Our Mission …to nurture people to love God, love

others, and to make disciples.

Weekend of Dec. 27, 2015 The First Sunday of Christmas

Please Contact the Church

— if you have a prayer request.

— if you are entering the hospital.

— when you have a new baby.

— if you have a new address.

Traditional Worship Sunday, 8:00am

Rejoice Worship Saturday, 5:00pm Sunday, 9:30 & 11:00am

School N87 W16173 Kenwood Blvd. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Phone: 262-251-7140 Fax: 262-251-3460

Church W196 N9525 Cross View Way Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Phone: 262-251-0670 Fax: 262-250-1065 Senior Pastor ............................................. Rob Goodwin

Pastor of Family Ministry and Missions ....... Joel Howard Pastor of Adult Ministry and Discipleship ... Aaron Kuehn Pastor Emeritus .................................. Warren A. Granke School Principal ......................................... Tim Gieschen Deaconess .......................................... Marlene Anderson Minister of Music .............................................. Bill Cahill Business Manager ............................................ Carol Bird DCE Intern ................................................... Nick Butcher grace-connect.org

Welcome to Grace

Grace is more than just the name of our church and school. Grace is the love and forgiveness that God has for us, even though we do not deserve it. God sent His Son to suffer, die and rise again for us, so that we might receive the gift of salvation, and the opportunity to live with Him forever in heaven. As a response to this gift of God, we reach out to one another and to our community with the Word of God that tells us of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This message lies at the heart of our mission and ministry as Grace Lutheran Church and School!

For your convenience, Hearing Assistance Devices are available at the Welcome Center. The nursery is staffed during the 9:30am Sunday service.

(11:00am) Sacrament of Holy Baptism Colton Christopher Gabrielson L: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. L: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C: But if we confess our sins, God, Who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and

cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

+ Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination +

L: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

L: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C: Amen.

O Come, All Ye Faithful LSB 379 O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him Born the king of angels: Refrain

Refrain O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Highest, most holy, Light of Light eternal, Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes; Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n! Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Refrain

Go Tell It on the Mountain LSB 388

ref Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and ev’rywhere; Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!

1 While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night, Behold, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain.

2 The shepherds feared and trembled When lo, above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain.

3 Down in a lonely manger The humble Christ was born; And God sent us salvation That blessèd Christmas morn. Refrain.

Public domain

Our Reading for today is from: Colossians 3:12-17 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We Three Kings of Orient Are 1 We Three Kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

2 Born a King on Bethlehem plain; Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever ceasing never; Over us all to reign O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

3 Glorious now behold Him arise; King and God and sacrifice

Alleluia Alleluia; Sounds through the earth and skies O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. Text (st. 1) and Tune: Public domain

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Message Pastor Rob Goodwin

Away in a Manger LSB 364 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with Thee there. Text (sts. 1–3) and Tune: Public domain Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing LSB 380 Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Refrain Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the_incarnate Deity! Pleased as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel! Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Text (sts. 1, ref, 2–3) and Music: Public domain Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Offering Special Music

Songs During Distribution

O Little Town of Bethlehem - LSB 361

It Came upon the Midnight Clear - LSB 366

From Heaven Above to Earth I Come - LSB 358

The Closing Prayer and Blessing C: Amen.

Joy to the World LSB 387

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love.

Text (sts. 1–4) and Music: Public domain Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

New Year’s Eve Service

Dec. 31—5:00PM

The church office will be closed Dec. 31 & Jan. 1.

Pastor Jastram will be presenting a Bible study at 9:30am on Jan 10 about his mission work. Rev. Dr. Daniel and Dr. Joan Jastram serve the Lord as career missionaries through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in northern Asia, based in Tokyo, Japan. In this role, Daniel helps develop and implement a strategic mission plan for this area. He coordinates theological education opportunities and also supervises and evaluates theological educators throughout northern Asia. When needed, Daniel teaches courses at Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary, Tokyo.

We have a gift for you! Grace has subscribed to RightNow Media – a resource to help you grow in your faith and life in Christ. In this online resource, you are receiving free access to a huge, streaming, access-on-any-device library of over 10,000 video Bible studies, leadership videos, kids shows and more. To sum it up — it’s like the Netflix of Bible study videos. You will have FREE access to thousands of video resources to help and guide you

and your family – adults and kids – in areas like parenting, marriage, discipleship and more. An invitation has been sent to you via email. If you did not receive an invitation, please give an email address to the church office (info@grace-connect.org) so we can send this valuable resource your way!

We appreciate your service to the Lord! Thank you to everyone who served in any way to make possible our Living Nativity this year. About 625 people came during the two evenings to watch the Christmas story come alive through characters and animals in the stable, and then came inside to enjoy warmth, food, and some Grace music.

Sunday Morning Staff Led Bible Study 9:30am in the Commons. The Real St. Nick. As we approach Christmas we will look at the real life man who inspired a Christmas icon. Was he a living legend, or a lie?

SECURITY PERSON – KENWOOD. An offer like this only comes around once in a church year. We need your help and it’s an easy 20 minute job just one evening per week! The trustees are looking for a security patrol person to make sure doors and windows are secure and lights are off at our Kenwood Campus. Call Jim Bauer at 262/251-6956, or Chuck Knade at 262/246-8825.

The next Baptism Class is Sunday, February 8 in the Commons. If you or your child is having a baptism prior to May 16, 2015, please attend this session.

Early communion is the opportunity for a youth to examine themselves, and found to partake of communion. Any youth who is in 3rd grade or older and whose parents deem that their youth is ready may sign up. Contact the church for more info and to register.

Our new Guide Book & Directory will be coming to your home soon. Advertisers provide this book at no cost to us. Think of these advertisers in the future as your needs arise. Familiarize yourself with

General Announcements

Calendar Highlights

Grace Basketball Tourney Jan. 7-10

Widows & Widowers Meet Jan. 17

Baptism Class Feb. 8

This Week:

Baptism: Colton Christopher Gabrielson—son of

Casey and Christina Gabrielson.

Wedding: Jordon Shull & Becky Weber.

the ministries and organizations at our church located in the front of the book.

Do you know that just 36% of Grace members who are eligible to direct their Thrivent Choice Dollars to Grace are doing so? As of Nov. 30, Grace received about $13,600, but the potential is much greater. If you are a Thrivent member and need information about how to direct your Choice Dollars to your church, contact Carol Bird or Marlene Anderson. We would be glad to help you!

Shop at Amazon.com and you can get donations for Grace! Use AmazonSmile when you shop at Amazon. The Grace account is: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-6000209.

Private prayer time is available in the back of the sanctuary during communion services. Prayer warriors will also come, upon request, to anyone who is not able to walk to the back.

To include prayers on Grace’s Internet Prayer Chain, contact the church office or Cheryl Tebo at threads@wi.rr.com. A Prayers and Squares quilt to comfort and reflect God’s people in prayer can also be requested.

Help is always needed in ministry at Grace. Specifically at this time, help is needed to pick up Panera bakery once per month on a Monday evening. Adult help is also needed for childcare during our 9:30 service with a turn coming up about once every six weeks. Contact the church office to offer your service.

Our Stephen Ministers meet with those who are going through tough times or challenges in life. If you or someone you care about could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, contact Deaconess Marlene.

Make Bible study a part of your schedule. All classes meet in the 1st floor Conference Room.

Sunday—9:20-10:30am, 2nd Kings -facilitated by Sarah Kostrzewa and Dick Maas.

Monday Men’s Bible Study—Mondays 7:00-8:30pm. Contact Paul Brozowski.

3rd Monday of the month at 1:00pm—Marianne Hornung’s Bible study, Acts of God .

Tuesdays, 11:45am-12:45pm--beginning Philippians on Jan 5 with Deaconess Marlene.

4th Thursday of the month at 10:30am, study of 1st & 2nd Timothy and Titus led by Myrtle Boese.

Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons for women—The Armor of God, Jan 25-Mar 7, 6:30-8:30PM in the Commons or Jan 28-Mar 10; 12:45-2:45PM in the Conference Room. $20 toward workbook and cost of DVDs, payable to Grace. Based on Eph 6, this video-based series will help us get dressed for the occasion, as a devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on us and everything that matters to us. We are victors through Christ!

Items needed for Manna Shelves: non-perishable food - powdered milk, pudding, canned fruit, also furniture. Drop off in bin adjacent to the church commons. For large items, call Arlene Dassow at 414-466-8797. The Manna Committee needs help with morning deliveries of larger items to families in need. Contact Arlene Dassow at 414-466-8797.

The Economy Center Thrift Store, 7814 W. Burleigh, welcomes donations of items in good repair. Call 414-442-2272. Volunteers needed: call Dee Jobe at 262-255-5251. Profits benefit Lutheran Counseling and Family Services and Lutheran Special School.

Contact LeRoy Johnson to find out more about G3 monthly visitations to residents at:

The Arboretum on Monday, Jan. 11, from

Our Serving Ministry at Grace

Connections - Life is better together!

Mission & Service

Adult Ministry

2:00-3:00pm.

Menomonee Place (formerly Tamarack Place) Thursday, Jan. 28, at 2:00pm.

Widows and Widowers Group will meet for lunch at A.J. O’Brady’s, N88 W16495, Menomonee Falls, Sunday, January 17 at 11:30am. RSVP to Ethel Mayer at 262-251-6667 by January 7. All widows and widowers are invited. Join us for fun and Christian fellowship.

Men’s Basketball open to men ages 18+ on Wednesdays at 8:00pm at the Grace School Gym. Contact PJ Winkelmann 262-853-5147.

Surprise your wife, mother, sister, or friend by providing all or part of the registration fee for the Grace Gals Getaway, which takes place April 8 & 9. They will come back recharged and inspired as they learn how to bring Jesus into the dailyness of their lives.

JAM & THRIVE No JAM or Thrive on Jan. 3.

IGNITE Youth Discipleship (Confirmation)

—Sundays, 5:30—7:30pm

Youth Group (Jr. High & Senior High school) —Sundays, 6:00-7:30pm

Ignite will not be meeting on Jan. 3.

IN Event—January 17, 2:00-4:00pm. Skating outing at Skateland in Cedarburg. Cost is $10 which includes skate rental and unlimited soda and popcorn.

Parents – You are vital to our ministry! As our program grows we need additional help

supervising in the youth rooms. Sign-up at http://bit.ly/1O3rPDr.

We are using a text message system for updates. To receive messages:

Jr. Youth (6th – 8th grade): text @grace-disc to 81010

Sr. Youth (9th-12th grade): text @grace-sr to 81010

Parents: text @grace-prnt to 81010

Visit the school section www.grace-connect.org.

Support Grace School—Dine at Chili’s now through the end of February using a voucher (on website under “Happenings”, or in the narthex) and Grace School will receive 15% of your pre-tax purchase. Thank you for your support!

The Grace Shootout Tournament is January 7 - 10. We need your help to make this tournament run successfully. We need volunteers for the following jobs: kitchen help, ticket table, ushering, and spirit table. Each job only requires a few hours of your time - no experience is needed. Sign up online at: http://vols.pt/zGQi9z

Grace Church supports Lutheran secondary education and subsidizes the tuition of members attending one of the Missouri Synod Lutheran high schools. For more information, contact Sue Jaeckel at sjaeckel@wi.rr.com.

Living Word Lutheran High School There are more freshman registered for the 2016-2017 school year than seniors graduating in spring, 2016. Praise God!

Milwaukee Lutheran High School Feb. 5, 6 & 7 – Winter Dessert Theatre, presenting “Kill Me. Deadly”… a film noir comedy. Call the school office for tickets.

Women’s Ministry

Children & Youth Ministry

Grace Lutheran School

Lutheran High Schools

Shut-ins

Marlene Arndt Virgil Boese Evelyn Dietz Marjorie Fick Tom Grupp Ellen Kaeselau Helen Koebert Bernice Manteufel

Arnie Neumueller Norma Radmann Shirley Resnick Natalie Sawitzke Phillip Sikes Geraldine St. Lawrence Charlie Weiss

Prayers for Health

Rolf Andersen Betty Bahr Dolores Gramins Harold Hebbe Brittany Norris

Dave Peterson Joyce Pokel Ernie Polster Angela Reinke Esther Uschold

Anniversaries

December 28 Bob & Vicki Lentz Curtis & Ruth Orth

December 29 Steven & Heidi Tupper Curt & Sandy Ripke

December 31 Jeff & Pam Thielke Andrew & Angela Rutzen

January 1 Thomas & Shelia Haley Tom & Stephanie Williams

January 2 Brett & Meilsa Beay Joe & Sandra Rice

December 27 Lauri Hill Stephanie Paff David Reed Samantha Scherdin Brandon Witt

December 28 Makiah Alles Heidi Colvin Jennifer Dziadosz Louella Heitman Delores Jobe Shannon Partridge Linda Pressnell Eric Schwenkner Jean Wallschlager Cora Ware

December 29 Christopher Anderson Allan Barth Jessica Fast Elva Kaemmerling Brian Schloesser

December 30 Jeff Bansemar Judy Faas Andrew Heiden

Jack Hermann Vicki Lentz Tina Medley Michele Neils Michael Neumann David Ryan Traci Schroeder Ben Schwabenlander Neal Weitermann

December 31 Benjamin Eggert Tyler Koskey Kathy Kubiak Bill Meyer Mark Poffinbarger Amanda Rosenberger Amy Seban

January 1 Abigail Andersen Mikenna Evitch Scott Lulloff January 2 Candy Benter Zachary Jansen Sarah Kowalczyk Sandra Rice Colette Sandow

Birthdays

Staff

Amanda Rosenberg Amanda Schneider Gloria Strelow Cherée Vohs Donna Wiersma

Jenny Winkelmann Lauren Wunder Heidi Young Kate Zolandz Jenny Zirbel

South Wis. District Missions

As we come to the close of another year of God’s never‐ending grace, please pray for all those who have doubts and are unsure of Who has complete control over all things. Please ask our Heavenly Father to use us as His agents through our District Missions to seek and find all those in need of understanding the Truth of His Word.

Military

Taylor Bauer Michael Blevins Michael Colvin Leesa Klatt Lance Klatt Logan Jane Klatt Anthony Kondziella

Tom Kondziella Alex Kubiak Tyler Metzger Nathan Morgan Andrew Wahl Tom Wendler Danielle Zandi

Families

Don & Catherine Anderson Eugene & Carole Anderson Leo & Kathleen Anderson Steve & Marlene Anderson James Andrus

Steve Andrus Tom & Jennifer Andrus Jan Arentsen Steven & Sara Armstrong George & Patti Arndt

Please Pray for Our Grace Family

Next Week

Sat. 1/2 8:00am

Sun. 1/3 8:00am

Sun. 1/3 9:30am

Sun. 1/3 11:00am

Readers Doug Lessila Gary Hurst Missy Vraney

Elders Ken Alvord

Bob Huettner

Tim Bingen Dave Maaske Gary Lippert John Ritter

Doug Lessila John Ritter

Ken Alvord Doug Lessila

Ushers 3 4A 4 7A

A/V Michele Wilkes Ken Alvord Be Ware Ron Bernardini

Be Ware Ron Bernardini

Nursery

Amber Bruce Stephen Vesche

Dayna LeClair Makayla Norton

Altar Circle

Karen Mueller Cheryl Eggold

Greeters Ralph & Juline Wolfgram Nicci Rampson Monte & Amy Raymond

Howie & Georgene Fletcher Chris & Aileen Fornal

Prayer Gretchen Mauritz

Coffee Lyn Zehms

Grace Financials General Stewardship Fund Giving Summary — DEC. 2015

The Bond payments made using funds from the three year campaign are now being made using General Stewardship funds. It is therefore essential that the General Stewardship giving totals $1.6 million dollars for the coming year. To

achieve this annual goal we need $30,769 each week. The graph and table show each week’s plate & envelope and e-giving towards General Stewardship, allowing us to gauge if we are keeping pace with the amount needed.

GENERAL FUND GIVING SUMMARY DECEMBER 2015 15/16 Fiscal YTD 12/27 11/30 TO 12/6 12/7 TO 12/13 12/14 TO 12/20 12/21 TO 12/27 TOTAL

NEEDED $ 30,769 $ 30,769 $ 30,769 $ 30,769 $ 123,077 $ 800,000

RECEIVED $ 42,095 $ 37,298 $ 33,347 $ 28,327 $ 141,3627 $ 711,321

DIFFERENCE $ 11,325 $ 6,529 $ 2,577 $ (2,442) $ 18,550 $ (88,679)

$-

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

11/30 TO12/6

12/7 TO12/13

12/14 TO12/20

12/21 TO12/27

12/28 TO1/3/16

Needed

$711,321

$888,679

$-

$200,000

$400,000

$600,000

$800,000

$1,000,000

$1,200,000

$1,400,000

$1,600,000

$1,800,000

FY 15/16

Balance to$1.6million Goal

Received through12/27/15

Concerning the Lord’s Supper In the Lord’s Supper we receive Christ’s Body and Blood in faith, trusting in His Word and promises that proclaim the forgiveness of sins and strength for our faith. As we partake of this sacrament to-gether, we testify to our faith in Jesus and to our unity of faith and bond of Christian fellowship.

If you wish to partake of the Lord’s Supper, please be guided by your response to these questions:

Do you believe that you are a sinner and in need of forgiveness from God?

Do you believe that this forgiveness is found only in Christ, and is offered by Christ in the Lord’s Sup-per?

Do you believe that Christ’s body and blood are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine as Christ promised?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, as taught at Grace, and by your participation in the sacrament, give testimony to the faith we share?

Do you desire by the power of the Holy Spirit and the instruction of God’s Word to live a life pleasing to Him?

Before communing for the first time at Grace, you are asked to please speak with one of the pastors. Children are welcomed at the Lord’s Table to receive a blessing, but should not partake of the Sacrament prior to Communion instruction. God’s richest blessings to all who come to His table!

For Those with Health Concerns: Gluten–free wafers are available in a paper liner in the center of the tray holding the bread. If you de-sire, please take one as the elder passes before you. Also, a wine-alternative is located in the center of the tray of individual cups of wine. Those who have need of this option, please take one as an elder passes before you.