Living the Reformation

Transcription

1 Important dates: March 1 - Ash Wednesday Service: 7:00pm March 8 - Soup Suppers & Evening Prayer begin March 11 - FLY Pizza Party CHRIST LUTHERAN NEWS Mar Living the Reformation March 1 is Ash Wednesday. The season of Lent is here. Traditionally, these 40 days before Easter are spent in deliberate prayer and contemplation. It is a time of slowing down the rhythm of our lives for confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Our theme for Lent this year is Living the Reformation. This year, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation provides us an opportunity to explore Lent through the lens of reformation and transformation. The ELCA claims to be a Church both rooted in the experience of the Reformation and yet always being made new. We as a Church and individuals are continually in reform and transformation as we grow in faith and respond to the needs of our neighbors. During Lent, we pray with Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. With this prayer, we are asking God for a transformation of heart and mind as we journey with Christ to the cross and beyond. To further engagement with this theme, you will have the opportunity throughout Lent to explore through a hands-on art experience. Don t worry; artistic skills are not necessary to participate! The informal Liturgical Arts Team (comprised of Laura, Tom, Mary, and myself) have been plotting and planning this project for many months. Our goals are simple: engage the congregation in a project that will deepen the experience of Lent, and make a beautiful piece of art together. To accomplish this, we need YOU! Each Sunday in Lent, you ll be able to participate in the process of creating the art. We will begin on Ash Wednesday by writing down our prayers and concerns, and continue to gather in our petitions through the first Sunday in Lent. Then, we ll rip up those slips of paper, tearing up our concerns, fears, and prayers and adding them to the prayers of others in order to make something new. And then we ll use the torn up slips to make new paper (which is really fun to do- check out the pic- Living the Reformation continued 2501 SW 320 th St. Federal Way, WA office@christlutheranfw.com ChristLutheranFW.com

2 Living the Reformation continued from page SW 320 th St. Federal Way, WA ChristLutheranFW.com office@christlutheranfw.com Tues. - Thurs. 10:00am - 2:30pm Staff Pastor... Rev. Chelsea Globe pastor@christlutheranfw.com Pastoral emergencies outside of office hours: (253) Office Manager... Laura Olsen Music Director... Katie Stevenson Nursery Director... Diane Putts Custodian... Maria Reimer Church Council President... Tom Hagen Vice President... Gary Curtis Secretary... Mary Hefty Treasurer... Janeen Whitehead At-Large, Pos CJ Campbell At-Large, Pos Pam Wilson ture below!). And finally, we ll assemble this beautiful, handmade paper into a work of art. If it sounds difficult, rest assured that it is not. As Tom said, If I can do it, anyone can do it. We re hoping this project will be a way for all of us to prayerfully and joyfully experience the reforming transformation promised by the season. In addition, our W e d n e s d a y Soup Supper and Evening Prayer will be spent exploring the foundations of our reforming faith: Martin Luther s Small Catechism. As you ll see (or you may remember from Confirmation class), Luther always asked this question: What does this mean? Lent is the time when we ask that question of our faith. What does the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean, for our faith, our lives, and our world? Our art project, discussions, and worship will all attempt to answer that question during these 40 days. Come along for the journey. Pastor Chelsea ELCA World Hunger s 40 Days of Giving is a special opportunity for us to come together to lift up the church s hunger and poverty ministry during Lent. Today, 1 in 9 people face hunger and 1 in 7 live in extreme poverty. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. Making sure someone has enough food for the day is not enough. Together, we must look toward the future of this church and boldly respond to the needs of the world. 2 Sundays at 10:00am Wednesday night offerings during Lent will go to ELCA World Hunger to help our global family access opportunities and earn a fair, sustainable living with dignity. Watch for details in the bulletins and announcement during Lent.

3 March Events Lenten Soup Suppers & Holden Evening Prayer Wednesdays 3/8 4/5. Please see sign-up poster for soup, bread, drinks, and clean-up. Suppers will begin at 6:00pm, worship at 7:00. Women s Bible Study Saturday, March 4, 10:30-12 in Lewis Hall. See Lonnie if you d like to attend! Council Retreat Sunday, March 4, 12-3:00pm, Tom Hagen's house. Lunch will be provided! March 5th "First Sunday" offering ELCA World Hunger We're looking beyond our community this month, making a donation to ELCA World Hunger s 40 Days of Giving! FLY Pizza Party Youth of all ages are invited to Christ Lutheran at 6:00pm on Saturday, March 11. Bring your favorite pizza toppings! Men s Breakfast Saturday, March 11th, 8:30am at Biscuit s Cafe in Federal Way. Men, fellowship and meat Don t be late for church - Sunday, March 12th Daylight Saving Time begins. Set your clocks ahead one hour! For a complete list of current events, please visit our website: /events/calendar Get ready for Reach Out, March 6-12! We will be serving dinner again for one week at the Reach Out Men s Shelter. Christ Lutheran will purchase breakfasts and lunches, plus dinner salad and rolls! Volunteers are needed to cook, deliver and serve dinner each evening from 8:30-9:30pm Meals include casseroles or other main dish, a hot vegetable and dessert for 30 guests If you would like to cook only, someone will be happy to pick up your dish and deliver to St. Columba s. Please contact Laura Olsen to coordinate The Reach Out Men s Shelter is located at St. Columba s Episcopal Church, Military Rd, Kent, WA (just north of 272nd on the east side of Military Rd). Sign up in Lewis Hall, or contact Laura Olsen for more info , office@christlutheranfw.com 3

4 Social Ministries As we move together into the new year of serving our congregation our planning begins. What can we do to nurture our fellowship? How can we bring people together to get to know each other better? What kind of activities will be inclusive to all? How can we contribute towards strengthening our faith together? Our greatest hope is to offer opportunities that are appealing to everyone and would welcome ideas from the congregation to help in our vision for the year. We will again gather for Lenten Soup Suppers beginning March 8, at 6PM. We will have the sign-up poster available February 26. This is a great time to get together and enjoy fellowship and wonderful homemade soups before our 7PM evening worship service. Ladies, in April we will start a new program called Secret Sisters. More details will be available in the next newsletter! We re excited to share another way to connect with each other. God bless ~ Liz Smith Men s Breakfast March 11th at Biscuits Thank you to all who participated in our First Annual Valentine s Day Men s Breakfast with Women (FAVDMBW) February 11th. While we ll defer inviting significant others and spouses for a while now, it was nice to see the turnout and the fellowship enjoyed by all. But, it s back to the manly thing this month as our next breakfast will be March 11th at 8:30 am at Biscuits in Federal Way. We ll be discussing all the great matters of our world, but mostly we ll just be eating bacon and enjoying good fellowship. Please join us and, if you need transportation, please call or Tom Hagen at or tom.hagen375@gmail.com and we ll get you a complimentary round trip to Biscuits to join the fellowship, food and fun. See you there, men! SAVE THE DATE! If you are a crafter, artist, soap maker, seamstress, knitter, etc., our annual Homespun Holidays Bazaar will be held Saturday, November 4. Start those projects you ve been thinking about. Pass the word to friends and crafters you know. If you would like to be part of the planning committee contact Liz. We re building our photo library! Share your pictures from church events and gatherings! Newsletter and website articles are more interesting and meaningful with photos especially of people and congregational life. them to the office: office@christlutheranfw.com 4

5 Notes from the Bench Psalm 108:1 "My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul." There is something very personal about the act of singing. Many studies have stated that public speaking is one of people's worst fears. In the same vein, singing a solo or aloud where people can hear you has got to be even more terrifying for people. Why is this so? Probably many individual psychological reasons, but most of all it is the feeling of putting it all out there for the world to judge, vulnerable or naked, as it may feel. Since each person and voice is completely unique, it is kind of like throwing it all out there and saying "this is me". This verse from Psalms struck me as alluding to the fact that singing is a way of bearing your soul. Some of the best performances by singers aren't always based on who has the best technique, but rather on whether the listener was captivated and drawn in to the singer and what they're feeling. You'll see this on "American Idol" and other such shows. So if they can sing pop love songs and bring people to tears, we should all be as effectual in singing praises to God and about deep spiritual love. It just takes that ounce of courage to bear your souls and let your voices be heard. It can be very soothing to take that deep breath and release your voice and what you are feeling. I recommend doing it often! And so does the Bible, in its hundreds of music-related verses. Now, this isn't just a pitch to gain choir members. (Although, you might like it!) It is also in praise of our choir and cantors for being bold and singing out to the Lord! Our choir gladly welcomes back Brendon Mix with his voice and flute playing that add so much. The choir will continue to stand in front of the congregation for their songs, since this change was met with very favorable response. Along with the choir making their joyful noise, I encourage you all to sing heartily and boldly in every service. Looking forward to hearing you all in church! Blessings, Katie I m a Lutheran Every month we will feature members of our congregation who will share a bit about what being Lutheran means to them. Lonnie McWilliams Occupation or vocation: Retired medical technologist I found my faith: the Holy Spirit found me! My first experience with church was: My baptism I believe: in the triune God I stay centered by: the Holy Spirit within me I share my faith by: mere being I m passionate about: equality I struggle with: forgiveness I m a Lutheran because: Grace I go to Christ Lutheran because: the Gospel is preached there 5

6 Preparing for Living the Reformation Group Art Project We ll soon be embarking upon a strange, new journey together. Some may feel that they are in their natural element and others may feel a little apprehensive, having lived a lifetime of not being an artist. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief though, because this piece isn t about expertise. It s not about pursuing an end state of predetermined beauty. It s not even about permanence. A Word on the Value of Impermanence (an excerpt from The Guerilla Art Kit by Keri Smith): What is the point of a piece that is meant to be temporary? Work that is impermanent reminds us that nothing in life is permanent, that every state is temporary and transitory. This concept teaches us to embrace change in our life, instead of working against it. Creating work that is impermanent helps us release our attachment to the final product and lets us focus more on the process. This piece is all about the process of being transformed as a community that lives together in Christ. What does this mean? Let s find out together! No materials are needed just come and see Sundays during Lent at Fellowship Hour. Outreach As I have been learning my new role as team leader of the Community Outreach Team, I am reminded of the last time I led a service organization. I was president of Key Club in High School. Yes, that was quite some years ago, but the same situation existed: hardworking, visionary individuals preceded me and carved out a job that was well defined and easy to follow. In our acts of outreach here at Christ Lutheran, we strive to be a church that "walks the walk and talks the talk." Indeed, Christ and his disciples didn't confine their work to a building. They carried no belongings and relied on the hospitality of the communities in which they worked, a reciprocity we can hope to achieve even today. Our next opportunity for ministry is to provide meals for Reach Out Men's Homeless Shelter at St. Columba's Lutheran Church March It was apropos that members of our congregation were able to attend the "Way of Companionship" workshop at Calvary Lutheran in February that shed some light on homelessness and resources available. Here is a brief synopsis: Two individuals who work daily with the homeless shared their experiences: one man who works in a homeless shelter and a woman who started a hygiene program: a place where homeless individuals can come in, get warm, get clean and wash their clothes When encountering homeless individuals who may approach you for money or help: DO: acknowledge them: if you don't feel comfortable giving money, at least give a greeting, eye contact, respect, SEE THEM DO NOT: put yourself at risk by sharing personal information, loaning a phone, etc. The Community Outreach Team meets on the last Sunday of the month after fellowship time: 11:15 in the classroom. New members are welcome. Ann Jaeger, Community Outreach Team Leader (and former Greenway High School Key Club President, Ha ha) 6

7 CLC is hosting a Reformation 500 Bookstore! Save up to 50%! Free shipping! The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles. We ll have books to browse in Lewis Hall Sundays in March during Fellowship Hour. Order books for you and your family. Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The books include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and primary sources from The Annotated Luther series. Bookstore open on Sundays in March! Cash, check or credit card accepted. 7

8 youth BAKE SALE MARCH during fellowship 26 Our FLY youth of Christ and Calvary will be attending Holden Village Youth Weekend this year over Memorial Day weekend! Want to help one of our SIX CLC youth who will attend have a memorable, faith-forming experience? Consider a Youth Sponsorship. Contributing any amount of money (up to full cost of $250) will help! See Pastor Chelsea to donate. Cash, check, or card accepted. 8

9 Wednesdays in Lent Holden Evening Prayer and Luther s Small Catechism During the season of Lent, we will have the opportunity to listen to Christ through various avenues. Our midweek Holden Evening Prayer services will focus on Martin Luther's Small Catechism, a collection of teachings on the basic elements of Christian faith. The 10 Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and Luther's teachings on Baptism and Communion all give us a chance to listen. We listen to the tradition, to the law, and to the freeing gospel through these ancient texts. You'll want a copy of the Small Catechism during our Lenten journey. If you have one, bring it with you on Wednesdays. If you don't, you'll receive a Pocket version from the church. If you have a smart phone, you can download a free app version of the same one! You can also find it in the back of the red hymnal. However you access it, bring it with you as we listen to the words of Christ and the teachings of our Church. And get ready to be reformed and transformed by the experience. Join the CLC Reformation Celebration Team! Help us organize our celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in October See Janeen Whitehead Significant Events in the Life of Martin Luther and his Reform Movement March 28, 1518 On Palm Sunday, Luther preaches a Sermon on Two Kinds of Righteousness in which he sets forth his teaching on justification by grace alone, a sermon inspired by the appointed lectionary text, Philippians 2:5-11. April 3, 1507 Luther is ordained a priest in Erfurt s Cathedral of St. Mary. April 18, 1521 Before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, the political leadership of the German states, and papal theologians gathered in the city of Worms, Luther refuses to recant his scholarly publications and teachings; he announces that only the testimony of Scripture or reason could alter his teaching. THURSD AY, MARCH 16 12:00 Noon, Lolli's Broiler and Pub, st Ave S N South Puget Sound Fundraising Brunch Sunday, March 12, 2017 McGavic Conference Center, Lakewood, WA Social Hour: 12:30pm / Brunch & Program: 1:30 Questions: Julie Kissick Malloy (253) jmalloy@lcsnw.org 9

10 Lunch with Pastor events, Planning for worship services during Lent The Treasurer s report and closeout for 2016 (end of the fiscal year is January 31st) a good year for CLC as discussed at the Annual Meeting. Council Corner The church calendar tells us Lent is upon us and Spring is just around the corner both symbolic of many changes we experience in our physical and spiritual lives. That spirit was with us as well when your Council met February 15th as Pastor Chelsea had us reaffirm our baptism as children of God to mark the transition from one Council year to another. The outgoing members of Council, Marilynn Short and Guy Olsen, were thanked for their many contributions to the work of the church, both on Council and beyond. The reconstituted Council with new members CJ Campbell and Pam Wilson and veterans Janeen Whitehead, Mary Hefty, Gary Curtis and Tom Hagen take on the 2017 work of Council with renewed vigor and the omnipresent divine guidance. Thanks to Pastor for that great transition ceremony truly inspiring! Here s a synopsis of our February 15th Council Meeting at which we discussed: Council responsibilities in which we reelected Tom Hagen as President and Mary Hefty as Secretary, voted Gary Curtis as Vice President, acknowledged Janeen Whitehead as Treasurer, and named CJ Campbell as At Large Council Member #1 (Social Ministries and Outreach Liaison) and Pam Wilson as At Large Council Member #2 (Liaison to the Property Committee). The Love in a Time of Fear: Recognizing Muslims as our Neighbors forum at Calvary Lutheran February 28th a timely opportunity to broaden our collective interfaith knowledge. The Annual Council Strategic Planning Retreat set for Saturday, March 4th from noon to 3 pm. Ongoing work to create a more welcoming and inviting church environment, including physical modifications to the narthex (e.g. paint and furnishings) as well as formally designating official greeters to welcome members and guests to worship services. Executing on Capital Improvements in a phased approach, beginning with replacement of the broken windows in the education wing, door security, and prioritizing other facilities projects in conjunction with the Property Committee. As always, our Council meetings are open to all members and you re welcome to attend the next one on March 14th at 6:30 pm. In the meantime, peace be with you! Tom Hagen Council President Pastor s monthly Council report noting: Leadership participation in the College of Congregational Development February 10th 11th and ongoing project plans for Lent, Great participation in the Pastor s monthly 10

11 From the Prayer Team Resting In Christ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls Matt 11: Thanksgiving and Praises: Lynn Kuhlman and family returning home after Hurricane Matthew with no damage to their house; continued recovery of Pastor Hermstad from a stroke and broken pelvis; Health and healing: Shirley Allen, back at Judson Park but in the Health Center; Ginny Kuhlman, continued healing from a broken pelvis; Jill Curtis, healing; Marilynn Short, facing decisions with health concerns; Dorothy Wells, experiencing problems with her kidneys and a return of breast cancer; Shirley Allen, ongoing health concerns; Harold Trump and Barbara Woodworth as Harold is experiencing health concerns; Maria Riemer diagnosed with lupus Peace and comfort for those who grieve: Barbara Heist and family upon the death of her brother; Family and Friends: Maribeth, friend of Olsen s and scout leader, grieving traumatic loss of a student; Cheri Christensen, friend of Meredith Hernandez, at the loss of her mother and father, recovering from surgery and the illness of her husband; Kasen Berg, Jane Henderson's almost 3-yr old step-grandson; Jackson, Dorothy Graham s great-grandson, Bill and Sue Brauer s grandson, recovering from successful heart surgery; for Kayten, daughter of our custodian Maria; Fred V, friend of Marilynn Short; Marianne, friend of Liz Smith; all who are recovering from Hurricane Matthew; Ken Wilborn (CJ s friend) with recurrence of cancer; Jan (Carol Sutphen s daughter) recovering from mild stroke; Frank Alexander (Dorothy Graham s brother-in-law) having surgery; Kari (Nancie Russ sister-in-law), that she can harvest enough stem cells for her cancer therapy; Jean Alexander (Dorothy Graham s sister), with heart problems; Bill Owens (friend of Skau/Savini family); Kirke Sutphen (Carol s son): Lynn Kuhlman coping with the effects of a brain aneurysm; Coleen Adams and family. Interested in joining the prayer team? Contact Liz Smith MARCH Matthew Wells March 3 Jane Henderson March 5 Shirley Allen March 10 Maya Henderson March 14 LaVerna Davidson March 24 Nancy Larson March 31 If we missed your birthday, please notify the church office! WANTED: Wooden Yardsticks with advertising or not. Can be brought to the church on Sunday's or Wednesday's during Soup Suppers or I can pick them up. "Many" needed!!! Call Marilynn Short: (253) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Shop at smile.amazon.com (with the same shopping experience as Amazon.com) and Amazon will donate to Christ Lutheran. Visit the link below to get started! APRIL NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: 3/28 11