Congregational Update: November 26, 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Please pray for our brothers and sisters at Faith Lutheran in Balsam Lake following the devastating fire that damaged their church home.

Tonight:  SHARED THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICE WILL BE AT DERONDA LUTHERAN CHURCH THIS YEAR at 7pm. NO PROGRAM PRACTICE.

Thursday & Friday - Office Closed for Thanksgiving holiday. HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

Sunday, Nov.30th: 

• Worship at 9am. 
• NO SUNDAY SCHOOL, NO PRACTICE 
• 10am Choir, Coffee & Treats

Wednesday, Dec 3: 

• Dinner here with Our Savior's at 6pm served by Men in Mission 
• 6:20-6:50 Program Practice, Youth Handbells
• 7pm HOLDEN PRAYER WORSHIP here w/ OUR SAVIOR'S
• 7:30pm CHURCH COUNCIL

Thursday: 

• 8:00am Bible Study 
• 8:30am Quilters

Sunday, Dec. 7th 

• 9am Worship 
• 9-9:20Sunday School Program Practice 
• 10am Coffee/Treats, Choir 

Summer, July, COLORADO TRIP for youth going into 8-12th- please talk with Pastor Tim if interested.

CHRISTMAS WREATHS ARE UP IN THE NARTHEX FOR LOCAL KIDS IN NEED. Please take a tag and bring the item back by Sunday, Dec. 7th. Share the LOVE of CHRISTMAS with Local Families by being a part of the Secret Santa program. This year First Lutheran Church is sponsoring 3 local families (8 different children ages 4 months to 18 years). There are three wreaths hanging in the Narthex filled with gift tags. Grab as many gift tags as you'd like, shop, do NOT wrap, attach the tags to the gifts/gift cards, and place them in the bins below the wreaths no later than Sunday, December 7th. See Jessica Smith if you have any questions.

OUR CHURCH IN SOCIETY COMMITTEE in collaboration with Willows Foster Closet is again collecting NEW PAJAMAS for Kids in foster care in Polk County. Toddler through adult plus sizes are needed. Please wrap them or place in a gift bag, tag it by gender or unisex, and state the size. THANK YOU!
 
Thinking ahead: If you are considering scrip gifts for Christmas, please talk to the Men in Mission soon.  They can get gift cards in any amount if you let them know in advance! They are happy to help!
 
MANY THANKS to our Helpers in November: Lector: Laura Sjogren; Communion Bread: Linda Tempel; Ushers: Glen & Bobbi Clausen, and Larry & Julie Riemenschneider. Service Group 1 & Ruth Circle served treats

December Helpers:  Lector Jill Olson, Ushers: Gregg & Jill Olson, Communion Bread: Gregg & Jill Olson, Group Two serves treats

Looking ahead: It will soon be time for POINSETTIAS!  You are free to bring in a poinsettia of your choosing. (We will not be ordering through the office.) Please let the office know who you wish to honor or remember with your floral gift.

WINTER CONCERTS: St. Croix Valley Orchestra invites you to the following concerts: Sunday, Nov. 30, 3pm at United Methodist Church in Taylors Falls. Saturday, Dec. 6, 7pm at the Unity School Auditorium in Balsam Lake. Sunday, Dec. 7, 7pm, at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Center City, MN. Freewill offering.

Salvation Army started the annual Red Kettle Campaign on November 14th, and we are asking members of our community to ring the bell for us. We have several convenient locations in Polk County. Registration is available online at https://www.registertoring.com/. Each shift is two hours long, and we do not ring the bell on Sunday. Here are the most important dates that we are trying to fill out first: December 19th and 20th. The money raised from this campaign is used for homelessness prevention, rent assistance and weekly food backpacks in Polk County. If you need any further information about this campaign, or help with registration contact Dessy Anderson (a Salvation Army Board member) at 715-410-0063.

Happy Birthday Blessings!
30 Melinda Forrest, Tom Hartmann, Eli Johnson, Amanda Wold, Char Yetter
Dec. 1 Adam Johnson
2 Max Emerson, Mick Larsen
3 Jon Bergquist, Emmit Christian, Kyle Steen
5 Jan Everson