First Edition

ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT   Peterman’s Postulate        For Lutherans and for most Christians throughout history, the central event of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the core of apostolic preaching and the heart of the church’s liturgy. Lent prepares for it, and the great Fifty Days of Easter are a celebration of it.
            Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which gets its name from the tradition of imposing ashes on worshipers’ foreheads as a sign of human mortality and repentence.
            The word “Lent” probably comes from the word “length” in association with the lengthening of days in springtime in the northern hemisphere. (Christians in the southern hemisphere may need a different word for it, since for them the days during this time are growing shorter, not longer.)
            In the early church Lent was when adults were prepared for baptism, and fasting was part of the preparation. Lutherans have retained Lent more as a solemn time of instruction and repentance, rather than as a time of fasting. While Martin Luther did not discourage fasting, he warned against its misinterpretation. He said the Devil wants to mislead us into believing that he is in control of food and drink, when in fact he is not. Therefore as Christians, we should enjoy food and drink even during Lent, and thus reclaim them to the glory of God.
            The biblical meaning of “repent” is “to turn and go in a new direction.” It does not refer to how guilty we feel, but rather how we are to let God transform us through forgiveness.
            Repentance for Christians is not something done only during Lent. Repentance is daily. Lent helps us focus on repentance by calling our attention to the simple, yet undeniable fact that before God we are helpless to save ourselves, but that in Jesus Christ we, just as we are, in our anxiety and guiltiness, as creatures and sinners, are infinitely and groundlessly loved, received, valued, and accepted.

ASSISTING MINISTER TRAINING FEBRUARY 11
            On Sunday, February 11, a one-hour training session will be offered in the nave at 12:30 p.m. by Pastor Peterman for all confirmed members who wish to serve as Assisting Ministers in 2007. Assisting Ministers read the first two lessons each Sunday and assist the pastor in various parts of the liturgy, including the distribution of communion.
            The purpose of the training session is to provide standard guidelines for all who serve as Assisting Ministers, so that each service of worship will be conducted in a consistent manner. It is also expected that Assisting Ministers can be assigned for each month in advance on the Worship Schedule and their names can be printed in the worship bulletin. It is hoped that before long, Assisting Ministers will be provided with robes so they can be vested for their service.
            All who have served in the past are welcome to attend, as well as all who have never served but are willing to serve in this way. Only those who attend the training session (or, if they cannot attend, inform the pastor beforehand) will be given assignments in the coming year.
            On Sunday, February 18, Assisting Ministers will be consecrated at the service of worship.

FROM THE PARISH RECORD
Add to the membership roll:
SUSAN BAITLAND, by Affirmation of Faith
CARROLL SHADDOCK, by Transfer from Christ the King        Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas
BRANDON VAN SICKLE, by Transfer from Lord of Life          Lutheran Church, The Woodlands, Texas

 

Lenten diet tip: If no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

RUTH TRACY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18
            The members of First Evangelical Lutheran Church will honor Ruth Tracy on Sunday, February 18, for her many years of dedication as a Sunday Church School teacher, Church Council member, choir member, editor of the news bulletin, and president of the Women’s Guild. Flowers in her honor will be placed in the chancel by her children, Georgianne Sigler and Jay Tracy and their families.
            Following the service of worship, a reception for her will be held in the Beutel Room. Everyone is invited.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CHRIST THE KING CHURCH
            The congregation of First Evangelical Lutheran Church is indebted to Christ the King Lutheran Church for its assistance in printing the Sunday worship bulletins each week and the newsletters each month. We thank the members and staff of Christ the King Church for their help during the past year and their continuing help, as we seek to grow and flourish as a Lutheran church.
            In addition, Christ the King Church is donating to us two hundred copies of the newly published Lutheran book of worship entitled Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Each book will have our church’s name stamped on the front cover. When the time comes to introduce this new book to our congregation in the spring, we will already have sufficient copies available for use.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
            Each month we make an effort to provide a list of members who have birthdays during that month. Since the church records are still not complete, it is easy for us to miss someone. If we do, please tell us and we’ll make the correction. There are no February birthdays, as far as we know:
FIXIN’ THE GRAND OLD BUILDIN’   Paul Orton
            Other than roof problems, nothing other than general maintenance has been taking place. We do have a few plumbing problems, which will need some attention in the coming weeks, and we do indeed still have problems with the roof. The roofer was out again the week of January 7 to do another check into the ongoing problem on the west side of the sanctuary roof. There is great anticipation that the problem has now been located and has been repaired. The next big rain will be the important test.
            Some of the restoration work that Senaca Gallien was doing will have to wait until he returns to us. (Please continue to remember Senaca in your prayers.)
            In the meantime, Mr. Thomas Henry has been hired to do the general janitorial duties. He is with us on Mondays and Fridays for about three hours each of those days. I ask that we all try to make an effort to clean up after ourselves whenever we use any of the areas of our facility.
            If anyone has the time and ability, we would appreciate volunteers to do some dusting, and polishing. If you would like to volunteer, you may call and leave a message at the church office (713-529-3589), or you may call me at home (713-464-7082). Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

CHURCH OFFICERS ELECTED
            At its January meeting, the Church Council elected the following persons as officers of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in 2007:
            President                             Millie Thibodeaux
            Vice-president                    William Bammel, Jr.
            Secretary                             Brian Oxley
            Bursar (income)                 Rose Marie Sontag
            Treasurer (expenditures)   Jamie Brewster

THANKS FROM PASTOR PETERMAN
            My wife Jane and I sincerely thank the members and friends of First Evangelical Lutheran Church for the wonderful reception given us on Sunday, January 7. The floral arrange-ment was beautiful, the food was bountiful, and the spirit of all the people was most warm and welcoming. We consider it a privilege to be part of the life of First Church. We look forward to our life together with all of you.
- Pastor Peterman

LUTHERAN MEN’S GATHERING
            On Friday and Saturday, February 16-17, the 2007 Lutheran Men’s Gathering for the three major Texas synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held at First Lutheran Church in Temple, Texas. The event will begin on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and conclude on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
            The featured speaker will be Dr. Roland D. Martinson, Professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Martinson will present two lectures: “Where is God in a Man’s World?” and “Where is a Man in God’s World?” The emphasis will be on seeking ways to tap the critical gifts of men for ministry in the church.
            The registration cost is $35 for adults, $20 for youth up to 21 years of age. Lodging may be arranged separately at the Hilton Garden Inn in Temple ($69-$79 plus tax).
            For further information, see the posters on display at our church or check the web site

 

Lenten diet tip: Foods consumed while watching television don’t have calories, because they are simply part of the entire entertainment experience and therefore not part of one’s personal fuel.

JANUARY PRAYER LIST (through January 21)
Those who were ill or otherwise in special need of prayer:
                        James Cone
                        Geyland Cooper
                        Senaca Gallien
                        Minnie Johnson
                        Lindsay Lum
                        Lee Orton
                        Margie Ranft
                        Emilie Ratcliffe
                        Bruce Rogers
                        Ronnie Rossi
                        Bertha Suessmuth
                        Norman Tofte
                        Betty Wade
Special Concerns:
            Rhonda Richter, who served in Iraq but has now returned to the United States.
            The marriage of Johnny Smitherman and Sabrina Neitzel on January 27.

JULIUS KNIGGE CLASS TO MEET FEBRUARY 16
            The meeting of the Julius Knigge Class will be held this month at the church building on Friday, February 16. The meeting next month will be held at the church building on Friday, March 16.
            Each meeting will begin with a covered dish dinner. Participants are asked to arrive with food for the dinner at 6:30 p.m., so the group can eat together a little before 7:00. After dinner, a meeting will be held.
            A cordial invitation is extended by Carl W. Sontag, the President of the Julius Knigge Class, to all the members and friends of First Evangelical Lutheran Church to attend.

THANKS FROM THE RANFT FAMILY
            The family of Allen Ranft, who died on November 10, 2006, wishes to thank all his friends and other members of First Evangelical Lutheran Church for all your prayers and cards for him and our family during the past three and a half years. They were very helpful and most comforting.
            - Marjorie Ranft

ADULT SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
      In January Pastor Peterman began a course that covers the entire Bible in ten weeks. Beginning with Genesis and concluding with Revelation, the course offers a review of the history of both the Old and New Testaments, including when each book was written, why it was written, and what it contains.
            In February the topics will be:
      February 4      The Old Testament (Abraham to Moses)
      February 11    The Old Testament (the Exodus to David)
      February 18    The Old Testament (Solomon to Daniel)
      February 25    The New Testament (the four gospels)
            The Adult Class meets every Sunday in the Beutel Room from 10:00 until 10:40 a.m. All adults are invited to attend.

MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
                                                         January 1  February 1
            Child members                            6                6      
            Confirmed members                72               75
            Total baptized members         78                 81
            Associate members                  2                   1

 

Lenten diet tip: Foods eaten for medicinal purposes have no calories. These foods include hot chocolate, toast, and Sara Lee cheesecake.

BACH SOCIETY EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
            Three special presentations under the auspices of the Bach Society will occur at Christ the King Lutheran Church this month.
            On Sunday, February 4 at 5:00 p.m., the Bach Choir and Orchestra will present Bach’s cantata Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit at Vespers.
            On Sunday, February 18 at 5:00 p.m. the Calmus Ensemble of Leipzig will present Bach’s motet Jesu, mein Freude, along with works by Josquin, di Lasso, Elgar, Taverner, and others.
            On Sunday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m., The Buxtehude Trio of Amsterdam will present music by Buxtehude, Krieger, Erlbach, Becker, Spiegler, and Richter.
            The Bach Society offers its programs as a gift to the entire community without any admission charge. However, a free-will offering is received at each event to support the work of the Bach Society.
            Christ the King Church is located on the southwest corner of Rice Boulevard and Greenbriar in The Village.

BOOKS OF SERMONS AVAILABLE
            Three volumes of sermons by Pastor Edwin D. Peterman have been published under the title of Practically Preaching and are available for purchase from the church office. Each book contains a sermon for every Sunday and every major festival in the church year, 66 sermons in all. The three volumes correspond to the three year cycle of readings for the church year, in which the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are predominant. Currently, the church is in the liturgical year of Luke.
            The cost is $15 per book, or $40 for a set of all three. If requested, the books can be autographed.  

First Evangelical Lutheran Church 1311 Holman, at Caroline Houston, Texas 77004-3833             Address Correction Requested                                                                                                         Historic First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Founded in 1851, the congregation has played a vital role in the history of Houston and the formation of Lutheranism in Texas. The church building is located at Holman and Caroline across the street from Houston Community College. It is three blocks east of the 3400 block of South Main, convenient to the Ensemble/HCC stop on MetroRail. The church office is normally open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.                 Telephone:            713/529-3589         Email:                                office@FELCHouston.org                  Fax:                      713/529-0816         Web site:         Ms. Charline R. Thompson, Office Manager and Secretary         Ms. Naomi Shiga, Organist The Rev. Edwin D. Peterman, Pastor                Mr. Carroll Shaddock, Director of Worship and Music