11-19-2017 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.

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 26:  Today’s message is from Rev. Matthew Nix of Christ Lutheran Church and Trinity Church for the Deaf in Sioux Falls, SD.Today’s message “Punishment or Life?” based on Matthew 25: 46. The program is interpreted and closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are in celebration of Reno Mettler's birthday.

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE: As the holidays approach, many look forward to festive family gatherings. The holidays can be difficult for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one or have had other traumatic personal events in their lives. The Blue Christmas Service is a time of reflection, devotion and release of your grief & sense of loss or change in your life. If this describes you or someone you know, please plan to attend. The Blue Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Salem (South) Mennonite Church.

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

THERE WILL BE no Sunday school November 26.

LADIES AID will meet on December 7th at 7:00 for Bible Study followed by the Business meeting.  Members are to bring Christmas goodies for Lunch.  Joan Dreessen is responsible for Altar flowers for December and Visiting Helpers are the Visiting Committee.  Coffee Committee for December 3rd is Marlene Geidel, Corrine Handel and Cindy Hofer.  

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.

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).

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. 

BAZAAR INCOME - We want to thank everyone again who contributed in any way toward making our 53rd annual bazaar a success. The total income for this year was $6132.55. We had a $250.00 prepaid Visa card through the Thrivent Action Team which we used to purchase the milk, orange drink, buns, and other supplies needed for the bazaar. Thanks – The Bazaar Committee.

ADVENT MEALS will again be served by the Youth Group before midweek services in December. Supper served from 6:00 pm until 6:45 pm. All welcome.  Free will offering will be taken.
Dec 6: Baked Potato Buffet

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Sunday Nov. 19^th 10:30-12:00 All Kids (no Sunday School)

Wednesday Nov. 29^th 5:00-6:00 All kids

Sunday Dec. 3^rd 11:30-1:00 All kids, lunch provided

Sunday Dec. 10^th 10:30-12:00 All kids (No Sunday School)

Sunday Dec. 17^th 11:30-1:00 All kids, lunch provided