Jim EggertIntentional Interim Pastor

Phone 517-703-6529 or 517-543-4360 ext. 222pastorjimeggert@gmail.com

Mark GawuraSpecific Ministries Pastor for Care Ministry

Phone 517-667-6853

Daniel LongdenSpecific Ministry Vicar,

Director of Youth & Family MinistryPhone 517-543-4360 ext. 229daniellongden@gmail.com

First Lutheran Church550 E. Shepherd St.,Charlotte, MI 48813Phone 517-543-4360

Email: flcchurchoffice@gmail.comweb: firstlutherancharlotte.org

Worship TimesSundays 8:30 & 11:15 a.m.

Contemporary Worship 2nd & 4th Sundays - 11:15 a.m. with live worship teamCommunion 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sundays

Mid-week WorshipWednesdays 6:30 p.m. during Advent & Lent

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Lutheransare part of the Christian Church established byJesus Christ. We trace our history back to the timeof the Apostles and the New Testament Church.While we take our name from Martin Luther, the16th century reformer of the Church, our faith is inthe Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) andcenters in Jesus Christ as the only Savior of theworld.

First Lutheran Church November 2019

First Impressions

“That which we have seen and heardconcerning the Word of Life,

we proclaim to you.”

FLC Statistics for OCTOBER 2019

Confirmed Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394Baptized Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575Child Baptisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)Adult Baptisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)Jr. Confirmands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)New Confirmed Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)New Baptized Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)Transfers Out (Confirmed) . . . (1) Ashleigh Reinbold.Transfers Out (Baptized) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)Releases (Confirmed) . . . . (2) Jeff Greene, Jill Vincent.Releases (Baptized) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)Weddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)

Noah London . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 2Nevina Beck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 4Susan Valerio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 5Andrew Walters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 5Ken Firman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 5Kathryn Conrad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 5Faith Falak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 6Carol Luukkonen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 6Penny Shaull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 6Michael Hollern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 8Mark Jorgensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 8Mark Packowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 8Shannon Fell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 9James Olson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 9Angela Rasmussen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 9Frankie Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 11Stacy Cortright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 12Andrew Backus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 13Kalvin Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 13Lynette Thomas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 13Brian Rondy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 14Jacob Spotts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 15Audrianna Pease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 16Mary Sype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 16Vincent Murray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 17Amanda Sipeolu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 18Daynan Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 19Dave Bursley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 20Richard Deitrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 20Beth Sherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 21Diane Masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 22Nicholas Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 24Joyce Sergent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 24Alexandyr Fell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 25Katie McLane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 25Kearson Keiffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 25Nathan Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 26Chase Oversmith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 26Alexander Perkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 27Christie Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 28Brett Masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 29

If you have a birthday or anniversary this month and you do not see your name listed here, please let the church office know

so we can update our records. Thank you.Church office: 517-543-4360 ext. 221

Wedding Anniversaries forNOVEMBER

Ronald & Kathy Geiger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 1Steve & Diane Johncock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 6Ron & Sharon Partridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 17Don & Rebecca Strickler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 17Joey & Kellye Youngs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 26

Office Deadlines:- Bulletin announcements are due no later than

Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. unless otherwise advertisedPlease note: Announcements for Sunday,November 25 will be due on Tuesday, November20, 8:30 a.m.

- Newsletter articles and information are due no laterthan the 15th day of the month.

First Lutheran Schedule of Events for NOVEMBER 2019

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES, CLASSES, AND REHEARSALS

Sunday Worship at 8:30 & 11:15 a.m. (Communion on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays.)Modern Worship Featuring Live Worship Music Team - 11:15 a.m. (on 2nd & 4th Sundays)Coffee and Fellowship Hour - Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Adult and Teen Bible Studies - Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School - Sundays at 10:00 a.m.Worship Music Team Rehearsal - Sundays following the 2nd Worship ServiceWorship Service at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services - 4th Sunday only, at 1:30 p.m. Group Prayer Time - Sundays at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC Sanctuary

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES, CLASSES, AND REHEARSALSMen’s Bible Study at the Eaton Place Restaurant - Mondays at 7:00 a.m.Bell Choir Rehearsal - Mondays at 7:00 p.m.Youth Confirmation Class - Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., Room 5 Wednesday Bible Study at the Church - Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., FLC LibraryAdult Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.Women’s Bible Study - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., FLC Library

OTHER EVENTS/SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER*Daylight Savings Time Ends - 2:00 a.m., Sunday, November 3All Saints’ Sunday - November 3, both servicesFLC Annual Chili Cook-off - Sunday, November 3, 12:30 p.m.Elisabeth Guild Meeting - Thursday, November 7, 1:30 p.m.FLC Youth Group Midnight Madness - Friday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. - MidnightVeteran’s Day - Monday, November 11FLC Quilt Group - Wednesday, November 13, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.FLC Council Meeting - Thursday, November 14, 7:00 p.m.FLC Voters’ Meeting and Election of Officers - Sunday, November 17, 9:45 a.m.FLC Community Dinner - Monday, November 18, 6:00 p.m. FLC Board of Elders’ Meeting - Tuesday, November 19, 6:30 p.m.Ham & Turkey Give Away - Saturday, November 23, 9:00 a.m. (volunteers needed earlier - please see article)Worship Service at Eaton County Health & Rehabilitation Services - Sunday, November 24, 1:30 p.m.Thanksgiving Eve Worship - Wednesday, November 27, 6:30 p.m.Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 28 (church offices closed November 28 & 29)

EMERGENCIES!If you have a pastoral emergency such as a hospitalization, death in the family,

or are in need of urgent Christian counsel, please call:Intentional Interim Pastor, Jim Eggert (517) 703-6529 OR Specific Ministry Pastor for Care Ministries, Mark Gawura at (517) 667-6853 OR Specific Ministry Vicar and Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Daniel Longden at (248) 802-2392.

TIME TO FALL BACK!Remember to turn your clocks back one hour

before going to bed on Saturday, November 2nd. (...and change the batteries in your smoke detectors.)

ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAYNOVEMBER 3

FIRST LUTHERAN ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFFThe FLC Annual Chili Cook-Off will be held on Sunday, November 3, 12:30 p.m.Please consider making a batch of your best chili to share with the congregation.

Judges who are able to tolerate hot peppers and spice are needed to taste and judge each chili entry.The coveted chili cook-off trophy will be engraved with the name of the winner of the cook-off.

Sign-up sheets will be located on the bulletin board.Volunteers to provide assorted fall desserts are also being sought.

Please label spicy-hot chili and desserts containing nut products. Thank you.

ELISABETH GUILD The next Elisabeth Guild Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7, 1:30 p.m. Our officers will be the hostess’ for this meeting. Devotions will be led by Sally Bower.

Our program for this meeting will be LWML. All ladies are invited to attend Elisabeth Guild meetings.Questions? Please speak with Marj Huva 517-543-1615.

Note: SIREN Tea will be held on Sunday, November 10, Noon, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Charlotte.First Lutheran has reserved two tables for the SIREN Tea and there are still a few seats available.

Please sign-up on the FLC bulletin board if you are interested in attending.

YOUTH GROUP MIDNIGHT MADNESSYouth ages 6th grade through 12th grade are invited to attend Midnight Madness at First Lutheran

Friday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. - Midnight.This is an opportunity for youth to enjoy fun activities and build friendships in a Christian environment.

Adult helpers are needed to oversee Midnight Madness. Any help is appreciated even if its only for a couple of hours.

For more information about Midnight Madness please go to:https://www.firstlutherancharlotte.org/midnight-madness/

If you would be willing to help, or if you have questions, please contact Specific Ministry Vicar andDirector of Youth and Family Ministry, Daniel Longden, at 517-543-4360 ext. 229

or email Dan at daniellongden@gmail.com Thank you!

FIRST LUTHERAN QUILT GROUPWednesday, November 13, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

FLC COUNCIL MEETINGThursday, November 14, 7:00 p.m.

FLC VOTERS’ MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERSSunday, November 17, 9:45 a.m.

Tentative Agenda: Opening Prayer, Secretary’s Minutes, Board Reports, Election of Officers, Walk-in Items,Closing Prayer, Adjournment.

FLC BOARD OF ELDERS MEETINGTuesday, November 19, 6:30 p.m.

HAM AND TURKEY GIVEAWAYThe Annual FLC Ham & Turkey Giveaway will be held on Saturday, November 23.

Help setting up and cooking breakfast is needed at 6:00 a.m.Help with putting together bags to hand out is needed at 7:00 p.m.

Help with serving breakfast and handing out hams and turkeys is needed at 9:00 a.m.

The ham and turkey giveaway helps those in our community by handing out free hams and turkeys.We are currently collecting monetary donations to be used for the purchase of the hams and turkeys.

If you would like to donate, please write the amount you wish to go towards the giveaway and hams/turkeys onyour offering envelope, or you may use one of the special envelopes from the credenza.

We are collecting new or good-condition, used coats, shoes, boots, hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, & socksto be handed out at the Ham & Turkey Give Away to those who are in need.

Please look for donation boxes at First Lutheran. Thank you to everyone who helps out with this ministry to our community!

Note: We cannot reserve or hold hams or turkeys and we do not deliver them.Hams & Turkeys will be handed out on a first-come-first-serve basis until they are gone.

Note: The church offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

FLC COMMUNITY DINNERMonday, November 18, 6:00 p.m., First Lutheran

Both the community and the congregation of First Lutheran are welcome to attend the monthly FLC Community Dinner regardless of need.

Help is needed to cook and/or set-up(5:00 p.m.), greet and/or serve (6:00 p.m.), and clean-up (6:30 p.m.).

Thank you. Questions? Please speak with Stacey Gingrich (989) 820-7767.

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIPPlease join us Wednesday, November 27, 6:30 p.m.,

for Thanksgiving Eve Worship

LADIES ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHTWhen is it?

Friday, December 6, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the FLC Fellowship Hall.

What is it?In the 1970’s, groups began to set aside a few hours to reflect on Jesus and His birth while also sharing

beautifully-decorated tables, desserts and hors d'oeuvres, a special program and…the glow of candles and friends! Formats vary. Advent by Candlelight has become a lovely tradition, won’t you join us this year?

Our program always includes song and a message. This year’s program is entitled “Letters from Biblical Women”where we will hear from some women who were waiting on very special promises from the Lord. They will sharewith us some lessons they learned as they waited on the Lord—such as patience, trust, and persistence in prayer.

Who can attend?Our event is offered to ladies (you are welcome to bring your younger daughters and granddaughters too—theprogram portion of the evening runs about 45 minutes). You do not need to be a member of FLC to attend.

This is a free event and we would love to fill the Fellowship Hall! Take the opportunity to invite friends or family!A sign-up board will be available in the narthex, or you can register online to attend this event beginning Nov. 1.

Who can host? How does that work?Anybody willing and able! As a hostess, you set a table (7 seats, including your seat) and provide a dessert or

appetizer for the buffet. You may do this on your own or share the responsibility with a friend. You may inviteladies to sit at your table, or allow the seats to be filled via the sign-up process. Fancy tablecloth and dishes?

Wonderful! Paper products and plastic silverware? That’s fine, too! Unable to bring dishes and/or tablecloth? The church has plenty of nice tablecloths and dishes you can use for your table.

Please see the hostess information page on our website for more information.

Hostesses may sign up in the church narthex or through the online registration process. We’ll let you know wereceived your reservation and answer any questions you may have. Please consider volunteering!

Please contact Kim Longden for more information.

FIRST LUTHERAN GRIEF GROUPThursday, December 5, 6:30 p.m.

The FLC Grief Group is open to anyone who is experiencing grief of any kind. The holidays are especially difficult for some - let’s help each other.

Questions? Please speak with Karen Crouch (517) 543-2270.

Random Thoughts about Autism, Church and Life.It was recently discussed at an Elders’ Meeting the need for an autism program at church. An article about a programother churches were using was distributed. The suggested program was similar to what I had seen before. The issueI had with the article was that it inferred that if you did not have a program, your church was not dealing with autismissue properly. Programs are nice, and can be beneficial. But what parents of autistic children are looking for isacceptance and assistance. The article was correct in that, parents often will not go to church with their autistic child because it is too difficult, itis energy sucking, and they get no positive feedback. Why go through all the hassle of going to church if all youhear/see/feel is how bad your child is and what a lousy parent you are. I am not saying that parents should leave a disruptive child in a service. I spent many services in narthexes with Jameswhile Marilyn worshiped, and vice versa. I was asked to remove my child from a confirmation service. I understandthat people come to church to hear the pastor and to hear the worship, not to hear my child. But are we feeding all thesheep (John 21) if we tell people to leave the worship service? Marilyn and I were blessed. We are strong Christians and have strong resolve. We were also blessed withunderstanding congregations that accepted James, not just tolerated him. We are also blessed that James has maturedas he has gotten older. James is rule-oriented, and has a good idea what the rules are at church. Even with that, Marilynand I keep an ear out for James in case James gets "triggered". That was how it was and is with raising James. Constantly keeping an eye or ear out for something that might trigger a meltdown. Avoiding situation (like attendingevening worship services) that may result in a meltdown. For years I kept rubber alligators in the trunk of my car incase James lost one and started to have a meltdown. This constant awareness takes its toll. It wears on you. I cannot underestimate the need for respite care for parents withchildren on the spectrum. Marilyn and I have not had a weekend with just the two of us in over 10 years. James is notat a place where we can leave him unattended for a weekend, and we do not have anyone close that we can trust to dealwith James. Danielle is not there yet. The stress is real. The divorce rate for parents with autistic children is about 10%higher than parents whose children are not.

I want to mention is the mourning process. We mourn our expectations for our children. We mourn the dreams we hadfor them. We hope and pray that our children will do as well as we did. It hurts when you realize that your child willnot go to college. It hurts when you have to take your child off the high school diploma track and have to accept acertificate of completion. It hurts when other parents have their children graduate and move out on their own, whileyou worry who will care for your adult child after you die. It is the death of a dream by a thousand cuts. The hurt isconstant and ever-present. This is why I am sometimes not sympathetic when I hear complaints about an autistic kid being disruptive. They haveno idea. The example I like to use is a paraphrase of the parable of the good Samaritan/neighbor. In this parable, it isa family with an autistic child, instead of a traveler on the road to Jericho. Rather than the traveler being robbed, it isthe child having behavior issues during worship. Who is the good Samaritan? The person who ask the parent with thedisruptive child to leave the sanctuary? Or is it the person who asks the parent what they can do to help. (Continued on next page . . .)

Random Thoughts about Autism, Church and Life (continued)Comments hurt. I won’t give particulars, just 1 Thessalonians 5:11. “Therefore encourage one another and build eachother up, just as in fact you are doing”. Autistic people deserve to be, and should be expected to be, in the community. This includes participation in thechurch, in worship, in Sunday School, and in fellowship. There are times I feel I have “failed” James because I couldnot convince him to participate in Midnight Madness activities at church. We did get him to participate in SundaySchool. I would like to thank all the teachers and his classmates for being there with him. One thing we can do for theautistic children in our congregation is to have someone (classmate, teen, adult) be there for them during SundaySchool. This person is not there to teach, but to be a friend and to assist. The article called these people “buddies”. They are called “links” in the public schools. Autistic children react well to peer-to-peer mentoring. And the benefitgoes both ways. The links James had through high school still cherished their friendship with James. I could talk at length on this issue. In closing, I want to reiterate the importance of acceptance for both the child andthe parents. When someone “gets” who James is, accepts him for who he is, and does not criticize, gives me tears ofjoy. When Jesus was asked why a man was born blind, he responded that it was neither the sin of the man or theparents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. This is our hope for James. - Dan Danke

ADVENT Advent begins Sunday, December 1.

Mid-week Advent Worship will be held Wednesday, December 4, 11, and 18, at 6:30 p.m.Mid-week Advent Dinners will be served on these days at 5:45 p.m.

LCMS STEWARDSHIP MINISTRYNewsletter Article – NOVEMBER 2019

St. Paul wrote to the Church of Christ in Corinth: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, notreluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). God loves a cheerful giver. But who isa cheerful giver?

Abel was. By faith, Abel gave the firstborn of his flock, and it was acceptable in God’s sight. Abraham was.By faith, Abraham prepared cakes and a tender choice calf for God and entertained angels unaware. So also were Davidand Solomon. By faith, David would not make a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing, so he paid Araunah his due.By faith, Solomon built a house for God, where his name would dwell and thereby where He would dwell to be Israel’sGod and they His people.

What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of all those who gave not simply for the joy of giving butfor the joy of knowing the One to whom they gave.

So also our Lord, who for the joy set before Him, gave everything, yes, even His life, enduring the cross andscorning its shame. He gave to the shedding of His blood, willingly and resolutely setting His face toward Jerusalemto die for the life of the world. Though He was rich in every way, He became poor, so that by His poverty we might berich beyond measure.

So then, let us – like Abel and Abraham, like David and Solomon, and even like our Lord Jesus Christ – givecheerfully to God for the work of His kingdom in our midst. Like them, let us decide in our heart – for the joy set beforeus – the joy of knowing the One to whom we give is the One who gives us all good things.© Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Used by permission.

Modern Worship at 11:15 a.m. on 2nd & 4th SundayMid-week Advent and Lent services at 6:30 p.m.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Scripture AloneWe believe that the Holy Scriptures in their entirety are the inspired and infallible Word of God and that theyalone are the only source and norm of faith and life for the Christian. We believe that the Bible is completeand requires no additions from any other source and that it clearly reveals God’s plan of salvation for mankind.

Faith AloneWe believe that man was originally created holy by God but later rebelled against God and is now, by hisnature, spiritually dead and blind. Only when man is brought to faith by the Holy Spirit working through theWord of God is it possible for man to be saved. Faith is God’s work - not man’s work - and comes only byhearing the Word of God. Man is justified before God by faith alone and not by good deeds.

Grace AloneWe believe that we are saved by grace alone and that man cannot earn his way into God’s favor. Grace is theundeserved love of God who sent His Son Jesus into the world to take our place under God’s law and to sufferand die to pay the penalty for our sins. Whoever trusts in that redemptive act of Jesus Christ will not perishbut have everlasting life.