12-03-2017 Annouoncements

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 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.

MAIN STREET LIVING –December 10:  Worship Service- message, “Christmas Prep” is presented by Rev. Garen Pay of Peace Lutheran Church in Alcester, SD. The message is based on Mark 1. The program is interpreted and closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

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.  

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

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.

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.

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

MENTOR/MENTEE THIS EVENING Christmas party @ Blue’s Restaurant 6:30 pm   $5 gift exchange. Devotion & small activity by M/M team Kristi/Lindsay

 

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. 

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. 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