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Tuesday, January 06

Epiphany Party here at FELC 7 pm

Wednesday, January 07

God’s Kids and Youth Groups Resume

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE IN THE OFFICE

Sunday, January 11

First Epiphany Recital 4pm

Emma King, Piano

Tuesday, January 13

Church Council Meets (a week earlier than usual)

Sunday, January 18

Interfaith Worship Service at First Andrew

Presbyterian to honor Martin Luther King 3 pm

Second Epiphany Recital 4pm

First English Musicians: voice, trombone,

organ and piano

Sunday, January 25

ANNUAL MEETING right after worship

Third Epiphany Recital 4pm

Mark Soueidi, Trombone

2

Dear First English Lutheran Church Family,

Happy New Year! Some of you may not recognize this, but we're still in the season of Christmas until January 6th, the day of the Epiphany of Our Lord! Come to our Epiphany recitals beginning on

January 11th or be looking for other ways to reflect on Epiphany and Christ's visit from the Magi. Remember, the three wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus from foreign lands. Epiphany is the

season to celebrate their visit and Christ's revelation to the Gentiles and all nations!

There is so much to look forward to this year! In particular, I want to highlight the Community Covenant Classes we'll be kicking off this year with a retreat at the Lohof's cabin in Red Lodge,

January 23-24 (make sure to sign up!). These classes will then take place every Wednesday night from 6:15-7:15pm. Beginning with youth in the 7th grade, all ages are welcome to join. In fact, I

want to encourage youth, parents, individuals and elders to journey together through these classes. The primary focus will be on intergenerational learning and the commitments we make to one anoth-

er as we celebrate, worship and serve God in community.

To parents and adults of all generations: As you all know, faith formation and opportuni-ties for learning are never age specific. Please pray about and highly consider taking part

in these classes. Not only will they strengthen your own sense of community and identity in Christ, but they will also work to set examples for our youth and their own life-long, ef-

fective engagement in God's church. Help bridge the generational divide that is affecting our congregations!

Please see the attached two-year schedule to see what we'll be learning about. We will alternate

between these two schedules going forward, so youth or adults can join in at the beginning of either year. As you can see, we'll break for summer, but participation in our week to Christikon for youth

and/or our FELC Summer Trip for youth and adults are encouraged. Once a participant has complet-ed their first year, we will honor our Community Covenant commitments with a First Passage Cere-

mony in December. After two years in the program, participants will become honorary Life Passage Members, with the hope that the commitments they learn to make in community and in relationship

with others will work to carry and sustain participants throughout their lifetime.

There will also be plenty of new opportunities to get involved with FELC really soon! Become con-nected and immersed in our loving community in ways you've always hoped for!! I pray your holiday

celebrations were filled with the promises of Christ's hope, love, joy and peace as you gathered with family and friends. Here's to more celebrations to come!

Blessings and Peace in Christ,

Pastor Stacey

3

Year One, 2015 (29 Gatherings)

January 23-24- Winter Retreat & Welcome!

February 4- Unpacking the Bible

February 11- Writing/Sharing Our Faith Stories

LENT (6p: Supper, 6:20: Class, 7p: Worship)

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18- Story Sharing

February 25- Story Sharing

March 4- Story Sharing

March 11- Story Sharing

March 18- Lenten Art Project

March 25- Lenten Art Project

HOLY WEEK (No Class)

April 8- The 2 Creation Stories

April 15- The 2 Flood Narratives

April 22- Abraham & Sarah

April 29- Abraham & Sarah's Family Tree

May 6- Moses' Story

May 13- The Ten Plagues

May 20- The Ten Commandments

SUMMER BREAK (June-August)

September 16- The Judges

September 23- Ruth

September 30- Samuel & Saul

October 7- The First Kings

October 14- A Split Kingdom

October 21- Exile & Return

October 28- Esther

November 4- Prophets of Israel

November 11- Prophets of Judah

November 18- Job

November 25- No Class (Thanksgiving)

December 2- The Psalms

December 9- Wisdom and Poetry

December 16- Christmas Celebration

SUNDAY, December 20- CC First Passage

Ceremony!

4

Year Two, 2016 (30 Gatherings)

January 22-23 Winter Retreat & Welcome

Newbies!

February 3- Writing/Sharing Our Faith Stories

LENT (6p: Supper, 6:20: Class, 7p: Worship)

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10-Story Sharing

February 17- Story Sharing

February 24- Story Sharing

March 2- Story Sharing

March 9- Lenten Art Project

March 16- Lenten Project

HOLY WEEK (No Class)

March 30- Unpacking the NT

April 6- Jesus' Birth & Early Life

April 13- Jesus' Disciples

April 20- Jesus' Sermons & Parables

April 27- Jesus' Miracles

May 4- Jesus' Healings-

May 11- Pentecost

May 18- Peter, Paul & the Early Church

May 25- The Book of Revelation

SUMMER BREAK (June-August)

September 14- Martin Luther

September 21- Lutheran Concepts

September 28- Theology of the Cross

October 5- Saved by Grace through Faith

October 12- Serving & Forgiving

October 19- The Creation of Our Creeds

October 26- Our Sacraments

November 2- Our Worship Practices

November 9- Prayer Practices

November 16- Our Stewardship Covenants

November 23- No Class (Thanksgiving)

November 30- World Religions

December 7- Christian Denominations

December 14- Christmas Celebration

SUNDAY, Dec. 18- CC Life Passage Ceremony!!

5

Dear Members of First English Lutheran Church,

Please see the following attached letter sent to us from the Montana synod office by Bishop Jessica

Crist. This letter was sent prior to November 19th, 2014, when the federal court ruled Montana's ban

on same-sex marriages unconstitutional. Now that same-sex marriages are currently legal in Mon-

tana, it is necessary that we have some intentional and also reverent conversations about our wed-

ding policies, as advised by our synod and in accordance with the letter of call you have extended to

me as a congregation. As your pastor, I desire to work in conjunction with all of you. If and when a

same-sex couple approaches me regarding my services and a marriage union within the margins of

our building, I will need to know how to respond.

Therefore, leading up to our annual meeting on the 25th of January, the following dates have been

set aside for discussion regarding FELC's wedding policies:

Thursday, January 8, 5:30p.m.

Sunday, January 11, 11:30a.m.

Thursday, January 15, 5:30p.m.

Sunday, January 18, 11:30a.m.

We will meet in the conference room for conversation and light refreshments. Anyone who wishes to

provide input is welcome to attend and attendance at every meeting is not required.

I realize these conversations can be difficult and, at their worst, divisive. Accordingly, do be advised

that our conversations will be structured in such a way so as to foster and maintain mutual respect

and care for one another. If you feel more comfortable having a conversation privately, do not hesi-

tate to call me or make an appointment. I am hear to listen to you as we work to be the kind of di-

verse and loving community God is calling us to be.

Thank you and I am looking forward to having fearless and hopeful conversations with all of you.

Sincerely,

Pr. Stacey

6

7

(Unofficial minutes until accepted by the Council at their next meeting.)

FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH

CHURCH COUNCIL

December 16, 2014

MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Blevins, Kathy Barnes, Todd Cohn, Yvonne Eckhardt, Jeni Robinson

GUESTS PRESENT:

The meeting was called to order by President Diane Blevins at 7:17 pm. It was determined there

was a quorum.

Pastor Stacey read Ephesians 2:8-10. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is

not your own doing; it is a gift from God…” A discussion was held about outreach and ministry de-

velopment. The importance of building relationships based on God’s Gospel of love and forgiveness

was emphasized.

Minutes Minutes from the November 18 meeting were reviewed. Todd moved to accept the minutes

Jeni seconded.

Passed

Treasurer’s Report Jeni moved to accept the treasurer’s report Yvonne seconded

Passed

Committee and Ministry Team Reports The Worship and Music Team report was reviewed.

Old Business

Friendship House: A Contract for Services was received from Friendship House. It will be considered for approval at

our next meeting.

Initial Review of the 2015 Budget: The monthly pledge receipts were reviewed.

Jeni moved to put $300 in the budget for the Women’s Group.

Yvonne seconded

Passed

Yvonne moved that we accept amended Friendship House budget.

Jeni seconded

Passed

8

(Unofficial minutes until accepted by the Council at their next meeting.)

Committees: A discussion was held about finding members for the Property and Finance Committees. Getting a

manual created for property needs was also discussed.

Computer: A laptop computer has been purchased for Pastor Stacey.

Sound System Upgrade: A representative from our current sound system will be coming to assess difficulties we are currently

having.

New Business Next Council Meeting: Kathy moved that we move our January meeting to the 13th because of the Annual Meeting.

Yvonne seconded

Passed

Women’s Group/Bazaar Funds Kathy moved to direct Todd to send the Women’s Group the money from the bazaar.

Yvonne seconded

Passed

Annual Meeting: The annual meeting will be January 25th.

Ministry Plan for 2015 Pastor Stacey shared a proposal for Outreach and Ministry Development. The purpose of this pro-

posal is to outline a ministry plan and vision that will result in the formation of safe and sacred rela-

tionships between people---relationships upheld by God’s Gospel of love and forgiveness in Christ.

Phone/Internet Todd introduced possible new phone and internet providers that would be less expensive for the

church to use.

Yvonne moved to have us switch to Rural Broadband, Inc and Ooma.

Jeni seconded

Passed

The next meeting will be January 13, at 7:00 pm

We closed with prayer.

Jeni moved to adjourn at 9:30.

Yvonne seconded

Passed

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Barnes

9

What a Bazaar!! What a success! What a wonderful crew of workers! Thank you to everyone

who participated. We had 16 vendors with 18 tables. We had cookies! cookies! cookies!

Thank you to all who baked. The chili cook-off was fun, especially since our Pastor Stacey

won it with her “Hark the Herald Chilies Sing” chili. Thanks to all who brought chili. The

lunch bunch was awesome offering soups, chili, pumpkin bars, cornbread, French bread and

lots of smiles and greetings. The lefse was popular, too; thanks to all who helped and

learned. The raffle was a huge success. Some visitors said our raffle was the best they had

seen this season! Thanks to all who donated items. Thank you to all who baked, cooked, set

up, tore down, advertised, donated raffle items, cashiered, rented vendor tables, and made

lefse (for 13 hours!!) Thank you to the youth groups and leaders who worked with the white

elephant sale.

Gross proceeds were slightly over $3000. Net proceeds will be available after all bills are

paid. The women’s group will use the money for church and community projects. They will

use it wisely, and will be very transparent with the spending.

HAIL LOSS UPDATE

(Hailstorm of May 18, 2014)

Many Thanks and Blessings to an anonymous donor and the

Anderson, Heikes, Halvor and Sorenson families for contributing a total of $2725 to reim-

burse FELC for the $2500 hail loss deductible, and for providing a little ‘seed’ money

($225) toward any uninsured damage/or necessary repairs uncovered when the existing

roof is removed next spring. The major ‘top-side’ work will be scheduled for Saturdays or

other days the Day Care Center is not scheduled.

As reported last summer, there are five pieces to the hail-loss. The fence component was

the easiest to fix and was completed by the end of June. The work on the west-facing

chancel window aluminum fascia and the vertical wood siding was scheduled for Decem-

ber 14. However, the weather forecast and honoring the request to use the church for the

Margaret Kettering funeral service set the project back-possibly until spring. The contrac-

tor for that work was understanding and agreeable to re-schedule the work while express-

ing his sympathy to the deceased’s family and our church members.

The roof and gutter contracts are set for a spring replacement. The Heating, Ventilation,

and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) component continues to be in process as discussions continue

between an HVAC contractor, the insurance company and FELC.

10

Music For All

Music For All provides high quality, low cost lessons to children and adults who have not been able to have access to private music instruction. Music For All starts the week of January 19 and concludes with a Celebration Sun-day in May.

Adult Choir- The First English Lutheran Church Adult Choir meets on Sun-days after service. Rehearsals run from the end of service until 11:45-12:00. We sing anthems, introduce new hymns, sing psalmodies, and participate in other facets of the service. All are welcome to join! Please come to re-hearsal or talk to Q Staton or Arle Lohof for information.

Bell Choir - The Ring Alleluia Bell Choir practices on Tuesday evenings at 6 pm and plays on the second Sunday of each month. This choir continues to grow musically and is lots of fun. If you have a background in music and would like to play bells, please contact Judy Valley at (406) 248-3735.

Epiphany Recitals Coming Soon!

-All Epiphany recitals are on Sunday afternoons at 4pm here at FELC with a reception

following.

1. Sunday, January 11 Emma King, Piano

2. Sunday, January 18 FELC Musicians: Voice, Trombone, Organ and Piano

3. Sunday, January 25 Mark Soueidi, Trombone

4. Sunday, February 01 No recital - Enjoy the Super Bowl

5. Sunday, February 08 Ring Alleluia Bell Choir

6. Sunday, February 15 Rocky Mountain College Choir w/Dr. Steven Hart, director

11

Our special offering for January and February goes to United Campus Ministries.

United Campus Ministry strives to provide opportunities for persons to explore faith, ask ques-

tions, work for justice, find support, connect with God, and enjoy Christian community.

This is an ecumenical ministry including ELCA-Montana Synod. Because of reductions in denom-

inational funding, they need the support of individuals and local churches.

Leaving home to go to college breaks many of the old bonds with the home community. United

Campus Ministry tries to keep these inquiring minds focused on the role of Christ in their lives.

Now students are talking and eating, worshipping and praying, and doing service projects, etc.

You can help them with a gift through our special benevolence focus. Thank you for supporting

United Campus Ministries!

FELC Financial Summary

through November 2014

Total Receipts Actual $ 152, 526.39

(Budgeted $ 161, 861.88)

Total Expenses Actual $ 137, 725.85

(Budgeted $ 185, 026.34)

Change in Net Assets +$14,800.54

(Budgeted $-23,164.46)

End of Year figures will be available in the

Annual Report in January.

Pastor Stacey to Take on Chaplaincy Role at Friendship House

Beginning on January 5th, 2015, we're excited to announce that Pastor Stacey will be working in partnership with the Friendship House, serving as their in-house chaplain for children and families in need of spiritual care. She will be spending 1/8 time or 5 hours per week there, split between Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2:30-5:00p.m. This partnership is meant to strengthen ties between Friendship House and First English, so look forward to regular updates and be listening for opportu-nities to get involved as well. Friendship House will be reimbursing First English for Pastor Stacey's number of hours worked per month, equating to approximately 12.5% of her yearly salary. God has blessed us with this partnership. May it strengthen all of us as we go forward!

12

01/04 01/11 01/18 01/25

Lectors Becky Sullivan God’s Kids

Worship Q Staton Todd Cohn Cindy Linse Armand Lohof

Communion

Assistants

Katrina Kruger

Kathy Barnes

Judy Valley

Jan Halvor

Cara Masterson

Jackie Vestal

Brendan Murray

Counters Halvors Lohofs Elissa Linse Cindy Linse

McLuskies

Head Usher

Ushers

Phil Frank, Sr.

Walt Siewert

Marv Schmitt

Dick Hofer

Brendan Murray

Roger Vestal

Dan Holen

Armand Lohof

Scott Lindgren

Charles Sullivan

Dennis Anderson

Ed Pierson

Jerry Replogle

Altar Guild Arle Lohof

Armand Lohof

Arle Lohof

Armand Lohof

Arle Lohof

Armand Lohof

Arle Lohof

Armand Lohof

Greeters Donna Boeck

Karen Broughton

Hank Hewett

Patti Hewett

Diane Blevins

Tom Blevins

Becky Sullivan

Charles Sullivan

January 05

January 06

January 07

January 09

January 11

Sophia McLuskie

Dale Anderson

Betty Frank

Charles Allen

Patti Hewett

January 15

January 22

January 26

January 28

Tracy McLuskie

Tess Wilson

Cara Masterson

Roy Linse

Chris Schmitt

Marv Schmitt

13

No Little Lutherans,

God’s Kids, Youth

Group or

Confirmation

Wednesday, Dec. 24th

or . 26th

Time To Register For Christikon

It’s time to start thinking about summer plans, and all summer

plans should include a trip to Christikon. Families, adults, youth, workers, backpackers - Christikon has something for

everyone. Grab a registration form from the narthex or head

over to www.christikon.org for full details and registration.

Youth Group and

God’s Kids

resume

Wed., Jan. 7th

Community Covenant

Retreat Everyone (grade 7+) interested in exploring their faith in a deep way is

invited to a beginning retreat in Red Lodge, Jan 23rd and 24th. We will

leave from the church Friday at 5:30pm and return Saturday evening around 5.

Join us for great conversation and fun. Please RSVP by Jan 18th.

Sub Sandwiches

For the Super Bowl

Youth Group is selling Sub Sandwiches for your Super Bowl Party. Sandwiches are made to order and only $5.50! Sand-

wiches will be available for pick up after worship on Super Bowl weekend. Don’t like Subs? You can buy one for the HUB. Please use order form on next page. Thank you!

14

Sub Sandwich Order Form

Meat (choose up to 2) Veggies

Additional items 50 cents each

Ham

Turkey

Roast Beef

Tomato

Lettuce

Dill Pickles

Cheese (choose one) Condiments

Cheddar

Provolone

Swiss

Mayo

Yellow Mustard

Deli Mustard

Salami Onion

American

Name

Check here to donate my sandwich to the Hub.

Delivered Paid

Cost $5.50 plus extras at $.50 each Total $______

15

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thurs

day

Frid

ay

Satu

rday

1 N

ew

Year’s

Day

2

Pasto

r’s D

ay O

ff

3

4

10 a

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FO

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BAN

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UN

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6 E

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pip

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here

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ELC

7

6:1

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4th

-6th

Youth

Gro

up

7:1

5 p

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11 B

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12

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16

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4 p

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19

2:3

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21

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5 p

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22

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24

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Mark

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26

2:3

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27

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28

6:1

5 p

m G

od’s

Kid

s

Little

Luth

era

ns

4th

-6th

Youth

Gro

up

7:1

5 p

m Jr./S

r. Hig

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29

2:3

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House

6:3

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30

Pasto

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31

Com

munity

Covenant R

etre

at

16

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

DATES TO REMEMBER ! See the front page.

Pastor’s Page page 2

Letters from Pastor Stacey & Bishop Jessica pages 3 & 4

Community Covenant Class Information pages 5 & 6

Unofficial Council Minutes pages 7 & 8

Thank you Notes page 9

Music Dept. Notes page 10

January Special Offering/Financial Summary page 11

January birthdays page 12

Youth News page 13

Sub Sandwich Order Form page 14

January Calendar page 15

First English Lutheran

Church

1243 North 31st Street

Billings, MT 59101