Please join us for worship. Services will be both in person and live streamed. Contact Pastor Berg or Kristin Smith for the streaming information.
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2022: A New Era
from Pastor Berg's Monthly Blog
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Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." (John 12:35-36a)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope.
As we move into this new year of 2022, one wonders what we will encounter and will it be better than 2020 and 2021? It has to, doesn't it? This is my state of mind at this time. But, I got some wonderful encouragement from our president. No, not Joe. Holly Batstone said to me, "It is time to stop blaming COVID-19 for inaction. It is time to adapt and change for the new reality God has called us into."
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Journey Classes!
Sunday, January 9th, 3pm, will be on “The Poor Peoples Campaign.” The Social Ministries Committee, Church Council and the congregation are considering becoming a Faith Partner with the Washington Poor Peoples Campaign. Join us as we discuss how the Poor Peoples Campaign fits with the FLCB Mission Statements and Goals. Please contact Ray Thomas ray2015@gmail.com or Roger Steinke rsteinke@flcbothell.org with questions.
Sunday, January 17th and January 23rd, 3 pm, will continue with “The Living Stones Project: Living Stones in the 21st Century!.” This class is being presented by members of the Christian Education Committee and the Church Council. Both “In-Person” and on ZOOM. Read more: The Living Stones Project: Living Stones in the 21st Century!.
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LiVE Project - A Program of the Northwest Washington Synod
In order to live into FLC’s Vision 2025 and the first guiding principle that states that we will create opportunities for folks to practice the ways of discipleship, we have joined the Synod’s lay educational initiative the LiVE Project (Living into Vocational Engagement). This means that you have an opportunity to participate for free in education opportunities for lay people. In January the course that is being offered is called “Interrogating Privilege in Church and Our Lives.” It is an 8-week course held on Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm starting January 19. To learn more about this opportunity and to register, go here: www.lutheransnw.org/events/live-culture-course
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Annual Reports are due January 3! Don't delay!
(The Sustainability Committee gets the prize for being the first to submit this year!)
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FLC Council Corner
FLC's Annual Meeting on Zoom!
Sunday, January 30, 12 pm
The council met in December and is hard at work preparing for the annual meeting in January. We hope you can make it. It will be on zoom at 12pm on Sunday, January 30, 2022.
I would really like to encourage every single member of this congregation, young and old, to participate in the Living Stones project. This is a project that came out of our Vision 2025. There are two journey classes/workshops on January 16 and 23 at 3pm. Please contact Lloyd Condra with any questions.
We will welcome five new members in January. Please make an effort to meet them and get to know them! They will be at the January 2nd worship service.
I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Holly Batstone
Council President
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From the FLC Council's Covid-19 Task Force
Masks and vaccinations are required for all entering the First Lutheran Church Building.
All people who enter the building must hand sanitize. We ask that you stay home if you were exposed to COVID or have any symptoms.
For the time being, we will not serve any refreshments after worship services or at any FLC activities, with a goal of keeping people from congregating in a way that increases the risk of spread.
If you test positive for COVID after attending an FLC service or activity, please notify Pastor Berg. He will keep the information confidential, but it will allow FLC to notify congregational members of possible exposure so they can take appropriate action. This is a very important piece in reducing the spread of COVID in our community.
The FLC Council uses Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery in making re-opening decisions. To see the current state of cases and vaccinations, please visit:
Although bottled water is available, we ask that you get into the habit of bringing a reusable water bottle with you to use at our water filling station. Did you know that it takes up to 1,000 years for every single plastic bottle to decompose? Bringing a reusable water bottle will help us to reduce the environmental footprint of FLC.
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Women's Bible Study & Fellowship opportunities available:
Deborah Circle: January 11, 10:30 am.
Gather Magazine Bible Study
Rebecca Circle: January 19, 10:00 am.
Contact: Barbara Thieme 425-898-8982
Hannah Circle: January 17, 6:30 pm.
Contact: Linda Siebert 206-369-7047
FLC circles welcome all women of the congregation! Please contact the persons listed above for meeting locations.
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Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study! (Also available on Zoom)
Saturday, January 15, 9 – 10:15 am.
Join other men from the congregation and community for breakfast and conversation! There will be “food for the body, food for the soul and food for thought!” A group of ??? men attended the December 2021 in-person and zoom breakfast. Please join us for discussion and enrichment. Please watch for more information.
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Roger Steinke's Notes
Director of REACH Ministries
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Reach Ministries
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES
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No Sunday morning Adult Education in December. No Sunday School or Confirmation on January 2. |
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Sunday, January 23rd:
Youth Pizza Lunch at Sparta’s Pizza Restaurant
11:15 – 2 PM
Youth in Grades 7 – 12 are invited for lunch at Sparta’s in Bothell! We will meet at the Church at 11:15 AM after Worship and connect in the Youth Room with activities and conversation. At around 12 PM / Noon, we will head to Sparta’s for lunch. Part of our conversation will include “our plans for the New Year.” Please bring $5 to help cover the cost of your lunch. We will return to the Church at 2 PM. Please Sign-Up on the Youth Board.
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Looking Ahead!
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering
July 22 - 30
Minneapolis, MN
Grades 9 - 12 (Including 2022 grads)
Save the Date!
Registration has started. Please sign up on the youth board.
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Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering.
Through one-of-a-kind experiences, the Youth Gathering stretches and affirms young people’s gifts and calls. Read more: ELCA Youth Gathering and at the FLC Youth Page. We'd love to have you along on the adventure! |
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Movie Review
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Sunday, January 30, 3 pm
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“A correspondence begins between Juliet Ashton (Lily James) and members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, with them sharing their experiences of Nazi-occupied Guernsey Island. When an idea for a book catches Juliet, she goes to visit the island, making life-long friends and taking life changing steps along the way. This book is told by way of letters, and as the reader, you become enchanted by the writers of them and the love Juliet comes to feel for each of the Islanders.” |
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MOVIE REVIEW: Please watch the movie prior to our ZOOM Movie Review. “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” is available to watch on Netflix. Our discussion will begin with a review of the main parts of the movie. We will also explore some of the spiritual themes of the movie and share corresponding Bible verses during our discussion. Please plan on joining us! Questions? Contact Roger. |
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The First Lutheran Book Club continues to meet on Zoom for thoughtful discussions of our monthly book selections. Please join us! |
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Book Club!
Discussion Book: The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer & Anne Barrows
January 25, 7:00 pm on Zoom
Discussion Leader: Clint Bastin
“In January 1946, London is emerging from the shadow of World War II, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends – and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island – boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.”
Questions to Clint Bastin (Book Club Coordinator) or Roger Steinke. Copies of the books are available on table outside the library. Zoom link will be sent January 24.
The Share Your Favorite Photo for the year 2019 are now framed and on display in the church library. You will enjoy the colorful photos from our members' trips, adventures and from our church sanctuary. It seems like a different time; before Covid disrupted transportation and travel and changed our form of worship and church gatherings.
Welcome to our First Lutheran Church Bothell Library!
Check it Out!
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The above link will be updated with December's financial information after the Finance Committee is able to review the financial statements during those months. |
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These are anxious and trying times for all of us. Physical distancing has changed how First Lutheran provides mission and ministry. We are all eager to have worship and all ministries return to normal.
What has not changed are the expenses for mission and ministry. Thank you to all who have continued their faithful giving.
Listed below are ways for you to share with First Lutheran.
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Mail in your checks. We are still doing weekly deposits.
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Set up electronic giving by using the Give Online button at flc.bothell.org, or calling Vanco services at 800-675-7430. Note: there is a one time fee to FLC for the set up of bank to bank transactions. There are approximately 3% transaction fees on all credit card donations, making credit card and debit card giving more effective if combined into a monthly transaction, rather than smaller amounts, weekly.
- Set up one time or auto payments through your bank’s pay service
Thank you for your faithfulness.
The Finance Committee
Bob Berg, Chair
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I want to thank the congregation for all the thoughts, prayers, cards, and visits over the last few months. As you may have heard I had to stop my lung cancer treatment after the first time because I got pneumonia. A week in the hospital and three weeks in rehab cleared that up but after a week at home I ended up back in the ER with pulmonary embolisms. This took two weeks in the hospital and five weeks in rehab. I’m home now and started treatment again last week. Thanks again for all you love and support. Including a wonderful quilt!
Connie Wolter
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Thank you!
Thank you for all you do and have always done - from the massive sock drives to Thanksgiving pies, to Holiday gifts. It is all so deeply appreciated!
Have beautiful holiday season and a wonderful Christmas!
Jenny M
Compass Housing Alliance
(FLC donated over $2,800 in gift cards to Compass Housing Alliance in November & December!)
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Hopelink is continuing to accept financial donations for their families and clients. SO many families are struggling to get by. Your help is very much appreciated.
We have collected $775 towards our goal to raise $2,000 in donations. You can donate any amount you wish!
Here is the link to the First Lutheran Bothell Holiday Gift Room Fundraising Page:
Please contact Roger Steinke for more information about giving to Hopelink.
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The Social Ministries Committee is asking the congregation and council to enter a period of discernment regarding becoming a Faith Partner with the Washington Poor Peoples Campaign. (Please note that the ELCA World Hunger and Bread for the World are already National Mobilizing Partners with the Poor Peoples Campaign.)
We will be holding small group meetings live and on zoom to share and discuss how the Poor Peoples Campaign fits with our Mission Statements and Goals. The January 9, 2022 Journey class will focus on The Poor Peoples Campaign.
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Monthly Outreach
CHANGE FOR CHANGE All money received in the Change for Change jar will be used to support HOPELINK food bank.
HOPELINK helps homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities gain stability, while providing others with the tools and skills they need to exit poverty for good. Hopelink is not accepting food or other goods at this time. Click here for donation information.
January Monthly Outreach: TBA
February Monthly Outreach:
March Monthly Outreach:
April Monthly Outreach:
May Monthly Outreach:
June Monthly Outreach:
July Monthly Outreach:
August Monthly Outreach:
September Monthly Outreach:
October Monthly Outreach:
November Monthly Outreach:
December Monthly Outreach:
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Scrip is a Great Way to Increase Your Giving
with Purchases You'd Make Anyway!
Proceeds from FLC's Scrip program recently paid for the shipment of quilts and school/health kits to Lutheran World Relief. Your purchases really do make a difference!
Purchase your Scrip gift cards on Sunday morning before and after worship or this is an excellent time to set up Shop with Scrip and Presto Pay for instant Scrip purchases and redemption on your smart phone. This is a super easy way to continue to support FLC's Scrip program. (See below for more information.)
If you are unable to attend worship or purchase Scrip online, you may mail a check to FLC Scrip, attention Gordy Phelps, with a note of what scrip cards you wish to purchase, and he will mail the cards back to you.
We have several other opportunities for earning money while you shop, for FLC's many social ministry programs:
2. Sign up for Amazon Smile and name First Lutheran Church as your charity. Every time you shop with Amazon Smile FLC receive .05% of your purchase price. You can still use Amazon Prime. Get your kids to sign up, too! In the 3rd quarter of 2021, your Amazon Smile purchases earned $84 for Social Ministries!
3. Link your Fred Meyer rewards card to their Community Rewards program for First Lutheran Church. All of your purchases will result in a quarterly donation to FLC.
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A Publication of the NW Washington Synod
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First Lutheran Church | 425-486-2314 | 425-297-4898 |office@flcbothell.org
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