Austin City Lutheran’s Move-In Ministry capped off 2024 by serving 114 individuals and families with furniture and household items. Thank you to so many for your collaboration in this effort in Christ’s name to make our Austin community a better place to live. To learn more, visit the ACL website: www.breadforall-atx.org.

Pastor Tim Anderson, Director of ACL

On Sunday, Feb. 9, 1:00-3:00 PM, we will meet at the home of Kathleen and Charlie Boas for a potluck lunch and discussion of Translation State, by Ann Leckie. Translation State is available from Austin Public Library, Amazon, and Bookfinder.

Here’s the summary from amazon.com:

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds. The realization that they might want something else isn’t “optimal behavior.” It’s the type of behavior that results in elimination. But Qven rebels and their path collides with those of two others: Enae, a reluctant diplomat whose dead grandmaman has left the task of hunting down a fugitive who has been missing for over 200 years; and Reet, an adopted mechanic who is desperate to learn anything that might explain why he operates so differently from those around him.As a Conclave of the various species approaches—and the long-standing treaty between the humans and the Presger is on the line—the decisions of all three will have ripple effects across the stars.  Merging space adventure and mystery and a poignant exploration about relationships and belonging, Translation State is a triumphant new standalone story set in the celebrated Imperial Radch universe.

On Saturday, January 18, Wesley Joy Isberner, 50th vicar/intern pastor of FELC (2021-2022), was ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament in Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Wes is called to serve with the people of Spirit Alive! Lutheran in Kenosha, WI. They were ordained at Bethany Lutheran, Wisconsin Dells, WI by Bishop Paul Erickson of the Greater Milwaukee Synod and Bishop Felix Malpica of the La Crosse Area Synod. May God continue to bless the ministry and witness of Wes. If you’d like to acknowledge Pastor Wes, please contact the church office for their mailing address.

On Sunday, January 19, Adult Faith Formation will be an exploration of Climate Change and Tropical Diseases, led by Kristin Mondy, 9 am in the Parlor.

January 19 (the third Sunday of the month) is also our Intergenerational Faith Formation time. We will be making a trip out to Fortlandia at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and enjoy a potluck picnic (after the Austin International Half Marathon traffic should be cleared out). Please contact Betsy Appleton with a family headcount for tickets. 

Epiphany (a Greek word meaning “to reveal”) is the celebration of God being revealed the Christ to the magi from the east, and all the ways that God’s light in manifest in love and mercy among us. It is celebrated on January 6. The Sunday after Epiphany is a celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord, when we share the story of the voice from heaven revealing Jesus to be God’s chosen one. Sundays after the Baptism of Our Lord continue with the theme of ways God’s healing and transforming love are made visible in Jesus’ life, culminating with the story of the Transfiguration on a mountaintop. The length of this season varies depending on the date for Easter Day, this year April 20, which determines the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, March 5.

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free, online event presented by the ELCA in partnership with Augsburg Fortress Publishers, featuring worship, workshops, music and guided reflection while centering the voices of ELCA leaders of color. This event is designed to raise awareness of the need for racial healing and to inspire collective action toward building common ground for a more just and equitable world. Visit https://dayofracialhealing.org/ to register.

Worship at 10 am | onsite and online

During Epiphany Lesson & Carols we celebrate the three manifestations, or “epiphanies,” of Jesus’ humanity and divinity. These showings of Christ’s birth are: the coming of the Magi, Christ’s baptism, and the Wedding at Cana where he changed water into wine. This day was called “The Feast of Lights.” We will mark our main entrance as we seek God’s blessing for a new year, renew our baptismal promises, and remember God’s miraculous love in the feast of bread and wine.

Church Council met on Monday, January 6, 2025. Members heard of the CDC’s increase in enrollment.  Plans to expand infant care are underway since the need is robust. Further enrollment is needed. 

Joe Cain will explain the draft budget during Adult Forum this Sunday, January 12, at 9 am. 

Our Call Committee continues their dedicated work of discernment regarding our next Pastor.  Interviews continue.

Charlie Boas explained that the heating system has a broken belt.  Terry Porter ensured that parts have been ordered.

Council members engaged in a review of priorities that were set as a part of Council training conducted by Claudia Barlow several months ago.  Progress related to those priorities include an organizational chart of our many ministries that are the work of our church.  Lay leadership has been expanded and affirmed.  Work is ongoing in these areas. A new council member orientation packet has been created to prepare incoming council members for serving.

Openings are available for Faith Formation leadership roles in the Adult and Children’s programs. 

The Nominating Committee shared names of 6 persons willing to fill 4 available spots on Council.  The vote will be at the Annual Meeting/potluck on January 26 at noon. 

Council members discussed the need for improving the technology responsible for connectivity and streaming services in our building.  The need to hire a consultant was discussed as was the need for a point person from our congregation to communicate with that consultant.

The council will meet again on February 17.

The Epiphany of Our Lord

9 am | Children’s Faith Formation |  Jesus the Word (Library)

9 am | Adult Faith Formation | Better Know a Ministry: Scouts (Parlor)

10 am | Worship (Onsite & Online)

11:15 am | Hospitality in the Fellowship Hall

Join together following worship for a festive 12th day party!

What is the Feast of the Epiphany? The manifestation of Christ to the peoples of the earth. The winter solstice was held on January 6 at some places during the first centuries of the Common Era. In addition to other festivals, Christians chose this season to celebrate the various manifestations, or “epiphanies,” of Jesus’ humanity and divinity. These showings included his birth, the coming of the Magi, his baptism, and the Wedding at Cana where he miraculously changed water into wine. The day was called “The Feast of Lights.” Celebration of the Son of God replaced celebration of the sun. Baptisms were done, and a season of preparation was instituted. As the solstice was kept on December 25 by the fourth century, Jesus’ birth was celebrated on that day in both eastern and western churches. The western church commemorated the coming of the Magi on January 6. The eastern church continued to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord and the Wedding at Cana on January 6. In the east, the day was called “Theophany” which is the manifestation of God.

Adult Faith Formation | Sundays, 9:00 am in the Parlor

December 22: Advent Event Redux, led by Betsy Appleton

December 29: No Session. Thanks to all our Faith Formation leaders for an excellent year of learning!

January 5: Better Know a Ministry: Scouting, led by Charlie Boas

January 12: FELC 2025 Proposed Budget Forum, led by Joe Cain and the Finance Committee

Children’s Faith Formation | Sundays, 9:00 am in the Library

December 22: Mary Visits Elizabeth, led by Merrily Porter

December 29: No Session. Thanks to all our Faith Formation leaders for an excellent year of learning!

January 5: Jesus the Word, Contact Betsy Appleton to lead this lesson.

January 12: Jesus’ Baptism, led by Merrily Porter