Annual Congregational Meeting – January 25, 2026

The Annual Congregational Meeting is January 25, 2026, after the 10:00am worship service. Voting members are those who are confirmed members of the congregation, contribute financially, and have attended at least one time in the previous year. If you have any questions about your status please contact Anita Salmon (asalmon@saintmartins.org). Supporting documents will be available in the near future.

Please plan to stay after the meeting for a potluck luncheon. If you bring a dish, please bring serving utensils, and mark your dish with your name, the “name” of the dish, and whether it is “vegetarian/vegan” or “gluten/lactose free”. It will be appreciated if you will take your dish and utensils home after the potluck.

Stewardship Update

Thank you for your generous end-of-year gifts and 2026 pledges. Eighty-five pledges totaling $597,089 were received. With unpledged gifts and other income, we anticipate a positive net income in 2026, helping rebuild cash reserves following the unexpected 2025 draw-down. The stewardship campaign also assessed support for a second pastor. Pledged increases and additional giving indicate a slightly positive net financial impact. Financial information sessions will be held at 10:00am on January 11 and January 18 in the Fellowship hall.

Update Your Pledge in Realm

Did you recently increase your recurring pledge?

Are you using Realm for your giving?

Thank you for your generosity and faithfulness in supporting the ministry of St. Martin’s. If you have adjusted your pledge amount, please take a moment to update your recurring gift in Realm so it accurately reflects your commitment.

Follow the steps below to make this quick and easy update.

Time with the Pastor

Drop in for a chat, share your hopes and concerns, ask a question, or whatever you want. Pr. Ellen is looking forward to seeing you! Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 or by appointment

I want what I want … or do I?

Join our upcoming book group as we explore Miroslav Volf’s Life Worth Living, a practical guide that uses reflective exercises to help you discern what is truly worth wanting in life. Email faith.formation@saintmartins.org for more information.

Norm Hummell Appreciation Day

Thank you to the crew who completed the cleanup at 9403 Hunter’s Trace on Saturday, December 27. AusTex reported an impressive 4,480 pounds of debris removed—great work!

Special thanks to Susan Jensen, Janis Daemmrich, and others for providing a relaxing dinner afterward, and to Mike Bruemmer for the photo.

An Evening with St. Olaf Choir

The St. Olaf Choir, conducted by Anton Armstrong, will perform at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, February 4 at 7 p.m. during its 2026 National Tour. For more than a century, the St. Olaf Choir has set the gold standard for choral singing, performing for millions around the world. Composed of 75 mixed voices, the St. Olaf Choir is hailed as one of the nation’s premier a cappella ensembles, renowned for its artistry and beauty of sound. Tickets are $40 and $10 for all students, available at Click here or 800-363-5487. “We seek to be a transforming force in society through choral performance, bringing understanding, mercy, justice, peace, and hope to a world that desperately cries out for these things.” Anton Armstrong

Spread Hope

The Serves Committee encourages you to take part in SMLC’s service opportunities. Each act of kindness creates a ripple effect—let’s turn those ripples into a flood of kindness and service.

Check out this week’s highlights and ways to get involved: Keep the kindness going!

St. Martin's Serves at Bread For All- Monday January 12

at Bread for All, 11:30 packing and 4:30 distribution.

Click here to sign up.

Lunch Bag Ministry. Please continue supporting this vital program for our hungry neighbors. Click here to donate In the fund menu, select Lunch Bag Ministry.

St. Martin’s Serves at Mobile Loaves & Fishes: Second Monday of each Month 3:00-4:30, Third Saturday of each month - 4:30-6:30pm; fourth Sunday of each month 1-4pm

Saint Martin’s Benevolence Funds

Your donations to the benevolence fund are appreciated all year long!

You can donate through the St. Martin’s website (saintmartins.org) by

choosing “Give/online giving/give online/give now”. Then choose “monthly benevolence” from the drop down funds list. For more information email serves@saintmartins.org.

  Click here to donate In the fund menu, select monthly benevolence.

News from the Youth

Faith Formation- 10am on Sundays.

Youth in grades 6-8 meet in Youth Room 148

Youth in High School meet in Room 150

Upcoming Events:

January 21 7pm - All Youth Clash Royale Tournament

We Remember in Prayer

Those suffering from dementia, their families, and their caregivers; DeDe Ho; Mary; Christopher Santana; Barbara Johnson; Diane Drews; Bob; Karen; JoAnn Buerger

We Continue to Pray For

Eugene Trautman; Kent Michelson, Diane Bergstrom, Deb Johnson, Bill Martin, Sam Gourley, Ronnie Johnson, Peter Jordahl; Walt Knauff, Arvid Larson, Pat Larson, Doris McGaughy