This Month s Message from Pastor Dunbar

Transcription

1 Faith Lutheran Church The Parish News VOLUME 38 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2015 This Month s Message from Pastor Dunbar As I type these words, I can see the rain changing over to snow upon my office window, and the weather doesn t lie...december is very close. For us that means Advent is here, and Christmas just around the corner! Let me tell you about the opportunities we ll have in the upcoming weeks to celebrate these blessed seasons of the Church together. We begin with Advent worship on Wednesdays December 2, 9, and 16 at 6:30pm. Would you like a time of quiet, spiritual refreshment away from the busyness of life? Then join your sisters and brothers here. We ll meditate on God s word, pray and sing, and in the stillness of the sanctuary prepare our hearts for Christ s coming, as outside luminaries light the sidewalks. Our theme will be the single Bible verse, Mark 1:15, The time has come, Jesus said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! Another special worship event is the Sunday Morning Choir Festival. At both the 8:00 and 10:30am services on December 13, our Adult Choir will sing an arrangement of Christmas songs and anthems. Come to hear, in word and song, the good news of Christ s coming! The children are also working hard to present a special Children s Christmas Program that same day, December 13, at 2pm. (Note the change of venue: We will be here in our church sanctuary, not at the high school auditorium as we have been the past several years.) The theme is Christmas Around the World, and will include singing, acting, handbells, and finger plays. Come and see! All this leads up to Christmas worship itself: On December 24 we ll have our Service of Carols, Candles, and Communion at 3:00, 5:00 and 7:30pm. Christmas Day worship is at 10am. And if you like to sing and share the joy of the season with others, we have two great opportunities: Caroling to our homebound members Sunday December 20 beginning at 1:45pm, and again singing carols at Mary Lanning Hospital on Christmas morning at 8am, a tradition we ve kept now for over 40 years. So many opportunities to praise and prepare for our Lord!

2 PAGE 2 VOLUME 38 NO. 12 Prayers Health, Treatments, or Hospitalization Recently included in prayers: Debb Anderson, Quintyn Hendrich, Bob Hohlfeld, LaDonna Hohlfeld, Evan Jones, Amanda Karr, Jon Loetterle, Esther Meyer, Royal Miller, Dick Severn, Marvin Scharff, Kathy Schmidt, Marcie Schroeder, Jessica Struss, Jane Tonniges, Lisa Worley. We continue our prayers for: Roy Alber, Lyle Baker, Dan Barber, Dean Baumgart, Doyle Cooper, Jerry Crone, Dan Dean, Terry Dunbar, Joslyn Grabill, Bobbie Hampton, Doug Hampton, Janet Hedlund, Chris Henrichs, Everett Hunt, Janelle Johnson, Arlene Jones, Jackie Ortegren, Perk Perkins, Myron Peters, Elaine Petersen, Alan Place, Larry Reimnitz., John Ritterbush. In Sympathy We pray for Sharon Nienhueser, Miranda Sadd, Doug Gloystein each at the death of a father; Donna Hunt and Gary Stromer, both at the death of a mother; for Betty Lundquist at the death of a brother-in-law; for LaVern Muhleisen at the death of his wife, Madalynn; and for the family of Bob Bruntz at his recent death. May ALL those who mourn the loss of a loved one be comforted in God s promise made through the birth, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus. New Life We give thanks with Amy (nee: Hughes) & Chris Wahlmeier at the birth of a daughter; and with Mindy (nee: Hynes) & Mike Wetherbee at the birth of a son. Bless these families as they bring up their children to live in the light of Christ. News and Notes PLEASE SAVE: Christmas cards showing the baby Jesus. Bring them to the church any time after the Christmas season. The Beginners class uses these images in December we have plenty for this year so these cards will be used in December Volunteers are needed to set-up or clean up communion ware on Christmas and New Year s Eve. Please call church if you could help with that. December 9 Poinsettias will be used to decorate the church again this year. You are invited to place a poinsettia in honor/or memory of a loved one. We will take orders for the poinsettias. Order yours ($8.00 each) by following the directions on the table at the rear of the nave. Orders will be taken Nov. 15 thru December 6. If you are unable to make it to church to place your order you can call the church office, , before December 6 and speak with Deb. The Christmas Eve service will be rebroadcast on Cable channel 181 on Sunday, December 27 at 7:30pm and again on Tuesday, December 29 at 8:30pm. Everyone in invited to join in an afternoon of caroling on Sunday, December 20th. Meet at the church at 1:45pm and we will carpool to our destinations. Following the caroling we will return to church for pizza and Christmas treats. Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies or goodies to share. AND FOR MORE CAROLING please join us on Christmas morning, 8am, at Mary Lanning Healthcare as we continue our 40 year tradition!

3 PAGE 3 VOLUME 38 NO. 12 More News & Notes Book Group - December 10, 7-8pm at Dally s Deli South St. The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere This is the second book in the Christmas Hope series. This book follows the story of Nathan who, as a young boy, lost his mother to cancer and is now pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. LWML- Ruth Circle This months Mighty Mite focus is the mission grant project: Cancer Care Packages Phil s Friends. This project sends weekly Christcentered care packages contining reminders that the Lord has them in his care and that many are praying for them, along with some small gifts. Our goal is 1000 care packages and anyone can participate. Extra Mite Boxes can be found on the table outside room 101 for those who would like to help. All women are welcome to attend the Wednesday, December 9th Bible Study & meeting at 1:30. Bring along a favorite Christmas item or memory. If you need a ride or more information call Gayle Van Patten, or her at dg_vanpatt@windstream.net Jan. 14 Feb Book Selections Landline By Rainbow Rowell Go Set a Watchman By Harper Lee Mar. 10 Year of Wonders By Geraldine Brooks April 14 The Rag Princess By Barbara J. Franzen May 12 The Girl in the Spider s Web By David Lagercrantz June 9 July 14 The Husband s Secret By Liane Moriarty Orphan Train By Christina Baker Kline Aug. 11 Madame Bovary By Gustave Flaubert Sept. 8 The Night Circus By Erin Morgenstern Oct. 13 Library of Souls By Ransom Riggs Nov. 10 Dec. 8 Last Night in Twisted River By John Irving The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus By L. Frank Baum LADIES! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! WOMEN S RETREAT at Faith Lutheran Church on February ; $20, Lavender Springs Spa. Faith Fun Bags Coming Soon! Watch for the activity bags, coming soon, for our pre-school aged worshipers. The bags will be available for parents to pick up and use during the Sunday morning worship time. (Example of items to be included crayons, coloring pages, etc.) Baptism Celebration All those who were baptized during 2015 will be featured in the forum display in January. Please bring a photo for the display to the church office before December 27. Thanks! Mark your calendar and make plans to end 2015 with your family of Faith at the New Year s Eve service. The service begins at 7:00pm and will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion. A special Voters Meeting was held November 15, following the 10:30 worship service. Larry Kuehn, Board of Stewardship, presented the 2016 proposed church budget to the voters. The budget was voted on and approved with the only change being to amend the Piano Tuning from $300 to $ Council nominees were presented and approved. The 2016 Church Council will be listed in the January 2016 newsletter.

4 PAGE 4 VOLUME 38 NO. 12 Adult Education in December Sundays THE SUNDAY LESSONS [E-100]- Fellowship hall - 9:15AM This class takes an in-depth look at the scripture lessons taken from the Sunday morning readings and gives you a chance to ask questions. CHRISTMAS THE REAL STORY [P-100]- Room 10-9:15AM What does history have to say about Christmas tradition? Do you think family relations can be strained around the holidays?... You should take a look at what it was like to be in King Harod s family. Did the manger scene look like the picture in our head? Come find out this and more Sunday mornings in December. DCE Wade Johnson will lead this class. Tuesdays MEN S BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY [H-200]- Ray s Café - 7:00AM Join the men s group at Ray s Café for coffee, maybe some breakfast, and discussion about the Article of the Week. We may not agree on the topics at hand, but we ll learn from each other and have some great conversation. Contact Bill Henkel, with questions or for more information. Class will not meet on December 29th Wednesdays MORNING BIBLE STUDY [P-200]- 9:00am- Room 11- Pastor Dunbar, leader Join us for morning refreshments, a time for prayer and fellowship, and an informal discussion of Sunday s sermon. All are welcome! On December 16 we will have a class Christmas party. Bring a treat to share, a Christmas show and tell or just bring yourself! Class will not meet on December 23rd or the 30th December Verse of the Month John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. As we journey through the season of Advent, we spend time preparing ourselves for the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Jesus came once as a human being, born as a baby into our world. The Word of God took on human flesh and blood to live and walk among us. How amazing! God as a tiny child, in a dirty stable, close enough to see and touch! And although this child would grow up to be crucified, death would not have the victory over his flesh and blood. This perfect man would rise from the dead, to live and reign for all eternity. Jesus will come again, fully God and fully human, to renew all things. Could you commit this verse to memory this month? Spend 5 minutes a day, perhaps in the morning when you wake up, or at night before you go to sleep, to learn and memorize John 1:14. Tape it to your bathroom mirror or bedroom door and be reminded that the Son of God became a human being to die for you.

5 PAGE 5 VOLUME 38 NO. 12 The Giving Tree In this month where we celebrate the birth of the Christ child we care for babies in our community by supporting the AAA Pregnancy Resource Center. Please choose a tag from the tree November 29-December 6, purchase the items, and then return them unwrapped by Sunday, December 20th. Our Sunday School offerings will also support their work during the month of December. CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD is this year s children s program. The program will be held here at Faith Lutheran on Sunday, December 13th at 2:00pm. Practices will take place on Saturdays, December 5th &12th. 3rd- 8th grades will meet from and 4 yrs- 2nd will meet from Children with speaking parts should arrive by 9:00am. TEACHERS please be here 1/2 hour before your students arrive to welcome students and receive instructions! Cookie makers and servers are still needed for the children s Christmas program on December 13 th. Contact DCE Wade Johnson at if you are willing to help out. Sunday School Update: Compassion Child Ayinkamiye Nyiranzobe has graduated from the program. Our Sunday School offering in October was used for her graduation gift. We have sponsored her since she was a small child. Now she will be attending college to study accounting. Our offerings have helped to change the course of her life. We will be assigned a new child soon. Watch for this information in upcoming newsletters. Perfect Attendance Sunday School Beginners : Hannah Jabs. Pre- School: Abby Jabs, Rylan Kapustka, Emma Wolfe. 1st: Eva Magallanes, Sarina Wolfe. 3rd: Zoe Johnson, Rebekah Muske. 4th: Justine Bierman, Jerzie Kapustka, Karlee Sherman. 5th: Sam Dierks. 6th: Kiernan Bierman, Jenna Kempf, Karson Sherman. 8th: Kylie Dierks, Oliver Dunbar, Alexa Muske. Weekday School Pre-School: Abby Jabs, Rylan Kapustka, Kyndal Knuth. Kindergarten: Kayden Bartunek, Ansley Catchpool, Ellie Wahlmeier. 1st: Isaac Ablott, Katelyn Hoins, Madlyn Karr, Eva Magallanes, Barrett McIntyre. 2nd: Tenisha Bader, Claire Brown, Jackson Foster, Izaiah Mullen, Kaylynn Waters. 3rd: Taylor Ablott, Claire Davis, Shelbi Goldenstein, Avery Louther, Gracey McIntyre, Megan Mellinger, Rebekah Muske, Kaleb Wahlmeier. 4th: Tyrese Bader, Justine Bierman, Jenna Fisher, Jerzie Kapustka, Delaney Kirby, Abby Klatt. 5th: Sam Dierks, Lexi Fisher, Breanna Svoboda, Edgar Valle, Jr. 6th: Kiernan Bierman, Caleb Clark, Addison Kirby, Hunter Krueger, Andrew Matthies, Josh Mellinger, Elijah Mulligan, Abby Price, Sam Shafer. 7th: Gracie Anderson, Andrew Brandt, Jared Coe, Deric Goldenstein, Matthew Hansen, Trevor Sullivan. 8th: JT Cafferty, Kylie Dierks, Oliver Dunbar, Jersie Frerichs, Britney Hinderks, Izaak Hunsley, Pierce McVicker, Alexa Muske, Aaron Ochsner, Adam Ochsner, Shaylee Reed, Jacob Schroeder, Eric Valle. Wednesday WOW classes and activities will not meet in December. Wednesday classes resume on January 6, 2016

6 PAGE 6 VOLUME 38 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2015 All 9-12th graders Join us on Sunday mornings in Room 8 with Vicki Fisher for Bible Study. No HOT TALKS in the month of December please join us for Advent worship and other special services during the month. Saturday, December 5 1:00-3:00pm XYF students please join In the fun as we decorate the church for Christmas! Decorating leader is Melissa Schmidt. Snacks to follow the decorating. Parents are welcome to come and help! Youth Choir will not meet in December, but we encourage all to participate in the afternoon of Christmas caroling on December 20, 1:45pm. XYF and Soul Patrol will join in an afternoon of caroling on Sunday, December 20th. Meet at the church at 1:45pm and we will carpool to our destinations. Following the caroling we will return to church for pizza and Christmas treats. Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies or goodies to share. High School Seniors: Join with others in your class to make a mosaic cross with the Faith Celebrations you ve attended at Faith Lutheran Church. January 6:30 pm. Crosses will be displayed in the lower hallway until you take them home at Baccalaureate, April 20, Enchilada Fundraiser Update: On Saturday, November 21 one hundred and fifteen dozen enchiladas were made by XYF youth (and family members.) The fundraiser was a success and proceeds will be divided between the seven students attending the 2016 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. It will cover expenses such as transportation and registration. We appreciate all who helped with this event!

7 PAGE 7 VOLUME 38 NO. 12 Thank You Notes THANK YOU to everyone for all the prayers and well wishes for me following my knee arthroscopy. It was successful. God bless you all! Roger Krueger THANK YOU ALL for the prayers and cards. We are thankful for each and every day and feel truly blessed. God is working through the prayers and is so good! God s blessings to each of you. Lyle & Pam Baker THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED our youth s Enchilada fundraiser. The proceeds will help offset the cost of seven youth attending the National Youth Gathering in July THANKS to all those who continue to support our ongoing ministry to help those who don t have enough to eat. To date we have collected 1,657 pounds of donations for the Pantry. The grocery carts, located in the church forum and at the back of the church, stand ready to receive more donations of your non-perishable food and dry goods. Thanks for your generosity! Community News BENEFIT- December 5, 11:00-3:00 for L. John Uden. The benefit will be held at Zion Lutheran Church/School. Proceeds from the soup and pie lunch, silent auction, and craft/bake sale will be used to help pay off medical debt for cancer treatments. Please come out and show your support. Thrivent Little Blue River Chapter will be providing supplemental funds for this benefit. NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness will present Family to Family, a 12 week education program structured to help family members understand and support their ill relative, while maintaining their own well-being. The course is taught by a team of trained volunteer family members who know what it s like to have a loved one with a serious mental illness. The next class will begin on Thursday, January 7, 6:30-9:30 pm. To register, or for more information, please call: , , or You are invited to attend Hastings 1st Methodist Church 4th annual start to the Christmas Season. They will be featuring an array of hundreds of nativity sets, borrowed from friends and members, and beautifully displayed in their fellowship hall. Times for the event are Friday, Dec. 4, 4-7pm, Saturday, Dec. 5, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, Dec. 6, 8:30am-1pm. The event is free, but donations would be gratefully accepted and divided between the church s renovation fund and the Hastings Area Habitat for Humanity. Please enter the church from the east parking lot, on the corner of 7th and Denver. Christmas Abendmusik, an evening of Christmas music & readings will take place at Zion- Wanda Lutheran Church, 4080 S. Wanda Ave, Juniata on Sunday, Dec. 6th at 7pm. A free will offering will be accepted and refreshments will be served. CAN YOU HELP? The Salvation Army is in need of toys for children age 7 and up for their Christmas toy program. They also need large cans of chicken, mixed vegetables, and biscuits in a can to give clients during the month of December. And can still use children s coats and coats in large sizes (3x and up.) Contact Terra at the Salvation Army for more details,

8 FAITH LUTHERAN CHURC H 837 CHESTNUT HASTINGS NE Non Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Hastings, NE Permit No. 309 Return Service Requested 2015 We invite you to Join us each Sunday Worship at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Sunday Education Hour at 9:15 AM Staff of Faith Lutheran Church Office (includes all addresses) Paul T. Dunbar, Pastor (Home) Josh Davis, Pastor (Cell) Wade Johnson, D.C.E (Home) Vicki Fisher, D.C.E (Home) Support Staff Cindy O Donnell, Secretary Deb Henkel, Bookkeeper Rich & Sandy Frerichs, Custodians Chairman: Larry Keilig Treasurer: Adam Jacobitz 2015 Church Council Vice Chairman: Ron Kort Recording Secretary: Michele Overy Board of Education: Patti Ocker, Jason Weseman, Tarin Wademan Board of Evangelism: Deanna Dirks, Lisa Mertens, Lois Janssen Board of Family Life: Patti Hinrikus, Dusty Haase, Jenny Sidlo Board of Finance: Vic & Teresa Bockerman, Dave Bierman, Deb Ritterbush Dan & Tammy Soucie, Dale & Tammy Valentin, Rick & Deb Runyan Board of Lay Ministry: Rhonda Rail, Becky Schutte, Cathy Callan, Bill Henkel, Cole Bulas, Tim Uden Board of Trustees: Dean Dierks, Kevin Sherman, Ryan Gerloff, Dave Haase, Eileen Saathoff, Doug Ahrens Board of Stewardship: Larry Kuehn, Dan Pauley, Becky Young

9 NOVEMBER 2015 NEW NOVEMBER 2015 NEW MEMBERS MEMBERS Faith Lutheran Church Maribeth Bruns Jim Dittmer Patricia Bloomberg Roger Hermann Randy Holdt Sueann Kort Cindy Nimrod Please add this page to your church directory.

10 Jennifer Klatt & Josh Loetterle Joy & David Utecht Kalyn Wolfe Cindy Wyman Dan & Beth Jabs, Abby, Hannah, Julia New Members Address/Phone List Bloomberg, Patricia 801 N. Hastings, Hastings Bruns, Maribeth 1613 W. 6th St., Hastings Dittmer, Jim 205 East B #9, Hastings Hermann, Roger 1218 Lakeridge Dr., Hastings & Cindy Nimrod Holdt, Randy 1117 Brentwood Ave., Hastings Jabs, Dan & Beth 617 Leisure Ln., Hastings Abby, Hannah, Julia Kort, Sueann 617 Lane E, Hastings Loetterle, Josh 710 E. Larae, PO Box 397, Kenesaw & Jennifer Klatt Utecht, Joy & David 3885 N. Columbine, Hastings Wolfe, Kalyn 2608 W. 5th, Hastings Wyman, Cindy 1115 Brentwood Ave., Hastings