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BISHOP MARK HANSON'S CHRISTMAS
MESSAGE
But when the goodness and loving kindness
of God our Savior appeared, he saved us...
-- Titus 3:4-5a
Into this shadowed world light shines and
joyous voices sing. Glad tidings cheer the heart and
liberate hope. "A child has been born for us, a son
given to us" (Isaiah 9:6). God our Savior has
appeared!
God's saving goodness and loving kindness
have arrived in Jesus, the Word made flesh. Though hidden in
the humility of a manger, and later in the scandal of the
cross, God's promise is being made good in plain sight for all
to see, in a life of generous mercy, richly poured out for
all.
"See, your salvation comes," the prophet
wrote (Isaiah 62:11). God's faithfulness to God's promises
calls us to a new hope, for the hope of eternal life is an
inheritance that we can enjoy today in lives of generosity and
compassion, joy and peace.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding
Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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We remember in prayer . . .
Pastor Ron Geikow (St. Mary & St. Martha, San
Francisco) and family, grieving the death of his mother
Bishop Mark Holmerud, as he takes vacation time the last
two weeks of the year
World leaders as they gather in Copenhagen to discuss the
environment
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. ELCA/UMC PARTNERSHIP
CELEBRATED
Pictured above are Methodist Bishop Warner
Brown, Presbyterian leader Rev. Jay Olson and Bishop Mark
Holmerud at the joyful celebration of the new full communion
partnership between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) and the United Methodist Church (UMC) on November
20th. Held at First UMC, Sacramento, over 60 Lutheran
and Methodist musicians provided a glorious backdrop of music
for the 40-member processional. The worship experience
brought together 300 worshipers, with UMC CA-NV Bishop Warner
Brown presiding and Bishop Mark Holmerud preaching.
Hospitality was provided by St. John's, Sacramento, and First
UMC, Sacramento.
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JESUS, JUSTICE, JAZZ CONCERT TOUR
FOR ELCA WORLD HUNGER
Reminder
-- on Friday, January 29, the
Jesus, Justice Jazz tour comes to Sacramento for its only
California stop.
Join Lost and Found and Agape in
concert to benefit ELCA World Hunger and local hunger
concerns. Sponsored by St. John's Lutheran Church, the
concert will be held at The Refuge, an all-ages club in
midtown Sacramento.
Tickets are $10 and space is limited. Tickets can
be purchased through Lisa Herlocker, Director of Youth &
Family Ministry at Bethel Lutheran Church, Roseville ( lherlocker@starstream.net); or for a slight fee
through the St. John's website ( www.stjohnslc.org). Scroll down to "J3
Concert: Jan. 29." Please include your church name (if
buying for a group) and the name and contact number of the
group leader.
Contact Lisa if you wish to spend the night on a local
church floor and help with local causes. A canned food
drive is being organized and each person is challenged to make
a $20 donation to World Hunger. Anyone making at least a
$10 donation will be eligible for a digital download card with
access to some cool songs by the
artists.
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NEEDED: "SHERPA" GUIDES AND NURSES FOR MOUNT
CROSS SUMMER CAMPS
Pastors and other Professional Church Workers are being
sought to serve as "Sherpa" Guides for summer 2010 staff for a
week.
A Sherpa can expect to:
- Provide a 15-minute devotion/Bible study for summer
staff during daily staff meetings
- Join (on occasion) cabin groups in a variety of
activities
- Be available to chat with campers and staff if a special
need arises
- Assist staff in Bible Encounters
- Take time for relaxation and renewal
The experience is free for sherpas and their
families (includes lodging and all meals during the
week).
Volunteer Nurses:
Mt. Cross is seeking volunteers to spend a week (or
more) serving the medical needs of campers (age
8-17) and Mt. Cross staff.
Responsibilities include:
- partnering with the Mt. Cross Health Manager
- Checking in/out camper medication on the first and last
day of camp
- Dispensing medication throughout the week
- Monitoring campers' health and well-being
- Plugging into the Mt. Cross community
Contact Ellie Powers, Director of Programs, for more
information or to schedule your week(s): program@mtcross.org. Phone: 831-336-5179, ext. 12.
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Upcoming Events
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HOLIDAY OFFICE
CLOSURES
December 24
Christmas Eve
December 25
Christmas Day
December 31
New Year's Eve
-- Closed at noon
January 1
New Year's Day
2010
January 4-9 Bishops'
Academy, Itasca, IL
January 12 10:00 - 12:20
Interim Pastors Steering
Committee - Synod Office
January 13-14 Council of
Deans Retreat - Christ the
King Retreat Center,
Citrus Heights, CA
January 15-16 Synod
Council - Mercy Center,
Burlingame, CA
January 26 Synod-wide
Interim Pastors Gathering
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location to be announced
January 26 Racial & Ethnic
Central Committee - 6:00 pm
Our Savior's, Lafayette
February 14-16 Clergy/AiMs
& Spouses Retreat
Asilomar
March 1-2 Retired Clergy/
AIMs/Widows-Widowers/
Spouse Retreat - San
Damiano Retreat Center,
Danville, CA
March 4-9 Conference of
Bishops
March 6 Synod Rwanda
Connection Committee
1:00-4:00 - 708 Lake Front
Drive, Sacramento
March 10 Honoring our
Foremothers - PLTS
March 12-14 Spring Youth
Retreat at PLTS
March 22-23 Pre-Retirement
Seminar - San Damiano
Retreat Center, Danville
April 22 Mt. Cross Shalom
Camp Meeting for Pastors/
Youth Directors
10:00 - 2:00 pm
Advemt. Citrus Heights
May 5 Synod Council
May 6-8 Synod Assembly
Silver Legacy Hotel
Reno, NV
June 25-26 Synod Council
July 11-16 Mt. Cross
Shalom Camp
September 24-25 Synod
Council
September 30 - October 5
Conference of Bishops
2011
January 5-9 Bishop's
Academy
January 19-20 Council of
Deans Retreat - Christ the
King Retreat Center,
Citrus Heights, CA
March 3-8 Conference of
Bishops
May 12 Synod Council
May 13-15 Synod Assembly
Hyatt Regency Airport
Burlingame, CA
August 14-20 Churchwide
Assembly - Orlando,
FL
September 29 October 4
Conference of Bishops
2012
January 5-9 Bishop's
Academy
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RETIRED PASTORS, AIMS, DIACONAL
MINISTERS, SPOUSES & WIDOWS
RETREAT
"Interruptions That Shape Our
Lives"
March 1-2,
2010
Location:
San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville, CA
Retreat Leaders:
Herb & Corrine Chilstrom
Look for registration forms and more
information in the mail shortly after the first of the
year.
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SECOND MILE
GIVING
This month's Second Mile Giving designated
ministry is Pacific Lutheran Theological
Seminary.
Please remember to lift up this important
ministry partner for support from your
congregation.
For information about our Seminary in the
West, go to PLTS.
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Sierra
Pacific Synod 
