December Administrative Pastor Rev. Lee Herberg Associate Pastor Rev. Christina Martin Custodians Ron & Mavis Watson

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1 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURC H 408 Ninth Street NW Mandan, ND Phone: Fax: jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org Council cc@firstlutheranofmandan.org Building Faith and Transforming Lives in Christ. We re on the web! ADDRESS LABEL Christmas Eve Services 2:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. Merry Christmas! December 2018 First Lutheran Church Administrative Pastor Rev. Lee Herberg Associate Pastor Rev. Christina Martin Administrative Assistant & Coordinator of Lay Ministries Jackie Schulz Custodians Ron & Mavis Watson December Newsletter First Lutheran Staff Financial Administration Jennifer Scheet First Lutheran Is A Mission Partner with Camp of the Cross Ministries I love the lights, sounds, and smells of Advent and Christmas. Each one seems to remind me of happy memories, youthful longings, and a sense of belonging. I remember one Christmas my grandma Mac gave me a gift that was placed in a reusable bag. I was a deeply religious high school student and my grandma, the only other Christian in my family, thought I would love this reusable bag which stated in bright bold words, Jesus is the Reason for the SEASON! At the time, I was less than impressed. Still, I professed my love of it like any good granddaughter would do. Since then I have lived though many more Advents and Christmas seasons. This year looks to be the most profound yet. My son William, who turned three in November, finally has some understanding of the holidays. He loved Halloween. I hope he loves Advent and Christmas too! Yet, I am more than a little worried. You see, my son has become fixated on presents. My family sent him presents for his birthday via UPS. So now he has made the connection between packages and presents. Which means any package we see he just has to open right now, because it might have a present for him. Yes, this does include packages that aren t ours. This leads to melt downs and time outs. I have been reassured from others this is normal, but still I worry. Will William think that the sum total of Advent and Christmas equals presents? I wonder how often you and I are blinded by the lights, sounds, and smells of Advent and Christmas. How often do we focus on the preparation, all that needs to get done, without the deep meaning? How often do we forget to look up to the heavens to hear the angelic voices proclaiming the coming birth of the Christ child, instead seeing only packages? Maybe, just maybe, my grandma Mac had it right all along Jesus is the reason for the season and we need to be reminded of that again and again in the midst of the business of life. In the joy of giving and receiving, in the stillness of a cold December night - that this season called Advent is all about the hope and anticipation of the Christ child, that this season called Christmas is all about the joy and longing fulfilled in a king found a manger. With Joy and Anticipation, Pastor Chris

2 PAGE 2 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH December 2018 Senior Christmas Gathering Senior Service and Meal December 18 th, 2018 Service at 11:00 A.M. Church School Christmas Program Dinner at 12:00 P.M. Roast Pork Dinner with Trimmings to follow. RSVP the church office ASAP!!! Come join us for Food, Fellowship, and Fun. Sunday School Schedule Practice - Sunday, December 2 nd 9:30-10:30 A.M. Program - Sunday, December 9 th at 10:45 A.M. ANGEL TREE NAMES Linda Anseth will be sitting in the narthex with angel tree names through December 12 th. The gifts have to be delivered to the church no later than December 16 th, Please stop by and pick up a name today. They are also wanting chapstick, hats, mittens, scarfs, & non-perishable food items (canned goods with "pop top" lids) by the tree to give to the children. If you have any questions please call Linda at Wednesday School Schedule Practice - Wednesday, December 5 th 7:00-7:30 P.M. Program - Wednesday, December 12 th at 6:00 P.M. We have lefse available to buy. The cost for lefse is $1.50 per sheet. Please stop in the office or call Thank you!

3 PAGE 10 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2018 Mark Your Calendar 5th: 7pm - Confirmation - Large Group 6th: LAF ~ Sandwiches 12th: 7pm - Confirmation - Large Group 13th: LAF ~ Nachos 19th: 7pm - Confirmation - Small Group Upcoming Events The youth of First Lutheran Church Of Mandan are going on a mission trip this summer to Atlanta, Georgia and are doing fundraisers to raise money for this event. Please come and SUPPORT Us on December 1 st at STATION WEST from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 20th: LAF ~ Mac & Cheese 26th: No Confirmation 27th: No LAF You are invited to join us on December 9 th at 10:45 AM or December 12 th at 6:00 PM for a Christmas Program all about decorations. Come and learn about the meaning of some of your favorite decorations. Every child will receive a goodie bag as they leave. A cart will in the Narthex. Peanut-free bags are available on request.

4 DECEMBER 2018 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 4 PAGE 9 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2018 Pastoral Acts Baptisms: November 11 November 17 November 18 Weddings: Funerals: November 7 November 19 Memorial Fund Special Thanks Alden Louis Davis Riley Derek Schultz Kayd Lee Breuer Elvira Grenz Lloyd Keidel In memory of Richard Gaasland given by Arden & Pat Hagerott, Dennis & Bernice Meyer. In memory of Ann Perry given by Arden & Pat Hagerott. In memory of Elvira Grenz given by Marie Weinberger, Ernie & Anita Seeman, Dave & Cindy Schoonover. December ~ Mission of the Month No Mission of the Month this month due to the giving for the Christmas Angel Tree! Thank you to all the greeters, ushers, communion servers, readers, communion set-up, coffee hour workers, and to all who have supplied goodies for the last month. Your help is greatly appreciated! Deadline for articles for the January Newsletter will be December18 th. Worship Schedule Sunday ~ 8:30 am ~ Traditional 10:45 am ~ Contemporary 9:30 am ~ Coffee 9:30 am ~ Church School Wednesday ~ 6:00 pm ~ Transitional 6:00 pm ~ Church School 7:00 pm ~ Confirmation Tax Planning information. A State Tax Credit for Endowment Gifts is available for individuals if they make a gift to a qualified ND endowment (First Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund is a qualified Fund.). Individuals may receive a state tax credit for a contribution of $5,000 or more (lump sum or aggregate in one year) to a qualified ND endowment. The tax credit is 40% of the chartable deduction allowed by the IRS up to a maximum credit of $10,000 per year per taxpayer or $20,000 per year per couple filing jointly. Effective for taxable years starting in Businesses (C corporations, S corporations, estates, limited liability companies, trusts, and financial institutions) that pay state income tax may receive a 40% credit up to a maximum credit of $10,000 for contributions to a qualified ND endowment. Effective for taxable years starting in 2007, except for financial institutions effective in Please consult your own attorney, accountant or financial advisor for advise on your situation. For other ways to contribute, please refer to the Leave a Legacy brochure located in the Narthex and complete the Information Request Form located in the brochure. Also, find helpful information provided by the First Lutheran Mission Endowment Committee in the weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters. Contact any of the Committee Members: Michelle Radke ( ), Heather Heinle ( ), Terry Bohn ( ), Kristi Entzi ( ) or Dave Anderson ( ) or call the church office for more information on how you can contribute ( ). The Dakota Pioneer Chapter of Germans from Russia invite you to their annual German English Advent Christmas Service Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. First Lutheran Church 800 N 7 th Street Bismarck, ND A time to visit, coffee & treats after the service!

5 PAGE 8 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2018 DECEMBER 2018 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 5 First Lutheran Church Council Minutes Date: October 18, 2018 Members present: Pastor Lee Herberg, President DJ Campbell, Vice President Wayne Friesz, Secretary Andrea Bonness, Ron Webb, Mike Hatzenbuhler, Kevin Fishbeck, and Jeff Bradford. Members absent: Pastor Christina Martin, Jill Miller and Tony Michlitsch. Devotions were presented by Pastor Lee Herberg Approval of Agenda: Moved by: Jeff Bradford Seconded by: Wayne Friesz Motion Passed Approval of Secretary s Report and Minutes Moved by: Kevin Fishbeck Seconded by: Mike Hatzenbuhler Motion Passed Financial Report: Income for September 2018= $32, Expenses= $38, Additional expenses for September included Supplies $1,329.21, repairs $1,114.04, leadership seminar $1,000.00, and mowing for $ Building Fund Balance= $30, Cash on Hand= $116, Unfinished Business * Sanctuary Ceiling Fans: The current ones will be monitored and will be accessed after the improvements are completed and review of budget at that time. * Education/Youth Director Staff Position: Advertising continues, task force is meeting second week in November. *Sanctuary Choir Director/Worship Coordinator Position(s): Search continues President DJ Campbell will present a temple talk at all 3 church services to update the congregation on efforts being made to fill all open positions. * Review of Bidding Process: Still in progress, team will meet to review the process. New Business All teams were given handouts to provide budget line item amounts for the November 15 council meeting. Stewardship Sunday will be Sunday, November 18, 2018 and Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Congregation Issues: concerned members have stated concerns over hand shaking & 10:45 AM music. It will be reminded to everyone that they are not required to shake hands at greeting time and solutions to the praise team music will take some time. Again, President DJ Campbell will address this to all at a temple talk. Reports Pastor Lee: 2 Baptisms 2 Funerals 0 Weddings 0 Committals 37 students will be confirmed on October 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm. The Confirmation Banquet will be held on October 21 st. Pastor Christina: No Report (out due to surgery)

6 PAGE 6 FI R S T LU T H E R A N C HU R C H D E C E MB E R Stewardship: No report Worship: No report Parish Education/Youth: No report Evangelism and Outreach: LAF continues to be a success. Upcoming event Trunk or Treat will be held October 31, 2018 in the church parking lot from 5:00 to 7:30. Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served in the basement. Property and Management: The renovations are 95% complete and a ribbon cutting ceremony will be set for a future date. Correspondence Thank you memo was received from Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center for contributions of $ for the M-Club, thank you received from Golden Age for donation of $ A thank you card was received from Lewis & Clark Elementary School for the back pack and school supply donations. A thank you was also received from Lutheran Social Services for a contribution of $ Motion to Adjourn/Lord s Prayer Motion by: Jeff Braford Seconded by: Kevin Fishbeck The meeting was adjourned by President DJ Campbell. The next Council meeting will be one hour earlier at 6:00PM on November 15, 2018 in order to allow sufficient time to work on the budget. DJ Campbell and Jeff Bradford volunteered to bring pizza for the meeting. The meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer. Minutes submitted by: Andrea Bonness, Secretary Lessons & Carol Services will be December 16th and 19th at all services. Bells will be accompanying some of the carols. We are looking for Carol Song leaders (solo, small group, choir, instrumental, etc.). If you are interested in the groups or choir Jeanne House will be contacting you (or leave your name at the office). Solo or instrumental please contact Cathy Long Please notate if you want to participate but cannot do all services; we will plan accordingly.