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Inside this issue:
October 2018
Pastor David 2
Spiritual Growth 3-4
Birthdays & Anniversaries 5
Calendar 6
About Spirit of Grace 7
A Lutheran-Methodist Cooperative Church
Spirit of Grace
Fall is here! Change is here!
Leaves are changing color and falling
to the ground. There is some coolness
to the wind that blows now. The FISH-
Spirit of Grace Garden is slowing
down for the season.
And our church! I took these photos a
couple of weeks ago but even now the
outside is different. You wait and wait
for contractors, and then a lot happens
at once! There is excitement. There is
work: how did we accumulate all this
“stuff” and where will we store it?
How much “mess” will there be? I am
grateful and excited about the new
offices that are being built.
Before I know it, Pastor David,
Linda, and I will be “at home”
in our new offices.
That will be good!
Last night I went to my first
Nordic Ski Team meeting of the
season. We are planning races.
We are planning fundraising.
Soon there will be more snow on
the mountains. Change.
It’s always part of us.
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Dear Friends,
On Sunday, September 9th, we unveiled our theme for this program year: Effervescent Faith. I’m trying to use it as a point of focus as I plan and study, and I hope you will too.
The Effervescent Faith theme is based on Jesus’s words in John 4:14. He tells the Samaritan woman at the well, “Whoever drinks from the water that I give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.” Jesus promises us a refreshing foun-tain of water to enliven and nourish our souls.
It means a few different things to me. First, an effervescent faith is open to joy. Joy is, of course, one of the Fruits of the Spirit that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23. “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” For me, though, joy is one of the harder one’s to remember. Sometimes I get stuck on the patience, faithfulness, and self-control, and I forget about the joy. But we are meant to be joyful in our faith. We are meant to take delight in life. We are meant to enjoy all of the blessings that God gives us: family, friends, food, shelter, study, meaningful work, the marvels of God’s creation. An effervescent faith finds joy in small blessings.
Second, an effervescent faith is active. It’s always being stirred up by the Holy Spirit. It moves, it gets out in the world and does something. It does not lay stagnant, but is constantly being renewed and refreshed.
Finally, an effervescent faith is a source of strength in troubling times. Like a spring that bubbles up life-giving water in the midst of a desert, an effervescent faith offers us life even in the midst of death, hope even in the midst of despair. Through our relationship with Jesus, and through the practices of prayer and worship, we are connected to a life-source that does not fail. It is always there, bubbling up inside us.
I hope you will take some time to reflect on this image, both individually and in the various small groups of the church. May we all think to ask of Jesus, like the Samaritan woman, “Lord, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty.”
Your servant in Christ,
+Pastor David
Weekly Reflections
Oct 7th Mark 10:15 Can you remember a time when something a child said or did effected your faith?
Oct 14th Hebrews 4:16 What keeps you from confidently coming into God’s presence?
Oct 21st Hebrews 5:2 Is there a wound or weakness in your past that gives you special insight into the hurt and struggle of others?
Oct 28th Job 42:5 When was a circumstance when God felt especially present to you, not just something you had heard or read about?
OUR
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A Grace-Full Life: God’s All-Reaching, Soul-Saving, Character-Shaping, Never-Ending Love by Jorge
Acevedo and Wes Olds
Compassion in Practice by Frank Rogers, Jr.
Secrets of the Generous Life by Gordon MacDonald
Embracing Wholeness: An Earth Perspective for Covenantal Living by Jessica Stonecypher
Receiving God’s Love: The Practice of Radical Hospitality by Robert Schnase (part of The Fruitful Living
Series)
Listening with Your Heart: Lessons from Native America by Wayne Peate
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by the Arbinger Institute (this book was the basis
of several lectures and small group sessions at this year’s Annual Conference)
When “Spiritual But Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church
by Lillian Daniel
Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy by Anne Lamott
Leading Causes of Life: Five Fundamentals to Change the Way You Live Your Life by Gary Gunderson
and Larry Pray
Thankful: Practicing the Grace of Gratitude by Karen Moore
Engaging Your Community: A Guide to Seeing All the People and Developing an Intentional Disciple-
ship System: A Guide for Congregations by Justus B. Dixon
The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to be Chris-
tian by Brian McLaren
When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living by Rueben P. Job
A Book of Uncommon Prayer: 100 Celebrations of the Miracle and Muddle of the Ordinary by Brian
Doyle (the late author of Martin Marten and Mink River)
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbish-
op Desmund Tutu with Douglas Abrams
Just This by Richard Rohr
I’ll end the list with three of my own favorites: Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris, The Celebration of Dis-
cipline by Richard Foster and Joan Chittister’s The Gift of Years: Growing Old Gracefully.
Continued...
How is it with your spirit today? How do you find joy and celebrate the blessings in your
life? How do you practice spiritual self-care? A Report from Donna Fitch
One of the workshops I attended last summer at UMC Annual Conference was filled with ide-
as and resources for spiritual formation. Here’s a list of some of those recommended:
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Our presenter also shared the following simple ideas for spiritual growth:
For the next week (or month), try to keep a “gratitude” journal and write at least one entry each day. It may
be that this will become a new habit, one that will greatly strengthen your own spiritual health. (Buy yourself
a beautiful new journal!)
* * * *
From Questions for Reflection: Spiritual Self-Care (adapted from the Wespath Center for Health):
1. How fulfilling is my devotional and prayer life?
2. What spiritual practice or practices are a part of my daily life?
3. How does my devotional and prayer life connect me to God?
4. Do I have a spiritual leader or advisor? Who is my spiritual leader or advisor?
5. How do I find spiritual nourishment in my worship community?
* * * *
Essentials to Spiritual Growth
Finally, remember the church library, located (for now at least) in the office building. It’s filled with wisdom
and fun and tales of believers through the years. Perhaps we could even organize a book exchange day to
share some of our favorites. Remember, God is never finished “forming” our spirits!
Thanks~
Donna Fitch
Connect with God.
Read and reflect on the Bible.
Pray.
Join a Bible study or prayer group.
Find other ways you can connect with God and practice those.
Connect with Other Christ Followers
Attend church services regularly.
Get a spiritual coach.
Be part of a small group.
Serve others.
Live it.
Our relationship with God is not just about doing.
It is also about letting God change us and allowing God to be a part of every corner of our lives.
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Requests can be sent to
Carol Kyger
or 541-386-6341
Backup for Carol is
Donna Fitch
541-386-4043
Marlene Lahti 7
Nathan Boris 10
Robert Godard 17
Cory Saenz-Hart 22
George Bentz 24
Jana & John Jacobson 26
Jean & Craig Sheppard 30
From Diane & Dean Kleinsmith: Our daughter in law, Kirsten, passed away on Wednesday Sept 19th at home with her husband, friends and family by her side. She will be remembered for her strength and determination as she battled leukemia and the side effects of treatment. All are invited to a Memorial Mass of the Resurrection Service 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (1501 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031). {A Celebration of Kirsten’s Life will be in the Spring of 2019. Details will be announced later.}. The date and time of service has been updated to the above. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
There will be a training for all current
ushers and anyone interested in becoming
an usher on Sunday, October 21, immedi-
ately following the service. We will also
have an acolyte training session at the
same time for any upper elementary and
middle school kids interested in ringing the bell and lighting the
candles on Sunday mornings.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 9am Happy Hands
2 10am Men’s Coffee @ Rosauers
3 9am Quilting
4
5
6 9am Women’s Spirituality
7 9am Education 10 Traditional 11 Fellowship 6pm Youth Grp
8 9am Happy Hands
9 10am Men’s Coffee @ Rosauers
10
11 4pm Worship Planning
12
13
14 9am Education 10 Traditional 11 Fellowship 6pm Youth Grp
15 9am Happy Hands
16
10am Men’s Coffee @ Rosauers
17 9am Quilting
18 5pm Worship Practice
19
20
21 9am Education 10 Celebration 11 Fellowship 6pm Youth Grp
22
9am Happy Hands
23 10am Men’s Coffee @ Rosauers 2-4pm Women’s Bible Study
24
25 5pm Worship Practice
26
27
28 Food on the 4th 9am Education 10 Celebration 11 Fellowship 6pm Youth Grp
26
9am Happy Hands
30 10am Men’s Coffee @ Rosauers
31
October 7 14 28
Pat Pettit Myrin Bentz Shelley Oates Pat Pettit
Pat & Bill
Crompton
Margaret &
Bob Godard
Shelley Oates &
Gwen Richards Donna & Scott
Fitch
Sally Havig Kathy Terry
Sally Havig Kathy Terry
21
10am Service Worship Duties
October 2018
Communion Communion
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Board of Directors
Pastor David King, ex officio
Pat Pettit (2018)
Michele Sibley (2019)
Bob White (2019)
Shelley Oates (2020)
Finance Committee
Pastor David King
Jim Siekkinen (2018)
Vicki Wartalski (2019)
Muriel Ishizaka Treasurer
Jennifer Fowler Fin. Secretary
Tom Hart Payroll
Ministry Team Leaders
Celebration Worship Linda Boris
Traditional Worship Dottie Gilbertson
Children & Youth Melissa Mimier King
Men’s Ministry Marv Turner
Women’s Ministry Kris White
Outreach Debby Chenoweth
Prayer Chain Carol Kyger
Reception Jill McBee & Pat Crompton
Building Rick McBee
Music Ministry
Organist/Piano Dottie Gilbertson & Audrey Bentz
Choir Audrey Bentz & Sharon Poynter
Staff Parish Relations
George Bentz, Chair (2018)
Cindy Murahashi (2018)
Rose Miller (2019)
Rick McBee Board Liaison
Spirit of Grace 1140 Tucker Road
Hood River, Oregon 97031
Phone: 541-386-3993
Email: [email protected]
Web site: hoodriverchurch.org
Sunday Worship Times
Worship Service 10:00am
Fellowship 11:00am
Education Times
9:00am Sunday Education for Adults & Children
Women’s Bible Study 4th Tuesday, 2-4:00pm
Office Hours
Pastor Mon-Wed 9-Noon. Or by Appt.
Staff Mon, Wed, Thurs 9am-2:00pm
Tuesdays 9am-1:00pm
Pastor
Rev. David D.M. King
Staff
Jennifer Fowler
Office Manager & Financial Secretary
Linda Boris
Pastoral Assistant
Happy Hands
Mondays 9am to 11am
Women’s Craft & Fellowship Group in Fellowship Hall
Quilting
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Quilts for Lutheran World Relief in Fellowship Hall
Men’s Group
Tuesday at 10am at Rosauer’s Coffee Corner
Women’s Bible Study
4th Tuesday of the month 2-4pm at church
Women’s Spirituality
1st Saturday of the month Study and fellowship
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Spirit of Grace Pastor David King
1140 Tucker Road
Hood River, Oregon 97031
Phone: 541-386-3993
hoodriverchurch.org
A Lutheran-Methodist Cooperative Church
