OFFICIAL ACTS
Baptisms	0
Confirmations	1	Tressa Wackernagel (10/28/24)
Weddings	0
Funerals	0

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Love Family News

We have a family for Christmas! Being that it’s last minute we are asking for food donations and gift cards.

Ideas: boxed potato/noodle sides, stuffing, canned fruit and vegetables, soups, “children” cereal, cake or brownie mix, canned chicken, snacks, and baking goods. Gift cards for Walmart will help toward the perishable items and gifts for the family. Gift cards to fast food and gas stations would be appreciated also! Items can be left on the table across from the office-gift cards can be left with scrip people or with Terri in the office. Thank you!

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Good Shepherd Preschool

Throughout the month of November we talked about all that we are thankful for, and we found we have A LOT to be thankful for! Our turkey door display grew much bigger than our door could hold. A few things that preschoolers are thankful for: toys, watches, horses, outside, tractors, houses, family, friends, and Jesus' birthday.

We also participated in a class mission project. Children and families collected shoes to contribute to the His Arms shoe collection for Kenya. Mrs. Strahl came to class and shared pictures and stories about the children and families that would be blessed by our donation. Our goal was to collect 100 pairs of shoes...stay tuned for the final count.

As we head into December, we are busy preparing for Christmas by learning the Christmas story, singing songs, and performing our Christmas program. Please join us on Sunday, December 15 at 4:00 for the Preschool and Sunday School Christmas Program.

Wishing everyone a blessed and joy filled Christmas season!

Marilee Bailey
Good Shepherd Preschool ~ Director and Teacher
231-894-8471

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Midweek & Confirmation News

Last day of Wednesday night class for Midweek & Confirmation is Wednesday, December 18th. Classes will resume on January 8th, 2025!

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Grieving with Hope Meeting

We will meet on Monday, December 2nd, at 10:00 am

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Altar Guild Quarterly Meeting

Monday, December 2nd, at 6:30 pm

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Altar Guild Altar Cleaning

Monday, December 9th, at 10:00 am

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Mission Christmas Market

The market will be held on December 7th, from 9am-2pm in the Youth House before the Christmas parade in town. At the market will be various hand made gifts as well as our well loved hand cream and soup mixes. Please join us to stock up on gifts and support our church’s mission team.

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Family Christmas Parade & Party

Saturday, December 7th, at 1:00 pm

Please be at church by 1:00 pm on Saturday. Warm meal to follow the parade along with a good ole fashion Christmas Party! Sign up to walk in the parade and join us for a meal!

WE NEED CANDY FOR THE PARADE! Please drop off any donations in the bin in the hallway by the kitchenette. Thank you!

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Lutheran Witness Subscription

Current Subscribers: If you are a current subscriber, and would like to continue, please write YES by your name on the sign-up bulletin board. If you would like to discontinue your subscription, please cross your name off the list.

New Subscribers: If you would like to start receiving the Lutheran Witness you need to sign up on the blank sheet on the sign-up bulletin board.

The 2025 cost is $21.20/subscription. Payment is due at sign up. Please put your payment in the envelope provided and mark paid by your name! Sign up deadline is Sunday, December 8th!

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Christmas Program

Sunday School & Good Shepherd Preschool, Sunday, December 15th, at 4:00 pm

Join us for our 2024 Christmas Program! After the program there will be a meal served in the Fellowship Hall for those who wish to stay! If you do plan to join us for the meal, please sign up on the bulletin board so we know how many to set up for.

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Share Your Shoes

His Arms Children’s Project is collecting shoes. Men’s, women’s, boys’, girls' and baby shoes, new or gently used, in any size and style (tennis shoes, high heels, boots, flats, work shoes, dress shoes) will be collected until Sunday, December 15th. Some shoes will be taken to Kenya with the Team going in May of 2025. Some shoes will be purchased by Funds2org.com, who in turn redistributed shoes to over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs who sell the shoes to support their family. This fundraiser is a win-win-win for everyone! You get rid of shoes you no longer need, His Arms raises funds to assists with much needed projects in Kenya, and people in other developing countries become self-sustaining. Just leave your shoes in the tote in the narthex.

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Just a Reminder...

We are all stewards of our church building. If you are the last one out of the building for any event/meeting/study, please make sure all of the lights are off, check bathrooms to make sure there are no toilets or faucets running, and check to make sure all doors are locked. We are so blessed to have an active church with things going on most evenings…we all need to be mindful. Thank you!!

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Christmas Services

Join us for our Christmas Eve Candle Light Services on Tuesday, December 24th, at 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm and our Christmas Day Service, Wednesday, December 25th, at 10:00 am. The New Year’s Eve Service is Tuesday, December 31st, at 5:30 pm

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Grief Relief

12 Reasons God Allows Our Loved Ones to Die

1. God has a greater plan beyond our understanding ~ Isaiah 55:8-9 God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours
2. To bring us closer to Him ~ Psalm 34:18 tells us that God is close to the brokenhearted and this closeness can bring a new depth to our faith.
3. To teach us the value of Life ~ So we become more intentional in how we live, how we love, and how we serve others.
4. To remind us of eternity ~ John 3:16
5. To show us the power of community ~ Galatians 6:2 encourages us to carry each other’s burdens and in time of sorrow we learn just how powerful that support can be.
6. To encourage spiritual growth ~ Romans 5:3-4 we are reminded that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.
7. To release loved ones from pain ~ Revelation 21:4 gives us the promise that in heaven there will be no more pain or sorrow.
8. To remind us of His sovereignty
9. To teach us empathy ~ 2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us that God comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others.
10. To encourage us to cherish relationships
11. To give us hope in the Resurrection ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 reminds us not to grieve as those who have no hope, for we believe that those who have died in Christ will be raised again.
12. To show us that love is eternal ~ Love doesn’t end with death.

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Fall Women’s Retreat

We worshiped, studied, enjoyed a fabulous lunch, started a Prayer Journal and shared fellowship with each other at our Fall Retreat. Thank you to the men who prepared our lunch. We appreciate all that you do for us. Such a special day together!

The women of St. James in attendance shared our favorite verses. I have printed them out to share with you. Please feel free to pick up a copy in the Narthex.

Coming in March
Our March Event in 2025 will be a Mother/Daughter Brunch Save the date of Saturday, March 1st

• Calling ALL women - young and old!
• Don’t have daughters? -borrow one or join a friend!
• Daughters or granddaughters out of town? -come anyway!

A few women have volunteered to help plan, if you are interested in being a part of this team, please call Ellen at 730-1726.

I am indeed grateful for the women of St. James and the friendships that we share.

May the Peace of Jesus birth give us all the Joy of Christmas!
Ellen Grimm

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Merry Christmas from Marci Bentz – Thrivent Whitehall Office

It’s so easy to overspend during the holidays, and I’m not just talking about money. Between the gatherings and traveling and school programs and wish lists – not to mention the grocery bills and extra hours that come with adding those yummy family recipes to your table – it may feel impossible not to overspend both your money and your capacity. So, if I can leave you with one idea this season, it is to figure out what and how to hold onto what you value most this time of year and release yourself from everything else.
Want something a little more concrete? My friends at Roots & Wings have a quick and easy online Values Exercise that will help you name your Top 5 Values. Naming these have had a profound effect on so many people, and I know that this 5-minute exercise could really give you the gift of clarity this season. Check it out: www.rootsandwingslegacy.org/assessment

For any financial questions, needs or concerns, please call Marci Bentz at the Whitehall Office at 231-894-8886, Cell 231-760-8246, or email whitehalloffice@thrivent.com.

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Online Service Directions!

How to watch our services online step by step: on Facebook Live on Sundays at 8:00 am

1. In the top search bar... Go to https://www.facebook.com/stjamesmontague/videos
   (You do not need to have a Facebook account page to access this)
2. Close the popup box asking to login to your Facebook account.
3. Scroll down through the Facebook page until you come across the most recent videos
4. Click on the Live video of the church service.
5. Explore the rest of the Facebook page and watch other videos. 😊

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If you are unable to fulfill your assigned duty, please make arrangements with someone before or after you on the list. Thanks!

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Funeral Luncheons

If we have a funeral, Faith Mayville, our Luncheon Coordinator will contact you for help. Each funeral luncheon requires table/chair set up, food donations, food servers (kitchen staff), and table/chair take down. Faith will let you know what is needed.