FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON

April 2012 Volume 15 No. 4

First Fruits – April 2012

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13, 14).

The verses above are a pretty good summary of some of what happened to us with Jesus’ work upon the Cross and by giving us the Holy Spirit through His Resurrection and Ascension. We celebrate the work of Christ on the Cross during Holy Week and then explode with joy during our Easter celebration of His Resurrection. We have been set free! Our debt has been paid! We have been “kidnapped” back from the domain of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Light! We have been forgiven a debt we could not pay and rewarded while still rebels! – pretty amazing stuff to celebrate this Holy Week and Easter season!

Since we have been forgiven so great a debt as Jesus’ parable in Matt. 18: 23-35 illustrates, we ought to be forgiving people – people quick to forgive. Forgiveness is not always an easy road though. People hurt us in many ways that cut us to the quick. But Jesus’ life shows us the Way – the way of the cross – which leads to radical forgiveness. Others will never hurt us as much as we have wounded the Lord of the Universe who is the Saviour of the world. Yet we like to place ourselves above Jesus and say, “I just can’t forgive that person.” We probably wouldn’t be so bold as to say that we are removing Jesus from His Throne and putting ourselves upon it, but in effect that is what we are doing when we are unforgiving. We are saying that they have hurt the number one person in the universe, and for that they must pay. Fortunately for us, Jesus took a different approach, especially since He was the only one that truly could say He was faultless. Jesus died for us and took our penalty while we were yet sinners; we hadn’t even repented or said we were sorry.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are two separate things as we have expressed before in First Fruits’ articles. Forgiveness is simply releasing that person to God for Him to deal with and us taking our proper place at the foot of the Cross. Reconciliation speaks more to the restoration of that relationship, which sometimes happens, but sometimes doesn’t. We are commanded to forgive; we leave the reconciliation up to God’s perfect timing. Forgiveness isn’t saying that we weren’t hurt either. It is acknowledging the pain, but turning it over to God for Him to deal with in the blood of Christ.

Thus, forgiveness is not so much about our feelings, as it is an act of our will. We choose to forgive someone since we are commanded to do so, whether we “feel” like it or not. You cannot command a feeling; only our willful decisions can be commanded. Due to the syrupy version of forgiveness that we sometimes see portrayed in movies, TV or the Church, we often have a hard time getting our heads around forgiveness.

A wonderful film has been put together to help us see forgiveness in much of its grandeur. The title of the film is “The Heart of Texas.” It is a true story that takes place not too far from where we live. If you are having trouble with the concept of forgiveness, why not come out on Thursday, April 19th at 7pm and see it played out on the big screen. I think you will be moved by this touching story of deliberate forgiveness. Please bring your friends and family so you can all share in a story that shows Jesus’ love and forgiveness being worked out in very painful circumstances. We’ll be showing some trailers during Sunday worship so begin looking for those as well. May we all become healing agents of forgiveness by applying the love of Christ in our lives and to those around us. We can forgive because His Forgiving Love is inside us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Happy Easter! Know that you are forgiven and released from the bondage of Sin! Alleluia! Go in peace to love and forgive as the Lord has done! Amen!

In His Agape,

Pastor Taylor +

On April 3rd, First School will have our Easter class parties. The parents are all invited to come join their children for lunch. We will also have an egg hunt outdoors, weather permitting. (will be held indoors in case of rain). On April 6nd, we will be closed in observance of Good Friday. God is Love! Mrs. Flo

04/01- Palm Sunday – Psalm 31:1-5, 9-16, Zechariah 9:9-10, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 15:1-3904/05- Maundy Thursday – Psalm 116:10-17, Exodus 24:3-11, 1 Corinthians 10:16-21, Mark 14:12-2604/06- Good Friday – Psalm 22:1-23, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 19:17-3004/08- Easter – Psalm 118:1-2,15-24, Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:29-28, Mark 16:1-804/15- 2nd Sunday of Easter - Psalm 148, Acts 3:13-15, 17-26, 1 John 5:1-6, John 20:19-3104/22- 3rd Sunday of Easter - Psalm 139:1-11, Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 1:1-2:2, Luke 24:36-4904/29- 4th Sunday of Easter - Psalm 23, Act5s 4:23-33, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18

April Readings

FUND BALANCESas of 03/26/2012

First School & Daycare News

OUR EXPENSES FOR MARCH Monthly Offering needed to meet Budget $10,137

March Offerings Rec’d as of 3/27 $ 5,057 Wednesday Night Offerings $ 170 Building Rental Income $ -0- Sunday School Offerings $ 47 Total Income for Budget Expenses $ 5,274

Budget Needs thru March: $ 30,411 Income received thru 03/27 : $ 27,332 Amount (under) budget ($ 3,079 ) Total Annual Income as of 03/27 $ 22,058Total Annual Expenses as of 03/27 - $

Easter Lilies - $10Last date to order is April 3rd. Please call or email the church office if you

would like to order a lily.

CAMP LONE STAREARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS APRIL 30TH TO REGISTER YOUTH FOR SUMMER CAMP.

VISIT www.LOMT.com OR CALL 800-362-2078 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

WOW Food Bank Assistance

Women of the Word will begin contributing to the El Campo Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church Food Bank as our continuing effort in supporting our local community.  This food bank will be run on donations, such as the Blessing

Cup, only no one will be turned away.  On every 5th Sunday of the month please bring any canned goods or nonperishable goods to the church and we will take over

to the food bank.  Let’s show the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Food Bank that we really care!  The first

collection will be April 29, 2012.  We will be letting you all know in the future ahead of time so you will come

prepared.

The collection dates will be April 29, July 29, Sept 30 & Dec 30.

Garden Villa: Gertrude Nordin, Elsie Nelson, Ida Mae Bloom, and others

Wincrest - Henrietta Bram, room 402

Teddy AshCharles & Vernell BardLois BaroshDonald Berglund Buck & Judy BezdekKristine Mock CarrollMary CarterJustin CernyBill EnglundSilverio EstradaRonnie FehmelEddie Graeter Gerardo (Lalo) GallegosEddie GraeteElenora Hadash Anitra HaynesJames HerringtonJack & Nora HollingsworthRobert HollingsworthMichael HughesBonnie JonesDarlene KastnerLillian KonarikGladys KorenekGene LadewigJustin LormandLucille Long Family of Tony “Hammer” Hamilton Family of Kylar Johnson

WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US

OR

Pastor Andy Taylor – Cell #979-320-7862 Email: pastortaylor01@yahoo.com Email: office@firstlutheranec.com

Office Manager -Terry Butts – Cell # 979-543-0179

Connie MartinJanice McCleskeyAnna Marie McColganDavid MooreNancy MozisekLloyd NelsonForrest NewtonOdis & Lorraine NewtonJoe NovakRay & Elsie OverstreetEunice PfefferLeona PiekertPierson and Wyatt PrasekDebbie ReevesDorothy RihaGordon RoddyWilliam SamoraDave SchoelmanJohnny SibleyClara SiffordEd SpradlinAnn StrarupHaley StewartEsther SwansonAshley ThonsgaardTony Tupa, JrAshton Zamazal

Jake Barosh, Justin CernyMichael Monreal, Sarah Langston,

Next School Board Meeting

April 23rd @ 5pm

FUND BALANCESas of 03/26/2012

02 Eric Nelson09 Elsie Overstreet14 Sheila Herrington20 Calvin Borak29 Crystal Rodriquez30 Lane Schoeneberg

01 Mary Lou Thane02 Helen Johnson09 Andy Taylor10 Doug Mathews11 Forrest Newton11 John Nelson20 Cindy Mathews21 Eric Nelson22 James Stewart28 Haley Stewart

19th Nora & Calvin Borak

COUNCIL MEETINGThursday, April 12th 6:00 pm

Women of the Word

Note Change of Date!

Wednesday, April

April 1st Palm Sunday – Sunday School 9:30am Worship/Communion 10:45am 3rd Tues. Early Morning Prayer Service – 6:30am Tuesday Bible Study – 7pm 4th Wed. Early Morning Prayer Service – 6:30am 5th Maundy Thursday Service – 7pm 6th Good Friday Services at noon &

Friendship ClubNext Game Day

Wednesday, April 18th 10:00 a.m.

Come join us for dominoes or just come to visit and eat

lunch!

Women of the Word 2nd Annual

Texas District RetreatApril 21st

Trinity Lutheran Stonewall, TX

What is a retreat, you ask? A retreat is a time set apart to soak up God, to listen to the Holy Spirit, to rub shoulders with

other believers, to regroup for advancement in the Kingdom. There will

be several wonderful speakers to enlighten your lives with their life

experiences.

If you are interested in attending the retreat, please let Helen (979-543-5277) or Sheila

(979-543-4921) know. Thanks to David and Karen Kight, ladies are invited to stay in New Braunfels Friday night at a Time Share with

Cathy Schoenfield and Helen Kight.

Registration forms are located on the bench behind

Easter Breakfast Meet & Greet

9:30 AM – 10:30 AMInvite your friends and neighbors to church with you on Easter Sunday.

We will start our morning with breakfast, hosted by Lisa Englund, Kim Englund, Charlotte Watson & Linda Atchetee. Special gifts will

be available for the children.

CONTRIBUTIONS$$$$$$$$$$$

First Lutheran Church has joined the new age and we now can accept contributions via a PayPal account so if you miss church one Sunday or just don’t want to write that check, you can now go online to our website www.firstlutheranec.com, click the donate button and follow the PayPal instructions.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1 RED PALM SUNDAY

Sunday School9:30 a.m.

Worship w/Communion 10:45 a.m.

2 3Prayer Service

6:30 a.m.FS Easter Egg

Hunt -Bible Study

7p.m.

4Prayer Service

6:30 a.m.

5Maundy

Thursday Service7 p.m.

6Good Friday

ServicesNoon & 7 p.m.

7Easter Vigil7:30 p.m.

8 white EASTEREaster breakfast meet &

greet 9:30 a.m.Worship w/Communion

10:45 a.m.

9 10

Bible Study7p.m.

11 Women

of theWord7 p.m.

12Church Council

6:00 p.m.

13 14

15 white

Sunday School9:30 a.m.

Worship w/Communion10:45 a.m.

16 17

Bible Study7 p.m.

18

Friendship Club10 a.m.

19Movie Night“The Heart

of Texas7 p.m.

20 21

22 white

Sunday School9:30 a.m. Worship

10:45 a.m.

23

School Board5pm

24

Bible Study7 p.m.

25 26 27Pastor’s Meeting- Bulverde

28

29 whiteSunday School

9:30 a.m.Worship w/Communion

10:45 a.m.

30Benevolenc

eMeeting7 p.m.

May 1 2 3 4 5

1ST Cindy & Doug Mathews 8TH Easter Lilies 15TH open 22ND Cathy & Ted Schoenfield 29TH Billie & Leroy Bram

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Milton Johnson, Jimmy Nielsen, Billie Jean Bram, Calvin Borak, Ted Schoenfield, Doug Mathews & Daniel Wilfert

Join us on FACEBOOK or check us out at

www.firstlutheranec.com

First Lutheran Church304 Oscar

El Campo, TX 77437979-543-5847

Email: office@firstlutheranec.comWeb: www.firstlutheranec.com

ESTABLISHED FEB 1893

Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a

century.Andy Taylor, Pastor

Helen Marie Kight, Organist

Thursday, April 19th

7 PM

MOVIE NIGHT FEATURE“THE HEART OF TEXAS”

When tragedy pierces the heart of a small community on the quiet Texas plains, its

townspeople witness what can happen when grace & forgiveness triumph over anguish & outrage.

Friendship is like a book. It takes years to write but a few seconds to burn.

Altar Guild help needed. Mary Lou will be out of town the first two weeks of April, which is a very busy time of the year for the Altar Guild. Sheila Herrington has offered to step in and help with a few of the communion setups but we could us more help.