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Sunday, January 23

On this Third 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. The Cherub Choir will sing in the 8:30 a.m. service, and the Sanctuary Choir will sing in the 10:45 a.m. service. Donuts & Dialogue will meet at 9:40 a.m. continuing discussion on the book, Reclaiming the “L” Word: Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core. A New Member Workshop will be held at 9:40 a.m. in the Genszler Room, and new members will be received in the 10:45 a.m. service. The youth of our church are continuing to take orders for sub sandwiches for Super Bowl Sunday.

Sunday, January 30

Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. on this Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, using the Electric Gospel Liturgy. Donuts & Dialogue will continue its study on the Lutheran faith. The Annual Meeting Part II will take place at 9:40 a.m. in the Genszler Room.

It is the season of light. Epiphany is the season when the light bulb goes on in the minds and hearts of Christians as we realize the child born in the manger at Christmas is our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. “Christ is made manifest,” the scriptures tell us, he is made known to us. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. Let us rejoice in the gift of light, the light of Christ, who guides and leads us through the yet unknown pathways of our daily lives.

The annual meeting is coming up January 30 at 9:40 a.m. and I hope you will attend. It is a time when we give thanks for all we have accomplished as a congregation during the past year. There are reports, but they are more than statistics; they are a reflection on the life and vitality of First United. There is the adoption of the 2005 budget which really is a succinct way of identifying the hopes and goals, the mission and plans of our congregation for the coming year. One of the things we will have a chance to rejoice in is our increased generosity of giving. So far I’ve learned that in the past year we, as a congregation, gave offerings of $960,000.35, which is $110,451.00 more than in 2003. Thanks be to God! Of that $598,567.46 was given to our current and benevolence fund, $181,431.91 was given to the building fund, over $20,000 was given to the World Hunger Fund, over $52,000 has been given to the bell project, over $3,495.67 was given to the Kamana refugee family needs, and over $9,215.00 in cash was given to the Adopt a Family fund. In addition, many other benevolence and memorial gifts were made. We are blessed to have responded to these giving needs with our increased generosity. In 2005 we have already received over $2,000 for the Tsunami ELCA Disaster Relief Fund.

As you will read elsewhere in these pages, Paul Falck our custodian has resigned and no longer works for us. We are advertising for a new either part-time or full-time custodian and maintenance technician.

All of us have come to count on and appreciate the dedicated, faithful, and trusted relationship we have with Ronna Cline, our financial secretary for 16 plus years. She is retiring in a couple of months, after we hire and train a suitable person. She has been an incredibly confidential, accurate, gracious, understanding, skilled and knowledgeable staff person. As you can well understand, the financial secretary is a unique position where accuracy, confidentiality, interpersonal skills and great computer abilities are required. We are receiving resumes and applications now.

I look forward to seeing you at worship as we follow the light of Christ this season.

Pastor Karl

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We offer our Christian love to the family of Marianne Comstock at the death of her father; and to the family of Colleen Bertram at the death of her cousin.

Help Needed at Bridgeway

Bridgeway is a transitional housing facility run by the Sheboygan County Interfaith Organi-zation (SCIO), for single women with children who are struggling financially or in other ways. First United is a member of SCIO, and has agreed to help with their evening meal program. On the seventh of every month, two of our members are needed from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to help these moms prepare, serve and clean up an evening meal for their families. The hosts are invited to eat with the families, and help where they are needed. Bridgeway is located at 1251 Geele Avenue, in Sheboygan. Please sign up on the kiosk to get involved. Thank you!

Donuts and Dialogue

A new study on Lutheranism has begun during Donuts and Dialogue, using the book, Reclaiming the “L” Word: Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core. We are exploring 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!

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).

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.

Singles Potluck

Mark your calendar! The singles group will gather on Sunday, February 13, at 12:00 p.m. in the Genszler Room for conversation and a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to pass; table service and beverages will be provided. We are a growing group! Over the first few months of this new group, twenty different individuals have attended at least one session and we hope more will come and join this warm and welcoming group. Bring a friend! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

Monday Night Books

Monday Night Books will meet on Monday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Genszler Room. We will discuss Why Jesus Died by Gerard Sloyan. This book is only available through amazon.com, augsburgfortress.org, or by ordering through Waldenbooks. Please read the entire book prior to this date and come with your questions and insights. A sign-up sheet is in the gathering area.

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

*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!

Adoption Opportunity through LSS

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan will be hosting 30 Russian orphans, between the ages of 6 and 13 years old, during 2-week camps in Wisconsin during the summer of 2005. LSS is seeking families throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan who are interested in becoming a “host family” and who will consider adoption of the child in the future. The goal of the camp is to provide the children with new and meaningful experiences and to provide families, who are hoping to adopt, the opportunity to meet and get to know these children who truly need and deserve a family. For more information, please call LSS at 920-730-1363 by February 15.

Senior Aides Program

The Senior Aides Program is an employment and training program created to assist the older worker return to the workforce. Enrollees work 20 hours per week at minimum wage and enjoy paid holidays and paid vacation time. Positions are found at non-profit and governmental agencies where your presence will provide much needed service to your community. For further information, please see the bulletin board outside the church office.

Enrollment is open 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 Drivers needed

Can YOU help by being a driver for Meals on Wheels? We are looking for a few more drivers who could drive one Friday a month, or someone who could occasionally “sub” on a Friday for other drivers. Each delivery takes about 90 minutes, from approximately 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We are blessed to have both a Wednesday and a Thursday route. With your help, we could also have a Friday route! Please sign up on the kiosk or call the church (452-2401). Thank you!

Kamana Family Update

We are very happy to announce the birth of Godwin Kamana on Friday, January 7! He is 5 pounds, 6 oz., and 20 inches long. He has lots of hair, and is a beautiful, healthy baby boy! Rebecca and the family are doing very well. Please continue to keep their family in your prayers.

Additional help with childcare and trans-portation needs are especially needed. If you are able to help with this, or in any other way, please sign up on the kiosk or call Linda Adams (467-1368). There will be a meeting for all refugee committee members and for anyone interested in helping with the Kamana family on Thursday, January 27, at 6:00 p.m. in the Genszler room. Please come!

JOIN US on Sunday, February 13 for an afternoon of sledding at Vollrath Bowl. We will meet at Vollrath Bowl at 1:00 p.m and sled until 3:00 p.m. Hot chocolate and snacks will be supplied. Everyone is welcome! Sign up on the kiosk in the gathering area.

Super Bowl Sub Sale

Yes, those delicious 6" subs that you had last year are back! Look for the order forms in the gathering area and make your lunch plans for the Big Game!