First Epistle. First Lutheran Church, Newton IA. From the Pastor...

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1 2013 First Lutheran Church, Newton IA From the Pastor... Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. First Epistle Advent is here the beginning of the Church year. And the Church year begins with a season of preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Over the next four weeks we will get all things ready for the arrival of the Messiah. We prepare lights, we bake cookies, we ring bells, we sing songs, we buy gifts to share with family and friends, we prepare for celebrations and family gatherings. All of this to prepare for a special guest of honor the Messiah. But who is this Messiah we are waiting for? For several months now I ve been a storyteller. I ve worked to shape the story of God and the story of ourselves into one giant story. I ve worked to help define meaning in our stories through the story of God in the world. And the story of God in the world is seen in sharpest detail and clearest focus in the story of the coming of the Messiah. So here again, we must ask: who is this Messiah we are waiting for? The word Messiah is Hebrew for the anointed one (our word Christ comes from the Greek translation of Messiah) and originally referred to the anointed king or ruler of Israel. As Israel s history developed and the various kings of Israel and Judah became corrupt or failed to lead the people or even were forced to abdicate their thrones due to aggressive foreign powers, the people began to look for a new anointed one a new Messiah from God who would eliminate the enemies of the Jews and reestablish a strong and independent nation. Looking back in their history, the Jews saw King David s reign as the height and epitome of their nation. David was their ideal king, the country was never so good as it was under David, or so they saw it. The Messiah they were looking for would return them to this glory day of old. The Messiah would remove the threat of foreign oppression and reestablish a new Israel. Advent is here the beginning of the Church year. This is the season we prepare for Jesus arrival on earth, the human we call Messiah is coming as a small baby boy. The one who will reestablish a new Israel is about to be born. And yet, when we look at the story of Jesus, his life and subsequent death, we do not see him obviously doing what all the Jews of his day were expecting the Messiah to do. What gives? How does this work? Here is what I think. The Jews, like we do so often, were looking back into their history for something they remembered as wonderful and good. If only we could get back to that time, they would say. If only someone would fix everything today so that it would be like it was. They wanted the days of King David as well as an independent and secure Israel. They wanted their Messiah to do that. So how does Jesus fit this? Jesus ministry was not about a return to the past. Rather it was about a transformation of the future. Instead of turning back to a place that never truly existed (David s reign was not as wonderful or amazing as the collective Judean memory would claim), Jesus moved forward into a new future. Israel was scared of the power and resentful of the authority these foreign people had over them. Jesus came to reshape their world to see these foreigners as no longer outsides, but insiders. Jesus mission and ministry was not about creating an insular community completely cut off and protected from anyone outside, but rather to create a far grander community where all people everywhere are full citizens, where all people everywhere are sisters and brothers in one family. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Fellowship & Education 10:30 a.m.

First Evangelical Lutheran Church 309 E. 3rd St. N., Newton, IA 50208 Phone: 641-792-3934 Fax: 641-792-3937 Email: first.luth.office@windstream.net www.newtonfirstlutheran.

com 641-521-0329 Secretary Duane Quanbeck dlquanbeck@yahoo.com 641-831-9170 Treasurer Bruce Coyle luthtreasurer@iowatelecom.net Administrative Assistant Kellie Kramer first.luth.office@windstream.

Darcy Van Dam 12/7 Suzanne Von Seggern 12/12 Vicki Porter Pat Putz 12/14 Morgan Allen Todd Brown Jim McVey 12/16 Lynette Marvelli 12/17 Thadeus Godfredsen Karen Hansen Chancel Flowers Dec.

29 12/19 Mary Greve Allan Orsund 12/21 Tim Hemann 12/22 Kathie Johnson Kendra Odland 12/24 Linda LoRang 12/26 Charles Elliott Thomas Hayden Robert Sandquist 12/27 Craig Peterson 12/28 Deb Greve

2 First Evangelical Lutheran Church 309 E. 3rd St. N., Newton, IA Phone: Fax: Pastor Zach Bey President Jayne Goos Vice President Evelyn George Secretary Duane Quanbeck Treasurer Bruce Coyle Administrative Assistant Kellie Kramer Pastor s Office Hours Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:00-Noon or by appointment Happy Birthday 12/2 Blake Baumgartner Connor Hayden 12/3 Cailyn Grabe 12/6 Carter McDermott Alec Morgan Darcy Van Dam 12/7 Suzanne Von Seggern 12/12 Vicki Porter Pat Putz 12/14 Morgan Allen Todd Brown Jim McVey 12/16 Lynette Marvelli 12/17 Thadeus Godfredsen Karen Hansen Chancel Flowers Dec. 1 Orsund Dec. 8 George Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Mary Jo Greve Dec /19 Mary Greve Allan Orsund 12/21 Tim Hemann 12/22 Kathie Johnson Kendra Odland 12/24 Linda LoRang 12/26 Charles Elliott Thomas Hayden Robert Sandquist 12/27 Craig Peterson 12/28 Deb Greve Ashley Swartz 12/29 Zach Bey 12/30 Garnet Beenen Mae Van Dam The Food Pantry would like us to emphasize a specific item for December. Remember, you may bring any item you wish, but spreading this among the contributing congregations keeps a steady supply of their most basic needs coming each month. For the month of December, paper products (towels, napkins, toilet paper), sanitary care items, and diapers have been requested. There is a basket in the narthex for all food pantry items. Thank you for being so generous. Fellowship Dec. 1 Kirchhoff, Thompson, Middelstadt Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Please sign up to provide flowers and fellowship.

Please Help Usher at Church Ushers help the church service run smoothly and on time. While we have ushers for each service having a full staff of ushers on a regular basis is important.

Adult Choir will practice on Wednesday December 18th Need New Community Dinner Coordinator We need a replacement for this position. On the 4th Wednesday of the month you will plan a large simple meal.

3 Please Help Usher at Church Ushers help the church service run smoothly and on time. While we have ushers for each service having a full staff of ushers on a regular basis is important. Come be a part of a great team. We need 2 for the 1st Sunday. Call the office to help at Adult Choir will practice on Wednesday December 18th Need New Community Dinner Coordinator We need a replacement for this position. On the 4th Wednesday of the month you will plan a large simple meal. You will shop for your meal at the Salvation Army and Fareway. You can bring help to shop and arrange volunteers to help cook, set-up, serve and cleanup. If the month has a 5th Wednesday, you will help with the All Churches meal to provide a portion of the food and help. We have great regular volunteers and contacts to help you plan and organize. Anyone interested in this important service, or wishing to coordinate with a friend, please contact the church office at Poinsettias for Christmas Once again, you may purchase a poinsettia for church if you would like to provide a poinsettia to decorate the church for this Christmas season, and to take home afterwards. The price of poinsettias this year is $9.00. Please put a check in the offering plate or leave at the office marked with your name and for poinsettias. First Lutheran did it again! During October our members contributed $5379 to the Children's Hospital at Zinga. Choices in Mission matched the gifts with the maximum contribution of $5000, bringing the total gift to $10,379. This is an amazing gift for a congregation our size. It will buy all the materials remaining to complete the walls of the hospital's first building, with a little left over to start the roof. Our generosity gives children half a world away better chances for meaningful lives. Thank you. Thank you. Please remember to say thank you to Stan Kirchhoff for all the work he has done around the church and painting the window frames! A big thank you to Amy Jolivette for the new bulletin board in the fellowship hall! Wednesday Night Community Dinners: THANK YOU to the people that helped with our Wednesday Night Community Dinners all year! Due to the holidays we are not scheduled for any Wednesday Night Community Dinners in December. Please join us again in January to continue this very important service.

Central Iowa Choral Society: Handel s Messiah Sunday, December 1, 6:30pm Come to sing or come to watch Hope United Methodist Church, 2203 South 3rd Ave, Marshalltown The CICS wishes to honor the

The chorus will sing Part 1 and the Hallelujah chorus. No solos will be sung this year and all parts not sung will be read. Scores may be purchased for $14.00 prior to the performance.

8th All confirmed members are encouraged to attend to elect three new council members and to approve the 2014 budget. 18th Annual Christmas Walk Dec.

Each church is to bring four (4) dozen cookies. Contact the office 792-3934, if you will be bringing cookies.

4 Central Iowa Choral Society: Handel s Messiah Sunday, December 1, 6:30pm Come to sing or come to watch Hope United Methodist Church, 2203 South 3rd Ave, Marshalltown The CICS wishes to honor the annual tradition of presenting a Messiah offering for the community. As in years past, Harlan Nuss will direct and Chad Mussig will accompany on the organ. The chorus will sing Part 1 and the Hallelujah chorus. No solos will be sung this year and all parts not sung will be read. Scores may be purchased for $14.00 prior to the performance. We are encouraging all members of area communities to participate! Salvation Army Bell Ringing Saturday, December 7th Sign up in the narthex! Congregational meeting Dec. 8th All confirmed members are encouraged to attend to elect three new council members and to approve the 2014 budget. 18th Annual Christmas Walk Dec. 8th at 3pm Join us for scripture reading, prayer and caroling at each of eight (8) churches. Fellowship and refreshments will be shared at the end of the walk. Each church is to bring four (4) dozen cookies. Contact the office , if you will be bringing cookies. Children s Christmas Program, December 15th, during service Practices for the children s program will be held on December 1st and 8th during the regular Sunday School time, 10:30-11:30. Sunday School will not be held on these dates. The children s program will be performed during regular service at 9:30a.m. on December 15th. Chili & Caroling Dec. 15th, 4:45pm We will gather at church, then set out to carol for minutes. Meet back about 6:15 for chili by Doug Wilken. If you want to eat but not sing, please stay to decorate. We need volunteers for drinks and clean up.

Senior High Youth Christmas Party Wednesday, December 18th, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Come for some festive fellowship as we watch the classic Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and enjoy some Christmas cookies.

Gifts are to be $5 $10 and suggestions for gifts will be on the chart in the narthex. Wrap the gift and be sure the resident s name is on it. The gifts are to be brought to church by December 15th.

Choices In Mission: December The December Choices in Mission opportunity is the ELCA Disaster Relief Fund, also known as Lutheran Disaster Response. This was chosen due to Typhoon Haiyan.

Lutheran Disaster Response works with local agencies in areas where disaster has occurred. Our response team works behind the scenes.

5 Senior High Youth Christmas Party Wednesday, December 18th, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Come for some festive fellowship as we watch the classic Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and enjoy some Christmas cookies. All senior high youth are welcome! Christmas at Careage First Lutheran will once again be giving Christmas gifts to residents at Careage nursing home. Gifts are to be $5 $10 and suggestions for gifts will be on the chart in the narthex. Wrap the gift and be sure the resident s name is on it. The gifts are to be brought to church by December 15th. A box will be in the narthex near the sign up sheet for wrapped gifts. Thank you on behalf of the Careage residents. Choices In Mission: December The December Choices in Mission opportunity is the ELCA Disaster Relief Fund, also known as Lutheran Disaster Response. This was chosen due to Typhoon Haiyan. Lutheran Disaster Response is not the first disaster relief team to respond to any given crisis, but they are often the ones who stay the longest. Lutheran Disaster Response works with local agencies in areas where disaster has occurred. Our response team works behind the scenes. They are not working with the US Military, they are organizing for relief efforts which will last years beyond the immediate crisis. And they stay for as long as help is needed. Lutheran Disaster Response is currently working in the Philippines, Syria, in response to flooding and tornadoes in the US, including Hurricane Sandy. And in areas which are experiencing humanitarian relief needs such as Angola, Central African Republic and Namibia. Lutheran Disaster Relief does not leave an area when the next disaster in the world happens, but they do expand their work to meet the new needs. They are responding to Typhoon Haiyan, and they will respond to the tornados which ripped across the Midwest in November. As usual, all offerings through First Lutheran Church for the ELCA Disaster Relief Fund, made during the month of December will be matched, up to $5000. Envelopes will be provided in the pews for your convenience.

6 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Jesus life, subsequent death, and redeeming resurrection tells a story of removing the threat and oppression of foreigners upon Israel, not by eliminating those others, but by bringing them into the same grand and awesome and powerful story of the Messiah coming to save and restore. Through Jesus the Christ, we all share a common story. And those who share a common story are family and friends and community. Our barriers and obstacles, our fears and uncertainties, can come down through the work of the Messiah we call Jesus. They are no longer needed. And the void left by relinquishing those stumbling blocks and our longing for something else is filled with the unconditional compassion and love given by God as seen through Jesus the Messiah. Our story is now a story of restoration, of bringing people together, of finding the thread that binds us together. This is what the Messiah does. And through these actions we find salvation. We find a gathering of people who see the Messiah in the tiniest and most helpless members of our communities. We find the Messiah in the those who challenge critically the status quo. We find the Messiah that lives within everyone. So, during this Advent season, open your eyes and keep watch, for the Messiah is coming in unexpected ways. Open your eyes and keep watch, for Jesus is coming. Amen. Peace, Pastor Zach Attention High School Youth and Families: A High School mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, is currently being planned for July The cost will be $320.00, plus travel and meals. Contact Judy Monroe for more information, by phone at or by at mmonroe@pcpartner.net Offering Envelopes Your 2014 offering envelopes are now available for pick up in the narthex. Please take them home for use starting in January Keep up with church news at ELCA.ORG ELCA Malaria Campaign expands to two more countries With the addition of Namibia and Burundi, the ELCA Malaria Campaign now supports Lutheran companion churches and organizations in 13 countries in Africa to provide community-based malaria programs. See "Expanding to 13 countries" at Prayer Corner Would you like to offer prayer as a gift to your church family? Thought is being given to reforming a prayer chain or virtual prayer group, with notification options including or text message. Please contact the church office if you would like to participate and indicate your preferred method of contact. Please pray for our church family, our country and world.

First Epistle. First Lutheran Church, Newton IA. From the Pastor...

First Epistle. First Lutheran Church, Newton IA. From the Pastor... From the Pastor... First Lutheran Church, Newton IA 2014 Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. First Epistle We are waiting for the Lord, the Messiah, to come that s what Advent is all about. But who exactly are we