Cheerful Fasting

 Lent is the time when we are called to sanctify and intensify our fast – beginning this year on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. Furthermore, Jesus taught that when we fast we should not look dismal or complain about how it isn’t any fun (Matthew 6:16). No, we should instead, as Luther wrote, “be merry, happy and cheerful, like a person on a holiday.” Luther, who opposed monastic fasting, thought that if we did it cheerfully, our fasting would then be right and “pleasing” to God (Luther’s Works 21:156). Without this merriment, fasting is “worthless” – “a mere human plaything” (LW 21:157).

     So fast – depriving yourself during Lent of those foods which you ordinarily and regularly like to eat. That’s because, as Luther noted, fasting fits in with living “a moderate, sober, and disciplined life, not for one day or one year, but for every day and always,” which is “the same thing that faith does inwardly in the heart” (LW 21:162). But which foods you eliminate, “should be left up to the discretion of every individual” (LW 21:162).

     And also note Luther’s bold extension of your fast: “Real fasting of Christians means that you punish your whole body and compel it, as well as all five senses, to forsake and do without whatever makes life comfortable.” So fasting “pertains not only to eating, drinking, and sleeping, but also to you leisure, your pleasure, and to everything that may delight your body.” Even so, “fasting is directed only against the lust and the pleasures of the flesh, not against nature itself” (LW 21:161, 160, 162).

     So take up your fast – remembering that all days during Lent are included in it, except for Sundays.

Pastor Marshall

Pope Francis

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On the God of Perpetual Surprises

By Pastor Marshall

In his first major writing, or encyclical, The Light of Faith (Lumen Fidei, 2013), Pope Francis says that “religious man is a wayfarer; he must be ready to let himself be led, to come out of himself and to find the God of perpetual surprises” (§2:35). One of those surprises is that “faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. To those who suffer,” the Pope adds, “God does not provide arguments which explain everything, rather, his response is that of an accompanying presence, a history of goodness which touches every sort of suffering and opens up a ray of light” (§4:57).

     That same year, Pope Francis also wrote his first apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium, 2013). In this exhortation “on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world,” he writes a prayer that could well be used to help believers struggling with the troubles of life: “Lord Jesus, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace” (§1:3). There is a shame and freshness of expression in this prayer than commends it – but also an over-dependence on human volition that weakens it.   

     On January 18, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated an outdoor Mass in Manila, Philippines. There were an estimated 6 million people in attendance – the largest Mass ever celebrated anywhere. Pope Francis is probably the most influential Christian living today. We need to know what he is thinking, saying, and writing . . .

1918-2018

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Preparing for Our 100th Anniversary

By Pastor Marshall

What was “in the air,” so to speak, around the time that our church was started? What were people thinking? Regarding religion there wasn’t much good during the years of WWI, 1914–1918. This put our early congregation at a distinct disadvantage when inviting people to come to church. The country wasn’t in any mood for it. That was because of what happened during WWI. What we have learned about religion during those times was that “the stress of war [doesn’t] produce orthodox believers [but] religious and spiritual interests… on the fringes [with] freely integrated elements of both Christian and occult beliefs. [Soldiers in WWI] became wanderers in both worlds. Soldiers encountering violence on such a scale resorted to… fate or destiny…. Divorced from any orthodox Christian belief [they followed] superstitions [and] talismans [believing that] in the trenches… anything might be true, except what was printed” [Philip Jenkins, The Great and Holy War: How World War I Became a Religious Crusade (2014) pp. 120–21.]

     So being a Biblical – “what was printed” – Christian community wasn’t very popular back in 1918 when our church was set up. And the effects of that demise in religion are long-lasting. Now we suffer from a “new immature adulthood” in the churches [Thomas E. Bergler, The Juvenilization of American Christianity (2012) p. 6]. This comes from those religious wanderings a hundred years ago. May God’s grace help us combat this terrible legacy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION will start on Sunday, February 1st immediately following the 10:30 am liturgy, in room D.  If you know someone who is interested in the class, suggest they talk with Pastor Marshall. 

Music Northwest Presents:  Exotic Places featuring “Europa,” with Mara Finkelstein, cello & Jane Harty, piano, also guest artists, Megan Chenovick, soprano & Merrie Siegel, flute.  This music is from Brazil and Hungary, also featuring Ravel’s subversive Songs of Madagascar which caused a walkout at the premiere.  Join us on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at 2:00 pm.  Discounted tickets ($10) for members of the congregation can be prearranged by calling 206-937-2899.  Regular tickets ($18) can be purchased at the door on the day of the concert.

ASH WEDNESDAY Imposition of Ashes & Liturgy is Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 pm. 

FOOD BANK COLLECTION suggestions for February are canned fruits & vegetables. 

SUNDAY EDUCATION:  The Key to the New Testament: A Study of the Book of Romans.  In this eight week class we will study the Book of Romans that Luther thought was the most important book in the New Testament or its “chief part” (Luther’s Works 35:365). He also thought it was worth memorizing!  

PASTORS’ MEETING:  Thursday, February 19th, chapel at 11:30 am with lunch at noon.

A NOTE OF THANKS to the people who helped decorate the church for our Christmas celebration:  Gina Allen, Cristian Clemente, Sonja Clemente, Ted Foss, Dean Hard, Jane Harty, Larraine and Andrew King, Ron Marshall, Steve McCord, Dana Morrison, Jeff Sagmoen, Scott and Valerie Schorn, Tyler Schorn, Kathrine Young. 

SCRAPPERS will meet Wednesday the 25th of February.  If you are interested in helping, stop by to see what they do.    

HOLY EUCHARIST – Communion:  Those who are baptized in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and believe are welcome to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.  If you are not able to walk up to communion but would like to receive, contact the Parish Deacon before the liturgy.

X  PARISH PRAYERS  X

Remember in prayer before God those whom He has made your

brothers and sisters through baptism.

Bridget Sagmoen, Janine Lingle, Dorothy Ryder, Evelyn Coy, Kevin Lawson, Jim Coile, Nora Vanhala, Mary Goplerud, Michael Nestoss, Cynthia Natiello, Clara Anderson, Leah Baker, Peggy & Bill Wright & Wendy, Bob & Barbara Schorn, Cameron Lim, Ion Ceaicovschi, Luke Bowen, Tabitha Anderson, Kendel Jones and her Family, Rosita & Jim Moe, Kristine and Ové Varik, James Stojack, Dee Grenier, Carol McCord, Larry Johnson, Kathy Heynes, Jill Johnson, Stephen Holliwell, Mario De Jesus, Lori Hovorka, Priscilla Santee, The PLU Faculty and those suffering from and fighting the Ebola virus. 

    Pray for the shut-ins that the light of Christ may give them joy:  Clara Anderson, Donna Apman, Pat Hansen, C. J. Christian, Louis Koser, Anelma Meeks, Dorothy Ryder, Lillian Schneider, Crystal Tudor, Nora Vanhala, Vivian Wheeler, Peggy & 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 February. 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: Martin Luther, Renewer of the Church, 1546; Saint Matthias, Apostle.