First Lutheran Church - Home of TLC School & Child Care

AUGUST BENEVOLENCE OFFERING BENEFITS MOUNTAIN LION BACKPACK PROGRAM

As part of our continued outreach program, FELC makes a charitable contribution to a worthy endeavor on a monthly basis. One of these twelve organizations receives a $200 check each month from the second offering. August's second offering benefits Mountain Lion Backpack Program (MLBP). This program serves Altoona Area Elementary Students with healthy, individually wrapped, child-friendly food items all 35 weeks of the school year! Each week, MLBP staff and volunteers pack an average of 1,100 backpacks for children experiencing food insecurity.
https://www.mountainlionbackpackprogram.org
Thank you for your continued support!

Mountian Lion BackPack Program Making A Difference Mountain Lion Backpacks provides food over the weekend for 32 weeks of the school year for students at the 8 elementary schools & Learning Express, in the Altoona Area School District.

SCHOOL KITS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN THRU LWR

To many children, a simple school kit is the deciding factor between attending school and missing out on an education. In places where Lutheran World Relief works, even required supplies, like pens and paper, may be more than many families can afford.

Would you be willing to contribute?

Shopping Lists are in the narthex. We need: Rulers, blunt scissors for children, boxes of 16 or 24 crayons, erasers, pencils and ballpoint pens. We will be collecting these items for several weeks. Please donate only new items.

If you are unable to shop, a monetary donation may be made. If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Thomas at [email protected], 814-944-3986 or Polly Bowers at [email protected] 814-943-4992.

Our next Circle meeting will be on Tuesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. All women of the church are invited to attend.

Please help us serve others. It is a good feeling!

CHURCH PICNIC AUGUST 9TH

Our church service will be held @ 10 am on August 9, 2026, at Lakemont Park, Pavilion #7, which is the first pavilion right inside the gate. There will be no live-stream or recorded service for the Sunday of the picnic.

Pastor Ralph Hamer will be presiding. Our annual picnic and fellowship will follow.

Chicken and sauerkraut with hot dogs will be provided by the church. Everyone is to bring their favorite picnic food to share, silverware, and a prize gift for Bingo.

There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Please sign, and indicate what side dish you will be bringing.

Parking is on the casino side of the park, and several handicapped parking spaces are available.

Come and join us…the more the merrier!

JULY SECOND OFFERING BENEFITS ALLEGHENY LUTHERAN HOME

As part of our continued outreach program, FELC makes a charitable contribution to a worthy endeavor on a monthly basis. One of these twelve organizations receives a $200 check each month from the second offering.
July's second offering will benefit the Lutheran Home in Hollidaysburg. The Lutheran Home was founded by FELC’s pastor, Dr. Luke Rhoads, and accepted its first residents in 1950. Today, this community of care offers independent-living apartments and cottages, in addition to a 67-bed skilled nursing, short-term in-patient rehabilitation, and long-term care facility.
https://www.alsm.org/senior-living-communities/the-lutheran-home-at-hollidaysburg/
Thank you for your continued support!

The Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg - Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries Discover a lively senior living experience at The Lutheran Home where you’ll find modern cottages and apartments in a bustling neighborhood, as well as skilled nursing, short-term rehab and outpatient rehab.

Choir celebrated the end of another successful season with a dinner at Hadley's, compliments of our director, Joni Whetstone.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES!

The Circle of Hope recognized three graduates from the congregation Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the morning worship service. Graduates are:

Kelly Biddle, daughter of Larry and Tammy Biddle, who graduated from St. Francis University with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity and a minor in computer sciences. She has begun an internship with Sheetz Inc.

Aiden Aiken, son of Andy and Karly Aiken, who graduated from Altoona Area High School. He has been accepted into the Donald Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University.

Brandon Krise, son of Ken and Alissa Krise, who graduated from Cambria Heights High School. He has been accepted at PSU Altoona where he plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Congratulations to our graduates!

JUNE SECOND OFFERING BENEFITS NEHEMIAH PROJECT

As part of our continued outreach program, FELC makes a charitable contribution to a worthy endeavor on a monthly basis. One of these twelve organizations receives a $200 check each month from the second offering.
The Nehemiah Project is a local community center that is focused on faith-based health and wholeness forthe entire family. Located at 1809 11th Street, Altoona, it houses many areas where groups meet to learn and play. These include a HUB resource center & education room, Christian active parenting, NAMI program,Teen Bible study, Life Skills, health & fitness classes, abuse victim groups, Simply Dance, leadership groups, finance skills, after-school programs, a full-sized gym, workout room, and a sensory room. Contact number is 814-201-2096.
https://www.tnppa.org/home/
Thank you for your support!

The Nehemiah Project BUILDING FAITH, FAMILIES AND FUTURES The Nehemiah Project Our purpose is to be a broad, faith-based community development organization committed to assisting underprivileged and blighted neighborhoods with services designed to enhance the residents and their community environment. ELITE PER4MANCE We...

The women of FELC’s Circle of Hope served luncheon to approximately 50 people at the HOPE Drop In Centeron Thursday, May 7.The Circle of Hope is part of the ministry of First Lutheran and we welcome new members. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at 6:30 pm in the conference room. Please join us!

BABY BASKETS!

For years, prior to the pandemic, our congregation always welcomed new babies to our church family with a basket of small gifts. We are resurrecting that happy tradition as we have exciting news about three new babies arriving this summer and fall!The first baby is expected very soon…Lauren Sral and her husband are expecting their little one in mid-June. The basket for the Srals is marked and is in the narthex.We hope to soon have it filled with items, such as gift cards, disposable diapers, bibs, booties and other small gifts. You need not wrap your gift.Be sure to look for future announcements about the other babies we want to welcome with gift baskets, too! If you are aware of any expected new babies, please contact Suzy Egan Glenn at [email protected] or 814-941-0950.

MAY SECOND OFFERING BENEVOLENCE

As part of our continued outreach program, FELC makes a charitable contribution to a worthy endeavor on a monthly basis. One of these twelve organizations receives a $200 check each month from the second offering. May's second offering will go to Camp Sequanota. Sequanota is a year-round, Christian-based retreat center and camp, located in the Laurel Highlands region of south central PA. It hosts retreats, meetings, reunions, special events, banquets and training workshops. In the summer, it provides Christian camping for families and youth, grades K-12. Sponsorships are available for those with financial need. http://www.sequanota.com
Thank you for your continued support!

Sequanota Sign up now for a summer of silly fun! Summer camp is all about kids being kids in a safe and loving environment. It's a chance for them to get away and just have fun while finding friends and building their relationship with God. It's an opportunity for kids to push themselves to try new things, le...