Welcome to the Tidings!
Apologies—I forgot to publish the January edition and have combined it with February because of that.
We are watching the current COVID-19 numbers and they are at their highest right now in our county. We encourage you to join us on Zoom and if you decide to come in person we ask that we take safety precautions when in person, wear a mask, keep distant, etc. We will keep you posted if changes come about. If you have questions or concerns contact Austin or Shelly.
When a new year descends upon us, I find myself thinking what will this year bring, what is in store, what will unfold, what new understandings will be brought this year, and which ones will remain as they always have, what will change and what will not. As we have looked back on the last couple of years it has been difficult to say at least, much has changed in our world, and health still is an issue when it comes to the realities of COVID-19. We have learned in the last couple years about the realities of how we respond, and how triggers, when pulled, can cause great damage, and often make us respond in unhealthy ways. At the beginning of a new year we ought to truly look within and see what it is that really gets us frustrated, what digs at us to create us to respond in the ways that we do or the ways that we don't. The reason I mention a lot of this is because I'm seeing so much turbulence, and people responding in ways that are unhealthy and often harmful. When we look to Jesus, we see someone who is human, yes, but also has an ability to pause and take in situations, and respond in loving and compassionate ways, Jesus is an example for us to be aware of our responses and reactions and to do things grounded in love and respect. As we approach this new year, I pray that we can be like Jesus in the ways in which we respond to one another, our neighbors are to be met with love and compassion, not hostility and rage. I hope that this year will be one that will bring light, one that will be refreshing to us, and give us, like Jesus does, new life. My prayer is that you have an amazing new year and that you find God in ways perhaps you haven't found God before, and to remember that you are loved and met as you are by God, you are God’s wonderful child. Blessings to you on this New Year, 2022.
In Christ,
Austin Nickel
Our annual meeting will take place after service on January 30. Please have your articles for the report in to Fallon by January 17 so she can print copies of the report. See you all on January 30!
We are pleased to announce that this coming October First Lutheran Church and St. Matthew Lutheran Church will be hosting a trip to the Holy Lands! We will travel there October 17-29, 2022. Contact Austin if you have questions.
To register and see full itinerary, please go to: www.stcecilia.co/tours and look for the First Lutheran/St. Matthew Trip.
February's Faith in Film will take place on February 18 at the Episcopal Student Center. We will meet at 6pm, let Austin know if you would like to attend.
January's Faith in Film will take place on January 21 at the Episcopal Student Center. We will meet at 6:00pm, pizza will be served! Hope to see you there!
New Study begins on January 19 at 10 AM! We will be reading through “The Lutheran Handbook: A Field Guide to Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff, and the Bible.” This will be a fun exploration of so much in our Lutheran faith, the book is full of great learning, funny quips, and helpful information. If you did not go through confirmation or need a refresher, this is a great class for you! We will meet at the ESC on Wednesday mornings at 10AM. Books are $10, if you want one, we will go over the lessons when we meet. Council Council will take place on February 10th and January 13th at 5:30 pm, at the ESC.
Ash Wednesday is March 2– we will have more details on services soon. We will be having midweek Lenten services at noon on Wednesday’s March 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6, more details to come on that as well.
If you ordered a First Lutheran Church T-Shirt they are in the chapel! Cost is $20 per shirt.
Ruth Circle will take place on January 18 at 9:30 am. Contact Bettye Spears for more information.
Prayer Requests: Corley Hodde, Doris Shuetze, Joyce Heckmann
Birthdays this month: Jan 1- Keith Hill; Jan 4- Larry Luedke, Jr.; Jan 10- Cortney Bronstad; Jan 20- William Pittman, Jr.; Jan 29- Larry Henriksen; Jan 30- Susan Crawford; Jan 30- Katy Hill; Feb 3- Braden Terry; Feb 5- Aaron Luedke; Feb 9- Jared Burton; Feb 10- Marion Truitt; Feb 12- Grace Johnson; Feb 15- Michael Hodde; Feb 17- Cameron Coker; Feb 23- Charles Brogdon; Feb 24- Naleah Lillard; Feb 25- Wesley Luedke; Feb 27- Steven Hunt; Feb 27- Shannon Lillard; Feb 27- Robert Shuetze; Feb 28- Charlotte Bronstad
Anniversaries this month: Jan 5, 1980- LaVon & Karen Allen; Jan 13, 2001- Shane & Rhonda Owens; February 17, 1954- Robert & Doris Shuetze; February 28, 1988- Noel & Janice Jones