A trained Nursery Care Giver staffs the Church Nursery from 9:15 – 10:45 AM during the School Year.  

Prayers of the People

The main work of the Christian is to be in prayer. Many people wonder what this looks like for them. Prayer can be understood in many different ways. For some, prayer calls for kneeling with head bowed and hands folded. For others, it can be standing with head back and hands raised with palms turned to the sky. It could also be spoken either silently or out loud, sung, or murmured. All of these different understandings are correct insofar that one is consciously turning their hearts toward God.

As Christian people we also join in corporate prayer. These can be prepared prayers that are spoken out loud in unison, prayers spoken by one person with a prepared response by the people. A common response is to say "Amen" which means "Let it be so."

Continue to Pastor Berg's Blog.

Thank you from Liz Colver!

Thank you for placing your trust in me. You have, the FLC community, with a few other ELCA communities, decided to step into an uncomfortable and unclear place - by my side - and love me with your actions. You saw injustice and stepped in to make it right, even though it was wonky and unclear. You loved me with a love that Jesus asked you to love your neighbor with, and trusted God with the details. And I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I thank God for your willingness to lighten my load, to appear by my side, to shine love on an unjust system, and to offer my family respite from fear. I promise you I will offer my thanks to God for you for the rest of my days. I cannot wait to serve you with love in return during this liminal time.  

With joy and thanksgiving,

Deacon/Pastor Liz

YOU SHOULD ATTEND!

We will gather to celebrate, learn and connect around the theme of generosity. This is generosity rooted in God's abundant love for God's creation.

This event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood AND the new Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. The event begins with worship at 9am with song, communion, preaching by Bishop Shelley, and gratitude and blessing for our Synod VP Kay Edgerton who will be concluding her term this summer.



Our keynote presenter will be Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA director for congregational stewardship. Following lunch, there will be 2 afternoon workshop times - with a total of 22 options from local leaders! As we prepare to close the day, we will re-gather for a sending service - including time to install our newly elected synod council officers and members.

Scrip Card Purchases are Available Online

You don't have to wait until Sunday to purchase Scrip. Purchase scrip cards directly from RaiseRight for your gifts and everyday purchases, and benefit First Lutheran Church’s Social Ministries programs!

Follow this link to easily set up your account. The RaiseRight app is available in the IOS App Store or Google Play Store.

Happy Shopping!

Widows Support Group

May 11, 10 am

We are not a therapy group, but we are a place for widows to find friendship, support, and fun.

We meet the 2nd Monday of the month at 10:00 am in the library. Please join us!

Call Paula Glandon for more info. 425-483-1783

Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study!

Saturday, May 16, 9 – 10:15 am. 

Join other congregation and community members for breakfast and conversation! There will be “food for the body, food for the soul and food for thought!” Please join us for discussion and enrichment. Questions to Roger Steinke

Youth

Sunday, May 18th “End of Sunday School Year” Party at

“Elevated Sportz!” In Bothell (11:45 AM – 2:45 PM)

Kids in Preschool through High School are invited to celebrate an “End of Sunday School Year” Party at “Elevated Sportz!” in Bothell. We will leave First Lutheran at 11:45 AM – shortly after Sunday School Ends and return to the Church at 2:45 PM. You can either ride in the Church Bus (round/trip) or drive with your own family and meet us there. A Pizza Lunch will be served at “Elevated Sportz!” during our Activity/Play Time.  Our Group Play Time is 120 Minutes, which will start at 12:15 PM and end at 2:15 PM. If you are driving yourself, please arrive at around 12 PM / Noon and meet our group in the Lobby.

Grip Socks and a Completed Waiver are REQUIRED to play at Elevated Sportz. Grip Socks can either be purchased in the Lobby ($5 a pair) or brought from home. Waivers can be completed in the Lobby at the front desk or you can save time by completing your Waivers online. Simply visit Elevated Sportz online at elevatedsportz.com and click “Sign Waiver.”  “Elevated Sportz!” is located at 18311 Bothell Everett Hwy #140, in Bothell, 98012. Our discounted price for First Lutheran Church Members and Friends is only $20 per participant. Please pay Roger the $20 per person cost. The Church will pay Elevated Sportz after the party. 

Price includes admission and pizza lunch. Scholarship help is available. Questions? Please contact Roger for more information. To help with planning, PLEASE Sign Up on the Youth Board. Friends are welcome! Join US!

Western States Youth Gathering Information Meeting

Sunday, May 30, 2026

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM

All youth participants are invited to attend this important and informational meeting. Please being along at least one adult / parent to this meeting. Forms will be collected, payments made, plans shared and questions answered. Please contact Roger with any WSYG 2026 questions. Sign Up on the Youth Board. A group of 15 youth and adults are attending this awesome event! Our group leaves Seattle on Thursday, June 25 and returns to Seattle on Wednesday, July 1.  

All Ages

Monday, May 11th Movie Review

“Secret Mall Apartment!” Meets in Youth Room, 5 – 7 PM

“In 20023, eight Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment inside the busy Providence Place Mall and kept it going for four years, filming everything along the way. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret mall apartment became an incredibly meaningful act for all the participants, at once an act of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, and a 750 square foot space that “sticks it to the man!” 

(98% Score and Summary by Rotton Tomatoes.) Refreshments will be served.

First Lutheran Church Book Club Meeting Via Zoom      

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

Tuesday, May 26 at 7 PM

Discussion Leader: Linda Siebert

“Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side and understood more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star. But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis and revolutionize modern communication...if anyone would listen to her.”  

“A novel based on the true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication. (Summary by Goodreads)” Please contact Katie Pyne or Roger Steinke for additional information about the Book Club. A copy of this Featured Book of the Month is available in the First Lutheran Church Library. Please join us! 

In May we are highlighting books on the spirituality of the SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE. With the ever-increasing complexities of life, it’s easy to miss seeing God at work in the ordinary.

* Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

* The Spirituality of Wine

* To the Table: A Spirituality of Food, Farming, and Community

* Old-fashioned on Purpose: A Homesteading Manifesto

This month, the little readers will find wonderful books on display to help them learn about God's gift of creation. 

CHECK IT OUT! 

May Ministry of the Month

Click on image for more information about Camp United We Stand.

CHANGE FOR CHANGE All money received in the Change for Change jar will be used to support HOPELINK food bank.

Monthly Financial Outreach

January Outreach: Camp United We Stand

February Outreach: Hopelink

March Outreach: Lutheran Community Services/Compass Housing Alliance

April Outreach: Global Refuge

May Outreach: Camp United We Stand

Top 5 for Compass Housing Alliance!

The Social Ministries Committee invites your help collecting these “TOP 5” needed supplies for Compass Housing Guests and Families during May 2026. Items can be dropped off in the Church Narthex Caring Corner or in the Collection Bin located near the Preschool Entrance.  Questions? Contact Roger Steinke.

1. Men’s Underwear (M, L, XL and 3XL)

2. Women’s Underwear (S, M, L and XL)

3. Towels (New and Gently Used. Shower and Bath Towels)

4. Cleaning Supplies (Bathroom and Kitchen Cleaners, Brushes, Sponges, etc.)

5. Adult Art Supplies and Board Games (To Help with Facilitating Community Activities)

All through the month of May 2026, your Top 5 Donations are very much appreciated! Thank you!

 Food donations are distributed to local food pantries and to school food banks.

CREATION CARE

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 

Annually, during the first full week of May, ICAW provides a focus on composting, both nationally and around the world. The goal is to raise awareness as to why we should compost and ways to use our compost. This year ICAW is from May 3rd through May 9th. The theme is “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us.” On Sunday, May 3rd, Christy Freriks will be in the narthex with part of her worm composting stacking bin and “The Steves.” (Each of the worms that help Christy and her family turn food scraps into enriched compost is named Steve.) Did you know that composting worms can eat about 25% of their weight every day or that of the 9,000 species of earthworms, only 7 are able to do this special work? Stop by before or after service to see some of the Steves in action and to learn how to create the best environment for your own worm composting bin, and to pick up a coloring book of “The Steves” at work. For a useful resource on composting at home, check out this EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

Kiwanis Mill Creek Electronics Recycling Event

On Sunday, May 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Kiwanis Club of Mill Creek will have an electronics recycling event. The event will be held in the parking lot at: Mill Creek City Hall North, 15720 Main St., Mill Creek, 98012. Per their website at https://millcreekwa.gov/events/kiwanis-electronics-recycling, the event is free and donations to the Kiwanis Club of Mill Creek are encouraged. Items accepted include computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, flat screen TVs & monitors (LCD, plasma), printers, and fax machines. Items not accepted include refrigerators and large appliances (washers/dryers, stoves.) Please check out their website for a complete list of allowable items and those not accepted.

Confirmation is on Sunday, June 7th, 9:30 AM

Confirmation will be held on Sunday, June 7th, with Jett Warren celebrating his Affirmation of Baptism. A light reception with cake will be held following the Worship Service in the Church Narthex.

High School Graduation Recognition is on Sunday, June 14th, 9:30 AM

A group of eight High School Graduates will be recognized at this Worship Service.  Each graduate will receive a special blessing and a beautiful handmade quilt made by the First Lutheran Quilters. The High School Graduates are Rory Baunsgard, Nathan Coble, Emilie Desilet, Thorin Freriks, Paul Joplin, Addie Thomas and Samantha Thomas. Please join us as we celebrate this major life accomplishment with them and their families. A light reception with cake will be held following the Worship Service in the Church Narthex.

Save the Date: Retirement Party for Roger Steinke

June 14, 11 am

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:23

Please join us as we honor Roger Stienke for 21 years of dedication to our church community. We’ll be gathering to celebrate his new chapter with gratitude at a picnic-themed luncheon following the High School Graduates reception, in the Fellowship Hall.

Let us send Roger off with the same warmth and love he has shown us for so many years! We also invite you to share your favorite memories!

Looking for ways to help? We’ll have sign-ups for potluck items needed and also for people to help with decorating.

Please look for future announcements and updates. Questions to Rene Baker or Kim McCaw.

2026 SUMMER DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR:

The Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG)

June 26 – July 1, 2026

Youth entering Grades 9 – 12 in the Fall of 2026 (and 2026 High School Graduates) are all invited to attend. A group of 12 First Lutheran Youth and Adults are signed up to attend.

The WSYG will be held at California Lutheran University, June 28-July 1. Our theme is "A Faith Odyssey," where we'll take a deeper look into our spiritual journeys. Our youth will explore their faith, gather as a community through creative team-building activities and workshops, and enjoy endless summer fun under the sunshine of Southern California. WSYG will feature an outdoor festival-style main stage, interactive and service-learning opportunities, exciting worship and nightlife events. Karey Coble and Roger Steinke will be attending as adult leaders. A few spots for youth participants are still open, but the deadline for Sign-Up’s is March 15th. Please contact Roger with any questions about the WSYG.

Registration is open! Click on the picture to learn more.

Please contact Joyce Thode or Kristi Pyne with questions.

First Lutheran Church has purchased the NWWA Synod's LiVE bundle for 2025-2026, so any LiVE events are free to our congregation! See the complete LIVE Project Catalog and register using FLC's Confirmation Code to register for free!  Please contact the Church Office for the Code.

This month we're sharing lots of information on our Lenten Course - Mystics and Mysticism: Practicing Faith in the Wilderness including session dates, speaker spotlights featuring our Guest Facilitators and more! We have also announced a 4th Saturday Retreat for the course year! A follow up to our Lenten Course; Mystics and Mysticism. Happening May 2 at Edmonds Lutheran Church.

• ELCA News
• Lutheran Disaster Response
• Northwest Washington Synod
• Global Refuge
• Living Lutheran
• Lutheran Counseling Network
• Faith Action Network
• Gay Church
• Poor Peoples Campaign Washington
• Reconciling Works