Pastor s Message Advent 2010

Transcription

1 Pastor s Message Advent 2010 Dear Friends in Christ, When I was growing up, I loved to go to the Portland International Airport. It was a bit of a drive from Albany, but it was worth it. Either we d be going on a fun trip Mom and I went to Disneyland when I was four. Or we d be picking someone up a friend of mom s or a family member. I have a distinct memory of my dad treating me to my first ice-cream sandwich at the airport. I loved to watch the jets land and take off. I was impressed by the power of their roaring engines, even through the thick glass of the airport windows. I was amazed that these huge vehicles ever got off the ground. When we d get to the airport, I d go straight to the windows to watch the planes. I also loved to watch the people. At the airport, emotions are so close to the surface. People are saying goodbye. When I was flying into Michigan last month, we passed a mom crying and hugging her two boys who were about 8 and 10 years old. We hurried ourselves along before we all burst into tears too. It was heartbreaking to think of what might be going on. Had divorce broken up this family? When would she see her boys again? And people are being reunited. It is a beautiful thing to witness the smiles break across people s faces when they recognize the loved one they ve been anticipating seeing, the long hugs, the conversation, How was your flight? That was something I mourned after 911, that we all can t go to the airport terminals to see off our loved ones or to welcome them home, anymore. Advent reminds me a little of the airport. There is a sense of goodbye. There is goodbye to the season of autumn as the last of the leaves fall. We say goodbye to the last church year. It seems like a really long time until we ll see the sun again. Page 1

2 Pastor s Message continued But there is also a sense of being reunited: with the old stories of the baby Jesus coming, with the old favorite hymns O Come, O Come Emmanuel and On Jordan s Banks. There is that blue of hope, peace, joy, and love. There is a sense of a fresh start, a new year that feels like a long hug and the start of a new conversation. There is a feeling of power. The runways are flat and straight, just like the prophets ask us to make them for Christ to come into our hearts. It is amazing that God would want to land in the airport of our hearts, our families, our congregation, our neighborhood. It seems incredible that so much power could be in our midst. Advent and Airports are for waiting. I invite you to take time to enjoy the anticipation of the Advent season (And have a Merry Christmas too!) Pastor Aimee Christmas Eve at KOK Join us for Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Services! 7 & 11:00 pm Page 2

3 Watchful Waiting Advent is meant to be a time of watchful waiting. Waiting for Christ to come, waiting for Christ to be born within us, waiting for Christ to take over ourselves to the degree that we become more like the master: loving, serving, sharing, blessing. Imagine having the light of Christ shining through us more fully, more completely. Imagine becoming what St. Paul prayed that the people of the Philippian Church might become: "... that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11). Advent Services Come join us for mid-week Advent Services at the locations below: Soup & Bread 6:00 Worship 7:00 pm December King of Kings December St. Stephen Lutheran 290 W Gloucester St. Gladstone December King of Kings (Preview of the Christmas Cantata) Choir Practice to 7:30 p.m. Advent Services Page 3

4 It is time to make the GRAHAM CRACKER HOUSES Assembly of the Graham Cracker Houses December 4, 10:00 am Adults and Teens are invited to come and learn how to put the houses together. Come for the fun and help prepare for the Super Saturday on December 11. Tools to bring: Pastry bag and a broad tip, such as a star tip Cookie sheets or trays Decoration of the Graham Cracker Houses Super Saturday December 11, 1-3 pm, Kids of all ages are invited to come and decorate their own special house for Christmas. All supplies will be provided. All are welcome! P.S. Adults who are kids are invited too! Spirits & Theology Time: Monday, December 6 pm Place: Round Table Pizza, SE McLoughlin Blvd. Discussion question: God is neither male nor female, but our historical image of God is male. If our image of God was female, how might that have changed history? Our belief in God? Our relationship with God? Fellowship abounds and ideas about spiritual matters are exchanged in an informal and public setting. Come when you can. Bring friends. All are welcome. Page 4

5 K i n g o f K i n g s R e a c h e s O u t C H R I S T M A S G I V I N G B A R R E L S This Christmas season, the Radical Hospitality Committee invites you to celebrate the birth of our Savior by helping our neighbors in need. We invite you to make a contribution to Backpack Buddies, King's Cupboard and/or the Domestic Violence Survivors' Housing Project. There are two ways to make your contribution: Place non-perishable items in the designated barrels in the narthex; suggested items are listed by each barrel; Make a monetary donation to King of Kings for Backpack Buddies, King's Cupboard or Domestic Survivor House and make a note in the memo section of the check. Wishing you all the blessings of Christmas, The Radical Hospitality Committee Wish List for DV House Rake Broom Yard clippers Gardening gloves Shovel Hose Bread pans Mixing bowls Muffin tins Cookie sheets Hand mixer Bathroom rugs Throw rugs in neutral colors Page 5

6 K i n g o f K i n g s R e a c h e s O u t King s Cupboard December Update The need for emergency food in our community remains strong. From January through November, the pantry has served 1065 families -- almost 20% more than during the same period last year. We see new families every month. This service is made possible thanks to the wonderful support of King of Kings, pantry partners and the community. The November 13 mega distribution served 84 families and 278 people. It took 48 volunteers and 267 hours to prepare for and manage this one incredible day. Thanks everyone! The Pie Social/Quilt Auction was loads of fun and raised approximately $4500 to help keep pantry finances strong. Thrivent Board, Clackamas County has committed an additional $800 in matching funds. Thanks to the wonderful event team and everyone who supported this fun and fundraising evening. Two local businesses held food drives to benefit the pantry during November Great Clips in Oak Grove and HealthSource Chiropractic in downtown Milwaukie. Nita Hoops (pantry volunteer) and her husband, Len, are offering a U-cut Christmas tree fundraiser at their Estacada area tree farm. See page 8 for details. The Radical Hospitality Committee is sponsoring a resource raising drive in support of the congregation s ongoing hunger relief projects, including the pantry. See Christmas Giving Barrels for details. Page 6

7 K i n g o f K i n g s R e a c h e s O u t King s Cupboard December Update Current most needed items include: Hearty soups Cereal or oatmeal Toilet paper or paper towels Macaroni and cheese Boxed sides (Hamburger Helper, pasta, rice or stuffing mixes) Canned spaghetti sauce Macaroni or pasta Chili, ravioli or stew Canned meat (tuna, chicken, salmon, spam, etc.) Condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, spices, etc.) Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags We could use your grocery bags/plastic sacks for the King s Cupboard Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Bags Page 7

8 K i n g o f K i n g s R e a c h e s O u t U-Cut Christmas Trees Benefit King s Cupboard What: U-cut a Noble Fir or Douglas Fir Trees up to 10 tall or more Where: Green Acres Tree Farm South Spring Creek Rd Estacada, OR Price: $20/tree (about $14 to benefit King s Cupboard) Many thanks to Green Acres owners, Len and Nita Hoops, for this Christmas tree fundraising opportunity. They donate generously during the Christmas tree season, so the key word to benefit the pantry is: King s Cupboard Directions from I-205 and Hwy 212/224 (East) Take OR-212/OR-224/Clackamas Hwy towards Estacada (go 3.1 miles) Turn right onto OR/224/Clackamas Hwy (go 1.1 miles) Take a slight right onto S. Springwater Rd (go.2 miles) Turn left to stay on S. Springwater Rd (go 7.3 miles) Turn right onto S. Spring Creek Rd (go.3 miles) End at S. Spring Creek Rd Page 8

9 K i n g o f K i n g s R e a c h e s O u t To: King of Kings Lutheran Church I would like to thank everybody at King of Kings for the food boxes. That extra food is a big help in my family. So once again, thank you. Richard To The Food Bank Teams Thanksgiving is a time to give special thanks to people like you. You give so much of yourself to people who need help and you do it with grace, patience, and humor and acceptance of our differences. We are all doing God s work and He would be very pleased with the difference you make in people s lives. God Bless You All From Beryl Betty Littell phoned to thank us for the prayer shawl. She said, it s beautiful and soft and I sleep with it. She will be at Milwaukie Convalescent on Stanley for at least another week. She would enjoy having a visit, either in person or by phone. Call the office for her cell phone number. Dear KOK, I wanted to update you on my daughters, Katie & Marta as they have progressed through their college years. Marta is finishing up her Associate s degree at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California, & will be applying to transfer to universities to complete her bachelor s in Nursing next. Kate graduated from PLU last December, & is working in Washington DC for Alaska Senator Begich this year, but studying for her GRE in order to attend graduate school next year. Thank you for your continued generosity & support of Al s granddaughters in his memory. You are a blessing to our family! Sharon Geldaker Page 9

10 Legend of the Christmas Poinsettia In 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus birthday the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and the red color represents the blood of Christ. Christmas Poinsettias This Christmas members of King of Kings are invited to bring and place memorial poinsettias to beautify the sanctuary for worship services on the festival of our Lord s birth. Poinsettias may be placed in memory of a loved one or simply in honor of our Savior s birth. If you notify the office, acknowledgement will be made in our Christmas Eve bulletins. Let s really decorate the sanctuary with poinsettias. Take them home after the 11:00 pm Christmas Eve service or you may leave them one more week to decorate the sanctuary for the next Sunday. A Christmas Blessing May you have the Spirit of Christmas, which is Peace, The Gladness of Christmas, which is Hope, The Heart of Christmas, which is Love, The Gift of Christmas, which is Christ Page 10

11 Council Highlights Devotions were provided by Gary Noble. He read from the book Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles R. Lane. Christian Education: Winston said they are meeting Thursday. It was suggested they discuss if Sunday School and Adult Education should be evaluated. Property: To Do list: Develop a volunteer grounds upkeep plan, remove downstairs drinking fountain, replace cupola insulation, replace the office cabinet, furnace maintenance, Replace entrance door weathering stripping Radical Hospitality: Donna thanked the committee who worked so hard on the pie social. SAC Martin Schmidt reported they are on sabbatical Worship: The choir will be singing an Advent Cantata on Wednesday December 15 th in place of the Holden Evening Prayer service, and also Sunday December 19th, during the church service. YEAR-END GIVING If you haven t fulfilled your Estimate of Giving commitment for this year, December 31 is just around the corner! Page 11

12 KOK Council Openings for 2011 Are you a person who cares about the future of our congregation? Are you someone who wishes to be a part of guiding that future? Do you care about the other members of King of Kings and want to make a difference in how the congregation lives out our statement of faith? If so, please give some thought and prayer about whether God might be nudging you to serve on the Church Council. Three members of our church council will finish their terms at the end of There will be three openings available. The requirements to serve on council include being a member who will remember that it is a calling to serve in this capacity, as well as a privilege. Your age, gender, or education does not matter. Everyone has something valuable to contribute, gifts from God for the building up of the Kingdom. In addition, we need one male and one female Synod Assembly delegate to represent KOK at the Annual OR Synod Assembly June 3-5, Eugene at the Hilton Hotel. We encourage every one of you to please be praying and listening to hear if God is calling you to fill one of the openings. If you would like more information about the position contact a council member. Thank you, The KOK Council Page 12

13 The MISSION ENDOWMENT BOARD Needs YOU! The Mission Endowment Board (MEB) consists of five members elected by the congregation at a congregational meeting to provide administration of the Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) on behalf of the council and congregation. Terms are for three years and members are elected on a staggered time basis. Two members go off the board at the end of Would you consider being elected to join the Mission Endowment Board in 2011? The King of Kings Mission Endowment Fund was established at a congregational meeting on August 4, The Fund s mission is to receive and administer bequests, estates, insurance, memorials and other assets to enhance and expand outreach ministry, and new spiritual, educational and stewardship opportunities of King of Kings Lutheran Church, apart from the general operation of the congregation. The Mission Endowment Board (MEB) was established to administer the MEF. Additionally, the Board is charged with providing educational information to the congregation about the Fund and to enlighten and encourage congregational members to be good stewards of all they have been given by designating the disposition of these gifts prior to their passing from this life to the life ever after. Mission Endowment Fund Policies were written by the originally elected MEB members and adopted at a congregational meeting on January 25, These Policies direct and assist the administration of the MEF by the MEB. Meetings are currently held quarterly, generally the last Tuesday of February, May, August and November. Special meetings may be called if needed. Please consider the joy of serving in this important function of the future of King of Kings Lutheran. Page 13

14 Newsletter Survey Results A Tale of the Numbers: 41 Responses 6 from non-members* 28 read it electronically 5 do not 24 read all of every issue 6 read most of most issues Scale of 1-6 Very well Not very well * Two were former members, two staff from other churches & two friends of KOK. Pastor s Message was the #1 rated feature, followed by King of Kings Reaches Out & news of members. The majority of responses with internet access appreciated the E-newsletter as being more ecologically & fiscally sound, while some would still prefer a paper copy. Several commented that the e-newsletter took too much time to download and used a lot of paper to print off at home. (In response to that helpful information we are now sending the calendar and Sunday Servants pages separate to more easily print just those pages) For those without internet we provide a paper copy in their mailbox at church or mailed to their home. Unfortunately this has come with some challenges as well, so there is definite room for improvement. Page 14

15 Let's Celebrate! God's Blessing to you as you celebrate... December Birthdays 2 Alicia Hess 11 Karen Knudson 3 Sarah Beyers 21 Terry Davis 4 Luke Lommen 21 Barbara Peterson 4 Andy Lundgren 21 Greg Peterson 5 Bethany Lundgren 25 Steve Lommen 7 Sue Setterberg December Baptisms 1 Cathy Pederson 2 Jamie Hansen 2 Chris Wubbenhorst 3 Alletha Dorgan 7 Betty Littell 12 Paige Maxwell 30 Don Trotter December Anniversaries 14 Bobbe & Graham Backman 20 Harry & Sharon Konsa 28 Barbara & Dan Peterson 29 Don & Wilma Raymond 30 Lonnie & Micki Cline Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. St. Augustine Page 15

16 P r a y e r s & T h a n k s g i v i n g s... Siler Joshua In thanksgiving at the birth of Pr. Aimee s nephew Jeff Rodin Continuing good recovery of angioplasty & 2 stents Zac Critchett Friend of Chris W; for him & his fellow troops in Afghanistan Family & Friends of Dorothy Buhler Jackie Schei s 105 year old friend at her death Family & Friends of Eve Friedli Chris W s cousin; at her death Betty Littell Ed Brock Chris McEwan Esther Schmitz Hip surgery; recovering at Milwaukie Convalescent Hospital Bell s palsy Friend of KOK; battling cancer Larry s mom; recovering from surgery Wilma Raymond Continuing rehab, may be going home soon Dick Severson Bernice Workman Darleen Lewis Cathy Pederson s brother; undergoing chemo for multiple myeloma Breast cancer undergoing radiation Chemotherapy Terry Martin and his family Friend of Stacey Black-Maxwell; diagnosed with leukemia Arthur Brauer Joan Robles Chris W s brother; cellulitis Chris W s Godmother; radiation treatment Elsie Wiebusch Chris W s aunt; strength & healing Tyler McDonald Raymond s grandson; in the military Prayers will be left on our prayer list for two weeks unless otherwise requested. Please notify Pastor Aimee if prayers are needed for a longer period. Remember we have a prayer chain at King of Kings. Prayer requests can be called from 9am-9pm to: Marjie Brock, Page 16