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February 2020

Inside

From the Pastor 1-2

Prayer Concerns 3

Service List 4

Calendar highlights 5

Resurrection Cemetery 6

Update on Worship 6

Equipping Congregations 7

Intern Miranda 8

Intern Committee 9

Calendar 10-11

Cantor 12-13

Lifelong Learning 14-15

Benevolence 16

Stewardship Comment 17

News & Notes 18

New Committees 19

Observations from Pastor Gwen

Did you read the annual reports that were provided in advance of the

January 26 annual meeting? If so, you’ll have read my summary of the year

2019 and my observations for the year ahead. Let me repeat myself and

expand a bit on my comments in that report.

I have been with you now for sixteen months. We find ourselves in the midst of a liminal time, a time in which we have let go of some of the former things and have not yet fully grasped the future things. As I mentioned last month, it is a time of holy wrestling with some important and persistent questions. This is where many congregations find themselves after saying good-bye to a long-time pastor and welcoming a new one. (In other words, this is normal.)

Liminal times often include trying new things and wondering what the future holds. As we look ahead to the year 2020, I offer three observations that I have shared with council. These are offered as invitations to conversation as we move forward.

Observation #1: First Lutheran Church has no mission/vision that unites the congregation and guides (large and small) decisions.

Instead, individuals have different ideas concerning what FLC is about and what it’s leadership should be prioritizing. No organization can possibly meet all these diverse expectations and agendas. The council has started to have a conversation about what is central to First’s identity. Is it worship? Is it music? Is it relationships or maybe education? What should have priority when making decisions about staffing, budget allocations, and how time and energy is spent?

Observation #2: First Lutheran Church has a staffing model that isn’t sustainable for the congregation’s needs and the pastor’s well-being.

A few short years ago, FLC had two full-time pastors plus a part-time volunteer pastor, which meant two and a half pastors were available to preach, teach, visit members, and do the hundreds of behind-the-scenes administrative tasks the pastoral position requires. Now FLC has one pastor. The expectations for what the pastor can accomplish have not changed to match this new reality. This has led to disappointed members and an exhausted pastor. In advance of any future budget conversations, the council plans to look at what staffing would make the most sense for FLC’s current needs and resources. Continued on next page...

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Observation #3: First Lutheran Church has substantial debt that will greatly restrict ministry and create a financial burden for years/decades to come.

In 2011, FLC undertook an ambitious renovation project that resulted in significant debt. Each year, we need a minimum of $150,000 to pay the mortgage, above and beyond the $400,000+ for the operating budget. At some point, the mortgage payments will probably need to be folded into the budget, which will present the challenge of balancing a budget with much higher expenses. This may mean cutting staff or programs in order to make ends meet. This could happen as soon as next year, as the 2020-22 campaign raised two-thirds of the funds needed to pay our monthly mortgage payments over the next three years. The mortgage payments may soon have a great impact on the ministry FLC is able to financially support.

I offer these observations not to scare you, but simply to show you what I am seeing from my vantage point. These realities are not new, but they are coming out into the light now so that they can be considered (if you choose to consider them). I know that this liminal time is not easy, but it is normal and even good to spend some time here. I trust that the Spirit is at work here as the wrestling continues.

Peace,

Quote by Richard Rohr:

"Liminal space, the place of waiting, is a unique spiritual position

where human beings hate to be but where the Biblical God is

always leading them. It is when you have left the tried and true,

but have not yet been able to replace it with anything else. It is

when you are finally out of the way. It is when you are between

your old comfort zone and any possible new answer..."

From Pastor Gwen (continued)

FLC Bowling! Join Pastor Gwen at Kingpins Bowling Alley in St. Peter on Sunday, February 9th from 4-6 p.m. The cost is $3.75 per game. Shoes are $2.25. Pizza and pitchers of pop will be provided. This event is for all ages! Look for the signup sheet in the Gathering Space.

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We are called to remember one another in prayer. The list below is for recent needs:

•Helen Baumgartner • Chris Paul (son of Garrett and Betsy Paul) •Wendell Shiell (grandfather of Pastor Gwen) •Tom Stenson •All those we continue to include in our personal prayer petitions

We also ask for your continued prayers for the below listed people with long-term or

chronic needs:

•Marie Benson •Megan Berglund •Abigail Christenson (daughter of Kathryn Christenson) •Dorothy Eliason •Betty Gustafson •John Hall •Mike Jones (uncle of Pastor Gwen) •Lee Landgrebe •Elgene Lund •Tom Michels (son-in-law of Betty Gustafson) •Dick Muesing •Cole Turrittin

We pray for families and friends of those who have died:

•Herb Chilstrom •Martha Fienen (sister of David Fienen) •Jyneal Greer (mother of Tami

Aune) •Michael Hermanson (cousin of Pastor Gwen) •Bob Swedberg

To request being on either our current or long term prayer lists (or to be taken off), please

discuss with Pastor Gwen, contact the church office at 934-3060 or flcstpoffice@gmail.com,

or go to our website at www.flcstp.org and click on the “Request Prayer” button on the

homepage.

Prayer Concerns

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Glen Anderberg Mark & Debbie Birr Mark & Laura Boomgaarden Eric & Michelle Borseth Chris Braun Kathryn Christenson Jim Dontje & Laura Lindell Sara Emich Craig & Colleen Hanson Kelsie Hatlevig Linda Irvin Cliff & Brenda Isley

Julie Johnson John & Marit Kvamme Steve & Kris Larson Jim & Kim Neubauer Bonnie & Darrell Pettis Wesley & Karen Quick Bernie & Lenore Schnobrich Tyson & Michelle Twait Kim & Heather Wallgren Jim & Karen Wendroth Joan Williams Barbara Ylinen

Service List for February

Coordinators: Doug & Sue Peterson

Financial Notes:

Through December 31, 2019

Income $436,473

Expenses $428,040

Balance $8,433

Office Hours:

Monday through Thursday:

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday:

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

First Lutheran Church Staff Pastor Gwen Hermanson Senior Pastor Miranda Joebgen Pastoral Intern Emily Bruflat Cantor Dave Pehrson Custodian Mark Roemhildt Office Coordinator Karen Smithers Bookkeeper

Bill Kautt—President Shanon Nowell—Past President John Sylvester—Vice President Cindy Nadeau—Secretary Harry Hunt—Treasurer Josh Drinkall Sue Gray Laura Lindell

Gordon Long Ryenne Pettis Dave Ribar Mary Thompson Carolyn Trnka Ken Westphal Eleanor Winterfeldt Pastor Gwen Hermanson

2020 Congregational Council

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Calendar Highlights for February

Simple Worship Service Added Starting Sunday, February 2

11:15 a.m. in the Chapel (info on page 6)

What’s happening this

month at First Lutheran?

Ash Wednesday Lent Starts February 26

(no other Wednesday programming)

Equipping Congregations Day February 29 in Willmar, MN

(info on page 7)

First Communion for 2nd Graders February 23

Class on February 2, 9, and 16 (info on page 15)

Save the dates! May 3: Confirmation Sunday May 10: Graduate Blessing

Holden Evening Prayer Around the World

February 5 (info on page 7)

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The Resurrection Cemetery Committee will be hosting two upcoming First Forums and cordially invites you to join them! Mark your calendars!

February 9 (new date):

Resurrection Cemetery owned by First Lutheran Church is located just west of St. Peter on Hwy 99. The history of the origin of the cemetery and its expansion have taken place over many years. This history will be presented by historian Nita Aasen along with other points of interest: a map of the cemetery, the location of lots and sections, and how to use the internet to find your relatives and friends buried at Resurrection Cemetery (bring your cell phones). Information on the cost of a lot and the steps in purchasing a lot will also be discussed. The Resurrection Cemetery Committee welcomes you to this informational forum where you will learn about Resurrection Cemetery and how to plan for the future.

April 26:

Blake Combellick from the St. Peter Funeral Home will give a description of funeral services to include typical costs.

Resurrection Cemetery Committee

Update on Worship FLC has received lots of feedback about the worship service schedule. At the January Council meeting, it was decided that we would begin another experiment: 9:00 a.m. Worship followed by education and fellowship time (stays the same) and 11:15 a.m. Simple Worship in the Chapel (new). We will follow one of the familiar LBW Liturgical settings and include a sermon with hymn, communion, and prayers.

We want to keep the momentum of attendance both at the 9:00 Worship and 10:15 Sunday School; the time and structure seems to be working well for most families, as indicated in the responses. However, we also hear that some members need more time to get ready in the morning before coming to worship, and we hope that the 11:15 option will give them that opportunity. Forum and Fellowship would still be open to everyone at 10:15, and starting Simple Worship at 11:15 will allow the Pastor, Intern, and Cantor time to be available to lead this service. This experiment will run until Memorial Day weekend in May.

Thank you for your feedback and your patience as we try to make worship accessible to all of our members and work within the limitations of our small staff and volunteer pool. Even if you are dissatisfied with the results, know that your concerns were heard and considered as we worked to find the best solutions for the most people.

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This event anticipates up to 1000 registrants!

Workshop Titles (you sign up for three):

- Church Treasurer Alert! - Your job just became more difficult! - The Rules of Improv Comedy for Everyday Ministry - Leading the congregation in a polarized world - Gifts of Grace: Toward Financial Wellness - Looking for Buried Treasure: Uncovering the hidden gifts people want to give your ministry -Safety and Security at Church: One congregation's experience -And who is my neighbor?: Getting to know your Neighbor of a different faith -Responding to Childhood Trauma as Church: How to do it...and why? -Eating Your Way out of Climate Change -Suicide Awareness and Prevention -What's Cooking in the ELCA? - Millennial and Faith -Let's Talk About ____, Baby! Navigating tough conversations with youth in the church -ELCA Youth Gathering in our Back Yard - it's time to plan! -Entering The Story through the Narrative Lectionary -Farm and Rural Stress: Origins and ways to help -From Candidacy to Call Committee: A journey of discernment -Hearing Voices: Creative uses of memory and story in the congregation -The Living, Breathing, Ever-changing Document: The Church Constitution -The Intersection of Staying Young, Growing Old and Meeting in the Middle with Grace -Congregational Vitality If you are interested, please contact Mark in the office!

ALL ARE WELCOME!

-Congregation Members

-Council Officers

-Christian Educators

-Worship & Youth Leaders

2020 Equipping Congregations Day

Saturday, February 29, 2020

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Vinje Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran, Willmar, MN

Holden Evening Prayer Around the World

Congregations across the globe are being invited to participate in a Holden Evening Prayer event on February 5th, 2020. Come for our 7:15 worship and join our brothers and sisters in Christ through this beautiful evening prayer service. Go to https://bit.ly/2PVgGGP for more information from the Holden Village.

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Value A Reflection on Henri J.M. Nouwen & Walter J. Gaffney’s Aging: The Fulfillment of Life

In this book, Nouwen and Gaffney challenge the way we as a society think about the process of aging and the way we treat the elderly in our communities. While aging is the most inevitable thing in this life, it is also the most feared, and as such we tend to ostracize those whose very existence is a tangible reminder of our own mortality and the lack of control we have in this process. So we treat aging only as a path to darkness, and in doing so, we miss how aging is also a path to the light.

The darkness of aging cannot be denied. There is unimaginable pain in losing friends and loved

ones, losing memories and physical abilities, losing independence and familiarity. However, in painting aging only in this light, we miss the beauty and freedom that is found in this later part of life. Nouwen and Gaffney wrote, “The darkness of old age has been pretty well documented, but the light does not seem to fit into the computers and tabulation machines of the profit-makers,” (56).

As we age, we become less “profitable” - at least in the eyes of a capitalistic society. We exist in a world that tells us our value is tied to what we do, have, make, or achieve. As we age and are no longer able to “produce” in the ways the world is accustomed to, the world tells us we have little to no value, and pushes us to the margins - to the darkness. However, Nouwen and Gaffney say that as we age, we enter into the process of being able to, “see that we are worth not only what we achieve but what we are, that what life might lose in use, it may win in meaning,” (71). As we grow older, we are more free to understand our inherent value - a value that is not reliant on anything other than our very being - our very existence. Aging is not a process to be feared and dreaded, but rather is an opportunity for our true identity and value to be revealed to us. As a Christian, I know that I am valued by nature of being a child of God - and yet, I still believe the world when it tells me that my value lies in what I produce and achieve. Our church gets caught up in this as well - it is an unavoidable consequence of living in this world. But we can still change our focus - even if we have to do so every single day. May we choose to learn from our elders and look to them as a reminder of our inherent value - a value that is reliant not on the mark we have made on the world, but the mark God has placed on each of us as beloved children of God. In Peace, Intern Miranda

Next Month’s Book: A Church of Her Own: What Happens When a Woman Takes the Pulpit by Sarah Sentilles All of the books from Intern Miranda’s monthly reflections can now be found in the Church Library! Feel free to read them at church or take them home and bring them back.

Pastoral Intern

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The Internship Committee of First Lutheran church is comprised of six, diverse congregation members (Janet Jensen, Darrell Pettis, Dan Polzin, Mary Spear, Shirleen “Shirb” Sylvester (Chair), and David Winterfeldt), in addition to Intern Miranda Joebgen. The committee meets monthly to provide feedback and support to Intern Miranda, as she immerses herself in ministry at First Lutheran.

According to Luther Seminary: the goal of the internship program for the Intern is:

To be a developmental process of vocational information, and

To assist with growth in competence in the various skills of ministry practice.

During internship, Intern Miranda will:

Engage in the role of a Christian public leader,

Participate in a full range of ministry and professional experiences,

Hone her knowledge and skills in proclaiming God’s promises of love and reconciliation,

Lead and support the development of new programs and worshiping communities, and

Equip communities to love and serve their neighbors.

To that end, the Internship Committee has the responsibility to provide support and encouragement, to provide opportunities for reflection about experiences, and to give feedback (“on sermons, teaching, leadership presence, pastoral care and empathy, work skills, interactions across age levels, theological understanding, etc”). It is also important for the Internship Committee to build trust, listen and learn, and share values and faith experiences with Intern Miranda.

First and foremost, Intern Miranda is a seminary student growing in her knowledge, skills, and the building of relationships in a congregational environment; so Congregational support and positive feedback are equally important. Think about the means you have to support Intern Miranda: maybe a one-on-one lunch opportunity; an invitation to your home for a meal; a walk and talk outing; attending First Forums she plans and leads; a personal introduction and conversation; feedback on her sermons; and whatever shows your support and interest.

Intern Miranda has immersed herself in the First Lutheran Church Congregation and is learning, practicing, and growing in her pastoral skills. She is very busy and happily engaged with our church family. She is preaching at Sunday and Wednesday Evening services, teaching 7

th and 8

th grade confirmation classes, visiting homebound members, leading First

Forums, and leading the Monday morning Bible Study on Revelations, to name a few of her responsibilities. She is thoroughly enjoying her time and experience at First Lutheran Church.

How blessed our congregations is to not only participate in the Internship program, but also, to have competent, positive, and joyful Intern Miranda!

Intern Committee

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As I stated in my Annual Report, I would like to begin the process of finding volunteers to build self-sustaining ministries at FLC. You can help! There are some opportunities available to you, some of which are not related to musical skill or knowledge.

1. Sunday School Music Team: This group would schedule leaders for Sunday School music, plan at least one "Sunday School Day of Music" for the children in lieu of classes, and coordinate with the Cantor to schedule one Sunday per fall semester and two Sundays per spring semester for the children to sing seasonally appropriate music during worship. This team would also be solely responsible for the "No Stress, No Fuss Christmas Program" each December. If you love children and love seeing them participate in worship, this is the team for you! Ideal members include people who can lead the music time and people who are good at behind the scenes organizing. The goal is to have this team up and running by Fall 2020!

2. Music Library Team: There are already a couple of dedicated volunteers working away at various library projects, and this is great! Emily would like to create a "to-do list" and let the library organization go entirely to volunteers. She needs people who are good at sorting and label making. She is also looking for people who are skilled in Google Sheets (spreadsheets) to help with music filing and database upkeep. The goal is to have this team up and running by Summer 2020 so that Emily can spend the first part of the summer training volunteers!

3. Instrument Advisory Board: Do you have knowledge of the mechanics of various musical instruments? Emily would like a small team of people to be able to meet periodically about the technical issues our instruments face and come up with informal proposals for Worship and Arts to consider.

Questions? Interest? Talk to me at church, call me at the church office, or email me at musicflcstp@gmail.com. Hymnals for FLC or Personal Use Some of the big hymnals used for accompanying are falling apart due to frequent use. Do you have interest in donating funds for a replacement in honor or in memory of someone? If you turn to the front cover of many hymnals in the sanctuary, they often include a dedication. We are looking for three books that cost $60 each and two that cost $70 each. Pew editions are around $30 if imprinted with "First Lutheran Church" on the front cover, and leather-bound gift editions are $45 if you are looking for one to have at home. Contact Emily if you have any questions or to cover part or all of the cost of a hymnal! Piano Up for Grabs! The piano in the Dining Hall is still looking for a new home! It's not the nicest sounding instrument, but it would work well for casual playing or taking lessons. If you or someone you know would like a baby grand in their home for personal use, please contact Emily at the church for more information.

From the Cantor

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Upcoming Ensemble Opportunities

Jeremiah Band will help lead worship on February 9th. There is still time to sign up to participate. Talk to Emily or Steve Kidder if you are interested!

Bonse Aba (treble voices choir) will sing Sunday, February 16th during worship with a rehearsal at 8:15 beforehand. Rehearsal will be February 2nd at 10:30 between the 9:00 Worship and the 11:15 Simple Worship.

Bonse Aba will also sing in worship on March 22nd, April 19th, and May 31st. Rehearsal schedule to follow!

FLC Band will play on Sunday, February 23rd for Transfiguration! If you have a band instrument and would like to sign up, there is a rehearsal on February 9th at 10:15 in the balcony. You are welcome to join an ever-growing group made up of both youth and adults!

Men's Ensemble The low voices in the congregation are invited to a special opportunity to sing on March 1st for the First Sunday in Lent. The piece is very simple (in two parts). You can receive the music in advance, and there will be a rehearsal that Sunday morning at 8:15 a.m.

Women's Octet The high voices in the congregation have an extra opportunity to sing something challenging! Perhaps Bonse Aba doesn't work for your schedule and you'd like a chance to work at a piece of music. This one-time group will sing in worship on March 8th if we get enough dedicated singers. Rehearsals will be Wednesday, March 4th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 8th at 8:15 a.m.

Concerts & Announcements

National Lutheran Choir Winter Concert: So Much to Sing About!

Join the National Lutheran Choir for this eclectic program celebrating the depth and breadth of the Lutheran choral tradition, featuring works by Felix Mendelssohn, Ola Gjeilo, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, set alongside new arrangements of familiar tunes, including Kenneth Dake’s “Sweet Hour of Prayer."

Sunday, February 16 @ 4pm St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church 17205 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447

Tickets: Adults and Seniors $28 | Students and Children FREE | Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. For tickets and more information, please

visit NLCA.com or call (612) 722-2301.

From the Cantor

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Community Meal—ALL are Welcome!

Join us for a Community Meal every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. (on weeks when Confirmation and Faith Formation are scheduled). Each meal includes veggies, fruit, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and beverages. Cost is $5 per person. The menu for the month is below: • February 5: Potluck • February 12: Swiss Chicken Casserole • February 19: Pizza • February 26: Ash Wednesday (no meal nor Wednesday programming)

February First Forum Schedule:

• February 2: David Fienen will give an overview of the church archives (Part 1) • February 9: Nita Aasen will give an overview of Resurrection Cemetery • February 16: David Fienen and the church archives (Part 2)

Lenten First Forum Series

Throughout the season of Lent, join Pastor Gwen and Intern Miranda for a First Forum series on Contemplative Prayer Practices! We will be exploring creative ways to engage in prayer and enrich one’s spiritual practices at home. Look for a more detailed explanation in the March newsletter, and/or save the date for the introductory session on February 23rd. The schedule is as follows:

• February 23rd - Introduction to Series & Labyrinth with Intern Miranda • March 1st - Prayer of Examen with Pastor Gwen • March 8th - Prayer Beads with Intern Miranda • March 15th - Art with Intern Miranda • March 22nd - Lectio Divina with Pastor Gwen • March 29th - Walking with Intern Miranda • April 5th - Stations of the Cross with Pastor Gwen

Lifelong Learning

Notes for Confirmation and Faith Formation

Confirmation Lock-In: The Confirmation Lock-In was postponed due to the weather and has been rescheduled for March 7th-8th! All confirmation families should have received an email from Intern Miranda with more details. We still need one more female chaperone who is willing to help out and spend the night. If you would be willing to do so, please contact Intern Miranda!

Adult Study during Lent?

If anyone is interested in leading an adult Bible or book study on Wednesday evenings from 6:30

p.m. to 7:30 p.m. during Lent, please contact Pastor Gwen.

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Notes for Sunday School

Sunday School Day of Music is February 9th!

The children will join our wonderful music leaders Rachel Ribar, Brenda McHugh, and Steve Kidder for Sunday School and learn about God's love and light through music! During this time, they will have the opportunity to continue preparing to sing during worship on February 23rd and April 5th.

First Communion for Second Graders will be Sunday, February 23

Even if they have been taking Communion for years, the preparation for this day will provide an opportunity for them to learn about communion, ask questions, and create their own communion cup. The children will be meeting with Joel Moline (local artist and retired art teacher) to design, mold, and beautify their cups on February 2

and 9: during Sunday School (10:15 a.m.) in the Dining Hall.

Then, on February 16, Intern Miranda will teach the children about communion using “A Place for You: My Holy Communion Book” by Daniel Erlander. This instruction will be for all students and their parents, so it is important to attend.

Lifelong Learning

Notes for 9-12 Grade:

Pastries with Pastor and Muffins with Miranda

• Muffins with [Intern] Miranda: February 2 (first Sunday of the month)

• Pastries with Pastor [Gwen]: February 16 (third Sunday of the month)

These are great opportunities to engage with Pastor Gwen or Intern Miranda on

matters of faith or any other topic the youth would like to discuss. Meet in the youth

room at 10:15 a.m. Assorted hot beverages are provided.

Volunteer at The Kitchen

Come and help serve a meal at "The Kitchen" on Monday, February 24 from 5:00pm to

7:00pm! If interested, sign-up in the Gathering Space or call the church.

Also coming this year: We are planning a trip to the Wow!Zone

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On behalf of the Stewardship Committee, we want to thank you for your generosity in

2019. The following is a list of our benevolence giving for 2019—totaling over $67,000.

May these gifts be a blessing to both those who give and those who receive:

SW Minnesota Synod & ELCA $46,500

Missionary Sponsorship $3,000

Lutheran Social Services $3,000

Shetek Lutheran Bible Camp $1,000

VINE $500

The Garden $500

Other Gifts $130

World Hunger $3,717

Lenten Offering, Bread, Hunger, SPAF $1,230

St. Peter Area Food Shelf $1,146

Holiday Baskets (vouchers) $2,000

Giving Tree/Pastors’ Discretionary Fund $2,693

ELCA Disaster Relief/LIRS $200

Souper Bowl to SPAF $320

MNIPL $500

Recital—Refugee Services $306

Bread for the World $275

Total $67,017

Faithful Giving Allows for Generous Benevolence

2020 Lenten Soup Suppers

As in previous years, we will have our soup suppers on Wednesday evenings during Lent. Dinner will be served from 6:00 to 6:30pm. Lenten Evening Prayer which will feature Taizé songs, will be at 5:30pm.

Every year, the committees get together to provide the soup and assorted sides. The schedule this year is as follows:

March 4: Lifelong Learning, Staff Support, Inreach/Outreach

March 11: Finance, Funds Management, and Green

March 18: Worship & Arts, Altar Guild, and Stewardship

March 25: Building & Grounds, Fellowship, and Social Justice

April 1: Council

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I am wondering – have you seen the television advertisement from an investment firm

seeking a response to the question “So, what’s in your wallet?” I take this as a challenge to

us to consider specifically a Legacy Gift to the church. What will be your legacy? How do

you plan for the future?

Should you not have a Will that designates a portion of your net worth to charity, might you

plan to do so? Did you know that First Lutheran Church was recently the designated

recipient of major gifts from three separate families that helped to strengthen our ministry?

There is so much more we could do if more of our members engaged in Legacy Giving.

The fact is, when we have conducted our stewardship program in the past, we focus

primarily on what we intend to give for only the next calendar year. I suggest that we should

also think longer-term and develop plans now on how we will continue supporting the

ministry of the Church after we are gone.

Legacy Giving and Planned Giving can be beneficial for both the donor (that’s you and I) and

the recipient. Periodically in the past, we have hosted programs for each of us to learn more

about deferred giving, and we intend to host more in the future. I encourage you to attend

one of these sessions, so you may develop a plan of your own. So, what are your plans?

Respectfully submitted by, Paul Aasen member of the Stewardship Committee

Comment by a member of the Stewardship Committee

Potluck!

The Community Meal on the first Wednesday of the

month is a potluck! Nobody can do it like Lutherans!

Next one is February 5th! Bring a dish to share!

Winter Weather Policy

Now that winter is definitely upon us, here is our inclement weather policy:

• If Sunday church is to be cancelled: a decision will be made no later than 7:30 a.m.

and cancellations will be announced through email, Facebook, radio station KNUJ-AM

860, KEYC TV, and on the church website. If worship is cancelled, all other Sunday

activities are cancelled

• Weekday cancellation: if Saint Peter School District cancels or is dismissed early,

there will be no activities at the church.

Always use your discretion to ensure your safety! We record Sunday morning services,

which can be viewed on Public Access or by borrowing a DVD from the church.

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News and Notes

Be A Good Neighbor

The after school program for homework help called Hikmah, Somali for wisdom, is

continuing at the Islamic Center just down the road from First Lutheran. Volunteers are

needed to help school-aged children from the Somali community on Monday, Tuesday,

and Wednesday evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 7:00. Volunteers are

welcomed on a drop-in basis but it would be helpful to let the coordinator, Mohammed

Abdulkadir, know if you are coming. His email is mjabdulkadir.jits@gmail.com. You

could volunteer once, twice or several times according to your availability. Drop by and

help kids who need a little boost. You’ll be glad you did.

Update to Website!

We’ve given the Church website a new look! Please check it out at www.flcstp.org

Agenda and Minutes Available: To be intentional about sharing congregational

council information, the church office will publish via email the council agenda and

minutes to the whole congregation. They will also be posted on the FLC website (on the

Council tab) and paper-copies will be posted to the bulletin board near the dining hall.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Did you know that Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest eating day of the year after

Thanksgiving? On Sunday, February 2, we will be collecting food and money to be

given to the St. Peter Food Shelf for those who do not have enough to eat.

Blood Drive at First Lutheran

Tuesday, February 11

12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Gustavus Choir Concerts!

Saturday, February 1 at 7 P.M: First Lutheran Church, Alexandria

Saturday, February 15 at 7:30 P.M: Home Concert, Christ Chapel, St. Peter

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Two new committees became effective on February 1, 2020: • Social Justice Committee will be responsible for all events and programs

related to peace and justice, which may include local and global hunger, inadequate housing, racial and economic injustice, refugee crisis, and violence. This committee will also suggest, oversee, and nurture ways in which First Lutheran Church, as a Reconciling in Christ Congregation of the ELCA, lives out its Reconciling in Christ statement.

Projects may include:

• RIC Sunday worship and education • Lenten cause for education and support • Refugee Sunday worship and education • Collecting food for St. Peter Area Food Shelf • Pack the Pews Sunday- typically in February or March • Letter writing to representatives regarding timely issues • Organize service projects for the congregation to participate in. • Lead Souper Bowl of Caring (collection of food on Super Bowl Sunday) • Schedule Mission Quilt Blessing • Work with staff to plan and implement God’s Work Our Hands Sunday

• Outreach/Inreach Committee will be responsible for outreach efforts toward

potential new members of the church and lay visitation to homebound members. Outreach projects may include:

• Organize FLC’s presence at the Southern Minnesota Pride Fest and the Gustavus Activities Fair (both in September)

• Communicate with individuals and families interested in joining FLC. • Help with new member orientation • Organize events within the St. Peter community

Inreach projects may include:

• Deliver Easter flowers to home bound members. • Deliver holiday cards and gifts to homebound members. • Facilitate the Prayer Buddies (lay visitation) program • Restart the Sunday Driver program? • Promote Prayer Chain

If interested, please contact Pastor Gwen.

New Committees

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Renewed by Christ in Word, water, bread and wine, we serve the community and the world

1114 Traverse Road

St. Peter MN 56082

Welcome to First Lutheran Church

Phone: 507-934-3060

Fax: 507-934-3847

E-mail:

flcstpoffice@gmail.com

Address Service

Requested

We’re on the

Web!

www.flcstp.org

Worship Schedule

Public Access Channel 7

TV broadcast

6:00 p.m. Monday

8:00 a.m. Tuesday

11:30 a.m. Sunday

3:00 p.m. Sunday

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 11:15 a.m. Simple Worship (Chapel) Monday 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer (Chapel) Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer (Chapel)