First Things First: Generosity Grows!

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 October 28, 2026

Dear First Lutheran,

102

That’s the number of households who have made a pledge of giving for 2027 as of Sunday night. Not only that, but those pledges put us at 73% of our total pledge goal! And if you’re keeping track, that’s well above the 40% goal we had for pledges submitted by November 1 in order to unlock the Council Challenge gift of $1,000 to the Lutheran Food Pantry. Thank you!

That means we’re closing in on our total pledge goal of $850,000 with only $225,000 to go. You are making that possible. I know that talking about church finances is never exactly free of anxiety. But one of the really beautiful things about the way we fund ministry in the church is that it’s always an invitation to be part of something bigger than our own or our family’s contribution. It’s a way of getting to practice being the church—together--which also includes trusting that God is faithful to take our giving and multiply it (think Jesus feeding the 5,000!) for ministry.

If you haven’t pledged yet, bring your pledge card to church this weekend and join those who have made a pledge for our shared ministry in 2027. Or make your pledge online!

At the very heart of stewardship is that your generosity shares God’s love with the world. And your generosity empowers us to do more in all areas of our mission and ministry. Thank you for being a part of sharing God’s abundance.

Be sure to join us for a stewardship celebration meal this Sunday, November 8 after worship (remember, one service only at 10:45 AM)!

See you in church,

Hear This Week's Abundance Story

“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing…” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:10

What you share today can help shape what becomes possible tomorrow. Sometimes we can see that growth clearly. Sixteen years ago, First Friday Jazz began as an idea; today, each performance welcomes around 250 people for music, food and community. Lutheran World Relief quilting, which began in 1945 and later at First Lutheran, has grown into a ministry that has produced more than 28 million quilts and reached people in 136 countries. And Orff instruments given in memory of one of our youngest members have grown into a collection that continues to help children learn, create and make music together.

Each of these began with someone choosing to share what they had—an idea, a gift, a skill or simply a willingness to serve. That generosity took root and grew into something far greater than anyone may have first imagined.

In his Temple Talk from Sunday worship, Don Schnier reflects on this week’s stewardship theme, Generosity Grows, and what it means to trust that the gifts we offer today can help shape the ministry of tomorrow.

Reflect & Pray

Reflect: What do you hope our generosity today will make possible tomorrow?

Pray: God of growth and possibility, take what we offer and use it in ways greater than we can imagine. Amen.

Let Your Blessings Flow

As we look toward Commitment Sunday, consider one way you could share what God has given you in the coming week. It might be a skill you can teach, time you can give or an idea you’ve been waiting to share.

Explore Our Every Blessing in Abundance Stewardship Page!

Commitment Sunday: Come Celebrate Generosity and Community

This Sunday, November 8, we come together to celebrate Every Blessing in Abundance and the ministry we make possible as one First Lutheran community.

We will gather for one worship service at 10:45 AM—there will be no 8:15 AM service—with guest preacher Aaron Renkenberger of MOSAIC, one of the community partners we are grateful to welcome into our building each weekday for day services.

After worship, the celebration continues in the Activity Center with a free hot catered meal from Chef au Chef and time to simply be together in fellowship.

Come celebrate the generosity, relationships and ministry we share and be reminded that when we bring our gifts together, we can continue doing God’s work and accompany others in meaningful ways for years to come.

There is so much generosity to celebrate—and even more yet to grow!

NOTE: There will be no learning hour from 9:30-10:30 AM on Sunday due to the Good Life Halfsy affecting access into our parking lot.

Generosity Grows - And Goes!

What does it look like when generosity grows? Sometimes, it looks like a stack of boxes ready for a journey.

Inside these boxes are 137 quilts lovingly made by First Lutheran’s quilters for Lutheran World Relief.

They’re headed to a distribution center in Omaha before continuing to people and communities affected by natural disasters and crises.

Each quilt began with something someone could share—fabric, thread, time or talent. Joined together, those gifts became a source of warmth, comfort and hope for neighbors we may never meet.

As we reflect on Generosity Grows, our quilters remind us that what we share today can make a difference tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone who helped these gifts of love grow—and go!

A Quiet Place in Your Week

Pause, breathe and make room for reflection at Taizé worship on the first Wednesday of each month led by First Lutheran member Julianna Peters.

Through repeated musical phrases and moments of silence, this reflective service offers space to slow down and rest in God’s presence.

Join us for the first service tonight, November 4, at 6:15 PM in the Chapel. The service will last approximately 45 minutes. All are welcome!

Cultivating Peace in an Unsettled World

How can our faith help us find inner peace and respond to the challenges of today’s world?

First Lutheran member Carol Olson invites you to explore that question at “Let Peace Be Your Quest and Aim: Benedictine Wisdom for Our Time” on Saturday, November 14, at 9:30 AM.

The free gathering will offer insights from Benedictine spiritual practices and the Rule of St. Benedict, with time for silence, reflection and sharing. Attend in person at the Donlan Conference Center at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital’s Lincoln Campus, or join via Zoom.

Carol, Lead Dean of the Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska, will co-present the program with fellow Oblates affiliated with Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, South Dakota. Benedictine Oblates are Christians from many denominations who gather for prayer and study of the Rule of St. Benedict.

Contact Carol Olson for details or the Zoom link

Coffee for a Cause

Stock up on your favorite brew or grab a holiday gift! First Lutheran’s youth are selling coffee from Lincoln’s Coffee Roaster through November 14. Each 12-ounce bag is $20 and proceeds support their trip to the 2027 National Gathering in Minneapolis.

Order through one of our youth or pick up a form in the Gathering Area. Include cash or a check payable to First Lutheran Church with “The Coffee Roaster” in the memo line. Download the order form.

Coffee should be ready about five days after the group order is submitted.Youth will deliver orders placed through them and church orders can be picked up at First.

A Prayer for Peace and Unity

by Pastor Nancy Eckels, First Lutheran Member

Gracious God,

You are the source of all wisdom, the defender of the poor, the refuge of the fearful and the hope of all who long for justice.

As our nation approaches this election, calm anxious hearts and steady troubled minds. Grant wisdom to voters, integrity to leaders and courage to all who seek the common good.

We pray especially for those who are frightened and uncertain, for those who are sick in body or spirit, for families separated by distance, circumstance, or policy and for those struggling beneath the weight of rising costs and daily burdens. Draw near to them with your comfort, strength and provision.

Give us the courage to see our neighbors as you see them, the humility to listen and the resolve to pursue justice with compassion. Where there is bitterness, sow understanding. Where there is despair, kindle hope. Where there is division, preserve our shared humanity.

Grant us peace, O Lord, not a peace that ignores suffering, but a peace rooted in your righteousness; not a peace that settles for the way things are, but a peace that strengthens us to love, to serve and to seek justice for all your children.

In these days of uncertainty, keep us faithful, courageous and calm. Remind us that our ultimate trust rests not in princes or parties, but in your steadfast love, which endures forever.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24)

Confirmation and Supper with Parents - TONIGHT at 6:00 PM.

High School Youth Group - TONIGHT at *6:15 PM (*note the time change!).

Register for the Winter Retreat for 7-12th Grade - December 27 (5:00 PM)-December 29 (11:00 AM) at American Lutheran Church! Sign up! Pay the $20 registration fee with cash or check to Lillie. Checks can be made out to First Lutheran Church with "Winter Retreat" in the memo line.