First Word News
The following news items are from the monthly newsletter "First Word",
which is mailed to the members of First Lutheran Church around the first
week of each month. To submit an item for the First Word, please contact
the Church office or send content to dswanberg@mchsi.com
Grounded in Baptism: the Future of Children, Youth and Family
Ministry
How is youth ministry changing in the second millennium? Come learn about
this interesting and important field of ministry on Tuesday, May 13th
at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Kristen Venne, from North Mankato will be the presenter.
We will gather in the sanctuary here at First Lutheran for the program
and a time of conversation with questions and answers.
The Rev. Dr. Kristen Venne grew up in a family that was always active
in their local congregation.
She learned first-hand how important all members are in faith development.
After receiving her BA in Elementary Education from Luther College in
Decorah, IA, she taught Early Childhood before answering the call to pursue
ordained ministry. She received her Master’s of Divinity from Luther
Seminary and has also earned a PhD. in Youth and Family Ministry, also
from Luther Seminary. While working on her own research on the connection
between home and congregation in the faith life of families she was the
Project Coordinator for the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study. Pr. Venne
is currently serving as Associate Pastor at Messiah Lutheran in North
Mankato and as the Chair of the SE Minnesota Synod Children, Youth and
Family Ministry Task Force. Pr. Kristen, along with her husband John Gushwa,
just returned from Africa where they went to receive their two adoptive
sons, Agro and Tewodros.
First Lutheran’s 125th Anniversary
The planning committee for the 125th Anniversary Celebration of First
Lutheran Church is seeking historical information, memorabilia or short
stories. We have setup a "Suggestion Box" in the First Lutheran
Church narthex to help collect these things.
Here are some upcoming 125th Anniversary events...
May 4, 9:15 a.m. – Dr. Sarah Johnson will be here
from Gustavus to give a presentation on immigrant churches. Don’t
miss this special event Here’s a brief introduction to Dr. Johnson
and her presentation
which will begin at 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary:
My presentation on Immigrant Churches focuses on the Scandinavian Lutheran
immigrant experience in nineteenth-century Minnesota. Immigrants encountered
both opportunities and challenges in Minnesota. Faced with new surroundings,
many relied on religion for support. Christian community and faith sustained
them. In church immigrants could speak their own language and maintain
their ethnic identity. Churches also helped the new immigrant acculturate.
They provided places where Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes became Swedish-,
Norwegian- and Danish-Americans. Many immigrants also celebrated the religious
liberty America offered. But this liberty came with a price. Immigrant
churches wondered if American liberty and individualism undercut religious
orthodoxy and commitment. They wondered if they could embrace American
liberty and maintain Christian orthodoxy.
Other upcoming events...
June 22 A Swedish Smorgasbord will be held following
the 10:00 service; Pastor Charles Ortloff will be our guest preacher.
Dora Slack has offered to make Swedish meatballs for this great event!
July 20 One outdoor service at 10:00 a.m. in Legion Park,
followed by a potluck luncheon.
(Note the time change to 10:00 for June 22 and July 20).
Sept. 14 Regathering Sunday – guest preacher, Dr.
Darrell Jodock, catered luncheon following service.
This Fall Lynn Heidelbauer, the artist who painted the mural, will come
to tell us about the mural and its meaning. Lynn currently lives in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Watch for more details in the coming months
October – December: The committee is working on
details for these months. Watch for more details.
ELEMENTARY RETREAT
Youth in grades 4 through 6, mark your calendar for the Green Lake Lutheran
Bible Camp Spring Elementary Retreat. The dates are May 2 & 3, Friday
& Saturday. Cost will be $37. We will leave from church around 4 p.m.
on Friday and return by 6 p.m. on Saturday. Plan to have a great time
with youth from other Lutheran churches in MN. ARMs (Adult Role Models)
are needed to go along.
Mission Opportunity for GIGG Youth!
GIGG Students in grades 7-9 will have the opportunity to participate in
a YOUTH WORKS mission trip in Minneapolis during the week of July 27 through
August 1, 2008.
Youth Works is a multi-denominational youth mission organization that
provides youth with a life-changing experience by allowing them to be
the hands and feet of Christ and to see God in a new way. The mission
trip will open their eyes and ears to situations and relationships in
a new setting, provide an opportunity for them to serve alongside their
peers, learn from leaders, and deepen their relationship with Jesus. See
Pr. Carl Bruihler if you have questions. To learn more about Youth Works
and this opportunity visit www.youthworks.com.
Good News Hour Heifer Project
This year, GNH classes will be using their weekly offerings to purchase
a cow for a family in need through Heifer International. Heifer’s
goal is to end hunger and poverty by providing livestock, training and
related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide. One
cow can produce up to 4 gallons of milk a day and provide a family with
needed income for education, health needs and better housing. The purchase
price for a cow is $500. There is a fundraising chart located in the narthex
so everyone can view our progress as we grow closer to reaching our goal!
Please remember to bring your GNH offering with you every Sunday.
116 Inner Dr., Le Sueur, MN 56058 •
Phone: 507-665-2615 •
E-mail: info@firstlutheranlesueur.org
• Web site: www.firstlutheranlesueur.org