December Newsletter 2015 The Season of Christmas Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage 573-459-6432 Church 573-459-6431 Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheran@hotmail.com ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com
From the Pastor s Desk: Our Savior Christ the Lord And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus (Luke 1:31) In a few short brushstrokes, the angel tells Mary what God is about to do. She will conceive and bear a Son. She is to name Him Jesus. This is a very common name in Mary s time. It means The Lord saves. Whenever you met someone named Jesus, their name was pointing you to the Lord who saves. But for this Child the Name will mean so much more. The angel adds: He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Since the Son of God Himself is becoming human for us, His Name Jesus is different from all the others. It points out that this is the Lord Himself; He has come to save us. This is literally the Lord who saves. That s staggering by itself. But the angel isn t quite finished. God will give her Son the throne of His father David. David was Israel s greatest king in the Old Testament. He won many great victories for Israel over its enemies and, in so doing, established a strong and peaceful kingdom, secure from all its enemies. God told David He would build him a house, raising up for him a descendant who would reign over an eternal kingdom forever. And now that famous promise is being kept. Whereas earthly kings come and go, this King will not. Though He dies on the cross, within three days He will rise again and reign over His Kingdom forever. This Christmas He calls you and me to be subjects of that never-ending 2
Kingdom free and safe from all our enemies Satan, sin, fear, death and the gates of hell. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for fulfilling Your promise to King David through his descendant Jesus Christ. I praiseyou that He rules in mercy, faithfulness and righteousness. In Jesus Name. Amen. Children s Christmas Eve Service 7:00 PM Joy to the World Children's Christmas Service presents the Christmas story through scripture readings and hymns. All children from Pre-school to 8 th grade are invited to participate in this beautiful Candle Light Service. The children will read the Christmas story, sing carols, act out the Christmas story, and have the congregation participate in praise to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Special musical numbers will be performed by our high school and junior high youth. Please note that the rehearsals for this service are: December 5, 10:00AM 11:00 AM December 12, 10:00AM 11:00 AM December 19, 10:00AM 11:00 AM Wednesday Advent Services Wednesday Advent Morning Bible Study and Devotional begins on December 2 at 10:00 AM in the Church Dining Hall. Come Wednesday mornings during Advent to mediate and study familiar Carols of Christmas. You will be able to see and hear some of the greatest choirs of the world and join them in the great treasury of Christmas hymns. The glad sounds of beautiful music heralding the coming of Christ have long been a hallmark of the Advent and Christmas season. In this collection of Advent meditations, we will be using devotions by gifted musician and hymn writer Dr. 3
Barry Bobb, Commission Teacher, LCMS, Indiana District. Dr. Bobb explores the history and meaning behind 12 familiar carols. Verse after verse, let the message of these wondrous melodies of our salvation in Christ put a joyous song in your heart. Each participant will get their own personal devotional book by Dr. Bobb, a Bible Study on the selected hymn and a brief worship sheet. Evening Advent Services begin December 2nd at 7:00 PM. The Church Year begins in Advent by telling the story of our Lord s earthly ministry. As we prepare to celebrate His first coming at Christmas in the Means of Grace, we also look to the final resurrection when He will come again on the Last Day. The historic Collects, or prayers, for each week in Advent have been called the Stir Up prayers. We ask the Lord to stir up His power to save us and then to stir up our hearts to make ready the way for the Lord. In our midweek meditations, we will consider the power of hope, the power of preparation, and the power of love. The Choir will participate in these services. The Services are as follows: Dec. 2nd - Stir Up the Power of Hope Dec. 9th - Stir Up the Power of Preparation, Dec. 16th - Stir Up the Power of Love, Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion will be held at our church at 11:00 PM with Holy Communion. This Christmas service of light will be led by Pastor with special music provided by members of our congregation. The theme is The Light Shines in the Darkness. 4
Christmas has captivated the world and remains a day of mystery. How can God, who made all things and holds them in the palm of His hand, come as a baby in Mary s womb? As much as we desire to explain Christmas, we come simply to confess its truth, to tell its story, and to trust in its promise, by the aid of the Holy Spirit. All the world stands in need of Him whom the Father has sent, whose birth we now celebrate. But how will they know of Christ and of the dawn of the day of redemption unless we who know Him confess Him before the world? So we come to remember and rejoice but also to respond anew with the courage to speak and live the light of Christ today and every day until He comes again! Christmas Day Service 10:00 AM Christmas Day Service will be held at 10:00 AM with Holy Communion. The service will be centered around familiar Christmas Carols with the theme, Incarnation and Celebration. We hear greetings of Merry Christmas! or Happy Holidays! Recently, much debate has been made over which of these salutations is the better of the two. Whichever one you prefer, one thing is undeniable; there is almost unanimous agreement that on this day, we celebrate! But just what do we celebrate? In other words, what exactly makes Christmas merry? Just what makes the holidays happy? The answer is found nowhere else but in God s Word. In today s Gospel, John makes known to us the reason for our merriment and happiness when he writes, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Ultimately, it s Jesus and His incarnation that is the reason for our celebration. Ladies Aid Christmas Luncheon The Ladies Aid of Ebenezer would like to invite all ladies of the congregation to our annual Christmas luncheon on Friday, 5
December 4, 2015 at 12:00 noon. Please feel free to join us as our guests. We are pleased to have Robin McCoy as our special guest. Hope to see you there. Dinner will include, roast smoked turkey, ham, wild rice soup, homemade desserts and all the fixings. Senior Christmas Dinner December 6, 12:00 Noon Christmas Dinner served by our youth will be held in the church s dining hall Sunday, December 6 at 12:00 noon. A scrumptious, Christmas dinner will be served by the families of our children and youth. All seniors are encouraged to attend. Concert The New Haven Community Choir Concert will be held at the St. Peter s United Church of Christ in New Haven on Sunday, December 6 th at 3:00 PM. Some of our members participate in this choir! Contribution Envelopes The contribution envelopes for our members will be ready to be picked up sometime before the end of December. We will notify our members in the bulletin when they are ready to take home. Signs to Display for Advent Advent Wreaths The usual circle of candles represents our hope in the Light of the World, whom the powers of darkness cannot overcome. Lighting a new Advent candle each week marks our Advent journey to the Christ Child. Advent Calendars Count the days of Advent in December until Christmas. Opening the windows of an Advent calendar daily reminds young and old where our eternal hope lies - 6
with the holy Child in a lowly manger. Advent Colors Purple is the ancient color of royalty (rather than penitence), signaling the coming of our King. The most recent use of blue among Protestants symbolizes the hope of God s people who trust in their unfailing Lord and King. The Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah, Mary and to Joseph that they would experience the miraculous birth of a child, Jesus would be God with us and He would save His people from their sins. (Luke 1:8-38). A Crown symbolizes the King of Glory, Jesus Christ, who left His position in glory to enter our world humbly and who will come again in glory to judge the world. Emmanuel or Immanuel is Hebrew for God is with us. Isaiah the prophet promised that the Lord would come to be with His people. As a sign of His promise, the son of Isaiah 7:14 was called God is with us. Advent Candles The First Advent Candle (violet) The Candle of Prophecy, symbolizing the Old Testament prophecies of Advent, or the coming of the Savior. The Second Advent Candle (violet) The Bethlehem Candle, symbolizing the coming on earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. The Third Advent Candle (Pink) the Shepherd Candle, symbolizing the coming of the Savior into our hearts and life through His Holy Word. 7
The Fourth Advent Candle (violet) The Angel Candle, symbolizing the final coming of the Savior in glory with all His angels for the Judgment. The Christ Candle symbolizing the fulfillment of prophecy, the nativity of Jesus Christ, the Savior, and the Light of the world. December Birthdays Adam Brune 12-1 Nancy Satre 12-30 Sara Unnerstall 12-3 Meredith Gardner 12-31 Emma Hudnell 12-4 Peggy Voelker 12-5 (If your name is not listed or listed Penny Schreiner 12-5 incorrectly, please let Mary know) Nicholas Gilbert 12-6 Paula Gleitz 12-7 Wilbert Baumann 12-7 Sophia Door 12-7 Dale Summers 12-9 Susan Hoemann 12-11 Barbara Bolm 12-11 Susan Kassebaum 12-16 Lynell Glosemeyer 12-16 Tracey Bade 12-17 Denise Walkenhorst 12-17 Debbie Brune 12-17 Isabelle Rose Gilbert 12-18 Adam Wesche 12-20 Babs Kormeier 12-21 Travis Gardner 12-21 Kate Walkenhorst 12-21 Lanette Bunge 12-21 Barry Kormeier 12-22 Jeff Brunkhorst 12-22 Judy Luecker 12-24 8
December Anniversaries Mark and Susan Kassebaum 12-4 Paul and Judy Creek 12-10 Marvin and Mary Sprick 12-11 Acolyte Schedule for December December 6 Danielle Gerding Trent Huellinghoff Ava Monzyk December 13 Kayleigh Crego Paige Thurmond Cierra Donatti December 20 Danielle Gerding Trent Huellinghoff Ava Monzyk December 27 Tyler Kasmann Kayleigh Crego Cierra Donatti Bell Ringer Cody Adams Jeff Hohlt Paul Kassebaum Corey Adams Usher Schedule for December 1: Corey Adams 2: Matt Kassebaum 3: Albert Bade 4: Philip Pelster 5: Harvey Quinn Alternate: Bryan Adams Head Usher: Wilbert Baumann 9
Altar Guild for December Pat Anderson and Mary Sprick Monthly Treasurer s Summary October 2015 Beginning checking balance $12,027.24 Receipts $17,412.06 Disbursements $11,251.46 Ending checking balance $18,187.84 LCEF savings balance $35,167.34 Thrivent FPDA balance $20,416.18 Pledged to Missouri District for year $4,800.00 Paid to Missouri District this year-to-date $4,000 Year-to-date income less expenses -$16,546.93 New Haven Preservation Society Invitation The New Haven Preservation Society extends an invitation to members of our congregation to view a large collection of nativities on display as part of the society s annual Christmas House Tour. The exhibit will feature nativities of many forms and sizes from a variety of countries and cultures. The display will be open from 3:30 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, December 6 th, at the Old Grade School at 810 Maupin St. in New Haven. 10
Thank You On behalf of Margaret and myself I would like to thank our congregation, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, for remembering my 25 years of service with a special recognition dinner. It was a complete surprise. The collection was very heartening and humbling to say the least. I will be using this money for our trip to Germany in July of 2017. I would like to thank the Board of Elders for all their hard work and planning for this special day. I also thank each member for their contribution to this as well. I do not want list individuals for I really do not know how this came about and who did what. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for spending the day with me. St. Paul s letter to the Philippians says it better than I: I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11. 11
Special Services and Events During December 2015 December 2 nd Advent Bible Study/Devotional 10:00 In Church Dining Hall Advent Service 7:00 December 4 Ladies Christmas Luncheon 12:00 December 5 Children s Rehearsal 10:00 11:00 December 6 Senior Christmas Dinner 12:00 December 9 Advent Bible Study/Devotional 10:00 In Church Dining Hall Advent Service 7:00 December 12 Children s Rehearsal 10:00 11:00 December 16 Advent Bible Study/Devotional 10:00 In Church Dining Hall Advent Service 7:00 December 19 Children s Rehearsal 10:00 11:00 December 24 December 25 December 27 Christmas Eve Candlelight Children s Service 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Divine Service with Holy Communion 11:00 PM Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion 10:00 Chili Dinner at Church followed by Caroling 12:00 12
December 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM with Holy Communion 6 Senior Christmas 12:00 PM Elders 7:00 PM 1 2 Advent Services 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Choir 6:45 PM 7 8 9 Advent Services 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Choir 6:45 PM 3 4 Ladies Christmas Party 12:00 Noon 5 Children s Christmas Rehearsal 10:00 AM Worship 3:00 PM w/ Holy Communion 10 11 12 Children s Christmas Rehearsal 10:00 AM Worship 3:00 PM 13 Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM 14 15 16 Advent Services 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Choir 6:45 PM 17 18 19 Children s Christmas Rehearsal 10:00 AM Worship 3:00 PM w/ Holy Communion 20 Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM with Holy Communion 21 St. Thomas, Apostle 22 23 Confirmation 6:30 PM 24 Christmas Eve Children s Service 7:00 PM Candlelight Service 11: PM w/ Holy Communion 25 Christmas Day Service 10:00 AM w/ Holy Communion 26 Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Worship 3:00 PM 27 Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Christmas Caroling and Dinner at Church 12:00 PM 28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 29 John, Apostle and Evangelist (transferred) 30 31 New Year s Eve