1

First Hand

February 2020

First Lutheran Church

208 West Sandusky Avenue

Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311

937-592-7699

Fax: 1-888-471-1970

Website: www.flcbellefontaine.org

Pastor Larry Novak– lnovak@flcbellefontaine.org

Office Manager Brittanny Porter– bporter@flcbellefontaine.org

Director of Music, Judy Vassar- jandlv321@gmail.com

Bell Choir Director, Larry Walker- lwcw70@centurylink.net

Inside this issue:

From the Pastor’s Desk 2—3

Director of Music’s Notes 4

February Events 5

Lenten Events 6

Youth Events 7

The Women’s Corner 8

Parish Register 10

Thank You’s 12

February Birthday/Anniversaries 13

Serving In Worship 14

February Calendar 15

Mission Statement:

Sharing God’s grace

through prayer,

witness, and service.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or

boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its

own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not

rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. 7It

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,

endures all things. 8Love never ends.13And now

faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the great-

est of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13

2

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

On Sunday, February 2, the Gospel reading will be one of the most famous readings in scripture, the

Beatitudes, from the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. All the preliminary work for Jesus to begin his minis-

try has been accomplished. He has been baptized, he has called his apostles, and he has spiritually prepared

himself by spending 40 days in the wilderness, facing down Satan and his temptations. Now the ministry is

ready to begin. And the first thing he does (in Matthew’s gospel, anyway) is preach a sermon. The Sermon on

the Mount takes up three whole chapters in Matthew’s Gospel, and the sermon begins with the nine Beati-

tudes.

One of the beatitudes has struck close to home for me over the past week: Blessed are those who

mourn, for they shall be comforted. I did indeed feel comforted by God’s presence as my family and I

mourned the death of my mother. And I wanted to thank all of you who have sent prayers, cards, and well

wishes for Carolyn and me over the last few weeks. But as Liz Griffin says on her devotional website Seeds of

the Kingdom:

But I’m not convinced that Jesus means the kind of mourning that we do when someone we love dies. Yes, I do believe that He brings comfort and healing to that form of grief, but if we are to have the values of the Kingdom then I think we must mourn over the things that God mourns over. Maybe they aren’t the kind of things that we spend our time thinking about. Perhaps we are more concerned with our own little world than the suffering of others. God must search for those with a heart to grieve about innocent children and babies who are abused or treated cruelly, or for adults who are helpless and trapped in bad situations. When we care with His heart of compassion we will cry out in prayer and we will take whatever action is within our power to bring change.

One of the five habits of healthy congregations that we will be focusing on as we craft our vision is risk

taking mission and service. This involves asking ourselves what it is the we mourn over. What keeps us up at

night? What issues facing our community do we mourn over? Is it the opioid crises that is hurting so many

families? The shortage of decent affordable housing? The high number of children in foster care?

Continued on the next page

3

The answers to these questions will help dictate where we see ourselves being called in our commu-

nity. It will drive our mission and service. When we see who God sees, hear who God hears, and love who

God loves, then not only will people on the receiving end of our service receive God’s comfort through us,

we ourselves will receive comfort from God. That is the promise of this Beatitude. Griffin’s devotion closed

with this prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to be sensitive to the suffering of others and to notice the things that are so easily overlooked in our own busyness and self-centeredness. Help us to show love and do whatever we can, relying on you for that which we cannot do. Help us to see things from your point of view. Give us your eyes and your ears. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In the abiding hope of the empty tomb,

Pastor Larry

4

Report of Director of Music

How important are church choirs? How vital are they to a healthy ministry? Why have them

at all?

Reason 4. LOVE—Love is what makes a volunteer church choir: love of music, love for each

other, and especially love of the Savior. Love brings a grandmother to rehearsal after a day

of babysitting. Love inspires a member to drive through holiday traffic to make a rehearsal

for Christmas Eve. Love causes a couple to rearrange their lives so that choir rehearsal be-

comes their anniversary celebration. Love causes families to rearrange meals to be to

weekly choir practice. These all do happen-really.

Join us this Thursday at 7:00 PM.

Submitted by

Judy Vassar

5

Out to Lunch Bunch- The February OTLB

will be the WELCA Winter Dinner on

Saturday, February 1st:

WELCA WINTER DINNER Saturday, February 1,2020

5:00pm Appetizers / 5:30pm Dinner

Cost: $12.00 per person Elementary: $5

Reservations and payments can be made before and after the worship service in the lower narthex.

The Monday afternoon Bible Study meets in the church lounge each week

beginning at 1:30 pm. Everyone is invited, including family members,

neighbors and friends. This might be a great time to invite a person who may

be considering membership at First Lutheran. This session will be studying

the book of Acts with Pastor Larry

The Annual Meeting is scheduled for February 2nd this year. There will not be a carry-in due to it also being the day the youth sub fundraiser is going on. Please join us in Rice Hall.

Annual reports will be available then on the tables

The new W645 bible study will be focusing on the social statements of the ELCA. This bible study starts at 645 pm on Wednesdays at will

last until 8pm.

The Taste of Winter Event featuring many soups & salads- will be Sunday February 16th immediately following worship, in Rice Hall. You can dine in or carry-out. Donations at your discretion. These funds are used for projects within our church building. If you would like to donate a soup/salad/dessert sign-up in the lower narthex.

We appreciate all donations!

6

Ash Wednesday Services – February 26, 2020

12 pm - Community Service at the First United Presbyterian Church (N.Main)

7 pm communion service- Imposition of Ashes

This year our Lenten Mid-week services will be combined with the four downtown churches. We will each host an evening dinner at 6pm and at 7pm will be a worship service. We hope that you will

join us at each of these special services!

Week 1 March 4, 2020– At our church

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner- 6:00 pm

Lenten Mid-week service– 7:00 pm

Week 2 March 11, 2020– At First United Methodist

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner- 6:00 pm

Lenten Mid-week service– 7:00 pm

Week 3 March 18, 2020– At First Christian Church

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner- 6:00 pm

Lenten Mid-week service– 7:00 pm

Week 4 March 25, 2020– At Presbyterian Church

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner- 6:00 pm

Lenten Mid-week service– 7:00 pm

Week 5 April 1, 2020– At our Church

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner Carry-In- 6:00 pm

Lenten Mid-week service– 7:00 pm

Ash Wednesday & Lenten Services

7

Subs that were ordered from the Youth Sub Sale will be

available for pick-up in the kitchen on Sunday morning,

February 2nd, after the worship service. If you did not

get your order placed in time, there may be a few extra

subs available to purchase.

Thank you for your support of our YOUTH!

Confirmation Retreat– Lutheran Memorial

The confirmation class will be attending a 2 day/ 1 night retreat in

March 20-21st. We will enjoy Bible Studies (Supplemented by Luther’s

Small Catechism), Campfires, S’mores, Worship, Devotions,

Congregational Time, & Games! It is sure to be a fun-filled weekend! Parents: please have your children

at the church by 5 pm on Friday, March 20th to carpool to Camp. We will return on Saturday evening,

March 21st. Look for more information to come. There are sign up sheets and medical forms in

Brittanny’s mailbox for pick-up. If you need it emailed to you I can do that also or you can print from the

LOMOcamps.org

As part of our celebration of the Holy Supper of our Lord, we are

asking you to remember those around us who need to be fed.

You can help keep the LCS pantry stocked by bringing basic food

items on the first Sunday of each month. What is needed is

canned items: especially fruits, vegetables, meats and soups; and

basic non-perishable items: cereal, flour, sugar and juices. There is a basket in the upper

narthex to receive your donations. Let’s remember Food on the First as part of our

monthly celebration of Holy Communion.

8

Faith Circle for February

Faith Circle will meet at 1:30 on Tuesday February 18th at the church, in the lounge.

Jean will be our hostess. Tori will be presenting a program on “Secrets for Creating Meals for just 1 or 2 people”.

Our Mission Project for February is sleepers and PJ’s for babies & children newborn – age 5.

Also, please give your Love Offering for the Home of Peace Orphanage to Cindy Weikart upon your earliest convenience.

This was our mission project for January and our meeting was cancelled, however we still want to support this worthy, much-needed endeavor.

Every woman of FLC is a member of Faith Circle.

Come, Join Us! Bring a Friend!

The Bellefontaine United Methodist Church Women have invited the women of FLC to join them on Saturday March 14th for a program presented by Shannon Maier of Journey Living Ministries entitled: “Let Your Light Shine”. Shannon Maier is a public speaker and life coach. Shannon speaks from her heart about her personal journey, encouraging audiences to live the life they truly want.

Shannon shares what the Holy Spirit has placed on her heart.

Please come and enjoy this time in fellowship and be encouraged to “Let Your Light Shine”.

9:30 Continental Breakfast

10:00 – 11:00 Program

Please RSVP to the First United Methodist Church Bellefontaine

9

FAITH & FRIENDS OUTING

Thursday February 13th

Honda Heritage Museum and Auto Plant Tour

9:00 We will meet at the church to form carpools

9:45 We will tour the Honda Heritage Museum, followed by

a walking tour of one of the auto plants.

The Auto Plant tour is a fast-paced, one hour walking tour approx

1.5 miles and may include stairs. It is important to wear comforta-

ble walking shoes that cover the foot and heel.

A photo ID is needed in order to tour the auto facility.

This tour is free of charge.

The tour will last approximately 2.5 hours.

Lunch = Uncle Beth’s BBQ in N Lewisburg

Everyone welcome. Invite Friends & Neighbors

Sign-up in the lower narthex. Note if you are able to drive.

It is appreciated

10

Ministry Team Meetings-

2/9 12:00 pm Council Retreat

2/10 7:00 pm Christian Action

2/18 7:00 pm F.L.I.R.T

2/19 7:00 pm NLCF

2/24 7:00 pm Worship

Ministry Team Highlights

Christian Action Ministry Team

• Upcoming summer events

Finance Ministry Team

• Budget for new year

Learning Ministry Team

• Sunday school classes

• New Christmas Program

Property Ministry Team

• Building Clean-up & Maintenance Issues

Worship Ministry Team

• Lenten Services

• Holy Week Services

Copies of reports from the monthly meetings of each

ministry team is available for you to view in the

Partners In Ministry Book located in the lower

narthex.

Church Council– 2019

(same due to No Annual Meeting/Vote yet)

President– Chris McKenrick

Vice-President– Gail Keck

Secretary– Carolyn Novak

Chris Gamble, Gail Keck, Adam Smith, Ray

Swisher, Chris Tillman, Susan Wyckoff, Ben

Zoldak

The next evening, we will be serving Our

Daily Bread is Monday, February 17th. If

you can’t help us serve, but would still

like to help you could provide the

dessert. This month we are asking for

cupcakes. If you haven't had the chance

to help at Our Daily Bread, please

consider doing so. A sign-up

sheet is in the upper narthex.

Volunteers are asked to arrive

at Our Daily Bread about 4:15

pm prior to the serving time of 4:30 pm.

If you have any questions or concerns

please contact the church office.

Upcoming: Open Flower Vases

• February 23rd: One

Vase

One vase each week of

March :

• March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Upcoming Wine Openings:

• February 23rd

• March 1, 15, and 22nd

11

Membership Statistics for 2019

Baptisms– 0

New Members– 3

Confirmed– 2

Deaths– 5

Transfers– 6

During the past month we have remembered many in prayer. We remember in prayer all who are in need of God’s presence and care … especially:

Jeanne Gamble health issues/hospitalized

Lois Latimer health issues

Jan Lowery health issues/surgery

Marilyn Scofield health issues

Tori Geib health issues

Pearl KNox entered the Church Triumphant

Debra Kay Hackett entered the Church Triumphant

Carolyn Novak entered the Church Triumphant

Jean (Judy Lunz’s sister) health issues

Don Johnson health issues

Ed Becker health issues

Doc Stang health issues

Sunday Annual

Attendance Average

for 2019: 90

For January 2020

January 5: 82

January 12: 73

January 19: 56

January 26: 62

Average: 68

12

Thanks for all the Christmas cards and goodies you gave me for

Christmas in the sunshine bags. It was nice to be thought of! Thanks also to

Loren & Gloria Kipker for delivering them!

-Bill Fent

Dear FLC Family,

Thank you so much for the many Christmas cards and “goodies” bag

I received from everyone! It is always so interesting to see what people

have sent. It brightened my day and I really appreciate your

thoughtfulness!

Love,

Jeanne Gamble

Thank you so much for the nice sunshine bags! I really enjoyed all the cards, treats,

and useful items! Gloria read each card and I enjoyed displaying all of them on my

card wreath. What a thoughtful congregation!

-Eleanor Ammon

Thank you for the many blessings I received during the holi-

days from the church. To Brenda Shively for bringing commun-

ion; To Gloria & Loren Kipker for bringing the sunshine bags

with all the goodies, I enjoyed them very much; And to the

carolers who showed up to serenade us during our lunch hour

one day-what a great lunch hour! With a grateful heart I thank

all of you.

-Mary Contner

13

Do you have Christmas, birthday or any other

greeting cards that you have received and don’t

know what to do with them? Don’t throw them

away … bring them in and we will recycle them

for you. Place them in the receptacle located in

the lower narthex. You can bring your cards in

all year long.

Magazines Always Needed

Please keep donating any of your magazines to the church

office or the coordinator. These are distributed throughout

the community, where they are needed. This simple act of

kindness is not forgotten by the ones that receive them!

Thanks in Advance!

02/01 Jeff Manahan 02/02 Mike Starkey 02/06 Pat Mitchell 02/07 Sue Campbell 02/09 Kathy Fultz 02/10 Pastor Larry Novak 02/10 Noah Smith 02/11 John Warren 02/11 Liz Rose 02/12 Evelyn Baxley 02/12 Peggy Ackerman 02/12 Phil Pulfer 02/13 Pat Taylor 02/13 David Keck 02/14 Curtis Barger 02/15 Jade Smith 02/15 Lydia Smith 02/15 Morgan Allen 02/15 Shelby Starkey 02/17 Joann Karn 02/17 Nancee Starkey 02/20 Zane Gamble 02/21 Sally Stephan 02/22 Aliana Kauffman 02/24 John Gensemer 02/24 Robyn Miller 02/25 Jan Lowery 02/27 Connor Burton 02/27 Mackenzie Swartz

02/10/1963 Jim & Janet Donnelly

14

Serving in Our Worship– FEBRUARY 2020 10:00 am service

Ushers

Dave Vassar

Loren Kipker

Brad and Stacie Jones (2nd and 9th)

McKenricks (16th and 23rd)

Acolytes

2/2 Declan Shannon

2/9 Megan Keckler

2/16 Josalyn Porter

2/23 Megan Keckler

Crucifers

2/2 Connor Rose

2/9 Brett Belser

2/16 Alexza Clifton

2/23 Winnie Bodin

Communion Helpers

2/2 Noah & Eden Smith

2/9 Lottie & Brooks Bodin

2/16 Sophia Porter & Layla Hoyt

2/23 Noah & Eden Smith

Readers

2/2 Kris Swisher

2/9 Deb Greenawalt

2/16 Dave Vassar

2/23 Chris Hildreth Blair

Ash Wednesday 7pm Susan Wyckoff

Communion Assistants

2/2 Barb Triplett & Colleen Bodin

2/9 Roger & Rachel Kauffman

2/16 Connie Regula & Kay Schroer

2/23 Brenda Shively & Don Voorhies

Ash Wednesday 7pm Gail Keck

Greeters

2/2 Gary & Susie Shields

2/9 Dave & Cheri Comstock

2/16 Terry & Judy Lunz

2/23 Tom & Liz Rose

Nursery

*open every Sunday, but not staffed

Worship Assistants

2/2 Kris Swisher

2/9 Chris Hildreth Blair

2/16 Beth Harman

2/23 Dick Griffith

Altar Guild

Cheri Comstock, Rachel Gillespie,

Barb Triplett, & Cindy Weikart

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