Central Lutheran Church phone: (360) 734-7180 fax: (360) 734-0788
925 North Forest St., Bellingham, WA 98225
email: office@centrallutheran.net
website: http://www.centrallutheran.net
119 years of Sharing God's love in the heart of Bellingham
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:30 AM traditional, 10 AM Sunday School for all, 11:00 contemporary
Grace
and peace to
all the saints and sinners
of Central Lutheran Church:
Greetings in Christ!
“Lex ordandi,
lex credendi.” A fancy Latin phrase meaning “the
way we worship is the way we believe.” The phrase has
ancient historical roots. This is the modern shorthand title
for the ongoing discussion and controversy about what has greater
influence over our theology. Is it the way we worship? Is it
the way we believe? Some argue that what we believe should control
the way we worship. Others argue that the way we worship expresses
what we actually believe.
For the latter group, changes to worship have control over what
we believe; since worship is the highest expression of our faith,
changes to worship become changes to what we believe. This is
in part why changes to worship are so hard to justify and accept.
Take, for example, the change of moving participation in Holy
Communion from post-confirmation to much younger ages. Our belief
is that Communion is a sacrament of participation. For the longest
time our theology was influenced by the radical Reformation
folks requiring individual assent to grace as a requirement
for true participation in grace. While the radical Reformation
folks defined individual assent as a personal experiential event
(either a charismatic event or an intellectual decision made
after the age of accountability), the evangelical Reformation
folks’ emphasis on grace defined true participation as
an intellectual affirmation of the grace given in Baptism, which
we titled Confirmation. We now define true participation not
as an intellectual event, but as a worship event, so that children,
as soon as they are participating in worship, should receive
the promise of God’s grace given in Holy Communion.
This controversy is also seen in “the worship wars”
-- the struggle between contemporary and traditional worship
styles. Traditional worship is characterized by its intellectual
basis demonstrated by its emphasis on the proclaimed word in
the liturgy, hymns, and sermon. Contemporary worship is characterized
by experiential entertainment seeking to create an emotional
response following the “new methods” of American
Revivalism lead by Charles Finney. The contest is between an
intellectual faith based upon scriptures and an emotional faith
dependent upon a method designed to create the emotionalism.
The question is should faith’s response be based upon
intellectual teaching of the Word or upon the feelings created
in worship. Traditionalist would argue that worship based upon
scripture is rooted in God’s self-revelation, and, while
the theology of the cross is hard to sell, it best reflects
God’ truth. Those arguing for the contemporary styles
of worship would argue that the experience is authentic because
it is heart felt. Should the head rule the heart or should the
heart rule the head?
This “lex ordandi, lex credendi controversy has taken
new language recently: “conscience bound.” For Lutherans,
this phrase reflects identity with Martin Luther’s great
“Here I stand” response during his heresy trial
at the Diet of Worms on April 18th, 1521: Having been given
24 hours to decide if he would recant of all of his teachings
and writings, Luther returned to court and responded, “Unless
I am convinced of error by the testimony of Scripture or by
clear reason,…I cannot and will not recant anything, for
it is neither safe nor honest to act against one’s conscience.
[Here I stand, I can do no other.] God help me. Amen.”
Now these historical words have been taken out of context by
our Lutheran leadership, given a new meaning which distorts
the argument at hand. Luther, according to his argument, was
“conscience bound” to the scripture and clear reason.
Today “conscience bound” is taken to mean bound
to a philosophy or agenda without regard for – indeed,
in clear opposition to -- scripture. Even in his day, Luther
was warned that being conscience bound was not a test of truth.
Sincerity, no matter how sincere one might be, it is not a test
of truth; one can be very sincere and still very wrong. This
manipulation of the argument is critical, however, to accomplishing
the agenda at hand: the acceptance of homosexuality as witnessed
by changing the standards of behavior for ELCA clergy.
This newest argument has two inherent fallacies.
The first fallacy is that the full participation in the church
is measured by ordination. True participation in the church
is measured by God’s gift of baptism and Holy Communion.
Not everybody is, nor should be, ordained. Ordination is the
process by which the church and the individual recognize God’s
call to a specific office of ministry—service of/in/through/by
the church. The argument that true acceptance and full participation
are measured by ordination is equal to saying that those who
are not ordained are not fully accepted by, nor do they fully
participate in, the church. While this is a reflection of medieval
Catholic theology of participation in the church, which Anglicanism
maintains in its Episcopal presence of the true church through
Catholicism’s historic episcopacy, these simply are neither
biblical prescriptions nor Lutheran theologies.
The second and far more critical fallacy is that “bound
conscience” is being presented as a new, superior authority
of the church. Scripture, reason, theology, confessions, heritage,
and tradition -- are these all now subject to an independent
individualist and personal bound conscience, even when the values
of the conscience bound are specifically contrary to the traditional
authorities of the church’s witness. This is very dangerous
theological ground. It’s okay to be conscience bound.
The concern is this: to what is a person conscience bound? Luther’s
greatest contribution in the Reformation was his understanding
that our theological presuppositions influenced how we understood
scripture, authority, and even our relationship with God. He
chose, and I choose, to base my presuppositions upon the scriptures
being the true expression of God’s Word, revealed most
highly in Jesus Christ.
I could be wrong in all of this. I would just love to be able
so say that it all just doesn’t matter. I would love to
be able to say that Jesus forgives everything anyway so go ahead
and do what ever you want. I really like being the nice guy
who lets everyone do anything. I’m very comfortable saying
that in faith, not out of fear but because of thankfulness we
should still strive for perfection because God has forgiven
us. But I’m conscience bound. I remember reading about
Paul hell bent on chasing down Jewish converts to Christianity
and dragging them back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment.
Paul was conscience bound and very sincere; just wrong. Then
he was confronted by Jesus, whose presence blew him right out
of that saddle; whose glory shown so bright that Paul was blinded
by the vision of truth. I try to be cautious in my sincerity,
knowing that I too could be sincerely wrong. But like Luther,
“Unless I am convinced of error by the testimony of Scripture
or by clear reason,…I cannot and will not recant anything,
for it is neither safe nor honest to act against one’s
conscience. [Here I stand, I can do no other.] God help me.
Amen.”
I know these are troubling thoughts and challenge everything
within my faith. I don’t know how this will all play out.
Meanwhile, we have lots of work to do, in Jesus name.
See you in Church:
Pastor Tim
Kids Central Preschool Update
You have undoubtedly seen notices and fundraising opportunities
for our preschool for the past few months. CLCW undertook the
project of finishing the former multipurpose room and making
it available to house a preschool. The ceiling is done and the
floor is currently being completed. Cabinets have been purchased
and will be installed soon. This work has been done by volunteers,
and the expenses were paid from monies donated by CLCW.
Kids Central Preschool will be self-sustaining, because tuition
will fund all expenses incurred by the preschool. No funds will
come from contributions made to the church's General Fund. We
have been approached by an individual who wants to open the
preschool this September. She is an experienced Christian preschool
teacher who will bring several students with her. There is also
room for additional students. At its meeting Aug. 11, the Church
Council approved opening the school in September. The preschool
is a continuing part of our larger vision of community presence
and involvement, so please spread the word and encourage friends
and neighbors with young children to check it out. (Within this
same mailing is a brochure containing more info.)
A committee has been formed to oversee the preschool: Connie
Fry, Marie Little, Barb Rusch, and Gary Moon. Pastor Tim and
the president of the Church Council are ad hoc members. Please
feel free to talk with any committee member if you have questions.
School Report
We asked for feedback from a couple of our Sunday school students
at the end of the school year. We’ll include one report
in this issue and another in the next:
This year Sunday School was a blast! My teacher was Judy Mork.
We learned all about Jesus and his life. And to Judy we thank
you a million times! The fun part is at the very last day of
Sunday School we all get together and have a picnic and barbeque.
We play on the play set and play badminton and then much more!
We also serve lunch to. Usually it’s hamburgers and hotdogs,
then everybody pitches in and brings really good food! And to
all the helpers of Sunday School like, Cami Burfeind (music
teacher), Marie Little (Sunday School teacher, toddlers) and
Judy Mork (Sunday School teacher, older kids) . . . Thank you
so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Maryellen Burfeind (age 7)
Congregation-Wide Rummage Sale
to benefit Kids Central Preschool
Sept. 12th, 2009
8:00am-3:00pm
(The Second Annual Block Party,
originally scheduled for this date as well,
has been canceled due to all the streetside construction.)
Mailbag
Dear members and friends of Central,
I would like to thank each one of you for your prayers and caring
thought since I fell and broke my leg and hip, consequently
needing a partial hip replacement. Thank you, Pastor Tim, for
rushing down from the Blaine Harbor (still in your painting
clothes) to visit and have a bedside prayer. Thanks to the CLCW
women for the beautiful purple and white carnations. I appreciate
all who stopped by for a visit. I am at Mt. Baker Care Center
in the rehabilitation wing, getting plenty of care and physical
therapy. I would enjoy a visit from anyone who has time to stop
by. I hope to be able to return to worship with Paul and Jan’s
help, when I'm well enough to be getting around. Sincere blessings
to all. Love in Christ, Mary Wickler
Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch met at Nelda Shick's home August 10. We had
a good turnout of 22 even with the very wet weather. There was
still a dry period for those interested to visit the veggie
garden. We had a meeting to discuss when we would next meet,
and that will be November for the Thanksgiving Luncheon (with
details to be in the newsletter and church bulletin). Watch
for information and be sure to sign up when the sheet is on
the Narthex table next month. We will be meeting only when there
is a notice the month before a lunch Monday. The Lunch Bunch
also voted to close the book on our account in the budget. We
will be sending a notification to the church treasurer in the
near future. Nelda
Mission
Sewing Update
The Mission Sewing Group thanks you for your help with school
supplies. We still need your help with our layettes. Items needed
are sweaters sizes 0-24 months and of course cloth diapers (12
per pack). In addition, for Adult Health Kits we need the following
per kit:
1 toothbrush (adult size only)
1 bath-size bar of soap
1 nail file (metal only)
6 Band-Aids (1 ¾” wide, 3” long, or boxes
of ones all that same size)
We will be wrapping layettes and Adult Health Kits on October
20. Please place your items in the blue wicker basket in the
Narthex. If you no longer care to shop, you may give a financial
contribution and say what you would like the ladies to purchase
on your behalf. Again, thank you for caring and sharing!
“God’s Work – Our Hands”
The mission of
Central Lutheran Church
is to be a church so deeply and confidently
rooted in the gospel of God's grace,
revealed in Jesus Christ,
that we joyfully give ourselves in witness and service.
You Can Help Now! Are
you ready to renew or order a new a magazine subscription? Do
it online at http://www.magfundraising.com/CentralLutheranPreschool,
and Central Lutheran Church’s soon-to-be preschool will
receive 40 percent! We just launched our online fundraising
campaign, and we need your support! With the virtual power of
this new online magazine fundraiser, you can help simply by
buying, renewing, or extending your favorite magazine subscriptions
on our online magazine store. Remember, 40 percent of you purchase
amount will go directly to our cause!
Here's how you can help:
1. Go online to www.magfundraising.com/CentralLutheranPreschool
and click “Buy a Magazine.”
2. Choose and order your favorite magazine subscriptions from
over 650 titles at up to 85 percent off newsstand prices. You
can even renew existing subscriptions!
3. Pay by credit card, and 40 percent of your purchase will
go directly to our cause!
Volunteer Tutors Needed
Imagine what life would be like if you couldn’t read
to your children or grandchildren, help with their schoolwork,
read a book, decipher a prescription bottle, apply for a job,
or seek health care. In Whatcom Country, 30,000 people may
need help with reading or using English as a second language.
Whatcom Literacy Council’s winter training for volunteer
tutors is scheduled for February 2010. Those who are interested
in participating are invited to attend our Tutor Primer at
the Downtown Bellingham Library on the third Wednesday of
every month. Learn about becoming a volunteer tutor in your
community. No previous teaching or foreign language experience
is required. For more info, call the Literacy Council at 647-3264.
Memorials
Memorials have been given to Central Lutheran in loving memory
of Maurice “Mo” Galasso by:
Joan & Dick Morgan, Corbett & Sandy Porter, Leroy &
Alice Richards, Donald & Beverly Shrank, Ershings Inc.,
Plas-Tech Ltd., Robert B. Davis, Nicholas & Maria Jones.
A Memorial was given to Central Lutheran in loving memory of
Don Peterson by Karen Hulford.
Church Picnic Questionnaire
Dear Members of Central: The Fellowship Committee would like
your input regarding the annual parish picnic. Over the past
few years attendance has been declining. We would like to hear
from you about how we can revitalize this long-standing Central
tradition. Please take a few minutes to answer the following
questions and then place this page of the newsletter in the
Fellowship mailbox in the office. Thank you so much for your
help.
—Candy Petersen, Fellowship Chair
When did you last attend the picnic?
If you have not attended in several years, how can we encourage
you to come?
In addition to a great worship time, delicious food, and warm
fellowship, would you like to participate in activities at the
picnic? If your answer is yes, please let us know what you would
find enjoyable.
And one last plug: if you would like to be a part of our fun
and creative little team, please let one of us know (Sandy Porter,
Tom Hennessy, Terry or Candy Petersen). Thank you!
A Call for Hymns!
One of the many contributions
of Martin Luther was the development of congregational singing
within Christianity. Many of the hymns that he wrote are now
Lutheran, and Christian, standards. Our love of singing hymns
has now lasted almost five hundred years. Now seems a good time
to look at our singing tradition and the hymns that we sing.
Many of them are hundreds of years old and are still loved.
But these are new times and they demand new, additional hymns.
We need to set forth to create new hymns for a new age. Every
congregation has people within it who are skilled at creating
the words of hymns, and perhaps others who are good at putting
these words to music. Let us bring these people together in
each congregation in a burst of creativity, to generate new
hymns. Then try out your new hymns in your Sunday services,
trade them with your nearby Lutheran congregations, and try
out their new hymns. Now pick out the best of these, and forward
them to your synod. Let each synod pick out the brightest and
best of all the entries, and send them out to all of the synod's
congregations to be sung.
Let the ELCA set a goal: by the 500th anniversary of our church,
to create 50 new hymns, in all styles and types, to use in our
celebration of that historic moment. This is a worthwhile and
doable project. Let us all contribute to a new voice in the
worship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Got Money?
Want to Use it Better?
Join us for 4 sessions on how to use your money more wisely.
Monday, September 28th—Paying the Bills
*Learn how to face creditors and negotiate better terms to pay
off your bills. Learn about the dangers of predatory lending.
Also discussion about what resources are available to you in
the community.
Wednesday, September 30th—Making Choices
*In this session we will discuss how to set up a budget and
how what choices we make with our money affects the bottom line.
For example… What are the choices for television?
Monday, October 5th—Be a Smart Shopper
*Eat like a king on only a dime: How to grocery shop based on
a planned menu. Also discussion on where to shop to get the
most bang for your buck!
Wednesday, October 7th—Earning More
*In this last session we will discuss how to get the most out
of your paycheck, how to write a resume, and how to use your
training and skills to their fullest potential.
Childcare is provided free of charge! There will be snacks and
activities such as crafts, games, as well as someone to assist
with homework if so desired. To sign up call 733-6749 or email
office@oursavioursbham.org – Leave name, age, phone, and
ages/names of children for childcare. Space is limited!!!
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm on dates listed above; cost = free
Where: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (corner of 18th St.
and Harris Ave.)
1720 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Tired of solicitation phone calls—on landlines
and cell phones? You can register yourself on the
Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov and can list up to
three numbers.
Also at Our Saviour’s (see www.oursavioursbham.org
for more details)…
34th Annual Rummage Sale, Saturday,
October 10, 8:30 ~ 3:00
Octoberfest, Saturday, October 24th, 10:00 ~ 2:00
Oktoberfest at Maple Leaf Lutheran Church. Mark your calendar
for Saturday October 3rd from 2-5 pm, and plan on coming to
the first annual Oktoberfest at Maple Leaf Lutheran Church (10005
32nd Ave NE., Seattle). Proceeds to go to the funding of our
new Community Plaza and parking lot. For more information: www.ReachOutChurch.org.
—Pastor Julie Blum
