1

The light shines in the darkness… John 1:5

Volume 59, Issue 10 October 2012

OAK HARBOR LUTHERAN CHURCH

a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

1253 NW 2nd Avenue (360) 679-1561

Oak Harbor, WA 98277 www.oakharborlutheran.org office@oakharborlutheran.org

Every member in mission: Home Community World

IN THIS ISSUE:

Discipleship in the

home,

pg. 2

Luth Youth gather

for WOW,

pg. 3

Photos sought for

Advent

pg. 4

Focus on El Camino,

pg. 8

Lynne checks in from

Ketchikan!

pg. 10

OHLC Staff Home Phone

Pastor:

Jeffrey Spencer 279-0413

Pastor of Care Ministries

Marc Stroud 678-5994

Youth Ministry Coordinator:

Stephany Vogel 679-1561

Preschool Director:

Gaye Rodriguey 678-3561

Parish Secretary:

Carol Wiskow 720-2451

Newsletter Editor:

Martha Ellis 678-2264

Custodian:

Salvador Carvallo 675-3957

Church Fax 679-9795

Church Phone 679-1561

Click on this link

for the October newsletter insert:

The ELCA’s monthly Prayer Ventures:

www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Prayer-Center/Prayer-Ventures-2.aspx

OHLC’s website:

www.oakharborlutheran.org

This issue was snail-mailed September 27, 2012

2

Pastor’s Page

Every Member in Mission: Discipleship in the Home

A woman pays a visit to a fellow church member’s home on a

Tuesday morning. Over coffee, they make small talk before the conver-

sation turns to troubling results from a recent medical test. They pray

together before parting.

A husband and wife spend the waning hours of their Wednesday

holding hands in prayer, taking turns lifting up the cares of the day,

confessing the inevitable slights and shortcomings endured within every

marriage, basking in God’s peace and forgiveness together before

drifting off to sleep.

A family steeps their Thursday in Christian faith, praying

together before leaving the house that morning, saying grace before

dinner, and ending the day by gathering together on the couch for a

short Bible reading, a sharing of joys and concerns, and the Lord’s

Prayer.

unday has always been the most important day of the week for

Christians. Every single Sunday since Jesus rose from the dead,

Christians have been gathering on Sunday mornings to worship,

to hear God’s Word, to share the Lord’s Supper, and to enjoy Christian

fellowship. However, while Sunday is important, it should not be the

only day of the week when faith is practiced. We are called to be

disciples Monday through Saturday as well, and the setting for much of

this mid-week discipleship is the home.

Author David Anderson uses a nice turn of phrase as he juxta-

poses the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19: “Go, make disciples…”)

with what he calls the Great Omission. He describes the Great Omission

as the church’s neglect of the role of the home in making disciples. He

argues convincingly that a necessary element in the renewal of the

church is the encouraging and equipping of Christians to practice their

faith in the home. “Faith,” he explains, “is formed by the power

of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships –

often in our own homes.” In our increasingly secularized,

post-Christian culture we can no longer just “go to church”

on Sunday. We need to be the church Monday through

Saturday.

This approach is not a newfangled strategy or yet

another church fad. It is an idea found throughout the

Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments. It was what Luther had in

mind in the 16th century when he described parents as bishops and the

home as a little church, and when he wrote the Small Catechism – for

home use, not as a confirmation curriculum.

When Christians are equipped to practice faith in the home

Monday through Saturday, faith is deepened and Sunday becomes even

more meaningful. As Anderson writes, “Those who arrive to the public

gathering of the congregation arrive from daily lives of faith lived,

celebrated, and tested in real time in real relationships in the midst of real

life-and-death issues, the kind that happen in and through the life of the

home.” The sanctuary reinforces the home, and vice-versa, making for a

more vibrant faith in each setting.

Our congregation needs to do more than get households into

church. We need to get church into households. To that end, we are

providing “Taking Faith Home” inserts in each Sunday’s worship

bulletins. These lectionary-based devotions offer daily encouragement in

the faith and provide a thematic bridge from Sunday to Sunday. They

are excellent resources for individuals, couples, families, and small

groups. We also provide a wide variety of other devotional resources on

the welcome table in the narthex. Furthermore, we are offering a class

called “Sacred Parenting” this fall, which helps equip parents to think

theologically about the experience of parenting. (Join us! It isn’t too

late!) Similar resources, classes, and events will be offered throughout

the program year ahead with the intention of helping us practice our faith

in the context of the home.

So call that friend from church and pay them a visit. Speak a

word of grace into their struggles. Dare to take your spouse’s hand in

prayer. You don’t have to be a poet, just speak from the heart. Spend

five or ten minutes on the couch talking about a Bible verse with your

kids. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar. Trust the Word to do its

work. Don’t just come to church on Sunday. Be the church Monday

through Saturday.

Christ isn’t just present in our sanctuary. He is present in our

homes as well. He isn’t just present at the altar, he is there at our kitchen

tables. He isn’t just found in the baptismal font, he’s in the bathtub as

we’re bathing our little ones. Wherever Christians go, Christ is present –

even, perhaps especially, in our homes. May we believe this Good News

to be true, and live accordingly.

Pastor Jeffrey R. Spencer NEXT MONTH: Discipleship in the community

S

3

Growing & Learning

Enjoying autumn

he onset of the back to school calendar is settling in to a more

normal rhythm, with the early mornings not quite such a jarring

experience. Driving more slowly in the flashing lights of the

school zone feels normal again. Our church program year is settling in

as we enjoy a full calendar of youth groups, adult forums, Sunday

School, and on and on. OHLC really is a busy and full building during

the week.

The leaves are really turning those lovely

fall colors now, and beginning to drop off and color

the sidewalks. The season of leaf raking is upon us.

It always feels like autumn after the first crisp days

of raking leaves, wearing a sweater, maybe even a

hat and gloves. So many of us remember going to

school dressed for winter, and coming home

dragging a coat, wondering how we ever thought it

was cold enough for such winter clothes. Yes, fall is here! I’m looking

forward to decorating for Halloween and buying a few pumpkins to

ornament the house. It’s such a wonderful season.

Luth Youth, our group for 6th through 12

th graders, has started,

and a wonderful start it has been. I hope the kids will read this, or have

an adult point it out to them. The kids are Great! I want them to know

that! They really are. I want to say a special thank you to Mary Brock

for helping with games during Word on Wednesday (WOW), and Jenny

Ott for helping me with Luth Youth gatherings on Sunday mornings at

9:15 in the youth room. Jenny is a wonderful, happy presence, and need

I mention her lovely daughter Lena? 8-month old Lena is truly a star in

the youth group.

And about Munchy Monday… that is a topic of its own.

Munchy Monday is a wonderful program of outreach and giving. When

the kids from Oak Harbor High School have nowhere to go between

early release from class and the beginning of after-school sports and

other activities, the church is here to open its doors and give a snack and

a safe place to play a game, study or just hang out. This program takes a

big commitment from a host of people, from the shoppers and money gift

givers who help provide the food, shepherds that guide and watch over

the youth during our busy Mondays, the cookie and brownie bakers,

kitchen helpers, greeters, the clean-up crew, the ping pong players…

You get the idea! There are so many hands and hearts involved in this

program! I won’t list all of you here by name, but I hope you know how

great I think you are! I really believe in that program. I hope all the help

and support for Munchy Monday keeps coming and stays strong. If you

can’t help this particular program in any other way, please pray for it to

stay a strong outreach to the high school youth.

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, you are a wonderful community

of folks! Please join me in praying for the kids and youth of this blessed

church family.

Stephany Vogel, Youth Ministry Coordinator

WOW! (Word on Wednesday)

Luth Youth gathers on Wednesday evenings for games, snacks,

and a fun, multimedia, interactive Bible study led by Pastor Spencer. We

meet in the library from 6:30-8:00 PM. Check it out! (Note: We will

not be meeting on October 31.)

October 21: 3rd

/4th

Grade BIBLE BASICS (with pizza!)

All 3rd

and 4th graders and their families are

encouraged to attend a Bible Basics class on Sunday,

October 21, beginning at 6:00 PM. Pizza will be

provided. (Donations are welcome, but not required.)

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their child. Siblings are

welcome, but will be dismissed to an alternative activity during the class

portion of the evening. The event will conclude by 7:30 PM.

All 3rd

and 4th graders who attend will be presented with their

own Bible during our Reformation Sunday worship services on October

28. Please RSVP to Pastor Spencer, or through the Opportunity Form in

the worship bulletin.

For some years now I have read through the Bible twice every year. If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word

a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant. —Martin Luther

T

4

Growing & Learning, continued…

Adult Education for October

ith the exception of our “Ministry of the Month” presentation

on the 7th, our October adult education schedule continues a

pair of classes which were begun in September. You do not

need to have come to previous sessions of these classes to start now.

Drop in anytime!

Pastor Spencer is leading a series on Sacred Parenting, exploring

the spirituality of everyday life and how parenting shapes us as disciples

of Jesus. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend.

Pastor Stroud is leading a discussion of how we worship in

today’s culture, considering how our worship practices reach out to the

world around us without compromising our Christian identity.

Oct. 7: El Camino de Emaus presentation

Oct. 14: +Sacred Parenting, Session 4 (library)

+Christian Worship: Forming a community and calling

it church (Room 8, education wing)

Oct. 21: +Sacred Parenting, Session 5 (library)

+Christian Worship: Our worship as an extension of our

Christian selves (Room 8, education wing)

Oct. 28 +Sacred Parenting, Session 6 (library)

+Christian Worship: What happens after we say, “Go in

peace; serve the Lord” (Room 8, education wing)

Beginning in November we will be offering one adult education

class, a book study on Real Faith for Real Life, by Michael Foss. Order

yours online, or watch for ordering information through the church on

the Opportunity Form in the worship bulletin.

Thank you for your weeding & painting! Thanks to everyone who

pulled weeds and helped tidy up our church property in September,

including the Webelos 1 Cub Scout den. Thanks to Dale Zimmerman for

restriping our church parking lot, and to Tom Piper and Kyle Tomlin for

repainting our handicap spots and directional arrows. Things are looking

sharp at OHLC!

Included in this newsletter are Prayer Ventures for October. The NW

WA Synod insert The Spirit was not yet available as we went to press.

The deadline for articles for the November newsletter is Monday,

October 22.

Take note!

New Member Class offered in October

Interested in becoming a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran

Church? Curious about Lutheran Christianity? Confused about

something we do in worship? Join us for a three-session new member

class on Sundays at Noon on October 7, 14, and 21. We’ll meet in the

library. A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Pastor Spencer,

or through the Opportunity Form in the worship bulletin.

Photos sought for Advent project!

Advent is coming! Our midweek services this year will include

photography from YOU. Use those cell phone cameras (and other kinds

of cameras, too) to capture stills and/or videos over the next two months

on one or more of the following themes: Christ in our home, Christ in

our community, Christ in our world. Take pictures of your family saying

grace at the dinner table. Take pictures of youth being served at Munchy

Monday. Take pictures of LWR kits being assembled. Take pictures

that are symbolic or representative. Be watchful. Be creative. Be

artistic. Be thinking about it!

Submit your pictures and/or videos to Pastor Spencer at

pastor@oakharborlutheran.org. They will

be collected and arranged into three photo

essay-style presentations to show to the

congregation at our midweek Advent

services. Your participation in this project

is much appreciated!

Coming in November…

On Sunday, Nov. 4, we will have a Stewardship Luncheon.

On Sunday, Nov. 18 there will be a “Journey to Jesus’ Table”

class offered for children who would like to begin (or are currently)

participating in Holy Communion. This class runs from 12:00 noon to

2:00 PM, and lunch is provided.

We will be hosting a joint Thanksgiving Eve service with

Whidbey Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 PM.

W

5

Celebrating

the Reformation

n many congregations, Reformation Sunday is treated as a

sort of “Lutheran heritage” day, a time for singing chorales

and remembering the theological reforms of the 16th century

that gave birth to Lutheranism. In other parishes, a greater focus

is placed on the church’s need for continual reform; the church’s

history is secondary to an emphasis on the issues and needs of

the church today.

Both of these approaches have much to commend them.

But the true center of this day is found in the appointed readings:

Christ makes us free. His covenant is written on our hearts. We

are neither bound to the past nor slaves to our anxieties of the

present.

On Reformation Sunday – as every Sunday – we

remember that we are not ashamed of this good news, this

gospel.

From Sundays and Seasons, © 2011 Augsburg Fortress

Ideas and Images for the Day, Reformation Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012

The Wittenberg Castle Church Door

Ninety-five theses were nailed to the door

Of the Wittenberg old castle church

So the diligent student could learn Luther’s thoughts,

Could debate them, or do more research.

Like a bulletin board, the door often held

Some clichéd or some new information;

But this time the thoughts on the door spread worldwide –

And set off a great Reformation!

- Peggy Ferrell, Prayers and Poems

quoted in The Newsletter Newsletter,

Oct. 2009

Stewardship: Giving to God

Thank You for Your Giving! We have overcome what had been a growing deficit in meeting

our budget! We experienced a bit of a financial reprieve over the

summer due to the turnover in staff, but we also benefited from generous

giving during what is commonly a season of lower offerings and

attendance. Thank you! Keep up the good work this fall as we move full

speed ahead in mission!

Giving as an act of worship

- from Giving to God, by Mark Allan Powell

here are numerous stories in the New Testament about people

bring gifts to God. In Matthew 2:1-12 we read of the Magi

bringing their gifts to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus.

When Jesus was grown, he receives a similar gift of devotion from a

woman who pours expensive ointment on his feet and then wipes her feet

with her hair (Mark 14:3-9).

Later, Jesus encounters someone who decides that the best way

of showing devotion to God is by helping the poor. Zacchaeus

announces he will give half of his wealth to the poor (Luke 19:1-10).

This account makes for an interesting comparison with another story in

which Jesus tells a man to sell all of his possessions and give the money

to the poor (Luke 18:18-25).

Why would Jesus tell one rich man that he ought to give up all

his possessions and then be delighted with another rich man who offers

to give up only half? Perhaps the answer is to be found in the person’s

motivation. The one man wants to know what he should do, and Jesus

tells him (he should give up all). With Zacchaeus, however, he wants to

give away half his fortune and Jesus is pleased with his heartfelt

generosity.

There are many other examples but the common theme in all

these stories is that the focus is not on giving as an obligation, but on

giving as an act of worship. These disciples offer their treasures – large

or small – in a spirit of devotion and adoration, as the gifts of glad and

generous hearts that have been touched by God’s love.

Carol Reafs

Many things I have tried to grasp and have lost. That which I have placed in God's hands, I still have. -Martin Luther

I

T

6

BookMarks

Coupeville Book Group

The votes are in, and the winner is….. two meetings in October!

The first will be on our regular evening, and the second will be in place

of a meeting in November since that would fall on election day. See

below for the details:

Tuesday, October 2 7:00 PM in the home of Trudy Decker, 158 Keystone Avenue.

Discussion leader is Gayle Dobbyn; Margaret Anderson is bringing “the

one thing” (refreshments). We’ll consider The Devil in the White City,

by Seattle author Erik Larson: Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Larson intertwines the true tale of two men – the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World’s Fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.

Tuesday, Oct. 30

7:00 PM – do we have volunteers for hostess, discussion leader,

and “one thing” provider? Let me know if you can help! The book is

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, by Tom Franklin and it’ll be available

for checkout at the Coupeville Library between October 1st and the 15

th.

Boyhood pals in rural Mississippi, Larry and Silas were from worlds as different as night and day. Larry was the child of lower middle-class white parents, and Silas the son of a poor, single black mother. A tragedy divided them and Silas left town. More than 20 years later, a similar incident brings up old suspicions and the former friends are forced to confront a past they thought was buried.

Gaye Rodriguey, gaye@tobysuds.com

Second Wednesday Book Group Meets at 1:00 PM on Oct. 10 in the church library to consider

The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake: It’s 1940 in the small town of Franklin, Massachusetts, as yet unaffected by the war raging in Europe. A tale with parallels to our lives today, of 3 unforgettable women, of lost innocence, of what happens to love when those we cherish leave us, and how we bear the fact that war is going on at the same time as ordinary lives continue.

Leona McKee, bcmac68@comcast.net

The Brotherhood of St. Bernard A fellowship of Christian men

What is your mission?

ust what is a mission? The dictionary defines it as “A body of

persons sent to conduct negotiations or establish relations with a

foreign country; persons sent to a foreign land to spread its faith;

a special assignment given to a person or group.” Those are a few of the

definitions. There are religious terms, diplomatic terms and military

terms; they reach out to other countries or other groups of people, but all

reflect a service – to teach, present, convince, defend, deal, or handle.

Having a mission is having a purpose. Usually the purpose is written out

as specific instructions, with well-defined goals to be accomplished.

Here at Oak Harbor Lutheran, there are many missions. Besides

the Mission of the Church, our men have their Men’s Mission, the choir

has a mission, the children’s Sunday School program has a mission, and

the Compassion Ministry is keeping tabs on several missions. There are

any number of missions available for you to serve God and spread the

faith right here at home. We don’t have to travel far to find a need that

requires attention and service.

For you men, the Brotherhood of Saint Bernard reaches out to

our youth, families, service members, community and our church. There

is more than enough for all who will take the time to serve. Thirty

minutes here, an hour there, and you can reach out and help someone in

need. The Brotherhood (or if you prefer, “The Old Dogs”) meets the 2nd

& 4th Tuesday of the month, 12:00 noon in the fellowship hall for lunch,

fellowship, scripture study, and prayer. Some even sing. Most are older,

retired men that have time to spend. What about you young men? We

know you have a job and are busy, but what about spending a lunch hour

with us? Come join us; the meal will be prepared when you get here.

It’s good food we cook ourselves (well, maybe some of our wives help).

Fill your soul with the Bread of Life and then say your prayer of thanks

on your way back to work. It will refresh, brighten, lighten and com-

plete your day. Try it. You’ll love it.

Norm Brinker

Men’s potluck breakfast, Oct. 6: For the Bible study we’ll look

at the Epistle of James and why Martin Luther referred to it as “an

epistle of straw.” This should end up being a cautionary tale

of hero worship and over-reaction. See you there at 8:00 AM!

Marc Stroud

J

7

OHLC Women Opportunities for fellowship, study and service

Circle meetings in October

10/4, 11, 18, 25

Deborah Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library/fireside room

to continue study in the book Made For Goodness: And Why

This Makes All the Difference by Desmond Tutu and Mpho

Tutu.

10/16 Rebecca Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the library/fireside room

for Bible study using the current issue of Gather magazine.

10/18 Esther Circle meets at 2:00 PM in the prayer room for Bible

study using the current issue of Gather magazine.

Blanket Workshop

Blanket Workshop meets Tuesday & Wednesday, October 2 &

3, beginning at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall to make quilts for

Lutheran World Relief. New volunteers are much needed and always

welcome – you don’t have to know how to sew! Why not stop by and

see what we’re working on?

Donations of fabric are also appreciated; cottons or cotton blends

(no knits), please; large pieces are especially preferred. For more infor-

mation about Blanket Workshop, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712,

bcmac68@comcast.net.

Handwork group

Heart & Hand meets Friday, October 19 at 9:30 AM in the

comfortable chairs of the prayer room. Bring your own knitting, cro-

cheting or other handwork projects or help us make sweaters and hats for

Lutheran World Relief or hats for Secret Harbor. If you’d like to learn to

knit or crochet, please join us and we’ll show you how to get started.

This is a great way to meet other handworkers in our congregation! For

more information about Heart & Hand, contact Leona McKee, 675-5712,

bcmac68@comcast.net.

I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three hours in prayer. —Martin Luther

His Kids Preschool A ministry of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

e’re off to a wonderful start of His Kids Preschool as we

began our 20th year as a ministry of this congregation. (Can

you believe it? Where has the time gone?) Here’s what our

students said they liked best about the first month of preschool:

2-day AM class

Rian: Cars Addi: Clay

Autumn: Clay Francesca: Legos

Logan: Playing with everybody Jacob: Blocks

Grace: Puppets Carlie: To paint

Emily: Happy place Cooper: Playing outside

[Addie and Carlie were absent]

3-day AM class

Jayleigh: I like to finger paint Evan: Painting my hands

Cameron: I like the toys inside Caylin: Playing

Treasure: Playing with my friends Cooper: Snack time

Riley: To go outside Caroline: Play

Connor: to get to listen Weston: Chapel

Grant: Playing with Cameron Caleb: Playing outside

Adam: Making robots from blocks William: Playing outside

3-day PM class

Eli: Painting Aleera: The playground

Andrew: I like the Legos Emma: I like playing

Cody: I like painting Kierra: Playdough

Ethan: I like the pegs Damien: Apples

Erin: I like playing with cars Wesley: Legos

Brooklynn: Reading books

Priscilla: I like reading and having circle time

In September we gathered items for school kits for Lutheran

World Relief and each class took a field trip to the Wind & Tide

Bookshop. Coming up in October: Open House for each class (see the

calendar for dates and times) and our annual visit to the pumpkin patch!

It’s not too late for 3- and 4-year-olds to join the fun at His

Kids Preschool – we still have a few spaces available in our classes. Call

the church office for more information, 679-1561.

Shalom, Miss Gaye

W

8

Compassion Ministry

EL CAMINO DE EMAUS is our ministry of the month

s many of you know, when you move to a new area it can be

difficult to get adjusted to the community. At times you want to

be like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and click your heels

together to return home. When I moved here from Maryland, a place I

had lived all my life at that point, I felt like I had moved to another

country. The people and lifestyles were so different but I knew I wasn’t

alone in this feeling. When I was introduced to the community of El

Camino I found brothers and sisters in Christ’s family who also felt the

way I did. I remember Pastor Eduardo telling me that because of my

cross-country move I was feeling like an immigrant, and he was right.

At that moment I no longer wanted to be like Dorothy. God gave me a

new home and, thanks to Oak Harbor Lutheran and El Camino de

Emaus, a lot of new family members. Coming from a large family made

it easy for me to be a part of both the Oak Harbor Lutheran and El

Camino communities. It’s my hope that during the month of October

you will get to know our brothers and sisters of El Camino de Emaus.

Let me start by introducing you to my four new godchildren:

Rodrigo is the oldest, followed by Esmeralda, Aaron and Maurico, and

their mom, Maura. You can see our smiling faces below

El Camino de Emmaus is a Skagit County worshiping

community formed 6 years ago within the Northwest Washington Synod

of the ELCA. Under the leadership of Rev. Eduardo Cabrera and his

wife Luz, we began as the only Hispanic congregation under develop-

ment in the Synod. As a way for people to come to know us, we visit

congregations in the Synod on Sunday mornings. We lead adult forums

and assist in worship through music and communion. Our weekly

Sunday worship at 6:30 PM allows for visitors from other churches in the

Synod. Our service is in Spanish but often an interpreter is present to

assist visitors.

To help meet the growing need in the Skagit Valley area, there

are two members who have gone to seminary and are now ordained

pastors at El Camino. Rev. Emilio Benitez-Salgado and Rev. Esau

Cuevas-Benitez are called to proclaim the Good News in Word and

Sacrament. They also serve as significant outreach resources within the

area, lead Bible study, and serve as mentors to men, women and children.

Recently Pastor Emilio has begun working one-third time with the local Episcopal Church.

El Camino’s Youth and Family ministry is made up of 28

school-aged children. Families attend weekly worship services, go to

Camp Lutherwood, share in Vacation Bible School with Burlington

Lutheran, and have confirmation classes. We share in fun activities in

our community such as sledding, fishing, picnics and visits to orchards.

Oak Harbor Lutheran has been very supportive of this ministry

over the years with donations coming from Deborah Circle, Seminary

Student funding and the annual Giving Tree as well as other appeals.

One year the Sunday School donations went to support El Camino’s

Sunday School program, while just this September, backpacks filled with

school supplies were given to the children.

We look forward to El Camino’s upcoming annual visit to Oak

Harbor Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 7 (including hosting the

10:30 coffee hour, with tamales and other Mexican treats!), as well as

sharing information throughout the month of October about their

ministry.

Vickie Longshore

We should learn well how to please Christ. We do please him by dedicating our entire life with all possible diligence solely to the service of our neighbor. “Down, down,” says Christ, “you

will find me in the poor, you are rising too high if you do not look for me down there.” - Martin Luther

A

9

more from Compassion Ministry

Roadside litter pick-up scheduled for Oct. 13 eet at church at 9 AM to carpool to our 2-mile section of High-

way 20 north of Oak Harbor. If you plan to help, make a note at

worship on an Opportunity Form in the bulletin or sign up at the

welcome desk in the narthex. Contact me if you need more information,

675-9452, pckkd@comcast.net.

Pat Dallen

Benefit auction for El Camino de Emaus, Oct. 14 nnual auction at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1006 Wicker Road,

Sedro-Woolley, beginning at 4 PM; benefits Bethlehem Lutheran

and El Camino de Emaus. Appetizer and dessert buffet, silent and live

auctions – some of the items to be auctioned include theme baskets,

handmade quilts and table runners, theatre tickets, antiques, a day at Big

Lake, and a progressive dinner. Bring your family and friends! For

driving directions or other information, contact Bethlehem Lutheran,

360-856-6181 or blc.secretary@frontier.com.

Vickie Longshore

Brrr! t’s getting colder outside! Warm coats, blankets and socks are needed

by our brothers and sisters locally and at El Camino who are unable to

purchase them. Clean, gently-used blankets and coats and new socks are

especially appreciated! Look for the big red bin in the narthex. Sharing

shows caring. Thank you for caring!

Judy Lycksell

Watoto news

e’d like to thank everyone for the continued support of the

orphans of Watoto in Uganda. Our next event will be an

Oktoberfest dinner and auction at the Elks Club in Oak Harbor on

Saturday, October 27. Save the date and watch for more information.

Skip Lycksell

In appreciation huge, warm thanks to all who donated to Lutheran World Relief

during September’s appeal. Your donations will nicely cover the

costs for our next 2 shipments, October 2012 & May 2013. Your

generous gifts show how much the congregation of OHLC cares for

God’s people who are in need. Leona McKee

CRECER means to grow;

6 Peruvians take the challenge to grow in faith

n September we began to grow along with 6 disciples, meeting twice

a week for two hours. They have been challenged to be punctual and

to spend 1 hour a day alone with the Bible, a notebook and the Lord.

They are reading a book on missions and they are making decisions

about how to react differently to life’s situations in and outside the

church. These 6 are the first fruits of a Discipleship Training School for

adults.

We face lots of distractions when it comes to growing up in the

Lord. We have jobs, children, church activities and many other

responsibilities that take away from a fluid life with Christ. Rebecca,

Marylou, Isamar, Jorge, Shirley, and Isaac chose to sign a contract that

says that nothing will keep them from arriving for each class, doing the

homework, and doing their hour with the

Lord.

So far it has been a real struggle. One

week two people arrived a half hour late.

Three people did not do their hour with God,

and the class time has been an incredible

adjustment for them.

The recent class on the difference

between a believer and a disciple hit us all

between the eyes. I’ll give you just a taste. A believer waits for fish and

bread and a disciple goes fishing. A believer gives some of his finances

and a disciple gives his life. A believer grumbles and complains and a

disciple obeys and denies himself. The believer waits for his reward in

giving, while the disciple feels the act of giving is his reward. These are

just a few of many challenges to come as we grow together through the

next ten weeks.

We are also blessed to announce that our missionary from Chile,

Sandra Ulloa, has arrived, settled in, and is on the move to bring more

people into the kingdom. She is one of the CRECER teachers. Pray for

us as we continue on this journey. God is faithful to complete what he

has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

Take a look at our 2012 Discipleship Training School video that

we’ve recently posted on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYbw6P1cYn4

Bless you all!!!

Shannon Kraft,

Go Missions, Peru

M

A

I

W

A

I

10

Notes from Lynne…

reetings from Ketchikan, Alaska!

Eric & I arrived safe and sound on

Saturday, August 25 and we are

getting settled in to our new community.

We had a lovely drive through British

Columbia and took a 6- hour ferry ride from

Prince Rupert to Ketchikan. We were

greeted by sunshine that day and I’d say

we’ve had blue sky about half the time we've been here, which is a

lovely surprise from what I had expected! We are living in an apartment

over our landlord’s garage. It is small but enough for us and we have a

nice view of the water, watching the cruise ships, ferries, and float planes

come and go.

My seminary semester has started up and this semester I am

taking a total of 4 courses. Two of them are half-semester classes, one

the first 6-weeks and the other the second 6-weeks, so I’m really taking

three courses at a time. It is an interesting variety this semester,

including Lutheran Confessional Writings, Theological Leadership in

Change & Conflict, Scriptural Christian Art, an my second Ethics course.

Not working right now means I have time available to study, and I do

appreciate that.

I am deeply grateful to the OHLC Theresa Ferguson Scholarship

committee for awarding me another $1,000 scholarship this year. In

addition, since I am now able to take three full credits per semester I am

considered a full-time student and have qualified for the Mourer Loan

through Luther Seminary. The beauty of this loan is that for each year I

am in ministry following graduation, ten percent of my loan will be

forgiven, up to 50%. These two, plus a small grant and a Fund for

Leaders scholarship, are covering most of my tuition this semester.

Thank you for the continued support and encouragement you continue to

be as I journey toward ordination.

We are worshiping at First Lutheran Church, the same church

where Don Fosso lived with his family when his father was the pastor

here. (You’ll have to ask him how many years ago that was!) I am

doing some consulting with the Christian Education folks as they try to

put some new life in their Sunday School and other Christian Ed

offerings. They are grateful for someone who literally showed up out of

the blue with the experience and training they need, and I am glad to be

of service.

It seems strange to have the school year started and not be

listening to the sounds of the preschoolers singing across the hall,

participating in choirs, and working with the OHLC staff. But Eric and I

are grateful to be living under the same roof and we are enjoying

exploring the trails and back roads of this beautiful part of the world.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We hold OHLC in our prayers

and love to hear news from “home” any time!

Peace,

Lynne Ogren, OHLC Seminarian

Eric & Lynne Ogren 360-929-1092 (Lynne’s cell)

PO Box 6464 lynneogren@gmail.com

Ketchikan, AK 99901

…and news from both Esthers

After 26 years on Whidbey, the longest she’s lived in one place,

Esther Kneale is in the process of moving to North Vancouver, BC, to

be closer to family. Her health continues to be a cause for concern, so

she will be relocating to an assisted living facility, and a corner

apartment with a view of the mountains and the harbor.

Her new address is

The Summerhill,

135 West 15th Street,

North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7M 1R7.

She says she’ll look forward to reading the Harbor Beacon

online, starting with this issue, so we wish you all the best in your new

home, Esther!

Esther Herlevi continues to recuperate following surgery for a

shoulder injury that she suffered in a fall. She sends her sincere thanks

for all the cards, prayers, visits while she was in the hospital in Anacortes

and during her convalescence at Fidalgo Care Center, and for the meals

brought for Walt and their son Michael.

She’s home now, and the healing process is slowly continuing.

Updated (nonpictorial) directories for Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

are available in the narthex, or ask Carol in the church office. Note this

correction: Pedlars’ e-mail address is ccpedlar@comcast.net.

G

11

Worship Assistants Asst. Ministers Acolytes Music

10/ 7 8:00

10:30

6:30

Kathy Ridle

Ken Grigsby

Peter Higgins

Isiah Vogel

Benjamin Bruland

Senior Choir

Cantor: Mary McLeod

10/14 8:00

10:30

6:30

Tom Coe

Mary Wood

Gisela Hawley

Katie Norman

Elias Wiley

Benjamin Bruland

Morning Glory

Praise Team

Cantor: Carol Reafs

10/21 8:00

10:30

6:30

Shanna Lundstrom

Mike Crawford

Trudy Decker

Sydney Higgins

Sadie Harbaugh

Benjamin Bruland

Senior Choir

Cantor: Carol Reafs

10/28 8:00

10:30

6:30

Tom Johnson

Jan Heideger

Carol Snoble

Elizabeth Norman

Luke Spencer

Benjamin Bruland

Morning Glory

Senior Choir

Cantor: Mary McLeod

Ushers Assistants 10/ 7 8:00 AM Higgins family

10:30 AM J. Wilcox,

L. Michalski

6:30: Presider, Jeff Spencer

Communion: Mike Fankhauser

Computer: Donna Aspery

Communion: Allan Swan

Computer: Rick Culbertson

10/14 8:00 AM Margraf family

10:30 AM J. Wilcox,

L. Michalski

6:30: Presider, Jay Decker

Communion: Candi Amarelo

Computer: Rachel Margraf

Communion: Rita Cline

Computer: Michelle Tull

10/21 8:00 AM Ellis family

10:30 AM B. Heideger

6:30: Presider, Marc Stroud

Communion: Marge Moore

Computer: Molly Nagel

Communion: Rita Carter

Computer: Josh Jepsen

10/28 8:00 AM J. Flowers,

L. Forster

10:30 AM R. Wood, M. McNae,

H. Herrigstad, D. Fosso

6:30 PM: Presider, Tom Johnson

Communion: Gaye Rodriguey

Computer: Kathy Ridle

Communion: Sande Mulkey

Computer: Rita Carter

Financial Report: August August Year to Date

Income $ 34,006 262,426

Outgo 29,882 261,961

$ 4,026 $ 367

For a more detailed picture of the August financial status,

please refer to the reports posted in the narthex.

Worship Attendance: September Date Sun. 8 AM

Sun. 10:30 AM

Cpvl. Nursery

Sept. 2 54 136 22 3

Sept. 9 68 141 15 6

Sept. 16 74 109 18 4

Sept. 23 55 112 21 0

Average Att. 63 126 19 3

Sept. 30 attendance will be included in the October statistics.

Average weekly attendance: 211

Coffee Fellowship October Bring cookies, make coffee, set up and clean up – we need at least 2 per

week for 8:00 AM services, 3 per week for 10:30 AM services,

and 1 per week in Coupeville

8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Coupeville 6:30 PM

Fair Trade Sponsors

10/ 7

Tomlin

Longshore,

El Camino de Emaus

Swan, Dailey

Pedlar

10/14

L e f s e D a y !

L e f s e D a y !

Bruland

10/21

Harbaugh

Decker

10/28

Johnson Deborah Circle

Lesser Festivals & Commemorations October 4 Francis of Assisi, renewer of the 19 Luke, Evangelist

Church, 1226; Theodor Fliedner, 23 James of Jerusalem, martyr

renewer of society, 1864 26 Philipp Nicolai, 1608;

6 William Tyndale, translator, martyr, Johann Heermann, 1647;

1536 Paul Gerhardt, 1676;

7 Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, hymnwriters

pastor in North America, 1787 28 Simon & Jude, Apostles

15 Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer 31 Reformation Day

of the church, 1582

17 Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr, c. 115

This month’s featured font is Becker;

quotes from Martin Luther are printed in Malvern.

12

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY The church calendar

is updated regularly

on OHLC’s website, www.oakharborlutheran.org

Parish Nurse hours:

Thursdays, 1:00-3:30 PM

and by appointment

1

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:30 Angeli

6:45 4-H K-9 Korps

7:00 Solutions

2

9:00 Blanket Workshop

6:00 Bears

6:00 Tigers

6:30 Patrol Leaders

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:00 Coupeville Book Gr.

7:30 Worship Brass

3 9:00 Blanket Workshop

11:30 OHLC Staff

to lunch

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

6:00 Harbor Bells

6:30 Luth Youth

service project

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

4

10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

6:30 Webelos 1

7:00 Council

5

10:00 Oak Harbor

Bay Artists

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6

8:00 Lutheran Men in

Mission breakfast

7

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Mission presentation 9:15

Worship 10:30

New Member Class 12:00

Wolves 4:00

Vespers/Coupeville

@ St. Mary’s 6:30

8

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:00 Homeschoolers

6:30 Angeli

7:00 Vanishing Friends

7:00 Solutions

9 10:30 Church Mice

12:00 Brotherhood of

St. Bernard

12:30 Worship & Music

4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts

5:30 Boy Scout ad. comm

6:00 Bears & Tigers

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:30 Worship Brass

10

11:30 OHLC Staff

1:00 Book Group

5:45 VAQ 133 FRG

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

6:00 Harbor Bells

6:30 Luth Youth WOW

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

11

10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

5:00 Stephen Ministry

5:30 Praise Team

6:30 Webelos 1

12

10:00 Oak Harbor

Bay Artists

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

13

9:00 Roadside pick-up;

meet at OHLC to carpool

3:00 VAQ 135 FRG

14

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

New Member Class 12:00

Wolves 4:00

El Camino auction at 4:00

Bethlehem/Sedro Woolley

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

15

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:30 Angeli

6:45 4-H K-9 Korps

7:00 Cub Scout Leaders

7:00 Solutions

16

10:00 Rebecca Circle

6:00 Bears

6:00 Tigers

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:30 Worship Brass

17

11:30 OHLC Staff

5:30 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

6:00 Harbor Bells

6:30 Luth Youth WOW

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

18

10:00 Deborah Circle

2:00 Esther Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

6:30 Webelos 1

7:00 Bus loading for

LWR shipment

19

9:30 Heart & Hand

10:00 Oak Harbor

Bay Artists 5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6:00 His Kids

Family Night

OHHS football game;

OHLC parking lot

in use

20

21

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

New Member Class 12:00

Wolves 4:00

Bible Basics (Gr 3&4) 6:00

Vespers/Coupeville 6:30

22 Newsletter Deadline

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:30 Angeli

7:00 Solutions

23 10:30 Church Mice

12:00 Brotherhood of

St. Bernard

4:00 Daisy Girl Scouts

6:00 CADA Parenting

6:00 Bears & Tigers

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:30 Worship Brass

24 11:30 OHLC Staff

1:00 Library Committee

6:00 Girl Scouts Tr 50794

6:00 Harbor Bells

6:00 His Kids Open House

6:30 Luth Youth WOW

6:45 His Kids Open House

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters Anon.

25

10:00 Deborah Circle

4:15 Morning Glory

6:00 His Kids

Open House

6:30 Webelos 1

26

10:00 Oak Harbor

Bay Artists

5:15 Girl Scouts 42040/4214

6:00 Pack 4098 Spookerie

27

Watoto benefit

Oktoberfest dinner &

auction, Oak Harbor Elks

Club; time TBA

28 Reformation Sunday

Worship 8:00

Sunday School 9:15

Adult Ed. 9:15

Worship 10:30

Piano recital 2:00

Wolves 4:00

Vespers/Coupeville

@ St. Mary’s 6:30

29

1:00 Munchy Monday

6:30 Angeli

7:00 Solutions

30

6:00 CADA Parenting

6:00 Bears

6:00 Tigers

6:30 Webelos 2

7:00 Cpvl. Book Group

7:00 Boy Scouts

7:00 Scout Board/Review

7:30 Worship Brass

31 Reformation Day

11:30 OHLC Staff

6:00 Harbor Bells

7:00 Senior Choir

7:00 Overeaters

Anon.

HIS KIDS PRESCHOOL

M, T, W:

9:00-11:30 AM; 12:300-3:00 PM

Th, F:

9:00-11:30 AM; 12:300-3:00 PM

Open House

3-day AM Class: Oct. 24, 6:00-6:30 PM

3-day PM Class: Oct. 24, 6:45-7:15 PM

2-day AM Class: Oct. 25, 6:00-6:30 PM

Synod Women’s Retreat, Warm Beach Camp