Faith First

Pr. Steve returns! He gives us his first impressions after four months away on sabbatical while Pr. Katie talks a radical act by Jesus transforming forever our notion of sabbath.

Pr. Craig points out that scripture implores us to run OUR race and not someone else's. As we do Jesus warns that might come with some obstacles but we can make it through with the faith from God just like our ancestors.

Pr. Katie tells a story of Pr. Craig's wife Katie blessing the church with extra cantaloupes this week and how our small acts of kindness can be a great way of living out this weekend's scripture of living for today and looking out for others.

Pr. Craig shares what he learned from a talk with Hall of Fame Duke Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski about the importance of an organization holding each other accountable, including the leader, and how this concept applies to Christ's Church today.

Pr. Katie teaches us the importance of the Lord's Prayer isn't necessarily learning how to the say it (saying the right words) or why we say them (because Jesus said to), but WHOSE prayer it is and learning to have a relationship with the man behind it.

Pr. Craig dives deep into the story of Mary and Martha with our long-time Worship Producer Megan Fleming to talk about being present with Christ in new and exciting ways as peal back the curtain to "meet the wizard" to learn how our excellent online worship happens each week. Plus Youth Natalie Fersdahl takes us inside the fun of Vacation Bible School as young people from all across our community learn to Trust Jesus.

Pr. Katie teaches us in one of her favorite scriptures how Jesus shows us how to follow the rules of God but in doing so still show each other mercy.

Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie talk about Christ's mission to send people into our lives to reach us with God's peace and our call to reach out in peace to others. Join us as we give thanks to those who taught us and loved us in the faith and honor them by paying it forward to others this 4th of July.

Do you ever feel stuck in your faith? Pr. Katie teaches us how to get out of going in circles like driving endlessly in a roundabout if we just listen to God, yield to others, and follow the exit Jesus creates us for us. Once we've been set free...now what? Pr. Craig ponders how and where God might be leading us next.

Pr. Katie & Pr. Craig talk about the unifying powers of the Christian Church from the book of Galatians the uniting power of Baptism as we've done a lot of them lately! And Bob Koenig gives an update on the schedule and budget of our ongoing renovations.

Pr. Craig teaches the Penn State football team how our losses shape our victory which is ultimately what Christ does by using the "loss" of the defeat on the cross to shape the victory of the empty tomb and new life.

Pr. Katie and Pr. Craig muse if kindness is a foreign tongue today and if so, how might it be our call to "speak in tongues" to the world around us spreading Christ's love and light.

Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie chat about practical steps we can take to follow Jesus' advice to build unity in order to inspire others while Dir. of Support Services Bob Koenig gives us an update on our construction now underway to renovate our building from bottom to top.

This Memorial Day weekend Pr. Katie asks us to think about those who served and sacrificed for our peaceful freedom but also to remember that our true peace that surpasses all understanding comes from above.

Spiritual Director Deborah Hansen shares the wisdom she's learned over a lifetime of listening to God and others as she prepares to say good-bye to First Lutheran while Pr. Katie breaks down the theology of what happens when people part, especially our graduates and their families.

FLC Member and first year teacher Kirsten Hermstad chats with Pr. Craig about creation, life, death, and the advancements coming in teaching science to the next generation.

Jesus reclaims Peter back into the fold by forgiving him the exact number of times Peter betrayed Jesus. Pr. Steve says this is a good example of how our stumbles along the way can have the biggest impact in our journey how God ultimately shapes our good news we share with others.

After Jesus' resurrection Thomas gives the strongest profession of faith in the entire Bible. So why do we stick him with the nickname "Doubting Thomas?" Pr. Craig tells Pr. Steve our entire experience in life depends how we spin it as we begin a new worship series with the focus "And Now the Good News."

As bad as things seem to be getting in our world, nevertheless the resurrection at Easter is about to change everything. Pr. Steve, Pr. Katie, and Pr. Craig ponder the mysteries of God at work in our world this Holy Week.