The recycling truck came and went from the church today; the way it does every other week. Prior to its passing I hear the roar of the engine, sometimes the insistent beep-beep of the warning as it backs up. I hear the rattling of cans tossed in the bin, the clink of glass jars one against the other. If it’s particularly quiet, I can even hear a rustle of sorts-waste paper settling into the collection box.

Normally trash dumping wouldn’t take up much room in a Pastor’s Newsletter note. But I am talking about recycled trash. I feel good when I hear those sounds. That trash won’t end up in the ground, or littering the streets and highways. It will be reused. Much of it will change form in the process. It will find new life in new uses. Plastic milk jugs will show up in the stores as polar fleece jackets! Some people, like the Brunners, use worm composting to recycle food wastes. Wow!

All of that brings up the possibility that we might need some spiritual recycling from time to time. There are some out there who haven’t been to church in a while. For some the old patterns of spirituality seem to have been worn out. Time for recycling? Reconnecting to the community of believers in Christ Jesus.

It may be that there are folks who are in church most every Sunday, and there could still be a need for recycling. Perhaps they are burned out from doing the same thing for too long. Being recycled into new activities here could bring newness of life. Changing form can change the person.

Sometimes there are ministry programs that are recycled. The Cottage Meetings during the month of February have in part been about just that possibility here at Trinity. The congregation will have the opportunity to explore the possibility of a projection system to both enhance current ministry and create possibilities for new ministries.

Recycling our trash is good stewardship. Plain and simple. It’s worth the effort. Spiritual recycling is also a good thing—if that which has begun to wear out, whether people, or ways of doing things, are changed and energized in the process for continued new life in Christ Jesus. Involve a recycling check in your daily quiet time. As you encounter the Gospel in that way, you will be changed—made continually new. That’s what God has done to us in the first place. Recycled the human trash of sin, death and slavery to Satan and changed the form—transformed us into new creations in Jesus Christ.

Be open to God’s continual changing power through the Gospel. Keep recycling!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Don Schatz

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Thank You!
Thanks to those who hosted our Cottage Meeting get-togethers. What an enjoyable time to meet in one another’s homes and share in the blessing of our community in Christ Jesus. So thanks again to: Joanne Matson; Laurie Lootens Chyz; Allison and Bob Stotler; Esther Reese and Pastor Al Lindeman!

Happy Anniversary to Paul and Norma Kosche on March 3, and to Roger and Katie Ost on March 19.

Lenten Services
This Lenten season, Trinity and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will again join in Soup Suppers at 6:30pm and Worship at 7:30pm on Wednesdays. The schedule to remember is:

• March 1 - Ash Wednesday at Trinity
• March 8 - Good Shepherd
• March 15 - Trinity
• March 22 - Good Shepherd
• March 29 - Trinity
• April 5 - Good Shepherd

Dead Sea Scrolls
Look for a signup sheet for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit in the narthex.

From the Church Office
If you do not wish to receive a paper copy of the newsletter, please contact Stacy in the office (stacyschulze@trinluthseattle.org or 206.324.1066).

Could you use some scratch paper?  Each week, the church office creates a small amount of paper printed on only one side.  If you would like to (re)use some or all of this amount, please contact Stacy in the office (stacyschulze@trinluthseattle.org or 206.324.1066).

You may notice a change in the service schedules this month.  In order to give people advance notice of scheduling, we are printing both the current month and a preliminary copy of the next month.  If you cannot serve when scheduled, please find a replacement and inform the church office of the change.

Lutheran World Relief Collection
We are collecting items for the May 5-6 Ingathering for Lutheran World Relief. Please bring: New or used clothing for infants, children, and men; Sweaters and sweatshirts for all; Fabric: Individually folded pieces of cotton or cotton blend fabric (no knits), 3 yard pieces if 45" wide, or 4 yard pieces if 36" wide; New soap in original wrappers; Quilts, 60" x 80"; and Blankets.

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I don’t do a lot on cold nights. But this was the 19th of February. I was on Broadway. I sat in Jack in the Box. Someone expressed how ‘Dope Sick’ they were. No cash for a prescription. It was cold as we all huddled inside. I said if his friend did not show, I would make a Drug Store run. The Dude showed. I was given a hug. I saw a dog without a tag. I was keeping it quiet. A van pulled up and someone screamed. Do I have a place to sleep? You do not open the door of a van with no markings. Take a ride with a stranger? I explain who I am. Since the nights have been cold, I sit a while at Jack in the Box, if someone would like me to.

In an earlier Newsletter, I asked you to pray for Mike Vashi. Mike could use mail. We all like mail. Mike writes from jail. He did a crime. He knows he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Pastor Bill Clements of LMS has visited him. I hear from Mike by mail weekly. He would appreciate any letters you might be moved to send. Are we so far removed.

Address:
Michael Vashi 849467 7-A8
Washington State Penitentary
1313 N 13th Ave
Walla Walla WA 9936

Thank you and Blessings,
Debbie Ruppert,
Light on the Hill Minister

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CLS Auction April 1
Don’t forget to save the date! Please consider donating items, or securing items for donation to the Concordia School Auction. Submission forms can be picked up at Concordia or at our Church Office.

Cows for Kenya
Concordia Lutheran School’s 1st Semester chapel offering was designated for the ‘Cows for Kenya’ mission ministry.  Concordia’s ambitious goal was to gather enough funds to buy 4 cows for a Kenyan village.  The children and faculty of Concordia contributed $1500 during the 1st semester, enough to send 4 2/3 cows to Kenya!  No word yet on which 2/3 of a cow would be donated!  Thank you Concordia for showing us how mighty are the mites of the Lord’s people!

Family Night at Safeco
Concordia is  having a family night out at Safeco field. On May 6, 2006, we are going to a Mariners game. They are playing the Cleveland Indians.  Everyone is invited to join us. Tickets are on sale at the school office for $16.00 each. The deadline for ordering tickets is April 4th. If you are interested please call the school office at 206-525-7407 for more information.

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Director of Church Relations Search
Concordia University is searching for a new Director of Church Relations. Qualified candidates must be a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, possess a passion for Lutheran Higher Education, have skills in strategic planning, program management and fundraising and an understanding of the Church synod and its key leaders. For a complete job description, please contact the Concordia University Foundation office at 503.280.8505. Deadline for application is April 10.

Support Lutheran Higher Education
Concordia University is proud of its 1,500 students this year, and hopeful for the hundreds of students who want to attend next year. You have the power to help incoming students attend by giving to The Concordia Fund, a fund which supports scholarships and financial aid for Concordia students. By making a gift, you can make attending this unique and meaningful school possible for these bright and caring individuals. Gifts to The Concordia Fund are tax-deductible and may be matched by your employer and by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. For more information about making a gift to The Concordia Fund, or about matching gifts, please contact Lisa Goodwin at the Concordia University Foundation at 503.280.8505.

Cavalier Athletics Springs into Action
The 2006 Softball, Baseball, Golf and Track and Field seasons are under way. Come cheer on the Cavs! For game times and locations checkout www.gocugo.com.

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LCS Divorce Lifeline
Are you or a friend experiencing separation or divorce? LCS Divorce Lifeline offers therapeutic groups for adults and workshops for children and teens. For more information, www.lcsnw.org/divorcelifeline, or 206/694-5700 or 800/509-0515.

LCS International Counseling and Community Services provides counseling, referral and support services for refugee and immigrants. >From time to time the senior citizens we serve need personal hygiene items. Donations are appreciated. Hygiene items requested are:

• soaps
• deodorant
• shampoo & conditioner
• razors
• toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• shaving cream
• lotion
• toilet paper
• feminine hygiene products.

Trading Graces Is Here
Mark your calendar for Lutheran Services in America’s Trading Graces online auction, to be held on eBay February 26th – March 8th. Auction proceeds from items offered by LCS will go directly to benefit our agency’s services right here in Northwest communities. For more information, visit our website at lcsnw.org. To view items in the Trading Graces online auction, visit www.lutheranservcies.org.

Interested in becoming a foster parent?
Lutheran Community Services Foster Care programs provide foster care for young children 0-9 years old and refugee and immigrant children of all ages. Are you interested in learning more about becoming a foster care parent? For additional information, call 206/694-5713.

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Lutherans from around the city will be working side by side with Thrivent Builds and Habitat for Humanity in helping build a home that will be located in the Central district. The actual build will be an "extreme makeover" type of an existing house located in the Seattle's Judkin's Park neighborhood.

This will include lots of fundraising, labor and fun! Details upcoming after services on March 5. We are very excited about this opportunity to work closely with one another towardsimproving the quality of life within our community.

For more information, contact Chris Sherman or Lee Falck.

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