DECEMBER 2016 Messenger

Transcription

1 Immanuel Lutheran Church DECEMBER 2016 Messenger Immanuel Lutheran Church Called, Empowered, and Sent by God to Live, Love, and Learn God s Word Nuestra Declaracíon De Misíon Somos llamados, autorizados, y enviados por Dios para vivir, amar, y aprender la Palabra de Dios Pastor John Okan Church Immanuel.everson@gmail.com Immanuel Lutheran Church 5782 Lawrence Rd. Everson, WA 98247

2 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made. So starts the popular and well-known hymn, How Great Thou Art., often considered one of the most enduring Christian hymns not only in our tradition, but across Christendom. It speaks of a creator God, majestic and awe inspiring. We often associate this act of creation to the first person of the Trinity, as we confess in the Apostles Creed, God the Father, creator of heaven and earth. But as much of scripture, we cannot dissociate the act of creation from the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, the Word made flesh, as the gospel of John begins: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. (John 1:1-3) Additionally as we recently read from Colossians: [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17) And from Corinthians Paul proclaims, one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (1 Corinthians 8:6) We understand and confess that Jesus, the one whose birth we soon celebrate, is the first-born of all creation, all that is seen and unseen, has been created through him and for him. Jesus coming to our world to dwell and abide with us, was not some afterthought of God, a plan B of sorts, rather God s intent from the very beginning of creation was redemption and mercy and forgiveness and all the other things we attribute to Jesus. The genesis for our hope and faith goes back to even before creation, it is the hope that Paul speaks of in his letter to Titus, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began (Titus 1:2) Our hope and faith has its foundation even before time itself began, in Jesus, who is above all things and before all things. We celebrate again this timeless one on December 25 th as we sing not only, Away in a Manger., but also How Great Thou Art. Knowing it is Jesus Christ to whom we sing, as we, bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, My God, how great thou art! Pastor John Pastor John s jokan001@luthersem.edu Cell phone # Office hours: M, W, and Thursday morning

3 Scripture Readings December 4 2 Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 December 11 3 Advent Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 December 18 4 Advent Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 UPCOMING EVENTS and IMPORTANT DATES AT IMMANUEL: Wednesdays December 7, 14, 21- Advent Service at 6:00 p.m. December 3 Ladies Victorian Christian Brunch 11:00 a.m. in Parish Hall December 3 Men s breakfast and Bible study at 8:00 a.m. in Parish Hall. December 4 Music Fest 2, 6 p.m. at Immanuel. December 11 Church Council meets at 6 p.m. December 11 Book study group meets at 4:00 p.m. December 24 - Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship Services at 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. Christmas day 10:00 a.m. Worship Service (ONE SERVICE) December 24 Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 December 25 Christmas Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20 Want Something to Happen? Please note that on the Mission and Ministry bulletin board in the Parish Hall are 4 pieces of paper stating the goals of M&M and the names of the council members that are interested in each area. If YOU are interested or if you have something you would like to make happen at Immanuel, feel free to add your name under one of the categories. If you have questions, please talk to any council member or Pastor John.

4 WOI NEWS WOI Board to meet on Thursday December 1 st in the Library at noon. WOI Bible Study will be held at Carol VanderYacht's home on December 13 th at 7:00 p.m. Come to a Victorian Christmas Brunch, Saturday, December 3, from 11:00 1:00 in the Parish Hall. Enjoy carols, food, and fellowship. Bring a friend. Sign up on the board in the Parish Hall so we have an idea of how much food to prepare. WOI would like to wish everyone a blessed Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. December Birthdays 12/7 Joe Woodbury 12/10 Helen Freeman 12/14 Joanie Hirt 12/18 Oswaldo Jimenez 12/18 Jacob Short 12/18 Dawn Durand 12/20 Con Gates 12/20 Lisa Bargewell 12/22 Ben Andrews 12/25 Ike Halverson 12/25 Kristjan Toivola December Anniversaries 12/2 Kari & Kathleen Toivola 12/10 Jim & Jackie Bailey 12/20 Salvador & Belia Estrada 12/27 Gary & Martha Sirguy The Non Violent Communication Book study group will be meeting November 27 at 4 pm and December 11 at 4 pm at the church. We will be working on the first 2 chapters in the book and workbook. We are continuing to invite anyone interested to join us. Interfaith Coalition Coat Drive a Warm Success As the cool weather finds us reaching for a jacket, we re reminded that some of our neighbors are in need of this basic item we take for granted. This fall, we provided winter coats as well as hats and scarves to many of our neighbors. We appreciate the generous donations of winter wear from members of your congregation. Thank you for bringing some much needed warmth to others. It was heartwarming to see parents find warm coats for their children and the old gentleman with so little proudly wear the best wrap he s had for years. Several children beamed as they showed how nice they looked in their new coats and darling hats. Some homeless individuals were able to find layers of sweaters and coats to help on the coldest nights. We appreciate your commitment to this program and are humbled to experience the gratitude in words or expressions of those who benefit from your efforts. Warmly, Laura Harker, Executive Director Interfaith Coalition BELLINGHAM NORWEGIAN MALE CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT 3:00 p.m. on DECEMBER 3, 2016 AT ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON. COST SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10.00 If you would like to bring a poinsettia in memory or in honor of someone for the Advent season, please bring your plant anytime during Advent up until Christmas Eve. Plants can be picked up and taken home after the holidays. Please fill out the sheet that will be included in the bulletin over the next several Sundays and place it in the offering plate.

5 Loss of a Loyal Partner The Rev. Kirby Unti, NWWA Synod Bishop From the December 2016 Edition of The Spirit I knew she would be the right person to share ministry with when she said, I want to be a part of a church where my friends would want to go. A single sentence that spoke volumes to me. It aligned so well with where my heart for ministry has been anchored. When Kathryn Buffum spoke of her friends they were not church people. They were people that she shared life with in her Seward Park Neighborhood and at the University of Washington Dental School. This shared desire to try to be church in a way that creates greater access for those outside of the church led to our sharing in ministry together for over a decade. First, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Renton and later as we both have served the Office of Bishop for the Northwest Washington Synod. Kathryn has been my go to person. Her ability to wade through mountains of information and make sense of it has been invaluable. Her eye for detail is very sharp. Her ability to constantly renew what needs to be on the agenda is a real asset. Her locality to the work we shared was not to be questioned. Her ability to deliver on projects left me in awe. The range of knowledge she possessed from Biblical to Human Relations matters was impressive. What she didn t know she was willing to research and learn. Her responsiveness to the needs of the Synod reflected her deep desire to be a Servant. The graciousness with which she dealt with even difficult people revealed her deepest held values. And the love she had to serve the church in the call to be Assistant to the Office of Bishop was always evident. You are probably getting a pretty clear picture of why none of us in the Synod Office were prepared to face the reality that Kathryn would have to set aside her call because her health could no longer sustain the demands of work. We have been grieving, praying and wondering about how to move forward. We quickly discovered we are alone. So many and well wishes been offered up to Kathryn and expressions of support for the of the Synod. It is how deeply loved appreciated Kathryn not cards have work clear and is. Kathryn is wrestling with an auto immune disease known as vasculitis. It has robbed her of strength and for a period of time her mobility. The hoped for outcome is to drive the disease into remission allowing Kathryn to regain her strength through vigorous physical rehabilitation. Not an easy assignment. Knowing Kathryn, she will take on her health challenges the way she has faced all of life s challenges. She will research it and learn as much as possible. She will put heart and soul into her recovery. Kathryn has real grit and I have never heard her complain about anything. If anyone can make a strong comeback it will be Kathryn. A big part of her motivation will be her desire to continue to be a faithful servant of Jesus. Kathryn knows that her dream that the church might be a place where her friends would want to go has not yet been realized. Will you please join me in offering up our heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation for Kathryn s ministry. And please pray for her complete recovery so she can get back to making the dream come true. (We are working on a job description and hope to have a new call in place by the first of the year. Prayers are greatly appreciated during this transition. +BKU) CALLING ALL ANGELS (Who are willing to help on Christmas Eve) Please let me know if you can help with ushering, communion, preparing candles, etc., at our Christmas eve Services 5:00 and 10:00 pm. Thank you! Kim

6 December 4 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Ass t. Min. Laura Hookham Greeter: Muriel & Shelly Ron & Judy Bruland Usher Ron & Judy Bruland Com. Asst Liza Okan Ron Bruland Communion Set-up: Liza Okan Prayer teams: First Service Dennis & Nancy Second Service Michelle & Clarice If you are unable to serve on your assigned Sunday, please call someone that you can either switch an assigned Sunday with or sub for you. A big thank-you to all the helpers; you are greatly appreciated and needed! address for Kim: Immanuel.everson@gmail.com address for Pastor John: jokan001@luthersem.edu Office phone: (360) Pastor John s phone: (360) December 11 8:30 a.m 10:30 a.m. Ass t. Min: Sara Murdock Greeter: Pam Andrews Wes Murdock Usher: Wes Murdock Com. Ass t: Michelle Pattison Dennis Workman Communion Set Up: Belia Estrada & Michelle Pattison Prayer Teams: First Service Helen & Lois Second Service Michelle & Joanie December 18 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Ass t. Min: Don Anderson Greeter: Hunters Mike & Karen Brewer Ushers: Mike & Karen Brewer Com. Ass t: Linda Anderson Kim Roe Communion Set Up: Valerie & Linda Prayer Teams: First Service Carol & Lois Second Service Michelle & Linda December 24 5:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Ass t Min.? PLEASE LET KIM Greeter:? KNOW IF YOU WILL Usher:? BE AVAILABLE Com. Ass t:? CHRISTMAS EVE, AND if so which service Communion Set-up I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. (Psalms 116:1-2 NIV) Kulshan Chorus Presents: Light December 10, 7:30 p.m. at Bellingham High School. Tickets are available at Village Books and Community Food Coop or online at brownpapertickets.com. December 25 One Service at 10:00 a.m. Ass t. Min Karen Harkness Greeter: Freemans Com. Ass t: Liza Okan Liza Okan Communion Set up: Linda Anderson Prayer Team: