T H E I M M A N U E L I T E

First Immanuel Lutheran Church 1816 NW Irving Street, Portland, Oregon 97209

“A Welcoming Community Centered in Christ’s Love,

Joyfully Reaching Out Together”

August 2019 published monthly Vol. 30 No. 8

Dear partners in Christ,

Usually summertime is much quieter than the rest of

the year. Choir, Sunday School and Adult Forum are all

taking a much-deserved break. Families—including

our own—take time away for vacation. Church Council

even takes a break during July, enjoying fellowship

and a BBQ instead of a regular business meeting. But

this year is different. First Immanuel has been a hive

of activity.

Congregational leaders have been evaluating bids

for replacing the roof on Sodergren Hall. After years of

patching leaks in order to postpone the big expense of

a new roof, it became clear that action was needed

now. Fortunately, the bequest from Waldo and Ellen

Johnson will allow us to move ahead with this big (and

costly) project. Members of Property Committee and

Church Council have been reviewing multiple options

in order to select the best and most cost-effective

solution. Be sure to attend the congregational

meeting on August 4 to approve the contract!

Members of the Choir, Bell Choir and Council,

together with a friend of the congregation, have been

redecorating the Assembly Room in Sodergren Hall.

What was a dingy, unattractive room filled with junk is

now becoming a beautiful multipurpose room for

meetings, choir rehearsals, Sunday School openings

and more. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in

the effort—from planning through completion—to

make our space an even more booming ministry

center!

At our May Leadership Retreat, we identified

facilitating difficult conversations without divisiveness

as an important way we can grow our Christian

witness to the inclusive love of God. A number of

members who attended the Leadership Retreat have

been meeting to work on a congregation-wide

initiative to learn about race and racism. By learning

about one of the most powerful, painful and confusing

forces in American society, we hope to expand our

capacity to serve God’s desire to bring healing to the

human family.

In addition, we had a great week of Vacation Bible

School in June, the Property Development Task Force

has begun meeting with an interfaith Affordable

Housing Cohort, and Church Council has been

deepening our relationship with Rose Haven. There

are also neighborhood outreach activities, a

congregational BBQ at the Wildes’ home, and a “Pack

and Pint” service event with Lift Urban Portland. And,

of course, we’ve gathered each week as the

community of Jesus to pray and sing our praise to

God, and to receive God’s gifts through the Word and

Holy Communion.

As you can tell, there’s a lot going on at First

Immanuel this summer. We are a lively community

whose hands are always ready to serve God’s

compassionate and life-giving purposes.

Wishing you a blessed (and lively) summer!

Pastor Aaron

Notice of Congregational Meeting re:

Sodergren Roof—

Sunday, August 4, after worship

Members, please plan to attend a brief

congregational meeting to be held in the

sanctuary on Sunday, August 4, immediately after

worship. The one item of business will be a

proposal to approve funding and contract for

replacing the roof of Sodergren Hall.

Loving our Homeless Neighbors

A series by FILC members to help everyone better

understand our neighbors’ experience and how we

may assist.

REFLECTIONS OF MY SERVICE AT ROSE HAVEN

As a volunteer at Rose

Haven I have had

numerous opportunities

to assist and advocate for

the underserved.

Whether it is serving a

homecooked meal,

helping a guest find an appropriate outfit for a court

date, giving a manicure, or actively listening to a

person as they share their life story, my experiences

have enhanced my understanding of the

intersectionality of housing insecurity, addiction,

mental illness, and physical abuse.

In the beginning, my work at Rose Haven left me

with unsettled feelings. Witnessing individuals in crisis

firsthand was difficult at first—a reflection of my own

privilege and my lack of exposure to people less

fortunate than me. But it didn’t take long for my

feelings of discomfort to fade. Through my

interactions with the women and children at the day

shelter, I gained a deeper understanding about the

challenges they face 24 hours a day.

I have been fortunate to form meaningful

relationships with the people I am inspired to serve.

One individual I formed a close relationship with was

an immigrant who told me about her struggle with

rheumatoid arthritis and heroin addiction. Due to a

language barrier, she had difficulty obtaining medical

treatment and was unaware that she was eligible for

healthcare services. I took the initiative to contact an

Oregon Health Plan representative on her behalf, and

I learned everything I could about the application

process and available resources—information I shared

with her and several other women. As a result, they all

received valuable knowledge that enabled them to get

the medical care they needed. This experience taught

me that barriers to healthcare can be surmounted

through advocacy.

I feel it is an honor and a privilege to work at Rose

Haven as a volunteer. I love working with the staff and

other volunteers. Everyone is steadfast in their

commitment to making a difference in the lives of the

women and children we serve.

—Madeleine Stack

The Bell Choir at FILC

The Hand Bells were first

introduced to FILC in

1987 to add more

musical options to our

worship services. Over

the years they have

provided us with a

unique and beautiful sound for traditional

arrangements we’ve all grown familiar with. A lot of

congregation members have been ringers over the

years, such as Vivian Anderson, Betty Quanstrom,

Gary Nelson, and my parents, Howard and Shirley

Rasmussen. I became involved a few years back, after

being asked to fill in, as there was a shortage of

ringers. Ever since then, I’ve become hooked—I enjoy

being a member of the choir community and learning

to read music again.

Our choir director Ralph Nelson and organist Karl

Jurisons are very knowledgeable and patient teachers,

working with beginners to experienced ringers. In

2014 we purchased an additional octave of bells and a

full set of chimes, which have broadened our music

options, challenging the choir to perform more

advanced pieces. The chimes have also given Ralph

more instruments for teaching the children.

I have really enjoyed my time and feel blessed to

be in the bell choir and learning to play music again. It

brings me peace of mind, a break from the stresses

life, and a connection with God. We are always

looking for more ringers to join our choir group, even

if you’re new to playing music. We invite anyone to

join us and have fun.

—Calvin Rasmussen, Worship & Music Committee

Choir and Bell Choir rehearsals start

Thursday, Sept. 5—New members welcome!

It’s not too early to start

thinking about the fall—and if

you’re interested in singing or

ringing, I’d love to talk to you.

We’re always happy to

welcome new members to our

bell choir and vocal choir.

Rehearsals start Thursday, Sept. 5, take place in the

sanctuary, and continue through the school year: Bell

Choir from 6-7 p.m., and Vocal Choir from 7-8:30 p.m.

Please feel free to come and check us out!

—Ralph Nelson, Choir Director

Neighborhood Outreach! at NW Portland’s

Thursday Block Parties

Evenings of August 8 & September 12

Lots of new folks are moving into NW Portland—

let’s introduce ourselves! Join FILC outreach team

members at neighborhood parties on August 8 and

September 12. We’ll host a “Neighbors Helping

Neighbors” table with information about our church,

Lift Urban Portland, and Rose Haven. It’s all part of the

Thursday Block Parties sponsored by Fleet Feet

running store, featuring a scavenger hunt fun run,

then a party for mingling and fun

(www.fleetfeet.com/s/pdx/thursdayblockparty).

When: 5 p.m. set up, 5:30 to 8 p.m. tabling—come

for part or all

Where: Corner of NW 22nd and NW Raleigh near

Breakside Brewery

How: Contact Rachel Dietz to say you’ll come!

(rkrueger525@gmail.com)

Summer BBQ! Saturday, August 10

You’re invited to a potluck

BBQ at the home of Anna

and Brian Wilde in

Vancouver on Saturday,

August 10, at 5 p.m. We’ll

have burgers, hot dogs, and

lemonade. If your last name

begins with A-M, please bring a side dish; if it’s N-Z,

please bring a dessert. Contact Anna Wilde

(annapwilde@gmail.com, 503-440-7359) to RSVP.

Hope to see you there!

Forum takes a summer break

This summer the Forum will not be

meeting—watch for our startup on

Rally Day, Sunday, Sept. 8.

“End of Summer” Choir, Aug. 25 & Sept. 1

Calling all singers, ages 8 to 108!

You’re invited to join the “end

of summer” choir on Aug. 25

and Sept. 1. Just come to church

at 9:15 AM to learn the songs—

both can be learned in about 20 minutes. Then sit in

the congregation, and come up front at the “special

music” time. On Sunday, Aug. 25, we’ll sing “You Are

Mine.” On Sept. 1, we’ll sing “We Are Marching”—also

known as Siyahamba (ELW 866) which our 3rd grade-

and-up kids know very well—I encourage them to

come up and sing with us! Questions? Call me: Ralph

Nelson, 503-284-3581.

Save the Date! RALLY DAY & CHURCH PICNIC,

Sunday, September 8

Mark your calendar! First

Immanuel is planning for Rally Day

and the beginning of a new Sunday

School year on Sunday, September

8 at 9:45 a.m. Children will gather

in our newly redecorated

Assembly Room in Sodergren Hall

to sing with Ralph Nelson, then go

outside for fun and games. After worship, come join

our annual Congregation Picnic. We’ll provide hotdogs

and hamburgers, with chips, trimmings and such. You

provide the fun and conversation! See you there!

FILC BOOK GROUP Sunday, September 22, 6:30 p.m.

at the home of Jim and Judy Wick (Lake Oswego)

Join us for stimulating conversation and great dessert.

To RSVP and get directions: wickjames2@gmail.com,

judywick@gmail.com, 503-989-4652)

September selection: Becoming by Michelle Obama

In a life filled with meaning and

accomplishment, Michelle Obama

has emerged as one of the most

iconic and compelling women of

our era. In her bestselling memoir

she chronicles the experiences that

have shaped her—from her

childhood on the South Side of

Chicago to her years as an executive

balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to

her time spent at the world’s most famous address.

Endowment Grants in 2019

Our Endowment

Committee will award

grants totaling $12,600 this

fall to fund your ideas for

serving God and our

neighbors. $8,000 will be

available from the FILC

Endowment Fund,

designated for evangelism

outreach, social ministry outreach, and building

improvements. $4,600 will be available from the Doris

Palmblad World Missions Endowment Fund,

designated for ministry and service activities outside

the United States.

We invite our members and ministry groups to

actively pray, plan ahead, and talk together about

creative and faithful ways to use these funds. One-

page grant applications and instructions are available

in the church office and on the FILC website. Please

note that applications must be presented to a First

Immanuel sponsoring committee by September 1 to

be reviewed and approved for consideration. The

grants will vary in size, and will be awarded in

November. Please speak with an Endowment

Committee member to learn more about the process.

—Your FILC Endowment Committee:

Emily Traetow, Bobbi Varnes, Judy Wick,

Chris Wiens, and Pastor Aaron Couch

Check out our new chart for Coffee Hour!

Sign up to: 1) bring goodies,

2) serve goodies, or 3) both

Everyone loves a snack and

some friendly conversation

after worship on Sunday. Now

there’s a new way to keep the

friendship flowing. Some

people love to bake but are

not able to serve in the kitchen

due to worship

responsibilities. Others enjoy

being kitchen helpers but do

not wish to bake or shop. The new chart makes room

for both and all. Special thanks to Leslie Wong and

Bonny Groshong for inventing this handy new tool!

Take a look next time you’re in Fellowship Hall—and

don’t forget to add your name.

There is no fear in love,

but perfect love casts

out fear. For fear has

to do with punishment,

and the one who fears

is not perfected in love.

(1 John 4:18)

Our relationship with

God is not founded in

fear, but in love.

Because God loves us first, forgives and accepts us

unconditionally, we can be bold and courageous in so

many areas of life. We can boldly speak up for what is

right and just, we can serve compassionately, and we

can boldly share what we have been given. We ask

God to center us not in anxiety or worry—but in

perfect love, because the everlasting love of God is

the source of all joy and all generosity. Thank you for

sharing your loving gifts of money, time, and talent for

Christ’s work through First Immanuel!

Thank you to Betty Quanstrom!

First Immanuel has

received a very

generous bequest

from the estate of

Betty Quanstrom, a

gift of $25,000,

designated for the

Organ Restoration Fund. This is a profoundly timely

gift, as the Worship and Music Committee has been

discussing how to raise money to replace the organ’s

old and unreliable capture system, the electrical relay

that controls how the organ sounds. A new solid-state

system is estimated to cost $30,000 to $35,000. Thank

you, Betty!

CABIN CAMPING TRIP AT

SILVER FALLS STATE PARK, August 14-18

As of this writing, our ten cabins

at Silver Falls State Park are full of

eager FILC campers. We’re

looking forward to a great time of

fellowship and enjoying God’s

creation together. If you’d like to claim a place on the

waiting list in case of a cancellation, contact Marja

Selmann (marja_selmann@comcast.net).

—FILC Congregational Life Committee

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS HEALTHY FOODS

Did you know that

30% of food boxes

are customized to

meet the dietary

restrictions of

residents? Often

these items are

scarce. Why not

take this list of

most wanted items with you to the grocery store:

• Low sodium foods (soups, canned veggies,

prepared foods – under 140 mg sodium)

• Low/no sugar added foods (canned fruit,

breakfast items, snacks)

• Gluten-free foods (pasta, breakfast items, snacks)

• Nut butters

• Canned tuna or meat

• Canned beans

• Brown rice and grains

• Cans or cartons of soup

• Breakfast items

• Cash donations are also welcome...$5 = 15 meals!

Pack & Pints event a huge success

Thanks to this hearty crew, a lot more folks can count

on getting a healthy food box soon. L-R: Brian and Aya

Wilde, Rachel and Dan Dietz, Tori Hiller, Melissa

Lathen-Bennett, Skipper Bessette, Anna Wilde, Bobbi

Varnes, Sadie Wilde, Pastor Melinda. Way to go, team

FILC!

FOLLOW THE ELCA ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Do you follow the ELCA on social media? Keep

informed with church news, events, pictures and

videos across many platforms. Find us on:

Facebook: Facebook.com/Lutherans

Twitter: @ELCA on Twitter

Instagram: @ELCA on Instagram

YouTube: YouTube.com/ELCA

Join the online community of Lutherans!

Are you receiving our Weekly Word E-news?

FILC’s Weekly Word e-news is

a brief message with updates,

event reminders, and a

scriptural reflection for the

upcoming Sunday. It’s

emailed, usually on Thursdays.

Sign up at www.firstimmanuelluth.org, or contact the

church office.

First Immanuel on Facebook

Here’s one more great way

to stay in touch. We’re set

up with a fan page on

www.facebook.com. Just

search First Immanuel

Lutheran Church. Just “like”

our page and you’ll be in

the loop for daily Bible discussions and other event

notifications. You can even find our daily Bible

passages listed in the “notes” section.

Podcasting from First Immanuel We’re reaching out with good

news in a whole new way.

Thanks to a grant from the

Oregon Synod Endowment

Fund, we are able to digitally

record the Sunday sermons and

make them available for download on our website.

Check us out at www.firstimmanuelluth.org. Printed

sermons are also available at the ushers’ table each

Sunday. Please take one to help you follow along in

worship, share with a friend, or remember a helpful

thought.

1: Emily Olson 29: Katie Bull

2: Ryan Traetow 30: Bill Stack

4: Ronald Cochran Owen Selmann Frost

August Matthias

Pearl Matthias

5: George Noble 7: Jim & Sharon Seafeldt

6: Helen Johnston 9: Minnie & Ron Quiring

9: Parker Bessette 12: Lynn & Mike Akerman

15: Tom Hardy Tammy & Tom VanDeGrift

18: Gladys Albin-Grace 13: Dan & Rachel Dietz

21: Elizabeth Phillips 14: Ginger & Gunnar Adamovics

22: Mark Madrid Ralph & Susan Nelson

23: Lisa Belt 15: Deb Frost & Marja Selmann

Shirley Hardy Bruce & Elaine Graves

24: Edwin Rourk 18: Andrew & Judi Drexler

25: Anthony Larson 23: Shirley & Tom Hardy

Karen Rasmussen 28: James & Kathy Bash

Myrna Wierson 29: Anna & Brian Wilde

Don’t see your special day? Contact Debbie (503/226-3659,

debbie@firstimmanuellth.org) with your details!

Good news on parking for Timbers Games—

no Sunday morning games till September!

Plan ahead for days when the Timbers play at

Providence Park. Times and dates for home games

this month include: Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 PM;

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 8 PM; Sunday, Aug. 18, 7 PM;

Friday, Aug. 23, 7 PM; and Saturday, Aug. 31, 7:30 PM.

You know you need a nametag when… • A senior moment strikes just as you reach to shake

a hand

• You’re having trouble telling Joan from Joyce

• You’d like to introduce yourself but are too shy to

ask a neighbor’s name

• You’re new to church and everyone is new to you

• You’re looking for a friend in Christ

None of us needs a nametag to remember our own

name (we hope!) but we wear them to help others get

to know us, and help our community continue to be a

warm and friendly place to newcomers. If you need a

new one, please sign the sheet inside the front door of

church. This Sunday, why not clip yours on and make a

new friend?

Your Outreach Committee

PARKING OPTIONS AT FIRST IMMANUEL

FREE ON-STREET PARKING ON SUNDAYS

Meters do not operate except during Timbers home

matches. (On these rare Sundays, see usher for

parking pass or use designated lots, being sure to

display church sticker.) Also consider ZONE K, to the

west of church, where 2-hour parking is not metered.

PARKING LOTS AVAILABLE FOR CHURCH ACTIVITIES

• Main Church Lot, enter on 19th (limited, 7 spaces)

Available daily, reserved Sunday morning for those

with limited mobility

• Mesher Tools (17th & Johnson, keep doors

clear) Sunday morning, Thursday evening — display

FILC parking sticker

• Miller Paint (17th & Kearney) Sunday morning,

Thursday evening

• Chown Hardware employee lot (gravel lot behind

Mission Theater, enter from 17th south of

Glisan) Sunday morning

• Chown Hardware customer parking (front of store,

16th & Flanders) Thursday evening only, 6-9 p.m.

• Kilmer Voorhees & Laurick Law Firm (19th &

Johnson) Sunday morning, limited mobility only —

requires FILC parking sticker

• Parking Maps are available in the church entrance

and from Parking Task Force members.

FILC PARKING STICKERS are

available from church office or

Parking Task Force members;

donations gladly accepted.

Displaying a sticker in your back

window reassures our generous

neighborhood parking lot owners

and helps preserve our privileges.

STILL MORE GREAT WAYS TO GET TO CHURCH

• STREETCAR: NW 18th & Lovejoy (closest stop). Visit

portlandstreetcar.org for schedules.

• BUS: New #24 runs on NW 18th & 19th. Bus #77

stops at NW 19th & Glisan. Visit trimet.org for

schedules.

• BIKE PARKING AVAILABLE TOO.

FIRST IMMANUEL CORE VALUES

Spiritual Life ���� Friendly Community ���� Acceptance & Diversity ���� Tradition & Heritage ����

Music & Worship ���� Growing in Faith ���� Family Focus ���� Serving & Volunteering

August 2019 at First Immanuel Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Knit

1 PM RH Bloom

1:30 PM RH Training

5:30 PM Food Pantry

6 PM ACOA

2 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Bloom

12 PM Food Pantry

3

4 10 AM Worship

11 AM Coffee Hr.

12 PM Brief Congregational Meeting

12:30 PM Con-gregational Life Committee

8 PM AA

5 8:30 AM Showers

1 PM RH Bloom

6 8:30 AM Showers

9 AM RH Beading

9 AM Lift UP Dev. Committee

12 PM Food Pantry

1 PM RH Bloom

2 PM RH Sewing

6 PM Executive Committee

7 12 PM Property Committee

12:30 PM RH

Showers

1:30 PM RH Yoga

8 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Knit

1 PM RH Bloom

1 PM RH/Lift UP Meeting

5 PM Neighbor-hood Block Party

5:30 PM Food Pantry

6 PM ACOA

9 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Bloom

12 PM Food Pantry

12 PM Lift UP Clients Meeting

10 5 PM Summer BBQ @ the Wildes’ home, Vancouver WA

11 10 AM Worship

11 AM Coffee Hr.

8 PM AA

12 8:30 AM Showers

13 8:30 AM Showers

9 AM RH Beading

10 AM RH Training

12 PM Pantry

1 PM RH Bloom

2 PM RH Sewing

6 PM Council

14 8:30 AM Lift UP Harvest Share

12:30 PM RH

Showers

1:30 PM RH Yoga

FILC Camping Trip @ Silver

Falls State Park

15 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Knit

1 PM RH Bloom

5:30 PM Food Pantry

6 PM ACOA

FILC Camping Trip @ Silver

Falls State Park

16 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Bloom 12 PM Food Pantry

FILC Camping Trip @ Silver

Falls State Park

17

FILC Camping Trip @ Silver

Falls State Park

18 10 AM Worship

11 AM Coffee Hr.

8 PM AA

FILC Camping Trip @ Silver

Falls State Park

19 8:30 AM Showers

1 PM RH Bloom

20 8:30 AM Showers

9 AM RH Beading

12 PM Food Pantry

1 PM RH Bloom

2 PM RH Sewing

21 12:30 PM RH

Showers

1:30 PM RH Yoga

6 PM Worship & Music Committee

22 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Knit

1 PM RH Bloom

5:30 PM Food Pantry

6 PM ACOA

23 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Bloom

12 PM Food Pantry

24

25 10 AM Worship

11 AM Coffee Hr.

8 PM AA

26 8:30 AM Showers

1 PM RH Bloom

27 9 AM RH Beading

11:30 AM RH Training

12 PM Pantry

1 PM RH Bloom

2 PM RH Sewing

28 1:30 PM RH Yoga

29 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Knit

1 PM RH Bloom

5:30 PM Food Pantry

6 PM ACOA

30 8:30 AM Showers

10 AM RH Bloom

12 PM Food Pantry

1:30 PM RH Training

31