First Lutheran Church Women

The First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Dec. 12 in Bethany Hall.

Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt.

Co-President Gen Montei welcomed everyone and led the reciting of the purpose statement.

Devotions were given by Marge LaFrance on different kinds of gifts and how the most important gift is the gift of self.

Marlene Behle introduced the program “Soft Songs of Christmas,” presented by Lang and company. Several songs were sung and played by Barb and Neil Lang and Glen and Pat Parsons. A touching “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote was presented by Glen Parsons and Joan Muschler.

Holt installed the 2013 officers, which are as follows:

Co-presidents: Neva Mathison and Bonnie Trampel; co-vice presidents: Marion Drescher and Sandy Naverud; secretary: Jinni Olson; corresponding secretary: Lois Jensen; treasurer: Virginia Hermanson; assistant treasurer: Montei; and intermediate past presidents: Montei and Elaine Peterson.

The secretary’s report was reviewed and upon motion by Trampel, seconded by Ione Kelly, was unanimously approved.

There were no committee reports.

Members were asked to contact either Kelly or Betty Ruud by Jan. 1 if they could help with prayer requests from member of the congregation, which is increasing every year. They would appreciate your participation.

Hymn No. 62 was sung while the offering was received.

Corresponding secretary Lois Jensen reported that the group had a newsletter from Global Health, a letter from Good Earth Village requesting a donation and a thank you note from the family of Larry Weberg as well as a thank you note from Pastor and Mrs. Holt for the poinsettia that was given at the Christmas luncheon for the staff at First Lutheran.

Montei thanked all those working on the Holidays Ahead event and asked that members contact Kelly at the January meeting if they wish to be a secret prayer partner in 2013.

Jan Overgaard asked to remind everyone of the Friends at First Christmas Luncheon that was planned for 11:30 a.m. Dec. 18.

Montei thanked the ushers: Donna Ludtke and Marge LaFrance as well as greeters: Helen Lovik, Marge Moine and Betty Ruud. Hostesses were chairwoman Hermanson and her committee of Drescher, Jensen, Joyce Johnson and Mildred Wing. Caring and Sharing co-chairwomen Carol Colstrup and Wanda Dorman, along with their committee, served two funerals in November.

The group sang a table prayer and said the Lord’s prayer before a luncheon.

 

F.R.O.G.

F.R.O.G., or Fully Rely on God, of Central Lutheran Church in rural Albert Lea sponsored a bus trip on Dec. 1.

The group went on a trip they called Christmas by the Lake to Clear Lake, Iowa. Fifty-two people participated.

Fifteen drawings for “Deal or No Deal” prizes were held on the bus prior to arriving in Clear Lake. Winners were Bruce Stolaas, Alice Feurhelm, Bob Hanson, Nancy Harris, James Olson, Yun Young, son Justin and daughter Jiyun, George Kastelli, Anita Wood, Betty Patterson, Harry Larkin, Dorothy Larkin, Dorothy Kirsch and Eunice Hanson. Becky Boelter said deal on getting her lost earring back.

A Christmas stocking was given to each person on the bus, including the bus driver, Marilyn Matson.

Prizes were an ice scraper from the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, food coupons from Dairy Queen in Waseca and Albert Lea, Arby’s coupons from Albert Lea and KFC coupons from Albert Lea.

There were many activities on Main Street in Clear Lake, followed by a lighted Christmas parade at 5 p.m. and then exciting fireworks from the lake shore. The parade and fireworks could be viewed from the bus.

The group went to KFC in Clear Lake for a buffet dinner. Many commented that the staff did a great job; filled containers were given to the group for the raffle on the bus, too. Judy Menssen led the group in singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the staff at KFC.

The evening concluded with many nasal sounds on the way back to Albert Lea by 9 p.m.

The next planned F.R.O.G. activity is a Valentine’s Day party with pizza, pop and an ice cream bar with Norwegian bingo on Feb. 9 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.

The Christmas by the Lake bus trip in 2013 is scheduled for Dec. 7.