First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas

ASCENSION DAY AND THE FESTIVAL OF PENTECOST
     On Ascension Day, Thursday, May 1, a special service of worship will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.. The service will include both a sermon by Pastor Peterman and the sacrament of holy communion. Afterward a light lunch will be available for those attending.
     Unlike Lutheran churches in Europe and elsewhere, the Festival of Our Lord’s Ascension is largely ignored in this country. First Church will be an exception by offering a full service for Lutherans and others in the greater Houston area. All members are encouraged to attend, as well as others who work in or near Midtown Houston.
     On Pentecost Sunday, May 11, the church will celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, which commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples after Jesus’ ascension. Guest preacher that day will be the Reverend Bradley Fuerst, Lutheran Campus Pastor for the University of Houston, Rice University, and the Texas Medical Center.
     Pastor Fuerst is a farm boy from Nebraska, one of four brothers. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and a former high school English teacher. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, in May 2007. On August 19 he was ordained at his home congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church, in Hildreth, Nebraska. His wife, Taylor, is a Methodist pastor in Houston.
     Worshipers are invited to wear something red, the liturgical color of Pentecost.

SACRED THINGS    Peterman’s Postulate
     In April my wife and her two sisters spent several days going through old newspaper clippings, photographs, and other memorabilia they had inherited from their parents. Some of the items were so meaningful that they brought tears to their eyes. Other things were obscure and had little significance to them.
      One item was what appeared to be a five dollar bill dated 1858. It wasn’t really federal currency, however, but more like a certificate of deposit on an Indiana bank. They all agreed to have it examined by experts and evaluated. Although it was impressive, it had little sentimental value for them.
There was another item, however, that brought a genuine sense of awe to all of us in the room. It was a large document, folded twice, that bore several signatures. It was a deed to a piece of property in southwestern Ohio, dated in the early 1800s. It was the signatures, however, that were most impressive. Close examination showed them to be genuine and not replicas. There, in plain view, were the signatures of President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison. “Just imagine,” someone commented. “We’re holding a document that was once in the hands of both of these great men!”
     That got me thinking about some of the other things I have seen and touched that were once in the hands of great people. I have a book personally autographed by Martin Luther King, Jr. I once held both Luther’s and Melanchthon’s personal Bibles. I have touched sculpture by Donatello and Michelangelo.
     Then it dawned on me that I had touched far more important things than any of these. Each Sunday at worship I touch bread and wine that are the sacred elements given to us by the very Son of God. We pray words like “Alleluia” and “Amen” that were once uttered by ancient prophets and priests, by martyrs in the early church, and even by our Lord himself.
     And it doesn’t stop there. Whenever I greet and touch another person as the Peace is shared at worship, I am touching someone who has in turn been touched by God. When I see a newborn infant or an elderly church member, I am in the very presence of a person whom God has created. And when I look at myself in a mirror, I am seeing someone whom God values, regardless of how I might think of myself at the moment.
     The signatures of Jefferson and Madison are impressive indeed. But no less impressive is the signature of the Triune God on all that he has created, redeemed, and sanctified.

ADULT SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL CLASS IN MAY
     On May 4 Pastor Peterman will conclude a four session course entitled Four Portraits of Easter with an examination of the story of the resurrection from the point of view of John’s Gospel.
     On May 11 our guest teacher will be Pastor Bradley Fuerst, Houston Lutheran Campus Minister. His topic will be “Walking Wet,” which reflects his pastoral effort to help college students remember their baptism and express their baptismal faith in their life and work. As he puts it, “Much of my ministry is about helping college students hear their baptismal ‘CALLege’ as they discern their vocation(s) and traverse the many and various wildernesses inherently a part of college life.”
     On May 18 Pastor Peterman will begin a course on the Lord’s Prayer, using Luther’s Small Catechism as the basis for the study.
     The adult class meets every Sunday in the Parish Hall from 10:00 until 10:40 a.m. All adults are invited to attend.

SELAH: WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH
Selah (pronounced SEE-lah or SEH-lah) is Hebrew for crescendo; to increase, to lift up; also, the Young Adults at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
     A big THANK YOU to all of the cowpokes who turned out for the S4WP#2 Round Up on March 29! (For the uninitiated, S4WP#2 is short for Selah Servants Saturday Stewardship Work Party No. 2.) Members Tracy and Michael Walton and Meredith Nelson were joined by First Evangelical Lutheran Church visitors and Selites Milton Crow and Pam and Brian Dixon. Sheriff Paul Orton of the Property Posse showed up to direct the herd. We were also assisted by our faithful custodian, Rayfus Ferdinand. With such an outstanding crew we were able to move refrigerators and such, as well as once again lemon oil the nave. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
     On May 10 Selah will have a picnic dinner on the hillside of the Miller Outdoor Theater at 6:30 p.m. The performance of the evening will be the Houston Ballet’s rendition of “Madame Butterfly” starting at 8:00 p.m. The performance is FREE. Meredith Nelson will be playing timpani for the show that evening. Please bring a friend! RSVP to Meredith Nelson at 713-688-4081.
    Throughout May, Selites will continue to go out weekly for Sunday lunches together in Midtown. Gather on the front steps of the church building following the worship service to help choose a restaurant.
     For June, July, and August, Selah will be looking at holding Bible Study Fellowship Dinners. For more information, contact Meredith Nelson at 713-688-4081.

STAFF CHANGES
     Several staff changes at First Evangelical Lutheran Church occurred in March and April. Marty Ambrose was named Director of Public Relations, which was the position for which he was originally employed in early 2007. His responsibilities will include publicity and advertising, monitoring our church’s web site to keep it up to date, representing our church in the community, and interfacing with non-members and outside groups who use our facilities, including overseeing weddings that are held at our church. Marty’s office will remain where it is, next to the pastor’s office.
     In April the Congregation Council approved the hiring of Millie Thibodeaux as full time Parish Administrator. Her responsibilities will include a wide variety of matters that deal with administering the affairs of our church. She will oversee property and finance, personnel policies and procedures, church records and files, as well as the coordination of volunteers. Her office will be located in the former library, between the pastor’s and the secretary’s offices.
     With the continuing growth of our congregation, both in numbers and activities, the Council believed it necessary to expand the staff in this manner. Budget approval was given at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on March 30.

A LETTER TO THE CONGREGATION                   Millie Thibodeaux
     At the April Council meeting, the Executive Committee presented my name as a candidate for the position of Church Administrator. Council approved the motion, and I accepted the offer. As a result of my acceptance, it is logical that I must resign as Council President. Therefore, I tender my resignation effective March 31, 2008. As our Constitution allows, Vice President Bill Bammel will preside at meetings.
     The past two years have afforded me the opportunity to learn so much about First Evangelical Lutheran Church. As I have said on numerous occasions, I never dreamed that I would serve as President of the church that has meant so much to my family’s generations that have preceded me. Now I have an even greater opportunity to serve, and I welcome it.
Thank you to each member who has supported me and this Council. I ask that each of you support Bill once again as he takes the helm, as well as any future Council members who serve this outstanding, growing, and loving congregation.

HEINRICH SCHÜTZ VESPERS POSTPONED
In early April it became necessary to postpone until fall the inaugural Schütz Vespers originally scheduled for April 20. It is the purpose of the Society for Early Music of the Church to establish a strong and lasting program in our city for the church music of Schütz and other early composers, and the delay will serve this purpose. The Society wishes to thank all those who worked so hard to prepare for this event, and to assure them that their efforts will be richly rewarded in the fall.

WEAR SOMETHING RED ON PENTECOST
Sunday, May 11, is the Festival of Pentecost, which marks the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. Since the liturgical color for that day is red, it is suggested that worshipers wear something red, as well. Red symbolizes the tongues of fire that came to rest on the heads of the disciples in the Upper Room.

LOOKING AHEAD TO JUNE
June 1 - 12:30 p.m. “Get to Know You” Sunday luncheon
June 3 - 7:30 p.m. Houston Saengerbund
June 6 - 6:00 p.m. Wedding rehearsal
June 7 - 11:00 a.m. Wedding of Bret Moore and Lori Rolf
June 8 - 12:30 p.m. Property Committee meeting
            12:30 p.m. Service and Care Committee meeting
June 9 - 7:30 p.m. Executive Committee meeting
June 10 - 7:30 p.m. Houston Saengerbund
June 14 - 11:00 a.m. Wedding rehearsal
June 15 - 12:30 p.m. Congregation Council meeting
              Deadline for July issue of First Edition
              6:00 p.m. Wedding of Thabel Mazwi and Nicole Stroud

FIRST EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT COMPLETED
We are happy to report the unqualified success of our first Eagle Scout project. Patrick Hildreth is extremely grateful for the opportunity First Evangelical Lutheran Church gave him to complete his project on time to become an Eagle Scout.
On Saturday, April 5, Patrick and other volunteers completed the following:

Volunteers for the project included Patrick Hildreth, his father David, his mother Cathy (yes, our sometimes organist), Paul Orton, Rayfus Ferdinand, Clete Bayer (Patrol Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 55), Dick Yale (Scoutmaster Emeritus of Troop 55), and scouts and friends Sean Gallagher, Josh Schrom, Matt Miranda, and Michael Skelton. The group of volunteers worked 65.5 hours on the project. Total hours volunteered approached 80, when Patrick’s and Clete’s planning and preparation time are included.
Given the success of this project, we hope that First Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Boy Scouts can work together to provide needed services to the church and needed projects for other fine young men.

NEW COMMUNION OPTION: INTINCTION
     Beginning in March, the communion procedure at First Evangelical Lutheran Church changed. Instead of eating and drinking simultaneously, communicants now eat the bread and drink the wine (or grape juice) immediately after the elements are distributed. This procedure brings our church in line with the practice of other churches, in which the elements are consumed when received.
     A new option for receiving communion is now possible for any who wish to use it. It is called intinction. A communicant can receive the bread and then hold it until the Assisting Minister or Server arrives with the chalice. The communicant then dips the bread into the wine of the chalice and consumes it. The chalice is lowered to allow the communicant to intinct. This means, of course, that the communicant will not pick up a glass when coming forward, nor will the communicant have a used glass to deposit afterward.
     Choir members and worship enablers have already begun to receive communion in this manner. Others in the congregation may also wish to do so.

SUNDAY FLOWER DELIVERERS NEEDED
     Chancel flowers are now being provided regularly by members and friends of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Donors sometimes take the flowers home after the service, but in many cases they request that the flowers be delivered to persons who are ill or homebound.
     The Altar Guild is seeking volunteers who would be willing to deliver the flowers on Sunday afternoon to the homes of people. In some cases the delivery would be fairly close to the church, but in others it might be somewhat distant but not that far out of the way of the person making the delivery.
     Anyone willing to volunteer to deliver flowers should contact Altar Guild member Fran Allen at 713-515-7970.

THE JULIUS KNIGGE CLASS      Carl W. Sontag
     We would like to thank Marjorie Ranft for hosting the April meeting. It was exceptional! Thank you, Marjorie!
     Our next meeting will be on May 16 at the church. It will be a covered dish dinner. People arrive at 6:30 p.m. for preparation, and the meal will begin just a little before 7:00 p.m.
     The following month we will meet on June 16. The same times apply. This will also be a covered dish dinner, but it will be held at the home of Jean and Victor Houston.
     At our meeting in April we discussed the possibility of a trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston. A date was not set, however. Senior Citizens’ Day is Tuesday, when the cost is $15.00, which includes I-Max, the Aquarium, and a ride on the boat that leaves at 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
     Everyone is cordially invited to attend the meetings of the Julius Knigge Class. For more information, contact Carl W. Sontag, President, at 713-827-0350.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY MAY 28-31
The Annual Assembly of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held May 28-31 at the Marriott Hotel in The Woodlands. The Assembly begins Thursday afternoon and concludes around noon on Saturday.
Carroll Shaddock was elected by the Congregation Council to be the Voting Member from First Church this year. Pastor Peterman will also attend as a Voting Member.

“GET TO KNOW YOU” LUNCHEON JUNE 1
On Sunday, June 1, a “Get to Know You” Sunday Luncheon will be sponsored by the Education and Fellowship Committee. Everyone will gather in the Beutel Room after worship, where name tags will be provided, along with a get-acquainted game or two. Around 1:00 p.m. lunch will be served in the Parish Hall. Everyone attending is asked to bring a covered dish to serve eight people. And, of course, everyone is invited to take this opportunity to “get to know” others in the church.

VACUUM CLEANER, ANYONE?
Because of increased activity at church, it would be helpful to have several additional vacuum cleaners for use in various parts of the building. Contact Millie Thibodeaux at 713-529-3589 for further information or to arrange a donation.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We welcome requests for including persons in the Prayer of the Church during the Sunday liturgy. It would be helpful to Pastor Peterman if such requests were made in writing and in the following manner:
1. Print the person’s name for whom the prayer is requested and provide the correct pronunciation, if necessary.
2. Give a brief explanation of the person’s relationship to the person making the request and the reason the person should be included in the prayers.
3. Provide the name of the person making the request and the date on which the request is made.
4. If the person’s condition changes, inform the pastor promptly.
5. If possible, provide the pastor with this information several days before the Sunday on which the person’s name should be on the prayer list.
In the past year there have been occasions when requests were made anonymously or at the very last minute before the service began. There have also been awkward situations where a person continued to be on the list of prayers for the sick several weeks after death had occurred. The above guidelines are meant to help the church in its prayer discipline.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE
Membership Changes and Corrections (underscored)

Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PAID
Houston, Texas
Permit No. 1707

First Evangelical Lutheran Church
1311 Holman Avenue, at Caroline
Houston, Texas 77004-3833