Today’s Prayer

In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  —Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)

Dearest Jesus, it appears your birthday is once more upon us, Christmas, the biggest birthday party of the year!  Every year as we celebrate we try to make the party better than the one the year before, and a big party takes lots of preparation.  But, Jesus, how many people realize that Christmas really is your birthday? How many realize why you were born?  Help us to turn our focus from preparing for the earthly party to preparing our heart for your spiritual peace, your presence, and your love.  Jesus, be with us as we go into this wilderness of Christmas materialism so that we may be able to keep our eyes focused on you and your reason for coming to earth.  Turn our focus back to you.  Keep our feet on the straight path in a world that seems oblivious to your presence.  Help us to do all in our power to bring your shining light to others' darkness.  Jesus, forgive us and thank you for hearing our prayers.  Amen.

 

The Names by which He Will be Called

In preparation for Christmas, midweek Advent Worship services will be held on Wednesdays, December 12 and 19 at 6:30 pm.  Each worship service will focus on a name of Jesus.  A dinner will be held each week before the service beginning at 5:30 pm.   A chili dinner will be hosted by Elders on December 12.  Ham and rolls on December 19 will be hosted by WinGS. There are sign-up sheets in the narthex.

 

Christmas Worship Schedule

Sunday School Service, Sunday, December 23, 9:00 am
Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, 6:30 pm
Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 9:00 am
Sunday, December 30, 9:00 am
NO Evening Worship Monday December 31

 

Open Forum & Voters Meeting

An Open Forum and Voters Meeting will be held today after worship.  The 2019 budget and elections for congregational president, financial secretary, and education chairman will be items on the agenda.  A list of candidates is on the bulletin board in the narthex.

 

Decorating for Christmas

We will be decorating the church for Christmas next Sunday, December 9, during the Voters Meeting.  Anyone who would like to help is welcome to join us!

 

Poinsettias

Members once again have the opportunity to purchase poinsettias to adorn the altar area for Christmas.  The cost for a poinsettia is $15.  Order envelopes are available in the narthex.  Orders are due next Sunday, December 16.

 

Christmas Carol Sing-Along

Join the Jesus Cares students for a Christmas carol sing-along on Monday, December 16 before the evening worship service.  We will begin singing around 6:50 pm.

 

Christmas for Kids

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event a success. 

 

Advent by Candlelight

Thank you to all the ladies who attended Advent by Candlelight last Sunday.  We pray your Advent season was blessed by the time spent in God’s Word together.

 

2019 Offering Envelopes

Please pick up your offering envelopes for next year in the narthex.

 

2019 Schedules

The Usher Schedule for January-June 2019 and the communion setup schedule are available in the narthex.

 

THANK YOU FOR SERVING

TODAY
     Organist: Janeen Roska
     Handbell Choir, Director: Tracy Hankwitz
     Greeters: John & Virginia Wiederhold
     Fellowship Hosts:
     Ushers:  Team 3: Jim Mertz, Troy Moldenhauer, Josh Moldenhauer, Jim Prochaska

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
      Ushers:  Team 1: Duane Cleven, Bob Leverenz, Ryan Moldenhauer, Art Plautz

 

NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
     Greeter: Needed
     Flowers:  Needed
     Fellowship Hosts:  Needed
     Cleaning: Team 2
     Ushers: Team 4: Dave DeAngelis, Brian Haag, Craig Scherbarth, Matt Timm

 

 

 

AROUND THE WELS

 

Christmas Concerts & Events

Christmas at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
December 9, at 3:00 and 7:00 pm
in the WLS campus auditorium.
Free admission, a free will offering is appreciated

 

Luther Preparatory School
December 16, 3:00 pm
December 20, 10:00 am
in the LPS gymnasium

 

Awake & Alive

With the prayer that God would inspire Hope Filled young adults, Awake and Alive's 2nd annual two day conference is coming up January 4- 5 at the Best Western Conference Center near the Milwaukee Airport.  A great group of faculty, devotion leaders and guests have been invited to serve college students, young professionals and anyone in the 18-25 time of life with the hope of Christ!  There is also a leadership and community track for leaders of young adults as well!  This year's conference theme is "You Will Not Be Afraid" found from encouragement in Proverbs 3:21-27.  Cost is $60 until December 15, after that $75 until January 4; lodging is also available at the hotel.  Full details can be found at www.awakealive.com or you can contact Mike Westendorf: mike@awakealive.com