Harbor Beacon, February 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 2

February 2015

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

1253 NW 2 Avenue

360-678-2264

Oak Harbor, WA 98277

www.oakharborlutheran.org

office@oakharborlutheran.org

Preschool Director: Sara Harbaugh

(360) 941-1484

Parish Secretary: Carol Wiskow

(360) 720-2451

Newsletter Editor: Martha Ellis

(360) 678-2264

Custodian: Salvador Carvallo

(360) 675-3957

Church Fax Church Phone

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

IN THIS ISSUE Singing backup, pg. 2

Click on these links for the February newsletter inserts:

Lent is on the horizon, pg. 3

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

Celebrating our Worship & Music Ministry pg. 4

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/Feb2015Spirit.pdf

3rd annual Date Night, pg. 6

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

Compassion Ministry highlights ELCA advocacy, pg. 9

This issue was snail-mailed January 29, 2015

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Jerusalem (Song of Solomon 1:4b, et al), who enter the song like a recurring Greek chorus, offering their encouragement and support. This is the calling of all Christians – to sing backup for the marriages around us.

Honoring marriage by singing backup Let marriage be held in honor by all.

All marriages need our support, but the military marriages so prevalent in a community such as ours are especially in need of some encouraging voices harmonizing in the background. These marriages bear the stress of frequent moves, long separations during deployments, and distance from family members who might have otherwise served as marriage mentors. Just as the New Testament authors provided marriage instruction and encouragement to the congregations and individuals addressed in their letters, so too are we called to provide opportunities for enriching the marriages around us – especially those bearing the weight of additional stresses.

Hebrews 13:4

get excited about marriage enrichment ministry, so I’m going to have a ball this February. I have a two speaking engagements this month with MOPS [Mothers of Preschoolers] groups in Oak Harbor and Anacortes on the topic of marriage care. We’ll be having our third annual “Date Night at OHLC” marriage enrichment event on Valentine’s Day. We have the fifth of our six-session “Art of Marriage” class in February, which has seen good attendance in recent months.

We’ll also be celebrating the 60th wedding anniversary of Willard and Dottie Krigbaum after the 10:30 service on February 15. Yes, February will be chock-full of opportunities to encourage, support, and celebrate healthy marriages.

In addition to a bevy of well-documented societal benefits, a healthy, loving marriage gives us a glimpse of God’s love. This is precisely the claim St. Paul makes in Ephesians 5:32, where he describes a loving marriage as a reflection of the love Christ has for the church. I think of Willard and Dottie, who have been loving and serving one another for 60 years. They have served the church faithfully together.

They have traveled the world together, including participating together in medical mission trips to Uganda with our Watoto team. They have journeyed together into some dark valleys of personal grief, coming out the other side hand-in-hand. They are utterly committed to one another.

We’ve seen Willard pushing Dottie around in a wheelchair recently as she’s been recovering from some health issues. Willard has been fierce in protecting his beloved, fending off anyone whose well-intended touches would bring his bride pain. This, to me, is a thousand times more romantic than any bodice-ripper novel or cheap Hollywood hook-up. This is what real love, godly love, looks like.

Of course, there is much more to the church’s ministry than marriage enrichment. Single, widowed, and divorced people are just as welcome and worthy in the life of the church as those who are married.

In fact, as Christians we have a special obligation to share God’s love and mercy with those who may be lonely, grieving, or brokenhearted.

Lent is also beginning this month, and in both our Sunday worship and our midweek gatherings we will all find ourselves on the road to the cross, where God’s grace is poured out for all, regardless of marital status.

However, as the passage from Hebrews cited above tells us, marriage is something we are all called to hold in honor. A quick flip through the letters of the New Testament reminds us that marriage instruction and encouragement is a frequent concern for the biblical authors, popping up in 1st Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1st Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, and 1st Peter. Martin Luther wrote two major treatises on the topic. Supporting and encouraging our married brothers and sisters in Christ as they live out their vows is something all Christians are called to do.

The primary symbol for the Christian church is the cross, not a wedding ring. However, there is something profoundly Christ-like in the duet being sung between Willard and Dottie. In their commitment to one another I think we can all see something worth honoring, something worth celebrating, something worth encouraging others to strive for in their own marriages. I’ll sing backup for the song they’re singing any day, and I hope you will too.

I like how pastor and author Ted Cunningham puts it. He is fond of saying that every marriage is a duet in need of backup singers harmonizing in the background. He points to the Song of Solomon as a biblical example of this. As the couple sings to one another, their verses are punctuated with periodic encouragement from the Daughters of

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer 2

Join us for worship on Wednesdays this Lent!

The Gospel of John: A visual study Our study of John’s gospel continues in February, meeting at 9:15 AM in the library/fireside room. Here’s the schedule of readings and topics for our February Bible studies: February 4: February 8: February 15: February 22:

February 18: Ash Wednesday We mark the beginning of Lent on February 18 with Ash Wednesday services at Noon and 7:00 PM. Services include the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. Please note there will be no soup meal following this service.

Ministry of the Month Presentation John 12:1-50 (Bethany, Entry into Jerusalem) John 13:1-20 (Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet) John 13:21-14:14 (Commandments & Promises)

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

February 25 - March 25: Worship & Soup Suppers We continue through the Lenten season with Wednesday gatherings for worship and soup suppers. Services will be held at Noon and 6:00 PM, with soup suppers following immediately. Please sign up at the display in the narthex to bring soup and/or bread.

Art of Marriage series sizzles in February

Holden Evening Prayer will be our liturgy for our midweek services, which will center on the theme:

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! The fifth of our sixpart video series The Art of Marriage is entitled “Love Sizzles,” and discusses important issues of intimacy and affection in marriage. This session will be held on Sunday, February 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Each session stands alone, so it isn’t too late to join us! Is your spouse deployed or otherwise unavailable? It is OK to come solo! Child care is provided. Your marriage is important – join us for The Art of Marriage and make yours a masterpiece! Also, don’t miss our Date Night at OHLC on Valentine’s Day, February 14. (See the related article on page 10.

Faces at the Cross Using classic monologues by J. Barrie Shepherd, OHLC members will dramatize the thoughts and experiences of those who stood at the foot of Jesus’ cross.

February 25: March 4: March 11: March 18: March 25:

Caiaphas, the High Priest Mary Magdalene The Centurion The Penitent Thief Mary, Mother of our Lord

These powerful monologues provide profound and surprisingly uplifting insights into the meaning of the cross, and are sure to stir and deepen our faith this Lenten season.

FEB. 5: COUNCIL & COACHES POTLUCK MEETING Council members and coaches, please note our quarterly potluck meeting will be held on Thursday, February 5 beginning at 5:30 PM. Plan on bringing a dish to share, along with your plans and prayers for OHLC in the months ahead.

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Notes from our Director of Music: February is Worship and Music Month. Hooray!!!

We would love to see people join us to sing, play handbells and/or play other instruments Please don’t be shy; step forward and let us hear from you.

Our choirs would love to grow. We have Morning Glory at the 8 AM service, Senior Choir at the 10:30, and Praise Team and Children’s Choir sing various times at both services. Do you feel that you can’t sing, can’t carry a tune, but would still love to participate? Then Harbor Bells, our handbell choir, is for you! We can help you read the music, and it’s surely a blessing to bring music in all these forms to our worship.

Consider participating in other ways, too, such as ushers or altar guild. It’s amazing how little energy it takes when lots of people work together – and it’s fun, too! Don’t hang back. Step forward into our congregation’s worship and music ministry and take an active part.

If you play an instrument, I would love to know that. We often need some accompaniment for the choirs, and I’d like to put together a group to play special music. Please let me know how I can help get you involved. Come be a voice for Christ.

Verna Morgan, Director of Music

February’s focus is OHLC’s Worship & Music Team! ew people realize how much it takes to conduct worship services “in good order” (as St. Paul encourages in 1st Corinthians 14:40).

Much is done behind the scenes and at the margins of our worship to make for smoothlyrunning services which enable people to enter into God’s presence with minimal distractions. We have the altar guild which sets the table for us and, as one member of the altar guild puts it, “takes care of Jesus’ dishes.” We have communion bread bakers who regularly supply us with bread for Holy Communion. We have ushers who direct people to the proper places at the proper times. And of course we have musicians.

Where would we be without them? Good church musicians not only have musical skills, but also good liturgical sensibilities and the ability to lead others in congregational song. We are blessed with a deep bench of great church musicians at OHLC. Our Ministry of the Month is our Worship and Music Team. We intend to celebrate their work this month, expressing our gratitude for all the behind-the-scenes work they do. We also intend to add to their ranks as we invite others to consider how they might help in this important work. Watch the Opportunity Form throughout February as we look for new people to provide special music, or serve as ushers or assisting ministers, or make communion bread, or help to wash Jesus’ dishes.

Actions & elections Our semi-annual meeting was held at 9:15 on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Actions included an affirmative vote to update our constitution to bring it into conformity with the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations.

We heard a report from the audit committee and adopted a budget for 2015. Elections were also held. Steve and Christy Marx were reelected to serve as our representatives to Lutherwood. Marc Stroud and Carol Reafs were elected as representatives to Josephine Home in Stanwood.

Mary Brock was elected as a voting member of the NW Washington Synod Assembly in Lynnwood on May 15-16. (As there were no other nominations, the church council will seek to appoint the remaining allotted voting members.) We also heard a report from the Forestry Management Team, which explained the need to remove several listing alder trees on the south end of our property. The Endowment Committee report detailed our 2015 distributions. Thanks to all for participating in our January semi-annual meeting. Copies of the financial reports requested at the meeting are available on the welcome desk in the narthex.

Worship is central to who we are as Christians. It is the hub of everything we do at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. This February, we give thanks for all who make our worship life so vibrant, well-planned, and consistently life-giving. I also hope you will prayerfully consider the opportunities we will put before you this month to contribute to this team effort as we worship God together.

On Sunday, February 1, I’ll be giving a presentation as part of the Worship and Music Team’s Ministry of the Month. It is called Shaped by the Word: The Biblical Roots of the Liturgy. Come join us in the library/fireside room at 9:15 AM. Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer 4

Brotherhood of Saint Bernard e will have our regular lunch meetings on Tuesday, February10 & 24, from noon to 1:30 in the Herrigstad fellowship hall. It has occurred to some of the faithful that for whatever reason we’re being overlooked by many as a viable group to not only dine with, but share our faith stories, prayer concerns and study the Scriptures. One of the initial goals of forming this group was to have a time to dig into the Scriptures together for questions, answers, and insights, and even gather some “gems” from our Bible scholars. With that in mind, we encourage you to take some time to pray about why you should, could, or would attend (or not) our lunch/meetings.

Lutheran Men in Mission uring 2015 OHLC is looking at more ways that it can become involved with the Spin Café. This includes an Endowment Fund contribution and Spin being selected as an upcoming Ministry of the Month. The Lutheran Men in Mission group is exploring further hands-on involvement and wants to open up their February 7th meeting to everyone (Lutheran women, too!) who might be interested in finding out more about this local organization. Join us for breakfast at 8 AM at the Spin Café, 658 SE Bayshore (behind the Island Transit building).

Tom Piper has often ended invitations and announcements with the simple phrase: “Come and see.” Why? It comes from the encouragement of Phillip to Nathaniel just after Nathaniel’s outburst, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Philip’s response is, “Come and see.” Now look at the next verse... when Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him, ‘here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.’ WOW!

Spin Café is an IRC 501(c)(3) allvolunteer, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to Serving People In Need (SPIN) in the North Whidbey Island/Oak Harbor area. The Spin Café currently provides free homemade, nutritious meals in a sit-down restaurant-type atmosphere on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:00 and 6:00 PM (they’re looking to expand meal service). They’re also open on Saturdays, 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM, where individuals can come to relax, access resource information, get relief from inclement weather, and connect with others. Spin not only serves homeless adults/teens/families and seniors on fixed incomes but also anyone who needs a meal. There are families in the area with at least one working adult that find it hard to make ends meet and Spin is there providing nutritious meals, resource information and hygiene supplies (soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, and other toiletries). Spin Café serves everyone. During the summer months, Spin partners with Food Lifeline for a summer meal program providing healthy lunches and snacks Monday through Saturday to preschool and school age children. Spin is also working with the Midway High School Transition Program providing vocational training and work experience for students. Spin is much more than a soup kitchen. The Spin Café is providing much needed support, help, and a sense of community within our greater Oak Harbor area.

So, come and see!

The Old Dogs & Young Pups of the Brotherhood of St. Bernard

t’s really happening this time: The Will & Estate Planning Seminar will be held Sunday, February 8, beginning at 12:00 noon in the library/fireside room. A light lunch will be provided; to help us prepare, please make a note on your opportunity form on Sunday, Feb. 1, if you plan to attend.

Our presenter is Brian L. Stiles, an attorney in private practice in Sedro-Woolley. He received his undergraduate degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1978 and his law degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1981. His practice focuses on personal injury, worker’s compensation and estate planning. He is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Bob Wall

Our thanks to OHLC’s Karola Cornelius for providing this information for the newsletter. Join us for breakfast on Feb. 7 to find out more about the Spin Café, their long term goals, and volunteer opportunities.

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CALLING ALL MARRIED COUPLES: Join us for our THIRD

ANNUAL

Greetings from your Table Fellowship Team!

Date Night @ OHLC! on Valentine’s

With the season of Lent almost upon us, we’re making plans for our congregation’s traditional series of soup and bread meals after the midweek worship services. Sign-up sheets will be available soon in the narthex; it really helps us to know how much will be provided, so please be sure to sign up if you’ll be bringing bread or a pot of soup. Remember, it’s Lent – no desserts, please! We can also use some help before and/or afterwards with set-up, serving, and clean-up.

We’ll be gathering twice a week during Lent – for Sunday worship as well as midweek services at noon and 6:00 PM. Why not take advantage of the wonderful opportunity of midweek services (there’s more information on page 5 of this newsletter) to invite your friends and neighbors?

The Table Fellowship Team

Day

Saturday, February 14, 6:00-8:00 PM This year we are changing up our program.

We’ll begin by gathering in the sanctuary to watch a session from the renowned marriage enrichment seminar:

“Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” This program by Pastor Mark Gungor is informative, rooted in scripture, and very, very funny.

It will be an evening of laughing, learning, and lovin’!

A few words about Sunday morning coffee hour For coffee hour during the Lenten season, the Table Fellowship team will only be arranging to make and serve coffee and tea for our fellowship time on Sunday mornings. People are still welcome to sign up to bring snacks, especially if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or the like. However, those who sign up will be responsible for cleaning up all food-related garbage and/or dishes. You can sign up on the whiteboard outside the kitchen.

Please note that instead of a potluck dinner this year, we are going to have a

catered dessert after the video.

THIS EVENT IS FREE. CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED.

Thanks to our Table Fellowship team, who will still be plenty busy this Lent with our Lenten soup suppers. Thanks to those who will choose to bring goodies. Thanks to everyone else for your patience if we should have a Sunday or two this Lent without snacks!

Invite your married friends to this fun evening!

Coffee Sponsors needed: We’ve made a commitment to use Fair Trade coffee for our Sunday morning fellowship time and other events. The generous support of our Coffee Sponsors ensures good coffee for a good cause. If you can make an occasional gift of $25, we invite you to sign up on the narthex bulletin board, then remember to put your contribution in the offering plate and designate it “Coffee Sponsor.” Thank you!

RSVPs REQUIRED BY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 RSVP via the Opportunity Form, or by e-mailing Pastor Spencer at pastor@oakharborlutheran.org

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Danica: in the ocean Joshua: on a helicopter Graham: in a frozen big puddle

A ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

Afternoon Class Nicolas: on the ground Lazlo: in snow Emma: on a mountain with snow Jeremih: on the ice Breann: at the North Pole Torrey: in the snow Codey: on my really high roof Gabriel: in Florida Amarina: on a tree Hudson: at the North Pole Dominic: in the snow Daulton: on the tree Jack: at the North Pole at Santa’s house

ew Year’s blessings from the children of His Kids Pre-school!

The children welcomed the new year by decorating a star to remind us of the one that the Wise Men followed so long ago to the Christ Child. We continued the month learning about the winter season, snow and the animals of the North and South Poles. The kids creatively made seals, polar bears, penguins, snow people, and a flurry of snowflakes for the classroom. We finished up the month learning about our community helpers: from fire fighters, police officers, to dentists and doctors and many others who help our neighborhood.

May the peace of the Lord land upon you and may it let your inner star shine!

Miss Sara, Miss Elva, Miss Michelle

During January and continuing into February, we have been having special classroom visits with some of those community helpers.

Officer Peabody from the OHPD stopped in and shared with the children about personal safety (and to let us take a look inside his patrol car!) and soon the Fire Department will be rolling by to discuss fire safety and have us take a tour of one their fire trucks out in the church parking lot.

THIS JUST IN: OHLC’s Amy Bruce, co-coordinator of the local Mothers of Preschool (MOPS) group, sends word they’re doing a February fundraiser project through an organization called Clothes For The Cause. All household textiles in ANY condition (including clothing, bedding, drapes, throw pillows, towels, and much more, usable or not) will be accepted, sorted, and passed along to local thrift stores or recycled. CFTC recycles anything in poor condition into insulation or wiping rags or breaks it down into reclaimed fiber. For more information, check your bulletin announcement pages on the Sundays in February!

In January, we started the Star Student program.

For this second half of the school year, each student will get a chance to shine for a week by bringing a poster about themselves and their families to share with the class and with you as well. Be sure to take a look at these wonderful posters on the bulletin boards outside the classroom! During their special week, the child has the opportunity to bring a snack to share with their fellow classmates, sit on the star square at circle time, and be a line leader as well as many other fun things. The Star Students for the month of January were Joshua Robertson, Graham Rueter, and Anika Nienhuis in the morning class, with Breann Johnson, Gabriel Charnas, and Jeremih Crusoe in the afternoon class. Look for the continuation of Star students in the coming months.

Our hearts go out to those who have recently suffered the loss of loved ones… …to Tom Piper and family following the January 25th death of his dear wife, Ellie. The Pipers joined our congregation 6 years ago; Ellie will be remembered as a gentle soul who was much loved. Her memorial service will be held at OHLC on Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 PM. …to Ruth Culbertson and family, following the death of her father, the Reverend Paul Jordan in Bellingham. …to Peggy Koch and family, following the death of her sister, Wendy LeBlanc in California.

The question of the month for our preschoolers was: If you were a snowflake, where would you land? Here are their imaginative answers!

Morning Class: Raelee: on the ice Andrew T.: in a puddle Lillian: on ice Arin: on the tree William: on the roof

Anika: on the roof Lucy: on a tree Winter: on snow

Willow: at the park Reagan: in the water Andrew L.: on a bird Evelyn: on a plant Chloe: on a car 7

Opportunities for fellowship, study and service

Coupeville Book Group

Blanket Workshop

The Coupeville Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00 PM in Gaye Rodriguey’s home, 228 Rhodena Drive, Coupeville. The book is And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini; discussion will be led by Jan Heideger.

Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 3 & 4, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to work on quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Extra hands are always appreciated, and you don’t have to know how to sew – why not drop by and see what we’re doing and how you might be able to help?

“So, then. You want a story and I will tell you one. But just the one...”

It begins in 1952. Ten-year-old Abdullah and his younger sister, Pari, are everything to each other. What happens to them, at the despairing hand of their father, will test the unshakable bonds of family and irrevocably change not just their own lives, but those of multiple generations.

In this tale revolving around just not parents and children but brothers, sisters, cousins and caretakers, Khaled Hosseini explores the many ways in which family nurture, wound, betray, honor and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe – from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek Island of Tinos – the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

Fiction, 421 pages

Circles Women’s circles meet regularly for Bible study, fellowship, and service projects. Questions? Contact the church office, 679-1561.

2/2 & 16 2/5, 12, 26 2/17

Lydia Circle meets at 6:30 PM in the education wing Deborah Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library

Deborah Circle notes: We’ll be finishing our discussion of the book Convictions by Marcus Borg and beginning a new study series from the Gather magazine, entitled “Transforming Life and Faith.” (Materials are printed in the September through February issues, so start looking for them now! Remember, Gaye told us to hold on to them…)

Feb. 5: Chapter 10, Christians Are Called to Peace and Nonviolence Feb. 12: Chapter 11, To Love God is to Love Like God Feb. 19: Possible trip to Olympia to attend the Interfaith Advocacy Day – check with Trudy Decker for more information, 360678-2007 Feb. 26: September Gather magazine, Session 1, “Transformation and Conversion,” pages 30-35 Any questions? Contact Gaye Rodriguey 360-678-3561.

For more information about this group, contact Gaye Rodriguey, 678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com

Second Wednesday Book Group The Second Wednesday Book Group meets Wednesday, February 11, at 1:00 PM in the church library for a discussion of Descendants, by Kaui Hart Hemmings: Set against the lush, panoramic backdrop of Hawaii, Descendants tells the story of an unconventional family forced to come together and recreate its own legacy. After his wife Joanie dies and leaves him with two out-of-control daughters to raise, Matt must examine what he owes not only to the dead but what he owes to the living.

Fiction, 283 pages

Heart & Hand Our handwork group, Heart & Hand, meets at 9:30 AM in the comfortable chairs of the prayer room on Friday, Feb. 20.

Bring your own handwork project, work on baptismal banners, or help make infant sweaters and hats for baby care kits for Lutheran World Relief. Donations of yarn are always welcome!

For more information about this group, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net .

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Peru, last month. Going in to the conference, the U.N. hoped to create a global treaty to help limit global warming to 3.6 degrees F above preindustrial times – a necessary limit which would prevent further disasters and high humanitarian costs. An official treaty will be decided in 2015 in Paris, but due to the involvement of various lobbies, the plans in Lima were far from reaching the 3.6-degree goal. Minette reports that the most challenging concern facing world leaders is how much developing countries will be expected to invest in cutting their emissions.

Additional international funding will likely be needed for these countries.

Roadside litter pick-up: Thank you to Dean, Evan, Margaret, Kathryn, and Colleen, for their help on Saturday, January 10. Ten bags of trash were collected along OHLC’s adopted 2-mile stretch of Highway 20 north of Oak Harbor. Mark your calendar – our next pick-up will be April 11!

Pat Dallen, coordinator

Lutheran response to police violence issues Last month, Lutherans helped take action on police violence by encouraging the Senate to pass the Death in Custody Reporting Act. The successfully passed act will require law enforcement agencies to report all deaths of people held in police custody to the Department of Justice, serving to improve transparency and local accountability.

Stephen Ministry notes: We will not be having our regular monthly meeting in February. Our meeting the following month will be shifted to 4:00 PM Wednesday, March 11 (rather than the usual day and time). At the March meeting, Pastor Stroud will be presenting some tips on techniques of Active Listening.

Lutheran State Advocacy Offices set policy agendas and begin important initiatives throughout the country As we begin the year, our fellow advocates in Lutheran state public policy offices have already begun working toward positive policy changes as states begin (or continue) their legislative sessions. Find out all about the vast and incredibly important work of Lutheran advocates by reading updates from the ELCA Advocacy Blog!

Watoto update: Thank you from the Watoto Team for your support as we were highlighted as January’s Mission of the Month, and for your prayers on behalf of those participating in this year’s medical mission trip to Uganda. Our travelers are due back at the end of January, and we’ll have a report soon on their adventures.

Judy Lycksell

Carol Wall

ELCA Advocacy is on the Compassion Ministry Agenda ne of the Compassion Team goals is to keep you informed on ELCA Advocacy and offer you the opportunity to participate should you so choose. You can get more details at http://www.elca.org/ ; click on the Our Work tab, which gives a dropdown menu that includes Publicly Engaged Church, which yields Advocacy.

We continue to pray for our elected officials and all who govern this nation and the team is working to build connections with new members of Congress.

Thank you to the congregation of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church for your prayer support and expressions of loving concern during my recuperation following back surgery. I’ve been especially thankful for your amazing patience as I’ve eased back into the full-time job at my desk in the secretary’s office.

Conclusion of UN Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru Mary Minette, ELCA Advocacy’s director of environmental policy, returned from the U.N. Conference on Climate Change in Lima,

In Christ, Carol Wiskow, parish secretary 9

I’m happy to tender you thanks for your [OHLC’s] gift from our Pastor David Horn and his wife Valentina and from all our congregation.

Today they moved to the repaired flat in our church building and started to use a new fridge, an electric oven, and a washing machine.

News from Russia Ken received a recent e-mail from Philipp Zanko, who has been our English-speaking contact at our sister congregation in Kazan. Philipp and his family will soon be moving to Belarus and these excerpts from his letter gives us some insight into his background.

I’ve found a man in our church who has agreed to be a person responsible for contacts with you and the OHLC. His name is Sergey Gundin. He is a real believer, all his family (wife and two daughters) visit our church regularly. It’s important. He is a worker (crane operator). His English is limited, but his elder daughter Olesia studies English in the Kazan university and she will be a translator. Sergey will communicate with David Horn, Ludmila Pankratova, and the church council. I hope this scheme will work. In any case I will be near (in Internet) and ready to help. I’m going to ask Olesia to translate your Christmas celebration letter and to check her translation from Russian into English.

God bless you!

All the best, Phil

I believe that my move to Belarus is not an accident. My grandfather – also Philipp Zanko – was born in a small Belorussian village, Zanki. In 1920 he went to war with Poland as a Red Army soldier (his mother probably was from Poland). Then he fought against insurgent Russian peasants in the Tambov region. Probably you know that Red general Tuhachevskiy (he was killed by Stalin in 1937) poured them with a toxic gas. It was one of the most tragic episodes of our civil war. After that my grandfather became a commissar in the Red army. My father was born in 1934. In his birth certificate my grandfather recorded himself as a Russian though he was a Belorussian and spoke Belorussian.

Then he took part in the war against Finland and probably in the “liberation” of the western Belarus. He was killed by Germans in February, 1944 near Leningrad. As far as I know he was not a coward and really fought together with his soldiers. He was seriously wounded near Rzhev and had a chance to go to the hinterland till the end of the war, but refused and returned to the front to find his end there.

Nick and Shannon Kraft, OHLC-supported missionaries with Go Missions, sent an update on this year’s CORE international discipleship training school, which runs from mid-January through mid-March.

Twelve students from Peru, Bolivia, and the U.S. have arrived for what Shannon describes as “8 EXTREME weeks.”

Please note these particular prayer concerns for the students: Karri - pray for God's call on her life as she makes decisions to step out of chaos.

Isa - as she chooses to take a new path of obedience.

Erika - as she comes to learn what it means to walk the walk of Christ.

Jonaton - as he makes a firm base for his faith Neysser - as he allows God into the secret places of his heart for healing.

Freddy - who said “I know what love is and I’m ready to share that with someone” Pri - as she begins to finish what she starts and make adult decisions.

Delia- as she chooses Christ over a worldly relationship.

Alex - taking the next steps into service.

Brahyam - drawing a firm line between himself and the things of this world.

July & Isaac - asking for a clear calling; establishing their family on a new culture in Christ.

So, the story of the Soviet Russia is my personal – my family – story. I feel some sort of a mystic connection with my grandfather. I hate all the bloody crimes committed by Communists in Russia but it was my grandfather who did some of them. Sometimes I think that he had realized that his choice was wrong but it was too late. Today he is dead and can change nothing. But I’m still alive and I believe in Christ.

I can return to Belarus, learn Belarusian, and preach Gospel there. For me it’s a small but real act of repentance.

My son is very enthusiastic about the idea of moving to Belarus.

He wants to finish his school studies and to enter a university there. He will definitely have better perspectives in Belarus than in Russia. My wife is skeptical about all these plans but she allows us to realize them (without enthusiasm). The first years I plan to spend in Bobruisk (southeastern Belarus, two hours from Minsk). My father lived in this city before WWII. In Bobruisk I have a place to live and Christian friends.

There is a Lutheran church there (a conservative one). Minsk is a very expensive city.

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Worship Assistants 2/ 1

2/ 8

2/15

2/22

8:00 10:30 6:30 8:00 10:30 6:30 8:00 10:30 6:30 8:00 10:30 6:30

Asst. Ministers Sheila Ryan Penny Fowkes Trudy Decker Paul Senness M. Hallen/P. Fowkes Debbie Wysomierski Ken Grigsby Rita Carter Carol Snoble Sheila Ryan M. Hallen/P. Fowkes Gisela Hawley

Financial Report: Acolytes Sam Higgins Peter Spencer Benjamin Bruland Natalie Stone Elias Wiley Benjamin Bruland Johannes Christensen Wolly Fowkes Benjamin Bruland Sam Loustaunau Isaiah Wiley Benjamin Bruland

Music Praise Team Senior Choir Cantor: Carol Reafs Morning Glory Senior Choir Cantor: Carol Reafs

Assistants

2/ 1 8:00 AM Higgins family

Communion: Kathy Ridle Computer: Donna Aspery Communion: John Fowkes Computer: Rita Carter

10:30 AM J. Wilcox, P. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud 2/15 8:00 AM Ellis family 10:30 AM 6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud 2/22 8:00 AM J. Flowers, L. Forster 10:30 AM R. Wood, M. McNae,

December Year to date 480,373 477,207 $ 3,166

Worship Attendance:

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

Ushers 10:30 AM J. Wilcox, P. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jay Decker 2/ 8 8:00 AM Higgins family

Income Outgo

December $ 42,274 37,043 5,231

January

Date 8:00 AM 10:30 AM Cpvl.

Jan. 4 66 104 17 Jan. 11 66 104 17 Jan. 18 95 100 19 Jan. 25 63 116 22 Average Att. 73 106 19 Average Sunday attendance: 199

Nursery 1 0 2 3 1

Little Lutheran Bags in February: Peg Fosnaugh This month’s featured decorative fonts are

Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Lisa Margraf Communion: Jan McCullough Computer: Michelle Tull

and

Communion: Marge Moore Computer: Molly Nagel Communion: Trudy Decker Computer: Sheila Ryan

Ferdinand

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations 2 The Presentation of our Lord 3 Ansgar, Archbishop of Hamburg, missionary to Denmark & Sweden, 865 5 The Martyrs of Japan, 1597 14 Cyril, monk, 869; Methodius, bishop 855; missionaries to the Slavs

Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Kathy Ridle Communion: John Fowkes Computer: Rick Culbertson

6:30 PM: Presider, Jeff Spencer

February 18 Martin Luther, renewer of the Church, 1546 23 Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, 156 25 Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess, 1921

Journeys of Paul in Turkey & Greece, October 12-23, 2015, with Pastor Jim Hillbrick, a trip being organized by local travel consultant Shirley LeBlanc. Includes stops in Cappadocia, Antioch of Pisidia, Colossae, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Pergamum, Thyatira, Ephesus. There’s a brochure posted on the narthex bulletin board, or contact Shirley, 360-675-2099, s.a.l.travel@comcast.net .

µIncluded in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures and The Spirit for February.

µThe deadline for articles for the March newsletter is Thursday, February 19. (Remember, February’s a short month!)

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 Healing prayer at both morning services Worship 8:00 Forum: Music Min. 9:15 Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:30

2

3 9:00 Blanket Workshop

4 9:00 Blanket Workshop 11:30 OHLC Staff

6

7 8:00 Lutheran Men in Mission breakfast -Meet at Spin Café

5:00 Wolves 6:30 Lydia Circle 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

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

5:30 Harbor Bells

9

11

1:00 Munchy Monday 1:45 MMM Relay/Life 5:00 Wolves

10:30 Stamping Group

11 11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Book Group

5:30 Harbor Bells 7:00 Worship 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

5 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Praise Team 5:30 Council/Coaches 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 Webelos 2 6:30 Tigers 6:30 Bears 12 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Praise Team 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 Webelos 2 6:30 Tigers 6:30 Bears 19 Newsletter Deadline 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Praise Team 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 Blue & Gold Banquet

25 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 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

26 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Praise Team 5:30 Jr. Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 Webelos 2 6:30 Tigers 6:30 Bears

27

Worship Brass 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 8 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:30 Will & Estate Plan 12:00 Worship Brass 4:00 Jr. High Luth Youth 6:30 The Art of Marriage 6:30 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 15 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:30 NWWA Team Russia 12:30 Worship Brass 4:00 Conf. family potluck 5:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 22 Lent 1 Worship Sunday School Worship Worship Brass

1:00 Munchy Monday

7:00 Vanishing Friends 7:00 Solutions

12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 7:00 Webelos 1 7:00 Boy Scouts

5:30 Harbor Bells 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

16 Presidents Day Church office closed

17 10:00 Rebecca Circle

18 ASH WEDNESDAY

6:30 Lydia Circle 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Cub Scout Leaders 7:00 Solutions 23

8:00 9:15 10:30 4:00

7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

1:00 Munchy Monday 1:45 MMM Relay/Life 5:00 Wolves

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 7:00 Solutions

4:00 OHHS Robotics 6:00 CADA Parenting 7:00 Scout Adult Comm.

7:00 Boy Scouts

24 10:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Island Movie Prod.

7:00 Webelos 1 7:00 Scout Board of Rev. 7:00 Boy Scouts

10:30 OHLC Staff 12:00 Worship

7:00 WSMTA Concert

13

6:00

Date Night at OHLC

20

21

9:30 Heart & Hand

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M,T, W, 9:00-11:30 AM M, T, W, 12:30-3:00 PM No classes on Presidents Day, Feb. 16

12

14

28 9:00 WSMTA Musicianship exams

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