First Lutheran Community Church in Port Orchard
First Lutheran Community Church anchors the corner of Mitchell Road SE in Port Orchard, Washington, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America whose front-door message reads, "No Matter Who You Are Or Where You've Been, You Are Welcome Here." The church is known across South Kitsap for two things that don't always pair together: weekly open communion and a sense of humor about faith. Worship, service, and conversation here are seasoned with laughter, and the five guiding principles that frame everything from council meetings to children's programs are Spirit Driven, Community Focused, Laughter Included, Fostering Fellowship, and Everyone Welcome.
Beliefs That Begin with Relationship, Mercy, and the Trinity
First Lutheran is all about relationships. The teaching here is that Jesus summed up Scripture with two commands, to love God and love one another, and that the gospel calls the church first into relationship with each other. That calling shows up in a radical welcome of everyone who walks through the doors and everyone who lives in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Love is the second foundation. "God made the world out of love," the church teaches, and it points to redemption, forgiveness, and mercy as God's continuing posture toward the world. Grace abounds, and the church is grateful for it. The third core belief is that God is revealed as Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct ways that One God relates to creation. The Spirit is described as dwelling within and guiding daily life, while God the Creator continues calling people to preserve creation.
A Mission to Engage, Empower, and Root
First Lutheran's mission statement names three verbs that organize its work. Engage means helping others notice that God is calling to them, since no one finds or earns God on their own. Empower is the conviction that each person is uniquely gifted, and that discovering and using those gifts transforms lives and the world. Root is the parish model, the idea that a church should be tied to a specific place and accountable for everyone who lives in it, working to make sure that all in the community have the life they are called to live.
The mission statement itself reads: "At First Lutheran Community Church you are family. No matter who you are or where you've been you are welcome here. We are believers and seekers working to live out the call of Christ, that all people in our community have all that they need." The vision is to be a church that helps people, that erases the lines between inside and outside, stranger and friend, rich and poor, and that nourishes and supports the whole person in body, mind, and soul.
Sunday Worship and Open Communion
Sunday worship takes place in person each week at 9:30 AM. Communion is shared every Sunday, and the church's standing answer to the question "Can I take communion?" is always yes. The church believes God calls all people to the communion table.
Worship is led by a mix of musical voices. A Praise Team provides contemporary band music, a Music Team and Celebration Choir handle choral singing, and Friends of St. Francis supports the liturgical and pastoral life of the service. Behind the scenes, the Altar Guild prepares the altar, sets up for communion, changes banners, prepares for baptisms, and decorates for Christmas and Easter. Volunteers serve as ushers, scripture readers, and communion servers.
Visitors who arrive a few minutes early are met at the door by greeters wearing name tags and offering handshakes and smiles. Coffee Hour follows the service for fellowship. Services are also livestreamed on YouTube, and a sermon archive is available on the church's YouTube channel.
Children, Youth, and Faith Milestones
Children's ministry at FLCC follows children from preschool through high school graduation with a series of milestones that mark their faith growth. At ages three and four, children receive a Beginner's Bible. Five- and six-year-olds receive a prayer ring. First and second graders receive Bigger Kid Bibles. Third and fourth graders receive a Dinner Discussion Ring to use at family meals. Fifth graders receive Holy Communion and a chalice. Sixth graders are welcomed into the Youth Group. Ninth graders go through Confirmation, called the Faith Diving Celebration. Twelfth graders are honored with Graduation Recognition.
Sunday School meets during the 9:30 AM service, after the children's time. The church's seasonal kids events include Vacation Bible School, usually held the first full week of August, a fall Trunk-or-Treat, a winter Santa Shoppe, and a spring Easter Egg Hunt.
The Youth Group meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM for seventh through ninth graders, and from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM for tenth through twelfth graders. Jordan Hassebrock directs the program. Children's education overall is coordinated by Michelle Sharp.
Noah's Ark Childcare and Preschool
FLCC runs two early childhood programs out of its buildings. Noah's Ark Daycare is a Christian, family-oriented care center for children from one month through five years. Licensed and regulated by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, the center operates year-round from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is closed on most national holidays. Amanda McKenney directs the program.
Noah's Ark Preschool is also Christian oriented, with a curriculum designed to develop the whole child physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, and intellectually. Karen Spellman directs the preschool. Both programs welcome volunteers aged 16 and older, with background checks required.
Outreach Across South Kitsap
Outreach is one of the church's six ministry areas, and the list of partnerships is long. The S.K. Family Kitchen is an ecumenical ministry of nine Port Orchard churches that provides dinner for low-income individuals and families who have "more month left than money." Dinner is served family style at 5:00 PM on the last two Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays of each month in the Fellowship Hall, with 30 to 80 meals each night and all leftovers going home with guests. First Lutheran hosts the meals alongside St. Gabriel Catholic, Adventure of Faith Presbyterian, Elim Lutheran, St. Bede's Episcopal, Port Orchard United Methodist, New Life, South Colby United Methodist, and the Unitarian Fellowship Church.
The Backpacks for Kids program partners with First Christian Church, the South Kitsap School District, and the Boys and Girls Club to send weekend food home with children in need. First Giving is a monthly food collection that gathers 500 non-perishable items on the first Sunday of each month for delivery to the South Kitsap Food Bank Helpline. The Jubilee Community Garden partners with South Kitsap Helpline to grow fresh produce for those in need. Lutheran World Relief kits, including personal care, baby care, school, and fabric kits, are assembled by quilters on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 AM.
The church also hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and supports The Coffee Oasis, a faith-based nonprofit with a Port Orchard cafe and programs for homeless and street-oriented youth. A blood drive is hosted every other month with the Puget Sound Blood Center.
Kitsap Community Aid for Those Who Fall Through the Cracks
Kitsap Community Aid is a dedicated resource and fund that the church maintains for people whose needs aren't covered by other services. Resource Coordinator Corrinne Criss connects people to existing services first, and when a gap appears, the fund steps in for emergencies like housing, utilities, food, and gas. The fund is supported by individual gifts, partnerships with other churches and community groups, and ongoing donations from local businesses. The church also assembles hygiene and food kits that are distributed freely to people who are homeless or living in poverty.
Care Ministries from Prayer to Bereavement
FLCC's care ministries meet people where they are. The Prayer Chain sends email requests and offers for those needing healing or comfort. The Prayer Team meets every Wednesday at 11:00 AM in the church for confidential prayer for members, families, friends, and anyone in need. First Drivers is a volunteer driver network that provides daytime transportation to medical, dental, or therapy appointments for those who can get in and out of a car with minimal help. The Visitation team, led by Deacon Marj Olason, brings visits, communion, and prayers to people who are hospitalized, homebound, or going through a difficult season.
The Bereavement Support Group is a Christ-centered gathering for those grieving a loss. It meets on the first and third Sundays of each month at 11:00 AM in the Mountain Room, with each meeting running 90 minutes and facilitated by Deacon Marj Olason. The Casserole Connection brings meals to people who are sick or in need of a special meal.
Music and Worship Arts
Music is treated as a core ministry at FLCC. Music Coordinator Kaitlyn Spellman oversees the Music Team and Choir. The Praise Team, with director Brit Olson, leads contemporary music during services, while individual members provide solos. The Celebration Choir and Music Team focus on making the church's musical gifts count at every service. Friends of St. Francis is a separate group that supports the worship life of the congregation in other ways.
Education, Books, and Small Groups
Adult education takes many shapes. The Golden Friends Bible Study meets every Tuesday at 11:00 AM in Meeting Room 2, slowly working through the Bible with discussion led by Pastor Adrian Bonaro. Tuesday Bible Study meets at 11:00 AM as well. First Friday Readers gathers on the first Friday of each month at 11:00 AM to discuss a chosen book. First Flix is a movie, show, and documentary group that meets on the first Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM. Question Marks is a progressive Christian women's group that meets on the second Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM to discuss faith journeys and tough questions.
Women's Circles meet monthly in smaller groups: Mary Circle on the second Monday at 2:00 PM, Elizabeth Circle on the third Tuesday at 2:00 PM (with childcare on request), Shalom Circle on the second Tuesday at 5:00 PM, and Miriam Circle on the third Wednesday at 7:00 PM. The Men's Breakfast meets every Wednesday at 9:00 AM at the Family Pancake House, with 8 to 21 men gathering to discuss last Sunday's sermon over breakfast. Juliet's Breakfast, the women's parallel, meets on the third Monday at 9:00 AM at the same restaurant. Stampers and Scrappers, a scrapbooking and stamping group, meets on the second Saturday of each month from noon to 4:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Leadership and Pastoral Care
Pastor Adrian Bonaro leads the congregation and is assisted by Deacon Marj Olason, who also directs the visitation and bereavement ministries. Kaitlyn Spellman coordinates music. Jordan Hassebrock directs youth ministry. Karen Spellman directs the preschool and Amanda McKenney directs the daycare. Michelle Sharp coordinates children's education. Corrinne Criss serves as resource coordinator, working Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM to help people connect with community resources and, when needed, the Kitsap Community Aid fund.
The congregation is governed by a council of twelve members elected four at a time each year, meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM with meetings open to all members. The church's office is at 2483 Mitchell Rd SE in Port Orchard, and the main phone number is (360) 876-3901. Online giving is available through a secure portal, and Simply Giving forms can be downloaded for setting up regular donations.