September 2009
From the Desk of Pastor Lassman
RALLY DAY AND THE ADULT INFORMATION CLASS
My Fellow Redeemed in Christ,
Well, it’s that time of year again: Fall. I hope you all had the chance to “get away” and have some kind of relaxing vacation. As we enter the Fall things start to get busier again. Children are going back to school and some leaving home for the first time for college. Many family calendars will be filled with activities and soon we will be settling into our Fall routines. Likewise, the calendar at Messiah will be filling up with lots of activities and our life together will also become busier. And of course, we welcome a new vicar Trevor Mankin At this time of the year I usually bring to your attention a few things that will be on that busy calendar.
1) RALLY DAY WILL BE SEPTEMBER 13. TO "rally" means, "to come together again to renew an effort to rouse to action." On September 13 we acknowledge that summer is over and we once again commit ourselves to faithful/regular attendance on Sunday mornings for Worship, Sunday School and Bible Study. Rally Day is a day to renew our commitment to the ministry that our Lord Jesus has given us here at Messiah. We will install our Sunday School teachers. In the Adult Bible Class we will begin a study of the book of Revelation. Here’s your chance! Watch for a study on Galatians led by Jim Grant on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 PM beginning September 17. And something new! Beginning on September 21 (Monday) at 7:00pm you will have a change to read and discuss the Lutheran Confessions as contained in The Book of Concord. Jim Pierce will lead the discussions. Catechism classes begin a little later than usual: October 14 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. I will teach 7th grade and the Vicar will teach 6th grade.
As the baptized, forgiven Children of God I encourage you to join us on RALLY DAY as we renew our commitment to the ministry God has given us here at Messiah. If you have been away from Church for awhile Rally Day would be a good symbolic day to renew your commitment to your God and Savior. And if you know someone who has been away for awhile Rally Day would be a good day to invite them back to Sunday’s Divine Service.
2) The Adult Information Class begins September 17! The mailing to our community went out in August to invite people to learn about Jesus Christ and our Christian faith. This is a very important part of our ministry to "make disciples by baptizing them and teaching them. " (Matthew 28: 19, 20). As I do each Fall, I am asking you for your participation in our Adult Information Class.
A. Please pray that God will open the hearts of many people to accept our invitation to hear about God's salvation in His Son. This is something we can all do (Parents, you can encourage your children to pray for this too!) Prayer is very important for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul says in 1 Thess. 3:1---"Pray for us, that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
B. Invite someone! Can you imagine the result if just 25% of our members invited someone to class?! Please take this opportunity seriously---relatives, friends, neighbors, associates at work. An easy way to invite someone is to use the brochure in the bulletin or the pew rack that will be provided four weeks before class starts and you can direct them to the videos on our website. In 1 Peter 3:15 Peter says, "Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
C. Come to the class. This class is for you too. You will not only learn a lot…but you will grow in your own relationship with your God and Savior as Jesus says in John 5:40--"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me." Ask others who have come. You will not be disappointed. And having attended, you will be that much more excited and motivated to invite others to come.
D. God will take care of our financial needs. Our entire ministry is based on the generosity of God's people---you! By God's grace we have been blessed with members who are generous with their money for our ministry in generally as well as for our Adult Information Class ministry. Our spending guide for 2009 includes $25,000 for evangelism plus additional funds that are designated for the AIC mailing. Praise God for his generosity!
Finally, at this time of year I always want to thank God for all that you do in this place called Messiah. Over the years God has worked some wonderful things in our midst and I am confident that He will continue to bless us as we trust in His mercy and forgiveness and remain faithful to His Word. "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 1: 2, 3).
In Christ,
Pastor Lassman
TWO STUDENTS AT THE SEMINARY
Messiah is blessed by having two students at the seminary. David Solum, son of Bob and Janet, has just returned to the seminary from his vicarage in California to complete his last year, graduating in the Spring and receiving a call. Gail Ludvigson recently left Seattle to attend the Seminary in the Deaconess Program. Although deaconesses have been active in the Christian Church from the earliest of times and throughout its history (including the Lutheran Church), they are new to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Here’s a quote from the seminary web site about the Deaconess Program:
“The Deaconess program at Concordia Theological Seminary provides competent women with theological training for professional service in the church in such areas as human care, counseling, visitation, loss/mourning, social ministry, and teaching the faith with and under the direction of the pastoral office. The program provides capable women with in-depth theological education at the master’s level and an appropriate office for the practical use of such theological education in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.”
We hope to provide financial support for both David and Gail. You may also make a contribution to either one of them or both with any of your “designated” offering envelopes as well as keep them in your prayers.
From the Vicar
Greetings Members of Messiah Lutheran Church,
As this is my first article for the Messenger I would like to take this opportunity to share with you something from my life. While driving out here I had a lot of time to reflect and think about many things. As most of you know, sometimes thinking too much can be dangerous. I thought of my family and friends that I was leaving behind. I thought a lot about the place where I was going. What kind of people was I going to find? What was Seattle going to be like? Just what have I gotten myself into at Messiah? At one point, while driving out of the mountains, with the car doing about 80 mph without any help from me, I thought, why are you doing this? Have you lost your mind? As I drew closer and closer to Seattle, my thoughts turned more and more negative. That old evil foe twisted my thoughts to uncertainty and self-doubt so that by the time I pulled up to the church I was almost ready to go home.
I got out of the car, and headed up to the church, and no one was there! Wouldn’t you just know it? The church was empty. This was too much. All my doubt and apprehension had come to a head. I was finished. Then all of a sudden, pastor pulled up and hurried over to meet me and with a big smile on his face, he told me how he had been waiting all day to run an errand, and when he had finally done it, he missed my arrival. Then he said something that caught me by surprise and totally changed my mood. He said, “It’s a good thing we all live under God’s grace.” He was right, we didn’t need to worry. We are all under God’s grace. The pastor is, I am, we all are under grace.
We don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to be “worthy” to be a vicar. The reality is that I can’t be worthy no matter how hard I try, in fact no one can. We can only make it by the grace that God has shown to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. So my fears were checked, and I sat in the pastor’s office listening to all of the opportunities that I will have in the church this next year. Whenever I begin to doubt I will think, “I’m baptized, walk wet in that baptismal grace.” As the weeks have flown by here at Messiah, I realize more each day just how much grace God is giving me through all of you. Not only are my sins washed away, but also I am surrounded by faithful Christians who aren’t afraid to share with me the grace they have been given. The love and generosity that you have shown me has been both overwhelming and humbling. I am truly grateful for all that you have done for me these past few weeks. As the year progresses, and I join that proud line of vicars that Messiah has helped form, I pray we all strive to live in the grace that God has given to us and that we in turn share it with each other.
Lord’s richest blessing and grace,
Vicar Mankin
CURRENT AND UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES
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FELLOWSHIP HALL BIBLE CLASS
WHAT: “Daniel” (“Revelation” starts September 13th)
WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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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: Vicar Mankin
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YOUNG ADULTS
WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
WHEN: 1st and 3rd Sundays, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NIGHT
WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
WHEN: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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MONDAY EVENING MARY/MARTHA BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: The Lutheran Spirituality Series: Community
WHEN: First Monday of the Month (Begins October 5th, 7 p.m.)
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Lassman
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MONDAY EVENING STUDY
WHAT: “Lutheran Confessions”
WHEN: Begins September 21st, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
INSTRUCTOR: Jim Pierce
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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
WHAT: “Galatians”
WHEN: Thursdays, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
LEADER: Jim Grant
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ADULT INFORMATION CLASS
WHAT: A 15-week course on basic Christian teachings
WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. (Begins September 17)
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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Financial Report from Harry Edmon, treasurer
I have good news, and bad news.
First the good news. On September 3rd we will make the last payment on the mortgage we took out to build the Education Addition. By making extra payments over the past 6 years we have been able to pay off the mortgage early, saving thousands of dollars in interest. The church property, including the parsonage, is now free and clear of any debts. Thanks be to God! Now the plan is to take the money we have been paying for the mortgage and use it for large capital repairs needed in the next few years - replacement of the Sanctuary roof, painting of the ceiling in the Sanctuary, the installation of fans in the ceiling of the Sanctuary, and replacement of our boiler.
Now the bad news. Offerings have dropped off over the past few months. Through August 9th our offerings are only at 81.64% of our Spending Guide (behind $61, 473) and they are only 93.7% of last year at this time (behind $18,185). As of the end of July our spending exceeded our income by $18,975, and we are two quarters behind in our pleddge to District and Synod ($6,750).
Hopefully offerings will pick up over the rest of the year. Otherwise we will be unable to save any money this year for the needed repairs. I know that the economy is still tough, but please consider either making up missed offerings or increasing your giving. To God be the glory!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Men’s Night Out September 14th, 6 p.m. at Greenwood Mandarin Restaurant, 7307 Greenwood Avenue North. Please RSVP to Brian Danforth.
The Altar Guild will hold its fall meeting on Monday, September 14th, at 7 p.m. in the Youth Room. Pastor Lassman will attend and give an educational presentation to the current Guild members. This is a wonderful opportunity for interested congregational members (men are not excluded) to come and learn what the Altar Guild does and how closely our duties intertwine with the church year’s calendar and liturgy. If you are interested, contact any member of the Altar Guild and/or Cheryl Gagne and Kathy Lassman.
October Messenger deadline is September 20.
Concordia Lutheran School’s Golf Tournament Friday, September 18, 2009. 6:45 am Registration, 7:00 am Putting Contest, 8:00 am Shotgun Start! Sign up today; registration due September 1st.
Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting, Sunday, September 20th, right after the late service.
Items for the 2010 Spending Guide should be given to the Treasurer, Harry Edmon, by October 1st.
The Biennial Convention District #33 Lutheran Laymen’s League Convention will be held October 9-11, 2009 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Yakima. Inspirational speaker will be Pastor David Sternbeck of Makah Lutheran Church in Neah Bay. For registration forms, contact the church office. See the poster of the bulletin board and watch future bulletins for more information.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
If you would like to play in Messiah’s Instrumental Ensemble this year, we will begin practice on Wednesday, September 9th, at 7 p.m. in the choir practice room. The Ensemble plays special music during both worship services once a month with weekly practices. Played in high school but haven’t picked up your instrument in years? No problem, we’re user friendly. Contact Bev Edmon, Director, for more information.
It’s time to pass the torch. I am looking for someone to coordinate Tables for 8 or something similar, perhaps with groups of six. If you are inspired to start something new or would like to keep things as they are and are willing to organize the groups, please contact Bev Edmon. Without a coordinator, this fun fellowship activity may disappear next year.
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. We can teach you to play handbells. Our handbell choir practices weekly and we play once a month for both services and at other times during the year. If you’d like to learn to ring handbells or would like more information, please talk to Dorothy Bellin,.
Comments from attendees of the Seminary Extension Course held this summer, “ The Lutheran Way with the Liturgy”:
.....through Dr. Masaki’s scholarship, expertise, and joy in the Gospel, I learned that God gives his gifts of Word and Sacrament to us in the Divine Liturgy and we are the recipients.
.....I was very blessed by the seminar! What I learned has given me a new appreciation of our liturgy and its profound importance!
Teacher for the Ethiopian Mission Sunday School - We are looking for someone to help teach the Sunday School for Mekane Yesus, the Ethiopian Mission Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are now 9 children coming ages 3-11 years. It is getting to be too much for one person to handle. For information contact Ann Melvin, or Cheryl Kohring. If you can teach 3 high schoolers, please call the church office.
District Convention Report by Harry Edmon
On June 18-20 Pastor Lassman and I attended the Northwest District Convention in Portland, Oregon. The Northwest District of the LCMS is comprised of the states of Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Idaho. The District Convention meets every three years, the year before the Synodical Convention. Each congregation is entitled to send two voting delegates, one pastor and one lay.
The biggest item of business for this year’s District Convention was the election of a new District President. Our current President, Rev. Warren Schumacher, is retiring. We elected Rev. Paul Linnemann from Our Redeemer, Tigard, Oregon to be the new President, which is a full time position. Pastor Linnemann actually started his ministry as a middle school teacher at our own Concordia Lutheran School in Seattle from 1980-1985. He then became a DCE, a professor at Concordia Portland, and then decided to go to the seminary. He had been at Our Redeemer since 1995 and was the District Secretary for the past 5 years.
We also elected a number of other officers. Pastor Jonathan Dinger of Grace Lutheran in Pocatello was elected First Vice President. Pastor Ted Werfelmann of Light of Christ Lutheran in Federal Way was elected the Regional Vice President for the Puget Sound region, and our own Pastor Lassman was elected Circuit Counselor for the North Seattle Circuit.
The Synodical report was given by the Synodical President, Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick. Dr. Kieschnick also preached the sermon at the Communion Service. Most of the resolutions at the convention were routine. However, the convention did pass a strong resolution against Physician Assisted Suicide. We also received a report from the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. This task force was appointed by President Kieschnick to look at the structure and governance of the Synod from the ground up, and make recommendations to the next Synodical Convention in 2010. The Task Force reported on its work to date. Some of their recommendations are very good, and some have a number of people in the Synod concerned. Our convention took no stand positive or negative on the Task Force’s recommendations. Any recommendations will have to be approved by a Synodical Convention, either in 2010 or a future convention. In addition, any changes to the Synodical Constitution will have to be ratified by a vote of the individual congregations of the Synod.
Pastor Lassman and I had a great time at the convention. It is always encouraging to be reminded that we at Messiah belong to a National Synod of Lutheran congregations spreading the Gospel in the Pacific Northwest, the country at large, and to the whole world. I thank you for the honor of allowing me to represent you at the District convention.
Sunday School News
Fall Quarter starts on September 13
We will promote students who have advanced a grade and our teachers will be commissioned for a year of service. Please pray for our children that they would be thirsty for the word of God,. The parents that they would love their children enough to make sure that they have the opportunity to learn of God’s love, and for the teachers that they would be responsible as they respond to God’s love by fulfilling their call to teach.
Each Autumn we look at Old Testament lessons. This year we will begin by learning of Israel’s kings, David and Solomon. These lessons will point us to Jesus our King and Savior.
These lessons are very important because they point our children to the one who loves them most, Jesus. They also help prepare our students to respond to the great commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations”. The Sunday School has its own mission project, LAMP. The offerings of the students are accumulated and once or twice a year the money goes to support Pastors/pilots who bring the word and love of God to children who live in very remote northern villages.
COME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL AND MAKE AUTUMN A SEASON OF GROWTH!
We will have our first teachers/ meeting with Vicar Mankin on Sunday, September 20th, right after late service.
Social Ministry News
Monthly Donations
Messiah Lutheran members and friends are very generous in assisting people in need. L This month in our lounge basket we are collecting liquid body soaps and hand/body lotions. These will go to Immanuel Lutheran and Compass Cascade, two organizations we help in helping the homeless.
The Lions’ Club appreciates receiving used eyeglasses for their programs around the world. Please put eyeglasses in the box in the lounge.
School Kits
Messiah will again be putting together School Kits for Lutheran World Relief. For a detailed list of items needed, please pick up a school kit “shopping list’ located on the large table by the coffee bar and head out to the many sales that are going on right now. All donations can be left on the table. Deadline for donations is September 27th. Many thanks to those who have already donated; YOU ARE AMAZING!
Coming in October we will collect items for Health Kits for LWR. I keep reading that they are in urgent need of them. Perhaps because of all of the earthquakes, flooding and storms in countries already impoverished. More information in the October Messenger and bulletins.
Hello all you wonderful Compass Center Supporters! Our Hygiene Center, Day Center and Men’s Emergency shelter are running incredibly low, making it difficult to provide each guest with a clean bath towel. The bath towels can be new or gently used. So, if you have any extras laying around, have recently redone the decor in your bathroom or are able to make a quick run to the store any and all bath towels would be greatly appreciated both by our the staff and the guests that use them day in and day out. Towels may be left in the lounge area at church.
Sue Hewitson, chair
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) News
Ladies Guild (LWML)
Annual “Fruit Bowl Extravaganza” luncheon meeting
Wednesday, September 9th, 12 noon
Bring 1 ½ to 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
Call Irma Guthrie, for more information
Messiah’s Mary-Martha Ministries
Monthly Women’s Bible Study Monday, October 5th, 7 p.m.
We will start a study from The Lutheran Spirituality Series:” Community study written by Prof. Masaki, the professor who taught the continuing ed class here in June. “The church is where our crucified and risen Lord Jesus lives and gives His abundant gifts”...the study will go into these various gifts in depth. The title of the study for October is “Where Christ Is, There is the Church”. All women of Messiah are welcome.
MITES: Don’t forget the last Sunday of the month is the day to bring in your mite boxes. Drop your box in the basket at the back of the Sanctuary and pick up another one. Your change goes a long way in supporting Lutheran mission activities around the world.
