Christmas music at its finest will highlight both worship services this Sunday as the John Nilsen Trio joins our Chancel Choir in leading us to Bethlehem.

Pianist John Nilsen is one of the most successful recording artists in the Northwest. With over 425,000 records sold, John can be seen performing his original instrumental pieces of jazz, classical, folk and rock throughout the United States and elsewhere in the world. John is joined by bass guitarist Jeff Leonard who played with the Tom Grant Band for seven years and Jason Moore on percussion. John and his friends will share some of their favorite Christmas music and we will all join in singing many beloved carols.

After the service you have the opportunity to buy CD's and cassettes of John's music. A free will offering will also be taken to support the trio's ministry with us.

One constant in working with the Western Washington County Interfaith Hospitality Network is that change can be expected. That has happened with our anticipated homeless families who will be housed in our church for the week beginning Sunday, Dec. 29.

Rather than three families of one mother and child each, we now expect one mother and young child, a second mother with 8 and 12-year-olds and a third mother with two children to be interviewed this week. We anticipate a total of three adults and five children.

The sign-up sheet for dinner hosts, overnight hosts and grocery providers is now posted in the Fellowship Hall. All those who will be in Hillsboro over the holidays are invited to help make our homeless guests feel welcome by participating in some way.

Thanks again to those who have responded so generously in December with gifts for our Shared Ministry as well as the 100 Christmas food and gift boxes we are providing for needy families in our community. We are all to be commended for this outpouring of love and compassion.

I encourage you to read Bishop Paup's letter included in this issue of the Spire and consider if you are able to help us with our Shared Ministry responsibility. Our total Shared Ministry responsibility for the year is about $65,000. We expect to have about $35,000 of that total paid and any additional gifts received in the next couple of weeks will help us come closer to our full responsibility.

Our staff reduction plan for the coming year will bring us into better balance as Trevor Erion pursues a second vocation in real estate sales and becomes a part time employee. Norma Tucker's work hour reduction and beginning to draw on her retirement has helped us out as well.

Being married now and with a young child Trevor and Tami would like to buy a home and consider some changes in their lives. While Trevor finds ministry with students greatly rewarding the compensation for this ministry is not often adequate to support a growing family. After some soul-searching, prayer and conversation with friends Trevor has decided that a real estate career could meet their financial needs and allow him to continue ministry with students on a less than fulltime basis.

We have worked out a plan to reduce Trevor's compensation in phases during the coming year as he begins to work in real estate sales.

On behalf of all of the staff we wish you and your loved ones a most blessed Christmas!
- Fred Kane

This is a great opportunity to discuss 8 timely topics affecting how they relate to the foreign policy of the US. One important feature of this program is that all participants can complete an opinion ballot on each topic that is then forwarded to the Foreign Policy Association in New York. Results are tabulated by state and shared with members of Congress, the White House and the4 media. A signup sheet is in the Fellowship Hall. If you have questions please call Arden Sheets at 503-640-2116

Just a quick reminder. Sunday, we have $crip for sale, with same day delivery for several of the more popular $crip merchants. may choose from: Car Wash, Home Depot, Burger King, McDonald¹s, Newport Bay, Red Robin, Shari¹s Fred Meyer, Safeway and Thriftway.

See you at the $crip sales table in the Fellowship Hall in January.

After the first of the year, we will be resuming our monthly Older Adults Lunch with Lefty gatherings. For this, I need the assistance of members of the congregation who, on an occasional basis, might be able to help provide a light lunch featuring soup, salad, and a light dessert. If you would be willing to assist in meal preparation, please call Lefty, 503-359-3597.

Oregon Repertory Singers present their annual Christmas concert December 20, 21 and 22. The Friday and Saturday night concerts are at St. Philip Neri Church, SE 18th & Division and the Sunday afternoon concert is at St. Mary's Cathedral, 1716 NW Davis. Tickets may be purchased at 230-0652 or at the door. Call Lefty Schultz 359-3597 for information.

Offering envelopes for 2003 will be ready to be picked up in the Narthex beginning this Sunday, Dec. 22.

Children or adult church school teachers will be taking a Christmas break for the next two Sundays, Dec. 22nd and 29th. We will resume our studies on Jan. 6.

New classes for the coming year for adults include:

• The PBS presentation “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero”. It will explore the fundamental issue of how the spiritual lives of believers and non-believers has been challenged by the tragedy of September 11.
• In our Great Decisions Class you will have the opportunity to discuss 8 timely topics which affect US foreign policy. Sign-up now in the fellowship hall for study books.
• The Discovery Class designed for those interested in knowing more about the United Methodist Church and this congregation will also start its 6-week sessions in January.
• Philip Yancey’s book and video series “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” will help you not only gain a better understanding of what grace is and why it is so precious, but also integrates it into your life. Come for engaging questions, provocative Bible study, and lively discussion.




---



Letter of Thanks and Challenge from our Bishop Edward Paup



I am writing to you and members of your congregation to extend my sincere appreciation for your support of our 2002 Shared Ministries.

Shared Ministries is a fundamental part of the connected family we call The United Methodist Church. Through sacrificial giving, special fund raising events and careful use of your financial resources you enable the missions and ministries approved by the Conference to make a difference in people's lives throughout our conference and the world. These ministries include our Hispanic and Campus Ministry programs, support for our mission personnel, the continuing development of the conference website, and the shared costs of our district offices, conference center and common operating costs.

Although many of our congregations have either fulfilled or are close to fulfilling their Shared Ministrie4s responsibilities for 2002, there are others that have a way to go before the end of the year. The financial hardships that challenge all of us seem overwhelming in these uncertain economic times,. Unemployment, diminished savings, rising operating and benefit costs (especially in health care and other insurance) continue to confront us and put additional pressure on our resources. However, we are people of faith and it is in difficult times that we see God's faithfulness revealed to us.

At our last annual conference, a member exclaimed with great passion, "Why can't we believe that God will help us with the financing of our churches? Budget our Shared Ministries apportionments first, not last. God will give us the strength to do the rest." What a powerful statement of faith!

My prayer for each of us during this time of expectancy and new birth is that we will truly feel God's love and grace in our lives and share that miracle with the world. As we approach the end of 2002, may we do our best to be faithful to our financial commitments that undergird important outreach through The United Methodist Church. With the full financial support of each congregation, our mission and ministry will touch people in powerful ways.

Together we can make a difference in the world.

May God's blessings be yours in this time.

Sincerely, in Christ,
Edward W. Paup, Portland Area Bishop





---



Giving Statements



If you want to receive a giving statement and do not make a pledge, please let Norma know in the office so she can assign an offering number to you in the computer. This way your giving can be more easily recorded for an end of the year statement for a charitable deduction. Please do this as soon as possible so envelopes can be picked up before year end.

December 31 is the last date to receive an IRS charitable contribution credit for 2002. Your gifts must be into the office or postmarked by that date. We can, of course, receive your gifts after that date, but you will receive credit for 2003. We will not make our final Shared Ministry contribution until after January 1.





---



What's Happening
Thursday, December 19
2 pm - Blood Drive
6:30 pm - Chancel Bell rehearsal
7 pm - Band
7:30 pm - Choir rehearsal

Friday, December 20
7 pm - Gift Wrapping

Saturday, December 21
9 am - Food and gift delivery
4:30 pm - Vineyard Church

Sunday, December 22
8:30 and 11 am - John Nilsen Trio in worship
No Church School

Tuesday, December 24
5 pm - Family Christmas Eve Worship with children's participation
(children come early to pick out a costume)
11 pm - Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship

Wednesday, December 25
Office Closed

Saturday, December 28
4:30 pm - Vineyard Church

Sunday, December 29
10 am - Worship (one service)
No Church School

December 31, 2002
7 pm - New Year's Eve All Night Party for Youth at Harvest Community Church

Sunday, January 4
8:30 am - Worship
9:45 am - Church School
11 am - Worship

Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1
Women's Retreat




---