Giving Thanks

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“It’s a Good Place to Be!”

    Nora Smith's roots lie in a farm in the Manistique/Gulliver area. Post-high school, she explored various career paths, including a brief stint in cosmetology. However, her life changed with marriage and a move to Gladstone. Together with Jerry, she raised three boys, and together, they played a significant role in nurturing many more children, thanks to Jerry's 41 years of coaching and Nora's continued service to the youth of First Lutheran Church.

    A humble soul, Nora wasn't seeking a career change when the Parish Assistant position at First Lutheran was posted. Yet the Holy Spirit had plans, and her friend Pat Casteel encouraged her to apply. She said, "God calls and equips reluctant people, and that was me." For 18 years, she served this congregation, changing lives and witnessing to the people at First and in our greater community.
Nora had always been involved with our Sunday School, but her engagement as parish assistant became mission-critical for the church.

    When Nora took the position, she attended Lay School to help her with the more theological side of the job. Nora's adaptability was evident as she explained that working for the church "tucked away awesome memories…" The position led her to do things she never thought possible, including attending and chaperoning three ELCA Youth Gatherings. 

    We continue to be grateful for Nora's faithful witness at our church. She helps to facilitate our sewing group and shows up when we need help. When young folks connected to First Lutheran speak of the church or come back home for a visit, one of the names that always seems to come up is Nora Smith.

    Nora's faithful service at First Lutheran has impacted generations of young people, and she keeps going. Nora is a blessing, and as she said, "Blessings tend to come back to you in different ways." We continue to Thank God for Nora Smith and how she blesses us. She said First Lutheran Church, "It's a good place to be." Part of why it's a good place is because God spoke, and Nora listened. Thanks be to God.

Be Kind, Be Cool

Finlee C. is a third grader at Jones Elementary School. He likes football and pizza, and hanging out with his friends is a favorite pastime. Finlee and his older brother have a YouTube channel where they make cool videos under the handle The Yooper Boys @yooperboys2960. When Finlee’s not out having fun, he pitches in to support Sav-Mor, the family business. 

Finlee believes that we are to respect God. He knows that part of that involves being kind and cool. Some of Finlee’s kindness comes from helping other students with their assignments. Math is easy, and he can help even if he prefers gym class!

When it comes to church attendance, Finlee comes because his mom makes him, but he is ultimately glad that she does. Finlee is faithful in showing up even when staying home would be easier. He gladly sings solos for worship and gets a kick from watching his older brother acolyte. 

For Finlee, First Lutheran Church is an intergenerational family affair. His great-grandparents were members, and he doesn’t know any other way to approach God. That’s okay. It’s wonderful. In his world, worship is an inherent and inherited way of life. How many of us know the liturgy and even the smell of the church as familiar and as always? Sometimes, it doesn’t take a grand conversion for someone to find faith; sometimes, it’s generations of faithful people showing up. 

Three Strikes isn't an Out!

Mary Bjorkquist was finishing up with the crew, who stuffed and labeled the newsletters for the month when Pastor trounced and asked for a First’s Look interview. Mary, of course, said yes. Mary is a Gladstone native. Except for one year working at Mackinac College on Mackinac Island, Mary spent her 33-year career working at what would become the ISD. Mary and her husband Gary also raised their two boys, Eric and Dan, in Gladstone. Mary and Gary enjoy their grand puppies, and Mary is an avid bowler. She encourages anyone wanting to join the mixed seniors bowling league to get in touch!

Back in the 1970s, when Eric was little, and Dan was still on the way, Gary and Mary began seeking a warm and welcoming church community for their growing family. They needed more family connections and a place of faith that wasn’t rigid but comfortable. Their mothers instilled a strong faith in the couple, so they committed to trying a new church and had a few friends who attended First Lutheran Church. They visited and then never looked back. 

First Lutheran Church became that place of welcome, and Gary and Mary have been here ever since. They are almost always found at 10:30 services in the front pew organ side. Mary has been on the offering counting team for 6-7 years and has served on the nominating and audit committees. 

Mary's journey in the church has been a testament to its growth and change. The children who once attended Sunday School and Confirmation with Eric and Dan are now parents and grandparents themselves. The church family has expanded, and while the friends who initially led the Bjorkquists to First now worship elsewhere, Mary's faith remains steadfast. As life evolves, God’s presence in the church remains constant. 

One of Mary’s cherished hymns, “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” reflects her deep connection to the church. The lyrics, 'Through the Storm, through the Night, lead me on to the Light,' resonate with her. First Lutheran Church has been a grounding force in Mary's faith journey. She finds solace and believes that our Precious Lord guides us, and the church's role in fostering these connections fills her with gratitude. We are blessed to have Mary Bjorkquist as part of our church community.  

Our Newest Old Friend

Bill Obenauf is the newest member of First Lutheran Church. He grew up in Chatham on a dairy farm. Careerwise, he ran heavy equipment, was an over-the-road truck driver, and worked in soil blending for years before finally retiring from working in water treatment in Wisconsin. Bill is a bachelor who moved back to Gladstone to care for his aging parents, who have both since passed. He currently has four feline roommates. Three are absolute troublemakers, and one is an elderly cat companion. Bill enjoys chopping and turning wood. He is an outdoorsman and likes books and computer time, too.

Bill's path to First Lutheran Church has been a journey of faith and family. He first joined his mother, Irene, in worship here during his visits home from work all over the country. After moving back to the Upper Peninsula to provide full-time caregiving for his parents and the eventual loss of his father in 2015 and his mother in 2021, Bill felt a deep longing for a faith family connection, which he found in our church. 

At First Lutheran Church, he finds family in the men's group, at Tried N True, and when he has the opportunity to join the FLC crew at the Dew Drop for breakfast after 8:00 a.m. church. Bill has not hesitated to get involved with church activities. He has also ushered and participated in church clean-up days. Bill already has his usual spot in the back piano side pews. It feels as though he has always been there, and for a long time, in and out, he has. 

We are overjoyed to welcome Bill officially into our church family. His kind nature, sense of humor, and easy-going personality make him a perfect fit for First Lutheran Church. We are grateful to God for bringing him into our fold and look forward to the many blessings his membership will bring.

Children Will Lead Them

Children Will Lead Them

Rhonda (Flinn) Husbye was born and raised in Escanaba, MI. Her family was active at Bethany Lutheran Church there. Pastor Dean Peterson was a faithful mentor and champion for Rhonda as a young woman. As an adult, Rhonda spent 28+ years working for her family's flower and garden business before moving on to Lakestate Industries and working for us here at First Lutheran Church! Rhonda and her husband Eric have four children: two by birth, one by adoption, and one they took in. The Husbyes have eight living grandchildren, two in heaven and one on the way.

While Rhonda’s faith journey began at Bethany, the curiosity and enthusiasm of their two boys led Rhonda and Eric to explore First Lutheran Church. The boys found a welcoming home in our Sunday School program, and this natural fit drew their parents closer to our faith community. The warm reception from Anita, Nora, Connie, and Andy further solidified their connection. Rhonda’s involvement deepened through chaperoning, organizing, and fundraising for National Youth Gathering Trips, as well as her volunteer work coordinating Hope at the Inn.

Rhonda is a lifelong Lutheran, and her faith is strong. She has felt God’s presence and support most profoundly in some of the difficult moments in her life. Now, Rhonda serves the church every day as an administrator. She does her work thoughtfully and prayerfully. Her care for the work affirms her calling to this vocation.

We are blessed to have Rhonda at First Lutheran Church. Not all people would see reconciling books, organizing newsletters, and making PowerPoint presentations (to name a few of her many tasks) as faithful work. Still, Rhonda does, and for that commitment and spirit, we thank God for Rhonda.

"I Like Being Kind!"

 

Kristianna D-W, a well-known church community member, goes by Kristi at school. At nine years old, her drive to “be kind and help others” is evident at our 10:30 a.m. worship service. She is often found helping the ushers welcome folks and pass out bulletins. Kristi will even step in to pass the plate, and last summer, she took on some light acolyting duties. Music class and recess are two of her favorite activities in school, and she has gymnastics as an extracurricular pastime.

Covid was a hard time for community connections, and Kristi remembers telling her Grandma Pam that she wished they could go to church again. When they did, Kristi was happy to see her godparents, Tom and Judy Vanlerberghe, in the front pew (Tom was last month’s First’s Look). She jumped back into Sunday School and serving God at First Lutheran with enthusiasm and some of the best hugs!

When Kristi and Pastor met after school one day to discuss this piece, Pastor thanked Kristi for coming to church outside of regular hours. She responded, “I wish we could go to church every day!” When asked about this answer, she said, “Because I want to know a lot of things about God.” Kristi is very articulate. She can easily explain the ways she sees God “bless us every day.” Her answers came not just efficiently but with joy.

It has been a blessing to watch Kristi grow and blossom at church. What a great testimony to those who worship at church to see a young person with such a vibrant faith. One final word of wisdom that Kristi ended with is, “Not everybody is perfect, but everyone is perfect the way they are.” She has clearly taken some powerful lessons to heart. What a privilege we have to worship with this dear heart of a kid!

First Will Do

Tom Vanlerberghe and his wife Judy migrated back to First Lutheran Church in Gladstone after living and worshipping in Escanaba for some time. Tom graduated from Gladstone High School and enlisted in the Army upon graduation. He served in Vietnam and came home for planned R&R and to enjoy unemployment. Instead, he almost instantly fell into a job at the Forest Service and stayed for his entire career!

For the Vanlerberghes, connection became important. Their two living children reside downstate and in Wisconsin. Their nine grandchildren are almost all grown and scattered around the United States. Seeing family, especially with the unpredictability of U.P. winters, is more challenging than it used to be. The Vanlerberghes discovered that finding a faith community that felt like family was essential.

Tom and Judy checked out First at the encouragement of Tom’s sister, Mary Bjorkquist, a longtime member. What they found was a friendly place full of familiar faces. Tom’s long-time friend and hunting buddy Raino Maki is one of our main ushers at 8:00 am worship. Several old classmates and acquaintances made the Vanlerberghes feel like First was already home.

Thankfully, most Sunday mornings at 10:30 am, you will find Tom and Judy in the front center pew organ side. Tom’s faith doesn’t need to be in church. In his prayer life, any piece of ground would work. Tom believes in our higher power. As a veteran who has seen a lot of the world, he would have plenty of reasons to question all of it, yet he keeps showing up with us and for worship. We are blessed to have Tom and Judy as a part of our faith family.

This is it.

 

Lisa Thomas is a somewhat newly retired member of First Lutheran Church. She is a two-career person with 10 years in the medical technology industry, and then, in what can only be described as a calling with divine intervention, Lisa went on to teach high school for 20 or so years in Gladstone. Lisa and her husband, John, raised their two children in Gladstone and love being grandparents to their grandchildren.

Lisa was raised in Escanaba and attended Bethany Lutheran Church there. Lisa and John had a summer romance that never ended, and after 7 years together, they married at Bethany, but living in Gladstone, it didn’t stick as a forever church home for their young family. Then life happened, and some upsetting events locally and socially made Lisa realize they needed a church home, a place to be grounded in sacred community. The Thomas family tried out First Lutheran because they already had some friends in attendance.

The first person to meet them on their first Sunday was Nora Smith. Her gentle welcome and personal touch sealed the deal. They immediately felt comfortable. Lisa said, “This is it. This is family.” She jumped in with both feet, teaching Sunday School and working with the Bulletin Boards. Today, Lisa serves on our Altar Guild and Audit Committee. The Thomas kids were confirmed here and have grown to be wonderful adults living away, but not too far that grandma and grandpa can’t see their family regularly! 

The Thomas’ continue to bless us. Now that she is retired having Lisa’s light and joy in our midweek Bible Study has been an extra delight. Lisa may have been the teacher for years, but her zeal for learning is contagious in that group. We are thankful for Lisa and her presence in this place. Amen 

Ushering In Faith

 

Harvey Setter grew up in Redford, Michigan, near Detroit. After he was grown, Harvey enlisted in the United States Air Force. He met his wife, Betty, in Chicago. Quickly, they married and had two girls, Heidi and Robin. The Setters also lived in Florida, Germany, and Spain, with Harvey serving in Hawaii before he met Betty. Harvey attended school while serving in the Air Force and eventually received his degree from NMU while working full-time. He joked that it took him 23 years to graduate! 

After those 23 years of service, he retired as an E9 from KI Sawyer, but he didn’t stay retired. Harvey then went to work for Freedom Airlines, quickly transitioning to the Delta County Airport Manager, eventually taking on the parks. Harvey still consulted for airports for many years after he retired from that job. He would fly himself all over to do this work. 

Delta County was a homecoming for Harvey’s wife, Betty, as she was raised in the Rapid River area and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church. The Setter’s were married there as well. When they built their house in Gladstone, First Lutheran seemed like a good protestant choice for church.  Harvey connected with Pastor Ron Swanson, who didn’t hesitate to stop by to look for a cup of coffee. 

When the Setters found a comfortable community at First Lutheran, they jumped in to support and care for the church. Harvey served on the council, helping First Lutheran to walk through some difficult times, and he was a regular usher. Once in a while, he will still pinch hit, but he has mostly retired from that kind of service.

From starting their marriage living in a chicken coop to traveling all over the world, the Setters have some stories they can share, and they may even be able to speak them in several languages, too! In almost 60 years, they have done so much together. They are still snowbirds in the winter and have just headed south. 

We are thankful for their time with us at First Lutheran. Even though we only see them when it’s warm, we are glad that Harvey and Betty Setter find community with us. Harvey’s wisdom and kindness have helped us as a church over the years, and his service to our country is commendable. 

Serving our Country, State, and County

Bill Shine and his wife Kathy have lived in Gladstone since 1974. After serving as a Corpsman in the Navy for three years, Bill started out with various jobs. He eventually landed with the State Police, which took the Shine Family from Cheboygan, Michigan, back to the Upper Peninsula.  

Bill and Kathy joined the Lutheran Church because they had been members of a Lutheran Church downstate, and it made sense to do the same here. On the weekends, Bill was often working or coaching little league, American Legion Ball, fast and slow pitches, and even hockey!  You wouldn’t see him in the pews every Sunday. There was hunting too, of course! 

What you can know about Bill and his faith life is that it happens in nature. Proof can be found in the menagerie of animals waiting for handouts at the Shine residence each morning: deer, squirrels, turkeys, and other birds wait impatiently for snacks. The sacredness of being with animals and creation alike connects with both the Shines. 

Bill and Kathy found friends for life at First Lutheran Church. From hunting buddies, anniversary/birthday buddies, and neighbors to the breakfast club and dinner companions, there was even a Super Bowl Party group and work friends as well. Bill has a community, and what that community often has in common with one another is the First Lutheran Church.

In the good times and the bad, and in sickness and health, we need one another. After being a Magistrate in Delta County for fourteen years and presiding at over 1,000 weddings, Bill knows something about that kind of union! How wonderful is it that church can be a place where we make friends that we can worship with and head out to deer camp with too?!?

One Holy Place

      

        Violet R. is one of our Confirmation students. She is a dancer taking both ballet and jazz classes. Violet is nearly fluent in Thai and traveled to Thailand last year to visit her aunt’s family. She is technically studying as an 8th-grader, but most of her classes are at a 10th-grade level! Violet loves kids, volunteering, and her six cats, four dogs, three goats, and 15 chickens!

Violet’s Seawright cousins brought her and her family closer at First Lutheran. While Violet has vague memories of being baptized in the lake, she has not always felt so connected to her faith life. There was a time when she thought of church as more of a chore. Violet has come to love church and says, “I love having faith; a lot of my life is about God, and I read my bible to be more into my faith, more devoted… to have more prayer.” She loves it when holy places feel homey and abides in that. 

One holy place that helped Violet find that connection is Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Violet says that she “felt the energy… the presence of God at camp.” That experience helped her get more deeply into her faith. She described it as a “whoa feeling” of the presence of God at camp and in the other people gathered who also believe in God. That they, too, are devoted changed her. She feels that energy at First Lutheran. 

Violet said, “It’s nice seeing people have the same faith as you.” Then she continued, “I love the church people.” One scripture passage that speaks to Violet is John 6:16-21. She said, “When life gets hard, and you are sad, depressed, or mad, thinking of Jesus calming the storm helps.” Jesus calms the storms in our lives and allows us to be still in Christ’s peace. 

Friends and Social Media often feel like places of doubt and judgment. This claim is out there that your faith isn’t genuine or valid. Violet is thankful for the shared experience of the faithful at First Lutheran and Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Seeing others devoting their lives and time to God is what brings Violet in closer. Amen

"I will be Coming Home..."

Jim Olsick is a storyteller who joined our congregation in 2016 after moving to Gladstone in 2012. Jim is originally from Chicago and met his future bride, Tiffany while attending Southern Illinois University. Together, they have three nearly grown boys. The Olsicks recently moved to a property outside of Rapid River with room for hunting and chickens!

After the Olsicks moved to Gladstone, they tried out several churches, looking for a place they fit. They craved connectivity. It was with Pastor Otis and the people of First that they found the connection that they needed and a place to come home to as transplants. First Lutheran Church welcomed them in. Being a part of a welcoming community continues to be integral to Jim’s faith life. 

As an artist who paints and has recently enjoyed performing musically, Jim used his artistic talents to create a piece for the church on barn wood donated by the Durbin Family. It is a haunting and beautiful painting of Christ crucified. Each Lent, at First, we place the painting under the fernery spotlights in the sanctuary to help us meditate during that very contemplative season. 

Jim found a way to share his gifts creatively and the painting connects with so many of us. Having a church family member willing to be vulnerable in sharing his art has connected with the spirit of First. It has and continues to help many people here feel more connected to Christ’s story and to Jim and his story. Jim’s motto is, “Be kind…” ”Be kind because the world has enough cruelty.” Wise words… Connect with Jim: “Let your soul and spirit fly…”

Lights On

Carolyn Nelson is a lifelong Lutheran. She grew up at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River, Michigan, the fourth of six children to Hjalmar and Edna Nelson.  

Carolyn’s career was as a nurse and many of her working years were spent in Kalamazoo, Michigan working in the PICU, and occasionally the NICU, then going all the way up to Geriatric Care in a Special Care/Step Down unit towards the end of her career. Carolyn is a nature lover at heart who finds a strong genetic connection and memory for plants and birds. Sometimes more so than for people! She is proudly retired these days.

When Carolyn moved back to the family home, she found herself nearly coerced into community at First Lutheran Church. Family connections, even old camp friends from her days at Fortune Lake Lutheran Bible Camp continuously drew her in. Before she knew it, she was in the choir wearing a robe and a new member corsage. In particular, the lights always being on at First inspired her. Something was always happening even if it wasn’t a church event, there was life. First continues to be a place where people gather: scouts, Kiwanis, sewers, singers… The building is not a lonely place.

For Carolyn, community is important. She needed a place where she could be with people she knew and cared about, and she needed to know that they knew her and cared about her too. First, became that place. In Carolyn’s vocation she worked with people from cradle to grave. From hearing the first cries of babies, to the last breath of elders, she understands that there is a reason we are meant to be together. That might be why the hymn, “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” is one of her favorites and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 speaks to her.  Spring being her favorite season even makes sense for that is the time when our created world is “on the cusp of possibility.”

Carolyn sees the church changing. We are on the cusp of possibility. What exact season we as church are in isn’t clear, but Carolyn is an example for us. She doesn’t call herself an evangelist in words, but her actions speak louder.

It Just Makes Sense

Dirk Manson spent his career caring for young people in schools and school administration. It was through 30+ years of that work, mostly in the Chicago suburbs, that this Yooper thrived as a Bears fan! 

In Illinois, Dirk and his wife Sue (Ebbesen) Manson became active members of All Saints Lutheran Church, an (eventually) independent Lutheran Congregation. Dirk was very active in congregation life there and served until his retirement in 1995 when he and Sue moved to be closer to family here in Gladstone. Back in their old Yooper stomping ground, Dirk and Sue joined Sue’s family church, First Lutheran Church, the one they were married in in 1962. First Lutheran seemed like a natural fit and both Dirk and Sue jumped into congregational life with a quickness.  

First Lutheran offered Dirk the opportunity to study scripture more deeply. Through Bible Study and Lay School, (now Lifelong Faith Formation), he was able to better understand what God expects of us. Course by course, Dirk’s faith deepened. Serving on the Candidacy committee was one of his biggest eye openers for how the church works. The wide and varied backgrounds of the candidates were interesting and watching them grow through the process had an impact on Dirk. 

Dirk stated that, “Before I came here I wouldn’t have had any way to describe what it means to be a Lutheran. Now I can, especially the grace part and the response to God’s love. There had always been this feeling that there needs to be good deeds and service. I’m more comfortable knowing the grace is right there meeting us. You cannot earn it. Our good stewardship is a response to God’s love. It just makes sense and when it fails to make sense, we look to our faith knowing that’s what it is all about.” Dirk’s ability to clearly articulate his faith came from working within First Lutheran Church and our Northern Great Lakes Synod.

Dirk has given his time to First Lutheran through serving in the Choir, the Stewardship Committee, Personnel Committee, Internship Committee, Congregational Council, Welcome and Outreach Committee among others, and he has worked with several synod committees. Dirk argues that he has gotten more out of it than he contributes and is so thankful for his church family which he and Sue thank God for every morning during their morning prayers. First Lutheran Church is thankful for Dirk.