First Edition

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JANUARY 20

On Sunday. January 20, at 12:30 p.m., the Annual Meeting of First Evangelical Lutheran Church will convene in the parish hall. The first item of business will be the second vote on the amendments to the Congregation Constitution that were approved on December 16. In summary, these amendments expand the Congregation Council to twelve members; allow the Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer not to be Council members; change the composition of the Executive Committee; and remove the two-term limit on Council members and officers.
The Annual Meeting is the only congregational meeting each year at which new items of business can be introduced from the floor without prior notice. If possible, consideration may be given to the proposal that our church seek protected historical landmark status from the City of Houston.
The Annual Meeting will then recess until a future date, at which time annual reports can be given and a budget for 2008 can be presented for adoption. These matters simply cannot be prepared in time for the meeting on January 20. It is hoped that in the future, our constitution can be further amended to allow the Annual Meeting to be held at a time later than January, as it now requires.
Because of the anticipated brevity of this meeting, no luncheon will be provided.

THANKS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR . Peterman ’s Postulate

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will read articles about the remarkable statistical growth of our church in the past year. Since my days as a mission developer in St. Louis in the early 1960s I have not been pastor of a church whose overall membership doubled or whose worship attendance nearly tripled in just one year.
Remarkable as these statistics are, there are other signs of growth that are less obvious but no less important. One year ago we had two faithful ushers, Herb Richter and Paul Orton. Now we have ten. One year ago two people diligently prepared for services of worship each Sunday, Gertie Beutel and Herb Richter. Now we have a six-member Altar Guild that even does its own flower arrangements. In addition, we have two vergers, seven crucifers, four acolytes, four bell ringers, eight assisting ministers and six servers. More members are partic-ipating in leading worship than before.
A year ago it was difficult to find enough people to serve on the Congregation Council. This year we have twelve, plus three more who have since expressed interest on their Time and Talent forms.
With fewer than half the Estimate of Giving forms turned in, we already have $92,000 pledged for the coming year. In addition, pledges for the Society for Early Music of the Church are substantial.
We now have in place a committee system, which will be expanded in January. These committees don’t just talk; they plan strategy and implement programs. What this means is that more and more members are taking an active role in the life of the church.
Then, of course, there was the memorable Christmass Eve service! We prepared 100 bulletins, but we ran out. There were 118 people in attendance! After the service I was presented with an overwhelmingly generous gift of money from the congregation. I could hardly find the words to say thanks properly at the time.
So I will say it now. Thank you for your gift to me. And thank you for allowing me to be your Pastor in 2007. It has been one of the most fulfilling years of my entire ministry. However, it isn’t just the pastor or the people who are doing what I have described above. It is the Holy Spirit breathing new life into this church. For your gift to me and for the privilege of being part of this venture, I thank you.

ADULT SCS CLASS VARIED IN JANUARY

January will see a variety of topics in the adult Sunday Church School class.
On January 6 and 13, Pastor Peterman will lead two sessions on the new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
On January 20 Jon Fielder, M.D., will give a presentation on his work as a medical missionary in Africa, especially focusing on the problem of AIDS and how it is being addressed.
On January 27 Pastor Peterman will begin a new course on Paul’s letter to the Colossians. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible).
The adult class meets every Sunday in the Parish Hall from 10:00 until 10:40 a.m. All adults are invited to attend.

DECEMBER CONGREGATIONAL MEETING RESULTS

The special meeting of the congregation on December 16 took favorable action on all the items on the agenda.
1. The congregation approved the constitutional amendments described in the lead article on page 1 of this issue of First Edition.
2. The congregation approved the proposed contract for Pastor Edwin D. Peterman to continue to be Interim Pastor through 2008.
3. The congregation elected five members to the Congregation Council. (See page 13 for a complete list of 2008 Council members.)
Since the constitutional amendments, to be fully adopted, must now be ratified by a two-thirds majority, the election of Council members in December is subject to final approval at the Annual Meeting on January 20.
The congregation was well fortified for the meeting, thanks to Millie Thibodeaux, who prepared an outstanding beef stew for everyone attending.

GIFT FROM LAMB OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH

At the special meeting of the congregation in December, two members of Lamb of God Lutheran Church surprised us with a gift of $5,000 to First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Marcie Williams and Rosamond Landry, Council members from Lamb of God Church, made the presentation, which was most gratefully accepted on behalf of First Church by Millie Thibodeaux, President.

SELAH: THE YOUNG ADULT GROUP

What a great group we had for the Advent lunch at Farrago’s on December 2! Everyone had a delicious meal with lots of fun and fellowship. There will be more monthly Midtown lunches to come! Watch for worship bulletin or email notices about them. Meanwhile, here is the 2008 calendar of events so far.
January 12 - How Do You Do? Fondue Party and Game Night
There will be lots of fun games, such as “Name That Gregorian Chant.” Leave your humility at the door! Don’t miss this opportunity to flaunt your liturgical skills and compete for cash prizes!
All Selah members must bring a young adult guest who has not been to First Church or a Selah event. (Remember, we are intending to increase!) If your name is on the Selah email list, you are a Selah member.
RSVP to Meredith Nelson at 713-688-4081 by Monday, January 7. Once we know how many people will be attending, each Selah person will be called regarding his or her fondue assignment, i.e. bread, cheese, fruit, chocolate, and beverages.
The event will held at Dean Huffman’s house, 303 McGowan Street, in Midtown. 303 McGowan is located between Bagby and Baldwin on the north side of the street. Parking is available on McGowan and side streets. Dean recommends parking on the south side of the street. Please read the signs carefully! Some parking spots have limits starting at 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 3 - Souper Bowl Party (game time to be announced). Come watch the big game and play some ping pong and cards at Chris and Tiffany Sigler’s house! This event will feature the talents of the many chefs in Selah. Sign up to bring a soup, salad, or dessert.
March will bring S4WP#2 (Selah Servants Saturday Steward-ship Work Party No. 2), date to be announced. Roll up your sleeves and bless this congregation with your time and talent!
Selah (pronounced SEE-lah or SEH-lah) is Hebrew for crescendo; to increase, to lift up; also, the Young Adults at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

CHANCEL FLOWERS

A sign-up sheet is now posted in the hallway near the office for people who would like to provide floral arrangements for the chancel in 2008. There is also a place to designate the flowers as being given in honor or in memory of someone or some special event.
The cost per Sunday is $50. The Altar Guild will purchase the flowers and arrange them on each occasion. It is asked that donors submit a check payable to First Evangelical Lutheran Church at least a week in advance. Write “flowers” in the memo space on the check.
Each Sunday the name of the donor and designee will be included in the worship bulletin.
After the service, the flowers may be taken home by the donor or delivered to a member or friend who is ill or homebound.

VASES NEEDED

With Altar Guild providing chancel flowers on many Sundays, vases will be needed afterward for conveying the flowers to the donor or other recipient. Vases can be placed in the sacristy.

NOVEMBER PRAYER LIST (November 21–December 20

Members and Associate Members

Bill Bammel
Emilie Ratcliffe
Richard and Betty Campbell
Carl and Rose Marie Sontag
James Cone
Norman Tofte
Minnie Johnson
Ruth Tracy
Lorine Nichols
Betty Wade

Friends and Relatives

Pam Cummings
Anna Taylor
Terry and Lois Laughlin
Fransisco Tobias
Lindsay Lum
Mary Ruth White
Shelly Milner
Martha Winston
C. J. Strelau

Other Special Concerns

The death of Betty Eilert, Minnie Lou Gaeckler’s sister, on November 17


MARTY’S MUSINGS Marty Ambrose, Administrator

This past December saw the one-year anniversary of Pastor Peterman’s service to this congregation. During that time our membership has doubled, and attendance at Sunday worship has almost tripled. The nursery is re-opened, and is growing in number and noise. Of course, the noise coming from the nursery is music to the ears of older members, who have seen what can happen when you lose young couples with children—and then regain them. To say these young and vibrant members are welcome to this congregation is an understatement.
Add to this the sometimes boisterous patter of committee meetings, the glorious sound of our choir, and the adulation of those who discover First Evangelical Lutheran Church as a venue for their wedding, and you have a church that is genuine, a church that is welcoming, a church that is relevant.
As we leap ahead into 2008, we know that with the sure hand of Pastor Peterman, the energy of the membership, and the grace of God, we are right on target to fulfill the mission that is set before us. Let us never forget, as we charge ahead toward fiscal independence and prosperity while serving the spiritual needs of one another and our community—Soli Deo Gloria! (To God alone be the glory!)

DR. MARTIN MARTY COMING TO HOUSTON

On Sunday and Monday, January 13 and 14, Dr. Martin Marty will present two lectures at Christ the King Lutheran Church that are open to the public. One lecture will be on Sunday at 6:00 p.m., and the other will be on Monday at 7:30p.m. The lectures will be based primarily on his latest work, The Mystery of the Child.
Dr. Marty is the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he taught chiefly in the Divinity School for 35 years and where the Martin Marty Center has since been founded to promote “public religion” endeavors. He is a Lutheran pastor, author of more than 50 books, columnist for the Christian Century, and weekly contributor to Sightings, a bi-weekly electronic editorial published by the Marty Center.

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FROM THE PARISH RECORD (November 21–December 20)

Add to the Membership roll
JAMES McLANE, by Transfer from Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Houston
HELEN SULLIVAN, by Transfer from Park Place Lutheran Church, Houston
SHELLEY SULLIVAN, by Transfer from Park Place Lutheran Church, Houston
CHESTER H. YATER, JR., and MARGARET YATER, by Transfer from Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Houston
Add to the Associate Membership roll
JANET ADAMS
EMMA BARBER
JOSEPH BARBER
SARAH BARBER
BEN and SHELLIE BARING
NANCY HAUSSLER
ROBERT and JAMIE KUEMPEL
SABRINA SMITHERMAN

MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS November 20 December 20
Child members 8 8
Confirmed members 116 121
Total baptized members 124 129
Associate members 23 33

2008 CONGREGATION COUNCIL
At the special meeting of the congregation in December, five members were elected to the Congregation Council. The Council for 2008 consists of the following:

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SPECIAL THANKS TO ROSE MARIE SONTAG
The church extends a special word of appreciation to Rose Marie Sontag, whose term on the Congregation Council was completed in December. She served faithfully as the church’s Financial Secretary, handling and depositing all church income and providing a report to Council each month. Sometimes her husband, Carl, assisted her, and we thank him also. Between the two of them, the church’s income was handled honestly and accurately. All of us thank you very, very much, Rose Marie and Carl.

BACH SOCIETY EVENTS IN JANUARY
On Sunday, January 6, at 5:00 p.m., a Bach Vespers will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Featured will be a presentation by the Bach Choir and Orchestra of Bach’s Cantata Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152, as well as other works.
On Sunday, January 20, at 5:00 p.m., an Organ Vespers will be held featuring guest organist Kristian Oleson of Roskilde.
The Bach Society offers its programs as a gift to the community without any admission charge. However, an offering is received at each event to support the work of the society. Christ the King Lutheran Church is located at Rice and Greenbriar in The Village.

MEMBERSHIP DOUBLES
Over the course of this past year, the membership of First Evangelical Lutheran Church increased significantly. The total number of members grew 65%. The total of members and associate members more than doubled. In addition, worship attendance has nearly tripled. Here are the membership figures:

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE

Membership Roll Changes and Corrections
CANTONE, SEAN 281-813-9874
MILNER, VICKI

Add to the Membership Roll
McLANE, JAMES 713-444-7839
9318 Willow Meadows
Houston, TX 77031
SULLIVAN, HELEN
7515 Haywood Drive
Houston, TX 77061
SULLIVAN, SHELLEY 713-640-2272
7515½ Haywood Drive
Houston, TX 77061
YATER, CHESTER H., JR. and MARGARET 713-723-0332
5626 McKnight Street
Houston, TX 77035

Add to the Associate Membership Roll
ADAMS, JANET (& JOHN) 651-923-4868
P. O. Box 56
Goodhue, MN 55027
SARAH BARBER
JOSEPH BARBER
EMMA BARBER
BARING, BEN & SHELLIE 713-468-3550
16 Barracuda Court
Houston, TX 77024
HAUSSLER, NANCY (& PATRICK) 281-291-7510
1219 Larkspur Lane
Seabrook, TX 77586
SMITHERMAN, SABRINA (& JOHNNY) 832-541-8467
1111 Houghton Road, #1608
Katy, TX 77450

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First Evangelical Lutheran Church
1311 Holman, at Caroline
Houston, Texas 77004-3833

Historic First Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Founded in 1851, the church played a vital role in the history of Houston and the formation of Lutheranism in Texas. The church building is on Holman at Caroline, across from Houston Community College. It is three blocks east of the 3400 block of South Main, convenient to the Ensemble/HCC stop on MetroRail. The office is normally open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

     Telephone:    713/529-3589     
      Email:            office@felchouston.org
      Fax:              713/529-0816     
      Web site:      www.felchouston.org

Dorry Shaddock, Interim Organist     
Charline Thompson, Office Manager and Secretary
Carroll Shaddock, Director of Worship and Music       
Rayfus Ferdinand, Custodian
Marty Ambrose, Church Administrator
The Rev. Edwin D. Peterman, Pastor