The First News December 2016 First Lutheran Church 401 E. Piankishaw St. Paola, KS 66071 913-294-3476 www.firstlutheran-paola.org Pastor Mark Croucher.pastormark@firstlutheran-paola.org Deacon Josh Simons.deaconsimons@firstlutheran-paola.org Church Office..office@firstlutheran-paola.org
On Giving & Generosity How often have you heard the word 'tithe?' Many times Malachi 3:10 is used to illustrate the Lord's blessings upon a people who give as God has commanded. It's there we read: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." What a powerful statement from our God; a promise to generously provide for us beyond our needs and imaginations! In our world and culture today there appears to be more than one way to motivate followers of Jesus to 'give' to our God as He has commanded us: out of involvement or out of commitment. In the case of the first, we are involved through an obligation to give according to a limit, amount, or standard. Once our requirement has been met, then, we have accomplished our service to God. However, in the second case, we are so committed in our giving that we recognize there is no limit, amount, or standard to be met. Instead, we know all we have comes from God and that He has called us to use it for His glory and we generously pour out His gifts through our hands and wallets to His purpose. As Wiki even reminds us "The fable of the Chicken and the Pig is used to illustrate the differing levels of project stakeholders involved in a project. The basic fable runs: A Pig and a Chicken are walking down the road. The Chicken says: 'Hey Pig, I was thinking we should open a restaurant!' Pig replies: 'Hmm, maybe, what would we call it?' The Chicken responds: 'How about 'ham-n-eggs'?' The Pig thinks for a moment and says: 'No thanks. I'd be committed, but you'd only be involved.'" Do you remember earlier this year when we voted as a congregation to begin a Generosity Journey together? Since then we've begun to challenge ourselves through sermon series, bible studies, Project Generosity, and numerous
conversations about how God is calling us give - or, perhaps better put, seeking to move us towards living generously with everything He s given to us. So, let s wrestle with our life of giving another way on a transactional vs. transformational basis. Transactional giving focuses on budgeting limitations due to likes or dislikes and the willingness, or lack there of, to only write a check to answer something I deem a need. While transformational giving draws me into giving as a response to being positioned to bless others out of the gifts God has given me - whether large or small. Try this as a good rule of thumb... when financial giving becomes difficult because it s not what I wanted, it s transactional. However, when financial giving becomes one aspect of my comprehensive involvement in the cause, it s likely transformational. I believe we are a congregation blessed with generosity and we can be a very giving group of people - I witness it regularly! Yet, I wonder: how would you characterize your giving here at FLC? Are you transactional in your giving... obsessed with budget expenditures you don't agree with? Arguing over the costs associated with ministries with which you won't become involved? Seeking to simply meet your established obligations rather than open yourself up to be challenged by the Holy Spirit? Only willing to give if you can see something in it for you? Challenging others to tithe because 'if everybody just wrote a check or gave 10% everything would be fine rather than encouraging others to seek God s call to strive towards a generous life that is more fulfilling? Or are you transformational in your giving... focusing on God sending you to show His love and forgiveness to all? Responding with your money in faith to the Holy Spirit s call to give? Organizing yourself to be the bearer and carrier of God's gifts given to others? Helping everyone associated with you to embrace a life so committed to serving God that you recognize yourself as accomplishing the Lord's will
through not only your dollars but also your acts of service and a willingness to go to those in need? In the end, are you involved or committed; are you obligated to a transaction or have you been transformed to live generously? We ll carry this conversation forward come January until then, enjoy the holidays and the coming birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! on the journey pmc Annual Voter s Meeting December 4 @ Noon The Annual Voter s Meeting of First Lutheran Church will be Sunday, December 4th at Noon in the Sanctuary. The purpose of this meeting will be to elect officers and board members, and approve the 2017 congregational operating budget. Celebrate Our Current Sermon Series. Join us in December as we Celebrate! the gifts of God in Advent. See the schedule below for more info on our upcoming services. THIS WEEK: CELEBRATE THE CHURCH YEAR Historically, the Church celebrates the start of a new year each Advent. Today, we take a tour through the Church Year, hear readings and sing songs from each season we celebrate, and use the time to set our hearts and minds on the work of Jesus throughout the coming year.! Sunday, 12/4/16 9:00am Christmas Caroling
10:30 am Celebrate: Hanging of the Greens 9:00 am - Christmas Caroling - Fa la la la la, La la la la You re invited to come Christmas Caroling with us on Sunday, December 4 @ 9:00 am! We will visit two local nursing homes to SHOW the love of the newborn King and spread some Christmas cheer! We will depart church at 9:00am and return in time for our 10:30am Hanging of the Greens service. 10:30am - Hanging of the Greens - Join us to start our celebration of Advent with the Hanging of the Greens, a modern take on the traditional service of decorating the Sanctuary for the season. And kids be sure to bring mom and dad and their cameras for this service because you ll have the special job of decorating the Chrismon tree in church! NOTE: A traditional service will be held at 8:00 am as usual.! Sunday, 12/11/16 10:30 am Celebrate: Family Christmas Program Come to Bethlehem and See follow the Christmas narrative as told by the families of First Lutheran. Hear the story again, experience the joy of Christmas through the singing of the kids, and prepare your hearts and minds for what came to Bethlehem that special night - Jesus, the Savior of the world. Watch for more information about service participation and rehearsals in the bulletin. NOTE: A traditional service will be held at 8:00 am as usual.! Sunday, 12/18/16 9:30 am Celebrate: Family Christmas Workshop 11:00 am Carols & Readings Closing Worship Mark your calendars and invite your friends to the Family Christmas Workshop on December 18th. This event is held to provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere where family and friends can gather and enjoy the message of Christmas! Here s the breakdown of the morning:
9:30 am - Family Christmas Workshop - Beginning at 9:30am, families can enjoy craft and activity stations, Christmas cookie decorating, a caroling wagon ride, and more! A light breakfast (muffins, bars, etc.) as well as hot chocolate, cider, and coffee will be available, and space will be made for those who would like to sit and fellowship together while enjoying breakfast. Stations, activities, and breakfast will be available until 10:45am. 11:00 am - Carols & Readings Closing Worship - At 11:00am, we ll gather together in the sanctuary for a closing time full of carols, Christmas readings, a special Children s message, and more. Lasting approximately 45 minutes, this closing will provide us the opportunity to gather as God s people and hear the promise of Christmas before heading back into the world for the last big push to Christmas Day. NOTE: A traditional service will be held at 8:00 am as usual, however the 10:30 am service will begin at 11:00 am on this Sunday.! Saturday, 12/24/16 6:30 pm & 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship The time has come a Savior is born! Celebrate anew the birth of Savior born humbly in a stable at Bethlehem. Hear the message of the angels unto you this day is born a Savior! Our 6:30 pm service will include a special Children s Message. Both services will conclude with Candlelight.! Sunday, 12/25/16 9:00 am Christmas Day Worship The news of a newborn Savior came first to a group of lowly shepherds, who heard the message and went to see everything the angels had said. They worshipped at the feet of a tiny baby but the story doesn t end there. Scripture tells us the shepherds left the stable and began spreading the news of Jesus birth throughout the land. Spend some time on Christmas Day preparing your heart and mind for what s next telling the world of the newborn Savior you ve just worshipped!
We Need Your Stamps! Please save your cancelled stamps and deposit in the container in the narthex. Any stamps at alleven your everyday stamps. Proceeds from the sale of these stamps go to help cover the cost of shipping packages through Lutheran World Relief. Preschool News As we begin this beautiful season of Advent, please take some time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas-- Jesus our Savior! We, at SonShine intend to do just that as we begin to look ahead to Christmas which will be upon us in just a few short weeks. We will be doing some fun, Christmas themed art projects and games which will reinforce our fine motor and basic skills. Such themes as Christmas Trees and Lights, Gingerbread and Peppermint and Jesus' Birthday will be our focus until Christmas. Later in the month, we have the following fun events in which to look forward: Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10:30am and Dec. 15 at 6:30pm -- Christmas Programs Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 21 -- Christmas Parties We will also have a very special visitor straight from the North Pole! As we prepare for Christmas, we will have many opportunities to talk about and reflect on the Baby Jesus and how he came to Earth for US! Your friends at SonShine wish you a very Merry Christmas and much joy in the coming year!
Do you like to Sing?? If you joined us for Caroling, you would enjoy this too! Do you like to sing or play an instrument? The evangelism committee would like to invite you to join us Sunday, December 11th at 1:30. We will be conducting worship services at Country Club Estates and then Vintage Park at 2:15. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in this outreach of the love of Jesus. January 22nd, we will also be conducting services if you would be available to join us. Come sing His praise and share His love. If you would like to help out, please contact Arlene Peck or Cindy Mead at office@firstlutheran_paola.org Candy Tray Selling begins The youth will be taking orders for candy trays on Sundays, through Sunday, December 4th. Delivery will be on Sunday, December 11th. Funds raised will go towards future youth trips. Acolyte schedule 12/11 Acolytes 8:00 Aubry Huber 10:30 Jace Reitinger Joleigh Osborn Evan Reitinger 12/18 Acolytes 8:00 Noah Stringham 10:30 Lydia Prothe Maddie Pitzer 12/25 SWA 9:00 Josie Worrell Acolytes 9:00 Javan Bolling Anna Kane
Adult, Teen,Children s Grief Support Free to the Community. Call or Text Brenda with questions: 913-424-6243. Group Support will begin again in January, but they are always available- just give them a call. Just Don t Grieve Alone! We Care Advent by Candlelight December 8 @ 6:30pm Ladies looking for a quiet time to pause and reflect with friends during the Christmas season? Make plans to attend Advent by Candlelight on Thursday, December 8 th at 6:30pm, sponsored by LWML. All ladies are invited to join us for this special time of advent reflection. Parish Musician and Director of Music Redeemer Lutheran Church in Olathe is in need of a Parish Musician and Director of Music. The position is part time 20 to 30 hours per week and pay would be commensurate with District and American Guild of Organist guidelines. To see a description of the position visit our website at www.redeemerolathe.org or contact the church office. Interested applicants may contact Redeemer at rlcinfo@redeemerolathe.org or Pastor Sukstorf at pastor.sukstorf@redeemerolathe.org. Rev. Perry T. Sukstorf MDiv., MBA Lead Pastor Redeemer Lutheran Church 920 S Alta Lane Olathe, KS 66062
December Birthdays December 1 December 3 December 4 December 5 December 6 December 7 December 8 December 9 Jennifer Fannan Cindy Weaver Nellie Jo Brandt Nellie Moore Carrie Weaver John Ohlmeier Amy Rhea Holly Prothe Roger Prothe Justin Scott Preston Berggren Allyson McKinney Donald Meyer Jennifer Witt Ronald Medlin Autumn Menefee Sandra Morgan Gene Schaaf Barrett Young December 10 Josh Bartlett Andy Martin Phillip Prothe December 11 Donna Brandt Julie Brandt Don Chapman Mika Menefee Amanda Timmons-Chadwick December 13 Bobby Medlin Hunter West December 15 Priscilla Bigger December 16 Jim Frye Dee Young December 17 Madison Armbruster Ashlie Brandt Ariell McMahon Patricia Nelson
December 18 Donald Polson Dale Windler December 19 Bill Heilman Michele Hughes Betty Miller Ethel Weaver December 21 James Ohlmeier Byran Ward December 22 Ruth Lohaus Helen Webster December 24 Ruby Smith December 25 Gregg Lewis Kenneth Smith December 26 Terry Drugg Melinda Pitzer December 27 Dale Homrighausen Marie Worrell December 28 Arlene McMillian Tron Brewer December 29 John Trickett December 30 Kyle Bolling Kala Ewing
Holiday Worship & Events Schedule Sunday, 12/11/16 10:30 am Family Christmas Program Sunday, 12/18/16 9:30 am Family Christmas Workshop No Sunday School or Adult Bible Study Saturday, 12/24/16 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Worship 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship Sunday, 12/25/16 9:00 am Christmas Day Worship (one combined service only) No Sunday School or Adult Bible Study Sunday, 1/1/17 9:00 am New Year s Day Worship (one combined service only) No Sunday School or Adult Bible Study