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December, 2019

St. Peters Lutheran Church FAMILY TIMES

Pastor Rev. Tony Appel

Arise and Shine

“Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1)

This year our Advent and Christmas services will share a common theme of Arise and Shine.

In our Advent worship we welcome the Christ Child, who is the light of the world, arising in our lives this season. In celebration, we, in turn, shine with the light of Christ in various ways for all the world to see the brightness of his love. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the light of Christ and how we are enlightened by him throughout our lives. The theme verse for the entire series is: “Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1). Hymns in the series include “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” “Arise, O Christian People,” “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns” and “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates.”

Week 1: Rising Light (Isaiah 60:1): Living in the light of Jesus, we prepare to celebrate his birth. Repenting of our sins, we put away the works of darkness and dress in the armor of light.

Week 2: Reflected Light (Zechariah 9:16): During Advent we remember the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world. We reflect his light in our daily lives. Week 3: Healing Light (Malachi 4:2): With repentant joy we anticipate the birth of our Savior. We listen to his Word and live according to it until he comes again. Week 4: Eternal Light (Daniel 12:3): We look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent, when we will be raised in glory to live in his presence and shine like stars forever. Come, Lord Jesus! Christmas Eve: Glorious Light: The glory of the Lord filled the dark sky over Bethlehem. With angels and shepherds, we can share the good news—Christ is born! This candlelight service for Christmas Eve reveals the glorious light of our little Lord Jesus. Hymns in the service include “Angels From the Realms of Glory,” “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child,” “The People That in Darkness Sat,” and “Silent Night.” Join us for Christmas Eve to celebrate the glorious light that filled the dark sky over Bethlehem and the glory of the Lord revealed in the Christ Child born to us. Candlelight, carols, Scripture, a homily and prayers reveal the Good News that the Light of the World has come. With shepherds and angels let us rejoice! Christmas Day: Shining Light: This service for Christmas Day celebrates that Jesus, the Light of the world, lies in a manger in Bethlehem. He is our Light, the Light no darkness can overcome. Hymns in the service include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “What Child Is This” and “Joy to the World.” Join us for Christmas Day to celebrate the shining Light of Christ that no darkness can overcome. Jesus Christ our Lord, lying in a manger, shines for us all. Carols, Scripture, a homily and prayers brighten our hearts with the Good News that we have salvation in the Babe of Bethlehem. Please join us for all these special services as we celebrate the arrival of the “Light of the World,” our light, Jesus Christ. In Christ,

Pastor Appel

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FLOWER CHART There is a sign up chart on the bulletin board for those who wish to supply altar flowers for a Sunday in 2020. If you would like to purchase flowers for a particular Sunday, simply

1. Sign the chart. 2. Order flowers when your Sunday approaches 3. Call the church office and tell us what you

would like in that Sunday’s bulletin. 4. Take your flowers home after Sunday’s service.

SIGN UP FOR A POINSETTIA $13

YOU MAY TAKE YOUR

PLANT HOME FOLLOWING OUR

CHRISTMAS MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

Christmas Day Worship Wednesday, December 25

9:00 am

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Tuesday, December 24 7:00 pm

Official Acts United in Marriage

Jessica Wieneke &

Brett Mengler November 2, 2019

Received through Transfer

Kara Kullerstrand & (daughter) Lane Kullerstrand

November 12, 2019

For current and newly elected board members the December Board Meeting/

Christmas Party will be Tuesday, December 10 at 6:00 pm at the home of

Dave & Sonia Schroeder

12886 Cross Creek Ct.—Morrison

Bring an appetizer/snack/fingerfood to share.

Church Board

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GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE

As I begin to write my final article for this

newsletter, it has reminded me that I have sat

at my desk here in this building for over one-

half of my life! (a total of 37+ years to be exact!)

I have been extremely blessed to minister to

you and to be ministered to by you.

This month’s memory verse, (2 Peter 3:18)

expresses precisely the parting words that are

on my heart.

I have had the privilege of teaching and

counseling many of you from God’s Word, and

it is my sincere desire that you will continue to

“grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ.”

1. GROW IN THE GRACE OF OUR LORD

AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST:

Continue steadfast in your daily study of God’s

Word! Don’t neglect worship! Growing

requires nourishment. God’s food is found in

His Word and Sacraments. God’s wonderful

free gift of salvation is something we must

continually learn about (“grow in”) because it

is so foreign to our natural way of thinking.

2. GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR

LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRST:

Every day He gives us the opportunity to learn

something new about Him and His love. We

miss it when we take our eyes off Him and put

them on other things.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you for

these many years. “To Him be the glory both now

and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Debra Wagenecht CHRISTMAS

GIVING If you would like to purchase a Christmas gift for a special needs child (designated on the label with a red star) or one from the community, take off the number of ornaments

you would like to purchase from the wooden tree in the foyer.

Wrap the gifts and gently affix the ornament on the top of the package -to be removed by us before delivery, so as not to tear the wrapping paper. These gifts should be brought to church by DECEMBER 15th.

PLEASE NOTE: Each family member has the same number of gifts, so we need each ornament returned.

Retirement Reception for Debra Wagenecht

Join us on

Sunday, December 29, 2019 as we honor the years she has served St. Peters and

to give her blessings on her next adventure!

*The reception will be held directly after the

worship service in the Fellowship Hall*

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Choir 8:30 am

A: Resse Germann A: Austin Boonstra L: Stan Kurasz F: Gary & Deb Heusinkveld

2 3

Living Truth 1:30 pm

4 Prayer 12pm

Confirmation 5:30-6:45 pm

5

Living Truth

8 & 10am

Pastor @ Resthave 9:00 am

6 Resthave Auxiliary 9:00am

7

8 Choir 8:30 am

A: Noah Robbins A: Carson Strating L: Marty Schuette F: Dorothy Kaufman

Sunday School Staff Mtg 12pm

9 10

Living Truth 1:30 pm

Church Board Christmas Party

6:00 @ Schroeder’s

11 Prayer 12pm

Confirmation 5:30-6:45 pm

12

Living Truth

8 & 10am

13 14 4-H

9am—12 pm

Children’s Christmas Program Practice

10:30 am— 12:00 pm

15 Choir 8:30 am

F: Poinsettias

SS Christmas Program

Deadline for Christmas Gifts for helping hands

16

17

18 Pastor @ CLS

Chapel

Confirmation 5:30-6:45

19

Living Truth

8 & 10am

20

21

22 Choir 8:30 am

L: Russell Helbig F: Poinsettias

23

24 CHRISTMAS

EVE CANDLELIGHT

SERVICE 7:00 pm

25 NO

CONFIRMATION Worship

9am

26

27

28

29 A: James Wagenecht A: Nicholas Wagenecht L: Bill Wagenecht F: Bill & Debra Wagenecht

Retirement Reception for Debby

No Sunday School

30 31 JAN 1

NO CONFIRMATION

2

3 4

ACTIVITIES IN OUR BUILDING: Weight Watchers: Mondays @ 5:00 pm

Fellowship Hall Usage: Beswicks Sunday December 8

Deacon: Brad Oncken Greeters: Neal & Bonnie Hudson Chancel Guild: Members see schedule Finance Committee: Lisa James, Bonnie Hudson

WORSHIP 9:30 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE CLASS 10:45 AM

————–—OFFICE CLOSED————24-27———————

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1. Travis VanZuiden 3. Merline Erdman 4. John Beswick Peggy Oncken Jeanne Schneider Sarah Wagenecht 6. Daultin Wagenecht 7. LuAnne Wieneke 8. Cheryl Bush 9. Emmy Askew

Martin Kurasz Rob Scott

10. Sandra DeFrang Linda Minssen 11. Jill Kohlert 17. Gordon Grams 18. Doug Zuidema

19. Trae Beswick 20. Don Morthland Jr 21. Camryn Wagenecht 22. Nicholas Wiebenga 23. Steven Karvelius Doug Wiebenga 24. Dorothy Houseman Abby Huizenga 25. Paula Trent Dennis Zickert 28. Darlene Karvelius Brock Smith 29. Katie Eggemeyer Debra Wagenecht 30. Colton Linke 31. Rev. Mike Winkelman

1. Randy & Karen Stralow 27. Ken & Sandy Kophamer

1. Marsha Foltz Kay Smith 3. Steven Eggemeyer Triston James Brandon Sharp Tyler VanZuiden 4. Vicki Friedrich 6. Brock Smith Bryce Smith 7. Darrell Decker 8. Don Morthland Jr. 10. Austin Boonstra Lynn Wiebenga 13. Vicki Hanson Travis VanZuiden 15. John Beswick Don White 17. Robert Bierman 18. Connor Duncan 19. Michael Engelkes Luke Wilkens Margi Winkelman 20. Josalyn Wagenecht

21. Nicholas Wagenecht I 22. Neal Hudson 23. Laura Duncan 24. Maxim Knapp

Beulah Porter 25. Emma Schneider Jeanne Schneider 26. Duane Schubert Janice White 27. Ava Robbins 28. Nashion Smith 29. Joy Loomis Benjamin Tegeler Coen Tracey 30. Amanda Engelkes

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SUNDAY SCHOOL The children of our Sunday School will be presenting their program

on Sunday, December 15, during the 9:30 am worship service, under the direction of Mary Beswick

The title of the program is,

Behold the Child

JESUS BIRTHDAY CAKE IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL FOLLOWING

Please join us for this special day!

DRESS REHEARSAL Saturday, December 14, from 10:30 am—12:00 pm

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RESTHAVE ACTIVITIES December is St. Peters’ month to provide cookies for Resthave’s various activities. We need to supply 10-12 doz. at a minimum but are not limited to this amount.

Resthave will accept the cookies all month long. As you make them, deliver them directly to Resthave, or drop them at church. The residents are always grateful for the treats!

DECEMBER BIBLE VERSE: 2 Peter 3:18

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory

both now and to the day of eternity. Amen”

Resthave Auxiliary Coffee Hour &

Bake Sale December 6th 9:00—10:30am

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”

Performance Info: Friday Dec. 6 7:00 p.m. Morrison Tech Auditorium Free admission – Donations accepted On Friday, Dec. 6th, Morrison Music Theater

Association will perform “It’s a Wonderful Life: A

Live Radio Play”. This production presents the

story of the iconic Christmas movie as if it were a

live radio broadcast, complete with sound effects

and 1940 commercials. Admission is free, but

donations will be accepted and appreciated. The

entire community is invited to share in this special

way to begin the Christmas season.

“I would like to thank all my church family and friends for remembering me with cards, calls and visits for my 101st birthday. I truly appreciate each and every one. God’s Blessings to you all!”

~Art Schroeder

Christ Lutheran School Thanks You All! Did you know how well St. Peter’s supports Christ Lutheran School? Without naming names, St. Peter’s contributes chapel service leadership, regular electrical service, parts and service for heating, a winter appearance worthy of Bishop Nicholas of Myra, Booster program leadership, substitute teaching, medical file review, weekly service at the Thrift Shop, regular prayer, and more! It is inspiring to see our wonderful Christian family support Lutheran education! Thank you all!

Emmanuel Voice of Praise Christmas Cantata

Friday, December 13th @ 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 14th @ 3:00 pm Sunday, December 15th @ 7:00 pm

Bakers Get Ready! Bring us your best pies, cakes, Christmas cookies, brownies, and other goodies and we will auction them off to the highest (luckiest) bidder on December 15th after worship. The proceeds will go to Christ Lutheran School. Your generosity allows unchurched children to learn of Jesus’ Word and love. Christ Lutheran School received a new junior high student

on November 26, and it was evident that exposure to the loving atmosphere and theological tenor of the school was a significant change from public school. Your gifts will bless many. Thank you!