View the 1.10.21 Parking Lot Service Bulletin
Worship Opportunities:
You are always welcome here! God promises to meet you where you are, whatever your circumstances and with whatever questions you have. You can also share your gifts here. You have experiences, knowledge, and talents to share. Here you can grow in your faith and help others to grow in their faith.
Out of concern for the most vulnerable among us, we have moved the majority of our meetings, events, and worship services online.
FELC MUSIC MEMORIALS 2020 - Thank you!
Please click here to view list
There is a place for you here at First English Lutheran Church.
401 W. Main Street Whitewater, WI 53190
Church Office: 262-473-5076
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WORSHIP TIMES AT FIRST ENGLISH
Worship Online, or Channel 990
Click here to view virtual worship service on YouTube
January Parking Lot Services:
- Jan. 10 at 10:30am
- Jan. 24 at 8:30am (please note different time)
Thrift Shoppe Open!
By Appointment Only
The Thrift Shoppe
123 Church Street
Whitewater WI 53109
Call for your private Thrift Shoppe experience.
Call dates are Wednesday, Friday 1pm-4pm
262-473-3138
We look forward to seeing you!
Church Office Closed!
Out of an abundance of caution,
the church office will be closed to the public until further notice.
Please call 262-473-5076 to request an appointment for any office needs.
In Response to COIVD -19
SHARED VALUES:
- We are all called by God to responsibly love of our neighbors and protecting the most vulnerable.
- That all voices are equally valued and included. All are welcome at FELC.
- The plan prioritizes the reduction of risk of infection of members, staff and guests.
All members of the Church and Visitors are expected to:
- Acknowledge that the virus is an uncertain thing and that our participation of any kind of FELC activities is voluntary and at our own risk/choice.
- Wear a face covering, maintaining 6ft physical distance from one another and use hand sanitizer while on church property/buildings.
- Always “Sign in” when they visit Church property.
- Schedule the use of church property with the Office Manager at least 3 days in advance before entering the space.
- Graciously remind one another of safety expectations and to comply without malice or disrespect.
- Seek to support social interaction as each individual determines what is best for them and their situation. We will inquire and be sensitive to the needs of others.
- To share with Pastor Steve or Office Manager Tammy Hedrick, knowing that their identity will be protected as much as possible, if they have a positive test result for COVID-19 or exposure.
- If members have had a COVID test and are waiting for results, they will stay off church property and not participate at in-person activities.
Message From Pastor Steve
Expectations of Epiphany (John 1:35-51)
What does epiphany mean? There are a number of possible definitions, but here’s one — an immediate understanding of something: something profound, sudden, or surprising. Have you thought of Epiphany that way? In church circles, we expect Epiphany to be about the revelation of Jesus, finding Jesus, seeing Jesus in special moments. Our first thought is not to think that Epiphany is about being found ourselves.
But the Gospel of John encourages us to imagine that these can happen at the same time. That is, finding Jesus in those unexpected moments of revelation, those transformational moments, is also when you may find yourself — who you essentially are, who God is calling you to be. When you know your identity as a follower of Jesus in a deeper way, and see a glimpse of something you have not seen before when it comes to your own faith journey, that is an epiphany. The reading from John helps us keep the connection between Christmas and Epiphany, between incarnating and revealing. And that means that Jesus’ humanity remains central.
Part of what is revealed is the significance of God becoming human. God entered into our world, not satisfied simply to be with us, but now determined to be one of us. And because that has happened, we are also changed. Our own humanness changes. All of a sudden, how we see ourselves can no longer remain the same because we have seen God in our humanity. And that changes how we see ourselves. There are times when we do not want to be found. Being found is not always comfortable. Being revealed is not always easy. What do you not want to find out about yourself? What do you not want to find out about Jesus?
Perhaps when we read these Epiphany readings, when you look for Jesus, when you experience these moments revealing Jesus, you may also see something about yourself. Epiphany is not all one sided. It's not just about Jesus being revealed. It's also about you being revealed, too, as one who answers the call of Jesus to follow. It's interesting that Andrew finds Simon Peter. Then Jesus finds Philip. Later in the Gospel He will find the man born blind whom Jesus healed. When the blind man is found, he is changed. He becomes a follower. He recognizes who Jesus is. He worships him. After his death and resurrection, Jesus will find the disciples locked behind closed doors, and only then are they sent out. Jesus will find the disciples fishing on the Sea of Galilee and Peter’s expectations of discipleship will be dramatically changed when Jesus says to Peter, "You are the shepherd now.”
That is one reason we are reluctant to be found. Because being found will change our lives, and we don't always want to change. During this Epiphany season, be open to discovering things about Jesus. But, in addition, expect to learn something about yourself. We will be changed by what we see in Jesus. At times the change is great, at times small. But something will happen, an epiphany, something profound, something surprising, when you encounter God in the human life of Jesus.
Being found or finding yourself can take many forms. It can cause some anxiety, but it can also bring a deep peace. In Jesus, God chooses to be found by us, to be known by us, in a close and profound way. Because God became fully human, we might guess that God is also subject to feelings of exposure, questioning, rejection, being fully known. Jesus says to his followers, “come and see.” This Epiphany season, come and see Jesus. See God in the flesh. But you can also come and see yourself. You may be surprised.
On the journey,
Pastor Steve