Pastor's page Though I have only heard from one person directly, I am hearing rumblings that there are many among our congregation who have questions regarding the Ministry Proposals that are going to be voted on at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 17-23. If you have been following news in the Lutheran magazine over the years, you will remember that: • The 2001 Churchwide Assembly authorized a Churchwide study on matters related to homosexuality and ministry and to bring a report and recommendations to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. It also, in a separate action, authorized the development of a social statement on human sexuality. • In 2005, the task force issued its report and recommendations regarding the rostering of individuals in committed same-sex relationships and the blessing of same-sex couples in committed relationships. ELCA Church Council received the task force report and recommendations and created three recommendations for consideration at the Churchwide Assembly. • August 2005 Churchwide Assembly acted on the Church Council recommendations. ELCA Church Council authorized an extension until the 2009 Churchwide Assembly for consideration of the social statement on human sexuality. The task force that has been working on this study was tasked to present a Social Statement on Human Sexuality for consideration for the 2009 assembly. In addition, they were asked to put forward recommendations for candidates for rostered ministry in the ELCA based on their study. • August 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly considers both the recommended proposed social statement with implementing resolutions, and the report and recommendations on ministry standards. On August 9th and 16th I will be hosting two Adult Forums, directly following our worship service to bring you up to speed on what is being considered in these recommendations, what this means with regard to the local congregation and answer any questions that you might have. If you have not read the document, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust", you can go to www.elca.org , search "Human Sexuality" to read the proposed social statement in its entirety. There is a wealth of information on this website that can provide answers to many of your questions. There is also one copy available on the back table in the narthex as well as some question and answer sheets. I look forward to talking together about these important issues being considered by our church. In Jesus, Pastor Linda
Applying Bible Principles
An oxymoron is the use of two terms which are contradictory
in nature. "Jumbo shrimp" is an oxymoron. "Ferocious lamb" is another.
"Dumb scholar" is yet another.
One of the saddest and most contradictory is the oxymoron, "Stingy Christian."
Because we have been redeemed through our faith in Christ, Christians should be the most
generous of all people. We have been abundantly blessed of God, who has given us all things
richly to enjoy.
(Rom. 8:32).
James 1:17 expresses this truth clearly: "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift,
is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due
to change."
Think about some of God's good gifts:
God gives the seed (Gen. 1:11).
God gives the rain (Job 5:10).
God gives health (Jer. 30:17).
God gives life (Acts 17:25).
God gives strength (Isa. 40:29).
God gives riches (1 Chron. 29:12).
God gives grace (2 Cor. 12:9).
God gives eternal life (Rom. 6:23).
And God gives us money and the ability to get wealth. Solomon said that money is one of God's
gifts to people. The purpose for which He gives us money is stated clearly in Ecclesiastes 5:19
— for our enjoyment.
Some of us make that the primary reason for money. We major in pleasure and the things money can
do for us. But there is another major purpose God gives us money, something that also can bring
great pleasure: To give it back to Him.
That's why of all the oxymorons in existence, "Stingy Christian" is the most contradictory.
We who have been given the most from God should be the most generous people in the world.
As the tombstone in an old cemetery read, "What I spent, I had; what I saved, I lost; what
I gave, I have."
Christ Commands to "Feed the Hungry"
When was the last time you actually felt hunger pains? It's safe to say it occurs rather infrequently!
For one million people this is a daily occurrence. The United Nations says hunger affects one in six
people due to war, political instability, high food prices, and drought.
Hungry people consume less than 1800 calories a day. The United States is plagued with a problem of
high calorie food available almost everywhere.
What would Christ have you do? Our offering envelopes have space to record your hunger gift. Think
about your children, grandchildren, and neighborhood children...what can you do to help?
BIRTHDAY'S
1 Clarance Knutson
Olaf Gieseke
Michael Bontoft
2 John Kotera
3 Kathy Strain
Betty Black
5 Becky Lee
Conner Ness
Beth Coleman
7 Mary Gould
8 Don Eklund
9 Morgan Spreadborough
Preston Foster
Tom Cunningham
11 Cheryl SmitH
12 Carol Oswalt>
Jacob Rahn
13 Dan Hecker
15 Addie Ashby
16 Kathy Cooper
17 Gary Wilbur
Sam & Elle Gallow
18 Jeanette Foster
21 Heidi Mitchell
Jim LeMonds
Alonzo Ogden
23 Bill Hoch
29 Karen Morgan
30 Cheyanne Smith
31 Cory Johnson
IN LOVING MEMORY
Our sympathy is extended to Glen, Gayle, Erika and Neil Agren and their families at the death
of Norma. A memorial service was held on Monday, July 27th. Those wishing to give a gift in her
memory may do so to either the Enduring Gifts Fund at St. Paul Lutheran, PO Box 847, Castle Rock,
Wash., 98611 or Community Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 2067, Longview, Wash. 98632
AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
3 Casey & Sarah Davis Bryan
6 Ken & Sandee Ness
Dave & Jacki Whittaker
11 Kevin & Debbie Lyon - 25 years
13 Brian & Mindy Kleine
16 Cory & Lisa Johnson
19 Lloyd & Heather Snow Jr. - 20 years
Ryan & Katrina Hinesley
25 Janice & Granville Oswalt - 53 years
26 Robert & Becky Danhauser
29 Chuck & Carol Foster - 56 years
31 Cyril & Mary Kittelson - 25 years
THANK YOU
The Koppert Family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and memorial
money for Lorraine. The Parish Nurse Fund, with the help of the memorial money that we
received, will buy an AED (defibrillator), for the church.
We felt all your love and support. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you.
CASTLE ROCK LIONS CLUB
The need is great here in our own town for food donations. Everything brought in stays in
the Castle Rock community. Please remember to bring your non-perishable food - collected
the first Sunday of each month.
DAY CAMP AND VBS
With the help of many volunteers, our week of summer camp and Bible school the week of
June 29-July 2 was another success. Over 40 kids were in attendance! Thanks to all!
MISSION TRIP TO MONTANA
13 youth and adults from several churches in the area spent a week in Kalispell working on
construction of eight homes (insulation) and misc. other projects. Despite a few hot days,
mixed with a few rainy days, it was a very productive and enjoyable time.
MEN'S BREAKFAST
The 2nd Saturday of each month is a special breakfast and Bible study for the men.
Join us in August on the 8th at 7:30 a.m.
BLOOD DRIVE
Monday, August 17th Noon - 6 p.m.
PLEASE GIVE!
ATTENTION OUTDOOR SERVICE PLANNED
Sunday, August 23rd, our regular 10 a.m. Worship Service will be held outside, at Donna
Rodgers' residence. PLEASE REMEMBER to bring your own chair and a sack lunch. (If it
rains, service will be at the church with lunch in the fellowship hall).
CONGRATULATIONS TO VICKI MASTEN
Vicki retired this spring after 25 years as a teacher. Her experience ranges from teaching
1st-8th graders in a one room schoolhouse in Indonesia for 1½ years, middle school in
Olympia, WA for 1½ years, and 22 years at Castle Rock Elementary teaching 3rd grade. We
wish you all the best!
KIDS CLOTHES CLOSET
With the distribution day just a month away, we are still in need of clean children's clothing as
our storehouse is not full. Your contributions would be appreciated to help fill a need in our
community.
Important dates to put on your calendar:
Thurs., Aug. 27 @ 10 a.m. - Set-up
Fri., Aug. 28 from 9 a.m.- Noon Distribution
Sat., Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. - Noon Bag Day
We always can use extra folks to help with this huge ministry. Please contact Anita Gallow at
274-6576 or Beth Coleman at 274-0206 if you can lend a hand.
PARISH NURSE
So many questions and concerns have been about the "swine flu" (or H1N1). Maybe I can provide some useful information. Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. It's name came from a virus that pigs can develop. The virus is contagious and can be spread from human to human like our regular seasonal influenza. It was first detected in the U.S.A. in April 2009. The symptoms are very simular to our seasonal flu which include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A large amount of people infected with this virus also have diarrhea and vomiting. It is spread the same way any virus is spread - through coughing or sneezing by infected people, or by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching one's mouth or nose. It is suggested that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. We want to prevent any flu, especially the H1N1!! Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue away, wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, wash your hands, avoid sick people, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick for seven days after your symtoms begin. If in doubt, remember to wash your hands! To your health, K.C. Babcock, RN Next month letter will be about living with someone with H1N1!!
TRANSITION TEAM UPDATE As the Transition Team approaches the final aspects of its work, we reflect on the Five Tasks of the Interim: Coming to terms with history,Discover new identity, Allow needed leadership change, Renew denominational linkages, and Commit to new directions in ministry. The small group sessions responding to three questions provided a look back and appreciation of our history. Recent effort on the "Profile" (ELCA Congregational Mission Profile) document is to establish past and present information of the Congregation – who and what we are - have been brought into focus. But now we look to the future and determine where we are going – what is our vision, our mission. To do this we need active participation and input from the Congregation. 3 Congregational Forums are scheduled in Aug. Wednesday - August 26 at 7 p.m. Sunday - August 30 at 11 a.m. Sunday - September 6 at 11 a.m. We ask that you set aside time to attend one of these sessions to examine and comment on the remaining parts of the Profile: Part IV: Where is God leading us? and Part V: The Leader we seek. We must prioritize our Mission statements and the pastor qualities we seek. Prepare yourselves for this important process and help the TT to complete the Profile document for council review in September – followed by election of the Call Committee. Submitted by Richard Skreen, TT Secretary
JOIN US - HERE AT ST. PAUL LUTHERAN
- AUGUST 19TH !
We are privileged to host David Harsh in concert on Wed., August 19th. There
will be a mini-concert at 1 p.m., (encouraging attendance by the youth in the community )
and an evening performance at 7 p.m.
David is an award-winning Christian artist who hails from our own state of
Washington. He plays a unique mix of "acoustic Christian folk, rock, and pop" that is sure to appeal to
all ages and music fans.
Trained as an opera singer, David now plays the acoustic guitar and piano, in an
effort to bless God's children of all ages with innovative, relevant, original Christian songs.
(A free-will offering will be taken.)
We encourage you all to come, bring a friend, and expect to be blessed!
Walden Island Tea & Barbecue - August 8th
The annual English Tea hosted by K.C. Babcock will be Saturday, August 8th. There is only one seating this year at 1 p.m., a minimum $20 donation per person, and reservations will be required. Contact K.C. at 360-430-8880 for reservations. YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP FULFILL THESE NEEDS! The BBQ will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. Raffle tickets are being sold for some fabulous prizes. All are welcome - kids, grandkids, neighbors and friends - for an afternoon of swimming and delicious food. All monies from both events will go directly to Community House on Broadway and the Kids Clothes Closet.