First Lutheran Church - Lincoln, NE

06/26/2026

Several members of First Lutheran’s handbell choir, Spirit Ringers, attended the Handbell Musicians of America Area 8 Conference held June 17–20 at the La Vista Conference Center.

Ann Bouma, Sandy Latshaw, Brian Niebuhr, Erin Niebuhr, Boyd Bacon and Masako Bacon joined ringers from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska for several days of rehearsals, classes and shared music-making.

Four Spirit Ringers also participated in the Bronze Festival, an intensive “handbell boot camp” that included 12 hours of rehearsal over two days and prepared music for the conference’s opening concert.

First Lutheran’s 6+-octave handbell set, handchime set and other equipment were also used during the conference. It was a physically demanding but inspiring experience, and our Spirit Ringers look forward to sharing what they learned with the full choir this fall.

We give thanks for their music, dedication and the many ways they help lead us in worship!

06/24/2026

Tuesday at Vacation Bible School was all about plants as our kids continued exploring God’s good creation through this week’s theme, “Wild Wonder.”

The children learned from Jeff Culbertson about the important role plants play for pollinators and our ecosystem. They also collected leaves from different trees and bushes to create prints on sun-sensitive paper, read A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Aston and even extracted DNA from strawberries in science!

What a joy to see curiosity, wonder and faith growing together at VBS. 🌱

06/24/2026

“Come by here, my Lord…”

What a gift to hear our Summer Choir share “Kum Ba Yah — Come by Here” in worship on Sunday. Voices of all ages came together in song, after one rehearsal, and offering a beautiful reminder that God meets us when we gather, when we sing and when we pray.

Thank you to everyone who shared their voice and helped lead us in worship!

06/23/2026

In this season of Pentecost, the mobile hanging in our Sanctuary reminds us that the Holy Spirit often moves in quiet and gentle ways through our worship, our commjity and our daily lives— like the slightest breeze stirring streamers overhead. Faithfully. Always.

06/22/2026

Wild Wonder VBS is off and running!

Today was the first day of Vacation Bible School and our kids jumped right into exploring God’s good creation through the theme “Soil and Water.” They learned about different kinds of water, created soil paintings and even tested how many drops of water a penny can hold!

What a joy to see faith, curiosity and creativity come together in such fun and hands-on ways.

We give thanks for the leaders, volunteers and families helping make this week possible and we pray that God’s love will be seen, heard and shared in every song, story, activity and conversation.

Watch for daily updates this week from VBS on our Facebook and Instagram pages and the News blog on our website!

06/22/2026

Seeds of joy, growth and summer goodness were shared at church yesterday morning!

As part of Pastor Erin’s sabbatical sending, everyone is invited to take home a seed packet from Seed Savers — a special connection to her upcoming visit to Seed Savers Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa.

There are flowers, vegetables and herbs to choose from and many can still be planted and enjoyed this summer. Stop by, pick a packet and take home a little reminder to keep planting, growing and caring for God’s creation.

06/21/2026

You are invited to worship with First Lutheran this Sunday at 9:30 AM, either in person or through our livestream.

This week’s message will be based on Matthew 10:24-39, where Jesus speaks honestly about the cost of discipleship and the deep, steady love of God that holds us through it all.

However you come to worship — in the Sanctuary, from home, while traveling or wherever Sunday morning finds you — there is a place for you. At First Lutheran, communion is open to anyone who wishes to receive it. No exceptions. No fine print.

When we say all are welcome, we mean it.

06/21/2026

06/19/2026

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that remembers freedom long delayed and calls us toward justice, dignity and liberation for all — values we seek to live out at First. In observance, the church office will be closed.