January February 2020 NEWSLETTER American Lutheran Church Newport, WA 1 Message from the Pastor “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2: 1-2) We are a species created to move, grow, explore. It is in our makeup, our DNA. We are taught this, it seems, from our very beginning when cells divide, expand, regroup and grow. The time arrives and the womb can no longer keep us. There is something else out there. Birth. Our very bodies and minds sense the rhythm and reject the confines. From baby clothes to toddler. From Gerber’s mash to solids. From cute bubbles to words of Mama and Dada. We escape the crib, crawl and explore the room, then the house. We walk and the backyard beckons. And so the journey, the birth, begins anew. Humanity is at its best, that is to say, we are never more human, more ourselves than when we listen to the ancient call. Herman Melville in his book ‘Moby Dick’ summarized this basic element of us. He wrote, “I am tormented with an irresistible itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas. And land on barbarous coasts.” How small would we be, what amazing things would we miss, if we were simply content to stay within the confines of our self-imposed boundaries? The Magi are curious prophets of the Faith. We know so little of them and their brief appearance gets lost within the Christmas story; relegated to gift giving and heard no more. But WHAT an affront to sedentary faith! They left more than their homeland. They left the familiar, pulled into mystery by a star that spoke, if you will, with the quiet siren song of ‘follow me’. And their journey leads them to Emmanuel, God with us. Such irony. To leave the familiar, to venture apart from that which is known to us, it seems, is to discover over and over that God is always with us. For all the promises that Christmas presents us, this to me is the most exciting. It calls us to not be afraid. Do not stop exploring the world around you, the mind inside of you and the heart within you. What new Bethlehem’s will Christ beckon you towards in 2020? --Pastor Matt Goodrich
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January February 2020 NEWSLETTER American Lutheran Church Newport, WA
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Message from the Pastor
“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2: 1-2)
We are a species created to move, grow, explore. It is in our makeup, our DNA. We are taught this, it seems, from our very
beginning when cells divide, expand, regroup and grow. The time arrives and the womb can no longer keep us. There is something else out there. Birth. Our very bodies and minds sense the rhythm and reject the confines. From baby clothes to toddler. From Gerber’s mash to solids. From cute bubbles to words of Mama and Dada. We escape the crib, crawl and explore the room, then the house. We walk and the backyard beckons. And so the journey, the birth, begins anew.
Humanity is at its best, that is to say, we are never more human, more ourselves than when we listen to the ancient call. Herman Melville in his book ‘Moby Dick’ summarized this basic element of us. He wrote, “I am tormented with an irresistible itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas. And land on barbarous coasts.”
How small would we be, what amazing things would we miss, if we were simply content to stay within the confines of our self-imposed boundaries?
The Magi are curious prophets of the Faith. We know so little of them and their brief appearance gets lost within the Christmas story; relegated to gift giving and heard no more. But WHAT an affront to sedentary faith! They left more than their homeland. They left the familiar, pulled into mystery by a star that spoke, if you will, with the quiet siren song of ‘follow me’. And their journey leads them to Emmanuel, God with us.
Such irony. To leave the familiar, to venture apart from that which is known to us, it seems, is to discover over and over that God is always with us. For all the promises that Christmas presents us, this to me is the most exciting. It calls us to not be afraid. Do not stop exploring the world around you, the mind inside of you and the heart within you. What new Bethlehem’s will Christ beckon you towards in 2020? --Pastor Matt Goodrich
January February 2020 NEWSLETTER American Lutheran Church Newport, WA
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Ministering Volunteers who share their gifts
January 5, 2020 Greeters: Don & Mary Louise Comins Ushers: Jim & Kristi Bell Reader: Valerie Samson Counters: Cheryl Bailey & TBA Coffee Hour: Scone Bender’s group
January 12, 2020
Greeters: Val Urbat & Valerie Samson Ushers: Wes & Linda Blore Reader: Val Urbat Counters: Kelly Alliger & TBA Coffee Hour: Peggy Smith’s group
January 19, 2020 Greeters: LeRoy & Emmie Leland Ushers: Elaine Petersen Reader: John Gertenbach Counters: Cheryl Baley & TBA Coffee Hour: Vicki Richter’s group
January 26, 2020
Greeters: Carol Bourassa & Marlene Faraca Ushers: Annie Frederick Reader: Faith Hughes Counters: TBA Coffee Hour: Annual Meeting - No host
February 2, 2020
Greeters: Leissa Thorsen & Rita Crisp Ushers: Tom & Hazel Bauer Reader: Rita Crisp Counters: Val Urbat & Kelly Alliger Coffee Hour: Gail Johnson’s group
February 9, 2020
Greeters: Sandy Ellersick & Dick Bockemuehl Ushers: Annie Frederick Reader: Pat Alexander Counters: Val Urbat & TBA Coffee Hour: Valerie Samson’sgroup
February 16, 2020
Greeters: Mark & Scone Bender Ushers: Toby & Gail Johnson Reader: Emmie Leland Counters: Val Urbat & Sharon Bateman Coffee Hour: Sandy Ellersick’s group
February 23, 2020
Greeters: Toby & Gail Johnson Ushers: Bob & Linda Swanson Reader: Kristi Bell Counters: Val Urbat & Sharon Bateman Coffee Hour: Carol Bourassa’s group
January February 2020 NEWSLETTER American Lutheran Church Newport, WA
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Birthdays Celebrate their Birth
Blanche Wall 01-04 Van Smith 01-05 Evelyn Cordes 01-07 Lee Shaver 01-11 Mark Bender 01-11 Nicole Seeber 01-14 Jean Kress 01-14 Nicole Smoot 01-15 Racine Balow 01-18 Kristi Bell 01-19 Faith Hughes 01-20 Ruth Chamberlain 01-21 Sandy Ellersick 01-23 Les Wall 01-21 Caden Christie 01-27 Lynda Heckman 01-28 Jamie Wyrobek 01-28- Bob Swanson 01-29 Ken Peralta 01-30 Anna -Jones 01-30 Pat Kowal 01-31
Mia Shults 02-04 Gail Johnson 02-05 Lilly Hughes 02-07 Berg Hughes 02-09 Mary Bug Smith 02-10 Jared Hughes 02-11 Dennis Alliger 02-11 Stacey Mock 02-11 Ladimer Mischenko 02-12 Carol Bourassa 02-13 Jaci Stevens 02-13 Val Urbat 02-14 Roger Brandt 02-15 Nancy Thome 02-17 Sue Mauro 02-18 Jennifer Ellersick 02-21 Kendall Hinchliff 02-24 Elise Hinchliff 02-24 Dorothy Funden 02-26 Shirley Porter 02-28 Stephen Bateman 02-28
Special Thanks Appreciation for God’s blessings in action
Thank you for your prayers for my brother, George, after his bike accident last month. On Friday, he had his second follow-up appointment and X-ray which showed his fractured pelvis is healing well. He is now cleared to drive and will be able to cautiously resume his normal routine these next few weeks. We are so Grateful. ~ Chris Shaver
Dear Faithful Church Friends & Family, Your prayers, calls, cards, visits, and offers of assistance certainy helped both Sam and I to successfully and speedy recoveries. We are so grateful and feel so blessed. Thank you! ~ Valerie & Sam Samson
Newsletter Deadline for March / April is February 16th. Please send your items to
January February 2020 NEWSLETTER American Lutheran Church Newport, WA
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Activities and Opportunities
Matinee Movie, January 5th at 4pm
“Tolkein” The story of J.R.R. Tolkein, author of classics like “The Hobbit”, and “The Lord of
the Rings.”
Matinee Movie, February 9th at 4pm “The Princess Bride” A fun favorite and a
celebration of “true love”!
You’re Invited Please come in the spirit of rejoicing!
Pastor’s Epiphany Open House December 12th from 2-5pm
At their home 114 E Circle Drive
Please come help un-decorated the church on Thurs, January 9th from 9am until we’re done.
ALC’s Annual Meeting and Potluck,
January 26th, right after Worship Service Please submit your committee reports to
[email protected] soon. Please plan to join us and bring a dish to share, we Lutherans do love to eat!
Puerto-Ricoville
concert & fundraiser February 9th at Kelly’s bar, by Larry Sauer, family, and friends. Includes a Taco Bar for just $10. Support our summer mission trip!
Home Bible Study Group Opportunity We have some folks who would like to start a home Bible Study Group for those who are interested. The Lelands and Shavers will be coordinating the group and plan on meeting for 6-8 weeks initially, beginning sometime in January. These groups have been significant in their faith walks in the past, meeting in homes for sharing and encouragement. They are an opportunity to grow deeper in relationship with God and with one another. If you are interested, please talk to LeRoy or Emmie Leland or Chris or Lee Shaver or one of the pastors. Once a group is formed, plans will be set for dates and times that work. Prayerfully consider this opportunity.
