1816 nw irving street, portland, oregon 97209 · 2020-03-20 · 1816 nw irving street, portland,...
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T H E I M M A N U E L I T E
First Immanuel Lutheran Church 1816 NW Irving Street, Portland, Oregon 97209
“A Welcoming Community Centered in Christ’s Love,
Joyfully Reaching Out Together”
June 2018 published monthly Vol. 29 No. 6
Dear friends in Christ,
I read a disturbing statistic recently. According to
Global Footprint Network, a nonprofit organization
that calculates human demands on our planet’s
natural resources, the world’s population would
require 1.7 Earths to support its present consumption
habits. The problem, of course, is that we don’t have
1.7 Earths. There is only one, and we are using it up
faster than is renewable or sustainable.
Unbelievably, I have heard
some Christians affirm just
such profligate consumption
as consistent with God’s desire
for the world. They cite the
creation story in Genesis 1
(which pictures God giving
humanity dominion over the
world) and suggest that God
would never permit us to
destroy God’s good gift. Surely
God would intervene before
allowing anything like that to happen! It sounds
incredibly irresponsible and presumptuous to me.
If we sincerely wish for Christian faith to inform
our approach the challenges before us, a better place
to turn in the Bible for reflection might be the imagery
in Genesis 2. God created a man from the dust of the
ground and placed him in God’s garden to care for the
land. Because it was not good for the man to be alone,
God then created a woman to be a partner and
companion. The two of them lived together in the
garden, enjoying God’s good gifts and living within
limits established by God. Sadly, they went on to
make disastrous choices about rejecting the limits God
had set for them. But during the time they lived within
God’s blessing, their vocation was to care for the
world God had made.
I wonder how it might shape our lifestyle and
consumption choices if we were to see our vocation
as including a call to care for God’s world. The Earth is
God’s gift for us to be our home, not merely a pile of
resources for us to use. It seems to me that there is
something beautiful about regarding God’s creation
with a sense of wonder rather than a calculating eye
for what is useful to us in some
way. Because it is a gift of God’s
grace, the Earth invites us to
love it, to experience a sense of
awe and amazement at it.
The theme for our Vacation
Bible School this year is “Wild
Wonder,” focusing on care for
God’s creation. Our children will
be invited to delight in God as
Creator and to feel awe and
wonder at God’s amazing world.
Beginning on Monday, June 18, and continuing
through Thursday, June 21, our kids will experience
how brilliant and magnificent the soil and water are,
the plants and trees, insects and animals. What a gift
God has entrusted to us! We’ll begin with dinner each
evening at 6 PM, then engage in a variety of activities
to contemplate the beautiful complexity and wonder
of God’s creation.
I hope you’ll be able to participate with us, or pray
for us, for a wonder-filled week of learning and fun for
our kids.
Pastor Aaron
Adult Forum takes a summer break
After a great season of discussion
and faith sharing, our Sunday
sessions will take a break till
September.
If you have a topic or study
you’d like to see presented, please
be in touch with Pastor Melinda
(pastormelinda@firstimmanuelluth.org).
Building on Our Legacy:
Building Fund Appeal 2018—2021
Many
thanks to
everyone
who made
a pledge
for our
Building
Fund Appeal in May! We’re making progress toward
our goal of $160,000. As of May 29, we have received
28 pledges for $70,385. Thank you! Every three years,
members and friends of the congregation are invited
to make a gift or three-year pledge to the Building
Fund, which provides a reliable stream of income to
repair and improve our facilities. It pays for sizable
property-related projects not included in the annual
budget.
If you did not receive the Building Fund Appeal
mailing, please contact the church office. We invite
you to prayerfully consider your three-year Building
Fund pledge and to give as generously as you are able
to care for this legacy entrusted to us. Thank you!
Summer is hereand
our beautiful weather is
proof! Throughout June,
July and August, our
worship service begins at
10 a.m. See you in church this summer!
FIRST IMMANUEL CORE VALUES
Spiritual Life � Friendly Community � Acceptance & Diversity � Tradition & Heritage �
Music & Worship � Growing in Faith � Family Focus � Serving & Volunteering
Music Sunday is June 3, and
Bell Choir plays Sunday, June 10
Over the last few years, we have
celebrated the last Sunday that the
choir sings before summer break as
“Music Sunday.” Our tradition is to
choose a few works that we’ve sung
before and would like to sing again
before we end the choir season.
This Sunday, June 3, we’ll sing
“The Sparrow’s Song” by Joseph
Martin, who came to our church and
conducted our choir in 2013. Written
for choir, organ and violin solo, it
begins with the words of the sparrow: “I will build my
nest in the arms of the tree.” But later, we realize that
the tree is really a cross when we hear, “I will build my
nest in the arms of the tree that held the Lord of
life.” It is a beautiful and powerful message that we
too should build our lives in the cross of Christ.
During the offertory, the choir will sing the
Sanctus (“Holy, Holy”) from Gabriel Fauré’s beautiful
setting of the Requiem Mass. Unlike Requiems by
Mozart or Verdi, featuring large sections about
judgment and damnation, Fauré’s Requiem is a very
peaceful, almost joyous work—his aim to give perhaps
a preview of heavenly music and peace.
We’ll close the service with a wonderful favorite,
“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter Lutkin,
which features the very familiar “sevenfold” Amen.
On Sunday, June 10, the bell choir will play for the
last time this season before summer break. They will
perform a very nice arrangement of a “Gavotte” by
Johann Sebastian Bach.
We hope that you’ll enjoy this music as much as
we’ve enjoyed performing it—we are glad to present
these works again before we go on summer break.
—Ralph Nelson, Choir Director
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 see
Choir Director Ralph Nelson at
coffee hour or email Ralph.nelson@yahoo.com. We
would especially like encourage students who have
been studying instruments or voice to play or sing this
summer.
Strawberry Social at Gallagher Plaza
Saturday, June 2, 2-3 p.m.
Connect with neighbors and friends in
this fun annual event. If you can help
serve, we'd love to include you! We're
also taking donations of strawberries,
pound cake, whipped cream and ice
cream (regular and sugar-free
options). Contact Ryan Traetow
(rtraetow@yahoo.com). Thanks!
FILC BOOK GROUP
Sunday, June 10, 6:30 p.m., at the home of Tyrell
Servo & Don Suhr (Milwaukie)
Join us for good fellowship, conversation
and yummy dessert. Please be in touch for
directions and to let us know you’re coming:
tyrell.servo@gmail.com. To borrow a copy of
the June book, please contact Pastor
Melinda—we’re checking out a reading group
pack of 10 books from the Portland library.
Our June selection is People of the Book: A Novel, by
Geraldine Brooks. Inspired by a true story, this
bestselling novel traces the harrowing journey of the
famed Sarajevo Haggadah, a beautifully illuminated
Hebrew manuscript created in fifteenth-century Spain.
When it falls to Hanna Heath, an Australian rare book
expert, to conserve this priceless work, the tiny artifacts
she discovers in its ancient binding only begin to unlock
its deep mysteries and plunge Hanna into the intrigues
of fine art forgers and ultra-nationalist fanatics.
Read ahead for August 26, when we’ll meet at the
Akermans’ in Beaverton: Killers of the Flower Moon: The
Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David
Grann. Named a Best Book of 2017 by numerous groups.
ELCA National Youth Gathering
In worship on Sunday,
June 24, we will pray for
Andrew Couch, Emily
Drexler, Pastor Aaron and
youth from Calvary Lutheran
and St. Andrew Lutheran, as
they prepare to leave for the ELCA National Youth
Gathering. On Tuesday June 26, we’ll send them off with
our blessing to be a blessing to the people of Houston.
Then we look forward to welcoming them home after
Sunday, July 1. Thank you to everyone who helped make
it possible for our youth to attend the gathering by
supporting our fundraisers! We couldn’t have done it
without you!
SIGN UP FOR SUMMER YURT CAMPING
August 16-19, 2018at South Beach State
Park near Newport, Oregon
Two-night & three-night options available
Sign up now to save your
spot for our end-of-summer
yurt camping trip, August 16-
19, 2018. We've reserved 10
yurts at beautiful South
Beach State Park south of
Newport, Oregon. You can
come for the usual two nights or opt to stay three nights,
your choice.
Two-Night Yurt Camping, Friday through Sunday,
Aug. 17-19: Cost for one yurt is $125 for two nights. This
includes a group barbecue dinner on Saturday evening
and s’mores.
Three-Night Yurt Camping, Thursday through
Sunday, Aug. 16-19: Cost for one yurt is $175 for three
nights. This includes a group barbecue dinner on
Saturday evening and s’mores.
This is camping in style! Possible weekend activities
include playing on the beach, biking, nature hikes, a trip
to the aquarium or Newport, our group barbecue dinner
Saturday night, and beach worship Sunday morning. The
yurts are equipped with electricity, heat, and furniture
including bunk bed and foldout couch. Families and
individuals will bring their own food plus the usual
camping necessities (bedding, dishes, etc.). For more
info see http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/rustic.
shtml# RUSTIC_YURTS.
Full payment will assure your spot. Reservations are
first-come, first-served, and these spots tend to fill fast.
Tent camping is also available at a reduced price. Please
contact one of the planners to reserve your place or with
any questions: Tyrell Servo (tyrell.servo@gmail.com),
Marja Selmann (marja_selmann@comcast.net), Pastor
Melinda (pastormelinda@firstimmanuelluth.org).
Your Congregational Life Committee
Congratulations to Our Confirmands
We rejoice with Cate Bikales
and Kanoa Martin, who were
confirmed on Pentecost
Sunday, May 20. We invite you
to join us in giving praise to God
and bearing God’s creative and
redeeming word to all the
world! Congratulations, Cate
and Kanoa!
Steeple Repair Update
Repair work on the
sanctuary is underway!
The old porch roof over
the front doors was torn
down and replaced with a
new one. The scaffolding is
ready for the roofers to
begin stripping off the old
shingles, replacing the
flashing and installing new
shingles. The contractor
has also been examining
the old chimney, which will be removed, and then the
stucco will be repaired. When these items are
completed, the entire exterior of the church will be
painted. Thanks to all for your generous gifts to make
this huge effort possible!
Goose Hollow Family Shelter “First Monday”
Team Invites You! Sign up for June 4
You’re invited to join FILC’s
volunteer team at Goose
Hollow Family Shelter
(located at First United
Methodist Church, 1838 SW
Jefferson), providing
temporary housing for up to
8 families. On every “First
Monday” we fill several
volunteer tasks including
making dinner, serving dinner, hosting kid time
activities, and laundry/organizing “helping hand.” No
overnight stay is required. You can serve dinner
without special training, but please note that for Kid
Time or Helping Hand, the shelter requires that you
attend a one-time, one-hour volunteer orientation.
Check the shelter website www.pdxhfs.org for
upcoming times.
To help on June 4―please sign up as soon as
possible. If you’re viewing electronically, click here to
use our online signup sheet, or check the weekly e-
news for a similar link. Alternately, please contact
Maddie Wiens at fry.madeline@gmail.com, or Ryan
Traetow at rtraetow@yahoo.com, or Pastor Melinda,
and we’ll get you in the rotation. Thanks!
Note: The winter Family Shelter at Temple Beth
Israel is closed until next winter season.
Remember, when you leave this
earth, you can take with you
nothing that you have received,
only what you have given: a full
heart, enriched by honest service,
love, sacrifice, and courage.”
—St. Francis of Assisi
As we dedicate our energy to God’s mission of love,
we also dedicate our financial resources to support
Christ’s work in our neighborhood and far beyond.
Thank you for your generous giving—a beautiful
expression of Christian devotion and love.
MAY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Actual pledge giving: Budgeted pledge giving:
April: $16,515 April: $22,422
2018 TOTAL: $70,682 2018 TOTAL: $89,688
Synod Regional Gathering, held Saturday, May 5. Those
who were able to attend shared very positive responses. 75
congregations took the vitality survey. Members suggested
that First Immanuel retake the vitality survey again in a
year or two, as a way to track the health of the
congregation. Members shared a recommendation that
First Immanuel continue relationship-building activities and
structured one-to-one conversations. Several members
reported from the Eco-Reformation breakout session,
including referrals to the Portland Clean Energy Fund and
the EcoFaith Recovery group. Reflections on youth
activities in the region led to comments on the cyclical
nature of the number of First Immanuel youth in
confirmation over the years. Members also received copies
of Oregon Synod Trends & Data–April 2018, and discussed
its implications for First Immanuel.
Reporting and Discussion Items.
• Council members discussed the proceeds from envelope
offerings as compared to the budget. They scheduled a
more detailed comparison of the budget categories next
month.
• Kent Fredrickson reported on a meeting with our new
insurance agent and updates to our insurance policy.
• Council reviewed plans for the ELCA National Youth
Gathering, VBS, and the Youth Group from Coeur d’Alene,
Idaho, that will be staying at First Immanuel in June.
• Pastor Aaron reported on his conversation with the
executor of Waldo Johnson’s bequest. Council is
comfortable with the expected timeline.
Council Actions. Bonny Groshong and Bobbi Varnes
submitted revisions to the Building Use Policy document to
the Executive Committee, who approved the revisions and
forwarded the document to Council. The Council passed a
motion to adopt the revised Building Use Policy.
Lynn Akerman, Secretary
Creation Care Camp:
Wild Wonder—GodMade!
Vacation Bible School this month,
June 18-21!
It’s almost time for
VBS! First Immanuel
welcomes you to
experience “Wild
Wonder: A
Creation Care
Camp.” inviting
kids to delight in
God as Creator and
experience the
wonder of God’s amazing creation. Come join the fun
at Vacation Bible School, Monday, June 18, through
Thursday, June 21. Check out the registration link at
www.firstimmanuelluth.org!
We’ll gather each evening in Fellowship Hall,
beginning with dinner at 6 PM. Kids experience Bible
stories through an interactive combination of music,
art, games, worship, and drama! Activities for children
ages 3 through 12 will last until 8:20 PM each evening.
Bring your children or grandchildren! Invite your
friends!
Staff Training for Vacation Bible School
Wednesday, June 13, at 6 p.m., we’ll gather for a staff
training event for everyone involved in leadership for
VBS. Come learn about the “Wild Wonder” curriculum
and how you can help kids experience God’s goodness
through the wonder of God’s creation.
EMAIL PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is a powerful gift
connecting us with God
and one another. We
invite you to join the
Prayer Chain ministry,
either by sharing a concern
or making our weekly
email requests a part of your devotional life. If you
have prayer requests or updates, please send them to
Suzanne Nelson at firstimmanuelprayers@gmail.com
by Monday evening each week. To join the group, also
contact Suzanne. Sincere thanks to ALL our members
and friends who share God’s love and healing strength
through this ministry!
Extra, Special Ways to Give
Do you know about these
special—and easy—ways to
give to First Immanuel and
help support programs
important to our
congregation? Check these out
today!
► Are you a member of
Thrivent Financial? Thrivent is
a fraternal organization that
offers various financial
products and distributes what would be profits among
Lutheran congregations and nonprofit organizations.
Thrivent members have “Choice Dollars” that may be
directed to Lutheran organizations, including First
Immanuel. To direct your Choice Dollars to FILC, go to
www.thrivent.com and click on “Thrivent
Community,” or call 1-800-THRIVENT (1-800-847-
4836) and state “Thrivent Choice.”
►First Immanuel has a Fred Meyer Community
Rewards account! Whenever you use your Rewards
card at Freddy’s, you’ll help us earn a quarterly
donation from Fred Meyer, based on all accumulated
spending linked to FILC. Just link your Rewards Card to
your favorite nonprofit (FILC, of course!) at
www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You’ll still
get your personal Rewards Points, Fuel Points and
Rebates!
► We’re also a registered nonprofit with
AmazonSmile, through which Amazon.com donates
0.5% of the price of eligible smile.amazon.com
purchases to charities selected by customers. First
Immanuel has its own unique AmazonSmile link—
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/93-0386829. Just
bookmark this link and all your eligible shopping will
benefit First Immanuel!
Can you help with Coffee Hour?
We have oodles of slots open for
upcoming coffee hours. We've
received a generous donation to
pay for goodies. Now we need
willing hands to make coffee, set
out trays, and generally oversee
things. Interested? Contact Bonny
Groshong (503-226-3659) or sign
up on the chart in Fellowship Hall. Thank you!
2: Tym Otto 29: Eric Rasmussen 12: Betsy Granger 30: Wolfgang Essink 14: Kathy Truman 15: Hannah Thom 16: Andrew Larson 7: Ann & Steve Venn 17: Cynthia Collins 11: Pastor Aaron Couch & 18: Megan Borwieck Pastor Melinda Wagner 22: Anna Riley 18: Don & Edith Larson 25: Betty Quanstrom 21: Bonnie & Steve Borwieck Tammy VanDeGrift 27: Catherine & Steve Bailey 26: John Thom 28: Gary & Suzanne Nelson 27: Kate Carlson 29: Becky Shoemaker & Bill Stack Kella Carlson 30: Linda & Per-Olof Lund
Don’t see your special day? Contact Debbie (503/226-3659, debbie@firstimmanuellth.org) with your details!
Donate from your smart phone First Immanuel offers mobile version online giving to make it easy to give anytime. Scan this image using
your phone’s QR code reader—or go to our website (www.firstimmanuelluth.org) and locate the online giving page.
Sunday Parking Reminder
Friendly reminder: on Sundays, we'd
like to reserve our parking lot for those
with mobility needs. The good news is
that all street parking is free on
Sundays, and we also have parking available at
Mesher Tools and Miller Paint Co. Thanks for your
consideration!
Parking Alert for Timbers Games
Plan ahead for days when the Timbers play at
Providence Park. Games this month will be Saturday,
June 2 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Are you receiving our
“Weekly Word” E-News?
FILC’s “Weekly Word” e-news is
a brief message with updates,
event reminders, and a
scriptural reflection for the
upcoming Sunday. It’s emailed,
usually on Thursdays. If you’re not getting the Weekly
Word, sign up at www.firstimmanuelluth.org, or
contact the church office.
What is more delightful than
freshly baked bread?
Calling all bakers! One of
the special ways to
participate in Holy
Communion is to bake the
bread we use for the
Lord’s Supper. Yeast bread
or flatbread...all are
welcomed and enjoyed. We have recipes for both if
you’d like them, or you can use your own favorite. If
you’d like to bake or have questions about it, please
talk to Misty Ibsen (mistyibsen@gmail.com, 503-523-
8214) or Leslie Wong (lesliewong@yahoo.com, 503-
880-3099).
We're not going to ask you to make Sunday
dinner, but how about setting the table?
Communion is a very
special part of our
Sunday service, as we
gather together to
receive the gifts of
Christ’s body and
blood. You can assist in
“setting the table,” by preparing the altar with the
bread and wine. This is a very easy job! You just come
to church a little early to lay out the wine, juice and
bread, and stay for a few minutes after the service to
clear the table and put everything away. If you think
you might be interested in learning to do this very
rewarding job, please talk to Misty Ibsen (503-525-
8214, mistyibsen@gmail.com) or Leslie Wong (503-
224-0743, lesliewong@yahoo.com). We promise
you’ll love it!
Thanks for filling the barrel!
Thanks to all who
helped fill the
barrel to the brim
for Lift Urban
Portland’s annual
Food Drive. With
your help, the
clients at Lift’s
Food Pantry,
located right here at First Immanuel, will enjoy plenty
more of those ever-popular canned tomatoes, black
beans and corn this summer!
June 2018 at First Immanuel
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 8:30 AM RH Showers
10 AM RH Bingo
12 PM Food Pantry
2 2 PM Strawberry Social @ Gallagher Plaza
3 10 AM Worship
11 AM Coffee Hr.
12 PM Choir Potluck @ Bashes’ home
8 PM AA
Music Sunday
4 8:30 AM RH Showers
1 PM RH Bloom
6:30 PM First Monday Team @ Goose Hollow Family Shelter
5 8:30 AM RH Showers
9 AM RH Beading
12 PM Food Pantry
1 PM RH Staff Training
6 PM Executive Committee
6 12:30 PM RH Showers
1:30 PM RH Yoga
7 8:30 AM RH Showers
5:30 PM Food Pantry
6 PM ACOA
8 8:30 AM RH Showers
10 AM RH Bingo
12 PM Food Pantry
9
10 10 AM Worship
11 AM Coffee Hr.
6:30 PM FILC Book Group @ Tyrell Servo’s home
8 PM AA
11 8:30 AM RH Showers
12 9 AM RH Beading
9 AM RH Haircuts
12 PM Food Pantry
2 PM RH Sewing Group
6 PM Church Council
13 8:30 AM Lift UP Harvest Share
12:30 PM RH
Showers
14 8:30 AM RH Showers
1 PM RH Bloom
5:30 PM Pantry
6 PM ACOA
15 8:30 AM RH Showers
10 AM RH Bingo
12 PM Food Pantry
16 11 AM Memorial Service for Peggy McNichol
17 10 AM Worship
11 AM Coffee Hr.
8 PM AA
18 8:30 AM RH Showers
1 PM RH Bloom
6 PM Vacation Bible School
19 9 AM RH Beading
12 PM Food Pantry
2 PM RH Sewing Group
6 PM Vacation Bible School
20 12:30 PM RH
Showers
6 PM Vacation Bible School
21 5:30 PM Food Pantry
6 PM Vacation Bible School
22 12 PM Food Pantry
23
24 10 AM Worship
11 AM Coffee Hr.
8 PM AA
25
26 12 PM Food Pantry
27
ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston TX
(through July 1)
28 5:30 PM Pantry
6 PM ACOA
ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston TX
(through July 1)
29 12 PM Food Pantry
ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston TX
(through July 1)
30
ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston TX
(through July 1)
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