St. Luke's Communicator August 2006

The year of Jubilee… there was not a greater year of celebration in the Jewish calendar. Seven times seven plus one, the 50^th Anniversary was a year when all debts would be forgiven and the fields left fallow for the entire year. Everyone was to rest and spend a year praising God for His faithfulness and provision.

We are about to embark on St. Luke’s year of Jubilee. This anniversary year is going to be one of the most exciting, evocative and meaningful in the life of this congregation. Beginning Sunday, October 22, ’06 and concluding Christmas Eve ’07 there is a calendar of events and opportunities that will bless your life of faith as well as offer opportunities to be a bold witness for Christ in our community. I am very excited for us all. Details and opportunities for your participation will soon be made public.

In the meantime there is an issue needing your consideration. Last month you received a letter inviting you to participate in a conversation about our Master Plan for the next seven years. The two components are facilities and staffing. Your church leaders have worked incredibly hard over the past year to help clarify a vision for these essential areas of our program. Your participation is vital. Four forums were offered for Q and A. Included was a two question form giving you the opportunity to offer insights and opinions regarding these two areas.

Particularly as I am seeking discernment as how I can best serve St. Luke’s (or another congregation) for the next 6 – 8 years I covet your insights and prayers. I realize it is summer and while we tend to put items in the “later” pile as we are busy about the important summer work of “re”creating, I would covet your participation. If you have misplaced your questionnaire, call the office and we will make another available.

Please join me in welcoming the following who have become new members of St. Luke’s:

Circle, Semi-circle, Triangle, Square, Pentagon, Hexagon, Heptagon, Octagon

Shapes! What do the above have in common? They are all part of LifeShapes. LifeShapes is a process of linking the discipleship principles of Jesus to memorable images - eight shapes. It forms the vocabulary that expresses the theology and daily life of a disciple of Jesus. After being introduced to these shapes and their meanings, my faith life has grown and I have found numerous opportunities to share the ideas with others, both Christians and non-Christians.

When I took an introduction class about LifeShapes I was intrigued and decided to learn more for myself. As I read the book, "The Passionate Church " by Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad, I learned more about my faith and an easy way to understand and explain it to others. Each shape explains a simple concept about faith and helps me understand biblical principles on a deeper level. They offer me an easy way to talk about my faith to non-Christians without being obtrusive or obnoxious. One shape reminds me to take care of myself and to have balance in my life. Another shape reminds me to be balanced in my time spent with God, with others, and in

service. One shape teaches me to recognize "kairos" moments in my life and how to make the most of them. Another reminds me of the importance of prayer and teaches a new way to pray and listen to God. Recognizing a "person of peace" teaches me when and how to share my faith; it teaches me to look for people who are ready to hear about God's love.

These shapes are teaching me to seek to live as Jesus lived and love as Jesus loved. It's been so much fun that I want to learn more. And you know, the best way to learn is to teach. So this fall I need a small group of men and women (ideally 5 to 12) who are willing to learn (and help me learn more) about these shapes and practice them in their daily lives. I have a PowerPoint presentation, enthusiasm, and ideas for small group interaction and fun. But I can't do it alone. If you are interested, leave a message on my voice mail (425-822-7907) and let me know when you are available. The first few persons to sign up will determine when the class is offered. It could be a week day morning or afternoon, an early evening, or occasionally on a Saturday or Sunday.

Leave a message by August 14 so we can start in September. It is best done in eight sessions of 2½ hours each.

Shalom,

Our summer has been full of activities and there’s more to come! Please take note of all the events that are going on this month in the youth calendar that comes with the Communicator.

There will be a family BBQ on August 16 at Meyenbauer Park from 5:00-8:00pm (dusk). Look for the article on page 13 in this publication and more information in the narthex. There is also a Middle School lock-in on August 25-26 — look for the sign-up sheet on the youth board in the narthex.

This fall the confirmation program will be changing and we desperately need your help! We need to find two adults for each grade to help us with small groups (six adults total). The persons in this position would help teach and mentor the youth with their faith lives. If we do not get those six people we will not be able to do what we feel is more beneficial for this program. You do not have to have a youth in the Confirmation program to be a small group leader; I would encourage those of you who have young children to help now so you know what your children will be learning when they come into this program. We would love the help of any older adults who would like to get more involved. Please talk to me or Pastor Tom if you are interested.

Thank you to all who have donated items to the youth space and the youth program. We are still in need of some supplies; they are listed on a big neon green sign in the narthex. We would be very grateful for your help.

If you have any questions please let me know via phone or e-mail. Take care and God bless!

All Aboard! The Gospel Express is leaving the station, and is headed for non-stop FUN! Vacation Bible School is August 7-11 from 9 am – 12 pm. If your child is not already signed up be sure to put them on the roster in the narthex, turn in a registration form and your $25 per child. If you are still interested in being on staff talk to me for more details!

Friday, August 11^th at 7 pm there will be a Closing Celebration for Vacation Bible School . The children will be sharing their crafts and performing the music that they learned. There will also be a slide show and Root Beer floats! All are welcome to attend!

At Gospel Express, you can provide much-needed assistance to families affected by Hurricane Katrina. All of the offering money we collect at VBS this year will help families rebuild their lives. Sunday, August 13^th there will be a “Noisy Offering,” in church so that a little bit more can be collected for this project. Please bring your “loose change” that weekend. This offering will improve the lives of many American families!

If you are interested in teaching in the fall we still need volunteers. We have 2^nd grade, 3^rd/4^th grade openings for teachers, and we need substitute teachers for all ages. Please pray about this amazing opportunity to get involved with children. Past teachers would tell you that they were blessed by the experience. Please think about how your gifts might serve the children in this church.

Hymn Sing

On the first Sunday of each month, we will be praising God for 10 minutes before each service with a hymn sing. Our goal is to be sure that we continue our rich heritage of traditional Lutheran hymns so we are particularly looking forward to seeing our kids participating. Now we need your input. What should we sing? Watch for a form inside the Sunday bulletin for you to note your favorite hymns. Drop this form into the offering plate on any Sunday. Remember to arrive 10 minutes early on the first Sunday of each month. Thanks for your ideas!

Free Professional Audio Training

For the next several months, a professional technician from Carlson Audio will be working with us at the Informal Worship Services to help maximize the potential of our sound system. Part of the agreement is to train volunteers (This means you!) on how the system works. You will learn skills such as making adjustments to pitches and balancing all instruments and voices that lead us in worship. Please contact Amy Corsini if you are interested in this free professional training. You may leave a note in her mailbox or email her at amy@slukes.org

Graphic Arts

Is the computer your thing? We are looking for someone who would like to put together a PowerPoint slide show to accompany a few of the choir’s musical presentations. The church has access to the images and the software; now we just need a willing hand. If interested, call Patsy Jackson in the evenings at (425) 881-0451.

Facilities Update

Don’t forget our monthly work party on Saturday, August 12 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Bring your gloves, tools and enthusiasm and we’ll provide the doughnuts and coffee. The grounds are looking better and better each time so keep up the good work!

We saw the need, and in an effort to accommodate that need, we have added two more disabled parking spaces. We hope that these additional spaces will make the building and its entrances more convenient. And as always a reminder to leave the center parking strip open on Sundays for seniors and others who may require closer parking.

On another note, you may have noticed that we are in the process of repainting the fire lane. Please leave these designated areas clear per instructions of the fire department.

We know how busy you are on the weekends, especially the work party weekends, so how about some time during the week. If you have any spare time, please lend a hand. Feel free to come to the church whenever you have the time and weed a flower bed, dead head plants, move a wheelbarrow full of bark (the bark and the wheelbarrow are located on the lower level parking lot), sweep a walkway, wash windows or anything else you see that needs to be done. Thank you in advance for your help.

A big thank you to Bob Stanbary and Leslie Schofield who are the first adoptive family of a garden bed.

It seems to be an appropriate time for an update on our trip to Israel and to Rome in March. At this point we have 30 travelers for the Israel leg of the trip and 25 continuing on to Rome for an additional three days. With the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East we have communicated with our tour operator to gain his insight on the situation. Over the past 25 years, Friendship Tours has seen their share of ups and downs and believes that the current discord will end within the next month or so. If for some reason conditions deteriorate over the next eight months a full refund would be provided.

A letter was sent out to all members in June outlining a process by which the members of St. Luke’s would have input into a number of issues.

These two sides to the Master Plan are coequal in importance and have implications for the future of the ministry at St. Luke’s.

The first side of the Master Plan is about Facilities. Our sanctuary is 96% completed, the refurbishing of our old sanctuary is about 90% completed and the Memorial Garden was dedicated on Sunday, June 18^th. These represent huge accomplishments and reflect a concrete vision that this church has been acting on for the past decade.

The second part of the Master Plan is about Staffing. This past year we were blessed with the work of a study group named Raising the Roof. Their report included recommendations for staffing that we have already begun acting on and these additions are making a significant contribution to the life and ministry of this community. We are continuing to develop and grow relevant talented programmatic staff. One important piece of our staffing puzzle is our pastoral ministry. As Pastor Tom approaches retirement age, we intend to proactively engage in dialogue and planning. Pastor Tom is reflecting and seeking discernment regarding God’s call for the next 10 years of his life. At this time he believes he would like to be retired or part-time in 6-8 years.

Our process is about first having a clear vision for ministry and then staffing in the best manner to continue to be a blessing to our Lord Jesus in this community. Pastor Tom, as well, needs to be clear in what he would like to be about during these next one to eight years. He is neither anxious about the possibility of taking another call nor is he needing to leave, rather he would prefer to be mutually committed to the same ministry goals of St. Luke’s as a vital program church. We all would.

As a part of our master plan visioning we are asking you, the congregation members, to attend a meeting where we will answer questions on the Master Plan. At these meetings we will review where we are and what is yet envisioned for the growth and development of our work both in the area of the facility (what do we do next with our facility – and how do we staff for the future and the ministries we set as part of our Master Plan). The goal of these meetings is to give you enough information so that you can fill out the questionnaire that was included with the mailing you received in June prior to the congregation meeting. If you need a copy of the questionnaire or the letter, please call the church office.

These meetings will be held on August 13^th after the 8:30 a.m. worship service and on

August 20^th after the 10:30 a.m. worship service. We urge you to attend one of these meetings so that the future of St. Luke’s is decided by all members, not just a few.

This fall we will have two sessions of Adult Forum. In the library we will have the Alpha series of videos featuring Nicky Gumbel from England . These videos will begin promptly at 9:45 a.m., run for about 45 to 50 minutes and allow a few minutes for discussion. Leadership will be shared by Marty and Sharon Heuchert and

Chad

and Cynthia Olson. Both of these couples participated in the Alpha program last year. On September 10, the introduction to the course will be shown. These are interesting, entertaining videos about basic Christianity. It is something you can invite a non-Christian to or come to brush up on the basics of your faith.

In the Northwest room of Pierson Hall we will have a variety of Adult Forum classes. The first six weeks will be led by Paul Anderson, a counselor with Lutheran Counseling Network. His topic will be “Forgiveness.” After that Dave Bly will lead a seven week series (not consecutive) on aspects of the Spiritual Journey and Pastor Tom will lead some sessions. A complete schedule will be printed in the September Communicator.

If you aren’t teaching Sunday School, take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about your faith. Grab a cup of coffee and join one of the above groups.

St. Luke’s Friends and Family Night in the Park (with our friends from Grace Lutheran)

From 405, take the NE 8th St , exit west. Turn left on 98th Ave NE. The park is on the right of NE 4th St.

August 16 from 5:00—8:00 p.m. (dusk) $2.00 per person suggested donation

Please invite friends and families to join us and Grace Lutheran in a relaxing evening at the park. Hamburgers, Boca burgers and hot dogs with all the fixings and beverages will be provided. Other picnic food items are welcomed. Bring your swimsuit, towel or blanket, beach toys and camp chairs and join us. In case of rain we’ll meet at St. Luke’s in Pierson Hall.

It may seem a bit soon to start thinking about the new school year but not for those involved in the annual “Good Start Back to School Drive ”. Please consider joining 13 other eastside congregations in making sure that about 1000 low-income children start the school year with confidence and pride. Any contribution of school supplies will be greatly appreciated! We will be sorting and packing school supplies the second and third week in August. We are always looking for volunteers to help sort school supplies and pack backpacks. Please contact Patty Drew (425-822-2992) if you have any interest in joining in on this fun and rewarding activity.

We meet from 11:00 a.m. to noon every Tuesday, including the summer months. We open with praying the Jesus Prayer three times. Then we share progress with our health goals for the week. We decide on individual goals for the coming week and close with praying for one another. Many of us find that this time together helps us become healthier physically, spiritually and emotionally. You may join at any time. Come once or on a regular basis. Confidentiality is practiced by members of this group. For more information, contact Karen Richards at (425) 828-9493.

St. Luke’s Grief Support Group meets at 10:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month, including the summer. Everyone has grief in his or her life. It may be the loss of a spouse, loss of a job, or a move to a new city . We light a candle and may tell others who (or what) we are thinking of today. Everyone has an opportunity to share although no one must share. We listen to one another and encourage one another. All meetings are confidential. For more information call Bob Smith at (425) 415-6180 or Roselyn.

This ministry meets at 1:00 pm. on the third Wednesday of the month. The group is taking a summer break and will resume on September 20. For more information call Donna Kobelin at (425) 827-5861.

This group usually meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday. During the summer months we are participating in various recreational activities which are advertised in the bulletin. On September 20 we will resume our regular monthly meetings. For more information call Pam Webber at (425) 827-5861.

The 2006 LATCH Auction “Field of Dreams” is just around the bend. Mark your calendar today for this exciting evening of fun, food and fellowship. October 14 will be your chance to bid on hundreds of exciting items including Fighter Pilot for a Day, exotic vacations, food and wines, beautiful items for home and garden and, of course, all things baseball. This auction supports LATCH’s mission and ministry. Look for your invitation in August!

To be added to the invitation mailing list, or for more information about the LATCH auction, please call Ada Cole, development associate, at (206) 789-1536 extension 105 or email ada@latch.org

Please Volunteer!

Marsha Roberts and Donna Kobelin have been responsible for St. Luke’s Altar Guild duties for 15+ years. They have bought wine, candles and communion wafers; set up for communion for worship and memorial services; washed linens; changed banners and draped the cross; helped select and ordered communion ware. They have worked day and night to have everything set up when needed. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for their service to St. Luke’s. Marsha and Donna have “retired” from their Altar Guild duties but still come in each week to count and deposit the Sunday offering. Words cannot express our thanks for all your service to St. Luke’s!

Donna and Marsha have graciously trained new volunteers to take over their duties. This new group currently consists of Jacquie Brase, Colleen Brunswick, Judy Doidge, Jean Gillette, Lucy Gregg and Judy Ness.

Traditionally, a full altar guild takes on many responsibilities that should be shared among more than a few people. This is a great opportunity to serve in a much-needed role. If you want to assist in the “behind-the-scenes” activities that are essential to our worship services, this is the right opportunity for you! Come and be a part of the new St. Luke’s Altar Guild.

Please come to either of the meetings listed below to discuss the possibilities. Whether you are sure about your ability to commit or not, Pastor Tom and I want you to come and learn more about it.

Tuesday, August 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m.

Amy Corsini
Worship Coordinator

50th Anniversary for St. Luke's

The 50^th Anniversary Committee had its organizing meeting and October 22, 2006 will mark the beginning of our 14 month Celebration Journey through the first 50 years of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church . The October date marks the anniversary of St. Luke’s first worship service held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Houghton. What a journey we have had! During this period of time we will celebrate the “highs” and “lows” of ministry at St. Luke’s and be reminded of why we have been called to this adventure in faith. A variety of events are being planned and much help will be needed. There will be more information available beginning mid-August.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Simply Giving Program

The GivingPlus Program

Benefits for Members

Simply Giving is an automated giving program from Thrivent designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to a Lutheran congregation or institution or to pay tuition at a Lutheran school. Through Simply Giving, your gifts or tuition payments are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift — weekly, semi-monthly or monthly — the option is yours. ( If used for monthly tuition, the date is predetermined by the school.) Your payment is deposited into the church’s bank account on the same day it is withdrawn from your account. This is a reliable, safe way to move your stewardship plan into action. It allows you to share your gifts through planned giving and activates your generosity into ongoing stewardship. Because your gift is given consistently, you won’t need to play “catch-up” at year-end or worry about forgotten checkbooks or missed

Sunday offerings. But you’re not the only one that benefits. Your congregation benefits from steady, more predictable revenues throughout the year, more efficient bookkeeping, and greater confidence in meetings its financial commitments.

The GivingPlus Program provides an opportunity to increase your support of Lutheran organizations because of your membership in Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Like you, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans recognizes the positive, powerful difference that Lutheran organizations make in people’s lives. That’s why Thrivent created a unique program to help you increase the impact of your support to those organizations. Through the GivingPlus Program, your financial gifts to enrolled Lutheran organizations are supplemented by Thrivent Financial. Whatever enrolled Lutheran ministry has special meaning to you, the GivingPlus Program can help you contribute to its vitality. Thrivent Financial contributes $1 for every $2 that a member contributes to an enrolled organization, based on program guidelines. To use the program, you simple complete a Member Gift Form and send it, along with your donations, to the enrolled Lutheran organization of your choice.

What are the benefits for members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans? Along with the GivingPlus Program mentioned above, for a membership of only $10 per year, you will receive discounted products and services, complimentary resources and Thrivent magazine. You will have access to the personalized service of a financial professional and a full range of product solutions to meet your financial goals. Some of the products are life insurance, disability income insurance, fixed annuities, long-term care insurance and auto and home insurance.

Brochures are available in the office. Please call Pam and she will send you the information or put you in touch with our Thrivent Financial Representative, Marv Romsland.

Bishop Wm Chris Boerger

Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

40,000 Of Our Youth Gathered

From July 5 until July 16, approximately 40,000 youth and advisors gathered for the triennial youth gathering in San Antonio , Texas . During each five-day session, the youth sang, danced, served and learned. They got a glimpse of the possibilities of a larger church coming together. I attended the first session of the gathering. Four of our congregations were at the first week. Eight congregations were registered for the second. While this event is a tremendous investment of time, money and effort, it is well worth it.

Little known, perhaps, is that between the two gathering sessions, the Lutheran Youth Organization holds its triennial convention. I want to commend the LYO and our delegates Chelsea Compton (member of Advent Lutheran in Mill Creek), Alicia Guildner (member of First Evangelical Lutheran in Mount Vernon ), and Anne Olsen (Christ the King Lutheran in Snohomish) for their attention to what it means to be the church in convention. Pastor Jennifer Schultz (First Evangelical Lutheran in Mount Vernon ) served as the adult advisor for the delegation.

Each session and virtually every major decision was preceded with prayer. This was not a perfunctory prayer, the youth asked for guidance and gave thanks for the challenges they were facing. As one who attends many meetings, it was a hopeful sign to see these young leaders take on issues with the humility that they need God's presence and guidance while they act and make decisions. This emphasis has been a part of the current board's agenda.

The board of the LYO committed to each other to pray every day at 4:24 pm for one minute. This was based on Acts 4:24, "When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God." The convention took this a step further inviting the congregations, synods, agencies and institutions of this church to join them at 4:24 pm. They don't have a suggested prayer, they just ask the church to join in daily prayer for one minute.

I want to invite you to join them in this. I re-learned the power of prayer from these young leaders. They have put a challenge before us and they are acting on it. Let's join them.

Along the Way

During all my traveling in the world (mainly due to my father’s and husband’s itineraries!), I have realized how alike we humans really are. Wherever we live on this planet, we all have abilities to be happy, sad, excited, anxious, fearful, and more. Most of us have people we are close to and that we care about. Most of us live in some kind of community.

Even terrorists of yesterday and today have been born with these normal characteristics. For them and certain others in our various societies, something very negative happened along the way. They may not necessarily have come from impoverished or abusive homes or environments, although often this has been so. (Hitler was nearly killed as an 11-year-old by his physically abusive father.) A negative net of ideas could have ensnared them just as effectively. They could have met, and come to admire, people with extremely evil intentions, who might have had idealistic goals. Disillusionment about a country, person or religion could also have drastically derailed them.

This is written not at all to let any evil-doing person off the hook. Instead, it is intended to remind us all that anything we do that is of Christ, imbued with his loving Spirit, toward not least babies, children and youth, is a part of building healthy, positive, God-fearing (awe-filled) church and community members. Each of us counts in God’s kingdom in forming and developing lives—along the way.

To those who have prayed for our great-grandsons, thank you! Samuel and Joseph were born on May 28, 2004, more than three months prematurely due to an infection. Having now celebrated their 2^nd birthdays, they demonstrate remarkable healthy toddler energy and curiosity, musical abilities, and a terrific sense of humor. Their eyesight has been seriously compromised by all the oxygen they needed. Their family and friends continue to pray for vision miracles in whatever form God may choose. Meanwhile, their innovative parents are working on the whole family learning Braille and believe that possibilities for the boys’ futures are limitless. They have just received tricycles! This month their new sibling is due and, in preparation for that, they now have dolls to teach them gentleness, etc. Again, thank you! Your prayers for those little ones—and others—carry clout!

Remember last month when we addressed serious and critical conditions? Well, it turns out that these terms don’t really exist in the medical world. These are terms that the hospital dministration uses to give the public and the family some idea about the patient’s condition. Serious is something like; The patient is considering dying but the doctors can probably prevent it. Critical is; the patient intends to die, but the doctors are doing everything they can to stop it.

We wish things were more precise so we know what we can count on. We get uncomfortable with ambiguity and we want to know how things will turn out. Then we act as if the script had already been written and we are upset that someone won’t show it to us.

But maybe our situations really are undecided as they unfold. As uncomfortable as we are with ambiguity, maybe it is precisely ambiguity which leaves room for God to act. Maybe God’s gracious influence and presence needs opportunity to work. Maybe God even needs our openness to divine intervention to make room for it, at least on occasion.

Could it be that our perception of whether a situation is serious or critical might sometimes influence the outcome? Serious offers more hope. Could we enter the ambiguity with the hope that the situation is only serious and invite God to join us in the struggle? Could we do this regardless of what serious “really” means?

Maybe living in the ambiguity of serious situations is our pathway to finding God’s grace where it otherwise might be hidden.

		Light in a world of darkness
		3030 Bellevue Way Bellevue Washington 98004 phone: 425-822-7907 e-mail:email@slukes.org fax: 425-889-4493 Newsletter Other Contact Info Map Driving Directions Site Map