Fall Back!!!
Daylight savings time ends this weekend!
Turn your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday.
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Service Times
Sunday
8am Previous Sundays Service
Radio
9am Blended Service
In-Person or Online
Thursday
1pm Worship
In-Person
| | Welcoming, Growing, Serving | | |
Our Mission
To experience and celebrate God's amazing grace together.
Our Vision
First Evangelical Lutheran Church will share God's amazing grace by welcoming, growing and serving in Christ's name, enriching the well-being of all.
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Worship Assistants
9am Worship
Minister Assistants:
Bridget Sharkey
Lay Reader:
Sue Schroeter
Communion Assistants:
Lois Bennett, Heidi Freeby, Sue Schroeter &Gary Spielman
Greeters:
Carol & Dave Crawford
Ushers:
1st Sunday Ushers
AV Helper:
Volunteer Needed
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Worship Assistants!
If you are scheduled as a Ministry Assistant or a Lay Reader for a Sunday and need to make a change, please let Pastor Jim know by calling the church office (920) 885-4497, ext. 112. Please leave a message if unavailable.
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Readings
First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
Second Reading: Psalm 34:1-10
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Drive Thru Communion
November 1st from 10-10:30am
Drive Thru Communion is held the
1st Sunday at the front, circle drive.
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Virtual Attendance Card
If you watch online or attend in person, please fill out the virtual attendance card so we know you're with us!
Click the link above or find it on our website worship page.
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All Saints Sunday
Sunday, November 1st
We will be remembering our loved ones who have passed away in the last year. There will also be an opportunity to light a candle for loved ones in your life who you have lost.
Join us as we remember the saints who have passed before us.
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Dodge County Christmas Toy Bank
First Lutheran’s Retirees group will be collecting toys for the 2026 Dodge County Toy Bank. We invite you to join us!
The toys should be new, in their original package, and unwrapped. They should be appropriate for ages newborn through age 15. We are suggesting a price range from $5 to $10. Look for marked bins in the Narthex or Friendship Hall in which to put your donations. We will collect toys from November 1st through November 30th. Please see the bulletin board in Friendship Hall for more information.
Monetary contributions may also be made out to and sent to:
Dodge County Toy Bank, Inc.
P.O. Box 438
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
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Loaves & Fishes
Sign up to volunteer, check the Amazon wishlist and look at upcoming menus at bdloavesandfishes.org. Thank you to our hard working volunteers and everyone who supports Loaves & Fishes.
John Smedema – 920-382-1518
Sign up to serve here: https://bit.ly/loavesfishesbd
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Highway Clean Up
First Lutheran will be having a Highway Clean-Up on Saturday, November 7th.
Please meet in the church parking lot at 9am.
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Military Care Packages
Social Concerns will be sending packages to our military members and friends in November. Please turn in addresses of any military person you would like to receive a care package to the church office by
Monday, November 9th.
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Personal Essentials Pantry
Our next distribution will be Tuesday, November 10th, from 4:00-5:30pm, and we are asking for donations of liquid dish detergent and toothpaste.
We will be packing PEP items at 2pm on Thursday, November 5th.
Thank you to all for your donations and generosity!
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Focus Articles
December Focus articles will be due Friday, November 13th.
Due to the shortened week of Thanksgiving, we ask that you please submit Focus articles a few days early. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Thanksgiving Service & Pie Social
Come join us on Wednesday, November 25th at 6pm for Thanksgiving Worship.
We will be having a Pie Social following worship. If you are interested in making a pie, purchasing a pie or serving, please sign up on the Friendship Hall bulletin board by Monday, November 23rd. If you would like to donate towards the purchase of pies, please bring your donation to the church office by Monday, November 23rd as well. Thank you!
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Poinsettias
We will be adorning the Sanctuary and Narthex with poinsettias for Christmas!
If you would like to donate toward poinsettias, please fill out a form online
or outside the church office by December 1st.
Please indicate if you plan to take a poinsettia with you after Christmas.
The cost is $17 per plant. Thank you!
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Thrivent
We will combine our November and December meetings into one. We will be meeting at the church on Wednesday, December 2nd to help with Christmas decorating. We will meet at 4pm for pizza and salad and then decorate. Anyone is welcome to join us for the meal and/or decorating. If interested, call Sheree Voigt at 920-296-3285.
For those who have choice dollars to designate, please remember to do so by December 31, 2026! We thank all those giving their choice dollars to First Lutheran Church!
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Retirees
The Retirees are working on a Christmas craft to give to residents of Hillside Manor, Eagles Wings and Beaver Dam Nursing Home, and we can use unused Christmas cards with envelopes. A lot of us get cards in the mail and don’t plan on using them so this would be a great way of recycling them into a project.
They can be placed in the Retirees mailbox or call Lucy Viola at 920-887-7137. Thanks for your help!
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Quilters
The Quilters are quilting and full, queen or king size sheets are still needed.
If you are doing any fall cleaning and you have some that you are willing to donate, please bring it to church. We are located in the basement.
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Christmas Bazaar Committee
The Christmas Bazaar Committee and volunteers will be holding a planning meeting on Tuesday, November 17th at 11am. All are welcome to join!
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Christmas Cookie Sale
The holidays are fast approaching! We are in need of people to provide Christmas cookies, candies, and special treats to be sold during the Christmas Bazaar on December 5th.
Not a baker? No problem! We will also need volunteers to promote the sale and help package goodies on December 4th.
Please contact Leanne Gensch at 920-210-9851 if you have any questions.
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Meet Julia
Hello, everyone! My name is Julia Unertl, and I am excited to serve as the new Youth Director at First Lutheran! I graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2019 with a degree in Elementary Education. My experience includes five years in before- and after-school care, teaching, and mentoring teens. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, reading, hiking, and spending time with family, friends, and my dog!
My husband, Tyler, and I began attending First Lutheran about two years ago. Since then, we became members and welcomed our son, Franklin, who was baptized here. After taking some time away from work, I am excited to bring my passion for working with youth to our congregation!
My initial projects include supporting Confirmation, First Communion, Sunday School, and The Gathering (see below). Looking ahead, I hope to establish a youth group for middle and high school students—a welcoming space to explore faith, build relationships, serve our community, and have fun! I want every young person to feel they belong and know their questions are welcome.
If you or your family are interested in participating or volunteering, please reach out. I would love to begin planning! I also welcome ideas for other activities and opportunities to support the children and youth of our congregation.
Looking forward to the adventure ahead, Julia Unertl
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ELCA Youth Gathering
June 28 to July 2, 2027
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Join us for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering!
We strongly encourage all 8th-grade through high school students to consider this incredible opportunity planned just for them! The 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering and Young Adult Gathering will take place from June 28 to July 2, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This life-changing event brings thousands of young people from across the country together for powerful worship, deep faith formation, exciting service projects, and unforgettable community building.
Even better? Friends are welcome to attend too! You don't have to navigate this amazing journey alone—invite your friends to share the experience.
Registration Timeline & Cost: The official registration window is open. Securing your spot early gets you the best possible rate. Please note that a $175 non-refundable deposit per person is due at the time of registration. For more information contact Pastor Jim at pastor@firstluthbd.org or 920-885-4497 ex. 2.
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Focus & E-Announcements
Please send your E-Announcements and articles for the Focus to Breanna at breanna@firstluthbd.org
E-Announcement articles due Tuesdays by Noon.
December Focus Articles & Calendar items are due November 13th.
Send Focus Articles & Calendar items to Michelle AND Breanna.
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The Church Calendar is available online!
Go to firstluthbd.org > Events > Church Calendar
There is also a link to the calendar at the top of the events page and on the newsletter page. You can click on any date and the events scheduled for that day will be listed in the right column of your screen. The arrows at the top left of the calendar will scroll to next or previous months.
Any changes to the schedule should be given to Michelle or Katherine to update the calendar and the door unlocking system so the doors are not left unlocked when no-one is present.
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The Week Ahead
Date and times are subject to change
Thursday, October 29th
9am Focus Folding
9am Yoga
10am Archives
1pm Worship - In-person
4pm Thrivent
5pm GriefShare
7pm Glory Ringers
Saturday, October 31st
All Day Facility Rental
Sunday, November 1st
8am Worship - Radio
9am Sunday School
9am Worship - In-person & Online
10am Drive-Thru Communion
10am Scrip Sales
10:15am Befriender Meeting
Monday, November 2nd
9am Bible Study
9am L&F Meal Prep
6pm Worship Meeting
7pm Dartball
Tuesday, November 3rd
9am Calico Cut-Ups
9-11am Rummage Drop Off
9am Yoga
4pm L&F Meal
Wednesday, November 4th
9am Quilting
11am Quiet Prayer Time
6pm Praise Band Rehearsal
6:30pm Confirmation
Thursday, November 5th
9am Yoga
10am Archives
1pm Worship - In-person
2pm PEP Packing
5pm GriefShare
7pm Glory Ringers
Saturday, November 7th
9am Highway Clean-Up
Sunday, November 8th
8am Worship - Radio
9am Sunday School
9am Worship - In-person & Online
10am Scrip Sales
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Birthdays
We apologize if there are errors or we missed anyone.
October 29
Judith Coyle
David Keil
Brynlie Mohns
Abby Sobrilsky
Lucas Van Caster
October 30
Denise Dusso
April Ferstl
Evelyn Karl
Diane Ronge
Allison Seitz
October 31
Melody Bertollini
Rolin Chou
Jordan Schroeder
Lynn Seibel
November 1
Lauren Hose
November 3
Landon Ganske
Jessie Nehring
Dan Oelke
Greyson Pritchard
Kenneth Strahota Jr.
November 4
Isabel Bedker
Karla Faber
Jeff Luck
November 5
Keith Hoefs
November 6
Katherine Anderson
Deb Nampel
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Anniversaries
We apologize if there are errors or we missed anyone.
October 29
Alyssa & Michael Stephens
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311 West Mackie Street
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 53916-1637
Phone: (920) 885-4497
Fax: (920) 885-5886
www.firstluthbd.org
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