First Lutheran Church

01/24/2026

With the major storm on it's way, all Sunday events are canceled. You can watch worship online 9:30 am at YouTube.com/

Stay safe and warm.

01/07/2026

Tonight (1/7/26) is the first Taizé at 6:00 PM at Christ Presbyterian in downtown Canton.

12/26/2025

Christmas Message from Bishop Barbins.

Filmed while visiting our companions in South Africa, Bishop Laura Barbins reminds us that preparing for Christ isn’t just an Advent practice—it’s a way of l...

10/06/2025

08/16/2025

Want to know what is happening in our Synod? Sign up for our Weekly E-Newsletter and Special Announcements! Our newsletter is for Congregation Staff, Lay Leaders, Members of Congregations, Ministry Leaders, Rostered Ministers, and, well, everyone!

To Sign Up, Click here: neos-elca.org/walking-together-our-newsletter

07/30/2025

We are pleased to announce the election of the Rev. Yehiel Curry as presiding bishop of the ELCA! Bishop-elect Curry was elected on the fifth ballot with 70.34% of the vote.

Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain Bishop-elect Curry, that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people. Grant that together we may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

07/08/2025

Our hearts break anew with each update about the catastrophic flash floods in South Central Texas. We join Bishop Sue Briner’s call to “pray, pray, pray for those who are still lost as well as the families of those who are lost, who have died, or who have experienced loss of home or property.” Merciful God, hear our prayer.

As ever and with your support, our church stands ready to walk with our neighbors in the Texas Hill Country as the floodwaters recede and rebuilding begins. Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwestern Texas Synod and will work with them and other partners to respond to urgent needs, provide emotional and spiritual care, and support cleanup and long-term recovery.

Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response ensure that our neighbors are not alone on the long road to recovery after disasters like the floods in Texas. Give now at ELCA.org/flooding/donate.

06/25/2025

SCAM ALERT – Protect Your Congregation from Phishing Emails!!!

A congregation in our synod was recently targeted by a phishing scam that impersonated a church member and requested sensitive information. The scammer then used that information to impersonate the pastor and solicit gift cards from members via text.

What happened:
- A scammer emailed the church, pretending to be an acolyte/member.
- They asked for a copy of the church directory.
- The secretary, unaware it was a scam, sent it.
- Later, members received fake texts from “the pastor” asking for gift cards to help someone in need.

These emails and texts are convincing and specific—sometimes using familiar names, church roles, or phrases like “blessings” to seem legitimate.

How You Can Protect Your Church:
✅ Verify before you share. If someone requests sensitive info (like a church directory), double-check with a known email address or phone call.
✅ Don’t rely on names alone. Always check the sender’s full email address. A scammer might use a name you know with a suspicious address.
✅ Limit public access. Be mindful of what personal info is posted in newsletters, bulletins, or on your church’s website.
✅ Never send gift cards via text or email. Pastors and staff will never ask for gift cards through digital messages.

If you think your church has been targeted:
- Alert your congregation so people don’t respond.
- Report the scam to your local authorities or the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
- Reach out to your Synod Office if you need support.

We are grateful that no harm was done in this case—but it’s a good reminder to stay alert. Churches are places of trust, and unfortunately, that can make them targets. Let’s help protect each other.

06/11/2025

Fuller Seminary and the Barna Group have published their “Strategic Recommendations for the ELCA.” This study provides insights on how we can fully live into the vision for our church. It reviews the current realities, key challenges and abundant opportunities for life and faith in the U.S., identifying five commitments for the church to consider and embody:

- Cultivate congregations that are warmer, more inviting, and more invitational in nature.
- Enhance ELCA-wide efforts to nurture and strengthen faith and spiritual formation.
- Tangibly and significantly incorporate and empower young people in all levels of the church’s life.
- Provide greater resources, equipping, tools, and empowerment of lay leaders to carry out the work of ministry and be the church in the world today.
- Rethink, refocus, and reorganize the ELCA’s educational systems and structures to serve the current (and rapidly changing) needs of the ELCA.

Read More Here:tinyurl.com/469bfwk5