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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Pride and Prejudice
from Pastor Berg's Monthly Blog
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A few years back, the people of First Lutheran Church studied scripture, held conversations, and prayed about whether or not we would be a welcoming place for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transexual, Queer, Questioning, Intersexed and other non-traditional identifying people into our congregation. We voted overwhelmingly "YES" to be a Reconciling In Christ congregation. It was a proud moment of saying yes to love and inclusion. |
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Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary has placed a Seminarian with our congregation to fill her "Ministry in Context" requirement. Jill Nichols-Hicks comes to us from St. Andrews, Bellevue. She is a lifelong Lutheran and founder and Owner of Illuminating Women LLC. She is seeking ordination into the roster of Word and Sacrament ministry with the ELCA. She will be with us every Sunday and will attend events as it meets her learning goals. |
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2022 - 2023 First Lutheran Church Preschool Registration is Open!
If you know of someone looking for a preschool, please encourage them to check us out at Bothell Preschool!
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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 which started on January 19. (You can still join in.) To learn more about this opportunity and to register, go here: www.lutheransnw.org/events/live-culture-course
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The Clock Is Ticking as Earth Hour Approaches
First Lutheran Church is committed to being faithful guardians of all that God has given us. How would you like to support the care of God’s creation while sitting at home, relaxing in your favorite chair? It’s just that easy!
Each year, on the last Saturday of March, at 8:30 p.m. local time, people all over the world show support for our planet by celebrating Earth Hour. This year Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 26th. To recognize and support the critical state of our planet, all you need to do is turn off your lights for 1 hour.
Will you give 1 hour to our creator and raise awareness of humankind’s impact on our shared planet, including climate change, wildlife endangerment, the destruction of natural habitats and the exploitation of our natural resources? Please spread the word to family and friends and let’s all join together in 1 hour of darkness that will help us all see the light.
Submitted by Christy Freriks & Ho Brown, FLC Church Council
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From the FLC Council's Covid-19 Task Force
The State of Washington has pulled back mask mandates. We are no longer required to wear masks at outdoor mass gatherings. And on March 12, the state will lift the indoor masking mandate. We will continue to require masks be worn for those 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.
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 decisions. To see the current state of cases and vaccinations, please visit:
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: March 8, 10:30 am.
Gather Magazine Bible Study
Rebecca Circle: March 16, 10:00 am.
Contact: Barbara Thieme 425-898-8982
Hannah Circle: March 21, 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, March 19, 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 14 men attended the January 2022 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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Sunday, March 20:
Tukwila Fun Center Visit
11:15 – 3:30 PM
Youth in Grades 7 – 12 are invited to attend an afternoon of play at the FUN CENTER in Tukwila! Please meet at the Church at 11:15 AM after Worship for this FUN event. Please bring $20 to help cover the cost of admission and lunch. Please bring along extra money if you want to purchase additional tokens above and beyond the “160 Value Ticket” and/or additional refreshments. We will return to the Church at 3:30 PM. Please Sign-Up on the Youth Board.
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Looking Ahead!
Vacation Bible School ages 3 - 6th Grade July 11 - July 14
Preschool & Kindergarten 9 am - Noon
1st - 6th Graders 9 am - 3 pm (lunch included).
Summer Mission Trip to Camp Lutherhaven in Idaho
July 1 - August 5
Grades 7 - 12
Please sign up on the youth board!
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2022 ELCA Youth Gathering has been Cancelled! |
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News Release from the ELCA Youth Gathering Leadership:
“After much prayer, conversation and tears, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the July 2022
Youth Gathering due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19 surge and public health considerations.”
“We know that there are thousands of young people who will not get to experience the Gathering, and our hearts break for them. This was not an easy decision, and we ask for your prayers and for your grace. We understand the impact this decision will have on our youth, volunteers and planning teams, and we hope to return to Minneapolis for a future Gathering.”
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Movie Review
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Sunday, March 27, 3 pm
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"William Kamkwamba was born in the country of Malawi, in Africa. When he was fourteen years old, a terrible drought hit the village where he lived. People had nothing to eat. Being an excellent student and very fond of physics, William decides to save his native village from starvation. In the library he finds books on physics. After studying the books, he got an idea to build a wind generator, to provide electricity to his family.” |
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MOVIE REVIEW: Please watch the movie prior to our ZOOM Movie Review. As of this writing, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is available to watch on Amazon Prime and Netflix. Our discussion will begin with a review of the 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. |
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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: A (Very) Short History of Earth by Henry Gee
March 22, 7:00 pm on Zoom
Discussion Leader: Knut Aagaard
Here is a comment from one of our members about the book: “ I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the book you chose for March about the history of the world. I thought it sounded interesting but it grabbed me on the first page and I really did like it. I very much doubt I could pass a test on it but I did learn a lot. I hope we discuss how the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve fit in.”
Questions to Clint Bastin (Book Club Coordinator) or Roger Steinke. Copies of the book are available on table outside the library. Zoom link will be sent March 21.
Monday, March 14th is First Lutheran Church's 136th Birthday. On Sunday, March 14th, 1886 Rev. Nils Nielsen of the Norwegian-Danish Conference met with eight families at the home( cabin) of Jacob Hammer. When the meeting was over, the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Molde Congregation of King County, Washington Territory, had been formed.
An article in the Northshore Citizen Paper about the 90th FLC birthday, March 14, 1976 noted the church had more than 1,400 baptized members and a Sunday School enrollment of over 500. Three days of festivities were planned for the 90th celebration with the chair of the committee Mrs. Olava Christian. Friday a sing a long was held by Dr. John Herseth (local dentist and choir member) and two ordained sons of the congregation, Rev. Richard Edmonds and Dr. A.G. Kimball spoke. Richard Edmonds (accompanied by his mother, Helen Edmonds) sang at the banquet at Inglemoor High School, where Dr. Eugene Stime was the guest speaker. Tickets cost $3.50.
Check it Out!
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The above link will be updated with January's financial information after the Finance Committee is able to review the financial statements at their monthly meeting. |
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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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The Lend a Hoping Hand fundraiser continued to raise financial donations for Hopelink families and clients through January 2022. Hopelink has experienced a larger-than-normal number of families seeking help. Members and friends donated $1,300 to Hopelink through the First Lutheran Church fundraising page! Several others made gifts directly to Hopelink or through their employer’s matching gifts program. Our goal was to raise $2,000 in donations. Thank you all so very much for your generous donations and support. |
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For one more week, we are collecting the following items for an urgent need at Compass Housing Alliance : Shower flip-flops, sweatpants, sweatshirts (larger sizes) and used tableware (forks, knives, spoons). Thank you in advance for your generosity! |
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COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE: First Lutheran is partnering with the Northshore Nourishing Network during March 2022.Donations of non-perishable food items can be brought to the church all month long. Food items will be distributed to local food pantries, school food banks and Hopelink. Give what you CAN! For more information, including a list of suggested food bank donations, please contact Roger Steinke. Learn more about the Northshore Nourishing Network. |
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We need 130 school kit bags sewn in time for the May Lutheran World Relief shipment of quilts and school kits. We have enough school supplies - we just need people to sew the bags! Directions and fabric for the bags are available for you to check out in the narthex. If you'd like a demonstration or more information, please contact Audrey Fisher or Lucy Kay Osborne. |
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Four members of FLC Bothell were at the Washington Poor People’s Campaign (WAPPC) meeting Monday, February 7.
The meeting started with acknowledgement of the indigenous lands we occupy in Washington. We then learned more about Black History Month, beginning with a fact we all need to remember: Black History IS American History. We watched two short videos about the post Civil War and Civil Rights reconstructions in America. The Third Reconstruction, happening now, is trying to, once and for all, create a democracy that is multi-ethnic and multi-racial i.e. allowing all people to fully participate.
Two speakers then spoke about needs and actions that need our help. The “Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington” scheduled for June 18 this year is a major goal for organizing and advertising. PPC knows nobody can do everything, but everybody needs to do something. More information will be coming about this march and any local community marches to support it.
I highly encourage FLC members to join in the next zoom meeting of WAPPC Monday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Kendahl Adjorlolo. Click here for the complete report from Kendahl: |
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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: Compass Housing Alliance
February Monthly Outreach: Hopelink
March Monthly Outreach: Lutheran Community Services
April Monthly Outreach: Poor Peoples Campaign
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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