Our Congregation’s Mission ~ is sharing God’s Word with everyone, everywhere!

St. Paul Closes His Book of Galatians ~ emphasizing the emphasis! Please join us, starting at about 9:30 a.m. today, with coffee and goodies, in the Fellowship Centre for our adult Bible class, to learn from the ultra-important words for the Galatians and for us from our merciful and gracious God!

Deadline for Articles for the February First Word ~ is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22. Articles may be emailed to [email protected] or a hard copy placed in The First Word box in the church office.

A Fellowship Midweek Supper ~ will be served Wednesday, January 22. We hope you will join us.

Could You Use a Midweek Faith-Lift? ~ Receive God’s forgiveness, life, mercy, and grace as you worship and praise Him, this and every Wednesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated this Wednesday, January 22.

Joy Vibe! ~ Our next Joy Vibe! event will be this Friday, January 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. All youth between the ages of 10 through 16 are welcome to join us for a devotion, fellowship, and a fun activity.

Jesus’ Inaugural Address ~ (in Luke 4:16-30) is our Gospel lesson for next Sunday. Please join us for worship at 8:15 or 11 a.m. as we take a look at the beginning of His ministry which ultimately would take Him to the cross of Calvary for each of us! You’ll be blessed!

St. Paul’s Farewell and a Final Plea for Freedom ~ is found in the close of the book to the Galatians. Please join us next Sunday, beginning at about 9:30 a.m. with coffee and fellowship for our Adult Bible Class in the Fellowship Centre.

Thank You ~ to Susan Buhr, Larry Laposky, and helpers for preparing, setting up, and cleaning up the Midweek Supper last Wednesday. Please sign up if you can help with a January or February 2025 Midweek Supper and/or desserts for a meal.

Our New Member Class ~ is being planned for 6 or 7 Sunday afternoons, starting soon! Are you (or someone you know) interested in becoming one of the newest members of our congregation (or in reviewing the basics)? If you haven’t done so already, please let us know at (406) 442-5367.

First Lutheran School Registration 2025-26 ~ Registration for the 2025-26 school year is currently open to our church and school families. During the week of January 27, registration will be open to the public.

First Lutheran School Summer 2025 ~ Are you available or interested in a part-time teaching position (2 or 3 days a week) during the summer of 2025? We are currently seeking a teacher for our 2025 summer camp program. If you are interested, please talk to Sue Taylor for more information.

Please Consider Bringing Sunday Morning Treats! ~ The sign-up is in the Fellowship Hall by the kitchen. Anything sweet or savory will be appreciated.

Helena Food Share Items ~ In January, we are collecting meals in a can, cereal, and granola bars to be used in children’s packs. Please place any donations under the mailboxes in Ziegler Hall. Thank you.

On The Lutheran Hour Next Sunday ~ Hear Guest Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez on the topic, “An Overture to the Greatest Story Ever Told.” Like an overture that introduces a great musical work, John the Baptizer is the living voice sent by God to bear witness to Jesus’ lordship and salvation (John 3:26-36). The Lutheran Hour may be heard Sundays on Christian Satellite Network, 91.1 FM, at 8 a.m., and on Sirius XM 131, Family Talk.

Lutherans for Life ~ For more information on Lutherans for Life, please see the table in the Fellowship Hall.

Thanks from Options Pregnancy Care Clinic ~ for supporting the clinic this past year with diapers, wipes, baby outfits, towels, and baby quilts. The clinic is grateful to be able to provide these free supplies and services to the babies, parents, and toddlers up to age 6. The tub beneath the mailboxes is available for donations, especially diapers. The Baby Bottle Fundraiser will be available soon; take a bottle home to fill with coins, dollars, or checks. Ruth Stelter

Read Through the Book of Concord in a Year! ~ A reading plan has been authored to read through the Formula of Concord and other related documents from the Lutheran Confessions. Please see the January 2025 Lutheran Witness, page 14, for further information. Copies of the Book of Concord are available to you to take home free of charge. Please see Walter Wareham for the details and a book.

Please Pray for ~

+ Those Needing God’s Help and Healing ~

+ Our Legislators ~ as they make decisions which will affect the lives of every person living in our state and many even beyond.

+ Our Families ~ as we are faced with challenges from the devil, our world, and our own flesh, for the wisdom of His Word and His protection and deliverance from the tests and trials which threaten to tear husband and wife and children and our marriages apart.

+ Those Enduring and Recovering from Fires in California ~ for God’s protection, mercy, and help for their families, lives, and souls as He wills.

+ Lives in Danger ~ for the blessings God can give, (perhaps through us?) to support their precious gift of human life.

+ Lutherans for Life ~ as with mercy and care, they help us speak out and stand up for life in every age and stage in His plan for His people.

And Praise God for ~

+ Laying on Our Hearts ~ a deep concern for lives in danger in our nation and around the world through each moment of each day.

+ Blessing Us with Tithes, and Offerings, and Gifts ~ for the mission and ministries we carry out together, that we may bless others in Jesus’ Name!

+ Lutherans for Life, Options Clinic, ~ and many other prolife organizations who by education and positive actions support and defend God’s precious gift of life.

+ Life Which Shines in the Darkness ~ pointing us and all others, through God’s Word and Sacraments, to Jesus, the Light of the World, our Savior!

Our Thanks to God ~ and to those who respond to God’s great love, in service to our Lord and to us this Sunday