The Mission Team would like to thank all of you who supported the ELCA World Hunger Advent Tree. Your generosity during this Christmas “Time of Giving” will help so many less fortunate. Fifty-five items were purchased amounting to approximately $2,277.
The Mission Team wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy 2021 New Year!!
Donna Spencer
Donna Martin
Jim Gainer
Brenda Concienne
Virtual Bible Study – Reading Through Amos
Join Pastor Rhoades virtually on Tuesday evenings beginning January 19, to read through and study the Old Testament prophet Amos. The study includes study notes and conversation as to what God is saying through the prophet and what it means today for God’s people. Please sign-up to be included in the study! Participants will receive the notes via email and an invite to the weekly online gathering. Sign up now!
NO Sunday Evening Worship on January 3. During the slower period of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Sunday evening worship not be held. Join us for Sunday evening worship on Sunday, January 10 at 5:30 pm.
During these difficult days of the pandemic, we must observe masks at all times and social distancing. Because of this, we have added a third worship opportunity on Christmas Eve to reduce the number of people in each service (spreading it over 3 services versus just 2).
If you are not feeling well, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are still in a 14 day quarantine period, please remain at home and worship virtually with us. Our Christmas Eve worship will be available on line.
Worship Virtually – Sundays 10:00 am or 5:30 pm
Worship Safely In Person – Sundays 10:00 am or 5:30 pm
You are encouraged to join in worship either safely in person or virtually every Sunday. If you prefer a smaller gathering, try out the Sunday evening worship service!
The Evangelism Team would like to thank the congregation for their participation in Operation Christmas Cookie. Without the help from our parishioners, it would not have been the success it was. We packaged and delivered fifty cookie boxes. Thank you so much again.
Mask Up!
As the pandemic continues to churn in our world, First Lutheran continues to require that masks be worn and kept on during worship services or other events at the church. Those leading worship in chancel will removed their masks while speaking so as to provide clear communication for both those worshipping in person and those on line. Otherwise, everyone is required to keep their mask over their mouth and nose. Please be vigilant and encouraging to one another in observing this for the safety of all. The reality is that case numbers are rising – hopefully we can help lower those numbers and keep things moving.
HOME Holy Communion Package: As we have entered into a time of observing weekly communion virtually in our homes, you may contact the Church Office to receive a package of wafers for the celebration of Holy Communion. A bag with a month’s supply will be brought out to your car while observing safe practices. Luther reminds us that the sacrament is valid when we trust the promise of Christ in the sacrament. And, as we confess belief in the communion of saints, we trust God’s presence in our virtual gatherings for worship. Please contact the Church Office as 409-762-8477 to arrange for your package of wafers.
Year End Offerings - For those who like to make year end offerings to the church please have it to the church office by noon on December 31, 2020. This will ensure that your donation gets recorded in the year 2020.
Offering 24th $2842
25th $50
27th $2910
Attendance
-
In-person:
Blue Christmas: 2
Christmas Eve 5pm: 89
Christmas Eve 8pm: 44
Christmas Eve 11pm: 42
Christmas Day: 9
December 27:
Virtually Online:
Christmas Eve Service 5pm: 263 views
Christmas Eve Service 8pm: 206 views
Christmas Eve Sermon: 217 views
Christmas Day Service: 99 views
Christmas Day Sermon video: 201 views
December 27 Morning First Sunday of Christmas video: 463 views
December 27 Evening Sermon video (Rev. Guthier): 82 views
Christmas Pageant video: 215 views
This Week’s Birthdays
Dee Zimmerman 28th
Theresa Boysen 29th
Christof Gault 29th
Chris Badger 30th
Jim Gainer 31st
Wesley Moore 31st
Lillian Pean 1st
Tom Scott 1st
Monica Cox 2nd
Anniversaries
Roger and Dee Zimmerman 28th
Earl and Paulette Gilmore 1st