18
Sun 7/19
Sat 7/25
Sun 7/26
Sat 8/1
Sun 8/2
Sat 8/8
Sun 8/9
Sat 8/15
Sun 8/16
ELDER
SERVER
No Worship
No Worship
Doug Carr
Chris Lindau
Dennis Miller
Chris Lindau
Joe DeCresie
Chris Lindau
Carl Schleede
Dennis Miller
Joe DeCresie
Ed Makin
Kurt Popp
Carl Schleede
Carl Schleede, Kurt Popp
NO COMMUNION
NO COMMUNION
Doug Carr
Carl Schleede, Peter Kiehl
NO COMMUNION
NO COMMUNION
Brian Popp
Kurt Popp, Walt Crosmer
NO COMMUNION
NO COMMUNION
Brian Popp
Doug Carr
Dennis Miller, Kurt Popp
USHER
No Worship
Carl Schleede, Melvin Maciolek, Michael Beebe
LECTOR
Toni Sawyer
Joe DeCresie
Doug Carr, Walt Crosmer
Rick Howard
Richard Seltzer, Dennis Miller, Andrew Apple
Renaann Apple
Carl Schleede, Melvin Maciolek, Michael Beebe
Joe DeCresie
Andrew Apple
Bob Binney, Mike Brown, Bob Hicks
Amy Boyle
Carl Schleede, Melvin Maciolek, Michael Beebe
John Boyle
Richard Seltzer, Dennis Miller, Andrew Apple
Stacey Piszczynski
Our new bible study, Issues, continues to meet right after service in the gathering place. All high school,
college and young adults are welcome to attend. We will be looking at some of the social issues we as
Lutherans currently face and what we are called to in Christ.
Finally, our Youth Group is going to Night of Joy this year. Tickets are $65.00 each. We will be attending Saturday, September 12. The deadline to sign up is July 7th. Money is due by August 1st.
Contact Andrew @ x232 or email at [email protected] for more information or to reserve
your spot.
Please keep praying for our church, school and the work of Christ here in this place and around the
world. Never forget the persecuted church and continue to walk in humility and service to our Lord.
Youth Work Day – July 6th 10AM-5pm
Come ready to work/paint classrooms in bldg. C…
Beach Day – July 8th 9AM- 5pm
We will be going to Fort Desoto Beach in Saint Petersburg. Meet at the church at 9AM. Bring Lunch,
appropriate swim attire and sunscreen. We will be back at the church at 5pm.
Youth Group Meeting: July 12th 11am-1pm
Blessings on your Summer!
BIRTHDAYS
7/3 Glenda Conant
7/3 Brenda Mullis
7/3 Dennis Rice
7/5 Roberta Sheperis
7/8 Lucy Bier
7/8 Karen Wagenknecht
7/9 Edith O’Brien
7/13 Marjorie Foster
7/18 Cynthia Chilton
7/20 Anna Foster
7/20 Laurraine Marshall
7/21 Armand Bier
7/22 Lisa Maciolek
7/22 Barabra Magowen
7/24 Frederick Howard
7/26 Amy Boyle
7/27 Dorothea Ford
7/28 Nelson Bier
7/29 June Eaton
7/29 David Gangelhoff
7/29 Mary Holmes
7/31 Adele Sargent
ANNIVERSARIES
7/1 Richard & Carl Hayes
7/9 Arnold & Kathy Piering
7/15 James &Natalee Hallsted
7/27 Pat & Edith O’Brien