Volume 55, No. 1

First Reminder

Mailed Dec 19, 2011

Dear Friends:

 

I just finished a special holiday breakfast (my second one this morning!) with the Brass Angels Bell Choir. It was hardly a matter of needing something more for “daily bread,” but it was good. . . .

 

Thus, I am reminded that this newsletter comes out during the time of transition between 2011 and 2012. Soon we will be traveling through the twelve days of Christmas, New Year’s, and then Epiphany. I pray that you will be encouraged by the good news of the birth of Jesus in the midst of celebrating, remembering loved ones, going to visit a relative or friend, or perhaps awaiting the arrival of loved ones. Our household extends to yours (whether you are a household of one or ten!) the heartfelt wish for a Blessed Christmas.

 

As I look back over this year, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a pastoral leader in this place. Here is a (truly!) random list of some things for which I have been giving thanks at the end of 2011:

1. gracious co-workers and council;

2. the renovation and redecoration of the preschool rooms and a sacristy with a sink and more storage space;

3. adult education on Sundays with great discussions on Luther’s Large Catechism and the Biblical narrative (with the help of Manna and Mercy);

4. a social justice ministry that reminds us of worldwide needs like the Malaria Initiative, and justice concerns in our local community and nation;

5. cross-generational service in Green River, Utah;

6. in-person connections with the wider church through representatives of ELCA World Hunger, our seminaries, and Palestinian Lutheran communities;

7. bringing the Advent and Christmas message to many hundreds of people through our recently-completed Ryssby services;

8. meeting and welcoming new people who continue to become part of the body of Christ at First Lutheran.

 

Thank you for your end-of-the-year gifts, tithes, and offerings (which have to be handed in to the church office by Friday, December 30, 9:00 a.m.). Also, please turn in a pledge to support our joint mission for 2012—we still need about 50 more households to respond with giving commitments. Thank you!

 

In Christ,

Steve Berke, Pastor

Return to www.firstluth.org, or the eReminder page