First Lutheran Church, 109 West Third Avenue, Warren has been celebrating God’s love in Warren County for the past 168 years. Founded by a small band of German Lutheran immigrants, the community established their congregational charter in 1846.
The congregation flourished, out-growing the first church within twenty years and in the 128 years following, grew over 10 times its original size. The burgeoning membership necessitated the need to build larger facilities. The present church, situated on East Street and Third Avenue was constructed in 1974.
Today, First Lutheran Church continues to grow and celebrates God’s love! 
Vibrant worship is the center of the parish family’s life.The congregation gathers around Word and Sacrament every Sunday at 8:00am and11:00am (10:00am during the summer months). Music is an essential element of Lutheran worship. The congregation experiences a variety of liturgies with a mixture of traditional and contemporary hymns. While the pipe organ and piano are the primary instruments used in worship, it isn't uncommon for accompaniment to include guitar, flute, percussion and brass especially during festivals such as Christmas and Easter. Special music is provided by the Senior Choir (weekly), Joyful Sounds Handbell Choir(monthly) and also soloists and the children of the Sunday School. A nursery is provided during the 11:00am service.
There are many opportunities for youth beginning with Sunday’s Cool(Sunday School – held September through May) at 9:21 for children preschool through Senior High. The Alleluia Program (TAP) is an after-school program held on Wednesdays (September-February) for youth K-12. TAP prticipants enjoy games, crafts, worship, music, Bible Stories and supper. Community youth are welcome. Parents may register their child(ren) by contacting the church office.
First Lutheran’s Youth Group, the "Losers." meets regularly for fellowship, fun and sharing God's love in Christ with others. FLC Youth attend the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America' National Youth Gathering held every three years since1988. Last year's gathering was held in New Orleans with over 38,000 youth and adults in attendance. Plans are already underway to attend the 2012 gathering.
First Lutheran partners with its sister congregations of Warren County to provide for a week-long Vacation Bible School experience. This year's VBS was held here August 1-5 with over 75 children in attendance.
Adult educational opportunities include Sunday School at 9:30am and Bible Study held every Wednesday at noon. Three groups, Lutheran Men in Mission, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Joan Nabert Circle meet for study, fellowship and service oriented projects. Senior Fellowship is open to all Senior Citizens and meets on the second Tuesday of the Month beginning with worship at 11:00am followed by dinner and a program. 
First Lutheran Church is committed to celebrating God's love in Christ through Mission. The congregation supports several ministries through the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and local outreach. FLC is partnered with the people of the Bisheshe Parish, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
The Ladies' Workshop (Wednesday mornings) has been making quilts for over 50 years. The quilts are distributed throughout the world via Lutheran World Relief. This year the group produced over 350 quilts. FLC's Prayer Shawl Ministries include women and men who knit or crochet prayer shawls for individuals in need of prayer and support. The group meets at 10:00am and 7:00pm on Thursdays.
FLC recently enrolled in the Stephen Ministry. The program provides intensive training to lay members providing pastoral care to individuals in need.
Parishioners participate in an annual mission trip serving individuals and communities. Trips have been to Pittsburgh, Rutland, MA; Washington D.C., northeastern Georgia and Nashville, TN
Nearly 20 sons and daughters of FLC have entered the ordained and diaconal ministry.
Join us! We are a family celebrating God’s love in Christ.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed over 20 years ago. This new church was formed from three separate and well-established North American church bodies:
- The American Lutheran Church
- The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and
- The Lutheran Church in America.
Beginning January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA. Two decades later, this energized church is composed of 4.8 million members and nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S. and Caribbean. Today, the ELCA reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the people it serves.
But to understand our heritage fully, one must trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.
Read about Lutheran Roots in America on the ELCA website >>
Go to our own What is the ELCA page >>
