Pastor Berg's Blog

Today, if You Hear God's Voice

I am still dwelling in the words from the author of Hebrews we heard on June 23. In particular the phrases: "Today, if you hear God's voice..." and "...as long as it is called 'today'...". There is something so hope filled in being reminded about how our God meets us specifically in this day. It is here and now that God promises to be fully present with us. It is with this reality that the author of Hebrews feels bold to call us to enter into God's rest.

Bring your coffee, thoughts and questions and let’s spend some time together.

Calling All Musicians for Summer 2024!

Do you like to sing or play an instrument? We would like you to sing/play alone or in a group for a 9:30 am Sunday summer worship service! Please contact Lucy Kay Osborne or call the church office, to sign up or ask questions.

Scrip Card Purchases are Available Online

You don't have to wait until Sunday to purchase Scrip! Purchase scrip cards directly from RaiseRight for your everyday purchases, and benefit First Lutheran Church’s Social Ministries programs!

Scan this QR code to easily set up your account. The RaiseRight app is available in the IOS App Store or Google Play Store.

Happy Shopping!

FLC Preschool Wish List Registry!

We have created an Amazon wish list registry of needed supplies for the upcoming preschool year. If you would like to make a donation to our classrooms, please click here. Items will automatically be sent to the church when purchased thru the registry.

Thank you,

Amy Case and Stephanie Corrigan, Co-directors, FLC Preschool

While Harbour Homes continues to prepare their written proposal, Council is near completion of the discovery process. Once the proposal is received, it will be reviewed by legal as well as analyzed to determine if it’s in FLC’s best interest to accept the proposal. If it’s not in our best interest, Harbour Homes will be notified that the offer has been declined. If Council concludes it is in our best interest, then the congregation will vote on the proposal during a special congregation meeting. Please note that this is a change from information previously provided. In reviewing our constitution, Council determined that an easement, which is an encumbrance on our property, must be authorized by the congregation. Article 12.05b specifically states “The Congregation Council shall not have the authority to buy, sell, or encumber real property unless specifically authorized to do so by a meeting of the congregation.” So, if Council recommends approval of the proposal, an informational meeting will be held first to discuss the details of the proposal and its impacts, and then a special congregation meeting will be called to vote on the proposal.

The Council, staff, Personnel Committee and Pastor Berg met with Pastor Vance for our final mediation meeting on June 8, 2024. During the mediation process, we enhanced our communication skills and will continue to practice those skills as we work together in the service of our Lord and His church.

Yours in His service,

Ho Brown

Council President

jepromets@comcast.net

First Lutheran Church will be open during Bothell's 4th of July parade for hospitality.

Widows Support Group

July 8 and August 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

Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study!

Saturday, July 20 and August 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

Youth

New Orleans Youth Gathering & Disneyworld - July 14 -July 24 Grades 9 - 12.

ELCA Youth Gathering to bring thousands to New Orleans. Meeting under the theme “Created to Be,” nearly 16,000 youth and adult leaders (16 youth and adults from FLC will be in attendance!) will participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, La., July 16-20. The Gathering brings together Lutherans for faith formation, worship, fellowship and service. A livestream of Mass Gathering programming will be available while it’s taking place in New Orleans. Links to watch the livestream will be featured on ELCA.org/Gathering during the event.

Please pray for our group as we prepare, travel and experience the youth gathering.

Parents of travelers - You can use FLC's Sctip program to purchase physical Visa gift cards on Sunday mornings, or egift cards through FLC's scrip program using the Raiseright phone app. See instructions for the app previously in this newsletter.



Vacation Bible School - Together! Monday, July 29 – Thursday, August 1 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”   Colossians 3:12-14 

All children ages 3 through 6th Grade are invited to attend.  

Preschool and Kindergarten students meet from 9 AM to 12 PM/Noon. ($35 per week)

Students in Grades 1 – 6 will meet from 9 AM to 3 PM (includes lunch). ($50 per week) Register Here! A Day Camp Team from Camp Lutherhaven will help lead this Vacation Bible School!

Help is needed! Middle School, High School, College Students and Adults are needed to help serve at Vacation Bible School. Please Sign Up on the VBS Helper Board in the Church Narthex. Contact Roger Steinke for additional information.  

FLC Book Club!

Please contact Ann Aagaard, Linda Siebert or Roger Steinke for additional information about the Book Club. A copy of the Featured Book of the Month is available in the First Lutheran Church Library. 

FLC Library News: 

The new 2023 honoree photos are now on display in the FLC library. Enjoy photos from near and far from our own fabulous FLC photographers. 

Children's books are highlighted in the library during July and August. Parents, grandparents, young adults, children of all ages view our nice selection of books. In addition to Bibles and Bible story books, we have books that teach valuable lessons about living together in community and caring for each other, and much more!

Welcome to our FLC Bothell Library—summer 2024!

Monthly Outreach

CHANGE FOR CHANGE All money received in the Change for Change jar will be used to support HOPELINK food bank.

Backpacks for Kids

A School Supply Drive for Northshore School District Students

Imagine your first day of school without a backpack, paper or even a pencil. HUNDREDS of students in the Northshore School District are at risk of experiencing this. You can help! Look for the collection container in the Narthex starting July 7. Donations needed: Backpacks grades K-5, backpacks grades 6-12, markers (wide and fine tip), colored pencils, glue sticks, erasers, pencils, crayons, children scissors & highlighters. For monetary online donations please click here.

Camp United

July Ministry of the Month

Camp United Tent City (CUWS). CUWS works to assist residents with daily needs by facilitating their transition to independent living. All individuals deserve respect, and Camp United models empowerment, stewardship, and democratic self-governance. Check out https://campunitedwestand-tentcity.org for more information.

Lutheran Disaster Response

August Ministry of the Month

Lutheran Disaster Response shares God's hope, healing and renewal with people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. Learn more.

From the First Lutheran Quilters

We need your help to be ready for the next Quilt-A-Thon in October!

First Lutheran Quilters need people with sewing machines to assemble donated material into quilt tops and backs for Lutheran World Relief. We need 50 sets to have a Quilt-A-Thon in October. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall on Thursdays from 9:00 am to noon for instructions and materials for sewing at home. If you have questions, contact Audrey Fisher at 425-822-6143, Sue Ebert at 425-466-1717 or Donella Robbins at 206 550 8440.     

FLC Faith Partner Opportunities

Ongoing Community Food Drive: First Lutheran Church has partnered with the Northshore Nourishing Network to collect donations of non-perishable food items. Food donations can be dropped off at any time. Food is distributed to local food pantries, the Northshore Senior Center and to several school food banks on a weekly basis. Thank you for supporting the First Lutheran Food Drive and giving what you “CAN!”

Thank you!

First Lutheran of Bothell,

Thank you for your financial generosity to Camp Lutherwood which helps us fulfill our Vision and Mission to bring God and Jesus into the lives of many people.

Your ongoing support is faithful to God who wants us to be in the world for all.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, thanks with grateful hearts,

Janice Stepp

Monthly Financial Outreach

January Outreach: Compass Housing Alliance

February Outreach: Hopelink

March Outreach: Lutheran Community Services

April Outreach: Poor People's Campaign

May Outreach: ELCA World Hunger

June Outreach: Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services

July Outreach:

August Outreach:

September Outreach:

October Outreach:

November Outreach:

December Outreach:

CREATION CARE

July Is Plastic Free Month 

Plastic Free July® is a global movement that encourages everyone to reduce plastic use and waste by eliminating single-use plastics, by recycling and by choosing other options besides plastic in our daily lives. Will you take the challenge and live a plastic-free life not only in July, but make every month plastic free?

National Clean Beaches Week 

In 2007, Congress passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution by unanimous consent. The week is celebrated annually from July 1st through July 7th and is considered the “Earth Day” for our beaches. July 4th is the most popular day of the year in the U. S. for people to visit our beaches. This means it’s also the worst day for beaches and marine life because our beaches become littered with all the trash that’s left behind. So, when you’re heading home from the beach, just leave behind sand castles or your footprints in the sand; properly dispose of your trash or take it with you when you leave.. 

King County 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection August Event 

The next time the King County’s traveling Wastemobile will be at the University of Washington - Bothell campus (18115 Campus Way NE) is on August 16th thru 18th. If you need to disposing of household hazardous waste sooner, the Wastemobile will be in Redmond in July. Check out the detailed instructions, acceptable items, allowable quantities for each, and the complete 2024 schedule of dates, times, and locations at: https://kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/en/households-disposal

Rally Day is September 8th! First day of Sunday school and an ice cream social!

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 (join anytime!)
• Changing Church Cohort - 2nd Mondays on Zoom
• Becoming an Anti-Racist Cohort - 2nd Thursdays on Zoom 7:00 -8:30 pm

First Lutheran members are eligible for a $150 Summer Camp Scholarship. Please contact Roger for scholarship information.

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