United Voice United Lutheran Church December 2016 A Reconciling in Christ Congregation 2230 Washington Street, Eugene, OR (541)

Transcription

1 United Voice United Lutheran Church December 2016 A Reconciling in Christ Congregation 2230 Washington Street, Eugene, OR (541) unluthch@efn.org Worship Services: Sundays, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.; Summer: 9:45 a.m. Education Hour: 9:45 a.m., School Year Only As we enter Advent and look toward Christmas, I am glad to share a quote Gay sent my way. It comes from Emily Raboteau in her essay, Know Your Rights! found in The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race. She writes, From the time your children begin walking, they are moving away from you. This is as it should be, even when you can t protect them from harm with anything but the inadequate outerwear of your love. My guess is that this caught your heart just as it first did Gay s and then mine. For me, it is true in at least a couple of ways. Our children do move away from us in order to find themselves and pursue their own lives. This does not mean that they do not love us or stay close to us. But, at the same time they do move out, in different ways, in order to become themselves. As Raboteau writes, This is as it should be A second insight is that we do want to protect our children as much as we can. We do not want them harmed as they pursue their lives and yet, sometimes if not often, the best we have is the inadequate outerwear of (our) love. The challenges of family and especially of being a parent are numerous and yet we rejoice in the hope that our children will both become who they are meant to be and at the same time stay in touch with us that we may share the love we have for each other. In Advent and Christmas, I am reminded that God has experienced similar things. Indeed, not only God but Mary experienced this reality as well. In the birth, God takes the risk of joining us in this fleshy journey of life In Christ, with all the challenges which come along the way for Tom Dodd, pastor parents and child. The baby of Bethlehem will become the boy in the Temple who stays behind in Jerusalem while his parents head back to Nazareth thinking that he is in the company of pilgrims along with them. Jesus does this in order to talk with the religious authorities and pursue his course. Of course, when they discover he is not with them; Mary and Joseph get a scare all parents fear. At the beginning of his public ministry, Mary and his siblings think that he has lost his mind as crowds gather and he preaches and heals. She does not fully understand her son s journey at this point. Sometimes, we, as parents, have no clue about what our adult children are up to and worry how their lives will turn out. Sometimes such concern is good and sometimes it is simply a function of our misunderstanding or anxiety. At the next to the last act, Mary stands at the cross watching her son die. I am sure that her face was covered by tears and her heart torn by grief. My guess is that God in heaven was filled with sorrow as well. Here the outer garment of their love must have felt most inadequate. Thankfully, the next encounter is with the risen Jesus who shows both the wounds the world gave him but also the life which is his and which he chooses to give. In Advent and Christmas, I think of parents, children, and the love we share. I think of Jesus come to us through Mary and into our world. I consider how love can feel so inadequate to protect but is so vital to give us all life. God be with us as we remember such gifts and receive and share such love. In the end, it is the greatest gift we can ever give or receive and the one which will bring us home at the end. Q: British Airways and Air France are banning Surstromming, or fermented herring, from their flights, saying the Swedish delicacy should be classified as what? Answer on page 3. United Voice December 2016 Page 1

2 JOIN US FOR SPECIAL ADVENT & CHRISTMAS WORSHIP THIS MONTH Midweek Advent Vespers Wednesdays, November 30, and December 7, 14, 21 at 7:00 p.m. This lovely evening service features Marty Haugen s service of Holden Evening Prayer, and a different faith speaker from the congregation each week: November 30, Matt Dodd December 7, Jean Frantz December 14, Katie Bode December 21, Damon Vold ADVENT WEDNESDAY DINNERS ARE AT 6:00 P.M. Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Lessons, Carols, and Candlelight, Celebrating Jesus Birth THREE ONE-SERVICE SUNDAYS Sunday, December 11, 10:00 a.m, Worship & Christmas Pageant Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 10:00 a.m. New Years Day, Sunday, January 1, 10:00 a.m. No Sunday School Classes on those dates. HERE S WHAT HAPPENING AT UNITED Crystal Miller has several activities planned this month. :See page 6 for more details. December: Secret Santa Gift Exchanges for Middle & High School Youth December 2: High School Cookie Baking December 4, 12:00 p.m.: A Whoville Christmas Lunch December 7: A Christmas PJ Party December 11: Christmas Pageant & Advent Fair December 11: Gathering of gifts for the family United is sponsoring OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 2:00-5:00 P.M. Pastor Tom Dodd and Gay Kramer-Dodd invite you to an Advent/Christmas Open House at their home, on Saturday, December 5. IT S WHITE ELEPHANT TIME AGAIN! You are invited to the White Elephant party at the home of Bob and Peggy Johnson on Saturday, December 10. The potluck dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. All are asked to bring a dish to share. We will have a sign-up sheet at worship on Sundays so we can get an idea of the number attending and the dish you will bring. Also, please bring a wrapped gift of the White Elephant variety for each person attending. Drinks will be provided. ADVENT FAIRE IS FUN FOR ALL AGES! SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 11:00 A.M. ADVENT FAIRE We will have just one service on Sunday, December 11, at 9:45 a.m., featuring the Christmas pageant. United s annual Advent Faire, a time for crafts and caring, will follow worship at 11:00 a.m. Meegan Ward has once again stepped forward to organize the event THANK YOU! Please contact Meegan if you would like to help. IN LOVING MEMORY: ED MUTH Ed Muth, long time member of United, died on November 17. He would have been 103 on December 23. We give thanks for his long life and pray for Ada, who mourns the death of her husband of 73 years. The memorial service is set for Friday, December 2, 11:00 a.m., at United. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. United Voice December 2016 Page 2

3 UNITED GETS AN AWARD! On Friday, November 4th, Mark Raney and Pastor Tom Dodd represented United at an awards banquet by Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. The congregation was recognized for its long and fine work in supporting interns. The award was PLTS Champion. This is the first time a congregation has been honored by PLTS in this way. Greetings United Lutheran Family, Mark Raney here for just a second to thank the congregation and Pastor Tom for including me in the trip down to Berkeley to the PLTS Awards dinner Friday night, November 4th. First, I had a fantastic time. Pastor Tom showed me around San Francisco and we had fun walking the paths at Golden Gate Park. I actually had my picture taken at Haight and Ashbury, 50 years too late...but better late than never. We lunched in Berkeley and visited the campus of PLTS, and then had a wonderful dinner and award presentation Friday night. I could truly feel the love and appreciation from the entire group honoring us for our work over the years with 32 interns serving at United, 21 of them taught by Pastor Tom. As for the team work, together with our many gifts, we all help in this process by passing the love of God and more to interns each year. As Bob Johnson said in our last intern meeting, don't miss the fact that the family at United has had a big role in the development of interns, and Pastor Tom has more than fulfilled his promise to run the program and put his heart and soul into the training of these fine students as they find their voice and way into the larger church and world. Thanks again for the excellent time and the honor to help represent our beloved church that special Friday night. In closing, I encourage all at one time or another to spend some up close time with Pastor Tom. He was a great host, lot of fun and he got us there and back in one piece. God Bless, Mark Raney A: Potentially explosive! HAND-CRAFT GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO MEET IN ADVENT The hand-crafting group will continue to meet on the Wednesdays in Advent. Come at 5:30 with your project to knit, crochet, etc. until dinner at 6:00, and/or fill the time between dinner and Vespers (7:00 p.m.) Questions? Talk to Gay Kramer-Dodd LEARN ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL Beginning in January on Wednesday evenings, Paul Frantz will be teaching a class about Paul, a great opportunity to learn more about this important evangelist of our faith. CHURCH WOMEN UNITED EARLY DEADLINE FOR JANUARY NEWSLETTER Get your articles for the January United Voice into the church office by Sunday, December 11. Thank you! Church Women United s annual meeting and December gathering is set for Friday, December 2, 9:00 a.m., at Unity of the Valley, 3912 Dillard Rd., Eugene. Carolyn Stein, the Executive Director of BRING, will be speaking on the topic of The Simple Truth of Too Much Stuff. All women are invited! The Tuesday, December 6, 7:30 a.m., Breakfast at Brails will continue the discussion on the topic. MARY MAGDALENE CIRCLE MEETS THIS MONTH The Mary Magdalene Circle will meet on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m., at a location to be announced. Susan Lunas is the leader for the Bible Study, What wants to be born in you? from the December issue of Gather, page 26. United Voice December 2016 Page 3

4 HELP STAFF THE NURSERY UNTIL JANUARY Jessica Graham, United s child care worker, is off for the months of November and December due to surgery and recovery time. She plans to be back the beginning of January. Because of this, we are looking for people to take shifts for doing child care on Sunday mornings. If you would like to do this or get more information about it, please contact either Crystal Miller or Pastor Tom. BIRTHDAYS 2 - Jim Barta 3 - Denise Wendt 7 - Sydney Wilson 9 - Lee Langdon 17 - Rebekah Whittaker 19 - Doris Helikson 21 - Harry Jahnke 24 - Karen Drouet 27 - Camille (Millie) Haakanson 28 - Michael Gonda 30 - Dan Diffendaffer, Laina Ward 31 - Wendy Stoner ANNIVERSARIES 20 - Gay Kramer-Dodd & Tom Dodd 21 - Jennifer & Gary Haliski 28 - Kim Weiherman & Lloyd Helikson Carol & Bernhard Kube YOUR UNITED VOICE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES 1 - Charissa Newell Damon Vold 2 - Jim Barta 5 - Gay Kramer-Dodd 9 - Philip Bayles 21 - Elizabeth Gustafson Brent Whittaker Jackson Whittaker Hope Whittaker 23 - Cara Haakanson 24 - Candy Snook 25 - Jerome Hirsch Ellen Krueger once again helped get the November issue of the United Voice ready to mail. Your help is welcome if you can do so, the mail prep for the January issue will be Friday, December 16, 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Questions? Talk to Gay Kramer-Dodd. United Voice December 2016 Page 4

5 CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH THESE ACTIVITIES MONTH OF DECEMBER: SECRET SANTA GIFT EXCHANGE, MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH All interested Middle and High School Youth are invited to participate in a secret Santa Gift Exchange. Secret Santas were assigned on November 20 during Sunday School. Participants are responsible for bringing a gift of no more than $5.00 in value on December 4, 11, and 14, at 6:00 p.m. The gifts should be wrapped with the name of the recipients on them. December 14 is the final gift exchange and a Christmas celebration. Please let Crystal know if you are interested participating but concerned about the cost of the activity. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 4:00 P.M.: COOKIE BAKING, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS All high school students are invited to come to the church at 4:00 p.m. to bake some delicious Christmas cookies. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 12:00 P.M.: A WHOVILLE CHRISTMAS LUNCH All are invited to a Christmas lunch. We will feast, sing carols, and celebrate the many blessings of Christmas. Please speak with Crystal if you are interested in helping with this event. We will be decorating the Fellowship Hall on December 3 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to help! Q: Who is pictured on the best-selling U. S. commemorative stamp ever issued? Answer on page 6. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, FOLLOWING MID- WEEK DINNER: A CHRISTMAS P. J. PARTY All children and youth, plus parents and other interested adults, are invited to enjoy treats and games as we celebrate the season. Our Christmas fun will continue through the Advent service for those parents in need of childcare during this time. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 9:45 A.M., CHRISTMAS PAGEANT AT WORSHIP (One Service Only that day!) All Children and Youth are invited to participate in this year s Christmas play. Practices are during the Sunday School hour on November 20 and December 4. Everyone who is interested will have a part! A big Thank you goes to Randy Sullivan for once again writing a spectacular play, It s Christmas, Silly! SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 11:00 A.M., ADVENT FAIRE Details on page 2. WE ARE SPONSORING A FAMILY AGAIN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Please choose an item or two from the display in the narthex and return the item to the church by December 11. You will be able to choose from gift and food items. Please wrap your gift item if possible and return all items with their tags. Gifts and food boxes will be delivered at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16. If you wish to help with the delivery, please speak with Crystal. LEAVE A LEGACY Have you thought of including United in your will or living trust? Would you like to leave a lasting legacy to the church? Such bequests strengthen the ministry both now and into the future. It can be as simple as including in your will: I leave % to United Lutheran Church, an Oregon non-profit corporation, 2230 Washington Street, Eugene, Oregon Feel free to contact the members of the Trust Fund Committee (Corrie Gustafson, Janet Gustafson, Jennifer Haliski, Peggy Johnson, and Eileen Peterson) if you have any questions. United Voice December 2016 Page 5

6 From The ELCA World Hunger & Disaster Appeal CAMP LUTHERWOOD: LOOKING AHEAD TO SUMMER 2017 October 21, 2016 Dear United Lutheran Church, Thank you for your recent gift of $75.00 to Middle East and Europe Refugee Crisis. It provides help and hope in the face of devastation and makes possible rapid and flexible response. We cannot do this important work without you. Our church is known for our capacity to respond effectively to disasters. In many of the hardest hit areas, Lutheran Disaster Response or its partners through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are already there. We couple the generosity of your gift with the presence and knowledge of the needs at the local level. Your gift comes at a moment when we are responding to more significant disasters in a compressed period than at any time in decades. Every gift is critical. Thank you. It is by faith and grace that a time of despair can be turned into a season of hope. With gratitude for your partnership in this ministry. The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director Dive In to Summer Camps in 2017! Registration opens online December 1 for a summer of fun camps at Camp Lutherwood Oregon. The focus will be on the power of water. Scripture is packed with images of water, from creation to baptism to Jesus teachings. We are reminded by them of God s power, ability to heal, and unending love. The theme verse is Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. This reminds us that no matter what is happening in our lives, for good or ill, God is with us. Time at Camp Lutherwood, A Place Set Apart, brings a time to find peace and to be washed with God s love, experiencing the power of water. To register, go to Also coming in 2017, three work days: April 29, May 20, and June 3. All work days begin at 9:00 a.m. and end around 3:00 p.m. Lunch is provided! Call the office, , or office@lutherwoodoregon.org to RSVP. LUTHERFEST 2017 COMING IN FEBRUARY A: Elvis Presley! The 29 cent stamp was issued on January 8, 1993, Presley s birthday. Of the 517 million stamps sold, more than 124 million are being saved by collectors and Elvis fans. Tickets to the 5th Annual Luther House Lutherfest, the beer and cheese pairing to benefit Lutheran campus ministry at Oregon State University, go on sale December 1. Lutherfest is coming earlier in the calendar year, Sunday, February 26, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., at the Boulder Falls Event Center in Lebanon, Oregon. For $50 (or $350 for a table of 8), you get a six-course, seatedand-served menu of local micro-brews and Oregon craft cheeses. Representatives of the OSU Brewing Lab and Creamery will talk about craft brewing and local cheesemaking. Luther House students will share what Lutheran Campus Ministry means to them. Prizes and gift baskets will be given away as will the Lutherfest traveling trophy for the congregation bringing the most guests. Tickets are sold online at Only 250 seats are available and tickets must be purchased in advance. All ticket sales support Luther House programming through United Voice December 2016 Page 6

7 UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH 2230 WASHINGTON ST EUGENE OR RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG U. S. POSTAGE PAID EUGENE, OREGON PERMIT NO 119 Merry Christmas to: December 4 Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 December 11 Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 December 18 Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 December 24 Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] December 25 Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:[1-7]8-20 United Voice is published monthly by United Lutheran Church Editor: Gay Kramer-Dodd Publication Deadline: The 17 th of the month Pastor: Thomas Dodd Director of Music: Philip Bayles Intern: Jessica Bakken Congregational Ministry Assistant: Crystal Miller Hosanna Choir Director: Katie Bode Secretary: Linda Anderson Mid-Week Meal Cook: Diane Masson Council: Zach Buenau, Pres., Carolee Horning, V. P., Sue Bowers, Treas., Kim Weiherman, Sec., Sally Krueger, Kristin Landon, Mark Raney, Veronica Vold, Meegan Ward, and Denise Wendt.