From the Pastor
Dear Friends
I thought I’d share a bit about what Lois and I will be doing on our Mission Trip to Hong Kong. Here is what we know so far:
Saturday (June 16)
10:00 PM Our group of 12 will arrive at Hong Kong airport and be taken to NTT International House Guest House.
Sunday, (June 17)
9:00 AM Depart for worship at Church of All Nations (CAN), Repulse Bay. Before worship, CAN leaders will give introduction to the congregation’s mission and Ablaze! programs.
1:30 – 4:00 PM Tour of the Hong Kong International School campus in Tai Tam. The group will be led through a meaningful ritual called "Journeying into the Special World of Asian World Missions."
4:00 – 5:00 PM Tour Stanley Market.
6:30 PM Dinner/sightseeing/rest
Monday (June 18)
9:00 AM Visit Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS) headquarters. Meet President Allan Yung.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Visit Ma Chen Duen Hey Memorial College, a secondary school of the LCHKS.
2:00 – 4:00 PM Visit Martha Boss Center, headquarters of the LCHKS Social Services.
4:00 PM Visit LCMS World Mission Office.
6:30 PM Dinner with missionaries.
Tuesday (June 19)
8:00 AM Leave hotel for China Ferry Terminal.
9:00 AM Take ferry to Macau, met by May Zhuo.
Spend the day sightseeing, being introduced to Macau Outreach work, and taking part in outreach activity.
Wednesday (June 20)
Outreach activity in the AM Travel to Palace Hotel in Jiangmen in the afternoon. Plan activities for Hong Kong English School.
Thursday (June 21)
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Teach at Hong Kong English School.
8:00 PM Social Event for paid class students.
Friday (June 22)
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Teach at Hong Kong English School.
Saturday (June 23)
10:00 AM Visit Drug Rehab Center: Sing and Share.
3:00 – 9:30 PM Prepare for and Host Free Class at Hong Kong English School.
Sunday (June 24)
9:00 AM Worship at Jiangmen Church.
2:00 PM English worship with English Center Teachers.
7:30 – 10:00 PM Host Living Water Bilingual Fellowship (question/answer session).
Monday (June 25)
Return to Hong Kong in late afternoon, following team debriefing in the morning.
Tuesday (June 26)
9:30 AM Trip wrap-up session at LCMS World Mission office.
Wednesday (June 27)
8:30 AM Depart for Tokyo on NW 2.
4 days R&R in Hawaii.
At this point I don’t know what all that means, but we will set up a blog-site before we leave and share the web address. We hope to update the site daily, including pictures and even video, depending on how learning-impaired I prove to be with that technology! So, stay tuned!
Blessings,
Pastor Don
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News and Notes
Property Update
If you have noticed how nicely the lawn has been mowed, take a moment and let Helen Chyz, Paul Chyz, and Mark Klick know of your appreciation. Also, thanks to Laurie for doing a little edging while the kids were mowing. Looks great, and we appreciate these younger members’ participation in the work here at Trinity.
Lunch at Central
Trinity hosted the lunches served at Central Lutheran Church on April 20 and 27.
Pat and Karl Brunner were the chefs, preparing 16 frozen geese on the 20th to make a Cassoulet, a provincial French dish, which was delicious. Many folks returned for seconds and thirds!
On the 27th, they prepared spaghetti and meatballs, which was also great. Both weeks they also offered a vegetarian entree.
Those who assisted in serving were: Gordon and Lena Meeske, Esther Reese, Joan Hamada, Berit Lehner, Bob Heckle, Andrew Potsko, Louise Torseth, Joanne Welty, Cheryl Krogh, Pastor Don, Dick and Elaine Lootens, and four students from Concordia Lutheran School.
In addition to the servers, we had many members who baked brownies and cookies.
Coffee Hour Addendum
In addition to the above, Trinity’s Coffee Hour provided a $100 check to Concordia Lutheran School because of the Concordia student help to serve approximately 200 people the free meals at Central Lutheran Church on April 27th.
Volunteer Opportunity
Great Exercise for the Body, Mind and Spirit! Group Health Central has a need for volunteers with a heart for helping others. This is an active, busy campus with multiple opportunities to serve. Parking, uniform and lunch are provided as well as a beautiful community of caring people. Shifts are 4 hours, weekdays.
Adult volunteers needed; student internship opportunities available. Group Health Central is located on Capital Hill at 200 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112.
Call Group Health Central Volunteer Office at 206-326-2225 or email troy.c@ghc.org for more information.
Lutherwood Staff Opportunity
Lutherwood is gearing up for another great summer of sharing the love of Christ with campers. We are still looking for energetic Christian people to do just that.. We are specifically looking for Male Counselors, Kitchen Staff and Lifeguards. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Brandon “Goat” Scheer for an application and to set up an interview. More information about camp can be found by calling 360.734.7652 or emailing adventure@camplutherwood.org.
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Upcoming Events
Nancy G and Nicaragua
After some prayer and hoping my arm has healed enough, I decided to go to Nicaragua June 29th-July 6th with my friend Dr. Walker and a small group to do some dentistry again. I would greatly appreciate it if you could partner with me in one of these ways:
- Your prayers during this time of preparation and while we are there.
- Your financial support. Each of our group is responsible for $1,100 for airfare, meals and lodging. Any money above and beyond that will go for rice and beans (feeds a small family for a month) and meds like Tylenol and pre natal vitamins.
- Coffee hour after church will be a time of giving or if you would like to make a check out to HUMBLE HEARTS our non profit group that would be wonderful and I thank you!!
~ Nancy G.
Trinity Habitat Build
Mark your calendars! The next Trinity Habitat build will be July 21st. Please reserve this date. Details will follow as they become available.
LCS Benefit Concert
Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines will host a special concert on Sunday, June 10th, at 7:00 pm, to benefit The Compass Center and Lutheran Community Services Northwest's new programs at The Village at Angle Lake.
The concert will be “festival seating” (no reserved seats). An espresso bar and refreshments will be available. The performing musicians will have CDs available for purchase.
Tickets are $25 per person. Advance purchase is requested. Contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office at 206-878-2460 or Linda O'Brien at 206-824-0446 for more information.
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Community News
Light on the Hill
I thought to drop a few lines of the awesome mission trip I took downtown. What I need to do is to explain in detail what most are not hearing. Who is my Neighbor, or who are our neighbors? I was informed that we at TRINITY will not reach those I do. Here are some demographics about ‘my neighbor’ at 14th and Mercer: with 11 floors, my building is the tallest building on Capital Hill. It is low rent housing, for those on little income.
Who are your neighbors? What about the person at the nearest grocery store, assuming you do not go online for all of our needs? Who do I touch in a day that might need a touch from God ?
I was in Haight Ashbury in S.F. I heard God speak to me; speak in that small still voice—if we stop long enough to do so. Here I am, and I went home to make a Neuro appointment, the person I see for my medical needs. I thought I needed medical care as it was God speaking.
Just in case it’s not serious, I go to this person who deals with the cranium. I want to make certain I was not having a seizure. The result was that I had not.
For years prior to this, I had been fellowshipping with Christians who would not be involved with anyone or areas of life that were not of a ‘wholesome pure clean environment.’ A neighbor was dying of AIDS. I stayed away from him. I had dropped Christian salvation material to a guy that needed Jesus. He was being cared for by Hospice. The day I did this act of Mercy, he invited me in as he was bathing. Not knowing what to say, I dropped off the material and left.
When I returned from a trip, he had passed on. I relive the stupidity of my act. What God spoke in Haight Ashbury years later was to not conform to what men thought was acceptable. A lot of those SHALT NOT DO! What would Jesus think if I mingled with those in the Gay Community? I just stumbled onto the fact I can talk to those we feel sketchy about.
Thinking this was where I need to be, I moved on purpose to Capitol Hill. From Haight Ashbury in a Coffee House, it was shown I had to just hang out and be present to those around me. Dump the politically correct teaching. I had spent sufficient Vacation Time in S. F.—hanging out in the great thrift stores, walking the City with a Friend. Not able to do Tours because of limited hearing, I walked and saw a lot: visited museums with my friend and spent a Turkey Day at the Tenderloin Mission. Dishing food into containers. Loading the food into a van to the low rent housing. It made me aware of the blessings I had. >From that I was not going to embark on an Evangelical Plan to save those in my neighborhood. It was God’s Plan to use common sense, to do what I had been taught as a young person. Letting my Light Shine. Finding how easy it is to say hello.
Growing up, elderly friends at Lake Sawyer gave me the right equipment. At a time when there was nothing and no one else for me—no Dr Dobson, no Dr Phil. It was neighbors in my life that sustained me. I make the time to read at a spot in our neighborhood. The impact that makes on a child. These particular kids are from one-parent families.
It was not on my Agenda to reach out as I do. We ALL can reach out. Not in a HUGE GOSPEL TENT MEETING. One on one. As a Lutheran brother said, it’s our presence that makes the difference.
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Concordia Lutheran School
Meyer Minutes
Five loaves and two fish have come up twice this past week in my bible reading. Think of the things that come in small packages. This amazing miracle that deals with feeding 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish continues to have application today, right here. Hopefully most, if not all, who read this are praying for this place on a daily basis. He continues to build this place up when we might feel as if we have less than five loaves and two fish. The memorial gifts (flat screens) are great examples of His providing from others who have felt a connection with the place we call Concordia. It would be nice to have more as we ponder the future of our lives, but, remember, more is not always better. I personally enjoy staying right here where He continues to feed on a daily basis. His will be done, and five loaves and two fish continue to sustain everyone.
In Him,
Dave
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip
Thank you for your generous support of the 8th graders’ fundraisers for their Washington D.C. trip. They returned exhausted and exhilarated after an exciting week in our nation’s Capitol. Without our association congregation members’ generous donations and patronage of the compost sale, rummage sale, and car wash, the class trip never would have gotten off the ground. With your help and under the guidance of their group leaders, Mr. Cosgrove and Cheryl Kohring, the 8th graders surpassed their fundraising goals, earning almost $4000 to cover their travel expenses while in Washington D.C. Thanks for your support!
Upcoming Events
- June 8 8th Grade Graduation: 7 PM, Concordia Gym
- June 12 Preschool Graduation: 6:30 PM, Concordia Gym
- June 13 End-of-School Chapel: 11:15 AM, Concordia Gym
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Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Thank You!
Thanks to all the individuals, congregations, foundations, businesses and governments whose financial support made our Called To Community - Called To Care capital campaign a success.
To see a complete list of all our capital campaign supporters, view our online information at: http://www.lcsnw.org/anglelake/supporters_partners.html.
Angle Lake Building Completed
The vision shared by so many, LCS' Community Services Building at The Village at Angle Lake, is now a reality. To learn more about LCS and our partner agencies' services at The Village at Angle Lake, view our online information at: http://www.lcsnw.org/anglelake/.
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Concordia University, Portland, OR
New Director of Church Relations
Concordia University Portland announces the hiring of Jim Pressnell to serve as Director of Church Relations. Jim is currently chief executive officer of MOST Ministries, a LCMS-related service organization, where he leads a staff of seven in sending over 30 short-term mission teams throughout the world. A graduate of Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Pressnell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Greek and Hebrew and a Master of Divinity degree in biblical studies from Concordia Seminary.
As Director of Church Relations, Pressnell will lead Concordia University’s programs to serve the needs of regional church leaders and organizations. In addition to his expertise in Christian education, Pressnell also brings experience as an organizational consultant to the church relations position. Jim, his wife and children will transition to their new Portland home over the course of the summer, and he will begin his new ministry in mid-July.
Reunion Weekend 2007
Alumni and friends are invited to gather at Concordia University’s 2007 reunion October 12-14. Mark your calendar for a weekend of reminiscence and mingling. For more information or to volunteer to help get the word out, email us at alumni@cu-portland.edu.
Support Concordia Students
As we enroll students for the upcoming fall at Concordia University Portland, our need for student scholarship support becomes ever more obvious. At Concordia, students thrive in an environment of learning and ministry thanks to the support of many generous individuals and congregations. Please consider adding Concordia University to your congregation's giving plans or make an individual gift yourself. All gifts to The Concordia Fund directly support student scholarships and make an immediate difference in the lives of these bright students.
Gifts to The Concordia Fund can be mailed to Concordia University or made online at http://www.cu-portland.edu/giving. The students, faculty, and staff thank you for your support of our shared mission.
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Lutherwood Camp, Bellingham, WA
Lutherwood Camp & Retreat Center in Bellingham has a new websiteand easy registration process.http://www.camplutherwood.org/.
We are currently taking registrations for children's summer camp 2007. Camperships are available for those who cannot afford the full cost. (Check out our new, lower fees!) We are offering camp sessions for grades 1-12. Bring your friends!
Lutherwood is a year round Christian outdoor ministry changing the world one life at a time; let that include you!
Weekend Hosting Opportunity
We are in need of people, couples or families to come up to Lutherwood to host our guest groups onsite. This involves staying onsite at Lutherwood Friday through Sunday. Times will be determined by individual groups.
Please take a look and see if a weekend will work with your schedule. We would love to have you here! It’s Free! Call Lutherwood’s office to schedule your weekend at 360-734-7652 or email jayne.schloemer@camplutherwood.org.
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