The June First Word is now available online. Stories in this issue include:

Pastor Dave Johnson back in the pulpit Congregational meeting set, call process continues
Larry Olson to serve as contemporary worship coordinator
He Qi artwork brightens up Rehearsal Room
Dental office on wheels coming to First Lutheran

Check out back issues of First Word under the publications tab.

A Bilingual Vacation Bible School (Spanish and English) will be offered at First Lutheran from Monday, June 17, through Thursday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for first- through fourth-graders.

It is an opportunity for relationships with children of Pueblo de Dios, the Lutheran Latino Ministry at Augustana Lutheran, and also for children in the Sioux Falls community who attend the Spanish immersion program through the Sioux Falls School District.

You can register your child online, or download a printable registration form. They are also available at the Information Desk. Space is limited; those who pre-register with payment by Sunday, May 26, are guaranteed a spot. Registrations received after the deadline may be placed on a waiting list.

For more information call the church office at 336-3734.

This is a pilot experience jointly offered by Pueblo de Dios, First Lutheran Church and First Congregational Church.

 First Lutheran's annual regular Vacation Bible School will be May 28-31. Contact Nancy Henrichsen at 605-339-1983, ext. 238, for more information.

Because of the gracious donations of the people of First Lutheran Church, four clean water wells have been dug in rural Africa. Here is a portion of the thank-you note from the managing organization, Water to Thrive:

"I wanted to personally thank you for the $20,000 that your congregation has so generously donated to Water to Thrive for the provision of four clean water wells in rural Africa. I am happy to report that your money has been assigned and thanks to your generosity, four wells are almost fully implemented in Tanzania. What an incredible blessing you have provided!! First Lutheran has given the gift of clean, safe water to hundreds of people who desperately needed it. It is such a privilege to be able to share this information with you now."

 Learn more about Water to Thrive at their website at www.watertothrive.org or on Facebook. 

Are you following First Lutheran on Facebook,  too?  

The May First Word is available online. Stories in this issue include:

Being on fire! Wear Red on Pentecost Sunday, May 19
Long-term debt paid off through capital campaign
Ninth-graders celebrate Driver's License Milestone
Final Adult Forum for the season celebrates First Lutheran Church Foundation's 50th anniversary

Check out back issues of First Word under the publications tab.

Vacation Bible school at First Lutheran Church will take place on Tuesday, May 28, through Friday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. Suggested ages are 4 to 11 years old.

The registration deadline has passed. Contact Nancy Henrichsen at 339-1983, ext. 238, with questions or for more information.  

Here's the latest news from Alex Clark, a lifelong member of First Lutheran who was recently appointed by the ELCA to serve in the Young Adults in Global Mission Program as a volunteer in South Africa during the coming year. Click here to read his newsletter.

Or, check out his blog!

Charis Ministry Partners, an organization founded by 13 ELCA congregations in the Sioux Falls area, recently completed a pilot period of a new transportation ministry called "Healthy Rides."

The pilot project, which started in August 2011, focused on providing transportation to behavioral-health-related appointments for people in need. The public bus route that served Southeastern Beahavioral Health Center was eliminated at that time, so volunteer drivers from Peace Lutheran, St. Mark's Lutheran and First Lutheran churches along with Project CAR (a transportation program already in place in the community) began transporting people to and from appointments at Behavioral Health with 75 round-trip rides provided in a six month period.

Healthy Rides Project to Expand
The Charis Ministry Partners Board recently approved plans to expand the transportation ministry to those in need of transportation to any type of medical appointment, not just behavioral health, in cooperation with Project CAR. Those requesting rides must be referred by an authorized person, in most cases a parish nurse or similarly-appointed individual from a participating congregation with appointments made several days in advance.

How can you help?
Increased involvement from Charis Ministry Partners congregations is needed. The need for volunteer drivers for Project CAR is expected to increase in 2012. Volunteers can choose a day each month to drive, specifying morning or afternoon. Those willing to volunteer are asked to complete a volunteer form available from Project CAR at (605) 332-2777.

How is Healthy Rides Funded?
A grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has covered the cost of the Healthy Rides program thus far. All clients ride free, and Charis Ministry Parnters pays Project CAR $7 for each round-trip to cover transportation costs. Individuals are encouraged to donate money to Charis Ministry Partners through their congregation to help cover the cost of the additional rides.

Who is Charis Ministry Partners?
Charis Ministry Partners consists of the following congregations: Augustana Lutheran Church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, East Side Lutheran Church, Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Renner Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. John Lutheran Church and West Nidaros Lutheran Church. Charis Ministry Partners also oversees the Food to You Mobile Food Pantry.

Vibrant Faith Ministries recently launched an online resource designed to equip and empower households on their faith journey.

Go to www.vibrantfaithathome.org for tools, tips and resources.

"This web site offers families great ideas to share faith at home!" says Marnie Dahle Backer, director of Family and Young Adult Ministries. "I love it! And it's rooted in Lutheran goodness."

 This is the resource that is used on the back of the bulletins each week.

Pastor Andrew and Barbara Hinderlie serve as our missionaries in Eastern Africa. They recently moved to Tanzania. The following was published in the Fall 2011 "Hand in Hand," the ELCA's Global Missionary Support quarterly newsletter:

"Today," reflected Barbara, "I stand on the successful ministries of our predecessor missionaries." An ELCA missionary in Madagascar, Barbara Hinderlie has served with the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar. She has assisted the church with strategic planning, self-reliance and the monitoring and evaluation of existing ministries. ...

As Barbara's family recently prepared to leave Madagascar for new missionary responsibilities in Tanzania, she felt privileged to have helped prepare the Malagasy Lutheran Church for the next generation of missionaries. She notes that the "next missionaries will assist with bridge-building for the long-term relationships of the church. They will be called to fill a gap identified by the local church and their work will be done in coordination with a Malagasy counterpart."

"As a member of the ELCA, it has been exciting to serve in one of the fastest growing churches in The
Lutheran World Federation," concluded Barbara.

Our support of missionaries helps to equip the church for missions. We are thankful that as First Lutheran Church, we are part of it through our missionary sponsorship of the Hinderlie family!

Click here for resources from the South Dakota Synod: http://www.sdsynod.org/resources/social-statement-resources/

Is there someone on your mind and heart who could benefit from a homemade meal? Meals from the Heart invites all ages to make a difference in someone’s life! Pick up the freezer key at the Information Desk; go to the Luther Lounge; select a meal; sign the log; deliver the meal to someone who would appreciate a homemade meal. Want to take the mission a step further? Purchase a Hy-Vee card from the Youth and donate the card to Meals from the Heart. For more information, contact Linda Carpenter at (605) 339-1983, ext. 231, or Jean Hoff at (605) 361-7267.