July and August 2009
From the Desk of Pastor Lassman
“How Are You Doing On Remembering Your Baptism?”
My Fellow Redeemed in Christ,
I hope that none of you become tired of me encouraging you to remember your baptism. Of course, when I say to remember your baptism I am not referring to remembering the act itself. Many of you were baptized as infants and you can’t remember that. I am not even referring to just remembering that you have been baptized. To remember your baptism means to remember the promises of your baptism and to believe them. Let’s review some basics. Jesus Christ has given you baptism and not to remember its promises and believe them is to insult Jesus. Now, that sounds kind of shocking and I meant it to be. Jesus didn’t have us baptized so that we could just forget about it. What would be the point of that?! And Yet, so many Christians/Lutherans hardly ever think of their baptism which is such a precious gift from Jesus. So, let’s briefly remember the blessings/promises of our baptism. There are two: a promise of comfort and the promise of power for godly living.
We start with the comfort of our baptism. In essence our baptism makes us the forgiven children of God with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Of course, baptism gives the same things that God’s Word does. Check it out. Do a study of the blessings of God’s Word and the blessings of Baptism and you will find that the blessings are the same. Why is that?
Because as Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesians that baptism is “…the washing of water with the word…” (5:25. ESV). And this is why Peter in his first letter can say “baptism…now saves you…” (3:22, ESV). Technically only Jesus saves us right? Right. But how are Jesus and His blessings given to us? One way is in baptism. That’s why Peter can say that baptism saves us because it gives us Jesus and His blessings. Same with the Word, it saves us because it gives us what Jesus has won for us as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1: 18: “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” And because both God’s Word and Baptism are a Word of promise from God we can also say that faith saves us as we know in the well known words of Paul, “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8, ESV). So all three statements are true: Jesus saves, the Word saves, Baptism saves, and faith saves. So, what is the comfort of our baptism? Baptism gives us the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 38) and we are adopted as God’s children (Galatians 3: 26, 26). Indeed, to be baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit means that we belong to Him. We have this each and every day of our lives but if we never remember this or believe these promises how can we have the daily comfort that these promises are intended to give? Who are you? You are a baptized forgiven child of God with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
But our baptism is also a source of power for Christian living. We want to live for God and in our baptism we find the power to do that because in our baptism we were “mystically” united to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6: 1-11; Colossians 2: 11-13). What happened physically to Jesus in His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection happened to us spiritually. The result? We are dead to sin and alive to God. This means that we not only don’t want to sin but we don’t have to sin. And how do we use this “power” for living for God? As with everything else: by faith. We are to simply believe this promise of our baptism that because of our union with Christ in our baptism we are dead to sin and alive to God. So when we face a temptation we are to remember and believe this promise and the temptation will pass and we will not have sinned. And when we do sin we remember and believe the promise of God’s forgiveness in our baptism. How do we receive the promise of forgiveness? By faith. How do we receive the promise of eternal life? By faith. And so we also receive the promise of freedom from the power of sin by faith. But of course, before we can believe this promise of our baptism we first have to remember it.
Why then do we remember our baptism daily? For daily comfort and for power to live for God. For comfort, because we are forgiven children of God who have the gift of the Holy
Spirit. And for power for godly living, because we have been united to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And finally, a nice way, an historic way, a meaningful way to remember your baptism and its promises is to start and end each day by making the sign of the cross and saying: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”---as Martin Luther says in his Small Catechism. After all, these were the words that were spoken over you at your baptism.
In Christ,
Pastor Lassman
NEW STUDY IN THE FALL!
What: a discussion group on the Lutheran Confessions as found in the Book of Concord starting Monday, September 21.
When: Mondays at 7:00pm
Discussion Leader: Jim Pierce (who will have pastor as his resource).
Text: “A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord”. Need a copy? Call the church office (206.524.0024); we have a few copies on hand at half price ($15.00). Or go to www.cph.org and in the search block type in “Book of Concord” and order the Reader’s Edition. I encourage all of our members to have this copy of the Book of Concord in their home as these Lutheran Confessions tell us what a Lutheran is. Indeed, when I was ordained into the ministry and installed here at Messiah I confessed before God and the congregation that I would not teach anything contrary to the Book of Concord. See a related article by Jim Pierce.
From the Vicar,
The time has come, and I can’t believe it’s already here. This is my last article for the Messenger! Wow has time flown! It seems like it really was just last month that I was getting here, and getting to meet all of you for the first time. And now I already have to make arrangements and plans to head back to the Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. And to make matters worse, when I get back there it will be at the beginning of August, which is probably about the worst part of the summer to come from a place with such comfortable temperatures and humidity as Seattle. But these are just the things I have to suffer as a vicar. Fortunately, though, my time isn’t quite over yet. I will still get to have the month of July that I can enjoy with all of you. I hope that during the remaining time I will really get a chance to relish the amazing opportunity I have had to serve as the vicar here at Messiah.
My vicarage has really been a wonderful, wonderful blessing. I know that I could not have asked for a better congregation to serve. Your dedication to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is exemplary, as is demonstrated especially in your Biblical and Theological concern. In addition to that, you have been so welcoming not only to me, but to Jessica and to Isaiah as well, I could never thank you all enough. We all have appreciated it so much!
Of course in addition to you as a congregation, Pastor Lassman has been a fantastic mentor. It has been an honor to study under such a learned and knowledgeable Pastor. And, as you all know, he is not only a great teacher, who is so well educated and has studied so many topics to make himself well-informed on how to rightly lead his flock to Christ, he also truly loves his people, all of which has been such a great example to me.
Well, I could keep raving about how wonderful Messiah is, and how great my experience has been, but I thought I would leave with one last theological note… you should have known there would be some nugget from my “deep and profound” musings that I would want to share. I think this is kind of fitting for the situation, though.
Something I have been thinking about occasionally since going to seminary is the idea of how we are separated from God because of our sin. Between us and God this separation is death. We have died spiritually in sin, and that is caused by the separation from the life that God gives. So, with this in mind, I have thought a lot about how that death and separation are reflected in our world. Of course the most obvious example of this is physical death. We all have been on the receiving end of the separation created by death at some point, and we know that it hurts. Why?
Because death is a consequence of sin; death and the separation that follows were not God’s intention for the world. His intention was to remain unified with His creation in order to keep life in it. However, with sin did come death and separation, and it hurts in all forms. It hurts when someone dies, it hurts when marriages fall apart, it hurts when congregations have disunity, it hurts when church bodies have discord, it hurts even when a country can’t be united. Conflict itself is even a form of this death because it disrupts unity, true unity.
With all that being said, it’s also necessary for death to be faced head on because out of death, our God brings life. Martin Luther said that, “It is God’s nature to make something out of nothing; hence one who is not yet nothing, out of him God cannot make anything.” That is what Christ did: He made Himself nothing, becoming sin for us, and now reigns over the world (2 Cor 5:21). So also, it is what God does with us: He kills us and our natural selves. Then, from the nothing that is left, He creates life, and He creates life by reunifying us to Himself in Christ, the one who is the union of man and God.
I bring all of this up in relation to the end of our time here, because leaving will be hard for us, and we will miss everyone so much. It will be a small scale form of death: our communion, our fellowship will be greatly affected by the physical distance between us. However, in Christ we worship and are unified by receiving the same Word in Preaching, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Even more so we can rejoice that because we have been united to Christ by these things, we will also be united eternally to Him together.
Thank you again for being such a wonderful congregation to serve.
To God alone be the Glory,
Vicar Zickler
Ten Members from the Young Adult Group visited the Compass Center on Saturday, June 20th. There they prepared and served dinner to the residents of the Center, who stay as a transition out of homelessness, prison, or other circumstances, into a position where they can work and provide for themselves. A great time was had by all!
CURRENT AND UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES
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FELLOWSHIP HALL BIBLE CLASS
WHAT: “Daniel”
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
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HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE CLASS SUNDAY MORNINGS
WHAT: “Growing in Christ”
WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
INSTRUCTOR: John Daigneault, Dave Manahan
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MONDAY EVENING MARY/MARTHA BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: To be Announced
WHEN: First Monday of the Month (Begins in October)
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Lassman
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TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: “1 Corinthians”
WHEN: Tuesday Mornings, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY YOUNG ADULTS
WHAT: “Law and Gospel”
WHEN: Thursdays, 7 p.m. Two Thursdays a month 7 pm
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202 Lounge
LEADER: Jim Grant Vicar
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ADULT INFORMATION CLASS
WHAT: A 15-week course on basic Christian teachings
WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. (Begins in September)
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.....
Dear Messiah Members,
I’m writing about Pastor Berhanu Seyoum and his Ethiopian ministry at Mekane Yesus Lutheran Church, which meets at the old Zion church building near Green lake. This is a complex situation with different immigration visas, cultural issues, and varied support from District and other churches, but at the focus is a mission that is spreading the Gospel right here in Seattle.
Pastor Berhanu’s wife Mimi, a registered nurse, was required to stop working when her own visa expired last March. Since then, this family of 4; (with two pre-schoolers) has been living on a minimal income and their savings. At our June congregational meeting we voted in favor of Messiah’s sponsorship of a new immigration visa which won’t be completed for at least two years. While the visa is being processed, it will allow Mimi to return to work sometime next summer, which will greatly ease their financial situation.
The coming year is going to be very difficult for the Seyoum family. Messiah has pledged an added $500 per month for June-August and we will assess the situation again in September. I urge you to consider a financial gift to this cause: a Lutheran pastor and his family in need.
We can also provide human support and develop more personal ties to the members of Mekane Yesus. These immigrants with little or no English language abilities are often placed in the lowest income housing in the area and they are exposed to some of the worst American culture has to offer with poverty, drugs and crime. Messiah’s Ann Melvin and Cheryl Kohring are working with the Mekane Yesus Sunday School and could certainly use some help if you are interested. Please watch the newsletter for other opportunities to volunteer as we plan to meet and work with these families directly and help them move into the mainstream.
You will be hearing about this mission in the coming months. For more information please contact any Council member or Ann and Cheryl. Thanks in advance for the gifts of time and money t hat I know will be forthcoming.
In His service,
John Koppelman
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendars! A farewell dinner will be held on July 25th, 5 p.m. to honor Vicar Zickler and his family. Chicken and drinks will be provided. Last names that begin A-M bring salad or side dish, N-Z bring a dessert. Bring stories and lots of good wishes.
Welcome Reception for Vicar Mankin - A welcome brunch for Vicar Trevor Mankin will be held during the Education hour on August 2nd, 9:20 a.m..
September Messenger deadline is August 16th.
Men’s Night Out - Monday, July 6th, 6 p.m. at Saffron Grill (Indian and Mediterranean cuisine), 2132 N Northgate Way, and Monday, August 3rd, 6 p.m. at New Acorn Eatery and Bar (Italian cuisine), 9041 Holman Road NW. Please RSVP to Brian Danforth,.
The Biennial Convention District #33 Lutheran Laymen’s League Convention will be held October 9-11, 2009 in Yakima. See the poster of the bulletin board and watch future bulletins for more information.
ALTAR GUILD NEWS
Summer is in full swing and many of Messiah’s members are looking forward to long weekends and vacations. Those of us serving on the Altar Guild are no different except the Guild NEVER takes a vacation. We are there for both services each and every Sunday. Three members are currently unable to serve, leaving only 9 of us actively participating. Nine members is not adequate; we need a minimum of 12!! Any Messiah member, new or old, can join us without trepidation as we always work in pairs. Interested? Talk to any Guild member, Kathy Lassman or call the church office, 205.524.0024.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Brand New LCMS Study Bible
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod will publish a new study Bible around the time of Reformation Sunday (October). Between now and then Concordia Publishing House is offering pre-publication prices ($34.99 vs. $54.99). You may go to www.cph.org to see the details of this new study Bible and order on your own. Or you may sign up on the bulletin board for a group order and get free shipping. This new study Bible will be an improvement over the current Concordia Study Bible in many ways. I plan to buy one and I hope that you will consider it. Please see the sign up on the bulletin board in the upper hallway. Deadline is September 27.
Pastor Lassman
Why Read Book of Concord, Our Lutheran Confessions?
The Book of Concord contains the Lutheran confessions of faith. The scriptural truths we as Lutherans believe, teach, and confess are summarized in the Book of Concord. Reading our Lutheran confession of faith will hopefully deepen our understanding of the Holy Scriptures and inform us as to what it means to be Lutheran. Please join me this September 21st (Monday) in reading the Book of Concord. We will be reading from “Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions’ and will start with the Small Catechism. The plan is to read through the Book of Concord chronologically. A brief overview of the Book of Concord will be discussed to provide context for the chronological reading. Throughout the readings we will also have opportunity to discuss some of the history surrounding the writing of each confession and perhaps review the art work contained in “Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions”. Please come eager to read and to talk on September 21st, 7 p.m.
Jim Pierce
Do You Have An Interest in Music?
Have you ever thought about ringing handbells? Maybe you played an instrument in the past or are learning another one; perhaps you had some musical experience a long time ago; or you’ve had none at all. We can teach you how to p lay handbells.
Our handbell choir practices weekly beginning September. We play once a month for both services and at other times during the year. Ringing bells is a fun, team activity, and another way to serve the Lord. If you’d like to learn to ring handbells or would like more information, please talk to Dorothy Bellin, or call the church office. There’s also a sign-0up sheet on the music bulletin board.
Sunday School News
These verses are the inspiration for the window in our Sanctuary: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit...John 15:4-5a NIV
Sunday School can help our young branches become deeply attached to the vine. We are here every Sunday, winter, spring, summer and fall. Help your children to attend and benefit from this growing season at Sunday School.
This summer we continue to look at vocations and how all of the work that God has give us (helper, friend, father, mother, fire fighter, pastor, farmer...J) can be done to glorify Him. We are surely the branches, and learning how to be fruitful in all that we do will benefit our children and allow them to give honor and praise to God. If vacation takes you away for two Sundays we will mail your child’s lessons home so you can teach the lessons they have missed. See you next week.
P.S. Today, June 22nd was the first day of our 2009 Vacation Bible School, and it was a great day. God is good to us in so many ways we will never be able to count them all. There were 66 of the real movers and shakers in attendance and God gave us the leaders and helpers we really needed. There was singing, drama, crafts, games, Bible stories and of course snacks. Watching our teenage helpers lead the little ones through our schedule gives great encouragement that God is preparing the church leaders for the future. This year we set up a table in the narthex and our children are helping make craft kits for the Good Shepherd Home of the West as our VBS mission project. This is a good time to remember that Sunday School offerings support our mission project, LAMP, which brings the VBS experience to children who live; in very remote and inaccessible parts of the Northwest.
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Pastor’s Dog Lady
Many of you know my dog “Lady”, affectionately known as “Church Lady”. For eleven years she has been coming with me to the office, attending catechism classes with the 7th graders, Tuesday morning Bible classes and VBS (and sometimes even Concordia’s chapel services!). She has been a very good Lutheran dog. Lady was recently diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on a disc in her neck. Her best prognosis is several more weeks of life and the worst prognosis is 3-5 days. As of this writing I don’t know exactly what will happen. God blesses us in many ways including the pets He gives us for awhile. Thank you for all who have shown concern for Lady...and for me.
Social Ministry News
Monthly Donations
Please put the following items into the lounge basket for some of Seattle’s homeless, whom we help:
July Toothpastes and toothbrushes
August Shaving cream,. razors and aftershaves for Compass Cascade and Immanuel Lutheran.
Marked receipts will help us help others!
Used eyeglasses are given to the Lions’ Club for their programs around the world. Please put eyeglasses in the box in the lounge.
Lutheran World Relief School Kits
We are once again collecting items for Lutheran World Relief School Kits. Below is a list of supplies needed. Just a few dollars can go a long way to help children on their first day of school.
Spiral notebooks of at least 70 pages
Blunt scissors
30-centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
Pencils with erasers (#2 unsharpened)
Pencil sharpener
Box of crayons (16 or 24 pack)
Erasers (2 ½ inches long)
Sheets of construction paper in assorted colors
Items may be left on the large table by the coffee bar.
Thank you for supporting this project!
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) News
Ladies Guild (LWML) Annual “Fruit Bowl” luncheon meeting Wednesday, September 9th, 12 noon
Bring 2 cups sliced fruit
Beverage and dessert will be provided
Bring your “mite” money for missions
Project Day
Wednesday, September 23rd, 9:30 am to 2 pm
Bring a sack lunch
Come, join in on making/tying quilts for Lutheran World Relief and making lap robes for nursing home residents
Call Irma Guthrie, for more information
Washington-Alaska District LWML Retreat
September 25-27, 2009
The Wesley Inn, Gig Harbor, WA
Theme: “Anchored by His Grace” - the retreat will focus on the blessings of God’s constant, unchanging care for us. This is a great opportunity to get “anchored” in Christ, encouraged by the Word and Spirit, and “buoyed” by the fellowship of other Christian women. Enjoy the seaside setting of gig Harbor, across the new Narrows (toll Bridge. Laugh and learn with Lutheran humorist, Jan Struck, our special presenter
Space limited - get your registration in today! Check in is Friday after 3 p.m. Activities begin Friday night at 7 p.m. and continue through Sunday noon.
4-person room (2 nights and four meals) - $130 per person
2 or 3-person room (hotel and four meals) - $190 per person
Sessions only (includes Saturday lunch and dinner) - $100 per person. Meals include Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch Registration forms available on upstairs/downstairs bulletin boards.
Deadline to register is August 10, 2009.
Questions? Call Margie Longan
