First Things First - Council, Financial & Stewardship Campaign Update and Celebrating Christmas at First!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Making disciples of

Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

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 December 17, 2025

Celebrate Christmas at First Lutheran

Celebrate the joy and hope of Christmas at First Lutheran. We have several worship opportunities to fit your Christmas plans, each offering a meaningful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

CHRISTMAS EVE - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

11:00 AM – Community Christmas Eve for Kids & Families - A joyful 30-minute Christmas service designed especially for those without a church home. Children will bring the Christmas story to life through a Pop-Up Nativity, accompanied by your favorite carols. Every child will also receive a special gift to take home!

3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 PM – Candlelight Christmas Eve Services - These traditional services include beloved Christmas carols, Holy Communion and candlelight. Music will feature brass, strings, bells and choirs.

Cookies, hot cocoa and a Christmas photo booth will be available at every Christmas Eve service!

CHRISTMAS DAY - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

10:00 AM – Christmas Day Worship - A relaxed service centered on singing Christmas carols together.

Come celebrate Christmas with us and share in the hope, joy and community of the season.

(Note: There will be no Saturday worship on Saturday, December 27. Next Sunday, December 28, we will have a single worship service at 10:45 AM.

Dedication of the Chapel Windows

The congregation is invited to celebrate the Dedication of the Chapel Windows on Saturday, December 20 during the 5:00 PM worship service in the Chapel. This special dedication gives thanks for the beauty and meaning these windows bring to our worship space.

The five chapel windows are a generous gift from long-time member Shirley Huls and her family.

Join us this Sunday, December 21, at 9:30 AM in the Chapel for an Adult Forum session with Harry Tompkin. The artist and designer will share the inspiration and meaning behind each window.

Please join us for one or both of these opportunities as we give thanks for this lasting and meaningful gift to our congregation.

Longest Night: Finding Hope in the Darkness

This Sunday, December 21 at 6:30 PM, you are invited to Longest Night: A Service for Those Hurting During the Holidays at First Lutheran. This gentle, reflective service is for anyone who finds the season difficult. All are welcome, and you are encouraged to invite neighbors or friends who may need a word of hope.

December 21 marks the longest night of the year, when darkness outweighs daylight. For many, life can feel the same—especially during the holidays.

In worship, we will acknowledge grief, loss and weariness, while trusting that God’s light meets us in the darkest places and continues to grow.

On the same day, from noon to midnight, faith communities with Justice in Action will gather for a 12-hour outdoor Longest Night Prayer Vigil at the City/County Building (575 S. 10th St.). With prayer offered each hour, all are welcome to stop by at any time to share in prayer, song, fellowship and warm hospitality as we hold light and hope together.

Congregational Council Update

by Rod Johnson, Council President

Each Council meeting begins with a time for devotions and sharing of scriptures. This month the reading came from Romans 15:4-6 - Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These words are as impactful today as when they were written. As we live to fulfill the First Lutheran mission - Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world - we only need to look around our church community to see the impact we are having by sharing our time, talents and resources, as we work to accompany our family, neighbors and community through life.

During each meeting, Council Liaisons to our various committees report on the key items of activity. We want to take time to thank and recognize the dedication of so many members for sharing their time and talents at church and within our community. It truly takes a multitude to accomplish the work God has called us to do.

As we reviewed the financials for this year and prepare for next year, it is very apparent that you, our members are very generous in sharing your resources for the work of your church. As reported elsewhere, we have been able to accomplish our goals for 2025 and are in a good position as we plan for 2026. Mark your calendar now for the two pre-annual meetings on January 11 and 18 and the Annual Meeting on January 25 at noon.

Again, I want to remind you that the Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday each month and you are invited to attend.

Read the Council Meeting Minutes and Staff Reports

November Financial Update

by Tyler Fleischacker, Church Accountant

After three straight red months, we finally righted the ship!

In November, we had a $21,035 surplus for the month. This now brings us to a surplus of $31,082 heading into the final month!

Compared to eleven-months 2024 total receipts have increased $62,666 (+6.7%) while total expenses have actually decreased by $3,896 (-0.4%).

If you plan to make a 2025 contribution before the end of the year, please make sure it is submitted by December 31 at noon.

Our “What We Can Do” stewardship campaign has generated $815,673.60 in pledges, reaching 96% of our goal! Thank you to everyone who has pledged for 2026. It’s not too late to submit your pledge if you haven’t yet.

As always, please fee free to reach out to me with any questions and I will do my best to answer.

Upcoming Youth Events

Midweek Advent Worship & Soup Supper - December 17 at 5:30 PM; Confirmands will meet with their mentors and bring soup, which will be served by the youth. At 6:30 PM, join Lillie and Ms. Laura for our final week of Holden Evening Prayer as we continue working on our Nativity scenes.

Sunday Learning Hour - December 21. No learning hour for middle/high school, but please still come at 9:30 AM for youth music! Youth will be providing music at the 3:30 PM Christmas Eve service.

Christmas Eve - Don't forget to bring back your Piggy Banks for ELCA Good Gifts! At 11:00 AM, we'll have a pop-up Nativity — a lively, interactive retelling of the Christmas story. After worship, join us for festive drinks and a take-home craft. At the 3:30 PM service, the youth and FaithTrek children will provide music.

Volunteer as a Worship Assstant

This Week's First Glance

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