A weekly newsletter from First Lutheran Church, created to inspire and connect you with meaningful ministries and opportunities to live out your faith - within our church, our community, the world and your everyday life.

Highlights for the Week of June 25, 2025

happening. This summer, our school-age campers have been busy enjoying themed weeks and field trips that spark creativity and curiosity. From making ziplines at the UNL College of Engineering to unleashing their artistic side at Paint Yourself Silly, our students have been exploring the world in hands-on, memorable ways.

We’ve also been lucky to welcome some amazing visitors from our community. The Astronomy Club shared their knowledge of the stars and Dara Troutman from First Lutheran brought her lovable service dogs to both centers for some furry, friendly fun. Coming up, Bev White from First Lutheran will visit to share a 4th of July-themed puppet show with both centers! We are so grateful to those who take the time to enrich our program with their talents and passions. If you or someone you know has a special gift or story to share, we’d love to welcome you to Las Abejitas!

Looking ahead, we’ve officially opened our enrollment for Fall 2025 and are already seeing strong interest. If you’re considering enrolling, don’t wait too long - spots are expected to fill up quickly!

On a more somber note, we want to acknowledge the difficult and uncertain times many of our families and staff are facing. We’ve had to say goodbye to two valued employees, one of whom self-deported, after their legal visas were revoked. It’s a painful reminder of the struggles that many in our community are experiencing. Even those not directly impacted often have friends or family members who are affected. Now more than ever, it’s important to come together. At Las Abejitas, we are committed to being a safe, supportive, and welcoming space for everyone. We stand with our families and staff and want them to know they are loved, valued and never alone.

Thank you for being a part of our community. Let’s continue to build a future rooted in compassion, inclusion and joy.

The gatherings will take place on the patio that’s easily accessible through the garage with no stairs. Just follow the signs when you arrive. This event is for all ages, so bring along your entire family!

StARS has been a vital resource for displaced people since 1979, providing education, legal aid and psychosocial services. This is an incredible opportunity to hear insights about their mission to build safe, inclusive communities and empower refugees to create solutions for their own futures.



Whether you’re passionate about social justice or curious to learn, Pastor Bekah will leave you inspired.

Learn More About StARS

Rejoicing Spirits believes faith should be accessible to all. This ministry works with congregations to create meaningful worship experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their loved ones. More than just a service, Rejoicing Spirits builds a supportive community where everyone can participate, lead, and grow.

What makes Rejoicing Spirits special:

• Music and Joy: Lively singing in a warm, celebratory atmosphere.
• Inclusive Participation: Everyone can lead, serve, and learn in their own way.
• Come as You Are: A space where being yourself is celebrated.

Join this joyful service on the third Tuesday of every month from 12:45–2:30 PM at Connection Point Church (1333 N. 33rd Street, Lincoln).

The vision is to expand Rejoicing Spirits across Lincoln with more congregations, potentially at First Lutheran Church. The first step? Attend a service at Connection Point Church.



Rejoicing Spirits reminds us that faith communities should go beyond accessibility—they should break down barriers. Together, we can create a world where everyone can rejoice, belong, and thrive.

Photos of the Week

Last week at VBS, 35-37 children and about 45 helpers joined us to explore the Lord’s Prayer and our ELCA partnerships in Mexico, Zimbabwe, Guatemala, Ohio, Texas and Kenya. Children learned “The Caribbean Lord’s Prayer” and other fun songs led by Amanda Andersen and Jenna Troutman. Pastor Erin, Pastor Andrew, Pastor Tobi White from Our Saviour’s and Kaitlyn Brock introduced each day’s theme with skits.

Children enjoyed snacks, crafts, games, activities and storytelling to deepen their understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and the featured country of the day. Preschoolers had their own lessons led by Beth Wiebelhaus, Maya Troutman and Anna Wemhoff. They created prayer journals, decorated cups symbolizing God’s love, planted strawberries, played games, listened to stories and enjoyed snacks.

Each day ended with songs and writing prayers for the prayer wall. Families also donated cleaning items for Lutheran Family Services well-being boxes. The week wrapped up with pizza and a Foam Party. Despite the heat, the kids had a blast running through the foam, filling the air with laughter and excitement.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who made this week a success!

Enjoy More Photos of VBS 2025!

Helpful Resources and Links