The First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waltham July/August 2017 The Rev. Thomas E. Maehl, Pastor 781-893-6563 www.firstlutheranwaltham.org tmaehl@rcn.com

The Messenger A newsletter of the people of First Lutheran Church, Waltham

September Calendar

Sept. 3: Welcome & Welcome Back On this Sunday we welcome back Cynthia Niiler from her three month sabbatical, and we welcome Vicar John Barton our new student intern who will be working with us for the next year. Worship at 9:30 am!

Sept. 10: Return to Fall Schedule

We return to our regular schedule with wor-ship at 8:15 and 10:30 am; (one service at 9:30 am on the last Sunday of the month). Also our Sunday educational offerings begin on this day with classes at 9:15 am (excepting the last Sunday of the month). We offer Sunday school classes for: pre-K through kindergarten, 1st-3rd grades, and 4th–6th grades. Also, Pastor Maehl will begin a two-year confirmation program for youth in 7th grade and older, and Vicar John Barton will be leading an adult Forum.

Sept. 10: God’s Work Our Hands On this weekend, ELCA congregations all over the U.S. will be engaging in communi-ty service. On this Sunday there will be ser-vice opportunities after worship organized by the Justice and Service team. More de-tails to come soon.

Sept. 24: Last Sunday of the Month There will be one worship service at 9:30 am. Following there will be a brief time where we will be invited to share in some church cleaning tasks (dusting, polishing, washing windows, etc.). Following, there will be a church picnic in the yard between the Maehl and Nederhoff homes (1 Leslie Road, Waltham). All are welcome.

I write with a great sense of gratitude. God has been providing for our community, in and through so many of you, in blessed ways. Some of those ways are measureable: with over $61,000 toward our furnace appeal in just over one month! Thanks be to God. So too, if you turn to page 3 you can read how there were 95 children and youth in our

VBS program with a tremendous number (you can count them) of adult leaders and helpers. Such blessings! At the same time, there are other blessings from God that are not countable. On Sunday night, July 30, at a memorial service for Bill Kalke, we heard one of his daughters tell a story most of us did not know. She said that Bill moved to Waltham four years ago with the prognosis that he had less than one year to live. At that time, he was losing his nearly 40 year battle with Type 1 Diabetes, having been hospitalized several times in the past year. Also, his wife had recently died and as she had been the “social one” of the two, it was unexpected that he would end up with friends or any community outside of his immediate family. Bill’s daughter then went on to say that he lived four “good” years in large part because of two things: great medical care and the wonderful community he found at First Lutheran Church. “First Lutheran was a enormous blessing in his life,” she said. Of course, he was a great blessing to us too; but not because of his VBS leadership, he didn’t participate; nor because of large financial contributions, he was a man of simple means. No, Bill was a great blessing to us simply by his presence. Present in worship, he took communion in the pews, offering an unspo-ken invitation to others who might feel more self-conscious about doing the same. He sang in the choir, sitting for anthems when everyone else stood, sending the tacit message that all are welcome. He was present in Bible studies where he spoke his mind, giving witness to the truth that in the community of faith we don’t all have to think alike. His gift was his presence; and therefore, so is yours. Your presence among us matters! Come as you are, bring yourself to the community of faith where Christ is present with us; at times challenging us, always blessing , knitting us together with others in immeasurable ways. Christ present with us, in community, the ground of a “good life.”. Faithfully, Pastor Maehl

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Early Arrival Activities: LuAnn Kimker

Morning Office Help: Ardeith Froeberg

T-Shirts: Helen Yarbrough

Tent Wranglers, Lawn, and Fencing: Paul Pintus, Steve and Nick Hoff Prakash, Inpakala, Kayali, and Eegan Pandian, Sammy Kalisa, Jason Felsh, Eben Rauhut, Ted Sjodin, Scott Niemann, Peter Pinch, Marty Dugan

Scenery: Erika Jerram

Set Up/Decorating:

BBQ Provisions: Jennifer Lambert

Snack Provisions: Carol Hansen

Popsicles: Jessica Mailman

BBQ Set up and Grill Scott Niemann Mary Pratt Members of Korean Hope Church

Afternoon Activity Leaders: Katie Maehl Penny Alexander Kat Flinner Heather Fahey Inpakala Pandian Marquette Alexander Susan Pintus Paul Pintus

Ice Donation: Frank Raymond

Pizza Donation: Café Angelinos

Youth Helpers: Elizabeth Allen Luna Barazi Sally Ann Biter Madeleine Ekmekjian Nick Hoff Daniel Lee Julia Niemann Maggie Niemann Malik Henderson Holly Gonzalez James Ontiveros Emily Sjodin Kayali Pandian Samuel Song Cynthia Vallejos Brandon Zuniga Jackie Zuniga Jomi Lebron

We had a great week at VBS with 77 kids, 18 youth leaders, and many, many adult helpers.

Thank you to all who helped make this week a success. We have listed here those involved with many of the roles, but there

are many more little jobs that others helped with as well. So thank you all.

Morning Director: Holly Diaz

Registrar: Anne Dugan

Afternoon Director: Kat Flinner Inpakala Pandian

Youth Director: Pastor Maehl

Opening/Closing: Pastor Maehl Katie Maehl

Crafts: Karin Conrad Cat Niemann Erin Murphy

Science: Kat Flinner Jane Sieving

Games: Sammy Kalisa Emily Sjodin

Music: Becky Wilson

Storytelling: Bristol Huffman Heather Fahey Heather Habinowski Padre Angel Marrero

Pre-school 1 Leaders Jiyoung Yoo Sarah Rauhut

Preschool 2 Leaders: Hannah Kimker Donna Fils Aimee

Kindergarten Penny Alexander

First Grade: Paul Pintus

Second Grade: Katie Maehl

Third Grade: Alex Clark

4th/5th Grade: Marty Pelham Kathryn McCowan

Snack: Doris Speer Susan Pintus

Lunch: Anna Maria Santiago

Monday Greeters: Meg Maehl Britta McNemar

Nurturing Faith

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A Meal Out Chateau Restaurant

Wednesday, August 9, 7:00 pm

Over the summer, a group has met twice to share a meal and conversation at a local restaurant. You are invited to join the group for another meal on August 9 at the Chateau Restaurant, 195 School Street, Wal-tham. If you are interested in joining in, please speak with Susan and Paul Pintus or email pandspin-tus@gmail.com. All are welcome.

Welcoming our New Intern

Vicar John Barton, our new intern, will be arriving in mid-August and will be starting his work among us on Tuesday, August 29. He is moving into an apartment on Nathan Road, very near the church, that has recently been vacated by Michelle Land-strom. There are still a few things that are needed to help furnish the apartment, and as part of our wel-come we plan on stocking the pantry in his kitch-en. If there is something you'd like to contribute, please use Sign Up Genius http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44a9ad2da7fa7-welcome1. Items can be left at the church; please bring items by August 9.

Thanks, the Intern Committee

Food Pantry Donations

Some of our neighbors have been using our food pantry, and it is now bare. We welcome donations of non-perishable food (pasta, sauce, rice, beans, soup, etc.). Items can be left in the Pearson Room.

Pastor’s Vacation Schedule

Pastor Maehl will be away August 7 - 21. We wel-come Pastor Ángel Marrero who will be leading worship on August 13 and 20. Also, we give thanks for Catherine Pinch who will be playing the piano during worship August 13-27.

Doing Justice, Serving Others

Property Committee Update

Furnace Appeal: Our thanks to all who made pledges and contributions to the Furnace appeal. To date we have received gifts and pledges total-ing $21,881. This along with the initial $20,000 gift from the Jahrling family and a $20,000 match-ing gift from the Frail family has blessed us with $61,881. The property committee continues to meet with potential contractors for the work; most of whom are booked for this calendar year. Thus, we still are uncertain whether the work will be per-formed this year or next. Tower Doors: We expect the installation of the new tower towers to take place in late August or early September. Sound System: We received a quote of $16,146 for an entire overhaul of our sound system. To date, we have $4,000 contributed toward this pro-ject and will be seeking to determine whether we can do a portion of the suggested upgrades this year, leaving the remaining for the future. Parsonage Bathroom: A plumber was called to address a leaky toilet at the parsonage. When he came, he determined the toilet needed to be re-placed. Then, when the toilet was removed he dis-covered that there was significant damage to the sub floor. A new floor and toilet were installed in July. Additional Projects: We’re thankful that Capital Improvement Fund donations have provided the means for the new tower doors, replacement of the bathroom floor at the parsonage, and repairs to a sink hole in the church parking lot back in the spring. We still have other projects that we would like to pursue including fixing the sidewalk to the tower doors, restoring an original lantern light over the tower doors, and refinishing the Founder’s Hall entrance doors to match the newly replaced tower doors. Contributions to the Capital Improvement Fund are welcome at any time.

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Prayer Concerns Members of our First Lutheran Community: Ernie Gaiser; Christina Dan-ielson; Connie Danielson; Mimi Ham; Rosy Hebert; Kathryn McCowan; Cyn-thia Niiler.

Friends and Family: the Barazi family (friends of the Biter’s); Brown family (friends of the Flinner/Hoff family); Christiansen family (friends of Jennifer Lambert); Peggy Codner (Tristan Codner’s mother); Steve Connearney (friend of First Lutheran); Magnus Forsman (great-nephew of Rut Johnson); Pelle Geholm (twin brother of Rut Johnson); Joann Green (mother of a colleague of Sarah Rauhut); Ray Hauck (great nephew of Rosy Hebert); Gail Hoftender (sister of Geri Nederhoff); Norma Huisman (aunt of Brad Nederhoff); Duke Katterheinrich (LuAnn Kimker’s father); Ellen Katterheinrich (LuAnn Kimker’s mom); Eudeen MacSweeney (friend of Rut Johnson); Helen Marquedant (friend of Paul and Susan Pintus); Sally Raymond (Jen Biter’s mom); Bob and Martha Rediehs (uncle and aunt of Ann Sjodin); Stacey Reed (sister of Penny Alexander); Doug Sewich (brother-in-law of Meg and Tom Maehl).

For those who grieve: the family and friends of Grace Dahlin, Joanne Guernsey, Bill Kalke, and Cheryl Ricci who died in the past month. For our partners: For the Rev. Á ngel Marrero and Santuario Luterano, the Spanish speaking Lutheran congregation in Waltham. For other organizations we actively support: the Waltham Family School, The Waltham Community Day Center, Chaplains on the Way, the Waltham Álliance to Create Housing, and ELCÁ World Hunger.

If you would like to add/remove a name to/from the prayer list, please inform the church office.

Walking Together in God’s Love

Saying Goodbye On Sunday, July 23 we bid farewell to Michelle Landstrom, Adam Smith, and Elisa Sutherland. Michelle is moving to Hamilton, NY where a new job awaits her and where her partner Seth has begun a teaching post at Colgate University. Adam and Elisa are moving to Dubuque, Iowa where Adam will begin post-doctorate studies in economics, and where they both anticipate welcoming a new child into their lives as Elisa has shared the news of her pregnancy. We thank God for the blessing they have been to our congregation, and pray God’s blessings on them in their new work, communities, and life experiences.

We rejoice in the marriage of Lauren Frail and Anthony Harrison. May God bless them in their new life together.

We rejoice in the baptism of Cataleya Liliana Albert Perez. Cataleya is the daughter of Lindsay Albert and Juan Carlos Perez. We are grateful to Lindsay for serving as our Sunday morning church musician during June and July.

Celebrations

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First Lutheran Ministry Schedule

If you are unable to serve when scheduled please find a replacement and call the office. (781-893-6563)

August

August 6

Pentecost 9 9:30 am

August 13 Pentecost 10

9:30 am

August 20 Pentecost 11

9:30 am

August 27 Pentecost 12

9:30 am

Asst. Minister

Sammy Kalisa Geri Nederhoff Eben Rauhut LuAnn Kimker

Comm. Asst. Penny Alexander Inpakala Pandian Isabella van der Weide Marquette Alexander

Lector Brad Nederhoff Peter Pinch Paul Pintus Eben Rauhut

Acolyte Alison Jerram Lea Dugan Betsy Hoff Eegan Pandian

Greeter Doris Speer Erika & Matt Jerram Rut & Richard Johnson Inpakala Pandian

Ushers

Susan & Paul Pintus Norm Adams Reinhold Carlson

Bud Crouse Ken Kimker

Brad Nederhoff John Shread

Nursery

Altar Care Doris Speer (set up)

Catherine Pinch (clean up) Ann Sjodin Anne Dugan LuAnn Kimker

Counters Bill Meaney

Inpakala Pandian Jen Lambert Susan Pintus

Norm Adams Ted Sjodin

Eric Korpalski Meg Maehl

September

September 3 Pentecost 13

9:30 am

September 10 Pentecost 14

10:30 am

September 17 Pentecost 15

10:30 am

September 24 Pentecost 16

9:30 am

Asst. Minister

Isabella van der Weide Ann Sjodin Alan Sieving Sammy Kalisa

Comm. Asst. Heather Fahey Lori Hrdlicka Penny Alexander Inpakala Pandian

Lector Laura Nederhoff Cathy Sukow Emily Sjodin Kat Flinner

Acolyte Deidre Fahey Julia Niemann Martin Sieving Justin Sjodin

Greeter Paul & Susan Pintus Doris Speer Erika & Matt Jerram Rut & Richard Johnson

Ushers

Sjodin Family Susan & Paul Pintus Norm Adams Reinhold Carlson

Ken Kimker John Shread

Nursery

Kevin Dickert Lori Hrdlicka Erika Jerram

Altar Care Geri Nederhoff Lori Hrdlicka Ann Sjodin Doris Speer (set up)

Catherine Pinch (clean up)

Counters Mary Ellen Adams

Alan Sieving Jen Lambert Bill Meaney

Susan Pintus Ted Sjodin

Norm Adams Eric Korpalski

Swapped Sundays are indicated by italic font.

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First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waltham

Ministers: The people of the congregation

Staff: The Rev. Thomas E. Maehl, Pastor tmaehl@rcn.com

Ms. Cynthia Niiler, Director of Music and Parish Secretary cniilerchurch@rcn.com Worship: 9:30 am thru September 3

Council: Kevin Dickert, President Brad Nederhoff, Vice President Eben Rauhut, Secretary Scott Niemann, Treasurer Erika Jerram Jennifer Lambert Ángela Neal Janice Ostrander Susan Pintus Ánn Sjodin

Visit us on the Web at: www.firstlutheranwaltham.org

and on Facebook at First Lutheran Church - Waltham, MÁ

Our Mission: We discern that Jesus Christ is calling us to: Walk together in God’s love: nurturing faith, doing justice, serving all.