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CHURCH HISTORY STUDY SERIES
We will start a journey through church history during the month of August, time and dates to be determined.  This will be for confirmants and members with the intention of engaging in conversation on the topics.  

WELCOME NEW CONGREGATION MEMBERS
We welcome Roger and Martha Gebhard as new members. They transferred from California and have been attending our church for many months.

INSTALLATION OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS
Newly elected Council Members are: President: Jack Lincoln (second term); Vice President: Doug Helgeson; Stewardship: June Langland (second term). They will be installed during the July 1oth worship service.  Thank you for your service to our congregation.

WORSHIP AT VASHON CARE CENTER
Our next opportunity to lead worship at the Care Center will be on July 24th at 9:15am.  If you are interested in assisting with scripture reading, leading in singing and/or providing fellowship support, please see Pastor Bjoern.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School will be from August 1st through August 5th.  Continuing our annual tradition Vashon Lutheran, Vashon United Methodist, Vashon Presbyterian, the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Burton Community Church will jointly sponsor a Community Vacation Bible School led by the youth from Maple Valley Presbyterian Church. Kindergarten through 5th grade will meet at the Methodist Church 9:30am and grades 6th through high school will meet at the Church of the Holy Spirit 7pm – 8:30pm.. Vashon Lutheran will again host the ending potluck on August 5th at our church. The Maple Youth group will arrive on island July 30th and start with a training of high school students who wish to help with the program (time to be determined).

The theme is 'Inside out & Upside down on Main Street, where Jesus makes a difference every day'.  The emphasis is on gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, grace and faithfulness.  Help make this a memorable and fun week. Tina Parrish (463-5066) is the contact point and is looking for volunteers to help with refreshments and contributions of other needs.  June Langland (463-5850) needs help with the Monday night dinner for the Maple Valley Youth and the VBS Friday night potluck at our church.

FOOD BANK GARDEN
Our garden that helps provide fresh produce for the food bank is in need of volunteers to help harvest and do maintenance.    There is a work party every Tuesdays at 9:30am.  Please plan to come and help.

HYMN SING SUNDAY
Hymn Sing Sunday is July 17th.   Be sure to select some of your favorite hymns and list them on the worship attendance sheet.  We will try to include as many as possible.

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
Confirmation Sunday will be celebrated September 18th.  Anne Gaspers and Nathaniel Larson will affirm their faith.

SEPTEMBER 11TH GUEST PREACHER
The Rev. Jerry Buss will lead us in worship on Sept. 11th.  He will also meet with the Council on September 12th to talk about mission and evangelism.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY 2011
Paul K. Chappell will speak Sept. 22nd at 7pm at our church. Mr. Chappell is the author of The End of War and speaks on why peace is possible and how it can be achieved.  Mr. Chappell graduated from West Point in 2002, served in the army for seven years with a deployment to Baghdad.  He currently is the Peace Leadership Director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.  More information can be found at PaulKChappell.com on the internet.

RUMMAGE SALE
Our rummage sale this year will be last Saturday in September, September. 24th.  SAVE YOUR STUFF! If you have small items and do not have a place to store them until September, you may bring them to the church and store in the music room. Please do not bring large items as we do not have room to store them until the week before the sale, and again please no clothing.  We need volunteers to help set up on Friday, September 23rd and clean up on Saturday, September 24th. Contact June Langland at 463-5850 to volunteer or for more information.

COMPASS HOUSING provided an “in-Kind Donation Policy” which states that they will no longer accept gifts of used blankets, clothing, furniture and children’s toys.  This is due to the cost of receiving, sterilizing, storing and distributing these items.  They rather are focusing on donations that will make a positive impact on the lives of their clients.  Therefore, they continue to accept: sheets (gently used ok and laundered); towels (gently used ok and laundered);
Quilts; new socks; new men’s sweatpants and sweatshirts & hygiene supplies.

All donors are asked to contact the agency before dropping off any items by calling: 206 357 3108.  A full description of their policies is posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.

THRIVENT FINANCIAL
Vashon Lutheran Church is now registered for Thrivent Choice.  This program allows Thrivent members to direct their contributions to the programs they choose.  Last year the program distributed 26 million charitable dollars to 18,000 congregations and organizations.  To direct your Thrivent dollars go to the Thrivent Choice website at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice/resources or call 1-800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice”.

COMPASS VETERANS CENTER IN RENTON
This is a comprehensive new housing and service program located in the heart of downtown Renton.  It provides 58 new units of affordable housing for homeless single female and male veterans and veterans with families.  The center is looking for volunteers to work with teen girls, a children’s program, woman’s groups, or teaching skills, such as basic computer skills or anything you find interesting.  More information is available on their web site: http://www.compasshousingalliance.org/.

THANK YOU WAS RECEIVED from Vinland Lutheran of Poulsbo for the used blankets and mattress pads they received to use as their batting for the quilts they make for Lutheran World Relief (200 a year) and Lutheran Community Services.  Please continue to bring any donations you have to the narthex and Liz Steffens will take them to Poulsbo. 

PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP
A support group for people with Parkinson’s, their families, and care-givers will meet the first Friday of each month from 1-2:30pm at Vashon Lutheran Church.  This is an opportunity to share concerns, resources, support, and have discussions.  Different topics will be featured each month.  The meeting date for July is July 8th and for August is August 5th.  For more information contact Steve Steffens, 567-5976. 

CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS
Please refrain from wearing fragrances to worship services or church events. Many persons suffer from allergies.

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. The service for July will be July 3rd at 6pm and for August will be August 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.

Worship Assistants

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Julie Gaspers and David Stamper (pending surgery); Everett Wittman; Terri Hitch; Stephanie Lee & family. Also remember those in care facilities: Ode Sorensen and Fred Losornio. Contact Gail Larson  (567-4779) to initiate a prayer request. 

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP will meet at 11am on Wednesdays at the VLC library. Please call Gail Larson (567-4779) for prayer requests.

REFRESMENTS AND FLOWERS
We need people to sign-up for refreshments and flowers for Sundays. 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: Doug Helgeson
Secretary: Mary McFarlin
Treasurer: Elaine Lester
Property Manager: Patte Wagner
Stewardship: June Langland
Member at Large: Laura Goth

2011 ALTAR SERVANTS
Jan.        J. Williams
Feb.        G. Yates
Mar.        S. Lincoln
Apr.        K. Stamper
May        S. Lee
June       H. Nelson/B. Snaza
July        N. Jungmann
Aug.       M. Koch/P. Cleland
Sept.      D. Helgeson
Oct.        P. Wagner
Nov.        B Snaza/H. Nelson
Dec.        K. Tkoch/D.Botten

LESSONS

LESSONS FOR JULY
3 Pentecost         July 3, 2011
First Reading  Zech 9:9-12
Psalm   145:8-14
Second Reading  Rom 7:15-25a
Gospel   Matt 11:16-19, 25-30
4 Pentecost            July 10, 2011
First Reading  Isa 55:10-13
Psalm   65:1-13
Second Reading  Rom 8:1-11
Gospel   Matt 13:1-9, 18-23
5 Pentecost       July 17, 2011
First Reading  Isa 44:6-8
Psalm   86:11-17
Second Reading  Rom 8:12-25
Gospel   Matt 13:24-30, 36-43
6 Pentecost           July 24, 2011
First Reading  1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm   119:129-136
Second Reading  Rom 8:26-39
Gospel   Matt 13:31-33, 44-52
7 Pentecost    July 31, 2011
First Reading  Isa 55:1-5
Psalm   145:8-9. 14-21
Second Reading  Rom 9:1-5
Gospel   Matt 14:13-21

LESSONS FOR AUGUST  
8 Pentecost         Aug 7, 2011
First Reading  1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm   85:8-13
Second Reading  Rom 10:5-15
Gospel   Matt 14:22-33
9 Pentecost            Aug 14, 2011
First Reading  Isa 56:1, 6-8
Psalm   67
Second Reading  Rom 11:1-2a, 29-32
Gospel   Matt 15:10-28
10 Pentecost      Aug 21, 2011
First Reading  Isa 51:1-6
Psalm   138
Second Reading  Rom 12:1-8
Gospel   Matt 16:13-20
11 Pentecost           Aug 28, 2011
First Reading  Jer 15:15-21
Psalm   26:1-8
Second Reading  Rom 12:9-21
Gospel   Matt 16: 21-28

HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY 
Bjoern Meinhardt  July 2
Jack Lincoln   July 6 
Gary Koch   July 8
Lori Hess   July 9 
Jim Dam    July 12
Maxine Olson   July 15
Juliana Goth   July 18
Mark Scheer   July 19
Karen Lindskog   July 21
Haley Scheer   July 31

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY 
Roy Topp   Aug 1
Steve Kicinski   Aug 3
David Hackett   Aug 16
Mia Croonquist   Aug 16
Gerry White   Aug 20
Martha Hills   Aug 21
Sadie Beauregard  Aug 23
Bonnie Snaza   Aug 24
Charlie Jenkins   Aug 25
Janet Jenkins   Aug 28
Michael Goth   Aug 30

HAPPY JULY ANNIVERSARY
Michael & Patte Wagner  July 3
Jon & Korina Knudson  July 4
Evans & Elaine Lester  July 7 
Stan & Donna Botten  July 25
Bjoern & Lynn Meinhardt  July 26

HAPPY AUGUST ANNIVERSARY
Gary & Margaret Koch  Aug 12
Jim & Edna Dam   Aug 25
Jeffrey & Gail Larson  Aug 27

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE JULY
7/6 Weds John Hus, martyr, 1415
7/11 Mon Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540
7/12 Tues N. Soderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala, 1931
7/15 Fri Vladimir, Christian ruler Russia, 1015
7/22 Fri St. Mary Magdalene
7/23 Sat Birgitta of Sweden, 1373
7/25 Mon St. James the Elder, Apostle
7/28 Thurs J.S. Bach, 1750; Heinrich Schutz, 1672; Geo. Handel, 1759-musicians
7/29 Fri Mary, Martha, & Lazarus of Bethany
7/29 Fri Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, 1030

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE AUGUST
8/10 Weds Lawrence, deacon, martyr, 258
8/13 Sat Florence Nightengale, 1910; Clara Maass, 1901; renewers of society
8/15 Mon Mary, Mother of our Lord
8/20 Sat Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, 1153
8/24 Weds St. Bartholomew, Apostle
8/28 Sun Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 430
8/31 Weds John Bunyan, teacher, 1688

BAPTISM SCHEDULE FOR 2011
During 2011, baptism will be a special part of our worship on:

• November 6th, Sunday, All Saints Sunday
• December 25th, Sunday, 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 are due by the 20th