Star Light. May Pastor Said WHAT?? The Monthly Newsletter of Morning Star Lutheran Church

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Marilyn Atkins
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I ll try to elaborate Most stories have a plot that goes beginning, middle, end, right? This is a familiar, reassuring order.

1 Star Light The Monthly Newsletter of Morning Star Lutheran Church May 2015 A Community of Faith Gathered Around God s Word and Sacrament Pastor Said WHAT?? Welcome to the thick of it: the thick and multi-layered middle of the story that defines us. What on earth am I writing about? I ll try to elaborate Most stories have a plot that goes beginning, middle, end, right? This is a familiar, reassuring order. One thing leads to another, cause and effect unfold, conflict is heightened and then resolved, then the curtain closes and the credits roll, to our grateful applause. Upsetting this order in storytelling can be confusing, perhaps even frustrating for listeners. A story told out of order can feel chaotic, or without a point, or incomplete. Until the hearers notice the deeper order that rules a story that is without chronological order. Until the theme that unifies all disparate plot points reveals how they were all always connected all along. The Christian life is a life immersed in God s story of everything and God s story is a story ruled by a deeper order than the mere unfolding of time, cause and effect, or one thing after another. We are immersed, plunged into, saturated by this deeper order of God s story in baptism. Literally. Throughout this Easter season, our liturgy includes these words from Paul s letter to the Christians in Rome: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom 6:3-5) The deeper order of God s story of everything is death, resurrection, newness of life. The deeper order of our lives in Christ is end, beginning, middle. This is the theme holding it all together. No wonder a life of faith looks like foolishness even we tend to expect beginning, middle, end, while the deeper order, the very wisdom of God at work in the whole creation, operates by death, resurrection, and newness of life! So how is this deeper order revealed? It is revealed in us. It is now, in the thick, multi-layered middle of the story, that we live. We don t know how long, in chronological time, the middle lasts. Here and now in the middle we face choices: fear or love? Apathy or hope? These are genuine dilemmas. The answer we give, through the character of our life together, reveals our trust in the deeper order of God s ways. Because we know that in God, endings are beginnings that lead to new life, we can love one another instead of fearing what a relationship might ask of us. Because we know that in God, death is swallowed up in resurrection, we carry a defiant and blazing hope into all those places where apathy s this is just how things are tries to hold sway. Because of baptism, in all these things we are more than conquerors and nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God. (Rom 8:37, 39) Welcome to the thick of it. And when the middle of the story seems long and the deeper plot seems lost, remember and give thanks for your baptism! Peace, Pastor Cara 1

BROWN BAG SUNDAY MAY 3 Thank you for your continued support of the Brown Bag Brigade!

1, between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2015 CONFIRMANDS!

The following gradating seniors will receive a personalized quilt from our Quilters on SENIOR RECOGNITION, MAY 31: Kianna Cooley, Brandi Jo

Thank you to Gary & Margaret Lottermann and Pastor Cara for attending the 2015 Synod Assembly on May 15 & 16. We look forward to your report! CHOIR!

2 BROWN BAG SUNDAY MAY 3 Thank you for your continued support of the Brown Bag Brigade! Spring Tea May 2, 2015 New Hope Fellowship1:00 pm If you have not turned in your raffle item, please bring it to New Hope Fellowship on Friday, May 1, between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2015 CONFIRMANDS! Join us on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, to witness the confirmation of: Rafe Dahlinger God Parent: Delaney Wardell Gage Nagy God Parent: Ken Tompkins The following gradating seniors will receive a personalized quilt from our Quilters on SENIOR RECOGNITION, MAY 31: Kianna Cooley, Brandi Jo Dahlinger, Bethany Johnson, Courtney Kingery, Hannah Nagy, Trenton Schroeder, Allison Tompkins Please come and celebrate this special day. Thank you to Gary & Margaret Lottermann and Pastor Cara for attending the 2015 Synod Assembly on May 15 & 16. We look forward to your report! CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! Our MSLC Choir is going through a few changes and would like your opinion on how they should move forward. Should they sing every week? Once per month? Or just special occasions? Take a minute to think about what you want in your choir and talk to Jill or Wendy. Thank you. 2

MEN S MINISTRY Our Saturday morning breakfast is at 7:30 on May 2. All are welcome!

Our book this month is Trial by Fire by Terry Blackstock. Come and enjoy great fellowship!

To the many people that provided soup and bread for the Wednesday evening Lent meal THANK YOU!

May Easter be part of your living the year around. Stop by and check out our Little Free Library!

BROWN BAG BRIGADE All are welcome to help prepare the lunch s on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the MUCC.

The coffee is on at 10:30 am! VILLAGE EAST WORSHIP SERVICE The twice monthly worship service is on May 14 and 28 at 1:30.

MORNING STAR CONGREGATIONAL CAMPING WEEKEND AT LUTHERWOOD AUGUST 7-9! Our camp weekend will be here before we know it.

3 MEN S MINISTRY Our Saturday morning breakfast is at 7:30 on May 2. All are welcome! WOMEN S BOOK CLUB We re meeting this month on May 19th at the home of Missy Maxson. Our book this month is Trial by Fire by Terry Blackstock. Come and enjoy great fellowship! QUILTING GROUP We meet every Tuesday morning at 10:30 in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! To the many people that provided soup and bread for the Wednesday evening Lent meal THANK YOU! To everyone that brought Easter Lillie's for our sanctuary for Easter morning THANK YOU! May Easter be part of your living the year around. Stop by and check out our Little Free Library! It s located on the deck in front of the office. Take a book leave a book! BROWN BAG BRIGADE All are welcome to help prepare the lunch s on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the MUCC. THURSDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY Pastor Cara will lead the discussion and study on Thursday May 7. The coffee is on at 10:30 am! VILLAGE EAST WORSHIP SERVICE The twice monthly worship service is on May 14 and 28 at 1:30. every voice welcome the conversation needs you We meet this month on May 10 at 3:00 pm at Tucano s in Monroe. MORNING STAR CONGREGATIONAL CAMPING WEEKEND AT LUTHERWOOD AUGUST 7-9! Our camp weekend will be here before we know it. It s never too early to start planning. We have reserved The Point group camp area again. Cost is $85 per family for the weekend or $15 if you plan to attend on Saturday only. Please make checks payable to MSLC and write Camp Lutherwood on the note line of your check. We will write one check to make it easier for everyone. Check in time: Check out time: 3pm on Friday the 7 th 2pm on Sunday the 9 th Contact Dan Wegenast at: dswegenast@comcast.net or cell or at home. Let s make this our best weekend ever! 3

work day. The meals will be complete and will include ingredient lists and instructions. Some will even come with dessert!

4 The Dessert Auction in February was so much fun, the kids decided to do it again! Only this time it s a COMPLETE DINNER AUCTION! Our Detroit Group will be enthusiastically auctioning off dinners that you can take home and pop in the oven for a fabulous dinner that night, or put in the freezer for a yummy dinner after a busy work day. The meals will be complete and will include ingredient lists and instructions. Some will even come with dessert! There are only a few more opportunities for the kids to earn the remaining money needed for the July trip to the National Youth Gathering. Be sure not to miss this! It was so much fun seeing the desserts kids brought and even more fun watching the congregation bid for them! Maybe they ll be auctioning off Prime Rib! SUNDAY, MAY 17, IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHURCH. Thank you to Missy and Pete Maxson for hosting a monthly Poker Tournament Fundraiser at your home. To date $994 has been raised for our kids! The next Poker Tourney is May 16 th at 4:00 pm D etroit Youth Gathering Our next meeting is planned for SUNDAY, MAY 3rd at 9:00 AM at Kathi s house. Be sure to come! We have a lot more studying and planning to do. Our next fundraisers are: Poker Tournament at the Maxsons on May 16 th, Dinner Auction May 17 th, Root Beer Sale TBD C ouncil All confirmed high school youth are part of the MSLC Council and take turns representing the youth at the monthly council meetings. Hannah Nagy is the May Council Rep. C onfirmation A Camping & Hiking weekend has been planned for July 2-3. Keep watching for more info! 4

IT S EASY! Lutherwood is doing all the work. All we have to do is smile and have fun with the kids! Please consider volunteering with our first Day Camp VBS.

com/ events/851965178218369/ Our next meeting is WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th at 7:00 pm in the office. All are welcome to help plan ESPECIALLY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER!

For Keaton Dahlinger, as he undergoes surgery on May 8 to repair his knee.

For the children and adults preparing for the ELCA Youth Gathering that they raise the remaining money needed for the trip, $5,000; that they prayerfully study the Gathering Guidebook;

Prayers for peace around the world in all areas of conflict and especially for those who suffer for their conscience s sake. For peace in our homes and our personal relationships.

5 IT S EASY! Lutherwood is doing all the work. All we have to do is smile and have fun with the kids! Please consider volunteering with our first Day Camp VBS. Contact the office to fill out a background check. We will need to have those on file before the event. THANK YOU! Go to the link to learn more about the camp: events/ / Our next meeting is WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th at 7:00 pm in the office. All are welcome to help plan ESPECIALLY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER! For the families of George Brow, who passed peacefully on April 6th. That they find peace and comfort in their sorrow. For Keaton Dahlinger, as he undergoes surgery on May 8 to repair his knee. For Katrina, friend of Morning Star that she knows she is not alone, that she has friends at Morning Star and the love of Christ. For the children and adults preparing for the ELCA Youth Gathering that they raise the remaining money needed for the trip, $5,000; that they prayerfully study the Gathering Guidebook; that they keep their hearts open for what God is preparing to do in their lives. For our partners in Smolensk, all who are persecuted for their faith. Prayers for peace around the world in all areas of conflict and especially for those who suffer for their conscience s sake. For peace in our homes and our personal relationships. That we trust the good news of Jesus. Prayers of thanksgiving for all that we have: our families, our homes, our friends, our church, our lives. Please send any prayer concerns or requests to our Prayer Chain Coordinator Margaret Lottermann: gmlot@comcast.net Poker Tournament May 16, 4:00 pm, Maxson home Complete Dinner Auction May 17, after church Bi Annual Congregation Meeting & Potluck Lunch May 31, after church MSLC Confirmation Camp-Out July 2 3 Rock On Day Camp July Lutherwood Family Camp August 7, 8, 9 6

MINISTRY AND MISSION BI-ANNUAL MEETING May 31 Stay after worship to celebrate the graduation of our high school seniors, enjoy a potluck lunch, and learn more about the Ministries and Mission of

National Youth Gathering Report 2015 MORNING STAR COUNCIL Administrative Director: Brian Johnson 360-568-0712 Ministry Director: Chris Cooper 425-320-7039 Community Relations: Ken Tompkins

Confirmed Youth Morning Star s SERMONS are available ONLINE! http://morningstarlutheran.podbean.com It s simple & easy to log onto our podbean site.

Morning star has teamed up with two companies to help fund our ministries: AmazonSmile and Fred Meyer Community Rewards. Shop at and Amazon will make a donation to Morning Star! Amazon will donate 0.

6 MINISTRY AND MISSION BI-ANNUAL MEETING May 31 Stay after worship to celebrate the graduation of our high school seniors, enjoy a potluck lunch, and learn more about the Ministries and Mission of Morning Star Items on the agenda include: I. Council and Ministry Team Reports II. National Youth Gathering Report 2015 MORNING STAR COUNCIL Administrative Director: Brian Johnson Ministry Director: Chris Cooper Community Relations: Ken Tompkins Facilities: Gary Lottermann Secretary Joel Garrison Treasurer: Gwen Paietta Worship: Wendy Spitzer Youth: Rotating Position of Confirmed Youth Morning Star s SERMONS are available ONLINE! It s simple & easy to log onto our podbean site. You can listen to any sermon or readings you may have missed, and learn about all of the things that Morning Star is doing. Morning star has teamed up with two companies to help fund our ministries: AmazonSmile and Fred Meyer Community Rewards. Shop at and Amazon will make a donation to Morning Star! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Morning Star whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same Amazon Prime benefits. Sing up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Morning Star Church at communityrewards. You can search for us by our name or by our nonprofit number You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points and Rebates! 5

May 3 5 th Easter Greeter Marla Wardell May 10 6 th Easter McKenna Dahlinger May 17 7 th Easter May 24 Pentecost May 31 Holy Trinity Anna Wegenast Martin Paietta Kathi Cooley Acolyte Patrick Cook

7 May 3 5 th Easter Greeter Marla Wardell May 10 6 th Easter McKenna Dahlinger May 17 7 th Easter May 24 Pentecost May 31 Holy Trinity Anna Wegenast Martin Paietta Kathi Cooley Acolyte Patrick Cook Justus Dahlinger Keeley Dahlinger Jesse Paietta Tyla Dahlinger Comm. Asst. Ushers Reader Coffee Hour Peter & Missy Maxson Tompkins Family Samantha Missell Brandi & Justus Dahlinger Arlene Preskitt Allison Tompkins Johnson Family Dahlinger Family Joel Garrison Susanne Olson Martin Paietta Jim Olson Brian & Lori Johnson Wegenast Family Martin Paietta Peter Echols Patrick Cook Missy Maxson Patrick Cook Kathleen Sallee Samantha Missell Delaney Wardell Bethany Johnson Cookies Lilly Wardell Eleanor Walters Bev Rice Jill Sumpter Kianna Cooley Flowers Jill Sumpter Susanne Olson Sharon Wegenast Pat Magnuson Arlene Preskitt Count Offering Altar Prep. Comm. Prep. Nursery Children's Message Lock Up Annette Kyle Rod Dahlinger Joel & JoLynn Garrison Rebecca MacAllister Arlene Preskitt Keaton Dahlinger Megan Schroeder Peter Maxson Susanne Olson Eleanor Walters Brandi & Justus Dahlinger Kianna Cooley Brandi Dahlinger Gina Dahlinger Dorothy Garrison Delaney & Lilly Wardell Patty Tompkins Marla Wardell Lilly Wardell Anna Wegenast Chris Cooper Eleanor Walters Kathi Cooley Gwen Paietta Dorothy & Wilber Ames Patrick Cook Justus Dahlinger Missy Maxson Kathleen Sallee Rod & Talen Dahlinger Peter & Becky Echols Peter & Becky Echols Marla Wardell Missy Maxson Gina Dahlinger Gwen Paietta Peter Maxson Ken Tompkins Ken Tompkins Ken Tompkins Ken Tompkins Ken Tompkins

Morning Star Evangelical Lutheran Church 412 South Lewis Street Monroe, WA 98272-4149 May, 2015 Photo: Anna Wegenast 5-3-15: The Fifth Sunday in Easter: John 15:1-8 Worship with Word and Sacrament at

Luke 24:44-53. Praise Band will lead Worship with Word and Sacrament at 11:00 a.m.. Detroit Dinner Auction after worship. 5-24-15: The Day of Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday. John 17:6-19.

Bi-Annual Congregation Meeting and Potluck Lunch after worship Pastor Cara Holmquist Pastor cell phone: 406-465-6466 Pastor email: pastor@morningstarlc.

8 Morning Star Evangelical Lutheran Church 412 South Lewis Street Monroe, WA May, 2015 Photo: Anna Wegenast : The Fifth Sunday in Easter: John 15:1-8 Worship with Word and Sacrament at 11:00 a.m. A special emphasis is given to the Brown Bag Brigade Ministry : The Sixth Sunday in Easter. John 15:9-17 Worship with Word and Sacrament at 11:00 a.m : The Seventh Sunday in Easter. Luke 24: Praise Band will lead Worship with Word and Sacrament at 11:00 a.m.. Detroit Dinner Auction after worship : The Day of Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday. John 17:6-19. Worship with Word and Sacrament at 11:00 a.m : The Holy Trinity and Senior Sunday. John 3:1-17. Worship with Word and Sacrament at 11:00 am. Bi-Annual Congregation Meeting and Potluck Lunch after worship Pastor Cara Holmquist Pastor cell phone: Pastor pastor@morningstarlc.org Office Manager: Kathi Cooley Mailing address: 412 S. Lewis St., Monroe, Phone: mslc@morningstarlc.org Website: Facebook page: Morning Star Lutheran Podcast: Music Director: Jill Sumpter Worship with Holy Communion Sunday mornings at 11:00 February Budget February Actual March Budget March Actual Offerings $10,625 $9,414 $10,625 $10,863 Expenditures $10,525 $9,638 $10,525 $9,355 Surplus/ deficit -$224 $1,508 Morning Star non-designated offerings and expenditures Morning Star Evangelical Lutheran Church A Community of Faith Gathered Around God s Word and Sacraments

A message from The pastor. Michael Foss, in a book titled Power Surge, has developed the 6 Marks of Discipleship. The Marks of Discipleship are:

A message from The pastor. Michael Foss, in a book titled Power Surge, has developed the 6 Marks of Discipleship. The Marks of Discipleship are: St. John Journey may 2015 A message from The pastor Michael Foss, in a book titled Power Surge, has developed the 6 Marks of Discipleship. The Marks of Discipleship are: PRAY Daily WORSHIP weekly READ