ADVENT: OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR
The first three psalms (80, 85, 126), which are read on the Sundays in Advent, all contain the verb "to restore." Although the verb is not used in the reading for Advent 4 (Psalm 89), the author feels that God's love has been restored. The topic for this Advent series is then "Restore Us, O God." Each Sunday's topic (hope, peace, joy, and love) serves as a link to the four candles of the Advent wreath. To support the notion that Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation, we will again gradually set up the Christmas tree in the course of these four weeks leading to the celebration Jesus Christ.

HOLIDAY JUMBLE & BAKE SALE SUNDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Bake some, buy some, perhaps you’ll find a Christmas treasure! Proceeds will go to Missions and Ministry.

TAPESTRY OF LIGHT, A CELTIC CHRISTMAS CANTATA
The joy and hope of Christmas are celebrated in this new Celtic-styled cantata filled with tuneful carols and candlelight, thoughtful narration and sparkling orchestration and will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 pm at VUMC and Sunday, Dec. 18, 5pm at Vashon Lutheran Church. All are welcome to join us as we welcome in the season of Christ's birth! Christmas cookies will be served. Call 463-9804 for directions to Vashon Methodist and 463-2655 for directions to Vashon Lutheran.

GIVING TREE
We have a giving tree again this year to help local children in need. Please take a gift wish card (or two or three) from the tree and bring the wrapped gifts to the church by noon on December 18th.

REMEMBER SPECIAL PEOPLE WITH ALTERNATE GIFT GIVING
There are alternate gifts you can give this Christmas season. One way is to go to www.elca.org/goodgifts for different ways to honor friends and loved ones with gifts that make a difference in the world. Another is through the Heifer Project. Information on both programs is on the table and on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
There will be two services on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The first at 5pm for families and at 11pm with a celebration of the Eucharist

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
Will be at the regular time, Dec. 25 at 10:30am

VLC CHOIR
Practice dates for December are: the 8th at VLC 6:45-8:15, the14th VMC 6:45-8:15

THE GLORY OF GOD (WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP)
The Glory of God (Women's Group) will continue their discussion centered on Knowing God, Thurs. Dec. 8, 9am at Sporty's. Come, join in the fun and good conversation of women ...to the glory of God.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS (IFCH) MEAL PROGRAM
Vashon Lutheran is providing the Fellowship Hall to host the Friday evening meal for the IFCH Community Meal program. This program has been a success having provided approx. 250 meals a week. The schedule is as follows: Monday: Village Green 5pm; Tuesday: The Presbyterian Church 5:30pm; Wednesday: The Episcopal Church 5:30pm; Thursday: The Presbyterian Church, 5:30pm; Friday: VLC 5:30pm; Saturday, Village Green 5pm; and Sunday brunch: Methodist Church 1-2 pm. October saw 650 meals served!   

THANK YOU FROM THE PUGET SOUND BLOOD CENTER
Thank you for your continued support of blood drives on Vashon. This year 247 people registered to donate at VLC blood drives. Of these we were able to collect 214 units, each unit helps three patients, so 642 local patients have benefited from the 2011 blood drives. The following dates are reserved for VLC drives: all on Thursdays: Jan. 5, March 15, May 31, August 2, Oct. 11, Dec.13

THANK YOU FROM CHERYL PRESCOTT
Thank you for the lovely pink hydrangea. I will plant it in my garden in the spring as a reminder of you. Thank you for the 6 ½ years as your parish secretary. I will never forget you. God bless all of you and keep you in His care.

VLC SECRETARY POSITION OPEN
Must be comfortable with office equipment and computer literate, familiar with MS WORD, and able to learn new programs. Must be detail oriented and a self starter with good telephone presence and skills. Discretion is a necessary quality of a parish secretary. Pick up a job description and application from the church office.

THANK YOU FROM THE STAMPERS
The Stampers would like to thank Maryatha Miller and her son Denzel W. Miller for borrowing a truck to help us move and deliver all the flower pots to the church.

NEW YEAR'S EVE LABYRINTH WALK
The eleventh annual Walk for Peace will be held on the labyrinth at the north end of the church grounds, Saturday, December 31st from 5-7 pm. For more information, contact Betty Hawkins at 463-5062.

SENIOR SERVICES NEED VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
Senior Services need volunteers to provide transportation for seniors to medical appointments. You use your own vehicle and choose the weekday, time and areas where you would like to volunteer. You do not need a special license & no lifting is required. For more information see the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or call Melissa at 206-748-7588.

PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP
A support group for people with Parkinson’s, their families, and care-givers will meet the first Friday of each month from 1-2:30pm at Vashon Lutheran Church. This is an opportunity to share concerns, resources, support, and have discussions. Different topics will be featured each month. The meeting date for next meeting is December 2nd. For more information contact Steve Steffens, 567-5976.

COMPASS HOUSING
Compass Housing has provided an “in-Kind Donation Policy” which states that they will no longer accept gifts of used blankets, clothing, furniture and children’s toys. This is due to the cost of receiving, sterilizing, storing and distributing these items. They rather are focusing on donations that will make a positive impact on the lives of their clients. Therefore, they continue to accept: sheets (gently used ok and laundered); towels (gently used ok and laundered); Quilts; new socks; new men’s sweatpants and sweatshirts & hygiene supplies.
All donors are asked to contact the agency before dropping off any items by calling: 206 357 3108. A full description of their policies is posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.

SYNOD APPEAL FOR HOUSING HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Have you seen the news coverage of moms and their children sleeping in tents at "Nickelsville" in Seattle? Two weeks ago the children spoke of being cold. The temperatures have become much colder since then. As the state has cut Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the number of apartment evictions has grown right at the coldest time of the year. This situation is not acceptable to the people of God.

In January of 2012 the city of Seattle will release $500,000 to help provide housing for families. But there are 38 cold nights from Thanksgiving Day through the end of 2011. For $10,000 Mary's Place in downtown Seattle can provide overnight shelter for those 38 days to many of the families living in tents. The cost to provide housing is about $300 per day. I'm looking for 37 partners to each pledge $300 to provide this family housing for the period from Thanksgiving through December 31, 2011. My wife and I will provide the 38th $300 through our congregation, The Church of Steadfast Love.

If you as an individual, or your family, or your congregation will pledge to provide $300, please email me at as soon as possible and include the name of the person responsible for following through on the payment. By knowing of your pledge, Mary's Place can start to plan. Please mail your check payable to the NW Washington Synod to 5519 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103.

Please know that families from all of the counties in our synod find their way to Mary's Place (which will be located at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in downtown Seattle once their new building is completed. Although Mary's Place normally only operates a day shelter, the need for overnight shelter has become so great that Mary's Place is looking for more churches in the Seattle area where overnight shelter for women and children can be provided. Churches are asked to be the shelter location one week each quarter of the year (so 4 times per year). Please call Marty Hartman, the director of Mary's Place, if your church would like to learn more. The number is 206-621-8474. With the overnight shelters come many more needs for volunteers. You and others from your church are invited to volunteer at shelter sites. Some of the $10,000 will help provide beds and blankets for the new shelters. Thank you

Rev. Jerry Buss Director for Evangelical Mission

CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS
Please refrain from wearing fragrances to worship services or church events. Many persons suffer from allergies.

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. The service for this month will be December 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.

COMPASS VETERANS CENTER IN RENTON
This is a comprehensive new housing and service program located in the heart of downtown Renton. It provides 58 new units of affordable housing for homeless single female and male veterans and veterans with families. The center is looking for volunteers to work with teen girls, a children’s program, woman’s groups, or teaching skills, such as basic computer skills or anything you find interesting. More information is available on their web site: http://www.compasshousingalliance.org/.

THRIVENT FINANCIAL
Vashon Lutheran Church is now registered for Thrivent Choice. This program allows Thrivent members to direct their contributions to the programs they choose. Last year the program distributed 26 million charitable dollars to 18,000 congregations and organizations. To direct your Thrivent dollars go to the Thrivent Choice website at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice/resources or call 1-800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice”.

Worship Assistants

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Terri Hitch; Stephanie Lee & family. Also remember those in care facilities: Ode Sorensen and Fred Losornio. Contact Gail Larson  (567-4779) to initiate a prayer request. 

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP will meet at 11am on Wednesdays at the VLC library. Please call Gail Larson (567-4779) for prayer requests.

REFRESMENTS AND FLOWERS
We need people to sign-up for refreshments and flowers for Sundays. Please see the list in the Fellowship Hall.

STAFF AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
STAFF
Rev. Bjoern E. Meinhardt
Rev. Jeffrey Larson, PhD (Counseling)
Secretary Cheryl Prescott
Church Office: 463-2655

CHURCH COUNCIL
President: Jack Lincoln
Vice-President: Doug Helgeson
Secretary: Mary McFarlin
Treasurer: Elaine Lester
Property Manager: Patte Wagner
Stewardship: June Langland
Member at Large: Laura Goth

2011 ALTAR SERVANTS
Jan.        J. Williams
Feb.        G. Yates
Mar.        S. Lincoln
Apr.        K. Stamper
May        S. Lee
June       H. Nelson/B. Snaza
July        N. Jungmann
Aug.       M. Koch/P. Cleland
Sept.      D. Helgeson
Oct.        P. Wagner
Nov.        B Snaza/H. Nelson
Dec.        K. Tkoch/D.Botten

LESSONS  
Advent 2
Dec 4-10 Psalm: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11
Epistle: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

Advent 3
Dec 11-17 Psalm: Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55
Old Testament: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

Advent 4
Dec 18-24 Psalm: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 or Luke 1:47-55
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Epistle: Romans 16:25-27
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Christmas, Proper I
Dec 25 Psalm: Psalm 96
Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14, 15-20
Epistle: Titus 2:11-14

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 
Adam Hoagland Dec. 3
Hannah Scheer Dec. 10
Meredith Hackett Dec. 12
Carolyn Burdette Dec. 12
Kimberly Scheer Dec. 13
Patte Wagner Dec. 15
Gretchen Yates Dec. 20
David Stamper Dec 22
Reynold Hokenson Dec. 22
Holly Zapel Dec. 23
Rick Powelson Dec. 23
Tristan Carbery Dec. 23

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Mark & Kimberly Scheer Dec. 6
Gretchen & Jack Yates Dec. 21
Douglas & Dinah Helgeson Dec. 23
John & Marita Erikson Dec. 28
Bruce & Penelope Cleland Dec. 29
John & Linda Van Stone Dec. 29

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE
12/3 Sat Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia 1552
12/6 Tues Nicolas, Bishop of Myra, c.342
12/7 Wed Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397
12/11 Sun Lars Skrefsrud, missionary to India, 1910
12/14 Weds John of the Cross, renewer of the Church, 1591
12/21 Weds St. Thomas, Apostle
12/26 Mon St. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr
12/27 Tues St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
12/28 Wed The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

BAPTISM SCHEDULE FOR 2011
During 2011, baptism will be a special part of our worship on:

• December 25th, Sunday, Christmas Day

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

Articles for The Mouse are due by the 20th