GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL

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Lester Gordon
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Two will be shopping, but only one will be taken into the paradise of door-busting discounts. Keep awake!

1 December 2014 PASTOR S CORNER Excerpts from: Waiting Still: Meditations on Advent by David Henson Keep awake! And be watchful for the best deals on flat screen televisions, for they will come and go like a thief in the night. Keep awake! Two will be shopping, but only one will be taken into the paradise of door-busting discounts. Keep awake! And the peace of a peppermint mocha and the grace of our Starbucks will be with you always, for the coffee shop will remain open all night to fuel the delirium of fevered consumerism. Keep awake! For you know both the day and the hour when the master of American consumerism will return. Keep awake! For Black Friday now begins on Thursday. Keep awake! This command that Jesus gives during the Olivet discourse, as recorded in Mark, is echoed throughout the gospels and early Christian texts. This refrain speaks to the sense of expectation and watchfulness as believers awaited the imminent second coming of Christ. While much of the rhetoric of imminent return has been explained away by later Christians, the command to keep awake remains one of the few commands of our Lord that Americans still manage to keep. We keep awake as much as possible and more. Statistics from the Centers of Disease Control show that about one-third of Americans are sleepdeprived and at least one-third report unintentionally falling asleep during the day. We are an exhausted people. And yet, we keep awake. Indeed, we need to keep awake as we work longer hours for less while trying to balance our family and spiritual lives. Thankfully, there are whole cottage industries devoted to keep us awake, and the success of coffee shops, energy drinks, and even caffeinated water are all based on the need to keep overworked, sleep-deprived Americans awake, alert, producing, and consuming to keep our economy humming. But the command of Jesus isn't to keep awake and keep moving. Rather it is to keep awake. And to wait. And wait. And wait still. This is the discipline of Advent, and, in some ways in our modern culture of frenetic activity, it is more difficult even than the penitence and denial of Lent. Time is money and waiting is costly. See, there were once ten bridesmaids who could not keep awake while waiting on a long-delayed bridegroom. They were supposed to keep awake to welcome the bridegroom, but all had failed. Echoing the experiences of the disciples, who could not keep awake while Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, the bridesmaids fell asleep It would have taken great faith to keep awake and wait. But it is hard to wait in the darkness. It is terrifying to wait, exposed by our need, our emptiness, our humanity. It is hard to wait when we feel like nothing we have or do will ever be enough. How much easier it is to keep awake, keep moving, and to keep shopping. But the call of Advent is to keep awake and keep waiting on the coming of Christ. It is a call to keep awake and keep trusting in that coming, no matter how long the delay, no matter how ill-prepared we are or how insufficient our faith, our lights. It is hard to hear such a call amid the siren song of Christmas consumerism when the season of Advent refuses to shout down the competition. The stillness of Advent is content to be ignored while it whispers for us to keep awake, and to wait, and to wait still, until we can hear it. This waiting, this willing long-suffering, is the quiet, gentle, resilient, and patient power of the God of Advent.

2 Page 2 Wishing Everyone A Merry & Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! From the staff at Luther Memorial Church As you are baking your Christmas goodies this year, please bring in 1 doz. on Sunday Dec. 21st. After the Christmas Eve service there will be plates of goodies for anyone to take and deliver. We are asking families to take a plate and deliver to someone who is working on Christmas Eve... hospital, gas station, fire dept., police, etc. Bell Ringer Season is Upon Us! Luther Memorial s date to ring bells is: Sat., December 6th at Delavan Shopko & Tues., December 16th at Piggly Wiggly Please sign up at the bulletin board! DELAVAN HUMAN CONCERNS CHRISTMAS GIFTS PROGRAM Delavan Human Concerns will once again provide us with the names of area seniors and children who are in need this Christmas. Names will be available as of Nov. 23rd. Please see Kay Horne if you would like to help make their holiday a little brighter by purchasing a gift for them!! Gifts need to be purchased, wrapped and returned to the church by December 7th. Please attach the slip you receive to the wrapped gift. Bows on the gifts are discouraged as they tend to fall off. Thank you for your generosity and your participation in this important community ministry!

Page 3 Sun., December 21st 8:30 am Traditional 10:30 am Sunday School Christmas Program Sun.

support the needs of the men s homeless shelter Chapel on the Hill. There are lists of suggested items available on the bulletin board and certainly other items would be welcome.

There is no need to wrap items as they will be divided up and put into gift bags for distribution at Christmas. Any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated.

3 Page 3 Sun., December 21st 8:30 am Traditional 10:30 am Sunday School Christmas Program Sun., December 24th Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 5:00 pm led by Back Row 7:00 pm led by the choir As part of the Christmas opportunities to give, the In-reach committee decided once again, to support the needs of the men s homeless shelter Chapel on the Hill. There are lists of suggested items available on the bulletin board and certainly other items would be welcome. We will have a decorated box near the Christmas tree in the narthex where items can be placed. There is no need to wrap items as they will be divided up and put into gift bags for distribution at Christmas. Any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated. Sun, December 28th Lessons & Carols Service 9:30 am (1 service only) Sunday School News It s December and drawing closer to the time for the "A Christmas Carol: Scrooge in Bethlehem" Christmas program! We will need to have several Saturday practices. They will be on Saturday, December 6th, 13th and 20th at 10:30am. In order to be able to present a great program, everyone must be there on Saturday, December 20th for our dress rehearsal. Again it will be 10:30-noon. The Sunday School will present the Christmas program at the 10:30 service on December 21st and also hosting coffee fellowship. We ask every Sunday School family to bring 1 to 2 dozen cookies. We can also use some help with serving. Thanks for your help. Jane Olinger and Carol Mueller. Santa s Workshop 1 pm to 5pm Saturday, December 13 th Santa s Workshop is planned for Saturday, December 13 th to give parents a chance to shop, wrap, and/or take a much needed break during this busy Christmas season. We ll watch your child(ren) for you from 1:00 to 5:00. Feel free to bring your child(ren) and/or pick them up at any time during that time frame, whatever works best for you. Kids will have a chance to watch movies on the big screens, do an art project, play games, and have a snack to hold them over until supper. Latest time for pick up is 5 pm. A suggested donation of $5 per child would be greatly appreciated. Register online or there are forms on the bulletin board. Poinsettias can be Ordered for Christmas Cost is $20 per plant order forms are available in Sunday bulletins. Order must be placed by Sunday, December 14th. Portion of the proceeds benefit the National Youth Gathering group.

12/09 John O Neill 12/09 Jordyn O Neill 12/11 Donn Fisher 12/11 Jasmine Banasik 12/13 Scott Miller 12/14 Kathie Plapp 12/15 Connor Lom 12/20 Jamie Rodebush 12/23 Wallie Leitzke 12/24 Neil Truckenbrod

4 Page 4 Celebrating A Birthday This Month! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: 12/01 Ethel Taylor 12/02 Alice Davis 12/02 Mike Moyer 12/02 Marlys Truckenbrod 12/03 Raymond Hammerl 12/03 Timothy Griffin 12/04 Mae Kittleson 12/05 Zach Miller 12/07 Dennis Rice 12/09 John O Neill 12/09 Jordyn O Neill 12/11 Donn Fisher 12/11 Jasmine Banasik 12/13 Scott Miller 12/14 Kathie Plapp 12/15 Connor Lom 12/20 Jamie Rodebush 12/23 Wallie Leitzke 12/24 Neil Truckenbrod 12/24 Brycen Rodebush 12/26 Owen Chelminiak 12/27 Bob Murray 12/28 Joseph Bores, Sr 12/29 Payton Hintz 12/30 Ann Wick 12/30 Dan Butt 12/31 Ellyn Schmelz HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: 12/30 Bob & Ethel Taylor PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Our members: Paul & Sandy Moyer, Bill & Evelyn Klein, Franklin & Suzanne Stoneburner, Jamie Finch, Dorothy Radford, Frank Dingfeldt, Mae Kittleson, Dennis Bergstrom, Lois Fritsch, Ruth Rosenquist Others in our prayers: Suella Edler, Bob Gunderson, Juliet Larson, Ruth Gronke, Susan Laird, All our Military, Sandy Gold, Jan Sonnentag, Dorothy Kozeluh, Kristin Welsh, Ben Rupnik (father of Ted Rupnik), George & Pauline Mumm (Tim Mumm s parents), Aliyah Edler (niece of Jeff & Callie Davis), Robin Helms, Deb Bernstorff (sister of Cindy Schenk), Gail Groth, Nelsine Christensen (Chris Groth s mom), Ron Pryble, Cindy Rapp, McCarthy Family, Mai & Bob Horn (Carol Mueller s parents), Kevin Finch, Ray Fleming, Linda s sister, Ashley, Dorothy Novy (mother of Sue Bergstrom), Betty Plapp (mother of Larry Plapp), Sue Garske (Mona Miller s mom), Jason Stone, Gloria Densmore (Denise Robinette s mom), Misty Mitchell, Paul Lockwood, MaryAnn Trussler, Maureen Foley (Dee Fisher s neice), Kelly Armstrong, Vicki, Barb, Irene Goodman, Shelby, Stephanie Spencer, Steve Spencer (Kathy Vierck s son-inlaw), Sam M., Bonnie Rice, Mary Spangler, Scott Rosenquist, Jake Hetzel, Sally Bauer (Marilyn Carlson s sisterin-law)

Page 5 Our opportunities to give is growing.

Now through December 14th we are accepting any non-perishable food items as well as the following specific items

Prophets 17 Servant Event 24 No Class - Christmas Break 31 No Class - New Years Break Dec. 4th Dec.

Redeemer St A s 1 @ LMC Dec. 18th Our Red. @ LMC (St A s 1) LMC @ St A s 2 Dec. 25th Merry Christmas!

member, you can lead a Thrivent Action Team to bring people together for a one-time project to help others be

Organize a fundraiser. Thrivent will provide: Resources to help you plan the event.

262-742-2848 Council affirmed the following at the Nov.

5 Page 5 Our opportunities to give is growing. We would like to provide a little extra support to the Delavan Food Pantry this holiday season. Now through December 14th we are accepting any non-perishable food items as well as the following specific items currently needed: cereal, Kleenex, laundry detergent, hand soap, and brownie or cake mixes. Thank you to all who are able to share. December Confirmation Schedule 3 Learning Event - Psalms/Wisdom Literature 10 Learning Event - Voice of the Prophets 17 Servant Event 24 No Class - Christmas Break 31 No Class - New Years Break Dec. 4th Dec. 11th December Dartball Schedule Thursdays at 6:30 pm Our Redeemer St A s LMC (St A s 1) St A s Our Redeemer St A s LMC Dec. 18th Our LMC (St A s 1) St A s 2 Dec. 25th Merry Christmas! No Games Attn: Thrivent Members Make an impact with a Thrivent Action Team If you re a Thrivent Financial member, you can lead a Thrivent Action Team to bring people together for a one-time project to help others be wise with money and live generously. You can: Coordinate an educational event. Conduct a service activity. Organize a fundraiser. Thrivent will provide: Resources to help you plan the event. Promotional items, including Thrivent T-shirts. Community Impact Card with $250 of seed money. Learn more at Thrivent.com/actionteam and apply online or for more information contact Cindy Schenk (Thrivent Congregational Advocate) Council affirmed the following at the Nov. 24th meeting: Brian Davis who continues to change out the banners and paraments with all of the changing seasons and festivals. Alice Davis for getting the wax out of the carpet in the sanctuary Inreach/Sunshine committee in putting on Movie and Pizza night fun was had by all. Property committee and their continued efforts in the house renovations Pastor Elisa, Jennifer Schlaiss, Donn Fisher, Jeff Horne and Dave Mueller for compiling and presenting 2015 Stewardship Campaign. Jeff, Dave Donn and Andy for temple talks

6 Page 6 Worship Helpers for the Month of December December 7 8:30 am 10:30 am Lector/Journey Guide Communion Greeter Usher Andy Groth Lorri Emmerich and Bill Schenk Floyd and Ruth Rosenquist Bob and Deedee Murray Lisa Schmelz Jane Olinger and Bruce Knutson Reeves Family Acolyte/Tech Diane Sherin Bruce Knutson Dave Mueller December 14 8:30 am 10:30 am Lector/Journey Guide Bob Dahl David Reinhart Communion Linda Cook Dave and Carol Mueller Greeter Paul and Sandi Moyer Hintz Family Usher Ethel and Mona Taylor Acolyte/Tech Jaxon Davis Diane Sherin Larry Plapp Barb Williams and Mary McWherter December 21 8:30 am 10:30 am (Sunday School Program) Lector/Journey Guide Joel Ollerich Mindi Huebner December 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 pm (Band) 7:00 pm (Choir) Lector Marilyn Carlson Tim Mumm Communion Brian and Alice Davis Hank and Lisa Schmelz Greeter Jim and Sue Davis Ted and Jackie Rupnik Usher Milt and Carol Ancevic Tech Dee Fisher Dee Fisher Acolyte Rylie Emmerich Emily Graham December 28 Lectors Communion Fisher Family 9:30 am Lessons & Carols Service Bryce Davis, Donn Fisher, Dee Fisher, David Reinhart, Linda Cook, Millie Veto, Sandy Vander Zee Diane Sherin Greeter/Usher Donn and Dee Fisher Communion Milt and Carol Ancevic Denise Robinette and George Ballman Greeter Dan and Millie Veto Hollister Family Usher Steve and Marilyn Carlson Acolyte Jaxon Davis Dorothy and Noreen Fladten Acolyte/Tech Davis Family Sunday School Dee Fisher

GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL

GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL December 2017 PASTOR S CORNER Thank you all for the warm and friendly welcome my first week at Luther Memorial. I m really happy to be joining you as your Interim Pastor this Advent. Advent, just a reminder,