Calendar of Events. Sunday, December 23 Wednesday, December 26 8:15 am Holy Communion

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1 Calendar of Events Sunday, December 23 Wednesday, December 26 8:15 am Holy Communion OFFICE CLOSED 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Holy Communion 12:00 pm Christmas Decorating & Thursday, December 27 Lunch 7:00 pm Service of Prayer & Remembrance 7:30 pm Alanon Monday, December 24 7:00 pm Worship Family Service 11:00 pm Holy Communion OFFICE CLOSES AT NOON PRESCHOOL CLOSED UNTIL JANUARY 3 Friday, December 28 Tuesday, December 25 Merry Christmas OFFICE CLOSED 9:30 pm Morning Prayer Saturday, December 29 Friendly Reminder: Please notify the church office with a change of address when moving. We pay a postage due fee when The Messenger is returned to us. MESSIAH MESSENGER USPS Published each week by Messiah Lutheran Church, 324 South Howard Street, South Williamsport, PA. Publication Office, 324 South Howard Street. Entered as a periodical October 15, 1940, at the Post Office at Williamsport, PA under the Act of March 3, POSTMASTER: Send address change MESSIAH to Messiah MESSENGER Lutheran Church, 324 South Howard Street, South Williamsport, PA

2 Published by MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: address: December 19, 2018 VOL. 76 NO. 50 THE CHRIST BELL THE BELL I KNOW WHO I AM. I am God's child. (John 1:12) I am Christ's friend. (John 15:15) I am united with the Lord. (1 Cor. 6:17) I am bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20) I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1) I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8) I am the salt & light of the earth. (Matt 5:13-14) I am a member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:27) I am free forever from condemnation. (Rom. 8:1-2) I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant. (Phil. 3:20) I am free from any charge against me. (Rom. 8:31-34) I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Cor. 5:17-21) I have access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2:18) I am seated with Christ in the Heavenly realms. (Eph. 2:6) I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Rom. 8:35-39) I am established, anointed, sealed by God. (2 Cor. 1:21-22) I am assured all things work together for good. (Rom. 8:28) I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16) I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Eph. 3:12) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life. (John 15:1-5) I am God's temple. (1 Cor. 3:16) I am complete with Christ. (Col. 2:10) I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3) I have been justified. (Romans 5:1) I am God's co-worker. (1 Cor. 3:9, 2 Cor. 6:1) I am God's workmanship. (Eph. 2:10) I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1:5) I have been redeemed and forgiven. (Col. 1:14) I have been adopted as God's child. (Eph. 1:5) I belong to God Do you know

3 Who you are? SERVICE ASSISTANTS USHERS: 8;15 am: Gail O Brien, Marilyn Frailey, Sylvia McCarty, Larry Solomon; 10:45 am: Dave Turner, Gary Hutchinson, Carol Armstrong, Adam Lutz, John Haller; LAY ASSISTANTANTS: 8:15 am: Sally Congdon;10:45 am: Mary Ann Stitzer; COMMUION ASSISTANTS: 8:15 am: Rhonda Koch; 10:45: Fred Harbaugh; ALTAR GUILD: 8:15 am: Jody Fullmer; 10:45 am: O Linde Goodling; CHIEF COMMUNION USHERS: 8:15 am: Jody Fullmer; 10:45: Gary Hutchinson; COMMUNION PRESENTERS AND GREETERS: 8:15 am: Rodney and Gail O Brien; 10:45 am: Connie Dewald and Doris Butt ACOLYTES: 8:15 am: Megan Aungst (Acolyte); Owen Sherman (Crucifer); 10:45: Ray Demarest (Acolyte); Brenna Rosenbaum (Crucifer); CANTOR: 8:15 am:;10:45: FLOWER DELIVERY: Marilyn Winter Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Messiah: Attendance- 155; Offering $ The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Peter L. Sinibaldi, Sr. on the anniversary of his birthday, December 21 st, by his wife, Lillian, and his children and their families. The Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of my daughter, Susan. The Wreaths on the outside doors are given to the glory of God and in living memory of Edna Schooley, by her husband, Bob. Daily Bible Readings Sunday December 23 Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 Monday December 24 Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 Tuesday December 25 Isaiah 62:6-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20 Wednesday December 26 Psalm 148; 2 Chronicles 24:17-24; Acts 6:1-7, 7:51-60 Thursday December 27 Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:32-36; John 21:19b-24 Friday December 28 Psalm 148; Isaiah 54:1-13; Revelation 21:1-7 Saturday December 29 Psalm 147:12-20; 1 Chr. 28:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:10-17 OFFICE HOURS DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. December 24: Close at Noon. December 25 AND 26: Closed December 31: Regular hours-9 a.m. 3:30 p.m. January 1: Closed

4 NO MESSENGER ON DECEMBER 26, The Library Corner Highlighted Books for the Week: Children - The Story of Christmas - A baby was born in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. Angels from heaven announced His arrival. Shepherds on the hillsides rejoiced at His coming. Wise Men from faroff lands brought Him gifts and worshiped Him. And His mother Mary stored all these things in her heart. This beautifully illustrated version of the Christmas story captures all the joy and wonder of the very first Christmas and the birth of our Savior Jesus. Found in the Christmas section. Adult - The Birds' Christmas Carol - Told with great charm and tender sentiment, this beloved tale of gentle, warm-hearted Carol Bird, who was born on Christmas day, has delighted young and old for generations. Perhaps it was because she had "a tiny share of the blessedest birthday the world ever knew" that Carol was such a radiantly happy child, full of love and giving, even when illness made her an invalid. The story of the little lame girl's beautiful life, and especially her happy friendship with the nine little Ruggleses, her neighbors across the alley, cannot fail to win the hearts of all who come to know her. This book is in the Christmas section of our library. Service of Prayer and Remembrance Thursday, December 27, 7:00 p.m. At this service, the church will remember your loved ones who are now in the care of Christ. If you have a loved one you would like to have remembered by name in the prayers, please add their name(s) to the list in the narthex, or call the church office. Also add if you or a member of your family will be attending, since you are invited (but not required) to light a single candle in memory of all your loved ones.. Tuesday, December 24th 7:00 pm Family Candlelight Service of the Word 11:00 pm - Communion & Candlelighting, Combined Choirs, Handbells, Soloists & Instrumentalists

5 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sunday, December 23 after the service: Decorating the Nave Sunday, December 30: Lessons & Carols Service Readers Monday, January 7 at 6:30: Taking down decorations Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex for these activities. Please share your time and talents Thank you to all the youth who participated in the Christmas Program. A thank you also to all of the people who helped decorate, practice lines, and who did all of those behind the scene things. We couldn't do it without you!!!! Mrs. Pratt This week the Sunday School class will review the Christmas Story then play some Holiday games. Please come and join us. On Christmas Morning we will offer Morning Prayer in the Chapel at 9:30 a.m. We will then continue to have Morning Prayer into the new year on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning January 1, All are welcome. Pledge cards and Time & Talent forms will be accepted through January 1 st Any money received after December 30 th will be recorded in the new year Thank you. If you give to church through Simply Giving/Vanco/Automatic deduction, after your December donation you will need to update your pledge. Thank you.

6 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 17, 2018 GENERAL FUND: Last Year-to-Date: 60 pledges $146,923 This Year-to-Date 66 pledges $169,876 Last Year Total 63 pledges $156,563 REBUILDING FUND: Last Year-to-Date 34 pledges $ 17,849 This Year-to-Date 44 pledges $ 30,036 Last Year Total 36 pledges $ 20,223 CHILDREN S MINISTRY: Last Year-to-Date 23 pledges $ 10,021 This Year-to-Date 25 pledges $ 14,364 Last Year Total 25 pledges $ 11,510 Scenes from the Christmas Play, Perspectives