St. Luke's Communicator March 2007

Our faith is resplendent with examples of how history was changed as a result of a vision. Peter’s (Acts 10) whole notion of inclusiveness with regard to God’s plan of salvation for the world was undone by a vision: John being taken up in a vision (The Revelation of John) gave hope to the church during a time of bitter persecution. A vision can give hope and a Christian vision should provide a bold hope.

While the devil is truly in the details, we can disagree on the details of how a vision is to unfold, or how it will be paid for, but in the end it must always be Godly – then it will be life-giving. If the goal is to bring glory to God, to demonstrate God’s love for all people as revealed in the cross of Christ then the vision will be a blessing. Examples abound, I would like to think of the Witness Windows as demonstrative.

For almost 10 years, through different architect’s renderings of what our new building would look like these windows have been a constant. Written into our plans as a way of expressing God’s love for the community we have held true to this vision and now the 20,000 people a day that drive by are gifted. The vision also proved enormously successful per our desire to involve the non-St. Luke’s community in the construction. Now there are a number of people who will be able to drive by and say, “I helped build that church”. What a joyful and stressful experience this has been. (I have proved to be a poor example of how to solder … Joe Hester suggested a remedial class!)

As much as a vision can be life-giving (“Where there is no vision the people perish” Proverbs 29:18) unless it is ultimately held corporately it can be divisive to Christ’s Church. Like the fruition of the Witness Windows when there is a community whose collective heart is held captive to the same vision wonderful blessings will occur.

Currently, we are preparing for our Sunday, March 4th capital campaign, Fan Into Flame commitment services. The vision is to finish our much-needed Sunday School classrooms and community meeting spaces downstairs, as well as moving offices, adding an elevator and numerous other projects. This is not a new vision, it is one that is a part of our master plan but has been delayed because of unwillingness on our part to incur additional debt. The needs are real and present; the question is only whether we are prepared to corporately hold responsibility for its fulfillment.

For my 20 years as your pastor we have shared a history of holding and being blessed by a Holy vision. I prayerfully believe that again God will call us to trust in His provision and blessing. If, that is, we in our hearts are held captive by a Holy Vision.

Our next book club meeting is Saturday, March 31 at 4:00 p.m. The book “Common Grace: How To Be a Person and Other Spiritual Matters” by Anthony B. Robinson is available for sale in the narthex for $19. For many years Robinson served as senior pastor of Seattle ’s Plymouth Congregational Church. In this new book he takes on the thorny question of what it takes to be a person: as an individual, as a member of a family and community, as a citizen of the world. If you have not attended before, please check out the book and join us.

Not only will they bless those within our worship space but once they are back-lit to the street the 20,000 a day who drive by our church will be blessed. This vision is almost 10 years in the making and has proved to be everything we believed it would be in the making.

Joe Hester is deserving of praise and reward beyond what we can offer. His gentle instruction and spirit blessed everyone who was willing to be challenged to participate. His discerning eye has resulted in a fabulous work of art. People’s lives will continue to be changed because of our collective effort.

We have raised $6,700 towards our goal of what will amount to about a $16,000 cost (once the lighting specialist fees are included). Contributions should be made out to St. Luke’s and marked “Stained Glass”.

The following children completed the First Communion Class and participated in their first Communion on Sunday, February 18 at the 11:00 a.m. service:

Roy and Marie Barsness, under the guidance of Pastor Tom, were the instructors of the class taking it over from Edna Dorothy who had led it for many, many years. Thank you Roy and Marie and to all the parents who attended with their children!

In February I went skiing with two of my grandchildren. So what, you say. Lots of people go skiing. For me it was a "kairos" experience, preceded by a "kairos" decision in my life. As a 10 year old child, I learned to ski during the year I lived in

Norway

. My sister, Carol Ann, and I spent six weeks with an aunt and uncle in Kongsberg , Norway and spent every day skiing on the slopes outside their country home. It was cross country skiing; however I didn't know the difference until I returned to Seattle and tried to do "downhill" skiing with cross-country skies. Skiing was fun. When Steve, our first-born was less than a year, my husband Ken brought him up the chair lift and I skied down the hill with him on my back. That was when we lived in Denver , Colorado . As our three sons grew, I taught Steve, Eric and Karl to ski. Our main goal was to have fun and enjoy ourselves. They all quickly bypassed my ability. As the years went by, I did less and less skiing. Every time I did go skiing the exhilaration of shushing down the hill and being in God's great out of doors returned to me.

Then I got busy with other things and too many years had gone by. Skiing didn't sound like so much fun any more. It cost too much, my ski pants "shrunk." It was cold up there, it was time consuming. I could think of numerous reasons not to go. How many years was it? Ten? Fifteen? I'm not sure. Last year I "decided" to go skiing however I didn't take any action and the time just went by and soon the season was over. This year, I wrote it down as a goal but that was still scary. Could I stand the cold? Could I find something to wear? Would I break a leg or tear a muscle? The big question for me was, "Could I ever enjoy it like I did years ago?” I needed the answer to that question. So I took baby steps.

#1 I told my family that I wanted to go skiing but didn't want to drive in the snow and ice. That was easily solved. Both our son Karl and daughter-in-law, Barbara, offered to bring me with them.

#3 I needed a time to go. My daughter-in-law sent me an e-mail with all the dates that she and one or both of our grandchildren were going. There were lots of choices and I picked one.

#4 The cost was high. I decided that I was willing to spend what was needed.

On Saturday, February 3rd, I got up early, helped prepare and serve breakfast for the homeless men staying in our church, and left to meet Chris, Ben, and Barbara in Monroe . I was a bundle of excitement and fear. I wanted to try this; I had to see if I could but I didn't want to break a leg or tear a muscle. While renting the new, modern skis, I discovered that an all-day lift ticket for those 70 and over was just $9.00. That was a wonderful surprise. I got in line on the beginner lift and took it to the top of the hill. I started down. The first few runs were slow and I was nervous. I stopped often to enjoy the scenery and rest. But each run was easier. By afternoon, when I skied with 11 year old Chris, I was ready to tackle the intermediate hill; he was willing to teach me and stay with me. Later on, six year old Ben joined us. By then I needed to go back to the beginner hill. I was getting tired; it was a good tiredness from being out in God's creation and doing something I truly enjoyed. I had the answer to my question. I could still ski after all those years; I just had to do things a little slower and more carefully. And it was still fun.

What are the challenges in your life? Is it coming back from a medical setback? Is there something that you want to do but you're not sure how? What are your dreams? Can you fulfill them in a different way if what you used to do isn't possible? Have you dreamed of making a stained glass window and found that has come true by participating in making the witness windows? I believe God wants us to love life and enjoy life even if it isn't always just the way we'd like it.

P.S. As I write this I have two more ski trips planned, one being at Stevens Pass with all five grandchildren (ages 6 to 12). If you see me walking around church in a cast (or in a wheelchair), you will know that perhaps I wasn't cautious enough.

Hello everyone! We are going into an important time in the church right now. The capital campaign will raise money for finishing the area below the sanctuary creating more space for the youth and children. Beginning this fall we are hoping to start an after-school program. There is a lot happening. It is at times like these that we look for guidance from God to make sure that we are doing what we are called to do. I believe that we are. The children and youth are a very important piece in the life of this church. I thank all of you who have helped in the spiritual development of the youth and children. We are also looking forward to more help in the near future. I want to take this time to ask everyone if you feel God calling you to help in the youth ministry of St. Luke’s please let me know because we are always looking for chaperones, board members, and spiritual leaders.

Please take note of all the events on the youth calendar and specifically the St. Luke’s Carnival, dance and other activities on March 24^th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. This will be a fun event for the whole family to attend. If you have any questions please give me a call or e-mail and I would be happy to answer them. Take care and God bless!

Meet the Youth of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

This month we meet Martin Kollmorgen and Aurora Charouhas.

Martin Kollmorgen is 15 years old and is a sophomore at Lake Washington High School . His favorite ice cream is chocolate and his friends think his best quality is that he is funny. His favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door shall be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds and those who knock the door shall be opened to you.” Friends and Ben are what keep him coming to St. Luke’s.

Aurora Charouhas is 13 years old and in 8^th grade at Rose Hill Junior High School . Her favorite ice cream is strawberry and her friends say her best qualities are that she is very energetic and funny. She enjoys the creation story the most in the Bible. Friends and Ben are what keep her coming to St. Luke’s.

There are so many ways for you and your child to get involved immediately. Right now we are raising funds for the space underneath the sanctuary that has yet to be built. There will be classrooms and other spaces for children and youth there in the near future. Please bring your child’s fundraising bag on MARCH 4^th for Commitment Sunday!

FAMILY SKATE DAY! On Sunday, MARCH 18 we will head over to Skate King in Bellevue for their Family Skate Session. Moms, Dads, and children of all ages are welcome. The Session is from 12:30 – 6:00 p.m. Families of 4-6 people pay $15. Skate Rental is $1/ inline skates $4. Single admission is $5. We will gather in Pierson Hall following the second service to carpool. Look for sign-ups in the narthex!

Are you looking to have a great time with other people in the congregation? Come to the 50^th Anniversary Carnival on MARCH 24^th. The carnival goes from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will be a dance and sock hop, games, food, and other exciting activities until 10:00 p.m. Contact Carolyn Norton if you have any questions (425) 898-7184.

We need candy! Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt is coming up on April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to donate candy to the hunt, please bring it to me no later than Wednesday, April 4^th.

If you have any questions about skating, fundraising, or anything else please give me a call!

The gift of Lent is an intentional opportunity to focus on reflection and discovery. It is a journey. Throughout the month of March, the gospel text invites us on a journey of discovery down the road less traveled – the way of the cross.

Mid-Week / Wednesday Evenings

Each Wednesday, join us for soup and bread dinners at 6:15 p.m. followed by a 7:00 gathering where we will be learning about the power of pondering and remembering. Presentations will be made by Pastor Tom, Dr. Roy Barsness, and others. The evening will also include a time of guided prayer and song. Please join us! We will be finished by 7:40 p.m. We invite you to sign up in the narthex to bring soup or bread for a Wednesday meal.

Sunday Mornings

Did you know that while worship music during Lent takes on a more intentional sense of reflection, Sunday mornings are not actually counted in the forty days? Each Sunday is to be a joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection! Sunday services will begin with Confession and continue with Word and Sacrament. We invite you to make use of the kneelers during Confession as well as during the distribution of Communion.

For the 8:30 traditional services, we will worship using some of the alternate choices from our traditional Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) Setting I. These are great musical liturgies that many will find familiar and all will find easy to learn and sing.

For the 11:00 informal services, we will continue to have a mixture of newer songs and familiar hymns – all chosen to aid us in this time of reflection. Let us reflect on what Jesus has done for us on his journey down that road less traveled – the road to the cross.

Schedule for Holy Week

Palm Sunday April 1 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday April 5 Worship at 7:30 p.m.

Good Friday April 6 Worship at 7:30 p.m.

Easter Vigil April 7 Worship at 7:30 p.m.

Easter April 8 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Brunch served between services

Soup and bread suppers will be served at 6:15 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:

March 14, 21, and 28. Please be sure to sign up to bring soup or bread for our Wednesday evening suppers. Lenten services follow the supper at 7:00 p.m.

Blessings and joy to you!

~Amy Corsini, Worship Coordinator

Thank You Sound Techs!

All of the hard work by our contracted technicians from Carlson Audio has really improved the quality of sound for our worship services. When KING 5 news arrived during February 18^th to film their piece on the Witness Window, their camera-man commented on the quality sound balance during the worship service. It was the best he has ever experienced in a space such as our sanctuary, and he added that he will not have to do any sound editing for the worship clip. What a compliment!

Special Ways to Give at this Special Time

By Pastor Charles Lane , Stewardship Key Leader

This is an exciting time in the life of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church . The congregation is in the middle of the “Fan Into Flame” program. “Fan Into Flame” is an exciting opportunity for members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church to come together to make dramatic improvements to your building, that will result in equally dramatic opportunities for ministry with St. Luke’s members and with the Bellevue community.

Faced with this opportunity, members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church are asking, “How can I give as much as possible?” This article provides some possible answers to this important question.

One important way to give to “Fan Into Flame” is out of regular income. Most people give to the ongoing ministry of the congregation out of regular income. That is, a portion of household income is given to the congregation on a weekly or monthly basis. Over the next three years, many members of St. Luke’s will make generous weekly or monthly gifts to “Fan Into Flame” out of their regular income in addition to their ongoing support of the congregation’s ministry.

There are other ways to make more significant gifts.

Some people will make a gift from their savings, recognizing that this is an opportunity that must not be missed.
Many people will give stock or other securities that have appreciated in value.
Still others will give all or part of the cash value of an insurance policy.

Combining these gifts with giving from regular income can produce a level of generosity that might not otherwise be possible.

There can be considerable tax advantages to giving in these ways, especially to giving stock and other appreciated securities and the cash value of insurance policies. You should always consult your tax advisor or financial planner about such gifts.

“Fan Into Flame” presents members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church with an incredible opportunity. This opportunity calls for each member to take steps to be as generous as possible so that the exciting ministry of St. Luke’s can be expanded and enhanced.

As we shared with you last month we have started the process of replacing the roof on the old section of the church. You may have noticed the roofers working on the sloped areas of the roof. Those angled sections have been completed and the membrane application on the flat parts is scheduled to begin shortly.

We need to raise approximately $20,000 to pay for the remainder of the project. The roof is the highest priority in the upcoming “Fan into Flame” Capital Campaign. Please prayerfully consider making an early contribution to “Fan into Flame” to be used for the roof as part of your pledge to this capital program. It will be counted in that program and will make a difference in our facility and our ministry.

We have a new (not so new to some) face working around the church. Walt Lisle has joined us as our new sexton. Walt is now our “go-to” guy when it comes to facility projects. He will be taking on the challenging task of keeping up with the fix-its which seem to be never-ending. If you notice something that needs to be fixed, moved, set up, tightened, picked up, taken down, etc. just let Walt know. He will be working Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; there is also a work order book located in the office mailboxes (box marked Facilities/Work Orders).

Please remember that Walt, Cathy and Alison are members of St. Luke’s and that he is attending church on Sunday and unavailable for projects at that time.

Spring comes with thoughts of crisp, fresh air, newly budding flowers, singing birds and a sense of renewal. It is also a signal that it is time to start the annual ritual of shaking off the winter blues with a good spring cleaning. The Facilities committee is once again going to shamelessly beg and bribe everyone to come to our Pre-Easter work party. We will be hosting our semi-annual breakfast.

This will not only be a chance for you to nourish your body before tackling a few chores, but it is also a Facilities fundraiser. Matching funds from Thrivent will be requested and the money will be used for new performance lighting in the Sanctuary.

We will have a variety of projects that you can help with including completing the fire lane painting, washing windows, spreading bark, blowing leaves and cleaning up the spring flower beds. There are also a number of small projects that can be done such as dusting mill work, painting touch-up and cleaning the refrigerators and ovens.

So if you can take on a little work, we would love your help, and if you can’t lend a hand, join us for breakfast to show your support for the facilities team.

We are once again taking orders for pavers to be placed in front of the entryway to the narthex and sanctuary. If you missed out when they were sold prior to the dedication or you are new to

St. Luke’s—this is your opportunity. You can purchase them as a family, as a memorial to those who have played a role in your life and are no longer with us, in honor of someone who holds a special place in your life or many other reasons you might have to honor someone. The cost per paver is $85 and forms are available in the narthex. Order must be in by Easter, April 8.

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

And the winners were ….

Strikes, spares and even a few gutter balls were thrown during the Jubilee Bowling Tournament that was held the end of January. Over 50 people gathered at Tech City Bowl for an evening of retro fun. Kris Isaacson was Queen of Lanes with the ladies high score and most strikes; Randy Jackson showed us he can play more than just the piano with the men’s high score, Brittney Hower won the title for children and Amy Mitchell took the prize for youth. The Pearly Gates team, consisting of Harvey and Marsha Roberts, Bob Stanbary, Leslie Schofield and Judy Kiesz were the team winners. Congratulations to all! The evening ended with pizza and the awards ceremony and there was a resounding call for this event to be repeated.

Family Carnival Night - God Rocks!

The next event is planned for Saturday, March 24^th. One of the popular social events from St. Luke’s history was “Carnival Night”. We will be re-creating midway style fun with games like Dip in the Nile, Jacob’s Ladder, Rebekah at the Well and This Little Light of Mine. Of course there will be delicious fair food throughout the evening. Plan on joining in on this family friendly evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and you might just win a prize! The evening will continue with a sock hop for kids of all ages in Memorial Hall from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

An Evening with Anne Lamott

As a part of the 50th anniversary celebration, St. Luke’s will be hosting an “Evening with Anne Lamott”. Ms. Lamott is the best-selling Author of Operating Instructions, Plan B : Further thoughts on Faith , and Traveling Mercies. She writes and speaks about subjects that begin with capital letters: Alcoholism, Motherhood, Jesus. But armed with the self-effacing humor - she is laugh out-loud funny – and ruthlessly honest. Lamott converts her subjects into enchantment. Actually, she writes about what most of us don’t like to think about. She wrote her first novel for her father, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. She has said that the book was “a present to someone I loved who was going to die.” In all her novels, Anne Lamott writes about loss — loss of loved ones and loss of personal control. She doesn’t try to sugar-coat the sadness, frustration and disappointment, but tells her stories with honesty, compassion, and a pureness of voice. Anne Lamott says, “I have a lot of hope and a lot of faith and I struggle to communicate that.” Anne Lamott does communicate her faith; in her books and in person, she lifts, comforts, and inspires, all the while keeping us laughing.

Mark your calendar now for this Friday, May 11 event. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the presentation at 7:30 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to hear Ms. Lamott speak in an intimate setting. Tickets will go on pre-sale to members and friends on March 11^th. There will be 100 Premier Tickets offered at $125 and include front row seating and a signed copy of Ms. Lamott latest book Grace Eventually. An additional 300 Standard Seating Tickets will also be available for $65. Following the presentation there will be a reception and a chance to purchase and have books signed by Ms. Lamott. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the ELCA World Hunger Program.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has a special request to help

Do you remember how much stuff you needed in your first apartment or house? Can you imagine the joy of rebuilding your life? After spending 12 months in transitional housing and getting to the point where you can move into your own place, you need everything! That's what faces the women at Compass Cascade Women's Center. That's where we come in — we are going to create five “Easter Baskets” — laundry baskets full of household items that will allow someone to move into a new place, make their bed, take a shower and make dinner. To make it easy, this project is “registered” at Target and the list of needs is available in the store or online as a wedding registry (Club Wedd). Look under Brides name: Compass Cascade/Women's Center or Groom's name: Holy Trinity/Lutheran Church. Print the list, purchase what you

can from Target - or any other store - and bring it to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church by March 25th. If you order online you can have items delivered directly to the church. (Our address is listed on the registry).

Blessings as we enter Lent ...

Kathy Fisher
Director, Youth & Family Ministry
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

St. Luke’s is grateful to offer the opportunity to have special prayers given for relatives, friends, co-workers or others who are having special challenges in their lives. The list is published every Sunday in our bulletin. We are finding that we need to keep the list current. There are names on the list that have been there for many months and we don’t know the originator. Therefore, on March 11, unless we hear from you that the prayers are still needed for those on the published prayer list, names of those about whom we do not have information will be removed from the list. If we remove someone who should remain on the list, please call and let us know.

At the same time, we are going to incorporate all the names together. (There will not be a special category for cancer.)

The federal law known as HIPPA deals with the need to keep a person’s health issues confidential. Lutheran Services in America suggests that we make the following inquiries: 1) do we have the person’s permission to put their name in the bulletin; and 2) do they want specific medical information noted.

For office follow-up, when you fill out a prayer slip, please be sure to put your name on the form so we may contact you if necessary. We will leave names on for approximately three Sundays and if you would like it extended, please call the office (425) 822-7907.

Please continue to call the office with prayer chain or prayer list requests. We have had several instances where the people have become cancer-free or their health is greatly improved so we all know it works!

Thank you for your cooperation as we try to develop a new way of keeping our prayer list current.

Adult Forum for March

Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Northwest room of Pierson Hall

March 4 Pastor Charles (Chick) Lane and

the Capital Campaign

March 11 Bill Kirlin-Hackett

Video and discussion on homelessness

March 18 Janet Lazar

Lutheran Community Services

March 25 Pastor Tom

Reflections on Israel

LifeShapes

Tuesday from 1:00—2:30 p.m.

March 13 #5 Knowing Your Role in Life

March 20 #6 Praying as a Way of Life

April 10 #7 Practicing the Principles of a Vital Life

May 1 #8 Living a Life with a Mission

You may still join this class. Contact Roselyn for more information

· Information on how to order durable medical equipment such as hospital beds, bedside commodes or grab bars

March is “National Save Your Vision Month!” But don’t just save it this month – keep your eye on the prize and save it for your lifetime. We all know that life

See it to the end by taking care of your eyes and getting regular compre-hensive eye exams. With an exam, you, your doctor of optometry, and your other health care providers can make sure your eyes are in tip top condition.

The American Optometric Association has noted the four conditions below that may be detected at an eye exam. The sooner your doctor of optometry can detect these conditions, the sooner you could be looking at effective treatment. See your doctor for further information about these conditions and ways they can be treated.

Information from “Eye Disease Management. “American Optometric Association. Available at

Ensenada Mission Trip

The Ensenada Mission Trip Annual Taco Feed will be Sunday, March 25th following the second service. Please come and feast on some tacos, as well as remember last year's trip through pictures. You can hear more about this year's group and help raise funds for them and the houses they will be building.

As of this printing there are still 12 spots open for Ensenada . Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

We leave on Thursday, May 3 in the afternoon and return the evening of May 7. Students will miss a half day of school on Thursday and all day Monday.

We’ll stay at the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base in Ensenada and work in the surrounding community. We will build two “Homes of Hope” for families in need and continue working with Pastor Nino and his church community. Through this mission we will share God’s love through relationships with our brothers and sisters in Mexico .

Cost

Airfare, transportation to Ensenada , room and meals is $750 per person. (Scholarships are available.) Fundraising for team members is encouraged to help with the costs for the houses that are being built.

Look for the sign-up sheet and brochures in the narthex. If you have any questions, please call Bruce Amundson at (425) 827-0309 or Tim Hower at (425) 427-1253.

As an Amigo Sponsor you will receive:

An Amigo pen pal that will contact you through a personal letter to thank you for sponsoring this year’s Ensenada Mission trip.
A postcard from your pen pal during their Mexico Mission experience.
A special invitation to be the guest of your pen pal at a free thank-you Amigo luncheon. At the luncheon you will have the opportunity to hear many of the stories the students and adults will have to share about their mission experience.

Pictures of the people participating in the Ensenada Mission trip will be displayed in the narthex each Sunday beginning Sunday, April 22. Not only will you see your own pen pal but the entire group that is going to Ensenada. St. Luke’s Ensenada participants thank you for your prayerful consideration and support of the upcoming Mission trip.

Blessings,

Natalie Larson

Bruce Amundson

Tim Hower

*Cost of actual trip is $750; additional charges are for building materials, etc.

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Just a reminder that all women of our congregation are members of WELCA whether or not you choose to actively participate in our local programs and events. The following are upcoming events that you are being encouraged to put on your calendar and to attend if possible.

Act Boldly Event -- Renton , Washington , May 18-19
One of only five locations in the entire country hosting this event. A day-and-a-half long event that will help you find your "bold" and discover ways to put it into action. Registration deadline is April 20. The individual fee is $95; if we have a group of five or more the cost is only $75 each.

Women of Faith presents-- Amazing Freedom 2007 at Key Arena in Seattle on June 29-30. Speakers are Sheila Walsh and clinical psychologist, Dr. Henry Cloud. The topic is "God Has a Dream for Your Life". Registration deadline is April 20. Individual fee is $109 ($55 for Saturday only).

Northwest Washington Synodical Women's Convention at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville on October 5-7. We need to identify a delegate from St. Luke's to attend the business meeting and vote to elect new synodical board members.

Finally, put the Seventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA on your calendar for July 10-13, 2008 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City . There is also the possibility of sending a delegate to the business convention meeting from July 8-10, 2008.

For additional information or registration forms, contact Nancy Quale at (425) 746-6559 or put a message in her box in the church office.

Despite an improving economy and a more favorable employment climate, there are still individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. During this past year over 300 new and returning people attended meetings sponsored by the Job Support Program, receiving assistance in resume preparation, interviewing skills, and career guidance. Attendees also received a wide variety of job search aids, including information on current job openings in the local area, and support in dealing with the stresses associated with job loss.

Meetings are now being held on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at Westminster Chapel, 13646 NE 24th Street in Bellevue . Additional information is available at the Job Support telephone number (425) 562-8028. This ongoing job search ministry is available to anyone in our congregation or anyone you may know who is searching for employment.

In February, St. Luke’s lost its long-time member, Harry Klein. His memorial service was held on March 1. The family has asked that memorial donations be made to St. Luke’s Building Fund.

Also in February, Anne Bly’s mother, Helen Elert, lost her battle with cancer. Anne has asked that donations be made to St. Luke’s Witness Window.

Rick Steves presents a travel lecture to benefit the affordable housing programs of the Lutheran Alliance to Create Housing.

Join Rick for a European adventure through humorous and insightful stories and a never-before-seen slide show. From the rustic charms of Tuscany to the “tight-rope-paths” of the Swiss Alps, and from the wind-beaten cliffs of Western Ireland to the newest in chic tree houses in Estonia , Europe is changing but the magic of travel remains the same.

The 14th Annual Rick Steves Travel Seminar will be full of fun, food, raffle prizes and Europe Through the Backdoor travel books, all in support of the mission and ministry of LATCH.

For tickets, call Denise Bradford at (425) 780-1910 or call LATCH at (206) 789-1536 extension 105.

Enjoy this free day-long event that features live entertainment, a fashion show, and a variety of entertainers, seminars and screenings. Vendor exhibits will highlight a wide variety of Eastside businesses and organizations all geared to the active senior. The event takes place at Lake Sammamish Foursquare Church , 1434 NE 8th Street in Bellevue . Call (425) 688-5800 for more information.

2007 marks the centennial year of Lutheran Campus Ministry. This is to be a year of celebration and recommitment to this important ministry of the church. In this synod, Pastors Scott Postlewait and Chris Berry are doing faithful service at the University of Washington and at Western Washington University . We are part of a system that has campus pastors at many of our public and private colleges and universities throughout the nation.

As in many aspects of our church life, reduced support of synod and churchwide organization has meant reduced support for these common ministries. In the past couple of years the local boards of our campus ministries have been assigned the task of raising more of their budget locally. For our two on-site ministries, this means the Seattle area and the Bellingham community are aware of the financial needs, but others are less aware.

I write this to encourage your financial stewardship toward all of the ministries of the church and specifically to campus ministry. If congregations were to forward their benevolence giving to the synod, we would support campus ministry with greater resources. (We currently have this benevolence in our first level of payments, meaning that this check is one of the first written every month.) In the absence of that increased giving, I want to encourage individuals and congregations to consider giving beyond their regular benevolence to campus ministry.

The Synod Council has given approval to Western Washington Campus ministry to do a fund appeal to assist in purchasing the Roman Catholic interest in the Shalom Center . With this building we will be able to expand our ministry to the students and to invite other full communion partners into ministry with us. The immediate need for this is a $50,000 + payment that will need to be made in June.

Campus Ministry is a place where leaders of the church are being trained and challenged. Increasingly those going to seminary are coming out of our campus ministry programs. People training for vocations other than church work are learning about God’s vocational call through these ministries. It is essential we have a strong and healthy presence on our campuses for the formation of these current and future leaders. I invite you to join the celebration as we give thanks for the century of service that this church has given in campus ministry. I also invite your building the future of this ministry through your support of our local pastors and ministries. If your gift can be the gift of time, I invite you to consider serving on the ministry councils for either school. If God is calling you to this service, please contact me or one of our campus pastors.

Ruth Kverndahl

Many have heard the lively and enthusiastic Total Experience Gospel Choir, directed by Patricia Wright who also is a singer. Few have heard them and not been inspired. Last month, PBS showed—as part of their series on “Remarkable People”—a documentary about Pat. They succeeded well in showing her leadership skills and her joy in serving the Lord with music. Most of us are not aware that the choir has toured many countries; it seemed that ¾ of the world was mentioned!

If you saw the program, you will also remember that the most moving highlight for Pat took place in Russia . They gave their concert in their usual, inimitable way, in a huge concert hall packed with people. And then they started the first notes of “Amazing Grace.” Suddenly there was a commotion up in the gallery as a young woman stood up and ran down the stairs to the large hall. This was in 1992, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union , but Pat had the impression that there were still some KGB people around. In any case, there were people who tried to stop the young woman from running toward the front, but in vain.

Up on stage, she reached Pat with two carnations and put her arms around her, telling her that she was so excited because that was a song her grandmother used to sing to her! During the Communist regime, grandmothers and other elderly were often the only ones attending the churches; they were the ones who would bring the grandbabies to be baptized because the authorities wouldn’t bother to arrest them. And only God knows how many seeds they sowed in their families by their faith during that terrible time.

The Spirit has a way of working in the lives of the Lord’s people, under whatever circumstances we might be living. Perhaps we can agree that the Holy Spirit is Therapeutic (that’s why this piece is appropriate in Counselor’s Corner)

Invigorating, and Unpredictable!

Let’s be expectant and prepared for exciting things to happen at St. Luke’s during the Fan into Flame Campaign!

Hart and Morrison, in Safe Haven Marriage, (bought it yet?) say that securely attached couples (and families, friends or communities) are able to: 1. Hold a deep sense that they are loved and valued, 2. Have the experience that others are trustworthy and supportive, 3. Believe that others intentions are good, 4. View other’s emotions and perspectives are valid and 5. Recover quickly after conflicts.

They are not saying these never waver, but they are saying that “for the most part,” the above is true.

Note how each criteria is an aspect of God’s grace. When our faith is strong, we are confident that we are loved and valued by God. We know that God is trust-worthy. We believe that God wants good things for us and we see the value in God’s wisdom even as we believe that God treasures the best in us. We even get over our fights with God as quickly as God does!

That is, when our faith is strong. When our attachment to God is weakened, all those good things are almost impossible to believe. Grace seems out of reach. God hasn’t changed, but without the grace-filled bond, our perspectives on the relationship become distorted.

With God, as with all our human connections, it is the quality of the relationship that determines how we see the other. When we take the risk of reaching out in faith to those who we know are Safe Havens for our hearts, we rest securely in the most profound grace a human can know.

		Light in a world of darkness
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