Experiencing the HOPE Of Jesus Christ December 2017 Renew Faith With the Joy of Christmas CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION Come sing Christmas carols 8 PM Worship 8:30 PM December 24 Invite everyone to receive the joy of Christmas with festival worship including choirs, instruments, and favorite carols. CHRISTMAS PAGEANT DECEMBER 17 During 10:30 AM. Worship Rehearsals Saturdays Dec. 9 & 16 9:30 Noon Share the joy of children, youth, and young adults telling the wonderful story of Jesus birth. 1 P a g e
Peace on earth. This is the message of our Advent and Christmas season. The kingdom of God is breaking and with it is peace, peace where there is no peace. How can we know peace when the world is spinning apart? From Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. We live in a time of open hostility. People are angry. But God has a better way and it works. Rejoice. Who doesn t long to rejoice? Everyone wants to rejoice, to have something to rejoice about and to feel happy. The word in this passage better translates as Be ye joying. To me that means go about your way in the joy car. Have a joy ride. In fact, that s the ride we should drive all the time. Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. But human joy just doesn t cut it. The source is Jesus. Jesus is our ride. But don t make it a taxi ride when you need it, make Jesus our regular always ride. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. This gentleness means kindness, the demeanor of Christians. It is often seen as weakness, but it is the strength of the Lord to overcome a demanding flesh. Not Abrasive, sarcastic, cruel, or contentious. A harsh spirit stirs up. Like scrubbing with Lava soap to get the grease off rather than Dawn which soothes and cleans. 2 P a g e
Worry? Let it go. Worry is fear. Where God is, there can be no fear. It comes from a lack of God. We cannot live in fear if we live in God. Push into God and throw it off. What then shall we do? 1). Go to God in communion, not for asking only but for divine connection. Attune the spirit, soul, and body to the Holy Spirit. In this abiding is freedom, strength joy and rest. Here is home. 2). Supplication. Petition. Ask. Sometimes I have very specific needs. Affirmation. Help. A friend. An open door. Whatever. Ask. You have not because you ask not. Some of our petitioners are hesitant to ask God for anything. But God knows what we need before we even ask. It s okay to pray specifically. It s okay to pray generally. My specific prayers are often my potential worry list. I m not a worrier, but it doesn t mean there isn t a list of needs. We make to-do lists so we don t get anxious. Make that your prayer list and give them to God. And all covered in thanksgiving. God s peace dwells in the gut. God s peace hits me in the gut where I carry stress. It s a peace that wells us within and settles there. It guards like a military guard. The Greek means: To Garrison. An army garrisons in a fort, a compound, a place. God s peace garrisons within. Peace sets up camp and posts guards. It bases there. Good s peace is even more than a sentry posted to keep guard. It is the center of the compound of our being. And it provides security for the heart and mind all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Set your mind on the things that are good. 8 things listed. Covers it all. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Does someone bother us? Find a good thing about them. Are we in the midst of crap? Find a good thing. Look at something honorable. Find it and keep it. Turn the junk that people give to the good. You can become adept at that. Don t set the mind on the bad. Devil loves that. Counter with the goodly things. May the Peace of God be with you always, Pastor Pam 3 P a g e
Youth Quake CINCINNATI Feb 16-18 Register Now! EARLY BIRD $95/person. Ends 12/5/2017 4 max in a room. Split the cost! STANDARD $120/person Ends 1/16/2018 + HOTEL $199 /room whole weekend (2 nights) (4 to a room. Split the cost. Covers the whole weekend. This is an amazing spiritual journey weekend. We ve been raising money through wreath sales and restaurant nights. Let s get going and register now. Youth grade 7-12. Outstanding music! Sponsor a Youth! 4 P a g e
More pictures from the water well in Zimbabwe. Michael stands next to the drill. Now the water can take care of animals, gardens, and people. Someday they will have running water in their homes. How wonderful that they can finally have some fresh water nearby and won t have to walk hours a day. God is good. All the donations you have given are worth it. We have so much in this country. Thank you for helping our friends in Africa. Lutheran Bishop Michael Dube thanks you all so much. Pledges and Gifts As we close out 2017, we thank you for your faithfulness to the ministry of House of Prayer; a commitment that is clear through your financial support and service. We prepare for 2018 with anticipation, knowing God has a plan for our church to continue touching lives with the hope of Christ. As you read the council minute section, you will find a projected shortfall of income to expenses. We have made some cuts in spending, but have not kept pace with income. Please consider a year end gift to make ends meet. Have you already made a pledge for 2018? If you have, thank you, but if you have not, please consider doing so, in order that we may better plan the upcoming year s budget. And, don t forget to turn in your time and talent sheet too. 5 P a g e
The parish council met November 27, 2017. Here are some major points. Treasurer s Report: Through 10/31. General Fund: Income $82,405.91. Expenses $89,187.52. Need to make up a projected deficit of $7500 to include November and December. Pastor s report and vision: a. Pastor has been asked to go on a teaching trip to Malawi in Africa from January 17 February 2 nd. She is one of 2 pastors and a lay person from the NALC that will hold 2 women s conferences teaching Lutheran theology and ministering to Christian women leaders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi. As of December 1st, 109 women are registered. Pastor Pam has an offer of receiving matching funds up to $2000 from the Peterson Foundation. Expenses will be about $5500 to provide for her expenses and to pay for 1/3 of the women participants plus Bibles for each attendee. A donation has been given to cover the expense for all the Bibles. There is still a need for more donations to cover the costs. God is good and truly provides. Rev Bassam Abdallah will preside in Pastor s absence. b. House of Prayer is in need of some new energy and programs. Pastor would like to start evening Bible studies on Tuesdays or Thursdays, Small groups for couples to meet, and some kind of social events such as game nights and movie nights. Council has been asked to support by hosting small groups in homes. Council has also been asked by pastor to attend Sunday Christian Education. 6 P a g e
Council Vice President s Report: Three temple talks were coordinated and given by Cindy Lemons, Dan Hof and Rich Patterson. Sunday November 26 th was designated the date to pledge time, talents and treasure for Calendar Year 2018. Recommend Tina Patterson and Steve Klotz conduct the audit for calendar years 2016 and 2017 concurrently in Jan/Feb of 2018. Unfinished Business: a. Ministry descriptions Committees/Teams. Need to recruit for January start. b. Audit - Tina Patterson and Steve Klotz conduct the audit for calendar years 2016 and 2017 concurrently in Jan/Feb of 2018. c. Stewardship drive w/consecration Sunday date: November 26, 2017. 3 pledges were turned in. d. Annual Meeting January 14 Potluck. Annual reports are due January 8 th 2018 or before. New Business: a. Christmas Service Christmas eve is on a Sunday. There will be a Sunday morning 10:30 service and a Christmas Eve service starting at 8pm with music and service to start at 8:30pm. b. Ash Wednesday February 14, 2017. Bean soup supper before. c. Lenten Evening Program Starting Thursday February 22, 2018 at 7pm and will meet every Thursday until March 22, 2018. d. Outreach with Feast on the Word December 10, 2017. Need volunteers to serve. e. Nominating Committee for new Council members. Nominating committee appointed. Up to 3-3 year terms and 2-2 year terms. Next Meeting December 16, 2017. 6:30 pm 7 P a g e
Women of HoPE Christmas Party Dec 9th! Join the Women of HoPE on Saturday, Dec 9 at 10:30 AM in the church basement for our annual Christmas Party. Our theme is Under the Gift Wrap. Bring a White Elephant for Gift Exchange and a Christmas Treat to share as we join together for fun and fellowship. Please Save the Date! Clarity Solutions Church Leaders Lunch & Learn Thursday, January 11, 2018 Noon to 1:00 pm First Christian Church In honor of Sanctity of Human Life Month, Pastors and Church Leaders are invited to a free lunch to thank you for your work and to further inform you about the resources available at Clarity Solutions for your church and our community. A PANEL of Clarity Staff will be sharing information about their area of ministry. Each January, Christians across the USA remember the anniversary of the passage of Roe vs. Wade, when abortion was made legal in our nation, January 22, 1974. YOU are invited to attend! RSVP by Jan. 8, 2018 to 270-234-1122 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 8 P a g e
Youth Fellowship Activities 9 December Bowling 13 January Paoli Peaks Snow Tubing and Skiing 10 February Swimming 10 March Ice Skating 14 April Hike Freeman Lake 12 May Louisville Zoo Family Bowling 9 December 2017 In December the Youth are going to Fort Knox for bowling. For those that are beginners or experience, the Houston Bowling Center is a great place to learn. https://knox.armymwr.com/programs/houston-bowling-center Houston Bowling Center offers 32 synthetic lanes, automatic scoring, and Bumper Bowling. The Strike Zone eatery offers a full menu featuring mouth-watering, tasty hot foods. Cost will be $2.75 for shoes and $2.75 per game. Kevin estimates the youth will bowl 3 games each so the total would be $11.00 for bowling. Snacks and drinks are extra. We will meet at the church parking lot at 1230, Saturday, 9 December. 9 P a g e
Lutheran Military Veterans and Families Ministries, Inc. What LMVFM does, and why we need your support. 1. Since 2007, LMVFM has: Provided free care and counseling services to veterans, military contractors and their family member-without caveat*. Provided congregations, counselors, therapists and other caregivers with training and resources to help them as they minister to veterans, military contractors and their family members. *We recognize anyone who has served one or more days in the military as a veteran, and serve them regardless of their discharge status. 2. LMVFM does not accept any funding or support from the government. Our ability to provide veterans and their family member s with free programs and services is a direct result of the generous donations made by our friends and ministry partners. LMVFM is a 501(c)(3) faith-based non-profit ministry. LMVFM is a recognized Service organization of the: North American Lutheran Church. Lutheran Military Veterans and Families Ministries, Inc 3480 Stellhorn Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815 Phone: (260) 755-2239 Email: info@lmvfm.org 10 P a g e
The Annual Holiday Concert of The Heartland Winds Community Band. Sunday, December 10 @ 3 PM. FREE admission! Location: Historic State Theater, 209 W. Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY Kevin Thorson on trumpet. Order your poinsettias now to beautify our sanctuary for the Christmas season. These plants will be available for you to take home after the 10:30 AM. December 31 Sunday service. Order one or several to honor loved ones or in remembrance of those who have passed. Given by In Honor of In Memory of poinsettias @ $15 each total.. Cut out & return to the office or put it in the offering plate.. 11 P a g e
Noon Eucharist 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th Healing 3 rd Wednesday Sunday Schedule Christian Education 9:15 AM Worship 10:30 AM Wednesday 10:30 AM Bible Study 12 P a g e