Category: News

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!

First English will continue to collect both new and used backpacks for Micah 6 ministries for the month of May.  Leave backpacks in the bucket in the north transept. In addition, we will collect canned meat, canned fruits, canned veggies other than green beans or peas, and any reusable clothing items. Leave food and clothing donations in the bucket in front of the pulpit or in the narthex at the main entrance of the church. Contact Andy MacLaren, andymaclaren@cs.com, 512-947-4186.  

Following the biblical accounts in Mark, Luke, and Acts, the whole church celebrates the feast of the ascension of Jesus to heaven on the fortieth day after the feast of the Resurrection. To explore a Devotional Worship Service with bible readings, a homily, a hymn, and prayers, please click here.

“Lord, beyond our mortal sight, raise our hearts to reach thy height. Alleluia!” 

Narrated by Heidi Goebel, FELC Property Committee

Perhaps some of you have admired the lovely original light fixture outside the south narthex doors.  It has served us well for almost 85 years. Maybe you’ve also noticed that its twin is nowhere to be found on the opposite side of the building, by the north narthex doors.

At some point it was removed, and a utility-type fixture was installed in its place.  As they say, the details are lost to history. That utility fixture is old and damaged; the bulb housing is cracked, wires are exposed and it’s just ugly.

Last December, Tim Atkinson, Terry Porter and I were out by the south entry discussing concrete work associated with the narthex door restoration project.  I remarked on the charm of the original fixture there and lamented the fact that its mate had gone missing. Terry disappeared for a minute or two and returned with the missing fixture – sans glass lens!  It had been stashed in the basement.

After a few false starts, I dropped by Tipler’s Lamp Shop on North Lamar.  A replacement glass shade was ordered, the old wiring and socket were replaced, and a few other details were attended to.  It’s not a perfect restoration, but it’s close enough!  Charlie Boas helped to get it installed last week.  It has been fitted with a photocell lightbulb and will serve our refreshed courtyard space for years to come.

Austin City Lutherans (ACL) is preparing to carry out its fourth rent assistance program through Bread For All Food Pantry. Applications for assistance will be available at Bread For All each Monday in June. Applicants will need to present a photo ID, a rental or mortgage contract, and an explanation of need. After the applications are reviewed, checks will be hand-delivered to office managers and property owners by the end of July.

Last year ACL assisted 37 individuals and families with $57,000 in rent assistance. Our goal is to raise $60,000 by May 31, and we’re already halfway there!

To donate, visit https://breadforall-atx.org/ or send checks to Austin City Lutherans, c/o Abiding Love Lutheran Church, 7210 Brush Country Rd, Austin, TX 78749. Thanks for your part in this specific effort to mitigate displacement and homelessness in Austin!

We are currently working on final reviews of our drafts for both the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) as well as the Seven Reflections on Ministry and Context (an optional component to the MSP) and preparing both documents to be presented to the Council. This final review process will take place over the next few weeks. Our goal is to present the MSP and the Seven Reflections on Ministry and Context to the Council at their May meeting. After the Transition Team presents the MSP package, the Council will have the opportunity to review the MSP package and provide feedback. Once finalized and accepted by the Council, the MSP will be sent to the Southwestern Texas Synod. A copy of the MSP will then be shared with the congregation for informational purposes only. Once the Synod has our MSP, the Transition Team will shift focus as a Call Committee and begin preparing for discernment and interviews with pastoral leader candidates provided to us by the Synod. FELCTransitionMinistry@felcaustin.org.