1. Art and Diseño

EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH
LAKE STEVENS, WASHINGTON
February 2015
Vol. 31, No. 2
VOICE Newsletter
From the Pastor’s Desk
Inside this issue:
Education2
Preschool2
W.A.T.CH.2
Events Page
3
Council Corner
3
Ministries of Ebenezer
4
Our February Birthdays
5
The Prayer Corner
5
Youth of Ebenezer News (Grades 6-12) 6
Readings for Worship
7
February Senior Luncheon
7
Special Thanks
7
The First Valentine
7
Mustard Seeds
8
Five Minute Devotion Reading
Schedule9
In the News
10
New Members’ Class
See page 4 for details.
Special points of interest:
•VBS—NEW DATES...................2
•Preschool Registration...............2
•Spaghetti Dinner.......................3
•Suicide Prevention Workshops.3
•Norwegian Pancake Bkft...........3
•New Members’ Class................4
•Souper Bowl of Caring..............6
•Senior Luncheon (Valentine’s)...7
•Mustard Seeds Art Party...........8
The season of Lent is perhaps one of the most
important and significant in the church year. It is
the time when the passion and death of Jesus
come into focus. It begins with a special day
of repentance, Ash Wednesday (this year on
February 18), and ends in the depth of sorrow
and tragedy of Good Friday.
The word “Lent” comes from the Old English
word “lencten” meaning “spring” and is related
to our word “lengthen.” Taken literally, the word
means that this is the time of the year when the
days lengthen. For Christians the Lenten Season
is a time of preparation, reflection, growth, and
change. Lent can be seen as the springtime of
the soul—a time of growth in faith and a time
to nurture the faith that is already ours.
In the early church Lent became a time to
prepare people, who were new to the faith, for
baptism on Easter Sunday. By the middle of the
fourth century, a 40-day preparation period had
been established. During that time candidates
for Baptism fasted and heard lectures from
early church leaders. Later, the season of Lent
became a time for all Christians to prepare for
Easter. It remains a 40-day period, not counting
Sundays, because all Sundays are considered
“little Easters” and are festival days.
During the Middle Ages Lent became a time
of self-discipline and harsh self-examination.
The season was so strict most people dreaded
its coming. Through time the harsh demands
and expectations have been softened and
relaxed. People today look to Lent as a time of
growth and change. They often include fasting
or restriction of some of their favorite foods or
drinks during the 40 days of Lent. Some people
spend more time in prayer and meditation, while
others give up habits they think unnecessary.
Still others search to discover how they can
share God’s love with others in the world in
meaningful ways.
Our
Our
Journey
Journey
Through
Through
Lent
Lent
FEBRUARY 18
Soup Supper:
6:00 pm
Ash Wednesday
Service with
Communion:
7:00 pm
FEBRUARY 25
Soup Supper:
6:00 pm
Lenten Service:
7:00 pm
Purple is the color associated with the
season of Lent and is used in churches, like
Ebenezer, that observe liturgical traditions. Purple
is a solemn color, reminiscent of royalty and
repentance. It reflects the serious and somber
nature of this time in the life of the church.
As we turn to God during this season of
Lent, we are aware of our sin and rejoice
in the forgiveness promised to us through
our baptisms. I encourage you to make and
keep a resolve to pray daily, read a passage
from Scripture every day, and worship on
Wednesdays and Sundays. You’ll be richer
spiritually if you do.
May God bless you richly and deeply during
this Lenten Season.
Pastor Benson
VOICE Newsletter
Page 2
Education
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
Our lessons this month are from the book
of Luke. The preschool through 5th grade
children will learn about:
• February 1: The beginning of Jesus’
ministry on earth, and how Jesus called
regular people to be his disciples.
• February 8: The story of Jesus’ healing
a sick man whose friends helped him to
reach Jesus.
• February 15: Jesus’ healing of the 10
diseased men, one of whom came back
to thank Jesus.
• February 22: From the parable of the Good
Samaritan, we will learn how to show
mercy to strangers.
Middle School students on Sunday
mornings are exploring the re:form session
videos and workbooks from Augsburg
Fortress. Youth encounter a question from the
historic Christian faith through creative inquiry,
humor, illustrations, and animation. Individual
and group activities engage the students in
tough faith questions presented in the re:form
session videos.
Preschool
W.A.T.CH.
(Wednesdays At The CHurch)
WATCH continues through February 11.
We will meet at 5:30 pm for fellowship,
devotions, and prayer.
Classes meeting at 6:00 pm:
VALENTINE’S DAY
In our Preschool classes the coming of
Valentine’s Day will bring discussions
about friendship and love. Each class will
have a Valentine party celebrating with
yummy treats and special cards they will
share with each other.
Our Bible lessons will be on how God
wants us to love him, be kind, and to be
sorry but to do what’s right.
• Confirmation (7th-8th grades): Students
meet with Pastor Benson.
• High School (9th-12th grades) & Middle
School students who are not attending
Confirmation: Led by Virginia Dutcher.
•Adults:
1.
Big Questions: We’ll examine the
“big questions” about our faith
based on the book, Letters from a
Skeptic, by Dr. Gregory A. Boyd. Led
by Ken Cross.
2. Make quilts for local shelters such
as Women’s Gospel Mission and
Millennia Ministries. Lots of help is
needed. Led by Betty Bauer.
SNOW SCHEDULE
SAFETY UNIT
FOR WATCH
We are continuing our safety unit
If Lake Stevens School
this month. We’ll have a visit with a
District is late starting
firefighter team from the Lake Stevens Fire
school, please call the
Department. They will teach us safety tips
church office after
VBS—NEW DATES: JULY 13-17!
and show how they can be helpful in our
12 pm to see if WATCH is still scheduled. If
Save the Dates! Have fun this
times of need. The children will get to tour school is canceled WATCH is canceled.
summer with Ebenezer’s VBS!
a fire engine and an ambulance. Parents
are welcome to join us.
Everyone is welcome to
WOW (WORSHIP ON WEDNESDAYS)
help us plan another successful season. To
COME TO
give input and be involved in early decision- REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2015
WORSHIP
making, see JoAnn Cross, 425-334-8540, or It’s time to register for the upcoming
every
Kristin Sutton, 425-377-1932. A meeting will school year. Registration is open to all
Wednesday
be on February 2 at 7 pm if you would like to families.
from 7:00join us to learn about our exciting new format. Preschool families, please get your
7:30 pm. Invite friends and neighbors to
registration forms turned in by March 1 to
join you.
ADULT FORUM
ensure a spot for your child. We are limited
The worship style changes each week
The Adult Forum will continue to Honor Our in space so it’s first come, first serve. We
and is very different from our Sunday
Neighbor’s Faith the first three Sundays of
hope classes will fill up quickly. Help us by
February as we learn about and discuss the spreading the word and letting your family, worship. These Wednesday services
include:
following Christian churches:
friends, and neighbors know.
• A quiet, contemplative Prayer service
• February 1: Baptist, United Church of
You can call, email, or stop by
• Holden Evening Prayer service
Christ (Congregational), and Religious
the Preschool desk to pick up your
• Unfailing Light communion service
Society of Friends (Quakers).
registration form or email preschool@
• A festival of hymns service
• February 8: Christian Scientist, Seventh- ebenezerlakestevens.org.
day Adventist, and Eastern Orthodox.
Come each Wednesday to hear God’s
“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but
• February 15: Jehovah’s Witnesses,
Word and to receive His blessings. Some
look
at
the
world
through
the
eyes
Latter-day Saints (Mormon), and
weeks we will have the Sacrament of Holy
of a child.” –Ron Wild
Salvation Army.
Communion.
Page 3
VOICE Newsletter
Events Page
SPAGHETTI DINNER
YOUTH OF EBENEZER FUNDRAISER
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 ~ 5-7 PM
• Rise Up Detroit!
The Youth of
Ebenezer will
host a spaghetti
feed fundraiser.
Donations of food
are needed and are being accepted.
Sign up to donate on the bulletin board
in the Fellowship Hall. Put your food
donations in the box by the Youth Board.
Questions? Please contact Courtney
Stepp, 425-210-3176.
• Spaghetti Dinner in Ebenezer’s
Fellowship Hall. Cost is $15 per seat
for adults (13+), $10 per seat for children
(4-12), and children 3 and under are free.
A limited number of “fancy” seats is
available with a youth table host for $25
per seat (all ages). Check out the flyers
around the church for more details.
NORWEGIAN PANCAKE BREAKFAST
FEBRUARY 21 ~ 7:30-10:30 AM
So delicious! Come to the
all-you-can-eat breakfast
on the third Saturday of
the month. Cost is $5;
children under four are
free. See you there!
HELPING OTHERS!
Are you interested in helping others in
our community, in the United States, and
around the world? Something simple to
provide is a quilt.
Many opportunities are available to
put together simple quilts with little or no
sewing. At Ebenezer quilts are put together
using tops and bottoms (sheets or quilted
tops), pinned, and then tied with yarn.
1. Come to a daytime group that meets
two times a month on the second and
fourth Tuesdays from 10:00 am2:00 pm. Bring your own lunch.
2. During WATCH on Wednesdays from
FAIR TRADE SALES
6:00-6:55 pm. (Come for fellowship
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 ~ 9:30 AM
from 5:30-6:00 pm.)
3. Take home material or squares to sew
Social Ministry will be
quilt tops and return them later to be
selling Fair Trade items
pinned and sewed. For material talk to
such as coffee and
Betty Bauer, 425-334-6332.
chocolate in the Fellowship
Hall. Questions? Please contact Susan
Donated quilts are sent to local
Shephard, 425-334-7517.
shelters, Camp Lutherwood, Holden
BOOK CLUB
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 ~ 6 PM
A short discussion of
January’s book, West
of Here, by Jonathan
Evison will take place
in the Fellowship Hall.
Come to listen to the discussion to see if
this is a book you would like to read.
During February we will read Team of
Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Everyone
is welcome to attend—each month or
whenever you can. Questions? Please
contact Jane Briske, 360-653-4675 or
[email protected].
Village, and Lutheran World Relief.
CELTIC PARTY!
EBENEZER’S FELLOWSHIP HALL
FRIDAY, MARCH 6 ~ 6:00 PM
Ebenezer’s Choir is getting prepared for
their fifth annual Celtic Party to benefit the
music program.
Great entertainment ... authentic Irish
food ... a raffle—all equals a FUN time.
Tickets will go on sale starting Sunday,
February 15, or can be purchased at the
church office, 425-334-0421, during the
week: adults $12, children 12 and under
$8, seniors 60 and over $10. You will want
to “experience” this delightful evening.
SUICIDE PREVENTION WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death
among people ages 15-24. Ebenezer is
hosting two suicide prevention workshops:
(1) 8:30 am-12:00 pm; and (2) 1:00-4:30 pm.
Seats are limited, and this opportunity will
be open to the community.
In these 31/2 hour sessions, we will
learn what we can do to help prevent such
tragedies. The presenters will be Shirley
and Rev. John Swanson, Pacific NW
Regional US Navy Chaplain.
Please sign up on the bulletin board in
the Fellowship Hall. Contact Ken Cross,
425-334-8540, for details.
WHAT’S UP
WITH FELLOWSHIP?
• Pinochle ~ Saturday, February 14,
promptly at 5 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Love to play pinochle? Bring a dinner
snack to share and a friend.
Council Corner
Highlights of 01/13/15 Meeting
Treasurer’s Report:
• All accounts payable are current.
• Total income for 2014 was 105 percent of
budgeted income.
• Expenses for the year have exceeded
income by $3,000.
Ministry Action Reports:
• Property: The vacuum is broken and
needs to be replaced. Discussed
replacing the church offce air conditioner.
Expressed concern about women using
the Nursery entrance to the bathroom
instead of the hallway door.
• Bake Sale: $200 went to Lake Stevens
Family Center, and balance of $1,300 plus
$400 from Thrivent will go to organ repair.
New Business:
• Pastor will present Care Team this month.
VOICE Newsletter
Page 4
Ministries of Ebenezer
STEWARDSHIP
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY
F.A.S.T.
(Faith And Service Teams)
A big thank
you goes to
all those who
have faithfully
supported
Ebenezer
Lutheran Church throughout the past year.
Pastor Benson’s
Thursday morning
The leaders of FAST Team #2 for February
Bible Study begins at are Lon and Pam Shultz. The following
10 am. We meet in
members will be called to help:
the Fireside Room as we dig deeper into the
scripture lessons to be read the following
FEBRUARY
Sunday. Refreshments are served.
Boyns, Bob
We were operating on a deficit budget
Cash, Randy & Beth
PASTOR’S NEW MEMBERS’ CLASS
which means we needed to take in more
Caton, Gregg & Rhonda
SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 8, 15, & 22
money than people had promised to provide.
Ferguson, Doug & Candy
Pastor Benson will be conducting classes
A big thanks also goes to all who used
Hovland, Myron
for new members in his office from
their hands for God’s work at Ebenezer. It
Hurt, Linda
takes many hours to keep the church up and 9:40-10:20 am. If you are interested in
Lyon, Barb
running, and it would be impossible without becoming a member of Ebenezer, talk to
Markwardt, Sheldon
Pastor Benson after worship services or
help from all of you.
Olson, Arden & Karen, Anthony, Angelina
call the church office, 425-334-0421.
Olson, Jim & Mary
FELLOWSHIP NEEDS ~ FEBRUARY
Peterson, Truman & Phyllis
MAR-CILLA CIRCLE
Poremba, Nancy
Paper napkins, paper plates, coffee
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 ~ 11:30 AM
Shultz, Lon & Pam
creamer, gallon Ziploc bags, and aluminum
The ladies of Mar-Cilla
Sutton, Scott & Kristin, Brigitta, Berit,
foil are being collected for fellowship
Circle enjoy fellowship,
Boden
activities and meetings. Please write
a delightful lunch, and
“Fellowship” on all donations and leave
a Bible study. They will
THANK YOU, FAST TEAM #1
them in the kitchen. Thank you to all who
continue their study
provide these supplies.
FAST Team #1 led by Ken and JoAnn Cross
Meeting Jesus. All ladies are invited!
served in January. Your team made our
WE ARE ON FACEBOOK!
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY AT STEPP’S worship enriching, fulfilling, and especially
meaningful. Thank you for serving.
To find us look up
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 ~ 6:30 PM
“Ebenezer Lutheran
All women are invited
FAST TEAM #3 MEETING
Church.” Please ‘Like’
to this Bible study at
our page to be up to date
The members of FAST Team #3 and leaders,
Janice Stepp’s home.
on events and news. We are at 175 likes.
Michael and Susan Shephard, will help with
This year’s theme from
Could you help us make it to 200? Questions
Sunday morning duties in March. Look for a
the Gather magazine
or want something posted? Contact Kristin
mailing in February if you’re on this team.
is Transforming Life and Faith. February’s
Sutton: [email protected].
subject is “Making Conversion Last.” Bring
FAST TEAMS HOST SOUP SUPPERS
your Bible to fellowship, learn, and journey
WOMEN’S EVENTS
in the scriptures. Questions? Please call
Each FAST Team will need three people to
Janice, 425-334-5443.
For information about women’s events,
set up and cook four pots of soup and four
contact Janice Stepp, 425-334-5443; check
people to help with cleanup. Soup suppers
COMMUNITY SUPPER NEEDS
the Fellowship Hall bulletin board; or go to
start at 6 pm and Lenten services at 7 pm.
www.womenoftheelca.org.
We are collecting canned pears, peaches, To serve, call your Team leaders.
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
How can we know that Jesus
was actually God and not
just a prophet? (Hint: Start in
Philippians 2.)
fruit cocktail, and applesauce. Please
leave all your donated items in the baskets
under the signup sheet in the Fellowship
Hall. Thank you for your donations. For
more info please contact JoAnn Cross at
[email protected].
•
•
•
•
•
•
#1 (Cross) on February 18
#4 (Charlot) on February 25
#6 (Wilson) on March 4
#7 (Bracht) on March 11
#8 (Briske) on March 18
#9 (Gross & Stepp) on March 25
Page 5
VOICE Newsletter
Our February Birthdays
Name
Egtvet, Brennan
Anderson, Marnie
Nearhoff, Marcia
Hicks, Russel
Appelgate, Diane
Olson, Andrew
Werner, Alice
Ballard, Elizabeth
Crowley, Lisa
Birth Date
(month/day)
2/1
2/6
2/8
2/12
2/14
2/14
2/14
2/15
2/15
Name
Severson, Roger
Matthews, Alexis
Lowder, Rhonda
Staffenhagen, Carter
Feizbakhsh, Eileen
DiMonda, Logan
Staffenhagen, Wyatt
Nicholson, Katy
Parzyk, Kathy
Birth Date
(month/day)
2/16
2/17
2/18
2/19
2/20
2/22
2/22
2/23
2/23
Name
Gust, Celia
Johanson, Crystal
Martuch, Dominic
Brothers, Susan
Marks, Sandy
Birth Date
(month/day)
2/24
2/25
2/26
2/28
2/29
“You grow up the day you
have your first real laugh—at
yourself.” –Ethel Barrymore
The Prayer Corner
Julie Gordon (Jeff Gust’s sister) - surgery
David Gronlund (C. Johanson’s son-in-law)
Leah Hammersmark (Kathy Eliason’s niece)
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease
CoraLee Hicks (Uilani Smith-Munoz’s
friend) - strokes
Michael Holzwarth (Uilani Smith-Munoz’s
friend) - reconstruction & healing
Lillian Hone (K. Shouman’s mother) - cancer
Dave Hopps (Kirk & Fran Clapper’s brotherMembers of the Congregation:
in-law) - skin cancer
Tyler Caulfield - life’s issues
Dee Hopps (Fran Clapper’s sister)
Pam Hallanger - cancer
Sue Huffman (Jane Briske’s friend) - chemo
Emma Honcoop (Shaya Honcoop’s daughter) Kirsten Jines (Korrine Gust’s daughter) Michele Redland - recovering from surgery
healthy pregnancy
Evelyn
Kimball (Angie Kimball’s baby)
Homebound or Special Care Residents:
Nick Konkler (Martha Konkler’s greatWaleene Gardner
grandson) - cancer
Extended Family with Needs:
Ed Krueger (Debbie May’s father) - cancer
Betty Berger (Pat Jackson’s cousin) - cancer Brandy & Brenna Krug (Darra Large’s friends)
Keith & LaVerne Birk (Janine DiMonda’s
Diane Landert (Pat Jackson’s friend) - surgery
father & mother) - medical issues
Irene Long (Janice Stepp’s friend) - fall
Margo Bradwell (F. Clapper’s friend) - cancer Sue Loveless (Ken Cross’s sister) - healing
Jim Bruins (Eileen Bruins’ son) - leukemia
Wayne Marks (Sandy Marks’ son)
Mavis Carlson (Lynne Charlot’s mother) - stroke Phinne Maughan (Andi Holmes’ nephew) Tabetha Carlson (Robin Lindsay’s friend) recovering from surgeries
cancer
Camden McAlpine (Wyatt Staffenhagen’s
Pat Coleman (P. Peterson’s friend) - chemo
friend) - medical tests
Jeff Dale (Kirk & Fran Clapper’s friend) - cancer Frank McDaniel (Nancy Mitchell’s friend)
Juli England (Cindy Rhodes’ friend) - cancer
- cancer
Ruth Frias (Kay Caulfield’s friend) - heart
David McDonald (Betty McDonald’s son) Kayla Gay (Helen Hendrickson’s niece)
cancer
If you have an urgent need, call Alice
Werner, 425-334-6845, or Margaret Ren,
425-334-3843, the prayer chain leaders who
will contact members
of the prayer chain
to begin praying. We
encourage all members
to pray regularly for the
following members:
Buzzy McGee (Kathy Huber’s brother)
Winnie McGee (Kathy Huber’s mother)
Ed & Sally Parzyk (Roy Parzyk’s father &
mother) - medical issues
Marilee Payne (W. Gardner’s sister-in-law)
Lisa Pearson (Ken Cross’s niece) - hospice
Mark Rice (Alice Werner’s nephew)
Bobbi Schneidewend (Betty Bauer’s cousin)
Laura Signorello (Debbie May’s stepsister)
Martha Stuart (Lia Stuart’s mother-in-law)
Tom Stuart (Lia Stuart’s father-in-law) - cancer
Brian Tate (Dee Anne Williams’ son-in-law)
Petal Turner (Lia Stuart’s great-aunt) - cancer
Caleb Ward (Kay Caulfield’s cousin) - leukemia
Meggi Ward (Susan Shephard’s friend)
Cale Werner (Alice Werner’s grandson) Hodgkin’s lymphoma
For All Our Military and Their Families:
Arie McSherry, David Peterson, Ethan
Stuart, and Kole Sylte
Afghanistan: Josh Main & Chuck Morris
Japan: Sid Hendrickson Jr.
Okinawa: Scott & Selena Viboch
For Those Who Grieve:
Hovland & Shultz Families - Myron Hovland’s
mother LaVerna Schlag passed away
Jorgensen Family - Shirley Jorgensen
passed away
Loth Family - Larry Loth, Pat Jackson’s
friend, passed away
VOICE Newsletter
Page 6
Youth of Ebenezer News (Grades 6-12)
Date
Time
Place
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 21
February 22*
March 6-7
After Both Services
5:00-7:00 pm
Fellowship Hall
11:45 am
Youth Room
7:30-10:30 am
Fellowship Hall
5:30-7:30 pm
Youth Room
7:00 pm Leave
Trinity Lutheran College
7:00 am Return
Event
Souper Bowl of Caring
Spaghetti Dinner
Ebenezer Youth Committee (EYC) Meeting
Norwegian Pancake Breakfast
MS/HS Fellowship (see article below)
Middle School/Jr High GO Night
* This Fellowship date is conditional upon adults signing up to host/chaperone. Please read article below.
Youth Contacts: Virginia Dutcher, 360-568-6258; Courtney Stepp, 425-210-3176; and Ray Delgado, 425-512-9244.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
SPAGHETTI DINNER
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 ~ 5-7 PM
Souper Bowl of Caring is
a nationwide fundraiser
supporting hunger issues
and organizations. Watch
for the youth with their soup
pots after both services on
Souper Bowl Sunday.
The Spaghetti Dinner is
finally here! Remember,
come to participate or
come to eat spaghetti
and other great foods
on February 8 between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.
Come prepared to help the Youth
of Ebenezer “tackle” hunger with this
nationwide youth fundraiser. This year their
donations will go to the Lake Stevens Food
Bank. Matching funds have been applied
for from Thrivent Financial.
EYC MEETING
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 ~ 11:45 AM
MS/HS FELLOWSHIP
FEBRUARY 22 ~ 5:30-7:30 PM
We would like to
continue having
Fellowship on the
second and fourth
Sundays of each
month, but it requires two adults to be there.
A signup sheet is on the Youth Board
for parents and adults who wish to host
Fellowship—at the church or at your
home. We really need the help of parents
and interested adults. Watch your email
for updates or talk to the Youth Contacts
above. Thanks for your help.
Join us in
the Youth
Room to plan
activities,
discuss ideas, and have a voice in
your youth group. If you are in 6th-12th
grades, you can join the Ebenezer Youth
Committee. Parents also can join. So talk
to the contacts above if you want to find
out more about what we do.
NORWEGIAN PANCAKE BREAKFAST
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
We always have a great
time helping with this
community event. Don’t
miss out on this time of
service and a chance to
help our youth group. Please sign up on
the Youth Board.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/JR HIGH GO NIGHT
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 6-7
A FUN, all-nighter for
6th-9th grade youth will
be happening at Trinity
Lutheran College. There
will be roller skating, bowling, inflatables,
and games at the Everett YMCA and late
night PIZZA!
This is a Synod event so there will be
multiple churches attending and over 120
youth participating. Registration deadline
is Sunday, February 22.
PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
Do you enjoy having breakfast at Ebenezer
on Palm Sunday? We
will need help this
year for planning and
organizing as well
as knowing who will
participate and serve at
our traditional breakfast.
The Youth of Ebenezer will have a
planning meeting in February so watch the
Sunday announcements and your email for
the date and time. All Ebenezer friends and
groups are invited to join us at this meeting.
This great event must have a planning team
in place to make it happen this year.
Page 7
VOICE Newsletter
Readings for Worship
February 1
February 15 (Communion)
LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE
1st Lesson: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1st Lesson: II Kings 2:1-12
February 1
8:30 & 10:30 am
February 4
WOW Service - 7:00 pm
February 8
8:30 & 10:30 am
February 11
WOW Service - 7:00 pm
February 15
8:30 & 10:30 am
February 18
Soup Supper - 6:00 pm
Ash Wednesday Service - 7:00 pm
February 22
8:30 & 10:30 am
February 25
Soup Supper - 6:00 pm
Lenten Service - 7:00 pm
Psalm: Psalm 111
Psalm: Psalm 50:1-6
2 Lesson: I Corinthians 8:1-13
2 Lesson: II Corinthians 4:3-6
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
Gospel: Mark 9:2-9
February 8 (Communion)
February 22
1st Lesson: Isaiah 40:21-31
1st Lesson: Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Psalm: Psalm 25:1-10
2nd Lesson: I Corinthians 9:16-23
2nd Lesson: I Peter 3:18-22
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
Gospel: Mark 1:9-15
nd
nd
Sunday School Classes
9:40-10:25 am
Church Office Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Senior Luncheon Special Thanks
February
Senior
Luncheon
Theme: Hearts &
Flowers!
Date: Thursday, February 5
Time: 11:30 am for coffee, tea, and punch;
meal is served at noon
Main Dish: Spaghetti & Meatballs
Please bring a side dish to share and your
friends to enjoy food and fellowship. See
you there.
Volunteers are always welcome and
needed. For more info please call Lynn
Moller, 425-791-0256.
“We love because He first loved us.”
I John 4:19
Christmas Decorations
The Worship & Music Committee would
like to thank everyone who helped take
down our Christmas decorations. A very
big thank you to Carolyn Lund for all the
beautiful new Sanctuary decorations and
wonderful table decor in the Fellowship Hall.
–Jeanette Backstrom
You Are Amazing!
We want to thank our members for
contributing to the Organ Repair
Fundraiser. We have a total of $1,970!
Our goal was $300, but you have blessed
us beyond our wildest dreams. You are
amazing and we are so thankful.
–Iris Ingram & Ebenezer’s Choir
Generous Donation
Thank you so much for another generous
donation of $150 for the Lake Stevens
Community Food Bank. It is helping many
families in our great community.
–Jim Foster, Managing Director
Office Closed
9:00-12:30 & 1:30-5:00
9:00-12:30 & 1:30-4:00
9:00-12:30 & 1:30-4:00
9:00-12:30 & 1:30-4:00
The First
Valentine
St. Valentine’s Day
A time for love
And no more lonely hearts,
We’re sending cards
That say, “Be mine,”
For some, a place to start.
But we forget
The story of
The world’s first Valentine —
But not by mail
Did this one come.
By way of sacrifice
It wasn’t words
But deeds of love
Of One who gave his life —
The One who died
With arms outstretched
And simply said, “Be mine.”
–Brian Roush
Excelsior Springs, MO
VOICE Newsletter
Page 8
MUSTARD SEEDS gathered in January
for an
ART PARTY.
In keeping with the theme of Art, Mustard Seeds made
personal lollipops for a snack!
When the children arrived, they were asked to create art
together that highlighted both how we are the same (we
are all God’s children) and how we are all unique and
special. The art was used to create a cohesive Mustard
Seeds Masterpiece.
Finishing out the night, Mustard Seeds expelled a little of
their extremely high levels of energy by having indoor
snowball fights—the last one against the parents!
For a devotional Mustard Seeds read “You are Special” by
Max Lucado. The story is meant to teach listeners that
each of us is special in God’s eyes and we all have talents
and value.
As usual the Mustard Seeds also engaged in a form of
service beyond themselves. They decorated quilt squares
with thoughts and prayers. The full blanket will be sewn
together later and gifted with other quilts by Ebenezer.
Please look for upcoming Mustard Seeds events in the
announcements and on the signup board downstairs. All
youth 3 years old through 5th grade are welcome to join.
Friends are encouraged—the more the merrier. Parents
can participate in the fun or may leave their little ones for
a couple of hours.
Love and Blessings,
Andi Holmes
Page 9
VOICE Newsletter
Ebenezer Lutheran Church (ELCA)
The VOICE Newsletter
2111 - 117th Avenue NE
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
Nonprofit Org.
PAID
Permit No. 1
Lake Stevens, WA
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
JESUS LOVES ...
Remember to post your calendar!
An Ebenezer Lutheran Church Publication (ELCA): February 2015, Vol. 31, No. 2
Phone: 425-334-0421 / FAX: 425-334-2873
Email: [email protected] / Web Page: www.ebenezerlakestevens.org
In the News
Hearing Aids?
Publish Birthdates?
Just enable the “T coil” function, and
it should work anytime you are in the
Sanctuary. You can ask your hearing aid
provider how to turn it on and off. If you
are purchasing a new hearing aid, you may
want to specifically ask for this function
because some hearing aids don’t have it.
For more information, please contact Ken
Cross, 425-334-8540.
Where Did They Go?
Do you wear a hearing aid? If your hearing
aid is equipped with a “T coil” (also called
a “Tele Coil” or a “Loop System”), our
Sanctuary is now equipped to connect your
hearing aid directly to the sound system.
This will allow you to avoid the distracting
sounds around you and more easily hear the
person speaking—no annoying feedback.
NEW 2015 MEMBER DIRECTORY
Change of name or new address, phone
number, or email address? Please notify
Roseanne in the office, 425-334-0421, as
soon as possible.
We are always looking for ways to be more
responsible with personal info we publish.
Since Ebenezer’s VOICE is a link on our web
page, one item that comes up is birthdays.
If you choose to have yours or your child’s
birthdate left off upcoming issues, please
send an email to the church office.
The LWR quilts and kits members of
Ebenezer put together in 2014 were
distributed to many people in many
countries around the world including
Tanzania, Nicaragua, Armenia, and Peru.
There are probably more countries we
could list, but the final tallies for October
2014 have not been published.
Thanks to everyone who contributed
with sewing and making the quilts,
supplying items for the kits, and giving
monetarily. Would you be willing to help
again in 2015? Purchasing items or making
quilts with Ebenezer’s Quilters?
Following are lists of items needed:
Items for Personal Care Kits:
1 bath-size towel (approximately 52”x27”)
dark color recommended; 2 bath-size bars
(4-5 oz.) of soap (any brand in original
wrapping); 1 adult-size toothbrush (original
package); 1 sturdy comb (remove packaging);
1 metal nail clippers (remove packaging; files
are no longer an option).
Items for Baby Care Kits:
2 lightweight cotton t-shirts (no onesies);
2 long or short-sleeved gowns or sleepers
without feet; 2 receiving blankets mediumweight cotton or flannel or crocheted or
knitted with lightweight yarn up to 52”
square; 4 cloth diapers flat fold preferred; 1
sweater or sweatshirt with hood (include a
baby cap if no hood); 1 hand towel dark color
recommended; 2 bath-size bars (4-5 oz.) of
gentle soup in original wrapping; 2 diaper
pins or large safety pins; 2 pair of socks.
All items should be new or in good
condition. Thanks for your support. (Read
“Helping Others!” on page 3 for info about
making quilts with Ebenezer’s Quilters.)