First English Lutheran Church | Austin, Texas
God Loves. We Love. Everyone!
Pastor Michael Coffey wrote a blog article on the significance of January 6 in the church’s calendar and how the meaning of it has been affected by the insurrection of 2021. You can read the article here: http://www.ocotillopub.org/2022/01/reclaiming-january-6.html
Sunday, January 9 we welcome home to FELC Bryan Rust, our director of music. Bryan has been on sabbatical since October 18, 2021. Gather for worship at 10:00 am this Sunday, share in Bryan’s musical leadership as we sing together, and, following a special postlude, greet Bryan during hospitality time after worship. Bryan also resumes his role as FELC office administrator this week. Hope to see you in person or online this Sunday morning.
A note: Bryan has returned to nearly 2,000 emails. If you communicated with Bryan by email during his sabbatical, and you want him to know about it, please email him again. Thanks for your understanding.
God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lower of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
In this new year, may the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.
– Vinita Hampton Wright
FELC Members and Friends,
Here’s an update on the church’s finances as of November 30, 2021:
Operating income fell short of operating expenses for the month of November by $643.49. The church’s year-to-date deficit is now $-(4,125.28).
We hope that December’s income will exceed expenses enough to overcome this deficit and also build a surplus for the end of the year. Any operating income received in December over and above operating expenses will be surplus and will be allocated in the following way:50% to the Southwestern Texas Synod; 25% to the Benevolence Pool (Micah 6 and Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center); and 25% to savings (the emergency borrowing fund).
Operating Income/Expenses Snapshot:
| In the Month of November | Actual Year-to-date | Budgeted Year-to-date | |
| Total Operating Income | $26,332.12 | $282,839.64 | $337,500.00 |
| Total Non-Contingent Operating Expenses | $26,975.61 | $286,263.36 | $329,645.00 |
| Total Contingent Operating Expenses (Synod, Benevolence, Savings) | $0.00 | $701.56 | $7,857.00 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $-(643.49) | $-(4,125.28) | $-(2.00) |
Monthly Giving Income* Snapshot:
| Jan | Feb | Mar (Q1) | Apr | May | Jun (Q2) | |
| Unified, Current, & Benevolent Income (Giving income)* | $16,547.41 | $26,668.38 | $28,220.38 | $22,508.38 | $27,110.38 | 23,913.38 |
| July | August | Sept (Q3) | Oct | Nov | Dec (Q4) | |
| $24,989.69 | $37,042.38 | $21,855.38 | $21,248.38 | $24,981.38 |
*Our monthly budget for giving income is $26,250.
With gratitude,
Erin McCracken
FELC Treasurer
We are grateful for your year-end contributions and your support of the church all year. December is usually our biggest month for income because of your generosity. Any year-end financial contributions received in the Sunday offering on December 26th and postmarked or received online by Friday, December 31st will be processed for this calendar year. Thank you for helping us end the year on a strong financial note.
The new Word in Season devotional bookelts are available at the church. They include a daily brief Scripture reading and reflection. You can find them in the narthex, north transept, and church office foyer.
Epiphany is a traditional time for blessing of the home with readings, prayer, and chalking above the entrance to the home with a blessing for the year. As the magi visited the home of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus and brought gifts and blessings, we bless homes in the name of Christ.
On January 5 Pastor Coffey will visit homes south of FELC, and on January 6 he will visit homes north of FELC. If you would like Pastor Coffey to come to your home and bring an Epiphany house blessing, you may email him (pastor@felcaustin.org) to request being added to the list. Approximate times will be sent out once the schedule is complete. Blessings are performed outside at the front door. You need not be present to have your home blessed.
Plans are being made for adult forum topics and schedules for 2022. This fall we began offering adult forums on weekday evenings rather than Sunday mornings. Participation has been good. This survey is a chance for you to let Pastor Coffey know what schedule, format, and topics are of interest to you.
Submissions will be accepted through January 6, 2022.
Sorry, but this form is no longer accepting submissions.
The Christmas season lasts for twelve days. Come enjoy the Lessons and Carols service as we continue to ponder, sing, and celebrate the good news of the birth of Jesus. Join us in person and on livestream.
This has been canceled due to scheduling issues for Devil Dog Coffee.
On January 16 we will host our first hospitality after worship with members of Vision of Hope AME Church joining us. To help celebrate, I am sponsoring the coffee for the day with the help of my friend, Eric Gates.
Eric is the founder of Devil Dog Coffee Company in Austin. “Devil Dog” is a nickname for the Marines. Eric is a former Marine, a former Austin police officer, and a current pastor in the Disciples Church, in addition to running his coffee business. Here’s his brief bio from his web site:
Eric lives life serving others. From his time in the Marine Corps as a Reconnaissance Marine to a nine year stint as an Austin Police officer, Eric is proud to have helped others. Today, as the owner of Devil Dog Coffee Company and being a person in recovery, the calling to make a positive impact in our communities and helping others still resonates. Eric works hard to provide products that not only taste good, but also do good. His mission is using Devil Dog coffee to bring people together to foster deeper and more meaningful relationships.
https://devildogcoffeecompany.com/pages/about-us
On Sunday, January 16 Eric is going to bring his Devil Dog coffee truck to FELC. The first 50 drinks are on me! He’ll park in front of the sanctuary and serve drinks from 9:30 to 10:00, and 11:00 to 12:00. If bad weather forces hospitality indoors that day, he will park the truck in our parking lot near the fellowship hall entrance. In addition to a variety of coffee drinks, Eric offers hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and Kool-Aid drinks.
I hope to see you January 16 as we welcome the people of Vision of Hope among us.