Annual Meeting

Spirit of Giving

Fall Appeal

With the pandemic and staff quarantines due to exposure, etc., our plans for a robust fall appeal have been altered. Look for a general mailing in the month of November, and, please, respond prayerfully with a courageous, cheerful and generous heart.

In 2018, planning began for the 100th Anniversary Celebration. The History Display Team was one of five teams who participated. The History Display Team was made up of Diane Damerow, Jo Hanson and Marge LaFrance. The Team reviewed existing history documents and requested additional information from the congregation to produce a comprehensive history for First Lutheran Church from September 9, 1919 through September 9, 2019.

The glass cases located in the office area of the church were relocated to the lower level in the south entrance entry area. All the memorabilia was cleaned, repaired, identified with new signage in the new location to offer a more central place to view the items. Tom Larson designed, built, and donated a new display case for the shovels used in various groundbreaking ceremonies in the expansion of the church building. Our custodial staff graciously dismantled and re-assembled the cases in their new location.

Banners that included pictures of past pastors and various events in our history were designed and created with the assistance of Pastor Sean Ford. These banners are easily moved and were displayed in the church in various areas during the Anniversary celebration. A booklet containing pictures and descriptions of the stained-glass church windows was created with the help of Matt Levorson (photography) at the suggestion of Ginny Thompson. These booklets were made available to members of the congregation on the celebration day in April 2019.

Five albums were created to cover the pre-church incorporation date through the full 100-year history of First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea. These albums were created in 25-year periods, plus the events leading up to the actual church formation. These albums, plus many other items of remembrance, pictures and history of the church women were include in the visual display on celebration day in April and Community Celebration day as well. The albums and memorabilia now reside in the FLC Library with plans to set up a permanent display so members may view the history.

An anniversary history book is being published to share the history of our congregation over one hundred years. It includes detailed information about our beginnings and growth and change since the congregation was incorporated in 1919. There are lots of pictures obtained from a variety of sources. We are grateful to the Historical Museum, Tom Mullen and Kristen Larson for helping us in this process. Kristen provided many of the pictures used in this publication. We also want to thank the congregational members who brought in various items and documents that expanded the story. Please look for the “Centennial Celebration History of First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea, September 1919-September 2019 that will soon be available to purchase for $15.00 in the church office.

Just in time for Christmas -- The History of First Lutheran Church the Centennial edition is finished and ready for purchase! Cost is $15; we ask for a check payable to FLC or the exact change. The book can be purchased in the church office or at the south entrance on Sundays after worship. Perfect for a gift!!!