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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Pastor Berg's Blog
The Lenten Journey
Ash Wednesday comes early this year, February 14. When the season of Lent begins so early it catches me by surprise. I feel like I am not ready yet for the season of Epiphany to give way. Yet here we are on the cusp of our penitential season.
We begin the season with the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," and end with the centurion saying, "Truly this man was God's Son." A movement from remembering our death to a statement about our Lord's death. Lent is a profound movement connecting our mortality to that of God's Son. In between we are called to repent, that is, turn back to God. What in our lives must we let go of so that we can turn toward the one who dies for us and saves us from the dust of mortality?
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The Finance Committee wishes to spotlight three volunteers. Financial Secretary Melanie Veazey (FLC Financial Secretary) and Gordy Phelps count the non-electronic donations weekly. A BIG thank you to all who give electronically and through RMDs. Melanie also audits and disperses, giving statements quarterly. Gordy monitors, audits, and orders cards for the FLC Scrip program, which benefits several Social Ministry programs.
Bob Berg, who is the FLC Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee, works closely with Kristin Smith twice a month approving electronic payroll to all staff members including preschool staff.
All three volunteers exemplify faithful service.
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Melanie Veazey Gordy Phelps Bob Berg | |
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The Annual Youth Auction supports the Youth Ministries of First Lutheran Church. This year’s auction will feature a “Mardi Gras” theme. The Youth Auction helps raise funds that allow our youth to participate in major youth activities and events. In July 2024, a group of youth and adult chaperones will attend the National ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisianna. This year’s goal is to meet or exceed the $22,000 raised at the 2023 Youth Auction. Our young people are counting on your help and support. Can you help?
The Silent Auction & Appetizers begins at 12:00 PM. The Taco Bar Lunch begins at 12:30 PM and includes taco meat, chips, salad, toppings, Jambalaya and vegetarian refried beans. The Cake and Live Auction begins at 1:15 PM. Local First Lutheran Celebrity, David Osborne, will serve as our Auctioneer. Donations for the Youth Auction are being received. Please contact Roger Steinke for additional auction and donation information. Please join us! Youth Auction Tickets are available for purchase after worship on Sunday morning.
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Calling All Singers!
The choir is singing “The Shadow of the Cross,” by Lloyd Larson, a Contemporary Tenebrae Service (which means a service of darkness) for Good Friday this year. We meet in the choir room downstairs on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 pm and are starting to rehearse this piece. We would love to have more men join us (ladies are certainly welcome, too). Please contact Lucy Kay Osborne, FLC Music Director if you have questions,
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Register Now for First Lutheran Church Preschool!
It is time to register preschoolers for the fall! First Lutheran Church Preschool is now accepting applications for current families and church members. Open registration begins February 5th. Church members receive a 10% discount on tuition. Our preschool has classes for children ages 3-5 years old. If you have children, grandchildren, neighbors, or friends preschool age, please send them our way. We are happy to give tours and answer any questions that you may have. You may go to our website for registration packets and more information. Or email Beth Bowers at [email protected] to schedule a tour.
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Widows Support Group
February 12 10 am
(formerly known as Friends Supporting Friends)
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
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Women's Bible Study & Fellowship opportunities available:
Hannah Circle: February 17, 9:00 am.
Contact: Linda Siebert 206-369-7047
Rebecca Circle: February 21, 10:00 am.
Contact: Lucy Kay Osborne 425-823-9793 or [email protected]
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, February 17, 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!” A group of 17 men typically attend. Please join us for discussion and enrichment. Questions to Roger Steinke
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Reach Ministries
Opportunities for all Ages!
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Youth - Looking Ahead!
Elementary Retreat at Camp Lutherwood - March 8-9 - Grades 2-6. Sign up on Youth Board!
New Orleans Youth Gathering & Disneyworld - July 14 -July 24 Grades 9 - 12.
Vacation Bible School - July 29 - August 1
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No Movie Review in February!
Next Movie Review will be of The Way on Monday March 18.
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First Lutheran Church Book Club on Zoom
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Tuesday, February 20, 7 PM
Discussion Leader: Donna Hillard
“Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family and the power of literature to bring us together. This is a perfect read for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.”
“Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Oldie joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.”
“Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.”
“A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are – family, friends, and favorite authors – The Paris Library shows the extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.” (Summary from GoodReads)
Please contact Clint Bastin 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!
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The Library committee reminds you to select and save your summer/fall adventures and events for your photo entry to our “ Share your Favorite Photo” contest/display. We are creating a new youth category for next year. START CLICKING. Watch for the date and details for submitting your photo in upcoming newsletter(s).
Visit our church library. “CHECK IT OUT”
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The above link will be updated with the previous month's financial information after the Finance Committee is able to review the financial statements at their monthly meeting. | |
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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.
FLC Faith Partner Opportunities:
Faith Action Network's Interfaith Advocacy Day February 8, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Olympia, WA
Help bring the voices of compassion and justice to our elected leaders. Meeting with your legislators and their staff on this day is putting your faith into action! On Interfaith Advocacy Day, you will be able to: Join plenaries and workshops that will explore the issues on FAN’s 2024 Legislative Agenda. Meet with advocates from your legislative district to prepare for your legislative visits. Meet with your legislator or their legislative assistant! Please contact Ray Thomas to carpool. Lunch will be provided.
Poor Peoples Campaign Rally Olympia, WA March 2, Noon
March with the Social Ministries Committee – Pastor Berg, Robert, Kendahl, Alain and Ray. To carpool please call Ray Thomas. For more information about the rally click the link in the title.
To volunteer and participate in this first time ever 30-State Rally to End Poverty click here.
Food Drive with Northshore Nourishing Network All February
Donations can be placed in the grocery cart in the Caring Corner or placed in the Collection Bin by the Preschool Entrance. Needed items include canned beans, canned meats (chicken, tuna), canned vegetables, canned meals (stew, chili, ravioli), canned fruit (14 oz, individual serving, easy open top), shelf-stable milk (almond, regular, rice, soy), broth and cold breakfast cereals
Monthly Financial Outreach
January Outreach: TBA
February Outreach:
March Outreach:3
April Outreach:
May Outreach:
June Outreach:
July Outreach:
August Outreach:
September Outreach:
October Outreach:
November Outreach:
December Outreach:
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Council Corner
First Lutheran Church was not able to provide any type of a salary increase, e.g., cost of living and/or merit, for the staff in 2023. However, because we ended the year in a positive financial position, the Council received a joint motion from the Finance and Personnel committees, recommending bonuses for Roger, Kris, and Lucy Kay. The Council approved the motion and bonuses were granted.
Council members elected at the1/28/24 annual meeting are: Kendahl Adjorlolo, Ho Brown (2nd term), Emily Curcio, Sandra Flying Cloud, David Shogren, and Joyce Thode. The 2024 Council members will be installed during the worship service on Sunday, February 11, 2024. After the annual meeting, the new council met and elected officers as follows: Ho Brown – President; David Berg – Vice-President; and Kendahl Adjorlolo – Secretary. The Council’s first meeting will be a retreat on Saturday, February 10th.
Other elections at the annual meeting included the 2024 Nominating Committee (6 members required) and lay voting members (5 seats) to represent FLC at the NW Washington Synod Assembly on May 19th at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, WA. The Nominating Committee members are: Stephanie Almeida; Kathryn Chester; David Shogren and Randall Wampler. Synod Assembly representatives are: Jacky Schnarre, Alexia Payne, Tom Payne, and Levi Schnarre. We still need 2 members for the Nominating Committee. This position is a 1-year term, with the option for 1 additional year. Pastor Berg will convene the committee sometime in the fall to begin their work for the 2025 elections. We would also like to fill the one Synod Assembly seat allocated as “Youth” (not yet 18 at the time of the assembly). If you’re interested in any one of these opportunities, please contact any council member or Pastor Berg.
Many thanks to all those who volunteered to support the activities during the annual meeting. It couldn’t have happened without you!
Yours in His service,
Ho Brown
Council President
[email protected]
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World Wetlands Day
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was held in Ramsar, Iran in February 1971. Annually, on February 2nd, we recognize the work initiated by that convention. Its mission is: "the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world." There are over 2,400 sites around the world that are designated as Ramsar Sites. The theme for 2024 is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,” focusing on how the well-being of humans is intertwined with the health of the world’s wetlands.
National Skip the Straw Day
On the fourth Friday of every February, we are encouraged to skip the straw and save not only the planet but all living things on the planet. Plastic straws are not recyclable, so end up in landfills, water ways and oceans, polluting our environment and endangering our oceanic and land wildlife as well as humans. It takes over 200 years for plastic straws to decompose into microplastics, which then can invade the bodies of all living things with yet-to-be-known consequences. This year, National Skip the Straw Day is on February 23rd. So, at least on that day, if not every day, practice what the Coral Keepers (the group of teenage activists who established this day in 2017) have asked us to do and “Tip the Glass” rather than sip through a straw.
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First Lutheran Church has purchased the Northwest Washington Synod's LiVE bundle for 2023-24, 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!
Upcoming events:
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The Concordia College Choir (an ELCA school) from Moorhead, MN will perform at University Presbyterian Church on March 8, 7:30 pm. More information and tickets available at Concordia College | |
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February 4 - 2024 Youth Auction
February 14 - Ash Wednesday
February 21 - Soup Suppers and Lenten Vespers Begin
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