n Friday night, Shelly Schmidt, our Direct- or of Youth and Children’s Ministry, and I were talking about how excited we are to have two college-age summer interns at First Lutheran this summer. Last week we welcomed our new interns, Kristi and Troyer, to our staff meeting, and then met together as a team to begin planning. It’s so exciting to have these young adults with boundless energy, excite-ment, and crazy, fun ideas to help foster faith and fellowship in our youth. Last Friday evening, Kris-ti and Troyer spent time in the Peel House, first at the Angel Tank event, then playing Sardines with our high schoolers. As they made their way through the mansion they had one idea after another for fun, rewarding activities. God is at work here, opening our eyes to the movement of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling our strategic goals in ways that are organic, life-giving, and will have long term impact. This sum-mer we hope that our youth continue to build relationships with one another and with other generations in our congregation. In the coming weeks we will share with you their plans for host-ing a congregational dinner and game night, and the budding fellowship they have with our Thurs-day morning men’s group. Our youth are excited to share in ministry with our congregation, and are committed to serving in faith-based purpose- driven projects that benefit both our congrega-tion and our community. We are excited to bring

O FOSTERING FAITH & FELLOWSHIP IN OUR YOUTH

together the “wisdom of the elder and the won-der of the child” to grow with each other and serve as disciples in our community. It is an exciting time to be church together at First Lutheran. As we look ahead to kicking off a summer of youth activities, know that you are welcome to join us. There are plenty of roles to be filled, relationships to be developed, faith and fellowship to be lived into. This-coming Sunday, May 19th at noon, we will be having lunch together in the Gathering Place, and have an opportunity to meet and greet our new interns, share some idea for summer activi-ties, and hear a little bit about a senior high mystery trip! We hope to see you Sunday! -Pastor Carrie

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May 19 Kelsey Benfield Grace Gerard Nola Gosch Jerry Lillich Ann Mellott Bennett Peel May 20 Stacy Brickell Kara Cartwright Vaiana Goff Gerry Hospador Jack Kellermann Chance Podoll Nancy Tim May 21 Jennie Annala Gary Atkins Megan Benfield Jean Eller Justin Jack Greta Lawler Lynda O’Brien May 22 Sydney Schroeder Callie Baylis Barbara Gieck Ginny Hahn

May 23 Sawyer Timco Brian Heist Brandon Hesselberg Jeff Jordahl Emma Mellott Noah Mellott Levi Pedretti Georgia Waldthausen May 24 Karen Waters Katie Ackerman Carl Bauer Tim Coutts Ruth Hetland Natalie John Mike Steen Ken Stott Marie Vickers Judy Wach May 25 Barb Heist Al Kleven Bud Lehmkuhl Aiden Spaziani Aaron Springer Brian Waldrep

Happy Anniversary

May 19 Bob & Gail Blecher—18 years Butch & Deb Grove III—46 years Joe & Becky Stevens—29 years

May 23 Mike & Natalien Anspach—23years

May 24 John & Debbie Chlebus—45 years

May 25 Josh & Pamela Miller—14 years Dennis & Nancy Warnecke—28 years

Now Hiring!

First Lutheran is hiring a part time Worship and Music Administrative Assistant. This position fulfills the administrative needs of the worship and music department. The assistant prepares the weekly worship bulletins for printing, memorial service and other worship bulletins as needed. The assistant will help with choir administrative needs and handle copyright usage tracking and reporting. This position is approximately 10 hours per week, more during Advent and Lent. $15 per hour. To apply, submit your resume to Deacon Joan Kuehn at joan@flccs.net. We hope to fill this position by June 1. Full job description is available from Deacon Joan Kuehn.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Grace Gerard on her 98th birthday!

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Mike Abbey The Adams Family Cliff Allen Dean Arnold Felicia Arnold Jaclyn Arnold Bob Bardy Greg Bezdicek Ashley Blair Ray & Wilma Bogenhagen Melvin Brown Gene Burklund Helen Burton Gene Cartwright Robyn Clay The Compton Family Martin Cope & Boys Leslie Crowley Uwe & Jane Dahl Ginger Dawn Julian Denny Todd Dierdorff Anna Dillow Sierra Drager Dick Enga & Family Grace Gerard Brad Gibbs Tom Gosch Andy Grasmick Dave & Marcia Graves Katherine Greene Taylor & Matthew Gregg Lee Gross Bob Guenther Mark Hallenbeck Jon Haring Michael Harris Elizabeth Haver The Hawkins Family Bill & Kris Hayes Jessica Herrin Casey Jacobs Josh Jones Annette Kester John Klatt Sam Lloyd & Family

Womack Martin Margo Morrow Carlie Mason The Matykowski Family Jay McCoy Richard McKibben Ruth McCormick Bill McKinley Jim McKinley Debra Mills Brandon Miller & Family Mark Mueller Patrick Murphy Don Nelson The Nichols Family Shari Olson Andy Petersen Helen Peterson Jim Poynor Don Reed Don Reichert The David Reid Family Bill Robertson The Rosales Family Delores Sayler Kathy Schroeder Ron Scott The Sherwood Family Paul Shupe Martin Simon Ervin & Kari Southerd Janice Stephens Angie Stott Anita Stubblebine Xondre Thorgerson Mark Timby Rachel Waldman Djerek Wardell Alysia Wendorf Scott Wilkinson Ben Zeeb Randy Zimmerman Michael Zoughbi Nick Zwardo & Family John Zukowski Margaret & Family

Please keep these members of First Lutheran, their family and friends, in your prayers this week.

Introducing GivePlus Church

We have a new church giving app! We are excited to share with you a new way to give to the church. GivePlus Church is a mobile giving app that enables you to make one-time or recurring gifts from your smartphone. Visit the App Store or Google Play and search for GivePlus Church to download the app for free and start donating today! Thank you for supporting our mission.

From the Archives

November 6, 1927 "Two weeks from today, November 20th, the Every-member Canvass will take place. Please suit all engagements so as to remain at home that afternoon until the church officers have had a chance to call on you." November 13, 1927 "The congregation is again reminded of the Every-member Canvass which is to be made next Sunday afternoon by officers of the church and their assistants. Please be at home to meet your visitors and be prepared to inform them what you feel able to do for the church in the way of gifts and services next year."

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On the first weekend of May the Rocky Mountain Synod held their Synod Assembly in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The highlight of the gathering was unquestionably the keynote speaker, Father Richard

Rohr, a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province, a globally recognized ecumenical teach-er who bears witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. His teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alter-native orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and self-emptying, expressing itself in radical compas-sion, particularly for the socially marginalized. Over three sessions, Father Rohr spoke about dualistic thinking in the church, ministry as trans-formational not transactional, and his last session on grace, paradox and the cross. The synod is posting his sessions at https://www.vimeo.com/rmselca. Aside from the time with our keynote speaker the Assembly did not have any particularly engaging items for action this year. Of course we heard reports from different ministries within the syn-od, from the bishop, and from a representative of the Churchwide Offices, all of which keep us up to date on the activities of the wider church and help us to understand where our mission support is being spent.

I do believe that when we come together like this it reminds us that we are church together— from the small congregation in Sugar City, Col-orado, which has no pastor and 4-7 worshipers, to the congregation on the border in El Paso that is Spanish speaking and regularly hosting refugees turned loose by ICE, to an Indonesian speaking congregation in Aurora, and back to us, here at First. We are all a part of the same church, loved by the same God, and believing that we are saved by faith. Having the oppor-tunity to connect with congregations and col-leagues whose contexts are so different from our own but who live out the gospel for the sake of the world just as we do is both uplifting and affirming in understanding that the Holy Spirit moves in many different ways and places! Sometimes I think we need the reminder that if we were to look at the things that we agree on in this world, rather than the things we disagree about, we would find that we are a lot more sim-ilar than we think. I see that in our ecumenical relationships, in our larger church, in our synod and even in the midst of our own congregation. So when I go to an Assembly it is a good remind-er that even though we may look different and the actions we take in the world around us might be different, we are all connected to one another through the love of God. -Pastor Carrie

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What’s So Amazing About Grace?

What’s So Amazing About Grace is a book written by Philip Yancey. We will view a short video by Yancey about the topics to the right followed by discussion.

Homelessness

In Matthew 25, Jesus has us ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty and naked?” Nakedness is not just referring to the absence of clothing. Nakedness implies being stripped of EVERYTHING in life – home, shelter, food, clothing, belongings. The ELCA Social Statement Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment will be used for study. First Lutheran Church’s Strategic Plan includes a goal to address local homelessness. We will also discuss The City of Colorado Springs Action Plan for Homeless Response and The City’s Affordable Housing Task Force.

May 19 Homelessness, Pt. 2 May 26 Holiday - no seminar June 2 Skin Deep June 9 Grace Put to the Test June 16 Grace Abuse June 23 The Church Backslides June 30 Dispensing Grace July 8 Counterforce

Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Tour

Join us for a spring road trip to Pueblo and a tour of the one-of-a-kind Sangre de Cristo Arts & Confer-ence Center. Pledging art for all, this beautiful facility encourages people to bring out the best in others through high-quality art exhibitions and education, performance, dance, children’s museum, and more. We’ll meet at the church at 9:15 am and return at 3:00 pm. To sign up, choose lunch, or volunteer to drive, fill out a form at the Welcome Center. Cost of lunch is $10 payable at lunch.

Befriending Brother Death

Our own personal death is the elephant in the living room that we often ignore or deny. But talking about it can take the sting out of it and lead to a more peace-filled life. Death is as natural as birth and learning to accept it can lead to a happier life. Pastor Bob will lead a discussion about human mortality and how it can be a doorway to spiritual awakening and inner peace. All are welcome to attend. This is sponsored by the Cancer Prayer Support Group. Refreshments will be served.

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Join Us in Welcoming Our New Interns!

After Sunday services on May 19th youth and par-ents (5th graders too!) are invited to join us for a BBQ lunch in the Gathering Place. You will have an opportunity to learn more about our summer youth interns and the exciting plans they have for this summer. The interns are full of new ideas for lots of crazy fun, shenanigans, and stickers. Come and join us, bring all your friends and let’s plan for an amazing summer of big fun!

Youth Ministry Congregational Inventory

In an ongoing effort to build upon our current Youth Ministry Program we would like to find out who might be interested in sharing their lives with the kids in our church family. Emails were sent to the congregation on May 1 that link to a Youth Ministry Congregational Inventory. If you are interested in participating or donating to this program, please fill this out as soon as possible. If you did not receive it, please call the church with your updated email address, and go to the following link to fill out the form: https://flccs.net/ministries/youth-ministry-help-form#, or contact Shelly Schmidt, Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry at 719.632.8836.

Hello, my name is Kristi Hartford. I am currently attending Grand Canyon University to get a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Secondary Education with hopes

of becoming a high school biology teacher and a guide during the summers. I love everything outdoors and am passionate about loving people well. I’ve grown up being very involved in church youth programs and I’m more than excited to serve and be a part of this church! Thank you for welcoming me; I’m excited to get to know everyone.

Hello! My name is Troyer Morse. I just finished up my freshman year at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ taking classes in Mechanical Engineering. I have been a Young Life leader in high

school and finished Young Life Leader Training at GCU. I was also a student leader at First Presbyterian Church for a few years. I enjoy being in the outdoors while hiking, camping, and fishing. In this upcoming school year, I will be attending a trip to Spain, Thailand, and Guatemala with Adventures in Missions, studying Computer Programming and Entrepreneurship along with participating in ministry work. I am so excited for this summer and the growth that we will see with the Youth Ministry here at FLCCS!

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Youth Group Returns

Beginning in May we are once again be hosting youth group events. The schedule right now will have a couple of gatherings each month for mid-dle and high school youth. As we continue mov-ing forward with planning and programming for our youth, we will add more events and some regularly scheduled times. May 19th 5-7pm Middle School Youth will meet in the Youth Center for an evening of pizza and games! Bring $5 for pizza and any games that you want to share! Bring your friends.

Toddler Tales

Bring your little ones to come and listen to a story, share in a snack, and do a craft or play some games. Parents and caregivers will stay with their children and enjoy coffee and bagels while playing along. We will have storytellers and volunteers for activities during the scheduled time and invite parents to stick around and sit on the porch or bring kids to the playground after the Toddler Tales. This program will run concurrent with Kids Kamps that are formatted for elementary age kids and scheduled from 9-noon. To sign up for either program please visit the website at www.flccs.net.

Vacation Bible School

Come join your old friends and bring a new friend for a faith-filled week of songs, stories, arts and activities. We gather together each day for fun activities led by staff from Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and our own KICK team. This a great opportunity for kids to make new friends, learn about God, and hear everyday that Jesus loves them no matter what, and so do we. Registration and details will be available on our website under Youth at www.flccs.net.

Kids Kamp

Kids Kamps are back for another summer! Come to learn and play through stories, games, crafts and snacks! Watch the newsletter and website (www.flccs.net) for more information and registration details coming soon!

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COMING THIS SPRING AND SUMMER

Book Discussion Group

The book for the June meeting of the Book Discussion Group is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You comes her second book. It’s a riveting story that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-

perfect Richardson family and their enigmatic mother, who upends their lives. The New York Times called it “An utterly engross-ing, often heartbreaking, deeply empathetic expe-rience. Who sets little fires everywhere? We keep reading to find out, even as we suspect it could be us with ash on our hands.”

Concert Encounters With Heaven

This concert interweaves elegant harp music and vocal harmonies with true stories of those who have experienced God’s surprising presence in encounters with heaven, miracles, angels, Jesus and more. The repertoire includes beautiful renditions of peaceful Christian music, beloved hymns, and even a couple popular favorites that can be seen as having spiritual overtones: What a Wonderful World (gratitude for God’s creation) and Somewhere Over the Rainbow (looking forward to heaven). All are invited to attend.

Southeast CO Women Of ELCA Gathering

For our Spring event, Pastor Julie Britsch will lead us to understand and practice methods of reading the Bible using devotional , historical, literary, and Lutheran theological reading. Bring your Bible, a tote bag and join in a continental breakfast, lunch, and Bible study. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 30th, and registration fee is $35. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. For more information and registration please contact Deb Haar at 719-650-5688, or email harrdap@ hotmail.com.

May Food & Clothing Drive

We need your help restocking Ecumenical Social Ministries’ food pantry with unexpired, nonperishable food items during the month of May.

Especially needed: Bottled water Mac & cheese Canned soup Peanut butter Canned meat

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Trail Trekkers’ May Schedule

Thursday, May 23 - Dawson Butte (Douglas County Open Space) Directions: Meet at the Tiffany Square parking lot on Corporate Drive, (Woodmen Road & I-25, far north or west side of the lot) This trail is a loop that rolls through ponderosa forest, scrub oak and meadows…..no rocks, roots or serious elevation change. Bring a sack lunch to eat on the trail. Five miles; rated moderately easy. Thursday, May 30 - Gill Trail (west of Deckers) Directions: Meet in the Safeway parking lot, 3275 W. Colorado Ave. This trail parallels the South Platte River with great views of the canyon below and dramatic granite domes of the Rampart Range. The canyon area is the home of the rare Pawnee Montane Skipper Butterfly. We’ll have lunch on the trail. There may be a surprise "stop" after the hike. We’ll return to the Springs late af-ternoon. Rated easy to moderate with elevation gain at the beginning. A 4-6 mile hike. Sign up in church or e-mail Judy if you plan to join us. (outdoorjudy@comcast.net)

MidSingles 40+ Brunch

Ann Titus leads this monthly Singles’ gathering. Enjoy Christian fellowship as we discuss the day’s sermon and other topics of interest. If you need a ride, please contact Ann at 719.598.3531.

Peel House Storytellers

If you have a story of a special event that you experienced in the Peel House, we want to know. As we prepare to renovate the old Jewett mansion. we would love to capture the meaning that it holds for our members and the community. We want people to share with others the moments the house has been an important part of your life. Baptisms, weddings, worship, Sunday school, parties, special events – anything that you have been a part of, we want to share with our community. Please contact Pastor Carrie at carrie@flccs.net and find out how you can share your story.

GOLA 25th Anniversary CDs

Gallery of Living Art will have 25th Anniversary audio CDs available soon. To order, sign up at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings or at the at the Round Desk throughout the week. Cost is $10.00 each. (CDs only – NO DVDs)

Seeds of Joy Garden Group

Seeds of Joy garden group will not meet on the second Wednesday of June. Instead the group will meet on June 5th, the FIRST Wednesday. The change is to accommodate the spring planting project. The group will resume the normal schedule of meeting the second Wednesday in July. All gardeners and potential gardeners are invited to join the group.

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The Celebration Ringers leave on their concert tour on Wednesday, June 5. Concert stops include Casper and Rock Springs in Wyoming, Park City and Salt Lake City in Utah, Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs in Colorado. The group will play a variety of music including hymn tunes, original handbell music and gospel.

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Regularly Scheduled Sunday Adult Seminar 9:15 am in the Worship Center Pastor’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 10:00 am in the Fireside Room Cancer Prayer Support Group Saturday, May 25, 10:00 am in the Library Sign up in church, or call 719.447.6068. Baptism Seminar Tuesday, June 11, 7:00 pm in the Conference Room Sign ups are required, or class will be cancelled. Call 719.632.8836 or email teri@flccs.net.

Coming Soon May Food & Clothing Drive Through the month of May at FLCCS Youth Interns Meet & Greet Sunday, May 19, 11:45 am, in the Gathering Place Youth Groups Middle School, Sunday, May 19, 5:00-7:00 pm Meet in the Youth Center MidSingles 40+ Brunch Sunday, May 19, Village Inn, Academy Blvd., 12:15 pm Sign-up sheet in bulletin Owls Event Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, meet Wednesday, May 22, 9:15 am in the Gathering Place Sign-up sheet in bulletin Trail Trekkers Hiking Club Thursday, May 23, 9:00 am Dawson Butte, Douglas County Sign-up sheet in bulletin Befriending Brother Death Saturday, May 25, 10:00 am, in the Fireside Room Sign-up sheet in bulletin

Celebration Ringers Send-Off Tuesday, June 4, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary Book Discussion Group Wednesday, June 5, 7:00 pm, in the Conference Room Sign-up sheet in bulletin Southeast Colorado Women of ELCA Spring Gathering June 8, 9:00 am, Calvary Lutheran Church See page 26 for details Concert: Encounters With Heaven June 10, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary Toddler Tales Toddlers – Preschool ages Thursdays, June 20 & 27, July 11,

9:30 to 11:00 am Vacation Bible School Preschool through 5th grade. July 15-19, 9:00 am to noon High School Youth Mystery Trip July 24-29. This is a trip the High School Youth won’t want to miss. Details coming soon.

A Joyful Ring, featuring First Lutheran Church Youth Handbell Choirs

Don & Arlene Niles celebrate their 64th anniversary.

Vickie & Dick Kennedy’s annual Mother’s Day flower give-away.