ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Phyllis Price and Betty Barnett in celebration of the birthday of Judy Barnett on 30 April.
OUR WHITE PARAMENTS The beautiful white paraments adorning our altar, lectern and pulpit were lovingly donated in memory of Paul W. Daniels. White is the color for purity, holiness and righteousness. Our particular parament set is called “The Great I Am.” The altar parament includes the Cross in the center, surrounded by the words “I Am,” a reminder of many of Jesus’ claims about Himself. A “Chi Ro” rises out of the top of the Cross, representing the first two Greek letters of the Name “Christ.” On the extreme sides of the altar parament are the Greek letters “Alpha” and “Omega,” reminding us that Christ is the Beginning and the End. The lectern parament contains the combined Cross and “Chi Ro” seen on the altar parament. The pulpit parament contains the Alpha and the Omega seen on the altar parament. Particularly designed for the Easter Season (although also used for Christmas and Epiphany), our parament set contains what looks to be lightning flashes, reminding us of the brilliance of the Christmas Star and the Resurrection of Jesus.
CLOTHING DRIVE Our Lutheran Women’s Fellowship will collect clean clothing (men’s, women’s and children’s) and shoes for distribution in the community during its event on Saturday 2 May. Bring your clean, useable clothing to the Green Room by Friday 1 May to enable it to be sorted. Questions should be directed to Harriet Dickens, Carol Numrich or Anna Price.
WITNESSING BRACELETS Fewer people are still wearing their colorful witnessing bracelets. Have you lost yours? Have you given yours away? Free replacements are available from Pastor Schaar.
HAVE A CARE OR CONCERN? Historic First Lutheran sponsors a 30 minute prayer service every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. If you are unable to attend, please communicate your need for prayer to Pastor Schaar.
PLEASE NOTE CORRECT DATE! Contrary to our incorrect mailing last week, all ladies are invited to make sure to save Saturday 2 May for a fun-filled day beginning at 12:00 noon (note time change). Our speaker will be Angelina Gómez, Vice President for Outreach for The Pacific Southwest District LWML. She is the person responsible for the projects funded by our Mite offerings. She is bubbly and vivacious and rode on the 2009 Lutheran Hour Rose Parade Float with our own Pastor Gómez.
TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY! Our first “Mission and Evangelism” Sunday of 2009 is scheduled for Sunday 3 May. Guest preacher will be The Reverend Dr. Ken Behnken, former Mission Director of the Pacific Southwest District and founding Executive Director of the Center for U.S. Missions. A luncheon will follow the service.
A FINANCIAL UPDATE Historic First Lutheran ended the month of March with a year-to-date deficit of $5,723.67. This substantial increase in our deficit was due primarily to periodic payments required for our property insurance, property tax and Worker’s Compensation Insurance. With your continued generous contributions, we anticipate slowly eliminating this deficit. Thanks again for your generosity!
CITRUS SINGERS Please make sure to save Saturday 30 May as the spring concert of the Citrus Singers. Ticket reservations and payment can be made with Rudy Melinat. As approved at the March Voters’ Assembly, a chartered bus will no longer be provided, but carpooling from the church parking lot will be available. See Rudy for details.
WE ARE ONE CONGREGATION! Contrary to some of your feelings, Historic First Lutheran is ONE congregation, with a worshiping group at 10:00 a.m. in English and a worshiping group at 1:00 p.m. in Spanish. The perception of being two separate congregations is very similar to what is experienced in congregations with two or more services on a weekend. Just because we worship at two separate times in two separate languages does not mean we are not united.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE In case you didn’t know, Pastor Schaar has free resources available regarding the search for a nursing home, or dealing with cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, grief and chronic pain. If you, a friend or a family member are dealing with these issues, you are encouraged to ask Pastor to supply you with these resources.
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #6 – Kevin Baumgartner, Daniel Hendry, Steven Hendry and James Price.