Sunday School is trying something different
Back in May the Sunday School planning team got together to explore the different things we could try in order to engage our youth and adults. Here are the different things we are going to try:
1) Sunday School will start at 9:30 a.m.
a. It is our hope that this later time will help give parents a little extra time to get kids ready and to the church.
2) Youth choirs will join together at the end of Sunday School to practice music.
a. Terri Nelson has graciously offered to lead the children’s choir. Practice will be 10:00am - 10:15am
3) “Something Else On Sunday”
a. Four times this year we will have a special lunch, lesson, and activity time for the kids after church. Augustana will feed the youth and then they will have an experience similar to Vacation Bible School with different themes. The parents can join for lunch, all of it, or they can go enjoy a nice lunch together.
b. Our first attempt at this will be September 8. The children (along with the rest of congregation) will have brunch after worship, learn about what it means to do God’s Work with our hands, and then do some sort of fun activity that will help the people in our community.
4) We will have a prayground for our kids in the back of the sanctuary.
a. No, I did not misspell that. Starting in August our church sanctuary will have a designated area within the sanctuary where the kids can color and play using the themes for the Biblical stories that Sunday. A volunteer will watch over the kids and assist them while the parents are given the opportunity to fully participate in worship. (If a parent would also like to be in the prayground with their child that is fine, too.)
5) Adult Education hour will be moved to Wednesday mornings with Pastor Reed.
a. I will begin teaching the adult Sunday school on Wednesday mornings. There will be different subjects during this education hour. Some mornings we will be delving through a book in the Bible. Other mornings we may be doing something fun like looking at the faith background of past presidents. All in all, this will be an opportunity to focus on expanding our knowledge on faith, God, and the Bible.
b. I will be posting what we talk about on the Pastor’s page of our church website for any people who are unable to make it to a Wednesday morning education hour. If this goes well enough and we get enough people who would like the education hour in the evenings we will do that.
c. In light of Adult Education, we will be having a coffee hour before church in Luther Hall on Sundays from 9:30am - 10:20am. This will be a time for fellowship for our members. This is a time to sit down and talk to one another. This will also be a place where parents bringing children to Sunday School could come to instead of having to go home. There will be faith conversation starters during this time for those who would like to engage in it. All in all, I think this will be a great opportunity to be together.
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Diakonia
Diakonia is an exciting opportunity which provides a spiritual journey to lay individuals who wish to become more involved in their church or who want to better understand their faith.
Diakonia meets once each week for two years during the school year. Individuals are joined by other students and teaching pastors from around the Northern Illinois Synod to talk about the Bible,Christian Doctrine, Christian Ethics, Lutheran Faith in the American Context, and other topics. Students are also given the opportunity to discern what spiritual gifts they might have to use in service to God’s people.
This course of study prepares students for the task of showing God’s love in their workplaces, neighborhoods, families, and schools, as well as their local churches. Diakonia graduates are called to share the light of Christ in the world.
Join us for a Come and See event at Salem Lutheran Church, Moline on Tuesday, August 13 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
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The following have been elected to positions of leadership and trust at Augustana Lutheran Church:
Rocky Atwell, Bonnie Bandelow secretary, Bryan Johnson vice chairman, Nicholas Swanson, Emily Maertens, Jeanine Lees, Mindy Poppy, Linda Papoccia, Jeanine Westerlund, Ed Williams and Pastor Reed Pedersen
Contact info. for all Council members found on Website Leadership Page...Link HERE
May God bless them, and direct their deeds in peace, that they may be faithful servants of Christ.
Council Highlights
There was no council meeting in July.
Next scheduled meeting is
Tuesday, August 13 at 7:00pm
Nick Swanson will furnish refreshments and do devotions.
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August Meetings
Joy Circle Tuesday, August 13, 11:30am
Lunch Out
Peace Circle No August Meeting
Faith Circle No August Meeting
WELCA planning meeting will be August 4 during coffee hour. Any WELCA members are welcome -
bring your coffee and treats to the library to help plan for next year.
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Invitation to ALL women of
Augustana Lutheran Church
Women’s Summer Bible Study
3 sessions
Date: Tuesdays, August 6, 13 and 20
10:30am - 11:45am
First Lutheran Church
1230 Fifth Ave Moline IL
Topic: The Book of Esther
WELCA Bold Women Bible Study Series:
“Helping Our Voices Bloom”
Please read the book of Esther before
attending the first class session.
All materials furnished!
Come join in this insightful discussion,
facilitated by Sharon Whitney.
Our own Swedish ‘fika’ (coffee/sweets)
will be served too.
For questions and registration, call
First Lutheran Church at 309.764.3517
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Women, Wine and the Word
 Thursday, August 22, 7:45at the home of
Sally Rehn
Each month we will focus on a different woman of the Bible. Everyone is welcome!
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Dear Augustana Family,
 With God’s blessings, my only first cousin will be turning 100 on Sunday, August 25! She worshipped at Augustana until they moved to the “big” city of Galesburg when she was 18. She is also related to many current church members that are a part of the Abramson (aka. Abrahamson [Swedish]) clan! She was born in my house!
We are not having an open house but I am asking for your heartfelt wishes and prayers with a card party. Please send your birthday wishes to: Mrs. Fran Riley
500 Centennial Dr. Apt. 216
East Peoria IL 61611
Thank you for your prayers on her continued good health and happiness.
In Christ’s love,
Mary Anne, Frances and Unni
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 Thank you to my church family for the prayers, cards, phone calls and emails following my “surprise” surgery. Thank you also to Pastor Reed for the prayers and visits. All is very much appreciated. |
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Pastoral Acts
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of LaVerna Stromquist who died on Tuesday, July 16. Services were held at Augustana Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 19.
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Virginia Anderson who died on Tuesday, July 16. Graveside services were held at Andover Township Cemetery on Tuesday, July 23.
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August Birthdays01 Dick Gunnerson
03 Paul Larson, Mary Bizarri
04 Luke Nimrick, Kollin Poppy
08 Lara Newman
09 Brynlee Peterson
10 Brock Peterson
12 Emily Maertens, Vanessa Johnson
13 Jessie Kettler
14 Heather Angel
15 Leslie LaMont
17 Mandy Ferry
18 Ray Newman, Kathy Swanson, Brian Nelson
21 Brandon Youngberg, Jessica Lingle
23 Jim Johnson, Kevin Isaacson
24 Kevin Johnson
26 Breanna McLaughlin
27 Nikkie Kettler
28 Kristin Burns
29 Carol Engnell
30 Mark Carlson
31 Richard Hutchison, Allison Rickey
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August Anniversaries02 Richard and Natalie Parrett
06 Paul and Nicole Rehder
08 Kevin and Mindy Poppy
18 Roger and Skeeter Catlett
19 Zach and Amanda Nelson
21 Steve and Nancy Gray
24 Jeanine and Jerry Lees
25 Mandy and Ryan Ferry
30 Breanna and Wade McLaughlin
31 Wendy and Nicholas Rossi
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G.W.O.H. Sunday Date Chosen -
September 8, 2019
Augustana Lutheran Church will be partaking in God’s Work Our Hands Sunday on September 8, 2019. On this Sunday our members gather for worship then go out to do projects for our community. Activities for G.W.O.H. Sunday range from helping beautify our park and town with different paint jobs to tying blankets we can give to shut-ins and nursing homes. All of these serve the purpose of doing God’s helping work in the world through our hands.
This year will be a little different because will be celebrating G.W.O.H. Sunday along with Rally Sunday for our Sunday School. To do so, our Sunday schedule will look like this:
9:30 - 10:15am - 1st Day of Sunday School
10:30 - 11:00am - Worship Service
11:00am - 12:00pm - Rally Sunday/G.W.O.H. Brunch
(Pancakes and Bacon!!!!!)
12:00pm - 2:30pm - Community Projects
We are ordering T-shirts for GWOH Sunday!!! In a sign of solidarity it is common for churches to wear special T-shirts that say, “God’s Work. Our Hands.”, on the front of the shirt and the name of our church on the back. At the time of this printing, cost is $ 7.75. Adult and youth sizes are available. Please contact the church office with your shirt sizes so that we can have them made for everyone by September 8. ORDER DEADLINE IS MONDAY, AUGUST 12.
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Let’s Talk Halloween!
 Even though Halloween is still four months away it is not too early to think about Trunk and Treat. Let’s make this years bigger and better than last year! If you have any ideas, suggestions, or would like to help with planning please contact Jeanine Lees, 309.236.5920. Thank you. |
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We Sing the Year Around
Hymn Festival Organ Dedication
Sunday, October 14, 4:00pm
First Lutheran Church
Galesburg, Illinois
 Internationally acclaimed organist, composer, conductor Dr. John A. Ferguson, Elliot & Klara Stockdal Johnson, Professor of Organ & Church Music Emeritus, St. Olaf College, will lead We Sing the Year Round Hymn Festival.
The Hymn Festival, written and led by Dr. Ferguson, is in celebration of the church’s new Allen organ. A free will offering toward organ scholarships will be accepted. Everyone is invited to celebrate the addition of this magnificent instrument to First Lutheran Church.
Come to sing or simply listen as Dr. Ferguson leads this extraordinary musical event.
For more information, call 309.343.3176.
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Chapel Vespers Continue
Vesper services continue Sunday evening through August at the Jenny Lind Chapel, 7:00 pm.
August 4 Pr. Stacie Fidlar, St. Johns, Rock Island
August 11 Pr. John Leaf, retired
August 18 Pr. Greg Mayer, retired
August 25 Pr. Randy Willers, Salem, Moline
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We are getting a new church directory!
It has been 5 years since Augustana Lutheran Church has had a new church directory made. The church council has agreed that it’s time we make another one. The church directory is a collection of photos of our congregation members along with fun history and news representing what we’ve been up to and contact information so that we may keep in touch with our fellow congregants.
We will be using Lifetouch to help create our church directory. They will be taking family photos at our church on Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4. Please keep one of these dates open on your schedule. If it is not open then please contact the church office.
These photo shoot days are an opportunity to get your picture taken for the church directory, but also to update your family portraits! Lifetouch offers many options for photos that can be made and sent to loved ones. Please join and us on Tuesday, September 3 or Wednesday, 4 so we can be a church together (in print).
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Active Shooter Training During Coffee Hour
August 18, 2019
Our world is becoming more dangerous every day and it seems soft targets like churches are no longer immune to mass shootings. It is a sad statement to type and read, but it is the truth. Some people in our congregation have voiced concern over this and wanted to have active shooter training for our church members.
Kevin Johnson, Nicholas Swanson, and Jeanine Lees have offered to give a presentation on active shooter training during coffee hour after church on August 18. This presentation will go over the generalities of what to do in case of an active shooter, but it will also go into the specifics for what we can do if an active shooter were to enter our sanctuary during worship.
Please know that while I, Pastor Reed, am pastor of this congregation guns (concealed or otherwise) will not be allowed on the church grounds. Our church is a holy space. Because of this, it is important to know what to do if an active shooter were to enter our sanctuary. It is my hope and prayers (and I hope yours too) that the knowledge shared on August 18 will never have to be used, but it is worth learning. Please join us for this important opportunity.
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 Worship Committee Meeting
Wednesday, August 14
10:30 am in the Library
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 Memorial Committee Meeting
Saturday, August 24
10:00 am in the Library
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Flower Chart for 2019
There are still available dates on our flower chart for 2019. Your flowers may be given in honor or in memory of loved ones. It is your responsibility to contact the florist of your choice and to call the church office with the information for the bulletin at least one week before the designated Sunday. Thank you.
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Assisting in Worship - September 2019
10:30 am Worship Service begins September 8th
Communion Assistants
01 Deanna Swanson
08 Mindy Poppy
15 Wally Ladewig
22 Kathy Atwell
29 Ruth Swanson
Acolytes
01 Ashley Rickey
08 Kile Johnson
15 Katie Angelos
22 Logan Selander
29 Emma Poppy
Lectors
01 Deanna Swanson
08 Connie Dismer
15 Rocky Atwell
22 Kevin Johnson
29 Ruth Swanson
Greeters
01 Deanna Swanson
08 Jeanine Lees
15 Jan Gritton
22 Ray and Ruth Ann Newman
29 Mike Lowery
Communion Set-Up
01 Ken and Diane Poppy
08 Lori Foley
15 Kathy Atwell
22 Laura Rickey
29 Steve and Nancy Gray
Ushers
Rocky and Kathy Atwell
Bob and Linda Papoccia
Altar Guild
Jan Gritton and Kathy Atwell
Homebound Communion
Jeanine Lees
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August Bonnie Bandelow
September Jeanine Lees
It is your responsibility to find a replacement if unable to serve.
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Acolyte Schedule
August-October
9:00 am Worship Service (August)
10:30 am Worship September 8th
Note: please be at church no later than 15 minutes before the service. Find Pastor for instruction.
If you cannot acolyte on your scheduled date, trade with someone else and let the church office know ASAP about the date. (309.521.8127) Save this schedule and parents phone numbers.
Laura / Katie Angelos 309.235.5910
Kevin / Kile Johnson 309.428.5433
Jennifer / Kile Johnson 309.428.5433
Laura/Ashley Rickey 309.235.4259
Michele/Sophie Selander 309.721.3162
Diane/Emma Poppy 309.794.1691
August 4 Ashley Rickey
August 11 Logan Selander
August 18 Katie Angelos
August 25 Emma Poppy
September 1 Ashley Rickey
September 8 (10:30am) Kile Johnson
September 15 Katie Angelos
September 22 Logan Selander
September 29 Emma Poppy
October 6 Ashley Rickey
October 13 Logan Selander
October 20 Katie Angelos
October 27 Emma Poppy
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Attention: All students and Teachers
 Teachers and students will soon begin a new school year. On Sunday, August 11 during our worship service we will have a blessing of backpacks, students, and teachers. Please bring your backpacks that Sunday to be blessed. Teachers, feel free to bring laptops, PDA’s or any tool that you use for teaching to be blessed.
We hope that all of our teachers and students will be at worship on August 11, 9:00 am to receive a blessing. |
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Prayer for First Day of School
God of wisdom and might, be with all children as they begin a new school year. Bless them and their teachers and staff. Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow; wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding; and peace and zeal to their hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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College Bound Students
 We would like to keep in touch with you by sending you the monthly Spire and other news. If you have not left for college and know your address, please use the communion card and give us your address. Parents, if your child has left for college, would you please use the communion card and give us the address? It’s amazing how mail from home can make any day a great day!
If you would prefer to receive the online version of the Spire, please subscribe at the top to this newsletter. |
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Church Modernization Projects Update
Augustana Lutheran Church would appreciate your continued support towards the Church Modernization Project. Our goal to raise $105,000 in three years to help pay back the Endowment Fund used to pay for these projects. Current status:
Goal = $ 105,000
# Pledges Received = 31
$ Pledged = $ 65,590
Total $ = $ 56.179
% of Goal (Pledges) = 62.5 %
% of Goal ($) = 53.5%
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Life Lessons Learned
A grandfather was walking through
his yard when he heard his
granddaughter repeating the alphabet
in a tone of voice that sounded like prayer.
He asked her what she was doing.
The little girl explained:
’I’m praying, but can’t think of
exactly the right words, so
I’m just saying all the letters,
and God will put them together for me
because He knows what I’m thinking.’
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Augustana
