A weekly newsletter from First Lutheran Church, created to inspire and connect you with meaningful ministries and opportunities to live out your faith - within our church, our community, the world and your everyday life.

Highlights for the Week of November 19, 2025

Advent Light for a Weary World

Advent invites us to look for light in the darkness, hope in a weary world and joy in the God who enters our lives with love. This year, our congregation is marking the beginning of the season with a special all-ages activity that brings that message to life.

This Sunday, November 23, everyone is invited to the Activity Center from 9:30-10:30 AM to create a small lantern that will shine from our Advent Tree throughout the season. As you enjoy a cup of coffee or juice and a donut hole (or two!), take a moment to sit with others, share conversation and craft a lantern that symbolizes your own light of hope.

During the event, we will hear a beloved Advent story about a young girl who sets out to bring light back to her darkened village. Along her journey, she moves stones, clears fallen trees and—with each simple act of kindness—discovers a growing light within herself. When she finally returns home, her lantern helps illuminate the village, reminding everyone that even the smallest light can break through the deepest darkness. Her story mirrors our Advent journey as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the “light of the world.”

Your lantern will join many others on our Advent Tree, brightening the Sanctuary throughout Advent. When the season ends, you’re invited to take it home—so its glow can continue to light your year with hope, peace, joy and love.

Come, create, listen and let your light shine.

As we celebrate the Reign of Christ, we will mark our very own liturgical New Year's Eve before Advent begins the new church year on Sunday, November 30. The worship service will be rich with songs, like "Joy to the World" and "Jesus Christ is Risen Today," alongside scriptures and insights into the colors and meanings of each of the liturgical seasons - all in one worship service!

As we follow up on our Stewardship Drive, looking forward to 2026, I want to thank everyone, on behalf of your Congregational Council, for submitting your pledge, and encourage everyone to continue to consider how you can support the mission of our First Lutheran Church family. We have had great support but need to continue to pray for guidance as we finish 2025 and plan for 2026.

We continue to consider how we all can accompany each other through our journey of serving God. We need to be able to look to our church family for our spiritual support, while facing our own and community challenges. First Lutheran's vocational words - welcoming, embracing, discipling, advocating and partnering - are evident in so many ways.

I want to thank those that attended the November Town Hall meeting, as well as the celebration of the ordination anniversaries for several pastors in our congregation. It was also a blessing to see the intergenerational clean up our church grounds as young and old joined together to rake, sweep and partner together.

At our November Council meeting, we officially set the date for the next Annual Meeting for January 25, 2026. We appointed a committee to review and make recommendations related to the renewal of the Las Abejitas Lease while we continue to embrace this program as a way we are advocating for the needs of our community.

We looked at the current financial situation, along with a preview of an early draft of the 2026 budget, which is still pending. The Budget Committee will be meeting soon to start on their recommendations.

We also discussed the current situation regarding food insecurity in our community and what we as a church can be doing for our neighbors and community to accompany them through these challenges. We are thankful for all the volunteers we already have who are

partnering in many feeding programs.

We had reports from our council liaisons to the various standing committees and heard more about the RaiseRight fundraising program, currently dedicated to help as we disciple others through Gifts of Hope coming in early December.

As a reminder, you Congregational Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday each month and we welcome you to join us.

It costs you nothing extra—your normal shopping becomes a gift of hope. For example: Buy a $100 Hy-Vee gift card → use it for groceries → Hy-Vee donates $3.00 back to First Lutheran.

Your everyday purchases can make a big impact—whether you’re buying groceries at Hy-Vee, Russ’s Market, or Super Saver; filling up at Casey’s; tackling home projects at Menards, Home Depot, or Lowe’s; checking off holiday shopping at Target, Bath & Body Works, Amazon, Scheels, or Kohl’s; enjoying a night out at Marcus Theatres, Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, or Panera; or simply grabbing a pick-me-up from Starbucks.

RaiseRight doesn’t replace the Gifts of Hope Market on December 6 and 7 —it’s simply a year-round boost that keeps giving. Everyone is welcome to participate!

Visit the RaiseRight table on Sundays from 9:30–10:45 AM or contact Kari Hoeft or Bev White.

All-Congregational Christmas Talent Show - Sunday, December 14 at Noon with freewill lunch of chili and cinnamon rolls. Spots are still available for anyone who wants to share their talents! Suggested donation of $10 per act. Fundraiser for accompaniment trip and camp scholarships.