Category: News

FELC Welcome Statement

Welcome to First English Lutheran Church. You’re invited to fully participate in a community of faith and friendship that gathers for worship, relationship building, personal growth, and service in the community and the world. Following the example of Christ, this congregation welcomes you exactly as you are.

We are committed to the work of racial equity, justice, and advocating for marginalized groups. We welcome people in all places on the journey of faith and life. We celebrate differences in age, appearance, economic status, ethnic origin, nationality, race, family configuration, marital or relationship status, political leaning, religious background, and those who are differently abled physically or mentally.

Since 1989, FELC has openly welcomed persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions to full participation in the church and society.

We’re Lutheran, so that means we believe in grace for everyone. The good news of Jesus
Christ, who brings us the love and mercy of God as a gift, liberates us to love as we are loved, serve as we are served, and give as we have been given much. We rejoice in the diversity that has nurtured and enriched the whole church.

Whether you’re from another faith tradition, a seeker and questioner looking for more to life and a place to explore, or even a lifelong Lutheran, we’re glad to have you.

Information:

The FELC Reconciling in Christ Task Force, in collaboration with several ministry teams, committees, taskforces, and groups at FELC, began meeting in the Spring of 2022. A first priority was to develop a renewed statement of welcome. Reconciling Works, which sponsors the Reconciled in Christ ministry we have been part of since 1989, is asking all of its partners to review their welcome statement. Our Task Forced reviewed welcome statements from several Lutheran congregations, and reviewed our current welcome statement. A proposed statement was drafted for the church council to adopt. At the July 2022 council meeting the statement was adopted through a continuing resolution as our official welcome statement. We have begun using this prominently and continue striving to live it out faithfully.

What is the Feast of the Epiphany? The manifestation of Christ to the peoples of the earth. Second century followers of Jesus 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 was added to the celebration of the sun. Baptisms were celebrated, and a season of preparation was instituted. By the fourth century, Jesus’ birth was celebrated on December 25 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 and on Sundays leading up to Ash Wednesday. In the east, the day was called “Theophany” which is the manifestation of God. The light of Christ shines brightly through the lives of his disciples – that’s us! Where is Christ’s light shining in your life? 

Sundays in Advent | December 14, 21 | 10:00 am

Onsite & YouTube livestream. Jesus is coming!

Wednesdays in Advent Evening Prayer | December 17 | 7:00 pm

Holden Evening Prayer by Candlelight. Onsite & YouTube livestream

Christmas Caroling | Saturday, December 13

We visit homebound folks to spread the joy of Christmas

Meet at FELC at 12:45 pm.

Blue Christmas Winter Solstice | Sunday, December 21 | 5 pm

A service of quiet reflection with poetry, music, and scripture in this holiday season. Onsite & YouTube livestream

Christmas Eve | Wednesday, December 24 | 7:00 pm

Onsite & YouTube livestream

Holy Communion & Candlelight | 7:00 pm. Prelude Music begins at 6:45 pm

There is not a Christmas Day worship service.

Sunday after Christmas Lessons & Carols | December 28 | 10:00 am

Onsite & YouTube livestream

Worship together with scripture, poetry, and music for Christmas

Epiphany Sunday | January 4, 2025 | 10:00 am

Onsite & YouTube livestream | Epiphany Party following worship

On November 9 we began a seven-week series called “Out of the Blue” – a time in reflective waiting for Christ’s coming into the fullness of life. The bible stories in this series have followed the regular lectionary (set of readings) offered in many Christian churches. On December 21 we conclude this series in the theme “At the Turning Point” where we can engage the potential difficulty in recognizing the turning points in life and God’s invitation to live and act in God’s faithfulness. 
 

While Advent is a Christian season of hope and Christmas is a season of joy, not everyone feels hopeful or like celebrating.  Grief, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment, underemployment, and loss are magnified. Even those who are not struggling with losses may experience the stress of preparations and expectations around Christmas time.

The Blue Christmas gathering provides a  time and place of solace during the days surrounding the celebration of Christmas. We come together seeking healing and room to share grief, sadness, loneliness, confusion, and joy when emotions may feel out of place during the holidays. In the Northern Hemisphere, December 21 is the winter solstice. It marks the shortest day of the year, the official start of winter. Tradition says that nature and all her creatures stop and hold their breath to see if the sun will turn back from its wanderings, if the days will lengthen and the earth will once again feel the sun’s warmth. As we approach this longest night of the year, we come with darkness and light, for ourselves and for the whole world, and we come longing and hoping.  Join together this Sunday at 5 pm, onsite or online.

On November 9 we began a seven-week series called “Out of the Blue” – a time before and during the Advent season in reflective waiting for Christ’s coming into the fullness of life. The bible stories in this series follow the regular lectionary (set of readings) that are offered in many Christian churches. On December 14 we gather in the theme “Beyond the Superbloom” where we can experience the color and diversity of divine life even in the mundane. This Third Sunday of Advent takes its name from the scriptures and the Latin word Gaudete (“Rejoice”), the first word of the ancient opening song from 476 CE. Call it pink — or, more fittingly, rose — a traditional color on this Gaudete Sunday shows a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Christmas.

On November 9 we began a seven-week series called “Out of the Blue” – a time before and during the Advent season in reflective waiting for Christ’s coming into the fullness of life. The bible stories in this series follow the regular lectionary (set of readings) that are offered in many Christian churches. On December 7, the Second Sunday in Advent, we gather in the theme “Wild New Life” where new growth refuses to be contained. At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases, we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. 

The Season of Advent: We announce the presence of God who welcomes us to name our blessings, our hurts, our need for healing, and our hopes for what is to come. The Advent liturgy reflects the mood, color, and themes of Advent, allowing us to enter this time of waiting, preparation, and hope. The primary color blue points toward expectation. The Advent wreath helps us mark time and contemplate patience even as we trust in God to act. The lighting of candles on an Advent wreath was a tradition imported from northern Europe in the nineteenth century and is now a common practice.

Join Repertory Chorus on Monday, December 8, 8:00 pm at FELC in a program themed around LIGHT. Graduate students Hunter Mullen and Adrienne Pedrotti and Undergrad music education major Jade Granderson will conduct. Free admission. FELC partners with UT’s Butler School of Music to provide a laboratory, rehearsal, and venue experience for these professional, educational vocal leaders. Additional UT holiday concert information coming up on December 6 & 7 is found at https://music.utexas.edu/events/5191-butler-holiday-concert.

Join FELC music partner Austin Cantorum on Saturday, December 20, 7:30 pm at FELC for an evening of Lessons and Carols with an Austin twist! Pairing classic holiday favorites and sing-along carols with new choral works by local composers and heartfelt memories shared by Austinites. This relaxing and intimate concert will explore some of the many ways that Austin celebrates the season AND comes with free holiday cookies! Featuring special guests Flutist Adrienne Inglis and Pianist Benjamin Dia. Free admission with suggested donation of $25. RSVP at austincantorum.com to secure your spot today!