The Beauty of Christmas and Advent Music

Transcription

1 St. Paul News The Newsletter of St. Paul Lutheran Church Ida Grove, Iowa Website: December 2018 The Beauty of Christmas and Advent Music You know, I love Christmas music. I ve been trying pretty hard to resist turning on those 24-hour Christmas stations before Thanksgiving. I love the peaceful sounds, the beautiful and heart-warming messages, the traditional strong voices. It is the time of the year that legendary voices like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby are regularly heard be all. I even love the lesser known, newer Christmas music. While every year someone complains about it, I love the song Mary Did You Know?. I love songs like The Christmas Shoes or even the funny songs like Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. In the church we all know the classic hymns such as Silent Night, Joy to the World, or Away in a Manger. However, within our hymnal is also a number of the lesser known Christmas hymns. They don t fall into the category of classic, but they are certainly old. Many of these hymns are rich in history, and carry a virtual Christmas sermon. Take for example the hymn Of the Father s Love Begotten. This hymn isn t considered a classic hymn and yet be all accounts it is the oldest. This hymn served as the rallying cry of the council of Nicaea (early 4 th Century). When the chief heretic Arius was professing the Jesus was less than God, this hymn which would ve been sung be the real St. Nick inspired church leaders to maintain the Biblical confession. A few years ago I was listening to the Colin Raye Christmas album and was surprised to hear the hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. This hymn is almost as old as Of the Father s Love Begotten. The second verse in particular stands out as it confesses that the one who was born of Mary. The one who was laid in the manger. He is also the one whose body is in the bread and whose blood is in the wine, given to you for the forgiveness of your sins. Martin Luther also wrote a great hymn known as From Heaven Above to Earth I Come. This hymn is verses depending upon the hymnal. While very lengthy, it is a virtual sermon of the greatness of the Christmas celebration. If you have a hymnal in your home pull it out and read the words to this rich hymn. (If you don t have a hymnal, I encourage you to purchase one from CPH.org) With all of this great Christmas hymnody, let us not forget the great Advent hymns. During the month of December it is always so tempting to jettison the Advent hymns in favor of the Christmas hymns. But in doing so we lose the richness of the season and message that each these hymns teach us. Take for example Salvation Unto Us Has Come. This hymn was originally written by St. Ambrose in 397 AD, and later adapted by Martin Luther. The hymn allows us to marvel at the fact that Christ chose to be born the way he did. That he was born into a poor family to such a young girl. That he made the womb of Mary his throne. The sixth verse we d pray to be our anthem year round, Brightly doth Thy manger shine, glorious is its light divine. Let not sin o ercloud this light; Ever be our faith thus bright. This Advent and Christmas season, let us enjoy the wondrous Christmas music whether it be the good old classics, the hymns of ages past, or the words of today s Christians. May we meditate and never cease to marvel at the how our Lord became human flesh to suffer and die that we may be his. Pastor Neil Wehmas 1

2 NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE for ANY ITEMS for in the January Newsletter is December 6 th. Remember it s up to you or your family members to let the church office know if you are hospitalized. CHURCH NEWS OFFICIAL ACTS Funerals: Dwaine Bubke, John Holst, Cliff Wunschel, Margaret Walker NEED A DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE you can access with your cell phone, tablet, or computer? Check out the Congregation at Prayer on Facebook. Daily scripture readings, weekly hymns and parts of the catechism. This can even be used with your children. Daily Scripture readings have devotional thoughts in the comments section. Find a link to it on the church's Facebook page. If you have questions, or need a quick link to this resource Pastor Neil Wehmas, pastorwehmas@gmail.com Advent & Christmas Worship Wednesdays 7:00 PM Hymn Sing 6:45 The birth of a certain child two thousand years ago in Bethlehem prompted a poet in the nineteenth century to ask a very uncommon question in a hymn: What Child Is This? It was an uncommon question because it asked about the birth of a very uncommon child. What Child Is This? The angel who announced this child s birth on Christmas Eve answered the question this way: a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The hymnwriter answered it this way: This, this is Christ the king. They both want to make known the identity of this child. December 5 th : Midweek of Advent 1 The Child Who Is Zechariah s Hope Isaiah 40:1 5; Luke 1:5 25 December 12: Midweek of Advent 2 The Child Who Is a Virgin s Great Son Judges 13:2 7; Luke 1:26 38 December 19 th : Midweek of Advent 3 The Child Who Is John s Joy 2 Samuel 6:12 23; Luke 1:39 45 Monday, December 24 th, 6:30 PM: Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship The Child Who Is the Lord Isaiah 9:2 7; Titus 2:11 14; Luke 2:1 14 Monday, December 25, 10:00 AM: Christmas Day Worship Monday, December 31, 6:30PM: New Year s Eve Worship with Communion CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/WORSHIP SERVICE on December 9, 10:30AM with potluck to follow, everyone invited, main dish provided, bring salad or veg or dessert to share ADVENT SUPPERS: Serving from 5:00-6:30PM 12/5 Junior Lutheran Youth Fellowship 12/12 Senior Lutheran Youth Fellowship 12/20 Board of Youth and Family Life FROM THE ELDERS Jon Devitt, Dennis Clausen, David Petersen, Steven Andresen, Clay Miller, Jeremy Parks USHERS NEEDED Here is an opportunity for you to serve your fellow members of our congregation. If you would like to serve as an usher please sign up for a worship service(s) at the Welcome Center. You can sign up for 1 service or as many as you would like. 2

3 FROM THE BOARD OF HUMAN CARE Daisy Thayer & Glenda Hausman LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICE Offers counseling here at St. Paul. Lynnette Aschinger, has over 22 years experience & expertise to those she serves and her Christian perspective offers a safe place to process those most difficult questions & to incorporate faith into the healing process. The counseling is available for anyone & LFS accepts most insurances and sliding scale is available. Areas of specialty include but not limited to: Children, Depression, Abuse/Trauma histories, Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Family & Couples. You are encouraged to contact Lutheran Family Service at to set up an appointment with Lynette. FROM THE PARISH NURSE For more information on staying healthy for the holidays go to The following information is from that website and it has many links to more information. Brighten the holidays by making your health and safety a priority. Take steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy and ready to enjoy the holidays. 1. Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It s flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. 2. Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots. 3. Manage stress. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep. 4. Don t drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same. 5. Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke. 6. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip and encourage passengers to do the same. 7. Get exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history. 8. Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. 9. Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children s reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents. 10. Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so don t leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly. 11. Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid crosscontamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly. Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. Suzanne Salcido RN, FCN LIFE QUOTE Christmas celebrates more than just Jesus birthday. This historical event testifies to unchangeable truth about humankind and our Almighty Maker. It bestows upon us the honor of a special connection to the Lord God that makes us more precious than any other creature. It forms the foundation for all peace and love and joy and hope by revealing His salvation and testifying to how we participate in His everlasting life. Christmas profoundly proves the Gospel to be our history, identity, and destiny, and it proclaims a distinctly life-affirming reality. Rev. Michael W. Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life FROM THE BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP & MISSIONS Janet Goodenow & Darcy Sibenaller STEWARDSHIP CORNER Many people don t make weekly worship a priority. Christmas and Easter are often the only times we see many of our friends and neighbors in church. That situation presents a challenge to us, the redeemed of Christ, for we preach sermons every day with our words and our actions. In fact, ours may be the only sermons many hear! We have been called to declare the praises of Him Who called [us] 3

4 out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Let us pray that we might embrace our calling and preach sermons that will help spread the Good News of salvation for all. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS GREAT GIFT GOD WITH US? MAY IT BE LIKE THAT OF PETER AND JOHN: We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). MILITARY BIBLE STICKS Yes, we are again seeking contributions for this ministry to the men and women in the Armed Forces. We will be receiving donations during the Advent season. $25.00 will supply a Bible Stick for a member of the Armed Forces along with a postcard which is redeemable for a Dramatized New Testament or a Kids New Testament for family members. Watch the Sunday Bulletin and look for the display in the Narthex. Make your contribution using the forms found at the display or send a check, payable to St. Paul Lutheran Church, and mark Bible Sticks. In past years we have averaged between $3000 -$4000. Let s see what we can do in 2018! Donations MISSION CENTRAL EVENTS Mission Central LCMS World Mission Highway E 16, Mapleton, Iowa PH: Gary.Thies@lcms.org Brent.Smith@lcms.org Be sure to check the bulletin board in the hallway by pastors offices for information on Missionaries visiting Mission Central this month. FROM SHARA OSIRI, OUR MISSIONARY IN KENYA Cross-Cultural Experiences Living cross-culturally is exciting but also comes with many challenges. One of the easiest things to think when experiencing something for the first time is, this is strange, that s not how we do it back home. When someone goes on a short-term trip or serves long term, there is a clash of cultures so to speak. I tell the many visitors that come to our field to think of cultural issues as being diverse. Not that one culture is better than the other, they are different. When we take the time to learn about the differences, we can see the richness and uniqueness in the culture and it helps us to understand each other better. Following Christ s commandment to love one another helps us to see each person as He sees us. Christians must love one another as friends. In Christ, we are joined together in fellowship, in community, as one body, whether we come from different countries and have distinct cultures and traditions. It is a beautiful expression of love when we find that common ground.yours in Christ..Shara FROM THE BOARD OF EVANGELISM / ASSIMILATION Nicole Knop & Tera Parks WEBSITE Our website is designed to make it smart phone (mobile), laptop, tablet, and desktop PC friendly. The same content is present no matter which device you re using. The website recognizes what device is seeking access and then arranges the content to fit the device. Scan the QR symbol with your smart phone and get direct access to our website. Check out our website for links to our facebook pages and twitter accounts. FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ross Ladwig, Jeff Gilbert, Aaron Hoffman & Brandon Johnson Project Updates: Re-installing stained glass panels in Narthex windows (Thank-you Den Hammer). North parking lot entrance/exit to Barnes has been replaced Solor outdoor light fixtures have been ordered. FROM THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Heather Sweeden & Amy Godbersen THEOLOGY AT THE HUT led by Pastor Wehmas. Bible Study meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6pm at Pizza Hut. We still welcome you to come at any time to join us! EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS: Join us at 6:30 AM at Zimmy s Restaurant. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: Join us at 9:30 AM in the lower level Conference Room. The Book of Job Why do the just suffer? Where is God in the midst of loss, illness, ridicule and defeat? Those questions probe deeply into the heart of every person, and all too often demand ready answers in our uniquely human, and sometimes painful, experience. 4

5 SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS: Join us at 9:15AM in the fellowship hall. Courageous Heroes of the Faith will introduce you to the cultural setting and life story of biblical characters, examine the joys and challenges they faced, and show how God forgave, sustained, and empowered them to serve Him. This study includes, Noah, Rahab, Jonathan, Hezekiah, Mary & Martha, Apollos. FROM THE BOARD OF YOUTH AND FAMILY LIFE Synda Jepsen & Robyn Devitt Keep Up To Date On Text: FalconsLYF to WE HAVE A BLOG. Calling all youth, if you d like to write articles for the blog. Contact Pastor Neil. The blog website address: Lutheran Youth Fellowship December 2018 Refuge in December No Wednesday Night Refuge due To Advent Services Christmas Celebration Sunday, December 2 nd Prepare Cheer Plates During Sunday School Hour Pizza for Lunch White Elephant Gift Exchange Christmas Caroling Advent Soup Supper Wednesday, December 12 5pm High School Bible Class (8 th -12 th Grade) Join us Sunday mornings throughout the year as we dig into the scriptures and look at how they impact our lives and the world around us. 9:15pm Junior LYF Christmas Party Sunday, December 16 th Pizza Party Games Movie White Elephant Gift Exchange Advent Supper Wednesday, December 5 5pm - We encourage Jr High Youth and Parents to help with this meal and serving as this is a fundraiser for the Jr High Youth. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, :30 A.M.-2:00 P.M. ENJOY A LUNCH (soup, sandwiches, & Christmas cookies) Free will offering for area food pantry. AND A DISPLAY OF MORE THAN 100 NATIVITY SETS ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH th STREET IDA GROVE, IA Join us to celebrate this season of Jesus s birth. 5

6 LADIES OF THE CHURCH NEWS! COMMUNITY BASKET DONATIONS for December baking items: flour, sugar, baking powder/soda, cake mixes, etc. Any items are greatly appreciated. The shopping cart is available in our narthex, but the Community Basket is open on Thursdays, from 2:30-5:30PM. PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE! MOBILE FOOD PANTRY will be on December 20 at Quad County Corn Producer, Galva. Doors open at 4:30pm. BIBLE STUDY LEADERS Monday, December 17 at 4:00PM in the Conf. Room. MCC Birthday Party Circle 12 on Wed., December 26 at 2:30PM. If anyone who is in a circle or not in an active circle would like to help serve the treats provided for Morningside Care Center Birthday party, please let the church office know. MEETINGS FOR DECEMBER RUTH (2) will meet on December 6 meet at Zimmys at Noon and Linda will be BSL. We had 9 at our November meeting. Altar care for December will be Janet & Willy. Many parament changes happening, keep an eye on the altar as we go into the season of Advent & Christmas. We planned for our Nativity Open House on December 8 th from 10:30AM-2:00PM here at the church, serving soup, sandwich and Christmas cookies, free will donation to go towards our area food pantry. Invite your friends this is open to the public to enjoy over 100 nativities on display. LOIS (3) will meet on Dec. 6 at 1:30pm in the Conference Room at the church, Mary will be hostess and Judy will be BSL. We had 5 present at our November meeting. DEBORAH(8) EUNICE (10) will meet on Dec. 6 at 9:00am at the Morningside Care Center. Lorene will be hostess. We had 2 members present for our meeting in November. Served monthly birthday party at care center, served pumpkin pie. MIRIAM (11) JOHANNA(12) will meet on Dec. 6 at 6:30PM. Marge Senhen will be BSL. We had 6 members present for our meeting in November. 6

7 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH BOARD MEETING NOTE October 8, :00 PM Present: Pastor Salcido, Pastor Wehmas, Paul Cates, Monte Jensen, Steve Andresen, Janet Goodenow, Dan Dose, Glenda Hausman, Amy Godbersen, Jeff Gilbert, Robyn Devitt, Aaron Hoffman, Darcy Sibenaller, Valerie Krager Call Meeting to Order: Paul Cates Open Devotion: Pastor Salcido *Acts 16:9 Agenda: *Change Dates: *October 8 Agenda Date *September 10 - minutes *Agenda approved with changes Minutes: * Agenda approved as written Treasurer s Report: *Request to release funds: *Board of Education *Council approved an additional $1000 be released from the Memorial Funds account To be used to cover expenses for the purchase of new curriculum for Mid-week and Confirmation classes, Christmas Program, and Sunday School *These funds may be used for the remaining of 2018 *Make sure receipts are given to Treasurer for on-line purchases *Treasurer s Reports was approved as written Pastor Salcido *Mid-Week and Confirmation is going well and there has been a large number of kids attending Pastor Wehmas: *July 14-Lock-In for the Youth (14 attended) *Jr LYF-6 youth attending *High School Bible Class-6 attending *October-Jr. Youth Gathering Board Reports: Elders: Steve *Membership changes & requests *Funerals: Ron Nielsen *Adult Confirmation: Norman Carstensen, Haley Miesner, Judi Schimmer *Baptism: *Adult Baptism: *Reaffirmation: *Marriages: Shaina Tromp and Emery Waterhouse, Katie Knudsen and Trey Riessen *Transfers Out: Shaina Tromp Waterhouse to Trinity Lutheran, Lisle, Illinois *Transfers In: *Profession of Faith: *Reaffirmation of Faith: *Release by Personal Request: Verdell & Linda Buss *Remove due to loss of contact: *Adult Confirmation: *The council approved the release of Verdell and Linda Buss-submission was after The Elders meeting *Budget was discussed *Adopted a Marriage Guidance Policy Christian Education: Amy G *Wednesday Night Ed Program *Learn about God with Cross Explorations *Mid-Week-Wednesday evenings from 5:45 7:00pm *Sunday Mornings: Serve our God with Get off the Pew : Sunday Service Project *Preschool through 4 th grade will meet the first Sunday of each month *5 th 7 th Grade-will meet every Sunday *Sunday Morning Youth Handchime Choir: *Sunday morning 9:15-9:45am *Kids can attend Sunday Service Project from 9:45 10:15am after they are done *Kids Interested in playing can sign up in the church lobby Evangelism & Assimilation: Human Care: Glenda *28 Food Pantry 57 Mobile served families-mobile *Parish Nurse: *Continues to meet with shut-ins between *Remember flu shot *Pray for families that have had to make some tough decisions On family changes for their loved ones *Mid-Sioux Plate Offering: October 27 & November 3 *Gift Certificates from Food Pride $15 each for meat Mission & Stewardship: Janet *Mark Gerken-visiting pastor-november 11 *He will be speaking to our church about stewardship *Webinar: Gerken & Rhonda Mohr - *1 kit is available for presentation on budget, manage money, Ways to get out of debt, etc. *Will be looking at January to do the classes *Will do additional advertising *Stewardship Program: *1 st Sunday of November *3 rd Sunday: Pledge Sunday Trustees: Jeff *Windows in Narthex-working on small stained glass-making frames for each to put up *Outdoor lightening-solar light by back door by transformer *Gutters-working on for front entrance *Todd Jepsen will be paining lines in the parking lot this spring *Carpet-remove from stoop

8 *Lawn Mower-may have to be looked at and a new blade *Concrete Project: *$60,000 budgeted *$46,700 spent w/$700 to be reimbursed by the city *Would like to look at doing the northwest corner parking lot *Additional funding of $12,500 would be needed for this project *Suggested funding from General Fund Capital Project Fund CD *Questioning to do project now or 2019 *Copiers review buying or purchasing *Copier in office is presently leased *Copier in the hallway is owned by the church and is unable to be fixed *Microwave in the parsonage quit-will need to be replaced Youth and Family Life: Pastor Wehmas & Robyn *Trunk r Treat October 31 in conjunction with the Pumpkin Parade downtown *Jr LYF *2 attending Junior High Youth Gathering *Joining 2 from St. John and 6 from Trinity, Odebolt *Junior LYF nights are going strong *Sr Youth *Gathering in Des Moines- What Ever November 9-11 (5 attending so far) *September 30: bonefire w/battle Creek 24 attended *Serving at Orphan Grain Train on Wednesday-October 10 *Pumpkin carving either Sunday or Thursday *Refuge-Sr High Youth-movie night / speaker on human trafficking *Higher Things-will begin recruiting after NYG Registration is closed *Sunday morning Bible Class has been averaging each morning *Will be attending the YS National Youth Workers Convention in St Louis- *Will be gone November *Present Items to the Alter *November 4 Possibly do Rake n Run *December 9 Potluck after Children s Worship Service Old Business: *Key Dates: *October 27-28: Junior High Youth Gathering *October 31: Trunk r Treat (Family Night) *November 9-11: Senior High Youth Gathering December 8 th Nativity Open House *December 9 th Christmas Program *December 9 Potluck after Children s Worship Service *April 17 th : 7 th Graders to Mission Central *April 21: Easter Breakfast *May 5: Confirmation *May 12: Graduate Recognition *June TBD: VBS *July 10-16: National Youth Gathering New Business: *Submit Constitution to District for review and approval Done & Submitted *A-Motion was made and approved to send the church constitution To the District by the church office by the next council meeting *Circuit Form: *Pastor Delegate - *Paul Cates was voted in and approved to be our representative To the cast and vote meeting *Lay Delegate Dennis Clausen Accepted the nomination *As the Lay Delegate for our congregation at the Tampa meeting in July 2019 *Look at a possible Mission Trip for 2019 *Pie Social after Thanksgiving Service *Advent Meals *December 5 Youth in General *December 12 Jr. Supper *December 19 Education *Voter s Meeting November 9:15am Next meeting: November 5, :00pm CD,

9

10 THOSE WHO SERVE - DECEMBER 2018 Date Time Lectors Acolytes Sound Computer Camera Communion Servers Communion Prep 12/1 Shari Walter Rylee Krayenhagen Brad Zobel Roger Walter Diane & Corey Bremer 12/2 8:00AM Ellen Schable Trenton Gilbert Butch Ehrig Lorna S Keith Krager 12/2 10:30AM Donna Silvia & Chance Dennis Deb Clausen Tony Bennett Rasmussen Buns Clausen 12/5 7:00PM Advent Evan Williams Dennis C. 12/8 Cindy Hausman Dylan Malone Rod S. 12/9 8:00AM Daisy Thayer Brad Zobel Brad Zobel 12/9 10:30AM Brent Harm Kelton Ladwig Butch E. Jon Devitt John B. 12/12 7:00PM Advent Aubree Z & Rylee Rod S. K. 12/15 Butch E. Doyle Brown 12/16 8:00AM Glenda Hausman Keith Hausman Dave P. Dave P. Dan Dose 12/16 10:30AM Ashley Dose Chloe Jamison & Dennis C. Dennis C. Clay Miller Krista Sibenaller 12/19 7:00PM Advent Trenton Gilbert Butch E. 12/22 Aiden & Patience J. Gary M. 12/23 8:00AM Peggy Fick Rod S. Lorna S. Dean F. 12/23 10:30AM Bradyn Barber Brad Zobel Jon Devitt 12/24 6:30PM Christmas Eve Ethan & Carson Brad Zobel Dennis Clausen 12/25 10:00AM Christmas Day Keith Hausman Butch E. Dave Petersen 12/29 Rylee Krayenhagen Rod S. 12/30 8:00AM Evan Williams Brad Zobel Brad Zobel 12/30 10:30AM Krista Sibenaller Dennis C. Deb Clausen 12/31 6:30PM New Year s Eve Brad Zobel Doyle Brown

11 DECEMBER 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Worship Service 1 w/communion First Sunday in Advent 2 8:00AM Worship w/communion 9:15AM Bible Study 9:15AM Assemble Cheer Plates 9:15AM Christmas Program Practice 10:30AM Worship w/communion Noon LYF Pizza and Caroling Second Sunday in Advent 9 8:00AM Worship 9:15AM Bible Study, LYF 9:15AM Christmas Program Practice 10:30AM Worship Children s Christmas Program with Potluck to follow 3 rd Sunday in Advent 16 8:00AM Worship w/communion 9:15AM Bible Study, LYF 10:30AM Worship w/communion Jr LYF Pizza Party, games, movie Bells 6:30PM Elders 7:00PM Bells 6:30PM Church Council 7:00PM MCC 10:30AM LWML Bible Study Leaders 4:00PM Bells 6:30PM Theology at the Hut (Pizza Hut) 11 Theology at the Hut (Pizza Hut) 18 Theology at the Hut (Pizza Hut) 6:30AM Bible Study 5 9:30AM Bible Study 10:30-4:00 Bloodmobile 5:00PM Advent Meal (Jr. High) 5:45PM Choir 5:45-6:45PM Midweek Bible Study 7:00PM ADVENT WORSHIP 6:30AM Bible Study 12 9:30AM Bible Study 5:00PM Advent Meal (Youth) 5:45PM Choir 5:45-6:45PM Midweek Bible Study 7:00PM ADVENT WORSHIP 6:30AM Bible Study 19 9:30AM Bible Study 5:00PM Advent Meal (Educ.) 5:15PM Praise Team 5:45PM Choir 5:45-6:45PM Midweek Bible Study 7:00PM ADVENT WORSHIP Winter Begins 13 Assemble monthly newsletter 1:30PM Golden Horizons 2:30PM Nativity Open House 10:30-2:00PM Lunch served Worship Service Worship Service w/communion Worship Service 4 th Sunday in Advent 23 8:00AM Worship 9:15AM Bible Study, LYF No 5 th -7 th grades 10:30AM Worship 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 6:30PM 25 Christmas Day Worship 10:00AM Church Office Closed 2:30PM MCC # Willowdale 2: Worship Service 8:00AM Worship 9:15AM Bible Study, LYF No 5 th -7 th grades 10:30AM Worship 30 New Year s Eve Worship w/communion 6:30PM 31