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May Family Newsletter

You are receiving this email because you have a student who is currently in school. This newsletter contains activities and events that are happening for both families and students, as well as articles for parents on various topics. Included each month is a list of upcoming events. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.


Stephanie Karolus

352-376-2062

dce@flcgainesville.org

Satisfying our Hunger

Have you ever been hungry? Not the kind of hungry that you might feel in between meals, but the hunger that you have when you are truly hungry. When your stomach is just aching and hurting for that food. What did you do when you had the opportunity to fill your stomach with food. Did you pace yourself and eat the food slowly as you enjoyed and savored every single bite? Or did you scarf as much as possible down as quickly as you could so you could satisfy your hunger?


Are there other things you hunger for? Things other than food that you need? Maybe you hunger for a friendship or time with your family. Maybe you hunger for time away from your family and opportunities for quiet, peace, and calm. You might have a spiritual hunger for you and your family to grow in your relationship with God. Maybe you hunger to find time so you can grow in your relationship with Jesus and be fed and satisfied with the words of comfort peace love and forgiveness that He gives us. Take time now to sit, reflect, and feast on God's Word.


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6


As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:1-2


Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:35


Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation

1 Peter 2:2


Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to other parents you feel would benefit from the information. God's richest blessings to you and your family this season of Lent!


God's Peace,


Stephanie Karolus

Director of Christian Education

First Lutheran Church

Articles for Parents

Abiding in God's Word

Broke(n) and Restored

Messy Feelings and God's Design

Applying the Ten Commandments: The Second Table

Serve Your Neighbors in the Continuation of the Pandemic

Tools for Teens to Call Out Sexual Violence

Join DCE Stephanie Karolus for weekly devotions on our Facebook Page! Join us this May as we continue to work our way through the New Testament! We will be learning about some of Jesus’ Miracles & Teachings. Devotions will be posted on Wednesdays Mornings at 10am. Check out our Facebook page to view all the Family Devotions. 

Family Vacation Bible School registration is here! We are so excited to announce that Family Vacation Bible School will be in person at First Lutheran this summer! Here is everything that you need to know about VBS this year.


* Family Vacation Bible School will run July 26-30, 2021, from 5:30pm - 8:00pm

* Masks will be required while students are inside. (We will be utilizing both indoor and outdoor spaces).

* Family Vacation Bible School is geared for families with students VPK through entering 5th Grade.

* This year, parents are invited and encouraged to join us for Vacation Bible School and participate in activities alongside their children. We want this to be a family event where families can grow and learn together how God guides and provides.

*An individually packaged meal will be provided each night. (Uncrustables, Chips, Dessert, Fruit, Juice Boxes, and Water)

*We have a limit of 20 children this year


To register your family please click here: https://forms.gle/82zUSAnw3ohkL7sz7 


If you have any questions, please let talk to DCE Stephanie Karolus. 352-376-2062 or dce@flcgainesville.org

The Focus on the Family Minute shares a brief tip each day taken from the Focus on the Family Broadcast to help strengthen marriages, raise kids on the right path and build a thriving family – in one meaningful minute. 





Click HERE to Listen

The Center for Parent and Youth Understanding (CPYU) have made available a one minute tip shared by Walt Mueller, the founder and president of CPYU.



Click HERE to Listen

Family TableTalks are here for you! Access over 80 TableTalks that you can use with your family at home! Each TableTalk includes a scripture reading, a reflection, application questions, and a prayer. This is a great resource for faith discussions at home! This resources is provided by the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding. New Family TableTalks are released weekly. 

Click HERE to Download

First Lutheran Youth

May NightLife

NightLife is changing this May. We are now planning on meeting on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month from 6:00-7:30pm. We plan on meeting on May 2 & 16 form 6:00-7:30. Please see texts from Stephanie and Jacob for details. For July, we are looking for parents & youth to host at their home. If you are able and willing to host, please check out the Sign-up Genius. Final locations for NightLife will be decided by 2pm on the Wednesday prior and texted or emailed out to parents. Also, instead of providing meals for NightLife, we will be switching to individually packaged snacks. There will be the occasional time where youth will eat out as a group, parents will be informed beforehand when this will occur.


Senior Recognition

On June 13, we will be recognizing our High School Seniors during church. High School Seniors need to text or email DCE Stephanie the following information: a picture & plans post high school by June 9.

Youth Servant Event

First Lutheran Youth are invited and encouraged to participate in a Service Project at Bread for the Mighty Food Bank this June. This service project will take place on June 28 from 10:00am -1:00pm and will include lunch. Further details and permission forms will be sent out at the beginning of June. One additional adult may be needed to help with transporting youth to our lunch location.

LCMS Youth Gathering - July 2022

The LCMS Youth Gathering is just around the corner! It’s hard to believe that in just one short year we will be gathering together with thousands of teens to celebrate our GREAT God! The LCMS Youth Gathering will take place July 9-13, 2022. Students who will be entering High School in the Fall of 2022 are eligible to attend! Below is some basic information about the Youth Gathering next July. There will be an informational & registration meeting in August. If you have any questions, please contact DCE Stephanie dce@flcgainesville.org or 352-376-2062. 


Gathering Theme: In All Things

Gathering Verse: Colossians 1:15-20

Dates: July 9 – 13

Location: Houston, TX

Transportation: Flying

Participant Cost: $200

LCMS Gathering Website: www.lcmsgathering.com

Upcoming Events for May & June

May 2021


May 2 - Sunday Worship - 10am

May 2 - NightLife - 6pm

May 9 - Sunday Worship - 10am

May 16 - Sunday Worship - 10am

May 16 - Congregational Meeting - 11am

May 16 - NightLife - 6pm

May 23 - Sunday Worship - 10am

June 2021


June 6 - Sunday Worship - 10am

June 6 - NightLife - 6pm

June 13 - Sunday Worship - 10am

June 13 - High School Senior Recognition

June 20 - Sunday Worship - 10am

June 27 - Sunday Worship - 10am

June 28 - Youth Service Event - 10am

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