JANUARY Celebrating January 2 Staff & Council. Pastor s Message 3. Announcements 4. Bishop s Message 5. Parish Paper 6-7

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1 JANUARY 2015 Celebrating January 2 Staff & Council Pastor s Message 3 Announcements 4 Bishop s Message 5 Parish Paper 6-7 Prayer and Vision 8 Statement Worship Group 9 Schedule Pastor s Alan s Message on... The Way To Our Soul Pg. 3 Scripture Reading 10 January Calendar 11 ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH 314 S. Spruce Street Spokane, WA allsaintsgather@gmail.com Facebook: All Saints Gather SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00am Bible Study 10:30am Worship 11:45am Fellowship Hour All Saints will be holding their annual congregational meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2015 following worship service. We will be voting on new council members at this time. It is important that all who are able please plan to attend. A potluck is scheduled before the meeting so bring your favorite dish to share.

2 CELEBRATE JANUARY!!!!! BIRTHDAYS 1 Mavis Michael 4 Brianna Babcock 5 Harry Michael 7 Erik Eschenbacher 8 Wally Phillipson 9 Carter Babcock 14 Bekah Wasmund 16 Nathan McGuire 18 Jordan Voss 21 Marie Voss 30 Jaak Juhkentaal 30 Keely McKinley Church Staff Pastor Alan B. Eschenbacher Visitation Pastor George Taylor Organist Nisha Coulter Substitute Organist Ty Peterson Office Administrator Teresa Freund Custodians Robert Chenault John Holzendorf Council Members President Stacey Winkle Vice President Bryce Eschenbacher Secretary Maynard Ross Treasurer Eleanor Olson Roger Bagby Karen Bryant Leona Chenault Dave Jelinek Ryan McKinley Dean Treichel Financial Secretary Cora Jelinek ALL SAINTS GATHER NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS items to: allsaintsgather@gmail.com OR place articles & submissions on the desk in the office. Deadline for the February Issue: MONDAY, JANUARY 19TH 2

3 The Way To Our Soul By Pastor Alan Eschenbacher As we contemplate our Advent journey to the manger in Bethlehem let us remember: We begin our lives as creatures created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). This same God who formed all things created only us in their image! But in our day and age this connection to God as creator is short lived the pressures of the world drag us in different directions, few of which have anything to do with God. Our innocence as children starts to wane as early as age 3, tasks and expectations begin in preschool, education becomes all consuming, competition in various forms takes control of our lives for the next years. We build up an ego, an Avatar if you will, to protect our sensitive real life from the harsh realities of a competitive world. In the modern world, competition and success are the only measures that make headlines. Those on the margins and those unable or unwilling to keep up are quickly kicked to the curb and left behind. We put everything we have into our Avatars and expect these mostly false self-portraits to carry us through good and bad times. The majority of people never leave these made up selves (not even for an hour on a Sunday morning) and they eventually forget 99% of their true real life. The goal of the powers and principalities of this world are to build billions of individuals, all fending mostly for themselves, buying and consuming and engaging only on the most superficial levels. The media and entertainment industries are built on this mythical individual and will do anything to keep their hold on its life. The real life of the person created in Gods image becomes lost and hidden behind the facade of the Avatar. Make no mistake here! This made up individual is critical for the consumer driven, politicized, advertising focused world to continue. The mega-rich plutocrats will do anything necessary to maintain this setup. This situation, which we brought on ourselves, is in some sense fine and necessary, but only in the early stages of life, when we need to have the protection of a false self. Of course we all know that competition and individual achievement need to be recognized to build a child into an adult. However... by age 18 the need for this should begin to go away when the person then starts to build their life based more and more on their real self. The real self has a natural need to be connected to God on a physical and spiritual level. The older we get the deeper, richer and fuller this connection should be. The individual, as they grow, learns give way to community needs and concern for the common good. People on the margins and who are disabled in whatever way are lifted up and brought along the way by those who are mature enough in their walk with God to set aside competition and greed and help those who need it. God s way is relationship. As Christians, we become Jesus Christ and if we are honest, we know that following Christ involves joy and love as well as suffering and despair. We follow this way and we learn and love and experience suffering and doubt all alongside Jesus, with the Spirit to guide us. We follow in good times and bad, seeking relationship with the Trinitarian God this is what we need and what we really want. So we go back to before we created the false self and become like a little child. This new understanding can then fulfill our real selves in place of the false self. This journey may take a long time and will be jampacked with setbacks and discouraging moments, after all the evil one is still active and working against us, but eventually we realize that we cannot be separate from God. We are made to be one with God and with God s creation. The Avatar we created and held on to so dearly, was only good for a little while, when we accept this we then move more fully into community and relation with our soul and recognize who we truly are in God s eyes. God s grace and care for ALL the world helps us to share who we are with others and to accept who others are without judgment. Thank you for reading along with me for this and all the other articles, I appreciate you very much as coworkers in the kingdom. As we finish our wait for the Christ child and celebrate his birth and baptism in the coming weeks I pray that you find your place along the way in God s kingdom. Your true self is waiting to be unlocked and released so that your spirit may find peace. As we become more like little children in this way of thinking we realize just what Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 18:3 Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 3

4 January Adult Study at All Saints In December, we continued to investigate the Rainbow Covenant and its relationship to Resting one day out of seven (and by inference Working six days out of seven). In January, we continue with Genesis Unveiled. Jan 4: In the Image of God - What does it mean for a God, who has no physical form, to create man in His Image? An answer to this question unlocks the mystery behind human destiny, and the relevance to our everyday lives. Jan 11: Noah and the Vineyard What are we supposed to learn from the post-flood Biblical story? Does this yield the intriguing possibility that the Bible is recreating creation? Jan 18: Noah and the Vineyard, continued Jan 25: Tower of Babel Read Genesis 11:1-9 An unusual and extremely small portion of Torah with perplexing questions we might ask about large cities, languages, Pentecost, capitalism, technology, construction projects, glossolalia, and reaching out to heaven. February Adult Study Something completely new You won t be expecting this! SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 at 2:00 PM Central Lutheran Church 512 S Bernard (509) HOUSE CHURCH BIBLE STUDIES Will meet on Wednesday, January 14th at 11am in the Fellowship Hall at All Saints. Saturday, January 10, 2015 is your opportunity to hear selections from Handel s Messiah performed in concert at Central Lutheran Church. The 2:00 pm concert will include performances of six of the most beloved choruses and eight of the most exciting solo works in the masterpiece. The choir will be comprised of singers from many area churches and four of Spokane s most recognized vocal soloists will perform the solos. An orchestra and pipe organ will accompany the afternoon s singing. Heather Parker, Ann Benson, Jadd Davis and Steve Mortier are the soloist, Alice Hostetter, organ and Paul Brueggemeier, conducting. The concert is free and open to the public. All areas of the church are wheelchair accessible. The performance will be a comfortable 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. 4

5 Cross Connection, January 2015 Just outside the window of our breakfast nook is a lilac bush, framed below by standing stalks of brown, summer plants showing death in the cold air. It is the dead -dark of winter and spent lilac blooms witness to the season that is gone. Time seems frozen, at least locked in short days, and the world is yearning for hope. Into this world come two words, the first a birth announcement and the second the hype around an alcohol-fueled turn of the calendar to January 1, New Year s is an illusion of the calendar proven by how quickly we abandon our resolutions. But the birth notice, now that s another matter. Everything is being held in stasis for now. Nothing is moving, except by a light breeze showing in the evergreen tree. This is early Advent, the season of waiting and for many, frightening uncertainty. In the words of an angel, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11). In the morning newspaper are the stories of Ferguson, MO, and New York City. Names cycle across print in cold reminder that death is upon us: Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice. Michael Eric Dyson, writing about Ferguson in the New York Times, says If our president and our nation now don t show the will and courage to speak the truth and remake the destinies of millions of beleaguered citizens, then we are doomed to watch the same sparks reignite, whenever and wherever injustice meets desperation. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid because you are not alone. Do not be made afraid by the questions pressing for answers. Do not be afraid, but lay your fears in the straw of this manger and listen to God cry out for Life. God s beloved People, I look again at the Advent sign, the lilac bush: Along the thin tendrils of the plant, between the main stem and the dark and dead blossoms, are small, inch-long extensions of new growth and on the end of each is a faintly greening bud. I remember a line from a favorite poem: [Now] the sun begins her mid-wife s task of birthing bud from sleeping flower. (Bert Bokern). Here is a new passing name, Luke Somers, an American photojournalist, being held by Al-Qaida, and we fear the story to come in the days ahead. A homeless encampment in San Jose, CA, named The Jungle is raided and a fraction of the residents find new housing while the story ends with a hundred people and their shopping carts standing beside the freeway, cars slowing to stare like we were a parade of circus animals said one homeless woman. Two Boeing workers win 90 million dollars in the Powerball but we know too much to be more than momentarily happy for them. Do not be afraid. Search beyond your own dead blossoms for the bud of hope that conquers fear and listen for the cry to life that is the voice of your Savior, Jesus. And may this be a God-blessed New Year! Bp Martin Wells 5

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8 PRAYER AT ALL SAINTS For the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the future of All Saints For Pastor Alan Eschenbacher as he serves All Saints For Bishop Martin Wells and the Synod Staff For ELCA presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton For divine guidance for our country "People of Christ, living in community, working in partnership, doing the stuff of local ministry" Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same LORD, and there are varieties of workings, but it is the same GOD who inspires them all in every thing. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind... love your neighbor as yourself. MATTHEW 22:37-40 Brian Dickerson, Craig Davenport, Judy Shoaf, Dara Evans, Cindy Shepherd, Kent & Barbara Olson, Dillon Brown, Frances Sola, Dian Lee, JoAnn Lofing, Bill Jones Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. MATTHEW 28:19-20 For our Members in the Military Paul Billings, Ben Coles, Robert Guyton, Aaron Jelinek 8

9 January 4, 2015 Greeters/Ushers... Norm Sanborn & Harry Michael Altar Guild... Sandi Crabtree & Deana Wickert Coffee Hour... Wedding Reception January 11, 2015 Greeters/Ushers... Jim & Shirley Chaffins Altar Guild... Harry & Mavis Michael Coffee Hour... Betty Renford & Joanne Brockway January 18, 2015 January 25, 2015 Annual Meeting Greeters/Ushers... Evelyn & Maynard Ross Altar Guild... Harry & Mavis Michael Coffee Hour... Sandi Crabtree & Deana Wickert Greeters/Ushers... Norm Sanborn & Sandi Crabtree Altar Guild... Betty Renford & Joanne Brockway Coffee Hour... Potluck Worship Group #1 for January 2015 consists of: Harry and Mavis Michael, Betty Renford, Joanne Brockway, Evelyn Ross, Carla Ross, Maynard Ross, Jim and Shirley Chaffins, Norm Sanborn, Bev Patterson, Jaak Juhkentaal, Dean and Christina Simnioniw, Sandi Crabtree, Derrick and Brandi Crabtree, Earnest and Deana Wickert, 9

10 Thursday January 1st: Name of Jesus Numbers 6:22-27/Psalm 8 Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-11/Luke 2:15-21 Friday January 2nd: Psalm 148/Proverbs 1:1-7/James 3:13-18 Saturday January 3rd: Psalm 110/Proverbs 1:20-33/James 4:1-10 Second Sunday of Christmas January 4th Jeremiah 31:7-14/Psalm 147:12-20/Ephesians 1:3-14/John Monday January 5th: Psalm 110/Proverbs 22:1-9/Luke 6:27-31 Epiphany of Our Lord Tuesday January 6th Isaiah 60:1-6/Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14/Ephesians 3:1-12/Matthew 2:1-12 Wednesday January 7th:Psalm 110/Exodus 1:22 2:10/Hebrews 11:23-26 Thursday January 8th: Psalm 110/Exodus 2:11-25/Hebrews 11:27-28 Friday January 9th: Psalm 110/Exodus 3:7-15/John 8:39-59 Saturday January 10th: Psalm 29/1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12/Luke 5:1-11 Baptism of Our Lord January 11th Genesis 1:1-5/Psalm 29/Acts 19:1-7/Mark 1:4-11 Monday January 12th: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36/Genesis 17:1-13/Romans 4:1-12 Tuesday January 13th: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36/Exodus 30:22-38/ Acts 22:2-16 Wednesday January 14th: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36/Isaiah 41:14-20/John 1:29-34 Thursday January 15th: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18/Judges 2:6-15/2 Corinthians 10:1-11 Friday January 16th: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18/Judges 2:16-23/Acts 13:16-25 Saturday January 17th: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18/1 Samuel 2:21-25/Matthew 25:1-13 Second Sunday after Epiphany January 18th 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]/Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18/1 Corinthians 6:12-20/John 1:43-51 Monday January 19th: Psalm 86/1 Samuel 9:27 10:8/2 Corinthians 6:14 7:1 Tuesday January 20th: Psalm 86/1 Samuel 15:10-31/Acts 5:1-11 Wednesday January 21st: Psalm 86/Genesis 16:1-14/Luke 18:15-17 Thursday January 22nd: Psalm 62:5-12/Jeremiah 19:1-15/Revelation 18:11-20 Friday January 23rd: Psalm 62:5-12/Jeremiah 20:7-13/2 Peter 3:1-7 Saturday January 24th: Psalm 62:5-12/Jeremiah 20:14-18/Luke 10:13-16 Third Sunday after Epiphany January 25th Jonah 3:1-5, 10/Psalm 62:5-12/1 Corinthians 7:29-31/Mark 1:14-20 Monday January 26th: Psalm 46/Genesis 12:1-9/1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Tuesday January 27th: Psalm 46/Genesis 45:25 46:7/Acts 5:33-42 Wednesday January 28th: Psalm 46/Proverbs 8:1-21/Mark 3:13-19a Thursday January 29th: Psalm 111/Deuteronomy 3:23-29/Romans 9:6-18 Friday January 30th: Psalm 111/Deuteronomy 12:28-32/Revelation 2:12-17 Saturday January 31st: Psalm 111/Deuteronomy 13:1-5/Matthew 8:28 9:1 10

11 Unless otherwise noted, ASLC Office is open 9:00am-3:30pm Monday-Friday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Happy New Year!!! 1 Pr. Alan s Day Off 2 3 9pm AA Meeting 9am Bible Study 10:30am All Saints Worship w/comm 11:45am Coffee Hour 4 6:30pm Al West Bible Study 8pm Addicts in Action 5 5pm Community Dinner 6 6:30pm Martial Arts 7pm Al West Bible St 7 8am-Noon Homeless Coalition 8 Pr. Alan s Day Off 9pm AA Meeting pm Ger mans from Russia 10 9am Bible Study 10:30am All Saints Worship w/comm 11:45am Coffee Hour 11 6:30pm Al West Bible Study 8pm Addicts in Action :30pm Council Meeting 5pm Community Dinner 11am House Church Bible Study 6:30pm Martial Arts 7pm Al West Bible St 14 NW Harvest Delivery 9am Quilters 15 Pr. Alan s Day Off 9pm AA Meeting am Bible Study 10:30am All Saints Worship w/comm 11:45am Coffee Hour 18 Newsletter Submissions Due Pr. Alan s Day Off Worship Group 2 meets 6:30pm Al West Bible Study 5pm Community Dinner 6:30pm Martial Arts 7pm Al West Bible St 9am Quilters 9pm AA Meeting 9am Bible Study 10:30am All Saints Worship w/comm 11:45am Coffee Hour Annual Congregation Meeting..see front page 25 6:30pm Al West Bible Study 8pm Addicts in Action 26 5pm Community Dinner 27 6:30pm Martial Arts 7pm Al West Bible St 28 9am Quilters 29 Pr. Alan s Day Off 9pm AA Meeting 30 31