December 2022

December 2022 Volume LXXII No. 12

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Happenings

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Lefse Bake!

Hear-ye Hear - ye Let it be known far and wide that the Salvation Army Angel tree and mitten tree are up and open for business. Gifts should be new and unwrapped. Gloves, mittens, winter hats of all kinds are welcome. The last day to leave your gifts at church is Dec. 11.

Social Ministry Team

Council Talking Points Yearend giving- The Council would just like to let everyone know that right now as of the end of October we are down $18,000 dollars. We ask that you take the time to reflect on your giving for 2022 and if you feel it in your heart to give a gift to the church it would be very much appreciated.

The Nominating Committee has started the process of searching for Council and Ministry Team members positions. If you are interested in serving as a leader, please pick up a questionnaire at the welcome center.

Roof Update- We have been notified that the evaluation of the roof has been postponed until April 2023.

This has been a long process; the property team will continue to work with the attorneys on the claim.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dave Van Fossen, the chair of the Property Team.

Past Pastors and Confirmands Pictures- The council has been looking at a way to display pictures of our past pastors and confirmands that takes up less space and is convenient for everyone to look at.

The decision has been made that all past confirmands and past pastors photos will be placed in photos albums. They will be available outside of the church office. They will be labeled on the binder so you will easily be able to see what the book contains. We will be placing current staff and council members photos alongside our First Lutheran Church organizational chart in that space.

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A few words from Pastor Joy Dear FLCGrace and peace to you from God who is, who was, and who is to come! I hope that you are all staying healthy, safe and warm as we enter into the winter season.

Advent is a special season for the church. It’s a time where we patiently wait and prepare for the coming of Christ. I love that in a world that prioritizes instant gratification, Advent reminds us to slow down. It is a time to re-evaluate things in our hearts and our lives that are keeping us from God, so that we can better prepare for the coming of Christ. We might already know how the story goes, but each year we take the time to remind ourselves why we celebrate this season.

For those of you who have not heard yet, our Advent theme this year is “As We Wonder and Wander.” Our afternoon Advent services begin November 30th and each week we will have a guest speaker come in from our community to talk about this theme that includes the topics of peace, love, joy, and hope. I am excited to wonder and wander with our guest speakers as we listen and learn about what these topics mean to them and their vocations.

I’ve been meaning to ask you, did you have any Advent traditions when you were growing up? In my family once Advent began we would take turns putting a magnet up on an Advent Christmas tree that my mom had, and then we would get to open one little square on our chocolate Advent calendars. We would do this right after dinner and I remember my sisters and I gobbling down our food and then squabbling over who got to put the magnet up (my poor mom)! There was something exciting about completing the Advent Christmas tree and the countdown to Christmas Day. It was so easy to wonder about what was going to come.

As an adult I sometimes feel as if I have forgotten to wonder, especially during Advent.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle in both my professional and personal life. However, this season I am hoping to remember to wonder (and wander!) with all of you as we remember who God is and what God has done. I am going to challenge myself to have childlike eyes when thinking about the peace, love, joy, and hope that is found in our Christmas story.

So, will you join me? Will you remember to slow down as we wonder and wander toward the manger together? I wonder as I wander out under the sky…

Thanks be to God, Amen.

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A note from the Parish Health & Wellness Team Tis the season for handwashing!

Many of us are looking forward to joining with family and friends over the holiday season. Even though, most of us are feeling “more free” since COVID, we still cannot forget the most basic strategy to stay healthy—Washing hands (effectively). As we come together: Remember to wash hands at all of the following times: • Before eating • After using the restroom • After sneezing (especially if hands are used to cover the mouth) or blowing your nose • Before preparing food or after touching raw meats • After coming in from outside • Whenever their hands are dirty from an activity The CDC suggests: • Wet hands before applying soap • Work into a lather • Scrub hands for 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing a nursery rhyme • Rinse the germs down the drain!

• If water is not available, hand sanitizer is a good quick substitution but according to the CDC, hand washing is still more effective.

The simple act of carefully washing hands can be one of the most effective ways of showing our care, concern and respect for one another!

Council Corner with Jo Hanson Tell us a little bit about who makes up your family.

I moved to Albert Lea in 2013 after I retired from Cargill.

I have two sons; Justin is my oldest and lives out of state; and Jared is my youngest son. Jared is married to Nicole.

They live with me here in Albert Lea. What do you love about First Lutheran Church?

I love the family connections of this church. It is amazing to have so many families who trace their roots back several generations at First Lutheran. I feel blessed to worship in such a beautiful building where the love and support of so many people is reflected in the rich history of this church.

What is one thing you are excited for First Lutheran Church’s future?

Growing together in the plan God has for us as a church, including greater outreach and a stronger support of our programs, staff and sharing our faith with others.

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Women’s Ministry (FLCW) December Meeting Wednesday, December 14 1:15pm Bethany Hall Program: Cookie Exchange Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Please bring 3 dozen cookies to exchange and an empty container to take cookies home

January Meeting Wednesday, January 11 1:15pm Bethany Hall Program: FLC Bells with Lilah Aas

Caring and Sharing December 2022 Chair: Bev Grotsun 507-383-6079 Joni Rowe 507-402-7493 Workers: Lilah Aas Dorothy Blom Sue Erickson Linda Hacker Alicia Helland

Candy Herman Stephanie Jansen Jane Loge Tricia Syverson

Winter Meeting December 13 at 7pm in Bethany Hall Program and dessert We are looking for new members.

Please come to the meeting or call Debbie Pilgrim 377-1544.

Cakes: Leann Bibus Marvyl Dahl Jenny Fjermestad Jody Hauser Darlene Hendrickson

Robin Kelly Mary Lubke

Leslie Millhouse Sharon Overgaard Jane Sigurdson Brenda Sorenson Monica Wallace Diane Weisgram

Friends at first will not meet in December

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Prayer Ministry Daily Scripture Verses from the Sharing the Faith Team

Themes for December: Thoughts to Live By (Days 1-4) We Prepare For The Coming (Days 5-23) The Birth (Days 24-31) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

JOHN 3:17-20 1 PETER 1:13-17 MATTHEW 6:5-6 ROMANS 5:8-10 ISAIAH 61:1-3 ISAIAH 9:2,6-7 JEREMIAH 23:5-9 MICAH 5:2-4 HOSEA 11:1-7 LUKE 1:1-4

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

LUKE 1:5-12 LUKE 1:13-17 LUKE 1:18-25 LUKE 1:26-31 LUKE 1:32-38 MATTHEW 1:18-25 LUKE 1:39-45 LUKE 1:46-50 LUKE 1:51-56 LUKE 1:57-61

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

LUKE 1:62-66 LUKE 1:67-75 LUKE 1 :76-80 LUKE 2:1-5 LUKE 2:6-7 LUKE 2:8-12 LUKE 2:13-20 LUKE 2:22-24 LUKE 2:25-32 LUKE 2:39-40 ROMAMS 15:4-6

FLC Prayer Ministry

Want prayer for yourself or others?

Call Jo, 763-257-9018 or Julia, 373-9594.

Prayers are kept confidential.

Prayer List

Our prayers are requested for healing and wholeness for: Barb Callahan, Joyce Fredin, Cora Hall, Laurie Lenz, Mollie Tolic, Mae Twito, Jenny, John, Julie, Pam, and Sheila.

Our continued prayers are requested for healing and wholeness for:

Sharon Buley, Mike & Mary Ann Christian, James Hansen, Les Harmon, Gregg Hatleli, Bob Herman, Russ Heys, Nancy Jenson, Phil Koppelman, Gary Laite, Khan Mut, Pauline Kohnke Nelson, Wanda Soland, Pam Stern, and their spouses, families, and caregivers.

20

Christmas Day

10am-Worship w/Comm.-S 10am-Peace & Power on ABC6 10am-KATE Radio-1450AM

25

8am-Worship w/Comm.-S

26 Office & Building Closed

8am-Quilters-MPR & BH 9:30am-Staff Meeting-P 1pm-Worship Counters-P

27

1pm-Worship Counters-P 8am-Quilters-MPR & BH 9am-10:30-The Perfect Gift Shoppe open 6:30pm-Council-MPR 9:30am-Staff Meeting-P 9:15am-Adult Education 5pm-Bell Choir-BL 10am-Peace & Power on ABC6 10:30am-KATE Radio-1450AM 10:30am-Worship w/Comm.-S

19

8am-Prayer Group-PR 1pm-Messenger Crew-P 5pm-Circle 6-P

28

8am-Prayer Group-PR 11am-Advent Lunch-BH 12pm-Advent Worship 1pm-Circle 12-MPR

21

13

18

8am-Worship-S 8am-PreK & K Christmas Program-S 8am-Prayer Group-PR 9:30am-Bible Study-MPR 11am-Advent Lunch-BH 12pm-Advent Worship 1pm-FLCW General Mtg.-BH 3:30pm-Fusion-BH,SSR,MPR

12

14

7

10:30am-Mutual Min.-P 8am-Quilters-MPR & BH 1pm-Worship Counters-P 9:30am-Staff Meeting-P 9am-10:30-The Perfect Gift Shoppe open 1pm-History Team-L 5pm-Bell Choir-BL 9:15am-Adult Education 7pm-Altar Guild-BH 10am-Peace & Power on ABC6 10:30am-KATE Radio-1450AM 10:30am-Worship-S

8am-Worship w/Comm.-S

11

6

PR= Prayer Room BL=Bell Loft

29

5:15pm-Gift Shop Open 8:30am-Coffee w/Clergy -Caribou 6:30pm-Worship 1pm-Hardanger-MPR 4:45pm-Food Ministry Drive Up-SL

No Evening Meal 5:15pm-Gift Shop Open 1pm-Hardanger-MPR 6:30pm-Worship 7:15pm-Adult Ed. Class 4:45pm-Food Ministry Drive Up-SL

22 8:30am-Coffee w/Clergy -Caribou

1pm-Hardanger-MPR 6:30pm-Worship 6:30pm-Fusion Program 4:45pm-Food Ministry Drive Up-SL 6:30pm-Confirmation-BH 7:15pm-Adult Ed. Class

15 5:15pm-Gift Shop Open 8:30am-Coffee w/Clergy -Caribou 5:30pm-Evening Meal-BH

8

1pm-Hardanger-MPR 4:45pm-Food Ministry Drive Up-SL

1 8:30am-Coffee w/Clergy -Caribou

Thu

No Evening Meal 8:30am-Coffee w/Clergy -Caribou 5:15pm-Gift Shop Open 6:30pm-Worship 12pm-Service Club Luncheon-BH 6:30pm-Confirmation-BH 7:15pm-Adult Ed. Class 1pm-Hardanger-MPR 4:45pm-Food Ministry Drive Up-SL

MPR=Multi-Purpose Room CR-Choir Room FR=Fusion Room

8am-Prayer Group-PR 8:30am-FLCW Leadership-P 9:30am-Bible Study-MPR 11am-Advent Lunch-BH 12pm-Advent Worship 3:30pm-Fusion-BH,SSR,MPR

5

Wed

BH=Bethany Hall P=Parlor S=Sanctuary L=Library

Tue

1pm-Worship Counters-P 8am-Quilters-MPR & BH 9am-10:30-The Perfect Gift Shoppe open 9:30am-Staff Meeting-P 9:15am-Adult Education 5pm-Bell Choir-BL 10am-Peace & Power on ABC6 6pm-Worship & M.-BH 10:30am-KATE Radio-1450AM 10:30am-Worship w/Comm.-S 4:30pm-Advent by Candlelight-BH

4

Mon

December

Sun

30

23

16

3:30pmMartin/Huetter Wedding

31

4pm, 6pm, 11pmChristmas Eve Worship Services

24

17

10

3

Sat

4pm4pm-Beenken Beenken Wedding Wedding Rehearsal

9

2

Fri

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The Perfect Gift Shop

We have many beautiful Christmas decorating items, cards, and gift ideas.

Hours are Sundays 9:00am to 10:30am and Wednesdays 5:15pm to 7:15pm.

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The Special Outreach Cause Offering for the month of December is

Halverson Elementary Accessible Playground These funds will be used to help differently abled children to play on the playground with other children at Halverson Elementary.

Halverson is where all differently abled children attend, including our Church Administrator’s son Breckyn Heinemann. This money is needed to make their space accessible and to promote inclusiveness.

Special offering envelopes will be available from the ushers at all church services. Please make checks payable to FLC.

October 2022 Giving

$60,358.24

Expenses

$65,060.70

Year to date Giving vs.

Expense

Giving vs.

Expenses

$-4,702.46

$-18,373.46

Broadcast Ministries Year to date Income

$67,262.25

Year to date Expense

$72,572.35

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OFFICE: Phone (507) 373-6424 E-mail: firstoffice@flcal.org Mailing address: 301 W. Clark St., Albert Lea, MN 56007 Web site–www.flcal.org FIRST LUTHERAN MESSENGER (USPS196-560)

Year to date Giving vs.

Expense

$-5,310.10

PASTORAL STAFF e-mails and emergency telephone numbers:

Pastor Roger Fears - roger@flcal.org (Cell—(320) 297-1251) Pastor Joy Knoppel - joy@flcal.org (Cell—(612) 462-6836) Periodicals postage paid at

Published by First Lutheran Church (Monthly) Albert Lea, Minnesota 56007 301 West Clark Street, Albert Lea, MN Subscription price $1.00 per year (Postmaster send address correction to 301 W. Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007)

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Memorials, Honors, & Special Gifts PEACE & POWER

In Memory of: Verona Boe given by Bonnie Schneider, Lorraine Bakken, Phyllis Hamborg, Family & Friends LaVonne Christenson, Debbie Delgado and Kevin Posivio Given by Harold “Bill” Christenson Janet Engebretson given by Richard & Darlene Jordahl, Jo Hanson, Glenda Batt, Friends & Family Thelma Foss given by Gary & Ginny Thompson Dennis Gudminson given by Ann Hanson Ed Hanson given by Craig Nash Bev Hart given by Jane Maiden Dale Inderlie given by Mark & Judy Langrud Dave Long Sr. given by Tom & Karen Hovde Husband Richard for his November and Sisterin-law Charlotte Montei of Coon Rapids given

by Gen Montei Steve Olson, Darlene Reed, Gene Engel, Mary Keating, and Kathy Vokoun given by Bruce & Judy Stilley Husband Clifford Otterson given by Margaret Otterson Marcia Peterson given by Paddy Hoium Cousin Les Salcedo given by Jane Maiden Kathy Vokoun given by Reid & Sherry Ulve, Jan Wilder given by Family & Friends Our parents, siblings and loved ones given by Ken & Diane Damerow

GENERAL FUND In Memory of: Verona Boe given by Darlia Toenges, Rodney & Sheila Steele, Friends & Family Gifts Given by: Clifford & Jerenne Blaser, Sara Cogar, Dave Syverson Building Account

LANDSCAPING FUND Gifts Given by: Cindy Gilbert

NOISY OFFERING – SALVATION ARMY Gifts Given by: Roger & Patricia Bekaert, Lilah Aas, Lorraine Bakken

ROOF FUND In Memory of: Allan Stensrud and Dave Long given by Ellwood & Janice Tukua

In Honor of: Rachel & Delcie of Faribault who are my cemetery angels given by Gen Montei Maxine Hanson’s 100 Birthday given by Bonnie Schneider, Shirley & Laverne Strand Gifts Given by: Ila Breck, Lavon Emmons & Sonja Cook, Fern Griffin, Bob & Judy Jacobsen, Kevin & Martha Kenne, Dorinda Leutink, Marlys Loew, Larhee Mathison, Deacon Douglas Spiotta, Laverne & Shirley Strand

FUSION

Gifts Given by: Ciindy Gilbert

Pastoral Records: Baptisms, Weddings, Deaths, Funerals, Memorial Services Baptisms Winn Marie Tretter 11/20

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Two ways to honor loved ones at Christmas time Poinsettias In memory or honor of someone $15 each

World Hunger Gifts In memory or honor of someone or a special event

Orders can be made in the church office Deadline for ordering is Monday, December 19th First Lutheran Church has been awarded a grant from United Way in the amount of $10,000 dollars. It is because of the generous donations by our members to the food program that we were able to apply for the matching funds grant.

Thanks to the congregation for helping with this community outreach!

Regular Worship Schedule Sundays 8:00am & 10:30am - In-person Worship and live streamed on our Facebook page 10:00am - Peace & Power broadcast on KAAL-TV ABC6 10:30am - Live broadcast on KATE Radio 1450 AM

Stay connected with us: Website

Facebook

Wednesdays 6:30pm - In-person Worship and live streamed on our Facebook page Instagram Anytime: Access the video of our worship services at www.flcal.org.

flcal.org @FLCalbertlea @flcalbertlea First Lutheran Church Albert Lea

Vimeo

THE MISSION OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IS TO GATHER, EQUIP, AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO JOYFULLY DO CHRIST’S WORK. First Lutheran Church 301 W Clark St. Albert Lea, MN 56007

Periodicals Postage Paid at Albert Lea, MN 56007

Sunday Worship Broadcasts 10:00am - Peace & Power on ABC 6 10:30am - Live broadcast on KATE Radio 1450

[Address label here]

Have you moved? Phone number changed? Please email Kara (kara@flcal.org) your updated info.