VOL FROM OUR PASTOR

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1 THE ANCHOR December 2018 VOL. 17 No. 12 FROM OUR PASTOR This year we are doing something new for us during Advent. We are celebrating the week before Christmas instead of having Wednesdays in Advent. Wednesdays in Advent and Lent are a rather new practice in the Church relatively speaking. Churches either just had services on Sunday or they had services every day. Now the week before Christmas is very special. You ve known about it all your life though you probably didn t realize it. It was during this week the O Antiphons were used. You know these as the verses of O Come, O Come, Immanuel. But this hymn is based on the antiphons, called the O Antiphons. Antiphons you might remember from our Sunday service is the verse that introduces the Introit of the day and is repeated at the end of it. There are seven of them. The Church used to prepare especially for Christmas these seven days finishing up the 8 th day with Christmas Eve. We hope that you will come and participate this week and to prepare yourself for the high feast of Christmas. Since we have a service every day, if you make it to the first one, it might be easier to remember the days that follow. Some might think having a service everyday for a week is just too much. Previous to my Lutheran days I had been to a number of revival services where there were two services every day for a week! Certainly we can do better at worship than the Assemblies of God and the Baptist! I pray that you will use these services indeed for reviving your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. You will use them to help prepare you for Christ s second advent (coming) as we celebrate his first advent (Christmas). During the season of Advent, churches that meet daily focus on three subjects during Advent. The first focus is readings from Isaiah promising a messiah. The second focus is on John the Baptist. Finally, the third focuses on these things: Dec. 17: Matt 1:1-17 The genealogy of Jesus Christ (Son of David, son of Abraham) Dec. 18: Matt 1:18-24 The dreams of Joseph about the conception

2 and birth of Jesus Dec. 19: Luke 1:5-25 The birth of John the Baptist is announced by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah Dec. 20: Luke 1:26-38 The birth of Jesus is announced by the angel Gabriel to Mary Dec. 21: Luke 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth, who calls Mary blessed Dec. 22: Luke 1:46-56 The Magnificat: Mary's song of praise to God Dec. 23: Luke 1:57-66 The birth, circumcision, and naming of John the Baptist I truly pray that you will be blessed during this worship time and be prepared to celebrate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas. God Bless! Pastor Guillaume Williams, Sr. Merry Christmas! ELDERS Just a reminder services will be every night December for Advent. Children s Christmas program will be held on December 16 th. Christmas Eve service is at 6 pm and Christmas Day will be at 9 am with communion. Please mark your calendar and we hope to see you at these services. If you are in need to speak to your elder, they are phone call away. Blessings this Christmas time, Chuck Kiel ( ), Gene Scheiter ( ), Alan Wiese ( )

3 BIBLE STUDIES Sunday s Bible Study Classes A bible study, led by Pastor Williams will meet in the downstairs fellowship hall. We are currently on 2 Samuel. Monday s Bible Study Classes are at 10 am in the meeting room. We ll be studying The Anonymous God published by CPH. It discusses American civil religion. It is a very interesting and informative book and it may change how you view your Christian life as a citizen of Heaven and as a citizen of the USA. We are asking a donation of $5 to cover the book. All are welcome to join any of the classes at anytime. PRAYER CHAIN To place a Prayer Request on the Prayer Chain, call the Prayer Chain Coordinator, Doris Meyer at If you CANNOT reach Doris, call the church office, or Pastor Williams, From Our Seminary Student Greetings from Lubbock, Texas: Fall in the high plains of west Texas, so far, reminds me of home. Some days are cool, wet, and windy. But others are just plain nice. Temperatures in the 60's or maybe even low-70's. Sunsets here can be just as beautiful as the ones that I remember back in Oklahoma. If the rain would cooperate just a little, I might still be able to enjoy another month of outdoor cycling before winter arrives in earnest. Our vicarage year is already a third of the way over. That's hard to believe. The folks here at Redeemer Lutheran in Lubbock have made us feel very welcome. I am getting to know them. And they are getting to know us. While a guest pastor might be able to speak the Word to any number of congregations across the country, being able to speak a word of grace in its season

4 to a specific person requires relationship. It often requires significant levels of trust, especially when it might be a difficult word or a difficult circumstance. And trust requires a track record, requires consistent presence. This is the privilege and responsibility of a parish pastor. The Texas Tech Student Fellowship continues to be encouraging. The students have enjoyed our study of Exodus. While attendance fluctuates based on class-load and exam schedules, we are still averaging about 15 students per week. And there are now two people attending the adult confirmation class on campus. It's now time to start planning for the Spring semester. If funds can be found to purchase the books, I would like to begin a Christian Citizenship class using Dr. Joel Biermann's book Wholly Citizens. Thank you again to everyone at Hope Chapel Lutheran Church for supporting my wife and me through the Adopt-A-Student program at Concordia Seminary. Thank you for being a part of preparing future pastors for service in God's Church and in His mission fields. In Christ, Vicar W. Jeff Jenkins Lutheran Student Center and Redeemer Lutheran Church Lubbock, Texas. MUSICAL NOTES Choir practice will be on the first 2 Wednesdays of the month at 6 pm. You do not have to read music to join! Come and raise a joyful sound to the Lord! Questions??? Call Debbie Thompson at

5 MISSIONARY MAHLBERG Dear Hope Chapel, Jesus said, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 First I give thanks to God that I can serve Him and be a part of His mission work here in Sri Lanka. My heart is filled with joy as I tell people here about Jesus Christ and what He has done. I am thankful for the work God is doing with our partner church, the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church. This past Sunday, I visited Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located in the mountains of Sri Lanka where tea is grown. This congregation had been estranged from the rest of the church for several. We spent many months in discussion with the leaders of Good Shepherd. We prayed about this situation and asked for God s wisdom. At one point, I believed we had reached an impasse. By the God s grace, I was wrong and now, Good Shepherd has returned to the fold. I was glad to go there and preach. I was happy to be with these brothers and sisters in Christ, gathered around Jesus Christ. My heart overflowed as one of the elders asked that I baptize his infant son. I returned to our apartment in Colombo by train. The train ride is 7 ½ hours, mainly due to slowly winding through the mountains. The views are beautiful, but the train ride gives me opportunity to meet others. I struck up a conversation with a retired school teacher. He was Buddhist, like 70% of Sri Lanka. When I told him that I was a Christian missionary, he became quite curious. He asked me many questions and told me a little about his beliefs. I was happy to be able to talk to a Buddhist about Jesus. So first I thank God that I am a part of His mission work in Sri Lanka. Second, I thank God for you. You are every bit a part of God s mission work in Sri Lanka as I am. These stories I shared with you are not my stories. They are our stories. We are in this together. Third, I thank you personally. Your partnership in God s mission work has brought us to this beautiful island nation off the southern coast of India to

6 share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God has used your prayers and financial support to bring us here 16 months ago. God will use your ongoing partnership to continue this work here. During this season of Thanksgiving, I ask that you continue your partnership with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to participate in His mission work in Sri Lanka. I ask that you pray and consider increasing your financial support. Pray and consider sending a special gift during this Thanksgiving- Advent-Christmas season. You may write a check to: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Please mark checks: Support of Mahlburg-Sri Lanka Mail to: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod P.O. Box St. Louis, MO You may give online at lcms.org/mahlburg scroll to the bottom and click on Give Now. If you have any questions or if congregations would like partner with us please call: or send an to: mission.giving@lcms.org. Together in Jesus Service, Pastor Steven Mahlburg Serving the Lord in Sri Lanka BUDGET INFORMATION 2018 Budgeted weekly amount is $3, Date Service Type Total Offerings Total Attend. October 7, 2018 Sunday $ 3, October 14, 2018 Sunday $ 1, October 21, 2018 Sunday $ 1, October 28, 2018 Sunday $ 1,

7 LCMS Stewardship Ministry Throughout his epistles and his preaching recorded in the Book of Acts, St. Paul refers, in one way or another, to thanksgiving and thankfulness nearly 50 times. Whether vertically toward God, or horizontally toward the neighbor, thanksgiving is a major theme within St. Paul s body of work. What does this mean? It means thankfulness is intrinsic to the life of those baptized into Christ. In other words, giving thanks is what Christians do as they live out their lives in this world. The problem is that we often forget this. Consider your average, run-of-the-mill, normal day. When you get home, and your parents, your spouse or your children ask about your day, what first comes to your mind? After 99 percent of things went right, went exactly as planned, were enjoyable and blessings, we tend to focus on and remember the 1 percent of things that went poorly, that didn t go as planned, and that were nuisances. We remember the bad things. We focus on discontent. And we fail to give thanks in all circumstances for everything (Eph. 5:20) and to rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4). Thankfulness and contentment go together. We are content with things for which we are thankful. St. Paul could be content with having plenty or when in need because He gave thanks to the Lord for all things. He thanked the Lord for those who had prayed for him and listened to his proclamation of the Gospel. He gave thanks for their good works in and for the Church of Christ. He gave thanks for the grace of God in Christ Jesus and found that God s grace was sufficient for him. So, give thanks for all things and in all circumstances dear brothers and sisters in Christ. For you have been saved from sin, death, and hell by the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You have been added to the very family of God in an adoption of grace through Holy Baptism. God is your Father. Our Lord, Jesus Christ is your brother.

8 But He not only provides for your spiritual well-being, He cares also for this body and life. Your Father in heaven provides food and clothes, house and home, husband, wife, and children. He gives you reason and all your senses. He has given you the raw talents that you have developed into careers. Everything you are and everything that you have is a gift from His fatherly divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in you. Give thanks for these things. Make a list every morning if you must. Say them out loud. Sing about them within the congregation of the saints. And remember this: God has given you these things so that you may be of service to those around you your family, your neighbors, your brothers and sisters in Christ. For to whom much is given; much shall be required (Luke 12:48). Reprinted from lcms.org/stewardshipministryresources CHRISTMAS PROGRAM ALERT! Our Christmas program will be Sunday, December 16, 2018, at 6 pm. Parents, please make sure your children are in Sunday school so they can start practicing. LWML Ladies Guild News All of the Ladies of Hope Chapel are cordially invited to attend the Annual Hope Lutheran Ladies Guild Christmas party which will be SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 ND at Noon at "Lil Rizzo's" Restaurant located in the Shopping Mall on Osage Beach Parkway. We will be ordering from the menu, so please just sign up on the sheet on the credenza in the Narthex of the Church so reservations can be made. Be sure to bring your gift for your Secret Pal or a Ten dollar gift to exchange with someone else who does not have a Secret Pal. We would love to have all of you attend and celebrate the Blessed Christmas Season with us. If you have any questions, call or office@hopelutheranchapel.org

9 We are all missionaries to the world and our ladies are an important part of it! Many Gifts are needed! Help is needed in Prayer, Helping Hands and donations. Kathy Heinemann President GIFT/CARD SHOP Christmas Cards are on a rack and on the table. They are priced at $5.00 per box, some economy boxes are slightly more. We have a nice selection of cards for adults and children for all occasions. They can be purchased by the box or single cards. We are self service but I ll be around after church and will be glad to help you. In the selection of cards, there are Lifelines which was bought out by Hallmark and Christian Art. They have a nice message and a bible verse. Share your heart and God s love with your relatives and friends. Books for children include A Child s Garden of Bible Stories, A Child s Garden of Prayer and Arch books plus some cross gift items. Thanks for stopping by. If you have a special need or request, please let us know. All proceeds benefit our library at Hope Chapel or a special need at Hope. Doris Meyer, Hope Lutheran Ladies Guild Date SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson The Birth of John Foretold (Luke 1:5 25) The Birth of Jesus Foretold (Luke 1:26 38) Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39 56) The Birth of John (Luke 1:57 80) An Angel Visits Joseph (Matthew 1:18 25)

10 Service Projects 2018 Please place your offerings in the jar or basket during the Sunday School hour and Thank you for your donations! Month Beneficiary Amount Collected August Swaddling Clothes $ September Mon Ami, Jesus Bibles for Children $ October Lambs of Hope $ November Christmas is Sharing TBD December Benevolence Fund TBD HELP WANTED!! Sound Engineer Talk to a Trustee or call the church office. Training is available! We could use 2-3 volunteers to familiarize themselves with the sound system and do sound checks before services. Greeters Sign up on the credenza Stand in foyer and greet people as they enter the building one Sunday Fellowship Host(s) Signup sheet is on the credenza. Pick up donuts for fellowship time and make sure coffee is made and cleaned up (AND POT TURNED OFF) afterwards. Communion / Altar setup Call Lois Grawe Counters Call the Church Office or speak to Kathy Heinemann or Doris Meyer. Don t know what a Counter is? They are the ones that collect the offerings from the collection plate after the last Sunday service and get it ready for depositing in the bank. If you are a communicant member, can count money and make a list, you can help!

11 Sunday School Teacher Needed! Our Board of Education is looking for 1-2 volunteers to help share the word of God with our kiddo s. No previous experience necessary, if you can read, you can teach! Lessons and materials are provided just contact Debbie Thompson, Jan Loman, or Tina Cardin if you are interested! (Psst! SS Teachers are not just women ) REQUIREMENTS: ~ Love of God ~ Love of kids ~ Can read and write FELLOWSHIP LAKE AREA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA - The Lake Area Community Orchestra will be performing at Hope Chapel on Tuesday, December 4 th at 7:00 pm at the Sokoll Building. Donations of baked goods or snacks will be appreciated. CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND LIGHT SUPPER When? Sunday, December 2 nd Where? Hope Lutheran Chapel What Time? Assemble at 3:00 pm in fellowship hall We will then carpool to 3 area nursing homes and back Who? Everyone who knows the traditional Carols When is Supper? After caroling at Hope Please sign up on the sheet on the credenza Sponsored by Debbie Thompson

12 Directory News The new Pictorial should be available the end of January Until then, we have had some changes: HILLEMANN, Jean 07/ Brays Church Rd, Iberia, MO Elder: Gene Scheiter ROSS, John 09/01, Nancy 09/27, Indian Summer Dr. Camdenton, MO Elder: Alan Wiese WIESE, Alan 01/29 and Kathy 10/ Christopher Lane, Unit 231, Osage Beach, MO Elder: Gene Scheiter Alan cell: * * best chance to catch him * * Kathy cell: awiese0129@aol.com Wiseman, [Brant] and Alison Dominic 04/06 Elder: Chuck Kiel 1403 Port Lane, Osage Beach, MO alymwiseman@gmail.com cell: THANK YOU!! Dear Friends, Thank you so much for your $50 donation in October to MMLHM. Your gift is greatly appreciated. Please pray for the people and the ministry given by Pastor Chaplain Ingmire, In Christian Love, Loanna Thompson Sec. Mid-Missouri Lutheran Hospital Ministry, Inc.

13 OFFICE UPDATE Recycling I have a paper box sitting to the left of the copier in the office for bad copies and old bulletins. Empty Ink jet cartridges are still accepted. A few are used at Staples to offset office supplies and the rest go to Habitat for Humanity. Next time you have an empty cartridge, PLEASE DON'T THROW IT AWAY! Just put it in a Ziploc bag or the original cartridge box and bring it to the church office. All proceeds go towards office supplies and to build more homes in the spirit of humanity. Collections requested: infant items for Swaddling Clothes mission Cancelled stamps, no liberty bell or flag forever stamps for missions (LWML) Money-off coupons no expiration date - for Concordia Seminary Food Bank (LWML) Portals of Prayer Prison Ministries (LWML) Empty Inkjet Cartridges Offset office supplies & Habitat for Humanity Office Secretary Hours for December Monday thru Friday - 8 am to 12 pm. New Article/Bulletin Deadlines: Newsletter Articles 2 nd to last Sunday of the Month Bulletin Notes Wednesdays at 9 am WARNING: Articles not received by their deadline will not be included. Acknowledgments - Some clipart used is from others from Microsoft and other royalty free sites.

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15 Daily Devotions Our Pastor publishes daily devotions on our website, facebook, twitter, and linkedin. Our website: Follow us on Twitter / And Facebook - Hope-Lutheran-Chapel OUR WORSHIP SERVICE can be heard every Sunday (on a week delay basis) from 8:30-9:00 am on KRMS 1150 AM and 97.5 FM Radio. If you would like to help sponsor this broadcast, place your contribution in a designated gift offering envelope

16 Sunday Communion Worship Services (Ind. Communion 5 th Sunday (Common Cup only) Hope Lutheran Chapel 5709 Osage Beach Parkway Osage Beach, MO Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Rev. Guillaume J.S. Williams, Sr. ~ Church Office ~ office@hopelutheranchapel.org Website: Service Schedule 10 a.m. Communion Worship Service 11:05 a.m. Fellowship 11:20 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Bible Study Special COME AS YOU ARE Drive In Worship Services for Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day Cup) December 2018