First Lutheran Church
               WEEKLY E-NEWS


First Lutheran Logo
July 7, 2016
WEEKLY FAITH-LIFT




First Lu
theran Church: A Beacon of Hope
 
A Message from Frank Moore


Lighthouses remind me of the people of First Lutheran - stable amid storms, offering guidance and protection during tough times. The dependable light flashes a message of grace amid economic fears and worries. You keep this light burning by your consistent generosity. We've just begun a new fiscal year (July 1), so take a look back and give thanks for the rays of hope shining from FLC for the communities we serve:
+ January: You gave $4,400 to help build a tiny house at Weaver Academy. FLC member Tom Bader is overseeing construction so the home can be auctioned to serve the homeless.
+ February: You gave $1,300 and collected 500 pounds of food for the Souper Bowl, addressing global and local hunger through Urban Ministry and Food Assistance serving low-income seniors.
+ March: We raised $3,700 for Walk for Water to build a well and meet other water-related needs through the ELCA. The FLC Endowment Fund provided $1,000 seed money.
+ April: $12,000 was raised for the Friday breakfast team, celebrating 10 years of serving thousands of people at Greensboro Urban Ministry.
+ May:  You gave $5,700 to help 12 First Lutheran participants go to Nicaragua to build a Habitat house. This was our first global mission trip since 2007.
+ June: $4,000 was given by FLC, family and friends to help fund Caroline Mize's year as a Young Adult in Global Mission of the ELCA. She will serve in Daventry, England, beginning late August.
+ In addition to those bright rays of grace, you continued to provide worship, faith formation, service and care for the property through the Mission & Ministry Plan (budget).


Yes, the requests are many, the needs are great. Even generous people like you understandably tire sometimes. Yet God's Spirit
moves you to keep the light of compassion shining. THANK YOU for sharing with others, and THANKS BE TO GOD for providing the resources that are given freely, frequently and faithfully.


CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
  
















Cave Quest VBS is almost here!  
            
Registration is still open 
for children ages 4 to rising 5th graders.  
The cost is $10 per child with a family max of $25. 
Scholarships are available.  Don't forget to buy you CD for $10.  
Follow this link to register: 
If you have questions contact Bonnie Meyer at [email protected]


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 ADULT AND TEEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Come join us for a great week at VBS.  Can't help all five days? No problem!  Please sign up to volunteer as crew leaders, assistant crew leaders or adult station leader volunteers.  Nursery is available for volunteers.  The dates are July 18-22, 9 a.m.-noon.  Contact Bonnie Meyer to sign up,  [email protected]


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Thank you to everyone who has already brought
back their VBS donations.  The deadline for returning your donations is THIS Sunday, July 10. Donations can be left in the Community Center by the VBS display. 


WORSHIP
Sunday, July 10


 
Communion in

Contemporary Worship



Contemporary Worship 
Emily Lemoine,

Pastoral Associate


Traditional Worship 
Pastor Jay Hilbinger


Community Worship

Next Service: August 7


NEW FLC CHURCH DIRECTORY

COMING SOON!
SAVE THE DATES for the below photo-sessions:
August 9,10, 11, 12, 13
September 7, 8, 9, 10


We want EVERYONE included so make sure 
to sign up for a photo session during the next 3 weeks on Sunday - 
July 10, 17 or 24 
at church 
9:30-12:30 pm 
OR 
at the directory sign up table in the Community Center 
(throughout the week).


AFTER these 3 weeks of scheduling, call: 
336-724-5482 
or 866-557-2253 directly
to schedule a photo session.
The sessions are FREE
 and every family that participates will receive a free FLC Directory and 
8 x 10 photograph 
 DON'T MISS OUT!
Submitted photographs will cost $10 to cover the cost of the directory. 
No charge for homebound members.


FACEOUT IN JULY
Next Tuesday, July 12 we will be watching  the movie, "To Kill a Mockingbird.  There will hot dogs and popcorn. The movie starts at 11 and lunch starts at noon. We'll eat while we watch the movie! Hope to see you there!




First Lutheran School 
for Young Children
SUMMER EVENTS


July 28 @ 10 am 
Teddy Bear Picnic & Story Time
Come hear stories about bears, bring a picnic and enjoy time with friends.  
The little kids playground will be open after story time.
 
August 9 @ 10 am Popsicles on the Playground
We will have popsicles for everyone and we will have both playgrounds open.  
Pre-KA, Pre-KB and Transitional Kindergartenwill be on the big kids playground 
and 1's, 2's and 3's will be on the little kids playground. 


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There are still spaces in a few classes 
for the 2016 - 2017 school year. 
Come to a summer event and learn more about our fabulous pre-school.

GENEROSITY REPORT
                                                                  Income                  % of Total
Mission & Ministry Plan      Budget           Received                   Budget            
June 2016                            $68,086           $76,208                     89.3%
June 2015                            $66,438           $80,449                     82.6%


Fiscal Year 2015-16          $1,004,196      $1,005,538                     99.9%
Fiscal Year 2014-15          $1,008,399      $1,034,595                     97.5%


THE GOOD NEWS: The congregation came very close to meeting our budget this year! Spending was below budget at 98.2%, so we have a healthy carryover balance going into the next fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.


THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS: The budget voted on by the congregation at its meeting on May 22 is about $35,000 higher than the 2015-16 budget. Increases in Personnel, Property and ELCA Mission Support account for the 2016-17 budget of $1,040,595. Our carryover balance will allow us to meet our new budget, but our giving basically remains stagnant with a year-end total of $4,203 below last year.


Continue to pray for First Lutheran and its mission and ministry as we move forward and welcome all to join us in our journey. Thank you for your generosity that makes it all possible!






GOD'S WORK.  OUR HANDS.


SUMMER OF SERVICE 


+ HABITAT BUILD ONGOING: Because of an Endowment Fund grant and our commitment to provide housing, First Lutheran has joined with other faith communities to build a house.  Contact: Colette Gibson, [email protected] , 336-856-7481 or sign up in the Community Center.


+ OUT OF THE GARDEN SUMMER PROGRAM:  Two-three volunteers needed each Monday through August 15 to prepare lunches for the enrichment program at 3910 Clifton Road on Mondays. Sign up in the Community Center or contact Jean Young, [email protected].


+ TISSUE, PAPER, SOAP:  Support the TPS ministry by bringing paper towels, toilet paper, dish detergent, laundry detergent or bath soap to the Mission Depot anytime.
  
+ BEANS, OATMEAL, PEANUT BUTTER: BOP when you shop! Greensboro Urban Ministry always needs these items. Please bring to the Mission Depot anytime. 


+ EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE NEEDED: If you are willing to help First Lutheran to provide support - particularly to pay rent and utility bills - please make checks to FLC, and put "EA" on  memo line.
 
+ FOOD ASSISTANCE: This group sorts, packs and delivers food to low-income senior adults in Guilford County.  Help is particularly needed on July 15 and August 19 at 3720-A Alliance Dr. Details: Dawn Barry, 336-852-8476, [email protected]. For more info,  www.foodassistancenc.com.


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NEW MINISTRY!!!  A SIMPLE GESTURE







This ministry is a door-to-door food collection program to provide a steady supply of food to the neediest people in Greensboro and Guilford County. Leslie Isakoff, executive director of this program, will present a Mission Minute at the July 10 services.


Here's how you can help:
  • Complete a short, registration form so a volunteer will know where to pick up your bag.
  • Get a cool, green bag in the Community Center or from Frank Moore.
  • Put suggested items in bag by the pick-up date. The next date is August 13. Items and schedule are attached to the bag.
  • You can volunteer to pick up bags, too!
  • When the volunteer picks up the bag, another bag will be left at your home.
The food helps Greensboro Urban Ministry, Out of the Garden Project and Backpack Beginnings and you'll hear more about this new ministry in mid-July.  Questions? Ask Frank Moore, 292-9125, Ext. 102,  [email protected]


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MISSION DEPOT MOVED: 


The Mission Depot, which is a storage and collection point for various needs, has been moved from beside Frank Moore's office to the next room in the east hallway (across from the library). A sign above the door marks the new location. Please bring food, styrofoam, clothes, batteries and other items to this room. The previous location will be used as a small conference room. 


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DVD's AVAILABLE:


If you would like a DVD of retired Pastor Charlie Zimmerman's last Sunday and celebration event, please come by Frank Moore's office by the end of July. About 55 copies of the videos remain, and they will be recycled if not picked up.


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To read the current Synod E-News, click here.


First Lutheran Church | 3600 W. Friendly Ave. | Greensboro | NC | 27410