Worship Services

Announcements and Prayers

November 23rd, 2023

On-Line Viewing

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheFirstEvangelicalLutheranChurchofOdenton
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/event/537863
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstLutheranOdenton

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Join us TONIGHT at 7PM for our Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service. As we gather together to give pause and thanks for the many blessings in our life, we give thanks for the opportunity to freely worship and to gather together as brothers and sisters in Christ to receive the gifts of God for us together in Word and Sacrament Ministry.

Children’s Christmas Program

If anyone is interested in organizing a Children’s Christmas Program or in playing/singing Christmas music (perhaps prelude before Sunday services in December), please contact Pastor Corey or Wayne Van Dine.

Men’s Breakfast

Join the men the fourth Saturday of the month at 8AM for breakfast and fellowship. There will not be a breakfast in December. The next men’s breakfast will be January 27th.

Re:Vitality Survey

We are about half way through the time period in which the Re:Vitality surveys need to be completed. You can complete this survey online or by picking up a paper copy in the narthex. We need every member, and even those associated with the church to fill out one of these surveys. We need a minimum of 12 surveys completed to have accurate statistics. However, 36 completed surveys gives us a better view of where we are at as a congregation. Please help us by filling out the survey within the next couple of weeks. Thanks! -Pastor Corey

Decorating FELC For Advent/Christmas

We invite all members as they are able to join us after the service on Sunday, November 26th 2023 as we gather together to decorate the inside of the church as well as outside around the church for the season of Advent and Christmas. Come and join us for a joyful day of worship, fellowship, and beautifying the church for this season of the church year.

Save the Dates

As we come to the last Sunday of the Church Year, we now begin our preparations for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Please make plans to join us for our midweek Advent services and Christmas Eve Services this year. Midweek Advent services will be held on Wednesday 12/6, 12/13, and 12/20. A meal will be served at 6 PM with services beginning at 7:15 PM in the sanctuary. This year’s theme for the midweek services is “Magnificent Magnificat Verbs.” Christmas Eve this year falls on Sunday. Our Sunday morning service will follow the 4th Sunday in Advent readings and liturgy. We will then have two Christmas Eve Services. One at 3 PM and one at 7 PM. Please make plans to join us for these special opportunities to worship in the days ahead.

Christmas Dinner: December 4th

Everyone is welcome to join the Ladies Auxiliary for Christmas dinner at Hibachi Sushi & Supreme Buffet, 6619 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, at 7 PM. If you plan to attend, contact the church office, churchoffice@felcodenton.org, or contact Denise Bach.

Children’s Sunday School

This week’s lesson: “The Baptism of Jesus” is the Bible story taught in Sunday School today. God sent the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ Baptism, announcing that Jesus was God’s Son. Next week’s lesson: “The Temptation of Jesus.” Like us, Jesus was tempted by Satan to sin. Yet, for us, He overcame all temptation because we cannot.

Advent/Christmas

Dear friends in Christ, it is hard to believe that another season of Advent and Christmas are rapidly approaching. The season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd 2023. During our midweek Advent services, we will be exploring the theme: “Magnificent Magnificat Verbs.” This year, Christmas Eve falls on Sunday, and more information about Christmas Eve Services will be forthcoming. A meal will be served each Wednesday night beginning at 6PM. Service will take place in the sanctuary beginning at 7:15PM. I hope that you will begin to make plans now to join us for all these wonderful opportunities to worship in the coming season of Advent and Christmas. Blessings, Pastor Corey.

Church Pointsettias

We will have our usual poinsettias–red, white, pink, and marble, in 7-inch pots–decorating the sanctuary for Christmas Eve services this year. If you would like to purchase one or more to take home after the services, the cost is $16 each. You can send payment to the church office, specifying it is for Christmas flowers. The flowers payment box will also be out in the church, on the table in the narthex. Please also indicate what color poinsettia you would like. If you would like to buy a poinsettia for the church but don’t plan to take it home, you don’t need to specify a color. Last day to order is December 10th. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Susie. Thank you!

Operation Christmas Child

As our 2023 OCC event closes, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took part in supporting this great cause through attending a sponsored dinner, donating money and items, packing boxes, doing craft projects, or through prayer. Please continue to pray for the children receiving these gifts and the many people who touch them along the way.

Upcoming Meetings

December 4th, Christmas Dinner

December 11th, Planning Council, 7 PM

CAP Holiday Sharing

The CAP Food Pantry will continue their Holiday Sharing program where we provide 175 clients and their families with food for Christmas dinner. Households of one will receive a gift card and larger households will receive turkeys and all the trimmings. This event will take place at the Fellowship Hall. If you can help, please contact Amy Gantt, 410-733-6022.

Christmas Give-away

• Tues, Dec 19 11AM-12PM: volunteers to help pack food into bags
• Wed, Dec 20 4-7PM: volunteers to assist with the food give-away (the first hour is usually the busiest and when we need the most help)

CAP Advent Baskets

Last year as a fun event, CAP suggested collecting and donating Advent Baskets of food. Suggested items are as follows. Please consider participating. Food will be collected in the Narthex or you can delivered on Tuesday and Thursday during CAP hours.

DEC 1 – cereal	DEC 13 – canned beans
DEC 2 – peanut butter	DEC 14 – Box of Parmalat shelf milk
DEC 3 – canned potatoes	DEC 15 – box of rice
DEC 4 – boxed potatoes	DEC 16 – vegetable soup
DEC 5 – macaroni & cheese	DEC 17 – box of pasta
DEC 6 – canned fruit	DEC 18 – spaghetti sauce
DEC 7 – diced tomatoes	DEC 19 – chicken noodle soup
DEC 8 – canned tuna	DEC 20 – tomato soup
DEC 9 – cornbread mix	DEC 21 – can of corn
DEC 10 – canned peas	DEC 22 – can of mixed vegetables
DEC 11 – canned sweet potatoes	DEC 23 – can of carrots
DEC 12 – jelly	DEC 24 – can of green beans

Shut In Visitation Ministry

If you would like to be visited and/or receive Communion, please contact the Church Office (410-672-3352 or churchoffice@felcodenton.org.

Young Adult Small Group

If you are between the ages of 20 and 30 and would be interested in joining our Bible Study, we meet on Wednesdays from 8-9pm. We are currently studying Job. If interested please contact John Pinckney for more information.  We look forward to discussing God’s word with you!