Harbor Beacon, december 2015

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 62, Issue 12

December 2015

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

1253 NW 2 Avenue Oak Harbor, WA 98277

360-678-2264 office@oakharborlutheran.org www.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

IN THIS ISSUE Christmas presence, pg. 2

Click on these links for the December newsletter inserts:

Adult class considers What Child Is This? pg. 3

The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures: http://www.elca.org/en/Resources/Prayer-Ventures

Sharing Tree springs up in the narthex, pg. 4

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/December2015.pdf

Preschoolers are thankful for family, friends, buckets and helicopters, pg. 6

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org This issue was snail-mailed November 25, 2015

Herrigstad memorial service: Nov. 30, pg. 8 1

ìPastor’s Pageí

come down to earth and given himself to us in Christ, the Savior born for us all.

Christmas Presence

What might this say about how we celebrate Christmas? I think it means we need to pay at least as much attention to presence as we do presents. The Advent season has traditionally been understood as a “mini-Lent” – a time to be roused from spiritual slumber and sloth and filled with anticipation and hope. It is so important to come into Christ’s presence in worship on the Sundays of Advent, which prepare us well to celebrate Christmas aright. We can pay attention to Christ’s presence in our lives in the weeks leading up to Christmas by engaging in the wonderful home devotion traditions of Advent, such as the Advent wreath or the Jesse tree. We can take time to experience Christ’s presence through prayer and fellowship by attending the midweek Vespers services and soup suppers being offered at OHLC on Wednesdays during Advent. Of course, it is important to come into Christ’s presence by coming to worship on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day – not just to indulge in religious nostalgia or to appease family obligations, but so that Christ might be born anew in our Adventstirred hearts.

And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans--and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused--and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.

- Sigrid Undset

P

resents are part of the Christmas season. There are modest presents and extravagant presents, big presents and little presents, home-made presents and special-order presents, Black Friday presents and White Elephant presents. Can we overdo it with presents? Sure. Is materialism a spiritual danger? It most certainly is. But with some prudence and discernment, presents can be a fun and meaningful part of our Christmas celebrations.

As suggested in the quote above from Norwegian novelist (and devout Christian) Sigrid Undset, the presents we exchange at Christmastime can be a reflection of the wondrous generosity of our gracious God, the giver of all good gifts. We can also remember that Jesus himself was honored at his birth with presents. Reading the story of the wise men who brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh in Matthew 2:1-12 before gifts are exchanged can help us understand the presents we give and receive as an echo of the ancient gifts given to our Lord. When we give each other gifts “in His name,” as Undset puts it, presents can be a fun and faithful part of Christmas.

Christmas is also a time to enjoy the presence of loved ones, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Maybe we need to put down the smart phone and the shopping list and focus more of our attention on the presence of the people around us. Maybe you know someone who could use the presence of a friend in what can be a lonely and painful time of year for some. Your presence might be just the present they need.

This year let’s give our presents “in His name,” ever mindful of our gracious God, the giver of all good gifts. Even more, let us avail ourselves of every opportunity to enjoy Christmas presence: giving careful attention to the people around us, and basking in the presence of the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, God with us, the One who “came down to earth and gave us Himself.”

But Christmas isn’t primarily about presents. It is about presence. As Undset reminds us, Christmas is about the presence of God, who came down to earth in human form to be with us. It is about the presence of our Savior, who, in spite of all our foolishness, all our sin, “came down to earth and gave us Himself.” In Jesus’ birth, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). In Jesus’ birth, God became present to humankind as Emmanuel, which means “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23). The truest and best Christmas present, then, is the presence of God, who has

Christmas presents are fun, but they can never beat Christmas presence.

- Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer Please note that Pastor Spencer will be on vacation from December 28 through January 3. If you need pastoral assistance, contact the church office, 360-679-1561.

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What Child Is This?

ìGrowing& Learningí

An Advent Bible Study on the Nativity of our Lord

You are invited to…

Youth & Family Night at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Sunday, December 6 6:00-7:30 PM

Sunday mornings in Advent - Nov. 29 through Dec. 20 9:15-10:15 in the library As the Advent season begins, Pastor Spencer will be teaching a four-session class on the Nativity of our Lord in the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John. (What about the gospel of Mark? Mark doesn’t include a Nativity account!) Bring your Bibles, and prepare your heart for Christmas.

FEATURING AN EPIC HOT CHOCOLATE BAR! MARSHMALLOWS - WHIPPED CREAM PEPPERMINT STICKS - CINNAMON – NUTMEG – CARAMEL - STRAWBERRY SYRUP - CRÈME DE MENTHE SYRUP - DICED HAM (JUST KIDDING) PEANUT BUTTER - RAINBOW SPRINKLES - WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS – AND MORE!

Midweek Advent services & soup suppers

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ake some time to prepare your heart for Christmas as we gather on Wednesdays for worship services and soup suppers at 12:00 noon and 6:00 PM on December 2, 9, & 16.

We’ll be singing Holden Evening Prayer as our liturgy, and enjoying At the Well of Songs and Stories, a new series of short, meaningful dramas written by our resident playwright (and assistant church secretary/ newsletter editor) Martha Ellis. Soup suppers will follow our worship. All are welcome!

AND MAKE THIS EASY NATIVITY CRAFT!

DON’T MISS THIS EVENING OF FUN & FELLOWSHIP FOR ALL AGES!

Sign-up sheets are posted on the round table to bring soup and/or bread or butter, or to help with set-up or clean-up.

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ìDecember Eventsí

Thinking of downsizing your Christmas collection?

If you find items among your collection of Christmas decorations that you’d really like to pass along to someone else, why not set them aside for Granny’s Attic for next year’s Bazaar?

To make things easy for you, the ladies of Lydia Circle will happily store those items at the church! Bring them at any time – just drop them off in the church office and Carol and Martha will make sure the items are set aside for Lydia Circle. Thank you!

Sharing Tree takes root in the narthex The sharing tree will be in place on Nov. 29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving! Please take a tag, buy and wrap the gift listed there and attach the tag to the outside of the package. Place the wrapped gift under the tree unless the tag says to bring it to church office. All gifts are needed by Sunday, December 20.

If you or someone you know would like item requests placed on the tree, please speak with Pastor Spencer or Pastor Stroud. All names are kept confidential.

Judy Lycksell

Coffee hour hosting in December During the month of December, we are inviting individuals, friends, and families to sign up to host coffee hour. Please sign up on the white board in the fellowship hall. Help with running the dishwasher is readily available, so don’t let the old frothy monster scare you away!

(PS: Hosting fellowship time is a great way to get rid of excess Christmas goodies!)

Help deck the halls on December 13!

Our sanctuary Christmas tree will be going up the second week in December, and will be decorated after worship on Sunday, December 13. All are welcome to stick around after the 10:30 AM service to help hang Chrismons. Many thanks to Wade & Angela Stone and family for providing a tree again this year!

Thank you, too, to Craig and Colleen Pedlar, who continue to deck our halls with beautiful Christmas wreaths from Boy Scout Troop 59.

You’re invited to an afternoon of joyful Christmas music, in a concert featuring OHLC’s Senior Choir

Poinsettias!

and Men’s Chorus,

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. 13. 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 worship on Christmas Day. Plants not claimed will be taken to brighten local nursing homes and the hospital.

the Oak Harbor Community Band, and other special music including sing-along carols!

Sunday, December 20 , 2:00 PM in the sanctuary at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

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Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Christmas Worship Schedule Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 4:00 PM: Family Service featuring the children’s Sunday School Christmas Program (nursery is provided)

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

7:00 PM: Traditional Service with Candlelight and Holy Communion (nursery is provided) 10:00 PM: Traditional Service with Candlelight and Holy Communion

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.

Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day: 10:30 AM: Service with Holy Communion

Special service planned for Sunday, December 27

Joseph Mohr, tr. John F. Young ELW 281

Can’t get enough of those beautiful Christmas hymns? On Sunday, December 27 we’ll be enjoying special services of Lessons and Carols, featuring select scripture readings with brief commentary and select verses from many beloved Christmas hymns.

Holy Communion will also be served.

The same order of service will be offered at both 8:00 and 10:30.

Whichever one you attend, come ready to sing!

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Here’s the way our students finished the sentence, “My heart is thankful for…”

ìHis Kids Preschoolí a ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

Morning class

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Max: My trucks Henry: My mom Luke: Really big buckets Raelee: My bear Brody: Everything Keegan: Dinosaurs Adalyn: My mommy and daddy Reagan: Everything Layla: My momma Riley: My mommy and dad Harper: Reagan Lazlo: Avren Avren: My mommy and daddy and my big sister and Millie Abigale: My mom and my sister and my dad Mikayla: My mom, my dad, and Mimi, and my house

ur focus this month at His Kids has been all about nutrition, and how important it is that the foods we eat help strengthen us in mind, body and spirit. We also took some time to think about how we’re thankful for the gifts that God provides for us.

The students used crayons to color cutout paper fruit and vegetables for their fall cornucopias – be sure to see the bright display on the bulletin board in the education wing! The children made fresh bread and ate it while it was warm, and then practiced their skills of cutting out paper bread slices as a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life. They painted large turkeys on the easels, and these colorful birds are now “running” around the classroom walls (perhaps heading towards the delicious-looking array of paper pizzas??). A consideration of the dairy group coincided with learning about secondary colors, so of course we made purple cows! We even went on a field trip to Haggen grocery store, and Susan showed the children all the different areas of the store where items from the various food groups could be found.

Afternoon class Jasmin: Jesus Ava: My friend Abby Logan: Daddy Jameson: My grandma Emma W.: My mommy and dad Iliana: My mom Aria: My dad Jayden: My grandma Emma C.: Getting flowers Cora: The letter T Seth: My mom, dad, and my 2 dogs and Chyann Nicolas: Helicopters with propellers on them and my dad

We ended the month by having a Thanksgiving feast day to celebrate our blessings, and we’re looking forward to continuing the celebration in December… this time for the coming birth of our Lord!

A note from the Operations Team The mid-November storm brought down lots of tree limbs and branches throughout OHLC’s property (and knowing Whidbey winters, more may follow). The parking lot was professionally cleaned on Nov. 20, but the rest of the grounds need a good “picking up.” Rather than try to fit a work day into everyone’s busy schedules, Ops would appreciate it if anyone interested would spend some time caring for our property by picking up these limbs and branches. They can be disposed of by throwing them into our wooded “forest” where they will decompose and feed our native vegetation (but be careful not to step on or cover up the our young trees in the process!). The grassy areas cannot be mowed until all the debris is picked up.

Thank you from your Operations Team!

Our thanks to the families who helped our students bring in nonperishable food items throughout November – these were sorted into their proper groups and the numbers were added up (78 total items!) in preparation for sending these generous gifts to Help House.

May we all continue to be strengthened by God’s gifts in mind, body and spirit - now and always.

Blessings, Ms. Elva, Ms. Michelle, Ms. Sara

Questions about Operations Team activities and projects?

Contact Mark Needler, md11fpilot@comcast.net .

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ìBookMarksí

ìOHLC Womení Opportunities for fellowship, study & service The bazaar was a rousing success!

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he Coupeville Book Group will meet at Gaye Rodriguey’s home, 228 Rhodena Drive, on Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00 PM for our Christmas party and book discussion. Please note the change of date and time from the usual schedule!. Everyone is encouraged to bring an appetizer to share.

Many thanks to the wonderful crafters and bakers of OHLC who were so generous in sharing their talents, to those who spread the word, and to those who stopped by to make purchases at our 3rd annual bazaar on Nov. 14!

We’re pleased to report the top 10% of this year’s proceeds will be given to the General Fund. In past years, Lydia Circle funds from the bazaar have gone towards the purchase of new tables, recycle bins, Bibles, care packages for OHLC’s deployed military personnel, and the God’s Work; Our Hands t-shirts for our Sunday School. Watch for some updates in our prayer room as well as other new projects made possible in part by the success of our bazaar!

Special thanks to Kelly Brock, Dave Fosnaugh, David Peattie, Mary Wonner, Judy Lycksell, and Christine Higgins, for making sure things ran smoothly on the day of the bazaar itself by manning booths, selling tickets, and generally being indispensable.

The ladies of Lydia Circle, Mary Brock, Amy Christensen, Peg Fosnaugh, Anita Needler, Becky Peattie, Verna Pommerenke, Sheila Ryan, Michelle Tull

The discussion of the book, Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman, will be facilitated by Trudy Decker.

With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before.

But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187-424 – one of millions of people who disappear "down the rabbit hole" of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman's story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison----why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they're there.

Nonfiction, 295 pages

Circle News Deborah Circle will meet in the library from 10:00 AM to noon.

12/3- A Different Kind of Journey: Advent as a walk, not a sprint, an online study from the Women of the ELCA. Copies of the study will be available in the office, and a link to the study will be available via e-mail.

12/10- Imagining: an Advent Lesson, pgs 26-29 in the December issue of Gather magazine AND the annual Christmas brunch and white elephant gift exchange!

Questions? Need directions to Gaye’s home? Contact her for information, 678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com.

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ˆ No Deborah Circle meetings on the 17th, 24th or 31st. ˆ Lydia Circle and Rebecca Circle will not meet in December.

he Second Wednesday Book Group meets at China City at 11:30 AM on December 9 (note the changes in time and location from the usual schedule!) for lunch and a 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

Blanket Workshop Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday & Wednesday, Dec. 1 & 2, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to work on quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

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ìMen’s Ministryí Lutheran Men in Mission

ìIn Sympathyí

& the Brotherhood of Saint Bernard We continue to mourn the loss of loved ones among the our church family.

Hey guys! Join us in Herrigstad Hall on Saturday morning, December 5 at 8:00 for this month’s Lutheran Men in Mission breakfast. Back by popular demand, it’ll be a potluck. Bring your favorite version of a hearty breakfast item – fruit, OJ, eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, sausage, pancakes, whatever you would like. Bring enough for six of your mates.

After breakfast, we’ll grab our coffee and adjourn to the library to watch a video presentation with the Skit Guys, a reverent/irreverent look at the Christmas season. We’ll share some traditions of the Advent/Christmas cycle and talk about the reason for the season.

See you there!

Esther Kneale, a 29-year member of our congregation, died on November 13. She was 89. She had been active in the life of OHLC until failing health brought about a move to Vancouver, BC, to be closer to family. She continued to receive the e-mailed version of our newsletter, though, and did keep in touch, including contacting Pastor Spencer earlier in the year to make arrangements for her memorial service. The service was held at OHLC on November 20.

The Brotherhood of Saint Bernard meets for lunch, fellowship, and Bible Study at noon in the fellowship hall on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Please note there will not be a gathering on Dec. 22.

Harvey Herrigstad, a member of OHLC with Rose Ann since 1982, died on November 23. He was 81. Although his last few years of earthly life were very difficult due to dementia, we prefer to remember him as an energetic force in the life of the congregation, utterly fearless when climbing to the heights of the sanctuary rafters as the church was being built by volunteer labor in the early 80s, active in many areas of congregational ministry, and passionate about the local efforts of Habitat For Humanity.

A memorial service for Harvey will be held at 10:00 AM at OHLC on Monday, November 30.

Pastor Marc Stroud

ìLooking ahead to Januaryí JAN. 6: 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 Wednesday, January 6 (the actual date for Epiphany) from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. RSVP to Pastor Spencer or the church office so we know how much food we’ll need!

To Rose Ann and the Herrigstad family, to Esther Kneale’s family, and to their many friends, we extend our deepest sympathy.

JAN. 24: Semi-annual congregational meeting & potluck

Eternal rest grant them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

We will convene our semi-annual meeting at noon on Sunday, January 24. All voting members of Oak Harbor Lutheran are encouraged to attend as we consider our congregational budget for 2016 and attend to other items of business. An agenda for the meeting will be made available on Sunday, Jan. 10. Plan on bringing a dish to share as we enjoy a potluck after our meeting.

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ìCompassion Ministryí

Gifts of warmth are welcomed as winter settles in Thank you to all for the wonderful response to our recent ingathering of warm coats and socks! These will be shared with local folks in need as well as those of El Camino de Emaus in the Skagit Valley.

Skip & Judy Lycksell

Project report, Lutheran World Relief: Over half a ton of love for a hurting world

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n October 30, OHLC sent off a shipment weighing a total of 1,269 pounds to the Seattle Ingathering for Lutheran World Relief. From there it will be shipped to Baltimore, Maryland, before being sent to various destinations overseas. This shipment included 108 school kits, 24 personal care kits, 262 baby care kits, and 65 tied quilts. Many people made this shipment possible.

Cleaning closets? Jeans beyond mending? MOPS can help!

Oak Harbor’s local Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group will be having another “Clothes For The Cause” fundraiser in February 2016.

A big thank you to the congregation for the ongoing support, and to Trudy Decker, Deborah Circle and the Sunday School teachers and children for donating, collecting, sorting and packing the school kits this year. It was the largest shipment of school kits in 4 years, and was part of a God’s Work; Our Hands project on Sept. 13 (see the photos posted on the fellowship hall bulletin board and Oak Harbor Lutheran Church’s Facebook page).

Household textiles of all kinds are acceptable, in any condition, from old towels and bedding to drapes, throw rugs, throw pillows, purses, paired shoes, and more. As you sift the outgrown and worn out clothes and textiles from your family closets, remember to wash them and put them aside in a bag at home and save them for the ingathering in the new year.

Another big thank you goes to Karen Bower for making and packing the baby care kits. If you want to help Karen do this, she will gladly accept donations of baby clothes (up to 24 months), knitted sweater and hat sets, and knitted receiving-size blankets.

Clothes For The Cause will sort the items, giving useable items to local thrift stores and recycling the rest into such things as insulation, wiping rags, or reclaimed fiber. The MOPS group will be paid per pound of clothing.

Thanks to the ever faithful ladies of blanket workshop for providing the colorful quilts and to the congregation for the items donated for the personal care kits.

For more information about the fundraiser (or about MOPS), contact OHLC’s Amy Bruce, a619-865-7430, abruce21@gmail.com .

A HUGE, HUGE thank you to all the people who helped load the bus, to Sea-Tac Shuttle for donating the use of a bus, and to Rita Carter for driving to Seattle with a busload of boxes from Oak Harbor Lutheran and Concordia Lutheran.

Last, but not least, thank you to all of you who supported us by donating to our shipping fund. You are the most loving and caring congregation anyone could ask for and we thank God for each and every one of you. You are truly a blessing, both to those who prepare and those who receive the items sent to them through your generosity.

Spiritual care Christians who live only for themselves need to re-evaluate their thinking. Christian philosopher Jacques Maritain said it’s wrong for Christians to aim for piety and holiness while ignoring people who suffer.

“The care of another – even material, bodily care – is spiritual in essence,” he wrote. “Bread for myself is a material question; bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one.”

Wait… there’s more! Because of your generosity, we were able to send $729 to Lutheran World Relief after we deducted our spring and fall shipping costs. Thank you again. God bless you!

Leona McKee

The Newsletter Newsletter, December 2007 9

ìTravel Opportunityí

Terrible ravaged the city in 1552, and forced the Muslim khan to become a Christian. St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow was built to celebrate Kazan’s downfall. The city later flourished as a gateway to Siberia; Leo Tolstoy and Lenin were educated here.

RUSSIA 2016

Exploring the Life, Faith and Ongoing Challenges of the Lutheran Church in Russia

Join a journey to the world’s largest country, and witness modern Russia in the nation’s sacred and profane capital, Moscow. Visit St. Peter and Paul Lutheran Cathedral, Red Square, the Kremlin, and other historic sites and museums. Peter the Great’s city on the Neva River, St. Petersburg is a world-class beauty. Russia’s most elegant city is home to St. Peter and St. Paul Lutheran Church (the “swimming pool church”), splendid tsarist palaces, the sites of the revolution, and the treasures of the State Hermitage.

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he ELCA NW WA Synod Team Russia Committee is pleased to announce a projected mission trip to Russia for ten days during the fall 2016, in which Bishop Unti plans to participate . Russia is a land with a tragic history that goes back for centuries. The character of the Russian people is shaped by what they have lived through over the course of generations. The character of Russian churches has also been shaped by the people’s suffering.

Interested participants should contact Ken Grigsby at island66@comcast.net. For U.S. citizens, a valid passport and Russian visa are required. Information can be found on the website for East West Tours, www.east-west-tours.com.

These are still tumultuous and changing times in Russia, with periods of instability. The recent crisis in Ukraine and concerns about human rights have brought the country into the spotlight again. Trip participants from Oak Harbor Lutheran Church are encouraged to take the opportunity to visit our partner church, Evangelical-Lutheran St. Katharina Church in Kazan, and meet our brothers and sisters in Christ, remembering that the body of Christ knows no national boundaries.

Kazan, a city of over one million people, is one of Russia’s oldest Tatar cities, dating back to around 1005. Famous for its historic kremlin, Kazan has an intriguing atmosphere redolent of Central Asia, particularly around its several mosques. As the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan is the cultural and administrative center of modern-day Tatars, descendants of a nomadic Turkic tribe that wreaked particular havoc in Russia. Ivan the

Geographically, Russia is the largest Lutheran Church in the world. Former Archbishop Kretschmar speaks of “new life from old roots.” We hope you will consider joining us on this adventure.

Ken Grigsby Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.

-Mark Twain

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

ìThe deadline for articles for the January newsletter is Friday, December 18.

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Worship Assistants 12/ 6

12/13

12/20

12/24

12/25 12/27

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 Rick Culbertson Craig Pedlar Gisela Hawley Karen Krotz-Sperry Ken Grigsby Debbie Wysomierski Josh Margraf Trudy Decker Trudy Decker Paul Senness Sheila Ryan Penny Fowkes Paul Senness Rita Carter Carol Snoble

Financial report: Acolytes Sam Higgins Isaiah Wiley Benjamin Bruland Sam Loustaunau Alyssa Blevins Benjamin Bruland Johannes Christensen Micah Burrow Benjamin Bruland Emma Suley Elias Wiley Wolly Fowkes Anders Spencer Natalie Stone Sadie Harbaugh Benjamin Bruland

Music Morning Glory Senior Choir

Worship attendance: Senior Choir Senior Choir

Ushers

Assistants

12/ 6 8:00 AM Higgins family

Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Donna Aspery Communion: Rita Carter Computer: Rita Carter

6:30: Presider, Jay Decker 12/13 8:00 AM Margraf family 10:30 AM 6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 12/20 8:00 AM Ellis family 10:30 AM R. Wood

Year to date $ 370,500 364,212 $ 6,288

Morning Glory Senior Choir

Date 8:00 AM Nov. 1 81 Nov. 8 78 Nov. 16 69 Nov. 22 54 Average Att. 71

+

10:30 AM

October $ 38,022 35,127 $ 2,895,

Income Outgo

Praise Team Senior Choir

October

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

6:30: Presider, Jay Decker 12/24 4:00 PM Ellis family,

10:00 PM

Communion: Penny Fowkes

12/25 10:30 AM 12/27 8:00 AM J. Flowers, L. Forster 10:30 AM

Communion: John Fowkes Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Kathy Ridle Communion: Sande Mulkey Computer: Luke Spencer

Cpvl.

12 12 15 17 14

Lesser festivals & commemorations:

Communion: Marge Moore Computer: Molly Nagel Communion: Jay Decker Computer: Rick Culbertson

Communion: Mike Fankhauser

10:30 AM 102 98 108 79 97

Nursery 5 4 4 0 3

November 29 will be included with next month’s statistics Average Sunday attendance: 185

Communion: Tracey Tomlin Computer: Sheila Ryan Communion: Tracey Tomlin Computer: Michelle Tull

7:00 PM

November

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

Little Lutheran Bags in December: Christiane Weber This month’s decorative fonts are

Kingthings Christmas 2

and

Kingthings Foundation

6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 11

SUNDAY

MONDAY

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

6 Advent 2 Healing prayer at both morning services Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Class 9:15 Worship 10:30 Piano recital

7 1:00 Munchy Monday 5:00 Bears 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

1:30

Youth/Family Night 6:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 13 Advent 3 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Class 9:15 Worship 10:30 Sanctuary tree decorating after the 10:30 service Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 20 Advent 4 Bring sharing tree gifts!

Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Class 9:15 Worship 10:30 Christmas Concert 2:00 Confirmation 5:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 27 Service of

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8:00 10:30

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 9:00 Blanket Workshop

2 9:00 Blanket Wrkshop 10:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & Bread 4:30 Harbor Bells

3 10:00 Deborah Circle

4

5 8:00 Lutheran Men in Mission

6:00 Patrol Leaders 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Wolves 7:00 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 8 9:30 Endowment Comm.

10:30 Stamping Group 11:30 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 5:30 Cub Scout Leaders 6:00 Cpvl Book Group 6:30 Wolves 7:00 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 15

1:00 Munchy Monday 5:00 Bears 5:30 Tigers

6:30 Wolves 7:00 Webelos 2 7:00 Scout Adult Comm.

7:00 Solutions 21

22

5:00 Bears 5:30 Tigers

12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard

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

28

Lessons & Carols

Worship Worship

TUESDAY

29

5:30 Cub Scout Comm.

6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

9 10:30 OHLC Staff 11:30 Book Group 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & Bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir 16 10:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & Bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir 23

5:15 Men’s Chorus 5:15 Praise Team 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 40740 6:00 Webelos 1 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Council

1:00 Keepers of the Faith 6:00 Council Christmas party

10 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Stephen Ministry 5:15 Men’s Chorus 5:15 Praise Team 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 40740 6:00 Webelos 1 6:00 Knitting Group

11

17 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 5:15 Men’s Chorus 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 40740 6:00 Webelos 1 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Boy Scouts 24 Christmas Eve

18 Newsletter Deadline

11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Library Committee 5:30 Harbor Bells

12

1:00 Keepers of the Faith 6:00 Staff Christmas party

1:00 Keepers of the Faith 5:30 Wedding rehearsal 25 Christmas Day Church office closed

2:00 Wedding: Kanjo/Aguiar 26

10:30 Worship

7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

4:00 Worship/SS program 7:00 Worship 10:00 Worship

30 OHLC serves at SPIN Café

31 OHLC serves at SPIN Café

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

7:00 Solutions

19

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M, T, W: 9:00–11:30 AM 12:30–3:00 PM

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

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

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

12

Christmas Break: Dec. 21 – Jan. 3