12-28-2014

IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS this week please remember all who are recovering from surgery and illness as well as those in cancer treatment programs, our shut-in and inactive members, and at least 2 family members or friends in your life who do not yet know Christ.

Main Street Living – Dec. 28^th – The featured speaker is Rev. Keith Bicknase of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank.  The program is interpreted for the hearing impaired.

CHRISTMAS FUND – Through today, Dec. 28^th, we are accepting freewill offerings to replenish our Christmas Fund.  These monies will be used to replace or repair our Advent and Christmas decorations, as needed, as well as to purchase the Children’s Christmas Program gift bag items.  The offering basket is on a table in the Fellowship Hall.

A Special Thank You to our Christmas-season choir members, vocalists and musicians for providing us with extra music for our worship services.  We give thanks to God for all of you who were willing to share your talents with the rest of us and for using them to God’s glory!

NEW YeaR’S EVE worship service will not be held this year.  However, we still encourage everyone to do their personal evening devotions, remembering that no matter what personal difficulties we will face next year, no matter what decisions we will have to make and no matter the times of uncertainty or anxiety in our lives, Jesus Christ … “who is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8) … will be there to strengthen us, help us, comfort us and guide us.  Only God knows what 2015 will bring but whatever may happen, one thing remains the same:  Jesus Christ, who is “our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home.”  (LSB 733 Verse 1)

NO CONFIRMATION CLASS on Wednesday, Dec. 31^st.  Classes will resume January 7^th.

LADIES AID will meet on January 1, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. with Millie Gunderson as Hostess.   The Bible Study will  be Session 8 – The Rich Fool followed by the business meeting.  Coffee Hour committee for Jan.  4, 2015 is Millie Gunderson, Ella and Elsie Hein and Cindy Hofer.  On Altar Guild for January is Phyllis Knittel and Ruth Koerner and Garnet Stern are Visiting Helpers.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS in the church will be taken down on Friday, January 2^nd, beginning at 5:00 pm.  If you have the time, would you please help us get the decorations and Christmas trees put back into storage?  Many hands will make light work!  Thank you in advance for your assistance!

PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER using your God-given gifts and talents in service to our Lord and His church.  In January we will need to fill various offices and positions.  Please contact the Chairman of the Congregation (Matt Dannenbring) or any elder if you are willing to have your name placed on the 2015 election ballot.  Thanks!

 

12-21-2014 Annoucements

IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS this week we remember Sheila Rigo and her family as they mourn the death of her grandfather (Don Herrboldt), Frances Herrboldt as she mourns the death of her husband (Don), the family of Tom Stolp as they mourn his death, Pauline Walz as she recovers from foot surgery, Jerry Saner and Richard Salis as they recover from heart issues as well as those in cancer treatment programs, our shut-in and inactive members, and at least 2 family members or friends in your life who do not yet know Christ.

Main Street Living – Dec. 21^st – The featured speaker is Rev. David Otten of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dimock.  The program is interpreted for the hearing impaired.

THE LORD’S SUPPER at St. Paul Lutheran Church is administered in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.  It is celebrated in the confidence that we receive – in, with and under the consecrated bread and wine – our Savior’s true Body and Blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  All who commune at this altar are making this public confession of the faith that we believe and teach as is written in the Holy Scriptures.  If you are not a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, please speak with the Pastor before the worship service.

Christmas Worship Services – We invite you to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Son of God!  Our Christmas Eve Children’s Program will be held on Dec. 24^th at 7:00 p.m.  Please mark your calendars and come rejoice with us as our youth present the Christmas story and as we worship our Savior and Redeemer.  Our Christmas Day service will be Dec. 25^th at 9:30 a.m.  Both services will be filled with your favorite Christmas hymns so bring a friend with you!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the Matt Dannenbring family, Lutherans For Life, the Craig Roth family and the Mark Roth family for their time and effort to provide our midweek Advent soup and sandwich suppers this year!  They did an excellent job!  Thank you all very much!

CHRISTMAS FUND – Through Dec. 28^th we will be accepting freewill offerings to replenish our Christmas Fund.  These monies will be used to replace or repair our Advent and Christmas decorations, as needed, as well as to purchase the Children’s Christmas Program gift bag items.  The offering basket is on a table in the Fellowship Hall.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT for Ladies Aid this year is Brad Lessman from Spearfish who is  in his final year at Fort Wayne Seminary. There will be a basket in the Fellowship Hall  on Dec. 14th and 21st if you are interested in contributing to this cause.  Ladies Aid will match any funds collected. 

THE CARING/GIVING TREE is set up in the fellowship hall. Please help the Sunday school classes fill the tree to benefit others in need stay warm and clean. We are asking for new items of warmth and any basic hygiene items.  All donations will be taken to local food pantries or shelters. Thank you in advance.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Practice schedule:
Sunday Dec 21 All kids 10:45- ? with lunch provided
Christmas Eve Program at 7p.m

NEW MEMBER WELCOME – During our worship service today we will receive Janet Vargas and Scott and Carly Fritz as new members.  We ask that everyone please give them a warm welcome in joining our church family!

NO CONFIRMATION CLASS on Wednesday, Dec. 24^th or on the 31^st.  Classes will resume January 7^th.

TOM STOLP’S ENTRANCE INTO GLORY – We pray for peace and comfort for the family of Tom Stolp whom God called home last Thursday, Dec. 18^th.  We pray that God would comfort all who mourn with the hope of the glorious resurrection of the body and a happy reunion in heaven, and that He would sustain the family with the knowledge that all who remain faithful will be given the crown of eternal life and will be in our Lord’s presence forevermore.  Tom’s home-going service will be held tomorrow, Dec. 22^nd.

LADIES AID will meet on January 1, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. with Millie Gunderson as Hostess.   The Bible Study will  be Session 8 – The Rich Fool followed by the business meeting.  Coffee Hour committee for Jan.  4, 2015 is Millie Gunderson, Ella and Elsie Hein and Cindy Hofer.  On Altar Guild for January is Phyllis Knittel and Ruth Koerner and Garnet Stern are Visiting Helpers.

HOLIDAY CHEER: This past Wednesday the Ladies Aid Visiting Committee delivered “Holiday Best Wishes” in the form of a personal visit, a Christmas card, and a bud vase containing a carnation & evergreens to the following church members.  Erna Bittner, Alice Fliginger, Bernice Graber, Ella & Elsie Hein, Verna Herrboldt, Connie Hinckley, Myrna Huber, LaVonne Knittel, Ruth Koerner, Lorna Langle, Mahala Peterson, Lucille Rembold, Henrietta Rhoades, Myron Schaffer, Gerhard & Darlene Schamber, Gary Schrag, Arden Stern, Pauline Walz, Marj Wollman, and Marie Wrenn. We also visited and delivered a bud vase to Barbara Putzier at the Salem Home for the Aged. A Christmas card was sent to Altha Mayer at Wakonda and June Heckenlaible in California.

If anyone has bud vases they no longer need please bring them to the church kitchen and mark them for the visiting committee, we will start saving vases for our next year deliveries. Thank you very much.

NEW ADDRESS – June Heckenlaible has moved.  Her new address is:  Oakmont Assisted Living Home, 14837 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills, CA 91709-2020.

ALTAR FLOWERS – Dec. 21^st – Our altar flowers today were given in loving memory of Dennis Dubs and Hulda and Eugene Ulmer by Jeani Dubs.  Thank you, Jeani!

PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER using your God-given gifts and talents in service to our Lord and His church.  In January we will need to fill various offices and positions.  Please contact the Chairman of the Congregation (Matt Dannenbring) or any elder if you are willing to have your name placed on the 2015 election ballot.  Thanks!

ST PAUL COOKBOOKS -  The Samaritan group will be selling cookbooks after church the next few Sundays. Nice $20 gift for Christmas.  Christmas savings - buy multiples and save 2- $35 and 3- $50

SMH ANGEL TREE – During the Christmas season, the Salem Mennonite Home will be decorating an “Angel Tree” in our Home to raise funds to purchase a Nu-Step machine (exercise bike) and a new computer for resident use.  For each gift of $25 or more, an angel ornament will be placed on the “Angel Tree.”  Help us attain our goal by sending gifts to:  Salem Mennonite Home, 106 W 7^th St., Freeman, SD 57029.  Thank you for your continued support of the Salem Mennonite Home.  May you have a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.

12-14-2014 Announcements

IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS this week please remember all who are recovering from surgery and illness as well as those in cancer treatment programs, our shut-in and inactive members, and at least 2 family members or friends in your life who do not yet know Christ.

THE LORD’S SUPPER at St. Paul Lutheran Church is administered in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.  It is celebrated in the confidence that we receive – in, with and under the consecrated bread and wine – our Savior’s true Body and Blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  All who commune at this altar are making this public confession of the faith that we believe and teach as is written in the Holy Scriptures.  If you are not a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, please speak with the Pastor before the worship service.

Main Street Living – Dec. 14^th – The featured speaker is Rev. Aaron Asmus of Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.  The program is interpreted for the hearing impaired.

ADVENT MIDWEEK SERVICES – We will gather at 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday for our 3^rd and final Advent midweek worship service.  At 5:45 p.m. we will also provide a soup and sandwich supper for all who wish to get together for a light meal.  The theme for this year’s Advent services is “Women of Faith.”  Please join us and please bring a friend or relative to share in this opportunity for worship and fellowship!

CHRISTMAS FUND – Through Dec. 28^th we will be accepting freewill offerings to replenish our Christmas Fund.  These monies will be used to replace or repair our Advent and Christmas decorations, as needed, as well as to purchase the Children’s Christmas Program gift bag items.  The offering basket is on a table in the Fellowship Hall.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT for Ladies Aid this year is Brad Lessman from Spearfish who is  in his final year at Fort Wayne Seminary. There will be a basket in the Fellowship Hall  on Dec. 14th and 21st if you are interested in contributing to this cause.  Ladies Aid will match any funds collected. 

THE CARING/GIVING TREE is set up in the fellowship hall. Please help the Sunday school classes fill the tree to benefit others in need stay warm and clean. We are asking for new items of warmth and any basic hygiene items.  All donations will be taken to local food pantries or shelters. Thank you in advance.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Practice schedule:
Sunday Dec 14
PreK-1st 10:45 -11:45 with lunch provided
 3-8th 10:45 - 1 with lunch provided
Wednesday Dec 17 All kids 5-6:15p.m
Sunday Dec 21 All kids 10:45- ? with lunch provided
Christmas Eve Program at 7p.m

ST PAUL COOKBOOKS -  The Samaritan group will be selling cookbooks after church the next few Sundays. Nice $20 gift for Christmas.  Christmas savings - buy multiples and save 2- $35 and 3- $50

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS (written by Lutheran Hour Ministries) were distributed after last week’s worship service.  Additional copies are in the library.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped us celebrate our 50^th wedding anniversary.  And thank you for your cards and messages; you made our day very special!  May God bless all of you!  (s) Harlin and Joan Neuharth

SURVEY – Final Call! – The Board of Elders is planning to open and recap the surveys on Dec. 19^th so please complete and return them if you haven’t already.  Only about 1/4^th of the surveys have been returned so far.  Thanks for your input and your help!

The CONFIRMATION PICTURE PROJECT is finally done!  Of the 83 possible years for which we have a written record of confirmands, we have 73 of the class pictures; thus, there were 10 years for which we were unable to locate a picture.  Some of the earlier missing pictures are unavailable because none were taken for those years.  The 10 missing years are 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1952, 1988, 1989 and 1995.  In addition to the 73 class pictures of our confirmation students, Pastor Borglum was also able to locate pictures of all 16 of our prior called pastors going back to 1882.  The pictures have been resized and their colors corrected (because of fading, sunlight exposure, etc.) as best as he could and are hanging in the Fellowship Hall.  Please feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

SMH ANGEL TREE – During the Christmas season, the Salem Mennonite Home will be decorating an “Angel Tree” in our Home to raise funds to purchase a Nu-Step machine (exercise bike) and a new computer for resident use.  For each gift of $25 or more, an angel ornament will be placed on the “Angel Tree.”  Help us attain our goal by sending gifts to:  Salem Mennonite Home, 106 W 7^th St., Freeman, SD 57029.  Thank you for your continued support of the Salem Mennonite Home.  May you have a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.

12-07-2014 Announcements

IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS this week please remember Cheryl Walz, Joan and Dean Dreessen and Tom Stolp as they recover from surgery and illness as well as those in cancer treatment programs, our shut-in and inactive members, and at least 2 family members or friends in your life who do not yet know Christ.

Main Street Living – No information is avaible at this time.

CHRISTMAS FUND – Through Dec. 28^th we will be accepting freewill offerings to replenish our Christmas Fund.  These monies will be used to replace or repair our Advent and Christmas decorations, as needed, as well as to purchase the Children’s Christmas Program gift bag items.  The offering basket is on a table in the Fellowship Hall.

ADVENT MIDWEEK SERVICES – We will gather at 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 10^th and Dec. 17^th for worship.  At 5:45 p.m. (before each Wednesday’s service) we will also provide a soup and sandwich supper for all who wish to get together for a light meal.  The theme for this year’s Advent services is “Women of Faith.”  Please join us and please bring a friend or relative to share in this opportunity for worship and fellowship!

Advent SOUP-SUPPeRs – There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for any person, family or group who would like to host one of our Advent Wednesday soup-suppers this year.

Note: CHANGE OF DATE! LWML will meet on Wednesday December 10th. at the home of Julie Huber at 2:00 p.m. Please bring a Christmas Reading to share and also some Christmas goodies.

ST PAUL COOKBOOKS -  The Samaritan group will be selling cookbooks after church the next few Sundays. Nice $20 gift for Christmas.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Practice schedule:
 Wednesday Dec 10  3-8th grade 5-6:15 p.m
Sunday Dec 14
PreK-1st 10:45 -11:45 with lunch provided
 3-8th 10:45 - 1 with lunch provided
Wednesday Dec 17 All kids 5-6:15p.m
Sunday Dec 21 All kids 10:45- ? with lunch provided
Christmas Eve Program at 7p.m

THE CARING/GIVING TREE is set up in the fellowship hall. Please help the Sunday school classes fill the tree to benefit others in need stay warm and clean. We are asking for new items of warmth and any basic hygiene items.  All donations will be taken to local food pantries or shelters. Thank you in advance.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS (written by Lutheran Hour Ministries) were distributed after last week’s worship service.  Additional copies are in the library.

The CONFIRMATION PICTURE PROJECT is finally done!  Of the 83 possible years for which we have a written record of confirmands, we have 73 of the class pictures; thus, there were 10 years for which we were unable to locate a picture.  Some of the earlier missing pictures are unavailable because none were taken for those years.  The 10 missing years are 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1952, 1988, 1989 and 1995.  In addition to the 73 class pictures of our confirmation students, Pastor Borglum was also able to locate pictures of all 16 of our prior called pastors going back to 1882.  The pictures have been resized and their colors corrected (because of fading, sunlight exposure, etc.) as best as he could and are hanging in the Fellowship Hall.  Please feel free to browse through them at your convenience.