FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Weekly News of First Lutheran Church and School

1644 Nursery Road, Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone 727-462-8000
For the church, press 1
For the school, press 2

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Internet address: www.flcclearwater.org

May 1-2, 2010

National Day of Prayer – May 6, 2010

From God’s Matchless Word…

7
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools
of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig
trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack
nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.
10
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he
has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his
commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and
are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow
large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will
become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the
land of slavery.
18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce
wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 8:7-14, 18
 Sunday School & Bible Classes
SUNDAYS
* Sunday School and Bible Study classes will be cancelled on Mother’s Day morning.
9:15 a.m. Fellowship Hall The Book of Genesis
Weekly Pastor Zimmermann
Gathering Place Young Single Adults
Married Couples & Single Parent Adults
Kathy Piering
Chapel in church Life Light
Dan Snook
Loft-Youth Room in CLC High School Students
9-10-11-12 gr.
Rick. Howard
Church Library Middle School
6-7-8 gr.
Ralph Otte
Church Nursery 0-2 yr. olds
Erica Hinz
Room 10 in the Fellowship Hall 3-4-5 yr. olds & K-1-2 gr. / 3-4-5 gr.
Jane Otte & Vicky Miller
7:00 p.m. Off-site Women’s Bible Study
st rd
1 and 3 Sundays June Schultz
TUESDAYS
7:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Men’s Prayer Breakfast
April 27th: “Nutrition and You”
Followed by the Worker Bees (work around the campus)

WEDNESDAYS
9:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall The Book of Zechariah – Adult Bible Study
Weekly Rev. Arnie Piering

89Your word, O LORD, is eternal;

it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 NIV
The Bible has survived every scratch of human pen. It has survived the assault of skeptics, agnostics, and
atheists. It has never been proved wrong by a single archaeological discovery. It remains supreme in its
revelation of redemption. God still speaks to us today through that same Word, which stands forever.
 Prayers of the People
For The People
Sick, Hospitalized or Recovering:
-Jean Schultz -Doris & Lester Cecil
-George Bock -Dan Murray
-Ryan Fox, cousin of Sandy Brown -Mary Lou & Carl Holdefer
-Richard Hayes, son of Richard & Carole Hayes -Russell Philippy
-Tamara Norton, family of Marge Carver -Rita Sivals, friend of the Hedricks
-Troy McKenna, friend of Peggie McClave -Dee Nizen, aunt of Lynn Hedrick
-Sarah Marsh Kertberg, niece of Lee Marsh -Henry Hammel, Joni’s brother
-Janice Christensen, Maryland, sister of Fred Robbins -Melanie Salvaggio, Marge Carver’s niece

Birthdays: -Betty Zimmermann, 4-30-10 -Rachel Gangelhoff, 3 yrs. old on 5-2-10

(Birthdays & anniversaries, etc. will be put in FTF only when they have been requested by the individual, family, or friend. Thank you.)

For The Church, Our Community, Our Nation and the World
“…pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray for everyone affected by the devastation from the terrible tornados that covered the southern states
recently, and especially, for the families who lost loved ones.
Pray for wisdom for those dealing with the tremendous oil spill in the Gulf due to an explosion on an oil
rig. The explosion took 11 lives and threatens our coastlines.
Pray for everyone still adversely affected worldwide by the dangerous ash fallout from the Iceland
volcano.
Pray for 28 kindergarten children, two teachers and a security guard in eastern China who were all
viciously attacked by a man with a knife. At least 5 are in critical condition. Pray for the fears of the
children and their parents to be given to the Lord. Two other attacks happened earlier this month.
Pray for positive results from our small group meetings and, as we go before the Lord corporately for
guidance and blessing.
Pray for peoples’ hearts to be turned to the Lord for salvation and comfort. Pray for our nation to humble
themselves before the Lord. II Chronicles 7:14
Pray for our nation & our leaders on every level that Godly decisions would be made on our behalf.
Always remember our men & women currently serving in the military worldwide and in war zones.
Always remember to pray for the persecuted church worldwide. Pray for the safe rescue and protection
of exploited children everywhere.
Serving in the Military:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not
be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Deployed:
-Tabor Cleberg, E3, Air Force, Kadena, Okinawa, Japan
-Christopher Gleaton, Captain, US Army, Iraq, godson of Mary Ann and Charles Domzalski
-Janna Less, Air Force, daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Keith Less, Baghdad. New address:
SrA Janna Less, 732 ESFS/Det 3, APO AE 09378
-Sgt. Jonathan Norton, great-nephew of Marge Carver; deployed for his second tour in Iraq
Stateside:
-Max Garrett, Army, son of Candy Garrett, Ft. Polk, Louisiana, under medical care following
numerous surgeries for injuries received overseas
-ET1SW Chris LaGrange, Navy, an FLS Dad
-S/Sgt. Jimmy Lovett, National Guard,420 Special Forces Group, Birmingham, AL, husband of Erna
Kollmeyer’s granddaughter, Jessica
-Maj. Kurt Mueller, Army, now in the U.S. at Command & General Staff College,
Ft. Leavenworth, KS; grandson of Don & Joan Mueller
-Pvt. James Smith, Camp Pendleton, CA, the Holdefer’s granddaughter’s husband
-Danielle Taylor, PV2 Army, stationed at Ft. Jackson, S.C., granddaughter of Cindy Taylor &
niece of Matt and Rebecca Fordham
-GySgt. Steven Murray, USMC, presently stationed at the Pentagon, son of Marge & Ken Murray
-MMFN Justin R. Holcomb, Navy, grandson of Carol Blue, is now serving stateside
-SPC Nathan Davis, Army, cousin of Ronda Farris
Flowers:
° Three pink roses are placed on the altar by the parents
of Rachel Gangelhoff in celebration of Rachel’s third
birthday on May 2nd.
There are a large number of vacant dates available for flower
arrangements. Sign-up sheets for future floral donations are
available in a binder in the Narthex. Thank you.

Newspaper Ad: Please sign up in the Narthex to

sponsor any available weekend ad expense.
Please call the office by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday to give your floral or newspaper dedication message.

Please submit articles for First Things First by Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
unless prior arrangements have been made.
Please e-mail your article to:
info@flcclearwater.org and call 462-8000 x 1 to be sure it was received. Thank you!
 The Adult Information Class begins this next week on May 4th!
It is specially for all non-members interested in learning about our church, our
theology, and our mission here at First Lutheran. If you are from a non-Lutheran
Church Missouri Synod background, or are a Lutheran and just want to review,
please consider attending the 7-week, fun, fast-paced class on Tuesday
evenings. Materials and resources will be provided at no charge to everyone in
the class. Let the office know if you are able to attend. We would love to have
you join us. Let us know if you need childcare.
Please call the office at 462-8000 x 1.
Classes: 6:30 – 8:00 p. m. Gathering Place (at church) - Tuesdays this Spring
Class 1 May 4 Class 5 June 1
Class 2 May 11 Class 6 June 8
Class 3 May 18 Class 7 June 15
Class 4 May 25 Reception into Membership: June 20

Look! Coming Soon to FLC!

Teacher Appreciation Week Monday – Friday, May 3-9, 2010
Adult Information Class begins – Come! Tuesday, May 4th, 6:30 p.m. Call church office.
Mother’s Day - Youth Flower & Bake Sale Sat., May 9th & Sunday between services
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Every Tuesday at 7:00 a.m.
Pride Civic Association (neighbors) Wednesday, May 5th, Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m.
Annual Fine Arts Festival Thursday, May 5th , 6:30 p.m. CLC
Boy Scouts Court of Honor Tuesday May 11th, 7:00 p.m.
Scout Roundtable Wednesday, May 12th, 7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall
FLS Athletic Banquet Friday, May 14th, 7:00 p.m.
Financial Opportunities in 2010 Saturday, May 15th, 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Thrivent)
Last Small Group/Cottage Meeting
Everyone needs to attend ONE meeting to learn about the state of First Lutheran Church.
If you received First Things First via email on Friday, you could attend this last scheduled meeting:
Saturday, May 1st: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Altar Guild Announcement

For Pentecost, May 23rd, we will have red geraniums on the altar. The cost will be
$5.00 each and the sign-up sheet is in the Narthex (on the Kiosk). The deadline to
purchase the geraniums will be Monday, May 17th. Thank you!

Altar Guild Reminder

There will be a regular monthly meeting of the Altar Guild this Tuesday, May 4th, at
7:00 p.m. in Room 10. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Cross/Peace Display & Sermons
If you are missing any pieces of your Cross/Peace display, please contact Pastor Piering to receive
any needed pieces. Copies of these sermons are also available from Pastor Piering.
RCS – Board Nominations: The nominating committee of the RCS Board of Directors
is seeking recommendations from RCS Member Congregations regarding individuals interested in
serving on the board. The Board of Directors oversees the fiscal health and operations management of
the organization and meets six times each year for approximately two hours. If you are aware of any
qualified individual, please forward their contact information to Ruth Anne Morris, Chair, RCS Board of
Directors, 503 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756. Phone 727-584-3528 x 402
and FAX 727-587-7747.
Morton Plant Mease Pastoral Care Department will offer free training for
lay people and retired clergy to become Volunteer Pastoral Care Visitors at one of our five facilities.
Applicants will receive training from, and service with, board certified chaplains. To obtain an
application and/or to request more information, call (727) 461-8045.

Every other Sunday…

Pre-K 3 - 5th Grade

Next weekend – May 9, 2010

…during the 10:30 a.m. service

Issues…Problems… We all have issues and problems that we face. For some, it is their attitude. For
others, it’s a habit that they can’t seem to break. For many, it is something they have faced their whole life. The goal of this
series is to take on each of those issues and problems and learn how to “Deal With It!” Not just our own way, but the BIBLE
WAY! We need to find out what God has to say about how we should “Deal With It!”

May 9th: Caveman Blues (Depression)

We don’t have to live in depression. God’s joy can be our strength.

Children will enjoy videos, music, puppet skits, illustrated messages, power verse, and games! Children will be escorted to
the gym after the children’s message in the Sanctuary. Parents, please pick them up in the gym after the service.

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Praise Team: Thursday – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday – Warm-up at 5:00 p.m.
Bells: Wednesday – 6:30 p.m.
Adult Choir: Wednesday – 7:30 p.m.

Call Ann Hinz, Worship Director, to join one of these musical praise groups: 727-462-8000 x 104.
 Youth News!
We now need to raise approximately $2,357.06 to cover the remaining cost of the nine
students attending the National Youth Gathering Believe in New Orleans this coming July.
We will continue selling frozen Tawnya Lasagna as take out following all our worship
services. Three sizes are available:
Small (feeds one) - $5.00 Medium (feeds two) - $7.00 Large (feeds six) - $15.00
Chocolate candy bars are still being sold. ☺ See Ann Hinz or a youth to purchase.

Look for More Fun Fundraisers

May 9th – Mother’s Day Breakfast - Sunday between services - Next Weekend!
Anyone interested in a rummage sale???? Thank you for your continued support!!

Youth Basketball!
Youth Basketball continues through May 22nd. The cost is only $5 per week. Games
start at 9:00 a.m. New players should plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Wear a gray or
black t-shirt. Please call Melvin Maciolek with questions at: 449-9185.

Visitor Corner
Welcome to all who come here to worship our LORD. Another voice in praise of Him is a wonderful
blessing. We are so glad you have come. To show our appreciation we would like you to stop by our visitor
center, located in the narthex, where you will find gift bags. Please take one.
Please introduce yourself to Pastor and perhaps to others you may notice just hanging around after the
worship service has concluded. We sometimes get so caught up in our excitement at seeing friends for the first
time in the past week that we forget to lookout for YOU! Thank you for joining us today, and please, thank
our Lord for his free gift of grace.

Last Week’s Attendance: April 24-25, 2010

Saturday: 6:30 pm: 57 Sunday: 8:00 am: 40 10:30 am: 129
Sunday School: 8 Bible Class: 58
Church Offering – Unrestricted - Fiscal Year – Week 38 (April 24-25, 2010)*
Budgeted Weekly Income: ....................................................................................................................$10,858.00
Received This Week:....................................................................................................................................5,316.00
Budgeted Year-to-Date:.........................................................................................................................423,462.00
Received Year-to-Date: .........................................................................................................................284,034.76
*Previously used Budgeted Weekly Income figure of $7012 has been
adjusted to reflect change due to non-receipt of expected $200,000 gift.
 Greetings from the
National Day of Prayer Task Force!
Once again, our team is gearing up for our annual National Day
of Prayer event in Washington, D.C., where we’ll join with
government leaders and people from around the country to lift our
needs and concerns for America before the Lord. Also, our dedicated
volunteer coordinators are preparing for thousands of local
gatherings that will take place on Thursday, May 6, 2010.

Now, more than ever before, I believe it is imperative that we as God’s

people remain on our knees for our nation and fellow citizens. The
critical challenges facing the United States and the culture at large
call for faithful, persevering intercession – not only on the National
Day of Prayer, but throughout the year.

Scripture provides abundant evidence that the Lord is attentive to our

cries and that He moves powerfully in response to the fervent and
contrite prayers of His children. As Martin Luther once said, “Prayer
is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His
willingness.” What comfort and encouragement we can have in the
assurance that our sovereign God is listening to our pleas, that He
waits to intervene on our behalf, and that He is “mighty to save”
(Zephaniah 3:17). With those wonderful truths in mind, I urge you to
join with us on May 6th as, in keeping with our theme, “For Such a
Time As This,” millions assemble in venues across this land to raise
their petitions heavenward. For information about the locations of
various observances being planned, please visit
www.NationalDayofPrayer.org.

May we continue to seek the Lord’s guidance and protection during

these crucial days that will impact the direction of our country for
generations to come. God bless you – and God bless America!

Sincerely,

Mrs. James C. Dobson (Shirley)

Chairman, National Day of Prayer Task Force

Are you really here?

Members, please “sign in”, so we know if you are active or inactive. Envelope donations ARE NOT used to
record attendance. Please help us by signing in on a blue card for each worship service that you attend; IF
YOU ARE A MEMBER, we only need your name(s) and the date – as a member, you don’t have to fill in the
address, phone number, etc UNLESS THIS INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. All visitors please fill in the
card in full. Thank you.
School News - By Principal, Elaine Popp
Mission Statement:
First Lutheran School exists to proclaim the Gospel as we teach academic skills and Christian values,
establishing a strong foundation for a child to live a successful, positive, and Christ-centered life.

On Monday, our 8th graders enjoyed a special field trip. They went to Clearwater High School to see
the production of the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. What made this performance special was
that Haden Leass, an FLS graduate and the son of Mrs. McDougall, our 8th grade teacher, is a member of
the cast. Also in the cast were Emma and Nathan Barrow who are also former FLS students and the
children of Micki Barrow, our art teacher. The 8th graders all had a great time and said the play was
awesome.
We are having special chapel services in the next two weeks and you are all invited. On Thursday,
th
May 6 , the National Day of Prayer, we will begin at the flag pole at 8:05 a.m. for pledges and then,
immediately go to chapel for a special prayer service led by Pastor Piering. Then, on Thursday, May
13th, at 8:05, we will have a special Ascension Day service. Following the chapel service, the students
will be releasing helium balloons with a special card attached. The card will have our address and
contact information. It will be interesting to see how far our balloons travel. I hope many of you will be
able to attend these special chapel services.
On Thursday evening, we had our last Parents’ Meeting of the school year. It is so important to get
input from our parents to help us continually evaluate our programs and strive for excellence.

The Annual Fine Arts Festival is next Thursday, May 6, Students will be performing and …well, come and see!!!!
The Festival will be held in the Christian Life Center’s Gym and begins at 6:30 p.m.

`Éà{xÜËá Wtç is next Sunday, May 9th.

A special fund-raiser to support the youth of the church is coming next
weekend! We will sponsor a Mother’s Day Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall
between services. All monies received will go toward funding the youth
who are attending Youth Gathering in July. Thank you for your support!
 Christian Care Giving – a Way of Life
A new opportunity for Christian care giving will begin very soon at Faith Lutheran in
Dunedin. Anyone who is interested in learning a little more about relating to those
in need, whether in the hospital, nursing facilities, or even in the home, please
contact Dan Snook at 727-797-7233. We will begin these daytime classes very
soon, so do not delay. Pray about this opportunity and then if you think this might
be for you, please call Dan.

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To Do List
Please Mom for Mother’s Day

Save money, too (Bath & Body Coupon)

Help support our School

Don’t cook on May 9! (if I’m Mom)

Right in time for Mom’s Day, Bath & Body Works is increasing its contribution to
18%. Each of our cards are $10 and be sure to ask for the $10 off coupon (works
with a $30 purchase).
Come see all that we have for Moms and teachers.
PTL will be selling next Wednesday a.m. in front of the school for teacher appreciation week.
Or, you can pick up a card anytime in the school office or at the church services.
We're looking for volunteers to sell cards from time to time after Saturday evening services.
They can contact Marge Murray, 584-8701, or Nancy Seltzer.
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“We are not our own, any more than what we possess is our own. We did not make
ourselves; we cannot be supreme over ourselves. We cannot be our own masters.
We are God's property by creation, by redemption, by regeneration.”
John Henry Newman
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21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21
Only those who are poor in spirit and rich toward God shall be accounted worthy to enter heaven, because
they come not in their own merit, but in the righteousness of the Redeemer. Where is your treasure?
In the bank? In the driveway? In the mirror? Or are you storing up your treasure in heaven?

Sunday 2nd WORSHIP .................................................................................................8:00 a.m.

Sunday School & Bible Studies.................................................................9:15 a.m.
WORSHIP ...............................................................................................10:30 a.m.
Monday Teacher Appreciation Week!
Wee Dance ………………………..Fellowship Hall....................................5:45 p.m.
Basketball League Practice…………..CLC ...............................................6:30 p.m.
Cub Scouts………………….Fellowship Hall and campus ........................7:00 p.m.
Board of Elders…………………..Gathering Place ....................................7:00 p.m.
Tuesday Men’s Prayer Breakfast………….Fellowship Hall .....................................7:00 a.m.
Worker Bees………………..........Fellowship Hall......................................8:00 a.m.
TangSooDo …………………...............CLC…….. ............................... …..5:00 p.m.
Girl Scout Troop #823 ….Fine Arts Room & School Library.....................6:00 p.m.
Altar Guild Meeting…………………..Room 10..........................................7:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts …………………….…Outside / CLC .......................................7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Adult Bible Study…………………….Room 10 ..........................................9:45 a.m.
The Pinochle Group ………………...Room 10 ..........................................1:00 p.m.
Prayer Shawl Ministry.................……Library ............................................4:00 p.m.
Pride Civic Association (neighbors)…Fellowship Hall ..................................6:00 p.m.
Bell Practice......................... ……Church Balcony ....................................6:30 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice............. ……Church Balcony ....................................7:30 p.m.
Thursday Brunch & Bunco…………..Georgie Boy’s Restaurant ............................10:45 a.m.
Wee Dance Aftercare………………Pre-School ........................................2:45 p.m.
TangSooDo …..………………CANCELLED TONIGHT
Annual Fine Arts Festival……………..CLC ...............................................6:30 p.m.
Basketball League Practice…CANCELLED TONIGHT
Praise Team …..…………………….Sanctuary .........................................7:30 p.m.
Friday TangSooDo………………………..Fellowship Hall ....................................6:00 p.m.
Saturday 8th Boot Camp Workout………………..Soccer Field .....................................8:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Youth Basketball League – CLC........................................9:00 a.m.
OE Serenity…………………………..Room 10 ........................................10:30 a.m.
Praise Team Warm-Up........ .....................................................................5:30 p.m.
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP .................................................................6:30 p.m.
Sunday 9th Mother’s Day
WORSHIP .................................................................................................8:00 a.m.
Sunday School & Bible Studies are Cancelled for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day Breakfast between services
Youth Flower & Bake Sale after services
WORSHIP & Children’s’ Church – “DEAL WITH IT!”… ..........................10:30 a.m.