O come, let us sing to the LORD;
          let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

                      --- Psalm 95:1  New Revised Standard Version

When my forebears came to this new country, they brought two books with them and cherished those books above all else.  The first book was their Bible.  I still have one of those Bibles and have come to treasure it as a precious heirloom of the faith of those ancestors.  The second book was their hymnal. 

When they would gather on Sundays--with or without a pastor present, for they were in scarce supply—they would faithfully read from and reflect on the first, and they always would sing from the second.  The tradition of regular, lively worship goes far back in the history of God’s people.  When Moses told Pharaoh that the God of the Hebrews commanded him to “Let my people go!” it was to “go worship.”  You can read it for yourself in the book of Exodus.

Today we continue that tradition, for no matter whatever else we might do together as a congregation, the thing we do is worship.  For years there was one style of worship in the Lutheran tradition, and the primary instrument for that style was the organ.  Sometime in the early 1970’s, the organ began to share the chancel with guitars, drums, and a host of other instruments, reflecting styles that would have made Martin Luther tap his toes in time.  My own start as a guitar player began in those years that I might play with the “folk mass” at church.

For a number of years, our worship life has been rich with a variety of styles.  This summer Pr. Will introduced even more styles as our Sunday evening “First Night” services were received by an enthusiastic body of worshippers.  First Night worship has a different style each week, depending on the Sunday of the month.  One Sunday it is a bluegrass service, another blues (GREAT Blues!), yet another a contemporary liturgy for the end of the day by Marty Haugen and Susan Briehl titled, “Unfailing Light.” 

Starting the second Sunday of September, we will have yet another style of worship as the “11:27” service is introduced.  Pr. Will writes more about that service in this newsletter.

On that same second Sunday of September we will be combining the 8:00 and 9:00 services to provide a stronger liturgical service.  Although Pr. Will is responsible for the planning of the other three services, the 8:30 Sunday morning liturgical service is mine to plan, along with other members of the liturgical team:  musicians, artists, lectors, sacristans, acolytes, and ushers. 

No matter which style of worship, we will always seek excellence and faithfulness.  We seek excellence in the holy drama of word, song, prayers, and meal. We seek faithfulness in proclamation and sharing the precious sacraments of our Lord.  Come, let us worship the Lord!

Finally, last month I touched on the role of Sammamish Hills in the ongoing planning process for the development of the Sammamish Town Center.  (http://www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/TownCenter.aspx). Some of you noticed an article in the Sammamish Review reporting on a joint City Council-Planning Commission meeting concerning the three draft proposals for the Town Center.  At one point in the article, our zoning was discussed, followed by a poorly worded comment from a Planning Commission member concerning the “highest and best” use of this property.

In a follow-up meeting with Mayor Michele Petitti, Tom Ryan (Sam Hills Council), and I were assured the City wants Sammamish Hills in this location and that we would be the only ones making decisions about where this congregation is cited.  It was a relief to know the Council can move ahead in starting the “dream” phase of remodeling without fear of being relocated by any outside force.

As our staff served coffee and donuts to the City of Sammamish staff last week at the newly opened City hall, the City staff members were quick to let us know they not only would welcome a bookstore/coffee shop as part of our remodeling, they even put in their orders for what brand of coffee they’d like to have us serve!

We have a long and bright future ahead of us in the heart of this growing community, thanks be to God!

See you in Church!

Pr. John LaMunyon

At Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church we have enjoyed a busy and worship filled summer, but now we move into the fall.  Sunday School is kicking off, fall programs get underway, and service times change.   

In the midst of all this change we rejoice to know we worship a God who does not change.  Our God will never let us down.  Come hear the good news in a new way!

Please tell your friends and neighbors, starting on September 10^th the worship times will be 8:30 (traditional), 10:00 (contemporary), 11.27 (emergent/postmodern), and in the evening First Night at 7:30!

Click here to read more about worship in September

It seems impossible to me I am already writing a newsletter article for September.  (Kim in the office might say, “I can believe it because it was due a week ago!”)  In any case, the summer has flown by.  We traveled with Paul in our Summer Sermon Series, I traveled with the Confirmation students to Idaho, and we all learned more about what it means to be the community at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church.

One of the great successes of the summer has been First Night Worship.  The time of worship in the fellowship hall has been wonderful.  I look forward to continuing to worship with you in this way.  In case you have not made it on Sunday nights at 7:30 here is what we do.  The first Sunday of each month is a Vesper or as I call it “Quiet Service” where we sing evening hymns and many old favorites.  The second Sunday is our Country Gospel service.  The third Sunday features Pastor John leading the Unfailing Light service.  And lastly, the fourth Sunday of each month is our Blues service.  It has been a blast!

As I look ahead a couple of weeks, the worship schedule change is most important piece of information I can share.  As of September 10^th we will change to 8:30 – 10:00 – 11:27am and 7:30pm.  Please tell all of your friends who have been out of town or whom you have been meaning to invite to church! 

If you want a great way to invite folks to the 11.27 service, please see me and pick up a beanie.  These great knit caps look cool and tell everyone what time to show up for the new service.  It has been said time and again, but it bears repeating to say the Church’s best form of evangelism is you.  When you invite a friend to join you in worship, you make a bold statement about what is important in your life.  To paraphrase Paul in Romans, we are not ashamed of the Gospel.  We are not ashamed of the one we love.

Peace be with you, and spread the Word,

Pr. Will Sappington
prwill@shlc.org
 

*November 3-5 we’ll be hosting the first ever Northwest LifeShapes Conference with participants coming from as far away as Calgary and Portland.  For this event we’ll need volunteers to cover a myriad of duties, from working on food service to parking lot attendants.  If you are available and interested in helping out, please let either Pr. Will or Pr. John know as soon as possible.

*The Annual Holden Men’s Retreat* is coming up September 29-October 2.  To register, download a registration form from Holden’s website (www.holdenvillage.org).  Make sure you mark on the form, “Sammamish Hills Men’s Retreat.”  The annual Men’s retreat provides a laid-back weekend at a high mountain retreat community where many of the men participate in a work project while others simply enjoy the sights, go fly-fishing, hiking, and even work in long naps.  If you’re interested, contact Pr. John at prjohn@shlc.org. 

Most of the participants take the boat in and out, but every year a few hardy souls join me in hiking into the Village.  This is not a hike for the novice.  There is serious elevation gain (+/- 4,000’ and 10 miles a day) and weather can always make the difference between a sweet hike and dangerous footing.  But, if you’re game, talk to Pr. John and he’ll share the details of this year’s hike.

Join us for a "Weekend Apart" for married couples November 10-12 at the Chrysalis Inn (http://www.thechrysalisinn.com/) We'll be getting away from the pressures of our everyday lives as we celebrate marriage and gain valuable insight through informal sessions with Sammamish Hills' Pastor John LaMunyon and Beth Grauer of the Lutheran Counseling Network.

Take the time to enjoy a round of golf, stroll on the shore, indulge in a luxurious spa treatment or just spend quiet time with your spouse during this wonderful weekend retreat.

Click here to visit the "Weekend Apart" page where you can get more information about the retreat and download a flyer to sign up.

Space is limited, so sign up today and make plans to join us at the Chrysalis Inn in Bellingham in November.  

 If you would like more information, please contact Pr. John prjohn@shlc.org (425.392.7799, ext. 13).

*The FIRST Annual Holden WOMEN’S RETREAT* is scheduled for March 8-11, 2007.  This retreat is for any women of Sammamish Hills and their friends.  For more information, contact Pr. John, prjohn@shlc.org.

LifeShapes Cluster Gathering September 17^th

Dinner starts at 5:30, followed by our September Cluster Gathering at 6:15.  The Cluster is for anyone who has either gone through the training and has yet to find a group, as well as those who are already in a group.  For more information, contact Pr. John.

Bread for the World 2005 Offering of Letters: Update on Support for the Hunger-Free Communities Act

Last June nearly 150 members of our congregation of all ages personally wrote letters to our Congressional representatives in support of the Hunger-Free Communities Act. Bread for the World continues to urge congressional leaders to bring the Hunger-Free Communities Act (HFCA) to a vote. The Hunger-Free Communities Act commits Congress to ending hunger in the United States by 2015 and strengthens the efforts of local groups working to reduce hunger in their communities. The bipartisan bill would authorize $50 million for grants to coalitions addressing hunger at local levels and would make a national commitment to ending hunger in the United States.  For a summary of the specific provisions of the bill, click here .

Hunger in the United States

·   38.2 million people—including 14 million children—live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (11.9 percent). This is an increase of 1.9 million, from 36.3, million in 2003. ¹

·   3.9 percent of U.S. households experience hunger. Some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day. 10.7 million people, including 3 million children, live in these homes.¹

·   8.0 percent of U.S. households are at risk of hunger. Members of these households have lower quality diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need. 27.5 million people, including 10.6 million children, live in these homes.¹

·   Research shows that preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger. ²

¹  “Household Food Security in the United States, 2004.” ERS Research Briefs.
²  Pediatrics, Vol. 110 No. 4, October 2002 

Take Action:

 The HFCA has 43 cosponsors in the Senate (S. 1120)and 164 cosponsors in the House (H.R. 2717). Senator Murray is one of the co-sponsors but Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Reichert have not yet signed on. Please email or call them today to encourage them to sponsor the bill (and thank Sen. Murray). Ask that they take the next step by urging the Senate or House Agriculture Committee chairman to move the legislation.

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Our September 2006 Ministry of the Month is the Lutheran Counseling Network "LCN".   LCN provides licensed professional individual, couple, family, and group therapy services, consultation and educational programs to congregations and community groups in the Greater Puget Sound area. Lutheran Counseling Network is a not-for-profit pastoral counseling agency and social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Formed in 1981 by a group of 13 counselors, both lay and clergy, LCN’s desire was and continues to be of service to the church by providing counseling and educational services to and within local congregations.

Click here to read more about "Lutheran Counseling Network", Sammamish Hills' Ministry of the Month

It’s September!  Be sure to check out the HSM Monthly and Blog for updates and thoughts from Andy!

Middle School & Confirmation News
Click Above to see more!

By Brelin Rismiller, Director of Middle School & Confirmation Ministries

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

• Confirmation Packets Available Now!-  Click here to access the forms online!
• DAWG Pound for 6th graders Registration Happening NOW! - Want to know more? Click here to find out!
• Parent Meetings are Scheduled- Click here for dates, times, and locations!

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

• Find and bring donations needed to Eastside Baby Corner in Issaquah.
• Want to be part of the worship tech team? Email Brelin.

September 11^th marks the beginning of our 2006-07 school year and we are so excited to celebrate this special day in the life of our preschool!  This is the day the staff and ministry team of SHLP will welcome 64 students and families to “Meet and Greet” their teachers, classmates and special new friends, kicking-off a wonderful new year together!  We thank you for your continued prayers as we prepare our hearts and classrooms for the work (and play) God has set before us!  What a privilege to serve Him in this way…

Wish list ~ As we prepare our classes for the arrival of children, we have developed a “wish list” of a few specific items we would love to include in our classroom inventory.  If you are doing a “summer clean up” around the house and your little ones have outgrown any of the following articles, please remember us as you sort and give-away:

• Pretend play work bench, housekeeping items, etc.
• Dress-up clothes
• Duplo blocks/Lego Table
• Baby dolls and clothes (also Polly Pockets)
• Musical instruments (preschool age appropriate)

Enrollment ~ Our classes are full for the 2006-07 school year but we do have wait-lists we are adding names to.   If you have a friend or neighbor who is in need of a preschool for their little one, please have them call Muffie at 392.7799 ex 29 for more information.  I would be happy to help them in their preschool search!

How to Contact a Council Member:

President:

Frank Tordillos:

Vice-President:

Carolyn Kaiser:

Secretary: 

Tom Ryan:

Treasurer: 

Sandy Dahl:

Member at Large:

John Forsyth:

Member at Large:

Shana Tischaefer:

Kevin Ostendorf:

Do you have a question or concern for the Church Council to hear?
To Contact a council member, please click here .

Click here to view the Church Calendar