ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE S MONTHLY NEWS ST. LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH 4299 S NC HWY 150 LEXINGTON NC 27295

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1 DECEMBER 2017 ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE S MONTHLY NEWS ST. LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH 4299 S NC HWY 150 LEXINGTON NC DECEMBER 2017 December is a very special time. While the rest of the world is already celebrating the birth of Jesus the church keeps a season called Advent. Advent is a time of reflection on what does it mean that Christ came and He is coming again. Each Sunday we will be lighting a candle on an Advent wreath symbolizing that Christ brings the light of forgiveness, hope, and new beginnings to a world that in many ways has lost its way. One way to remember keep this season is to give names for each of these candles. The first one is prophesy. The message of the prophets, especially Isaiah is a Messiah is coming. Before the New Testament was written Isaiah was the favorite of early church. The second is the Holy Family. It was the obedience of Mary and Joseph to give birth to Jesus and be his earthly parents. The third represents the shepherds who saw a star and an angelic chorus that led them to go to Bethlehem to worship the Christ Child. The fourth candle represents Bethlehem with the invitation to worship the gift of our Savior by welcoming Him to live among us. During the week there are things we can do to assist in our preparation. If you are one of those folks who send Christmas cards take time to purchase cards that have religious themes, such as the Holy Family, the shepherds, the manager, or the Wise Men. Try to avoid sending reindeer, elves, Santa Claus or snowy scenes. Take some time to decide who you would like to send greetings, and try to write a note to people especially close to you or people you think might be lonely this season. Have morning devotions and read some sections out of Isaiah, such as chapters 9, 11, 40, 42, 52, 53, and 55. Reflect on what this scripture is telling us about the Messiah whose birth we are about to celebrate. Read chapters 1 and 2 of Matthew. Finally read chapters 1 and 2 of Luke, Just read a little bit each day and reflect on what they might be telling you about the arrival of Jesus, who grew up to become a man. Find a special ministry to celebrate with an offering. Hospice, Lutheran World Relief, ELCA disaster relief, or the Lutheran Homes of North Carolina would be just some of the possibilities. Make certain to get to worship each week to help you focus on the Christ child and what his arrival means to you this year. Invite an unchurched friend and their family to come to church with you to share in the joy and excitement of the the anticipation of the season. There are many members who could also be invited for this special season. Let me share with to three events that will be happening at worship. On December 17 Ka-Cee Bliss Elliott, daughter of Kevin Elliott, and Angela Shoaf will be baptized. On December 24 the choir will be offering a cantata. Then that evening at 7 pm we will be celebrating the birth Jesus with Lessons and Carols. Have a Reflective Advent and a Merry Christmas. Shalom; Pastor Bernie Hess

2 VOLUNTEERS SERVING IN DECEMBER USHERS: Lance Barrett, Don Shoaf Mike Myers, Larry Koontz COMMUNION USHERS: Bill Swicegood, Kent Dougan COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Kaye Leonard Connie Leonard Phyllis Sowers Autumn Freeman LAY READERS: Everett Pye Merriett Payne ACOLYTE: Emma Bailey CRUCIFER: Lillian Bailey OPEN & CLOSE CHURCH: Larry Koontz ALTAR: Neplus Hall HOSPITALITY: Nell Kimbrel Vivien Helmase CHILDREN S CHURCH/NURSERY April Leonard

3 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE Sun: Dec 3 Tues: Dec 5 10:00 AM Sunday School... First Sunday in Advent 11:00 AM Worship & Holy Communion... 1:00 PM Annual Christmas Dinner/ Christmas Play : One Baby Jesus 6:00 PM Simerson Circle V-Hall Sun: Dec 10 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship... Second Sunday in Advent Sat: Dec 16 6:00 PM Choir Holiday Munsters Sun: Dec 17 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Third Sunday in Advent Wed: Dec 20 Choir Cantata Rehearsal Sun: Dec 24 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Fourth Sunday in Advent...Cantata 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Candlelight & Holy Communion Mon: Dec 25 CHRISTMAS DAY NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS IN DECEMBER!

4 2 Leigh Swicegood 2 Angena LeBarre 3 Barbara Smith 3 Douglas Leonard 6 Kyle Smith 6 Len Presnell 7 Dean McQuay 10 Hank Sowers 12 Abi Conner 20 Crickett Leonard 20 Charles Clodfelter 21 Haley Sink 22 Mary Burrus 24 Kent Dougan 26 Neplus Hall 27 Emily Giles 28 Wayne Brinkle CONGRATULATIONS! to Sandy Owens, James Kimbrell and Neplus Hall who were elected for a three year term on the church council. These new members are invited to attend the December council meeting. THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER will be hosted by the Women of the ELCA Sunday, December 3 immediately following worship service. A sign up sheet is in the hallway going into Pless Hall and on the bulletin board in Vanderford Hall. The cost will be $6.00 for adults; $3.00 for 12 years and under. The deadline for signing up is Thursday November 30. If you have not signed up, you may call Barbara Smith ( ) The youth will present The Christmas Play, One Baby Jesus. POINSETTIAS may be placed in the church for the third Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve worship service in honor or in memory of loved ones. A form is included in this newsletter or ask the ushers if you need a form. Cost of poinsettias are $10 each. The deadline is Sunday December 10. JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM will be held at the Tyro Methodist on Dec. 3 and 4 from 6:30 to 9:00. People will be given a glimpse of what it must have been like 2000 years ago in the city of Bethlehem when Joseph and Mary made that trek to be counted and our Savior was born in the stable. What a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season! 2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES are in the narthex of the church. You may pick up the box with your name and number. If you have not been using envelopes but wish to do so there are extra envelopes available. It would be helpful to the tellers if everyone would use the envelopes and please be sure to write your name on the envelopes for a few weeks. Congratulations to Jonathan Sowers and Christy Gaylor Sowers who were married November 2, 2017 May God bless them in their life together. Dear Simerson Circle, Thank you so very much for remembering my birthday in such a wonderful way. I do appreciate all the church has done to help me. I will miss St. Luke s. My new address is : Jeanette Russell 425 Deerfield Drive Mt. Holly NC I would enjoy continuing to receive the church newsletter. Thank you so much! Fondly, Jeanette Russell Thank you for the cards, visits & prayers during my recent illness. The chicken pie was delicious. I am so blessed to have such a caring church family. Love Garland Just wanted to say Thank You for the chicken pie and say how sorry I am that I missed the visit from you all. You have always been there for me and I truly love you all for it. Please continue to pray for me! Thanks, Brenda Willson

5 Please remember in your prayers: In Care Facilities ALSTON BROOK Mildred Shoaf ABBOTS CREEK Linda Pless BROOKDALE Wilma Leonard LUTHERAN HOME Cindy Rentz Shut-in at Home, or other Continuing Needs Barbara Allred Ted Leonard Doris Howard Leigh Swicegood Steve Brown Pastor Jeff Hoffner Gilda Brown Lena Shoaf Jaxie Ogburn Lena Presnell Len Presnell Kathryn Davis Jeanette Russell Doris Newcomb Casey Shoaf Bonnie Giles Cathy Stanford Pat Frank Shirley Giles Violet Watkins Cindy Nance Diamond Suber Betty Stokes Todd Kimbrell Betty Lyon Colleen Hoffner Susan Rinehart Tolvie Forshee Barbara Sharpe Kaye Parker Pegge Swicegood Carol Hinson Callie Wynn Amber Hincher Tommy Floyd Mellanie Brown Lonnie Simerson Brenda Willson Barry Parker Ernest Cook Jim Bryson Vander Pierce Angie Gray Shannon Nance Carla Meisner Chris Allen Gregory Borland Jr. Jackie Staley Max Shoaf Tommy Poag Kenny Wright Karen Wright and all in need of God s care. POINSETTIAS FOR THE CHURCH FOR ADVENT 3 AND CHRISTMAS EVE MAY BE PLACED IN HON- OR OR MEMORY OF LOVED ONES, OR AS A GIFT TO THE GLORY OF GOD. POINSETTIAS ARE WRAPPED WITH PAPER & BOW. THEY WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE CHURCH ON 12/15. THEY MAY BE PICKED-UP AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE. COST IS $ PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE ($10.00 PER PLANT) TO ST. LUKE S FOR POINSETTIAS, AND FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW SO WE CAN PRINT YOUR DESIGNATION IN THE BULLETIN. BE SURE TO INDICATE THE COLOR YOU DESIRE. ( ) RED ( ) WHITE GIVEN BY: ( ) IN HONOR OF -- OR -- ( ) IN MEMORY OF DEADLINE FOR ORDERS IS DECEMBER 10

6 CHRISMONS: CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS: CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS Handmade Christmas Tree Ornaments have been popular since the first Christmas Trees were used in sixteenth century Europe. A fairly recent innovation to this practice in the last half century is to use various traditional symbols of the Christian Faith as the motif of the ornaments. St. Luke s has had a Chrismon Tree since the early 1970 s. The trees used in the beginning were live trees, then due to safety reasons,we began using an artificial tree. New Chrismons have been made by Merriett Payne, Jean Payne and Barbara Smith in memory St. Luke members who have died in the past year. Family members of Richard Rick Comer,Teresa Ann Shoaf Baker, Franklin Dwight Smith, Donald M. Phillips, James Darrell Kimbrell, Sr, Lorrena Ann Brockwell Gilmore, Catherine Mae Swicegood, Teresa Jones Davis and Anna Harner are invited to attend next Sunday as we will dedicate these new Chrismons and may place the ornament on the Tree to the glory of God Sunday, December 3. VICTORY CROWN: Symbolism: The crown symbolizes the Kingship o our Lord and His victory over our sin and death. In memory of Richard Rick Comer POINSETTIA: Symbolism: The poinsettia was introduced to us in 1825 out of southern Mexico. It is known as the Christmas Star or Christmas Flower. Today it is used as a Christmas decoration in churches and homes. To modern Christians, the poinsettia represents purity and is symbolic of Christian regeneration, brought on by the birth of Christ. It is also associated with happiness and celebration. The star shape, formed by the leaves reminds us of the star that was present at the first Christmas. Its red coloration reminds us of the blood Christ shed so that we might be forgiven of our sins. In memory Teresa Ann Shoaf Baker WREATH WITH DOVE: Symbolism: The circle or wreath symbolizes Eternal Love or Eternal Life. Through Baptism we receive the promise of Eternal Life. After his baptism, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16 In memory of Franklin Dwight Smith TRINITY CROSS: Symbolism:Three Latin crosses in three colors represent the Holy Trinity, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. In memory of Donald M. Phillips BELL OF ENCOURAGEMENT: Symbolism: The Christian should be encouraged when the bells are heard and more toward rededication and commitment to the Faith. In memory of James Darrell Kimbrell, Sr PEARL STAR CROSS: Symbolism: The 4 points of the Star represents the 4 corners of the Earth, 4 Gospels, and 4 Evangelists. (It is also called Cross Etoile) In memory of Lorrena Ann Brockwell Gilmore BEADED RIBBON CROSS: Symbolism: The circle of beads represents the eternal presence of God. The 2 figure eight ribbons symbolize infinity. God has and will always exist, with no beginning or end. In memory of Catherine Mae Swicegood ALPHA & OMEGA INTERTWINED: Symbolism: the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Both are the symbols of Divinity, the beginning and the end. In memory of Anna Harner SHELL: Symbolism: The Shell symbolizes the regeneration of Baptism; the ritual of purification by water. The three drops of water symbolizes the Triune. Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, then you also shall receive this gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 In memory of Teresa Jones Davis

7 DECEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 11 AM Worship/ Holy Comm. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER & PLAY AM Worship 12 PM Worship & Music meets 12 PM Social Ministry meets PM Simerson Hall PM Property Committee 6 6:30 PM Chimes 6:30 Cemetery Committee meets 7:00 PM Choir 8:00 PM Tyro Lutherans 13 6:30 PM Chimes 7:00 PM Choir 8:00 PM Tyro Lutherans :00 PM Choir Holiday AM Worship 5 PM Council :30 PM Chimes 7:00 PM Choir 8:00 PM Tyro Lutherans 21 7 PM History and Homecoming Committee AM S.S. 11 AM CANTATA 7 PM CHRISTMAS EVE with Communion AM Worship 25 CHRISTMAS DAY NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS IN DECEMBER!