Sunday Morning Services
8:15 am and 10:45 am
8:15 am and 10:45 am
December Events...
Special services and events for the monthof December are as follows:
Church Decorating Saturday
12/1, at 9:00 amChristmas Parade
Saturday, 12/1, 2:00 pm!Come see our Sunday School kids and our Choir!
Advent Soup Suppers
At 6:00 pm on 12/5, 12/12/ & 12/19In the Youth House!
Wednesday Night Advent Services
All services begin at 7:30 pm“What Child is This?”
12/05 ~ "The Child Who Is Zechariah's Hope"
12/12 ~ "The Child Who Is a Virgin's Great Son"
12/19 ~ "The Child Who is John's Joy"
Just a reminder...
During the Advent season, Confirmation & Midweek Classes are excused at 7:15 pm.
Christmas Eve Services
Monday, 12/24, at 7:00 pm & 10:00 pmNew Year’s Eve Service
Monday, 12/31, at 5:30 pm
People of God!
Although I always lament the "Cave Days" as I call them with it getting dark SO VERY EARLY, I still love December with Advent and Christmas! And we have some great things happening!But first, our new Family Life Director, Russell Baumann, and his wife, Emilie, will be bringing their belongings in a U-Haul this month on Monday, 12/17, around 5:00 pm. Our Board of Elders will be recruiting a crew to help them unload. We will also be looking for some folks to prepare a dinner than can be delivered to them as well. As part of their welcome, we will be having a "Pantry Shower" which can include food items -- frozen or non-perishable, as well as gift cards to area grocery stores and even for gas stations. Items should be donated by Friday, 12/14. Please bring them to the church and place them on the table across from the Library.
After Russell and Emilie settle in a few days and getting his office set up, they will be traveling to Fort Wayne to enjoy Christmas with Emilie's parents. He will be in office on January 2, 2019!
Looking ahead, we will be installing Russell the first Sunday in January -- the 6th. We will celebrate that event with a dinner after church. More information will be coming about this in the future.
Our Sunday School will once again be having a float in our White Lake Christmas Parade on Saturday, 12/1, at 2:00 pm. Please bring in bags of candy they can hand out along the parade route. WE NEED LOTS!!!
Our traditional mid-week Advent worship beginning on Wednesday, 12/5, at 7:30 pm. Our Advent Series this year is "What Child Is This?" The birth of a certain Child two thousand years ago in Bethlehem prompted a poet in the nineteenth century to ask a very uncommon question in a hymn: "What Child Is This?" It was an uncommon question because it asked about the birth of a very uncommon Child.
"What Child Is This?" The angels who announced this Child's birth on Christmas Eve answered the question like this: "a Savior who is Christ the Lord." The hymnwriter answered it this way: "This, this is Christ the King." They both want to make known the identity of this Child.
The goal of this series is to set before us the unmatched blessing of our Lord's Incarnation -- God becoming man in Jesus Christ! I invite you to join us for worship as we journey through Advent together. And then enjoy some fellowship and refreshments in our Narthex after each service.
- Midweek Advent 1: "The Child Who Is Zechariah's Hope"
- Midweek Advent 2: "The Child Who Is a Virgin's Great Son"
- Midweek Advent 3: "The Child Who is John's Joy"
The St. James Sunday School Christmas presentation will be on Saturday, 12/15, 6:30 pm. Come and see our youngest ones share the wondrous Christmas story!
Christmas Eve worship falls on a Monday this year with our two candlelight services at 7:00 pm & 10:00 pm. This is always such a beautiful service and I look forward to celebrating our Savior's birth with you, our church family!
And don't forget to end out the year with our New Year's Eve Worship at 5:30 pm on 12/31 with communion!
Speaking of family... our family is going to be growing again. Our son Micah and his wife Audrey will be adopting a newborn baby girl in February. The whole Clan rejoices with them and we celebrate this new addition to the family! She will be much loved by all of us! We are also looking very forward to the Clan Christmas gathering at our house over the weekend of December 7-9-10! It will definitely be a wee bit crowded, but it will be great to all be together. It is always especially a delight to see our herd of grandkids all together!
I look forward to making this journey through Advent with you, celebrating our Savior's birth, and looking forward to our New Year together!
~ Pastor Brooks
| OFFICIAL ACTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baptisms | 1 | Elliot James Bantien (10/28/18) |
| Funerals | 4 |
Benjamin Liesberg (11/3/18) Marilyn Dorer (11/7/18) Jim Kienke (11/12/18) Timothy Shields (11/19/18) |
| Confirmations | 0 | |
| Weddings | 0 | |
Good Shepherd Preschool
Family Night was a success! Both preschool classes gathered to craft Christmas ornaments. Always good to have fun as a preschool family.Coming in December...
Preschool Christmas Program ~ Tuesday, 12/18, at 7:00 pm! Both classes join together in song to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Step back from the “busy” of Christmas and reflect in the true joy of Jesus’ birth.
Classroom Christmas parties with gift exchange! ~ Wednesday, 12/19 & Thursday, 12/20
Blessings to all for a Christmas filled with Christ!
Sunday School
We are still collecting candy for the White Lake Christmas Parade on 12/1, at 2:00 pm.We will meet at the church Saturday, 12/1, at noon to prep the float. We need to line up over in Whitehall by 1:00 pm. We will be teaming up with the Choir! Come out and see us as we represent St. James Lutheran!
Saturday, 12/01 ~ Christmas Parade!
Sunday, 12/02 ~ Lesson/Christmas Program Practice
Sunday, 12/09 ~ Lesson/Christmas Program Practice
Saturday, 12/15 ~ Christmas Program Practice @ 11:00 am
Saturday, 12/15 ~ Christmas Program – parents please have your children here by 6:10 pm
Please join us for our the 2018 Children’s Christmas Program on Saturday, 12/15, at 6:30 pm, down in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday school will have our Christmas Party on Sunday, 12/16.
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, 1/13/19, at 9:30 am!
Merry Christmas!
MIDWEEK Calendar 2018 - 2019Family Dinners are provided free at the Youth House at 5:30 pm each week *Advent and Lent weeks are shortened to 6:30-7:15 for 7:30 Service.
Nov.28 Armor of GOD Lesson 4
*Dec. 05 Singing at SKLD(previously Heartland Healthcare)
*Dec.12 Christmas Lesson, Shut- In cards
*Dec.19 CHRISTMAS PARTY
Dec.26 NO CLASS - CHRISTMAS BREAK
Jan. 09 Armor of GOD Lesson 5
Jan. 16 Armor of GOD Lesson 6
Jan. 23 Armor of GOD Lesson 7
Jan. 30 FUN NIGHT
Feb.06 Armor of GOD Lesson 8
Feb.13 Armor of GOD Lesson 9
Feb.20 Singing @White Lake Assisted Living
Feb.27 FUN NIGHT
*Mar.06 Armor of GOD Lesson 10
*Mar.13 Armor of GOD Lesson 11
*Mar.20 Armor of GOD Lesson 12
*Mar.27 Easter lesson Service project-Easter baskets & Shut-In cards
*Apr.03 NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
*Apr.10 Armor of GOD Lesson review
Apr.17 NO CLASS - HOLY WEEK
Apr.24 End of year REWARD PARTY!
Jr. Youth
Every Sunday at 9:30 am, in the Blue Room!Sr. Youth News
Advent Soup Suppers!Come over to the Youth House for supper before our Advent Services:
Wednesday, 12/05, at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, 12/12, at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, 12/19, at 6:00 pm
The Senior Youth will be hosting Free Babysitting on Saturday, December 8th!
You can drop your kids off from 9:00 am–2:00 pm (the calendar says 1:00 but it goes until 2:00 pm!!) Go take care of Christmas shopping or just go have a long cup of coffee! If you would like to include your kids, please sign them up on the Youth board! We need to know how many kids to plan for! Lunch will be provided.
Looking Ahead...
We have a Sr. Youth lock-in scheduled during Christmas break on Thursday, 1/3, at 6:00 pm!
Nation Youth Gathering 2019
REAL. PRESENT. GOD.
LCMS 2019 Youth Gathering
Minneapolis – July 11-15, 2019
The Age to participate: Entering into 9th grade summer 2019 through 12th grade.
Love Family
Thank you for the wonderful free will offering and Thrivent Financial for funds to purchase bedding for the Love Family. All three boys are now with grandma and have beds, pillows, blankets, and sheets.They were very thankful for all of that!
Love family Christmas tags will be posted on the sign-up board. Our new family are grandparents that just received custody of the teen age grandsons! Can you imagine? Thanks for the money donated to get them mattresses and bedding! Starting "over" is difficult, again, thank you for helping!
Scrip News
2018 is wrapping up and we are gearing up for Christmas already! Scrip is a great way to do both holiday shopping and everyday shopping like gas and groceries. Buying gift cards through the Scrip program is easy and practical. Just buy and spend gift cards at face value, and a percentage of each purchase is donated to the church. Using Scrip means earning money shopping where you normally shop- at places like Wesco, Walmart, Montague Foods and Meijer. Over a hundred stores donate a percentage every time you purchase gift cards through the Scrip program.If gift-giving is part of your Christmas tradition, consider buying gift cards through the Scrip program, either to shop with or to give as gifts. We keep a large inventory of gift cards on hand in during Advent so our most popular items are cash and carry. We cannot stock everything that is available, but we take orders to have available the next Sunday.
We have expanded to include online ordering from your computer or smart phone and electronic debiting from your checking account. Many stores and restaurants offer card reloads and electronic scrip while donating the same percentage to the church. More opportunities to earn money while you shop!
The first step is to set up your online account at shopwithscrip.com using the code for our church: F33BE4F34514. Details about online ordering and electronic payment are available at the scrip table. Stop by and ask for a packet!
What’s new:
- Walmart: available in $25 or $100 gift cards, now available for reload at shopwithscrip.com, 2.5% donation
- Bob Evans: available in $10 gift cards, 10% donation, now also available as eScrip at shopwithscrip.com
- Ruth Chris Steakhouse: now available in $50 or $100 gift cards or as eScrip from shopwthscrip.com, 10% donation
- DSW: now available in $25 gift cards or as eScrip from shopwthscrip.com, 8% donation
- Chico’s: now available as eScrip only at shopwithscrip.com, 6.5% donation
- White House Black Market: now available as eScrip only at shopwithscrip.com, 6.5% donation
- Vera Bradley: now available in $50 gift cards or as eScrip from shopwithscrip.com, donation 7%.
- World Market: now available in $25 or $100 gift cards, or as eScrip from shopwithscrip.com, donation 7%.
- Spotify: now available as eScrip only at shopwithscrip.com, 7% donation
- Wayfair: now available as eScrip only at shopwithscrip.com, 6% donation
- EBay: No longer available.
- Charming Charlie: No longer available
The Scrip Committee
Monday Morning Men’s Bible Study
The Men’s Bible Study will start a study of Galations ~ “The Wonderous Grace of God”, on January 7, 2019, at 8:30 am. If you are interested, please sign up on the bulletin board. We will need to order a book for you. Hope to see you there!“The Sounds of Christmas” ~ A Musical Celebration of the Christmas Story
Performed by the St. James Lutheran ChoirPlease join us on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at ~ 8:15 am, 10:45 am and 7:00 pm
“Be still, and know that I am God...
“Be still” and reflect on the simple reason for the season...
Jesus, a beautiful baby born in a manger... the Savior for all.
His Arms Kenya
The Second Annual “His Arms” Bake Sale is coming Sunday, 12/9. Be sure to pick up your Christmas goodies and help this life-changing mission, too! God bless and have a very Merry Christmas!
Kathi Strahl
The 2019 Offering Envelopes
are available in the narthex. If you can’t find yours, please talk to Tom Mott (Finance Committee). PLEASE DON’T USE THEM UNTIL JANUARY 2019!!
Used Eye Glasses
In just about any dresser drawer, one can find a pair of eyeglasses that are no longer being used. That pair of eyeglasses can change another person's life. Throughout the year, volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to the Michigan College of Optometry in Big Rapids where student volunteers sort the glasses by prescription strength and package the glasses. MCO is one of only 22 colleges of optometry in the United States and its students are involved in multiple mission trips each year. Most of the recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in developing countries where they will have the most impact. If you have used eyeglasses you no longer need, you can donate them at any time. Our church accepts prescription and reading glasses and plastic and metal frames. Children’s glasses are especially needed Heartfelt THANKS to all who have donated to this mission and for sharing the gift of sight.
Getting Ready for Russell & Emilie!
Russell and Emilie will be arriving here on Monday, 12/17. We need to organize two small crews…one to spiffy over at the parsonage (date to be determined) and the other to help them unload the U-Haul when they get here. There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board.
Please sign up TODAY where you can help.
Parsonage Pantry Shower
We are requesting items for a pantry shower to help stock the parsonage…items such as: canned goods, boxed foods, gift cards to the local grocery stores, (note: no broccoli or fish products please). Other helpful items would be ziplocs, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, garbage bags, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, ETC… Items can be put on the table across from the Library/Conference room. Please have all donations here by Friday, 12/14! Thanks so much for your help!
Lutheran Witness
Subscription Renewal
Cost: $11.60
Deadline: Sunday, 12/9!
It’s that time again! The Lutheran Witness is available for a limited time at a discounted price.
There are (2) sign-up sheets on the bulletin board, one for “New Subscribers” and one for “Current Subscribers”.
“New Subscribers” ~ fill in your name and complete address, then put your payment in the envelope provided.
“Current Subscribers” ~ Mark a “yes” by your name if you would like your subscription to continue, then put your payment in the envelope provided. If you do NOT want to continue your subscription, please cross off your name.
All payments are due when you sign up!
Order Your Poinsettia Today!
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia for the altar area, Sign up on the bulletin board today!
The cost is $9.00/ea. They can be taken home after the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve Service.
Please make your payment when signing up and put it in the envelope provided!
Deadline is Sunday, 12/16!
Christ the Rock News
THANK YOU for all your donations and for allowing Christ the Rock Food Pantry to place a barrel in the lower entrance of your church. As of December 31, 2018, the barrel will no longer be available. Donations can be taken to Christ the Rock Church at 6985 Indian Bay Road, Montague, Monday through Friday. The office telephone number is 893-8900. For large donations that need to be picked up call Mike at 638-9551. God bless you as you continue to bless others!
~ Christ the Rock Food Pantry
St. James 150th Anniversary
St. James Lutheran's 150th Anniversary Celebration is in 2022! Before we know it, this event will be here. We are still looking for names of church members, past and present, that served in the military. Check the poster in the narthex and add anyone we have missed. Thank You!
Marge Block & Judy Best
| December Birthdays | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/01 | Liam Ramthun | 12/16 | Peggy Rabe |
| 12/04 | David Ramthun | 12/18 | Bill Treptow |
| 12/04 | Jake Wackernagel | 12/18 | Chris Rogers |
| 12/05 | Brent Ramthun | 12/20 | Al Fremer |
| 12/05 | Matt Schultz | 12/21 | Dianne Gardner |
| 12/07 | Karen Chamberlain | 12/22 | Gabbryella Smith |
| 12/09 | Don Schumm | 12/24 | Kellie Rachow |
| 12/10 | Carol Kolbe | 12/24 | Merle Bernhardt Jr. |
| 12/10 | Connor Miller | 12/25 | Amy Jandt |
| 12/10 | Deb Morningstar | 12/26 | Jennifer Moore |
| 12/10 | Marilyn Fisk | 12/26 | Scott Lipka |
| 12/11 | Loren Kroll | 12/27 | Amy Schumm |
| 12/11 | Lyndee Stout | 12/27 | Hayley Smith |
| 12/11 | Pam Sikkenga | 12/28 | Emily Hedges |
| 12/12 | Chris Buchberger | 12/28 | Jim Treptow |
| 12/12 | Sam Wackernagel | 12/28 | Liam Lindstrom |
| 12/12 | Susan Kroll | 12/28 | Marek Bernhardt |
| 12/12 | Valerie Muyskens | 12/28 | Megan Rachow |
| 12/14 | Hailey Sommerfield | 12/29 | Laura Connell |
| 12/14 | Ken Dahl | 12/29 | Olivia Stout |
| 12/14 | Tom Blink | 12/29 | Sue Sikkenga |
| 12/16 | Benjamin Hayes | 12/30 | Jerry Gardner |
| 12/16 | Chloe Stout | 12/30 | June Russell |
| 12/16 | Eric Lindstrom | 12/30 | Marty Tyler |
| 12/16 | Evelyn Hulka | 12/31 | Amy Goodrich |
| SERVING IN DECEMBER | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 | 10:45 | ||
| ELDERS | Greg Neubauer | Jeff O'Connell | |
| TRUSTEES | Ron Bailey | Joe Goodrich | |
| ACOLYTES | Aidan Buchberger | Maddie Meacham | |
| USHERS | Ray Grow | Brad VanBergen | |
| Bob Wackernagel | Ken VanBergen | ||
| Jake Wackernagel | Jeff Stevens | ||
| Sam Wackernagel | Bruce Baxter | ||
| ALTAR CARE | Marge Block | ||
| PRAYER PARTNERS | 2nd | Bob Stevens | Brad Nordlund |
| 9th | Cantata | Cantata | |
| 16th | Bob Wackernagel | Rusty Streblow | |
| 23rd | Jake Wackernagel | Bill Van Frank | |
| 30th | Sam Wackernagel | Todd Tryska | |
| GREETERS | 2nd | M/M Rich Kessler Jr. | M/M Tom Kring |
| 9th | Marge Block | M/M Ken VanBergen | |
| 16th | Jim Neubauer | M/M Bruce Baxter | |
| 23rd | M/M Frank Morningstar | M/M Jeff O'Connell | |
| 30th | Pat Ehlke | M/M Todd Tryska | |
| MULTI-MEDIA | 2nd | April Lipka | Marek Bernhardt |
| 5th | Eric Lindstrom (Advent ~ 7:30pm) | ||
| 9th | Eric Lindstrom | Eric Lindstrom | |
| 12th | Alicia Koski (Advent ~ 7:30pm) | ||
| 16th | Alicia Koski | Eric Deremiah | |
| 19th | Jeri Wonders (Advent ~ 7:30pm) | ||
| 23rd | Jeri Wonders | Jackson VanBergen | |
| 24th | Eric Lindstrom (Christmas Eve ~ 7:00pm) | ||
| Friday Family (Christmas Eve ~ 10:00pm) | |||
| 30th | April Lipka | Marek Bernhardt | |
| 31st | Eric Lindstrom (New Year's Eve ~ 5:30pm) | ||
| COFFEE | 2nd | Mary & Phil Albrecht | |
| 9th | Diane Babcock & Erika VanBergen | ||
| 16th | Connie Kring | ||
| 23rd | Dorianne Family | ||
| 30th | Sandy Veltman & Tara Sikkenga | ||
| NURSERY | 2nd | Lauren Mills | |
| 9th | no one scheduled | ||
| 16th | Jill Squire | ||
| 23rd | no one scheduled | ||
| 30th | no one scheduled | ||
| ALTAR FLOWERS | 2nd | Connie & Tom Kring ~ 45 years | |
| 9th | Marge Block | ||
| 16th | Tom & Tracy Sheesley | ||
| 23rd | Gloria Alvarez | ||
| 30th | |||
Funeral Families
If we have a funeral, Eileen Schroeder, 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. Eileen will let you know what is needed.
If you are unable to fulfill your assigned duty, please make arrangements with someone before or after you on the list. Thanks!
Just a reminder... Special Service Coverage
1st Service people are on for Wednesday, 12/05 @ 7:30 pm, Wednesday, 12/19 @ 7:30 pm, & Monday, 12/31 @ 5:30 pm2nd Service people are on for Wednesday, 12/12 @ 7:30 pm, & Monday, 12/24 @ 7:00 pm.
The Sr. Youth cover the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve Service.