Trinity Tidings January 2006

Trinity Tidings
January 2006

LCS

From the Pastor

One of the Taize songs that we sing at “Chapel on the Ave” is the Latin chant, “Laudate Omnes Gentes.” It is a song of invitation, inviting the nations to praise the Lord. Laudate omnes gentes, laudate Dominum.
Laudate omnes gentes, laudate Dominum.

“Praise, all nations; Praise the Lord. Praise, all nations; Praise the Lord.” We will be learning this song during the season of Lent, when we will learn one Taize chant each Sunday, culminating on Good Friday with a Taize-style worship service. But, here we are now, at the beginning of the New Year; here we are still in the glow of Christmas’ delightful news of the Coming Christ. There are still smiles on our faces, a refreshed glow to the aura of our souls, Christmas-infused energy to adore the Lord in his majesty, in his infancy, in his awesome wonder. What better way to move into the new year than with a song of praise on our lips? And not just any song of praise, mind you. Why not this ancient song of praise? As we sing, we involve our whole being; as we sing, we join the Church through the ages; as we sing, we proclaim the Lord’s praises until he comes.

Sing, brothers and sisters. Sing praise to the Lord. In your song, invite the nations to sing, to sing praise to the Lord. Laudate! Omnes Gentes!

New Year Blessings,
Pastor Don Schatz

News and Notes

Stewardship
Please take a few moments to read the pamphlet, “The Stewardship Way of Life,” included with the materials distributed this month. Some of you may recognize it from its original distribution here in 1993-1994. It’s a straightforward reminder of what Christian stewardship is. May we daily pray for guidance that our time, talent and treasure is first and foremost dedicated to serving the Lord with gladness.
Julie Sengbusch
Stewardship

Thank You!
A big “Thank you!” to the following people who helped make our church look beautiful for Christmas – inside and out:

  Dick and Elaine Lootens
  Pastor Don and Lois
  Joanne Welty
  Ruth Patterson
  Mark Meyer
  Chris Sherman
  Andrew Potsko
  Bob Heckel

Please Help!
The Flower Chart, Coffee Hour Chart, and Second Sunday Sign-up Sheet look very empty and lonely. Please consider adding your name to one or all of them!

Church Directory
We will be publishing an updated church directory in the new year. Print-outs of contact information are in binders in both the Narthex and the Fellowship Hall. Please check the information and make corrections as needed. If everything is correct, please initial beside your name.

Church Office
The church office will be closed Monday, 26 December, and Monday, 2 January.

Congregational Meetings
We decided to go ahead and schedule next year’s congregational meetings and ask folks to get them on their calendars so that they can come off without a hitch.
June 4, 2006
November 19, 2006

Men’s Breakfast & Prayer
Resumes Saturday, January 21 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
Presenter: Pastor Don Schatz
Theme: “Wilderness Men”

Come! And Bring a Friend!

Seattle Lutheran High

Open House
Seattle Lutheran High School will hold its annual winter Open House on Tuesday, January 19, 2006, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature a tour of the facility, as well as interaction with Seattle Lutheran’s educational philosophy, expressed in the phrase, “Information plus Inspiration equals Transformation.” Excelling in its ability to both inform and inspire, Seattle Lutheran maintains an intentionally low enrollment, and class sizes are limited. 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to attend. Please call Rachel at 937-7722 ext. 18 for information.

Super Bowl Super Party
It’s back by popular demand. Seattle Lutheran High School is hosting the second annual Super Bowl Super Party on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2006. The party will be held in the gymnasium at Seattle Lutheran High School. The game will be on two big screen TVs with surround sound. Activities include prizes, good food, music and great kids. All 7th through 12th grade students are invited. Call Rachel at 937-7722 ext. 18 for information.

Coffee Hour Contributions

April	Concordia Lutheran School 100th Year Anniversary 1905 – 2005	$100
April	Seattle Lutheran High School Help achieve educational goals	$100
July	Ted Engelbrecht Hanoi Mission	$200
September	Valley Camp Excellent presentation at the Lutheran Hour Ministries Convention held in Yakima, September 25, 2005	$100
October	Concordia Lutheran School Presentation at Trinity to Pastor Don Schatz – CONCORDIA 2005 red colored letterman’s sweater	$100
November	Lois Engelbrecht Special work projects involved working with abused children in the Philippine Islands	$100

By signing up for our Sunday morning regular COFFEE HOUR + your financial contributions in the “little basket” YOU helped make this all possible.

A special THANKS to each of YOU! Hosts are needed for Sundays ahead. Use the sign-up calendar next to the kitchen door.

Gordon/Lena Meeske,
Coffee Hour Coordinators

Chapel on the Ave

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John 1:14

Even as a baby, Jesus offered one of the most valuable ministries of the church: a ministry of presence. Sometimes we simply just need someone close. I thought about this as I sat in my office just above the “Ave” at the Chapel. Even though we are in the midst of the community of students, I felt we needed to be closer still. I set up a little stand outside in front of the Chapel and offered passerby-ers a free cup of hot chocolate to warm up in the cold weather.

Some people passed by with hardly noticing. Others were reluctant to ask for fear that I was going to grill them with a questionnaire about how many times they went to church in the past year or worse that I was going to tell them about Jesus. For those who overcame such fears, I had some wonderful conversations with people as I made them some hot chocolate. I usually asked two questions “How are you doing today?” and “Do you have plans for the holidays?”.

I was rather surprised how much people opened up when they realized that I was willing to sit and listen. Many talked about re-living family traditions. Some explained in vivid detail what they would do now that they had no more homework, quizzes or term papers due. And there were a few that told me how they were not looking forward to the holidays at all. There would be too much pressure at home and tension between relatives. There were some that would have no home to go to. It meant a lot to me that they would share such things with me. I offered what I could in the way of my wishes and prayers, but I felt that in the few moments we spent together, we both found a little of Jesus’ peace in each other’s presence.

May God’s presence minister to you this year. And may we minister to one another by being present in each others lives.

Andrew Potsko,
Director of Student Ministries

LCS

The Village at Angle Lake Construction is beginning!
On your way to or from the SeaTac airport, drive by the Village at Angle Lake site on South 188th (between I-5 and International Boulevard) to see the lovely Angle Lake Court senior apartments already built by LATCH (Lutheran Alliance to Create Housing)--Phase One of the Village at Angle Lake--and the beginnings of the Community Services Building--Phase Two. Excitement is in the air as we look forward to a fall '06 move-in date. "We" includes our project partners, Community Health Centers of King County, as well as all those involved in opening new multicultural LCS Family Support and Child Care centers and expanding Home Helpers and refugee and immigrant services in the south King County-north Pierce County area. We have raised $5 million to date; we have $105,000 still to raise to meet the Kresge Challenge Grant. We will do it -- with your help! Retirement and Search Process Boots Winterstien has announced his retirement on April 1, 2006. A search process is underway, headed by LCSNW President and CEO, Roberta Nestaas (RNestaas@lcsnw.org). Feel free to contact her with suggestions.

February 9: Lutheran Advocacy Day in Olympia
The goal is 500 Lutheran advocates in Olympia, Feb. 9, sharing our commitment to “the least of these.” Please consider arranging your schedule to add your presence and voice. For information, contact Steve Grumm, of LCS's Grassroots Connections, SGrumm@LCSNW.org, or Paul Benz with the Lutheran Public Policy Office (PBenz@lcsnw.org).

Trading Graces
LCS is partnering with Lutheran Services in America (LSA) and eBay to put on the first annual "Trading Graces" Online Auction. Approximately 100 Lutheran agencies are taking part in this groundbreaking nationwide event to raise funds for, and the visibility of, Lutheran social and healthcare ministries across the U.S. The auction is scheduled for February 26 through March 8, 2006, but we are now accepting donations for the event. Items we are interested in securing include: antiques, artwork & jewelry; "experiences" (scuba diving, fishing trips, etc.); restaurant & retailer gift certificates, sports memorabilia & concert/event tickets; travel/airline hotel packages, use of vacation homes or resort/time share properties. Before you send us donated items, please call Mary Mills (206-694-5702) or Shawn Corkery (206-694-5705).

Lutheran Night At the Sonics
On January 28, 2006, LCS will host "Lutheran Night" at the Key Arena. This will be a great evening to remember, packed with NBA entertainment, special pre-event activities and a chance to connect with dozens of local Lutheran congregations from throughout the Puget Sound Area. Tickets are only $18.00, with a portion to be donated to LCS. The deadline to purchase tickets has been extended from December 23rd, to January 20, 2006. Contact: Shawn Corkery, Resource Development Specialist, for ticket information and order forms (206-694-5705, or scorkery@lcsnw.org).