GOOD NEWS DECEMBER. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 701 MAIN STREET BOTTINEAU, ND (701) FEBRUARY ADVENT SCHEDULE

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1 GOOD NEWS FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 701 MAIN STREET BOTTINEAU, ND (701) ADVENT SCHEDULE Supper will be served 6:00-6:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday December 5 th 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 12 th 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19 th CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. First Lutheran Church OUR MISSION STATEMENT Joyfully Growing as God s People for Lives of Faith, Love, and Service. DECEMBER 2018 FEBRUARY December MARCH Women s Advent Brunch Christmas Memorials Christmas Program Christmas Eve Service December the 25th Christmas Dinner To make arrangements to receive the newsletter, change your address, or to submit information for the newsletter or bulletin, please contact the office at or flc@bottineauflc.org. Created by Amber Bowers Office Assistant

2 1. Coming 2. Four 3. Gabriel 4. Census 5. No 6. Matthew & Luke 7. The number is unspecified 8. Egypt 9. Herod 10. St. Nicholas 11. Coca-Cola and Clement C. Moore 12. False A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR We all know the Christmas story - Mary and Joseph, an inn with no vacancies, a manger, shepherds and angels and wise men from the east. We also know the cultural non-religious images and stories of this time of year Rudolph, Frosty, Red Ryder BB guns, and the like. And it goes without saying that occasionally the cultural non-religious images and stories intermingle with our knowledge of the arrival of the Christ child, and we may get some things confused. Kind of like those who place firemen s hats on the Magi in their crèches, because the Bible says that they came from afar. (To get the joke, pronounce afar with a bit of a southern accent). So to help you work through this confusion, I thought I d offer a little Advent/Christmas/Epiphany/Misc. Christmas quiz. Answers at the bottom I m trusting you not to cheat Advent 1. What does Advent mean? 2. How many candles are on an Advent wreath? 3. Who delivered the news of Mary s pregnancy to her? Christmas 4. Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem? 5. Is Dec. 25 th Jesus actual birthday? 6. Which Gospels recount the stories of Jesus birth? Epiphany 7. According to scripture, how many wise men or Magi came to Bethlehem? 8. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus left Bethlehem and fled to what country? 9. From whom do the Magi seek help in locating the child they have come to honor? Miscellaneous 10. What real life Saint is the inspiration for Santa Claus? 11. What company and what poet are responsible for creating the modern image of Santa Claus? 12. True or False: The abbreviation, X-mas, removes the Christ from Christmas. May each and every one of you have a blessed Advent and Christmas this year as we together await and celebrate the arrival of Jesus as a baby and as the Savior of us all. In Christ, Pastor Ben

3 POINSETTIAS Poinsettias have brought beauty and memories of our loved ones for many years! We want to keep this tradition at our Christmas Eve worship services. To do that we must ask that those bringing a poinsettia bring it to the worship service and take it home after the service. Thank you for understanding! Those bringing poinsettias: please note it on the Christmas Memorial slip shown below. CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS Please have your memorial information turned into the church office by 9:00 a.m. Monday, December 17th. Poinsettias may be brought to the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service and must be taken home following the service. Poinsettias may be brought to the 6:00 p.m. worship service and must be taken home following the service Please print memorial information and provide a phone number for verification purposes. CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I/we would like to give the following gift {Check One} Gift to Domestic Violence Gift to Lutheran World Relief Kits Gift to Lutheran World Relief Disaster Response Gift to First Lutheran Radio and TV Fund (See note regarding poinsettias) I will bring it and take it home after the worship service This gift is given from: In Memory/Honor of: (circle one) Contact information PHONE # Name

4 QUICK, EASY, AND SAFE OFFERING OPTION Are you aware of electronic giving or online giving? If you are interested in secure, safe ways to give to the church please contact our treasurer, Lisa Herbel, at or the church office at OR you can be routed directly to the mobile version of our online-giving page by scanning this image. Or log-on to our website, bottineauflc.org and click on the DONATE button. OFFICE CLOSED December 25th December 31st January 1st MEMORIALS Florine Thorson Audrin Larson FUNERALS Audrin Larson Vernolle Hill Tuesday the 11th 5:00 p.m. Evangelism 5:15 p.m. Parish Ed 6:00 p.m. Property 6:00 p.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. Council YOGA AT FLC! Pia Carlsen is leading yoga twice weekly on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. The group meets downstairs outside the fellowship hall. What to bring: yoga mat, set of weights (1-5 lbs.) depending on your fitness level, CorePlus Reformer (available at Walmart or Amazon), water, and 1 hour and 15 minutes of your time. There is a $2 - fee per session. Any level - bring a friend! FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION Thank you for donating items to our local food pantry. Over 400 pounds of food were donated! Awesome work! REMINDER: Year end reports are due for Annual Meeting coming up! ALSO, please let Lisa know if there are any changes in your Budget needs for the upcoming year. Christmas Open House As part of celebrating this Christmas season, Pia and I invite you to a Christmas Open House at our home, 620 Kersten Street, on Saturday, January 5, beginning at 3:00 p.m. We will have cider, coffee, and refreshments, along with good fellowship and conversation in a celebration of Christmas together. Family Faith Formation Event: Christmas Caroling will be on Sunday, December 30th beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Christmas season begins on Dec. 25 and ends on January 6th. What better time to spread some Christmas cheer than during those 12 days. Participants will go to share the joy of the season at St. Andrew s and Good Sam and return to FLC for refreshments and fellowship. YOUTH BREAKFAST After worship on December 9 th, EVERYONE is welcome to join fellowship. The youth will be serving egg bakes & muffins! Please come and join the fun!

5 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS ATTENTION PARENTS During Sunday School on December 2nd & 9th the children will be working on their Christmas Program! ATTENTION LADIES OF FIRST LUTHERAN WELCA BUDGET AND HANDBOOK We will be starting to work on the WELCA handbook and our 2019 budget. Please submit any updates & corrections to the church office by December 28th! CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16th The adult choir & Sunday School kids will be performing their Christmas program on Sunday, December 16th during the one service at 9:00 a.m. Mid-Week Advent Services - Supper will be served 6:00-6:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5 th 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 12 th 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19 th ADVENT MEAL OFFERINGS A free will offering collected at the Advent afternoon fellowship and evening supper gatherings will go to the following causes: Goats for Haiti, Domestic Violence, Bottineau Food Pantry, Metigoshe Ministries Building Project, To Ensure the Adventure. WOMEN S ADVENT BRUNCH O Come All Ye Faithful women to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! You won t want to miss this special event as we gather together to celebrate the Advent Season. When: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 1st Where: First Lutheran Church GIFTS OF LOVE TREE With your help their hearts will be filled with hope and God s love this Christmas. Please bring your gift wrapped with the tag to the church by Sunday, December 9th. ANGEL TREE PROJECT Thank you to those who have taken an angel from the Angel Tree. Please remember to have your gift to the office by December 7 th, 2018.

6 Gospel Seeds - December 2018 A Monthly Update from Western ND Synod Staff A world turned upside down As we enter the final month of the year, I invite you to begin reading the Gospel of Luke as part of your devotional reading. Luke is the Gospel we will hear in worship most weeks for the next 12 months. While you read, look for examples of ordinary people being used for extraordinary purposes. For example, an elderly couple, barren all of their lives are told they will have a child. Another example, a very young woman is told she will have a child, therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. (Luke 1:35) Ordinary people called by God to change the world. We believe that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, continues to work in the world. Ordinary people, with ordinary lives are living their faith every day! What about you? How is God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, calling you to serve? In what ways might the work of your hands, head and heart turn the world upside down for the sake of others? The Gospel of Luke is a testimony that God works through ordinary people. Enjoy some time just reading that story and let it bless you. We Did It!! Thank you!! We are excited to announce because of your generosity, we have surpassed the $20,000, Walking With You Annual Appeal goal!! As of November 15, $20,820 has been contributed. Thank you! From Bowman to Ray, Tioga, and Williston, over to Bottineau, down to Hettinger and back up to Underwood-a significant amount of synod staff time this fall was spent on the road meeting with congregations in transition and people in the midst of discernment. On November 16th, a special dinner was held with time for prayer and conversation for those in discernment about where they may be called to serve their church. This dinner was attended by 4 young adults with their parents, youth director and/or pastors. Because of your generous contributions to the WND Synod Annual Appeal, this important work that God has for us can continue. As it can be with any challenge, it sometimes feels like climbing a snow-covered mountain without the right equipment. And just when you think you cannot take another step forward, you discover you are not alone and that feeling of support propels you forward. As a synod, we are walking together on this journey of call to serve the church and bring the good news to the world. We are grateful for every gift received, no matter the size and will continue to receive gifts to the appeal until the end of the year. Gifts to general synod mission support will continue to be received from congregations and individuals. Planning for the future As we approach the end of the year, just a quick reminder, gifts of $5,000 or more to one of the three synod endowment funds can be of significant tax advantage to you. If you have questions call the synod office. Your gifts help provide scholarships for seminarians, funding for creative, Christ centered ministries or can help ensure there are people walk with future ministry candidates. Call Process Updates -Rev Renee Johnson and Rev Charles Johnson have accepted calls to the Dakota Lutheran Parish and will begin serving Amidon, Bowman as well as Bethany & First of Rhame. -Deacon Jodi Lorenz has accepted a call to serve the people of Augustana, Underwood and Birka, Washburn. -Rev. Sandy Anderson resigned her call to First and Trinity of Tioga -Rev. Gary Erdmann has begun his work as Intentional Interim Minister at Trinity, Bismarck. Candidacy Committee News Your synod candidacy committee has approved two people for ordination. Bethany Haberstroh who has been serving the Horizon Parish (Flasher, Carson, Bethseda) as a TEEM candidate will soon move into the interview process with the parish for call. Mike Olson who has been serving White Earth and McGreggor as a TEEM candidate has already been interviewed for call and soon a vote will take place. We are excited about the gifts of these two candidates. They will serve the Gospel well in the years to come. If you know of someone who you believe has the gifts for ministry begin praying for them now. Let them know what you see in them. Finally, encourage them to reach out to synod staff we would love to have a conversation with them about ministry possibilities. Rev. Mark Narum, Serving as Bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod

7 DECEMBER CALENDAR EVERY MONDAY: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Quilting EVERY WEDNESDAY: 9:00 a.m. Lectionary 6:00 p.m. Confirmation EVERY THURSDAY: 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship EVERY SUNDAY: 8:30 a.m. Radio worship broadcast on FM 8:30 a.m. Worship Service - Coffee fellowship after worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Fire Up (Pre-K through 12th grade) 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Adult Choir 10:10 a.m. Cable TV worship broadcast ch. 19 & 52 11:00 a.m. Worship Service HAPPENINGS Saturday the 1st 10:00 a.m. Advent Brunch Wednesday the 5th 2:00 & 7:00 p.m. Advent Service - 6:00-6:45 p.m. Supper Tuesday the 11th 5:00 p.m. Evangelism 5:15 p.m. Parish Ed 6:00 p.m. Property 6:00 p.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. Council Wednesday the 12th 2:00 & 7:00 p.m. Advent Service - 6:00-6:45 p.m. Supper Sunday the 16th 9:00 a.m. -One Service - Christmas Program Wednesday the 19th 2:00 & 7:00 p.m. Advent Service - 6:00-6:45 p.m. Supper Sunday the 23rd No Sunday School Monday the 24th Christmas Eve Service 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Tuesday the 25th Church Office Closed Christmas Dinner at First Lutheran Church Wednesday the 26th No Confirmation Sunday the 30th No Sunday School Monday the 31st Church Office Closed CIRCLE INFORMATION Eve Not meeting in December Hannah Tuesday the 18th at 9:30 a.m. Deborah Monday the 10th at 9:30 a.m. Rebecca Wednesday the 19th at 2:00 p.m. Coffee Fellowship: Volunteers Needed Altar Guild: Mary Haugen, Phyllis Caroline Service Group Chairmen: Donna Moldenhauer, Glenda Heisler IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE IN ANY OF THE ABOVE AREAS, PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT Sunday Worship Order 1 st Sunday: Traditional Service with Communion 2 nd Sunday: Folk Service 3 rd Sunday: Praise Service with Communion 4 th Sunday: Hymn Service 5 th Sunday: Variety Service with Communion Ushers: Greeter: Reader: SERVING 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Harvey Hoff, Mike Foster, Art Lund, & Jo Kjelhus Swain Benson, Sr. Swain Benson, Sr. SERVING 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Ushers: Volunteers Needed Greeters: Volunteers Needed Reader: Volunteers Needed

8 DECEMBER 2018 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 701 MAIN STREET BOTTINEAU, ND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PAID PERMIT #1 BOTTINEAU, ND RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED SHARE YOUR IDEAS, CONCERNS, QUESTIONS, ETC. WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER: President: Linda Liebelt Vice President: Lindsey Guss Secretary: Jenna Nelson Debra Nelson Rod Parrill Reggie Myhr Jeremy Moen Karla Mattson Connie Blada Brad Robertson Brent Moum Mary Lura SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. WORSHIP BROADCASTS: Sundays 8:30 a.m. on 101.9FM and 10:10 a.m. on local cable ch 19 & 52 OFFICE PHONE: OFFICE flc@utma.com FACEBOOK: WEBSITE: PASTOR: Ben Carlsen CHURCH OFFICE: Amber Bowers CHURCH TREASURER: Lisa Herbel CHURCH CUSTODIAN: Willard (Willy) Hahn Jr. CHURCH ACCOMPANISTS: Nancy Olson, Shelly Berge, Sheila Bertsch