ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Brian and Debbie Hooper in loving memory of their precious daughter, Jenny Marie.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ALTAR FLOWERS We sadly announce that our florist is raising the cost of our altar flowers to $70.00 per week (up from $50.00). Please plan accordingly.
OUR GREEN PARAMENTS The green paraments adorning our altar, lectern and pulpit are gifts in loving memory of Marsenlane Parker, 1918-1996. They are green for the Epiphany season. 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.
DID YOU KNOW? Perhaps you didn’t know that what is today our Church Administrative Center was originally a private residence designed and constructed in 1913 by noted architects Arthur and Alfred Heineman. They came from Chicago to Pasadena in 1894, just one year after the Greene Brothers. Alfred is reported to have once said, “I almost always put something by [Ernest] Batchelder in my houses as a tribute to the man who gave me my only training in design.” Sure enough – our Church Administrative Center has a Batchelder tile fireplace!
NEXT SUNDAY Dr. Larry Stoterau, our Bishop / District President, makes his annual preaching visit on 22 January. A luncheon follows worship.
FOOD COLLECTION TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY! On Sunday 29 January we will collect non-perishable food items for the Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Churches. Most needed items include peanut butter & jelly, tuna, soups, cereals (hot & cold), pasta & pasta sauce, rice (bags/boxes), canned vegetables, canned fruit, macaroni & cheese, baby food, beans / chili, canned meats (stews, etc.), crackers, fruit juices, flower/sugar/powdered milk, instant potatoes / stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie mix, muffin and bread mixes, jello, pudding, cake & cookie mixes and frosting. As we are all richly blessed by God, please plan to richly give out of your bounty.
GOOD NEWS TO REPORT Historic First Lutheran ended its Fiscal Year 2011 with a balance of $3,460.50. That money has been transferred from our General Fund into our Reserve Cash Fund. Thanks to all of you for your very generous support of the mission and ministry of Historic First Lutheran!
PLEASE CHECK NOW! Year-End Contribution Statements have been mailed. Please check them carefully. All potential errors must be reported to the Church Administrative Center by 1 February 2012. After that date we will be unable to make any changes.
HELP IS NEEDED! The first work day of 2012 is coming up on Saturday 28 January, starting at 9:30 a.m. Please plan to help. All supplies will be provided!
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #2 – Rogelio Douglas, Craig Daniels and Melvin Muse.