October 15th, 2026

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.



Worship Updates

 

Worship Assistants


9am Polka Worship

Minister Assistants:

Judy Weishan


Lay Reader:

Julie Flemming


Communion Assistants:

Rose Dobie, Vikki Fischer-Kurth, Gary & Edie Scharfenberg


Greeters:

Vikki Fischer-Kurth & Gail Henschel


Ushers:

3rd Sunday Ushers


AV Helper:

Adam Pfister

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.

Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7

Second Reading: Psalm 96:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22


Drive Thru Communion

November 1st from 10-10:30am


Drive Thru Communion is held the

1st Sunday at the front, circle drive.

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.


Flower Sponsor



The flower sponsor

this week is

Deborah Doerfert

in honor of her parents, Jean & Lawrence's anniversary





If you would like to be a flower or radio sponsor, contact the church office.

Remember In Prayer


As Jesus provided generously in a moment of need, provide generous gifts of healing for those in need this day especially Joel, Kyle, Amber, Kristin, Jim, Bill & Lynn, Tim, Linda, Jason, Pat, Bev, Sandy, Harold, Tom, Ruth Ellen, Dan, and Eileen. Gather us into the joy of your glory.


If you would like to be included in the prayers of the church, the prayer chain, or join the prayer chain, please click the button below or contact Lois Bennett

(920-210-2691).

 

Small Group News





Last Thursday was

Bob Schoenheide's

90th birthday!


What a celebration!




On October 7th, a new roof was put on the carport. 


Thank you to everyone who has contributed financially, their time, and in prayer to make this possible. As we continue to make upgrades inside the building, we also look ahead to redoing the Sanctuary roof.

Welcome New Members!

Dennis & Karen Fredrick

Renee' & Leonard Schaalma

Mike Klavekoske

Jacob Sukowatzy

Joshua & Brooke Kysely

Not pictured:

Elaine Kohlmeyer


Saturday, October 17th, at 8am we will be setting up Friendship Hall for Sunday's Harvest Dinner!


If you are able to help set up tables and move chairs, please join us!

Many hands make quick work.


Tickets will be available at the door, worship the week before,

both Thursday, October 8th and Sunday, October 11th,

and the church office starting October 12th.


There is a sign up posted for desserts and those willing to help!

This is a great event to invite family and friends.

Sunday Volunteers


Whether you're new to First Lutheran Church or you've been attending for decades, now's a great time to start volunteering at our Sunday morning service! We need Communion Assistants, Greeters and many others to create a welcoming and prayerful experience.


No experience is required—training is provided and scheduling is simple! If you're interested in getting involved, please call Michelle in the church office (920-885-4497) or email her at michelle@firstluthbd.org.  

Praise Band Music


If you are interested in the music that the Praise Band is using for the service,

it is available on the table next to the offering box.

Please feel free to take a copy and you will be able to see the notes!

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

Trunk or Treat


Join us on Saturday, October 24th from 2:00-3:30pm for Trunk or Treat!


Children of all ages are welcome to trick or treat. Trunk or Treat is rain or shine. If the weather is bad, we'll head inside (minus trunks).


We need decorated trunks of all kinds to make this a great event! We also need candy donations.


If you are interested in sponsoring a vehicle, please contact Judy Weishan (608-345-6179).

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!

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.

Baby Steps


Thank you for your generous contributions to Baby Steps!!!


We will continue to collect infant care items through fall and winter for Dodge County Maternal and Child Services. 


Look for the community baby shower to come in the spring!

Thrivent


Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 29th at 4pm at Pizza Ranch in Beaver Dam. We will meet the night that Friendship International is having their fundraiser, so we will be supporting them as well.


Normally, we 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! 

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.

Personal Essentials Pantry


Our next distribution will be November 10th, and we are asking for donations of liquid dish detergent and toothpaste. 


Thank you to all for your donations and generosity!

Save the Dates!


Thanksgiving Eve Service and Pie Social

Wednesday, November 25th beginning at 6pm


Children’s Christmas Program

Sunday, December 13th during worship


Christmas Music during Worship

Sunday, December 20th


Christmas Eve services

4:00pm, 6:00pm and 10:30pm


Christmas Day service

10am

Youth & Family News

ELCA Youth Gathering

June 28 to July 2, 2027

Minneapolis, Minnesota


Called to Imagine More

Are you ready for an unforgettable week? Every three years, thousands of Lutheran youth from across the country come together for an incredible experience filled with high-energy worship, life-changing service, inspiring music, deep learning, and new friendships. This isn't just a trip—it’s a movement. Grounded in Ephesians 3:20, this year's theme invites us to look beyond what we think is possible and discover how God is active in our lives and communities.


Who Is Invited?

All youth currently in 8th through 12th grade are invited to join our congregational group!


A Prayerful Invitation

We ask that you prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to be a part of this journey.

  • Where is God inviting you to grow?
  • How is the Holy Spirit nudging you to step out in faith, serve your neighbors, and discover your unique purpose?


Take sometime this week to pray about this opportunity, talk with your family, and open your heart to what God has in store for you in Minneapolis.


Registration Details

Official priority registration opens on October 21, 2026. Because individual spots are handled collectively through our church, return registration worksheet into Pastor Jim, or pick up a registration worksheet from Pastor Jim very soon.

  • Initial Deposit Due: $175
  • How to Secure Your Spot: Inform Pastor Jim to either drop off or pick up a registration form.


Questions?

Contact Pastor Jim Wendt at pastor@firstluthbd.org or 920-885-4497 ex. 2.

First Communion Class


Is your child interested and ready to receive Holy Communion?


A First Communion class will be held on

Wednesday, October 28th from 5:00-6:30pm.

Children will then be receiving their First Communion on either Sunday, November 1st or Sunday, November 8th based on family’s availability.


For all those interested in attending, please contact Pastor Jim Wendt (pastor@firstluthbd.org or 920-885-4497 ex. 2).

 

Community Events

Click here or above to make your appointment today!

Office Updates

 

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.


November Focus Articles & Calendar items are due October 23rd

Send Focus Articles & Calendar items to Michelle AND Breanna.

Upcoming Events

 

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.

The Week Ahead

Date and times are subject to change


Thursday, October 15th

9am Yoga

10am Archives

1pm Worship - In-person

5pm GriefShare

7pm Glory Ringers


Friday, October 16th

5:30pm Facility Rental


Sunday, October 18th

8am Worship - Radio

9am Sunday School

9am Polka Worship - In-person & Online

10am Scrip Sales

10:30am Harvest Dinner


Monday, October 19th

9am Bible Study

9am L&F Meal Prep


Tuesday, October 20th

9-11am Rummage Drop Off

9am Yoga

10am Joyful Praise

1pm Sharon Circle

4pm L&F Meal


Wednesday, October 21st

9am Quilting

11am Quiet Prayer Time

5:30pm Church Council

6pm Praise Band Rehearsal

6:30pm Confirmation


Thursday, October 22nd

9am Yoga

10am Archives

1pm Worship - In-person

5pm GriefShare


Friday, October 23rd

Focus Articles Due


Saturday, October 24th

2pm Trunk or Treat


Sunday, October 25th

8am Worship - Radio

8:30am Joyful Praise

9am Sunday School - Children's Song

9am Worship - In-person & Online

10am Scrip Sales

Birthdays

We apologize if there are errors or we missed anyone.


October 16

Adam Branovan

Phyllis Marthaler


October 17

Kay Schoenfeld


October 18

Pat Marthaler


October 19

Judy Hatzinger

Summer Kozlowski

Joe Sullivan


October 20

Floyd Henschel

Brian Reiter


October 21

Isaac Ferstl

Amy Patterson


October 22

Arabella Thomas

Tyler Unertl

Terri Wood


October 23

Rosalie Radig

Anniversaries

We apologize if there are errors or we missed anyone.


October 16

Sonja & David Cramer

Tammy & Jim Van Erem


October 17

Leah & John Unser


October 18

Lorrie & Peter Briehl

Tracey & Daniel Posthuma


October 21

Pam & Gary Haas


October 23

Deb & Al Nampel

 

Get In Touch With Us

 
 
Facebook  YouTube  Web  Email
 
 

First Lutheran Church

311 West Mackie Street

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 53916-1637

Phone: (920) 885-4497

Fax: (920) 885-5886

www.firstluthbd.org