Music Notes

Hello First Lutheran! I am your new music coordinator, Rebekah Sousa, but most people call me Bekah. I use the term “new” loosely as I have actually been working with First Lutheran for many years, but assumed new duties as full-time music coordinator on January first of 2023. I am so happy to be serving you in this new capacity. I am a PK (preacher’s kid) who has served many churches in many roles since my early teens, most often as organist and choir director, but also as youth director, on church council, as Sunday School teacher and superintendent, in women’s organizations, on building committees, etc. Up until this year, I have generally been employed as a hospital/clinic worker, initially for over 30 years doing medical transcription, then for the last 7 years with registration and patient services, with church music being secondary. I am thrilled to have a new focus in 2023, providing musical accompaniment for worship, selecting music for services, gathering the choir back together and working with the young folks at Fusion.

I am married, and my husband James works at Wuerflein Chevrolet as a technician. I have 3 children, Abigail (who lives with her husband Chris and son Quinn in Lexington, KY), and twin sons Caleb (who lives in Albert Lea with his wife Tanieka and has children Blaine, Freya, O’Ryan and Luna-Mae) and Joshuah (who lives in Alden with his wife Brittany, son Brexton. They are expecting a new little girl in April). My parents Rev. Willis J. Forsyth of Syracuse, NY, and Barbara Clark Forsyth of Alden, MN, have gone to be with their Lord, as well as my brother David, but I have two sisters, Deborah and Paula, who both live in Albuquerque, NM, with nephews and nieces in California and New Mexico.

I look forward to God’s work ahead here at First Lutheran and my first order of business is getting choir started again. We are going to try Tuesday evening practices at 6:15 pm following bell choir rehearsals beginning January 24th. Please come and join us if you love to “make a joyful noise” to the Lord!

Pastoral Records: Baptisms, Weddings, Deaths, Funerals, Memorial Services

Weddings

Jenny Hueter & Josh Martin 1/8

Baptisms

Dieter Diaz 1/8

Ellie Diaz 1/8

Funerals

Rhoda Knudson 1/6

Marilyn Peters 1/12

Harold “Billy” Christenson 1/16

Office

Monday Thursday 9:00AM-3:00PM

FRIDAY & SATURDAY CLOSED

Sunday Building Hours—7AM-12 noon

[Other times by special arrangement] s

These hours allow the office staff to be in the office and have time to work on special projects and events with fewer distractions. If you need to come in outside of normal office hours, please call for an appointment.

Building

Monday - Thursday 8:00AM-5:00PM

Tues. & Wed. 5:00-8:00PM

If there are meetings scheduled