Click here to go back to recent Messenger posts.
June 2011
Click here to go back to recent Messenger posts.From The Desk of Pastor Lassman
The Crucifix in the Lutheran Church
Dear Fellow Redeemed in Christ,
In my Good Friday Sermon on April 22, I briefly mentioned the Crucifix as a fitting symbol for Good Friday.* I also said that I have Crucifixes in my home and that I would not mind having a Crucifix here at Messiah. Since then a few people have asked me about the Crucifix and the Lutheran Church. Thus, this article.
There are two basic kinds of crosses that you see in Christian Churches: a plain cross that does not have the body of Christ on it; a Crucifix has a figure of Christ on it. The name “Crucifix” comes from the combination of two Latin words: cruci fixus, meaning "(one) fixed to a cross". In general, Crucifixes are common in Roman Catholic Churches and less so in Protestant ones where the plain, empty cross is more common. Now let me say right from the beginning that there is no right or wrong here, per se. We should not judge a person or a congregation on the basis of having a plain cross or a Crucifix (just as we don’t judge anyone on whether they make the sign of the cross or not).
But that’s the problem. In Protestant circles there seems to be an obvious bias against the Crucifix. The plain, empty cross is said to be superior to/better than a Crucifix. This is why most Protestant Churches don’t have Crucifies. This started around the time of the Reformation in the 16th century. At that time it was popular among people who were not Lutherans to condemn all things that were Roman Catholic, without making any distinctions. And this included condemning Crucifixes.
But this was not the view of the more conservative Lutheran Reformation led by Martin Luther. He kept as much Church Tradition as he could, unless the Tradition clearly contradicted the Bible and especially the Gospel. We see this more conservative approach of Martin Luther in our Liturgy which shares some parts with the Liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. Another example is making the sign of the cross which Luther encourages us to do in his Small Catechism in his Morning and Evening Prayers.
The common explanation for the exclusive use of plain, empty crosses is that it emphasizes the empty tomb, the resurrection. This is what I vaguely remember being taught when I was around confirmation age. But this is not really true. An empty cross is just an empty cross. Rather, closer to the truth, is this: some Protestant denominations don’t use the Crucifix because it is used by the Roman Catholics. And the fact that many, if not most, of the Lutheran churches in America don’t use a Crucifix is still more evidence of non-Lutheran influence on the Lutheran church. (This has a long history that I cannot go into here.)
But, as I said, this was not the view of Martin Luther and the early Lutherans. They knew that the Crucifix is an especially fitting symbol for our salvation as I pointed out on Good Friday. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was brutal and bloody. The Crucifix reminds us of the great price for our sins to be punished and our debt to God to be canceled. It was the death of Christ, not His resurrection, that won salvation for us. On that cross Jesus gave us His Body into death and shed His Blood for us as we are reminded each Sunday in the Sacrament of the Altar. Jesus’ resurrection testifies to the truthfulness of what happened on the cross. His resurrection is the proof that on the cross He died for our sins and reconciled us to God.
And so the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2: 2, ESV). Note the emphasis on the crucifixion. And in his letter to the Galatians, Paul says this: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified” (3: 1, ESV). Notice how Paul describes Jesus’ crucifixion as being “portrayed” to them through his preaching and teaching so that they could “see,” i.e. “visualize,” His crucifixion, His death on the cross.
So, then, my point is not that there is anything wrong with the plain, empty cross. My point is that it is regrettable that there has been such a bias against the Crucifix even in our Lutheran Church because of non-Lutheran influences. The Crucifix is a visual reminder of the high cost of our salvation: the precious blood of Christ and the comfort, peace, and hope that it brings.
*(You can read/hear this sermon on your computer at:
www.messiahseattle.org/sermons/2011/042211.htm).
In Christ,
LITURGICAL
NOTES
SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY
Last month we discussed the Hymn of Praise/The Gloria in Excelsis. Next in the Liturgy is the SALUTATION and COLLECT OF THE DAY. According to the earliest traditions, it was at this point that the presiding minister first spoke, the earlier parts of the Liturgy having been taken by assistants. The term COLLECT originally came from the Gallican Liturgy (5th century Gaul/France), indicating that it was a collecting of the petitions of the congregation into one prayer. It usually reflects the theme for that Sunday. This is preceded by the familiar words of the SALUTATION, “The Lord be with you” and the response, “and also with you” (or “and with thy spirit”, Divine Service Three). In ancient times, the SALUTATION introduced not only the COLLECT, PREFACE, and BLESSING, as it does today, but also the public announcement of the Gospel. This greeting is more than just a greeting, but reflects the special relationship between the congregation and the pastor. This greeting reflects the everyday speech of God’s people in the Bible as we see in Exodus 10:10, Ruth 2:4, Luke 1: 28, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 and elsewhere.
You will notice that the COLLECT follows a set pattern. Here is an example of that pattern from PALM SUNDAY; Address: This names the person of the Trinity to whom the prayer is addressed: “Almighty and everlasting God the Father”; then the Rationale for the prayer is stated, that is, what characteristic about God that leads to this prayer, e.g. His power, mercy, etc: “Who sent Your Son to take our nature upon Him and to suffer death on the cross that all mankind should follow that example of His great humility”; then comes the Petition: “Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of our savior Jesus Christ in His patience”; next is the Benefit of the prayer: “and also have our portion in His resurrection”’ and finally the Conclusion: “Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
FROM THE VICAR
Home Field Advantage
or,
The Early Church Had It Easy
I have a love-hate relationship with the book of Acts. This relationship is illustrative of the Christian condition in this sin-fallen world. The Christ in me acknowledges Acts to be God's Word from beginning to end, and as God's Word it gives us rich accounts of God's grace and the wonderful preaching of the Gospel. My flesh, however, gets really angry whenever I read it. I get angry because, to me, the folks in Acts had it so easy compared to what we have to deal with. I know, I know, they were being persecuted and killed and all that. This is why I don't pay attention to my sinful flesh. It lies. You may have had some of the same thoughts when you have read or heard the book of Acts. Think about it. The apostles in Acts had seen Jesus face-to-face. They had heard His teachings. They were performing miracles (3:1-10, 5:12, to name a few instances). They prayed and things happened with the snap of a finger (4:23-31). The Holy Spirit was killing people in front of them. (Seriously. Take a look. 5:1-11)
Christian faith looks like it was easy in Acts. Yes indeed, there were serious consequences for being Christian, death and persecution and all. However, you could look with your eyes and listen with your ears and see the God you worship and what He was doing. You could see the miracles, watch your prayers actually accomplish something, and watch people drop dead because they lied to your God. How easy is it to believe in a God like that? Of course so many people were converted in Acts! They had miracles, spontaneous deaths, voices from the sky, shaking earth, and people who had actually seen and spoken to the living God! They had a home-field advantage. No fair.
There is a massive differential between the way God works in the Bible and the way God works today. That's plain to anyone with eyes. I do not see folks dropping dead all around me (that's probably a good thing) and I don't see the earth shaking to my prayers. I haven't seen Jesus. God nowadays is terribly silent compared to the thundering and roaring He did in Biblical times. Why?
When confronted by puzzles of this nature, we must rely only on the Scriptures. That's the hard part for us, as always. As I illustrated above, when we look at such a question with the eyes of our flesh, it's infuriating. However, Scripture reveals something that (unsurprisingly) dismantles such rash conclusions:
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” That's Jesus speaking, in the first part of John 3, as He schools poor Nicodemus. This passage tells us something quite important to remember: The Holy Spirit is the one who gives birth to Christians. All Christian venture is empowered by this Spirit. Our efforts at evangelism, etc. are powerless without the working of the Spirit through the Word.
Read the parable in Luke 16. In verses 27-31, we have the crux of the matter. Abraham tells the rich man that if they do not hear Moses and the Prophets (God's Word!), no miracle will save. This is a powerful testimony to we who grumble about the way our God works. God's Word is the fire that burns behind every conversion. It is not fancy or spectacular like a miracle, not as impressive as someone dying in front of you, but the Scriptures are clear: God's Word and God's Word alone creates faith. It runs against the grain of everything our flesh tells us, but hear me: Fancy miracles are unnecessary. The eye-popping experiences that so many Christians chase after, they are nothing compared to the true miracle we have in the Bible. God has breathed such power, such promise, and such love into something so pedestrian as ink on paper. What greater miracle do we seek?
We have the same God the apostles had, and while He has adjusted His mode of working, His promises are still the same. He will work through His Word. It's not what we want, it's not what we think is best, but it is what He has given us. Revel in it.
By His Word,
Our Call to Trevor Mankin as Assistant Pastor: On May 3 in a Call Service at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Trevor Mankin was extended the call to be the assistant Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church. He will graduate from the Seminary on May 20 with a Master of Divinity Degree. The month of June will be spent in making personal arrangements for leaving Fort Wayne and preparing to go on an archaeological dig in Jordon, North East of Israel. By the middle of August, he plans to move his household goods into the parsonage. On September 10, he will marry his fiancée, Lisa DeHope, in her congregation in San Francisco. They will then go to Victoria, British Columbia for their honeymoon. His Installation Service at Messiah is planned for September 18 at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Lassman will preach the sermon and Rev. Ted Werfelmann, Vice-President of the Northwest District, will do the ordination/installation.
YOUTH CORNER From Jim Pierce
The youth were honored to cook and serve this past Easter morning Sunrise Breakfast to all of us at Messiah! The event went very well and we could not have pulled it off without the fantastic support of all who participated. A huge thank you to all our youth who volunteered! Support from our young people this year was great. A special thank you goes out to the adults who also volunteered their time and effort which contributed to the success of the Sunrise breakfast and we thank the congregation for your generosity in supporting the youth of Messiah with your donations.
Is your car a bit dirty from driving down wet and muddy spring time roads? The youth of Messiah who are attending the Higher Things conference being held at the University of Nevada this year have your solution! The youth will be washing cars on June 12th and June 26th between Sunday services and for an hour after late service. Cars are being washed and dried (dried weather permitting of course!) for your generous donations which will be used to offset the costs of the trip to Higher Things. So pull your cars up to A Northeast Cleaners situated just south of Messiah on the corner of 35th Avenue NE (kitty-corner to Top Pot Doughnuts) and let us wash your car for summer driving.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS FOR JUNE
From Bob Guthrie
Summer is here, and many of our families are thinking about and planning a vacation journey. We invite you to include in your plans a “Journey with Jesus.” That is the name of our summer series of lessons. Our students will begin with Adam and Eve and end the summer with a Journey to Heaven. Along the way, they will meet some of the most famous people in the Bible. The summer will be filled with exciting events. Please let your teacher know when you plan to be gone and they will give you the lessons for those Sundays. That way you can teach the lesson and your children will not miss a single exciting event!
Remember Sunday school is on Sunday starting at 9:20 a.m. See you there.
Congratulations Graduates!
Andrew Melvin Rachelle Byarlay
Bishop Blanchet High School University of Washington
Attending U. of Washington in Fall Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and History
Allison Danforth Hillary Saalfeld
Pacific Lutheran University University of Washington
Degree in Business – Marketing Master of Arts in Museology
Rebecca Cohrs
Inglemoor High School
Confirmands
Andrew “Trey” Knudson
Nikolas Linden
Carter Munsell
DEACONESS DIARY
Well, we’re almost done. Classes end on May 19, and graduation is on May 20. I’ll be going to the orientation for Lutheran Bible Translators in Aurora, Illinois on June 1-4. After that, I’m not sure what will happen. I hope to come back to Seattle sometime in the summer, to await whatever the Lord has in store for me.
Just as I was sad to leave Seattle two years ago to come here, now I’ll be sad to leave Fort Wayne. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve met so many wonderful people and learned from some of the best teachers in the Missouri Synod. I’ve made some amazing friends and even had some fun! I’ll really miss singing in the choir at Kramer Chapel.
God willing, I’ll be able to find a place where I can use my newly won knowledge of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
God’s blessing on your summer. I’ll keep you posted when I have more news.
Your sister in Christ,
Gail Ludvigson
UPCOMING DATES
& EVENTS
A First Class “Teaching Tour” of the 7 Churches of Revelation
(Nov 21 - Dec 1 2011)
In addition to visiting each of the sites of the Churches of Revelation, the tour also includes Cappadocia, Galatia, Ankara, Troy, and Istanbul. The price is very reasonable at $3320 which includes the International airline flights, all lodging, 2 meals a day, all entrance fees, & guide. Rev Darold Reiner (LCMS & former LWML International Counselor) from Kalispell, MT is leading this tour.
For a full brochure, contact Rev. Reiner at 406-890-1149 or reiner@centurytel.net.
July/August 2011 Messenger Deadline is June 19 – Note the double issue, so please include any announcement for the month of August as well.
Men's Night Out – Men's Night Out, Monday June 6th at 6:00 p.m. at Ivar’s Salmon House (401 NE Northlake Way). Please RSVP to Brian Danforth at 206.363.5654.
Bible Study Opportunity
What? No More "Peek-a-Boo Jesus:" Christology of the Old Testament. Understanding the Old Testament and its Christological character and foundation means we must first understand the Hebrew people and their covenantal relationship with God. Therefore, the task is not to “find” Jesus in the Old Testament, but rather to recognize that Christ is the Old Testament.
Cost: $150.00
Instructor: Prof. Jeffrey H. Pulse, S.T.M. Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort
Wayne, Indiana.
When: August 22–26, 2011.
Where: Messiah Lutheran Church (lunches provided by the Ladies Guild of
Messiah for a free will offering)
Register: Sign-up sheet is on the Bulletin Boards. Call Messiah’s office for registration options.
New Member Sunday is June 12th. Join us in welcoming them to Messiah Lutheran Church!
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
(LWML) News
Ladies’ Guild
No meetings in June, July, or August
Next meeting scheduled for
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Noon
Project Day
No meetings in June, July, or August
Next meeting scheduled for:
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
2011 34th Biennial Peoria Convention
June 23-26
Peoria, Illinois
Margie Longan will be traveling to Peoria to the convention and will be participating in “Mission In Motion.” You can help sponsor Margie AND pledge money designated for missions by signing up on the upstairs main bulletin board. Every dollar counts! All pledges need to be received by Sunday, June 12. You can drop your pledge at the office, give to Margie, or drop it in the Sunday offering clearly marked for LWML Mission Walk.
Mary Martha Ministries
Our monthly Women’s Bible study continues on June 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room. We are studying the Gospel of John. All women are welcome!! Vicar Fremer will lead the Bible study this month.
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 June, we will be collecting women's hygiene supplies for the Compass Cascade Women's Shelter. These items are always gratefully appreciated. Please place your donations in the lounge basket.
Thank you! Thank you to all the ladies who helped with the construction of confirmation and baptismal banners: Kathy Lassman, Grace Brod, Debbie Viets, and Maizie Johnson. You were a great help!
-Jill Cohrs
Social Ministry WE SHARE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OTHERS
News
ALERT! DRIVERS NEEDED to provide transportation for members who do not have a way to get to church. It is a service that is very appreciated. It is for the 10:45 service. Please contact Jane Krueger 206.783.2964 if you are interested or have questions.
**********************************************
Concordia NEWS:
Auction News:
Our annual auction this year was a HUGE success, thanks to all of you! It was a night filled with fun and fundraising. We had alumni, association churches and school families attend with their cowboy/cowgirl hats and boots attire. It started with three silent auction tables, a fantastic BBQ and concluded with desserts and a live auction. The families who attended and who donated were very generous, with several of our live items going twice because of this generosity. The end results were; full, satisfied stomachs, fellowship with good friends and raising over $60,000.00! Thank you God for your continuous blessing that is poured over Concordia Lutheran School and thank you to all who participated!
Lisa Meyer, Auction Chair
MEYER MINUTES for June…
On my fantastic trip to Idaho recently, I met a child named Gene. He was excited to meet me but more excited to be involved in a multi-age classroom. I was asked to come to Hope Lutheran in Idaho Falls and help them transition into a multi-age school. He was not solving the world’s problems but ready to help any child write the number five. As I sat with Gene and his team in his classroom, I watched how eager he was to help others and how good he felt when others accepted, I was reminded it is about the little things we can do for each other. I think so many big things around us take us back, sometimes overwhelmed and other times distracted that we lose the little things around us. Some examples are, a preschool family that brings in a huge bag of individually pre-packaged coffee for our staff’s use, families bringing in rummage sale items, purchasing your child’s auction picture, playing basketball on Tuesday evenings, joining us for Community Night, and stuffing thank you notes at home are all things that might seem trivial or unimportant but I tend to disagree, it is in the little things. Sometimes God takes me miles away, this time it was Idaho, to have a 6 year old child named Gene remind me that it is about the little things we do for each other that show His amazing undeserved Love. Thanks Gene for sharing your knowledge. Thank you to everyone for all the little things you do around Concordia that continue to show His love.
Important Concordia Dates in June
June 3rd June 8th June 10th
End of the Year Picnic Preschool Graduation Last Day of School!
5:00-7:00 pm 6:30 pm in the Gym Graduation at 7:00 pm in Gym
Changes to our Directory
Births and Baptisms Marriages Deaths
Elizabeth Lee Strege George Eyre and John Radosevich
Daughter of Neil and Kim Strege Heidi Hendrickson Death – May 14, 2011
Born - May 10, 2011 Married - April 30, 2011 Memorial – May 21, 2011
Baptized – May 15, 2011
CURRENT AND UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES
- ************************************************************************
- FELLOWSHIP HALL BIBLE CLASS
- WHAT: “Zechariah”
- WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
- WHERE: Fellowship Hall
- TEACHER: Pastor Lassman
- ************************************************************************
- HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE CLASS SUNDAY MORNINGS
WHAT: “Augsburg Confession” - WHEN: Sunday Mornings 9:20 a.m.
- WHERE: Youth Room - Room 202
- TEACHER: Vicar Fremer
- ************************************************************************
- YOUNG ADULTS
- WHAT: Devotion and Dinner
- WHEN: 1st and 3rd Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Lounge
- TEACHER: Vicar Fremer
- ************************************************************************
- HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NIGHT
- WHAT: Devotion and Fellowship
- WHEN: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 7:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Youth Room
- TEACHER: Vicar Fremer
- ************************************************************************
- MONDAY EVENING MARY/MARTHA BIBLE STUDY
- WHAT: Women’s Bible Study “Gospel of John”
- WHEN: June 6, 7:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Lounge
- TEACHER: Vicar Fremer
- ************************************************************************
- MONDAY EVENING STUDY
- WHAT: “Lutheran Confessions”
- WHEN: Every Monday Evening, 7:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Youth Room - Room 202
- TEACHER: Jim Pierce
- ************************************************************************
- THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
- WHAT: “1st, 2nd, and 3rd John”
- WHEN: Thursday Mornings, 10:30 a.m.
- WHERE: Fellowship Hall
- TEACHER: Pastor Lassman
- *************************************************************************
- THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
- WHAT: “Law and Gospel”
- WHEN: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Youth Room-Room 202
- TEACHER: Jim Grant
- *************************************************************************
- ADULT INFORMATION CLASS
- WHAT: A 15-week course on basic Christian teachings
- WHEN: The next class begins in September
- WHERE: Fellowship Hall
- TEACHER: Pastor Lassman
June schedules
- Altar Guild Workers Children’s Message FLOWERS
- 5 June Scott, Karen Smith 5 Vicar Fremer
- 12 Cheryl Gagne, June Scott 12 Eva Hansen
- 19 June Scott, Jean Mindemann 19 Lee Cohrs Joyce and Bob Lucas
- 26 June Scott, Leslie Greenquist 26 Debbie Viets Vic and Delores Cohrs
- Transportation Readers
- 8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
- 5 Sue Hewitson 5 Robin Melvin Sue Hewitson
- 12 Doug Hansen 12 Dave Manion Dan Lassman
- 19 Joanne Warner 19 Harry Edmon Dave and Barbara Miller
- 26 Jane Krueger 26 Lee Cohrs Henry Hurley
- Acolytes Ushers
- 8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
- 5 Elizabeth Cohrs --- 5 Steve Haverstock Steve Miller
- 12 Brynn Hendrickson Trey Knudson 12 Harry Edmon Jerry Tiersma
- 19 Tristan Pierce Elisa Adams 19 Jim Hewitson Dan Lassman
- 26 --- Katie Lassman 26 Lee Cohrs Curt Colbert
- Elders
- 8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
- 5 Ken Deaver, Robin Melvin Doug Hansen, Mike Boomhower
- 12 Jim Mendes, Dick Hillmann Jim Grant, Randy Martens
- 19 Robin Melvin, Lee Cohrs Ron Pearce, Doug Hansen
- 26 Dick Hillmann, Ken Deaver Mike Boomhower, Jim Grant
- Greeters
- Upstairs Downstairs
5 (8 a.m.)
(10:45) Ed and Kathy Johnson
12 (8 a.m.) Jan Scholdt
(10:45) Jane Krueger Ken and Karen Deaver
19 (8 a.m.) Clarence Haverstock
(10:45) Cora May Gray Lourain Schmidt
26 (8 a.m.) Clarence Haverstock
(10:45) Don Dunavant Dorothy Bellin
Would you like to “meet & greet” people on Sunday as they come through the door? Please contact Cora May Gray at 206.524.2979. She can add you anytime during the month!
.
Lassman Open House
WHAT: Kathy and I would like to invite you to an open house to see our new home in Lake Forest Park!
WHEN:
Saturday June 4 - Musical groups and spouses, Sunday school staff
Saturday June 11 - other members of the congregation A-L
Saturday June 25 - other members of the congregation M-Z
TIME: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Due to the parking situation, we anticipate people staying ½ to ¾ of an hour, so if you stagger your arrival time you should be able to find parking. (In other words, please don’t all come at once!)
PARKING:
By car: There are 8-10 parking spaces available at the condominium plus an additional gravel parking lot for about 20 cars ½ block away (corner of 153rd and Bothell Way NE). Also, there are 10-12 places for parking if you turn right on 153rd, and right again on 37th Ave. NE - parking is along the right hand side of the road.
By bus: We are available by any bus that runs north/south on Lake City Way (get off either at the stop just past 145th or the stop just past 153rd). We would ask that the parking at the condo be left for those who may have problems walking.
Other options: Carpool from the church or arrange to carpool with friends within the church.
Light snacks will be served. Please NO gifts - Unless you want to bring a can or two of food which will be donated to the food bank.
HOW TO ENTER: Go to the front door (facing Bothell Way), press 010 into the intercom and we will buzz you in!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call! 206.526.8820
Archives
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July and August 2010
September 2010
