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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 November 26, 2025 | | Out of the Blue: Embrace the Unexpected this Advent Season | |
Advent begins Sunday—and this year we’re stepping “Out of the Blue”. Our theme invites us to notice the surprises, awe and wonder of God’s work—those moments that flip our expectations upside down and remind us that grace often shows up when we least expect it.
Experience the unexpected this Advent through worship, reflection and prayer. Join us for mid-week Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesdays, December 3, 10 and 17, at noon and 6:30 PM (with livestream). Stay for soup lunch at 12:30 PM and a soup dinner from 5:30-6:30 PM.
Families—come to the 6:30 PM service and enjoy the PrayGround with Ms. Laura, our FaithTrek Coordinator. Kids of all ages can worship right in the Sanctuary with their parents!
Come! Be surprised this Advent season.
| | Cookies, Claus, & Community: Support Matt Talbot on Giving Tuesday | |
A Message to First Lutheran from Alynn Sampson, Executive Director of Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach
First, thank you to First Lutheran Church for serving lunch at Matt Talbot for so many years. You all have been wonderful and I must say, the meatloaf meal is my absolute favorite meal!! This team, organized by Steve Lenzen, faithfully comes with a delicious menu, compassionate hearts, and warm smiles - it is such a gift to the guests and staff. With all the uncertainty these days, support from our community continues to be a lifeline.
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The First Lutheran Hunger Team (along with 5 other Lutheran churches) is featured in a video that promotes "Cookies, Claus, & Community", a Giving Tuesday event we are hosting in partnership with Thrivent on December 2nd from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm at Sheridan Lutheran Church. The short video (below) offers beautiful insight into how the volunteers enrich the lives of our guests, and how their own lives are enriched in return. Steve Lenzen is in this video and did an incredible interview the night we shot the video! We absolutely love Steve!!
Event activities will include assembling care kits for people experiencing homelessness, decorating cookies, and of course, visiting with Santa. A freewill donation of $25 is suggested, but any amount is appreciated. And, on this special day, Thrivent will boost all donations by matching $1 for every $2 raised.
This is an amazing opportunity for us to share the impactful work our Lutheran volunteer teams do at Matt Talbot, as well as raise money for our hunger relief and homeless prevention programs.
I appreciate your help and your partnership. Thank you!
(Special Note: Come to our Gifts of Hope Market on December 7 from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM at First Lutheran where you can further support the important work of Matt Talbot Kitchen and their Homelessness Prevention Program.)
| | | |  | Shop with Purpose at Our 2025 Gifts of Hope Market! | |
Join us on Sunday, December 7, from 8:30 AM–12:30 PM for our annual Gifts of Hope Market—a meaningful way to give gifts that make a real difference.
Twelve community partners will be with us, including the Lincoln Food Bank BackPack Program, Matt Talbot, I’ve Got a Name, OutNebraska, the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance, ECHO Collective and more. Every purchase you make is a direct donation—100% goes to our partners’ important work.
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Our 2025 online catalog launches in next week's First Things First e-newsletter and online shopping will be open December 6 at 9:00 AM through December 7 at 10:00 PM.
Prefer to shop in person? Visit First Lutheran during market hours to meet our partners and learn how your support transforms lives.
Enjoy brunch onsite from 8:30 AM–12:30 PM, with freewill donations benefiting the Lincoln Food Bank.
Come discover how your Gifts of Hope can spread compassion and welcome throughout our community!
| | Finance Report for October | |
by Tyler Fleischacker, Church Accountant
In October, we saw a deficit of $11,352 for the month. After our third consecutive month with a deficit, we are still at a surplus of $10,047 for 2025. After looking at the receipts for the first week of November, we will have already hit 50% of our receipts goal for the month! That is also with five weeks in the month of November. So, it looks like we will have positive momentum to close out the year!
Compared to ten-months 2024, total receipts have increased $22,303 (+2.6%) while total expenses have actually decreased by $4,440.00 (-0.5%).
| | | As always, please fee free to reach out to me with any questions and I will do my best to answer. | | | | | Welcome to the First Lutheran Commnity! | |
This past weekend during worship, we welcomed the newest members of our First Lutheran family. We’re so thankful for the unique gifts, stories, and faith they bring to our community. If you see them around, take a moment to say hi, give them a warm welcome and introduce yourself.
We’re so glad you’re here—welcome to First Lutheran!
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Worship and Lunch at UNL Lutheran Center - November 30. Meet at church by 9:30 AM (regular learning hour time, middle/high school invited to attend). Should be back by 1:30 PM!
No High School Youth Group - December 3; Come to the Midweek Advent prayer service at 6:30 PM with a soup supper from 5:30-6:30 PM. Confirmation students will meet with mentors at 5:30 PM for soup!
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All-Congregational Christmas Talent Show - Sunday, December 14 at Noon with freewill lunch. Share your talents! Donation of $10 per act. Contact Lillie!
Camp Carol Joy Holling Early Bird Registration - Register now until January 31, 2026.
| | Looking Ahead: Mark Your Calendar | |
Adult Forum - Sunday, November 30, from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Chapel. First member Kay Rockwell will discuss how the Goats for Voo program has supported over 1,000 HIV+ families in Kenya by improving their financial resources over the last 20 years.
Serve as a Worship Assistant - Sign up as a worship assistant for Sunday worship in December, Advent mid-week prayer services, Christmas Eve worship and Christmas Day worship.
Decorate Our Church with Poinsettias at Christmas - Order a poinsettia by December 15 in memory, honor or celebration of a loved one!
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