News

From The Evangelism Committee

You want to share your faith, but you’re just not sure what to say? Well, Christmas is a wonderful time to share your faith with others. The Evangelism Committee invites you to visit their “Christmas Outreach” table in the narthex. You will find information and ideas about sharing Jesus with others and some inexpensive gift ideas that focus on keeping Christ in Christmas. Use one of these gifts to give to someone and share Christ at the same time. Donations are accepted for the gifts.

Advent

The church season of Advent began Sunday, November 28. It is the beginning of a new church year. Its emphasis is always on The One Who is Coming. We hear from the Old Testament Prophets who tell us about The One Who is Coming to be the Messiah. This coming is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago. So, in the Advent Season we anticipate the coming of the celebration of Jesus’ birth. We look forward to Christmas, the coming of the One who will bring us back into God’s family through his suffering, death and resurrection. It is this Jesus who also comes to us in this Advent season in his Word and Sacraments. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. We are also reminded in this Advent season that The One Who is Coming is also the One who is coming back again to be the judge of all the living and the dead. In God’s grace, we can look forward to Christ’s return and pray with the Apostle John, “Come, Lord Jesus.” During the season of Advent we have special midweek worship services on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. It is easy to get so involved in the activities of the commercial Christmas that the message and meaning of this time of year gets lost in the mess. Take time to join with others for these special Advent services and remember, Jesus is The One Who is Coming.

The Not-So-Silent Night

Children’s Christmas Program
The Christmas story is such a beautiful story, and when told through the voices and faces of our children, it becomes even more special.  Be sure to attend this year’s program entitled, The Not-So-Silent Night, presented on Sunday evening, Dec. 19, at 7:00. The children have been practicing during the Sunday School hour and will also have rehearsals after the late service on two Sundays, the 12th and 19th. There will be a light lunch provided before the Sunday practices.  Please be diligent in seeing that your children attend Sunday School and the rehearsals.  It’s their time to shine and it also reinforces to them the importance of this wonderful time, the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Announcements — December 5, 2010

REMEMBER IN PRAYER  Marilyn N., at home;  Jeanie D., Jean S., undergoing treatment for cancer.

THANK YOU  We want to thank everyone for sympathy shown at the death of our Mom, Edna C.  Your cards, prayers, and memorials are greatly appreciated.  The family requests memorials be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.             ~The Edna C. Family

CHRISTMAS SHARING  The Evangelism Committee invites you to visit their “Christmas Outreach” table in the narthex.  You will find information and ideas about sharing Jesus with others and some inexpensive gifts that focus on keeping Christ in Christmas.  Donations are appreciated for the gifts.

MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES  The Advent season is the time before Christmas when we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  Plan to attend the Midweek Advent services on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.

WEDNESDAY EVENING CLASS SCHEDULE THROUGH DECEMBER
  Dec. 8 & 15—Band Practice, 5:30 pm; All other classes begin at 6:00 pm
  Dec. 22 & 29—No Classes

SECRET SISTER PROGRAM  All ladies of the church are invited to participate in this ministry of caring and sharing with other sisters in Christ.  The 2010 Secret Sister Reveal will be this evening at the LWML Christmas Holiday Event.  We will also be drawing for our 2011 Sisters.  If you would like to be a part of this fun and spirit-lifting program, fill out the All About Me form found in the narthex.  Bring it with you this evening or give it to Mary P. in the church office.  Be sure to take a copy of the guidelines to help you understand how the program works. 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY EVENT  The LWML sponsored Christmas Holiday-centered event, for all ladies of the congregation, is this evening at 6:30 pm.  You don’t have to be a member of the LWML or a participant of the Secret Sister program to take part and enjoy an evening of fun with your fellow Christian sisters.  If you would like to participate in the fun cookie or tree ornament exchanges, just bring a wrapped Christmas ornament (not to exceed $5.00), and some cookies.  If not, that’s fine, too.  Just bring your appetite (we will be having dinner), and a smile.  You don’t want to miss it!  Hostesses for the evening are Janet C. and Mary P.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE  Beginning next Sunday, the children will be having a rehearsal for their program after the late service.  A light lunch will be served.  On Sunday, Dec. 19, after the late service, they will also have a “Happy Birthday, Jesus” party.  If you would be willing to help with lunch on either of these two Sundays, please contact Karen P. or Shelley W.
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM  On Sunday evening Dec. 19, at 7:00, the children will tell the Christmas story in the Christmas Pageant, The Not-So-Silent Night.  

POINSETTIAS  If you would like to purchase one or more poinsettias to help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas, there is a sign-up sheet in the narthex.  The price for each is $5.00, and as always, you are welcome to take them home after Christmas.  Please make payment to Betty K.

PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.  We have reports that they are helping those who have received them. 

BLOOD PRESSURE  The opportunity to have your blood pressure taken and recorded after each service is available in the nurse’s office located off the narthex.  You will be given a card to carry with you to record your readings.

TAPES AND CD’S OF THE SERVICE  Audio tapes and CDs of the service are available after the 8:15 am service each Sunday.  They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.  The previous Sunday’s are also available.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you control the volume.