January 2010
From the Desk of Pastor Lassman
Arlene Ramsey
October 2, 1942 - December 12, 2009
My Fellow Redeemed in Christ,
Just a few weeks ago I had no idea that I would be writing about Arlene Ramsey in our January Messenger. In 2008 Arlene had been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. It's the most common type of plasma cell cancer. Of course, we were all “caught off guard” and alarmed by this diagnosis. But early on she responded well to the treatments and seemed to be doing well. And so as time went by our sense of “urgency” diminished somewhat and we were all very optimistic about her future.
But by late Summer/early Fall of 2009 isolated tumors appeared and caused some concern. However, they responded
very well to radiation. In October she was taken to Virginia Mason Hospital to do physical therapy to strengthen her legs which had become weakened by her condition and to continue her radiation. While she was there she broke a bone in one of her legs while doing the therapy. As you can imagine, Arlene was discouraged by this. The therapy was stopped and she had surgery to put a rod in her leg to strengthen the bone. Quickly after that the doctors decided to do the same procedure on the other leg to prevent a break. All of this, of course, slowed her physical therapy but she was still able to receive radiation for the tumors which responded well to the treatment.
By late October/early November Arlene had been moved to Anderson House in Shoreline to continue her physical therapy on her legs (and upper body) and we were all encouraged by her progress. She also continued to have her tumors treated with radiation, which continued to give good results. She seemed to be making progress and doing well. We were all encouraged and hoped she would be back to work by January or February at the latest.
But then in late November she started to vomit which caused complications including eating. What was the cause? Not the flu. Was it Pneumonia? She also needed blood transfusions. We were somewhat concerned but still optimistic. By early December she was back at Virginia Mason Hospital where Arlene was put through many tests. And they found the problem: another untreated tumor discovered in the area where the esophagus and stomach meet. By December 9 (our 2nd midweek Advent Service) Arlene was told that because of its location this tumor was not treatable by surgery or even by radiation. The next day, Thursday, Arlene’s daughters, Michelle and Cheryl, and grandson Kevin, flew in from St. Louis to join Arlene’s son, Roger and his family, at the hospital. In those last few days of her life Arlene was able to enjoy Messiah’s Christmas CD. She especially liked to hear over and over again me reading the Christmas Story by Luke. Arlene died on Saturday morning, December 12, at around 11:00 am. The last time she had been in the Divine Service with us was September 20, 2009. Her service was January 2 at 3:00 pm followed by a reception in our Fellowship Hall.
Arlene Ramsey joined Messiah Lutheran Church by transfer on June 1, 1971, making her a member for over thirty eighty years. She started to work part time in the office as the secretary in the Fall of 1979. With my arrival in January of 1988 this “part time” job ended up being a very “full time” job eventually with a new title of “Parish Administrator.” She always “blamed” me for that increase in her work load! And she loved every minute of it. And so did I. Words cannot adequately express how much I valued and appreciated Arlene. For twenty-one years and eight months we worked closely together for God’s people in this place called Messiah Lutheran Church. We had a wonderful and close relationship and I will miss her very much. And so we give thanks and praise to God not only for the gift of Arlene Ramsey but above all for the gift of Jesus Christ who, by His Death and Resurrection, assures us that we will see her again to hear Jesus tell her:
“Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21, ESV).
In Christ,
Pastor Lassman
THANK YOU!
We are thankful to God for your love and generosity you showed us at Christmas with your financial gift to us. Please accept our heartfelt thank you!
Pastor Lassman, Vicar Mankin, Kathee McAlpine,
Noel Channon, Janet Solum, Julie Lorenzo
Church Council 2010
Please take the time to meet and greet our new and remaining members of the Church Council and Council Committees.
President: Neil Strege
Vice President: George Totten
Treasurer: Harry Edmon
Secretary: Justin Bourn
Chairman of the Elders: Randy Martens
Education: Martha Weiss
Evangelism: Andrew Lueck
Fellowship: Marjelee Murrell
Property Management: Nate Schaub
Social Ministry: Sue Hewitson
Youth: Jim Pierce
From the Vicar
Greetings in Christ Jesus,
Happy New Year! I hope and pray you had a wonderful Christmas and exciting New Year. New Year’s always seems like a time for reflecting and looking forward. So I would like to take the opportunity to do both.
As I look back over this past year I feel that I have so much to be grateful for and many people for which to be grateful. Foremost, I am grateful and thankful for all of you here at Messiah. So far this has been a wonderful experience for me being your vicar. I truly appreciate the opportunities that you have given be to learn and serve. There have been many joys and unfortunately a number of sadness’s these past few months. When I was preparing to go out on vicarage, I did not anticipate what close friendships I would develop nor what an impact this would have. The deaths of Merl, Robert, and Arlene have all taught me valuable lessons on the ministry and in my own life. I know that their passing has been hard on all of us but I also know that we will have the joy of seeing them all again at the Resurrection. The way that they all lived and died will have a deep and profound impact on how I view the ministry. I look forward to the day we are all together again.
There have also been many exciting and wonderful joys that I have experienced so far. I have really enjoyed the numerous opportunities that I have had to share God’s love with all of you. With all of the opportunities to lead the liturgy, observe, teach and preach I have learned more about what it is to be a pastor the past several months than I learned the past few years at the seminary. That is not to say that the seminary education is not valuable, but there is no substitute for “on the job” experience. This has been an exciting time for me and going by all too quickly. One of the most exciting things that I have gotten to work on this last year was the Christmas CD. It was both thrilling and nerve-racking. It was thrilling to hear all of you share the many musical talents that God has given you and this congregation. It was also nerve-racking waiting to see if all of our effort would pay off. I think it was all worth it, and I hope you think so too. I would like to take the time to recognize and thank everyone involved with this project and if you see them I hope that you will as well. I would like to specially thank Dorothy Bellin, Noel Channon, Bev Edmon, Bob Guthrie, Ron Redmond, Nathan Schaub, and Janet Solum. All of them had a major role in the CD’s creation and I cannot thank them enough. I also want to thank all of you who sang, rang or played. I would love to have mentioned you all by name, but I can only have one page of the newsletter!
As I look forward to this coming year my mind jumps to many things. First, what will I learn this year that I cannot expect? This too is both exciting and nerve-racking, but only God knows and time will tell; and neither of them are telling. I also am holding out hope that we might be able to create another CD for Easter. I will also be getting more opportunities to preach and teach in the near future and I hope you will all continue to be as supportive and encouraging as you have been last year. I also know that I will be facing something sad this year when I must leave all of you and return to the seminary. I know from conversations with your former vicars this will be one of the hardest things I will face on my vicarage here at Messiah. Thank you all again for making 2009 such a wonderful year and I look forward to 2010.
Lord’s Blessings,
Vicar Mankin
Youth Corner
Hello Everyone,
January is going to be a quite month for the youth at Messiah. After all of the exciting Bible Studies, outings and servant events that we had in December the Youth Board decided to give everyone a little breather for January. We will still have our ongoing High School study group in which we have started a new book, When God goes to Starbucks. This is a fun look into everyday apologetics where we discuss how to answer some of the hard questions that we all face.
We would also like to welcome our new Youth Board chair Jim Pierce. We are all excited to have Jim in this new position and pray that it is both enriching and enjoyable. If you have the opportunity, be sure to give him your best.
We are also looking forward to our progressive dinner in February so keep your eyes open for information on that. Please continue to keep the youth in your prayers and we hope you have a wonderful and restful January.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18
Schedule
Jan 10th –When God goes to Starbucks (High School)
Jan 24th –When God goes to Starbucks (High School)
Thank YOU! A big thank you to all of you who graciously donated meals/food for the Ramsey family during Arlene’s final days. The food was greatly appreciated and it was wonderful that they didn’t have to worry about meals during such a trying time. Thank you all very much!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Men’s Night Out Monday, January 4th , at 6 p.m. at Mulledy’s Pub in Magnolia. 3055 21st Avenue West. Please RSVP to Brian Danforth.
Ladies’ Night Out - Monday, January 18th at 6:00 p.m. at Feierabend German Pub, 422 Yale Ave N., south of Lake Union. Lots of great German food and imported German beer on tap. RSVP to Bev Edmon. Prost!
February Messenger deadline is January 17th .
Lutheran Confessions You are all invited to join us Monday evenings at 7:00 pm in the “Youth Room” (room 202) in reading our Lutheran Confessions. In addition to reading we discuss what is read and also comment on art work contained in “Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions” which is the reader’s edition of the Book of Concord. If you don’t have a Book of Concord come and join us anyway. This month we will be meeting on the 4th and the 11th then take a two week break and start our normal schedule on February 1st.
CURRENT AND UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES
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FELLOWSHIP HALL BIBLE CLASS
WHAT: “Revelation”
WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE CLASS SUNDAY MORNINGS
WHAT: “Growing in Christ”
WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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YOUNG ADULTS
WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
WHEN: 1st and 3rd Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NIGHT
WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
WHEN: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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MONDAY EVENING MARY/MARTHA BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: Women’s Bible Study
WHEN: First Monday of January, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Mankin
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MONDAY EVENING STUDY
WHAT: “Lutheran Confessions”
WHEN: Monday evenings, 7 p.m. Jan 4th & 11th followed by 2 weeks off.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
LEADER: Jim Pierce
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TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: “2 Corinthians”
WHEN: Tuesday Mornings, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: “1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus
WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
LEADER: Jim Grant
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ADULT INFORMATION CLASS
WHAT: A 15-week course on basic Christian teachings
WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. New Class to begin January 28th
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Kathy Lassman. As many of you know Kathy was admitted to the U of W Emergency Room on December 10 and was there for ten hours. Initially, they thought that she had a heart attack. But after many thorough tests they all came back negative and her heart is strong and healthy. As of this writing her symptoms were probably due to stress. So she is cutting back on some things to minimize her stress levels. Fortunately, I was not one of those things that were eliminated! I say fortunately, because I am sure that I am a source of stress! We are thankful to God for his care over Kathy who is feeling better and better. And we are also thankful to God for all the love and prayers that so many of you expressed to us. We are blessed with a wonderful family here at Messiah Lutheran Church.
Pastor Lassman
Ethiopian Mission Support - Teacher for the Ethiopian Mission Sunday School - We could still use one more person to help teach the Sunday School for Mekane Yesus, the Ethiopian Mission church (11 am - 1 pm). There are now 9 children coming between the ages 3-11 years. It is getting to be too much for one person to handle. For information contact Ann Melvin, Cheryl Kohring, or Dorothy Bellin.
Lutheran Marriage Encounter Winter - Spring 2010 dates
February 12-14 in Tukwila, WA and April 23-25 in Tukwila, WA
At the end of the Christmas season is Epiphany. One definition of an epiphany is “a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.” Thousands of married couples have found new insights and meaning in their love for each other simply by attending a Marriage Encounter weekend. Experience your own epiphany on Valentine’s Day by attending the February 12-14 weekend. If that weekend doesn’t work for you , sign up for the April weekend.
For more information or to schedule yourselves for this opportunity, visit the Lutheran Marriage Encounter web site www.GodLovesMarriage.org or contact Carl & Dallas Anne Presley, carl.presley@comcast.net or call
(206) 522-6840. The toll-free number is Lutheran Marriage Encounter, 1-800-235-1010.
Lady I feel a bit foolish because I wrote in the July/August Messenger that Lady had developed a tumor on her spinal cord in the neck area and did not have much longer to live. That’s what the Vets told me. But this little dog just doesn’t understand that she is not supposed to be here any more. The week before Thanksgiving, the neurologist told me that Lady would probably not make it past the first week of December. I am writing this on December 30 and she is doing about the same. She is on three pills daily: steroids, antibiotics and codeine. So, I don’t know what to say! But I will keep you all informed about “church” Lady. - Pastor
Christmas Eve Music
The music on Christmas Eve was truly spectacular. We would like to thank the members of Messiah’s Instrumental Ensemble and the guest musicians, many of whom were home for the holidays.
Ensemble members for 2009-2010
Violins: Delores Cohrs, Heidi Witt, Eric Brod, Laura Estergreen, Rebecca Cohrs, Elizabeth Cohrs
Flutes: Jill Cohrs, Sarah Rigby
Tenor Saxophone: John Viets
Cello: Ann Melvin
Piano: Bev Edmon, Ensemble Director
Guest Musicians–
Guitar: Eva Hansen, Sean Byarlay, Laura Estergreen, Joanne Estergreen
Violin: Rachelle Byarlay
Cello: Michael Cohrs
Trumpet: Lisa Solum, Andrew Melvin, Steven Munsell
Baritone: Tim Edmon
Trombone: Andrew Neubert
Tuba: Paul Edmon
The following was received via e-mail from Paul Allen, about his brother,
Gare Allen, who was a former member of Messiah.
Dear Friends,
With great sadness I need to tell you that Gare passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2009. Last Sunday, Gare suffered cardiac arrest. The medical team could not conclusively determine what happened but it was clear that he had vomited and aspirated the food shortly after eating. Due to his previous history with seizures it’s possible that a seizure precipitated this event, but we will never know for sure.
Paramedics arrived at Gare’s home, but it took them several minutes to resuscitate him. He was brought to the ER where he was unresponsive and remained that way until he passed away. The final neurological assessment that we received indicated that his lack of pulse for several minutes caused devastating unrecoverable damage to his brain. With full consensus among Gare’s children, parents and brothers we decided to discontinue medical care. Gare passed away peacefully three hours later.
I would like to share with you that a couple of years ago Gare began having vivid dreams, some of which he took to understanding as the foretelling of his death surrounded by angels. He told me that he was at peace with dying whenever God was ready to take him. In recent months he took great comfort in reading his Bible.
It has been a long and difficult journey for Gare in the 5 ½ years since his stroke, and he is now at peace.
Regards,
Paul Allen
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
When Andrew Melvin with his trumpet called, about 150 of us came to the children’s Christmas service. You have read the book and know the events very well, but this time the retelling of the story was special in several ways. Vicar Mankin raised the bar and set a new higher standard for those vicar’s who follow. As the most famous innkeeper of all time, he answered the door and sang “No Vacancy” to Joseph (Sam King) and a very pregnant Mary. Jill Petro was the most realistic “Mary” we have ever had. When she left the stable and walked behind the screen she picked up Owen Petro in costume. He enjoyed the role and so did we. You all know about the multitude of angels who appeared to the shepherds (Carter and Andrew Petro). The angels sang their part with enthusiasm, as did all of the students from preschool through High School. When they followed Jeri Aguayo out two by two we had another very special moment.
We are not through yet; Cheryl Kohring and Ann Melvin teach Sunday school at the Ethiopian Church, Mekane Yesus. With Dave Miller’s transportation assistance, their children were a very important part of the service. One of them, Amanuel Gafsu, along with our own John Daigneault and Ken Deaver were the three Wisemen.
We thank God every year for this opportunity to tell this important story, and we also thank those who helped make it possible, Jill Cohrs, Barbara Sackett and Noel Channon for music, Vicky Bartlett for costuming, the Sunday school teachers who helped where ever needed, Kathee McAlpine and Sharon Weiss for putting all the words together, and Michael and Rebecca Cohrs who read them clearly.
We also give a special thanks to all you parents and grandparents who got the children to church on time.
See you next Sunday!
Social Ministry–WE SHARE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OTHERS News
Monthly Donations
In talking with the administrators for Immanuel Lutheran’s Community Services and for Compass Cascade Center for Women, there is still a huge need for the items which we have been contributing. In fact, several items will be collected more often. We’ll collect bath towels two of the months. Women’s hygiene supplies will be collected three of the months. Men’s shaving supplies will be collected three other months. Regrettably, this is because there are many more homeless people! Slips of paper with the needed monthly donated items are attached to the basket in the lounge. Please take a slip to help plan you’re shipping for the homeless.
Immanuel Lutheran’s Community Services provides hygiene facilities for men and women. They can
do their personal laundry, shave, and shower before returning to the outside world. Compass Cascade Center for Women provides temporary housing for women.
In January please place bath towels in the lounge. These are much needed items for both organizations, since so many people take showers.
Thrivent Financial Services is changing their way of rewarding congregations for their community involvement. Thrivent will no longer base it on the receipts turned in. More information on how Thrivent Financial will reward us for helping others will come later! We no longer collect receipts.
We’ll continue to collect eyeglasses for the Lions’ Club. These also go in the lounge.
Thank you to the many people involved in Messiah’s Christmas CD! There were people before the scene, on the scene, behind the scene, and after the scene. Many were seen, and many unseen! The Christmas CD is a melodious method of sharing Messiah’s music and message.
Thank you to the Bell Choir (Dorothy Bellin, Grace Brod, Noel Channon, Joanne and Laura Estergreen, Pat Rodeman, Fumiko Schaub) for playing bells at The Hearthstone. Messiah members Jackie Baughn, Helen Grout, and Betsy Pommerening, as well as the other people who live at The Hearthstone, watched and listened as the message of our Lord and Savior’s birth rang through the air. Song sheets were then passed around and Irma Guthrie, Jan Krueger, Margie Longan, Rick Oaksford, Margaret Sylwester and Cheryl Taylor sang Christmas carols with many of the residents and staff, accompanied by the bells. Messiah’s bell choir and singers then went to the Starbucks across from Messiah, and played and sand on the sidewalk. People watched and sang as they entered and left Starbucks. Afterwards the bell choir and singers enjoyed a complimentary drink!
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) News
Ladies Guild Luncheon
January 2010 Meeting
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
12:00 Noon
Bring your Favorite Casserole (Beverage/Dessert Furnished)
Don’t forget your MITE box for Missions
Program: A Bible Study led by Vicar Mankin
Project Day
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Bring a sack lunch
College Scholarships Available
Women preparing for full-time church work in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and are registered with an LCMS University or expecting to be accepted in such a program for the fall of 2010 may apply for a scholarship offered by the Washington-Alaska District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All necessary documents must be completed, signed and mailed (post-marked) by March 15, 2010. Information letter and forms are available from Pastor Lassman or Margie Longan.
Mite Boxes
Don’t forget the last Sunday of the month is the day to bring in your mite boxes. Drop your box in the basket at the back of the Sanctuary and pick up another one. Your change goes a long way in supporting Lutheran mission activities around the world.
Evangelism: Messiah’s Outreach 2010
At our Congregational meeting in November, Messiah’s members voted to fund the following people and organizations out of our weekly offerings as our mission outreach for 2010:
Russian Seminary $ 4.000
Lutheran Ministries Seattle (LMS) $ 1,500
David Solum $ 1,000
Gail Ludvigson $ 2,000
Synod-NW District LCMS $13,500
Rev. Krey Dominican Republic Mission $ 2,000
Issues, Etc. $ 1,000
India Mission $ 1,000
These eight ministries cover a wide spectrum of missions. They reach out to individuals in various parts of the world. Overseas we help support the Russian Seminary, India Mission and Rev, Krey’s missionary work in the Dominican Republic. We support LCMS missions and ministries on the Synod and District levels as well as a radio ministry, Issues, Etc. Locally we help support Lutheran Ministries Services Northwest, and two of Messiahs own members, David Solum, currently in his fourth year of study at Fort Wayne Seminary, and Gail Ludvigson, in her first year in the Deaconess program at Fort Wayne Seminary.
There are new posters set up in the Narthex giving general information for all of our missions.
We also encourage your support of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) and its efforts of Bringing Christ to the Nations and the Nations to Christ. Information on supporting LHM is located on the Evangelism board in the main floor hallway.
Please keep these missions in your prayers so that their message of salvation in Jesus Christ is shared with the people they encounter.
Debbie Viets
Evangelism Committee
Letters from Messiah’s Seminary Student
Deaconess Diary
Now we're into the second quarter. Time has passed so quickly. My classes include Gospels II (Luke and Mark), Ministry to the Sick and Dying, Church History I and Lutheran Confessions I (Augsburg Confession and Apology). I'm also sitting in on a class by Dr. Masaki, who taught the seminar at Messiah this past summer.
Some days I'm filled with doubt about why I came to seminary. Other days I'm filled with excitement and joy about the future. Students and even professors have said that this is natural. If you've ever felt unsure about a prayerful decision you made, you can understand.
The chapel services have been a great encouragement and comfort, but I really missed attending Advent services at Messiah this year. God willing, I'll see you again in the summer. At Christmas, I'll be visiting a friend in Michigan.
And I have exciting news--I'll be going on a mission trip to Haiti with other seminary students during the quarter break at the end of February. Please remember me in your prayers and ask the Lord to bless our trip.
God's blessings to you in the New Year!
Your sister in Christ, Gail Ludvigson
