Harbor Beacon, October 2016

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 63, Issue 9

October 2016

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

Click on these links for the October newsletter inserts: The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures: http://www.elca.org/en/Resources/Prayer-Ventures The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit: http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/october_2016.pdf

OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

IN THIS ISSUE: Saved and sinners… simultaneously! pg. 2

Reformation Celebration at Salem Lutheran, Mt. Vernon, pg. 4

Party like Marty, pg. 3

Learn more about the mission of El Camino, pg. 9

This issue was snail-mailed September 29, 2016

1

sin are not mutually exclusive – in the Bible, or in our lives. We are simul justus et peccator. We are saved and sinners at the same time.

Pastor’s Page Simul Justus et Peccator Beware of aspiring to such purity that you will not wish to be looked upon as a sinner, or to be one. For Christ dwells only in sinners.

Martin Luther, Letter to Friar George Spenlein, April 8, 1516

The Lutheran understanding of Christians as simul justus et peccator is different from other Christian traditions which teach that all sin can be overcome by an exertion of the will under the influence of the Holy Spirit, or can be mitigated by post-confession prescriptions of prayer and good works. In Lutheran Christianity, sin is understood to have been washed away in the waters of baptism – it can no longer separate us from God – but its effects remain evident throughout the rest of our earthly lives.

REFORMATION 500 A year-long series of articles celebrating 500 years of Lutheran Christianity

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

This isn’t to say there is no hope for any improvement in our lives, ever. Neither is it an excuse for any and all bad behavior. Luther, like Paul, believed a measure of self-control was achievable and to be encouraged.

Luther has been quoted as saying, “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building a nest in your hair.” Sin is serious business. It hurts us. It hurts our families. It hurts the church. It hurts our communities. It hurts our world. Part of the Christian life is working to contend against sin and strive towards holiness, godliness, and righteousness in our lives – not because our salvation depends on it, but because the people in our lives depend on us.

T

he Bible can be read as a comedy of errors. Adam and Eve were made for each other (literally), and had it made in the shade in the Garden of Eden. But rather than living an idyllic life as nudist organic farmers, they HAD to have the ONE fruit forbidden by God, and their disobedience led to blaming each other, hiding from God, thorns, pain, and death. Way to go. Abram had a promise from God that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, but when his beloved Sarai didn’t become pregnant quickly enough, he took matters into his own hands (literally), and had a child by Hagar, hoping to speed the process along. The people of Israel, who had been dramatically delivered out of slavery in Egypt with signs and wonders, barely began to taste their newfound freedom before they were vocally pining for Egyptian cuisine, grumbling against God, and eventually worshipping a statue of a cow they made for themselves out of melted down earrings.

L

utherans have been accused of having a pessimistic view of human nature. I prefer to call it realistic. I prefer to call it Biblical. The truth is, try as we might to live a holy, godly, righteous life, we all stumble in many ways. While we can hope to contain the more destructive effects of sin in our lives, its tendencies and temptations remain with us throughout our lives. We are imperfect, fallen creatures. There is a freedom that comes from simply confessing this truth about ourselves, which, of course, we do just about every Sunday. It is freeing to acknowledge to ourselves and everyone around us that we are “captive to sin and unable to free ourselves.”

Telling this truth about ourselves week after week reminds us that Christianity is so much more than a life-long self-improvement project.

Christianity is about trusting in Christ’s righteousness rather than despairing over our lack of it. Christianity is about being saved and sinners at the same time.

Things aren’t much better in the New Testament. Peter is told by Jesus that he will deny him three times. Peter strongly objects, and yet within hours he is doing exactly that. Paul had a life-changing encounter with the Risen Christ, and while this helped him kick his nasty habit of “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), even after his conversion he still had some habits he wasn’t happy about, admitting: “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate.”

(Romans 7:15) Even goody-two-shoes James, who had a more optimistic view of human nature than Paul, confessed that “we all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:2)

The teaching that Christians are simul justus et peccator goes right to the heart of the gospel itself. It is really the best of news. It teaches us that though our own lives might at times resemble a comedy of errors, we are never without hope. For God proved his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, and in spite of our sin, he continues to dwell in us.

The Biblical stories of God’s people continuing to sin led Martin Luther to describe Christians as simul justus et peccator. This formal theological Latin phrase means “simultaneously justified and sinner.” Like our ancestors in the Bible we have been created by God, we have received promises from God, we have been saved by God. And, like our ancestors in the Bible, we continue to blow it again and again and again. Salvation and

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer 2

Sunday, October 9 5:00-8:00 PM

Parking lot update!

Weather permitting, plans are to regrade and resurface the church parking lot in October. This will be a multi-day project, currently scheduled for October 10-14. The church will be available during that time for regular meetings and activities, but please be prepared to park in the OHHS lot across the street or on the road shoulder of 2nd Avenue as there will be NO parking available in the church lot itself.

Lutherfest!

Growing & Learning

We’re gonna PARTY like MARTY!

October 2: Acolyte training Children in third grade or above who would like to serve as acolytes are invited to join Pastor Spencer in the sanctuary at 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 2 for training.

5:00 PM – Special screening of

“Martin, God Loves You!”

rd

October 16: Bible Basics for 3 graders

(30-minute video especially for ages 5-12, but all are welcome)

All third graders are encouraged to come learn how (and why!) to read the Bible. Fourth graders who are new to OHLC are also welcome. All attendees will be presented with their own Bible at a special ceremony on Reformation Sunday (Oct. 30).

We will meet in the library from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. At least one parent or guardian is expected to attend with their child. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Pastor Spencer at pastor@oakharborlutheran.org .

5:30 PM – Grilled Brats and German sides by the Anglums (A free will offering will be taken for the OHLC General Fund)

Also featuring:

Live Accordion Music Games and a Craft for Kids

High School Luth Youth: Corn Maze Flashlight Tag at Dugualla Bay Farm!

Join us!

Friday, October 28 – 7:00 PM Meet at OHLC at 6:30 PM to carpool.

Friends welcome.

Ice cream afterwards.

Bring a flashlight!

RSVP Pastor Spencer at pastor@oakharborlutheran.org.

Fun for all ages!

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church 3

Worship with joy and thanksgiving. . .

Offering notes

Join us in Coupeville on Sunday, October 16, 6:30 PM at St. Mary’s Church

A

s the person currently in charge of the volunteers who count the offerings, I am asking you to follow what I hope will be some straightforward steps in using offering envelopes. We have many new counters, as you may have heard recently, and I know there have been questions raised regarding what is found written (or not written) on those envelopes.

Eight years ago, Oak Harbor Lutheran Church celebrated our first Lutheran worship service in Coupeville as a part of our congregation’s outreach ministry. That service was held on September 21, 2008, at the Au Sable Institute (now knows as Pacific Rim Institute) east of town, out on Parker Road. In 2010, we moved these regular Sunday evening services to the historic sanctuary of St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Main Street in Coupeville.

Coupeville Worship Group, as we are now known, will be recognizing eight years of worship and fellowship and looking forward to continued growth and outreach in a celebration on Sunday, October 16, 2016. We will worship at 6:30 PM with Holden Evening Prayer liturgy in the sanctuary of St. Mary’s and gather for a reception afterward in the fellowship hall.

We would be delighted to have you join us for this special time of offering praise and thanksgiving to God for the blessing of this ongoing service to our neighbors in Coupeville and the rest of Whidbey Island.

Carol Reafs

If you use boxed envelopes that have a preprinted number on them, please put the amount for the general fund and/or for any special donation on their respective lines. The “special” category needs to be specific so that the counters will properly record it on the accounting sheet that is used. Your offering is counted for the week when it is made and shows up as such on your year-end record of giving.

If you use an envelope from the pew rack, please provide as much information as you can so the counters will know exactly how to record where you want your offering to “go” – for example General Fund, Lutheran World Relief, Help House, or Pastor’s Emergency Fund.

This is particularly helpful to the counters. Your name/address would be good information to be provided to the financial secretary via the envelope.

Some people have a check mailed to the church each month by their bank. They have an OHLC offering number assigned to them that some have chosen to have preprinted on those checks. Since those numbers may be changed from year to year, you should ensure that your bank has the correct offering number.

October 23: Skagit-Isle Cluster Reformation celebration, 3:00 PM, Salem Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon Oak Harbor Lutheran Church is part of a cluster of congregations within the North-western Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This cluster includes OHLC, as well as ELCA congregations in Anacortes, the San Juan Islands, Burlington, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Wooley, and Concrete.

On Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 PM, our cluster will be holding a special Reformation Celebration at Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N Laventure Road, Mount Vernon. There will be special music, a guest preacher, a procession of congregational banners, refreshments, and fellowship. Plan on joining us as we come together to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation!

The counting process will be more efficient (less time/uncertainty) for the counters, if you will do these things.

I am hoping that this request will work for you. I know that it will help the counters, on your behalf, to fulfill their responsibility to accurately report to the financial secretary, bookkeeper, and treasurer.

Please contact me with any questions you may have: ccpedlar@comcast.net or 360-675-8967. Thank you.

Craig Pedlar Lead Counter 4

Many thanks!

Welcome aboard!

Thank you to Rita Carter!

OHLC welcomes newcomers!

A

fter 16 years of service to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church as an offering counter, with many of those as our Lead Counter, Rita Carter is retiring from her volunteer position. We give thanks for the many Sunday mornings (sometimes extending into afternoons!) she has spent counting our offerings, and for her helpful leadership in organizing and training our counters.

Please join us in extending our gratitude for Rita by offering her your thanks in the days ahead. We also give thanks for Craig Pedlar, who has taken over as our Lead Counter.

O

ak Harbor Lutheran Church has been blessed with several newcomers over the past few months. Wendy Wilson was baptized here at OHLC this past summer, and has become a regular worshipper at our 8:00 AM service. Mike and Heather Quick, along with sons Mason and Ian are also newcomers to our 8:00 service, having moved to Oak Harbor recently from Georgia after Mike received orders to NAS Whidbey. Heather helped with OHLC’s VBS, and has started teaching our 1st & 2nd grade Sunday school class as well. Tom and Heidi Saunders worship at our 10:30 service. They recently bought a home in Coupeville, and transferred their membership from their previous congregation in Happy Valley, Oregon. Roberta Koster has been worshipping at our 10:30 service as well, and recently transferred her membership from Bethlehem Lutheran in Sedro-Wooley, where she used to live. Roberta is a part of our Church Mice Stampers group at OHLC. Karsten and Kate Hain have come to us from Chicago with their young daughters Julia and Clara, and have also been worshipping at our 10:30 service. Karsten serves the NAS Whidbey Island community as a Naval dentist. If you have seen Pastor Spencer wearing sparkly pipe-cleaner bracelets during worship in recent weeks, they have been gifts from his new friend Julia. Shane and Karen Lesetmoe and their kids Sophia, Don, Ava, and Elizabeth have recently begun worshipping with us at OHLC. Don and Sophia have joined our Youth Choir. Elizabeth is currently a student at our preschool, and Don, Sophia, and Ava are all His Kids alumni.

Camp Lutherwood News Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center is nestled in the evergreen trees along the north shore of Lake Samish about 10 miles south of Bellingham, Washington. Since their beginning in 1946, Lutherwood has been running programs for campers of all ages on 103 acres of beautiful waterfront and forest land. Programs include summer camp opportunities, family camping, retreats, family reunions, assemblies and various other gatherings.

Mission Statement: In partnership with Western Washington Lutheran Congregations, Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center is a year-round outdoor ministry, renewing all in the Holy Spirit through education, adventure, service, and prayer.

If you see an unfamiliar face at OHLC, be sure to introduce yourself to one of these wonderful newcomers to our congregation! We are so glad you’re all here!

Volunteers needed! October 8 is Make a Difference Day, and volunteers are needed to come up and help with outdoor and indoor projects to get the camp ready for winter. If you’re interested in participating or would like more information, contact OHLC’s own Steve Marx, s.marx@co.island.wa.us.

The deadline for articles for the November newsletter is Thursday, October 20.

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

5

BookMarks

In Sympathy

T

he Coupeville Book Group will meet Tuesday, Oct. 4, 7:00 PM in the home of Donna Reib, 1011 Summit Loop. Jean Congdon will lead the group in a discussion of the book, Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult: For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident when Jenna was only three years old. Refusing to believe that her mother would have abandoned her, Jenna pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals, which yield few clues. Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two allies in her quest: Serenity Jones, a psychic, and Virgil Stanhope, the jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case. As the unlikely threesome begin to piece together what happened to Alice, Jenna’s memories start to dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, revealing a series of events far more shocking than any of them could have ever predicated.

Fiction, 398 pages Questions about the Coupeville group? Contact Gaye Rodriguey, 360678-3561, gaye@tobysuds.com.

W

T

Our hearts also go out to Janice McCaffery and her family, following the death of her sister, Carol.

e were saddened to receive word of the September 21st death of Morris Mattson in Sedro Woolley, not quite two months after the death of his dear wife Doris, and just a few days short of his 82nd birthday. The Mattsons joined OHLC in 2002 – the photo was printed in our 2011 directory.

The Whidbey News-Times carried an article on September 21 about the sudden death of Jeanne Skinner in a car accident in Idaho Falls, where she had been visiting family. She was 86; her son Chris Skinner, a local attorney, described her as ‘vibrant, healthy and active.’

Jeanne and her late husband Emery “Bud” Skinner moved to Oak Harbor from Oregon in 1992 and joined OHLC in 1995 – the photo is from our 2003 directory.

he Second Wednesday Book Group meets at 1:00 PM in the church library on October 12 for a discussion of The Rosie Project

by Graeme Simsion: Don Tillman is a professor of genetics, but has never had a second date. He is man who can count his friends on the fingers of one hand. His lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. When an acquaintance informs him he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock! Then after consideration, he embarks on The Wife Project . . . coming to the eventual realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

This book will make you want to read Simsion’s second book, The Rosie Effect.

Fiction, 295 pages Other available formats: e-book, audio e-book, CD, large print nd Questions about the 2 Wednesday group? Contact Leona McKee, 360-675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net .

Peace be to their memory.

In appreciation…

M

arge Link and family would like to thank the pastors and friends at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church for their visits, prayers, and expressions of condolences following the recent passing of Henry Link.

6

OHLC Women Opportunities for fellowship, study & service Blanket Workshop

B

lanket Workshop meets Tuesday & Wednesday, October 4 & 5, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to work on tied quilts for Lutheran World Relief. New volunteers are always welcome and you don’t have to know how to sew to help out. Can you tied knots in yarn and use a ruler? Stop by and join the group!

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church’s

Lydia Circle Circles

cordially invites you to their

W

omen’s Circles meet regularly for Bible study, fellowship, and occasional service projects. Newcomers are always welcome!

Call the church office if you’d like more information, 679-1561, or email Martha in the office, martha@oakharborlutheran.org ..

Oct. 2&17 Oct. 6,13,27 Oct. 18 Oct. 20

4th annual

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

Deborah Circle meets for Bible study at 10 AM in the library.

Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library.

Deborah Circle meets at 10 AM in the fellowship hall To work on a service project (see below)

Saturday, November 5 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Deborah Circle notes: 10/ 6:

Amish Grace, Chapters 9 & 10, pgs. 112-140; questions, pgs 259-261.

10/13 Amish Grace, Chapters 11, 12 & 13, pgs. 141-183, questions on pgs. 262-265 10/.20 Outreach project – assembling LWR school kits in the fellowship hall. Birthday celebration for Carol Wall, Carol Lafond, Jan Kingham.

10/27 Bible study from the September 2016 Gather magazine, “Jonah and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day,” pages 28-32.

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Holiday shopping made easy! * H a n d - c r a f t e d I t em s * H o l i d ay D é co r * * Knitted Items * * Jewelry * Granny’s Attic * * C o f f e e * T e a * B ak e S a l e *

7

His Kids Preschool

Marriage matters

A ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

Spencers head to Sacramento for Marriage Encounter

T

he cobwebs have been dusted out; there is fresh paint on the walls, and what a great beginning we’ve been enjoying here at His Kids! Our first day of school was September 12, and we started right away with a review of our colors and shapes. We have decorated the classroom with blue handprints and we also made some colorful bookworms cut from construction paper circles. Check out the education wing hallway bulletin board for our ‘blue & yellow make green’ handprints!

Our first field trip of the fall was to the Sno-Isle Library. The children were able to participate in story time, get a tour of the library, and even able to get their own library cards to check out their own books!

A special thank you to Ron Ernst and Mark Needler for doing some much-needed patching and painting of the ceiling and cleaning of the light fixtures in the preschool classroom. Michelle Harper, Elva McArthur, Gaye Rodriguey, and Sara, Mariah and Sadie Harbaugh painted the walls and helped clean the space; Debbie and Amanda Reetz gave gardening assistance outside our classroom windows. We couldn’t have done it without you all.

Even though we’re only a few weeks into our school year, the students are happy to share with you their favorite things about school so far: Morning class Luke M.: I like playing with the toys Claude: I like to do puzzles Grayson: I like playing with toys Luke B: I like playing outside Mikayla: I like playing with the toys Hunter: I like playing outside Layla: I like playing with friends Max: I like doing puzzles Victoria: I like playing with toys Joshua: I like playing Cassidy: I like playing with the blocks Brenden: I like going outside

P

astor Spencer and Amy will travel to Sacramento, California, October 21 – 23 to attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter (LME) weekend in Rancho Cordova as part of their training to become a presenting couple for LME. Once their training is complete in early 2017, the council has approved Pastor Spencer being away for two weekends per year so they can be presenters at LME weekends in Washington and Oregon.

Please keep Pastor Spencer and Amy in your prayers as they attend the weekend, and as they continue to write their talks in preparation for this opportunity to minister to marriages in the Pacific Northwest! And if you’d like to enrich your marriage, consider attending the November LME weekend in Renton! (More information below.)

Seattle area Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend, Nov. 4-6 A Lutheran 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 fall weekend for the Seattle area is November 4-6, 2016, in Renton. Don’t delay – register now! For information or to register, go to the Lutheran Marriage Encounter website, http://www.GodLovesMarriage.org.

Afternoon class Maria: I like playing outside Tinsley: I like playing Legos Aaron: I like the building blocks Reign: I like to read books Christian: I like outside time Selah: I like the Play-Doh Elizabeth: I like to play with my friends Kassandra: I like reading about Cookie Monster eating cookies

Congrats to Tyler and Jessica Hart!

OHLC Vice-President Jessica Muzzall and Tyler Hart were joined as one in marriage at OHLC on Friday, September 23, with Pastor Spencer presiding. We wish them much joy as they begin life together as husband and wife!

God’s Blessings, Ms. Elva, Ms. Michelle, and Ms. Sara 8

Compassion Ministry

An invitation from the Watoto Team

P

lease come celebrate Oktoberfest with us on October 22 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst Street. We’ll have a nice Bavarian dinner, with a silent and live auction. There will be Ugandan crafts (bags, scarves, baskets, etc.) and jewelry available for purchase.

All funds raised will go to support our medical student and for medicines used for medical clinics put on during the team trip in January. Auction preview begins at 5:30 PM, dinner follows at 6:30. The evening will also include special entertainment and a no-host bar.

Tickets are $20 apiece and will be available in the fellowship hall after Sunday morning worship services. If you have items that you would like to donate, please contact a team member.

We very much appreciate your generous support of us and our efforts to help the women and children of Uganda since our first trip in 2008. Friend us on Facebook: Oak Harbor Watoto Team.

Compassion Team members, take note!

There will be a meeting on Thursday, October 20, at 7:00 PM in the library.

Take a closer look at El Camino de Emaus

E

l Camino de Emaus, a Lutheran congregation in the Skagit Valley, is the Ministry of the Month for October. Oak Harbor Lutheran Church has been in partnership with El Camino for a number of years now, and several of our members have been directly involved in various ways. Many of you have helped with your offerings and your gifts via the Sharing Tree at Christmas.

Pastor Emilio Benitez leads this small congregation, made up primarily of Hispanic people. It’s organized under our own Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA; they worship on Sunday mornings in space at Burlington Lutheran Church and they also offer educational enrichment for children.

Joyfully, Skip and Judy Lycksell, Watoto Team members

GO MISSIONS: Nick & Shannon Kraft check in from Peru According to Shannon’s 9/27 e-mail, they’ve planted lemon verbena at the new site, passion fruit is “crawling on the roof,” there’s an amazing harvest of corn, and two cows are in the back yard, but what really has Nick & Shannon excited is the leadership role being undertaken by Alex, one of their CORE students with the gift of evangelism and a strong call to global missions. Alex has begun 3 months of Saturday soccer camp and learning about Jesus for 9- to 12-year-old boys.

This summer, they were part of an exciting program held at Skagit Valley College called The Foundation for Academic Endeavors Summer Academy. It began as a partnership between church programs including El Camino and under Pastor Emilio’s leadership. It now includes local school districts, educational districts, and Catholic Community Services. Over 195 students from preschool to 9th grade participated this year in a 3-week camp.

Pastor Emilio Benitez says, “The most important thing for us is to educate. I understand these kids because I was in the same situation when I was young. Many of their parents work in the fields.”

Trinity/Freeland announces support of LWR project for India Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is beginning an agriculture/small loans project in Bihar State in the northeast part of India. LWR has been working in India for over 30 years, and has decided to begin a large, 4year project that will lift 55,000 people out of food insecurity.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland has been asked to be one of several congregations across the US to raise money and awareness. They would like to involve all the Lutheran churches on Whidbey (and they remind us that our island also has a population of 55,000!)

If you’d like to participate, there will be a kick-off dinner on Sunday, Oct. 16, 5:00 PM at Trinity,18341 State Hwy 525, Freeland.

During October, you may designate funds for El Camino de Emaus as part of your special offerings beyond your usual monthly tithes and gifts to OHLC. Pastor Emilio will be visiting Oak Harbor Lutheran Church – most likely on October 9 – so please be sure to welcome him.

Carol Wall

9

Travel opportunity: Russia

Annual collection is underway for coats and more!

October is Warm Coat & Warm Socks collection month! If you have new socks to share or new or clean and gently-used coats, please put them in the big red barrel in the narthex. All sizes are needed, children up through adults. Warm hats and gloves are welcome, too! These will be shared with local people and with El Camino de Emaus.

Reversing the question

Exploring the life, faith and ongoing challenges of the Lutheran Church in Russia

T

he ELCA NW WA Synod Team Russia Committee announces a mission trip to Russia for ten days, plus two travel days, March 7-19, 2017, in which NW WA Synod Bishop Unti plans to participate. The March dates were selected because of the schedules of Bishop Unti, and Archbishop Dietrich Brauer and Pastor Lena Bondarenko of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia. This is also a good time to travel to Russia, with no crowds of tourists, with the added incentive of lower financial costs due to the value of the ruble and the time of year.

Josephine

Dear Ones, Greetings from Josephine in One Heart. Many Hands. the name of Christ! I hope that the new programmatic year has started well for your ministry. Please remember that you are in our prayers here at Josephine.

I had a wonderful experience of life here this morning and I thought that I would share it with you this month. I was trying to walk alongside one of our residents struggling with the decision to transition from our rehab to our long-term care – a decision she was not ready to come to terms with making yet. We went into much detail about whether or not she thought she needed to stay here or if she were well enough to go home – the appropriate question you should be asking in rehab. Her situation was complicated by family members who may not have been on the same page with her answer to that question. In short, we struggled together through some very difficult feelings today.

As we continued talking, though, she also started sharing some inspiring experiences that she’s had since she’s been here at Josephine.

She shared about individuals who always come to her with things weighing on their hearts; she shared about others with whom she had meaningful dialogues and could offer encouragement in the area of faith; she shared about others who sought her out each day to have meals with her. I expressed to her how grateful I was that she had such meaningful experiences in her relatively short time here!

I invited her to consider, based on what she just shared, if it might be helpful for her to reverse the question she’d been asking. Instead of “Do I need to be here at Josephine?” – I invited her to consider the reverse, “Do those at Josephine need me to be here?” Blow, Spirit, blow!

Thanks as always for your partnership and support!

Join a journey to the world’s largest country, and witness modern Russia in its capital, Moscow. Visit the world-class beauty, St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s city on the Neva River. Trip participants from OHLC will want to spend a few days visiting our partner congregation, St. Katharina Lutheran Church in Kazan.

Information and reservation forms are available on the church information desk. For further information, contact me, Ken Grigsby, Team Russia Chairman, at island66@comcast.net . For U.S. citizens, a valid passport and Russian visa are required. The Team Russia Committee will be working with Alexander (Alex) Vilkevich at EastWest Tours, alex@east-west-tours.com . Information, visa application and costs can be found on the website for East West Tours (www.eastwest-tours.com ).

Round trip air fare, Seattle to Moscow, St. Petersburg to Seattle, is about $1100, including tax. A pastor who has made a number of trips to Russia says he budgets $2500 for a trip (that’s with home stays).

Ken Grigsby, OHLC Kazan, Russia Partnership Committee ELCA NW WA Synod Team Russia Committee

The Synod Team Russia Committee is meeting at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church in the library on Sunday, Oct. 23, after the 10:30AM service. The OHLC Kazan Committee will provide a light lunch.

Warmly, Chaplain Andy 10

Financial Report

October 2 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

Assisting Minister: Paul Senness Communion Asst.: Kathy Ridle Ushers: Stone family Assisting Minister: Ken Grigsby Communion Asst. Sande Mulkey Music: Senior Choir Presider: Pastor Jeffrey Spencer Communion Asst.: B. Bruland

Acolyte: Mackienzie Mathieu Computer: Donna Aspery Music: Morning Glory Organ/Piano: Jan Ernst Acolyte: Alissa Blevins Computer: Peter Spencer Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Sarah Rodriguey Piano: Kris Bruland

August August $ 32,525 38,890 $ (6,365)

Income Outgo

Year to date $ 273,410 291,887 $ (18,477)

October 9 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

Worship Attendance

Assisting Minister: Rick Culbertson Communion Asst.: Candi Amarelo Ushers: Margraf family

Acolyte: Natalie Stone Computer: Sheila Ryan Music: Harbor Bells Organ/Piano: Kris Bruland Assisting Minister: Ron Ernst Acolyte: Micah Burrow Communion Asst.: Jan McCullough Computer: Organ/Piano: Jan Ernst Presider: Pastor Wayne Bacus Assisting Min.: Gisela Hawley Communion Asst.: B. Bruland Piano: Kris Bruland

Date 8:00 AM Sept. 4 65 Sept. 11 82 Sept. 18 73 Sept. 25 62 Average Att. 71

October 16 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

Assisting Minister: Shanna Lundstrom Acolyte: Johannes Christensen Communion Asst.: Marge Moore Computer: Molly Nagel Ushers: Ellis family Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Assisting Minister: Skip Lycksell Acolyte: Isaiah Wiley Communion Asst.: Sande Mulkey Computer: Luke Spencer Music: Senior Choir, Harbor Bells Organ/Piano: Jan Ernst Presider: Pastor Jay Decker Assisting Min.: Trudy Decker Communion Asst.: B. Bruland Piano: Kris Bruland

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

Assisting Minister: Tom Piper Communion Asst.: Mike Fankhauser Ushers: Amarelo family Music: Praise Team, Youth Choir Assisting Minister: Moira Bartrand Communion Asst. Martha Ellis Music: Senior Choir, Youth Choir Presider: Pastor Marc Stroud Communion Asst.: B. Bruland

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

Coupeville 23 17 22 26 22

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations 4 Francis of Assisi, renewer of the 19 Church, 1226; Theodor Fliedner, 23 renewer of society, 1864 26 6 William Tyndale, translator, martyr, 1536 7 Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, 1787 28 15 Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer 31 of the church, 1582 17 Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr, c. 115

Acolyte: Isabel Carr Computer: Kathy Ridle Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan: Acolyte: Sadie Harbaugh Computer: Rick Culbertson Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Assisting Min.: Carol Snoble Piano: Kris Bruland

October 30 8:00 AM

10:30 AM 105 109 108 107 107

Nursery 5 6 2 7 5

Average Sunday attendance: 205

October 23 8:00 AM

September

Assisting Minister: Jeff Margraf Acolyte: Natalie Stone Communion Asst.: Gaye Rodriguey Computer: Mary Brock Ushers: J. Flowers & L. Forster Music: Morning Glory Organ/Piano: Sue Stroud Assisting Minister: Carol Fitzgerald Acolyte: Elias Wiley Communion Asst. Rita Carter Computer: Peter Spencer Music: Praise Team Organ/Piano: Verna Morgan Presider: Pastor Jeffrey Spencer Assisting Min.: Communion Asst.: B. Bruland Piano: Kris Bruland

October

Luke, Evangelist James of Jerusalem, martyr Philipp Nicolai, 1608; Johann Heermann, 1647; Paul Gerhardt, 1676; hymnwriters Simon & Jude, Apostles Reformation Day

Little Lutheran bags in October: Judy Fantauzzi This month’s featured font: Hingham 11

Text

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2 Healing prayer at both morning services Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Acolyte training 12:00 Tigers 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 9 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30

3

4 9:00 Blanket Workshop

5 9:00 Blanket Workshop

7

1 8:00 breakfast: Lutheran Men in Mission

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

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

11:30 OHLC Staff 1:30 Breastfeeding USA 5:30 Harbor Bells 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir

10

11 9:30 Worship & Music 10:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard

6 10:00 Deborah Circle 3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Knitting Group 6:30 OHLC Musicians 7:00 Nar-Anon.

7:00 Arrow of Light 13 10:00 Deborah Circle 3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Stephen Ministry 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Knitting Group 6:00 Pack 98 7:00 Nar-Anon.

5:00 Council planning dinner

Lutherfest!

5:00

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 16 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Bible Basics 12:00 Confirmation 5:00 Vespers/Coupeville 8th anniversary celebration 6:30 23 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30 Synod Russia Comm. 12:00

Skagit-Isle Cluster Reformation Celebration, Salem Lutheran 3:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 30 Reformation Sunday Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Education 9:15 Worship 10:30

1:00 Munchy Monday

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

17

18 10:00 Rebecca Circle

1:00 Munchy Monday 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Bears 7:00 Scout Adult Comm.

7:00 Boy Scouts

24

25 10:30 Stamping Group 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard

1:00 Munchy Monday 6:30 Stephen Ministry Training 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Solutions

11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Book Group 5:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Tigers 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir 19

7:00 Council

14

8 11:00 Mighty To Save

15

1:30 Keepers of the Faith

7:00 Arrow of Light

20 Newsletter Deadline 10:00 Deborah Circle

21

22

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 7:00 Compassion Team 27 OHLC at SPIN Café 10:00 Deborah Circle

1:30 Keepers of the Faith

1:00 Girl Scout event

6:00 CADA Parenting 6:30 Bears 7:00 Board of Review 7:00 Boy Scouts

5:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Tigers 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir 26 OHLC at SPIN Café 11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Library Committee 5:30 Harbor Bells 6:00 Tigers 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

7:00 Senior Choir Open House for His Kids families

3:45 Youth Choir 4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Praise Team 6:00 Knitting Group 6:00 Pack 4098 Spookeree 7:00 Nar-Anon.

1:30 Keepers of the Faith

31 Reformation Day

1:00 Munchy Monday

OHHS football game; OHLC parking lot in use

11:30 OHLC Staff

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

6:30 Angeli 7:00 Solutions Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

6:00 CADA Parenting 7:00 Boy Scouts

12

1:30 Keepers of the Faith

Watch for the parking lot project this month, currently scheduled (weather permitting!) for Monday - Friday, October 10-14.

Parking will be available across the street at the high school or on the road shoulder!

12

OHHS football game; OHLC parking lot in use 28

29

6:30 HS Luth Youth, meet at OHLC to carpool for corn maze at 7:00 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 Open House, Oct. 26!

For registration info, contact the church office.