FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
WELCOME ADVENT ... CHRISTMAS .... CHRIST!

Many welcome Christmas. Religious people. Culture-appreciating people. Active Church goers. Not-so-active Church goers. Not-sure people. Bored people. Party people. Secular people. Business people. It means different things to different people because it is the “season of giving.”

Fewer welcome Advent. However, I do as a disciple of Jesus. We do as Church. Advent is a reminder that “what” is coming and we are preparing is a “Who.” It is not Christmas that we celebrate. It is Jesus, God’s precious Son. He comes to this mixed-up world.

The “Christmas season” for the world (actually Advent for us) has become so crass and secular. “Happy Holidays” is the greeting. “Sales” beginning by Halloween because it is the season for giving lots of presents; songs, family movies, TV specials that have nothing to do with Nativity or God coming to save us. It is a spiritual relief to turn away into the season of Advent and remember that it is the Son of God who came from his heavenly home to live and die for us…to take us into his home, the kingdom.

Welcome, Advent. He is coming again.

Welcome to the world. Welcome, Christmas.

We are preparing for you.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

SERVICES DURING CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT
Advent Sermons: God’s Road to Us

The prophet announces to God’s people, “Prepare a royal highway.” The Royal Highway was a main road into the city of Babylon. It had statues and steeles (historical markers). At special times it functioned like Pennsylvania Ave. in D.C. Isaiah says the real King is coming on his road to save us. During Advent, the sermons will look at “God’s Road to Us.” The Gospel texts will be used.

Special Needs Service

A special needs service will be held on Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m.  This service is for members, families, and friends who find it difficult to attend a regular service. Pr. Rick will be presiding and Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Lunch following the service sponsored by Luther League II.

Christmas Eve Schedule

	4:00 p.m.	Family/Children’s Eucharist Sermon: The Story of (the real) St. Nicolas Children’s liturgy
	7:30 p.m.	Service of Lessons and Carols with Candlelight Scripture Readings and music for the Grand Ledge Community (No sermon) Bell Choir, Immanuel Choir, Soloists
	11:00 p.m.	Candlelight Holy Communion. Sermon and special music

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT

Immanuel’s Youth will be offering free babysitting in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday, December 7 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please sign-up on the bulletin board in the entryway to reserve a spot for your children. Registration is required to help us plan activities and have proper supervision.

LUTHER LEAGUE II

Anyone who has attended a LLII group activity or who are thinking of joining the group, please take this opportunity to come share in the holiday season.  Reservations are required:  Please contact Carol Weigel or Joyce Oswill.  Note: This will include an organizational meeting and final details for the Special Service on December 14.

	Christmas Party Monday, December 8th at House of Hsu, Grand Ledge
	¯¯Evening of Music¯¯ Friday, December 19 ~ 7:30 p.m. at the Opera House. Rick Fracker will be performing. Cost: $15 Call Carol Weigel (622-2944) for tickets and reservations

GAME NIGHT!! 

The Friendship Club is meeting for games and snacks in member homes on January 10, 2004, 6:30 -- 9:30 p.m.  Mark your calendars now!  Sign-ups will be posted late in December in the Church lobby.  Make a New Year’s resolution to have fun and get to know other people in the congregation.  Game nights continue to be very successful with good turnouts.  We have especially seen lots of our new members join us  -- this is a great way to make friends and new acquaintances.  Looking ahead…….we plan on a Dinner for 8 in February and a Family Game Night in March.  Call Jim and Marlaine Teahan at 627-5637 for further information.

PEW CUSHIONS

Coming soon Pew Cushions Be watching for more information after the first of the year.

SPECIAL GIFT FOR PR. RICK AND ELLEN MCKENZIE

It’s that time of year when we say thanks to Pastor Rick.  As a congregation we are truly blessed to be served by him. Anyone wishing to contribute to this cash gift may do so by giving your donation to Wayne Christiansen or the church office by December 12.  Please make checks payable to Wayne Christiansen. The gift will be given to them on December 14 at the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service.

REFINANCED MORTGAGE

As was mentioned at the Annual Meeting in November, we have refinanced the mortgage for the Church. We were able to change from a rate of 7-3/4% to 5-7/8%. Everything else stayed the same. The length of the contract did not change. At this time we have $391,000 left on the mortgage. The change in interest rates saves us $566.00 per month. We have decided to take that savings and apply it to getting the building fund back to a three month cushion. Once we have that, we will re-evaluate the money and make a decision on where to apply the savings.

Also the mortgage is paid from the building fund. When we give in the offering envelopes, if nothing is marked on the envelope, all the offering is applied to the general fund. We cannot take general fund money and apply to the mortgage. Please mark the portion of the offering you are making that you would like applied to the building fund.

We are also looking for people interested in serving on a Building and Property Use Task Force. This group will look at our property and hopefully look at the various alternatives of how we can use our property and present these alternatives to the Council and Congregation. The Task Force will not have to make recommendations, but rather to brainstorm and see if they can find as many feasible uses as possible. If you are interested in being involved in this, please contact Wayne Christiansen or John Van Hoesen.

Opportunities to Serve:

HANGING OF THE GREENS

GREETER TEAMS ARE FORMING!

Outreach Committee is currently putting together Greeter Teams that will serve once a month as a Greeter.  We have 3 teams so far for the 10:30 service and are looking for 2 more teams, composed of 2 or 3 people.  (At the 8 o’clock service we currently have 1 team.)  If you are selected to be on one of the Teams, you will receive training on Greeter duties (besides being warm and friendly to visitors and regular worshippers!)  Outreach’s goal is for Greeter Team members to learn faces in the congregation so that visitors can be recognized and provided with a warm welcome and helpful information as they join us for worship.  We are looking for people who are able to commit to participating for one year.  Please call Marlaine Teahan at 627-5637 or Orv Erickson at 645-2865 to indicate your interest. 

YOUTH NEWS:

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP

Are you interested in getting together Sunday, November 30 in the afternoon?  If yes, call Mike Morrall (622-0057) or Teresa Barcy (627-5493). We are thinking of going to the new IMAX Theater, but we are open to suggestions please call us.

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S DESK:

Hello Everyone!

Here we are and it is December already. So many things going on, we all have too many places we have to be, and way too much hustle and bustle. I hope we can all take the time to remember and celebrate what Christmas and the Advent Season means to us as Christians.

For me, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends. But one of the biggest parts of the season for me is the many celebrations that take place in the church this month. It is a time for a renewal of ourselves as Christians and a chance to put all the glitter of the season aside and find some peace within ourselves. There is nothing quite like the Christmas Eve service for me. I have always found this to one of the times of the year when I personally feel closest to God. It may be the candles, the choir, the full congregation, of just the reminder from our Lord to take some time for ourselves and marvel at the wonders and the blessings we have been given as a community, congregation, nation and as individuals.

My wish this season is that we are all able to appreciate the gifts God has given to all of us and use them in a way to help our church and allow us to feel good about ourselves.

Merry Christmas,

CELEBRATIONS:
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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