2024 Pledge Drive and Time & Talent Survey

From your Stewardship Committee

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Our 2024 Pledge Drive and Time & Talent Survey are underway.

Pledge Card – we are asking EVERY household to complete a Pledge Card. There will be an email coming out through Constant Contact with a link to complete online. They are also available using the link below. Just copy and paste into your browser. You may also pick up a printed copy in the church. Some were mailed out on September 21st if you normally receive church information through the mail.

https://forms.gle/1cX4eajryW3mYt27A

Time and Talent Survey – we are asking EVERY person to complete a Time & Talent Survey including young adults who would like to volunteer. This survey is only asking for your interests. The committee or guild leader will reach out to you and you can then discuss the details. These can be found online at the bottom of the Pledge Card using the link above. As above, you can also pick up a printed copy in the church and some were mailed out on September 21st along with the Pledge Card.

Please click the button below for more information.

Fall Health Reminders:

Flu and RSV (a respiratory infection) seasons have started and COVID is spreading in the community. A reminder to take care of yourself and others. Stay home if you have fever, vomiting, diarrhea, ache all over, sore throat, lung congestion, or runny nose. Wash your hands often. The two main ways to become infected with flu, COVID, or RSV are through breathing or by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Hand sanitizer is a good substitute but washing with soap and water are best. Consider wearing a mask especially if you have a chronic health condition. Vaccines are currently available for flu, COVID, and RSV. Many local pharmacies are offering vaccinations either by appointment or by drop in.

Council Corner

As we begin to wind down 2023 and prepare for 2024, the council and committees are working on several things for which we are asking your help. Our Stewardship Committee developed a Time & Talent survey to identify members who are interested in volunteering to serve the church. Please be sure to complete your survey and put it in the offering plate or submit it to the church office.

Our 2024 Pledge Drive has started and we are hoping for 100% participation. Responding will help the Finance Committee prepare our 2024 budget for the congregation to review and approve during our annual meeting on January 28, 2024.  

The Worship & Music Committee sent out a survey on worship services. The results will help determine how we move forward in our celebration of God’s word. Please be sure your voice is counted by letting us hear from you. If you know someone who didn’t receive the survey, please feel free to forward it so that everyone has an opportunity to share their preferences. 

Pastor Berg recently convened the Nominating Committee so it can begin its search for candidates for 2024’s Church Council. If you are interested in serving please speak with one of the committee members: Lloyd Condra, Holly Batstone, Randall Wampler, Tom Payne, Carsten Thode or Pastor Berg.

Yours in Christ because He lives,

Ho Brown

Council President

[email protected]

Widows Support Group

November 13, 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

Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study! (Also available on Zoom)

Saturday, November 18, 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

Friday, Nov. 3 – Saturday, Nov. 4, 9 PM to 9:30 AM: “Youth Over-Nighter!”

Youth in Grades 7 – 12 are invited to attend this “Over-Nighter” at the Church! Please be at the Church by 9 PM. There will be activities, food, games, movies, snacks and a special surprise! Don’t forget your sleeping bags and pillows! Several of you asked about having this event and here it is! Our Over-Nighter ends at 9:30 AM on Saturday morning. Please mark your calendars and watch for more information. Questions? Please contact Roger.

Movie Review Meeting of

A Million Miles Away (via Zoom)

Monday, November 20, 7 pm  

“A Million Miles Away is a 2023 American biographical drama film detailing the life of José M. Hernández, a Mexican-American astronaut, and his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and finally an astronaut. He is played by Michael Peña. It was directed by Alejandra Marquez Abella from a screenplay written by Bettina Gilois and re-written by Hernán Jiménez and Abella, based on Hernandez's autobiography Reaching for the Stars.” (Summary Credit: Wikipedia)        

MOVIE REVIEW: Please watch the movie prior to our Zoom Meeting Review. A Million Miles Away is available to watch on Amazon Prime. Our discussion begins with a review of the main points of the movie. We will also explore several of the spiritual themes of this movie. Questions? Please contact Roger Steinke.   Join us!

Book Club!

November 28, 7 pm

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Fredrik Backman

Discussion Leader: Knut Aagaard

“Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?” 

“Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. This grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. So, when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.” (Good Reads Summary Description)

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”  

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: Earth Ministries

February Monthly Outreach: Hopelink

March Monthly Outreach: Lutheran Community Services

April Monthly Outreach: Poor Peoples Campaign

May Monthly Outreach: Earth Ministries

June Monthly Outreach: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

July Monthly Outreach: Lutheran World Relief

August Monthly Outreach: Camp United We Stand

September Monthly Outreach: Lutheran Disaster Response

October Monthly Outreach: TBA

November Monthly Outreach: Northshore Senior Center Food Bank

Thank you to all that purchased quilts on Sunday, October 22. The sale was well received and there will be more coming next weekend. The sale earned over $1000 and a huge thank you to the hands that made the quilts.  

Audrey Fisher and The Quilters

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE COMPASS HOUSING TOP FIVE MOST NEEDED ITEMS DRIVE!  

During the month of October, First Lutheran Church Bothell collected needed items for the Compass Housing Hygiene Center in Pioneer Square and to different area shelters. Again, THANK YOU for your help and support!

Thanksgiving Pies for Compass Housing Alliance

The FLC Social Ministries Committee is planning to purchase 75 pumpkin pies and corresponding cans of whipped cream to help the more than 400 clients and residents of Compass Housing Alliance with their Thanksgiving celebrations.  If you wish to make a cash or check donation, please make checks payable to First Lutheran Church and write “Thanksgiving Pies” on the memo line and/or envelope. Please contact Kathy Konieczka or Roger Steinke for more information. The pies and cans of whipped cream will be purchased from Costco and delivered on Monday, November 20, 2022.

CREATION CARE

November 15th is National Recycling Day! This day was originally established as an annual event in 1997. But we know that if every day is recycling day, we can change the world! Do you know how much energy 1 recycled tin can or glass bottle or plastic bottle can save?  Try matching the following (answers are at the bottom of the article):

Item   Saves enough energy to:

A. 1 tin can 1. Powers a 60-watt light bulb

B. 1 glass bottle 2. Powers a TV for three hours

C. 1 plastic bottle 3. Powers a computer for 25 minutes for 3 hours

How can each of us help reduce the trash we create? Some things we can do are: 

1. Minimize the amount of food waste and put it in a compost bin instead of trash.

2. Understand the rules of your local service provider about recycling. Because different service providers may use different processing facilities, sorting recycling for curbside pickup isn’t always an easy task, but it is doable. 

3. Clean recyclables such as those that contained food prior to putting them in the recycle bin. Otherwise, all your efforts could go to waste, literally. Unclean containers can create curbside contamination, which could then cause the entire load of recyclable materials to end up in a landfill anyway.

4. Buy recycled and recyclable products.'

5. Practice the 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – in your daily lives.

Answers to Creation Care Mix & Match:  

Holiday Recycling:

When celebrating Christmas or any other holiday, give a gift to our planet as well. Practice the three R’s to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. If you want more information on proper holiday recycling practices, please click here.

Tickets go on sale November 1 for this year's Christmas concerts. For concert times and locations, and to purchase tickets click here.

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:

• FREE - "Abide" Weekly Synod-Wide Bible Study (began 9/18 - join anytime!)
• Waiting for God Retreat: Reimagining Church Vitality  (11/18/23)

Rest & Renewal Retreat 

Lent with Baldwin & Bonhoeffer Course 

Becoming Communities of Belonging Retreat 

Crossways Bible Study

Ever had reading the entire Bible on your bucket list? Let Crossways and Pastor Mike Anderson be your guide. This two-year program, hosted by Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, begins October 1 with Genesis, and will include pre-recorded lectures sent on Sundays to your email address to be watched at your leisure. Optional Thursday evening Zoom discussions will follow each lecture’s release. The course is academic in nature and works well for those with or without Bible background. Click on the following link to register and to read endorsements from: Kathryn Buffum, Red Burchfield, Rena Connell, and Rebecca Langholz.  Crossways Registration and Information.