Our October 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest updates on our outreach.

In this issue:

• Articles from our Executive Director and Staff

• Updates on our October pumpkin deliveries - 500 pumpkins and decorations delivered!

• Join us for the Boeing Choir Concert!

October 2024 Deliveries

This was from the first day of deliveries - more pictures to come in November!

Backpacks for House of Mercy

House of Mercy operates 30 halfway houses in the State of Washington. Their program for those newly released from incarceration greatly reduces the rate of recidivism.

Thank you to the Joy Lutheran Youth Sunday School for helping us assemble backpack care packs for new residents of the House of Mercy’s halfway houses. Each backpack had a Bible, “The Journy Home” devotional from “Lutheran Hour Ministries,” two bottles of water, and 2 pair of socks. We were able to us Thrivent Action Teams® dollars to fund the bulk of this project. Thank you!

Our September 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click below to get the latest updates about our outreach.

In this issue:

1. Articles from our Executive Director and Staff

2. October’s coming means “It’s Pumpkin Time.” See the newsletter and contact us to join us in this fun way to bring joy to the care center residents we serve.

3. We’re loading 50+ “Welcome” backpacks for the new residents of “House of Mercy.” We mail out more than 300 “Portals of Prayer” devotionals to jail residents and institutions' libraries, and we are looking for people who are willing to help us with mailings. Get in touch with us to learn more.

4. Join us on November 3rd for the Boeing Choir concert at Epiphany Lutheran Church!

Our August 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest information about our outreach.

In this issue:

• An update on our summer fundraiser - there’s still time to help us meet our goal.

• Articles from our Executive Director and staff

• News from the Pews

  • St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Federal Way is getting a LCC Comfort Dog. See “News from the Pews” to learn more.

Save the date!

Sunday, November 3rd

Time: 4:00pm, doors open at 3:30pm

Location: Epiphany Lutheran Church
16450 Juanita Dr. NE
Kenmore, WA 98028

Our July 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest information about our outreach!

• Update on our summer fundraiser

• Articles from our staff

• Information on our Prison / Jail ministry

• News from the Pews - How area churches are reaching out in light of
  Matthew 25:36

Our June 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest information about our outreach.

In this issue:

• An update on our Summer Fundraiser

• Letters from our Executive Director and Staff

• Another Testimonial from a Church That Adopted a Care Center

• Updates on our Prison / Jail Ministry and our Ongoing Efforts to Support House of Mercy’s 30 Halfway Houses in WA

• News from the Pews:

  • We rejoice with Trinity Lutheran Church in Seattle as Seminarian Dillon Weber was just placed as their Associate Pastor. See the newsletter for information about his upcoming ordination (June 30, 2024) and installation (July 21, 2024)

  • We also rejoice with our friends at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, who just dedicated “The Good Shepherd House” on their property. The Good Shepherd House is a seven-story, 86-unit building dedicated to allowing people to make a fresh start in life through the shelter and supportive environment that is provided.

Our May 2024 Newsletter Is Here

Click here to get the latest updates about our outreach.

In this issue:

• Information about our summer fundraiser

  • $75,000.00 - 90 Day Challenge to Sustain our outreach to people in Seattle area hospitals, care centers, jails, and prisons

• Articles from our chaplains

• Read about St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Port Angeles’ experiences with “adopting” a care center in their area

• Read updates on our Prison & Jail Ministry

  • Also, see a list of items that House of Mercy’s halfway houses can use to support their program

    • Nationally, recidivism is over 50%. Those who participate in House of Mercy’s program have a recidivism rate of <10%

• “News from the Pews”

  • Read about the Food Bank at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Renton. Learn how you can help, and, perhaps, start a food bank in your area.

  • Thank you to President Paul Linnemann of the Northwest District LCMS as he retires

  • Welcome to President Mike Von Behren as he starts the noble task of leading the Northwest District

Our April 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest information about our outreach.

In this issue:

• Articles from our Executive Director and Chaplains

• Call for Volunteers - “Adopt A Care Center” outreach

  • Care center outreach is rewarding. See our articles for information and inspiration. Get in touch with us to learn more.

• Updates on our Jail / Prison Ministry

  • Are you moving or downsizing and trying to find a home for useable household items? If so, contact us. House of Mercy operates 30 halfway houses in Washington, and they can use household furnishings as well as men’s clothing (large sizes especially - twin-sized beds only)

• “News from the Pews” - outreach ideas from and happenings in area churches

  • See especially the “Spring into Action” section as well as a special presentation held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Port Angeles, WA entitled, “The High Cost of Free Love” - Pam Stenzel, presenting.

Our March 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest information on our outreach!

Our Easter Newsletter is attached!

• Thank you to everyone who has directed Thrivent Choice® Dollars to support LMSN. If you haven’t directed your 2023 Thrivent Choice® Dollars yet, you have until March 31st to do so. They do not carry over to 2024.

• See the newsletter for more updates!

Our February Mailer

Join us for our annual gathering!

Our January 2024 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest information about our outreach.

In this issue:

1. Articles from our Executive Director and staff.

2. News about our jail / prison ministry - thank you to all who have helped us with subscriptions to “Portals of Prayer.” They are well-used and much appreciated.

3. “Adopt A Care Center” - Get in touch with Dcs. Ruth Ann Shimoi about care center outreach.

4. “News from the Pews” - Ways that churches are reaching out
   inspired by Matthew 25:335-36

Our December 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here for our December 2023 newsletter.

In this issue:

• Articles from our Executive Director and staff

• Updates on our warm clothing drive - thank you to everyone who took part! Those who received the clothing (see the NL for details) were most thankful. Though we had mounds of clothes, they said, “This will be gone in a week.”

• “News from the Pews” - Highlights in outreach from area churches including Beautiful Savior in SeaTac whose youth made blankets and Peace Lutheran Church in Covington’s Christmas pageant. Peace L.C.’s pageant is over for 2023, but watch for it in 2024.

Our November 2023 Newsletter is Here!

Click here for our Nov. 2023 newsletter.

In this Issue:

• Happy Thanksgiving!

• Update on our 2023 matching campaign - thank you to everyone who contributed!

• Articles from our Executive Director and staff

• Pumpkin deliveries - always a big hit!

• “News from the Pews” - highlighting what churches are doing for outreach in light of Matthew 25:36

Our October 2023 Mailer is on its Way.

Click here for a PDF copy of the flyers below.

Our September 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the full PDF newsletter!

Highlights Below

Our August 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click here to get the latest updates on our outreach.

In this issue:

• Our matching campaign begins. We hope to raise $50K from Aug. 1st to Oct. 31st. to meet our budget. All donations will be matched up to $30K.

• 8 / 10 - Almost There! Our “Portals of Prayer” initiative only needs 2 more subscriptions. See the newsletter for details.

• In memory of Margaret E.

• We continue to support House of Mercy, and we are exploring programs that reduce recidivism.

• “News from the Pews” - Highlighting outreach that is inspired by Matthew 25:36.

Our July 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click HERE to get the latest updates.

(Note that the entire newsletter is in one PDF file.)

Highlights below:

• Articles from our staff

• Updates on ways that churches are reaching out to the homeless and helping those newly released from jail in the process of doing so

• “Portals of Prayer” initiative - We are more than halfway there! Only 4 more subscriptions needed!

  • LMSN’s Executive Director has been mailing “Portals of Prayer” devotionals to various resident inmates, House of Mercy which operates 28 halfway houses, and prisons. Each quarter, we mail out 300. The largest portion goes to the libraries of institutions. We receive reports and thank you notes stating that “Portals of Prayer” is one of the most popular materials they receive.

    We had been able to get the Portals of Prayer at no charge. That source is no longer available. The suggestion was made that maybe we could work with the churches to get the 300 Portals of Prayer. To get to 300, we asked for 10 congregations to order 30 “Portals of Prayer” per quarter.

    Information about ordering.

    ·         The cost from CPH is $2.13 per copy, no shipping charge.

    ·         30 devotionals cost a total of $63.90 per quarter. ($255.60 annually)

    ·         Call CPH directly 1-800-325-3040, pick “option 2” for magazine services

    ·         Have the devotionals sent to our mailing address:

    o    Lutheran Ministry Services NW
    7040 36th Ave NE
    Seattle, WA. 98115-5998

    Thank you for your support of this effort. Please let me hear from you.

    In Christ,

    Don Sundene LMSN Executive Director

    206-450-7128 ext. 4    donsudnene@hotmail.com     Mat. 25:36 “You visited me”

• “Adopt A Care Center” Program

  • LMSN is encouraging congregations to engage in Christian outreach by adopting a nearby care center. Volunteers can do things like provide song services with short Bible lessons, provide Bible studies, and encourage the residents and staff via seasonal gifts. (Think of the pumpkin deliveries we have made in October for several years now, Easter cards, etc.)

    LMSN is prepared to help by -

    ·         Visiting your congregation to do a presentation to help inspire volunteers

    ·         Helping to establish contacts at care centers

    ·         Training volunteers

    ·         Providing materials such as large print song books

    ·         Providing ongoing support to discuss experiences and share best practices

    Contact Dcs. Ruth Ann Shimoi to learn more.

    ·         206-450-7128 x3

    ·         ruthannshimoi@lmsnw.org

Our June 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click below to get the latest updates about our outreach.

• Articles from our staff and executive director

• Care center ministry & “Adopt-A-Care Center” insert

• Prison / jail ministry insert - backpacks & “Portals of Prayer” initiative

• “News from the Pews” - Our inaugural installment highlighting outreach that various churches are doing in keeping with Matthew 25:36. We thank Dielda K. who published Bethlehem’s newsletter for helping us with this effort. Click here to learn more.

Our May 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click below to get the latest updates on our outreach.

• Articles from our Chaplains and Executive Director

• Care center insert

Our April Mailer

Click the image for a PDF copy of our April mailer. Blessings to you and yours!

Our March 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

Click the sections below to get the latest information on our outreach.

1. Articles from our Chaplains and Executive Director

2. Care Center insert & Chp. Howell’s Article

3. Prison Ministry Insert - Celebrating Mr. Don Sundene’s Award & Message from “House of Mercy”