Category: News

 Time after Pentecost: The church season after Easter is sometimes called “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sunday. It includes summer and fall, with themes of growth, celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Sunday, August 10:  Jesus says, “It is your God’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” or “Don’t be afraid of missing out.” It is God’s promise from the beginning—to Abraham, to the early church, and to the “little flock” of which we are a part today. You won’t miss out on God’s love. It’s everlasting. God invites us to relax into God’s very promises. Faith, God’s gift, trusts the promises of God. Have no fear. God’s peace reigns, even when we can’t understand it.

Joe Cain was approved as the next Congregation Treasurer. He will replace Allen Jensen who will retire from this position after serving us faithfully the last several years. The council expressed its sincere gratitude for his service.

Many of the planned renovations have been completed in the Pastor’s office, the Church office and the Vicar’s office (currently used by the Child Development Center’s Director since she vacated her own office to allow space for more infants)! New paint has been applied in one office, new windows and HVAC units have been installed in two of the offices, and new flooring has been installed in all three. All are welcome to make time to stop by and admire the improvements.

The council voted to approve Olivia Herron and Colleen Adkins to the Child Development Center Board. Both are parents of enrolled children. Two positions remain open for congregation members. Recent improvements to the playground include a customized play area for infants.

The Council heard an update on efforts to upgrade our technology. Charlie Boas reported on two meetings with an outside consultant, who will soon come to do a diagnostic of systems currently in place. Recommendations for specific improvements are expected to follow.

Pastor Katie asked Council to welcome Michael and Paige Marty into membership. Council approved unanimously.

Members of the Racial Justice Task Force will be participating in a course in the fall.

An invitation to the whole congregation will be extended with details about the course. Council approved funds for the course with the hope that participants reimburse the church as they are able.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Baden, Congregation Council Secretary

Time after Pentecost: The church season after Easter is sometimes called “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sunday. It includes summer and fall, with themes of growth, celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Sunday, August 3: The Bible offers instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed, which is idolatry. Disciples of Jesus have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.” We seek the sustenance of God in God’s word proclaimed and sung, in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and in one another. Life, real life, is the truth that we are God’s possession, right now and forever.

The Congregation Council welcomed Pastor Katie Rode to her first FELC Church Council meeting!

Leigh Northcutt-Benson shared feedback about the past year of Faith Formation. The variety of offerings was a positive. Interest in Bible-based learning was conveyed.

The Property Team reported on substantial progress made in improvements to the HVAC system and the doors in Pastor’s office.  New flooring will be installed in all three offices on July 15.  Please let Nancy Baden know if you can help move furniture on July 14. 

The Technology Upgrade for FELC (TUF) efforts are underway. A consultant is scheduled to review our needs with Charlie Boas on June 24th. The re-keying project is ongoing. Bids have been received.

Ministry Reports were heard.  

Pastor Katie announced two persons interested in membership.  Council approved receiving Alejandro Rode Caridad and Andrea Rauch into membership. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Baden

Congregation Council Secretary

 Time after Pentecost: The church season after Easter is sometimes called “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sunday. It includes summer and fall, with themes of growth, celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Sunday, July 27: Persistence in prayer is encouraged by Jesus and has the attention of God. The life of God’s people is to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus, to be nurtured with prayer. God receives and answers prayer and so strengthens God’s own. “When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.”

Sing madrigals together with other early music buffs on Tuesday, July 29, 7:00 PM at FELC. No experience is required. TEMP will be joined by longtime TEMP artist Eric Johnson who will serve as guest conductor for the evening. This event is pay-what-you-can, but TEMP is requesting a suggested donation of $20 per person with a minimum entry of $10 to cover the expenses. Come join our community music partners! For more information, and to register to receive music to sing-along, visit Texas Early Music Project

In light of the recent flooding tragedy in the Texas Hill Country, the First English community has been seeking ways to help. The following are opportunities to donate or provide assistance:

Comfort Volunteer Fire Department: Comfort Volunteer Fire Department is engaged in critical work as front-line providers.

Immanuel Lutheran Church Comfort: Immanuel Lutheran Church/Comfort, Pastor Katie’s former congregation, serves as a shelter site and community support system.

Southwestern Texas Synod Disaster Fund provides immediate relief to affected areas.

ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response provides long-term response and recovery.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church/Austin and Lutheran Disaster Response is assembling disaster response buckets for those that have experienced natural or humanitarian disasters domestically and abroad. The goal is to assemble and house at least 20 disaster relief buckets or “muck buckets” to be stored at Holy Cross as a Central Texas hub for LDR. Volunteers will be meeting at Holy Cross Lutheran Church Sunday, July 27, to assemble the buckets. To donate supplies or money to this effort, contact Michelle Lingo, 512.220.8633 or MichelleLingoJD@gmail.com. Click here for a bucket supply list.

Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country: Kerr County Flood Relief Fund channels donations directly to organizations working on the front lines of the emergency. Donations can be made online or mailed to 241 Earl Garrett Street, Kerrville, Texas 78028.

We pray for the victims, survivors, and their families; first responders and volunteers in the search and recovery effort; and all in the supporting communities.

Time after Pentecost: The church season after Easter is sometimes called “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sunday. It includes summer and fall, with themes of growth, celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Sunday, July 13: To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind is to reflect God’s mercy in responding to one’s neighbor. That mercy found its most profound expression in the “gospel that has come to you”—namely the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That gospel mercy comes to us again every day. Do we recognize it? It is very near to you.

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,

and a congregational welcome.

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!