September 14, 2023

Thinking About Fall? It's Time!

Orientation is Coming up!

Join us for Confirmation & Faith Formation Orientation this Wednesday, September 20th from 6:30pm-7:30pm! Parent(s)/Guardian(s) please join your student!

Still need to register? No worries! Register for classes at the following link: (use the link that you have already there)

Read the September FOL Newsletter

Audience Members...Everyone can attend FLC's Got Talent for free!

You are all invited to the third annual FLC’s Got Talent on Sunday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. This is a favorite event featuring lots of wonderful talent! Visual artists: you do not need to sign up in advance. There will be display tables around the room. Bring your artwork between 6:30 and 7:00 and fill out a card with your name and a description of your artwork to share with the community!

Finally, if you’d be willing to bring a snack to share, please contact Emily!

Organ Recital Cancelled September 24

There was a brief delay in the organ repairs this fall. David Fienen’s recital scheduled for September 24 will be postponed for a later date.

"The Kitchen"

"The Kitchen" continues to serve hot meals every Monday evening to the people of St. Peter. During the summer months we served 65-100 meals each Monday evening. The churches participating in this effort include Trinity Lutheran, Union Presbyterian, the Church of St. Peter, ScandianGrove Lutheran Church, and First Lutheran Church. First Lutheran generally serves the last Monday of each month. During the summer months volunteers to help cook and serve the meals were harder to find. Hopefully with the cooler fall weather and more consistent schedules, folks will be interested in this fun opportunity to serve our community. Upcoming opportunities to serve at "The Kitchen" are September 25th, October 23rd, and November 27th. Sign up sheets can be found on the table in the gathering space. First Lutheran will not be serving in December as our Monday to serve falls on Christmas Day.

Thank you for all of the monetary donations that have been sent to The Kitchen by members of First Lutheran Church. A special thank you to the Social Justice Committee for their recent generous donation. Your support is much appreciated!

Donations for Local Need

Please consider donations of any amount to go toward the following causes. Checks can be made to "First Lutheran Church" with the memo line to indicate where you would like the money given to.

The Children's Weekend Food Program provides nutritious, non-perishable food items for breakfast, lunch, and snacks for local students on non-school days.

Vouchers for the St. Peter Police Department. These vouchers provide gas and or a one-night emergency stay in a hotel for people in need who are passing through town.

Checks for these causes will be accepted on a ongoing basis and your generosity is appreciated!

Budget Requests

This is a note remind all committees to get their 2024 Budgets and requests for funds for the next 4 years into Randy Frey (rfrey53@gmail.com). The "Having a Solid Financial Basis" for the church action team is working on budgeting for FLC as a part of our strategic planning process.

Adult Bible Study - Please feel welcome to join!

Beginning Monday Sep 11, 2023

9:30 am - Morning Prayer (Matins) in the Chapel

9:45 am - class in the Conference Room Hebrews - "A New and Better Way"

Based on the book written by Bishop Herb Chilstrom

(Herb was a former pastor at First Lutheran, Bishop

of the Minnesota Synod and Presiding Bishop of the ELCA)

Class leaders: Bob Stenson and Will Freiert

A Note From the CCM about Directory Photos!

Dear Church Family,

As you are probably aware, First Lutheran is producing a new pictorial directory with Universal Church Directories.

FLC volunteers are now in the process of calling and/or emailing members that have not signed up for a photo appointment to assist or encourage them to do so. You will find some answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below. Please save our volunteers time by signing up as soon as possible by using the link below or signing up after church on Sunday. We want to make sure you are included and that your information is updated from our last directory done in 2016!

What if I can not attend any photo sessions between Sept. 26th and September 30th?

You can have your picture taken at another church or location near you before, during or after our September dates. Call United Church Directories at 419-522-5011 and they can help you schedule at another location.

What if I do not want my contact information shared and or published?

No problem! When you have your photo session, you can designate what information may or may not be shared. The photo company, UCD, will only have your contact information so that only the info you designate can be published in the directory. They will use your email and/or mailing address to notify you or send you your free 8x10 photo. After the directory is completed, your information will be permanently deleted and destroyed. Neither UCD nor church members helping with the directory will be able to access your information.

Is my contact information shared with the church office?

You will also be able to specify what information is to be shared ONLY with the church office. Church staff will not be able to share any information with anyone that you have specified to not be shared. This is a great opportunity to make sure you have updated all your information with the church office. All UCD and FLC employees follow Data Privacy rules and laws.

I need transportation or am unable to leave my residence.

FLC volunteers will provide transportation to your photo appointment. To make that request, please call the church office. We will be reaching out to our homebound members to discuss options for photos. Feel free to call the church office if you have not heard from us by Sept, 26th.

As a member of our church family, we want YOU to be a part of our new directory. There is no cost to you and you will receive a free 8x10 photo and church directory. You may also use this opportunity to include other family members and/or pets. You will be given an opportunity to purchase additional photos to be used as Christmas cards or gifts to family members and friends. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call the church office (507-934-3060) or Betsy Paul ( 507-720-5006.) Thank you for your participation!

The Congregational and Community Ministry Committee

Our photo dates are:

September 26-29 at 2:00-8:30 p.m.

September 30 at 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Username and password to sign up for photo session:

Password: photos

Click to Sign up for a photo session

Baumgartner Memorial Concert

The Fine Arts Office and Alumni and Parent Engagement Office is pleased to present the Baumgartner Memorial Concert, a recital to honor and celebrate former Gustavus music faculty Paul and Helen Baumgartner. The recital will be held on Homecoming Saturday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m in Christ Chapel. The recital includes performances by current Gustavus faculty and alumni who were students of the Baumgartners.

Open House & Ribbon-Cutting Ecumen Pathstone at FLC!

September 19, 4:00-6:00

Check out the new Ecumen Pathstone Adult Day Services location right here at First Lutheran Church! Help us celebrate our newly licensed space with a ribbon-cutting then take a tour, enjoy appetizers, register to win door prizes, and more!

Adult Day Services provide a healthy environment for adults of all abilities to experience: Socialization & Companionship, Therapeutic Activities, Meals & Snacks, and Personal Care all while offering respite for caregivers, friends, and family members. Services are available Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and provided by Ecumen Pathstone Living. The award-winning Ecumen team has been providing care for older adults in Mankato for 85 years.

Call Program Director Marti Titus at 507-720-5460, email martititus@ecumen.org