Newsletter - 2014

fall 2014

In This Issue

Note from Pastor Jake 2

Kick Off Sunday 2

Fall Musical 3

Women’s Ministry 3

Missions 4-5

On Fire! 6-7

Bible Wars 7

Financal Update 8-9

God Stories 10-11

Staff 12

Are You reAdY for the KicK off?It is KicKoff sundAY weeKend! It has been impressive being near Seattle this last year when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl! With my Steelers out of the playoffs, I was rooting for my hometown team. Football reminds me much of the book of Mark where Jesus show us how to play the game of life. In the next sermon series as we begin diving into the book of Mark, open your eyes to see the God who is near us in every step of our journey.

Every year as the football season begins, we have to check and see if we’ve lost any players, or have drafted someone new. If you don’t have good enough players there is no chance of winning the Super Bowl. Thankfully, as Christians our victory is won for us through Christ! He holds the trophy giving us a reason to have confidence in our “game.” The real question is, are you part of the team? (Check out Mark 7:6-9). When I was on a team back in high school, I felt privileged to compete for my school and I worked hard to make the team a success.

We had practice five days a week but I was working on my skills after practice, outside at home, in the basement when it rained, even taking the ball to bed if my mom would let me! If you are a part of God’s team, how can you NOT be practicing?

One of the greatest things about football is the need for different abilities and skills to

work together. Quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, defensive lineman, defensive backs, coaches, trainers, physical therapists, not to mention fans!! Each talent and role are important and work together toward the goal-to win the Super Bowl! St. Luke’s has a goal as well. To seek out and bring people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” What’s your role on the team?

One of the most relevant people to us is Peter. Energetic, passionate, confidant, follower of Christ. In Mark 14:68-72 Peter “fumbles the ball” when he denies that he knows Jesus. When a fumble happens it is freak out time! The fear of consequences overwhelms us. Like Peter, we regret our mistakes, we feel like we are an ugly failure, and that God doesn’t want us on the team anymore. But just like Peter, Jesus calls to us “You are still on the team, I forgive you, and I am with you no matter what.” Are you holding onto your failures?

Sometimes we recover our own fumble, but other times our mistakes create consequences. Either way, thankfully we are forgiven by God. The best news is that even in our mistakes and our limitations Christ is winning the victory for us! When you are watching your team, you are always worried about winning, football is always stressful, but in Christ we have a guarantee of victory.

Are you on God’s team???

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR JAKE

Jake AllstaedtAssociate Pastor

[email protected]

KICK OFF SUNDAY

It is tradition on the Sunday after Labor Day to celebrate the start of another year for Sunday School and the many other ministry programs St. Luke’s offers. Working off this tradition together with the excitement of the start of another season of college and professional football, we invite you to join us for KICK OFF SUNDAY!

In addition to the beginning of Sunday School classes and a number of adult education programs, we will

the rumors Are true: summer is Almost over. I know, I know. Where did it go!? If you’re still in school, I know you don’t want to hear this, but you might as well face it. The silver lining though is that, with the coming of fall, comes a whole bunch of fun stuff for the Ignite youth! The events will be dropping faster than the leaves.

Our first event drops Sunday, September 7. Actually, the whole day is full of events. 7th and 8th grade Bible Study starts up in Malkow, 10th-12th grade Bible study starts up in the Alieis and Charis rooms, and Confirmation (9th grade) begins. Also, after the 11am service, St. Luke’s is hosting a huge “tailgate” party complete with a cookout and outdoor games. Please invite some friends—you really won’t want to miss this party!

The events continue weekly with Light it Up!, our mid-week Ignite age youth groups. 9th-12th grade youth are welcome to Light it Up! HS every Tuesday, 7-8:30pm in Malkow Hall. Likewise, 7th-8th grade youth are welcome to Light it Up! MS every Wednesday, 7-8:30pm in Malkow Hall. Light it Up! is a chance to

take a break from the busyness of the week, hang out with other youth, get in the Word, and play some ingeniously crazy games.

All the information you need about the events that are dropping this year is in the now infamous red envelopes. I can’t stress this enough: please take a look at the red envelope designed for your year! Everything you need to know is inside that envelope including information on events, mission trips, retreats, and specialized Bible verses for the yearly focus. If you haven’t received one in the mail, they are readily available in the lobby at St. Luke’s. You can’t miss the On-Fire Family Ministry wall—the big red envelopes will give it away.

Parents, our continued desire is to partner with you to bring your youth closer to Jesus through the Word of God. Everything we do is to that end. May God continue to bless our efforts! I’m looking forward to it!

Only Because of Jesus, Pastor Jake

also celebrate together as a full church body after the 11am worship service. We will have food, games, music, bouncy houses, professional football on the big screens. All this will begin Saturday evening with an outdoor movie on the back property. This is a great time for our church community to celebrate the end of the summer and the beginning of another year of amazing programming at St. Luke’s!

Volunteers Wanted!• General Setup-Cleanup Crew• Food Crew (menu planning, cooking, prep, etc.)• Game Crew (planning, hosts, etc.)

Schedule of Events1st Quarter – Summer Movie Night: Movie TBD (Saturday, Sept 6, 8:30pm)2nd Quarter – Worship (Saturday, 5pm; Sunday, 8am, 9:30am, 11am)3rd Quarter – Tailgate Party (Sunday, 12pm-3pm)4th Quarter – Games and Football on the Big Screen (1pm-6pm)

Contact Todd Zern ([email protected]) to volunteer for this exciting family event!

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WOMEN’S EVENTS

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

2014 FALL MUSICAL PRODUCTION

PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN & CHILDCARE

The membership workshop and Next Steps events are designed to learn about the vision and purpose of St. Luke’s, as well as our ministries and L-Teams. We cover topics in the Christian faith, including Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The next workshop is: Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20. One-on-one time is Sunday, September 28, at 9:30. We receive new members into membership on October 12 at 11:00am with a brunch at 9:30am.

The St Luke’s Theatre Company proudly presents, “No One is Alone: Songs of Broadway, Songs of Life” – a fun and inspirational review of the many great musical productions presented by St Luke’s over the years. Experience love, marriage, family and friendship through great songs from Into the Woods, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, Ragtime, and many more…

AuditionsAuditions will be held on August 25-26, and music packets are available at the Welcome Center. Cast is open to ages 6 and above.

Women’s MinistryLadies! Gear up for a new year! We will continue with our monthly format (usually the first Saturday of the month) for a variety of topics, presentations, and events: Biblical, home life, relational, inspirational, financial, family, personal, and more. Look for advertisements at the Welcome Center and in the News and Notes.

Staying in Your Own Hula HoopOctober 4; 9-11am; Great Room A. Presenter: Sue Thode

Ever try to instruct someone in the proper technique of operating a hula hoop while concentrating on keeping your own twirling around your waist? It seems the hula hoop has a mind of its own and your instructions are like a foreign language. Hoop bumps hoop, laughter turns to frustration, and the lesson ends. Trying to control anyone’s life but my own is a lot like the hula hoop lesson – ineffective at least, destructive at most.

Scripture reminds us over and over that God is the one in control. When we step in to “help Him out,” we get in the way of God’s plan for us and the others involved. If you struggle with control and redefining it for yourself as helping, please join us as we investigate to find out just who is in control.

Sign Up Now for Kindergarten and PreschoolDiscover Learn GrowWe currently have some openings in our 2014-15 preschool and kindergarten classes. We offer classes for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. There are brochures and registration forms at the Welcome Center with detailed information. Register with Heather in our church office. Take extra information to share with family and friends.

RehearsalsRehearsals begin the first week of September, and are scheduled for Tuesday/Friday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Show DatesSaturday, November 1, 7:30pmSunday, November 2, 4pmFriday, November 7, 7:30pmSaturday, November 8, 1pm & 7:30pmSunday, November 9, 4pm

Questions – contact Dennette Church or Brian Keiper.

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MISSIONS

Valerie DanforthDirector of Missions

[email protected]

TEN FOR THE WORLD CORNER - Elliot & Serena Derricks

BAG (Bridging A Gap) Weekend Feeding ProgramThis fall, we will be starting a new ministry at St. Luke’s thanks to a generous grant from the St. Luke’s

Foundation. As part of our ongoing partnership with Mirror Lake we will be providing backpacks full of food to be sent home over the weekend for students who depend on the free and reduced lunch and breakfast program at school who might not otherwise eat over the weekends. We are looking for donations of food to be placed in

the backpacks and volunteers to help stuff backpacks, help with inventory and many other tasks. The first backpacks will be sent home with students on Friday, September 19. If you are interested in getting involved in this ministry, please contact Valerie at [email protected].

Swaziland Mission TripApplications now availableApplications for the August 2015 mission trip to Swaziland are now available in the church office. Applications are due by Sunday, September 14. Contact Nate Breyer at [email protected] or Valerie at [email protected] with questions.

Mark your calendars! The third annual Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 11 from 6:30-9:00pm at the Breyer property. Funds raised at this event will go to support the team that will be travelling to Swaziland in August 2015. Funds also benefit the H2O water project. If you are interested in hosting a table, or donating a dessert for the dessert auction, please contact Valerie at [email protected].

“July proved to be the busiest one during our time here. We were blessed to serve over 50 children at the two Korean Lutheran churches we serve at during their VBS’s! From July 18-20, Happy Lutheran Church held their VBS with the theme “Church is Good!” The children even stayed overnight at the church on Saturday night sleeping in the sanctuary. We had a lot of fun singing songs, playing games, and even had a very wet water gun fight with them!

From July 25-26, God’s Will Lutheran Church held their VBS themed “The plan of God, The meaning of God.” Elliot taught 13 middle school students and Serena taught 11 elementary students. We taught them the first day about the Lord’s Prayer. The second day we

taught them about God creating the world in Genesis 1 and went through what He created on each of the first six days. The most exciting part of this VBS is that of the 24 students, only nine were Christian and so we were able to share the Gospel with 15 children who are not Christian. We hope this VBS will bring more new students to our regular English classes when we start again in September so we can continue to show them Jesus’ love.” - Elliot & Serena

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HELP FILL A BAG

UPCOMING MISSION GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

WISH LIST:Food items that are child friendly, pull top lids, no preparation, such as...

granola bars

cup of soup

individual carrot packs, apples, oranges

fruit/pudding cups

peanut butter - 16 oz jars

fruit snacks

individual mac & cheese, microwaveable

tuna in pouches or with pull top lids

raisin packs

16 oz jars of jelly

peanut butter/cheese crackers

100% juice boxes or Capri Suns

canned pasta, soups, chili, etc. (with pull top lids)

oatmeal envelopes

pop tarts

16 oz water bottles

quart size ziplock baggies

milk, in shelf stable cartons

Ways You Can Get Involved:1. Donate Food Items from the List

2. Donate Funds to Purchase Food Items & Supplies for this Ministry

3. Sign Up to Volunteer (Stuff backpacks; Help with inventory; Deliver backpacks to Mirror Lake; Shop for supplies, etc.)

Please contact Valerie Danforth at [email protected] for more information.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!The summer sun is still shining, but it will be time to deck the halls before you know it! The Giving Trees will be going up the weekend of November 22-23. The Giving Trees benefit families in need through our partnership with Mirror Lake Elementary and residents of the Life Care Center in Federal Way. More details will be available as we get closer to November. If you have questions, please contact Valerie Danforth at [email protected].

ThankslivingWe will be collecting socks, hats & gloves as well as food items at the Thanksliving Service on Wednesday, November 26 at 7pm. Collected socks, gloves and hats will support Reach Out, one of our Ten for the World groups and collected food items will support the BAG Weekend Feeding Program which provides meals over the weekend for students in need at Mirror Lake Elementary school.

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ON FIRE!

Mitzie OllilaDirector of Children and Family

[email protected]

Jan GrotheDirector of Spiritual Growth

[email protected]

FLAME - (grades 1 - 6)

On Fire Sunday School - Spark and FlameSunday School for ages 3-5 and grades 1-6 will begin September 7th at 9:30am. Watch for a postcard in the mail the week prior with your classroom location. Sign up for Sunday School at the Welcome Center now. Call or email Mitzie Ollila with any questions.

Children’s ChoirAll children in grades 1-6 are invited to join our St. Luke’s Children’s Choir. Rehearsals are weekly on Thursday nights from 6-7pm in room #101 beginning September 18. We will be singing for Sunday worship and have several special times to sing during the Christmas season. Call or email Mitzie Ollila with any questions at 253 941-3000 or [email protected]

Kids For Christ - KFC456All 4th, 5th and 6th graders and their friends are invited to our first KFC event on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30pm in Malkow Hall. Watch the News and Notes, the screens and posters for more details!

Super Sunday Drama TeamPick up a drama team form at the Welcome Center if you would like to be a part of our Super Sunday team with David Detzler. This team meets weekly to prepare for our three Super Sundays, Angel Breakfast and our Mirror Lake Christmas Party.

Upcoming Family Events• Our 6th grade Sunday School class will have a Family

Brunch on Sunday, September 28, at 9am in the 6th grade classroom to share information about their Spiritual Gifts exploration during this year.

• On October 15, the 2nd graders will have pizza and “quiz the pastors” at 6pm in Great Room B.

• Our 5th grade Sunday School will host a brunch on October 19 in their classroom at 9:30am to give parents an opportunity to hear about their activities for the year.

• The 2nd grade Sunday School class and families will meet together for brunch in Malkow Hall at 9am, have class together, and then the 2nd graders will be presented with Bibles at the 11am service.

SPARK - (age 0 - kindergarten)

Sunday School Opening DaySunday, September 7 (9:30am)Celebrate a new phase of life for your 3 year old – Sunday School! At the beginning of the 9:30 service, there will be a special sending/prayer time for 3’s and their parents allowing us to celebrate this milestone as a community – our church family. Contact Jan Grothe for more info: [email protected].

Presentation of Toddler BiblesSunday, September 21 (11:00am)Two year olds are able to sit for a few minutes and listen to short, short stories. We have a special toddler Bible just for 2’s! Presentation and story time for 2’s and their parents will be at the 11:00 service on September 22. Contact Jan Grothe for more info: [email protected].

Meet the BabiesSunday, October 12 (10:30-11:00am)Who are the parents of babies at St. Luke’s? This is a time to meet other parents and talk about the life change of having a baby in the house, sharing experiences, joys, frustrations, and help for others. Contact Carrie Andrew for more info: [email protected].

Backstage TourSaturday, October 18 (3-4:30pm)A special event for kindergarten kids and their parents to see what happens behind the scenes in worship. Tour backstage with Pastor Chris. Interact with the band. Learn the whys behind what we do each week. The following day, Sunday, October 19, the kids will sing a special song with the band at the 11:00 service. Contact Jan Grothe for more info: [email protected].

Helping HandsSaturday, November 22 (10-11:00am)Fours like to help! This event is created for those young ones who are so eager to be helpful. They will participate in helping to put together Thanksgiving baskets and make Thanksgiving cards for Mirror Lake School families. Contact Jan Grothe for more info: [email protected].

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ON FIRE!

Chris DavisLead Pastor

[email protected]

BIBLE WARS!

IGNITE - (grades 7 - 12)CharisThe high school girl’s ministry Charis (“care-iss”) is beginning again this September! All 10th-12th grade girls should stop by the Charis room in Malkow Hall beginning on Kickoff Sunday, September 7 at 11am. All are welcome to join us for Bible study and to learn more about this special group.

For the 2014-2015 school year, we will work our way through several books of the New Testament, learning

A QUICK GLANCE of Upcoming Sunday School EventsSunday, September 7 Sunday School Opening Day ages 0 - grade 6

Wednesday, September 17 Kids For Christ - KFC456 begins grades 4, 5, 6

Thursday, September 18 Children’s Choir begins grades 1-6

Sunday, September 21 Presentation of Toddler Bibles two-year-olds

Sunday, September 28 Family Brunch sixth-graders and their families

Sunday, October 12 Meet the Babies babies and parents

Wednesday, October 15 Quiz the Pastor second-graders

Saturday, October 18 Back Stage Tour kindergartners and their parents

Sunday, October 19 Family Brunch fifth-graders and their parents

Saturday, November 22 Helping Hands four-year-olds

Sunday School Teachers and Helpers NeededThe children of St. Luke’s need you! We are in need of teachers and helpers. Specifically, we need teaching teams for Kindergarten and second grade as well as helpers for 3 and 4 year olds. There are volunteer forms at the Welcome Center. Come by and see what the needs are for Sunday School and volunteer to help in some way.

more about what God’s Word says to us and how it applies to our lives today. We will also be bringing back some favorite get-togethers like our annual Christmas party, movie marathon days, spa night, and mother and father events, as well as beginning some new traditions!

All 10th-12th grade girls are encouraged to join us beginning September 7 at 11:00 am. We hope to see you then!

Do you know much about Ehud? Are you aware of how God used Nimrod? Would you like to know more about David? Ruth? Deborah? Andronicus? Amaziah? There is so much in the Word of God for us to discover! Learning the Bible helps guide us and equips us to hear what God is saying instead of the world in which we live.

The Bible Wars Card Game is designed to teach Biblical characters, animals, angels, events, and much, much more. Each card is Biblically accurate and has a scriptural reference. When we did this years ago I watched high school students grow in their knowledge of God’s Word. Guys and girls. Parents and kids. Those new to faith and Bible experts. This Bible Wars game is developed for kids who like having cards, playing cards, trading cards, or simply love hanging out together.

A starter set of cards will be given to kids in grades 1-9 this fall. There will be opportunities to collect cards, trade them, and play games with others throughout the year. Kids that attend Sunday school receive cards, as well as those who attend events. Packs of cards will also be available at the book store. Keep your eyes open for ways to collect more and more cards and trade them with friends! We have already set three game nights to get things started: November 14, January 30, and March 27 at 6pm.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Let the Bible Wars begin!!

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FINANCIAL UPDATE

2013 MISSION PLAN PERFORMANCE (July 2103 - May 2014)

2015 MISSION PLAN SUMMARY (July 2014 – June 2015)

Todd ZernDirector of Operations

[email protected]

At the annual voter’s meeting at the end of June, the congregation unanimously approved the 2015 Mission Plan as presented by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). All in all, this mission plan continues the strategic focus set by the congregation in spring 2013. Below is a brief summary of the plan for the current fiscal year’s financial resources…

2015 Income• Giving – General Fund giving approaching pre-

recession levels of giving, and projecting a 5% increase versus 2013 giving.

• Preschool, Kindergarten and Childcare – Projecting closer to 2014 actuals with 75-85% enrollment.

• Facility Outreach (aka – “rentals”) – Including conservative projections by maintaining 2013 income levels.

• Building Fund – Projecting $1,200/week to be used for capital improvements and large furniture, fixtures and equipment purchases.

Revenue and ExpensesTotal YTD income of $1,869,037 falls above total expenses of $1,765,524 by $103,513 (96% to budget). After mortgage principle payments and capital improvements, the budget deficit of $14,375 slightly falls below FY14 YTD budget expectations by $3,893. The budget deficit is repaired by cash reserves.

General Fund CashGeneral Fund Cash (aka – “Cash Surplus”) at the end of this reporting period is $775,307.

2013-2014 Capital ImprovementsFirst of all, thank you so much for your continued generosity in supporting the Building Fund. These restricted funds help finance large capital

improvements projects that are necessary to maintain and improve the facilities that God has give us. Thank you again for your support!

The following projects are planned for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Please prayerfully consider helping support these projects by donating to the Building Fund.

• Lobby Improvements (displays, furniture, technology) - $30,000 [Coming Labor Day Weekend 2014]

• Expand security camera infrastructure to include exterior property – $20,000-$40,000, depending on scope [Fall 2014]

• Replace playground equipment and fence - $30,000-$50,000, depending on scope [Summer 2015]

2015 Expenses• Staffing – Allocate resources for a third pastor with

a focus on local community outreach• Operations (Facilities) – Continue to maintain our

newly expanded facilities with excellence, and enhance our internal and external communication efforts through a new church management software program. In addition, begin efforts in envisioning present and future use of the piece of property behind our main facilities.

• Programming – Allocate resources for a new young adult program geared towards those 18-35 years of age.

GIVING UPDATE (4th quarter FY 2014)

Actual $ 1,175,860Projection (Budget) $ 1,277,690% Actual vs. Projection - 8%May 2014 vs. May 2013 - 1%

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ST LUKE’S FOUNDATION

IRS Approves Foundation as a Non-Profit OrganizationIt is with great pleasure to announce that the St. Luke’s Foundation has been officially approved as a separate 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This is an important step in the overall development of the Foundation in which to support the long-term legacy of the St. Luke’s ministry. As a separate entity, the Foundation will be able effectively develop funding strategies to directly benefit St. Luke’s Church, and to seek new and creative relationships in which to grow the reach and impact of the many different programs offered at St. Luke’s.

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation and how your legacy/estate plan can benefit St. Luke’s, contact Ky Hopewell ([email protected]) or Dave Danforth ([email protected]).

Legacy Breakfast & Seminar – Saturday, November 15

Save the date. The Foundation will be hosting a breakfast and workshop to educate individuals and families on the benefits of legacy planning, and how your gifts and offerings can support St. Luke’s beyond your lifetime. Guest speakers include Bob Pittman (local estate planning attorney and friend of St. Luke’s) and Rev. Dr. Vic Hippe (former lead pastor of St. Luke’s).

Saturday, November 158:30am

Great Room

Questions – Contact Ky Hopewell or Dennis Hulse ([email protected]).

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GOD STORIESTitleMary Neumann

‘Hoonah’ thought that a mission trip would teach me more about faith than the countless classes I’ve taken over the years? When Jerry announced that our family was going on this mission, two things went through my mind—1. Awesome! 2. It’ll never happen. It will be just another bullet point on our wish list of things to do.

We went to our first meeting. Valerie and Dave Danforth expressed concern that the trip might not happen due to a lack of people responding to the call to be members of the team. With our family of six interested, the momentum might be picking up. With my weak faith, I assumed that we still wouldn’t go, so details of that meeting didn’t really get absorbed. What I DO remember was the amount per person that the trip would cost. And there my faith plummeted. The skeptical, pessimistic, faithless self showed its true face. Trip over. I was bummed. How was I going to inform my excited children not to have such high hopes? What kind of a mom am I to instill such faithlessness into the hearts of my children? Was I being faithless or just realistic? You can easily classify us under “Families who shop for the cheapest gas.” How could we do this?

Needless to say, our support letters went out probably later than they should have. Fear of coming up short caused us to procrastinate but we proceeded as a family to sign letters and address envelopes and send out our pleas for prayers and financial support.

Our amazing God has awesome ways of proving His presence to the faithless. Day by day we received reports of the overwhelming response of His love. I couldn’t deny His hand was on this. I sent out more support letters. And the results were shocking. The prayers and support we received was beyond words—only tears could flow. We were Hoonah bound. But as it was my faith walk was not over.

To witness first hand God’s plan unfolding in the eyes or our mixed cultural family in Hoonah and in our own team, was nothing short of incredible. We were a team of fifteen working so comfortably together within a culture so different but with values so similar to our own. The youth in our team taught me what I so needed to learn—blind faith. The VBS children taught me trust. The community that I promised Jesus I would serve was more generous than words can express. Some if not most of these families had less than we did but

MEMBERSHIP UPDATESBaptized:Zach Miller 05/10 Kamaria Wilson 06/21Morgan Pogson 05/18 Elias Rivera 07/11Maddox Hansen 06/07 Chloe Morton 07/19Paxton Hansen 06/07

Weddings:Richard Moye and Dawn (Brown 06/21Michael Harrell and Ruth (Rasmussen) 06/22Ryan Yelle and Melissa (Jacobs) 07/05Dustin Martin and Molly (Stephens) 07/12

New Members:Tammy Caley Zach MillerRosa Dallum Rod RivenessCharles Dallum Jr. Yvonne RivenessCarolyn Matson Jennifer SabrowskyNancy Maynard Mike SabrowskyHolly Miller

Death:Susie Smith 05/12 Colleen Hill 06/28

their generous giving to our team and to their own community was priceless to witness.

I will say that my faith walk made giant leaps, but I am aware that I have much to learn. This mission has taught me that. I’m excited to continue down this new path and trust in our ever-loving, Lord. I hope that our experience will inspire any family who has questioned whether they can serve as a team for Christ. “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 It can be done—with prayer and with faith and even with a few doubts.

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GOD STORIESJesus Loves You!Jerry Neumann

In February 2013, I started considering the possibility of going to Hoonah as a family to serve on the mission team that presents Vacation Bible School there. Since I’ve been involved in cub scouts for several years, I knew that I enjoyed working with and sharing the Gospel with young children. I also knew that Mary really enjoyed being involved with Vacation Bible School.

I am not sure which is the most apt statement:

“A calling to share the love of Jesus with children of another culture.”

“A calling to serve Jesus and demonstrate service to our children.”

“A calling to grow closer together as a family while growing closer to other brothers and sisters in faith while serving Christ.”

Ultimately it was all of the above and came in the form of a phone call in early spring of this year from John Taylor. Without knowing my previous thoughts about the Hoonah mission, he called asking if I would be interested in serving on the Hoonah mission team. I heard his inquiry as an affirmation of the previous year’s thoughts and upon hanging up the phone, informed Mary and the kids that we were going to attend an informational meeting about the mission and that I thought we should serve.

We just returned July 26, and as many who have made themselves available for such opportunities would attest, we received many blessings for participating. I pray that the lasting impact on the lives of these children is as great as the impact they had on us.

I have not shared any details of the trip but unlike the Las Vegas marketing campaign, what happens in Hoonah, does not stay in Hoonah. There is a sense of urgency to share lessons learned, to talk about friendships formed, to express the warmth and generosity of this community. My immediate response is a desire to return to explore in greater depth the relationships that were formed but there is also a desire to encourage other families to go as well.

Very young children cared for their even younger siblings in the absence of their parents. I have never seen anything like it. Four-year-olds holding three-year-olds in their laps and seven year olds guiding four year olds. Each caring for the other and showing the love that comes from strong family ties.

And then there were other children who, at least in our culture, were too old to sit in a stranger’s lap who thought nothing of plopping on our laps. It made me uncomfortable but it also made me ache for them and their need for love and acceptance. It was haunting—so much so that upon returning I “googled” one of the parents’ names and between the local media and Alaskan court records, pieced together a world of hurt that no one should have to endure yet alone a seven-year-old child.

It went far beyond marital discord. The mother and father were both involved in professional fighting similar to a mixed-martial arts, cage fighting sport. They were literally married in the ring before such a competition. Both of their

legal records bore criminal acts ranging from assaults, theft, burglaries, as well as a conviction for a sexual offense against a minor.

The retelling of this child’s story is a matter of public record. It is a sad one. But what we do not know is the private story. What led this father to bring his child to VBS? Where is this man and woman’s heart at this moment in time? We cannot know the answers to those questions. I do know that whether in Hoonah, AK, or in Federal Way, WA, we live in a world of broken lives. There is nothing particularly unique about the broken world that this child is growing up in. But I also know that the Holy Spirit continually works in this broken world to call back His creation to Him, again and again and again.

This Child of God was brought to VBS by his father to hear a message of God’s love for His creation. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit was this possible. The message that this child received was:

Even when you feel left out, Even when you feel different, Even when you don’t understand, Even when you have done wrong, Even when you are afraid— Jesus loves you!

That child could be you or me or anybody. I need to always remember, under all circumstances, the love that Jesus has for each of us. In gratitude, I will never forget the love that Jesus has for that child, and I will lift him up in prayer every day because Jesus loves him when he feels alone, when he feels different, when he doesn’t understand, when he has done wrong, when he is afraid. Jesus loves him and that is all I really need to know.

There are children in Federal Way, in Hoonah, in the Bronx, in Swaziland, in places across the globe that the Gleaner’s team impacts, and at Camp Primetime who need to know the love of Christ and to know that His love knows no bounds. He died to save all people and He loves each of us beyond our ability to understand.

The beauty of God’s family is that he called some to go. He called some to send. We could in no way afford to go. We are a family of six, but the Body of Christ at St. Luke’s is hundreds and our friends and family in Christ are hundreds more. Thank you to all of the people who made this mission possible through your prayers and financial support. I know that you also received a calling to partner with this ministry.

The calling to seek out and bring people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord is at the heart of what we do at St. Luke’s. In the final verses of Matthew, Jesus gives His Great Commission, telling the disciples to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 At no time did Jesus say, “Go if you can afford it.” He just said, “Go.” Christ sent us to serve Him in Hoonah and it is my testimony that should you feel a calling to go tell others of Christ’s love for them, to not let your own financial limitations be a barrier for doing so—Christ’s Body will send you.

pastoral staff leadership staff

support staff

general infochris davis

lead pastor

jake allstaedtassociate pastor

bob beckstromvisitation pastor

valerie danforthmissions coordinator

heidi francisdirector of communications

kathryn frostaddirector of childcare

jan grothedirector of spiritual growth

larry kruegerdirector of worship and arts

mitzie olliladirector of children’s ministries

todd zerndirector of operations

tammy caleyassistant to the lead pastor

donna breyerassistant to the associate pastor

heather halbakkenpreschool registrar

karla harvathassistant to dir of spiritual growth

worship servicessaturday - 5:00 pm

sunday - 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 am

sunday school available sunday mornings

childcare available weekdays - 6 am - 6 pm

preschool and kindergarten

available during the school year

contact515 s 312th street

federal way, wa 98003253.941.3000

www.stlukes-church.com

childcare253.941.3630

preschool - kindergarten253.839.0173

www.stlukes-preschool.com

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church515 South 312th StreetFederal Way, WA 98003

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDFederal Way, WA 98003

Permit No. 190