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In This Issue
Next Sunday’s Readings
What can we expect from God? What does God expect from us? The readings for this coming Sunday are all about the covenant relationship between God and Israel and between God and all who follow Jesus. Moses gives the covenant to the Hebrew people in the wilderness. Jesus gives the new covenant in his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is showing us how to be God’s people and how to live as the children of God.
Read Next Sunday’s Lessons here.
Last Sunday’s Sermon: The Blessings Come First
The Sermon on the Mount can look like a loose collection of beautiful and hopeful teachings unless we recognize the new covenant that Jesus is announcing. The relationship between God and Israel is defined by a covenant, given first to Abraham, then through Moses, and repeated throughout the Old Testament scriptures. Jesus is offering the fulfillment of the covenant and a transformation of the covenant to include all people.
Listen to Last Sunday's Sermon Here.
Our Future is Bright
Dear Friends,
We have much to be thankful for as we move forward at St. Dunstan’s Church. There is a bustle of activity going on and one of the most exciting things happening is our stained glass window project. The artists met last Saturday and will soon be submitting their designs for our consideration. I encourage you to take an active part in this project and put your talents to work to help us build this beautiful window. More information will be coming very soon.
This Friday evening and all day Saturday, your vestry will be holding a retreat. We will be worshipping together, discussing the future of our church, and breaking into teams that will be responsible for the management and growth of St. Dunstan’s Church. This is your vestry, and it consists of dedicated parishioners who care about our church and our people. Please always feel free to discuss delights and concerns with members of the vestry. We are all a community together and we are here to worship God and build our fellowship together.
Last Sunday, the Christian Education Committee met and began laying out the plans for this summer’s Vacation Bible Camp. We have lots of great ideas and activities planned for the children. Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to enjoy themselves, and learn about Jesus Christ. The dates are July 11th through the 15th, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. We would love to have you take an active part in VBC and if you are interested, please contact me. I would love to have you be with us. There is such joy in sharing in the life of a child.
May God’s grace rest upon you and His love lift you up.
Blessings,
Mary E. Pacher
Vestry Corner
February 10, 2010
Some time ago, a $25,000.00 memorial donation was made to St. Dunstan’s Church in memory of our former Deacon, John Shiveley. This was a generous gift and we are grateful to have received it.
We have spoken with John’s widow, Dorothy, and asked her permission to use this gift to invest in the future growth of St. Dunstan’s. We have also spoken with her son, Richard. We are pleased to report that Dorothy and Richard have enthusiastically given us their permission to use the funds to invest in the growth of St. Dunstan’s Church.
The funds would be used in two ways: first, in communication to non-members ( and members) to let them know what we have to offer via the website, mailings, banners, advertising, and other means. Secondly, to support the staff time necessary to do the added outreach communications that will enable us to build the congregation.
We believe that there may have been other contributors to the John Shiveley memorial fund. If you were a contributor to the John Shiveley memorial fund, and have an objection to what our plans are, we ask that you notify the Sr. Warden, Mary E. Pacher, or any member of the Vestry, in writing by February 28, 2010. You will be asked for proof of your donation at that time.
We are very grateful to Dorothy and her son Richard for their generosity. Both felt that John would have whole heartedly approved of our plans. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Vestry Retreat will be held starting Friday, February 11 from 7-9 pm, and also Saturday, February 12 from 9 am-3 pm. The Vestry will be using a book called "The Vestry Resource Guide" as a springboard for their discussions and decision making process.
Music in Worship
Please help us create beautiful, authentic worship by telling us which hymns you like. Hymn Surveys will be inserted in the bulletins this Sunday, February 13 and next Sunday, February 20. There will be a box at the entrance of the church where your surveys can be returned. Thank you for your input into our worship planning!
Tim Drewes
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A Sunny Day and a Blessing from God
Today the Sun is shining. After days of grey, wet weather, a sunny day is a blessing from God. In the depths of winter, with day after day of cold and dreary weather, a sunny day is a reminder that spring is coming. As we gathered for our weekly staff meeting today, we looked out the window and saw that a few of the trees around our columbarium are beginning to bud! One tree even has little blossoms on a few high branches.
There is new growth, new hope and new life at St. Dunstan's Church, and it’s not just the trees. Our chapel congregation is blooming too! When I arrived two years ago, this service was consistently small and the ministers did everything. We did the readings, brought the gifts forward at the offertory, and said the prayers. Some time last year I began to ask the participants to bring forward the offering plates, bread and wine. Later, one of the members offered to pray for us. Then another volunteered to help read lessons. In the fall I asked if anyone would like to help with the Altar Guild. Three people volunteered on the spot and before I knew it (literally!) they were meeting to set up their team.
The most wonderful development started four weeks ago. I came through the doors of the chapel before the service and saw that a table had been set up in the entry way with coffee and treats! Yes, the 8:00am Chapel Service has their own coffee hour! We have even run out of bulletins twice in the past month.
God is at work at St. Dunstan's Church. Like the early buds on our trees, signs of new life are appearing. At the Chapel, in our Choir, in our Sunday School, and in our worship blossoms are appearing. New growth, new hope and new life are all around us. We are growing in God’s abundance.
(The 8:00 AM service uses Rite 1, with the King James language. The traditional language is perfect for the traditional charm and beauty of the Henry Memorial Chapel. We have music in the first half of the service (up to the Gospel). This service is warm and friendly and we consistently finish in 50 minutes. See the Finding Us page of our web site for driving directions.)
Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall
Click here to respond to this posting in my blog.
Community Engagement
The Heifer Project: The Youth Group will be selling various items in the next couple of months to raise money for buying a cow to participate in the "Heifer Project". Heifer's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer has provided food and income producing animals and training in their care to 13.6 million resource poor families in more than 125 countries. Be sure and watch our poster that tells how much money we have raised to date for the Heifer project. You may also contribute to the Heifer project by check to St. Dunstan's Church with a memo "Heifer". More information is available at www.heifer.org/congregation.
A HUGE THANK YOU from the Youth Group and Sunday School for your support towards the "Souper Bowl of Caring! We donated the following:
$180.78 in loose change
251 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
247 Canned Food Items
The men were most appreciative at the downtown Union Gospel Mission.
Sandy and Ann-Patrice
St. Agnes Guild sends Valentines to all college students away from home or not. If you have a college student, please let us know. You can contact Lu Gardiner @ barryluii@msn.com, Joan Mackie @ jbmackie52@msn.com, or Dean Ellis @ Grameloyse@aol.com, or any other member of the St. Agnes Guild. You may also call into the church office Tuesday -Thursday from 8:30 am to 4 pm @ 206-363-4319.
Greenwood Food Bank Community Volunteer night is Friday, February 11 from 6-8 pm. As a major contributor to the Food Bank, please plan to attend to sort food for our neighbors in need. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make your check out to "St. Dunstan's Church" with a memo "Food Bank". Thank you for your continued support!
Upcoming Events in our Congregational Life
Sunday School on Sunday, February 13 will concentrate on Matthew 13:21-27 "From the Heart". We will be making Valentines- come join us! Bring a friend! Sunday School meets each Sunday at 9:30 am.
Tickets go on sale beginning Sunday, February 13th for the Shrove Tuesday Italian Dinner on Tuesday, March 8 starting at 5:30 pm put on by St. Agnes Guild. All sales will go toward the purchase of new kitchen equipment.
God In Real Life Bible Study will meet on Wednesday February 16, at 11:00 am in the Narthex. Please plan to join us as we continue our discussion of Paul’s letter to the Romans.
The Altar Guild announces that Sunday February 27th is still available for altar flower donations. Please call Sunny Holt @ 206-417-3062 or Dixie Buol @206-533-0288 if you would like to contribute, with your dedication.
Lent Mini-Retreat from the Community of the Lamb: Begin your observance of Lent with a meditation retreat. Here is a short space of time dedicated to personal reflection about why it would be good to engage in a special spiritual discipline or practice during Lent, what that would provide for you, and how you might go about it. Explore how prayer and fasting are addressed by meditating with the Prayer of the Lamb.
Time: Saturday, March 12, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: St. Dunstan Episcopal Church, 722 North 145th Street, Shoreline
St. Dunstan offers a peaceful setting surrounded by towering evergreens, a meditative space full of the beauty of holiness.
Suggested donation for this half-day retreat: $25.
Please pre-register by calling 206-713-5321 or email PrayeroftheLamb@mac.com.
Special Evensong Service will be the Second Sunday in Lent, March 20 at 4 pm in the Henry Chapel of the Highlands. Please mark your calendars to attend this beautiful service.
New Office Hours in 2011 are Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. The church office will be closed on Mondays, and Father David will be available by appointment only on Fridays.
More copies of the current Rosters are available in the Narthex on the table by the Vestry Corner.
Weekly Highlights mailing notice: If you normally receive the Highlights by mail and have an e-mail address that could be used, please call the church office @206-363-4319 with your e-mail address to start receiving the Weekly Highlights electronically. We would like to keep our mailing costs down as much as possible, and still provide the news of St. Dunstan's to you in a timely manner. Thank you for your help and cooperation.
House Sitting Inquiry- The Rev. Dr. Peter G. Thomas and his wife Mrs. Carolyn Thomas are going to be visiting North Seattle for three months starting in June of this year. They hope to find a house sitting opportunity somewhere in the North Seattle/Shoreline areas. If you know of any home that may be available, please contact the church office.
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