From the Bishop:                                                                                 

Today as I write this, I am acutely aware that I am home.

You see, I was supposed to be on a plane today – traveling to the Holy Land – with thirty people from this synod. We were going to see holy sites: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Galilee, Jerusalem, and so much more.

Besides visiting these holy sites, we were going to be with our Lutheran siblings in Palestine and Israel. We were going to visit with and learn from Bishop Azar, the pastors, and the laypeople of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). We were going to visit our Lutheran schools in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, and Beit Jala. We were going to visit the only liberal arts university in Palestine – Dar Al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. We were going to visit the Lutheran hospital, Augusta Victoria Hospital. And we were going to visit our Jewish siblings who work for justice and peace.

Pastor Jim is recovering nicely from his latest knee surgery and is expecting to be back in the office on Tuesday February 13.  Pastor Pam Karas is covering pastoral emergencies through February 12.   Thank you for your prayers and support. 

We conclude the season of Epiphany on February 11, with Transfiguration Sunday. A few days later we begin the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. We will be sharing Lenten worship services with Trinity Lutheran Church this year. (2324 Lombard Ave.) This is the schedule. We will worship together at Trinity on Ash Wednesday, February 14; and Maundy Thursday, March 28. We will worship together here at Central the five Wednesday Evening Lenten services, February 21 through March 20; and Good Friday, March 29. All worship services will begin at 7:00 pm.

Feb 4        Epiphany 5                                       Isaiah 40:27-31 & Mark 1:29-39
Feb 11     Transfiguration                             2 Kings 2:1-12 & Mark 9:2-9
Feb 18     Lent 1                                                 Genesis 9:8-17 & Mark 1:9-15
Feb 25     Lent 2                                                 Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 & Mark 8:31-38

Faith Action Network is an interfaith, statewide partnership striving for a just, compassionate and sustainable world through community building, education, advocacy and courageous public action.

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January 2024

Dear Beloveds in Christ,

This last year has been both wonderful and difficult. It has been filled with joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, connections and disruptions. It has been a time of starting new ministries and, sadly, working with five congregations as they closed. This last year has been both life-affirming and exhausting.

As I reflect on this last year and look to 2024, I hold close one of my favorite scriptures: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Join Marcia Erickson Bates, MS, LMFT, of Lutheran Counseling Network, and her colleague Kristin Nielsen, MS, LMFT, CST, for a transformative couples workshop! Set for March 2 & 3, 2024, at the Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo, our retreat is taught in an emotionally-focused educational format to help you and your partner understand communication patterns that have created discomfort, find new ways to connect, and cultivate intimacy. For more information or to register, visit www.northwestcouples.com or scan the QR code below.  You can also reach us by email at nwcouples.connect@gmail.com.

Greetings,

How as Lutherans should we understand our relationship to civic life — including government — as individuals and as a church body? After studying the questions for the past three years, a social statement task force has posted a draft social statement on civic life and faith.

Social statements are important documents because they govern church teaching and policies, and support ministries. They also serve as discernment tools for ELCA members as they think about social issues such as civic life.

The quilters here at Central Lutheran Church make quilts for people around the world, through Lutheran World Relief.  Click below for more information on how you can help.  

The homeless, under-resourced, or just plain hungry are all welcome! Anyone in need can get a meal at Central Lutheran Church each Sunday night. Sunday Suppers are at 5:00 pm. These meals are provided by volunteers from  different congregations representing a variety of denominations in Snohomish County.

“God’s Word to us about money is not painful. To the contrary, it is good news. The god of money seeks to dominate and destroy our lives. Many of us live in bondage to money, even as we think we are enjoying the good life. Money is constantly on our minds. However, as we understand God’s truth about money and possessions, we are set free from this devastating force. .” [Partners With God, Bobby L. Eklund and Terry Austin]

Our offerings to God’s work make a difference in the lives of other people, but they also help us break out of bondage and connect our lives to matters that matter.

Finance Update through December, 2023

Beginning Balance         (5,504)
Monthly Expenses       (18,229)
Monthly Income             25,683
Income (Deficit)                1,950

CLICK HERE to make a financial donation  to Central Lutheran Church.

 Happy Birthday to those celebrating February birthdays!  

Steve Olsen, February 7

Ryan French, February 12

Gayle Watts, February 10

Janis Ahern, February 14

David Kurtz, February 21

Clayton Olsen, February 24

Central Lutheran Church Office Hours are:

Mondays 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. 

Pastor Jim works in the office Tuesday through Friday, times vary.