Worship Schedule
Saturday Evening
5:30 pm
Sunday Worship
8:15 & 10:45 am
Sunday Learning Hour
9:30 am
Service for Healing
3rd Sunday during
Communion at 8:15 & 10:45
Wednesdays During Lent
12:00 Noon
Worship followed by Lunch
5:30-6:30 pm
Supper and Fellowship
6:30 pm
Holden Evening Prayer
7:15 pm
Education and Fellowship
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Home  First Lutheran Staff
Brian Maas
Lead Pastor
Brian Maas has been Lead Pastor of First Lutheran since mid-2006. He is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Yale Divinity School and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA. He is a native Nebraskan and has served parishes in Tekamah, NE and Kansas City, MO. He and his wife Debbie have two children, Nate and Becca. He enjoys family, reading, writing, humor, rich worship, good food, and being a pastor.
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Aaron Erdley
Associate Pastor
Aaron Erdley has been the Associate Pastor at First Lutheran since August 2007. Aaron is originally from Pennsylvania, and despite being a "transplant" to the midwest, he and his family are still avid Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Aaron graduated from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Music degree, and immediately entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, graduating in May 2005. First Lutheran is Aaron's second call, having previously served a small parish in Altoona, PA. In addition to his "regular" pastoral duties, he works with the Social Ministry Committee, and has responsibilities for Confirmation, Middle & Sr. High Youth group, and college-age ministry. He is passionate about the inclusion of youth and young adults into all aspects of church life and making connections between the generations. He and his wife, Danielle, have been married since December 2000, and have one daughter, Elena, who is in elementary school. He enjoys spending time with his family, music, soccer, and cheering on their PA football teams!
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Chris Suehr
Vicar (2011-2012 Intern)
Chris Suehr is a Pennsylvanian by birth. He and Angela, his new wife, are both first time Midwesterners. Chris holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from York College of Pennsylvania and has completed two years at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, where he plans to graduate in 2013. Chris enjoys hiking, reading, writing, moving, thinking Steelers football and getting to know Nebraska.
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Bonita Johnsen
Director of Worship & Music
Bonita Johnsen has been the Director of Music Ministry since 1985. She earned a Master of Music degree specializing in sacred music at UNL and has been an Associate in Ministry since 1987. Bonita is the primary organist and choir/ensemble director for the congregation and oversees a number of very talented assistants and volunteers. She also works with worship preparations, drama ministry, visual arts and memorials. She strives to involve as many members as possible in the various fine arts ministries. Bonita is married and has two grown daughters.
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Sunni Richardson
Director of Discipleship
Energized by new ideas, creative thinking and "ah-ha" moments, Sunni enjoys "walking with" others as they discover their gifts and find new ways to use those gifts at First Lutheran and beyond. As Director of Discipleship, Sunni works with evangelism, new members, spirituality happenings, some administration and filling in wherever and with whatever. She is a Commissioned Associate in Ministry in the ELCA. Sunni shares her home with Koda the dog. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being creative, learning and being outdoors.
Contact Sunni Richardson
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Heidi Widner
Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministries
Heidi Widner joined the First Lutheran staff in 2009. As the Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministries, Heidi is responsible for FaithTrek, our Sunday School ministry for children age 3 through 5th Grade, Kids for Christ, Vacation Bible School, and our growing Milestones Ministry. Heidi also coordinates and supports a variety of ministries for children and families including the annual Advent Fair, involvement with Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, and other outreach projects, festivals and special events. Heidi graduated in 1996 with a BA in Music from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, MN and received her Master's in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Our Lady of the Lake University, Houston, TX in 2007. Heidi’s husband, Mike, is a Pastor at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Syracuse, NE. They have been married for six years and have one daughter, Violet, who is four.
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Judy Batterman
Parish Coordinator
Judy Batterman has been a member of First Lutheran since 1974. She recently came out of "retirement" to work part-time in the church office. Between them, Judy and her husband, Bob, have 5 grown children and 9 grandchildren. In her spare time, Judy likes to travel, garden and spend time spoiling the grandkids.
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Barb Monson
Communications Assistant
Barb has been a member of First Lutheran since 1989. As Communications Assistant, Barb keeps the congregation connected through the website, e-mail blasts, Facebook, postcards, bulletin boards, slide shows and other forms of communication. In her spare time, Barb enjoys photography, camping, boating, gardening, reading and attending her three childrens' activities.
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Elva Mares
Membership Secretary
Elva has been a member of First Lutheran for 55 years, became church secretary in 1974 and has worked part time for the last 15 years. Elva has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. She ejoys spending time with family and friends.
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Blaz Knezevic
Head Custodian
Blaz Knevevic is a native of Croatia. He immigrated to the United States in 1998. Blaz is married to Tracy Mueller Knezevic, and they have two daughters, Vana, 5, and Daria, 2 1/2.
Blaz enjoys woodworking and cold-smoking meats, as well as crafting in a variety of materials. Blaz worked in the telecommunications industry in Bosnia for 10 years. He also worked in construction and maintenance in Germany before immigrating. Most recently, he was a maintenance technician for the Lied Center for Performing Arts at UNL.
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Howard Cook
Custodian
Howard "Hop" Cook, part-time custodian, is one of seven children. He grew up in Lincoln, where he raised four children. He is proud of five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He has been actively involved in sports his whole life and is an inductee in the Lincoln High Sports Hall of Fame. He says the three most inspirational people in his life are Jesus Christ, his father, and his coach.
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