First Edition

RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS           Peterman’s Postulate
      From time to time concern arises over why children in our country are not allowed to pray in the public schools. I don't under­stand the concern. Children are allowed to pray at any time and place they choose, including public school. I’ve prayed in school—before tests (and sometimes after!), when bullies approached me in the hall, before I told a teacher I hadn't done my homework, and after a girl I liked said she'd go with me to the prom. I didn't wait for others to pray with me. I prayed in private, the way my parents taught me.
      Maybe that's the problem. Kids don't know they can pray, because their parents don't show them how. My mother and father taught me to pray. They encouraged a kind of prayerful running commen­tary with God all the time. It didn't matter whether class opened with prayer. I knew I could offer a simple, one-line prayer whenever I chose.
      Religion includes prayer, but it isn't limited to it. Besides praying, my parents taught me that God expects other things of me, like being honest, keeping promises, being kind even to my enemies, and respecting the people God had called to be my teachers. They imbued in me respect for others’ opinions. They filled me with zeal for knowledge. They were always interested in what I was learning. I know, because they asked me and then listened when I told them.
      Recently I ran across a story about a visitor to a school who asked the principal, "When in your time schedule do you teach religion?"
     The principal replied, "We teach it all day long. We teach it in math, by accuracy. We teach it in language, by learning to say what we mean. We teach it in history, by humanity. We teach it in geography, by breadth of mind. We teach it in handicraft, by thoroughness. We teach it in astronomy, by reverence. We teach it on the playground, by fair play. We teach it by kindness to animals, by courtesy to cooks and custodians, by good manners to one another, and by helpfulness in all things."
     I strongly favor religion in the public schools, carried there by pious students. But, you see, if it isn't in the home to begin with, it will never be in the public schools.

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR NAOMI SHIGA
      On Sunday, August 5, a farewell reception will be held for our church organist, Naomi Shiga, after the service. Naomi has served faithfully as our organist since 2005. She and her husband, Jonathon Wohlers, are moving to the Seattle area, where she has accepted a position as organist and assistant music director at a Presbyterian church. Her last service at First Church will be August 12.
      The Church Council has arranged for a Money Tree to be part of the event. Members and friends are invited to bring monetary gifts in the form of checks or cash and clip them to the Tree. People unable to attend the event are invited to send gifts to the church office, and it will be seen that they are placed on the Tree.

WEDDING ON AUGUST 4
      On Saturday, August 4, Brandon Van Sickle and Susan Baitland will marry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. The wedding will occur at 6:30 p.m., with Pastor Peterman officiating.
      The congregation is asked to remember Brandon and Susan in its prayers and invited to attend the wedding.

LARGE CROWD WORSHIPS AT FIRST CHURCH
      On Monday, July 9, approximately 330 people filled the nave and gallery of First Evangelical Lutheran Church for the Opening Eucharist of the Biennial Worship Convention of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Since this service of worship was open to the public, a number of members of our church attended and were thrilled to see our nave packed with enthusiastic worshipers whose singing truly made the rafters ring.
      Carroll Shaddock and Pastor Peterman were both registered for the event and attended a number of functions. At the closing banquet on Wednesday, July 11, a special thanks was expressed to Carroll Shaddock for his work with the local arrangements committee and to First Evangelical Lutheran Church for hosting the festive service of worship the previous Monday. Also attending the banquet was Bishop-elect Michael Rinehart.

WIRELESS MICROPHONES
            Two wireless microphones, together with a receiver, have been donated to First Evangelical Lutheran Church by Marty and Mary Ambrose. These microphones now make it possible for both the pastor and the assisting minister to be heard clearly whether speaking at the  pulpit, lectern, or altar or at any other place in the nave. The microphones can easily be positioned underneath the vestments, so they remain unseen.
            The only tricky part at first is remembering to turn the microphone on and off at the proper time, but with a little experience, this should be no problem at all.
            The church thanks Marty and Mary for this gift.

JULY PRAYER LIST (June 21–July 22)
      Members and Associate Members                                          
Bill Bammel                             
      James Cone                                     
      Minnie Johnson            
            Emilie Ratcliffe             
            Kenneth Rogers
            Carroll Shaddock
            Norman Tofte
            Betty Wade
      Friends and Relatives                                                            
            Melanie Jamison Babin and her family
            Emmett Dixon
            Lindsay Lum
            Shelly Milner
            Donna Mosesmann
            Karl Seim
            Anna Taylor
            Fransisco Tobias
      Other Special Concerns                                                          
            Death of Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson, former First Lady
            Death of Craig Landry, son of Rosamond Landry
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT          Marty Ambrose
      Please accept our apologies for the state of our lawn! With all the rain lately, our landscape contractor has been unable to keep up with all his customers. We hope to have the situation corrected soon.
      The rain has also caused some leaks in the nave over the west transept. At present a consulting firm is inspecting the roof to find the origin of the leak, and then our contractor, Braun Roofing Company, should be able to plug it. So far, no major damage.
      Work continues on the old Dry Bones Coffee House, since it was decided that this will now be the church fellowship hall. All the over-stuffed furniture is stored in the parsonage, a sound system is in place, and soon the room will be available for meetings.
      We are still fine-tuning the new wireless microphone system now used for worship. Proper levels are set, and worship enablers are getting used to turning their own mikes on—and off. Please let me know if you have trouble hearing Pastor Peterman or the assisting minister, or if you detect any feedback or other interference.
      The office in the old Dry Bones Coffee House is now a sound recording studio, where Pastor Peterman will record his sermons directly to a CD. They will be sent electronically to our webmaster, who will add them to our web site Copies will be provided for shut-ins. If you have a small, personal CD player to donate, this would be most helpful. Otherwise, they cost about $20 at the discount store, and we probably need five or six, if you feel generous.
      Letters and financial statements for the first six months of this year are being sent out. As you read yours, please remember that the future of this church is entrusted to us. We are operating at almost twice our income. At this rate, the money might run out in a couple of  years unless the following happens:
            1. We double our membership, to 200, by 2009.
            2. Members give an average of $1500 a year by 2010.
      This means we must roll up our sleeves, get new members, and budget ourselves for serious, sustained giving. As we approach the stewardship season this fall, we do well to keep this in mind.

ADULT SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
      In July Pastor Peterman began a Bible study on the Christian use of the Psalms, based on the work of German theologian Dietrich Bonhöffer, Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. Prayer is not based on what gushes forth from the heart, Bonhöffer states, but on what God instructs the heart to say. What we want to pray is not as important as what God wants us to pray. Like the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms tell us what God wants to hear from us.
      The adult class meets every Sunday in the Beutel Room from 10:00 until 10:40 a.m. All adults are invited to attend.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
      Our church constitution provides for Associate Membership in First Evangelical Lutheran Church. An Associate Member is a person who is a member of another church, but wishes to be more formally associated with our church as well.
      Theologically, all Christians throughout the world are associate members of our church. However, becoming an Associate Member is a way of adding one’s name to the list of those who wish to see themselves as directly supporting the life and work of First Church.
      Anyone interested in becoming an Associate Member should call Pastor Peterman at 713-529-3589. Associate Membership is open to adults and children alike.

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.
JULIUS KNIGGE CLASS
      The next meeting of the Julius Knigge Class will be on Friday, August 17. People bring covered dishes and gather at 6:30 p.m., and at 6:50 the meal is served. Everyone is welcome to attend.
      At the July meeting the group discussed the wide array of items that can be donated to the Christian Community Service Center. Anyone with time to assist should call Karen at 713-961-3993 for more information. The CCSC website is www.CCSCHouston.com.
      Also discussed were trips the group might take, including a visit to Branson, Missouri. For more information call the Julius Knigge Class president, Carl Sontag, at 713-504-2807.

NURSERY AVAILABLE ON SUNDAYS
      A nursery for children under the age of six is now available every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

LUTHERHILL FUND-RAISING GALA
      On Saturday, August 18, at 6:30 p.m. a Lutherhill Ministries Fund-raising Gala will be held at the Hyatt Regency Imperial West Ballroom downtown Houston. The Gala will be hosted by Jamie Story, Miss Texas 2004 and Education Policy Analyst for Texas. In addition, special music will be provided by Jazz Sunday. Semi-formal attire is requested.
      Cocktails and a silent auction will occur at 6:30 p.m. At 7:00 dinner will be served. At 8:00 there will be dessert and a live auction.      Individual tickets are $100. A table for ten guests is $1,200, which includes preferred seating and an added token of appreciation.
      Contact the Lutherhill office at 979-249-3232 for reservations or further information.
     
SUNDAY LUNCH IS SERVED
      For the convenience of those who attend the Church Council meeting or meetings at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, a light lunch is now served in the North Room. A basket is provided for donations to help defray the cost of the meal.

MONEY MATTERS
      Actually, money does matter. Many of Jesus’ parables were about money. The offering is a central part of every service of worship. And the offering plates are placed on the altar and left there until the service has ended.
      Most churches have an annual stewardship program, in which pledges of time, talent, and money are requested. This fall we will have a stewardship program, too, for the first time in several years.
      Most churches provide offering envelopes for members to use, but at present our church does not. However, for 2008 that will change. Offering envelopes for each member will be distributed, so offerings can be accounted and giving statements issued quarterly.
      In the meantime, the Church Council wants to call your attention to several matters about giving at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
      1. In order to be credited with having made a contribution to the church, the contribution must be in the form of a check or else have an explanatory note attached to it, if in the form of cash. Unless the donor is identified, the gift cannot be properly credited to him or her.
      2. It is possible to arrange with your bank to transmit a set sum of money from your checking account directly to First Church each month. Check with your bank for further details.
      3. Until the end of 2007, it is possible to transfer a portion of your IRA directly to First Church without paying income tax on it, we understand. Check with the company that manages your IRA for further information on how to accomplish this.

FROM THE PARISH RECORD (June 21–July 20)
      No changes

MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
                                                         June 20       July 20
      Child members                                     8                  8      
      Confirmed members      103              103
      Total baptized members                    111              111
      Associate members                          13                  13

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 church 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 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:    Carroll Shaddock, Director of Worship and Music Naomi Shiga, Organist Dorry Shaddock, Choir Accompanist Charline Thompson, Office Manager and Secretary Marty Ambrose, Church Administrator The Rev. Edwin D. Peterman, Pastor