- Worship Notes
- Save The Dates
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Worship for September 18th
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The artwork today is quite different. The title of this painting is "Widow Costard's cow and goods, distrained for taxes, are redeemed by the generosity of Johnny Pearmain". As I looked through the lectionary art this one make me stop and say "wait... what?" until I saw the title and knew the curators were seeing the Amos text for Sunday that reads (my paraphrase) "Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land: God sees it and is REALLY not thrilled." How do we care for the outsider? Can we see that many of our political and social challenges, from failing schools to other issues, are not about whose side wins or loses but that the people involved, even those we disagree with, are HUMAN BEINGS and precious to God even if the challenges that we see with our communities are inconvenient to us? Amos has a word that God insists that we can be better.
Penny, Edward, 1714-1791. Widow Costard's cow and goods, distrained for taxes, are redeemed by the generosity of Johnny Pearmain, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55525 [retrieved September 16, 2022].
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Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81459937029?pwd=Z0pTMXVjUWU5VkxEQXBva2FDRHhXQT09
Meeting ID: 814 5993 7029 Passcode: 106355
(Those shouldn't be necessary if you use the link)
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/firstlutheransmtx/
(If the above links do not work, try the red buttons on the top of https://flcsm.org/ instead.)
The readings for this Sunday are:
- Amos 8:4-7
Warnings to those who trample on the needy and poor
- Psalm 113
The Lord lifts up the poor from the ashes. (Ps. 113:7)
- 1 Timothy 2:1-7
One God, one mediator—Christ Jesus—who gave himself for all people
- Luke 16:1-13
A shrewd manager: faithful in little, faithful in much; serving God/wealth
GATHERING SONG God of Grace and God of Glory (ELW 705)
HYMN OF THE DAY Let Streams of Living Justice (ELW 710)
Communion hymn: Be Thou My Vision (ELW 793)
SENDING SONG Rise Up, O Saints of God! (ELW 669)
The worship book now has a permanent address so you can find it easily and there will be fewer chances for errors. It will be at http:// http://flcsm.org/next-sunday-worship-book/ . You might find a placeholder file there during the week. It will be posted by Saturday at the latest. (There may be changes in prayers and other small items, but the link should remain the same. If there are any major changes, which we do not anticipate, we would send another email on Sunday.)
More full instructions are on the website. Additionally, if you cannot access from the usual links, check the website because Zoom often implements updates on the weekend. The website can be changed in minutes if needed to update links or passwords. You can find all the information at
IF YOU GO there on Saturday and Sunday and find last weeks file you need to fully refresh your browser because your computer is reading its cached version.
If that does not work try getting the file from the specific date link on the worship page
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Congregational Meeting Oct 23rd
SMART Orchestra Ensemble Recital in Sanctuary: Oct. 30, Time TBA (Probably 2 pm)
Thanksgiving Worship and Potluck: Nov. 20th
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Current FLC COVID Practices
(Last change in April 2022)
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The FLC Council, based on current public health recommendations adopted the following.
“Based on guidance from the CDC, because we are currently in a “low transmission” status, the church council has decided that wearing masks will be optional during hours that Kids Of The Kingdom is not in operation. (7 am to 6 pm weekdays masks will be mandatory to follow State of Texas requirements for child care centers.)
If Hays County goes into a “high transmission” category we will immediately resume mandatory masking at all times per CDC guidelines.
Zoom and Facebook will continue to be available for those not wishing to be in person.”
This policy is effective immediately.
Other notes: As we adjust to a new phase and the pandemic becomes endemic (a disease that continues to circulate but against which we have more immunity and precautions available), we are all ready to respond to risks differently. Of course we expect everyone in our church community to respect the ways others choose to protect themselves. But we also want to be aware of ways to support one another. For some, wearing a mask may also be a sign that they are wanting to keep more personal space than we might have considered normal a few years ago. As our faith tells us to be more concerned for our neighbor than ourselves, we need to be aware of these signals and make returning to church in-person as comfortable as we can for all, no matter how we are ready to engage the risks of being in public.
Please be aware of the still increased cautions that Kids Of The Kingdom continues to take. The children in our care cannot be vaccinated yet because of age. During operating hours, we must require that you wear a mask when not in a separate space away from more than one other person. These are strictly enforced rules put in place by state childcare licensing and we cannot risk any violation.
If you visit the church building during KOK hours (M-F 7 am to 6 pm), PLEASE use the main doors by the church office. This is especially important at pick-up time in the late afternoon until 6 pm. Parents are still not allowed in the building and it is confusing to parents and difficult for staff when people use those doors while they are dismissing children.
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First Lutheran Staff and Contact Info:
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Pastor: The Rev. Tim Bauerkemper
Office Manager: Sue Cole
Music Director: Dr. Cynthia Gonzales
Organist: Joe Callan
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