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Here is what is happening at First Lutheran Church this month!
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Worship Schedule
Worship: 8:30 am & 11:00 am
Christian Education: 9:45 am
See Holy Week and Easter Schedule below!
Communion served every Sunday
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Holy Week
The days between Palm Sunday and Easter day is considered the holiest of days in the Christian calendar. It is to be a time of deep contemplation on the work of Jesus the Christ on his way to crucifixion. Christians are encouraged to curb their activities this week in order to provide the time to be in prayer and attend special worship services.
This year at FLC, we will begin our week hearing the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem as told by the gospel writer of Luke. Later in the same service we will hear Luke tell us the stories of why the authorities were threatened by Jesus and how they planned to arrest him.
For the rest of the article: click here.
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April Adult Education
Sundays 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall (except Easter and April 30)
April 2 - The Radicalness of Church Attendance
April 9 - Holy Week: A Time for Reflection
April 23 - Rick Steve's Europe Easter
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FUTURE FLC BUS SERVICE
In the near future, we hope to be able to provide Sunday morning bus service for those who do not drive to worship services. This process will take time to plan and implement. We are generating a list of bus drivers and a list of possible bus stops.
If you are interested in helping plan and organize this program please contact either Roger or Pastor Berg. If you would like to be considered for a bus driving position please fill out an application available in the office. If you would like to be picked up on Sunday for worship look for a sign-up sheet in the near future when we are ready to begin this program.
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Please sign up to bring a crock pot (or two!) of soup! You will find the sign up sheet on the narthex kitchenette door. Thank you!
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Guys Night Out, Saturday, April 1st: 4 - 7 pm
The men of First Lutheran Church are invited to meet at the
Foggy Noggin Brewery at 4 pm to sample an assortment of craft brews. Since this is in a residential neighborhood, please pull forward into the long driveway to avoid clogging the street. There is plenty of parking on the property near the garage. After our tasting, around 5 PM, we will move to
Tom and Alexia Payne’s home for a BBQ Pot-Luck. Please bring some brats or burgers to throw on the BBQ, or a salad to share and / or some beverage to share. To help with planning, please RSVP to Tom or Roger. We hope that you can join us!
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Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study, Saturday, April 22nd: 9 – 10:30 am
Come and join other men from the congregation for breakfast and conversation! There will be food for the body, food for the soul and food for thought! Gordy Phelps is preparing a delicious breakfast spread. Pastor Berg is leading an inspiring Bible study and discussion. Please join us!
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UPCOMING YOUTH ACTIVITIES:
Saturday, April 15, 9 AM – 11 AM
Easter Breakfast Prep
Youth and adults are needed to help set-up the fellowship hall and prepare for the Easter breakfast.
Sunday, April 16,
8 AM – 10:30 AM
Easter Sunday Breakfast
Please join us on Easter Sunday in the fellowship hall for a delicious breakfast. The breakfast begins at 8 AM and ends at 10:30 AM. A freewill offering will be taken - proceeds support our youth ministries. Youth and adult helpers are needed for the breakfast. Shift #1 starts at 7 AM and helps get the breakfast started. Shift #2 starts at 9 AM and helps with serving, clean up and take down. Please sign up on the youth board.
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Easter JOY to You!
Once again, we will journey through another Easter. We will hear familiar events that took place and hear the message of God’s incredible love. What a message of Good News! Jesus sacrifice for our sins and resurrection victory over death. With Christians around the world we celebrate the JOY of Easter.
Like the first disciples, we will gather before the empty tomb and hear the angel’s amazing announcement, “He is not here! He is risen!” Easter is a celebration of the risen and living Lord Jesus. With joyous music and beautiful flowers, we celebrate new hope and new life. As Easter people, we continue to gather together, to worship and sing praises. May God’s Spirit empower each of us to live new lives in Christ.
The Annual Easter Breakfast will begin at 8 AM and end at 10:30 AM on Easter Sunday, April 16th. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a delicious breakfast! A NEW Breakfast Menu for 2017 includes: Freshly Baked Coffee Cake, Bagels, Fruit Salad, Egg Scrambles (with cheese, ham and veggies), Coffee, Tea, Juice, and Milk! A freewill offering will be taken. Proceeds will help support First Lutheran Summer Youth Activities.
May the love of our Risen Lord continue to shine through you! Easter JOY to you!
Roger Steinke Director of REACH Ministries
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Here are several “Spring and Summer 2017” dates for your calendars!
* Sunday, May 7 and 21 Journey Class Nights: “Paddle Pilgrim” with Rev. Dave Ellingson (5 – 7 PM)
* High School Graduate Breakfast & Recognition: Sunday, June 11 (Starts at 9:30 AM)
* “Hot Rods & Hot Dogs!” 8th Annual Car Show which benefits Hopelink: Saturday, June 24 (10 AM – 1 PM)
* High School Western States Youth Gathering, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California: Sunday, June 25 – Sunday, July 2
* Junior High / Middle School Mission Trip, Camp Lutherhaven & Shoshone Retreat, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: Sunday, July 16 – Friday, July 21
* Vacation Bible School / Summer Day Camp (Grades 3 Year-olds – 6th Grade) “We are God’s Masterpiece!” Monday, July 31 – Thursday, August 3
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“The library looks wonderful”, exclaimed one of our FLC members. Welcome to our reorganized Library. Yes, the shelves are attractively arranged, subject area clearly identified, labels easy to read.
The
2016 Show Us Your Summer photographs are now the new décor in the library.
Each photograph has an accompanying explanation identifying the photographer, the title, location, and the judges comments. You will be impressed with the talent of our members and friends.
Much more is happening in our library – there is a revised catalog system, and the Christian Century magazine will soon appear on the magazine shelves. Peter Marty, is now the editor of Christian Century.
Look for featured books on the table outside the library. There is a new one you will want to check out to read during Lent:
The Last Week: A Day-by-Day Account of Jesus’s Final Week in Jerusalem by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. “Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, the story begins on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem. The first entry, that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate leading Roman soldiers into the city, symbolized military strength. The second heralded a new kind of moral hero who was praised by the people as he rode in on a humble donkey. The Last Week depicts Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor.”
Check it out.
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Happy Birthday to our 80+ Year Olds!
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- Trudy Eichelsdoerfer April 1
- Marjory Gonyea April 2
- Robert Watters April 2
- Norman Ray April 5
- Gloria Nixon April 7
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- Pat Schjelland April 7
- Arlene Dinsmore April 9
- Evelyn Gaylord April 17
- Bobbi Osborne April 26
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FLC – Living Green
A few months ago, FLC member Professor Lisa Graumlich, Dean of the UW College of the Environment, educated us during the Sunday Night Journey Class about global warming. She listed one way to reduce the carbon footprint was to change to LED light bulbs.
Because PSE offered rebates, it was cost effective to replace the light bulbs that FLC uses regularly. In addition, Willdan, a PSE affiliate, determined they would replace even the little used bulbs at no cost to us. Approximately 340 LED bulbs have been installed at FLC with a return on our investment expected in less than two years. Our lighting carbon footprint will be reduced by over 30%.
There are other benefits besides using less energy: mercury free, works well with occupancy sensors, lasts 66% longer than fluorescent, and shatterproof.
Some FLC members have changed their home’s most used lights to LED lighting to assist in the effort to reduce global warming. Some retailers are offering instant rebates.
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Bell Tower Donations Report
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Thank you for your gifts to the Bell Fund!
Good news! We have reached our fund raising goal of $53,000. Gabbert Architecture will manage construction. We are waiting on the city permitting process
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Change for Change: All money received in the Change for Change jar will be used to support Hopelink food bank.
Hopelink food bank emphasis in April is for personal products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
April Monthly Outreach: $1,000.00 will go to Compass Housing Alliance.
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Callings All Towels!
During the month of April, the Social Ministries Committee is conducting a "Towel Drive" to benefit Compass Housing Alliance. Towels of all sizes are needed: bath, hand, wash cloth, and kitchen towels. They don't need to be new, but need to be serviceable. Here's the perfect opportunity to replace those towels that no longer fit your color scheme, or that you rarely use. They will be welcomed and put to use in Compass’s Women's Programs, Men's and Women's Hygiene Center, Emergency Shelter for Women, First Church Men's Overnight Shelter, and at their Transitional Housing facility.
The Compass can also use individual size (like those found in hotels/motels) shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.
Please bring your towel (and toiletry) donations anytime during April, and place in the designated receptacle at the Caring Corner in the narthex. Your gift will touch many lives. Thank you for thinking of the needs of others.
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we like to thank you for your support due to the drought which is affected our people here in Tanzania. On behalf of the Diocese of Morogoro I would like to thank you for your donation which allowed us to be the first organization helped people who were affected. This pictures show the Melela congregation's people received support of food. Distribution of food was led by our new Missionary from Bavaria Germany and other pastors I will continues to send you pictures of the areas that we helped people.
Now rain has started a little bit and people started digging their farms we don't if it will be enough rain for this year 2017. Thank you again for respond you show on the this difficult time. Please pass our love and regards to our brothers and sisters at your churches. In His service, Bishop Mameo
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Thank you to Dawn Bastin, Ann Bormann and Kathy Konieczka for sitting at the FLC reception desk in March during Kristin's vacation. Your generosity with your time is greatly appreciated!
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Women of First Lutheran Church (WFLC or WELCA)
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The Women of First Lutheran Church (WFLC) is a local organization of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (WELCA). All women at FLC are considered members of both WFLC and WELCA. You are invited to participate in any of the bible study circles, WFLC sponsored events and/or regional and national events.
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Bible Study opportunities available:
Deborah: Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 10:00 am, The Landing at FLC.
Reformation Bible Study, Galatians: Christian Faith and
Freedom.
Contact: Bonnie Ahlstedt 360-805-1743
Hannah: Monday, April 17, 2017, 6:30 pm, Fireside Room,
Child care available
Contact: Linda Siebert 425-821-1703.
Rebecca Circle: Wednesday, April 19, 10:00 am in the Landing.
Women of the ELCA Gather Bible Study and articles
Contact: Barbara Thieme 425-898-8982
Quilt Blessing Sunday is April 23. Please consider contributing to the Box Car fund on April 23 to help the FLC Women defray the quilts and kits shipping cost.
Women of the ELCA Tenth Triennial Gathering, July 13 - 16, 2017 in
Minneapolis, MN. Make your reservations now for All New. For more information click here.
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Here
is where your Quilts and Kits went in 2016! Thanks to our FLC Quilters we sent 243 quilts to Lutheran World Relief in 2016. They then spread our quilts all over the world!
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Congregations of the Cascadia Parish will be taking part in the Day of Service on Saturday, May 20th.
This Day of Service involves many congregations on the Eastside. First Lutheran folks will be
involved in the Friends of North Creek Forest project which will focus on removing invasive weeds, spreading mulch, and removing garbage.
A second project will be supporting Pantry Packs, summer food kits to be distributed to hungry children.
More information will come later.
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The Lutheran World Federation, which has 145 member churches in 98 countries and over 70 million members, including the ELCA, has produced a document to support the 500th commemoration of the Reformation called: We are liberated by God's grace: Across the world Lutherans are offering God’s grace revealed through Christ to God’s people everywhere.
One of the highlights of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 is the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation that will meet in Namibia in May under the theme “Liberated by God’s Grace”.
To read more click on the link above pick up the full article from the news shelf in the narthex.
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From Lutheran Counseling Network
Faith and Everyday Life -
March 2017
Too Uncomfortable:
The Mirror
How much “should” the other one be able to stand? It is possible to brow-beat someone else into the ground, you know. Disagreements are inevitable in relationships. How we handle them is a choice. We can be “too” much or “too” little in how we deal with discord. There is a balance between these two choices.
Sometimes our pursuit of the other during a conflict is driven by our own anxiety. We believe that we have to get something settled now. Sometimes it takes the form of “You can’t leave!” The terror of a possible permanent rift is so compelling we go into survival mode and demand to finish the argument.
As hard as it is, when someone cries “uncle”, it’s best to quit pushing. Pursuit beyond that point may only push the relationship into disaster. And sometimes leading to domestic violence where pushing and shoving at the door leads to injury or worse. At this point, tempers may be too close to boiling and self control for both may be already gone.
Research into these kinds of situations tells us that both people need time to de-stress. Our physiology is so wound up that we can’t really think clearly. Being able to soothe ourselves and distract our minds for long enough to allow thinking to resume and then reengaging the topic is really the only way through this scenario.
God nowhere promises to make these situations come out well every time. God does promise that comfort is available for the terrified and reminds us that love and connection is what God wants. If you are upset to the point of demanding that the argument must be settled now, risk that God’s presence and desire for healing are always present… and then breathe… and try again later.
Lutheran Counseling Network
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Lutheran World Relief (LWR) needs a few more local willing people – anyone who can lift 30 pound boxes – to help with the twice-a-year Seattle LWR quilt and kit collection on
Friday May 5th from 8am to 3pm, and Saturday May 6th from 8am to noon. If you cannot lift, or do not want to lift boxes, we also need traffic directors to manage the incoming loads, and help with checking cars in. Traffic directors get to wear bright yellow vests, and talk with everyone who comes into the parking lot. Traffic director is nice job if you like to socialize. Food is provided for all.
Volunteers work two-hour shifts, if possible – with time off between incoming vehicles for conversation and snacks. This is a physical Tetris game – we stack the boxes 9.5 feet high and 8 feet across in 53-foot long containers. The boxes range from banana and apple boxes to various packing boxes, so loading can be challenging.
This event takes place in the parking lot west of Our Redeemers’ Lutheran Church (2500 85th Ave NW). We have two loadings a year – first week in May, and late October/early November.
Please call Rich Mathes (206-384-1183) or Email [email protected] if interested in the loading, or just have questions.
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Summer Camp Registration is Open!
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We have a new online registration system. Please click the link below to register for camp. Questions to
[email protected] or call 360-734-7652, M - F 9 -4.
Registration
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Connect With Our Partners
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Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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