The Lord has need of it. Concordia Lutheran Church 306 East 4th St PO Box 597 Lake Park, IA 51347 (712) 832-3503 website: www.concordialp.com Pastor: Rev. Gerald Gauthier II E-mail: Jerry946@yahoo.com Phone: (507) 839-3086 (Pastor s office hours; Mon., Wed. Fri. 8:00 am-12:00 pm at Trinity Tuesday 9:30 am 11:30 am at Concordia.) Organist: Leyla Fischer Church Secretary: Shannon Stone (712) 210-6478 E-mail: tlcsv@hotmail.com
As We Gather Happy New Year! Different cultures celebrate their new year at different times. The Church is a bit out of step with much of the world, commemorating the beginning of the church year on the first Sunday in Advent. This new beginning reminds us of the newness of life that is ours through faith in Jesus. Curiously, the new church year carries hints of the same thematic emphasis of the last Sundays of the Church Year: preparation for Christ's return rooted in a call for repentance. As God works through His Word and Sacraments, we are prepared to welcome Him through His birth at Christmas and His return on Judgment Day to take us home. Prayer upon entering church Father of all, through every hour may I proclaim the Triune power enshrined in deepest mystery! May every thought that leads from You, and lures the wavering mind to stray, like morning vapors melt away. So may I lift my hands to heaven, in trembling hope to rise forgiven. So may I feel the vital flame, and glorify my Savior s name. With holy zeal may I adore Him and begin in the dust implore Him. When He rears His throne sublime wreathed with spoils of death and time, as King, as Lord, as God to reign, He may receive His child again, and shield him from eternal pain. Amen. (Gregory of Nazianzus, 329a.d.-390a.d.) Catechism Review What does Christ command when He says, This do in remembrance of Me? (Question #294) Christ Commands in these words that His Sacrament be celebrated in the church till the end of time as a living proclamation and distribution of His saving death and all its blessings. Shut-ins Pat Christ Dolly Bahde Ardyce Rueter Virgil & Norma Grave Mary Rost Comfort Elmer Jensen Healing We Remember in Our Prayers @ Concordia Kathy Vasa Linda Rost Vi Detlefsen Friends and family Minnetta Gauthier (Pastor s sister)
How do I become a part of things at Concordia? We are always happy to welcome and receive new faces at our congregation. Most activities are open to all whether you are member or non-member. If you would like to learn more about the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or are considering membership please talk with the pastor. Members of other LCMS congregation may join by transfer. LWML Christmas Party update: The ladies of Trinity are hosting the annual Christmas Party for all ladies of Trinity and Concordia Lutheran Churches. The LWML Christmas party will be held Saturday, December 12. It will be a noon potluck with a short skit and Christmas Bingo. We are also having a cookie walk. For those that would like to participate in the cookie walk, bring 2 ½ dozen of your favorite cookies and take home some more good cookies!!! KFUO Day Sponsorship: Please prayerfully consider partnering with your Lutheran Radio Station Worldwide KFUO.org. Day Sponsors receive a special message that airs five times on their chosen date. This is a great opportunity to honor a family member, remember a loved one, or simply to express thankfulness for the Lord s daily blessings. For more information about how you can partner with KFUO Radio as a Day Sponsor, email at gifts@kfuo.org. Join KFUO as we continue to spread the Gospel of Jesus worldwide! Visit us at kfuo.org. Advent Devotionals: Available this season is large print and regular print editions from Lutheran Hour Ministries. Higher Things edition has been placed in the mailboxes of the college and high school youth. The younger ones have a version just for them from IDW, these have also been placed in the bulletin boxes. If you would like one and we have run out please let the church office know. Thank You: A thank you goes out the TTC and CLC youth who helped out serving food and clean up for the helping Hands banquet in November. It was a great give back experience. Another thank you goes out to the TTC and CLC youth who served, provided food, and helped with the thanksgiving eve supper at Concordia. Adult Study: Each Sunday (9:45 to 10:30 a.m.) Denny Stahly, an elder, will lead a study time together. The study will include The End Times in the Life Light series. Please feel free to join Denny and others as they grow in their faith, during this time. Offering: $1529.00 is the total needed each week to meet budget for the 2015 year. Needed Year to Date 72,333.00 Received Year to Date 61,552.07 In Arrears - 10,780.93
November Ushers: John Nelson and Charles Rowe Greeters: Counters: Milt & Sandy Consoer Altar & Flowers: Lorraine Nelson 11/22/2015 Total Offering $1,241.00 General Offering $1,155.00 Missions $50.00 Poinsettia $36.00 Project Committee: Marge Mesner, Barb Sohn and Dolly Meier Ushers needed: If you are interested in usher please contact an elder or the church office. We have a few spots open. Ladies feel free to join us in this great way to serve and give back to the church. December Ushers: Jerry Weerts, Dan Stahly, Milt Consoer, and Russell Meier Greeters: Stella Stahly Counters: Mike & Jean Gillespie Altar & Flowers: Joann Stahly and Stella Stahly Project Committee: Lorraine Nelson, Carol Rowe, and Pat Ruehle Shut-in Baskets: Ladies please sign up to bring items in to help fill the shut-ins baskets. The sign up sheet is in the narthex. The ladies will then be getting together on Saturday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. Today in Sunday School: The Birth of John Foretold. The children learned that God in His mercy promised to send John to prepare sinful people for the coming of the Lord. God in His Word calls us to repentance, declaring us righteous because of His Son, Jesus. In your family discussions ask, When have you doubted God s Word? How does God forgive and relieve our doubts? The artwork is by Sharon Geiser. Permission to use this copyrighted graphic is limited to congregational use. The graphic and template for this bulletin cover have been provided free of charge by scholia.net. For more resources visit the scholia.net website.
Voter s Meeting Agenda: The voter s will be meeting on Thursday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m.. If you have any comments questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Chairman Bob or see Pastor. Voter s Meeting Secretary needed: We are looking for someone to volunteer their time to join us a the voter s meeting to take minutes, prepare for the newsletter following each meeting, and present at the next meeting. If you are interested in filling this position please contact Bob Brons. Christmas Mitten Tree: Lake Park Care Center has the Christmas Mitten Tree ready for anyone that is willing and able to adopt a resident during this Holiday Season. Please consider this opportunity to help make a residents Holiday Season a little brighter! To pick a mitten please see Lynette Ehret, Activity Director, Monday thru Friday 9:00 to 3:30 or please feel free to call 712-330-4490. Gifts need to be returned to the care center by December 15th. This is our 2nd year of doing this and we greatly appreciate everyone's participation and graciousness! Poinsettia Ordering Time is Here!! We are ordering from Blooms and Blossoms again this year. The cost is $18.00 Foiled, Bowed & Delivered. The color this year is red with a festive bow and foil. Ordering deadline is Sunday, November 29. The sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. You can make your check out to Concordia and place your money in the offering tray. Decorating the church: We will be decorating the church following service on Sunday, December 6. Please join us many hands make light work. Time To Decorate Camp! Tuesday, December 1 9:00am 2:00pm Lunch Provided Contact The Camp To Let Them Know You Can Help! 712-337-3325 camp@campokoboji.org ( Snow Date Friday Dec. 4) 1531 Edgewood Dr, Wahpeton Hwy 86, turn at Crescent Beach sign Special Thanks: Thrivent Action Team Support Holiday Remembrance Service: Turner Jenness Funeral Home would like to extend a special invitation to you and your family to attend our Holiday Remembrance Service on Sunday, November 29 th at 4:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Family and friends will gather in honor of those who have passed away and light a candle in their memory. We understand the holiday season can be difficult for those who have lost someone close to them. Our hope is that this Time of Remembrance will be of help.
Volunteer Training: Gentiva Hospice is a team of professionals who work together to plan a comprehensive plan of care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury. Please contact us for a free evaluation. Questions are always welcomed. Being a volunteer is also a way of serving our community and is a vital part of the hospice program. A volunteer may serve in many ways from office assistance to being a patient companion. Call 712 336-2941 (Theresa Golden, Volunteer Services Manager) or stop in for a tour at Gentiva Hospice, 1370 Lake Street, Spirit Lake, IA. We would love to visit with you.