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A Reconciling in Christ community
2006 NW 65th ST. SEATTLE, WA 98117 (206) 784-1306 ALL ARE WELCOME. |
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP
As of July 4, 2021, we have returned to in-person worship. We will gather for worship this Sunday, at 10:00 a.m. To let us know you will be there, please contact the church office at office@bflcs.org or (206) 784-1306. To make contact tracing easier, we ask for reservations. We will not assign seats, but every other pew will be blocked off. Masks are also required. Walk-in spaces are available each week. Information about masks in worship can be found here.
The in-person services will also be recorded and available here on this website or on our YouTube channel by Sunday evening or by Monday.
The in-person services will also be recorded and available here on this website or on our YouTube channel by Sunday evening or by Monday.
October 17, 2021 - 21st Sunday after Pentecost (recording of live service)
Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.
Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.
October 10, 2021 - 20th Sunday after Pentecost (recording of live service)
The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus offers him an open door to life: sell all you own and give it to the poor. Our culture bombards us with the message that we will find life by consuming. Our assemblies counter this message with the invitation to find life by divesting for the sake of the other.
The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus offers him an open door to life: sell all you own and give it to the poor. Our culture bombards us with the message that we will find life by consuming. Our assemblies counter this message with the invitation to find life by divesting for the sake of the other.
For more past services, please go to our Virtual Worship page or visit our YouTube channel.
Letter from Pastor Erik and Pastor Elise
June 15, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
These words from St. Paul in 1st Corinthians have been so helpful in enduring the challenges and hardships of this past year. When fear, sadness, and grief at the many changes threaten to overwhelm, these words from St. Paul serve as a comforting reminder that faith, hope and love abide in each of life’s circumstances, that God abides with us through it all.
As we turn towards gathering together once again, these words still bring comfort and serve as a sign that we are grounded in something that is bigger than ourselves, something that helps us to meet fear with faith, despair with hope, and hate and division with God’s sure love. It’s true that it’s been well over a year since we were last able to see each other and worship together. It’s equally true, though, that Paul’s words are as relevant today as when he first penned them: Faith, hope and love still abide across the church and that includes our faith community here at Ballard First Lutheran. And indeed, the greatest of the gifts that sustain us through times of both sorrow and joy is that of God’s love.
And so it is in faith, hope and love that we joyfully anticipate a return to in-person worship in the very near future.
As many of you have likely heard, we will begin in-person worship again on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Of course, at first, our return to the sanctuary will mean that worship will still not look exactly like it did the last time we worshiped together in-person in March of 2020.
Here are some changes to note:
In the beginning of our transition back to in-person worship, we will require reservations in order to provide seat assignments and ensure safe and proper distancing between households. However, some walk-in spaces will be available each week. To reserve your space in worship, please contact the church office at office@bflcs.org or (206) 784-1306 by noon on Fridays.
Each week, you will find a seating chart with your household name on it. To begin, masks will be required for all worshipers. If you forget your mask at home, there’s no need to fret! We will have additional masks on hand.
At first, our worship will consist of a simple Service of the Word. This means that for the first few weeks there will be primarily instrumental music rather than congregational singing and that we will not have communion right away either.
That being said, we hope to build up to additional singing and full communion as the weeks go on. Be assured that, as we begin to enjoy this Holy Sacrament once again, we will endeavor to do so in a way that is safe. This means that, for a time, you will receive the bread and wine in individualized, pre-packaged containers.
Of course, we recognize that the state, local, and CDC guidelines continue to be a moving target. Thus, we request your patience, kindness, and prayers during this transitional time.
In order to worship together once again, we will need volunteers to assist with duties such as greeting arrivals, helping to usher people to their seats, and driving people to church. We also encourage people willing to perform instrumental music to let us know about that as well. This will ensure that the transition back to in-person worship is a smooth one. Please see the article in this issue of Ballard Blessings to learn how you can be of assistance.
We cannot wait to see you and worship with you again in person! It has been a long, difficult year, but as St. Paul writes, we are all strengthened by the gifts of faith, hope, and love and we are confident that we will experience them as we begin to come together. We are so grateful for your continued participation and support in our faith community here at Ballard First Lutheran and we look forward to seeing the many ways that God calls us to serve and live together in community in the future.
In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Erik and Pastor Elise
Dear Friends in Christ,
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
These words from St. Paul in 1st Corinthians have been so helpful in enduring the challenges and hardships of this past year. When fear, sadness, and grief at the many changes threaten to overwhelm, these words from St. Paul serve as a comforting reminder that faith, hope and love abide in each of life’s circumstances, that God abides with us through it all.
As we turn towards gathering together once again, these words still bring comfort and serve as a sign that we are grounded in something that is bigger than ourselves, something that helps us to meet fear with faith, despair with hope, and hate and division with God’s sure love. It’s true that it’s been well over a year since we were last able to see each other and worship together. It’s equally true, though, that Paul’s words are as relevant today as when he first penned them: Faith, hope and love still abide across the church and that includes our faith community here at Ballard First Lutheran. And indeed, the greatest of the gifts that sustain us through times of both sorrow and joy is that of God’s love.
And so it is in faith, hope and love that we joyfully anticipate a return to in-person worship in the very near future.
As many of you have likely heard, we will begin in-person worship again on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Of course, at first, our return to the sanctuary will mean that worship will still not look exactly like it did the last time we worshiped together in-person in March of 2020.
Here are some changes to note:
In the beginning of our transition back to in-person worship, we will require reservations in order to provide seat assignments and ensure safe and proper distancing between households. However, some walk-in spaces will be available each week. To reserve your space in worship, please contact the church office at office@bflcs.org or (206) 784-1306 by noon on Fridays.
Each week, you will find a seating chart with your household name on it. To begin, masks will be required for all worshipers. If you forget your mask at home, there’s no need to fret! We will have additional masks on hand.
At first, our worship will consist of a simple Service of the Word. This means that for the first few weeks there will be primarily instrumental music rather than congregational singing and that we will not have communion right away either.
That being said, we hope to build up to additional singing and full communion as the weeks go on. Be assured that, as we begin to enjoy this Holy Sacrament once again, we will endeavor to do so in a way that is safe. This means that, for a time, you will receive the bread and wine in individualized, pre-packaged containers.
Of course, we recognize that the state, local, and CDC guidelines continue to be a moving target. Thus, we request your patience, kindness, and prayers during this transitional time.
In order to worship together once again, we will need volunteers to assist with duties such as greeting arrivals, helping to usher people to their seats, and driving people to church. We also encourage people willing to perform instrumental music to let us know about that as well. This will ensure that the transition back to in-person worship is a smooth one. Please see the article in this issue of Ballard Blessings to learn how you can be of assistance.
We cannot wait to see you and worship with you again in person! It has been a long, difficult year, but as St. Paul writes, we are all strengthened by the gifts of faith, hope, and love and we are confident that we will experience them as we begin to come together. We are so grateful for your continued participation and support in our faith community here at Ballard First Lutheran and we look forward to seeing the many ways that God calls us to serve and live together in community in the future.
In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Erik and Pastor Elise
Please remember that you may still support Ballard First Lutheran with your regular giving by clicking the GIVE NOW button below. Offerings can be made through ACH, debit or credit cards.
Words of Scripture
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Psalm 42:1-5
(feelings of desperation) As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. |
Psalm 46:1-6, 10-11
(God is with us) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. |
Psalm 34: 15-18
(righteousness) The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. |
Adult classes are now in person at 9:00am Sunday mornings!
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sundays from 9:00-9:50 a.m. Haavik Hall with Pastor Erik This fall, we will endeavor to become better acquainted with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We will contrast, compare, and consider these four important books. At once like and very different from one another, they hold in common the important story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Virtual classes at this time:
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"Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, we at Ballard First Lutheran affirm the dignity and worth of all people...."
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Pastor Erik R. Wilson Weiberg
Pastor Elise Scott 
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FAN features events about justice, peace and care for the environment across the state of Washington.
See FAN website for more info.
See FAN website for more info.
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We are a Greening Congregation. Collectively, we can make our planet better. Learn more at earthministry.org
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