From the Pastor
In spite of the rain and cold weather, the bulb plants–tulips and daffodils, etc.–have pushed their stalks up from the ground. The new life and the color of the blossoms to come signal the awakening of the earth in spring. For centuries the cycle of winter to spring has been used by the church as a metaphor for the rising of Jesus from the dead, bringing new life to all who look to him.
Easter comes early this year. (It can only be one day earlier!) Perhaps the image of winter to spring, death to life is even more appropriate this year. We can point to the remarkable contrasts.
So, the month begins–still in Lent. Because of the nature of who we are as people–children of God, yes, but children who have often wandered far away–we spend Lent re-committing to the one who has called us by name in baptism. The Gospel readings from John recount the stories of the blind man and the raising of Lazarus. Jesus teaches us about where blindness really lies, about who sees and who does not. He confronts death just before his own dying; so, we can see where the power to handle life and death really lies. Does that make us squirm a bit? Do we wonder about our own blind spots? When we are confronted with the death of a loved one, do we wonder about whether we see the one who has power over death?
Going through the kind of examination Lent brings to us, we may find the season to be rather bleak. Our lives may look like the lifeless earth in winter, or a desert.
How remarkable that, in nature, out of that bleak landscape we begin to see new life! It comes by itself. We do not have to go outside and cheer the ground on. We do not have to pat the ground and say, “Good job!” It just “does its thing!”
In similar fashion, the bleakness we feel as Christians when we examine our lives and find them wanting becomes the “soil” for the Spirit’s work in us. When confronted with our blindness and lack of faith, we find we are not the ones who can solve our problem. We can’t make ourselves see. But, life grows again in us over and over when the Spirit turns us to the one who makes the blind see and gives life to the dead.
Then all kinds of things happen. Growth comes in a vast variety of ways. People who were self-absorbed become concerned for the welfare of others–sometimes at great expense to themselves! Work is transformed from dull drudgery–“Oh, do I have to?”–to a means of providing a service or a product that helps others live more comfortably.
Because of such blossoming of life, literally bringing us from death to life, Christians have used flowers to celebrate Easter. From potted lilies to a plethora of colored flowers, we want to give that kind of “eye-candy” that says something remarkable, something stunning, has happened. Out of the darkness and bleakness of the winter of our lives, facing only the prospect of death, we now have been given a whole new lease on life–a whole new life.
No, this is not something we have not heard before. It has been the message of the church for nearly 2,000 years. But, the change from being one whose bleak existence had no future into someone who has life is stunning! That’s always good and always new! The month ends with Easter–celebrate !
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News and Notes
Thank You!
Well, well. . . . What a surprise! I’ve only been with you a few months, and that only in the capacity of assisting with meetings and staff, and hospitals, etc., as needed, and still you shared your generosity in a “Gift of Love.” Indeed, what a wonderful surprise!
Thank you, and I promise to try not to hang around just so you can do it again!
~ Pastor Paul Winterstein
From the Church Office
The sign up sheets to provide altar flowers are now on the information desk in the foyer. Sign up today!
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Do you need rubber bands? The church office has a surplus of rubber bands which the post office uses for delivering the mail. Contact Stacy in the office if you would like to have them.
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Property Update
The Trinity office has a new member: an iRobot Roomba. Roomba is a robotic vacuum which roams around under the pews during office hours, occasionally beeping at Stacy. If you'd like to meet Roomba, ask Joan or Stacy for a demonstration.
Trinity Choir Schedule
3/2 Practice — All
3/9 Practice — All
3/16 Practice — All
3/21 Sing for Good Friday service
3/23 Sing for Easter service
Practices will resume April 20.
Community Lunches
Trinity will host the Central Community Lunches on:
- Friday 4/25
- Tuesday 4/29
- Friday 5/2
Sign up sheets are available on the information desk in the foyer.
World Hunger Offerings
Our offerings for world hunger will take place in two forms this year. We will distribute the grocery bags with Northwest Harvest food bank information to our neighborhood on March 2, pick up the bags with donated food on March 9, and bless the food to feed the hungry on Palm Sunday, March 16. We will collect financial donations for world hunger relief as well. To contribute, please mark a line on your donation envelope with “World Hunger.”
Jim Cochran Update
Some of you recall Jim Cochran, Price's brother, who was here for Price's memorial service. Unfortunately, he suffered a heart attack and underwent open heart surgery.
He is still in the hospital, but the prognosis is good, and he is expected to make a complete recovery.
Please keep him in your prayers.
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Notices
Teaching Opportunity
Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Auburn: Preschool teacher/director and a preschool assistant for established (ten years old) preschool. Training and starting date on or about August 1, 2008. For information, please contact Pamela Hamm at 253.833.1160 (home) or 253.709.6906 (cell phone). You may also send a resume directly to mphamm@comcast.net. Sincere thanks for the help, Zion Lutheran Church, Auburn.
Organist Wanted!
Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle is looking for a person to serve as both Organist and Choir Accompanist. The church uses liturgies and hymns from the Lutheran Service Book and has an electronic organ with 2 manuals and a full pedal board. Organist duties include playing at two Sunday morning services, mid-week services, and wedding and funerals. Choir Accompanist duties include playing for the weeknight choir practice and performances during services. Ideally, we are looking for a member of the LCMS, but others will be considered based on qualifications. Contact the search committee chair, Harry Edmon, at hedmon@gmail.com or 425.486.4653.
Habitat for Humanity Outlet
Habitat for Humanity announces the Grand Opening of its Seattle Home Improvement Outlet on Saturday, February 16, 10 am to 5 pm at 21 S Nevada St. For more information, call 206.957.6914 or see seattlehabitatoutlet.org.
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Upcoming Events
Foss Home & Village Annual Fund Spring Concert
March 28, 2008
5:30-8:00 pm
Featuring Ernestine Anderson at the Edmonds Center for the Arts:
410 Fourth Ave N
Edmonds
To purchase tickets, contact the Foundation Office at 206.834.2581 or eyoung@fosscare.org.
5:30-6:30 pm -- Wine & Hors d'oeuvres
6:30-8:00 pm -- Special Programming & Concert
All attendees will be entered in a drawing for fabulous door prizes. Must be present to win. Prizes will be drawn at 5:45, 6:00, and 6:15 pm.
A Winter Concert—Lux Aeterna
by Morten Lauridsen
Performed by Trinity Lutheran College Choir, special guest singers, and Oberlin Congregational Church Choir with Instrumental Ensemble. Two performances:
Oberlin Congregational Church
1603 Rainier St, Steilacoom
March 16, 8:45 am
Trinity Lutheran College Chapel
4221 228th Ave SE, Issaquah
March 16, 4:00 pm
For more information, visit www.tlc.edu or call 425.392.0400.
Seattle Pacific Concert
Experience the fusing of two American genres into a new kind of worship that will stir your soul. Seattle Pacific's acclaimed Gospel Choir and Wind Symphony perform in two free Northwest concerts featuring original music by award-winning composer Gerry Jon Marsh and commissioned by the SPU Center for Worship.
www.spu.edu/reconciled
Reconciled: A Gospel Symphony:
Rolling Hills Community Church
3550 SW Borland Rd
Tualatin, OR
Sunday, March 16, 4:00 pm
Seattle First Presbyterian Church
1013 8th AveSeattle, WA
Sunday, March 30, 5:00 pm
Michael Stern & Friends in Concert
Lutheran Volunteer Corps of Tacoma is pleased to present folksinger/songwriter Michael Stern & Friends in concert on Saturday, April 19, at 7:00 pm at Pacific Lutheran University, Chris Knutzen Hall.
All ages welcome!
$10 suggested donation
$5 seniors/students
Information 253.535.7423
More information:Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is delighted to host Michael Stern in concert for the fourth year in a row! Stern is a composer, singer and storyteller whose performances combine original songs, spiritual content, and humor. He has performed throughout the country at folk festivals, religious retreats, schools, and churches on behalf of many non-profit groups, including both Habitat for Humanity and LVC.
Started in 1979, LVC offers individuals a year of living and working in service to others. Volunteers commit to work for social justice, to live in intentional community, and to explore a simplified lifestyle. LVC is rooted in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, and encourages volunteers to put faith into action. Volunteers currently serve in ten cities in the United States.For more info about Michael Stern, go to his website at www.mikesongs.net.For more info about LVC, go to www.LutheranVolunteerCorps.org.
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Community News
Light on the Hill
Why is Light on the Hill important?
Who benefits from Light on the Hill?
What numbers does Light on the Hill bring in as far as church growth?
There are agencies that do much better than just me. We are a community.
Each one can foster the Gifts God has given. It is not just me. It is fostering relationships in the church. Giving a statistic is not the point. It’s hanging out. Jesus hung out.
Now, agencies work. I network with agencies.
I had to deal with a personal scar . . . I had no access to the agencies when I was young. It took a church. It took one couple. It is still up to those who need to cross the room. Or just hang out.
What changed me was this: I needed to allow God to do more. I needed to get over my dislike for Christianity.
Agencies. I get onto the World Wide Web to network.
I was not connected with anyone. Coffee Hour was the only outlet. We all can listen that we all are the priest.
I connect with Joe’s Place in Alaska. I was thinking maybe I would visit. Joe’s Place reaches out to the youth and brings them in.
Fairbanks. I think re-think Alaska. I was online with them. Cool—they got a band and a skate park. Keep the line open. In Seattle, I connect with a few who know Joe’s Place. God, this is Alaska ! I learn I can visit.
What was so like God to do? Linda and Mike (the couple from Joe’s place) were to be at New Horizons in Seattle. It was time to deal with the past.
I spent 2 days at New Horizons Training. I thank Trinity.
It covered Street Culture: Adolescent Development, Relationship Counseling, and a lot more.
I can tell you from experience. Hanging out is Fun! New Horizons does a lot of it. Relationship Focused. I thought agencies didn’t do Street Ministry, just street evangelism.
How narrow could I have been. Late Night Outreach, yep. As well as meals, clothing, and other emergency services. A comprehensive referral system as these youth move off the street.
My question is . . .
Are we challenged to hang?
To use the gifts each were given?
To be involved with New Horizions Ministry?
Thanks for the Training.
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Concordia Lutheran School
Meyer Minutes
The gifts that God gives us! I was listening to the devotion topic as our group gathered in a hotel room to end an exciting evening in Portland. Each one of the participants has a special gift given to them by God. I reflected on each child sitting on the floor of this room and was encouraged by their particular gift, athletics, making others smile, caring for others, spelling, whatever the gift may be. Then I had a revelation that each of these kids share the same gift also, their hearts! Not the physical heart, but the heart of a champion as they run up and down a basketball court against kids twice their size, as they place 5 out of 34 in a chess competition, and as they play with younger kids in the pool. A heart of a champion is a gift each one of these students possesses. Please join me in thanking them and their parents for sharing this great gift with over 1000 other students and their families; it was noticed, and it made me proud to say I am from Concordia.
In Him,
Dave
From the School Office
Thank you for your generous support of Concordia’s Annual Appeal!
Please remember Concordia in your prayers as we begin our recruitment season for the next school year.
SAVE THE DATE! Concordia’s annual Auction will be held on April 19.
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Seattle Lutheran High
The Seattle Lutheran High School Robotics Team will be competing again this year at the national robotics competition sponsored by FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, www.usfirst.org. The competition will be held at the Tacoma Convention Center March 20-22 and will feature approximately 40 high school teams from across the northwest and beyond. Admission is free. This year will be the fifth one in which the Saints Robotics Team has participated. Please try to attend some of the competition. It is an experience you will never forget. Information can be found at: www.usfirst.org/community/frc/regionalevents.aspx?id=430 (Scroll down to “Microsoft Seattle Regional.”)
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Concordia University
Consider the Call
Concordia University hosts “Consider the Call” Retreat March 7-9.
High school students considering professional church work as a vocation should make plans to attend Concordia University’s “Consider the Call” retreat March 7-9. Contact Sarah Elliot at 503.493.6231 for more information.
Lenten Concert
Concordia Choir and Handbells Present Lenten Concert on March 16
Concordia University’s Choir and Handbells will present their annual Lenten concert of meditation and song on Sunday afternoon, March 16, at 3:30 pm in the sanctuary of St. Michael Lutheran Church (adjacent to the campus at NE 29th and Dekum). Admission is free; an offering will be received.
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