Worship shapes us. It shapes who we are. The actions in which we take part on a regular basis form the landscape in which we live. They shape the limits of our imaginations and the horizons of our hopes. Of course it isn't only worship that does this. Any activity, any regular practice shapes who we are and how we approach our world. This is one of the important understandings we have gained as we have lived with the enlightenment for some time now and recognized the limits to the claims of absolute truth, or at least our accessibility to an unbiased, uninvolved perspective on it.

I write this as I'm sitting at a restaurant with evidence before me. Two TVs are flashing silently in front of me images of college basketball players, golfers, riders on horseback. The ubiquity of sports speaks loudly about the values of our culture—why we imagine fullness of life to have something to do with winning and losing and success something to do with a luxuriant leisure. Behind me I hear the voices of elementary school children who sing songs about America and now, about how we are all joined together like the roots of a family tree. Competing claims, these are, to a degree. But they are quickly resolved by a song that calls us to "unite, Americans, all," and as such make subtle and powerful claims about what it means to be alive and where our values lie—who belong with us and who do not.

And so it is true that we make claims in worship as well. We make claims about what it means to live with purpose in the world. We make claims about where true power lies and where it does not. We make claims about resources and how they should be distributed. We make claims about where and in whom our loyalties lie. But they are not always immediately evident nor are they uncontroversial. Paul spoke of these claims as "a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles."

And so, worship matters. Worship is the central and primary act of the church, according to every document that we understand to be authoritative in our tradition. Our reformers understood this, our ancient fathers and mothers understood this. We gather together regularly around particular stories and particular practices because soil takes time to develop and seeds take time to germinate and plants take time to grow and reproduce, and so do we. We don't pick it up in one week or two. It takes deeper root in us in a thousand. The gospel grows slowly within us by God’s grace and only with careful, intentional cultivation.

So let me invite you to worship. Let me specifically invite you to a Gospel feast this Holy Week. Let me invite you to a practice that has been around since the beginnings of the church precisely because it captures the essence of the Christian life and the fullness of Christian hope. It is called by many names—the Three Days, the Triduum (which is simply the Latin for the Three Days), the Easter Vigil. We’ll usually speak of it as the Three Days, which refers to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Saturday evening great Easter Vigil service of light, readings, baptism, and communion (remember the day began at sundown, so Easter begins Saturday at sundown). Make no mistake, this is a feast –a single

feast that occurs over three days during which we enact the meaning of Christ.

The Three Days will be a new experience for many of you. You have likely had some experience with Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, probably not the vigil. But the Three Days together serve as a primer for the whole Christian life that knows the betrayal and failure and disillusionment of Maundy Thursday’s upper room supper to the darkness and injustice of Good Friday, to the radical hopes of Easter (which, by the way can be understood more fully, only with the insight and experience of the previous days). These are days filled with images, sights and sounds and activities that are especially hospitable to children—there is movement here, greater informality, a healthy dose of the stories that define who we are as a people of faith. There is fire in these days! Quite literally the fire with which we push back the darkness at the beginning of the Easter Vigil service, and the fire that is kindled in our hearts through these liturgies that were first practiced by the earliest Christian churches as the blossoming of the year and the admission of the Church’s newest members into the full life of the faith community.

Easter identifies Christians for what they are: the body of the risen Lord. If you sense the tug of the Spirit of God on you to go a little deeper, to explore more fully the meaning of our baptism and its call on your life, then come to the feast!

Grace and Peace,

Dear Prayer Partners,

Many prayer concerns were brought forward since the last issue of the Perspective. I bring these now, along with a few joys and other news:

  Winnie Danke recovered from strep throat and Clarence Hover’s ear problems have improved. Carolyn Cox’s children have received encouraging news for employment and Karen Lutz son, Peter, had job offers to consider. Steve Dreier has retired after many years of truck driving. Barbara Glasscock’s dad celebrated his 93^rd birthday. Ernie Holm

celebrated a birthday on March 14^th. His address is 2222 Brookdale Road, Apt. F104, Tacoma, WA 98445. 

Doc Thuline’s son-in-law passed away after a long illness. Caroline Cox’s neighbor passed away. Charter Member, Fred Mesman, passed away in Oregon. He had throat cancer.

dad daily in a nursing home. Harold Mitchell’s sister, Evelyn, is very sick and with cancer in Olympia. Roger Paulsen asks that we remember his friend, David, as he waits for a bone marrow transplant. Safe travel for Jan Tessin Thuline’s friends, who are in the Middle East; Trulene Glenn’s parents who are traveling in their RV, and Christa Peck as she travels back and forth for Spring break. 

Thank you for your prayers,

___________________

Similarly, what separates the doubt-filled Christian from the Christian in good spiritual health is hard faith working and pray-

ing diligently – and often – to build one’s faith.

While a crowd greeted Jesus with cheer-

ing approval on Palm Sunday, some people were quite disturbed with the crowd’s actions. They thought the demonstration was "out of order" and asked Jesus to silence the crowd. Jesus responded that if the people were silent, "the ____would shout out" (Luke 19:40 –NRSV).

A. trees B. stones

C. animals D. Sky

(Answer on Page ).

April 06 7am Morning Prayer (SAPC)

April 09 Passion/Palm Sunday

April 13 7pm, Maundy Thurs. Service

April 14 7pm, Good Friday Service

April 15 7:56pm, Sundown

Easter Vigil Service

April 16 Easter/Resurrection of the Lord

One Great Hour of Sharing

April 23 2^nd Sunday of Easter

"The Multicultural Church"

April 30 3^rd Sunday of Easter

"Rural Life"

A resident of Seattle since August, 1999, Bonney came to us from Tucson, Arizona where her parents and brother continue to reside. Bonney was born on the Navajo Indian Reservation and later raised in a very small copper mining town, Bagdad, Arizona.

Whether through tap dance, ballet, gymnastics, piano or flute, Rainbow Girls and Order of Eastern Star, Bonney has stood before audiences and congregations since early elementary school; performing on stage is second hand to her now. After completing advanced training on flute with Sandra Schwoebel, PhD, Bonney soon found herself immersed well into the music circles of Tucson both as a teacher, director and performer. She taught piano and flute for three years at the Southwest School of Music & Dance and then continued teaching privately in her home hosting numerous recitals and assisting her students through local and state competitions. As a director she worked with the Tucson Flute Club to re-establish and conduct the TFC Youth Flute Choir, feeding into so many of her capable students hoping to motivate

and supplement their studies. The TFC Youth Flute Choir performed publicly at TFC recitals and the Tucson Civic

Orchestra annual youth concert designed for and featuring local young musicians.

As a performer Bonney stayed busy as a flutist with the Arizona Symphonic Winds; as principle piccolo and co-principle flute of the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra; as flutist/piccoloist, board member and Newsletter editor

to the Tucson Flute Club Members’ Choir and their Chamber Ensemble featured often at Arizona Flute fairs and the National Flute Association annual convention. She was hired by various churches performing holiday cantatas and special Christmas and Easter services. She shared her time with parent’s church, St. Marks Methodist, both as a pianist for the voice, guitar, piano trio named, "Grace Notes" and as flutist for the St. Marks String Trio. As you can imagine any trips back to Tucson are packed with visits to catch up with old friends, fellow musicians or get word on continued progress with her students.

Upon arrival in Seattle in the summer of 1999, Bonney was invited to join the Seattle Flute Society as the newsletter editor and later joined their flute choir. There she met Erika Smith Bock and formed the flute duo, "On That Note". After attending a community band festival at the Puyallup Spring Fair she inquired into some local bands and began taking steps forward as a new musician in the Seattle area. Her energies now are applied to the Renton City Band, Highline Community Symphonic Band, the Highline Flute Ensemble whom many of you have seen perform, and has, at Ray Johnson’s invitation, provided service music and accompanied the St. Andrew Choir for over a year. Her ‘day job’, initially as a computer tech and office manager for IBID Publishing, is now as a Commercial Lines Assistant to Unigard Insurance Company in Bellevue. As an assistant she is responsible for a variety of tasks to include, but not limited to, publishing manuals and materials on the company Intranet; processing rate, rule and form filings with each state’s Department of Insurance; drafting monthly and quarterly premium reports as well as actively assisting and participating in Unigard’s 2005 award winning Emergency Response Team.

Although music has been her love and pillar since age seven, her greatest joy in life now is Tim Haugen, who has brought her laughter, peace and love after a handful of years making her own way in Seattle miles away from family and friends. When ‘Santa Claus’ brought Tim a trumpet in 2004 it wasn’t long before Tim’s musical talents and skills were renewed and he joins Bonney as a member of the Renton City Band and Highline Community Symphonic Band. He arranges music and performs with a brass quintet momentarily named, "Mixed Nuts". When Tim’s schedule allows, they enjoy playing together for Sunday service. Performing and attending rehearsals together has brought them even closer

together and has become an integral part of their relationship. The bond formed in the sharing and support of their individual development, is priceless to them.

Bonney and Tim’s decision to start a family as well as their recent union has been openly welcomed and supported by family, friends, and members of St. Andrew. Tim and Bonney feel honored by the overwhelming hospitality and love offered by Scott Anderson and members of St. Andrew both in preparation and attendance of their wedding of their wedding and now as they expect their first child together. They extend a HUGE heart-felt Thank You to each and every one of you for y our kindness, efforts, and generosity. In initial conversations with Ray and Julie Johnson, and with each other in considering the pros and cons of Bonney taking a second job as pianist, Bonney and Tim, had no idea of the wonderful "family" of which they would soon be a part. Bonney truly enjoys playing piano for our services and plans to continue after the birth of their child.

Administrative Professionals Day

April 26, 2006

Stewardship Campaign announcement and information will be mailed out to members

following Easter on April 17, 2006. Look for your packets in the mail. The campaign will run three weeks culminating on May 7, 2006.

April 14-15 this year, I will be walking in the Relay For Life at my school, the University at Buffalo. It is a two-day event held at our sports stadium designed to "celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back against this disease," (ACS).

I’m looking for sponsors to help me raise funds to support the ACS and because St. Andrew does not currently have a Relay team of its own, I would like to invite the members of St. Andrew to sponsor me.

Thank you so much for supporting me in a cause I believe firmly believe in.

Operational Emergency Center (OEC) moved to its present location at 11410 Renton Ave. S. in 1998. The building had been used as a boat sales and repair shop. Previous to that it was a grocery store. In 2002 the agency, with grant money and a low interest loan, purchased the building.

This building is in dire need of renovation so clients, staff and volunteers can work in a safe and accredited environment. A remodeling project will soon begin and is being underwritten by public and private grants, plus a capital campaign drive.

During the remodeling all services and the staff will be temporarily located to a site ½ mile south of the present location. It is estimated the move will be in late April, if all use permits, variances, zoning, etc. etc. are granted. This extensive remodeling program could take 1 year.

A committee is currently working on a new name for the agency. The cumbersome, lengthy name was adopted when the agency was formed in 1972. While emergency services remain a part of what OEC does, many additional programs are available for clients.

A Special thanks to the congregation and individuals at St. Andrew for many, many volunteer hours, in-kind donations and financial support to OEC.

NEEDS AT OEC:

Blankets – any size, shape or form. Baby items, men’s shoes, jackets, and children’s clothing.

Please note that I am no longer doing volunteer work at First Avenue Service Center now known as Family and Adult Service Center. All donations will go to OEC and receipts for tax purposes are available by the donor box at church.

Mark your calendars now so that you remember to keep these dates:

Luncheon Potluck & Program

Thursday, April 6, 2006

11:30 a.m. –1:00 p.m.

Potluck Dinner and Program

Monday, April 17, 2006

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Hey crafty ladies and gents! There’s a new group coming together at SAPC – crafting for a cause.

An organizational meeting will be held Monday, April 3, 2006, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., in the Adult Library. At this meeting topics to be covered include setting a regular monthly meeting day and time, selecting a clever name for the group (put on your thinking caps), discussion on what types of service projects there are of interest

"During monthly meetings", says group organizer Mary Berghoff-Jaslowski, "I would like to have just a little structure and a lot of fellowship – including coffee, tea, and cookies".

Tentative plans call for meetings with a discussion regarding service projects, goals and progress, minutes for discussion/instruction on a topic of the month i.e. Circular Knitting, Cable Knitting, Crochet techniques, quilting how-to’s (provided by various group members).

(by Sharon Andrews)

The Sacred Music Chorale is presenting

Two Lenten Concerts this year featuring Mozart’s Requiem in concert with the Marine View Presbyterian Chancel Choir and the Festi-

val Chamber Orchestra. They will be held at

7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2006, at Marine View Presbyterian Church located at 8469 Eastlake Drive, N.E., Tacoma, and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2006, at Trinity Parish Episcopal located at 8^th Ave. and James Street in Seattle.

The concerts are free. There will be an opportunity to donate to the chorale if you are able or feel so moved.

Contest for high school artists offers top prize of $500.00.

Louisville – In 2005 and 2006, the Pentecost Offering commissioned artwork to illustrate its yearly theme, and the feedback was so positive that the newfound tradition is being continued in 2007.

‘

The offering staff is inviting high school students to submit a photograph or two of a painting, drawing, or mixed-media artwork that they feel demonstrates their creative abilities. The Pentecost Offering team will review these submissions and invite five young people to submit sketches demonstrating how they would illustrate the 2007 theme, "That very spirit" (Romans 8:16).

The five finalists will receive $100 apiece for their sketches. Then one of the five will be chosen to illustrate the 2007 theme. The creator of that work will receive $500.00.

The deadline for submitting sample photographs is April 17, 2006; the finalists will be notified by April 24; the sketches will be due on May 12; the final commission will be

awarded on May 19; and the final artwork will be due by June 14.

In 2005, Matthias Brown, a middle school student, prepared the Pentecost Offer-

ing art. In 2006, the art for the Offering was created by Walnas Congas, a young adult from Haiti (see it at www.pcusa.org/pentecost).

Because the past two artists were male, the Offering Team is especially interested in considering work by young women, but all high school students are encouraged to apply.

Hello everyone guess what time it is? …….Give up? …….Okay, I’ll tell you.

It’s time for…..spring cleaning! It’s getting "a little" warmer and flowers are starting to sprout up, and with spring finally here, thank God, it’s time to start going through your "unwanted treasured trinkets and once valued possessions" for our annual St. Andrews’ Garage Sale!

It’s organized and coordinated by the Deacons, and all profits from sales go directly into the Deacon’s Fund for future activities and good will efforts through the congregation here at SAPC. So please don’t hesitate to go through and set aside anything that you’d like to bring to the garage sale. The only thing that will not be accepted will be adult clothing, but children’s clothes are ok.

It’s going to be held on Saturday, May 6^th here at the church, in the sanctuary, from 9:00 am. to 3:00pm.

We have some limited space so around the end of April through the first week of May if you need to store anything at the church, contact Paul Mitchell, Ann Dreier, Craig Johnson or any of the Deacons, or if you just have any questions about the garage sale.

We’ll be setting up the night before, on Friday the 5th, so feel free to stop by the church then, and drop off your things, as it would be too late on Saturday morning, since it starts fairly early and we’d like to have everything priced and ready to sell. We’ll also be advertising outside of church so we’re hopeful that there will be plenty of shoppers, and that it will be a success again, as in past years!

Thanks,

The Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of Seattle, during its March, 2006

Meeting awarded Rev. Scott Anderson a plaque

in recognition of his preaching a sermon on

Congratulations to you Scott! My peace be with us always.

Just want to get the word out, that if anyone is in need of transportation, doesn’t drive, or just for whatever reason can’t drive, that we’ll soon be putting together a list of people that are available to help out. If you are someone who thinks that you may possibly be available to help out as a driver, for those that could be in need of a ride to the doctor, or dentist, or to the grocery store for example, there will soon be opportunities to sign up on the clipboards at future Sunday services. So stay tuned for more information on this in the near future!

Greetings my dear sisters and brothers in Christ;

Welcome to Spring! It arrived in a nontraditional way – the sun was shining – it was a beautiful warm day. It was just what most of us needed to lift our spirits. The signs of spring are all around us – on time – in God’s way.

March is a significant month for me as I was born a pieces, and you know what that implies. It was significant for me this year even more so than in previous years. I turned 65 years old, and now it’s official. I am truly a senior citizen. Now, I understand that at this age I can command more respect. This is also the month that my youngest of two grandsons has

a birthday. Usually, I bestow upon his gifts on his spe-

cial day. This year he gifted me on his day as he and

the Rainier Vista team on which he plays great basket-

ball took the championship trophy. He just turned 8 years old. My dad is a March birthday also, and he

quietly turned 87 years young.

This past month has been an active and pro-

ductive time in my life and I hope that is true for you.

On the national church level I traveled to St. Louis, MO

as the elected Synod Representative of the Committee

on Representation (COR). The full committee reviewed

the final report (required of GA committees) on its

effectiveness. This report will be reviewed and acted upon at the General Assembly in June of this year.

Laura Clawson and I were delegates to the March meeting of the Presbytery of Seattle. This was a unique gathering hosted by the Ethnic Ministry Team

of the Presbytery. The meeting was held at the Mercer

Island Presbytery Church. It was a proud moment for

Us to witness our Pastor Scott Anderson receiving an

award for preaching the word of God on the subject of

______________________________________

"Peace". During such turbulent times as these throughout the world we need to hear and to learn more about peace.

I completed my service on Presbytery’s

Commission for the Elim P.C. which is now closed.

I continued my work as a property manager for the Celebration Church which will have its final worship service on April 2^nd. This beautiful facility in Redmond

is to be sold. Pastoral care for the remaining members

has been outstanding.

On the Synod level, I am augmenting staff support to implement a new vision and mission. We are getting ready for the Spring Meeting of the Synod to be held June 1-2, 2006, in the Presbytery of Inland Northwest and at one of our most beautiful camp sites – Clearwater Lodge, Camp Spalding in Spokane, WA.

As you read this newsletter, you can see

all of the good things that are happening in the life of our church. Change is all around us, and it’s not without

challenge. Our faith keeps us strong.

Through the support of our members and friends I am entering into another season as Elder

responsible for the landscape. The landscape is another one of God’s many blessings entrusted to our care. God has been good in sending us "our youth" to do community service right here at SAPC. Yes, I am speaking about the Cub Scout Pack #492 of SAPC and its leadership by Timothy Ramsey. Join us on April 8^th. The Annual Spring Clean-up will also be held as previously announced on April 29^th. There is plenty to

do, and something for everyone to do.-

On a bitter/sweet note, it’s hard to say good-bye to Sharon Griffith as the reporter for "St. Andrew’s Prayers". I think that we have all become accustom to hearing from her. She has done such an outstanding job which will be missed. Maggie MacAdams has already

begun to pick up the pieces and carry on with this very

important and critical part of our church ministry; please join me in welcoming her.

Office Hours: M-Th., 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Kim Ellenberg, Secretary

Fri., 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. – Mary Lou Gilbert

Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School (all ages): 9:30 a.m.

Perspective Newsletter Team:

Editor: Alma-jean Marion

Reporters: JoAnn Peck, Lois Summers

& Sharon Griffith

Volunteer Leader: Pat Sharpe