december 2015 the messenger -...
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The Messenger A Publication of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5415 SE Powell Blvd., Portland OR 97206
December 2015
Advent & Christmas
at St. Mark’s
Advent begins on Sunday, November 29th. This is the beginning of a liturgical
year during which we will hear from the gospel of Luke. Advent is an annual time
to consider God’s coming in every way and time possible: in a meal, by a word, as
a light, in the assembly gathered, as a complete surprise, following a long wait,
suddenly, or as a child.
A month-long noisy offering will begin Sunday, November 29th when little
cardboard barns from ELCA Hunger will be distributed. We’ll gather them in on
the 4th Sunday in Advent (Dec. 2oth) along with other contributions. Could we
buy a duck, maybe a fish farm, even a cow? Every penny will help a family escape
the cycle of hunger and poverty.
Daytime Advent services
Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 12:30 at Mt. Tabor Courtyard
(2nd floor Community Room of the “Park” Building,6323 SE
Division)
Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 2 pm at Powell Valley
(in the library, 4001 SE 182nd).
Christmas Decorating: We’ll be decorating the sanctuary and putting up the tree
on Saturday December 19th at 10 am, and many hands help to lessen the load on
all of us. Check your calendar and join us if you’re available.
Longest Night Service: Sunday, Dec. 20th, 7 pm, St. Mark’s Sanctuary. In
this season of awaiting God’s presence among us, an opportunity for a quiet pause
acknowledging grief and loss.
Christmas Eve Candle-Light Service: Thursday, Dec. 24th, 9 pm, St. Mark’s
Sanctuary.
Dec. 25 Christmas Day, 10am. Christmas Carol Liturgy
Please mark your calendars: the congregation’s annual meeting is scheduled for
Sunday, January 27th, following worship, in the downstairs social hall
Pastor:
Rev. Elizabeth Larsen
Office: 503-777-1443
Monday-Thursday: 9:00-2:00 pm
Off Fridays
Cell Phone: 503-267-8053
Organ/Piano: Arlan Evensen
Administrative Assistant/
Newsletter Editor:
Joyce Nance
Office: 503-777-1443
Monday-Thursday: 8:30-1:30 pm
Off Fridays
Council President: Brian Steves
Custodian: Epic Janitorial
Webmaster: Scot Brende
Servant Fund Chair:
Sally Durham
Ministers to Chinese
Community:
Pastors Andrew Yong & Terry Yang
503-860-3388 (Pr. Andrew)
Asamblea Apostolica: Pastor Andres
Cruz 503-333-5038
Who’s Who at St. Mark’s
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AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST THE SERVANT,
WE ARE CALLED BY GOD TO:
Spread the Word of God through worship, prayer, discipleship and education
Spread God’s love by ex-ample through service, ad-vocacy and community
Be spirit-led stewards of our time, talents and money
St. Mark’s church council updates Bethlehem Lutheran, who have styled themselves as “the
vagabond Lutherans” since giving up their building at 39th & the
freeway, have decided to “nest” with St. Mark’s from Advent
through Epiphany.
For those of you who missed the Portland Chamber Music con-
cert on the 8th, we packed the coffee room with 55 people! Excel-
lent concert, very well received, and good community outreach! A
special thanks to Buck Johnson for making an emergency trip to
the building on Saturday afternoon to get the boiler running again.
Roof leaks in the education wing: The leaks are apparently
coming from the flat roof rather than the new shingled roof. How-
ever, Buck is still trying to trace the source of the leaks.
While the repaired men’s room has not leaked during the recent
rains, the Property Committee is waiting for more rain to further
test for leaks before closing up the wall.
There are issues with the main door to the parking lot not clos-
ing properly. This is being looked into.
Worship and Music: Jon Cheskin had the piano in the Fellow-
ship Hall tuned prior to the Portland Chamber Music concert on
November 7th.
Pastor suggested that the choir pews in the sanctuary be re-
moved and the sanctuary piano moved to that location. This would
make it easier for accompanist to follow the service; it would also
facilitate the use of the piano in other music programs in the sanc-
tuary. Pastor is directed to do so if the other pastors using the
sanctuary have no objections.
No new information was reported on sanctuary seating, potable
water, a new constitution, or the alarm system.
Brian reported that he had attended Portland Eastside Minis-
tries review meeting.
Brian reported that a 2015 payback of the loan from the Ser-
vant Fund will be discussed with the Finance Committee.
The Francis Center returned our donation of $310 that was to
go towards a shoe fund drive because they are not able to conduct
the drive. Pastor will discuss the disposition of these funds with
Social Ministry
The Kael Montessori school, which plans to move into room #2
of the education wing, has gone through the first round of inspec-
tions. While we work on how best to do the required changes, the
school now plans to move in the summer of 2016.
The Council discussed the need to have new and more mem-
bers on the Council.
The Council set January 24, 2016 as the date for the Annual
Meeting.
3
Advent “Giving Tree” The “giving tree” goes up Thanks-
giving Eve, as part of our Advent
preparations. As part of preparing
our hearts for God’s dwelling among
us, we have a not-quite-Christmas tree which will be
‘decorated’ with things that a modern-day Jesus,
Mary and Joseph could use. That is, the clients of
the St. Mark’s food pantry and Bethlehem Children’s
Clothes Closet.
So, warm scarves for garland, knit hats for a top-
per, Hang toothbrushes for icicles, tie on packages of
soap. Instead of a tree skirt, packages of toilet paper
and diapers.
Other suggestions are: Toothpaste, Shampoo,
Deodorant, Razors/shave foam, Laundry Detergent,
Dishwashing soap, Cleaning Supplies and Feminine
Hygiene Products.
Always needed are kids’ socks and underwear
(new, please).
Christmas Cookie Baking Party for Children of All Ages.
Saturday, December 5th, 10-noon
Bethel Lutheran, 5658 N Denver
bring a friend, a neighbor, a grandparent to our
First Annual Christmas Cookie Baking
Party.
Cookies can be plated, wrapped and delivered
to friends. Giggles are assured and relation-
ships built can be taken far beyond the walls
of the kitchen.
Call Pr. Christine Core at Bethel for more
information (503)285-4919.
Ready to do something a little dif-
ferent with your Christmas shop-
ping? ELCA Good Gifts catalogs
are available in the coffee room,
and online at www.ELCA.org/
goodgifts.
Rather than another tie or sweater,
what about health care for a child
in an orphanage or a microloan for
a woman entrepreneur?
Please Join St. Paul Lutheran Church
for our 1st
Annual Holiday Bazaar!
Free entry into the bazaar
There will be a variety of homemade gifts
and products available
Home décor and jewelry to terrariums,
hand woven knits, quilted table runners, af-
ghans, hats, baked goods and canned goods.
Make sure to enter to win a gift basket
filled with some of the amazing gifts from
the various tables!
Free kids crafting table
Gift wrapping available by donation
Saturday, December 5, 2015
9:00am – 3:00 pm
3880 SE Brooklyn St
Portland, OR Anya Kalina performing during the Portland
Chamber Music concert on Nov. 7th
4
Food Drive Success! Thanks to the St. Mark’s congregation for their
generosity during the food drive for the pantry.
We appreciate all the donations and have re-
plenished our shelves. You donated about 400
pounds! Do you have any idea how many
happy families benefited from this!! We are
averaging about 35 families per week. They
are all grateful—as are we. Your support is
important. Thanks!!!
Madeline,
Mary, Dolores
TIS THE
SEASON FOR
WARMTH! The Clothes Closet is asking
for help in gathering some
warm winter clothing to help children through the
cold weather. They need mittens, hats, scarvess,
underwear, warm socks, and baby blankets.
If your children or grandchildren have outgrown
their winter coats here’s a chance to give them a
valuable second life.
The Closet serves around 30 to 40 families each
month for a total of around 80-100
children. What better place to help out!
Thank you thank you thank you To everyone who contributed presents, wrapping paper, tape and energy To wrap new toys and games to help Christmas happen for the Bethlehem Chil-
drens’ Clothes Closet families
5
Celebrate Life Together
Birthdays December, 2015
Norma Etzel, 4fh
Don Olney, 8th
Paul Brende, 16th
Carla Clark, 20th
James Brende, 21st
Grant Richards, 23rd
Ed Zilk, 26th
Anniversaries, December, 2015
Lorie & Gene Petrasso, 10th
Prayers & Concerns
Unable to worship with us: Fay Day, Lenora
Johnson, Ceil Libke, Fern Luke, Don
McLaughlin, Pauline McNeff, Audrey Rut-
ger, Lucille Stariha, Dorothy Swanson, Clare-
ann Teeters, Marguerite Thomson, Ruth
Wentzein, Doris Zilk, Al & Lorna Schwartz
Continued Needs: Fern Luke, Robert Thir-
inger, Lucille Stariha, Carol Deo, Esther
Stotik, John Etzel,, Mark Gardner, Lorna
Schwartz, Crystal and her children, James
Langley, Carole Cole, Robert Capozzi, Sally
Hallum, Marguerite Thomson, Mike Giante,
Vivian Huber, Bruce Huber, Zinnia, Laura
Richards, Jackie Tschaggen, Deanna Huntley,
Esther Huntley, Lucas & Savannah, Gene Van
Tassell, Carol Nickachos, K. D. Brown, Diane
Zimmerman.
In Mourning: Family and friends of Billie
Jean Osgood, and Zack Spannagel
The Church & Beyond: The Oregon Synod
and our partner churches; the Portland East-
side Ministry Coalition; Pastor Yong’s &
Terry’s Ministry to the Chinese Community;
Pastor Cruz and the Asamblea Apostolica; our
service men and women, our Muslim brothers
and sisters; the volunteers and clients of the
food pantry, clothes closet and community
basket; for peace and compromise in the
Mideast, and in Ukraine. Prayers of gratitude
for the mediators, every cease fire and aid
box . The citizens of France and, in particu-
lar, the city of Paris.
Date *Volunteers
DECEMBER
26TH
CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
JANUARY
23RD
Lynda Kennedy
Others TBA
FEBRUARY
27th
Lynda Kennedy
Others TBA
FOOD PANTRY: Fridays from 3 to 5:30 PM
DATE LEAD VOLUNTEERS
DECEMBER
4TH
Mary
Karter:
Al Bowen. Dean & Jenny
Winter, others TBA
DECEMBER
11TH
TBA: Sally Durham, Brenda Richards,
others TBA
DECEMBER
18TH
Mary
Karter
Ruth & Jerry Griffith, Pastor &
Max, D.B.
DECEMBER
25TH
CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
A MINIMUM OF FIVE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED EACH WEEK
BETHLEHAM CHILDREN/S CLOTHING CLOSET
Coordinated by Brenda Richards and Deb Schulz
4th Saturday from NOON to 2 PM
Bible study meets every Sunday at 8:30am in the coffee
room, led by Dean Winter
Coming up:
Dec. 6-13: The Advent Narratives of Matthew and Luke
Worship Ministries at St. Mark’s Please speak with the office if you would like to get involved with one of these important ministries
December
2015
6th
2 Advent
13th
3 Advent
20th
4th Advent
27th
1 Christmas
Greeters Buck & Carole
Johnson
Dean & Jenny
Winter
Lynda Kennedy Dolores Morelli
Prayers
Of the People
Teresa Osgood Lynda Kennedy Dolores Morelli
Al Bowen
Readers
Max Cheskin
Mel Anderson Jean Johnson Mary Karter
Nursery Attendant
Vicki Rutger Dolores Morelli Carole Johnson
Lorie Petrasso
Jeri Dayton
Ushers
Travis Osgood, David
Sawyer
Don Olney
Madeline Grimm
Marg Lyseng
Brenda Richards
Terry Larson
Gene Petrasso
Ruth Griffith
Buck Johnson
Vicki Rutger
Brian Etzel
Brian Fajardo
Lynda Kennedy
Wholly Love
Teresa Osgood Madeline Grimm Jon Cheskin Teresa Osgood
Communion
Assistants
Mel Anderson
Taylor Osgood
TBA
Brian Fajardo
Lynda Kennedy
Fajardo child
Marcia Olney
Scot Brende
Paul Brende
Marg Lyseng
TBA
TBA
Communion
Prep
Carole & Buck
Johnson
Brian Etzel
Brenda Richards Terry Larson
Bread Baker
Carole Johnson Brenda Richards Lorie Petrasso
Terry Larson
Sound System
Bob Olsrud Bob Olsrud Brian Fajardo Bob Olsrud
Announcements
Brian Steves
Mel Anderson Teresa Osgood Brenda Richards
Refreshment
Lynda Kennedy
Madeline Grimm
Flora Lippert
Lynda Kennedy Brenda Richards
Artha Gardner
Mary Karter
Counters
Brian Etzel,
Mary Karter
Madeline Grimm
Bob Olsrud
Edgar Ronning
Al Bowen
Dolores Morelli
Jean Johnson
Brian Etzel
Madeline Grimm
Gary Lippert
Marg Lyseng
Scripture Readings for December, 2015 Sunday, December 6th, 2nd Advent, Malachi 3:1-4 , Luke 1:68-79, Phillippians 1:3-11, Luke 3: 1-6
Sunday, December 13th, 3rd Advent, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Phillippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18,
Sunday, December 20th, Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46b-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55
Sunday, December 27, 1st Christmas, 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Psalms 148, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52
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DE
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MB
ER
2015
All God’s Children are invited to Sunday Worship
8:30 a.m. Bible Study (coffee room)
9:30 a.m. Worship with Communion Every Sunday
10:45a.m. Coffee Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Choir Practice: Everyone Welcome!
11:30 a.m. Mandarin Chinese Worship
3:00 p.m. Asamblea Apostolica
www.smpdx.org
“Servants of Christ the Servant”
Pastor: Pr. Elizabeth Larsen Heavenly Peace Ministry Pastors: Pr. Andrew Yong & Pr. Terry Yang Organ/Piano: Arlan Evensen Administrative Assistant: Joyce Nance Custodian: Epic Janitorial Webmaster: Scot Brende
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 5415 SE Powell Blvd. Portland OR 97206
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
PORTLAND, OR
PERMIT No. 1115
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED.