June-July-August 2012

 

More Martin Luther

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Volume 60 in the New Series

 

Here are some highlights from this new translation of Luther’s writings:

 

“Next to the Holy Scriptures there is no doctor in the church who is to be compared with St. Augustine in Christian knowledge …. especially where he argues against the Pelagians, the Donatists, and the Manicheans. For here is a man of solid learning in Christ” (44). “In the Church one must have … the sure Word of God [certum verbum Dei], in which we may trust with certainty and assurance, and in this certainty of faith both live and die” (63-64). “Next to the Holy Scripture, there is indeed no book more helpful for Christendom than the legends of the dear saints, especially those which are pure and authentic” (73). “There was an extraordinarily great spirit in John Hus [1370-1415] …. In the end he so manfully accepted the most shameful death for the sake of the truth” (126). “I have no doubt that the Last Day is not far away, though the highly intelligent and super-rational world is not concerned about this” (149). “When a person is dying or in some other extremity, he must forget … money and property, honor and power, and must cling solely to God’s Word, stake his life on it alone” (212). “Chastisement … forces us to pray fervently. A fervent prayer is an almighty, powerful, and victorious thing” (243). “Muslims have for so many centuries enjoyed nothing but … success against the Christians …. yet this does not happen because the faith of Mohammed is true …. God allows Christians to be punished and oppressed on account of their sins” (255). “Oh, the hard and unyielding minds of men!” [O duras et ferreas mentes hominum] (273). “You cannot read in Scripture too much, and what you do read you cannot read too well, and what you read well you cannot understand too well, and what you understand well you cannot teach too well, and what you teach well you cannot live too well” (285). “Of good books … there have never yet been too many, and there still are not” (300). “The devil … most avidly seeks out … everything that is highest and best in the world. He has a dainty gullet [delicatae est gulae]; his food is choice” (314). “I am nothing” (329). “The elect must be tested, tried, and refined” (335).

 

May we ever give thanks to God for Martin Luther, our “most eminent teacher” (The Book of Concord, p. 576)!

 

                                                                                                                   Pastor Marshall

 



 

 

 

 

 

President’s Report… by Matthew Kahn

The coming of Summer brings kids out of school, the fulfillment of God’s miracle of life as vegetables grow from small seeds that were sewn only weeks before. It also brings forth many thoughts of travel and vacation. Whenever I am on vacation I have a nasty tendency to drag my family to what are often called boring historical sites, obscure museums, and to see random pieces of architecture. Many times we see churches. One time we were in St. Louis for only 36 hours for a friend’s wedding. The weekend schedule was full but I had to see the Cathedral Basilica of St Louis which contains over 83,000 square feet of mosaic tiles, one of the largest collections in the world. Yes, never take a vacation with a history major. Early that Saturday morning before the afternoon festivities began, Samantha, who just started walking, Dana and I searched for the church. I was thoroughly impressed and as I was sitting in the back pews it made me thankful for our beautiful church. With so many other Lutheran churches built after the war looking more like living rooms, ours stands out as something special. We were blessed by God to have church members who chose this traditional style of architecture. In addition, we have continued to be blessed with parishioners that have sought out and adhered to the traditional style of worship as well.

This July 29th marks the date for the mid-year congressional meeting. I encourage everyone to attend and help guide our church. The most important topic is to finish voting on the changes to the constitution that deal with the terms of the church officers.

The month with Easter generally is a successful month financially and this April was no different.  We were able to catch up slightly on our monetary goals for church operations. We saw $22,232.47 in Total General Budget Income this month compared to a goal of $20,323. We also continue to keep our expenses down. We had budgeted $8,520 for Total General Operating Expenses but kept them down to $6,663.84 for the month. We have been blessed with $78,744 in Total General Budget Income compared to a goal of $80,449 for the first four months of 2012.  Let us pray that this next trimester will be as good so that we can continue to spread His word in West Seattle.

Many commentators throughout history have remarked that good art and architecture speaks to the audience.  Last month I wrote about a suffering Christ. There is another crucifix I wish to mention that, when I saw it, in one of those truly rare moments, stirred my understanding of His plan. The famous Kaiser Wilhelm Church in central Berlin is well known for the ruined remains of the spire destroyed in 1943 by a bombing raid. But what stirred me was inside the new church which was built inside the old building’s foot print. There within the context of total war, rebuilding and a reunited Germany was a clearly modern take on a church; bland, sleek and with comfortable chairs.  However hanging above the alter was a crucifix like I had never seen. There was Christ not in agony or sedate, but Christ saying to me, “Do not pity me, pity yourself.” It is a Christ looking down on the assembled saying, “You are the pitiful ones, and you have squandered all that you have been given, you of little faith. Look at what God must do just to save you”. After seeing it I felt small, humble and unworthy; unworthy of His sacrifice.  I was blessed to have that experience and I am thankful to this day for it, as I am thankful for finding First Lutheran Church of West Seattle.

Have a blessed and happy Summer.

 



 

Church Buildings Talk

By Paul Gregory Alms

 

Buildings talk. Old farm houses covered with vines, supermarkets and church buildings all tell stories. Especially churches. They whisper to us of those who built them, of the faith confessed within their walls. If we had ears to hear, those walls would sing of wed-dings and funerals and hymns and baptisms. Sanctuaries speak of the God who is worshiped within them.

Recently I had two church building experiences. The first was driving by a new church off of an interstate highway. I drive one stretch of this road every couple of months, and one day I noticed a new structure rising in the suburbs. It looked much like a typical warehouse or some commercial complex. I was quite surprised when I saw a sign go up which announced that the building was in fact a church. Well, actually the sign said it was a “worship center.” The complex had no identifiable design or markings or appearance that would mark it as a church. What is more, I am sure that the anonymous business character of the site was intentional. Retail Christianity, you could call it.

 

Otherworldliness

My second experience was walking into an old inner city cathedral-type Lutheran church. A huge statue of Jesus towered over a stone altar in-laid with a bright colorful painting of the last sup-per. Elaborate carved statues of Peter and Paul flanked him. A huge pulpit topped with spires seemed to reach to heaven and soared over the tiny pews. The font and altar environs were decorated and marked out with a holy reverence. Every detail of the sanctuary conveyed awe and otherworldliness and transcendence.

 

What Did They Say?

If buildings talk, what did each church say? What story did they tell? Of what God did each speak? The first spoke of what one might call a Walmart God, a God of the corporate mindset, a God who drives an SUV, a God of the suburbs. Those who designed that building no doubt built it specifically to be comfortable to outsiders, to appeal to those who are not at home with traditional Christianity. Still, that warehouse sanctuary tells a story about God; it is the story of a God who fits in, a God who talks and behaves much like middle class Americans in the twenty-first century.

The God that old inner city Lutheran church communicated could not be more different. That structure offered a vision of a God of inexpressible power, of distance and glory and yet recognizable in the human faces that looked down from the walls. Every detail in the church added up to a pointed contrast with the street and culture around it. I had gone from commerce to cathedral, from sales to saints.

 

Options for Shoes or Salvation

The two church buildings were aimed at opposite effects: one to fit God into our lives, the other to fit us into God’s life. But the incredible thing is not what is different about these churches, but what they hold in common: Christianity. Both claimed to be Christian, to follow the God of the Bible, to worship Jesus Christ, the Messiah. And yet they could not be more different in their expression of that faith.

So which one is better? The Walmart church or the cathedral church? Of course many today would say neither, or both. We like options in our shopping, whether for shoes or salvation. The numbers might suggest the Walmart church by a mile. Certainly today people seem to flock to such retail outlets of faith. Meeting needs, marketing services, pleasing visitors can add up to a potent recipe for growth.

But beyond that there lies a deeper question: what story do we tell with the building that we build? What kind of God does our sanctuary talk about? Is God really like a checkout line? Can the reality of the God who descended on Mount Sinai in smoke and thunder and lightning be adequately ex-pressed in a building that could just as easily be a Walmart as a church? Are the magnificent truths of the incarnation and crucifixion and resurrection of God-made-flesh easily expressed in the things of commerce and sales and marketing?

 

Church Building as Confession

Of course not all church buildings need be magnificent cathedrals. The humble country church and the modest struggling mission are as much the church as any dazzling Gothic structure. It is the gospel of grace, the preaching of Christ crucified and the giving of his holy sacraments, that is the true beauty of the church.

But Christians have always understood a connection between the structures of our faith and the structures we build. A tattered banner thrown across the wall of a rundown gym or a tarnished candlestick on a plain wooden table are evidences, however modest, that how we surround the Gospel we proclaim, how we decorate our sacramental worship, is a confession of what we believe about Christ. That country church building has much more in common with the Gothic cathedral than with the big box church structure.

In other words, our church buildings talk. They tell stories about God, and we should listen to what they say. How we build and furnish and deco-rate the places where we worship God and receive his saving gifts says something. It confesses the faith. Buildings tell stories. We should listen to them. Maybe we could learn something.

 

  

 

[Note: This article is a wonderful elaboration of our Mission Statement which says: “In our worship we honor the beauty and majesty of our church building as God’s holy house wherein we do far more than meet together, but primarily behold the awesome splendor of God’s presence.” It is reprinted with permission from Forum Letter, Volume 41, Number 5, May 2012. Copyright © 2012 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. All rights reserved. Paul Gregory Alms is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS), Catawba, North Carolina. An earlier version of this article appeared in the Charlotte Observer in 2005. – Pastor Marshall, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle.]




 




Stewardship

Furthering Our Mission

 

Merciful Father,

         We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us: Ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. 

                                                                                                                               LBW pp.108

We pray this prayer almost every Sunday.  It reflects what stewardship is.  In tithing not only our income, but also our time and our gifts, we recognize that all of those things are not really ours.  They belong to God, and He has granted those gifts to us so that we may further His kingdom on earth.  In Haggai 2:8, God instructs us that “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine.”  So, as a reflection of our joy for the sacrifice God has provided for our redemption in His son, Christ Jesus, we are to tithe our money, gifts, and time.  This means we give a full 10% of our income to the Church, but it also means that we use our gifts to further the mission of the Church, whether that be through public outreach programs, through singing in the choir, or through helping with Golden Fellowship luncheons. 

God reminds us that He is the source of our wealth in other ways.  Hosea 2:9 states that “I [God] will take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season.”  In part, this is because we forget the source of our material blessings.  Let us never forget that God is the source of our being, our time, and our wealth.  Regardless of our circumstances, let us always give generously of all three (money, gifts, time) to the Church and to God in order to glorify Christ’s sacrifice.

 

                                                                                                                         –David King, Church Council


Stewardship 2012

 

                                    Month (April)              Year to date (Jan-April)

Budget                            $20,323                          $80,449

Received                         $22,417                          $79,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

Healed By His Wounds:

A Study of Isaiah

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Summer 2012 Bible Study With Pastor Marshall

Sundays, 9 am - 10 am, Room D

 

This summer we will take 12 weeks to study the book of Isaiah. Each week we will concentrate on a few chapters, asking what they have to do with the great proclamation of salvation in Isaiah 53. Worksheets will be available for each class to guide your reading.

The class schedule is the following:

           June 10 Isaiah 1-5                July 1 Isaiah 19-24             August 5 Isaiah 45-49

           June 17 Isaiah 6-11              July 8 Isaiah 25-29            August 12 Isaiah 50-55

           June 24 Isaiah 12-18            July 15 Isaiah 30-34          August 19 Isaiah 56-61

                                                         July 22 Isaiah 35-40          August 26 Isaiah 62-66

                                                         July 29 Isaiah 41-44

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

FOOD BANK COLLECTION for Summer is lunch and snack foods for children who are home from school: peanut butter, jam, crackers, energy bars, seed & nut packs, macaroni & cheese are just a few suggestions.  Also, fresh produce will be picked up weekly from July – October.  If you need help picking the fruit off your trees, that help is also provided – just call the church office.  This program is through “Community Harvest of SW Seattle.” 

PASTORAL REVIEW for 2010-2011 is available for your study upon request.  The Executive Committee has compiled this information over the past few weeks and filed it in the church office.

MID-YEAR CONGREGATIONAL MEETING has been set for Sunday, July 29th, immediately following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, in the parish hall.  Mark your calendars!  Voter registration will be on the tables at the back of the hall.

READING THE KORAN with Pastor Marshall.  These two hour, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Thursday evening classes will run from June 28th to July 26th – skipping July 19th.  Call the office to register.  Pastor Marshall has been teaching this class four times a year since 2003.

HOLY EUCHARIST – Communion:  Those who are baptized in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and believe are welcome to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention all Bakers!

Feel like baking some treats? 

 

And those who love to EAT baked treats!

Want to purchase some treats?

Come to our BAKE SALE—JUNE 10th at Church!

The Youth Sunday School students and the Extended Ministries team are joining efforts to support GOSPEL FOR ASIA.  We have chosen to focus our giving to provide “Gifts from the Stable.”  We hope to raise money to purchase chickens for these people in need.  For the people of Asia, a pair of chickens can create a steady income.  Chicken eggs provide food for the family and the extras can be sold at market.  The Sunday school students felt this would be a fun way to help a malnourished child in Asia.

With your simple support of our bake sale, we hope to raise $132 so we may purchase 24 chickens.  A bargain at $11 for a pair of chickens that will help a family in need!

 

 

    

So come to church June 10th with an appetite for baked goods for yourself or for friends.  We will have a variety of baked treats for you to purchase.  If you would like to donate treats, we would love that as well…bring them wrapped and ready to sell when you come to church.  The students will take care of the rest!

Thank you for your support of the Youth Sunday School and Extended Ministries!

GOSPEL FOR ASIA states a very clear mission:  “We are committed as a family of believers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with lost men, women and children throughout Asia who have still not heard his precious name.”

Visit: www.gfa.org to learn more!

                                                                                                Gina Allen, Education Committee

 

 

 




St. Nicholas Faire Fund Raiser

 Sunday, December 2, 2012

 

“CHRISTMAS IN

JULY”

 

Once again the hunt is on for items to be made into gift baskets to be sold at the St. Nicholas Faire December 2, 2012. Proceeds will support the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:  Take a look at the “ornaments” on the tree. Pick one, or more, to purchase.  Keep the top “ornament”.  Put your name and phone number on the other one, and drop it in the decorated box beside the tree.  Purchase all items and bring them to church no later than September 31st.  There will be a large plastic box in the Lounge to collect these items.

THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS!!!

 

 




 




A Forgotten But Powerful Voice:

Dr. Kent S. Knutson, 1924-1973

By Pastor Marshall

 

The next passage that I want us to reflect upon together from Dr. Knutson’s The Shape of the Question: The Mission of the Church in a Secular Age (1972) also has to do with the nature of the church, as in last month’s installment:

How is this church known to us now? …. The same power which created the New Testament community creates the people of God today. The signs of the church are the same, summarized in the phrase word and sacrament. This people of God is in continuity with the church of the past, but lives in a new age, with the same problems and same redemption as the church of any past age. The quality of life, the freedom, and the destiny are the same. Baptism is the effective sign of initiation into this body of Christ. The Eucharist is the effective sign of renewal in which the risen Lord is present under the signs of bread and wine, giving himself to his people to eat and drink. In this celebration of grace the people of God identify themselves with the Christ, his sacrifice and his exaltation, and receive anew the saving grace of God the Father. The spoken word communicates the same renewing grace. The form of the communication, the time, and the language differ. The effect is the same. And the living Lord is present in each of these manifestations. The sign is different. It is the same Lord and the same presence (pp. 100, 102-103).


Note how the church lives in a new age, but with the same problems and same redemption as the church of any past age. So our new time does not require us to reinvent the church to fit in with the times. In this way Dr. Knutson is radical and out of sinc with the Lutheran church in America in the early twenty-first century! Thanks be to God!


 

 

 



 

Psalm 83.16

Monthly Home Bible Study, June 2012, Number 232

The Reverend Ronald F. Marshall

 

Along with our other regular study of Scripture, let us join as a congregation in this home study. We will study alone then talk informally about the assigned verses together as we have opportunity. In this way we can "gather together around the Word" even though physically we will not be getting together (Acts 13.44).

 

We need to support each other in this difficult project. In 1851 Kierkegaard wrote that the Bible is "an extremely dangerous book.... [because] it is an imperious book... – it takes the whole man and may suddenly and radically change... life on a prodigious scale" (For Self-Examination). And in 1967 Thomas Merton wrote that "we all instinctively know that it is dangerous to become involved in the Bible" (Opening the Bible). Indeed this word "kills" us (Hosea 6.5) because we are "a rebellious people" (Isaiah 30.9)! As Lutherans, however, we are still to "abide in the womb of the Word" (Luther's Works 17.93) by constantly "ruminating on the Word" (LW 30.219) so that we may "become like the Word" (LW 29.155) by thinking "in the way Scripture does" (LW 25.261). Before you study, then, pray: "Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in Our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen" (quoted in R. F. Marshall, Making A New World: How Lutherans Read the Bible, 2003, p. 12).

 

Week I. Read Psalm 83.16 noting the word shame. What is this shame? On this read Ezekiel 16.53-63 noting the words disgrace, pride, wickedness, reproach, despise, lewdness, abomination, breaking, covenant, remember, confounded and shame. Is remembering or recognizing and admitting our wickedness and lewdness at the heart of shame? On this read Jeremiah 6.15 noting the words ashamed, abomination, not and blush. This blushing is about being struck to the heart over one’s wickedness – and giving up all efforts to explain away, cover-up or otherwise disregard the wrong we have done. On this problem of covering-up read John 3.19-20 noting the words loved, darkness, deeds, evil, hates, exposed and clearly. If we love the darkness, then we won’t be able to blush over our lewdness. What then?

 

Week II. Read again Psalm 83.16 noting the phrase fill their faces. How does this phrase help us blush? On this read Romans 7.13 noting the line sinful beyond measure. How do God’s commandments help us with that? On this read Romans 3.10-18 noting the lines none is righteous, no one understands, no

one does good, they … deceive, and there is no fear of God before their eyes. These verses exclude all excuses. Read also Mark 7.20-23 noting the line what comes out of a man ... defiles him, and the words evil, thoughts, theft, envy, pride and foolishness. Add to this Isaiah 65.6 noting the line all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags (KJV). What does all of this add up to? On this read Romans 7.18 noting the line nothing good dwells within me. Does that settle it? Not quite. Read also Job 9.15 noting the line I am innocent. How can that be? Have we been falsely charged? How so? No, read instead Psalm 125.5 noting the phrase turn aside. Note also Psalm 119.102 and the line turn aside from thy ordinances. If such turning takes place, then God’s commandments are weakened. But if their force hit us full in the face, then we blush. Wouldn’t you think so? Explain.

 

Week III. Reread Psalm 83.16 noting this time the line that they may seek thy name, O Lord. What is the point of this? On this read Psalm 9.9-10 noting the words trouble, trust, not and forsaken, and Psalm 105.1-5 noting the words thanks, call, remember and done. So seeking the Lord’s name draws us into a life of faith in him and service to him. What are the benefits in this? On this read Acts 2.21 noting the words call, name and saved. What does this seeking and calling save us from? On this read John 3.36, Romans 2.5, 5.9 and Ephesians 2.3 noting word wrath in all four verses. How bad is this wrath? On this read Mark 9.48 noting the words worm and fire, Luke 16.23, 28 noting the word torment, and Revelation 9.5 noting the word torture. Why is this wrath so bad? On this read Ezekiel 5.13 noting the words satisfy and jealousy. Why does God’s jealousy have to be satisfied by inflicting his wrath upon the disobedient? On this read Psalm 99.3 noting the words terrible and holy. Does this mean God has very high standards that cannot be compromised? If so, why can’t he cut corners for sinners? On this read 2 Timothy 2.13 noting the line he cannot deny himself. Where does that leave our inquiry? Why is that? Note the word unsearchable in Romans 11.33. Does that help?

 

Week IV. Read Psalm 83.16 one last time noting the word may. What will tip us in favor of faith and service? Does the word may suggest that the outcome is unpredictable? On this read Romans 9.16-18 noting the words depends, not, exertion, mercy, hardens and wills. Does that mean none of this is in our control? On this read Romans 10.10-21 noting the words man, believes, confesses, calls, heard, preacher, understand, seek, ask and contrary. What do these verses tell us? Are we free to listen or not, to go to church or not? On this read Acts 5.13 noting the line none of the rest dared join them. Read also 1 Corinthians 14.25 noting the line falling on his face. Do these passages suggest that going to church to hear the word of the Lord is harder than it looks? On this read Ecclesiastes 5.1-2 noting the words guard and few. How does that help us understand our situation?

 



 

 

 



flcws.org

Check out the church's webpage at this address, www.flcws.org

     There are many sections to our webpage – some of them also include pictures and artwork.  You may find a good deal of interest in these sections, and some of them change regularly.  

     This webpage is the internet “face” of our congregation.  Tell your friends about our webpage.  It is a good way to introduce them to our church.  

     Here are the listed sections from our webpage:

 

  

 

 

 

 



 

 




THE HOLY TRINITY

On Sunday, June 3rd we will honor the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and we will confess that our God is named Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is Christ's command in Matthew 28:19 when he says to us: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." It is this name that our faith requires us to adore – for God is in this name! 

 

X   MARY,   X

MOTHER OF OUR LORD

The Feast of Saint Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, will be celebrated at our Sunday Holy Eucharist on August 12th.  On this day we will thank God for the life and faith of Saint Mary, who has been called the Mother of all believers for she was the first person to believe in the gospel.

    Lutherans for centuries have honored Our Lady by praying the "Magnificat".

 

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savoir, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.  Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts he of their hearts, has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

                                                                                                                         (Luke 1:46-55)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X  PARISH PRAYERS  X

Remember in prayer before God those whom He has made your

brothers and sisters through baptism.

Gregg Lyon, Cynthia Natiello, Connor Bisticas, Dorothy Ryder, Richard Hard, Agnes Arkle, Clara Anderson, Teri Korsmo, Bob Baker, Peggy Wright, Bob & Barbara Schorn, Margaret Hard, Rolf & Paul Sponheim, Kay Thoreson, Rosita & Jim Moe, Frank Rowlands, Joyce Baker, Chris & Margeen Bowyer, Jim Cunningham, Tabitha Anderson, Linda Anderson, Dick Leidholm, Lori McConnell, Gwen Lyon, Susan Lyon, Lee Neuman, Steven Coy, Jill Jeffry, Amy Tabor, Louisa Eden, Annie Crutchfield, Robert W. Jenson, Markus Lidacis and family.

    Pray for the shut-ins that the light of Christ may give them joy:  Clara Anderson, Donna Apman, Agnes Arkle, C. J. Christian, Vera Gunnarson, Pat Hansen, Margaret Hard, Lorraine Jarvimaki, Anelma Meeks, Olive Morrison, Lillian Schneider, Crystal Tudor, Vivian Wheeler, Peggy Wright.

     Pray for the new born that they grow in the strength of the Lord:  Elanor Julie Christine Miles, granddaughter to Gregg Lyon born May 23, 2012, 8 lbs 2 oz, 21 ¾ in.

     Pray for those who have been baptized that they may grow in the grace of God:  Hannah-Lynn & Seth Weyer, children of Scott & Karin Weyer.

     Pray for those who have suffered the death of a loved one:  Pray that God will bear their grief and lift their hearts:  Pray for the family and friends of Paul Shelvog on his death.  Also our sympathy to the family and friends of David Thoreson, whose funeral was in Stanwood, WA.  David was Choirmaster here at First Lutheran Church from 1967 to 1974.

     Pray for our bishops Mark Hanson and Chris Boerger, our pastor Ronald Marshall, our deacon Dean Hard and our cantor Andrew King, that they may be strengthened in faith, love and the holy office to which they have been called.

     Pray that God would give us hearts which find joy in service and in celebration of stewardship.  Pray that God would work within you to become a good steward of your time, your talents and finances.  Pray to strengthen the stewardship of our congregation in these same ways.

     Pray for the hungry, ignored, abused, and homeless this summer.  Pray for the mercy of God for these people, and for all in Christ's church to see and help those who are in distress. 

     Pray for our extended ministries: El Camino de Emmaus in the Skagit Valley, and the Gospel for Asia that God may bless and strengthen their ministry. Also, pray for our parish and it's ministry.

     Pray that God will bless you through the lives of the saints:  Saint Barnabas; Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles; Saint Mary Magdalene; Saint James the Elder and Saint Bartholomew, Apostles; and St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord.

 

A Treasury of Prayers

 

O Lord God, I thank you that you are ever open to our cry. Father, I come bringing my marred life for your remaking, my stained hands for your cleansing, my tired feet for your rest, and my weary heart for your peace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

                                                      [For All the Saints (ALPB, 1994-1996) II:113, altered]