December 2012 Harbor Beacon

The light shines in the darkness… John 1:5

Volume 59, Issue 12

OHLC Staff

December 2012

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

1253 NW 2 Avenue

(360) 679-1561

Oak Harbor, WA 98277 www.oakharborlutheran.org office@oakharborlutheran.org

Every member in mission: Home  Community  World

Home Phone

Pastor: Jeffrey Spencer

279-0413

Pastor of Care Ministries Marc Stroud

678-5994

Preschool Director: Gaye Rodriguey

678-3561

Parish Secretary: Carol Wiskow

720-2451

Newsletter Editor: Martha Ellis

678-2264

Custodian: Salvador Carvallo

675-3957

Church Fax Church Phone

679-9795 679-1561

Click on these links for the December newsletter inserts:

IN THIS ISSUE: The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures: www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Prayer-Center/Prayer-Ventures-2.aspx

Discipleship in the world, pg. 2

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/Spirit2012_12.pdf

Advent & Christmas worship schedules pg. 3 Consider the birds with Lutheran Men in Mission, pg. 5

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

Memorial services: Bernie’s on Dec. 1; Brig’s on Dec. 8 pg. 6

This issue was snail-mailed November 29, 2012

Ogrens check in from Wrangell pg. 8 1

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus calls us to look beyond our own cultures, ethnicities, and borders to the entire world God so dearly loves. Christ was born for all people, and so our evangelism, our compassion, and our partnerships in the gospel are to extend to the ends of the earth.

Pastor’s Page Every Member in Mission: Discipleship in the world “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

Matthew 2:1-2

I am proud to serve a congregation with a vision for mission as big as the world itself, with active ministry partnerships not only in North America, but on three other continents as well. We were blessed to have Bishop Dietrich Brauer and Pastor Lena Bondarenko of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of European Russia with us here at OHLC in May. (Bishop Brauer is now serving as archbishop of the entire Lutheran communion in Russia.) We earned a spot in their full itinerary because of our active partnership with our sister congregation, St. Katharina Lutheran Church in Kazan, Russia. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Ken Grigsby for his passion for this ministry. Because of Ken’s tireless work and frequent contact with our friends in Russia, we were among a select few who got to hear a sermon preached by a Russian bishop! In June we had a live video chat with Nick and Shannon Kraft and their kids, whom we sponsor as missionaries in Chiclayo, Peru.

We partner with Watoto Childcare Ministries in Uganda, with an active ministry team led by our own Dr. Lycksell, who travels to Uganda frequently to do medical ministry. Europe, South America, and Africa – that’s three continents, not including the one we call home. When we include the work we do through Lutheran World Relief, our reach extends even further. We are practicing discipleship on a global scale here at OHLC. We do it because we have been called to be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth.

ise men from the East came to see the Christ Child. While St. Matthew gives us very little detail about these visitors, Christian tradition has filled in some of the details. The visitors have been numbered as three, a conclusion based on the three gifts given to Jesus.

Various non-canonical sources has led these three to be identified as Caspar, a scholar from India, Melchior, a scholar from Persia, and Balthazar, a scholar from the Arabian Peninsula. They are sometimes given the title of “kings,” which is where we get the carol “We Three Kings.” This assumption is based on a passage in Psalm 72:11 (“May all kings fall down before him.”) and is probably more a theological claim than an historical one.

Though Scripture offers scant details and the historical record is scarce, the meaning of these three visitors is clear: the Christ Child has been born for people of all nations and ethnicities. The gifts given to Jesus show that these visitors knew who Jesus was, and why he’d come. They brought gold – a gift fit for a king.

They brought frankincense – an offering symbolic of prayer and worship. They brought myrrh – an ancient embalming salve fit for a Savior who would die for the sins of the whole world. Whatever their number or name, these foreign visitors knew who Jesus was. They knew he’d come to save them too.

This December, when you see Christmas pageants featuring three kids with awkwardly-fitting beards, or hear a certain Christmas carol about three kings, or see three wise men kneeling in a manger scene (probably anachronistically, but that’s another article), remember that Christ was born to show God’s love for all nationalities. Remember Christ was born to save people of every land and tongue. Remember that Christ was born for all people – including you.

- Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer

Christianity is global in scope, and so our discipleship as followers of Jesus has a global scope as well. Our Lord has called us to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and

Pastor Spencer on vacation Pastor Spencer will be on vacation from December 26 through January 3. Pastor Stroud will be leading worship on December 30, and covering any emergencies which may arise during this time.

2

Advent worship

Note these events and opportunities

Midweek Advent services & soup suppers

Fair Trade Fair set for December 2

You’ve heard of Black Friday. (Ugh.) Join us for Worshipful Wednesdays! We will be gathering for worship at 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM on Wednesdays during the season of Advent, with soup suppers following at 6:30. Holden Evening Prayer will be our vespers liturgy, back by popular demand. This year Pastor Spencer will give brief homilies on discipleship featuring photography from the congregation and other sources. The theme for December 5 is “Christ in our Home;” on December 12 we consider “Christ in our Community,” and we conclude on December 19 with “Christ in our World.” Come for a time of peace and reflection and fellowship during a season most often marked by stress and hectic activity.

Looking for some alternative gift giving options this Christmas? On Sunday, December 2 we will be hosting a Fair Trade event in the fellowship hall between and after worship services. On behalf of the OHLC Compassion Team, Carol Wall has arranged for representatives from Fair Trade Winds of Seattle to come to our church and offer a variety of products from Third World nations and craftspeople in developing countries. Come check it out!

The Sharing Tree is our ministry emphasis for December Our annual Sharing Tree will be set up on Saturday, Dec. 1, so the tags will be available when you come to worship on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Please purchase the item listed on the tag and return it under the tree, wrapped and with the original tag attached on the outside.

All gifts need to be returned by noon on Sunday, Dec. 16 unless noted differently on the tag. Thank you for caring and sharing the blessings you have received!

Skip & Judy Lycksell

Christmas worship Sunday, December 23: ONE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:30 AM. Our congregation will come together as one on this final Sunday in the season of Advent for one service featuring a cantata by our Senior Choir.

We will also welcome George Myers (Roger & Georgette Anglum’s grandson) into the communion of saints through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Come greet fellow members you may not have seen in a while, and celebrate God’s promises given in music, Word, and sacrament.

Help decorate the sanctuary Christmas tree!

The members of Rebecca Circle invite everyone to put an ornament on the sanctuary Christmas tree on Sunday, December 16.

Come get an up close and personal look at our lovely Chrismon ornaments and help us decorate the sanctuary for Christmas!

Monday, December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE We will be having three services on Christmas Eve. At 4:00 PM we will offer a special child-friendly worship service featuring our Sunday School Christmas pageant, Holy Communion, and candlelight. Our traditional services (also including Holy Communion and candlelight) will be held at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Please note that nursery care will be available at 4:00 & 7:00 PM for children age 4 and under.

Semi-Annual Meeting set for January 20 We will convene our semi-annual meeting at 12 Noon on Sunday, January 20. All voting members of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church are encouraged to attend as we consider our congregational budget for 2013 and attend to other items of business. An agenda for the meeting will be posted by January 13.

Tuesday, December 25: CHRISTMAS DAY On Christmas Day we will offer a simple service of Holy Communion at 10:30 AM. 3

Growing & Learning

Munchy Monday update Beginning in December, Jenny Ott will be coordinating our Munchy Monday after school program. Please contact Jenny if you’re able to volunteer!

uth Youth news Caroling at Harbor Tower: Luth Youth is

Rehearsals begin for the Sunday School program

partnering with Verna Morgan and her piano students to sing Christmas carols at Harbor Tower Village assisted living facility on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 PM. Members of the congregation who like to sing are welcome to join us as well for this intergenerational ministry and fellowship opportunity. Refreshments will be shared afterwards in the church library/fireside room.

We’ll see you in the sanctuary at 9:15 AM on Sundays, Dec. 2 - 23 as we rehearse our Christmas program!

Speaking parts for angels, Mary, and Joseph will be distributed on the 2nd; we’ll also need a multitude of the heavenly host as well as lambs, shepherds, and those admittedly-anachronistic wise men [See Pastor Spencer’s note towards the end of his newsletter article!].

Since the Senior Choir uses the sanctuary for warm-up before worship, we’ll move to the education wing for the second half of each Sunday School hour. Parents, please note that’s where you’ll need to pick up your children! Check the narthex white board for room numbers.

The program will be presented as a part of the 4:00 PM worship service on Christmas Eve. If you have questions, please contact me in the church office, 679-1561, martha@oakharborlutheran.org.

Martha Ellis

Save your Christmas trees: Plan on bringing those dried out Christmas trees to our Epiphany bonfire on Wednesday, January 9. We’ll meet at the fire pit at 6:00 PM, rain or shine, to celebrate the light of Christ, the light shining in the darkness, the light no darkness can overcome.

Parents and siblings are encouraged to come as well!

WOW! (Word on Wednesday) is on hiatus for the Advent/Christmas season, and will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 16. In the meantime, confirmation students are encouraged to attend midweek Advent services.

dult Education for December

We regret to announce that Stephany Vogel has resigned her

Our adult class will continue to study the book Real Faith for Real Life on Sundays, 9:15-10:15 AM in the library/fireside room through Dec. 16.

On Dec. 23 & 30, Pastor Marc Stroud will present a look at the rich and varied history of Lutheranism in America. The contribution of Lutheran men and woman to the growth of our nation is largely ignored but the significance of Lutherans as leaders, politicians, clergy, explorers and immigrants have made a lasting and rich legacy that Lutherans should be proud of.

position as Youth Ministry Coordinator. We give thanks for her work with us, and wish her well in her future endeavors.

Thank you, OHLC, for a wonderful experience in

getting to know all of you. I was glad I was able to

help in your important work in this community, if only for a short time! I was honored to be a part of this church family.

Looking ahead: On Sunday, January 6, we will offer a seminar on will and estate planning. Resolve to start the new year by taking care of this important business. Here is an opportunity to do so with wise counsel from a Christian attorney, surrounded by the faith and hope of Christian friends.

Stephany Vogel

4

OHLC Men’s Ministries

Endowment Committee

The Brotherhood of St. Bernard (Old Dogs & Young Pups) and Lutheran Men in Mission

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.” When he heard this he was shocked and went away grieving for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:21-22 NRSV (Catholic Edition)

erry Christmas to you all from your Lutheran Men in Mission and Brotherhood of Saint Bernard fellowship groups!

Lutheran Men in Mission will gather on Saturday, Dec. 1 for its regular monthly fellowship. Meeting time, however, will be at a different time and in a different place. We decided to explore the local cuisine so we will meet for a breakfast buffet at 9:00 AM at Flyers restaurant. Cost will be around $10 (Such a deal!). There is a side room we have reservations for that will fit a goodly amount of men. A presentation will be given by naturalist and OHLC member, Steve Ellis. He is a past president of the Whidbey Audubon Society and he will speak about bird life in the Island County area.

We’ll also talk over ideas to continue our quest for deeper discipleship, have a fun trivia question & answer time focusing on the birth of Christ, and exchange white elephant gifts (value not to exceed $15). See you there!

f those who had much sold it all and gave to the poor, there probably would not be poor in the world. However, that is not how life works. Many who have much are grieved when asked to give, as was this man. In this case, Jesus was asking for the ultimate sacrifice: Give all and follow me.

The Brotherhood of Saint Bernard will have our last lunch/meeting for 2012 on Tuesday, December 11 in the fellowship hall from noon to 1:30. Pastor Marcus Stroud is our chef for the day. We will follow our tradition of a great meal followed by some last minute business wrap-up for the year, our selected Bible study, and time at the altar in prayer. Please consider joining us!

In January the Endowment Committee will sponsor another seminar concerning planned giving. I invite all to attend that seminar as it deals not only with giving as we live each day but also with end of life giving.

Is there a balance between selling all and giving to the poor and keeping something to sustain our own life? Certainly there is.

In the Christian tradition we share that which God has given us to manage. The sharing does not have to happen all at once.

As we approach the end of the calendar year we are again asked to look into our hearts and decide what we are going to share in the coming year.

Nyla and I are changing our fulltime residence to what has been our winter place in Arizona; though we are leaving Oak Harbor, we are not leaving Oak Harbor Lutheran Church . . . well, I guess we are, but OHLC is certainly in our giving plan. Please include it in yours.

We look forward to getting together with regulars and new faces on Saturday, January 5 from 8 to 9:30 AM in the fellowship hall. We will feast on a hot cooked breakfast, and welcome a guest speaker (to be announced), as well as draft our 2013 programming. Bring your appetite and a friend as well as your ideas and enthusiasm to help build this part of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church’s mission in Home, Community and World.

In Christian love, Gerry Schwartz for the Endowment Committee

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

The deadline for articles for the January 2013 newsletter is Wednesday, December 19.

Tom Piper & Marc Stroud

5

BookMarks

In Sympathy

Coupeville Book Group

Bergit (“Brig”) Kidd died on November 16 following an extended illness. She was 88 and had been a member of our congregation for 28 years. Although she had been homebound for the past few years, she kept in contact with her many friends; her fellow Rebecca Circle members joined her for a salad potluck in her Coupeville home this past July. Her memorial service will be held at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 8.

The group meets on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 PM in the home of Gaye Rodriguey, 228 Rhodena Drive, to consider Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson: Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) leads a quiet life in the village of St. Mary, England, until his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But will their relationship survive in a society that considers Ali a foreigner?

Bernardine (“Bernie”) Goehring died on November 20 following a brief battle with cancer that we only heard about at the beginning of the month. She was 75. Bernie and her late husband Harvey had been very active members of our congregation for nearly 40 years before transferring their membership to Concordia Lutheran in 2009. Her memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 1 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, with pastors and friends from Concordia assisting and music by a combined choir.

Discussion leader is Trudy Decker. Everyone is invited to bring an appetizer to share for the Christmas celebration. Need driving directions to Gaye’s home? Give her a call, 678-3561.

Second Wednesday Book Group

We loved these ladies dearly. Peace be to their memory.

The group meets at China City at 11:30 AM for lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 12 (note this change from the usual time and meeting place!) There’s no book discussion this month, just fellowship and a book swap. Please bring a gift wrapped book – one the group has not already read – to exchange with other attendees.

Advent In an Advent speech in 2002, Pope John Paul II said, “The liturgy of Advent helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present in the events of daily life. Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who will come and who comes continuously.”

Looking ahead: January’s book is Baker Towers, by Jennifer Haigh, and February’s is The Widower’s Tale, by Julie Glass. Both of those are available as Sno-Isle Book Kit items; they’ll be ready for check-out on the first day of the month before the book is scheduled to be discussed.

Books must be checked out between the 1st & 15th, so be sure to get yours early. Consider sharing your copy with someone else in the group, so everyone has a chance to read the selection.

For more information, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712.

The Newsletter Newsletter, December 2007 6

OHLC Women

His Kids Preschool

opportunities for fellowship, study and service

a ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

Breaking with a 20-year tradition [insert your gasp of astonishment here] of easel-painted turkeys, the preschoolers created a 3-D paper bag turkey with “blob” painted wings and tails. These delightful Thanksgiving birds made an “out” standing display in the classroom!

But don’t worry; not all traditions were set aside. In between each turkey were paper milk bottles that had been finger-painted with chocolate pudding. That is, and always has been, a yummy project!

Circle meetings in December 12/6, 13, 20 Deborah Circle meets in the library/fireside room at 10:00 AM. 12/18 Rebecca Circle meets in the library/fireside room at 10:00 AM. The new women’s circle, not yet named, will begin evening meetings in January. Watch for information! If you have questions, please contact Becky Peattie, beckypeattie@yahoo.com, 675-7234.

Down the education wing hall and pinned to the bulletin board are construction paper baskets filled with colorfully crayoned fruits (bananas, apples, pears, oranges, grapes) and vegetables (olives, radishes, turnips and carrots). Also on display in the classroom are paper “sandwiches” filled with cutouts of paper food representing each one of the nutritional groups: two slices of brown bread for grains, holey Swiss cheese for dairy, pink ham for protein, green lettuce for vegetables, and a round, red tomato slice for fruits.

Blanket Workshop Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday and Wednesday, December 4 & 5, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to work on tied quilts for Lutheran World Relief. For more information, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net

The children have been celebrating God’s gift of food by collecting canned and packaged foods for Help House (we counted up a total of 80 items!) and bringing food to share at each class’s Thanksgiving Feast Day.

Handwork Group Even though your heart might be willing, we have a feeling your hands are full with Christmas preparations. With that in mind, Heart & Hand will not meet in December! We’ll look forward to seeing you in January.

November’s study of nutrition concluded with a field trip to Safeway, where the students were able to see and taste more foods from each of the groups, including a sweet treat!

Now we’re looking forward to December, bringing the joy of Advent and Christmas to His Kids! Please note that our Christmas break this year will be December 24 through January 6,

Light homes and streets and candles.

Make your world shine clear and bright.

God’s love surrounds and blesses us.

Come, celebrate God’s Light!

Shalom, Miss Gaye

- Peggy Ferrell 7

A fond farewell

It’s a little hard to determine the order of events, but in the midst of this internship conversation Eric found an ad in the local paper for a plant electrician position at the local power plant. He applied and has been hired and will begin work there in mid-December! The plant is about 40 miles south of Wrangell, accessible by small plane or boat.

This means he will be on site for ten days and home four days. He’ll have a 3-bedroom house to himself and I can fly out every once in a while, too.

The Navy giveth, and the Navy taketh away. On Sunday, December 2 we will bid farewell to Matt and Cheryl Blevins and their children, Alissa, Carter, and Callie. Alissa and Carter have both been students at our preschool. Cheryl has been serving as our Growing and Learning coach, and has set a high bar through her phenomenal work as our VBS director. Matt has received new orders which will take the family to Virginia. We will miss them all very much.

In part because Eric was able to get steady, local employment, the seminary, the congregation and I have decided that this internship will be a “Concurrent Internship” which means a 2-year, part-time experience allowing me to take courses concurrently. I had initially hoped for a one-year full-time internship, but the size of the congregation and community make the part-time program more realistic for their needs. I will continue to travel to Luther seminary for the January and June intensive courses and take one or two online courses each semester.

This internship will carry me through the remainder of my seminary journey with the hope of finishing in January, 2015.

On the same Sunday, we will say goodbye to Sean and Krista Hays, and their daughters Aubrey and Alanda. The girls have both been students at our preschool, and Krista served as our Sunday School coordinator last year. Sean has received orders which will take them to Monterey, California for six months of intensive study of the French language, after which they will be stationed either at Africom headquarters in Germany, or at a US base on the continent of Africa. We will miss them very much, too.

We continue to hold OHLC in our prayers and appreciate every prayer you lift up for us. In this Advent season may we, in each of our places, go out to meet Christ on the roads we travel, trusting that he has also come to meet us where we are.

We give thanks to God for blessing us with these wonderful families, and wish them all God’s blessings in the future. Keep in touch, friends!

Our new address: Eric & Lynne Ogren PO Box 1667 Wrangell, AK 99929

Notes from Lynne

360-929-1092 cell; 907-874-2743 church/parsonage

Lynne’s internship and Eric’s new job!

In joyful communion, Lynne Ogren, OHLC Seminarian

lessed Advent, dear OHLC family!

I love the season of Advent in the church. I am one who enjoys the energy of anticipating something new. One of our Advent hymns from the old green LBW hymnal begins, “The advent of our God, shall be our theme for prayer; come, let us meet him on the road and place for him prepare.” We have been meeting God on the roads of Wrangell, Alaska, and we are excited about the new things God is setting before us here.

In appreciation I’d like to express my thanks to Dave and Peg Fosnaugh and to Willard Krigbaum for all the help they gave my family and me when we had to move so quickly and unexpectedly. They are very much appreciated!!

Nicole Gumm

Soon after Eric and I arrived in Wrangell, conversations began to take shape around making Island of Faith Lutheran Church my internship site and the congregation and I are both excited about that officially starting in January.

8

Compassion Ministry

Council highlights

- Trudy Decker, secretary

The complete minutes were approved at the Nov. 1 Council meeting

Watoto Childcare Ministries, Uganda

The Council met on October 4, 2012. The Treasurer’s Report noted with joy that our finances are in the black.

Pastor Spencer’s report included the following: ●The 75th Anniversary Committee is planning events for 2013 including quarterly gatherings, festival worship & banquet in September, a new OHLC cookbook, and an updated congregational history. ●Rita Carter will be our new Financial Secretary. ●The new website should be ready by the end of October.

Old Business included discussion of short-term and long-term building projects for 2013, such as roof replacement for the education wing, renovation of the fellowship hall, and resurfacing the parking lot.

New Business included items regarding the church woods such as clean-up of downed branches and trespassing issues, as well as bids for the roofing project, and installation of a bicycle rack.

Thank you for your support of our recent Octoberfest dinner and auction at the Oak Harbor Elks Club. We raised about $5,100 for the Watoto Medical Student Scholarship Fund.

Judy Lycksell

El Camino de Emaus, Burlington Thank you for your generous response to the October appeal for winter coats, socks and blankets. A number of these, along with several stacks of beautiful quilts from our Blanket Workshop, were taken to our sisters and brothers at El Camino de Emaus, the Hispanic Lutheran ministry in the Skagit Valley.

You are invited to join the people of El Camino for a Posada event at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 15, at Burlington Lutheran Church, 134 E Victoria Avenue, Burlington. Contact me if you need more information, 240-9160, vlongshore@comcast.net .

Financial Report:

October

October Year to Date Income $ 36,911 331,831 Outgo 34,514 328,653 $ 2,397 $ 3,178 For a more detailed picture of the October financial status, please refer to the reports posted in the narthex.

Vickie Longshore

Help needed with car repairs, Oak Harbor A faithful couple in our congregation, who are currently faced with hospital and rehabilitation expenses, are now without personal transportation. Their car is broken down. Estimated repairs are in the neighborhood of $2,500. We are inviting the congregation to financially respond to this need. You may make a contribution through Oak Harbor Lutheran Church; please designate your gift “Emergency Fund/Car Repairs.”

Pastor Jay Decker

Worship Attendance: Date Nov. Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25 Average Att.

Ministry of the Month Compassion Ministry’s emphasis for December is OHLC’s Sharing Tree. See the article on page 5 of this newsletter.

Sun. 8 AM 65 55 74 56 63

November Sun. 10:30 AM 127 103 128 104 116

Cpvl.

25 18 8 23 19

Thanksgiving Eve worship, Nov. 21: 118 Average weekly attendance: 201 9

Nursery 6 4 4 3 4

Companion Synod News

Our congregation has an interesting traditional decoration for Christmas, but we haven’t seen it yet, so we’ll explain what is it later.

St. Katharina’s Lutheran Church, Kazan, Russia

God bless you!

Igor

en Grigsby recently e-mailed Igor Dyba, pastoral intern at St.Katharina’s Church, with news about our upcoming Advent and Christmas activities as well as photos of our All Saints congregational potluck in early November. Ken also happened to mention he’s now serving as chairman of the NW WA Synod Russia Partnership Committee and temporary chairman of the Synod Global Missions Committee. “I am supposed to be retired,” Ken wrote, “but sometimes I feel like I am busier now than when I was teaching [history to middle school students].” Here is Igor’s reply:

Elena Bondarenko, Dean of the Central Deanery, ELCER (Evangelical Lutheran Church, European Russia) visited our church last May with Bishop Dietrich Brauer. She sent Thanksgiving greetings to the synod Russia Partnership Committee, which included the following: Dear members of Team Russia, Thank you very much for all your work and support! Thank you for your concern about us! We congratulate you on the occasion of American Thanksgiving Day and wish you God’s blessings for your families, communities and friends! May you feel our gratitude to you across the Atlantic!

Hello, Ken! Thank you for the letter! Do you mind if we use some information from it for our Christmas newsletter?

We are thankful . . . for the support of the Kazan congregation.

Special thanks to Ken and Oak Harbor! I am sending the picture of Julia and Igor Dyba, interns in Kazan.

History was and remains my favorite subject! I think it’s a great thing that retired people abroad have so many responsibilities! In Russia it’s often different, and retired people suffer loneliness. But in our congregation many retired people are very active and take part in diaconal ministry, organize meetings for other retired people and are the core of the congregation.

Peace and love, Elena Bondarenko, Dean of Central deanery

Sounds like Oak Harbor Church is going to have a great family time in the Christmas Season!

In our St. Katherine Church we use Advent time as a chance to involve new people to the congregation. Yulia and I have prepared a Christmas lesson for the kids attending German courses to tell them what Christmas is all about.

Every Friday before Sunday Advent services we’ll have concerts with string orchestra, choir and organ, and we’ll invite people from the city to come for free, and I’ll have time for a small sermon there. After the concerts we’ll invite people for Christmas services.

Advent services are in the morning, but [Christmas] Eve and Christmas services we celebrate at 6 PM. After the service on 25th our congregation has a traditional concert where everyone can take part.

Also we’re hoping that Yulia will have the children from the Sunday School sing a Christmas song, and our youth group will perform a small play about being a present for Jesus.

Yulia & Igor Dyba, Kazan, Russia 10

Worship Assistants 12/ 2

12/ 9

12/16

12/23 12/24

12/25 12/30

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

Asst. Ministers Kathy Ridle Rita Carter Carol Snoble Tom Coe Skip Lycksell Gisela Hawley Verna Pommerenke Mike Crawford Allan Swan Carol Snoble Rachel Margraf Rita Cline Mary Wood Tom Piper Ken Grigsby Trudy Decker

Acolytes Sydney Higgins Peter Spencer Benjamin Bruland Elizabeth Norman Sadie Harbaugh Benjamin Bruland Peter Higgins Luke Spencer Benjamin Bruland Peter Spencer Benjamin Bruland Joshua Margraf Elias Wiley Luke Spencer Katie Norman Sadie Harbaugh Benjamin Bruland

Music Morning Glory Senior Choir Cantor:

Ushers

Assistants

12/ 2 8:00 AM Higgins family

Communion: Gaye Rodriguey Computer: Donna Aspery Communion: Rita Cline Computer: Rick Culbertson

10:30 AM J. Wilcox, L. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 12/ 9 8:00 AM Margraf family

Senior Choir Cantor: Marc Stroud Morning Glory Praise Team Cantor: Carol Reafs Senior Choir Cantor

10:30 AM J. Wilcox, L. Michalski 6:30: Presider, 12/16 8:00 AM Ellis family

Senior Choir Senior Choir

10:30 AM B. Heideger

Cantor: Dick Ward

6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 12/23 10:30 AM R. Wood, M. McNae, H. Herrigstad, D. Fosso 6:30 PM: Presider, 12/24 4:00 PM:

Coffee Fellowship

December

7:00 PM:

Bring cookies, make coffee, set up and clean up: we need at least 2 volunteers per week for 8:00 AM services, 3 cookie providers + coffee & clean-up per week for 10:30 services, and 1 volunteer per week in Coupeville

10:00 PM: 12/25 10:30 AM

Coupeville 6:30 PM

Fair Trade Sponsors

12/30 8:00 AM

Pedlar, Lycksell, Chromy

Michele Johnson

Ellis

10:30 AM

Wheeler family

Harriet Dailey, Allan Swan Carol Reafs

8:00 AM

10:30 AM

12/2 Amarelo, Ridle,Krotz-Sperry, Brant, Mitchell 12/9 Fosnaugh 12/16 Korengo, Fankhauser 12/23 No 8 AM service 12/30

Bartrand

Communion: Candi Amarelo Computer: Rachel Margraf Communion: Gisela Hawley Computer: Michelle Tull Communion: Marge Moore Computer: Molly Nagel Communion: Computer: Josh Jepsen Communion: Computer: Rita Carter Communion: Martha Ellis Computer: Communion: Computer: Communion: Computer: Communion: Gisela Hawley Computer: Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Communion: Willard Krigbaum Computer: Rita Carter

6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations

Julie Ward

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

Trudy Decker Deborah Circle

December’s rop aps are RMWreath; section titles are Hingham Text

11

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

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2 Advent 1 Healing Prayer, both svcs.

Fair Trade Fair Sharing Tree is up!

Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 9 Advent 2 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 OHLC staff Christmas gathering 3:00 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

3 1:00 Munchy Monday 5:30 Cub Scout popcorn sales collection; leaders meeting follows 6:00 Girl Scout Adult Workshop 6:30 Angeli 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions 10 1:00 Munchy Monday

4 9:00 Blanket Workshop 6:00 Bears 6:00 Tigers 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Patrol Leaders 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Coupeville Book Gr. 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass 11 10:30 Church Mice 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts 5:30 Boy Scout ad. comm

5 9:00 Blanket Workshop 10:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Advent Worship 12:30 Soup & bread

6 10:00 Deborah Circle

7

1

16 Advent 3 Deadline for Sharing Tree gifts Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

17

6:30 Angeli 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

23 Advent 4 (NO 8 AM service today) Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas Day

30 Christmas 1 Worship Worship

31

Wolves

6:00 Homeschoolers 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Vanishing Friends 7:00 Solutions

7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

1:00 Munchy Monday

Vespers/Coupeville @ St. Mary’s 6:30

4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Advent Worship 6:30 Soup & bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

12 11:30 OHLC Staff 11:30 Book Group 12:00 Advent Worship 12:30 Soup & bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 5:00 Stephen Ministry 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 5:45 VAQ 133 FRG

6:00 Advent Worship 6:30 Soup & bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon 19 Newsletter Deadline 10:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Advent Worship 12:30 Soup & bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Advent Worship 6:30 Soup & bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon 26

13

14

10:00 Deborah Circle

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

4:15 Morning Glory 5:30 Praise Team 6:00 Pack 4098, Toys For Tots pack meeting

20 10:00 Deborah Circle

21

4:15 Morning Glory 5:30 Brownies 40740 6:00 Brownies 40745 6:30 Webelos 1

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

27

28

22

29

10:30 Worship 4:00 Worship 7:00 Worship 10:00 Worship

8:00 10:30 4:00

18 10:00 Rebecca Circle

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

4:15 Morning Glory 5:30 Brownies 40740 5:30 Praise Team 6:00 Brownies 40745 6:30 Webelos 1 7:00 Council

9:00 Lutheran Men in Mission breakfast 1:00 Memorial service for Bernie Goehring Set up for Fair Trade fair 8 1:00 Memorial service for Brig Kidd 2:00 Luth Youth caroling at Harbor Tower 15

Year-end offerings need to be received at church by 12:00 Noon to count towards 2012 giving

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth – the very thing the whole story has been about.

- C.S. Lewis

12

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

Parish Nurse hours: Thursdays, 1:00-3:30 PM and by appointment

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M, T, W: 9:00-11:30 AM; 12:300-3:00 PM Th, F: 9:00-11:30 AM; 12:30-3:00 PM No school: 12/24 – 1/6