Lent and Holy Week Schedule
"IN REMEMBRANCE"
Third Lenten Service: March 20th at 6:30 PM
"Proclaiming the Lord's Death"
Fourth Lenten Service: March 27th at 6:30 PM with Holy Communion. A Soup Supper will be available from 5:00-6:00. Free will offering and proceeds will benefit the Youth.
"Worthy/Unworthy"
Fifth Lenten Service: April 3rd at 6:30 PM
"Examining Ourselves"
Sixth Lenten Service: April 10th at 6:30 PM. A soup Supper will be available from 5:00-6:00. Free will offering and proceeds will benefit the Youth attending the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis this Summer.
"Discerning the Body"
Palm Sunday: April 14th. 8:00 AM service and 10:30 AM service with Holy Communion. 10:30 service will also be Youth Sunday.
Maundy Thursday Service: April 18th with Holy Communion 6:30 PM
"On the Night"
Good Friday Service: April 19th 6:30 PM
"On A Hill Far Away"
Easter: April 21st
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 MEN OF FIRST LUTHERAN- Men’s Club
If you are male and a member of First Lutheran, you are automatically a member of 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.
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: We begin a new topic as we look at the Gospel of Luke verse by verse. We encourage you to learn more about the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus.
Stewardship message: Luke 13:3- "No I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." The season of Lent is all about repentance-turning back to the Lord, away from our sins, in faith. We know that it is only in the Lord that we can find salvation. So we do well in this season of repentance to examine ourselves, asking the questions like, "What is trying to keep me away from Jesus?" "What temptation I face?" "What is a sin I need to repent of and leave behind?" Then we turn to the Lord for the strength to leave these sins behind, and we pray for the courage to follow him in faith and faithful living.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK: This March, we join Second Harvest, faith communities, businesses, and organizations across Minnesota in acting to end hunger and food insecurity. Please bring nonperishable items for the Food Shelf at Second Harvest and / or monetary donations throughout March. Watch for the display on March 17th thru the end of March. "You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness......" Isaiah 58:10. We thank you on behalf of the hungry in our community, from the Board of Human Care, and Board of Missions.
Heath E Living Seminar: On Saturday, April 13th, starting at 9:00 a.m. there will be a seminar at church focusing on improving our general state of fitness, mobility and overall health. This is targeted for seniors, but all ages are welcomed. There is an emphasis on unique methods of exercising, stretching, eating, and balance. The reviews on this program are excellent. There is no charge for the seminar, and it will conclude by noon. More information found here https://www.healthehorizon.com/programs
Men & Boys Fishing Retreat: On Sunday, March 24th, Greg Taylor and Dick Buech will hold a meeting between services in the council room to talk about our plans and to answer questions regarding the 2019 fishing retreat. We again reserved the large cabin at Young's Bay Resort on the nothwest angle of Lake of the Woods from Sunday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 26th. If you would like to attend, there is a sign-up sheet in the book.
Easter Lillies and Mums: Alter Guild will again be purchasing "Lillies's and Mums" to adorn our sanctuary for Easter. Anyone who would like to help defray the $10.00 cost of each plan can leave your donation with the church secretary. The plan would be available for you to take home after the 10:30 service on Easter Sunday.
Women of First Lutheran: Lutheran Island Camp's women's retreat is April 5-7th. The guest speaker is Jane Wilke. Her message is "Laced With Grace." This is a wonderful opportunity for women to grow in their relationship with Christ and fellow Christian Women. Please prayerfully consider whether you would be able to attend. We could car pool with those from Our Redeemer who are also going. Please call me if you are interested in going or need more information. I have attended the past several years and ti s has been a wonderful opportunity to grow in my relationship with Jesus and other Christian women. Mary Buech 218-999-7408
Upcoming Youth Events:
Pamperd Chef fundariser: Tijanna Lattimore and Abbie Serfling whom are registered for the National Youth Gathering are having a Pampered Chef Fundariser. All proceeds will benefit their trip to Minneapolis in July. Orders for the fundraiser are due no later than March 24th. . Place your Pampered Chef order here www.pamperedchef.com/party/jessicapellinen0307
Lenten Soup Suppers will be on March 27th and April 10th serving from 5-6. Proceeds on March 27th will benefit the youth and April 10th will benefit the NYG participants. Youth are encouraged to help setup and serve, arrive at 4:00.
Donations for Soup: We are in need of a variety of soups and desserts for the Lenten soup suppers. We would like to make sure that we have enough soup so that we do not run out, so if you can dig out your favorite soup recipes, the Youth would very much appreciate it. There is a sign-up sheet on the Youth bulletin board.
VBS Kickoff is next Sunday, March 31st. Please prayerfully consider how your talents can help the children grow closer to God. Please join us in between services to sign up where your talents will be best utilized. Some of our longtime VBS volunteers will not be coming back this year, which opens up new areas to fill. Crafts, snacks, leaders, helpers, shepherds, cooks, storytelling, registration, greeters, picnic crew and bakers are all needed. Thank you for your consideration and for Sharing the Love of Jesus with the children. You can also register on our website at www.flcgr.org/vbs
VBS Steering Committee: The next meeting will be April 1st at 5:30.
Release time prayer partners are invited to attend the last session on April 10th from 1:20-1:50. Please meet in their classrooms while they finish up the movie. 3rd grade meets in room 109, 4th grade in room 107, and 5th grade room 106. Hope you to see you there!
Weekly report: Great job Sunday School children signing last week! They will be learning about the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus in the weeks leading up to Easter. This is a great time to have discussions with your children about what Jesus means to them. There are resources in the library to help with this discussion and movies you can check out to watch with them. Palm Sunday is April 14th and will be the next time the SS children will sing in Church.
April 7th: Easter Egg hunt after second service