First Edition Where the News is Good!
First Edition Where the News is Good!
Published by First Lutheran Church
Rev. Billy J. Banks – Pastor
August, 2009
(716) 664-4601 – Phone (716) 488-2662 – Fax
Pr. Billy’s E-mail Address:
Tara Eastman:
Kim King:
Beth Johnson:
Kathy Ziebart:
Jim Walrod:
www.firstlutheranjamestown.com
Do you have Questions? Or Feedback? A Suggestion?
Then contact a Congregational Council Member listed below.
Guy Ditonto, Tammie Donato, Sharon Hamilton(Treasurer),
Mike Laurin(President), Eric Livengood,
Andrea Magnuson(Secretary), Karen Rine,
Elaine Rissel-Muscarella, Kevin Sixbey(Vice President),
Kyle Sorenson, Janet Vanstrom, Liz Wendt
First Lutheran Staff
Billy J. Banks, Pastor
Tara Eastman, Director of Family & Youth Ministries
Kimberly King, Director of Music Ministries
Beth Johnson, Administrative Assistant
Kathy Ziebart, Parish Secretary
James Walrod, Sexton
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
August 17 – 21, 2009
For Ages 4 through 6th Grade
No matter what station they're exploring, kids will hear the daily Bible Point–and experience it in a new way! At Crocodile Dock, every activity plays an important role in the overall Bible learning experience. Kids will love this multi-sensory trek through Crocodile Dock!
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Answers to
Just for Kids puzzle
1. Matthew; 2. Daniel; 3. Esther; 4. Exodus; 5. Jonah;
6. Proverbs; 7. Genesis; In Your Bible!
Grace and Peace
Many people already in the Lutheran Church or those in the process of becoming members know what sets us apart from others.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Who we are.
The ELCA is a community of faith that shares a passion for making positive changes in the world. Our faith is built around a strong belief in God as made known to us in Jesus Christ. Through traditional and contemporary worship, service, and education, we practice our faith, grow our relationship with God and experience God's grace in our lives.
We also work hard to put our faith into action. In today’s complex world, we strive to make a difference in practical, realistic ways.
With nearly 10,500 congregations and 65 synods across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and nearly five million members—we welcome you to experience this church right in your community. Explore the ELCA, and help us celebrate our gift of faith—with action.
What we believe
Our faith tradition is based on a life-transforming story. The ELCA’s story is both ancient and timely. It’s a story of a powerful and patient God who has boundless love for all people of the world, who brings justice for the oppressed. It’s a story of Jesus Christ, changing lives. It’s a story that brings comfort and strength to people who today live in modern, often unsettling times. Learn more about our beliefs—and become a part of our story.
Our faith in action
Every day, in a million ways, members of the ELCA are making the world a better place. In far reaches of the globe, and right here in our neighborhood, you’ll see that Lutherans aren’t folks who simply talk about their beliefs. We put them into action.
So make a meal to share. Have your opinion on government policy heard. Help a friend through their time of need. Here you’ll find stories that inspire and opportunities to get involved. Find out just how rewarding God’s work can be.
Growing in faith
As Lutherans, we don’t just practice our faith, we live it. Each new day presents a new opportunity to deepen our relationship with God. Through our worship services, education at every level and ministries of all kinds, we live our lives with meaning and purpose.
Experience how we as ELCA members are growing in faith.
For more information about the ELCA, check www.elca.org.
Pastor Billy
From the Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Tara Eastman
Traveling Mercies
When I was a little girl and throughout my childhood, I remember the ritual of praying with my family before any significant road trip. My Dad would say, "Let's hold hands, we're going to ask God for traveling mercies." I'd usually be sitting in the middle seat, being the youngest of three kids, perched between my brother who was seven years older than I and my sister who four years older than I. My sister would happily grab my hand and my brother would reluctantly hold a few of my fingers to officially complete the prayer circle. He didn't mind the prayer part, but holding his littlest sister's hand - that was a bit too much for any teenage boy.
Most of our road trips involved heading to the Pittsburgh area for my sister's heart check ups at Pittsburgh's Children Hospital about every six weeks. We'd always stay with our Grandparents, in a small house that seemed impossible to have raised six children in. Somehow, though they made the stair separated attic work as a bedroom for all those kids. My sister and I would stay on the right side of the finished attic where a beautiful glass amber chandelier hung heavily over the full sized bed. There were storage cupboards throughout the attic that were filled with toys, linens and a mish-mash of odds and ends.
When we went to Pittsburgh, it always seemed like a great adventure. We left rural western PA with one stop light, one grocery store, and creek wading and went to a place filled with shopping malls, swimming pools and wonder bread. Things moved much faster in Pittsburgh, and to this day I still love that about the city. Somehow though, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle there seems to be a greater need for traveling mercies. There are more people, more cars, more of everything - including opportunities for danger as well as delight. As a child though, I mostly looked at the rush of the city as adventure personified; even once when our car stalled out on the highway due to torrential rains and my Uncle Jack came to our rescue. Uncle Jack seemed a little like Indiana Jones with rain dripping off his forehead, smiling ear to ear and nonchalantly saying, "How are yins doin?", in a thick Burg accent. I'm not sure he even noticed the downpour that day. Uncle Jack got us home safely, but even more than that, he became an instrument of traveling mercies.
So often, I think I should be on the receiving end of traveling mercies. What if, I could become the giver of traveling mercies, just like my Uncle Jack? When I think to consider all the road trips in my life so far, I know that I've been the recipient of many traveling mercies on many rainy, snowy and sunny days. As the summer rolls into August, there are many plans for vacations and road trips. Prayers of traveling mercies will be spoken, siblings hands will sometimes be held, and God will watch over our movements. All this is a great blessing, but somehow I'm feeling an urge to become a giver of mercy in all the travels and relationships I encounter day to day. In light of all the love, grace and mercy I've received; how could I not want to become an instrument to pronounce mercy to those around me?
Maybe what I'm feeling is a beginning of understanding in Jesus words as told by Paul in Acts 20:35, "It is better to give than it is to receive." Wherever we travel, in our neighborhood, on rural plains, or glittering city streets; we have the opportunity to be mobile instruments of mercy. Maybe if mercy was our mode of travel, it would be a little easier to walk hand in hand - even in the rainstorms of life.
Tara
Hello Everyone!
Hope your summer days are going great. I know----some days we all would like a little more sunshine J But remember God is always with us to surround us with warmth and guidance.
At this time in music planning, I am always looking for special music. So if you have suggestions, you can always e-mail me or leave a message with the church office.
I now have a church e-mail and new photos on our church website. I am working with Beth on the music pages. She is a very helpful and you can look for more changes over the coming months.
I have been adding more interesting dialogue in the church bulletin about the music used in the service. I hope you are enjoying the history and research I have found.
During the next few weeks, would you prayerfully consider joining and sharing your musical talents in our worship at First Lutheran? Here are some possibilities:
Worship Choir- traditional worship- Youth Grades 5 and up and Adults;
Instrumental and Vocal ensembles- all ages
Handbell choir – all ages
Soloists – Vocal and instrumental
NEW – Family Worship Choir- Are there any families that would like to come together to make a large family choir? We can work together on when to rehearse and how often they would sing each month.
I think it would be wonderful to see and hear Adults and children singing together. Mom and Dad- wouldn’t it be great for you to sing along side your children? You can stay seated in the congregation and then just come forward when it is time to sing. Robes would not be needed. We would sing easy and familiar sacred songs so ALL ages feel comfortable.
Remember--- we are praising God through our music. Our music is our offering of thanks and praise to God. God is not judging us by how difficult the music is---- God only asks that we sing from our hearts.
If singing is not your thing, then maybe you can read music? How about another instrumental group? Handbells?
If you have musical talent, please contact me so we can meet and talk about what groups would best fit you.
If you know of someone, that has these talents and should be sharing them with us, let me know and I will contact them myself. The personal touch is always best J
I look forward to hearing from you!
The September newsletter will have more information on dates and times for the fall music programs.
For those interested in Contemporary worship music, remember you can listen to these radio stations: FM 90.9 Family Life Network, Sirrus Channel 66 and XM Channel 32- “The Message”. These stations play worship music 24/7 and offer many talk shows, messages, news, and more.
Check these out and be inspired throughout your day.
Keep in mind the National Back to Church Sunday- September 13th. But let’s not wait until then to start inviting people.
Welcome and informational pamphlets about First are available on the Nave usher tables and also in the Parlors on the bulletin tables.
WHY not take some and use it as a conversation starter with the people in your daily lives. Invite them to join us and experience the great things happening at First.
Yours in music,
Kim J
Open House at First House
The congregation is invited to an Open House at First House where we will be serving coffee, punch and treats and conducting tours between services on August 9th and 16th.
A group of volunteers has been working on freshening up First House with the intention of making it available for various activities. Please come and take a look at this lovely treasure that we have at our disposal. For those of you unable to attend, we will be putting together a set of pictures to be displayed at the church and on our Web site.
We are also asking the congregations assistance in completing this project. We will be posting a Wish List in the near future. Some of the items that we need are upholstered chairs and couches in good condition as well as floor lamps, coffee tables, end tables, a desk for the pastor’s study, serving dishes, etc.
As this treasure belongs to the entire congregation and we need your input on how best to use First House to benefit First Lutheran Church as well as the community, we are preparing a survey for each of you to have the opportunity to let us know what your ideas for First House might be. This will arrive in a future Newsletter.
Annual Picnic
First Lutheran will hold their annual picnic on Sunday August 23rd at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Camp after the second service. It promises to be a great event with the VBS classes entertaining us with songs and activities. The Youth under Tara’s leadership will provide games and more activities.
The main event of any picnic is the food and our own Kyle Sorenson is catering the event. He will do all the cooking on site and is preparing Pulled Pork sandwiches. His pork is cooked for half a day using hardwood charcoal with Sugar Maple and Hickory wood to impart the earthy goodness that is Bulldog Barbeque. Each roast is “wet rubbed” with his very own blend of spices to create the ultimate “bark” leaving the meat moist and tender with flavor through and through.