FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANO,

Volume 30, Issue 5 The Anchor MAY 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: “God’s Work, Our 2/3 Hands” news; Work Day; Thank You, FMSC Thanks, Recognitions, Installation of Pr. Black, brunch sign-up; “Ruth Ann Ramblings” ; 4/5 Recipe- “Marbled Choco- late Bars, May Library News, Thank you notes Book Club, Offering, 6/7 Women’s Bible Study, A great gift that you can give someone is to take the time to get to know Golden Harvesters, Anchor mailing news, them. Sometimes this might take years. Other times there is May Calendar something familiar about the other person and it doesn’t take all that May Volunteers, May 8/9 Birthday & long. A greater gift to give someone is that once you do get to know Anniversaries, May Prayer List them, you still like them and support them. It is a mark of being human April Council Highlights, 10/11 and it is a part of being in Christian community with one another. Condolences, Good news!, Prayer List, What is interesting about the Bible is that the Bible was written Prayer Chain info, Summer Worship to be read in a community. Most books we read, we read on our own. Schedule, Sunday School We finish them and we enjoy them. We might share them with those Snippets who have read the book also. The Bible is different. The Bible was written to be spoken aloud to a whole community and to let the words Readings for permeate through the community. This is true of the Old Testament May 2017 and it is certainly true of the New Testament where the gospel and the 5/7/2017 letters to the churches were meant to be read to the entire young  Acts 2:42-47 Christian churches throughout the area.  Psalm 23  1 Peter 2:19-25 Hearing the word of God in community is meant to give courage  John 10:1-10 and strength for a community. Sometimes communities get strained. Certainly the early Christian churches had their share of challenges. We 5/14/2017  Acts 7:55-60 can talk a long time about the how’s and the why’s that a community  Psalm 31:1-5, 15-15 find itself in strain but one thing I have seen and I don’t know if it is in  1 Peter 2:2-10  John 14:1-14 our DNA, but my observation is that human beings love to divide ourselves. Green bay- , urban- country, rich- poor, black- white, 5/21/2017 professional- working class, republican- democrat, Americans- non-  Acts 17:22-31  Psalm 66:8-20 Americans, left side sitters in church-right side sitters in church. This  1 Peter 3”13-22 list could probably go on forever. The challenge of the church is always  John 14:15-21 to recognize all of these division, all of the ways in which we attempt to 5/28/2017 be unique, and yet to maintain the love for all. Because after all that is  Acts 1:6-14 why we are in Christian community in the first place.  Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 One of my favorite Scripture that is read in community, comes  1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6- 11 from Romans chapter 8, where Paul talks about how nothing can  John 17:1-11 separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing!

May we take to heart how God operates and look anew at how we live our lives in Christian community.

Pastor Black Page 2 Volume 30, Issue 5

This is the third year members of First I wanted to thank Lutheran have provided a meal once all of you who a month for the homeless at the volunteered in PADS shelter. some way during this Lenten season and helped me along the way for my first A big “Thank You’ to the following Lenten season with you. You know who people who their food, time and you are and what you did. Your efforts money: make the church what it is. Galatians 6:9 Paulette Albright Jerri Lynn Baker says “let us not grow weary of doing what is Steve & Kathy Benoit Karen DeBolt good.” Volunteering can be tiring, but Bobbie Dettman Jane Foster when you work together with friends and a Jane Hyte Joanne Johnson great purpose it seems not to become as Shirley Krause Virginia Phelps wearisome. Thanks again to all. Ryan Phillips Pastor Black Norm & Diane Schlesinger Anne Sears Kathy Stuttle Dale & Karen Torkelson Tim & Kathy Tyler Dorella Wilson

Feed My Starving Children--Thank You! On March 25th we were able to take Congratulations to the following 17 volunteers from First Lutheran to children who were confirmed on Feed My Starving Children. We Sunday, April 23rd: packed 157 boxes of food that will Abigail Black be shipped to some of the neediest children in the Ellie Maaske world. In addition, thanks to donations collected Mya Thrall from the first 3 soup suppers, we were able to take a monetary donation of nearly $300 to support the awesome work that takes place at Feed My Starving Children. Thank you to those who volunteered, donated, and prayed!

WORK DAY Sat. , May 20th @ 9:00 AM CONGRATULATIONS to the following children who completed Come and help us beautify our First Communion classes: church. We plan to plant flowers and trim bushes. All ages welcome! We Brooke Johnson have our order in for a warm, sunny Sara Nicoletti morning, so come join us!

We will honor our college graduates in Good luck to our 2017 next month’s Anchor. High School graduate:

Lindsay Magnotti The Anchor Page 3

Please join us for a celebration brunch after Pastor Black's installation on May 7th. After the success of the Easter breakfast, we are again asking for contributions of breakfast casseroles and fruit. There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church. Thanks in advance for your help.

NOTE: There is only ONE service - at 9:00 AM - on this day. Please plan accordingly. Page 4 Volume 30, Issue 5

Ruth Ann’s Ramblings …(contributed by Ruth Ann Hoehn)

“Pass It On”

It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it; you spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

If you are a baby boomer and raised in the church, you probably grew up singing 's "Pass It On" around a campfire or at youth group meetings.

Kurt Kaiser was born December 17, 1934 in Chicago. He received his musical education from the American Conservatory of Music and . Mr. Kaiser joined Word, Inc., in 1959 as director of artists and repertoire, and later became vice president and director of music for Word. Mr. Kaiser has arranged and produced albums for many gifted artists, including Ernie Ford, , Burl Ives, , and Joni Eareckson Tada. Mr. Kaiser maintained his relationship with Word, Inc. until 1989.

Kurt Kaiser has received many honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for his contributions to the Christian music industry (1992); an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree from Trinity College in Illinois; and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from . In 1993 his album Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs was recognized with a Dove Award. In 2001 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

The late 1960s and 1970s were the heyday of the Christian youth musical. Two musicals with Christian themes opened on Broadway in 1971, Godspell, and the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. Kurt Kaiser and his friend began writing Christian rock musicals geared to reach out to the youth of the time. Their first musical, Tell It Like It Is, included the song "Pass It On." According to Mr. Kaiser: "In 1969, Ralph Carmichael and I collaborated on a musical, Tell It Like It Is. It was written to get young people involved in the Church. After reviewing what we had written, we decided there needed to be a closer, a modern 'Just As I Am' (a hymn by Charlotte Elliott written in 1835).

"On a Sunday night I was sitting in our den by the fireplace where there were remnants of a fire, and it occurred to me that it only takes a spark to get a fire going . . . and the rest came very quickly. My wife suggested that I should say something about shouting it from mountain tops, and that ended up in the third verse. It only took about 20 minutes to write the lyrics. Afterwards my wife and I went for a walk, letting the song ruminate in our minds." This song took on a life that the composer never considered. Mr. Kaiser notes, "I am always amazed how the Lord can take a little song and use it to reach so many people."

“Pass It On” gained traction in broader congregational circles when it appeared in Hymns for the Living Church (1974), and Hymns for the Family of God (1976). Since then, the song has appeared in at least nine other hymnals in the , England, and Canada.

While known primarily for his youth musicals, Mr. Kaiser is an accomplished pianist and has composed more than sixty hymn texts and tunes, including “O how he loves you and me” (1975), and “Pass It On.”

He and his wife, Pat, reside in Waco, . They have four grown children and ten grandchildren. He helped to found the Day Spring Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. The Anchor Page 5

Recipe Corner Instructions: to swirl the cream cheese Prepare cake batter according mixture. Marbled Chocolate Bars to package directions. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Ingredients: Pour into a greased 15x10x1 0 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes 1 package (18 ¼ oz) German In a small mixing bowl, beat or until a toothpick inserted near chocolate cake mix cream cheese and sugar. the center comes out clean. 1 package (8 oz) cream Stir in ¼ cup chocolate chips. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into cheese, softened bars. Drop by tablespoons over ½ c. sugar batter. Taste tested and approved by the ¾ c. milk chocolate chips, Cut through batter with a knife Tuesday Quilters. Thank you divided Juanita Burton.

MAY LIBRARY NEWS (submitted by Diane Schlesinger)

Many of us have visited the Amana Colonies in Iowa and enjoyed shopping and dining. Established by German immigrants, the colonies are made up of devout Christians who live a simple cooperative life. Although similar, their lifestyle and faith are different from the Amish. To learn more about these people, you may enjoy reading ‘Daughters of Amana’, three novels that have been donated to our library. “Somewhere to Belong” and “More than Words” are set in the 1800’s. “A Bond Never Broken” takes place in 1917 during World War I when anti-German sentiment is prevalent in the U.S. The author of these books is Judith Miller.

Our families will be celebrating Mother’s Day and graduations this month. We have books on display honoring both. Enjoy!

The Mahoney Family would like to thank our wonderful congregation family for all of the cards and messages of support and prayers during this dif- ficult year of loss our family is experiencing. Our church family has been such a blessing in our lives. Sincerely, Tom, Renee, Bella and Miranda Mahoney We would like to thank everyone who helped in any way during the Easter season (and other times as well!). Special A big, big, big Thank You!! I’m in and it’s wonderful ‘thank you’ to Ann Hagemann and here!!! I must send a HUGE “Thank You” to Diane Pastor Black for all their extra efforts Kupp, Virgil Hyte, Jim Porter, Pr Black, and Tommy Brown for all your help. Without you, I wouldn’t be during this time as well. Thank you here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I miss all!! you all, and remember, I’ve got your number! My new The Worship Committee phone number is: 615-431-0672. Julie Warner Page 6 Volume 30, Issue 5

BOOK CLUB NEWS

The Book Club will meet on Wed., May 3rd, 2017

at 9:15 AM. Input Needed: The book for discussion is The cost of mailing the Anchor newsletter has “Tallgrass” by doubled this year! In an effort to save money, Sandra Dallas. we are looking at different ways of The book for June is “Rosemary” by ‘distribution’. Kate Clifford Larson  Copies will be available for pick-up at the

church (as they always have been);

Please join us!  It will still be available on the church web- site (as it has been already for years!)

The next meeting of the  We hope to send the bulk of the newsletters Women’s Bible Study via e-mail (in a PDF format - most everyone Group will be Thursday, can download free software to read PDF May 18th at 1:00 PM files) here at the church. We will continue our  ** PLEASE provide your ‘preferred’ study using the book “Together in e-mail address to the church office

Grace – Introducing the Lutherans”.  We will still send via standard mail to those This book is a resource for getting to who do not receive e-mail, or truly only know who Lutherans are, what they want it this way. teach, where they came from, and where  ** PLEASE be sure the church has we are today. Please join us as we ex- your current, correct mailing plore the rich legacy of Martin Luther address. and the witness of many individuals Your patience is appreciated as we work this who have shaped the Lutheran ‘delivery system’ out …. Thank you! tradition. Please join us! Newsletter Offering Report

OFFERINGS RECEIVED th THROUGH April 17

3/22 (Wed #4) $ 455.21 Received $ 56,106.79 3/26 $ 2,038.06 Need $ 59,424.64 3/29 (Wed. #5) $ 640.74 Over $ (3,317.85)

4/2 $ 2.884.23 1/01/2017 - 4/17/2017 4/4 (Thrivent) $ 164.72 CHECKING ACCOUNT 4/5 (Wed. #6) $ 390.05 Beginning Bal. $29,613.06 4/6 (Thrivent.) $ 640.74 Income The next Golden Harvesters potluck is 4/9 $ 4,880.44 $61,996.50 th scheduled for May12 at 5:30 pm 4/13 (M. Thurs) $ 629.88 Expenses $47,993.64 here at First Lutheran Church. Please 4/14 (Good Fri) $ 486.89 bring your own table Ending Balance 4/16 $ 5,982.05 $ 43,615.92 service and a dish to pass. Call Candy at 630-273- GENERAL FUND BUDGET YTD YOUTH DIRECTOR 8083 if you have Need Per week $3,714.04 DONATIONS: $437.00 questions. (Annual Budget divided by 53 weeks) The Anchor Page 7 May 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 9:15 AM - Book Club 4 5 6 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting

6:30 PM - Worship & Music 7:15 PM - Sr. Choir 6:30 PM - Stewardship 7:00 PM - LMM

7 Food Pantry 8 9 10 11 12 13 Collection 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 9:00 AM - LBW Worship -

Installation of Pastor Black

~10:30 - Celebration Meal 6:15 PM - Social Concerns 5:30 PM - Golden 7:00 PM - Church Council 7:15 PM - Sr. Choir Harvesters

14 MOTHER’S DAY 15 16 17 18 19 20 9:00 AM - Quilting / 1:00 PM - Women’s Bible 8:15 AM - Contemporary Crocheting / Knitting Study Worship

9:15 - Coffee Fellowship 5:30 PM - Member 9:30 AM - Sun. School Event 10:45 AM - Contemporary 6:30 PM - Property & 6:30 PM - Education / Worship Maintenance Committee Youth 7:15 PM - Sr. Choir 7:30 PM - Outreach

21 Anchor Deadline 22 23 24 25 26 27 Honor Graduates 9:00 AM - Quilting / Crocheting / Knitting 8:15 AM - LBW Worship 9:15 - Coffee Fellowship 9:30 AM - Sunday School 6:00 PM - YMCA Recital Awards / Secret Pals 6:30 PM - Long Range (5:15 set-up) 5:00 PM - Contemporary Revealed Planning Worship 10:45 AM - LBW Worship 7:15 PM - Sr. Choir

28 29 OFFICE CLOSED 30 31 9:00 AM - Contemporary 9:00 AM - Quilting / Worship Crocheting / Knitting 10:00 - Coffee Fellowship

7:15 PM - Sr. Choir Page 8 Volume 30, Issue 5 May 2017 Worship Volunteers The Anchor Page 9

MAY BIRTHDAYS 1- Kathy Meyer Jason Turner 2-Trevor Magnotti

3-Todd Boring The world is a chaotic and confusing place. Pray- Ben Goldsmith er is the conduit that connects us to God and Bob Pilmer opens up the possibilities of direction and under- 4-Lydia Larsen standing. Prayer is not just for pastors. All of Zach Miller God’s people are invited to pray on the behalf of 5-Isabella Mahoney, Kate Roberts others. Please include the following members of Benjamin Englehart the First Lutheran family in your daily prayers:

6-Sandy Johnson 8-Bev Vilmin Eliot Wennmacher MAY

9-Virginia Phelps 1 - Steve, Kathy & Maggie Benoit 10-Katelyn DeBolt 2 - Alex Benoit Theresa Jensen 3 - Jonathan, Lori, Abigail, & Eliana Black; Kalyn 11-Elizabeth Agajanian & Melissa Murre 12-Emily Weeks, Jason Howell 4 - Stephanie Black 5 - Gary Blankenship 14-A. J. Widman, Trevor Ballinger 6 - Todd, Lydia, Doug, & Nancy Boring 15-Jaxon Gwilt 7 - Heather (Fowler) Bossio 16-Nick Grommes 8 - Margaret Briggs 17-William Anderson, Austun Savitski 9 - Jennifer, Will, Weslye, & Tommy Brown 18-Theresa Papaeliou 10 - Sharon Brue Connie Downey 11 - Dorothy Burton 19-Jaedence Feitl 12 - Larry & Juanita Burton Jacob Maaske 13 - Mike & Eleanor Campbell 20-Erika Miller, Felicia Saunders 14 - Billy, Jane, Caleb, Greyson & Cailee Colbert 15 - Brian, Melissa, Taylor & Evan Corrado Liam Lomeli 16 - Alice Crawford 21-Gianna Nunez 17 - Steve, Karen & Andrew DeBolt 22–Jane Ford 18 - Katelyn DeBolt Noah Ford 19 - Leon & Bobbi Dettman 24-Melinda Swanson 20 - Tammy Dettman 25-Mia Boudreau 21 - Susie Dilts 26-Caleb Colbert 22 - Connie Downey Don Sampson 23 - Erik, Becky, Ryan, Luke, Benjamin, John & Scott Englehart 27-Carol Wilbanks 24 - Gregory, Julie, Jaedence & Gaige Feitl 28-Dorella Wilson 25 - Erick Fields 30-Abigail Smith 26 - Sara Fields 27 - Tom Fields 28 - David, Jane, Dillon, & Noah Ford 29 - Jane Foster 30 - Madison Fowler 31 - Mark & Doris Fowler

MAY ANNIVERSARIES PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AND LET US 17- Scott & Therese Ballinger KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY DATE, 20- Billy & Jane Colbert AND WE WILL UPDATE OUR RECORDS. THANK YOU. 26- Steven & Jahni Thrall Page 10 Volume 30, Issue 5

Council Highlights – April 11, 2017 (see complete report on bulletin board at back of sanctuary)

 Worship committee is discussing ideas on ways to manage prayer list. Please contact Pastor Black or committee member with ideas or suggestions.  Confirmation is April 23 with three students being confirmed. Two students will be receiving communion for the first time on Maundy Thursday.  Work Day planned for May 20 to plant flowers, trim bushes at the church.  Vacation Bible School will be held July 10-15 form 9am-12pm. Volunteers will be needed.  Volunteers are needed to serve free lunches to community children this summer.  PADS program has ended for the year. Thanks to Diane Schlesinger for organizing monthly meals.  Pastor Black’s installation will be May 7 at 9:00am with a celebration meal to follow.  The church constitution is being updated and will be sent to the synod for review. Next meeting: Tues, May 9th, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Rejoice! Pr Ernie has been declared

“cancer free” and can be taken off the prayer list! How great is the power of faith and

prayer!

IMPORTANT: Memorial Day weekend, Our sympathy to JoAnn Gryder. Sat., May 27 & Sun., May 28, we will Her sister, Kay Livingston, passed begin our Summer Worship from death to eternal life on schedule. Services will be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday evening, and at Thurs, March 30th. Her funeral 9:00 AM on Sunday morning. Please was Monday, April 3. Please keep plan accordingly. JoAnn and her family in your prayers.

PRAYER LIST: Carole Ardelean, Bill F., Rose Tullock, Mary Olson, Renee Lee, Scott Littlejohn, Heather D., Leslie, PRAYER CHAIN PARTNERS Amy, Sue Hyte, Mary Kincannon, 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM Joyce Schmitt, Alice Crawford, Linda Landis, Ann Hagemann (member), Shirley 1. Jane Hyte - 630-552-7095 Tucek, Melody Black, Sherry Anderson, Pr. Terry, 2. Virginia Phelps - 630-552-3434 Jesse Stonecipher, Don Sampson, Jesse Koch, 3. Diane Schlesinger 630-552-7533 Jackie Anclam, Kelsey S., Mark Coffman, Matt 4. Bev Vilmin 630-552-3550 Papaeliou, Jim & Martha Anderson, Carol Stubbs, 5. Theresa Bagg 815-786-5069 * the Nunez Family, Scott B., Paul Vammer, Linda Homer, Jodi & John (Phillips?), Delores Phillips, 6. Erin Gillman - 630-715-0843 * Juanita Hatcher, Eric Hatcher, Dorothy Burton, 7. Staci Smith - 630-999-4117 *

Marge Briggs and Greg Feitl. 8. Karen DeBolt - 630-546-7451 *

Please remember those serving in the military. 9. Kathy Benoit - 630-816-3366 * 10. Brenda Albright - 630-277-6314 * Remember your own special needs as well. Those with a * use texting capabilities. The Anchor Page 11

Sunday School Snippets Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School will be Sunday School Awards – May 21 held from July 10-14 from 9 The Sunday School Awards Program will be AM-Noon. Please note that held during the Sunday School hour (9:30 this is a half-day program! a.m.) on Sunday, May 21. This will be a great We will combine our forces day as the children sing, perform a play, again with the Methodist and Baptist receive awards and meet their Secret Pals. churches. We hope even more of our church All members of First Lutheran, parents, family will participate this year…plus we want grandparents and friends are invited to this you to invite your friends! Watch the bulletin special program. and this newsletter for more information and tell them to sign up today. At the Awards Sunday program on Sunday, May 21, the Sunday School Secret Pals will be Please pray about helping our VBS program by revealed. Secret pals should plan to attend volunteering to help in one of these ways: the Sunday School Awards Sunday so you can  High School Students to help in finally meet, face-to-face, with your secret classrooms, with crafts and playing various pal. If you cannot attend on this date, please instruments (guitar or piano) contact Kathy Benoit.  College Students and Adults to help teach, coordinate crafts, play instruments and lead song time and storytelling Thank You to Teachers/Helpers  Snack helpers and snack donations Heartfelt thanks to our teachers and helpers who made our Sunday School year so We will need lots of enthusiastic helpers. successful again this year: Contact Kathy or Steve Benoit - Karen & Katelyn DeBolt – Preschool / ([email protected]) if you can help in Kindergarten ANY WAY! We need you! - Donielle Anderson – 1st & 2nd Grade rd th - Theresa Jensen – 3 & 4 Grade - Anne Sears – 5th & 6th Grade - Virgil Hyte – 7th & 8th Grade Mark Your Calendar— - Renee & Tom Mahoney – High School  Sunday, May 21 – Awards Sunday – Secret - Pastors – Adult Pals Revealed; Seniors Recognized at - Joanne Johnson – Elementary Music Church - Jane Hyte – Sunday School Treasurer  July 10-14 – Vacation Bible School - Kathy Benoit – Sunday School  Sunday, September 11 –First Day of Superintendent Sunday School for 2017-18 School Year.

Best Wishes Grads! Best wishes to our 2017 High School Graduates. High School seniors should THANKS to all secret pals for contact the church office at 630/552-8263, making Easter so great! Also because we would like to recognize everyone thanks to the Easter bunny for the visit on during church services on May 21st . Easter Sunday and for hiding over 1,200 eggs for our children to hunt. We could not have filled this many eggs without the generosity of our members who donated money and candy—you are the best!! What a fun day!! Also, thank you to the mystery person who donated a ton of beautiful silk flowers for our Easter cross. The cross is our most beautiful ever! Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage First Lutheran Church Paid Plano, Illinois Permit #3 PLANO, IL 200 N Center Street Plano, IL 60545 Phone: 630-552-8263 Fax: 630-552-7198 Email: churchsecretary1@ sbcglobal.net Return Service Requested

"First in Spirit, First in Faith, First in Outreach"

Statement of Purpose

Because God loves the world, we live and work together to: *Grow As Disciples

*Nurture other Disciples *and Make New Disciples for the Kingdom of God!

We are on the Web! firstlutheranchurchplano.com And on Facebook: https:// WORSHIP TIMES www.facebook.comFirstLutheran Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Black Sunday: 8:15 AM ChurchOfPlanoIl & E-mail: 10:45 AM Hit the LIKE button! [email protected] Coffee Fellowship: 9:15 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM

Communion offered at both Secretary: Ann Hagemann services. E-mail: churchsecretary1@

A nursery ‘area’ is available. sbcglobal.net

OFFICE HOURS

Deadline for the June-July Mon-Fri 6:30 am-12:30 pm st Anchor: Sunday, May 21 ! Please be ready to submit articles by this date!