BURLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH THE BRIDGE November 2018

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1 BURLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH THE BRIDGE November 2018 Grace & Peace Siblings in Christ, I love to run. I realize that many of you may think I am crazy, but for me running is meditation in motion. Running allows me to give my anxieties to God, channel my energies into positivity and meet people. For almost eleven years I ran a variation of the same route and met many of my neighbors. There was Kim who worked nights and liked to walk her dog and grow delicious vegetables. There was Nikki and Paul who started with a puppy and then added a baby to their family. One week she was trying to walk out the baby and the next she had a baby in a carrier. There were friends running through the park and home owners who I could always count on for a wave. Since we moved, I have had to curate a new route. Because we live so close to the beautiful Kulshan trail, I have adopted that as my new running course. I have met many regulars as I have run and biked this trail. There is an older gentleman, Leonardo, who pushes his grandson in a stroller most mornings and stops to pick them both blackberries while he listens to Spanish talk radio on impossibly large headphones. There is a Sikh couple who love to laugh and watch Mimi ride her bike (she does look super cute riding her bike). There are the teenagers who ride their skateboards and listen to loud music. All of these folks respond to my waves and greetings but there has been one person who has proven to be elusive. I see her nearly every time I am on the trail regardless of the time of day. I can only assume that it is all she does walking the lonely miles from one end of the trail to the other over and over again. She is about my age and walks with a blank look on her face, sometimes she is smoking but she never speaks to me or even acknowledges my Cont d next page

2 existence. I have wondered about her a lot is she homeless? Mentally ill? Both? The other day as Mimi and I were riding our bikes (right after the Sikh couple laughed and waved at us), we saw this woman and I immediately knew I had an opportunity to connect with her. She had chopped off her hair and as we passed her I complimented her and she whispered her reply, Thank you. I was elated. I had said hello to this woman well over a hundred times in the months that I have been running and biking on the Kulshan trail and she has never once acknowledged my existence. The next day, when I was running alone, I said good morning and she reciprocated again. I do not know if our relationship will ever evolve past whispered greetings, but I am grateful that she sees me as safe enough to interact with. I am grateful that my persistence paid off. It is easy to quit trying with people who seem distant or hostile. Whether it be co-workers, in-laws, neighbors, or random people on the Kulshan trail, we can become accustomed to ignoring one another and fail to practice kindness. But Jesus showed us in the incarnation how to live and love others and he never ignored anyone. Remember the woman at the well who was there because she had to go at random times because the good women of the community would not be seen with her? He talked to her and loved her. Remember Zaccheus? He was a loathed tax collector who was trying to get a glimpse of Jesus through the crowds and Jesus saw him and shared a meal with him. Jesus never wasted an opportunity to reach out to others, especially those who would normally be ignored. His time and energy created pathways of hope and joy for those whom he acknowledged and interacted with. As followers of Jesus, our persistent kindness and love matters to the world. We get to operate in the same love, hope and joy that Jesus did as we are filled with the Spirit of God. Do not keep it to yourself - spread it around this month and see what happens. In Jesus love, Pastor Bethany

3 DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS!! Remember to fall back one hour on Sunday, November 4! FAMILY PROMISE We will be hosting Family Promise guests from Sunday, November 11 through Sunday, November 18. We are responsible for Sunday through Wednesday, and Edison Lutheran has the remaining days. Please join us for a brief meeting in the Sanctuary directly after the service on Sunday, November 4 to find out more about the program and ways you can help! You can also speak with Shirley Osborn for more information. BLC QUILTERS The quilting group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in helping in any way, please come. No sewing experience is necessary! CONGREGATIONAL & ANNUAL MEETINGS Our Congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, November 18 directly after the worship service. All Burlington Lutheran members are invited to vote on the 2019 budget and 2019 council members and delegates. Also, our Annual meeting will be Sunday, January 27 directly after the service.

4 JOSEPHINE CARING COMMUNITY A Time to Laugh For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven a time to laugh; a time to mourn Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3 As you can imagine, my work here at Josephine will see people through to the end of their earthly lives. Today, I am mourning the death of one of my colleagues. There is a time to mourn and today, it is that time. It was her time to pass into God's loving arms but we will truly miss this child of God. What I would like to focus on today, though, is what we do up until then. Death will come on its own with or without our help. We have become sort of experts on mourning and focusing on losses and sometimes for very good reasons especially when our bodies are in ill health. What we may need to spend more energy on, though, is finding times of life and laughter in between. For as much as I believe that God is present when we pass, and I truly believe that I also believe that God is present during the times we laugh really laugh that belly kind of laugh that laughing out loud kind of laugh. I think it was for this that we were also made. Did you catch the divine humor in the creation text we had a few weeks ago? As God was trying to find a partner for Adam, I could picture each animal coming up to Adam to present themselves: moo?...nah, that's not going to work chirp?...mmm, no neigh?...yeah, right, try again meow...i thought we were trying for a partner, not a pet!... Also imagine the joy and laughter when Adam finally met Eve: at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh I am also inspired by my colleague who just passed away. As she lived more than a year longer than the doctors originally gave her, there were certainly times of deep sadness as she faced the realities of her own mortality, but she also spent most of that time looking for life and laughter among her family and friends. It is in that spirit that you will find me walking with folks both in their sorrows AND as I encourage them to discover times of joy and laughter. We laugh at worship as I find humor in reflecting about my own life in my sermons. Up in the Assisted Living Suites, we find laughter in a 75-year old comedian named Cont d on next page

5 Jeanne Robertson (one of these days, I would love to get a collection of her DVDs to have on hand here), who once joking with one of her Baptist friends about playing the slot machines said: It's not gambling, because gambling would mean that you would actually have the chance to win if those dials happen to come up as 7-7-7, and money started pouring out of those holes, that's not gambling, that would be called a miracle! Can you hear the laughter and joy as I bring my English Bulldog to work with me complete with her cute wrinkly face and stubborn personality? Pray that Josephine would not only be a place where folks might die well, but also a place where folks might discover laughter in the meantime and live! May our hard work in social justice also have this as a goal for all of God s children. We pray that you may also find time to laugh as well and laugh out loud! -Chaplain Andy FIRST BREAKFAST NEWS As with all good things, the time for 1st Breakfast has come to an end. Brenda and Barry Harter have decided to retire from the breakfast ministry. Thank you both so much for all the hard work that went into the breakfasts each month. You are both much appreciated! BURLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN (BLCW) All women of BLC are invited to attend a Bible study on Tuesday, November 20, 10:30 am. Meet in the Conference Room. For more information, please contact Avis Robinson or Fran Hansen.

6 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR The Annual Christmas Craft Sale is Sunday, December 2! The sale will start at 9am and run after the service, too. All proceeds will be used to support both the Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund and Underground Ministries. For more information, please contact Janice Burwash at SHOPPING FOR THE CHRISTMAS BASKETS It's not too soon to start checking the grocery ads and picking up a few items each week for our Christmas Food Baskets. Burlington Lutheran Church will be supporting 20 families in our community. A shopping list of the suggested staples that we give each family can be found on the tables in the Narthex and Fireside Room. Donations can be left on the table in the Fireside Room. Questions? Contact Janice Burwash. Remembering the saints When Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he addressed his letter To all God s beloved who are called to be saints (Romans 1:7, NRSV). Paul regarded fellow believers as people who have responded to the good news of Christ by choosing to follow and serve God. The New Testament emphasizes that Christians are God s beloved special people set apart to receive his grace and to be his witnesses. All people whose minds and hearts are devoted to God are called to be saints. About 700 years after the church began, leaders designated November 1 as All Saints Day to honor people whose lives reflect Christ dwelling in them. Because God has saved us, all Christians can wear the label of saint. All Saints Sunday will be celebrated on November 4.

7 Dear Burlington Lutheran Church community, I hope this message finds each of you well. My name is Matt Hanson and I am the son of Janis Hanson, a name that I imagine quite a few of you will remember. Your church and its members meant a great deal to my mom she was an active member there for most of her adult life, a Sunday school teacher, a preschool teacher, and a deaconess. The reason I am reaching out to you now is that on November 8 th of this year it will have been 20 years since my mom passed away. To mark this occurrence and to honor her memory going forward in a tangible way, our family has started a GoFundMe account to raise funds in support of something that was very close to her heart the education of children. Specifically, all funds raised through this effort will go to support the library at West View Elementary School in Burlington, WA. If you remember my mom, or even if you do not and still wish to support this effort to help kids, please visit and contribute. Thank you so much for your consideration. Matt Hanson (on behalf of my sisters Sandy Welch and Julie Hanson, and my dad Butch Hanson) BE ROUTINELY GRATEFUL When a national day of thanksgiving was established on the fourth Thursday in November, it was not because that was a particularly thankful day. It was intentionally chosen precisely because of its arbitrariness to remind us to say thanks on a daily basis for the bounties God has heaped upon our lives. For Christians, every Sunday is a Thanksgiving feast day. Every Sunday at worship, we give thanks for the greatest event ever to hit planet Earth, the greatest opening in human history the open tomb, testifying to Jesus resurrection. Every Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday. Every Sunday dinner is Thanksgiving dinner.

8 Thoughts for Veterans Day Abraham Lincoln gave his second Inaugural Address on March 4, 1865, as the Civil War was raging. He said, Fondly do we hope fervently do we pray that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Lincoln s next paragraph is especially appropriate for Veterans Day: With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. When President Lincoln finished his classic oration, he reportedly kissed the Bible and left the platform. He was assassinated the next month. Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11. ADVENT, THEN AND NOW The church season of Advent began as a time of repentance for Epiphany, which was the second-biggest baptism day in the early church. Fasting was once a part of Advent, as it often still is for Lent. Advent comes from the Greek word parousia, which was often used to talk about Jesus second coming. So Advent is a season of preparation not only for the celebration of Jesus earthly birth but for his promised return. Some Christians celebrate Advent by not putting the baby Jesus into their manger scenes until Christmas morning. This adds to the anticipation that is a special part of the season. At BLC we will celebrate Advent on these Sundays: 1st Sunday of Advent: November 25 2nd Sunday of Advent: December 2 3rd Sunday of Advent: December 9 4th Sunday of Advent: December 16

9 CHRISTMAS BASKETS CALENDAR INFO Pack Food and Gifts. Join us at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 20 to help pack the food and gifts for each family. Many hands make light work at this fun time of service and fellowship. Help Deliver. Put on your Santa hat, and join us at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 22 to help deliver the boxes of food and gifts. It won t take more than an hour of your time, but you ll feel a great sense of the Christmas Spirit of Service and Giving! Questions? Talk to Janice Burwash at or janiceburwash@gmail.com NOTES OF APPRECIATION Dear Burlington Lutheran Church, Thank you for the cozy beautiful quilt. I always sleep with it and I always feel blessed when I do. Sincerely, Morgan Sanchez ************************************************** Dear Burlington Lutheran Church Women, Thanks for all you do...helping when needed, going the extra mile, always being thoughtful, giving support, and showing how much you all care. Thank you for your generous donation. ~Skagit Friendship House ************************************************* A huge heartfelt thank you for such a generous church family. The bake sale fundraiser a couple weeks back was a wonderful success. Thank you to everyone who donated baked goods, and thank you to everyone who donated money for the baked goods. We raised more than our goal and more than we needed at this time. We were overwhelmed with the outpouring of support. The extra money has been put into a savings account where it will stay until it is needed for future medical expenses. Thank you everyone again for your generosity. Burlington Lutheran Church is such a special place. ~Jacob Small

10 GRATITUDE Rev. Kirby Unti, Synod Bishop, Northwest Washington Synod Article from The Spirit, November 2018 One of the great joys of owning our boat is how many people comment on her name. When we are out on the water people will often pull along side and shout out, I love the name of your boat. We hear this same comment dockside and from neighbors who walk by the house where we store the boat. What is it about the name Gratitude that elicits such a response? It certainly wasn t the case with our first boat. It was named C-Sick and we received very few comments. I only have hunches as to why it strikes such a strong chord with people. The most obvious is we live in such a cynical world that more often expresses complaint and criticism before it expresses gratitude. People delight in hearing a word of appreciation. Gratitude is acknowledgement that one has received gift in their life. Gratitude is the discovery that enough is more than plenty. Gratitude is the recognition that we have received that which we do not deserve. Gratitude is heartfelt - down in one s bones - appreciation and thanksgiving for the daily gifts that we receive. God s people from the beginning of time have been taught to be people of gratitude. We most often express our gratitude through feasts. We gather around tables filled with plenty to give God thanks for delivering us from slavery to freedom, and from death to life. St. Paul discovered that when you approach life out of a sense of gratitude it allows you in all circumstance to fill content. Even in times of need or when one has little. In such times one still knows that we are being provided for. I love being around grateful people. They are always people of joy and promise. Their posture is humble, and their lives are filled with appreciation. They are often people who have been through the most difficult of times and they tend to see the best in everything. I am so grateful as your Bishop that so many of you are people of Gratitude. May you be strengthened this Thanksgiving by knowing that God continues to provide us all that you need to be content. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being wellfed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:11-13 (NRSV)

11 BLC WELCOME STATEMENT God is love. We are all God s beloved children and are recipients of God s radical love and grace. All are welcome in this church community. You are welcome here if you have ever felt excluded or judged because of your gender, ethnicity, race, religion, status, ability, sexual orientation, doubts or questions. We believe in Jesus commandments to love God and love neighbor. Join us! You can now listen to Pastor Bethany's sermons! Please visit our website at and click on the Sermons tab! Print versions also available. TREASURER S REPORT for September 2018 Average Attendance for the month of September: 95 Budgeted Total Income: $135,543 General offering, building use, YTD Received Total Income: $126,988 Actual Income received, YTD Over/(Under) Budget: $ (8,555) Shortfall Thank you for your generosity. Our giving for the month of September was greater than anticipated; however, we continue to experience a shortfall year-to-date, which is a concern as we move forward to meet our commitments for fourth quarter. Our total expensed year-to-date are on target to our estimated budget. Finance Committee: OFFICE CLOSED The church office will be closed on Thursday, November 22 for Thanksgiving. Linda Rudy, Treasurer Cindy Cohen, Finance Committee Chair Rhonda Brown, Shirley Osborn

12 NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Nov. 4: Nov. 5: Nov. 8: Nov : Nov. 18: Nov. 20: Nov. 20: Nov. 21: Nov. 22: Nov. 28: Family Promise meeting, after worship, Sanctuary El Camino meeting, 5 pm, Conference Room Quilters, 9 am, Fellowship Hall Hosting Family Promise guests Congregational meeting, directly after worship BLC Women, 10:30 am, Conference Room December Bridge deadline No Praise Team practice OFFICE CLOSED for Thanksgiving Council, 6 pm, Conference Room Every Sunday: Praise Team practice, 9 am Worship Service, 10 am El Camino worship, 12 pm Every Wednesday: Praise Team practice, 6:30-8 pm, Sanctuary Private meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm, Conference Room Burlington Lutheran Church 134 E. Victoria Avenue, Burlington, WA burlingtonlutheran@gmail.com Office hours: 9 am-3:30 pm, Tues-Wed-Thurs Pastor Bethany Hull Somers burlingtonlutheranpastor@gmail.com Check in and Like us on Facebook. Follow the church on BLC Staff Rev. Bethany Hull Somers, Pastor Sean Bendickson, Worship & Music Leader Sheri Logan, Office Administrator Lynne Berg, Organist Matthew Ranten, Sound Technician Elly Pederson, Nursery Attendant Randy Dalaba, Custodian