Harbor Beacon Newsletter- December 2014

The light shines in the darkness…

John 1:5

OHLC Staff Pastor: Jeffrey Spencer

Home Phone (360) 279-0413

Pastor of Care Ministries Marc Stroud (360) 632-4243

Volume 61, Issue 12

December 2014

OAK HARBOR LUTHERAN CHURCH a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) nd

1253 NW 2 Avenue

360-678-2264

Oak Harbor, WA 98277

www.oakharborlutheran.org

office@oakharborlutheran.org

Preschool Director: Sara Harbaugh

(360) 941-1484

Parish Secretary: Carol Wiskow

(360) 720-2451

Newsletter Editor: Martha Ellis

(360) 678-2264

Custodian: Salvador Carvallo

(360) 675-3957

Church Fax Church Phone

(360) 679-9795 (360) 679-1561

Click on these links for the December newsletter inserts: The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures: http://www.elca.org/en/Resources/Prayer-Ventures The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/DEC2014Spirit.pdf

IN THIS ISSUE: Busy? Add Advent! pg. 2

Congregational meeting scheduled for January, pg. 6

Midweek services begin, pg. 3

Still waiting for the triplets! pg. 8

Angeli presents Carols by Candlelight, pg. 4

Wandering in the desert with Pastor Spencer, pg. 10

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

This issue was snail-mailed November 26, 2014

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feature Bible readings for each day. Those little windows are fun for little hands to open, and help build anticipation not only for the growing pile of loot under the tree, but for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Adding an Advent calendar with Bible readings and Biblical scenes to our daily routine can help us keep our perspective on what this season is all about.

Busy? Add Advent!

I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.

- Martin Luther

The Jesse Tree has enjoyed some renewed popularity in recent years, and will be introduced at our Advent workshop on November 30.

Any tree (even your Christmas tree!) can become a way to get into the scriptures and learn the stories of the people in Jesus’ family tree. I wrote a Jesse Tree devotion book this year to go with the craft at the Advent workshop, but it could be used without the craft as well. Contact the church office if you’d like a copy. Taking the time for daily Bible readings about the various branches of the Jesse Tree is yet another way to help this busy season also become a meaningful, holy season.

et’s face it: December is a busy month. It doesn’t matter how often we hear those pious pleas to slow down and simplify, most of us are going to be busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

There are cards to get in the mail. There are concerts and parties to attend. There is shopping to be done, gifts to wrap, and lights to put up.

Even if we do cut back here and there, it is just about inevitable that we’re going to have more on our schedule in December than usual.

Someone poked their head into my office in mid-November and said their December calendar was already pretty much full. I was aghast until I glanced down at mine and found that mine was too! At this point I’m wondering if I’ll even have time to make my annual holiday batch of lefse. I might actually need to give up some of my sleeping hours to get it done. (My wife just said she’ll kick me out of bed if that’s what it takes, so I guess I better plan on staying up late for a night or two.)

We have our midweek Advent services, too. On Wednesdays at Noon and 6 PM we’ll gather for prayer, liturgy, scripture, drama, and song. Afterwards we’ll enjoy soup suppers together. Spending an extra hour or so at church each week before Christmas helps keep God’s peace in our hearts as we rush from one thing to the next.

Of course, all these Advent practices take time – which always seems to be in short supply in December. However, I think that Martin Luther was right in the quote above. When we are busy it is even MORE important to adopt habits of prayer and devotion. In order to avoid becoming overwhelmed by our to-do lists and our relentless schedules and thereby lose sight of what these holy days are all about, we need to spend time focusing on God.

Those pious pleas to slow down and simplify are important to hear. I’ve made those pleas myself many times in sermons and newsletter articles in my 14 Decembers as a pastor. But the reality I’ve come to accept is that December, for most of us, is just crazy busy. Much of it is crazy fun, but it is still crazy busy. Instead of pining for a quiet, slowpaced December, I’ve come to hope for peace in the midst of the busy.

Instead of longing for balance, I have sought centeredness in Christ.

Instead of feeling guilty about a busy schedule, I actually ADD things to my daily routine in order to stay focused on God in this busy season.

o instead of my usual plea to slow down and simplify, I’m trying a different tack. Don’t do less. Do more. Pray more. Read more scripture. Come to worship twice as much, both Sundays AND Wednesdays. Set aside more time for your family to do devotions together. Add the practices and traditions of Advent. It’ll make the crazy busy even crazy busier, but you’ll be centered in Christ.

The season of Advent has an array of engaging practices to add to our schedules in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The Advent wreath is probably the best known devotional practice – it originated among Lutherans in northern Europe and has since been adopted by most other expressions of Christianity. It’s a wonderful tradition for individuals and families. The candles mark the weeks leading up to Christ’s birth, and both the circle and evergreen branches represent eternity, the gift Jesus gives us all. Setting aside time for prayer and devotions as candles are lit is a good way to stay centered on Christ in December.

The growing light of each added candle reminds us his coming is near!

This call to do more might not be what you’re used to hearing this time of year, but I think this advice is in keeping with the spirit of Advent. After all, the scriptural call we hear in Advent is not “Take it easy,” it is “Prepare!” It is not “Rest up,” it is “Keep awake!”

I’ll be trying to keep awake this December – and not just to make my lefse. I hope you will too.

- Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer

Advent calendars help mark the days as well. Good ones will 2

Sharing Tree takes root in the narthex

Decking the halls… with help from the Stone & Pedlar families

Our annual Sharing Tree will be up and ready on Sunday, November 30, decorated with Christmas tags.

The items written on the tags will go to help local and El Camino families and individuals enjoy Christmas and will provide needed and useful things. Please take one or more tags, purchase the item/s listed, gift wrap it with the tag attached to the outside of the package and place it under the Sharing Tree. Gift cards should to be brought to the church office with the tag attached, and please make a note on the tree tag of the card’s dollar amount. Please return the gifts under the tree by Sunday, December 21, unless noted differently.

Remember, sharing shows caring. Thank you for your continued support of the Sharing Tree!

Judy Lycksell

Many thanks to Wade & Angela Stone and their kids, Emilee, Natalie, Logan, & Lucas, for providing the Christmas tree for our sanctuary again this year. Thanks also to all those who are on deck to help put it up. We also appreciate Craig and Colleen Pedlar, who continue to deck our halls with beautiful wreaths from Boy Scout Troop 59. Craig even climbs up there to hang them! Thanks everyone!

Poinsettias!

We look forward to adorning our sanctuary with poinsettias this Christmas season! Plants will be ordered through Oak Harbor’s local Greenhouse Florist. If you’d like to contribute to the poinsettia fund to help defray the cost of plants, donations will be accepted through Sunday, Dec. 8. Although donations may be in any amount, suggested donation per plant is $18. Pick up a poinsettia form on the welcome desk in the narthex and let us know if you’ll be taking your plant home after Christmas Day worship or would like it to be given to someone who will enjoy it.

Keeping Advent in Heart and Home: A workshop for families and individuals Come learn how you can make this holiday season a time of spiritual growth for you and your family, Sunday, November 30, 2:004:00 PM at OHLC. There will be songs, snacks, a Jesse Tree craft project, and a new, family-friendly devotional book, written just by Pastor Spencer for members and friends of the congregation to use with their Jesse Tree.

HRISTMAS

ORSHIP

CHEDULE

Christmas Eve: 4:00 PM: Family Service featuring Sunday School Christmas Program 7:00 PM: Traditional Service with Candlelight and Communion 10:00 PM: Traditional Service with Candlelight and Communion Christmas Day: 10:30 AM: Service of Lessons & Carols, (with Communion)

Midweek Advent worship: Refreshment for the soul and food for the body Take some time to prepare your heart for Christmas as we gather on Wednesdays for worship services and soup suppers at Noon and 6:00 PM on December 3, 10, and 17. We’ll be singing Holden Evening Prayer as our liturgy, and enjoying Signs & Wonders, a series of thoughtprovoking, meaningful dramatic monologues written by our resident playwright (and assistant church secretary) Martha Ellis. Meals of soup and bread will follow our worship. All are welcome!

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations 3 Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, 1552 4 John of Damascus, theologian, hymnwriter, c. 749 6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342 7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397 13 Lucy, martyr, 304 3

December

14 John of the Cross, renewer of the church, 1591 20 Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, 1552 26 Stephen, Deacon and Martyr 28 The Holy Innocents, martyrs 27 John, Apostle and Evangelist

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Angeli

Jr. High Luth Youth gather on December 14 The Junior High Luth Youth group (grades 6-8) will be meeting on Sunday, December 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM for games, snacks, fellowship, and prayer. Don’t miss it!

Art of Marriage class continues on December 14 The third of our 6-part video series The Art of Marriage will be held on Sunday, December 14, 6:30-7:30 PM. Each session stands alone, so it isn’t too late to join us! Is your spouse deployed or otherwise unavailable? It is OK to come solo! Child care is provided. Your marriage is important – join us for The Art of Marriage and make yours a masterpiece!

Quillows, OHLC’s traditional gift to high school seniors Rita Cline is accepting donations of fleece as backing for the quillows (quilts that fold into pillows) we present to our graduating high school seniors. Pieces must be 54” by 72” in size. Fleece comes in many patterns; feel free to submit a specific pattern if you have a specific senior in mind!

Munchy Monday update

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Munchy Mondays continue to bring in over 100 students as they make their way across the street from Oak Harbor High School on earlyrelease Mondays, for food, fellowship, and a place to hang out off campus for an hour before they go back for after-school activities.

The Gospel of John: A visual study We continue our Sunday morning study of the Gospel of John in December, utilizing video clips, scripture, and conversation. Newcomers are always welcome. Here’s the schedule of readings and topics: Dec. 7 John 7:1-44 (Festival of Shelters) Dec. 14 John 7:45-8:30 (The Woman Caught in Adultery) Dec. 21 John 8:31-59 (True Disciples, Jesus and Abraham) Dec. 28 John 9:10-21 (Man Born Blind, Good Shepherd)

Have you signed up with eScrip yet? Every time you shop at Safeway, a percentage of your purchase price will be donated to Munchy Monday! Sign-up sheets are available on the information desk in the narthex (You can’t miss them. They’re pink.)

Thank you to everyone who has been donating food for our (voracious) high school guests! Please note that we only have three Mondays in December (1, 8 & 15) before their 2 weeks of Christmas break. No fruit until January, please – our current supply will last us through those 3 December Mondays. Questions? Contact me at bethasteph@gmail.com .

Beth Stephens

In the planning stages: Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach On Saturday, Dec. 13 we are tentatively planning a trip to Warm Beach Christian Retreat Center near Stanwood to take in their spectacular annual display of Christmas lights. We will be carpooling this year. Watch upcoming bulletins and/or the website for more information.

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birth new relationships and new opportunities to bear the gospel in those places.

Dear OHLC Friends,

We continue to hold you, our church family, in our prayers as you go about the work of the kingdom in Oak Harbor and around the world.

With joy and expectation, Lynne Ogren, OHLC Seminarian

continue to be blessed by your weekly cards! With each one I feel the support of your prayers and care for me and our family. Much has happened this fall toward the completion of my seminary and candidacy processes. By mid-December I will have finished my final semester of seminary! That was five years, ten on-line semesters, and seven intensive on-campus sessions for my coursework, plus a summer of Clinical Pastoral Education! I can hardly believe I am at this end of the journey, but it was made possible by the support of my family, friends, and you, my OHLC home congregation.

Paul Birkeland, a 40-year member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, died on November 7 at age 96. His memorial service was held on Sunday, Nov. 23, well-attended by friends from OHLC, the community and beyond, and quite a contingent from the Sons of Norway. His was a fascinating life, lived in various foreign service postings until he and his late wife, Jane, retired and moved to Whidbey in 1973.

To his daughter Carla – a good friend of the congregation who often came over from Everett to see her dad and worship with us, her sisters Lesley Reifsnyder and family in Virginia and Ann Garton in Port Orchard, WA, his son Paul and family in Montana, and the Birkeland family’s many dear friends, we extend our deepest sympathy.

Alongside the seminary coursework has been the process for the church called Candidacy, in which I, a candidate for ordained ministry, meet with a committee at the synod three times (beginning, middle, and end) and they determine whether I am ready to take on this wonderful role of pastor. This fall I have submitted many pages of self-reflection, internship evaluations, and a recommendation from the seminary faculty.

On December 4 I will meet with the synod Candidacy Committee in Seattle for my approval interview. Your prayers for me on that day would be so appreciated!

Once approved, I will finish out my internship here in Wrangell through January 11. After that, Eric & I will ship our belongings and add to our storage unit in Oak Harbor. We will take a celebratory vacation to Maui (thanks to some free airfare I won in a raffle and a family connection for lodging) for about ten days. Then in February we will go to California and stay with my mother while we await the call process. I will leave the details of that for another newsletter, except to say that we expect to be there for a few to several months.

Our hearts go out to others in our church family who have suffered the recent loss of loved ones… ...to Ron and Jan Ernst and family, following the death of Ron’s father, Chris, following a long illness; …to Peg and Dave Fosnaugh and family, following the death of Peg’s aunt, Esther Glasscock; …to Lisa and Jeff Margraf and family, following the death of Lisa’s grandmother.

Years ago I was blessed to be pregnant with each of our children during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. I loved “expecting” during those weeks when we heard and sang about the coming of the King.

This year has another air of expectation as Eric and I wait and wonder about where we might be called and who and what is waiting for us in that new place. We are thankful for you and all those who wait with us, as together we trust in the Spirit’s work in us and ahead of us to bring to

ith appreciation A special thank you to the members of OHLC for all the kind words and prayers following the loss of our baby on Nov. 9, 2014. We especially would like to thank Lydia Circle for providing a week’s worth of meals.

Steven & Nicole Cochran 5

’ Lutheran Men in Mission & the Brotherhood of St. Bernard

January 6: Annual all-ages Epiphany bonfire Save the date! Celebrate Jesus, the light of the world, with the whole family as we gather at our fire pit (behind the education wing) for an Epiphany bonfire! We’ll have chili for dinner, and s’mores and hot chocolate for dessert. Our evening will conclude with a brief time of songs and prayers for a blessed new year. Our party will be held on Tuesday, January 6 (the actual date for Epiphany), 4:00 to 6:00 PM. RSVP to Pastor Spencer or the church office so we know how much food we’ll need!

utheran Men in Mission have a real treat coming up on Saturday, December 6 – some Vacation Bible School volunteers led by Christiane Weber are going to provide breakfast for us. Last summer, the Men’s Ministry gifted both funds and bodies to help out during the week of Vacation Bible School. This is a “what goes around, comes around” return favor.

The theme for the morning is a focus on historical/Biblical ways of celebrating the Advent season. Pastor Stroud will facilitate the discussion. Think back on something special in your family traditions to share with us. Coffee will be ready at 7:30 AM and breakfast will be served at 8:00. We look forward to being treated by these faithful, giving members of our church community.

Semi-annual congregational meeting set for January 18 We’ll convene our semi-annual meeting at 9:15 AM on Sunday, January 18. All voting members of Oak Harbor Lutheran are encouraged to attend as we consider our congregational budget for 2014 and attend to other items of business (see announcement below). An agenda for the meeting will be made available on Sunday, January 11.

P.S. This is an especially hard time for the homeless and hungry. Please consider bringing a coat and nonperishable food to share with those in need. Bless you all...see you Saturday morning, December 6.

Constitution update vote to be held on January 18 At our semi-annual meeting on January 18, the congregation will be voting on updates to our congregational constitution. As these proposed changes are all in conjunction with updates to the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations, it requires a simple majority at a single meeting for approval. This routine update includes clarifications of language and procedure, and reflects new resources available to congregations from the synod (such as mediation consultants). Copies of the constitution with proposed changes are available in the church office.

Questions about these changes are welcome and encouraged. Please contact either Pastor Spencer or Carol Reafs.

he Brotherhood of Saint Bernard will have their “pre-Christmas rush” lunch/meeting on Tuesday, December 9, at the same place and time: Herrigstad fellowship hall, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 PM. We will test the waters of how men in the past have successfully navigated the panic stages of this holiday time—does anyone have a clue?

Perhaps a prophet will attend and shed some light on the subject.

The serious part of the meeting will be to touch on the Advent weeks leading up to Christmas Eve and to study the scripture lesson for the December 14th worship service. Professor, Doctor, Theologian, Allan Swan will provide nourishment and his outstanding leadership.

Don’t miss this gathering, for it will be the only lunch/meeting in December and we want to be able to encourage one another as we enjoy this time together. Bring your Bible, your appetite and a friend. See you on the 9th.

Included in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures and The Spirit for December.

The deadline for articles for the January 2015 newsletter is Wednesday, December 17.

Year-end offerings need to be received in the church office by 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, December 31 to count towards 2014 giving.

Tom Piper 6

Opportunities for fellowship, study & service he Coupeville Book Group will be meeting Tuesday, December 2 at 6:00 PM (please note we’re starting earlier than usual!), in the home of Jan Heideger, 146 E Welcher Road. Everyone is encourage to bring an appetizer to share for our Christmas celebration. Our discussion of the book Boys in the Boat by Redmond, WA, author Daniel James Brown, will be led by Trudy Decker. Everybody is welcome!

The Holiday Bazaar was a big success! big thank you to everyone – those who donated items, those who stopped by to make purchases, and those who spread the word – for helping to make our Holiday Bazaar such a success! We raised $3,600, with the proceeds going towards the care packages we mail to deployed military personnel, prayer books for the armed services, LWR shipping costs, and future charitable endeavors.

A special thanks to the crafters and bakers of our congregation who were so generous in sharing their talents. We’ll see you all at the Bazaar in 2015! Mark your calendar – it’ll be Saturday, November 14.

Out of the depths of the Depression comes the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant. With rowers who were sons of loggers, shipyard workers and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by challenging the German boat rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys’ own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man’s personal quest.

Nonfiction; 370 pages

the Ladies of Lydia Circle

Circle news =Deborah Circle will meet in the library from 10:00 AM until noon to continue the discussion of Marcus Borg’s book Convictions: Dec. 4 – Chapter 8: The Bible Is Political Dec. 11 – Chapter 9: God Is Passionate About Justice and the Poor Dec. 18 – Christmas brunch and white elephant gift exchange =Lydia Circle and Rebecca Circle will not meet during December.

Questions about the Coupeville Book Group? Contact Gaye Rodriguey, 678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com .

On the calendar: Tuesday & Wednesday, December 2 & 3 Blanket Workshop meets in the fellowship hall, beginning at 9:00 AM. Our apologies for omitting a note in last month’s newsletter about Lydia Circle’s generous donation of $500 towards shipping costs for quilts and other projects for Lutheran World Relief.

he Second Wednesday Book Group meets at China City at 11:30 AM on December 10 (Note the changes in time and location from our usual schedule!), for lunch and book swap. Books that are being swapped should be titles that we have not read in the group. All books should be wrapped. Contact me if you have questions, 675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net.

Leona McKee

Tuesdays, December 9 & 23 Church Mice Stampers meet in the library at 10:30 AM. Thursdays, December 4,11,18 Knitting Group, 6:00-8:00 PM in the prayer room. See Becky Peattie for information about this new group.

Friday, December 19 Heart & Hand handwork group meets at 9:30 AM in the prayer room.

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Amarina: My Rocky Raccoon Codey: Mom Jack: My love Hudson: My sister Nicolas: God Lazlo: Mommy and daddy and baby and me Breann: Getting stuff off the floor for my mom and she says ‘thank you’

A ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church hroughout the month of November the preschoolers have been learning about nutrition, the food pyramid and – most importantly of all – sharing and being thankful. The children made easel paintings of large turkeys – now displaying their bright tail feathers on the classroom bulletin boards – and finger painted with chocolate pudding (always a favorite project). Their colorful cutout paper bowls with paper fruits and veggies are posted in the education wing bulletin board. We also enjoyed a classroom visit from Ruth, a turkey from Miss Debbie’s farm!

Since the children have been learning about nutrition and the food pyramid, November’s field trip took us to our local Safeway grocery store. Susan at Safeway is always a great hostess, giving the children a tour through all the departments, answering all the important questions our students have, and treating the children to cookies, complete with hot chocolate from Starbucks. Along with the members of OHLC this month, the students are collecting food for Help House. They enjoy sorting the donations into food groups and seeing it all pile up for a good cause.

With December right around the corner and the busyness that it brings, we took a moment to ask the students to tell us what they are thankful for:

We are certainly thankful for the blessings that the children bring to us here at His Kids, as well as to the congregation of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.

Miss Sara, Miss Elva, and Miss Michelle

We’re anxiously awaiting news… s many of you are aware by now, Ben and Emily (Rodriguey) Richards are expecting triplets in less than a month! Two girls and a boy will join ‘big’ brothers Sammy and Joshua. Please keep all of them in your prayers! Emily and the babies are doing fine (we’re thankful they’ve made it past the 32nd week!); they have regular appointments at the UW hospital in Seattle, where the babies will be born.

AM Class Graham: My brother Henry Lucy: Pumpkins Joshua: My dog that passed away Danica: My mommy and daddy Arin: My doggy Stella Chloe: Lilly Jayden: My daddy and my mommy Evelyn: Jack and Billy Andrew T.: My brain Andrew L.: Myself Christian: My room Willow: Lollipops Lillian: My family and brother and my momma Anika: My mommy and daddy and my brother Winter: My baby sister Ruby and my daddy Michael and my mommy Crystal and my brother Asher and my sisters Haven and Halle, and Zion PM Class Torrey: My family Daulton: My dad Jeremih: My family

She and Ben send their grateful appreciation to all who have offered support. With that in mind, a scheduling registry has been set up at http://mealbaby.com/, a place where people can choose a day to bring a meal and then enter what they intend to provide. This helps others see what’s being brought so they can plan accordingly to avoid too many menu repeats. The link for the family is http://mealbaby.com/viewregistry/17765100 .

Diapers will be a daunting prospect!! The family has a registry for cloth diapers and other supplies on Amazon.com; you can find the Baby Registry for Emily Richards via the Wish List tab. Gifts of cash or Amazon gift cards would also be gratefully accepted.

Gabriel: My teachers’ help Dominic: My brother Adrian Emma: Food 8

Russian Companion Synod Ken Grigsby received the following note of appreciation, dated Nov. 12:

Watoto News, including a January medical mission trip:

Dear Ken, dear Kazan Committee, dear Pastor and people at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Team Russia had a meeting on Sunday and, when the financial report was given, we noted with pleasure and gratitude your gifts sent to our Companion Synod Account, $500 and $184.

It is very difficult for us to motivate churches in our [Northwest Washington] synod to think of their Russian companion synod, even in some very small way, so you are to be especially commended, considering what a terrific partner you are to the church in Kazan.

May you be richly blessed!

Eva Mader, secretary Team Russia

he Watoto Team would like to thank the congregation for their support of the Oktoberfest Dinner. We raised $7000, to be used for medicines for the mission trips and for medical scholarships.

Watoto will be the ministry of the month for January, so we will be providing more information about Watoto, an orphanage and helping ministries in Uganda.

A group from our Watoto team will travel to Uganda in mid to late January to hold medical clinics. If anyone is interested in going, please contact Skip Lycksell.

Quilt Raffle: The Angeli concert on December 12 will benefit Watoto. We will draw the winners of the Quilt Raffle after the concert. Tickets will be available at Sunday coffee times and after the concert.

Go Missions update: The walls are going up!

Judy Lycksell, Watoto Team

On November 13, Nick and Shannon Kraft sent a link to a You Tube video showing the progress being made on their building in the midst of alfalfa and sweet potato fields near Chiclayo, Peru, which will house Go Ministries’ expanding missions and educational programs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr53jJVVcRA. They are grateful for our continued prayer support, and remind us they still need to raise about $12,000 in the next couple of months.

Visit their website, www.gomissionsinternational.com, for more information (in English and Spanish!).

Thank you for your generosity!

Many, many thanks to all who made such generous donations to our October ingathering of warm coats and new socks! We were delighted to be able to share them with people in need in the Skagit Valley as well as here on Whidbey Island.

Bags to mats We are all trying to befriend our environment as well as to help those in need. Here’s a way to do both! Please bring your plastic grocery bags to church. The Bag Lady will turn them into sleeping mats for homeless people. The mat keeps them off wet, cold ground. It takes 700 to 900 bags to make a mat - about 10 bags to crochet an inch of the 36-inch wide by 72-inch long mats! Watch for the collection box in the narthex! If you would like to help, please talk to Carol Reafs, the Bag Lady! Thank you for your donations to this project. Already there are people waiting for the finished mats!

Carol Reafs, the Bag Lady

Have you filled out a form? bby Chromy, OHLC’s Parish Nurse, reminds us to stop by her office and pick up an Emergency Contact Form, which is especially important if you don’t have family members living in the North Whidbey area. This information is confidential and kept in a secure location, and only used if there’s an emergency when the pastors or church secretaries need to contact someone from your family.

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Pastor Spencer returns from wandering in the desert

A

y call to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church includes two weeks off per year for continuing education purposes, along with a budget for continuing education and travel expenses. This allows me to continue to dig deep into scripture and theology, and also to continue to hone my skills as a pastor. This November I began a threeyear curriculum with the Leading Well Institute, a consortium of ELCA church leaders who help pastors become better leaders. I traveled to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Arizona and spent four days learning about leadership, supervision, and management in congregational settings. While I learned much about the Bible, preaching, teaching, and pastoral care in seminary, topics relating to leadership and management were not covered much.

The Leading Well Institute is helping me further develop skills which are especially important in a congregation of our size.

Worship was also an important part of this conference, and at various points included meaningful and moving services of Holy Communion, remembrance of Baptism, healing prayer, and the washing of feet. The beautiful chapel at the retreat center reminded me of OHLC with its big picture windows with sweeping views. As much as I love leading worship, it was a real joy to be a participant in these services, letting the words and music wash over me and fill me.

Yes, there was time for rest and recreation as well. I had a chance to hike to the top of Black Mountain outside of Cave Creek with colleagues and presenters. It was a great opportunity to share important conversations on the trail with these wonderful church leaders and fellow servants of Christ.

I will return the next two Novembers for further study of what it means to lead well in a congregational setting. In the meantime, my colleagues in attendance and I have formed a Facebook group to keep in touch, share resources, and hold each other accountable to our goals over the next year.

I appreciate the time and resources you have allotted me to continue my education and further develop my skills. The content of this leadership curriculum is just what I’ve been looking for, and going to the desert in November isn’t bad either!

Thank you for your support of my ongoing education as your pastor. I hope you see the benefits of this training at work in our congregation in the years ahead.

hymn for Hans — and for us all

Martin Luther wrote the hymn From Heaven Above for his 5-year-old son, Hans, to be sung each year at their family Christmas celebration. A man dressed as an angel would enter, singing the first (at least seven!) verses. A lesser known and tender verse is this one: These are the tokens ye shall mark, The swaddling clothes and manger dark; There shall ye find the young Child laid,

By Whom the heavens and earth were made.

The children would then sing: “Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest! …” and after still more stanzas, one imagines everyone joining in final praise: Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto [us] His Son hath given; While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year to all the earth.

The Newsletter Newsletter, December 2014

- Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer 10

Worship Assistants 12/ 7

12/14

12/21

12/24

12/25 12/28

8:00 10:30 6:30 8:00 10:30 6:30 8:00 10:30 6:30 4:00 7:00 10:00 10:30 8:00 10:30 6:30

Asst. Ministers Verna Pommerenke Jan Heideger Gisela Hawley Paul Senness Craig Pedlar Carol Snoble Ron Ernst Allan Swan Trudy Decker Paul Senness Penny Fowkes Trudy Decker Rita Carter John Fowkes Cheryl Coleman

Acolytes Sam Higgins Alyssa Blevins Benjamin Bruland Sam Loustaunau Peter Spencer Benjamin Bruland Johannes Christensen Elias Wiley Benjamin Bruland Peter Higgins Isaiah Wiley Wolly Fowkes Anders Spencer Natalie Stone Addy Day Benjamin Bruland

Communion: Gaye Rodriguey Computer: Donna Aspery Communion: Pat Michalski Computer: Rita Carter

10:30 AM J. Wilcox, P. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Tom Johnson, 12/21 8:00 AM Ellis family 10:30 AM 6:30: Presider, Jay Decker 12/24 4:00 PM 7:00 PM R. Wood, M. McNae, 10:00 PM 12/25 10:30 AM 12/28 8:00 AM J. Flowers, L. Forster 10:30 AM R. Wood, M. McNae,

November

Date 8:00 AM 10:30 AM Cpvl. Nursery Nov. 2 67 125 24 5 Nov. 9 72 112 26 3 Nov. 16 74 102 16 2 Nov. 23 92 121 17 2 Average Att. 76 116 21 3 Average Sunday attendance: 216 November 30 will be added to next month’s statistics

Cantor: Carol Reafs

Assistants

October Year to date 401,726 408,471 $ (6,746)

Worship Attendance:

Senior Choir Senior Choir

12/ 7 8:00 AM Higgins family

October $ 31,662 31,123 538

Income Outgo

Cantor: Carol Reafs Morning Glory Senior Choir Cantor: Jay Decker

Ushers 10:30 AM J. Wilcox, P. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 12/14 8:00 AM Margraf family

Financial Report:

Music Morning Glory Senior Choir Cantor: Carol Reafs Praise Team

Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Lisa Margraf Communion: Ken Grigsby Computer: Michelle Tull

Coffee Fellowship

December

Bring cookies, make coffee, set up and clean up – we need at least 2 per week for 8:00 AM services, 3 per week for 10:30 AM services, and 1 per week in Coupeville

Communion: Marge Moore Computer: Molly Nagel Communion: Rita Carter Computer: Sheila Ryan Computer: Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Communion: John Fowkes Computer: Communion: Sande Mulkey Computer: Communion: Computer: Kathy Ridle Communion: Penny Fowkes Computer: Rita Carter

8:00 AM

10:30 AM

12/ 7 Higgins & Loustaunau 12/14

Lycksell & Wonner

12/21 Old Dogs

Old Dogs

12/28

Coupeville 6:30 PM

Fair Trade Sponsors

Julie Ward Refreshments at the Decker home

Deborah Circle

Little Lutheran Bags in December: Christiane Weber This month’s featured decorative fonts are and Academy Text

6:30 PM: Presider, Marc Stroud 11

SUNDAY The church calendar is updated regularly on OHLC’s website, www.oakharborlutheran.org

Parish Nurse hours: Thursdays (except 12/25!), 1:00-3:30 PM and by appointment 7 Advent 2 Healing prayer at both morning services Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:30 Piano recital

1:30

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 14 Advent 3 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:30 Jr. High Luth Youth 6:30 The Art of Marriage 6:30

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2 9:00 Blanket Workshop

3 8:45 Pastors’ Text Study 9:00 Blanket Workshop 11:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Advent Worship; 12:30 Soup & Bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Advent Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

10 8:45 Pastors’ Text Study 11:30 OHLC Staff 11:30 Book Group 12:00 Advent Worship; 12:30 Soup & Bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Advent Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

17 Newsletter Deadline

4 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Praise Team 5:00 Men’s Chorus 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 Bears 6:30 Webelos 2 6:30 Tigers 7:00 Council 11 10:00 Deborah Circle

5

6

1:00 Munchy Monday 1:45 MMM Relay/Life 5:00 Wolves 6:30 Angeli 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

6:00 Patrol Leaders 6:00 Cpvl Book Group 7:00 Webelos 1 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

8

9

1:00 Munchy Monday

10:30 Stamping Group

5:00 Wolves 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Cub Scout Leaders 7:00 Vanishing Friends 7:00 Solutions

12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard

15

16

7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

8:45 Pastors’ Text Study

1:00 Munchy Monday 1:45 MMM Relay/Life 6:00 Piano Recital 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

7:00 Scout Adult Comm.

7:00 Boy Scouts Christmas meeting 7:30 Worship Brass

22

23

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 21 Advent 4 Worship Sunday School Worship

8:00 9:15 10:30

OHLC Holiday Concert 2:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 28 Worship 8:00 Worship

11:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Advent Worship; 12:30 Soup & Bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Advent Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

24 11:30 OHLC Staff

18 10:00 Deborah Circle Christmas brunch

6:00 OHLC Staff Christmas party

12

7:00 IN CONCERT:

Angeli, Carols by Candlelight

19

13

Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach, Stanwood, Time TBA

20

9:30 Heart & Hand

4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Men’s Chorus 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 Piano Recital 25 Christmas Day Church office closed

26

27

10:30 Stamping Group

7:00 Solutions

7:30 Worship Brass

29

30

Christmas Eve 4:00 Worship/SS Program 7:00 Worship 10:00 Worship 31 8:45 Pastors’ Text Study 11:30 OHLC Staff

10:30

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Praise Team 5:00 Men’s Chorus 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:00 Pack 98

8:00 Lutheran Men in Mission breakfast

7:00 Solutions

Year-end offerings need to be received at church by 12:00 Noon to count towards 2014 giving.

12

10:30 Worship

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M,T, W, 9:00-11:30 AM M, T, W, 12:30-3:00 PM Christmas Break: Dec. 22 – Jan. 4