Copy of First Lutheran Church-2.png

June 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

Water Cleanses

Summer is here. Which in Gainesville means two things. One it's hot. Two it's humid. When both these conditions occur, it seems that one cannot find enough cold, cool water. Whether it is water that we need to drink or water that we need to submerge ourselves in to cool off. The matter of the fact is, we need water to survive.


Water is so crucial for our life with Jesus too! We are sinful people, living in a sinful world. There is nothing that we can do ourselves to get ride of the sin that mars and dirties us. In our Baptism, through water and God's word, we have been made clean! The Old Adam in us has been washed away, and the New Adam has risen with Jesus! Our sins our gone and we have been redeemed!


Each day we interact with water. We drink it, we cleanse ourselves with it, and we wash other things with it. We have this daily reminder that water cleanses. I want to encourage you this month that when you interact with water, remember your baptism and remember your children's baptism! In fact I would encourage you to go even further that! Before you come to church on Sunday Mornings or before you do devotions as a family, make the cross on one another's forehead & say the following blessing: "(Name of person you are blessing here), baptized and beloved child of God, come with joy into His presence."*


Spend time now, meditating on God's word and remembering the cleansing power of your Baptism.


Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you,

not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to

God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:21


But you were washed, you were sanctified,

you were justified in the name of the Lord

Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17


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


*Blessing taking from the KINDLE Entrance Ritual

Articles for Parents

June 2021 Every Day Faith Calendar

Helping our Teens Transition to Adulthood

How to Pray for Friends and Family

Have Faith in God: 9 Bible Verses to Bless Your Kids

6 Ways to Respond to a Strong-Willed Child

Solving Parenting Stress and Creating Security in Difficult Times


Family Devotions


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. 

Skit Guys - Bedtime Bible Stories


Sunday nights this summer Christian comedy duo, Eddie and Tommy, bring Bible Stories alive for all ages! Catch their previous videos HERE. Tune in on their Facebook page at 8:30 EST to watch LIVE or watch them later when it best works in your schedule. 

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 entering VPK through entering 5th Grade.

* What is Family Vacation Bible School? 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

Family Home Visits


DCE Stephanie is wanting to do a home visit with your family this summer! You will learn about Faith Growth opportunities at First Lutheran for your youth, children, and family. You will also have the chance to share with DCE Stephanie how First Lutheran can help you as parents teach your kids about God and His love, what resources you'd like to see continue from our time in COVID, and if there are other Faith growth opportunities you would like to see. This is a visit for the whole family, so please make sure parents, youth, and children are present! 


If there is a time that does not work for you, please choose the closest time slot and write your desired time to meet in the comment section. DCE Stephanie will confirm with via email or phone if that time will work. Home visits will be about 30 minutes.


Please click here to view Sign-up for your family's home visit:


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a44afaf22a0f94-first

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

June NightLife

This June, First Lutheran Youth will be getting together on June 6 at 6:00pm. We will meet at Sweetberries for an end of the school year celebration! Come for some good laughs, good food, and good community!


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 Summer Activities


This summer, First Lutheran Youth are teaming up with Abiding Savior Youth to do some summer events! Below are the list of events & dates they are happening. Further information regarding each event will be released as we get closer to the event.


June 27, 2021 - Escape Room

June 28, 2021 - Service Project at Bread of the Mighty Food Bank

July 24, 2021 - Water Day

August 1 - Pool Party

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. One additional adult may be needed to help with transporting youth to our lunch location. Permission form is due to Stephanie by June 20th. Please see below for the permission form.

Permission Form

Volunteer for Family Vacation Bible School


Youth Volunteers are needed for Family Vacation Bible School! Youth are needed to help lead children and families from station to station, help with technology, or assist an adult in other areas of Family VBS. Students in 6th grade and up can help! Let Stephanie know if your student is interested in helping.

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 June & July

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 27 - Escape Room - TBA

June 28 - Youth Service Event - 10am

July 2021


July 4 - Sunday Worship - 10am

July 11 - Sunday Worship - 10am

July 18 - Sunday Worship - 10am

July 24 - Water Day - TBA

July 25 - Sunday Worship - 10am

July 25 - Family VBS - 5:30pm

July 27 - Family VBS - 5:30pm

July 28 - Family VBS - 5:30pm

July 29 - Family VBS - 5:30pm

July 30 - Family VBS - 5:30p

Facebook  Instagram