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BIBLE STUDY ON SCIENCE AND FAITH
Pastor Bjoern leads a Bible study on science and faith on Sunday mornings at 9:15. The Bible study will begin on January 17th. Topics include: uses and misuses of creation, science and faith in an evolving creation (ways people of faith refer to life’s origin), preaching and teaching in a scientific world, & preaching in consonance with science. Come and discuss the ideas presented by the writers of these articles.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP
We will meet at Martha Gebhard’s home (230 60th Pl. S.W) at 2p.m. on Jan. 21st to continue our study of the Book of Acts. Read Acts 9 – 15. Bring your Bibles and Study Guide. Read the three conversation stories about Paul by Luke (Acts 9, 22, 26), the visions of Cornelius and Peter, and the events that lead to the Council of Jerusalem.

BLESSING OF HOMES
There will be a blessing of homes on two consecutive Saturdays, Jan. 09th and Jan 16th. This is when the “Star Singers” will once again bless the homes of those who request the blessing. If you would like to have your home blessed this Epiphany, please sign the request sheet in the Fellowship Hall or call the church office at 463-2655.

TRAINING/WORSHIP AT THE COMMUNITY CARE CENTER
Naomi Goldick will conduct a training class for those interested in volunteering for the worship service at Vashon Island Care Center. The training will be at 6:30pm at our church on Wednesday, January 6th. Our next worship at the Care Center is January 24th at 9:15am. If you would like to participate, contact Pastor Bjoern.

LABYRINTH PEACE WALK
The Episcopal church will hold its 9TH annual New Year’s Eve Labyrinth Peace Walk, Dec. 31st from 5-7 pm. Bring your prayers for peace.

ALCOHOL-FREE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY will be held at the Presbyterian Church from 7pm to 10pm on Dec. 31st. There will be games for all ages, coffee and ice cream sundaes will be provided. Those who are able are asked to bring a favorite snack or non-alcoholic beverage. This is a family friendly evening.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Following the worship Service on Sunday, Jan 31st, we will have our annual congregational meeting. Please plan to attend. Those who have to submit an activity report should submit them to Susan Lincoln by Jan 13th.

VLC HELPS THE HOMELESS ON VASHON
VLC and our members are helping the homeless and those who could lose their homes on Vashon in several ways. Nine of our member families provided the free dinners on five nights in December. We will have a similar assignment early next year. Thank You, Dinner Hosts! We also provide $1000 in our Church budget for IFCH to use in financial assistance to needy islanders. Our members bring in produce from our Food Bank Garden, which benefits many needy island families.

IFCH can always use additional help. Volunteers are often needed to provide transportation for people to appointments in Seattle, help with minor houshold repairs or babysit kids while parents attend to appointments. Wesley Rogers, 463-5566 is the volunteer coordinator for IFCH, and if you tell her what kind of assistance you can provide she will let you know when you are needed. Money for IFCH operations come mainly from direct contributions, which are tax deductible. They can be mailed to IFCH, P O Box 330, Vashon. The recent Christmas basket raffle provided much needed funds.

All proceeds (free will offering) from this year’s annual Martin Luther King Celebration will benefit IFCH. The MLK event will be on January 15 at Havurat Ee Shalom. Music will be provided by the Free Range Folk Chior and the Vashon Childrens choir.

Lastly, if you are in need of assistance or know of someone who needs assistance, please call Nancy Vanderpool, 463-7776.

BLOOD DRIVE
Puget Sound Blood Center will again hold a blood drive at our church on Thursday, January 7th from
1-7pm. Come and give blood and save a live if you are able.

THRIVENT FINANCIAL OFFERS CHOICE
Starting in 2010 a new program, Thrivent Choice, will be offered. It is designed to give members choice, and for eligible members, one of the choices will be directing charitable funds to your congregation. In addition, all adult benefit and associate members will be able to vote on how to direct charitable funding among a short list of national charities. For more information about the program: www.thrivent.com/ThriventChoiceInfo

A SERVICE of PRAYER and HEALING
We will have the opportunity to quietly gather for prayer and healing in the Lutheran church sanctuary from 6 – 6:30 p.m. the first Sunday of each month. Our next service will beNOVEMBER 4th at 6pm.
Regardless of who you are and what you carry, you are welcome in this place. Come to pray aloud or silently.
Come forward to be prayed for through naming your concerns or retaining your silence.
Or...simply come to sit for a while and unwind with your own thoughts.
No pressure, no intrusion...A simple service without music...without liturgy...in a candle-lit sanctuary where we gather to hear a few readings, pray and be prayed for, and sit and just be.

The Rev. Jeff Larson, Ph.D. is a Lutheran minister and clinical psychologist called by Vashon Lutheran Church to provide counseling services to the community. As a member of the body of believers he feels that spiritual health in its many shapes and forms is key to attaining psychological and physical health.

PASSION PLAY TOUR & MORE IN 2010
The Passion Play takes place every ten years and the next time in 2010. I will lead a group trip June 21- July 2, 2010. Goodspeed & Bach have put together a spectacular trip. The trip is custom-made and includes entrance fees to the play, many museums, a garden, and Heidleberg castle. Breakfasts and some meals are included.

We will visit the following cities: Heidelberg, Strassbourg, Colmar, Geneva, Zurich, Konstanz and Mainau, Neuschwantstein, beautiful Alpine village of Graswang (during the passion play), Berchtesgaden, and Salzburg.

We put a cap amount on the expenses for land-travel The more people who go on the trip, the less expensive it will be. Land Tour Cost (double occupancy) for 25 travelers is $2699. per person. Each traveler will need to make their own flight arrangements.

BAPTISM SCHEDULE FOR 2010
During 2010, baptism will be a special part of our worship on:

• January 10th, Sunday, Baptism of our Lord
• April 3rd, Saturday, Easter Vigil
• May 23rd, Sunday, Day of Pentecost
• November 7th, Sunday, All Saints Sunday
• December 25th, Saturday, Christmas Day

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Blanche Heien; Max & Barbara Steen; Nancy Weishaar (friend of Marsha Morse); Fred Losornio; Gary & Cindy Hogman, and Sam (friends of Linda Van Stone); Brad and Jane; Lyanne Koehler (Patte Wagner’s aunt); Terri Hitch; Josephine (relative of Linda VanStone); Karen Rae; Doug Clark and his daughter (friend of J. Lincoln); Stephanie Lee & family. Also remember those in care facilities: Lelan Lau, Carl Nelson, & Oda Sorensen. Contact Gail Larson (567-4779) to initiate a prayer request.

NTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP meets every Thursday at 9:00 am. Please call Gail Larson (567-4779) for prayer requests.

LESSONS FOR JANUARY

2 Christmas        Jan 3, 2010
First Reading        Jer 31:7-14
Psalm            147:12-20
Second Reading    Eph 1:3-14
Gospel            John 1:1-18

Baptism of our Lord     Jan 10, 2010
First Reading        Isa 43:1-7
Psalm            29
Second Reading        Acts 8:14-17
Gospel            Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

2 Epiphany             Jan 17, 2010
First Reading        Isa 62:1-5
Psalm            36:5-10
Second Reading    1Cor 12:1-11
Gospel            John 2:1-11

3 Epiphany        Jan 24, 2010
First Reading        Neh 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm            19
Second Reading    1Cor 12:12-31a
Gospel            Luke 4:14-21

4 Epiphany        Jan 31, 2010
First Reading        Jer 1:4-10
Psalm            71:1-6
Second Reading    1     Cor 13:1-13
Gospel            Luke 4:21-30

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAY
Francesca Steen            Jan. 3
Jonnelle Steen            Jan. 3
Penelope Cleland        Jan.  9
Brian Hess            Jan. 11
Evan Hills            Jan. 13
Kathleen Odekirk        Jan.  16
Blanche Heien            Jan.  16
Robin Hess            Jan.  18
Matt Gaspers            Jan.  18
Doris Myers            Jan.  19
Erin Horn            Jan.  19
Natalie Beauregard        Jan.  19
Patricia Erickson        Jan.  21
Ruth Rickstad            Jan.  27
Neil Jungemann            Jan. 28
Lelan Lau            Jan. 29

HAPPY JANUARY ANNIVERSARY
Reynold & Diana Hokenson    Jan.  16

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE
1/1    Fri    The Name of Jesus
1/2    Sat    Johann Konrad Loehe, pastor, 1872
1/5    Tues    Kaj Munk, martyr, 1944
1/15    Fri    M.L. King Jr., renewer of society martyr, 1968
1/18    Mon    Confession of St. Peter, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins
1/19    Tues    Henry, Bishop of Uppsala, missionary to Finland, martyr, 1156
1/25    Mon    The Conversion of St. Paul; Week of Pray for Unity ends
1/26    Tues    Timothy, Titus, and Silas
1/27    Weds    Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe

VASHON THRIFTWAY 1% COMMUNITY DONATION PROGRAM
Remember to save your Vashon Thriftway receipts to be used for our missions program. Thriftway will donate 1% of the total to VLC. Remember the rules:
• Cash register receipts must be from Vashon Thriftway.
• Cash register receipts must be for purchases made by members of Vashon Lutheran Church.
• Receipts turned in cannot be more than one year old.
• Purchasers must sign each receipt, and indicate their phone number.
• Receipts may be placed in the indicated receptacle in the Fellowship Hall.
Thanks for helping
Stewardship Chair