By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The congregation at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo practices hospitality by opening their doors and their hearts to anyone who wants to join them for dinner on Christmas Day.

The church, at 114 East Main St., Geneseo, will host a Community Christmas Day Dinner, with serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, in the Fellowship Room of the church. There is no charge for the meal and an offering will not be taken.

The Christmas dinner menu includes turkey, ham, potatoes, vegetables, salads, rolls, beverage and dessert.

Janet Larson, who with her husband Jim, are in charge of the annual dinner, said, “We serve nearly 150 people each year and we look for at least that many guests this year.”

In the first year for the Christmas dinner, 17 years ago, there were about 50 people served and Larson said, “We now are doing many more home deliveries. With the growth in attendance, we know we are meeting a need in the community.”

Committee members are able to deliver meals only in the Geneseo, Atkinson and Cambridge area, but people from anywhere are welcome to have dinner at the church, Larson said.

Arrangements for home delivery for those who are homebound can be made by calling the church office, 309-944-3196 or by calling Larson at 309-507-2997 by Dec. 23.

“Our church is centrally located and also is an ideal stop for people traveling on Christmas Day,” she added. “The Community Christmas Dinner is a time to celebrate Christmas with family and friends in our community and the gift of friendship is what holds a community together.”

The dinner is a tradition for the Larson couple who have been involved with it since its beginning. The couple, with the help of other church members, were instrumental in planning the first Community Christmas Day Dinner.

“My husband Jim and I have been involved in the dinner every year and our two sons Luke and Ian, and our children were always involved when they lived at home.”

“We want it to be a time of serving rather than concentrating on receiving and those are lessons we wanted for our children,” she said, adding that the theme of this year’s dinner is “Cheerfully Share,” taken from scripture 1 Peter 4: 9-10.

In addition to the Larson couple, others on this year’s committee include Betsy Brudos, Julie and Jeff Kunkel.

Larson said some of the same people have returned each year for the Christmas dinner at First Lutheran.

She said she believes the Community Christmas Day Dinner is something that is needed in the community and the surrounding area “because we are not aware of any other meals offered on Christmas Day. That day can be the loneliest day of the year. We want those people who would otherwise be alone to be a part of our church family on Christmas Day.”

“We pray that this meal will be enjoyed by our friends and neighbors who need to feel the love and hope that God provides.”

“Christ has called us to be in community with others, to tend to the needs of our neighbors,” she said. “Our mission at First Lutheran challenges us all to share Christ’s love to all. One of the most exciting opportunities is to serve our community on Christmas Day by providing a hot meal and fellowship for those who are alone or are in need.”

“By sharing our blessings, we too are blessed,” she said.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT FIRST LUTHERAN

Christmas Eve Candlelight, Carols & Communion services are at 4 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24.

Christmas Day services – Monday, Dec. 25 – 10 a.m., Carols and Communion.