Harbor Beacon October 2012

The light shines in the darkness… John 1:5 OHLC Staff

Volume 59, Issue 10

October 2012

a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 1253 NW 2 Avenue

Pastor: Jeffrey Spencer

279-0413

Pastor of Care Ministries Marc Stroud

678-5994

Youth Ministry Coordinator: Stephany Vogel 679-1561

OAK HARBOR LUTHERAN CHURCH nd

Home Phone

(360) 679-1561

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

Every member in mission: Home  Community  World IN THIS ISSUE: Discipleship in the home, pg. 2

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

Click on this link for the October newsletter insert:

Luth Youth gather for WOW, pg. 3

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

Photos sought for Advent pg. 4 OHLC’s website: www.oakharborlutheran.org

Focus on El Camino, pg. 8

This issue was snail-mailed September 27, 2012

Lynne checks in from Ketchikan! pg. 10 1

Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments. It was what Luther had in mind in the 16th century when he described parents as bishops and the home as a little church, and when he wrote the Small Catechism – for home use, not as a confirmation curriculum.

Pastor’s Page Every Member in Mission: Discipleship in the Home

When Christians are equipped to practice faith in the home Monday through Saturday, faith is deepened and Sunday becomes even more meaningful. As Anderson writes, “Those who arrive to the public gathering of the congregation arrive from daily lives of faith lived, celebrated, and tested in real time in real relationships in the midst of real life-and-death issues, the kind that happen in and through the life of the home.” The sanctuary reinforces the home, and vice-versa, making for a more vibrant faith in each setting.

A woman pays a visit to a fellow church member’s home on a Tuesday morning. Over coffee, they make small talk before the conversation turns to troubling results from a recent medical test. They pray together before parting.

A husband and wife spend the waning hours of their Wednesday holding hands in prayer, taking turns lifting up the cares of the day, confessing the inevitable slights and shortcomings endured within every marriage, basking in God’s peace and forgiveness together before drifting off to sleep.

Our congregation needs to do more than get households into church. We need to get church into households. To that end, we are providing “Taking Faith Home” inserts in each Sunday’s worship bulletins. These lectionary-based devotions offer daily encouragement in the faith and provide a thematic bridge from Sunday to Sunday. They are excellent resources for individuals, couples, families, and small groups. We also provide a wide variety of other devotional resources on the welcome table in the narthex. Furthermore, we are offering a class called “Sacred Parenting” this fall, which helps equip parents to think theologically about the experience of parenting. (Join us! It isn’t too late!) Similar resources, classes, and events will be offered throughout the program year ahead with the intention of helping us practice our faith in the context of the home.

A family steeps their Thursday in Christian faith, praying together before leaving the house that morning, saying grace before dinner, and ending the day by gathering together on the couch for a short Bible reading, a sharing of joys and concerns, and the Lord’s Prayer.

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unday has always been the most important day of the week for Christians. Every single Sunday since Jesus rose from the dead, Christians have been gathering on Sunday mornings to worship, to hear God’s Word, to share the Lord’s Supper, and to enjoy Christian fellowship. However, while Sunday is important, it should not be the only day of the week when faith is practiced. We are called to be disciples Monday through Saturday as well, and the setting for much of this mid-week discipleship is the home.

So call that friend from church and pay them a visit. Speak a word of grace into their struggles. Dare to take your spouse’s hand in prayer. You don’t have to be a poet, just speak from the heart. Spend five or ten minutes on the couch talking about a Bible verse with your kids. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar. Trust the Word to do its work. Don’t just come to church on Sunday. Be the church Monday through Saturday.

Author David Anderson uses a nice turn of phrase as he juxtaposes the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19: “Go, make disciples…”) with what he calls the Great Omission. He describes the Great Omission as the church’s neglect of the role of the home in making disciples. He argues convincingly that a necessary element in the renewal of the church is the encouraging and equipping of Christians to practice their faith in the home. “Faith,” he explains, “is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships – often in our own homes.” In our increasingly secularized, post-Christian culture we can no longer just “go to church” on Sunday. We need to be the church Monday through Saturday.

Christ isn’t just present in our sanctuary. He is present in our homes as well. He isn’t just present at the altar, he is there at our kitchen tables. He isn’t just found in the baptismal font, he’s in the bathtub as we’re bathing our little ones. Wherever Christians go, Christ is present – even, perhaps especially, in our homes. May we believe this Good News to be true, and live accordingly.

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer

This approach is not a newfangled strategy or yet another church fad. It is an idea found throughout the

NEXT MONTH: Discipleship in the community 2

Growing & Learning

You get the idea! There are so many hands and hearts involved in this program! I won’t list all of you here by name, but I hope you know how great I think you are! I really believe in that program. I hope all the help and support for Munchy Monday keeps coming and stays strong. If you can’t help this particular program in any other way, please pray for it to stay a strong outreach to the high school youth.

Enjoying autumn

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he onset of the back to school calendar is settling in to a more normal rhythm, with the early mornings not quite such a jarring experience. Driving more slowly in the flashing lights of the school zone feels normal again. Our church program year is settling in as we enjoy a full calendar of youth groups, adult forums, Sunday School, and on and on. OHLC really is a busy and full building during the week.

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, you are a wonderful community of folks! Please join me in praying for the kids and youth of this blessed church family.

Stephany Vogel, Youth Ministry Coordinator

The leaves are really turning those lovely fall colors now, and beginning to drop off and color the sidewalks. The season of leaf raking is upon us.

It always feels like autumn after the first crisp days of raking leaves, wearing a sweater, maybe even a hat and gloves. So many of us remember going to school dressed for winter, and coming home dragging a coat, wondering how we ever thought it was cold enough for such winter clothes. Yes, fall is here! I’m looking forward to decorating for Halloween and buying a few pumpkins to ornament the house. It’s such a wonderful season.

WOW! (Word on Wednesday) Luth Youth gathers on Wednesday evenings for games, snacks, and a fun, multimedia, interactive Bible study led by Pastor Spencer. We meet in the library from 6:30-8:00 PM. Check it out! (Note: We will not be meeting on October 31.)

October 21: 3rd/4th Grade BIBLE BASICS (with pizza!)

All 3rd and 4th graders and their families are encouraged to attend a Bible Basics class on Sunday, October 21, beginning at 6:00 PM. Pizza will be provided. (Donations are welcome, but not required.)

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their child. Siblings are welcome, but will be dismissed to an alternative activity during the class portion of the evening. The event will conclude by 7:30 PM. All 3rd and 4th graders who attend will be presented with their own Bible during our Reformation Sunday worship services on October 28. Please RSVP to Pastor Spencer, or through the Opportunity Form in the worship bulletin.

Luth Youth, our group for 6th through 12th graders, has started, and a wonderful start it has been. I hope the kids will read this, or have an adult point it out to them. The kids are Great! I want them to know that! They really are. I want to say a special thank you to Mary Brock for helping with games during Word on Wednesday (WOW), and Jenny Ott for helping me with Luth Youth gatherings on Sunday mornings at 9:15 in the youth room. Jenny is a wonderful, happy presence, and need I mention her lovely daughter Lena? 8-month old Lena is truly a star in the youth group.

And about Munchy Monday… that is a topic of its own.

Munchy Monday is a wonderful program of outreach and giving. When the kids from Oak Harbor High School have nowhere to go between early release from class and the beginning of after-school sports and other activities, the church is here to open its doors and give a snack and a safe place to play a game, study or just hang out. This program takes a big commitment from a host of people, from the shoppers and money gift givers who help provide the food, shepherds that guide and watch over the youth during our busy Mondays, the cookie and brownie bakers, kitchen helpers, greeters, the clean-up crew, the ping pong players…

For some years now I have read through the Bible twice every year. If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant.

—Martin Luther 3

Growing & Learning, continued…

Take note!

Adult Education for October

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ith the exception of our “Ministry of the Month” presentation on the 7th, our October adult education schedule continues a pair of classes which were begun in September. You do not need to have come to previous sessions of these classes to start now.

Drop in anytime!

Pastor Spencer is leading a series on Sacred Parenting, exploring the spirituality of everyday life and how parenting shapes us as disciples of Jesus. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend.

Pastor Stroud is leading a discussion of how we worship in today’s culture, considering how our worship practices reach out to the world around us without compromising our Christian identity.

New Member Class offered in October

Oct. 7: Oct. 14:

Advent is coming! Our 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 two months on one or more of the following themes: Christ in our home, Christ in our community, Christ in our world. Take pictures of your family saying grace at the dinner table. 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 will be collected and arranged into three photo essay-style presentations to show to the congregation at our midweek Advent services. Your participation in this project is much appreciated!

Interested in becoming a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church? Curious about Lutheran Christianity? Confused about something we do in worship? Join us for a three-session new member class on Sundays at Noon on October 7, 14, and 21. We’ll meet in the library. A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Pastor Spencer, or through the Opportunity Form in the worship bulletin.

Photos sought for Advent project!

El Camino de Emaus presentation +Sacred Parenting, Session 4 (library) +Christian Worship: Forming a community and calling it church (Room 8, education wing) Oct. 21: +Sacred Parenting, Session 5 (library) +Christian Worship: Our worship as an extension of our Christian selves (Room 8, education wing) Oct. 28 +Sacred Parenting, Session 6 (library) +Christian Worship: What happens after we say, “Go in peace; serve the Lord” (Room 8, education wing) Beginning in November we will be offering one adult education class, a book study on Real Faith for Real Life, by Michael Foss. Order yours online, or watch for ordering information through the church on the Opportunity Form in the worship bulletin.

Thank you for your weeding & painting! Thanks to everyone who pulled weeds and helped tidy up our church property in September, including the Webelos 1 Cub Scout den. Thanks to Dale Zimmerman for restriping our church parking lot, and to Tom Piper and Kyle Tomlin for repainting our handicap spots and directional arrows. Things are looking sharp at OHLC!

Coming in November…

On Sunday, Nov. 4, we will have a Stewardship Luncheon.

On Sunday, Nov. 18 there will be a “Journey to Jesus’ Table” class offered for children who would like to begin (or are currently) participating in Holy Communion. This class runs from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM, and lunch is provided.

We will be hosting a joint Thanksgiving Eve service with Whidbey Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 PM.

Included in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures for October. The NW WA Synod insert The Spirit was not yet available as we went to press.

The deadline for articles for the November newsletter is Monday, October 22.

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Celebrating the Reformation

Stewardship: Giving to God

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We have overcome what had been a growing deficit in meeting our budget! We experienced a bit of a financial reprieve over the summer due to the turnover in staff, but we also benefited from generous giving during what is commonly a season of lower offerings and attendance. Thank you! Keep up the good work this fall as we move full speed ahead in mission!

Thank You for Your Giving!

n many congregations, Reformation Sunday is treated as a sort of “Lutheran heritage” day, a time for singing chorales and remembering the theological reforms of the 16th century that gave birth to Lutheranism. In other parishes, a greater focus is placed on the church’s need for continual reform; the church’s history is secondary to an emphasis on the issues and needs of the church today.

Both of these approaches have much to commend them.

But the true center of this day is found in the appointed readings: Christ makes us free. His covenant is written on our hearts. We are neither bound to the past nor slaves to our anxieties of the present.

On Reformation Sunday – as every Sunday – we remember that we are not ashamed of this good news, this gospel.

Giving as an act of worship - from Giving to God, by Mark Allan Powell

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here are numerous stories in the New Testament about people bring gifts to God. In Matthew 2:1-12 we read of the Magi bringing their gifts to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus.

When Jesus was grown, he receives a similar gift of devotion from a woman who pours expensive ointment on his feet and then wipes her feet with her hair (Mark 14:3-9).

Later, Jesus encounters someone who decides that the best way of showing devotion to God is by helping the poor. Zacchaeus announces he will give half of his wealth to the poor (Luke 19:1-10).

This account makes for an interesting comparison with another story in which Jesus tells a man to sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor (Luke 18:18-25).

Why would Jesus tell one rich man that he ought to give up all his possessions and then be delighted with another rich man who offers to give up only half? Perhaps the answer is to be found in the person’s motivation. The one man wants to know what he should do, and Jesus tells him (he should give up all). With Zacchaeus, however, he wants to give away half his fortune and Jesus is pleased with his heartfelt generosity.

There are many other examples but the common theme in all these stories is that the focus is not on giving as an obligation, but on giving as an act of worship. These disciples offer their treasures – large or small – in a spirit of devotion and adoration, as the gifts of glad and generous hearts that have been touched by God’s love.

From Sundays and Seasons, © 2011 Augsburg Fortress Ideas and Images for the Day, Reformation Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012

The Wittenberg Castle Church Door Ninety-five theses were nailed to the door Of the Wittenberg old castle church So the diligent student could learn Luther’s thoughts, Could debate them, or do more research.

Like a bulletin board, the door often held Some clichéd or some new information; But this time the thoughts on the door spread worldwide – And set off a great Reformation!

- Peggy Ferrell, Prayers and Poems quoted in The Newsletter Newsletter, Oct. 2009

Carol Reafs

Many things I have tried to grasp and have lost. That which I have placed in God's hands, I still have.

-Martin Luther 5

BookMarks

The Brotherhood of St. Bernard

Coupeville Book Group

What is your mission?

The votes are in, and the winner is….. two meetings in October!

The first will be on our regular evening, and the second will be in place of a meeting in November since that would fall on election day. See below for the details:

ust what is a mission? The dictionary defines it as “A body of persons sent to conduct negotiations or establish relations with a foreign country; persons sent to a foreign land to spread its faith; a special assignment given to a person or group.” Those are a few of the definitions. There are religious terms, diplomatic terms and military terms; they reach out to other countries or other groups of people, but all reflect a service – to teach, present, convince, defend, deal, or handle.

Having a mission is having a purpose. Usually the purpose is written out as specific instructions, with well-defined goals to be accomplished.

Here at Oak Harbor Lutheran, there are many missions. Besides the Mission of the Church, our men have their Men’s Mission, the choir has a mission, the children’s Sunday School program has a mission, and the Compassion Ministry is keeping tabs on several missions. There are any number of missions available for you to serve God and spread the faith right here at home. We don’t have to travel far to find a need that requires attention and service.

For you men, the Brotherhood of Saint Bernard reaches out to our youth, families, service members, community and our church. There is more than enough for all who will take the time to serve. Thirty minutes here, an hour there, and you can reach out and help someone in need. The Brotherhood (or if you prefer, “The Old Dogs”) meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 12:00 noon in the fellowship hall for lunch, fellowship, scripture study, and prayer. Some even sing. Most are older, retired men that have time to spend. What about you young men? We know you have a job and are busy, but what about spending a lunch hour with us? Come join us; the meal will be prepared when you get here.

It’s good food we cook ourselves (well, maybe some of our wives help).

Fill your soul with the Bread of Life and then say your prayer of thanks on your way back to work. It will refresh, brighten, lighten and complete your day. Try it. You’ll love it.

Norm Brinker

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Tuesday, October 2 7:00 PM in the home of Trudy Decker, 158 Keystone Avenue.

Discussion leader is Gayle Dobbyn; Margaret Anderson is bringing “the one thing” (refreshments). We’ll consider The Devil in the White City,

by Seattle author Erik Larson: Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Larson intertwines the true tale of two men – the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World’s Fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.

Tuesday, Oct. 30 7:00 PM – do we have volunteers for hostess, discussion leader, and “one thing” provider? Let me know if you can help! The book is Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, by Tom Franklin and it’ll be available for checkout at the Coupeville Library between October 1st and the 15th.

Boyhood pals in rural Mississippi, Larry and Silas were from worlds as different as night and day. Larry was the child of lower middle-class white parents, and Silas the son of a poor, single black mother. A tragedy divided them and Silas left town. More than 20 years later, a similar incident brings up old suspicions and the former friends are forced to confront a past they thought was buried.

Gaye Rodriguey, gaye@tobysuds.com

Second Wednesday Book Group Meets at 1:00 PM on Oct. 10 in the church library to consider The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake: It’s 1940 in the small town of Franklin, Massachusetts, as yet unaffected by the war raging in Europe. A tale with parallels to our lives today, of 3 unforgettable women, of lost innocence, of what happens to love when those we cherish leave us, and how we bear the fact that war is going on at the same time as ordinary lives continue.

Leona McKee, bcmac68@comcast.net

A fellowship of Christian men

Men’s potluck breakfast, Oct. 6: For the Bible study we’ll look at the Epistle of James and why Martin Luther referred to it as “an epistle of straw.” This should end up being a cautionary tale of hero worship and over-reaction. See you there at 8:00 AM! Marc Stroud 6

OHLC Women

His Kids Preschool

Circle meetings in October

e’re off to a wonderful start of His Kids Preschool as we began our 20th year as a ministry of this congregation. (Can you believe it? Where has the time gone?) Here’s what our students said they liked best about the first month of preschool:

Opportunities for fellowship, study and service

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10/4, 11, 18, 25 Deborah Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library/fireside room to continue study in the book Made For Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu.

A ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

2-day AM class Rian: Cars Autumn: Clay Logan: Playing with everybody Grace: Puppets Emily: Happy place [Addie and Carlie were absent]

10/16 Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library/fireside room for Bible study using the current issue of Gather magazine.

10/18 Esther Circle meets at 2:00 PM in the prayer room for Bible study using the current issue of Gather magazine.

3-day AM class Jayleigh: I like to finger paint Cameron: I like the toys inside Treasure: Playing with my friends Riley: To go outside Connor: to get to listen Grant: Playing with Cameron Adam: Making robots from blocks

Blanket Workshop Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday & Wednesday, October 2 & 3, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. New volunteers are much needed and always welcome – you don’t have to know how to sew! Why not stop by and see what we’re working on?

Donations of fabric are also appreciated; cottons or cotton blends (no knits), please; large pieces are especially preferred. For more information about Blanket Workshop, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net.

Addi: Clay Francesca: Legos Jacob: Blocks Carlie: To paint Cooper: Playing outside

Evan: Painting my hands Caylin: Playing Cooper: Snack time Caroline: Play Weston: Chapel Caleb: Playing outside William: Playing outside

3-day PM class Eli: Painting Aleera: The playground Andrew: I like the Legos Emma: I like playing Cody: I like painting Kierra: Playdough Ethan: I like the pegs Damien: Apples Erin: I like playing with cars Wesley: Legos Brooklynn: Reading books Priscilla: I like reading and having circle time

Handwork group Heart & Hand meets Friday, October 19 at 9:30 AM in the comfortable chairs of the prayer room. Bring your own knitting, crocheting or other handwork projects or help us make sweaters and hats for Lutheran World Relief or hats for Secret Harbor. If you’d like to learn to knit or crochet, please join us and we’ll show you how to get started.

This is a great way to meet other handworkers in our congregation! For more information about Heart & Hand, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net.

In September we gathered items for school kits for Lutheran World Relief and each class took a field trip to the Wind & Tide Bookshop. Coming up in October: Open House for each class (see the calendar for dates and times) and our annual visit to the pumpkin patch!

It’s not too late for 3- and 4-year-olds to join the fun at His Kids Preschool – we still have a few spaces available in our classes. Call the church office for more information, 679-1561.

Shalom, Miss Gaye

I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three hours in prayer.

—Martin Luther 7

Compassion Ministry

ment in the Synod. As a way for people to come to know us, we visit congregations in the Synod on Sunday mornings. We lead adult forums and assist in worship through music and communion. Our weekly Sunday worship at 6:30 PM allows for visitors from other churches in the Synod. Our service is in Spanish but often an interpreter is present to assist visitors.

EL CAMINO DE EMAUS is our ministry of the month

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s many of you know, when you move to a new area it can be difficult to get adjusted to the community. At times you want to be like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and click your heels together to return home. When I moved here from Maryland, a place I had lived all my life at that point, I felt like I had moved to another country. The people and lifestyles were so different but I knew I wasn’t alone in this feeling. When I was introduced to the community of El Camino I found brothers and sisters in Christ’s family who also felt the way I did. I remember Pastor Eduardo telling me that because of my cross-country move I was feeling like an immigrant, and he was right.

At that moment I no longer wanted to be like Dorothy. God gave me a new home and, thanks to Oak Harbor Lutheran and El Camino de Emaus, a lot of new family members. Coming from a large family made it easy for me to be a part of both the Oak Harbor Lutheran and El Camino communities. It’s my hope that during the month of October you will get to know our brothers and sisters of El Camino de Emaus.

To help meet the growing need in the Skagit Valley area, there are two members who have gone to seminary and are now ordained pastors at El Camino. Rev. Emilio Benitez-Salgado and Rev. Esau Cuevas-Benitez are called to proclaim the Good News in Word and Sacrament. They also serve as significant outreach resources within the area, lead Bible study, and serve as mentors to men, women and children.

Recently Pastor Emilio has begun working one-third time with the local Episcopal Church.

El Camino’s Youth and Family ministry is made up of 28 school-aged children. Families attend weekly worship services, go to Camp Lutherwood, share in Vacation Bible School with Burlington Lutheran, and have confirmation classes. We share in fun activities in our community such as sledding, fishing, picnics and visits to orchards.

Let me start by introducing you to my four new godchildren: Rodrigo is the oldest, followed by Esmeralda, Aaron and Maurico, and their mom, Maura. You can see our smiling faces below

Oak Harbor Lutheran has been very supportive of this ministry over the years with donations coming from Deborah Circle, Seminary Student funding and the annual Giving Tree as well as other appeals.

One year the Sunday School donations went to support El Camino’s Sunday School program, while just this September, backpacks filled with school supplies were given to the children.

We look forward to El Camino’s upcoming annual visit to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 7 (including hosting the 10:30 coffee hour, with tamales and other Mexican treats!), as well as sharing information throughout the month of October about their ministry.

Vickie Longshore

We should learn well how to please Christ. We do please him by dedicating our entire life with all possible diligence solely to the service of our neighbor. “Down, down,” says Christ, “you will find me in the poor, you are rising too high if you do not look for me down there.”

- Martin Luther

El Camino de Emmaus is a Skagit County worshiping community formed 6 years ago within the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA. Under the leadership of Rev. Eduardo Cabrera and his wife Luz, we began as the only Hispanic congregation under develop8

more from Compassion Ministry

CRECER means to grow; 6 Peruvians take the challenge to grow in faith

Roadside litter pick-up scheduled for Oct. 13

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eet at church at 9 AM to carpool to our 2-mile section of Highway 20 north of Oak Harbor. If you plan to help, make a note at worship on an Opportunity Form in the bulletin or sign up at the welcome desk in the narthex. Contact me if you need more information, 675-9452, pckkd@comcast.net.

Pat Dallen

n September we began to grow along with 6 disciples, meeting twice a week for two hours. They have been challenged to be punctual and to spend 1 hour a day alone with the Bible, a notebook and the Lord.

They are reading a book on missions and they are making decisions about how to react differently to life’s situations in and outside the church. These 6 are the first fruits of a Discipleship Training School for adults.

We face lots of distractions when it comes to growing up in the Lord. We have jobs, children, church activities and many other responsibilities that take away from a fluid life with Christ. Rebecca, Marylou, Isamar, Jorge, Shirley, and Isaac chose to sign a contract that says that nothing will keep them from arriving for each class, doing the homework, and doing their hour with the Lord.

So far it has been a real struggle. One week two people arrived a half hour late.

Three people did not do their hour with God, and the class time has been an incredible adjustment for them.

The recent class on the difference between a believer and a disciple hit us all between the eyes. I’ll give you just a taste. A believer waits for fish and bread and a disciple goes fishing. A believer gives some of his finances and a disciple gives his life. A believer grumbles and complains and a disciple obeys and denies himself. The believer waits for his reward in giving, while the disciple feels the act of giving is his reward. These are just a few of many challenges to come as we grow together through the next ten weeks.

We are also blessed to announce that our missionary from Chile, Sandra Ulloa, has arrived, settled in, and is on the move to bring more people into the kingdom. She is one of the CRECER teachers. Pray for us as we continue on this journey. God is faithful to complete what he has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

Take a look at our 2012 Discipleship Training School video that we’ve recently posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYbw6P1cYn4

Benefit auction for El Camino de Emaus, Oct. 14

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nnual auction at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1006 Wicker Road, Sedro-Woolley, beginning at 4 PM; benefits Bethlehem Lutheran and El Camino de Emaus. Appetizer and dessert buffet, silent and live auctions – some of the items to be auctioned include theme baskets, handmade quilts and table runners, theatre tickets, antiques, a day at Big Lake, and a progressive dinner. Bring your family and friends! For driving directions or other information, contact Bethlehem Lutheran, 360-856-6181 or blc.secretary@frontier.com.

Vickie Longshore

Brrr!

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t’s getting colder outside! Warm coats, blankets and socks are needed by our brothers and sisters locally and at El Camino who are unable to purchase them. Clean, gently-used blankets and coats and new socks are especially appreciated! Look for the big red bin in the narthex. Sharing shows caring. Thank you for caring!

Judy Lycksell Watoto news e’d like to thank everyone for the continued support of the orphans of Watoto in Uganda. Our next event will be an Oktoberfest dinner and auction at the Elks Club in Oak Harbor on Saturday, October 27. Save the date and watch for more information.

Skip Lycksell

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In appreciation

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huge, warm thanks to all who donated to Lutheran World Relief during September’s appeal. Your donations will nicely cover the costs for our next 2 shipments, October 2012 & May 2013. Your generous gifts show how much the congregation of OHLC cares for God’s people who are in need.

Leona McKee

Bless you all!!!

Shannon Kraft, Go Missions, Peru 9

Notes from Lynne…

It seems strange to have the school year started and not be listening to the sounds of the preschoolers singing across the hall, participating in choirs, and working with the OHLC staff. But Eric and I are grateful to be living under the same roof and we are enjoying exploring the trails and back roads of this beautiful part of the world.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We hold OHLC in our prayers and love to hear news from “home” any time!

Peace, Lynne Ogren, OHLC Seminarian

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reetings from Ketchikan, Alaska!

Eric & I arrived safe and sound on Saturday, August 25 and we are getting settled in to our new community.

We had a lovely drive through British Columbia and took a 6- hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan. We were greeted by sunshine that day and I’d say we’ve had blue sky about half the time we've been here, which is a lovely surprise from what I had expected! We are living in an apartment over our landlord’s garage. It is small but enough for us and we have a nice view of the water, watching the cruise ships, ferries, and float planes come and go.

Eric & Lynne Ogren PO Box 6464 Ketchikan, AK 99901

360-929-1092 (Lynne’s cell) lynneogren@gmail.com

…and news from both Esthers

My seminary semester has started up and this semester I am taking a total of 4 courses. Two of them are half-semester classes, one the first 6-weeks and the other the second 6-weeks, so I’m really taking three courses at a time. It is an interesting variety this semester, including Lutheran Confessional Writings, Theological Leadership in Change & Conflict, Scriptural Christian Art, an my second Ethics course.

Not working right now means I have time available to study, and I do appreciate that.

After 26 years on Whidbey, the longest she’s lived in one place, Esther Kneale is in the process of moving to North Vancouver, BC, to be closer to family. Her health continues to be a cause for concern, so she will be relocating to an assisted living facility, and a corner apartment with a view of the mountains and the harbor.

Her new address is The Summerhill, 135 West 15th Street, North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7M 1R7.

She says she’ll look forward to reading the Harbor Beacon online, starting with this issue, so we wish you all the best in your new home, Esther!

I am deeply grateful to the OHLC Theresa Ferguson Scholarship committee for awarding me another $1,000 scholarship this year. In addition, since I am now able to take three full credits per semester I am considered a full-time student and have qualified for the Mourer Loan through Luther Seminary. The beauty of this loan is that for each year I am in ministry following graduation, ten percent of my loan will be forgiven, up to 50%. These two, plus a small grant and a Fund for Leaders scholarship, are covering most of my tuition this semester.

Thank you for the continued support and encouragement you continue to be as I journey toward ordination.

Esther Herlevi continues to recuperate following surgery for a shoulder injury that she suffered in a fall. She sends her sincere thanks for all the cards, prayers, visits while she was in the hospital in Anacortes and during her convalescence at Fidalgo Care Center, and for the meals brought for Walt and their son Michael.

She’s home now, and the healing process is slowly continuing.

We are worshiping at First Lutheran Church, the same church where Don Fosso lived with his family when his father was the pastor here. (You’ll have to ask him how many years ago that was!) I am doing some consulting with the Christian Education folks as they try to put some new life in their Sunday School and other Christian Ed offerings. They are grateful for someone who literally showed up out of the blue with the experience and training they need, and I am glad to be of service.

Updated (nonpictorial) directories for Oak Harbor Lutheran Church are available in the narthex, or ask Carol in the church office. Note this correction: Pedlars’ e-mail address is ccpedlar@comcast.net.

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Worship Assistants 10/ 7

8:00 10:30 6:30 10/14 8:00 10:30 6:30 10/21 8:00 10:30 6:30 10/28 8:00 10:30 6:30

Asst. Ministers Kathy Ridle Ken Grigsby Tom Coe Mary Wood Gisela Hawley Shanna Lundstrom Mike Crawford Trudy Decker Tom Johnson Jan Heideger Carol Snoble

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

Senior Choir Cantor: Mary McLeod Morning Glory Praise Team Cantor: Carol Reafs

Assistants

10/ 7 8:00 AM Higgins family

Communion: Mike Fankhauser Computer: Donna Aspery Communion: Allan Swan Computer: Rick Culbertson

10:30 AM J. Wilcox, L. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jay Decker 10/21 8:00 AM Ellis family 10:30 AM B. Heideger 6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud 10/28 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 54 68 74 55 63

Sun. 10:30 AM 136 141 109 112 126

Cpvl.

22 15 18 21 19

Nursery 3 6 4 0 3

Sept. 30 attendance will be included in the October statistics.

Average weekly attendance: 211

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

Ushers 10:30 AM J. Wilcox, L. Michalski 6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer 10/14 8:00 AM Margraf family

Date Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Average Att.

Music

September

Coffee Fellowship

October

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 10/ 7 Tomlin 10/14 Lefse Day! 10/21 Harbaugh 10/28

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

10:30 AM Longshore, El Camino de Emaus

Coupeville 6:30 PM Swan, Dailey Bruland Decker Johnson

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

August

August Year to Date Income $ 34,006 262,426 Outgo 29,882 261,961 $ 4,026 $ 367 For a more detailed picture of the August financial status, please refer to the reports posted in the narthex.

Deborah Circle

October

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

This month’s featured font is Becker; quotes from Martin Luther are printed in Malvern.

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Pedlar

Lefse Day!

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations

Communion: Gaye Rodriguey Computer: Kathy Ridle Communion: Sande Mulkey Computer: Rita Carter

Fair Trade Sponsors

SUNDAY The church calendar is updated regularly on OHLC’s website,

MONDAY 1 1:00 Munchy Monday

www.oakharborlutheran.org

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

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

7 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Mission presentation 9:15 Worship 10:30 New Member Class 12:00 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville @ St. Mary’s 6:30

8

14 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 New Member Class 12:00 Wolves 4:00 El Camino auction at 4:00

15

1:00 Munchy Monday 6:00 Homeschoolers 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Vanishing Friends 7:00 Solutions

TUESDAY 2 9:00 Blanket Workshop 6:00 Bears 6:00 Tigers 6:30 Patrol Leaders 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Coupeville Book Gr. 7:30 Worship Brass 9 10:30 Church Mice 12:00 Brotherhood of St. Bernard 12:30 Worship & Music 4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts 5:30 Boy Scout ad. comm 6:00 Bears & Tigers 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass 16 10:00 Rebecca Circle

1:00 Munchy Monday 6:30 Angeli 6:45 4-H K-9 Korps 7:00 Cub Scout Leaders 7:00 Solutions 22 Newsletter Deadline 1:00 Munchy Monday 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Solutions

29 1:00 Munchy Monday 6:30 Angeli 7:00 Solutions

THURSDAY 4 10:00 Deborah Circle

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.

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10:00 Deborah Circle

23 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 7:30 Worship Brass 30 6:00 CADA Parenting 6:00 Bears 6:00 Tigers 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Cpvl. Book Group 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Scout Board/Review 7:30 Worship Brass

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

24 11:30 OHLC Staff 1:00 Library Committee 6:00 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Harbor Bells 6:00 His Kids Open House 6:30 Luth Youth WOW 6:45 His Kids Open House 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

31 Reformation Day 11:30 OHLC Staff 6:00 Harbor Bells 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

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FRIDAY 5 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

SATURDAY 6 8:00 Lutheran Men in Mission breakfast

4:15 Morning Glory 5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6:30 Webelos 1 7:00 Council

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Synod Women’s Retreat, Warm Beach Camp 12 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

13 9:00 Roadside pick-up; meet at OHLC to carpool

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

4:15 Morning Glory 5:00 Stephen Ministry 5:30 Praise Team 6:30 Webelos 1 18 10:00 Deborah Circle

11:30 OHLC Staff 6:00 Bears 6:00 Tigers 6:30 Webelos 2 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 Worship Brass

Bethlehem/Sedro Woolley

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 21 Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 New Member Class 12:00 Wolves 4:00 Bible Basics (Gr 3&4) 6:00 Vespers/Coupeville 6:30 28 Reformation Sunday Worship 8:00 Sunday School 9:15 Adult Ed. 9:15 Worship 10:30 Piano recital 2:00 Wolves 4:00 Vespers/Coupeville @ St. Mary’s 6:30

WEDNESDAY 3 9:00 Blanket Workshop 11:30 OHLC Staff to lunch 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 6:00 Harbor Bells 6:30 Luth Youth service project 7:00 Senior Choir 7:00 Overeaters Anon.

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2:00 Esther Circle 4:15 Morning Glory 6:30 Webelos 1 7:00 Bus loading for LWR shipment 25 10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory 6:00 His Kids Open House 6:30 Webelos 1

3:00 VAQ 135 FRG

19 9:30 Heart & Hand 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists

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5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6:00 His Kids Family Night OHHS football game; OHLC parking lot in use 26 10:00 Oak Harbor Bay Artists 5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6:00 Pack 4098 Spookerie

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Watoto benefit Oktoberfest dinner & auction, Oak Harbor Elks Club; time TBA

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL M, T, W: 9:00-11:30 AM; 12:300-3:00 PM Th, F: 9:00-11:30 AM; 12:300-3:00 PM Open House 3-day AM Class: Oct. 24, 6:00-6:30 PM 3-day PM Class: Oct. 24, 6:45-7:15 PM 2-day AM Class: Oct. 25, 6:00-6:30 PM