First News is a monthly publication of: First Lutheran Church 1200 Pinecrest Court, Placerville, CA 95667 (530) 622-3022 firstlutheran@sbcglobal.net

www.first4others.org

Pastor Mark Haas…………………....(530) 344-9410 Church Office……………………….…...…622-3022 Editor……………………….……..….Jean Haldeman

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid

Placerville, CA 95667 Permit No. 342

Change Service Requested

First News

F i r s t Lu the r an Chu rch LCMS Augus t 2013

Mon th ly News le t te r

VOL . 106 NO. 8

F i rs t Luther an Chur ch LCMS

1200 Pinecr es t Cou r t

P l ace rv i l l e , CA 95667

Phone 530 622- 3022

ema i l : f i r s t l u t h e r a n@s b c g l ob a l . n e t

We’re on the web!

first4others.org

A Rabbit-Tale By

Pastor Mark Haas

3

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

As we get deeper and deeper into the summer I find it more and more difficult concentrating on things like newsletter articles, especially this column where I try to convey something about myself and make a spiritual connection while trying to say something new! It’s why more often than not the last seven years there has been repetition of summertime columns. Well, here’s another attempt, rushing the time a bit by thinking of the end of September, early October…vacation time for me! Hopefully you’ve had yours already or at least a portion of it! Whatever, let’s talk “heaven!”

Have you ever been to Irish Beach or driven through it? From Placerville it’s about a five hour drive, located on Highway 1 north of Manchester and south of Elk. You’re familiar with those two thriving metropolises aren’t you? Or maybe it’s easier to say Irish Beach is eight miles or so from the lighthouse at Point Arena. Or, you can say its 35 miles south of Fort Bragg. For the last eight years it has been a respite for me as a place to hang out…originally for two or three nights and this coming ninth time for 14 days! The longer you stay the more expensive the vacation; however, where can you go where you can see and hear the ocean waves, experience mid-60s temperatures, read a half dozen books, share three meals a day and a bottle of wine or more with friends you’ve known for close to 30 years, and when the time is up, clean-up means packing your suitcase, putting the sheets in the laundry area and driving home! And if you remembered to take your camera, there are lots of beautiful pic-tures to recall your stay!

The home is owned by a retired couple in Sacramento, former state workers, whom I’ve met once many years ago when they dropped in to replace a heating element in the oven. They have standard-sized poodles for their hobby. The beach house is rented out for 10 months a year so it’s cash for them and a home-away-from-home for me.

There is exercise to be done: walking up and down a hillside to the six miles of private beach whose terrain changes each year with driftwood, sea animals, birds and sand mounds around an outcropping of rock known as the “Goats Head,” as that is what it resembles from a dis-tance. If the tide is out you can climb it; when the tide is in you’d get pretty wet. Often the shoreline is littered with sea onions that all of us like to pop! Sometimes you can find aba-lone shells that have washed ashore. A breeze normally blows across the beach and if you don’t cover your head or face with a hat or sunscreen you can expect a wind or sun burn, which for a fairer complexion doesn’t help! You wind up peeling before the time is up and try to hide the excess skin.

The beach house is not as nice as your own home, though it’s equipped like it’s your home.

It’s a bit rustic; however, I get the master bedroom suite which has its own office and bath-

room and privacy from the other family with whom I share the house.

4

There is a hot tub, a propane BBQ tied to the house line, TV, satellite dish and Internet access, but best of all, your cell phone reception is absent until you get closer to town or walk up a hill, catch your breath and hope no one calls or texts you because you are on vacation! Did I men-tion the master bedroom has two corner windows that face the ocean, “Goat Head” rock, and the ocean’s waves! And unfortunately, as of today’s writing, I have two more months before I get to go to Irish Beach and experience a lot more than what I’ve shared in these few para-graphs! I can’t wait…but I have to wait…someday soon, but not today!

The last picture a camera captured of my wife, Dee, was taken at Irish Beach. This will be my fifth time there without her. I would never have thought there would be five times of anything without her! But, she has it better than I can ever imagine. You see, Irish Beach was for us to-gether, and for me yet singly, what heaven is for her and that great cloud of witnesses in our Lord’s presence, which surrounds us and encourages us to run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). As authors attempt to describe “near death experiences” of their time in heaven before being returned to earthly life, they strive to put into words what they be-lieve they saw. I have another picture! Heaven!

When we moved to our home in Placerville, we wanted a picture to hang over the living room mantel. Dee, and our daughter Melanie, spent a Sunday morning after early service worship scouring the art studios on Main Street to find the perfect picture. They did. It’s what I’d imag-ine heaven to look like…the painting is called “The Padre’s Vineyard.” It depicts the Carmel Mission with forested hills in the background and the ocean opposite, with a vineyard centered in front of the adobe Mission. If you’ve ever been to the Carmel Valley, it’s not on the ocean. The village of Carmel is on the water front, so the painter combined a few views into one, which is what my minds-eye does as I gaze at the painting. I think of heaven and its banquet, feasting on foods matched with wines at the Son’s wedding table, maybe with a few more blue tones than my painting, but it’s heaven to me, and Irish Beach becomes a replica of sorts that I can get to and my painting gets me closer when I put myself into the artwork!

What’s your view of heaven? Anything on earth begin to come close? I believe our Lord gives us glimpses of His home, but just a quick glimpse…nothing here could ever compare to the glory that will be revealed to us! Yosemite Valley…Carmel by the Sea…Irish Beach…the giant redwoods…nothing can compare! I believe we need that mystery. The awesome surprise that awaits us is more than a place…it’s a relationship with our God that will need that overwhelm-ing site of heaven as we soak it all in to our being for an eternity of fantastic views and gor-geous surroundings! Like for a vacation, I can’t wait! How about you?

Yours in Christ’s service,

Pastor Mark Haas, Soli Deo Gloria

5

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 10a Joy in the Word Bible Study 3 -10p Dinner Theater Practice 6p BHG Practice 7p AlAnon

2 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 6:15p Templo El Mesias

3 Noon - 10 p Dinner Theater 2p Matinee 6p Dinner Theater

4 7:45a BHG Practice 8a Adult Bible Study 9aContemporary Worship 9:15a Adult Bible Study 10:30aTraditional Worship w/Holy Communion 2:15p Templo 6:30p A.A FSR

5 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 3p Stephen Ministers

6 6p Board of Trustees

7 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 9a String Band Practice

8 10a Joy in the Word Bible Study 3:30p Upper Room 6p BHG Practice 7p AlAnon

9 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 9:30a Quilters 6:15p Templo El Mesias

10

11 7:45a BHG Practice 8a Adult Bible Study 9aContemporary Worship w/Holy Communion 9:15a Adult Bible Study 10:30aTraditional Worship 2:15p Templo 4p Fellowship 6:30p A.A FSR

12 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 6p Property Board

13 14 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 9a String Band Practice

15 10a Joy in the Word Bible Study 6p BHG Practice 7p AlAnon

16 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 6:15p Templo El Mesias

17

18 7:45a BHG Practice 8a Adult Bible Study 9aContemporary Worship 9:15a Adult Bible Study 10:30aTraditional Worship w/Holy Communion 2:15p Templo 6:30p A.A FSR

19 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun

20

21 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 9a String Band Practice

22 7a Marshall Meeting 10a Joy in the Word Bible Study 6p BHG Practice 7p AlAnon

23 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 9:30a Quilters 6:15p Templo El Mesias

24

25 8a BHG Practice 8a Adult Bible Study 9aContemporary Worship w/Holy Communion 9:15a Adult Bible Study 10:30aTraditional Worship 2:15p Templo 6:30p A.A FSR

26 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun

27 28 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 9a String Band Practice

29 10a Joy in the Word Bible Study 6p BHG Practice 7p AlAnon

30 8:15a Fit ‘n Fun 6:15p Templo El Mesias

31

2013

August 4 August 11 August 18 August 25

9:00 Sound

10:30

Lionel Rogers

Stephen Cass

Lionel Rogers

Stephen Cass

Lionel Rogers

Bill Swift

Lionel Rogers

Stephen Cass

9:00 Elders

10:30 John Brady

John Brady Bob Rios

John Brady John Mooney

John Brady Phil Dawson

9:00 Acolytes

10:30

9:00

Ushers

10:30

Gene Dammel Laurie Lee

Kent &Francesca Jones

Kathy Pennington Brenda Anderson

Marian Ekness Richard Gordon

Gene Dammel Laurie Lee

Kent &Francesca Jones

Kathy Pennington Brenda Anderson

Marian Ekness Richard Gordon

Gene Dammel Laurie Lee

Kent &Francesca Jones

Kathy Pennington Brenda Anderson

Marian Ekness Richard Gordon

Gene Dammel Laurie Lee

Kent &Francesca Jones

Kathy Pennington Brenda Anderson

Marian Ekness Richard Gordon

9:00 Altar Guild

10:30

Jean Haldeman

Cindy Terpe Kathy Cass

Peggy Dammel

Clydene & Lionel Rogers

Liturgist Rich Yanick Pastor Mark Pastor Mark Pastor Mark

Counters R. & M. Durand K. & F. Jones C. Schultz,

L. Hertzberg P. & D. Corson

9:00 Video

10:30

Cindy Terpe

Jean Haldeman

Donna Kemppainen

Jean Haldeman

Cindy Terpe

Jean Haldeman

Cindy Terpe

Jean Haldeman

Servants for ChristServants for ChristServants for ChristServants for Christ August 2013August 2013August 2013August 2013

Just a Reminder for Altar Guild: Remove the candles into the wooden holder and fill each candle with the liquid wax. Light each candle to make sure they are all burning at the same height. Please do not cut wicks to adjust flame, simply push down or pull up gently. Return the candles to the holders and make sure they are secure and straight.

Fill two(2) communion trays, four (4) on the Sundays when communion is held in both services. Fill all center cups in each tray with the white grape juice. This amount is subject to change when we grow in membership!!

Keep the filled trays in the refrigerator.

Straighten and fill in the cards as needed and make sure all the pencils are sharp in each pew.

Fill the coffee and water pots. The directions are on the closet door.

All these functions can be done on Friday or Saturday.

On Sunday set out communion prior to service and clean up and put it away after the service.

6

7

Katy’s Corner

Hello!

I pray all of you are having a safe and enjoyable summer whether you have stayed in town or gone on vacation. I have been busy this past month settling in and get-ting to know everyone!

I was blessed to help with VBS during the first few days I was here. I was able to lead the kids in singing and dancing every morning and afternoon. I also had the opportunity to lead a group for a few days and share the TRUTH of God’s love with them! ☺

I was invited by some families to share a meal with them at home and get to know them one-on-one. I hope to be able to do more home visits in the future and get to know more families better.

I also had a youth event at the end of July to help kick-start the Youth Group. We had a great time and discussed what we as a group wanted to do. We decided to meet every other Sunday from 5-7pm for Bible Study and activities. Any youth entering 5th grade through High School is welcomed to join us!

In the next month I hope to become involved with BHG and help sing on Sunday mornings, do more Lamb’s Sermons, and attend as many Bible Studies and church activates as I can!

Blessings on the coming month,

Katy Wozniak DCE Intern

CONTINUING/COMING IN AUGUST 2013…

We conduct our worship services at 9 AM (Contemporary) and 10:30 AM (Traditional). Adult Bible Classes on Sunday are offered at 8 AM and 9:15 AM. Sunday School for nursery/preschool age children through age 12 is on “vacation” until September 8!

REVITALIZATION

We continue to receive donations to the “Revitalization Fund” established to raise monies to offset the expenses of calling a DCE/Family Life Minister-Intern, to us this summer 2013. You may recall that our stewardship program 2011 involved these items…Financial Growth by Three Means: (1) Commitment to tithing, (2) Increased contribution in 2013, and (3) Specific pledge to the Revitalization fund.

MUSICIANS/SINGERS

“By His Grace,” our contemporary service worship leaders are seeking out more instrumentalists and singers to accent their min-istry. In the meantime, Bill and Jenny on guitar and Denise on keyboard as instrumentalists are the core along with Clydene, Jenny and Bill as vocalists! Our DCE Intern, Katy, will join the

group as often as possible. Do you know someone, maybe you, who could join along? Let Bill Rosenberry or pastor know.

LITTLE BACK PACKS

The donations of nutritional snacks and drinks were very much ap-preciated by students at Schnell School! This ministry is complete until the fall school months! Your generosity was outstanding! Thank you very much!

BLOOD SOURCE SUNDAY

We had 21 successful donations from 22 volunteers! Thank you very much! We will have future Blood Mobile Sundays!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

September 8: Sunday School Resumes and “Food for the Poor” guest

speaker, Rev. John Buuck!

September 29: Guest Pastor: Rev. John Herrmann

8

GIDEON’S BIBLE SOCIETY OFFERING

On July 14, our Gideon’s International annual offering, follow-ing Bryan’s inspirational message, netted $689! Thank you very much! Many people will be reached with the written Word of God because of your generosity and the Lord’s blessing!

VISITATION THANK YOUS

Several ladies of First Lutheran have taken the initiative to visit our First Lutheran members who are residents at the Gold Country complex of facilities! Many thanks to Jenny Yanick, Carol Schultz, and Kathy Tong who have already vis-ited, and Marcia Swift and Katy Wozniak who will be starting this month! These are “angels” for us!

LWML CARD OF THANKS!

Dear First LWML- Just a really huge Thank You for affording me the opportunity to represent all of you at my first National LWML Convention! Pittsburgh was so beautiful – green was everywhere and more bridges than Ven-ice. The whole convention was more inspirational than you can imagine! Danke schoen! Love, Sherry Clifton

9

10

11

Evangelism Message for August 2013 The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy serving Him forever. A most important task of each

believer is to bear witness to their neighbors, with Christian love and His message.

The italicized text above which is a paraphrase of 1 Cor.10:31 et al appears in the Introduction chap-ter of Desiring God, by John Piper. It has been a powerful reminder to me of my purpose for many years. The message captured my attention again this morning as I scanned that book among four of the many great Christian books in our home library. The additional three I chose are by C.S. Lewis, Bonhoeffer, and A. Stanley; alongside my Hebrew – Greek Bible. During this study I concluded the following: as a Christian considers allocation of personal time and effort to missionary outreach he or she may experience tension between unselfishness and love: Unselfishness primarily as one allocates time being virtuous toward others: Love (of both God and neighbor) as one is reaching out to neighbors one experiences the joy of serving God.

The Gospel of John states that his calling and that of the other disciples was to “bear witness that Je-sus is the Christ, the Son of God”. “Jesus was in the world …... ministering.” “As many as received Christ received the right to become children of God.” John 1:6-12. Scripture also describe a time, af-ter Christ's crucifixion, at Pentecost, the assembled crowd asked Peter and the other disciples “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are afar off – whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39. These scriptures present a message for each follower of Christ to bear witness to unsaved neighbors.

We prepare for our mission of outreach to our neighbors by planning the activity into our weekly/ monthly schedule. Should the neighbor be an unchurched person, over time as our Christian values are noted by the neighbor, they may appeal and the Holy Spirit may awaken the person to examine Christianity. Then our missionary effort moves forward as we respond to questions asked by the unchurched person. Each journey has eventually proven worthy of the time and effort. As we read in Matt. 7:14, “... the gate is small and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”.

We are reminded in Acts that conversion is a gift of God. Viz. “God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:18 We cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ Our Lord or come to Him but the Holy Spirit has called us, enlightened us, and sanctified us.

Outreach to Our Neighbors Lutheran Hour Ministries offers helpful evangelism support, by an excellent team that is presenting Regional Outreach Conferences (ROC) across the USA. I attended the one in Sacramento; so did Ken Freese and Pastor. I remain in contact with their leaders and speakers. One is Rev. Greg Finke, who is resides in Texas where he initiated a great Neighborhood Outreach ministry. Periodically I receive email messages from him, in which he shares his messages to Pastors in Texas interested in his activities. A key element of his message is “Jesus intends for us (each believer) to join the Holy Spirit in Outreach just as Jesus disciples joined Him in Outreach ministry. The Anti-Christian forces at work in our nation will soon completely remove our religious freedom if we do not rise to the challenge before us. FYI: Any member interested in a brief On-line Course helpful in overcoming uneasiness with reach-ing out to unchurched neighbors may access Lutheran Hour Ministries on-line course: (Here is the link http://www.whatsmissionu.com/course_mu101.asp )

Harold Williams

12

BOARD OF TRUSTEES UPDATE AUGUST 2013

In an attempt to keep the congregation informed of activities conducted by the Board of Trustees, the governing group elected to conduct the day-to-day business of the congregation as adopted by the Voters Assembly, the Board has placed quarterly updates in the “First News.” This update cov-ers the months of April-July 2013.

The vision statement of the congregation is “First for Others” following the acronym: OTHERS, referring to Outreach to the community, Teaching God’s Word, Harvest focused, Evangelize by specific need, Relevant wor-ship and prayer, and Strengthened by God’s Sacraments. The “outcome goals” developed in 2009 as part of our “revitalization” process are num-bered but not necessarily prioritized as objectives to achieve the vision statement. Copies of these goals are on the website, www.first4others.org, and can also be obtained from the church office.

Stephen Minister continuing education and peer supervision is in full swing. Classes are scheduled into mid-December. We continue to look for referrals from you for folks who may be assisted by a Stephen Minister.

We now have a fully functioning carillon system. This was purchased and installed above the church offices as a substitute Memorial to the Bell Tower originally planned.

The Revitalization Fund, which currently accumulates donations to offset expenses for our DCE Intern, Katy Wozniak, continues even as we begin to access funds from the budget for Katy’s support!

Our Sunday school has grown to three classes, 18 children, with eight women of the congregation who lead the classes. It is currently on vaca-tion until September 8.

Our budget review of income and expenses to date shows us to be healthy. We will need to maintain and expand our resources to continue in this positive trend.

We hope that you have been visiting our website for information, updates, sermons, newsletters and calendar changes. A lot of time and energy have been utilized to keep it modern and useful!

The Board has taken on four aspects of the “Outcome Goals” and will be adding project management principles to further address our Vision State-ment. Opportunities in financial management, parenting, marriage enrich-ment, and a men’s Bible study and retreat. The May 2013 Voters Assem-bly adopted an Endowment Fund. The Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University will be offered to the congregation and community in January 2014.

The May Voters Assembly elected Ken Freese and Laurie Hertzberg to the Board of Trustees for two year terms. We thank Melissa Opsahl and John Brady for the service the previous two years. Larry Hermone, Tom Hayhurst and Donna Kemppainen continue with the Board.

Katy Wozniak, DCE Intern, was placed with us in late April and arrived in Placerville on June 30. She was inducted to her office on July 7, 2013 and will serve us until the same time in 2014. A decision for her to continue be-yond that point will need to be made prior to February 1, 2014.

In the area of missionary support, the Board authorized the resumption of $100 per month to the Sending Place and the beginning of $100 per month to Youth for Christ Missionaries to Cyprus, Brandon and Angie Johnson.

After a review of salary for Cindy Flaherty, choral director, her monetary support was reestablished at $6000 per year, prorated in 2013. It will be fully restored in 2014. At the May 2013 Voters Assembly meeting we revisited the Nomadic Win-ter Shelter, which has asked for our congregation’s assistance via a vari-ety of options: cash for clothing, sleeping bags, donations of cash for gasoline, personnel to man the shelter, support staffing at the Mercy Way Rescue that had begun, and/or provide space for shelter, once a week during the winter months. This was also presented to the December 2012 Voters Assembly. Your input is valuable. Please contact pastor or Board President, Larry Hermone, to voice your thoughts pro or con. We will con-tinue to revisit this opportunity at the fall 2013 Voters Assembly meeting.

Those attending the May 2013 Voters Assembly meeting heard a proposal from AT&T for placement of a cell tower on our property. The Voters au-thorized the Board to negotiate the viability of such a placement. After six weeks of input from congregation and community members, as well as site visits from AT&T and its representatives, the Board decided to decline the cell tower as not in accordance with our vision statement.

13

14

Athen’s VBS

The favorite snack was the ‘octopus’!

Pottery Studio in Athens was a popular craft

Six men from our congregation were in Athen’s mentoring our VBS children! (Larry Adloff not pictured)..

Bill Swift wore a purple “dress”

We had 22 children attend all 5 days, one child

attended four days and one joined us on the

last day. Nine children were from outside our

church.

There were 26 volunteers that came and went

during the week; six of those were men! We had

Greek names and a whole lot of fun! Thank you

for your support…!

AugustAugustAugustAugust

BirthdaysBirthdaysBirthdaysBirthdays AugustAugustAugustAugust

AnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversaries

8/2/1958 Tom and Marcia Davis 8/9/1952 Gene and Peggy Dammel 8/21/1976 Joe and Barbara Calvo 8/25/1973 Tim and Lana Daly 8/25/1988 Martin and Kathy Templeton

2 Dorothy Wilson

4 Maureen Johannessen

6 Marion Quate

7 Sara Jane Karlen

10 Eric Humenick

12 Larry Adloff

15 Nicholas Fish

16 Vi O’Donnell

Millie Stressenger

20 Carl Dreves

Cadence Ford

23 Jean Liddell

26 Anita Turner

28 Lori Jarvis

John Buethe

29 Kent Jones

15

Happy Anniversary

CONFIDENTIAL! That is what Stephen Ministry is. Every-

thing a person tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strict

confidence. People are often afraid that if they tell someone

what is troubling them, word will get around and others will

look down on them. But a Stephen Minister keeps everything a

care receiver shares confidential, and through this sharing God

works miracles of healing and peace. Remember if you or someone you know

would like or might benefit from a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor Mark, Judy

Bryld (303-3388) or one of our Stephen Ministers. God bless you all and God

bless our Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministry

18

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday SchoolSunday SchoolSunday SchoolSunday School Sunday school for the children begins next month on September 8th. We will resume with the three classes; pre-school to K, 1st

thru 4th, and 5th and up.

Scrip money from Raley’s, Safe-way, and SaveMart helps us to have a great program for our children.

If you don’t have a scrip card please con-tact the church office and we’ll let you know how you can get one. If you have one, please be sure to use it each time you shop.

If you have a Raley’s card and you aren’t sure whether or not it is registered to us,

please contact the church office and we’ll check it out! We received a check from SaveMart this week for $164.15! It all adds up!

Don’t forget to get your discount when you

shop at Home Depot. It is the “Pro Rewards”

program. All you have to do is input the

church’s phone number or tell the cashier you

want the “Pro Rewards”. Our phone number is 530 622-

3022. The more we buy the larger our discount is. We

are up to a little over 3%. We all get the discount!

The local schools will be starting

back very soon now. When you see

the “Education Box Tops” be sure

to cut them out and bring them to

church. There is a jar in the Narthex for

them. Once it gets full it will be taken to

Schnell School.

These even come on some cloth-

ing items, so watch for them!

THANK YOU

I would like to extend a “thank you” to the

First Lutheran members for your cards of

support and good wishes during my recent

hospitalizations. Your thoughts and prayers

are appreciated more than you can ever

know.

Thank you and God bless,

Warren Bryld

We have received an address

for Daniel Wienholz.

Pv2 Wienholz

C btry 1140 4th plt

6050 Rothwell St.

Ft. Sill, OK 73503

Women’s Retreat

October 5, 2013

9:30 am to 3 pm

Confident Grace

Light of the Hills Lutheran Church