THE CONTACT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH ~ NORFOLK

VOL. XXVIII September 2015 NO. 9

1301 Colley Ave., Norfolk, VA 23517 Parish Office: 757-625-1953 www.flcnorfolk.com

Help us crush hunger by 2030 We are at a turning point in history in the battle against

hunger. Poverty has been cut in half around the world;

chronic hunger has been significantly reduced, and nations

are coming together on the goal of ending extreme hunger

and poverty by 2030 – 15 YEARS FROM NOW.

Every child is a gift created in the image of God. When

we care for our children we invest in our future, and we help

to close the hunger gap in our richly blessed nation.

Did you know that of the low-income children who re-

ceive a school lunch, only a little over half also receive

breakfast? And only one in seven receive meals during the

summer months. This is unacceptable!

Help us close the hunger gap in the U.S. by voting for a

Congress and a president committed to making hunger a

national priority and in place by 2017, enabling us to enact

policies and laws so that we can end hunger by 2030.

By the END OF THIS SEPTEMBER, Congress must re-

authorize the law that sets funding and policy for our coun-

try’s child nutrition programs, including school meals, sum-

mer feeding, and the WIC nutrition program for pregnant

and new mothers along with their small children. These pro-

grams have helped millions of children over the decades.

Through the Offering of Letters, Bread for the World and

its church partners focus on this domestic hunger. We ask

you to join us in the Reception Room on September 13th

and 20th, as well as during the Gathering on September 16,

to write letters to Congress. CONGRESS MUST ACT BY SEP-

TEMBER 30, 2015, when authority for many of these child

nutrition programs end. We have little time to contact

them.

Many Thanks,

Marilyn Jersild, Global Concerns Committee

After more than four years as associate pastors

here at FLC, Pastors Paul and Lauren Carlson will be

accepting a call as co-pastors to Calvary Lutheran

Church in Morganton, NC. Their present call here at

First Lutheran will end Sunday, Sept. 6th. The con-

gregation will send them on to their new call, and

thank them for their ministry here, with a reception

following both worship services on the Carlsons’

last Sunday. The church is also collecting a purse to

be given to Pastors Paul and Lauren that day. You

may give your gift through the church by desig-

nating it for that purpose. We will also collect cards

and notes of thanksgiving in the Welcome Center

to be given to the Carlsons at the reception. To as-

sist with the reception, please contact Scott Silsdorf

at 757-275-7660 or silsdorf@mac.com.

Goodbye reception set for Pastors Carlson Sept. 6th

A century of faith Member Marion Kiligas celebrated her 100th birthday July 26th with a special re-ception. Celebrating with her was her god-son, Mike Meade who was baptized at FLC. She was presented with a card from the chil-dren and flowers from the altar.

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ELCA Youth Gathering 2015

FLC Youth join 30,000 nationwide, RiseUP! In Detroit

Nineteen youth from First Lutheran Church, Pastor Paul

Carlson, and several amazing adult volunteers joined

30,000 other Lutherans from across the country in July at

RiseUP!, the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. Held this year in

Detroit, the youth spent time in study and fellowship with

others from across Virginia, explored service and learning

opportunities from across the country, and then spent an

entire day working in the summer heat clearing trash and

debris from overgrown Detroit lots. Evenings were filled

with music, including Motown, and spirit-inspired speech-

es. Jesus is GOOD NEWS! Diapers donated from FLC joined

1 MILLION donated from across the country. The youth

thank the congregation for making the trip possible.

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“Gods Work. Our Hands.” Week of Service

Let’s kick off our year together as a

congregation committed to service and

faith development! Everyone needs a

chance to celebrate and consider to-

gether how they might serve and grow

in the next year.

“God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday offers

us a perfect opportunity to work along

with 10,000 other ELCA congregations

throughout our country engaging,

building, and deepening our relation-

ships with surrounding communities as

we share God's love. During this week we will have multi-

ple service opportunities for all ages, including chances to

sign up to be part of FLC's various ministries, faith devel-

opment options, service and learning events too!

Signups and more details for all of the following opportu-

nities can be found at the Service Booth in the Welcome

Center. See you there!

Saturday, September 12th

Out of the Darkness Walk: FLC members are invited to

walk around Mount Trashmore to raise awareness

about depression and suicide, and provide comfort and

assistance to those who have lost someone to suicide.

The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation has put togeth-

er a team in Sarah's honor that we will be supporting

and joining with again this year.

Sunday, September 13th

All events after late service unless otherwise noted.

Food Collection for Ghent Area Ministries: Non-

perishables are needed (especially peanut butter, jelly,

cereal and pasta) to restock our local food pantry after

being completely depleted over the summer. Collec-

tions will be taken at the Service booth in the Welcome

Center after either service. Contact Members Pam and

Chuck Baynard at pbaynard65@charter.net and Kathy

Schaus at kathrynschaus@yahoo.com

Bread for the World Letter Writing: Write a letter

to support legislation that will feed the hungry.

Available after either service. Contact Member: John

Faircloth at jfaircloth@fosterkids.net.

Park Place Community Garden: Help pull weeds,

plant, harvest vegetables, maintain the chicken co-

op, turn compost, and transform the neighborhood!

Contact Members: Maynard Schaus at

mschaus@vwc.edu, and Merrie Jo Milner at

merjomil@cox.net.

Neighborhood Trash Cleanup: Help beautify and

get to know our surrounding neighborhood by pick-

ing up trash on Colley Avenue.

Other Opportunities

Sunday, September 20th Bread for the World Bread

Sale Bake some bread, sell some bread, buy some

bread, EAT some bread, all while raising funds for

hungry people throughout the world. Contact Mem-

ber: John Faircloth at jfaircloth@fosterkids.net.

Weekdays in the Fall Semester - After School Tutor-

ing: Volunteers are needed from 4-7pm, Monday

thru Thursday. Assistance is given at sites in Chesa-

peake, Suffolk and Norfolk. Schedules vary. Volun-

teers must be 18 years old. Background checks are

required. Fall tutoring begins soon. Contact the

ForKids rep, Caitlin at 757-622-6400 ext. 137 to

begin the signup process.

National event inspires FLC to connect with Community

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Learning and Fellowship

Rally Day is coming Sept. 13th

Rise Up Together for a new year Rise Up Together! Everyone is invited to Rally Day on September 13th

as we kick-off a new year of Sunday School! Events include:

Breakfast at 9:30 AM on the 3rd floor.

Vacation Bible School kids to sing.

Hear from the youth about this summer’s National Gathering in De-

troit.

Meet children’s Sunday School teachers.

Learn about FLC confirmation and youth programs.

Hear about adult classes offered this fall.

The Gathering returns meal, music, learning beginning Sept. 16th The Gathering is back! Yes, this mid-

week opportunity for relaxed dining,

learning, and music will resume this fall.

Come join in the fellowship!

When: Wednesday, Sept. 16

What:

3 course meal from 5:30-6:30 PM

Learning opportunity 6:30-7:30 PM

Bell choir 6:30-7:30 PM

Vocal choir 7:30-8:30 PM

September’s Learning Topic-Boundaries.

Have you ever read one of the Gospel

accounts with an eye towards how Jesus

takes care of himself? Is it a challenge to

know when to say “yes” and how to say

“no”? We will explore Scripture and

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr.

John Townsend to see what Jesus did

and how we can develop healthy bound-

aries in our lives. This class, led by Pastor

Goeres, will meet in the second floor

conference room.

ACTS: “Lutheranism 101” class instructs lay ambassadors for Christ

The Ambassadors Community for Theological Study

(ACTS) is intended to enrich and equip laity as ambassa-

dors for Christ by means of exposure to the foundations

of Lutheran faith through classroom and experiential edu-

cation. Learn more at http://www.vasynod.org/

ministries/acts/.

NEXT COURSE – FALL 2015

Topic: “Lutheranism 101: The Lutheran Confessions

Then and Now”

Teacher: The Rev. Dr. Kathryn A. Kleinhans

Dates:

Large Groups – September 26th and November 7th

from 9:00-3:30

Small Groups – To be determined by those regis-

tered and Pastor Goeres

Location of Saturday Courses: Our Saviour’s Luther-

an Church, Williamsburg

Cost: $175 (to be subsidized by First!)

To Register: Packets are available on the Learning Board

in the Welcome Center, or you can register online at

http://www.vasynod.org/ministries/acts/.

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Service

9th. We will practice Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:15. We

would love to have you! Questions? Contact Suzanne Wolvin at

swolvin@flcnorfolk.com

Children’s Chapel: Worship for our littlest faithful

Children’s Chapel is an opportunity for our 4 year olds through

first graders to worship during the Bible readings and sermon.

Following the Children’s Sermon, they meet the leader at the

side door and walk down the hall to Room 102. For the next 20

or 30 minutes, they will listen to a reading from a children’s story

Bible, talk about the story, and participate in a related craft or

activity. Help children experience worship and build faith. We

need volunteers to lead or assist, at both 8:30 and 11 AM. To

volunteer or for questions, contact Penny Powell at 480-0230 or

pepowell@cox.net.

Everyone has something they can offer to make

worship more wonderful. Considering offering

your skills and heart to the following opportu-

nities:

Calling all Singers- ages 14 to 114!!!

The new fall choir season is starting up soon!

Come join us starting on September 9th on

Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00. We will be

working on a new Requiem for All Saints Day as

well as preparing beautiful Christmas music. If

you love to sing and have wanted to join the

choir, now is your chance!

Questions? Contact Suzanne Wolvin at swol-

vin@flcnorfolk.com

Extra help sought for communion clean up

Needed: a few extra pair of hands for Commun-

ion Clean-Up after late service. This is typically

a month-long commitment, working with a

team of two other people for about 30 minutes

after 11 AM worship. No skills required! We

presently need extra help in April, July, August,

October, November, and December, as well as

folks willing to substitute. Willing? Please con-

tact Rebecca Dozier at 478-5566 or Rebec-

caD66@cox.net.

Kids Praise Leader needed for 1st - 4th grade

FLC is in search of a Kids Praise leader who

would volunteer to lead our 1st-4th graders in

singing on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:05

AM, except holidays and summer. This person

would also help the children prepare a musical

offering to sing in worship every couple of

months and lead the singing in the children’s

Christmas pageant. Contact Amy Hood at

rhood7@cox.net for information.

Handbell Choir: Musical fun for ages 14-114!!!

If you would like to play handbells, please join in

the fun! Our first rehearsal will be September

Lend your talents to worshiping God at FLC

Learning and work to be blessed

The Blessing of Backpacks and Vocations will be held Sunday,

September 6th, at both services. All are welcome to bring the

tools of their trade, whether that be a backpack and pencils

for a student or less traditional items. We welcome everything

from laptops to hammers, mops to stethoscopes. A member

even asked about “us retireds,” and we say they may work

harder than any of us some days, so bring any item you see fit.

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Fellowship

New dates offered For directory pics Did you forget to sign up for a photo session for

our new directory? Did you miss your appoint-

ment? Never fear! There are several new dates

now available:

2 to 9 PM Thursday, Sept. 24th

2 to 9 PM Friday, Sept. 25th

10 to 5 PM Saturday, Sept. 26th

Sign up via the link on the first page of our web-

site at flcnorfolk.com .

Lydia Circle meets Sept. 1 Lydia Circle will meet Tuesday, Sept. 1st, at 11

AM in the Reception Room. All women of FLC are

welcome to join us as we discuss, “A Look Back

and a Look Ahead.” Questions? Contact Pam

Baynard, 757-638-4812 or

baynard65@charter.net.

Homemade ice cream is a hit with church, neighborhood With homemade ice cream and plenty of smiles, FLC members

opened the sanctuary and courtyard to the community August

2nd. Tours were given of the worship space and free ice cream

was offered to all takers. There were performances by the Vaca-

tion Bible School children as well as a choir group, and fun kazoo

band. Thanks to all who gave time to take part!

Book Group to discuss ‘All the Light...’ Sept. 13th FLC Book Group will meet at 6:30 PM, Sunday,

Sept. 13th, at the home of Alan and Cathy Jones,

5405 Rolfe Ave. The Jones may be reached at 757

-287-0608. Alan will lead a discussion of Anthony

Doerr’s book, “All the Light We Cannot See.” New

members are always welcome. Call Marilyn

Jersild at 757-627-1245.

Want to use the building? Let the office know. FLC isn’t just bustling on Sundays. Each week doz-

ens of groups use our building for classes, gather-

ings and special events. If you plan to use the

building for a church event, please let the main

office know so we can ensure it doesn’t conflict

with something already scheduled.