April 26, 2017
WEEKLY WORD

Thank you for participating in our Earth Day Tree Celebration on Sunday. Thanks to all of the exhibitors who helped us see how significant trees are in our ecosystem and everywhere in the world. I can't imagine what Lincoln would look like without our beautiful canopy of trees.
 
Nebraska is a state that has always valued trees.  We should be proud of the fact that Arbor Day began here in 1872. More than a million trees were planted in Nebraska on that first Arbor Day. It turned out to be such a good idea that it soon spread to neighboring states.
 
Believe it or not, trees play a prominent role in scripture; from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" in the garden, to the cedars of Lebanon that are used to build the King's palace and the Temple, to the "Tree of Life" which held our Lord at the crucifixion.
 
Trees play a prominent role in our lives every day; providing oxygen and shade, minimizing erosion, sheltering birds and wildlife and beautifying our world. We thank God for the gift of trees. We thank God for the gift of creation.
 
See you this weekend!
Pastor Dan
 

JOINT REFORMATION COMMEMORATION PRAYER SERVICES

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in a spirit of mutual reconciliation, repentance, and hope, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha and the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are hosting two prayer services in Omaha, May 1 and September 11. Both bishops will co-preside at each service, and all are welcome and invited to attend.



The fabric strip grew after the staff's strips were woven in! 
WOVEN TOGETHER WITH GRACE

Congregations are invited to bring a strip of fabric that represents them to the 2017 Nebraska Synod Assembly in early June. The strips will be woven into a gathering banner that will be displayed at closing worship. It is difficult to think of one fabric strip that represents First Lutheran Church. Instead, we are making our own representative fabric strip for the assembly banner. Stop by Pastor Justin's office during the month of May to write your name on a smaller strip of cloth and your band of cloth will be woven into the congregation's fabric strip. 
 


LOOKING AHEAD

Senior Recognition Sunday - Sunday, April 30

Hopeful Grieving Class - Wednesdays, beginning May 3

First Friday Jazz at First - Friday, May 5

Jazz Sunday Worship - Sunday, May 7



RESOURCES

WORSHIP SERVICES

Saturday 5:30 pm / Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:45 am 


 
Each person is a unique creation of God and, through grace, is a child of God. The people of First Lutheran Church welcome all because God welcomes all, without regard for race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status, physical or mental challenges, imprisonment, addictions, socio-economic circumstances, or anything else that too often divides us. First Lutheran Church is a spiritual community that celebrates the gifts of God that can empower us to engage in the struggles of life, to care for each other, and to serve Christ where we work and live. Our unity is in Christ.