POP’s 50^th ANNIVERSARY “Golden Jubilee” is here! Festivities begin this Sat., Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. with the free “Recital” in the sanctuary. Come watch and listen to some of POP’s finest as they share their talents. A variety of acts are planned sure to entertain everyone and make all of us proud too.

APPETIZERS will be served in the Fireside Room right after the recital (shortly after 5 p.m.). Come, meet and mingle with guests and members, old and new.

THE GALA ANNIVERSARY BANQUET will begin at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Don’t forget to bring tickets. In addition to the great catered food offered, there will be a premiere showing of the anniversary video produced. Individuals representing various decades of POP’s ministry will be introduced. The women’s ensemble will sing. A joyous time is expected.

SUNDAY MORNING, Oct. 11, the celebration continues at 9:30 a.m. with the Christian Education Hour and Adult Forum. Pastor John will lead the forum this Sunday and share insights from the anniversary psalm, Psalm 150. The Anniversary Liturgy will begin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Richard “Dick” Allen, POP’s first pastor (now living in retirement in Palmer, Alaska) will deliver the sermon. A reception following this service will conclude the October anniversary festivities.

THE LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE for this area is meeting in convention this weekend in Yakima. Prem Robert and Jesse & Bev Gilbert will represent POP. We look forward to learning more about resources available for everyone.

CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY. November 4-7 is just around the corner. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 20 you will be able to sign up for photo time slots. There will be appointments on Wed, Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday during the day. All are encouraged to participate. There is no cost!!! If you are not going to be in town when the pictures are taken (snowbirds – this is meant especially for you) please let the office know right away. It may be possible to get you scheduled at an area church before you leave. It has been about five years since we did a pictorial directory here at POP. It is time for a new one. Everyone who has their picture taken gets a directory. If you wish to submit your own picture you have to pay $10 to have it put in the directory, (however shut-ins and military who won’t be here are exempt). There is no obligation to purchase any of the pictures taken – we just want everyone included in this Jubilee Directory. Volunteers will be needed to staff the appointment table on the days of the shoots and help is also needed in designing the activity pages. If you would like to help with any of these “jobs” please call the church office. (584-2565). Lets have all of our people represented!

POP’s ANNUAL FALL CLEAN-UP is Saturday, Oct. 17. Come ! Volunteers are asked to come at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. The more volunteers there are, the faster it goes. Even if you can only give an hour – it will help.

CONGRATS to POP’s elder, John Pirie, who is a teacher at Lydia Hawk School in Lacey. This weekend he will receive the Washington State Elementary “Art Educator of the Year” Award.

OPCTOBER IS LUTHERAN WITNESS RENEWAL MONTH at POP. If you are currently taking this monthly publication of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, or if you would like to start, please pick up a form from table talk and fill it out. Cost will be $15 this year. Please make checks payable to Prince of Peace and place in the collection plate or give to Margaret in the office. Wonder what the Lutheran Witness looks like? There are copies on Table Talk.

HUNGER WALK – On Saturday, Oct 10 beginning at 10 a.m. the annual Pierce County Hunger walk will take place this year. A Saturday instead of a Sunday is new this year. If you didn’t get a chance to sponsor a walker – give Debby Keene, Brendon Keene, or Tom & Carol Cabe a call. They are planning to walk and welcome pledges.  Each year POP’s Food Closet is one of the recipients of this support. You may designate your donation – ½ to national and ½ to local resources. With the current state of the economy – the need is growing everywhere. Please help if you are able.

THE “LSB” (Lutheran Service Book), published from Missouri Synod, will be an additional resource for our worship services. It has been endorsed by our Elders, Church Council, Worship Comm., and Anniversary Comm.  The LSB is available for $30 each which includes imprinting POP’s name and postage. Members are encouraged to purchase one copy (or more) for congregational worship. These new hymnals will also be a legacy of the congregation’s Golden Jubilee.  For each hymnal purchased, an additional hymnal will be purchased from a matching gift fund, provided by a $2000 anonymous gift and the Memorial Fund.  Book plates will be placed in each purchased hymnal as a gift.  A copy may also be purchased “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone.  Order forms are in the narthex and the church office.  Please bring your order and money to the church office or place it in the Sunday offering clearly marked and identified for “LSB.” 

“JUMP TO IT!” is the theme for the coming event arranged for current third through sixth graders by the Puget Sound Youth Board. These young people are invited to a “day” of games, music, food, and new friends at the Mount Rainier Lutheran High School on Sat., Oct. 24. Because POP’s Youth Committee will help subsidize costs, registration for this gathering is only $5 each. But, it is required that individuals sign up by Sunday, Oct. 18. Please contact Allison Pirie (360-492-7463).

CHRISTMAS WREATHS are coming again, offered by the Valparaiso University Guild.  Noble Fir evergreens are available for use at your home or for shipping cross-country.    Ordering time is short, with an October 27 deadline.  Wreaths, swags, garland and crosses can be ordered for local use; 20” and 24” wreaths can be ordered for mailing via UPS.  They are sent immediately after Thanksgiving and arrive fresh in early December.  Prices are noted on the church narthex bulletin board, with order forms available.  For more information, call Lois Bekemeier (582-6979) or Jo Heussman (584-6436).  Don’t delay.

SEAMAN CENTER BOXES – LWML plans to pack a multitude of Seaman Center Boxes at the meeting on Nov. 3. To that end they are asking that people donate a different item each week. This week they are asking for warm socks (last weeks item) and stocking caps (this week’s item). Just put the donations in the box in the narthex. The Center likes to have the boxes by Thanksgiving – so now is the time to gather the items. This way you are not asked to find everything that goes in a box – just one or two items. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could pack 50 boxes on our 50 year anniversary!

“JOY IN SERVING CHIRST” is the theme of the Rainier Zone LWML Fall Rally to be held on Sat., Oct. 17 beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is $5 which includes lunch. It is hosted by St. Luke’s in Federal Way. A sign-up and directions are available in the narthex. Several will carpool.

KUDOS TO POP’S GRETCHEN ANN BURKHART, one of 850 students named to the Pacific Lutheran University Dean’s List for Spring 2009. Gretchen, daughter of Shane and Susan Burkhart, is a 2008 graduate and valedictorian of Steilacoom High school and is the recipient of a nursing army ROTC scholarship and a Merit scholarship. She is perusing a degree in nursing at PLU.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

* Adult Forum: Pastor John will lead a study of Psalm 150 (the theme for our anniversary year) this Anniversary Sunday.  Please join Adult Forum in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 each Sunday.

This Sunday, Oct. 11, the Sunday School lesson studies “Elijah and the Prophets of Baal”. Just as the true God revealed Himself on Mount Carmel’s altar, so on the cross-shaped altar of Mount Calvary, Jesus revealed once and for all that He alone is the real God who loves us enough to die for us. Parents could ask, “How did God demonstrate His power on Mount Carmel? How does God reveal Himself to us?”

*The Board of Education is seeking teachers/helpers for the Parents & Twos class.  We'd like to start class, but cannot unless you help!  We're looking for people who are patient, caring, and enjoy sharing the love of Jesus.  Parents & Twos would be held during the Education hour, approximately twice a month. Please contact the office or Mary Pirie if you're interested.

MUSICAL NOTES:  Thanks to all who participated in the adult forum on Lutheran Service Book the last four Sundays.  It was a great class with much information and many good questions.  ~  This coming Sunday’s anniversary service will feature special music (trumpets, choir, and organ) to commemorate this special occasion.  ~  Be on hand for the Talent Show this Saturday at 4 p.m.  We have a baker’s dozen of vocal and instrumental acts that will entertain you. – Richard Wildhirt, Minister of Music

THE PUGET SOUND FALL PASTORS’ CONFERENCE is meeting this week in Wenatchee. Area pastors will be joined this year by those from the Inland Empire Conference. Because of final preparations for POP’s Golden Anniversary, Pastor John will not attend this year’s gathering. He looks forward to getting a report from other friends and pastors in attendance.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Just a month from now!! The church will have its own table again, so think about something you could make for the sale. Proceeds will go to the Food Closet. It is never too early – or it is not yet too late!- to start a craft project. And don’t forget the bake sale table. Questions? Call the church office (584-2565) Costs to have your own table are $40 for two days.

HOSPITALIZED: Laurie Shad is in Madigan following surgery. Dan Legler is home recovering from surgery last week.

POP’S FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be Tues., Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. In addition to other reports, an update on the kitchen will be provided. The 2010 budget will also be presented and elections for the 2010 church council will be held.

HOUSTON, TEXAS will be the site of next summer’s synodical convention. At the recent Pastors’ Conference Pastor John was affirmed to be the pastoral delegate to represent this Nisqually Circuit. Elected earlier as the alternate, he will now replace Pastor Dan Gerken who is unable to attend.

MOUNT RAINIER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL will host a special re-dedication event on Sun., Oct. 18, to acknowledge its first five years and to honor those first supporting congregations (including POP). All are invited to this event set to begin at 2 p.m.

THE FALL BOOK SALE sponsored by Friends of the Lakewood Library will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 & 17. Hardbacks, paperbacks, magazines, music, movies, maps – it is all available at amazing prices. Support your local library and find a bargain in the process. The library is located on the corner of Gravelly Lake and Wildaire Rd.

A FREE CPR CLASS  (Adult, Child & Infant CPR with Defibrillator Practice) will be offered on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Tacoma Elks Lodge #174, 1965 South Union Ave. Pre-registration is recommended. Please call 253-594-7979 or long on to www.CPRSunday.net to make your reservation. This class is taught by the Tacoma Fire Department and a CPR card will be yours upon successful completion of the course.

Concordia Lutheran School and Mount Rainier Lutheran High still have some space available for new students in grades kindergarten through 12th for the 09/10 school year.  Due to anticipated cuts and expected larger class sizes in the public school system, Concordia and MRLH will be extending summer enrollment into the fall to ensure families the opportunity for late enrollment if necessary. Both schools offer need based financial assistance to families.  If you are at all interested in sending your children to Concordia,  please call Admissions Counselor, Jeanette Merod for more information @ 253-906-2862 or call the school directly @ 253-475-9513.  For High School enrollment contact Craig Neumiller at 253-284-4433. We are more than willing to work with families to share the common goal of Christ Centered Education for their children.

www.concordiatacoma.com

www.mrlh.org