THE PROGRESS Faith Conversations with: Pastor Schumacher

Advent 2017

Christmas Eve Worship

Schedule: Page 8

The Season of Advent

are one of the ways we mark the season. Each day we open another little window in the

calendar and are rewarded with another piece of chocolate.

Anybody want to start a tradition of Lent calendars? Adding chocolate seems like more fun

Lent so I can have chocolate once a week. We could have chocolate every day, and guilt free!

But, I digress. Although Lent calendars might not be a bad idea. Back to Advent calendars.

Advent calendars take us, one day at a time toward our destination, Christmas. Actually they

take us one day at a time toward the arrival of someone important. Advent is about the

arrival of someone, especially one for whom we are waiting and watching.

I am writing this in a mini Advent season, as we await the arrival

home tomorrow of our daughter, Elise, from college in Ellensburg. It

is a further Advent season as we await the arrival Wednesday of our

oldest son Ben, and his girlfriend, Libby.

The family is gathering for Thanksgiving, and we are looking

forward, and anticipating their arrival. It will be good to be together.

Now that our kids are adults and for the most part out of the house,

we cherish these chances to be together as a family.

Soda and Root Beer. She has the ingredients for Chex Mix ready to

be assembled. At least I get these treats when the kids are home

another reason to look forward to their arrival. As an added bonus,

this will be the first Thanksgiving with our grandson, Henry. That will

be fun. Continued on page 3

Growth & Teaching Page 4

Congregational Care Page 6

Outreach &

Evangelism Page 7

Regular Features

Faith Conversations Page 1

Birthdays &

Anniversaries Page 6

Youth & Family Page 3

Worship Assistant Schedule

& Calendar after page 8

STAFF PASTOR:

Steven Schumacher

DIRECTOR, FAMILY &

YOUTH MINISTRIES:

Jeff Hobson

CO-DIRECTORS

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

Julie Halpin,

Kim Waterstraat

PARISH WORKER

CARE & OUTREACH

Rachelle Lessard

CHOIR DIRECTOR:

Maynard Hedegaard

CONTEMPORARY

MUSIC COORDINATOR:

Mike Peluso

MUSICIANS:

Mark Reiman;

Sheryll Rosevear

BUSINESS MANAGER (vol.)

Sharon Larson

OFFICE COORDINATOR:

Melody Rath

NURSERY ATTENDANT:

McKenna Wilson

LITTLE PILGRIMS

PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR:

Ruth Rhodes

The Progress is published seasonally for members and

friends of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. It is available in

electronic (.pdf) and hard-copy formats.

Submissions may be sent to the church via e-mail.

Comments and subscription updates for The Progress

may be emailed to editor Melody Rath,

office@pilgrimpuyallup.org.

Vibrant worship—

Pilgrim is a prayerful place

of vibrant worship where the

gospel of Jesus Christ is

faithfully proclaimed in a

family-oriented,

intergenerational

atmosphere. Varied worship

expressions come together

to provide a rich response to

the love of Christ in our

lives.

Bible-centered growth

and teaching—

Pilgrim is purposeful about

nurturing faith and spiritual

growth in all who enter its

doors as well as for those

who are not able to enter.

Pilgrim is a place where, led

by the Holy Spirit, all

children, youth, and adults

measure of the stature of

Nurturing congregational

care—

Pilgrim members strive to

nurturing care to one

another. Pilgrim is a family;

care for one another is

evidenced in all aspects of

congregational life. Pilgrim

is a place of health and

healing where people of all

ages find help for their life

journeys.

Intentional outreach

and evangelism—

the abundant life that they

have received through faith

in Christ and intentionally

reach out to people of all

ages with the love of

Christ beginning with

South Hill, Washington, and

moving outward to the ends

of the earth through local,

national, and world-wide

outreach.

The purpose of Pilgrim Lutheran

Church is to glorify God by fostering:

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The season of Advent leading up to Christmas has the same anticipation and looking forward.

Someone important is coming to be with us. And it will be great to be together. Jesus has

promised, I am going away for a time, but will return to be with you. At the same time he promises

he is with us always.

Here again, is that sense of already and not yet. Jesus has already accomplished for us, salvation

and life in his name. And at the same time, as we mark the season of Advent and look forward to

become a permanent reality.

Really both the seasons of Advent and Lent are about Jesus coming

to us as the Savior of the world. They are really both about Advent.

They point us toward and help us mark the journey toward the two

always his coming to us in the first place with his birth as the Christ

child and his death on the cross and resurrection to new life so that

life with him and the Father.

And it will be good to be together.

Pastor Steve

Faith Conversations cont. from p. 1

Upcoming Family + Youth Activities

rd after church

Youth Leadership Team 2018 Planning December 10th @ 10:30 AM

PLC Christmas Play December 9th & 10th @ 4PM

PLU College Fellowship Night December 15th @ 6PM.

Bring a side dish.

Agua Viva Caroling and Fellowship December 17th following

church

Youth Snow Day December 20th @ 10AM

Annual Outreach All-Nighter December 29th @ 2PM. Cost $30

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From Julie…

gave us when He sent Jesus: His heart in human form? So we would think

hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ child. We encourage you to

Sunday School offers all of us a chance to reconnect with the Word. During Advent, Pastor Schumacher will offer another Crossways

this will also be offered as part of our Advent Wednesday Worship. Examine what has made this story divine.

Pastor also continues his text study on Tuesday mornings at 10:00, and

Thursday, December 21st. The Women of Faith meet every Thursday from 9:15-10:30 AM and you are welcome to join in anytime.

open to all participants to continue to meet for casual discussions on Sundays in December. A new formal study will begin on January 21st and the following Wednesday (24th) until Lent begins.

demands of caregiving can make it hard to meet once a week, we gather the first Sunday of each month. Upcoming gatherings are December 3rd, January 7th, February 4th, March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th.

It is a 6-week DVD study that involves discussion over the DVD presentation; we will meet every Thursday at 9:15 AM beginning January 7th. Another new study will begin January 3rd as Pilgrim Wednesdays resume. A

Whitley, will be the topic of discussion. It is an inspirational and

6:30 every Wednesday until Lent.

Look for another new exciting Bible Study from Crossways starting in January, led by Pastor Schumacher (details upcoming).

Enjoy any or all of what God has to offer you this Advent season: Experience Jesus.

From Kim We have had an awesome start to our Sunday School year! Every week, I am lifted up by these absolute wonderful kids who make me smile and laugh.

of the Word they hear. And that joy flows out of them to those around them. Thank you for bringing them each week!

phenomenal group of Sunday School teachers who so passionately show up each week, excited to be with the kids and help guide them in their faith journey. And we pray for Sue and Joyce, as they recover from injuries. We look forward to them joining us again in the near future!

We just concluded our first Mission Sunday of the year, and thank you to Sarah Lieu, our Mission Coordinator, who put together a little overview to share with the congregation:

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Mission Sunday, which often stretches over a few Sundays, is a chance for

us to look outside ourselves and usually outside of our church and make a

difference to a person, family, or community.

A sampling of the projects we’ve done in the past include raising money to

build a well in Uganda, supporting cleft palate surgeries (Operation Smile),

helping finance computer labs in Tanzania (Reneal International Education

Outreach), shipping hymnals to the Philippines (through Reneal

connections), making Chemo Bags of Hope for local children battling

cancer (Janis Cupp’s Chemo Bags of Hope), and raising funds so that our

Vacation Bible School remains free to attend.

This fall, we are working through St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church

(check out their FB page to see the horrible flooding at the church) in

Spring, Texas, to help a couple with a toddler whose home flooded during

Hurricane Harvey. The family looked at renting an RV to live in while they

remodel but found it too expensive so they are moving into their garage.

St. Ignatius has provided us with an Amazon Wishlist which includes items

such as bedding, towels, an induction cooktop, food storage containers,

and a few toys (art easel & accessories). The hurricane hit just after the

toddler’s birthday and her presents were lost. The total for all the

requested items is $785.

Thank you to all the youth and their parents for having hearts open to

helping a family in need. We raised approximately $300 to purchase an

induction cooktop and art easel & accessories for a family living in their

garage post Hurricane Harvey. We also sent a care package of delicious

cookies and handmade cards. The tangible gifts as well as the thoughts

and prayers are much appreciated.

remember the reason we even have this season. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring your family closer together as you share love and joy through knowing Christ and participating in meaningful activities. Here are some links to Advent sites with ideas that your family might enjoy during this time:

http://www.more4kids.info/1481/celebrating-advent-with-children/

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/62183/25-activities-countdown-christmas

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/22082/75-of-the-best-christmas-activities-for-kids

http://adrielbooker.com/family-advent-activities-christmas-countdown-fun/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/197595502372667586/

As our yearly tradition has been for many years, we look forward to sharing

and 10 at 4:00! Please come join these amazing kids as they bless us with this play. Each night, we will follow with a cookie reception and a time for fellowship. Invite your family and friends, and we look forward to seeing you there!

will talk! :)

Warmly, Julie and Kim

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Wednesday Nights During Advent Take a break from the hectic pace of the season

and join us at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings

for Holden Evening Prayer, followed by cookies

way to celebrate the advent season. Bring some

of your favorite Christmas cookies to share!

Fellowship Brunch Come enjoy brunch and carols of the season

following worship on Sunday, December 17th. We

will also be putting together our Christmas food

bags and gifts! We hope you can join us!

01 MichaelAnn Wilson

02 Adrian Jones

04 Judy Payne

05 Cindy Holland

07 Susan Ashpole

07 Joanne Stein

08 Doris Meek

08 Anna (Mike) Schmidt

10 Julie Halpin

13 Elise Schumacher

13 Denise Woodbury

15 Logan Altrichter

15 Bob Cudney

16 Carole Williams

17 Chuck Larsen

18 Jennifer Altrichter

18 Araceli Estrada

19 Michael Whitley

19 Stephen Whitley

22 Carolline Mills

22 Judy Whitley

22 Phil Yates

25 Barbara Bina

27 Beth Hack

29 Marty Kogle

29 Mike Peluso

30 Duane Rhodes

30 Rob Trivitt

December Birthdays

December Anniversaries 06 Chris & Ingrid Staeck

20 Mark & Lori Reiman

22 Dick & Sharon Larson

25 Loren & Norma Heyne

28 Rick & Mary Eastman

28 Paul & Sandi Endter

In Christian Sympathy Prayers of comfort for the family of Merwin Willis at his passing

Parish Registry

New Members Received November 26 We welcomed the following new members into our Pilgrim family:

Danny & Abby Carlson, Bergen, Kajsa, & Leif

Gerry & Pam Cavanee

Anneliese & Josiah Feld, Annette, Annabelle

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Pilgrim’s Holiday Basket Program Thanks to your generous giving and loving hearts, we are able to sponsor 25

families for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! At Thanksgiving we

provided food for Thanksgiving dinner and the week beyond, and for

Christmas food and gifts will be provided for each family.

Names for Christmas gifts will be available starting November 26th. Please

take a moment to stop by the table in the narthex for a name or two or

maybe you are interested in taking a whole family! We will put together food

bags and gifts following worship on December 17th. We will need lots of

hands to make quick work! Again, thanks for your generous support of this

important ministry of Pilgrim Lutheran Church!

Thank you to everyone who

provided something for the snack

bar for the staff at Firgrove! It was

so appreciated by everyone! The

following thank you note

accompanied six beautiful

poinsettias for the congregation to

enjoy look forward to seeing them

in the sanctuary soon!

Pilgrim Lutheran,

Thank you for everything that you do for Firgrove, the staff, and our

students. We appreciate all of your kindness and thoughtfulness. We are

truly blessed.

Hugs, Your Firgrove Family

Firgrove Update We continue to be blessed by our special relationship with the Firgrove

community. A huge thank you to all who have generously donated your

time, talent and treasure to support our work at this school.

Here is a quick update on some of the ways Pilgrim has served this fall: we

have provided shoes, clothing and jackets for students in need, we have

provided juice for their before-school breakfast program, we have provided

the food items used for students who forget a lunch, a handful of Pilgrim

members are weekly reading tutors, we provided volunteers and materials

for the craft room for their Fall harvest party, we provided a snack bar for the

staff and we have adopted ten families from Firgrove to be a part of our

holiday basket program. Also, we are currently collecting hot chocolate and

mini marshmallows so each child can enjoy a cup of cocoa on the last day of

school before winter break.

Again, thank you for your support of this important ministry!

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

10510-136th St. E.,

Puyallup, WA 98374

Phone - (253) 848-3680,

FAX - (253) 840-5224

Email -

office@pilgrimpuyallup.org

NEW Sunday Morning Schedule

Worship: 9:00 AM

Fellowship: 10:00 AM

Sunday School: 10:15 AM

Adult Education: 10:30 AM

(September - May)

Little Pilgrims Preschool (253)

770-1543

Mission Statement

We are called to share the

Good News of Jesus Christ, to

live as God's servants and to

reach out to all people.

We’re on the Web: www.pilgrimpuyallup.org

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/