ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by John and Marlene Ochetti in thanksgiving for His many blessings as they commemorate their 16th wedding anniversary and in celebration of the 23rd birthday of their son, John Jr.
A REMINDER OF GOD’S PROVISION AND LOVE The extra bouquet of roses on the altar are from the 140+ roses around our church campus. They are a reminder of God’s eternal love for us.
THE GREEN PARAMENTS The green paraments are donated in loving memory of Marsenlane Parker. The paraments are green for the summer season, the non-festival portion of the church year. Green is the color of plant life, abundant in spring and summer. It is used to represent 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.
NEXT SUNDAY You won’t want to miss Debbie and Brian Hooper’s moving testimony, to be shared during our 10:00 a.m. worship service. You will learn how a tragic situation in life strengthened their faith in Jesus Christ.
THANK YOU! To everyone who helped make last Sunday a truly memorable celebration of my 15th Anniversary at Historic First Lutheran, thank you! I appreciated all the kind cards, thoughts and gifts. This is certainly a special place to serve our Lord Jesus and you are all special people to me. Thanks Again! Pastor Schaar.
A REMINDER The 68-year-old wood floor in the gym will be repaired and refinished, starting on Monday 6 July. Due to this project there will be no access to or through the gym for two weeks. This project is funded by Property Improvement Funds, Endowment Trust Interest Funds and the Ruth B. Hebor Trust.
“MORE THINGS ARE WROUGHT BY PRAYER THAN PEOPLE DREAM” Those poetic words are quite true. Prayer not only help us solve personal and family problems, but can also help us adjust our attitude and give us the light to see God’s will and the strength to follow it. We invite you, if possible, to join us in prayer for your own needs and those of family, friends, loved ones, neighbors and those with sickness or dealing with grief. Every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. we gather in a circle at the foot of our chancel to pray and remember all of you. Consider joining us with Pastor this coming Wednesday. You will be better for it. We all will be better for it. And our world will be a better place to live in. We sing a hymn, read a portion of scripture and pray. Our prayer service lasts one-half hour.
REPORT ON THE PAST 15 YEARS Since Pastor Schaar’s arrival here in 1994, Historic First Lutheran’s Parish Register has recorded 92 baptisms, 80 Confirmations, 33 marriages and 186 funerals. In addition, 68.6% of those on the church membership roll today have either joined or rejoined Historic First Lutheran during the past 15 years.
PORTALS OF PRAYER The July-September issue of Portals of Prayer are available in regular or large print from the Information Rack in the Narthex.
“DOWNTOWN” AVAILABLE The 5th issue of the “Downtown” Newsletter is available from the Information Rack in the Narthex.
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #1 – Bernadette Hendry, Greg Hendry and Ann Price.