Author: FLCOFFICE

First Evangelical Lutheran Church OF GONZALES
1206 North St. Joseph, Gonzales, Texas 78629
Office Open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 9:00AM to 5:00pm
Email first evangelicallutheran@gmail.com 830-672-2057

Our Mission, Vision, And Values
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’
And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me !” Isaiah 6:8
Our Mission
Our mission is to live faithfully in the calling we have in the Great Commandment and to respond fervently to the mission entrusted to us in the Great Commission.
The Great Commandment Matthew 22:36–40
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
This commandment expresses the heart of Christian life—total love for God and a self-giving love for others.
The Great Commission Matthew 28:18–20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This commission is the Church’s global and ongoing mission: to make disciples, baptize, and teach, all under the authority and presence of the risen Christ.
The following is taken from the NALC website, each topic has additional information on each topic. Please see: theNALC.com
Submitted by Nathan Neuse

Our Vision - A Disciple-Making Church
We envision a disciple-making church body committed to renewing congregations, equipping people, and transforming communities, as we respond in love to our calling and commission in Christ Jesus.
Envision churches filled with renewed energy, where God’s Word deeply touches hearts, prayers are heartfelt and fervent, and members enthusiastically serve their communities. Picture believers of all ages who feel fully equipped and confident to live out their faith every day—in their homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. Imagine entire communities experiencing lasting, positive change because churches intentionally reach out with acts of compassion, kindness, and service. This vibrant, growing church body is the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) we are becoming.
However, we recognize that many challenges remain. Today, numerous congregations struggle with declining attendance, uncertainty about their mission, and a disconnect between traditional faith and contemporary life. Individuals often find themselves overwhelmed by modern life’s demands, feeling unequipped to share their faith or make a difference in their community. In our neighborhoods and around the world, there is profound brokenness, poverty, loneliness, and division.
Yet, rather than discouraging us, these realities inspire and motivate us to action. The gap between where we are now and where Christ calls us to be creates a powerful sense of purpose. We embrace this tension as an invitation from God to renew, equip, and transform with renewed passion and clear purpose for the sake of the Gospel.
Renewing Congregations in Disciple-Making
Congregational renewal begins when churches take time to reflect honestly and prayerfully on their mission, health, and witness. Throughout the NALC, congregations are engaging in this Spirit-led work—rediscovering their God-given purpose, strengthening their worship and community life, and aligning their ministries with the calling of Jesus to make disciples.
This renewal takes many forms. Some congregations begin by asking essential questions like: Why are we here? Whom are we called to serve? What fruit are we bearing? Through leadership retreats, spiritual discernment, strategic planning, diagnostic tools, and coaching relationships, churches find clarity and fresh direction tailored to their local context. We support rural, urban, and suburban churches alike as they seek revitalization.
Pastors and lay leaders alike are invited to lead with courage and humility. Renewal involves facing hard truths and celebrating fresh possibilities. It may mean rethinking programs, simplifying structures, or returning to basic practices of prayer, hospitality, worship, and study. Often it is sparked by a single person or moment—a congregational retreat, a pastoral sabbatical, a stirring sermon—that awakens a desire to go deeper in Christ.
Renewal is not a one-size-fits-all program. It’s a journey of deepening faith, sharpening mission, and rekindling Gospel passion. In congregations large and small, pews are filling, hearts are igniting, and Gospel clarity is returning. A renewed church is not just surviving—it’s thriving with hope, worship, and love, ready to make disciples and bear witness to the living Christ.

Equipping Disciples for Disciple-Making
Equipping disciples means nurturing every believer—young or old, new or seasoned—so that they can grow in faith and confidently live it out. In the NALC, equipping happens through a wide variety
of resources and relationships, all centered in God’s Word and the Church’s mission.
We offer Bible studies, workshops, digital platforms, youth and family materials, and learning communities that help believers to grow spiritually, understand Scripture, and share their faith. Whether it is a confirmation student learning the Apostles’ Creed, a lay leader stepping into a teaching role, or a pastor pursuing continuing education, equipping provides the tools and encouragement needed to follow Jesus more deeply. .
We equip pastors and deacons with resources for renewal and lifelong learning. We encourage households to become centers of prayer and learning. We help young people explore their vocations and discern how God may be calling them to lead. We equip believers to pray with confidence, engage Scripture with clarity, articulate the Gospel, serve in love, and guide others in faith.
This approach to formation is deeply relational—what we call “life-to-life” discipleship. It’s not just about gaining knowledge; it’s about growing in Christ through daily rhythms, mentorship, fellowship, and shared practices of faith. Equipped disciples lead to strong congregations, vibrant communities, and a church body ready to meet the challenges of today with the courage and clarity of the Gospel.
Transforming Communities through Disciple-Making
True discipleship always turns outward. Transformation is what happens when believers and churches bring the love of Christ into the world. Across the NALC, congregations are engaging in food ministries, disaster response, school partnerships, foster care support, refugee assistance, and countless other acts of mercy and service.
But community transformation is more than service—it is the visible overflow of the Gospel at work. As individuals and churches are renewed and equipped, they become agents of Christ’s presence in homes, workplaces, and public life. The result is lasting impact: communities where hope is restored, relationships are mended, and lives are changed.
This is why church planting is central to our vision. New congregations—whether in growing suburbs, urban centers, or rural regions—serve as living signs of renewal. They gather people into worship, foster discipleship, and extend the church’s reach into places of spiritual hunger. We also walk with older congregations being revitalized by the Spirit and reengaging their communities with fresh vision and purpose.
Transformation happens not only locally, but globally. Through our international partnerships, we send and receive missionaries, support global ministries, and engage in mutual learning. We celebrate our growing ecumenical relationships with other global Lutheran bodies and North American partners like the Anglican Church in North America and others who share our mission. At every level, transformation is rooted in the resurrection power of Jesus, shaping our life together and sending us out in hope.
Submitted by Nathan Neuse
Found on: theNALC.com

The Call Committee is moving along with the Congregational Profile which must be completed before we can place the call for a new minister. Right now, we are beginning work on ahort video of our church. If you would like to help us with this video or you have ideas, pictures or videos of activities and people in our church, please let one of the Call Committee members know. We hope to have this finished soon and be able to submit the Profile by the end of the year.
Sherry Davis, 10/1/25

First Lutheran will be participating in the Trick or Treat Trail, sponsored by Gonzales Main Street on Halloween evening. We will be passing out small bags of candy to children participating in this activity which in the past was called Trunk or Treat. Some information about our church will be in the bag also. By participating in this activity we hope to spread some information about our church to our community. We are asking members to donate a large bag of candy that will be used to fill around 700 bags. You can leave the candy in the office or with any member of the Wednesday evening Discipleship class.
Sherry Davis, 10/1/25

SETTING UP AND CLEANING UP THE PICNIC

Ruth Ann Campion, Chair of the fellowship committee, had some really good helping with the picnic set up/clean up. We only have pictures of a few but there were many more who helped.
Bruce, Marilyn, Emma, Richard, Barbara Hand.
(There is always a RISK of naming individuals as someone can be left off the list accidentally).
If your name was omitted, please accept our apology.) Many Thanks, Ruth Ann

Next Family Fellowship will be on Sunday, October 12 and the theme is Pot Luck!
We will have our Thanksgiving Meal on Sunday, November 9.
December’s fellowship will be held on the 14th. Blessings, Ruth Ann

2025 CHURCH PICNIC SERVICE
Pastor Cave, Lay Assistant Richard White
Music: Gospel Seeds
Grace Watkins, Carol Oakes, Brady Oakes
Featuring Music by trh CHUR

MIMI just a’ swinging with John after Sunday School

FUNDRAISER FOR SCOUTS
Asher and John Campion

CALLING YOUTH of all Ages.
It is time to start practice for our Christmas program.
Please let Beverly (aka MiMi) know if you wish to be in the program.
A look at last year…

Now this is JOY!

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events
Fellowship, Pot Luck Sunday, 12
Reformation Sunday, October 26
Trick or Treat on the Square, Friday, October 31
Time Change (turn clocks back an hour), November 2
All Saints Day, Sunday, November 2
Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11
Fellowship, Thanksgiving Meal, Sunday, November 9
Women of Church, Thankoffering Service, November 23
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27
Advent 1, Sunday, November 30
Advent 2, Sunday, December 7
Advent 3, Sunday, December 14
Christmas Program, Sunday, December 14
Fellowship, Sunday, December 14
Advent 4, Sunday, December 21
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25

Recurring Calendar Events
Sundays
Sunday School for all Ages 9:00am
Worship 10:30am
Communion will be served on the First and Third Sundays
Second Sundays – Family Fellowship
Mondays
Prayer Group 1:00pm
Bible Study 1:30pm
Tuesdays
First Tuesday Boards &Council Meet 5:30, 6:15pm
2nd and 4th Tuesdays Call Committee 6:00pm
Third Tuesday 5:30pm
Wednesdays ‘Bible Study With Pastor Hagan’ 6:00pm
Thursdays (every)Cub Scouts -Troop 261 6:00pm
Third Thursday Women of the Church 9:30am

Women of the Church
We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30am in the Library. We have light refreshments, bible study and steward our many projects for the year. Please join us.
Our recent community outreach:
Norma’s House Board of Directors meet once a month. We provided lunch for their meeting in September to include:
Enchilada Casserole (made by Ruth Ann)
Salad tossed with Lutheran Dressing
Desserts created by Jeanie Noack and Grace Watkins.

Bereavement
In times of death, the Bereavement Committee endeavors to provide a reception for the family with refreshments after the service in order for them to visit with family and friends.
We have hosted 6 events this year:
Ella Mae Finch, Mabel Gray, Shari Tate, Colleen Marek, Florene Braune, Mary Matejcek
This is an time honored tradition and we have so many to thank for preparing a dish, setting up, receiving the food items, keeping them warm/cool, serve as hostess to all the participants and then take down, and clean up the Hall.
We have a person who calls to request food items (some ladies automatically call when there is a death and say put me down for a food item / or I will serve as a hostess).
Thanks and blessings to all who participate in the process. The families sincerely appreciate this time.
Call the office if you wish to participate in preparing food items or serve as a hostess and we will gladly put you on the ‘will call’ list.

ANNIVERSARIES
October
Justin & Meagan Campion 06
Mark & Ruby Kelley 07
Bradley & Holly Danz 11
November
Tinker & Kimberlee Baker 01
Olen & Marjorie Malaer 01
Michael & Bargara Kuck 30
December
Emmet & Judy Baker 19
Bruce & Billie Jo Tieken 28
BIRTHDAYS
October
Marilyn Neuse 02
Kenneth Fougerat 03
Emmet Baker 13
Tom Erickson 16
November
Ruth Ann Campion 08
Brenda Grauke 11
Michael Kuck 12
Marjorie Malaer 16
Florence Baker 20
Day McNeel 24
Tami Solum 24
Sherrie White 24
Sandra Baker 26
Ellen Lehnert 30
December
Bryce Danz 06
Marilyn McNeel 16
Sherry Davis 17
Ron Baker 25
Tammy Hillman 27
John Campion 30
Kendel Neuse 30
Pls notify the office if this infor is
Incorrect or your info is not on the list.

Friends and Family of:
Mary Matejcek
Bruce Maulding
New Request
Kathy Brooks (cancer) (Karen Fougerat)
It has been called to our attention that three of our
church members and and their families are in need
of extra prayer.
Terry Campion and family
Gladys Campion
Brittany Walker and family
Please Continue to Pray For
Rain
Our Church and Congregation
Our Call Committee
Wayne White (Richard’s Uncle)
Ron Baker
Betty Jo Caldwell
Beverly McKinney (Carleton)
Michael Selby (Carleton)
Sandra Stewart (Steve Pirkle’s sister)
Mark & Mary Watkins (Paul’s Bro & SIL)
@ Home
Terry Campion Gladys Campion
Herb & Carol Karnau
@ Romberg
Janie Carleton Shari Schuett (Billie Jo’s Mom)
@ The Heights
Imogene Rainey Barbara Wiedner
Ken Schuett (Billie Jo’s Dad)

SYNOPSIS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
JUNE, 2025 – AUGUST, 2025
June
Mold in the sanctuary and basement
Elevator needs repair
Water in the basement
Playground equipment and fence installation completed
Vacation Bible School being planned
Bre Wolff updating website for church
Call Committee beginning meetings
Gospel Seeds’ presentations suspended until September
July
Pastor Hagan to begin taking vacations for week at a time to include the second and fourth Sundays until 8 weeks are used up
Fourth Quarter tithe to GISD for supplies paid (3%)
Meals-On-Wheels’ request for donation discussed
Newsletter to be sent out on July 2nd —Vacation Bible School pictures to be included
Mold, water in basement, air conditioning being addressed
Internet Service Contract renewed
August
NO MEETING IN AUGUST BECAUSE OF ILLNESSES.
9/24/25—Shirley Carleton, Secretary to Council

First Evangelical Lutheran Church
1206 North St. Joseph - Gonzales, Texas 78629 – 830-672-2057
Summer 2024 Newsletter

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