Category: News

The Transition Team presented the draft Ministry Site Profile (MSP) to the Council this week. As part of the process, the Council will take some time to review the MSP draft. The Transition Team and the Council will then work together to finalize the MSP. Once finalized and adopted, a copy of the MSP will be shared with the congregation community. More information will be shared soon about how this process will look and feel as we shift to the next stage of the transition journey. The FELC Transition Team is grateful for your prayers and support

Frederick “Fritz” Woody will lead two sessions of Adult Faith Formation in June focusing on issues affecting indigenous Native Americans. Adult Faith Formation meets at 9 am in the Parlor.

The June 2 presentation: CITIZENSHIP:  A Centennial Review

The Intersection of Indigenous People and the United States Government.

Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday following the Day of Pentecost, has been kept since the tenth century as a special celebration of the mystery of the triune God. In our worship this Sunday, God welcomes us, both sinners and saints, in our experience of God as Father, Son, and Spirit.

The church season after the 50 days of Eastertide and Pentecost Day is called “Time after Pentecost” or “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sundays. It includes the distinct natural seasons of summer and fall, which have different themes emphasized. The primary color is green, highlighting the themes of  growth and celebration in community and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the ministry and teaching of Jesus. 

Important Reminder: Due to continued repairs on the air conditioning system, worship and hospitality will be in the Fellowship Hall again this Sunday, May 26.

At the May 20 meeting, Council members eagerly received the Ministry Site Profile that the Transition Team has worked on for many months.  In their presentation, they reminded Council members of the timeline they have been on and the steps they have taken to incorporate congregational input into this document.  Council members will take time to prayerfully read it and will meet at a specially called meeting on June 2nd to respond.

The Council voted unanimously to appoint the Transition Team members (Tim Atkinson, Randy Baden, Allen Jensen, Lillian Martinez-Rodriguez, Erin McCracken, Nikki Northcutt and Barbara Schutz) as the Call Committee. They will continue their hard work until a new pastor is called.

The Church Council gratefully accepted the creation of a new endowment. The Jensen Endowment will be a lasting tribute to Paul and Margaret Jensen who were long-time active members of this congregation.

Reports were offered from the Worship, Witness and Service Ministry Teams.

Read here for April Financial Update.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Baden, Council Secretary

The FELC Office will be closed Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, July 4.

A reminder that the FELC Office is closed every Friday.

The FELCDC will be closed the week of July 1 – 5 in observance of Independence Day and for a short summer break.

Worship in the Fellowship Hall

The Easter season concludes on Sunday, May 19 with the feast of the Pentecost. The name comes from the Greek pentekoste, “fiftieth” day of the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It refers to the festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover, also known as the “Feast of Weeks” and the “Feast of 50 days” in rabbinic tradition. We celebrate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the church and in the world. The primary color of red on this day symbolizes the fire and power of that Spirit. So, wear some red on Sunday!

And, while the wind of the Spirit blows where She will, the air conditioning in the nave and sanctuary still does not! So, we will gather for Worship & Hospitality in the Fellowship Hall at 10am – with Intergenerational Faith Formation in the Parlor at 9am! Livestream worship on our YouTube channel from the Fellowship Hall is planned.

Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Alleluia!

Thank you to Rev. Bob Karli for concluding his Adult Faith Formation series on the Life Cycle of a Congregation last Sunday. Thank you to Merrily Porter for her Children’s Faith Formation lesson on the Holy Spirit and the Early Church. 

On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 9 am in the Parlor, Bailey Barlow will be leading an intergenerational Faith Formation session. We will be celebrating Pentecost, so wear RED!

There are no Faith Formation sessions scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 26. We will reconvene for more learning in June.

The FELC Transition Team will be presenting the draft of our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) and Seven Reflections on Ministry and Context to the Council next week. We are grateful for your prayers and support as we work together with the Council to finalize the MSP package in the coming weeks. With joy and thanks, Allen Jensen, Barbara Schutz, Erin McCracken, Lillian Martinez-Rodriguez, Nikki Northcutt, Randy Baden, and Tim Atkinson. Contact  FELCTransitionMinistry@felcaustin.org.

In April 2024 First English designated Global Refuge (formally Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) as one of our 2024 benevolence partners. Global Refuge provides services such as refugee resettlement, children and family services, advocacy, mental health services and crisis response to those seeking a new way of life in the US. On Tuesday, May 14, FELC received a phone call from Pastor David Wangaard, thanking First English for the generous contribution stating, “Global Refuge can’t do the work that it does without congregations like First English.” To learn more about Global Refuge, visit https://www.globalrefuge.org/.

Thank you to Professor Ulrich Goebel and Nikki Northcutt, who led Adult and Children’s Faith Formation respectively last week Sunday. Our social media posting said it best: “We examined the many faces of love this morning during Faith Formation and Worship: our youth explored sharing love, adults learned about faithful love, and we all heard a message of radical love during the sermon.”

On Sunday May 12, this examination continues, with Merrily Porter leading a lesson on the Holy Spirit and Early Church for Children’s Faith Formation, 9 – 9:45am in the Library, and the Rev. Bob Karli concluding his Adult Faith Formation series on the Life Cycle of a Congregation, 9 – 9:45am in the Parlor.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, Bailey Barlow will be leading an intergenerational Faith Formation session on Pentecost. We are invited to wear RED on Pentecost, a color symbolling the power and fire of the Spirit. Our time together is sure to be Spirit-Filled!