October 2009
From the Desk of Pastor Lassman
THE WRATH OF GOD, HIS FORGIVENESS AND HIS CHURCH (OR LAW AND GOSPEL)
My Fellow Redeemed in Christ,
The wrath of God has never been a very popular subject. But if there is no wrath of God why should there be any forgiveness? Doesn’t forgiveness assume that something needs to be forgiven? If there is no wrath of God then why did Jesus die on the Cross? God’s wrath is not arbitrary, whimsical or driven by emotion. God’s wrath is his holy, just response to sin, to what is not holy or just. In other words, as a holy and just God He must issue threats and warnings against sin, wrong doing….and He must punish sin, wrong doing…otherwise, God would be neither holy nor just. And what kind of God would He be if He was neither holy nor just? And this is why (as we confess in the Creed) that there will be a Judgment Day when God will judge all of humanity (Romans: 3:19). But if people don’t know this or believe this about God why should they take Jesus Christ seriously (or His Church)? But on the Judgment Day no one will take the wrath of God lightly; no one will deny it…but then it will be too late because those without Jesus Christ will feel the full weight and horrors of God’s wrath. The author of Hebrews says: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the Hand of the living God” (Hebrews 10: 31, ESV). And so we read in the book of Revelation the terror of those without Christ on the Judgment Day: “…hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Rev. 6: 16, 17, ESV). One of the functions of God’s Law is to expose sin and God’s wrath as Paul says in Romans: “…for the law brings wrath…” (4: 15, ESV).
Now God doesn’t say these things through His Church because He is mean but because He wants to save people in His Son, Jesus Christ! “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5: 8, 9 ESV). This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ….and remember the Greek word “Gospel” means “Good News!” Yes! Great News! Jesus saves us from the wrath of God! And He did this with His death on the cross in our place and for our sins. When He cried out from the cross “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?” (Matthew 27: 46, ESV) our dear Lord Jesus was feeling the wrath of God against the sins of all people in all times and in all places. And now in Jesus Christ we do not fear the wrath of God…in this world or on the Judgment Day. Our sins have already been punished and forgiven! And so Paul writes in his letter to the Romans: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1, ESV). But Jesus died for us around 2,000 years ago. Where can we find or receive this wonderful forgiveness today? Only where Jesus Himself tells us: In His Word, in Baptism and in His Supper. It is through these Means of Grace that Jesus gives us what He has won for us: forgiveness, life and salvation.
And this is where His Church is so important. For only His Church has the Means of Grace to give Jesus’ forgiveness, life and salvation. When we come together on a Sunday morning
God’s Law reminds us that we are sinners who only deserve the wrath of God. (Isn’t this what we confess in the “Confession”?) But the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us forgiveness of our sins and peace with God (the Liturgy is filled with God’s forgiveness: the Absolution, Baptismal remembrance, the Sermon, the Lord’s Supper, and many parts of the Liturgy and the Hymns! The Divine Service lavishes God’s forgiveness on us so that we need not fear that wrath!). You see, then, the reason we faithfully attend the Divine Service is because we take seriously both God’s wrath (the Law) and God’s forgiveness (the Gospel). And after each Divine Service we are renewed and strengthened in our faith in Jesus to go back to our daily lives to live for Him who has saved us from the wrath of God on the Judgment Day. Because of Jesus Christ, Who is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14: 5, ESV), we do not fear that Day…but rather, we look forward to it to finally see our Savior “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV) and hear Him say: “'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:34, ESV).
In Christ,
Pastor Lassman
From the Vicar
There are many misconceptions and fine quotes that well meaning Christians say everyday that they think are in the Bible but you may be shocked to learn where they really come from or what they really mean. The following is a lighthearted look at a few of my favorites.
One of my favorite misquotes is, “God helps those who help themselves.” Hezekiah 6:1This verse, of course, is not in the Bible. Hezekiah sounds plausible enough, but it is not even a real book in the Bible! This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. In actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. Whatever the original source of this saying, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.”( Jeremiah 17:5) and “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,”.( Proverbs 28:26a) God wants us to place our full reliance on Him not in our own strength. God doesn’t want us to help ourselves he wants to help us.
How many of you reading this think that Satan’s name is Lucifer? If so please keep reading, the rest of you keep reading too. The word “Lucifer” only appears once in the King James Version (Isaiah 14:12) of the Bible. It does not appear in any of the many other translations. The other translations generally read, “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star.” This passage in Isaiah is part of a taunt from the people of Israel against the evil king of Babylon when the Lord delivers them, but Isaiah is directing it towards the devil the power behind the evil king. (Isaiah 14:12-15) The Hebrew word for Morning Star or Day Star only appears here in the Scriptures, and was likely the planet Venus. The translation “Lucifer” (light-bearer) in the KJV is derived from the Latin name for Venus. So the next time you hear that old song, “O Venus” you many ask yourself, “Who was Frankie Avalon hoping would make his dreams come true?”
Another great misconception is that Moses never entered the Promised Land. As most of us learned in Sunday school or Bible class God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land because Moses had disobeyed God. (Deuteronomy 34:1-15) However most of us forget that Moses did enter the Promised Land when he appeared with Elijah at Jesus’ transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-3) Now I admit that he did not enter the Promised Land during his life time but that was not the end of the story. We often have a tendency to forget that the Old Testament and the New Testament are one testament. The word testament means a document that the author has sworn to be true. This is also from where we get the word testimony. Now I testify the Bible is all one narrative and Moses did enter the Promised Land.
Who was pharaoh during the Exodus? Ramesses the Great, right? Probably not, I’m afraid. I know we have all seen The Ten Commandments movie on television. Normally around Easter because after all we wouldn’t want to show anything about Jesus! But contrary to Cecil B. DeMille the pharaoh at the time of the Exodus was Amenhotep II. We arrive at this conclusion by looking at the archeological evidence verses the Biblical record. (1 Kings 6:1) However the fact is the Bible doesn’t tell us who was pharaoh, because it doesn’t matter. What man was king over Egypt doesn’t matter compared to the miracles that God used to preserve His people. Even though it doesn’t matter Hollywood got this one wrong, but I don’t know if I could picture Yul Brynner as Amenhotep.
Finally to end this article a common misconception about God. God can do anything. This sound good, God who can create everything out of nothing can do anything. But it’s just not true. Even God has His limits. God can never lie, God cannot be tempted by evil, God cannot be unfaithful, etc. Because of His divine nature there are many things God simply can’t do. The Bible tells us, “so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18) As Jesus proved in the desert and St. James’ God can’t be tempted nor does He tempt, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13) God is indeed powerful but He is always faithful.
I hope you have enjoy this lighthearted look at misquotes and misconceptions about God and the Bible as much as I have enjoyed writing and researching them.
Lord’s Blessings,
Vicar Mankin
A Message from the President
Dear Messiah Members,
I’ll start with an update on Pastor Berhanu and the Ethiopian mission. As noted in the July Messenger, the Seyoum family is very low on income due to their visa situation. The immigration regulations are too complicated to explain here, but thanks to the contributions by Messiah, District, and other congregations, they are managing to get by financially. The Council has voted to continue to fund a gift to the family of $500 per month in addition to the $583 per month in our Spending Guide. We will likely continue at this rate until next July, which will take us to the point where Mimi Seyoum would be able to start working again. Of course designated gifts for this cause are very welcome! If you have any questions about our plans to support this ministry, please don’t hesitate to ask me or a Council member for the details.
In addition, the Sunday School at Mekane Yesus is in need of more teachers. If you are interested in a gift of service instead of money, this would be a great way to contribute. Contact Cheryl Kohring or Ann Melvin for more information.
On another note, October is Clergy Appreciation month, with October 11 designated as Clergy Appreciation Sunday. This is an excellent time to demonstrate your love, appreciation and encouragement to our Pastor and Vicar. Please see the Messenger insert and you can go to WhataWay.org, and click on “Encouraging Service” for even more ideas. You can also check out the bright yellow poster on the hall bulletin board (and there’s no truth to the rumor that Pastor Lassman already used his highlighter on it!!) :-)
And finally, don’t forget October 24th is our annual “Autumn Evening”. Please add it to your schedule and join us for an evening of fellowship and fun at Messiah!!
In His service,
John Koppelman, president
CURRENT AND UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES
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FELLOWSHIP HALL BIBLE CLASS
WHAT: “Revelation”
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, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NIGHT
WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
WHEN: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 5:30 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, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Lassman
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MONDAY EVENING STUDY
WHAT: “Lutheran Confessions”
WHEN: Monday evenings, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
INSTRUCTOR: Jim Pierce
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(current and upcoming Bible studies continued)
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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.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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The Lutheran Hour Ministries Mission: Bringing Christ to the Nations-and the Nations to the Church
LHM Overview
Lutheran Hour ministries is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches worldwide. LHM produces a Christian radio and TV programming for broadcast as well as Internet and print communications, dramas, music, and outreach materials, to reach unchurched people in the United States and more than 30 other countries. LHM, flagship program, The Lutheran Hour, airs weekly on more than 900 stations in North America. You can listen to the Lutheran Hour and Woman to Woman radio outreach by tuning to the following stations:
The Lutheran Hour airs weekly in the Seattle area on KIXI 1380 Sunday mornings at 6:30 AM.
Woman to Woman airs weekly in the Seattle area on KXPA 1540 AM Saturday evenings at 8 PM.
Information on supporting LHM is located on the Evangelism bulletin board across from the Youth Room.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Men’s Night Out Monday, October 5th, at 6 p.m. at Arnie’s Restaurant, 300 Admiral Way Suite #211 on the Edmonds waterfront. Please RSVP to Brian Danforth,.
November Messenger deadline is October 18th.
Ladies’ Night Out - Join us Monday, October 19th at 6 p.m. for modern Mexican food at Sonrisa, 2614 NE 46th St, University Village. RSVP to Bev Edmon,.
The staff and faculty of Seattle Lutheran High School invite you to join them for an Open house on Thursday, October 22, from6:30 to 8 p.m.
Autumn Evening - October 24th beginning at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This year our yearly Autumn Evening will be dedicated to two significant celebrations. Join us first of all to celebrate 30 years of service of our wonderful Parish Administrator, Arlene Ramsey (can you believe she’s been working here since she was 5 years old??). And secondly, there will be a celebration of completion of our mortgage payments for the “new” addition. There will be an official Burning of the Mortgage document. Come one, come all to this evening of fun, food and celebration. Dessert and beverages will be provided so we ask that every member or family contribute a dish large enough to serve 4-6 people. Last names beginning with A-M bring a hot dish and N-Z bring a salad. Susie Paeth, Fellowship chair is seeking volunteers who could help decorate beginning at 3:30 pm, set up food and serve beginning at 4:30 or help clean up. Sign-up sheets are upstairs in the hallway. See you on Saturday, October 24th, 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Tables for Eight (a potluck dinner activity with rotating hosts/hostesses) has been a part of Messiah’s Fellowship activities for many years. For the 2009-2010 season this program has been re-named Dining Together and the groups will be made up of 6 people (couples and singles) rather than eight with the hope that this will simplify scheduling the meals. Sign ups (on the bulletin boards) will end the last Sunday in October. In November you will receive a letter indicating which group you are in and who the first “host/hostess” for your group will be.
A recruiter from the Fort Wayne Seminary will be at Messiah on Thursday, October 29th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are considering studying to be a pastor and wish to meet with him, please call the church office.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Ethiopian Mission Support - Teacher for the Ethiopian Mission Sunday School - We could still use one more person to help teach the Sunday School for Mekane Yesus, the Ethiopian Mission church (11 am - 1 pm). 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.
Message from the Altar Guild - The fall meeting of the Altar Guild was highlighted by an informative and educational presentation by Pastor Lassman. He reinforced the importance of the traditions and responsibilities of the Guild. The Altar Guild does indeed provide faithful service to the congregation for each Holy Communion meal. For the past year we have been laboring with only 10 members but now have both Karen Smith and Jean Holtz returning; and, to our great pleasure, two new members have stepped forward: Marie Byarlay and Gloria Schy. The Lord has indeed blessed us!
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
Your continued generosity humbles me and fills me with comfort and encouragement. Truly you are the Lord’s servants to help me in my studies, both spiritually and financially. With grateful thanks for your gift,
Gail Ludvigson
Dear Saints of Messiah Lutheran Church,
I apologize for the delay in sending this to you, but now that we are working on getting back into a bit of a routine, I wanted to make sure to do it. Thank you one last time for everything you all did for me and for my family during my vicarage at Messiah. You made us feel right at home with all of your warmth, love and generosity. I know I said it before, but I’ll say it again. I really do not think we could have had a better congregation for vicarage. Your love for us was only outshined by your love for the blessed Gospel of our gracious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you all again and blessings to you,
Matt, Jessica and Isaiah Zickler
P.S. We miss you all!
Sunday School News
What a joy it is to see so many Sunday School students as we begin this new school year!
In October God’s Prophets, Elijah, and Elisha will be observed. They will point us to Jesus, who supplies our needs, and because He is true God He offers victory over death and the deadly effects of sin.
Every Sunday we start with an opening, led by Vicar Mankin and Jill Cohrs. They set the stage for the day’s lesson with words and music designed to last a life time. An offering is accepted during the opening that is designated for our mission project.
LAMP is the mission project of our Sunday School. We support two branches of Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots. One branch brings the Gospel to children of the far north in Canada and the other branch introduces Jesus to indigenous native people of the northwest coast. It is good to serve God and share the Good News by supporting this mission.
See you next Sunday!
Social Ministry News
Monthly Donations
Every month we collect specific hygiene items for two organizations. Immanuel Lutheran, has hygiene facilities for homeless people to come inside to use and then return to the outside. Compass Cascade, which is part of the Lutheran Compass Center organization, has temporary dormitory style living for women. This month we are collecting shampoos, combs and women’s hygiene supplies. Please put these in the lounge basket. Also please include the marked receipt(s). These will be sent into Thrivent Financial, which will send us a check, so we can help more people.
Eyeglasses
Used eyeglasses are given to people who cannot afford to buy them. The Lions’ Club distributes them. If you have used eyeglasses, which you no longer need, please put them in the box in the lounge.
Health Kits for Lutheran World Relief
We are collecting the following new items for the kits:
dark hand towel and washcloth
bath size soap (any brand in original wrapping)
tooth brushes (original wrapping)
combs (wide tooth preferred)
metal nail file or clippers with file
band-aids (½ to 3/4 inch wide)
Items can be placed on the table in the Narthex. Deadline is October 25th.
Sue Hewitson, chair
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) News
Ladies Guild (LWML)
Wednesday, October 14th, 12 noon
Sandwich Smorgasbord - bring 1 ½ to 2 sandwiches
Beverage and dessert will be provided
Bring your “mites” for missions
Project Day
Wednesday, October 28th, 9:30 am to 2 pm
Bring a sack lunch
Quilts for Lutheran World Relief need to be finished. Pick up date is the 1st weekend in November.
Call Irma Guthrie for more information
Olympic Zone Fall Rally
Saturday, October 3, 9:30 to 1 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 2116 E Union in Seattle
$4 registration fee (includes lunch)
Guest Speaker: Ann Melvin will present the work of the Children’s Christian Concerns Society, a recognized service organization of the LCMS.
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 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 is “Where Christ Is, There is the Church” and is led by Kathy Lassman. 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.
Letters from Messiah’s Two Seminary Students
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Lisa and I have now returned to Fort Wayne for my last year of classes at Concordia Theological Seminary. Lisa is currently working for a Lutheran day care program and teaching music at two Lutheran elementary schools. I am busy organizing our apartment and preparing for classes, which will begin September 8th. I have signed up to sing with two choirs, the Kantorei (a male chorus at the Seminary) and Bach Collegium (a community chorale that sings works from the Baroque period). It will be a joy to sing with them again.
I had an excellent vicarage in California. I am confident that God will put to good use the training I received wherever He calls me. Thank you for all your support. What a blessing it is to live under the gracious care of the Lord! I thank God for placing such faithful and compassionate people in my life. Lisa and I will keep you always in our thoughts and prayers. May God’s grace continue to abound in your congregation, filling you with trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Dave Solum
Deaconess Diary
Even though I’m not a deaconess yet, this title was so nicely alliterative I just had to use it. As I write this, we’re starting the third week of classes in Fort Wayne. How surprised I was when classes started right after Labor Day on September 8 instead of September 14! I thought I had another whole week to get ready. The reason for the early start was to give us a longer break at Thanksgiving. So I may be seeing all of you sometime after November 13.
Seminary life is jam-packed with activity. There are four worship services DAILY–morning office at 7:30 am, daily chapel (with communion once a week) at 10:00 am, afternoon office at 4:00 pm and evening office at 9:30 pm. As one of our professors recently said, chapel worship is really our curriculum. There we can sit at Christ’s feet and learn from him directly. I’m eager to avail myself of the Lord Jesus’ rich gifts in the liturgy by attending as many daily services as I can manage.
In addition to the liturgical life, my four classes and homework leave little time for anything else except meals and sleep. My favorite classes are history of Deaconesses and Liturgics. On Thursday nights, I rehearse with the chapel choir, Schola Cantorum. We’re working on two Bach pieces (a cantata and a motet) as well as a piece by Mendelsohn. The days just seem to fly by!
During mealtimes at the cafeteria, I’ve met people from Germany, Brazil and Haiti as well as all over the U.S. It’s truly inspiring to work and worship with so many fellow Lutherans. Please drop me a note or an email if you have the time. I’d love to hear from you. I’m also on Facebook if you’d like to join. Your sister in Christ, Gail Ludvigson
CONCORDIA NEWS
from Dave Meyer, principal....
She stopped! Her crying stopped! Our teachers in preschool won the battle of wills and Ella has stopped crying and won’t stop talking. Each one of us, as parents, remember a story of our children going to daycare or a sleep over for the first time. There is a question that lingers; Are they ok? Do they need me? I remember my youngest used to sit on the preschool aides lap and waive to my wife out the window every morning with tears in his eyes. I can remember my wife calling me to check on him and make sure he was ok. He was having an exciting time in preschool after the shock of mom leaving wore off. It is amazing how children continue to teach us as much as we teach them, maybe more. Everyone who has been through this similar situation knows that releasing your child is a very emotional and difficult task. I remember the pain as if it were yesterday and my youngest is 7. God never promises that release is easy, everyone has a different story that allows the difficulty to show, but He does promise that He will never leave or forsake us. This eventually should make us stop “crying” and release to enjoy our next adventure. Ella, thank you for this lesson and teachers thank you for your patience, love and caring that represents His love for each of us daily.
Upcoming Dates/Events:
Love & Logic Class continues every Thursday through 10/22/09.
10/12 Sally Foster Sale Ends
10/14-16 NW Teachers’ Conference in Seaside Oregon
10/20 Community Night - Game Night in the gym - everyone is welco9me!
10/26-30 Scholastic Book Fair - lots of great books will be available to purchase
10/29 and 30 Parent/Teacher Conferences
Flag Football Schedule:
10/2 3:45 pm @ Concordia-Tacoma
10/9 3:45 pm vs Holy Trinity @ home
10/13 3:45 pm @ Holy Trinity
10/23 3:45 pm vs Shorewood @ home
10/29 3:45 pm @ Hope
