A high school math teacher once asked his students, "Who is more reliable? Someone who lies all the time? Or someone who lies half the time?" Jesus raises a similar question in Matthew 21:23-32. Which son did the will of his father when asked to go and work in the vineyard? One son said he would go but then didn't. The other son said he wouldn't go, but then went anyway. Of course, the son who ended-up working was the one who did his father's will.

Even if we are sometimes reluctant, like the son in Jesus’ parable who initially says he will not go to the vineyard but eventually goes, we are motivated to carry out the work to which God has called us because of the baptismal grace we have received. At times we can feel overwhelmed because we are pulled in so many different directions in our busy lives. That's when we need to pause and collect ourselves and reflect on our baptism. For it is through our baptism that our marching orders and our mission guidelines are indelibly marked on our hearts by Jesus. The good news of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in Jesus Christ that is poured over us spills out in our lives, and we are called to be agents of restoration: to bind up the brokenhearted, to care for all people and all creation.

On Sunday the Faith Lutheran Choir will sing in church for the first time this Fall and we will welcome our new choir director, Kaitlyn Konrardy. In addition, Deacon Lidixe Montoya will join us and share about her work with the NW Synod's "Neighbor to Neighbor" ministry, which seeks to bridge relations between Anglo Lutherans and the Hispanic community in Eau Claire and beyond.

Faith Lutheran Church
Loved by God, Living for Others
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Following the "Livestreamed" and In-Person Worship Services, you can view the service at the following locations.
- Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page
- Faith Lutheran Church Website - SERVICES
- YouTube - Faith Lutheran Church - Click Here
- Faith Lutheran Church Marshfield App.
- Faith Lutheran Marshfield - Roku
- Spectrum Cable Channel 989. Our Service will appear during the following times:
-- Sundays at 12 Noon
-- Monday at 11:30 AM (this will be the TV debut for each Sunday service)
-- Fridays at 11:00 AM

UPCOMING MEETINGS/CLASSES
Sunday Worship | Sun., Sept. 27th at 9:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
FLAME Adult Education | Sun., Sept. 27th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
GLOW/RISE Education | Sun., Sept. 27th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Ruth Circle | Mon., Sept. 28th at 7:00 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Staff Mtg | Tues., Sept. 29th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Staff Mtg - Education | Tues., Sept. 29th at 11:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Choir Practice | Wed., Sept. 30th at 6:30 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Piece Corps | Thurs., Oct. 1st at 8:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Education & Family Ministries Mtg | Thurs., Oct. 1st at 6:30 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Scandalous Grace
Some of the stories that Jesus told to illustrate God’s grace can sound outrageous to us. Theologians and biblical scholars have wrestled with the parables of Jesus for centuries, trying to make them make sense. But perhaps the beauty of these strange illustrations is that they refuse to succumb to our need for logic or neat conclusions. They are wild, confusing, and often scandalous—much like God’s love for God’s people.
On Sun Sept 20, we heard Jesus' parable of the vineyard workers (Matthew 20:1-16) and, indeed, it is one such story that has the power to offend us. A landowner who keeps inviting new laborers to join the workforce, paying them the same amount for different amounts of work? To be sure, this is not a commentary on how to run a business or abide by fair labor practices. Instead, it is a reminder of the scandal of God’s grace.
The kingdom of God functions by its own rules: It is a table where there is always room for more people, and an endless supply of bread and wine. It is a font where all are welcome, where all are invited to splash in the waters of baptism and be named children of God. It is a sanctuary where we find the courage to confess our sins and receive God’s extravagant, scandalous forgiveness. It is a community where love and justice supersede force and greed. It is a safe place where the most vulnerable are the most cared for, and generosity abounds so that all have enough. And it is a kingdom where all are invited to participate. Much like how the landowner hired new laborers until the end of the day, it’s never too late to be welcomed by God’s mercy!
During our worship service on Sunday, we presented Bibles to 14 children of different ages, encouraging them to take a deep dive into God's Word.  In addition, Faith Fire Praise Band helped us lift our voices to God in song, especially as we sang together "This is Amazing Grace."  The words of Psalm 145 rang true as we reflected on God's unconditional love and care for all people: "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

Neighbor to Neighbor Ministry | September 27 | Lidixe Montoya

Come learn about Deacon Lidixe Montoya and the Northwest Synod’s Neighbor to Neighbor Ministry this Sunday, September 27, during worship and Adult Forum.

Trunk or Treat at Faith Lutheran Church!
Join us for a fun, family-friendly evening of Halloween fun! Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy creatively decorated trunks, candy and treats, games, activities, and plenty of smiles.

• Saturday, October 17, 2026
• 5:30–7:30 PM
• Faith Lutheran Church, 207 S Cherry Ave, Marshfield, WI
• FREE & OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Want to be part of making the evening a success? There are several ways you can help!
Decorate a Trunk
Bring your creativity and decorate your vehicle to hand out candy to our trick-or-treaters.
Donate Candy
Help us make sure we have plenty of treats for everyone! Candy donations are welcome.
Volunteer
Help with games, activities, setup, cleanup, or other areas throughout the evening.

Interested in decorating a trunk, donating candy, or volunteering? Reach out to Justin or Michelle to sign up or learn more!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come celebrate Halloween with us!

FLY Italian Spaghetti Dinner
Join us for a delicious evening of food, fun, fellowship, and entertainment hosted by FLY Youth Ministry!

• Saturday, November 7, 2026
• 5:00–7:00 PM
• Faith Lutheran Church

Dinner Pricing

• Adults (13+): $10
• Youth/Children (6–12): $7
• Children 5 & under: FREE
• Carry-out is available at the same pricing!

Your Meal Includes:

• Spaghetti with or without meatballs
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Beverage
• Dessert

Silent Auction & Raffle Baskets
While you're enjoying your meal, be sure to check out our silent auction featuring a variety of raffle baskets!
Would you like to help? If you or someone you know would be interested in donating a basket for the silent auction, please reach out to Justin. We'd love to include your donation!

Do You Have a Hidden Talent?
Do you have a hidden talent or a talent you'd love to share with everyone? We would love to have you be part of the entertainment for the evening!
Whether you sing, play an instrument, perform a special skill, tell jokes, or have something unique to share, we'd love to hear from you!

Interested in participating or have questions? Reach out to Justin for more information.

Come enjoy a great meal, support FLY Youth Ministry, check out the raffle baskets, and stay for an evening of fun and entertainment!

CYBER FRAUD WARNING & REMINDER
Please remember: Faith Lutheran Church will never ask you to purchase gift cards, send money, or provide gift card numbers or other financial information by email or text. We want to remind everyone to be cautious when receiving unexpected messages that appear to come from church staff or Pastor Heather. Before responding, check the sender’s email address carefully. Pastor Heather’s official email address is pastor@faithmarshfield.com. If a message seems suspicious, do not reply or click on links. Use your email provider’s “Report Phishing” feature instead. If you have responded to a fraudulent message or experienced financial loss, contact your bank or card provider immediately. You may also report the incident to local authorities and at ic3.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov. Please notify the church office as well so we can assist and monitor for additional scams. When in doubt, stop and verify before you act.

Worship Songs for this Upcoming Sunday

What a great first night of FLY Youth Nights! Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us get things started. Every ministry has to start somewhere, and we did just that! Now we can continue building on it and make our Youth Nights something our students look forward to each month.

We started the night with Light Up Pickleball in the Fellowship Hall, followed by some pool in the Youth Room, supper, a movie, and plenty of conversation. We also spent some time talking about our next mission trip and upcoming FLY events.

We're excited to keep building relationships, having fun, serving others, and growing together!

FOLLOW JESUS • BUILD FRIENDSHIPS • MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We're just getting started, and there is a lot ahead!

From Youth Nights and fun events to service opportunities, fundraisers, and our next mission trip, we're excited to continue building FLY into a place where students can follow Jesus, build friendships, and make a difference together.

Thank you to our students, families, and adult volunteers for being part of FLY. Let's keep building on this great start!

Please take a few minutes to read through this week's update and make sure you and/or your student responds to any attendance requests or sign-ups.

FLY Italian Spaghetti Dinner
Join us for a delicious evening of food, fun, fellowship, and entertainment hosted by FLY Youth Ministry!

• Saturday, November 7, 2026
• 5:00–7:00 PM
• Faith Lutheran Church

Dinner Pricing

• Adults (13+): $10
• Youth/Children (6–12): $7
• Children 5 & under: FREE
• Carry-out is available at the same pricing!

Your Meal Includes:

• Spaghetti with or without meatballs
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Beverage
• Dessert

Silent Auction & Raffle Baskets
While you're enjoying your meal, be sure to check out our silent auction featuring a variety of raffle baskets!
Would you like to help? If you or someone you know would be interested in donating a basket for the silent auction, please reach out to Justin. We'd love to include your donation!

Do You Have a Hidden Talent?
Do you have a hidden talent or a talent you'd love to share with everyone? We would love to have you be part of the entertainment for the evening!
Whether you sing, play an instrument, perform a special skill, tell jokes, or have something unique to share, we'd love to hear from you!

Interested in participating or have questions? Reach out to Justin for more information.

Come enjoy a great meal, support FLY Youth Ministry, check out the raffle baskets, and stay for an evening of fun and entertainment! 

A GREAT START TO OUR NEW EDUCATION YEAR!

What a wonderful start to our new GLOW and RISE education year! We started with “Ignite the Light Sunday,” followed by our Bible Presentation Sunday and then a special Fire Department Tour. We started strong, and it is all thanks to our students, families, teachers, and volunteers who helped make these first couple of Sundays together so special.

We are especially excited to celebrate the 16 students who received their Bibles during worship this past Sunday. Congratulations to:
Pre-K: Colten, Keegan, Thomas
3rd Grade: Tobias, Logan, Sawyer, Claire, Paxton, Sophia, Leo
6th Grade: Eve, Charlotte, Madeline, Hunter, Breeleigh, Ronald
We pray that these Bibles will be a meaningful part of each student's faith journey as they continue to learn God's Word and grow in faith.

A special thank-you as well to the parents, teachers, and volunteers who helped with our Marshfield Fire Department tour. We appreciate everyone who helped make this opportunity possible for our students. It was a great chance to learn more about our local firefighters, the important work they do, and how they serve our community.

LOOKING AHEAD
We are already moving into a busy and exciting part of our education year! There is a lot happening at Faith Lutheran Church in the weeks ahead, including:

• Trunk or Treat — October 17
• GLOW Night — October 31
• RISE Nights — Working on scheduling
• Confirmation Classes — Wednesdays
• Christmas Program Practices — Beginning October 4
• Special worship and family events
• And much more!

Be sure to keep an eye on the Education calendar and watch for updates throughout the year. We are looking forward to all the opportunities ahead to learn together, grow in faith, build friendships, and share God's love.

If you ever have questions about GLOW, RISE, upcoming events, or anything happening with Education & Family Ministries, please don't hesitate to reach out.

We can't wait to see everyone this Sunday!

Learn Together • Grow in Faith • Share God’s Love

Thank you for your continued support of our Education & Family Ministries! We are grateful for the many ways you encourage and support our children, youth, teachers, and families.

If you would like to help with an upcoming event or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please ask, please communicate, and please let me know how we can better serve your family!

For our worship service on Sunday, September 20, we will offer praise and thanks to God because he is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In our Gospel reading (Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus tells a parable about God’s generosity, challenging the notion that God rewards people according to what they have earned or deserve. Jesus says that God is like a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. Some bystanders who heard this parable probably thought that the workers weren't treated fairly. Yet we can be thankful that while paying the workers equally may seem unfair by worldly standards, it shows how God's grace is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, "We are all beggars before the cross." Indeed, in the presence of God’s mercy we stand in need before him.

Faith Fire Praise Band is back on Sunday and will lead us in singing a number of beautiful songs including "This is Amazing Grace." We will also present Bibles to sixteen children of different ages so that they can delve into God's Word and grow in faith.

Faith Lutheran Church
Loved by God, Living for Others
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Following the "Livestreamed" and In-Person Worship Services, you can view the service at the following locations.
- Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page
- Faith Lutheran Church Website - SERVICES
- YouTube - Faith Lutheran Church - Click Here
- Faith Lutheran Church Marshfield App.
- Faith Lutheran Marshfield - Roku
- Spectrum Cable Channel 989. Our Service will appear during the following times:
-- Sundays at 12 Noon
-- Monday at 11:30 AM (this will be the TV debut for each Sunday service)
-- Fridays at 11:00 AM

UPCOMING MEETINGS/CLASSES
Sunday Worship | Sun., Sept. 20th at 9:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
FLAME Adult Education | Sun., Sept. 20th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Fair Trade Sale | Sun., Sept. 20th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
GLOW/RISE Education | Sun., Sept. 20th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Staff Mtg | Tues., Sept. 22nd at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Staff Mtg - Education | Tues., Sept. 22nd at 11:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Book Club | Tues., Sept. 22nd at 1:00 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
RISE Confirmation Class | Wed., Sept. 23rd at 5:45 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Choir Practice | Wed., Sept. 23rd at 6:30 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Piece Corps | Thurs., Sept. 24th at 8:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

IGNITE THE LIGHT SUNDAY began with the congregation singing "Lift High the Cross" as the processional cross was carried down the aisle.  We welcomed back Puppets of Faith as Kenny and Mr. Goodman introduced the theme of forgiveness from our Gospel reading (Matt 18:21-35).  When Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his neighbor, Jesus tells Peter to forgive his neighbor 77 times (or 70x7 times).  This number suggests that we are to forgive those who offend us endlessly — there is no set number of times we should forgive others.  Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant indicates that because God has forgiven us, we should extend that same grace and mercy to those who offend us. Our worship service concluded with children playing instruments to the song "We are Marching in the Light of God."  Following the worship service, the children gathered outdoors to light sparklers and Faith Lutheran Youth (FLY) served a delicious meal outdoors of pulled pork/chicken.  Kids and adults alike enjoyed the Bounce House and everyone appreciated the opportunity to use the new green space.

CYBER FRAUD WARNING & REMINDER
Please remember: Faith Lutheran Church will never ask you to purchase gift cards, send money, or provide gift card numbers or other financial information by email or text. We want to remind everyone to be cautious when receiving unexpected messages that appear to come from church staff or Pastor Heather. Before responding, check the sender’s email address carefully. Pastor Heather’s official email address is pastor@faithmarshfield.com. If a message seems suspicious, do not reply or click on links. Use your email provider’s “Report Phishing” feature instead. If you have responded to a fraudulent message or experienced financial loss, contact your bank or card provider immediately. You may also report the incident to local authorities and at ic3.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov. Please notify the church office as well so we can assist and monitor for additional scams. When in doubt, stop and verify before you act.

Worship Songs for this Upcoming Sunday
Praise Band coming up this Sunday - Preview songs below.
PRELUDE: All Because of Mercy
https://youtu.be/AVcR4LanaoM?si=CUKJPEu-cnc43wvM
WELCOME: Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens -
https://youtu.be/DmAOBosGlHY?si=0bPuBBljlJlEFVnI
GOSPEL ACC: Sanctuary 
https://youtu.be/lCIwvd8cTQ0?si=ji7566Vt3X3SwcFS
PRAISE:  This is Amazing Grace 
https://youtu.be/XFRjr_x-yxU?si=aUwKa-5bsHPlVqlh
OFFERTORY: What a Friend We Have in Jesus 
COMMUNION: New Wine
https://youtu.be/1ozGKlOzEVc?si=_Q_0kGHWNCsBli3D
SENDING: My Life is in You, Lord - 
https://youtu.be/pp1h1f9gK-Y?si=u4yjF6hIMJsh6VEK

What a great way to kick off another year of FLY! Thank you to all of our students, families, and adult volunteers who helped make our Sizzlin’ Sunday BBQ such a success. It was a great day of serving together, having fun, and supporting FLY — and we couldn't have done it without all your help!

Now that we've kicked off the year, we're already looking ahead to what's next. Youth Night is this Wednesday, our Kiwanis K.E.E.P. service opportunity is coming up, and we have another great opportunity to serve together with our Quilt Loading & Fall Cleanup Day in October.

THANK YOU, FLY!
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped with Sizzlin’ Sunday!

Whether you helped prepare food, serve meals, work the games, set up, clean up, or simply showed up and supported the event, you helped make the day a success. It was a great kickoff to the year ahead, and we're excited to see where this year takes us!

We also want to give a big thank you to our sixth-grade students who helped with the BBQ as part of their service work. We appreciate you stepping up, helping out, and being part of making the day a success!

FOLLOW JESUS • BUILD FRIENDSHIPS • MAKE A DIFFERENCE

FLY is about more than just getting together. It's about following Jesus, building friendships, serving our church and community, and making a difference together.

Thank you for helping us get this year off to such a great start. We have a lot ahead, and we're excited to continue growing, serving, and having fun together!

Be sure to check the FLY calendar, watch for messages and sign-ups, and get involved whenever you can!

Please take a few minutes to read through this week's update and make sure your and/or your student responds to any attendance requests or sign-ups.

Check Out the FLY Mission Trip Wall!

Have you been part of a FLY Mission Trip — or know someone who has?

Come check out the FLY Mission Trip Wall located just outside my office! You’ll find photos and memories from 2015–2025, highlighting the people, places, service, and experiences that have been part of FLY Mission Trips over the years.

Were you part of one of these trips? Stop by, take a look, and share a story or two! We’d love to hear your favorite memories and continue adding to the story of FLY.

And we’re not done yet!

More updates are coming soon to the FLY Room and the Mission Trip Wall downstairs!

Come see where we’ve been — and get excited about where we’re going next!

WHAT A GREAT START!
A huge thank-you to all of our GLOW and RISE students, families, and teachers who joined us last Sunday as we officially kicked off our new education year! It was wonderful to see everyone back together and to begin another year of learning, growing, building friendships, and growing in faith.

We had a great time celebrating with our Ignite the Light kickoff! After gathering in our classrooms, we came together as one GLOW/RISE community and enjoyed lighting our sparklers together. It was a fun and memorable way to start the year—and a great reminder that we are called to let God's light shine through us!

Thank you to everyone who helped make our first Sunday such a great beginning. We are excited for all that this new year has in store!

BIBLE PRESENTATION THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday during worship, we will celebrate a special milestone for some of our GLOW and RISE students during our Bible Presentation.

Our Pre-K, 3rd Grade, and 6th Grade students will be receiving their own Bibles as they continue their faith journey and grow in their understanding of God's Word.

Students who are receiving a Bible should have received an email invitation with additional information about participating in the service. Everyone is welcome to join us for this special worship service as we celebrate these students and this important step in their faith journey!

THIS SUNDAY: MARSHFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT TOUR
This Sunday, our GLOW and RISE students will have a special opportunity to take a tour of the Marshfield Fire Department!

Students should come dressed appropriately for the tour and for being around the fire station and equipment. We will leave as soon as attendance is completed, so please make sure students are ready to go when class begins.

We expect to return to church at approximately 11:30 AM for pickup.

FIELD TRIP REMINDER: In order for your student to participate in the Fire Department tour, a parent/guardian must be present with them OR a completed permission slip must be signed and returned. Students without a parent/guardian present or a signed permission slip will not be able to participate in the tour.
 
We are looking forward to this fun opportunity to learn more about our local firefighters, the important work they do in our community, and how they help keep others safe!

We can't wait to see everyone Sunday!
Learn Together • Grow in Faith • Share God’s Love

Thank you for your continued support of our Education & Family Ministries! We are grateful for the many ways you encourage and support our children, youth, teachers, and families.

If you would like to help with an upcoming event or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please ask, please communicate, and please let me know how we can better serve your family!

Hello Faith Family!
Get ready for our Fall Kick-off on Sept 13, when we will celebrate IGNITE THE LIGHT Sunday!  Our worship service will include Puppets of Faith, with Kenny and Mr Goodman helping us understand the importance of forgiveness.  Indeed, Christians are called to forgive others, especially since God has first forgiven us through his son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:21-35).  The theme of forgiveness is also found in our scripture reading from Genesis 50:15-21, when Joseph forgives his brothers for selling him into slavery.  Joseph realizes that though his brothers intended to harm him, God was working behind the scenes to do good and save peoples' lives in a time of famine.
Our worship service will begin and end with music to celebrate IGNITE THE LIGHT Sunday.  For our Gathering Song, Lift High the Cross, an acolyte will carry our processional cross up the aisle and place it behind the altar.  And for our Sending Song, We Are Marching in the Light of God, children will be invited to play instruments as they march around the sanctuary.  Following our worship service, we will enjoy a meal of pulled pork and chicken, prepared by Faith Lutheran Youth.All are welcome!

Faith Lutheran Church
Loved by God, Living for Others
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Following the "Livestreamed" and In-Person Worship Services, you can view the service at the following locations.
- Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page
- Faith Lutheran Church Website - SERVICES
- YouTube - Faith Lutheran Church - Click Here
- Faith Lutheran Church Marshfield App.
- Faith Lutheran Marshfield - Roku
- Spectrum Cable Channel 989. Our Service will appear during the following times:
-- Sundays at 12 Noon
-- Monday at 11:30 AM (this will be the TV debut for each Sunday service)
-- Fridays at 11:00 AM

UPCOMING MEETINGS/CLASSES
Sizzlin' Sunday BBQ | Sun., Sept. 13th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Ignite the Light Sunday | Sun., Sept. 13th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
FLAME Adult Education | Sun., Sept. 13th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Worship & Music Team Mtg | Sun., Sept. 13th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Staff Mtg | Tues., Sept. 15th at 10:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Staff Mtg - Education | Tues., Sept. 15th at 11:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Immigrant Advocacy Group Mtg | Tues., Sept. 15th at 5:30 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Miriam Circle | Wed., Sept. 16th at 9:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
FLY Youth Night | Wed., Sept. 16th at 6:00 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Choir Practice | Wed., Sept. 16th at 6:30 PM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Piece Corps | Thurs., Sept. 17th at 8:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Elizabeth Circle | Fri., Sept. 18th at 9:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Faith Fire Band Practice | Sat., Sept. 19th at 9:00 AM CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

On Sunday, September 6th we welcomed Dr Roger Keller as our guest preacher and worship leader. Roger spoke about the Trinity — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Triune God is joined together in a circle of unconditional love. That is also the love we see as Jesus lays down his life on the cross. He loves every human being in the whole world. Nobody earns God's love or even deserves God's love. But it is a love that is freely given by God.

No one is better than anyone else. When we show love for one another, we recognize that another person's welfare transcends our own. We say, "I am going to give myself to you so that you may become more whole." And in the process, God transforms both of us together. Indeed, in Romans 13:8, Paul writes, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

Welcome to this week’s FLY Weekly Update! We have a lot happening, so please take a few minutes to read through this week's information and make sure you have responded to any messages, forms, or sign-ups that apply to your student.

This week, we especially want to highlight our upcoming Sizzlin’ Sunday BBQ and make sure everyone knows how to preorder meals and how students can get involved.

SIZZLIN’ SUNDAY BBQ | SEPTEMBER 13
Our Sizzlin’ Sunday BBQ is coming up on Sunday, September 13, and we are excited to make this a great kickoff to another year of education and youth ministry at Faith Lutheran Church!

The BBQ will be held outdoors from 10:30 AM–2:00 PM and is a fundraiser for Faith Lutheran Youth Ministry. Proceeds help support FLY activities and events throughout the year, as well as help make future opportunities like our Youth Mission Trip possible.

PREORDER YOUR MEALS
We are encouraging everyone to preorder their meals so we can prepare enough food for everyone.
You can preorder in three easy ways:

• Use the Sizzlin’ Sunday BBQ event in the calendar and purchase your meals through the event link.
• Visit the Faith Lutheran calendar and find the Sizzlin’ Sunday BBQ event.
• Email your order to: youth@faithmarshfield.com

If you're ordering by email, please include your name, number of adult meals, number of children's meals, and any other information we need for your order.
Preordering helps us know how much food to prepare and makes the day run much more smoothly!

FLY — WE NEED YOUR HELP!
This is also a great opportunity for our FLY students to serve, have fun, and be part of making the event happen.

Students who help with the BBQ can also earn toward our FLY Serve & Earn Fund. This is a great way to build up funds that can be used toward future youth opportunities.

If your student is able to help, please make sure they respond to the sign-up/request that has been sent out.

We need students and adults willing to help with things like setup, serving, food preparation, cleanup, and other jobs throughout the day.

This isn't just a fundraiser — it's an opportunity for our youth to serve together and make a difference!

IMPORTANT: PLEASE RESPOND!
We have several things happening right now, and we need families and students to respond to the messages, forms, and sign-ups that have been sent out.
Please take a few minutes to check your email, messages, and the FLY information available through the app and make sure you haven't missed anything.
Your responses help us plan appropriately, communicate with families, and make sure students have opportunities to participate.
If you haven't responded yet, please take care of those items as soon as possible.

FOLLOW JESUS • BUILD FRIENDSHIPS • MAKE A DIFFERENCE

FLY is about more than just gathering together. It's about following Jesus, building friendships, serving our church and community, and making a difference together.
We are excited about everything ahead this year, and we want every FLY student to find a place to belong, serve, and grow.

Don't miss out — check the calendar, respond to the requests that have been sent, and get involved!

Check Out the FLY Mission Trip Wall!

Have you been part of a FLY Mission Trip — or know someone who has?

Come check out the FLY Mission Trip Wall located just outside my office! You’ll find photos and memories from 2015–2025, highlighting the people, places, service, and experiences that have been part of FLY Mission Trips over the years.

Were you part of one of these trips? Stop by, take a look, and share a story or two! We’d love to hear your favorite memories and continue adding to the story of FLY.

And we’re not done yet!

More updates are coming soon to the FLY Room and the Mission Trip Wall downstairs!

Come see where we’ve been — and get excited about where we’re going next!

GLOW/RISE WEEKLY UPDATE
Welcome back to a new year of GLOW and RISE! We are so excited to officially begin another year of learning, growing, building friendships, and growing in faith together at Faith Lutheran Church!

We hope you and your family have had a great start to the school year. As we begin this new education year, we are looking forward to all that God has in store for our students, families, teachers, and our entire church community.

WELCOME BACK!
This Sunday, we will officially welcome our GLOW and RISE students back to the education year during worship!

We are excited to have our students and families back and to celebrate the beginning of another year together. This is more than simply the start of another education year—it is the beginning of another opportunity to learn about God, grow in faith, build friendships, and discover how we can share God's love with others.

IGNITING THE LIGHT
Following worship, we will kick off our education year with a special Ignite the Light celebration!

Students and teachers will first meet in their classrooms. From there, each class will come together and make their way to the front of the church (outside). We will then gather together as one GLOW/RISE community and light sparklers to symbolize the beginning of our new year!

The light reminds us that God's love shines through each of us, and we are excited to begin this year by letting that light shine brightly.

We can't wait to see all of our students and teachers gathered together!

SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
We have a lot to look forward to this year! From weekly classes and special activities to service opportunities, friendships, celebrations, and opportunities to grow in our faith, we are excited about everything ahead.

Most importantly, we want GLOW and RISE to be a place where every student knows that they are welcomed, valued, loved, and part of our church family.

Thank you to all of our families and teachers who help make this ministry possible. We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside your children as they learn, grow, and discover what it means to live out their faith.

The new year is here—and we can't wait to get started!

✨ LET'S IGNITE THE LIGHT! ✨
Learn Together • Grow in Faith • Share God’s Love

Thank you for your continued support of our Education & Family Ministries! We are grateful for the many ways you encourage and support our children, youth, teachers, and families.

If you would like to help with an upcoming event or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please ask, please communicate, and please let me know how we can better serve your family!

On Sun Aug 30, we were thrilled to hold our worship service outdoors, especially after it had rained all day on Saturday.  We welcomed our local Ukelele Group, a talented bunch of musicians!  They led us in singing Gospel favorites like "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love," and "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me."  Our worship service also included a special prayer of blessing for our Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library after both were repaired and reinforced by Mike Smith (father of Dave Smith).
In our Gospel reading (Matthew 16:21-28),  we heard Jesus say to his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?"
Through the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, we are empowered to deny ourselves and, like Jesus did, go into places where it may be difficult to walk.  Right now we have members who are concerned about advocating for migrants.  They have joined with others from our community who are trying to find ways to come alongside immigrants and make sure their rights are protected.  And just last weekend, our church had a booth at Marshfield PRIDE Day, showing support to those who are marginalized based on gender.  We have other members who are taking up their cross to spread the love of Jesus in many other important ways through programs like Habitat for Humanity, Soup or Socks, the School Backpack Program, etc.  It might be easier to use our feet and go somewhere else where things are easier.  But with God, we are able to bear all that we might face.  Someone once put it this way:  “When we say, "But Lord, I cannot,”  God says, “I’m glad to hear you say that.  Through you, I CAN.’”

Faith Lutheran Church
Loved by God, Living for Others
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Following the "Livestreamed" and In-Person Worship Services, you can view the service at the following locations.
- Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page - CLICK HERE
- Faith Lutheran Church Website - SERVICES
- YouTube - Faith Lutheran Church - CLICK HERE
- Faith Lutheran Church Marshfield App.
- Faith Lutheran Marshfield - Roku
- Spectrum Cable Channel 989. Our Service will appear during the following times:
-- Sundays at 12 Noon
-- Monday at 11:30 AM (this will be the TV debut for each Sunday service)
-- Fridays at 11:00 AM

Type your new text here.

On Sun Aug 30, we were thrilled to hold our worship service outdoors, especially after it had rained all day on Saturday.  We welcomed our local Ukelele Group, a talented bunch of musicians!  They led us in singing Gospel favorites like "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love," and "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me."  Our worship service also included a special prayer of blessing for our Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library after both were repaired and reinforced by Mike Smith (father of Dave Smith).
In our Gospel reading (Matthew 16:21-28),  we heard Jesus say to his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?"
Through the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, we are empowered to deny ourselves and, like Jesus did, go into places where it may be difficult to walk.  Right now we have members who are concerned about advocating for migrants.  They have joined with others from our community who are trying to find ways to come alongside immigrants and make sure their rights are protected.  And just last weekend, our church had a booth at Marshfield PRIDE Day, showing support to those who are marginalized based on gender.  We have other members who are taking up their cross to spread the love of Jesus in many other important ways through programs like Habitat for Humanity, Soup or Socks, the School Backpack Program, etc.  It might be easier to use our feet and go somewhere else where things are easier.  But with God, we are able to bear all that we might face.  Someone once put it this way:  “When we say, "But Lord, I cannot,”  God says, “I’m glad to hear you say that.  Through you, I CAN.’”

Welcome to the newly created FLY Weekly Update — your go-to place for everything happening in FLY!

Here you’ll find what’s coming up, what’s new, important reminders, and all the updates you would normally receive through email. Now, instead of searching through emails or messages, you’ll have one place to find the latest information about FLY.

Check back regularly for upcoming events, announcements, youth opportunities, mission trip information, fundraisers, and more.

Follow Jesus • Build Friendships • Make a Difference

Check Out the FLY Mission Trip Wall!

Have you been part of a FLY Mission Trip — or know someone who has?

Come check out the FLY Mission Trip Wall located just outside my office! You’ll find photos and memories from 2015–2025, highlighting the people, places, service, and experiences that have been part of FLY Mission Trips over the years.

Were you part of one of these trips? Stop by, take a look, and share a story or two! We’d love to hear your favorite memories and continue adding to the story of FLY.

And we’re not done yet!

More updates are coming soon to the FLY Room and the Mission Trip Wall downstairs!

Come see where we’ve been — and get excited about where we’re going next!

Welcome to this week’s GLOW/RISE Weekly Update! We're excited to be getting closer to the start of another great year of learning, growing, and building faith together at Faith Lutheran!

As we begin a new school year, we’re praying for all our GLOW and RISE students, families, teachers, and school communities. We hope everyone is off to a great start and that this new year is filled with new friendships, exciting opportunities, and plenty of reasons to grow in faith.

Have You Registered?
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to register your child for GLOW/RISE for the upcoming education year. Registration helps us make sure we have the information we need to plan classes, communicate with families, and prepare for a great year.
Not registered yet? Be sure to get signed up!

We Want to Hear From You!
This GLOW/RISE Weekly Update is new, and we want it to be genuinely helpful for our families.

What would you like to see here?
Is there information that would make it easier for your family to stay connected? Do you have ideas for things we could add, change, or improve?

We’d love to hear your feedback! Your ideas can help us make this page better for everyone.

Looking Ahead
We’re getting excited to officially kick off our GLOW/RISE education year! We can’t wait to see our students back, reconnect with families, meet new faces, and begin another year of learning about God, building friendships, and growing together.

Be sure to check back here each week for upcoming events, important reminders, class information, announcements, family updates, service opportunities, and more.

Here’s to a great new school year and an exciting year of GLOW/RISE!

Learn Together • Grow in Faith • Share God’s Love

Thank you for your continued support of our Education & Family Ministries! We are grateful for the many ways you encourage and support our children, youth, teachers, and families.

If you would like to help with an upcoming event or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please ask, please communicate, and please let me know how we can better serve your family!

Dear Faith Family,

Join us this Sunday, August 30, for Outdoor Worship (weather permitting - BYOC) as we gather together for Pentecost 14! Our Ukulele Group will help lead us in worship as we sing, pray, hear God’s Word, share Communion, and enjoy being together in God’s beautiful creation.
This Sunday’s readings invite us to reflect on God’s call, genuine love, and what it means to follow Jesus:

• First Reading: Exodus 3:1–15 — God calls Moses from the burning bush and promises, “I will be with you.”
• Psalm 105:1–6, 23, 26, 45b
• Second Reading: Romans 12:9–21 — Paul encourages us to let love be genuine and to overcome evil with good.
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 16:21–28 — Jesus calls his disciples to take up their cross and follow him.

We will lift our voices together in familiar songs, including Kum Bah Yah, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love, Shall We Gather at the River, Bind Us Together, and I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me.
We hope you will join us for this meaningful time of worship, fellowship, and praise as we gather in faith and share the Good News!

Faith Lutheran Church
Loved by God, Living for Others
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Following the "Livestreamed" and In-Person Worship Services, you can view the service at the following locations.
- Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page
- Faith Lutheran Church Website - SERVICES
- YouTube - Faith Lutheran Church - Click Here
- Faith Lutheran Church Marshfield App.
- Faith Lutheran Marshfield - Roku
- Spectrum Cable Channel 989. Our Service will appear during the following times:
-- Sundays at 12 Noon
-- Monday at 11:30 AM (this will be the TV debut for each Sunday service)
-- Fridays at 11:00 AM

Type your new text here.

FLC Weekly Reflection & E-News | 2026.08.26

This Week’s Reflection
On Sun Aug 23, we held a School Backpack Blessing to kick-off the new school year.  Students of all ages were invited to put their backpacks by the altar at the beginning of the worship service.  Following the Prayer of the Day, all schoolteachers and school personnel (past and present) were asked to stand and be recognized.  Next, students came forward to share in the following prayer before they returned to their seats with their backpacks --

Gracious God, bless our students, teachers, and school staff
as they begin a new year.  Give students curiosity, patience, and a desire to learn.
Give teachers wisdom, joy, and strength. Help us all to grow in knowledge, kindness, and faith, and remind us that you are with us wherever we go.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray.  Amen.
 In our Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21) for Sun Aug 23, we read what happened when Jesus heard about John the Baptizer’s death.  He wanted to be alone, to withdraw “to a deserted place” (v. 13). But both the crowds and the disciples followed him, and it seemed everyone wanted something from him. Jesus’ response was compassionate, and he met their needs, healing those who were sick. Then evening fell, and the disciples came to him with a request: “You’ve healed everyone. Now send them home. They can buy food in the villages for themselves.”
Jesus took the meager food he was given — five loaves and two fish -- and multiplied it so everyone had something to eat, and there were twelve baskets left over.  In a deserted, barren place, Jesus's miracle brought an abundance of food where there was none.  He showed compassion, mercy and love for those who were hungry, as he still does today.
Have you experienced a "wilderness, desert" time in your life?  I know I have.  And there are many times when God has entered into the midst of the barrenness by sending his abundant grace and compassion.  He has done this through the care and concern of others, filling even the darkest moments with his light and love.  Jesus fed over 5000 people with just five loaves and two fish at a time when the disciples believed that food was scarce. This is the true message of Matthew 14:13-21: Even in the bleakest of times God gives us what we need, we share what we have with others, and in the end, we are given more than we could ever imagine.
Pastor Heather Brown

Welcome to the newly created FLY Weekly Update — your go-to place for everything happening in FLY!

Here you’ll find what’s coming up, what’s new, important reminders, and all the updates you would normally receive through email. Now, instead of searching through emails or messages, you’ll have one place to find the latest information about FLY.

Check back regularly for upcoming events, announcements, youth opportunities, mission trip information, fundraisers, and more.

Follow Jesus • Build Friendships • Make a Difference

Welcome to the GLOW/RISE Weekly Update — your place to stay connected with everything happening in our GLOW and RISE ministries!

Here you’ll find upcoming events, important reminders, announcements, class information, family updates, and opportunities to get involved. Everything you would normally receive through emails or other messages can now be found right here in one convenient place.

Be sure to check back regularly for the latest information, upcoming activities, special events, service opportunities, and other ways for our kids and families to learn, grow, and connect together.

Learn Together • Grow in Faith • Share God’s Love

Thank you for your continued support of our Education & Family Ministries! We are grateful for the many ways you encourage and support our children, youth, teachers, and families.

If you would like to help with an upcoming event or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please ask, please communicate, and please let me know how we can better serve your family!

Dear People of God,

On Wed Sept 24, I was teaching our confirmation students about the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.   As we talked about how the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper become the body and blood of Christ, I asked the students how they preferred to receive Holy Communion.  Do they like to “intinct” by dipping the wafer in the chalice?  Or do they like to eat the wafer and then drink wine from an individual communion cup? One student said he prefers intinction because when you dip the wafer in the wine, you are receiving the body and blood of Christ all at the same time, not separately.  For this student, the wafer dipped in the wine becomes Christ’s complete body united with his blood.  I had never thought about it this way and was quite amazed by the wisdom and insight of this young person!
 
As I left the church later that evening, I was reminded that as Christians, God always has new things to teach us about our faith.  It’s never too late to grow in our understanding of the sacraments or deepen our understanding of the scriptures – even if we have studied those same things many times before.

In our confirmation class, we also talked about how the word for “sacrament” in the Latin language is “mysterium.”  As human beings, we all have questions about our faith and, at times, God can even seem like a mystery to us.  But when we experience God’s love and grace made real to us in the waters of Baptism and the bread and wine of Holy Communion, we can be confident that we are his beloved children.  In Baptism we are marked with the cross of Christ forever and God promises that he will never leave us or forsake us. And, as Martin Luther assures us in the Small Catechism, let us proclaim together, “This is most certainly true!”  

Peace,
Pastor Heather

FEBRUARY 2025
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)

Dear Friends in Christ,

In these past weeks I have been dismayed by the violent conflicts taking place around the world.  It seems that images of war and bloodshed from the Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, the Sudan, the Congo and elsewhere loom large in the media.  And here in the USA, I am weary of the gun violence that plagues our communities.  I long for destruction and heartache to end so that children, families, and all others can feel safe and free from fear.

In 1995, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America released a social statement called “For Peace in God’s World.”  In recent years, people have taken a renewed interest in this document and the wisdom it offers as to how Christians can work toward global peace.
In the social statement,
“For Peace in God’s World,” it reads: We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share with the Church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers. In the liturgy of Holy Communion we pray ‘for the peace of the whole world,’ asking, ‘Lord, have mercy.’ Our petition unites faith in the Triune God with our world’s sufferings and hopes… The basis of the Church’s peace-calling is in God’s final peace, the peace of God’s eternal reign. That calling is to proclaim the Gospel of God’s final peace and to work for earthly peace.
 
Indeed, throughout the Scriptures we see that God’s ultimate desire is that peace prevail on the earth.  This is the example Jesus Christ has given us:
◆ Jesus taught love for one’s enemies;
◆ he reached out to those who were oppressed, downtrodden, and rejected;
◆ he prayed for his enemies while himself being rejected on the cross;
◆ above all, through Jesus’ violent death, God redeemed the world, “for...while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10).
How can we as Christians promote the peace of Christ in our world?  The social statement spells it out quite clearly:  Where the Church lives in unity, overcoming divisions and welcoming the stranger and outcast, the Church contributes to earthly peace.  Where the followers of Jesus refuse to repay evil with evil but turn the other cheek and go the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42), where in their life together Christians’ creative, nonviolent responses to hostile acts open up possibilities for reconciliation, the Church contributes to earthly peace.

Where churches in different countries work in solidarity for human dignity, the Church contributes to earthly peace. Peace in the community of faith serves by example the ministry and message of reconciliation entrusted to the Church for the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
 
May we all heed the words of Jesus’s Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12):  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  And as Edwin Markham so wisely stated, “We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; now let us commit it to life.”
 
Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be expressions of your love in the world, both as individual members of your body and as your whole body, the Church. Empower us to support one another as we seek to build peace.  Amen.

In Christ,
Pastor Heather