First English Lutheran Church | Austin, Texas
God Loves. We Love. Everyone!
You, Your Family, Friends & Neighbors are Invited to Join in an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream & Cookie Pot-Luck. Vanilla ice cream and some toppings will be provided. You are encouraged to bring containers of other ice cream flavors and/or some of your favorite cookies.
On Sunday, June 15, we welcomed the sixth pastor of FELC, the Rev. Katie Rode.
Click here for the welcome rite in the worship service, a video of the welcome rite,
On the previous Sunday, June 8, we celebrated the presence of the holy and life-giving Spirit as we concluded the Easter season in the Feast of Pentecost. We gave God thanks for the 2 years, 4 months, and 27 days of transition ministry. We celebrate God’s continuing dream for this congregation community as we move into transformation ministry. Click here for a Litany of Thanksgiving we offered in the Pentecost worship service. Come, Holy Spirit!
June is worldwide Pride Month and FELC will celebrate Pride on Sunday, June 22! As God’s beloved, we extend God’s welcome to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. FELC values diversity, including sexuality, gender, and expression, and we welcome it as a spiritual gift. We aspire to create an inclusive and affirming community, and work for LGBTQIA+ justice and equity as a core part of this congregation community. We’ve been doing this work of reconciliation through FELC since 1989. On Sunday, June 22, we will receive a special offering that will be designated to Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned), an independent non-profit organization funded by the generosity of individuals, faith communities, grants, and from curated resources and trainings among Lutherans and others. Each person is sacred. We are proud. We have more to learn and we have more justice to seek. God loves. We Love. Everyone! HAPPY PRIDE!
Meet in the Fellowship Hall of First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave. Enter though the door marked Fellowship Hall, or the door marked Kitchen.
Bring food you like to share, bring board games if you want, or just try one of the many games that will be available.
Anyone who enjoys potluck dinners and/or tabletop games is welcome….FELC members, friends from the community, friends from other faiths, and friends who do not participate in a church. All ages and abilities welcome!
The church season after the 50 days of Eastertide and Pentecost Day celebrations is half of the year, yet it has no “official” name. It is called “Time after Pentecost” or “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sundays. It includes the distinct natural seasons of summer and fall, which have different themes emphasized. The primary color is green. This highlights the first part of Ordinary Time with themes of growth and celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the ministry and teaching of Jesus. On Sunday, June 15, we join in giving thanks to God as we welcome the sixth pastor of First English Lutheran Church.
On June 17, 2015, nine beloved were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. We also remember Juneteenth (June 19), the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Faith Formation is on a summer break and will resume learning ministry on Sunday, August 24. If anyone is interested in leading a special session during the summer, contact Leigh Northcutt-Benson, leigh.northcutt@gmail.com with information about your session and the date you would like to teach so that we can promote it. On June 1 we gave thanks to God for leaders who facilitated the FELC learning ministry with children and adults for 2024-2025, including Betsy Appleton, Nancy Baden, Bailey Barlow, Charlie Boas, Kathleen Boas, Joe Cain, Pastor Brad Fuerst, Charlotte Gilman, Heidi Goebel, Pastor Bob Karli, Andy MacLaren, Erin McCracken, Dr. Kristin Mondy, Leigh Northcutt-Benson, Nikki Northcutt, Merrily Porter, Oliver Rajamani, Cantor Bryan Rust, Mari Ward, Anne Wiebe, Fred “Fritz” Woody, and LaRu Woody.
The Easter season concludes on Sunday, June 8 with the Feast of the Pentecost. The name comes from the Greek pentekoste, “fiftieth” day of the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It refers to the festival on the fiftieth day after the Passover, also known as the “Feast of Weeks” and the “Feast of 50 days” in rabbinic tradition. We celebrate the Holy Spirit in the church and in the world. The primary color of red on this day symbolizes the fire and power of that Spirit. Wear some red on Sunday, June 8! And, while the wind of the Spirit blows where She will, we give thanks at the conclusion of our transition ministry as we move into transformation ministry in this new era at FELC. Come give thanks in the joy of the Spirit!
Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Alleluia!
Leigh Northcutt-Benson announced that there will be a break in the Learning Ministry faith formation for the summer. Special sessions during the summer will be publicized as they are planned.
Paul Barlow and Nancy Baden will see that final improvements (new flooring) are scheduled for the pastor’s office, as well as to the church office and the vicar’s office (currently used by Dr. Paulette Clemons, CDC Director).
Council was briefed on the list of priorities for the Technology Upgrade for FELC (TUF) assembled by Charlie Boas (SPOC—Single Point of Contact). All agreed that a consultant would be well positioned to review those priorities and advise on actions to take.
In addition to his printed report, Cantor Bryan Rust highlighted upcoming important dates including June 8 for a Service of Thanksgiving for our time of Transition; June 15 to welcome Pastor Katie Rode’s first Sunday with us; June 22 to celebrate Pride Sunday and collect a special offering for Reconciling Works; July 20 to recognize the 89th Anniversary of FELC; September 14 at 3 pm for the Celebration of Ministry and Installation of Pastor Katie Rode. The Call Committee will be decommissioned from their duties on September 14.
Additional Ministry Team reports were submitted from the Witness and Support Teams. Plans for FELC’s 90th Anniversary have already begun, thanks to Leigh Northcutt-Benson.
The next Congregation Council Meeting will be June 23, 7 pm.
Submitted by Nancy Baden, Congregation Council Secretary
Pastor Katie Rode accepted the call of the congregation and will be the sixth pastor of FELC! The first day of her ministry with FELC is June 9. Pr. Katie will preside and preach in worship on Sunday, June 15, with a festive hospitality following the worship celebration. The service includes a rite of welcome and reception for the new pastor. We welcome Pastor Katie and her family in God’s mission we share in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To read a letter from congregation president LaRu Woody, please click here.
Following the biblical accounts in Mark, Luke, and Acts, the whole church celebrates the feast of the ascension of Jesus to heaven. This happens on the 40th day after the feast of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. To explore a Devotional Worship Service with bible readings, a homily, a hymn, and prayers, please click here.
“Lord, beyond our mortal sight, raise our hearts to reach thy height. Alleluia!”
Submitted by Cantor Bryan Rust