GOOD HOPE WOMEN OF THE ELCA

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1 GOOD HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH Kim & Trudy Peterson, Pastors TITONKA, IOWA OFFICE PHONE: PARSONAGE: KITCHEN: VOL. XVVVII No. 12 December (Pastor Kim) (Secretary) GOOD HOPE WOMEN OF THE ELCA CIRCLE NEWS Morning Circle Date Where Study Leader Hostesses Thurs., Dec. 14 9:15 a.m. Church Carole Tuecke Carole Tuecke ALTAR FLOWERS December 3 & 10 Lisa Tjaden & Sue Thilges December 17, 24, 25 & 31 Sandra Harms & Jeannette Chapin COMMUNION SET-UP December 10 & 24 Mike & Denise Heyer COMMUNION CLEANUP December 10 Brian & Sue Thilges December 24 Merle & Margaret Phelps POINSETTIAS Please help to beautify our sanctuary this holiday season. We are asking for donations of poinsettia plants. They add so much to our worship service. Be sure to identify your plant(s). If you are giving the poinsettia in memory of a loved one, please get that information to Kelly so it can be noted in the bulletin. Thank you in advance for your help!

2 Pastor s Page Dear Friends In Christ, We are finally starting to catch up with the commercial Christmas that began back in August, or was it July 5 th? Christmas sales, Christmas Trees, everyone trying to get a step ahead of the other to make the necessary sales. Even Black Friday, the day that marks GO! for real Christmas shopping keeps moving up with Pre-Black Friday sales offered days before the big day. The commercial Christmas is often draining. It tells us what to do for Christmas, it attempts to give meaning to Christmas, and it demands a financial sacrifice.in other words, the commercial Christmas easily becomes an idol, that which we turn to for life. Gifts and gatherings are all very much an important part of Christmas for all of us. The task before us is to keep our perspective. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas. These four weeks help us keep perspective on what is important about Christmas and our Christmas preparations. Rather than buying, we spend time reflecting on life, our own lives and our need for a savior. Advent is a time to step away from the commercial side of Christmas to the faith side. This year Parish Three and Good Hope will prepare for Christmas together as we celebrate Advent on Sunday evenings beginning December 3 rd. We ll reflect on our need for Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy - all of the things the commercial Christmas offers but never fulfills. Take time to come and join us as we prepare for the coming Christ and renew a faith perspective on Christmas. In Christ, Pastor Kim Peterson

3 MINUTE BIBLE STUDY The First Commandment reads, You shall have no other gods before me. Luther asks, What does this mean? The answer, We are to fear, love, and trust God above all else. In other words, whatever we trust for life becomes our god. 1. As we prepare for Christmas how can we cross the line when all of the things of Christmas become what we fear, love, and trust for life? according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. 4. What did the presence of the promised savior mean for Simeon Financially? Emotionally? 2. What happens to our Christmas experience when all of the things of Christmas become most important Financially? Spiritually? 5. When you finally see the promised Savior, what does he mean for you Financially? Emotionally? Emotionally? Spiritually? Spiritually? 3. In Luke 2, Simeon was awaiting the Promised Savior. When he finally saw him he said, 29 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, ADVENT is the season of hope. May you be blessed as your hope for life is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

4 USHERS Jeff Carlton Jeff Hofbauer Cecil Welhousen Ryan Welhousen ACOLYTES Jenna Stohr Jayden Bell Christmas Program Practice for ALL kids will be held on Wednesday, December 6th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. There will NOT be Sunday School on December 17th, December 24th, or December 31st The Children s Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 10th at 4:00 p.m. There will be NO newsletter for the month of January The monthly calendar will be in your mailbox in late December. An invitation for the Good Hope Women : The Titonka United Methodist Women s Annual Christmas Tea Tuesday, December 5th at 1:30 p.m. The program will be in the Sanctuary followed by Tea in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can come! Worship Opportunities During Advent and Christmas December 10th: 4:00 p.m. Good Hope-United Methodist Sunday School Christmas Program Cookies & drink served after program December 17th: December 24th December 24th: December 25th: December 31st 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Refreshments will be served following the program THE MORNING BIBLE Study Circle will again be taking cookie plates to people in our community as a "Christmas gift of Caring" from Good Hope Lutheran Church. We ask the women of the congregation to help us with this outreach project by bringing 2 dozen cookies to the church kitchen by Thursday, December 14 h. The church doors are open from 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday through Friday. Plates will be made up and be delivered after Circle Bible Study on that day. We thank you for helping us make this possible. May you have a Blessed Christmas!

5 REMEMBERING OUR SHUT-INS Titonka Care Center Marilyn Heesch Alice Bartelt Gloria Asche Betty Phelps Marian Spear Good Samaritan Society Algona, IA Bob Wille OUR SERVICE MEN Brandon & Heather Bengtson Larry & Karen (Baade) Jones Emma & Paxton Christian 15 6th Ave. NW 2246 G Ave. Buffalo Center, IA White City, KS Please keep all of our shut-ins and our servicemen and their families in your prayers this holiday season!

6 GOOD HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH P.O. BOX 351 TITONKA, IA Return Service Requested IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS THAT THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD BE TAXED; AND THIS TAXING WAS FIRST MADE WHEN CYRENIUS WAS GOV- ERNOR OF SYRIA. AND ALL WENT TO BE TAXED EVERY ONE INTO HIS OWN CITY. AND JOSEPH ALSO WENT UP FROM GALILEE, OUT OF THE CITY OF NAZARETH, INTO JU- DEA, UNTO THE CITY OF DAVID WHICH IS CALLED BETHLEHEM. BECAUSE HE WAS OF THE HOUSE AND LINEAGE OF DAVID, TO BE TAXED WITH MARY HIS ESPOUSED WIFE, BEING GREAT WITH CHILD. AND SO IT WAS THAT WHILE THEY WERE THERE, THE DAYS WERE ACCOMPLISHED THAT SHE SHOULD BE DELIVERED AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRST-BORN SON AND WRAPPED HIM IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LAID HIM IN A MANGER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN