DEVOTION: Psalm 126 English Standard Version (ESV)
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
There are a lot of people that are dreading Christmas coming this year, because they have lost someone who is near and dear to them, they don't have enough money to buy Christmas presents, they're going to spend it in a hospital bed, or they are just dealing with whatever junk the world has thrown at them.
At the same time, there are people who will have joy, people whose misfortunes have turned around, people who didn't have jobs but now they do, people who have found their one true love.
Guess what both of these groups of people need. They need Jesus! The reason for this season has everything and nothing to do with your circumstances. It has everything to do with your circumstance in that Jesus is there no matter what. He is rejoicing with you when you rejoice in your good fortune and he is mourning with you in your loss. He is there when you cry tears of joy and tears of sorrow. He is there in any and every circumstance.
At the same time, he has nothing to do with your circumstances in that you can praise and honor God whether you have plenty or are in need, whether you are enjoying the company off a newfound love or mourning the loss of your better half of 60 years. You have reason to rejoice, because of Jesus! He is there to hold you in his loving arms no matter what!
Enjoy those lights and decorations! Enjoy your family! Enjoy all the Christmas candy and cookies! Enjoy this Advent season! Enjoy it because of God incarnate who came to well with us and will dwell with us forever! We are safe in his arms!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my God and Father no matter my circumstances. Give me peace in your presence today and always. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Presents for giving tree due; TJ's Pizza delivery 3:30; Confirmation 5;Restructuring Task force 6:30
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: Who wrote Romans and when did he write it? The Apostle Paul wrote it around 55A.D.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Where was Paul arrested?
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NEWS:
OUR NEXT ADVENT DINNER IS WEDNESDAY 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.
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