"Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world." We are an evangelizing church, and this mission flows out of a life attentive to God’s Word and rooted in unceasing prayer for the Spirit's life-giving work with the Word. In the seven weeks leading to the start of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on Aug. 17, I invite you to join in 50 days of renewed and focused prayer around the Scriptures that will be used at the assembly, when your co-workers in the Gospel are daily gathered, centered and sent into mission.

The accompanying Scriptures, prayers and songs [at www.elca.org/50days] are a resource you can use in small groups, in individual devotions or as a congregation-wide initiative. As you gather around God's Word, I ask you to pray especially for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, for those who will gather in Minneapolis, for decisions to be made, and for faithfulness in discerning those directions to which God is calling this evangelizing church in mission and service for the sake of the world.

In God's grace,

Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop

You may request prayer by the congregation by contacting the parish office and asking to be included in the prayers of intercession in the Sunday service or by calling the parish office and asking for the prayer chain to pray immediately.  The prayer chains at both First and at Eidsvold have recently been updated.  "The prayer of the righteous has great power in its effects."  James 5:16

June 8 & 9 were spring cleaning days at First Lutheran Church.  Thank you to everyone who cleaned.  The church looks so much better now.  The serving group assignments were:

#1 – Twilla Wollin – basement, east entry

#2 – Dalene Jacobson – sanctuary, offices, stairs

#3 – Gaylene Anderson – Rooms 1 -5, library, sacristy & hallway

#4 – Lori Anderson & Carol Britten – kitchen, parish hall, west entry

Crocodile Dock

BIBLE SCHOOL

July 27-31

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

First Lutheran Church

New! God Sightings™
Help kids see what God is doing all around us!

A burning bush…an assault of plagues…Jesus’ resurrection. The Bible tells us God performed big stuff—miracles—to make himself known. But he’s acting in our everyday lives and all around us, too. Help children understand that. Lead them to see the world differently, with God Sightings!

How it works…
At Crocodile Dock, kids will keep an eye out for “God in action” in their everyday lives—and they’ll discover how they can be a God Sighting by showing Christ’s love.

Every Sunday in the summer there will be a fellowship hour at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church.  Hosts are needed each Sunday to make the coffee and provide something to eat with it.  A sign up sheet is at the church for volunteers who would enhance our fellowship with one another and welcome summer visitors to our congregation in this way.  A donation basket for fellowship hour will be set out each Sunday.  The donations will be given to Lake of the Woods Bible Camp with which our congregation has had a relationship for over 60 years.  Donations are completely voluntary.  Thanks to those who have served already.

The First Lutheran Church council voted at its April meeting to set up a shingling fund for the eventual replacement of the shingles on the church.  The cost of shingles has skyrocketed recently.  With the church’s large roof the project could easily cost $25,000.  The council wishes to start a fund now to raise money so that when this project begins in a few years, the congregation will be ready.  To give to the shingling fund, please mark your check “shingling fund” when you mail it to the church or place it in the offering plate.  The balance in this shingling fund savings account will be reported to the church council and noted in the council minutes each month.  Questions may be directed property board members, Wayne Anderson and Roger Jacobson or finance board members Brad Wubbels and Eldonna Grahn.