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LENTEN STUDY: LUTHER’S MARKS OF THE CHURCH
Join us for fellowship (with bread and soup) and a time of study on Wednesday evenings at 6pm during the season of Lent. In five weeks, we will deal with the following aspects of our Christian faith and set them in relation to Lent and our individual and communal Christian life.
February 24th – Scripture
March 3rd – Baptism and Ministry
March 10th – Communion and Forgiveness
March 17th – Worship
March 24th – the Cross

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP
This month we will have two meetings. On Thursday, March 4th we will meet at Cheryl Prescott’s home to finish the three journeys of Paul. Then at noon on March 18th we will have a pot-luck luncheon at the church. Bring a hot dish, salad or dessert of your choice.  Afterwards we’ll put together kits to assist in the relief efforts of Lutheran World Relief (all their supplies were depleted during the Haiti crisis). You do not need to know how to sew. Items donated by members of VLC last year will be put into the school bags and the sorting and assembling of these items will take some time. In addition we will see a film on some of the cities Paul visited as they exist today. It promises to be a fun time.

OBERAMMERGAU TOUR INFORMATION will be after the worship service on March 7th at noon.

CHURCH LIBRARY DEDICATION
A plaque was placed in the church library on January 31st to commemorate the years of service given by Joanne Scholz. Her efforts in maintaining the library were appreciated and she is missed.

STEPHEN MINISTRY WORKSHOP is a half day event held Sat., Mar. 6th at Mt. Rainier Lutheran High (7306 Waller Rd. E., Tacoma). It will cover: An Introduction to Stephen Ministry, Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief, and How to Care in a Distinctive Way. The cost is $15. per person and you can register at www.stephenministry.org/workshop or call 314 428-2600. More information is on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

VASHON CHORALE
On Sunday March 14th at 2 pm, the Vashon Island Chorale will join with two other choruses to perform Mozart’s Requiem at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. Tickets are available at VAA, Books by the Way, the Vashon Book Shop or from Chorale members for $25. See Vashonislandchorale.org for more information.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS MARCH 14TH. SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR!

HAITI EARTHQUAKE HELP
On February 12th, Haiti was struck with a devastating 7.0 earthquake. People around the world have sent assistance. Individuals and congregations of the ELCA have contributed more than $1.2 million to fund relief efforts of Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and partner organizations working in Haiti to ensure that the people get immediate access to water, food, and shelter. Lutheran World Relief is also committed to the long-term recovery of the people of Haiti. LWR partner Lutheran World Federation is already working to evaluate the needs outside Port-au-Prince and reports that damage in the rural communities is also extensive.

LWR reports a further opportunity to help. Health kits and layettes were sent to Haiti which depleted their stock. Help fill the need for health kits, quilts and school kits. The Women’s Bible Study Group will meet in March to assist in this need. To learn how you can become part of the recovery effort visit lwr.org/Haiti.

You can help by praying for those affected and those there to help. You may also help aid Haiti by making a donation to Lutheran World Relief. They will accept donations by phone at 800-LWR-LWR-2, online at lwr.org or by mailing a check or money order to:

Lutheran World Relief
Haiti Earthquake
P. O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832

COMPASS CENTER DONATION NEEDS

The Compass Center is asking for:

• new or gently used bath towels.
• all necessary hygiene items
• Men’s underwear (larger sized preferably)
• Art/school supplies (for their Art Class at the Day Center and are in need of supplies: markers, colored pencils, construction paper, paints & paint brushes, embellishments, etc. pens/pencils and lined notebooks).

BEWARE OF TERRORIST GROUPS IN THE CHURCH!!!!
Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.

Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as: Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy!

However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church! Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.

Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ! We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return!

NO CHURCH IS EXEMPT! However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin!

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 February 7th 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. Pastor Bjoern 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. Each traveler will need to make their own flight arrangements.

Winter Worship Assistants
January through March

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Karen Rae; Ray and Gerri White (cancer); Blanche Heien and son-in-law Robert Smith; Barbara Steen; Nancy Weishaar (friend of Marsha Morse); Fred Losornio; Terri Hitch; Stephanie Lee & family. Also remember those in care facilities: Lelan Lau, Carl Nelson, & Oda Sorensen. Contact Gail Larson (567-4779) to initiate a prayer request.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP will meet at noon on Tuesdays during the month of March. Please call Gail Larson (567-4779) for prayer requests.

REFRESMENTS AND FLOWERS
We need people to sign-up for refreshments for Sundays in March. Please see the list in the Fellowship Hall.

STAFF AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
STAFF
Rev. Bjoern E. Meinhardt
Rev. Jeffrey Larson, PhD (Counseling)
Secretary Cheryl Prescott
Church Office: 463-2655

CHURCH COUNCIL
President: Jack Lincoln
Vice-President: Susan Lincoln
Secretary: Jill DuBois
Treasurer: Elaine Lester
Property Manager: Michael Wagner
Stewardship: June Langland
Member at Large: Michael Goth

LESSONS FOR MARCH

3 Lent - March 7, 2010
First Reading Isa 55:1-9
Psalm  63:1-8
Second Reading  1 Cor 10:1-13
Gospel  Luke 13:1-9

4 Lent - March 14, 2010
First Reading Josh 5:9-12
Psalm 32
Second Reading 2 Cor 5:16-21
Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

5 Lent - March 21, 2010
First Reading Isa 43:16-21
Psalm  126
Second Reading Phil 3:4b-14
Gospel John 12:1-8

Palm Sunday - March 28, 2010
First Reading Isa 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Second Reading Phil 2:5-11
Gospel Luke 22:14 - 23:56

HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY
Will Kicinski  March 1
Karl Steen  March 1
Brittany Larson  March 4    
Katherine Kicinski  March 17
Nicole Zapel  March 25
Maggie Gaspers  March 26
Alexander Goth  March 26

HAPPY MARCH ANNIVERSARY
Michael & Diane Horne - March 05
Rick & Karla Powelson - March 23
Charlie & Janet Jenkins - March  27

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE
3/1    Mon    George Herbert, priest, 1633
3/2    Tues    John Wesley 1791; Charles Wesley, 1788; renewers of the church
3/7    Sun    Perpetua & companions, martyrs at Carthage, 202; Thomas Aquinas,Teacher, 1274
3/12    Fri    Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, 604
3/17    Weds    Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, 461
3/19    Fri      Joseph, guardian of our Lord
3/22    Mon    Jonathan Edwards, teacher, missionary to American Indians, 1758
3/25    Thurs    The Annunciation of our Lord
3/29    Mon    Hans Nielsen Hauge, renewer of the church, 1824

BAPTISM SCHEDULE FOR 2010
During 2010, baptism will be a special part of our worship on:

•     April 3rd, Saturday, Easter Vigil
•     May 23rd, Sunday, Day of Pentecost
•     November 7th, Sunday, All Saints Sunday
•     December 25th, Saturday, Christmas 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

Articles for The Mouse, due Feb. 20th