Church News; Christmas Schedule

Dear People of God,

"Trust me". How many times have we been sucked in with that simple, two-word phrase? It's not that we don't want to see the best in people, but after having our trust in others dropped and shattered, it's hard not to become jaded when responding to that seemingly innocent request. But, those two simple words are what God whispers to us each morning we rise to begin a new day. God knows there are plenty of things and people promising us everything under the sun everyday; God knows that "all that glitters isn't gold" as Neil Young sang in "Don't Be Denied"; and God also knows that we humans love to go chasing after quick fixes and overnight solutions. God also knows what is behind most of those fixes and solutions – T R O U B L E. Our Old Testament and Gospel lessons for this fourth and last weekend in Advent lift up two contrasting examples of trust – one man ignores God's invitation to trust in the Lord and chooses that quick fix, and the other swallows his pride and chooses to trust in God. The results are astounding, even history-altering. Choosing in whom we trust may not change the course of human history, but it certainly impacts our own history, our own lives. I know how hard it can be to wait for God to act when all of those worldly glittering promises are dancing around in my head. But I also know, often in hindsight, that God's "trust me" never disappoints, never leaves us wishing we had not risked following God!

In Christ's joyous hope,

Gary

HEALING PRAYERS

This Sunday, during the 10:30 a.m. service, we offer prayers and anointing for healing at the altar railing during the celebration of Holy Communion.

YEAR-END DONATIONS

Please remember to bring/send your monetary donations to the church for 2010. If you are traveling for the holidays, or heading for warmer climes for the winter, please continue to send in your contributions while you are away, or send them in before you leave. Not only do we want to be able to meet our ministry obligations for this year, but we also want to continue those ministries into the new year!

PAGEANT REHEARSAL

Rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant will be held this Friday, 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided. Parents are invited to stay and help assemble bulletins and prepare candles.

ADOPT-A-FAMILY DELIVERIES

We will deliver gifts to the 18 families in our Adopt-A-Family project this Saturday, December 18. THANK YOU! to all who participated in this important community ministry! If you wish to be a part of delivering Christmas joy, meet at the church at 9:00 a.m.

MUSICA! CONCERT

The choral group MUSICA! will present a special Christmas concert at Lutheran Church of Our Savior this Sunday, December 19, at 3:00 p.m., in the sanctuary. Tickets will be available at the door. Our own Elyse Fenstermacher and Ginger Minneman are singing this year!

COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Last Sunday, December 12, the following people were elected by the congregation to serve a three year term (2011-2013) on the congregation council:

            Wes Boord (2^nd term)

            Kyle Maschino

            Susie Seleem

            Jan Wallace

CHRISTMAS WEEKEND WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve:             4:00 p.m. – Family Service with pageant

                                   10:00 p.m. – Traditional Candlelight Service

Christmas Day:             5:30 p.m. – Carols, Prayers, Communion at the fireplace in the Parish House foyer

Sunday, 12/26               8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship, with large group Sunday Church School event at 9:30 a. m.

May God bless you in your serving others this week!