PASTOR’S PEN . . .
by Pastor Dave Templin

Could a new year bring a new look at one’s life of faith? 

Opportunities often present themselves in the familiar forms with which we’ve become so comfortable – Sunday school classes, worship services, the occasional special event around Easter or Christmas. 

Our religious life becomes dulled with the “same-old, same-old.”  We begin wondering what on earth we are here for.   (continued)
 

After being here less than 3 months, I walked into Heritage Hall after church and it was there I met Nicole. Since that day, she has been my best friend. Over the last 3 years we have dated seriously at times, not so seriously at other times, and not at all a couple of times.  However, we were always best friends and family to one another. 

I cannot tell you when, because I do not know, but somewhere along that journey I came to realize that I could not, nor did I want to, see my life without her in it.  Neither one of us was looking for love or were looking to get married, but over time, our relationship grew into that. 

So a couple of weeks ago, I asked Nicole to be my wife.  For any of you who are super observant, you may have noticed that she is wearing the ring, so the greatest gift I could ever receive was given when she agreed to marry me and for us to build a life together.  We would like to ask you to save the evening of April 1st so that you may join us in this celebration.  There will be much more information in the weeks to come. 
 

Wow! And thank you to all who shared in this Christmas project!! They will be put to good use by the Opportunity Council.

In the spirit of our care for others, the January 20th Presbyterian Women’s meeting will be devoted to making infant gowns as well as children and adult hospital gowns. These will be sent to overseas mission hospitals via Presbyterian Distribution Services. How can you help??

At 10:00am on January 20th, we will begin cutting, pinning, pressing and stitching...come work with us for an hour or whatever time you have available to give.

At 12:00 noon we will eat our sack lunches. Dessert, coffee and tea will be served by hostesses Fran Schultz and Connie Sullivan. A short business meeting will follow with devotionals by Ruth Lindenstein and two favorite hymns will be shared by Phyllis Savage, Pauline Williams and Helen Stimple...then it’s back to sewing!

Do you have bias tape? Thread? Lightweight cotton fabrics at least 1 1/2 yards in length that have been taking up shelf space? We can use it! Men’s long sleeved shirts in good condition can also be adapted for gowns.

A Presbyterian Women labeled box will be in Heritage Hall for any contributions. Come join in for a time of fellowship, service and fun!

Our morning Bible study - 10:30am January 6 and 20.  Evening Bible study - 7:00pm January 19.
 

High School Youth

The High School Youth Group had a great weekend up at Tall Timber last month.  Twelve of us went up to Tall Timber to help them get the camp ready for the winter. 

We worked all day on Saturday and had a great time doing it. 

We moved all of the snow skis from the top of the bathhouse and into the lodge, where we sorted and hung them to be used all winter long. 

We then loaded up wood and delivered it to all the cabins.  We also moved a lot of supplies out of the storage area that is not accessible in the winter and put everything where it will be easy to get to during the winter months. 

After all of this, we then headed over to the sledding hill and cut out a trail to walk up instead of having everyone walking up while people are sledding past at high speeds. 

Finally at the end of our day, we went out into the woods to choose and cut down the Tall Timber Christmas Tree.  After working all day, we finished the day off with some amazing worship and prayer together. 

It is really amazing to have a group of High School Students who choose to take a weekend and instead of sleeping in and doing whatever they want; they choose to work, without pay, for the sole purpose of serving others. 

Thanks to Becky Bottorff for taking off work early, providing transportation, and hanging out with us for the weekend.  Also, thanks to Pat Felger for going up for the weekend and continuing to be a tremendous support to myself and the youth ministry. 

When you are at Tall Timber this winter getting a pair of skis, walking up path up the sledding hill, or burning wood in your cabin, make sure you think about the work that the students did for all of those things to function all winter.

Middle School Youth

The Middle School Youth Group finished the year off with a great Christmas party. 

Alex Louden supplied everything needed for everyone to make their own gingerbread house.  This was a fun, creative, and challenging project for everyone to be involved in. 

We also exchanged Christmas gifts and had dinner together.  Middle School Youth Group will start back each week beginning January 12th.
 

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of love and sympathy for the loss of my husband, Reesce, to kidney failure on November 21st.

You are truly a tremendous support and I feel fortunate to call you my church family.

May God continue to guide you as your warmth is felt by all who enter your doors.                           

                                 Much love,

                                Aimee Dooley
 

The library features new and classic books, cassettes and video tapes.

All patrons may check out library materials: providing first and last name with month/day/year of check-out, and placing of the cards in the basket after filling out is required.

Subject, title and author indices will be in printouts in a binder beside the card basket.
 

Our date for the 2005 trip is the first weekend of February (the 4th –6th)

Register now with Pauline W. New folks are always greatly encouraged to join our regulars for one of our most enjoyable and fun family events!
 

Session Report for December 2004.

1.  Accepted with regret the resignation of Betty Christensen as Deacon.  Betty will be spending most of her time for the next six months with Rev. Jim Christensen at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.

2. Heard a report of the November Presbytery meeting at Quilcene Church from Elder Jim Petersen.

3. Heard an update of the plans for the Forty Days of Purpose and approved changing the dates to start on March 13th and to have a celebration on May 1st.  During the week of Palm Sunday to Easter there will be no activities for the program.

4.  Accepted the donation from Mikki Cole's estate and agreed to pay the estate expenses as outlined by her attorney.  Thanked Barbara G. and Jim K. for their help.

5.  Heard an update on the building work and agreed that the kitchen appliances should be commercial quality.

6.  Set Presbytery's triennial  visit with session for January 18th at 6 PM

7.  Set the annual meeting for Sunday, February 13th at 7 PM with desserts provided and child care available.

8.  Approved recommending the Pastor's terms of call for the congregational vote at the annual meeting.

9.  Agreed to postpone until the January session meeting approval of the 2005 budget.

10. Approved the annual review of the membership rolls.

Gerry M., Clerk of Session
 

Missions News - Get Connected. 

OUR JOY

“And because you are the sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out “Abba, Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”  Gal 4:6-7

The New Testament was written in common Greek with some Aramaic words (language of the Jews at the time).  The Aramaic word “Abba” is the same word Jesus used as he prayed to His father in Gethsemane.

What was the most loving, dear term you used when addressing your earthly father?   “Daddy” was mine; my brother fondly called him “Pops”.

Well, Abba was that kind of endearment, we are told we can call our Lord “Daddy”.  What a privilege that He loves us so, how wonderful, what Joy!

OUR MISSION

Well, Pastor Dave and others are working on a “Purpose Driven” program for the New Year to help us under stand how our “Dad” would like us to live our lives here on earth.  One of our jobs is to bring the love and good news of our Lord to others that they too may become heir of God.

MISSIONS OF WPC

Check out the Mission Bulletin board in Heritage Hall this month for a short presentation of each of the missions you support as part of the family of Whidbey Pres.  Please become familiar with the local, regional and international outreach of our Church.

MAKE A RESOLUTION, GET CONNECTED

Pick a mission or mission family to partner with this year.  You can get involved in a very personal way by praying for them every day.   Sign up for their newsletters, find out their needs, care for them, share the burdens and joys, pray for them.  Feel free to contact me or any Mission Team member to help you get connected in the Missions Department of “Daddy’s” business.

               Joan Bell
 

Building Contractor

The responsibilities of the Kings Men contractor have almost been fulfilled. At the time of this writing the primary task left was the installation of railings for the new steps. When the committee decides that the details of the contract have been met the final payment will be made.

Church Responsibilities

Thanks to the many volunteers, construction debris and church trash were taken to the dump. The following tasks remain:

   Landscaping –

(1). A four foot wide garden bed will be constructed along the new sidewalk that leads to Midway boulevard. This will require building about an 18 foot long retaining wall from the East end of Heritage Hall and bringing in several yards of soil to provide a bed that will be level with the sidewalk. Gail Prichard has volunteered to lead the wall building some time in January. Volunteers will be needed to move the soil to form the bed. Once the bed is completed shrubs will be planted to meet city requirements. Landscaping cloth and bark will be used to make it as maintenance free as possible.

(2). Volunteers are needed to fill the garden bed at the end of the sidewalk with soil. Shrubs will be planted as soon as it is filled.

                 Painting –

(1). A Volunteer is needed to prime and paint the drip board along the outside of the new kitchen. It must be done on a dry day above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

 (2). The upper trim will need painting by someone with a tall ladder and no fear of heights. We may need to rent a “cherry picker” to simplify the task.

(3). As soon as the concrete floor has cured it will be painted with an epoxy paint.

 Picket fence -  Pickets will be installed on the railings outside of the kitchen door. Bill LaBarge will be making and painting the pickets in January.

  Hand Rail – Don’s Welding will install and prime a pipe rail at the base of the ramp after the first of the year. A volunteer will then be needed to paint it.

  Parking spaces – Parking spaces are not yet painted because of the weather and because of the possibility that the parking lot might be sealed next year.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the tasks see John Juan. Tasks in bold type are ready to be done now.