Harbor Beacon, January 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 1

January 2017

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

1253 NW 2 Avenue Oak Harbor, WA 98277

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

Preschool Director: Sara Harbaugh

(360) 941-1484

Parish Secretary: Carol Wiskow

(360) 720-2451

Newsletter Editor: Martha Ellis

(360) 678-2264

Custodian: Salvador Carvallo

(360) 675-3957

Church Fax Church Phone

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

IN THIS ISSUE: The keys of law and gospel, pg. 2

Click on these links for the January newsletter inserts: The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures: http://www.elca.org/en/Resources/Prayer-Ventures

Note these January events! pg. 3

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/january_2017_spirit.pdf

A note from the Sabbatical Team, pg. 4 Ice cream, a unicorn, and a robot for Jesus, pg. 6

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

Stephen Ministry – compassionate listening, pg. 7

This issue was snail-mailed December 29,2016

1

Pastor’s page

Both law and gospel are the Word of God. Both are essential. Both have their function. The law reveals God’s will for our lives, guiding us to live in ways that are healthy, holy, and true. The law also reveals our sin to us, showing us where we’ve fallen short so we would understand our need for a savior. The law must be heard and taken to heart. Without it, we fall into antinomianism (lawlessness). Without it, the gospel quickly becomes irrelevant. But the Bible is so much more than a book of rules or guidelines to follow. It is so much more than instructions for a godly life. The Bible is first and foremost the story of God and the salvation he brings to sinners through his grace and mercy, most perfectly exemplified through the sacrificial love of his Son, who died and rose for all. The Bible is ultimately a Good News book! It is an emancipation proclamation for all of humanity, announcing the gift of forgiveness and eternal life God has given to all sinners as a free gift of grace.

Law & Gospel: A Key to Unlocking the Scriptures “The law says, ‘do this,’ and it is never done.

Grace says, ‘believe in this,’ and everything is already done.”

Martin Luther – Heidelberg Disputation (1518)

A

common New Year’s resolution is to spend more time reading the Bible.

REFORMATION 500 A year-long series of Especially popular this time of year are those articles celebrating 500 special edition Bibles laid out with daily years of Lutheran readings to help you read through the entire Christianity Bible in a year. This is a great goal to have as a new year begins, and those special Bibles and reading plans can be helpful (my wife and I used one together a few years ago and enjoyed it very much). But let’s face it: the Bible is a large, complicated, and sometimes confusing book. Martin Luther wanted to get the Bible into the hands of the common people, but he wasn’t naïve about the challenges and complexities of scripture, and so he also provided Bible study helps and aids to guide people into more fruitful, meaningful reading.

Understanding the difference between law and gospel when reading the Bible is indeed the key to unlocking the scriptures to us as the word of life. When you’re reading a passage from scripture, what does it do to you?

Does it tickle your conscience? Does it put ants in your pants? Does it feel like an accusing finger pointing at you? That’s God at work through the law to guide you, to reveal and restrain sin in your life, to expose things you’ve done and left undone. As long as we’re alive, we need to hear the law. But heaven forbid we should stop there! When we turn the Bible into nothing more than a law book, it inevitably leads to two places: pride or despair.

Thankfully, the law is juxtaposed throughout the scriptures with the gospel.

Commands give way to promises. Just as we’re feeling the pinch of the law, just when we’re convicted of our sin, God comes to us with a word of forgiveness, a word that warms our hearts and calms our fears, a word that sets us free.

One guide Luther offered to people in reading the scriptures was the proper distinction between law and gospel. God speaks to us in two distinct ways: through commands (law) and promises (gospel). Understanding the difference between the two, and not confusing them with each other, is vitally important as we read the Bible. My mentor in seminary, Dr. Timothy Lull, called this distinction a key to unlocking the scriptures, a key which opens the Bible up to us as the word of life.

As we read the Bible, we come across passages that convict, motivate, and even condemn us. This is the law, and it has its place. But the law will never save us. As Luther said, the law says “do this,” and it is never completely done for any of us. We all fall short of the glory of God. But as we keep reading God’s Word, we hear God’s promises of forgiveness and new life. We hear of a savior who died for us – while we were still sinners! We hear that salvation is a free gift, received in faith. The gospel comes to us simply saying, “believe this,” and everything is done already.

So what are these two ways God speaks to us? The phrase “the law” is shorthand for any Biblical word which makes a demand on us, anything that tells us what we ought to do or how we ought to live. This includes not only the Ten Commandments, but also many of the words of Jesus and writings of Paul. For instance, “Love your neighbor,” (Matthew 22:39, et al) or “Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27) are words of law, for they describe something we are expected to do. The gospel is completely different. The gospel says nothing about what we are expected to do, but only what God has done for us. The gospel is pure good news. It is always a pure gift, pure grace. A couple good examples of gospel-talk include “This is my body, given for you,” (Luke 22:19, et al) and “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

May you learn the art of making the distinction between law and gospel, and may this key unlock the Bible for you as a word of life in the new year ahead!

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer 2

January events

January 22: Semi-annual meeting and potluck We will convene our semi-annual meeting at 12:00 noon on Sunday, January 22. All voting members of Oak Harbor Lutheran are encouraged to attend as we hear reports, consider our congregational budget for 2017, conduct elections (see below for open open positions), and consider new financial procedures bylaws. A potluck will follow, so plan on bringing a dish to share as we celebrate the beginning of a new year of ministry!

An agenda for the meeting, as well as the proposed new bylaws, will be made available on Sunday, January 15.

January 1: New Year’s Day worship Please note we will be having one morning service, 10:30 AM, on Sunday, January 1. The evening service in Coupeville will also be held. Come celebrate the New Year with us as we worship!

January 6: Evening Epiphany service This year OHLC is holding an evening worship service on Friday, January 6 at 7:00 PM to celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. The sanctuary will be filled with candlelight as we sing, pray, and hear the story of the magi who visited the Christ child. Come experience this powerful conclusion to the Christmas season!

OHLC candidates sought Are you interested in serving God in a new way in the new year ahead? We are seeking candidates for the following positions for election at the January 22nd semi-annual meeting:

January 8: Youth & Family Night – S’more Jesus!

Join us Sunday, January 8 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM for our next Youth and Family Night at OHLC! We’ll gather out back at the fire pit for a bonfire and s’mores, as well as some activities and conversations about how we can have “s’more Jesus” in our lives in 2017. All are welcome!

January 12: Coaches & Council potluck

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Voting Members (3) to the 2017 Northwest Washington Synod Assembly. (Note this year’s assembly will be a ONE DAY event at Salem Lutheran in Mount Vernon on Saturday, May 20.)

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Delegates (2) to Josephine Home, our Lutheran nursing home/care facility in Stanwood

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Delegates (2) to Lutherwood, our camp and retreat center in Bellingham

If you have any questions about these opportunities, don’t hesitate to ask Pastor Spencer. Nominations are currently being accepted via the tan Welcome to Worship slip in your worship bulletin.

All ministry coaches and council members are encouraged to attend our next combined meeting and potluck on Thursday, January 12, beginning at 5:30 PM. Please bring a dish to share. (Council members, please note we will be having our regular meeting following at 7:00.)

January 29: Newcomers class

Flower chart for 2017

Anyone interested in learning more about Lutheran Christianity in general and Oak Harbor Lutheran Church specifically is invited to our next newcomers class on Sunday, January 29. Meets in the library from 12 noon to 2:00 PM; lunch is provided.

The new chart for chancel flowers has been posted in the hallway outside Pastor Spencer’s office door. Sign up to celebrate an event or memorialize a loved one, and Sande Mulkey will contact you for ordering information and the wording you’d like to have printed in the worship bulletin.

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Growing & learning

Staff notes A note from Sabbatical Team member Ron Muzzall:

New adult education series begins January 15

T

he Sabbatical Team from Oak Harbor Lutheran Church will be working over the next six months in preparation for Pastor Spencer’s 2017 sabbatical. The root of the word “sabbatical” comes from the word Sabbath, which of course we recognize as the day of rest and recuperation. A sabbatical is not just an extended vacation but a time for spiritual and personal growth. It is also a time for the congregation to examine their own dependency on ministry leaders and consider expanding the role of lay leaders.

FROM BAPTISM TO THE CROSS: A study in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Chapters 1 through 3, Building a coherent image of Christian identity We invite you to join us for a 6-week winter session adult Bible study, January 15 to February 19, 9:30 AM in the library, led by Pastor Marc Stroud.

This is a careful look at how the Apostle Paul builds up an argument to encourage the Christians of Corinth to drop the infighting and factionalism occurring in the church. Chapters 1 through 3 develop Paul’s theology of the Cross, all the while calling the Corinthian Christians back to their baptismal vows.

On a personal level, I have a certain empathy for clergy. As a livestock producer and a recovering dairy farmer I am responsible every day for the well-being of my flock, herd, or passel. This has been my life, but I realized in 2015 that after 30 years my passion was waning. So in January of 2015 Shelly and I took a month off from the farm. This sabbatical for us was transformative. It didn't make everything perfect upon our return, but it did allow us to renew our passion for the farm business and each other.

Sunday School news: Classes begin after Christmas break Sunday School classes for children and youth begin again on Sunday, January 8 at 9:15 AM. We’ll gather in our classrooms and start getting caught up with those crazy characters in the Whirl curriculum videos. Sunday School Coordinator Angela Stone reminds us our offerings are going towards Help House.

For two months this summer Pastor Spencer will be taking a structured sabbatical. From the middle of June until the middle of August he will be studying, traveling, and blogging back to us about his experiences. During this time we will be learning some independence and possibly more appreciation of his talents.

Shepherds, angels, and (of course!) the singing sheep…

I hope you’re looking forward to this adventure as much as I am!

Thank you to the Sunday School students, teachers, and everyone else who helped with OHLC’s Christmas program presentation, including Luke Spencer & Peter Spencer, who narrated as Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon, to Kris Bruland, accompanist, Steve Ellis & Johannes Christensen, stage crew, Heather Quick, angel wrangler, Angela Stone & Debbie Reetz, herders of shepherds, Peg Fosnaugh & Emilee Stone, keepers of lambs, and Kelly & Mary Brock, who always know what to do with microphones. And thank you to Mary Brock who handcrafted the jazzy angel haloes!

Martha Ellis

Ron Muzzall

The Sabbatical Team includes Georgette Anglum, Dr. Robert Lycksell, Marge Moore, Anita Needler, Ron Muzzall, and David Ridle. Members of the Sabbatical Team will be offering monthly insights into Pastor Spencer’s upcoming sabbatical in the summer of 2017. If you have any questions about the sabbatical, you are welcome to ask Pastor Spencer or any member of the Sabbatical Team.

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Bookmarks

OHLC women opportunities for study, fellowship & service

TTuesday, January 3, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the

Blanket Workshop

he Coupeville Book group will meet on

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to help people in need?

Join the volunteers at OHLC’s Blanket Workshop, making tied quilts for Lutheran World Relief! You don’t have to know how to sew in order to participate; newcomers are always welcome. Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday and Wednesday, the 3rd & 4th, beginning at 9 AM in the fellowship hall. Questions? Contact Leona McKee, 360-675-5712.

home of Trudy Decker’s house, 158 Keystone Avenue. Judy Fantauzzi will lead the discussion of the book Emily, Alone by Stewart O’Nan: Stewart O’ Nan’s intimate novel follows Emily Maxwell, a widow whose grown children have long moved away. She dreams of visits from her grandchildren while mourning the turnover of her quiet Pittsburgh neighborhood, but when her sister-in-law and sole companion, Arlene, faints at their favorite breakfast buffet, Emily’s life changes in unexpected ways.

As she grapples with her new independence, she discovers a hidden strength and realizes that life always offers new possibilities. Once again making the ordinary and overlooked not merely visible but vital to understanding our own lives, O’Nan confirms his position as an American master with Emily, Alone. (Emily Maxwell and her family are also featured in Stewart O’Nan’s book Wish You Were Here) Fiction, 255 pages

Circle meetings in January Women’s Circles meet regularly for study, prayer, and fellowship, along with the occasional service project. Newcomers welcome!

1/5, 12, Deborah Circle meets Thursdays, from 10 AM to noon in the 19, 26 library.

1/16

Lydia Circle meets the 3rd Monday, 6 PM in the prayer room.

February returns to the usual 1st & 3rd Monday schedule.

1/17

Rebecca Circle meets the 3rd Tuesday, 10:00 AM in the library.

Deborah Circle notes: 1/ 5 – January/February Gather magazine, pgs. 30-32, Galatians 1:1-2:2 1/12 – Jan./Feb. Gather magazine, pgs. 32-35, Galatians 2:1-21 1/19 – Jan./Feb. Gather magazine, pgs. 42-44, Galatians 2:19-3:14 1/12 – Jan./Feb. Gather magazine, pgs. 44-46, Galatians 3:15-29

Interested in learning more about the Coupeville Book Group?

(You don’t have to be a Coupeville resident in order to attend!) Contact Gaye Rodriguey, 360-678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com .

Women’s retreat – save the date!

TPM in the church library for a discussion of The Silver Swan by

he Second Wednesday Book Group meets on January 11 at 1:00

Mark your calendar for the Women’s Retreat, April 28-30. All OHLC women are invited to join with the women of St. John’s Lutheran, Bellingham, again this year for a time of relaxation, friendship and spiritual renewal. The theme is Welcoming Gratitude, embracing the wisdom of gratefulness and hospitality.

Where? Quaker Cove Retreat Center, near Anacortes; registration begins in early 2017. Cost is $100 per participant; scholarships available – includes housing, 4 meals, and program. Seeking: ideas for craft and/or service projects.

Questions? Contact Gaye Rodriguey, gaye@tobysuds.com .

Elena Delbanco: A debut novel about a daughter grappling with the legacy of her famous and imposing cellist father, the secrets he has hidden from her, and the fate of the Silver Swan, his great Stradivarius cello.

232 pages; also available in e book and audio e book Questions about the Second Wednesday Book Group? Contact Leona McKee, 360-675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net .

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His kids preschool

Morning class Claude – a Christmas tree Layla – a gingerbread man Cassidy – a candy cane Joshua – my daddy Victoria – a gingerbread cookie Luke M.– a candy cane for him to eat Hunter – a stocking full of presents

a ministry of oak harbor lutheran church

DEarly in the month, the families of our students were invited to a

ecember was an amazing month of preparing, learning and waiting!

Wednesday chapel time as their children received story Bibles gifted to them by the preschool.

Our field trip was a visit to A Knot in Thyme north of Oak Harbor, where we were able to see how they make their holly wreaths and we met their two very large Percheron horses.

We prepared the classroom with decorations of laced stockings shaped like the letter “J” for Jesus. We painted large paper Christmas trees and decorated them with ornaments that remind us of Jesus, such as a candle because Jesus is the light of the world, a wreath to remind us that God’s love is never ending, a red bow to remind us that Jesus was the first Christmas gift, a candy cane because it can look like a good shepherd’s staff or if you turn it upside down, it will make a letter “J” for Jesus. We also made lambs, which reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb of God and we are Christ’s sheep.

We finished the tree with a glittering star on the top, just like the star that guided the Wise Men so long ago. We painted and glittered bells, and made paper doily angels with glittery handprint wings, singing songs about Christ’s birth. The children also learned about Mary and Joseph and how they trusted the angel that God sent to them.

Luke B. – a real candy cane Mikayla – a Christmas tree Max – a garbage truck toy Grayson – a Christmas tree George – a robot toy Brenden – a Christmas tree

January will bring the anticipated Student of the Week program, so start looking for those great posters on the hallway bulletin board, highlighting our children and their families!

God’s Blessings – Ms. Elva, Ms. Michelle, Ms. Sara

Camp lutherwood camp & retreat center, bellingham, wa

Lock-in at Lutherwood January 13, 7:00 PM, to January 14, 9:00 AM Can you stay up the entire night? Join us for our annual all-nighter of fun and food. Colossus pizzas, board games, video games, night games, movies, and more! Open to current middle school and high school students.

Cost is $25 per camper. Sign up at goo.gl/xgc3F9 or via the website, www.camplutherwood.org/calendar/ .

During this busy month of preparation, learning and waiting, we were able to collect hats, gloves and socks for some of those who need them the most. The children brought in 37 pairs of mittens/gloves, 15 hats, and 5 pairs of socks. What a wonderful way to end our month!

Because it’s a time of giving, here’s how our students finished the sentence, “My Christmas gift for Jesus would be…”

Afternoon class Selah – a candy cane Aaron – ice cream Elizabeth – a blanket Kassandra – a gingerbread man

Included in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures and The Spirit for

Tinsley – chocolate Maria – chocolate Reign – a unicorn toy

January. The deadline for articles for the February newsletter is Friday, January 20.

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Compassion

STEPHEN MINISTRY NOTES

Sharing our gifts

Training: Regular weekly classes for Stephen Ministry training will begin in January, using the training manuals distributed last September.

The two-volume set will be all you need to bring to these sessions.

Classes begin Monday, January 9; we’ll meet from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in classroom #4 in the education wing.

Wthroughout the year!

hat a wonderful gift you have been to many people This is always especially evident at Christmas with the Sharing Tree. Nearly 200 tags were taken from the tree and gifts brought back to brighten the lives of many children and families – locally and in the Skagit Valley – as well as some of the seniors living at Josephine in Stanwood.

Thank you to all who took part: those who helped with the tree itself and preparation of the tags, the gift buyers and wrappers, the sorters, labelers, and baggers, and the deliverers! Thanks also to OHLC’s His Kids Preschoolers and families, who collected and donated 15 hats, 37 pairs of gloves and mittens, and 5 pairs of socks. We all enjoyed seeing the pile of gifts grow under the tree each week.

Meeting: Just a reminder that we have our January Stephen Ministry meeting at the regular time on the 2nd Thursday of the month – January 12 at 5:00 PM. This is a time to check in with the group and decompress concerning your work with your care receiver.

Opportunity: Just what is Stephen Ministry?

You may have noticed the poster with the big compass in the narthex at church. That’s the symbol of the national caregiving training program called Stephen Ministry.

Our congregation has been a part of this program for well over 25 years. We continue to train lay members of our church to offer one-on-one, confidential support for those who are struggling with various life issues.

The unique point of view of a Stephen Minister is the offering of care based on a Christian perspective. As Paul says in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.”

Stephen Ministers receive training in time-proven, compassionate, contemporary listening practices. At the same time, Stephen Ministers are there as emotional and spiritual caregivers.

If you are burdened with life issues and feel that you’re in need of a listening and compassionate presence on a regular basis, contact the OHLC office, 360-679-1561, and ask to talk to Pastor Spencer or to me.

Joyfully wishing you a Blessed Christmas season and wonderful New Year, Judy Lycksell

Toy drive begins in January OHLC’s own Reagan Duncan is doing a JoyJar toy drive during the month of January. All toys will be sent to the Jessie Rees Foundation (jessie.org), which gives JoyJars to pediatric cancer patients worldwide.

If you’d like to help, please take a list of approved toys next to the toy collection box, which will be located in the church narthex.

Thanks for all your help. You may follow 6-year-old Reagan’s progress at http://joyjar.shutterfly.com.

Kristin Duncan, Reagan’s mom

MOPS plans fundraiser

Pastor Marc Stroud

The local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group will be collecting clothing and other textiles in February for their 3rd annual Clothes For The Cause fundraiser. The actual collection dates have not yet been announced. This year, donations must be brought to the MOPS collection points and not left at church, since the Bruce daughters are growing up and Amy is no longer a Mother of Preschoolers herself. We’ll get the word out as soon as we receive the pertinent information.

Fair winds benefit fair trade Thank you to Emily Lynn and Fair Trade Winds of Seattle for their donation of $150 to Lutheran World Relief on our behalf, a percentage of the congregation’s great support of our Fair Trade Fair event on Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent!

Carol Wall 7

Go missions international

Companion synod news

nick & shannon kraft, peru

kazan, russia

We received this e-mail on Dec. 23 from Sergei Gundin, our contact at St. Katharina’s Lutheran Church in Kazan:

OHLC-sponsored missionaries Nick and Shannon Kraft checked in via e-mail from Peru on Dec. 19:

Dear brothers and sisters in Oak Harbor!

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. - John 1:14 Feliz Navidad to everyone! We are thanking God for a great Christmas here in Peru. Missing Maddy and TJ though – they will spend time with Shannon’s mom, sister and nephew up in Oak Harbor, WA, so it will be nice for them to be with family.

We are grateful for each of you and praying that the Word is making his home in you and that you are surrounded by his unfailing love.

Be sure to look at the Soccer Camp photos! It was a great success for Alex and his athletes-in-training

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

With great joy we are messaging you about the forthcoming Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! His Star is already lit up and beckons us to come and to worship Him. This year America has elected a new president and many in Russia are hoping for a great improvement in relationships between our countries. Thank God this is not what are the things are like between our congregations! It doesn’t matter for us what president we have because we have our Lord. The blood of His Son makes us united. That’s why we always remember you in our prayers and wish you to flourish always, like your souls are flourishing in Jesus Crist our Lord.

We are sending you photos of our festive service with the Lord’s Supper, the 3rd Sunday in Advent, with Lutherans from the cities of the Volga-Kama-Provostry Ulyanovsk, Nabereshnye Tschelny, Nishnekamsk and Cheboksar, who arrived in Kazan.

We love you all, Nick and Shannon Coming up: Jan. 8-14, English Camp Visit their website for more info! www.gomissionsinternational.com .

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Worship assistants

Financial report

January 1 10:30 AM

Assisting Minister: Gaye Rodriguey Communion Asst.: Kathy Ridle

6:30 PM

Presider: Pastor Marc Stroud Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Acolyte: Carter Blevins Computer: Kelly Brock Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Assisting Min.: Carol Snoble Piano: Kris Bruland

Income Outgo

November $ 31,332 37,687 $ (9,355)

November Year to date $ 392,200 405,934 $ (10,735)

January 8 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Paul Senness Communion Asst.: Gaye Rodriguey Ushers: Margraf family Assisting Minister: Trudy Decker Communion Asst.: Jay Decker Music: Senior Choir Presider: Pastor Jay Decker Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Acolyte: Johannes Christensen Computer: Sheila Ryan Music: Morning Glory Organ/Piano: Kris Bruland Acolyte: Alissa Blevins Computer: Peter Spencer Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Trudy Decker Piano: Kris Bruland

Worship attendance December Date 8:00 AM Dec. 4 59 Dec. 11 77 Dec. 18 76 Dec. 25 no service Average Att. 71

January 15 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:30 PM

Assisting Minister: Jeff Margraf Communion Asst.: Marge Moore Ushers: Ellis family Assisting Minister: Ken Grigsby Communion Asst.: Gisela Hawley Presider: Pastor Jay Decker Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

Acolyte: Natalie Stone Computer: Molly Nagel Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Acolyte: Micah Burrow Computer: Luke Spencer Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Assisting Min.: Piano: Kris Bruland

10:30 AM 102 105 86 64 89

Coupeville 12 23 26 no service

20

Nursery 5 4 3 0 4

Christmas Eve: 4 PM - 164; 7 PM - 138; 10 PM - 61 Average Sunday attendance (not including Christmas Day): 193

January 22 8:00 AM

Assisting Minister: Rita Carter Communion Asst.: Karen Krotz-Sperry Ushers: Lenita Forster, Joan Flowers

10:30 AM

Assisting Minister: Carol Fitzgerald Communion Asst.: Jan McCullough Music: Senior Choir Presider: Pastor Jeffrey Spencer Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

6:30 PM

Acolyte: Isabel Carr Computer: Kathy Ridle Music: Morning Glory Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Acolyte: John Totten Computer: Rick Culbertson Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: M. Anderson Piano: Kris Bruland

Lesser festivals & commemorations January 1 The Name of Jesus 19 Henry, Bishop of Uppsala, 2 Johann Konrad Wilhelm Loehe, martyr, 1156 renewer of the church, 1872 21 Agnes, martyr, 304 6 EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD 25 The Conversion of St. Paul 10 BAPTISM OF OUR LORD Week of Prayer for Christian 15 Martin Luther King, Jr., renewer Unity ends of society, martyr, 1968 26 Timothy, Titus, and Silas, 17 Antony of Egypt, 356, Pachomius, missionaries 343, renewers of the church 27 Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe 18 The Confession of St. Peter witnesses to the faith Week of Prayer for Christian 28 Thomas Aquinas, 1274, teacher Unity begins

January 29 8:00 AM

Assisting Minister: Rick Culbertson Communion Asst.: Mike Fankhauser Ushers:

10:30 AM

Assisting Minister: Craig Pedlar Communion Asst.: Sande Mulkey Music: Senior Choir Presider: Pastor Jeffrey Spencer Communion Asst.: Benjamin Bruland

6:30 PM

Acolyte: Mackenzie Mathieu Computer: Mary Brock Music: Praise Team Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Acolyte: Elias Wiley Computer: Peter Spencer Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Gisela Hawley Piano: Kris Bruland

Little Lutheran bags in January: Dave & Peg Fosnaugh This month’s decorative font is AC1 Star 9

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

3 9:00 Blanket Workshop

4 9:00 Blanket Workshop 11:30 OHLC Staff

5 10:00 Deborah Circle 3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Nar-Anon.

7:00 Arrow of Light

6 The Epiphany of Our Lord

7

13

Church office closed

Healing prayer at the morning service Worship 10:30

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 8 Worship Sunday School Adult Education Worship

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

6:00 Wolves 6:15 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

10

11

6:30 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts

6:00 Tigers 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir

17

18

12 10:00 Deborah Circle 3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Stephen Ministry 5:15 Praise Team 5:30 Coaches & Council Potluck 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Nar-Anon.

7:00 Council 7:00 Arrow of Light 19

11:30 OHLC Staff

1:00 Munchy Monday

10:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard

10:00 Rebecca Circle

11:30 OHLC Staff

10:00 Deborah Circle

6:30 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts

6:00 Tigers 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Nar-Anon.

23

24

25 OHLC at SPIN Café

10:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard

11:30 OHLC Staff

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:00 Wolves

15 Worship Sunday School Adult Education Worship

16 M. L. King Jr. Church office closed

Confirmation 5:00 Lions 6:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 22 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Semi-annual Congregational meeting 12:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 29 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Newcomers Class 12:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

1:30 Breastfeeding USA 6:00 Tigers 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

9

Youth & Family Night 6:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

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

6:00 Patrol Leaders 6:30 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Cpvl. Book Group

7:00 Solutions

6:00 Lydia Circle 6:00 Wolves 6:30 Stephen Min. Tr. 6:15 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Cub Scout Pack Ldrs 7:00 Solutions

6:00 Wolves 6:00 Piano Recital 7:00 Solutions 30

6:00 Wolves 7:00 Solutions

6:30 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts 31

6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Bears 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Scout Board of Rev.

1:30 Book Group

26 OHLC at SPIN Café 10:00 Deborah Circle

3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Tigers 6:00 Knitting Group 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Nar-Anon 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Arrow of Light Faith is better understood as a verb than a noun, as a process than as a possession. It is on-again-off-again rather than once-and-for-all. Faith is not being sure where you’re going, but going anyway.

A journey without maps.

1:30 Keepers of the Faith 7:00 Epiphany Worship

14

1:30 Keepers of the Faith 6:00 Boy Scout lock-in to 7:00 AM Saturday

20 Newsletter Deadline

21

1:30 Keepers of the Faith

12:00-4:00 Pinewood Derby

7:00 Set up for Pinewood Derby

27

28

1:30 Keepers of the Faith

1:00 Library Committee

- Frederick Buechner

10

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

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

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M, T, W: 9:00-11:30 AM 12:30-3:00 PM Pre-K Readiness Th, F: 9:00-11:30 AM No classes Jan. 2 & 16