Agnus Dei Lutheran Church Gather in grace

Grow in faith Go in service

November 2016 www.facebook.com/ADLCGigHarbor www.agnusdeilutheran.org

One of our communi es’ greatest strengths is its warm, open, and welcoming nature. We have heard from many visitors about the joy they experience when they come to this place. They have felt honored by enthusias c welcomes and at home in worship here.

As visitors join us and we grow in numbers, how do we keep up the good work?

One very simple way is to always wear your name-tag! Not only does it help everyone learn names, it’s helpful in case you forget your own.

As more people are here for worship and there are more faces we don’t recognize, some mes we become concerned that we may greet someone as a visitor who isn’t. “Hi, I’m _________. I don’t think we’ve met yet, can you tell me your name?” is a great way to connect!

Forgot someone’s name? Most of the me people truly understand and have been there too. Even we as pastors can o en be overhead saying “I’m sorry, but can you remind me of your name again?”

Ge ng to know people, instead of asking “What do you do?” it can be wonderful to ask “What do you like to do in your spare me?” This o en invites people to share what they are truly passionate about. If you do find yourself in a conversa on with a first me visitor, be sure to invite them to sign the guest book so we can follow up with them and offer them a welcome bag (also on the welcome table behind the guest book).

Thanks for being such a warm community! Yours in Christ, Pastor Seth and Pastor Stephanie

Barbara Ausich Loren Carlander Bob Finlayson Richard Hermstad Dick La mer

Serving Our Country:

Jason Barelli, U.S. Navy

Ma Fistler, U.S.A.F. (Loren Carlander’s Grandson)

Staton West, U.S. Army

We lift in prayer... Barb Malich Hal and Myra Snider Sherry Stava Jack S er Joanna Stuen

Pam Mar n and family on the death of her mother Alene Wilkes.

Rose VanderKlomp Jim Wilson

In Memoriam

Our sister in Christ, Alene Wilkes died on Sunday, October 30. There will be a memorial on Sunday, November 6th at 1:00 PM. All are welcome.

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Please let Pastor Seth and/or Pastor Stephanie know if you are in need of pastoral care. If you would like to be contacted by one of our pastors please call the office at 253-851-6222 or email them at pastorstephanie@agnusdeilutheran.org or pastorseth@agnusdeilutheran.org. In an emergency, you can reach Pastor Seth @ 253-448-3481 or Pastor Stephanie @ 253-234-7752.

Worship Whys (submit your ques ons to the office or the Pastors)

I keep hearing about worship “settings.” What is a setting?

There are a number of songs we sing in worship that are not hymns, but rather are part of the liturgy we use every week. For example, the “Kyrie Eleison,” Gospel Acclama on (“Alleluia”), and “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Sanctus) are just a few of these. The words are always roughly the same, but the music to which they are set changes. Those musical pieces are

usually wri en to flow together through the worship service, and those collec ons of tunes are called a “se ng.” Our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, has 10 musical se ngs of the liturgy—10 collec ons of music to which these pieces can be sung. We use about 3 of these, along with one se ng from With One Voice (another hymnal), “Now the Feast and Celebra on” and “Tree of Life” (both wri en by Marty Haugen), and the se ng we are currently using, “Mass of Light” (wri en by David Haas). We try to rotate through different musical se ngs of the liturgy so that our worship remains musically engaging and doesn’t become too boring or rote. The variety of musical expressions in these se ngs (hopefully) allows everyone to experience a se ng they really like over the course of the year. We would love to hear what you think about our current worship se ng, the “Mass of Light.” Please give us your feedback!

All voting members are encouraged to attend the annual budget meeting on November 20 at 9:45am where we will hear details on and vote to approve the 2017 proposed budget.

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Faith Forma on for All Ages Cross Genera onal Sunday School for all ages meets in the

Sanctuary for songs and stories and then moves to the Community Room for hands-on ac vi es. Nov. 6 and 13-The Disciples, Nov. 27– Movie Day

The Forum meets in the Parish Hall, details below Confirma on meets in the Couch Room All Together Now, our planned events for all groups to meet together will happen periodically

throughout the program year. December 4th, topic: Holy Communion and Dec 11-Advent Brunch/Good Gi s/Animals in the stable

There will be no Faith Forma on Classes on November 20 so everyone can a end the Congrega onal Mee ng

The Forum

Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13 (No forum on Nov. 27th) Eldering: Staging the second half of life

Presented by Don Heinz In first-world countries the cohort of people over 60 is fast enlarging. Will this mean biological burden or new cultural possibili es, age-ing or sage-ing? Spiritual leaders are looking for ways to sacramentalize this “second half” of life, to consecrate it with new voca ons, to mark it with wisdom and religious depth, to anoint it with special grace, to transform a passive status (senior) into an ac ve verb. Could Adult Forum imagine ways to recognize and commission a new class of pilgrims and offer them something for the road (via cum)? This class means to be a beta test in which everyone is invited to help create ini a on or re-confirma on rituals that mark, display, and empower “the comple on of being” or aging as spiritual journey.

Class 1 looks at the present state of the second half of life in American society. Class 2 opens the imagina on of moral space for “eldering” and its promises. During these two classes we are constantly looking toward class 3, when we will beta test possible rituals for this renewal. Perhaps we begin a couple epiphanies short of a paradigm shi . Perhaps we will conclude with a new app on Agnus Dei’s iPhone.

Chamber Music Concert November 6, 2016 4:00 PM

Agnus Dei Sanctuary All are welcome to a end this concert of music for clarinet, flute and piano presented by Coni Liljengren, pianist, David Salge, clarine st and Lia Wax, flu st. Freewill dona ons will be accepted. The program will include the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by Joseph Horovitz, Pe te Suite by Claude Debussy arranged by Michael Webster for Clarinet, Flute and Piano, Prelude to A ernoon of a Faun by Claude Debussy arranged by Michael Webster for Clarinet, Flute and Piano and the Sonata for Flute and Piano by Bohuslav Mar nu. Come enjoy this lively and exci ng music played by an unusual and beau ful combina on of instruments!

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2016 General Fund Giving Report General Fund: Goal Actual % of Goal Annual $416,000 October $34,667 $33,451.54 96% Year to Date $346,670 $324,562.36 94%

October Attendance 10/2 164 10/9 178 10/16 111 10/23 170 10/30 163

Sharing our Gi s Stewardship Update Thank you to all, good and faithful stewards.

2016 Designated Giving Report October Year to Date Building Fund $280 $4090 FISH (local food bank) $310 $4431 World Hunger $1775 $15,529 Food Backpacks 4 Kids $365 $5487 Organ purchase $275 $3715 Building Fund, 2016 Operating Reserve, and Above & Beyond combined October 31 Balance: $102,954

To our proper es team who are always available for the many fix it projects around the church building. To Bruce Shull and Harlan Damron for the new Sunday School Bulle n Board in the hallway between the two parish hall doors. To Bob Nussbaum for blowing leaves and debris off the en re parking lot To The lawn mowers in October: Dick Ohme, Don Krump, Ellis Rousseau To the many hands who do so much work from week to week, o en behind the

scenes. Your ministry is deeply appreciated!

GIVE

Thanks TO THE

Psalm 100

Daylight Savings Time

Ends Nov 6

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A Great Sendoff for LWR Quilts and Kits On Nov 4th your Lutheran World Relief donations will travel to St Mark’s and start their trip on to Seattle and then to the warehouse in Baltimore and then all over the world.

Items included

25 quilts

17 Baby kits

40 School kits

9 Fabric kits

Many thanks for all your donations of time, fabric, shipping $ and moral support.

There is still time to donate to the Veterans Warm Blanket Drive (which also includes tarps, boots, socks, etc.) So far you have been extremely generous, and thanks to our veterans Harlan Damron, Don Krump, David Zehnder and others, your items have been whisked away for offsite storage. Otherwise they would have filled the narthex by now (just a slight exaggeration). Donations of clean, gently used blankets and warm outerwear are still needed. The deadline for donating is Nov. 6th. All items will be delivered to be given to Veterans by November 11th, Veterans Day.

Happening now: Early Christmas donations for Key Pen Children’s Home Society Each December Key Peninsula Children’s Home Society hosts a “shopping day” for eligible parents to choose unwrapped presents for their kids. This year we are being asked for specific items. Watch for a sign-up chart in the narthex. Deadline for giving is Dec. 4th

Happening in December: Local Donation Emphasis for FISH our local Food Bank. Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization funded entirely by donations. Donations of non-perishable food items may be placed in the bin marked FISH at the Donation Station in the narthex. Financial contributions are used to purchase needed food and grocery items that are not donated or to provide financial assistance to local families in need. World Wide Emphasis for Good Gifts. When you think about the special people in your life and the best gifts you have given or received, it is not the gift itself but the meaning behind the gift that makes it significant. ELCA Good Gifts help rethink the tradition of gift giving and get to the heart of why people give. Shop the ELCA Good Gifts catalogue for gifts that transform the lives of others. Watch for the display in the narthex starting in Advent. Thanks again for all your contribu ons. You are the best! Human Concerns Commi ee

The OK’s November Mee ng OK’s = Older Kids (Agnus Dei’s Ac ve Re rees) Join the OK’s for Pie, Coffee (or tea) and Fellowship Thursday, November 10th at 1:00 PM in the Community Room

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Wednesday, November 23

7:00 PM Followed by a Pie Potluck

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At this Christmas, when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern. --Mother Theresa Advent, the beginning of our church year, provides a me for individual spiritual awakening and reflec on as well as a

me for our community to gather in opportuni es to grow and serve others. We will have Wednesday night soup suppers, followed by a me of worship and learning about the O An phons, the collage of ancient advent metaphors which stress the hope of the Savior's coming. We will create art, learn about each of these "metaphors" for Jesus, and worship together. Soup supper will begin at 6:00. Families are also encouraged during advent to create a "reverse advent calendar," placing one item of food each day during advent in a gathering basket and giving that food to Food Back Packs or Fish a er Christmas. Advent Calendars from ELCA will be available for each family as well as a booklet of family reflec ons for the weekly home worship/ligh ng of home advent candles. Make the beginning of the church year a new spiritual beginning as we gather together on Sundays and on Wednesday nights, equipping ourselves to love and serve others.

A Thanksgiving Invitation from our friends at St. John’s Episcopal 7701 Skansie Ave, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

You are invited to join the folks at St John’s for Thanksgiving dinner at 4:00 on Thanksgiving afternoon (Thursday, November 24th). They will provide the turkey and beverages, guests are asked to bring a favorite holiday dish to share, there will be plenty for all. Please RSVP to Reverend Laura at: laura@stjohnsgigharbor.com or 253-948-9821 so they have an idea of how many friends to expect.

Advent 2016 Wednesday Soup Supper and Worship 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21

To the Gossler family on the birth of Elizabeth Grace on October 22 at 9:28pm. Elizabeth weighed 8lbs 1oz and was 19 inches long. From the Gosslers:“Everyone is doing well and we’re looking forward to bringing her to meet her church family in a few weeks!” Welcome baby Elizabeth!

Birth Announcements– If you would like to share news about a new baby in your family please call the church office. We would love to announce it in our newsle er!

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I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many of us, so November always means a me for gathering together for food and fellowship. In our family, we talk about the Thanksgiving meal for weeks in advance: whose home will we gather at? what will our menu be? who will bring their special side dish? And then a er the holiday, we talk some more about how those special dishes and the turkey tasted, and we o en share recipes with one another. Many of us buy an abundant amount of food for this and other holidays, and to be honest, for just average weekdays, without thinking much about the cost. In Gig Harbor, we have several quality supermarkets to choose from to access food for our families. The availability of healthy foods is not a reality for nearly 15% of Washington residents for two main reasons: proximity to quality food outlets and limited financial resources. There is a new term being used by the Washington Department of Health as it teams up with health care systems across the state to iden fy families with food insecurity. The term is used to describe households with a limited or uncertain availability to obtain nutri onally adequate and safe foods. The term can also mean a limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. There is a lengthy defini on. The program that our Department of Health has adopted is a federally funded program called SNAP (Supplemental Nutri on Assistance Program), formally known as food stamps. Funding for this ini a ve comes from the Food Insecurity Nutri on Incen ves (FINI) grant that was awarded to the Department of Health by the Na onal Ins tute of Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According their website defini on, SNAP offers nutri on assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communi es. SNAP is the largest program in the domes c hunger safety net. The Food and Nutri on Service (FNS) works with State agencies, nutri on educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organiza ons to ensure that those eligible for nutri on assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and that they can access benefits available to them. FNS also works with state partners and the retail community to improve program administra on and ensure the program’s integrity. There is another lengthy defini on. Now let’s talk about how SNAP works. For example in a clinical se ng all pa ents who are diagnosed with diabetes or obesity are advised to make healthy food choices. However, a pa ent’s ability to buy and afford healthy food is not o en assessed. Now healthcare providers are screening pa ents for health insecurity and signing them up for SNAP if needed. Free prescrip ons for fruit and vegetables, offered to those par cipa ng, comes in the form of $10 vouchers. Par cipants can redeem these vouchers at par cipa ng farmers markets or any Safeway grocery store in the state of Washington. The program is intended to help low income pa ents be er afford fruits and vegetables. And we all know that ea ng plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers. In addi on, ea ng fruits and vegetables can also help with maintaining a healthy weight. Food insecurity has long been a public health concern, but it is star ng to gain some a en on of clinical prac oners looking for innova ve ways to improve healthcare quality while reducing costs. Research shows that food insecurity increases pa ent stress, reduces pa ent coping abili es and advances obesity. Food insecurity is also associated with poor glucose control, and less adherence to medica ons and self-care plans. The FINI-funded Fruit and Vegetable Prescrip on Program began in this state this past summer. You can rest assured that the Washington Department of Health will be evalua ng this program with great interest. If the program is successful, advocates hope that the concept will gain momentum and raise awareness among all healthcare providers

Faith Community Nurses Zoe Holmes, Teresa McDonald, and Gwen Daugs

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and more importantly the people who can benefit from this program. If you are aware of someone who could benefit from this program or just want more informa on, contact bridget.igoe@doh.wa.gov I have gleaned the content of this ar cle from an ar cle that Bridget Igoe, MPH, RD wrote in the summer addi on of Washington Nursing Commission News. Last Thanksgiving, my then-seven-year-old granddaughter and I interviewed every family member at our home prior to si ng down to eat. “Name five things that you are thankful for,” Leigh would ask. My job was to write down the five things each person named on a small card. Those individual cards became the place card for each person at our Thanksgiving table. We read our cards to one another before we began dishing up. I wanted you all to know that our family is not en rely about the food! Zoe Holmes, R.N.

Introducing our newest staff member, Annie Bedrossian! Annie is staffing our nursery on Sunday mornings from 8:15 to 12:15. Annie is mom to three grown children, Alexandria, Taylor and Donovon, who are all attending college. Although her week day job is Dental Assisting, Annie has always been interested in early childhood development and loves spending time with children. Be sure to say hello to Annie the next time you see her!

Welcome Annie!

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Kathy Higgins

Duane and Elaine Erickson

Lowell and Dorothy Haeffele

George and Mary Mitchell

Loren and Julie Bell

Larry and Jerry Mjelde

Keith and Nancy Johnson

Ben and Amanda Warfield Ben, Julia, Mason

Twenty one new members will be formally welcomed into membership at Agnus Dei on All Saints Sunday, November 6th. We give thanks for these people whom we welcome into the life and ministry of this congrega on. In addi on to the 19 pictured above, Kathy and James Munn will be joining and we will have a photo of them soon! As a sign of hospitality to our newcomers please wear your nametags! If you need a replacement nametag just call or email the office. There will be another new member welcoming in the spring so if you are interested in membership please let one of our pastors know.

Susan Whitney (Gary)

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Serving in Worship November 2016

Hospitality Team-November: Team Coordinator: Mary Marquardt; Team: Michaud, Deak, Oakes, Baerg, Mar n, Moore, Iversen, Nebit, Seames

Serve in Worship Schedule Coordinators: Altar Guild: Dianna Carlson; Altar Flowers: Dianna Carlson; Assis ng Ministers: Shari Shull; Communion Servers and Greeters: Ghita Lorenz; Lectors: Marilyn Colyar; Offering Counters: Linda Ribary ; Ushers: Ghita Lorenz

A. Warfield

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Agnus Dei Lutheran Church Calendar November 2016

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Repea ng Event Details Weekly Events Wednesdays, 9:20 am--Back Packs 4 Kids Volunteers gather in the community room to sort food dona ons and fill backpacks with weekend food for students in need in our local schools. Contact Phyllis Brandt Wednesdays, 10:30 am Lec onary Study with our pastors in the Couch Room. Read and discuss the bible readings for the coming Sunday. Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00--Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the Couch Room. All kni ers and crochet en-thusiasts are welcome! Contact Gwen Daugs Thursdays, 10:00 AM Church Staff Mee ng Fridays, 10:30 am--Augsburg Bible Study in the com-munity room. Contact Rose VanderKlomp Sundays, Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 AM, followed by fellowship in the Parish Hall Sundays, Educa on Hour for all ages at 9:45 AM Adult Forum meets in the Parish Hall, Confirma on meets in the Youth Room, Cross Genera onal Sunday School meets in the Sanctuary

Monthly Events: First Saturday, 8:30 am--Men’s Square at the Sunset Grille, Breakfast & Bible Study. Contact Steve Carlson First Saturday, 8:30 am--Women’s Circle at the Sun-set Grille, Breakfast and Bible study. Kayaking or walk-ing for those who wish. Contact Sonja Miller Third Tuesday, Gather Bible Study in the community room. Social me begins at 1:00 pm followed by the study found in the Gather Magazine. For more infor-ma on contact either Marge Olmsted or Barb Deák Third Thursday, 12:00 Dining for Women The Gig Harbor Chapter of DFW meets monthly for a program and lunch benefi ng global projects that empower women and girls. All women welcome! Third Thursday, Theology on Tap, 5:30 PM Discussion group meets at the Marketplace Grille. Contact Lyle Miller Third Friday, 7:00 pm--Agnus Dei Book Group in the community room. Contact Neal VanDerVoorn Fourth Tuesday and Second Monday 1:00 Quil ng for Lutheran World Relief meet in the Community Room to e quilts. Previous experience not required!

November Celebrations:

Christmas Eve Worship

Each Christmas Eve service begins with 15-minutes prelude of music. If you would like to provide a musical offering during one of these

preludes, please contact Shari by December 4. This year we will worship at 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm, and 9:30 pm.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Ellis Rousseau 4 Pr. Stephanie McCarthy, Maggie McGregor 5 Marilyn Colyar 6 Jet Moore, Mike Snowden, Salli Middleton 7 Laurie Spitzer, Alessandra Ortenzo 8 Judy Latimer 10 Don Clinton 11 Joe Ausich 13 Steve Carter 15 Lissa Racette 16 Doug McDonnell 17 Lorelle Leacy 18 Dave Kulman, Cheryl Cleven 19 Mark Spadoni, Don Krump 20 Marge Olmsted, Eiko Park 23 Ashley Ortenzo 24 Beverly Henne 26 Ardith Johnson, Sharon Krump 27 Van Hardison 29 Matt Humlie, Jaimie Patarozzi NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 22 Don and Sharon Krump 22 Dick and Lynnette Brentin 29 Barbara and Michael Deák 30 Steve and Christy Carter

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The monthly newsletter of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church 10511 Peacock Hill Ave NW

Gig Harbor, WA 98332 Submit newsletter items, subscription requests and address changes to Editor/Administrative Assistant: Cindy Beals 253-851-6222 office@agnusdeilutheran.org Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Stephanie McCarthy 253-851-6222, pastorstephanie@agnusdeilutheran.org Pastor: Rev. Seth Novak 253-851-6222, pastorseth@agnusdeilutheran.org Minister of Music, Shari Shull, A.I.M. 253-851-6222, sharishull@comcast.net Pianist, Susan Luebeck Administrative Assistant, Cindy Beals 253-851-6222, office@agnusdeilutheran.org Council President, Randy Spitzer Treasurer, Lance Colyar Financial Secretary, Pat Humlie Asst. Fin.Secretary, Rose VanderKlomp Zoe Holmes, Faith Community Nurse Gwen Daugs, Faith Community Nurse Teresa McDonald, Faith Community Nurse Jack Stier, Parish Sexton

Council Jim Adair, Lynette Brentin, Lance Colyar, Donna Hogeberg, Bob Nussbaum, Ann Rousseau, John Stava, Don Krump, Randy Spitzer

Little Lambs Preschool Director/Teacher Shannon Moore Email:lambs@agnusdeilutheran.org Board President Debbie Snowden Financial Secretary Kimberly Morgan Secretary Kristin Page, Ardith Johnson