If you prefer to print the newsletter, you may download it here: Printable Nov 2021 . Here is also a printable
November calendar: November 2021 Calendar
Pastor’s perspective
By Dave Hendrickson, Lead Pastor
I’ve noticed it is right around this time of the year, when you think people would be happier, kinder, and more gracious towards each other because of the holidays, that the total opposite happens. Maybe it is because of the holidays, people begin to feel the stress of all the preparations. Possibly they have anxiety concerning all the family and relational situations they will be part of over the next few weeks. For others, I’ve learned the change in the PNW weather can have an affect on one’s emotional and mental well-being. Also, I haven’t even addressed how the news networks, social media, and the events we face in our culture could influence our attitudes and ways of behavior.
Therefore, as we enter the 2021 holiday season, and especially as we prepare for Thanksgiving towards the end of the November, I would like to ask you a question. What are you thankful for?
Did you know, the Greek word eucharisteo (εὐχαριστέω, for you Greek scholars) from which we get the word Eucharist (the term used in many Catholic and Anglican churches for Communion) means “to be thankful”?
Jesus uses the word eucharisteo in these following passages…
“…And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks (eucharisteo), he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people…” Mark 8:6
“So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you (eucharisteo) that you have heard me.” John 11:41
“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks (eucharisteo) he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many’” Mark 14:23-24
The thing I find interesting about these passages is what happens after Jesus prays for eucharisteo. In Mark 8, Jesus feeds around 4,000 men after giving thanks for seven loaves of bread. In John 11, Jesus offers eucharisteo to his father and then Lazarus is raised from the dead. And ultimately, in Mark 14, Jesus eucharisteos for a cup of wine, gives it to his disciples and proceeds to offer himself as a lamb for sacrifice, but then is raised from the dead three days later!
Have you noticed the common occurrence which proceeded Jesus giving eucharisteo? A MIRACLE! The Father broke through, the Kingdom was revealed, the miracle happened after Thanksgiving was offered!
Do you want to experience the Father’s provision? Are you yearning to know the Father’s power? Do you need to know the Father’s grace?
What are you Eucharisteo for?
Sometimes it might take us “being thankful” first before we see how God does the miracles in our lives!
Elder meeting highlights
At the Elders’ business meeting on October 26, the Elders approved the proposal for new Sanctuary doors. Randy Sundberg will proceed with the ordering/installation process. It will be three or four months before the doors are installed. Randy also brought an update about the Sanctuary heating system and the need to replace the condensate lines, and is in the process of getting bids for that project.
The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing the proposed Budget for 2022. The Elders hope to be ready to vote on the budget at their next meeting in November.
upcoming holiday events:
Mark your calendar now before you make your holiday plans!
Nov. 17, 6pm Thanksgiving Dinner (sign up required due to limited seating!)
Nov. 28, 9am All-Church Activity (details to follow)
Dec. 4, 8am Christmas Pancake Breakfast
Dec. 5, 3pm Lower Columbia Clarinet Guild Christmas Concert
Dec. 11, 7pm SWW Christmas Concert
Dec. 12, 3pm SWW Christmas Concert
Dec. 17, 6pm Pizza and Carol Sing
Dec. 19, 10am Lessons and Carols Service
Dec. 24, 3pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24, 5pm Christmas Eve Service
community in action: lay counseling clinic
By Elizabeth Jacobsen
Behind the kitchen and fellowship hall, ministry is happening almost every day of the week. This is the Lay Counseling Clinic.
Trained lay counselors are available to provide a listening ear and support to members and the public. Ten, free one-hour weekly sessions, are available simply by calling Elizabeth Jacobsen, Lay Counseling Administrator, and setting a day and time to see a counselor (360-577-1059). The counselors are trained and supervised by Dr. Stephen Meharg, Clinical Psychologist.
The Lay Counseling Clinic has been in ministry since December 1980. The counselors have provided individual, couples, grief groups, workshops, and classes since that time. We are pleased to announce that we will be offering a 2-hour Grief Support session on Sunday, November 21st from 2:00 – 4:00 PM on “Getting Through the Holidays When You’ve Lost a Loved One.” The holidays are a stressful time when one is in grief and we want to give you some tools to get through and some ways to enjoy the Holiday season with your families and friends amid your grief. This session will be held in the Chapel. It is important to register for the session by calling the church office (360-423-6380) so we can make sure we have enough materials for everyone. Elizabeth Jacobsen, Certified Grief Counselor, will be presenting the session and Lay Counselors will be assisting.
youth: “plugged in”
By Nathaniel Duscha, Youth Pastor
This crazy season of life finally seems to be slowing down. With Charity, Azlynn and myself finally moved into our first house, most of the home projects finished, and most of the boxes unpacked, our family is finally finding some routine.
All these big changes in my life have had me thinking about the topic of identity. Who am I? My answer to this question has changed a ton over the past few years! I’m a husband, a father, and a 
Youth Pastor. While those things are true, and a big part of who I am, I’m more than my “earthly identity”. We are all made with a distinct identity in Christ. Through the month of November, we are going to explore this topic more in our Sunday night youth gatherings and the stories of Jesus and John the Baptist, and the words of Paul, will help us see why discovering who Jesus is helps us discover who we’re meant to be in this four-part series called Distinct.
kidmin
By Mary Gronseth, Interim Director of Children’s Ministry
Fall is here and we have been taking advantage of all the fun fall activities available in our area.
On October 10, a group went to The Patch in Woodland. Between rain showers we picked pumpkins, went through corn and hay mazes, rode ponies and a hayride. There is always so much to do at The Patch. It was a day of fun and fellowship.
Then on Friday, October 24, we had a group of families meet at the church for pizza and pumpkin carving. We had scary pumpkins, silly pumpkins, happy pumpkins and many other designs.
The Children’s Discipleship Time on Sunday Mornings is going well. We have a great group of Leader/Teachers. Leading our kids at 9:00 with Sarah Fix and I are: Lorinda Christianson, Liz Durben, Rick Little, Jay and Laura Holland and Josh Dailey. It’s so great to see our kids back and getting some great teaching about the Bible and their faith. We have also been working on learning The Lord’s Prayer. We had some of our kids lead The Lord’s Prayer in Worship recently. They will also be learning the Apostles Creed and The Books of The Bible this year.
Thank you for all your support and prayers for our children. They are such a joy!
history: “Look up”
By Shirley Edstedt, History Team
When the History Team first began preparing for last Summer’s open-house I had no idea how fascinated I would become with gargoyles! Especially since up until that point I had never really noticed that our bell tower has them – 4 of them.
By definition a gargoyle is a waterspout, usually carved to resemble an odd or monstrous creature, that protrudes from a structure’s wall or roofline. A working gargoyle has a function – to direct rainwater away from a building, thereby protecting the structure from water damage. The word gargoyle is from the Greek gargarizein meaning to “wash the throat.” Think of the word gargle and you get the idea.
The oldest known gargoyle is open to debate. Some say the oldest is a free-standing statue discovered in Turkey, dating back many thousands of years. Most commonly, gargoyles combine parts from a lion, bird or bat, and a puma or leopard. That said, modern gargoyle statues mostly have large wings on their backs and sharp teeth as a common feature. If you look at pictures of those here at the church take a guess at what they might represent. We’ve had any number of guesses and as the old saying goes, your guess is as good as mine.
Gargoyles have also made appearances in many folk tales throughout the ages. Across various cultures, they have been seen as guardians and offerings to gods. Several other stories portray gargoyles as companion animals, such as the Griffin and the Pegasus from ancient Greek culture.
One of the legends from the early Christian faith describes gargoyles attacking Father Romain who was known to slay demons to protect the innocent. The legend states that during the rule of French King Clotaire II in the 600s, Father Romain, who later became Saint Romain, captured creatures that shared the many common features of a gargoyle. Many medieval representations depict Saint Romain leading a gargoyle-like creature on a leash!
During one of his quests to capture these monstrous creatures, he attempted to destroy the gargoyle’s bodies by setting them on fire. However, their heads and necks would not burn no matter how long they were ablaze. So instead, the king took them and placed them on the side of churches to ward off other spirits that might come its way.
Another legend attributed to Saint Germain concerned the French town of Rouen. It seems that the town was being harassed by a dragon named La Gargouille (French for gargoyle). There is no historical record of what happened to La Gargouille’s head after Saint Germain dispatched the dragon, but perhaps it adorns one of the many Gothic cathedrals in the area?
In all likelihood the reason for the gargoyles on our bell tower is not quite so fanciful or glamorous, but instead twofold. They are in keeping with the Gothic Revival style of architecture and also serve the functional purpose of directing rainwater off the roof and away from the brick structure.
Look up and decide what you think about our own, personal gargoyles.
this and that
There will be a Veterans Luncheon Nov. 10 at Noon. The Mary Martha Circle will be honoring and thanking our veterans for their service to our country. Guest speaker Rick Little will be sharing some of the details and photos behind “The Wall That Heals”. There will be tables to display mementos, along with games, prizes and music! Space is limited so please call the Church Office to RSVP. Suggested donation is $4 per person; veterans attend for free as our guests.
SAM (Senior Adult Ministry) will be going to the play “Shadowland” at the Columbia Theater on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.; vans leave the church at 1:30. They will be going to Stuffy’s for dinner afterwards (on your own).
FISH Report In September we served 93 families with 216 adults and 142 children. There were 6 homeless orders. The cost was $1452.24. Thank you one and all! Next FISH week is Nov 22-24: the three days before Thanksgiving. The new FISH chairs are Sally Browne and Peggy Reibe. It’s been a fun 24 years! ~Robbin Elliott
Church Keys Do you have one of these? It’s a main door key for the church. Many of them have been given out over the years to various ministry or group leaders, but are probably no longer needed. If you have one that you no longer need, please return it to the Church Office so we do not need to keep ordering more keys. Thank you!
All-Church Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. Space is limited so please sign up in the Lobby or call the Church Office by Nov 14. All food will be provided this year.
Come shop at the MOPS Garage Sale on Nov. 5 and 6 from 8am to 4pm in the Chapel basement. All proceeds will go to the MOPS group that meets in our facility.
Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing Join us on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 4 pm as we gather in the Sanctuary with our friends from Gloria Dei Lutheran to sing several of our favorite hymns!
Save the Date! The “What Child Is This?” Christmas Pancake Breakfast will be Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8-11 am. If you would like to help, please contact Shannon Inman at 360-636-0289. Donations of Krusteaz pancake mix would also be appreciated and may be brought to the church kitchen.
Tuesday Sisters will resume on Nov. 2 at 1 pm. and will decide at that time how often they will meet. They will be meeting at the home of Cec Conner and will begin by studying Philippians. Contact Cec for more info.
Worship Service Volunteers Needed! Are you wanting to get involved serving at church but are only available on Sundays? We have some opportunities for you! We need more volunteers during Sunday worship time to be greeters, read Scripture, run sound or the computer. Training will be provided as needed. Please sign up at the counter in the Lobby.
Medical Equipment Available If you or someone you knows needs medical equipment, i.e. walker, wheelchair, commode, etc, please contact Roberta Baird at 360-636-3848.
NOVEMBER MISSIONS FOCUS:
Haiti Christian Development Fund
https://www.hcdf.org/
SEPTEMBER FINANCIALS:
YTD INCOME: $394,063
TRUSTEES VISION: $8,000
YTD EXPENSE: $406,875
DIFFERENCE: -$4,812