Harbor Beacon, December 2017

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 64, Issue 11

December 2017

O AK H ARBOR L UTHE RAN C HURCH a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 1253 NW 2nd Avenue 360-679-1561 Oak Harbor, WA 98277 office@oakharborlutheran.org www.oakharborlutheran.org

IN THIS ISSUE: Give the gift of the Gospel, pg. 2

Preschool Director: Sara Harbaugh

(360) 941-1484

Parish Secretary: Rekann Brannon

(360) 969-0775

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:

Schedule changes for Christmas worship! pg. 3

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

Adult Ed. considers The Magnificat, pg. 4

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/december_2017_spirit_updated.pdf

Christmas concerts! pg. 5 His Kids thankful for, apple juice, puppies, and red airplanes pg. 7

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

On the job with disaster relief, pg. 8

This issue was snail-mailed November 29, 2017

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to be proclaimed in Spanish in lands near and far. This is Gospel ministry!

Give the gift of the Gospel

Wouldn’t it make more sense, then, to call our General Fund the Gospel Fund? I’m serious about this. I’m not offering this suggestion as a gimmick or a rhetorical flourish. I really think a fund that is doing so much important ministry needs a better, more descriptive name: The Gospel Fund. We’ll see what the council thinks about my idea. Stay tuned.



hat if there were a gift you could give which would bring peace, joy, and hope? What if this gift would benefit total strangers as well as your dearest loved ones at the same time? What if there were a gift you could give which had the power to change someone’s life, giving them forgiveness, life, and salvation?

There is such a gift, and you give this gift regularly through your contributions to the General Fund at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.

This is the season of giftgiving. Not only are we on the lookout for the perfect gift for our friends and loved ones, but many of us are sorting through all kinds of invitations to give a year-end gift to a variety of worthy causes. In this season of giving, I invite you to give generously to the Gospel Fund (let’s just call it that for now) at OHLC. This isn’t necessarily a call for help in getting our budget into the black before the end of the year, though we do need your help in this regard. Instead, this is an invitation to think differently about what your gifts mean to this fund. They don’t just keep the lights on; they are truly changing lives. This is an invitation to consider anew what this fund actually does, and to give accordingly, now and in the new year ahead.

We don’t always realize the profound gifts we are giving when we give to the General Fund. Maybe part of the problem is that we call it the General Fund. It’s so non-descript, so uninspiring, so…. general!

The word “general” hardly captures all the important ministry being done through gifts made to the General Fund here at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. I think we need to start calling it the Gospel Fund.

The General Fund creates a warm, well-lit space for the Gospel to be heard Sunday after Sunday. Confidentiality prevents me from sharing all the back stories of those who come to hear God’s Word and receive the Lord’s Supper, but if I could you would know that even on the most ordinary Sunday mornings at OHLC God is powerfully at work giving forgiveness, life, and salvation to people who desperately need it.

This is Gospel ministry!

Thank you for your gifts throughout this past year. Thank you for the gifts you will give in the weeks ahead to help us finish strong and keep this momentum going into 2018. Thank you for giving the gift of the Gospel!

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer

The General Fund facilitates baptisms. (We’ve had FIVE this fall!) It funds new member classes. (We received SIX new members this fall, and we already have people signed up for the January class!) It empowers our Youth & Family Nights, where families learn and grow in faith together. It pays for our Sunday School program, where our kids are taught the good news of Jesus. It makes it possible for good news to be put into the ears of those who are hospitalized, or home bound, or dying. This is Gospel ministry! There is nothing “general” about it!

YEAR-END NOTE: All gifts you wish to have included in your 2017 giving statement

The General Fund supports the Kraft family as they continue their mission work in Peru. It supports our friends at El Camino de Emaus as they offer Word and Sacrament ministry to the Latino community in the Skagit Valley. Few of us at OHLC are fluent in Spanish, but our gifts to the General Fund help the Good News of Jesus

must be received by 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, December 27.

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You are invited to…

Fair Trade Winds comes to OHLC on December 10

Youth & Family Night

Fair Trade Winds will be coming to OHLC on Sunday, December 10, offering goods from artisans from developing nations. Visit their display in Herrigstad Hall between or after services to peruse a wide variety of gifts. Your purchases directly support farmers and craftspeople in impoverished lands. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be sent to Lutheran World Relief.

at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

Sunday, December 3, 6:00-7:30 PM First, we’ll gather in the sanctuary to watch a new ANIMATED FILM on the Christmas story. This fun and faithful telling of the Christmas story is great for all ages!

Visit the Sharing Tree!

Throughout the month of December our Sharing Tree will be on display in the narthex, decorated with tags. Each tag lists a gift suggestion for someone in need. These needs have been gathered from Josephine Home in Stanwood, El Camino de Emaus in Burlington, and from our local community on Whidbey Island.

You are invited to review the tags and choose one or more to take with you. After you have purchased the item on the tag, please wrap the gift with the tag on the outside and bring it back to OHLC. All gifts must be received by Sunday, Dec. 17 (unless otherwise noted on the tag).

Note, too, that some gifts will need to be brought to the church office rather than merely left under the tree in the narthex.

Thank you for helping our friends in need this Christmas!

Then, back by popular demand, we’ll enjoy our…

E P IC H O T C H O C O L A T E B A R !

Including: 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!

little different. Please make note of the schedule below!

ince Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year, our schedule looks a

We’ll also play GAMES and make a NATIVITY CRAFT, and all kids will take home their own kid-size, personal ADVENT CALENDAR!

Sunday, December 24 10:30 AM: Sunday School Christmas Program with Communion 7:00 PM: Traditional Service with Candlelight and Communion 10:00 PM: Traditional Service with Candlelight and Communion

Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship!

Monday, December 25 10:30 AM: Service of Carols and Communion 3

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Deck the halls!

Our Christmas trees will be going up the first week in December, and will be decorated after worship on Sunday, December 10. All are welcome to stick around after the 10:30 service to help hang Chrismons.

Many thanks to Craig and Colleen Pedlar, who deck our halls with beautiful wreaths from Boy Scout Troop 59. Craig also coordinates the acquisition and raising of our Christmas trees, and hangs the wreaths.

Thanks so much!

Advent Bible study for adults



t was more than a surprise pregnancy – the Maker of heaven and earth was becoming incarnate in a young woman’s womb. In response, Mary sang a song which has been a cherished canticle for Christian worship and a source of profound inspiration, both musical and theological, for centuries.

Join Pastor Spencer in the library from 9:15-10:15 on Sunday mornings during Advent (Dec. 3, 10, and 17) for a special Bible study on the Magnificat. We’ll make use of a book which weaves together insights on the Magnificat from Luther’s brilliant commentary and Bach’s magnificent cantata. Come listen to Mary’s song – both in scripture and set to Bach’s beautiful accompaniment – in a unique Bible study opportunity for the Advent season.

Sunday School news

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he annual Sunday School Christmas program will be presented as a part of the Sunday morning worship service, 10:30 AM on December 24. Note this change from our usual schedule! This year’s script, Keeping Watch, has an Advent flavor – appropriate for presentation on the 4th Sunday of the season – but also includes the usual shepherds, angels, Pre-K/K lambs and the Holy Family.

Rehearsals will take place during Sunday School class time on Dec. 3, 10 & 17, with one last run-through starting at 9:15 AM on Dec. 24. Families, please save your children a seat in the pew on the morning of the 24th – participants will sit with families at the beginning of the service and then will return once the program has concluded.

Questions? Give me a call in the church office, 360-679-1561, or send me an e-mail, martha@oakharborlutheran.org.

Advent midweek services Join us on Wednesdays this Advent (Dec. 6, 13 & 20) for soup suppers and worship services at noon and 6:00 PM. Holden Evening Prayer will be our liturgy, and we’ll explore the theme of preparing the way of the Lord through song and Mountains and Valleys, a series of brief reflections on Isaiah 40:3-11.

Martha Ellis

Sanctuary poinsettias

If you can bring soup and/or bread or help with set-up or cleanup, please make a note on the sign-up sheets on the table in the narthex.

Our Luth Youth will be pitching in this year to set up and clean up for the evening meals, and they’ll gladly accept your donations towards their expenses for next February’s YouthQuake. Help will still be needed for noontime set-up and clean-up.

Large plants in 6” pots 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, donations will be accepted through Sunday, Dec. 10.

Suggested donation per plant is $20; they may be taken home following the service on Dec. 25 for your enjoyment throughout the remainder of the Christmas season (which continues through January 5!).

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

PM (please note the earlier start time) at Gaye Rodriguey’s house,

he Coupeville Book Group will meet Tuesday, December 5 at 6:00

 presents JOY! NEAR AND FAR! - A Christmas Concert, Friday, December 8, 7:00 PM and Sunday, December 10, 4:00 PM at First United Methodist Church 1050 SE Ireland Street, Oak Harbor.

Admission if free. Donations gratefully accepted.

Director is Darren McCoy; accompanist is Sharon Burge. Many of you already know how fortunate we are to have Darren (Oak Harbor High School’s Music Director) directing the Whidbey Community Chorus. He is a true master of his trade and a dynamic personality in pulling together beautiful sounds from talented instrumentalists and this 100+ voice chorus.

OHLC’s own Barbara Wilson, Mary Kay Hallen, and Tom Piper invite you to dedicate a couple hours of your busy schedule to come and be treated to a beautiful concert. For indeed, this is a time to hear and contemplate Joy! Near and Far!

228 Rhodena Drive, 360-678-3561. As a part of our Advent and Christmas celebration, please bring an appetizer to share. Beverages will be provided. Anni Campbell will lead the discussion of the book The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, by Heidi W. Durrow: This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy. With her strict African American grandmother as her new guardian, Rachel moves to a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring mixed attention her way.

Growing up in the 1980s, she learns to swallow her overwhelming grief and confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white. In the tradition of Jamaica Kincaid’s Annie John and Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, here is a portrait of a young girl – and society’s ideas of race, class, and beauty.

Fiction, 264 pages

’Harbor Choir, women’s ensemble Angeli, and the Community Band will present a concert on Saturday, December 9, 2:00 PM at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Includes a sing-along of familiar Christmas carols.

Questions about the Coupeville Book Group? Contact Gaye Rodriguey, 360-678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com.

Book Group will hold a Christmas gathering on December 13,

ote this change from the usual schedule! The Second Wednesday

11:30 AM at China City. The book for discussion is The Boston Girl, by Anita Diamant:

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Addie Baum is eighty-five years old when her twenty-two-year-old granddaughter asks her, “How did you get to be the woman you are today?” Addie begins to tell the story of her life to her granddaughter. The book creates a moving portrait of one woman’s th complicated life in 20 century America, and a fascinating look at a generation of women finding their places in a changing world.

Fiction, 322 pages Other available formats: e-Book, CD

January 7: YOUTH & FAMILY NIGHT We’ll have an Epiphany bonfire with chili and s’mores!

January 21: SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING & POTLUCK Mark your calendars for our semi-annual meeting at noon on the 21st! All voting members of Oak Harbor Lutheran are encouraged to attend as we consider our congregational budget for 2018 and attend to other items of business. An agenda for the meeting will be made available on Sunday, January 14. Plan on bringing a dish to share as we enjoy a potluck after our meeting.

Remember to bring a book (one which has not been read by the group!) for the book exchange. Questions about the 2nd Wednesday Book Group? Contact Leona McKee, 360-675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net.

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Circles in December Circles meet regularly at church for Bible study, fellowship, and occasional service projects. Everyone is welcome!

, 

Wrap-up for the Holiday Bazaar

12/4, 18

Lydia Circle meets at 6:00 PM in the prayer room

ords seem inadequate when expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love that went into the crafts, baked goods, raffle items and silent auction items you so graciously donated in support of Lydia Circle’s 5th annual bazaar.



12/7, 14

Deborah Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library

12/19

Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library

Wow! Your overwhelming response filled our fellowship hall to the brim! Baked goods were stacked high, wreaths were hung in a festive backdrop, and every table was filled (with no vacant spaces).

With the Christmas lights glowing and people mingling and shopping, it was truly an awesome experience for all.

Deborah Circle notes: 12/ 7 Joy to the World, an Advent Devotional, December 2017 issue of Gather magazine, pgs. 24-28 12/14 Advent/Christmas brunch and white elephant gift exchange 12/21 No meeting – Merry Christmas!

12/28 No meeting – Happy New Year!

Lydia Circle news: Heads-up for January! We’ll be starting a new series, Twelve Ordinary Men, a study of the 12 disciples.

Thanks are also in order for the behind-the-scenes volunteers who set up tables, vacuumed, and took down tables afterwards – hard work, but necessary and appreciated!

If you haven’t bought your raffle tickets yet for our huge Seahawks basket, the last day for sales is Dec. 3 after the 10:30 AM service. Tickets are $1 apiece; 6 for $5.

2018 Women’s Retreat Living Hope and Freedom in Christ May 18-20, 2018

Lydia Circle’s bazaar proceeds go back to OHLC for various projects and programs as we serve God in our community. Many thanks in deep appreciation for your help and support!

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:12, 17

The women of Lydia Circle: Peg, Mary, Michelle, Jodi, Becky, Anita, Amy C., Sheila

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

Blanket Workshop

world! Blanket Workshop meets on Tuesday & Wednesday,

The deadline for articles for the January 2018 newsletter is Monday, December 18.

December 5 & 6, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to work on tied quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Come join us! You don’t have to know how to sew to help out. For more information, contact Leona McKee, 360-675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net.

This month’s decorative font is .

tart off the month by helping make a difference in lives around the

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Here’s how our students completed the sentence, “My heart is thankful for...”

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

Morning class David: My groceries Cesar: My brother Brenden: The sun Colton: My birthday coming up Logan: My mom and my dad Ainsley*: My sister Gabi*: My sister *the twins



hen we think of the month of November, we instantly think about Thanksgiving and the bountiful harvest that the Lord has provided to us over the course of the year.

We also start thinking about our Thanksgiving meal, and we make sure that we have something from each of the five food groups. No? Maybe it didn’t go quite like that for you, but it certainly has been a big focus this month for our His Kids Preschoolers!

November is our nutrition month, and we were busy studying the five food groups. We began the month by easel-painting large colorful turkeys for the protein group, we finger-painted chocolate milk jugs with pudding for the dairy group, we colored vibrant-looking fruits and veggies for our fall cornucopias (currently displayed in the education wing hallway) for our fruit and vegetable group, as well as cut and glued a slice of bread that proclaimed that Jesus is the bread of life for the grains group. By the way, if you came into church, and you caught a faint smell of baking bread – that was us!

Victoria: Apple juice Enelia: My mommy!

Joshua: Orange juice Graham: My papa Grayson: Mommy Cole: Boats Connor: Red airplanes

Afternoon class Abigail G: Sharing food Aaron: Orange juice Mallory: Doggy Soraya: My dad John Michael: Making snowmen Solomon: Apple juice Elizabeth: Puppies Sharon: My daddy Abigail H: My mom giving me a flower Collin: That I get to go to heaven Oliver: That I help mama clean up May we continue to grow in faith in this bountiful time of year.

We visited our local Haggen Food for our November field trip, and Ms. Susan gave the children a tour of the store (including all five food groups!). She even treated our children to some great goodies while on the field trip. We didn’t leave hungry that day! We ended our nutrition focus with a Thanksgiving feast prior to leaving for break. We had such a good selection of food for us to enjoy!

God’s Peace, Ms. Elva, Ms. Michelle and Ms. Sara

In addition to learning, we collected some of our own bountiful harvest and will be sharing with those who are in need of it. His Kids children brought in over 50 items over the course of the month. We sorted them in the food groups that we have been studying and will be sending it all to Help House, our local food bank, by the end of November. Help House informed us there are other items that will be especially helpful for families during the holiday season. If you’d like to participate, please bring in donations from the following list and put them in the Help House bin in the narthex at church: canned cranberries canned sweet potatoes and/or yams chicken broth evaporated milk any extra things that one would need for baking, i.e.: sugar, flour, chocolate chips 7



GO MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL: Nick & Shannon Kraft send word from their home base in Peru about a meeting with Go Missions Bolivia in La Paz, equipping young Bolivians to enter the mission field, and celebrating the 8th anniversary of Go Missions. See the narthex bulletin board for more, or visit their website, www.gomissionsinternational.com.

Watoto News – Watoto Child Care Ministries, Uganda:

Dinner/Auction and the visit and concert by the Watoto

OW! The Watoto Team was busy in November. We had the

Children’s Choir. We are very thankful for the support and help that made all this possible. Both were tremendous successes. The dinner and auction raised $7500 for our team, for mission trip supplies and medical scholarships. At this writing, the total for the Choir’s good-will offering isn’t available yet, nor is the total from sales of Watoto craft and other items, but we do know of at least 2 new child sponsors! Thanks to the team for all the work on these events and all those who participated. The children really liked the chicken, beans, and rice with peanut sauce and Dilly Bar desserts that we provided for them.

Thank you for your generosity of investing in the lives of our ear Oak Harbor Lutheran,

guests at SPIN Café. Partnership changes lives; yours, ours, and all those we serve. With your partnership you are “visiting” those who need to know they are valued. Thank you!

Sincerely, Joan Zacharias, for the Family of SPIN Café



We currently are having a quilt raffle, with the winning ticket to be drawn on December 17 after the 10:30 AM service. Tickets are available during coffee hour or ask a team member.

Welcome to our new members!

On October 29, we welcomed six new members to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. John and Bobbi Miller recently moved to Whidbey Island from Lynnwood, where they were members at Trinty Lutheran. John is retired from work with the federal government and Bobbi is a published mystery writer. Val Friedell has served as a pastor in the Covenant tradition, and has come back to her Lutheran roots in her retirement. Fatima Carvallo is the wife of our beloved custodian Sal, and decided to formalize her membership here. Eddie Buchanan and Chelsea Grail moved to Oak Harbor from Kentucky to pursue employment in the tech industry. They both work in Anacortes, and Chelsea was recently baptized at OHLC. Please warmly welcome these new brothers and sisters in Christ!

Are you interested in joining our mission trip to Uganda this coming January 2018? Talk with a team member!

Joyfully, Skip & Judy Lycksell, Watoto team

Did you know...? Lutherans follow through in disaster relief “After the media leaves, Lutherans stay,” according to an article in the Fall 2017 issue of LifeLines, a publication of the ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response.

Working behind the scenes, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has a reputation for serving communities even when other agencies have packed up. The network includes local partners, social ministry organizations and synods, for which the ministry provides training, consultation, assistance and funding.

LDR is continuing to work with local affiliates in support of victims of 2016’s Hurricane Matthew and Sandy, flooding in Louisiana, and tornadoes and flooding in South Dakota, as well as responding to the devastation caused by 2017’s wildfires and Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Mari. The work will continue for years to come.

For more information, visit www.ELCA.org/disaster. Contributions may be made through Oak Harbor Lutheran Church; please designate your gift Lutheran Disaster Response or LDR.

Baptisms: It’s been a wet fall at OHLC! We rejoice with the following new brothers and sisters in Christ who have received the sacrament of Holy Baptism: Addison Horrobin (Oct. 15) Olivia Maerz (Nov. 5) Chelsea Grail (Nov. 5) Alice Gray (Nov. 19) Grant Goudreau (Nov. 19) We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God, and bearing God’s creative and redeeming word to all the world!

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 Income Outgo

October $ 47,996 39,564 $ 8,432

December 10 8:00 AM

Year to date $ 378,154 371,378 $ 6,777

10:30 AM

6:30 PM

 Date 8:00 AM 10:30 AM Oct. 29 one AM service: 209 Nov. 1 94 105 Nov. 12 72 98 Nov. 19 88 112 Nov. 26 90 108 Average Att. 86 106

Coupeville 23 10 25 13 18 18

Nursery 3 3 1 3 2 2

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

Acolyte: Mackenzie Mathieu Computer: Sheila Ryan Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Acolyte: Micah Burrow Computer: Peter Spencer Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Debbie Wysomierski Piano: Kris Bruland

December 17 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Average Sunday attendance: 215 &

Assisting Minister: Paul Senness Communion Asst.: Gaye Rodriguey Ushers: Margraf family Music: Assisting Minister: Amy Bruce Communion Asst.: Bobbi Miller Music: Harbor Bells, Praise Team Presider: Pastor Jeffrey Spencer Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Jeff Margraf Communion Asst.: Marge Moore Ushers: Ellis family Music: Morning Glory Assisting Minister: Moira Bartrand Communion Asst.: Rita Carter Music: Harbor Choir Presider: Pastor Marc Stroud Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Acolyte: Natalie Stone Computer: Molly Nagel Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Acolyte: John Totten Computer: Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Carol Snoble Piano: Kris Bruland

December 24 

10:30 AM Sun. Sch. Christmas program!

7:00 PM Christmas Eve 10:00 PM Christmas Eve

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 27 John, Apostle and Evangelist 28 The Holy Innocents, martyrs

Assisting Minister: Ron Ernst Communion Assts.: Peg Fosnaugh, Gisela Hawley Music: Youth Choir Communion Asst.: Rita Carter Music: Harbor Bells, Harbor Choir Communion Asst.: Sheila Ryan Music: Harbor Choir

Acolyte: Johannes Christensen Computer: Mary Brock Organ/Piano: Kris Bruland Acolyte: Natalie Stone Computer: Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Acolyte: Wolly Fowkes Computer: Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan

December 25 10:30 AM

 December 3 8:00 AM Healing Prayer: M. Stroud G. Rodriguey

10:30 AM Healing Prayer: M. Stroud J. McCullough

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Sheila Ryan Communion Asst.: Mike Fankhauser Ushers: Fosnaugh family Music: Morning Glory

Acolyte: Anders Spencer Computer:

December 31

Acolyte: Isabel Carr Computer: Donna Aspery

8:00 AM

Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud

Assisting Minister: Bobbi Miller Communion Asst.: Mark Needler

Acolyte: Sadie Harbaugh Computer: Luke Spencer

10:30 AM

Music: Harbor Choir

Organ/Piano:Verna Morgan

6:30 PM

Presider: Pastor Jay Decker Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Assisting Minister: Organ/Piano:

Assisting Min.: Trudy Decker Piano: Kris Bruland

Assisting Minister: Sheila Ryan Communion Asst.: Tracey Tomlin Ushers: Lenita Forster, Joan Flowers Music: Assisting Minister: Keith Yeager Communion Asst.: Sande Mulkey Music: Cynthia & Sharon Presider: Pastor Jay Decker Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Acolyte: Natalie Stone Computer: Mary Brock Organ/Piano: Acolyte: Sadie Harbaugh Computer: Organ/Piano: Assisting Min.: Trudy Decker Piano: Kris Bruland

Little Lutheran bags in December: Peg & Dave Fosnaugh 9

SUNDAY 3

Advent 1 Healing prayer at both morning services Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Youth & Fam. Night 6:00 Cub Scout Leaders 7:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 10 Advent 2 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Sanctuary tree decorating 12:00 Piano Recital 1:30 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 17 Advent 3 Sharing Tree deadline!

Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 24 Advent 4 Christmas program participants 9:15 Worship 10:30 Christmas Eve Worship 7:00 Worship 10:00 31 Worship 8:00 Worship 10:30

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

MONDAY

TUESDAY

4

5 9:00 Blanket Workshop

12:00 Munchy Monday

6:00 Lydia Circle 6:00 Wolves 6:15 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 North Whidbey NA

11 12:00 Munchy Monday

6:00 Wolves 6:00 Lions 7:00 North Whidbey NA 18 Newsletter Deadline

6:00 Wolves 6:00 Lydia Circle 6:15 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 North Whidbey NA 25 Christmas Day Church office closed Worship

10:30

1:30 Living With Loss 5:00 Piano Recital 6:00 Cpvl Book Group 6:00 Arrow of Light 6:00 Bears 6:00 Patrol Leaders 7:00 Boy Scouts

12 9:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 6:00 Lions 6:00 Arrow of Light 6:00 Bears 6:00 Tigers 6:30 Scout Adult Comm.

7:00 Boy Scouts 19 10:00 Rebecca Circle

6:00 Arrow of Light 6:00 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts 26

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

6 9:00 Blanket Workshop 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & bread 1:30 Breastfeeding USA 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Webelos 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & bread 6:30 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7 10:00 Deborah Circle

13 11:30 Book Group 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Webelos 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & bread 6:30 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

20 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & bread 4:30 Harbor Bells 6:00Webelos 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & bread 6:30 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

27 OHLC at SPIN Café

14

3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 SPIN Board 6:00 Knitting Group

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 1:00 AARP Safe Driver class 8 2:00 AARP Safe Driver Class 2:15 Exec. Committee 3:45 Membership Review

15

2 9:00 AM Youth Christmas Vendor Fair to 2:00 PM 9 2:00 IN CONCERT: Harbor Choir, Angeli & Community Band 1:00 Navy Respite Christmas gathering 5:00 Council Christmas party 16

10:00 Deborah Circle

5:30 Stephen Ministry 6:00 Knitting Group 6:00 Pack 4098 7:00 Council

6:00 OHLC Staff Christmas party

21

22

23

29

30

10:00 Deborah Circle 3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Knitting Group 28 OHLC at SPIN Café

NOON – Deadline for year-end offerings to count for 2017 giving 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled, that God the Lord of all the earth sent angel choirs instead; before their light the stars grew dim, and wand’ring hunters heard the hymn: Jesus your king is born! Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria!

Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649), ELW 284

10

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

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M, T, W: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 12:45-3:45 PM Pre-K Readiness Class, Th, F: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Christmas Break: December 18 – January 1