First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska, is a welcoming congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that invites people of every age, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, life experience, complexity, and question into a shared community of faith. The congregation believes that every person has a unique story that adds to the richness of the larger story of First Lutheran Church and the ELCA.
Its central purpose is to help people grow in life-giving relationships with their neighbors, the earth, and God. Together, members gather for worship, service, learning, community life, and fellowship while seeking to live faithfully, love boldly, and serve joyfully.
A welcoming ELCA congregation
As a Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, regardless of your age, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, life experience, complexities, or questions, we believe that you have a unique story that can only add to the richness of the larger story that makes up First Lutheran Church and the ELCA.
All Are Welcome As a Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, regardless of your age, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, life experience, complexities, or questions, we believe that you have a unique story that can only add to the richness of the larger story that makes up First Lutheran Church and the ELCA.
We welcome all people, appreciating their differences and the gifts that they bring. Each person then is to be treated with dignity, love and compassion.
Worship schedule
First Lutheran Church offers several worship opportunities throughout the week, including traditional, liturgical, contemporary, online, and interactive worship.
| Day | Time | Worship opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5:00 p.m. | Traditional Worship |
| Sunday | 8:15 a.m. | Online Worship |
| Sunday | 8:15 a.m. | Liturgical Worship |
| Sunday | 10:15 a.m. | Contemporary Worship |
| Wednesday | 6:15 p.m. | Worship Lab |
All services may be seen live on Facebook during their regularly scheduled times. Visit to watch live.
Worship and community life
Worship is at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. Occasionally, we hold services in the City Park, at a winery or in the Friendship First Building at 419 Urberg.
Please see our FB page for any updates.
Worship is part of a broader community life that brings people together for service, fellowship, learning, and simple enjoyment. This community of faith has one great aim and purpose: to help people grow in life-giving relationships with their neighbors, the earth and God.
That's why we come together and that's why we welcome you to join us.
Community involvement
Blair Lutheran is an intentional community organized for the sake of the larger community of Blair, the nation and the world. We come together for worship, service and just plain fun.
Join us for our Fall Festival or our annual Lutefisk dinner!
The congregation’s community life reflects a commitment to relationships that extend beyond the church itself. Its activities create opportunities for people to gather, share traditions, support one another, and strengthen the wider Blair community.
Service to neighbors
We believe that we are to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. We assist our neighbors in need in many ways: we house the Blair Food Pantry, prepare meals for shut-ins, make weekend food packs for people in need, and much more.
We are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
These ministries express the congregation’s understanding that Christian faith is lived through practical care. Food assistance, meals, weekend food packs, and other forms of support connect worship with the everyday needs of people in the community.
Mission
Our Mission Together in community, we are freed by the grace of Jesus the Christ to: live faithfully, love boldly and serve joyfully.
This mission places community at the center of congregational life. It connects the grace of Jesus the Christ with faithful living, courageous love, and joyful service.
Vision for Blair and the wider world
Our neighborhood, our city, our region and our world will experience the difference that living in God's grace and the love of Christ makes for all people and creation.
The vision reaches from the local neighborhood to the city, region, nation, and world. It also includes creation, reflecting the congregation’s belief that care for people and care for the earth belong together.
Core values
Human dignity and the image of God
We believe all people are 'Imago Dei' - in the image of God. Each person then is to be treated with dignity, love and compassion.
The goodness of diversity and creation
We believe that the rich diversity of God's creation is good. We welcome all people, appreciating their differences and the gifts that they bring.
We also strive to protect and sustain the gift of creation that we have received.
Forgiveness and reconciliation
We believe God loves us and wants us to be in life-giving relationships. We practice forgiveness and reconciliation as fundamental to how we live in the world.
Learning and change
We believe that God has promised to be with us. We embrace learning and change in our journey as a congregation.
Faith and understanding
The beginning of wisdom is the awe of God, all who follow God's precepts will have good understanding. Psalm 111:10
The congregation’s faith is expressed through worship, relationships, service, justice, mercy, humility, learning, and care for creation. These commitments shape how First Lutheran Church understands its role in Blair and its connection with the wider ELCA community.
First Lutheran Church offers a place where people can gather in worship, grow in relationships, participate in community life, serve neighbors in need, and explore faith within a welcoming ELCA congregation.