COMFORT COMFORT MY PEOPLE.

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1 St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool Pastor Duncan McLellan, Associate Pastor Andrew Coop, Amy Schmidt, Director of Christian Education, Kathy Olson, Office Manager, Alissa McLellan, Preschool Director, Welcome to Worship This weekend we are going to take a look at Isaiah 40, and the comfort the Lord God proclaims and brings to His downtrodden, recently enslaved people, taking the initiative and providing them with what they do not deserve based on their actions, even before they make any effort to return to Him. Today, comfort is also a skill that we are always trying to get better at; we want to know how we can best care for those whom we love, and whom God has placed around us. But, our God is different than us, and this is a good thing: His Words do what He says they will do, they are an enactment of what has been spoken. But, this isn t only something that God only does in the Old Testament, this is something that Jesus continued to do throughout His earthly ministry (John 20:21), and that God continues to do through His Church today, through the Sacraments. We have a God that simply does not elicit our emotions, but rather one who categorically changes who we are, through the words and actions of His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. So, it is not comfort that we strive to bring to people who are in pain and without hope around us, desiring that our words and actions will elicit comfort. Rather, we bring people Christ, who alone, can and does bring comfort to all. God s Blessings on your Worship this weekend! Pastor Andrew Coop COMFORT COMFORT MY PEOPLE. ISAIAH 40:1 Order of Worship for Sunday, December 23, 8:00 am and 10:45 am On Screens, Rhonda Christensen, Organist Prelude: Puer Nobis - Setting by Jacob B. Weber Opening Hymn: 344 On Jordan s Bank the Baptist s Cry Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 Epistle Reading: Romans 10:14-17 Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11 Sermon Hymn: 347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Sermon: Rev. Andrew Coop Offering: O Little Town of Bethlehem - Arranged by Joel Raney Closing Hymn: 349 Hark the Glad Sound Postlude: O Come, All Ye Faithful - Arranged by Cindy Berry

2 NURSERY AVAILABLE The nursery is available for parents with children ages 3 months to 3 years old. It is staffed with volunteers from 7:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CHURCH OFFICES CLOSED Church offices will be closed Monday, December 24 through Friday, December 28. Kathy will be in the office for a few morning hours on Friday, December 28 to print the bulletin only. CHRISTMAS CARDS It s not too late! Beautiful, boxed Christmas cards are available for purchase on the LWML table. Proceeds go towards LWML mission projects. Thank you for supporting St. Paul LWML! DAILY CHAPEL RESUMES IN 2019 There will not be Daily Chapel services from December 24 to January 1. Chapel will resume on Wednesday, January 2, ALLELUIA RINGERS will not practice again until January 2, LECTIONARY AT LUNCH Starting Tuesday, January 15, Pastor Duncan and Pastor Coop will begin a new Bible study on Tuesdays at Noon. Bring your lunch and join in a study on the coming Divine Service (Saturday and Sunday). All are welcome! THURSDAY LADIES BIBLE STUDY In January, the Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study will be studying Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I Know the Plans I Have for You. This will include other scripture that ties in beautifully to Jeremiah 29. This study is written by Donna Pyle, demonstrating God s love and grace for His plan to those who love Him. Join them on January 3 and 17 at 9:00 am in the Youth Room ALTAR FLOWERS If you would like to provide altar flowers in 2019, please sign up on the flower chart in the education hallway. It fills up fast, so don t delay! 2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES Please remember to pick up your 2019 offering envelopes from the table in the Resurrection Window Hallway. Electronic giving is also an option. If you are interested in that, please contact the church office. VOLUNTEERS are needed to help take down Christmas decorations at 9:00 AM on Saturday, January 5. Please join us! LOOKING FOR PROJECTS Men's Mission Group is looking for projects. If you know of someone in need that could use a helping hand with home repairs/maintenance or light construction, St. Paul Men's Mission Group may be able to assist. Contact Jim Anderson, Bob Peters, or Greg Stokke. USHERS NEEDED Ushers at both Sunday services are needed, especially the 10:45 am service. Members, couples, families, senior youth, and junior youth with an assisting parent are encouraged to volunteer. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Dan Drefke. This is also the time for usher team leaders to let Dan know of any changes with your team.

3 SNACKS NEEDED Volunteers are needed to bring snacks for our Midweek and Confirmation students on Wednesdays. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board near the fellowship hall. If you have questions on what to bring, please call the Church Office. Thank you! FELLOWSHIP Do you like having coffee, milk, and donuts on Sundays? Your help is needed! We have SCRIP cards to pay for the donuts each Sunday. If you want, you can serve something else too! Please contact Randy Sunderman if you have any questions. Sign up sheet is online; just follow the link: go/409044ca9ad2ea4f85-sunday. VOLUNTEER AT PRESCHOOL! Love kids and love Jesus? Come volunteer in the preschool! St. Paul's Preschool is looking for volunteers to be an extra hand in our 3-year-old classroom on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 9:00-11:30 am. Please contact Alissa McLellan if you are interested in getting involved in this ministry. Classes resume January 2, ATTENDANCE CARDS Please complete an attendance card. Write only the names of members who are attending this worship service. Circle the worship time. Hand it to the usher as they walk down the outside aisle after the offering. Thank you! ATTENDANCE 12/15/18-12/16/18: 8:00 am 213, 10:45 am 205, Journey 66, Chapel 60, Advent Service 189 St. Paul Preschool classes are on Christmas Break from December 17 through January 1. Classes resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

4 The lovely poinsettias which beautify our church during this Christmas season were given to the Glory of God by the following members of St. Paul: Calvin Anderson Randy & Denise Benda Betty Berlau Cherry Donovan Linda Finzen-Mathers Vel Hans Juhl Family Bill & Rachel Kruse Ray & Dorothy Marvin Len Mash Ken & Betty McConnell Bob & Pat Peters Lynn Powell Stokke Family Donna Stoelk Carleton & Sue Stoll Sandy Townsend Jim & Katie Turner Charlie & Jan Volf Steve & Joyce Voss Carol Wenndt In memory of Elva & Mark Anderson In honor of Lynn Powell In memory of David Berlau & Dick Sherman In memory of Cecile & CW Tool In honor of my children & grandchildren In memory of George Hans In memory of Jill s parents, Ray & Lois Witzke In memory of Melvin & Ruby Kruse In memory of Fritz Winnes In loving memory of my parents In memory of our parents, Ryan, & Curtis In loving memory of Ron, my parents, brother & sister In memory of our loved ones In memory of my parents, Eileen & Merle Stoelk In memory of Sue s dad, Joe, & Carleton s parents Roy & Chloris In honor of the Lord s blessings! In memory of Katie s Dad, Russell Taylor, & Jim s Mom, Allene Turner In memory of our family For all our blessings! In memory of Jim Wenndt Bible Study Begins January 10 Ladies of St. Paul, join us for this eightlesson DVD series on the life and ministry of Peter. Authored by Donna Pyle, this study examines how God uses Peter s brokenness, failures, and triumphs to help us grow in faith. This new study begins on Thursday, January 10 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the FLC. Sign up in the Resurrection Window Hallway or call the church office. Bring a friend too!

5 At the November Voters Meeting, a new mission statement for St. Paul was unanimously approved. We believe God has our congregation in Ankeny so that we would be rooted in Christ, grow in grace, and reach the lost. FILL THE MANGER You have until December 27 to place non perishable food and personal care items in the manager. Give cash donations or checks made out to DMARC to the office or place in donation box on the table in the Resurrection Window Hallway.

6 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH & PRESCHOOL 1100 SE Sharon Drive, Ankeny, IA Church: Preschool: Web Site: THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH TODAY: 8:00 & 10:45 am Worship Service 9:30 am Sunday School & Bible Study MONDAY: 4:00 pm Family Service 6:00 pm Candlelight Service 8:00 pm Candlelight Service TUESDAY: 9:00 am Christmas Celebration Service WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY: FRIDAY: SATURDAY: 5:30 pm Journey Worship Service SERVING TODAY Jon Gerths, Don Halbur, Bill Kruse, Darren Allen......USHERS (8:00 AM) Mark Mueller, Jason Buls, Jaren Buls, Jaydon, Buls, Jordan Buls.....USHERS (10:45 AM) Tom Moretti READER & ELDER Jack Dorfler (8:00), Alexander Heflebower (10:45) ACOLYTES Bernard & Irene Griffin (8:00), Ryan & April Bracelin (10:45) GREETERS Jeff Wangsness, Craig Twedt OFFERING COUNTERS NEXT SUNDAY (December 30) Jeff Wangsness, Dave Hempen, Rod Rieken, Don & Mary Stratmann, John Hughes...USHERS (8:00 AM) Dan Drefke, Tim Krehbiel, Will Krehbiel, Jayden Krehbiel....USHERS (10:45 AM) Gary Hauge ELDER Lynn Hanselman (8:00)...READER Andrew Haase (8:00), Alexander Heflebower (10:45) ACOLYTES Eric & Alyssa Forde (8:00), Steve & Judy Bradley (10:45) GREETERS Troy Marshall, Blake Rabe OFFERING COUNTERS Want to know what s going on at St. Paul? Like us on Facebook!