Today’s Prayer

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  —2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)

Dear heavenly Father, it seems that no matter what our lot in life may be,  we can always be an encourager.  It doesn’t cost anything to give an encouraging word to someone, and it could be life-changing when received.  You have set Jesus before us as both a source and an example.  Through the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, we have complete encouragement and hope for eternal life.  Come, Holy Spirit, and encourage and strengthen us in all good deeds and words so that in the end we may see you face to face.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Commemorating the Faithfully Departed

Those who trust in Jesus as Savior are truly God’s holy people, or saints (1 Corinthians 1:2). We call believers who have died saints triumphant because they no longer fight against sin, death, and the devil in this life. In today’s Prayer of the Church, we remember our members who have entered heaven through death in the past year. We remember these saints triumphant but neither pray to them nor pray for them. We pray to God alone, thanking him for the victory he’s given them and asking him to give us the same victory in the end.

 

Thanksgiving

Thank and praise God for his many blessings.  Thanksgiving Worship will be held on Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30 pm.  A pie social will be held following the service.  Enjoy a slice of pie while visiting with fellow church members.  Please consider baking (or purchasing) an extra pie to share that evening.  A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

 

Advent Worship

When the time comes to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, you know what to expect and do.  But do you know what to expect and what to do when it comes to celebrate the spiritual reason for Christmas?  Midweek worship services will use Galatians 4:4-5 to help prepare us to celebrate when the time comes for Jesus to come, both in Bethlehem and on the Last Day.  Midweek services will be held on Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 6:30 pm.  There will be a free, fellowship dinner each of these Wednesdays beginning at 5:30 pm.  Senior Moments will host a potluck on December 4.  A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

 

Camp Phillip Door Offering

There will be a door offering to support the ministry at Camp Phillip on Sunday, November 24.  Camp Phillip provides “Renewal in Christ and Relaxation in Creation” through school field trips, summer camp programs, and weekend retreats. For more information on their ministry, visit www.campphillip.com.

 

Advent by Candlelight

Ladies, join us on Sunday, December 8 at 6:00 pm for Advent by Candlelight.  Enjoy beautiful Christmas decorations, delicious desserts, and an evening of meditative worship.  Table hostesses and desserts are needed.  Please RSVP on the sign-up sheets on the narthex bulletin board.  

 

Senior Moments Church Tour

Senior Moments will tour First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Racine on Thursday, December 12. We will meet at Living Water at 9:00 am to carpool and Pastor Pope’s tour will begin at 10:00 am.  We’ll enjoy a noon lunch at Well Brothers Restaurant.  A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

 

Christmas Parade

We will participate in the Waterford Christmas parade on Saturday, December 7.  We are looking for volunteers to walk in the parade and hand out invitations.  We are also looking to borrow two wagons to carry the invitations.  There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Contact Dan Hanke with questions.

 

Christmas for Kids

Our Christmas for Kids event will happen on December 14. This is a chance for kids prekindergarten - 6^th grade to have free fun and, more importantly, to hear how and why Jesus was born to take away our sins. For parents, Christmas for Kids can be free babysitting, freeing you up to do some errands or have a quiet cup of coffee somewhere. We could use a few more volunteers on that Saturday.  Some donations are also needed.  There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Contact Dan Hanke with questions.

 

Gifts from Friends of Jesus

is a charitable toy drive which will supply gifts to families in inner city Milwaukee, such as at Christ and St. Peter Lutheran Churches. More information and a collection bin are in the narthex. The bin will be collected on December 8.

 

December Newsletter

Please submit information for the December newsletter by Sunday, November 17.

 

 

AROUND THE WELS

 

Upcoming Christmas Concerts

“Comfort & Joy”—Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee, December 1, 2:00 pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, Waukesha

Seminary Christmas Concert—Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Chorus, December 8, 3:00 and 7:00 pm, WLS Campus, Mequon

“Visit the Manger”—Shoreland Lutheran HS, December 13, 7:00 pm, SLHS, Somers