Faith Lutheran Church
Bellingham, Washington
A "Reconciling in Christ" Congregation of the ELCA.
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Exploring Leadership Roles in Worship Workshop
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 9:30-11:30am
Please join us to learn more about being involved in worship as a worship assistant, communion assistant, lector, etc! This will be a fun and informative workshop for those wanting to explore new roles in worship.
Childcare provided.
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Fundamentals of Lutheranism
7-Session Series
Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00pm
Begins Wed, Feb 8, 2012
This is a great opportunity to refresh your knowledge or learn for the first time the basics of what it means to be part of the Lutheran tradition! The study will be led by Pastor Sharon Swanson. Please sign up outside the
church office. There is a $15 materials cost for the series.
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Valentine's Cupcake & Sweet Sale!
Sun, Feb 12, 2012
Faith's middle and high school youth is holding their annual cupcake (and other sweets) sale with proceeds going toward new tires for the church van!
Pre-ordering available now!
The following treats are available for pre-order:
Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
Guinness Chocolate Cupcake w/ Bailey's Frosting
Lemon Cupcake w/ Lemon-Raspberry Frosting
Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Coffee Hour Forum Featuring:
Catholic Community Services' Jeralyn Heil
Sun, Feb 19, 2012
Following worship
We will be resuming our monthly advocacy forums this month, featuring local organizations, with whom we partner. Catholic Community Services organizes hundreds of supervised visits for families in crisis, and Faith is the site for those visits. Jeralyn will explain the program, how Faith supports that, and how you could be involved!
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Shrove Tuesday Pancakes & Talent Show
Tues, Feb 21, 2012
6:00pm
Join us for one of Faith's quirkiest events! Pancakes for dinner and talent show for dessert!
Speaking of talent--sign-ups are outside the church office!
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Join us for a service for the imposition of ashes as we gather in worship to begin our journey into the season of Lent.
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Upcoming Dates to Note:
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Sunday Worship
10:00am
Mid-Week Communion
Every Wednesday
10:30am
Wednesday Supper & Prayer
Every Wednesday
6:00-7:15pm
Mid-Week Bible Study
Every Tuesday
12:30pm
Men of Faith
Thurs, Feb 2, 2012
Thurs, Mar 1, 2012
6:00pm
Exploring Leadership Roles in Worship Workshop
Sat, Feb 4, 2012
9:30-11:30am
Worship Committee Meeting
Tues, Feb 7, 2012
5:30pm
Faith Women's Breakfast
Wed, Feb 8, 2012
8:30am
Second Wednesdays
Fundamentals of Lutheranism Study Begins
7 Week Series
Wed, Feb 8, 2012
7:00-9:00pm
Youth Cupcake Sale
Sun, Feb 12, 2012
After worship
Blood Pressure Sunday
Sun, Feb 12, 2012
Following worship
Every Second Sunday
Parish Council Meeting
Mon, Feb 13, 2012
6:30pm
Food Drive Sunday
Sun, Feb 19, 2012
Coffee Hour Forum:
Catholic Community Services
Guest: Jeralyn Wren
Sun, Feb 19, 2012
Following worship
Shrove Tuesday Pancakes & Talent Show!
Tues, Feb 21, 2012
6:00pm
Ash Wednesday Service
Wed, Feb 22, 2012
7:00pm
HS Youth Discussion Forum
Sun, Feb 26, 2012
11:30-1:00pm
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Upcoming Meetings: Thurs, Feb 2, 2012 and Thurs, Mar 1, 2012
The men's group meets monthly for dinner and discussion. For the February meeting, the group will be discussing the book, Pagan Christianity?
Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices, by Frank Viola and George Barna.
Contact: Don Early for more information (don.early@gmail.com).
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Second Sunday of Each Month
If you would like your blood pressure checked by our Parish Nurse, please meet in the Pastor's office after worship on the second Sunday of every month (before you drink your coffee!)...Feb 12, March 11.
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Food Drive Sunday:
January 15, 2011
Please bring items from list and donation checks to the church; checks can be made out to Faith Lutheran Church (Memo: Food Bank).
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Spring Work Week @ Holden Village
Sun, Apr 22 - Sun Apr 29, 2012
- Help the village prepare for the upcoming season by volunteering with Housekeeping or Operations.
- Work, relax, and worship.
- Participate in community life.
- Experience the beauty of the village.
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Faith's New Parish Council Members
Faith would like to thank Carol Wendt for her incredible service on the parish council--thank you for all you do in this community! Incoming council members include: Brad Stephan and Pat Braaten! Welcome, and thank you!
Parish Council Officers for 2012 have been elected and are listed below.
Myrna Hicks, President
Chris Behee, Vice President
Cindy Early, Secretary
Dick Clark, Treasurer
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By Cindy Early (Artwork above by Mieka Floyd)
STEWARDSHIP MATTERS: SHARING OUR TALENTS
You have heard of stewardship described in terms of the three T's: Time, Talents, and Treasures. For the month of February, we have decided to focus on "Sharing Our Talents" as our stewardship theme. The word for church in Greek is ecclesia, which literally translates as assembly. Church is not a building or an organization. It is the community of people. We all have a variety of unique talents to contribute to the assembly. Many of us bring gifts of music -- instrumental and vocal. Others sew quilts for the homeless shelter or craft vestments for the sanctuary. Some skilled tradesmen and gardeners donate time and materials to help keep our grounds nice. And still more parishioners prepare thoughtful meals and treats for hospitality. All of these talents come together to create a unique and organic worship experience like no other because it is made up of our own diverse members. For the giving and receiving of these talents we give thanks.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS In honor of our stewardship theme February ("Sharing Our Talents") we are inviting artists from the congregation of all ages to share their art. The bulletin board outside the Godly Play room will be designated for display. Bring your drawings, paintings, cross-stitch, quilts, or other creations to share with the congregation. Be sure to label your art so we can get it back to you at the end of the month.
STORY-TIME AT FAITH In anticipation of the upcoming Shrove Tuesday talent show, Faith will be hosting a short story time for kids, with a special message about sharing your talents. We will meet immediately following Sunday Morning worship on February 5th at the back of the sanctuary. Reading by Ellyn Erickson. Older youth and adults are welcome too.
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2012 Lighting Project at Faith
By Lois Peterson, Property Committee Chair
LIGHTING PROJECT APPROVED AT ANNUAL MEETING
At the annual meeting on January 22, the congregation voted unanimously to authorize the Property Committee, subject to council approval, to enter into a contract, not to exceed $8,000, with an electrical contractor to upgrade the lighting throughout the building. Our current lighting is not energy-efficient, and many of the fixtures require bulbs that will no longer be available after midyear.
Last year, the Property Committee worked with an electrical contractor and submitted a proposal to Puget Sound Energy that would entitle us to participate in PSE's rebate program for upgrading our lighting. With the rebate, that proposal would have cost the congregation $6,688, and PSE estimated that, based on our energy usage, the payback time would be 2.9 years. Our estimated cost savings per year was estimated to be $2,296. We did not act on that proposal because of a lack of funds, and the time period for that proposal has expired.
The Property Committee has met with the electrical contractor and has again begun the process of submitting a proposal for participating in the Puget Sound Energy rebate program. It is estimated that it will take from four to six weeks to receive approval from PSE.
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Apologies to Duane Schenck whose name was inadvertently omitted from the list of committee members in the annual Property Committee report. We hope that Duane will continue to meet with us-our meetings wouldn't be the same without him!
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Music at Faith
Musically Speaking...
Parishioners often approach me with questions or comments about the selections for hymns and liturgy. I'd like to share how and why some of those decisions are made.
The Worship Committee meets once a month to discuss upcoming liturgical seasons, plan special services, share information from conferences or classes members have attended, review previous service formats and prepare for anything that pertains to how the sanctuary space looks or what happens during worship.
We take special care with these tasks, knowing that our congregation is made up of people of all ages, several ethnic or social groups, and with a wide range of life and religious experiences. We hope that the hymns and liturgies will help empower the congregation to serve the Lord, and we celebrate our mission by choosing a multi-cultural blend of music that is offered with integrity.
Some liturgies were composed with organ accompaniment, others with piano and/or guitar or other instruments. During Advent, for instance, organ was at the forefront of worship here. Now, we're working our way through Epiphany singing Marty Haugen's liturgy which he composed for piano and guitar.
We choose hymns with the same care and thought. The Worship Committee helps occasionally, although more often Sharon and I choose the hymns. We try to choose old favorites, new material, and everything in between. We care more about the text of a hymn than the tune, but avoid ones which are incredibly difficult. Sharon, the instrumentalists, and I have read or sung through every hymn in the ELW but also draw upon other sources, always trying to incorporate the best from any genre.
I hope this answers some of your questions as we all do our best to make worship at Faith important for you and pleasing to God.
Peace and grace, Renee King
Adult Choir Wed, 7:15pm & Sun, 9:15am
Chime Choir Sun, 11:30am & Special services
Contact Renee King, Music Director.
Ph: (360) 733-3970 or (360) 927-6331
E: renee.king@faithbellingham.org
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Education at Faith
ALL AGES
Godly Play (Pre-K through Grade 5) Sun, 8:45am
Godly Play is a Montessori-based children's curriculum that invites the young children into the sacred stories and the act of "wondering." Each session also includes a time for a creative response from the children as well as time for the feast (snack)! Godly Play sessions include a storyteller and a doorperson--roles filled weekly by a team of GP volunteers.
Confirmation Class (Grade 6 & 7) Sun, 8:45am
Confirmation class delves into the basics of the faith and the Lutheran tradition. Students who have completed confirmation class are confirmed into full membership in the church on Reformation Sunday in the Fall. Confirmation is taught by Don and Cindy Early, Chris Behee, and others.
High School Discussion (Grades 8-12) Fourth Sun, 11:30-1:00pm
High school students are invited to a monthly (fourth Sunday of each month--after church) study and discussion on what it means to be young people of faith and justice, what it means to be advocates, and how we recognize and respond to need around us. Study is led by Jessie Twigg-Harris. Next date is Sun, Feb 26!
"Parenting at Faith" Series Sundays, 8:45am
A series for parents and parents-to-be at Faith Lutheran Church, designed to be both a mirror to the program we offer for the children (so parents can better understand and support their program experience), as well as an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of modern parenthood and the reality of how the church community fits into that. The series will be offered in the Gathering Room.
Adult Coffee & Conversation Sundays, 8:45am
The adult study group is taking a short break from a formal study and is meeting Sunday mornings (in the Committee Room) for coffee & conversation, facilitated by Pam Behee. A text study on the gospel of Mark begins with Lent.
Mid-Week Adult Study Tues, 12:30-1:30pm
Renee King leads an ongoing mid-week adult Bible study and discussion on the Gospel of Mark.
Fundamentals of Lutheranism Series Wed, 7:00-9:00pm
Beginning on Wed, Feb 8, 2012, Pastor Sharon Swanson will be leading an adult series on the Fundamentals of Lutheranism. This will be a seven-week series. Sign-ups are outside the church office. There is a $15 cost for materials.
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Middle & High School Youth
High School Youth Nights:
Every Wednesday 7:15-8:45pm
We gather for games, activities, food, and laughs! Join us early at 6:00pm for dinner and Holden Evening Prayer with everyone else!
Second Wednesdays, serve CAST (6-7:30pm), followed by youth night!!
Middle School Youth Nights:
First Wednesday of the Month 7:15-8:45pm
The high school youth welcome middle schoolers on the first Mondays!
Upcoming Wednesdays: Feb 1, Mar 7!
Confirmation Class:
Sundays, 8:45am
Taught by Cindy & Don Early and Chris Behee--meets in Room 2 of the Annex.
Monthly High School Discussion Forum:
Fourth Sunday Monthly 11:30-1:00pm
Join us for lively conversation about how we as young people of faith and justice can develop relationships and foster advocacy. Come and share your thoughts! Upcoming date: February 26!
Pre-orders are being accepted now for the
Annual Valentine's Cupcake & Bake Sale!!
This year's profits will go toward buying new tires for the church van!
High School Youth: Sign up now for
Holden May Youth Weekend!
Sign-up Deadline: Wed, Feb 8, 2012! ($50 deposit)
Fri-Sun, May 25-27, 2012
Cost is $200 per person
Contact Jessie Twigg-Harris for more info:
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WANTED:
Pastor's Study Materials
If you have borrowed books, DVD's, or any other materials from the pastor, please liberate them and allow them to make their way back to her office.
No questions asked upon safe return.
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A Note From the Pastor
By Pastor Sharon Swanson
"The great thing is prayer; prayer itself. If you want a prayer life, the way to get it is by praying...you start where you are and you deepen what you already have." - Thomas Merton
Brothers and Sisters:
It is 3 short weeks to Lent-that season each year that makes us pause to consider how we practice our faith. On Ash Wednesday the Scriptures will call to our attention the three-fold Lenten discipline of fasting , alms-giving, and prayer-all of which are to be practiced in secret so that only God is aware of what we are doing.
David Miller, pastor and author, writes about prayer and Lenten practices in the February 2012 issue of "The Lutheran" magazine:
All forms of prayer-whether private petitions for healing and blessing, communal intercession or the deep quiet of contemplation-move us from communion with God to communion in triune love.
Meditation on Scripture, especially on Gospel stories about Jesus as he moves toward Jerusalem and the cross has long been a staple of Christian prayer during Lent.
Miller suggests the following ways to help us pray with Scripture:
*Prepare: mark the passage you are going to pray and mark it the night before.
*Place: Choose a place you can be alone, uninterrupted and uninhibited in your response to God.
*Posture: Find a chair and place where you can relax.
*Presence of God: Pause before you begin. Remind yourself that God's presence envelops you like the air or the warmth of the sun.
*Passage: Slowly read the passage. Listen to what it stirs in you. Return to words and phrases that draw you in or that seem to have more meaning and emotion attached to them.
*Pause: No need to worry if little happens. Don't worry about "getting through" the whole passage. The purpose isn't to cover ground but to be drawn into deeper relationship with God, letting the text sink into you. Be content just to rest securely in God's presence.
*Pray: Speak to God about what is moved in you - questions, concerns, worries, joys, old memories, hopes etc. Pray it all Hold nothing back. Your prayer will be as real as you allow yourself to be.
*Reflect: What did you receive, what insights occurred? What did God do in your experience of prayer?
Give thanks to God, who hears our prayers, and who neither faints nor grows weary, whose wisdom is beyond understanding , and who renews us and brings us into the light of the bright Morning Star, Jesus Christ - God's Son and our Savior.
My wish for you is a blessed and prayerful Lenten pilgrimage.
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