December 2018 Weekly TV Broadcast Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Charter Channel 986 Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. HBC Channel 20 “We are ‘Central’ to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith.” CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Many years ago, my mother had all of our family’s old 8-mm home movies transferred on to DVDs so that my siblings and I could each own a copy of them. The DVDs contain so many wonderful memories from my childhood—scenes from long-ago birthday parties, family vacations, summer picnics, Fourth-of-July parades, etc., etc. They are pretty funny to watch, all these years later. Of all the memories on the movie DVDs, I think I cherish the Christmas ones the most. Every year, my parents made sure to film us children opening our Christmas presents. And in the background, as we kids frantically tore open gift after gift, you Pastor Mike Zaske see my Grandpa Zaske with his long-sleeved shirts…my Grandma Zaske with her “cat-eye” glasses…my uncle Kevin with his 1960’s “mop-top” hairstyle…my dad with his plaid pants… What fantastic remembrances! Speaking of the gifts, from the DVDs I noticed that we kids used to get at least a dozen gifts apiece (if not more). And yet, forty-plus years later as I watched those gifts being opened, it’s amazing how few of those gifts I remembered. Even the few that I actually did remember mean nothing to me now as an adult. Perhaps there’s a lesson in that… I don’t remember the gifts, but one thing about Christmas that I DO remember is that our family ALWAYS went to church at Christmas—either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Of all the family traditions, it was the one “non-negotiable.” My parents made sure that we Zaske kids knew the REAL reason for Christmas, and that we knew what the most precious gift given during this holiday season is. Worshiping God for sending us his beloved Son was always a part of the Christmas holiday in our family. We never once failed to attend church at Christmas to praise God for what he had done. Now that I’m older, I wouldn’t trade those worship memories for any present on earth. As you go about making your Christmas-time plans for this upcoming holiday season, I pray that you will do for your loved ones what my parents did for me—I pray that worship will be one of your “non- negotiables.” I pray that you realize the importance of praising God for sending Jesus to save us from our sins. I pray that no child would miss out on what TRULY matters at Christmas. Bless your loved ones…bless yourself…come and worship! And make this the best Christmas yet! 259 W. Wabasha Winona, MN 55987 www.CentralLutheranChurch.org 507.452.5156 1 Upcoming Events The FEAST Bake Sale and Coffee Social Wednesdays, 4:45- 6:00 p.m., Grace Hall Sat., Dec. 8, 9:00- 12:00 p.m., Grace hall See Menus in the Notices section of this newsletter. Hosted by the Central Lutheran Church Women. Proceeds from the sale will go the Mary Ellen Adult Forum for Advent Kitundu Birthing Center in Tanzania and the Sun., Dec. 2, 9, 16 and Children's Vision International Children's Home Jan. 6, 9:15 a.m., Library in Bogata, Colombia. The home cares for and We will be using Book of Faith: educates orphans and children whose parents Advent Reflections- I Wonder as I cannot provide for them. The bake sale will Wander as our guide for this study. include an assortment of delicious donated baked Each week we will explore one of goods as well as krumkaka, rosettes and of these topics: Hope, Love, Joy, and course...LEFSE! The lunch will include soup, Peace. Some books will be sandwich, coffee and coffee cake. A free will available. If you have any donation will be accepted. Ease some of that questions, contact Julie Palubicki holiday stress.... Get your Christmas baking done at [email protected] or via at the bake sale! Come for the sale and stay for a phone at 507.458.2866. relaxing lunch! CLC Family Advent Fair Prayers for Healing Sun., Dec. 2, 8:30– 10:15 a.m. Fellow- Sun., Dec. 16 at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services ship Hall Prayers for healing are offered each third Sunday We will again be offering an Advent of the month in Holy Spirit Chapel (left) during Fair on the first Sunday in Advent for communion. At any time before or after you all to attend. There will be cookie commune you are invited to join the pastor in decorating, Advent activities, prayer for healing for yourself or someone else. ornament painting, and Christmas crafts to make. Fun for all ages! If you are interested in volunteering, or if Welcoming Table you have an idea for a craft or activity, please call Mon., Dec., 17, 5:30– 6:30 p.m., Grace Hall Shana Johnson 507.474.7314. Project Fine community meal. All are welcome! North Star Boys Choir Blue Christmas Service Sunday, Dec. 2, 10:15 am service Tues., Dec., 18, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary The award-winning North Star Boys Choir will sing The service will be an intimate service of during the 10:15 service. Come and be blessed by their remembrance and in recognition that the holidays beautiful music! are a difficult time for some. Please watch for more information in the upcoming weeks and invite others CLC Book Group who may appreciate this service. Mon., Dec. 3 , 9:30 a.m., Library Discover the traditional Advent themes of watchful Holiday Dinner waiting, repentance, and selfless love while taking a Wednesday, Dec. 19, 4:45-6:00 p.m., Grace Hall walk with Albert Holtz, O.S.B., through the streets of Please join the Feast at the Second Annual Rita Newark, New Jersey. In a series of meditations, he Lehnertz Holiday Dinner, honoring the vision and points out the often-unnoticed connections between our commitment that Rita had to the Feast. The Lehnertz secular celebrations of the holidays and the deeper, family and friends will be serving up a turkey dinner spiritual meaning of the holy seasons of Advent and with all the trimmings, in the beautiful setting of Christmas. The book is “From Holidays to Holy Days” Grace Hall. Join the Feast community for a truly and all are welcome to join us. If you have questions, special evening meal. contact Gayle Garrity at 507.961.0465. Christmas Eve/Day Services—see mailing “Gather” Bible Study page for details Thurs., Dec. 6, 2:00 p.m., Library Take part in a one-hour Advent devotional, “Fear Not”, on page 22 in the December issue of “Gather” magazine. Coffee, conversation, and refreshments at 3:00 p.m. All women are welcome! 2 Events/Notices Congregational Vote Welcomes New Pastor The FEAST On November 4, in a special congregational meeting a The Feast continues to serve a hot meal each call was issued to Pastor Michael J. Short, who is Wednesday to members of the community and currently serving at English Lutheran Church in Central Lutheran. Come join us from 4:45 to 6:00 Platteville. A January 1 start date is planned. pm, and join the Wednesday evening services as a The letter of call was signed and forwarded to the mid-week Advent service. All are welcome. synod. We are grateful for God's guidance in our call The Feast will conclude the fall season with the process. Calling Pastor Short marks a new beginning for Second Annual Rita Lehnertz Christmas Dinner on Central Lutheran. The call committee unanimous in its December 19. This truly special holiday meal in- recommendation, and the council is anxious to partner cludes all the trimmings and is lovingly prepared by with Pastor Short as we move forward together in the family of Rita Lehnertz, a loyal Feast volunteer Christ's service. coordinator and cook. We honor Rita’s dedication to the Feast and her strong desire for a beautiful Farewell Reception for Pastor Mike holiday meal open to anyone. You don’t want to Join us in Grace Hall on Sunday, December 23 at 10:15 miss this. Thanks so much to the Lehnertz family a.m. to celebrate Pastor Mike Zaskes interim ministry at for their loving service. Central Lutheran. Pastor Mike has brought God’s word The Feast will break for the Christmas holidays and to us in thoughtful and relevant sermons; a warm and resume on January 9, 2019. We look forward to welcoming spirit, and a steady, guiding hand. We are another season of fellowship, served with a warm thankful for his vibrant ministry here and wish him well meal and good cheer. in his new interim ministry in Becker, Minnesota. Thank If you are interested in volunteering for the Feast, you Pastor Mike! please call Cheri Weaver at 507.689.2416, or Tami Lubinski at 507.452.1594. We are looking for a Photo Directories Available greeter to welcome guests as they enter the church. The Central Lutheran Church photo directory is now December FEAST Menu: available in the church office. The cost is $6.00. Next December 5: Hamburger Gravy, corn, month’s newsletter will have information on the mashed potatoes development, production, and future plans for this December 12: Pull Pork Sandwiches, coleslaw, directory. Thank you to all who provided or had their Beans photos taken for the directory.