FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS: ANTICIPATION…

Christmas is so wonderful that some people begin preparing before Thanksgiving! Others start as soon as the turkey gets cold. “Nobody” waits until Christmas Eve like our ancestors of generations gone by.

Who can blame the early birds? The lofty meanings, the holy events, the positive feelings, the wonderful hopes…they represent the best of our humanity and still better of our Savior. So we get ready. We prepare. Let them come. Advent and Christmas.

Goes an old pop song, “An-ti-ci-pa-a-a-tion is making me wait; Is keeping me wa-a-a-a-a-i-ting.” Anticipation is a big part of what the season called Advent is about in church and home.

But we aren’t waiting for God to send the Christ. Not really. God has sent him. We have a Savior!  Why would we pretend we don’t…even for a few weeks?! We DO anticipate that he will come again, as he promised. During Advent, we look forward in deep hope that Jesus’ coming will be a great and wonderful day for the world’s needs, indeed for us. He will complete his kingdom work.

And we aren’t waiting for Jesus to be born. He has been born. Why would we pretend that Christmas has never been, even for a few weeks?! Our children know better than this. We DO anticipate the wonders of Christmas Day. We DO look forward to a season of promises kept that will be born (again) in us.

So during Advent we anticipate God completing the healing salvation he has started in the world and in us. We tell the ancient Biblical stories to learn how our ancestors waited, watched and hoped, so that we can learn to practice these disciplines, too.

We use candles, calendars, daily prayers and readings, Advent songs, special giving.

The Advent candles we bless at church can be brought into our homes on a smaller scale. Each night at supper, we can light the candles and bless them and our homes with hope.

Advent booklets or calendars can be used after supper or at bedtime to tell the story, to pray for God’s world and to mark the day and time until Jesus comes.

The Advent Offering Envelopes can be filled at home by children, brought to church and offered by children. You can talk about the poor and the hungry – and how Jesus was born poor yet loving to us and that celebrating Christmas is helping the poor and the lost know his love.

And perhaps - just perhaps - keep the presents and Santa-fed excitement hidden away until near the end to build anticipation into an exciting, spirit-filled celebration.

Anticipation helps Christmas to continue through the 12 days, and the forwarding-looking hope to become a vital part of our faith. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come soon”….even today.

THANKSGIVING AND GIVING

I pause in thanksgiving about our worship attendance this year. More have been coming to hear the gospel and to offer our prayers together.

I pause in concern about our giving in worship. The Financial Secretary, Jim Teahan, reports that this is the poorest 4^th quarter in many a year. We depend on increased offerings in the final months to finish the year in the black. Jim informs us that is not the case this year.

Better attendance. (Hurrah) Lower giving. (Boo-hoo!) What are we to do?

I have prayed about it. This is what I am led to do. Though Ellen and I tithe to God, we do not give all of our tithe to church. So during December, we will increase our weekly giving by $20/week.

I don’t know how much it will take together to catch up. But Ellen and I are led to do this? I ask, are you being led to act, also?                                                                                    

AMONG OUR MEMBERS:

BAPTISM

On Christ the King Sunday, November 26, Cade Jaxon Sanborn, son of Dan and Amy (Lewis) Sanborn, became a citizen of Christ’s kingdom through baptism. Dan and Amy came home for Thanksgiving. Joe and Amber Rozycki, also home for Thanksgiving, were his Christian Sponsors. His membership will likely be recorded at Christ Lutheran in Milford where the Sanborn’s attend. Glory to God in the highest.

BIRTH

Ella Danielle to Daniel and Allison Landry on November 8. Congratulations.

MOVING

Carl Berner, Immanuel’s member of longest standing, is selling his Grand Ledge home to live with his sons in Florida, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. Godspeed and God bless.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

ALL SAINTS' DAY
Service of Remembrance

The custom of commemorating all of the martyrs of the Church on November 1st goes back at least to the third century.  In modern practice, All Saints' day commemorates not only all the martyrs, but all of the people of God.  If November 1st does not fall on a Sunday, the Day is celebrated on the Sunday after November 1st as All Saints' Sunday. A few years ago, we began offering married couples an opportunity to renew their marriage vows at a special Service held near Valentine's Day. For those who had lost their spouses, an alternative observance has been held on All Saints' Day.  Someone asked why this could not be extended to include a remembrance of others who were not spouses. If you have some thoughts or desires concerning this, please talk to Pastor Rick or Pastor Paul.

2006 CROP WALK

Immanuel Lutheran Church raised $3873.95.  That is $610.95 more than last year.  Great Job Immanuel!!!!!!!!!   We are making a difference!!

BASKETS OF HOPE

Sunday, November 19 was Basket of Hope Sunday.  Thank you for your offerings, donations of bake goods & purchases at the bake sale totaling $574. We will use these funds for Christmas food and gift baskets for some of the needy families in the Grand Ledge area.  Again, thanks for your support.

ADVENT OFFERINGS TO G.L.E.A.P.

All gifts given in the special “Advent” envelopes will be given to our neighbors in need through the Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program.  (NOTE: Offerings made in the special envelope marked "Christmas" will enter into the “General Fund” for the congregation’s budget.)  

RESULTS OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2006

Ø       Budget for 2007 was approved.

Ø       Council Members for 2007 are:

LUTHER LEAGUE II
(for Seniors)

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, December 11, 2006.  We will travel to the Red Cedar Grill at the Lansing Mall located next to Barnes and Noble.  Come celebrate Christmas.  Bring your white elephant to exchange.  Meet at church at 11:30 am to carpool to the  mall. Contact Tom or Elaine Mattson if you have questions.

DECORATING THE SANCTUARY

Worship Committee will be decorating the Sanctuary with red & marble poinsettias this Christmas. If you are interested in purchasing a poinsettia, please contact Bev Becker, 627-2025 by Sunday, December 10.

ELCA TV

If you get the Hallmark Channel on cable or satellite, check out 2 ELCA shows this month:

  Dec. 17 @ 7 a.m. Davey and Goliath’s “Snowboard Christmas.”

  Dec. 24 @ 9 p.m. “Joy to the World”

Another new ELCA show, “Introducing Jesus of Nazareth” will be shown on ABC stations in Grand Rapids and Traverse City this month, but in the church office, we have not seen it listed locally.

Opportunities to Serve:

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, December 3 we will be decorating the Church for the celebration of Jesus birth.  Come worship at 8:00 or 10:30.  Come to the pig roast dinner following the 10:30 service, and then stay and help decorate the church for Christmas. There will be caroling and crafts for the kids, also.

NOTES:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It’s the end of another year and time for us to send our thanks to all of you.  Each and everyone of you has been a great help to us. If you said prayers for us or if you gave us financial help it was all appreciated. We enjoy greeting and talking to all of you. We wish you a blessed Christmas season and a joyous New Year.

We would also like to say thank you to the Immanuel Choir, they do a beautiful and inspirational musical presentation always.  May God bless you all!

            Your friends,
Ruth & Bob Buckley

Immanuel Family,

“Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in Truth.” 1John 3:18

Your actions in our time of sorrow showed God’s love to our hearts.  Your kindness, your service in providing food for the family and your show of support touched us deeply. Please know we greatly appreciate all you have done for us.

In Christ Love,
The George Kollman family

Dear Friends of Immanuel,

Thank you so much for your response to Kids Hope USA.  We have at least 15 mentors signed up to work with children at Greenwood.  What a wonderful outpouring of love! What a blessing to have such a caring congregation! Thank you! Thank you!  Thank you!

God bless you all,
Lyn Danes
Kid’s Hope Director

I learned a long time ago to remove your hat or whatever a male attendant might wear as soon as one is entering a Christian church.  This is in reverence to your God and Savior!  For some, this might sound out of date BUT it is not. In case you have to cover your head out of medical reasons you are excused.

Ernest  Floeter

Your pastor and staff extend their wishes to you for a blessed Christmas.  We all thank you for your support for our efforts, for your efforts to serve with us, and especially for your countless prayers for us.  May Christ be praised in all we do.

CELEBRATIONS:
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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