News

IN OUR PRAYERS  Tom D., Katherine R., recovering from surgery; Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer. 

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
  12/16—1 Peter 1-5  12/19—2 John  12/22—Jude
  12/17—2 Peter 1-3  12/20—3 John
  12/18—1 John 1-5  12/21—Various

BAPTIZED UNTO THE LORD  We rejoice with Morgan S. on the baptism of her son during the 10:45 am service today.  Sawyer Michael was born November 5, 2012.  Sawyer’s sponsors are his maternal grandparents, Mike & Marla S.  His great-grandmother is Linda S.  May the Lord bless and keep this family in his loving care.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM, Live from Bethlehem will be presented this evening at 7:00 pm.  Come hear the children talk and sing about the first Christmas, the story of our Savior’s birth in Bethlehem.  It is a beautiful story, made all the more special when interpreted through the voices and faces of our children.

ADVENT SERVICES  This Wednesday at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm will be the last of the special midweek worship services for Advent.  We invite you to take the time and join with others and remember, Jesus is The One Who is Coming.

WEDNESDAY CLASS SCHEDULE  The mid-week class and Bible Study group will not meet this Wednesday.  The Jr. Confirmation class, band and men’s ensemble practice will meet as usual.  The week between Christmas and New Years there will be no Wed. evening activities or classes.  The normal schedule and times will resume on Jan. 2, 2013.

LWML ANGEL TREE  If you chose a resident and have not yet brought your “angel gift” and placed it under the tree, please do so sometime today.  We thank you for your willingness to give and to help others this holiday season.

ELDERS’ MEETING  The Elders will meet Monday evening at 7:00 pm.  The newly elected Elders are invited to attend this meeting.

CROSSLINES WORK DAY is this Friday beginning at 8:00 am.

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, DOROTHY F.  This Friday, December 21, we rejoice with Dorothy on the occasion of her 100th birthday.  Her family has invited you to help honor this milestone with them at an open house celebration here in the Fellowship Hall from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, Dec. 22.  No gifts please. 

2013 OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2013 offering envelopes are on the table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2012 envelopes and use only the 2013 envelopes beginning Sunday, January 6.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

PERIODICALS  The new Portals of Prayer and LWML Quarterlies are available in the narthex.  Please help yourself.

FLOWER CHART, 2013  If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the narthex after each service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.  We have had reports and words of thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry.

CD’S AND TAPES OF THE SERVICE  Audio tapes and CD’s of the service are available after the service each Sunday.  They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

IN OUR PRAYERS  Kahlie P., and her unborn child; Katherine R., recovering from surgery;  Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer. 

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
  12/9—Heb. 1-2   12/12—Heb. 8-10  12/15—James 1-5
  12/10—Heb. 3-4  12/13—Heb. 11-13
  12/11—Heb. 5-7  12/14—Various

ADVENT SERVICES  We have special midweek worship services on Wednesdays at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.  We invite you to take the time and join with others for these special Advent services and remember, Jesus is The One Who is Coming.

MIDWEEK SCHEDULE  The Midweek schedule for Wednesday is changed during the Advent season beginning this week.  Confirmation Class, Midweek School, Bible Class, and men’s ensemble practice will all start at 6:00 p.m.  Please note this change in time.

THE OVER-50 GOOD SHEPHERDS will meet this Thursday evening at 6:00 pm.  Bring a dish to share and join the fun!

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM, Live from Bethlehem will be presented next Sunday evening at 7:00 pm.  Come hear the children talk and sing about the first Christmas, the story of our Savior’s birth in Bethlehem.  It is a beautiful story, made all the more special when interpreted through the voices and faces of our children.

YOUTH GROUP will not be meeting next Sunday.

LWML ANGEL TREE  Gifts to the residents at Cedar Hill Apartments need to be returned to the church by Dec. 16.  Please remember to attach the “angel” to your gift.  We thank you for your willingness to give and to help others this holiday season.

SHEPHERD’S STRINGS  Our own Shepherd’s Strings have a full schedule of times they are playing at different sites around the area.  What a wonderful way to share the Christmas message with those in our community.  Thank you.   

2013 OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2013 offering envelopes are on the table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2012 envelopes and use only the 2013 envelopes beginning Sunday, January 6.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

PERIODICALS  The new Portals of Prayer and LWML Quarterlies are available in the narthex.  Please help yourself.

FLOWER CHART, 2013  If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the narthex after each service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.  We have had reports and words of thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry.

CD’S AND TAPES OF THE SERVICE  Audio tapes and CD’s of the service are available after the service each Sunday.  They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

IN OUR PRAYERS Karen P., recovering from back surgery; Katherine R., recovering from surgery; Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer.

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
12/2—2 Thess. 1-3 12/5—2 Tim. 1-4 12/8—Philemon
12/3—1 Tim. 1-3 12/6—Titus 1-3
12/4—1 Tim. 4-6 12/7—Various

WOMEN’S HOLIDAY EVENT: Dinner, Secret Sister Reveal, Ornament Exchange, Cookie Exchange The LWML sponsored evening for all ladies of the congregation, is this evening. Dinner will be served promptly at 5:00 pm. Hostesses for the evening are Janet C., Brenda K. and Lora W. To participate in the ornament exchange game, simply bring a wrapped tree ornament (no more than $5.00). All those who wish to participate in a cookie exchange should bring batches of cookies on a decorative plate. We will also be drawing for our Secret Sisters for 2013. You don’t have to be a member of the LWML to enjoy this fun evening! Hope you can make it!

CONGRATULATIONS We congratulate Amber H. and Michael W. who were united in marriage in a private ceremony here on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 28. Amber is the daughter of Kathy S. and the granddaughter of Bud & Ruby S. We pray for blessings for this couple as they begin their lives as husband and wife.

ADVENT SERVICES We will have special midweek worship services on Wednesdays at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. We invited you to take the time and join with others for these special Advent services and remember, Jesus is The One Who is Coming.

MIDWEEK SCHEDULE The Midweek schedule for Wednesday is changed during the Advent season beginning this week. Confirmation Class, Midweek School, Bible Class, and men’s ensemble practice will all start at 6:00 p.m. Please note this change in time.

CHURCH BREAK IN Sometime Thursday night or early Friday morning the church was broken into. They gained entry through the nurse’s office window. The church alarm was set which impeded what they could access, so only a minimal amount was taken.

SECURITY We have taken an added security measure by mounting an intercom/camera/bell system to the outside of the church office door. If you come by and the door is locked, and you know someone is here, simply press the button, this allows whomever is here to see and talk with you. This does not mean that the door will now always be locked, but this added security and protection is for when someone is here by themselves. We know you will be understanding, even if it might inconvenience you at times. Also, a reminder to everyone…if you unlock any door to the church, please make sure that the doors are locked when you leave.

LWML ANGEL TREE Date change/correction. Gifts to the residents at Cedar Hill Apartments do not have to be returned here to the church until Dec. 16, instead of Dec. 9. Please remember to attach the “angel” to your gift. We thank you for your willingness to give and to help others this holiday season.

CHRISTMAS ANGELS Diana E. is asking for angel figurines, large to ornament sizes (newly purchased, or used that are in good shape), that you would like to donate to the church. She will be using them in the decorating of the church for Christmas. Thank you.

SHEPHERD’S OWN Our own, Shepherd’s Own men’s ensemble, will be singing a half hour program at three different Carthage Nursing homes next Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9. Thanks, gentlemen, we know the residents will enjoy your time with them.

CD’S AND TAPES OF THE SERVICE Audio tapes and CD’s of the service are available after the service each Sunday. They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers. They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

IN OUR PRAYERS Karen P., recovering from back surgery; Dorothy L. and Linda S., recovering from knee surgery; Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer.

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
11/25—2 Cor. 10-13 11/29—Phil. 1-4
11/26—Gal. 1-6 11/30—Col. 1-4
11/27—Eph. 1-6 12/1—1 Thess. 1-5
11/28—Various

LWML ANGEL TREE In the narthex you will find an Angel Tree set up by the LWML. One of our missions for the Christmas season is to purchase Christmas gifts for the residents of Cedar Hill Apartments in Joplin. These folks, who suffer from mental illnesses, are on their final phase of assistance before going out independently on their own. Unfortunately, many of them have no family to support them or to give them gifts. If you would like to help by purchasing a gift or gifts, simply take an angel from the tree, wrap and return it to the church by Dec. 9. (Please attach the gift angel to the outside of your gift.) Each resident has two angels with a gift request. Check out the larger angels attached to the ribbon on the wall and read what they have said about themselves.

TRUSTEE/KITCHEN COMMITTEE MEETING There will be a meeting of the “kitchen committee” on Wednesday evening at 7:00.

WOMEN’S HOLIDAY EVENT: Dinner, Secret Sister Reveal, Ornament Exchange, Cookie Exchange The LWML sponsored evening for all ladies of the congregation, is next Sunday, December 2. Dinner will be served promptly at 5:00 pm. Hostesses for the evening are Janet C., Brenda K. and Lora W. To participate in the ornament exchange game, simply bring a wrapped tree ornament (no more than $5.00). All those who wish to participate in a cookie exchange should bring batches of cookies on a decorative plate. We will also be drawing for our Secret Sisters for 2013. You don’t have to be a member of the LWML to enjoy this fun evening!

CHRISTMAS ANGELS Diana E. is asking for angel figurines, large to ornament sizes (newly purchased, or used that are in good shape), that you would like to donate to the church. She will be using them in the decorating of the church for Christmas. Please have them here by Dec. 3. Thank you.

CD’S AND TAPES OF THE SERVICE Audio tapes and CD’s of the service are available after the service each Sunday. They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the narthex after the service. You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers. They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace. We have had reports and words of thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry