Greetings in Christ!  Imagine a season in your life where everything slows down, by intent and design.  A season where you consciously take time to examine your life, prayerfully consider what is working and what isn’t, and then seek the Lord’s guidance in moving ever more fully into the abundant life Christ promises to those who will follow.  A season where you take on a discipline that then changes how you live throughout the other seasons of your life.

Welcome to Lent.  We are in the very season where we are called to examine, to, in the words of the Psalmist, “Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” (Joel 2:13)  This is a season when we gather midweek for:

v     The renewal of our faith community through shared soup and sandwiches, as well as games, singing in prayer,

v     The renewal of our own spirits, as well, through quiet worship and corporate prayer.

Also during this season there is a heightened call to prayer.  Some of us are setting aside a day to fast (see Worship Notes), as well as pray.  In the ancient discipline of fasting, when the hungers of the body are subsumed to the hungers of the spirit, it is often easier to discern the still small voice of God in our lives.  What spiritual discipline will you take on during this season of renewal?

Lent is a marvelous time of rebirth and the renewal of our understanding of what it means to follow Christ individually and to be a people of the Cross. Thank you for sharing the journey! 

Here’s to you…for your faithfulness to Christ in daily life! 

See you in Church!

Pr. John

Enter, Rest, and Pray…  these are the watchwords for worship during Lent.  During this season we enter  ever more deeply into the tender promises of our gracious God through resting our spirits in worship and joining together at all times in prayer.  To aid your prayer life during Lent, a weekly “Guide to Lenten Prayer” is posted at the website (www.shlc.org) and can be picked up at the Information Desk in the Sanctuary Narthex on Sundays or in the Office during the week. 

For those who are so inclined, one of the pastors will lead an hour of quiet meditation and prayer every Wednesday noon in the Sanctuary.  The Wednesday gathering involves praying one’s way through the noon hour instead of eating, thereby following the Lenten discipline of fasting.  For more information on this gathering, how to pray, or questions about fasting, ask either Pr. John or Pr. Will.

Worship during Lent takes on a more somber tone.  During the liturgical services we’ll set aside the Hymn of Praise for the Kyrie (Lord, have mercy…), singing the cry of the human heart for “mercy.” 

Wednesday evenings throughout Lent we’ll gather at 7:00 in the sanctuary to sing from Holden Evening Prayer and hear the Word under the theme, Rescued From Exile.  See you in Church!

Click here to read more about worship in March

• Last Call!- Annual Holden WOMEN’S RETREAT is scheduled for March 9-12, 2007.  This retreat is for any women of Sammamish Hills and their friends.  For more information, see the Women's Retreat page. 
   

• ALL-CONGREGATION Winter Retreat is March 30-April 1, 2007, at The Firs Ski Chalet on Mt. Baker.  We’ll start Friday evening and end with lunch on Sunday.  Cost is $95 for adults, $47.50 for children 3-12, birth-2 are free! Financial assistance is available, contact Pr. John for more information. We will have exclusive use of the facility, which is just a quarter mile from the Mt. Baker Ski area.  Cross Country ski trails are nearby and the Chalet has its own tubing area.  For more information on the Firs, go to:  http://www.thefirs.org/index.php?page=mt_baker_chalet_rental.  For more information and to sign up, please see the Winter Snow Retreat page or register in the office with April Fink. Registration deadline- March 15.
   

Health & Wellness Update:

"Cooking Tips for Better Health"

Healthy eating is one way to promote a healthier lifestyle.  Buying healthy food, however, is just the first step-- preparing it correctly can make or break the nutritional bank.  Here are some surprising tips for getting the best health benefits from our carefully selected foods…

We’ve all heard of the need to get more dark leafy greens into our diet…but stir-frying them in a bit of olive oil, (instead of merely steaming), will help to absorb up to five times the amount of antioxidants (specifically, beta-carotene) which aides in protecting our vision, especially as we age.

Click Here to Read More...

Are you a 20 to Mid-30 something looking to meet some fun new people?  Sammamish Hills has a great group of young professionals looking to build community! Whether you’re single, married, or even expecting, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others on your same point of the map.  Our next gathering is a Cocktails, Conversation, and Competion game night scheduled for Friday Night March 23^rd.. 

 February 07’ HSM/Young Adult Calendar Calendar

• 4^th                    AWAKEN
                          China Mission Team Meeting
   

• 7^th                    Lenten Gatherings at Noon and 5:30pm
   

• 10^th                 HSM Feeds the Homeless
   

• 11^th                 AWAKEN
                          Holden Registration Deadline
   

• 14^th                 Lenten Gatherings at Noon and 5:30pm
   

• 15^th-16^th         GameDay Conference
   

• AWAKEN – Reel Life Film Series
   

• 21^st                  Lenten Gatherings at Noon and 5:30pm
   

• 23^rd                 Young Adult Gathering at the Helmer’s
   

• 24^th                 HSM Service Project
   

• 25^th                 AWAKEN
   

• 28^th                 Lenten Gatherings at Noon and 5:30pm

Get ready for the week ahead on Sunday Nights in March! – Join us Sunday nights for Dinner at 5:30pm, AWAKEN at 6:00pm in the Narthex, and Worship at 7:30pm at the church.    Here’s what’s coming up this month:

•             3/4       Finding Your Fit in a Cookie Cutter World: Part 2

•             3/11    Small Group Ministry Projects

•             3/18    Reel Life Film Series: An Inconvenient Truth

•             3/25    A Night for the Ladies!

Interested in getting to know God or yourself better over Lent?  All are invited to fast and pray on Wednesday’s at noon in the sanctuary or for dinner, fun activities and worship when you can make it Wednesday nights all through March!

HSM Parent’s Night Scheduled for March 4^th – Come connect with other parents as we meet for conversation and prayer regarding the ministry.  E-mail Andy to learn more about this great group of parents!

HSM is feeding the Homeless March 10^th! – Want to help others in need?  Anyone high school age or older is invited to head downtown for a walking tour of Seattle’s homeless community while handing out food and clothing!  Volunteers needed for transportation, shopping, and chaperones.  Contact Andy to get signed up!

Holden 2007 registration is open! –It’s time to sign up for another life-changing weekend at Holden Village.  This years youth weekend runs from May 25^th-27^th, 2007 (students will miss class on Friday 5.25).  Cost is $175 and includes food, transportation, and lodging.  Cost reduced to $150 if 2 parents can drive!  Register in the narthex, office, or online!  Deadline is Sunday, March 11^th!

Sign-up for the congregational snow retreat! – If you want to hang out and hit the slopes with other high school friends and their families, this is the event for you!  Details are at www.shlc.org.  Deadline to sign up is March 15^th.

Interested in helping build the kingdom of God March 16^th-17th?  Come to the GameDay conference!  GameDay is a fun, exciting experience designed to help you understand how to share your faith through words and action.  Contact Andy to get signed up!

In need of Service Hours? – Come help out in a service project in the Sammamish community.  E-mail Andy to get signed up today!  Last day to Register is March 21^st.

Did you know? Our community of believers welcomed and engaged over 100 Skyline students through our parking lot program?  If you are interested in shattering the stereotypes high school students may have about Jesus and His people through providing a meal or taking the time to say hi, consider joining us!  E-mail Andy for more information on how to get involved!

Hey Adults! – Your students need your help!  Life-changing events such as feeding the homeless or 30 hour famine do not happen on their own!  If you can chaperone, provide a meal, drive, or simply pray for HSM students, your impact will be visible!  E-mail Andy or visit the HSM website to learn what you can do to help out!

Other Important Dates:

Winter/Spring Dates:

• Girls Retreat/Boy’s Overnighter! – April 20-22^nd, 2007

• HSM Service Project – April 27^th, 2007

• Holden Youth Weekend – May 25-27^th, 2007

• Recognition of Graduating Seniors – June 3^rd, 2007

 Summer Dates:

• Family Day at the Mariner’s – June 23^rd, 2007

• Be a Counselor in Training (grades 10-12) – July 12-15^th, 2007

• Help with Vacation Bible School – July 16-20^th, 2007

• HSM Camps on the Beach – July 23-27^th, 2007

• W.O.W. and AWAKEN dates coming in March

Middle School & Confirmation News
Click Above to see more!

By Brelin Rismiller, Director of Middle School
& Confirmation Ministries

WEEKLY MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS…

DAWG Pound for 6th graders!! It stands for Doing Awesome Work God-style, and that is what our group is all about!! We are doing our best to learn about God’s love, have fun together as a church community, and reach out to our non-Christian friends through fun events and service to the community.  There is a schedule available online with dates, times, and places that you need to know.  Please check the website, or contact Brelin with any questions.

Holy COW (Confirmation On Wednesdays)-  Wednesday night small groups continue with tons of fun lessons on the Old & New Testaments this year!  We want Holy COW to be a place where friends are welcome, and new friends are formed in small and large group settings!!  This is open to students in grades 7-9.  If you are not in a small group, but would like to be, please contact Brelin for more information.

Sunday Night Small Group check out the schedule online for the rest of 2007.  You can always talk to your guides or Brelin with any questions!!

Lenten Student Devotionals are available this year for use at home!!  They are a great resource for youth, and promises to help your student understand what the season of Lent is all about—hopefully bringing them closer to Jesus.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETREATS, SERVICE, & FUN SPECIAL EVENTS…

GO! The Greatest Overnighter has been tentatively re-scheduled for March 2-3, due to the snowstorm in January.  We will be watching a hockey game, playing broomball, eating a midnight meal at Red Robin, and enjoying swimming, inflatables, games, and fun with 400 other middle school kids from the Seattle area!! You can still sign up—just talk to Brelin.

Winter Snow Retreat for Your Whole Family!   Be sure to read all about it in the newsletter elsewhere!!  It’s going to be a wonderful time, and will be held March 30-April 1!!  Registration forms here!!

Girls Only Weekend for Middle School & High School Girls is April 20-22.  We will be driving over to Couer d’Alene for an awesome adventure together at Camp Lutherhaven.  There will be lots of singing in the car, giggling, talking, and fun!  Be sure to talk to Brelin for more details!!  Registration information.

CONFIRMATION CAMP 2007 will be held July 12-15, and we’d love to have you join us!!  There will be hiking, biking, rock climbing, and all sorts of other adventures!!  For the brochure, click here.

YAKIMA MISSION TRIP ’07 will be held July 29-August 3.  Spots are still available on a first-come, first served basis.  It is open to students currently in grades 6 through 12.

WANT TO HANG OUT??  Brelin would love to talk with you, hang out with you, eat ice cream with you, drink Starbucks with you, have Red Robin fries with you, play X-box with you, go for a walk, watch you play sports, listen to your concert, watch the play you’re in, go to a movie with you, help you with your homework, kick a soccer ball around with you, or pretty much anything else fun you can think of… she mostly just wants to hang out.  Send her an email, find her on myspace, or give her a call.
email: brelin@shlc.org, myspace: brelin, phone: 425.392.7799

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.

The season of Lent is upon us.  This forty-day season is a time to prepare ourselves for the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Time is spent during this period in prayer and fasting. In giving up certain food items or activities, people can spend time instead drawing near to God in remembrance of what Jesus gave up for us.  

Fun Facts about Lent:

• Lent began this year on March 21^st, or Ash Wednesday. 
• Sunday’s don’t count in the 40 days of Lent, so it begins 46 days before Easter
• The color of the season is purple, a royal color because we are preparing for our King.

While Lent is seen as more an “adult” season, with a little bit of creativity, children too can participate and find meaning in this time of preparation. Begin by reminding your children about Jesus’ death on the cross.  What did He have to give up for us to be with Him?  How might He have felt?   After they have a good grasp on understanding this, explain that we can remember these things by doing good deed ourselves. Encourage them to think of ways they can do this over the next 40 days.  Here are some ideas to help. 

1. Have an older child?  Ask them individually what they can do to remember what Jesus gave up for them.   This can be accomplished by giving up something themselves such as sweets, the radio, TV, video games, and cell-phone use.  Have them decide on a length of time (a day or for a whole week.) Let them decide something new each week.
2. Have your family participate in some kind of good deed during Lent.  As you work together during the deed you are giving up time in remembrance of Christ.
3. Decide together to donate either money or items to an individual in need or to an organization.
4. Incorporate all the ideas into a “Lent Bag”.  Brainstorm small ways you can remember Jesus’ gift to us either through good deeds or prayer.  Write them down on small slips of paper and place them in a bag.  Each day, every person draws a slip of paper and completes the task.

May this season of Lent draw you and your family closer to Christ as you remember all He gave up for you. 

Blessings,

Children's Ministry Upcoming Events: 

Lenten Soup Suppers:  Join us for a time of fellowship and family friendly activities every Wednesday during Lent starting at 5:30pm.

Family Fun Events:

•        March:  Indoor Pool Party 

•        April:  The Seattle Aquarium

•        Easter Egg Hunt:  Looking for volunteers. 

Vacation Bible School:  Join the planning team for this summer's awesome Bible school.  Avalanche Ranch will be held at our church from July 16 through the 20th.  Help us prepare for this week of Bible learning, games, crafts and snacks.  We are looking for team leaders in the areas of, decorating, registration, volunteers, snacks, and supplies. So if you can get excited about VBS and share with others, love to design props and sets, can plan and organize food events, love giving gifts of appreciation, or love to shop... we need you!    Contact Amanda for more information.

by Muffie Namie, Director of SHL Preschool

“Bloom where you are planted…” a great quote that inspires many of us to live life to its fullest, wherever God has you.  But to us here at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Preschool it also reminds us to take inventory of the “soil conditions” in the little lives we touch each and every day and to “amend the soil” with the extra nutrients of love, encouragement, acceptance and lots of joy!  If you are a tulip bulb and the soil where you are planted is full of weeds and void of rich nutrients, then you are less likely to blossom into the beautiful sign of spring that God intended you to be.  If you are a child and you are “planted” in a classroom where love and acceptance is not the language you hear daily, then like the tulip you will probably not bloom and grow the way God intends for you to.

We are all like the seeds of spring and each one of us need good rich nutrients in our lives to help us thrive and blossom.  Love, joy, knowledge, acceptance, a sense of belonging and purpose – all part of the healthy soil conditions God uses to bloom us wherever He plants us.

This April, friends and members of this church community have the opportunity to “amend the soil” at SHLP.  On April 27^th at 6 PM we are having our “Fun Arts Night” for families and friends wishing to support the “Guardian Angel Fund” which is our preschool scholarship fund!  This special evening will include art activities, silent auctions and desserts to enjoy – even a Cake Walk for the young and young at heart!   Please mark the date on your calendar and plan on supporting this worthwhile event.  All are invited and all are guaranteed to have a great time!

If you are interested in finding a place to watch your preschooler thrive and blossom this fall, please call Muffie at 392.7799 ext. 29 as we have limited spots available! 

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