Christ Lutheran Church

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Weekly Newsletter 1/4

January 2, 2026 by Christ Lutheran

 Sunday, January 4, 2025 
Epiphany Sunday 
*****************************************************

online and in-person worship at 9:00 a.m.

bulletin: 1.4.2026.pdf

Weekly Calendar

Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
-office closed-

Sunday, January 4
9:00 a.m.         Worship/Holy Communion
10:00 a.m.       Coffee/Fellowship

Monday, January 5 
5:00 p.m.          Worship Team

Wednesday, January 7
6:00 p.m.           Confirmation/WOW  (7-12th graders)

Thursday, January 8
9:00 a.m.           Men’s Fellowship
6:30 p.m.            Book Read at Nancy Hengeveld’s

Worship Assistants in January

Acolytes
4 Hudson Larson/Hayden Fischer
11 Martina Wingert/Turner Sprenger
18 Charlie Every/Lily Ledin
25 Harper Pickett/Lilianna Dempewolf

Computer
4 Reese Larson
11 Maggie Wingert
18 Josh Bakken
25 Braelynn Dierkes

Lectors
4 Sara Niemeyer
11 Michael Johnson
18 Traci Corson
25 Darrel Olson

Greeters
4 Bruce & Teresa Hoff
11 Jeff & Roxie Knies
18 Jarod & Jonie Keune and family
25 Craig & Lori Britton

Altar Guild……………………………………….Roxie Knies/Lynn Haugan/Pam Mensink

Ushers………… ………………..Rick Grooters/Robert Hanson/Scott Wilson/Kevin Every

Communion Assistants
January 4 ……………………………………..Amanda Heibel/Dena Mathison/Sue Hager
January 18………………………………….Christy Gildner/Melissa Severson/Jen Pickett

______________________________________________________

*Fall Book Read- Muus vs Muus; Discussion will be on Thursday, Jan. 8th, 6:30-7:30 pm at the home of Nancy Hengeveld’s.

*WOW – Wednesday, January 7, 6-7:30 pm, Understanding a Friend  – Youth in grades 10-12th gather with 7-9th confirmands as mentors to help lead our lesson. Friends are welcome to join us.

*Donuts and Devotions – Sunday, January 11, 10-10:45 am, Heritage Room, gr 7-12 (changed from January 4). Step out of your busy schedule for DONUTS and spend time with your faith and friends. It’s the season of Epiphany and we will talk about following the light of Christ.  How does your faith help you follow Christ? Games, scripture and discussion bring it all together.

*BWCAW Summer Trip Meeting, Sunday, January 11, 10:45 am, Heritage Room, grades 9 and up! Rich Kincaid and Pastor Kris are excited to plan another summer trip that explores the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Specific information and dates will be discussed January 11. Youth and parents are encouraged to attend this information meeting.

*Celebrating Baptism – Sunday, January 11, 9:00 am Worship. It’s Baptism of the Lord Sunday! Children who were baptized this past year and parents are invited for a Baptismal blessing during worship. Following worship in FROLIC, our class for ages birth-age 3, will explore Baptism with Bible stories, activities, and circle time!

*FROLIC with Christ Lutheran, January 11, 10-10:45 am, Youth Room. Parents/caring adults and children ages birth to 3. Shelby Ristau will be leading Frolic and together you will experience Bible stories through circle time (music, story, group play); play stations; and fun! If you are familiar with ECFE classes in the school district, you will be familiar with the format at Frolic. Enjoy this opportunity to come together with other young families. For more information, contact Pastor Kris or Shelby Ristau.

*Summer High School Trip Information Meeting for 9-12th Graders – Sunday, January 11, 10:45 am – Rich Kincaid and Pastor Kris are excited to plan another summer trip that explores the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Specific information and dates will be discussed January 11. Youth and parents are encouraged to attend this information meeting.

*2026 Offering Envelopes – If you have been getting offering envelopes in the past, they are now ready to be picked up in west coatroom. If you don’t see your name but would like to have some envelopes, talk to Amanda in the office!

*2025 Christ Lutheran Annual Meeting – Sunday, January 25, 2026. We will gather to review our common purpose as a congregation, celebrate the life we have had together this past year, and look ahead to how God is leading us in the future. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.

*Women’s Fellowship – The next Women’s Fellowship meeting will take place at the church on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. There is no December meeting. Join us as we discuss the first four chapters (through page 27) of Joan Chittister’s The Gift of Years : Growing Older Gracefully.

*Help Wanted – The church council is looking for additional individuals to manage the Sunday morning opening/closing responsibilities from approximately 8:15am-11:15am. Looking for others to help once or twice every 6 weeks or so. This position will be paid $35 each Sunday to unlock the church, turn on the audio and video systems, assist in the computer management for display and online livestreaming, and then shut down computer, TV’s and sound equipment at the end of each service and lock up the building. We require that individuals be at least 14 years old. We welcome all interested people to contact the church office with their name and phone number for further details. Thank you!

*Please let the office or a member of the Church Council know if one of your loved ones is sick or has passed or if you or someone you know is going to be in the hospital so that we may acknowledge them in our prayer list or pay them a visit.

*Christ Lutheran Church Ride Program-
Christ Lutheran Church is committed to caring for all members of our congregation. Recognizing that reliable transportation is crucial, particularly for accessing healthcare, the church has established the Ride Program. This ministry’s mission is to offer safe, dependable, and compassionate transportation for church members needing rides to and from medical appointments. The program is operated solely by a dedicated team of Christ Lutheran Church volunteers.

Members requiring transport should contact the church office with their appointment details (date, time, location). The church office will then forward the request to the Team Lead, who will match the request with an available volunteer driver and coordinate the logistics of the ride.

For the safety and comfort of everyone, transportation is only provided for medical appointments to members of Christ Lutheran Church who can walk and attend their appointments independently. Rides are provided free of charge; however, the rider is responsible for any required parking fees. While mileage reimbursement to the driver is not mandatory, it is welcomed as a gesture of appreciation.
Contributions are appreciated and help cover parking passes and gas gift cards. There is a “Ride Program” subaccount in the church budget, where donations can be specifically directed. If you would like to participate in the Ride Program or have any questions, please reach out to Mike Erdman at 507-995-1933 or via email at mike.erdman@gmail.com.

                                    *4 WAYS YOU CAN GIVE TO CHRIST LUTHERAN*
  • 💵Cash & Check. Feel free to bring your gift to any worship service or mail it directly to the church office. Checks can be made payable to Christ Lutheran Church. Giving envelopes are available from Amanda in the church office.
  • 🏦 Bill Pay Through Your Bank.  (no fees incurred, recurring giving option) You can set up automatic payments through your bank’s bill pay system. Just add our church as a payee and designate your gift amount and frequency. You may set this up as a recurring payment.
  • 🌐 Online Giving Through Tithe.ly. (fees apply, you may choose to cover them or not). Visit our giving page at give.tithe.ly.com and give a one-time donation or set up recurring gifts.
  • 📱 Text-to-Give. (fees apply, you may choose to cover them or not). Text **GIVE** to (844) 935-2668 and follow the instructions to quickly and securely give from your mobile phone.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

  • Sun., Jan 4, 9:00am – Epiphany Sunday
  • Wed., Jan 7, 6:00pm – Confirmation /WOW
  • Thurs., Jan 8, 6:30-7:30pm – Book Read at Nancy Hengeveld’s
  • Sun., Jan 11, 10:00am – Donuts and Devotions, grades 7-12 in Heritage Room
  • Sun., Jan 11, 10:00am – Frolic Class (birth to age 3) in Youth Room
  • Sun., Jan 11, 10:45am – BWCAW Summer Trip meeting in Heritage Room

Birthdays and Anniversaries
12/31 KJ Corson, Porter Hahn; Duane & Cari Ledin – Anniv.
1/1 Matt Hellickson
1/2 Phil Milne, Bill Wojtkiewicz
1/3 Walt Hansen, Terri Broadwater, Kari Odenbrett
1/4 Lynn Ristau, Grant Tieskotter, Jason Sethre
1/5 Nathan Pfremmer
1/6 Cari Ledin; Dan & Jeanette Serfling – Anniv.
1/7 Jo Randall, Phillip Gilbertson
1/8 Paul & Judy Johnson – Anniv.

Please keep in your prayers….
Arnie Keene
Logan Walker
Sharone Rustad
Colson King
Jodi Milne Trochlil
Amy Timmerman
Lynn Tienter
Marilyn Bunge, who is at Green Lea Manor, Mabel
Walt Hansen, who is at Minnesota State Veterans Home, Preston
Mary Lou Hansen, who is at Harmony Care Center
Ila Mae Olstad, who is at Park Lane Estates
Arlene Bakalyar, who is at Park Lane Estates
Barb Barrett, who is at Park Lane Estates
Averlene Marzolf, who is at Traditions
Helen Haugerud, who is at Traditions
Linda Hahn Smith, who is at Traditions
Arlen Kiehne, who is at Chatfield Care Center
Val Christensen, who is at Chatfield Care Center
Jim Fossum, who is at The Fillmore Place

Filed Under: Weekly Newsletter

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
509 Kansas St NW
Preston, MN 55965
507-765-2161
office@christlutheranpreston.org

Worship Service
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

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