1911 4th Avenue North Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 255-1135 FAX (320) 255-8891 www.lwlcmn.org church@lwlcmn.org Facebook - Living Waters Lutheran Church SR Twitter - lwlcmn The making of the stockings for the stocking project STOCKINGS CAN BE PICKED UP ON Sunday, Dec 2 STOCKINGS MUST BE RETURNED FILLED ON Sunday, Dec 9 AT LEAST 100 STOCKINGS NEED TO BE FILLED AS A WAY TO BRING A BIT OF CHEER AND LOVE TO OTHERS. JUNIOR HIGH LWLC junior high youth attended the gathering in Willmar Nov 16 thru Nov 18.
Page 2 DECEMBER 2018 Sundays in DECEMBER Sunday, DECEMBER 2 PICK UP STOCKINGS 8:30 am Worship service 9:40 am Pond, Splash 9:40 am 1st grade Milestone Class 9:45 am table Talk 10:30 am Worship 4:00 PM New Wine rehearsal Sunday, December 9 RETURN FILLED STOCKINGS 1st gr receive their Milestone at both services 8:30 am Worship service with choir 9:40 am Children s Church Christmas Program Practice 9:45 am table Talk 10:30 am Worship with choir and 2 baptisms 4;00 PM New Wine Rehearsal 6:30 PM Youth Gift Buying Night Sunday, December 16 Youth Bake Sale 8:30 am Worship service 9:30 am Blood pressure check 9:45 am Table Talk 10:00 AM Kids meet in the LLC to prepare for the Christmas Program 10:30 am Worship service with Kids Christmas Program 6:00 PM Christmas Cotillion (gr 9-12) Sunday, December 23 8:30 am Worship service 9:40 am Pond & Splash movie & popcorn 9:45 am Table Talk 10:30 am worship Service Sunday, December 30 9:00 am Worship service (NOTE THERE IS ONLY ONE WORSHIP Table Talk Join the conversation each Sunday morning between services for good discussion and information about a variety of topics. Come whenever you want! The conversation is informal, and no one is pressured to talk. Grab a cup of coffee (or juice), pull up a chair and join us for Table Talk, Sundays, 9:45-10:15am. Table Talk meets at the back of the sanctuary by the little kitchen. TABLE TALK TOPICS DECEMBER 2 URBAN SERVANT CORPS -Amanda Neubauer tells of her year in Denver. DECEMBER 9 BLUE CHRISTMAS -When the holiday season has lost its cheer. DECEMBER 16 FORGIVENESS: The art of letting go. DECEMBER 23 MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS STORIES -Join us as we share stories of memorable Christmas holidays along with some seasonal treats. DECEMBER 30 NO TABLE TALK. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Youth Gift Buying Night Donations Welcome for this year's Youth Gift Buying Night! Once again this year, LWLC 7-9th graders will join forces with the youth of Celebration Lutheran in Sartell, as we shop for gifts for people in need this Christmas, through the Salvation Army's "Angel Tree" project. The youth will be shopping on the evening of Sunday, December 9. The youth each donate $10 towards this project, but donations of any amount are most appreciated! The young people typically purchase between $5,000 and $6,000 in gifts.
DECEMBER 2018 Page 3 Pond, Splash, and 3rd grade Breakfast Club (Children s Ministry) News The annual children's Christmas program will be on Sunday, December 16th at the 10:30 am service. Using Sally Lloyd-Jones' "The Jesus Storybook Bible," kids will re-tell the Christmas story using drama and music. Kids meet in the LLC at 10:00 am. Kids and parents are invited to bring a plate of treats to share after the program, so we can celebrate together! Children s Church on Dec. 9 There will be a practice for the Christmas program, which is the following Sunday! We will try to run through the whole program in the sanctuary, starting at 9:40 am! The program is on December 16 at the 10:30 am service. FIRST GRADE LORD S PRAYER MILESTONE CLASS will be Sunday, December 2nd from 9:40 to 10:20 am. First graders and parents are invited to come learn more about the Lord s Prayer together. First graders will receive their milestone on Sunday, December 9 at the 8:30 and 10:30 am services. Pond and Splash Movie and Popcorn Sunday, December 23 at 9:40 am got your giving intent form? IF SO...the people planning the Living Waters 2019 budget would dearly appreciate your turning it in as soon as possible. Stewardship packets were mailed out in early November. Included in the mailing was a GIVING INTENT FORM. Giving the church some sense of your intended financial support becomes very helpful information for those who plan our budgets. Thank you to ALL who have turned in their forms.
Page 4 DECEMBER 2018...and they re off and running! After a year s hiatus from their usual yearly production and tour, NEW WINE 2019 is already into rehearsals for a great year ahead. CONGRATULATIONS to the 41 youth who auditioned and were assigned parts. New Wine will be putting together a full length musical called The Ark. This will be presented in dinner-theater format over 4 nights in May. You won t have to wait for May to get a sampling from this year s troupe. NEW WINE will be leading services at Living Waters on a Sunday in late February. NEW WINE is a drama and music troupe for high school students. NEW WINE 2019 represents 5 area schools and several churches. About 1/2 of the troupe are members of Living Waters. A tour to the Pacific West is planned for June 2019. On this trip the troupe will be performing in churches along the way in addition to working a couple of service projects and, of course, sightseeing. Interested in supporting NEW WINE? Here are some ways: *Buy a pizza or 3 from a winer. They are on sale through December 12. *Plan on attending one of the dinner theatre performances. *Pray for the troupe. December rehearsal times SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 EVERYONE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 EVERYONE in order of appearance NARRATOR THE HUMAN ALLISON STIEGEL ROXY THE JUNEBUG ELLIE LEBLANC RUSSELL THE COW DALTON NOTSCH GLENN THE COUGAR BEN KIEWEL BONNIE THE COW ELLIE WIGHAM ED THE RAT NOAH O HOTTO LESLIE THE POODLE TAYLOR SIDLA NATANGO THE FLYING SQUIRREL KIERAN IDZERDA WINNEBELLE THE CROW HILLARIE MARKFORT FLUBOL THE GUINEA PIG RACHEL GEROLD RANGO (FORMERLY STANLEY) THE IGUANA CAMDEN PATTERSON LENNY THE FERRET BRYCE PAULSON SUE THE BEAR MADELINE ZIEGLER CLARIS THE GOAT RILEY HOLMES TONI THE GIRAFFE ELEANOR GEROLD JESS THE LAMB AIDEN HAMMOND MARGE THE PRAIRIE DOG KIAH ZASKE SHYELLO THE TURTLE MORGAN PAULSON KARL THE RACCOON PEYTON OLSON ZEPHER (FORMERLY JOHAN) THE SKUNK MORGAN WEINAND OLGA THE PIGEON HALEY ZIEGLER CONSUELO THE PIGEON MADDIE FULS OLIVE THE HIPPO ANN STARR BURTON THE HIPPO ZACH STORMS NANCY THE YAK ANNEKA MEINKE APRIL THE MUSK OX MIKAYLA ZASKE JOEL THE MOLE ANDREW ASP WALTER THE PIGEON DECLAN KIEWEL HARRIET THE PIGEON KATELYN STORMS BILLIE BELLE THE ARMY WORM KAYLA WORM TOPAL THE CENTIPEDE HAILEY ARNOLD TRAYNO THE WOOD TICK NATALIE STIEGEL BLING THE LADY BUG ANELEISE MARTINSON JUICE THE MOSQUITO HAILEE CULLEN CREW PIT ETHAN MORIAK ZACH VOGEL RILEY WEINAND SPENCER WEBER AYLEIGH HAMMOND CLARA HEINTZELMAN
Page 5 2018 GIVING DEADLINE Financial gifts to Living Waters for 2018 will be r e c e i v e d t h r o u g h December 31. After that our 2018 books will close and offering dollars received after that will be applied toward the 2019 budget. THANK YOU for helping Living Waters end the year in the black, making it possible to REACH, TEACH and CARE in so many ways! HOME DELIVERED MEALS Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far. There are just 2-3 slots still open for each of the days. Days of delivery are DEC 26, 27, 28 If you are able to help please contact the church office. NOW AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE! DECEMBER 2018 Pick up your 2019 copy of DAILY TEXTS, a daily offering of scripture and dwelling on the Word. Books are available in the church office. They are $8. LWLC WOMEN S GROUP The Women s Group will meet on Tuesday, Dec 4 & 18 at 5:30 pm. All women are invited to spend time with other women in conversation, bible study, and a service project. Invite a friend! Intern for a week / month You are invited to consider contributing to the financial support of our intern, Sarah Larson. Sarah is on a 2 year internship at Living Waters. She will be with us through May, 2020. A gift of $50 would support Sarah for a week; $200 for a month. Your contribution can be made in honor or in memory of someone, and that information will be printed in the weekly Waterlife. We will be looking for contributions starting the first week in January. If you would like to help out, please contact the church office with the week or month you would like to support and in whose honor or memory that support will be given.
DECEMBER 2018 Page 6 We set off on the journey on November 1st, and now, with one month s readings underfoot, how goes it? We have year-read Bibles yet available in the church office. It s not too late to start the journey. It s NEVER too late to start your journey through the Bible. And you won t be going it alone! Checkout our Facebook Group: LWLC THE JOURNEY Attend one of our monthly gatherings to get some background information and ask your questions! The gatherings are always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm and the first Friday of the month at 11am, This month s gatherings are: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 7PM AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 11AM How goes the journey? A number of people are currently on a journey to read the Bible in one year. DECEMBER S Read the Bible in one year READINGS DEC. 1 EXODUS 35:27 EXODUS 40:38 DEC. 2 LEVITICUS 1:1 LEVITICUS 4:18 DEC 3 LEV. 4:19 LEV. 7:35 DEC. 4 LEV. 7:36 LEV. 11:31 DEC. 5 LEV. 11:32 LEV. 16:7 DEC. 6 LEV. 16:8 LEV. 17:5 DEC. 7 LEV. 17:6 LEV. 18:27 DEC. 8 LEV. 18:28 LEV. 21:6 DEC. 9 LEV. 21:7 LEV. 23:22 DEC. 10 LEV. 23:23 LEV. 27:34 DEC. 11 NUMBERS 1:1 NUMBERS 4:16 DEC. 12 NUM. 4:17 NUM. 8:4 DEC. 13 NUM. 8:5 NUM. 10:32 DEC. 14 NUM. 10:33 NUM. 15:23 DEC. 15 NUM. 15:24 NUM. 17:7 DEC. 16 NUM. 17:8 NUM. 20:6 DEC. 17 NUM. 20:7 NUM.25:5 DEC. 18 NUM. 25:6 NUM. 31:2 DEC. 19 NUM. 31:3 NUM. 33:46 DEC. 20 NUM. 33:47 NUM. 36:13 DEC. 21 DEUTERONOMY 1:1 DEUT. 2:22 DEC. 22 DEUT. 2:23 DEUT. 5:9 DEC. 23 DEUT. 5:10 DEUT. 9:7 DEC. 24 DEUT. 9:8 DEUT. 12:28 DEC. 25 DEUT. 12:29 DEUT. 17:9 DEC. 26 DEUT. 17:10 DEUT. 22:8 DEC. 27 DEUT. 22:9 DEUT. 26:18 DEC. 28 DEUT. 26:19 DEUT. 31:23 DEC. 29 DEUT. 31:24 DEUT. 32:21 DEC. 30 DEUT. 32:22 DEUT. 34:12 DEC. 31 JOSHUA 1:1 J0SHUA 7:1
DECEMBER 2018 Page 7 CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS WITH CHARLIE ROTH Join us for this heart-warming holiday concert at Living Waters on: WEDNESDAY, DECMEBER 19 * 7PM (following the Vespers service) Singer, Songwriter, International Performer with 3 UK tours under his belt, Guitarist, One-Man Band, Bard of the Great Plains, Emissary of The Prairie. Charlie plays a mix of originals and puts his own twist on wellknown songs that will sometimes bring a tear to your eye and sometimes get your feet stomping. A consummate entertainer, Charlie s motto is have a good time every time. Charlie has been making his living playing music for over 30 years. Young and old will be well entertained! Pass the word to your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! A freewill offering will be received. Come caroling with us! Living Waters has been invited to carol at Ridgeview Place in Sauk Rapids. Please join us as we sing some holiday favorites to the residents there and elsewhere. Young and old are welcome to join us. Bring the whole family. tuesday, DECEMEBER 18 * 6PM We will return to the church for hot chocolate and cookies! Mark your calendars! Christmas Cotillion SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 MEET AT 6:00pm (meet in the sanctuary) FINE DINING Bring anywhere from $8 $15 depending on what you order! Bring a wrapped gag ALL THINGS HIGH SCHOOL
DECEMBER 2018 Page 8 Living Nativity and Parade Christmas Eve in a Barn The services at the barn on Dec 24 will be at noon, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm 4:30 pm. The LWLC Living Nativity will be at Coborn s on Saturday, Dec. 1 (3:00 pm - thru the parade at 5:00 pm and Thursday, Dec 6 (two shifts: 6-7 pm & 7-8 pm). LWLC will also have a float in the Parade of Lights on Dec. 1 THERE ARE STILL MANY SLOTS OPEN. SIGN UP ONLINE at https://tinyurl.com/ycefopv2 or contact the church office. To sign up to help at one of the barn services or be a character go online at https://tinyurl.com/ybeyjb9q or contact the church office. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services The annual Christmas day dinner will be December 25 at noon and YOU and YOURS are invited. Traditional candlelight services will be at LWLC on December 24 at 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm. You can sign up online if you wish to help at one of the services or contact the church office. https://tinyurl.com/y8hqhf62
Poinsettias A poinsettia can be ordered to be used to decorate the church. You can order through the church office or you can bring in a (please have to the church by noon Sunday, December 23). Cost of Poinsettias: 6 potted Poinsettia $9.00 8 potted Poinsettia $20.0 10 potted Poinsettia $35.00 Deadline to order is December 11. In the midst of what can be a stressful, busy season, join us on Wednesday evenings at Living Waters for a time of calm and quiet reflection. With the sanctuary only lit by candles, each week s service offers beautiful music, readings, and prayers including individual healing prayers for anyone who desires them. Each Wednesday service begins at 6:30 pm and lasts from 30-45 minutes. WEDNESDAYS, DECEMBER 5, 12, 19 Blue Christmas Candlelight Service Come to the manger... be filled with the Light of Christ! Living Waters will be holding its first ever Blue Christmas candlelight service on Friday, December 21, 2018, at 6:30pm. Christmas is often a time of hope, peace, and joy, but we are also mindful of the unrest and pain that exists in our communities and in the world. Loss of loved ones, broken relationships, unemployment, illness or difficult diagnosis, natural disasters, war, and so much more can all contribute to a less than joyous feeling this time of year. This Blue Christmas service is a time for all of us to come together, whether we are traveling our own grief journey or standing in support of others in our church family or community who celebrate this season with heavy hearts. Please join us in this special time of worship, as we focus on the hope and peace that is revealed to us through the ever-present light of Christ.
DECEMBER 2018 Page 10 In January a group including many from LWLC will be going to Haiti to serve and be served. They have many experiences ahead of them including; bringing fresh water to Cite Soleil, visiting orphanages and schools, supporting local initiatives and businesses and serving the elderly. If you are interested in supporting this trip there are a couple of To contribute go to this link, https://tinyurl.com/y7t6s9by and click to donate. opportunities available. First you can support the team through prayer and encouragement and secondly, if you are so moved, you can contribute to our team s local sourcing project of Elder Care Support. In the future if you are interested in joining the trip please talk to those who have or are going and consider joining us for a life changing experience. The team is made up of the following: Erik Hanson (LWLC), Eric Falk (LWLC), Larry Hanson (Erik's dad and a member of Atonement in St. Cloud), Trygve Hanson (LWLC), Riley Holmes (SR Resident and New Winer), Brooke Lorentz (LWLC), Don Myers (from Oregon), Merilee Myers (from Oregon), Rick Neyssen (St. Cloud resident and member of Atonement in St. Cloud), Anna Satre (LWLC), Allison Stiegel (LWLC), and Kirsten Stiegel (LWLC). Bake Sale! No time to bake your Christmas favorites?? We can do it for you! Christmas cookies, Oreo balls, kiss cookies, krumkake and more! All of the proceeds will be going towards Allison and Kirsten Stiegel s Haiti Mission Trip 2019. We went in 2017 and were so moved by the amazing people that just had to go back! We are so excited to go back and so excited for your contributions towards our trip! You are invited to the 3rd Annual Angel of Hope Candlelight Vigil. The Angel is a gathering place for anyone grieving the loss of a child, of any age, for any reason. All are welcome here to grieve, reflect, find solace, and hope for the future. The evening will begin with a brief indoor ceremony before proceeding to the outdoor pavilion. White flowers will be provided to participants to place at the foot of the angel, in honor of their child or loved one. Attendees are encouraged to register at Eventbrite.com under the Angel of Hope Candlelight Vigil in Sartell, MN. If interested, attendees may submit a photo of their loved one for a slide show presentation. This is an all-weather event. EVENT LOCATION: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S, Sartell, MN.
DECEMBER 2018 Saturday, December 1 10:00 am Rosemaling 3:00 pm Living Nativity 5:00 pm Parade of Lights Sunday, December 16 December Calendar CLOSED MONDAYS Tuesday - Friday 9am - 3pm Please see the online calendar for an up-to-date listing of events at http:// www.lwlcmn.org/ calendar.html BP Checks 3rd Sunday of the Month, 9:30am Sunday, December 2 Pick up stockings 8:30 am Worship 9:40 am Pond and Splash 9:40 am 1st grade milestone class 9:45 am Table Talk 10:30 am Worship with choir 4:00 pm New Wine Monday, December 3 Office closed 6:30 pm Defiant Joy Bible Study Tuesday, December 4 10:00 am Staff meeting 5:30 pm Women s group meeting 5:30 pm Budget meeting Wednesday, December 5 6:15 pm Worship team practice 6:30 pm Advent Vespers 7:30 pm NA Thursday, December 6 6:00 pm Living Nativity 7:00 pm The Journey 7:00 pm AA and Al Anon Friday, December 7 11:00 am The Journey Sunday, December 9 RETURN FILLED STOCKINGS 1st graders receive milestones at both worship services 8:30 am Worship with choir 9:40 am Children s Christmas program rehearsal 9:45 am Table Talk 10:30 am Worship with choir and baptisms 4:00 pm New Wine rehearsal 6:30 pm 7th 9th gr Youth Gift Buying night Monday, December 10 Office closed Tuesday, December 11 10:00 am Staff meeting 5:30 pm Finance team meeting Wednesday, December 12 6:15 pm Worship Team practice 6:30 pm Advent Vespers 7:30 pm NA Thursday, December 13 5:30 pm Care Core 7:00 pm AA and Al Anon Bake Sale 8:30 am Worship service 9:30 am Blood Pressure checks 9:45 am Table Talk 10:00 am Kid s meet in LLC to prepare for Christmas program 10:30 am Worship with Children s Christmas program 11:30 am Kid s Christmas program celebration 6:00 pm H 2O Cotillion Monday, December 17 Office closed Tuesday, December 18 10:00 am Staff meeting 5:30 pm Women s group meeting 6:00 pm Caroling Wednesday, December 19 6:15 pm Worship Team practice 6:30 pm Advent Vespers 7:00 pm Charlie Roth Concert 7:30 pm Council Meeting 7:30 pm NA Thursday, December 20 9:00 am LLC & Kitchen use 7:00 pm AA and Al Anon Friday, December 21 6:30 pm Blue Christmas service Sunday, December 23 8:30 am Worship 9:40 am Pond & Splash movie and popcorn 9:45 am Table Talk 10:30 am Worship Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Noon Barn service 1:30 pm Barn service 3:00 pm Barn service 4:30 pm Barn service 6:00 pm Candlelight Service at the church 11:00 pm Candlelight Service at the church Tuesday, December 25 Noon Christmas Day dinner Wednesday, December 26 Office closed 7:30 pm NA Thursday, December 27 7:00 pm AA and Al Anon Sunday, December 30 9:00 am Worship service Page 11 Please inform the church office of any events you wish to be put or taken off the calendar. Thanks! December Service Team 4 Team Leader: Tim Wright If your service team is scheduled for an upcoming month, please check the online calendar http://www.lwlcmn.org/signups1.html) and sign up online!
1911 4th Avenue North Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Phone: 320-255-1135 Fax: 320-255-8891 Email: church@lwlcmn.org Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 10 Sartell, MN Address Service Requested Time Sensitive Materials IT IS NOT TOO EARLY to plan to SHAKE OFF THOSE POST-CHRISTMAS, JANUARY- BLAHS BLUES! THERE S MORE FUN AHEAD! ANNUAL MEETING FEB 3, 2019 at 9:40 AM between services. First Coming by Madeleine L Engle God did not wait till the world was ready, till...nations were at peace. God came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. God did not wait for the perfect time. God came when the need was deep and great. God dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. God did not wait till hearts were pure. In joy God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame God came, and God s Light would not go out. God came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn. In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born. We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!