The Declaration of Independence
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of
Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind require that they
should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it….
That is what we celebrate on July 4th! But this is what we celebrate every day, especially
when we gather for worship: Romans 6 (from the Message) “This is what happens in
Baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we
came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace – a new life in a new
land. That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we were lowered into the
water, it is like the burial of Jesus, when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the
resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light- filled world of our Father so that
we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country. Could it be any
clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross of Christ, a decisive end to that sinmiserable life – no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get
included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life saving
resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the
end of death as the end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, He
took sin down with Him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it
this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you……
God In Jesus Christ has declared your independence from sin, death, devil and
grave! Jesus by his death and resurrection has freed you from their tyranny. You are
now destined to all the glory and wonders of heaven. Your sins are forgiven. Your
relationship with God is restored for all of eternity. You live under God’s grace and love
and mercy. Happy Independence Day!
Now I wonder – what if we celebrated that independence with the same enthusiasm with
which we celebrate the 4th of July? I wonder…..
Pastor Bob
In Our Prayers This Month We Remember:






















Maureen Kranich dealing with illness
Carol Zuch dealing with illness
Little Hero – Ann Clark’s grandson in Japan dealing with Leukemia
Bob Peck, Alison Tuchardt’s father dealing with health issues
Johnny Bullock dealing with cancer
Terry Borchard, Rachel Schweitzer’s father, dealing with cancer
Lori, Susan Olson’s sister dealing with serious issues with cancer
Reese Olson dealing with some significant health issues
Do Wagner, our homebound member, now in hospice
Roy Miller dealing with health issues
Linda Trier, dealing with serious issues with her cancer
Ron Carlson, Sharon’s husband, dealing with health issues
Lillian Martinek, Pastor’s mother, dealing with health issues
Vera Kolarik, Pastor’s Aunt, dealing with health issues
For St Michael’s and Concordia University as we work together in
ministry
Our outreach efforts – especially our efforts at Concert in the Park
Our upcoming VBS next month
For growth in God’s Kingdom here at St Michael’s
That God would use ME (meaning you) to further His Kingdom
For our prayer Warriors – Pastor, Dave, Jan, Rachel, Erika, Randy,
Nolan, Elvis, Marcia, Caroline
For our Little Lamb Boutique
For our Nation
Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church
July 2014 (Pentecost IV - VII)
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - July 6
Celebrant: Bob Martinek
Deacon: Tom Zuch
Lector: Carol Wahlers
Parish Cantor: William Kuhn
Communion Assistant: Joel Schuldheisz
Lead Usher/Greeter: Joanne Carlson
Sound: Dick Wrye
Sunday School: Beth Reinisch
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - July 14
Celebrant: Bob Martinek
Deacon: Erika Muenich
Lector: Karen Wrye
Parish Cantor: William Kuhn
Communion Assistant: Beau
Lead Usher/Greeter: Erika Muenich
Sound: James Rykken
Sunday School: Mary Schuldheisz
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - July 21
Celebrant: Bob Martinek
Deacon: Norm Carlson
Lector: Joanne Carlson
Parish Cantor: William Kuhn
Communion Assistant: Joanne Carlson
Lead Usher/Greeter: Don Kranich
Sound: Luis Segovia
Sunday School: Rachel Meagher
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – July 28
Celebrant: Bob Martinek
Deacon: Dave Albrecht
Lector: Jan Albrecht
Parish Cantor: William Kuhn
Communion Assistant: Kris Kuhn
Lead Usher/Greeter: Steve Reinisch
Sound: Tim Schweitzer
Sunday School: Karen Wrye
Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
From June 15th through June 18th we hosted, along with Concordia University,
the ALCM. Over and over again I was thanked for our great hospitality – and
of course that made me feel good. Bill Kuhn and his committee worked for a
year on getting this together and God blessed their efforts with great success.
The worship services that were held during the conference were not only
inspiring, but they truly gave God the glory. New music was introduced
written by local members of ALCM. The two events that I will probably
remember the most, though I will hopefully never forget any moment from the
conference, was our Compline Service in the Park, for all to hear – what a way
to witness and there were people in the park, walking by and listening. I
wonder… could maybe the Holy Spirit work through what they heard? And I
will never forget the Hymn Festival held on Tuesday evening. Never have I
heard such singing! And the organ and the trumpets – WOW! All to the glory
of God. Surely the rafters in heaven were shacking Tuesday evening. It was a
great honor to host them and what a blessing God gave to all who attended.
ALL Glory to be to God!
H2GO! Ministry to have active summer
H2Go! Ministry (pronounced H to go) is a ministry combining Jesus' admonition
to go and make disciples of all nations while giving out bottles of water. Thus the
play on H2O and go with emphasis being added with the! Simply put we attempt
to tell others about our Lord while handing out a bottle of water. We will have
ample opportunities to do this this summer. Pastor stated we are now allowed to
give out water at the Fernhill concerts Friday nights starting in July. We will also
distribute water at the Concordia rummage sale in July. What's this mean? Lots
of opportunity for you to bring in bottles of water and also to be a water bearer
during one of these events. Thanks for all the water you have already brought in.
Fellowship/Family Life Team News & Events
Book Club: Our next book is “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the
Art of Battling Giants” by Malcolm Gladwell. Pastor Bob will be our host. The
date is yet to be determined. We’d love to have you join us! Check out the
description below:
Malcolm Gladwell, the #1 bestselling author of The Tipping Point, Blink,
Outliers, and What the Dog Saw, offers his most provocative---and dazzling--book yet.
Three thousand years ago on a battlefield in ancient Palestine, a shepherd boy
felled a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a sling, and ever since
then the names of David and Goliath have stood for battles between underdogs
and giants. David's victory was improbable and miraculous. He shouldn't have
won.
Or should he have?
In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles
and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be
discriminated against, or cope with a disability, or lose a parent, or attend a
mediocre school, or suffer from any number of other apparent setbacks.
Gladwell begins with the real story of what happened between the giant and the
shepherd boy those many years ago. From there, David and Goliath examines
Northern Ireland's Troubles, the minds of cancer researchers and civil rights
leaders, murder and the high costs of revenge, and the dynamics of successful and
unsuccessful classrooms---all to demonstrate how much of what is beautiful and
important in the world arises from what looks like suffering and adversity.
In the tradition of Gladwell's previous bestsellers---The Tipping
Point, Blink, Outliers and What the Dog Saw---David and Goliath draws upon
history, psychology, and powerful storytelling to reshape the way we think of the
world around us.
Questions? Contact Rachel Schweitzer.
Food Bank: Our next trip to the Food Bank will be from 9-11:30 a.m. on
Saturday, July 19th. If you have questions, please contact Elvis Schweitzer.
Food barrel donations by St. Mike’s members year to date: 405 pounds
Cuisine and Company: Join us for brunch Saturday, July 19th at noon at Old Salt
Marketplace, located at 5027 NE 42nd Ave. Situated at the intersection of Cully,
Concordia, and Beaumont-Wilshire, the business comprises several elements –
deli & meat shop, restaurant & bar, event & classroom, and a mid-week farmer’s
market. Please contact Rachel Schweitzer if you have questions, would like to
participate, or need transportation. A sign-up sheet is located on the information
table in the Fellowship Hall.
Update on Wilmer’s Compassion International Account as of June 5th:
Amount raised through OBRC (Fiscal Year to Date) =$159.75
Amount raised through fundraising (Fiscal Year to Date) = $457
Total amount raised (Fiscal Year to Date) = $616.75
Funds paid to Compassion (Fiscal Year to Date) = $458
Current Balance for Wilmer’s Account = $158.75
St. Mike’s Community Kitchen Events
1st Thursday Group: We will not be meeting on the first Thursday in July (the
3rd) due to the proximity to July 4th and the likelihood that most people will not be
available on that date. Contact Rachel Schweitzer if you have questions or would
like to suggest ideas for future events.
3rd Thursday Group: With the guidance of Laura Kutner, founder of Trash for
Peace, in June 9 members gathered for homemade smoothies. The next planning
meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 11th at 4 p.m. Please contact Rachel
Schweitzer if you have questions about this group.
Little Lambs Carries on
Thanks to you over 50 children and their families have been aided through this
ministry. It takes place every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month between 2-4PM.
We have 8 great volunteers that along with you have made this a vital ministry.
Recently we had two of our attendees become volunteers. This is an exciting
development in that we can get to know them and hopefully introduce them to
Christ. It was also a great help to us. For volunteering one hour we give them an
additional 10 points to shop with. Thanks to the ladies that make the quilts. They
are so appreciated by the families. We are in need of baby wipes, paper or plastic
bags for our shoppers and diapers. Thanks so much.
Come meet local author Barbara Corrado Pope at
St Michael's Lutheran
Barbara Corrado Pope is the author of three critically acclaimed mysteries that
take place in late 19th century France, Cezanne's Quarry(2008), The Blood of
Lorraine(2010) and the Missing Italian Girl(2012). Each deals with issues that are
current and important today, like tensions between faith and scientific
investigation, the role of the artist, the condition of women, anti-Semitism and
ethnic identity, and finally the relationship between social classes and the sexes.
Each book takes place in a fascinating French city. You can count on the history.
She was trained as a European historian. Barbara was also a professor having
taught at places as diverse as Provence, Hungary, the University of New Mexico,
Harvard Divinity School and the University of Oregon, where she founded the
Women's Studies Programs and was an award- winning teacher
Come meet her on Saturday July 19 at 1:00 PM at St Michael's Lutheran Church
6700 NE 29th Ave. Any questions? 503-384-8228. She will be reading a short
portion of one of her books and the books will be available for sale.
Concerts in the Park
St Michael’s will once have a booth at Fernhill Park for Concordia Neighborhoods
Annual Concerts in the Park. These are free concerts that are held in July and
August. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Bring a picnic or buy food from one of
the vendors. Enjoy the music and the fellowship.
At our booth we will be giving away bottled water, witness cards, information
about St Michael’s, bubbles for the kids, and pens. Help is needed to man our
booth. You can sign up in the fellowship hall or just talk to Pastor Bob.
We usually set up between 5:30 and 6pm. We bring a table a couple of chairs, and
we do have a canopy which we can set up. We bring our church banner as well.
The concert ends at 8:15pm and once the crowd thins out we pack everything up
and go home. This is great way to get some fresh air, listen to some great music
and meet a lot of interesting people. So Sign Up and be part of our outreach
effort.
The dates are; July 11, 18, 25, August 1 and Tuesday August 5th. Need more
information – talk to Pastor Bob
And another Outreach Opportunity
On the last weekend of July the Concordia Neighborhood Association will be
holding its annual neighborhood rummage sale. For a fee of $7.00 we can be part
of that. Our location will be placed on a map that will be given out to all
interested in visiting the many sales that will be going on that weekend. I am
going to purpose to the ELB that we hold a sale here at St. Michael’s on Saturday
July 26th. If approved, we will need to begin to gather our “good rummage” as
well as volunteers to hold the sale. I also envision us handing out free bottles of
water and a witness card with every purchase. Stand by for more details. And
start thinking about getting involved either by donating items or being there at the
sale. MORE TO COME.
Pastor Bob
The Story
 We will cover the following during the month of July –
July 6 - Chapter 14 – A Kingdom Torn In Two
July 13 – Chapter 15 – God’s Messengers
July 20 – Chapter 16 – The Beginning of the End
July 27 – Chapter 17 – The Kingdom’s Fall
 Please continue to read the Chapter in the Story before you come to class
on Sunday morning.
“The Story” is another way to look at scripture. It is the reading of the story of
God’s love for us and His plan of salvation for us in a “novel” format. One of the
highlights of “the Story” is when we gather together on Sunday morning to discuss
how “the story” is relevant to our lives today. This is an exciting journey through
scripture that I am sure will have wonderful blessings for all those involved. If you
are not yet part of the journey through “the story” it is never too late to join in.
Books are available and we always have room in the Fireside room for you!
FYI
 During the month of July I will be preaching on the Gospel lessons which
are some of the parables of Jesus under the theme of: “And I will give you
rest”
 On July 19th a local author, Barbara Corrado Pope will be here at St
Michael’s for a book signing.
 Pastor will be taking three days off in July to do a little traveling in Oregon.
He hopes to see the “painted hills.” July 15-17
 Please remember to keep giving to the Faubion Backpack Ministry!
 Our VBS is coming up in August. Have you volunteered yet? See Mary
Schuldheisz
 Congratulations and thank you to Dave Albrecht who was elected to serve
again as Congregational President and to Randy Cevera and Erika Muenich
who were elected to the ELB
 Work continues to be done on our new way of governing ourselves. Make
sure you are part of the process. See Kris Kuhn
Habitat for Humanity Thrivent Build Rummage Sale
Date: August 29 & 30
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Redeemer Lutheran Church
795 E. Powell, Gresham
Will be accepting donations: 2-7 pm on August 28th, 795 E Powell, Gresham.. We
need useable items including: books, small appliances, clothing household items,
garden and garage items, sports equipment, toys, lamps, pictures, linens, craft
items and all other wonderful stuff that is taking up space at your house! We
cannot take hide-a-beds, TV’s, computer monitors, pianos, large appliances,
mattresses or items that do not work. We need volunteers too!! Contact
Carolyn.Graf@comcast.net.
July 2014
Birthdays:
6
8
14
15
Sharon Arthur
Bill Kuhn
James Rykken
John Scheck Jr.
Caleb Schweitzer
16 Brittany Whitmarsh (Bremer)
17 Don Kranich
18 Lorison Shuell
19 Lynn Drake
Kortney Garrison
24 JoAnna Darke
Wedding Anniversary
Dick & Karen Wrye – July 1st
Joel & Mary Schuldheisz – July 8th
Don & Maureen Kranich – 20th
Tom & Carol Zuch– 28th
Steven & Arlynda Richmond – 28th
Brad & Allison Tuchardt – 31st
Baptismal Anniversaries:
4
9
16
19
26
29
Kris Kuhn
Nicholas Garrison Poundstone
Dick Wrye
Heather Brooks
Louise Redding
Marcia Wittrock
Arleen Keyne