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Lights, Camera, Auction update Other News, Events & Ministries at St. Luke's
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My thoughts turn to Bethlehem. It is Advent… a time of preparation. It was such a troubled time. It is certainly no less so now. Joseph and Mary made the difficult journey from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, on the southeast outskirts of Jerusalem far to the south, an exhausting trip indeed. These were very troubled times with very divided loyalties. Rome said “Go” so all Jews “went” each unto their ancestral tribe to be counted. Joseph was of the tribe of Benjamin, the house and lineage of David, Bethlehem was home. Bethlehem is still in the midst of a troubled time. It lies just outside the wall which divides Israel from the Palestinian West Bank territories. The political realities between Israel and the Palestinians and the construction of the wall are well documented and undoubtedly you have formed some position with regard to the morality or correctness of the current situation. Regardless, the sadness of life in Bethlehem is, I think, maybe no less apparent then it would have been 2,000 years ago. Yet, to visit the Church of the Nativity, and to pray within for peace in such a storied church is strangely appropriate. When I visited last spring the political discord and similarities between our age and the one of Jesus was striking. I guess one could just write off the ongoing brokenness as the inherent geographic brokenness of peoples who in the name of God lay claim to the same space. And that would in some measure be accurate. Into this Jesus was born, and continues to be born. The Prince of Peace is born into the midst of the collective depraved nature of us all and is Good News to the oppressed. This is what made being there so remarkable, to be able to pray for peace and believe that mysteriously somehow it has already come, and continues to do so. I believe that pilgrims who travel to Israel and Bethlehem (West Bank) can be ongoing agents of hope for that peace that we confess as incarnate in Jesus. I am looking forward to praying with many of you next September (9/21-10/1) at the Church of the Nativity. As you enter into your Advent preparations, remember daily in your prayers all people who are desperately waiting for the Prince of Peace to visit their homes.
Associate in Ministry - Roselyn Olson Do You Have a Place to Sleep Tonight?
Saturday, November 17th, four of us (Debra Caldwell, Laurie Stevahn, Nancy Quale and myself) from St. Luke’s attended a Symposium on Homelessness at Bellevue City Hall. It was a special day of learning and growing. Each of us attended two of the six workshops offered. We learned about progress being made toward the ten-year plan to end Homelessness in King County. We also learned what we could do. One speaker reminded us that none of us can solve the problem of homelessness by ourselves, however each of us can do something. That helped me. I’ve been interested in homelessness and affordable housing for a long time but the problem has seemed so huge. What can I as an individual do? Some ideas were offered. Speakers were from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths. Several spoke to the idea of how their faith drives them to want to make the world a better place for everyone, not just people of their own faith community. One speaker at a panel I attended told of an incident he witnessed in Renton. A man came into a building (that offered resources for homeless people) with his wife. She had just been released from the hospital, was in a wheelchair, and was still wearing her hospital ID bracelet. He asked if they had anywhere for them to stay that night. The people at the center responded, “Yes, we have beds for both of you, but you will have to go to separate shelters.” The homeless man responded, “We’ve been together 28 years. I’m not going to leave her now.” And he walked away, out into the darkness and the cold. We learned what some faith communities are doing to end homelessness. Steve Roberts from Congregations for the Homeless told about that program which houses up to 30 men in churches at night. He told the group that Pastor Tom from St. Luke’s had the vision for Congregations for the Homeless 15 years ago. In February we will again host them and you will have an opportunity to help. A formerly homeless woman told us of her struggle to be a contributing member of society. It was evident in her story and in others that a key to ending homelessness is affordable housing. Just as there are many ways that people become homeless, there are also many ways to help people get out of homelessness. A group of representatives from the ELCA churches in our cluster have been meeting about once a month with a Thrivent representative. We are just beginning a conversation of learning and deciding what we can do together to increase affordable housing on the Eastside. Our next meeting is Thursday, January 10th at 6:00 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Let me know if you are interested in joining this group. You will be hearing from those of us who attended this Symposium. We’d like to present some ideas to the congregation about what St. Luke’s can do, both as an individual congregation and as part of a larger group. Shalom,
Over the last few years I have found that one of the hardest things that many youth face is not knowing how to pray to God when they are alone or when they are with other people. When I was in junior high and high school I had a hard time with this too. I remember times when I would fail a test or something was wrong with a friend and I wanted to pray to God about it, but I did not know how to say it. What came out was “God I know you are listening and I hope you can help because my friend needs you, so if you can help that would be great, ok bye.” It was awkward and felt funny to pray like that. What is amazing is that it is ok to pray like that. God wants us to talk to Him even though He knows everything that is going on. You do not have to use an organized prayer — just have a conversation with Him like you would with your best friend, or a family member. When praying you should not worry if you are saying the right thing or what others may think; you cannot go wrong if you pray about what is on your heart and you are honest. This last month the Youth Council was asked to answer one question and then challenged to get more information about it. The question was “If you were given a blank check and told to help those less fortunate, what would you do?” Who would you help?” The answers I got from them were great. The two top answers they came up with were domestic violence and global warming. After coming up with the ideas I then asked them to go out and get information on the organizations that help in these areas. We will see at our January 6th meeting what they find out. I would like to ask for your support in the venture that they are on to help people. If you have any information on organizations that help the causes listed above please come and talk to me. This is all part of our Learning, Serving, Giving model to help the youth learn more about the church and the community. There are quite a few youth events coming up that everyone should be aware of and the first one is Mini Golf after church on December 2nd from 1 to 3:30pm. The next is Kid’s Holiday Festival December 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you would like to help with any part of the festival please contact Ethel Brende. We have an all youth Christmas party on December 16 that will be at Hal Wright’s home. I hope to see all you youth there. Remember that we are always looking for adults to help out with youth ministry so if you would like to help out in any way, just come and talk to me. Take care and God bless! Ben Richards, Director of Youth Ministry
Youth Van You might have noticed a new 12 passenger van parked in front of the church. Finally after years of making carpool arrangements and renting vans for youth outings, our prayers have been answered. Through the generosity of Jon Campbell’s bequest, the Youth and Family Ministry was able to purchase this van to use for their activities.
Did you ever want to learn to play the guitar? Steve Holmberg, Children’s Music Coordinator, is going to offer guitar lessons January through May at St. Luke’s. Lessons will be from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. beginning Wednesday, January 9 and each Wednesday until the end of May. This is an accompaniment-style guitar lesson and will be taught as a group. The cost is $5.00 per lesson. For more details see Steve or Ben.
The new church year begins on December 2nd as the first Sunday in Advent. The days are getting shorter and the nights longer. The church’s liturgical color has changed to blue, symbolizing the season of hope as we wait for the newborn King. The lighting of the Advent Wreath is a great tradition on each Sunday in Advent. This is used as another symbol of hopeful expectation as we await the birth of Jesus Christ, bringing light and hope into the dark season. Is the Apostle’s Creed different in the new hymnal? Yes. Other changes will be noticed as we continue to become familiar with our new church-wide resource, such as the language around Baptisms and other service text. Be assured however, that the changes to the Creed are only grammatical in nature. To become more familiar with the rhythm of these changes, open a hymnal to page 105. What about the Lord’s Prayer? Beginning on December 2nd (the first Sunday in Advent), we will return to the traditional Lord’s Prayer, which will be used in all worship services through the Day of Pentecost, May 11, 2008. Worship Schedule As we move from Advent to Christmas, please make note of the following worship schedule:
Amy Corsini Altar Guild Meeting—Saturday, December 8, 4:00 p.m. If you have been serving in the Altar Guild or are interested in this ministry, please mark your calendars and attend this meeting. There is much we can learn from each other’s experiences. This is a rich opportunity to strengthen the “behind the scenes” workings of our worship services. Please join us! Hanging the Crismons All Sunday School classes will conclude in the narthex at 10:35 a.m. on December 9th to hang the Crismons on the Christmas Tree. This should be great fun for everyone! We need many hands at all three Christmas Eve services. Please contact Amy at amy@slukes.org or leave a message with the church office if you are willing to be a Greeter, Usher, Lector, Communion Assistant or Acolyte at 5:00, 8:00 or 11:00 that evening. Thanks
Comparison Income and Expense 2006/07 and 2007/08 Program Year
October was a very unusual month for St. Luke’s. It is one of the lowest months on record for total contributions ($44,483). Hence, we didn’t reduce the deficit like we had in September. But the good news is that with the proceeds from the auction we have reduced our deficit (as of November 12th) to ($22,395). When we approved the ministry budget in June, we had projected to be able to reduce our deficit by $18,273 by the end of the year. I just want to thank everyone who continues to support our ministries and to all those who worked so hard on the auction and the concert, it was a wonderful event and one that provided many blessings to our congregation. We are now 3 months into our new program year and for the first time I can say that we have made up a little over $2,000 of our deficit! People are honoring the pledges they made on New Consecration Sunday and the ministry areas are monitoring their expenses. With your continued support we will be able to reduce our deficit. Carolyn Norton Treasurer 
Right now we are in the throes of the remodel! Pastor Tom is in denial, Roselyn is busy working on her office, Jodi, Pam and Edie have their area ready to be moved, Ben is temporarily in the front office, just waiting for his office so he can move back in, and Amy and Patsy are just happy they don’t have to move this time. The staff has been heroic in their efforts. Hopefully by the time you read this we will be settled into the new administrative wing. TCI has been wonderful to work with and very conscious of our desire to stay under budget. We have done the legwork in finding bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures and tile. We also saved costs in not demolishing areas in the old nursery and crib room, using all the cabinetry from the old office in the new office. We have had some setbacks — the dry rot, the original wiring and plumbing ensconced in cement and not wanting to be moved, the irrigation needing to be relocated and a retaining wall built — but we are finally seeing all the work come together. At this point, the scheduled completion date is November 30th as If you haven’t had a chance to see what is happening, please do so today. We will be more than happy to show you around our new offices. Carolyn Norton
Wednesday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. All women are invited to meet at the church to go caroling at a few of the senior homes. Bring your enthusiasm for singing Christmas carols with others and we’ll follow up with a light dinner at an agreed-upon restaurant. This will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit! Questions: Call Karen Dunning, Pam Webber or Judy Ness.
In continued celebration of our 50th anniversary, we will be compiling all of the Jubilee Moments into a soft covered book. The book will showcase the history of each year of St. Luke’s along with wonderful photos and other facts of interest. In order to insure that you will receive a copy of the first edition of this book, please reserve your copy(ies) by signing up in the narthex. The cost of the book will be finalized soon. These would make wonderful Christmas gifts for those who have been a part of our history or are a part of our current ministry.
December 2 Advent Fair in Pierson Hall — enjoy a cup of coffee while visiting, helping or watching the children make their Advent projects. December 9 My Legacy Matters: Living and Planning a Meaningful Legacy Last session of Thrivent presentations December 16 Would you like to be a better listener? Would you like to be heard? If either of these apply to you, come and learn about the new program, Formation for Spiritual Companions. Come and learn. Presenters are Nancy Quale, Dorothy Scott and Roselyn Olson. December 23 Informal visiting in Pierson Hall December 30 One worship service at 10:00 a.m.
Our own Anne Bly was the winner of the “Nigella Express” Quick and Tasty contest sponsored by the Seattle P-I and University Book Store. She submitted her recipe for Spicy and Delicious Kale Soup and beat out over 100 other readers who had submitted recipes. Her prize was the opportunity to be first in line at Nigella Lawson’s Seattle appearance and receive several personally signed books plus some food-related items. Her recipe was also published in the P-I. Her AWARD WINNING soup recipe is on the next page. (The office bestowed Anne’s title (above) so it may change with any hair color change.) What the hail to do with kale! (Spicy and Delicious Kale Soup) 1 Tablespoon coconut oil Heat oil in large Dutch oven sauté sausage until good and brown – 5 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and reserve. Deglaze pan with a little chicken stock, add garlic, onions, carrots, red pepper, and cook for 5 minutes, till the vegetables begin to soften. Add remaining chicken stock and potatoes, bring to boil and turn down to low heat and cover pan, cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until carrots and potatoes are done. Add sausage slices and kale. Bring back to boil and then simmer 6 to 10 minutes until kale is tender. Add salt and pe pper if needed. Serve with toasted baguette. Serves 4 to 6.
The Jubilee Celebration is nearing its end and we have had 14 months of wonderful events commemorating this 50th anniversary of St. Luke’s. During the celebration we used the sanctuary to stage a big band dance, had Christian entertainer David Harsh perform two concerts and hosted noted author Anne Lamott. We also brought the St. Luke’s family together for a bowling tournament, carnival night, Founder’s Day dinner, choir concert and bingo night. Travel was also part of the year, with a group traveling to Alaska on a cruise ship and Pastor Tom making a pilgrimage to Israel as part of his 20th anniversary at St. Luke’s. The final celebration will be on Christmas Eve. In fact the first service held in the Sanctuary in 1957 was held on Christmas Eve. We will be marking this special day with three services, where charter members will be invited to sit in the front rows. Prior to Christmas Eve we will be taking orders for the Jubilee Book, authored by Roberta Johnson and distributing our new pictorial directory. The 50th Anniversary Committe has spent many hours on this celebration, let's be sure to thank them; Carolyn Norton, Jodi Daub, Roberta Johnson, Judy Pagnotta, Karen Richards and Marie Barsness. It has been a wonderful year with many new memories that will be remembered over the next 50 years. And the next 50 years begin ...
Are You Listening? Would You Like to Be Heard? Would You Like to be a Better Listener? Would You Like to Help Others Listen? Would You Like to Have Spiritual Friends? Would You Like to Learn to Listen with Your Heart? Would you like to experience affirmation and encouragement? If any of the above apply to you, there is a new program that you may be interested in. It’s called “Formation for Spiritual Companions.” This program helps us truly listen to each other and to God. It will build community and enrich our spiritual lives. No other relationship is exactly the same as spiritual companionship. It has elements of spiritual direction, but is a relationship of peers. Over a span of time, the relationship can bless companions in a number of ways as it gives them… Someone to talk to about spiritual things, which gives a sense of being heard. A person to be accountable to for some or several areas of their Christian life. A partner to pray with A person who provides encouragement and support. In addition to showing participants how to be companions, this program offers spiritual formation through worship times and some of its presentations. The latter teach elements of Christian spirituality and give a deeper understanding of the One we worship and trust. Every class includes a triad practicum, a practice session to help participants experience the beginnings of being a spiritual companion The opening retreat will be on Saturday, January 12th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendance at this retreat is required for participation in either the day or evening sessions. After the opening retreat, there will be six weekly sessions held on Monday evenings (not consecutive) January 28, February 4, 11, 25, March 3, 10, or Six weekly Wednesday mornings: January, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27. The cost will be $25.00 which includes a student workbook. Contact Roselyn about scholarships. Two texts will be available for purchase at the retreat for a total of $26.00. Are You Really Listening? by Paul Donoghue and Mary Siegel $11.00 Healing:Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love by Jan Alkire $15.00 Childcare will be available for the weekly meetings if requested in advance. Early registration is encouraged. Deadline is Monday, January 7th. Nancy Quale 425-746-6559 A registration form is on the back page of the Communicator. Please return it to Roselyn by January 7.
You may have noticed the dedicated individuals who sit in the AV booth each Sunday during worship trying to make sure the PowerPoint slides above the altar appear as designed by Worship Director Amy Corsini. Each of us serves at least one Sunday a month in this capacity. During this time of Thanksgiving, while looking forward to gifts to come, I want to give special thanks to Dave Bly, Jack Doidge, Russ Jannetto, Kim Johne, Karl Olson, and Julia Parsons for their ongoing service to the congregation. Thanks also go to Tomas Corsini for his willingness to substitute as he is able. Roberta Johnson, AV Coordinator
Lights, Camera, Auction Update Now that the dust has cleared, the items have been purchased and picked up, all thank you letters have been sent, our final count for the auction proceeds is $23,340+. What a fun night. So much going on! Each single event — the concert and the auction — could have kept us entertained for an evening of fun. But we had both in one night! It was so fun to see the church frenzied with activity. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event — the choir, the youth who performed, the musicians, and especially Patsy for leading yet another wonderful concert. Thank you also to the auction committee — Joan Jackson, Debra Caldwell, Laurie Mitchell, Jacquie Brase, Leslie Schofield and myself. Thank you church staff for all of your help before, during and after the event! Thanks to all the people who pitched in and helped with checkout, set-up, clean-up etc. on the night of the event. And let’s not forget everyone who brought an appetizer. A big THANK YOU to all!
Welcome our new Deacon & Elder We are pleased to announce that at the Congregational Meeting on November 18, Jim Wiederaenders was elected as our new Deacon and Mark Doidge was affirmed as a new Elder. Please join us in welcoming him to the Board of Trustees. Also a very special thank you to Stephanie Hurst for her service as an Elder and Paula Wells as a Deacon. They have worked diligently on your Board of Trustees. Do you have tax returns from 1955 in your attic or garage? Do you keep missing those opportunities to take them to the free recycling? We have the answer for you! St. Luke’s is hiring a shredding company to be on-site in December. All you need to do is pack it into a box (banker box size), bring it to St. Luke’s on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. or Sunday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and pay $10 per box. The deadline for bringing your boxes is Wednesday, December 19. The boxes will be kept in a secure location until the actual shredding and you may tape them shut. Please take the boxes to the lower entrance door below the sanctuary; on Sunday the door will be “manned” to help you. Ten dollars is the going rate and St. Luke’s will be paying the company $3.50 per minute for shredding.
Here's a great way to bless our troops! As you're making out your Christmas card list, please consider sending one to our American military heroes who are recuperating from wounds this holiday season. Please enclose a short note thanking them for their service and personal sacrifice. Send to: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20307-5001 Can’t find the right gift? What about ELCA Good Gifts? This is a wonderful time of the year to help make a significant impact to the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA has many ministries who could use your donation. Some of these are for hunger at home; life-giving water; God’s global barnyard; or starting new ministries. Check out their website www.elca.org/giving.
The following is not supposed to be a substitute for whatever wonderful things you are doing already to help alleviate poverty, homelessness and hunger. However, you might want to make the following an addition. It combines educating with giving a chance to support a fine cause and was started online about two months ago. Click on to www.freerice.com. You will find multiple choice definitions of the meaning of a word. If you choose the correct one you are generating 10 grains of rice for the U.N. World Food Program! After the first month the result of the game meant enough rice to feed 50,000 people. Try it - and generate more rice!
Our Catechumenate classes begin in January. If you are considering membership in St. Luke’s, you will enjoy this class which runs through Easter. Most classes are held during the 9:45 a.m. Education Hour in small groups. The total group meets several times for a light lunch and talk from Pastor Tom after the 11:00 a.m. worship. Each person has a sponsor who also attends the classes. More information will be in the January Communicator or contact Judy Pagnota at (425) 361-1920 or email to judypag@comcast.net
St. Luke’s Israel Trip There are currently eight spaces available. If you are giving thought to joining Pastor Tom and Brenda for this life-giving pilgrimage, it is important you make your $300 deposit soon. Contact Jodi in the office for further information.
Every year in October or November, bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) visit one of our eight seminaries. This was my sixth year of these visits. I have been to all of our seminaries except for Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa; and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Our Seminaries Serving Us by The Rev. Wm Chris Boerger Bishop This past month I was at Luther Seminary, St. Paul for such a visit, followed by a trip to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, for the seminary board meeting. It is an exciting time for seminaries in the ELCA. The students are reflecting a younger age cohort. The faculties are in transition and exciting new faculty members are being added. There is real enthusiasm for seminary education. For those of us in Region 1 and in this synod, we have a direct financial relationship with Luther and PLTS. Unlike the other regions of the church we divide our synod support for seminaries between these two seminaries in the Western Mission Cluster. In Luther we have the largest of the ELCA seminaries in terms of number of students. In PLTS we have the only seminary of the ELCA on the West Coast. I want to speak a word of strong support for all of our seminaries. I especially want to bring a word of good news from PLTS. President Phyllis Anderson has led the seminary through some difficult times. I would invite you to ask about the approved master plan for campus development at PLTS. The student body has stabilized in terms of numbers of students and the past two years have seen operations in the black with scheduled repayment of internal borrowing. PLTS is still working to establish a strong financial footing, but it would appear that the corner on this road has been turned. We are represented on the PLTS board by Mr. Brad Berg, Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church in Sammamish; Mr. Clint Pehrson, University Lutheran Church in Seattle; and I am appointed by the bishops of Region 1 to serve on this board. The Rev. Jim Lindus, Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, is our representative on the Luther Seminary board. All of these people would be happy to share with you the good news about our seminaries. As we move into a time of increasing number of clergy retiring, we need to know that we have a strong system of seminaries training our future pastors. These are our schools. I invite you to get to know them and their students. There is good reason for this enthusiasm. You need only visit one of these schools to feel the excitement in the leaders of Christ’s church. These people are already leading the church today and they are preparing to do so for tomorrow. Thanks be to God.
THE WONDERFUL STORY There’s a wonderful story that never grows old, Herbert E. House
JOSEPH
Joseph how silently you stand, No song from you to magnify, The babe you guard, though not your own, By Stephen P. Gerhard, Pastor of a Lutheran church in North Carolina
OPPORTUNITY AND INSPIRATION COME AT UNEXPECTED TIMES
The oratorio Messiah, now an integral part of the celebration of Christmas all over the world, could not be foreseen as such by its composer, George Frederic Handel. The year 1740 and into the next year saw Handel recovering from a complex illness and depression, and he had virtually withdrawn from public life. However, when Charles Jennens persuaded him to compose music to a scripture collection and that the subject was Messiah, the composer started to work as never before. The composition was begun on August 22, 1741 and was completed in 24 days! In November 1741, the work was performed for the first time in Ireland to benefit "The Society for Relieving Prisoners," "The Charitable Infirmary," and "Mercer's Hospital." It is said that, after writing out the Halleluja Chorus of Part II, Handel exclaimed to his servant with tears in his eyes: "I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne with His company of Angels."
Submitted by Ruth Kverndal December 2007 A Safe Haven
A Safe Haven: A trustworthy person to whom you can turn, knowing that person will be emotionally available and will respond to you in a caring manner. Heart Trust: when you are convinced, despite all the fights and storms you have had and no matter what may happen between the two of you, that the other will always care for and value you. This is the deepest level the human heart can give or receive. This is the essence of a secure attachment between two people. It is also the message of Christmas. Jesus’ appearance in the manger is God’s way of saying, “I am here with you, in the fullest way possible, no matter what.” Even in Jesus’ leaving he says, “Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” Death is not the last word about God’s connection to us. God plays a trump card and the connection continues. We see in a mirror darkly. Our attachments to each other are dull mirrors of God’s attachment to us, but they are mirrors none the less. Our mirrors are broken. The cracks are filled with hurts, betrayals, disappointments and pain. Bur broken is not the last word. The Father parts with his son for a time, surely, a painful separation, so that we do not have to part from God forever. There is a love and a bond that is stronger than the broken mirror. There is a love that will hold together our broken relationships, gently soothing, healing and sustaining. May God lead you to seek out and become a Safe Haven always. |
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