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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.  
FILC’s Reopening Plan for Hybrid Worship
Members of the FILC Covid Task Force are pleased to share information with the congregation about plans in place for a “soft re-opening.”  In-person services began on October 3, 2021, and procedures are continually being evaluated. Here are our current guidelines: 
  • Out of an abundance of caution, a maximum of 50 worshipers (in addition to worship leaders) will be allowed to attend services in the sanctuary.
  • All youth and adult worshipers are expected to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated children who can mask are welcome.
  • Masks will be mandatory for the entire service.
  • Attendance will be by reservation only on a first-come-first-reserved basis. Members can make their reservation via email (office@firstimmanuelluth.org) or by phone (503.226.3659). Debbie Rehn will oversee the reservation process and notify members if their reservation is confirmed.
  • Attendees will be asked to sign in upon arrival and provide contact information in the event contact tracing is needed.
  • Seating arrangements will align with all protocols associated with physical distancing.
  • Church bulletins and the offering plate will be located at the back of the church.
  • Communion will be dispensed using individually packaged wafers and juice.
  • A limited number of FILC Choir members will be allowed to sing during worship (observing safety protocols).
  • Congregation may sing along quietly with hymns while remaining masked.
  • No childcare will be available, and children’s play bags will not be handed out for those children attending service with their families in the sanctuary.
  • All hymnals will be removed from the sanctuary until further notice.
  • Restrooms will be available for use.
  • Coffee hour will remain suspended until further notice.
The Covid Task Force will evaluate the “soft opening” and adjust protocols, as needed. It is likely these practices will change as safety conditions improve and health recommendations are updated.

To confirm, members who prefer to attend Sunday services virtually will still be able to do so.

If you have any questions or concerns about in-person services, 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

quick glance

Join us for Hybrid Worship held simultaneously via Zoom and in person, Sundays at 11 AM during the school year -- details & links are frequently updated on this home page. To receive regular church updates, subscribe to our weekly E-news on this page. 

SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 11 AM
We have begun offering Hybrid Worship in which some people worship in person and others join online via Zoom.  

TO WORSHIP IN PERSON:
We are offering limited in-person worship, with up to 50 participants vaccinated, masked and distanced. Please take a look at the complete list of health protocols and reservation procedures detailed on this page. To attend in person, RSVP ahead to office@firstimmanuelluth.org or 503-226-3659

TO WORSHIP ONLINE VIA ZOOM:
Zoom link opens at 10:45
Phone option available
Stay after for virtual coffee hour 

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 worship. To phone in for audio only, dial 253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 733 824 909, Password: 891242.

Hymns & liturgy will appear on Zoom screen, or you may download them:
Worship bulletin for 12/5 here
​
With apologies for the tech issues on Dec. 5, here is the sermon text:
Pr Melinda's sermon for Dec 5 here

​​More recent sermons:
Pr Aaron's sermon for Nov 28 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Nov 7 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 31 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 24 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 17 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Oct 10 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Oct 3 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Sept 26 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Sept 19 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Sept 12 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Sept 5 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Aug 29 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for Aug 22 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Aug 15 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for Aug 8 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for May 23 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for May 16 here
Pr Melinda's sermon for May 9 here
Pr Aaron's sermon for May 2 here
​(Also available under "Get Inspired" tab)
Upcoming Events

Forum Discussion, Sundays 9:15-10 AM
Book study of Caste: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
This brilliant book explores how America has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. To get your free book, email pastormelinda@firstimmanuelluth.org, then join us this Sunday, 9:15-10 AM, by clicking this Zoom link (Meeting ID: 779 9370 1820, Passcode: P83zhU). Please note this is a NEW ZOOM LINK for Forum.
Read for this Sun., Dec. 5: Backlash, Part 6, Chapters 28-29 (pp. 350-388).

Holiday cookie baking day!
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 PM
Learn to make almond cookies
Join us for another fun baking day on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 PM. A member will lead us in making Ricciarelli Italian almond cookies. This will be a great way to start the holiday baking season! All bakers, young and old, experienced and inexperienced, are welcome to join the session. Talkers and watchers are welcome. Gather your ingredients to prepare for the session: 3 eggs, 1 lemon, 1 orange, fine almond flour (available at Fred Meyer), powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, almond extract, baking powder, and salt. Equipment needs include a hand/stand mixer and food processor (or fine mesh sieve). We hope to see you on Zoom: click link here Meeting ID: 889 1104 7093 Passcode: 659950.
​
Thank You for Faithfully Giving!
Pledges and Year-End Gifts are Encouraged
Here’s a friendly reminder that all members are invited to return completed pledge cards at your earliest convenience by mail or delivering to church. If you did not receive a letter, please contact  office@firstimmanuelluth.org, 503-226-3659. Please note that the pledge card includes the invitation to make a special 2021 year-end gift to First Immanuel to help the congregation address a deficit  and end the year in a healthy financial position. Thank you for your faithful and generous participation!
ADDRESS
1816 NW IRVING ST
PORTLAND, OR. 97209
503.226.3659
office@firstimmanuelluth.org

Our usual school-year schedule is below (currently on hold as we meet by Zoom until conditions change):

WORSHIP with Holy Communion 
every Sunday at 11 AM  
followed by coffee hour
​
SUNDAY SCHOOL for kids 3 & up 
MUSIC -- 9:45AM-10:00AM
CLASS -- 10:00AM-10:45AM 
CHILDREN's CHOIR --10:00AM- 10:15AM
(Sodergren Hall building, 19th & Irving) 

ADULT CLASS   9:45AM-10:45AM 
(Sodergren Hall Library, 19th & Irving)  

Advent activities...
watching, waiting, preparing, sharing

During Advent we wait and watch with hearts open to Christ’s presence. We anticipate the birth of the Christ child, our Savior. We hope in Christ’s promise to come again and fulfill all creation. And we stay prayerfully attentive to how the Living Christ meets us right now, in both small and great ways, to renew hope. We invite you to mark these holy days by creating an Advent wreath with four candles, one per week, to light at meals or prayer, and spending time in silence, scripture and reflection.

Advent Fellowship events
Dec. 4: Tree Decorating in Sanctuary at 10 AM
Dec. 5: Holiday Cookie Baking Day on Zoom at 1:30 PM (see full article)
Dec. 5: Decorating in Gallagher Plaza entry at 4 PM

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Children’s Christmas Program and Saint Lucia Festivities
in Sunday Worship on Dec. 12 at 11 AM
The children of First Immanuel will help us hear how Jesus’ birth is genuinely good news for us in a year when we’re adjusting to a new “normal” for our lives. Our Children’s Christmas program will be shared in the sanctuary again this year, inviting us to embrace the core Christian hope, that through Jesus, God is creating a completely new normal for the whole human family. At the close of worship we will once again celebrate the Crowning of Saint Lucia with our young people in attendance. Join us!
 
Christmas Eve Worship
One Festive Service
at 7 PM on Dec. 24, with Carols, Candlelight & Holy Communion
With special pleasure we invite you to worship on Christmas Eve, when we will gather at 7 PM for one festive service.
In the sanctuary: We welcome those who are vaccinated, masked and distanced, in keeping with FILC’s Covid-19 protocols. At this writing, we can accommodate 50 people in addition to choir and worship leaders. Reserve your spot through the church office: office@firstimmanuelluth.org, 503-226-3659.
Online by Zoom: Join using the regular Zoom worship procedures:  click this link or enter Meeting ID: 733 824 909, Password: 891242. Phone audio available too.

Please note: Our usual Christmas morning Swedish Julotta service will not take place this year -- but we hope for its return in 2022!

Giving Tree donations for Gallagher Plaza
Every December we have the chance to brighten Christmas for our neighbors who live at Gallagher Plaza low-income apartments. We’ll use your contributions to buy Fred Meyer gift cards for each Gallagher Plaza resident—the only gift some will receive this holiday season. Three great ways to give: take a red envelope from the tree at church; donate online at www.firstimmanuelluth.org; or mail a donation to church marked clearly for “Giving Tree/Gallagher Plaza.”  Thank you for sharing!
 "A Welcoming Community, Centered in Christ's Love, Joyfully Reaching Out Together"