ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Hilda and Don Mager in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings and in celebration of the birthday of Hilda’s daughter, Carol Potter, today.
THE GREEN PARAMENTS The Green Paraments adorning our Altar, Lectern and Pulpit were donated in loving memory of Marsenlane Parker.
OUR GREEN PARAMENTS The paraments on our altar, lectern and pulpit are green during this non-festival portion of the church year. Green is the color of plant life, abundant in spring and summer. Green also represents the triumph of life over death. Our particular parament set is called “Fishers of Men.” The altar parament includes three Crosses. The center Cross also includes the symbol of fish and a fishing net, reflecting Jesus’ call to be “fishers of men” [Mark 1:17]. The pulpit parament is almost a mirror image of the center Cross on the altar parament, with fish and a fishing net. However, also notice what appears to be a nimbus around the Cross, a reminder that this is Christ’s Cross that “catches” men and women as His Word is preached and proclaimed. The lectern parament also displays a Cross with a nimbus, but is surrounded by two stalks of wheat. From Jesus’ parables, wheat came to represent believers over against the weeds, or “tares,” which represent unbelievers. Combining Christ’s Cross with the wheat symbolizes that “faith comes by hearing the message” [Romans 10:17] read week after week from the lectern.
SUBSCRIBE TO “LUTHERAN WITNESS” It’s subscription / renewal time for the “Lutheran Witness,” our denomination’s monthly magazine. An annual subscription costs a minimum of $15.00 (larger gifts are appreciated to offset costs). If you’d like to subscribe or renew your subscription, use the “Lutheran Witness” envelope or use a designated envelope clearly marked with your name and “Lutheran Witness.”
IN VIETNAM Lisa Morita and Scott Vila are currently in Vietnam to adopt a baby boy. Please keep them in your prayers during this process!
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! Congratulations and welcome to Isaias Escobar, Rudy Escobar, Cecilio Lopez, Isaias Lucas, Maribel Lucas, Maria Zoila Sandoval, Juana Sandoval and Karen Schaar as the newest members of Historic First Lutheran. Karen just transferred her membership to us from Hope Lutheran Church in Glendora. The other 7 were confirmed last Sunday. Make sure to warmly welcome them!
EQUIPPING TO SHARE WORKSHOP Registrations for our upcoming workshop are beginning to come in. Have you yet registered? All members and regular worshipers are reminded that they must pay the $15.00 registration fee which will be refunded them after they attend the event.
2008 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Year-end contribution statements were mailed recently. Please take a moment to carefully review your statement, reporting all potential errors to the Church Administrative Center at 626-793-1139 by this Tuesday 3 February.
ANNUAL MATCHING FUNDS Again this year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has granted us $1,020.00 in matching funds to financially undergird our music ministry and Spanish worshiping community. Gifts made between now and 5/31/09, designated for the Special Fundraiser, will be matched dollar for dollar.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS There is a meeting next Sunday after worship. Advance Packets will be mailed you this week.
DELEGATE NEEDED A delegate is needed to represent our congregation at the upcoming District Equipping Conference and Convention 26-30 June in Irvine. Expenses are paid by the church. Speak to Pastor Schaar TODAY if interested in being considered. The Board of Directors will select the delegate next Sunday.
MARDI GRAS SUNDAY Three weeks from today is our annual celebration of Transfiguration Sunday/Mardi Gras Sunday. An exciting “soft” praise band is being put together, including Mark McCormick’s brother, who will be here on vacation from Chicago. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service. Begin now to invite family and friends.
RECEIVE “DOWNTOWN” ELECTRONICALLY The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches, led by Pastor Schaar, is beginning to transition its quarterly newsletter from a hard-copy printed version to a monthly electronic version. Sign up to receive “Downtown” electronically by logging onto www.centerforusmissions.org. Click on “Downtown” and supply the requested information to subscribe. The newsletter can also be found at www.downtownlutheranchurches.org.
USHERS TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #3 – Chris Baker, Asunta Barnes and Michael Dickens.