First Impressions

Everyone knows that first impressions are exceedingly important.  I will share with you my first impressions of FLCWS; they are, for the most part exceedingly positive. 

     The church building:  Our (note the pronoun) church building is stately, beautiful, and visually designed for worship of God.  Of the twelve church buildings in which I have served as pastor, FLCWS is the finest for worship.  However, Jesus had something to say about beautiful buildings (see Matthew 24:1-2). 

     My interaction with the staff has been superb.  Choirmaster, Parish Deacon, Emeritus: Dean Hard, Cantor, Andy King, and faithful administrator, Sonja Clemente have been most cooperative and helpful while always respecting the pastoral office. 

     I regret that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting the entire church council; the monthly meetings are still being conducted via Zoom.  My interaction with the council has been primarily with the president, Janine Douglass.  I could not hope for better communication and cooperation.

     All interim pastors are recommended by the Synod Bishop.  The recommendation is not an assignment; the congregation, through the council, chooses whom to invite.  I am grateful to Bishop Shelly Bryan Wee for  the recommendation, and the church council    for accepting the recommendation.  Both recognized that age need not be a factor in Christian ministry.  Most members of FLCWS do not know that before June ends, I will complete 87 years of life. 

     One observation that is less than positive is the many empty spaces in the pews on Sunday morning.  I assure you that no pastor, of any   age, will fill the pews.  It is an issue that must   be addressed by the council.  But, don’t expect   a miracle from the council if you are not involved in helping resolve the issue. 

‒Pastor Snider

President’s Report… by Janine Douglass

“If you but trust in God to guide you

And place your confidence in him,

You’ll find him always there beside you,

To give you hope and strength within.

For those who trust God’s changeless love

Build on the rock that will not move.”

                                                                        Hymn 453, LBW

The work of the Council continues to focus on the next steps for First Lutheran Church of West Seattle as we prepare for the Call Process of a new permanent Pastor. We are pleased to announce that our Interim Pastor, Neal Snider, was invested at our Liturgy on Sunday, May 1st. We welcomed Pastor Snider and his wife, Judy, who will be with us through the end of the year. A reception of celebration followed the service, and marked the first event since the Covid quarantine that we shared a meal of fellowship together.

     The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) has been submitted by the FLCWS council to the ELCA. Our status is considered to be “Inactive” as we await final input from the Bishop’s office. Once we have satisfied the NW WA synod, our status will be moved to “Active”. A copy of the MSP is posted on the main church bulletin board, for anyone interested in reading those details. The synod will then provide us with four to five candidates, at which time the Call Committee starts their work with interviewing, first via Zoom and later in person. More information on Call Committee updates can be found in this newsletter.

     On Saturday, June 4th, the NW WA Synod of the ELCA will be hosting their Annual Assembly at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. My husband, Peter, and I will be attending as voting members alongside Pastor Snider. Since it has been many years since delegates from our congregation attended this event, I look forward to learning first-hand about the priorities of our church governing body.

     I often find myself humming the above hymn, as a reminder that God already knows the future of our church. We can fully trust His guidance in this and all things. Please pray for discernment as we navigate the call process.

A Memorial for

The Reverend Ronald F. Marshall

(September 29, 1948 – November 9, 2021)

Saturday, July 23, 2022, 11:00 am

Due to the numbers expected to attend this service, masks will be required. 

A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Catered by Husky Deli

  Another Hundred Years

On a rainy worship service Sunday, I stood by the propped backdoor, peering at the heavy rain. The downspouts were overflowing from the collection of rain falling upon the church’s roof. I thought to myself about how blessed I was to have the church’s roof over my head. I thought about how blessed our congregation has been to have this church as a place of worship. A church that has been around for over a hundred years. However, recent incidents have seen our beloved place of worship defaced. These incidents, thankfully minor, caused the church to have unplanned expenses for the clean-up and building of preventative barriers.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11

Our stewardship calls for us to give to the church. We should use whatever gifts we have received to help preserve our place of worship, whether that is using our skills in trade, lending our knowledge, or following the practice of tithing. Let us continue to share the shelter, warmth, and love with all who we invite to worship with us. Let us preserve our church for another hundred years!

‒Steven Liang, Church Council

Call Committee Update

The Call Committee had our first meeting on April 20^th via zoom where I was selected as chair by unanimous consent.  We discussed the process going forward and settled on the idea that we would only meet if there was a need to do so.

      We submitted the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) that was written and approved by the Church Council to the Synod. This paperwork officially kicks off the call process. 

     In order for the MSP to move forward, we must also have on file a Reference's Confidential Recommendation form.  The MSP was submitted in April and the Reference's Confidential Recommendation was submitted in early May. Now that these two forms have been submitted, they will be reviewed by our Bishop for posting to the Mobility Database System which is the database of available candidates.  As of writing this article our paperwork is still waiting to be reviewed.

     The good news is that we don’t have to wait around! The members of the congregation are invited to recommend potential candidates to the Bishop. You can email the Assistant to the Bishop Reverend Andy Yee at a2b@lutheransnw.org or fill out the form enclosed in The Messenger and send it directly to the Synod.  If you are comfortable, please copy the Call Committee with your recommendation at callcommittee2022@groups.outlook.com

     I wish to close with Philippians 2: 1-4: 

     These words should help guide us as we come together to select our next pastor.

Matthew Kahn

Call Committee Chair

Marinus502@yahoo.com

IN MEMORIAM – MARILYN NEWLAND

(May 17, 1926 - April 13, 2022)

Marilyn Wilson Newland served as our unofficial assistant organist from 1977 through 2003, playing for Sunday services and occasional funerals in my absence.  Marilyn was born and raised in Seattle, graduating from Queen Anne High School in 1944 as class valedictorian and school newspaper editor.  She attended Mills College, and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in music.  In 1948 she married John “Jake” Newland.  Together they had three children, Doug, Alison, and John.  They lived in Richland until 1962, when they moved to Medina.

       I first got to know Marilyn in 1976, when we served together on the executive committee for the 1978 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, held here in Seattle.  Marilyn was the convention brochure chairman and I served as the program chairman.  During the year leading up to the convention, we spent many hours working together on the content and layout of the 72 page brochure.  Marilyn became a good friend, which she remained until her death.  In 1982 she and Jake hosted a wonderful dinner party for Larraine and myself in advance of our wedding, including many of our church music colleagues and friends.  Her willingness to serve as our regular substitute organist was a true blessing.

       Marilyn enjoyed travel and music, especially organ music, the Seattle Symphony, and the Northwest Chamber Chorus.  She spent her later years living in downtown Seattle at Horizon House, while spending summers at her home on Vashon Island. She was a kind and generous friend to me and my family, as well as to First Lutheran Church of West Seattle.  May God bless her memory among us.

‒Andrew King

Announcements:

Confirmation:  On Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022 at the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist.  Join us this day for the Affirmation of Baptism liturgy & Holy Eucharist for Chester Allen, Evan Ceaicovschi, Samantha Kahn & Maximilian Kahn.  A reception is planned in the parish hall following the liturgy.

OUR MID-YEAR CONGREGATIONAL MEETING has been set for Sunday, July 24th, following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist. 

WEB PAGE ADDRESS:  www.flcws.org.

RECYCLING:  We are no longer collecting any recycling.  Also, the parsonage carport is no longer a collection site.

FOOD BANK COLLECTION:  The West Seattle Food Bank box and all collections are located in room C.  Your donations are taken to the West Seattle Food Bank, Compass Housing Alliance and Mary’s Place as they come in.  Our Food Bank DONATION suggestion for summer is easy snack items for school age children home for the summer months.   

THE HOLY TRINITY

On Sunday, June 12th, we will honor the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and we will confess that our God is named Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is Christ's command in Matthew 28:19 when he says to us: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." It is this name that our faith requires us to adore – for God is in this name! 

MARY, MOTHER OF OUR LORD

The Feast of Saint Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, will be celebrated at our Sunday Liturgy on August 21st.  On this day we will thank God for the life and faith of Saint Mary, who has been called the Mother of all believers for she was the first person to believe in the gospel. 

    Lutherans for centuries have honored Our Lady by praying the "Magnificat":

    My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savoir, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.  Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, he has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. (Luke 1:46-55)

  PARISH PRAYERS 

Peter Morrison, Mariann Petersen, Janice Lundbeck, Robert Schorn, Kim Lim, Melanie Johnson, Jane Harty and family, Holly Petersen, Leah and Melissa Baker, Felicia Wells, Eileen & Dave Nestoss, Kyra Stromberg, Caroline Burke, Konstantin Ritter, The Rev. Alan Gardner, The Rev. Howard Fosser, Yuriko Nishimura, Mary Ford, Andrea and Hayden Cantu, Dana Gallaher, Jeanne Pantone, Kevan & Jackie Johnson, Eric Peterson, Gary Grape, Nita Goedert, Mariss Ulmanis, Mike Matsunaga, Shirley & Glenn Graham, Karen Granger, Mike Nacewicz, Angel Lynne, Bill & Margaret Whithumn, the Robert Shull family, Mary Cardona, Nick Karlson, Paul Sponheim, Randy Price, Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church (Clarkesville, GA), the Ceaicovschi Family in Moldova, Richard Patishnock, Paula Lindsay, David Ruberg, Judy Berkenpas and Nicole Coile.

     Pray for the new born that they grow in the strength of the Lord:  Arlo Wicklund, grandson of Douglas and Paula Lindsay, born May 19th.

     Pray for our professional health care providers:  Gina Allen, Janine Douglass, Jane Collins, David Juhl, Dana Kahn, Dean Riskedahl and all those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.

     Pray for the shut-ins that the light of Christ may give them joy:  C.J. Christian, Joan Olson, Bob & Mona Ayer, Gregg & Jeannine Lingle, Robert Schorn, Nora Vanhala, Martin Nygaard, Lou Landino.

     Pray for our bishops Elizabeth Eaton and Shelley Bryan Wee, our pulpit supply ministers The Reverend Philip Nesvig, The Reverend Douglas Lindsay and The Reverend Horacio Castillo, our interim pastor the Reverend Neal Snider, our choirmaster Dean Hard and our cantor Andrew King, that they may be strengthened in faith, love and the holy office to which they have been called. 

     Pray that God would give us hearts which find joy in service and in celebration of stewardship.  Pray that God would work within you to become a good steward of your time, your talents and finances, and pray to strengthen the stewardship of our congregation.

     Pray for the hungry, ignored, abused, addicted, and homeless this summer.  Pray for the mercy of God for these people, and for all in Christ's church to help those who are in distress.

     Pray for our sister congregation El Camino de Emmaus in the Skagit Valley that God may bless and strengthen their ministry. Also, pray for our parish and its ministry.

     Pray that God will bless you through the lives of the saints:  Saint Barnabas; Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles; Saint Mary Magdalene; Saint James the Elder and Saint Bartholomew, Apostles; and St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord.

     Pray for this poor, fallen human race that God would have mercy on us all.

     Pray for this planet, our home that it and the creatures on it would be saved.

A Treasury of Prayers

Father, may we always give you thanks for raising Christ our Lord to glory, because we are his people and share the salvation he won, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

                                                                [For All the Saints 1:1163, altered]