Harbor Beacon, February 2018

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 65, Issue 2

February 2018

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: Candy hearts and crosses of ash, 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 February newsletter inserts:

Pancakes and Saint Paul, pg. 3

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

Welcome, new members! pg. 4

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/february2_2018.pdf

Collecting supplies for Mazatlan kids, pg. 7 OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

Will & Trust seminar, pg. 8

This issue was snail-mailed January 30, 2018

2017 ends well, thanks to your generosity, pg. 9 1

Pastor’s Page: Candy hearts and crosses of ash

tremendously helpful in pushing us to focus on what is most important in life. It reminds us that we can’t, or at least shouldn’t, take anything for granted. In light of this, true love moves beyond the fleeting feelings of the moment to a deeper commitment. True love endures the momentary frustrations inevitable in every human relationship, understanding that time is too short to nurse grudges. True love loves like there is no tomorrow – because there might not be. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

W

On Ash Wednesday we are also called to repentance. We are called out of our self-centeredness to be focused on God and others. We are called to change our selfish and sinful ways, focusing on what we can give instead of what we can get. This provides a powerful corrective to notions of love rooted in self-interest, reframing our relationships as opportunities for serving others in godly ways.

e have an odd juxtaposition of observances this February: St. Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday. On the 14th of February, kids will be exchanging punch-out valentines with goofy puns while romantically inclined adults will be wooing their love interests with more substantial offerings of flowers, cards, and chocolate.

On the same day, Christians around the world will gather to be marked with crosses of ash. This solemn ritual is a reminder of our mortality, a sign of repentance, and the beginning of our observance of Lent.

Hearing that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, will be quite the contrast to the giddy, sugary gestures many will experience at other points throughout the day.

On Ash Wednesday we are marked with the cross. Those crosses of ash put on our foreheads remind us of the most profound love of all – the sacrificial love of Christ. As Christians we strive to embody this love in all our relationships, romantic or otherwise. It bears mentioning that in the quote above from First Corinthians, read so often at weddings, St. Paul is addressing how members of the church are called to live with one another in love.

Those beautiful words are certainly pertinent for husbands and wives, but they are given in order to shape all Christian relationships in the cruciform pattern of Christ’s love. And when we fail to embody this sacrificial love, as we so often do, those crosses of ash remind us that Christ’s love for us covers all our failures. From those ashes comes new life.

When I initially heard that Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day this year, I laughed. I imagined the conundrum people would face as they wondered how to reconcile their big box of chocolate with the call to Lenten fasting from self-indulgence. (Um, do I have to save this ‘til Easter?) Upon further reflection, however, I find the juxtaposition to be both profound and timely.

You see, we live in a time when love is often understood in sugary, empty-calorie ways. Love is widely regarded as a pleasant feeling one experiences. This isn’t altogether untrue, but, by itself, it is a completely self-centered understanding of love, wholly inadequate to describe the kind and caliber of love to which we are called as Christians.

Feelings and emotions are important and should be explored and discussed rather than stifled or ignored, but they can also be as fleeting as a candy heart melting away on your tongue. They come and go. As such, they cannot be the sole basis of a truly loving relationship.

Don’t get me wrong – I like Valentine’s Day. I like romance, and find it to be a fun part of my marriage. On February 14 my wife will get her flowers and card and chocolate. (It’ll be interesting to see what she does with the chocolate.) But Christian love – in marriage and in all our relationships – is so much more than a sugar high of pleasant feelings. It is a cross-shaped commitment to serve as Jesus served, leading to a deeper joy.

Candy hearts taste good, but crosses of ash point us to a love that never ends.

Ash Wednesday teaches us something deeper about love. First of all, we are reminded in the imposition of ashes that we are mortal, that one day we will die. This is a sobering thought, to be sure, but it is also

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer 2

Growing & Learning

Looking towards Lent

Luth Youth explore Alpha

Shrove Tuesday pancake feed set for February 13

ur Luth Youth group (7th-12th graders) will be doing something different on Sunday mornings. They’ll be taking a break from preparing monthly sermon skits for us in order to delve into a series of films exploring Christian faith and life. Shot on locations around the world, this new series covers the big questions of faith in an engaging, contemporary, and global way – perfect for today’s teens.

Parents, encourage your middle school and high school students to attend on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 in the youth room.

Youth, bring a friend to church to watch and discuss these great videos!

Luth Youth will resume their drama ministry in the spring.

Join us for a Shrove Tuesday feast of pancakes and bacon cooked up by our men’s group. We’ll enjoy our feast at 6:00 PM, with fun and fellowship following. You are invited to dress crazily with Mardi Gras-like attire. Traditionally, sugar and fat are eliminated or reduced during the Lenten fast, and so our Christian ancestors would have pancake feasts to use up whatever was in their pantry before Lent began. Whatever you might give up for Lent, this is a fun opportunity to feast before the fast!

O

Ash Wednesday, February 14

W

e mark the beginning of Lent on February 14 with Ash Wednesday services at 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM. Services include the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.

Please note there will be no soup meal following these services.

Luth Youth head to Quake, thanks to you!

We have eleven youth and three adult chaperones attending the Quake youth ministry event at Great Wolf Lodge in Centralia February 16-18. The theme is Overcome, and will focus on “Jesus’ call of hope, help, health, and holiness in a trouble-filled world.”

Our group is able to go with minimal cost to families because of your generous contributions at our Advent suppers, as well as work of Penny Fowkes, Sheila Ryan, and many others in coordinating the vendor fair fundraiser. Thank you so much! Attendees will share their experiences at Quake with the congregation on Sunday, February 25.

Midweek Lenten worship & soup suppers, Feb. 21 – Mar. 21 We continue through the Lenten season with Wednesday gatherings for worship and soup suppers. Services will be held at noon and 6 PM, with soup suppers following immediately. Offerings will go to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Please sign up at the display in the narthex to bring soup and/or bread or help with set up and/or clean up.

Our theme for our Lenten services this year will be:

SAINT PAUL

His Message for Us Today

W.I.T.S. looks at Revelation Whidbey Island Theological Studies (W.I.T.S.) offers Making Sense of the Book of Revelation, Saturday, Feb. 17, 8:45 AM to noon at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 N Alexander St., Coupeville (corner of NW Coveland & N Alexander). Instructor is Dr. Jan Fekkes, currently an instructor of online courses for Fuller Theological Seminary and Northwest University. All interested persons are invited to attend at no charge. For info, call 360-221-8365, e-mail wits@whidbey.com or visit their website, www.whidbeyseminars.org.

Pastor Spencer will lead us through Paul’s letters to the churches, exploring the major themes of each letter and their significance for our lives as Christians today. For our liturgy, we will sing the new 30th anniversary edition of Holden Evening Prayer.

Feb. 21: Galatians Feb. 28: 1&2 Thessalonians Mar. 7: 1&2 Corinthians 3

Mar.14: Romans Mar. 21: The Prison Letters Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians

Marriage Encounter weekend set for April 13-15 A Marriage Encounter weekend is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones—and focus only on each other. If you’d like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you’ll like the difference a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend can make. Join millions of couples worldwide who have learned how to keep their marriage vibrant and alive.

The next Marriage Encounter weekend in western Washington will be held April 13-15 in Renton. Registration is now open! To register, go to www.godlovesmarriage.org.

This will be Pastor Spencer’s and Amy’s first time as presenters at a Marriage Encounter weekend (rescheduled from October), and they would be happy to answer any questions you have about the weekend. Whether you are newlyweds or long-married, every marriage can benefit from a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend! Pass the word around to your married friends!

Photo by Amy Bruce

Servus Dei award presented to Leona McKee At our congregational meeting in January, Leona McKee was presented with OHLC’s annual Servus Dei (Servant of God) award.

Please join us in showing our gratitude for her countless volunteer hours here at OHLC serving on the Altar Guild, Blanket Workshop, and the Library Committee. She also regularly helps refresh the Children’s Activity Bags and oversees the annual collection of items for Lutheran World Relief’s personal care kits. In addition to her servant heart, Leona’s kindness and thoughtfulness are regularly expressed in her care for others here at OHLC. We are blessed to have her!

Synod gatherings scheduled for June

Ithe Northwest Washington Synod is hosting two gatherings in June nstead of a traditional Synod Assembly business meeting, this year

for conversation, learning, worship, and engagement around the theme, Who is My Neighbor? More than a dozen forum topics will range from social media to hospitality to refugee resettlement and beyond. All ELCA Lutherans in Northwest Washington are welcome to attend. The two events will be nearly identical, so choose the date and location that works best for you. (June 2 at Saint Andrew’s, Bellevue or June 9 at Bethlehem, Marysville.) You can read more about the gatherings at http://lutheransnw.org/2018-Synod-Gatherings. Registration opens in March.

OHLC welcomes eight new members On January 14 we welcomed eight new members to OHLC: Mark Kirko is the fire chief at North Whidbey Fire Department. (His wife Jodi joined last year. Thanks for bringing him in, Jodi!). Linda Bishop and her daughter Jody Dausey, formerly from North Dakota, are retired. Hideaki Zakimi and his wife Imelda Garcia run a karate school in Oak Harbor, and joined with their kids Hanai and Yusete. Jan Kingham is a retired elementary teacher who has been worshiping with us for some time, but has recently transferred her membership from Faith Lutheran in Redmond. We delight in the presence of these new brothers and sisters in Christ among us here at OHLC!

OHLC at Safeco Field – Save the date!

We have a block of tickets reserved for an OHLC outing to see the Seattle Mariners take on the Colorado Rockies at 1:10 PM on Saturday, July 7. Tickets will be only $13 each at the group rate. We are also exploring the possibility of getting a bus to transport us down to Safeco Field. We will begin taking reservations for tickets in April. In the meantime, save the date and plan on cheering for the Mariners alongside your friends from church!

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BookMarks

Women

T

Circle meetings in February

of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

opportunities for fellowship, study and service

he Coupeville Book Group will meet Tuesday, February 6 at 7: 00 PM in the home of Gaye Rodriguey, 228 Rhodena Drive, 360-678-3561. Gail Dobbyn will lead the discussion of the book The House of Hope and Fear: Life in a Big City Hospital by Audrey Young, MD. Caroline Kroon will provide the dessert.

2/1, 8, 15, 22

1. Work hard. 2. Be polite. 3. Treat the patient graciously, even if he is not the President of the United States.

These are the house rules at the sprawling, kinetic public hospital in Seattle where Audrey Young worked as an attending physician. The mission is medical care for anyone who needs it.

Harborview Medical Center, named for its commanding view of Puget Sound, fills to capacity most days and nights-----every room, bed, and hallway. A doctor’s life at a big public hospital is a roller coaster of ecstatic accomplishment, and frustration and burnout.

The House of Hope and Fear is the story of one hospital’s inner workings, and an account of how challenging it is to do the right thing while faced with limited resources.

256 pages

2/5& 19

2/20

Deborah Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library, continuing discussion of the book Laugh Your Way to Grace, by Susan Sparks.

Lydia Circle meets at 6:00 PM in the prayer room, continuing study of Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness and What He Wants to Do With You, by John MacArthur.

Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library

Deborah Circle notes: 2/ 1 Chapters 7 & 8, pgs. 73-101, “Burping the Pulpit” and “Breathe, Just Breathe” 2/ 8 January and February birthday celebrations 2/15 Chapters 9 & 10, pgs. 103-126, “Into the Ark” and “A Leo’s Search for God” 2/22 Chapter 11, pgs. 127-137, “The Dash in Between: How We Live and What We Leave”

TFebruary 14, 1:00 PM in the library, to discuss Half Broke Horses he Second Wednesday Book Group meets on (Ash) Wednesday,

Blanket Workshop

by Jeanette Walls:

tired of gloomy, gray skies? Come find some bright colors Getting and warm fellowship at Blanket Workshop! We meet Tuesday &

Jeanette Walls wrote The Glass Castle about her own upbringing and unusual parents. In Half Broke Horses, she blends fact and fiction to craft the tale of her no-nonsense, resourceful grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. Despite a life of hardscrabble drudgery, Smith remains a woman of indomitable spirit, surviving tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and personal tragedy, living a life full of adventure in early 20th century Arizona. Half Broke Horses is Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults, as riveting and dramatic as Isak Dinesen’s Out of Africa or Beryl Markham’s West with the Night. 272 pages

Wednesday, February 6 & 7, to work on tied quilts for Lutheran World Relief. You don’t have to know how to sew to help out For more information, contact Leona McKee, bcmac68@comcast.net, 360-6755712.

2018 Women’s Retreat Plan to attend Living Hope and Freedom in Christ, the 2018 Women’s Retreat, May 18-20 at Quaker Cove, Anacortes. Retreat leaders are Pastor Cara Tanis and OHLC’s own Gaye Rodriguey.

Registration forms will be available in the church office

by Monday, February 12. The registration fee is $105, with scholarships available; forms & fees are due on or before April 30.

Questions? Contact Gaye Rodriguey about the Coupeville group, 360-678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com, and Leona McKee about the 2nd Wednesday group, 360-675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net .

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His Kids Preschool

If YOU were a snowflake floating in the sky, where would you like to land? Here are our students’ answers to that question!

Morning class Elijah: on the ice skating shoes Logan: on the snow Ainsley: on a kid Gabi: on a frozen puddle Joshua: on a snowflake Grayson: on a branch Brenden: in the snow Enelia: on my house David: on a roof Colton: on a tree Cole: on a dog’s back Cesar: on an airplane Graham: on the slide on the playground Victoria: on an ice skating puddle

a ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

P

olar bears, penguins, and cold, oh my! We started off the New Year by learning about the North Pole (polar bears) and the South Pole (penguins).

We also learned that snowflakes have six sides and we even made our own paper snowflakes that are “falling” softly amongst us in the classroom. Paper snowmen are a part of this wintery scene as well.

Afternoon class Sharon: on an ice skating rink Elizabeth: on a tree branch John Michael: on the snow Soraya: on the ice skating rink Mallory: in my house Solomon: on my mom’s house Abigail G: on a ballerina station Collin: on a bush Aaron: on the chimney with Santa on it Abigail H: on the Christmas tree inside mommy’s house Oliver: on my mommy’s and cousin’s house

As the month moved on, we started to learn about our community and all the people around us that are helpers. This included our yearly field trip to the fire department, where we received a great tour of the station by our local firefighters. The Oak Harbor Police Department came knocking at our door, and they shared information about 911 and safety and let us see the lights and hear the siren from the police car out in the parking lot.

Spring cleaning?

Miss Debbie Reetz, our science lady, came to visit towards the end of the month. We spoke about gravity and did a few experiments.

It’s amazing to find out how gravity pulls us down the same amount no matter what size we are. Gravity keeps us all from floating away from our world and keeps us centered.

Clothes for the Cause fundraiser collects textiles and more Oak Harbor Christian School is participating in a Clothes for the Cause fundraiser again this year.

Accepted items: CLOTHING any kind/any condition – usable or stained, torn, burned, etc.; SHOES (in pairs) any kind/any condition; TOWELS - bath, kitchen, rags; SHEETS, BLANKETS, QUILTS, CURTAINS, DRAPERY; THROW PILLOWS, THROW RUGS; PURSES, BELTS synthetic/leather; TABLECLOTHS, PLACEMATS; STUFFED ANIMALS; SUITCASES. ALL ITEMS MUST BE CLEAN AND DRY and tied in garbage bags.

Now that we’re in the 2nd half of the school year, we have started our Star Student program. Take a look at the poster boards on the hallway bulletin board outside our classroom door over these next few months to see our special students. January’s students were: our students have been: (AM class) Victoria, Brenden, Grayson; (PM class) Elizabeth, Aaron, Solomon.

Finally to finish the month, we painted and glittered some doves to remind us that God wants us to love one another and be kind to each other as well. Above all (along with the help of gravity!), God wants to keep us centered and keep us from floating away from his never-ending love.

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

**They cannot take: glass, breakables, electronics, pet beds, bed pillows, carpeting, uniforms, or hotel linens.** Items must be bagged (large garbage bags, please) and brought to the office of Oak Harbor Christian School between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday-Friday, 675 E Whidbey Avenue. Questions? Call OHCS, 360-675-2831. Please do not leave items at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.

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Compassion Ministry

Litter pick-up scheduled for February 10 There will be a roadside litter clean-up on Saturday, February 10 along OHLC’s adopted 2-mile stretch of Highway 20 north of town. Meet at church at 8:30 AM to carpool to the site.

If you plan to participate, please sign up on a bulletin insert Connection Card or contact Jeff Margraf, jeffamargraf@aol.com .

Giving thanks for our Watoto Team’s safe return!

J

oin us in offering thanksgiving to God for the blessings experienced by our Watoto team during their recent medical mission trip to Uganda and for their safe return on January 25!

Dr. Skip Lycksell, Bill Wonner, Sarah Rodriguey, and Cheryl Mensler of OHLC, along with local pharmacist Dave Norton provided medical clinics (for hundreds of patients!) in several villages with Alfred (the medical student we support), read and played soccer with the children, worshiped at the Watoto church, and even found time for some sight-seeing. We’ll have more information available soon!

Joyfully, Judy Lycksell

Heads up for Ministries of the Month!

February’s focus is OHLC’s Worship & Music Ministry. In March, we’ll highlight the ELCA’s World Hunger appeal. Please note the offerings received during this year’s midweek Lenten soup suppers, February 21 through March 21 will go towards ELCA World Hunger.

Help us collect supplies for Mazatlan colonias For the past few years, I have spent the month of March in the city of Mazatlan, Mexico. It is a scenic city on the Pacific Ocean. But as beautiful as the setting is, there are areas of extreme poverty. While I am in Mazatlan, I attend the La Vina Church. One of the mission programs of the church is reaching out to mothers and children in the colonias (neighborhoods). The church provides meals and children’s activities as well as a safe place for the mothers and children to gather.

Update from Peru

O

HLC-supported missionaries Nick & Shannon Kraft have checked in from Go Missions International, Peru, with a link to a 4 ½ minute video highlighting January’s English immersion camp, https://youtu.be/yA-ZZ4WnqxU. Nice to see Shannon’s mom, Vada McGuire, making an appearance on the video!

At this time La Vina is requesting donations of supplies for the children.

Here is a list of the most needed items: Toothpaste Small boxes of crayons(8 crayons) Toothbrushes Kids’ scissors (left and right) New kids’ socks, white, all sizes Small cans of playdoh Your donations may be brought to church until February 18 and placed in the donation barrel labeled “Mazatlan Kids”. The barrel is located in our narthex.

Gracias for your help!

Gaye Rodriguey

Coming up February 2 through March 3, the Krafts will be offering their annual 6-week discipleship course, CORE, for an international group of students. Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

Go Missions International: Sobre Todo Amar y Servir – Above all, Love and Serve .

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Financial matters Will we see you at the Will Seminar?

There will be a Will & Trust Seminar at noon in the church library on Sunday, February 18, hosted by OHLC’s Endowment Committee. Presenter is Brock Stiles, a Lutheran attorney from Sedro-Woolley. Lunch is provided; if you’re planning to attend, please make a note on a bulletin insert Connection Card or contact Bob Wall, bobcwall@gmail.com.

This will make it easier for those who are planning the menu.

Stanwood, WA

Volunteering with heart John

Dear Ones:

A

llow me to introduce you to John, a volunteer at Josephine Caring Community. I recently had a chance to sit down with John and reflect with him on the last year and a half he’d been here as a volunteer. On paper, John is here to help our Activity staff wheel residents from their rooms to the Chapel for worship—but what really impresses me about John is not on paper.

John heard about Josephine from his church, Camano Chapel, but what really draws him to Josephine runs much deeper. John lovingly recalls enjoying times being with his grandfather, who lived with him, and having a chance to “learn so much from him...and hearing things first-hand.” John brings that same spirit to our Josephine residents who he affectionately calls his “friends.” “Our older friends know so much and experienced so much and I just enjoy talking with them,” says John.

One woman, who tries to speak Norwegian to him, even inspires John now to learn one Norwegian word a week so that he could speak with her.

With Sympathy Our hearts go out to those in our church family who have recently suffered the loss of loved ones... ...Lee and Anabelle Christensen and family, following the death of Lee’s daughter, Pam Spellory; ...Mike and Carol Fitzgerald and family, following the death of Mike’s mother, Betty Fitzgerald;

However, it is the way that John values and respects our older friends, many who themselves may not give much hope to life at this point, that I will not soon forget: “I like to look for a little spark, somewhere I can connect with them…look for something that can make them laugh, or they’ll say something that will make me laugh …” John reflected that his interactions cheer him up probably more than it cheers them up. The connection that John is making with his new-found friends calls forth life out of folks that may have been under the impression that they have nothing left to contribute in their old age and in their times of suffering—the resurrection from the cross tells quite a different story.

Thank you, John, for helping Christ tell and embody that counter-cultural story from the depths of the cross—right here at Josephine!

...Dave and Peg Fosnaugh and family, following the death of Dave’s cousin Nancy Fosnaugh Bergman, and Peg’s aunt Ida Mae Boyd.

Peace be to their memory.

♥Included in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures and The Spirit for February. ♥The deadline for articles for the March newsletter is Tuesday, February 20.

Warmly, Chaplain Andy P.S. Inspired to be a volunteer yourself? Contact Kathy, our Activities Director, and enroll to volunteer in Josephine’s ministry. We’d love to have you!

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Worship assistants

Financial Report

February 4 8:00 AM Healing Prayer: M. Stroud, M. Moore 10:30 AM Healing Prayer: M. Stroud, B. Wall 6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Paul Sennes Communion Asst.: Mike Fankhauser Ushers: Margraf family Music: Praise Team

Acolyte: Mackenzie Mathieu Computer: Donna Aspery

Assisting Minister: Rick Culbertson Communion Asst.: Rita Cline Music: Harbor Choir

Acolyte: Sadie Harbaugh Computer: Luke Spencer Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan

Presider: Pastor Marc Stroud Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Assisting Min.: Gisela Hawley Piano: Kris Bruland

10:30 AM

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Tom Piper Communion Asst.: Shanna Lundstrom Ushers: Margraf family Music: Morning Glory Assisting Minister: Mark Needler Communion Asst.: Bob Wall Music: Harbor Choir Presider: Pastor Jeffrey Spencer Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan

10:30 AM

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Jeff Margraf Communion Asst.: Marge Moore Ushers: Ellis family Assisting Minister: Mark Needler Communion Asst.: Gaye Rodriguey Presider: Pastor Jay Decker Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Worship attendance

Acolyte: Isabel Carr Computer: Sheila Ryan

Date 8:00 AM Dec. 31 53 Jan. 7 72 Jan. 14 82 Jan. 21 91 Jan. 28 85 Average Att. 77

Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Acolyte: Micah Burrow Computer: Peter Spencer Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: M. Anderson Piano: Kris Bruland

10:30 AM

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: K. Krotz-Sperry Communion Asst.: Tracey Tomlin Ushers: Lenita Forster, Joan Flowers Music: Morning Glory, Youth Choir Assisting Minister: Mark Needler Communion Asst.: Louis Bartrand Music: Youth Choir, Harbor Choir Presider: Pastor Marc Stroud Cantor: Carol Reafs Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

January 10:30 AM 94 76 107 101 101 98

Coupeville 20 20 24 7 14 17

Nursery 2 2 3 3 5 3

Average Sunday attendance: 195

Acolyte: Natalie Stone Computer: Molly Nagel Organ/Piano: Kris Bruland Acolyte: John Totten Computer: Organ/Piano: Kris Bruland Assisting Min.: Trudy Decker Piano: Kris Bruland

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

February 25 8:00 AM

Year to date $ 463,878 456,735 $ 7,144

Thank you! Because of your faithful giving, we finished 2017 in the black and we were able to make an extra payment on the fire suppression system. Thank you!

February 18 8:00 AM

December $ 46,313 48,336 $ (2,023)

Income Outgo

February 11 8:00 AM

December

Acolyte: Johannes Christensen Computer: Mary Brock Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Acolyte: Anders Spencer Computer: Rick Culbertson Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Carol Snoble Piano: Kris Bruland

February

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

Little Lutheran bags in February: Wendy Wilson This month’s decorative font is Abbeyline.

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.

4 Healing prayer at both morning services Scout Sunday Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Cub Scout Leaders 7:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 11 The Transfiguration of Our Lord Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Quake meeting 12:00

5

6 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 12 12:00 Munchy Monday

6:00 Wolves 7:00 North Whidbey NA

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 18 Lent 1 19 Presidents’ Day Worship 8:00 Church office closed Sunday School 9:15 Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 6:00 Wolves Will Seminar 12:00 6:00 Lydia Circle 6:15 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 North Whidbey NA Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 25 Lent 2 26 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 12:00 Munchy Monday Luth Youth 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 6:00 Wolves Confirmation 5:00 7:00 North Whidbey NA Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

- C.S. Lewis

6:00 CADA Parenting 6:00 Arrow of Light 6:00 Bears 6:00 Patrol Leaders 7:00 Cpvl Book Group 7:00 Boy Scouts 13 Shrove Tuesday 9:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood/St. B 6:00 Pancake Feed 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:00 Lions 6:00 Tigers 6:00 Bears 6:00 Arrow of Light 7:00 Boy Scouts 20 Newsletter Deadline 10:00 Rebecca Circle 5:00 OHHS Robotics 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:00 Arrow of Light 6:00 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts 27 9:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 1:30 Grief Support Group 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:00 Lions 6:00 Tigers 6:00 Bears 6:00 Arrow of Light 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Scout Board/Review

7 9:00 Blanket Workshop 10:30 CADA Support 11:30 OHLC Staff 1:30 Breastfeeding USA 6:00 Webelos 7:00 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 North Whidbey NA 14 Ash Wednesday 10:30 CADA Support 12:00 Worship 1:00 Book Group 6:00 Worship 6:00 Webelos 7:00 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 North Whidbey NA 21 10:30 CADA Support 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & Bread 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 6:00 Webelos 7:00 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Compassion Min. 7:00 North Whidbey NA 28 OHLC at SPIN Café 10:30 CADA Support 12:00 Midweek Worship 12:30 Soup & Bread 1:00 Library Committee 6:00 Webelos 6:00 Midweek Worship 6:30 Soup & Bread 7:00 Harbor Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 North Whidbey NA

10

THURSDAY 1 10:00 Deborah Circle 6:00 SPIN Board 6:00 Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 8

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2

3

9

10

10:00 Deborah Circle

8:30 Roadside litter pick-up

5:00 Stephen Ministry 6:00 Girl Scouts 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Council 15 10:00 Deborah Circle

16

17 12:00 NWNA

3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Pack 4098 Blue & Gold Banquet 6:00 Knitting Group 6:00 Girl Scouts 22 OHLC at SPIN Café

Luth Youth to Quake/Centralia, 16-18

23

10:00 Deborah Circle

24 (Hold for possible 4-H event)

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

Parish Nurse hours: Thursdays 1:00-3:30 PM and by appointment 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 No classes on Feb. 19 Registration begins in March for 2018/19!