Volume2 Issue 12                                                                                                                                            June, 2006

Greetings From Pastor John
SOME FOLKS REALLY LIKE CHANGE… you know who you are, for whether it’s your hairstyle, the car you drive, or the color of the walls in your living room, they all have to be changing.  Then there are the folks who abhor change.  You, too, know who you are, for, if you’re male, it’s just in the past five or so years that you finally gave away the last leisure suit with a cry of, “You never know, the style could come back!”  For you, there’s always that stack of eight tracks in the attic to fall back on…

I tend to fall somewhere in the middle.  There are some things I could change just about every day, but, then again, there are others that I expect to be the same every single time.  For example, there’s a restaurant I used to frequent, well, let’s say, a while ago.  Absolutely loved a particular dish they made.  Moved away, and after a while, well, twenty years, came back, ordered the dish, and it had changed.  I almost demanded to see the chef to correct this outrage.

Sammamish Hills is going through a fair amount of changes these months.  Some were carefully planned; others are a matter of necessity.  They range from the further expansion of our preschool due to a great job by the leadership to staff changes to a proposal for a new, broad-ranging outreach ministry.  Here are the big ones:

WE’RE EXPERIENCING STAFF CHANGES in the transition following the departure of Mary Jones, our long-time and very capable Business Administrator.  Mary continues to serve Sammamish Hills through cyberspace as she settles into her new life in Missoula, MT.  The congregation will have an opportunity to thank Mary for her many years of faithful service on Sunday, June 4th, after any of the morning’s worship services.Kim Peng

Following Mary’s departure, through the steady work of our personnel team (Jill Morgan, Jennifer Garrepy, and Gail Peterson) we now have an outstanding Administrative Assistant for Worship, Formation, and Care- Kim Peng.  Kim brings solid experience in web design, publications development, and communications and has already proven to be a great asset to the congregation.

Pastor CindyWe’ve also welcomed Pr. Cynthia (“Pr. Cindy”) Kirtland as our (Interim and Part-time) Pastor of Care.  “Interim” is in her title, as this is a six month proposal to see if it works for both the congregation and Pr. Cindy.  “Part-time” is also in her title as she serves as on the chaplaincy staff at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle half-time.  Her primary duties are in the area of parish calling and serving on our Care Team with Parish Nurse Janine Hurn, Pr. Will, and myself. 

Pr. Cindy is unique to our pastoral staff as she is a member of the clergy roster of the Presbyterian Church-USA (PC-USA).  Her preferred job title is “PAL,” which is short for “Presbyterian Among Lutherans.”  The recent agreement between the PCUSA and the ELCA (our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) made her service at Sammamish Hills possible.  Because her position is part-time (six to eight hours a week), there was no need for a letter of call.  She has already begun calling on various families in our congregation and it is a delight to have both Pr. Cindy and Kim on staff!  Welcome! 

You will have the opportunity to meet both new staff members on Sunday, June 11th, as Kim and Pr. Cindy are presented to the congregation.

WE’RE EXPERIENCING CHANGES in worship starting June 25th.  On that evening at 7:30 we’ll begin the “First Night” worship service.  For those who remember worship in the Fellowship Hall, here’s your chance to go down memory lane, as that is where First Night services will be held.

Two months after First Night begins, we’ll also be changing our Sunday morning worship times to 8:30, 10:00, and 11:27.  The 8:30 service will be the result of combining our 8:00 & 9:00 services.  The 10:00 service will have the same leadership as our current 10:30.  The 11:27 service is being developed by Pr. Will, who will have more to write about the character and tone of the service as we get closer to the Fall.

WE’RE ALSO BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER CHANGING our ethnic make-up.  Last Fall Pr. Wendy Cheung, of Grace Chinese Lutheran Church, approached me and asked if we would be open to working with an intentional outreach ministry to Chinese language immigrants.  She and her husband Paul are two of the three pastors at Grace Chinese, which is the newest and fastest growing congregation in the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA.  Their dream is to partner with several English language congregations in the Puget Sound area to spread their own outreach to Chinese immigrants.

Their experience has been that the first generation immigrants want to worship and study in Chinese, but their children want to do the same in English.  As there has been particular growth in the Chinese population on the Eastside, we discussed what it might mean to be partners in developing an outreach ministry to that population with Sammamish Hills as the hub.

Our first phone conversations led to a meeting in January with Bishop Boerger, other Eastside ELCA pastors, representatives of our Region offices, and the pastors of both Sammamish Hills and Grace Chinese.  That meeting was followed by both ministry staffs getting together and has finally resulted in a written proposal which was sent out to the congregation in late May.  The written proposal will be considered for adoption at the Spring 2006 Congregational Meeting Sunday, June 11, at Noon in the Fellowship Hall. 

This proposal presents an exciting possibility for our congregation to reach out to others in the in the name and on behalf of Christ.  Please, come, be part of the conversation as we prayerfully consider this request to develop a global ministry right here in our own neighborhood.

So, we’re going to be experiencing a bit of change.  It’s all for the good of the Kingdom of God.  Please, in the midst of whatever life brings us, add your prayers to mine for God’s guidance and wisdom through it all.

See you in Church!

John LaMunyon, Lead Pastor

Worship in June
“In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. . . Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2.17-18a, 21

These are the words from the prophet Joel which Peter used to explain to the crowd what was happening on the day of Pentecost.  This month in worship we too seek to understand what it means to have the life of the Spirit in us.  We move to hearing about the life of the early church in our readings and we’ll see how they struggled.  Things are not so different today than they were so long ago.  We still fear, we still seek to be whole, we still need Christ! 

Join us on Sunday mornings and beginning June 25th- Sunday nights at 7:30pm.

                               Click here to read more about worship in June

Summer Worship!
Spring is here and summer is not too far away.  School will end and both young and old will look to traveling and playing.  But will Sammamish Hills keep the doors open?  Of course!  We will be here as always and even more this summer because we are kicking off a Sunday evening worship service.  There will no longer be a need to feel guilty about sleeping in late or driving back from vacation and missing church.  Starting June 25th and continuing all year around we will have a 7:30pm “First Night” of the week worship service.  This will be everything you expect from a Sunday morning service, except later.  We will feature fine preaching, excellent scripture, and the meal of Holy Communion.  So go on vacation and come home to church on Sunday nights!

Pastor Will's Letter
 Thank You's, Pleas, and a Free T!

Ephesians chapter 4 talks about the body of Christ and how we all are given a place in this body.  I recently spoke to a group of confirmation students about Ephesians 4 and I was amazed at the way they responded.  How wonderful is it to know each of us has a place!  As Ephesians says, there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and we are all united under Christ.

Thank you to all the sponsors of our new members who were received on April 23.  We rely on current members to sponsor new members in order to build up the body here at Sammamish Hills.  We desire to have real relationships with one another so that we can support each other.  Sponsorship is a great start.  After all, Jesus never sent out disciples by themselves.  Our next new member class will start in the fall and if you feel called to be a sponsor, contact me.

Thank you to our fantastic sound techs who make every service possible.  Every Sunday morning I am blessed to work with these fantastic folks, and we are always looking for people to help at every service.  If you are interested in learning to lead in this way, contact me.

Thank you to all the people who will help with the new First Night service which begins June 25th at 7:30pm.  I don’t know who you are yet, but I thank you for your hospitality and graciousness.  We are surrounded by a community desperate to know how much God loves them and you truly are the face of Christ to them.  If you feel called to be a part of First Night, contact me.

“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,  until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”

I know we are blessed with all of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers we need to reach out.  It is a joy to serve with all of you!

Peace,

Pr. Will Sappington
Pastor of Worship and Outreach
prwill@shlc.org

Oh yeah, I almost forgot the Free T.  Are you planning on coming to the First Night service?  Do you want free clothing?  If you answered yes to these questions, then I have a t-shirt for you.  Come to church on June 4th and if you promise to come to 7 out of the 11 First Night services you will get a t-shirt to promote the new service.  If you have any questions, contact me.

Looking ahead…
Sunday,  June 25 First Night Worship begins at 7:30 pm
 Sunday, July 9 Summer Preaching Theme: "Pack Your Bags" begins
Monday, July 17 Vacation Bible School "Fiesta" begins
November 10-12 A Weekend Apart for couples


 The Good Samaritan Fund is used to meet and alleviate local need at the discretion of the Lead Pastor.  It has been some time since gifts were solicited for this fund, however, it is now dry and in need of replenishing.  If you would like to contribute to a fund that has assisted with rent, medications, much needed counseling, etc., please draft a check to the Good Samaritan Fund and either place it in the Sunday offering plate or mail it into the Church office.  Thank you for your support!

Children’s Fiesta! The Fiesta is coming!  This summer’s VBS program will be a wonderful time for kids to “get fired up about God.”  Children from our church and throughout our community will be impacted as they hear the gospel message and participate in exciting, hands-on activities.  Teens, parents, grandparents, join the volunteer team and become a part of this reach out opportunity!  We will need the help of our church body to make this a great event. Come by the Fiesta booth and find out more information.                        

Kids’ and parents.  The VBS Fiesta CD’s are in.  Starting today you can pick up your copy and enjoy the wonderful children’s songs from this summer’s program before VBS begins.  The CD’s are on sale for $5.50.   Want registration materials for VBS?  – We will have these at the booth also.  See you there! 

Backpacks for Kids in Need
"The 2006 Backpack Drive is the Ministry of the Month in June.  Thank you in advance for participating!  This annual event supports families in need in our community through HOPELINK in Redmond and the Issaquah FOOD & CLOTHING BANK.  It’s easy to participate; from a display of needed school supplies, simply select item(s) to purchase and return your donation to SHLC by Sunday June 25th.  No time to shop? CASH DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME! WRITE YOUR CHECK to SHLC and note “BACKPACK DRIVE” (or include a note w/cash in an offering envelope). Questions? Contact Margo Mathre at 425.836.0918 or Linsey LaPlant at 425.888.2997. PEACE BE WITH YOU!" 

End Summer Hunger
Many local children will be hungry during the summer months when the reduced lunch program is not available. The food banks need extra food for families with children during these months. Some of the items needed include: applesauce, peanut butter and jelly, canned soup, cheese/peanut butter cracker packets, etc.

You can put your donations in the container marked End Summer Hunger, or make a cash donation to Hopelink, to help with their program of feeding breakfast and lunch to approximately 200 children. The address for Hope Link is 16225 N.E. 87th St. Suite A-1, Redmond, WA 98052-3536.


ONE Lutheran White Bracelet (FREE)

ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty HistoryOn June 18, stop by the table in the lobby after each service, sign the ONE Declaration, and become a ONE Lutheran. Then receive your free ONE bracelet. ONE by ONE, people are joining together with ONE voice and pursuing ONE goal: to make poverty history.  We invite you to be part of the ONE Campaign!

This effort is really gathering speed. Two million people have now signed the ONE Declaration. Events are being held across the country. Celebrities and religious leaders alike are speaking out for the ONE Campaign.

Here is the ONE Declaration:

“WE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty. WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional resources for basic needs—education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans—would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost equal to just one percent more of the US budget. WE COMMIT ourselves—one person, one voice, one vote at a time—to make a better, safer world for all.”

As the Bread for the World Covenant Church, we're eager to join our voices with others to make a difference. You can also keep up with ONE Campaign developments and learn what actions you can take by visiting the Bread for the World Web site.

ONE voice. ONE goal. Let's keep this momentum going!


Health and Wellness Update
 June:  Enjoying Gardening While Preventing Injuries!
This is the time of year in the Northwest that many of us are whipping our gardens into shape.  As the warmer weather draws us outside to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, we can also enjoy the benefits of moderate exercise while planting and weeding our own backyards.  For many of us growing older we will underestimate the time and effort this will take-- while overestimating our physical abilities! Click here to see more.


 Sammamish Hills Hits The Hills! 
 The first hike is on the boards for June 4th and the group is headed to Little Mt. Si.  Here are the details from Wolfgang Handler, hike leader:

We’ll meet in the Church parking lot at 12:30pm. This will be an easy hike with only 1.5 miles one way. We’ll start at the trail head at 1:00pm and be back to the church parking lot by 4:30 p.m. 

If you’d like to go please contact hike leader Wolfgang Handler at wolfgang@planfor.com or phone 425-844-2278.

BRING:  A day pack with rain gear, extra clothing (weather is changeable this time of year), etc.  For a complete gear list, contact Pr. John, prjohn@shlc.org, or 425.392.7799. 

 A Weekend Apart for married couples is coming up this fall.  November 10-12, 2006, we’ll be heading to the Chrysalis Inn (http://www.thechrysalisinn.com/), on the waterfront in Bellingham, for a great weekend together.  Pr. John LaMunyon and Beth Grauer of Lutheran Counseling Network, Bellingham, will be the retreat leaders.  We had hoped to have more information in this newsletter; however those arrangements are still being negotiated.  The place and leaders are set, so, please set the date aside, as it will be a wonderful weekend away.  If you’d like more information, please contact Pr. John prjohn@shlc.org (425.392.7799, ext. 13).


 High School News
  Click above to see more!
By Andy Hermanson, Director of High School and Young Adult Ministries
It’s June!  Be sure to check out the HSM monthly and Blog for updates and thoughts from Andy!

Pray N' Wash - Sunday, June 11th - 8:00 am - Noon. Come support Summer Missions by having your car washed during the 9 or 10:30 services!

HSM Parent Meeting - Sunday, June 11th - 7-8:30 pm. Come and join us as we gather all who are interested in High School Ministry!  We'll be getting to know each other, worshipping, looking at the calendar, answering questions, looking at ways to serve, and praying for the high school youth of the area!  Bring your questions and ideas to mentor high school youth. No need to RSVP! Click here for more info!

Family Day at the Mariners! - Come celebrate a great day with family at friends at the Mariners on June 17th. Forms available in the Narthex. Limited tickets still available! E-mail Andy for more info!

Fantastic Summer Events - If you are around, don't miss a fantastic time of UP, IN, and OUT! Please email Andy for more info!

Don't miss these incredible "OUT" opportunities! Email Andy for more info!
Young Adult  Ministries
Come and check out The Vine! Looking for community?  Looking to be challenged in your faith?  Even to the point of action?  Come check out the Vine!  Meeting Tuesday nights for dinner, socializing, and a look at the life of Jesus, this group of young adults is working to care for each other, reach our community, and the life Jesus talks about in John 10:10!  E-mail Andy for more info!

 



Middle School & Confirmation News
Click Above to see more!
by Brelin Rismiller, Director of Middle School and  Confirmation Ministries


 It’s June!  Be sure to check out the Middle School Calendar to see the FUN things that are happening this summer!

Pray N' Wash - Sunday, June 11th - 8:00 am - Noon. Come support Summer Missions by having your car washed during the 9 or 10:30 services!

Confirmation Parent Meetings – Sunday, June 11th from 7-8:30 pm OR Wednesday, June 14th from 7-8:30 pm. (You only need to attend one) 
We’ll be gathering to discuss the 2006-07 school year.  There will be lots of information about the different tracks available for Confirmation this fall.  Bring your calendars and a pen so that you can take notes!!  Pr. John & Brelin will be leading this meeting, so bring your best questions!

Family Day at the Mariners! - Come celebrate a great day with family at friends at the Mariners on June 17th. Forms available in the Narthex. Limited tickets still available! E-mail Brelin for more info!

Fantastic Summer Events - If you are around, don't miss a fantastic time of UP, IN, and OUT! Please email Brelin for more info!

Don't miss these incredible "OUT" opportunities! Email Brelin for more info!

Questions? Email Brelin@shlc.org

 Children's Ministry News
Click Above to See more!
by Amanda Forbes, Director of Children's Ministry
 Begin Planning Now for VBS
Parents, be sure your kids have the greatest summer every by planning to sign them up for Fiesta, Sammamish Hills’ VBS program, “Where kids get fired up about Jesus”. Fiesta begins on July 17th and continues through July 21st.  Every day at Fiesta, children will be a part of fun Bible learning adventures that they can see, hear, touch and even taste.  Each activity is planned to help their faith grow and to help them learn more about Jesus’ love.  Your kids will even be able to participate in a hands-on mission project called “Operation Kid-to-Kid”, which reaches out to needy children in Latin American countries.  

Registration is Open

Main Program:
    PROGRAM TIME:        9:00 am - Noon
    AGES:                      4 years (by June 1st) to 5th Grade (Sept)
    COST:                      $35 (Price Includes a T-Shirt)

Pre-SCHOOL:  
    PROGRAM TIME:        9:00 am – 11:00 am
    EXTENDED PROGRAM:  11:00 am – Noon (Free Play Time)
    AGES:                      2-3 years. Parent participation is required with these young learners.
    COST:                      $25  (Price Includes a T-Shirt)

Nursery:                    Available free of cost for all VBS volunteers!
    AGES:                      Birth – 2 years

 Registration forms available on-line, at the church office, or outside the church sanctuary.

Be a Fiesta Volunteer!
Children from our church and throughout our community will be impacted as they hear the gospel message and participate in exciting, hands-on activities.  Teens, parents, grandparents, join the volunteer team and become a part of this reach-out opportunity!  We will need the help of our church body to make this a great event. To find out more information, contact Amanda Forbes at Amanda@shlc.org.                         

The VBS Fiesta CD’s are In 
Starting on May 7th you can pick up your copy of Sing & Play Olé, this summer’s VBS CD filled with wonderful children’s songs.  Get yours now before VBS begins!  The CD’s are on sale for $5.50 each. Stop by the church office to pick yours up today.  

It’s an End of the Year Celebration!
 Join us on June 4th as we close out Sunday School for the year.  We will have a grand time celebrating, playing games, and honoring our wonderful volunteer teachers.  Parents, if you’d like to help with this day, contact Amanda.

Family Fun Day At the Mariners
June 17th:  11:00 am to Game Close (4:00pm)
Join us as the Mariners take on the Giants!!  Starting at 11:00 am we will gather in the stadium for a tasty catered BBQ lunch overlooking Safeco Field.  While we wait for the game to start, we will have super fun games, terrific face painting, and awesome sign-making led by your very own Sammamish Hills Church Staff! (Andy, Brelin, & Amanda!)  Space is limited so sign up now.  For registration information, contact Amanda at amanda@shlc.org.  

Picnics in the Park
Join us every Wednesday starting July 26th for Picnics in the Park.  We will be meeting at Pine Lake Park at 11:30 am.  Bring your children, a lunch and join other families for some fun activities and fellowship.  An interactive time of teaching will be held each week at noon. 

Preschool News
 by Muffie Namie, Preschool Director
 Summer is here and the preschool hall is a quiet place for now… but the staff and Preschool Ministry Team of SHLP are “busy as bees” gearing up for a wonderful new school year with great vision for new classes, a new classroom, and new staff members to help us provide the best possible Christian preschool program that Sammamish Hills Church could hope to offer this community! We thank you for your encouraging prayer support as we work to prepare your preschool for a fresh start this September!

With the end of a great school year, we would like to take this time to say thank you to some very dear and wonderful friends who have left a beautiful mark on this organization and who have put heart and soul into it’s growth and formation as a ministry of Christ’s church; our “outgoing” Ministry Team members ~ Our blessings and heartfelt thanks go to the following:

Carla Berg: regretfully resigned after serving 2/3 year
Jenny Jensen: having served 3 years
Lisa Minton: having served for 2 years
Linda Firnhaber: having served for 2 years

As the new school year gears up, we’d like to introduce our new and several returning Ministry Team members that will move us forward into the 2006-07 school year:

Karen Harmon: 2nd year, returning as Chair
Renee Robinson: new member - Vice chair
Angela Lathwell: 2nd year, returning as Parent Representative
Jen O’Donnell: 3rd year, returning as Member at Large
Laura Rowley: new as Secretary
Ann Rankin: new as Treasurer
Margaret Rosenow: returning as Member at Large (we’ve lost track of how many years Margaret has faithfully served this team!)

If you’re interested in learning more about our classes for fall, please contact Muffie at muffie@shlc.org or 392.7799 ex 29

Church Council Update
March, 2006
The Church Council met on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.

 How to Contact a Council Member:
President:     Frank Tordillos: ftordillos@comcast.net or at Home Phone: 425-391-7469
Vice-President: Carolyn Kaiser: kaiser42@verizon.net or at Home Phone: 425-868-5847
Secretary:         Tom Ryan: tomgryan@msn.com or at Home Phone: 425-837-0670
Treasurer:        Sandy Dahl:    danjdahl@comcast.net or at Home Phone:  425-392-7207
Member at Large:    John Forsyth: forsythfour@comcast.net or at Home Phone: 425-313-5652
Member at Large:    Shana Tischaefer: shanatisch@hotmail.com or at Home Phone: 425-868-5590
 Member at Large:    Kevin Ostendorf: bailey229@comcast.net or at Home Phone: 425-392-3541


Have a Question or concern for the Church Council to hear?
To Contact a council member click here:

Click here to view the Church Calendar
                                                                                                           
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
© 2006 Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church, Sammamish, WA

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