If you need a large print bulletin or would like to use a hearing impaired device, please speak with an Usher or Lay Assistant.

Transcription

1 YOUTH MINISTRY (Grades 6-12) Fund Raiser: Dining Coupon Books are in We are selling Dining Coupon Books which have two for one meals for area restaurants. Cost is $35.00 and students get to add $10.00 per book in their student accounts to be used for any youth ministry trip or event LCMS National Youth Gathering July in Minneapolis MN If you are in 7th grade ( ) this year and older you will be able to attend. This event usually will have 20,000-25,000 students from around the world. This is often called a once in a life time event. Questions talk to Greg ADVENT LUNCHES LWML will be preparing and serving 3 Advent lunches after each Advent service. Come for a hot meal and good fellowship. If you would like to help, there is a sign up sheet in the entry hall for items needed. ADVENT SUPPERS The youth will be serving supper (6:00pm-6:55) before our evening Advent Services on Dec. 6,13,and 20. Set-up is at 5:00 p.m., come as soon as you can. Mark your calendars to join us for supper and then join in our Advent worship at 7:00pm. Proceeds from the suppers will go help our youth attend youth events/gathering/ conferences. You can help by joining us on Wednesday, by donating food/money for suppers and/or sponsor an evening meal. Contact Greg Mueller-DCE if you have any If you need a large print bulletin or would like to use a hearing impaired device, please speak with an Usher or Lay Assistant. ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND Sat. 5:30 a.m. 56 Sunday School 19 Sun. 103 Bible Study 25 TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE LORD S SUPPER At St. Matthew we believe that the Lord s Supper (Holy Communion) is a ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and an expression of our unity in belief and teaching. Therefore, in Christian love we extend this ministry to baptized Christians who Have been properly instructed and confess the teachings of the Bible as taught in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS); Acknowledge their sins and repent of their sins; Confess Jesus Christ alone as Savior from all sin; Believe with us that Christ s body and blood are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine; Intend, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to amend their sinful lives and forgive others as Christ has forgiven them. Guests who do not hold membership in a congregation of the LCMS are respectfully asked to visit with the pastor before or after the worship service regarding their desire to commune. Martin Luther s Christian Questions with Their Answers on pages in Lutheran Service Book is a good resource to use to prepare oneself to receive the Lord s Supper. NOTES FOR COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION St. Matthew Lutheran Church 115 West 12th Avenue, Milan IL Phone ~ Fax ~ ~ stmatthewmilan@gmail.com Web ~ The Rev. Leonard A. Astrowski, Jr. (Vacancy) Mr. Gregory G. Mueller, DCE pastrowski@gmail.com dcehog@derbyworks.net (cell) (cell) Mr. Joel Chapman, RN, Parish Nurse joelchapman1955@yahoo.com (cell) Last Sunday of the Church Year November 25 & 26, 2017 WELCOME TO THE LORD S HOUSE We pray that you are blessed through God s service today. We invite everyone to sign the Record of Fellowship in each pew. Our guests are also invited to sign the guest book on the Welcome Table in the entryway. Receive the bread the body of Christ in your hand. You may receive the wine the blood of Christ with either the individual cup or the common cup. Please assist with the common cup. The individual cups in the center of the tray contain reduced alcohol wine for those that need to receive Christ s blood this way. Those not receiving the Sacrament but wish to receive a blessing (including nonconfirmed children) are asked to take a wooden cross from the basket next to the baptismal font. Hold the cross in front of you as the communion elements are distributed. As you then return to your pew, please place the cross in the basket next to the collection tray for individual cups.

2 Altar Guild: Kris Christopher, Vicki Lude Flowers: The Chapmans Saturday, November 25 Sunday, November 26 Last Sunday of the Church Year Monday, November 27 Tuesday, November 28 Wednesday, November 29 Thursday, November 30 Friday, December 1 Saturday, December 2 Sunday, December 3 1st Sunday in Advent SERVANTS IN THE LORD S HOUSE 5:30 p.m. Lay Assistant Jason Gorski Jim Barrows Ushers Ken Hoffman Alex Barrows Chris McVay Tom Krahl Organist Dawn Swanson Ellen Schuster Greeter THIS WEEK THE LORD WILLING 5:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m a.m. 9:30 a.m. 6:15 p.m. Hanging of Greens & Pizza Sunday School Adult Bible Study Classical Conversations St. Matthew at Pantry Pastor s Bible Study At Immanuel Rock Island Ladies Bible Study Choir No Confirmation 3-6 p.m. St. Matthew at Pantry Council 8:30 a.m. Bulletin Assembled 9:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Fern Tucker Cookie Walk LWML Bazaar Nick Bull Sunday School Adult Bible Study CONFIRMATION Confirmation will not be meeting from Nov. 29 De3cember 27., but the Children are encouraged to attend the Advent services. REMINDER-December 31, 2017 All contributions for the year 2017 must be turned into the office or at the December 31, 2017 service to be credited. Any donations received after December 31, 2017 will be credited to the 2018 Financial Statements. We thank you for you continued support of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. LIFE THOUGHT FROM THIS WEEK S READINGS Even death lies subject to God (1 Corinthians 15:25-26). Jesus has established His dominion over it, bending it into an instrument of His lifegiving will. This victory enables us to guard the gift of life especially within the least of these where mortal minds conclude life cannot flourish but faith beholds the firstfruits of the new creation (Matthew 25:37-40). Lord of glory, let us bear Your cross alongside the undeserving and inherit the kingdom You have prepared. Amen. LIFE QUOTE FOR THIS WEEK All that we call human history money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life OUR CHRISTIAN CALLING Matthew 25:44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' With this parable Jesus once again emphasizes that our good works come from who we are, not the other way around. Sheep do sheep works, and goats do goat works. So first things first: if we want to live more faithfully, let us come to Jesus, receive His gifts, and ask him to increase our faith! GRACE, FAITH, SCRIPTURE & CHRIST ALONE... Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. This week's topics include: The Estates of Church, Family & Government, The Hymn "Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying," Church Architecture, The Final Judgement, Esther and more. You can listen on-demand at and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

3 CHRISTMAS CHILD S SHOE BOXES We thank God for everyone who took part in sharing Jesus s love through the Christmas Child s shoe boxes! We were able to put together over 200 boxes, pay for all 200 shipping AND $ use to provide the 12 lesson follow-up course call the Greatest Journey. Please continue to pray for this outreach. Thanks again! SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE STUDY Sunday School Esther Book of Esther High School Bible Study TBA Adult Bible Study: The Book of James DONATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS BAZAAR LWML will have a Bazaar in conjunction with St Matthew s Annual Cookie Walk on December 2, Please bring your donations of handmade gift items and gently used Christmas decor to the LWML work room ( old kitchen) at the rear of the sanctuary before November 30. In the past years high demand items have included hand crafted stocking stuffers, neighbor and office gifts and some larger gifts. Sales will support LWML s mission projects at St Matthew and through out the world! HANGING OF THE GREENS WE NEED EVERYONE S HELP We will be decorating the church for the Christmas season on Saturday, November 25 after the 5:30 Saturday night service. Come join us for some great fellowship and a Pizza party. Any questions call Vicki Lude. FOOD PANTRY NEEDS November is our month to supply personal care items for the food pantry. Please, we need: Shampoo, Deodorant, Toothbrushes, Dish soap, Feminine care pads, Laundry soap. Thank you for your support! MARK THIS DATE & TIME ON YOUR CALENDAR Ladies Night Out is on Thursday, December 14, The doors open at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. dinner. at Hy-Vee on 7th Street Moline. Cost is $12.00 (coffee, dessert and door prizes included) There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board C in the hallway Questions, contact Faith Carter, Nancy Mueller, Deb Toal PRAYER CARDS If you fill out a prayer card you can hand it to Jim Bennett during the Sermon hymn, as he walks up and down the aisle collecting any prayer cards. EVENING ADVENT SUPPER Plan on joining us for supper before Wednesday Advent worship at 7:00 p.m. Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 6, 13, and 20. If you would like to donate a dessert or help in some way, contact Greg Mueller. SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES This week, Sunday School students study Esther. In the actions of Esther, we see the pattern of deliverance that God sketches throughout the story of Israel, a pattern that finds it fulfillment in Jesus, our Savior. Consider discussing, How did Esther preserve the Jewish people? Why is the story of Esther important? LWML NEWS LWML Ladies, it s time to turn in our dime stockings. Please bring them in quickly so we can get our Christmas gift sent off to our 2017 church worker missionary. You may drop your filled stocking into the big stocking sitting on the LWML table in entryway. Let s see how our dimes have added up this year. COOKIE WALK IS COMING... The 14 th Annual Cookie Walk is approaching quickly. The Walk Committee would sincerely appreciate your donation of cookies or candies for this event. Please sign the donation sheet in the church entryway. We THANK YOU in advance for your goodies! Don t forget to come enjoy the event on December 2! Walk Date: December 2, 2017 Place: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Milan, IL Time: 9:00am-12:00 Noon for Cookies & Candy Proceeds from the Cookie & Candies are donated to the Milan Christian Food Pantry.

4 NEW/UPDATED requests this week Betty Tobin (recovering from a fall) Christina, friend of Vicki Lude (struggles with life, needs guidance) Prayer of Thanksgiving Al Nordstrom on a successful surgery ST. MATTHEW AT PRAYER Other continuing request Bill Allen, Brother-In-Law of the Donegans (cancer is back in his bladder & Lung) Alyssa Anders, (missionary at St. Petersburg Russia) Mary Alice Beckman, friend of Karlene Campbell (cancer) Ray Bennett (Friendship Manor Rehab) Rachelle Brown, cousin of Carol Parchert (undergoing testing for breast cancer) Craig Carter, son-in-law of Marlis Donner (health problems) Bob Cotton, friend of Cindy Perkins (recovering) Yvonne Cox, friend of Eileen Leonard (cancer) Mike Donner (recovering) Chaplain Weber (being deployed to Kuwait in Dec. with the IA National Guard) Jerry Fisher, Father of Erica Fisher Joan Groene The Fawkes Family (grandmother in Hospice care) Cassidy Kline, friend of Eric Campbell (harassment at school) Phyllis Larson, friend of Cindy Leonard (cancer) Richard Leonard, Jr. nephew of Bill Leonard (cancer) Candy Lopez, friend of Jill Tharp (cancer surgery and healing) Lynnette, daughter-in-law of Don & Nancy Mueller (cancer) Mike Manginelli, friend of Bill & Eileen Leonard (health issues) Debbie McCaw, friend of Kerry Nordstrom (undergoing cancer treatment) Jon McVay, father of Chris McVay (recovering from heart surgery) Rick Newswander, son of Barb Miller (recovering) Al Nordstrom (undergoing cancer treatments) David Picht, friend of the Lindley s (recovering in Davenport, IA) Kelly Teuscher, niece of Marian Hoffman (recovering) Erin Vorec, friend of Hilary Spengler (illness) LWML BIBLE STUDY 9:30 a.m., Thursday, December 7, 2017 Bible Study: Christmas Journeys Leader: Jean Miles Please bring cookies to share You can pick up a copy of the Bible Study, Christmas Journeys in the Library if you would like to have it before the meeting. SAVE THE DATE WHEN: Sunday, January 38, 2018 from 4-6 p.m. WHAT: Third annual St. Matthew Chili Cook-off Challenge NEW THIS YEAR: We re adding soups to the challenge WHY: Good food, fun, and fellowship Start planning your favorite chili or soup recipe now! Are you up for the challenge DINING TOUR COUPON BOOKS ARE HERE St. Matthew Youth Ministry is selling Dining Tour Coupon books again this year. In the books are over 200, two-for-one coupons that can be used at local restaurants. The cost of the books are $35.00 and the youth group gets to keep $ The books are good until November PASTOR S TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Pastor Astrowski s has a Tuesday morning Bible Study from 9:30am to 10:30am at Immanuel Lutheran, Rock Island. All are welcome to attend. Come join in and study God s Word. LADIES TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY We have 2 Tuesdays left. November 28 & December 5. at We will be taking a break after December 5 until after the new year. Hope to see you there SNOW SHOVELING It s that time of year again. If you can help with the snow removal for St. Matthew for both the church & parsonage, please sign the sheet on the St. Matthew bulletin board. You would be responsible for a week period from Monday thru Sunday. The more people who sign up, the less times each person will have to shovel. You will be shoveling the sidewalks in front and back of church and the sidewalk and driveway of the parsonage. If you have any questions, please call Jerry Donegan at

5 Holiday Worship Schedule Holiday Worship Schedule Midweek Advent Services Wednesday, December 6 Wednesday, December 13 Wednesday, December 20 Midweek Advent Services Wednesday, December 6 Wednesday, December 13 Wednesday, December 20 Christmas Services Children s Christmas Program Practice Sunday, December :00 Noon Sunday, December during Sunday School Sunday, December 17 Children s Christmas Program... 4:00 pm Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services... 5:30 pm Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day at Immanuel, Rock Island... 9:00 am Saturday December 31 New Year s at Immanuel, Rock Island... 7:00 pm Christmas Services Children s Christmas Program Practice Sunday, December :00 Noon Sunday, December during Sunday School Sunday, December 17 Children s Christmas Program... 4:00 pm Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services... 5:30 pm Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day at Immanuel, Rock Island... 9:00 am Saturday December 31 New Year s at Immanuel, Rock Island... 7:00 pm