How Brave Are We?
Let me tell you a true, but humorous and slightly scandalous story that comes out of the early days of the church.
When the father of Origen, a third century theologian, was arrested for being a Christian, Origen, then only 17, was aflame with the desire to follow his Dad and share in glorious martyrdom.  His mother pleaded with him not to go, but the headstrong boy did not want to listen to reason.  His quick thinking mother did what she could.  She hid his clothes.  Though Origen stormed and protested, she wouldn't reveal where they were hidden.  He couldn't leave the house, and so he was unable to volunteer for martyrdom.

Isn't it interesting?  Origen was brave enough to be martyred, but not brave enough to go outside naked.  Stepping outside without clothing would have sped up his arrest and imprisonment, but it was a step he was unwilling to take.

In a sense, I suspect that talking with a friend about our faith is, for many of us, the equivalent of going outside naked.  It makes us uncomfortable. We feel exposed.  We declare that we will give our lives for Christ if he should ask it, but to risk a bit of embarrassment for him seems to be beyond our level of discipleship.  How sad.  The disciples were willing to forsake everything including the esteem of their friends.

As we approach Holy Week and Easter, we are dealing with the saving events that are at the heart and center of our Christian faith and hope.  These holy days and events, provide us with not only the opportunity to speak of our faith and invite those in our lives to come to Grace, but also the content of our witness.  There is nothing more important than our Lord’s death and resurrection in our behalf.  Who are those in your life who need an invitation.

Maundy Thursday             April 1           Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m
GOOD FRIDAY CANTATA    APRIL 2 – 7:30 P.M. “SONG OF THE SHADOWS”                                         
This is a beautiful Cantata that carries the gospel hope of Christ crucified for us.  Be sure to invite family, friends and neighbors.
                                                  

EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 4
Sunrise Pageant, 7:00 a.m. at Marine Park, Blaine Harbor
Easter Breakfast, 9:00 a.m. 
Easter Festival worship at 10:30 a.m

Act As If You Do Love

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor act as if you did.  As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets.  When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.  If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more.  If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

ATTENTION ALL WOMEN
Plan now to attend the Mt. Baker Zone Joyshop 2010.  This is the first function since our newly formed LWML and will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Smith Road.
The date is Saturday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The days activities will include a short fellowship/get acquainted time in the morning, and a Bible Study conducted by Rev. Kurt Onken, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Marysville.

The theme for the Joyshop is “God’s Design Old and New” revolving around tapestries and decorations of the tabernacle and temple in the old Testament and how these decorations foreshadowed our Savior’s life, death and resurrection.  Each society has been asked to bring a quilt square with an Old Testament symbol which will later be made into a finished quilt to be displayed at the fall rally.  We were also asked to write a hymn verse about our symbol to the tune of  “The Church’s One Foundation”. 

(Thanks to Marlene Martin for the quilt square and Laura Nelson for the hymn verse!)

Everyone is anxious to meet the ladies from Grace so hopefully we can have a large representation and take advantage of the opportunity to become better acquainted with LWML and other Lutheran ladies in our zone.

More details will be coming.  See Carole Liebert if you are interested.

HAITI AND CHILI
Those who have been to Haiti and Chili report that images on television don’t come close to capturing the devastation wrought by the earthquakes, nor do the news stories adequately convey the very difficult living circumstances facing the people.  LCMS World Relief and Human Care is working in both countries through our partner churches there to  provide both immediate relief and longer term rebuilding. 
 
LCMS World  Relief and Human Care
works cooperatively with Lutheran World Relief and both focus on small localities that have suffered great losses and are overlooked by the media and the larger aid efforts.  In addition they will be on scene working for the long haul after the initial efforts have ended and the media have left.  Contributions can be marked for Haiti or Chili, or simply Earthquake Relief.

We have received additional tragic news from Haiti.  The Rev. Dr. D.J. Louis, the first Lutheran pastor in Haiti and the founder and first president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti was murdered on March 12.  Apparently two assailants were waiting for him when he returned to his home in the hills above Port-au-Prince where he had moved his family to avoid violence.

BEING A GOOD STEWARD
This spring, the congregational stewardship committee, after serious discussion, has selected the Amanecher Orphanage near Tarrembaro, Mexico, to  receive our Lenten and Easter special offerings.

This special orphanage we have been assisting on a monthly basis this year (our past year emphasis), will be able to keep its doors open and serve this largely populated area.  This orphanage is in need of regular support and our offerings will go with Hazel on her yearly pilgrimage to Morelia.  She has made arrangements for last year’s funds to be distributed on a monthly basis and she can report to us how it is assisting them.  Our goal is to continue with $200 or more monthly allowance.  There are about 50 children in this orphanage.  We have boxes to sit on your table that will help you to remember and to pray for the children and staff at your meals.

Please pick up a box and return it by the end of April.
Whatever you may do as your family project, we truly ask the Lord’s blessings and encourage everyone to do as they are able.  May the Lord continue to bless these  children in Mexico and you, as well.

PRESCHOOL NEWS
We are looking forward to the start of spring in our classroom at Grace Lutheran Preschool.  Our focus this month is on communities. 

We currently have a play Post Office in our class.  The students enjoy writing letters to friends and family members.  Towards the end of the month we will be learning our addresses and this will tie into a visit from a police officer, who is also a parent of one of our students. 

We hope to go for a walking tour of Blaine next month, if the weather permits.

We will be talking about Easter and what it means to us.  The students will learn some new songs for this activity.

Your Mt. Baker Chapter of Thrivent Financial is looking for a congregational advocate for Grace Lutheran.
The position is very different from the Co-coordinator with which you have become familiar, and requires someone with energy and a willingness to speak up about the possibilities available to the congregation through Thrivent.

If you are interested in being the Thrivent advocate for Grace Lutheran go to www.Thrivent.com/Thriventcommunity/volunteerleaderresources/volunteerleadrshipsinterestorm
and fill out the application or see the church office for a copy of the form.

MORELIA MISSION NEWS
November 12…

We shopped big time.  First at Costco, spent about $1,600.00 US, then at Sam’s Club about $700.00.  We got almost a year’s supply of many things, soap of all kinds, shampoo, feminine napkins (by the case) for our 6 teen age girls, T paper, oil and spices and many other things. We still need a wash machine and other big things.  The director Sara came in and they all said a prayer thanking God and all of the donors from America for this abundance of things.  They appreciate everything so much.  We have a computer with internet access here at the orphanage now which makes it so much easier for us.
 
Trying to figure out what projects here are the most important. Here are some of the choices: 1) Put in more meters for the electricity that comes into the orphanage, more meters means less stress on the meters we have and as I understand it the less electricity going thru a meter the better.  The cost is based on a scale of how much goes thru each meter, the more meters the less goes thru each meter. (does this make sense?)  Not easy to understand things here or how they do things but this project will cost about $500.00 US and I think it is worth while.  2) They could also use some aluminum screens on the windows. The kids push out the regular ones and they rip easy.  This will cost about $200.00 and Jake is willing to make these screens.  3) They need 2 sets of shelving put in plus an enclosure for one of them and paint.  Cost about $500.00 US.  4) They need larger laundry baskets and a new automatic washer.  Will I have enough for all of this and if not what do I leave out?  The electricity thing will pay for itself eventually so I think that is a go.  But are you able to see my dilemma?

MISSION LINKS
Grace Lutheran is linked to Guinea, where missionaries Tim and Beth Heiney serve. They write, “We were surprised to find out about an upcoming commissioning of three vicars.  They are commissioned so that they can administer the sacraments in their areas.  We had not been previously told about it and Tim has not been asked to lead or preach. The commissioning was happening completely at the instigation of the church leaders and council, not us, the missionaries—hallelujah!  We were extremely encouraged and anxious to attend. On Sunday, the church was very crowded and the three vicars, Felix, Thomas Tolno, and Thomas Kamano, sat up in the front.  The service was led by Evangelist Alfred Salloe.  This was especially meaningful, because Alfred began training Felix many years ago during his ministry in the village of Tedou. Pastor Julien preached the sermon and did the commissioning.  Tim was asked to come forward for the laying on of hands and prayer, along with several other prominent figures in the church.  But otherwise, the entire service, including the Lord’s Supper, was conducted by the local church. As Tim and I sat in our pew, we got a little choked up, like we were saying goodbye to our children.  But, we recognized that the  proverbial ‘baton’ was being passed.  In mission work, this is our goal, to pass the baton of responsibility to the national church and  allow God to grow them.  It was a great day.”

DEATH
Nora Wagelie died on March 3 at Stafholt.  A memorial service was held here at Grace on March 8.
Dick Mattson died on March 8 also at Stafholt.  Services will be held in California later this month.

Our Christian sympathies are with the families and loved ones.  “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”

BAPTISM:
Grant Harisson Aristotle, infant son of Jesse and Erika (Gervol) Creydt, was received into God’s covenant of grace on March 14.

Vacation Bible School

                    VBS will be held the week of        
                    July 12.  We need lots of          
                    helpers.  If you can help         
                    please speak to Niki Wildermuth 
                    or Laura Nelson.

LIFE LIGHT BIBLE STUDY
A new in depth BIBLE STUDY series will begin on Monday, April 12 with 9 sessions on Exodus.  Please sign up so we can order material.

INTERFAITH COALITION  BENEFIT AUCTION
Our thanks to the Sarah Circle for organizing two gift baskets and for everyone who donated towards them. 
They got Somerbrook Guest House and Lavender Farm to donate a two night stay and Sarah Circle added a  dinner at Semiahmoo for a $340 value. 
The gardening package with wheel barrow and a variety of other donated items was a $160 value.
The first went in the live auction and the second in the silent auction. 
Interfaith Coalition raises over $100,000 each year through this auction.

CHURCH  BROCHURES
We have produced some brochures telling about our church and they are available on the table in the Narthex.  Feel free to take one or more to give to your friends as a way of introducing our congregation.