Giving Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his son. And now, let the weak say, “I am strong,” let the poor say, “I am rich,” because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks!

I love how we bring back that song every fall with banners and everything. I remember first

encountering it two congregations ago while gathered around the altar receiving holy communion. It always feels like such a blessed holy moment to give thanks and share a meal!

I’m currently sitting here among family I don’t get to visit very often, but whom I love dearly. Family that continues to grow as I joyously play with my grand niece Carys and grand nephew Everett. (Is it really possible I have a ‘grand’ niece and nephew?! Where DOES the time go?!) With whom might you enjoy this holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years Day? What holiday traditions do you engage in and with whom do you share it? With whom will you not? People past and present? My husband John was thinking in the night of all who will be represented around our table this Thanksgiving--from those gone by to marriages past and present to little ones we’ll meet for the first time. People gathered around the table who have never been together before. Perhaps you too will experience this during the holidays or have experienced it before at family reunions, weddings, funerals, or other special events.

It’s phenomenal to be so gathered, every time we are invited to do so. It’s been wondered if what we state in worship at holy communion—‘all are welcome here without exception’—is true? What a good question! There are times and places where the table of holy communion has not been inclusive, due to age, tradition, or the rules and beliefs developed around this holy meal. For me, the life, message, and practices of Jesus the Christ is one of inclusion. Jesus was a gatherer, one uniting and connecting people, especially outsiders, the revelation of the One who promises to gather all creation as one. For me and the faith communities I have served, practices at holy communion must

december

2019

What’s Inside

1-2. Pastor Dawn’s Letter

3. Pastor Sue’s Letter

4. CLC Happenings

5. Invitation to Annual

Budget Meeting

6. October Treasurer’s

Report

7. Landscape update / book

club

8. Welcome and

remembrance

9. Social media and online

giving opportunities

10. Holiday Giving

Opportunities

11-12. What’s going on!

13. December Calendar

COASTSIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Half Moon Bay

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Advent

2019

exemplify this all embracing grace-filled life! We do indeed mean it at Coastside Lutheran Church when we invite all in welcome to the table of holy communion without exception—whether member or friend, child or adult, lucid or lost, receiving or not. All are welcome to gather and be present in whatever way is right for you.

However, this doesn’t mean that all may feel that welcome or be near enough to hear the invitation. There are many standing outside for one reason or another. Perhaps they don’t feel worthy, have never felt included, or are so caught up in merely surviving that the message is lost to them. Or, maybe all they’ve known is being alone. Holidays can be very lonely. I remember more than once when I had nowhere to go to share a meal, despite being well loved and cared about. It happens more than we think. How might we be aware of this reality or how necessary and significant our welcome may be to those on the outside no matter the reason, especially right now?

There’s a buzz arising within our faith community—a continued growing sense of care for those on the outside. There are activities further developing to reach out to those unable to imagine a Christian church is welcoming, accepting, generous, imaginative, or open. Yet, Coastside Lutheran Church is! We aren’t the only ones and will always be seeking to improve what it means to be truly welcoming and clear that whomever you are, whatever your story of faith, you are welcome here as you are, because that’s the God we worship, the One who leads us, and empowers us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

“Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God the Beloved is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of God’s Beloved Son and our Master Jesus, who will never give up on you. Never forget that.” 1 Corinthians 1:7-9, The Message.

I thank God we get to walk in faith together and I am praying that you get to experience a sense of belovedness and grace when you least expect it as this year comes to a close. May you know we are holding you in heart and prayer, whether you are a part of this community in any way or not. May you know you are loved, cherished, and forgiven, that you are blessed even if you cannot feel it or imagine it. I recently learned Leonard Cohen, a man who knew what it meant to be connected and alone, often ended his concerts with these words, words I now offer to you as well: “May you be surrounded by friends and family, and if not, may the blessings find you in your solitude.” May you experience grace upon grace and a welcome that transforms deep within should you decide to take the chance to come to any of the offerings here at CLC or beyond, for this IS the way of God the Beloved!

In love and grace, Pastor Dawn Teuthorn

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the church year. I love the rich blue

color that adorns the sanctuary and the feeling of anticipation and hope that

electrifies the air. The dictionary defines the word “advent” as “a coming into

place, view, or being; an arrival.” The Christian church uses the word “advent”

to name the four weeks leading up to Christmas when we celebrate the coming

of God in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. With the birth of Jesus (Emmanuel,

God with us), God entered into history as a human to bring life to a dying world

and to reveal God’s love for all people and for all of God’s creation. But this wasn’t a one-time thing;

Christ continues to come to us through scripture, through the sacraments, through the Spirit and in

community. And so when we sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” we are not reminiscing about the

historical event of Jesus’ birth and not just looking forward to Christ’s return sometime in the distant

future; we are celebrating the gift of Christ in our midst today and inviting him to come into our lives

every day. When we sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” we are inviting Christ to come into our

broken world and bring hope and wholeness.

We here at CLC who gather around Christ, are one of the ways through which Christ comes into the

world and through which God’s love is made known. When we welcome people, all people with no

exceptions, into our midst and at the communion table; when we teach our youth about Jesus, when

we feed hungry people at the breakfast; when our open doors enable people to find help for their

addictions, Christ comes into the world through us and the gifts that God has entrusted to us and love

is shared, hope is ignited and lives are changed.

On December 8, we will come together for a congregational meeting. We refer to this meeting as our

annual budget meeting but what we will really be doing is evaluating the ministries of this church

and how we will use the resources - the time, talent and treasure that God has entrusted to us, as

individuals, as families and as a community - to bring Christ to the world. This Advent season, I give

thanks for the faithfulness of the leaders and

individuals in this congregation who do so much

and continue to seek creative ways of bringing

Christ to the world and as we approach our annual

meeting, I invite you to pray with me “O Come, O

Come, Emmanuel, be present with us as we

discern your will for us in the coming year, be

present with us as we use what you have first

given us to share your love in our greater

community.” Pastor Sue C L C D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 9 p g . 3

O Come, O Come,

Emmanuel

CLC Happenings

SPSYC Middle School

Retreat at Mt Cross

Guest Preacher Adam

Erickson from Mt Cross

Pastor Dawn and Pastor Sue attend

lecture by author Lenny Duncan

about his book Dear Church at Christ

the Good Shepherd in San Jose

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A Spiritual harbor where all, without exception, are welcome!

900 N. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 Phone: (650)726-9293

Email: info@coastsidelutheran.org Website: www.coastsidelutheran.org

November 20, 2019

Dear Congregation,

Our annual congregational budget meeting will be on Sunday, December 8, 2019 following one wor-

ship at 9:30 am so all can attend. There will be no time constraints having just one worship together.

Our agenda will be the adoption of a 2020 Budget. The council is providing a proposed 2020 budget

for your consideration. Our meeting will be about passing a budget for 2020. In addition, we will be

voting for the 2020 council. Our elected first year council members in 2019: Kathy Young, Suzanne

Malaspina-Bruce, Bill Nelson, Leah Fraustchy will continue. Kay Burns is unable to do so. We will

need at least two more members of Coastside Lutheran to be a part of council for next year. We also

will need to appoint our council secretary, Lena Lowman. We will take nominations from the floor at

this meeting. Third on the agenda is that our synod assembly is May 1-3, 2020 in Fresno. At this

point we need 4 laity, 2 males and 2 females. We will be electing our next Sierra Pacific Synod Bish-

op. Our presence matters especially at this assembly. Lastly, we will give you an update on the West

Wing. If you have further topics of conversation for us to share as a congregation, please let us know

and they can be brought to the floor.

Blessings,

Co-Presidents, Kathy Young and Suzanne Malaspina-Bruce

OCTOBER TREASURER’S REPORT

SECOND MILE GIVING

Every month, through your generosity, CLC contributes to the “Second Mile Giving”

ministries of the ELCA, totaling $1800 over a 12 month period.

During the month of November our Second Mile offerings will be donated to PLTS. Since 1952, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary has equipped faithful leaders who enliven the church and care for the world. Today is a new day for theological education in the West. With expanded residential and online learning options, new faculty, shared teaching resources within Cal Lutheran and the Graduate Theological Union, our students learn, live, and serve in a place that is multi-cultural, economically diverse, and invigorating. PLTS is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a founding member of the Graduate Theological Union, and a graduate school of California Lutheran University. PLTS was the first ELCA seminary to become Reconciling in Christ (RIC). Theological education at PLTS is done in the context of people who are

rich and poor, liberal and conservative, and a wide array of human race, religion, sexuality, education, experience, and background. If our theology did not take all people into account, it would be deficient. Visit www.plts.edu to learn more about our programs and upcoming events, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pltsofclu/.

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Thank You Blue Sky Designs for the

gift of new landscaping, parking

spaces and trash bin storage.

CLC Book Club The Coastside Lutheran Church Book Club meets the 4th Thursday at noon at Caffe Mezzaluna for food,

fellowship and discussion about a current topic using a book as a springboard. All people are welcome to

come and join the discussion. We will not meet in December.

Our next gathering will be Thursday, January 23rd @ 12 noon-1:30 pm.

We’re continuing to read the story of Francisco Jimenez represented in 4 novels of short stories from his

life. The Circuit, Breaking Through, Reaching Out and Taking Hold: From Migrant

Childhood to Columbia University. HMB library has all 4.

Additional reading for January 23rd:

The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony. With unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, The Elephant Whisperer is an enthralling book that will appeal to animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.

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In Remembrance

Jim Spilker died on September 24, 2019. He became a member of CLC through Adult Baptism on December 10, 2014 @ 8:00AM. James Spilker, Jr. was a central figure in the technical development of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and an adjunct professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford. He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie Spilker of Half Moon Bay, California; four children: Leslie (Bruce) Dudley, Mark (Karen) Spilker, David (Arlene) Spilker, and Sharon (Bob) Scripps; 12 grandchildren: Justin, Ryan, Amy, Sierra, Jackson, Savannah, Mallori, Derek, Emily, Sandra, David and Erin; a great-granddaughter, Alyson; two great-grandsons, Thomas and Andrew; twin sisters, Evelyn Kunst and Phyllis Freeman; as well as Merry, his German shepherd, and two rescue cats, Siam and Tiger.

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Birthing team

Celebrating the birth of Theodore Robin Hoelzel

born at home 7lbs 2 oz 20 in on Nov 11, 2019. Pa-

tricia and Charles congratulations!! We are so

happy for you!! We send our love, joy, and prayers

for you in this very special time! God bless you

ALL!!

Check out our Instagram & Facebook accounts!

Find us at Instagram.com/coastsidelutheran

or on Facebook at Facebook.com/coastsidelutheranchurch.

Like our photos and stories and be sure to tag our location and use #spiritualharbor and #coastsidelutheran on

posts when sharing info about our upcoming events like concerts and the book sale.

The more that you can like, comment, and share, the more visible we are in the online community.

Help Get the Word Out about CLC

#SpiritualHarbor #CoastsideLutheran

Great news! A PayPal donation button is now on our website! You can

now easily give to CLC through the PayPal giving fund in the form of

one time donations, monthly donations AND through their partnership

with eBay for Charity. Sell your secondhand items and clothing on eBay

and designate a

portion of the proceeds to

Coastside Lutheran!

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Blessings to you this Holiday Season from

your staff at Coastside Lutheran Church

In this season of reflection, we thank God for YOU! May

the light of Christ shine brightly upon you, your loved

ones, and this congregation. We are blessed to know and

serve God with you through this community of faith.

Warmest wishes: Pastor Dawn, Pastor Sue, Liesl McPherrin,

David Borac, Lena Lowman, and Socorro Amezcua

Giving

Christmas Outreach 2019

Our Christmas outreach to the families of the Community Breakfast will again be in the form of

Safeway and Target gift cards, and Subway gift cards for the homeless. The process is very simple.

If you would like to contribute, make your check payable to CLC with “Christmas Outreach” in the

memo line. Gift cards will be purchased and distributed them to the families in need. Thank you for

your generosity. Your gifts make such a difference in the lives of families in need right here in Half

Moon Bay. Bless you for ALL you give!

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ELCA Good Gifts: Advent Tree Ornaments

Keep an eye out for our forthcoming Advent Tree! Select the ornament

representing the gift you’d like to give, personalize the back with your name

and the year, and take it home as a reminder of your giving. Shop ELCA Good

Gifts at ELCA.org/goodgifts.

What’s Going On!

Christmas Pageant Practice Begins Sunday, Dec. 8th

This year for our Children’s Pageant, we are expanding to be an inter-generational Family Christmas Play—one that many of you already know and love:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

The pageant will be a 30 minute adaptation of Dickens’ classic play, performed in “Reader’s Theater” format with a few traditional carols sung between scenes. We will provide some small character accessories as costumes. There is no need to memorize a part. All ages are welcome to participate in this heart-warming Christmas tale of love, acceptance, and generosity.

Our first rehearsal will be a meet-and-greet session, with introductions and a table read of the script on November 17th, following 10 am worship (at approx. 11:30 am, for those who cannot join us for church service). You will be assigned a part within a few days (communicated via email).

Following rehearsals will take place on

Sunday, December 8th from 11am to 12pm (Children)

Thursday, December 12th at 5:45pm to 7:15 pm (ALL Participants)

Sunday, December 15th from 9:15am to 9:50 am

Performance: December 15th during 10 am worship.

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Tuesday, December 24th is Christmas Eve!

Worship times are 6 pm and 10 pm.

Candlelight, carols, Holy Communion.

Sunday, December 29: 10 am ONLY

Christmas Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion

Sunday, January 5: 10 am ONLY

Epiphany Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion

All are welcome; invite your friends, family and neighbors.

What’s Going On!

Performances

Dec. 21, 22, 27, & 28

Tickets available @

FOXrwc.com &

PeninsulaBallet.org

This exuberant reimagining of The

Nutcracker reinvigorates the

beloved holiday tradition with a

21st century sensibility, while

cherishing all of our favorite

Nutcracker moments. An uplifting

tale filled with compassion,

playfulness, and triumph, The

Nutcracker is a heartwarming

celebration of family and the

holidays.

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Robert Lowman

will be performing!

David Borac will

be playing!

Saturday, December 7, 2019, 3:00 p.m.

Capuchino High School Performing Arts Center 1501 Magnolia

Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066 Tickets available now

on brownpapertickets.com or at the door

Enjoy classical and contemporary selections, folk tunes and carols, from composers such as Haydn, Palestrina, Purcell, Betinis and Juneau. This is the only chance this season to hear all six of our chorus levels; you won’t want to miss it!

The 230-member

Peninsula Girls

Chorus will

present a varied

program of choral

music for treble

voices of all ages.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 8:30& 10 am Worship, HC, Children’s time, Nursery

Discover the Labyrinth Activity! 11:30 am

2 pm Iglesia DM

2 3-4 pm Cleaning 7 pm Open AA

3

6-6:45 pm Centering Prayer in Sanctuary

4

7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW

10 am-2 pm Hope Services Cooking 5-8:30 pm IDM in WW

5

7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW

Confirmation 3:30-5 pm. WW

CLC CHOIR 7-8:30 pm

6

5 pm IIDM 9 pm Cleaning

7

7:30 am Open AA

Coastside choral practice 10-12 pm

8

One worship @ 9:30 with annual budget meeting afterwards

Community Sing @ CMUC 7 pm

2 pm Iglesia DM

9

8-10 am Carpet Cleaning

3-4 pm Cleaning NO AA

10

2-3:30pm Women’s Bible Study, WW

6-6:45 pm Centering Prayer in Sanctuary

11 7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW

10 am-2 pm Hope Services Cooking 5-8:30 pm IDM in WW

12 7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW

Choir/Pageant rehearsal all ages @ 5:45 pm-7 pm

13

5 pm IDM 9 pm Cleaning

14

7:30 am Open AA

Coastside choral practice 10-12 pm

Coastside Choral

Concert 7:30pm

15 8:30& 10 am Worship, HC, Children’s time, Nursery

A Christmas Carol Pageant during 10 am worship

2 pm Iglesia DM

16

3-4 pm Cleaning 7 pm Open AA

17

6 –6:45 pm Centering Prayer in Sanctuary

18 7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW

10 am-2 pm Hope Services Cooking 5-8:30 pm IDM in WW

6:45 pm Council Conference Rm

19

7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW

NO Book Club this month. Meet 4th Thursday, Jan. 23, Café Mezzaluna 12

Confirmation 3:30-5 pm. West Wing

No choir practice

20

5 pm IDM 9 pm Cleaning

21

7:30 am Open AA

22

8:30& 10 am Worship, HC, Children’s time, Nursery

Choir Practice after 10 am worship

2 pm Iglesia DM

23

3-4 pm Cleaning 7 pm Open AA

24

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP 6 PM &

10 PM

25 MERRY

CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

26

7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW ?

No choir practice

27

5 pm IDM 9 pm Cleaning

28

7:30 am Open AA

29 ONLY 10 am Worship, HC, Children’s time, Nursery

Carol Sing

2 pm Iglesia DM

30

3-4 pm Cleaning 7 pm Open AA

31

New Year’s Eve

IDM WORSHIP 3pm—1 am

1

Happy New Year!

2 7-9 am Community Breakfast in WW?

No choir practice

3 5 pm IDM 9 pm Cleaning

4

Celebrating Epiphany with one worship @ 10 am Jan. 5, 2020, blessing our church and our homes!! Activity and snacks to follow.

DECEMBER 2019

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December 2019 Newsletter

OUR CALL

Coastside Lutheran Church is a spiritual harbor where all, without exception, are welcome

and accepted with open arms. We are fed and we grow by sharing in the grace of God

through Jesus Christ, so we can go out to serve the community, inspired by the Holy Spirit

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:30 am Worship—simpler format with

Holy Communion

Welcome & Fellowship between Worships

10:00 am Worship with Holy Communion,

Nursery Care, Children’s Time & Chapel

COASTSI DE LUTHERAN CH URCH 900 N. Cabrillo Hwy

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

COASTSIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Website: coastsidelutheran.org Phone: 650.726.9293 Email: info@coastsidelutheran.org

Coastside Lutheran Church is proud to be a Reconciling in Christ congregation and a member of the ELCA.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship:

Tuesday, December 24,

6 pm and 10 pm with Holy Communion

Sunday, December 29: 10 am worship only

Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion