December Newsletter 2014

Transcription

1 December Newsletter 2014 CHRISTMAS Unto Us A Savior is Born Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage Church Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheran@hotmail.com ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com

2 From the Pastor s Desk: Spotting the Miracle Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 14:7 How good are you at spotting a miracle? This Bible passage is a good test. Can you spot the two miracles in Isaiah 7:14? The first is rather obvious. The Lord promised that a virgin would become pregnant. That just doesn t happen. Young women, who have never been intimate with a man, don t become pregnant. Still, seven hundred years after the Lord made this promise, the Holy Spirit created baby Jesus inside of Mary a virgin. What a miracle! People have a hard time believing this. They think this miracle of a virgin giving birth is just too impossible to happen. However, the virgin birth is the easier miracle in this verse. The harder miracle is in the last word of the sentence Immanuel. Immanuel is Hebrew for God with us. You may be spending Christmas with family and friends, or maybe you have no real family or friends. Whether you are lonely or surrounded by loved ones, counting all your blessings or feeling miserable, this great miracle is for you. Mary holds a baby in her arms. She holds her son and her God at the same time. The eternal God took on our skin and 2

3 bones. He became a human just like you and me. He is God with us. He didn t do this as some science experiment can the Creator of the universe become part of his creation? He didn t do this as a field trip to learn about human beings. God is with us because he loves us. He loves us so deeply that he did not want to spend eternity separated from us. (Eternal separation from God is for us an unavoidable consequence of our sinful condition.) God could not sweep our sin away by a command. So he swept our sin away by the cross. God became one of us God with us so he could offer his life as payment for our sins. God is with us so we would never be separated from him. Not now. Not in eternity. No matter how many or how few people will be part of your Christmas celebration, your God is with you. One day, you will be with him. Every Christmas reinforces our longing for the day we will celebrate with our God in heaven. Have a joy filled, hope filled, miraculous Christmas! PRAYER: Lord, thanks for coming down to rescue me. Thank you that you will always be with me and I with you. Amen. Advent Midweek Services Come, Lord Jesus...and Show Us the Father This Advent series provides three catechetical sermons focusing on the First Article of the Apostles Creed and the explanation by Martin Luther as found in the Small Catechism. Each service is based on a familiar psalm and one part of Luther s explanation of the First Article. Though these services are designed to teach the people of God, they have as 3

4 their focus the central doctrine of the Christian faith that is, justification by grace through faith. To give unity to the entire series, it is structured as three major divisions explicating one central Advent theme. While each service is related to the other two, each could be used independently of the others. Services will be held at 10:00 AM and 7:30 PM. Wednesday, December 3 Jesus, the Word Incarnate, Shows Us Our Creator Wednesday, December 10 Jesus, the Bread of Life, Shows Us Our Provider Wednesday, December 17 Jesus, the Lamb of God, Shows Us the Father s Heart Prepare Ye the Way Devotions for Advent Please take a copy of our Advent Devotions from the back table of the church for your reading during this Advent season. In the midst of these troubled and unsettled times in our world today, the prophet Isaiah prepares the way for Christ with messages of comfort and joy. In these daily devotions for Advent, long time seminary professor and Isaiah expert Andrew Bartelt takes us through the readings of Isaiah often used during this season to find the triumphant news that Christ is coming to fulfill God s plan of salvation for all nations, and for all history. 4

5 Children's Christmas Eve Service 7:00 PM Children of our congregation will be presenting a special worship Service on Christmas Eve at 7:00 PM. The title of the service is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Children's Christmas Service. We thank our Sunday School Teachers and especially Julie Hilkerbaumer for all their hard work making this service possible. Practice times are Saturdays, December 6, 13 and 20, from 9:30 11:00 AM. The Christmas story is presented by looking at the words of the beloved hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and shows how Charles Wesley crafted the hymn based on scripture verses found throughout the Old and New Testaments. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion will be held at our church at 11:00 PM with Holy Communion. This Christmas service of light will be led by Pastor with special music provided by members of our congregation. The theme is The Savior Is Born! On Christmas, the grace of God appeared bringing salvation for all people in the person of Jesus. The angelic proclamation to the shepherds of Bethlehem was Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10 11). This Jesus is the Child on whose shoulders the government rests. He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. For this gift of grace called Jesus, let all people rejoice and sing, Glory to God, now and forever! 5

6 Christmas Day Service 10:00 AM Christmas Day Service will be held at 10:00 AM with Holy Communion. The service will be centered around familiar Christmas Carols with the theme, The Day When Grace Is Dawning. On this most holy day, we gather in quiet anticipation of celebrating the greatest mystery, the anniversary of the moment when the almighty God Himself brought all His promises and predictions together in the birth of the Son of God in human flesh born of the Virgin Mary. It is the day when grace is dawning. In our worship and quiet celebration, this same Savior, Jesus, comes among us recalling with us that holy moment of His birth, embracing us, comforting us, and feeding us with His endless life. Let our gladness have no end! Signs to Display for Advent Advent Wreaths The usual circle of candles represents our hope in the Light of the World, whom the powers of darkness cannot overcome. Lighting a new Advent candle each week marks our Advent journey to the Christ Child. Advent Calendars Count the days of Advent in December until Christmas. Opening the windows of an Advent calendar daily reminds young and old where our eternal hope lies with the holy Child in a lowly manger. Advent Colors Purple is the ancient color of royalty (rather than penitence), signaling the coming of our King. The most recent use of blue among Protestants symbolizes the hope of God s people who trust in their unfailing Lord and King. 6

7 The Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah, Mary and to Joseph that they would experience the miraculous birth of a child, Jesus would be God with us and He would save His people from their sins. (Luke 1:8-38). A Crown symbolizes the King of Glory, Jesus Christ, who left His position in glory to enter our world humbly and who will come again in glory to judge the world. Emmanuel or Immanuel is Hebrew for God is with us. Isaiah the prophet promised that the Lord would come to be with His people. As a sign of His promise the son of Isaiah 7:14 was called God is with us. Advent Candles The First Advent Candle (violet) The Candle of Prophecy, symbolizing the Old Testament prophecies of Advent, or the coming of the Savior. The Second Advent Candle (violet) The Bethlehem Candle, symbolizing the coming on earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. The Third Advent Candle (Pink) the Shepherd Candle, symbolizing the coming of the Savior into our hearts and life through His Holy Word. The Fourth Advent Candle (violet) The Angel Candle, symbolizing the final coming of the Savior in glory with all His angels for the Judgment. The Christ Candle, symbolizing the fulfillment of prophecy, the nativity of Jesus Christ, the Savior, and the Light of the world. 7

8 ConnectPlus Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) invites you to join the family of investors who are empowering LCMS ministries to build relationships, energize believers and serve communities. With your investment, you connect to LCMS ministries and rostered church workers, helping to fund custom loans and support services they need for carrying out witness and mercy work in their communities and around the world. ConnectPLUS is available to brand new investors and those individuals who have not had an LCEF investment in the past 24 months. Join with the tens of thousands of LCEF investors helping LCMS Lutherans in their vital witness and mercy work among people around the world. Invest with ConnectPLUS today! ConnectPLUS features 3% fixed rate (on first $5,000) and opportunity to empower LCMS ministries, also $500 minimum to open; Second-tier rate on balance over $5,000; Two year term; Additional investments of at least $25 allowed. There is more information and folders containing applications on the small table under the bulletin board near the entrance to Church. We have been asked to get this information out to our Church members. Contribution Envelopes Members, please pick up your new 2015 offering envelopes at the Church entrance. The accuracy of your contribution record depends on your envelope number being correct, so be sure to check it, both on the box s address label and the envelopes themselves. It should be the same as in Also please report any address corrections to Mary Sprick. Concert The New Haven Community Choir Concert will be held at the E & R Church in New Haven on Sunday, December 7 th at 3:00 PM. Some of our members participate with this choir! 8

9 Ladies Aid Christmas Party The ladies of Ebenezer Lutheran Church cordially invite the ladies of the congregation and friends to be our guests at our annual Christmas Party to be held on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 12:00 noon. Robin McCoy will be our guest. You are encouraged to bring a nativity or nativity ornament for use in our program. RSVP to Pastor or Margaret at or mzastrow@fidmail.com December Birthdays Adam Brune 12-1 Sara Unnerstall 12-3 Emma Hudnell 12-4 Peggy Voelker 12-5 Penny Schreiner 12-5 Nicholas Gilbert 12-6 Paula Gleitz 12-7 Wilbert Baumann 12-7 Sophia Door 12-7 Dale Summers 12-9 Susan Hoemann Barbara Bolm Susan Kassebaum Lynell Glosemeyer Tracey Bade Denise Walkenhorst Debbie Brune Isabelle Rose Gilbert Adam Wesche Babs Kormeier Travis Gardner Kate Walkenhorst Lanette Bunge Barry Kormeier Jeff Brunkhorst Judy Luecker Nancy Satre Meredith Gardner If your name is not listed or listed incorrectly, please let Mary know 9

10 December Anniversaries Mark and Susan Kassebaum 12-4 Paul and Judy Creek Marvin and Mary Sprick Bell Ringer Schedule for December December 7 Paul Kassebaum December 14 Jeff Hohlt December 21 Cody Adams December 28 Corey Adams Usher Schedule for December 1: Corey Adams 2: Matt Kassebaum 3: Albert Bade 4: Philip Pelster 5: Harvey Quinn Alternate: Bryan Adams Head usher: Wilbert Baumann Altar Guild for December Judy Allmeroth and Joyce Hohlt Ebenezer Mission Society The Mission Society met November 17 th for their quarterly meeting. Ninety-one rice bags were made for the Mercy Childbirth Center. The profit from the Country Store was $2, With mite money added to this a total of $ was allocated as follows: Pastor s Emergency Help Fund $ Orphan Grain Train Sponsor Seminary Student J. Wilshusen LCMS World Relief Lutheran Bible Translators John Strasen

11 Lithuanuian Lutheran Ministry Rev. Darius Petkunas Lutherans for Life Amigos de Cristo, Sedalia, Mo LCMS World Mission Robin McCoy With God s Little Ones Lutheran Family and Children s Service The Advent wreath will be decorated by Mission Society members for the Advent and Christmas season. Kathy Scheer was elected President for and Barb Kassebaum was elected Vice President. Altar Guild We will be needing some more ladies to help us with our Altar Guild. Please consider helping!! You only serve one month a year by putting flowers on the Altar and preparing for our Communion Sundays. We would really appreciate more ladies joining in this important Church position! Senior Citizen s Dinner We will have our Senior Citizen s Dinner on Sunday, December 7 th after our worship service. Robin McCoy is planning to be here at our services on December 6 th and 7 th. News from John Strasen Dear Members of Ebenezer Lutheran Church & Sunday School Greetings from Botswana. It s starting to feel more like summer around here. Temperatures are finally warming up. We had some long cold spells during June, July, and August this year. I was happy when my indoor thermometer began registering morning temperatures in the 70s again. Fifty degrees is too cold to wake up to every day. The interesting thing about the weather in southern Africa is that it is either too cold or too hot. There doesn t seem to be much in 11

12 between. It s like one week after winter ends, summer begins. What happened to spring? Two weeks ago, the Shekgalagari Bible Translation Project conducted its first ever language and grammar workshop. More than 20 Shekgalagari speakers from all over Botswana gathered to discuss important language matters which have been plaguing our office staff for a long time. Even though we weren t able to resolve every issue, we finally got together enough people from enough different places, that we were able to hear all of the differing opinions and actually set in stone many things that were troubling us. As time goes on, of course, more issues will come to the forefront. But, for the moment, at least, we have found a sure way to proceed. Your friend in Christ, John The letter is on our bulletin board at the near the Church entrance. It also shows a picture of the meeting. Change in Thrivent Financial In 2015, there will be a change in the way Thrivent funds for Community are handled. There will no longer be a local chapter board. At this time, the local chapter board has to approve the projects to be done for matching funds from Thrivent. In the future, there will be no matching funds projects. To get funds for projects, the members will apply for a $250 Visa credit card on line at Thrivent.com, Action Team, for any project they have. Only one card can be received per project. Each member will be eligible for 2 such cards, ie each member will be able to get $500 for 2 projects they are interested in. The money can be spent for supplies for the project. This year we applied for cards for the chili dinner, Easter breakfast, VBS, the cancer dinner and the Senior Citizen Christmas dinner. After the event is over, there is a short group of questions to answer on line about the outcome of the 12

13 event and what the money was used for. That and keeping the receipts is all that is necessary. Be thinking of some projects that you may be able to use the cards and take advantage of the money to help fund any service project, fundraiser, or recognition project you are involved in. There will be a list of projects on the bulletin board soon. Thrivent Choice will remain the same. Be sure to direct your Choice Dollars: don t loose them! It is money that you have control over and can use as your donation to Ebenezer or a Lutheran school of your choice. Thank you for directing your dollars to Ebenezer in the past. It has meant better than $10,000 to Ebenezer in the past couple years. If anyone has any questions, call or see Karen Sprick Monthly Treasurer s Summary October 2014 Beginning checking balance $13, Receipts $17, Disbursements $11, Ending checking balance $19, LCEF savings balance $34, Thrivent FPDA balance $19, Pledged to Missouri District for year $4, Paid to Missouri District this year-to-date $4, Year-to-date income less expenses -$18,

14 December 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7 Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship w/ Holy Communion 10:00 AM Senior Dinner 12:00 PM Youth Confirmation 4:00 PM Sunday School Teachers/ Education 7:00 PM Youth Confirmation 4:00 PM 1 8 Elders 7:00 PM 2 Advent Services 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Confirmation Class 6:30 PM Choir 7:00 PM Advent Services 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Confirmation Class 6:30 PM Choir 7:00 PM 4 Bible Class 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM 11 Bible Class 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM 5 Ladies Aid Christmas Luncheon 12:00 PM 6 Children s Christmas Service Rehearsal 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Worship w/ Holy Communion 3:00 PM Children s Christmas Service Rehearsal 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Worship 3:00 PM Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship w/ Holy Communion 10:00 AM Christmas Caroling 1:00 PM 15 Youth Confirmation 4:00 PM 22 Youth Confirmation 4:00 PM Advent Services 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Confirmation Class 6:30 PM Choir 7:00 PM Children s Service 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Service 11:00 PM w/ Holy Communion Christmas Eve 25 Worship 10:00 AM with Holy Communion Christmas Day Children s Christmas Service Rehearsal 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 26 St. Stephen, Martyr and Deacon Worship w/ Holy Communion 3:00 PM 27 St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (White) Worship 3:00 PM Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM The Holy Innocents, Martyrs New Year s Eve New Year s Day Service 10:00 AM 1 Novemeber S M T W T F S January 2015 S M T W T F S