Dear First Lutheran Family,
Grace and peace, dear ones. Grace and peace as we learn what it means to live with the quickly changing realities of COVID-19.
Grace and peace as we learn how to come together in community as we practice physical distancing. Even if we cannot gather in person for worship and fellowship, your First Lutheran staff and leadership continue to explore and expand ways we can stay connected.
Worship
We will continue to offer weekly Sunday morning worship online. Worship services and downloadable worship materials will be available each week at www.firstlutherandecorah.org/worshipwhereyouare. You can also watch these services during the Thursday evening worship broadcast at 6:30 p.m. on channel 79.2.
Pastor Melissa is livestreaming daily evening prayer each weekday at 4:15 p.m. You can find links to these videos on the First Lutheran Church Facebook page or access them directly from the First Lutheran Church YouTube channel.
Prayer
We continue to hold our congregation and community in prayer. Share your prayer requests by contacting Pastor Chad, Pastor Melissa, or Jenine. Soon, you will also be able to submit prayer requests on the church website.
Requests will be prayed for by FLC staff during our weekly staff meetings. Please indicate if you would also like your request to be forwarded to the prayer chain.
If you are interested in becoming part of the prayer chain team, contact Jenine.
Giving
As you are able, please keep up your regular giving to First Lutheran Church. Ways to give:
- Send by mail to 604 W. Broadway, Decorah, IA 52101.
- Set up automated giving through your bank
- Click the “Give Now” button at the top corner of this website
- Download the Tithe.ly app for your phone or mobile device and look for First Lutheran Church
- Text “Give” to 877-641-5202 for one-time set up and then give to FLC from your phone.
Please also consider second-mile, additional gifts to the FLC Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. Also, it is important to support local businesses and other charities and nonprofits. Thank you.
Resources
We are grateful for the Decorah community and for the ways we are coming together to help one another.
If you have particular needs at this moment or if you have gifts to offer, share them using the Decorah Mutual Aid Network on decorahnow.com
The Decorah Community Food Pantry is open and offering curbside pickup.
Decorah Schools are providing grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for students who need them. Find all the information on the Decorah Community Schools website.
Love one another.
This is our call as siblings in faith, to love God and to love one another. Continue to seek ways to show love in our community in this difficult time. Check in on neighbors. If it is safe for you, run errands for those more vulnerable than yourself. Call a friend. Video chat with a family member. Support local businesses. Pray. Keep the faith. Look for beauty. Get out into nature if you can. In all things, remember that God goes with you.
We plan to be in touch weekly with reminders, updates, and words of hope. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any needs or questions.
Peace be with you,
Your FLC Staff and Council
