Noteworthy News 12/11/11

MUFFINS FOR MITES Please join us in fellowship this Sunday as the Priscilla Guild sponsors "Muffins for Mites". Your fellowship donations will go to support the continued mission work of the LWML.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday's lesson is the story "An Angel Visits Mary". In the womb of Mary, Jesus, the Son of God, became a man so that we sinful people might become adopted children of God and share in the inheritance of heaven. Parents might ask, "How does God make us His children? What do we inherit as God's children?"

CAROLING AND SOUP SUPPER Bring the whole family for a night of caroling, fellowship and a soup supper (soup will be provided). We will be spreading the joy of Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 17 to our congregation members who are unable to make it to our services. Meet at the church at 4pm. Contact Willis Wulf for more information. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Our Christmas program this year is "Here He Comes!" and will be held on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 4pm. A soup supper will follow the service. Contact Sonya for more information. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex if you would like to provide cookies for after the children's program. Rehearsal for the program will be Saturday, Dec. 17 at 8:30am.

ORGAN PROGRAM A few more volunteers (9th grade through adult) are needed to help run the virtual organ program on Sunday mornings and at special services. The more people that are in the rotation, the less times each person would have to commit. The program is simple to run, and training will be provided. If you would like to help our congregation in this way, or if you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Sue Lacy.

POINSETTIAS Once again we will be accepting monetary donations to purchase poinsettias for the church for Christmas. You may place donations in the collection plate (noted for poinsettias). Please make checks payable to St. Paul with "flowers" in the memo line. Donations need to be turned in by Sunday, Dec. 11. Your donation amount will be included in your yearly church contribution amount. Thank you.

MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES continue on Wednesday evenings through December 21. A meal is served at 5:15pm by our church youth (freewill donation), and the service begins at 6:30pm. The midweek program meets at 7:15pm.

DIRECTORY UPDATE I am planning to update the church directory in January, and I would like to include email addresses and cell phone numbers as well as home mailing addresses and home phone numbers. During the month of December there is a current directory on the table in the Narthex, so please take a look and make any corrections or additions needed to your listing. Tracy

PRAYER CHAIN SIGN -UP I am planning to update the church prayer chain in January. Our church has an email chain and a call chain. During the month of December there is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you would like to be added or removed from the list. Thank you. Tracy

ADVENT DEVOTIONS for Lutheran Hour Ministries are available in the Narthex. Take as many as you would like, more copies can be made.

TERRI LYNN nuts and candy are for sale again this year. Prices range from $6 to $10 per bag. All proceeds go toward Priscilla Guild mission projects.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped decorate the church last Sunday. It looks beautiful! Special thanks to Mike and Sue Lacy for donating the beautiful outdoor wreaths hung at the church entrance. Also, thank you to Lea Snedden for making the Advent banners. They are a great visual as we prepare for Christmas and the youth Christmas program.

IOWA LUTHERAN SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATION Students in our Lutheran schools need your help! As God the Father sent His son Jesus as the most awesome gift to us, what will you give? The Iowa Lutheran School Tuition Organization continues to need funds to meet its goal of $483,700. You have only a few weeks left to give. Iowa Lutheran schools are able to bring more students into their schools because of this financial aid. Remember the financial benefit to a contributor is a 65% tax credit on Iowa income taxes which can be carried over for five years. For more information about donating to the ILSTO, go to www.iowalutheransto.org or contact Lois Warnsholz at 563-391-1304 or lois.warnholz@lsportal.net. Donation forms are available on the table in the Narthex.

SPECIAL PRAYERS THIS WEEK Matt Wieben, Marjorie Legband, Family of Heinz Blankenhagen, Family Irene Slach, Jay McCarty, Bonnie Moore

NEWS FROM DIRECTOR OF FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY

The Advent midweek schedule continues through the month of December. All youth who are signed up to help with Advent meals will need to be at the church by 4:30 or 4:45. We will serve the meal at 5:15pm. Worship begins at 6:30pm (all youth are expected to attend) and class will follow. This will take place on Wednesdays, December 14, and 21. The 28th we will not have midweek due to the Christmas break.

SR. HIGH YOUTH are invited to a Christmas party on Sunday, December 11 from 5-8pm at Banwarts. We'll eat pizza, decorate cookies, watch a move and have a white elephant gift exchange($5 limit). Bring any Christmas movie you have, and we'll vote to decide what to watch. See you then!

There are Christmas cards for sale. The bottom half of the Dayspring display on the right is filled with lovely holiday greetings. Merry Christmas!

Last week: 12/4/11
Worship: 103 Sunday School: Adult-12 Children-24 10:15 Bible Study: na Wed. Evening Prayer Service: 55

Contributions:
Last Week: $ 4,719 Goal $ 2,819
This Year: $153,895 Goal $138,113

***In case of inclement weather during this winter season, please refer to KCRG, KWWL or KGAN for church closing information. In the event that time precludes closing, use safety and godly common sense as a guide!***