February 2017 Newsletter
Here is what is happening at First Lutheran Church this month!

Worship Schedule
Worship: 8:30 am & 11:00 am
Christian Education: 9:45 am


Communion served every Sunday
Pastor Berg's Message

February Thoughts

Here at First Lutheran Church, we have just held our Annual Meeting, like many other congregations across the USA. We joined in prayer and scripture reading. A budget was discussed and passed. A review of the year through presentations were given and received. We elected new council members. We adopted constitutional changes. We even pledged our participation in a new way with our neighbor Lutheran churches by adopting the “Cascadia Parish Charter.” All of this showed that we have striven and will continue to strive to be God’s hands as we live out our spiritual callings as God’s servants.

For me, personally, it was a bit of an overwhelming day. As I reflected back on the past year I was struck by just how much ministry we do here at FLC. There were episodes shared in reports that I had forgotten about or thought happen over a year ago! I was reminded of the passage towards the end of the Gospel According to John when he writes: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book (John 20:30).

What will we be about this year?

For the rest of the articleclick here.

February Adult Education
Sundays 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall
Introduction to the Miracles of Jesus led by Pastor Berg
A Cascadia Parish Event!
Kick off the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with Professor Samuel Torvend from Pacific Lutheran University. Learn about some of the hidden heroes - the women - who we often overlook. Register online ($10.00 per person) at hslckirkland.org/programs/adult-education/adult-education-registration.

Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study, Saturday, February 18th:  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.  Pastor Berg is leading an inspiring Bible study and discussion. Future Breakfasts are scheduled for Saturday, February 18 and Saturday, March 18.  Please join us!  

The 2017 Youth Auction will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2017:  
The youth auction supports the youth ministries of First Lutheran Church.  The 2017 Youth Auction will have a Disney theme, celebrating the upcoming 2017 summer trip to the Western States Youth Gathering at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.  Auction donations are already being received.  Please contact Roger for more information about the upcoming youth auction.  Please mark your calendars!
Roger Steinke's Notes
Journey Classes 
 

UPCOMING YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

Youth Auction Final Set Up
Saturday, February 11, 9 AM – 1 PM  
Various youth auction teams will be setting up and preparing for the youth auction.  Help will be needed with finalizing the fellowship hall set up.  Please watch for sign up opportunities to join us!

Annual Youth Auction
Sunday, February 12. 3:45 – 7 PM 2016
To celebrate and support the group attending the Western States Youth Gathering at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California, the 2017 Youth Auction will feature a Disney theme!  The annual youth auction supports the youth ministries of First Lutheran Church.  Please mark your calendars!    

The silent auction begins at 3:45 PM, the dinner buffet begins at 4:45 PM and the cake and live auction begins at 6:00 PM.  Come and join us!   Donations are still being received.   Please contact Roger Steinke for more information.  The next auction set up meeting is Wednesday, February 8, 4 PM - 8 PM.  Please join us as your schedule allows!

Save the Date!
Junior High GO! Night! Over-Nighter
Friday, March 3, 7:00 PM – Saturday, March 4, 7:30 AM
Grades 7 – 9 are invited to this FUN overnight event! Please meet at First Lutheran at 7:00 PM.  to carpool to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Everett and join other ELCA Junior High youth groups.   GO Night activities include:  bowling, worship, PIZZA, inflatables, roller skating, games and other FUN STUFF!  We return to First Lutheran at 7:30 AM on Saturday. Stay tuned for more information!     The cost per person is only $20.  Please sign up on the youth board!

Lutherwood Elementary Retreat
Friday, March 17, 4 PM  – Saturday, March 18, 8 PM
Youth in Grades 3 – 6 are invited to this retreat at Camp Lutherwood.  This over nighter includes bible study, campfire, games, music and much more!    Youth from other church groups will help fill the camp!  Be prepared for some ultimate camp fun!  Cost is $30 per person (includes Friday dinner & lodging and Saturday meals).   Please meet at the church at 4 PM on Friday.  We will leave at 4:10 PM and return to the church on Saturday night by 8:00 PM.    Please sign up on the youth board!
From the IT Committee

FLC Website Evaluation Project 2017!
We would like your input to improve the FLC church website.  Go to  www.flcbothell.org , and let us know what's attractive about the FLC website, what works, what doesn't and what's frustrating.  At their February meeting, the IT/Communications Committee will be reviewing all comments and how they might be implemented.  E-mail all comments to  Tom Larsen  at  tclarsen2@gmail.com .

Important opportunities for you to participate, enjoy, and learn in our Bothell First Library:   

New 2017 Books available on the NEW BOOKS SHELF:  

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger:  A brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him.  It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God. 

Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott.  A much read book recommended by one  of our church members.  

Opportunities to preserve our First Lutheran Bothell historical records:  Wednesday,  February 8 and Wednesday,  February 22,  10:00 AM - 2:00 PM .   We will continue to scan historic documents in the library.  One volunteer each hour. Sign up sheets on library window. Thank you!  

March 12th—The winning 2016 Show Us Your Summer Photos will be hung in our church library.  Visit our photo display during fellowship hour hosted by the library committee.  

Check it Out!            

Happy Birthday to our 80+ Year Olds!

Cathy Edwards - February 1

Lorraine Parker - February 6

Tim Thieme - February 12

Fran Tazuma - February 14

Carol Nelson - February 19

Jane King - February 22

Lois Witmer - February 28

BUILDING UPDATE

Youth room flooring replacement is in the final stages. Drywall work was completed. The parking lot light was repaired in early January.

Pick up your 2016 giving statements and
2017 offering envelopes  in the narthex!
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

Change for Change: All money received in the Change for Change jar will be used to support Hopelink food bank.


Hopelink food bank emphasis in February is for household paper and plastic products (cleaning products, toilet paper, paper towels, plastic wrap, foil laundry soap, etc.) 
 

February Monthly Outreach: $1,000.00 will go to Pacific Lutheran University

Monday, February 6, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (PST)
Ronald Commons
17839 Aurora Avenue North
Shoreline, Washington 98133 
To RSVP click here  or call 206-474-1067.

Thanks to the many people that buy Scrip cards on Sunday morning as well as monetary donations, FLC was able to donate $3000.00 for the contents of three apartment units at the Ronald Commons apartments.  
Ronald Commons is a new affordable housing development in Shoreline at 178th Street between Aurora Avenue North and Linden Avenue North. The project includes a renovation of the Ronald United Methodist Church (RUMC) building and a new construction, mixed-use building that will include 60 units of affordable housing, owned and operated by Compass Housing Alliance, and a 12,000 square feet Integrated Service Center owned and operated by Hopelink.
The Integrated Service Center will include a food bank, family services, and financial education and assistance for low-income households. An internal courtyard, play area and walking path will create an integrated connection between the three program facilities.
Ray Thomas, Tom Payne and Joe Siebert would love to have more FLC members join them for a road trip to Olympia for Faith Advocacy Day! Please register here, and  contact Ray Thomas to carpool or with questions.
Thank You!


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.
This Month!
Bible Study opportunities available:
Deborah:  Wednesday, February 1, 2017, 10:00 am, The Landing at FLC.  
Reformation Bible Study, Galatians: Christian Faith and  Freedom
Contact:  Bonnie Ahlstedt 360-805-1743

Rebecca Circle:  Wednesday, February 15, 10:00 am in the Landing. 
Women of the ELCA Gather Bible Study and articles
Contact:  Barbara Thieme 425-898-8982

Hannah: Monday, February 20, 2017, 6:30 pm, Fireside Room, 
Child care available
Contact: Linda Siebert 425-821-1703.

Quilt-a-Thon - February 24 (6 - 9 pm) & February 25 (9 am - 2 pm) Many hands can help us reach our goal of 50 quilts for Lutheran World Relief! We will also complete baby quilts for Eastside Baby Corner and quilts for our graduation seniors. The quilters need preparation help such as ironing and cutting fabric, which can be done at home. A light dinner will be provided at 5 pm on Friday, and lunch at 11:45 am on Saturday. Call Audrey Fisher with any questions.

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.

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.
From Lutheran Counseling Network 
Faith and Everyday Life - February 2017

Too Uncomfortable
Here’s the truth, some things are just plain hard. 

Using our last meaning of “too,” we could say relationships are often very uncomfortable whether the relationship is with people or with God. We can push the discomfort away, block it out, try to ignore it, but eventually we have to face it. Relationships can be too (very) uncomfortable. 

Often the human way to deal with this discomfort is to get angry at the other person for making us so uncomfortable that getting angry may work, but it is not healthy for the relationship. Relationships can bring up past hurts which is a cue it needs to be dealt with and not ignored. Relationships are complicated and messy. Learning to deal with past pain can give freedom to be in the present with our relationships.

We can feel this way with God too. Sometimes, like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, we wish that God had better things to do than allow troubles into our lives. But, really, troubles come to us because we are human and live in a fallen world.  Our choices can be selfish which can bring breaks in relationships.  God allows us to have free will and is always available to forgive us.

Perhaps we could move to a cave and give relationships up, but that is a bit extreme and we’d still have to live with ourselves anyway. 
So rather than giving up on relationships, maybe we can just remember that they can be “too uncomfortable” and embrace them anyway.
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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