Good News DECEMBER 2011 St. Paul Lutheran Church LCMS

Connecting People to SUNDAY Jesus is Coming! MORNING

Advent is a time of the year in the Christian WORSHIP calendar when we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. We prepare for His coming on the 8:30 a.m. Last Day, by remembering how He graciously Divine Service with traditional music came for us in the flesh on that first . We believe that Jesus not only came in the 9:45 a.m. flesh, born of Mary, but that He will also come Education Hour again on the Last Day of Judgment. Some All ages

people look to the Day of Judgment with fear 11:00 a.m. and dread, but as Christians we have faith in Divine Service the gracious work of Jesus. The readings from with traditional and contemporary Scripture we will hear in church will help us music and Kids’ Connection focus on Jesus both as our Savior and as our Judge. Holy Communion at all services

I encourage you to consider joining the Adult Join us in the small fellowship hall for coffee and goodies between services. Bible study I teach on Sunday morning during the Education Hour. This the Bible study Called to His Service will look at four hymns of Advent and how we Reverend Evan Gaertner, prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. These four hymns will also be a focus on the Advent Pastor Midweek Evening Prayer Services. [email protected]

 Do you need to be an expert in the Bible Michael Hausch, to come to this class? No. Director of Christian Education  Do you need to know where every book [email protected] of the Bible is and be able to find any Sandy Mastenbrook & Judy verse in the Bible faster than a speeding Blaszczak, Secretarial Staff bullet? No. Jean Schneider, Librarian  Do you need to talk and share your Barb Wahls and Hope Lash, feelings? No. Newsletter Editors So why come to Pastor’s Bible Study during the [email protected]

Education Hour if you can’t show off any of St. Paul Office Hours: those mad skills? Come to Bible study to be strengthened in your faith that Jesus Christ is Monday through Friday your Savior. Your faith in Jesus is built on the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. truth of Scripture. Come to Bible study and 810-231-1033 continue to build your faith foundation of the Fax: 810-231-1016 truth of His love for you. Website: www.stpaulhamburg.com Yours in Christ, Email: [email protected] Reverend Evan Gaertner

Scripture Readings for December God’s Word, promised of old, becomes flesh and makes His dwelling among us, and Advent by we have beheld His glory. We see that glory in a promised word. We see the glory in a manger. We see that glory in a life of service to humanity. We see the glory in a perfect sacrifice and glorified in a risen and ascended Savior and Candlelight Lord. Read God’s Word daily that your vision may be clear.

Monday, December 5 Thursday, December 1 Isaiah 7:10-8:8 1Peter 3:1-22 Friday, December 2 Isaiah 8:9-9:7 1 Peter 4:1-19 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 3 Isaiah 9:8-10:11 1 Peter 5:1-14 Sunday, December 4 Isaiah 10:12-27a,33-34 2 Peter 1:1-21 Women of St. Paul Lutheran Church, you are Monday, December 5 Isaiah 11:1-12:6 2 Peter 2:1-22 invited to spend the evening preparing your Tuesday, December 6 Isaiah 14:1-23 2 Peter 3:1-18 hearts and minds for the Christmas Wednesday, December 7 Isaiah 24:1-13 1 John 1:2-14 season. Bring your mothers, sisters, neighbors, Thursday, December 8 Isaiah 24:14-25:12 1 John 2:15-29 and friends. All are welcome to attend. This is Friday, December 9 Isaiah 26:1-19 1 John 3:1-24 an evening of fellowship, desserts, carols and a Saturday, December 10 Isaiah 26:20-27:13 1 John 4:1-21 Sunday, December 11 Isaiah 28:14-29 1 John 5:1-21 very special program: Monday, December 12 Isaiah 29:1-14 Jude 1-25

Tuesday, December 13 Isaiah 29:15-30:14 Revelations 1:1-12 “The Peace and Joy of the Season” with Wednesday, December 14 Isaiah 30:15-26 Revelations 2:1-29 guest, Donna East, Christian Comedian. Thursday, December15 Isaiah 30:27-31:9 Revelations 3:1-22

Friday, December 16 Isaiah 32:1-20 Revelations 4:1-11 Questions? Call Bonnie Stowe (734) 426-2684 Saturday, December 17 Isaiah 33:1-24 Revelations 5:1-14 or Arlene Wiltse (810) 231-9560 Sunday, December 18 Isaiah 34:1-2,8-35:10 Revelations 6:1-17 Monday, December 19 Isaiah 40:1-17 Revelations 7:1-17 No childcare will be provided. A free will offering will be Tuesday, December 20 Isaiah 40:18-41:10 Revelations 8:1-13 collected. Wednesday, December 21 Isaiah 42:1-25 Revelations 9:1-12 Thursday, December 22 Isaiah 43:1-24 Revelations 9:13-10:11 Friday, December 23 Isaiah 43:25-44:20 Revelations 11:1-19 Saturday, December 24 Isaiah 44:21-45:13,20-25 Revelations 12:1-17 Sunday, December 25 Isaiah 49:1-18 Matthews 1:1-17 Monday, December 26 Isaiah 49:22-26;50:4-51:8,12-6 Matthews 1:18-25 Tuesday, December 27 Isaiah 51:17-52:12 Matthews 2:1-12 Wednesday, December 28 Isaiah 52:13-54:10 Matthews 2:13-23 Thursday, December 29 Isaiah 55:1-13 Luke 1:1-25 Friday, December 30 Isaiah 58:1-59:3,14-21 Luke 1:26-38 Page 2 Saturday, December 31 Isaiah 60:1-22 Luke 1:39-56

Page 2 Join us for these Sunday School Special Services through Christmas Program! Advent and the Holy Days of Christmas.

Advent Midweek Services Sunday, December 18 Simple Supper at 6 p.m. 11 a.m. Worship Service and Evening Prayer at 7 p.m. Our Sunday school students will November 30 “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” share the Good News of Isaiah 40:1-2 Christmas with our community. December 7 “Prepare the Royal Highway” Program Practice Times: Isaiah 40:3-5  9:45 a.m. Education Hour December 14 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”  Saturday, Dec. 11 Isaiah 40:6-8 9:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

December 21 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty  Sunday, Dec. 18 at 9:45 a.m. Gates” Isaiah 40:9 Speak to Mike Hausch, Linda Gamble, or Christi Gaertner with any questions. Student Musicians can share Festival their musical talents for the Communion Services Sunday School Christmas program pre-service music. “Hark the Glad Sound” Isaiah 40: 10-11 Songs performed should be Christian December 24 — 5, 7, and 11 p.m. (about Jesus), not secular (about Santa). Contact Christi Gaertner with A Service of Carols, Candlelight and your song titles at 810-355-1600 or Holy Communion [email protected]. Christmas Day “What Child is This” Isaiah 40: 1-11 Sunday, December 25 at 10 a.m. Only one Christmas Day service

New Year’s Eve Service Sunday, December 11 Saturday, December 31 at 7 p.m. 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. A service of repentance and renewal with Holy Communion Hosted by IMAC (5/6 graders) Come as a family or come on your own as we share the good New Year’s Day Service news of Christmas with those in Sunday, January 1 at 10 a.m. our congregation and Only one New Year’s Day service community.

Matching

Grant

Opportunity

I give thanks to God for the opportunities that He has given to the people of St. Paul Lutheran Church to be a part of his kingdom building work. This year I am glad to report that there has been wide spread October 31, 2011 Finance Snapshot support for our ministries. We are connecting people to Jesus through sharing the Word of God and YTD Income & Expense Statement administering the sacraments. Revenue / Offerings $338,892 Throughout this year I have witnessed people using Expenses 322,756 their talented skills to help make a difference in the lives of countless people. Financially our Net Income (Loss) $ 16,136 congregation has experienced the benefits of planned, purposeful, and proportionate giving. With the blessed abundance of time, talents, and financial General Fund Cash Balance $ 87,480 support, our leadership has been encouraged to This represents the cash balance available to move beyond ministry programming that seeks to fund our church operating costs, such as maintain where we have been. We are going forward with confidence that the Lord is providing the utilities, supplies, and wages resources to share His Word.

Thanks to a donation from a generous family, St. Paul Lutheran Church is offering a $15,000 matching grant that will help our congregation invigorate ministries that have been curtailed because of past concerns about insufficient resources. Gifts given through December 31, 2011 that are designated as “matching funds” will be matched until we reach a combined total of $30,000. Every gift marked as “matching funds” will go to a fund that will help encourage new ministry efforts in 2012. Possible uses for this fund will include participating in the vicarage program (the placement of a seminary student for a one year internship in our congregation), increasing outreach activities, expanding compassionate care efforts in our community, expanding music ministry, encouraging short term mission trips, or infrastructure improvements. The Leadership Team has discussed possible uses for this matching gift fund and all of the conversation has been geared towards new and expanding ministries. The matching gift in 2011 is not designed to fill a deficit gap in regular giving. We have an opportunity this year to give an encouraging push to new ideas and faithful steps forward.

Matching fund giving is intended to be over-and- above your faithful, planned, purposeful, and proportionate giving. God has been faithful in giving people in our congregation many blessings; now is an opportunity for us to invigorate new and expanding ministries at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Page 4 Pastor Gaertner

LAC (7/8 Grade) Activity

shopping on Saturday,December 3 Fellowship for meeting at church at 9:45 a.m. Young Families Angel Tree - connected with Prison Fellowship - helps us to give gifts to enjoyed a visit to the the children of people who are in prison. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Livingston County Chapter, has Brighton Fire Department provided a grant to assist with the purchase of gifts. on Saturday, November 19. LAC students attending are asked to bring a gift purchase donation of They heard some safety

$5 -$20 as well as money for a fast food lunch. tips, saw a firefighter in all Once Angel Tree shopping has been completed, young people can shop his gear, learned about fire for other Christmas gifts with their own money. fighting tools, and climbed aboard three different SENIOR HIGH YOUTH trucks. Firefighters Don, December Lock-In is in Andrew, and Shelby gave the works. Watch for an them a great tour. email that votes on the date

and times.

ST. PAUL PLAYGOER EVENT

CHILD of the PROMISE No specific F4YF activity is Sunday, December 18 @ 3:00 p.m. planned for December. St. at Hartland High School God spoke a promise of hope in the Paul families should plan to hopelessness of Roman rule 2000 years attend the wonderful ago… a Child will be born. The birth of Advent and Christmas Christ was foretold numerous times services at St. Paul. Check and centuries before the actual event. back later for our next Jesus truly was a Child of promise. F4YF event!

This musical recounts the greatest story ever told in the spirit and drama of Les Misérables or Phantom of the Opera. Child of the Promise will bring together talented local singers and musicians for a musical drama celebrating the birth of Christ and the hope that lives in us today.

Admission - $10 A portion of the proceeds will benefit Love INC.

A sign-up sheet will be hanging on the Playgoer bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Page 5

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

December 17 Noah Ankenbrand ANNIVERSARIES Macy Goller Julie Hill December 3 Kurt Krueger John and Judith Maczko Anthony Pagano December 4 Mark Wealch John and Jane Hill December 18 Deb Girard William and Dolores Pitts Allison Lash December 1 Gene Mitchell Irma Pedersen December 5 December 2 Dan Wesche Andrew Woodcock Roy and Karen Meadows December 3 Claudia Bennett December 19 Maizie Cavanaugh December 7 Judy Maczko Ty Keener Harry and Joyce Eugster December 4 David Bahm Kristine Kraus December 8 Morgan Bennett Adam Priskorn Sara Binks December 20 Cindy Harrington Stanley and Dolores Hughes Sherri Binks Hal Harrington Ed and Marveline Meredith December 5 Kris Blackwell Cy Johnson December 11 Lauren Norris Bill Woodcock Michael and Kelly Morgan Mitchel Vedder December 21 Carly Arnett December 6 Kasie Blackwell Paul Cavanaugh December 12 December 7 Christopher Kelly Sarah Senne Paul and Cheryl Hines Ben Wilmanowicz Lydia Vedder December 17 December 8 Judy Cate December 22 Jeff Harrington John and Patti Meadows LaVerna Elowsky Dorothy Schmidt December 26 Patrick Macheske Dawn Thorndike Josee McCloskey December 24 Ava Fratarcangeli Robert and Julia Childress Sheila Wortmann Cheryl Hines December 28 December 10 Kyle Cobb Philip Lange Will and Ruth Abend Mike Elowsky Mary Ann Malinowski December 29 Eleanor Gallup Bill Masson Mackenna Prince December 25 Holly Lukas David and Deb Wesche Mark Wuckert December 27 Roger Elowsky December 30 December 11 David Cooper John Mueller Damon and Stacey Cappelli Deb Stewart Frank Walbridge December 31 Lula Wilds December 29 Scott Rollins December 12 Stephanie Flood Marcia Wilson Marc and Martha Wohlfeil Mike Florida December 30 Alex Bechanko Linda Freeman Kerry Kruger Nicholas Rochowiak Darnell Priemer THE THREE TREES December 13 Kimberly Blacha December 31 Henry Brandau According to legend, three Madison Heidelberg Tim Egeler trees grew near Jesus’ Joel Santure Butch Emery manger: an olive tree, a palm Debra Volk Rosie Ford December 15 Lisa Craft tree, and the fir. The olive Kai Mastenbrook We have made every attempt to offered its fruit to the Pat Mitchell acknowledge all December newborn king, and the palm Dakota Simpson birthdays and anniversaries of St. tree gave its dates. December 16 Dorothy Allstead Paul congregants. If we have forgotten you, our records are in Marv Pedersen The poor fir, having nothing to Kim Schultz error. Please contact the church Bob Simpson office. give but worship, raised its boughs in adoration, and the angels hung stars on its branches. So the fir became the first .

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Holiday

Food

and Gift

Program Christmas will be here before we know it! Compassionate Care is beginning the annual collection of food and cash donations towards our Christmas Food Program. Non-perishable And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the food Items may be placed in the box in the fellowship hall. We will hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed deliver the Christmas food and presents for the children December 17. then your light will rise in the darkness and your Please deliver donations by December 11. night will become like the noonday. Isaiah WE NEED: 58:10 Canned Goods: Peanut Butter, With God's guidance and direction, we continue Tuna, Spaghetti, Soup, our partnership with St. Stephen's Episcopal Vegetables, Fruit, Juice Boxes, Church and are able to satisfy the needs of Chef-Boy-R-D many through Daisy's Pantry. During the month Dried Goods: Mac & Cheese, of October a total of 1,720 pounds of food was Cereal, Oatmeal, Pasta, Rice, Jiffy donated or purchased, and Daisy's Pantry was Mix Biscuits, Brownie Mix, Jello able to distribute 1,876 pounds of food and Pudding, Cookie Mix other necessities to 21 families (60 Paper Products: Paper Towels, individuals). To date we have also distributed Toilet Paper, Tissue Boxes 376 pounds of produce thanks to all the hard Cleaning Products: Laundry working St. Paul gardeners. Detergent, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Deodorant If you know of someone who is in need of food, have them call Love INC (517) 552-3620. The Volunteers needed and welcome at all times! pantry is open on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 6:00 Sort food and gifts, plus create shopping lists, on p.m. by appointment through Love INC. If you Monday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. are a member of St. Paul, you may call Arlene Box food items on Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. Wiltse to set up an appointment. Christmas Food delivery on Saturday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m.

Contact Tami King (734) 878-4397 or [email protected] with any questions.

Chrismon Tree Decorating

Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. PLEASE DONATE: Advent is a time of waiting and  Miracle Whip/mayo preparation for the coming of Christ.  Cereal Help us prepare the sanctuary by  Jello decorating the Chrismon Tree. It is a  Ramen noodles type of using  Flour symbols that represent a variety of  Instant potatoes - Gravy biblical and theological concepts.  Mustard and spices Once the tree is decorated , we All items may be placed in the cart now encourage you to walk up to the tree located by the pantry door. A huge and discover how different images thank you to all who continue to fill the can help tell the story of Jesus. pantry cart.

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ST. PAUL LIBRARY

Christmas Reads and Movies for a

Heart-warming Holiday Season

December, 2010 Jean Schneider, Librarian

Christmas Child (DVD) Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn A lonely Chicago journalist finds himself drawn to his Vincent small-town Texas birthplace on Christmas Eve. There Is there life after death? Just ask 4-year-old Colton, his life is changed forever when he encounters an who emerged from life-threatening surgery with unusual manger scene and a mysterious old man. astounding details about heaven! Colton's account Max Lucado's touching holiday tale of love, faith, and includes floating away, looking down on his dad forgiveness comes to life in this heartwarming film. 96 praying in the hospital, seeing God's throne, and minutes. meeting relatives---including his sister who died in a miscarriage, and whom his parents had never The Christmas Shoes (DVD) mentioned. (Fiction) Two years on the New York Times bestseller list and a hit television movie, this heartwarming story stars Rob Skipping Christmas by Lowe as a workaholic attorney with no time for Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, Christmas---until a young boy helps him rediscover the no corny office parties, no , no unwanted true meaning of this special time of year. presents. That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll The Crippled Lamb (DVD) skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only Pop this into your player Christmas Eve and watch house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty; they your kids' eyes light up with joy! This heartwarming won’t be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they animated DVD is based on Max Lucado's story of aren’t even going to have a tree. They won’t need one, Joshua, a little lame lamb who has a special chance to because come December 25 they’re setting sail on a honor the Christ child one starry night in . Caribbean cruise. (Fiction) Features the voices of Robby and Jodi Benson. Approx. 60 minutes. The Essential Guide to Healing by Bill Johnson, Randy Clark , A Story of Joyful Giving (DVD) The Bible is full of accounts of miraculous healing. And Veggie Tales God is moving as amazingly today as He was back Laura Carrot's holiday stocking might be empty this then. Thousands are being healed all over the world-- year because her dad could lose his job. While Larry's and His children are part of it. For the first time, sure a letter to the North Pole will fix everything, Bob premier renewal leaders Bill Johnson and Randy Clark thinks he knows what will really help! But his story team up to equip Christians to minister healing. about a boy named Nicholas who changed Christmas Grounded from start to finish in Scripture, Johnson and forever leaves everybody wondering, "What's that got Clark lay out the rich theological and historical to do with us?" Discover the power of a simple gift with foundation for healing in the church today. Full of this fun-loaded DVD. Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful inspiring stories, this book offers practical, proven, Giving also features the new song and Operation step-by-step guidance to ministering healing, including Christmas Child video "Give this Christmas Away" with how to understand the authority of the believer in Matthew West and Amy Grant! Approx. 45 minutes. healing, create an atmosphere of faith, receive words of knowledge, implement the five-step model of healing Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler prayer. The ministry of healing is not reserved for a Jacqueline has two dreams---to meet an honest man to select few. God's miraculous healing is part of the marry and to own her own bed and breakfast on the Good News and every believer can become a conduit Outer Banks of North Carolina. Since the first one for His healing power. (Inspiration/Spirituality) doesn't seem to be materializing, she enlists the help of her childhood friend Minnie and focuses on the second. But will romance be an unexpected guest. (Fiction)

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Events in December at St. Paul

12/3 9:45a LAC Angel Tree Shopping

10:00a Decorate Tree

12/5 6:30p Advent by Candlelight

7:00p F.I.T. Meeting

12/7 6:00p Simple Supper

7:00p Advent Worship

12/10 9:45a Sunday School Christmas

Program Practice

12/11 1:00p IMAC Church Family Caroling

12/12 7:00p Christmas Basket Food Sort Every Week at St. Paul

12/14 6:00p Simple Supper Sundays

7:00p Advent Worship 7:30a Fresh Brew Bible Study

12/16 7:00p Christmas Basket Boxing 8:30a & 11:00a Worship

12/17 9:00a Christmas Basket Distribution 9:45a Education Hour

12/18 9:45a Sunday School Christmas 11:00a Kids’ Connection

Program Practice 12:30p Bootcamp/Walking

11:00a Sunday School 5:00p Coffeehouse

Christmas Program

12/19 12:30p Love Knots Mondays 12/20 7:00p F.I.T. Meeting 9:00a St. Paul Quilters 12/21 6:00p Simple Supper 11:00a Women’s Bible Study

7:00p Advent Worship Tuesdays 12/24 5:00p Christmas Eve Worship 7:30a Kiwanis 7;00p Christmas Eve Worship 9:00a Oldtimers 11:00p Christmas Eve Worship 12/25 10:00a Christmas Day Worship Saturdays 12/31 7:00p New Year’s Eve Worship 8:30a Men’s Bible Study 9:00a Altar Preparation

Out of the silence, Music Out of the darkness, Light Out of uncertainty, Promise Hope Was born that night

May God’s Love Be Your True Blessing This Christmas Season!

Page 9 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION St. Paul Lutheran Church U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 490 PAID Hamburg , MI 7701 E. M-36 Permit No. 53 Hamburg, MI 48139 -RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED –

Advent Midweek Simple Suppers and Evening Prayer November 30: “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” Isaiah 40:1-2

December 7: “Prepare the Royal Highway” Isaiah 40:3-5

December 14: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Isaiah 40:6-8

December 21: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” Isaiah 40:9 This year join your brothers and sisters in Christ for a simple meal and stay for Evening Prayer as we focus on preparing our hearts and minds in celebration of the coming of our King, Jesus.

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Volume 9 Issue 12 Page 12