Welcome!
We are very grateful for those who are joining the mission of First Lutheran as new members and associate members! The group includes Keith and Sharon Behnke, Bradley Behnke, Lynn Bowles, Gary and Marsha Brooks, Rev. Russell and Karen Glaser, Kyle, Sharon and Neil, Dan and Deanna Hall, Jennifer, Bradley and Carrie, Jesica Hanson, Sydni and Lily, Carolyn Love, John Umland, Roger and Michelle Williams, Jena and Lily, and Dennis and Adene Winter.

Welcome Thayer!
Thayer Emerson Alt will receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism following the Sunday morning worship service. Thayer is the daughter of Nathan and Brandy Alt. She has an older brother, Cooper. Her sponsors are Jacob and Jennifer Barth.

Want To Sing Your Favorite Hymn?
This Sunday worshipers are invited to select hymns to sing as part of the morning worship. We will sing hymns from the Lutheran Book of Worship (green hymnal).

Core Values
What do we value about our Christian faith? What is important to us? Pastor Keith is sharing a series of messages about the core values of our church. This series of sermons is designed to help us discover (or rediscover) the five core values of the Lutheran Church.

Patio Fellowship 
We are grateful to Jelane and John Cook, Rhonda and Greg Lund, Anita Nichols and Darlene Siegle for providing the refreshments at the Patio Fellowship following this week’s Sunday morning worship. If you would like to host a Sunday of Patio Fellowship, sign up today or talk to Carla Behrends. It is a great way to help folks connect with one another.

Lamb of God Open House
A meet and greet will be held today after service until 12:00 p.m. Come check out all the new and exciting things that are planned for this year!! If you can’t make it, another open house will be held next Sunday, August 7th right after service!

Can You Help?
Have you worked with discussions groups for a web page? Do you have an interest in being on a Web Page Team? The new web page for First Lutheran will be created using Word Press and the church council is needing people for a Web Page Team. This team will be separate from the Technology Committee and will be developing policies related to permissions, privacy, and general oversight or perimeters. If you are interested, please contact a council member or Pastor Keith by August 10th.

Pastor On Vacation
Pastor Keith will be out of the office until August 9. Please contact the church office if you have need for pastoral care. Stephen Ministers will be available to assist you.

Designated Offering for July
The designated offering during the month of July is “Help Us Learn . . . Give Us Hope.” This project provides supplies to school children in Iraq and Afghanistan. Conceived by Col. Gary LaGrange, the project collects school supplies and ships them to military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan who then distribute the supplies to area schools. It is a great way to build bridges of good will and to give hope to thousands of children in war torn areas. School supplies can be left at the church (there is a collection basket near the north entrance). Monetary gifts purchase additional supplies and pays for costs of shipping. You can participate in this special offering by making a check payable to First Lutheran earmarking it for “Help Us Learn . . . Give Us Hope.”

Summer Music
If you would like to provide special music during worship this summer, know of someone who has instrumental or singing talents to share, or have any suggestions regarding summer music, please contact Greg Knittel.

Book Sale
The Library Planning Team is having a book sale TODAY, before and after service. It will be held in the connecting hallway. Free will donations are accepted!

Stephen Ministry
“When first asked to be a Stephen Minister I was kind of hesitant because I did not know what to expect. The training put me more at ease on how to be a Christian caregiver. Now I have been a Stephen Minister for about one year, having regular visits with my care receiver and I get so much joy out of it. My thinking is: “who is being blessed here?” As it says in the bible, we are called to serve the Lord by loving our neighbor, and by doing so we are intrinsically rewarded.” —Claudia G., First Lutheran, Manhattan

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” — John Wesley

If serving as a Stephen Minister interests you and you would like more information on the upcoming class schedule starting September 18, contact Pastor Keith or Stephen Leader Carol Oukrop, or Ann Vaughn. Men are especially encouraged to sign up.