December 2016 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, December has arrived and it s time to decorate the tree, stroll down Broadway, gift scores of families through our Christmas Kid s Shoppe, bake, shop, party, and enjoy family gatherings. Just as we re really getting into the most wonderful time of the year, here comes an abrupt interruption. Before the jolly fat man in a red and white suit comes to town we get; Here s Johnny. John the Baptist greets us with words like, You brood of vipers! Repent! Bear fruit worthy of Repentance! Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas. Oops! John s message reminds us we are not in the season of Christmas, rather Advent in the church year. A season of God coming into the world and John addresses us with a message of Prepare the way of the Lord that includes repentance. The word repentance means more than saying I m sorry. It means turning around, taking another direction, choosing another course. Rev. David Lose says that repentance underscores that change isn t necessary for change s sake, but rather change is necessary because we ve become aware that our actions are out of step with God s deep desire for peace and equity for all God s people and all creation. When we seriously examine our thoughts and behaviors we can make a lengthy list of things out of step with God s vision for all humankind. We can say I m really sorry, but that is what I d call cheap repentance, if we stop there. John the Baptist relates repentance to preparing the way of the Lord, changing from my way to God s ways, God s desires, and God s promised and preferred future now in the present. Repentance is more a verb than a noun. It s a call to change. This Advent season I encourage you to choose one aspect of your life God is calling you to change. Maybe it s working on a relationship you feel needs to be better; perhaps an unhealthy habit you struggle with; or beginning a new spiritual practice; or something else like all of these which could prove to be life-giving for you personally and those who you relate to most closely. Repentance is not simply personal, it s also communal. There are aspects of our Messiah faith community and Red Lodge community that need repentance. Could we work harder to welcome, invite, involve, and listen to younger people in meaningful ministries? Can we name and change from the old adage we ve always done it that way? Where do we see God s future for our congregation? Can we name and do something to address challenges of adequate affordable housing, transportation, poverty, or hunger? What does God call us to do together that would bear fruit worthy of repentance? Prepare ye the way of the Lord. That s John s Advent call. The Lord is coming. As we individuals and a faith community hear John s message, may the Holy Spirit lead us to repentance, turn us, change us, direct and empower us to live out God s gift of faith active in love in the one who was, who is, and is to come, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Blessed Advent! Pastor Kim
MESSIAH LUTHERAN NEWS Page 2 For December Grab a cup of coffee and a goodie and join us after worship for the Sunday Forum. December 4 December 11 December 18 The Catholic Reformation (Response to Martin Luther lead Reformation The Protestant Reformation after Luther (Denominations begin) Mental health services are limited in rural Montana. However, we have them in Red Lodge. Come learn more from special guest Summer LCPC, MFT from Carbon county Mental Health Services. DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFERING Freedom In Christ Prison Ministry at Montana State Prison
MESSIAH LUTHERAN NEWS ~ Messiah Dates to Remember Page 3 CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 AT 5:00 PM Soup will be furnished; please bring a salad, bread, crackers or dessert to share! Friday, December 16 Social Hour 5:00pm to 6:00pm Wine $5 00 per glass/cash Bar Italian Buffet ~ $17 per person [Chicken Parmesan, Lasagna & salad] Goofy Gift Exchange CHRISTMAS KIDS SHOPPE Messiah is merrily getting ready for the Christmas Kids Shoppe. Any treasures you would like to bring to church are welcome and we are accepting them now. Gifts for men and boys are always especially welcome. PLEASE sign-up on the sheet in the narthex so you can help with this very special event which benefits the children in our community and is fun for everyone! Dates: Saturday, December 3 & Saturday, December 10 Time: 9:00 am to Noon Location: Messiah Lutheran Church ~ 723 S Adams, Red Lodge The Mitten Tree is up in the Sanctuary! It needs decorations! Please bring your donation of Mittens, Caps & Scarves to the church. Thank you.
MESSIAH LUTHERAN NEWS Page 4 Red Lodge Community Church has invited us to go caroling Saturday, December 3, during the Christmas Stroll. Gather in the Community Church Narthex for cookies and cider beginning at 5:30p.m. Then at 6:00 p.m., we will carol and walk North down Broadway. 12/8 Alex Elsberry 12/11 Clara Jarvi 12/14 Michael Mullaney Allen Hansen 12/15 Suzi Hansen 12/18 Megan Gildehaus 12/25 Mary Lou Maryott 12/30 Dan Elsberry 12/31 Manfred Maryott 12/16 Jeff & Renee Gildehaus 12/22 Joe & Marietta Johnson 12/28 Dennis & Ann Christ
MESSIAH LUTHERAN NEWS ~ Montana Synod Page 5
Mark your calendars for January 10 ~ 10am Make and tie quilts for Luther World Relief As before, you will be "sandwiching" the quilts and tying them with crochet thread. All materials are provided. Just bring your self. A great time will be had by all. Thanks for joining our 4 th year of making these warm quilts. Men and ladies are welcome! At our 9:00 a.m. Tuesday Bible Study we SHARE our individual thoughts on Bible passages Personal concerns and problems, opportunities (with no obligations) to serve We invite you to come, listen and feel the Lord s support through the group. You are welcome to participate in activities or remain silent and just listen. The Days for Girls mission providing feminine hygiene kits for girls around the world will have another workshop on the lower level of Red Lodge Community Church on Thursday, December 29 at 11:30 am. Help is needed to cut, assemble, sew, etc. Lunch will be served. The goal is 100 kits, so there is much work to be done.
26 27 4 December 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:45 AM Choir Practice 9:30 AM Worship 10:40 AM Sunday Forum 5:00 PM Drummers 11 8:45 AM Choir Practice 9:30 AM Worship 10:40 AM Congregational Budget Meeting 5:00 PM Drummers 18 8:45 AM Choir Practice 9:30 AM Worship 10:40 AM Sunday Forum 5:00 PM Drummers 25 Christmas 8:45 AM Choir Practice 9:30 AM Worship 11:00 AM Worship @ the Willows 5 Men s Breakfast Bible Study 12:45 PM Bible Study @ The Willows 4:00 PM Bible Study @ Cedarwood 12 Men s Breakfast Bible Study 12:45 PM Bible Study @ The Willows 1:30 PM Hospice Luncheon 4:00 PM Bible Study @ Cedarwood 19 Men s Breakfast Bible Study 12:45 PM Bible Study @ The Willows 4:00 PM Bible Study @ Cedarwood 6 9:00 AM Women s Bible Study @ Messiah 13 9:00 AM Women s Bible Study @ Messiah 20 9:00 AM Women s Bible Study @ Messiah 4:00 PM Church Council 9:00 AM Women s Bible Study @ Messiah 7 5 Minute Prayers 10:00 AM Pastor s Text Study in Cody 3:00 PM Bingo @ The Willows 14 5 Minute Prayers Pastor s Text Study at Mission Ridge Billings 21 5 Minute Prayers 10:00 AM Pastor s Text Study in Cody 3:00 PM Bingo @ The Willows 28 5 Minute Prayers 10:00 AM Pastor s Text Study in Cody 1 5:00 PM Tree Decorating 8 9 15 2:00 PM Worship @ Cedarwood Villa 2 16 22 23 29 30 5:00 PM Christmas Party @ Pizza Co 3 9:00 AM Christmas Kids Shoppe 10 9:00 AM Christmas Kids Shoppe 17 24 Christmas Eve 2:00 PM Worship @ Cedarwood Villa 5:00 PM Worship 7:00 PM Worship 31
Messiah Lutheran Church P. O. Box 1330 Red Lodge, Montana 59068 December 2016 Newsletter Messiah s Vision: To become a growing congregation of Christ s disciples who make a difference by living out our faith daily, active in love. HOW TO REACH MESSIAH Church Phone: 406-446-2430 Church Address: 723 S. Adams PO Box 1330, Red Lodge, MT 59068 Website: www.redlodgemessiah.com Email: churchoffice@180com.net Pastor Kim Wilker (406) 446-4466 Messiah s Mission: To know Christ To make disciples To send out To make Christ known Sunday Choir Practice: 8:45 AM Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM Coffee and Forum: 10:30 AM Office Hours M-TH 9 NOON Closed Friday