Who we are
What To Expect
We have two services every Sunday - traditional service and a family/contempory service. Join the service that best fits your style, both services have the same message to make sure we are all learning as a family. Life can be busy, but at worship you can slow down and accept God's Word and Sacraments.
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids - Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God:
The Father, creator of all that exists;
Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and
the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God's Word and Sacraments.
The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.
We accept and preach the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
Bulletin Announcements
ALL MEN OF FIRST LUTHERAN- Men’s Morning Bible Study
You are invited to attend Men’s Morning Bible Study each Wednesday morning at Forest Lake Restaurant. We meet in the upstairs back room at 6:45 AM. We open with a prayer and then begin our reading for the day. After our reading we have discussion. During this time our server takes our breakfast orders. Some men order just coffee and others a full breakfast. We are finished by 8 AM. There is plenty of room so bring your bible and join us in studying God’s word.
ALL THE MEN OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH- Men’s Club
If you are male and a member of First Lutheran, you are automatically a member of the Men’s Club. We have regular meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6:30p.m. in the church basement. Our mission is to help the ministry of First Lutheran by providing funds and manpower for the betterment of our church. Cinnamon Roll Sunday and the Wild Game Feed are a couple of ways for us to raise funds. Our meetings consist primarily of how to spend these funds. After a short meeting we have dessert provided by one of the men. Come and join us. You will enjoy.
LCMS STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY: (January 27 Third Sunday after Epiphany)
Matthew 8:8- “But the Centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.’” The word of the Lord is powerful and effective. What God says, goes. “Let there be light” And there was light. His Word is still effective and creative for us: “This is my Body given for you.” “Your sins are forgiven.” This is why it is no burden for us to live according to the Word of God: we know that His Word is always bent on our blessing.
Our nursery (unstaffed) can be found on the lower level of the education wing. There is a PA System provided in this room, so the service can be heard.
Cable TV Broadcast Proclaiming the Good News of Christ on ICTV (Mediacom Cable Channel 2 and Paul Bunyan Cable Channel 32) each Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday at 4 a.m. and 12 noon.
BIBLE STUDY: Please join us for Pastor's Sunday morning Bible Study class each Sunday at 9:15. We are studying the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 13. It is good to be found under the shepherd. Goodies and coffee are available. We hope to see you all there.
Lutheran Witness Subscribers: Please use your Lutheran Witness envelope from your packet to renew the 2019 subscription. Renewal price is $16.00. Please submit your payment/cancellation by today January 27th.
Abortion: Do We Speak Life or Whisper Death? By Tawnia Hoehne from Winter Issue 2019 Life Date Would you kill someone? Lately, I find myself involved in discussions over whether abortion is killing or a moral obligation we have for creating children we are not prepared to raise. Society, I’m afraid, has begun to accept that abortion equals kindness, and killing is only wrong when regulated. Would you ever kill someone? Take some time and ask that question of a few young Christians you know. I expect every one of them will answer no, with some allowing for instances of self-defense. Follow up by asking: Why not? I was a little dismayed when not one person I interviewed mentioned that murder breaks God’s Fifth Commandment. Instead, they said it is against the law or they didn’t want to end up in jail. One person admitted that she’s not a very good killer, as though she had tried it once and decided it was bad to not be good at it. My informal poll has me believing we Christians rely too heavily on secular law to mold the moral values of our children. While we are outspoken in our push for legislation to define marriage and life, and while we argue with others about what the Constitution does or does not protect, how much time do we spend quietly teaching our children about God’s plan for the world? How are we modeling compassion, love, and grace to them in daily life? Lutherans For Life will have extra copies of “Life Date” in the church in future.
Alaska Mission Trip Summer of 2019: Are you interested in spreading the Love of Jesus with a remote village in Alaska this Summer? Imagine working all Summer gathering and hunting food to prepare for Winter. That is what most kids do in these villages. For the past 6 years Neil Grunke has been a part of bringing teams up to these villages to put on a VBS program, evening Bible study and do a hammer and nail service project. If you are interested in learning the local culture and want to Share the Love of Jesus, this is a trip for you. Young adults are welcomed and encouraged to go. Neil is having an informative meeting at Our Redeemer on Thursday, January 31st at 7:00. There will be people who have already experienced this mission trip to answer your questions. If you are interested in learning more attend the meeting or contact Neil Grunke at 218-244-8426 or neil_grunke@transcanada.com
Youth Events: Youth Sunday will be on February 3rd. Children will sing before second service and the youth can sign up to acolyte, read, greet and usher. February 10th is Family Game Day in the fellowship hall after second service. Sign up so we have enough pizza for everyone. You are welcomed and encouraged to attend. This is a great time to meet the youth and get to know them better.
FMPD weekly update: Youth Sunday was a success. Great job children! At the voter’s meeting I did a quick talk on the LCMS Millennial retention survey. This was a three-part study that included surveying congregations, the young adults that were confirmed between 2004-2006, and study groups. You can find an executive summery on the bulletin board or go to www.youthesource.com to see the whole report. The SPARK council also did a survey of over 3000 Itasca County students from grades 6 -12. The reports are also on the bulletin board. The more we know and understand these generations, the better we can Share the Love of Jesus with them.
Snow Tubing: The first Family/Youth event of 2019 will be today, January 27th after second service. We will start with a sack lunch (bring your own) downstairs in the fellowship hall with socializing and a quick Bible study and then head to Mount Itasca for some tubing. Tubers must be 42” tall and the cost is $10.00 per person. Scholarship funds are available if needed. We will be back to the Church around 3:15 if anyone needs a ride. Waiver forms need to be filled out prior to going, they are located on the bulletin board. Please sign up as we need to let them know by Friday January 25th. Contact Jessica Pellinen for scholarships and rides. 218-244-5365 or firstevyouth@gmail.com Mark your calendars for February 10th- game day with pizza provided. Lock-in will be on March 1st.