Happy New Year!

Please join us for worship...

_ Sunday, January 9

On this First Sunday after the Epiphany we will celebrate Holy Communion at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. using the liturgy from With One Voice. Sunday School, Youth Forum and Donuts & Dialogue will meet at 9:40 a.m. Using the book, Reclaiming the “L” Word: Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core, Donuts & Dialogue explores what it means to live out the core teachings of the Lutheran faith. The youth of our church will begin taking orders for sub sandwiches for Super Bowl Sunday.

_ Sunday, January 16

Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. on this Second Sunday after the Epiphany, using the liturgy from With One Voice. Donuts & Dialogue will continue its study on the Lutheran faith. And a New Member Workshop will be held at 9:40 a.m. in the Genszler Room.

Hopes for 2005

This article has been adapted from my December Council report.

The coming of our Savior on Christmas Day fills us with the hope for His coming again. Christ’s coming will lead to a renewal of the earth, the salvation of God’s people, and justice and peace throughout the world. When we pray “Come, Lord Jesus,” we pray with the hope that Christ’s reign will break into our lives so that we might catch a glimpse of God’s kingdom, which is ruled with righteousness and faithfulness.

These lofty things for which we hope cause us to hope for smaller things which might contribute to more peaceable living until Christ’s return. We pray for the end of all conflict throughout the world, we pray for those who suffer in any way, and we pray that the Body of Christ might work together to care for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Through these prayers, through our participation in becoming the very answer to those prayers, and through God’s gracious response, we have reason to hope that God’s kingdom will break into our lives in the here and now.

As a new church year begins I have a variety of hopes for our congregation’s mission and ministry which, in fulfilling these hopes, we might offer hope to people both inside and outside our church walls:

*I hope we will continue to raise money for organizations which alleviate poverty throughout the world. In 2004 we met the $20,000 challenge for world hunger. How much will we raise in 2005?

*I hope we will continue to listen to one another and learn from one another as we review the ELCA’s recommendations from this year’s studies on homosexuality and the church. With the Churchwide Assembly voting on these issues in the summer of 2005, we need to continue this important dialogue and support the ELCA’s efforts with prayer.

*I hope we will continue to be an inviting congregation, one where all people feel welcomed. In 2004 we received 46 new members. How will we invite our new members (and not-so-new members!) to become more involved in the ministries of First United?

*What are your hopes for 2005?

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, may you be filled with the hope that this season brings.

Pastor Gail

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We offer our Christian love to the family of Fred Gould at the death of his mother; and to the family of Lowell Schaefer at the death of his brother, who is also Bill Schaefer’s uncle.

Prayer Group Meets

Do you know that we have a new Prayer Group that meets every Thursday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Genszler Room to share prayer concerns and pray? Anyone wanting to join is more than welcome to come! We also have a prayer chain that prays for specific prayer requests. Anyone that is in need of prayer is encouraged to either fill out a prayer request card in the Prayer Corner or during worship, with the “prayer chain” section checked. All prayer requests will be strictly confidential! The power of prayer is amazing because it relies on the power of God! Pray often, and receive strength and healing from the prayers of others!

Donuts and Dialogue

We will begin a new study on Lutheranism in January during Donuts and Dialogue. Using the book, Reclaiming the “L” Word: Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core, we will explore what it means to live out the core teachings of the Lutheran faith. The author, Kelly Fryer, poses the central questions: Who are we? What does it mean to be a Lutheran today? And, why does it matter? No advanced preparation is necessary; just come and join in on the conversation!

SINGLES

The ever-growing Singles Group at First United will gather for pizza on Sunday, January 9, following the 10:45 a.m. worship service. We will meet in the Genszler Room for food, fellowship, and support. If you have always lived alone, are divorced, or widowed you are welcome to join us. Please call Pastor Gail (452-2401) if you are planning on attending so we can get an accurate count for ordering pizza. Thank you!

New Member Workshops

Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of First United is invited to attend the New Member Workshops in January. The workshops will take place in the Genszler Room and are a great way to find out more about the ministries of First United as well as to meet other new members! If you have any questions regarding the workshops, please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

Sunday, January 16: 9:40-10:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 20: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 23: 9:40-10:30 a.m.

We will receive new members during the 10:45 a.m. worship service on January 23. Childcare is available during all of the workshops.

VIL Lunch

A soup and bread lunch will be served on Monday, January 17, at noon in fellowship hall. Pastor Truby is once again preparing his famous soups and delicious bread. Please call the church office by Thursday, January 13, so that Pastor Truby has some idea of how much to prepare.

Monday Night Books

Monday Night Books will meet on Monday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Genszler Room. We will discuss C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, so please read the book before we meet. A sign-up sheet is in the gathering area.

Future Monday Night Book dates (order your books early!):

*February 7: Why Jesus Died, Gerard Sloyan

(available through Amazon.com or augsburgfortress.org)

*March: Lent, no session

*April 4: The Ladies’ Auxiliary, Tova Mirvis

*May 2: Practicing Resurrection, Nora Gallagher

Annual Meeting, Part II

The second part of the Annual Meeting of our congregation will take place on Sunday, January 30, 2005, at 9:40 a.m. The purpose of this meeting will be to adopt a budget for 2005. Reports from the ministry committees will be available. The Stewardship Committee will present an update. Your attendance as a voting member is most important!

All Committee Night

ATTENTION: Committee Chairpersons!

All chairpersons of the various committees of First United are asked to please have their annual reports to Debbie in the church office by Monday, January 10. Monday, January 10, is also the next All Committee Night. We encourage you to come and get involved in the leadership of First United. Meet at 6:15 p.m. in the gathering area for dinner first. After dinner, the various committees will meet.

Enrollment opens for Great Beginnings Preschool

It’s enrollment time already for the 2005-2006 school year for Great Beginnings!

January 3-31 : Children currently enrolled at Great Beginnings and children and members of First United Lutheran Church.

February 1 : if space is still available, enrollment will open to the public.

Great Beginnings is an excellent preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. Their language, pre-reading, math, social, and large and fine motor skills are strengthened through a variety of activities. The format is designed to allow parents to choose options that best fit their families schedule. For more information or if you are interested in seeing the preschool, call the church office or stop by Great Beginnings.

Meals on Wheels

Are you interested in being a driver for Meals on Wheels? We are looking for drivers who are available to drive one or two Fridays a month, or who could “sub” on a Friday for other drivers. Please sign up on the kiosk or call the church office (452-2401). Thank you!

Kamana Family Update

We are extremely excited and happy to announce that Rebecca is scheduled to have her baby delivered on Friday, January 7, 2005! This is much earlier than we had expected. Members of the Refugee Committee are planning and preparing for the arrival. Rebecca and the baby are doing well, and we ask that you continue to keep them, Emmanuel, and their entire family in your prayers. If you would like to help in any way, please sign up on the kiosk, or call Linda Adams (467-1368). Financial donations given to the Refugee Fund are most helpful and appreciated.

Great Beginnings: WE CARE

Please help support Great Beginnings preschool by en-rolling in the WE CARE Program sponsored by Pick and Save. By simply shopping, you help support Great Beginnings. You need to sign up for a WE CARE card and ask to have Great Beginnings designated as your organization. If you already have a card, just stop by the Customer Service Desk and have Great Beginnings added. We appreciate your support!! The Great Beginnings number is: 292900.