Faith Flame. OUR VISION We believe God calls us to engage, encourage and equip our church, community and world with His unfailing love.

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1 Faith Flame OUR VISION We believe God calls us to engage, encourage and equip our church, community and world with His unfailing love. STAFF AT FAITH Church Office - (561) Pastor - Rev. Mark Stillman Music Director - Dr. David McCalla Contemporary Music Director - Janet Cunningham Pre-School - (561) Toddlers - (561) School Director - Kathy Knudtson New Day- (561) Director- Julie Tombari Sunday Worship Schedule 9:00 AM Traditional 11:00 AM Contemporary

2 So, this is Christmas, as John Lennon writes. It s the beginning of Advent, the beginning of the Christmas season, the beginning of a lot of craziness and zaniness, but the beginning of a lot of good, a lot of fun, a lot of meaning and depth and blessing. If you decide to look for it. By the time you read this, we should have our tree up. There are all kinds of different traditions around the putting up of the Christmas tree. We always decorate as early as we can, but wait until after Thanksgiving. Some families wait until it s almost Christmas to put up the tree. A few folks have the decorations up the day after Halloween. There is no definitive rule concerning this; whatever floats your boat. I love looking at our Christmas tree. It s like a road map of our life as a family. Many of the ornaments we put on the tree have special meaning. They re either hand-made by our children at some point in their growing-up years, or they serve as reminders of a special time. Looking at our Christmas tree reminds me of how incredibly blessed we have been. But it s not just a trip down memory lane. It seems that every year we get a new ornament, either as a gift, or we buy one, or we make one. We have ornaments that we bought from Compassion International, made by the children that organization rescues and delivers from poverty. So the tree reminds me that there s still work to do. We re still on a journey, a road filled with possibilities and opportunities. On that tree are visible reminders of Jesus and his presence in our family s life. We have a manger ornament, a couple of Noah s Ark ornaments, and then there s the hand-made letters that spell out Jesus. Your eyes are almost drawn first to that before you see anything else on the tree. I like that about our tree; I like to think that s the way it ought to be in life, and I hope it s that way with my life, and my family s life. The first thing you see is Jesus. We have a lot of ornaments on the tree; we like it that way. Not everyone does and that s ok. But we have a ton of ornaments, not just the cherished memory ones, but the purely decorative ones, the red, gold and green balls, there to fill the tree out and give it depth and beauty. But what s always present, and gets kind of lost sometimes, is the tree itself. It s green, it s ever-green. It s always there. As Martin Luther pointed out, that represents eternal life. Eternal life is the bedrock, the foundation that gives substance to everything else. It runs through everything, is behind everything, and supports everything. I like the way the tree is shaped. It s an arrow, pointing up, pointing the way to heaven. It helps to remind me that because of Christmas and the manger life can be positive, looking up. It reminds me to keep looking up, to remain positive, to see the hand of God at work in all things. Two last things about our Christmas tree. I love the star on top. It s a lighted star, and a real pain to put in place. But it reminds me of that first star, and the miracle that was Christmas. Not everything about the first Christmas was easy, to be sure. The journey made by Joseph and Mary was long and arduous, with no guarantees of safety and success. The trip made by the wise men themselves was no picnic. The star reminds me of God s hand at work that night of Jesus birth. The second thing is a hidden thing, something not supposed to be seen. Every year we have an eight-inch spike that I hide on the tree somewhere. It represents the nails that were used to fasten Jesus to the cross. Every year we put it on the tree to remind us that this little baby came into the world to die for our sins. To me, it gives the fullest meaning and depth and blessing to Christmas. May you be blessed this Christmas with all the things you do as individuals and as families. May you find meaning and warmth in the things on your Christmas tree, and the traditions that you cherish at this time of year. Most of all, may you find Jesus again. May you be filled with his presence, his joy, and his peace.

3 Sunday Morning Studies Join us on Sunday morning a traditionally excellent time to study the Scriptures! 10:00 AM the Book of Ezekiel Meets in the upstairs Library of the Michel Building. Led by Larry Hess. 10:15 AM NEW! -- Brothers and Sisters in the Word Sunday Morning Bible Study Look a little deeper into the Scripture readings for each Sunday! Pour a cup of coffee, grab some refreshment, and join us upstairs in the Michel Building across from the Book Nook. This Bible study will not be following a specific series or book of the Bible, so you can come once or many times. If your schedule does not allow you to join us every Sunday, come when you can! Visiting this week or for a few months? Come and spend an hour in fellowship and study! Led by Magdala Ray. Weekday Bible Studies Women s Tuesday Morning Bible Study All Ladies! Women s Tuesday morning Bible Study will meet at 10:00 AM in the Michel Building. Relying on the Power of the Spirit. Light refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there. Home Bible Study at the home of Tom & Sally Schwartz Bible Study at the Schwartz s is the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. All are welcome. The program begins at 6:30 PM and includes potluck dinner, fellowship and Bible Study, ending promptly at 9:00 PM. Call for info and Our Faith Family In Need of Prayer Marcia Brancolino, Bill Cahill, Judith Gonnerman, Bob Heath, Larry & Sharon Hess, Dave & June Johnson, Joan Kmetz, Audrey Kittelberger, Kathy McCoy, Curtis Mertz, Cynthia Mertz, Irma Meyer, Etta Ornstein, Ron Reilly, Tom & Sally Schwartz, Betty Sither, Rosie Stilwell, Laura Tegart, Monica Trautsch, Rich Walker. Prayers for the extended family of Faith Connie Luneke s sister, Dorothy Krueger; Nina Speck;s aunt, Lois Scheck; Fran Hickman s son, Billy Hickman; Marcia Brancolino s niece, Terry Carretta. Friend of Food Pantry, Pastor Dukes, and Friend of Sally Schwartz, Karen McAnany; former member, Dr. Howard Lyboldt; Laura Fulton s father, Howard Hoffman; former member Carol Schmidt; Bert Seitz s friend Brian Bolten s daughter, Jenn. If you would like us to add your prayer request for family or friends, please your request to church@faithnpb.com or call the church office at

4 Food Pantry News Please continue your food donations, see suggestion list for groceries needed and thank you for your past and continued giving. Keep those donations coming!!! Suggested List for Food Pantry Only Non-perishable food please. Beans Canned Fruit Canned Meat, Tuna Diced Tomatoes Tomato Paste Mac & Cheese Pasta Peanut Butter Pop-Top Cans Canned Vegetables Rice Soup Canned Spaghetti Sauces We also need volunteers 2 hours on Wednesdays (with enough volunteers, this opportunity occurs about every 5-6 weeks). If you have 2 hours to donate, this involves distributing groceries to those in need. The hours are; 10 AM 12 Noon. If able, please call Marcia: Thank you... 6 Laura Tegart 7 Don Zickert 8 Eileen Frerking 10 Ron Reilly Nghiem Tran 15 Dave Hernandez 17 Justin Perlman 18 Marianna Morley Brandon Hernandez 21 Jennifer Bisig 22 Jane Blevins 26 Elaine Sylvester 27 Christine Kamikazi 28 Jane Lerner 30 Bertha DiPaolo The 2018 Altar Flower Chart is now in the Usher s room. Sign up now for In Memory of or In Honor of or to the Glory of God for the dates you want. The Altar flowers are $25.00 per Sunday. Please make your checks out to Faith Lutheran Church and put Altar Flowers in the memo line. Tree Trimming Wednesday, December 6th After Mid-Week Advent Service 31 Charles & Minnie Kouvelas All welcome to lend a hand

5 Men Of Faith Quarter Auction Wednesday, December 20 Doors 6:00 PM Auction 7:00 PM Charity of the Month Jeffro s Heroes It s a cross between a home party, a raffle, bingo and a Chinese auction! Bring a roll or two of quarters and bid on products from local vendors for quarters; while supporting our charity. Paddles to bid are $2.00 each, Dinners will be sold for $5.00 prepared by the Men of Faith. Come, party with us and have the most fun you ve had in a long time while winning expensive items at inexpensive prices or maybe even FREE! Check Out Our Tuesday Evening Wellness Ministry Come at 6:00 PM to the Faithful Walkers class to do warm up and cardio. Come exercise off all those Christmas goodies. No fees for this class. Bring a bottle of water, stretch bands and light free weights. Is Your 2017 Commitment up to Date? Year-end Gifts: Are you up-to-date on your 2017 commitment to Christ and His church? Some may be considering stock or cash gifting. Now is the time to look at your options for these year-end gifts. Please consider Faith as you do so. Your gift to the Church is, of course, fully tax-deductible. Donations must be received in the church office by December 31, 2017 in order to qualify for a 2017 tax deduction. IRS rules require that donations received in the church office after December 31 (in person or by mail) must be reported as 2018 income, regardless of when the check is dated or mailed. Thank you Your new 2018 Offering Envelopes will be available in the Narthex. Please pick-up your box, as it will save us from having to mail them. Attention to all who donate thru Electronic Fund Transfer, your 2018 envelopes are also available for you to use for special holidays, such as Advent, Lent, Christmas, memorials and the building fund.

6 Wednesday-at-Seven Advent Services Advent 6:00 PM Advent Worship 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 6 Send Peace (Micah 5: 2-5a) Wednesday, December 13 Share Joy (Zephaniah 3: 14 20) Wednesday, December 20 Wrap in Love (1 John 4: 7 12 Sunday, December 24th 10:00 AM Blended Worship Service Christmas Eve Worship Services will be at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM Christmas Day Festival Worship will be at 10:00 AM

7 Women of Faith Christmas Party Happy Birthday Jesus Saturday, December 9th, 11:00 AM In the Fellowship Hall All Invited Kids Welcome Free Babysitting 3 Years+ RSVP for under 3 Years Old Ugly Sweater Contest, Photo Booth and Games Lunch catered by TooJays Free Will Offering RSVP by December 6th Sign-Up Sheets in the Narthex, Michel Building or the main Church Office After the WOF Christmas Party ends, then starting at 1:00 PM, a wrapping party for Peppi Head Start Angel Tree gifts will be held on the 2nd floor of the Michel Building. Please bring wrapping supplies.

8 We are blessed to share the love of Jesus Christ with students at Peppi Head Start in Belle Glade. They have a great need for our love and support. You can join us in sharing the Christmas message by participating in the Christmas Angel Project. Just follow these steps. Select an Angel from the Tree. Put your name and phone number on the bottom part of the tag and place it in the box. The center part of the tag is for you to take shopping with you and the top part is to attach to the gift. You can either buy gifts for an Angel or make a cash donation. If you make a cash donation, please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran and put "Angel Tree" in the memo. We appreciate any amount. If you want to donate enough to purchase a gift and toy for an Angel we recommend $35-$50. Enjoy shopping for your Angel. Please spend between $35-$50 per child. If you can buy a piece of clothing, a toy, and a book for your Angel, that would be wonderful. If you want to spend more, we encourage you to sponsor more than 1 child. We have many children that need sponsors. Please put the gifts (unwrapped) in a bag and attach the Angel to the bag. Also, a gift tag on each gift with the name and Angel # would be a huge help. Return the gifts to Faith Lutheran by Friday, December 8. If you return gifts on a Sunday you can put the gifts under the Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary. If you return on any other day, the gifts can be returned to the church office, the school offices, or New Day offices If you have any questions, please Carri Leininger at cleininger@wlclaw.com

9 Preparations are being made by the Altar Guild of Faith Lutheran Church to beautify our sanctuary for Christmas with poinsettias. If you would like to share in this project, kindly fill out the form below and put into the offering plate, or turn in to the Church Office. The money should be placed, with your order, in an envelope marked Christmas Poinsettia. Checks should be made out to Faith Lutheran Church. Please indicate your wishes by December 17th. You may pick up your plant(s) after the service on December 25th, if you like, or leave it to decorate the Church during the Christmas season. Small - $11.00 Large - $16.00 Will pick up Donate for the shut-ins Name: George Frederick Handel s Messiah Part 1 Saturday, December 16, 6:30 PM Featuring: Ms. Joan Martinez, Soprano; Mr. Victor Clairmont, Baritone; Mr. Jay Arnn, Tenor and Dr. David McCalla, Director Faith Lutheran Church will once again present it s Christmas tradition of Handel s famous Oratorio, the Messiah. This will be a free concert and everyone is invited to attend this night of musical magic that will comfort you through its familiarity and fill you with the joy of rediscovery. Let this be a part of the season s celebrations. Faith Lutheran Church 555 US Hwy 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408

10 From the Staff of Faith Lutheran Church New Day Adult Care Center Preschool and Aftercare