Please join the Sabbatical Committee for a Welcome Back Celebration on October 6 at 10:30 am, after worship! | |
Spotlight on Volunteers - Gary Curtis
The Stewardship Committee wants to introduce you to a member who, though only at FLC for a few years, has spent his entire time here demonstrating what dedication to managing time, abilities, and money looks like. Gary Curtis, and husband Derrick StaRosa, joined FLC in 2021, after being invited to our Reconciling In Christ congregation by Jean and Doug Peterson. Interestingly, Gary’s mother, Ruth Curtis, was a member of FLC from 1977 until 2008! He and Derrick very soon learned to operate the Sound and Camera systems for our members who “Zoom” to church. Within a year, Gary was elected to the Church Council. He learned about Stewardship at an Activity Fair held in the Narthex and then created a Stewardship Committee which had not existed for many years. Gary’s background in sales and degree in business from the University of Washington give him great perspective for helping with the planning of our church. He’s also been a boon creating the Time and Talent Survey - and collating the data. Thank you for all you do, Gary!
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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!
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The Audit Committee completed its financial review of 2023 and presented its resulting opinion letter at September’s Council meeting. The onion letter stated that the church’s financial records are sound and recognized the due diligence of the Finance Committee. The Audit Committee’s recommendations included: 1) transition, over time, our hybrid of paper and electronic financial records to electronic storage in a central location; 2) review items previously stored in our safe deposit box and upload all documents to be retained to our cloud service; and 3) consider including the Endowment Fund as part of the overall annual review. The Council voted to accept the Audit Committee’s opinion letter, as written, and is grateful to the Audit Committee and the continual diligence of our bookkeeper, Kristin Smith, and the Finance Committee.
The Council voted to approve the Portico “Gold Plus” healthcare insurance option for eligible full-time employees. This is the same level of Portico healthcare coverage as approved in previous years.
The Council voted to appoint Julie Berg to the 2024 Nominating Committee. Each position on this committee is a 1-year term. Pastor Berg will convene the Nominating Committee on Tuesday, October 8th, to begin their work on nominations for open seats to the 2025 Church Council. Thanks to Julie for agreeing to serve.
Yours in His service,
Ho Brown
Council President
jepromets@comcast.net
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Widows Support Group
October 14, 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: October 19, 9:00 am.
Contact: Linda Siebert 206-369-7047
Rebecca Circle: October 16 , 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, October 19, 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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October Youth Events!
Sunday, October 6th, 11:35 PM – 5:35 PM It’s Fall Fun at the Farm!
Youth in Grades 6 – 12 are invited to enjoy a Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch and Fall Food at The Farm at Swan’s Trail in Snohomish. The Church Bus will leave from the Church at 11:35 AM. We’ll stop for lunch at McDonald’s in Mill Creek and then “we’ll head on down to the Farm!”
Please dress for the weather (boots, coats, etc.). Cost is only $20 per person (includes admission and lunch). Our group of youth and adults will enjoy a beautiful afternoon! It was sunny and in the low 70’s in 2023! We will return to the Church at around 5:35 PM. Friends are welcome! Please Sign Up on the Youth Board. Questions? Please contact Roger.
Friday, October 25, 6 – 8:30 PM Family Movie and Game Night
Children of all ages and their families are invited for a night of fun and fellowship! A “Kid-Friendly” Dinner will be served and will feature Pizza, Salad and Tasty Desserts. A family movie will be shown in the Youth Room. Games for children, adults and families will also be played! There’ll be snacks and other treats! Sunday School students will help choose “The Featured Movie” in early October. Please look for more information and SAVE THE DATE! Please join us for a FUN Friday Night!
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Journey Classes!
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.
Sunday, October 13, 4 - 6 pm
A Travelogue of the July 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
A group of 16 FLC youth and adults attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans and visited Disney World in Orlando this past summer. Come and hear their stories, see pictures and taste some Cajun Cooking! Members of our group will share some of their favorite memories and inspiring moments at this Journey Class. Please join us!
Sunday, October 20, 4 - 6 pm “TBA!”
The Journey Class for this afternoon is being finalized. Stay tuned!
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FLC Book Club!
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
by James McBride
October 29, 7 pm
Discussion Leader: Nora Strothman
“In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new housing development, the last thing they expected to uncover was a human skeleton. Who the skeleton was and how it got buried there were just two of the long-held secrets that had been kept for decades by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side, sharing ambitions and sorrows. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear how much the people of Chicken Hill have to struggle to survive at the margins of white Christian America and how damaging bigotry, hypocrisy, and deceit can be to a community. When the truth is revealed about the skeleton, the boy, and the part the town’s establishment played in both, McBride shows that it is love and community—heaven and earth—that ultimately sustain us.” (Good Reads Summary Description)
Please contact Katie Pyne 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. Please join us!
FLC Library News:
This month, we’re highlighting books about how to read the Bible (table outside library). Check out these books from contemporary authors that give us insights into how we can read the Bible in a fresh, new way:
* What Is the Bible?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything, by Rob Bell
* Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, by Rachel Held Evans
* How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How An Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers? And Why That's Great News, by Peter Enns
* A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study: A Refreshingly Unique Look at God's Word, by Jen Hatmaker
Keep snapping photos for the annual photo contest. Submission date in January 2025! All photos will be displayed in the library in March 2025.
Check it Out!
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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. | |
For over 100 years, COMPASS HOUSING ALLIANCE has been meeting the needs of our community across the Puget Sound region by providing 24-hour enhanced emergency shelter programs for those experiencing homelessness and housing instability. | |
Food donations are distributed to local food pantries and to school food banks. | |
Lutheran World Relief School Supplies Needed!
Thank you for your generous donations of supplies and funds! Our goal is to stuff 300 bags with supplies. For all you Amazon shoppers here is the wish list to have your purchases shipped directly to the church! When choosing a shipping address, click on "Lucy Kay Osborne's Wish List". The supply list is on the collection table in the narthex. LWR requests specific supplies, no substitutes.
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From the First Lutheran Quilters
The October Quilt-a-thon has been cancelled.
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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.
Faith Action Network
October Ministry of the Month
First Lutheran’s Ministry of the Month is the Faith Action Network (FAN). FAN is a statewide, multifaith partnership striving for just, compassionate, and sustainable communities through courageous advocacy and public action. You can learn more about FAN at https://fanwa.org.
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:
December Outreach:
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Contact Alex Wyatt (206-866-6783) for more information or to register. | |
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Junk Mail Awareness Week is the first week of October. Did you know that the average American gets at least 46 pounds of junk mail annually? Over 100 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered in the U.S. every year! The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Advice website puts you in control of how much junk mail you get and, in turn, helps you make a positive impact on the environment by saving trees, water, energy and all other effects from the production to the delivery of junk mail. Check out the site and opt out!
October 2nd is Energy Efficiency Day, recognized annually on the 1st Wednesday in October. The current count is that 1163 local governments, universities, organizations, corporations, and utilities across the U. S. are participating in this day to promote the multiple benefits of energy efficiency. We can each do our part by assessing our homes for energy efficiency, including check for air leaks around windows, attic access and exterior doors; check door seals or gaskets on appliances; purchase ENERGY STAR appliances, electronics, and light bulbs; check insulation levels in basements, crawl spaces and attics; use a programmable thermostat; and unplug electronics when not in use to prevent phantom loads. Saving energy has the added benefit of a cost savings as well!
World Habitat Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1985. The day is recognized annually on the 1st Monday of October (October 7th). The theme for 2024 is “Engaging youth to create a better urban future,” in support of its goals, including emphasizing the right of adequate shelter for all.
World Animal Day is celebrated each year on October 4th. For 2024, the theme is “The world is their home too.” October 4th is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
King County Final Household Hazardous Waste Collection for 2024
King County’s traveling Wastemobile will be at the University of Washington - Bothell campus (18115 Campus Way NE) in Bothell on October 18th thru 20th. This is the last scheduled event for 2024. If you need to dispose of household hazardous waste such as oil-based paint, batteries, antifreeze, or pesticides, check out the detailed instructions, acceptable items, allowable quantities for each, and other dates and locations for October.
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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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