Note: The following is addressed to members of Calvary as they consider weekly Eucharist.

In the interest of time, and, if you don’t mind reading other people’s mail, read on! You may want to consider weekly Eucharist yourselves.

Our Worship Planners have wondered whether we would be interested in moving to celebrating Holy Communion each Sunday. That decision is not one that a committee can make for a congregation, and we will have to figure out whether we have enough help to take care of the set-up and clean-up and the preparing of the linens.

However, these concerns need to take a back seat to some more important concerns at first. We need to examine whether or not we should, and why we might, consider more frequent Communion.

As people pledged to be guided by what God has said in the Bible, we start there. Many Bible scholars believe that we see in the term breaking bread a reference to the Eucharist–probably coming from the Words of Institution, “he took bread, gave thanks and broke it.” In Luke 24 the two disciples on the road to Emmaus finally recognize Jesus when he “took bread, blessed and broke it” (v. 31) and, in v. 35, tell the other disciples back in Jerusalem that “he [Jesus] had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” The idea being that Christians still find the risen Lord in the breaking of the bread, i.e., the Eucharist.

In the continuation of Luke’s account in the book of Acts, this idea expands. In Acts 2, at the end of Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the writer notes that three thousand are added to the church. Then he goes on, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (v. 42). A few verses later he states, “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home” (v. 46). This description would indicate that, while they spent a lot of time in the temple, they would not be able to celebrate the Eucharistic meal there; so, they “broke bread” at home. Note, that it was done “day by day.”

In Acts 20:7 we read, “On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread” and, a little later in v. 11, “Then Paul went upstairs, and after he had broken bread and eaten.” These verses are part of the account where Paul is about to leave Ephesus and gathers with the faithful there “on the first day of the week”–Christians are already observing Sunday, the day of the resurrection as the day of worship–to encourage them before he leaves. He preaches until midnight! A young man named Eutychus falls asleep during the sermon and falls out of a third story window and dies! (Be careful about where and when you fall asleep during sermons!) Paul raises Eutychus back to life and goes back to “breaking bread” and eats the rest of the meal that seems to go with the Eucharist in the New Testament (see also 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

The implication of these passages is that, in the New Testament, Christians gathered to eat a meal at which the Eucharist was also celebrated. Sometimes this is spoken of as being done “day by day” and sometimes “on the first day of the week,” i.e., at their regular Sunday meetings.

This same idea is continued in the writings of the early church. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, most likely martyred under Emperor Trajen (A.D. 98-117), on his way to his death, writes to the Ephesians, “Try to gather together more frequently to celebrate God’s Eucharist and to praise him.”

Next month we address other Eucharistic concerns.

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From the Call Committee!
We have received a second set of information from the District Office regarding pastors we could consider for a call.  From this information and some of the names received from you, we are contacting four to see if they would consider a call at this time.  We will then send them information on Trinity and the Chapel and interview them by phone.  Our plan is to present two candidates for you to consider once we have made a recommendation.
~Esther Reese, Chairman, Board of Deacons

2007 Coffee Hour Contributions

4-3-07	Dave Meyer, Principal, Concordia Lutheran School	Sent a check to Dave Meyer regarding School/Teacher Team Bus Driver Tim Cosgrove’s message in the 2-28-07 Concordia Newsletter regarding the 8th Grade Concordia student trip to Washington D.C. scheduled for May 5-11, 2007.	$100.00
11-21-07	Dave Meyer, Principal, Concordia Lutheran School	Sent a check to Dave Meyer to thank him for his message and presentation of the red-bladed shovel with the Concordia Lutheran School logo on the blade and the distribution of sunflower seeds to church members on Sunday, November 18, 2007.	$100.00
11-26-07	Ted Engelbrecht	Sent a check to Ted Engelbrecht for Mission work in Hanoi and Far East countries.	$150.00
12-04-07	Jeff Norton, Principal,Seattle Lutheran High School	Sent a check to Jeff Norton in regard to the Seattle Lutheran High School Open House held on January 7, 2008.	$100.00

By signing up for our Sunday morning regular Coffee Hour and through your financial contributions in the little brown basket, YOU helped make this all happen for the year 2007. Thanks to each one of you! Hosts are needed for 2008 Sundays ahead. Please use the sign-up calendar located right next to the kitchen door.
~Gordon & Lena Meeske, Coordinators

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Thank you for the great response to the Neighborhood Food Drive for Northwest Harvest!

~Cheryl Krogh, on behalf of the Board of Directors

***

Thanks to those who helped spruce up the yard and sanctuary for Easter! Debbie Ruppert, Connie Colgan, Claire Engelbrecht, Norma Kosche and Leroy Lehner enjoyed the sunshine outside while Esther Reese, Berit Lehner and Ken Hamada worked inside.  Ruth Patterson and Chris Sherman helped get the Fellowship Hall ready for the painter. The place looked great. I’m always amazed how quickly it goes when you have willing hands to help. Thanks so much.

Also, thanks Ken, for spending time to get the lights in the church basement working. Trust me, that is a full-time job.

Finally, thanks to Jack and Grant. The drain backed up on Easter, and those two went right to it. I am always amazed at how people step up to the plate.

You guys are all great and your property committee truly appreciates it.

As always, a special thanks to Dick and Elaine for organizing the Easter Breakfast. To Helen, Peter and Paul for their help on this as well. I think we all enjoy the breakfast, and it brings back great memories of pancake breakfasts in our own parishes when we were growing up. It was great to see a large turnout as well; it wouldn't be as much fun if the basement wasn’t full of people enjoying the food and friendships we share at Trinity.

Thanks for resurrecting (pun intended) this Easter tradition at Trinity.

~Mark Meyer

***

Please let everyone at Trinity know that their prayers were heard and answered by God Himself. I’m feeling a little better every day. It is truly a modern medical miracle that I am alive, a direct result of the Hand of God stepping in and blocking a pretty big play on Satan’s part. I have physically felt the healing power of all your prayers and give all praise and glory to His Name! Please, keep me on your prayer list. Our God has and will continue to hear them. Thank you so much.

God be praised, and I pray for His love and blessings upon all of you.

All my love,
Jim Cochran

***

We thank God for you and your gift of $155.00 to support Ted & Jacqueline Noel Engelbrecht.

~LCMS World Mission Development Services

***

We all appreciate your loving support of Concordia.  I thank you for your prayers and support of our school, which is an extension of your ministry!

Thanks,
Dave

***

Thank you for your gift of $720.00 to the Compass Center.  We greatly appreciate your support for the work that we do in our community.

Your contribution goes directly to supporting programs like Hammond House, providing the support and services that homeless men and women need most.  Thank you, once again, for your generous gift.

Sincerely,
Cindy Jackson
Director of Development, The Compass Center

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The Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West will be appearing on tour in a city near you this coming April.  We invite you to join us for an evening of outstanding choral music, featuring works by important composers from a variety of stylistic eras and genres.

The Choir of the West is the flagship choral ensemble from the department of music at Pacific Lutheran University. The choir performs several concerts each year and is also active in PLU campus ministry and celebratory events. For further information about the Choir of the West and performance times, dates, and locations, please visit the choir’s website at www.plu.edu/~choir.

Twelfth Night at SLH
This spring, the Drama Department of Seattle Lutheran High School will present Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. This play is a hilarious comedy of love, mistaken identity, and yellow stockings. The public performances will be on the evening of Friday, April 25, at 7:30 pm, and the afternoon of Sunday, April 30, at 2:30 pm, in the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, located between 41st and 42nd SW on Genesee Street. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children age 5-12. Children under 5 are free. For more information, call the school office at 206.937.7722.

Give the Gift of Mobility
Senior Services’ Transportation Program is seeking dedicated and caring volunteers to drive seniors in King County to their medical appointments.  Use your own vehicle; choose the days, times, and areas you wish to drive; and receive reimbursement for mileage and parking, plus supplemental liability insurance.  For more information, call 206.448.5740 or visit our website at www.seniorservices.org.

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is recruiting volunteers to assist patients and families.

The Seattle Cancer Care alliance, a partnership of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine, and Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, is seeking volunteers to provide practical support for people undergoing cancer treatment and their families.  We are currently recruiting for the following opportunities:

• Gift Shop Volunteers to provide efficient and courteous service in the new gift shop due to open Spring of 2008. (Daytime/weekday availability; must be at least 18 years of age.)
• Patient/Family Volunteers to assist patients and their family members who come to Seattle for treatment. The volunteer becomes a source of support for the patient and family. A great opportunity for persons working fulltime. (Training offered only once a year; must be at least 21 years of age.)
• Spanish-speaking Volunteers to become Patient/Family volunteers.  Persons bilingual in English and Spanish are especially needed to assist patients and their family members in non-clinical/non-medical situations. (Training offered only once a year; must be at least 21 years of age.)

  Orientation begins April 24.  Pre-registration is required.

  Interested volunteers must complete the application and other required paperwork prior to attending.  If interested in receiving the application and information packet or for more information, please email volunteer@seattlecca.org, call 206.288.1072, or visit our web site at www.seattlecca.org/aboutscca/volunteer.htm.

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  Community News

  Chapel on the Ave

  Agape House has been a Lutheran Student Ministry at the University of Washington since 1970. Birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and memorial services have been a testimony to the longstanding commitment to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Hundreds of students have passed through its doors, and it continues to this day.

  Although the Agape House has been renamed “Chapel on the Ave,” it remains committed to supporting students at the University of Washington through the many challenges they face in school, in life, and in faith. For the last two years, I have been the Director of Student Ministries, and we have experienced some amazing stories. I would like to share one with you.

  About a year ago, I met a student named Chris. He was president of the Secular Student Union, a group of atheists committed to discussing the incredulity of God and religion. I asked if I could come and listen to the group debate with other church leaders in the area, and Chris was pleased to have me. I attended the meeting, but none of the other church workers showed up. Therefore, all of the questions were ultimately directed to me. These students are quite astute in their respective fields of study: Astrobiology & Early Evolution, Philosophy, Comparative Religions, and Genetics & Genome Studies. How was I supposed to answer their questions? And, frankly, I wasn’t able to answer them all, but the conversation we had was incredible; so, I continued to attend their meetings and began to make some friends.

  One quarter Chris told me of a dilemma: their group wasn’t able to meet in the Husky Union Building anymore; so, I invited them to meet at the chapel. To my surprise, he agreed. There is/was … a sandwich board sign out in front of the Lutheran Center – Chapel on the Ave that read: “Secular Student Union Meeting today at 4:00 PM.”

  We had just as many guests dropping in as there were regular members because they just could not fathom Atheists and Christians discussing with civility the issue of God and faith.

  To this day, not one atheist has come to faith in Christ, but I can assure you of this – all of them have heard the message of God’s redemptive love through the Word from a friend. I do not know what will come out of our meetings, but I know that “God’s word does not return void.” It was quite a sight – atheists sitting in rapt attention listening to old Bible Stories!

  It’s been quite a year already. Our attendance at Worship and Bible Studies has doubled since last year, and most of the increase has been underclassmen. We’ve had Worship Services, Bible Studies, Backpacking Trips, Movies Nights, Drum Circles, and being part of building a Habitat House. We are planning our first mission trip in many years to Ghana, West Africa.

  Please continue to pray for our ministry, for our students, and with those who have not yet come.

  Partner with us, not only as members of the NW District, but as brothers and sisters in God’s Kingdom.

  Andrew Potsko,
  Director of Student Ministry,University of Washington

  ***

  The Chapel was a sanctuary in the tumult of my freshman year at the University of Washington. I could escape there. It was a place to recuperate and reorganize myself. I felt safe, and I found a community that cared when the world around me didn’t. Because I was constantly on the run, doing this and that and the other thing, I found worship to be a place to rest. And that was the most important.

  ~Colin Riendeau (UW Freshman)

  ***

  I’ve been blessed at The Chapel since I first started coming in 1999. I have met many different and interesting people from all walks of life and have always felt a welcoming spirit from the community since my first day in the door. Even though people have come and gone, the same feeling of community has remained, and The Chapel has shared the Gospel to all who have come through the doors. Being in community with Christ as the center is what has kept this place together and what has kept me coming through the doors.

  ~Megan Bernhardt (UW Alumna)

  ***

  On Monday, January 14, Nan & Gil Kath and Lydia and I took a short trip up to the University of Washington campus in Seattle and spent approximately one hour with Dick Lootens of Trinity Lutheran Church and Andrew Potsko, the Director of Student Ministries of the Chapel on the Ave.

  The bulk of the work is done by Andrew, a graduate from Concordia University in Minnesota and a newly-wed. He, along with student volunteers, is vital to keeping the Lutheran message alive in and around the UW campus.

  The building at 4130 University Way NE is owned by the Northwest District, which has some office space on the street level. There is also a student lounge with a kitchenette, a small TV, and restrooms. Upstairs is a large Sanctuary with a choir loft, more office space, a 10 x 10 foot atrium loaded with plants, a community meeting room with a large TV and other amenities, a very large fellowship hall with a large kitchen appendage, restrooms, and a very large outside deck for summer barbeque and social events.

  Upkeep is immaculate and is accomplished by Andrew and volunteer students. Andrew is in his mid-twenties and has been there since 2005, building relationships with other college groups and networking with as many students as he can. He has one bible study leader from the student body that helps him on Tuesday evenings. The location of the building is smack dab in the middle of university hustle and bustle (two blocks off NE 45th Street between 41st and 42nd ); so, much foot and vehicle traffic pass by their doors each day. Andrew is a dedicated Lutheran missionary and will continue on for several years to come, providing funding can be found after the calendar year 2008.

  Due to financial conditions of their own, the NW District no longer funds the student activities at the center and is under some pressure to sell the building. However, they have agreed not to charge rent as long as the student ministry can fund its own way. For 2008, through the intense efforts of Dick Lootens and others, the center raised the necessary annual budget of $50,000.

  Keeping with the missionary spirit, we found Chapel of the Ave well worthy of our financial help in the future.

  In the Lutheran spirit,
  ~Rod Mullineaux

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  Light on the Hill

  Here I am delighted to be a part of Capitol Hill.

  Yet, why is Light on the Hill important?

  Each one can foster the Gifts God has given to us. RE RE REPEATING. We are All that Light.

  I found this and thought it would interest us. I have realized I had not told you what New Horizons is. We have the opportunity to support them by volunteering.

  This was a two day-long session you sent me to regarding relationships with Homeless Youth for providing emergency long-term service and referrals. These are service opportunities for healthy, committed relationships. Serving in Practical ways.

  Providing meals, showers, clothing, hospital and jail visitation, housing and treatment referrals. Loving youth unconditionally regardless of their circumstance. Encouraging youth to take personal responsibility. We can go through the training. We do not have to do Street Outreach. It takes a large commitment of time and energy. I went because I had to deal with my past. How much time and energy do we as a Church want to spend to build relationships? If it is street youth? Is it the direction we want to go? There are so many ways to give of our time without being on the Street.

  Yet, I discover we are potentially involved with ROOTS in the University District. We need to turn our values upside down. We need to begin at home. We need to take risks. We need to get involved. We have something to give. Are we relationship-building people? New Horizons brought a new meaning to Hanging Out. They build relationships. Each one can foster their gifts here.

  My question is this: Do we want to foster wholesome relationships with street youth? If not street youth, is it those who are in good private schools? Or friends?

  Of Youth: An awesome Foster Care Placement with an array of services.

  Things I have had contact with. It’s not just hanging out with street youth. Outreach!

  We need to begin at home in our own synod. Are we challenged to hang? To use the gifts we each were given? In our own Capitol Hill Community? Or, the University District?

  New Horizons provides a safe environment to be challenged. The word is safe. Not something unknown. I do not need to commit to New Horizions but use what was taught. It was really intense.

  Here I am sitting at PETE’S—oh ya, PETE’S on Broadway. But, I came from the training; learning this is good, building foundation with youth. In the middle of Condos and a City Park. Seriously, we are potentially involved with ROOTS. We have Chapel on the Ave. Central Lutheran. What of that person next to us on Sunday? Concordia?

  There are so many opportunities at New Horizons. Jesus turned the values in his day upside down. Can we be challenged outside our comfort zone?

  In the middle of Condos and a city Park. When in San Francisco, I see the homeless playing chess on Market St. Or ,those on Haight Ashbury.

  Downtown I sit in a public coffee house with homeless or women from battered shelters. It’s here if we are sensitive. Is there a need for me at Trinity? We ALL are called to be priests. I just happen to be in a particular situation.

  New Horizons gave me a new insight, in ways we All can serve! I am asking you: Is there a need to learn Street Culture at Trinity? Going out to get trained? Serving in a safe environment? As a Community, as a team. Out of our comfort zone? Let’s think, “What is our Vision as a Team and Community?”

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  Concordia Lutheran School

  Meyer Minutes
  Parent School is the name of the organization that put on the workshop this weekend in Federal Way. What a terrific name? I believe it is such a defining name because we are all learning as we go. No one is a perfect parent; we all have moments of extreme success and many “proud parenting moments.” One of the greatest things about this weekend was the simple fact that I am not alone in the world of parenting. Others have the same issues and challenges, and that is nice to hear. I hope that the Concordia community understands that we need to share together and connect with each other because we are not alone. ever. Christ has put us all in this place at this time to depend on and help each other with our experiences and with our challenges. No one is a perfect parent, but I do know that there is no more important job. Parent School, great name.

  In Him,
  Dave

  Concordia Auction
  Announcing the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Auction benefiting Concordia Lutheran School:

  Saturday, April 19, 5:30 pm
  7040 36th Ave NE, Seattle
  $25/person
  Buffet dinner, wine, and beverages included
  Pre-register by Friday, April 11

  RSVP online at: concordialutheranschool.maestroweb.com, where you can view the online auction catalog as our donations multiply. Print catalogs will be available in the school office starting April 17.

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  Concordia University

  New Library and Learning Center
  Share a moment in history as Concordia University breaks ground on the new Library & Learning Center on April 11 at 10:00 am. Join us on the Concordia Campus, corner of NE 27th and NE Liberty Streets, for a groundbreaking ceremony and refreshments. Don’t miss this magical moment in our history. For more information on the new Library, visit www.cu-portland.edu and click on the Campus Expansion window.

  Alumni Baseball Games
  All Concordia baseball alumni are invited back to campus for a weekend of reminiscing and celebration. The fun begins on April 26 with the last regular season games (a double header against the Oregon Institute of Technology) and a banquet that evening, and ends with a farewell service and the alumni games on April 27. Come together with your former teammates and coaches as we honor the legacy of Concordia’s field and rejoice in the exciting plans for the future baseball complex to be built just north of the current field. Don’t miss this chance to connect and say good-bye. RSVP and share your stories, photos and memories at www.cu-portland.edu/baseball or by calling 503.280.8505.

  Fore the Students
  “Fore the Students” Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 2, at the Reserve Vineyard and Golf Club, 4805 SW 229th Avenue in Aloha, OR. Registration begins at 11:30 am. The scramble tournament begins with a shotgun start at 1:30 pm, followed by dinner and the auction at 6:00 pm.

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