Dear Loved Ones,
I did not forget you. Here is Family Matters for December 2009.

Sychar has a baby son!!! Chad Michael Lee Burginger, Jr.!!! Dori is his sister and his parents are Chad and Tammy. He was born Wednesday, November 4, and weighed in at 10 lbs. 6 oz. He dressed up in his Sunday suit and came to church the following Sunday at 4 days old. He's a keeper! Now Pastor Robin is planning her first baptism since she came to Sychar. God is good!

Lisa came back from the Middle School Gathering wearing a prayer shawl. She is happy to show it off and tell how the youth received their prayer scarves with joy and expectation. The response of the churches in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod to this plea for prayer shawls was tremendous.

THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY ~ What is it? “Shawls made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter, and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles …” . (Written in 1998 by Janet Bristow Copyright © 2009). If you type in Prayer Shawls in the browser of your computer, you'll find many sites with information about the ministry: books, patterns, hints, etc. I was amazed .at all the material available.

Sychar's Prayer Shawl ministry started about a year or two ago. Evelyn Buetow and Peggi Potter were instrumental in getting a group of “knit wits” together. (God Himself is a knitter, you know: He knit me together in my mother's womb according to Psalm 139. ) Those who have received a prayer shawl. were so happy to be remembered in this way and felt so comforted in wearing one and knowing people cared... Should you want to join this group, or even to learn to knit or crochet, these experienced women will be happy to welcome you. They welcome also your gifts of yarn or donations to buy yarn to knit into prayer shawls. May God our Father continue to bless and use this ministry to help others through their tough times, or even their good times.

We are sorry to see Faith Gose and her family leave for the Cities and new opportunies there. She is a blessing to so many: choir, bell choir, Wednesday school, Bible study, and so many other activities. A potluck lunch was held in her honor on November 24. She will love hearing from you.  Her address is:

John Crego is staying with his son Curt. He has been falling. Nothing broken, but the family wants him close. His address is:

Alice Gubrud was honored by her family on her 80th birthday. They put on a huge spread at the Beaver Bay Community Center. All of her family was present. Curt presided over the cake table. He had made from scratch one of most beautiful cakes
Although we are saying Good Bye to some, Pastor Robin pointed out we are saying Hello to another. Tim Bjella “Father Tim” is joining Sychar. It was so good to see him singing with the choir on Sunday.
Welcome Tim! We pray that we will be a blessing to you in your journey of faith, as you are to us with your God-given gifts.

I am happy and proud to report the accomplishments of Nathan Skoglund.. Nathan received the Air Force Commendation Medal on November 4 for outstanding achievement. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention here. I will post them on a bulletin board. Congratulations and God's rich blessings, Nathan, for your initiative and hard work!

Sychar observed All Saints Sunday remembering all those who left the Church Militant and joined the Church Triumphant. The names of those who died this past year were spoken before the Lord and the bell tolled. They are Howard Wilkinson, Lucy Spencer, Mable Monson, Marvin Robinson, Lois Kelley, Sharon Nopola, Joan Helgeson, and Helen Thronson.

Thanksgiving Eve was observed with the Beaver Bay Assembly of God Church, United Protestant Church, and Zion Lutheran Church, Finland, at Sychar. Pastors Deborah Lunde and Paul Scaringi, as well as Pastor Robin, participated. Pastor Deborah preached on Psalm 103. Read that Psalm out loud and see and appreciate what we have in Christ. We have reason to be very thankful.

Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes were stacked before the Lord's Table and blessed before they were sent off to bless young children at Christmas. The postage for each box was high, so if you feel led, drop a donation in the offering plate and mark it for OCC postage. I heard it was something like $7 per box. The stories of the children who receive them are amazing. It is a ministry of Franklin Graham. Marie Kaiser keeps our eyes open to the needs of others. Thank you, Marie, for heading this important mission.

Of course, we can't forget our annual Fall Festival on November 21. Special dainty and delicate Christmas cookies were made one day; the next day the lefse crew came led by Marlene and Arnie Overby. They had all the lefse made by 11 a.m. What a team! Mary Bauman and Circle 6 handled the lunch. The church women work hard getting this ready. And it always spells SUCCESS!

Our Prayers for the Sheep continues to grow. We have many hurting ones asking for prayer. I have a bookmark that says, NO CHRISTIAN IS GREATER THAN HIS PRAYER LIFE. We are commanded to pray for one another. Let us lift up those experiencing the death of a loved one: ...[names left off posting due to internet]...many prayer concerns and praises!

And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!