YOUR SUMMER ISSUE OF THE MOUSE
This issue covers the months of July and August. The next issue will be in September. 

NEW BIBLE STUDY ON THE LITURGY
Starting July 12th we will begin a new study on the liturgy based on Mark Goli’s book, Beyond Bells and Smells: The Wonder and Power of the Christian Liturgy. Goli is the senior managing editor of “Christianity Today.” The book may be ordered through Amazon. We will meet at 9:15 am Sunday mornings and 6:30 pm Wednesday evenings.
The topics are as follows:
For the week of:
July 12 – Introduction – The liturgical calendar -   
July 19 - Brings order to our lives
July 26 – Brings community with others and brings a framework to meet a holy God
Aug 2 – Brings mystery and relevancy
Aug 9 – Brings Shape to Time and Sense of Place
Aug 16 – Brings Focus and Engagement
Aug 23 – Brings Knowledge and Transformation
Aug 30 - Summary

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Our last meeting of this season was Wednesday, June 3rd for a potluck luncheon at Kathleen Odekirk’s home. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy her beautiful garden, gazebo, and one another. The group has decided on a study of the Book of Acts, starting Oct. 7th. We will meet the first Monday of each month at 2pm. The book we will be using is: The Acts of the Apostles by William Kurz. It is available used from Amazon for .01, plus $3.99 for postage for a total of $4.00. The book has scripture on the top of the page and a running commentary below. We will start with the introduction.

SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL TAKE A RECESS for the months of July and August. It will resume in September.

JACOB LEE PORTER
Jacob, the son of Stephanie Lee, graduated from Vashon High School and was honored with a graduation quilt from the congregation on June 28th. Jacob plans to take a year off and travel. Congratuations!

GOSPEL IN THE PARK CHOIR
Combined church choirs will again perform for the Strawberry Festival. The practice dates are: Tues, Weds, Thurs, starting June 30th through July 9th, with one practice Sat. June 18th. The performance will be July 19th at 2pm. Suggested materials fee is $10. All are welcome to come and sing.

HYMN SING SUNDAY will be July 19th at 10:30am. Bring a list of your favorite hymns to share.

FOOD BANK GARDEN Work in the garden is going well, but we are in need of a co-ordinator. We have had several work Saturdays and many thanks to all who have participated. The fun part of growing and sharing is beginning. Come join us and give consideraton to becoming the new co-ordinator.

COMMUNITY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - August 10-14
Continuing our annual tradition, the Vashon United Methodist Church, the Vashon Lutheran Church, the Vashon Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, will jointly sponsor a Community Vacation Bible School, led by the Youth Group of the Maple Valley Presbyterian Church. This year the theme will be "Camp E.D.G.E." , where the children and Sparkx, a hyperactive fox, will help each other to learn. The Maple Valley Group will lead a class for Kindergarten through 5th Grade children and an evening group for junior and senior high school age youth. Pastors Darryn Hewson (Methodist), Bjoern Meinhardt (Lutheran) and Dan Houston (Presbyterian), together with the Island Youth Group will lead classes for preschoolers. Volunteers are needed to make snacks. Contact Tina Parrish (463-5066) or Pastor Darryn Hewson (715-1394) to ask questions or offer your help.

AUGUST 2 -STUBBS FAMILY
On Sunday, Aug. 2nd Randy and Carol Stubbs and their three children will lead us in worship with a message and music from their mission work in Tanzania. The family has been in Tanzania since 2006 and visited our church in 2007. Both Randy and Carol teach music at the Makumira University College, one of three seminaries operated by the ELCA in Tanzania. Randy is working to develop the first bachelor level music degree in Tanzania and works to preserve the rich musical heritage of the country. The proceeds from our rummage sale will again this year go to support the Stubbs family. Learn more about their work in Tanzania at: http://www.stubbsmission.info/.

RUMMAGE SALE
Our rummage sale this year will be in September. Save your stuff! Again, we will not take clothing. If you have small things and do not have a place to store them until September, you may bring them to the church and put them in the choir room. Please do not bring furniture or large items as we do not have much room to store them until September. The proceeds from this sale (supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) will go in support of the Stubbs Family in Tanzania.

IFCH SALMON FEED
This is a free ecumenical salmon feed potluck, sponsored by the Interfaith Council on Homelessness on August 15th from 5pm to 7:30. The dinner will be on the lawn of the Presbyterian Church. This is in conjunction with the fishing derby (tickets cost $5) and the fish will be provided by the fishermen. VLC members are asked to bring a dessert (other groups will bring other parts of the meal) Call Nancy Vanderpool, 463-7776 for more information and opportunities to volunteer.

PUGET SOUND BLOOD BANK
The Puget Sound Blood Bank thanked the congregation for their support. This past year they were able to register 269 volunteer donors in our community. Their next blood drive on the island will be Thursday, July 9th at VLC.

SCHOOL KITS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN
The Woman’s Group will be making school kits for Lutheran World Relief. Below are items that are needed for the kits and we ask that you help provide some of the items. There is a container in the Narthex for the collection of items. This is an on-going project, so please contribute often as you are able. If you would like to help sew the kits, please call June Langland, 463-5850 or the office, 463-2655.

  * Padded or spiral note books, 8 ½ x 11
  * pads with 150-200 sheets or spiral with 70 sheets
  * blunt scissors – (or safety with embedded blades)
  * pencils #2 with erasers (unsharpened)
  * pencil sharpener and erasers (2 ½ in)
  * crayons – box of 16 or 24
  * construction paper of assorted colors

A SERVICE OF PRAYER AND HEALING...
“Prayer”...to ask for...to request...to seek...to inquire
Ask and to you it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and doors will open. Matt7.7
“Heal”...to make sound or whole...to mend...to restore...
Is anyone among you sick? Then call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise you up. And if you have committed sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5.14-16a

We will have the opportunity to quietly gather for prayer and healing in the Lutheran church sanctuary from 6 - 6.30 p.m. the first Sunday of each month. Our next service will be July 5 at 6pm.

Regardless of who you are and what you carry, you are welcome in this place. Come to pray aloud or silently. Come forward to be prayed for through naming your concerns or retaining your silence or...simply come to sit for a while and unwind with your own thoughts. No pressure, no intrusion...A simple service without music...without liturgy...in a candle-lit sanctuary where we gather to hear a few readings, pray and be prayed for, and sit and just be.

The Rev. Jeff Larson, Ph.D. is a Lutheran minister and clinical psychologist called by Vashon Lutheran Church to provide counseling services to the community. As a member of the body of believers he feels that spiritual health in its many shapes and forms is key to attaining psychological and physical health.

PASSION PLAY TOUR & MORE IN 2010
The Passion Play takes place every ten years and the next time in 2010. I will lead a group trip June 21- July 2, 2010. Goodspeed & Bach have put together a spectacular trip. The trip is custom-made and includes entrance fees to the play, many museums, a garden, and Heidleberg castle. Breakfasts and some meals are included.

We will visit the following cities: Heidelberg, Strassbourg, Colmar, Geneva, Zurich, Konstanz and Mainau, Neuschwantstein, beautiful Alpine village of Graswang (during the passion play), Berchtesgaden, and Salzburg.

We put a cap amount on the expenses for land-travel The more people who go on the trip, the less expensive it will be. Land Tour Cost (double occupancy) for 25 travelers is $2699. per person; for 30 travelers is $2599. Group flight rates will be available this summer.

Land Deposit Schedule: $500. per person to reserve arrangements; $1000. due Sep 15, 2009; final payment due March 15, 2010. Refund schedule: Up to Sep 1, 100%; up to Sep 17, 75%; after Mar 17, 2010 no refund.
 
There are brochures available. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Meinhardt.

Articles for THE MOUSE, due August 20th