Parish Rebuilder. The Gift. December 2013 Monthly Newsletter Volume 13 Issue 12

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1 Parish Rebuilder ST. LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH WILSON ST. LA MESA, CA December 2013 Monthly Newsletter Volume 13 Issue 12 The Gift We invite you to join St. Luke's Lutheran Church Please contact Judy in the office to discuss membership or to arrange an appointment with the pastor: or office-sllc@att.net The Advent and Christmas seasons are upon us. These are exciting times for those in a position to celebrate. Our idyllic scenes of Christmas, as we either imagine or have them depicted for us, invite us to enter into a more serene or more blissful reality. We would like to accept this invitation, but alas, our own reality frequently obscures our view and mires the way. Nonetheless, each year we wait in anticipation for the invitation. Table of Contents Pastor Mark page 1 Pastor Mark/Memorial Services page 2 Thank You/TACO/Heifer page 3 Heifer/WSL page 4 Advent Alleluia/Cantata page 5 Candlelight Services page 6 Birthdays/G&M/Worship Text page 7 Our own experiences of reality, however, cause us to ask ourselves whether these idyllic scenes of Christmas really represent or perhaps misrepresent Christmas. The nativity scene is so lovely on the coffee table or positioned in front of the church. Even so-called live nativity scenes have a makeshift charm about them, and that first century hot cocoa or hot cider after the tour is usually very tasty. If one adds all the secular representations of the holidays thereto, the wonders of Christmas become seemingly lost in their own celebration. Prayer Calendar page 8 Worship Teams page 9 Calendar page 10 German Carol Service December 15th at 7:00 pm. Advent Cantata December 22nd at 9:00 am. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 6:00 pm & 8:00 pm. Amidst the increasing confusion, with almost unanimity of purpose, the scenes which we create or enact are designed to bring Christmas close to us. Although we know that such recreations are not the real thing, we hope that by staging them they will then in turn transport us closer to the reality which we want them to depict. Paradoxically, perhaps all the confusion about Christmas in secularized society actually helps us understand more fully the circumstantial reality of the birth of Christ, but maybe that is only the case for believers.

2 In such confusion and obscurity about Christmas, why is the reality of the birth of Christ still so important, at least for some both then and now, but why only for some? For example, even in the Bible only two of the four canonical gospels mention his birth. In contrast to Christmas, however, no recounting of the Christ-event can forego the cross and resurrection, although some people regard Christ s bodily resurrection as optional. That said, without the resurrection, recalling the cross makes no sense, theologically or otherwise. Without the resurrection, Jesus would have been just one of thousands crucified in a remote corner of the Roman Empire. So, in light of the cross why is the birth of Christ important at all? opposites? The Advent and Christmas seasons are upon us once again. Into the midst of opposing forces which tear our human reality apart entered the Son of God to reconcile us to our heavenly Father. Who would have guessed that the very first Christmas gift would appear unwrapped, hanging from the tree on Good Friday? As baptized members of the body of Christ how will we spend our time celebrating his Advent at Christmas? Bev Whitcomb Memorial Service 2 Like the resurrection, Christ s birth gains its significance in relation to his cross, perhaps again paradoxically, in light of the darkness of his cross. The crucifixion of a man would make no sense, theologically or otherwise, if that man were not a real man living in our human flesh with all the gruesome reality which sinful human flesh devises. Consequently, in contrast to human attempts to draw the divine into human reality, which is the foundation of all religions, God wrote himself into our history, into our sinful lives by allowing himself as the Word to become flesh and dwell among us. To give birth to our new relationship with God, God gave his son to be born of a woman to draw us into his divine reality from the inside out. Thereby began God s attempts to teach and thus to reveal to us his reality hidden under the opposite. Who would suspect the creator of all creation to enter into his creation as a creature? Who would expect the eternal God to arrive opportunely in human temporality? Who could foresee the maker of the universe taking form in his mother s womb? Who could know that the giver of all life would be given his human life in a world full of sin and death? How would anyone recognize the one true God hidden under such The memorial service for Bev Whitcomb is scheduled for Monday, 23 December 2013, at 2:00 pm. The service will be held in the sanctuary and a small reception will hopefully take place in the Lower Level. As many are aware, Bev and part of her family donated $100,000 to enable the planned renovations of the lower level to become a reality. Bev s gifts throughout the years, however, have made even more of an impact on the life and lives of faith of St. Luke s Lutheran Church. Bob Des Lauriers Memorial Service Bob Des Lauriers memorial service is scheduled for Friday, 27 December 2013, at 11:00 am. Bob, also known as Mr. Church, was heavily involved with may aspects of St. Luke s campus as well as seemingly countless churches in the San Diego area. Bob s contributions and advice regarding the Lower Level renovations were invaluable many aspects under consideration for this phase of our common campus life.

3 To our St. Luke's family Our On-going Outreach 3 Chuck and I are blessed to be a part of St. Luke's loving family. We want to thank you for the many cards and phone calls we received during my hospital stay and my home recuperation. We are well on the road to recovery. So watch out! The old Marge is getting ready to rock. Thank you for caring. Marge and Chuck Hersom Many Thanks Pastor Borgie We wish to thank Pastor Jerry Borgie for covering for Pastor Mark on 24 November and on 01 December. Pastor Borgie s many years of ministry and many experiences both home and abroad are evident in his messages and care. We look forward to Pastor Mark taking more Sundays off. United Evangelical Mission International Trip As many are aware, Pastor Borgie is involved with United Evangelical Mission International (UEMI) which serves Christians in India. Pastor Borgie has also recently been called to serve on the UEMI board. If you would like to know more about UEMI s ministries, an opportunity to do so first hand is coming soon. From February 9-22, 2014, Pastor Borgie will undertake a mission trip to India to support UEMI. If you would like to travel with him, such a journey promises to broaden your perspective and horizons unimaginably. TACO Again, we say thank you, thank you to all St. Luke's members who so generously supported the Oktoberfest and its purpose, which was to help provide funds so that TACO can give Christmas gifts to the homeless! A check for $500 has been sent to TACO for this purpose. Donations from the congregation totaled $360, to which $140 from Outreach's budget was added. Jim Lovell, TACO's director, has particularly been appreciative of the donation from St. Luke's. Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry (LBCM) As mentioned last month, LCBM is happy to receive donations of blankets, quilts, socks, beans and rice. Of course, monetary donations are always important. Also, UNWRAPPED gifts for children, babies to teens, are particularly welcome during the holiday season. Small items are best because getting larger items across the border is sometimes difficult. For boys, balls (perhaps soccer ball size) and matchbox cars are appreciated. For girls, Barbies, tea party sets, and craft work items are very appropriate. The Red Flyer Wagon will be in the narthex to collect your donations. Heifer International Are you perplexed about what to give your grandchildren who already seem to have everything, or mom, dad, grandmother or grandfather who say they do not need anything? Well, Heifer International has the answer!

4 4 Gift possibilities for others given on their behalf include: shares of goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens or tree seedlings for just $ A share of a water buffalo (an animal terrifically important in some countries) is just $ How about giving a share of a llama for just $20.00? Bio-gas stoves are important in many villages. One stove is just $ Other gift ideas include a Joy to the World gift basket or honeybees or a Knitter's Basket or an Animal Health Worker Kit, or of course a heifer, just $50.00 a share. Heifer International gift cards and order books will be available in the Family Center on two Sundays, December 1 and 8. If you are interested in giving one or more of these gifts in advance, please contact Martha Applegate in person or by telephone to find out more about how they are used. Women of St. Luke s (WSL) who are sanctioned by the courts to speak on behalf of the foster children in their care as they await court action for adoption or a return to their natural parents. In our efforts to support many church charities with our funds, we have decided to expand giving to local needs, especially to those organizations that deal with children. We also continue to support our military and others in need by supporting the USO, the Veterans Organization of Foreign Wars, San Diego Rescue Mission, Wounded Warriors Project, and several religious organizations which send missionaries overseas to perform God s work. We wish to thank all members of St. Luke s and others who support WSL in so many ways, especially for their gifts for our annual Thank Offering. Finally, you and your friends and family are invited to attend our ADVENT FESTIVAL to be held on Sunday, December 8, at 4:00 pm. Praise the Lord for the glory of his name; worship the Lord because he is holy. Psalm 29:2 Father, we choose to love you. And we choose to reach out with your love to others who need you. Max Lucado The Women of St. Luke s will be collecting bath towels to be filled with personal hygiene articles for Lutheran Border Concerns. There will be a basket in the Narthex for your donations. We will be collecting the towels throughout the month of December. So, your donations will be picked up and delivered before the end of the year. Our Advent Festival is set for December 8, at 4:00 pm. It will be a general potluck. Our guest speaker is Susan Smith from Voices for Children along with one of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). A CASA represents foster children at court and work closely with their caseworkers. There is a great need for CASAs

5 5 Advent Alleluia Selections from Christmas Oratorio Saint-Saens Readings by Esther Jordan from the writings of Max Lucado Combined Choirs and Orchestra of: St. Luke s Lutheran Church, Sue Caldwell Director Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church, Esther Jordan - Director SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 9:00 AM St. Luke s Lutheran Church 5150 Wilson Street, La Mesa, CA

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7 DECEMBER WORSHIP TEXT 7 Happy December Birthday George Moore to you. Debbie Parks 12/06 Elizabeth Dunnigan 12/17 Joseph Makowski 12/17 Anna Steppat 12/20 Ellis Petersen 12/27 DID YOU KNOW! Our monthly newsletter is printed free because of generous people / companies that advertise. It is true, and we need to let these generous people know that we appreciate them. If you are in need of IT Services and Computer Repair: PLEASE CALL and THANK. Techmate Robert Whiteford 8366 Parkway Dr. La Mesa, CA (619) Make sure you tell them you heard about them from St. Luke s Newsletter! 1st First Sunday of Advent First Lesson Isaiah 2: 1-5 Second Lesson Romans 13: Gospel Matthew 24: th Second Sunday of Advent First Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-10 Second Lesson Romans 15: 4-13 Gospel Lesson Matthew 3: th Third Sunday of Advent First Lesson Isaiah 35: 1-10 Second Lesson James 5: 7-10 Gospel Matthew 11: nd Fourth Sunday of Advent First Lesson Isaiah 7: Second Lesson Romans 1: 1-7 Gospel Matthew 1: th Nativity of Our Lord/Christmas Eve First Lesson Isaiah 9: 2-7 Second Lesson Titus 2: Gospel Luke 2: 1-14 [15-20] 29th Fifth Sunday of Advent First Lesson Isaiah 63: 7-9 Second Lesson Hebrews 2: Gospel Matthew 2: Gifts and Memorials Donna Bohnsack Glen Bohnsack

8 DECEMBER PRAYER CALENDAR 8 Jesus God s Gift to Us 1 Isaiah 9: 6-7 Let us all together praise our God 2 Isaiah 61: 1-3 Before his glorious throne; 3 Isaiah 11: 1-5 Today he opens heaven again 4 Isaiah 40: 3-5 To give us his own Son, 5 Matthew 12: To give us his own Son. 6 Luke 1: Luke 2: 8-14 Within an earth-born form he hides 8 John 1: His all creating light; 9 II Corinthians 4: 6-12 To serve us all he humbly cloaks 10 I Peter 1: The splendor of his might, 11 II Peter 1: 1-4 The splendor of his might. 12 II Corinthians 1: John 3: He undertakes a great exchange, 14 Hebrews 9: Puts on our human frame, 15 Isaiah 53: 1-12 And in return gives us his realm, 16 Romans 5: His glory and his name, 17 Romans 6: His glory and his name. 18 Romans 3: I Corinthians 1: He is the key, and he the door 20 Ephesians 1: 3-10 To blessed Paradise; 21 I John 5: 20 The angel bars the way no more. 22 II Corinthians 3: To God our praises rise, 23 I Corinthians 1: 4-9 To God our praises rise. 24 Galatians 2: Colossians 2: 1-7 Hymn #47 26 Ephesians 2: 4-10 Verses 1, 3, 4 and 6 27 Hebrews 12: 1-2 LBW 28 I Peter 1: Romans 8: I Thessalonians 4: Revelations 1: 4-8

9 DECEMBER WORSHIP TEAMS Reader Randy Engel 9 Altar Guild JoAnn Hendrickson Sound Technician Roger Caldwell and Andy Killion 1st Communion Assistant Bread Darcy Barghols Prayers of the People Martha Applegate Projectionist Gail Knippelmeyer Communion Assistants Wine Liz Dunnigan and Cathie Floegel Greeters Ellis Peterson and Loraine Wininger Usher Team Shirley Carrington Acolytes Billy Miles and Stuart Olsen 8th Communion Assistant Bread Terry East 15th Prayers of the People Projectionist Communion Assistants Wine Greeters Usher Team Acolytes Colleen Olsen Emily Rose Menacher Liz Dunnigan and Cathie Floegel Chuck Volker Chuck Hersom Communion Assistant Bread Judi Dunnigan Grace Menacher and Ryan Yerger Prayers of the People Pastor Mark Menacher Projectionist Emily Rose Menacher Communion Assistants Wine Liz Dunnigan and Darcy Barghols Greeters Ellis Peterson and Marilyn Burns Usher Team Randy Engel Acolytes Grace Menacher and Stuart Olsen 22nd Communion Assistant Bread Judi Dunnigan Prayers of the People Sue Caldwell Projectionist Emily Rose Menacher Communion Assistant Wine Liz Dunnigan and Shirley Carrington Greeters Marilyn Burns Usher Team George Hauk Acolytes Grace Menacher and Ryan Yerger 24th Communion Assistant Bread 6pm-Judi Dunnigan Prayers of the People Projectionist Communion Assistant Wine Greeters Usher Team Acolytes 29th Communion Assistant Bread Darcy Barghols Prayers of the People Projectionist Communion Assistant Wine Greeters Usher Team Acolytes Pastor Mark Menacher 6 pm & 8 pm Emily Rose Menacher Liz Dunnigan 6 pm-utleys 6 pm Shirley Carrington 6pm-Billy & Jayden Miles, 8 pm-grace & Ryan Yerger Whitney Utley Emily Rose Menacher Liz Dunnigan and Shirley Carrington Ellis Peterson and Loraine Wininger Randy Engel Grace Menacher and Jayden Miles

10 DECEMBER 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00 am Worship 10: 30 am Sunday School All Ages 2 9:00 am Counters 6:15 pm AA/Big Book Club in FC :00 am Staff 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal am Altar Guild 8 9:00 am Worship 10: 30 am Sunday School All Ages 4:00 pm Advent Supper 9 9:00 am Counters 6:15 pm AA/Big Book Club in FC 10 9:30 am Project Day 12:30 pm Rebekah Circle 11 11:00 am Staff 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal 12 5:30 pm Finance 6:30 pm Exec. 7:00 pm Council :00 pm La Mesa s Christmas in the Village am Altar Guild 5-10:00 pm La Mesa s Christmas in the Village 15 9:00 am Worship 10: 30 am Sunday School All Ages 7:00 pm German Service 16 9:00 am Counters 6:15 pm AA/Big Book Club in FC :00 am Staff 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal 19 10:30 am Deborah Circle am Altar Guild 22 9:00 am Worship/ Cantata 10: 30 am Sunday School All Ages 23 9:00 am Counters 2:00 pm Bev Whitcomb s Memorial Service 6:15 pm AA/Big Book Club in FC 24 Christmas Eve 6 & 8 pm Candlelight Services 25 Christmas Day Office Closed :00 am Bob Des Lauriers Memorial Service am Altar Guild 29 9:00 am Worship 10: 30 am Sunday School All Ages 30 9:00 am Counters 2:45 pm TACO 6:15 pm AA/Big Book Club in FC 31 New Year s Eve

11 S T. L U K E S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H W I L S O N S T. L A M E S A, C A Phone: Webpage: office-sllc@att.net NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID EL CAJON,CA PERMIT NO 262 Dated Material December 2013 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED A WARM WELCOME TO ALL Worship Service: Sundays, 9:00 am in the Sanctuary. Sunday School for all ages: Sundays, at 10:30 am. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 6:00 and 8:00 pm St. Luke s Mission Statement: We are called as a community of Christians saved by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ to spread the Holy Gospel in word, sacrament, and action soli deo gloria.