CHRIST TODAY. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP SERVICE with Holy Communion 10:00 a.m.

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1 CHRIST TODAY A monthly newsletter for the friends and members of Christ Lutheran Church, LCMC December 2018 issue IN THE DAYS OF ADVENT: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 1st Sunday in Advent Worship Services 9:00 w/ Communion & 11:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 2nd Sunday in Advent Worship Services 9:00 Worship 11:00 a.m. Worship including Children s program / with Communion 12:30 p.m. CLC Christmas Sing Along WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship Service SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 3 rd Sunday in Advent Worship Services CANTATA 10:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 10:00 a.m. Worship Carpathia Brass CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE with Holy Communion, Candlelight & Special Music 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 4th Sunday in Advent Worship Service TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP SERVICE with Holy Communion 10:00 a.m.

2 Page 2 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS WHO, WHAT & WHY! She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Christ Lutheran Staff Phone: Fax: churchoffice.tammy@comcast.net Web: Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 4:00 Staff The Rev. Daniel Cave, Pastor Wes Fishwick, Music Director Sue Bochenek, APM Jamie Centner, Business Director Tammy Lozen, Office Administrator Executive Council Keith VanDeKerkhove, President Dennis Krueger, Vice President Chris Wade, Treasurer David Dietz, Secretary Newsletter / Website Tammy Lozen Advent is getting us ready for the coming of the King. Christmas draws near. Do not be fooled by the fake Christmases pushed by the world. Fake Christmases are those without the who of Christmas Jesus. Christmas is all about JESUS! Through the pages of the Old Testament, anticipation for the birth of the long awaited Messiah has been building: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus is Son of God and the Son of Man. The two natures of Christ. The Second person of the Trinity come down out of heaven to make His dwelling among us. The why of Christmas? God's promise to send His Son as the Saviour is the focus of the Old Testament. Jesus comes to stand in the place of sinners. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. (Col. 2) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Tim. 2) Jesus name means the Lord saves. Saving is what He does. Jesus is the only One who could rescue sinners from sin. The what of Christmas? Forgiveness. Jesus the Saviour comes to pay the price for all of our Law breaking. When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal. 4) The baby born of the Virgin Mary. To redeem you pay the price that only JESUS could pay. He took the journey from heaven down to earth. Jesus road is one that He must walk alone. Continues on page 3

3 Page 3 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 CHRISTMAS WHO, WHAT & WHY! Continued from page 2 He will not stay in the safety of the manger. Jesus marches His way to Calvary to shed His holy blood on the Cross. For the wood of the manger MUST give way to the wood of the Cross. From Jesus birth to His death, from Jesus Resurrection and Ascension, Christ does the work of salvation full and free. The salvation that He won for us is given He away freely through the preaching of His Word. As it was that first Christmas, the Angel preaches the birth of Christ the Lord into ears and hearts. Good News of great joy, for unto you the Saviour has come. JESUS is the gift of Christmas. He comes to be born in you through Holy Baptism. Your baptism day is Christmas for you. Jesus gifted forgiveness to you, flowing through water and word in the fount of life. When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 3) Do not be fooled by fake Christmases. Rather for Christians, Christmas is filled up with JESUS. He is the reason for all of the celebration. Good News of Great Joy. Christmas is brought to your ears as the Gospel is preached to you. That your sins are forgiven for Christ s sake is Good News of Great Joy. Christians gather around Jesus to celebrate God come down to save. Gather around Jesus. Gather around God's Word. Gather around the pulpit. Gather around the Baptismal Font. Gather around the Altar. Jesus is giving away Christmas gifts of forgiveness and life eternal to you. Happy Advent. Merry Christmas!. I have a better Caretaker than you and all the angels. He it is who lies in a manger, but at the same time sits at the right hand of God, the almighty Father. Therefore be at rest. Martin Luther Pastor Cave

4 CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH December 2018 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER JANUARY Christ Today Newsletter articles due in the first week of DECEMBER. REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES 1 8:30 a.m. Men s Bible Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Church Decorating 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 Worship 2 ADVENT NAME TAG SUNDAY Blood pressure monitoring 9:00 10:00 a.m. Coffee 10:00 a.m. Bible 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 9 Comunion at 11 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 12:00 p.m. Worship Meeting 12:30 p.m. Sing Along 5:30 p.m. Bowlling 3 9:30 a.m. Prayer group 6:30 p.m. S-Anon 5:00 p.m. Ignite 6:00 p.m. Genesis 7:00 p.m. CLC Praise Rehearsal 10 9:30 a.m. Prayer group 6:30 p.m. S-Anon 7:00 p.m. All instrumentalists/choirs 4 12:30 Evangelism Meeting 11 9:00 a.m. Pins and Needles 6:30 p.m. Bits and Bites 7:00 p.m. Executive Meeting 6:30 p.m. Creative Card 5 10:00 a.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship Services 12 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship Services 6 11:00 a.m. Drop-in Group 11:00 a.m. Grief Share 6:00 p.m. Youth Handbell 6:30 p.m. Catechism/ rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Vocal 8:00 p.m Handbell 13 11:00 a.m. Grief Share 6:30 p.m. Catechism 7:00 p.m. All instrumentalists/choirs :00 a.m. Budget Mtg 6:00 p.m. Euchre Children schristmas Party 1:00 0 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Youth Progressive Dinner 16 CANTATA God with Us 10 a.m. 10:00 a.m. only Service time 11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour 5:30 p.m. Bowlling 17 9:30 a.m. Prayer group 6:30 p.m. S-Anon 5:00 p.m. Ignite 6:00 p.m. Genesis Band 7:00 p.m. CLC Praise Band 18 12:00 Noon 2:00 p.m. Daily Bread Food Pantry 7:00 p.m. Council 7:00 p.m. M.S. 19 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship Services 20 9:00 a.m. Mailing Group 11:00 a.m. Grief Share 11:00 a.m. Drop-in Group 6:00 p.m. Youth Handbell 7:00 p.m. Vocal 8:00 p.m Handbell 21 7:00 p.m. Movie Night Comunion at 10 a.m. Only service time COOKIE EXCHANGE 30 Comunion at 10 a.m. Only service time 24 Christmas Eve Worship 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 25 Christmas Day Worship 10:00 a.m. 26 NO Bible Study Church office closed 27 No Catechism No Youth rehearsals Adult rehearsal TBD Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.

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6 Page 6 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 Baptized into Christ Since the time of our last church newsletter, the following individual was received into God s kingdom through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Hayden Skyy and Mya Rayne Smigels November 4, 2018 Parents: Jason and Heather Smigels. We praise God for adopting them as His children and we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen them in their baptismal grace through the Word. Bold = member EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER Change of Address / Phone Number Susan Heydel and son, Bradley El Dorado Terrace Warren, MI Private new phone number Lois and Clarence Ahlstrom Sterling Woods American House VanDyke Room #110 Sterling Heights, MI MEN S BIBLE BREAKFAST All men are welcome. Breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Bible study follows. First Saturday of the month. Sign up on the blue insert or sign-up sheet outside Pastor Cave s office. The Bible study is Pastor led. Currently looking for chef for: 2019: January, February, March, April, May Thank you Shirley Dutcher for cooking in November & Melissa Bruesehoff for cooking in December Contact Pastor Cave to help. Thank you to all who volunteer to cook for the men.

7 Page 7 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 Memorials And Honorariums Memorial and Funeral Planning Brochures are available in the Narthex. Memorial given in memory of: Jennifer Clevenger and Baby Aurora Designated to 1 st Communion Bibles Given By: Carol Blohm Betty Lawson Undesignated Given By: Betty Gelb, Joanne Gorgas and sons, Glenn and Suzanne Sopfe, Greg and Nancy Gmyrek, Sherry Carroll, Mac Bosco, Sam and Kelly Markwood, Betty Gehle, Helga, Monica, and Karin Schumann Roof: Given By: Phyllis Burghardt, Marilyn & Phil Steinke Randy Potter Designated to the CLC Food Pantry Given By: Margaret Cawood Lois Bayes Designated to Landscaping Given By: Jim and Shirley Dutcher Join the CLC Praise Band on Sunday, December 9 from 12:30-2:00 pm as we share a meal and sing Christmas carols and popular Christmas favorites. We'll also have a very special guest for the little ones! We welcome donations of new and gently used clothing, toiletries and supplies for women and children who are homeless or in need. This year we plan to assist both Spirit of Joy Ministries and the Ark Association, who work to assist the needy and homeless in the metro-detroit area. Share the joy of the season with us while you help others. Bold = member Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

8 Page 8 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER YOUNG AT HEART AGE 50 PLUS Who are your elders in the faith? Whatever their age, doubtless they live out their faith by waiting on and listening for the Spirit, praising God regularly and speaking of Jesus to others. Fred Hynick 12/02 David Dietz** 12/05 Craig Love 12/07 Sharon Makie 12/10 John McFarlane 12/10 Judy Mize** 12/11 Shirley Dutcher** 12/12 Katherine Anderson** 12/14 Robert Runde** 12/14 Daniel Hughes 12/18 Marjorie Wyss** 12/19 Karin Stevenson -Twiss 12/20 Henry Rehn 12/20 David Rice 12/21 Ranice Brault 12/22 John Eichhorn 12/22 Beverly Valeri* 12/22 Judy Smith 12/24 Kelly DeLeeuw 12/26 Sharron Demumbrun* 12/27 Suzanne Kars** 12/27 Jeff Blohm 12/29 Lori Rafalski 12/29 Send a card, share a wish to our young at heart 50 + seniors of CLC. The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 *homebound **Super Senior / currently active in ministry at CLC/ + Charter Member

9 Page 9 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 Thank you + Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you all so much for your cards, calls and kinds words, sharing in my grief. The loss of my grandson, Josh s, wife Jennifer and their unborn baby, Aurora Marie was devastating. The diagnosis of Glioblastoma brain cancer was made on Tuesday morning after the surgery for what they thought was a brain abscess, her organs stated shutting down on Wednesday and she went on life support and then passed on to her Eternal life on Thursday night. Your kindness has helped me to bear this tragic loss. ~ Carol Blohm + Thank you to Judy and Andy Jablonski for the fellowship offered at the November 4 th Piano Recital with Wes Fishwick. I was unable to stay to enjoy the beautiful display of hospitality, I had other plans following the recital and needed to run off but I wanted to let everyone know at CLC, as a guest I thought it was lovely. ( If you had little church mice helping you. please thank them as well. ~ Margarete Keck ( Tammy Lozen s mother) CLC LANDSCAPING UPDATE The Lord provides the sunshine and the rain and we provide the labor to care for the planting! Christ Lutheran has been blessed with plantings to enhance the grounds of our church building. We ve, also, been blessed with people who are willing to use their talents to care for the plantings. Our church bulletin listed the volunteers and the areas of their care for the past growing season. Thank you for a job well done! The Spring and Fall clean-ups were successful because many hands (adults and youth) spread mulch, trimmed roses, ornamental grass, hydrangeas, and other plantings. Would you believe we filled 74 yard waste bags on a cool and misting morning? The waterfall was shut down for a number of weeks due to a water loss. The top layers of rocks had shifted and caused the leakage. Soulliere s, who constructed the waterfall, did the repair. We thank Nancy Woy for her Memorial Gift which paid for the repair. The water pump needs to be installed in the waterfall each spring and removed in the fall. Thanks to Tony Malugin for doing this. The Property Committee is getting quotes for the removal of dead and dying trees on the north and south sides of the parking lot. This should help with the problem of pine needles and cones on the driveway and lot. Thank you for your care and concern for the Christ Lutheran landscape! Note from editor: Thank you Shirley and Jim for the many hours you add with the misc. care not mentioned in this article. The mitten tree will be up On December 1, chairperson, Anna Marie Lawrence, Evangelism Outreach team. The mittens, hats, scarves and socks will be donated to Alpha Delta Kappa Alpha Phi Warren Con school teachers who distribute them throughout Warren Consolidated Schools to children who come to school with none. The tree will be up all of December.

10 EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER DEC 2018 Christ Lutheran Church Schoenherr Rd. Warren MI See Cover for December Worship Special Service times and special events. Last minute news not on Newsletter calendar or page 1 Carpathia Brass will play on Sunday, December 23 Visit our website Christlutheranchurchwarren.org

11 Page 10 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 Christmas decorating will be done on Saturday December 1 nd at 10:00. Please plan to come and join in the fun. We will be decking the halls, and trimming the trees in anticipation of Jesus birthday. Many hands make for lighter work and much fun! We can t wait to see you there. Fellowship is hosting a Christ Cookie Exchange on December 23, after the 10:00 a.m. Worship Service. One dozen, of one kind of cookie needed for each person who participates. Sign-up on the blue insert to join in by Dec 9th. Debbie Brown or Kathi Frezza will contact you with the # of people CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PARTY Hosted by Fellowship Committee Saturday, December 15, :00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. A visit from Santa Children get your letters to Santa put your Christmas wish list in the mailbox byd 9 at Christ Lutheran Church. Make sure your name is on your letter. Sign-up sheet outside of the church office s. Must register by December 9 th. All the Christ Lutheran Church music groups will perform on Sunday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, LCMC/NALC. This group of more than 30 vocal and musicians, directed by Mr. Wesley Fishwick will perform a Cantata, God with Us, a collection of favorite Christmas songs and hymns. This is a perfect time to invite family or friends to share the Christmas spirit as we prepare for our Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with Us.

12 EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER Photography by Andy Jablonski On a Sunday late afternoon in November, our Music Director, Mr. Wesley Fishwick held a piano recital to benefit the Christ Lutheran Church Thanksgiving Baskets for our local community in need. We were privileged and blessed for a little over an hour to listen to a very talented musician. We were in awe with beautiful sounds coming from the piano as he entertained us with classical music. It followed with a reception hosted by Judy Jablonski, church member, she put on a beautiful display of cookies, punch, coffee and other treats. Those who attended went home with smiles in their heart. On behalf of the CLC congregation, we thank our Lord God for Mr. Wes Fishwick s giving heart, his gift in music and for sending him to Christ Lutheran. Wes plays each Sunday during our worship services and will be leading the Cantata on Sunday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m.

13 Page 11 CHRIST TODAY December 2018 YOUTH HAND BELLS EVANGELISM- DAILY BREAD As we have Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, it is an extra busy time for many family and friends. At this time, the Evangelism and Food Pantry committees would like to express sincere thanks for all of the ways which volunteers and committed members have contributed towards this ministry to be made possible! In October, it was with great joy and honor to have Mr. Wes Fishwick and Mr. David Levine share music during a piano recital. The free will donation of $614 went to the pantry. This couldn t have taken place without the audience either. Special thanks to everyone who attended this! A thank-you card was sent to Mr. Wes for his idea of generously sharing time, amazing talent and the treasure towards the pantry! Thank you! The November 20 th distribution for pantry visitors consisted of the Thanksgiving Basket Ministry and the pantry on the same day. Guests received foods from one of these two ministries, which also come from different budget lines. Further information will be shared in the January CT. May this Christmas Every month, the youth handbell choir looks forward to sharing music during the second Sunday during the Contemporary service. In October, the familiar hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee was shared - and November had Be Thou My Vision. In addition to learning how to play the hymns, the youth learn some history, biblical verses that apply to the hymn along with spiritual meaning. Importantly, they discover how they can apply the message in the hymn to their everyday life and faith. All of these aspects motivate them, resulting with great efforts. Now with Advent upon us, come, worship and experience the emotions of music with these fine youth ringers! Special thanks to all worshipers who express the kind words and support as the bell players continue to play from the hearts! Merry Christmas from the youth bell ringers!!! *written/submitted by Melissa Bruesehoff Payton Ramsey volunteering at CLC Daily Bread Food Pantry.

14 EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER We will be placing poinsettias at the altar this year. Cost: $8.00 each. Deadline: Week of December 9 Name Phone Plants may be given in memory of those who have died and\or in honor of someone or an event In Memory of Please PRINT clearly Honor of Please PRINT clearly The family Please PRINT clearly The plants are available to pick up after the 10:00 a.m. service on Monday, December 25 th