First English Lutheran Church | Austin, Texas
God Loves. We Love. Everyone!
Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) is hosting a family-friendly service of thanks and celebration Sunday, November 24, 3 pm, at First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St, Austin.
A reception will follow the service at 4:30 pm. Bring a dish to share, ready to serve and labeled for those with dietary restrictions. No pork or shellfish, please. To learn more about iACT, visit interfaithtexas.org.
On Sunday, November 17, all are welcome to the FELC Advent Event immediately following worship. Join us for a simple meal and a contemplative exploration of Advent themes of watching, waiting, and wondering. This annual intergenerational event will be hosted by the Learning Ministry and Hospitality teams. All ages are welcome to participate!
Click here for October financials.
Sunday, November 17, we welcome back to FELC Vicar # 46 (2012-2013), Pastor Alex LaChapelle, as our preaching & presiding minister. Pastor Alex is in Austin for the national Progressive Youth Ministry Conference, which now makes its home with FELC neighbor, Austin Presbyterian Seminary. The Progressive Youth Ministry strives to be a space of connection and collaboration for youth workers seeking to lead young people into a faith that’s compassionate, just, and inclusive in the ways of Jesus. Pastor Alex is currently called to Prince of Peace Lutheran in Harvey, Michigan. Previously Pastor Alex served as associate pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran in Park Ridge, Illinois; as country coordinator in Southern Africa and Tanzania for the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program; and as pastor of Nairobi International Lutheran in Kenya. Pastor Alex completed undergraduate studies in theology at Concordia University Chicago and, in 2014, received a Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
The FELC Church Council met October 21, 2024. Betsy Appleton and Joe Cain joined us as guests. Betsy advocated for our CDC center as a parent whose children have benefited from attending. Joe led the council through our Draft Budget Report for FELC and discussed shared expenses between our church and our CDC. The executive team rolled out our new FELC Organization Chart to the council for feedback and questions. Nancy Neuse was appointed Chair of our Nominating Committee as we continue to strive to build capacity in our council leadership for the upcoming year.
The next meeting of the council will be November 18, 2024.
Advent Event
November 17 at 11:30 am (following worship)
Sundays in Advent
Onsite & YouTube livestream
December 1, 8, 15, 22 at 10 am
Watch and wait for the coming of Jesus
Wednesdays in Advent Evening Prayer
December 4, 11, 18 at 7:00 pm
Holden Evening Prayer by Candlelight
Advent Lessons & Carols
Onsite & YouTube livestream
Sunday, December 8 at 10am
Worship together with scripture, poetry, and music for Advent
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Sunday, December 8 at 11:30 am
Join together following worship for hospitality & decorating our Christmas tree
Christmas Caroling
Visit homebound folks to spread the joy of Christmas
Time: to be determined
Christmas Eve with Candlelight
Onsite & YouTube livestream
Tuesday, December 24
Holy Communion Service at 8 pm
Prelude Music begins at 7:45 am
Sunday after Christmas Lessons & Carols
Onsite & YouTube livestream
Sunday, December 29 at 10:00 am
Worship together with scripture, poetry, and music for Christmas
Epiphany Sunday
Onsite & YouTube livestream
Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 10:00 am
12th Night During the Day
Join together following worship for a festive 12th day party!
Thank you to all who participated in the joint Adult Faith Formation session on Sunday, November 10, with the conclusion of Pastor Bob Karli’s Prepare to Die series, and the Columbarium installment of our Better Know a Ministry series. A big thank-you to Leigh Northcutt-Benson and Nikki Northcutt for their lesson on the Widow’s Offering for Children’s Faith Formation on Sunday, November 10.
On Sunday, November 17, the Learning Ministry and Hospitality Teams will be hosting the annual Advent Event directly after worship. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a simple meal of soup, bread, and hospitality treats, and come prepared for a time of watching, waiting, and wondering as we make space to encounter God With Us in the coming Advent Season.
Faith Formation will resume Sunday, November 24. Pastor Bob Karli will provide the next installment of our Better Know a Ministry series on Stewardship, 9 am in the Parlor. Anne Wiebe will provide a Children’s Faith Formation session on Christ the King, 9 am in the library. Please join us!
ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Since 1986, Austin’s Casa Marianella has been a place of refuge for men, women, and children seeking asylum in the U.S. The show will include performances by Patty Griffin, Adrian Quesada, Britt Daniel from Spoon, Fastball, Money Chicha, Tekle Mezghebe and more. Funds raised will contribute to a NEW shelter for women and children in 2025. Purchase your concert tickets here: acllive.com/events/detail/2024-12-09-home-is-here-a-concert-for-casa-marianella-at-7-pm
Meet in the Fellowship Hall of First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave. Enter though the door marked Fellowship Hall, or the door marked Kitchen.
Bring food you like to share, bring board games if you want, or just try one of the many games that will be available.
Anyone who enjoys potluck dinners and/or tabletop games is welcome….FELC members, friends from the community, friends from other faiths, and friends who do not participate in a church. All ages and abilities welcome!
Come and enjoy the games and fellowship!
Click here to review the financial summary for September, 2024.