Dear Friends in Christ, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The Christmas Season can be wonderful and exciting and hectic and overwhelming. There are programs and parties and concerts and shopping and so many things that we need to do in such a short amount of time. Unfortunately so little of the celebration of Christmas reflects the reason we are celebrating.... Stop and think about what Christmas is all about.... The great God of the universe humbled himself to be a human being...to be born a baby... to be born in a stable. The great God of the universe became one of us so that he could live this life, with all its challenges. He came to die a real death for us and in our place. Advent Midweek Services -- 2015 Stir Up the Power Dec. 2 7:30pm Stir Up the Power of Hope Dec. 9 7:30 pm Stir Up the Power of Preparation Dec. 16 7:30pm Stir Up the Power of Love I know that just thinking about this will not make the Christmas season less overwhelming and hectic, but it might allow us a glimpse of what makes the Christmas season exciting and wonderful. Merry Christmas and God s blessing! In Christ, Pastor Smiles 1
WORSHIP Happy New Year! That greeting may seem a little early when we look at the regular calendar, but the first Sunday in Advent indicates a new year on the church calendar. Advent (Latin for To Come ) focuses our attention on Jesus first coming which we celebrate at Christmas as well as his second coming which we are still waiting for. Along with the Advent and Christmas Season there come some special holiday services here at church. So please watch the weekly calendar and listen to the announcements for reminders about these special events. Please take note that the season of Advent is to prepare us for the celebration of Christmas. Therefore we offer special midweek services on Wednesday nights at 7:30. These services are different than Sunday Services and are not meant to replace our weekend worship but to supplement them. While an extra worship time during a very hectic season may seem a bit much, it may be just what we need during this busy time of the year. Advent Midweek Dec 2 7:30 pm Order of Service- Special Order (printed out) Elder Wayne Wendt Elder Assistant Dan Riske Ushers M/M Gary Schoen Greeters Haley Civik/Claire Kreklow Acolyte Hunter Wendt Reach out Dec 3 A bi- monthly Communion Service for those who have difficulty coming to the front of church for the Lord s Supper or wish to avoid large crowds, but want to attend worship. Advent 2 Dec 5 7:30 pm Order of Service- - Divine Service Setting 1 (pg 151) Holy Communion is offered at the Altar Level Elder Ryan Poppy Elder Assistant Shannon Hansen Ushers Darin Poppy/Dylan Werth Greeters Dave Behnke/Donna Krueger Acolyte Rudy Drozd Dec 6 10:15 am Order of Service- - Divine Service Setting 1 (pg 151) Holy Communion is offered at the Altar Level Elder Arnold Heideman Elder Assistant Keith Timm Ushers M/M Ken Jorgenson Greeters Macy Krenke/Carlene Beyer Acolyte Riley Krenke Advent Midweek Dec 9 Advent 3 Dec 12 Dec 13 Advent Midweek Dec 16 7:30 pm Order of Service- Special Order (printed out) Elder Mel Hansen Elder Assistant Paul Timm Ushers M/M Doug Draeger Greeters Barb Quinn/Alice Prill Acolyte Logan Jorgenson 7:30 pm Order of Service- - Creative Worship (printed out) Elder Merlin Becker Elder Assistant Jeremy Olsen Ushers M/M Gary Bonikowske Greeters M/M Jeremiah Claussen Acolyte Brystal Beyer 10:15 am Order of Service- - Creative Worship (printed out) Elder Steve Handrich Elder Assistant Ken Jorgenson Ushers M/M Rod Beyer Greeters Derrick & Kyle Evers Acolyte Lane Kreklow 7:30 pm Order of Service- Special Order (printed out) Elder Ryan Poppy Elder Assistant Dan Riske Ushers Brad & Casey Johnson Greeters Sara Miller/Margaret Ann Schoneck Acolyte Reese Poppy 2
Reach out Dec 17 A bi- monthly Communion Service for those who have difficulty coming to the front of church for the Lord s Supper or wish to avoid large crowds, but want to attend worship. Dec 19 7:30 pm Order of Service- - Divine Service Setting 1 (pg 151) Holy Communion is offered at the Floor Level Elder Mel Hansen Elder Assistant Don Hanson Ushers M/M Dave Niven Greeters M/M Jerrod Werth Acolyte Dawson Werth Dec 20 Christmas Eve Dec 24 Christmas Day Dec 25 ` 10:15 am Order of Service- - Sunday School Christmas Program (printed out) Elder Wayne Wendt Elder Assistant Marvin Pethke Ushers M/M Larry Detert Greeters Joan & Erin Wisneski Acolyte Mikayla Wegener 6:00 pm Family Order of Service- Special Order (printed out) Elder Wayne Wendt Elder Assistant Paul Timm Ushers M/M Jerry Timm Greeters Katlyn & Erica Laredo Acolyte Samantha Laredo 7:30 pm Candlelight Order of Service- Special Order (printed out) Holy Communion is offered at the Floor level Elder Arnold Heideman Elder Assistant Shannon Hansen Ushers Cade Poppy/Zach Teuscher Greeters Kelly Hansen/Taylor Hart Acolyte Cassie Prill 9:30 am Christmas Day Order of Service- Special Order (printed out) Holy Communion is offered at the Altar level Elder Steve Handrich Elder Assistant Ken Jorgenson Ushers M/M Henry Janke Greeters Donna Krueger/Dave Behnke Acolyte Abigail Riske Christmas 1 Dec 26 No Service Dec 27 10:15 am Order of Service- - Prayer and Preaching LSB 260 Elder Merlin Becker Elder Assistant Dan Riske Ushers Cody Detert/Justin Lowney Greeters M/M Eric Pynenberg Acolyte Brystal Schulke Christmas 2/Epiphany Jan 2 Jan 3 7:30 pm Order of Service- - Special Order (printed out) Holy Communion is offered at the Altar Level Elder Ryan Poppy Elder Assistant Jeremy Olsen Ushers M/M Boots Riske Greeters M/M Jay Henschel Acolyte Kassidy Timm 10:15 am Order of Service- - Special Order (printed out) Holy Communion is offered at the Altar Level Elder Wayne Wendt Elder Assistant Don Hanson Ushers M/M Randy Greunke Greeters M/M Artie Pethke Acolyte Alyssa Hedtke 3
If you are unable to serve as scheduled, ask someone to take your place. PLEASE call the office (920)596-3241 to let the Church Secretary know when you exchanged with someone else. If you now use a cell phone as a primary number instead of a land line, please update the church office as well. This is helpful contact information when someone needs to switch dates. Thank You! Have You Moved? If you or someone you know has moved or will be moving, and the address or telephone number has changed, PLEASE inform the church office. The newsletter is not forwarded when we have a wrong address. It is returned to us and we have to pay extra postage. STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE Year to Date Income $ 97,938.50 2015 vs. 2014 YTD Income - $ 3,829.70 Year to Date Expense $145,057.62 Year to Date Budgeted Expense $ 149,633.40 Remaining Budget for Expense $ 4,575.78 October Income $ 15,083.79 October Expense $ 15,291.40 - $ 207.61 GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS Youth and Family Ministries NYG NEWS... Well, the registration has been sent in and travel by train has been arranged. Now we wait for the registration confirmation and hotel assignments. Everything is coming together. JR./SR. HIGH DEEP FREEZE JAN.22-24, 2016. There is still time to add a few more people to the list of kids that are going to the Deep Freeze. Sign up soon this camp fills up quickly. YOUTH CHRISTMAS DINNER - Signup sheets are in the narthex. We need help on Saturday setting things up and then we need help on Sunday serving and cleaning up. SMYL COOKING DECORATING Every year the SMYL (Middle School Youth Group) decorate Christmas Cookies to sell as a fundraiser. This year we will meet right after Christmas Program practice on Dec 12. Families are asked to provide a minimum of two dozen baked goods (unfrosted cookies, cupcakes, bars, candies etc.) Please have your baked goods to the church by that Saturday morning. Lunch will be provided. SMYL/LYF... There isn t a SMYL/LYF fun night in December due to the Advent Midweek Worship services. Hope to see you stay for Church. 4
CONGREGATIONAL NEWS ENVELOPES: Don't forget to pick up your 2016 envelopes if you have not already done so. They are on the table at the back of the narthex. Please try not to use them until the New Year has started, thank you. YOUTH CHRISTMAS DINNER Will take place on Sunday, December 13th from 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Come enjoy a good meal and help support the youth!! The "Busy Bees" will be giving away a quilt at the dinner as well; need not be present to win! FOOD DRIVE: The Evangelism committee will again be having a food drive to support the Manawa food pantry through the Holidays. Remember, the food drive will end in December. Make sure to get your donations turned in! However, you are also welcome to donate items to them any time during the year. OLD CAR SHOW VOLUNTEERS Anyone that volunteered for the Iola Car Show are invited to a Holiday open house as a way of saying "Thank you". It is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the office. The office is located at 160 North Chet Krause Drive in Iola. There is an opportunity to sign up for prizes. We hope to see you then! CHRISTMAS CHOIR: We will practice after the Sunday morning service on Dec. 6,13, & 20. SAVE THE DATE! After we get through eating too much at the youth Christmas dinner, it s time to start thinking about the chili luncheon. This year s date will be January 24 th. Mark your calendars!! THANK YOU! The "Busy Bees" Quilters would like to thank Thrivent Action Team for the funds to make quilts and pillowcase sun dresses. Also anyone else that donated to us. We are blessed to be a blessing to so many others! God Bless Everyone, Busy Bees SARAH CIRCLE MISSION PROJECTS: The Sarah Circle's purpose has been to grow in spiritual faith, fellowship with one another, and give back to our Church and community. Our main source for accomplishing this has been our twice a year bake sales, which you, as the Congregation has been so supportive of! As a result of such support, these are the projects we have been able to do and/or continue to do: 3rd Grade Bibles Adopt-a-family African Palm Crosses Confirmation Retreat Shut-In Gifts Supporting the Troops MAC Food Pantry Hmong Project of Fox Valley Pregnancy Center Cradle Program Seminary/Christian Teacher Peace Campus Students We give Thanks to God for all that has been accomplished because of what he has done and continues to do... through us and for us. God Bless You All, Sarah Circle LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTION Information on the Camp Luther News- Page 7 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT Start the Advent Season off on a positive note with Trinity Lutheran's 20th annual Christmas Concert being held Saturday, December 5th, starting at 4:00 PM. Event is open to the public and located at E8010 Hwy 22, Bear Creek. Fellowship & refreshments to follow in the basement. Free will offering taken. 5
DISTRICT & SYNOD NEWS Legal News Religious Liberty Our NWD schools and churches have been receiving links to resources regarding religious liberty protections. Pastors, principals and early childhood directors have been given sample policies regarding weddings, facility usage, hiring, and others. These sample documents can be located on the NWD website at www.nwdlcms.org under the Congregations/ Church Resources tab. Before adopting these samples, it is wise to consider their impact for your ministry, and wise to consult with an attorney. Youth Ministry launches crowdfunding project to feed 500,000 When tens of thousands of young people are in New Orleans for the 2016 LCMS Youth Gathering July 16-20, they will have a goal of packaging as many as 500,000 meals to distribute among those who suffer from hunger in that city and around the world. Some 323,000 meals for the hungry were packaged by participants at the 2013 Gathering in San Antonio. LCMS Youth Ministry, which sponsors the triennial Gatherings that include such servant events, is upping the ante for 2016 by setting up a crowdfunding project to help raise a final $25,000 to make that goal of packaging half a million meals a reality. The project s WeRaise crowdfunding platform hosted by Wheat Ridge Ministries an LCMS Recognized Service Organization allows supporters to donate any amount toward the $25,000 goal. For that platform, go to thelc.ms/youthfeedingchildren. In addition to providing the vehicle for giving, that Web page features a video with more information about the project. Also, information to help share news about the WeRaise project supporting the Gathering servant event next year is available online. The program is an all-or-nothing effort. In other words, the full $25,000 must be pledged via WeRaise to support providing an additional 100,000 meals for Gathering participants to package. Breaking down those numbers, each dollar pays for four meals for those who are hungry. LCMS members, friends and others also are encouraged to share word about the We Raise program, to maximizing its impact. The LCMS Youth Gathering and events like it give opportunities for participants to see the mercy work of the Church on both a global and local scale, said the Rev. Mark Kiessling, interim director of LCMS Youth Ministry and LCMS Youth Gathering program director. Young people see the effect they have when pooling their resources and activity together and continue serving back home in their congregations and communities. 6
S'more about Camp Luther... Camp Luther is a special place. With more than 215 acres on the beautiful Three Lakes/Eagle River Chain of Lakes, the beauty of God's creation is all around us. Within this gorgeous setting you'll find comfortable facilities, cozy cottages, excellent programs, exciting recreation, and a friendly staff. Join us soon for an unforgettable Christian camping experience. Camp Luther is a subsidiary ministry of the North Wisconsin District LCMS. CAMP LUTHER GIFT CERTIFICATES!! Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your children or grandchildren? Consider a Camp Luther gift certificate. These certificates can be purchased for any amount and may be used for Camp Luther programs and at our canteen. Call Camp Luther at 877-264-CAMP and talk to MaryAnn to order yours today. ORDER YOUR CAMP LUTHER 2016 CALENDAR NOW Visit www.campluther.com and order our beautiful calendar for the new year. Cost is $10. These feature pictures selected from our 2015 photo contest. What a GREAT way to enjoy Camp Luther year round. They also make wonderful Christmas gifts! CAMP LUTHER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES Camp Luther is currently seeking to fill two positions; A full time, year round Program Director and a part-time, year round, home-based position for a Sales and Marketing Specialist. Go online to www.campluther.com for job descriptions and more details. IMPACT, TEEN, AND JC REUNION For all 2015 Impacters, Teen Campers, and JC's Join us December 4-6 at Camp Luther for fun and fellowship. Catch up with all or your friends and enjoy time at camp. Who knows what kind of craziness might be involved!!! SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2016 You can make a difference next summer! Camp Luther is just one of 22 LCMS (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) camps offering a variety of positions each summer. Serving as a Camp Luther summer staff member is challenging, rewarding and fun. If you are interested in spreading the love of Jesus with us we encourage you to apply for the 2016 season. LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTION: THE LUTHERAN WITNESS is your magazine, written and provided especially for the lay people of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. By subscribing to THE LUTHERAN WITNESS, members of the North Wisconsin District become aware of the mission and ministry of both District and Synod. Inserted in every issue is The Messenger, news from the North Wisconsin District. Please let the church office know on or before December 20th if you would like to newly subscribe, or continue receiving your copy of "The Lutheran Witness". New issues will begin in March. Slips to sign up will also be printed in the weekly messengers. Please fill out below this line, cut and return to the office by December 20th. YES - I would like a subscription to THE LUTHERN WITNESS: Cost is $22.01 annually. Checks can be made out to St. Mark Lutheran Church. Your Name: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip: 7
St. Mark Youth Christmas Dinner Sunday, December 13, 2015 11:30am - 1:00pm Adults - $8.00 Children 6-12 - $4.00 Children under 6 - Free Serving: turkey, ham, baked potatoes, stuffing, vegetable, salads, desserts & beverages. Help Support the Youth Funds go toward the 2016 National Youth Gathering St Mark Lutheran Church - Symco The St. Mark "Busy Bees" Quilters will also be giving away a quilt at the dinner. Need not be present to win! 8