11-12-2017 Announcements

HOLY COMMUNION is celebrated in our worship service today.  What a joy and privilege!  In this Sacrament our Lord gives unto us not only bread and wine, but also His very body and blood to eat and drink.  In this Sacrament He assures us that our sins are forgiven and He strengthens our faith.  To our guests who desire to receive Holy Communion, we ask that you consider the following:  If you do not believe in Jesus as your Savior, do not believe in the Real Presence of the Sacrament, or have never received instruction on how to prepare yourself for Communion, you should refrain from receiving the Sacrament, but are encouraged to come to the altar for a blessing, indicated by folding the arms over the chest.  We do this not to offend, but to honor the faith we hold at St. Paul Lutheran.  If you have any questions regarding communion, please speak to the Pastor or an Elder before service begins.

WE BEGIN WITH THE BAPTISM OF KOLTON JOHN PODZIMEK today.  The rite of Holy Baptism is located on page 268 of the Hymnal.  After the Baptism, we will pick up the Divine Service at the Kyrie on page 186.  Scripture teaches us that we are all conceived and born sinful and under the power of the devil until Christ claims us for His own.  Commanded by our Lord to baptize and teach to make disciples, we continue to follow the mandate and practice of the early church - and of most of Christianity in the world yet today.  Today we witness God do His work as He gives Kolton a new last name...the same last name all the baptized have...including you.  He will now be called Christian...as he is claimed, grafted, and adopted him into the family of God, a brother in the body of Christ His Church.  Praise be to God! - Pastor

 

IN YOUR PRAYERS - this week please remember those who are recovering from surgery and illness, 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 –November 19:  Today’s message is from Rev. Matthew Wurm Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD.  Today’s message, Entitled  “The Real Jesus” is based on Zephaniah 1: 14. The program is interpreted and closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

YOUTH GROUP will meet at 7:30 this evening.  Devotions, snack & activities are being planned by selected youth members.

THE CHURCH will be decorated for Christmas starting at 5:30 on Friday night November 24^th.  All are invited to help

WANTED – Two more groups who would be willing to take turns serving during our Sunday morning Coffee Hours.  This would eliminate having any open spots and would keep those who serve from having to serve as often as they do.  Please let Aleta Starner know by Nov 26 so we can get the schedule made out for the new year.  Thank you.

MEET AND GREET SYNOD PRESIDENT  Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, along with several other leaders of our church body, will be at a “Meet and Greet” at Zion Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, on Thursday, December 7, from 2-4 p.m.  Joining President Harrison will be LCMS English District President, Rev. Jamison Hardy; LCMS Mid-South District President, Rev. Roger Paavola; Chairman of the Synod’s Board of Directors; Rev. Michael Kumm (who serves as pastor at Holy Cross, Dakota Dunes); the Synod’s 3^rd Vice-President, Rev. Nabil Hartford (Trinity, Hartford); and our own District President, Rev. Scott Sailer.  Our out-of-state guests will be here to tape a sermon for Main Street Living and to enjoy a pheasant hunt.  Please come on by and chat with these leaders on December 7.  Refreshments will be served. 

CHRISTMAS CAROLING WITH MSL  Join members of the Main Street Living (MSL) choir in Christmas caroling on Saturday, November 25.  Meet at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, at 8:45 a.m.  There will be a brief choir warm-up at that time, and then a bus will take the carolers to the Empire Mall and other locations to witness about the Savior’s birth through song.  Carolers will return to Our Redeemer at about noon to share in some refreshments.  Anyone may sing with this group!  But we do need to know how many will be a part of this.  Please contact MSL Board Member Don Fauth to register your intent to participate (fauth@midco.net; ph. 605-370-2030).

THE MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE Meat Canning Days are Monday and Tuesday, November 13th and 14th. Those interested should look at the information posted on the bulletin board.