March 3, 2010
 
Lion?  Lamb?  Some sun, some rain.  Not sure.  But we do know that the trees are full and the bulbs will be bursting soon with the beautiful colors of spring.  Can Palm Sunday and Easter be far away?
 
The Lenten journey is entering its third week.  The Soup Suppers and Prayer Services continue tonight at Bellevue Christian Church.  The Supper starts at 6:30 followed by the service.  Each Wednesday you will explore a prayer form.  Tonight’s is “Examen”.  “This is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern God’s direction for us.”  BCC’s address is 10808 SE 28th St, Bellevue, 98004.
 
Pastor Kerry continues her sermon series this Sunday with “Practicing Our Faith:  Sharing Our Story”.  This series focuses on nurturing and growing our faith.  Please join us for worship at 10:30 on Sunday morning.
 
Garage Sale – If you would like to be involved in the upcoming Norkirk (the neighborhood around the church) Garage Sale, Erin H. will have a brief meeting following worship this Sunday, 3/7.
 
It’s A Boy – You are invited to a baby shower for James (our organist) and Jenny Sommer.  It will be held at LWCC on Sunday, March 21, after worship.  The Sommers are registered at Babies “R” Us, registry # 44827275.
 
Thanks – We want to extend a special thank you to David who has been giving time every week to hack down the blackberries and clear back brush and bushes.  Have you noticed how well you can see the building when you drive up?  David is donating 40 hours for his Lenten discipline to LWCC and we appreciate his hard work. 
 
Building on – No, we are not building onto the church…I mean building on to the work that David has started.  Thanks to everyone who has signed up to help maintain the grounds.  Don, our VP of Property, came up with a unique and workable plan to divide the property into 5 zones with several families and/or individuals taking responsibility for keeping up those areas.  If you would like to help with this project the sign-up sheet and zone map are in the foyer. 
 
Sprucing up - (Do you see a pattern here?)  The annual Spring Clean-up day will be 3/27.  We will be cleaning both inside and out and there will be jobs for all skill levels.  Bring gloves, yard tools, and a smile as we get ready for Palm Sunday and Easter.  Our work day will begin at 9 AM, coffee and donuts will be provided.  Only have an hour or two to give?  We will take it!
 
Scents and Scentsibility – (A play on words for you Jane Austin lovers) As our congregation continues to become more aware about Scent Sensitivity, we are looking for material that you can access to become educated about this problem.  We have several members of our congregation that have this condition and in order to provide them with a comfortable space we are asking that you consider them before you put on your perfume, hair spray, or cologne on Sunday morning.  Here are a few websites where you can get more information:  www.breathefreeordie.com, www.seattlepi.com/local/371779_toxifragrance23.html, and  www.allnaturalbeauty.us. 
 
On the Calendar –

• On Thursday, 3/11, there will be a Service of Memory and Hope for Jerry Reber at LWCC.  Anita (Fullwiler), Jerry’s wife, attended LWCC in 1986 and 1987.  Anita has extended and invitation to everyone who remembers she and Jerry to the service and the dinner that is following.  The service will be at 4 PM.
• The Piecemakers, the LWCC quilting group, will meet in the nursery on Saturday, 3/13, at 10 AM.  We will be working on baby blankets for Children’s Hospital.  Bring your cutting tools.  As our space is limited until we can use the “Yellow Room” all the sewing will be done at home.
• The LWCC Book Club is meeting on Tuesday, 3/23, at 7 PM.  Toni and Mike are hosting.  They will be discussing “Bulletproof Faith”, by Candace Chellew-Hodge.
• The deadline to sign up for the CYF (9-12 grade) Winter Retreat is Tuesday, 3/9.  The retreat dates are 3/19-21.  The registration forms are on the table in the foyer.  Scholarships are available.
• Celtic-Christian Celebration - A prayerful gathering to welcome the spring equinox will take place in our church sanctuary beginning at 4 p.m. on March 21. The event will be facilitated by Eileen Knoff, M.A., spiritual director on the Eastside, and founder of Brigid's Circle®, a ministry dedicated to deepening understanding of the Celtic-Christian perspective through prayer and education.  The ministry offers a monthly online reflective sequence and physical gatherings like this one to celebrate important moments on the Celtic calendar. Celtic-Christian spirituality honors the two legs of revelation--Scripture and creation—and encourages attention to both for a fuller life.  You can learn more about this ministry of Brigid's Circle®, and Eileen as spiritual director and founder of the ministry, at www.spiritualdirections.net. For more information on this equinox event, or to participate in the online circle, feel free to contact Eileen at 425-985-3340 or by email: eileenknoff@yahoo.com. ALL ARE WELCOME to experience a bit of the Celtic perspective on life and faith through this gathering.

This, That, and the Other –

•  Several members of LWCC are participating in the Big Climb on March 21.  The climb to the top of the Columbia Tower benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  You can sponsor a climber by going to www.bigclimb.org, click on “Donate”, and then search for a participant.  (For Rob W. you can sign up at church too).  The participants are:  Robert Wham and the Teman/Stokke family (Bill, Margie, Jonnie, Katie, and Tanya)
•  In Texas, former member and continued friend of LWCC, Carm Russell, will be participating in the Koman Race for the Cure on May 1.  If you would like to support Carm and make a donation go to http://sanantonio.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/SAT_SanAntonioAffiliate?px=5840938&pg=personal&fr_id=1703&et=wDR2wnqVs_D_JbN_x-EoyA..&s_tafId=53826.
•  Thanks to everyone who helped with the Community Supper.  I didn’t give you all much notice and you came through like the troopers you are.  What a loving and giving congregation we have.  Give yourselves a pat on the back!
•  Congratulations to Isaiah C.  He is having a great B-ball season at Shorecrest.  Way to go!

 Joys & Concerns –

•  Please be in prayer for the people of Chile as they deal with destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami.  To make donations go to www.weekofcompassion.org.
•  Continued prayers for the people of Haiti. 
•  Several members, former members, & friends of LWCC are dealing with health, financial, and emotional issues.  Please keep them in your prayers
•  It was a joy to have Adaline back in worship with us last Sunday.  She is recovering from her bout with pneumonia and injuries from a car accident.

Whew!  That was a lot to get through.  I hope you read everything and have found something that peaks your interest in the life of LWCC.  Remember that it is through your participation in worship, fellowship, prayer, and outreach that the ministry of LWCC continues and can grow.
 
Hope to see you Sunday!
 
Peace to you and yours,
 
Martha--
Martha Haines
LWCC Office Administrator
343 15th Ave
Kirkland WA 98033
(425) 822-4637
www.lwchristian.org