FAITH at WORK Faith Lutheran Church February 2017

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1 FAITH at WORK Faith Lutheran Church February 2017 Sisters and brothers in Christ - In the gospels Christ is baptized by John in the muddy waters of the Jordan River. I think that Mark's gospel might state it the most dramatically (but I may be biased): In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. (Mark 1:9-11) Snow and ice canceled the Sunday service that would have focused around those words. But baptism is always central for us, it reminds us of our life and community in Christ. What happens to Jesus in his baptism also happens to each of us. In the waters of baptism, God rips apart all that separates us from him. God tears apart any barriers or walls that divide us to a unity with him and all the other saints. The second thing that happens in Jesus' baptism is the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove. We can imagine this in two ways. One of them is to imagine the Holy Spirit looking like a dove and alighting on Jesus. Another way that we can imagine the Holy Spirit is flying (and landing) like a dove. As Jeff Fleischer or another birder could tell you, doves land rather abruptly not a glide but a sudden pouring in. Thirdly God speaks to Jesus. God tells Jesus that he is God's child, that he is loved and that he brings Jesus joy. In the waters of our baptism we are told that we are sons and daughters of God, that we are loved by our Creator and that we bring God joy. (Continued on page 2) You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. -(Mark 1:9-11) Faith Lutheran Church 930 Queen Ave SW, Albany OR faithalbany@proaxis.com website: or In This Issue Church Announcements and Events Community Announcements and Events Calendars Prayer needs

2 (Continued from page 1) The season of Epiphany (which continues through the end of February) is a time to be reminded of our baptism, to be reminded that we are all sons and daughters created in the image of a loving Father, that the Spirit is with us. Peace in Christ, Pastor Mark Coffee Hours Wednesdays: 2:30 4:30 (At Starbucks by Fred Meyer) Pastor Mark is in the office most of the time. Stop in or call/ and make an appointment and I ll be glad to meet with you! We will be publishing a new church phone directory in early Please watch for more communication and requests for updates of member information. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 2017 STAFF Pastor The Rev. Mark B. Office Manager Carol O. Organist/Pianist Cheryl B. Custodian Terry B. President CHURCH COUNCIL Terry V Vice President Charles B. Secretary Mary S. G. Treasurer Alice W. Financial Secretary JoAnn P. Education Dixie D. Evangelism & Mission Jackye B. Fellowship & Social Concerns Peggy P. Property Management John D. Stewardship & Resources John B. Worship & Music Bob B. Youth Committee Youth Facilitator Nancy G Kayleigh C S Mission Endowment Fund Gordy G. Saturday Morning Men's Breakfast February 18th 9:00 am Pops Branding Iron All men of the church are invited to gather for breakfast, for fellowship and for prayer Congregational Annual Meeting Sunday, March 5 All ministries and committees, please have your 2016 Annual report to the office by Feb. 20. FLC 2017 Rummage Sale! Friday April 21, 8 am to 4 pm & Saturday April 22, 8 am to 2 pm Dig deep into those closets and clean out the garage too! Please bring your donations on Monday after Easter (April 16); we accept anything that s clean and in working order, but we cannot accept alcohol, meds and fire arms.

3 Prayer List We will be collecting names over the course of February in order to confirm our current prayer list, and reflect the prevailing prayer concerns of our Faith Lutheran Church family. We ask that you either or call the church office, or put names in the prayer box in the Fireside room. We are glad to pray for anyone or anything. Our intention is to make sure our current list reflects the concerns of our Faith family. In March, a new prayer list will reflect the continued and updated concerns received in the office by , phone or prayer box. Prayer Chain A few folks have expressed an interest in a prayer chain. A prayer chain is a way for anyone to live out the command that Paul offers to the church at Thessaloniki: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. We are commanded to pray for one another, to pray for the whole church, to pray for our enemies, to pray for the creation. We are asking anyone in the prayer chain to lift up the concerns of Faith Lutheran Church weekly (which could be as little as taking a few seconds and asking God's to be with all of those concerns and as much as lifting them up by name) and to pray for other concerns as they are shared. Alice Weber will be heading up the prayer chain if you are interested send her an baweber@comcast.net Mass in the Grass Meeting February 1 st 1:00 p.m. St. Albans A group of congregations will be planning an combined outdoor worship service sometime this summer. Pastor Mark is attending this meeting but would be glad to have one or two other folks from Faith join in planning the worship this summer. If you can help, please let Pastor Mark know. Church Council Retreat February 4 th Our church council will be meeting on February 4 th. Please pray for our council as we work, meet, study, eat and pray, so that we may serve Christ and the community here at Faith Lutheran Church. Breakfast & Tuesdays 6:45 Elmers A chance to read through the Bible and get to know some of the stories. The goal would be to read in advance (or when we arrive) and then discuss. Anyone is welcome! Then you may join the group to Walk, Talk & Pray after at 8:00am.

4 Ash Wednesday Worship Wednesday, March 1 St. Alban's Episcopal 1730 Hill Street Albany Oregon 7:00 Faith Lutheran Church Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner Tuesday, February 5:30-7:00pm Free will offering to benefit Helping Hands. The Mission and Evangelism Committee will be doing a Shrove Tuesday dinner with proceeds benefiting Helping Hands here in Albany. We will be serving pancakes, sausage and egg from 5:30 to 7:00pm. At 7:00 we will burn the palms in preparation for Ash Wednesday services the next day. Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. These words are the words that lead us into Lent. They are a reminder of our continual call to confession and prayer. This year we will have a lunchtime service with our Episcopalian sisters and brothers at St.Albans and an evening service here at Faith Lutheran Church. Ash Wednesday is the start of our journeying together with Christ on the road to Jerusalem, on our way to the Last Supper, on our way to the blood stained heights of Calvary, on our way to the empty tomb. This is your invitation to begin that journey again, to be called to repentance, renewal and new life. February Sunday, Feb. 12 6:00 8:00pm Dinner provided Sunday, Feb. 29 6:00-8:00pm All age Family Event Sunday, February 5th The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will join us during worship service Sunday, February 1:00pm Join us at Lakeshore Lanes for a fun afternoon of bowling We would like to introduce Albany's newest Cub Scout Pack, Pack 226. We are blessed that you as a congregation have chosen to sponsor our Pack. Our scouts range from first grade to fifth grade. While we are not exclusively a homeschool Pack, our goal is to give the homeschooling community an opportunity to take part in the Cub Scouting program by offering flexibility with daytime meeting times and activities We aim to involve our young Scouts in community service, meeting government officials and civil servants along with character building activities and having fun. Our mission is embodied in our numbers 226 which is taken from Proverbs 22:6, 'Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.' If you would like to know more about our Pack, and scouting, please feel free to join us! We meet Friday afternoon's at 2 p.m. We thank you once again and look forward to where God leads us in this journey in raising courageous boys. Yours in Scouting, Pack 226 Questions? Contact Cubmaster Frank Stutzman

5 Community Announcements and News The 5th annual Luther House beer and cheese pairing to benefit our OSU campus ministry is set for Sunday, February 26, 2-4:30 pm, at the Boulder Falls Event Center (same location as last year) in Lebanon. For $50 ($350 for a table of 8), you get a six-course, seated-and-served menu of local microbrews and Oregon craft cheeses while hearing from representatives of the OSU Brewing Lab and Creamery teach us timely tidbits about craft brewing and local cheesemaking. Additionally, Luther House students will share what Lutheran Campus Ministry means to them. Prizes and gift baskets will be awarded. And brand new this year the congregation bringing the most guests wins the LutherFest traveling trophy! Tickets must be purchased in advance. They are on sale online at lutherfest.luther-house.org. Only 250 seats are available. All ticket sales support Luther House programming through Join us please. Tell your friends. Let s make this the biggest and best LutherFest yet. Camp Lutherwood Oregon is coming to Faith Lutheran Church on Sunday, February 12! They will be bringing more information about summer camps, family camps, and how you can get involved throughout the year. As a special discount, they're offering $25 off the price of camp if you register on February 12! Camp Lutherwood staff can assist you with registration while you're at church. Check out our website for more information, lutherwoodoregon.org! Reflections From Rome Pr. Jim was asked to represent the Lutheran World Federation as fraternal delegate to the Vatican Council s IV Congress on the Pastoral Care of International Students in Rome, November 28-December 2. He will speak here on February 19th, during the adult Education Hour (9am) about his experience at the Vatican. He will also be sharing with us about the ministry that goes on at Luther House.

6 February For the most up-to-date version, visit our online calendar

7 Worship Leader Team February February ASSISTING MINISTERS Janice L-V Shirley K Terry V Jackye B LECTOR Karen G Vail P Elaine W Gordy G KID S WORSHIP Andie D USHERS Jon/ Rosemary A Kim/Claus S John/ Paula D Wally O/ John B ACOLYTES Aaron B Dexter B Nollan W Aaron B SOUND TECHNICIAN Bob B Stan B John B Bob B READINGS Isa 58:1-9a Psalm 112:1-9 1 Cor 2:1-12 Matt 5:13-20 Deut 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Cor 3:1-9 Matt 5:21-37 Lev 19:1-2,9-18 Psalm 119: Cor 3:10-11,16-23 Matt 5:38-48 Exod 24:12-18 Psalm 2 or 99 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matt 17:1-9 PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER THOSE NEEDING STRENGTH, GUIDANCE AND HEALING: Shirley B Frank B Eleanor B Austin B Weldon B Gary C Ramona C Rita E Baby F Baby E Pr. Dawn G Cindy H Courtney H Silas H Brandon L Cher M Craig M Heidi M Pat N Mary N Betty P Jim P Kathy R Ella Q Nona S Helen S Bodhi S Art S Rick S Alice V Linda Gail V Charles W Linda W Juanita W Carl W Cheryl W Randy Tonya Z Brandon Susie & Family REMEMBER OUR HOMEBOUND: Lou C, Bonnie K. OUR SYMPATHY & PRAYERS TO THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES

8 Faith Lutheran Church 930 Queen Ave SW Albany Oregon Upcoming events: Sunday, February 5 Boy Scout Sunday Sunday, February 19 Family Bowling 1pm Tuesday, February 28 Shrove Tuesday 5:30-7pm Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday Sunday, March 5 Annual Congregational meeting Faith at Work Sundays Sunday School 9 am Worship 10:15 am faithalbany.org faithalbany@ proaxis.com Faith Lutheran Church 930 Queen Ave SW Albany, OR PLACE STAMP HERE