If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. -James 1:5

Transcription

1 Visit our Website Upcoming at LOL Watch Past Sermons Kids Teens Adults Nowthen Blvd NW, Ramsey, MN David Lechelt, Senior Pastor Amy Chalupnik, Associate Pastor E-Life Weekly Newsletter December 5, 2017 Quick Links A Word from our Senior Pastor Update from Pastor Amy LifeKIDS Update Notes from Bruce Phelps Upcoming Events Weekly Bible Verse: If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. -James 1:5

2 Lo o king fo r Vo lunte e rs! If any one can help with pricing Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00 am, please join us in the library. We are also looking for volunteers to help set-up Sunday morning at 8:00 am, as well as to help with sales throughout the morning. No need to sign-up, please just show up if you can help!

3 A Word from our Senior Pastor The Gift of Advent I love this time of year, and I just have to say to all of you who are reading this right now, THANK YOU for all that you bring to this Advent season of waiting, longing, preparing, and celebrating. I often share with our staff that Sundays are without a doubt "The Best Day of the Week." But when it comes to this time of year, "Best Day" becomes "Best Weekend." And that was what it was this past weekend from Holidazzle to the Family Promise Benefit Concert to what many are saying was the best Children's Advent/Christmas Program they had ever seen. I couldn't agree more! And let me add, what a gift it was for Mary and me to turn to 95.1 FM after Friday's dazzle and simply rest in the wonder and beautiful dancing brightness of this year's Christmas light and music show (Thank you to all who have prepared this production!). And how beautifully adorned are our worship and gathering spaces, so warm and inviting and festive (You rock, you dedicated decorators!). And did I say how joyful it was to witness the joy of our children taking pictures with Santa and shopping for their family and loved ones in Santa's Workshop? Thank you and thanks be to God for the gift of Lord of Life. Serving on Church Council? Me? Yes, you. If you've ever wondered or felt that nudge, I'd love to visit with you about this LOL small group opportunity devoted to advancing the mission of Jesus Christ through our community. And if you haven't felt that nudge, but have wondered about others serving on our leadership team, please let me know about that too. The Nominating Committee meets soon and we would love to hear of your inspired interest or nomination of others. Please contact me at , click here to me, or talk with me at the coffee and

4 donut table on Sunday morning. Thank you. Giving God thanks for the gift of Advent with you, Pastor David Update from Pastor Amy

5 'Movies with PD' joins together with LifeKIDS! When: Saturday, December 9

6 Where: Marcus Elk River Movie Cinema (570 Freeport St, Elk River) We will be seeing the first showing of the day of the movie "The Star" (times are yet to be announced). Kids and kids at heart are welcome to join us! Hope to see you there! LifeKIDS Update SUNDAY SCHO O L NEWS Our December schedule is a little different than most months...here's what to expect: Sunday, December 10 We have regular Sunday School at 10:30 am and then all LifeKIDS students are invited back at 2:00 pm to get ready for the Christmas Choir Concert starting at 3:00 pm. Students will sing early in the concert and will then be dismissed to sit with parents to watch the remainder of the concert. Sunday, Decem ber 17 Sunday, Decem ber 17 We will be having a large group Christmas party during our Sunday School time.

7 There is no Sunday School on Sunday, December 24 and 31, but we hope you join us in worship! We hope you have a blessed Christmas season! We are so thankful for all of our families! Merry Christmas! WO W and WO W! Thanks to the cast of ALL ABOUT THAT BABY who delivered a fun and fabulous story of

8 the birth of Jesus - the gift to the world! Thanks for the ENERGY, the EXCITEMENT and the LOVE that was shared with so many through your message! What a wonderful morning of worship, tasty Italian cuisine, Santa's Workshop and Family Crafting! What a GREAT way to launch Advent 2017! O ur lo ve and thanks to Patti and Is ab e lla Hartwe ll! Have you noticed the beautiful décor of the 10:30 am worship space? The beautiful flocked trees, stunning Bethlehem and pasture paintings...and the awesome and amusing camels that joined our Kids Musical cast!? Patti and Isabella have befriended the Kids Ministry and congregation of Lord of Life by providing stunning and inspirational artwork! They have also been leading our kids on Saturday mornings with ARTRAGEOUS KIDS classes. We are a grateful congregation to be provided with worshipful art - God's love on display! Thanks to Patti and Isabella! Update from Luke Patterson of Cru Ministries "Your partnership has enabled us to move forward in our vision to see a movement of students in the Middle East transformed through knowing Jesus, making disciples, and being sent to the world. So far we have widely searched to find the "hearers," or those interested in growing in relationship with Jesus. We have invested deeply among the hearers. In three months here, my team of eight has collectively initiated with almost 2,000 students and seen six students from six countries pray to receive Christ as their Savior! The movement we are seeing here - in one of the most unreached corners of the world - is astonishing. God is pouring out his Spirit and stirring students' hearts to know Him in a place that has been spiritually deaf to the Gospel for the past 1,400 years. Your partnership has enabled us to pioneer this location, laying a foundation for years of

9 ministry to follow. You are a continual source of joy and encouragement as you pray and give faithfully to the ministry. Thank you so much!" -Luke Meals for Kathy Evanov The LOL office set up a meal train for Kathy Evanov. Feel free to sign-up and/or share with others in our community! Instructions on how to sign up for a meal: 1. Click here to access Kathy's online meal train web page 2. Scroll down to see dates available to deliver a meal 3. Click "Volunteer for this" by any date you want to deliver a meal 4. Create an account or sign in with Facebook If you have any questions or issues using Meal Train, please Caitie Welding. Notes from the Music Man Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! It is a time for family to gather and enjoy time together. It is a time for sharing gifts with loved ones. It is a time for great music, Christmas pageants, holiday concerts, and festive decorations both inside and out. But let's not forget that most importantly, it is a time to celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior! Music plays such an important role in our celebrations, and why should Christmas be any different? In the past, the choir has brought you the Christmas story during the morning worship services. This year, we are inviting you to a holiday concert this coming Sunday at 3:00 pm here at Lord of Life in our Worship Center. Our intent is to bring you the joy and wonder of the entire Christmas season through the gift of music. Not only will you get to sing some of the great songs of the season, but also the Seventh Avenue Carolers from Anoka High School will join us! Our Christmas Festival Choir of over 40 singers, LOL kids choir, our new ladies quartet called Chorder Notes, the Singing Ambassadors, and Proclaim! Bell Choir will ALL join to make this a joy-filled afternoon with both familiar and some new Christmas music! Following the concert, you are invited to a time of fellowship in our atrium. After all, what

10 would a gathering in a Lutheran church be without coffee and treats? Bring your family and friends and come early to hear Carol Hokel and myself do some piano/organ Christmas duets. Hope to see you all Sunday afternoon! Bruce Phelps Rada Cut lery Sale We will be taking orders for RADA Cutlery between services this Sunday. LAST CHANCE TO O RDER! Orders will available for pickup on December 17. Upcoming Events

11 You're invited to Stoney River for a Holiday Open House EXCLUSIVE to Lord of Life! It's time to Eat, Drink & Be Merry! Where: Stoney River Assisted Living (14401 Nowthen Blvd NW, Ramsey) When: Tuesday, December 12 from 4:00-6:00 pm 'Tis the season to mix & mingle. Celebrate the warmth of the season with us with appetizers, drinks and desserts, oh joy! Please call to RSVP to Stoney River by TODAY, December 5. U pcom ing NAMI Clas s Family-to -Family Learn about mental illnesses, the brain, treatment, and resources to help a loved one living with a mental illness. Attendees will also build communication skills, reduce stress, find support and discover the common Stages of Emotional Responses when supporting someone with a mental illness. This workshop meets weekly for two and a half hours for 12-weeks and is for family and friends of an adult living with a mental illness. Coon Rapids, Tuesday January 9 from 6:30-9:00 pm

12 (No meeting on February 6) For more information or to register, contact Amy at or Ann at STAY CONNECTED: