A Message from Pastor Berg | |
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Epiphany: When the Holy Meets Wisdom
After three days they found [Jesus] in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
In the Gospel of Luke there is no visit from the wise ones from the east. In Matthew, this is a scene where scholars of the stars come to see what they had learned in their studies, that someone holy was coming into the world. Instead, in Luke, we have this scene of a twelve year old having a conversation with the wise ones of the temple. I would not be surprised if Jesus' cousin John was not somewhere around as well. Is Jesus giving those in the temple a heads up of what is to come?
"When crossing a one way street a smart person knows which way traffic comes from, but a wise person looks both ways anyway."
Continue to Pastor's blog here.
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Everyone has a unique Spiritual Journey. All are invited to grow in faith, learn in understanding, share thoughts and ask questions. Please join us as we Journey in Faith together. Please stay tuned for more information. | |
Volunteer of the Month - Alexia Payne | |
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The Youth Committee would like to recognize and thank Alexia Payne for all she has done and continues to do for our congregation. Alexia and her family (husband Tom, Children Bjorn, Elling and Sigrun) joined our Church in 2010. Alexia has helped chaperone numerous Youth Trips to Lutherhaven Ministries Camps in Idaho, Youth Gatherings in Houston and Thousand Oaks, California. She and her family have hosted many “End of Summer Weekends” at their Camano Island and Woodinville homes. Alexia especially enjoys watching our young people use their gifts, share their faith journeys, sing around the fire pit and visit new locations with our youth! We thank Alexia for her 14 years of service with our youth ministries! You will continue to see Alexia and hear her beautiful violin music in our Worship Services. Thank you, Alexia!
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Committee chair persons: Annual reports are due to Kristin Smith no later than January 2 as a word document only. | |
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FLC Annual Meeting and NW Washington Synod Assembly
One item on the agenda is the election of FLC lay voting members to the Synod Assembly. The Assembly will be held on Friday, May 16th, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 17th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, and will include the election of a bishop to lead our synod for the next 6 years
As you consider this opportunity, please be aware that those elected to represent FLC at this year’s assembly will also be asked to attend a special, on-line meeting in May of 2026. Because 2026 is the year for a Synod Gathering, the business of electing the Synod vice-president and Synod secretary in 2026 will be conducted via this special meeting.
Also, if you’re willing to support behind the scenes activities at this year’s assembly, volunteers are needed to help with registration and ushering. If you’re interested or have any questions, please contact Susan Berg, Director of Communications & Events, at susan@lutheransnw.org.
Yours in His service,
Ho Brown
Council President
jepromets@comcast.net
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Scrip Card Purchases are Available Online
If you need gift cards for your Chirstmas gifts our Scrip cards have you covered! You don't have to wait until Sunday to purchase Scrip. Purchase scrip cards directly from RaiseRight for your gifts and everyday purchases, and benefit First Lutheran Church’s Social Ministries programs!
Follow this link to easily set up your account. The RaiseRight app is available in the IOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Happy Shopping!
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Widows Support Group
January 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
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Women's Bible Study & Fellowship opportunities available:
Hannah Circle: January 18, 9:00 am.
Contact: Linda Siebert 206-369-7047
Rebecca Circle: January 15, 10:00 am.
Contact: Lucy Kay Osborne 425-823-9793 or dlktutti@comcast.net
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!
Saturday, December January 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
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Reach Ministries
Opportunities for all Ages!
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Sunday, January 19th, 11:45 AM – 2:00 PM
Youth Pizza Lunch at Sparta’s Pizza Restaurant
Youth in Grades 7 – 12 are invited for lunch at Sparta’s in Bothell! We will leave the Church after the Education Hour / Sunday School ends and head to Sparta’s for lunch. Part of our conversation will include “our plans for the New Year” and talk about how to help at the February 2nd Youth Auction. Please bring $5 to help cover a portion of your lunch. We will return to the Church at 2 PM. Please Sign-Up on the Youth Board.
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Save the Date! 2025 Dates for your Calendar:
Sunday, February 2, 2025,11:45 AM – 2:00 PM First Lutheran Church Youth Auction.
We are raising fund for July 2025; a group of our youth and adults will attend a week of service with Lutherhaven's Idaho Servant Adventures at Shoshone Mountain Retreat near Wallace, Idaho.
This year’s western themed auction goal is to meet or exceed the $28,000 raised at last year's auction. Our young people are counting on your help and support. Can you help?
The Silent Auction & Appetizers begins at 11:45 AM. The Taco Bar Lunch begins at 12:15 PM. The Cake and Live Auction begins at 1:00 PM. Local First Lutheran Celebrity, David Osborne, will serve as our Auctioneer. Donations for the Youth Auction are being received. Please contact Roger Steinke for additional auction and donation information. Please save the date and join us!
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FLC Vacation Bible School will be Monday, July 28 – Thursday, July 31, 2025. | |
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Movie Review of The Whole Gritty City
January 13, 5 - 7 pm in the Youth Room
The Whole Gritty City is a unique, fascinating window into the little-known world of New Orleans school marching bands. This dramatic, music-filled documentary follows kids in three bands as the directors get them ready to perform in the Mardi Gras parades, teaching them to succeed and to survive. Navigating the urban minefield through moments of setback, loss, discovery, and triumph, these children and their adult leaders reveal the power and resilience of a culture. A 2016 ALA Notable Video, it was broadcast nationally as a CBS News Special hosted by Wynton Marsalis. Popcorn and refreshments will be served. Please join us in the Youth Room!
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From the Library Committee
Book Club
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
January 28, 7 pm
Discussion Leader: Linda Siebert
An expansive, multigenerational tale of an Indian family whose members all suffer from what is termed the “Condition.” From the story’s opening in 1900 to its close in 1977, this Condition leads to the death by drowning of many members of the family, usually male. It is Big Ammachi’s greatest hope that someone will someday discover the cause of, and thus the cure for, this Condition. She becomes the family matriarch, presiding over the estate at Parambil, in the southern region of Kerala. Once a child bride, she raises two children and one grandchild while witnessing numerous tragedies. Published in 2023, The Covenant of Water explores the caste system of India; examines the class system in the United Kingdom; spotlights the small Christian community within India; critiques the British imperial presence in India; and reveals much about Indian culture, history, and politics in the process. As a physician, Verghese also provides graphic and detailed scenes of illness, surgery and recovery.
Please contact Katie Pyne, Ann Aagaard 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
Keep snapping photos for the annual photo contest. Submission date is January 2025. Watch for specific time to submit your 8x10 photo and directions for the photo contest in December/January newsletters All photos will be displayed in the library in March 2025 and chosen photos will be framed and displayed in the library for one year.
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The above link will be updated with the previous month's financial information after the Finance Committee is able to review the financial statements at their monthly meeting. | |
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A special note from the Finance Committee Regarding Credit Card Giving
Effective February 1, we will no longer be accepting American Express cards as payment for donations and other charges. They have raised their processing fees, again from 3.65% to 3.99%. We will continue to accept Mastercard, Visa and Discover which only charges 2.65%. Thank you for your understanding.
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January Ministry of the Month | |
Click image for more information about Compass Housing Alliance. | |
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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.
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: Camp United We Stand
August Outreach: Lutheran Disaster Response
September Outreach: Lutheran World Relief
October Outreach: Faith Action Network
November Outreach: Northshore Senior Food Bank
December Outreach: Camp Lutherwood and Retreat Center
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Thank you!
First Lutheran Church donated $3,500 in Gift Cards to clients and families of the Compass Housing Alliance! Thank you for your incredible generosity and support!
First Lutheran Church Bothell’s Giving Page for Hopelink received more than $1,100 in monetary donations! Donations will continue to be received through January 2025 at First Lutheran Giving Page. Thank you for your generous help and support!
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Food donations are distributed to local food pantries and to school food banks. | |
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National Bird Day
National Bird Day is recognized annually on January 5th. This day was designated in 2002 by Born Free USA and the Avian Welfare Coalition to promote avian awareness and issues that affect birds in America, such as disease and a fast-dwindling habitat. What can we do to help? Learn about birds, give them a safe place to live such as a birdhouse in your yard, and only feed them food that’s appropriate for birds. Did you know that there are between 11.000 and 18,043 species of birds in the world, depending on how they are counted/ The smallest bird on earth lives in Cuba and lays its eggs in a nest that’s the size of a quarter. What is it? A Bee Hummingbird.
Earth’s Rotation Day
On Wednesday, January 8th, we celebrate the 1851 discovery by French physicist Léon Foucault that the Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. Scientists have reported that, beginning in 2020, the Earth has started to spin faster. There are various theories as to why, including the complex motion of oceans and atmosphere and possibly climate change. Climate change is causing the ice at the Earth’s poles to melt, which changes the shape of the Earth, thus changing the center of gravity and allowing the Earth to spin faster. June 29, 2022 was identified as the shortest day recorded; the Earth completed a rotation in 1.59 milliseconds less than 24 hours. If this increased speed prevails, it could eventually impact timekeeping and many other aspects of daily life.
National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is recognized annually on January 10th as a day of awareness for everyone to find ways to reduce energy usage. While this day is for all consumers, residences and businesses alike, homes account for 22% of energy usage in the U.S. So, weatherproofing our homes, turning down the thermostat, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs, turning off lights that aren’t in use, and shutting down and unplugging computers and other electronics when not in use can all help contribute to saving energy, saving costs, and reducing our impact on our environment.
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First Lutheran Church has purchased the Northwest Washington Synod's LiVE bundle for 2024-25, 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!
Click the button below for all the upcoming LiVE Project offerings and related information!
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First Lutheran Church | 425-486-2314 | 425-297-4898 |office@flcbothell.org
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