REPORTER November 29th Our Christmas program We will again order poinsettias We will have two

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1 REPORTER November 29th is the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the new church year. As in past years we will be having a midweek service each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. beginning December 2 and will be singing the Holden Evening Prayer. The last several years we have had a turnout of about 50 people at this service. If you have never attended it, come and join in this brief sung service. You will leave with a feeling of peace to end your busy day. See page 10 for details. Our Christmas program will be held on December 13th during worship. The program features our children, the Oromo children and several adults. Thanks to Ursula Peters for directing and taking charge of getting the music rehearsed and the costumes organized. Following the program we will have a Chili Luncheon prepared by Joy Slye-Nelson and helpers. As in past years we will end the luncheon with a Cookie Grab. Cookies will be available for you to take home with you. See page 8. We will again order poinsettias to decorate the chancel for Christmas. If you want to purchase one, there are order forms on the table in the narthex and in the bulletins. Deadline to order is December 13.Each plant is $9.00 and you may take them home after the Christmas Eve service. We will have two Christmas Eve services again this year. The service at 4 p.m. will be family oriented and the one at 7 p.m. will be a traditional service. Both services will end with candle lighting. Bring your family and friends to worship the newborn king!

2 Fear is so pervasive. Fear is ugly. Actually, I think a better way to see it is that fear makes US ugly. Fear provokes hatred and anger and all kinds of emotions that lead us to turn on each other. In these days, when there is so much brokenness in the world, and so much uncertainty, fear is mighty powerful. The media thrives on fear. Add social media to the mix, and it s magnified by millions. You see, the thing that makes fear so powerful is that it s contagious. That s why politicians also thrive on fear. By continuing to feed the fears of the people, they offer themselves as saviors from everything that we are afraid of in our world. So if they can keep feeding the fear, they can win votes. But, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are given an antidote for fear. You see, Jesus is the one who has already come as a savior for the world. How many times did Jesus say Do not be afraid? In this season of Advent, as we look to the savior who will come again to this world, I cannot help but think of the words of the song Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem - the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Jesus comes to bring us hope in the face of fear. He comes to change the world. Mary s Magnificat reminds us that he comes to overturn all those powers of fear. And yet, we keep on fighting each other because of fear. Why do we keep letting fear win? In Jesus first recorded sermon, he taught us with those words that are more commonly known as the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (continued on page 3) 2

3 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We would do well to remember these words in these days of fear and anger. We have plenty of warmongers in our world today, and far too few peacemakers. It s hard to fight against fear, and to let mercy prevail over vengeance and fear. But remember that Christmas is coming, with a message of hope that is far stronger than any fear! The Social Seniors activities for December please mark your calendars and join us for: Christmas Party, Thursday December 3, 2015 at the Copper Kettle, 1456 Belt Line Rd, #147, Garland. There is a choice of grilled chicken, fried catfish, pork brisket, price range is $8.95 to $ Bring a small gift ($5 value) to exchange. Sign up on the bulletin board to make your reservation. The bus will be available for those who would like to ride for $5 each. Other may drive themselves or carpool. Christmas Play at the Bath House Cultural Center: Romance in D by James Sherman. Break away from the usual Christmas fare to enjoy this heartwarming play guaranteed to laugh away any holiday doldrums. Romance in D covers two holiday traditions Hanukkah and Christmas and two apartments, two romances, and twice the fun. It is a lovely story of hope and possibility as well as the joy of finding love in unexpected places. We will take the bus to the matinee on Friday, December 11. There are 14 seats available for $5 each so sign up early when the list is posted on the bulletin board. Tickets are $12 and the bus leaves the church at 12:15. There will not be a men s breakfast in December. The next breakfast meeting will be in January. 3

4 On December 20, the St. Luke s Choir and Choral Scholars will once again do an Advent Lessons and Carols service with excerpts from Handel s Messiah. Last year was so well received that we will repeat our selections. Come prepare yourselves for the coming of the Messiah in music and readings. We love a parade! We are taking part in the Richardson Christmas Parade on December 5th. The parade route will go up Coit Road from Richardson High School to Pearce High School. If any of you would like to join us in the parade or even just watch, we would be proud to have the support. Here s a fun Advent adventure During Advent flat baby Jesus will be traveling around the area and posing for pictures in each place he visits. If you would like to take him for an outing and take his picture at your home or other place of interest, you can pick up a flat baby Jesus in the church office. Take his picture and send it by to gail@stlukeslutheranchurch.org. Pictures will be posted on our Facebook page during Advent under the heading, Jesus is Everywhere. Be sure to read our stewardship blog, Guardians of God s Gifts. You can access it from our website or our Facebook page or on line at numberlessgifts.blogspot.com. So far we have had Guardians of God s Gifts entries from Pastor Kris, Tom Petersen, Frieda Chyn, Arlene Bakner, Gail Johnson, and Tanner McEwan. New bloggers coming up in November we hope you will be one of them. your reflection on God s gifts to gail@stlukeslutheranchurch.org. 4

5 Women of St. Luke s Circle Bible studies are not held in December; but will resume in January All women of St. Luke s are invited to attend the Christmas Potluck Luncheon on December 5 at 11:30am. Mary Karr Handley, our special guest, will present Stories Behind Well Loved Christmas Songs. Please bring a non-dessert dish to share. Desserts and drinks will be provided by the host Mary Ruth Circle. This year the offering from our Christmas Luncheon will be donated to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. Please be sure that checks are made out to Women of St. Luke s. All female members (regardless of age) are invited to attend and bring a friend. Everyone is wished a blessed and safe Christmas season and a healthy New Year! INVITATION TO THE CONGREGATION The Congregation is invited to participate with the women s organization to support the Navajo Lutheran Mission Center in Arizona. For several years, we have collected UPC bar code labels from Campbell s, Swanson, V8, Prego, and Franco American products. From the points gathered, the Mission is able to purchase passenger vans and educational equipment such as: overhead projectors, computers and playground equipment. We also collect Box Tops for Education which will help the school with supplies. Please save your UPC labels and box tops, bring them to church, and place in the box which is on the table in the Narthex. A list of qualifying products is also available. 5

6 Booksome Ladies The Booksome Ladies will meet in the Conrad Library at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16th. The Mistletoe Promise by well-known author Richard Paul Evans will be our book for discussion. Set in Salt Lake City, this novel is the story of Elise Dutton who is not looking forward to the holiday season. Alone for three years since a bitter divorce, she is broken and distrustful. Then, one November day, while eating lunch in the mall food court, she is approached by a stranger who she recognizes as someone she has seen in the building where she works. This gentleman who is tired of spending the holidays alone, offers Elise a most unusual proposition. For the next eight weeks, he suggests they pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules: (1) No deep, probing personal questions; (2) No drama; (3) No telling anyone the truth about the relationship; and (4) The contract is void on Christmas Day. Elise surprises herself by agreeing to the idea. As the charade progresses, the safety of this fake relationship begins to mend her broken heart. Elise starts to find joy again, but a long-held secret threatens the emerging romance. And she might not be the only one with a secret. This is a story of love, healing, and redemption that will brighten your holidays. After our discussion, we will go to lunch at the Chocolate Angel located in the High Street Antique Mall for a time of pleasant fellowship and tasty food. Christmas blessings, Martha Eastwood Richardson Interfaith congregations are invited to experience Hindu Religion, Culture, Heritage, Hospitality (including food!) and a Temple Tour. December 6 th from 3-5 pm D/FW Hindu Temple 1605 North Britain Road, Irving, TX They can accommodate 120 participants, so please RSVP via to Connie at cpresley@fumcr.com by December 1 st. Once you have RSVP d, we will send you additional information with a map. 6

7 The members of St. Luke s and their families that are being prayed for during the month are listed below. BILL PERKINS BARBARA MILLER DAVE SALLEE ROSEMARIE HAM RITA HUMPHREY BERNIE HUMPHREY IRMA YOUNG JOHN ABBOTT DIANE THORPE EMILY EASTWOOD TRACY GOLDEN RUTHIE GROOM MAGGIE HORNER LISA SANDIDGE RONDA MEIVES PAULINE GLENN DAVID REED JULIE COOK Our appreciation to the members of St. Luke s Prayer Chain for their constant and faithful prayers. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Proverbs 3:5 Betty Kennedy, Prayer Chain Chairperson

8 Share the Good News of Jesus Birth With our Sunday School children and adults On Sunday, December 13 during the 11:00 worship service. Stars, Angels, Shepherds, Kings A Christmas Musical Followed by a Congregational Luncheon And Cookie Grab 8

9 Gary & Nancy Bowers Ed & Marge Alesch Chris & Charla Clausen Denny & Carol Brant Gary Bakken Carol Brant Steve Molina Carlene Smith Linda Reed Kyle Packer Bea Orgish Kris Totzke Ben Eckholm Ardys Nault Anders Nelson Marcie Cook NOTE: If you have an anniversary or birthday this month and your name is not on our list, please call the church office and give us the information for our records. Thank you. For all you good Midwestern Lutheran transplants out there we thought you might be interested to know that Garrison Keillor, the acclaimed host of A Prairie Home Companion radio show will be performing at the Eisemann Center in Richardson on January 28th. 9

10 This year, the theme for reflection at the midweek Advent worship will be Songs of the Heart. Each week, we will hear the words of faith sung by Hannah (Dec. 2), Zechariah (Dec. 9), and Mary (Dec. 16.) Each one is connected intimately to the coming Christ child. Each one gives us inspiration as we move closer to the celebration of Jesus birth. The services will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. This theme will also carry over into the quarterly midweek daytime service on Wednesday, Dec. 30 th at 11:00 am. At that service, we ll reflect upon the Song of Simeon (the Nunc Dimittis), as we continue the Christmas celebration with carols and communion. Time and Talent Tables January 10 On Sunday, January 10th we are inviting the various committees and groups to set up tables in the Gathering Area to show/explain what they do and give you the opportunity to check out all that goes on at St. Luke s behind the scene. For the chairpersons: this is your opportunity to get volunteers to help in your area. For everyone else: This is your opportunity to see what type of volunteers are needed and sign up to help with those you are interested in. Who do we call? If you don t want to wait until January to volunteer your services on Sunday Morning? The following folks are the go-to people to sign up. Assisting ministers, lectors, communion servers: Carol Brant, Ushers: Arlene Bakner, Greeters: Kathryn Kraefft., Acolytes: Gail Johnson,

11 Worship Assistants for December Dec. 6 Asst. Minister Larry Wecsler Lector Larry Wecsler Communion Servers Ann Wecsler, Carol Dimick Acolyte Luke Eckholm Greeters Diane Thorpe, Brent Sonntag Ushers Don & Linda Young Chris & Brenda Sherrod Dec. 13 Asst. Minister Brent Sonntag Christmas Program Children & Adults Communion Servers Chris Sherrod, Shella Groom Acolyte Virginia Sherrod Greeters Regi Sigler, Shirley Shanahan Ushers Larry & Ann Wecsler Chris & Brenda Sherrod Dec 20 Asst. Minister Frieda Chyn Lector Frieda Chyn Communion Servers Ed Lysen, Susie Habhegger Acolyte Natalie Sherrod Greeters Ralph Rizzo, Betty Kennedy Ushers Ed & Carol Lysen Jim & Joy Dukowitz Christmas Eve Services at 4 and 7 p.m. Need volunteers for worship assistants, ushers, etc. Dec. 27 Asst. Minister Gail Johnson Lector Gail Johnson Communion Servers Earl Scheler, Eileen Bottolfson Acolyte Caroline Plumb Greeters Martha & Bob Eastwood Ushers Ed & Carol Lysen Jim & Joy Dukowitz 11

12 NETWORK OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES Ingathering days are the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Items always needed are: Jell-O, Peanut Butter, jelly, canned meats and vegetables, soups, paper products, personal hygiene products, baby diapers and baby food. Please place items in the box marked Network in the Gathering Area. The Reporter Published for and by St. Luke s Lutheran Church Next deadline Dec. 15 gail@stlukeslutheranchurch. org All members of St. Luke s are invited to submit articles of interest for publication in THE REPORTER. Articles may be submitted in written form using WORD format or electronic form. Please include your name and phone number. Articles should be no longer than 250 words. Those over 250 may need to be edited. St. Luke s Lutheran Church Pastor Rev. Kristine Totzke Administrative Assistant Gail Johnson Director of Music Ministries. Dale Dietert Council Members President, Ed Lysen 9/ Vice President, Carol Herrman... 9/ Secretary, Anne Eckholm 9/ Treasurer, Tom Petersen 9/ Financial Sec., Shameka Young 2/ Christian Ed., open Evangelism, Barbara Tate / Congregational Life, open Congregational Resources, Gail Johnson 9/ Indoor Property, Jerry Zimmerman Outdoor Property, Ralph Rizzo 9/ Worship & Music, Frieda Chyn /514/8426 Service Outreach, Emily Hoffman / Youth, Kara Herrman / Contact Us: pastorkris@stlukeslutheranchurch.org, Ph gail@stlukeslutheranchurch.org ddietert@smu.edu Sunday Schedule Worship at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School at 8:45 a.m. Phone number: