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Joy to the World! the Lord Is Come

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Joy to the World! the Lord Is Come Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Joy Shepherd’s Voice Give. Serve. Lead. Connect. December 2019 to the From Pastor John Stennes-Spidahl I hope you enjoyed the three days of But at the heart of the matter is God’s autumn we had this year. It got cold way great gift to humankind. That’s why too fast and it seems like it’s staying Martin Luther loved Christmas so much. cold. I can remember ice skating on I would like to share some of his frozen lakes at Thanksgiving when I was thoughts which come from a little young, so I guess that cold weather in volume called Martin Luther’s November is not so strange. I really do Christmas Book, edited by Roland H. world! The love this time of the year. There are so Bainton. many wonderful memories of Luther writes: “Let us, then, meditate Thanksgiving with family and the upon the Nativity just as we see it beginning of the holiday season! In the happening in our own babies. I would Church we have started a new year as not have you contemplate the deity of we enter the season of Advent. It is a Christ, the majesty of Christ, but rather time of anticipation. Our family always his flesh. Look upon the baby Jesus. Lord had an Advent wreath and we took time Divinity may terrify man. Inexpressible for family devotions when we lit the candles at supper time. Each Sunday we majesty will crush him. That is why got to light another candle. When all Christ took on our humanity, save for four were lit we knew that Christmas sin, that he should not terrify us but was about to arrive. For many of us as rather that with love and favor he should Christians, Christmas really is a very console and confirm. special time. There is a popular song that is come says, “It’s the most wonderful time of “Behold Christ lying in the lap of his young mother, still a virgin. What can be the year.” There is so much to love sweeter than the Babe, what more lovely about Christmas – the lights, the music, than the mother! What fairer than her the get togethers, the overflowing youth! What more gracious than her generosity, the food! I’m very thankful virginity! Look at the Child, knowing for the many, many wonderful memories nothing. Yet all that is belongs to him, of Christmas through the years. I can’t that your conscience should not fear but help but pause for a moment to take comfort in him. Doubt nothing. acknowledge that for some folks this can Watch him springing in the lap of the be a very difficult time because of the maiden. Laugh with him. Look upon this pain of loss, isolation, or other Lord of Peace and your spirit will be at challenging circumstances. For those peace. See how God invites you in many who have trouble feeling joy in this ways. He places before you a babe with season we pray that in time the true whom you may take refuge. You cannot meaning of Christmas will give them fear him, for nothing is more appealing consolation. to man than a babe. Are you affrighted? So much of what we love about Christmas is just external and material. Continued on page 19. Facebook.com/GSlacrosse Twitter.com/goodshepherdlse GSlacrosse.org/voice To access this and other publications online visit GSlacrosse.org/voice. Page 2 GSlacrosse.org GSlacrosse.org Page 3 Give Serve Volunteering Within Church Enriching Life, Sharing Talents Flower and Bulletin Sponsorship Thank You All So Very Much… Causeway Caregivers The flower and bulletin sponsorship loved one. If you have any charts are on the bulletin board in the questions on sponsoring the Causeway Caregivers exists to help! Altar Guild—Thank you to the members Give Causeway a call if you need back of the welcome area. Sponsoring flowers or bulletins, please who served during the month of the flowers or bulletins is an easy way to contact Kathy or Rick in the church assistance in or around your home or November, Pat Oliver & Irene Thorelli . if you have a few hours to volunteer honor special dates such as birthdays office at (608)788-0450. For the month of December, Al & Kathy and anniversaries, or the memory of a helping those who do. Johnson & Jeanne Atchley will be on (608) 775-9999 or visit our website: duty. Readers & Ushers Appreciated! causewaycaregivers.org Readers and Ushers are always valued time and day that works for you. The Thank you Phyllis Lynch for sending out at our worship services. Please consider readings will be sent (either by mail or the “Get Well” cards in November. Kim signing up on the sign up sheet in the email) to you early that week. Interested Young will be sending out the cards throughout the month of December. welcome area at the back of the in ushering? Contact Kathy 788-0450. sanctuary. You can sign up to read for a We really do need your help! Thank you to Ann Hudson for sending out cards and prayer shawls year round to Women Who Wrestle With The Word (W5) bereaved families. If you would like to be a part of a regular Care Ministries—Thank you to all gathering of Christian Women, you are members who are serving as Care always welcome to join W5. For info Ministers to the faithful members of contact the church office. Good Shepherd who can no longer come to worship with us. Through you, our Care Ministers, the church comes to Lydia Circle them! Lydia Circle meets the first Tuesday of If you have any questions, every month at 1pm in the quilting room. contact Carol at 787-0609. All women are welcome! Ushers Schedule Good Shepherd Ministries 8:30am: Kevin, Diane & Caden Wilson, Gordy Powell, Al & Kathy Johnson Altar Guild—Is a very easy Care Ministry—Care Ministers visit the Dec 1 10:30am: Todd & Corrine Holtz, Jerry & Virginia Larsen, Don & Darcy Skibba commitment and we would be happy to homebound year round to have a small show you how it’s done! Simply call chat, give communion, and have a Dec 8 8:30am: Confirmation Students Irene Thorelli at (608)787-0242. prayer. Interested in joining this 10:30am: Confirmation Students Quilting—Quilters usually meet on ministry? Contact Don Skibba at 787- 0498. If you or someone you know Dec 15 8:30am: Roger Weeks Jr., Paul Boarman, Harlan & Kathy McLain, Chuck & Linda Brigson Wednesday mornings. If you are 10:30am: Warren & Irene Nedegaard, Todd & Teresa Nedegaard, Mark Bronson, Sandra Rockwell interested in helping the quilters contact would like a visit from our care ministry Dec 22 8:30am: Mark & Shanon Torgerud, Dave & Barb Foye the church office at 788-0450 team, please contact the church office at 788-0450. 10:30am: Heidi Kwiatkowski, Shelly Saegrove, Darren & Jaclyn Osley Mailing Crew— If you are interested in helping prepare the Voice newsletter for 55 Plus—55 Plus is a friendly lunch Dec 24 Christmas Eve-Please sign up to help usher gathering for the 55+ crowd that meets mailing by adding address labels and Dec 25 Christmas Day-Please sign up to help usher stickers, then the crew is for you! We every 3rd Thursday of the month at 11:30am. We gather at The King Street Dec 29 8:30am: Norma Overby, Darlene Lassig, LeeAnn Lyden, Nancy Oelke meet the 4th Thursday of each month at 10:30am: Larry & Maree Smith, Candie Luehne, Vicki DeMaiffe 8:30am in the choir room. Kitchen located at 1417th St S. Page 4 GSlacrosse.org GSlacrosse.org Page 5 Lead Connect Raising Up Spiritual Leaders Bridging Our Community To Our World Calling All Musicians! Mobile Meals of La Crosse Our “Sounds of Praise” worship band instrument you play, Thank you so much to those who Need more information? invites you to help us lead the worship “Sounds of Praise” delivered Mobile Meals in October. Call 784-4623 or go to here at Good Shepherd. “Sounds of welcomes you! Please call Our next time to deliver will be mobilemealsoflacrosse.org. Praise” is intended to bring together the Randy Lyden at Monday, Dec 2nd to Sunday, Dec 8th. pick-up place is Franciscan/ greatest number and variety of (608)779-9669 or email Mobile Meals of La Crosse delivers Mayo at the Market Street instruments possible, presenting special [email protected] 33,000 meals annually to the door and the pick-up time music and enhancing our wide variety of to be a part of this growing homebound, largely through the efforts will be 11am. Please allow 1 1/2 to 2 hymn styles. Whatever type of and exciting praise band! of local churches like ours. hours time. We are route #1. Please consider becoming a part of this very important ministry, our Mobile Meal Delivery Team could really use your help. Please contact Kathy at 788-0450 or [email protected] The Gloria Dei Choir We rehearse between services on Sundays Local Food Pantry Needs from September through May in the West Avenue Food Mattes Center and new members are Emergency Relief Please leave all donations in the grocery always welcome! If your children would (WAFER) is asking for Soup cart near our bulletin boards in the like to be a part of the Gloria Dei Choir, & Crackers during the month Welcome Area. A monetary gift may also please contact Darlene Lassig at 788-5686 of December. Thank you for be given to help support WAFER.
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