bulletins for Christmas Eve morning and Christmas Eve

Barb and Pat,  Please check these over and if there's anything you'd like to change, add or subtract please let me know.  THANKS!

 

 

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

(Christmas Eve Morning)

December 24, 2017

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AS WE GATHER

 

King David is the best known of all of Israel's kings. Under David's reign, the kingdom grew and flourished. Even generations later would look back and view the days of King David as the "Golden Age" of Israel. In today's Old Testament Reading, a promise is made to David: "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). But in this greater kingdom, this eternal kingdom, it's not King David who will reign on the everlasting throne—it's King Jesus. Jesus, the descendant of David, is greater than David and will have a never-ending reign. It's the coming of this King of kings that we prepare to celebrate.

 

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.     [LSB 357:5]

OPENING HYMN                                "A Great and Mighty Wonder"                                                          382

 

INVOCATION AND OPENING SENTENCES     Psalm 89:1

Pastor:                  In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Pastor:                  I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

People: with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness,

All:                         to all generations.

 

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION       Psalm 89:5

Pastor:  Since we are gathered to hear God's Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people, let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

People: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

Pastor:  "Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!"
Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

CHOIR                              "Good Christians All Rejoice"                     by Terry Kirkland

SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor:                  The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor:  Let us pray. Stir up Your power, O Lord,

People: and come and help us by Your might, that the sins that weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy;

Pastor:                  for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

 

OLD TESTAMENT                                  2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16

("Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever.")

Lector:                  This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

 

HYMN                                                 "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"                                                        359

 

EPISTLE                                            Romans 16:25–27    

("To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!")

Lector:                  This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

 

GOSPEL VERSE                               "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"                                      338 vs. 1

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of ev'ry nation, Joy of ev'ry longing heart.

 

HOLY GOSPEL                               Luke 1:26–38    

(The angel appears to Mary.)

Pastor:                  The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter.

People: Glory to You, O Lord.

(The Gospel is read.)

Pastor:                  This is the Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to You, O Christ.

 

People: Praise to You, O Christ.

 

HYMN OF THE DAY           "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"                                                        357

 

SERMON                                 "A Kingdom of Immanuel, God With Us"

 

APOSTLES' CREED       

 

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Pastor:  Let us come before our Lord in prayer, asking Him to hear our prayer and grant us love.
Lord of love, during this season of Advent, prepare our hearts that we would be made ready to receive Your Son as He comes in His incarnation and birth, but also in His body and blood. Make us ever ready for His final coming on the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer and grant us love.

Pastor:  Lord of love, You have called Your Church to bear witness to Christ's redeeming work. Grant that we boldly proclaim the Good News of the One who brings joy to the world through His life, death, and resurrection, that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer and grant us love.

Pastor:  Lord of love, You have instructed us to pray for workers in your harvest field. Raise up faithful and loving teachers of Your Word so that Christ may be proclaimed near and far. Make us Your instruments to encourage and equip individuals for work in Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer and grant us love.

Pastor:  Lord of love, we ask that You stretch forth Your almighty arm to protect the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces of our land. Support them, granting them courage and loyalty. Strengthen them to serve with integrity and honor. Lord, in Your mercy,

People:                hear our prayer and grant us love.

Pastor:  Lord of love, You are the creator and sustainer of all things. According to Your will, grant healing to those who suffer in body and mind. Look with favor upon Your servants, [especially . . .], and if it is Your will, restore them to health, or give them grace to accept tribulation, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for them. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer and grant us love.

Pastor:  Lord of love, thank You for calling us to be Your people through Holy Baptism. Make us ready to receive Your Supper as we remember the One who is truly present in this Meal as He comes to us in Holy Communion. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer and grant us love.

Pastor:  Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy and Your promise to hear us for the sake of the One in whose name we come, Your Son, Jesus Christ.

People: Amen.

 

OFFERING

 

 

OFFERTORY                           "Hark the Glad Sound"                                                     349 vs. 1

Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes, The Savior promised long;
Let ev'ry heart prepare a throne And ev'ry voice a song.

 

PREFACE

Pastor:                  The Lord be with you.                                                                                                            People:         And also with you.

Pastor:                  Lift up your hearts.                                                                                                               

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor:                  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.                                                                             

People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

 

PROPER PREFACE

Pastor:  It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

 

SANCTUS                                                       "Hark the Glad Sound"                                             349 vs. 4

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And heav'n's eternal arches ring With thy belov
èd name.

 

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD         

 

LORD'S PRAYER                         

 

PAX DOMINI

Pastor:                  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

People: Amen.

 

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS

"A Great and Mighty Wonder"  383

"Savior of the Nations, Come" 332

 

POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE                            "Joy to the World"                                       387 vs. 1

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room
And heav'n and nature sing, And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.

 

BENEDICTION Psalm 89:1

Pastor:                  I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

People: with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness

All:                         to all generations.

Pastor:                  The Lord bless you and keep you.

                                The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

                                The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.                             

People: Amen.

 

 

HYMN                                                      "What Child Is This"                                                             370

 

Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2017 Concordia Publishing House.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

 

 

CHRISTMAS EVE

December 24, 2017

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AS WE GATHER

"Glory to God in the highest!" The expression of praise by the heavenly host on the night when Jesus was born into our world has echoed through the ages. As we gather for this most special day, we find joy in repeating the words of God's heavenly messengers. The angels proclaimed a message of peace and good will, a word from God that was appearing in the Word made flesh—the baby Jesus born to bring the light of redemption to a people on earth lost in darkness. "Gloria in excelsis Deo!" Whether we are singing in English or Latin or some other language, the message of the words is what matters. We worship our Lord and rejoice in the glory of Christmas!

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PROCESSIONAL HYMN                         "O Come, All Ye Faithful"                                                              379

 

INVOCATION AND OPENING SENTENCES     Psalm 96:1–3, Liturgical Text, Psalm 98:1a

Pastor:                  In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Pastor:                  Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

People: Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.

Pastor:                  Declare His glory among the nations,

People: His marvelous works among all the peoples!

Pastor:                  When all was still, and it was midnight, Your almighty Word, O Lord, descended from the royal throne.

People: Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!

 

CHOIR                                                "O Come and Worship"                                         by Marty Parks

 

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Pastor:                  In peace let us pray to our heavenly Father, confident of His forgiveness for Jesus' sake.  Almighty Father,

People: we confess that we are sinners by nature and by thought, word, and deed. We cannot and do not merit any forgiveness. But with repentant hearts, we turn to You for mercy, seeking Your grace. In Your loving kindness, forgive, restore, and lead us so that we may be renewed and may live to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Pastor:  With joy I announce God's good news to You. Our gracious God in His mercy has given His Son to be born, to live and then to die for you, and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. Be at peace and rejoice in the Lord.

People: Amen.

 

HYMN                                                  "It Came upon the Midnight Clear"                                                   366

 

 

 

SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor:                  The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor:  Let us pray. O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

People: Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge;

Pastor:  through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

 

CHOIR                               "Glory to the Son of God"                                           by Cindy Berry

                               

OLD TESTAMENT                                             Isaiah 7:10–14                               

(Immanuel will be born to a virgin mother.)

Lector:                  This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

 

HYMN                                                    "Once in Royal David's City"                                               376

 

EPISTLE                                                          1 John 4:7–16                    

(God sent His Son into the world as the Redeemer.)

Lector:                  This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

 

CHOIR                            "Good Christians All Rejoice"                              by Terry Kirkland

 

HOLY GOSPEL                           Matthew 1:18–25               

(An angel appears to Joseph with great news.)

Pastor:                  The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the first chapter.

People: Glory to You, O Lord.

(The Gospel is read.)

Pastor:                  This is the Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to You, O Christ.

 

HYMN OF THE DAY          "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"                                                        359

 

SERMON

 

APOSTLES' CREED       

 

 

 

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Pastor:  Let us pray for God's great mercy, asking that He would hear our petitions and grant them according to His gracious will. As we recall the first Christmas, Lord, we thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ. Give us faith to never forget the magnitude and importance of His sacrifice for us in coming to earth to be our Savior, our Brother, and our Friend. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor:  As we remember Mary and Joseph, we thank You for the gift of family. Give us hearts to fully appreciate the gifts we receive through them and seek to be those who cherish and nourish our family associations. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor:  As we echo the song of the angels, we thank You for the gifts of poetry and music and for all of the writers and composers who have enriched our celebration with their devotion and creativity. Give us eagerness to ever seek to bring You all that is the best and most beautiful in our worship. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor:  As we think of the shepherds to whom the angel brought the greatest of news, we thank You for those who serve in the various vocations of life, including those whose daily work often goes unnoticed. We commend to Your special care, Lord, those in the military, our first responders and medical personnel, and all whose labor on our behalf is specially challenging or hazardous. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor:  As we consider those who were at the inn surrounding Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, we pray for all situations and conditions of people, especially those on our hearts at this time, [including . . .]. Be with them and bless them according to their needs, Lord, and give us opportunities to be of comfort and assistance in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor:  As we pray, gracious God, we remember our dear ones who have completed their earthly lives and now are in Your eternal keeping. As the brightness of the light of Christ shines on them, may we follow their footsteps in ways of peace and love throughout our lives as we live to Your glory. Lord in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor:  These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

People: Amen.

 

PAX DOMINI

Pastor:                  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

People: And also with you.

 

OFFERING

 

OFFERTORY HYMN (sung during the offering) "O Little Town of Bethlehem"                  361         

PRAYER OF PREPARATION FOR LORD'S SUPPER

 

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

 

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS                             

"Away in a Manger"        364

"Angels from the Realms of Glory" Sts. 1–2, 5: 367

"Gentle Mary Laid Her Child"  374

 

 

BENEDICTION

Pastor:  God Almighty—the Father, who gave His Son for the life of the world, the X Son, who has revealed to us God's grace, mercy, and love, and the Holy Spirit, by whose blessed work in us we are seen to be children of God—bless you now and forever.

People: Amen.

 

An usher will come to each pew to begin lighting the candles.  Please pass the flame on to each person in your row.

 

HYMN                                                  "Silent Night, Holy Night"                                                            363

 

 

 

Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2017 Concordia Publishing House.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

 

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

Daily Email: Tuesday, December 12, 2017

DEVOTION:  Isaiah 61:1-4English Standard Version (ESV)

The Year of the Lord's Favor

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
[a]
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[b]
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.[c]
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.

For I the Lord love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrong;[a]
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
    and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their offspring shall be known among the nations,
    and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge them,
    that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to sprout up before all the nations.

When you are going through tough stuff, whether it be loss, brokenness, guilt, or pain it is hard to see past it.  If you've ever hurt your back, and it hurts every time you move, it is hard to function at all much less to rejoice in it and thrive in that time.  When you're going through a divorce that you didn't choose, and your life as you know it has ended, it is hard to look past it to better days.  When you just heard the cancer diagnosis, it is hard to think about much else besides the sickness the cancer and chemo will cause, how you will lose your hair, and your next doctor's appointment. 

                That doesn't mean that we shouldn't think of these things, or that it is wrong to think about better days ahead, even if those days will not occur on this earth for us.  In fact, we need to be reminded of better days ahead often, because there is no rejoicing in our present circumstances if our present circumstances stink. 

                Isaiah's words in the passage above are your daily reminder of better days ahead.  Isaiah was writing this while the Israelites are facing captivity, torture and death at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians.  They are constantly under attack.  They are losing family members.  It is an awful situation.  It is during this time that Isaiah speaks these words of better days ahead.  What a better time to hear that the Lord will not let us stay our struggle forever.  There will be a day when everything will be made new, when we will be covered with a robe righteousness, when the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before the nations!

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me of better days ahead when you will take us out of this veil of tears to an eternal and everlasting life.  Thank you, in the meantime, for giving us the peace that passes all understanding right now.  Amen.

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7

Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15

Thurs- Funeral for Ron Heitgerd at Pitman funeral home 10, luncheon at church 11; Blood Drive 3-7; Confirmation make up 6; Karate 6-7:45

Sat- Men's breakfast 8; Sunday school Christmas Program practice 9-Noon; Worship- 5pm

Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Adult Bible class and Sunday school 9:45; Stephen Ministry 9:45; Choir practice 9:45; Holy Yoga 3pm

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WORSHIP WORKERS: 

Acolyte- Wed- Nova Luebke 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Dulci Rahn

 

Ushers- Wed-  Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter;  Sun- Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer

 

Altar- Wed- (Candles) Don Hance; Sun, Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt  Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

 

Elder- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
 
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Wanda Turnure; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson

Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Ben Hoelscher

 

Pianist Sat- Pat Golden; Sun 11- Doug Walters

 

Organist- Wed- Pat Golden; Sun- Barb Dreyer


Projectionist- Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Vossen


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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   Where was Paul arrested?  Jerusalem (Thanks Don!)

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were Feliz, Festus, and Agrippa?

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NEWS:

OUR NEXT ADVENT DINNER IS TOMORROW AT 5:30!  EVERYONE IS INVITED!!!  INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!!

All in elder groups 4-6 are responsible for bringing either a side dish, salad or dessert!  Fried chicken will be the main course for all three meals!  Worship will begin at 6:30! 

 

We'll hear from Mary Magdalene and she proclaims that her "soul now magnifies the Lord and her spirit rejoices in God her Savior". 

 

 

Week three will be our Sunday school Christmas program at which we will hear about the coming king with the program "Unfrozen".  Supper will be at 5:30 and program at 6:30.

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SIGN UP SHEET TO BUY A POINSETTIA FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY IS ON THE COUNTER IN THE NARTHEX!  COST IS $13.50

It is a wonderful way to honor the memory of someone or just someone you love!

THERE WILL BE TWO CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES THIS YEAR AT 10am and 7pm, AND ONE CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE AT 10am! 

The two Christmas Eve services will be slightly different from each other, so if you'd like to attend them both, you're more than welcome to do so.  You can never get enough Jesus at Christmas.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you!

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NEW YEARS CELEBRATION ON NEW YEAR'S EVE MORNING!!

We will have one service on New Year's Eve with a potluck afterward!  Our main dish will be sloppy joes and we'll have chips there as well.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share!  Bring all your leftover cookies!!  There will be a sign up sheet to let us know you're coming on the counter in the narthex, but even if you don't rsvp, please come!!  We'll have plenty of food! 

 

We're going to plan our personal "goals" for 2018!!

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THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR ADULT BIBLE CLASS ON EITHER CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING OR NEW YEAR'S EVE MORNING!!

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LITTLE LAMBS IS SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!

If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool.  Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know.  They'll hook you up right quick!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God will last forever!  

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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?

You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!!  Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!

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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL.

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PRAYERS: 

For PEGGY TALBERT who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.

 

For TONI MAUCH who is having hip surgery Wednesday.

 

For the HEITGERD FAMILY. As they mourn the loss of Donna's son Ron.

 

THANKSGIVING for the birth of a grandson to the Burmeisters.  He was born three weeks early so is spending a few days in the NICU, but is doing well.

 

For our CHURCH, as we begin to make some big changes to both our governance structure and our building, and as we move forward to make disciples of all nations.   

 

For JENNIFER RAHN, who is recovering from heart valve replacement surgery and is dealing with rheumatoid arthritis problems.  

 

For GEORGE HOELSCHER, BUCK HAMPTON, DENISE HOOKER (betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer. 

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 PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.

 

For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee.  That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.

 

For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.