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Firs Things
December 2017 A monthly publication of First Evangelical Lutheran Church
First Lutheran Church 100 Peace Ridge
Lake City, Minnesota 55041
Phone: 651-345-5003
Pastor Tim Ehling:320-226-7074
Pastor Duane Holst: 651-448-0506
Kerstin Suby: 651-345-5003
Melissa Ackermann: 651-345-5003
Heidi Berge: 651-345-5003
Karyn Moechnig: 651-345-5003
Loren Prigge, Custodian
First Lutheran Website: www.firstlc.org
Regular Worship Schedule
5:30 pm Saturday
9:00 am Sunday
TV Worship Times
Sun. 5:30 pm, Mon. 11 am,
Tues. 9:30 am, Thurs. 4 pm & Fri. 8 pm
The mission of our congregation shall be to motivate, equip and
support our members for the ministry of Jesus Christ in our
congregation, our community and our world.
Christmas Worship Schedule
Christmas Eve
3:15pm Candlelight Service
5:00pm Candlelight Service
6:30pm Candlelight Service
Christmas Day
9:00am Worship
NO 9AM WORSHIP SERVICE
Season of Advent The 4-week season of Advent opens the Church Year and prepares us for
Christmas.
During the days of Advent, familiar symbols and Scripture readings bring us “bad news” and “good news”. On the one hand they sharpen our sense of
unworthiness and need for redemption. On the other they stir in us an eager
expectation for our promised Savior.
Advent’s somber side reflects its message of repentance: “Prepare to meet
your Maker!” Advent’s joyful side reflects its message of grace: “Prepare to
receive God’s gift-Jesus!”
Preparation for the commercial Christmas holiday usually means hectic
planning and much activity. But Advent’s preparation for Jesus’ birthday
means coming to worship to hear John the Baptist calling us to repentance so we can be ready to receive our Savior.
Christmas preparation may be a dreaded burden with high emotional
expectations that are seldom met. But Advent preparation is God’s work, cleansing our minds, setting our hearts at peace, and fulfilling our inmost
longings to be closer to our God.
During the 4-week season of Advent, through worship, personal prayer, and moments of reflection, let God speak to you words of peace and hope!
OUTREACH BOARD
Outreach will meet Monday, December 18, 5:30 pm.
CARE CENTER BINGO...NO Bingo due to Christmas. See you in January.
PACKING FOR THE WEEKEND...For December we are asking members to drop off Canned Chicken, Tuna, SPAM. This is an effort to feed the hungry children in Lake City. When school is not in session, children miss out on key meals that the school provides. Packing for the Weekend tries to fill in the missing meals by providing bags of food every Friday on the doorstep of the child’s home. This is a program through United Way and funding has come from Cargill/Horizon Milling in Lake City. Currently about 70 children are fed every weekend.
POINSETTIAS ORDER DEADLINE Sunday, December 10
Order forms are on the Welcome Center
BETHLEHEM’S BABE AND YOU A Baby was born in Bethlehem many years ago. His parents were poor and He had no unusual advantages. He raised no army. He conquered no kingdom. He owned no real estate. He had no bank account. Neither did he write books or paint pictures or compose music. He was mocked at by the great and died a criminal’s death.
Yet this Man has revolutionized the civil world. Multitudes have lived and died triumphantly by the power of faith in Him and obedience to His commands. He impressed others with His teachings and therefor has more followers in the world than ever before. His maxims are acknowledged, even by those who reject His authority, to be the noblest and purist that ever have been uttered, and no man has been able to pick a flow in his character.
What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ?
A PLACE TO GATHER AND GROW
The Stewardship Committee would like to thank First Lutheran members for their generous giving over the past year. This generosity allowed First Lutheran to implement three new initiatives: Teen and young adult ministry; increasing volunteer opportunities; and improving technology. These initiatives are making a difference in the lives of our members and community, and will continue to be an important part of First Lutheran’s ministry in coming years.
This year, the stewardship campaign focuses on ensuring our building meets the needs of our congregation today and into the future. Through videos, letters, and temple talks we hope you have gained an awareness of these needs, and an understanding that our building is much more than a structure. It is our foundation for ministry, worship, and faith growth. Like our own homes, good stewardship includes caring for what we have today and preparing for future needs.
The Stewardship Committee would like to thank members for submitting your Statement of Giving Intent Cards for 2018. If you have yet to submit yours, they can be sent by mail or dropped off at the church office.
This information is very helpful to the Church Council and staff in setting goals and preparing upcoming budgets.
Thank you for your thoughtful prayers, contributions of time and talents, and generous giving.
MISSION REFLECTIONS My heart skipped a beat – not because of an overwhelming sense of joy, but rather a crushing sensation of despair. Our mission team had just arrived at Prairie Estates Trailer Park in Chetek, Wisconsin. It took on the landscape of a waste land. Stumps where towering trees once stood. Barren lots which families once called home. Just the evening before our First Lutheran team of Kris and Mal McCarthy, Bob Johnson, Tim and I met up with members from Watermark (a seasoned mission team we hooked up with) for a project overview and orientation. Joining us were Darren and Sherry, residents of Prairie Estates and eyewitnesses to the tornado that ravaged their property and lives. They came to share their story and to set the stage for what we could expect. Dozens of photographs were passed around as they recounted the storm and the darkness that followed.
Seemingly prepared for what I would encounter, I found myself face-to-face with the surreal. A neighborhood had now been diminished to a couple dozen trailers – many of them still vacant waiting for people like us.
Before we left for the park, we filled our bellies with a hot breakfast and our souls will spiritual nourishment. This gave us the strength we needed to pour ourselves into the work that needed to be done. Kris, Mal, Tim and I volunteered for demolition. Our mission was to gut a water-logged, mold-filled home so Darren and Sherry could eventually return and rebuild their lives. Bob joined other Watermark members to replace siding and install windows and steps at nearby homes.
Serving in this capacity was definitely out of my comfort zone (I don’t want to speak for the rest of the team!) And yet, the Lord provided the skills and tools each of us needed to do the work he called us to do. While the intent of our mission was to fix and restore, the most powerful outcome came from the relationships we established with our fellow team members and the recipients of our work.
As we reached the end of our two-day mission stint, we could see some progress. We had made a small dent. And by the end of the week, our Watermark friends who remained onboard for a few more days would see more. With so much left to accomplish, did we make enough of an impact? Did our work matter? It was in the warmth of the good-bye hugs and handshakes that were exchanged upon our departure that I recalled a well known quote that answered my question: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever does.” Thanks be to God for giving our team this amazing experience. Thank you for the hands and feet of Kris, Mal, Bob and Tim, and for the prayers and support of our First Lutheran Family. May this be the beginning of a long journey of mission opportunities that extend God’s love to the least of these. Jenny Schlagenhaft
Friends and Family…Jane Johnson, Florence Lyons, Barbara Dybvik, Larry
Holmgren Jr, Susan Fish (Sandy Swan’s sister), Shirley Pierson, Margaret Ehling,
Elmer Sprick, Ryan Dwelle, Ginger Morton, Don Hoyt
All service men and women...Lt. Col. Spencer Rasmussen, Justin Fuchs, Nathan
Fuchs, Peter Schliep, Matt Sikkink, Kate Blattner Holt, Randal Holt, Ethan Meyer, Chris Breuer
Nursing Home, Home Bound & Assisted Living...Roger Helgerson, Mary DeGroat, Edith Hammer, Wendell Olson, Leota Dugstad, Jane Johnson, Julia Nelson,
Violet Stinson, Mary Hallenberger, Corrine Johnson, Marv Nelson, Don Hoyt
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Prayer Chain 2017
God has given us a powerful resource in
the gift of prayer. On many occasions,
people have felt God’s mercy and grace
thru the collective prayers of others, as
promised in James 5:13-16.
If you have a prayer request, contact the Chairperson listed for that week or call the church office at 345-5003.
December 3: Prayer Chain #1:
Milly Gagnon 345-2388
December 10: Prayer Chain #2:
Bonnie Conway 345-3926
December 17: Prayer Chain #3:
Karen Heise 345-3156
December 24: Prayer Chain #4:
Florence Lyons 345-5589
December 31: Any Prayer Chain
FLC GROUPS
Thursday Morning Bible Study: will meet at 8:30am in the Fireside
Room.
Esther Bible Circle: will meet at FLC on Wednesday, December 20
at 10:30am. Lunch following study.
Women To Women…will meet on
Thursday, December 14 at 11:30am
at Port 104 for lunch.
FLC QUILTERS…will meet
Tuesdays, December 12 at 8:30m in the FLC Gathering Area.
Lake City Food Shelf...Is in need of Macaroni Noodles. Please place items in the wooden bin by
the Welcome Center.
Thank You…
Thank you to our friends for the many cards and kind
words of comfort extended to us on the death of
Joanne’s mother, Ruth Ophus. It reaffirmed our
gratitude for being part of the First Lutheran Church
family.
Joanne & Dean Flugstad
ADOPT-A-MITTEN
A special thank you to all of the sponsors and
volunteers in this year’s Adopt-A-Child program.
As we joyfully celebrate Jesus’ birth, may your
hearts be warmed knowing these children’s lives
are touched by the love and joy of your generosity.
First Things Newsletter Change
Due to a variety of complications, beginning in January, the Newsletter will be sent via electronic mailing to your email. We will have hard copies available upon request ONLY. Please contact the church office if you would prefer a hard copy mailed to you. Pastor Tim & The Church Council
2017 Year-End Giving
Just a reminder that the last day for giving in 2017 is Sunday, December 31. Everything given after that day will end up on the 2018 books.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY NEEDED
Duties include: 1. Keep a record of all contributions using Contribution Manager software in the church office 2. Create and mail member contribution statements annually and as requested by church council or individual members 3. Update and communicate offering counter schedule 4. Enter member pledge information using Contribution Manager software.
YOUTH & FAMILY HAPPENINGS
Senior High
Youth!
Holiday Events:
Contact Melissa for More Info
10-12 Grade
Dec. 3: Christmas in Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus
Dec. 9: Casting Crowns Concert at Target Center
Dec. 27: Ronald McDonald House
Dec. 30: Sledding at Frontenac State Park
No Class on Sunday,
December 24th or 31st
K.F.C. will be singing on
Sunday, December 10th.
Meet at 8:45am.
High School Ministry Event:
Come join us to prepare and serve
a meal to families staying at
Ronald McDonald House in Rochester
• Wednesday, Dec.
27, 4-8pm
• Dinner served at
6pm
• To participate,
please contact
Melissa asap
6th Grade Confirmation Sessions
Introduction to Prayer
Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm
Nov. 29
Dec. 6
Dec. 13
Dec. 20
Join us to hear about the birth of Jesus! Our
spectacular Sunday school kindergarteners — 6th
graders will bring to the life the beloved,
Christmas Story.
It is a wonderful way to kick-off the holiday season.
Christmas is Jesus Sunday, Dec. 10th at 2:00pm
December 2017
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 MITTEN TREE GIFTS DUE
2 Worship/New Member 5:30pm
3 Worship/New Member 9am Sunday School 10:15-11:15am Dittfach Party (private) 1-3:30pm MOPS 4-6pm
Boy Scouts 7pm
4
Expressions 5pm
Cub Scouts 6:30pm
5 Staff 10am
6 KFC 3-5pm 6th Gr Confirmation 3:30-4:30pm Confirmation 6-8pm
7 Bible Study 8:30am
8 9 Tackmann Party (private) 11am-3pm Worship 5:30pm
10 POINSETTIA ORDER DUE Worship/KFC Sings 9am Sunday School 10:15-11:15am Christmas Program 2pm (kids meet at 1:30pm)
Boy Scouts 7pm
11
Expressions 5pm
Cub Scouts 6:30pm
12 FLC Quilters 8:30am Staff 10am
13 Red Wing Grief Group 10:30am KFC 3-5pm 6th Gr Confirmation 3:30-4:30pm Confirmation 6-8pm
14 Bible Study 8:30am Women to Women 11:30am at Port 104
15 16 Worship 5:30pm
17 Worship 9am Sunday School 10:15-11:15am MOPS 4-6pm
Boy Scouts 7pm
18
Outreach Mtg 5:30pm
Cub Scouts 6:30pm
19 Staff 10am
L&Y Mtg 6:30pm
20 Esther Circle 10:30am at FLC No KFC 6th Gr Confirmation 3:30-4:30pm Confirmation 6-8pm
21 Bible Study 8:30am
MOPS Movie Night
Church Council 6:30pm
22
23 Worship 5:30pm
24 CHRISTMAS EVE NO Worship 9am NO Sunday School
Boy Scouts 7pm
Worship 3:15pm
Worship 5pm
Worship 6:30pm
25 CHRISTMAS OFFICE CLOSED
Worship 9am
26 OFFICE CLOSED Staff 10am
27 Red Wing Grief Group 10:30am No KFC No Confirmation High School Ministry Event 4-6pm
28 Bible Study 8:30am
29 30 Worship 5:30pm
31 LAST DAY FOR 2017
GIVING
Worship 9am NO Sunday School
Boy Scouts 7pm
December Ministry Assignments
Saturday, December 2 at 5:30pm Reader: Jenny Schlagenhaft Communion: Jenny Schlagenhaft, Son-da Featherstone, Wanda Myers Usher: Thoren & Naomi Mangold Greeter: Virginia Oliver, Bev Bantley Altar: Sandy Anderson, Pris Converse Coffee: Saturday, December 9 at 5:30pm Reader: Sandy Swan Communion: Sandy Swan, Dale Nibbe, Dave Harms Usher: Kenny & Judy McEwen Greeter: Ben & Amy Roberson Family Altar: Katie Bee, LaDonna Severson Coffee: Marilyn & Lyle Mathison, Liz Enger Saturday, December 16 at 5:30pm Reader: Steve Johnson Communion: Steve Johnson, Carole Helgerson, Kathy Hollman Usher: Lyle Mathison, Art Harteneck Greeter: Janet Carlson, Liz Carlstrom Altar: Katie Bee, LaDonna Severson Coffee: Saturday, December 23 at 5:30pm
Reader: Cheryl Luettinger Communion: Cheryl Luettinger, Kenny McEwen, Lori Mortenson Usher: Paul & Wanda Myers Greeter: Pris Converse, Carol Dollar Altar: Marlys Johnson, Karen Heise Coffee: Saturday, December 30 at 5:30pm Reader: Deb Mickelson Communion: Deb Mickelson, Wanda Myers, Dale Nibbe Usher: Art Harteneck, Craig Harteneck Greeter: Dave & Kay Harms Altar: Marlys Johnson, Karen Heise Coffee: Saturday, January 6 at 5:30pm Reader: Tim Schlagenhaft Communion: Tim Schlagenhaft, Dave Harms, Carole Helgerson Usher: Dick Sitta, David Dittfach Greeter: Steve & Jean Johnson Altar: Coffee:
Sunday, December 3 at 9:00am Reader: Mary Jane Rasmussen Communion: Mary Jane Rasmussen, Eunice Blattner, Deb Grimley Usher: Rick Janka, Dennis & Marlys Johnson, Bob Johnson Greeter: Lorraine Heitmann, Marga-ret Selleseth Coffee: Bob & Mary Johnson Video: Mark Bailey Sunday, December 10 at 9:00am Reader: Janet Reed Communion: Janet Reed, Steve Heise, Randy Meincke Usher: Russ & Jan Johnson, Bruce Lichtblau, Erin Lichtblau Greeter: Chris & Lynette Matzke Coffee: Bill & LuAnn Otto Video: Ric Wallace Sunday, December 17 at 9:00am Reader: Jeff Rogness Communion: Jeff Rogness, Luther & Melinda Berkeland Usher: Chris Matzke, David Moe, Fred Mohn, Jerry Benson Greeter: Rick & Val Janka Coffee: Rol Family Video: Randy Zanto Sunday, December 24 at 9:00am
NO WORSHIP SERVICE AT 9AM Sunday, December 31 at 9:00am Reader: Patty Svien Communion: Patty Svien, Rick & Edie Sward Usher: Bill Otto, Randy & Linda Pavlak, Janet Reed Greeter: Dennis & Marlys Johnson Coffee: Brad & Mary Nelson Video: Ric Wallace Sunday, January 7 at 9:00am Reader: Ben Ackermann Communion: Ben Ackermann, Jan Johnson, Julie LeCaptain Usher: Al LeCaptain, Rol Family Greeter: Randy & Lori Meincke Coffee: Angie Dwelle, Tami Enger Video:
CHRISTMAS EVE
Sunday, December 24 at 3:15pm Usher: Communion: Sunday, December 24 at 5:00pm Usher: Communion: Sunday, December 24 at 6:30pm Usher: Communion: Altar:
CHRISTMAS DAY
Monday, December 25 at 9am Usher: Greeter: Assist. Min.: Reader: Comm. Assist.: Video: Altar: Marcia Holst Sound:
If you are available to help
out at any of the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Worship Services please contact the Church office at
345-5003 or Pastor Duane at 651-448-0506.
Please let us know by
Sunday, December 10.
First Lutheran Church
100 Peace Ridge
Lake City, MN 55041
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED
STANDARD
Non-Profit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
Lake City, MN
Permit No. 52
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Dec 1: Lisa Carlson, Misty Drenckhahn, Eric
Hanson, Alex Schneider
Dec 2: Anna Battcher, Mick Bobb, Shirley
Pierson, Cooper Vikdal
Gary & Gloria Hoth
Dec 3: Andrea Berkeland, AnnElise Ender,
LuAnn Otto, Kim Vander Laan
Wes & Jessica Nibbe
Dec 4:
Dec 5: Cole Kriett, Ian Wallace
Dec 6: Kevin Frank, Amanda Kuth, Ray
Tiedeman
Dec 7: Toni Higgins, Gail Jungclaus
Dec 8: David Murray, Harrison Nelson,
Harvey Nelson, Angie Wallerich, Kathy Yotter
Dec 9: Nancy Albright, Stephanie
Eggenberger, Phil Jacobson, Mary Johnson,
Dale Leinen, Lidia Wallerich
Dec 10: Courtney Brunn, Jacob Davis, Paul
West
Jason & Jessica Holst
Dec 11: Janee Klipfel, Brady Kuchinka
Dec 12: Paulette Clare, Sydnee Stolzenberg
Dec 13: Padriac Casey, Susan Davis, Allison
Hanson, Gabrielle Harteneck, Wayne Karlsrud,
Ariana Talbert, Tisha Thomas
Lucas & Becki Schumacher
Dec 14: Adam Fuchs, Ethan Heitman, Cody
Howard, Ella Matzke, Jenna Swan
Dec 15: Kari Dietrich, Klara Schmidt
Dec 16: Peter Chestnut, Ethan Tillmann
Dec 17: Margaret Copp, Mackenzie Dudley,
Steven Heise, Scott Krohn, Carl Rol, Mason
West, Morgan West, Abigail Ziebell
Scott & Beth Knudsen, Elmer & Mavis Sprick
Dec 18: Alicia Hilleshiem, Carson Keim,
Jessica Nibbe, Rick Skifton
Marvin & Eloise Blattner, David & Stephanie Harvey
Dec 19: Dale Adler, Patricia Hinck, David
Schultze, Brooke Tracy
Dec 20: Kristi Breyfogle
Dec 21: Jim Fritz, Jerry Jensen, Dale Nelson
Dec 22: Jordan Ebert, Alison Moechnig, Henry
Nelson, Molly Nelson, Jim Rodester
Dec 23: Pris Converse, Marcus Jacobson,
Mackenzie Randall, Jamie Sulflow, Nicholas
Ziebell
Dec 24: Lydia Blattner
Dec 25: David Hallenberger, Kathy Hollman
Dec 26: Jim Anderson, Jodi Lundell, Logan
McCarthy, Easton Stoltz
Dec 27: Janice Barker, Shannan Bleed, Jeff
Chestnut, Darla Geary, Cason Matzke, Holly
Pfeilsticker, Tayt Rinehardt, Nickolas Sievers,
Lucy Sontag
Jerry & Sue Jensen, Don & Nancy Mueller, LuAnn Otto
Dec 28: Kevin Gunhus, Lyle Papenfuss
Tisha & Gregg Thomas
Dec 29: Wanda Myers
Naomi & Thoren Mangold
Dec 30: Joseph Nafe, Jordana Windhorst-
Knudsen
David & Patricia Hinck
Dec 31: Alexandra Berlin, Cherie Kranz
