THIS WEEK AT FIRST:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EACH WEEKEND:

oLiving Water Communion Saturday 5:30PM

oCoffee Hour & Study Groups Sunday 9:30AM

oWelbrook Senior Community Communion 2:00PM

Join us for Worship, Learning & Community:

CHRIST IS RISEN, RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

“FAITH 101” Presentations for New & Existing Members:

o 5/1: “HOW” (Walking together at FLCS) - 11:30am

o 5/15: RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS AT 10AM

Midweek Learning continues this Wednesday!

ASCENSION HOLY COMMUNION WED 5/4 7PM

Taste of the Town Gala and Food Fest – Saturday May 7th

o Be sure to get your tickets now for this great event!

Unity Service and Annual Meeting May 15th (Pentecost)

o 8:30am - Brief Holy Communion

o 10am (note time change) – Unity Festival Communion

o 11:30am – Annual Congregational Brunch and Annual Meeting

PLEASE NOTE THE “GIFT BY TEXT” NUMBER: 310-507-7178. See online

giving card for new giving options. Online video instructions on the website!

New: Options to designate gifts by smartphone or tablet! Remember to support your church community through regular and generous gifts. Together we make ministry happen!

Portions of today’s service are reprinted from Hymns for Worship © 2001 & Sundays & Seasons © 2002 with permission by Augsburg Fortress License # 10193-S & CCLI License #520383

The weekly ministry bulletin of

First Lutheran Church and School 2900 West Carson Street Torrance, California 90503 Office phone: 310-320-9920

SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

5:30pm Sat: Living Water Communion

SUNDAY

8:30am Classic Communion

9:30am Coffee Hour/Bible Study

10:30am Praise Communion

2:00pm Communion @ Welbrook Senior Living Center

3:00pm Glory Lutheran Church [Mandarin/English Worship]

WELCOME TO THIS COMMUNITY OF FAITH & GRACE! We’re so glad you’re here today; you are important to us, and it’s a blessing to welcome you!

Please note that it is no longer necessary to complete a welcome card each week. Cards are in the pew racks, for you to use to communicate with us, or to request us to be of any special service to you. Completed cards can be left with an usher or placed in the offering plate

Please greet the Pastors and greeters as you leave service today. They’ll be so glad to meet you. And please come again!

The Sixth Sunday of Easter | May 1, 2016

On the Web: www.flchurch.org www.facebook.com/FLCS.Torrance

Email: Church: church@flchurch.org School: school@flchurch.org

FLCS This Week

Our Mission:

We seek and make disciples in the saving way of Jesus

called and sent to serve and speak

God’s love in daily life -----------

a caring community

of Christian faith

for all people

May Emphasis: Generous Stewards “People should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God's mysteries.” (1 Cor. 4:1)

Each year during May our community pauses to give thanks to God for all our manifold blessings, and to consider how we can respond to God’s amazing grace through our stewardship of time, talent and treasure.

When St. Paul wrote the words to his congregation in Corinth, he gave us a wonderful way of thinking about our own personal and congregational stewardship as well. “Servants of Christ, and Stewards of God.” Wow! What a calling we each have received in Holy Baptism: to serve Christ by serving others in daily ministry in the world; and by being faithful and generous manager of God’s marvelous gifts to us.

During this month, and throughout the year, may God help each and every one of us to be more aware of all the grace that God showers upon us, and how that grace can be shared by others through our resources and energies as Christian witnesses and followers, that the world may know Christ’s love!

Leadership Congregation President: Lynn Johnson

in worship and parish administration

MINISTRY LEADERSHIP SERVING AT TODAY’S WORSHIP SERVICES:

Organist & Worship Associate: Kent Eggert eggertk@flchurch.org

Church Administrative Assistant: Hannah Hurst hursth@flchurch.org Sunday/Special Event Childcare Assistant: Ashley Severson

Percussion: Dale Shelton Guitars/Bass: Andre Lee, Ron Finn, Dan Gibson

Classical Crossroads Concert Series at First! For more information on upcoming Friday and Saturday

Classical concerts here in the FLCS Sanctuary, visit

www.palosverdes.com/classicalcrossroads

Mission:First– Seeking and Making Companions in Christ’s Service

Mon May 2 9:00 Morning Glories Bible Study Fireside 2:00 Monday Night Meals Faith Kitchen 6:30 NAMI Board Meeting Fireside

Tues May 3 9:00 Morning Prayer Sanctuary 9:30 Pastors’ Conference Bible Study Fireside 5:45 Celebration Bells’ Rehearsal Faith Hall 6:00 Outreach Board Pr. Hurst’s Ofc 7:00 Mission Board Fellowship 7:00 Worship & Arts Board Fireside

Wed May 4 7:00 Men’s Breakfast Bible Study at Coco’s – 18120 Hawthorne Blvd. 8:30 Day School Chapel Sanctuary 11:30 EEC Chapel Sanctuary 11:30 Prime Timers Luncheon Fellowship 1:30 First Serve Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 3:30 Joyful Noise (Kid’s Club) Faith Hall 5:30 Midweek Learning Fireside 5:45 Rainbow Choir Rehearsal Music Room 6:30 Collaborate! Middle School Faith Hall 7:00 Evening Prayer Sanctuary 7:30 Midweek Learning Fireside

Thurs May 5 11:30 EEC Chapel Sanctuary 3:30 Angel Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 4:10 Sonshine Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 5:45 Joyous Ringers Sanctuary 7:00 Anthem! High School Faith Hall 7:00 Alcoholics Anonymous Fireside 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal Music Rm

Fri May 6 12:15 First Friday’s at First Concert Series Sanctuary

Sat May 7 8:00 Men’s Bible Study Library 10:00 Hooks & Needles Library 5:00 Taste of the Town Faith Hall 5:30 Living Water Communion Service Sanctuary

Sun May 8 8:30 Classic Holy Communion Service Sanctuary 9:30 Learning Ministries Fireside 10:30 Worship & Praise Communion Service Sanctuary 10:30 Sunday School Faith Hall

The 2016 Flower & Candle Chart is up in the Narthex.

The South Bay Spring Conference Assembly takes place on Tuesday 5/1 at First Lutheran Church in Carson. 19707 S Central Ave, Carson, CA 90746. Dinner begins at 630pm followed by a program provided by synod staff in the sanctuary. Please contact our office at 310-320-9920 x101 to let us know you’re planning to attend.

Companions, Citizens, Servants, Saints: The baptized people of God in the world Senior Pastor & Mission Director: The Rev. Dr. Bill Hurst hurstw@flchurch.org

Youth Associate Minister: Jillene Johnson johnsonj@flchurch.org Seminary Intern (Vicar): Erin Armstrong armstronge@flchurch.org

Day School Co-Principal: Sandy Ammentorp ammentorps@flchurch.org

Day School Co-Principal: Kris Olson olsonk@flchurch.org

Early Education Center Director: Shirley Becker beckers@flchurch.org

Executive Assistant & Human Resources: Lisa Wood woodl@flchurch.org

Operations Manager: Walt Schulze schulzew@flchurch.org Campus Center Manager: Laura Damsky damskyl@flchurch.org

Director of Music: Linda Dean church@flchurch.org

“In His Name” Praise Team Musicians: (10:30Service Music Ministry)

Beth Bender, Carole Gallegos, Roxanne Heimbuck, Randy Heimbuck, Linda Dean, Sean Gallagher, Susan Spadaro, Beth Fox

Assisting Ministers: 8:30

10:30

Mary Stewart

Nelson Cullum Scripture Readers: 8:30

10:30

Janice Saruwatari Pamela Mullowney

Acolytes: 8:30 10:30

Altar Guild: Maria & Kylie Voigt

Communion Assistants: 8:30

10:30

Ana Guthmiller, Karen Skaff, & Nicolette Breski Judy Cullum, Nelson Cullum, and Peggy Holt

Ushers:

8:30 10:30

Cyril Davies, Bill Neibauer, Ben Souster, & Don Underwood Tim Bauer, Bob Brekke, & Jim Marshall.

Sound Console: Power Point Console:

Rod Croom, Bill Gallegos, Beth Kebschull Dan Burley, Carole Gallegos

Administration Executive Assistant: Lisa Wood 310-320-9920 x140

Support ministries for Congregation and School

VISIT THE CAMPUS CENTER & BOOKSTORE – Stop by and browse our books, Bibles, Fair Trade, gifts and other items, with many more titles and items to follow in the weeks to come. Watch for more news and expanded hours! To volunteer as our bookstore expands its hours, contact Laura Damsky at 310-320-9920 x107 right away!

Invitation Outreach Trustee: Judy Cullum

through Evangelism, Welcome & communication

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE! Becoming a ministry partner here at First is as simple as affirming our baptism into Christ and our desire to follow our Lord in faith and service. Contact the church office or speak to the pastors for more information. Please know that all people are welcome to full participation in this caring community of Christian faith for all people. For more information about ministry partnership at FLCS, contact us at 310-320-9920 x101. Note: The current “Faith 101” series began April 3

rd, continues until May 1

st, and another

group of new members will be received on May 15th

. Welcome companions! COMPANIONS E-LETTER: Each Thursday well over 500 households receive our electronic newsletter. Companions provides a weekend worship and activities calendar, reflections on the coming week’s lessons and themes, news notes on upcoming events, links to our flchurch.org website, and so much more. To receive Companions each week, print your e-mail address on the offering envelope or welcome card, and write “Companions.” We’ll handle the rest! BAPTISM IS FOR EVERYONE! All children and adults are welcome to full participation in the Christian faith through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. It’s never too late (or too early) to receive God’s saving grace in the Water of Life! Call or email Pastor Hurst to learn more [310-320-9920 x112 or hurstw@flchurch.org], as we begin and continue to “walk wet” in God’s loving promises. Note: Baptisms may be held at any of our three weekend services. PERSONAL INVITATION: Studies show that there simply is no substitute for the power of a personal invitation when it comes to helping people discover (or recover) a living and vital faith. So it’s really up to each of us to reach out and invite others to experience the joy of following Christ, and introduce others to the beating heart of our faith. Here’s how you might respond to this calling to reach out:

1) Think about persons in your life who need the grace and love of Christ in a deeper way; 2) Pray fervently for God to open doors and windows for them to encounter that love; 3) Invite them – whether to a service of worship, or to a choir concert or other event. 4) Accompany them – no one likes to feel alone, and your presence will be a blessing and strength.

Your personal witness makes an enormous difference in helping people really feel welcome!

Worship Worship & Music Trustee: Tim Bauer

through public praise and daily prayer

WE WELCOME CHILDREN! Baby changing stations are available in both restrooms. Children’s Bulletins are available at the sanctuary entrances. There is childcare for all children 0-5 years in the nursery across the courtyard. A Bible story is always shared.

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available from an usher for those who may have difficulty hearing the worship service. LARGE PRINT MATERIALS are available as well.

WORSHIP SERVICE AVAILABLE ON CD. Please place your CD request at the sound booth or call the church office (310) 320-9920, extension 101. The CDs may be picked up 10 minutes after the service or the following Sunday at the sound booth. Suggested donation is $2.00 per CD.

THE 2016 FLOWER AND SANCTUARY LIGHT CHART is now available in the narthex. Please stop by and sign up for a Sunday when you would like to sponsor flowers or the Sanctuary Light for our Sanctuary. Cost per Sunday is $40 for Flowers and $5 for Lights. DON’T MISS THE CHANCE to see Los Angeles’ premiere handbell choir LA Bronze perform a feast of original and classical selections designed to captivate music lovers of all tastes on Sunday, May 22nd at 4:00 pm in FAITH HALL. The concert will spotlight everything from Debussy to Dave Brubeck to music depicting an earthquake. An exhilarating Celtic piece adding flute and drum will include the handbell artistry of FLCS’ own Laura Dean Collins on a bell tree. For more information, note the flyer or contact Linda Dean, Music Director.

THIS WEEK’S SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given by congregation

THIS WEEK’S SANCTUARY LIGHT are given by congregation

Day Schools School Board Trustee: Linda Schwarzkopf

Engage || Inspire || Achieve

It’s election season and WE Need Your Vote!

It is time to cast your vote for First Lutheran School in the 2016 Reader’s Choice awards competition sponsored by the Daily Breeze. You can vote one of two ways: Online

1. Go to www.dailybreeze.com/readerschoice.

2. Follow the instructions to validate your e-mail address.

3. Under “Places,” vote for First Lutheran School, Torrance, for best Private

School.

By mail 1. Look for a printed ballot in the Daily Breeze on April 8, 10, 14, 21 & 24 and May

1.

2. Fill out the ballot with First Lutheran as your choice for best Private School

and send it to address listed on the form.

VOTING ENDS MAY 1!

Learning Learning Trustee: Marlo Franks

grow in faith and discipleship

Adult Learning at First Lutheran – Spring 2016

Sunday Mornings at 9:30am: The Weekly Texts – Join Pastor Hurst and Vicar Erin as we review and discuss the Gospel and other scripture texts for each of the Sundays of the Pentecost Season. After picking some coffee and a snack, the group gathers in the Fireside Room for a spirited conversation on the Word. First Weekend Studies for Men and Women: + Men’s Monthly Bible Study Gathering: 1

st Saturday at 8am

+ Women’s Monthly Bible Study Gathering: 1st

Sunday at 3pm Spring Midweek Fellowship and Worship/Study: + The Book of Acts: Birth of a Mission: Wednesdays at 5:30pm + Middle School Youth Group and Confirmation (Grades 6

th-8

th): Wednesdays at 6:30pm

+Chosen? Reading the Old Testament: Wednesdays at 7:30pm + High School Youth Group: Thursdays at 7:00pm JOIN US AS WE GROW IN FAITH, AND JOURNEY THROUGH THE EASTER SEASON! Lutheran CURSILLO of Southern California -- Are you longing to get closer to God? Looking for some navigation on your walk with Christ? If so, a Cursillo weekend retreat may be just the blessing that you've been searching for. First Lutheran has over fifty members who have attended a Cursillo weekend and have come back filled with the Holy Spirit and abundantly equipped to tackle life while walking purposefully with Christ. FLCS members are invited to attend our next Cursillo weekends in July 2016. A large number of FLCS members, will be working to ensure that you have a wonderful time. Interested? Need more information? Please contact Dan Muramoto.

Gretchen Axton and Karlyn Gibson are serving as this year’s Sunday School Coordinators. Thanks to all our SPARK leaders for their dedication to educating children in Christ this year! Starting Sunday, February 14th our Sunday School will begin a new series that follows the same lessons as those read in worship. All children in PreSchool (age 3) - 5th grade are invited to begin worship with their families and then join us for Sunday school following the Prayer of the Day.

Ministry Leader Contacts:

Pr. Bill Hurst (Adult) 310-320-9920 x112, hurstw@flchurch.org Vicar Erin Armstrong (Adult & Youth), armstronge@flchurch.org Gretchen Axton (Sunday School) church@flchurch.org Karlyn Gibson (Sunday School)

Jillene Johnson (Youth) at 310-320-9920 x110 or johnsonj@flchurch.org

Serving Mission Board Trustee: Jim Merritt

through mission work and support

SOLHEIM LUTHERAN HOME: Recently, First Lutheran received a thank you note for our donation of $183. This was given from the benevolence dollars managed on your behalf by the Mission Board. Ten percent of Operating and Benevolence giving is shared with other ministries. The letter said that Solheim has been making equipment upgrades, remodeling parts of the campus, and providing activities for residents. Donations also make it possible for residents to remain at Solheim even if they outlive their resources. MISSIONARIES: First Lutheran contributes to the support of Randy and Carol Stubbs, ELCA missionaries who serve on the music faculty of Lutheran Tumaini University Makumira in Tanzania. Some of you have had the opportunity to hear members of the Stubbs family participate in worship services at First Lutheran. When they are at home in Tanzania, Carol teaches music education. Randy serves as the program manager for the Cultural Arts Centre at the university. Programs at the Centre include performances of traditional music and dance. The ELCA Global Church Sponsorship office thanks us for our financial support ($1000 per year), and asks us to remember the Stubbs family in our prayers.

MISSION PARTNERSHIP IN TANZANIA: We often hear that Christianity is shrinking. In Tanzania and other countries in East Africa, Christianity is growing rapidly. The ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) are working together to develop an evangelism project called “Tanzania: Effective Outreach in the Twenty-First Century.” The project will “support the development of an outreach training course at Tumaini University-Makumira, facilitated by the university’s professors and the ELCT’s deputy secretary general for evangelism. Students will learn to analyze their settings and utilize various evangelism strategies to most effectively conduct mission outreach efforts.” The project will start with a pilot group of students from East African churches, participants from the ELCA and its companion churches will be invited to participate. The Rev. Dr. Angela Olotu, dean of faculty for the School of Theology at Tumaini University-Makumira, said “...we will strengthen our way of worshiping God and evangelism by working together.” You may recall singing “Listen, God is Calling.” That hymn is from a liturgy developed in the music department at Tumaini University-Makumira,

Giving Stewardship Trustee: Grant Axton

generously of Time, Talents and Resources Single & recurring giving online at www.FLchurch.org ✜TEXT donations at: 310-507-7178

Giving 101: All things new… Again! In my household, when we traveled with our two girls, we had a rule. You could only ask “Are we there yet?” once during the WHOLE trip, so you better use it wisely. I did not account for raising two very smart girls who quickly learned new ways of asking the same question, but in a different way. Example: “What time do you think we will check into the hotel?” Foiled by teenage girls! Drat! However, asking “Are we there yet?” is not always a bad thing. It allows one

to take stock of their surroundings and plan ahead. Sometimes that is for the next bathroom break and sometimes it is to check the pulse of your financial health. So I ask you, “Are we there yet?” My answer would have to be no, but we are close. As we enter into the Stewardship focused month of May, it is time to reassess our giving habits and how we can refocus our own giving in order to help the church “get there”. Now is the time to renew, and maybe increase, your financial commitment to the health of First Lutheran. It is not a one-month commitment, but one that requires your dedication year round. Whether you give online automatically, write a check for the plate every month, or text your gift weekly, it is the habit of giving that keeps us moving forward and all working towards the same goal. I encourage you to reassess your giving strategy and find news ways of supporting the church that does SO MUCH with the limited resources we are provided. It is easy to support things you are passionate about like First Serve, youth, Monday Night Meals, Project Faith, to name just a few, or to provide for the operational and financial health of the church. So, we are “not there yet”, but with your help, we can get much closer and still have 100 bottles of beer still left on the wall.

Grant Axton – Stewardship Chair

Sunday April 24, 2016 Actual Weekly Budgeted Cumulative

Church Year 7/1/15 to 6/30/16 Income Income Income Special

Week 43 of 52 For Week Last Year For Week Offering Attendance

Operating & Benevolence 7,327 7,945 7,735 This Year --> 254 Last Year --> 234 Debt Retirement 1,075 1,027 1,314

Other Dedicated Funds &Income 32,491 6,659

Project Faith, Electrical, Kitchen 690 759,977

Total Income for Week 41,493 15,631

Financial Summary Actual Budget Annual Budget

March, 2016 Year to Date Year to Date 7/1/15 to 6/30/16

Church Income 446,757 434,805 600,300

Church Expense 459,833 454,976 600,300

Church Net -13,076 -20,171 0

Mortgage Income 49,919 48,138 64,185

Mortgage Expense 51,246 51,289 68,385

Mortgage Net -1,327 -3,151 -4,200

Negative dedicated accounts = -1406

Companions Congregational Life Trustee: Andrea Brabec

including Women’s and Men’s ministries Join the book club at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 16, to discuss the classic novel,

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Wilde’s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author’s most popular work. What's next? June 20 - The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zeven; combined July/August meeting will be on August 15 - Liar Temptress Soldier Spy by Karen Abbott. For more info: write to Elly Brekke.

HOOKS AND NEEDLES: Meets Saturdays from 10:00 am - noon. We use many types of creative stitches: crochet, knit, cross-stitch, needle point, crewel, embroidery, etc. Our mission is to make useful items such as prayer shawls, hats for the mariners, baby blankets, and other gifts of love for others and personal use. Bring your hooks, needles, and love of creation to join us as we work on our projects and enjoy Christian fellowship. For more information please contact Barbara Hesler.

SCRAPBOOKING: Come join us in May. Feel free to join us in the morning, afternoon or all day! For more information, questions and to RSVP, please contact Susan.

We’ll provide lunch, beverages, snacks and lots of great table-space for you to spread out and get stuff done. Sign up and pre-pay no later than the Thursday before the date you wish to attend to enjoy food and be entered in our monthly raffle of a great product! A portion of each workshop payment goes back to FLC!

Saturday, May 14th

9:30am – 5:30 pm—Fellowship Hall

SP NEWS: Although ESP was organized as a fellowship group for older adults, this month, anyone who would like to hear about the trip several members and friends took to Greece and Turkey is invited. The lunch will be on Sunday, May 29 (11:30 am). The lunch is potluck, but not necessarily homemade. Not cooking, or decide at the last minute? Come anyway. There will be plenty of food. For more information, please contact Betty Kasari or Mary Stewart.

"FIRST FRIENDS": is a fellowship group for special-needs adults. Sponsored by FirstServe, "First Friends" is a social time of games, crafts, dinner and worship. Our next meeting will be May 25th. Contact the church office or Vicar Erin Armstrong, if you're interested in helping with this small group.

PRIME TIMERS: The next Prime Timers lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 (11:30 am). The speaker will be Marie Herbrandson. Her topic will be Hospice. RSVP not required. For more information, call 310-320-3818.

Youth, Youth & Family Trustee: Mark Korshavn Young Adults & Families

All FLCS Youth Ministry programs focus on: Building community Studying God’s Word & its application Growing as disciples of Christ both in and

outside of the church, participating in God’s work in the world.

Joyful Noise! Elementary-Age Worship Wednesdays, 3:30-3:50pm in the Sanctuary Middle School Youth Group and Confirmation Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm in Faith Hall High School Youth Group Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm in Faith Hall Sign up to be a LEADER or Participant for Vacation Bible School! This year’s VBS is “Cave Quest” and will be June 27-July1! We need volunteers and participants of all ages and skillsets. Grab a flyer from the school or church offices, or in the plastic flyer holders outside school offices. SUMMER CAMP sign-ups are open + an info night! Please turn in your $100 deposit and registration form to Box#9 in Church office, there will be an info. night Wednesday April 27th at 7:30 For more details about dates and times of events please email Youth Associate Jillene Johnson at johnsonj@flchurch.org

Prayer Shepherding Coordinator: Madonna Davenport

Through public worship and daily devotions

Please note that, due to the large number of names we’re receiving, prayer requests will be listed for 4 consecutive Sundays and then removed if there is no update. To renew the listing, please indicate this on a communication card in the pew, or call the church office. (New listings in bold)

Laura Allen Japan Carole Salgado Andrea Family of Ron Jenkins Trudi Schimmel Wal Bauer Betty Krauss JoAnn Schmidt Kim Breski Aaron Merphy Family Susie Schulz Caleb Bronson Family Fred Misch Elisabeth Steinman Lucy Cabieles Cynthia Motta Tom Stephens Kimberly Cabrera Tosh Nakano Alan & Diane Swanson Christine Darling Austin Nayagam Paul Tatko Family of E.J. Family of Lisa Peake Jim Tatosian Rosie Green Family J.R. and Family Karen Tripp Grella Family Leon Ragonesi Justin Ward Janeth Ray and Stacey Dawn Wilder Military Service: Po1 Roy Franklin Sgt. Victor Grijalva Cpl Chad Rairie Lcpl Matthew Affa 1st Sgt Eric Martin Michael Stitch

Andrew Dean Maj. Michael Krause Paratrooper Kyle Cameron Panter

Greg Durit Dylan Swanson Sr Kaitlyn Panter Sean Dwyer Caro Chief Master Of

Arms Sgt. Ryan Gleason