NEWS from the First Pew NOVEMBER 2018 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 11 Rev. Isaac S. Schuller Inside this Issue

C.O.M.E. Dist. 2 Peparing for Christmas 3 Santa Claus or Saint Nicolas? Save the Date 4 Christmas Party Photos 5 How many of us know about Santa C.O.M.E. News 6 Claus? How many of us know about 2019 Activity Calendar 7 Saint Nicolas? Santa Claus is based off December Birthdays & Ann. 8 of a Christian man that lived during the third century named Nicolas. He was raised by wealthy parents who taught him the January Birthdays & Ann. 9 fear and love of the Lord. Nicolas’ parents died when Nicolas Forget Me Not Prayers 10 was still young. With his inheritance Nicolas helped the need, December Calendar 11 the sick and the suffering. He became Bishop of Myra. People knew him because of his generosity toward others and his love for children. Nicolas was imprisoned for his Christians faith and when He was released he attended the Council of Nicaea in 325AD (Saint Nicolas Center-Discovering the truth about Santa Claus). This Council wrote the famous which we still state today after Sunday. Yet today many people do not know who the true Santa Claus is. They teach their children about a fairytale instead of the God fearing Saint Nicolas.

Saint Nicolas knew the true meaning of Christmas, Christ. Today, Santa Claus brings our focus to material possessions. Christmas is about the gift but it is not made of plastic, nor does it require batteries or money to purchase. The gift of Christmas is that Jesus who is God in the flesh was born to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Bless people this Christmas by telling them of the gift, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

In Christ, Pastor Schuller

Community Outreach Ministry Endeavor 374 South Third Street, San Jose

2018 Christmas Distribution, December 13th

Our annual Christmas give-away is fast approaching and we are still in need of both volunteers and gift items (see below) to help to make it happen! Approximately 75-100 families come through during the evening to receive the gifts that have been lovingly prepared; won’t you join us?

10 AM – 2 PM Shift Organizing and packaging the various gift items for children and families.

4:30 PM – 8:30 PM Shift Distribution of all gifts and clean-up.

To volunteer, please call or leave a message with Georgette at 408-723-0342 with the time(s) you would like to help. You do not need to commit to an entire shift; any amount of help is greatly appreciated.

NEW items still needed between now and December 13th (Please contact COME at 408-286-8413 for drop-off information) Small 2019 calendars Quilts and blankets Gift cards (for no more than $20/each) Toys, stuffed animals, puzzles, dolls, cars Basketballs and soccer balls, small sports items Art supplies Youth science kits (e.g. slime) Portable cell phone chargers/power banks Knick-knacks and other gift-like items for gift baskets/bags

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, we will use it to purchase some of the items above on your behalf. Please make checks payable to COME and mail to P.O. Box 24799, San Jose, CA 95154. All donations are fully tax deductible.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Preparing for Christmas

Soup Suppers 6:00 PM Dec. 5, 12 & 19

Midweek Services Noon & 7:00 PM Dec. 5, 12 & 19 Dec. 19, Posada 7:00 PM

Sunday Services Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 9:00 AM

Christmas Eve Service 6:30 Oficio de 8:00 Candlelight Service

Christmas Day Service 9:00 AM

Planning for 2019

January -Three kings hand out January 5th 10a.m.- Schuller’s home

February -Service project for 1st communion and Saturday February 9th 10a.m.-1p.m.

March -Garage Sale Saturday March 16th 7a.m.-2p.m. April

-Spring Festival Saturday April 6th 10a.m.-2p.m. -Sunday Confirmation April 14th 10a.m. (Palm Sunday) May

June -Sunday1st Communion June 9th 10a.m. () July -July 15th-19th VBS August

September -Garage Sale Saturday September 14th 7a.m.-2p.m.

October -Reformation Festival Saturday October 26th 10a.m.-2p.m.

November

December -Christmas Dinner Saturday December 7th 4:30p.m. -COME Christmas give away Thursday December 12th all day

Christmas Dinner at First Immanuel

Thank you to everyone for your time and talents to make this wonderful event happen.

Merry Christmas to all!

C.O.M.E. NEWS

VOLUNTEERS PREPARED 91 TWO GALLON BAGS OF GIFTS FOR CHILDREN to be distributed on December 13. According to Georgette Soto, there was a lot of laughter going on during this first WORK PARTY held on November 3rd. Thank you Georgette, Jeannie Lyle, Beatriz Scott, Norma Fregoso, Karen Deichmann, Gretchen (from Shepherd of the Valley), and Carol Walters. Another work party was held November 10 to help sort gifts that had been stored in the cage during the year to be used for the Christmas Distribution. Thank you to Wynne Sontag who came from Woodland that day to help along with the other wonderful volunteers. The last work party before distribution day will be held on December 8. If you can volunteer on December 8 and/or the big distribution day on December 13, please let Georgette know. You may call her at 408-723-0342 to volunteer.

THE CLOTHES CLOSET IS STILL NEEDING VOLNTEERS ON TUESDAYS AND WEDNES- DAYS to help Georgette. Our rule is to have a minimum of two people working in the Clothes Closet at least during our distribution hours which are 1:00 pm - 3:15 pm. Any day without a minimum of two people, the Clothes Closet will have to close for that day. Please let Georgette or Karen Deichmann know if you can help any day or days during distribution of clothes and/or as early as 11:00 am to help sort and hang clothes.

CHRISTMAS DISTRIBUTION DAY IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13. Helpers are needed dur- ing the two shift from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm. The 10:00 am shift involves making gift baskets, arranging children’s gifts by age group, arranging family gifts, and bagging new clothing, blankets, quilts, etc. The 4:00 pm shift involves the distribution of all gifts and cleanup. Volunteers do not have to stay for the full shifts. Any amount of time helping with this special day would be appreciat- ed. Bring a friend or relative along to help also. It’s a lot of fun and will get you in the Christmas spirit. Please call Georgette at 408-723-0342. Leave a message with the time you can volunteer if she was not available to answer the phone. You may also let Karen Deichmann or Deanna Bye know when you see them at church. The more the merrier!

C.O.M.E. will be closed the week after Christmas through January 7, 2019. If you have any donations of clothing, etc., please do not leave them on the back dock of the building as donations get scattered around if left there very long. Donations may be dropped through the slot on the part of the building near the ramp. Or, place donations in the barrel marked C.O.M.E. that is in the Choir Room. If you need a receipt, please make a note of what you donated, and we will make out a receipt after we are open again January 8.

We thank First Immanuel and our sister churches for their donations of clothing and other items, volun- teers and the much needed financial support. Without all your support of this ministry this past year, we would not be able to stay open and serve people of the community in their time of need.

Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year! Deanna

First Immanuel Lutheran ChurchActivity/Event Calendar 2019 This calendar is prepared for you by the church office. Additional dates for activities and events may be added but must be cleared (contact the office at 292-5404 for further help). Please do not simply add them to this or any other calendar in that schedule conflicts may result in your group not being allowed to use the facilities. We appreciate your cooperation in our efforts to serve the Lord and His people!

January 2019 June- 2019 1/1—New Year’s Day 6/4 - Election Day 1/5 - - Three Kings Hand Out 10:00 6/9 - 10:00 Service w/First Communion, 11:30 Brunch 1/13 - 10:00 Service, 11:30 Brunch 6/16—Father’s Day 1/21—Martin Luther King Jr. Day - office closed July -2019 February- 2019 7/4— Independence Day -Office Closed 2/2 - Super Bowl - 3:30 7/15 - 7/19 VBS 2/9 - First Communion Service Project 10-1 7/27 - FILC 7/27/1892 2/14—Valentines Day August - 2019 2/18—President’s Day - Office Closed September - 2019 March- 2019 9/2- -Office Closed 3/6 - Noon 9/14 - Garage Sale 7:00 -2:00 3/6 - 6:00 Soup Salad Supper October- 2019 3/6 - 7:00 Ash Wednesday 10/13 - LWML Sunday 3/10—Daylight Savings Begins 10/26 - Reformation Festival 10:00 - 2:00 3/13 - Noon Lenten Service 10/27- Reformation Sunday 3/13- 6:00 Soup Salad Supper November- 2019 3/13 - 7:00 Lenten Service 11/1 - All Saints Sunday 3/16 - 7:00 - 2:00 Garage Sale 11/3 - Daylight Savings Ends 3/20- Noon Lenten Service 11/5- Election Day 3/20 - 6:00 Soup Salad Supper 11/10 - Martin Luther’s Birthday 3/20 - 7:00 Lenten Service 11/28—9:00 Thanksgiving Service 3/27 - Noon Lenten Service December- 2019 3/27 - 6:00 Soup Supper 12/5 -6:00 Soup Salad Supper 3/27 - 7:00 Lenten Service 12/5— Noon & 7:00 Midweek Advent April- 2019 12/7 - 4:30 Christmas Party 4/3 - Noon Lenten Service 12/7 - 1:00 - 4:00 Caroling 4/3 - 6:00 Soup Supper 12/11 - 6:00 Soup Salad Supper 4/3 - 7:00 Lenten Service 12/11 —Noon & 7:00 Midweek Advent 4/6 - 10:00 - 2:00 Spring Festival 12/12 - C.O.M.E. Christmas Give Away 4/10 - Noon Lenten Service 12/14 - 1:00 - 4:00 Caroling 4/10 - 6:00 Soup Supper 12/18 - 6:00 Soup Salad Supper 4/10- 7:00 Lenten Service 12/18—Noon Advent, 7:00 Posada 4/17 - Noon Lenten Service 12/24 - 6:30 PM Oficio de Nochebuena 4/17 - 6:00 Soup Supper 12/24—8:00 PM Service 4/17- 7:00 Lenten Service 12/25—9:00 AM Christmas Day Service, 4/21 - 10:00 Service w/Confirmation 11:30 Brunch 12/21-1/2—Office Closed 4/29 - 10:00 Divine Service / Dia de Pascua 4/29 - 11:30 Easter Brunch May- 2019 5/12 - Mother’s Day 5/24 - D’Amilios Parish Hall all day 5/25 - D’Amelio Wedding F 5/27— Day-Office Closed 5/30 - Ascension Day

12/6 Ramiro Munoz 1/12 Jillian D’Amelio 12/12 Wayne Frazier 1/12 Arely Herrera 12/12 Aiden Flores 1/15 Keyla Vasquez 12/13 Linda Meyer 1/17 Tatiana Pineda 12/16 Mariluz Fregoso 1/22 Lyn D’Amelio 12/17 Francisco Herrera 1/23 Kyle Braz 12/17 Noe Jimenez 1/23 Arcele Thompson 12/18 Alexandria Meyer 1/23 Melody White 12/19 Yeong Kim 1/25 Karissa Torres 12/21 Harriett Glass 1/26 Robert Newton 12/22 Michael Hockenson 1/28 Don Adam 12/23 Melanie Prole 1/28 Victor Fregoso, Jr. 12/23 Silverio Tomas 1/29 Maura Marin 12/24 Mauro Rodriguez 1/30 Kenia Pardo 12/26 Christopher David Monohar 1/31 Adam Hallmark 12/28 Max Mello 12/29 Sofia Pardo

December Anniversaries January Anniversaries

12/20 Manuel Castrillo & Epifinia Lopez~ 1/1 Victor and Norberta Fregoso ~ 28 yrs 4 years 1/12 Nicolas and Natividad Sandoval ~ 47 yrs 12/26 Bob & Priscilla Newton ~ 47 years 12/29 Cruz Montano & Hermelinda San- doval 12/31 John & Joan Baker ~ 2 years

Forget Me Not Prayers

If you have an opportunity, please reach out with a call, a All those serving our country in the Military includ- visit or a card! ing: Those in need of prayer for health and healing: • Dimas Jr. & Veronica Cuevas • Paul Gesso • Benjamin Brighton • Yvonne Wagener • David Newton • Tony Montalvo • Harriett Glass We pray for God’s protection on our missionaries • Michael Hockenson around the world and especially: • Mora (Beatriz Scott) • Pastor & Patty Lawson • Patty Tim (Veda Connor) • Debbie • Sara Mello We pray for God’s strength and protection for: • Corey Renella • Mario & Christy • Lucia Vivas • Abby Reyes & Family • Teresa Cuevas • Emma DeMay • Gail Castro • Myra • Mark (Karen Deichmann’s nephew)

Those unable to make it to our worship due to health or other issues: • Rosemary Thode • Joan Barnes • Wayne Frazier • Elaine Payne

Those receiving treatment for cancer: • Chris Schieber • Deena Steward (Deanna Bye’s daughter) • Jeanne (daughter-in-law of Eloise) • Dave, friend of Beatrice Scott • Angie, friend of Beatrice Scott • Angelena, friend of Rena Torres • Pastor Ron Kusel (Veda Connor) • Elaine Kusel (Veda Connor)

5:00 Schuller Installation 11:30 Servicio Divino 10:15 Bible Study/S.School 9:00 Divine Service 30 16 23 11:30 Servicio Divino 9:00 Divine Service 11:30 Servicio Divino 10:15 Bible Study/S.School 9:00 Divine Service 12:30 Estudio Bíblico 11:30 Servicio Divino 10:15 Bible Study/S.School 9:00 Divine Service 1st Sunday aft Christmas 12:30 Estudio Bíblico 11:30 Servicio Divino 10:15 Bible Study/S.School 9:00 Divine Service 9 2 4th Sunday in Advent 2nd Sunday in Advent 1st Sunday in Advent 3rd Sunday in 31 6:30 1st Communion 10 24 6:30 1st Communion 17 Christmas Eve Christmas 8:00 Candlelight Service 6:30 Oficio de Nochebuena 6:30 1st Communion 3 Office Closed Monday 1:00 COME Food/Clothing 18 25 1:00 COME Food/Clothing 10:00 Circuit Pastor Mtg. . 6:30 Elders 1:00 COME Food/Clothing 11:00 Dorcas Guild .

11 4 9:00 Christmas Service 9:00 Christmas 2018 First Immanuel Lutheran Church Christmas DayChristmas Tuesday 374 South Third Street, San Jose, CA 95112 Phone: 408-292-5404 Fax 408-297-8748 email: [email protected] 7:00 Advent Service 7:00 Advent Supper 6:00 Advent 1:00 COME Food/Clothing Service Noon Advent 10:30 Bible Study 7:00 Posada Supper 6:00 Advent 1:00 COME Food/Clothing Service Noon Advent 10:30 Bible Study 7:00 Advent Service 7:00 Advent Supper 6:00 Advent 1:00 COME Food/Clothing Service Noon Advent 10:30 Bible Study 12 19 26 5 Office Closed Wednesday 27 13 20 6:00 COME Food/Clothing 4:00 Confirmation 6:00 COME Food/Clothing 4:00 Confirmation 10:00 VisitingMinistry C.O.M.E. Giveaway 6:00 COME Food/Clothing 4:00 Confirmation 6 Office Closed Thursday Office Closed 14

21 28 Party 6:00 YWCA Christmas Pastor Schuller’s Day Off

Pastor Schuller’s Day Off 1:00 Parish HallUp Set 7 Office Closed Friday Rev. I. Schuller 1:00 Caroling Partymas 11:00 Lydia- Christ Ladies 15 22 29 4:30 Christmas Dinner4:30 Christmas 1:00 Caroling Partymas 11:00 Veteran’s- Christ 1 8 9:00 Church Clean Up Saturday