Messiah Lutheran Church Seattle - LCMS

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March 2011

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From The Desk of Pastor Lassman

Join Us For The Journey Of Lent

My Fellow Redeemed in Christ,

The Season of Lent begins on March 9, which is Ash Wednesday. Lent is part of the Christian Calendar (we Christians do have our own calendar!) which begins on the first Sunday in Advent (the January of the Christian Calendar). The word “Lent” comes from the Middle English lente which means “springtime;” Lent, from Old English lencten; akin to Old High German lenzin which means “spring.” Its first know use is in the 13^th century.

Like Christmas and Easter, Lent has been around for a long time in the Christian Church. The reason for this is because Lent is closely associated with Easter. According to the church historian Eusebius of Caesarea (ca. 325 AD) the period of preparation before Easter consisted of a two or three day fast. This seems to indicate that very early in the Church Christians developed a penitential attitude as they approached Good Friday and Easter. Eusebius traces this as far back at least to the early Church Father, Irenaeus (ca.135-202 AD).

In 325 AD the Council of Nicea decreed a forty day fast in some parts of Christendom. In 550 AD Lent began on a Wednesday rather than the first Sunday in Lent. Later, ca. 590 AD, the custom of ashes being placed on the forehead of the worshippers was introduced as a symbol of repentance for sin and a reminder of mortality because death is the result of sin. In the year 600 AD the custom of omitting the speaking and singing of “Alleluia” began. Again, the reason for this practice was to reflect the penitential nature of the Season, repenting of our sins. Finally, in 1090 AD the custom of omitting the “Gloria in Excelsis” during Lent began. Again, this custom was adopted to reflect the more penitential nature of the Season of Lent.

The week before Easter is called “Holy Week.” It begins on Palm Sunday with Jesus riding into Jerusalem fully aware of what would happen to Him. The first reference to Palm Sunday is 384 AD and the first mention of the use of palms is 743 AD. Thursday in Holy Week is known as “Holy Thursday” or “Maundy Thursday” and is first mentioned in 393 AD. “Maundy” comes from a Latin word “mandatum” which is the first word in the Latin translation of John 13: 34 for the word “command” (“A new command I give to you that you love one another.”). Maundy Thursday is the night that Jesus instituted His Supper and the night of His betrayal by Judas. It is a night for receiving the Supper He instituted and to prepare our hearts for the next day. Good Friday began to be observed separately from Easter some time around 392 AD. This is the most somber of all days in the Christian calendar, the day Jesus died for the sins of the world.

And the Service of Darkness reflects this stark reality. “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Lent officially concludes with Good Friday. The resurrection of our Lord three days later begins a new season in the Church Calendar: Easter.

Lent is a journey. It starts on Ash Wednesday with the imposition of ashes in the form of a cross on our forehead to remind us of our sin and our mortality. It ends with the joyous resurrection of our Lord from the dead. In between these two events is what we call “Lent”. It is a time for forgetting this world we live in and for concentrating more fully on the life God has given us in Jesus Christ. Each Lenten Season has a theme and this year’s theme is “Jesus’ Seven Last Words From the Cross”. Each midweek service (Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.) will explain the meaning of these words spoken from the cross in His suffering. By the time we get to Good Friday and hear them once again we will be very familiar with their meaning.

Lent begins a journey that ends in the joy of Easter. Having contemplated our sin and death, as well as the words of Jesus from the cross, our joy will be made full in His resurrection from the dead! It is this stark contrast between the nature of Lent and the nature of Easter that makes such a profound impact upon our heart, mind, and soul. Please join us for the journey.

In Christ,

Mark your calendars!

On the weekend of March 26-27, Messiah will have the joy of having the Wind Ensemble from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Concordia is one of the ten universities/colleges of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. On Saturday, March 26 we will host 29 students in Messiah’s Fellowship Hall for an early supper and then enjoy a concert in the evening. On Sunday, March 27, the Wind Ensemble will participate in our worship by accompanying hymns and the liturgy. We will be asking members to house these students Saturday night and prepare a sack lunch for their departure Sunday after the Divine Service. There is a sign-up sheet located on the upstairs bulletin board if you can house a student.

From the Vicar

You, like me, are privileged to be part of the non-existing Church.

What does that mean? That means that the majority of people have no idea that the LCMS exists, let alone what it means or how it is different than other Lutherans. Now, most of the time, we Lutherans lament this condition. We are the great unknown of Christianity. The glorious message that we preach is not heard because people simply do not know we exist. However, I want to turn this on its head for you. There is a very good reason why the average, on-the-street person, has never heard of the LCMS.

When was the last time you saw the LCMS, or Lutheranism at all, in public mass media? Lutheranism perhaps, but the LCMS? The whole idea of the Missouri Synod on CNN, in the NY Times or Newsweek, or on NPR or MSNBC is absurd. We chuckle at the thought because we know it will never happen. That is a good thing. I'll say it again. That is a GOOD THING. Our very nonexistence in the public eye is a secret weapon that we can use!

Huh? Our anonymity is a good thing? Has Vicar Fremer lost his marbles? Is he shuffling with a less-than-full deck? (Or whatever silly idiom comes to mind.)

Perhaps, but hear me out. We are not on the news because, quite frankly, we don't do anything newsworthy. I argue that, in our culture, this is a very good thing. We don't often get bogged down in public scandals. We don't say stupid things on air. We're not loud or obnoxious enough to get press coverage. Anonymity starting to sound better? It is to me.

Most importantly, the LCMS largely eschews political activity. It seems that so many churches in the United States spend their time in foolish and abortive political enterprises. The LCMS does not. As a church, we don't protest this or that. As a church, we don't lobby for this or that law. As a church, we don't clamor for this or that cause. And we shouldn't!

One of Martin Luther's most important contributions is the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. In brief, it says that God works in the world through two institutions: Church and state. Through the state, our Lord works simply to keep His sinful creation from destroying itself. He works to restrain evil, and He does so through human means; legislation, law-enforcers, soldiers, etc. The state is God's organ of law, punishing evil and encouraging good behavior. The state has nothing to do with the propagation of the Gospel or the establishment of anything Christian. God still is the ultimate authority over the state, and humanity abuses the institution of government, just as it abuses everything else God has established. But still, the primary function of government is to punish and restrain external evil. For this, God has ordained methods such as legislation and corporal punishment.

God also exercises Himself in His creation through His church. Through His church, He affects the preaching and teaching of the true Gospel, in order that men may be saved. It is through the church that God proclaims the Gospel, it is through the church that we are taught by God true Christian ethic and behavior. The church has no business whatsoever creating and enforcing law. The church has no business using any of the methods of the state. The sword (physical force of arms) does not belong to the church, it belongs to the state.

What the church does do is encourage good citizenship in its members. The individual members of the church are encouraged to participate in the democratic process as citizens, but the church does not participate as a church. The singular tool that God's church uses is the Word of God. It does not legislate the Word of God. It does not turn state into church. It preaches the Word of God freely and honestly. It teaches the Word of God with all the clarity and all the skill that it has.

That is our task as a church. We are not here to turn this into a Christian nation. We are here to preach, teach, and confess the Gospel. We are here to proclaim Law and Gospel. We are here to teach the Christian faith. We do these things with all the might and all the strength God can give us. Believe me, the preaching of the Gospel is a big enough job to keep the church occupied for the remainder of its existence.

By His Word,

Vicar Fremer

Messiah Calls Assistant Pastor

At its recent meeting, Messiah’s congregation voted to call former Vicar Trevor Mankin as its Assistant Pastor. The congregation also voted to make former Vicar Matthew Zickler its second choice in the event that Trevor Mankin declines the call.

Call documents will soon be submitted to the seminary and it will likely be April or May before we know the results. As soon as we hear from the seminary, we will let you know.

I want to personally thank the hard working members of Messiah’s leadership, both the Council and the Elders for their dedication during this process. I also want to thank the members of the congregation who came to every meeting and participated in the process.

It is with fervent prayer that Messiah enters this new phase in its history. May God grant success to this new ministry through His blessing.

Neil Strege

Messiah President

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS FOR MARCH

By Bob Guthrie

Looking out the Fellowship Hall window you can tell spring is almost here; the early blooming rhododendrons are in full flower. Can Easter be far off? Well, April 24, may seem like a long time, but eight lessons from now we will be there. Do you think the children will have an Easter service on that day? Of course they will, sharing the joy of Jesus’ love is something we do every week in Sunday school. On Easter Sunday we will share that joy with the congregation during the Education hour. Come and join us.

On the way to the cross, Jesus’ glory was unveiled before His disciples, Peter, James, and John “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” On March 6, our students will learn what God wants us all to know. Jesus is His Son.

Then on March 13 Jesus is tempted three times by Satan. Using crafty words, Satan successfully tempted Adam and he tried to do the same with Jesus. You know he failed. Our students do also. Jesus knew the tricks of Satan, trusted God and was obedient, even unto death. His perfect obedience gives us life.

March 20^th, reveals Jesus as the patient teacher. Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council and a teacher of Jewish law. He thought he knew all the answers. He recognized that Jesus was a man of God. He did not understand that Jesus was God.

On March 27, what started as an ordinary day in the life of a Samaritan woman, became an extraordinary day with Jesus. The woman came to the well just as she did every day to get water; boy was she in for a surprise, when Jesus gave her the life-giving water of His word.

The Lenten Theme is:

Jesus’ Seven Last Words from the Cross

March 9 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34

(Ash Wednesday Service. There is to be both the

Imposition of ashes as well as the Sacrament of the Altar)

March 16 “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

March 23 “Woman, behold your son!” John 19:26

March 30 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34

April 6 “I thirst.” John 19:28

April 13 “It is finished.” John 19:30

The Liturgy will be Vespers from Lutheran Service Book, page 229.

Please join us before the services for a “Soup Supper” at 6:00 p.m.

Services at 7:00 p.m.

April 17 Palm Sunday

Divine Service. Setting III, LSB, page 184 – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m.

April 21 Maundy Thursday Communion Service – 7:30 p.m.

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Luke 23:46

April 22 Good Friday Tenebrae Service – 7:30 p.m.

April 24 Easter Day

Sonrise Service, Divine Service, setting II – LSB, page 167 – 7:00 a.m.

Easter Breakfast – 8 – 10:00 a.m.

Children’s Service – 9:20 a.m.

Divine Service, setting II – LSB, page 167 – 10:45 a.m.

LITURGICAL

NOTES

THE INTROIT

The INTROIT follows the absolution. In truth, the Introit is the beginning of the worship and anything that has happened before that can be counted as a preparation for worship. Generally, before the Introit, we have made any announcements that need to be made to help you worship, we have had the children’s message which is designed to help the children understand the lessons or theme of the day, and we have made confession and received absolution for our sins. Finally, we have sung an opening hymn to focus our attention and set the theme for the day. Having made all the preparations, we are ready to worship.

The word “Introit” means he enters in. The pronoun “he” refers to the pastor. In the early church (300 A.D.) there were no service times. The people lived their whole lives around Sunday, the day of worship. If you asked a 4^th century person when church was, he would stare at you blankly. Church was not a place for him or an event as much as people gathered together to do something, and that something they do is called liturgy (which means public work.) He would tell you that Liturgy is midmorning on Sunday.

So, people began gathering on Sunday, sometime in the morning. When there were enough people, (by the pastor’s estimation) Liturgy would begin. However, while people waited, they needed something to do. There was no Narthex or Fellowship Hall, so there was no place to chat and browse. Instead, the people sang psalms. The song leader would begin the chant and the people would sing until it was time to begin Liturgy. When there were enough people, the pastor would signal the song leader and he would begin the official psalm that was appointed for that day and during the psalm the processional would take place and all the pastors and worship assistants would enter in – hence, Introit: he enters in.

The Introit (a scripture verse before and after the psalm) is a thematic piece of liturgy. It is a psalm (or a part of a psalm) with an antiphon and the Gloria. Each Introit is crafted to blend with the readings and theme of that particular Sunday. The antiphon usually summarizes the theme and the psalm portion expounds on it. The Gloria (Glory be to the Father…) reminds us that all of the psalms have to be read in the context of the works and persons of the whole Trinity. Sometimes the Introit is omitted and the service continues with the Kyrie, which we will discuss next month.

For
Your
Information
Ron Redmond and Curt Colbert have produced a 30 second advertisement for Messiah Seattle and Concordia Lutheran School for the Issues, Etc. radio program. The ad invites the public to join us on Sunday and to visit our web site for more information. It debuted on February 17 during one of Pastor Lassman's appearances on the show. You can listen to the ad by visiting the Issues, Etc. page on our website. The audience for the program is growing and this should be a great way to let more people know about our community.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
(LWML) News

Ladies’ Guild

“Baked Potato & Salad” Luncheon
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
12:00 noon
Bring a salad to share
Baked Potato, Dessert & Beverages provided
Also, please bring your “MITE” money for missions!
Project Day
March 23, 2011
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Help is needed to complete quilts for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
(The cutting of material squares, assembling squares together to form a pattern for quilts, & tying
the sewn quilts are some of the necessary steps needed for the “finished quilt.”)
The quilting ladies would enjoy your assistance in any or all of these steps for making quilts; and
the recipients of the finished quilts will be very appreciative!!
Many hands make light the work! Please consider joining the “Project Day Ladies” in giving those
in need a nice, warm quilt!
Don’t forget your sack lunch
Olympic Zone LWML Prayer Service at Epiphany Lutheran Church
Theme: Being with Jesus – Living on the Edge”
“…And they realized they had been with Jesus. “For we cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard.” Acts 4:13b, 20
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Registration at 10:30 a.m.
Prayer Service at 11 a.m.
Smorgasbord Sandwich lunch after the service
Please bring 1 sandwich to share
Soup, dessert and beverage provided
RSVP to Margie Longan by Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
Epiphany Lutheran Church
16450 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore
Mary Martha Ministries
Our monthly Women’s Bible study continues on March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room. We are studying the Gospel of John. All women are welcome!! The class is being taught by Kathy Lassman.
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.

In the month of March we will be collecting women's hygiene supplies and liquid body soaps for the women at the Compass Cascade Women's Center. Please place your donation in the lounge basket. These items are always appreciated.

Social Ministry– WE SHARE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OTHERS
News
from Sue Hewitson
Social Ministry has had a fantastic year thanks to all of the generous support in money, donations and volunteers.
Monthly Donations: The donations are taken to two shelters sponsored by the Lutheran Compass Center.
Jackie Wold is our new coordinator and Robin Arbuckle makes the delivery each
month. Thank you to both of you for doing a great job!
Bag Collection: Plastic and paper bags are collected downstairs in the big wooden box located in the
Fellowship Hall. They are taken to the University Food Bank who are so appreciative.
Keep those bags coming.
Lenten Dinners: Our members really appreciate the dinners prepared and served by volunteers. With no
volunteers, there would be no dinner! Thank you, volunteers. This is a social ministry
money-maker so we can fund other projects.
School Bags for LWR: Donations of school supplies in late summer and early fall are put into cloth bags sewn
by Kathy Lassman, Margaret Leary and Dorothy Bellin. Thanks a bunch to all of you.
The bags were then stuffed by the high school Sunday school students. They did a
super job. Thanks kids!
Thanksgiving
Food Collection: This project would not be a success without donations from you all. The food was
arranged and displayed by Kathy Lassman for Thanksgiving and then taken to the
University Food Bank by Jim & Sue Hewitson. Thank you, Kathy!
Lake City
Children’s Project: This is the third year we have participated in this project sponsored by Maple Leaf
Lutheran Church to bring presents to underprivileged children in our community on
Christmas morning. Messiah sponsored 25 children, gifts were bought using suggestions
written on the tags of what the child wanted and/or needed. We had such a short
window to purchase gifts this year because it snowed and tags were delivered a week
late! However, 23 tags were taken and social ministry bought the remaining 2 tags.
Thank you to all who took tags. You made a child very happy on Christmas morning.
Used Eyeglasses: Old glasses of all sizes are collected for the Lion’s Club who distribute them. These are
collected in the upstairs lounge box.
Women’s Shelter: Kathy Lassman has located a women’s shelter close to her work that is delighted to
receive hotel size shampoo, lotions, etc. In addition, they will also take cosmetics that you
buy but decide you don’t want to use, even if it has been opened.
When traveling, collect those items and when cleaning out your bathroom cabinet, bring your unwanted items and put them in the lounge basket where monthly donations are
collected items.
Distribution of Social Ministry Dollars: This year, money was distributed to the following:
$200.00 Fort Wayne Seminary – To purchase vouchers in the bookstore.
$200.00 First Place School
$200.00 Good Shepherd Home Auxiliary
$100.00 Concordia Lutheran School
$200.00 LCMS Operation Barnabas
Be sure to watch for upcoming feature articles about these organizations in the coming months in the Social Ministry News!
Messiah Fellowship
by Marjelee Murrell

On the weekend of March 26& 27, Messiah will be hosting the Wind Ensemble from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. I have been asked to coordinate a potluck for our guests on Saturday, March 26. The ensemble will eat at 5:30 p.m. If your last name begins with A - H please bring a casserole; if it begins with I - P please bring a salad and those beginning with Q - Z please bring a dessert. For those of you, who will be bringing a potluck item, please feel free to join the group to eat. There is a sign-up sheet located on the upstairs bulletin board. Please sign up and write down what you will be bringing.

The Taproot Theatre is celebrating their 35^th anniversary season. The senior matinee program is designed to provide ease and enjoyment by scheduling performances at a convenient time, Wednesday's at 2:00 p.m., with affordable group ticket prices. Taproot Theatre is wheelchair accessible and features Senheiser Assistive Listening devices. The following dates are: The Beams Are Creakingon April 6, Brownie Points on June 1 and An Ideal Husband on October 5. To obtain discount ticket pricing of $16.00 we must have a group of 8 - 19 people; $15.00 for groups of 20 or more. There will be a sign up sheet located on the downstairs bulletin board for each upcoming performance. Please watch for the announcements in the Sunday Bulletin. This sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon. I hope this will inspire all of our "seniors" to attend one or all of the performances.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

WANT TO GET CLOSER TO EACH OTHER AND GOD? Find out how on a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where husbands and wives can get away from jobs, kids, chores, phones and computers—and focus on each other. If you’d like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you’ll like the difference a Marriage Encounter weekend can make! The next Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend is April 1-3, 2011 in Seattle. The registration deadline is March 20 for this weekend date, so a quick response is encouraged! Visit www.GodLovesMarriage.org for more information and register today!

APRIL 2011 Messenger Deadline is March 20.

Men's Night Out – Monday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m. at Scott's Bar and Grill (8115 Lake Ballinger Way) in Edmonds. Please RSVP to Brian Danforth.

Women’s Monthly Bible Study – Mary/Martha will meet on Monday, March 7for our study on John led by Kathy Lassman. We meet in the choir room and all women are invited to join us. Join us at 7:00 p.m.!

***********************************************************

Concordia NEWS:

AUCTION UPDATE!

The theme for the month of March: “Pampered Pet”

Please donate NEW items. Some ideas for items that go with this theme are: jeweled pet collars, decorative leashes, special bowls, gourmet pet food and anything else you can think of. Please place the new items in the basket located outside the Fellowship Hall.

There are many ways you can help make this year’s auction a huge success…for more ideas, please visit their table downstairs outside the Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Becky Matson.

DEACONESS DIARY

This half of the quarter we've been studying Romans. It's been said that Romans is the most "Lutheran" of Paul's writings. You may remember that it was Rom. 3:28 that opened Luther's eyes to justification by grace through faith: "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law." Why is this true? Because no matter how hard we try, we cannot be good enough to earn God's favor, so He has to give it to us. Surprisingly, the Pharisees were more optimistic about human nature than Christians--they believed that they could keep the law perfectly!

What a winter we've had here in Fort Wayne. The seminary has been closed several times due to the weather. In fact, as I write this, we have yet another day off from class due to a snowstorm. How I miss Seattle's milder winters.

During quarter break, I will be visiting a friend who's a commissioned deaconess in Peoria, Illinois. You may remember that I went to her installation service in January. Much as I would have liked to come home, it will be a blessing to spend some time with a deaconess sister for mutual encouragement.

Spring quarter begins on March 14. I'm especially looking forward to the Revelation class taught by Dr. Gieschen. It will be fun to see what new insights he can add to what Pastor Lassman has already taught. As a special project, I'm going to try to learn some Greek on my own. A student has loaned me some textbooks, and Trevor Mankin told me about lectures that are free to download from the St. Louis seminary. Starting in my very last quarter may seem a bit late, but it's better late than never.

God's blessings to you as you begin the season of Lent. As always, Messiah is in my thoughts and prayers.

Your sister in Christ,

Gail Ludvigson

CURRENT AND UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES

************************************************************************
FELLOWSHIP HALL BIBLE CLASS
WHAT: “Zechariah”
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 Fremer
************************************************************************
YOUNG ADULTS
WHAT: Devotion and Dinner
WHEN: 1^st and 3^rd Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Fremer
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NIGHT
WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
WHEN: 2^nd and 4^th Sundays, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room
INSTRUCTOR: Vicar Fremer
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MONDAY EVENING MARY/MARTHA BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: Women’s Bible Study “Gospel of John”
WHEN: March 7, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lounge
INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Lassman
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MONDAY EVENING STUDY
WHAT: “Lutheran Confessions”
WHEN: Every Monday Evening, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
LEADER: Jim Pierce
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THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: “1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd John”
WHEN: Thursday Mornings, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman
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THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
WHAT: “Law and Gospel”
WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. Started February 17
WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
LEADER: Jim Grant
*************************************************************************
ADULT INFORMATION CLASS
WHAT: A 15-week course on basic Christian teachings
WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. Started February 10
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
INSTRUCTOR: Pastor Lassman

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH

Purpose: The purpose of the Scholarship Program is to promote Christian leadership by encouraging and helping our young people to embark on a career of professional church work. Annual financial grants will be made to qualified applicants who have been motivated by the Holy Spirit to enroll in a program of higher education which leads to doing God's work.

Eligibility: To be eligible for an award, applicants must be members of Messiah Lutheran Church; the applicant must have made application, be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in one of the institutions of higher education (including high school) of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod or to the deaconess program at Valparaiso and in pursuit of a degree and/or graduation; the applicant should evidence a desire to enter professional church work within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (teaching, the ministry, or other pursuits whose acceptability will be judged by the selection committee) upon completion of his/her education. Applicants should contact the Christian Education Committee chair, Martha Weiss, or the church office before May 1 for details. The application must be made in writing by May 1. Awards will be announced by June 15, 2011.

Selection Committee: The Christian Education Committee, appointed by the Church Council, will review all applications, interview applicants, solicit additional information if needed, and make the awards. The Education Committee may call on the Board of Elders, the Pastor, or others for guidance in making the awards, but information in the applications will be considered confidential and disclosure will be limited to those individuals considered essential to reaching a fair decision.

Application and Award Procedure: The Christian Education Committee will publish notice to all congregation members during the month of May each year that applications are being received for awards for the following school year. Note that scholarship awards are normally made on an annual basis and can only be renewed by filing a new application each year. The Education Committee may consider applications submitted at times other than those specified or for non-standard school terms when extraordinary circumstances justify such action.

Applicants should address the Christian Education Committee by letter with the following information:

1. Education status.

2. Educational plans for the next school term including acceptance status.

3. Congregational status.

4. Names of two congregational members not in the applicant's immediate family who may be called upon by the Education Committee for guidance.

5. A brief statement of career plans and goals.

6. An indication of financial need (the Committee is not requesting a financial statement of the family--rather it would like an indication of the applicant's need relative to other applicants. Information such as part-time employment prospects, anticipated costs and sources of income would be useful).

7. Any other information which the applicant believes would be useful to the Committee. (Note that special situations where full compliance with the eligibility statement above is not met may be considered, and should be justified here.)

Amounts and Payments of Awards: The total amount of the awards made in any one year shall not exceed the amount in the Scholarship Fund.

Individual awards will be decided by the Christian Education Committee on the basis of the total amount available, the number of applicants, and the needs of the applicants. Awards will not necessarily be of equal amounts, nor will all eligible applicants necessarily receive an award.

Awards will be announced by June 15 and will be paid directly to the applicant's college (except in unusual situations) before the school term starts, but only after the applicant's acceptance to the college has been confirmed.

Vacation Bible School

June 27 - July 1, 2011

Join us as we begin to put together a wonderful Christ filled week of Fun, Fellowship and Learning!

This year we need a LOT of hard working volunteers.

But before anything happens, we need two people to volunteer for Co-Directors.

These two people are the in charge of all the coordinating,

planning and making VBS “Happen”!

If you are interested, please look for a more details job description

located on the table in the Narthex.

We need people to volunteer for these positions:

Co-Directors
Volunteer Coordinator
Director of Openings & Closings
Director of Crew Leaders
Crew Leaders
Registration Leader
Mission Leader
Bible Story Leader
Decorations Leader
Craft Leader
Game Leader
Snack Leader
Photographer
Please prayerfully consider volunteering to make VBS happen this year. There are sign-up sheets upstairs in the Narthex which describes each of the above jobs. If you have any questions, please contact the church office and speak with Pastor or the staff.
SCHEDULES FOR MARCH

Altar Guild Workers Children’s Message FLOWERS
6 Laurie Mendes, June Scott 6 Vicar Fremer No flowers during Lent
9 Ash Wednesday – Gloria Schy, Debbie Viets 13 Debbie Viets
13 Karen Scott, June Scott 20 Jenny Lueck
20 Karen Scott, June Scott 27 Eva Hansen
27 Karen Scott, Leslie Greenquist
Transportation Readers
8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
6 Jane Krueger 6 Lee Cohrs Dave & Barbara Miller
13 Sue Hewitson 13 Albert Lirhus Henry Hurley
20 Don Dunavant 20 Harry Edmon Curt & Stephanie Colbert
27 Doug Hansen 27 Dave Manion Dan Lassman
Acolytes Ushers
8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
6 Tristan Pierce Alex Miller 6 Leon Holman Dave Paeth
9 Ash Wed 7:00 p.m. – 9 Ash Wed 7:00 p.m. – Leon Holman
13 Brynn Hendrickson Trey Knudson 13 Steve Haverstock Jerry Tiersma
16 7:30 p.m. Midweek – Victoria Peterson 16 7:30 p.m. Midweek – Dan Lassman
20 Zoe Anderson Amanda Adams 20 Harry Edmon Dan Lassman
23 7:30 p.m. Midweek – Nikolas Linden 23 7:30 p.m. Midweek – Jim Hewitson
27 Elizabeth Cohrs Katie Lassman 27 Lee Cohrs Curt Colbert
30 7:30 p.m. Midweek – Alex Miller 30 7:30 p.m. Midweek – Dave Paeth
Elders
8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
6 Ken Deaver, Jim Mendes Doug Hansen, Ron Pearce
9 Ash Wednesday 7:00 p.m.– Robin Melvin, Jim Grant
13 Lee Cohrs, Robin Melvin Randy Martens, Mike Boomhower
20 Ken Deaver, Lee Cohrs Jim Grant, Ron Pearce
27 Jim Mendes, Dick Hillmann Mike Boomhower, Randy Martens
Greeters
Upstairs Downstairs

6 (8 a.m.) Clarence Haverstock

(10:45) Ardis Fisse

13 (10:45) Cora May Gray (10:45) Lourain Schmidt

20 (8 a.m.) Clarence Haverstock

(10:45) Ron & Dea Pearce (10:45) Randy & Carole Martens

27 (8 a.m.) June Scott

(10:45) Ed & Kathy Johnson (10:45) Cora May Gray

Would you like to “meet & greet” people on Sunday as they come through the door? Please contact Cora May Gray. She can add you anytime during the month!

New Sewing Project

The 3 adorable dresses that you see in the picture were made from thrift store pillow cases by Kathy Lassman. They are just a sample of the dresses we can make with the instructions from Dress A Girl Around The World. The instructions can be found on their website http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/ or you can get a printout from Kathy Lassman and Bev Edmon. The dresses take about 15 minutes to make and need minimal supplies- pillow case, elastic, and seam binding. Finishing touches such as lace, ribbon, or pockets are left to your imagination and creativity. The finished dresses will be sent to LCMS missionary in the Dominican Republic, Pastor Ted Krey, for distribution.

How can you be involved?

Help gather pillowcases from thrift stores, yard sales or by cleaning out your linen closet.
Donate seam binding, ¼ inch elastic, ribbons, lace, or appliques. Left-over pieces from sewing projects are fine. Boxes of notions can often be found at yard sales and thrift stores for next to nothing.
Gather up supplies and drop them off at church or give them or Kathy Lassman and Bev Edmon on Sunday morning.
If you are a seamstress and would like to work at home, you can bring completed projects to church.
If you don’t sew but would like to help assemble the dresses, let Kathy or Bev know. We would like to put together a Saturday sewing party when we have gathered enough supplies to make a dozen or more dresses.

For more information on this project, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin or contact Bev Edmon.

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On February 17-19, Concordia Lutheran School competed against 18 other schools during L.E.S.T. 2011.

Congratulations to some of Concordia Lutheran School’s finest:

Boys Basketball – Division A 4^th place (5^th grade)

Heidi Wren – Blue Ribbon Performance in Vocals (6^th grade)

Gemma Wilson – Blue Ribbon Performance in instrumental /violin (6^th grade)

Harrison Jerome – 1^st place in spelling (5^th grade)

Abigail Hong - 1^st place in writing /most promising, personal narrative (7^th grade)

From The Desk of Pastor Lassman

Archives

2008 Complete Archive

2007 Complete Archive