Faith Lutheran Church
Bellingham, Washington
A "Reconciling in Christ" Congregation of the ELCA.
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Church Work Party
Sat, Mar 24, 2012 8:00am-1:00pm
Please join us to help spruce up the building and church grounds for Easter! Bring gloves!
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Seeking donations for Faith's basket for the Interfaith Coalition's Annual Auction!
Each year, Faith donates a themed basket for the auction. Please consider making monetary donations toward this effort through the Faith office.
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Tickets are on sale now for Interfaith Coalition's annual spring auction! "Let Us Play in the Garden of Hope" Saturday, March 24, 5:30 pm Lakeway Inn, Bellingham Please contact Sue Cole to purchase your tickets for the auction at Faith's table. By doing so you support the housing and healthcare programs of the Interfaith Coalition, an organization that includes representation from 4o local faith congregations. This fun evening (always a sell-out!) includes dinner, roomfuls of silent auction items, and a live auction!
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Faith will be two Easter Sunday services this year!
Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
8:00am & 10:00am
Brunch-style coffee hours to follow both services.
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A scholarship fund has been set up to help enable youth participation in trips and activities, especially when finances are a limiting factor. If you would like to add your contributions to the fund, please make donations through the office, designated "Youth Scholarship Fund."
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If you are interested in knowing more about the church and the possibility of joining our Faith familiy, please speak with Pastor Swanson. We will be receiving new members in the Easter season, and are setting up some evenings or Sunday afternoons for enquirers.
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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, Mar 1, 2012
Thurs, Apr 5, 2012
6:00pm
Worship Committee Meeting
Tues, Mar 6, 2012
5:30pm
Faith Women's Breakfast
Wed, Mar 14, 2012
8:30am
Second Wednesdays
Blood Pressure Sunday
Sun, Mar 11, 2012
Following worship
Every Second Sunday
Parish Council Meeting
Mon, Mar 12, 2012
6:30pm
Food Drive Sunday
Every Sunday during Lent.
Coffee Hour Forum:
Holden Village Video, Information, and Sharing
After worship.
Work Party
Sat, Mar 24, 2012
9:00am-1:00pm
HS Youth Discussion Forum
Sun, Mar 25, 2012
11:30-1:00pm
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Upcoming Meetings:
Thurs, Mar 1, 2012 6:00pm
Thurs, Apr 5, 2012 6:00pm
The men's group meets monthly for dinner and discussion.
Contact Don Early for more information (don.early@gmail.com).
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On the second Sunday of each month, Jodi Greene, Parish Nurse, is available for free blood pressure checks, in the pastor's office, following the service.
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Food Drive Sunday:
Every Sunday during Lent
Please bring items from list and donation checks to the church (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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We welcome Joanne and Don Pearson into the life and ministry at Faith Lutheran Church--you are a gift to us!
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Congratulations to Kevin and Rochelle Wolber! They are the proud parents of Liam Douglas Wolber, a beautiful and healthy kiddo, born Friday, Feb 24, 2012! Welcome to the world and to this community, Liam!
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Shrove Tuesday Pancakes & Talent Show
If you weren't able to come to Faith's third annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Talent Show, you missed out! The talent was vast and spectacular, and copious amounts of butter, syrup, and pancakes were consumed prior to the beginning of Lent! Thank you to all who pitched in, who offered your talents, who laughed at dumb jokes, and made the event such fun!
 
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40 Ways to Keep a Holy Lent
- Don't complain about anything for a whole day.
- Do someone else's chore.
- Buy some fast-food gift cards to give to homeless people.
- Call an old friend.
- Pray the paper (pray for people/situations in today's news).
- Read through the Book of Psalms.
- Read the Bible every day.
- Pay a few sincere compliments.
- Avoid using paper cups/plates.
- Educate yourself about Fair Trade coffee, chocolate, and tea...then try some!
- Forgive someone.
- Change one light-bulb in your house to a compact fluorescent.
- Pray morning and evening prayer each day.
- Ask for help.
- Tell someone what you are grateful for.
- Introduce yourself to a neighbor.
- Bake a cake to give away.
- No shopping day.
- Light a virtual candle at: http://rejesus.co.uk/spirituality/postprayer/.
- Light an actual beeswax candle.
- Write a thank-you note to your favorite teacher.
- Invest in canvas shopping bags.
- Pray for all your sisters and brothers at Faith Lutheran Church (parish directories available through the office).
- Read the Gospel of John.
- Donate art supplies to your favorite elementary school.
- Knit a prayer shawl and give it to someone.
- Worship at a friend's mosque, synagogue, or church and look for the beauty.
- No sugar day--where else do you find sweetness in your life?
- Pray for peace.
- Pray for the nations.
- Make or serve sandwiches for CAST.
- Join the community for supper and evening prayer on Wednesdays.
- Introduce yourself to people you don't know in the parish.
- Look out your window until you find something of beauty you hadn't noticed before.
- Give five items of clothing to Goodwill.
- Take five minutes of silence at noon each day.
- Don't turn on your car radio.
- Give $20 to a non-profit of your choosing.
- Pray for your enemies.
- Walk, carpool, bike, or bus to work/school.
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Faith Community Garden
Know of anyone in the community who doesn't have access to garden space but would like to grow their own food? We are getting ready for our second season in the community garden, and we have garden plots available for gardeners (experience not necessary)!
We are excited to welcome Nadene Gurule and David Campbell as our Garden Coordinators for 2012! Both will be volunteering their time as well as planting their own plots in the garden.This team is already working and planning for this to be a lively and successful gardening season--a few hints?--a common pumpkin patch and a demonstration garden for attracting bees and friendly insects!
Faith Community Garden's Spring Opening:
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Save the date!
Faith Community Garden Spring Work Party
Sat, May 12, 2012, 10:00am-2:00pm
For info, email the garden team at:
community.garden@faithbellingham.org
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Music at Faith
Musically Speaking...
You know it's Lent. The sky is gray. The music in church is more subdued; some say it is gray too. I found this synopsis on www.epicenter.org...
In the early church, Lent was the time for the preparation of people for baptism and membership in the church. (It became more penitential in the middle ages). During this season, they were expected to study, pray and fast. During the season of Lent, the music is more somber and "alleluias" are not said or sung to remind us of the contemplative mood of the season. We often think of giving up something for Lent. It is also a time to take on something - something different and new to reinvigorate our lives as Christians.
May this season become a time of refreshment in your daily Christian walk.
--Renee King, Music Director
Adult Choir Wed, 7:15pm & Sun, 9:15am
Chime Choir Sun, 11:30am & Special services
For more info on music at Faith, 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, Mar 25!
"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.
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
This seven-week series continues through the month of March on the basics of Lutheran theology and tradition, led by Pastor Sharon Swanson.
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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!! (Upcoming dates: 3/14, 4/11)
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: 3/7, 4/4!
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. Join us for pizza and conversation! Upcoming dates: 3/25, 4/29!
- Thank you to everyone who participated in the youth cupcake fundraiser! The youth raised over $500 toward new tires on the church van!
- Youth are still selling peace t-shirts and baby onesies! Proceeds from sales of these items go toward funding upcoming trips and activities!
- A new youth scholarship fund has been set up, so if you would like to contribute, please contact the office or make your designated donation!
Contact Jessie Twigg-Harris for more info:
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A Note From the Pastor
By Pastor Sharon Swanson
It is in the month of March that the life of Patrick (Patricius) the apostle to Ireland is commemorated. Born ca. 389 in Roman Britain, the son of the alderman and later deacon, Calpornius, Patrick grew into a man of action with little inclination toward learning. At 16 he was seized by Irish raiders and sold as a slave in Ireland, where he served as a shepherd for six years before he managed to escape, and find his way home.
Finding this experience to be a spiritual conversion of sorts, Patrick was transformed by the Gospel into a man with a mission: he was to preach the faith to the Irish people. After studying for the priesthood his superiors were unenthusiastic about this idea because they felt his education was lacking. In 481, however, Bishop Palladius died and Patrick managed to convince the church authorities to consecrate him as bishop for Ireland.
Patrick's mission concentrated on the west and north of Ireland where the Gospel had not been preached previously. Securing the protection of local kings he traveled extensively, making many converts and founding monasteries. In spite of dangers and harassment, Patrick's career was vigorous and heroic. He died at Down in 461.
The Celtic tradition has recently undergone a revival in the church. The Celtic way of prayer, learned from the monasteries, has a totality which draws us in, and the Celtic understanding of journeying through life is in itself rich and significant.
To pray the Celtic way means above all to be aware of the rhythm of dark and light, symbols of the Celtic refusal to deny darkness, pain, suffering, and yet to exult in the celebration of life in all its fullness. The Celtic tradition stays very close to creation, in all of its tangled goodness.
Celtic hymnody plays a large part in the worship of the church today. Beloved texts and melodies such as "Be Thou My Vision" (ELW 793); "I Bind Unto Myself Today" (ELW 450); and St. Columba ("The King of Love my Shepherd Is), plus more contemporary offerings from Iona Abbey in Scotland, particularly the hymns of John Bell, keep the Celtic tradition strong and alive in our assemblies.
The following prayer, attributed to Patrick, is for daily use year round, but perhaps especially lovely in Lent.
I sing as I arise today!
I call on my Creator's might:
The will of God to be my guide,
The eye of God to be my sight,
The word of God to be my speech,
The hand of God to be my stay,
The shield of God to be my strength,
The path of God to be my way.
May God's peace be with you on the journey...
Sharon
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