First Lutheran Church
May 2017
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
(Proverbs 19:21, ESV)
Last summer, my wife Lisa and I were talking and I said, “I don’t know exactly why, but I feel like
God is calling us to a new church.” She said, “I’ve been having the same feeling in my heart.” Our
ministry at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Lindenhurst, Illinois, was going very well. The congregation was
healthy and the staff was in good spirits. But there was this sense inside of me, and Lisa was feeling it
too, that God had new plans for us.
We didn’t know what to make of those feelings, so we decided that we would just wait. If God
wanted us to go somewhere else, then he would give us some kind of sign. He would show us what we
should do. So we made no plans. We just prayed and we waited. But we didn’t have to wait long.
Just a few weeks after our conversation, we received a letter from First Lutheran Church in
Princeton, Illinois. It was a letter that the call committee sent out to a number of pastors. It said that
they were in the process of searching for a new pastor and they wondered if we would prayerfully
consider whether God was calling us in this direction. That letter led to a phone call with Mary Dorsch.
The phone call led to an interview in November. The first interview led to a second interview in
December.
As Lisa and I drove home following that second interview, she said, “What do you think?” I said,
“I feel that God is calling us to First Lutheran. If they offer us the position, I think we should accept.”
Lisa said, “I feel the same way. This feels right.” A couple of days later, I received a phone call from
David Ohlson. He asked if I could come back to Princeton in January, to meet the church council.
So I came down to Princeton a third time. Lisa wasn’t able to go with me (she had been with me
for the first two interviews). At the end of that council meeting, David said, “If we offered you the call,
do you think that you would accept it?” I said, “Yes, I would accept.” Someone else (I don’t remember
who) then said, “When can you start?” We all laughed, because everything seemed to be moving so
quickly. But it felt right. It was right. It felt like this was God’s plan for us. And it is a great feeling to
know that you are walking in God’s path and following his plan.
I think that I had a feeling about First Lutheran way back in September, when I read the letter
from the call committee. Along the way, God confirmed that feeling again and again until Lisa and I
arrived with our moving truck on March 28th. I truly believe that it was God who brought us together
with First Lutheran Church in Princeton.
During my final months in Lindenhurst, I was teaching a Bible study on the book of Proverbs.
The last chapter that I completed with them, before I handed the class over to another staff member,
was chapter 19. So when I sat down to write this newsletter article, the first thing that came to my mind
was Proverbs 19:21. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will
stand.” I believe that will all of my heart. And I am excited to see what his purpose will be for First
Lutheran in the years to come!
Pastor Bill
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First Lutheran Church
May 2017
Council Summary:
Minutes from the last Council meeting were approved along with the March Financial Reports.
Pastor has been busy planning worship services and writing sermons. Attendance for March averaged
88 for Sunday worship services. Thrivent Choice dollars $2434.00 were deposited into our account
(more than we have received in the past). That money will be split between LCW and the Youth. It was
suggested that a formal thank you be sent to St. Mark’s for their help in moving Pastor Bill and Lisa.
Service & Mission – Mobile Food Pantry, April 29 – volunteers come at 9am. Old Wheels is set
for June 17, Lenten Denial offerings go to Buddy Bags, Tri-County Opportunity and Another Child
Foundation. Freedom House collection is May 14. Our Table on Monday, May 15 and we provide the full
meal. Council approved funding for the Mobile Food Pantry.
Outreach & Fellowship – Progressive Dinner is Saturday, April 8 and the sign-up list is full. We
will help with Old Wheels. Seeking some outreach projects to do.
Worship & Prayer – Easter Fellowship will be rolls, donuts, fruit and the proceeds will go to the
Mobile Food Pantry. Pastor is considering discontinuing the Now the Feast service as it is not visitor
friendly.
Finance & Stewardship – We are $8580 ahead of expenses with $1500 for benevolence and
$1000 Young Life to pay. Financed worked with Pastor on his calculations for insurance and pension
with Portico. June reported we can get a Xerox Workcenter 7845 demonstrator model with 5000 copies
on it for $6750 with a two week trial period. Council approved the purchase using Memorial,
Endowment and Building funds, subject to the trial.
Property – New fire extinguishers were purchased for the parsonage, landscaping in front of
Education building cleaned. Working on vent fans in parsonage attic, lights for the new sign and
changing the discharge of the parsonage sump pump to the north. Note: bills paid to Gail Ohlson and
Gayle Little were reimbursement for items purchased for the parsonage.
Old business – There was discussion of what happens if a Pastor dies unexpectedly and the legal
and tax consequences on the spouse and the church. A motion was made stating a policy that the
surviving spouse can remain in the parsonage for 2 calendar months after the death of the pastor. This
policy will be added to our Policy and Procedures manual.
New business – Pastor asked permission of the Council to return to Africa this fall. The only cost
would be one Sunday of pulpit supply. Pastor’s former church, St. Mark is planning a mission trip to
Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota June 21-25. Anyone from First is welcome to join them.
EASTER FELLOWSHIP
Old Wheels Meeting
This year’s Easter Fellowship netted
$195.00. This is less than received in the
last few years. If you are moved to make a
donation, please do so. It will be used to
support our Mobil Food Pantry. All expenses
were paid by our Thrivent Action Team card.
The next planning meeting is May 6th at
8:00am at the Four & Twenty Café.
OUR TABLE
Monday, May 15, First Lutheran will be providing
the full meal for Our Table. Goulash will be the main
course with vegetables, salads and desserts to
accompany it. We need to serve and clean-up, too.
Watch for sign-up sheets. Please help.
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First Lutheran Church
May 2017
Monthly Operating Report – March 2017
Income:
Expenses:
Benevolence
Worship & Prayer
Youth & Education
Outreach & Fellowship
Service & Witness
Finance & Stewardship
Property
Administration
Compensation
Staff Benefits
Budget Expenses
Income minus expenses
March
$ 13,473.72
3,333.33
50.81
48.49
0.00
0.00
10.00
1,555.18
516.33
7,393.02
268.17
13,175.33
- 1,020.72
$
Y-t-d
$ 49,702.63
2017 BUDGET
$ 208,000.00
3,999.99
331.80
149.89
368.62
0.00
10.68
7,519.24
2,690.78
18,848.31
857.82
34,777.13
+8,580.50
28,000.00
3,150.00
1,150.00
3,850.00
150.00
900.00
28,500.00
17,300.00
101,325.00
35,125.00
$ 219,450.00
(-11,450.00)
FREEDOM HOUSE
It’s time again to collect some items for
those who are displaced and in need. Please
find it in your heart to provide any of the
following items and bring them to church on
May 14, 2017.
We celebrate the
BAPTISM
of Christopher Kenneth Bonucci on 4/23/17.
He is the son of Anthony & Elizabeth Bonucci
and we welcome him into the family of First.
Freedom House Wish List
 plastic bags (quart & gallon)
 aluminum foil
 saran wrap
 paper towels
 powder dishwasher soap
 dish soap
 liquid laundry soap
 bath towels & cloths
 toilet paper
 body soap
 shampoo
 new or hardly used small blankets
 BPart bus passes for transportation
CWU MAY FRIENDSHIP DAY
First Lutheran will be hosting this event on
Friday, May 5th at 9:00am in the Fellowship Hall.
The Theme is “Kindling New Fires of Love”. All are
welcome to attend. Gay Kyle is our contact
person.
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First Lutheran Church
May 2017
Well I think spring is finally here. What a beautiful way to celebrate Easter with the
nicer temperatures and the beauty of spring flowers starting to peak through the
ground. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah! We had several LCW activities
in April that were meaningful. On Saturday, April 8th we had our LCW Ladies
Luncheon at the Four & Twenty Café. The food was wonderful and the fellowship
shared was even better. Pastor Dave Barnes, from Hampshire Colony Church, was
our speaker. He spoke about Lutheran World Relief. He has traveled the world visiting refugee centers
that are supported by Lutheran World Relief. It was interesting and informative to hear how our
donations for the Personal Care Kits, School Kits, and Soap have helped people around the world.
Thank you Louise for suggesting Pastor Barnes…I think we all enjoyed his talk.
On April 13th we had our OWLS Maundy Thursday dessert fellowship following worship. Thank
you, Pastor Shields for your service and thank you, Karen May & Mary Lee Twidell for hosting the
dessert fellowship. We hope all of our OWLS enjoyed this event. Thank you to the Kids Club for
making the Easter Favors for our OWLS. They were so cute.
We finished our Basket of Promise collection of Personal Care Kit items for our Lutheran World
Relief service project. However, you can continue to donate items….they will not be sent until the fall.
There will be a basket in the back of the church so if some items go on sale, you can pick them up. They
are Bath Towels (dark color), Adult Tooth Brush, Sturdy Large Tooth Comb, Metal Nail Clipper
(attached file is optional), and wrapped Soap. Thank you for all of the donations we have received so far.
The one item that we are low on is the nail clipper.
We have a few events scheduled for May. On Friday, May 5th the Church Women United “May
Friendship Day” will be hosted by our Church. It begins 9:00 a.m. The theme is Kindling New Fires of
Love. All women in the community are welcome to attend this event. Gay Kyle will be the program
representative for our congregation. Thank you, Gay.
On Sunday, May 7th we will have our collection for Blanket Sunday. The funds raised are used to
purchase blanket for those in need. Please consider making a donation to this cause. Envelopes will be
available in church to make your donation.
On Sunday, May 14th we will have our Memorial Book Dedication to honor those ladies in our
congregation who have passed away this past year. The books are then donated to our Church Library
where they can be checked out. I will list those names next month.
The Prayer Shawl ministry will meet on Tuesday, May 9th & 23rd. The group meets in the
Church Library from 10:00-noon and it is a fun relaxing time of fellowship…not to mention the beautiful
shawls that give comfort to so many. If you know of someone who could use the comfort of a prayer
shawl, contact Sue Eggers. Thanks ladies for your service.
The Quilters will meet on Thursday, May 11th & 25th from 1:00-3:00 in the Fellowship Hall.
The quilters could always use help making these quilts that are donated to Lutheran World Relief. If you
are interested, contact Jo Kloster for more information. Thanks ladies for your faithful service.
Mark your calendars for our June Events: June 1st is our OWLS Mid-Summer Cookie Fellowship
hosted by Barb Fiste & Lisa Widmark. On Saturday, June 17th is the Old Wheels Bake Sale during the
Car Show in the Church Parking Lot. Finally, on Wednesday, June 28th we will have our Kitchen CleanUp Day at 9:00 a.m. We will clean, organize, and tidy up the downstairs kitchen.
We have two Birthday gals in May, so when you see Pat Polson or Lynne Swanson, wish them a
very Happy Birthday!
Happy Spring!
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First Lutheran Church
May 2017
Our Sympathy is with Doris Giltner, whose brother,
Gene Gustafson, recently passed away.
ADDRESS CHANGES
Ben Schmidt
15289 1100 North Ave.
Tiskilwa, IL 61368-9242
Hospitalized recently: Pastor Leo Patterson
retired from Zion Lutheran in La Moille was
hospitalized in Rockford. Many of you may
remember him from Via de Cristo events.
Kristin Johnson
210 Washington St.
Buda, IL 61314
Blanket Sunday
May 7
DURING THE MONTH OF MAY we are
participating in the Blankets + program through
Church World Service. Often, the first thing CWS
provides in an emergency is a blanket for warmth,
comfort, and sometimes even shelter. But as needs
change, other things are required – tents, food,
water, and the tools and materials to rebuild. That’s
why it’s called Blankets +. When we see the results
of disaster, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and
powerless.
But through Church World Service
Blankets +, our contributions add up and enable
CWS to respond effectively when people need help
the most. Together, we can do a lot! An envelope
will be in the May 7th bulletin. Please be generous.
Saturday, May 13th is the 25th Anniversary Drive
to “Stamp Out Hunger”. Please put your
donations out by your mailbox for your letter
carrier to pick up. All food will be delivered
directly to Princeton’s Food Pantry. This year’s
goal is 25,000 pounds! Last year 1 in 5
households in Princeton received support from
the Pantry. Let us all continue to support those
in need, in our community. – U.S. Postal Service
Scott Maschek
Drive Coordinator
Coffee Fellowship
The Worship & Prayer Ministry is requesting that
food for fellowship time be as simple as possible.
The focus is on the fellowship, not the food.
Consider volunteering for this ministry either by
putting on the coffee or providing snacks that can be
served. Providing snacks regularly becomes
expensive.
In past years, we have had special music during
the summer. We would like to revive that tradition.
If you or someone you know plays and instrument or
sings, encourage them to offer their talents one
Sunday. Contact the office.
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Gateway Services
First Annual Movie Premiere Night!
“Where Hope Grows”
Saturday, May 20th
New Hope Church of the Nazarene
Doors open at 5:15pm,
movie begins at 6:00pm
A Love Offering will be taken.
Following the movie is a special
appearance by “Produce” played by
David DeSanctis.
First Lutheran Church
May 2017
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