A Prayer in Preparation for Worship

Transcription

1 Weekend of December 22-23, 2018 W Welcome! It is a joy to have you with us today and it is our prayer that you are strengthened and uplifted through our worship and fellowship. We especially welcome those visiting. Please pick up information about our church at the kiosk located in the entry. Also, please take time after the service to introduce yourself to our pastor. We would like to get to know you better. A Prayer in Preparation for Worship This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart. Surround me with your presence, Lord, I long to hear your voice. Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush. In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel your hush. This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart. Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part. Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap your presence each day. Keep me close to you, Lord. It's in your wonderful name I pray. Amen. Current Sermon Series: The Wise Women Everyone talks about the wise men during the Advent and Christmas seasons, but how about the wise women? This sermon series is a bit of a play on words. While there were countless wise and God-fearing men and women in the Bible, we will hear about some women in particular (and their counterparts) who were great examples of loving-kindness, courage, faith, obedience, and joy. We will also be reminded of God's plan of salvation through the line of the Jewish people. May we be encouraged through the lives of these wise women and men of faith. In His Service, Rachel E. Zahn Church Music Director

2 THIS WEEK Please check the calendar on the back of this folder for all Bible classes and other events over the next three weeks. Monday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve 6:00 p.m. Candlelight Service at LH 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Service at BLC Tuesday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day Worship at BLC & LH LOVE IN ACTION SERVERS Living Hope Bloomington This Weekend Acts Hebrews Christmas Eve Proverbs Galatians Christmas Day Ezekiel Psalms Next Weekend Ezra John New Year s Eve Mark Jude UPCOMING MESSAGES Current Series: The Wise Women December 23 Ruth ~ Ruth 2:1-23 Candlelight Services December 24 Christmas December 25 Title: By Becoming Man The Ultimate Humanitarian Philippians 2:6-8 Song and Scripture Service 9:30 a.m. BLC and Living Hope December 30 Anna ~ Luke 2:36-40 New Year s Eve December 31 6:00 p.m. BLC and Living Hope Worship includes Communion We Celebrate the Number of Worshipers in God s House for the School Christmas Program & Last Weekend OUR GIFTS TO THE LORD Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran Church Weekend of Dec. 16, 2018 Received Amount Budgeted Amount 2,039 over/ (under) Plate & Envelope $34,454 $37,688 ($3,235) Year-to-Date $549,830 $667,680 ($117,850) Prayer and Care Ministry Whatever your need might be, our prayer ministry stands ready to pray. Contact Diane Walters ( or blhpray@yahoo.com) or write your request and place it in the box at the Bloomington church. Please let us know how God answers our prayers so we can thank Him. Altar Flower Chart for 2019 has been posted on the bulletin board at Bloomington Lutheran Church and in the 3-ring binder on the info table at Living Hope. Purchasing altar flowers is a beautiful way to celebrate, remember, and honor people and events in our lives. ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS Divine Call Returned from Pastor Brian Krueger After much prayerful consideration my family and I have decided to return the pastoral call to Bay City, Michigan. We have been so richly blessed here at BLH and look forward to continue serving you. Your input and encouragement has led me to realize what great things we can do together in God s name as we move forward together - to know Christ and make him known. Please know that my door is always open to hear your concerns and requests. In the days and years to come, it will always be an honor to continue to share God s love with you. Retirement Recognition for Mrs. Cindy Von Eschen Our entire Eagle Family is deeply grateful for Mrs. Von Eschen's many years of loving, faithful service to her Lord and his people. Offer a prayer of gratitude for Cindy's ministry and the many young lives in which she made such a positive difference through the years. Pray also that the Lord continues to guide and bless Mrs. Von Eschen as she transitions to new ways of serving Jesus. Mrs. Von Eschen has been a model of Christfocused service to us all. Though she'll no longer be at school every day, her example of discipleship will inspire us for many years to come. Offering Envelopes for 2019 are available in the church entry. Even though you may use online giving, we ask that you still pick up your box of contribution envelopes. The boxes contain envelopes for special holidays such as Ash Wednesday, the Wednesday services during Lent and Advent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas gifts for the pastors, and Christmas Eve and Day. In addition, the boxes also have a monthly Build the Dream contribution envelope. If your envelopes are not at the correct site, please write your name on the sheet located near the contribution envelopes. Your box of envelopes will be delivered to the correct place by next weekend. Also, if the address listed on your box is incorrect, the update may be reported on the sheet, too. Please do not use the envelopes until Please Support the Annual OWLS Fundraiser Each year, the OWLS (Organization of WELS Seniors) chapters raise enough money to fund the salary of the Civilian Chaplain who visits our service people and civilians living in Europe. All of the proceeds from the BLH OWLS sale are donated to the European Chaplaincy Fund. A variety of craft items and boxed Christmas cards are displayed on a table in the hallway adjacent to the sanctuary. Your support is greatly appreciated!

3 FOR OUR YOUTH There is a one-time sign up for 2018 youth programs. Please complete the form at bllh.org/youthregistration. Jr. High Empower (Grades 6-8) Bible Study Every Sunday BLC at 9:15 a.m. and Living Hope at 9:00 a.m. This is a chance for 6 th 8 th graders to connect, talk about relevant issues, and learn how to live out their faith. Register at bllh.org/ssconfreg. Broom Ball Bash Sunday, January 20, :00-3:00 p.m. at Living Hope Join us for lunch, fellowship and games. Bring your own broom if you want and make sure to come dressed for the weather (hats, gloves, jackets and boots). Bring your gym shoes just in case. Schedule of Jr. High events at bllh.org/empower. Sr. High Youth (Grades 9-12) Horizon High School Ministry 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Living Hope This is a great time to connect with other Christian teens. There will be snacks, games, and discussion of issues looming large in our lives. We do our best to blend in solid Biblical study with real-life applications on the topics in front of us each week. Upcoming Dates: December 16 and January 13, 2019 More info at bllh.org/horizon. Teen Winter Retreat - January 4-6, 2019 at Camp Phillip, Wautoma, WI A group of students will spend the weekend drinking hot chocolate, playing indoor and outdoor games, snow tubing, growing friendships, studying Scripture, worshiping our Savior, and having a blast. If you have questions regarding youth events, please joel.hansen@mybllh.org. OWLS Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors, 55+ We welcome everyone to attend our events! Monday, January 7 at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plain for breakfast, followed by the taking down of the Christmas decorations. Tuesday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. For our January meeting at Bloomington Lutheran Church. We will have a speaker from the Metro Area Council on Aging. Gifted Stock If you recently gifted Vanguard stock to the church s Schwab account, please notify Lyle Strehler at or lstrehler@bllh.org. Thank you. Adult Information Class/Membership Class This six week class is for those who have questions about the church, wish to review the main teachings of the Bible, or have indicated an interest in membership. The first class is Wednesday, January 2, 2019 from 7:00 8:00 p.m. at Living Hope. If you have questions, call the church office at or contact Pastor Pudell. Imagine Yourself Debt Free! Did you know that 89% of the people in a typical American congregation don t have a financial safety net? Shocked? I was too. But there s HOPE! And that hope is Financial Peace University. FPU is a ninelesson course taught by Dave Ramsey and his team of financial experts. With FPU, our members will learn step by step how to handle money using biblical wisdom and common sense. If you would like to learn more about taking control of your money once and for all, check out the class details below. In nine easy-to-follow lessons, learn how to: Get out of debt Create a budget Save for the future Make wise spending decisions Communicate with your spouse about money without getting angry Begins Thursday, January 10th at 6:30 PM Living Hope Lutheran Church & School & Bloomington Lutheran Church Past groups at our congregation paid off $340,000 and saved $40,000 Classes will meet every Thursday for nine weeks FREE child care will be provided Cost is $109/family Bloomington Campus Group Link: fpu.com/ Living Hope Campus Group Link: fpu.com/ If you are interested in learning more about the class, or wish to enroll, please use the links above or go to bllh.org/fpu or blc@bllh.org. This class is brought to you by the Stewardship Committee to help you manage God's blessings God's way for God's glory. Family Ministry Pancake Brunch We will be mixing up and serving pancakes and sausages for the whole congregation, on Sunday, January 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Living Hope. This is a great event that helps fund our family programs. Please come and join us! Night to Shine Prom Event at St. Croix School This is an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs. It will be hosted on Friday, February 8, 2019 at St. Croix Lutheran School. Registration is now open at StCroixLutheran.org/NTS.

4 & Grown Up Christmas List For Mothers of Children Birth-Elementary Age The bi-monthly meetings are a place to relax, chat, and find some peace. Meets again January 7 at 7 PM Living Hope Lutheran Church Meetings held on the 1 st and 3 rd Mondays of each month. Meetings include small group discussion, speakers, and an activity. You will make good connections! While you attend the meeting, your child(ren) will be enriched in the fun and nurturing environment for kids to play and learn at the MOPS KIDS program. More info at bllh.org/mops There are trees with envelopes, at our 2 church locations, listing items our BLH teachers wish to have in their classrooms. Donations can be made by: ~ Please remove an envelope from the tree. ~ Place your cash or check made payable to BLH School inside. ~ Return the envelope to one of the two offices or place it in the offering basket. Mitten Tree Christmas trees are set up in the church entry at BLC and in the commons & church entry at LH to be covered with donations of New Hats New Scarves New Mittens & Gloves Handmade Christmas Cards Members of the BLH Joyful Hands Crafters group create handmade Christmas cards and make them available for purchase in the church entry for only $1 (unless marked otherwise). Please help fill the tree with new items you have purchased or made by hand! Items will be delivered to Lutheran Family Services. All proceeds support the BLH Mercy Ministries Fund

5 Family Ministry Presents Pancake Brunch Sunday, January AM Living Hope We are looking for volunteers who enjoy cooking and serving to help with the brunch. This event helps fund our family programs. if you are interested. Infants Toddlers Preschoolers (Dad s & Grandparents, too! Not a Preschool Not Daycare Something Different! MUSIC CRAFTS SNACKS STORIES AND MORE! Thursday, January 10 9:45-11:15 AM Bloomington Lutheran Church Meets the 2 nd Thursday of each month The program is currently free and includes all snacks and activities. If interested in attending or helping, please Rachel Zahn at rzahn@bllh.org. Wednesday, January 2* 5-6:30 PM (Registration opens at 4:30 PM) Everyone is welcome to donate $20 and receive a share! There are no income or residency requirements. An online sign up outlining the shifts and volunteer needs will be sent to all registered volunteers later in the month. If you have questions, please contact carrie.orvik@yahoo.com. If you are interested in helping in any way, go to bllh.org/rp and complete the volunteer registration form, which MUST be completed before you can volunteer. Children 12 and under are welcome to serve this month, one-on-one with an adult who brings them. Both the adult and the child MUST complete the volunteer registration form in advance. *Typically, Ruby s Pantry is held on the first Tuesday of each month. BLC is closed on January 1 due to New Year.

6 Worship Schedule for Christmas & New Year s Bloomington Lutheran Church Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Service Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25 at 9:30 a.m. Song and Scripture Service New Year s Eve Monday, December 31 at 6:00 p.m. Worship includes communion Tuesday, January 1 Church and school offices closed Living Hope Lutheran Church Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 6:00 p.m. Candlelight Service Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25 at 9:30 a.m. Song and Scripture Service New Year s Eve Monday, December 31 at 6:00 p.m. Worship includes communion Tuesday, January 1 Church and school offices closed