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

VOL. XXXIII JULY 2019 NO. 7

Virginia Synod Assembly Attendee Reports

Our VA Synod Assembly used Hebrews 10:23 to focus our gathering and celebrate God’s faithfulness to us.  Synod Assemblies are

always a time for reunion and renewal in the ministry we do together.  Our congregation’s 125th Anniversary was recognized.  Blythe Ann Scott was re-elected Secretary and Alyssa Kaplan gave a presentation on Youth Adult ministry to the Assembly.  It was a gift to hear anew the impact the church has within our local community, state, country, and world. — Pastor Rick Goeres

I did not know that our church/congregation is an integral part of a larger community organized across the state and an even larger effort across the world.  I knew superficially, but observed how First Lutheran’s efforts to do God’s work locally (primarily) is woven into the Virginia Synod’s and ELCA’s efforts to do God’s work across the state and internationally.  And, the business (I like to say busy-ness) of the councils forms a construct and method to accomplish the work in Jesus’s name, guided by the Holy Spirit around the world.  More comprehensive with many great opportunities to practice faith and experience grace than I thought.   And, I think I know what ecumenical means now.  — Dan Kelly 

After a rainy trip to Roanoke College, the Virginia Synod Assembly was a beaming ray of light.  Many speeches were given, but all were in support of people in need and ways to assist them.  This means to me that Jesus’ mission will be carried on into the future!  On Friday evening a celebratory worship service was a place for all to come together to worship Jesus.  The clergy all vested and processed into our meeting place with much fanfare.  Bishop Humphrey delivered a special message to all.  At the end of the weekend all persons were reminded of the undying promise of Jesus’ presence and love for ALL people!  I am thankful to have been able to attend this Assembly to hear all the caring for all and to experience the love of Jesus with a roomful of devoted followers!  Thanks be to God! — Frances Halcrow I gained a much better appreciation of the family of churches, the Virginia Synod, that we belong to as a congregation, and I learned about the many different ways that this family is constantly acting to support its members (and vice versa). I experienced how torrential rains and backups on Interstate 81 can do nothing to dampen the power of the Holy Spirit among Virginia Lutherans! I enjoyed visiting the campus of Roanoke College for the first time, and I look forward to returning. — Elizabeth Janik  continued on next page

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July Birthdays

While at synod assembly I was inspired by the reminder that because we are church together we are connected to a worldwide Lutheran movement. I loved our opportunities to worship together as a group of individuals representing all ages, genders, and races committed to praising God together as one body in Christ. And once again I was inspired and instructed by Bishop Eaton’s message. This year she reminded us of our opportunities to bring healing to a world that feels increasingly divided and in conflict on so many fronts. Her message illuminated some partnerships that fellow Lutheran congregations have entered in to bring hope and grace into the lives of those who suffer at the margins of our communities, and in so doing reminded me that sometimes it is just a matter of opening our doors and our hearts to give the gift of space to those who need a place to gather. At FLC we do a wonderful job of providing meeting space to many groups who meet regularly in Strickler Hall. Bishop Eaton’s message reminded me that we should always seek opportunities to share our blessing of space with those who need a place to gather, to find shelter, to connect with others who share their struggles-that we should always start with a yes in our hearts. We spend a great deal of our time and our resources preserving the beautiful and versatile space with which we have been blessed at 1301 Colley, and maybe sometimes we miss some of the ways in which our facilities can play a larger role in our ministry to the community. It is something we should think about, and pray about, as we continue to share this ministry for the short time we have it. — Eric Peterson A highlight for me at Synod Assembly always is the chance to reconnect with colleagues and friends from across the Synod and to remember that we are part of something so much larger than our congregation. I appreciated Bishop Humphrey’s emphasis on the faithfulness of God and his call to us to engage in conversation on hard topics. I was deeply moved by the remembrance by not only the Synod leaders but

also by the ELCA Representative of how we have been affected by the deadly shooting in Virginia Beach, and by the care and prayers offered up for our local communities by so many individuals at the assembly. — Pastor Cathy Mims

1 July Adam Levensalor2 July Lauren Willis3 July Joel Ostroot4 July Cathy Delaney4 July Benjamin Farpour5 July Hannah Duffy5 July Virginia Temple6 July Jennifer Echea6 July Parker Gates6 July Rebecca Poston7 July Juliet Kuehl7 July Lani Silsdorf8 July Katie Buckley8 July Kiersten Hilton8 July Mark Torbert8 July Lee VandeWater9 July Jennifer Boykin9 July Jim Brady10 July Thomas Douglas10 July Debbie Porter11 July Sean Duffy12 July Emily Davidson12 July Patrick Seaman14 July Lee Azar14 July Connie Kaiser14 July Helen Parker15 July Alex Loope15 July Jane Van Wolkenten16 July Barbara Chapman16 July Sarah Delaney16 July Joelle Griffith16 July D.T. Hurdle16 July Jonathan Miller, MD16 July Anna Willis17 July Samantha Farpour

17 July Randy Milner17 July David Perron18 July Marilyn Jersild18 July Julia Siik19 July Annika Fox19 July John Lewis19 July Sophia Phillips19 July Rebecca Poston20 July Ethan Hutchings20 July Ella Kopf21 July Janine Brown21 July Anna Mason21 July Marilyn Melchor22 July Doris Wiele23 July Adam Clifford23 July Bill Seaman24 July Madelyn Baker24 July Darrell Kristo25 July Lauren Kaplan25 July Matthew Nordan25 July Chris Powell26 July Ivana DiNini26 July Donna Mangubat28 July Debbie Acors28 July Judy Basco28 July Mimi Hill28 July P. Fay Rogner28 July Lauren Silsdorf28 July Anna Wood29 July Nolan Ferguson29 July Vicki O’Rourke30 July Lynda Behnke30 July Joy Kelly31 July Isa Zamani

A Few Pictures from VBS 2019

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Connect with Others

Back To School SalesBACK TO SCHOOL SALES will be starting soon! Please consider buying school supplies to help the Christian Service Committee fill 150 school bags for Lutheran World Relief. Items needed are: blunt tip scissors, 2 ½ inch erasers, blue or black ink ball point pens (no gel ink), pencil sharpeners, pencils(unsharpened, #2, with erasers), 30-centimeter rulers or rulers with one side inches and one side centimeters, cray-ons(24 per box), and single subject spiral notebooks, 70-sheet, either wide or college ruled. Shopping lists are in the box in the Welcome Center. Please buy ONLY items listed. Questions? Contact Pam Baynard, 638-4812, pbaynard65@charter.net.

July Blood DriveThis July, be a HERO—Donate blood!

The next Ghent Churches Blood Drive will be on Wednes-day, July 3rd, from 1:00—7:00 PM at Freemason Street Bap-tist Church, 400 E. Freemason Street in Norfolk. If you would like to schedule your preferred time slot in advance, go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code GHENT.

Recycling OpportunitiesDo you want to recycle your batteries, light bulbs, medicine bottles, and ink cartridges ??  There are containers in the first floor back hall, by the new (versus ancient) elevator. Bring your items anytime and they will be recycled. 

Gender Expression & Identity Class

If you are interested in learning about gender expression and identity; if you are confused by all the pronouns and want to be respectful when you aren’t sure what to say or do - come to a PowerPoint presentation on July 15 at 7pm at FLC. The Youth Committee has invited Ayden Petrone, a pastoral can-didate in the Va. Synod, to share their knowledge and expe-rience. Everyone is welcome.

Lunch Ministry Volunteer Opportunity

We’re looking for Lunch Ministry help!  If you are inter-ested in keeping inventory and ordering food and paper goods for Lunch Ministry and Coffee Hour please con-tact Cheryl Gebler at (757) 627-7001, barkingk9@gmail.com or Karen Siegel at (757) 374-5729 or karen.siegel@ferguson.com for more information. 

 

Office/Administrative Volunteers

We are still looking for volunteers to assist in the Welcome Center, especially on Mondays, some Tuesdays, and other fill in dates as needed. The work is easy and training is provided. Volunteers greet visitors, receive mail, and cov-er the phone lines. Sometimes, but not always, we have small administrative tasks such as stuffing envelopes for mailing or assembling bulletins, etc. Volunteers play a vi-tal role in the lifeblood of the church, while freeing our of-fice staff to concentrate on worship work and the smooth running of our building. If you’re interested, please call or see Trina Winfield at (757) 625-1953 or via email at twinfield@flcnorfolk.com.

 

CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY RETREAT SUMMARY

The Congregational Council and Congregational Vitality Leadership Team met last Sunday with Pastor John Mocko to work towards developing goals to further the mission and ministry of God at First Lutheran and in our local com-munity. We had fruitful conversation and sharing as we ex-amined the results of the three listenings that we have been involved in: Listening to God, Listening to One Another, and Listening to our Community. We came to consensus on our first two goals: Developing a Small Group Ministry that will promote community and fellowship, Bible Study, prayer, and service to our neighbor; and strengthening our Ministry of Hospitality and Welcome to visitors and im-proving communication to better engage people in the life of the congregation.

Participants in Sunday’s retreat shared what they learned and discovered through this process thus far, and some of the responses include: we have passionate leaders, room for measured progress, church is open/flexible to the new, im-portant to identify leaders, the Holy Spirit moves power-fully, we can’t overcommunicate, and the church is blessed with leaders. What they valued about the process was our shared mission, having a focus, a purpose and a plan, the commitment and dedication of the congregation, the em-phasis on relationships, that it has been a faithful and hope-ful process and that we have goals for measurable progress.

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Connect with Word and BodyReadingsfor July

July 7th Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalm 66:1-9

Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

July 14th -Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Psalm 25:1-10

Colossians 1:1-14

Luke 10:25-37

July 21stGenesis 18:1-10a

Psalm 15

Colossians 1:15-28

Luke 10:38-42

July 28thGenesis 18:20-32

Psalm 138

Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]

Luke 11:1-13

Prayer Concerns for JulyRooted in the abundant life and love of Christ Jesus, we pray for the life of the church, the lives of people in need, and the life of all creation.

Give joyful thanksgiving...for the Holy Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit....that God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit and gives us hope that does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5)...for Pastor Goeres’ 35th anniversary of ordained ministry....for fathers and all men who love and mentor children....that by grace through faith God forms us to preach, teach and live God’s Word....that we are so rooted in the Gospel that our lives overflow in worship, witness, service, learning and support.

Help us...use the love that God pours into our hearts by extending that love to all people and nations....to keep moving forward when times are challenging....as we focus on opportunities to strengthen our ministry to families with children, ministry into our local community and communication.

Pray for...the family of Barry Proctor....the Timm Family....Ryan McCrillis and Family....all those traveling....people fleeing dire humanitarian situations for a better life....the sick, that they are comforted....the despairing, that they receive hope....persons who are homeless....the unemployed and underemployed....those struggling with addiction and mental health issues....those mourning the death of loved ones....for all who cry out to God in any need.Sonya Baker, Roger Fuller, Susan Griffin, Ray Hinton, James Mason, Betty Jean Myer, Al Miller, Kelley Minschke, Lorna Moss, Betty Phillips, Amy Spangler, Jeanne Walters, Bob, Rob Burger and the Burger Family, Carl, Ryan McCrillis, Dalton, Dave and Susie, Gia, Rose Marie Griffin (mother of Ivana DiNina), Lauren Hanna, Jean, John, Theresa Smith Milne, Cathy Moye, Rich Orndorff, Patty, Rachel, Rob, Jonathan Smith, Steve, Annie Stewart, Rocco Wilson

Those dealing with cancerLarry Atkinson, Rob Burger, Dave, Jo, Lyssa Matthews, Jean Rawls, Ann Wilson Rose, Andie Seagraves, Dave Wildt, Rocco Wilson, Jess WineKing, Lorenda Wright

Military and their families:Austin Davidson, Mason Fox, Dan Kelly, Ted Peterson, Brian Becker, Jonathan Goeres, Amy Hardbower, Nicolette Huntley, Tim Kelly, Ian Logan, Kelly Mackenzie, John Marfield, Nikki Parkman

Merciful God, you hear our prayer even before they are spoken. We commend these and all our prayers to you, trusting in your abundant mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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Visit our website to learn about our stained glass windows

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Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDNorfolk, VirginiaPermit No. 200

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

First Lutheran Church1301 Colley AvenueNorfolk, VA 23517