DECEMBER, St. Paul s Ev. Lutheran Church. E veryone Engaging the Entire Community for Christ

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1 The Carillon DECEMBER, 2018 St. Paul s Ev. Lutheran Church E veryone Engaging the Entire Community for Christ Pastor s Column - December, 2018 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds had told them. Luke 2:16-18 What joyous news the shepherds had been told! They were told by an angel of the Lord of great news that was for all the people. The great news was that on that very day, in the city of Bethlehem, the Savior had been born, Christ the Lord! So it was then that the shepherds hurried off to find what the Lord had told them about. There was no delay in there going to search for the Babe of Bethlehem. Just as the angel had told them, they found Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus! It was shepherds then, lowly shepherds, who carried the news of the birth of the Savior of the world throughout Bethlehem and the countryside. How the people hearing it were amazed! This month will see us observing the season of Advent, as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior: the birth of the Savior for all people! In the ancient church, Advent was observed, and rightfully so, in the same manner that most of us observe the season of Lent currently: a time of reflection on our sinful nature, a time of acknowledging the need for repentance and a time for acknowledging that in the Babe of Bethlehem alone rests our salvation. The month of December will culminate with the ushering in of the season of, as we joyously celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Much is said about the commercialization of the season and rightfully so. It is a time of year also when we focus on family, of being together in worship, in sharing gifts and joining in each other s company at the dinner table. What a joyous time in being together with family and friends! However, we at times overlook a major point of the birth of our Savior: that the good news of great joy that the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, is for all people! That good news the shepherds heard was not kept to themselves. They spread the word! The shepherds (they were, after all, just shepherds) were not concerned how others would respond, or what others would think of them. They did not hesitate to spread the word of what they had been told or what they had seen! Continue on page 2 1 1

2 Continued from page 1 We have a unique opportunity this Advent and season to proclaim to all people the joy of the birth of our Savior. The opportunities abound during the Advent and seasons to tell others of the joy we know of in Christ. Waiting in long check-out lines lends ample opportunity to speak to others. A greeting of Merry at a holiday function sponsored by your employer goes a long way! Putting a note telling of the love of Christ in a gift given to those in need or helping serve a meal to those suffering financial hardships at this time of year are further opportunities to tell of the Good News. These are just a few ways in which we are presented with the opportunity to tell of the joyous birth of our Savior to others in our community. For those of you already making the most of your time this month in sharing the news of the birth our Savior, please encourage your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same! How can we keep such glorious news to ourselves? Please remember in your prayers throughout this Advent and season those who serve in our Armed Forces who are on active duty and will be far away from their loved ones. Pray also for all those who are hurting and suffering throughout this tide, whether it be throughout the world, our nation, our community or those of our own congregation and families. May their hurting hearts be comforted by the Babe of Bethlehem, our Savior, Jesus Christ. DECEMBER GREETERS 10:00 AM Service DECEMBER 2, 2018 Pastor & Mary Fluechtling DECEMBER 9, 2018 Dale & Jean Jacobs DECEMBER 16, 2018 Ron & Susan Brauer DECEMBER 23, 2018 Marsha Doyle & Virginia Ehrich DECEMBER 24, 2018 Eve - 5 PM Gloria Graham Smith DECEMBER 25, 2018 Day - 10 AM Brian Goers & Deborah Saltzmann DECEMEBER 31, 2018 NEW YEARS EVE - 5PM Glenn & Pat Stewart God grant you a Christ filled season of Advent and, and may the joyous news of the birth of the Savior of the nations not only fill our church and homes, but be proclaimed to all people! Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born! Pastor Croon 2 2

3 DECEMBER Wedding Anniversaries May the Lord Bless your Marriage Jennifer & David Radtke Dec. 14 Beverly & Charles Roseborough Dec. 17 Carol & Kenneth Schultz Dec. 20 Ladye & James Allen Dec. 23 Love doesn t make the World go round. Love is what makes The ride worthwhile. Dear Lord, CHRISTMAS Bless all families this. Help us all to remember this season that You chose to come to us as a humble baby. You chose to be part of a family yourself and came, not to be served, but to serve and one day die for love of those who hated, deserted, and killed you. On this day, may we always remember amid the joys, family, and presents, the reason we have this season; that You, the Eternal Son of God came to live among us as one of us and as a member of our human family. St. Paul s Christian Youth Group St. Paul s Lutheran Church 10th & Ashland Avenue Chicago Heights (708) MONDAY, DECEMBER 10TH 6:30 pm - 8 pm In school Parlor Ages 11 through High School We will be frosting cookies and eating them too. We would like to have YOUTH come to our Youth Group so that we can share with today s Youth problems and have an evening of getting to know one another. We look forward for them to let us know what they would like to discuss. Also, meet and greet new Youth and have a fun time with games and etc. Parents...You are welcome to come and check us out. SAVE THE DATE WE WANT TO MEET YOU MONDAY, DECEMBER 10TH - 6:30-8PM CHRISTMAS SURPRISES Amen. 3 3

4 Weekly Scripture Readings & Sermon Summaries DECEMBER, 2018 December 2, 2018 First Sunday in Advent Psalm 89:6, 14-16, 18; Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 Watching. Waiting. Hoping. - Sermon Text: Luke 21: Rev. James Elsner As draws near, Advent provides a season of preparation for Christ s coming. Knowing that Jesus will reappear, are you fearful? Or, Hoping? December 9, 2018 Second Sunday in Advent Psalm 66:1-12; Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-7b; Gospel: Luke 3:1-20 Prepare the Way - Sermon Text: Luke 3:4b - Rev. Shayne Jonker Repentance and forgiveness. This is the pattern of the Christian life. This is the daily death and resurrection of those baptized into Christ. And this is how we prepare to meet the Lord Jesus in His coming to us. December 16, 2018 Third Sunday in Advent Psalm 85; Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Gospel: Luke 7:18-28 Are You the One? - Sermon Text: Luke 7: Rev. William Mueller Have you wondered what God was up to in your life? Don t fret if you have so did John the Baptist. Feel frustrated in your faith? Don t worry just ask the right person, like John the Baptist did. Ask Jesus in the moments of frustration and fear and be encouraged by His answer! December 23, 2018 The Nativity of Our Lord Observed Psalm 98; Old Testament: Titus 3:4-7; Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 God Comes Near! - Sermon Text: Luke 2:9 - Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer The hopes and fears of all the years came together over two thousand years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. God came near. What are your hopes this? Your fears? God comes near! O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel! December 30, 2018 First Sunday after Psalm 111; Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17; Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 In the Name of Jesus - Sermon Text: Colossians 3: Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III As we face a new year, or at any time in the year, what is the best advice as to how we are to live? Do everything in the name of Jesus! We can live in such a manner, because of Jesus name! 4 4

5 ST. PAUL S SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 9:50 AM We wish the entire congregation A Blessed Advent and Merry. May we all focus on the reason for the season as recorded in the Holy Bible. The world s perspective of is Santa Claus and his helpers travelling to every house throughout the world delivering gifts. Let our celebrations reflect the true meaning of with gifts and decorations that tell the story of Baby Jesus born in a Manger to save us from our sins and reconcile mankind to God. It has been the greatest honor to prepare communion and take care of other Altar duties throughout the years. We thank all the members for their service, both current and honorary. IMPORTANT DATES: 12/4/18 Annual /Fellowship Dinner held at Olympia Fields Country Club. Anyone who has not received pertinent information and plan to attend please contact Ladye Allen /9/18 Our Annual Cookie Walk which will be held in the Gym before and after the 10:00 a.m. service. We thank everyone for your support. This is our only fundraiser and the proceeds fund the expenses we incur performing our Altar duties. Julia Outten, Secretary A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL 2 yrs. through High School It is a busy time in Sunday School! November 18th we made 18 Thanksgiving Baskets for the Shut-in s. The Sunday School Teachers and Children delivered the baskets after the church service. The Shut-in s really appreciated that someone thought of them at this time of the year ***** We are preparing for our Sunday School Program and sit-down dinner on Saturday, December 15. I hope you will attend and hear the children share the Prayer. Rick Segert and the Sons of Thunder will join us again for the program. Please fill out the form in the bulletin so we can order enough food. ***** Our wreath and poinsettia sales are on at this time. We hope that you will purchase them from Sunday School. ***** The children will celebrate Jesus birth with a birthday party on December 23rd. Happy Birthday Jesus! ***** There will be NO Sunday School on December 30th. Blessings to Everyone Gloria Graham Smith Deborah Saltzmann Ladye Allen Liz Bellamy Diana Reasor Heather Young Kristen Kalus 5 5

6 HOLIDAY WORSHIP SERVICES ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesday, December 5, - 7PM Wednesday, December 12, - 7PM Wednesday, December 19, - 7PM German Service - 2PM December 2nd CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP December 24th Candlelight and Communion at 5PM CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP December 25 at 10 AM DAVID CABELLO PASTOR CROON GLORIA GRAHAM SMITH JEANNE SCHULDT JACK VANDERSTEEG NEW YEAR S EVE December PM With Communion Midweek Advent Theme: Promises Kept Wednesday - December 5 Genesis 3:15 The Promise of Satan to Be Crushed Wednesday - December 12 Genesis 12: 1-6 The Promise of the Messiah Through Abram Wednesday December 19 2 Samuel 7: 1-16 The Promise of the Messiah Through the House of David Blessings From St. Paul S lutheran Church 6 6 Advent services are held at 7 PM Come and Worship with Us.

7 BIRTHDAYS IN DECEMBER Kara Heft Dec. 01 Curtis Portelli Dec. 02 Deborah DeLa Cerda Dec. 03 Robbyn Rebeck Dec. 03 Burt Schild Dec. 04 Holly Petrelli Dec. 07 Angela Rayhill Dec. 07 Adeline Rehborg Dec. 07 Carli Stiso Dec. 07 Kadence Renfroe Dec. 12 Ronald Brauer Dec. 13 Zackary Middleton Dec. 13 Ray Post Dec. 13 Peggy Schultz Dec. 13 Barbara Walter Dec. 13 Mary Fluechtling Dec. 14 Ryan Gawczynski Dec. 14 Willie Rush Dec. 17 Kathleen Heusmann Dec. 18 Lori Kershaw Dec. 19 Albert Bohlen Dec. 22 Craig LaVine Dec. 22 Ladye Allen Dec. 23 Camesha Wilks-Powell Dec. 23 Dale Jacobs Dec. 26 Develma (Dee) Knight Dec. 28 Sandra Quinn Dec. 28 Jeff Albrecht Dec. 29 Julia Outten Dec. 29 Janice Heaney Dec. 30 Ashley Brown Dec. 31 Van Porter Dec. 31 Special Birthdays in December Adeline Rehborg Barbara Walter Dale Jacobs Develma (Dee) Knight Julia Outten Al Bohlen Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to all of you, Happy Birthday to you. God s Blessings to you, God s Blessings to you, God s Blessings to all of you, God s Blessings to you. A Blessed Birthday from Everyone at St. Paul s Lutheran Church 9 7 7

8 DECEMBER, 2018 GERMAN CHRISTMAS SERVICE DEC. 2-2PM COOKIE WALK SUNDAY DEC. 9TH 7AM 12 Noon SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM GYM SAT. DEC. 15TH 4:30 pm WITH SIT DOWN DINNER CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT & COMMUNION 5PM 1 Set up & decorate Trees Church 9 AM 2 1st Sunday in Advent Worship with Comm. 10 AM Coffee Hour/ Bible Study/SS 9AM Baptism & Confirmation David Cabello PM Monday night Conversation Conf. Rm. 4 Altar Guild Fellowship Dinner 6 PM 5 Choir 8PM Confirmation 7th & 8th 5:30-6:30Con.Rm Advent Service 7PM 6 Bible Study 10 AM Conf.Rm. 7 8 Set up cookie Walk for Sunday Gym-Parlor- Kitchen 4PM -? 9 2nd Sunday In Advent Worship 10 AM Coffee Hour/Bible Study/SS 9 am ALTAR COOKIE WALK IN SCHOOL Baptism during service 10 YOUTH GROUP 6:30 8PM Choir 8PM Confirmation 7th & 8th 5:30-6:30 PM Con.Rm Advent Service 7PM 13 Bible Study 10 AM Conf.Rm. Elders 7 PM Sunday School Program and Dinner 4:30 PM - GYM 16 3rd Sunday In Advent Worship with Comm. 10 AM Coffee Hour/Bible Study/SS 9AM PM Monday night Conversation Conf. Rm. 18 Darts 7:30 PM 19Choir 8PM Confirmation 7th & 8th 5:30-6:30 PM Con.Rm Advent Service PM 23 4th Sunday In Advent Worship 10AM Coffee Hour/Bible Study/SS 9AM 24 Eve 25 Day st Sunday After Worship 10 AM Coffee Hour/ Bible Study 9AM NO Sunday School 31New Year s Eve 5 pm Service Sunday Worship 10 AM Coffee Hour/Bible Study 9AM Sunday School 9AM Church Office (708) Pastor Croon (708)