Calendar of Events Sunday, December 2 Wednesday, December 5 9:30 am Holy Communion 6:30 pm Advent Bible Study/light supper 10:45 am Annual Meeting 12:00 pm Celebration Meal Monday, December 3 5:30 pm Cub Scouts Pack #41 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 6:30 pm Fellowship Committee Thursday, December 6 9:30 am Morning Prayer 10:00 am Knitters for Neighbors 6:30 pm Celebration Ringers 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir 7:30 pm Alanon Friday, December 7 Office closes at 11 am Tuesday, December 4 9:30 am Morning Prayer 4:00 pm Morningstar Choir 5:30 pm Sit Happens 5:45 pm Council Dinner 7:00 pm Council meeting Saturday, December 8 9:00 am Kids in Mission (Snow Date) 2:00 pm Alanon District Meeting MESSIAH MESSENGER USPS 342-060 Published each week by Messiah Lutheran Church, 324 South Howard Street, South Williamsport, PA. Publication Office, 324 South Howard Street. Entered as a periodical October 15, 1940, at the Post Office at Williamsport, PA under the Act of March 3, 1879. POSTMASTER: Send address MESSIAH change to Messiah MESSENGER Lutheran Church, 324 South Howard Street, South Williamsport, PA 17702.
Published by MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH www.messiahsouth.org Phone: 570-326-9171 e-mail address: messiahoffice@comcast.net November 28, 2018 VOL. 76 NO. 47 For the Messiah family, Advent is a season of preparation for Christ s birth. It is a time for us to truly examine our lives and our faith, to see ways in which we can better live out our faith in our everyday lives and jobs. It is a time for honest spiritual reflection and listening for God s calling in our lives. As we make our way through Advent, there will be many opportunities at Messiah for personal reflection, faith growth, and listening. Weekly Sunday morning worship, biweekly Advent Morning Prayer, and Wednesday evening soup and study are all available to you. These things will help you in your personal faith journey. Making time for this in our busy lives is a struggle, but it is a struggle God wants us to meet. In addition, we should also all challenge ourselves to do something for our neighbors. This reverse Advent Calendar is one such idea. These food items can be donated to Messiah or any other food pantry. Regardless of whether you do this or something else, do something for yourself and your neighbors. Focus your Advent on being Christ s presence in the world. Vicar Josh
SERVICE ASSISTANTS USHERS: 9:30 am: Gail O Brien, Marilyn Frailey, Sylvia McCarty, Larry Solomon LAY ASSISTANT: 9:30 am: Marilyn Frailey COMMUNION ASSISTANT: 9:30 am: Gary Hutchinson ALTAR GUILD: 9:30 am: Marcella Kelley, Jean Bower CHIEF COMMUNION USHER: 9:30 am: Doug Houseknecht COMMUNION PRESENTERS AND GREETERS: 9:30 am: Al and Marcella Kelley ACOLYTE: 9:30 am: Megan Aungst ; Shaelynn Brown (Crucifer) CANTOR: 9:30 am: Bob Schweppenheiser FLOWER DELIVERY: Charles Luppert Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Messiah: Attendance-155; Offering $4482.02 The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Sam Hessert, by his wife, Carol and his daughter, Pam. The Basket of Flowers is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Louise Hockman by her daughter, Linda Smith and Laurie, Matthew, and Michael. The Basket of Flowers is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Andrea s father, William H. Dennis and David s mother, Geraldine C. Turner, by David and Andrea Turner, and children. The Basket of Flowers is given to the Glory of God and in honor of Charles F. Artman s 88 th birthday on December 7 th with love, from Gary and Connie Hess and family. The Basket of Flowers is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Myrtie I. Hartzell on the anniversary of her birthday, December 1 st, by her family. The Basket of Flowers is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Nita and Eugene Hamm, by their daughter, and son-in-law, Debra and James Walton. The Basket of Flowers is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Sam Hessert, by his children, Bill, Elise, Sharon, and Pam. The Bud Vase is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of my husband, Sam Hessert, with love by Carol.
Daily Bible Readings Sunday December 2 Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 Monday December 3 Psalm 90; Numbers 17:1-11; 2 Peter 3:1-18 Tuesday December 4 Psalm 90; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Revelation 22:12-16 Wednesday December 5 Psalm 90; Isaiah 1:24-31; Luke 11:29-32 Thursday December 6 Luke 1:68-79: 1-10; Malachi 3:5-12; Philippians 1:12-18a Friday December 7 Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:13-18; Philippians 1:18b-26 Saturday December 8 Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 4:1-6; Luke 9:1-6 Eucharistic Ministers will be sharing communion with the sick and homebound of our congregation on Sunday, December 9. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be offered on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Those interested should contact the office by Sunday, December 9, 570-326-9171. The Annual Congregation Meeting is Sunday, December 2. A single Worship Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. followed by the meeting. Annual Reports have been mailed! You should have received your copy in the mail. Please bring your copy to the Annual Meeting on December 2. If you have not received one, limited copies will be available at the meeting. The nominees for Congregation Council 2019 are Marilyn Frailey, David Bausinger, David Wonderlich, Sandra Ream and Alice Morrison. No nominations will be accepted from the floor of the annual meeting. Thank you. All members of the Messiah Family and the Community are invited to Soup and Sandwich Suppers and Advent Bible Study Wednesdays in Advent 2018 November 28 December 5 December 12 December 19 6:30 p.m. - Soup and Sandwich Supper 7:00p.m. Advent Bible Study
The Library Corner Highlighted Books for the Week: Children - All Paths Lead to Bethlehem - Your child will be delighted by this fresh, creative approach to telling the Christmas story. From the announcement to Mary to the journey of the Wise Men and the flight into Egypt, the story of Jesus' birth is given new meaning by the customs of Christians in many countries around the world. This book is in the Christmas Section of our library. Adult - It Came upon the Midnight Clear - Thoughtfully told and charmingly illustrated, this book is a beautiful retelling of the Christmas Story. This little book describes God's concern for the well-being of people on earth, the angel Gabriel's discussion with Mary and the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born. This book is in the Christmas Section of our library. Kids in Mission Children's Baking Day/Mini-Christmas Bible School Saturday, December 1, 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon (Snow Date: December 8) Ages 4 through Grade 6 Pre-Registration is requested. Registration forms are available on the alley bulletin board or on the web site at http://messiahsouth.org/christian-education/kids-in-mission/ TEEN HELPERS NEEDED - Please sign up at the alley entrance or call the office. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help with Kids in Mission. This is a wonderful opportunity to work together for a truly worthwhile purpose. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!!! Please contact Kathryn Pratt at 570-916-2102 or @ dellpratt@hotmail.com with any questions or if you are interested in helping us. Thanks! Advent Morning Prayer begins on Tuesday, December 4 th at 9:30 AM. Morning Prayer, also known as Matins, is an ancient practice of the Church and an excellent way to deepen your devotion during Advent. We will gather in the Chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout Advent. Morning Prayer is a very easy and musically beautiful service to learn and is relatively short, lasting only about 15 minutes. All are welcome, and we ask especially for everyone in the Messiah family to make time to join us if you are able. The office will be closed for the length of these services on Tuesdays and Thursdays so the staff may participate. Please contact Vicar Josh with any questions.
White Gifts Collection has started. There are two trees in the Narthex decorated with angels that contain gift requests for families in South Williamsport. Please take an angel, purchase the gifts, and return them to Messiah by December 9 th. There are many angels left on the tree, so your assistance with this ministry is urgently needed. Please support the Christmas Baskets project! You can help by contributing any of the following items: Green beans, applesauce, canned milk, canned pumpkin, turkey stuffing mix, pie crust mix, sugar (5 lb. bag), flour (5 lb. bag), macaroni and cheese, chocolate or vanilla pudding and Jell-O. Food can be placed in the marked bin next to the White Gifts bin. Monetary contributions for the purchase of perishable items are also needed. Place your gifts in an envelope marked Christmas Baskets and place it in the offering plate or send it to the church office. Checks should be made payable to Messiah Lutheran Church. Be certain to write your offering envelope number on the envelope in order to receive credit on your financial statement. ALL DONATIONS SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 7 TH. THANK YOU. Volunteers Needed to Deliver Christmas Baskets. We need your help to deliver the White Gifts and Christmas Baskets to families in the South Williamsport area on December 15. A signup sheet is on the alley bulletin board or please call the church office, 570-326-9171. Thank you. SEAFARERS SATCHELS: Thanks to the generous giving by you - Members of Messiah- 23 GIFT SATCHELS - were sent, to be distributed to the Seafarers, by the Port Chaplains. I know that this expression of Christian love will be much appreciated. Thanks again. Carol Winter
December 9 Second Sunday Faith Night The evening begins with a light supper at 5:00pm followed by group time: GLOW Let Your Light Shine! Grades K-2 Led by Sue and Friends Please join us to hear a Christmas Story, make a craft and play a game. The little ones will be sure to have a good time. BYG Building Youth Groups- Grades 3-6 Led by Sally Congdon, Georgette Copp and Company Children are invited to join us for an evening of special Christmas activities. We ll roll up our sleeves and roll out the dough to make cut-out Christmas cookies. After that, we will decorate the cookie plates that the kids have come to love as well as making a colorful Christmas craft to take home. Join us for a night of yummy treats, fun projects and warm comradery! CONFIRMATION CLASS Parents and students will begin the evening by working together to wrap the white gifts that are to be purchased earlier in the afternoon. After that, parents and students will take part in a discussion. Led by Pastor Josh. Attention all Youth, grades 6-12. We will be going shopping for White Gifts that remain on the Angel tree on December 9. Please meet at the Bald Eagle Entrance at 2:00 pm. Reminder: An off-site permission slip is required to participate. Please call the church office, 326-9171 or e-mail Vicar Josh if you will be attending or have questions. WE ARE LOOKING FOR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM AT THE ANNUAL CONGREGATION CHRISTMAS DINNER ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16. PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE, 570-326-9171 OR E-MAIL KATHRYN PRATT dellpratt@hotmail.com or VICAR JOSH vicarjosh@comcast.net
Messiah s annual Congregation Christmas Dinner will be held Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 5:00 pm. Meat, rolls and beverages will be provided. Please bring a covered dish to share and ½ dozen Christmas cookies. Come and enjoy some holiday Fellowship! A sign up sheet will be available for this event on Sunday, December 2 in the Narthex. Please sign up so we have an approximate number of people attending. Thank you! Pledge cards and Time & Talent forms will be accepted through January 1 st.