FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 225 South Third Street, Rockford, Illinois 61104 Telephone: 815-962-6691 / Facsimile: 815-962-2829 Electronic Mail: [email protected] Website Address: http://firstlutheranrockford.org Office Hours: Mon & Wed. 10:30 am - 3:30 pm

JANUARY 2018 Newsletter Church Staff

Pastor: The Reverend Jane McChesney @ Cell Phone: (309) 236-6119) Parish Secretary: Tammy M. Heral Sexton: Michael Mollway Choir Directors: Scott & Leslie Aska Organist: Rachel Schmitt

ATTENTION—Message from Council: First Lutheran’s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 21st. The fellowship time will be a congregational potluck meal. All reports need to be in by January 10th.

Worship Schedule 9:15 am Sunday School 9:15 am Choir Practice 10:30 am Worship

Scripture readings January 7th Baptism of Our Lord Genesis 1:1-15 Psalm 29 Acts 19”1-7 Mark 1:4-11 January 14th 2nd Sunday After Epiphany 1 Samuel 3:1-10[11-20] Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 January 21st 3rd Sunday After Epiphany

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Psalm 62:5-12 Mark 1:14-20

January 28th 4th Sunday After Epiphany Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28

01/01 01/02 01/03 01/05 01/06 01/07 01/08 01/15 01/17 01/19 1

JANUARY 2018

Sandra Sims Heather Warren Linda Siebert Timothy Borden Adrienne Fry Jacob Palmeno Jack Stone Aubrey Aska Kimberlee Rogers Robert Sward

01/20 01/20 01/22 01/24 01/25 01/26 01/28 01/28 01/30 01/31

Charlotte Erickson Desiray Zegunis William Cottrill Steven Kerr Diane Wilson Warren Heinke Betty Carlson Madge Gulley Chuck Porter Katherine Appelgren

PASTOR’S PRELUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sometimes I find it challenging to get in the

rhythm of writing for the New Year because I’m not there yet. As I sit to ponder and write, it’s December 21st, the Winter Solstice – the darkest day of the year. It’s just after 4:00 pm and it’s already dark outside. As I’m pondering this, I seem to sense the darkness that looms on this day. Until more recent years, I have always been afraid of the dark. Bad things have happened to me in the dark; punishments including being put in dark places, and somehow I acquainted darkness with punishment. As I learned to overcome some of this fear, it was helpful that I also overcame those things that were a part of the punishment doled out. It often had more to do with the punisher’s own anger than it did with my transgression as a young child. I was always glad for the light that came after the darkness. As I ponder this time now, I am grateful for the Light that has overcome the darkness … the Word made flesh, the Light that no darkness can overcome. I am grateful for the Light of Christ, and for this Light filling those dark places not only on my inside but also on the outside. I prefer to see the world with Christ’s Light enhancing creation, enhancing our being able to see each other much more clearly and brightly than if we encounter one another in the dark. I’m grateful that the light is growing each day, glad for the season of Epiphany that will soon arrive after the Season of Christmas and those 12 days of Christmas that we sing about, but so seldom enjoy to their max! After all the rushing, anticipating, waiting, and hoping, we then seem to trample the 12 days of Christmas with returns to the stores, eating the left-overs, and taking the Christmas decorations down, rather than taking those 12 days to really reflect and rejoice in the birth of Christ and this Light that has come into our world and into our very lives. While I’m not fond of the winter months (more because of ice, snow, and cold – 2 of these things I enjoyed as a child, but not so much now – snow and ice), I do like the Season of Epiphany for I like this sense of “revelation”. I am eager to find out what God has in store for me that will be revealed in these days ahead in the New Year. I hope you will take time to enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas, to sing a few more carols and have a few more sips of glugg or hot chocolate, or a favorite beverage, and enjoy the Light of Christ that has come to us in Christmas with the birth of our Savior. And I hope that you will look forward to what God has to reveal to you in this New Year of 2018. God’s Blessings and Light be with you! Journeying in the Light of Christ with you, Pastor Jane I am grateful for your many Christmas remembrances – the cards, notes, generous gifts and goodies, and I’m grateful for you, dear friends in Christ! Thank you so very much! Pastor Jane

MEDICAL UPDATE (12/21/17) . . . . . . . WANTS AND WISHES

It’s the time of the year when people ask you what you want for Christmas. So what I want is for the CA-125 to stay in normal range (November’s was 12.6; October’s 15.5), and so I’m wishing for it to stay in these lower numbers. I want to remain in remission for a very long time. Those are among my greatest wants and wishes. I want to be with family over a few days away after Christmas Eve services and, weather-permitting, I will do that by going to the Quad Cities for some time with family there. I wish my South Carolina folks would bring their warmer temperatures with, but that’s not likely! Just wishing!! The time spent there for Thanksgiving with everyone was wonderful and I wish for many more opportunities like that! I wish the residual pain was not so severe as it has been since the end of chemo. I’m trying to work on what might help with that so that I can take less meds for making it bearable. My port has not worked appropriately the last two lab draws and will be “back washed” on December 28th. I’m wishing you, my Great Cloud of Witnesses, a blessed Christmas and holiday time, hoping your wishes and wants are fulfilled as well. I want to tell you how blessed I am by your love, prayers, concern and care over this long haul since 2013. I want you to know that you have been a part of all that has been life-sustaining over these years. May this New Year bring you that wants and wishes of your heart! Continuing on the journey, Pastor Jane 2

Our Prayers include . . . . Pastor Jane, Brandon Xounhavong, Allison Michen, Chris Johnson, Denise Nesmith, Judy Fisher, Melinda Peterson-Fluiatt, Brian Traina, Gary & Jo Traina, KevinWiklund, Carolyn Samuelson, Sharon & Ron Bare, Theresa and Aaron Sonnie, Carol Porter, Pastor Gerald and Barbara Leaf, Dan Anderzon, Erick Simonson, Charlotte Weber, Marcia Peterson, Warren Heinke, the Stubbs family, especially Carol, missionaries in Tanzania.

If you know of someone who has need of our prayers please contact: Pastor Jane (309/236-6119) or the Office (815/962-6691) If we haven’t heard from you within a month, your name will be removed from the published prayer list. You will still be in our prayers. Raye Stone, Prayer Ministry.

————————————————————————————————————— Homebound and Care Facility Folk

Please remember our friends who are unable to join us for worship. They so appreciate our prayers, a phone call, a card or a visit. They are. .June Benson, Elsie Lundvall, James Norman, Fred and Nancy Gilbert, Anita Steiner, Ray Hodges, Louise Leonhardt, Marion Grow, Sheryl Butterworth, Santiago (Jim) Vargas, Charlotte Erickson, Benny Vitale.

Keeping First’s Office Updated . With the current HIPAA laws, the church is not informed when you are hospitalized. Please have a friend or family member notify the Church directly if you or a loved one is hospitalized because OSF St. Anthony’s and Rockford Memorial DOES NOT call the Church to tell us you have been hospitalized. Swedish American only calls when you are admitted into the hospital through your physician, they do not call if you enter through the Emergency Room. Please leave a messages at First’s Office: (815) 962-6691 Please email First’s Office: [email protected] Please call Pastor Jane on her cell phone (309) 236-6119 if there is an emergency. Please contact Tammy at either of the offices on the days listed below. There is an answering machine at each office if you would like to leave a message for a return call or please feel free to send an email. If you would like to have something posted in the bulletin or monthly newsletter please contact the office. First Lutheran Office @ 815-962-6691 Email: [email protected] Monday (10:30 am—3:30 pm)

Tabor Lutheran Office @ 815-397-2605 Email: [email protected] Tuesday & Thursday (10:30 am—3:30 pm)

Calling Travelers and Vacationers If you are away from your home for a period of time please let the office know of a forwarding address so we may mail your newsletter and other church mail to so you may stay up to date with your First Lutheran Community. Please provide a Start & Stop date for the use of the address and our system will automatically provide us with the correct address. We can also email the newsletters to you, just provide the office with your email address. Thank You and enjoy your time away! Safe Travels! 3

FELLOWSHIP AT FIRST Fellowship is a wonderful time for us to have a cup of coffee and catch up with one another and to have conversations that go beyond our usual group to sit with when visitors join us. It seems that it has become more challenging to find members willing to provide treats for our fellowship. We offer the suggestion that it doesn’t have to be “homemade” but can be donuts picked up on your way to church or something from the grocery store. Also, because of my time limitations and multiple responsibilities, I often don’t have time to make something or pick up something and have it there to set up and to serve, but would be willing to give someone the money to pick up the treats for “my Sunday,” and to serve on my behalf. The other option will be that if no one is signed up, we will have coffee only and time for our table conversations. Other than those times when we plan not to have a fellowship time, such as after worship Easter Sunday or Christmas Eve, we offer fellowship as a part of the hospitality of our congregation, welcoming others who come as visitors, welcoming those who come from the streets and are in need of our fellowship, as well as enjoying one another’s company. Friendship extended in our fellowship, Pastor Jane ATTENDANCE SHEETS IN OUR BULLETINS These half sheets are the only way we have to record your presence and communing needed for our reports to the ELCA that are expected annually. It also is how we record your active participation in the congregation in accordance with our constitution where active members commune and contribute financially at least once in every two years. These sheets also include a place for a visitor to sign in and give their address/phone number so that we can do follow up contacts with them. There also is a place for Prayer Requests. To cut down on expense of paper and having these pieces end up in the pew rack or under a pew as they fall from the bulletin, or perhaps you choose not to fill them out, we are proposing a method used in some other congregations. There will be a clipboard with a form with membership names on it on a music stand in the narthex. When you come for worship, simply check off your name, indicate that you are communing; if there is a visitor, greeters and ushers can assist the visitor to the stand and to write their name, address, phone, etc. on a visitor’s section at the end of the membership list. This allows us to make follow-up contact with them after their visit. Ushers may check over the list to see if someone didn’t check their name off but are present as they make their “count” for the worship service. Also, there will be a notebook on the stand for Prayer Requests, which you may write out. Instead of the half-sheets coming forward during the first hymn, the notebook would come to the Assisting Minister. We will begin this in January. At this time, we will go by the Active membership list in the office, knowing that some don’t sign the half sheets, and that Pastor will help Tammy make up the list. We don’t wish to offend anyone by not having their name on the list, but if someone has not attended for quite some time, they may need to add their names to be included in the Active membership. We’ll review how this is working in the Worship and Music Committee. Your input will be appreciated as we review how this is working. Change can be helpful and a good thing…. Pastor Jane Kiosk or Information Table . . . . . . We are asking that you take note of flyers on the Kiosk or on the Information Table in Friendship Hall. We are trying to be efficient in getting information to you, but also be cost-sensitive to paper and printing costs. You can find upcoming events and “lists” for Prayers/Shut-Ins, and more information there. Help us be good stewards of our budget, supplies, and staff schedules. Up-Coming Events . . . . . . . If you know of a upcoming event please provide the information to the office either by leaving a voice message at 815-962-6691 or send an email to: [email protected] and we will try to make sure it is listed on the Kiosk, bulletin, and newsletter. Thank you for your assistance in keeping everyone informed on upcoming events. First’s Food Cart . . . . . . . Thank you for your continued donations of non-perishable food items for the food cart. Greater need now that winter is upon us. Our cart could use some donations for the season to help those who are in need. Please check for expiration dates on items. Thank you, First Family, for your generous donations. As the new year starts, First Lutheran would like to thank everyone for your generous donations during 2017 and encourage you to help others in need through out the new year. First Lutheran will again be striving to fulfill it’s mission work in the local community and the world by collecting donated items and monies for several worthy organizations. Please think about the needs of the children and local families and donate to: Local Food Pantries & Shelters / Local Animal Shelter (Noah’s Ark) Lutheran World Relief Organizations School Kits / Baby Care Kits / Personal Care Kits 4

JANUARY VOLUNTEERS January 7th * Baptism Of Our Lord Usher Team #4 Assisting Minister: Lector: Greeters & Fellowship: Altar Guild: Communion: Usher Assistant:

Larry Lee, Jack Stone, Merle & Diane Wilson

Danika Mollway Dale Samuelson Jo Traina Dale Samuelson Frank Schaefer

January 14th * 2nd Sunday After Epiphany Usher Team #1 Assisting Minister: Lector: Greeters & Fellowship: Altar Guild: Communion: Usher Assistant:

Jim Laurson, Charles Peterson, Chuck Porter

Scott Aska Mariel Heinke Kim & Fred Rogers Sharon Zequnis Nancy Benjamin Frank Schaefer

January 21st * 3rd Sunday After Epiphany Usher Team #2: Assisting Minister: Lector: Greeters & Fellowship: Altar Guild: Communion: Usher Assistant:

Don Nelson, Dan Krueger, Nancy Parrish, Jo Traina

Warren Heinke Bruce Samuelson Annual Meeting Potluck Kris Mollway Diane Nelson Frank Schaefer

January 28th * 4th Sunday After Epiphany Usher Team #3: Assisting Minister: Lector: Greeters & Fellowship: Altar Guild: Communion: Usher Assistant:

Cindy & David Anderson, Loki Clay

Leslie Aska Kristi Mollway

Nancy Benjamin Dan Krueger Frank Schaefer

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NEIGHBORHOOD EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Jan. 08

OSLC Book Club @ 6:30 pm

“A Beautiful Blue Death” by Charles Finch

Jan. 08

Christ Lutheran—Movie Night @ 6:30 pm in their Youth Room “A Dog’s Purpose” All are invited to attend: youth, seniors, men, women, dog-lovers, event cat-lovers Popcorn and water will be provided

Jan. 11

Katie’s Choice Book Club @ 10:00 am

Jan. 14

Hector Olivera in Concert @ 7:00 pm at Our Saviors Lutheran Church

Jan. 13

Faith Desegregation—Session One of Four @ 9:00 am—11:30 am “What is Cultural Competence?” Developing a Common Language Second Congregational / First Presbyterian Church—318 North Church St / Rockford, IL

Jan. 13

United Lutheran Church’s Book Club @ 10:00 am

Jan. 16

Katie’s Cup Conversation “There Goes The Neighborhood” @ 11:00 am—12:30 pm Presenters: Rev. Dr. Denver Bitner-Former Executive Director of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois & Former Senor Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. Sara Dady—Rockford Lawyer specializing in immigration law and 2018 candidate for the Sixteenth District of the United States Congress

Jan. 18

BUNCO @ Katie’s Cup @ 1:30—3:30 pm

Jan. 19

Bernstein on Seventh a concert to benefit Katie’ s Cup @ 7:00 pm at Katie’s Cup IL coro piccolo Directed by Martin Bein from the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center $20.00 donation—Sweet & Savory Treats / RSVP to Katie’s Cup @ 815-986-0682

Jan. 20

Bethesda Covenant Church—Alaskan Salmon Dinner @ 5:30 pm RSVP by 01/16/2018 Call 815-397-4212—Cost $6.00 per person or $15.00 per Family—Please bring a dish to pass. All funds raised will be donated to Lon Swanson. Lon currently works for KICY AM 850 & KICY 100.3 FM radio station in Nome, Alaska. For 50 years KICY has had a strong investment in our community. KICY 100.3 offers live and local programming for our friends in Nome while KICY AM-850 services all of Western Alaska with uplifting music, regional news and even the occasional high school basketball game or wrestling tournament. Lon Swanson and James Ventress will be speaking about their experiences in Alaska.

Jan. 22

Christ Lutheran—Field Trip to the Lutheran School of Theology’s Rare Book Exhibit This is the tentative schedule date—more information to follow in bulletins regarding departures, transportation, and lunch will be forthcoming in bulletins.

Jan. 24

Katie’s Cup Conversation! “Returning Citizens Support Services” @ 10:00 am—Noon No Cost to attend—Feel free to purchase lunch during or after the Conversation! Presenter Panel: Lutheran Social Services of Illinois / Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries Rockford Urban Ministries / Bill Howard Tabor Lutheran Church

Jan. 25

OSLC hosting a Blood Drive for Rock River Valley Blood Center @ 12:00—6:00 pm To schedule and appointment call Kim @ 815-979-7886 Please bring a valid ID and drink PLENTY of fluids before the donating!

Jan. 30

Katie’s Cup Conversation! “Dark Money” @ 11:00 am—12:30 pm No Cost to attend—Feel free to purchase lunch during or after the Conversation! Presenter: Dr. Karen Blake Ruffner

“Britt-Marie Was Here” by Fredrik Backman

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“With You Always” by Jody Hedlund

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First Lutheran Church 225 South Third Street Rockford, IL 61104

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit 842 Rockford, IL

Return Service Requested Pastor Jane McChesney Senior Pastor 309/236-6119 Email: [email protected]

2017 LUCIA FEST PICTURES

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