St. Luke's CommunicatorJanuary 2007

Early one morning, in the midst of the blackout, out of the blue, my neighbor said, “That was the best thing you did when you had Tent City at the church.” It was a dark early morning when we met outside; I thanked him but had no idea what connection he was making. He went on, “It’s just like us now, we’re cold, can’t make heat in the house, can’t cook… I guess we are just in more expensive tents.”

Life has gone sideways for us all. Tragedy is the great equalizer isn’t it? Suddenly we all have need of one another. Suffering does that, it connects us with our humanity and we are again confronted with the hope that comes with community. It is precisely why organizations like Tent City are so critical… in community there is hope.

So here we are forging, stumbling, meandering into a new year. For better or worse 2007 is here, whether we are ready for it or not. Kind of how Christmas came, nowhere ready for services (power was out at both church and home), yet we all showed up and looked for all practical purposes like a community of faith as we remembered our story of hope and sang our carols of joy. And Jesus was there… it is good to be reminded once in awhile that it has never been about our preparation, rather ours is a story of God’s preparation and plan. God put on flesh and in this obscure story of the infant Savior we again find hope in God’s plan.

Here is what the storm and the disorganization and the lack of planning of this past Christmas has reminded me, that which I offer to you for ’07. We have need of one another. This is a well-worn phrase but it is so true. Not just in times of crises, but in life. The greatest, most insidious evil that our standard of living seduces us into is a lifestyle that suggests that we can do this on our own, we don’t need others. The power, the life, the joy that Gods wishes for us as his beloved is experience in the midst of the community, Christ’s church. Which is why I love telling all people that they need a church, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY BELIEVE.

Once in a community of faith the Holy Spirit will take care of the believing part. We are confronted with some wonderful opportunities for being the “church” this year. Oh my goodness, we have an ambitious program for this new year. I plan on having fun with it all and I hope you truly do as well. Let the Spirit lead you into being generous with invitations to those who need a community. And whether we are ready for it or not, God is about to use us in ways we have yet to imagine.

There are still a few copies of Shusako Endo’s Silence available in the narthex. The cost of the book is $13. Pick one up and join us for a spirited conversation of life and faith.

This study will be on the Acts of the Apostles and will begin January 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Classes for First Communion will begin in January. This class is for students five years or older or any who are asking about communion. One parent must also attend. On January 14 and 21 we will meet at 4:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s. On February 11 we will meet at the home of Roy and Marie Barsness (5908 105th Ave NE in Kirkland) where we will make bread and have dinner. First Communion will be given on Sunday, February 18 at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The classes will be taught by Pastor Tom, Roy Barsness and Marie Barsness.

A new year! Where has the time gone? It seems only yesterday that it was the year 2000; I was seriously considering retiring early (which I did in May of 2001) from my position as a Registered Occupational Therapist in Home Care. After a summer of relaxation I studied a year at Trinity Lutheran College and audited a course at Seattle University. Then it was six months of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) as an Intern Chaplain at Evergreen Hospital and Hospice. The next step was the approval by our Region One Candidacy Committee and then the most difficult time of all. the waiting. Where would I receive a call? Three things I knew: 1) I felt called to a primary ministry in the area of visitation, 2) I was willing to commute as far as Tacoma or Everett, and

3) I only had the time and energy to work part time; I hoped I could also occasionally worship at St. Luke's.

Imagine my utter delight to learn that St. Luke's, my home congregation since 1965, was considering extending a call to me. Life was even better when you voted to call me. That congregational meeting was on November 2 and I started the next day. Often one of you asks me, "How is it going?" You sound like you really want to know.

An easy answer is "fine," and that is true. But let me tell you a little more. These past few years have been a blessing for me. You have allowed me to grow and learn. You have allowed me to do what I feel comfortable with and been patient with me when I've branched out in new areas.. You have loved me when I accomplished what you wanted and also when I've failed. You've given me the freedom to listen to the Holy Spirit in my life and make decisions without fear or repercussions. For this and more I am thankful.

When I reported to the Board of Trustees that I needed a working projector for Power– Point, Anne said, "You can use mine, the screen also." When I said that I wanted to learn PowerPoint, Dana said, "Sarah can teach you." And 11 year old Sarah did! With a generous heart and mind she slowed down to teach me some basics. She continues to be willing to answer my questions. Aurora changes the time on my cell phone twice a year (that's after I confided that I didn't know how); sometime she's going to teach me how to do it. Ben taught and encouraged me in the use of the laptop and PowerPoint; Natalie made shapes for the bulletin board. The enthusiasm and expertise of these "younger" persons amazes me.

"Work as it all depended on work and pray as it all depended on prayer." That's a saying that helps me. This past year I've felt uplifted by the prayers of many of you. What a joy to learn that Olivia was my secret prayer pal during 2006. Her prayers uplifted and supported me during the year. What a gift! Thank you Olivia!

What you, as members of our congregation, have done for me, we can all do for each other. As we make our resolutions of how we're going to live our lives, here are a few suggestions. Let's all concentrate on what we feel God wants us to do with our lives. Sometimes it is keeping ourselves physically and emotionally stable. Sometimes it is caring for someone else (a child or an adult). Sometimes it is stepping out in faith; learning a new activity, serving in a new area, taking a class, taking a risk. Whatever it is, let's listen to that still small voice of God (the Holy Spirit) and take action based on God's will for us, not someone else.

Shalom,

Roselyn

This has been a great holiday season. Kid’s Holiday Store went really well and I had a blast. We had a good group of 17 youth that came to help shop with the children of the families we helped. There is a picture of some of the youth with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the youth board — take a look at it when you have a chance.

We still need help in the youth program as far as driving and chaperoning for events. If you are interested please let me know. You do not have to be a parent to volunteer. In fact I would encourage anyone who does not have youth in middle school and high school to become more involved. Your children will eventually be in the program, so we need your help to reach the potential for this program.

I hope you all are doing well and I pray that God will show you His grace. Take care and God bless!

Spencer Matlock is 15 years old and is in 10^th grade at Bellevue High School. He enjoys chocolate ice cream and his friends say that his best quality is that he is fun to be around. Friends are the reason that he keeps coming to St. Luke’s.

Kittredge Hawkins is 12 years old and is in 7^th grade at Odle Middle School. He enjoys rainbow sherbet and says that his friends love everything about him. His favorite Bible verse reads “God’s word is a lamp onto my feet and a light onto my path.” Friends are the reason that he keeps coming to St. Luke's.

Their pictures including all this information are on the bulletin board which is located by the nursery. Check it out!!!

Welcome to 2007! It’s time to make all those New Year’s resolutions. I don’t know about you, but I am constantly concerned that I will break the resolutions that I make. There’s Good News though…we have GRACE! Thank goodness for Jesus working in our lives, forgiving our shortcomings.

This is a great time to get to know your child’s Sunday School teacher, if you don’t already know them. Your child has been working hard over the past months, learning and growing in the knowledge of God’s love. Keep a watchful eye for our announcement of a “Parent’s Day” for your child. This will be an opportunity for you to attend Sunday School with your child to see and hear about what they are learning. Also, there will be a short parent forum at the beginning of the day to talk to me about the curriculum and give any ideas you might have for the Children’s Ministry Program.

Is your child ready to take their first Holy Communion classes? If so Roy and Marie Barsness along with Pastor Tom will be facilitating this.

Bowling anyone? If you have a child who loves to bowl or has never bowled before, this event could be for you. For the 50^th Anniversary there is a bowling tournament on Sunday, January 21^st for all who wish to participate. There are going to be some lanes available for children and their parents, probably bumper bowling. Look for sign-ups in the narthex.

Come to Partners for Nurture! This all-day event at Trinity Lutheran College is on January 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join 200 other Christian education volunteers for a day-long training and refreshments. The theme is “Learning for Life,” using Ephesians 4:15 (“Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into Christ.”) The featured speaker is Pastor Ted Schroeder, columnist for Thrivent Magazine and former director of Christian education for the ELCA. Representatives from Augsburg Fortress Publishers will also be present throughout the day. The day includes keynote sessions and over 30 workshops to choose from. For further information or to sign-up contact me.

Natalie Larson
Director of Children’s Ministry
425-822-7907 ex. 20
425-281-8100 (cell)

The power was out and the building was cold! It was too dark for the vocal and bell choirs to properly rehearse for the December 17^th concert, and too cold for the instruments to stay in tune. But the warmth of fellowship drew the congregation together to worship our Lord through word and sacrament. We read scripture, lit the third advent candle, shared Christmas stories, sung carols and received Holy Communion. It was a blessed worship to remember!

January 7^th marks the beginning of the season of Epiphany on our church calendar; however, we are going to celebrate Christmas with our rescheduled concert. For both the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services, the St. Luke’s vocal and bell choirs will present the Christmas message in song. This is most appropriate as we will celebrate the Lord’s birth along with the Orthodox Church! According to the Orthodox Church calendar, Christmas Day is January 7^th. Come, Lord Jesus!

For the remainder of Epiphany, we will worship using the Now the Feast and Celebration (NFC) liturgy at the 8:30 Worship Services. Please join us each Sunday at either the Traditional 8:30 or 11:00 Informal Worship Services.

November was a good month for St. Luke’s. Income exceeded expenses by a little and we were able to reduce our deficit by another $2,000. As I am writing this we are going into December and I know that God will continue to bless our ministry with the support that is needed.

Thank you to all those who are honoring their Consecration Sunday pledges; it makes a difference. We will be sending out giving statements for the calendar year for your tax purposes. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.

The words “fan into flame” that Paul uses in II Timothy 1:6 also means to “stir up” or “rekindle”. The gift that God has given Timothy is like a fire. It’s burning inside of him. Paul wants Timothy to develop this gift, not to waste it. Paul wants Timothy to intensify the fire within him. Paul wants him to be overcome with passion for this gift that God has given him and use it to its fullest potential.

To draw on St. Luke’s 50 years of spiritual heritage to help “fan into flame” our time, talents and finances God has gifted us so we may broaden our reach in a ministry of faith to our members, our community, our nation and our world.

Like Timothy, we are currently taking our turn at running with the torch of the gospel of Christ. We need to hear Paul’s words and apply them to our lives so that we can be effective in our service to God.

Our capital campaign will center on Paul’s words in verse six in which he tells Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift that he has received from God. Like Timothy, St. Luke’s has a gift for ministry. As people of God who have been redeemed and empowered, we receive the light of God’s love and reflect it into our community through active worship, fellowship, education, lay training and service that people in darkness may be drawn to the light and find St. Luke’s a place of refuge, renewal and sanctuary.

St. Luke’s congregation will be called upon to fan into flame the gifts that God has given us by drawing on our spiritual heritage, developing our God-given gifts and displaying a spirit of godliness.

In the introduction of Raising the Roof, The Pastoral-to-Program Size Transition, Alice Mann writes, “In times of size transition, congregations have an opportunity to deepen the connection between faith and context. Vital congregations are passionate about bringing faith to bear powerfully with their context.”

After going through the Raising the Roof review process, I have experienced that St. Luke’s is definitely passionate about bringing faith to bear powerfully within their context. As a congregation St. Luke’s determined its growth potential and developed long term goals to accomplish their mission and vision. Those goals were:

St. Luke’s has begun to accomplish many of these goals already. To continue our growth for the next 50 years we must enter into the next phase of our development. In the next few months, St. Luke’s will be calling upon the congregation to participate in its new capital campaign “Fan Into Flame”. The campaign goal is to raise $750,000 that will go toward three areas to accomplish our mission and vision — bricks and mortar, church programs and outreach/mission. More detailed information on each of those areas will be given as the campaign is launched.

During the power outage the office staff cleaned out the refrigerators. What a job that was! It was amazing what we found in the bowels of the fridge and freezer. Some delightful examples were: a bottle of salad dressing with one teaspoon of dressing; a quarter inch of (defrosted) ice cream in a gallon tub; quarts and half-gallons of very, very old ice cream or sherbet; four or five bags of ice plus two open bags with perhaps 12 ice cubes in each; more mayonnaise than the church could use in a year; ad infinitum.

There are many groups who use the kitchen but there is no group who cleans it. For the new year let’s use some common sense and courtesy as to what needs to be saved. Please do not just put leftovers into the refrigerator or freezer expecting that anyone is going to use them. Old rolls, bagels, doughnuts, etc. do not freeze well and just get tossed out. Green bean casseroles are rather unattractive after a week or two. If there is some item that you know will be used within a few days, date it and mark it. Otherwise please take it home and put it in your own refrigerator! Thank you for cooperation in keeping the kitchen and refrigerators clean.

Alaska Cruise

Are you thinking about your vacation? Are you beginning to set times, dates, possible destinations? How about those who were signed up for the now postponed Israel/Italy trip? How about joining us on our Alaska Cruise? We leave from the Seattle Waterfront on July 1^st and return on the 8^th. Just think – seven days and nights on a cruise ship in Alaska – all the food you can eat, long days and short nights for sightseeing, no mosquitoes, the warmest time of year for Alaska (hopefully!), great activities for the kids, free time for Mom and Dad to spend time together - - what more could you ask?

Ports of call include Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau and Victoria, B.C. As an added perk, Janis Wold, a member of our church comes from Alaska and will be in Alaska while we are there. She is willing to do a tour for us that will get us to the more interesting spots not necessarily covered by the cruise line tours. I always like the “off the beaten track” stuff, don’t you?

The prices are for individuals based on double occupancy and range from $949 to $1,109 for the inside cabins, $1,399 for an obstructed ocean view (usually obstructed by a lifeboat, etc.), $1,574 for an unobstructed ocean view, and $1,849 to $1,899 for balcony cabins. If you want a single cabin the cost will be approximately 160% of the single fare, i.e. you will pay the full cost for yourself and approximately 60% of the cost of the second person. Many of the cabins do accommodate 3^rd and 4^th persons, i.e., Mom, Dad and one or two kids. The prices are $699 to $899/person based on which cabin you choose. Jackie Roberts will be able to clarify that for you when you call to make your reservations.

Which brings me to that all important question – “How do I/we sign up?” Call Jackie Roberts at (425) 391-9275 or email her at robert.jk@comcast.net. We would like to have 15 to 20 cabins occupied by St. Luke’s members and friends. I think we can do it. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you on the cruise.

Judy Pagnotta

Bowling

It’s hard to believe that the holidays have already passed, and the New Year is upon us. There are so many things to look forward to in the upcoming months. The 50^th anniversary events are starting to ramp up. A great deal of effort has gone into planning these activities to reflect experiences and happenings from the history of St. Luke’s.

Our next event is a return to the fifties. We will be hosting a bowling tournament on Sunday, January 21^st. We have reserved space for 10 teams (4 to 5 people per team) at Tech City Bowl in Kirkland from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be refreshments and an awards ceremony following the tourney back at the church. So put together your team and come up with a creative team name…maybe the Holy Bowlers, Alley Angels or how about the Sacred Spares? Sign up in the Narthex.

Remember we’re Bowling for Jesus!

On January 18 at 7:00 p.m. we will have an orientation on the construction of our Witness Window. Joe Hester has been commissioned and will lead us in the construction. It will take approximately 3-4 weeks including installation. Joe will be on site at St. Luke’s for 10-12 hours a day working with teams according to their schedules.

With regard to the teams, we will need 22 teams, each taking a section. You will learn how to cut and construct the window under the guidance and direction of Joe. All work will be done at the church and no experience is needed. It would be best to have at least 3-4 people per team.

The teams may be families, ministry boards, you and your neighbors, or anyone who would like to be a part of this exciting project. We are asking for a donation of $50 per person towards the cost of glass and tools. The monies raised will only cover about 1/4 of the cost.

Please join us on January 18 at 7:00 p.m. to learn more about the construction of our Witness Window. Perhaps you can have your team formed by that date. This is another event in St. Luke’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Another Successful Advent Dinner & Lucia Celebration
This year our Advent Dinner and Eighth Annual Lucia Celebration was dedicated to the memory of Edna Dorothy who began this tradition in 1999. Thank you to all who so generously gave of their time and talent. Those who sold tickets, organized the maidens and their gowns, set and decorated tables, took part in the program, and a special thanks to Carnel Hagen for preparing a delicious dinner---and to all the St. Luke's men who served and cleaned up. There were 122 in attendance and 30 St. Luke's girls and friends who were part of the Lucia Festival. They were led by the 2006 Lucia Bride, Holly Dunning. The cookies brought were shared with our Kid's Holiday Store and the Feeding Program. Many thanks, Carolyn Saxegaard, Nancy Quale, and Karen Dunning.

Here it is, January 2007, and the Catechumenate is up and running. This program, also called Affirming Your Faith, is designed for those who are contemplating membership at St. Luke’s or just want to know more about the Lutheran church and St. Luke’s in particular. We meet weekly in small groups during the Adult Forum hour for Bible study and the opportunity to get to know some really neat people on a deeper level. My experience has been that the groups bond in a way that is never broken. Deep friendships are formed and with that forming comes a greater commitment to serving the church, the community and each other.

Please consider joining us. The first meeting is January 14. We continue weekly through Lent and the program culminates at the Easter Vigil Service on April 7^th. We are in the process of gathering sponsors for the group. If you are interested, please call either Roselyn at the church or Judy Pagnotta at (425) 452-8226.

Pastor Tom will be leading a study using a DVD and the book, The Rapture Exposed by Barbara Rossing, Associate Professor of New Testament at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago..

Dr. Rossing vigorously challenges the teaching of those who espouse “the rapture”. She examines and critiques the use of passages in the Bible which are said to predict the rapture. Her conclusion; the rapture is not biblical and is not a valid Christian teaching. The video is presented in three sessions.

LifeShapes classes are continuing and you may attend a class or join a new group. All classes are based on the book, A Passionate Life, by Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad. These books are available in the church office or at classes for $15.00. Some of you will be able to read the book and use the concepts in your everyday life. Others will enjoy discussing the ideas with those who have read the book. Following is the schedule of classes.

Wednesday, January 10 at 10:00 a.m. Class # 8 of the class that started in September.
This is a make-up of the class that was cancelled due to icy roads in late November.

Wednesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. Class # 5: Pentagon: This is a make-up of the class that was cancelled in late November.
Wednesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. Class #6: Hexagon
Wednesday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. Class #7: Heptagon
Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. Class #8: Octagon

A new LifeShapes class will begin on Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Contact Roselyn to register. Childcare will be provided if we know the need far enough in advance.

Here's the schedule: In the event of snow or ice, class will be postponed until the next scheduled time.

Tuesday, January 9	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 1 Circle	Kairos and Chronos
Tuesday, January 16	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 2 Semi-Circle	Rest before Work
Tuesday, January 30	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 3 Triangle	Balance in our Lives
Tuesday, February 13	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 4 Square	Leadership
Tuesday, February 20	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 5 Pentagon	Our Role in Life
Tuesday, March 13	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 6 Hexagon	Prayer
Tuesday, March 20	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 7 Heptagon	MRS GREN
Tuesday, April 10	1:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Class # 8 Octagon	Person of Peace

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to be healthier? The Health Support Group meets weekly to encourage and support one another in our health goals. We begin our meetings with the following prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, You are the light of the world. Fill my mind with your peace, my heart with your love, my body with your healing, and my soul with your spirit."

We share our goals for physical, spiritual, or emotional health and our progress. We end the meeting praying for each other. Come visit and see if this format may be helpful to you. Our meetings are confidential.

Health Ministry Program

As a result of receiving a grant to increase the health and well-being of members of St. Luke's and the community, the Health Committee is having a presentation by Jan Alkire on Monday, January 8th at 10:30 a.m. Jan is representing the Institute for Christian Ministry which has recently published their newest faith formation program on "Formation for Spiritual Companions: Building community and enriching the spiritual lives of participants." It has been shown that when persons are spiritually healthy, they are also physically healthier. Participants in this program will learn how to share their spiritual journey, draw closer to God, and grow in gifts of listening and support. The program offers a one-day opening retreat followed by six weekly meetings. Each meeting includes worship, teaching on being a spiritual companion, and a small group experience. Video presentations are on DVD's.

If this sounds like something you may be interested in attending or being part of the leadership team, feel welcome to attend this session on January 8th. The Health Committee would like input from members of the congregation in deciding if this will be a good investment for our congregation and community.

For more information visit the ICM website: www.healingministry.org and/or contact Roselyn (425-822-7907).

Happy New Year

Now that the new year has begun, are you looking for a way to simplify your life and keep track of your budget? If your answer is “Yes” then consider using the Simply Giving program through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. You can designate a monthly amount to have taken directly out of your checking or savings account each month and it will be transferred to the church, no muss, no fuss. All you need to do is fill out a form (available from the office), attach a void check or deposit slip and we take care of the rest.

Other benefits you may want to consider with Simply Giving is the convenient way you can pay tuition at a Lutheran school. It provides an easy, no-cost way for the school to collect tuition. You may also contribute to your favorite Lutheran institution such as LATCH, Lutheran Community Services or the Compass Center.

Please call Pam if you would like more information

Dress-up Put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.

Shut-up Watch your tongue. Don’t gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.

Reach-up Spend time in prayer with adorations, confessions, thanksgivings and supplications to

Lift-up Be available to help those in need – serving, supporting and sharing,

It’s that time of the year again when we can read it everywhere, the proclamation of the angels, reduced to two incompatible concepts: “peace” and “earth”. Yet that is not how it was meant. Never have the angels proclaimed that there was peace on earth. Not even at Christmastime. Quite to the contrary. War and discord are the accompanying characteristics of a fallen world till the end of time. Many prophetic texts speak of this in both the Old and the New Testaments.

Peace on earth. From the beginning it has been the most primal yearning of humanity. Peace on earth. At Christmastime it is again the sentimental feeding of our hopes that, someday, this will come to pass.

However, the more peace there is on earth, the less people concern themselves with God. Why should they? Peace suffices. Questions about good and evil are regulated by the people themselves. God is just an intrusion, a disturbance. It’s best to declare him to be nonexistent. Then each one is his own judge and ones conscience can remain silent.

Never did the angels promise peace on earth. To be sure, people without peace have at all times in all nations have hoped to find peace in God, to be reconciled to their creator, to experience salvation and consolation beyond the grave. Great joy is granted these people. Then as now we can experience the forgiveness of sins. Christ the Savior is here, born in a stable in Bethlehem, believed in and loved to this day in all nations of this earth. Where there is forgiveness of sins, according to Martin Luther, there is life and happiness, eternity lights up in every heart.

In the city of Bethlehem there is no peace to this very day. The world has remained as it was. Isaiah says : “ The Godless have no peace, says the Lord.” And Jesus himself states unequivocally: “ I have not come to bring peace, but the sword.” Separation between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, deceptive hope and our heart’s certainty of salvation. All that is incomparably more than our ideal of peace on earth.

The Peace of God opens to us an unexpected new dimension. God has more in store for us than we even dare to hope. We can only approximate it as we consider the cross and the resurrection. That is what He has done for us and much more. John, the youngest among the apostles, writes: “ See, the Father has shown such love to us that we are to be called God’s children. And that is what we are.”

With the miracle of the holy night a new era has begun, incomprehensible to all the angels in heaven and to everyone who has experienced this peace. It is worth entering into it, to belong to those with whom He is well pleased. That is how God is honored, that we humans, whether we are shepherds or rulers, open ourselves with complete trust to his wondrous good news of that peace, which is greater than our very limited human reason.

Saturday, February 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Ave NE in Renton

Cost is $15.00 per person or $50.00 for a congregation group of four or more. Contact Roselyn Olson (roselynolson@slukes.org) or (425) 822-7907 if you would like to go. We can carpool from St. Luke’s.

Roses are red, Violets are blue, We’re having a Valentine Dance and inviting you!

Mark your calendars for February 11^th for a family style Valentine’s Day celebration. If you are interested in helping organize this “sweetheart” of an event contact Tim and Paula Hower at (425) 427-1253 or Jim Wiederanders and Lee Holt at (425) 867-2369.

Do you have one that you could donate to a needy St. Luke’s family? Call the church at (425) 822-7907.

Several months ago I wrote about the Lutheran Men in Mission. I wanted to raise up the work the Ron Sailer, Bethlehem, Marysville, is doing in the synod and in the rest of Region 1 in helping to establish the presence of this organization in our region. This month I want to give specific information on an upcoming event in our Synod. "Building for the Future" is a regional gathering for Lutheran Men in Mission that will be held at Bethlehem, Marysville on March 24, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Speaking at this event will be Dr. Rollie Martinson from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. The music for the day will be led by Peter Mayer, who has played with Jimmy Buffet and led the band for the San Antonio youth gathering. Doug Haugen, director of the Lutheran Men in Mission, will be a part of the event. I will be involved in leading a "compact" Bible Study.

Registration for this event will be $30 or $25 with four or more. This includes lunch and the program.

This event is for men of all ages. It is an opportunity to gather and to envision the future God is calling us to build. We are just beginning to imagine how the men of the church might add their considerable gifts to those our sisters have given through the Women of the ELCA. The model is in place in other regions of this church. Now we have the opportunity to build our own model for the future.

I want to encourage the men of this synod to gather at Bethlehem on March 24 for a day of challenge and encouragement. As in many other areas, we are a very gifted church. As the variety of gifts are identified we can "provoke one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). Come and see what is up with Lutheran Men in Mission.

A New Year. New opportunities. Turning a new page. Most of us give thought to the old year and have hopes for the new year—either for our personal lives, for our country, for the world, or for all of the above.

There are a number of equally precious and valuable members of our churches and society who might not be able to think along those lines. Those struggling with Alzheimer’s (AD) do not always know about the new year turning or have the ability to hope and plan. We shall not look at statistics here; however, it seems that very many of us know someone who has this debilitating condition.

Knowing that there are many degrees of AD and many personal and genetic components, it still seems wise to look at what researchers have so far found to be preventive measures.

The stress hypothesis suggests that active individuals have more positive emotional states and reduced stress, leading to a lower susceptibility to AD. For those who are interested in what happens medically in the brain, there is one paper on “An active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life might protect against dementia.”

There is a misconception that aging and degeneration are synonymous. Although there is no magic bullet for AD, how we live our lives can help decrease our chances of developing AD. In many cases, its effects can actually be reversed! This seems to be news that is not widely known. There is certainly hope that aging need not be a process of brain degeneration – in fact the opposite.

Risk Factors:

Atherosclerotic factors; Diabetes; Hypertension; Family History

Preventive Measures:

Antioxidant vitamins; High dietary intake of fish and n-3 fatty acids;

Higher levels of physical and mental activity as well as social interaction.

Sources: Alzheimer’s Prevention Foundation
SO Lancet Neurol 2004 Jun:3(6):343-53
Total Health, Nov/Dec 2002, Vol. 24, Issue 5

It is the God-given, biologically-seated desire in all creatures to be emotionally connected to and wanted by others. God said, “It is not good for humans to be alone.” Parents, extended family, community, spouses and children, if we have them, are all a necessary part of our existence, giving us a safe physical and emotional place to belong.

Sin is a downright dastardly thing. Look at what happens when it disrupts our connection to God and to each other. Look at how people act when they believe that they are not important to those who are significant to them. Look at broken attachments. The range of behavior goes from desperation, pleading, rage to resignation and despair. It feels like a matter of life and death… because it is!

If you want to know what grace looks like, observe someone who has a sense of secure attachment to God and to others. Their very insides appear to be wired to believe that they are safe in the arms of those who love them, no matter what.

Please purchase and read Safe Haven Marriage by Hart and Morris. This is not just for married people. We all need safe haven relationships! You will be a better source of secure attachment for it, and you will learn to act in ways that leave you more securely attached to others.

It is our sincere hope that over the course of this year, you will experience increasing grace as you rest in the arms of the God and the people who love you.

		Light in a world of darkness
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