King of Kings Lutheran Church
“Centered in Christ, we love all, welcome all, and pursue justice and peace”
WWW.KOKLUTHERAN.ORG
5501 SE THIESSEN ROAD, MILWAUKIE, OR 97267
503.659.0990
Pastor’s Message
Greetings Saints of King of King’s!
It may seem hard to believe, but June is already upon us! In the blink of an eye, 3 weeks of our
sabbatical time have passed and we are entering the summer months, greeted by the late May
sunshine, and the arrival of things that mark this season as one of rejoicing in creation: farmer’s
markets, Rose Festival, backyard gardens taking root and bursting forth, summer fruits, and the
decrease of drizzly evenings, making it possible for us to roll out our grills and dust off our patio
furniture. It is a season of spending time outside, of drinking in the sunshine, and celebrating all the
green things around us that have been watered and fed by our winter rains.
The same is true here at King of King’s! As I have spoken before in introductions and the days
following, the sabbatical time you have set apart falls at a poetic time for our liturgical season, for the
next chunk of Sundays until long after Pastor Aimee’s return we are in the Season of Pentecost, a
time when the altar guild will hang our green paraments and we enter what is known in the church
year as a time for growing! Green and growing go together! Each time you enter the sanctuary space
this summer I invite you to set aside space in yourself for that work of growing, just as our gardens
are growing!
As promised and warned, we’ll be exploring the season of sabbatical using the metaphor and imagery
of a fruit tree brought back from Oregon Synod Assembly. You may notice a “tree” growing in our
sanctuary space as we take time to reflect on the things that have contributed to our growth and life
together as a community. This is a precious and exciting time set apart for us to reflect, to learn, and
to GROW!
Already in my short time here, I have been so touched and grateful for the way you are woven
together as a community of support and love for one another AND for your neighbors. What a
blessing to be spending this sacred season with you all!
Much Peace,
Pastor Sara
Upcoming Worship
June 7, Informal worship
June 14, Blended worship
June 21, Blended worship
June 28, Traditional ~ Pr. Sara at a family wedding, Pr. Dennis
Marttala presiding
Thank You King of King's Family
Our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to ALL of you who helped with Mel's memorial service on
the 26th. The outpouring of love in helping with the service, singing in the choir, serving luncheon,
sending cards and gifting words of comfort was overwhelming and wonderful. Thank you so, so
much for your love and your compassion.
With Love,
Lou Freauff and family
Th ank yo u Ch o ir
For the beautiful music on Sunday mornings, for your dedication in attending
rehearsals, for inspiring us to lift our hearts, minds and voices in singing
praises to our Lord, Choir, we thank you!
Summe r Music
Make a Joyful Noise! Sign up on the social hall doors to provide
Special Music this summer while the choir takes a muchdeserved break.
Me mb e r o f th e Mo nth
Selma Eckert
Selma & her husband, Chuck, joined King of Kings in 1981 during Paul Swanson’s tenure. In 1988
they transferred their membership to First United Methodist in Oregon City in order to attend church
with their family. Selma & Chuck were married 56 years before his death in 1998.
In 2007 Selma along with her daughter, Dina Black, granddaughter, Stacey and great-granddaughter
Paige returned to KOK. They all quickly became involved in many activities of the church. Dina
and Selma proudly did the Pride Parade March together with the KOK team in 2013. Dina died from
complications of multiple myeloma two months later. Selma and son-in-law Bill continue to be
housemates along with her other granddaughter, Patti and her son Isaiah. Both granddaughters work
in the medical field.
Selma says she likes the wonderful feeling of togetherness with the church as a whole way of living –
a feeling of togetherness, of unity with God and the people. “Quilting is my activity every Tuesday at
9:30 a.m. A time of togetherness with stitches – and whatever else I can do.”
Be sure to wish Selma happy birthday on June 20 when she turns 94!
Reconciling in Christ
Our congregation will be represented in Portland’s Pride Parade on June 14! We will be joining 75100 Lutherans from around the area. We are marching to ensure that people know there are
congregations that are open and supportive of all people regardless of differences—plus it promises
to be a lot of fun!
If you are interested in joining the march or if you would like more information, please contact Gene
Zaharie at 503.786.8218.
Game Nite
Monday, June 29 from 7 – 8:30pm
Bring your favorite game and snacks to share.
Social Justice Group
You are invited to attend an organizational meeting of the Social Justice group. There are no rules so
we can create a format that works for us. We plan to have our first meeting after church on Sunday,
June 28th at 11:45 in the social hall. If that doesn’t work for you please suggest an alternate
date/time.
Agenda
Share why you are interested in social justice
What interests you have in this area
When and how often you think we should meet
How we might communicate between meetings
How we can encourage others to join us
Gene met a woman from Augustana Lutheran, Norene Goplen, who has many years experience as an
activist. He would like to invite her to share with us at an early meeting.
Gene and I would invite all of you to join us and others at the Gay Pride Parade on June 14th.
Let us know if you can attend.
Spirits & Theology or
Time: Monday, June 8 @ 6 pm
Place: Round Table Pizza, 16550 SE McLoughlin Blvd.
Our topic for June is: How do we honor our values in today's society?
Fellowship abounds and ideas about spiritual matters are exchanged in an informal and public
setting. We certainly don’t have all the answers, but we sure have plenty of opinions!
Come when you can. Bring friends. All are welcome.
Anyone interested?
Talk to Pr. Sara if you would be interested in going.
WOMEN’S RETREAT – All Women Welcome!!
Date: July 31 - August 2
$100 per person (no tiered pricing)
Camp Lutherwood Oregon offers a wonderfully peaceful weekend for women of all ages! Come
yourself or come with other women in your church and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Need some time for reflection and relaxation? Join us for a weekend amidst the fellowship of other
women to explore and contemplate the beauty of creation and what it means to just be. Our talented
camp staff leads all the activities, including games, nature walks, Bible study and worship.
Individuals and groups welcome.
The retreat will be led by Rev. Laurie Larson Caesar. She is the Lutheran-half of the pastoral
leadership of Mission of the Atonement, and though she's been journeying with this Catholic and
Lutheran community for more than 18 years, she is still in love with them, with the wet, wild
wonderland that is the Pacific Northwest, and with this odd and wondrous vocation called ordained
ministry. She enjoys leading spirituality retreats, learning from the ancient wisdom and faith
practices of others in other traditions, walking in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, playing
basketball, storytelling, learning claw-hammer banjo and listening to any music that is raw, honest
and true.
Join the fun and help alert new parents
The PURPLE crying caps campaign
CLICK for Babies is a grassroots public education campaign organized by the National Center on
Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) in partnership with hospitals, public health and child abuse
prevention groups to create awareness of the leading trigger for infant abuse, frustration with infant
crying.
The goal of this campaign is to increase awareness and educate others about the Period of PURPLE
Crying that all infants go through, how to respond to prolonged crying, and the importance of
NEVER shaking your child —all in an effort to prevent the shaking and abuse of infants.
Volunteers are invited to knit or crochet a purple (at least 1/2 of the hat must be purple) baby hats.
Hats may be dropped off in the church office or with Mary Zellharie to be donated to Randall
Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
Want to help? For more information go to: www.CLICKforBabies.org or contact Mary Zellharie.
Patterns are available.
Pr aye r s & Th an k s g iv in g s ...
Pray always for peace, solace and kindness
Family & Friends of Mel Freauff Upon his death
Family & Friends of Steve Cowden
Bonnie’s brother; upon his death
Family & Friends of June Lane Bonnie C’s mother; upon her death
JR Potter
Life threatening autoimmune disorder
Leita King
Konsa’s friend; serious leg injury
Jason Anderson
Son of LaVern Moore’s friend; 36 year old, cancer has returned
Jackson Elkins
Otis Lundgren’s schoolmate; recovering from open heart surgery
Debbie Schultz
Transferred to skilled nursing care
Hilton Friedman
Friend of Kecia Key; prostate cancer
Sandi Enselman
Bonnie C’s cousin; inoperable brain cancer
Ruth Riggins
Sharon Holford’s mother; for healing & strength
Caryn Nelson Pringle Friend of Bonnie Cowden; battling breast cancer
Marie Gonzales
Brooks’ daughter-in-law; hospice
Peggy Kurth
Balance & strength
Prayers will be left on our prayer list for two weeks unless otherwise requested.
Please notify the office if prayers are needed for a longer period.
Let's Celebrate!
Go d's Ble s s ing to yo u as yo u c e le b rate ...
June Birthdays
10
14
14
15
16
17
20
23
29
29
Charlotte Cunningham
Melissa Noble
Carolyn Potter
Chen-En Stolin
Bobby Cunningham
Krist Sandness
Selma Eckert
Annabelle Beyers
Lily Hess
Margaret Wittrich
June Baptisms
13 Loren Stolin
22 Tessa Noble
22 Tyler Noble
14
15
16
19
21
28
30
Donna & Gordon Merseth
Ricky & Dale Jamtgaard
Diane & Henry Verdoorn
Katherine & Pete Hinds
Cathy & John Pederson
Lisa & Tom Hiller
Kerin & Jory Lommen
If we miss YOUR special day, PLEASE let the church office know, we may not have the
information. THANKS!