August Newsletter!

August Newsletter 2025.pdf

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First Lutheran friends, August is shaping up to be full of ways to plug in and partner in ministry. On Sunday, August 17 following worship the Call Committee will host the “Focusing on Our Future” workshop to gather your positive ideas as they prayerfully discern the gifts needed in our next pastor. If you’ve ever thought about serving on council, the Nominating Committee is currently working to fill upcoming openings—now is a good time to reach out and say “I’ll help.” Also, worship service roles (Communion Assistant, Altar Guild, Ushers, Greeters) are being refreshed, and volunteers are needed—if you’ve been thinking about serving, please pray about it and sign up.

We’re continuing the Lutheran World Relief school kit collection through September—bins are in the narthex and other entry points. The kits need very specific items (wide or college ruled 70-sheet notebooks—no loose leaf; boxes of 16 or 24 crayons; 30 cm rulers with both metric and imperial; pencil sharpeners; blunt-end scissors; black or blue ballpoint pens—no gel; 2½" erasers). Notebooks are especially appreciated since four go in each backpack, and July is often the best time to grab them on sale before prices rise. If you’d rather not shop, you can give a monetary gift (make checks to First Lutheran Church with “LWR school kits” on the memo line) and the team will purchase for you.   

Our community outreach and care continues: thank you to everyone supporting the Livingston Area Food Pantry—this month the focus is on personals, laundry soap, complete pancake mix, syrup, kids cereal, peanut butter, pop-top meals, and more; the pantry encourages smart shopping (Dollar Tree/General) and appreciates non-perishable, non-expired donations. The Livingston County Health Department is still distributing food boxes (7 breakfasts and 7 lunches) and could use volunteers—if you’d like to help, contact Chrystal Little. We’re also still collecting baby bottles for the Hope Center—if you took one home, please return it so it can be reused next year. If you’d like to sponsor the Boxcast broadcast, sign-up is available (sponsorship is $30; currently there are openings). And a special thanks to Rick and Mary Ann Johnson for sponsoring altar flowers in honor of Cindy Summer’s birthday—remember, sponsors are welcome to take the flowers home.   

Logistics and upcoming gatherings: the Diemer Benefit planning meeting is Thursday, August 7 at 7 PM—bring your ideas. Come join the fun every other Monday night for Euchre! (doors open at 6 PM, play begins at 6:30 PM, $4 per person). The CEO “Come Eat Out” group will gather on Tuesday, August 26 at Baby Bull’s Restaurant at 5:30 PM for food and conversation. If you need a ride to worship, please contact the church office (call or email) by the end of the day Thursday so they can coordinate transportation. Finally, giving has been made easier—check out the VANCO mobile app (ask any Tech Committee member for help, including Joseph Durbin) and sign up for text alerts to stay connected.