Just One is a collaborative, community-wide event that helps a community have conversations about depression, suicide, and suicide prevention. This event is geared toward middle and high school youth but has important information for everyone - especially parents and people who work with teens.

Speaker Sam Eaton shares his story of the day suicide didn’t win. Sam is the founder of a suicide prevention organization called Recklessly Alive and the author of the 2021 book Recklessly Alive: What My Suicide Attempt Taught Me About God and Living Life to the Fullest. His talk offers resources and practical applications for those who are struggling with mental health and depression and also provides information on how to best support friends and family struggling with depression.

Hip-hop artist Kaboose offers an inspiring concert at Just One with a message of hope amidst life's struggles. At Just One, attendees will also find resources from local and national organizations to help continue the conversation around mental health.



Registration is not required for this FREE event, but it helps us know what to plan for. Just One is put on by the Matt Kjelland Memorial Foundation, Thrivent Action Teams, Alex UMC, First Congregational UCC, First Lutheran Church, and Calvary Lutheran Church.

Psalm 141: “May my prayer be set before you like incense.”



Many of you participated in our Lenten Prayer Stations found around our gathering space. At one of them, you surrendered your burdens, sins, or worries as prayers nailed to the cross. Your prayers and words on these slips of paper are holy. The Spirit takes them, and God hears them and responds with forgiveness and a love that passes all human understanding.

A few weeks ago, students and their parents participated in a communion retreat here at First Lutheran. This retreat is designed to provide spiritual, biblical, and personal formation support for children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Communion. As Lutherans, we emphasize the real presence of Christ's body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine, offering forgiveness and spiritual strength to those who receive it. Our students had the opportunity to make and bake bread, receive communion instruction, stomp grapes, and design their cup to be used for their first communion on Maundy Thursday.

PRAYERS



HEALTH CONCERNS:  

Renata Grant, Ann Hanson, Bev Nelson, Roger Riley, Michelle Rhen, Kaye Crawford, John Stanz, Danielle Carver, Mick Balow, Jim Brakken, Ron Langhoff, Jim Bjerknes, Kathy Koester, Bob Neessen, Cindy Bigger, Carol Feldmann, Sydney Larson, Dot Swanson, Jim Bjorge, Carol Winter Bjorge, Carol Varner, Phyllis Norton, Becky Husen, Sharon Heinrich, and Scott Giannone.

GRIEVING:

Penny Thorstad and Trent & Patty Thorstad and family on the death of Mike Thorstad.

Lynn & Reed Johnson and Kaija & Jerry Gay & family on the death of Lynn’s dad, Robert Engelstad.

Elaine Kuhnau & family on the death of her sister, Marilyn Kluver.

Roger Haffner and Sheila Espelien on the death of Roger’s dad, John Haffner.

QJ and Amy Warrey & family on the death of QJ’s mom, Mary Warrey.