Your partners in ministry, Jim Austin Sarah Grans Nancy Hegdahl Rita Juhl Kristin Lerstrom Matthew Olson Pastor Julie Ebbesen

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1 St. Peder s Evangelical Lutheran Church December East 42nd Street Minneapolis, MN Phone: Fax: stpeders@stpeders.net Website: Christmas Greetings from St. Peder s! From heaven above to earth I come to bear good news to every home! Glad tidings of great joy I bring to all the world and gladly sing Glory to God in highest heav n, who unto us the Son has giv n. With angels sing in pious mirth a glad new year to all the earth. - Martin Luther In this holy season, may your heart sing with delight as we celebrate Christ s birth and may his peace bring light and peace to our world as we usher in Your partners in ministry, Jim Austin Sarah Grans Nancy Hegdahl Rita Juhl Kristin Lerstrom Matthew Olson Pastor Julie Ebbesen Worship at St Peder s in this Holiday Season Sunday, December 2 - Gift Sunday - Worship with Holy Communion at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Gifts for Division for Indian Works and The Center for Victims of Torture are brought forward and placed in front of the altar during the service. Sunday, December 9 - Second Sunday of Advent Worship at 9:00; Sunday School Christmas Program at 10:30 Sunday, December 16 Song Service Sunday ONE SERVICE at 9:00 a.m. Join us for this annual service of lessons and carols - and for singing around the Christmas tree at the reception in the Fellowship Hall that follows worship. Thanks to the Church Council for hosting the reception! Sunday, December 23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent One Service at 9:00 a.m. Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24-2:00 pm Festival Worship with candle lighting 3:15 pm Danish Service Pastor Andrés Albertsen, a PhD student at Luther Seminary, will preach and preside at this service in Danish. 5:00 pm Festival Worship with candle lighting Sunday, December 30 - ONE SERVICE at 9:00am Sunday, January 6 Festival of Epiphany ONE SERVICE of Holy Communion at 9:00 a.m.

2 On Sunday, November 18, St. Peder s welcomed the following new members: Jeremy Anderson and Eva Tangen, and their children Phoebe and Walter; Eric and Bethene Huntsberger; Shawna Nelsen and Steve Wills, and their children, Alaiyah Nelsen-Tobechukwu, Isaiah and Isla Wills; and Esther Paulsen Generations of Giving For the LORD is good; God s steadfast love endures forever, and God s faithfulness to all generations. - Psalm Thank you to all who ve returned your commitment for giving in Your offerings make ministry possible at St Peder s, and your commitment aids us in our planning! It s not too late to make a commitment for next year. Just drop your 2012 Commitment Card in the offering plate or mail it to the church office. If you ve misplaced yours, there are extras on the table in the narthex. YEAR END GIVING All offerings for 2012 must be in the church office by Wednesday, January 2 in order to be attributed to this year s giving record. We re behind in our giving commitments for 2012 but with your support we can still end the year on a positive note. Thank you for considering an increase in your giving this month! Winter Parking Because we have limited handicap parking area, able bodied people are requested to reserve St. Peder s parking lot for those that will benefit from the cleared parking area. ADVENT SING WITH ST. PEDER'S CHOIR Friends, We know you're out there. Yes, YOU! the tenor who sings like an angel from the church pew, or the alto who once was a chorister but can't commit to a full year of choir. We invite all with a love for singing to join the St. Peder's Choir this December for preparations of the annual Song Service on December 18. We promise beautiful music, meaningful ministry, fun fellowship, and a short 3 week commitment. REHEARSALS: Thursday Dec 6 &13: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Matthew (507) or matthewjolson@gmail.com Offering Envelopes The 2013 offering envelopes have been unexpectedly delayed. As soon as they are available (by mid-december), we will have them out for you to take home. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the church office ( ). If you re not able to get to church and would like yours mailed to you, let the church office know. Looking Ahead to January Shepherding Group Sunday will be January 13. There will be one worship service at 9:00 a.m. At 10:30, the 12 Shepherding Groups will meet to make plans for Look for more information in the January Messenger.

3 Don t Forget GIFT SUNDAY, this Sunday, December 2nd! As you do your holiday shopping, don t forget the opportunity we have at St Peder s to share our blessings with others. This year s gifts will go again to the Center for Victims of Torture and The Division of Indian Work. Every year, your generosity is received with gratitude by these organizations! This Sunday, December 2, is GIFT SUNDAY when you ll be invited to bring your unwrapped gifts or gifts cards forward as we gather them around the altar. Gifts for children are given to the Division of Indian Work. Books, games, toys and stuffed animals, as well as outerwear garments, are needed. Because many refugees are not from cold climates, The Center for Victims of Torture needs outerwear gifts for adults (gloves, hats, and scarves), thermal underwear tops and bottoms for both men and women (all sizes), warm socks, and heat packets for hands and feet that are sold at gas stations and sports stores. Many clients use public transportation in every kind of weather, and waiting for a bus can get cold! Gift cards for Target, etc. so that the recipients can purchase snow boots and appropriate winter shoes are helpful, too. If you d like to help organize the gifts for pick-up and delivery, please contact Pastor Julie. On December 2nd, you will also have an opportunity to give to the PCYC Annual Children s Gift Selection 2012 Teach Children the Joy of Giving this Christmas! The Christmas season is fast approaching, and it is time for the Annual Children s Gift Sale. Children in North Minneapolis, with no money to buy presents for their family, purchase 5 new gifts for a small donation of $1, learning the joy of giving as they select that special something for mom, dad, grandma, sibling or other loved one. PCYC needs over 6,000 gifts and over 300 volunteers to transform their facility and help over 1,200 youth shop for their loved ones on the day of the event. Our help is needed to provide the gifts that the children will buy. PCYC suggests gifts in the $5 to $8 range for men, women, teenagers, children ages 3-5, and infants. Gift suggestions are listed on the stars on the Christmas tree in fellowship hall. Please place your gifts in the box under the PCYC Christmas tree by Sunday, December 2, and they will be delivered in time for the sale. Money is accepted and used to purchase additional items for the sale. For questions about the sale, organization, or volunteering for the event call Kristi Erickson at or Karen at or Lee Hoon at LIBRARY MATTERS: GRACE We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means. But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign - never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, Do you believe in grace? Who could say no? BUT Have you been changed by grace? That is the question asked by famed preacher/author Max Lucado in his current book: GRACE: MORE THAN WE DESERVE --Publishers Weekly Could St. Peder s Library have a need for this book? Watch our shelves. SEE YOU IN THE LIBRARY! Don't miss the Roseville Area Community Carol Sing-Along! It's free and fun for the whole family. The Roseville String Ensemble (which includes violinists Wendy Legge and Lisa Jensen) will perform favorite Christmas carols and holiday songs. Enjoy an interlude of ethnic balalaika music, and join us after the concert for free holiday treats. WHEN: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. The concert lasts about an hour. WHERE: Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 W. County Road C2, Roseville (just east of Snelling Ave). Free admission - please bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the local food shelf.

4 What s a White Elephant got to do with Christmas? Tis the season to gather for fun and fellowship, and to exchange those white elephant items you have hanging around All young adults to retirement age folks are invited to an evening of holiday cheer and goodwill on Friday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Tim and Elizabeth Anderson 1659 Spinaker Drive Woodbury Directions: Take 94 east to Wisconsin JUST KIDDING! RSVP Regrets Only. Please call for directions and/or we will them out! Please bring a hot or cold appetizer to share as well as a BEAUTIFULLY wrapped gift that you just can t wait to part with! Hope you see you all there! Pub Theology! Will not meet in December. Questions talk to Sarah Grans! Look for news in the January Messenger announcing our next gathering. Donate to Cheerful Givers Hello St.Peder s Community! Jessica Geroux, Juliette Girl Scout, is looking for donations to Cheerful Givers, a non-profit organization that gives less-fortunate parents an opportunity to give their children birthday gifts. Suggested donations can be toys, money, gift cards, etc. for 5-12 year olds. Starting on January 6 th there will be a container in the fellowship hall to drop off donations. We will have a "Birthday Bagging Blitz" on January 27th, where we will put the gifts in bags. This "Blitz" will be held at 10:30 taking place during the annual meeting. All youth are invited to help put the bags together! Snacks will be provided. If you have questions please contact Jessica Geroux. GATHER BIBLE STUDY: The Gather Bible Study will not meet in December. Do Session 4, "SHAKE IT UP", yourself. We will resume our study on JANUARY 15, 2013, with Session 5, "GETTING AWAY". Date: January 15, 2013 Time: 9:30-11:00 Place : Church Library QUILTERS' GROUP: We delivered eighteen quilts to the Lutheran Welfare Relief warehouse in November. We will be meeting on the first and third Wednesday in December, and throughout the new year. Together in Mission The offerings of your financial resources allow us not only to support the mission of our congregation, but to share our resources with others in ministry so that all may know of Christ s love. TOGETHER we work on Christ s behalf in the world - none of us can do it alone! Thank you for your offerings through the ninth month of A detailed financial summary report is available at the church office for anyone who d like to see it. Income Month of October $ 14, Budget for the month $ 21, Year to Date $ 198, Budget Year to Date $ 223, Expenses Month of October $ 22, Budget for the month $ 22, Year to Date $ 221, Budget Year to Date $ 266, Mission Support to Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh YTD $ 3, Minneapolis Area Synod YTD $ 20, Roof Loan Fund: Beginning Roof Loan $75, Loan Origination Fee $ Loan Monthly Payment $ Principal Payments to-date $65, Interest Payments to-date $ Remaining Roof Loan balance $ 8,777.42

5 Faith Formation Newsletter! St. Peder s Sunday School Children proudly present Cell Phone Christmas December 9th 10:30am How would the story of Jesus birth be told if there were cell phone in Bethlehem? Would God text us the details of this great story? Come and learn how one news reporter got the jump on the story. December Sunday School Calendar! R U READY?!?!? December 2nd - Gift Sunday - we will take the 9am hour to work on Christmas Program music - the children will proceed down with gifts during worship. December 8th - Christmas Program rehearsal 9am-10:30am We are having morning practice - so Matthew can work on the music with the kids! We will also have Christmas treats & a little party that day too! Interfaith Youth Event! Sunday December 2nd 3pm - 5pm! Meet at church at 2:45pm and we will car pool over to St. Paul Area Council of Churches! This event is open to all 9th - 12th Grade youth who are interested in learning more about the interfaith partnership that we will be involved in! Save The Date! Confirmation Winter Retreat! February 1-3, 2012! Bay Lake Camp! Cost $ Scholarships available! ** Sarah is looking for a couple of adults to Sunday School - January Calendar! Please take note we start back on January 13th! January 13th - Magi January 20th - NO Sunday School - Special Grundtvig Worship Youth Group Christmas EXTRAVAGANZA! Sunday December 16th 6:30pm - 9pm! We will play games, make some treats, eat some treats, watch a Christmas Classic, & have a snowball challenge! AMP - All Metro Praise! Sunday December 9th 4pm - 7:30pm! Meet at church at 4pm! We will head to Divanni s for Pizza then to Augsburg for Worship! Sign up on the Bulletin Board! Open to all 7th 12th gr. Youth!

6 December 2 Gift Sunday Greeters: Nancy & Stephanie Hawkinson Ushers: 9:00am Ken Kistler and Sue Schnickel 10:30am Andrea Wollak Acolytes: 9:00am Alaiyah Nelsen-Tobechukwu 10:30am Lauren Jenson Readers: 9:00am Kristi Lahti-Johnson 10:30am Judy Hogan Communion Assistants (Intinction): 9:00am Betty Caspar, Paul Aitchison, Tim Anderson 10:30am Cameron Jamison Communion Set Up and Clean Up: 9:00am Kristin Lerstrom Nursery: 9:00am Shawna Nelsen Counters: Bob Stanich & Kristi Erickson LSS Safe House Dinner for December 3: Bill & Judy Anderson and Julie & Barry McMahon Social Hour hosted by Shepherding Group 6 December 9 Sunday School Christmas Program at 10:30am Greeters: Chris & Mindy Anderson Ushers: 9:00am Glen Olsen and Tom Goodoien 10:30am Daniel Peterson Acolytes: 9:00am Evan Brown Ton 10:30am Sunday School Christmas Program Readers: 9:00am Elizabeth Anderson 10:30am Sunday School Christmas Program Nursery: 9:00am Nicky Taylor Counters: Cameron Jamison & Curt Petersen LSS Safe House Dinner for December 10: Sonja Walker and Joe & Annalise Munnich Social Hour hosted by Shepherding Group 7 December 16 Song Service 9:00am Worship Service, 10:15am Sing around the Christmas Tree Greeters: Bill & Judy Anderson Ushers: Curt Petersen and Paul Jensen Acolyte: Chris Parshall Nursery: 9:00am Kristin Lerstrom Counters: Annalise Munnich & Tim Anderson LSS Safe House Dinner for December 17: Chuck Johnson & Kristi Lahti-Johnson Council to host Social Time. December 23 ONE Worship Service at 9:00am Greeters: Pat & Cameron Jamison Ushers: Dale Montgomery & Dan Vetsch Acolyte: Forest Paulson Reader: Carl Jensen Nursery: 9:00am Joe Munnich Counters: Jackie West & Julie Ebbesen LSS Safe House Dinner for December 24: Volunteers Requested Social Hour hosted by Shepherding Group 8 December 24 Christmas Eve Services 2:00pm - Festival Service - Greeters: Volunteers Needed 3:15pm Danish Service Greeters: Whitey & Lis Jorgensen Ushers: Jim Austin & Steve Austin Ushers: Paul Jensen & Al Nielsen Reader: Joe Munnich Reader: Lis Jorgensen 5:00pm Festival Service Greeters: Volunteer Needed Ushers: Nick & Anne Legeros Reader: Elizabeth Anderson December 30 ONE Worship Service at 9:00am December Volunteer Schedule Greeters: Allison & Michael O Day Ushers: Lisa Jensen & Greta Gantriis Reader: Tim Anderson Nursery: 9:00am Scott Wilson Counters: Terri Vetsch & Steve Austin LSS Safe House Dinner for December 31: John and Nanette Geroux and Anne Schindeldecker Social Hour hosted by St. Peder s Youth Group Thank you for volunteering your time and talent at St. Peder s. Please try to arrange your own trades. If you are pressed for time or have questions or concerns, contact the church office at or kristin@stpeders.net. Sunday School December Birthdays Eleanor Munnich 12/5 Evan Brown Ton 12/16

7 The Messenger St. Peder s Evangelical Lutheran Church 4600 East 42nd Street Minneapolis, MN Address Service Requested St. Peder s Sunday School Children proudly present Cell Phone Christmas December 9th 10:30am Christmas Eve Worship at St Peder's Lutheran Church Monday, December 24, 2012 Festival Worship with candle lighting at 2:00 & 5:00 pm Danish Christmas Eve Service at 3:15 pm Staff of St. Peder s Evangelical Lutheran Church Rev. Julie Ebbesen - Pastor Sarah Grans - Director of Outreach & Faith Formation Kristin Lerstrom - Office Coordinator Nancy Hegdahl - Accounts Manager Matthew Olson - Choral Music Director Rita Juhl - Organist Jim Austin - Caretaker John Geroux III Sound Engineer (volunteer) Inside the December Issue... Christmas Greetings! December Worship New Members Year End Giving Advent Sing with St. Peder s Choir Offering Envelopes Generations of Giving Shepherding Group Sunday Gift Sunday - December 2 Library Matters Roseville Community Sing-a-long White Elephant Party Cheerful Givers Gather Bible Study Quilters Together in Mission Faith Formation Newsletter December Calendar December Volunteer Schedule Don t forget GIFT SUNDAY on Sunday December 2nd! As you do your holiday shopping, don t forget the opportunity we have at St Peder s to share our blessings with others. This year s gifts will go again to the Center for Victims of Torture and The Division of Indian Work. Every year, your generosity is received with gratitude by these organizations!