PRESIDENT'S REPORT...by Cary Natiello

Winter is almost here.  Yet with the change of seasons, not much has changed for us.  We continue to suspend in-person worship services and experts are concerned that there may be an even bigger wave of COVID-19 infections to come.  They are concerned because people will be inside together more because it is getting cold and rainy outside.  This is flu season.  Then we have the holidays arriving soon and family gatherings.  It isn’t hard to see why the experts are concerned and don’t want us to let our guard down.

     So what will we do?  Well, the church council is in the process of developing a detailed safety plan for resuming indoor worship services with the goal of protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff and congregation.  We will be monitoring the few other churches in our area that have started resuming in-person services to see how things progress and if their safety precautions are effective.  We will continue to keep you updated on the status of our church resuming indoor worship services and how we are doing with meeting our 5 criteria for resuming indoor services.  The council will continue to meet virtually on a regular basis and will monitor any changes that occur with regard to the spread of the virus, any vaccines, and any new governmental directives.  For now, these seem to be the most appropriate next steps for our congregation and staff.  In the meantime, Pastor Marshall continues to provide us with his abbreviated online liturgies, conducting Bible study, his Koran Class, and book discussions, and delivery of communion to our homes.  Thank you to Pastor Marshall.

     And thank you to our congregation for your continued financial support of our church.  Year-to-date, through September, our envelope giving was $193,000 against a budget of $176,000.  It’s tough times like these when you can really admire our congregation’s continued dedication and support of our church.  Thanks be to God for all the wonderful things we have even in these challenging times.  I very much appreciated reading the bulletin cover for the October 11 online liturgy.

     I believe that our continued support of our church during these difficult times is our “good work.” And, our church has even been able to give some much needed financial support to a few of our extended ministries.  Thanks be to God.

     I pray that God’s peace and love continues to shine upon us through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 

A Special COVID-19 Report – by Cary Natiello

At the last council meeting (10/13), we discussed our five criteria for resuming in-person worship services.  The consensus of the council was that we cannot meet criteria #3, which states, “Newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases during the prior two weeks in King County are minimal and declining.”  Unfortunately, as you are probably aware, King County has experienced an uptick in cases (as of the time of writing this report).

     The good news is that it seems Seattle is doing a better job overall compared to other large U.S. cities around the country at keeping new COVID-19 cases low.  See the graph below which shows Seattle has the lowest number of cases per 1,000 people.

     When a vaccine is ready it may not be the perfect solution.  What if over time there are many different vaccines developed by these companies that are ultimately authorized and licensed?  Which one will you choose?  Will you even be able to choose?  Will some vaccines be better for at-risk people vs. others?  Do you trust that you will know the answer about which one will be better for you?  What if a new one comes out that is supposed to be better after you already took a previous vaccine?  Imagine what type of chaos this might create.  Not to mention that there are a reported large number of Americans who do not plan on taking a vaccine even if it is approved by the FDA.

     So, we need to be prepared for a future that may be very different from our traditional worship service for a very long time.  When we do resume worship services, we want to have a detailed safety plan in place so that we can safely and responsibly resume worship services.  The church council has formed a COVID-19 subcommittee to develop a detailed safety plan for resuming our indoor worship services.  If you have thoughts or opinions about our resuming worship services please feel free to pass your ideas or comments to me.

Saint Nicholas Faire

and Auction

Friday, November 27th, from 6 pm to 9 pm

This year because of the Pandemic unfortunately we will not be able to get together to gather for the Saint Nicholas Faire and Auction in the fellowship hall because the church is closed.  We had to make a choice, not do the faire or do it in a different way.  Instead of the traditional Saint Nicholas Faire we will be doing a virtual auction.  In previous years we have used a Christmas tree with ornaments in the lobby for you to choose and donate items.  Since the church has been closed this won’t work.  This year we are using an Amazon Wish List for items for you to select to donate.  The Amazon Wish List address link has been e-mailed to you.  Just go to the list and select an item you would like to donate.  Ship the items to:

Saint Nicholas Faire c/o King

8452 Tillicum RD SW

Seattle 98136-2417

You might need the King’s phone number: 206-937-6740.  Then send us an e-mail telling us what you purchased.  That’s it.  That is how this year’s donations work.

     We will have Silent Auction items to bid on – kids items, cooking items, and gift cards,  Just to highlight a few items.  During the Pandemic, this is an excellent opportunity to purchase some gifts without having to leave your home.

     This year you will log into the virtual auction, you sign up and will be given a BID NUMBER to use on the Silent Auction items.  This can be used for the silent bidding, making a donation, and raffle tickets.

     It takes a lot of people to make the Saint Nicholas Faire a success.  Your willingness to support this is very much appreciated.

     Remember, this is a fund raiser for the West Seattle Food Bank.  All the proceeds and cash donations are given directly to this deserving extended ministry.  But it will not be a success unless you sign up to bid, bid on items, and have a good time! 

We look forward to seeing you (virtually)

Friday, November 27th, from 6 pm to 9 pm

-Scott & Valerie Schorn

Announcements:  Sunday Worship ― online at www.flcws.org.  Pastor Marshall continues to offer these abbreviated online liturgies weekly. In them we are spending our time apart to accentuate Psalm 46:10 about being silent before God.

THE KORAN CLASS:  Mondays at 7 pm, via ZOOM online.

FOOD BANK donations for the holidays will be collected through these holiday months.  Also, new warm clothing items will be collected for Compass Housing Alliance Christmas gift program for their housing centers for both men and women. The Compass items need to be delivered before Friday, December 11th.  Call the church office (206-935-6530) to make arrangements to drop off any of these items. 

FREE DONATIONS?  Sign up for the Bartell Drugs loyalty card program and designate First Lutheran Church of West Seattle.  4% of your purchases will be automatically donated to the church.  Also Amazon.com has a similar program called Amazon Smile that one can sign up for. 

Wednesday Evening Bible Class:  Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 pm, via ZOOM online.  If you are interested in joining this class email Pastor Marshall at deogloria@foxinternet.com and he will send you a link.

PLEDGE CARDS:  Please plan to return your pledge card before Friday, November 6th. 

Philippians

The Apostle Saint Paul

“Work out your own salvation

in fear and trembling.”

(2:12)

by Pastor Marshall

Because Christians have troubles in this life, Martin Luther thought we needed this verse. So “you need to be alert,” he writes, “since you have the flesh around your neck, which otherwise contends against the spirit [Galatians 5:17], and you have the devil as your enemy [1 Peter 5:8], and dangers and distress around you [John 16:33] – so that you do not again lose what you have received [Hebrews 2:1]. You have only begun,” he continues, “and have not yet reached the end [2 Timothy 4:7]. This is why you must take care, struggle and be alert” (Luther’s Works 78:318). Because this is so important, Luther thought that “the most pestilent class of preachers today is that group which preaches about the signs of present grace, so that it makes men secure, when in fact the very best sign of grace is that we fear and tremble [Jeremiah 28:8], and the surest sign of God’s wrath is to be smug and self-confident” (LW 25:498). That’s because “no man can be assured of his salvation by any episcopal function. He is not even assured of his salvation by the infusion of God’s grace…. Even ‘the just will hardly be saved’ [1 Peter 4:18]. Finally the way that leads to life is narrow [Matthew 7:14] that the Lord… calls those that will be saved ‘a brand plucked out of the fire” [Amos 4:11]. And everywhere else the Lord proclaims the difficulty of salvation” (LW 48:46–47). “In such times we can rightfully bestir… ourselves with God’s help [so] that we can be bold, alert, and cheerful, committing our cause to God’s gracious and fatherly will” (LW 43:171). For to work out our salvation in fear means “to have God in view, to know that He looks at all our works, and to acknowledge Him as the Author of all things, both good and evil” (LW 15:55).

     This fear is needed because “the war is so fierce, the impediments so great.” So keep God in view. “When you’re eating, consider God present…. When you’re going to sleep, when you’re angry, when you’re taking what’s not yours, even when you’re indulging in luxury, whatever you’re doing, never fall into laughter, never kindle your anger. If you continually have this attitude, you’ll continually be in fear and trembling, the reason being that you’re standing next to the king.” God helps us with this by giving us “both readiness and practice” (John Chrysostom, Homilies on Philippians, trans. P. Allen, 2013, pp. 171, 173). Nevertheless, with God’s help and by his grace, we still are to struggle to be with God in order “to show and prove oneself, what one is as a Christian.” For in the act of conversion, we’re never thought of here “as stock or stone” (Karl Barth, Epistle to the Philippians: 40th Anniversary Edition, trans. James W. Leitch, 2002, p. 72).

     Some think this salvation is not about a “relationship with God, but what salvation means for life with one another” (John Reumann, Philippians, 2008, p.409). But others see that “no doctrine of grace protects us… from work…. The church is to actualize in concrete ways…. Is there not the danger of work slipping… into [works] righteousness? That danger has apparently driven some members and clergy straight to the hammock as the only place where a doctrine of grace can be kept safe. [That] danger, however, is not a real one at all” (Fred Craddock, Philippians, 1985, p. 46). That’s because it’s only “a matter of receiving anew what has already been given” by God. Indeed, “we are acted upon so that we may act, not so that we may do nothing” (George Hunsinger, Philippians, 2020, pp. 74, 76). Even so, Christians are not expected to earn their own salvation, but only to live “into all it means and expects of them,” in awe-inspired lives of obedience, which makes them “different from [the] crooked and distorted culture” around them (Bonnie B. Thurston, Philippians, 2009, pp. 94, 98).

Christians should hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other (Ronald F. Marshall, “Christ as a Sign of Contradiction,” Pro Ecclesia, Fall 1997, p. 481n.10). This combination makes Christians “learned” (Ronald F. Marshall, “In Between Ayer and Adler: God in Contemporary Philosophy,” Word & World, Winter 1982, p. 69). For just as the Bible explains sin and salvation, it is the newspapers (along with other secular analysts) that describe our setting. So God has no specific word for us on how best to understand America today (1 Corinthians 7:25). But here are four key points about the USA in 2020 that I have garnered from those secular studies.

DISUNITY. Our country has never been united. Even in the Revolutionary War (1775–1783) we weren’t united against England. Note that 75% of the battles fought in that war were between Americans. No British soldiers were involved (Thomas B. Allen, Tories: Fighting for the King in America’s First Civil War, 2010, pp. xix, 299, 333). No, that war was fought between American colonialists loyal to the British crown and those who weren’t. The same happened thirty years later in the War of 1812 (Alan Taylor, The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies, 2010, pp. 12, 140, 163). And then in the great Civil War of 1861–1865 it happened again with greater destruction than ever before or ever since (James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, 1988, pp. viii, 267, 272, 854). This time Americans fought each other over freedom – whether it freed you from old restraints (what the rich wanted) or for new achievements (what the poor wanted) (James McPherson, The War That Forged a Nation: Why the Civil War Still Matters, 2015, pp. 12–13). That war is still with us – and so our saddest words are was and again (Michael Gorra, The Saddest Words: William Faulkner’s Civil War, 2020, pp. 10, 337, 355–56). Bob Dylan agrees – arguing that the Civil War world is “the same one” we have. It’s “a culture of feeling, of black days, of schism, evil for evil, the common destiny of the human being getting thrown off course. It’s all one long funeral song,” he said, and his music is no different (Bob Dylan, Chronicles, Volume One, 2004, pp. 85, 86, 89).

REASON. Our country has never been controlled by reason. Believing that the truth comes from thinking through the best information available has never marked all sectors of American life. From the beginning our goal has been to show “how much could be done without literature and learning” (Richard Hofstader, Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, 1962, p. 51). Some say our emotions serve us best (Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns, Country Music: An Illustrated History, 2019, p. 465). Others say our opinions should stand as they are – forgoing the “challenges [needed] to learn, adapt, and grow” (Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt, The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intention and Bad Ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure, 2018, p. 51). This has made open debate among us rare – and so we don’t understand one another very well when we disagree (Allan Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind, The 25th Anniversary Edition, 2012, and Robert Ringer, Winning Through Intimidation, 1973, 2013).

POWER. Social Darwinianism indelibly marks America – the belief that only the strongest deserve to succeed (Jim MacLaughlin, Kropotkin and the Anarchist Intellectual Tradition, 2016). This makes all social welfare unpopular. It also makes the unequal distribution of wealth the standard. Furthermore it makes the disadvantaged “withdraw” from trying to succeed, because they think they’re “too stupid or poor to make it” (J. D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, 2018, pp. 255, 56).

INTOXICATION. Most Americans are – to some degree – drunk much of the time. Mind-altering substances are a big business – legally and illegally (James Mills, The Underground Empire: Where Crime and Governments Embrace, 1986). Mind-altering substances have saturated our country from the days of those raucous saloons (Jeremy Agnew, Alcohol and Opium in the Old West: Use, Abuse and Influence, 2013). Even our period of prohibition (1920–1933) wasn’t over drunkenness, but rather due to left over disdain for Germans from WWI (1914–1918) who owned 70-80% of American breweries (D. Okrent, Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, 2011, p. 30). Some argue that this is a natural human pleasure – as seen in children whirling around to make themselves dizzy (Andrew Weil, The Natural Mind: A Revolutionary Approach to the Drug Problem, 1972, 2004, p. 25). But many more see it as coming from a deep unhappiness in America (Nick Reding, Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town, 2010, p. 78, and Susan Cheever, Drinking in America: Our Secret History, 2015).

USA 2020: A Personal Primer

by Pastor Marshall

Seattle, Washington, October 2020

Onward Christian Soldiers

The 19th century English hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers” was one of my most favorite hymns growing up. It still is one of my favorites. I especially love the message in the lyrics:

“Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ the royal master, leads against the foe;

forward into battle, see his banners go!” (LBW 509, 1st verse)

     Life has really changed dramatically in the last nine months of this year, 2020. There has been so much uncertainty in so many areas of our lives.  Areas of our lives that we felt were rock solid, a given, never to change. Now every time we turn around, there is something new and challenging!

     So even though our life is a little rocky right now, we are still required to be responsible stewards of our commitments which would include time, talents and money. The St. Nicholas Faire is coming up at the end of the month so be sure to participate in the virtual auction to raise money to support the West Seattle Food Bank and Helpline.

     Keep trusting in the Lord and no matter what happens turn to Christ and keep marching with the cross of Jesus going on before... “one in hope and doctrine, one in charity,” (2nd verse, 1st stanza).

Holly Petersen, Church Council

ALL SAINTS: Parish Festival

Sunday, November 1st

 X  X  X

CHRIST THE KING: The season of Pentecost and the Church Year will end with the celebration of the Kingship of Christ at the Sunday morning liturgies,  November 22nd.  On this day we strengthen the belief that Christ is above all and that every authority is under Him (Eph. 1.21).  We rejoice that the One who is, who was and is to come (Rev. 1:8) is the King and Lord of all! 

ADVENT I

Sunday, November 29th

The Gunderson family were Charter members.  This photo, from 1924, is new to our archives and courtesy of Mary Beth Anderson, Edith’s daughter-in-law.  From left to right: Gudron (1907-1986), Glen (1910-1984), Edith (1909-1990), Ralph (1918-2001).

Luther on Samson

By Pastor Marshall

In 1534 Martin Luther wrote that when Samson famously crushes his many enemies at the end of his life by pushing over “the two middle pillars upon which the house rested” (Judges 16:29), Daniel 11:37 was also in play. That verse refers to twin abominations – idols (gods of the fathers as the sacrificial mass) and celibacy (the one beloved by a woman) (Luther’s Works 38:232). Luther then takes that connection and extends it to himself. “These are the two pillars,” he goes on to say, “on which the papacy rests, like the house of the Philistines in Samson’s time. Now what if God had made Luther a Samson over them, a Samson who would take hold of and tear down both pillars so that the house would collapse and they would all perish? Who could hold this against him?” (LW 38:233). Some would, seeing both living “misspent” lives. Most, however, would agree in part, seeing in these two “a free spirit, a rebel driven by selfish interests, doing whatever he pleases without any respect for his parents and with no respect for the claims of God on his life, but in the process he ends up doing the will of God” (Trent Butler, Judges, 2009, p. 354).

Romans 14:17

Monthly Home Bible Study, November 2020, Number 333

The Reverend Ronald F. Marshall

Along with our other regular study of Scripture, let us join as a congregation in this home study. We will study alone then talk informally about the assigned verses together as we have opportunity. In this way we can “gather together around the Word” even though physically we will not be getting together (Acts 13.44). (This study uses the RSV translation.)

     We need to support each other in this difficult project. In 1851 Kierkegaard wrote that the Bible is “an extremely dangerous book.... [because] it is an imperious book... – it takes the whole man and may suddenly and radically change... life on a prodigious scale” (For Self-Examination). And in 1967 Thomas Merton wrote that “we all instinctively know that it is dangerous to become involved in the Bible” (Opening the Bible). Indeed this word “kills” us (Hosea 6.5) because we are “a rebellious people” (Isaiah 30.9)! As Lutherans, however, we are still to “abide in the womb of the Word” (Luther's Works 17.93) by constantly “ruminating on the Word” (LW 30.219) so that we may “become like the Word” (LW 29.155) by thinking “in the way Scripture does” (LW 25.261). Before you study then, pray: “Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in Our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen” (quoted in R. F. Marshall, Making A New World: How Lutherans Read the Bible, 2003, p. 12). And don’t give up, for as Luther said, we “have in Scripture enough to study for all eternity” (LW 75:422)!

Week I. Read Romans 14.17 noting the line the kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. What is this righteousness? On this read John 16.10 noting the line because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. What does this have to do with righteousness? On this note how Christ is our righteousness in 1 Corinthians 1.30. What does that? Read Ephesians 5.2 about the fragrant offering that Jesus made of himself… to God. And how does that sacrifice make us righteous? On this read Revelation 7.14 noting how believers are washed white by the blood of the Lamb. What is that washing? Read Titus 3.5–7 noting the words mercy, washing, regeneration, justified and heirs. How are we made heirs? Read Colossians 1.13 noting the words delivered and transferred. Who does this? Read Philippians 3.12 noting the line that Christ Jesus has made me his own. Is there anything for us to do? Yes, in that same verse we are told to make Christ our own after he has made us his own. How do we do that? Note the famous line work out your own salvation with fear and trembling in Philippians 2.12. That struggle brings righteousness and faith together as in Romans 3.22.

Week II. Read again Romans 14.17 noting the same line the kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And what is this peace? On this read Romans 12.18 noting the line live peaceably with all. How can we live that way? Note mutual upbuilding in Romans 14.19. What’s that like? Check out the two uses of interest in Philippians 2.4. How can we combine these? Note the connection between grace and humility in James 4.6. How do we then pursue humility? Read 1 Peter 5.6–10 noting the operative words under, mighty, cast, anxieties, sober, resist, firm, world, suffered and restore. These ten words work together to make us humble – which we can’t accomplish on our own.

Week III. Reread Romans 14.17 noting again that line the kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Finally, what is this joy? Read Philippians 4.4 noting the line rejoice in the Lord. How does this joy take hold when there is so much sadness, failure and sorrow? On this read 2 Corinthians 6.10 noting the line as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. But how do these go together? Read 1 John 3.19–20 noting the assurance that comes even when we condemn ourselves because God is greater than our hearts. What makes God greater than our sorrow now? Check out 2 Corinthians 4.16–18 noting the eternal weight of glory that offsets everything that is transient or temporal, seen, and wasting away. What does this greatness do for us? Read John 14.1–3 noting how having a place prepared in heaven with Christ enables us not to have troubled hearts. But can’t the sadness now also be ended? Read John 16.33 noting that tribulation now is unavoidable – but cheer also abides because what is now here will eventually go away. Read also about this in 1 Corinthians 7.31 – the present form of this world is passing away. 2 Peter 3.10 says it will be burned up. Do you find comfort in that? Why should you?

Week IV. Read Romans 14.17 one last time noting the same line the kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Many of the parables also talk about the kingdom of God. Which one is most like this verse? Read Matthew 13.45–46 noting the pearl of great value and then the selling of all in order to get it. What shall we make of this pearl? Read Ephesians 1.8 and the word lavished. Note also the phrase surpassing worth in Philippians 3.8. These two verses about excess inspire us to sell all that we have in order to get that pearl. It enables us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling in Philippians 2.12. How can we put up with this trouble? On this read Romans 8.18 noting how our present suffering is devalued by the coming glory. Do you agree?

A Treasury of Prayers

For my deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, I pray to you, O Lord. Help, save, comfort, and defend me, gracious Lord. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Lutheran Book of Worship 1978, p. 151, altered]