St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church December 2018 REV. KEVIN K. ADER 715-544-0325 office@stjohnkellner.org pastor@stjohnkellner.org www.stjohnkellner.org Mission Statement: We are called by God to be the light of the world. We are to go forth and show Jesus love and forgiveness through loving care for all God s creation. Adult Bible Class We continue reading through the Scriptures on Sunday mornings with the Gospel Project Chronological study as our road map. We will continue with our study of our Lord s final days as we look at the events of Holy Week. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 8:05 a.m. Please note that we will not meet on December 23 and 30. The Monday afternoon class will be wrapping up our study of Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity during this month. After the first of the New Year we will begin the study of the book of Job. Watch for more details in the January Newsletter and bulletin announcements. Please note that we will not meet on December 24 and 31. God With Us Children Led Christmas Service Our Weekday School Students will be leading us in a special Christmas service, God With Us, on Sunday morning, December 9, during our morning worship time. We will come together as the family of God to hear voices of children reveal the saving message that Christ is born for us all. Midweek Advent Services Services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m. Supper will be served from 5:00 6:00 p.m. before the evening service. December 5th The Child Who Is Zechariah s Hope Isaiah 40:1 5; Luke 1:5 25 December 12th The Child Who Is a Virgin s Great Son Judges 13:2 7; Luke 1:26 38 December 19th The Child Who Is John s Joy 2 Samuel 6:12 23; Luke 1:39 45 IMPORTANT WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGES for December Please make note of the following worship schedule changes: Eve services will be at 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.and will be noted on the December calendar. Please note that both services on Christmas Eve will be the same. Christmas Day service will be at 9:30 a.m. as always. Page 1
Christmas Eve Service Join us for a very special Christmas Eve service called A Great Light. The prophet Isaiah foretold, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2). Join us for Christmas Eve to celebrate the great Light that has come into our world to dispel the darkness of sin forever. Let the Carols, Scripture, homily and prayers reveal the Good News that our Great Light has dawned: Jesus Christ is born; let us rejoice! Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Advent Services This year s Advent series for our weekend worship focuses on the ways in which God is with us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each week will focus on a different word picture of the coming Christ found in the poetic and prophetic words of Isaiah. Services will reveal how Christ continues be present with us even now. The theme verse for the entire series is: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us) (Matthew 1:23). December 1 & 2: Our Potter (Isaiah 64:8): God is with us as our Potter, who shapes according to his will. December 8: Our Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11): God is with us as our Shepherd, who carries us close to his heart. December 15 & 16: Our Living Branch (Isaiah 11:1): God is with us as our Living Branch, who died and rose to give us eternal life. December 22 & 23: Our Guide (Isaiah 2:3): God is with us as our Guide, who leads us according to his Word. Christmas Day Service Join us for a special Christmas Day service called Immanuel Has Come. The prophet Isaiah said, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Join us for Christmas Day to celebrate that our Immanuel has come, God with us, in swaddling clothes. Let the Carols, Scripture, homily and prayers reveal to you anew the Good News that the sign long promised has arrived in the flesh: Our Savior is born! Christmas Day Service of Holy Communion will be held at 9:30 a.m.
. Annual Twelfth Night Celebration We will once again be celebrating the Twelfth Night Epiphany with our 4th Annual Twelfth Night Celebration on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. Join us for food, fellowship, and Epiphany Bingo. Watch for sign-up sheet and further details coming later in December. Fruit Basket Lists The Ladies Aid will be putting together fruit baskets in December for members 75 years of age or older. If you or someone you know is not on the list and would like a fruit basket please notify the church office or the Ladies Aid. We don t want to miss anyone that qualifies for one! Thanks for helping us keep our list up to date. The Ladies Aid: Marlyn Alft, Jeanine Arneson, Dennis Bauman, Mabel Behn, Joanne Behrend, Lee & Flora Bottensek, Bill Coley, David & Dorothy Cook, Lynn Dix, Ron & Marcia Doescher, Jim Eberhardt, Ardis Fredrick, Ronald Geiger, Grace Gilman, Robert Hanneman, Les & Mona Heindl, Emily Henke, Chet James, Doug Kasten, Dick & Kathy Kertis, Bev Kirst, Lorin & Carol Lutz, Ray & Judy Monje, Pastor Paul Mueller, Laura Neinfeldt, Marion Oleson, Allan & Judy Ontl, Shirley Piekarski, Elaine Polansky, Sandy Primeau, Lester Rabska, Nathalie Reinke, Charles & Darlene Rickman, Raymond & Marlene Rogers, Nancy Saeger, Gladys Sawaska, Jerry Schimke, Larry Shepard, Helen Schoenick, Donald & Ardel Schoenick, Howard Schuldt, Don & Betty Spurlock, Jerry & Donna Strack, Jerry Swen, Gene & Marianne Timm, Robert Warren, Jean Zeman and Dorothy Zimmerman. Ladies Aid Christmas Party The Ladies Aid would like to invite all ladies of the congregation to their Christmas Party on Thursday, December 6 at Noon. Bring a dish to pass and a $10.00gift for exchanging. Evening Guild Christmas Party Lake Aire Supper Club Thursday, December 13th. Cocktails and Socializing at 5:00 PM and Dinner at 6:00 PM. Flower and Bulletin Chart The new 2019 flower and bulletin sign up chart will be available soon on the north bulletin board. Offering Envelopes Please pick up your 2019 offering envelopes beginning the weekend of Dec. 8th & 9th. There will be a cart in the narthex with them. No labels this year. Just pickup a box. Please include your first and last name on your envelopes to insure that you are getting credit for your tithe. Do you receive unsolicited mail with free mailing labels? This is a great way to use them! Please wait until after January 1, 2019 to use your new envelopes. Annual Report Deadline It s that time again!!! Annual reports from all boards and organizations need to be brought or emailed to the church office by Thursday, December 27,2018 Page 3
Worship Anew Worship Anew is a thirtyminute Christian worship experience featuring classic hymns, the Apostles Creed, the Lord s Prayer, and a 10minute message by Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pastors. Beginning on June 28, 2015, RCCA will begin airing WSFI on Solarus Cable Channel 3 and Charter Cable Channel 985 on Sunday mornings at 6:30 am and Wednesday mornings at 8:00 am. WSFI can also be seen on Stevens Point Community TV (Charter Cable Channel 984) at the following times: Mondays 12:30 pm, Tuesdays 2:00 pm, Thursdays 2:30 pm, Fridays 10:30 am and Saturdays at 11:00 am. December 2, 2018 First Sunday in Advent Psalm 89:6, 14-16, 18; Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 Watching. Waiting. Hoping. - Sermon Text: Luke 21:25-36 - Rev. James Elsner As Christmas draws near, Advent provides a season of preparation for Christ s coming. Knowing that Jesus will reappear, are you fearful? Or, Hoping? December 9, 2018 Second Sunday in Advent Psalm 66:1-12; Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-7b; Gospel: Luke 3:1-20 Prepare the Way - Sermon Text: Luke 3:4b Rev. Shayne Jonker Repentance and forgiveness. This is the pattern of the Christian life. This is the daily death and resurrection of those baptized into Christ. And this is how we prepare to meet the Lord Jesus in His coming to us. December 16, 2018 Third Sunday in Advent Psalm 85; Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Gospel: Luke 7:18-28 Are You the One? - Sermon Text: Luke 7:1828 - Rev. William Mueller Have you wondered what God was up to in your life? Don t fret if you have so did John the Baptist. Feel frustrated in your faith? Don t worry just ask the right person, like John the Baptist did. Ask Jesus in the moments of frustration and fear and be encouraged by His answer! December 23, 2018 The Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Observed Psalm 98; Old Testament: Titus 3:4-7; Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 God Comes Near! - Sermon Text: Luke 2:9 Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer The hopes and fears of all the years came together over two thousand years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. God came near. What are your hopes this Christmas? Your fears? God comes near! O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel! December 30, 2018 First Sunday after Christmas Psalm 111; Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17; Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 In the Name of Jesus - Sermon Text: Colossians 3:12-17 - Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III As we face a new year, or at any time in the year, what is the best advice as to how we are to live? Do everything in the name of Jesus! We can live in such a manner, because of Jesus name! Soup is on at St. John Soup to take home for a quick meal, take to a shut in or give to a single person who does not like to cook!! It is for everyone!! The soup is in the freezer in the first white fridge. Take a blue bag to carry soup in and ALSO TAKE A BAG FROM BASKET which contains crackers, fruit, cookies and small soda! We want to help you relax a bit and enjoy wholesome home cooked soup. This batch of soup is chicken chowder which is a favorite of everyone. Pick up a bag today!! ENJOY!! Page 4
Lutheran Hour Broadcast December 23 The Lutheran Hour can be heard on the following radio stations on Sunday Morning: WAXX 104.5 FM at 6:30 a.m.; WDLB 1450 AM at 8 a.m.; WDUX 92.7 FM at 8 a.m.; WSAU 99.9 FM at 8:30 a.m.; and WRVM 91.3 FM, 94.3 FM or 101.3 FM at 10 a.m. The King s Strength December 2 "Reality Therapy" Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler The book of Ruth deals with unimportant people and unimportant matters, but deals with them in such a way as to show that God is active in ordinary lives-like yours and mine. Ruth's story became an important part of the story of Jesus. Listening to God's work in her life can rescue us from dead end delusions and bring us into what is most real-a Jesus-centered reality. (Ruth 1-2) December 9 "Redeemer with a Capital R" Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler When people use the word "redeem" outside of religious context, they tend to use it in a commercial sense-redeeming points from purchases or casino tokens for cash. In the Bible, the word "redeem" is used in a family setting. In the story of Ruth, Boaz is a "kinsman redeemer," who points to Jesus, our capital-r-redeemer. Jesus has done more than pay our points. He redeems by bringing us into his clan, his people, his household, that we might be with him forever. (Ruth 3-4) December 16 "In Anxious Times - Rejoice! " Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Anthony (Tony) Cook Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. With anxiety on the rise, the Apostle Paul's call to "rejoice always" seems all but unobtainable. While there are many helpful ways to cope with society's increasing anxiety, Paul points us to a frequently overlooked source of joy and peace, God's grace in Christ. (Philippians 4:4-7 ) Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler A true king s strength is seen, not in vaults and arsenals, but in the loyalty of his people.we celebrate the birth of the King who won the victory, not by taxing his subjects and killing his enemies, but by serving, loving and dying for them. By his resurrection, He destroyed the power of sin and lends us strength to become His loyal subjects. (Luke 1:26-56 ) December 30 A Long Good-By Guest Speaker: Dr. Dean Nadasdy As the year comes to a close, we likely have regrets and guilt. We can beat ourselves up over work left undone, but Jesus Christ has assured us that He is your hope. His grace is more than sufficient to take us into another year and give us peace. (Luke 2:27-32) Office Thank You I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped me out in the office if need be. I would like to especially thank Betty Spurlock for taking time out of her busy schedule to help me with reconciling the Scrip Program. Thank you to the Ladies Aid and Evening Guild for your generous donation to help purchase paper and office supplies for the office. Also a big thank you goes out to Marcia Doescher and Rollie Ashbeck for all you do to keep our church looking good insider and outside. Also, the biggest thank you of all goes to Pastor Ader for all he does to help me out when needed. It is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and God s Blessings to each and everyone of you for a Happy New Year. Sharon Coley Page 5
Bazaar Thank You Thank You Saturday, October 27, 2018 was the date for the 50th Annual Fall Harvest and Bake Sale. The day was a bit overcast with few showers But my, oh my when the doors opened, the waiting shoppers were greeted with a wide variety of homemade bakery and top-quality crafts, plus a great selection of home-canned goods and home-grown produce! All of these items were accompanied by the youth soups-in -a-jar. Raffle tickets for the amazing 23 baskets prepared by individuals, organizations and families of the congregation were a popular item! The Book Sale in the Narthex was a great success! Shoppers were also invited to partake of the Bar-B-Que luncheon topped off with a slice of delicious pie. THANKS to all the congregational and community members who donated in any way to make this 50th annual tradition a success! A special thank you to David and Dorothy Cook for their donation of the many bushels of Apples used for applesauce and pies! Thank You also to Mortenson Brothers Farms for their donation of Beets and to Patrykus Farms for their donation of Carrots! The Evening Guild organizes the Fall Harvest and Bake Sale and the Ladies Aid prepares the Luncheon. The Library Group displays a giant selection of books and electronic media. The Youth Group prepares the soups-in-a-jar. The monies raised at this event will be used in many forms to enhance the Lord s work in the congregation, the community and the world! THANK YOU again, whether you donated items, purchased goods, placed the information on a bulletin board, marque or sponsored an advertisement in the newspaper, your support is greatly appreciated! Make plans to participate in the Fall Harvest and Bake Sale on Saturday, October 26, 2019! Scrip Scrap Corner Christmas will be here before you know it. It is not to late to purchase scrip gift cards for your last minute gifts. We have a large selection in stock and can also special order cards that you want for that special someone on your list. Please consider helping out St. John and do your Christmas shopping at church. The profit for November was $207.36 Lutheran Witness Subscriptions Price has gone up this year for the Lutheran Witness. Price this year is $25.56. This includes 11 issues and June/July issue is a combined edition). Please make your check out to St. John Lutheran Church and reference on the memo line this check is for Lutheran Witness. Mail or drop your payment off at the church office by Monday, December 16. If you are not going to renew your subscription this year, please let Sharon know. New subscription will begin in March 2019. The Giving Tree Believe it or not it s THAT time of year again, when the elves of the Human Care Board set up a Christmas tree in the Narthex with the ornaments proclaiming the names of our Christmas Family member wants and needs printed on them! So friends...the tree is already up, so grab a name fast and put on your fun Christmas shopping smile and we will try to make a brighter Christmas for five area families! Mona Heindl, chairperson The Human Care Board Thank You To Whom It May Concern: Thank you very much for your thoughtfullness. It was very much appreciated!! May God Bless You Gene & Marianne Timm Page 6