Planning for 2010
   We hold our annual congregational meeting today, December 6 at 10:45.  We will hold election of our new officers and review the proposed budget.

Attendance: (last week)
Saturday – 14 & Sunday – 68

Happy New Year!

   Today we begin a new church year.   The first season of the Church Year is Advent, beginning four weeks before the celebration of Christmas. The word advent means arrival. We reflect on his three arrivals: the birth of Jesus, his coming to us today, and his return at the end of time.

   Jesus came long ago in poverty. About 2000 years ago a son was born into this world—to young parents in an old, historic town called Bethlehem, in an occupied territory called Judah. Only the boy's family knew then that Jesus was God's gift—his Son, who was destined to die as the Lamb of God, our Savior.

Thank the Lord

   This year we offer two opportunities for Thanksgiving Eve Worship.  We have both a service at 11:00 a.m. and the evening service at 7:00.  Both services will be the same with a focus on “How to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner.”

 

Thanksgiving--Continuous

   Thanksgiving must be continuous. A regular contribution to the church is a personal manner of religious thanksgiving because we act by faith, acknowledge God's generosity, and enliven our interest in the Giver of all gifts.

Need and Responsibility

   The tradition of community members bringing gifts to the community liturgy reaches back to our Jewish roots.  The Israelites acknowledged that the land was a gift to them from God and they offered the first tenth of the land's produce as a tribute in gratitude to God's goodness. The tithe was given as a sacrifice, but most importantly was accompanied by a spirit of great joy:

   In generous spirit, pay homage to the Lord, be not sparing of freewill gifts.  With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.  Give to the Most High as God has given to you, generously, according to your means. (Sirach, 35:6-9)

Christ Lutheran Chronicles
November 8, 2009

 This Week

Today
10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
10:45 a.m. Bible Adventures

Monday
4:30 p.m. Confirmation Class

Tuesday
9:00 a.m. Pastors meet (Peace)
9:30 a.m. Prayer Group

Saturday
5:00 p.m. Praise Worship