12-10-2017 Announcements

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 know Christ as they could, that they would accept the invitation to come to Church with you to hear God's Word preached in its purity, and see the Sacraments rightly administered.

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 –December 17: Rev. Iver Possehl of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD presents today’s message, “Good News For the Poor”, based on Isaiah 61: 1-2. The program is interpreted and closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY Dec 10th 11:45 am. Please meet at church parking lot to carpool for an afternoon in Sioux Falls. Ice Skating, Ice Cream and more.

LWML will meet at the home of Julie Huber on December 14th at 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring a Christmas reading or poem, goodies to share and your Christmas sock money.

MIDWEEK ADVENT MEALS
Youth Group will be serving from 6:00 pm until 6:45pm with Advent Service at 7pm  Everyone is welcome.
Dec 13:  Creamy Chicken Pasta
Dec 20:  Hamburger Soup
Free will donation will be taken.

MAIN STREET LIVING is the Christmas project for Ladies Aid this year.  If you would like to make a contribution there will be a basket in the fellowship hall this season for this purpose.  Ladies Aid will match any funds collected.  THANK YOU for your interest in this worthwhile program.

CARING N GIVING TREE For the month of December we would like the congregation to donate Warm Pajamas. This year we would like to fill the caring tree in the fellowship hall with all types and sizes of pjs.  Each donations will get a Bible verse attached and will be taken to the Freeman food pantry to be distributed. Thank you in advance for helping with this project.

TO ALL VOTING MEMBERS OF ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH --  The nominating committee will soon be contacting prospective members to fill Church council and board positions.  Please prayerfully consider serving your church.  If you have an interest in any position please contact any of the nominating committee members:  Dean Dreessen,  Keith Knodel or Dan Podzimek.

REMEMBER A LOVED ONE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON with a memorial poinsettia.  Your loved ones names will be listed in the bulletin.  Poinsettias will be displayed starting on December 17 and placed through December 25 at which time family members may take their plants.  Two sizes available: 8” pot (3 plants per pot) $29.99 and 6.5” pot (1 plant per pot) $15.99.  Poinsettias are available for purchase with Dawn Walz at 925-4200 or 660-0264.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

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

IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE PERIOD OF PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS (that is now called Advent) first began – it was certainly in existence from about 480.  There have been changes over the years and today, Churches either prepare for Christmas like the world (and simply ignore the season, going straight to celebrating Christmas), or they maintain what the spirit of Advent sought to instill in the hearts of the Faithful over the centuries (which conforms to the work of John The Baptizer). As he prepared the world for the coming of Christ 2,000 years ago, so the season of Advent prepares the world for His second coming.  His message therefore, is the message of Advent now. The feelings he aroused in people’s hearts twenty centuries ago are the sentiments which Advent awakens in human souls now, when he said to them: “Repent ye, for The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2. Repentance! Sorrow! That is how the Church prepares for Christmas.  The season of Advent therefore, is seen as a mini-Lenten season.  The world still needs a Savior in the flesh!  Come Lord Jesus!  May St. Paul’s Advent preparations focus your hearts, minds, souls, emotions, and body to the second coming of the Lord. – Pastor Makelin