December 2019

From Troubled to Praise This Advent I am going to be preaching an Advent Series called, “The Songs of Advent”. It may not be the kind of title that grabs you with excitement at first. It may lead you to wonder whether we will just be studying hymns for Advent. Well, to put your mind at ease, those are not the songs of Advent we will be looking at, rather we will actually be looking at some of the songs of praise in Scripture. Songs uttered from the lips of some key Biblical figures, like Zechariah, Mary, and Simeon. Each people who received some amazing news from the Lord. Zechariah, if you recall, was the man who was told by an angel that his wife Elizabeth, who had been barren, would give birth to a son. It was the promise of John the Baptist, who the angel told Zechariah would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth and prepare people for the coming Christ. It was amazing news, yet what was Zechariah’s reaction at first when he saw the angel? He was troubled by the appearance of this angel and its words. He says to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Mary too was visited by the angel Gabriel and was greeted with amazing news, as she was told, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.” What was her reaction to this news? It says, she was greatly troubled at this saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Simeon, it is revealed to us in Scripture, had also received some amazing news. He had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Imagine the anxiousness and anticipation in his heart until that day came.

All three figures we could say had good reason to be anxious and troubled by such news, yet what we will see this Advent is how each of them were brought from their anxious and troubled thoughts to songs of praise because they got to see those promises fulfilled. I know for us too, we are headed into a season that can fill our hearts and minds with anxiety and trouble as well. We hear news of sales and bargains and it can set off thoughts, like “When am I going to get to that store?” “What am I going to buy?” “Are the items I am hoping to get still going to be there?” This can be a time when we can be troubled and stressed, yet what we can’t look sight of in the busyness of this season is what it is all leading too. The promise fulfilled that a Savior has been born for us, who is Christ the Lord. I hope in this Advent season, which I know can be so crazy, that you might join me in pausing on purpose this Advent in worship. To let God’s Word, through the songs He laid on the hearts of Zechariah, Mary, and Simeon, help keep you grounded in the real joy of this season. The coming of our King and Savior Jesus. I hope and pray they might remind you again of just what a gift we were given in Christ, that your troubled and anxious minds can be filled like Zechariah, Mary, and Simeon with songs of praise in this season for His coming. Amen. Pastor Chris Lockie

Worshipped Communed Offerings 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018

Nov. 3 180 165 144 127 6717 6045 Sept. 10 183 206 150 150 4904 6147 Sept. 17 198 186 155 135 6085 6578 Sept. 24 203 164 168 113 9185 4929

Averages 191 180 164 131 $ 6722 $ 5924

Up Coming Bible Opportunities Up Coming Bible Opportunities Sunday Morning Bible Class: Pastor’s Class : "Know our differences: A study on the other denominations of our Christian faith." 11:00 Tuesday Morning Bible Study:.Will resume after the holidays. For Other Bible Study Opportunities: See the sheet on the Welcome Center.

November gave us an opportunity to focus on both thanks AND giving! We learned about the pilgrims, their Native American friends, and why they were so thankful on that first Thanksgiving. We even discovered that they wer so thankful they celebrated and gave thanks to God for 3 whole days! That is a LOT of feasting! When it came time for giving, we were joyful to do so; our food drive reminded us that God tells us to care for, love, and grow, with each other. We were very excited to watch the feathers on our turkey grow and grow, knowing each feather would help someone in need. Sharing was also the theme of our class parties as the 3K class worked together to create their delicious GORP mix which they shared.

“Playing it Safe” was another important theme this November. With the help of Mr. Yuk (poisons) and Me. Ouch (electricity), the 4K class learned about many things not to touch, smell, taste or even go anywhere near. We also learned about bacteria and germs and how to stay safe around strangers. Both classes were excited to get a visit from our special guest firemen who taught us all about fire safety.

Our Bible stories this month focused on being thankful as well! We learned about Moses, crossing the Red Sea, Israel in the desert and the Ten Commandments. We spent a lot of time thanking God for our blessings every day in both song and prayer.

CHILD CARE: Please remember that we are not a drop-in child care. You need to have a reservation so that we can meet the state child: teacher ratio. We are unique in that you pay only for the hours you schedule in Child Care. Please also keep in mind that we need twenty-four notice for all reservation, changes in schedule or cancellations. FYI: we recently had our license revised to accept children through age 9.

Jesus Time Encourage your child to keep the Bible

story pictures in the JESUS BOOK brought home from preschool.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and wen he is old, he will not depart

from it” Proverbs 22:6

•Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!

PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE SILENT AUCTION

The auction has begun and will end at 10:25 am on Sunday, December 8th.

Make sure you check out all the great items donated this year, and make your bid!

If you should have any questions, please contact Julie Maiwald at (262)-488-1259,

or Carla Abel at (262)-639-1277.

Thank-you!

LAST CALL FOR CHRISTMAS SCRIP Giving gift cards for Christmas? Finish your Christmas list AND help the POP Youth. Fill our order form and pay for cards (cash or check payable to Prince of Peace) by Sunday December 8. Drop in the Scrip Box, and cards will be available by December 14th. List of retailers and denominations on sheets near scrip box by East Entrance or see shopwithscrip.com. Questions? Contact Gina Janke, (cell) (262)-880-6207.

Preschool and Childcare Cookie Walk and Holiday Fair We are looking forward to our annual Cookie Walk and Holiday vendor fair on Saturday December 7th, 2019 This event begins at 9 am and ends at noon. Lots of vendors which means you can get some of that Christmas shopping done or perhaps get something special for yourself or maybe a hostess gift. Lots of yummy baked goods , along with holiday music throughout the event by live performances from some of our local schools.

Cookies

A BIG Thank-you

To all the ladies of our congregation for the Use of their generous talents. Over the last 11 years, our knitter and crocheters have used those talents to contribute 542 blankets to Columbia/St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee. That is an average of 50 handmade blankets per year. Countless baby caps, and booties have also been given to many hospitals in the area. Thank-you again, and please keep up the great work.

THIS YEARS ADVENT SERIES

Is entitled “The songs of Advent”. In the Gospel of Luke, there are four amazing songs recorded for us that are all sung because of the promise of Jesus’ birth and it’s fulfilment. Join us this Advent in worship that these songs may fill your Spirit with preparation and joy for the coming celebration of Christmas. The celebration that a Savior has been born To us; Christ the Lord.

ADVENT WORSHIP

(Advent worship helps us prepare for and celebrate the coming of our Savior)

Wednesday, December 11th

--------6:30 pm

Wednesday December 18th

----------6:30 pm

(Please join us before service at 5:15pm for an Advent meal)

CHRISTMAS EVE

Tuesday December 24th

Children’s Program----------5:00 pm

Candlelight Service---------9:00 pm

CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP

Wednesday, December 25th

--------10:00 am

$100,000 CHALLENGE Prince of Peace is likely to be facing some God-sized challenges in the foreseeable future. We have been blessed with a beautiful sanctuary and facility—which is now beginning to show its age. We have recently been forced to replace three of four heating units above the “new” (14-year old) sanctuary, at an unbudgeted cost of nearly $8,000. We also need to have tuck-pointing repairs done in the spring—at a cost of another $8,000. And most importantly, we are anticipating a need to replace (and update) the roof—at a projected cost of $100,000. In order to cover these maintenance expenses, the Board of Stewardship is proposing a special fund drive and asking for pledges that would be over and above our members’ normal giving. We recognize that $100,000 sounds like an insurmountable goal. However, if each of our active families would pledge $1,000—or $30 per month over the next three years--the goal would be met! There will be a picture/outline of a church building, together with pledge forms, posted in the narthex in the near future to help track progress toward this goal. Please prayerfully consider how God would have you support this effort as faithful stewards of His house. HOW ELSE YOU CAN HELP OUR ROOF FUND; by purchasing note cards (pack of 12 only $8.00). The note cards were designed by members of our congregation, and make a great Christmas gift! Proceeds go directly to the Roof Fund! There is a sign-up sheet on the Welcome Center .Also, check out our progress on the Roof Board in the Narthex. Any questions, contact the church office at (262)-639-1277.

Did you Know?

The hidden meaning of

“A Partridge in a Pear Tree?” The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The “true love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ’s sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so…” The other symbols mean the following: 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

A Christmas Letter from Jesus

When you look for me at Christmas, you won’t need a special star. I'm no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right here where you are.

You may not be aware of me amid the celebrations. You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment from your list of things to do, Just close your eyes and say a prayer, I’m waiting here for you. You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason why I came!

And you will find me in the stillness where I’m whispering your name

Lutherans For Life

December 1 – Advent I Some call “sexual liberation” and “individual autonomy” progress. But abortion and assisted suicide show how serving flesh and self enslaves only to death. “[S]alvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11b). Jesus draws and drives us toward a better hope: forgiveness, resurrection, everlasting life, Kingdom of heaven. Real progress means trusting the Word of the Lord and receiving even the least of these as precious neighbors.

December 8 – Advent II “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” (Romans 15:7). Does the Almighty Maker view you as an inconvenience? Does the Heavenly Father call you parasite or persistent vegetative? Has He not indeed exalted and honored you above any other creature by making Himself your Servant and Savior (Romans 15:8-10)? And shall we not likewise embrace embryos and aged neighbors in the same grace?

December 15 – Advent III “Put not your trust in princes” (Psalm 146:3a). Neither ought we allow politicians, researchers, or even physicians to decide the purpose, worth, and duration of a human life. They cannot even spare themselves from sin and death, any more than we can. Human survival and salvation belong in the hands of Him who makes and favors each one (Psalm 146:5-7). And we rejoice whenever He enlists the experts—and the rest of us—as His agents!

December 22 – Advent IV The Gospel has adopting at its heart. Joseph took Mary’s baby for his own (Matthew 1:24), and man adopts the God who had adopted His created beings as His children. We rejoice both to own this grace and to enact it unto others. It energizes us to receive every child as gift instead of as a right. And God extends this opportunity to any Christian home, not just those experiencing infertility!

December 29 – Christmas I “God sent forth His Son, born of woman … to redeem those who were under the law” (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus became just like each of us—zygote, embryo, fetus, infant, toddler, kid, teenager, and grown-up. In doing so, He demonstrated how precious He would have us see ourselves and every other member of our race in all ages, appearances, and abilities. Let us celebrate our Lord’s gestation as much a part of His blessed incarnation as His birth!

December 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Worship/Communion

Praise Service

9:00 am

Fellowship

10:00 am

Family Education

Hour

10:15 am

2 3

5:30 to 6:30

New Member

Class

6:30 Choir

Practice

4

5:15 Advent

Meal

6:30 Advent

Service

5

6:30

Bd/Meetings

6

Set Up for

Cookie Walk

7

Cookie Walk & Vendor

Fair

9 am til noon

Worship/Communion

4:00 pm

8 Worship/Communion

Praise Service

9:00 am

Fellowship

10:00 am

Family Education Hour

10:15 am

9

10

5:30 to 6:30

New Member

Class

6:30 Choir

Practice

11

5:15 Advent

Meal

6:30 Advent

Service

6:00

12

6:30

Council

Meeting

13

14

Worship/Communion

4:00 pm

15

Worship/Communion

9:00 am

Fellowship

10:00 am

Family Education

Hour

10:15 am

16

17

5:30 to 6:30

New Member

Class

6:30 Choir

Practice

18

5:15 Advent

Meal

6:30 Advent

Service

6:00

19

20

21

Worship/Communion

4:00 pm

22

Worship/Communion

9:00 am

Fellowship

10:00 am

Family Education

Hour

10:15 am

23

24

Christmas Eve

5:30 Children’s

Program

9:00

Candlelight

Service

25

Christmas Day

10:00

Christmas Day

Service

26

27 28

Worship/Communion

4:00 pm

29

Worship/Communion

9:00 am

Fellowship

10:00 am

Family Education Hour

10:15 am

30

31

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 4340 Six Mile Road Racine, WI 53402

Tel: 262-639-1277 Fax: 262-898-2088

Rev. Christopher Lockie ~ Pastor

SW District-LCMS Assoc. Member of RLHS

www.princeofpeaceracine.com

Church Secretary Colleen Otto

Congregation Chairman Joe Herron III

Congregation Vice Chairman

HEAD Elder Corey Brand

Director of Preschool and Child Care

Center

Carla Abel

Preschool and Child Care Admin. Asst.

Jill Pett

Sunday School Superintendents

Julie Maiwald & Kelly Gehrke

Music Directors Dianne Luedtke,

Abby Burmeister