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

In her Christmas message, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls our attention to the word “joy” in the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds. Watch the video here.

Book Club will meet at the home of Anne Wiebe and Vincent Hill, 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 12. We will share a potluck lunch and discuss A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear: The Utopian Plot to Liberate an American Town (And Some Bears), by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling. Copies are available at  Austin Public Library, Amazon, and Bookfinder.

Summary: A group of libertarians launch the Free Town Project, a plan to take over an American town and eliminate its government. When they descended on Grafton NH, public funding for services went away and state and federal laws became meek suggestions, scarcely heard in the town’s thick wilderness. The anything-goes atmosphere soon caught the attention of Grafton’s neighbors: the bears. Freedom-loving citizens built a tent city in an effort to get off the grid and ignored hunting laws and regulations on food disposal. The bears smelled food and opportunity. A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear is the sometimes funny, sometimes terrifying tale of what happens when a government disappears into the woods.

On Sunday afternoon, December 15, about a dozen enthusiastic carolers from First English spread joy and love to our beloved, some of whom are homebound. Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Join Austin Cantorum for a relaxing and intimate holiday performance at “Living Room Carols,” on Saturday, December 21, First English Lutheran Church. Through delicate chamber works, stately choral anthems, and everything in between, this concert and carol-sing will feel like a cozy gathering of friends and family sharing musical gifts together. Featuring special guests Harpist Anna Blauw, Trumpeter Kenken Gorder, and Pianist Benjamin Dia. Free cookies and hot cocoa! Free admission with suggested donation of $25. For more info, visit: https://www.austincantorum.com/performances

FELC encourages you to support arts and music organizations in Austin, including the upcoming holiday concerts of Conspirare, and Austin Symphony Orchestra.

First English and the community provide year-round support for the Micah 6 Food Pantry and Street Youth Drop-in Center. Check out these important updates and a current list of critical needs.

Micah 6 Board Report

Year-end Donation Opportunity

Current Critical needs for the Micah 6 Food Pantry and Youth Drop-in Center:

• Winter clothing: hospital socks, coats, thermal underwear, sweaters, mittens, gloves, winter caps, scarves, jackets, sweatpants

• 15 oz. Canned Vegetables, including Green Beans, Corn, Spinach/greens, Pinto or Black Beans

• 15 oz. Canned Fruit, any variety

• 15 oz. Canned Meat, including Chicken and Tuna

• Luncheon meat

• Dry Goods

• Rice, 1 to 2 lb. bags

• Dried beans, 1 to 2 lb. bags

• Skillet dinners (hamburger helper or other boxed meals)

• Side dishes (Rice a Roni, Mac n Cheese, or other side item)

• 18 oz. Peanut butter

Please do not send large containers or bulk products that have to be divided prior to distribution.

Thank you for supporting Micah 6 ministries!!!!

Join Texas Lutheran University for “When All is Still: Christmas Vespers 2024” at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 15 at 4 pm. No tickets are required at St. Martin’s. For more information, visit: https://www.tlu.edu/news/when-all-is-still-christmas-vespers-2024.