Worship Services

Congregational Discussion

Through the Visioning process, it became apparent that we as a church need to change in order to become more relevant and more effective as a Christian Church within this Post-Christian Era. Therefore, we have been considering ways to that we can evolve First Lutheran, while retaining our current identity. In preparation for future discussions regarding how our Lord wants us to evolve, we would like to start having discussions regarding What we DON’T want to change at First Lutheran. For instance We are a Lutheran church we want to remain a Lutheran church. That is a part of our identity that we DON’T want to change. However, what does it mean to be Lutheran?

On Wednesday, 17 August 2022 we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall to discuss What Does It Mean to be Lutheran? This discussion will be lead and facilitated by the Elders of the church. All are invited and encouraged to participate in the discussion. For questions regarding this informal discussion, contact Wayne at wayne@felcodenton.org.

Future discussions may include topics such as:
– What Does It Mean to be a Member of the Church?
– What Does Christ (I.e. the Bible) Expect from His Church?
– What specifically are we (I.e. FELC) looking for in a Pastor?
– {Your Suggestions for Other Topics?}

Night of Worship

We are considering having a Night of Worship on Saturday, 24 September 2022. As the title implies, this will be a night of worshipping our Lord, through Song, prayer, and meditation. The idea is to have Worship Leaders from other Lutheran Churches come in to add their talents to ours with a Praise Band, Contemporary music, and other resources to implement the night. What we want to do now is gauge the amount of interest the Congregation has for such an event. It would certainly be an opportunity to attract more people to First Lutheran, but only if First Lutheran supports it by attending and participating. Please email Wayne Van Dine or the church office at churchoffice@felcodenton.org to let us know the following:

– Yes, I am interested and plan to be there.
– I am interested, however I am not available on the 24th. I will plan to attend future events, (if this one is successful).
– No, this type of event does not interest me.

Confident Kids Program

Nichols Bethel UMC, through the Confident Kids Program, provides students with a new outfit for school along with a backpack full of school supplies. They have “adopted” 150 students and have about 35 students left to provide items for. They are asking for our assistance. If interested, please contact Dawn Hawkins, Director of Family Outreach Ministries, @ 443-926-2381. She will provide you the information (clothing size and list of school supplies). All items must be collected by August 22nd.

Shoe Collection

We are collecting new or gently used shoes (any kind of footwear, shoes, sandals, boots, slippers, etc.). Collected shoes will not only support a fund-raising effort for us, but, will be reused and given a second life by those in need through #microenterprise. Collection will be running starting now through August 5th. A donation box is located in the church entrance. Our goal is to collect 100 bags of 25 pairs of shoes. Please consider going thru your closets and ask your friends and family to do the same.

Spaghetti Pie Dinner

August 20th, 4-6PM. Baked spaghetti pie with meat sauce and pepperoni topping, tossed salad, roll and dessert. Eat in or carry out: $12.00. Cost reduced to $10 if you donate items for Operation Christmas Child. Proceeds will go toward BeMoreCaring (provides support to the homeless). This is a Thrivent sponsored event. Pre-orders requested: call or text Margie at (443)838-8438.

Flea Market

September 10th, 9AM to 2PM.  To reserve a space, contact Alice at 443-995-9822. Space only – $15 and space with a table – $20. Hot dog lunch and bake sale items will be available for sale.

LifeLine Screening

August 26, 2022, 9AM to 4:30PM, in the Fellowship Hall. Five screenings for $139. To register for an appointment, call 1-888-653-6450 or visit https://llsa.social/HSA.

Samaratin’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child

Starting next week, the Ladies Auxiliary will be collecting different items to fill shoeboxes for children in various parts of the world that may not know Jesus. It is an ongoing project until November. The ladies undertook the project last year, using funds from one of our “monthly meals.  They sent 50 boxes that ended up in Haiti where Chaplain Lorenz is deployed. They are hoping to increase that number to 100 with the congregation’s help.  A list of the items and more specific information will be coming next week. Each month there will be specific items collected that can be brought to church and put in a bin in the narthex. They thank you in advance for your support of this project. If you have questions about this endeavor, please contact Ursula Pinckney at 443-995-2035. The website for additional information on this project (Samaritan’s Purse, International Relief-OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD) is samaritanspurse.org.

For July:

• Flipflops (28 Small, 39 Medium, 19 Large)

For August:

• 32 boxes of crayons, 24 count
• 38 markers, 10 count
• 91 kid’s scissors
• 75 paint sets w/brush
• 100 handheld pencil sharpeners

For September:

• 5 notebooks w/flexible cover
• 30 boxes of kid-friendly band aids, individually wrapped
• 75 tubes of lip balm, non-medicated
• 68 single packages of tissues, sold in 6 packs at dollar store

Upcoming Meetings

August 15th, Planning Council, 7:00 PM

August 29th, Ladies Auxiliary, 6:30 PM (September meeting)

Ladies Retreat

September 16-18, 2022, at Brenda Gerhardt’s Farm in Sommerset, PA. We’ll have Praise and Worship, campfires and rustic cooking. We’ll complete a service project and make crafts .We’ll play yard games and make new friends. Saturday afternoon we will travel to nearby Laurel Hill State Park where you’ll have the opportunity to rent a canoe, kayak, or paddle board, swim in the lake, enjoy a picnic in the shade, play on the playground or just relax. Contact Margie 443-838-8438 for additional information and to RSVP.

Blood Drive

Mark your calendar! Our next blood drive is August 5th, 10 AM – 3:30 PM, in the Fellowship hall. Walk-ins welcome. if you plan to donate, please schedule an appointment so the blood drive isn’t canceled.. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: FELC or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Denise Bach. (Future dates scheduled are October 7 and December 2).

Shut In Visitation Ministry

Pastor Harris visits shut-ins If you would like to be visited and/or receive Communion, please contact the Church Office (churchoffice@felcodenton.org).