765 E. Chinden Blvd. Meridian, ID 83646 (208) 288-2404
[email protected] www.friendshipcelebration.org
A Prayer for the New Year
Lord,
Inside this Issue Pastoral Ponderings by Pastor Matt
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From Pastor Tom’s Pen
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Operation Christmas Child Update, A Tale of Two Quilts
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Preschool Winter Update
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Mission Peru
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Shared Blessings, December Voter Meeting Highlights, LCS Banquet
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Camp Perkins, Financial Peace University, LCMS Missionary Presentation
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January Ministry Updates
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Growing Together In Faith
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F.Y.I. Resources
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January 2018 FCLC Calendar
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Whether we’re leaving behind a year of joy and blessing or trials and difficulties, we pause to give thanks.
We thank You that You are always with us every single day of the every single year. Please remind us of Your Presence in the year ahead, even when life is busy. We are so thankful that we serve a God Who makes things new and gives us the grace of fresh starts and new beginnings. Be glorified in our lives this year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dear Friends in Christ, Right about this time of the year, I like to bust out one last Christmas lyric, “Yes, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute!” Most of us, I imagine, are ready or relieved for Christmas to be done. We are eager for fresh starts, simplicity and the resumption of normalcy in our lives. The new year brings some of those desired aspects, but I think it’s a good time to consider, “What’s normal for the church? What should that look like?” For Christmas, Pastor Tom gave me a book (in addition to salsa and pickles!) entitled, “Your Church Is Too Safe: Why Following Christ Turns the World Upside Down.” Its premise is churches today should be taking more risks as a result of being radically transformed by the message and person of Jesus. Instead, the tendency of churches is to play it safe by limiting association and interactions to like-minded people. Why play it safe? Because we feel more in control that way. It’s easier, but it’s not necessarily exciting. Jesus doesn’t play it safe. He cares, He confronts. He gives entirely, yet commands obedience. His love is what transforms us and invites us into the greatest and most meaningful story. As we find our place in the arc of the storyline of the kingdom, it is like encountering another world of higher reality and purpose. One of my favorite lines in C.S. Lewis’ Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, comes from the Beaver’s reply to Susan and Lucy who have inquired about the nature of Aslan the Lion. (Aslan represents Christ.) “Is he safe?” Beaver answers with his memorable line, “Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” I like that answer so much because it reveals the experiential and adventurous side of following Jesus. That is an answer that acknowledges risk, but ventures forward anyway because the call to discipleship is worth it. A believer in Christ is saved, I have no doubt about that. But making believers isn’t really the goal, is it? The call from the King is to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus knows disciples have a lot more fun in the process because faith is accompanied by action, crisis, as well as true discovery. So here’s a question for you to consider: “Do you view yourself as a believer in Christ or as a disciple of Christ? Why?” I have a feeling that if enough of us ask this question then “normal” and “church” are two words that won’t go together at all. In Christ, Pastor Matt Henry
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Transitions
From Pastor Tom’s Pen
Webster’s definition of: transition “ passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another, change, a movement, a development from one form, stage, or style to another.” We have all had transitions in our lives. Right now we are transitioning into a New Year. We are wondering what the New Year has in store for us, our families, our church and certainly our nation. I don’t know what you are thinking about the changes of life, but one thing we all know that change is a constant. We transition from being under our mother’s wing to going to preschool or kindergarten. We move on to elementary school, high school, the university, and maybe graduate school. Many of us begin a career or vocation, and move from one vocation and one location to another. Then there’s marriage and children, and we see our children going through some of the same transitions of life that we have gone through. We know those changes in life can be tough, but we can’t go through them for others. We can encourage them and pray with them and for them. Some of these changes and transitions in life can be really difficult and challenging. Grandparents, parents, our spouse or another loved passing away. Today I talked with someone whose spouse has been going through a transition that has been going on for a number years. He has had major surgery and has constant pain and no longer can work. He doesn’t feel very useful and I think for most men that is very important. Most of us, as men, have pretty big egos. We want to believe we have value. (Me too, and I’ll write about that in a minute.) The man’s wife said: “I just don’t know what to say” and I told her about a devotion I recently shared with the staff. The devotion was written by David Roper in a book called A Shared Burden. David was pastor at Cole Community Church for many years. In his devotion on “Compassion” he writes: “I’ll never forget a funeral I conducted for a small child. As we waited for the family to gather, a little boy walked up to the tiny casket and gazed in. He was obviously distressed and I wanted to comfort him. ‘Your sister is with Jesus,’ I said. Good theology. Bad timing. He burst into tears. ‘I don’t want her to be with Jesus,’ he sobbed, ‘I want her to be here with me so we can play.’ I put my arm around him and we both cried.” Talk about transitions, changes in life, that’s a big one for a little guy who lost his sister. Transitions and changes in life are a constant. I don’t believe God causes them all, but He allows them. There is a verse in Ephesians (1:11) GNB “All things happen according to God’s plan and decision.” What that means to me is that God does not “robotically” control every detail of our lives, but the things that happen to us go through the “Father Filter.” No matter what problem, issue, transition we may be dealing with, God will give us the power, the spiritual strength to get through it. In the end we will be spiritually stronger because on it. If I can be personal for a moment, I am going through a transition in life. I was going to call this article “Retirement or Semi-Retirement,” but I just couldn’t put those words on the top of this page. I know many of you have gone through that transition and I really didn’t understand how that effects a person until now. As far as Friendship Celebration (all of you) are concerned, it is going well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my relationship with Pastor Matt Henry is going very well. I believe he has been directed by God’s Spirit to lead us forward as a Christian Community to expand the ministries of our church and reach more people with Jesus’ love. For me, however, it is a period of adjustment. Many of you can relate. I’m still unsettled with the “R” word, so try not to bring it up to me. In my mind I will never retire, but I do want God’s guidance on what His plan is for me, not mine. There is plenty to do at FC and a church plant has been discussed, but I cherish your prayers as I seek God’s direction. Pastor Tom 3
A very special thank you to all who contributed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Because of your generous hearts, 50 boxes were shipped to share the gospel message to children around the world. A very special thanks to Campus Christmas Fellowship at TVCC in Caldwell for their gifts of 10 boxes!!! Please read the following story shared by Linda Varnes.
A TALE OF TWO QUILTS -- by Linda Varnes A small club at Treasure Valley Community College in Caldwell, known as Campus Christian Fellowship, hoped to fill 10 boxes for the Christmas 2017 Samaritan’s Purse project. One student brought over 100 toys and stuffed animals from her childhood collection. Another brought over 20 hand-knitted hats and scarves. Neither were actual club members but wanted to help anyway. As more soaps, washcloths, tooth brushes, T-shirts, and school supplies arrived, the ten small shoeboxes were stuffed to overflowing. So we added 5 more boxes for Hope House, a nearby women’s shelter. The first 10 boxes were prayed over, easily loaded into my small car’s trunk and were delivered on-time to Friendship Celebration in Meridian. But that is not the end of this story… The Quilters of Friendship had created over 100 quilts, with 40 hand-tied blankets designated for Hope House in Caldwell. No one from the group was available to transport them. Since the shelter was only a mile from TVCC where I teach, I was asked to deliver them. How hard could that be? I knew the way as well as some of the people who worked there. Many of my own students had come from such a shelter, or jail, or abusive situations -- all of the above -- but I was “weary in well-doing.” Not cheerfully I said I would. On Sunday seven large garbage bags were loaded into my little Mustang -- stuffed and squashed -- until I finally had 3” of clearance out my rearview mirror. It rained all day Monday, except for the hour that students and I spent at Hope House. All 26 beds were full, with a waiting list of 50. We left behind 40 quilts, 5 shoeboxes, a boot box with the extra knitwear, and a check for hotel expenses for a family who had been turned away that day. But the count of quilts was off -- there were 2 extra. The student who had donated the toys had once lived in such a shelter. I encouraged her to pick out a pretty one for her mom and one for herself as a thank you for her generosity. When I saw her later that week, she said her mother really loved her gift, how the blue snowmen quilt looked on her bed. I asked how hers looked on her bed. She said she doesn’t have a bed -- she is saving up for one.
“The Lord loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 4
Preschool News
Welcome back to Preschool! We hope you had a blessed Christmas, and we are excited to be back to school and starting a brand new year. The children love their time outside! Please be sure to dress them appropriately for the weather, because we try to get outside every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. On the subject of weather, remember that our snow policy is that if West Ada Schools are closed due to weather, we will be closed as well. Our Annual Preschool Fundraiser Auction is coming up on March 10th! It will be a fun evening! See your child’s teacher for ways that you can help out! Blessings, Jennifer Severance and the Preschool Staff January Dates to remember: Jan 8/9 – Preschool Resumes Jan 15 – Martin Luther King holiday – no school
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Shared Blessings!
LCEF invites you to become an investor and help Friendship Celebration earn a Shared Blessings rebate. Term notes, family emergency accounts, and Young Investor accounts are all available so find the one that suits you best! Parents and grandparents—you can set up a Young Investor account for your child/grandchild for just $25. The interest rate (on the first $1,000) is a generous 3.5%! Youth can even earn money for good grades and community service. What a great incentive! Talk to Pastor Matt, Peggy Runcorn, or Rich Richter for more information. Forms are online at www.lcef.org and in the foyer.
Voters’ Meeting Highlights-Thanks to all who made for a productive voters’ meeting on Dec. 3. We passed the 2018 budget as presented by Peggy Runcorn and chose delegates for the district convention in Portland in June 2018 (Pastor Matt and Dan Collingwood; alternate delegates are Pastor Tom and Ralph Cavalieri; youth delegate is Ethan Collingwood). Ron Bischoff reported the parking lot fund is at 82% of its $70,000 goal. Lynn House shared campus safety efforts, Nicole Sarty reported a group was being formed to explore a possible move of the preschool to the main building, and David Reinke announced donations (not tax-deductible) are being accepted for the addition of a garage bay for Pastor Tom as a thank you gift for his years of service to the church. Pastor Matt’s report and budget info is still available from the church office. Thanks to all for their participation!
New Communion Wine The Elders have approved a change in communion wine and beginning in January, we will use a red wine (Mogen David) to better visually convey the blood of Christ. For those who have personal or medical reasons, white grape juice is available and located in the center of the tray. If you have any questions or comments about this change, please speak with your Elder or Pastor Matt.
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Camp Perkins Winter Equipment Challenge Match Turn $1 donation into $2! A challenge match donation of $10000 has been issued by donors for new truck and rotary blower. In 2017, the USFS opened up the opportunity for us to use the first 250 yards of Alturas Lake Road for our winter parking! An incredible blessing for future winter events that continue the work of the Lord all winter! However, we must clear the space ourselves. A 3/4 ton truck and rotary blower are necessary for this work since we can get upwards of 6ft of snow and frequent subzero temps. The cost is $30,000. Help get us there through this challenge match!
Financial Peace University For everyone who would like to take the Financial Peace University class starting on Tuesday, January 9th, 2018, you need to go to www.FPU.com/1053470. This will sign you up for the specific class here at Friendship Celebration. Even if you bought a kit already or need to buy one, please sign up online. There are also sign-up sheets here a FCLC for those who are going to attend; so that we can get a head count. Any questions, contact Rich Davis (208-807-0741).
LCMS Missions Nichelle Dykema is gearing up for life in Lima, Peru, as a missionary. Her job as communication specialist and volunteer coordinator is to support missionaries and coordinate their efforts with short-term mission teams. She has visited a number of churches, schools and mission groups in southern Idaho and she will be at FCLC on January 21st to share her hopes for ministry and give us opportunity to join with her.You are encouraged to hear her speak at 9:45 am. Nichelle lives in New Plymouth so it’s nice to support someone from the area! Learn more at www.lcms.org/givenow/dykema or contact her at
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January 2018 Children - Youth - Family Activity Calendar Sunday January 21st
Jr. High SnowJam at Camp Perkins Friday – Sunday January 5th through 7th 2018: 3:00pm Friday - Meet at Church Leave by 3:30pm (pack sack dinner) 4:00pm Sunday – We will be back at church by this time
Sunday January 7th 2018
5th & 6th Grade Youth Group: 12:00pm to 3:00pm – We are going to Dart Warz Cost: $20 (Includes lunch) 6:00 pm—Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group
Sunday January 28th
Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group: 6:00pm – We will be delivering the gleanings from the church to the Boise Rescue Mission & City Light Women’s Shelter
3:30pm Confirmation (Parents with 1st year class) 6:00pm Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group
Sunday January 14th 3:30pm Confirmation 6:00 pm—Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group
Caring Ministry reaches out in love to offer support, caring, comfort, and fellowship to those experiencing loneliness, illness, loss, or other life changes.. This is our mission. Our next meeting is on Monday, January 8th at 9:30 a.m. at FCLC. The invitation is always open to any who would desire to be a part of the Caring Ministry team. Contact Donnette House (297-0775) or Patsy Kern (888-2979) if you are interested in join this awesome ministry.
The Quilters Group needs your help: The Quilters Group has an ongoing need of funds to cover the cost of quilt batting & shipping for quilts shipped to Lutheran World Relief. Any monetary donations are very much appreciated.
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Workday Fellowship Work Day at the church is on Saturday, January 13th from 9:00am - Noon. Indoor and outdoor projects to help with. Lunch is served. As always, you can find out what’s needed and work on your own time schedule. Regular Work Days are every Saturday at 9:00am. AND lunch is provided! Mike Sivey Property Chairman (208-859-0079) The Hospitality Committee needs your help! The Weekly GRUNT Crew and the Monthly Saturday Workday Fellowship Crew need lunch! Can you help? Please sign up on the sheet on the Information Desk in the foyer or contact Susan Banker (208-455-9499). Thank you!
SUNDAYS at Friendship Celebration Worship Services: 8:15 am & 11:00 am (Nursery care available both services & Sunday School Hour) Fellowship Time: 9:15-9:45 am Children Sunday School: 9:45-10:45 am Adult Bible Classes: 9:45-10:45am Prayer & Praise 5:00 pm Pastor Matt’s Class – The Parables of Jesus (Room 132) Pastor Tom’s Class – Pastor’s Membership Class (Room 210) Study on Book of 2 Peter– Led by Matt Holmquist (Room 125) Study of “I Know a Little German”-a study on the book of Galatians Led by Linda Varnes & Lynn House (Room 130) Study on the Book of Acts Led by Ken Priebe (Room 113) Study – Adult Special Needs Led by Neal Lindemood & Jack Hansen (Room 112)
Weekday Bible Studies Women’s Thursday Bible Study (FCLC) Meets Thursday mornings at 9:15 am. Contact Karen Graham 208-870-7764 Topic: Resumes in the new year
Women’s Friday Bible Study (FCLC) Meets Friday mornings at 10:00 am Contact Carol Jo Richter 208-377-3746 Topic: Life & Ministry of Peter
Women’s Friday Breakfast (Star)
Nurture Groups
Contact Dottie Basye 208-949-5020
Men’s Friday Morning Breakfast (50’s Café - Meridian)
South Meridian Nurture Group
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at Merlyn Schmeckpeper’s 157 E. Ada, Meridian (208-888-9494)
Contact Merlyn Schmeckpeper 208-888-9494
Men’s Friday Morning Breakfast (Star) Contact Bill Basye 208-286-0691
Men’s Friday Morning Breakfast (Moxi Java - Meridian-Locust Grove at E. Fairview) Contacts Dale Bentley (208-859-4001) & Chuck DeVito (208-505-7579)
Eagle Nurture Group
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 at Dick & Ruth Kanemasu’s home at 990 W. Oakhampton Dr. Eagle (208-830-0706).
Star-Eagle Nurture Group
Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm at David & Susan Banker’s home at 300 W. Sutter Dr. Eagle Contact Bill Basye (208-286-0691). Or Mike Sivey (208-859-0079)
Star Nurture Group Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm at Rick & Emelie Woodall’s home. Contact them at 208-286-7508 for more information.
West Boise Nurture Group
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7:00pm at FCLC. (Except during Advent and Lent) Free childcare available! Contact Aaron or Rachel Hubler. Email or text: 208-559-2560 or 208-859-9095.
Safety & Preparedness Group
Meets 2nd Tuesday at 7:00 at FCLC. Contact Lynn House for more information (208-830-0078)
Bible & Brew-Homestead Grill (Meridian) 1st Wednesday each month 6:00pm Contact Brett Lindemood (208-982-1461)
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FYI
Church Staff: Senior Pastor: Matt Henry
Worship Service available on DVD for those homebound, or anyone who would like to hear and see last Sunday's message. Call church office. To put a prayer on the Prayer Chain contact: Jenny Kandler 362-5410 or email her at
[email protected]. (Note: Also call to let her know you sent a prayer request) In the event that, Jenny Kandler. In the event that, Jenny Kandler can't be reached for prayer chain, please call/ notify, Donnette House (208-297-0775) at
[email protected].
Fellowship Time with coffee/juice and treats from 9:159:45am on Sundays. Thanks to various people/groups for providing each month. You may provide treats for a special occasion (Baptism, Birthday, Confirmation, etc.) if you wish for our Fellowship Time. Contact Gaylynn Mikasa 761-4034.
Stay up to date on congregation happenings by receiving the Friendly 411 Weekly via email every Thursday afternoon. To subscribe email Joan Hammerson at
[email protected]
Your “Friendly Findings” Newsletter is available in the foyer at church or on our church website: www.friendshipcelebration.org. Newsletter article deadline is 20th of each month and may be submitted by email to:
[email protected]. Or contact the church office at (208) 288-2404.
Church Office Hours: Kayla Liehe (Office Mgr.) Monday through Friday 8:30am—4:00pm. Joan Hammerson (Secretary) Tuesday-Thursday-Friday 8:30am-2:00pm.
[email protected]
Founding Pastor: Tom Hausch
[email protected]
Director of Christian Education: Brett Lindemood
[email protected]
Preschool Lead Teacher: Lori Jensen
[email protected]
Office Manager: Kayla Liehe
[email protected]
Church Secretary: Joan Hammerson
[email protected]
Lay Leadership Council President: Karl Bokenkamp Vice-President: Wayne Wierson Secretary: Yvonne Okeson Chief Financial Officer: Peggy Runcorn Director Discipleship: David Reinke Director Evangelism: John Wiemer Director Education: Nicole Sarty Director Property Mgmt.: Mike Sivey
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