The King s Messenger

Transcription

1 The King s Messenger King of Glory Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA 6012 River Road Flushing, Michigan Rev. Joyce Johnston, Pastor December, 2016 Proclaiming Christ through Thought, Word, and Deed! From the Desk of Pastor Joyce CELEBRATING ADVENT WITH MARTIN LUTHER 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! [Luke 2:8-14] Paul L Maier writes: In the theological tumult that was Martin Luther s life, the great reformer seemed to be heartened each year by the great festivals of the church, particularly Advent and Christmas. The man who "invented" the Protestant parsonage was also sustained by a blazing sense of humor and a happy home life. It was open house all year in the large converted monastery at the east end of Wittenberg where Luther, his wife Katie, and their six children lived, along with numerous students who stayed there as well. One of the students wrote that as Christmas approached, Luther grew increasingly cheerful: "All his words and songs and thoughts concerned the incarnation of our Lord. Then he [Luther] sighed and said, 'Oh, we poor people that we should be so cold and indifferent to this great joy that has been given us. For this is indeed the greatest gift, which far exceeds all else that God has created. Yet we believe so sluggishly, even though the angels proclaim and preach and sing, and their lovely song sums up the whole Christian faith, for 'Glory to God in the highest' is the very heart of worship." As we celebrate Advent and Christmas this year, let us also focus on the Birth of Christ. Let us not be so focused on the Christmas parties, presents, decorations, and family gatherings that we neglect the reason we celebrate Jesus Christ our Lord who was born to die for us on the cross that we might be forgiven and live with him forever. This is the greatest gift ever, and it is God s I love you! Your servant in Christ, Pastor Joyce

2 Page 2 The King s Messenger December, 2016 Our 2016 Church Council Karen Crandell - President George Stevens - Vice President Marlene Juhasz - Secretary Gene Macey - Treasurer Council Liaisons Mike LeBlanc Property Felicia Cook Christian Education Sally Wenk Community Service George Stevens Stewardship & Evangelism Marlene Juhasz Congregational Life Alwen Wenk Worship & Music Non-Council Functions Dave Porter Financial Secretary Carl Hansen Bookkeeper HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS! Marco Ziraldo December 2 Stewardship Reflections October Attendance & Stewardship 2016 Service 2015 Service 25 mo. avg. 29 mo. avg. Income Expenses Over/Under 2016 $ 5,317 $ 4,819 $ $ 4,887 $ 4,579 $ 308 Let s all try to remember to set aside those loose bills and coins, and to bring them on our LOOSE CHANGE SUNDAY on December 18. This month s collection will be donated to the Old Newsboys Christmas program. George McIntyre December 7 Pat Falk December 9 And, a belated happy birthday wish to: Dan Rider - November 11 Happy Anniversary! Donald & Felicia Cook December 8 Jim & Sharon Holbrook December 23 Bible Study Update Our Monday afternoon Bible study will not meet in December, but will resume in January. The Wednesday morning group will meet on December 7 and 14.

3 Page 3 The King s Messenger December, 2016 Come and Worship the New Born King! Christmas is one of our two most important religious days of the entire year. As Christians, we should all want to honor this very holy day and the incredibly blessed event it represents. Our special Christmas Eve candlelight service is a beautiful and joyous event. It begins at 9:00 p.m.at our church on Christmas Eve. Don t miss it this year. Bring friends and relatives. You ll be glad you did! Christmas Caroling December 11 Come and join us as we go Christmas caroling for friends and loved ones we know. You don t need to be a talented singer. The more we have, the better we ll sound. We will do it right after the worship service on Sunday, December 11, and we will carpool. If you have someone to whom you would like us to sing, please let Karen or Sally know. They do NOT have to be members of the church. During this special season of Advent, at each Sunday service we have a brief ceremony for the lighting of the Advent candle. Let Pastor know that you will help with the brief reading on one Sunday. Many thanks to everyone who has brought in old shoes for charity! The collection continues through year s end, so please continue to bring them in! Thanks!

4 Page 4 The King s Messenger December, 2016 The Community Service Committee is supporting the Old Newsboys for Christmas this year! This month s Loose Change will support this program. If you would like to donate a gift for a boy or girl (any age), please have the unwrapped gift to the church by December 18. Cash donations are also accepted and appreciated. Your Church Council Update At its most recent meetings, our Council agreed to: 1. Change the entrance door locks on the church and issue keys to those who have a good reason to need a key. 2. Schedule the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 29, Purchase a new color printer for the church office. 4. Per MI Synod recommendation, reactivate a Mutual Ministry Committee, consisting of Pastor Joyce, Jerry Mooney, and Karen Crandell. 5. Support Old Newsboys of Flint program with collections of money and toys. The Stewardship & Evangelism Committee will meet again at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 18. Flushing Christian Outreach Center For the Flushing Christian Outreach Center, we will collecting: Laundry and dish soap in December Shampoo and conditioner in January Many thanks to Pastor Joyce for the nice European slide presentation, and, to those who did the work of providing the tasty pizza lunch!

5 4 11:00 Worship 18 11:00 Worship 25 11:00 Worship 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 11:00 Worship Sunday School today! 11 KING OF GLORY LUTHERAN CHURCH 11:00 Worship 12:00 CAROLING 10:00 Stew/Evan Meets 12:00 Council Meets Sunday School Today! CHRISTMAS DAY! 5 3:30 Book Club 12 5:30 Evening Book Club Meets 19 3:30 Book Club 26 5:30 Evening Book Club Meets :15 Bible Study 10:15 Bible Study In case of an emergency, please phone: Pastor Joyce Johnston (810) Home (810) Cell Christmas Eve Service 9:00 p.m. Page 5

6 King of Glory MINISTRY SCHEDULE December, 2016 Altar Care: Dec 4 Ginger Gebhardt Dec 11 Betty Wittman Dec 18 Sally Wenk Dec 25 Ginger Gebhardt Coffee Hour Hosts: Dec 4 Open Dec 11 Open Dec 18 Open Dec 25 Open Counters: Dec 4 Dec 11 Dec 18 Dec 25 Dave Porter Mike Stanton Carl Hansen Bob Fairbanks Greeters: Dec 4 Donna W & Alwen W Dec 11 Eleanor I & Marge S Dec 18 Connie & Mike S Dec 25 Mary G & Volunteer Lectors: Dec 4 Dave Porter Dec 11 Marlene Juhasz Dec 18 Felicia Cook Dec 25 Mike Stanton Ushers: Dec 4 Dennis Mattis Dec 11 Jerry Mooney Dec 18 Mike LeBlanc Dec 25 Mike Stanton King of Glory Lutheran Church 6012 River Road Flushing, MI KING OF GLORY LUTHERAN CHURCH 6012 RIVER ROAD Flushing, MI ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY. FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY... A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE KING - Luke 2:10