Announcements from Sunday, May 11, 2008:

WELCOME TO FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH! The Spirit sends us forth to serve! Communion and prayer request information is available on the yellow insert. We ask everyone to complete the insert and place it in the offering plate.

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED for Annie Altman, Frank Bremer, Pastor Don Bridinger, Harold Closson, Katie Cochran, Barb Dantuano, Pastor Paul and Sue DeMoss, June Ferrell, Tom Frederick, Jim Gorst, Estella Lab, Sophia Larick, Althea MacAdam, Jason Meyer, Ruth Mills, Mary Rayburn, Steve Rice, Sally Robinson, Sharon Thoman, Diana Thomson, David Von Stein, Michael Wilder, Holly Zorz, and congregational support for a Youth Coordinator. Please keep them in your prayers this week.

THE FLOWERS THAT ADORN OUR ALTAR are given to the glory of God by Stan and Jane Wise in honor of their mothers, Betty and Arleen, and in honor of all mothers everywhere.

OUR COFFEE FELLOWSHIP this morning is being hosted by the men of the church. Please stop in for a time of fellowship.

OUR CHIRSTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Pastor Paul DeMoss and his family on the death of his mother, Gwelda, on Tuesday morning. Her funeral was Friday in Springfield.

IT IS FINISHED! We have finally officially recovered from the flood and would like to show everyone all the exciting things that have been accomplished. Please join us for an Open House on Sunday, May 18th from 3:00 to 5:00. Come and see what God has done!

TODAY WE ARE HONORING the Kids Khoir and Youth Choir as part of our Choir Appreciation Month. Please take the time today to express your appreciation to the choir members, and the directors, Heather, Elizabeth, and Sally. Their great voices and wonderful smiles warm the hearts of the congregation and remind us of God’s love each month. We want to thank them for their dedication this year and we can’t wait to see them again in the fall.

TODAY IS MOTHER’S DAY. In honor of this special day the Christian Education Committee is donating $200 to the Hancock County Open Arms Domestic Violence Shelter.

MEMBER INQUIRERY CLASS will meet again Sunday, May 18th following the 10:45 worship service. If you would like to participate in all the wonderful things that are happening here at First, please come, even if you’re not sure you want to join at this time. If you missed the first class, please join us on the 18th. You are always welcome! Lunch will be provided. If you have further questions, please contact Pastor Bob.

MAY 18TH IS A FUN DAY FOR ALL! Come and enjoy the youth as they share what they learned in Kids Kingdom. The program will be presented at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. Following the service we will enjoy a picnic outside (hot dogs, chips and lemonade).

OUR WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SUMMER are going to be a little different from the past few years. On Sundays beginning June 1st and going through Labor Day, we will offer a 9:30 liturgical service and an 11:15 contemporary service. We hope the contemporary service opportunity will bring people in our community and congregation one step closer to God.

WE WILL FEATURE FAVORITE HYMNS AGAIN THIS SUMMER. If you have a favorite hymn from the ELW (maroon hymnal) or WOV (blue hymnal), please mark the hymn title and number on your yellow sheet.

THE EXPERIENCE TOURING CHOIR IS COMING! We will host a youth singing group from Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC. The group will perform on Monday, June 23rd. Approximately 30 host families will be needed to house 72 youth and 8 adults. Watch for sign- up sheets to host and help provide dinner for the group on the 23rd.

HELP BUILD A HOME FOR LIBBY AND TIMMY. Pick a square on our Donation House Chart in the hallway and place your donation in the bucket. You are also invited to inscribe something special on the two pieces of lumber in the hallway. They will be used in the construction of the Habitat for Humanity house for Libby and Timmy Brossia. So share a prayer, a Bible verse, a word of encouragement, and your name if you wish.

THE SOUND SYSTEM is in the process of being repaired. It may take some time to get it just right, so please be patient with us as we may experience a few “glitches.”

REGISTER YOUR YOUTH for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio summer camp. Brochures are in the narthex. For information on the Lutheran Summer Camp Program, see Amanda McClellan or Max Bryant.

THE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE is Monday May 19th. This is an early reminder because we will have a combined June and July Newsletter. The mailing will be on Wednesday, May 27th.