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| Milwaukie Lutheran Church Newsletter |
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| January 2010 | Volume 53, Issue 1 |
| A Word from our Pastor |
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In my Advent musings this year, I have been pondering what Mary must have been going through as she waited for the birth of the baby. Then the anguish and travail she experienced to give birth. You mothers have an advantage over me on this one. Can you imagine being pregnant on a long journey on the back of a donkey and to top it off, to give birth in a stable with the animals looking on?
In a little town in Texas where I served, there was a woman who suddenly had abdominal pains, and when she arrived at the hospital discovered that she was giving birth. And again, I just read about an almost identical incident where a woman, to her complete surprise, gave birth to a healthy baby in an ambulance. These women had no idea they were pregnant.
It's hard to imagine not knowing you are pregnant. But I wonder if this is not the way God looks upon us. God is coming to us this Christmas to birth in us God's possibilities. In God's eyes, we are all pregnant with God's Spirit. But like these women, we have no clue what God is doing for us and in us and around us.
In the hymn "God the Sculptor of the Mountain" (ELW 736), John Thornburg writes this verse:
God the unexpected infant,
God the calm, determined youth,
God the table-turning prophet,
God the resurrected truth:
You are present ev'ry moment,
We are searching; meet us now.
When you think about it, God becoming incarnate is quite shocking, God becoming an infant is most unexpected. Take a moment
this Christmas to ponder with Mary how has God is coming unexpectedly to you.
Certainly the most unexpected event in the life of our congregation in recent years is the resignation of our music director, Cheryl Drewes. I believe her move will give birth to many new possibilities for her and for the congregation at Mountain View Lutheran.
Both Cheryl and Isaac will be missed deeply within our community. We will join with them on December 27th to celebrate their ministry among us and to wish them Godspeed.
So as we gaze into the New Year, we must again wait and see what God has before us for someone to help us sing praises to God. I believe God has some pregnant possibilities awaiting us if only we can awaken to their reality.
We will be searching. May God meet us now.
A Merry Christmas to you all, ~Pastor Charles |
| Music at MLC |
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Music has always played a central role in the life of Milwaukie Lutheran Church, so many of you may be wondering about our plans for music services after Cheryl Drewes leaves. The next stage for music at our church is still unfolding, but I would like to let you know about our plans thus far.
Because the Natural Church Development process is focusing on the subject of Inspiring Worship, we would like to fold our search process for musical services into our assessment of what our needs are for the future of the church. Through that process, we will benefit greatly from taking time for prayer and feedback from the congregation. The Leadership Council has brought together Greg Jenks, Dolores Vilstrup, Melanie North, Pastor Charles and me as a team to determine what our musical needs will be and find a way to fulfill them.
In the interim, the Council has contracted with Gregory Smith to accompany worship and the adult choir. Gregory is a student at Clackamas Community College and a fine pianist. He accompanies the Clackamas Community College Choir. Their recent Christmas concert at MLC was quite extraordinary. Gregory lives in the Milwaukie area, and he and his family are members at West Hills Covenant Church. Gregory has agreed to serve as a Supply Musician for the next few months. He will begin on January 3rd. I hope you will welcome him into our community.
We have been blessed - in fact even spoiled - by the high level of Cheryl's musicianship over the past 10 years. The congregation she will be serving next is indeed a fortunate group. I appreciate your patience over the next months as we explore how our current interests, abilities and resources can best support our church family in this area of ministry.
Please don't hesitate to let me know about your questions and concerns. I know this is of very great interest to everyone here.
Mary Jo Hess Council President |
| Dates Changed |
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Due to the holidays, the Piecemakers' Quilting days have been rescheduled to Friday, January 8 and Friday, January 22.
Due to the Piecemakers' schedule change, Peace Circle will meet on Firday, January 15 at 11:30 a.m. |
| Visit our Newsletter... |
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Please visit our complete January 2010 Light for information about NCD (Natural Church Development) and inspiring worship, the 2010 Oregon Synod Poland Trip, details about Adult Education (Forum) opportunitites, and Ministry News. www.milwaukielutheran.org/jan2010.pdf |
| February Newsletter Deadline |
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Deadlines for submission to The Light for the February 2010 issue is noon on January 15. Items for the newsletter may be submitted to Sheryl Ann in the office (503-653-0250), or sent to editor@milwaukielutheran.org. Please include an author name or contact with each submission. Your editors appreciate every effort made to submit materials in a timely fashion. Ed. |
| Prayer Concerns |
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| Health Concerns: Marta, Grace, Verlyn, April, Helen, Christopher, Earl, Judy, Trudy, Barbara, Jeff, Joyce, Paul, Linda, Marilyn, Mary, Myra, Betty, Teresa, Jerry, Chris, Joy, Marilyn, Dale, Helen, Jean, Doris, Alta, Henry, Paulette, Damon, Lillian, Mike, Al, Darrell, Graydon, Dick, Tom, Marian, Mitchell, Bob, Jeremiah, Ann, William, Kelly, Shirley, Katie, Arlene, Doris, Gale, Cheryl, Isaac, Alice.
The Grieving: The friends and family of Muriel McEwen on her death; Mary and David Feldt, on the death of David's brother, William; Sheryl Ann Waage and family on the death of her "adopted" mom, Dolores Smith; Gale and Vonnie Lennon on the death of their daughter-in-law, Tricia; the family and friends of Pam Paola on her death.
 The Nations: The President of the United States and our elected officials, the people and the governments of Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Afghanistan, Liberia, Sudan and all other countries torn apart by strife. All people around the world in military service for their country.
Serving in the Military: Sammy Thole, grandson in law of the Zabels, serving in Afghanistan. Michael Marks, grandson-in-law of the Schwabauers, serving in Iraq.
In Service: We pray for those serving Christ around the world: Marian Hungerford-Cameroon; Pastor Steven Ray - China, Dr. Richard Young - Guyana; Christa Morse (Beth Lillie's niece) - Peru.
Congratulations to: Pat and Abner Korsness on the birth of their first great grandchild - Tyler Joseph Worthen. |
| Birthdays |
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Birthdays for the month are now posted in the Fellowship Hall, just inside the door as you enter. |
| More News. . . |
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Our January 2010 newsletter also has Thank You notes from King of Kings Pantry and Gale and Vonnie Lennon.
There is Ministry News from Janus Greenhouse, Lutheran World Relief, and House of Zion.
Camp Lutherwood has made an appeal for donations during a financial crisis.
There is news about and a recommendation for a Prayerful Discernment class series at The Franciscan Spiritual Center. http://www.francisspctr.com/
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Mission Statement
Milwaukie Lutheran Church is a gathering and scattering of people grounded in the love of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, reaching out to share the Good News of Christ Jesus.
As a community of faith, Milwaukie Lutheran Church . . .
· Welcomes all
· Reaches out in witness to God's love
· Provides a sanctuary of care, service, and learning for all ages.
Loving God through all peoples, our community, our members and their families by reaching out in support to all on their faith journey. | |
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