First Things

Let’s Celebrate!

Celebrate our Easter joy,
Celebrate the Spring weather,
Celebrate our life at First Lutheran,
Celebrate our accomplishments with
Natural Church Development,

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Parish House!

Celebrate our Scandinavian Heritage!

The Celebration is May 17 & 18
10 am - 3 pm

Scandinavian food for sale
on Saturday
Music in the church and yard
Craft vendors
Art displays
Coffee Stuga with baked goods for sale

Scandinavian vendors
from the Quad Cities
Learn about our 2009 Tour of Scandinavia

Sunday worship with recognition of our musicians

Two great days to celebrate
Growing God’s Love
through Christ!

Check the volunteer sign-up sheets for food donations, greeters, music, set-up, clean-up, and additional
helpers as needed.

Pastor Mayer

Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!

I am so glad that we are in the season of Easter. It is full of hope and expectation, joy and new life. The cold days of Winter are now behind us. The mild days of Spring are here. Rejoice! God is faithful and the Lord’s promises are sure. Because Christ lives, we live also, and we look forward to living the New Life that he has given us.
In April, we celebrate the care of the earth, greening, ecology, and stewardship of God’s creation. As children of the Lord, we are called to be good stewards of all that we see. The “in” phrase has become “green.” Green; city, farming, church, lifestyle, school, building; everything is “green” now. Yet, for centuries, the church has taught stewardship of creation, blessing of the fields, and simpler lifestyles. Now, more people are bearing this good news and applying technology of the 21st century to our world to make it greener.
In the care and life of the congregation, we are moving in the direction of conserving energy. You will notice incandescent lights being replaced with energy-efficient ones. Recycling of paper and other waste. Setting the thermostats lower in winter and higher in summer. All simple ways to be more “green” or just good stewards. During the month of April, you will hear more about this from the Spiritual Units of the congregation. We will celebrate Blessing of the Fields on April 20th. Think “green” and bring bedding plants for display and blessing at church. Property will be organizing a general cleaning day for May 3rd and will have a list of jobs for people to do before that day. All emphasizing good stewardship and care of the property and buildings. Be a part of “greening” at First and celebrate New Life in Christ by stepping up and helping at church.

Pastor Mayer

Lent 2008

Lent moves along quickly.
The ice causes us to move slowly.
The sun shines brightly.
Easter warms our hearts.

Woven in the Love of God.
Shorn of our sin,
Shriven before the Throne.
We await the Word.

Washed in the Jordan.
Fleece cleaned and fresh.
Newborn babes,
Each day renewed in Him.

Combed of snarls and chaff.
Worked in the hands of God.
A new straight path,
Jesus our Shepherd.

Spun into the Lord’s thread.
Varied Gifts strengthened.
A fiber strong,
Ready for the loom.

Woven in the Love of God.
Warp and weft bound.
The fabric of the Kingdom,
Christ for this world.

Oh Great Weaver,
Use our very fiber.
Make us into your fabric,
The tapestry of your Love.

Pastor Mayer

“Woven in the Love of God”
Lent 2008

P.S. There will also be soup suppers at 6:00 p.m., before the Wednesday night services, beginning on February 13th.

As I sit at my desk today, Vacation Bible School is in full swing. The church yard is filled with the happy sounds of children playing and learning in the Lord. I am also listening to recordings of the music that “Bach Luther Tour” members will be singing in a couple of villages in Germany next month. All of the members of the tour are getting excited about all that we are going to see and do. There are 24 of us going. Remember us in prayer as we travel and experience J.S. Bach and Martin Luther in music and historical sites.
Summer is usually a quieter time, but, this year, there is a lot happening at First Lutheran. Seven youth have been to confirmation camp, and several more will be going to church camp throughout the summer. The Northern Illinois Synod has met in Assembly at Augustana College. VBS is in progress now. The Bach Luther tour group leaves June 29th. Special Sunday worship is planned for July 1st, with an emphasis on Martin Luther and music by Bach. Pastor Armin Weng will supply on July 8th. July 15th, “Silk Cords,” a women’s vocal ensemble, will lead us in worship. On July 29th, the Jazz service will have us dancing in the aisles.
The accessibility to the Parish House continues to move ahead and will be completed in July. Better signage for the church property is in the works. Longview Celebrates on July 19th. The Ice Cream Social is in August and school begins again.

Have a good Summer!

Pastor Mayer

I have heard many comments over the last few days that they “cannot believe it is the end of May already.” It always amazes me how fast this time of year goes by: kids rushing to get all of their school work done, teachers trying to get the last few things taught before summer, parents working out schedules to keep kids busy, camp sign-ups, graduations, vacations, and the list goes on. It is no wonder that May has gone “so fast.”
At First Lutheran, the list of activities is similar and the work of volunteers and staff is just as hectic: grounds keeping, garden planting, planning for VBS, confirmation camp Germany Tour, Jazz Service, Guest Music, Parish House Accessibility, Midsummer, Ice Cream Social, 2007/08 Stewardship Campaign, fall activities, Youth events, and the list goes on.
Over the last ten months, First Lutheran has been in the process of Natural Church Development; our emphases is “Need based Evangelism.” I have been sharing the needs as we have been led by the Health Team. Parish House Accessibility is one of the items on that list and this month the Congregation Council has moved forward with this project, approving plans for an enclosed lift for the handicapped and a sidewalk around the Parish House to the patio. We have started the process of upgrading the sound system in the church and are looking for more volunteers for a transportation ministry.
As I walk our neighborhoods, I will share the needs that I see and ways that we can address them. We will hear from community activists about these needs, as we heard from Ametra Carrol about Douglas Park Place and Hope House. We have crossed over from our comfort zone into the mission of the Church in the neighborhood and world. Pray for your congregation leaders as they venture into new ministries.

In Christ,

Pastor Mayer

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen Indeed!

This Joyful Eastertide, away with cold and winter! Even though Easter Sunday was overcast and cold, the people of God were sunny and excited about the Resurrection of Our Lord. We were ready to sing and shout and chase away the gloom of winter. We were ready to celebrate the joy of the resurrection, forgiveness of sin, and the Grace of God. The church was full, the music was great, the celebration was grand and the People of God said, “AMEN!”
We have continued to say amen throughout April. On the 15th we celebrated 3 Baptisms and filled the pews with family and friends. On the 22nd we celebrated the First Communions of 4 of our young people. On the 29th we will celebrate 3 more Baptisms. God is indeed Good! Beginning May 6th I will hold classes for persons interested in membership at First Lutheran. We will meet in the Parish House during Sunday School at 9am for 2 weeks. If you know of someone interested in membership, or learning more about our congregation, invite them to come.
May 6th we will also celebrate “The Blessing of the Fields,” asking God’s Blessing on the land, weather, seed, the farmers, and all who toil to bring us the food that we eat. You are invited to bring seeds and plants to be Blessed that morning at Worship and then taken back home to beautify your yards and to be shared with neighbors and friends. Other highlights of May will be: Mother’s Day, Ametra Carrol speaking about Douglas Park Place, a concert by the Russian choir, Lyra, Pentecost, and Confirmation. Don’t miss a single Lord’s Day and bring a friend.

Shalom,

Pr. Mayer

Holy Week
April 1 - 8, 2007

April 1 Palm Sunday - Blessing of & Procession with Palms, 10:15 am

April 5 Maundy Thursday - Lord’s Supper Spoken Liturgy, 1:00 pm; Lord’s Supper/Stripping of Altar, 7:00 pm

April 6 Good Friday - Prayer around the Cross, 7:00 pm

April 7 Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil, Salem Lutheran, Moline, 7:00 pm

April 8 Easter Day - Community Easter Sunrise Service at First Lutheran, 6:30 am; Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall 7:30 am; Sunday School Easter Special Event, 8:45 am; Festival Easter Worship with Special Music - First Lutheran Orchestra, 10:15 am

As I write this note today, it is Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras Jazz service and Trivia Party are behind us. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the church begins its preparation for Easter. This year at our Wednesday evening worship, I will be preaching on the “I Am” sayings of Jesus from the Gospel of John. On Sundays, I will be preaching on the Psalm appointed for each Sunday. I encourage you to read them ahead of time so that you are familiar with the text. We will pray them and meditate on them and let the other lessons shed light on them. (The Psalms are: 91,27, 63, 32, 126, 31, 118). Lent is usually thought of as a time of abstaining from things. We should think of Lent as a time to get more involved; involved in prayer, scripture, care of others, acts of charity, a closer relationship with our Lord. Some of that is built into our Lenten Schedule of worship and study, but other things need to be sought out, i.e. volunteering at the R.I. Academies, St. Joe’s Evening Meal, St. Joseph’s Table, Habitat for Humanity, giving to the Christian Service Fund, and World Hunger. Stretch your spirit and become actively involved this Lent.

Pastor Mayer

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St. Joseph’s Day Italian Buffet

Everyone Welcome!

Sunday, March 18, 2007 5:30 pm

First Lutheran Church, Rock Island Fellowship Hall

We have invited the patrons of Hope House and St. Joe’s Evening Meal to celebrate with us. Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship and food. Men from First Lutheran are cooking the meal. If you are interested in helping, call Charles Dix, 786-4142, or Pastor Mayer, 788-9661.

Winter Meditations

This is the end of January and we are experiencing a delayed winter. I, for one, enjoy the change of seasons. The cycle of life, the circle, the hoop, the breathing of the earth, and all creation. Part of this process is to put cycles into our own lives, daily weekly, seasonally. Daily, we need to take time to reflect, pray, meditate on God and the Word. There are a number of ways of doing this. I use the “Christ in Our Home” devotional booklet, “The Daily Texts,” or “Losung.” On-line I use Taizé “Daily Bible Readings” and Sojourners Daily “Verse and Voice.” All of these give insight into the Word of God and give respite from what could be the humdrum of daily routine. In Catechism Class, I have been teaching about the Lord’s Prayer and encouraging the process of meditation and journaling. We take time at the beginning of class to journal our day or week in sentence, verse, or pictures, whatever works for the individual. Then we turn to Scripture, a petition from the Lord’s Prayer, a story, or parable, and meditate on it using the TRIP method of Martin Luther and Walter & Ingrid Trobish: 1. - Thanks - What in this verse makes me thankful? 2. - Regret - What in this verse causes me to regret? 3. - Intercession (prayer) - What does the text lead me to pray for? 4. - Plan of Action - What action does this text encourage me to take today? Weekly, we need to worship in the community of faith. Seasonally, we need to celebrate the life of the Church. Begin the cycle now and experience the joy of God’s Word in the circle of life.

Pastor Mayer

As I write this note to you all today, it is St. Nicholas Day. It has been sunny and mild most of the day so far which has made this winter day most enjoyable. Last night I baked Nicholas ginger cookies and shared them with the people decorating at the Parish House. Today I have been handing out chocolate Nicholas coins to friends and members. I had a good morning of fellowship with the members of the clergy and members of St. George Orthodox Church. This is the beginning of the holidays in my home. Judy and I have given little presents on this day since we were married, especially to those who remember to put their shoes out on the evening before Nicholas. Next week we will celebrate St. Lucia, again with baking and little presents, all in preparation for Christmas and Epiphany. But this is Advent and the celebrations are subdued little family affairs. Advent is the time of preparation; first of ourselves, then of our homes. With ourselves, we are to spiritually make ourselves ready for the coming of the Christ as ruler of the universe and our lives, then as the Babe in Bethlehem. In our homes, we clean and cook and bake in preparation for the birth of the Babe. It should be a preparation for the coming of the Christ as seen in the poor, the homeless, the hungry. Out of our joy of the Christ filling our lives, we give to these first and then we give to our own. We come to this realization through prayer and fasting and sharing with the poor. You become a blessing and a bearer of the Good News, a true angel of the Lord. I hope that everyone is able to share the joy of the Christ with others this season, especially someone outside of the family in need. Help with the food baskets, give a gift from the angel tree, share a chocolate coin or a saffron roll, make sure someone has gas for their car or a roof over their heads. ‘Tis the Season to Give and know Christ is with us.

Peace,
Pastor Mayer

As I write this note to you, we are in the midst of Mission Week at First Lutheran. The list of all of the areas that the congregation is involved in around the West End Neighborhood, the Quad Cities, the Northern Illinois Synod, the nation, and the world is amazing. Let me lift up a few of them for you. I’ll start with the Christian Service Fund of First Lutheran Church. The first Sunday of the month the loose cash and designated checks are put in this fund. With it we are able to help members and people in the community in emergency situations with food, gasoline, and other needs as they arise. Through this fund, the congregation is able to ease the pain of poverty and emergencies. Next, let me lift up St. Joseph’s Evening Meal. Members of First Lutheran prepare the evening meal on Mondays about 9 times during the year. The meal is served to the homeless and people who fall between the cracks in the welfare system. We prepare a meal that the patrons look forward to because of our menu and generosity. In 2006 we also celebrated St. Joseph’s Day with a feast for the patrons and workers of the meal site. Another area of mission is Churches United. At Churches United, we give an annual contribution and are currently helping with Winnie’s Place, a new shelter in Moline for women and children, that will open at the end of this month. I could go on naming many more places that we serve in mission in the Quad Cities, but suffice it to say that we have a strong mission here that is continually helping members of our community in many ways. For all of these opportunities of Mission, I give Thanks. Thanks for the members who serve. Thanks for the support from you financially. Thanks that God has blessed us to be able to serve in these great ways. At this time of national Thanksgiving, remember those who need our assistance. When you make your commitment for 2007, Give Thanks to God for the Mission of First Lutheran Church.

Growing in the Grace of God,

Pastor Mayer

On Sunday, November 5th, the Youth Choir will introduce the congregation to the theme song for our Mission Week. They will sing, “Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil.” We are celebrating “Growing in the Grace of Giving” for the coming year and this will be our theme song. We have so many things to celebrate and be thankful for! Our prayer is to continue to grow in God’s Grace, letting our hearts be good soil where the Word of God can grow, flourish, blossom, and scatter the seed of God’s Word in our community, state, and world. So many people at First Lutheran are doing that now. Look around and see all those who are giving of their money, time, and talents. They serve because of their love for God and in gratitude for the Word planted in their hearts. The week of November 12, First Lutheran will be celebrating its mission as the called people of God. Each Spiritual Unit will be sharing what they are doing. We will see and hear what the Northern Illinois Synod is doing. And, we will hear from three areas of ministry which we support: Lutheran Social Services, Intouch Ministries; Habitat for Humanity; and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. The week will conclude with making our commitments for 2007 and a dinner. We will hear about charitable giving that day from the Northern Illinois Synod, the ELCA Foundation, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Lord, let our hearts be good soil, open to the seed of your Word, that the Grace of God may grow and the Mission of the Church can flourish. Join us for one of the mid-week events and the Mission Party. Challenge yourself in the coming year to grow in your giving and servanthood. Shalom, Pastor Mayer

If you are interested in monetarily supporting our music mission at Grace Lutheran Church in New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, we’d appreciate it. Many of you already pledged money toward this cause. However, after our own jazz service expenses, we still need $300 for a Thrivent match. Our deadline is the end of August. Please be generous in your stewardship…giving to a church that is in such dire need. Here is a website for Grace Lutheran: http://www.gracenola.com.