In the Gospel of John - anacorteslutheran.org Lutheran Newsletter 2 March 2018 March 7 Soup provided by - “The Preschool”, coordinated by Maggie Santos

Anacortes Lutheran Newsletter March 2018

WALKING TOGETHER IN LENT

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our theme this year for Lent is “Meeting Jesus”. The Gospel of

John serves as our roadmap as we travel the roads of the Galilee

with Jesus and his disciples.

Along the way many people engaged in everyday life meet Jesus

for the first time. There are five in particular who will be our focus

for Lent. The Servants at the Wedding in Cana, Nicodemus, the

woman at the well, the paralyzed man and the man born blind.

For each of these five people, meeting Jesus changes their life. I

hope that meeting Jesus is the same for you. That you might meet

him in new ways as if for the first time. Their questions are ours.

Their sense of being at odds with the community around them is

something we often experience.

We are blessed to welcome Kenny Holzemer, one of our long

time members, and Pastor Deborah Butler, someone new to our

church, to give the messages at our Wednesday night Lenten

services. Come for a simple meal of bread and soup. Stay for wor-

ship as we use Marty Haugen’s liturgy “That You May Have Life”.

I am grateful to both Kenny and Pastor Butler for helping us

meet Jesus in a new way through the Gospel of John. I am grateful

to all of you for sharing in midweek fellowship, a meal and a simple

quiet worship.

This year, Palm Sunday, March 25 ushers in Holy Week with

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and then our Easter celebration on

April 1. I pray this may be for you a season of renewal as you meet

Jesus who comes to you in word, water, wine and bread, through

the movement of the Holy Spirit with you always.

Blessings as together we walk through Lent to the cross of Calvary.

In Christ – Pastor Benson

CHURCH MINISTRY

1 EDUCATION COMMITTEE

2 Prime Timers-Movie Night

3 Property Work Day

6 Sewing

7 LENTEN Soup Supper & Service

7 Chandler Square Communion

9 Prime Timers– Lunch Out

9 Mom’s Bible Study

11 Food Bank Sunday

11 Child Training Bible Workshop

13 Women’s Bible Study Circles


15 MOPS


18 Food Bank Pick-Up

19 LWR Knitting

20 Sewing

20 CHURCH COUNCIL MTG



25 PALM SUNDAY

26 ALTAR GUILD MTG

27 Newsletter Work Party

29 MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICES

30 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES

Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John

Anacortes Lutheran Newsletter 2 March 2018

March 7 Soup provided by - “The Preschool”, coordinated by Maggie Santos

Clean Up - Service Group 6

Theme - Meeting Jesus: The wedding in Cana John 4:5-26

March 14 Soup provided by - “The Scouts”, coordinated by Chris Anderson


Theme - Meeting Jesus: The paralyzed man John 5:1-9

March 21 Soup provided by - “The Congregation”, coordinated by Kathy Khile


Theme - Meeting Jesus: The man born blind John 9:1-40

Those providing soup and setting up should plan to arrive by 4:45pm, early enough to set up for the dinner,

set out dishes & silver ware, water pitchers, make coffee, set out salt/pepper, etc.

We will start cleanup by 6:10pm, so everyone can join the service at 6:30pm.

Fellowship will provide the rolls and butter each Wednesday. Please join us!

& Services WEDNESDAYS . Soup - 5:30 pm / Lenten Services - 6:30 pm

Easter Flowers -In memory or honor of loved ones The Altar Guild will be purchasing flowering plants to adorn the sanctuary

on Easter Sunday, April 1. If you wish to donate a plant in memory or in

honor of someone, place your completed form in the offering plate on

Sunday or bring it to the office by Sunday, March 25 so it can be recorded

in the Easter bulletin. Each plant costs $15. Forms & envelopes are

available at the Welcome Desk or office.

Outside Easter Cross On Easter morning please bring any fresh cut spring flowers like daffodils,

tulips etc. from your yard or the store to put on the cross outside the church

front door. The free standing seven foot cross is covered with chicken wire

so you may place your flowers on it as you come in for Easter worship.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday: March 25, 9:00 am & 10:30 am All Children are invited to line up in the Fellowship Hall before each service for the Palm Processional.

Maundy Thursday Service: March 29, 7:00 pm in sanctuary

Good Friday Services: March 30, 12 pm & 7:00 pm in sanctuary

Easter Sunday Services with Holy Communion: April 1, 9:00 am & 10:30 am


April~ F.A.S.T. Team #5

Sign up at the Welcome desk or contact

#5 Leader: Kathy Parker 360-293-0396

Rob & Alice Harstad Jo Rockwood

John & Diana Lindsay Julia Rogers

Ruth McDonald Sabrina Poor

Anne Meyers Bette Swietzer

Les & Carol Olsen Karen Tavalero

Irene Parker Randy & Stacy VanSweden

Roselyn Payne Boyd & Ginny Veer

Bev Nevin Dave & Peggy White

THURSDAYS MUSIC NIGHTS

7:00 pm in Conference room #3

Bring your ukulele, guitar, flute, recorder etc.

& have some fun jamming with this group.

All ages welcome!

? contact Kenny Holzemer [email protected]

Volunteer Opportunities

CHILDCARE HELPERS WANTED

For Mom’s Bible Study & MOPS

Mothers have a special calling to love & care for their

children and raise them to know God. With this calling

comes many questions, challenges, and joys. From

guidance on raising godly kids, to refreshment for the

soul. These ministries equip and encourage moms in

their daily walk with God.

Please sign up at the Welcome desk to help on any of

these days:

Moms Bible Study, Fridays

9:30-11:00 am

&/or

MOPS Thursday, March 15

9:15-11:30 am

Contact Mirth Moore 360-420-2471

FELLOWSHIP FAST Team VOLUNTEERS

F.A.S.T. – Faith And Service Team

Sign up sheets are located on the Welcome desk asking

the congregation to sign up to be on a FAST Team.

There are 5 teams that provide the volunteers each

month to Greet at the front door prior to each service,

Read the weekly readings, Distribute communion

wine, Set up & Clean up for the fellowship hour after

each service & Bring Treats for each service. Each

team needs more volunteers to get all the tasks complete

each month. Please sign up! Thank you, Kathy Khile

PROPERTIES Work Saturday

Thank You to Larry Thomas and Steve Anderson

We cleaned outside around the church

Washed all of the first story windows of the

Education Building – inside and out..

Checked for missing “feet” and “saddles”

on the chairs in the Fellowship Hall.

Replaced the bulb in the front entry of the

Preschool.

Thanks to Bill Faulkner for keeping the Fellowship

Hall floor looking so NICE...Let’s do all we can to

help.

Plan to come and help on the first Saturday of each

month anytime between 8 am and noon.

The Next WORK Saturday is:

March 3 from 8am—Noon


WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY CIRCLES

TUESDAY, March 13

Hannah Circle - 10 am

Location: Conference room # 3

Bible Study: Diana Lindsay

Hostess: Nancy Fowler & Judy Holmes

Ruth Circle - 10 am

Location: Conference room # 1

Bible Study: All Members

Hostess: Paula Olson

Anna Circle - 6:30 pm

Location: Conference room #2

Bible Study: Nancy Loftis

Hostess: Nancy Loftis

MEN’S THURSDAY BIBLE STUDIES

THURSDAY Mornings - 7 am

In Conference Room #1

Led by: Boyd Veer

THURSDAY NOON BIBLE STUDY

THURSDAYS - 12pm

In Conference Room #1

Led by: Pastor Debra Benson

MEN’S MONDAY BIBLE STUDIES

MONDAY Evenings - 5 pm

In Youth Room

Led by: Hoagy Kerr

MOM’S FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY

FRIDAYS in March - 9:30 am

In Conference room #3

Free childcare provided in the nursery.

Led by: Heather Harrington 904-982-0290

Bible Studies

MOPS - THIS IS MOTHERHOOD

Mothers of Preschoolers

THURSDAY, March 15

9:30—11:00 am Conference room #3 Free Childcare is provided for every meeting

The Anacortes MOPS group meets the 3rd Thursday

of every month. They are a group that focuses on

building up moms of all ages who are expecting or

parenting children from birth to kindergarten.

If you are interested in learning more about MOPS

please contact ALC at 360-293-9586 or

Email [email protected]

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY

“PRIME TIMERS”

MOVIE NIGHT (Sci-fi Theme) FRIDAY, March 2 – 6:30 pm Conference Rm # 3 Paul and Julie provide the popcorn. Please bring your own drink. No sign-up sheet – just come and enjoy the fellowship.

OUT TO LUNCH – Pizza Factory FRIDAY, March 9 Meet in Conference Room #1 at 11:00 a.m. Carpool to restaurant

HAPPY HOUR at Rockfish Grill & Act Theatre “9 TO 5” – dress rehearsal THURSDAY, March 29 Meet in Conference Room #1 at 4:00 pm (note time change.) Carpool to restaurant and play. Dress for the weather -- be prepared to stand outside until the doors open.

Please sign up at the Welcome Desk.


Lutheran World Relief KNITTING NEWS MONDAY, March 19 - 1:00 pm

in Conference room #1

The spring shipment goal is :

60-100 sweater/hat sets and 50 hats.

We have completed:

58 Sweater/Hat sets

1 Sweater

76 Hats

Thank you all for your time and beautiful

knitted items. Beginners are welcome &

teaching is always available. We use a fun,

one piece sweater pattern.

We meet again March 19 at 1:00 pm.

~Linda Anderson, 360-588-1730

SEWING NEWS

“We are serving the Lord with Gladness”

Sewing is going really well !

We have lots of helping Hands!

We have been busy lining quilts, cutting pieces, sewing

tops & backs. We are also getting our kits ready. Some

baby layettes have already been put together.

The knitting group is busy knitting sweaters and hats.

Thank you so much for all of your support.

We are collecting:

Combs (Large)

Tooth Brushes

Soap - (4 or 4.5oz bath size bars)

Ivory, Dove, Leaver 2000, Irish spring & Dial

Bath or Hand Towels– (Dark colors preferred,

Slightly used are okay)

Flannel sheets for diapers.

We could also use 42 X 36 pieces of flannel

for receiving blankets.

All are welcome to come & share in the fellowship.

Bring a lunch and join us.

~Faith Legan 360-391-4121

Do you want a FUN project

to do at home? Well, we have one for you!

Making Baby, Toddler & Youth Quilts.

Quilt sizes: Baby - 42” x 36”

Toddler - 42” x 54”

Youth - 48” x 60”

We have some material if you would like some,

maybe you would like to do just a top, that would

be great, we can put a back on it & we have

batting too.

MARCH SEWING DAYS

6th & 20th

8:00 am - 2:00 pm

PRAYER GROUP—New day & time

TUESDAYS 1:00 pm

in Conference room #2

For more information speak with Peggy White


Children’s Ministry News

WINTER CARNIVAL UPDATE:

The Winter Carnival, held on the 11th of February,

was a blast! We had all sorts of fun games & challenges

for those who chose to participate. If you weren’t there

you were pretty square. Paula Olsen baked several dz.

cookies in the shape of hearts in honor of Valentines

day. The kids and adults had a grand time decorating

them with frosting and sprinkles and such. I think

Regan Franulovich went home with about twenty or

thirty cookies plus a cake or two and some brownies

from the cake walk. Sorry Regan; just teasing.

The cake walk was one of the highlights of the

carnival once again. We had many volunteers bring

cakes and brownies and even a few pies. It would

appear that everyone went home with something from

the cake walk. Brian Bakke built a beautiful bean bag

horseshoe game and brought his magnificent Jenga

block set that he built. It was a huge smash (pardon

the pun), especially when it hit the floor.

A big thank you goes out to Stacey Pestar for

spearheading this event. Great job Stacey! We also

want to thank the scouts for their participation in this

years carnival. The scouts and their leaders came and

helped out with managing the various events. We also

enjoyed the help we received from our confirmation

class Junior Leaders.

Thank you Pastor Bongard for hosting the Bible

scripture chase. He didn’t have as much participation

from the kids this year, but he had some great discussions

going on. All in all, it would appear that everyone had

a good time.

RED BAG FOOD DRIVE:

Sunday, the 11th of February was a busy day. Not

only did we have the Winter Carnival, but we also cele-

brated the Sunday School meeting their challenge of 50

non-perishable food items for the Red Bag collection.

The Confirmation Class, with the able assistance of

Steve Richards and Jen Patrick, served the Sunday

school students with pancakes, syrup and some bacon.

The Sunday school thanks all the congregation for their

help along with the scouts in bolstering the collection.

The Sunday school offering brought in 67 food items

which qualified them for the pancake challenge, but the

total Red Bag collection was 159 items. These generous

offerings have been delivered to the Salvation Army in

the name of the Scout troop and Anacortes Lutheran

Church. Thank you Ginny Connelly for your support

with the scouts.

The Red bag program will continue with the Sunday

school. The Education Committee has challenged us

with a goal of 300 items by the end of the spring quarter.

That will be towards the end of May.

PALM SUNDAY & EASTER:

Palm Sunday, March 25th, the Children will be

asked to parade down the sanctuary isles with the palm

fronds. We do this at both services so plan to spend a

few extra moments at church on Palm Sunday.

Easter Sunday, April 1st, there will be no Sunday

school. We will, however, have an Easter egg hunt and

maybe a piñata. We need some help from someone

who knows how to do paper–mache. If you can help,

give us a buzz.

Dave White,

Director of Children’s Ministry


FAITH AND SERVICE TEAM - Worship & Fellowship Hour

March 4 9:00 am 10:30 am

Acolytes: Ashlee Long & Cameron Kerr Dylan Thomas & Nathan Thomas

Greeters: Renie Hofferth Jeanette Christensen

Reader: Madelyn Case Anne Barry

Communion Assistants: Patty Pedersen & Judy Pesaturo Jeanette Christensen & Lois Cassidy

Coffee Serve/Cleanup: Maury & Helene Fink Jeaneen Brogan

Coffee Hour Treats: Helene Fink, Renie Hofferth & Judy Holmes Jeaneen Brogan & Jeanette Christensen

March 11 9:00 am 10:30 am

Acolytes: Erin Kennedy & Breann Morgenthaler Mia McCutcheon & Persephone Pestar

Greeters: Gail Higgins

Reader: Pat Carrie Smith Lois Cassidy

Communion Assistants: Judy Holmes & Lane Phelan Lois Cassidy

Coffee Serve/Cleanup: Gail Higgins & Lane Phelan Dana & Anita McCoy

Coffee Hour Treats: Pat Carrie Smith, Gail Higgins & Lane Phelan Dana & Anita McCoy

March 18 9:00 am 10:30 am

Acolytes: Michael Hanrahan & Trey Patrick Kate McFarlin & Mia McCutcheon

Greeters: Maury & Helene Fink Paul & Lane Phelan

Reader: Judy Holmes Lane Phelan

Communion Assistants: Patty Pedersen & Judy Pesaturo Lane Phelan

Coffee Serve/Cleanup: Gail Higgins Lane Phelan

Coffee Hour Treats: DONUTS - Please see note below by donuts

March 25 9:00 am 10:30 am

Acolytes: Harlan Eggleston & Lucca Dumas Jacob Elling & Dylan Thomas

Greeters: Judy Holmes Dana & Anita McCoy

Reader: Pat Carrie Smith Sharon Fisher

Communion Assistants: Phil & Madelyn Case Dana & Anita McCoy

Coffee Serve/Cleanup: Lane Phelan, Bob & Ida Ford Fred & Sharon Fisher

Coffee Hour Treats: Madelyn Case, Lane Phelan & Ida Ford Fred & Sharon Fisher

F.A.S.T. #4: Lane Phelan 360-293-4290

ALTAR Setup in March: Jean Nelson, Karen Tavalero, Pat Wilson

USHERS in March: Tim Hofferth/ 360-299-1418, Kenny Holzemer, Anita Holzemer, Rich Berentson

SOUND Team: Jim Carver, MJ Fink, Brian Hanrahan, Kenny Holzemer,, Dana McCoy, Bob Salnick, Mark Tanis

DONUT Update: Please be reminded that our Donut Sunday,

which happens on the 3rd and 5th Sundays

of each month, is funded through your free will donations!

Be sure to drop some money in the baskets provided on the tables to ensure we

can continue to provide this enjoyable fellowship event.


Joyful MARCH Anniversary!

8 Aaron & Kelly Dunnington

14 Malcolm & Susan McCutcheon

17 Lynn & Dora Coffelt

19 Joseph & Stacey Pestar

MARCH Birthday Blessings To You!

1 Finnegan Volpe 15 De Wedell

1 Marv Wold 17 Mia Kennedy

2 Chelsea Boespflug 17 Bonnie Kerschbaum

2 David Brosten 18 Janey Dent

2 Kirsha Khile 18 Jacob Devine

3 Robert Atterberry 18 Amelia Thomas

3 Larry Nelson 19 Malcolm McCutcheon

4 Marcia Berg 19 Aydan Rittel

4 Caleb Lee 19 Jessica Root

4 Elaine Olsen 20 Hunter Wickman

4 Taylor Stone 21 Rob Harstad

4 Amber Writer 22 Asher Hrovat

4 Brooke Writer 24 Christine O’Leary

5 Anita McCoy 26 Owen Ufkes

6 Katie Collins 27 Matthew Kennedy

6 Dan Khile 27 Cami Mavar

7 Logan Hanrahan 27 Boyd Veer

10 Ruth McDonald 28 Chase Bondurant

10 Mia McCutcheon 28 Ethan Schlundt

10 Sophia Suiter 28 Julia Schlundt

11 Knute Fosso 28 Madi Schlundt

12 Pastor Debra Benson 29 Kim Etlitcher

12 Judy Holmes 29 Anne Hofferth

12 Carly Torres 29 Natalie Brown

12 Betty Wright 30 Jan Vigre

12 Ross Atterberry 31 Samuel McFarlin

13 Gail Ebel-Higgins

FEBRUARY - Sunday Worship Attendance

9:00 am Nursery 10:30 am Nursery Total

4 141 8 99 1 249

11 112 2 74 0 188

14 Ash Wednesday 58

18 80 1 61 3 145

21 Lenten Wednesday #1 58

25 112 2 87 1 202

28 Lenten Wednesday #2

WELCOME & CONGRATULATIONS

to Our

2018 Church Council

President : Hoagy Kerr

Treasurer: Lane Phelan

Secretary: Melanie Sahnow

Education: Stacey Pestar

Youth: Marcus Knowles

Fellowship: Kathy Khile

Outreach: Karen Tavalero

Personnel: Steve Richards

Preschool: Jo Rockwood

Properties: Les Olsen

Stewardship: Earl Gibbons

Worship: David Bjornson

WELCA : Jeaneen Brogan & Faith Legan

NW Synod Reps: Phil & Madelyn Case & Karen Caracciolo

Josephine Rep: Jean Nelson


BISHOPS MESSAGE

You Don't Have A Problem Bishop Kirby Unti , NWWA Synod

From the MARCH 2018 edition of The Spirit

During my formative years, my dad was the Executive

Director for the Easter Seal Society of Washington.

It no doubt shaped his values - and informed mine as

well. Let's just say he knew - and introduced to me -

a great number of people who whose physical and

mental challenges were not always easy to cope with.

One such introduction was to Johnny Kemp - who was

born without arms or legs. His parents were told he

would be better off institutionalized. Dad convinced

the Kemp family that Johnny could be fitted with

artificial arms and legs and that he would do just fine.

He became a life-long friend who went on to have a

successful law firm - providing counsel to people with

disabilities.

Then there was Harold Wilke - who was born without

arms. I remember the first time he sat at our family

dinner table. Smoothly operating his knife and fork

with his feet, he removed any doubt that he could do

anything. You should have seen him pick out the

correct paper denominations from his wallet when

paying for a purchase.

The stories go on, including my attendance at Easter

Seal Camp with my dad where I witnessed kids my age

readily do what I was unable to do given all my body

parts.

This background is important to understand the wisdom

that dad shared with me the first time I got a dent in

my first car. I was devastated. A friend sat on the

hood and left an impression equal to her size. My day

was ruined. More like my whole week was ruined.

There was also the time I had my car window broken

and my eight-track player and tapes were stolen.

His response in both cases was the same, "Kirby if

money can fix it, you don't have a problem."

My dad taught me so much about perspective. How do

you weigh the things in life that matter? He taught me

wisdom - "The patient sorting out of what choices lead

to life and what choices lead to death."

You can only imagine what my own girls have gone

through. The first time my girls dented their cars you

can be sure what words came out of my mouth. They

may not be words filled with great empathy, but they

are words filled with great truth.

Life does present us with challenges that money can

do nothing to fix. These are the challenges that really

matter. These are the challenges that call us to place

our faith in God.

Johnny and Harold were both people of great faith.

People who taught me that even when money can't fix

what you are facing, faith can make all the difference in

the world. Faith moves people from being victims to

survivors - teaching all of us to see the challenges of life

as opportunities to grow in faith and lean sharply into

the direction of life. Let us lean into this life together,

knowing that God is leading.

Documents

In the Gospel of John - anacorteslutheran.org Lutheran Newsletter 2 March 2018 March 7 Soup provided by - “The Preschool”, coordinated by Maggie Santos