Welcome to worship this third week of Advent. May the Holy Spirit bless and strengthen you today. SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Transcription

1 Welcome to worship this third week of Advent. May the Holy Spirit bless and strengthen you today. SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP THIS WEEK Week of December 16, 2018 Preacher: Rev. Peter Heckert Liturgist: Rev. David French Elder: Ken VanderHoff Organist: Randy Strakis Greeters: Sat.-Jack & Janet Myer; Sun. 8:00- Jim & Kelly Gross, Wayne & Eileen Luke; Sun. 10:30-Carol Salts Ushers: Sat. 6:00-Dick & Cathy Collison; Sun. 8:00-Chuck Music, Todd Meyer, Jim Gross, Jacob Griffin; Sun. 10:30-Dave & Nancy Sattler, Katelyn VanderHoff, Jacob VanderHoff Acolytes: Sun. 8:00-;Katie Baumgartner, Lexi Baumgartner, Aeryn Ford, Samantha Ford Sun. 10:30-Kelby Tarter, Phillip VanLaere, Kiersten Guyer, Brendan Hamer Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2, NRSV). PLEASE PRAY FOR: David Ancil, Katherine Bickett, Kathy Bishop, Tommy Blake, Tom Burkhardt, Jean Carr, Brent Dunlap, John Fulton, Carol Gray, Mike Hecht, Cindy Howard, Adam Hubner, Ken Kirkpatrick, Roy Luke, Judy Marks, Scott Meyer, Walter Miller, Steve Neff, Kim Nelson, Kurt Ostrander, Dan Schroeder, Rod Tietz, Steve Ulrich, & Millie von Stein ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers today are sponsored by David & Teresa Flint in celebration of their 1st wedding anniversary on December 9, and by Sandy Kull in loving memory of her husband David. If you would like to sponsor flowers to commemorate a special day in your life, please sign up on the flower chart in the church office. We are currently seeking sponsors for the weekends in The cost of sponsorship is $30 and you can take the flowers home after services to enjoy! NURSERY Have a little one crying or needing a diaper changed? We want you to know that the nursery/cry room is always open for your use during worship services. There is a television in the room so that you won t miss out on anything happening in the sanctuary. The nursery/cry room is P204 (yellow classroom). FELLOWSHIP TIME Everyone is invited to enjoy the fellowship and some light refreshments in the cafeteria immediately following the 8:00 a.m. Sunday service. Many thanks to Margaret Downen for providing the baked goods today.

2 To help with our Sunday morning fellowship at St. James, we encourage families to bring in breakfast food to share with our congregation. This will allow church and school families to give back to their church family by sharing some tasty breakfast foods. Each week we will gather sponsor families to bring in food for the Sunday school hour. St. James has typically purchased between 6-9 dozen donuts each Sunday for this time. So instead of St. James purchasing the donuts, each family can sign up to bring in coffee cake, sweet rolls, fruit, bagels, etc. Please make sure your donation is in the cafeteria before the 8:00 a.m. service each week (food items may be dropped off in the cafeteria after school on Friday or during Saturday evening service). Please label the food items for Sunday morning fellowship. Questions/Answers: 1. Do the foods have to be homemade? No, you are welcome to bring in homemade food, but you are also welcome to bring in purchased food. 2. Can an organization within St. James sponsor a week? Yes, we are strongly encouraging organizations, classes, etc. to support a week. 3. What if we don t get a sponsor for a week? Then we will order extra donuts for that week. 4. Will coffee and juice continue to be provided during this time? Yes, the normal coffee and juice will continue to be provided by St. James. The sponsors are just providing the food. We are continuing the trial run of this donut hour supplement through the end of this year. Please sign up online at if you want to help keep this going. SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES (9:15-10:15 A.M.) WHAT CHILD IS THIS? led by Wayne Luke in the cafeteria (P212). 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. Join us to hear about the unmatched blessing of the Lord s incarnation. ADULT INFORMATION (NEW MEMBER) CLASS led by Pastor French in the fellowship hall (F202). This class is for all those who would like to join our congregation or just learn more about the teachings of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. For members, this is also a great opportunity to brush up on your fundamentals of the faith and to meet some potential new members. Everyone is welcome! A DEEPER LOOK moderated by Grace Gillespie in Room P202 (green classroom). This group discusses the Bible lessons (pericopes) which are read in church each Sunday. You are invited every Sunday, but will not be lost if you miss a Sunday. This is a casual class with lots of interaction. We pray for each other and care for each other. Join us today and every Sunday. SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:15-10:15 A.M.) Every week, we will meet in the sanctuary for the opening of Sunday school. The classes will then proceed to the following rooms: 2 Yr. Olds - Preschool: Yellow Classroom

3 K - 2nd Grade (Lower Elementary): Orange Classroom 3rd - 5th Grade (Upper Elementary): Red Classroom 6th - 8th Grade: Church Office Conference Room High School: Church Office Work Room What are the 2 year olds - 5th graders learning about? Starting with Genesis, we will work through the Bible in three years through major Bible stories from the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Acts. Students will learn and grow in faith alongside their peers as they explore the Bible, draw connections to the Small Catechism, and learn the traditions of the Lutheran Church. If you have questions about the Sunday school program, contact Rebecca Rowan at rowanrm@gmail.com or (423) What are the 6th - 8th graders learning about? Led by Bill & Karin Crum each week, the class will aid students in their preparation for confirmation. The class has allowed for incredible discussion and participation by all who attend. The students WILL be in Scripture and the Catechism at EVERY meeting. The program we are using can be found at Ask to see your child s work after class! WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES COFFEE CLUB led by Pastor French on Thursdays 7:00-7:45 a.m. in the church conference room. THURSDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY led by Pastor Heckert on Thursdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the conference room. We are (a bit belatedly) back in action! Join us every Thursday night as we resume our study of Genesis! Come for the discussion and strengthening of your faith, but stay for the off-topic jocularity and Hebrew vocabulary lessons! See you there! MEN S BIBLE BREAKFAST led by Doug Schroeder on Fridays 6:00-7:00 a.m. at the Downtowner Restaurant. You can come for coffee or breakfast at 6:00 a.m. or just for the Bible study on the Scripture lessons for the coming Sunday which begins about 6:25 a.m. TV & RADIO MINISTRIES ISSUES, ETC.: Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. This week s topics include: The Birth of John the Baptist, The Book of Obadiah, Thy Kingdom Come, The Apostle Thomas, Ahab Steals Naboth s Vineyard and more. You can listen live or on-demand at and on the LPR mobile app. LUTHERAN PUBLIC RADIO: Music of the Church anytime at LUTHERAN RADIO STATION - KFUO: Listen to Worldwide KFUO.org, your radio station for practical Lutheran talk, daily Bible and Confession studies, current issues from a Lutheran worldview, and daily worship opportunities. All programs are archived at KFUO.org for 24/7 on-demand listening. You can also find our programming wherever you get your podcasts! Have a question or comment? Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Call (800) or letstalk@kfuo.org to join the conversation on Let s Talk! WORSHIP ANEW: This 30 minute Lutheran television worship service includes the readings for the day, prayers, and a Lutheran pastor delivering a message that is one-on-one to the viewer. Worship Anew is aired each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on WHMB-TV40. Visit for more information about this exciting program!

4 THE LUTHERAN HOUR: In Anxious Times - Rejoice! by Rev. Dr. Anthony Cook on Dec. 16. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. With anxiety on the rise, the apostle Paul s call to rejoice always seems all but unobtainable. While there are many helpful ways to cope with society s increasing anxiety, Paul points us to a frequently overlooked source of joy and peace, God s grace in Christ (Philippians 4:4-7). The Lutheran Hour is heard every week in our listening area at 7:00 a.m. on station 720 AM, at 7:30 a.m. on 97.3 FM, at 9:04 a.m. on FM, or at 10:00 a.m. on 97.3 FM. Have questions? Contact our LHM ambassador at St. James - Jerry Ripke at jerryripke@gmail.com or (765) GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS HELP WANTED: St. James is seeking a snow blower operator - must be available to clear the sidewalks and steps of the church and school buildings before 7:00 a.m. on snow days (and some evenings when necessary). Please contact Daphine Prather at with questions. Employment applications are available in the church office. ADVENT SERMON SERIES: Advent is the time when we prepare for the coming of our King, but can we ever truly be ready? This year we consider again who we are and what we are waiting for. Our series Your King Is Coming begins by considering Psalm 80, a prayer of the guilty and God s answer to that prayer. Our series will conclude as we consider how blessed we are that our God continues to make something out of nothing. December 19 - Jesus: King of the Low (2 Sam. 7:1 17; Luke 1:26 38) Dinner sponsor: St. James Music Ministry During Advent, dinner will be served each Wednesday from 4:45-5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria followed by the worship service at 6:00 p.m. SCRIP GIFT CARDS ARE THE PERFECT GIFT FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST! Visit the Scrip Shoppe before or after Saturday and Sunday church services and Wednesday Advent services. Order forms are also being sent home with our school children, so be on the lookout! Make your list and check it twice! Reminder: checks should be made payable to St. James Scrip. School orders submitted to the school office by 12/14 will be returned on or before 12/21. Church orders completed by noon on 12/16 will be available for pick-up on or after 12/21. During this season of giving, please also remember it is the Scrip season of earning. Help us earn another $9,000 for PTL and the same for school tuition and various St. James ministries this year! We can do it if everyone buys gift cards from Scrip. It is the easiest fundraiser ever! Also, join us for Culver's Nights on the last Tuesday of each month from 5:00-8:00 p.m. See you there! GOT A SMILE AND HANDSHAKE TO SHARE? WE NEED YOU: We are in need of greeters for the Christmas services. Even if you are not a regular greeter, you can still help out. It is a very rewarding experience. The service times for Christmas Eve are 4:30 (children s worship in cafeteria), 5:30, 7:00, and 11:00 p.m. Christmas Day service is at 10:00 a.m. I hope you will consider sharing the joy of Jesus s birth with other members and visitors by greeting at one of these services. A signup sheet is on the counter (next to the scrip counter) in the west lobby, or you may contact me at (765) or

5 to let me know when you are available to help out. Thank you! ~ Beth Lancaster CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE: A big THANK YOU goes out to all of the congregational members who supported the Christmas for Everyone program by sponsoring a child this year. Through your generosity we provided Christmas gifts to 50 children in need in our community! CHRISTMAS CAROLING REPORT: On Sunday, December 9, 14 St. James members, young and old, went Christmas caroling to 16 homes (20 members/spouses), with stops at five more homes where no one was home. Unfortunately we didn t get to all the homes that were selected for visiting. Thank you to those who sang: Ben Bunton, Brenda Bunton, Lizzy Bunton, Joshua Eakley, Cara Hamilton, Laura Hamilton, Dann Keiser, Lynn Keiser, Beth Lancaster, Madison Moffatt, Ruth O Connor, Jerry Ripke, Kris Ripke, and Purdue student Emma Wischmeier. It was a joy to sing the songs of the Christmas season and then see that those songs brought a smile on their faces and some even joined in the chorus. A big THANK YOU also go to Janet Clark, Paula McKinney, and Starlah Smith who provided the home-baked cookies which were given to the members and their spouses. Look forward to joining us next year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ~ Jerry Ripke THREE NEW BIBLE STUDIES COMING SOON: The Spirituality of the Cross - this adult Bible study will begin on Sunday, January 13 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall. To take part in this study you will need to purchase the $15 book, The Spirituality of the Cross, written by Gene Veith, either on your own or by signing up at the welcome center and Nola will order a copy for you. This book explains a Christian tradition that is rich, historic, and particularly relevant today. Yet hardly anyone outside of Lutheran circles and sometimes not even within them is aware of it. But in a time when Christianity has become confused with moralism, politics, and what Martin Luther called the spirituality of glory, the spirituality of the cross comes as a liberating, paradigm-shifting alternative. Please call Pastor French (765) with any questions you may have. The Women s Monday Night Bible Study will begin on Monday, January 14 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the conference room for a 9-week LifeLight study of Revelation. While the events of the present for the reader at times seem overwhelming, the visions experienced by the one who records the material go above and beyond the present and take into account all of history and show that God is in control of history. Please call Barbara Kirkpatrick at (765) for more information and to register. The Women s Tuesday Morning Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, January 15 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall with the second 9-week LifeLight study of Luke. Blessings for the reader as you study Luke s carefully researched account of Jesus s life. Consider yourself on a journey with Luke to learn more about Jesus of Nazareth, whose body crucified for the forgiveness of our sins becomes the temple of the living God. Please call Jan Harris at (765) for more information and to register. DO THESE BELONG TO YOU? A black 2-wheel cart and a green fold-up table were found on the church grounds and we don t know to whom they belong to return them. If either/both belong to you, please contact Nola in the church office at to arrange to pick them up. Thank you!

6 ANNOUNCEMENT SUBMISSION FORM: St. James has numerous methods of communicating with church and school families. If you have an announcement that you would like to be submitted in the church s weekly bulletin and/or monthly newsletter, school news and notes, website, facebook, twitter, or on the electronic sign, please visit: Your announcement will be automatically submitted to all of the appropriate people. CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP: Need to send an invitation to Advent or Christmas services to a friend or family member? Get a free invitation or greeting card from the display box on the counter next to the scrip counter. Tell the good news Matthew 5:19. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE SEWERS AND QUILTERS! Thank you for all your prayers and donations resulting in a very successful year providing baby clothes and quilts to those in need. We will not be meeting in December but hope you will think about joining our groups in January. How exciting this time of year is, celebrating the birth of our Savior. LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR: Life Thoughts are designed to help pastors and congregations see the church year through the lens of the sanctity of human life; they are based on the appointed readings from Lutheran Service Book. December 16 The sinful world condemns unborn children and elderly persons because of inadequate age or unacceptable appearance or impaired abilities. The Lord clears away these enemies (Zephaniah 3:15) with His unconditional love. Law and conscience convict us of promoting and even participating in violence against life. The Lord also takes away these judgments with His forgiveness and redemption. Prince of Peace, make us not offended by Your Word of life. Amen. STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Stewards of the Christmas Gospel As Christians, we are all stewards of the Gospel. We are to be messengers of God s Good News that Christ was born to save. Sometimes it s difficult to share this news. We don t want to put anyone off. The perfect opportunities don t often come along, and when they do, we don t know what to say. There is a perfect opportunity, however. God has given us exactly the right words, and rarely does the Christmas story put anyone off. Let s not waste our opportunity! What message does your Christmas card convey? Does it announce the birth of Jesus or wish your loved ones Happy Holidays? Does your Christmas letter mention how God has shed His grace on you and your family during the past year? Jesus came to live among us to forgive us, reconcile us with our Heavenly Father, and give us life everlasting. Personalize that message. Tell others how the birth of Christ has touched you. Remind others that they are unique creatures whom Christ came to save. Tell them that they are among all the people to whom the angels brought good news of great joy (Luke 2:10). Tell them that Christ, the baby in the manger, became a man who died for their sins so that they can live eternally in heaven with Him. With God s strength, use this Christmas season to proclaim Jesus s love for all people boldly and loudly. Prayer: Lord, You have called us to be Your disciples and entrusted us with Your Gospel. Help us to remain faithful to that trust. Amen. Blessings on your stewardship journey! YOUTH GROUP NEWS FROM LYNN KEISER CALLING ALL YOUTH: Christmas Break - Pokagon State Park Tobogganing (JH/HS). We will leave in the early morning, drive the three hours to the park, go tobogganing, eat at the inn, then drive back! Contact Lynn Keiser at (765) or lkeiser@stjameslaf.org for details.

7 $ FINANCIAL NEWS FROM MINDY SCHLOTMAN $ WEEKLY OFFERING: Oct Nov. 4 = $16, Nov = $11, Nov = $11, Nov = $10, Nov Dec. 2 = $17, Dec. 3-9 = $12, WEEKLY / MONTHLY Funds Required to Meet the Budget September Week / Month October Week / Month November Week / Month Offering: $12.5K / $54,166 $15.9K / $63,857 $10.7K / $42,972 $12.8K / $51,342 K - 8 Tuition: $11.5K / $49,910 $12K / $48,125 $11.4K / $45,901 $15K / $60,446 Preschool Tuition: $3.3K / $14,447 $2K / $8,101 $2.8K / $11,186 $2.5K / $10,027 Childcare Tuition: $3.3K / $17,065 $2.7K / $11,044 $4.4K / $17,771 $3.8K / $15,258 After School Care: $1.4K / $5,238 $603 / $2,412 $569 / $2,277 $721 / $2,884

8 BIRTHDAYS Dec. 16 Heidi Goodspeed Dec. 17 Todd Brewer Dec. 18 N/A Dec. 19 Kathy Strakis Dec. 20 Ed Diebold, Sophia Grady, Nick Walschlager Dec. 21 Matt Wilcox Dec. 22 N/A ANNIVERSARIES Dec. 22 Robert & Jacquelyn Beall (62 years) BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAYS Karin Crum, Aaron Hubner, Jon Hubner, Dann Keiser, Maddie Kessler, Jonah McClannen, Jacob VanderHoff, Charlie Wetzel Please take a moment to sign the Record of Fellowship pad today. The birthday, anniversary, and baptismal birthday lists are generated from those records. Bless you as you celebrate! CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Sun. 12/16 Mon. 12/17 Tue. 12/18 Wed. 12/19 Thu. 12/20 Fri. 12/12 Sat. 12/22 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM 04:30 PM - 05:30 PM 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM 06:15 PM - 07:30 PM 07:30 PM - 09:00 PM 10:30 AM - 01:00 PM 04:45 PM - 05:45 PM 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM 07:00 AM - 07:45 AM 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM 06:00 AM - 07:00 AM 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM Worship (C) Adult Education/Sunday School Worship Foundation Board Meeting Board of Christian Education Culver s Fundraiser Night Board of Evangelism Parish Planning Council Fellowship Communion Advent Dinner Advent Service 7th & 8th Grade (Public School) Confirmation Classes Coffee Club Bell Choir Rehearsal Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday Night Bible Study Men s Bible Breakfast Worship

9 Please Join Us to Shower the Parker Family with Love and Support! Tina, Jilli, and Jackson Parker lost their home and belongings in a Thanksgiving Day fire. Please join us on Sunday, December 30 at noon in the fellowship hall for food, pampering, and fun to shower them with love, support, and items to replenish their home. The Parkers are registered at JCPenney and Target. Valerie Johnson will be demonstrating some Mary Kay products with 30% of the proceeds from sales going to the Parker family. Please bring photos of the Parker family to help replace lost photos. Please RSVP to Kristy McCain at kkmccain@gmx.com or (765) to help us plan food. If you are unable to attend but want to provide support, scrip cards can be purchased at the scrip counter and designated for the Parker family. Thank you!

10 Christmas Poinsettias Would you like to sponsor a Christmas poinsettia that will be used to decorate the church during the Christmas season? The cost of each poinsettia is $ Orders must be received by December 19, (Sponsored plants can be taken home to enjoy after the New Year s Eve service.) If paying by check, please make payable to St. James and write poinsettia on the memo line. Return to: St. James Lutheran Church Attn: Nola Hecht 800 Cincinnati Street Lafayette, IN Name I would like to order poinsettia(s) to be placed in the church during the Christmas season. The poinsettia is given in memory of; in honor of; or in celebration of