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You are welcome at Hutto Lutheran Church
regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, belief, income level or education. We invite you to be a part of this faith community
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Our Mission
We are one body in Christ, sent in Faith to share God's Love, through Worship, Service, Fellowship and Witness.
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23rd Sunday After Pentecost
November 16, 2025
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Paraments color: GREEN
Scripture Readings for November 16, 2025
The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
Malachi 4:1-2; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
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Grace and peace to you,
Tuesday afternoon last week I watched in horror as phone call after phone call and text after text came flooding in - did you need a favor from me? Did you need me to help buy $400 in gift cards for cancer patients?
All sorts of feelings welled up in me - guilt and sadness for the hurt that someone I didn't know was imposing on people I cared deeply for. But the strongest feeling inside of me was anger - how could someone use my name as a tool for deceit?
We just finished studying the ten commandments in confirmation class. The second commandment says that "you shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God." This commandment is often thought to simply mean not saying God's name when we stub our toe. But I wonder if God's frustration and anger are far greater when people use God's name as a tool to hurt others or as justification for a cause. I imagine God's feelings are far stronger than my own that Tuesday afternoon.
On a more practical note, I wanted to share briefly about scams. Though I do not know why, I have realized that I am particularly susceptible to scams. I think there have been a dozen of them in my time at Hutto Lutheran. After investigating further I saw that my gmail account was hacked on October 31st and someone gained access to our updated directory. I imagine they were going down the list in alphabetical order as I heard from each of you in alphabetical order. I did reach out to the non emergency number for the Hutto police. They said that there is not much that they can do, that if someone is successfully scammed they can call the non emergency police number (512) 846-2200 and report the situation.
Aside from changing my gmail password, I do not know how to make myself less vulnerable to scammers. However, I did want to share some information that I hope can be helpful to you in the future:
- I will never ask any of you directly for funds for any reason, even on behalf of someone else.
- If you do have a request from me you can either disregard the text, or if you would like to verify, you can do what you did and call or text me (512-636-9784).
- As soon as I hear from the first person about the situation I will send a flocknote to whoever is signed up to receive emails and/or texts through flocknote alerting you to the details of the situation. If you would like to be added to the flocknote list you can email the office at office@huttolutheranchurch.org (you can specify whether you would like to receive a text and/or email).
In his explanation of the Lord's Prayer, Martin Luther says that when we pray "hallowed be your name," we are praying that God's name may "become holy among us" "whenever the word of God is taught clearly and purely and we as God's children also live holy lives according to it." Grateful for all of the ways that you share the love of Christ and in doing so reflect the holy name of God in this world.
God’s peace,
Pastor Amanda
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Congregational Meeting - November 16th following Worship
- Election of Council members
- Approval of Budget
If you are planning to join by Zoom or call in (audio only) please let the church office (office@huttolutheranchurch.org, 512-759-2064) or Dennis Pompa (512-470-2778) know so we can provide additional instructions on voting.
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2026 Flower Chart
Many thanks to all who have donated flowers to prepare our altar to worship the Lord in 2025!
The new flower chart for 2026 will be available in the Narthex beginning November 9th.
Online sign ups are available here
*The office does its best to update both sign ups so that they match. In the event there is a duplicate sign up, dates can be shared or adjusted. The office will email accordingly.
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Pulpit Swap, November 23rd
Pastor Jeremy Ullrich, Pastor Amanda's husband, will be coming to worship on November 23rd and Pastor Amanda will be leading worship at St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett.
| | | | The HLC Office will be closed the week of November 24th-28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. | | | |
Hanging of the Greens
Nov 29th, 8:00am
We will be decorating the church for the Advent / Christmas season Saturday, November 29th, beginning at 8 AM. On Sunday, November 30th we will be hanging Chrismons on the tree as part of the worship service.
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Special Music For Christmas Eve Services
I have no gift to bring to lay before the king, shall I play for him? Calling all musicians for special music offering at 4:30pm or 7:30pm Christmas Eve worship services.
Please call or email the church office office@huttolutheranchurch.org by November 30th.
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Stuffed Animal Collection
Feeding of the 5000 is collecting new or gently used 4-12 inch stuffed animals to give out for Breakfast with Santa. Please bring donations by Sunday, November 30th.
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Midweek Advent Worship
Wednesdays Dec 3, 10 and 17
6:00 Meal 7:00 Worship
Join us for a simple meal and midweek worship service this advent. Sign up to help with a meal on the sign up sheets in the Narthex.
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Christmas Poinsettias
This holiday season the church is purchasing 24 poinsettias from Down Home Ranch and would like to offer church members an opportunity to obtain a Poinsettia in honor of, or in memory of a loved one. The Poinsettias will be displayed along the altar during the Advent season. An insert with your name and those of whom you wish to honor or remember will be included in the Christmas Eve service bulletin.
All orders need to be placed and paid for by Sunday, December 14th, 2025.
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OWLS Luncheon
The OWLS will be meeting in the fellowship hall on Tuesday, December 2, for our Christmas gathering from 11:00AM until 2:00PM. There will be a Saint Nicholas presentation by Pastor Travis Summerlin.
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Breakfast with Santa
December 6th, 9:00-12:00pm
Join us December 6th for a Santa special edition of Breakfast with Santa for the community.
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Christmas Program
Join us for a Christmas program by the children and youth on Sunday, December 14th at 10:30 during our regular worship service.
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Youth Hangout Day!
Calling all children and youth!
Join us for pizza, games, music and fellowship! And bring a friend!
Sunday December 14th in the church office from 11:30 - 1:00pm.
Contact Monica Campos-Guerra 512-658-0586 if you have any questions.
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Christmas Caroling
December 14th, 1:00pm
Hutto Lutheran youth (and anyone who enjoys caroling!) are invited to sing Christmas songs to HLC members.
Meet at the church office at 1:00 on December 14th and we will carpool to houses.
Please let Pastor Amanda know if you would be open to having carolers.
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TLU Christmas Vespers
Join us for one of Texas Lutheran University's most cherished traditions, the annual Christmas Vespers! This year’s theme, All Is Miracle, promises an unforgettable service filled with the joyous spirit of the season and music by the TLU choir. HLC members will be attending the vespers service at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Austin on December 14 at 4:00pm. No tickets are required for the Austin service. For more information contact Johnny Walker 512-632-5801
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Adult Catechism Class
Have you ever wondered the meaning and significance behind the things we say each week in worship like the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, baptism and communion?
Sherry Fincher is leading a class on Martin Luther's Small Catechism and other Lutheran topics this fall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 1:00pm at her home. For questions, text Sherry at 303-919-7770.
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Women's Bible Study
Sundays at 9:00am
Women's Bible study meets Sundays at 9:00am in the front room of the 502 Ministry center. Studying the book Max Lucado A friend like Jesus.
For more information contact Sherry Fincher, 303-919-7770.
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Adult Bible Study
Join Ernie Schmiesser and Daniel Doty for an adult Co-Ed class focused on a deep dive of the Bible one book at a time. We take our time to fully engage in the scripture itself and meaningful discussion each Sunday at 9am in the 502 living room and are currently studying the gospel of Mark.
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Youth Christian Education
Practices for the Christmas play will take place at 9:00-10:00am in the fellowship hall through Sunday, December 14th with a dress rehearsal in the sanctuary on Saturday, December 13th at 9:00AM.
There will be a joint Sunday School class on December 21st in the Fellowship hall. Classes will then be on break until Sunday, January 4th.
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Knot Perfect Quilters
"Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love."
The HLC Knot Perfect Quilters is a group that meets weekly to make quilts.
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays they meet at 2:30pm in the 502 Ministry Center. They use the quilt frame room to tie finished tops and the large room to match squares and design layouts to be sewn into tops.
On the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays members who sew meet in the fellowship hall from 9:00am to 12:00pm with their machines and supplies to sew blocks and piece tops. Others members lay out new quilt tops for sewing.
These quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief to be distributed throughout the world where there is great need in times of hardship and disaster. All are welcome. Contact Barbara Sylvester. Email: bnsylvester@twc.com Cell: 903-819-4004.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry Learn to knit or crochet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the church office meeting room at 1 PM.
For more information, contact Jane Bolgen, 512-413-7242.
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Feeding the 5,000
Join us every month on the 1st and 3rd Saturday morning from 9am to 12 Noon to help feed a free breakfast to the community. Volunteer opportunities are available for welcoming guests and spending time visiting with the community.
Feeding the 5000 (F5K) is instituting a new sign up system for volunteering on breakfast Saturdays: Please use this link. Also, just a reminder that a Food Handler’s card is required to work in the kitchen. There will also be a paper version in the Narthex. Please direct any questions to Jackie McGary or Irene Hackbarth.
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HLC Music
Bell choir- If you are interested in playing in a bell quartet contact Frank Simon, 512-554-5741
Voice choir will practice every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 11:30AM in the sanctuary.
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Mickman Brothers Gift It Forward
Do you have family or friends that you don’t know what to give them for Christmas this year? How about sending them a Holiday Wreath, Door Spray, Centerpiece, Table Top Tree, or Garland.
Go to Giftitforward.com, enter our Fundraising Code: HUTTOLTX001, then click on Apply Now. Select the items you want to purchase and follow directions. Mickman Brothers does the rest. They will mail your gift to the intended recipient.
For each Holiday Evergreen item purchased using our Fundraising Code, 15% is donated to Hutto Lutheran Church. Proceeds will be used to help feed Feeding the 5000 (F5K) community members. Also, for each item purchased, Mickman Brothers funds the planting of an evergreen seedling in one of the National and State Forests.
https://giftitforward.com/fundraising-code/HUTTOLTX001
If you have any questions, please contact Irene Hackbarth (512-496-8619).
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Financial Status
The Financial Status of HLC as of the end of October:
Total expenditures $204,774
Total income $207,362
Income over expenses by $2,588
Vision Fund contributions: $17,938.95
Attendance
Nov 2: 90
Nov 9: 94
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Prayer List
Have a prayer request? Email the Office with a prayer request for you or someone you love. Requests will be left on the list for a month. Feel free to submit request again for continued prayers.
Patty Krueger, Jill Johnson's sister, Beth Kuehn, niece of Joyce Johnson. Stan Graham, husband of Ann Graham, pastor in McDade, Gaylord Magnuson, friend of Anne and Johnny Walker, and Cathy Anderson, boss of Jaxon O'Malley. Clifford Albert, cousin of Joyce Johnson, Fran Cox, friend of Lynn Lidell, and John Burkholder, friend of Barb Kinnaman.
Barbie Johnson and Don Wiederhold.
Seeking personal prayer?
If your need is private, and you don't want your name publicly posted in this eLink your request can be shared with HLC's confidential prayer team. In life's difficult times (we all have them), know that HLC is ready to lift you up in prayer.
Know someone who could use a prayer blanket?
Many thanks to our prayer shawl ministry team for blankets made for HLC congregation. Supplies for fleece tie prayer blankets available to make a blanket for anyone in the community in need of prayer. Email Pastor Amanda pastor@huttolutheranchurch.org to find out more.
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Worship Participants
Council Rep
Frank Simon
Altar Guild
Rodney Westphal
Cantor
Barbie Johnson
Lector
Lloyd Mattingly
Assisting Minister
Joe Cook
Communion Assistant
Joe Cook
Children's Message
Heather Duewer
Wiggle Time
Dawn Montoya & Sheryl Matthews
Altar Flowers
Jill Johnson
Thanksgiving Moment
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Worship Volunteers
We are the body of Christ, and everyone's gifts are important! We need your help.
Sign up to lead at the Hutto Lutheran Church.
If you want direction on leading let Pastor Amanda know and she can train you.
Greeter - Welcome members and guests, contact Darlene Rydell if you are interested, 512-269-8981.
Lector - Read the lessons for the day in worship.
Assisting Minister - One or two people to offer the prayers of intercession.
Communion Assistant - Assist with serving communion.
Altar Guild - Set up for and take down communion settings.
Thanksgiving moment - One person to share briefly (two or three minutes) something they are grateful for.
Altar Flowers provide flowers for both sides of the altar.
Feeding the 5,000 Volunteer sign up
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November Birthdays
1 Suzanne Erickson
1 Andy Simon
1 Frank Simon
1 Glynda Vanecek
2 Alison Rydell
3 Lou Brown
6 Chris Graham
6 Emma Lawhon
7 Rebecca Berkenhoff
9 Brenda Finch
10 Christina Pompa
11 Monica Campos-Guerra
14 Katie Rydell
19 John Kaminski
20 Courtney Elkins
21 Dorothy Ebert
23 Carol Conrad
23 Priscilla McDonald
26 Sharon Holman
26 Brandt Rydell
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November Anniversaries
9 Ernie & Connie Schmeisser
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Office Info
Pastor Amanda is in Hutto Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays either at the church or out making visits. If you would like to visit with her and want to confirm she will be in the office or schedule a time you can reach her by phone 512-636-9784 or by email pastor@huttolutheranchurch.org.
Office Hours
Office hours are Tuesday to Thursday 9 AM - 1 PM or by appointment.
Contact info
Reach the office by leaving a message on the Church phone (512) 759-2064 or email the church office at office@huttolutheranchurch.org
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