Dec 18 News and Announcements

News and Announcements Christ Lutheran Church Eagan Minnesota

December 18, 2016

Verse of the Week: Matthew 1:23

Let our gladness have no end, alleluia!

For to earth did Christ descend, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; Christ, His Son, to save us.

Prophesied in days of old, alleluia!

God has sent Him as foretold, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; Christ, His Son, to save us.

See, the loveliest blooming rose, alleluia!

From the branch of Jesse grows, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; Christ, His Son, to save us.

Into flesh is made the Word, alleluia!

He, our refuge and our Lord, alleluia!

On this day God gave us Christ, His Son, to save us; Christ, His Son, to save us.

LSB 381 Text (sts. 1, ref, 2–4) and Tune: Public domain Created by Lutheran Service Builder Š 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Join us for fellowship time after church on Sunday at 10:15 in the Fellowship Hall.

Pick up your 2017 Offering Envelopes on the table in the Narthex! You may have a different number this year, so please do not use older envelopes after the New Year

Religious Christmas Cards are for sale in the Fellowship Hall. You can put your check or cash in the container provided.

The new Portals of Prayer is available at the welcome table in the narthex.

Be sure to pick yours up today!

THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

Silent Night, Holy Night Children’s Christmas Program Saturday, December 17, 5:00 pm Sunday School and Preschool All are Welcome!

Christmas Caroling Wednesday, December 21, 5:30 pm Meet at Eagan Pointe Senior Living Open to All! Pizza at church following caroling, Before Advent Service at 7:00 pm

Our Gifts to the Lord Dec 10/11 General Fund Dec 5-9 Joyful Response Total Weekly Need

Attendance $3916.00 595.00 $4511.00 $6935.00

Dec 7, Advent Saturday Dec 10, 5:00pm Sunday Dec 11, 9:00am Sunday Dec 11, 2:00pm Total (weekend)

19 77 N/A 96

Advent and Christmas Services At Christ Lutheran Church Mid-Week Advent Services Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24, 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm Christmas Day Service Sunday, December 25, 9:00 am

Come to a Circuit-wide Epiphany Evening Prayer Service At Trinity Lutheran Church in Farmington (600 Walnut Street) On Friday, January 6, 2017, at 7:00 pm Offering will Support Mission Work Fellowship time following service

FABRIC NEEDED: Bright colored cotton fabrics are needed for a church project. The cloth will be cut into 2-4 inch strips. If you have fabrics simply taking up space in your rooms, consider donating it to the church.

Please leave your fabrics in the church office. Thank you!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! We at Christ Lutheran, by the Board of Worship, are planning a miniature Renaissance Concert and Faire on Sunday, February 12 from 2 - 5pm.

If you would be interested in volunteering your time for this exciting day, please contact Kelly Callahan at lovelandexpress2@gmail.com.

There will be games, crafts, food and entertainment.

An Advent Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries:

"No Ordinary Baby"

December 10, 2016

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus" (Luke 1:31).

Read Luke 1:30-33.

I love studying the ornaments on our Christmas tree. Each has a history and a meaning all its own; each triggers a memory. But when I was a kid I never really cared that much about the ornaments. For me the best thing was the tree itself -- all lit up and shining in glory.

As Mary looks at the angel shining in all his glory, she is confused and gripped with fear. Gabriel cancels that fear by revealing God has chosen her to be the mother of a very special Son. In simple words he spells out the whole story of Christmas. She will conceive and give birth to a Son, a special Son; His Name will be Jesus.

Sadly, that is all most people see when they pass by a manger scene: a baby lying there in the hay. But we need to pause and step closer, so we can study each detail the angel reveals about Him, just like the ornaments on a tree. First, He says this Child will be great: the greatest human to ever live. Next, he calls Him the Son of the Most High, the mighty Son of God. Now he reveals this Child is born to be King, but He will not be like any other earthly king. Other kings and leaders depend upon the might of their military or the assent of their people to rule. But Jesus' Kingship rests on His strength alone. He does not need an army of angels to keep Him on His throne; nor does He need our consent. In His greatest hour (and ours), He will go to the cross alone. There He will defeat sin, death, hell and the devil for us.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your Son is our mighty King. Receive our thanks for His great salvation and help us spread His reign of grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.