May Notes

…Many events and ministries to highlight in this “merry month.”

Let’s start with Emily Klock.  She graduates from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago on Sunday, the 15th. Emily has been assigned to the South Central Wisconsin Synod for a call to a congregation. Husband Paul will do graduate work in Madison.  Emily is a daughter of our congregation and, of course, our Director of Christian Education, Julie Klock.  Emily becomes the third person of our congregation, after Tim Bauerkemper and Harold Vanicek, to enter the ordained ministry. We await Emily’s ordination later in the year.  Congratulations and God’s continued grace to her!

Love Gives to Grow, Part 2, begins its emphasis in May with a festival/fellowship/meal after worship on May 1 and commitments offered in worship May 15. Our building keeps growing in its service to our congregation and community. Our excellent LGTG2 committee recently sent a newsletter that describes our goals and ministry in this next three-year cycle of mortgage reduction. Yes, Love Gives…

And 22 eighth graders will affirm their baptisms in the rite of confirmation on Sunday, the 22nd, at the 11:00 worship. This is a bright, inquisitive class of young folk who continue to grow in their relationship with Christ.  They will share a banquet celebration the evening  before confirmation.  Continue to pray for and with them.

Our Southwestern Texas Synod will meet in the annual assembly in Victoria May 14 and 15 around the theme, “Grace Received, Hope Extended.” 

The offering in the assembly will be given to the ELCA Malaria Campaign.  Serving as our voting members to this

gathering are church president, Richard Klingner, spouse Ann Klingner, our executive director, Mike St. John, and Pastor Norb.

We remember our students at all levels as they conclude another semester this month. God bless them! We specifically honor our high school grads in worship at 11:00, May 15. Seasons and chapters close and open for them. May they keep growing not only in knowledge accumulation but also in the wisdom of Christ’s Spirit.

Again, we have the privilege of welcoming new members to our church community at the 11:00 service on the fifth Sunday, May 29. A reception for these good people will be shared between services on that day. Again, keep them in your conversations with God.

To you who are deeply engaged in the calling of motherhood, we also lift this privilege up to God in this Mother’s Day month. God give you what you need to serve faithfully in this vocation.

Finally, and that’s a big word for me in these days, this month is Eastertide. In our song, proclamation, and readings we announce to one another and to the world that God is alive in Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, nostalgia and gratitude to God permeate me for the privilege of sharing this final Resurrection Season with our congregation in the capacity of pastor…and more about this in the next Butterfly in June.

He is risen indeed!!

Pastor Norb Firnhaber