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The light shines in the darkness… John 1:5

Volume 59, Issue 12 December 2012

OAK HARBOR LUTHERAN CHURCH

a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

1253 NW 2nd Avenue (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

world,

pg. 2

Advent & Christmas

worship schedules

pg. 3

Consider the birds with

Lutheran Men in

Mission,

pg. 5

Memorial services:

Bernie’s on Dec. 1;

Brig’s on Dec. 8

pg. 6

Ogrens check in from

Wrangell

pg. 8

OHLC Staff Home Phone

Pastor:

Jeffrey Spencer 279-0413

Pastor of Care Ministries

Marc Stroud 678-5994

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 679-9795

Church Phone 679-1561

Click on these links

for the December newsletter inserts:

The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures:

www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Prayer-Center/Prayer-Ventures-2.aspx

The Northwest Washington Synod’s insert, The Spirit:

http://www.lutheransnw.org/files/publications/spirit/Spirit2012_12.pdf

OHLC’s website:

www.oakharborlutheran.org

This issue was snail-mailed November 29, 2012

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

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child

who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star at

its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

Matthew 2:1-2

ise men from the East came to see the Christ Child. While St.

Matthew gives us very little detail about these visitors, Christian

tradition has filled in some of the details. The visitors have been

numbered as three, a conclusion based on the three gifts given to Jesus.

Various non-canonical sources has led these three to be identified as

Caspar, a scholar from India, Melchior, a scholar from Persia, and

Balthazar, a scholar from the Arabian Peninsula. They are sometimes

given the title of “kings,” which is where we get the carol “We Three

Kings.” This assumption is based on a passage in Psalm 72:11 (“May all

kings fall down before him.”) and is probably more a theological claim

than an historical one.

Though Scripture offers scant details and the historical record is

scarce, the meaning of these three visitors is clear: the Christ Child has

been born for people of all nations and

ethnicities. The gifts given to Jesus

show that these visitors knew who

Jesus was, and why he’d come. They

brought gold – a gift fit for a king.

They brought frankincense – an

offering symbolic of prayer and

worship. They brought myrrh – an

ancient embalming salve fit for a

Savior who would die for the sins of

the whole world. Whatever their

number or name, these foreign visitors

knew who Jesus was. They knew

he’d come to save them too.

Christianity is global in scope,

and so our discipleship as followers of

Jesus has a global scope as well. Our

Lord has called us to be his witnesses

“in Jerusalem, in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus calls us to look

beyond our own cultures, ethnicities, and borders to the entire world God

so dearly loves. Christ was born for all people, and so our evangelism,

our compassion, and our partnerships in the gospel are to extend to the

ends of the earth.

I am proud to serve a congregation with a vision for mission as

big as the world itself, with active ministry partnerships not only in

North America, but on three other continents as well. We were blessed

to have Bishop Dietrich Brauer and Pastor Lena Bondarenko of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church of European Russia with us here at OHLC

in May. (Bishop Brauer is now serving as archbishop of the entire

Lutheran communion in Russia.) We earned a spot in their full itinerary

because of our active partnership with our sister congregation, St.

Katharina Lutheran Church in Kazan, Russia. We all owe a debt of

gratitude to Ken Grigsby for his passion for this ministry. Because of

Ken’s tireless work and frequent contact with our friends in Russia, we

were among a select few who got to hear a sermon preached by a

Russian bishop! In June we had a live video chat with Nick and Shannon

Kraft and their kids, whom we sponsor as missionaries in Chiclayo, Peru.

We partner with Watoto Childcare Ministries in Uganda, with an active

ministry team led by our own Dr. Lycksell, who travels to Uganda

frequently to do medical ministry. Europe, South America, and Africa –

that’s three continents, not including the one we call home. When we

include the work we do through Lutheran World Relief, our reach

extends even further. We are practicing discipleship on a global scale

here at OHLC. We do it because we have been called to be Christ’s

witnesses to the ends of the earth.

This December, when you see Christmas pageants featuring

three kids with awkwardly-fitting beards, or hear a certain Christmas

carol about three kings, or see three wise men kneeling in a manger scene

(probably anachronistically, but that’s another article), remember that

Christ was born to show God’s love for all nationalities. Remember

Christ was born to save people of every land and tongue. Remember that

Christ was born for all people – including you.

- Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer

Pastor Spencer on vacation

Pastor Spencer will be on vacation from December 26 through

January 3. Pastor Stroud will be leading worship on December 30, and

covering any emergencies which may arise during this time.

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Advent worship

Midweek Advent services & soup suppers

You’ve heard of Black Friday. (Ugh.) Join us for

Worshipful Wednesdays! We will be gathering for worship

at 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM on Wednesdays during the season

of Advent, with soup suppers following at 6:30. Holden Evening

Prayer will be our vespers liturgy, back by popular demand. This year

Pastor Spencer will give brief homilies on discipleship featuring photo-

graphy from the congregation and other sources. The theme for Decem-

ber 5 is “Christ in our Home;” on December 12 we consider “Christ in

our Community,” and we conclude on December 19 with “Christ in our

World.” Come for a time of peace and reflection and fellowship during a

season most often marked by stress and hectic activity.

Christmas worship

Sunday, December 23: ONE MORNING WOR-

SHIP SERVICE at 10:30 AM. Our congregation will

come together as one on this final Sunday in the season of

Advent for one service featuring a cantata by our Senior Choir.

We will also welcome George Myers (Roger & Georgette Anglum’s

grandson) into the communion of saints through the sacrament of Holy

Baptism. Come greet fellow members you may not have seen in a while,

and celebrate God’s promises given in music, Word, and sacrament.

Monday, December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE

We will be having three services on Christmas Eve. At 4:00 PM

we will offer a special child-friendly worship service featuring our

Sunday School Christmas pageant, Holy Communion, and

candlelight. Our traditional services (also including Holy

Communion and candlelight) will be held at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Please note that nursery care will be available at 4:00 & 7:00 PM for

children age 4 and under.

Tuesday, December 25: CHRISTMAS DAY

On Christmas Day we will offer a simple service of Holy

Communion at 10:30 AM.

Note these events and opportunities

Fair Trade Fair set for December 2

Looking for some alternative gift giving options this

Christmas? On Sunday, December 2 we will be hosting a Fair Trade

event in the fellowship hall between and after worship services. On

behalf of the OHLC Compassion Team, Carol Wall has arranged for

representatives from Fair Trade Winds of Seattle to come to our church

and offer a variety of products from Third World nations and

craftspeople in developing countries. Come check it out!

The Sharing Tree is our ministry emphasis for December

Our annual Sharing Tree will be set up on Saturday, Dec. 1, so

the tags will be available when you come to worship on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Please purchase the item listed on the tag and return it under the tree,

wrapped and with the original tag attached on the outside.

All gifts need to be returned by noon on Sunday, Dec. 16 unless

noted differently on the tag. Thank you for caring and sharing the

blessings you have received!

Skip & Judy Lycksell

Help decorate the sanctuary Christmas tree!

The members of Rebecca Circle invite everyone to put an

ornament on the sanctuary Christmas tree on Sunday, December 16.

Come get an up close and personal look at our lovely Chrismon

ornaments and help us decorate the sanctuary for Christmas!

Semi-Annual Meeting set for January 20

We will convene our semi-annual meeting at 12 Noon on

Sunday, January 20. All voting members of Oak Harbor Lutheran

Church are encouraged to attend as we consider our congregational

budget for 2013 and attend to other items of business. An agenda for the

meeting will be posted by January 13.

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Growing & Learning

uth Youth news

Caroling at Harbor Tower: Luth Youth is

partnering with Verna Morgan and her piano

students to sing Christmas carols at Harbor

Tower Village assisted living facility on

Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 PM. Members of the congregation who like to

sing are welcome to join us as well for this intergenerational ministry and

fellowship opportunity. Refreshments will be shared afterwards in the

church library/fireside room.

Save your Christmas trees: Plan on bringing those dried

out Christmas trees to our Epiphany bonfire on Wednes-

day, January 9. We’ll meet at the fire pit at 6:00 PM, rain

or shine, to celebrate the light of Christ, the light shining

in the darkness, the light no darkness can overcome.

Parents and siblings are encouraged to come as well!

WOW! (Word on Wednesday) is on hiatus for the Advent/Christmas

season, and will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 16. In the meantime, con-

firmation students are encouraged to attend midweek Advent services.

We regret to announce that Stephany Vogel has resigned her

position as Youth Ministry Coordinator. We give thanks for her work

with us, and wish her well in her future endeavors.

Thank you, OHLC, for a wonderful experience in getting to know all of you. I was glad I was able to help in your important work in this community, if only for a short time! I was honored to be a part of this church family. Stephany Vogel

Munchy Monday update Beginning in December, Jenny Ott will be coordinating our

Munchy Monday after school program. Please contact Jenny if you’re

able to volunteer!

Rehearsals begin for the Sunday School program

We’ll see you in the sanctuary at 9:15 AM on Sun-

days, Dec. 2 - 23 as we rehearse our Christmas program!

Speaking parts for angels, Mary, and Joseph will be dis-

tributed on the 2nd

; we’ll also need a multitude of the

heavenly host as well as lambs, shepherds, and those

admittedly-anachronistic wise men [See Pastor Spencer’s note towards

the end of his newsletter article!].

Since the Senior Choir uses the sanctuary for warm-up before

worship, we’ll move to the education wing for the second half of each

Sunday School hour. Parents, please note that’s where you’ll need to

pick up your children! Check the narthex white board for room numbers.

The program will be presented as a part of the 4:00 PM worship

service on Christmas Eve. If you have questions, please contact me in

the church office, 679-1561, martha@oakharborlutheran.org.

Martha Ellis

dult Education for December

Our adult class will continue to study the book Real Faith for

Real Life on Sundays, 9:15-10:15 AM in the library/fireside room

through Dec. 16.

On Dec. 23 & 30, Pastor Marc Stroud will present a look at the

rich and varied history of Lutheranism in America. The contribution of

Lutheran men and woman to the growth of our nation is largely ignored

but the significance of Lutherans as leaders, politicians, clergy, explorers

and immigrants have made a lasting and rich legacy that Lutherans

should be proud of.

Looking ahead: On Sunday, January 6, we will offer a seminar on will and estate

planning. Resolve to start the new year by taking care of this important

business. Here is an opportunity to do so with wise counsel from a

Christian attorney, surrounded by the faith and hope of Christian friends.

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OHLC Men’s Ministries The Brotherhood of St. Bernard (Old Dogs & Young Pups) and Lutheran Men in Mission

erry Christmas to you all from your Lutheran Men in Mission and

Brotherhood of Saint Bernard fellowship groups!

Lutheran Men in Mission will gather on Saturday, Dec. 1 for its

regular monthly fellowship. Meeting time, however, will be at a

different time and in a different place. We decided to explore the local

cuisine so we will meet for a breakfast buffet at 9:00 AM at Flyers

restaurant. Cost will be around $10 (Such a deal!). There is a side room

we have reservations for that will fit a goodly amount of men. A presen-

tation will be given by naturalist and OHLC member, Steve Ellis. He is

a past president of the Whidbey Audubon Society and he will speak

about bird life in the Island County area.

We’ll also talk over ideas to continue our quest for deeper

discipleship, have a fun trivia question & answer time focusing on the

birth of Christ, and exchange white elephant gifts (value not to exceed

$15). See you there!

The Brotherhood of Saint Bernard will have our last

lunch/meeting for 2012 on Tuesday, December 11 in the fellowship hall

from noon to 1:30. Pastor Marcus Stroud is our chef for the day. We

will follow our tradition of a great meal followed by some last minute

business wrap-up for the year, our selected Bible study, and time at the

altar in prayer. Please consider joining us!

We look forward to getting together with regulars and new faces

on Saturday, January 5 from 8 to 9:30 AM in the fellowship hall. We

will feast on a hot cooked breakfast, and welcome a guest speaker (to be

announced), as well as draft our 2013 programming. Bring your appetite

and a friend as well as your ideas and enthusiasm to help build this part

of Oak Harbor Lutheran

Church’s mission in

Home, Community and

World.

Tom Piper & Marc Stroud

Endowment Committee Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell

what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have

treasure in heaven; then come follow me.” When he heard this he was

shocked and went away grieving for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:21-22 NRSV (Catholic Edition)

f those who had much sold it all and gave to the poor, there

probably would not be poor in the world. However, that is not

how life works. Many who have much are grieved when asked to give,

as was this man. In this case, Jesus was asking for the ultimate sacrifice:

Give all and follow me.

Is there a balance between selling all and giving to the poor and

keeping something to sustain our own life? Certainly there is.

In the Christian tradition we share that which God has given us

to manage. The sharing does not have to happen all at once.

As we approach the end of the calendar year we are again asked

to look into our hearts and decide what we are going to share in the

coming year.

In January the Endowment Committee will sponsor another

seminar concerning planned giving. I invite all to attend that seminar as

it deals not only with giving as we live each day but also with end of life

giving.

Nyla and I are changing our fulltime residence to what has been

our winter place in Arizona; though we are leaving Oak Harbor, we are

not leaving Oak Harbor Lutheran Church . . . well, I guess we are, but

OHLC is certainly in our giving plan. Please include it in yours.

In Christian love,

Gerry Schwartz

for the Endowment Committee

Included in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures and The Spirit

for December.

The deadline for articles for the January 2013 newsletter is

Wednesday, December 19.

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BookMarks

Coupeville Book Group

The group meets on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 PM in the home

of Gaye Rodriguey, 228 Rhodena Drive, to consider Major Pettigrew’s

Last Stand by Helen Simonson:

Major 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 from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But will their relationship survive in a society that considers Ali a foreigner?

Discussion leader is Trudy Decker. Everyone is invited to bring

an appetizer to share for the Christmas celebration. Need driving

directions to Gaye’s home? Give her a call, 678-3561.

Second Wednesday Book Group

The group meets at China City at 11:30 AM for lunch on

Wednesday, Dec. 12 (note this change from the usual time and

meeting place!) There’s no book discussion this month, just fellowship

and a book swap. Please bring a gift wrapped book – one the group has

not already read – to exchange with other attendees.

Looking ahead:

January’s book is Baker Towers, by Jennifer Haigh, and

February’s is The Widower’s Tale, by Julie Glass. Both of those are

available as Sno-Isle Book Kit items; they’ll be ready for check-out on

the first day of the month before the book is scheduled to be discussed.

Books must be checked out between the 1st & 15

th, so be sure to get

yours early. Consider sharing your copy with someone else in the group,

so everyone has a chance to read the selection.

For more information, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712.

In Sympathy

Bergit (“Brig”) Kidd died on November 16

following an extended illness. She was 88 and had been a

member of our congregation for 28 years. Although she had

been homebound for the past few years, she kept in contact with

her many friends; her fellow Rebecca Circle members joined her for

a salad potluck in her Coupeville home this past July. Her memorial

service will be held at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church at 1:00 PM on

Saturday, December 8.

Bernardine (“Bernie”) Goehring died on November 20 fol-

lowing a brief battle with cancer that we only heard about at the begin-

ning of the month. She was 75. Bernie and her late husband Harvey had

been very active members of our congregation for nearly 40 years before

transferring their membership to Concordia Lutheran in 2009. Her

memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 1 at

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, with pastors and friends from Con-

cordia assisting and music by a combined choir.

We loved these ladies dearly. Peace be to their memory.

Advent In an Advent speech in 2002, Pope John Paul

II said, “The liturgy of Advent helps us to understand

fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christ-

mas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which

occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is

necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a

vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind

to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to

judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present

in the events of daily life. Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense

training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who

will come and who comes continuously.”

The Newsletter Newsletter, December 2007

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OHLC Women opportunities for fellowship, study and service

Circle meetings in December

12/6, 13, 20

Deborah Circle meets in the library/fireside room at 10:00 AM.

12/18 Rebecca Circle meets in the library/fireside room at 10:00 AM.

The new women’s circle, not yet named, will begin evening meetings in

January. Watch for information! If you have questions, please contact

Becky Peattie, beckypeattie@yahoo.com, 675-7234.

Blanket Workshop

Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday and Wednesday, December 4

& 5, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to work on tied quilts

for Lutheran World Relief. For more information, contact Leona

McKee, 675-5712, bcmac68@comcast.net

Handwork Group

Even though your heart might be willing, we have a feeling your

hands are full with Christmas preparations. With that in mind, Heart &

Hand will not meet in December! We’ll look forward to seeing you in

January.

Light homes and streets and candles.

Make your world shine clear and bright. God’s love surrounds

and blesses us. Come, celebrate God’s Light!

- Peggy Ferrell

His Kids Preschool a ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

Breaking with a 20-year tradition [insert your

gasp of astonishment here] of easel-painted turkeys, the

preschoolers created a 3-D paper bag turkey with “blob”

painted wings and tails. These delightful Thanksgiving

birds made an “out” standing display in the classroom!

But don’t worry; not all traditions were set aside. In

between each turkey were paper milk bottles that had been finger-painted

with chocolate pudding. That is, and always has been, a yummy project!

Down the education wing hall and pinned to the bulletin board

are construction paper baskets filled with colorfully crayoned fruits

(bananas, apples, pears, oranges, grapes) and vegetables (olives, radishes,

turnips and carrots). Also on display in the classroom are paper

“sandwiches” filled with cutouts of paper food representing each one of

the nutritional groups: two slices of brown bread for grains, holey Swiss

cheese for dairy, pink ham for protein, green lettuce for vegetables, and a

round, red tomato slice for fruits.

The children have been celebrating God’s gift of food by

collecting canned and packaged foods for Help House (we counted up a

total of 80 items!) and bringing food to share at each class’s Thanks-

giving Feast Day.

November’s study of nutrition concluded with a field trip to

Safeway, where the students were able to see and taste more foods from

each of the groups, including a sweet treat!

Now we’re looking forward to December, bringing the joy of

Advent and Christmas to His Kids! Please note that our Christmas break

this year will be December 24 through January 6,

Shalom,

Miss Gaye

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A fond farewell

The Navy giveth, and the Navy taketh

away. On Sunday, December 2 we will bid

farewell to Matt and Cheryl Blevins and their

children, Alissa, Carter, and Callie. Alissa and

Carter have both been students at our preschool. Cheryl has been serving

as our Growing and Learning coach, and has set a high bar through her

phenomenal work as our VBS director. Matt has received new orders

which will take the family to Virginia. We will miss them all very much.

On the same Sunday, we will say goodbye to Sean and Krista

Hays, and their daughters Aubrey and Alanda. The girls have both been

students at our preschool, and Krista served as our Sunday School

coordinator last year. Sean has received orders which will take them to

Monterey, California for six months of intensive study of the French

language, after which they will be stationed either at Africom

headquarters in Germany, or at a US base on the continent of Africa. We

will miss them very much, too.

We give thanks to God for blessing us with these wonderful

families, and wish them all God’s blessings in the future. Keep in touch,

friends!

Notes from Lynne Lynne’s internship and Eric’s new job!

lessed Advent, dear OHLC family!

I love the season of Advent in the church. I am one who enjoys the

energy of anticipating something new. One of our Advent hymns from

the old green LBW hymnal begins, “The advent of our God, shall be our

theme for prayer; come, let us meet him on the road and place for him

prepare.” We have been meeting God on the roads of Wrangell, Alaska,

and we are excited about the new things God is setting before us here.

Soon after Eric and I arrived in Wrangell, conversations began to

take shape around making Island of Faith Lutheran Church my internship

site and the congregation and I are both excited about that officially

starting in January.

It’s a little hard to determine the order of events, but in the midst

of this internship conversation Eric found an ad in the local paper for a

plant electrician position at the local power plant. He applied and has

been hired and will begin work there in mid-December! The plant is

about 40 miles south of Wrangell, accessible by small plane or boat.

This means he will be on site for ten days and home four days. He’ll

have a 3-bedroom house to himself and I can fly out every once in a

while, too.

In part because Eric was able to get steady, local employment,

the seminary, the congregation and I have decided that this internship

will be a “Concurrent Internship” which means a 2-year, part-time

experience allowing me to take courses concurrently. I had initially

hoped for a one-year full-time internship, but the size of the congregation

and community make the part-time program more realistic for their

needs. I will continue to travel to Luther seminary for the January and

June intensive courses and take one or two online courses each semester.

This internship will carry me through the remainder of my seminary

journey with the hope of finishing in January, 2015.

We continue to hold OHLC in our prayers and appreciate every

prayer you lift up for us. In this Advent season may we, in each of our

places, go out to meet Christ on the roads we travel, trusting that he has

also come to meet us where we are.

Our new address:

Eric & Lynne Ogren

PO Box 1667

Wrangell, AK 99929

360-929-1092 cell; 907-874-2743 church/parsonage

In joyful communion,

Lynne Ogren, OHLC Seminarian

In appreciation I’d like to express my thanks to Dave and Peg Fosnaugh

and to Willard Krigbaum for all the help they gave my family and

me when we had to move so quickly and unexpectedly. They are

very much appreciated!!

Nicole Gumm

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Compassion Ministry

Watoto Childcare Ministries, Uganda

Thank you for your support of our recent October-

fest dinner and auction at the Oak Harbor Elks Club. We

raised about $5,100 for the Watoto Medical Student Scholarship

Fund.

Judy Lycksell

El Camino de Emaus, Burlington

Thank you for your generous response to the October appeal for

winter coats, socks and blankets. A number of these, along with several

stacks of beautiful quilts from our Blanket Workshop, were taken to our

sisters and brothers at El Camino de Emaus, the Hispanic Lutheran

ministry in the Skagit Valley.

You are invited to join the people of El Camino for a Posada

event at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 15, at Burlington Lutheran

Church, 134 E Victoria Avenue, Burlington. Contact me if you need

more information, 240-9160, vlongshore@comcast.net .

Vickie Longshore

Help needed with car repairs, Oak Harbor

A faithful couple in our congregation, who are currently faced

with hospital and rehabilitation expenses, are now without personal

transportation. Their car is broken down. Estimated repairs are in the

neighborhood of $2,500. We are inviting the congregation to financially

respond to this need. You may make a contribution through Oak Harbor

Lutheran Church; please designate your gift “Emergency Fund/Car

Repairs.”

Pastor Jay Decker

Ministry of the Month

Compassion Ministry’s emphasis for December is OHLC’s

Sharing Tree. See the article on page 5 of this newsletter.

Council highlights - Trudy Decker, secretary The complete minutes were approved at the Nov. 1 Council meeting

The Council met on October 4, 2012. The Treasurer’s Report

noted with joy that our finances are in the black.

Pastor Spencer’s report included the following: ●The 75th

Anniversary Committee is planning events for 2013 including quarterly

gatherings, festival worship & banquet in September, a new OHLC

cookbook, and an updated congregational history. ●Rita Carter will be

our new Financial Secretary. ●The new website should be ready by the

end of October.

Old Business included discussion of short-term and long-term

building projects for 2013, such as roof replacement for the education

wing, renovation of the fellowship hall, and resurfacing the parking lot.

New Business included items regarding the church woods such

as clean-up of downed branches and trespassing issues, as well as bids

for the roofing project, and installation of a bicycle rack.

Financial Report: October October Year to Date

Income $ 36,911 331,831

Outgo 34,514 328,653

$ 2,397 $ 3,178

For a more detailed picture of the October financial status,

please refer to the reports posted in the narthex.

Worship Attendance: November Date Sun. 8 AM

Sun. 10:30 AM

Cpvl. Nursery

Nov. 65 127 25 6

Nov. 11 55 103 18 4

Nov. 18 74 128 8 4

Nov. 25 56 104 23 3

Average Att. 63 116 19 4

Thanksgiving Eve worship, Nov. 21: 118

Average weekly attendance: 201

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Companion Synod News St. Katharina’s Lutheran Church, Kazan, Russia

en Grigsby recently e-mailed Igor Dyba, pastoral

intern at St.Katharina’s Church, with news about our up-

coming Advent and Christmas activities as well as photos of our All

Saints congregational potluck in early November. Ken also happened to

mention he’s now serving as chairman of the NW WA Synod Russia

Partnership Committee and temporary chairman of the Synod Global

Missions Committee. “I am supposed to be retired,” Ken wrote, “but

sometimes I feel like I am busier now than when I was teaching [history

to middle school students].” Here is Igor’s reply:

Hello, Ken!

Thank you for the letter! Do you mind if we use some

information from it for our Christmas newsletter?

History was and remains my favorite subject! I think it’s a great

thing that retired people abroad have so many responsibilities! In Russia

it’s often different, and retired people suffer loneliness. But in our

congregation many retired people are very active and take part in

diaconal ministry, organize meetings for other retired people and are the

core of the congregation.

Sounds like Oak Harbor Church is going to have a great family

time in the Christmas Season!

In our St. Katherine Church we use Advent time as a chance to

involve new people to the congregation. Yulia and I have prepared a

Christmas lesson for the kids attending German courses to tell them what

Christmas is all about.

Every Friday before Sunday Advent services we’ll have concerts

with string orchestra, choir and organ, and we’ll invite people from the

city to come for free, and I’ll have time for a small sermon there. After

the concerts we’ll invite people for Christmas services.

Advent services are in the morning, but [Christmas] Eve and

Christmas services we celebrate at 6 PM. After the service on 25th our

congregation has a traditional concert where everyone can take part.

Also we’re hoping that Yulia will have the children from the Sunday

School sing a Christmas song, and our youth group will perform a small

play about being a present for Jesus.

Our congregation has an interesting traditional decoration for

Christmas, but we haven’t seen it yet, so we’ll explain what is it later.

God bless you!

Igor

Elena Bondarenko, Dean of the Central Deanery, ELCER

(Evangelical Lutheran Church, European Russia) visited our church last

May with Bishop Dietrich Brauer. She sent Thanksgiving greetings to

the synod Russia Partnership Committee, which included the following:

Dear members of Team Russia,

Thank you very much for all your work and support! Thank you

for your concern about us! We congratulate you on the occasion of

American Thanksgiving Day and wish you God’s blessings for your

families, communities and friends! May you feel our gratitude to you

across the Atlantic!

We are thankful . . . for the support of the Kazan congregation.

Special thanks to Ken and Oak Harbor! I am sending the picture of Julia

and Igor Dyba, interns in Kazan.

Peace and love,

Elena Bondarenko,

Dean of Central deanery

Yulia & Igor Dyba, Kazan, Russia

11

Worship Assistants Asst. Ministers Acolytes Music

12/ 2 8:00

10:30

6:30

Kathy Ridle

Rita Carter

Carol Snoble

Sydney Higgins

Peter Spencer

Benjamin Bruland

Morning Glory

Senior Choir

Cantor:

12/ 9 8:00

10:30

6:30

Tom Coe

Skip Lycksell

Gisela Hawley

Elizabeth Norman

Sadie Harbaugh

Benjamin Bruland

Senior Choir

Cantor: Marc Stroud

12/16 8:00

10:30

6:30

Verna Pommerenke

Mike Crawford

Peter Higgins

Luke Spencer

Benjamin Bruland

Morning Glory

Praise Team

Cantor: Carol Reafs

12/23 10:30

6:30

Allan Swan

Carol Snoble

Peter Spencer

Benjamin Bruland

Senior Choir

Cantor

12/24 4:00

7:00

10:00

Rachel Margraf

Rita Cline

Mary Wood

Joshua Margraf

Elias Wiley

Senior Choir

Senior Choir

12/25 10:30 Luke Spencer

12/30 8:00

10:30

6:30

Tom Piper

Ken Grigsby

Trudy Decker

Katie Norman

Sadie Harbaugh

Benjamin Bruland

Cantor: Dick Ward

Coffee Fellowship December Bring cookies, make coffee, set up and clean up:

we need at least 2 volunteers per week for 8:00 AM services,

3 cookie providers + coffee & clean-up per week for 10:30 services,

and 1 volunteer per week in Coupeville

8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Coupeville 6:30 PM

Fair Trade Sponsors

12/2 Amarelo,

Ridle,Krotz-Sperry,

Brant, Mitchell

Pedlar, Lycksell,

Chromy

Michele Johnson Ellis

12/9

Fosnaugh

Wheeler family Harriet Dailey, Allan

Swan

12/16 Korengo,

Fankhauser

Bartrand Carol Reafs

12/23

No 8 AM service

Julie Ward

12/30

Trudy Decker

Deborah Circle

December’s rop aps are RMWreath;

section titles are Hingham Text

Ushers Assistants 12/ 2 8:00 AM Higgins family

10:30 AM J. Wilcox,

L. Michalski

6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer

Communion: Gaye Rodriguey

Computer: Donna Aspery

Communion: Rita Cline

Computer: Rick Culbertson

12/ 9 8:00 AM Margraf family

10:30 AM J. Wilcox,

L. Michalski

6:30: Presider,

Communion: Candi Amarelo

Computer: Rachel Margraf

Communion: Gisela Hawley

Computer: Michelle Tull

12/16 8:00 AM Ellis family

10:30 AM B. Heideger

6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer

Communion: Marge Moore

Computer: Molly Nagel

Communion:

Computer: Josh Jepsen

12/23 10:30 AM R. Wood, M.

McNae, H. Herrigstad, D. Fosso

6:30 PM: Presider,

Communion:

Computer: Rita Carter

12/24 4:00 PM:

7:00 PM:

10:00 PM:

Communion: Martha Ellis

Computer:

Communion:

Computer:

Communion:

Computer:

12/25 10:30 AM

Communion: Gisela Hawley

Computer:

12/30 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud

Communion: Mike Fankhauser

Computer:

Communion: Willard Krigbaum

Computer: Rita Carter

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations December 3 Francis Xavier, missionary to 14 John of the Cross, renewer of the

Asia, 1552 church, 1591

4 John of Damascus, theologian, 20 Katharina von Bora Luther,

hymnwriter, c. 749 renewer of the church, 1552

6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342 26 Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397 28 The Holy Innocents, martyrs

13 Lucy, martyr, 304 27 John, Apostle and Evangelist

12

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

2 Advent 1

Healing Prayer, both svcs.

Fair Trade Fair

Sharing Tree is up!

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

Wolves 4:00

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

3

1:00 Munchy Monday

5:30 Cub Scout popcorn

sales collection; leaders

meeting follows

6:00 Girl Scout

Adult Workshop

6:30 Angeli

6:45 4-H K-9 Korps

7:00 Solutions

4

9:00 Blanket Workshop

6:00 Bears

6:00 Tigers

6:00 CADA Parenting

6:30 Patrol Leaders

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Coupeville Book Gr.

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:30 Worship Brass

5 9:00 Blanket Workshop

10:30 OHLC Staff

12:00 Advent Worship

12:30 Soup & bread 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

4:30 Harbor Bells

6:00 Advent Worship

6:30 Soup & bread

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

6

10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

5:30 Brownies 40740

5:30 Praise Team

6:00 Brownies 40745

6:30 Webelos 1

7:00 Council

7

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

1 9:00 Lutheran Men in

Mission breakfast

1:00 Memorial service for

Bernie Goehring

Set up for Fair Trade fair

8

1:00 Memorial service for

Brig Kidd

2:00 Luth Youth caroling

at Harbor Tower

9 Advent 2

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

OHLC staff Christmas

gathering 3:00

Wolves 4:00

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

10

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:00 Homeschoolers

6:30 Angeli

7:00 Vanishing Friends

7:00 Solutions

11

10:30 Church Mice

12:00 Brotherhood of

St. Bernard

4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts

5:30 Boy Scout ad. comm

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:30 Worship Brass

12 11:30 OHLC Staff

11:30 Book Group

12:00 Advent Worship

12:30 Soup & bread

4:30 Harbor Bells

5:00 Stephen Ministry 5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794 5:45 VAQ 133 FRG

6:00 Advent Worship

6:30 Soup & bread

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon

13

10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

5:30 Praise Team

6:00 Pack 4098, Toys For

Tots pack meeting

14

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

15

16 Advent 3

Deadline for

Sharing Tree gifts

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

Wolves 4:00

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

17

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:30 Angeli

6:45 4-H K-9 Korps

7:00 Solutions

18

10:00 Rebecca Circle

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:30 Worship Brass

19 Newsletter Deadline

10:30 OHLC Staff

12:00 Advent Worship

12:30 Soup & bread

4:30 Harbor Bells

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

6:00 Advent Worship

6:30 Soup & bread

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon

20

10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

5:30 Brownies 40740

6:00 Brownies 40745

6:30 Webelos 1

21

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

22

23 Advent 4

(NO 8 AM service today)

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

24 Christmas Eve

4:00 Worship

7:00 Worship

10:00 Worship

25 Christmas Day

10:30 Worship

26

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

27

28

29

30 Christmas 1

Worship 8:00

Worship 10:30

Wolves 4:00

Vespers/Coupeville

@ St. Mary’s 6:30

31

Year-end offerings

need to be received at

church by 12:00 Noon

to count towards

2012 giving

The birth of Christ

is the central event

in the history of the earth –

the very thing

the whole story has been about.

- C.S. Lewis

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;

12:300-3:00 PM

Th, F:

9:00-11:30 AM;

12:30-3:00 PM No school: 12/24 – 1/6