“It just keeps getting better,” stated Jeff Johnson, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Holbrook. “From a modest beginning in 2013, our bazaar has grown each year ‘til this year we’re even changing venues to accommodate more stuff and more people.” Peace Lutheran Church’s 2016 Christmas Bazaar will be held Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 10-12, at Martinez Hall at the Navajo County Fairgrounds, instead of the Elks Lodge where it has been held in previous years. “The Elks have been such great partners,” Johnson explained, “but Martinez Hall offers us more possibilities–more space and more display areas.” And more space is needed for Santa’s Storage Shed (Holbrook’s biggest rummage sale), The Elves’ Workshop (craft sale) and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen (holiday-themed bake sale)! “Our quilting group has been working all year and we’ve got nearly 20 beautiful handmade quilts to offer this year,” reported Vivian May, head of the quilters’ group. Each of these lovely quilts, in various sizes, including some table runners and baby blankets, will be on display at Martinez Hall and available for bidding via a silent auction. “Besides our quilts, a group of us ‘crafty women’ have been making cute holiday crafts,” added Mary Johnson, who heads the crafting group. “We’ve got cute little snowmen, handcrafted jewelry, holiday candles with napkins and a whole lot more–and priced very reasonably.” Vicki King, Winslow resident and vice president of the Holbrook congregation, noted, “Yes, we hope to raise a lot of money for our congregation, but I want everyone to know that our little church does a lot in terms of reaching out to others. We help the Bread of Life Mission, the Holbrook Senior Center, the NAOMI House, First Step, the Native American Christian Academy in Sun Valley, Alice’s Place in Winslow and the Holbrook Pregnancy Center. We also support overseas missionaries, as well as involve ourselves in about everything else that comes down-the-pike, including our new Youth For Christ outreach. “We may be a small congregation, but we make a big impact in our area and the bazaar proceeds help us to do that,” King concluded. The Christmas Bazaar will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, with everything going for half-price starting at 12 noon that day. There will be no early sales. Contributions of good quality used items for the rummage sale, as well as craft and baked contributions are welcome, and pick up can be arranged. “It’s been gratifying that so many friends in the community not only patronize our bazaar, but contribute to it and even help us with the set up–a huge job,” said Pastor Johnson. “If anyone has any time to spare on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, Nov. 7, 8 or 9, we’ll be setting up at Martinez Hall from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on those days–and we’ll gladly provide lunch for our volunteers!” Peace Lutheran Church can be reached at 524-2718 or peace.lutheran.holbrook@gmail.com. The cell number for Pastor Johnson is (928) 421-9061. He and the congregation of Peace Lutheran invite the public to worship with them each Sunday at 10 a.m. (traditional) or 6 p.m. (contemporary). Peace Lutheran is located at 105 Svenson St., off of Hermosa Drive near the Bread of Life Mission.
