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RUMMAGE SALE
Our rummage sale was a success!  The proceeds from this sale (supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) will go in support of the mission work of the Stubbs Family in Tanzania and our sister congregation in Elista, Russia.

WORK IN THE FOOD BANK GARDEN is going well and many thanks to all who have participated. In October we will have at least one clean-up Saturday, which will be announced.  Come join us and give consideration to becoming the new co-ordinator.
 
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP
The Women’s Bible Study Group will meet 2 pm. October 29th at Kathleen Odekirk’s home to continue the book of Acts.  Please read Acts 1-9:31 and pages 15-49 (The birth and growth of the church in Jerusalem through the work of the Spirit and the persecution and expansion in Judea and Samaria) in book by WilliamKurz (The Collegeville Bible Commentary on the Book of Acts).  Give your attention to the speeches by Peter, Acts 2:14-35, Acts 3:11-26 and Stephen, Acts 7:2-51.  What is Peter saying about Jesus?  What is Stephen saying about the prophets, the house of God, and the people of God?  What is happening in the early church?  Let’s discuss these issues.

WORSHIP AT THE COMMUNITY CARE CENTER
In October we will have a month off.  We will again offer worship at the Care Center on November 22 at 9:15am.  In the meantime, Pastor Bjoern will be in contact with the administration at the Care Center to clarify some open questions to be in compliance with Vashon Island Community Care Center policies.  Those interested in volunteering to help with the service should contact Pastor Bjoern.

CELEBRATION OF FULL COMMUNION
This year the ELCA Church-wide Assembly passed an agreement of full communion with the United Methodist Church.  Here on Vashon we will engage in a celebration of full communion at Vashon United Methodist Church on November 1st.  Details about the service are still pending.

TWO NEW BIBLE STUDIES IN OCTOBER
1. Science and Faith
Starting in October Pastor Bjoern will have two Bible studies.  On Sunday mornings, starting Oct. 18th at 9:15, he will have a study on Science and Faith.  The book he will be using is: God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? by John C. Lennox. At the first meeting options on how to proceed with the study will be discussed.

2. The Study of Key Doctrines
Pastor Bjoern Meinhardt will offer a Tuesday theology class, which will explore seven key doctrines of the Christian faith that are vital and relevant to worship, discipleship and mission.
Starting Tuesday, October 13, there will be a class in the morning (10 AM) and in the evening (7 PM). The outline of the course is as follows:
Oct 13: The Trinity
Oct 20: Sin
Oct 27: The Incarnation
Nov 3: The Holy Spirit
Nov 10: No class
Nov 17: The Bible
Nov 24: The Church and the Means of Grace
Dec 1: The Last Things

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP
An intercessory prayer group meets every Thursday morning at 9:00am in the church.  Please call Gail Larson at 567-4779 for prayer requests and if you are able join the group to pray for those in need.

AN ELECTRONIC MOUSE IN 2010
In January of next year The Church Mouse will go electronic.  There will be three ways in which you can receive it.
1.    You can go the our website  www.vashonlutheranchurch.org
2.    You can sign-up to have it e-mailed to you
3.    You can sign-up to continue to have a hard copy mailed to your home address.
You need to contact the church office to have the Church Mouse mailed to you or to give your e-mail address.  You can e-mail your wish to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .(VLC is case sensitive so use capital letters).

FREE DENTAL CARE AVAILABLE
Care is available to Vashon residents who meet poverty level criteria (poverty guidelines are posted on bulletin board by pastor’s office). Our community dentists, hygienists, assistants, and Medical Teams International Mobile Van have come together to provide free cleaning and restorative services to eligible residents on Sept. 25th. Walk-ins cannot be seen.  Call for screening in order to schedule an appointment at 206 463-9032.

NEW HYMNS
Martin Luther encouraged congregational singing and wrote many hymns that we use today.  There is always a need for new hymns that reflect current concerns within the church.  The ELCA has set a goal that by the 500th anniversary of our church, to create 50 new hymns, in all styles and types.  Each congregation is encouraged to seek out people who want to write new hymns and music. Then use the new hymns in congregational worship and select the best and forward them to the local synod.  The synod will select the best to use in our celebration in 2017.  This is a worthwhile and doable project.  Let’s all contribute to a new voice in worship.

A SERVICE of PRAYER and HEALING
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 October 4th 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 and is due now; 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.

BAPTISM SCHEDULE FOR 2009
During 2009, baptism will be a special part of the worship on  these dates:
November  1st, Sunday, All Saint’s Sunday
December 25th, Friday. Christmas Day

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Brad and Jane; Lyanne Koehler (Patte Wagner’s aunt); Judy and Michele, who are friends of Gail Larson; Terri Hitch; Tim Marsh (Asst. Mgr. at Thriftway); Josephine (relative of Linda VanStone); Karen Rae; Doug Clark and his daughter (friend of J. Lincoln); Stephanie Lee & family.  Also remember those in care facilities: Lelan Lau, Carl Nelson, & Oda Sorensen. Contact Gail Larson at 567-4779 to initiate a prayer request.

HAPPY OCTOBER ANNIVERSARY
Steve & Joanne Kicinski    Oct 13

HAPPY OCTOBER BIRTHDAY
Preston Scheer    1-Oct        Dennis Hess    22-Oct
Rika Chappell    2-Oct        Anne Gaspers    25-Oct
Lanora Hackett    7-Oct        Jill DuBois    26-Oct
Erica Wagner    13-Oct        Margaret Koch    28-Oct
Adam Powelson    16-Oct        Erik Cleland    28-Oct
Hazel Nelson    16-Oct        Julie Gaspers    28-Oct
Elsa Croonquist    17-Oct        Kris Sovde    31-Oct
Tom Kicinski    19-Oct       

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE
10/4    Sun    Francis of Assisi, renewer of Church, 1226
10/6    Tues    Wm. Tyndale, translator, martyr, 1536
10/7    Weds    Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, missionary to America, 1787
10/17    Sat    Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr c. 115
10/18    Sun    St. Luke, Evangelist
10/23    Fri    James of Jerusalem, martyr
10/26    Mon    Philip Nicolai, 1608; Johann Heermann, 1647, Paul Gerhardt, 1676, hymnwriters
10/28    Weds    St. Simon & St. Jude, Apostles
10/31    Sat    Reformation Day

VASHON THRIFTWAY 1%  COMMUNITY DONATION PROGRAM
Remember to save your Vashon Thriftway receipts to be used for our missions program.  Thriftway will donate 1% of the total to VLC.  Remember the rules:
•    Cash register receipts must be from Vashon Thriftway.
•    Cash register receipts must be for purchases made  by members of Vashon Lutheran Church.
•    Receipts turned in cannot be more than one year old.
•    Purchasers must sign each receipt, and indicate their phone number.
•    Receipts may be placed in the indicated receptacle in the Fellowship Hall.
Thanks for helping  
Stewardship Chair

OCTOBER LESSONS

Fall Worship Assistants
October through December