December 2016
 




Soften Your Hearts

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Repenting During Advent

 

 

Martin Luther began the Reformation with his Ninety-Five Theses (1517) – the first of which says we are to repent our whole life long (Luther’s Works 31:25). We need to repent and feel sorry for our sins and ashamed of how we have dishonored God’s name, in order to soften up our hard hearts so that we will want God’s blessings (LW 35:18). This may be painful, but it’s necessary, though odd – since it makes life tough, demanding –

“where my silence will make me seem worse than I am, I should be silent – for instance, giving alms in [secret; and where] my silence will make me seem better than I am, then I should speak – confession of sin” (Kierkegaard, Journals, 1849, §3985).

    The last thing we need then during these days before Christmas is to indulge ourselves with pleasant thoughts and deeds about how good we are. That would only run counter to repentance and hurt us in the long run.

     So God is his mercy has provided both fasting and John the Baptist for us during Advent – the few weeks before Christmas – to soften up our hard hearts. The negativity they both bring is just what we need to prepare ourselves for Christmas. Thank God for both during Advent this year – fasting and listening to what John the Baptist has to say about you, against you (Matthew 3:7–10).

Pastor Marshall






 

What You Think About the Poor

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Examining Your Mind

 

By Pastor Marshall

 

Christians are to care for the poor because God says to (Proverbs 19:17; Acts 20:35). But what crosses your mind when you think about them?  Do your thoughts hold you back from helping them or send you on your way?

     Here is a good test to take to see what you think. It comes from Dr. Renee Wilson-Simmons, Director of the National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, New York City. She says a large number of Americans think negatively of the poor. They think they are “culturally deficient, criminally inclined, reproductively prodigious, and financial inept” (National Public Radio, “Here & Now,” October 18, 2016).

     After studying the matter, Wilson-Simmons says that none these accusations are factually true. But what do you think? She also says that these negative thoughts, if held, keep us from helping the poor. Has that ever happened to you?

     So there you have it. You’ve just taken the test. However you faired, check to see how you stand alongside those two Bible verses cited above – Proverbs 19:17 and Acts 20:35.

 




 




 

 

 

Dr. Julia Watkin

(1944–2006)

 

The 12th Annual

Watkin Memorial Kierkegaard Lecture

 

Saint Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota

November 2, 2017

 

“The Confused Name of the Century”:

Luther’s Thought as the Matrix for Kierkegaard’s Writings

 

(KW 15:110)

 

 

 

by

The Rev. Ronald F. Marshall

First Lutheran Church of West Seattle

Seattle, Washington

 

Pastor Marshall has been invited to deliver this prestigious lecture because of his seminal work in Kierkegaard both at the annual commemorations in Seattle, and in his many writings on Kierkegaard. He is the first parish pastor to give this lecture.

 


Pastor Marshall’s Publications on Kierkegaard

 

Articles

“Søren Kierkegaard Comes to Seattle,” Lutheran Forum 19 (Pentecost 1985) 15–16.

“Kierkegaard’s Heavenly Whores,” Dialog 31 (Summer 1992) 227–30.

“Kierkegaard’s Worshipping Geese,” The Bride of Christ 17 (Saint Michael and All Angels, 1993) 8–15.

“News From the Graveyard: Kierkegaard’s Analysis of Christian Self-Hatred,” Pro Ecclesia 11 (Winter

     2000) 19–42.

“Walking With Kierkegaard,” Lutheran Forum 35 (Christmas 2001) 51–52.

“Kierkegaard’s Cure for Divorce,” Søren Kierkegaard Newsletter 44 (September 2002) 6–10.

“Kierkegaard’s Music Box,” Lutheran Forum 39 (Fall 2005) 37–41.

“Tribute: Our Need for Kierkegaard,” Lutheran Forum 40 (Summer 2006) 17–18.

“Practice Your Faith: A Sermon Inspired by Kierkegaard,” Lutheran Forum 40 (Summer 2006) 18–19.

“The Sickbed Preacher: Kierkegaard on Adversity and the Awakening of Faith,” International Kierkegaard

     Commentary 17 (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2007) 219–49.

“Constraining the Berserk: Kierkegaard on Adler and the Ideal Pastor,” International Kierkegaard Com-

     mentary 24 (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2008) 35–66.

“No Quack Doctor: Kierkegaard’s Dialectical Understanding of God’s Changelessness,” International

     Kierkegaard Commentary 23 (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2009) 129–64.

“Driven by God: Kierkegaard’s Parable of the Royal Coachman,” Toward the Final Crossroads: A Fest-

     schrift for Edna & Howard Hong (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2009) 115–41.

“The Traversed Path: Kierkegaard’s Complex Way to Religious Simplicity,” International Kierkegaard

     Commentary 22 (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2010) 117–56.

“Tears of Self-Forgetfulness: Kierkegaard on Self-Denial,” Why Kierkegaard Matters: A Festschrift in

     Honor of Robert L. Perkins (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2010) 179–92.

“Martin Luther as Kierkegaard’s Master,” Lutheran Quarterly 27 (Autumn 2013) 344–48.

 

Books

Kierkegaard for the Church: Essays & Sermons, Forward by Carl E. Braaten, Epilogue by Robert L. Per-

     kins (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2013) ii–xxiv, 1–369 pp.

Kierkegaard in the Pulpit: Sermons Inspired by His Writings (Yakima, Washington: Cave Moon Press,

     2016) x–li, 1–428 pp.

 

Book Reviews

“On Kierkegaard, Pietism and Holiness (2011) by Christopher B. Barnett,” Lutheran Quarterly 26 (Sum-

     mer 2012) 195–97.

“On Discourses at the Communion on Fridays, trans. Sylvia Walsh (2011),” Lutheran Quarterly 27 (Winter

     2013) 466–68.

“On The Emergent Prophet: Kierkegaard and the Postmodern People of God (2013) by Kyle A. Roberts,”

     Lutheran Quarterly 28 (Autumn 2014) 350–51.

“On From Despair to Faith: The Spirituality of Søren Kierkegaard (2014) by Christopher B. Barnett,” Lu-

     theran Quarterly 29 (Winter 2015) 482–83.

“On Kierkegaard and the Refusal of Transcendence (2015) by Steven Shakespeare,” Lutheran Quarterly

     30 (Winter 2016) 491–92.

“On Kierkegaard and the Paradox of Religious Diversity (2016) by George B. Connell,” Lutheran Quarter-

     ly 30 (Winter 2016) 478–79.

“On Existing Before God: Søren Kierkegaard and the Human Venture (2017) by Paul R. Sponheim,”

     Lutheran Quarterly 31 (Summer 2017) 247–248.



 





PRESIDENT'S REPORT....by Earl Nelson

 

Dreaming of Food; Trying to Fast!


     It is that time of year again.  As I write, Thanksgiving approaches, and then Christmas.  If Luther had celebrated American Thanksgiving, he surely would have recommended it as an opportunity for fasting, or so I gather from Pastor’s sermons!  But not so the culture that beckons to me from the coolers at Costco, and the produce section at Haggen’s.  I have to concoct a suitable feast.  I do so love to share good food with the people I love.  The sentiment is completely natural, not at all uncommon, and yet insufficient. 

     As self-indulgent as Thanksgiving can be, it sometimes seems to me like a mere warm-up for the month of December, an appetizer.  How many Christmas parties will there be during Advent?  With God’s help, I may be able to resist some of the many temptations about to come my way, and acknowledge the seriousness of Christmas, its gravitas.  God became man on Christmas day to save our souls – by dying himself – from self-centered pleasure seeking, not to provide an occasion for it.  Amidst the cheerfulness and the fudge, will I have an ear to hear James’ stark words that the essence of the Christian life is caring for orphans and widows, and keeping oneself unstained from the world (James 1:27)? No glittering lights or wrapping paper there, no sugar.

    Do I sound grumpy?  Am I already a Grinch even before Thanksgiving?  Is it offensive to refuse sweets at a Christmas party, or does that make it a Christmas party?  I’ve never heard of a fasting party.  With God’s help I will both refuse and accept, and not appear to be fasting in public.  With God’s help I will honor the Savior’s poverty, even in my abundance.

     To mention Saint Nicholas Faire now is not inappropriate.  I look forward to helping, and to sharing food with people I love.  I hear Larraine and her helpers are ahead of schedule in the preparations, despite the abundance of items.  This is an annual labor of love, which just gets better every year.  The food and the wine are always good.  I hope you will come, and bring friends.

     And speaking of feasts,      Larraine’s husband Andy gave us one the afternoon of All Saints’ Sunday.  I think it was Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D-major at the end.  I look forward to hearing Bach in church always: the solidity and the yearning.  The choir always regales us in December.  I hope you will come and share Advent and Christmas with us in church this year.

 




 









STEWARDSHIP

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

 

The holidays are here and Christmas is rapidly consuming our thoughts.  What to give to the many people we love and hold dear in our hearts?  Who to add to our list and how much to spend?  Sound familiar?  How we love to bring joy to our loved ones because when they are happy we are happy!  So it goes with God.  In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 we read: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

     So what does being a cheerful giver mean in relationship to the church?  For me it is knowing that we are complying with God’s will that we tithe, and knowing that God will turn our gifts of money to him into many things for many people.  For example:

1.   Maintaining God’s house, our place of worship. 

2.      Supporting the leadership in our church. 

3.      Encouraging our music ministry.

4.      Supplying education through Bible classes for the congregation.

5.      Food for the hungry.

6.      Clothes for the needy.

7.      Shelter for the homeless.

8.      Evangelism.

     How about you?  What does being a cheerful giver mean to you?

Bridget Sagmoen, Church Council






 




 

ST. NICHOLAS FAIRE

Sunday, December 6th

4:30pm to 7:30pm

 

In a less than a week we will be gathering in the “transformed” Parish Hall to celebrate St. Nicholas Day by hosting an event to commemorate the generous spirit of St. Nicholas.  His many acts of charity are legendary.  All proceeds from this Faire will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline.

     Here’s a sampling of the gift baskets that will be available to bid on…….  

 

                          Children’s Books           Mariner’s Gear               Warm Weather Gear

                          Beer & Wine                  Gardening                      Baked Goods

                          Seahawks Gear              Olive Oil                        Ceramic Items         

                          U of W Gear                  Painting Supplies           Handmade Quilts

                          Pasta & Sauce                Outdoor Accessories      Outdoor Games

                          Kitchen Gadgets            Tools                              “Hello Kitty”

                          Holiday Items                Wine Glasses                  Baking Items

 

     Plus gift certificates to many local restaurants and businesses like JAKS, Elliott Bay Pub & Brewery, Caffe Ladro, Husky Deli, NW Art & Frame, QFC, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, West Seattle Nursery, Great Harvest Bakery, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Target, Bartell’s, Panera Bread, Junction Hardware, Pagliacci Pizza, Spiros, Amazon,  Beer Junction, ETC!!!       

    But in order for it to be a success, we need every member to participate and commit to helping in some manner.  The sign-up sheets were in the hall between classrooms C & D during the month of November.

If you missed them and still are able to help in some way, please contact me (Larraine 206-937-6740).  We have tried to make contributing approachable and within reach. There are still a few ways each of us can help- make  money donations (make checks payable to First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, and note it is to be given to the St. Nicholas Faire),  and help during the Faire.  But the most important way to support this event is to come and bring your family, friends and neighbors, and do your Christmas shopping.   

     The St. Nicholas Faire has a dual purpose – it benefits two very deserving extended ministries, and it allows us to have a party together with family and friends – while supporting our neighbors in need from our community.  Now that’s a WIN! WIN!

So please plan to come and join in the celebration.

 

DON’T MISS IT!!!!!

 

                                                                                               Larraine King




 




December Book

With the Mind:  Readings in Contemporary Theology

3-5 pm in the Church Lounge, Saturday, December 31st


The book for December is The God We Worship: An Exploration of Liturgical Theology by Nicholas Wolterstorff (2015). This book is about worshipping rightly. And so he argues that when we “assemble to participate in an enactment of the liturgy, we do so in order to worship God – not to please God, not to center ourselves, but to worship God. We may also do so because we expect or hope that we ourselves will be altered in some way, guided and energized for our life in the everyday, for example. But that’s compatible with assembling in order to worship God; indeed if the alteration in ourselves that we expect or hope for comes about, it does so as a consequence of our engaging in worshipping God” (p. 23).

     A copy of this important book is in the library. If you would like to purchase one for yourself, contact Pastor Marshall. Feel free to attend our meeting when we discuss the proper way to worship.


ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

PASTOR MARSHALL’s next four week class on the Koran starts on Thursday, January 5th.  Call the office to register for the class. 

FOOD BANK COLLECTION suggested donation for December is holiday foods.  And, don’t forget to bring a can of food to the St. Nicholas Faire!

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE:  Sat., December 17th, 3-5 pm.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING PARTY:  Monday, December 26th, meet at Christo’s on Alki at 5:00 pm for a no host meal.  Then go caroling to shut-ins in the congregation.  Everyone is welcome to come along.  Please sign up on the list that is posted in the lounge.

Compass Housing Alliance is in need of Christmas gift items for their housing centers for both men and women. Listed here are the items we will be collecting over the next couple of weeks: gift cards in $5 to $25 increments for fast food restaurants, coffee shops, Target and grocery stores; new sweatshirts (L, XL, XXL sizes with the tags on), underwear, flip-flops, hats, scarves and gloves (in dark neutral colors). New toiletries in small sizes are always needed. Please leave your donations at the office. The items collected will be delivered after Sunday, December 11th.

2017 FLOWER CHART:  The new chart will be up toward the end of the month.  Sign up early for the best choice of dates.  Also, we still need a couple more people to sign up for Christmas flowers.

MANY THANKS to the November Service Team for organizing receptions for 40th Anniversary Organ Recital and Pastor Marshall’s Book Signing.  Very well done!









 




Romans 2.7

Monthly Home Bible Study, December 2016, Number 286

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). And don’t give up, for as Luther said, we “have in Scripture enough to study for all eternity” (LW 75:422)!

 

Week I. Read Romans 2.7 noting the phrase eternal life. What is it? On this read Revelation 21.2–4 noting the words new, heaven, dwell, tear, death and pain. Why is such a place needed? On this read Hebrews 11.16 noting the word better. Read also 2 Corinthians 4.16–18 noting the words inner, glory and eternal. This better life is needed because the ordinary, dying, transient, distorted and wicked world cannot sustain the fulfillment, joy and meaning we long for. What blocks that joy here? On this read Hebrews 2.15 noting the fear of death and the lifelong bondage it brings. What’s behind this fear? On this read Romans 6.23 noting the phrase the wages of sin. Why does sin do this? On this read Isaiah 59.2 noting the words separation and hid. Why is this distancing bad? On this read James 1.17 noting the line every good and perfect gift. It is this goodness and perfection that we hanker after when we long for eternal life. Do you agree? Or do you only long for this life, as 1 Corinthians 15.19 puts it? If so, why? If not, why not?

Week II. Read again Romans 2.7 noting the word give. Why is eternal life something only God can give us? On this read Romans 3.24 noting the words grace, gift, in and Jesus. If it is a gift, then we can’t do it for ourselves or earn it. That’s because it is freely bestowed as a gift. But why’s that? Note that it comes from Jesus whose death brings it about. Because this agency is outside of us (and all people together), it is a gift that only God can give. Read also Ephesians 2.8–9 noting the word boast. In order to ward off taking eternal life the wrong way, it has to come from God, otherwise we’ll boast over having it, which would be the wrong way to take it. That’s because of Galatians 6.14 which says that we should not glory in ourselves or become boastful. On this read James 4.16 noting how such boasting is arrogant and evil. Note also the line do all to the glory of God in 1 Corinthians 10.31.

Week III. Reread Romans 2.7 noting the line by patience in well-doing seek… immortality. What it is like to do that? On this read Hebrews 6.12 noting the line through faith and patience inherit the promises. So if faith and patience are equivalents, what does that tell us about getting eternal life? On this read Psalm 62.1–8 noting the words God, alone, waits, silence and trust. We wait for eternal life and salvation because they are a gift from God. This waiting tempers our well-doing so that we do not think we earn eternal life by our works. Is there nothing then for us to do while we wait? On this read Philippians 3.12–14 noting the words obtained, press on, forgetting and straining. So those deeds would be included in our well-doing which is ours through waiting in patience on God. And what of the seeking… immortality? On this read Romans 3.11 noting the line no one seeks for God. Read also John 3.19 noting the line that we loved the darkness rather than the light. What, then, if we do seek after the immortality and eternal life that comes from God alone? On this read Ezekiel 11.19 noting the line I will… put a new spirit within them. So even if we seek eternal life, the power to do so comes from God and his very gift of seeking after his blessings. That’s because Romans 7.18 teaches that nothing good dwells in us. Do you agree, or are you more optimistic about people? If so, why? Would God approve of your view?

Week IV. Read Romans 2.7 one last time noting the words seek and give. Why does God only give eternal life to those who seek after it? On this read Matthew 7.6 noting the words give, dogs and swine. Who are these dogs and swine? According to the end of Matthew 7.6, they are the ones who don’t want what is holy but trample it down and attack those who proclaim it. What is to be done for them? Argue with them? Make concessions to ease it up for them? On this read Luke 11.13 about asking for the Holy Spirit. We need to ask God for help to do for these dogs and swine what he did for Paul in Acts 9.1–20. Amazing, don’t you agree?





 




 

Defending the Church

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Professor Jenson’s Lectures

 

By Pastor Marshall

 

 

Popular lectures on the Christian faith, delivered over a decade ago, have now been published by the famed Lutheran teacher and theologian, Robert W. Jenson, now in his 86th year – A Theology in Outline: Can These Bones Live? (Oxford, 2016). At the end of these lectures, Jenson states with breathtaking daring and clarity:

The question… now is whether and how the church can respond to the challenges posed to its message by the advent of Modernity. [Helpful in this regard is Karl Barth (1886–1968) who] attempted… to reverse the viewpoint from which the relationship of the church and culture is seen. In Modernity, everybody (including believers) has tended to suppose that the gospel and its theology have to establish their plausibility by securing a place within the broader culture. Barth turned this on its head… [In the Bible] he found [a] strange new world [that is] all-encompassing…. National ideologies and secular historiographies? Barth said that they have to establish and justify their place within the world of the Bible, not the other way around…. [So] theology responds best by trusting in the gospel’s own interior rationality… One point guard in this endeavor might be Wolfhart Pannenberg (1928–2014), who has elaborated an entire system of metaphysics (and indeed an entire philosophy of science to go with it) on the principle that traditional metaphysics draws its vision of what is, from what has been, whereas a distinctively Christian metaphysics must draw its vision from what will be (pp. 113–15).

Take these words to heart. Use them to help you recover what used to be bold about our Christian faith (Acts 4:13, 29, 31, 9:27, 29, 13:46, 14:4, 18:26, 19:8).






 






 Join us for Advent and Christmas

 

Sundays:    8:00 am Holy Eucharist, in the chapel

 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, in the nave*

  8:00 pm Compline, in the chapel

*Liturgy & Holy Eucharist with Choir 10:30 am

 

 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

Celebrate with us the great Christmas feast of our Lord's Nativity. 

May these days fill your prayers with thanksgiving and blessing. 

 

Saturday, December 24, 2016:

Christmas Eve

Liturgy of Lessons, Carols, & Holy Eucharist

11:00 pm Holy Eucharist, in the nave

Sunday, December 25, 2016:

Christmas Day

Festival Liturgy & Holy Eucharist

10:30 am Holy Eucharist, in the nave

Monday, December 26, 2016:

St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

11:45 am Holy Eucharist, in the chapel

Tuesday, December 27, 2016:

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

11:45 am Holy Eucharist, in the chapel

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

11:45 am Holy Eucharist, in the chapel

 

To end the 12 days of Christmas be sure to join us on –

Friday, January 6, 2017

The Day of Epiphany

11:45 am Holy Eucharist, in the chapel

 

 

4105 California Avenue SW    Seattle, WA  98116

206-935-6530          www.flcws.org        deogloria@foxinternet.com

 




 




 

The Endowment Fund

Putting the Church in Your Will

By Pastor Marshall

Our church endowment fund continues to grow.  We thank God for all who have made gifts to this fund and the support it provides our church. Especially we thank God for the major donors to our endowment fund – George (1925-2003) & Marion (1929-2005) Colvin, Lila Granaas (1913-2002), Cynthia Natiello (1958-2016), Orma Nesheim (1917-2010), and Willis (1921-2001) & Alida Rottman (1922-2011). 

    Take this occasion to consider including the church in your will.  If you would like to do this and have not done so already, think of giving 10% of the residual value of your estate to the church.  In this way you will be able to tithe the income the investments of your estate has earned over the years.  This is a fitting way to thank God for the blessings of prosperity we all enjoy.

    Our endowment fund was established in January 1996.  The gifts made to the fund are never spent.  Most of the interest earned is added each year to help meet our budget.  In this way you can go on supporting our church long after you have departed to join the church triumphant.  Glory be to God!



George & Marion Colvin
Lila Granaas
Orma Nesheim
Willis & Alida Rottman
Cynthia Natiello




 




X  PARISH PRAYERS  X

Remember in prayer before God those whom He has made your

brothers and sisters through baptism.

Leah Baker, Ken Sund, Sam & Nancy Lawson, Linda Olson, Mariann Petersen, Evelyn Coy, Eileen Nestoss, Tabitha Anderson, Bob & Barbara Schorn, Celia Balderston, The PLU Music Faculty, Mike Harty, Leonard Richter, Heidi Anderson, Jordan Corbin, Matt Anderson, Sheila Feichtner, Linda Anderson, Dorothy Chase, Margeen & Chris Boyer, Linda Hagen, Lee Thoren, Karl Coy, Iris Hansen Tate, Doug Rozmyn, Nell Sponheim, Susan Armbrewster, Stan & Doreen Phillips, Linda Johnsen, those infants and families affected by the Zika virus, the great migration from the Near East into Europe and other parts of the world. 

     Pray for the shut-ins that the light of Christ may give them joy: Florence Jenkins, C. J. Christian, Louis Koser, Anelma Meeks, Dorothy Ryder, Lillian Schneider, Crystal Tudor, Nora Vanhala, Elmer & June Wittman, Bill Wright.

     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 Advent & Christmas.  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: Saint Thomas, Apostle; Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr; Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist; and The Holy Innocents, Martyrs.


A Treasury of Prayers

 

Heavenly Father, kindle the light of your Word in my soul, that I, though in great weakness of faith, may come to rest alone all my confidence in you. I do believe, but help me in my struggle with my remaining unbelief. Let not my little, weak faith be quenched. And may I embrace you with a full heart, delighting in the heavenly treasures of your grace, so that daily I may find true joy in you, now and forever. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

                                       [For All the Saints (ALPB, 1994-1996) 4 vols., II:134, altered]