From Pastor Joel Skindlov Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, December 2018 Newsletter Volume 24 Issue 12 Where do you see God s light breaking through? In the time toward Christmas, we will gather to sing about the light, Jesus Christ, entering once again as a little baby in a manger. Before we get to the celebration of Christmas, we celebrate the season of Advent. Advent means coming, which involves a good amount of waiting and if you are anything like me, waiting is a pain in the neck! It means I m not getting the things done that NEED to get done and accomplished. Yet, Advent offers a change in perspective for us. This waiting is not just a sitting around or sitting in traffic, but the reminder that Christ enters our lives with a sense of expectancy, excitement, and anticipation. Beginning the first Wednesday of December, we will gather at Prince of Peace to pause and enter that waiting together. You are invited into the preparation for Christmas, as time and place and space invites and calls us into a holy pause that helps redirect our focus on Christ, past, present and future. Psalm 141 from Holden Evening prayer begins, Let my prayer rise up like incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you. The you the psalmist speaks of is the living God we know in Jesus Christ The psalm pleads with God to enter into our lives, O God, I call to you, come to me now, O hear my voice when I call to you. It s a reminder that we can call out to God and God hears us, God is listening and desires to deepen our relationship with Him. Keep watch within me God, deep in my heart, may the light of your love be burning bright. Psalm 141 is a prayer for help. We can call on the Lord and seek that Christ s love would continue to burn and persist in us, even in times of difficulty, challenge, joyous celebration or despair. We keep watch, as God watches over us and continually enters into our lives right where we are. Advent offers a time of purposeful preparation and active waiting, drawing us into the Christmas story and what it means that God is with us fully and completely as a precious, vulnerable infant. During our Sunday Worship gatherings, we will explore the Gospel of Luke and Old and New Testament passages for the ways people of faith have seen and continue to recognize Christ s life giving presence in the world and in people s daily lives. Wednesday evenings during December, we will hear and sing the prequels to the Christmas story from Luke chapter 1 and offer prayers for our church, community, and world. Join us each Wednesday, December 5 th, 12 th, and 19 th as we gather in community to share Holden Evening Prayer and continue to hear the promises of God in Christ and how God s presence shapes our lives. Whether this is part of your Advent/ Christmas preparation or are new to our community, you are welcome to attend! Peace, Pastor Joel
From The President I had an interesting discussion at the Worship and Music Committee Meeting in November. We bounced around the question: Is corporate prayer a more effective method, than individual prayer? Why do both? Talk about a hot potato topic! We continued: Why have a prayer chain for congregational members? Does God hear my individual prayer, or does it take two or more gathered in his name to be a faithful prayer session? Why have we started a monthly prayer service and why we are trying to pray about a specific topic each month? I do believe that we are heard any time we pray with an open a repentant heart. Alone, or as a group of believers, we are comforted by the Holy Spirit. Please join us for these monthly prayer services. I believe that it will be a blessing for you and your faith in Christ. Peace be with you! Cliff Hendrickson Prince of Peace Lutheran Church publishes a monthly newsletter for members, friends and churches in the area. News articles, address changes, questions or comments should be addressed to: Pastor: Pastor Joel Skindlov Office Manager: Karen McElhenny Music Director: Janet Robel Custodian: Mark Smith Preschool Directors: Sue Cole & Stephanie Perreiah Newsletter Editor Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 8441 N. Indian Trail Road Spokane, WA 99208 Phone: (509) 465-0779 Website: www.popspokane.org Email: officemanager@popspokane.org OFFICE HOURS Mon. - Fri. 9:00 am - 3:00 pm SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Traditional Service 9:00 am Fellowship/Sunday School 10:15 am (Contemporary Service 3rd Sunday of the month ) Saturday, December 15 POP Fellowship Hall 7am Start cooking 8am Discussion begins We will discuss Jeremiah, Chapters 1&2 Page 2
From The Treasurer Prince of Peace Budget Comparison 2018 INCOME General Offering Mortgage Income Interest Other EXPENSES Mortgage Payment Benevolences Staff Parish Ministry Facility Office Expenses Council/Committees Net Income: October Actuals October Budget 2018 Actuals 17,853.00 1,245.00 33.55 2,338.06 21,469.61 24,250.00 1,590.00 20.88 885.00 26,745.88 220,640.70 13,069.00 262.72 23,474.91 257,447.33 242,500.00 15,900.00 224.39 12,020.00 270,644.39 4,714.00 1,785.30 5,209.77 8,188.60 4,405.61 423.55 517.26 25,244.09 4,714.00 2,425.00 4,776.44 8,068.63 4,827.59 891.00 1,380.00 27,082.66 47,140.00 22,356.09 55,138.16 80,146.97 53,269.63 8,685.63 9,797.23 276,533.71 47,140.00 24,250.00 48,835.40 82,601.92 49,192.32 7,713.93 10,560.00 270,293.57 (336.78) (19,086.38) 350.82 (3,774.48) 2018 Budget WE ARE (19,437.20) OFF BUDGET Central Lutheran Clothes Closet Thank you for your continuous support of this ministry. Current needs: Men s jeans-sizes 28-36, blankets, warm jackets (men & women), men s belts and dress shirts. If you have questions, please contact Judy flowers. A bin for these items is located next to the Caritas cart in the church hallway. Page 3
Thank you for your prayers after the passing of my mother, Maxine Rekofke. They gave our family great comfort. Sharon Anthony NOISY COLLECTION OFFERING On Caritas Sunday, December 9 th, Pastor Joel is introducing a Noisy Collection Offering. Our youngsters, already involved in Caritas, will have even more fun as they pass the metal collection tubs. Mom s, Dad s & kids please start putting your pocket change into a container at the end of every day! Bring your container from home on Caritas Sunday. We will use metal cans as offering trays. The children will pass the cans through the pews. Objective: Make lots of noise as you shake your coins and place them into the metal containers. Naturally, there will still be the routine tithes and offering collection during the service. FELLOWSHIP SIGNUP Just a reminder.we have openings in December that need to be filled. The signup sheet is on the closet door to the right of the kitchen. We will meet for the Women's Bible Study on Wednesday, December 5 at 11am. A potluck lunch will follow. All of the quilts we've made will be distributed locally. The Thankoffering was collected November 18, and the proceeds will benefit women locally and nationally. Thank you for your generosity. At present the proceeds of the Bazaar are still coming in. So far the Bazaar has made over 3,200. After the January Bible Study this money will be donated to local organizations that aid the needy. Sharon Anthony THE CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED DURING THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS THROUGH NEW YEAR S DAY Page 4
Serving You This Month December Ushers Altar Guild Worship Assistants Deacon 2 Doug Elliott Mel Nebelsieck Susan Ames Cliff Hendrickson Joe Reihman 9 Sue & Paul Parrish Mary & Curt Froscheiser Joy Liezen Iris Pehan 16 Joe Rock Randy Fleiger Karen Heimbigner Jake Rapp Randy Fleiger 23 Karen & Don Rogge Sue & Paul Parrish Curt Froscheiser Margaret Clark Christmas Eve 24 7pm Mel Nebelsieck Orv Kirkevold Sue & Paul Parrish 9pm Stephanie & Seth Feist Sue & Paul Parrish Dave Liezen Christmas Day 25 10am Donna Claypool Orv Kirkevold Sue & Paul Parrish Joy Liezen 30 Doug Elliott Joe Rock Ginny Zimmerman Rebecca Hendrickson Joe Reihman Bible Readings for the Month Sunday, Dec. 2 1st Reading: Jer 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 2nd Reading: 1 Thes 3:9-13 Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 Sunday, Dec. 9 1st Reading: Mal 3:1-4 Psalm Luke 1:68-79 2nd Reading: Phil 1:3-11 Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 Sunday, Dec. 16 1st Reading: Zeph 3:14-20 Psalm Isaiah 12:2-6 2nd Reading: Phil 4:4-7 Gospel: Luke 3:7-18 Sunday, Dec. 23 1st Reading: Mic 5:2-5a Psalm Luke 1:46b-55 2nd Reading: Heb 10:5-10 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] Monday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 1st Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 2nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14 Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] Tuesday, Dec. 25 Christmas 1st Reading: Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 2nd Reading: Titus 3:4-7 Gospel: Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20 Sunday, Dec. 30 1st Reading: 1 Sam 2:18-20,26 Psalm 148 2nd Reading: Col 3:12-17 Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 Page 5
Advent Services Holden Evening Prayer Wednesdays during Advent Dec. 5, 12, 19 7 pm Christmas Eve Worship Services, Monday, December 24 Family Candlelight Service 7 pm Candlelight & Communion Service 9 pm Christmas Day Worship Service Tuesday, December 25 10 am PRINCE OF PEACE PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 1:30 PM Sanctuary Jr. Kindergarten and 4 yr. olds PRAYER SERVICE Sunday, December 2, 6:30 pm Theme: Healing Family Relationships Join us. Everyone is welcome. CHRISTMAS HANDBELL CONCERT BY BELLACRISTO Saturday, December 8 2:00pm Audubon Park United Methodist Church 3908 N. Driscoll Blvd. (Corner of Garland & Driscoll) Free Will donations will be accepted. Come and enjoy the sounds of the season Bring your family and friends. Page 6
Tree of Sharing The Outreach Committee will be setting up the Tree of Sharing by Sunday, November 18 th. Again, this year we are participating in the Caritas Christmas Adoption Program. We will provide Christmas gifts for nine families who are clients at Caritas. Please take a tag from the tree and return your gift by Sunday, December 6 th. Sign your name and tag number on the signup sheet on the table. The tags will be specific as to boy or girl, age, and hopefully size. You can wrap your gift if you are able, but be sure to secure the tag to the outside of the gift either way. Your Christmas package should include, but is not limited to, one gift per family member and a note of encouragement. Remember, your gift needs to be back to the church by Sunday, December 6 th. Please call Karen Rogge at 467-5774 if you have any questions. ~EXCELSIOR BIRTHDAY CAKES ~ Please help provide cakes and cards for Excelsior kids birthdays A sign-up sheet is posted by the kitchen for anyone able to provide a birthday cake (½ sheet cake or two 13x9 cake) or birthday cards for boys celebrating their birthday during 2019. These kids really appreciate being remembered. Let s help them celebrate! You will be called with the names. Contact Marie at 466-4544 if you have questions. Christmas Poinsettias Our church sanctuary will be decorated for Christmas on December 15 th. The Outreach Committee needs your help with decorations. We hope your family can donate a poinsettia plant to add color to our sanctuary. You can donate the plant in memory of a special person in your life. Any color you prefer is great. Please put a card or tag on your plant to let us know who it is from and who you are remembering. Please take your plant home after the Christmas Day church service. Thank you for your assistance. Page 7
Thank you Prince Of Peace!! Caritas Monthly Report Every month you give an abundance of food and necessities for the clients at Caritas. Without your gifting, it would be difficult to maintain all the responsibilities of Caritas. So far this year, Caritas Outreach Ministries has served 7,400 individuals from 3,152 households, distributed 143,362 pounds of food through the Table of Plenty and Food Pantry, paid out 7,683 in Emergency Utility Assistance, Connected families with 21,036 worth of hygiene and cleaning supplies. And we have had 79 volunteers putting in 4,442 hours of service. THANK YOU SO MUCH.!! Caritas would also like to have a member of Prince Of Peace as a board member. A board member s responsibilities consist of attending one meeting a month to go over and institute policies in relation to the operating of Caritas. If you have any interest or would like more details about being a board member - or volunteering in some other way - feel free to call Kelsie Rowland, Operations Manager, at 509-326-2249. A reminder, Caritas is having a Food Bank Fundraiser at the Boiler Room restaurant - 6501 N Cedar Rd - on Thursday, November 29th. from 5 to 9 pm. 10% of all sales including food, drinks and to-go orders will go to Caritas. Deck the Halls It s Christmas at Camp! Simple. Festive. Holy. December 7-9, 2018 *Sat. only option available Deck the Halls is our Family & Friends Christmas Retreat. Come and experience the wonder and joy of the holidays! Come with your household or bring another family along to spend a beautiful winter weekend sharing memories, laughter, joy & creativity. Make new traditions and strengthen your faith as a family! http://www.lutherhaven.com/event/deck-the-halls/
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 2 9am Worship 10:30 Adult forum 6:30pm Prayer Service 9 9am Worship 10:30 Adult Forum 16 9am Contemporary Worship 10:30 Adult Forum 1pm Preschool Christmas Program 23 9am Worship 10:30 Adult Forum 30 9am Worship 10:30 Adult Forum 6:30pm Prayer Service December 2018 3 5:30pm Praise Team 10 5:30pm Praise Team 17 5:30pm Praise Team 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 7pm Family Candlelight Service 9pm Candlelight & Communion Service 31 NEW YEAR S EVE 4 1pm Bible Study 7pm All Committee Night 11 9am Baby Quilters 10am Executive Comm. Mtg. 1pm Bible Study 18 1pm Bible Study 7pm Council Meeting 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 10am Worship Service 5 9:30am Women s Bible Study 6:15pm Men s Choir 7pm Advent Service 7:30pm Men s Choir 12 6:15pm Men s Choir 7pm Advent Service 7:30pm Men s Choir 19 6:15pm Men s Choir 7pm Advent Service 7:30pm Men s Choir 26 6 7 8 13 14 15 7:30am Men s Breakfast 10am Decorate for Christmas 20 21 22 27 28 1 29