GET SOCIAL

enews signup

* indicates required
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Together, in our diversity, we seek to embrace the love of God and welcome ALL people in Christ Jesus.  
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE, Dec 9―Sign up today!
The Outreach Committee is partnering with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive on Friday, Dec. 9, Noon-5:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. There is a critical shortage of blood in the US currently, and donations are low during the holidays. We need a minimum of 20-25 donors for a successful drive. If you are interested, please email Lauren Kim at laurenhhkim@gmail.com or sign up through the Red Cross Click here to make an appointment  Thank you!
​
Sunday, Dec. 11: Children’s Christmas Program & Santa Lucia
On Sunday, December 11, the children of First Immanuel will help us hear how the Christmas story is surprising good news. God has come to us in the birth of a baby! Join us in worship at 11 AM to celebrate God’s gift of grace and peace. At the close of worship we will celebrate the Crowning of Saint Lucia, who reminds us how faith shines to bring hope in this dark season.

Sunday, Dec. 18―Christmas Cantatas with Choir and String Quartet
The choir will present two fascinating Christmas works at our worship service on the 4th Sunday of Advent, Dec. 18. The choir, joined by a string quartet and Karl Jurisons on the organ, will present a short cantata by Dietrich Buxtehude, “Das neugeborne Kindelein” (“The Newborn Infant Child”), and also Gustav Holst’s "Christmas Day." Join us for this joyful music anticipating Christ’s birth.

Christmas Eve Worship, 7 PM on Dec. 24, with Carols, Candlelight &
Holy Communion
We invite you and your friends to worship on Christmas Eve, when we’ll gather at 7 PM for one festive service. In the sanctuary: All are welcome, with masks required. There is room for everyone! At home by Zoom: Join using the regular Zoom worship procedures: click this link or enter Meeting ID: 733 824 909, Password: 891242.

Christmas Day Worship Services, Sunday Dec. 25
7 AM Swedish Julotta service
11 AM Service of Lessons, Carols & Communion
Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, with two special services. Join us at 7 AM for the traditional Swedish Julotta worship which greets the Christmas dawn. This unique and lovely service reflects our congregation’s heritage and is conducted in Swedish and English, with special guests the Portland Lucia Court and Portland Nordic Chorus. Join us at 11 AM for a Christmas service of Lessons, Carols and Communion as we welcome our newborn Savior.

Forum Sundays 9:30 AM―The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Feeling the pain of the world and recognizing how many are struggling with isolation and despair, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu met one last time before Tutu’s passing to create a final gift―poignant, practical, and often humorous teachings on how we can live with more Joy, even during deeply troubled times. Join us in person in Sodergren Library, 9:30-10:30 on Sunday, or by Zoom, Meeting ID: 826 9448 2199, Passcode: PhtMa8

quick glance

SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 11 AM
Join us for hybrid worship, where some gather in person and others join online via Zoom. To learn more about all our activities, subscribe to the weekly enews on this page.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

Dec. 11, 3rd Sun in Advent:
Children’s Christmas Program &
Saint Lucia celebration during worship

Dec. 18, 4th Sunday in Advent:
Choir Cantatas with String Quartet during worship

Sat, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve: 7 PM Family-Friendly Christmas Worship 
with Candlelight, Carols & Communion

​Sun, Dec. 25, Christmas Day:  
7 AM Swedish Julotta service
Greeting the Christmas dawn, featuring the Portland Lucia Court and Portland Nordic Chorus
​11 AM Lessons, Carols & Communion
A joyful Christmas morning worship

TO WORSHIP IN PERSON:
For worship in the sanctuary, we welcome participants who are masked, with vaccination strongly recommended. There's plenty of room for you!
Sunday parking is readily available on the street, and also permitted at Les Schwab, Ferguson Appliance, and ARC Printing.

TO WORSHIP ONLINE VIA ZOOM:
Each week we celebrate Holy Communion together (please have ready some form of bread and wine/juice).On Sunday morning, click this link to join the Zoom meeting, which opens at 10:45. If you’d like to phone in for audio only, dial 253-215-8782 (Tacoma) and enter Meeting ID: 733 824 909, Password: 891242. 
Hymns & liturgy will appear on Zoom screen, or you may download them:
Worship bulletin for Sunday, Dec. 4 here

​​​More recent sermons:
Pr Aaron's sermon for Dec 4 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Nov 27 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Nov 20 here
Pastors joint sermon Nov 13 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Nov 6 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 30 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Oct 23 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 16 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Oct 9 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 2 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Sept 25 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Sept 18 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Sept 11 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Sept 4 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Aug 28 here
​Pr Melinda's sermon for Aug 21 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for July 24 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for July 3 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for June 26 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for June 12 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for June 5 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for May 29 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for May 22 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for May 8 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for May 1 here
Pr Melinda sermon for April 24 here
Pr Aaron Easter Sunday here
 ADDRESS
1816 NW IRVING ST
PORTLAND, OR. 97209
503.226.3659
office@firstimmanuelluth.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP at 11 AM
(Summer Worship 10 AM)

Our school-year schedule is now in effect: 
​
WORSHIP with Holy Communion 
every Sunday at 11 AM 
followed by refreshments
​SUNDAY SCHOOL for kids 3 & up 
   Class with music -- 9:45AM-10:45AM
   (Sodergren Hall building, 19th & Irving) 
ADULT CLASS   9:30AM-10:30AM 
   (Sodergren Hall Library & on zoom)  
CONFIRMATION  certain Sundays after   church, contact office
BELL CHOIR PRACTICE 6 PM Thursdays
CHOIR PRACTICE  7 PM Thursdays
FILC’s In-Person Worship Protocols 
We would like to thank everyone who has attended worship in person for wearing their masks and following our health protocols. We want to make sure everyone is as safe as possible.  We are delighted that the pandemic situation has improved so we can now offer our full Sunday School and Worship experiences! These are our updated protocols:
  • All youth and adult worshipers are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.
  • Masks are required for the entire service, and extras are provided at church.
  • For Communion, worshipers receive bread and wine in a "low-touch" manner.
  • During refreshment time in Fellowship Hall, masks are now optional. 
  • Sunday services continue to be broadcast on zoom, so members can attend virtually.
Our caring FILC physicians remind us that wearing masks is a highly effective way to protect each other, and they continue to strongly recommend vaccination for everyone. 

The Covid Task Force continues to evaluate and adjust protocols, as needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lauren Kim (laurenhhkim@gmail.com) or James Bash (jdwbash@yahoo.com).

FILC Covid-19 Task Force: Lauren Kim, Becky Shoemaker, Bobbi Varnes, Chia Stockwell, James Bash, Pastors Aaron Couch & Melinda Wagner
 "A Welcoming Community, Centered in Christ's Love, Joyfully Reaching Out Together"