Harbor Beacon November 2012

The light shines in the darkness… John 1:5

OHLC Staff

Home Phone

Pastor: Jeffrey Spencer

279-0413

Pastor of Care Ministries Marc Stroud

678-5994

Youth Ministry Coordinator: Stephany Vogel 679-1561

Volume 59, Issue 11

November 2012

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

1253 NW 2 Avenue

(360) 679-1561

Oak Harbor, WA 98277 www.oakharborlutheran.org office@oakharborlutheran.org

Every member in mission: Home  Community  World

Preschool Director: Gaye Rodriguey

678-3561

Parish Secretary: Carol Wiskow

720-2451

Newsletter Editor: Martha Ellis

678-2264

Custodian: Salvador Carvallo

675-3957

Church Fax Church Phone

679-9795 679-1561

IN THIS ISSUE:

Click on these links for the November newsletter inserts:

Discipleship as community and to the community, pg. 2

The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures: www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Prayer-Center/Prayer-Ventures-2.aspx

Welcome to the new website! pg. 3

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/Spirit201211.pdf

Lutheran men focus on fitness, pg. 6 Get acquainted with Parish Life pg. 8

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

Marge & Candi talk trash, pg. 9

This issue was snail-mailed October 30, 2012

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Pastor’s Page

well. Not perfectly, of course. Some-times it is a difficult dance. But more often than not, we here at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church are doing a good job of transcending all kinds of lines that often separate people from one another. This doesn’t mean we are wishy-washy, or that we don’t hold passionate beliefs on one issue or another. It does mean that we are firmly rooted in Christ, who makes us members of the same body. Our love for one another, a love which transcends politics and a whole lot more, is a way we witness to the faith that is in us. As such, it is an important ministry to carefully tend to.

Every Member in Mission: Discipleship in the community A woman hands out leaflets and stickers for a Republican candidate at the community Fourth of July parade. At the same parade, a different woman hands out leaflets and stickers for a Democratic candidate. Later, both women are seen together at worship, kneeling together to receive Holy Communion.

A high school student has some time to kill between his early release on Monday and his extra-curricular activities an hour later.

He’s never been to church before, and has always heard that Christians are judgmental and prudish. However, he has heard they have food at the Lutheran church across the street. He is hesitant, but goes to “Munchy Monday” with a group of friends. He is greeted by smiling, welcoming adults. They seem pretty down-to-earth, without any agenda other than to welcome him.

We also have a ministry to the community. We carry out this ministry in several ways, including opening our doors to lots of different groups that need a place to meet. Our building is being used by different community groups just about every day of the week. That’s a witness to our neighbors! We are so well known in the community as a generous and welcoming place that we have a hard time accommodating all the requests we receive for meeting spaces. Subtle though it might be, through our willingness to share our facilities, even when it means extra traffic in the parking lot, noise in the hallways, and wear and tear on the carpet, we are giving our community a glimpse of Christ. As the old hymn has it, “Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found.”

ommunity is an important arena for practicing discipleship. As the real-life vignettes above illustrate, we here at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church have a ministry both as a community, and a ministry to the community.

We are members of the same body (Ephesians 4:4-6), and so our community life together is important. It even has a sacramental quality, as it can be a tangible expression of the reconciliation Christ has won for us. Maintaining our unity as a congregation is thus an important ministry. It is especially important at a time when so many Americans are so divided from one another.

We have a particular niche to fill in our community with our Munchy Monday after-school program. Giving high school students a safe place to hang out between early release and extra-curricular activities is an important community service we provide, and it isn’t going unnoticed. We also serve our community as we join other congregations in supporting local ministries such as Help House, our food bank here in Oak Harbor and our Ministry of the Month for November.

I recently listened to a podcast featuring a conversation between Krista Tippett (of National Public Radio) and Jim Daley (of Focus on the Family). I’m one of those hard-to-peg people who enjoy both of these personalities and the programs they represent, so I was fascinated to listen to what these culturally polarized figures had to say to each other.

A key point of consensus which emerged in the conversation was that when Christians put political agendas ahead of people, everyone loses and the church suffers. They both expressed a longing for mutual respect, for sincere dialog, and for simple fellowship with Christians across cultural and political lines, and lamented over what a rare thing this is.

Community is an important arena for discipleship. It occupies the space between the home, where faith is mostly practiced privately, and the world, where ministry is often more abstract and anonymous.

Sometimes community ministry is delightful, sometimes it is difficult – but it is always important. We have a rare and beautiful thing happening here at Oak Harbor Lutheran. I am deeply proud of the way we are practicing discipleship both as a community and to our community. You should be too.

-Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer

When the program was over, I wanted to invite both of them to come and hang out at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. One of the things I love about serving here is that we are already doing this regularly and

NEXT MONTH: Discipleship in the world 2

OHLC’s new website has been launched!

Worship Notes

heck out our new website at www.oakharborlutheran.org! It has been completely redesigned with video, slide shows, sermons, and more. This window into our congregation will provide a warm invitation and plenty of information to newcomers who are “googling” around for a new church. It will also be a good place for members to check out all the latest OHLC news. A good website is frequently updated and always changing – so check back often for new pictures, announcements and updates.

Healing prayer is now offered monthly Are any among you suffering? They should pray … Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders (leaders) of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:13-14 We have been offering healing prayer at our 10:30 AM worship services on the 5th Sundays of the month for the past year. This has been so well received that beginning in November we are going to offer it at both Sunday morning services on the 1st Sunday of every month. Those who wish to receive healing prayer will be invited to proceed to one of two healing prayer stations on their way back from the communion table, where prayers and optional anointing with oil will be offered by either our associate pastor or one of our retired pastors or Stephen Ministers.

Feel free to bring your prayer requests for healing of mind, body, or spirit – for yourself, or for others. Say as much, or as little, as you like.

Know that our prayer team will keep whatever you say in confidence.

Special thanks goes to Pastor Duane Jensen (retired) for encouraging us to experiment with this ministry, and continuing to guide and encourage our prayer team. Thanks also to our Stephen Ministers who have taken up this ministry with compassion and enthusiasm.

Our next goal for the website is to have audio (and eventually video) of the sermons, allowing those who are shut-in or deployed, curious, or just miss a Sunday (heaven forbid) to hear the Sunday message. We’re hoping to have the audio and/or video feature up and running by Christmas.

Thanks to everyone who contributed pictures for our new site. Keep them coming so we can keep it fresh! Also, we owe a huge thanks to Reid Schwartz, who generously hosted and maintained our previous website.

Thanks Reid!

Check out Pastor Spencer’s video message on the updated website!

Joint Thanksgiving Eve service at OHLC All Saints Potluck set for Nov. 4

OHLC will host a joint Thanksgiving Eve service at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 21 with Whidbey Presbyterian Church. Pastor Dave Templin will preach, and the evening will include special music from both congregations. Join us for an evening of gratitude, fellowship, and a sharing of the original Thanksgiving meal.

Join us after the 10:30 AM service (about noon) on Nov. 4 for an All Saints Sunday potluck! Pastor Spencer and Carol Reafs will speak briefly about the endowment fund, stewardship, and upcoming projects at OHLC. Bring your favorite dish and celebrate the ministry we share with all the saints — past, present, and future!

We’ll see you soon for midweek Advent soup & worship

Welcome to our new acolytes and assisting ministers!

We will be gathering for midweek vesper services and soup suppers on Wednesdays during Advent (December 5, 12, & 19).

Services using the Holden Evening Prayer as our liturgy will be held at 12 Noon and 6:30 PM, with soup following. Sign-up sheets for bringing soup will be posted later this month. Join us for a simple meal and a prayerful respite during this often hectic time of year.

We give thanks for our new acolytes: Sadie Harbaugh, Peter Higgins, Katie Norman, Isiah Vogel, and Elias Wiley. We are also grateful for our new assisting ministers: Skip Lycksell, Kayla Nagel, and Verna Pommerenke. Thanks to each of you for your willingness to serve!

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“Journey to Jesus’ Table” offered November 18 Pastor Spencer will be offering his early childhood communion education class on Sunday, November 18 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. This is a fun learning experience filled with stories and even a short hike! All young children (preschool through second grade) are encouraged to attend, whether they are already receiving Holy Communion or not.

Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by November 11 to Pastor Spencer or the church office.

Photos sought for Advent project ur midweek services this year will include photography from YOU. Use those cell phone cameras (and other kinds of cameras too) to capture stills and/or videos over the next few weeks on one or more of the following themes: Christ in our home, Christ in our community, Christ in our world. Take pictures of crosses or Christian art in your home. Take pictures of your family saying grace at the dinner table or your kids saying bedtime prayers. Take pictures of youth being served at Munchy Monday. Take pictures of LWR kits being assembled.

Take pictures that are symbolic or representative. Be watchful. Be creative. Be artistic. Be thinking about it! Submit your pictures and/or videos to Pastor Spencer at pastor@oakharborlutheran.org. They’ll be collected and arranged into 3 photo essay-style presentations to show to the congregation at our mid-week Advent services. Your participation in this project is appreciated!

Advent Family Fun Night set for November 28

November’s opportunities for adult education

Join us on Wednesday, November 28 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM for Advent Family Fun Night! Prepare your family to observe Advent and celebrate Christmas with an evening of fun and fellowship. We’ll begin by gathering in the sanctuary for a viewing of Martin and the Heavenly Tree, an animated legend of the young Martin Luther and how the tradition of decorating Christmas trees came to be. It will change the way you think about your Christmas tree! After the video, we’ll move to the fellowship hall for hot chocolate, apple cider and goodies before making our own Christmas tree ornaments in a “chrismon” style, pointing to Christ. We’ll close with a brief conversation on observing Advent in the home, and will send families home with Advent devotion kits.

ALL AGES are welcome to join us for this intergenerational evening!

Adult education classes meet on Sunday mornings in the library from 9:15-10:15.

Christmas pageant casting call!

Growing & Learning

Rehearsals for our Christmas pageant will begin soon!

Rehearsals will take place during the Sunday school hour, from 9:1510:15. All Sunday school students who would like to participate will be included. Our Christmas pageant will be held on Christmas Eve at our 4:00 PM service.

[Newsletter Editor/Christmas program director’s note: Eeeeeeeee!]

Join us on November 4 for a discussion of the ministry of Help House, our community food bank. Help House will be our Ministry of the Month for November.

Beginning November 11, we will continue our focus on discipleship as we study the book Real Faith for Real Life, by Michael Foss.

This study will continue through December 16. Purchase your copy online, or contact the church office to place an order. It is helpful if you come to class having read the chapter for that Sunday. Whether you’ve read it or not, though, join us for what will surely be an engaging conversation on faith and discipleship!

Nov. 4: Nov. 11: Nov. 18: Nov. 25:

And speaking of Christmas… You might like to note our schedule for Christmas worship services: Sunday, December 23: ONE SERVICE at 10:30 AM, featuring a cantata by our Senior Choir Monday, December 24: Family Christmas service (& pageant) – 4:00 PM; traditional candlelight services – 7:00 & 10:00 PM Tuesday, December 25: Christmas Day Worship – 10:30 AM All services will include Holy Communion.

Forum: Help House Real Faith for Real Life (Chapter 1 - Prayer) Real Faith for Real Life (Chapter 2 - Worship) Real Faith for Real Life (Chapter 3 - Bible Reading) 4

more from Growing & Learning…

a few of those long-time volunteers move on to other commitments, so this is a great time for YOU to get involved! Join us whenever you can.

We have fun and friendship for a short hour while we serve the high school youth. Do you know that we have served approximately 400 kids so far this school year on those busy Mondays? Please know that the kids love and appreciate your donations of food and drink. If you would like to help, I can tell you the time passes quickly as a busy and fun hour of service and fellowship.

Enjoying autumn with OHLC’s youth s if a light switch had been flipped, the season has changed.

Gone are the long, dry summer days. Autumn is upon us.

Apparently, we’re also speeding to winter – or so it feels today as I’m writing this midway through October. The newness of the back-to-school month is passed, and the routines of the school year have begun to feel normal again. The leaves in their harvest colors are falling in earnest now, and I’ve decorated my porch for the trick or treat of Halloween that will soon be coming.

As I ask most months, please pray for these programs. Nothing will do more to help support our youth and youth leaders!

Stephany Vogel, Youth Ministry Coordinator

If October is the month of change to autumn, then November is the month of acceptance that winter is here, bringing with it the wonderful winter holidays that comfort us in the cold, dark days. It’s a time to give thanks, count our blessings and plan for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Let’s start by looking back a bit at the Youth of our Church:

BookMarks The Second Tuesday Book Group meets in the church library at 1:00 PM on Nov 14 to discuss The Photograph by Penelope Lively. The photograph is an envelope marked DON’T OPEN – DESTROY. But Kath’s husband does not heed the warning, and therein hangs the tale… Join us!

Luth Youth on Sunday mornings began well, and though there has been some ebb and flow, it has been taking root and growing into a solid youth group. We are having a good time and are growing to know one another a bit better. It would be great to have a few more adult helpers join us occasionally on Sunday mornings, 9:15-10:15. I hope some of you feel called to do that. Please also help get the word out that all youth in grades 6-12 are welcome!

If you aren’t aware of it already, Wal-Mart called and donated a new flat screen TV for the OHLC Youth. How great is that? If you’re so inclined and happen to be there, please take a moment to thank the Manager or Assistant Manager Rich at the Oak Harbor Wal-Mart for this very nice gift.

The Coupeville Book Group, whose November meeting was moved up to October 30, will meet at 7:00 PM on Dec. 4 in the home of Gaye Rodriguey, 228 Rhodena Drive. Please bring an appetizer to share.

The book for discussion is Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson: Maj. Ernest Pettigrew (retired) leads a quiet life in the village of St. Mary, England, until his brother’s death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper. Drawn together by a shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali find their friendship blossoming into something more. Will their relationship survive in a society that considers her a foreigner?

WOW (Word on Wednesday), the evening youth program with Pastor Spencer, is taking hold. We share compelling Bible study and have fun with games and snacks. It’s a special event in the middle of the week. Please help spread the word and help this program grow! Note that we we’ll be meeting Nov. 7 & 14, but not the 21st or 28th this month.

The 2013 calendar for chancel and organ flowers has been posted in its usual spot just outside Pastor Spencer’s office door. Sign up early to reserve your preferred dates in celebration of special events or in memory of loved ones.

Munchy Monday got off to a strong and steady start. I know many of you only hear the frequent calls for help, but please be aware that there is a dedicated core of volunteers that make that program shine week after week. We have had 5

News from Lynne

Men’s Ministry very man at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church is a member of our men’s ministry. Plan to come to one or all of our meetings and project opportunities in November.

Our next Lutheran Men in Mission Breakfast/Meeting is Saturday, Nov. 3, 8-9:30 AM in the fellowship hall. This will be a freshly cooked meal, so no need to bring anything except your appetite. Our guest presenter is Cody Parker, Assistant Manager at North End Fitness Center, where he is also a personal trainer.

Cody is currently training to compete in the 2013 Cross Fit Games.

Cody attends Living Word Fellowship. After sharing his personal testimony, he will lead us with some exercises (don’t panic...he promised he would take it easy on us) and share some healthy tips on keeping in better shape this winter. We all know that with fall comes a number of sports spectator activities: baseball’s World Series, soccer finals, start-up of basketball, NASCAR final races, college and professional football, mud wrestling, etc., etc., and all available at the touch of a remote from our favorite TV chair. It is hunker down time and, unfortunately, slow down time for our own physical involvement. So on Nov 3, please come to enjoy a great breakfast and then try to work it off with Cody.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, noon to 1:30 we’ll have our Brotherhood of St. Bernard lunch/meeting. I’m sure sports talk will happen, but Cody won’t be around to lead us to do some exercises. Any volunteers? Our scripture lesson will be Mark 13:1-8. As we meet and dine together we allow our hearts and minds to dwell on the healthy doses of scripture, joys and pains, projects and prayer time together.

On Tuesday, Nov. 27 from noon to 1:30 we will gather again as brothers in Christ for our meal, Bible study, singing, sharing concerns and prayer time.

As I look back to the paragraph on fall sports, I’m wondering… If we can get so excited about watching sports events and cheering for a favorite team, why shouldn’t we get just as excited about cheering for Jesus Christ, and becoming better game players in discipleship living?

ear OHLC Friends, A lot can happen in just a month and this greeting comes to you from the small island town of Wrangell, Alaska. At the first of October we found out that Eric would not be working as steadily this fall as we thought and we are still not sure if there will be much winter work for him. So I contacted the bishop of the Alaska synod and asked if she would support me offering to supply preach around the SE Alaska congregations. She called me back and said, “Have I got a place for you!”

Island of Faith Lutheran Church in Wrangell has been without a pastor for over a year and has just developed a plan for a Resident Pastor program. The idea is to have a pastor visit for a month or longer and provide worship leadership on Sundays for a small honorarium. The parsonage is part of the church building, so housing is provided. It would be ideal for a pastor on sabbatical, newly retired, or between calls. This placement would allow me time to study during the week and provide good experience for preaching, so we said yes!

Eric & I arrived in Wrangell on October 16 and we’ll be here at least through the end of the year. At this writing I am preparing my first sermon since last May when I preached at OHLC and I’m feeling a little rusty and nervous. But I met several of the church ladies at a luncheon today and two of the children, so there will be familiar faces on Sunday!

The worship attendance is between 14 and 25 which will be cozy and a different dynamic than OHLC, but I am grateful to have this experience.

I was able to spend a few days with the other pastors from the SE Alaska Cluster this month and they all said Island of Faith and the community of Wrangell are full of warm, wonderful people, and we have found that to be true so far!

It is exciting to see the pictures of Lefse Day and the preview of the new OHLC website on Facebook. I am always happy to talk about the warm, wonderful people of OHLC who formed and encouraged this call we are following. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are confident of the Holy Spirit’s leading in this recent move and continue to trust in God’s faithful provision.

In Christ’s service with you, Lynne and Eric Ogren

Tom Piper 6

OHLC Women

His Kids Preschool

Opportunities for fellowship, study and service

a ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

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Circle meetings in November

he classroom is filled with giant orange jack o’lanterns, upside down black bats, primary-colored handprints and water-colored leaves, and whoooo’s perched out there on the education wing hallway bulletin board?

11/1, 8, 15, 29 Deborah Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library/fireside room.

11/20 Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library/fireside room.

October was the time for the annual His Kids Preschool Open House! As the doors of the classroom were opened, the children happily dragged their families to the tables where the preschoolers’ booklets were waiting to be shared. A self-portrait, drawings of family members, a chapel time photo, a prayer page, their handprint, and answers to questions about the child’s favorite play time, their favorite room and how they help at home were the pages the preschoolers created for their Open House booklet. It was a joyful evening for everyone!

We regret to announce that Esther Circle, a group whose roots go back many, many years, has decided to disband.

Interested in a new circle that would hold evening meetings?

Make a note on an upcoming Opportunity Form!

Blanket Workshop Our thanks to Rita Carter and crew for delivering our quilts, school kits and other projects (as well as the boxes from Concordia Lutheran) for shipment to Lutheran World Relief! Now we need to get to work on more quilts! Join us on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 6 & 7, beginning at 9 AM in the fellowship hall.

Other annual October His Kids activities included each student receiving their own copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible, a field trip to the Case Farm and Pumpkin Patch and a pajama party with games, songs and yummy food.

November will be a shorter month but equally as much fun!

Shalom, Miss Gaye P.S. There are a four spaces currently available in the 3-Day PM class (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 12:30-3:00 PM). Call the church office for details, 679-1561.

Handwork Group Heart & Hand meets Friday, Nov.16, beginning at 9:30 AM in the prayer room. Bring your own handwork projects or help make hats or sweaters for Lutheran World Relief and Secret Harbor.

We love a parade! (Can you help?)

Poinsettias for Christmas!

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church’s Coupeville Worship Group is going to participate in the Greening of Coupeville Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 1. We need a motorized vehicle to pull a wagon with the sign about worship. Are there any volunteers??? We will be handing out candy canes with the message of Jesus’ birth and an invitation to attend worship at our St. Mary’s site on Sunday evenings, so we need people to walk with us. Children are especially invited, because it is fun and a great opportunity to witness to the “real” Christmas.

Sign up to order a poinsettia to adorn our sanctuary this Christmas! Large plants in 6” pots with foil and bows are available for $18 through an order with The Greenhouse. Poinsettias may be taken home following the Christmas Day service on Dec. 25 for your enjoyment during the remainder of the Christmas season. Those not claimed will be taken to brighten local nursing homes and the hospital.

Please reserve your plant by Sunday, Nov. 25. Order forms will be available at the welcome desk in the narthex.

Carol Reafs 7

Parish Life Ministry Getting acquainted with Parish Life

WANTED

arish Life was previously part of Hospitality Ministry. About a year ago, this ministry committee was split into two entities, Outreach and Parish Life. Last spring I accepted the position of Parish Life coach. As a result of the recent Ministry Fair, we recruited 2 new members at large and one new member to serve as photograph coordinator, bringing our ministry to a total of 10 members.

OHLC’s 75th Anniversary Committee has discovered that Confirmation Class photos are missing from the church archives for the following years: 1995, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011.

The committee would like copies of class photos for those years. If you have a photo to spare, or one we could copy ourselves, please leave it in the church office.

Be sure to include your contact information, especially if you want the photo returned.

Thank you.

Parish Life responsibilities include:  Kitchen management.  Coffee Hour coordination.  Photographing church life activities.  Archives - Caring for, accounting for, and controlling access to the church historical records.

A roster of Parish Life members and a roster of church members with food handler’s permits is posted in the kitchen for your reference.

The 75th Anniversary Committee

FOOD HANDLER’S PERMITS. Please be aware that one person with a food handler’s permit must be in the kitchen during events to supervise the safe preparation and handling of food. If you have a food handler’s permit and wish to be on that list, contact me at 675-0515. If you wish to obtain a permit, visit the Island County Public Health website, www.islandcountyeh.org . Click on the Programs tab and scroll down to Food Protection for information about food handler’s classes as well as a link to the class on-line at www.foodworkercard.wa.gov.

In Sympathy Ruth Williams, a 17-year-member of our congregation, died on October 24, several weeks ahead of what would have been her 85th birthday. Her memorial service was held at OHLC on October 29.

Ruth had been homebound for a number of years, but when she was able to come to worship she always looked forward to those times when Lynne Ogren would sing a solo (especially Ruth’s dearly-loved Ave Maria). We offer our deepest sympathy to her family, including daughter Linda Mistler and husband Walt of our congregation, her grandson Robert Bustillo and his wife Nicole, and to her greatgranddaughter Autumn Bustillo, who attends His Kids Preschool.

ARCHIVES. Duties of the Archives Committee involves accounting for the historical records and materials of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. In order to ensure those valuable materials are maintained and accounted for, it is necessary to set up a process and control access. Please talk to me or contact Marge Verburg to accompany you and check out the materials. Do not access the archive materials without this permission.

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

The deadline for articles for the December newsletter is Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Barbara Wilson 8

Compassion Ministry

Trash talk from Marge and Candi n October 20, members of OHLC cleaned up our section of roadway along Highway 20 heading north out of town. As always, it was a rewarding and somewhat enlightening experience.

Rewarding in knowing that by removing trash we are being good stewards of the environment for our neighbors and visitors. Enlightening because you never know what you will find and what insight you may gain on the habits of the homo sapiens that traverse Whidbey Island. Sometimes we just have to wonder at what we find: Country music CDs: did one spouse say to the other “If you play that song one more time I’m going to throw that CD out the window!”?

Toddler sandals, found about a mile apart: was there a threeyear-old little girl, happily freeing her toes on a warm summer day, casually chucking one shoe after the other out an open window, unbeknownst to mom or dad?

An exhaust system: how surprised were they when they got home missing half the underside of the car?

A half-full gallon container of melted ice cream: can’t really come up with a reason why someone would be eating a gallon of ice cream in the car.

Adult men’s socks: really?

More beer and soda cans than we could count, but no coffee cups: is someone somewhere writing a dissertation on differences in disposal tendencies based on liquid refreshment preferences?

Most trash on the roadside falls into three categories: stuff that was intentionally thrown out the window, loose trash inside a car that unintentionally flew out a window, and items that were in the back of pick-ups and work trucks that weren’t secured properly and migrated out of the vehicle. Your roadside crew would like to request that you spend a few minutes cleaning out your car and making sure that everything is secure on the next trip to the dump!

We’d also like to invite you to come join us. We spend about an hour four times a year maintaining our adopted stretch of highway. It is a great opportunity to nurture your inner archeologist (and wear a hard hat)! Special thanks to Pat Dallen, who coordinates every pick-up session, handles all the paperwork, and stores the hard hats, reflective vests and trash bags in the meantime.

Marge Moore & Candi Amarelo

Update from Lutheran World Relief A huge thanks to those who donated funds for Lutheran World Relief, September’s Mission of the Month. Your wonderful generosity will cover our shipping expenses for October as well as the shipment in May 2013. Your actions show what a wonderful, loving heart OHLC has for God’s people who need our help.

A special thanks to Rita Carter and Kate Dodson for taking our latest shipment of 1132 pounds to the Northwest Ingathering in Seattle on October 19 (and to Whidbey Sea-Tac Shuttle for donating the use of a bus!) The shipment included 240 Baby Care Kits – thank you to Karen Bowers who assembles and packs those kits; 60 school bags – thank you to Trudy Decker and her crew; 44 quilts – thank you to the Blanket Workshop ladies, and our supporters who purchase batting and donate fabric and thread; 38 Personal Care Kits – thank you to the Preschool & Sunday School children and teachers who spearheaded this collection.

Leona McKee

November focuses on Help House November’s Ministry of the Month is the local outreach of Help House. Executive Director Jean Wieman will be with us on Sunday, Nov. 4 to bring a brief message at the morning worship services and will attend the adult forum, 9:15 AM in the library.

We’ll ‘pass the hat’ in the narthex following morning worship services on Nov. 4 as one way we can help Help House– you’ll be invited to take a slip or more of paper from the hat, purchase the nonperishable item/s listed there, and bring those items back to our Help House barrels at church by the following Sunday.

Financial contributions may be made through OHLC to benefit Help House; use the yellow envelopes in the pew racks.

Abby Chromy Thank you for the great response for October’s ingathering of coats, blankets and socks! You warmed our hearts as well as providing warmth for people in need in our area and in the Skagit Valley.

We may not want to hear about it yet, but December is on the way! Our annual Sharing Tree will go up in the narthex by Sunday, Dec. 2, with tags for gifts for people in need in our area as well as El Camino de Emaus.

Judy Lycksell

More from Compassion Ministry on the following page 9

Update from Russia

Blessings to everyone at OHLC who so generously donated supplies for the school kits and funds towards shipping costs, the volunteers who sewed school bags – Doris Mattson, Judy Fantauzzi, Joline DeVos, Michele Johnson, Carol Wall, and Shanna Lundstrom – and the women of Deborah Circle for helping to finish putting in the drawstrings, sorting, and packing. Thank you so much for your prayers and action in supporting this ministry of Lutheran World Relief.

Trudy Decker

OHLC’s partner congregation, St. Katharina’s Lutheran Church, Kazan

big thank you to Roger and Georgette Anglum for the successful barbecue at OHLC on Sept. 16 to benefit St. Katharina Lutheran Church in Kazan, Russia. There were 76 people in attendance, enjoying the great food. Thank you, too, to those who helped with cleanup, including washing all those dishes.

Following the barbecue, we were able to wire $2,000 to Russia for staff support at St. Katharina’s. Their new pastoral interns, Igor and Yulia Dyba, began their service with the congregation on Sept. 17.

Igor sent us several e-mails lately and included pictures which will be posted in the narthex. He and the congregation send their thanks for our continuing prayer support as well as our earlier contribution towards their kitchen renovations. “The people in the congregation,” Igor writes, “are very happy to have an opportunity to have tea after the service regularly and to talk to each other!”

Igor also mentions that Yulia has started working with the Sunday School children, including leading them in song at a recent worship service. The older students participated in a Thanksgiving celebration (which included making and wearing turkey hats!)

Lena Bondarenko of the Central Deanery of ELCER (Evangelical Lutheran Church, European Russia) wrote to give us news about Bishop Dietrich Brauer, who visited our congregation with Lena some months ago. “Dietrich was elected the Archbishop of the whole ELC,” she writes, “from Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea to the Pacific – as they sing in your national song, ‘from sea to shining sea.’ And it means lots of work and a lot of traveling!”

Bishop Brauer sent us a little more information:

Holiday Fair Trade event in the fellowship hall between services on Sunday, Dec. 2, put on by Fair Trade Winds, a Fair Trade store in the Seattle area. They’ll have a variety of the kind of holiday products you’re familiar with as well as new ones, including Advent calendars and much more. Plan to do some holiday shopping – you’ll also be helping people in developing countries and the U.S. 10% of sale proceeds will be donated to Lutheran World Relief.

Carol Wall

Council Highlights

- Trudy Decker, secretary The complete minutes were approved at the Oct. 4 council meeting.

The Council met on Sept. 6, 2012. The Treasurer’s Report and financial business included the following notes:  Income is meeting budget needs, due in part to good communication  Financial Secretary David Amarelo is retiring.

Old business included discussion of a gift of $10,000 to the congregation from Gwen Solum, which will be divided as follows: $5,000 to the building fund, including a specific landscaping request (hydrangea and/or rhododendron), $1,000 for the purchase of confirmation/acolyte robes, $4,000 to be placed in a perpetual altar guild fund.

The website redesign is progressing. Laura Canby has been hired to oversee the project; photos and videos are being collected.

New business included an update on forest management, regarding some needed maintenance and a discussion of building concerns, especially kitchen renovation and the education wing roof.

Council members will be installed on Sept. 9.

Pastor Spencer reported that Pastor Marcus Stroud has been installed; he will be preaching once a month in addition to his other ministerial duties as Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries. Pastor Spencer and Pastor Stroud will each be preaching once a month in Coupeville, with other pastors filling in the remaining Sundays.

Dear Ken, Thank you very much [for your congratulations]. There are changes made in the structure of the Russian Church. The position of the archbishop is actually vacant. But the functions were delegated to the bishop of the European Russia till we find (or not find) a new person for the position of the archbishop. So my ministry is called acting archbishop, but I am still the bishop in Moscow.

Thank you and our sisters and brothers in Oak Harbor for the donation [to St. Katharina’s]! It is a great support! Many greetings to Pastor Spencer and all our friends.

In Christ's love, Dietrich

See the November issue of The Lutheran for more from Bishop Brauer, and watch for the photos in the narthex, including views of St. Katharina’s kitchen renovations and teenagers in turkey hats.

Ken Grigsby 10

Worship Assistants 11/ 4

8:00 10:30 6:30 11/11 8:00 10:30 6:30 11/18 8:00 10:30 6:30 11/25 8:00 10:30 6:30

Asst. Ministers Kathy Ridle Jan Heideger Carol Snoble Tom Coe Skip Lycksell Jan Heideger Verna Pommerenke Mike Crawford Gisela Hawley Kayla Nagel Rita Carter Jan Heideger

Worship Attendance: Acolytes Peter Higgins Isiah Vogel Benjamin Bruland Katie Norman Elias Wiley Benjamin Bruland Sydney Higgins Sadie Harbaugh Benjamin Bruland Elizabeth Norman Peter Spencer Benjamin Bruland

Tom Coe Morning Glory Praise Team Dick Ward

Assistants

11/ 4 8:00 AM Higgins family

Communion: Gaye Rodriguey Computer: Donna Aspery Communion: Donna Meyers Computer: Rick Culbertson

10:30 AM J. Wilcox, L. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jay Decker 11/18 8:00 AM Ellis family 10:30 AM B. Heideger 6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud 11/25 8:00 AM J. Flowers, L. Forster 10:30 AM R. Wood, M. McNae, H. Herrigstad, D. Fosso 6:30 PM: Presider, Tom Johnson

Financial Report:

Sun. 8 AM 80 70 54 54 75 67

October Sun. 10:30 AM 117 114 119 117 156 125

Cpvl.

20 21 22 19 22 21

Nursery 4 4 2 0 0 2

Average weekly attendance: 215

Senior Choir V. Morgan, C. Reafs

Ushers 10:30 AM J. Wilcox, L. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 11/11 8:00 AM Margraf family

Date Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Average Att.

Music Morning Glory Senior Choir V. Morgan, D. Ward

Coffee Fellowship

November

Bring cookies, make coffee, set up and clean up – we need at least 2 per week for 8:00 AM services, 3 per week for 10:30 AM services, and 1 per week in Coupeville 8:00 AM 11/ 4 Tomlin, Rodriguey 11/11 L. McKee, Bartolf, Margraf 11/18 Korengo, Fankhauser 11/25

Communion: Candi Amarelo Computer: Rachel Margraf Communion: Rita Cline Computer: Michelle Tull Communion: Marge Moore Computer: Molly Nagel Communion: Willard Krigbaum Computer: Rita Carter

10:30 AM

Coupeville 6:30 PM

POTLUCK

Julie Ward

Fair Trade Sponsors

Ellis Horrobin Trudy Decker Deborah Circle

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations

Communion: Computer: Mary Brock Communion: Computer: Josh Jepsen

1 All Saints’ Day 3 Martin de Porres, renewer of society, 1639 7 John Christian Frederick Heyer, 1873, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, 1719, Ludwig Nommensen, 1918, missionaries 11 Martin, Bishop of Tours, 397, Søren Kierkegaard, 1855, teacher 17 Elizabeth of Hungary, 1231, renewer of society

September

September Year to Date Income $ 32,494 294,920 Outgo 32,080 294,139 $ 414 $ 781 For a more detailed picture of the September financial status, please refer to the reports posted in the narthex.

November

23 Clement, Bishop of Rome, c. 100, Miguel Austin Pro, 1927, martyr 24 Justus Falckner, 1723, Jehu Jones, 1852, William Passavant, 1894, pastors in North America 25 Isaac Watts, hymnwriter, 1748 30 Andrew, Apostle

This month’s drop caps are from ICTURE LPHABET; section headings are Imprint MT Shadow.

11

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

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 4 All Saints

5

Pass the Hat for Help House Healing Prayer, both svcs.

1:00 Munchy Monday

Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Mission presentation 9:15 Worship 10:30 All Saints Potluck 12:00 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 11 Collect for Help House Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 18 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Journey to Jesus’ Table 2:00 Piano Recital 4:00 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 25 Christ the King Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville @ St. Mary’s 6:30

6:30 Angeli 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

12 Veterans Day Church office closed

6:00 Homeschoolers 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Cub Scout Leaders 7:00 Vanishing Friends 7:00 Solutions 19

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 10:00 Deborah Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 5:30 Brownies 40740 6:00 Brownies 40745 6:30 Webelos 1 7:00 Council

2 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

3 8:00 Lutheran Men in Mission breakfast

8

9 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

6 9:00 Blanket Workshop 6:00 Bears 6:00 Tigers 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Patrol Leaders 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

7 9:00 Blanket Workshop 11:30 OHLC Staff

13 10:30 Church Mice 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts 5:30 Boy Scout ad. comm 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Child Care Assoc.

7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

14 11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Book Group 5:45 VAQ 133 FRG 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Harbor Bells 6:30 Luth Youth WOW 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

15 10:00 Deborah Circle

20 10:00 Rebecca Circle

21 Newsletter Deadline 11:30 OHLC Staff

22 Thanksgiving Day Church office closed

6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Harbor Bells 7:00 Overeaters Anon

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Harbor Bells 6:30 Luth Youth 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

10:00 Deborah Circle

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

CHANGE CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR TONIGHT! 10 10:00 Equestrian Crossings

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Stephen Ministry

4:15 Morning Glory 5:30 Praise Team 5:30 Brownies 40740 6:00 Brownies 40745 7:00 Compassion Min.

16 9:30 Heart & Hand 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

17 11:00 Pack 4098 Thanksgiving Potluck & Pack Meeting

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6:00 His Kids Family Night 23

24

1:00 Munchy Monday 6:30 Angeli 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Solutions

26 1:00 Munchy Monday 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Solutions

27 10:30 Church Mice 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:00 Bears & Tigers 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Scout Board/Review 7:30 Worship Brass

7:00 Thanksgiving Eve worship 28 11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Library Committee 6:00 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Harbor Bells 6:00 Advent Family Fun 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

12

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

29

30

10:00 Deborah Circle

10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

4:15 Morning Glory 6:30 Webelos 1

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M, T, W: 9:00-11:30 AM; 12:300-3:00 PM Th, F: 9:00-11:30 AM; 12:30-3:00 PM No Classes: Nov. 12, Nov. 19-23