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WEEKLY WORD
This coming Sunday we celebrate Bonita Johnsen's 33 years of ministry with us. It's an extraordinary feat by any measure.
Bonita shared that during those 33 years she has served with something like 26 different pastors and 10 interns.
This may not seem unusual or heroic to you, but I know pastors. I am one. I can tell you that each one of us has our own unique theological suppositions about what needs to occur in a congregation's worship life. Each one of us has our own opinions and personal tastes for what should and should not occur in worship. (For example, I'm done working with live animals. After two donkeys made a donkey out of me, I learned my lesson). Finally, each one of us has our own abilities or inabilities for creating and leading worship.
And yet, Sunday after Sunday, season after season, year after year, Bonita has worked with all of us. She has survived the whole lot of us and is still smiling!
She's been an amazing gift to our congregation in many ways over the years. And yet, her ability to serve with all of our congregation's pastors may be the best gift.
Come and celebrate with us on Sunday in worship and at 9:30 am in the Activity Center!
Pastor Dan
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BE A DISCIPLE AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
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2016 VBS participants preparing food to serve at Matt Talbot
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During the week of
Vacation Bible School, our kids will be daily disciples transforming the lives of others and their community by serving lunches at Matt Talbot, packing sack lunches for People's City Mission, serving Meals on Wheels and helping at the People's City Mission Distribution Center and so much more.
Over half of the kids registered for VBS are not even members of First! Our outreach to kids in our community is an act of transformation itself! This may be the first opportunity many kids have to serve others and their community.
You, too, can be a disciple of VBS! Give just two hours of your time one day in the morning or afternoon to drive the kids to their service project in a 15-passenger van. These acts of transformation by the kids and for the kids can not happen unless we have your help and support. Check out all the
unmet VBS volunteer needs and prayerfully give thought to how you, too, can be a disciple of VBS.
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FIRST LUTHERAN RECEIVES COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD
 Congratulations! First Lutheran Church received the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) 2017 Hero Award for Community Partner. Council President, Steve Eicher, received the award on behalf of the congregation at the awards ceremony on May 23. First has been the host site for MADD panel discussions for several years and opens its doors to many other community agencies and organizations in need of a gathering place.
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WORSHIP SERVICES
Saturday 5:30 pm / Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:45 am
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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.
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