Good News For Christ s Disciples

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Good News For Christ s Disciples December, 2018 Dates of Interest this month: December 2nd Advent Week 1 Advent Dinner, 6 PM December 3rd & 17th Stephen Ministry, 7 PM December 5th Committee Night, 7

Deadline December 23rd Advent Week 4 Christmas Cantata, 8:15 AM & 11 AM Sunday School Program, 9:30 AM in the Lighthouse December 24th Christmas Eve Services, 3 PM, 7 PM & 10 PM December 30th New

net Web: www.christhamilton.org Office Hours: M - F, 9 AM - Noon With the arrival of December the church enters the season of Advent. Advent is a season of waiting waiting for the birth of Jesus.

1 Good News For Christ s Disciples December, 2018 Dates of Interest this month: December 2nd Advent Week 1 Advent Dinner, 6 PM December 3rd & 17th Stephen Ministry, 7 PM December 5th Committee Night, 7 PM December 9th Advent Week 2 Christmas Caroling, 3:30 PM December 12th Seniors, 11 AM December 16th Advent Week 3 Blue Christmas Service, 7 PM December 19th Council, 7 PM December 21st Newsletter Deadline December 23rd Advent Week 4 Christmas Cantata, 8:15 AM & 11 AM Sunday School Program, 9:30 AM in the Lighthouse December 24th Christmas Eve Services, 3 PM, 7 PM & 10 PM December 30th New Years Eve Dinner 6 PM C H RI ST HAM I LT ON UNITED LUT HE R AN C H UR C H B OSS AR D S VILLE R OAD ST R OU DS B UR G P A Office: Fax: Ark II: chulc@ptd.net Web: Office Hours: M - F, 9 AM - Noon With the arrival of December the church enters the season of Advent. Advent is a season of waiting waiting for the birth of Jesus. Christ Hamilton is no stranger to waiting. The congregation has been waiting for a while to call the next full time Pastor. Waiting is difficult. Waiting does not often sync with the faster pace we live our lives. Advent invites us to come together with all of our hopes and dreams and wait. We wait as we light candles, and offer prayers. We wait as we hear God s Word and the good news proclaimed. We wait as we raise our voices in song, and share Christ s peace. We wait as the bread is broken and the wine is poured. We wait with Christ in our midst. Lifting up our hopes, our dreams, and our yearnings Advent reminds us that as people of faith we are to trust in God's timing, And to rest in His embrace. It s a holy time. It s a time for both believers and seekers. Join us as we wait. By coming together we ll discover that we have much more in common than that which separates us. By coming together we find comfort and solace being with others. For in these days we yearn for God s own, a Savior that brings justice, mercy, peace, and hope to all. Together in Christ, Pastor Peter Kuritz Pastor Peter Kuritz ADVENT 1

2 What comes at the end of December? New Year s Eve, of course. Come out for a low-key, family-oriented celebration with your church family and community in the Light House on Monday evening, December 31 st. Dinner is served at 6 pm, featuring homemade chicken potpie and pepper cabbage. The meal is provided free of charge, but a collection box will be provided for those who wish to share in the ministries of Meals on Wheels. Following dinner, we will take time to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and renew our hope in God s promised provision for our needs in the new year ahead. The festivities will continue with family games, puzzles, music, and fellowship until whenever. All are welcome to come for any part of the evening. There will be a sign-up sheet at Coffee Hour to get a count for the dinner. You may also call the Bechtels at for reservations. If you are staying for the games, bring your favorite and some munchies or beverages to share. Due to our policy and privacy issues, please direct all prayer chain concerns to the office. The office will then forward the prayer concern onto those on the list. If you would like to be added to our prayer chain, please send your recent to chulc@ptd.net. Operating Receipts as of 10/31/18 Operating Expenses as of 10/31/18 Year to Date Deficit $257, $274, $16, We will be taking a vacation from our Community Meal in December. Monthly community meals will resume on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 4:30. The Finance Committee is looking for new members. You don t need any special financial or accounting skills, just a desire to serve the Lord. If you are interested, please call the church office at or at chulc@ptd.net. 2

ARK II CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Everyone is invited to our Ark II Christmas program and craft night Friday December 14 th 6:30pm in the church.

Ark II Preschool has openings in our 3 year old class. Your child needs to turn three by December 31, 2018 to be eligible for this class.

We are overwhelmed by the love and support we received from our church family with the passing of our beloved Edith.

Thank you with love from the Pirie, Huber, and Balas families.

3 ARK II CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Everyone is invited to our Ark II Christmas program and craft night Friday December 14 th 6:30pm in the church. It will be followed by make and take crafts and refreshments in the Covenant House. Come and bring the kids! It is sure to be a very special night! ARK II PRESCHOOL HAS ROOM FOR YOUR 3 YEAR OLD! Ark II Preschool has openings in our 3 year old class. Your child needs to turn three by December 31, 2018 to be eligible for this class. Call the office for a tour and to learn more about our awesome preschool January is a great time to start preschool. It is a new beginning! We are overwhelmed by the love and support we received from our church family with the passing of our beloved Edith. For the flowers, meals, visits, cards, kind words, and especially prayers we are truly grateful. I wish everyone had a church family as amazing as ours at Christ Hamilton. Thank you with love from the Pirie, Huber, and Balas families. I want to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns during my recent hospitalization for a heart attack as well as thanking Pastor Peter for his visit. James Butz Blue Christmas Save the Date: December 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Christ Hamilton Sanctuary. The service will be followed by understanding hugs and fellowship. This is a service designed for those who are feeling "blue" at this Cheery time of year. Maybe you are dealing with the death of a loved one; maybe you are coping with difficult times such as an illness, or cancer, or loss of a job, or a divorce... Whatever makes you feel blue at this time of year... Please come and feel the HOPE of Jesus in the midst of your pain. Please come to this Blue Christmas Service and know you are not alone and You are Loved! See you there! WE NEED YOUR ALUMINUM CANS! Did you know that the church van r u n s o n aluminum? It s t r u e! W e r e c y c l e a l u m i n u m soda and beer cans, and with the money received, we pay for the maintenance of the van. So, please bag up those empty cans and bring them in. The cans are stored in the white pump house behind the Lotz Office. Since the van is used for various ministries of the church, the upkeep is vital to the different groups. With God's help, your involvement and empty cans will help our church go places. As always, we thank you for your support. Please contact Dan Courtright with any questions. 3

PREPARING FOR ADVENT Beginning on Sunday, December 2 nd, our Sunday School Children will begin preparing for the Annual Christmas Pageant during Sunday School.

Jesus, sent by GOD to save the world from the villain SIN.

We hope our entire congregation will join our children at this special time. Sunday School Parents: Be sure to send your super hero costumes with your children to Sunday School on Sunday, 12/2!

Join Bill Molan and Gary Kapostas for Adult Christian Discussion. The group is studying Max Lucado s latest book, Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God.

Join us with Confirmation Leaders Brian Powers, Debbie Kolb, Steve Metzgar, and Pastor Peter in the Youth Room in the Lighthouse at 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning as we study Wisdom Books, Job, and Esther in December.

4 PREPARING FOR ADVENT Beginning on Sunday, December 2 nd, our Sunday School Children will begin preparing for the Annual Christmas Pageant during Sunday School. This year, the Pageant will be A Super Christmas and will feature Super Heroes (Superman, Spiderman and others) along with Mary and Joseph telling the Christmas Story - all about the new Superhero, Jesus, sent by GOD to save the world from the villain SIN. The Christmas Pageant will be on the 4 th Sunday of Advent, on December 23rd during Sunday School between the first and second services at 9:30am in the Lighthouse. We hope our entire congregation will join our children at this special time. Sunday School Parents: Be sure to send your super hero costumes with your children to Sunday School on Sunday, 12/2!! Join us for Adult Education every Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (Between Worship Services). Join Jim Butz and John Boyer for Bible Study. Join Bill Molan and Gary Kapostas for Adult Christian Discussion. The group is studying Max Lucado s latest book, Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God. First Communion Interactive Bible Study and Pastoral Classes for 4 th Grade Children and their Parents will begin again in February, 2019, followed by 3 Pastoral First Communion Classes. Join us with Confirmation Leaders Brian Powers, Debbie Kolb, Steve Metzgar, and Pastor Peter in the Youth Room in the Lighthouse at 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning as we study Wisdom Books, Job, and Esther in December. Let s get the CHULC nursery up and running again during worship. If you are interested in volunteering to care for young children in the nursery during the 8:15 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. worship services, please sign up on the sign-up sheet at Coffee Hour or contact Gail Haydt at ghaydt628@gmail.com or (570) We will begin by filling volunteer spots on the first Sunday of each month and Christmas Eve (3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. services). Don t forget that you can help PVEN meet people s needs all year round by volunteering and donating to keep our cupboards from going empty! In mid-november, PVEN served a record 99 families. Hope Christman, PVEN Director reports that November and December remind us of the blessings we receive from PVEN sponsor churches and from the community, and everything we are thankful for here at PVEN, especially our volunteers. Hope gives thanks to all PVEN Volunteers for all of the hard work, hours and heart you put into PVEN! Ark II Pre-schoolers also made a special donation of food to PVEN, which was distributed before Thanksgiving!! Thanks Ark II!! 4

The month of December is always filled with glorious music at Christ Hamilton. The Senior Choir is preparing to light (and sing) our way through Advent.

On Sunday, December 23 rd at both services, the Senior Choir along with visitors from neighboring churches will present the beautiful Christmas cantata, The Winter Rose by Joseph Martin.

Join us Christmas Eve as we celebrate the birth of Jesus through music. All three services will have special vocal and instrumental music.

The Senior Choir and Joyful Noise Ringers will fill the church with beautiful music at the 10:00 p.m. service.

On Sunday, December 30 th at 10:00 a.m. plan to attend our Service of Lessons and Carols. It is another opportunity to hear the Christmas story and sing all your favorite Christmas carols.

5 The month of December is always filled with glorious music at Christ Hamilton. The Senior Choir is preparing to light (and sing) our way through Advent. The music will inspire us to prepare for His coming. On Sunday, December 23 rd at both services, the Senior Choir along with visitors from neighboring churches will present the beautiful Christmas cantata, The Winter Rose by Joseph Martin. The rose is an expression of love and peace. Our prayer is that the music of this cantata will open your hearts to Christ, the Rose of Sharon, our greatest gift of all! Join us Christmas Eve as we celebrate the birth of Jesus through music. All three services will have special vocal and instrumental music. It is with great joy that the children will be back singing and ringing chimes at the 7:00 p.m. service. The Senior Choir and Joyful Noise Ringers will fill the church with beautiful music at the 10:00 p.m. service. Whatever service you attend, plan to come twenty minutes early to enjoy all the lovely Prelude music. There is no greater way to prepare our hearts and minds for worship than through music! On Sunday, December 30 th at 10:00 a.m. plan to attend our Service of Lessons and Carols. It is another opportunity to hear the Christmas story and sing all your favorite Christmas carols. There will also be special soloists at this service. May God richly bless you this Christmas season and always! In Christian Love, Donna Molan Christmas is fast approaching! Joyful music is all around us this time of year. A special youth choir for children in Kindergarten through 8 th grades will sing in church at the 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, December 2 nd following the 11:00 service. We will rehearse every Sunday in December at this time. This is also a nice opportunity for parents to socialize at Coffee Hour while the children rehearse. Please contact Donna Molan at chulcmusicdir@gmail.com if your child plans to sing. Let s fill the church with the beautiful voices We will be Christmas Caroling for our shut ins on Sunday, December 9. We will be meeting at the c h u r c h L i g h t h o u s e parking lot at 3:30. This is a wonderful way to bring some Christmas cheer to our shut ins. All are welcome to come and sing! 5

General Prayers For: Members and their families whose last names begin with M N Children and all innocents Families Music ministers Christ focus of our Worship Prayers for Guests at: Pleasant Valley:

Prayers for Those at Home: Bob Brong, Dot Bubb, Leona Burkett, Leona Condit, Arlene Gower, Sandy Haney, Merrill & Marlene Simons, Ruth Ann Paynter, Norm Pirie, Elsie Ebert, Audrey Frantz, Betty Jones

The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to a charitable organization.

6 General Prayers For: Members and their families whose last names begin with M N Children and all innocents Families Music ministers Christ focus of our Worship Prayers for Guests at: Pleasant Valley: Martina Milenkowic, Annamarie Sombert, Dot Bittenbender, Above & Beyond Knights: Jack Hallock, Fellowship Community: Chet Anthony, Gluco Lodge: Lorraine Steen, Brookmont Nursing Home: Eileen Frable Prayers for Those at Home: Bob Brong, Dot Bubb, Leona Burkett, Leona Condit, Arlene Gower, Sandy Haney, Merrill & Marlene Simons, Ruth Ann Paynter, Norm Pirie, Elsie Ebert, Audrey Frantz, Betty Jones ATTENTION SHOPPERS! AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to a charitable organization. Christ Hamilton has registered as a charitable organization. It s simple to do: Instead of signing into Amazon.com, sign into smile.amazon.com and look for Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church or just follow this link: ch/ If you are a Thrivent member, please consider having your Thrivent Choice Dollars designated to Christ Hamilton. For information, speak to Jeff Gilbert or your Thrivent Representative. The deadline for the January Newsletter is December 21st. You can your article to newsletter@christhamilton.org or place a paper copy in the newsletter mailbox in the church office. 6

DECEMBER 2 DECEMBER 9 DECEMBER 16 DECEMBER 23 DECEMBER 30 8:15 Greeters Reeders, Gloria Shupp, Jim Sargent Ed Jones, Beth Ross, Anthonys Sonya Datesman, Alma Weber, Youngs Brian Powers, Shirley

7 DECEMBER 2 DECEMBER 9 DECEMBER 16 DECEMBER 23 DECEMBER 30 8:15 Greeters Reeders, Gloria Shupp, Jim Sargent Ed Jones, Beth Ross, Anthonys Sonya Datesman, Alma Weber, Youngs Brian Powers, Shirley Frable, Convilles Stephanis, Bechtels 8:15 Lectors John Field Beth Ross Linda Breen Cantata Janis & Dave Bechtel 8:15 Lay Assistants Dan Courtright Dan Courtright Dan Courtright Dan Courtright 8:15 Coffee Hour 11:00 Greeters Gloria Shupp, Winnie Staples Brian Powers, Sandy Lee, Youngs Denise DeVivo, Rhonda Bonser Kathleen Hinton, Colleen Garis 11:00 Lectors Kathy Koch Linda Barnas 11:00 Lay Assistants 11:00 Coffee Hour Shirley Frable, Butch Herfurth VOLUNTEER Rich Haydt, Ed Jones Cantata John Balas Bill Molan Andy Porter Tassy Gilbert Kathy Koch, Janis Bechtel Paynter Family Shirley Boyer No Coffee Hour VOLUNTEER Altar Guild Team : Jane Person, Laura Young Money Counters, Finance Committee Money Counters, Council 8:15 AM Service: Adrian Maillet 11 AM Service: Shirley Boyer 8:15 AM Service: Sue Butz 11 AM Service: Suzanne Sodl Questions? Contacts are: 8:15 Coffee Hour - See sign up board at coffee hour or contact Amanda Balas 8:15 Greeters and Ushers - Bonnie Wrazien Phone numbers are in the church directory. 7

3 PM Service 7 PM Service 10 PM Service Greeters Lector John Field Eileen Davall Rich Haydt Lay Assistants Dan Courtright VOLUNTEER Tassy Gilbert Communion Assistants VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER

8 3 PM Service 7 PM Service 10 PM Service Greeters Lector John Field Eileen Davall Rich Haydt Lay Assistants Dan Courtright VOLUNTEER Tassy Gilbert Communion Assistants VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER *** PLEASE NOTE: All services will be in the sanctuary this year *** Questions? Contacts are: 8:15 Coffee Hour - See sign up board at coffee hour or contact Amanda Balas 8:15 Greeters and Ushers - Bonnie Wrazien 11:00 Greeters and Ushers - Janet Weidensaul 11:00 Acolytes and Offering Receivers - Steve Metzgar 8:15 & 11:00 Lectors - See sign up sheets at coffee hour or contact Amanda Balas Phone numbers are in the church directory. 8

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Good News For Christ s Disciples

Good News For Christ s Disciples Good News For Christ s Disciples January, 2019 January, 2019 Dates of Interest this month: January 2nd Committee Night, 7 PM January 6th Epiphany January 7th & 21st Stephen