FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

We are a worshiping community that is transforming into a multi-ethnic, multi-economic, multi-spirirtual church that is engaged in radical welcome. What began with a mission question, "Does Love Live Here?" has turned into an initiative called "Love Grows Here!" No more "us and them" only "we" in gracious mutual respect for the whole of creation.

Living Welcome - We have spent a fair bit of time the past few years "living into" the All Are Welcome sign posted on our sanctuary building. More that an empty statement, it continues to challenge and stretch us beyond ourselves to welcome the stranger and take care of neighbors, always widening the circle of who those folks are.

Living Wellness - Since the beginning of the Wellness Center three years ago, we have weekly provided free health services, a warm meal, and fellowship to folks who come. The idea of wellness is for all of those inside and outside of our worshipping community and reflects our Lutheran identity that we are both broken and whole simultaneously. This could be defined in the title of any old hymn with the words changed just a bit - holely, holy, wholly, get it? We are human beings with holes, we are holy people claimed by God, and we are already whole just the way we are!

Living Worship - Worship has always been an important part of our worshipping community. It is our identity as we have embraced old and new music, old and new creeds, extended passing of the peace , a variety of liturgies and texts, and voiced corporate prayers - meaning we each speak out loud the names of those we wish to pray for. Many visitors have come on Sunday morning and have experienced the Holy Spirit in our midst.