July - August 2017 Newsletter
Here is what is happening at First Lutheran Church this month!

Worship Schedule
Worship: 9:30 am
Fellowship Hour: 10:30 am

Communion served every Sunday
The church office will be closed on July 4, but the church will be open during the Bothell parade for refreshments and goodies!
Pastor Berg's Message

Sabbatical Time.

Pastor Berg is on sabbatical and will have a new article in September. 

To see Pastor Berg's past articlesclick here.

From Pastor Berg!
Congratulations to our 2017 College Graduates!
Megan Benfield - Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.
Michael Hatlen - Pacific Lutheran University 
Connor McCaw - Washington State University 
Caileigh Steigers - Washington State University 
Maaike Tiersma - Brown University in Rhode Island

2017 Post Graduate Degree
Erin Siebert - Seattle Pacific University.

Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study

Saturday, July 15th & August 19 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.  Ron Sailor will lead an inspiring Bible study and discussion.  Please join us!  

Roger Steinke's Notes

UPCOMING YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

Junior High Summer Mission Trip to Camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho     July 16 – 21
We will work together and serve Jesus at this premier Christian Camp!  Experiences will include: Work Projects at Camp Lutherhaven, Campfires, Craft Projects, Hiking, a visit to Silverwood Theme Park, Team Building Initiatives, a day at Shoshone Mountain Retreat, Climbing Tower Time and Zip Line Rides. Situated on scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene, Lutherhaven offers many waterfront activities, which include swimming, canoeing, water slides and plenty of “Water Fun in the Sun!”   Please meet at First Lutheran on Sunday, July 16 at 9 AM.  We return to First Lutheran on Friday, July 21 by 6 PM.

“Masterpiece!” 2017 Vacation Bible School & Summer Day Camp: Monday, 7/31 - Thursday, 8/3
The Preschool and Kindergarten students meet from 9 AM – Noon, Monday – Thursday.  Students in Grades 1 – 5 meet from 9 AM – 3 PM, Monday – Thursday (Lunch is included).  Lutherhaven Ministries (Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho) will help lead this Day Camp experience for students entering Grades 1 - 5 (in the Fall of 2017).  The Lutherhaven Day Camp Team will lead the program (Bible studies, crafts, games, songs and worship). A special celebration with inflatables and a Closing Worship with dinner is planned for Thursday!  Registration Forms are available at the church and on the church website

Youth Day Hike at Mt. Rainier, Wednesday, August 16th, 7:15 AM – 9 PM
All youth in Grades 7 – 12 are invited to attend this Day Hike at Mt. Rainier.  We will leave from First Lutheran at 7:15 AM and meet our friends at Peace Lutheran in Puyallup.  Our combined groups will then be led on a 6 to 8 mile Day Hike by a retired Naturalist from the National Park Service (Sue is a member of Peace Lutheran).  This will be a different hike than the August 2016 hike to Paradise Glacier. Join us on this FUN Adventure! Please sign up on the Youth Board!
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Here are several  Summer 2017 dates for your calendars!  

* High School Western States Youth Gathering, June 25 – July 2 
California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California:  June 25 – July 2

*Junior High Mission Trip Information Meeting, July 11, 7 PM
 
* Junior High / Middle School Mission Trip,  July 16 – July 21
Camp Lutherhaven & Shoshone Retreat, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
 
* Vacation Bible School / Summer Day Camp  July 31 – August 3  (Grades 3 Year-olds – 6th Grade) “We are God’s Masterpiece!”  

* Youth Day Hike at Mt. Rainier, Wednesday, August 16th, 7:15 AM – 9 PM

Rally Day., Sunday, September 10th The Start of Sunday School and the return of Pastor Tor Berg   

The FLC library is sponsoring :  Show Us Your Summer 2017 

Here is how you can participate:  

Select one photo from your photo library of 2017 summer/fall events which you would like to submit  to Show Us Your Summer 2017 photo contest.   

Then: 
*Have an  8x10  print of your one photo made and mount on cardboard.[change from previous years—cardboard rather than foam ]  Include your name,  a title for your photo entry, date,  location and information  you want to include—especially if this is a group event or portrait.    

*Bring your mounted photo to our church library and place it in the blue basket on the file cabinet right next to the door.    

Photos should be submitted  by October 8, 2017 

All photos will be displayed in our gallery show and judged by a professional photographer.  Award photos will be framed and in our library for 2018—a year on display.   

The award photos will be returned to the winning photographers in 2019. 

The 2017 award winning photos, in our library, can provide ideas for your photo project:  
Osprey- Dan Bormann 
Chukanut Ride- Alain Adjorolo 
Ducklings- Ann Bormann
Geraniums:Warm Red and White- Judy Edmonds 
Paradise- Judy Richards 
White Crowned Sparrow Singing- Joe Siebert 
Rooftops to God- Richard Edmonds 
Oppheimsvatnet, Norway- Jean Peterson  
 
Enter your one favorite photo. 
Thank you for participating in our 2017 Show Us Your Summer contest.

Questions: Sue Toyoda 206-890-0017 or Ann Aagaard:425-488-8418 

CHECK IT OUT!
      
Happy Birthday to our 80+ Year Olds!
  • Mavis Carlson                July 27
  • Edith Hostetler               July 30
  • Paul Gabrielson             August 1
  • Ardyce Johnson             August 4
  • Erika Beers                    August 9
  • Carol Kanikkeberg         August 10
  • Anne Hodges                 August 11
  • Walt Stoll                        August 14
  • Nancy Graumlich           August 15
  • Karen Gabrielson           August 18
  • Dale Brown                    August 24
  • Darinka Brown               August 27

 


 
RISE – Resurrection + Respiration + Reformation
I was privileged to be one of your representatives to the NW Washington Synod Assembly at Salem Lutheran in Mount Vernon on Saturday, May 20th along with Kathy Konieczka and Dan Bormann.  Rev. Daniel Rift, Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeals was the church wide representative.  His keynote talk to the 365 attendees about how our benevolence mission support dollars are being used world-wide made me proud to be an ELCA Lutheran.  So much good work is being done on our behalf!
In 2015, ELCA members gave 1.75 billion dollars in unrestricted offerings to support God’s mission and ministry through the three expressions of the ELCA.  Of the almost $34,000 FLC will give to mission support in 2017, 47% goes to church wide.  The annual report shares that “We are the church together for the sake of the world.”
Did you know that the Lutheran World Federation runs many large refugee camps?  Did you know that ELCA Lutheran pastors are specifically requested as federal prison chaplains because of how they relate to inmates?  
South Sudan is the first internationally declared famine anywhere in the last six years.  Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to provide life giving aid to the 100,000 people who have fled their homes, 90 percent of them are women and children.
Bishop Unti led us in worship.  He told us that Americans are becoming more afraid.  He said, “Locked doors did not keep Jesus out.  Jesus brought peace”.  “I send you” are the most important words for the Northwest.  Faith is formed in being sent.” He went on to say, “We need to learn to know our neighbor.  Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”  “Come Holy Spirit” is Pastor Unti’s mantra.  Should we adopt it as well?
In addition to hearing these two motivational talks and hearing about ELCA services provided in our synod, we did the business work of the church: elections, budgets, and resolutions.
Next year there will not be a business meeting.  It will be something new.
With thanksgiving,
Ann Bormann

Bell Tower Donations Report
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
Social Ministry Update

July & August Outreach

Money deposited in the Change for Change jar in July and August will be used to support Northshore School District’s Backpacks for Kids program.  Additionally, donated school supplies may be placed in the NSD Backpacks for Kids receptacle in the narthex caring corner, which will be picked up on August 10th. We will also be partnering with Easternwood (affordable housing complex, a project of Compass Housing Alliance) to provide school supplies directly to resident children.


The focus of donations to the Hopelink grocery cart in June will be for replacements for school lunch programs (peanut butter, jelly, fruit cups, cracker & cheese packs, etc.)  

 

July Monthly Outreach: $1,000.00 will go to Lutheran Community Services.

Scrip and Other Passive Fundraising for First Lutheran Church!
We have several opportunities for earning money while you shop for FLC's many social ministry programs:
  1. Buy Scrip on Sunday mornings or sign up for Shop with Scrip. Many vendors are available for instant purchase and redemption from your mobile phone in the Shop with Scrip program. No more writing checks; the money is automatically deducted from your checking account using Presto Pay. (The profit margin for scrip is not great enough to support credit card payments.) Scrip returns anywhere from 3 - 12% of your purchases to FLC! You can buy grocery cards, movie tickets, Amazon, even Groupon - the list is great!
  2. Sign up for Amazon Smile and name First Lutheran Church as your charity. Every time you shop with Amazon Smile FLC receive .05% of your purchase price. You can still use Amazon Prime. Get your kids to sign up, too!
  3. Link your Fred Meyer rewards card to their Community Rewards program for First Lutheran Church. All of your purchases will result in a quarterly donation to FLC.
  4. Sign up for Bartell's B Caring Program, and name First Lutheran Church as your charity.
Women of First Lutheran Church (WFLC or WELCA)
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.
Have a great summer! We will meet again in September.
Bible Study opportunities available:
Deborah:  Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 10:00 am, The Landing at FLC.  
Reformation Bible Study, Galatians: Christian Faith and  Freedom
Contact:  Bonnie Ahlstedt 360-805-1743

Hannah: Monday, September 18, 2017, 6:30 pm, Fireside Room, 
Child care available
Contact: Linda Siebert 425-821-1703.

Rebecca Circle:  Wednesday, September 20, 10:00 am in the Landing. 
Women of the ELCA Gather Bible Study and articles
Contact:  Barbara Thieme 425-898-8982

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.

SUMMER Bible studies focusing on the studies from the Women of the ELCA “Gather” magazine at Edmonds Lutheran Church (23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds) on Saturdays July 8, and Aug 5 at 10:00 AM with a light lunch. If you are interested in carpooling from FLC, please contact Bonnie Ahlstedt, bob.bon@comcast.net/360-805-1743.  

Looking Ahead: NW WA Synodical Women’s Organization Convention October 7, 2017, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood.  Theme:  Dancing through the Waters, Exodus 15:20 focusing on Miriam’s story. Worship Leader: Pastor Joan Beck.
Visit our Web Page!
Looking Ahead!
From Our Partners
From the Cascadia Parish
From The Lutheran World Federation - 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Motto:  We are Liberated by God’s Grace.

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.
 
Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today and Forever with the National Lutheran Choir
Friday, September 29, 2017 – 7:30pm
St. Mark’s Cathedral
1245 10th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98102

The National Lutheran Choir leads a community-wide evening of singing in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. This unique program, featuring the National Lutheran Choir, a massed choir of singers from local choirs assembled for this momentous occasion, and the congregation, will celebrate the rich treasury of music – from early hymns to new works – expressing the journey of the Church. Under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien, the 64-voice National Lutheran Choir seeks to strengthen, renew and preserve the heritage of sacred choral music. More information at NLCA.com

Would you just love to sing with this group on September 29th? Great!  Just such an opportunity is open to the first 150 singers who sign up.  There will be three anthems and a few hymn descants to learn ahead of time by attending at least one of the following prep rehearsals, both held at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave N in Seattle:
Tuesday, 19 September, 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, 24 September, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Music will be distributed at the rehearsals.  There will also be a rehearsal with NLC the night of the concert at St. Mark’s, exact time still TBD.

To sing, you must sign up – take a minute to do it now – by responding with your name, congregation, and voice part via e-mail at Sept29Singer@gmail.com.  Your gift of song is a cherished gift.

From Lutheran Counseling Network 
Faith and Everyday Life - July 2017

Too Deep to Heal

There is something called an “attachment wound” that creates such pain and subsequent distrust that the relationship is just not the same afterward. It happens at a time when one person relied on the other for understanding and comfort and it was met with neglect or even overt criticism.  This leads to hurt and pain. These wounds can be healed, but the work and commitment to healing the pain from 20 years ago can be challenging. Betrayal of that moment becomes triggered by the past experience, often making it exaggerated to the present incident.
What we know is that two things need to happen to get past this hurt. One is that the “hurt one” must have the depth of their pain heard, recognized and thoroughly validated by the other. But second, the other one, must be able to tell what was going on for them at the time and likewise be heard and validated.
There are some purely malicious actions, but they are quite rare. These attachment wounds are usually done out of the pain and distress of someone who is not coping well with whatever the situation is. They are often done not intentionally to wound, but rather to self-protect.
Most of the time these wounds are not really too deep to heal, but they sure seem that way. If you have carried one of these in a significant relationship, maybe it’s time to get some professional help resolving it.
If our wounding to death of God’s son is not too deep to heal, perhaps our wounds of each other are not either.
Lutheran Counseling Network


Summer Camp Registration is  Open!
We have a new online registration system. Please click the link below to register for camp. Questions to office@camplutherwood.org or call 360-734-7652, M - F 9 -4.

Registration
Connect With Our Partners
First Lutheran Church |  425-486-2314 | 425-297-4898 |office@flcbothell.org |flcbothell.org
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