First English Lutheran
This Week--Upcoming Events & Ongoing Ministries
New This Year: Registration for Sunday School is Only Online
Sign up for Sunday School using the link HERE.
Please fill out the registration form for each child by Wednesday, September 4th.
Sunday School and Parish Education Lunch and Training
Sunday, Aug. 18th, Noon-2pm
All Sunday School teachers and Midweek Ministry leaders are asked to attend the Parish Education lunch and training from noon to 2pm next Sunday, Aug. 18th.
Come and meet other leaders at FELC and prepare for a great year of learning and faith formation at FELC.
Snack Pack Donations
It's back to school time and that means Snack Pack Donations! We will do our first pack on September 12th
Snack Pack Items (individual sized items)
Granola bars (no nuts)
Pudding cups
Fruit cups
Applesauce
Mac & Cheese cups
Ramen Noodles packets
Cookies (no nuts)
Chips
Pretzels
Small Cereal boxes
Thank you for your ongoing support and care for the students of Von Steuben Middle School!
School Kits for Lutheran World Relief
Once again we will be filling school kits until August 30th. You will find instructions for filling the backpack on the table in the Narthex.
We will also be accepting monetary donations for people who want someone to shop for them. Please remember to watch for back to school sales to stretch your dollar farther!
Bring your completed school bag back to church before August 30th.
Thank you for giving students the supplies they need for school!
Include the following items in each School Kit:
Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or
college-ruled paper approximately
8” x 101⁄2”; no loose-leaf paper
One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with
centimeters on one side and inches
on the other
One pencil sharpener
One blunt scissors (safety scissors with
embedded steel blades work well)
Five unsharpened #2 pencils with
erasers; secure together with a rubber
band
Five ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secure
together with a rubber band
One box of 16 or 24 crayons
One 21⁄2” eraser
One sturdy drawstring backpack-style
cloth bag approximately 14” X 17”with shoulder straps (no standard backpacks)
Sunday School Kick Off on Sunday, September 15th!
Highlights from The ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Election for Presiding Bishop
On Tuesday, August 6th, at the 15th Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA, The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton was re-elected as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Bishop Eaton is the first presiding bishop of the ELCA to be elected on the first
ballot. Responding to her election to another 6-year term, Bishop Eaton thanked the assembly and recalled the first of the four emphases she introduced after her election in 2013:
"We're church, church first.... Our lives are not only supported but our lives are surrounded, and our lives have their basis and meaning in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And especially as we experience that in our lives and are changed by that in word and sacrament. That's where we get any authority or certainly any integrity to do works of love and justice, because we're church." Congratulations Bishop Eaton!
AMMPARO—a Ministry of the ELCA
While at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Pastor Ryan participated in a prayer walk & vigil organized by AMMPARO to protest the cruel detention and separation of migrant families. On Wednesday, August 7th, 2019, over 700 Lutherans and ecumenical partners marched from the Wisconsin Center to the Dept. of Homeland Security office in downtown Milwaukee. In front of the government building, we sang, prayed, and cried out for justice. On the door, we posted “9.5 Theses” outlining the basic dignities our faith accords to all of God’s children, and calling the United States to reunite families, close detention camps, and act with a higher standard of morals & ethics when enforcing the laws of the land.
What is AMMPARO?
From the ELCA website: The word “amparo” in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. The ELCA’sstrategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Due to our connection to companion churches in the region, including companion synod relationships, and existing ministries in the U.S., the ELCA is well-positioned to help ensure that these vulnerable children are protected.
For more information, visitwww.elca.org/ammparo.
Use Your Voice! Join a Choir!
YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSALS will begin Wed., August 21st at 6pm in the Youth Choir room. The first Sunday to sing will be September 8th.
Youth from Kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome to come and sing. Contact Char Davis, Youth Choir Director, at 309-648-6950 (cell phone) or 309-637-7253 (home) if you have any questions.
CHANCEL CHOIR REHEARSALS will begin Wed., August 21st at 5:45pm in the Sanctuary. We have fun, we laugh, we fellowship, we sing, we worship through music. Schedules have been set for the next few months. We know that not everyone can attend every rehearsal or performance, but don't let scheduling be the reason you don't participate. Come give us a try!
If you have any questions, please call Beth Stalker at 815-257-3432.
HANDBELL CHOIR REHEARSALS will begin on Wed., Sept. 4th at 7pm. The choir plays approximately every 3 weeks for the 8:30 service.
Bell Boot Camp: August 22nd and 28th
If you’re interested in a new way to worship the Lord, please consider playing with the FELC Handbell Choir!
On Thursday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 28 at 6:30 pm, Amy Glass and other bell choir members can meet with you to discuss options for joining the group.
These two nights are a chance to learn basic bell techniques. You do NOT need music reading skills in order to join the bell choir -- seriously! This Boot Camp is also meant for current members who wish to refresh their skills or learn new techniques.
Full rehearsals for the FELC Bell Choir begin on Wednesday, September 4 at 7 pm. The choir plays approximately every 3 weeks for the 8:30 service.
Prayerfully consider joining the FELC Handbell Choir.
Save the Date!
God's Work. Our Hands. Day of Service with ELCA: Sunday, September 8th
Mark your calendars and watch for more details.
Midweek Ministry and Meals begins on Wednesday, September 18!
Save the Date: Thank You Luncheon on September 22nd!
Prayer Chain Requests
Prayer Requests:
Requests for the prayer chain may be submitted by filling out a prayer request card and placing it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings or by e-mailing Martha Schmitt at mschmitt9911@yahoo.com.
Keep In Touch with FELC
Items for the monthly calendar or the weekly Buzz may be sent to Lois Neptun in the main office. office@felcpeoria.org. Deadline for both publications is Wednesday by 11:30am.
Email: office@felcpeoria.org
Website: www.felcpeoria.org
Location: 725 E Forrest Hill Ave, Peoria, IL, United States
Phone: 309-685-0337
Facebook: facebook.com/felcpeoria