Coming Events
June Newsletter deadline. May 18, at noon. Please submit materials to the office or e-mail Editor.
Dinner Out!
Monday, May 18 at 5:30 pm.
Women: Olive Garden in the Clackamas Promenade.
Men: Home Town Buffet on 82nd Ave in the Winco Shopping Area.
All are welcome to attend.
Monthly Book GroupTuesday, May 19, 7:00 p.m., church library. Contact Karen Hicks through the church office.
Oregon Women of the ELCA 2009/2010 Bible Study Author Event. June 20, 2009, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, Portland, OR. More information: contact Cheryl Johnson through the church office.
Contact our church office for detailed information about any of our upcoming events.
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Regular Sunday
Services
UNTIL MAY 17:
8:45 AM
Worship Service
11:00 AM
Worship Service
Adult Education following first service
Fellowship following each service.
SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE BEGINS MAY 24:
9:30 AM Worship service
Fellowship following. |
| Our Calendar |
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Click "Our Calendar" to view our on-line calendar of events! | |
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A Word from our Pastor
Spring has finally sprung in the Northwest and we Oregonians look around like children in a candy store at the bright sunshine all around us. I wonder if that is what it was like for the followers of Jesus at the news of his resurrection. All was doom and gloom at Jesus' crucifixion. The deep hope that Jesus had instilled into his followers that God was about making a real change for them individually and as a nation was dashed to pieces. Despair has a way of clouding our thinking, our vision, our actions. But with the resurrection, suddenly all the darkness of despair fell away in the light of "Christ is Risen!"
This is the Christian hope on which we stand. No matter how deep our troubles, no matter how difficult our days may become, we have a deeper hope that sustains us, that holds us up, that keeps us steady. After the 40 days of Lent and the terrible days of Holy Week, we celebrate Christ's resurrection these 50 days of Easter like children in a candy shop, like Oregonians enjoying the sunshine.
The deep hope that Jesus had instilled into his followers is now ours. May we as a congregation committed to Christ's way, live in that hope and that joy.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Shalom, Pastor Charles  |
Palms and Thanks
Three days before Palm Sunday the Eco Palm delivery arrived at our front door. But there was a problem. Instead of 300 palm branches, they shipped 600 palms. It was too late to send back the 300 extras, so we called Pastor Charles to see if he was aware of a church that might not have been able to afford palms this year. We proceeded to call many Lutheran churches, and churches of other denominations as well, but could not find a home for the palms.
About the time we were ready to give up, I thought of our neighbor down the street. Becky had talked to me a few weeks earlier about Ash Wednesday, and how our church observes Ash Wednesday. I gave her a  call and asked if her church observed Palm Sunday with palm branches? She said they talked of using palm branches this year, but decided they couldn't afford them. She had just returned from buying some ribbons to wave in place of palms. I asked her how many attend her church on Palm Sunday? Becky told me they would see a maximum of 300 people. Perfect! I brought her 300 palm branches and here is her response:
Milwaukie Lutheran, Thank you so much for thinking of us! We felt so blessed by your gift of the palm branches for Palm Sunday, and had such a meaningful worship service because of them. Our pastors were deeply touched and wished to extend their gratitude also. Your kindness has touched many for Christ. God Bless, Mt. Scott Church of God
Submitted by Cheryl Johnson |
News and Events
May Circle Information:
Peace Circle will meet Friday, May 8, 11:30 at the home of Cheryl Ragnone.
Elizabeth Circle will meet Tuesday, May 12, 7pm: TBA
Naomi Circle will meet Wednesday, May 13, 10am: TBA
OREGON WOMEN OF THE ELCA 2009/2010 BIBLE
STUDY AUTHOR EVENT
The 2009/2010 Lutheran Woman Today Bible Study will be introduced Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 9:00AM to 3:00 PM at Peace Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon. Sarah S. Henrich, Professor New Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Minnesota is the author of this year's study "To God's Beloved: Paul's Letter to the Romans".
All women of the ELCA at Milwaukie Lutheran are invited to attend this event. Registration is $15 per person which includes lunch. Coffee and check-in begin at 9 AM with the Bible study starting at 9:30 AM. Registration forms are available in the MLCW mail slot next to the church office door. Car pool transportation will be available from the church.
Naomi, Elizabeth and Peace Circle are each encouraged to send one to two representatives to this event. As many other women who would like to attend are cordially invited. The more participants who attend this informative session, the richer the Bible study discussion at your monthly Circle meeting.
Questions: contact your Circle chairperson or Cheryl Johnson. Registration needs to be mailed by June 14, 2009.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD: An update on MLC's $7000 hunger goal for 2009. As of March 31st our giving has reached $1,385. This does not include another $806 for Wells for Africa. Good going!
If 100 individuals gave $1 per week it would amount to $5000 a year. $20 a month--24,000! See how easy? If, if, if-. So far a minority of members have joined the challenge-join the fun. The first Sunday of each month is a "hunger" Sunday but any time in the offering plate or by mail. If you want you could even designate some for WFA (Wells for Africa).
A hunger thermometer is in the breezeway to check our progress; to measure our charitable temperature concerning the world's starving.
Our Lord hears our petition for daily bread with such a super abundance it is almost obvious He expects us to share some. -Ken Zabel
MISCELLANEOUS: The kitchen needs more dish towels. If you have new or "in-good-condition" towels (especially colored ones) that you would like to donate, we would welcome the donation. -Anonymous |
Ministry News
Annie Ross House: May is "Mother's Day" at Annie Ross House. Your donations of small appliances, cleaning supplies and personal care items will go a long way in easing the women's lives. Many Blessings and God's thanks. Mike Inman, Community Outreach Ministry Team
The Piecemakers At Work: How many times did the Piecemakers cover our congregation and the community with warmth and love last year? Three hundred sixty-seven times; providing comfort quilts, prayer quilts, baby quilts, passage quilts, and lap robes. It was a record outreach year for the Piecemakers and first quarter 2009 shows promise to surpass 2008.
For the months of January through March 2009, the Piecemakers have completed 110 quilts and 90 heart-shape pillows. Production is up because the number of quilters is growing. Since the first of the year, two new non-members have joined the group which averages 20 women at each meeting. In addition, when school is out on the first and third Friday's of the month, two junior quilters join their grandmothers and work along with the women to assist, and learn quilting skills.
Who are the recipients of all these loving stitches? The quilts are donated to Milwaukie Providence Medical Center, Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, and friends and family of Milwaukie Lutheran. The heart-shape (cough) pillows are donated to the new Kaiser Sunnyside Cardiovascular Surgical Center which opened March 15, 2009.
The Piecemakers are blessed by donations of fabric. One-hundred percent cotton fabric, in lengths 12 inches or longer is always welcomed. The Piecemakers are doubly blessed by the talent of all the women who generously donate their time. First quarter 2009 the Piecemakers have already logged 650 hours of volunteer time in their ministry of outreach and love.
Blessed are the Piecemakers ... for they shall stitch, and tie, and cover those in need with prayers and love. Cheryl Johnson
Young at Heart: Thank you Bob and Leila Niles for sharing stories of your trip to Israel at the Young at Heart luncheon. Also, thank you to Shirley Meyer and Carolyn Mills of the Adult Education Ministry Team for your desserts and soup. As announced, this luncheon was a fund raiser for Backpack Buddies and the MLC Youth for their summer trip to New Orleans. Each group will receive $25.00. Thank you to the people who attended this event and for your donations. Paula Krewson and Deanne Vegge, Co-chairpersons of Young at Heart
Good Deed Foundation Cell Phone Recycling: Turn unwanted cell phones into lasting solutions for poverty and climate change. It's as simple as placing your old cell phones into the collection box we have in the hall by the choir room.
Here are a few cell phone recycling facts:
· Every cell phone recycled with Good Deed Foundation helps solve poverty and climate change
· Americans upgrade their cell phones an average of once a year, rendering approximately 11 million phones useless each month.
·Each cell phone recycled helps keep a whopping 66 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere
·Add car emissions and electricity savings statistics here as two additional bullet points
·About 60 percent of cell phones recycled are in good working order and can be refurbished and resold. These cell phones generate the greatest amount of revenue to help lift women and families out of poverty and provide solutions to climate change.
·A portion of the phones recycled are programmed to dial only 911 and donated to domestic violence survivors, elders and other people at risk, for use in emergencies
·As for the rest, they are recycled according to EPA standards and returned to the materials stream
Where do the funds go? 90 percent of the funds generated by the simple act of recycling your old cell phones are donated to non-profit organizations working to dismantle poverty or provide solutions to climate change. The Women's Funding Network Foundation receives two-thirds of Good Deed's revenues to combat women's poverty in the US and worldwide. One-third of revenues help provide solutions to climate change. If 250,000 households each recycled two cell phones, more than $1 million could be made available for good!
More about BP BUDDIES! Backpack buddies has an  increase of 10 more children, we now pack 2 weekend lunches for 70 children. If you want to see how fast shelves empty, join us at 3:00 on May 6 to get lunches ready. In the meantime we invite you to fill the red tub with Ravoili, Beefaroni, Mac and cheese, individual fruit cups- like applesauce or other fruit, snack bars or cheese and crackers. Thank you, Young at Heart for the donation just received. You warm our hearts and appreciate you thinking of the kids! We also received some food from a little food drive sponsored by the North Clackamas school cooks. Now, wasn't that nice! The word is getting around... -Marilyn Lease |
Mystery Photo
First one to guess who this is will win their choice of a package of fair trade coffee or tea. Contact the church office at 503.653.0250 
Answer to previous mystery picture was: Mike Inman. Sorry, no correct answers to last month's photo - no winners - try again this month!
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New Members
Bob and Leila
Leila was born in Corvallis, Oregon and as an infant moved to the southeast side of Portland. She attended Woodmere grade school and Franklin high school. After high school, she went to work for Safeway stores where she worked until her marriage to Bob. 
Bob was born in Anita, Iowa, and moved to Atlantic, Iowa after a few months. At age five, the family moved to North Portland where he attended Portsmouth grade school and Roosevelt high school. After high school, he joined the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
After discharge, Bob met Leila at a party and the rest is history. Bob and Leila have been married fifty-one years, this past March 22nd. They have four children, two girls and two boys, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Bob worked in the Industrial Hydraulics Industry as a salesman, sales manager and Western Regional sales manager. Leila was a stay-at-home mom, attending to the family and managing the home. |
Emigrant to Faith by Lisaana Morley
My middle sister, Audrey, lost her battle with cancer at the end of last year. I haven't been myself since then. So who have I been? I have been an old woman; forgetful, tired, heartsick. Sometimes, some days, are better and some worse.
One of my life-lines: the catechumenate process. We meet all but one Sunday of each month, and recently our catechumenate group had a series of lessons on the meaning of baptism. One of our guest speakers, Paul Daniel, reminded us that Martin Luther said everything comes down to one point: Grace. Without grace, there is nothing. With grace, everything is possible. I remember listening to the lesson and feeling obstinate, wanting to argue the topic in our gathering. So I asked lots of questions and told stories. But I brought with me to the week the memory and calling of grace. When my thoughts would feel busy with worry about what we had or had not done for my sister in her last weeks, I would remember GRACE, and my heart would settle and my body become still. When work days felt hectic and impossible, and I wanted to be angry or impatient, I would think of GRACE and be able to breathe deeply and be ready to serve again. When none of my husband's loving efforts for our lives together seemed enough, I could whisper GRACE aloud and my whole focus changed and I could see my husband through loving eyes once more.
Here is a quote from Luther that I found, which helps me understand the nature of grace: "...confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures."
I felt younger this week, I remembered more, and my heartsickness lessens. Thanks be to God.
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Youth Ministry
Lutherwood Day Camp @ Milwaukie Lutheran
It's that time of year to start thinking about Day Camp! This year it will be on August 10th - 13th from 9 AM - 3 PM. (Kindergarten goes 9 - 11:30). Cost is a suggested donation of $40 per child. Kids going into kindergarten - 8th grades are encouraged to participate this year. As always Lutherwood will be sending four fun loving councilors to run a crazy fun camp! Look for registration materials in the mail or come talk to Brian Brown or Barb Johnson. We also will need Senior High and adult volunteers so put the dates on your calendar.
Neighborhood Fun Day
Come join us on Sunday, May 31st for 9:30 AM worship followed by a chili cook-off, games, and good times. This will be a fun event for the whole family. Hope to see you there!
Garage Sale!
The SH youth are doing a sale on June 6th. The sale  will go from 9 AM until 3 PM. There will be a special "pre-sale" for MLC members only on Friday night 6 PM - 8 PM as we finish pricing items and setting up. We are not accepting donations until May 31st after 2nd service (about Noon). We will accept donations all week leading up to the sale until Friday at 4 PM. We will not be able to accept donations after that. If you have specialty items or big items that need to be brought in sooner, please talk to Brian. (There is some space for special early items). Thank you!
Lutherwood Service Project
Camp Lutherwood has touched many lives and has played an important role in many of our faith journeys. Coming up on Saturday May 9th is an opportunity to give back. There will be a "Join Hand's Day" full of work projects to help get the camp ready for summer. Start time is 9:00 am. Let Brian know if you are interested or contact camp directly at tyler@lutherwood.org. If you let them know ahead of time, they will provide you a simple hot and hearty lunch. If you just show up, please bring a sack lunch. This is a free event and great for all ages, abilities, members of the family. This event is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Upcoming Events
Confirmation Celebration May 3
JH Nights May 6 and 13
Lutherwood Join Hands Day May 9
SH Bigger or Better May 17
Neighborhood Party May 31
Garage Sale June 6
Family Camping June 26 - 28
Confirmation Camp July 6 - 10
Nat'l Youth Gathering July 21 - 28
Lutherwood Day Camp Aug 10 - 13
-Brian Brown. |
Prayer Concerns
 For Health and Healing: Marta, Grace, Verlyn, April, Helen,Christopher, Earl, Judy, Jim, Trudy, Barbara, Jeff, Joyce, Paul, Linda, Vaunie, Jo, Neta, Marilyn, Mary, Myra, Betty, Teresa, Jerry, Chris, Joy, Isaac, Marilyn, Dale, Helen, Jean, Doris, Alta, Muriel, Henry, Cheryl, Trevor, Paulette, Hans, Dennis, Gene, Mike.
For the Grieving: Amy Noble, on the death of her brother, Craig. Bob and Shirley Meyer and family on the death of their son-in-law, Gary Blomdahl; Sue McKenzie and family, on the death of her brother, Dave Brunning; Gladys Goding on the death of her cousin, Carol Krupke.
For the Nations: The President of the United States and our elected officials, the people and the governments of Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Afghanistan, Liberia, Sudan and all other countries torn apart by strife. All people around the world in military service for their country.
In Service: We pray for those serving Christ around the world: Marian Hungerford-Cameroon; Jan Kearsgard - Pakistan; Pastor Steven Ray - China, Dr. Richard Young - Guyana; Christa Morse (Beth Lillie's niece) - Peru, Paul Riek - Oaxaca, Mexico. |
Thank you
 Men's Residential Center of the Volunteers of America: Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you!
The clients of the Men's Residential Center of the Volunteers of America (MRC-VOA) wanted me to pass on their thanks for the great jackets, shirts, and jeans many of them are wearing. My colleague, Pam Commodore says, "Paul's church is the one that gives away good stuff guys want to wear." This is high praise from men jaded by their experiences fencing shoplifted clothes for drug money.
Our staff sees a difference in the way our men express their clean and crime-free orientation with their grooming and appearance choices. Trading in the dirty sweatshirt they slept in under the bridge for the collared shirt they washed and pressed themselves tells their peers, "I'm ready for supporting my child with work." Trading in the saggy shorts for belted pants signals, "I'm gonna keep going to this church (the sisters there wanna see me respecting God's house)". And of course, having something warm to wear for the wet morning walks just feels good.
"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or naked and clothed you, or sick or in prison and visited you?" "As you have done to the least of these, my brothers and sisters, so you have done unto me."
Thanks for keeping the long tradition here - the tradition of giving to and through Jesus - alive. Paul Daniel
Thank you: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the congregation for their generous support in making this 2009 Easter breakfast a big success. We took in over $1,020 in donations. The money will be matched by Thrivent and will go a long way in helping the youth in their trip this summer. Thanks to the High School group for setting up, serving and clean up. I also want to thank the kitchen help who have been so faithful in helping me for the past several years. The helpers were: Jerry Prosa, John Collinsworth, Stan Wax, Nathan Wax, Steve Tressler, Glen Hess and his son, Marshall. Not only did they do their job, but they did a great job in cleaning up the kitchen afterward. Also big thanks to Brian Brown for his help in directing the High School students. Thanks to Evelyn Knutsen for donating pancake mix and a gallon of syrup. Also to Nest Best Egg Company in Woodburn for the donation of 45 dozen eggs and 15 dozen at cost. -Elmer Lampe (And Elmer, the staff would like to thank you for your many years of coordinating the Easter Breakfast...26 years and counting!)
A big thank you to everyone who brought soup, cookies, and bread for our Lenten soup suppers. Those attending had a chance to sample 29 different soups! Anonymous.
American Red Cross (ARC) Blood Drive Thank You
March 16, MLCW blood drive donors - - you saved lives!
The Red Cross and I thank you for your time and your donation of life giving blood! We had a tremendous turn-out filling 18 of our 19 time slots. The next blood drive at MLC will be Tuesday, July 7, 2:00-7:30 PM. Mark your calendars and eat your spinach.
Thank you again, Cheryl Johnson, ARC Blood Drive Coordinator
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Adult Forum
Have you noticed an interesting looking magazine that is delivered to you each month even though you have never asked for it? "The Lutheran" isn't even hidden inside a brown paper wrapping! Do you grab it out of your mailbox and run to your favorite chair to read it from cover to cover, or do you toss it to the bottom of your stack of mail?  There are many interesting and instructive articles to be enjoyed, so look through it and let it hook you. The letters to the editor are fun and they are usually found near the last pages of the magazine. The letters give a feel for what other Lutherans around the country think about the subjects discussed in previous issues.
Open the pages and find out what you have been missing and then come to the Adult Forum on May 17 at 10 a.m. to join in a discussion of your favorite article!
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June Newsletter Deadline and A Question For You!
Are you enjoying our electronic newsletter? Would you like to submit materials or make suggestions? Please send your comments and requests by e-mail to Editor. Currently we use a single list of e-mails for both the Youth News and The Light. Do you appreciate receiving both? Do you share your e-newsletters? Please let us know. Since our electronic communication is a new format, we want to learn what is welcome and effective. Deadline for submissions to The Light for the June 2009 issue is noon on May 18. Items for the newsletter may be submitted to editor@milwaukielutheran.org or Sheryl Ann in the office. Please include an author name or contact with every submission. Thank you, Eds. | |
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Easter Vigil, Easter Morning, Easter Egg Hunt!
Alleluia! | |
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Milwaukie Lutheran Church
Street: 3810 SE Lake Road, Milwaukie, OR 97222
Mailing: Box 22063, Milwaukie, OR 97269
Phone: 503-653-0250
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LEADERSHIP COUNCILMary Jo Hess............................President Greg Jenks...............................Vice President Linda Millenbach........................Secretary Scott Borison.............................Treasurer Allen VanLeuven........................Advocate John Dunn.................................Advocate Helen Krueger...........................Advocate Shirley Meyer............................Advocate CHURCH STAFF
Charles Mantey......................... PastorBrian Brown.............................Director of Youth & Family Ministry Sheryl Ann Waage ..................Administrative Assistant Cheryl Drewes.........................Director of Music Maddie Bailey..........................Nursery Care Carolyn Schoenemann..............Bookkeeper Patty Shilling............................Parish Nurse Each Member ...........................Ministers in Daily Life
MILWAUKIE LUTHERAN PRE-SCHOOL
(503) 659-9881
Barbara Johnson.......................Preschool Administrator | |
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