Weekly News and Events
Friday Harbor
April 12, 2026 – Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday Worship in person at 11:00 a.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church, corner of Park and Marguerite.
Live Online worship via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. Connection directions sent via email or contact the church email. Consult the online Weekly Worship Bulletin.
This week's events
Tuesday 3:00-5:00 p.m. – In-person conversation with the Transition Team, St. David’s fellowship hall. Following a lively conversation at our last gathering, the conversation continues. The transition team and Pr. Erik will bring a summary of the current status of our conversation, clarify options and bring a recommendation for next steps. All are welcome and encouraged to participate
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Bible Study via Zoom, Becky Moore host
Thursday 9:30 a.m. – Walking Group, Meet at Mount Grant Parking Lot to walk the lower roads.
Announcements
Pastor’s Note
Each year on the second Sunday of Easter we meet doubting Thomas (unfortunate nickname huh?). He could also be called late Thomas. Out of Town Thomas. Lost Thomas. Honest Tom Missing Thomas, etc. We are not told why Thomas is missing, but we do know that there are times we are just not present, out of town, recharging, away, vacationing etc. Thomas is criticized for doubting, but he asks for nothing more than the same experience of the risen Christ the rest of the disciples had. By the grace of God, Jesus returns a second time and offers his body as living proof to Thomas. In the presence of Jesus, Thomas discovers he did not need the proof he demanded.
Thomas’ story is our story. We are not always where we need to be. Sometimes we even find ourselves in places we should not be at all. But Jesus comes to us, seeking us out and giving us the gift of faith. Thomas is not criticized, he is not condemned. Instead Jesus loves Thomas back into a relationship and shows the disciples what the words “Peace be with you” mean when lived out.
Each Sunday Christians exchange with one another the peace of the risen Christ. In some assemblies, the Peace has become a kind of seventh-inning stretch during which everyone chats with everyone else about the week’s news. However, the liturgical intention of this greeting is that we are enacting John 20, the reading we will hear on Sunday, about receiving from one another the peace that Christ gave to the disciples. We fill the room with the life of the Holy Spirit, breathing to one another the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. Maybe Thomas isn’t in need of a special nickname because, He is all of us, and we doubters are glad to share with all other doubters the peace of the risen Christ.
Come worship together this coming Sunday, you’re in good company.
As you journey through this week, through each day and each moment
May your questing heart guide you;
may your searching soul’s questions lead you through each dark valley and along each bright shore.
May you so seek that you find your way
to the truth that you already know-
that is a given beyond knowing –
that is buried in you and deep in the foundations of creation:
you are beloved;
we are beloved.
So each day, each moment, may you come home to this,
and may your life bear witness to the beloved in all things. Amen.
Outreach for our Family Resource Center – April is the month that the Friday Harbor Branch raises money to help the Family Resource Center provide some scholarships for summer activities for Elementary School children. Many children are left in the care of older sibings for the daytime so that the parents can work. Most families cannot afford child care or activities such as Camp Eagle Rock. Last year our money helped 17 children and also helped one mom to supplement chid care so she could work. There will be a basket placed on the table in back of the church for donations of cash OR CHECKS MADE OUT TO THE JOYCE SOBEL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER. DO NOT make the checks out to the church. You will get a tax receipt from the FRC. We will be collecting for the entire month.
Weekly update for PNW Synod of the ELCA is available here
Adding an event/announcement: Please forward your written listing to Steve Simpson by Thursday. Be sure to include all relevant information (who, what, when, where, why, how). Unless otherwise specified, announcements will be listed for one week and events will be listed weekly until the event date.
Coming events
San Juan Master Choral concerts, Messiah: The Continuing Story, by G. F. Handel. Saturday May 18, 7:00 p.m.; Sunday May 19, 3:00 p.m. Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.
Save the Date: the Lutheran Church of the San Juans will participate in “Holden Evening Prayer Around the World” on May 2, 2026. Although the time has not been finalized, it will be around 5:30 p.m. Please mark you calendars and plan to come, and let Nancy Searls know if you would like to be a reader or singer for this event. The whole Lopez Community will be invited to join in this event.
A Special Meeting of the 2025 Synod Assembly will be held online on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9am-12noon. Following a welcome and devotion, we will address these four items of business: 2027 Budget approval; Election of Synod Vice President; Election of Synod Secretary; Election of a Synod Council Youth Representative. Note: this is not a mini-assembly, there will be no other reports, greetings, resolutions, or business items. If you attended in 2025 you can register for this online event here. (Posted April 3, 2026)
Saturday, May 30, 2026, “Life in God’s Garden: Seeds of Generosity,” NW Washington Synod Gathering, Lynnwood, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will gather to celebrate, learn and connect around the theme of generosity. This is generosity rooted in God’s abundant love for God’s creation. Generosity of time, space, talents, money – and generosity of our hearts. (Posted April 3, 2026)
We will meet at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood AND the new Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. We will center our time in worship at 9am with song, communion, preaching by Bishop Shelley. We will welcome our keynote presenter, Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA director for congregational stewardship. Following lunch, there will be 2 afternoon workshop times – with a total of 22 options from local leaders! As we prepare to close the day, we will re-gather for a sending service – including time to install our newly elected synod council officers and members. Click here to learn more and get registered! (Posted April 3, 2026)
Adding an event/announcement: Please forward your written listing to Steve Simpson by Thursday. Be sure to include all relevant information (who, what, when, where, why, how). Unless otherwise specified, announcements will be listed for one week and events will be listed weekly until the event date
Also of Note
Bishop Shelly Wee gave a talk on Christian Nationalism. Watch the presentation here. (Posted March 29, 2026)
OPOP Update: Our formerly incarcerated friend, Andrew Tucker, is now back in Jail at Skagit County Jail. We do not know how long he may be there. Your prayers for his continued healing and movement towards his life goals are greatly appreciated. The Core Team continues to meet regularly and is in touch with Andrew. For more information please talk with one of us LCSJ representatives on the core team, Beth Drake, Henning Sehmsdorf, Ruth Fothergill, Kristi Carpine-Tabor. (Posted March 15, 2026.)
WRITING CHECKS: Checks to be deposited to the church’s bank account should be made payable to “Lutheran Church in the San Juans”. If you would like to designate your gift in any way, please note that in the memo line. Thank you! From your Financial Secretary.
Email changes: Please contact Steve Simpson to make changes to the email distribution list for these notes.
Prayers
Our Prayers – April
Healing: Bill Lowe (friend of Samantha Bryner), Barbara S., Helena (granddaughter of Craig & Krispi), Dave Staehlin, Christine, Janet, Lilly.
General/Support: George and family (brother of Lilly Handler), Ann Brewer (caring for parents), Jim (son-in-law of Joan & Gordon Eustis), Scott and Marie, Mary, Steven, Rachel (friend of Lilly Handler), Ryan, Andrew and Andrew’s son Tre’vion (healing).
Bereavement: Family of Barbara Buck
For pastoral care needs, and to add requests for Sunday Prayers, please contact Pastor Emma: email pastoremmad@gmail.com
Lopez Island
April 12, 2026 – Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday worship meets in person at 9:00 a.m. at Center Church, 312 Davis Bay Road
Live Online worship via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. Connection directions sent via email or contact the church email. Consult the online Weekly Worship Bulletin.
This week's events
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Bible Study via Zoom, Becky Moore host
Announcements
Pastor’s Note
Each year on the second Sunday of Easter we meet doubting Thomas (unfortunate nickname huh?). He could also be called late Thomas. Out of Town Thomas. Lost Thomas. Honest Tom Missing Thomas, etc. We are not told why Thomas is missing, but we do know that there are times we are just not present, out of town, recharging, away, vacationing etc. Thomas is criticized for doubting, but he asks for nothing more than the same experience of the risen Christ the rest of the disciples had. By the grace of God, Jesus returns a second time and offers his body as living proof to Thomas. In the presence of Jesus, Thomas discovers he did not need the proof he demanded.
Thomas’ story is our story. We are not always where we need to be. Sometimes we even find ourselves in places we should not be at all. But Jesus comes to us, seeking us out and giving us the gift of faith. Thomas is not criticized, he is not condemned. Instead Jesus loves Thomas back into a relationship and shows the disciples what the words “Peace be with you” mean when lived out.
Each Sunday Christians exchange with one another the peace of the risen Christ. In some assemblies, the Peace has become a kind of seventh-inning stretch during which everyone chats with everyone else about the week’s news. However, the liturgical intention of this greeting is that we are enacting John 20, the reading we will hear on Sunday, about receiving from one another the peace that Christ gave to the disciples. We fill the room with the life of the Holy Spirit, breathing to one another the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. Maybe Thomas isn’t in need of a special nickname because, He is all of us, and we doubters are glad to share with all other doubters the peace of the risen Christ.
Come worship together this coming Sunday, you’re in good company.
As you journey through this week, through each day and each moment
May your questing heart guide you;
may your searching soul’s questions lead you through each dark valley and along each bright shore.
May you so seek that you find your way
to the truth that you already know-
that is a given beyond knowing –
that is buried in you and deep in the foundations of creation:
you are beloved;
we are beloved.
So each day, each moment, may you come home to this, and may your life bear witness to the beloved in all things. Amen.
Lutheran Scholarship Fund – It’s time again! Lopez High School seniors are preparing for June graduation and have until May 1st to apply for a scholarship. However, the amount we can give depends on you. To contribute, make out a check to LCSJ with “Lutheran Scholarship” in the memo line. You can drop it off in the offering plate or mail it to LCSJ, P.O. Box 933, Lopez Island, WA 98261. Thank you in advance!
Weekly update for PNW Synod of the ELCA is available here
Coming events
Save the Date: the Lutheran Church of the San Juans will participate in “Holden Evening Prayer Around the World” on May 2, 2026. Although the time has not been finalized, it will be around 5:30 p.m. Please mark you calendars and plan to come, and let Nancy Searls know if you would like to be a reader or singer for this event. The whole Lopez Community will be invited to join in this event.
A Special Meeting of the 2025 Synod Assembly will be held online on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9am-12noon. Following a welcome and devotion, we will address these four items of business: 2027 Budget approval; Election of Synod Vice President; Election of Synod Secretary; Election of a Synod Council Youth Representative. Note: this is not a mini-assembly, there will be no other reports, greetings, resolutions, or business items. If you attended in 2025 you can register for this online event here. (Posted April 3, 2026)
Saturday, May 30, 2026, “Life in God’s Garden: Seeds of Generosity,” NW Washington Synod Gathering, Lynnwood, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will gather to celebrate, learn and connect around the theme of generosity. This is generosity rooted in God’s abundant love for God’s creation. Generosity of time, space, talents, money – and generosity of our hearts. (Posted April 3, 2026)
We will meet at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood AND the new Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. We will center our time in worship at 9am with song, communion, preaching by Bishop Shelley. We will welcome our keynote presenter, Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA director for congregational stewardship. Following lunch, there will be 2 afternoon workshop times – with a total of 22 options from local leaders! As we prepare to close the day, we will re-gather for a sending service – including time to install our newly elected synod council officers and members. Click here to learn more and get registered! (Posted April 3, 2026)
Adding an event/announcement: Please forward your written listing to Corky Searls by Thursday. Be sure to include all relevant information (who, what, when, where, why, how). Unless otherwise specified, announcements will be listed for one week and events will be listed weekly until the event date
Also of Note
Bishop Shelly Wee gave a talk on Christian Nationalism in Edmonds, January 30, 2026. Watch the presentation here. (Posted March 29, 2026)
OPOP Update: Our formerly incarcerated friend, Andrew Tucker, is now back in Jail at Skagit County Jail. We do not know how long he may be there. Your prayers for his continued healing and movement towards his life goals are greatly appreciated. The Core Team continues to meet regularly and is in touch with Andrew. For more information please talk with one of us LCSJ representatives on the core team, Beth Drake, Henning Sehmsdorf, Ruth Fothergill, Kristi Carpine-Tabor. (Posted March 15, 2026)
Adding an event/announcement: Please forward your written listing to Corky Searls by Thursday. Be sure to include all relevant information (who, what, when, where, why, how). Unless otherwise specified, announcements will be listed for one week and events will be listed weekly until the event date
Prayers
Our Prayers – April
Healing: Bill Lowe (friend of Samantha Bryner), Barbara S., Helena (granddaughter of Craig & Krispi), Dave Staehlin, Christine, Janet, Lilly.
General/Support: George and family (brother of Lilly Handler), Ann Brewer (caring for parents), Jim (son-in-law of Joan & Gordon Eustis), Scott and Marie, Mary, Steven, Rachel (friend of Lilly Handler), Ryan, Andrew and Andrew’s son Tre’vion (healing).
Bereavement: Family of Barbara Buck
For pastoral care needs, and to add requests for Sunday Prayers, please contact Pastor Emma: email pastoremmad@gmail.com
LOPEZ E- PRAYER CHAIN MEMBERSHIP: If you’d like to add your e-mail address to those receiving new prayer chain requests, please let Corky Searls know.
LOPEZ E-PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS; If you have a request you’d like to place on this. Please contact Corky Searls.
For pastoral care needs, and to add requests for Sunday Prayers, please contact Pastor Emma: email pastoremmad@gmail.com.
Location
Friday Harbor
760 Park St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Lopez Island
312 Davis Bay Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Orcas Island
242 Main St, Eastsound, WA 98245
