A New Beginning for
   			Missions  2001	

Rainbow Sunday, April 29th, was a great celebration of Christ’s call to “Go and make disciples.”  The dream to start a Lutheran church in Eau Claire is on its way to becoming reality!  You are encouraged to be part of this new mission endeavor!

By now you are well aware of the compelling need to start another church in Eau Claire.  Our population is growing rapidly.  A new church will appeal to the hundreds of new people who are moving into our community.  The time is ripe.  The need is great.  The mission opportunity is right before our very eyes!

If you have not yet returned your Commitment Card, please do so as soon as possible.  Use the card enclosed and place it in the envelope provided.  Mail it or put it in the offering plate next Sunday.  Your commitment decision is confidential and will be known only by the bookkeeper of our church who manages the contribution records of the congregation.

It is important to return your Commitment Card soon.  We hope to provide a report of the total amount committed to the Synod Assembly at the end of May.  This amount will demonstrate strong Eau Claire support for a new church start as we encourage the 200+ congregations of the NW Synod of Wisconsin to form “mission partnerships” of support with the new congregation.  We are seeking to model support to the other congregations of the Synod.

First Lutheran Church has been instrumental in establishing three Lutheran congregations in Eau Claire.  We are about to make that number four!  Community growth tells us that this is a critical time to found another congregation in the Chippewa Valley.  First Lutheran will do as it has always done–provide leadership when important mission work is at stake.

Please return your Commitment Card, if you have not already done so.  Specific commitments will empower the new congregation to determine how much financial support it can expect from supporting congregations.
							Yours in Christ,

							Duane Pederson, Pastor	

	First Lutheran Church . . . 
		          a community of faith reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ.