Church News & Notices
Prayer Ventures
Online Church Calendar

• An Opportunity to Support CLEAN AIR: Support clean air policies that safeguard our air quality! Please pick up a post card to our  legislators urging them to make a "Clean Air Promise". The post cards are on the table near the office. Just sign , place a stamp on it and drop it in the mail. We can make a difference! For more information, please contact Sunny Johnson at sunnylj@charter.   Thanks very much!

• Meals on Wheels drivers needed:  Would you like to do something meaningful, but don’t have much time?  Deliver meals to in-town Aitkin shut-in residents.  The time commitment is 11a.m.-noon. Help us out for a day in February when the snowbirds are gone.Thanks! Call CARE office at 927-1383.

• Mixed Grief Support Group: Meets February 15th @ 11:00, in the library. For more information, call Deb Clark, 927-3243, or Julian Grev, 927-6636.

• Cookies Needed for Our Troops: Thanks to all who have participated in sending items to our troops through the Persian Gulf Support Group.The troops look forward to these boxes from home. The homemade cookies are a favorite!

  First Lutheran Church will be donating at least 45 dozen cookies for the February 12thboxes.you would like to bake cookies for our troops, please put your name and the number of dozen cookies you are able to give on the sign up sheet in the hallway outside the sanctuary.

  We could also use help wrapping the cookies for the boxes.If you are able to help, please join us in the church kitchen after the 2nd service on February 12th.Thanks so much!Questions?Please call Lynne Kellerman
  at 927-3517.

• Offering Envelopes:  Help us SAVE MONEY on postage by picking up YOUR envelopes. this weekend.  Next week they will be mailed out.
  

• Nurses going to Haiti: Three nurses from the Cuyuna Range Hospital are traveling to Haiti.  Kelly Hagestuen, Lisa Slepica, (daughter of Ambros and Sunny Johnson) and Laura Knoblauch are traveling to Haiti  with  the program “Haiti’s Kids.”  Their trip is Feb. 3-11th.  Please surround them with prayers for their journey and their work.
  
  
• Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group Is now available the 1st Monday of each month from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.  A collaborative effort between Minnesota Brain Injury Association and Access North.  For more information, contact Sarah Lynn Morneau at 218-678-0027.
  
  
•  PLAN NOW to Attend  Liturgy Day Concert (Gather Us In) & F Michael Joncas(On Eagles Wings) February 17, 2012– 7:30pm at Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd World Premier—of some new music by composers along with some of your favorites. Tickets are $12 until 12/31/2011, then $15.Tickets available at www.cedarbrook.us or 218-822-3736
  
  
• Exciting new opportunities for FAMILIES! The Sunday School team has put together some fun activities for families through the church.
  • Sunday, February 19, 2012 -- Lasagna Dinner following second service, Free Will donations. NOTICE! Date changed due to conflict with the Omelet Breakfast at the American Legion
  • Sunday, March 18, 2012 -- Birthday celebrations; One table for each month; each table will decorate their own cake; More details to come.
    
    
• Gearing up for Mission Possible
  Three core practices—discipleship, peacemaking and justice—serve to accentuate God’s greatest commandment to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 22:34-40).

  Sixteen youth of First Lutheran, along with adult leaders Kathie Smith, Terry Otto, Sue Landsverk and Sheri Sanbeck, have been gearing up for their journey to the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering, July 18-22, in New Orleans by practicing these core practices through participation in small group Bible studies where scripture is read, studied and experienced.
  

  As these teenagers prepare for the Gathering in the months ahead, read more about their experiences to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and proclaim the Good News through word and deed, to serve people following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

  Please support the youth on this Mission Possible trip through fundraisers and by purchasing “shares” in the travelers. (Details coming in January!) Click here for a picture of the group participating.
  

• Attendance & Financial Information
  
  

  Sun. 01/22  166  10:30 a.m.                  

  General Operating Income - YTD:   $18,455.00
  Budget Needs -YTD:                            $23,200.00
  Variance:      ($4,745.00)
  
  Building Fund Income - YTD:              $ 2446.00
  Building Fund Needs -YTD:                 $ 4668.00
  Variance:       ($2,222.00)
  
  Hunger Fund Received to Date:       $ 240.00  
  

• Want to help with worship? Worship Opportunities at First Lutheran - If you would like to do one of the following please call the person listed.
  Lector (read Scripture) - Jayne Anderson - 927-6632
  Communion Assistant - Marcia Hyytinen 927-6938 Lorraine Johnson - 927-4656
  Sound Technician - Doug Landsverk - 927-2381
  Power Point (Computer) - Chuck Pettersen - 927-6176
  Video Recording - Greg Smith - 927-2720
  Children’s Sermon -
  Worship Assistant - Linda Hommes (for adults) - 549-3221
  Ushering - Rich Liljenquist - 927-3082
  Choir - Sonja Hagestuen - 927-2811
  Saturday Eve Pianist - Rebecca May - 927-3481
  Contemporary Worship Song Leaders/Musicians - Doug Landsverk - 927-2381
  Altar Guild (setting up for worship) - Mary Peterson - 927-6820
  Hymn Selections - Linda Delaney - 927-6237
  Worship Committee - Rebecca May - 927-3481
  Communion for Homebound People - Karen Newton - 927-3493
  Webpage - Michele Plagman - 927-3544