Grapevine FROM YOUR PASTOR... D

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1 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Volume 367 December 2018 The Grapevine The Gloria Dei Grapevine is the monthly newsletter of Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact us. Pastor Dennis J. Himm 5005 M c Candlish Rd. Grand Blanc, MI Phone:(810) revhimm@gmail.com I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John15:5 Please Join Us Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30am Adult, Teen, & Children s Sunday School at 11:00am, September thru May Adult Bible Study - every Thursday at 9:00am Youth Group (6 th -12 th grade) Meets twice monthly September thru May, and once monthly June thru August. Lutheran Pioneers (K-8th grade) Meets twice monthly September thru May. FROM YOUR PASTOR... D o you do anything special for others on their birthday? I suppose who it is makes a difference, doesn t it? What you do for your spouse or child or your parents, will be different than what you do for your second cousin or your neighbor. What about your Savior? What about He who died for you? What about He who guarantees your bodily resurrection? What about He who is preparing your place in heaven, so you can be with Him and all the saints eternally? I pray that you make the time to celebrate the birthday of a very, very special person, Jesus Christ, your Redeemer. He welcomes your praises and presence. HYMNS FOR THE SEASONS: Advent and Christmas: To Shepherds as They Watched by Night (CW 53) What is the meaning of Christmas? Many today would answer, Shopping and gift giving. Others might say, Praying for peace on earth. Some regard it as a time to make special memories with family and friends. The month of December carries a heavy load of expectations, but often it leaves people feeling disappointed. The Bethlehem shepherds probably trudged to work on that first Christmas evening with low expectations. Just another night, keeping watch over their flocks. Then a single angel changed everything. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:11). Soon that singular voice was joined by an angelic choir: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14). What excitement! What joy! The heavenly Father sends his only Son to save the world from sin and death, and the shepherds were the first to hear of it. The Christ Child would not disappoint! In his 1543 hymn To Shepherds as They Watched by Night, Martin Luther captures the profound event taking place that Christmas night. Our eternal God came in mystery, hidden as the tender babe... in yonder lowly manger laid (stanza 1). Wrapped in human flesh and frailty, Jesus came to be the world s perfect substitute, our Savior. Reflecting the imagery of Hebrews chapter 2, Luther urges us to rejoice that, through his Son, God is with sinners now at one; made like yourselves of flesh and blood, your brother is th eternal God (stanza 3). Now that God himself has human flesh, what is there to fear? Let hell and Satan storm and rave, Christ is your brother you are safe.... Let ev ry scheme the tempter try, you may his utmost pow rs defy (stanzas 4,5). Continued on page 3

2 Serving in December December 2 Ushers: Harold Fox, Jim Sharich, Jim Luisier Greeters: Barb Lambert & Judy Yake Communion Set Up: Himm Communion Assistants: Gary Richmond & Tom Furnner Power Point Assistant: Reagan Moore Counters: Hoppe & Luisier Cleaners: Moore December 9 Ushers: Jeff Edgett, Tobias Edgett, & Garrett Edgett Greeter: SueAnn Callahan Power Point Assistant: Joe Hoppe Counters: Mortimer & Metz Cleaners: Kritzman December 12 - Advent Service, 7:00 pm Ushers: Joe King, Brian King, & Eric Metz Greeters: The Edgett Family Power Point Assistant: Garrett Edgett Counters: Kritzman & Leplow December 16 Ushers: Mark Moore, Logan Moore, & Reagan Moore Greeters: Scott & Donna Freimark Communion Set Up: Himm Communion Assistants: Joe King & Pete Straub Power Point Assistant: Tobias Edgett Counters: Callahan & Furnner Cleaners: Himm December 23 Ushers: Zach Kritzman, John Kritzman, & Tom Furnner Greeters: Bob & Susanna Kost Power Point Assistant: Brenna Moore Counters: Mortimer & Major Cleaners: Hoppe December 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 7:00pm Ushers: Ralph Dudley, Scott Mortimer, & Bob Kost, Sr. Greeters: The Kritzman Family Power Point Assistant: Reagan Moore Counters: Hoppe & Luisier December 25 - Christmas Morning Service, 10:00am Ushers: Jim Sharich, Kent Kerwin, & Harold Fox Greeters: Joe & Sharon King Power Point Assistant: Tobias Edgett Counters: Mortimer & Metz December 30 Ushers: Jeff Edgett, Tobias Edgett, & Garrett Edgett Greeters: The Mortimer Family Power Point Assistant: Joe Hoppe Counters: Kritzman & Leplow Cleaners: Gresock December 16 - Children s Christmas Program Ushers: Mike Hoppe, Joe Hoppe, & Allen Mortimer Greeters: Tom & Pat Furnner Power Point Assistant: Kaitlyn Straub Counters: Moore & Neuwirth

3 Continued from page 1 HYMNS FOR THE SEASONS: Advent and Christmas: To Shepherds as They Watched by Night (CW 53) Death itself is conquered forever in Christ: You shall and must at last prevail. God s own you are; you cannot fail. To God forever sing your praise with joy and patience all your days (stanza 6). Luther wants us to realize that when we sing our Advent and Christmas faith, the good news of our Savior s birth will never disappoint! Not only can you come and sing that faith each Sunday in December, but you can also sing it on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 pm (Advent Midweek Worship) and at our special services on Sunday, December 16, at 5 pm (Children s Program), Monday, December 24 at 7 pm (Christmas Eve), and Tuesday. December 25 at 10 am (Christmas Day). Let us sing and rejoice all through Advent and Christmas! 1 To shepherds as they watched by night Appeared a host of angels bright; Behold the tender babe, they said, In yonder lowly manger laid, 2 At Bethlehem, in David s town, As Micah did of old make known. It is the Christ, your Lord and King, Who will to all salvation bring. 3 Oh, then rejoice that through his Son God is with sinners now at one; Made like yourselves of flesh and blood, Your brother is th eternal God. 4 What harm can sin and death then do? The true God now abides with you. Let hell and Satan storm and rave, Christ is your brother you are safe. 5 Not one he will or can forsake; His cov nant he will never break. Let ev ry scheme the tempter try, You may his utmost pow rs defy. 6 You shall and must at last prevail. God s own you are; you cannot fail. To God forever sing your praise With joy and patience all your days Anniversaries in December 12/06 Bob & Eileen Smith 12/08 Scott & Donna Freimark T hank you to all who attended our pizza party/christmas decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. The church looks fantastic! 12/09 Joe & Sharon King 12/26 Brian & Lynn Reinke 12/27 Eric & Erica Gresock 12/27 Hugh & Jean Eldred 12/29 Randy & Lori Neuwirth F or those of you who like to plan ahead We will be taking down all the decorations on January 12 and could use your help! Remember, many hands make light work.

4 January 6 Ushers: Joe King, Brian King, & John Kritzman Greeters: Barb Lambert & Judy Yake Communion Set Up: Hoppe Communion Assistants: Gary Richmond & Tom Furnner Power Point Assistant: Tobias Edgett Counters: Moore & Neuwirth Cleaners: Yake/Lambert January 13 Ushers: Zach Kritzman, Mark Moore, & Logan Moore Greeter: SueAnn Callahan Power Point Assistant: Kaitlyn Straub Counters: Mortimer & Major Cleaners: Mortimer January 20 Ushers: Allen Mortimer, Tom Furnner, & Reagan Moore Greeters: The Edgett Family Communion Set Up: Hoppe Communion Assistants: Joe King & Pete Straub Power Point Assistant: Garrett Edgett Counters: Hoppe & Luisier Cleaners: Major 12/02 Chloe Garfield 12/03 Dennis Hipps 12/03 Sharon King 12/04 Jonathon Smith 12/06 Nathan Poulos 12/07 Lisa Hull 12/07 Marilyn Nelson 12/10 Terri Hall 12/12 Calvin Bessolo 12/15 Logan Moore 12/16 Josh Leplow 12/17 Julie McGowen 12/18 Eric Gresock 12/20 Brian Harris 12/25 Nathan Skene 12/26 Bob Kost, Sr. 12/27 Skylar Cramer 12/31 Alan Irvine January 27 Ushers: Ralph Dudley, Bob Kost, Sr., Scott Mortimer Greeter: Scott & Donna Freimark Power Point Assistant: Joe Hoppe Counters: Mortimer & Metz Cleaners: Faulkner

5 Midweek Advent Service Wednesday, December 12 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 24 7:00 PM Children s Christmas Program Sunday, December 16 5:00 PM Christmas Day Song Service Tuesday, December 25 10:00 AM The next Men s Breakfast and Bible Study will be on December 15, at 8:00 am. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. No Room for Jesus December 16, at 5:00 p.m. Join us on Sunday, December 16, at 5:00 p.m. as the children of Gloria Dei remind us about the miraculous birth of our Savior.

6 DATE OLD TEST. PSALMS PROVERBS NEW TEST. 1-Dec Ezek. 38,39 119: Heb Dec Ezek Heb. 12,13 3-Dec Ezek. 41, Titus 4-Dec Ezek. 43, Philemon 5-Dec Ezek. 45, Tim. 1,2 6-Dec Ezek. 47, Tim. 3,4 7-Dec Lam. 1, Tim. 5,6 8-Dec Lam Tim. 1,2 9-Dec Lam. 4, Tim. 3,4 10-Dec Nahum Peter 1,2 11-Dec Ezra 1, Peter Dec Ezra 3, Peter 13-Dec Ezra 5, John 1,2 14-Dec Ezra 7, John Dec Ezra 9,10 133, , 3 John 16-Dec Zech, Jude 17-Dec Zech, Rev Dec Zech, 8, Rev Dec Zech, Rev Dec Zech, 13, Rev. 4,5 21-Dec Haggai Rev. 6,7 22-Dec Neh. 1, Rev. 8,9 23-Dec Neh. 3, Rev. 10,11 24-Dec Neh. 5, Rev. 12,13 25-Dec Neh. 7, Rev. 14,15, 26-Dec Neh. 9, Rev. 16,17 27-Dec Neh Rev Dec Esther Rev Dec Esther Rev Dec Esther Rev Dec Malachi Rev. 22

7 The Annual Church Council Christmas Party will be on December 8, at 5:30pm. J oin us on December 12, at 7:00 pm for our Midweek Advent Service. This is a wonderful time to take break from all the Christmas hustle and bustle and turn your focus back on the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior. If you have any questions please speak to Pastor or Kay Himm. From the Treasurer... Running Totals through November 2018 For Christians, Advent is a time for remembering how the world waited in anticipation for God's promised Messiah to come. But as women, it often feels like every moment of Advent is filled with cleaning, decorating, baking, cooking, helping with children s programs, shopping, and wrapping gifts in preparation for celebrating Christmas. Like Martha in Luke 10:38 42, we are busy with many things. Our intentions are good. We are trying to make Christmas special for our families, friends, congregation, co-workers, and acquaintances; but we can become so busy preparing that we miss out on experiencing the beauty and meaning of Advent and Christmas ourselves. An event like Advent-by-Candlelight is an opportunity for women to gather together and spend some time focused on Jesus and the real meaning of Christmas General Fund is 1, Please plan on joining us for an evening of fellowship, beautiful music, a meal, and dessert as the women of Gloria Dei and their friends prepare their hearts for Advent. Mark your calendar now for Thursday December 6, at 6:00pm Budget Receipts Expenses 213, , ,225.50

8 December Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :30 am - Worship with Communion 10:00 am Christmas For Kids 10:50 am - Sunday School 6:30 pm - Board of Elders Meeting PPA: Noah Gresock Christ the King 6:30pm - Confirmation Class 7:30 pm - Board of Stewardship Meeting 7:00 pm - Church Council Cleaners for December 2: Moore :30am - Worship with Communion 9:30 am Christmas Program Practice 11:00 am - Sunday School 12:00 pm - Pioneers *Donation Sunday* PPA: Reagan Moore Advent 1 6:30pm - Confirmation Class 7:00pm - Choir Practice 6:00 pm - Ladies Advent by Candlelight 5:30 pm - Church Council Christmas Party Cleaners for December 9: Kritzman :30am - Worship MLS CHOIR CONCERT 11:00 am - Pot Luck 12:00 pm - Pioneers Circuit Meeting 6:00 pm - Youth Group 7:00 pm - Board of Trustees Meeting 8:00 am Men s Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30 am Christmas Program Practice PPA: Joe Hoppe Advent 2 6:30pm - Confirmation Class 7:00pm - Choir Practice 7:00 pm - Advent Service 7:00 pm - Board of Education Meeting Cleaners for December 16: Himm :30 am - Worship with Communion 11:00 am - Sunday School 5:00 pm - Christmas Program 9:30am PPA: Tobias Edgett 5:00pm PPA: Kaitlyn Straub Advent 3 6:30pm - Confirmation Class 7:00pm - Choir Practice 7:00 pm - Board of Evangelism Meeting Cleaners for December 23: Hoppe :30 am - Worship 11:00 am - Sunday School 10:00 am - Christmas Morning Service PPA: Garrett Edgett Advent 4 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service PPA: Tobias Edgett PPA: Joe Hoppe 7:30 pm - Board of Stewardship Meeting Cleaners for December 30: Gresock :30 am - Worship 11:00 am - Sunday School PPA: Reagan Moore 7:00 pm - Church Council Meeting Cleaners for January 6: Lambert/Yake Christmas 1 6:30 pm - Board of Elders