"Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing." -Martin Luther-
Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 13, 2021
You are invited to join us for Sunday Worship on Sunday, June 13, 2021, the Third Sunday after Pentecost. We have moved back into our church building for in-person worship. If you are unable to attend at the church, you can still join us for worship virtually as we will be posting a recording of the service on our You Tube channel later in the day Sunday or on Monday. You can check our channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfqAlVP3IslFJILUcVSCM1w

Special thanks to our Worship & Music and Communications teams and heartfelt gratitude to Scott and Rosemary Compton for producing and posting our service video.
Below, please find links to download a PDF of the Order of Service
All links and the Order of Service are also available on our Facebook page:
Children's Worship Resources
From First Lutheran
The First Lutheran Family Fun & Fellowship Virtual Program led by Barbara Giangaspro takes place on Sundays at 4:00 pm each week. Please email Barbara at lwmcbg@optonline.net if your family would like to join the group!
 
From Metro NY Synod
Members and friends of First Lutheran with children are invited to download the free MNYS Children's App. To learn more, click, here: https://www.mnys.org/childrens-app/
Meeting and Fellowship Reminders
Council Meeting
Our council meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month for the foreseeable future. Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 6:30 PM. Pastor Koenig will be our coverage Pastor and has been assigned this responsibility by the Synod.

Fellowship Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast and/or coffee together as we gather prayer petitions and check in with each other on Thursday, June 17, 2021 beginning at 9 AM. The breakfast will take place at the Palace Diner. No reservations are needed.

Pub Night
Our next FELC Pub Night will be Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 6 PM. The pub night will take place at Schatzi's.
Church Reopening-Singing Starts Sunday, June 13, 2021
Well, we did it. Church reopened on Sunday, June 6, 2021 and twenty people came to the service. 
 
MASKS--must be worn at all times inside church whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Masks must be worn properly and should cover both nose and mouth. Masks may be lowered to receive communion.
 
NYS GUIDELINES FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP – If you have not seen these guidelines, please contact Nancy Slingerland at 845-853-4307 or president@firstlutheranpok.org.
 
SINGING—We have decided to sing starting this Sunday, June 13, 2021. We will sing a sending hymn. Masks must be worn while singing.
 
COMMUNION—When we have a preacher who can administer communion we have decided to give both elements wafer and wine. We will line up at the communion rail to receive communion. Please follow the markers on the floor in front of the communion rail and/or ushers instructions.
 
ENTRANCES—Please enter through the parking lot door or Catherine St. Please read the sign on the door prior to entering. A person will be stationed at a table to ask you a few questions each Sunday.  
 
SANITIZING STATIONS—Please ensure you sanitize your hands upon entering the church. The stations are located inside the church at the parking lot entrance, Catherine St. , and in the narthex. 
 
PEWS—Please sit in only designated pews. Other pews will be marked off. 
 
WORSHIP—Our service will look and feel a little different. We will be filming our service so it can be shared on our Facebook page and YouTube channel, folks will need to stop at reception table, and you may not be able to sit in your pew.  However, we will be together inside our beautiful sanctuary.
 
COFFEE HOUR—No coffee hour for a while.
 
PARKING—I know that parking has been a concern since our lot across the street now has apartment buildings. Available parking—our lot, the other side of the municipal lot right next to the apartments, Security Supply lot, and two lots on Catherine St. One lot is owned by the city and leased to Family Services. This lot is a short distance from 45 Catherine St. The other lot is located at the law firm of McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa and Paterson at 42 Catherine St. Both lots are very close to the church and folks can enter the church on Catherine St. There are a few other lots around yet to be explored. We will continue to investigate. 
 
Thanks for your patience as we move forward on our journey! 

Many blessings!
Nancy S.
Altar Flowers
This week’s flowers are given in thanksgiving by the Stephens Family in celebration of Andrew and Philip’s high school graduation.
Council Message
It was a pleasure to be back in our sanctuary last week to worship in person, though I will miss being able to sleep in on Sundays. As a night owl, that has been my silver lining throughout the pandemic. As more and more things are opening and restrictions are being lifted I’m finding new silver linings like being able to see my friends again or being able to travel. I was supposed to go to Thailand around Thanksgiving last year for another Habitat for Humanity international build, but that was cancelled and I found myself with some vacation days to carry into this year. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with those days, and now that there are fewer restrictions I find myself with almost too many options. I am grateful to have so many options though and I hope you are able to take advantage of some of the lifted restrictions to do something fun this summer. I hope to see you in church soon!

Blessings,
Rosemary
THIS BISHOP LOVES YOU
A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP EGENSTEINER
In 2019, the Metro New York Synod participated in the NYC Pride Parade, publicly declaring the synod's radically welcoming mission as a church. In response to this beautiful day, Bishop Egensteiner wrote a heartfelt and moving article, exemplifying how we celebrate the holy gifts of our LGBTQIA+ siblings. During this Pride month, we would like to revisit this emotional experience and remember that meaningful day.
 
"One connection that stands out to me in particular: A young man shook my hand and said something to me that, amidst the joyful noises around us, I didn’t catch. 'Could you say that again?' I asked. In a quiet, tentative voice he repeated, 'You mean I’m not going to hell?' I was stunned. 'No,' I said. (Along with Bishop Eaton, I believe there is a hell but it is empty, by the grace of the Father and the love of Jesus.) 'God loves you!' He held my hand a little longer and then said, 'Come here. Give me a hug.' As I did so, he repeated his initial question, 'So, I’m not going to hell, right?' 'No!' I repeated, maybe a little more emphatically this time. 'God LOVES you!'"
 
*If the word “queer” causes concern or confusion, follow this link from “ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation” for helpful background on its proper use.
Things are Getting Back to Normal...e-Spoke is Getting Ready...And is Looking for Help
Hi Everyone,
 
Now that Covid restrictions are lifting, we are getting the bike repair project back in action.  
 
For those who are unfamiliar, once a month pre-pandemic we would get old bikes road ready for community members in need. People could also bring in their own bikes and we would show them how to fix things up themselves.
 
We worked out of the basement of the Lutheran church on the corner of Catherine and Mill St. (the big brick one). Paul and I went in on Wednesday to look things over and we have about 35 adult bikes and 15 kids bikes in various stages of disrepair. 
 
We were thinking of getting together some weekend in the near future to see what is rideable, fixing what can be fixed, and getting rid of what is beyond repair.  
 
We could use all the help we can get, so if you want to help out, please let me know.
 
Let's go ride bikes!
 
 
Johnny Galbraith
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Marist College
Advocate for bicycle transportation in Poughkeepsie, NY
        
Auction Winners
Last year Kurt Bastian won the party at the Pirate Canoe Club donated by the Compton’s. A perfect May 19th evening with a beautiful sunset and balmy river breezes lead to a fun gathering with snacks including homemade pretzels. Fortunately Mary’s daughter-in-law and grandson were in town, we were able to get to know them…win win!
Altar Flowers
As we now have in-person worship, you can sign up for ordering Altar flowers in honor or memory of your loved ones. As always Jim Grey will provide the beautiful arrangements.

The suggested donation is $25 for each Sunday. Please send your check along with the name of who you are honoring to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 325 Mill Street., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. If you would like to use the online donation option, please send a note or email to our secretary Bailey Yewchuck at office@firstlutheranpok.org with the name of the person(s).

The announcements of who provided the flowers will be added to both our e-blast newsletter and weekly bulletin.

The chart is located in the narthex with pens at the ready.
A Special Thanks From St. Paul's
First Evangelical Lutheran Family: You are all so special to the people in and around the City of Poughkeepsie and the mission of St. Paul’s Food Pantry

Thanks you for being a magnificent donor over the years. You continue to partner with us in your monthly financial contributions, and recently the 500 can project which entitled us to a $500 donation from Thrivent Financial Services and your prayers. Having you for a friend in service on this journey has added an abundance of joy in the work God has entrusted to us. Please keep us in prayer and we welcome an opportunity to work with you.

Grace and peace,
Deacon Julett
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is being coordinated by our First Lutheran Shepherds, who will refer FELC parishioners to Pastor Arlene Wilhelm, Deacon Peter Slingerland, Rev. Jeff Koenig, or Pastor Chris Mietlowski, Assistant to the Bishop MNYS/ELCA in cases of serious pastoral emergency. If you are not sure who your Shepherd is, please contact:
FELC President, Nancy Slingerland at Email: President@firstlutheranpok.org
Nancy Compton at Email: NLCompton59@gmail.com
or leave a message for either at the Church Office phone: 845-452-6050.
June Birthday List
01 Vicki Frank-Day
01 Emmeline Louisa Yuan Nicoll
02 Norberto Dominguez
04 Shirley Mowell
04 Linda Polgrean
06 Louise Grey
07 Evva Burlingame
10 Laura Carbone
10 William Frank
19 Nancy Slingerland
25 Nancy Compton
27 Susan Henkel
30 Juanita Sandala
Saturday Pick-up Dinners at Germania
For those who are interested in supporting Germania while enjoying a delicious meal each week, please consider ordering Germania's Saturday pickup dinners at Germania. Sylvia Reuter is the contact person and her email address is sylvreuter@gmail. com. Her phone number is 914-882-0307. The dinners are very reasonably priced and include entree and dessert. They also have apple strudel available for an additional cost. You must contact Sylvia by Friday to order and to tell her when you will be picking up on Saturday (between 4-7 pm). You can pay by check or by credit card. When you arrive at Germania on DeGarmo Road, drive to the front of the club and someone wearing a mask and gloves will bring you dinner(s) to the car.
Sharing our Offerings
We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (LBW, Offertory Prayer)
 
Simply Giving online giving is available for donations:
1) Go to https://my.simplegive.com/app/giving/Firs9999156 -or- go to https://firstlutheranpok.org/ and click on "Donations" at the top of the home page.
2) Under Fund click on Choose a Fund --> General Fund
3) Type in Amount (check box for recurring if desired -- you'll be prompted to set up an account)
4) Choose Credit card or Bank Account
a) Credit card incurs 2.5% fee to the church
b) Bank Transfer incurs 1.0% fee to the church
If you have any questions, contact Chris Collins at ccollins38000@gmail.com
And Finally, Always Remember...
"Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!"
First Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA)
325 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-452-6050 (Church)
FIRST LUTHERAN MISSION STATEMENT

“As members of God’s family in mission together, we are part of the whole complicated, colorful spectrum of God’s creation in all its diversity, practicing our faith and putting it into action as we strive to make a difference, in big and small ways, through God’s grace.

We recognize that we are all called to be one body with many members, from infants to seniors. We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, shapes and sizes; of every marital status, political affiliation, socio-economic status, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression; of different faith traditions, different physical, mental and emotional abilities, and those in recovery or struggling with addiction.

We know that no matter who you are, Jesus accepts you, and so do we.”