March 2014
 


 

Fasting & Self-Denial

 

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. These forty days are set aside for intensified repenting and fasting – to prepare us for genuine jubilation at Eastertide.

 

Now regarding fasting, Jesus wanted us to do it (Matthew 9:15) and the Lutheran Confessions second it (the Book of Concord, pp. 69, 221). But how does it help our souls – to deprive ourselves of our favorite foods?

 

Self-denial (Luke 9:23)! Fasting helps us by furthering self-denial. That’s why fasting matters so much – it’s a tangible, concrete, obvious way to deny ourselves, which isn’t easy to do and so we need all the concrete help we can get. Enter fasting . . .

 

And what’s our goal in denying ourselves? Luther puts it this way: 

“Acknowledging that God is right and confessing that his judgment is true when he says that we are all sinners and all condemned” (Luther’s Works 51:318). Letting those two points settle in promotes self-denial. And fasting helps you let them settle in. So take up your Lenten fast and expect great things to happen.

Pastor Marshall

 

 

 

 

 


What a Relief to Read Luther

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Kierkegaard’s Love for Luther’s Sermons

 

By Pastor Marshall

 

Kierkegaard loved Luther’s sermon on 1 Peter 2:11-20 which crafts “a true expression of his concept of conformity and heterogeneity between what is Christian and what is secular” (Kierkegaard’s Journals 3:2470).

 

   Luther elaborates upon this tough relationship in his sermon:  “[Being] citizens no longer of Babylon but of heaven, let us know that during… our sojourn here among strangers, it is ours to live righteously, honorably and chastely,… and benefit even the wicked and ungrateful, meanwhile constantly striving after our inheritance and keeping in mind the kingdom whither we are bound…. [But how] is it possible to reconcile these seeming inconsistencies? By… accepting the fact that the Christian’s attitude toward this earthly life is the attitude of the guest… who respects his host’s wishes,… and the customs of the inn, but at the same time [refraining] from [being satisfied] with this life as if he intended to remain here

and hoped for nothing better.  Thus will the Christian pass through every temporal event in the right way – having every possession as though not having it, using and yet not cleaving to it (1 Cor 7:29-31); not so occupied with the temporal as to lose the eternal…. [So] Christians use the world, constantly casting their thoughts beyond this life, notwithstanding they have house and home, wife and children. These are for the present life only, yet the Christian owes them due consideration…. Such is their duty so long as they are here – transients, like the stranger at the inn with other guests, who conducts himself with respect to the needs… of his fellows, doing as they do, and in case of danger and necessity uniting with them in the effort to help and protect” (Sermons of Martin Luther, 7:280-83). No wonder then that at the end of his life, Kierkegaard espoused dying to “every merely human hope [and] confidence” (Kierkegaard’s Writings 21:77).

 

     May we learn from Luther, as Kierkegaard did, how best to deal with this basic inconsistency in our faith.

 

 

 


 



President’s Report… by Larraine King

 

            In the cross of Christ I glory,

                        Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.

                                    All the light of sacred story

                                                Gathers round its head sublime.

 

So begins hymn #104.  The season of Lent begins March 5th, Ash Wednesday.  It is a holy time, filled with meditating on the Cross of Christ, and the gift of His sacrifice for us.  There is so much for us to be thankful for in His sacrifice to win our freedom from sin, the grave, and the devil.  But it is also a difficult time as we try to give up foods and activities that we love a little too much; as a we strive to fast in honor of Jesus.  Read, meditate, and pray on the hymns in LBW in the “Lent” section (#91-127).  Augustine says that he who sings hymns, prays twice, so our hymnal is also a wonderful prayer book!

     At the February church council meeting it was announced that the Small Groups that are forming for fellowship and Bible study will begin meeting at the end of February.  There will only be two groups, one in West Seattle, north of the church and one on the eastside.  All are welcome to join.  Contact Valerie and Scott Schorn and/or Janine and Peter Douglass for more specific details.

     Do you ever want to learn more about the history of the Lutheran Church, or dig deeper into the Holy Scriptures?  We have outstanding adult education opportunities at First Lutheran to do just that.  At 10 am and 7:30 pm on Wednesdays, Bible study is offered on different books of the Bible.  On Sunday morning at 9:30am there is an adult education class that covers Lutheran heritage and history, Bible study, contemporary issues of interest to Lutherans, and more.  Also, once a month, a book group meets to discuss a book – “With the Mind” – that is both challenging and educational.  Sign up! Commit to learning more about church membership, Lutheranism, and Christianity.

     In April, the West Seattle Helpline will be celebrating their 25th anniversary.  They are planning to hold a “Founder’s Day” dinner for 25 founding members of the Helpline on April 21st at Salty’s Restaurant.  Their hope is to raise $25,000 as seed money for an endowment fund to provide financial support for the Helpline’s work.  Pr. Marshall is one of the founders of the Helpline, so we will hear more about this event and the fundraising in the April Messenger.  Stay tuned!

     Financially, the church made its budget prediction for January. It takes around $20,000 to operate our facility, pay bills, and meet payroll every month.  Fortunately we have not had any major facility expenses to deal with.  Part of that comes from maintaining the buildings and grounds.  Currently the windows in the parsonage are being replaced with double paned insulated windows, which will help with heat loss, plus make it more comfortable.  Thanks to Alex Ceaicovschi for doing the labor. A huge THANK YOU!!! to everyone who regularly and generously contributes.  It makes a difference and it takes everyone doing their part. 

     Remember the West Seattle Food Bank every time you come to church in March and April.  Their need is great and we are blessed to be able to help them.  Remember – HUNGER TAKES NO VACATIONS!!!!

 

When the woes of life o’ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,

                     Never shall the cross forsake me; Lo, it glows with peace and joy.  (Hymn #104 v2)

                                                                                                        



 


 

New Directory

2014

 

We have decided to do a new church directory! 

 

Friday, March 21st – 12 noon to 8 pm.

Saturday, March 22nd – 10 am to 6 pm.

 

Lifetouch will be here on the above dates and times to take photographs of us for our new directory.  Updated directories are majorly importance to the life of a congregation due to the many changes that occur in all of our lives.  Please consider signing up to be photographed on one of these days.  You can start as early as Sunday March 2nd to sign up for a time slot.  IF you are out of town at the time of our scheduled photo session please contact the office.  Other arrangements can be made through Lifetouch’s scheduling system.    

    Let us come together this March to celebrate our congregation with a new directory.  And, this directory is for all of our members, whether voting or associate (regular visitor). 

We want you all to be included!

Each sitting (individual or family) will receive an 8 x 10 photograph free, will be included in the directory, and will receive a free copy of the directory.

There is no obligation to buy anything. 

Lifetouch has a good reputation for not being pushy.

 

 

 

 

 


 


Stewardship

_________________________________________________

Exceptional Service

 

Recently someone at church observed that we parishioners are “exceptionally well served” by our Parish Staff.  It was an understatement.  There are many who have helped build FLCWS over time, of whom I, as a newcomer, am only dimly aware.  There are also important people beside and behind Pastor Marshall, Dean Hard and Andy King, but let us single out these three here.

     In the first place, it takes an exceptional love for us and devotion to Christ for Pastor Marshall to remind us continually what wretched sinners we all are.  There is no more thankless task in this world, none more likely to be met with continual rejection by newcomers who wander in to the 10:30 service, by his fellow pastors in the ELCA, and even by the Church generally.  But Christ’s love cannot save us from our sin unless we acknowledge it.  We cannot be drawn into Him except by desiring to leave ourselves behind and be remade.  It is a paradox that the motivation to “preach us to bits” is actually love: paradox to us, contradiction to the world.  It cannot ever be easy to preach the “naked word,” that grates on listeners’ ears and teaches us to fear as we ought, so that we may also hope as we ought.  So let us support Pastor Marshall however we can (Quotations from The Fatal Vice, Standards for Judging Lutheran Pastors, 2006.)

     Let us also support our Deacon, Dean Hard and Cantor/Organist, Andy King, whose devotion to the historical norms of worship helps us to acknowledge the real presence, and connects us with the historical church and the “hosts of heaven.”  In the ordered movement and visual elements of the liturgy as in the coordination and the excellence of the sacred music of our services we are constantly reminded that others have gone before us in the same walk of faith, regardless of the worldly historical time that has passed.  Yes, I have studied Western cultural history a little, and I know that in our church service there is variety of historical influence on this music and liturgy that also strike me as manifestations of the sacred.  No matter.  This is mere paradox.  Christ’s Church is in time, but also outside of time, and we also step outside of time, a little, when we worship in the historical norms of the Church.  Dean’s and Andy’s care and expertise help me to feel free to acknowledge the real presence, and with it the presence of the hosts of heaven, who communed much as we do.  I have never experienced anything like it in any other church, and I suspect it is rare indeed.

     So let us support these three of our Parish Staff however we can, and let us acknowledge their work and our indebtedness.

─Earl Nelson, Church Council

 

 


 



1918-2018

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Preparing for Our 100th Anniversary

 

By Pastor Marshall

 

What was it like when our church was founded back in 1918? What was going on in the Lutheran church in America at that time?

     On June 8, 1917, a new church was formed in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, from the merger of three separate organizations – the Norwegian Synod, Hauge’s Synod, and the United Synod. It was called the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America (NLCA). Strains of pietism, a state church system and doctrinal orthodoxy were combined in this merger. Our congregation was one of the first new parishes in the Pacific NW to join this new organization the following year.

    And we shared in its peculiar challenges: “The world into which the NLCA was born was one of violent dislocation and convulsive changes. While Norwegian-American churchmen were struggling to make theological explication of Christian doctrine preliminary to presiding over the birth of a new church, the great world powers were engaged in the carnage and bloodletting of the first World War. Hitherto Norwegian-American Lutherans had lived a relatively isolated existence on the North American continent. Like other immigrant churches, they preached
the gospel and administered the sacraments within the walls of a cultural ghetto. An alien tongue and inherited customs were not easily disclaimed and thus quickly became natural obstacles in the new land. The isolation of Norwegian-American Lutheranism, however, ended in 1917. Officially and formally the church was not to recognize it for several years, but nevertheless, the walls of the compound had been broken by the shattering experiences of WWI. From that time forth the church could not insulate itself from the ‘acids and assets’ of American modernity. It was forced willy-nilly to ‘discover’ America and the other churches – Lutheran and non-Lutheran – which shared the opportunities and responsibilities of the Christian witness” [E. Clifford Nelson, The Lutheran Church Among Norwegian-Americans: A History of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2 vols. (Augsburg, 1960) II:229-30].



 



March Book

With the Mind:  Readings in Contemporary Theology

3-5 pm in the Church Lounge, Saturday, March 22nd.

The book for March is Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion (2009), by Kevin

DeYoung & Ted Kluck. This book – written by a pastor and one of his parishioners – is a critique of the modern trend in the church for Christians to practice their faith without going to church (pp. 160-182). At the end of the book we have this summary of their case: “Daily discipleship is not a new revolution each morning;… it’s a long obedience in the same direction…. [Now it’s] possible the church needs to change. Certainly in some areas it does. But it’s also possible we’ve changed – and not for the better. It’s possible our boredom and restlessness has less to do with the church and its doctrines and more to do with a growing coldness toward the love of God displayed in the sacrifice of His Son for our sins” (p. 225).
   A copy of this important book is in the church library. If you would like to purchase one for yourself, contact Pastor Marshall. Feel free to attend our meeting when we discuss this matter of fitting church-going in with holding to the faith.

 

           

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THANK YOU to the following for helping decorate the church for Christmas:  Matthew & Ali Richardson, Steve and Kathrine (Young) McCord, Valerie & Scott schorn, Bob & Connie Baker, Phil & Natalie Nesvig, Gina Allen, Cristian Clemente, Jane Harty, Barb Schorn, Earl Nelson & Andy Nelson, Sonja Clemente, Larraine & Andy King and Pastor Marshall. 

FOOD BANK DONATION suggestions for March are canned meats, chilies and stews. 

2014 FLOWER CHART could use a few more families to sign up for Easter Flowers.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – West Seattle Food Bank Instruments of Change benefit & social hour: live music, guest speaker, dinner, and a dessert auction at the Hall of Fauntleroy. Friday, May 2, 2014, 6-9 pm.  Also West Seattle Helpline 9th Annual Taste of West Seattle on May 15th.  Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Helpline web page. 

WEST SEATTLE RECYCLING buys your recyclables and sends the church a 10% bonus check a couple of times a year.  Pastor Marshall is willing to take donations (newspaper and aluminum cans) if left in his carport.  #6 Styrofoam can also be recycled (the kind that snaps when broken).  Please bag securely before leaving at the back of the parsonage carport.  Another thing that should be properly disposed of are dead batteries.  They are no longer allowed in the garbage.  Pastor Marshall is willing to properly dispose of them if they are left in marked bags on the office window counter.  Thanks to those who participate in these programs.


 


Foss Home & Village……

transforming lives with dignity and grace

 

Foss Home & Village, a nursing care facility founded by L.C. Foss, a Lutheran pastor, has been providing quality elder care for their residents for 85 years.  Their programs include assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and memory care.  They also have a state of the art rehabilitation center, a geriatric dental clinic, a beauty salon, an on-site pharmacy, access to social  workers, podiatrists, optometrists,  pet therapy, their “Seniors Doing Art” program, plus students from area colleges and universities fulfilling their clinical rotations in nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, nutrition, and rehabilitation.  Probably most important is the staff’s treatment of their residents as special people who deserve an “Extra Touch” of personalized quality, comfort, and innovation in aging services, regardless of individual financial circumstances or limited government funding.  Both my parents and Andy’s parents were patients/residents at Foss and received excellent care.

      One of the ways Foss is able to provide this personalized and comprehensive care is through additional donations and support from members of the community who have seen the impact of quality elder care and are willing and able to help.  On Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 9:30 am, Foss Home and Village will host a brunch to share their mission.  A delicious brunch meal will be served, and a dynamic speaker will share his experiences about disabilities with the audience.  There will be door prizes and recognition of special donors, plus a video story about lives changed as a result of the care provided at Foss.   At the end of the presentations, those attending will be asked to consider making a financial gift to support their mission and the “Extra Touch” program.

     This year’s speaker is Vail Horton.  Vail is the founder and CEO of Keen Mobility, a company that provides medical products focused on safety, mobility, and comfort.  Plus he is the founder and chairman of The Incight Foundation which helps provide education, employment, networking, independence, health, and wealth opportunities for people with disabilities. He is married and has four children.   What you wouldn’t assume from reading these credentials is that Vail was born without legs, plus improper bone growth caused severe disabilities in the structure of his arms.  But he says that we all have disabilities that prevent us from doing things.  He has welcomed the challenges, and his enthusiasm is both infectious and inspirational.  Check out a video preview of Vail at the Foss website.  Go to www.fosscare.org and click on the tab News & Events>Events.  It is about 5 minutes long and truly amazing.

     Better yet, consider coming to the Foss Brunch and meet Vail Horton in person, and hear him speak about his life and experiences.  Contact Larraine King (206-937-6740) and check out the bulletin board in the hall of the parish house for more information.   I guarantee that you will be inspired and have a new outlook on your own life by attending. 

                                                                                                     

                                       ─Larraine King, Board of Directors member, Foss Home & Village

 



 

Extended Ministries

FASTING AND THE FOOD BANK

 

Ash Wednesday is March 5th.  The Extended Ministry Committee is encouraging the membership to use the money that we save fasting from buying our favorite foods, and donate that money or buy non-perishable food items for the West Seattle Food Bank.

     The last two years we asked that each time you came for a church service you bring a food item and leave it in the Food Bank collection box in the lounge.  This is a great way to get in the habit of remembering the Food Bank when you are grocery shopping.  Buy an extra can of food instead of that chocolate bar.  Then donate the can of food when you come to church.  We have averaged between 750 and 800 food items during the season of Lent.    The West Seattle Food Bank serves hundreds of people each month, and they need donations from members of the community. 

    During January, the Food Bank gave away an increase of over 20,000 pounds of food. So instead of the usual 100,000 pounds of food, they distributed over 120,000 pounds of food in January!  Those figures seem staggering in an area where many clearly have riches that could be shared.   We each can help by remembering those among us who are hungry, regularly – buying food, donating money, praying for those in need in our community.  We are very fortunate to not be hungry.  But others aren’t so fortunate.  We can help.  We can do our part, remembering that hunger takes no vacations.  Bring a Food Bank donation every time you attend church this Lent and we will make a difference!       

                                                                                       ─The Extended Ministry Committee

 



 





1 Thessalonians 4.6

Monthly Home Bible Study, March 2014, Number 253

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). (This study uses the RSV translation.)

 

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 1 Thessalonians 4.6 noting the line the Lord is an avenger in all things. What does this mean? On this read 1 Corinthians 6.9-10 noting the line will not inherit the kingdom of God. What if that happens? Where do we go instead? On this read Luke 16.22-28 noting the double use of the phrase place of torment. What will be so tormenting about this hellish place? On this read Mark 9.48 noting the words worm and fire. How bad is that? On this read Revelation 9.1-6 noting the words bottomless, furnace, scorpions, torture and death. Is anyone able to tough that out? On this read Matthew 25.30 noting the words weep and gnash. What makes this place so terrifying? On this read Revelation 20.9-10 noting the words devil, lake and fire. How do you suppose the devil will act in hell? On this read Revelation 12.12 noting the words great, wrath and woe. Is Jesus behind this? On this read John 5.25-29 noting the words granted and execute, and the phrase resurrection of judgment.

 

Week II. Read again 1 Thessalonians 4.6 noting again the line the Lord is an avenger in all things. Why is God this way? On this read Matthew 3.12 noting the words chaff and burn. What makes a person chaff? On this read Hebrews 3.17 noting the word provoked. What caused this provocation? On this read Number 14.20-35 noting the words proof, hearkened, despised, murmur and faithlessness. Why do these infractions provoke God to anger? On this read Psalm 99.4-9 noting the correlation between the words lover, justice, worship and holy. Does that mean that God won’t graciously overlook our misdeeds? On this read Exodus 34.7 noting the line by no means clear the guilty. But doesn’t God’s love make him blind to our faults? On this read Psalm 64.5 noting the last line who can see us. Read also Job 28.24 noting the line he… sees everything, and Psalm 139.7 noting the rhetorical question whither shall I flee from thy presence? What difference does it make that God misses nothing of what we think, say or do?

 

Week III. Reread 1 Thessalonians 4.6 noting again the line the Lord is an avenger in all things. How shall we live with this threat? On this read 1 Thessalonians 4.6 noting the other line that no man transgress. But are there any other options? On this read Job 9.20 noting the line I am innocent… How would this help? On this read Psalm 15.1-2 noting the correlation between the words dwell and blamelessly. But what if we aren’t innocent and blameless? Are there any other options? On this read John 3.19 noting the words love and darkness. How would this hiding help? On this read Proverbs 22.3 noting the words danger and hides. What’s wrong with this general rule? On this read Isaiah 55.9 noting the word higher. Because of this, normal ways of protecting ourselves fails when it comes to God. So are they any other options? On this read Genesis 4.13 noting the words greater and bear. Will this complaint and near defiance do any good?

 

Week IV. Read 1 Thessalonians 4.6 one last time noting again the same line the Lord is an avenger in all things. What if none of our options work? What then? On this read 1 Samuel 2.25 noting Eli’s question about finding help or mediation and intercession. For an answer to this question read 1 Timothy 2.5-6 noting the word mediator, and 1 John 2.1 noting the word advocate. How does this help us against the vengeance of God? On this read Romans 5.9 noting the words blood, saves, wrath and God. How does his blood do this? On this read 1 Peter 2.24 noting the line he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree. This means Jesus was punished in our place for our sins when he suffered and died on the cross. But how does this help? On this read Hebrews 9.24 noting the line Christ has entered… into heaven… to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. So Christ uses his sacrifice to bring about the forgiveness from God for our sins. How great is that?

 



 



 

The Transfiguration

of Our Lord

The Last Sunday in Epiphany, Sunday, March 2nd, is the Transfiguration of Our Lord.  On this day we behold the splendor of Christ surrounded by the glory of God. 

    Study Matthew 17 to learn more about the time when Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus, and the mysterious cloud from which God’s voice tells us, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

The Annunciation

of Our Lord

On Tuesday, March 25th, the Feast of the  Annunciation of Our Lord will be celebrated in the chapel at 11:45 am with Holy Eucharist.  At this liturgy we will honor the angel Gabriel's announcement to Saint Mary that she will be the Mother of Our Lord.  Prepare for this feast of the Church with the following prayer: 

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we, who have known the incarnation of your son, Jesus Christ, announced by an angel, may by his cross and Passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection:  who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

                                            Amen.

 


 


X  PARISH PRAYERS  X

Remember in prayer before God those whom He has made your

brothers and sisters through baptism.

 

Nora Vanhala, Natalie Nesvig, Mary Goplerud, Holly Petersen, Michael Nestoss, Donna Apman, Cynthia Natiello, Leah Baker, Agnes Arkle, Clara Anderson, Peggy & Bill Wright & Wendy, Bob & Barbara Schorn, Cameron Lim, Ion Ceaicovschi, Luke Bowen, Tabitha Anderson, Max Richardson, The Jones Family, Kyle Bogie, Anna & John Bertelsen, Kurt & Jenny Alfano, Robin Kaufman, Eva Marshall, Rosita & Jim Moe, Dean Herrick, Asha Sagmoen, Dano, Karen & W. Erick, The McGinnis Family, Dave & Sheri Wheeler, Sandy & Ron Weiss, Mark Sponheim, Sandee, Christine & Kristophor Marshall, Nora & Sloane Mitchell, Delores Grenier, Isabella Wain, Kim Paulson, Brian Mangan. 

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

    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 family and friends of Gerry Moulton on her death.  Also pray for Aspasia Vassilatos on the death of her mother Dennisia Vassilatos.

    Pray for our bishops Elizabeth Eaton and Brian Kirby Unti, 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 March.  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 sister congregation El Camino de Emmaus, in the Skagit Valley, 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:  Thomas Aquinas, teacher, 1274; Joseph, guardian of our Lord.


 

A Treasury of Prayers

 

I love you, O my God; and I desire to love you more and more. Grant to me that I may love you as much as… I ought. Watch over my lips, my steps, my deeds…. O most loving Father of Jesus Christ, from whom flows all love, let my heart, frozen in sin, cold to you and cold to others, be warmed by your divine fire. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

                                                                       [For All the Saints II:1214-15, altered]