SUMMER “08 CHURCH NEWSLETTER

ADOPT-A-STREET It’s time again to pick up litter on Smoke Tree Lane. We’ll do this on Saturday, July 12, at 9:00AM. A Sign-up Sheet will be posted in the Narthex.

OPEN FORUM An Open Forum (for all members of the congregation to ask questions and offer suggestions) will be held on Sunday, July 20, 10:30AM (during Fellowship Hour). Plan on attending.

VOTERS’ MEETING The Quarterly Voters’ Meeting of First Ev. Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday, July 27, following the Worship Service (at around 10:45AM). Agenda items include acknowledgement of membership changes, an Endowment Fund Committee Financial Report, and committee reports. All voters are encouraged to be in attendance at this important meeting. It’s your opportunity to stay informed on the business of YOUR Church.

NEW MEMBER WELCOME The Evangelism Program Committee will host a New Member Welcome (during the 10:30AM Fellowship Hour) on Sunday, August 3. Individuals recently received into membership will be specially invited and have the opportunity to select a gift from the congregation. Everyone is encouraged to make use of this opportunity to meet our new members and make them feel welcome.

OWLS The Tri-City OWLS meet on the first Tuesday of the month. Following the Potluck Meal at 12:00PM, there is either a program or fun and games. Check the Sunday bulletin for location and time. All WELS seniors and retirees are invited and encouraged to attend.

BIBLE CLASS The Sunday Bible Class (8:30AM) continues to meet over the summer months. We’re still studying “Heirs Together Of God’s Gracious Gift Of Life: Christian Men & Women Serving Together In God’s World”. Consider joining Bible Class to supplement your “at home” Bible reading.

SUGGESTION BOX Church Council responses to constructive suggestions will be posted on the Narthex bulletin board. The Suggestion Box is located on the large table in the Narthex.

SIGN-UP There are still dates open to host Sunday Fellowship Hour. If this area of service interests you, please sign up on the Narthex bulletin board.

BACK BULLETINS If you weren’t able to make it to Church on a given Sunday, but would still like to stay informed, bulletins from the past 4 Sundays are available from the top row (right side) of the Church Mailboxes in the Narthex.

SCRIP Haven’t purchased Scrip/Gift Certificates yet? They can be used just like cash - with a percentage of the sales benefiting Arizona Lutheran Academy. Someone will be at the small table in the Narthex, either before or after the worship service, to assist you.

THRIFT SHOP Another innovative way to support Arizona Lutheran Academy is by setting aside unused clothing and/or house-hold items for the ALA Thrift Shop. Classroom #1 has been set up as a collection center and is ready to receive these items. Be sure to place donated items inside the white lines on the floor. Someone, in turn, has guaranteed to deliver them to the ALA Thrift Shop.

COMMUNITY CUPBOARD There's always individuals in our community who can benefit from your generosity. If you'd like to assist the "hungry" in our community, just bring your canned goods and/or non-perishable food items to the Church kitchen and set them on the counter next to the refrigerator. Someone will then see to it that they reach their destination. And remember: the last Sunday of every month has been specially designated as “Community Cupboard Sunday”. There will be a basket in the Narthex to receive your donations.

COLLECTIONS There are a number of “collection” projects that are on-going. On the tables in the Narthex is a box to collect eye wear (glasses/sun glasses) to benefit world-wide charities and a box to collect past issues of Meditations to benefit Prision/ Institutional Ministries. On the table in the hallway to the Fellowship Hall is a basket to collect personal care products (unused small bottles of shampoo, lotion, and bars of soap - like you’d receive from a hotel stay) to benefit area shelters. Then (as stated earlier), classroom #1 has been set up as a collection area for clothing (in new condition) and house-hold items for the ALA Thrift Shop. Keep collecting!

ADOPT-A-STREET It’s that time again to take a walk down Smoke Tree Lane and fulfill our obligation of making sure that it’s litter free. We’ll do this on Saturday, July 12, at 9:00AM. A Sign-Up Sheet will be posted on the Narthex bulletin board. Also, if you haven’t registered to participate, forms are available from the small table under the bulletin boards.

IN YOUR PRAYERS Please continue to remember the following in your prayers: missionaries around the world who have answered the call to “make disciples of all nations”, those who have answered the call to serve in the armed forces, and students who are enjoying summer vacation before returning to school this fall. May the Lord continue to keep them in his care!

CHOIR After taking time off this summer, the Choir will resume rehearsals on Sunday, September 14, after the communion service. We’re always looking for new faces (and especially voices). If you’d like to sing, plan on attending the first rehearsal.

COMMITTEE WORK The Budget Committee seeks YOUR input as they study and prepare the 2009 Church Budget. Please direct any input to a Church Councilman.

STV There is still one opening at Smoke Tree Village (STV); the independent living retirement center located south of the Church. Units are available at $800/month on a first come, first served basis. Brochures on STV (along with floor plan) can be picked up from the small table under the Narthex bulletin boards.

“OPEN FOR BUSINESS” The First Ev. Lutheran Church Memorial Garden is “Open For Business”. Niches are available to congregational members (and members of the tri-city WELS congregations). Cost of a single niche, which stores two sets of cremains, is $500. This includes all costs for the urns, copper nameplates, and engraved niche covers. Cost of a half niche for a single set of cremains is $250 and includes a single urn, nameplate, and half of the engraved niche cover. If you’d like more information or would like to receive an application form, contact Donna Jacobs in the Church office.

TRANSFER TO HEAVEN Forms enabling you to “Transfer To Heaven” are available from the table holding the Church Mailboxes. The form is intended to assist you in the planning of your funeral. Once completed, your form will be kept on file and will help your survivors make the necessary arrangements (Readings, Hymns, Fellowship Lunch, etc.). Fill one out and return it today.