Agnus Dei Lutheran Church Gather in grace

Grow in faith Go in service

Calendar…………………..….p.12 Celebra ons…………..…….p.10

Council Message…………...p.4 Human Concerns………..….p.9 Faith Community Nurse.p.5,6

Pastors’ Message…………...p.2,3 Stewardship…………….….p.6,7 Worship Schedule………..p.13

Wednesday Evenings: March 4, 11, 18, 25 Soup Supper at 6:00 PM Worship at 6:45 PM During our Wednesday evening Len-ten worship each week, you will have the opportunity to come for-ward with food or check dona ons for our Food Backpacks 4 Kids pro-gram. Suggested foods that we use are: hearty soup, canned chicken, tuna, 16oz pasta, pasta sauce, chili,

instant oatmeal, granola bars, mac'n cheese, instant hot chocolate packets. We currently are serving 60 students each week that school is in session. Your dona ons keep our cupboard stocked!

Soup Supper Providers:March 4: Council, March 11: Men’s Groups, March 18: Youth and Others, March 25: Prayer Shawl Ministry and Quilters

Palm Sunday

March 29

Palm Sunday, March 29th 8:30 and 11:00 Worship with Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday, April 2 7:00 PM Worship with Holy Communion, Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday, April 3 7:00 PM Worship

Easter Vigil, April 4 7:00 PM Worship, Welcome New Members, Holy Communion

Easter Sunday, April 5 Fes val Service of the Resurrec on of our Lord 8:30 and 11:00 Worship with Holy Communion

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From Our Pastors

Learning from the Li le Ones

We have been so enjoying our me with the preschool children from Li le Lambs. Their joyful noises and presence in the building is incredibly upli ing and brings a smiles to many people. We also have the privilege to share in chapel me with them each week. We teach, but we learn too. We share in stories and songs, prayers and offerings. It is a truly a holy me.

We also have been so enjoying Story Time on Sunday mornings during worship. Stories are a core part of our lives together as Chris an community. It is good to tell stories in worship that are par cularly accessi-ble to the youngest among us.

During Lent, we are all encouraged to deepen our faith. O en, this is lived out in prayer or trying some-thing new. So during Story Time during lent we will focus on telling two stories. The first is the story of pu ng away our alleluias. Why do they disappear during Lent? How can we prepare to celebrate their return? The second story, is the story of the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples and teaches us.

During Li le Lambs chapel me, we have been learning mo ons for the Lord’s Prayer. Movement is an important way we all learn, but it is especially helpful for young children. As we grow, we con nue to pray this prayer, and the words take on new meaning as we come to understand what they mean. So, for small children, the mo ons help them learn the words, even if they are s ll growing into what they mean!

So as we journey through Lent, we will reflect in Story Time on the Lord’s Prayer and learn some mo ons to go with them. We encourage all to learn with us, and for children (and adults too!) to feel free to ex-press those mo ons when we pray the Lord’s Prayer during worship.

Peace and Joy, Pastor Stephanie and Pastor Seth

Lutheran 101 Whether you are thinking about joining Agnus Dei or are a long me member. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran, or have only recently hear the word ‘Lutheran’, this class is for you! Wednesday evenings during Lent, we will explore what it means to be Lutheran: the basics of our confession, the impact of the Luther-an church on the world and much more! We will meet in the Sanctuary from 7:30 – 8:30. Classes will be led by the pastors. Feb 25th – Grace and the Sacraments March 4th – Mar n Luther and the Reforma on March 11th - Lutherans at work in the world March 18th – Lutheranism compared to other denomina ons March 25th – Wrap Up/Q&A

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Join our pastors for a weekly bible study based on the lec onary on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 AM in the youth room. It will be led by either Pastor Seth or Pastor Stephanie depending on which of them will be preaching that Sunday. All are welcome!

Please let Pastor Seth and/or Pastor Stephanie know if you are in need of pastoral care. If you would like to be contacted by one of our pastors please call the office at 253-851-6222 or email them at pastorstephanie@agnusdeilutheran.org or pastorseth@agnusdeilutheran.org. In an emergency, you can reach Pastor Seth @ 253-448-3481 or Pastor Stephanie @ 253-234-7752

Youth Group Youth Group happens every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 5pm – 7pm. Youth Group in March meets on the 4th and 18th. All high school students are welcome. During Lent, we will share have Bible Study/Fellowship and then join with the congrega on for Soup Supper and worship.

Na onal Youth Gathering Mee ng A en on Detroit travelers – this month’s mee ng will be on Tuesday, March 10th from 5:30pm – 6:30pm in the youth room. See you there!

Na onal Youth Gathering Fundraisers Mark your calendars for the 2015 Chili Cook-Off/Talent Show! On April 25th, we will gather for a favorite

ADLC ac vity with a twist. There will be a silent auc on and dessert auc on to support the NYG trip. Have an item or idea for the silent auc on? You can drop it off at the church office or contact Alynne Gootkin at 208-3269 or alynnegootkin@comcast.net

We also have firewood for sale, delivered to and unloaded at your home! Price is $100 for a pickup-load full! Contact Pastor Stephanie to schedule a delivery date!

Luther labor is back! Need some help around the house or in your yard? On March 14th and 28th there are friendly faces and able bodies to help out. Contact Pastor Stephanie to get on the schedule!

Pastor’s Visits

We are thoroughly enjoying ge ng to know you all be er! We con nue to work through the directory, se ng up mes to meet with each household, either in your home or here at church. So, if your last name starts with A - F, know that we will be contac ng you soon to set something up. The sole purpose of the visits is to get to know you be er! What are the greatest joys in your lives? What are your greatest challenges? What do you love about Agnus Dei? What are your dreams for the church?

We look forward to visi ng, Pastor Seth and Pastor Stephanie

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Jeanette and Loren Carlander Audrey Clinton Judy and Dick Latimer Jerry Moore Dave Roberts Myra Snider

Jack Stier Rose VanderKlomp Alene Wilkes

Serving Our Country: Jason Barelli, U.S. Navy Matt Fistler, U.S.A.F.(Carlander’s Grandson) Staton West, U.S. Army

Gree ngs from your Church Council,

It seems like spring is right around the corner! We hope this update finds you and your family well. The council met on February 12 and discussed some upcoming deci-sions.

The pastors reported that the Youth Group mee ngs are successful and well-a ended, which we were very excited to hear.

We are in the very early stages of exploring our op ons for expanding the worship area in our sanctuary to accommodate more worshipers during full services. A er exploring our rela onship with Tacoma Lutheran Re rement Community this past month, we approved a mo on to increase our giving to $500 a year.

We are looking for some delegates to send to the Synod Assembly. We hope to finalize our delegate volun-teers this month.

We will next meet on March 12th. Please contact any one of us with any concerns you would like us to consid-er at our mee ng.

Your Church Council Peace and Blessings, Your Church Council

Don and Sharon Krump and family as they mourn the death of their brother-in-law, Jim Greenlee

SERVE IN WORSHIP Your help is needed! There are many opportuni es to serve in worship at Agnus Dei, perhaps there is an area in which you are called to serve? Lectors and Assis ng Ministers assist during worship; Altar Guild helps with set up for communion; Ushers provide hospitality to our congrega on and to visitors; Greeters and Communion servers welcome people at the door and help worship leaders distribute communion; sound volunteers ensure that all can hear. There are many roles both in leading worship and suppor ng those who lead. Training is readily available. Please let one of the following people know how you can help. Assis ng Ministers– Shari Shull Altar Guild-Dianna Carlson Communion Servers/Greeters-Marilyn Hermstad Lectors– Marilyn Colyar Ushers– Marilyn Hermstad Sound System– Team Leader Needed Offering Counters– Linda Ribary Altar Flowers– Dianna Carlson

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Faith Community Nurses Zoe Holmes, Teresa McDonald, and Gwen Daugs

And, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV Bible

What do you have planned for Lent this year? Are you giving up a favorite dessert or coffee, perhaps? The earliest Church Lenten fasts severely restricted all foods, but this prac ce gradually eased. Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) wrote that "We abstain from flesh meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese, and eggs." This ver-sion of the fast was the standard of the Roman Catholic Church throughout most of the Middle Ages. It is not expected that you would give up the foods that were restricted during the Middle Ages. However, I did come across an interes ng email from Por co Benefits Services earlier this year. Por co Benefits Services is a ministry of ECLA, which provides health and financial services to pastors and their families, along with though ul wellness infor-ma on (if interested, see www.por cobenefits.org). Por co’s 2015 featured wellness ac vity invites you to strengthen your emo onal well-being through daily prayer. In-ten onal, daily prayer can help us calm our minds, clarify our rela onship with God, and restore our sense of self. Less encumbered by fear and anxiety, we’re more resilient people, be er able to shape healthy, resilient communi es. If this whole idea of taking on the task of daily prayer sounds too difficult, listen to what is expected before you skip to another ar cle in this newsle er. The name of the ac vity is called Be S ll: Strive to prac ce 5 – 10 minutes a day. (Be gentle with yourself if you need to skip a day or shorten your prac ce.) Be pa ent. Let yourself discover a rhythm for your best me of the day to be s ll. When you find a me that works, stay with it. If you struggle with that me, make an adjustment. Explore how your prac ce of being s ll feels at different

mes of the day: upon rising, at mid-day, at dusk, before going to bed. Remember, your goal isn’t to cram one more thing onto your plate. It’s to establish a regular prayer prac ce that helps you live a more centered life. Be S ll has three components. The first is gra tude. Here are four ways to think about gra tude. What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that? What am I troubled by? How is God present in that? One way to think about how you might answer each of the four above ques ons is to simply sit and reflect on these ques ons in quiet media on. Another way might be to share your answers with others, and listen to their answers, in a group se ng. Journaling is another way of pondering these ques ons for those who believe that when we write with our hands, our words are closer to our hearts. And even another way to answer these ques ons might be to take these ques ons with us on a daily walk, or jog, to contemplate with our footsteps. Our bodies o en register emo ons be-fore our minds do. In answering these ques ons through movement, you may no ce a sense of mental calmness come over as you quiet your mind. There are ancient roots in this gra tude exercise. Daily Examen was developed in the 16th century by Igna us Loyola as a though ul process to look at our day’s events to detect God’s presence and direc on in our lives. The second part of Be S ll is called strength and vulnerability. With our Lutheran assigned scriptures for each day of the week, this prayer prac ce suggests that you read the scripture three mes. First listen for a word or phrase that touches your heart. Upon reading the scripture again, reflect on how this scripture relates to you on that day. Upon your third reading, open yourself to what you can see or do or become as a result of this reading. There are ancient roots for this kind of prac ce as well. Lec o Divina, or divine reading, started in early monastery communi es and invites slow, prayerful readings of scripture.

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February Attendance February 1 120 February 8 132 February 15 83 Ash Wednesday 54 February 22 131

(parish nurses con nued) The third part of Be S ll has to do with a prayer labyrinth, which also has ancient roots. For centuries, labyrinths have been found in religious tradi ons. It is suggested that you download a wholeness wheel labyrinth for this exercise. The labyrinth, downloaded, is a replica of the 13th century French Chartres Cathedral. You can pray the wellness labyrinth daily by tracing your finger from entrance and following the path to the center. Each

me you use the labyrinth, carry one of these ques ons: In what areas of my life am I strong? In what areas of my life am I vulnerable? In what areas of my life might God be nudging me toward? Using the six weeks of Lent to par cipate in Be S ll can lead to establishing a new habit of daily prayer. Be crea ve and establish your own way of developing daily prayer in your life. If daily prayer becomes a part of your life, you will no ce, in me, a sense of well being, a strengthening of emo onal health. However, well being is made up of interconnec ng dimensions. If you tend to one area, like emo onal health, it can lead to improving other areas in your life. As your parish nurses, our hope is that you will find something meaningful to a end to during Lent. Please contact one of the three of us if you have ques ons about wellness or any other health related issues.

Stewardship “You hear a lot of strange things about thing. Some say it is a church tax, and they expect me to pay it and that is the end of it. Others say that when I give to God one-tenth of my income, He blesses the nine-tenths that is le to that the nine-tenths now goes as far as the whole thing used to go. This isn’t really true, is it? Suppose a farmer had 100 bushels of corn in a barn and he decides to plant 10 bushels in the ground. What mul plies? Is it the 90 bushels that he has le in the barn? Oh, no. All of us ‘farmers’ know it is the 10 bushels you put in the ground that mul plies. Similarly, it is the 10 per cent that you give to God that mul plies.” Stanley Tam (1915- ), American business and philanthropist. For those of you who do not know who Stanley Tam is (which included me un l I

looked him up), he is the founder of US Plas c Corp, and has made millions of dollars. I don’t know how much money Mr. Tam made before 1955, but in 1955 he gave his en re business to God (it is now owned completely by a non-profit organiza on) and more than $140 has been made for the Lord’s work. Please think prayerfully about your giving to God’s work.

Mike Snowden, Stewardship Commi ee

2015 General Fund Giving Report General Fund: Goal Actual % of Goal Annual $384,000 February $32,000 $28,764 90% Year to Date $64,000 $55,054 86% 2015 Designated Giving Report

February Year to Date Building Fund $530 $1060 FISH (local food bank) $305 $745 World Hunger $1090 $2345 Organ Lease $370 $765 Building Fund Balance $89,026.49

Sharing our Gifts Stewardship Update

Thank you to all, good and faithful stewards.

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Sundays at 9:40 The pervasive emo on in our culture today, some would argue, is FEAR. And it is easy to see why.

We are bombarded daily with events and condi ons which cause us to be fearful: destruc on of the envi-ronment, global warming. ex nc on of many species, diseases like ebola and even measles, terrorism and ISIS, immigra on, crime, racism, police brutality, deteriora on of the family and tradi onal values. . . . and the list goes on and on. During this Lenten season, Forum will explore some of the fears we face in contem-porary life, thinking about how we can react and respond to the litany of fears which seem to be a part of the human condi on. As a prelude to the series, helping us understand the psychology of fear were Jill and David Moore, Agnus Dei members, who teach at the University of Puget Sound as well as prac ce privately. Jill and David introduced the topic of fear on February 22 by exploring how fear affects us and how fear of the unknown or the other can cause us to act irresponsibly.

Speakers for March include the following: March 1: Michael Rupert, Lieutenant with the Washington State Patrol, will discuss the police per-spec ve of some of the recent confronta ons which have occurred recently. Michael is the son-in-law of Phyllis Brandt, and his African-American background brings an interes ng and unique perspec ve to the ta-ble. March 8: Kelly Bussey is the current Police Chief of Gig Harbor. His presenta on will be directed to personal security and safety, exploring home security, cyber security, personal security in public spaces and other concerns which we all face on a day-to-day basis. March 15: Mary Beth Lepper. Mary Beth, an a orney and pro bono chair for the Washington State Chapter of American Immigra on Lawyers Associa on, helps immigrants connect with an a orney. She will offer her perspec ve on how fear drives the poli cal discussion on current immigra on law and reform, and will suggest how we as a congrega on or as individuals might help advocate for immigra on freeform that is fair, reasonable, workable, and healthy. March 22: Talia Mills. Talia is the current program coordinator for Refugee Recep on and Place-ment for Lutheran Community Services Northwest. She has worked in Namibia in development, and has also worked with vic ms of human trafficking and refugees with the Interna onal Rescue Commi ee. Talia will discuss the rese lement of refugees in the U.S. and how fear impacts this process. March 29: Robert Holczer. Holocaust Remembrance Day is commemorated in April (April 15 – 16 this year), and helping us to understand and remember these horrific events of the last century is Robert Holezer, a friend of Ghita Lorenz and a survivor of the holocaust. This series of Forum Presenta ons/Discussions will be of wide interest to members of our congrega-

on, and everyone is encouraged to come at 9:40 on Sunday mornings to par cipate, learn, and reflect—and perhaps even change our thinking. The Forum Commi ee: Tom Bradford, Marilyn Colyar, Peter Liljengren, Ghita Lorenz, Pastor Seth Novak, Randy Spitzer.

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A picture really is worth 1000 words. Your January TP dona ons were gratefully re-ceived by Peninsula FISH in early February. Per-sonal care items are always needed as well as food items and cash. Items can be le at the Dona on Sta on any me. The enlarged space at FISH is very efficient and welcoming for clients. Our Rose V. gives person-al tours on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Just give her a call to schedule and show up at the back side of the Eagles (next to the Hi-Iu-Hee-Hee on Burnham Drive).

Sadness! Our Souper Bowl needs your help. We are struggling to reach 500 Labels/Boxtops for for Educa on. So, please look into the depths and crannies of your kitchens to find those coupons you’ve been meaning to toss in the Souper Bowl. We can do it! Food Backpacks for Kids Lenten Stock-up During Lenten Wednesday services offerings of food and cash will be collected for Food Backpacks for Kids. The goal is to fill the FB4K cupboards before Easter. Right now we are filling 60 “backpacks” every week, so food doesn’t stay in the cupboard very long.

Coming on April 9th… Another of our fabulous lasagna dinners will be served at Peace Lutheran. So, if you see a sale of frozen lasagnas or juice, you can get a jump on that event. Also, coming in April…a collec on of women’s profession-al clothing and accessories for WWE, a group in Tacoma that trains women to return to the workforce. So, if you are clean-ing closets, and are ready to donate clothes, shoes, scarves, etc., set those items aside for a repurposed life at WEE.

Thank you, Ronnie Kulman Human Concerns Commi ee

Human Concerns

Dinner at Peace Lutheran, October 2014

January Toilet Paper Drive for FISH

Restocking the FB4K cupboards

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This Month at Agnus Dei--(all meetings at church unless noted.) Wednesdays, 9:45 am--Back Packs 4 Kids in the com-munity room. Donations always welcome. For information Contact Phyllis Brandt or Pat Borgen Wednesdays, 10:30 am Lectionary Study with our pas-tors in the Youth Room, Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00--Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the ADLC Youth Room. All knitters and crochet enthu-siasts are welcome! Contact Gwen Daugs Wednesdays during Lent, 6:00 Soup Supper, 6:45 Worship details on front page Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Adult Choir, Contact Shari Shull, 851-6222 (will follow Lenten Weds worship through Lent) Thursdays, 10:00 AM Church Staff Meeting Fridays, 10:00 am--Augsburg Bible Study in the com-munity room. Contact Rose VanderKlomp March 7, Saturday, 8:30 am--Men’s Square at the Sunset Grille, Breakfast and Bible Study. Contact Steve Carlson March 7, Saturday, 8:30 am--Women’s Circle at the Sunset Grille, Breakfast and Bible study. Kayaking or walking for those who wish. Contact Sonja Miller March 12, 7:00 PM Council Meeting in the Community Room March 17, 1:30 pm--Gather Bible Study in the com-munity room. Social time begins at 1:00 pm followed by the study found in the March Gather Magazine, for more information contact either Marge Olmsted or Barb Deák March 19, Thursday, 5:30 pm--“Theology on Tap” at The Marketplace Grille. Contact Doug McDonnell Continued...

Celebrations: MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 Selma Sloth 2 Zoe Holmes 3 Alicia Carter 5 Ryan Page 6 Yve e Harshman 7 Gail Campbell, John Barelli 8 Kathy Chakerian, Chuck Anderson 9 Tracy Clark 10 Rick Harshman 11 Ghita Lorenz 12 Joseph Duncan 14 Ehren Gossler 13 Ryan Leacy, Jerry Moore 15 Christopher Frazier, Kimberly Morgan, Martha Johnson 17 Aidan Meacham 19 David Schinkel 23 Doug McCraw, Marian Borg 25 Dave Horton 26 Jim Adair 27 Cathy Adair, Don Heinz 28 John Spadoni 30 Pat Humlie

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES 3/78 Doug McDonnell and Kathy Fox 25/95 Mark and Leah Frazier

March 20, Friday, 7:00 pm--Agnus Dei Book Group in the community room. Contact Neal VanDerVoorn March 24, 1:00 Quilting for Lutheran World Relief in the Community Room March 26, 12:00 Dining for Women Gig Harbor Chapter meets in the Parish Hall diningforwomen.org

March 2015 S M T W T F S

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We are thankful to… Denny Sapp for his work on the video surveillance system. Steve Carlson for organizing the many repair and maintenance projects in and

around the building Elmer Wagner for his help with the kitchen range. Everyone who serves in worship in so many ways! Pat Damron for sharing her photography skills.

Don and Sharon Krump would like to thank everyone who kept our brother-in-law, Jim Greenlee, in their prayers. Sadly he lost his battle with multiple myeloma on 12 February 2015

Little Lambs Preschool Registration for the 2015-2016 school year is now open. If you or someone you know is looking for a quality preschool education, please tell them about Little Lambs. Word of mouth is our best adver-tising!

Agnus Dei is now on facebook! www.facebook.com/ADLCGigHarbor We will post news, photos and events . Add us to your favorites as another way to keep in touch with what is happening at Agnus Dei. “Like” and “Share” posts so other will see them too!

Save the Date – Sunday, April 19 @ 3 PM

Organ Plus Strings Shari Shull, organ; John Scanlon, viola;

Richard Treat, cello

Organ Benefit Concert

Thank you from the Women’s Retreat Committee: The Women’s Retreat Committee wishes to thank everyone for supporting the homemade candy sale in February. The proceeds will reduce the cost of the annu-al retreat for everyone and help to provide scholarships.

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Agnus Dei Lutheran Church Calendar

MARCH 2015 For more information see event details on page 10

Daylight Savings Time Spring Forward One Hour

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Serving in Worship March 2015

Serve in Worship Schedule Coordinators: Altar Guild: Dianna Carlson Altar Flowers: Dianna Carlson Assisting Ministers: Shari Shull Communion Servers and Greeters: Marilyn Hermstad Lectors: Marilyn Colyar Offering Counters: Linda Ribary Ushers: Marilyn Hermstad Sound System: Position Open

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The monthly newsletter of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church 10511 Peacock Hill Ave NW

Gig Harbor, WA 98332 Submit newsletter items, subscription requests and address changes to Editor/Administrative Assistant: Cindy Beals 253-851-6222 office@agnusdeilutheran.org Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Stephanie McCarthy 253-851-6222, pastorstephanie@agnusdeilutheran.org Pastor: Rev. Seth Novak 253-851-6222, pastorseth@agnusdeilutheran.org Minister of Music, Shari Shull, A.I.M. 253-851-6222, sharishull@comcast.net Pianist, Susan Luebeck Administrative Assistant, Cindy Beals 253-851-6222, office@agnusdeilutheran.org Council President Carol Dana Treasurer, Lance Colyar Financial Secretary, Pat Humlie Asst. Fin.Secretary, Rose VanderKlomp Zoe Holmes, Parish Nurse Gwen Daugs, Parish Nurse Teresa McDonald, Parish Nurse Jack Stier, Parish Sexton

Council John Barelli, Marlene Bridgforth, Steve Carlson, Lance Colyar, Carol Dana, Ehren Gossler, Don Krump, Linda Olson, Tim Wilson

Little Lambs Preschool Director/Teacher Shannon Moore Email:lambs@agnusdeilutheran.org Board President Debbie Snowden Financial Secretary Kimberly Morgan Secretary Kristin Page