Sunday Worship
9:30 am
In-person and
Live-streamed on YouTube
Due to poor air quality, worship will be moved indoors tomorrow, Sunday, August 3.
Family of God Lutheran Church
YouTube Channel
To view the livestream:
- go to our YouTube channel
- click on "Live" on the horizontal menu, and select the video you wish to view. Typically the Sunday livestream will say "Upcoming" if you go to the channel prior to the start time.
Additionally, be sure to turn your YouTube notifications on in Settings so you will be alerted when Family of God goes live!
A Message From Pastor Paul
September 2025 Newsletter
If you pay careful attention to the prayer of the church during Sunday worship, you might see that we offer prayers related to the sermon, prayers for our members and others, and for our nation and the world. Many times when we pray for peace or society we pray that God would guide our leaders to bring about justice, peace, and a concern for the poor and needy.
Martin Luther wrote on many subjects during his career, and some dealt with the Church and society. A prodigious writer and preacher, Luther penned a tract entitled "Temporal Authority: To what extent it should be obeyed." In this he wrestled with the place of the church and of the state and how they relate to one another. Of course in Luther's day secular authorities were not voted in power, but were believed to have received their position from God by means of royal families and their descendants. The Divine Right of Kings it is called. Hence there were over one hundred kingdoms in the German lands, each with a ruling prince. In this treatise, Luther even gave a little pastoral advice to princes and stated what makes good ones and what makes poor ones.
Here are some quotes of what Luther wrote on good political leaders. There have always been crooked politicians. As you read this, think of our elected leaders and ask yourself how they measure up to Luther's standards.
A ruler must "give consideration and attention to his subjects and really devote himself to it. This he does when he directs his every thought to making himself useful and beneficial to them; when instead of thinking: 'The land and people belong to me, I will do what best pleases me,' he thinks rather, 'I belong to the land and the people, I shall do what is useful and good for them. My concern will be not how to lord it over them and dominate them, but how to protect and maintain them in peace and plenty.' He should picture Christ to himself, and say, "Behold, Christ, the supreme ruler, came to serve me; he did not seek to gain power, estate, and honor from me, but considered only my need, and directed all things to the end that I should gain power, estate, and honor from him and through him. I will do likewise, seeking from my subjects not my own advantage but theirs. I will use my office to serve and protect them, listen to their problems and defend them, and govern to the sole end that they, not I, may benefit and profit from my rule.' In such manner should a prince in his heart empty himself of his power and authority, and take unto himself the needs of his subjects, dealing with them as though they were his own needs."
Which of our political leaders best fits this description?
To close, Luther later adds a German proverb: "Who is not aware that a prince is a rare prize in heaven?"
_Pr. Paul Burow
A Message From Pastor Erin
September 2025 Newsletter
Greetings to everyone at Family of God —
We recently experienced some changes here on the church staff. We said goodbye to our wonderful outgoing director of music, Linda Armstrong. (Though we certainly hope she will keep in touch!) The following week, we welcomed Judy Nordgren into that role. Quite a few of you know her from around the community already. If you haven’t made her acquaintance, please be sure to chat her up next time you are here!
Since music is on my mind, I wanted to dwell on it a bit here in the newsletter. Our church home is a bit unique in this area. We have an organ that we use every week. Most people associate church services with organ music, but in practice, that’s becoming less and less the case. Not every church musician knows how to play and maintain an organ. We are blessed to have had music directors that do.
When I was in seminary, we had a professor who told us the main function of the organ. Its purpose, he said, was to invite the congregation to sing. We are Lutherans, part of a tradition that heavily emphasizes the participation of laypeople in worship. The congregation is not an audience, but active participants in the service! The organ encourages this dynamic. It’s no wonder it’s called “the Queen of Instruments.”
Another element of our music sets us apart. We are firmly rooted in traditional Christian hymnody. The music you hear at Family of God is, more often than not, centuries old. This is a good thing, for several reasons! First of all, it unites us with Christians throughout different times and places. The world changes, but our Christian beliefs do not. As the book of Hebrews says, “Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Traditional music emphasizes our faith’s fixed point at the center of our lives.
There are other reasons to rely on traditional music. These hymns are theologically correct. Theology seems like an academically remote field that has little bearing on daily faith practices. However, it informs the way that we understand God. That matters a lot! Not every hymn out there aligns with our understanding of scripture, of God, and of ourselves. If a piece of music is in the hymnal, you can know it’s been carefully chosen. These songs reinforce what we know, and additionally, they help teach us! Martin Luther, the forefather of our Christian tradition, strongly urged all people to receive education in the faith. Theologically sound (and beautiful) hymns are a piece of that.
Finally, I enjoy these hymns for a personal reason. Throughout my time as a pastor, I have led regular worship services at long-term care facilities. The residents generally can’t attend worship at their own congregations, so local pastors like me (and Pr. Paul) bring it to them. Many of the folks there have memory issues. However, when they hear a hymn like “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” their eyes occasionally clear and they sing along. Music is a fundamental part of the human soul. It stays with us for a long time.
As autumn arrives, I look forward to seeing everyone back from summer activities and travels. Please keep an eye on the calendar for upcoming events as the program year begins at church. It’s not too late to sign up for Sunday school! You can talk with me about confirmation, as well. Additionally, as we join in worship on Rally Day and beyond, I hope you may find a deepened appreciation for our church music.
Blessings to you and your loved ones!
— Pr. Erin Koster
The Lighted Globe:
The Lighted Globe at the back of the sanctuary is for the lighting of a votive candle by anyone wishing to express a particular prayer or hope in this symbolic way. Candles remain lit after all have gone, a visible sign of the prayers of our community of faith "for the whole people of God, and for all people according to their needs."
Holy Communion:
All baptized persons are welcome who believe Christ comes to us in the bread and the wine to bring forgiveness, life, and salvation. Children not yet communing come forward for a blessing. Children receive instruction and usually have First Communion in Fifth grade. We receive the sacrament standing. Grape juice is available.
Follow us on Facebook
Worship with Holy Communion
Regular Worship
(September - May)
Sundays - In Person and
Live-Streamed
9:30 am
(Current Season)
Summer Worship
(June - August)
Sundays - In Person and
Live-Streamed
9:30 am
Interested in making your own communion bread just like we use at church for the coming services? Click the yellow button to view/download the recipe from Jane Nelson.
Children in Church
Children in Church: At Family of God, as Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! There are a number of spaces and activities designed for children to experience and participate in worship according to their needs (see reverse); we trust families to work out the best option(s) for them and their child(ren) on any given day. We also understand that it takes a village to raise a child. A few tips for engaging families with small children include:
- Greeting/learning the names of the young children who sit near you in worship.
- Offering to read or color with one child during worship, especially if another child in the family is especially fussy or upset.
- Helping preschoolers and elementary-aged kids to navigate the liturgy, locate the hymns, etc. (Children learn to worship by participating!)
- Inviting kids to serve alongside you in worship, as greeters, ushers, etc.
- Recognizing that certain conditions or disabilities don’t present physically, and some children (and adults) may make noises or act in ways that seem strange or upsetting, but are perfectly normal for their situation.
- Celebrating that God put the wiggle in children, and that children’s “mode of being” in worship is intrinsically more vocal and more physical than that of adults.
Busy Bags:
Located in the back of the sanctuary, these bags contains books, crayons, toys, figures, and other things to keep little hands busy and occupied. Children’s Bibles and Bible Story coloring sheets are also available, near the busy bags, and Scribble cards are located in the pew racks.
Family of God Sunday School:
See CYF/Sunday School pages. FOG students (3 years olds - 5th grade) worship with their families through the children’s sermon, then attend FOG Sunday School classes through the end of the service.
Nursery: If your little one simply needs a break, a nursery is staffed through every Sunday worship service for children from birth to 3 years of age.
*In order to comply with Family of God’s Child Policy, parents and guardians are asked to pick up their own children from both the nursery and FOG classrooms rather then, for example, allowing one parent to pick up children from two families. Thanks for understanding.