Christmas at the Cathedral - Relying on Christmas Miracles

“I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ” Galatians 3:5

I love all things Christmas! I love the lights sparkling in the trees, the songs, the decorations, the movies (yes, I had to watch A Christmas Story for probably the 20th time and I still laughed out loud at the part when Ralphie has to wear the pink bunny suit from his Aunt Claire). Most of all, however, I love the activities at our church. For 26 years now I have been celebrating Christmas with my Washington Cathedral church family and every year it gets better and better.

Every Christmas it takes a series of miracles to make everything happen and every Christmas it seems that God enables us to pull off the impossible. This year was no exception! It started with our Santa Conspiracy. Every year people of our church dress up like Santa or his helpers and go to hospitals, nursing homes, retirement centers and group family homes to deliver a little Christmas cheer in the form of a stuffed teddy bear or cuddly animal. In order to meet the needs of all the facilities we need approximately 5,000 bears. When all the bears were counted one week prior to “Santa Day” we needed 1,900 more bears to meet our goal. We sent out the cry, “We need 1900 more bears” and miraculously on the Saturday before the Santa Conspiracy bears started pouring in! And by the time we had finished counting them on Sunday night - we not only had enough bears, but we had about 200 bears left over to use next year!

Next was the Christmas Drama. This year’s Glory of Christmas Drama was a tremendous success. Over 800 people showed up to witness our efforts in telling the Christmas Story in a new and compelling way. I have worked with Pastor Naomi for several years in pulling these off. My job is to help recruit cast members, get them into appropriate costumes, and try to get them to the right place at the right time. Her job is to pull the music and drama together into one cohesive unit and work out all the other details (a mammoth job!). Both of us are trying to put wheels on Pastor Dale’s vision for the story we are trying to tell. This year, at the last dress rehearsal we both looked at one another and said “It’s going to take a huge miracle to pull this one off!” We had key people getting sick, we didn’t have coverage on some key technical and backstage roles, and we never got to do a full run through on the entire program. But for some reason, when it came to Thursday night, we both seemed to have a peace about things . . . or maybe it was numbness!? Anyway, it couldn’t have been better. Things just rolled right along without any kind of glitch. All the musicians, actors, stage hands, and technical people showed up and every spot was filled. The program was our best ever and Naomi and I said to one another, “Praise God for miracles!”

Of course, my favorite service of the year is the one on Christmas Eve. We have a long-standing tradition of (I think) one of the most beautiful Christmas Eve Services I’ve ever been to. Spirit Falls Sanctuary just sparkles on Christmas Eve. It is like the building knows it has a very important story to tell that night. One of the highlights of every Christmas Eve is having a ballerina dance to “O Holy Night” (this year was sung once again by Rhonda Jones). The key to that element of the night is actually having a ballerina to dance. Pastor Naomi and I both made several calls to people we knew to no avail. So I began calling dance schools. I called the University of Washington dance school and the lady who answered the phone said that she’d be happy to send out an email, but I better not count on a response because most of the students were gone home for Christmas break. I thanked her for agreeing to send out the email and hung up the phone thinking, “Another dead end.” To my surprise and joy, the next morning at 8 am I received a phone message from a young lady who said she just got the email and wanted more information. When I got back to her and she told me about her experience and qualifications―I immediately knew that God had pulled it off again. Not only was she a wonderful dancer, but she was so excited about dancing at a church on Christmas Eve. She said her family was in the south area and that she’d be honored to dance for both the 6 and 11pm services. If you were able to be here for Christmas Eve, you saw what a beautiful, creative dancer she is. But what you wouldn’t have seen is her beautiful heart for the Lord. She danced with feeling because she believed every word that Rhonda was singing. Her mother came to both services and watched her daughter dance. I couldn’t help but glance over at her face and I don’t think any parent could be more proud than she was at that moment. They both loved Washington Cathedral and thanked us for giving them the opportunity to spend Christmas Eve with our church.

Christmas is over now and as I think back on all the things that happened, I thank God that I am in a church were “We not only believe in miracles- - - we rely on them!” I thank God for all the people who let their lives be used to tell the story and I thank God for the opportunity in this coming year to witness more of the same.

Blessings to you all!!

Pastor Linda Skinner

"The Glory of Christmas!"

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.Isaiah 9:2

Over the past two months, families in our church have been giving hours of their time learning songs and lines. For weeks the atrium of the ReCreation Center has been packed with parents waiting for their kids who are practicing for the Christmas play. Why are they doing this at the busiest time of the year? One dad told me, “Because this is what Christmas is all about!”

For 26 years our church has been telling the story of Christmas through music, drama, dancing, and preaching. We’ve transformed high school gyms, VFW halls, senior centers, and barns to tell the story. I can’t begin to count the number of volunteer hours that have gone into building sets, sewing costumes, taking flyers door to door, baking cookies, folding bulletins, labeling envelopes, cutting down trees. . . the list goes on and on. Why? I think if you asked anyone they’d say, “Because this is what Christmas is all about!”

This year our theme for Christmas is “Let’s Share the Light.” That’s what we have been doing all December in each of our services and that’s what we are doing on Thursday and Friday night.

Thursday night’s Glory of Christmas drama is entitled “One Candle Can Light the World” and will be at 7:30 pm in Mountainside Sanctuary. This beautiful dramatic depiction of the glory and wonder of the first Christmas will fill you with Christmas joy. Before the drama you’ll enjoy Christmas carols with the choir, and a heartwarming children’s drama entitled “What’s a Nativity?” (What would Christmas be without kids singing and acting?) Afterwards, there will be homemade Christmas cookies, hot cider and coffee waiting for you in the Library.

Friday night, Christmas Eve, we have two beautiful worship services in our Spirit Falls Sanctuary at 6pm and 11pm. As you enter you’ll notice the waterfall in all its beauty and immediately you’ll hear the beautiful harp being played by Diane Chattin. As is our tradition, we will sing Christmas carols, enjoy a ballerina dancing to Rhonda’s “O Holy Night”, Travis will share a new Christmas song he wrote, the choir will sing about joy, and the little cherub ballerina’s will bless us. And of course, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and Kings will dramatically tell the story in our traditional style of a live nativity. I will share a wonderful inspiring message of hope and candles will be lit as we sing Silent Night. The service will end with an invitation to communion. What a way to prepare for Christmas!!!

Please join us this Christmas. We have a light to share with you! Bring your friends, family and neighbors. They will thank you . . . “Because this is what Christmas is all about!”

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White

"Share the Light!"

Washington Cathedral 2010

4 Astonishing Miracles Now
And One Memory Moment!

You can choose your own miracle
and "Share the Light!"

One - “My Jesus Christmas Gift”
Nothing else makes much sense about Christmas, but with my Jesus gift everything else can make joyous sense! “They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.” Mat 2:11

A Cathedral tradition―all of us, individuals and/or families, bring our special “Christmas bank” is the very heart and essence of Christmas worship. Any Christmas Sunday and especially Christmas Eve you may leave your “Jesus Christmas gift” on the altar.

Two - “The Miracle of the Gray Curtain”
Nothing is sadder than people in nursing and retirement homes who have lost the ability to experience personal love and joy at Christmas. Washington Cathedral’s “Santa Conspiracy” proves to be again and again, a psychiatric and spiritual breakthrough (at least for a few minutes) for hundreds of terribly lonely people.

Three - “The Three Sundays of Christmas at the Cathedral”
(December 5th, 12th & 19th)
Each of these Sundays are carefully designed as a “Christmas Bursts in Beauty” experience. If you can only make one you won’t miss the glory, but the three will focus more and more our hearts! Different amazing children’s groups will guarantee this miracle.

Four - “The Glory of Christmas Drama” 7:30pm ~ December 23rd
Will reignite and reprogram all of our hearts so the glow of Christmas will last for a lifetime! Christmas Eve Family Communion is a short, sweet, precious church family tradition. (6pm or 11pm)

Dr. Dale Caleb White

"MERRY CHRISTMAS - - - IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!"

The Christmas season is upon us again, with its wonderful sounds and smells -- and parties, family get-togethers, shopping, wrapping gifts, baking cookies, concerts, pageants, decorating and singing Christmas carols, etc. etc. It's a busy time of year and we tend to wear ourselves out! And it comes around every year, and we celebrate!

But whatever happened to that “Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Christ the Savior is born!”?

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them."Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord! This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

Let us remember that it's all about JESUS, who came to earth as a little baby to save us from our sins. That's why we celebrate! Let's keep Him central in all our preparations and celebrations leading up to Christmas and remember the real “Reason for the Season” - it's JESUS! Take some quiet time to remember and celebrate our wonderful Savior. He is worthy of all our adoration and praise. HALLELUJAH! And a Merry Christmas!!

Pastor Marilyn Biggs

It's Christmas at the Cathedral. . . Let's

“Share the Light!”

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance. Look and see, for everyone is coming home! . . . Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy.”

Isaiah 60:1-5

Dear Friends,

Being a part of a kid’s Christmas Pageant is one of the biggest, warmest points in any child’s faith. It’s the kind of thing that builds memories for a lifetime. Last Sunday, several of our Washington Cathedral young people stopped me at the door to ask if they could be a part of the Christmas pageant this year. I said, “Well, we’ll have to wait and see.” One little girl responded back to me, “Well, you’re the big cheese; can't you put in a good word for me?” People call pastors a lot of things - priests - reverends, but seldom are we called “the big cheese.” But yes, this year we as a staff decided that every child should get take part in a Christmas program. Our church has a long standing tradition that “people attend once a year or every Sunday.” And at Christmas we are always happy when we get to welcome people home with open arms. So regardless of your busy schedule, there ought to be some time that will work for your kids to be a part of a Christmas program. And if they can be here for the 23rd (our one-hour Christmas Pageant) then what a blessing that will be for everyone!

Yes, it’s Christmas season at the Cathedral! I am here on Tuesday morning and I can't tell you how beautiful the Spirit Falls Chapel and the Randy & Rod Halvorson ReCreation Center look with the glistening snow covering them (and the entire campus). A few of us made it in. Bob Baird is setting up a Christmas tree lot (which will be ready soon after Thanksgiving); plans are being made for our church Christmas decorations (all done by volunteers with Christmas Spirit); and the services this year will be warm, spirit-filled and sparkling with Christmas!

Starting December 5th we will have a Christmas Children’s programs every weekend as a part of the service. And- - - if you want your kids to be part of it then they are more than welcome. Different ages will be the focus of each weekend. We hope to have a bunch of kids at each of our services for each weekend!

Sunday, December 5th - The Cherubs! (2 & 3 year olds)
Sunday, December 12th - The Little Angles and Shepherds! (Infant through Kdg)
Sunday, December 19th - The Silent Nativity! (1st through 6th grade)
AND!!! ALL children get to be involved in The Kid’s Christmas Musical (a part of) “The Glory of Christmas” Pageant in Mountainside Sanctuary at 7:30pm on Thursday, December 23rd!

On Christmas Eve, December 24, at 6pm & 11pm, we will have an “old-style” Christmas Eve service in Spirit Falls Sanctuary concluding with a ballerina surrounded by tiny cherub dancers stealing the moment, reminding of us of the tiny cherub in each of us.

Please call my wife Jackie for more information 425-861-1375; she will be coordinating the children’s parts with Pastor Naomi, Jannette & Pastor Dale White.

It truly is going to be a very merry Christmas!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

P.S. Please invite family, friends and neighbors to any of these wonderful Christmas services. We plan to make each service a very special time for you to “Share the Light of Christmas.”

"Visualize With Me!"

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

I have a dream. It’s a dream I’ve had for 35 years. It is not a dream about buildings or reaching a certain number of people, but rather it is a dream about the quality of our church. 35 years ago, when God gave me the dream of starting and building Washington Cathedral―a church that would become a pacesetting, great caring network; I could see a fantastic Thanksgiving Eve service. The Thanksgiving holiday is a wonderful time to celebrate all the blessings God has brought into our lives.

Join me as I visualize this year- - - the front of our sanctuary filled with grocery sacks of food for the less fortunate- - - food that will be given to needy families in our community. Now, visualize with me a beautiful candlelight service with the magnificent Spirit Falls waterfall in the background.

After the service I visualize every family getting together with friends, family and/or a family they hardly know- - - new friends- - - and enjoying dessert or a snack in one of their homes followed by games and fun. This can be an evening that will pull our children and families together- - - to be the church-family that we dream of.

Won’t you help make these visions and dreams come true for your family and for our church? Come and celebrate with your church family and be a part of the Candlelight Thanksgiving Eve Service―Wednesday, November 24th at 7pm in Spirit Falls Sanctuary. Bring sacks of groceries and bring your family and friends- - - and- - - prepare to make friendships that will last a lifetime!!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

“Miracles Still Happen Today!”

Hello Pastor Tim,

I need to tell you this story- - -

Almost 10 years ago, when I was living in WA, I did attend WA Cathedral regularly. We were also part of a TLC and joined a couple’s seminar. I then became really ill and it didn't look good for me at all. I was treated at UW for Pemphigus Vulgaris - a blistering auto-immune disease. At UW, they did allow me to disconnect from my IV medications and attend service. My husband picked me up at the hospital and we drove to Redmond for church. I even remember one time I felt so weak that I was lying on the pew.

There was one service that I attended during this time and you preached on, “Miracles Still Happen Today!” You were telling us that Jesus didn’t just perform miracles in the bible, but that he still performs miracles today. In our handout was a small card which read, “It would be a miracle if/when_____.” We were asked to complete the sentence. I wrote, “It would be a miracle if I would become healthy again and would be able to have a child.” (Most of the medications that I had been taking would not allow me to get pregnant, or would reduce the chances of ever getting pregnant). We put all the small cards on the wall at the back of the church and gather there to pray over these cards for the next four weeks.

Well… I stopped taking medications in 2004 and I have not had a single blister since. On Thanksgiving Day of 2008 Markus was born and we are enjoying our days together. I moved back to Germany after I separated from my husband (otherwise I would stop by to tell you this story in person.) Feel free to tell this story as often as you like - I share it here in Germany. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

Have a wonderful day,

Carolin