News and Announcements Christ Lutheran Church Eagan Minnesota
December 25, 2016
O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven No ear may hear His coming But in this world of sin Where meek souls will receive him still The dear Christ enters in O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel
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
The new Portals of Prayer is available at the welcome table in the narthex. Be sure to pick yours up today!
Annual Voters’ Meeting – Sunday, January 22, at 11:15am (after Bible Class). Officers and Boards will present their annual reports.
Many thanks to all who donated cash and gift cards to the 2016 Holiday Gift Shop. A total of $595.00 was donated by Christ Lutheran to this community project. Luke 6:38: “Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Blessings from the Human Care Board.
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
Our Gifts to the Lord Dec 17/18 General Fund Dec 12-16 Joyful Response Total Weekly Need
Attendance $2324.35 1200.00 $3524.35 $6935.00
Dec 14, Advent Saturday Dec 17, 5:00pm Sunday Dec 18, 9:00am Sunday Dec 18, 2:00pm Total (weekend)
26 200 38 N/A 238
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.
Erin Bode In Concert Singer/composer Erin Bode mesmerizes audiences with her striking stage presence, an irresistible voice, and a remarkable musical savvy that has positioned her at the intersection of jazz, folk and pop music. Her band features top-notch players with distinctive voicings of their own. Erin composed “Right From the Beginning,” which she sang at the 2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering.
Friday, January 20, 2017 7:30–8:30pm CONCERT CELEBRATING LIFE St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Bloomington Free will offering for Lutherans For Life (above and beyond expenses)
Sunday, January 22, 2017 9:30-10:15am FREE CONCERT CELEBRATING LUTHERAN SCHOOLS Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, Eagan
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 12:45–1:30pm PRE-MARCH FOR LIFE GATHERING Graebner Memorial Chapel Concordia University, St. Paul 2:00pm: MCCL March For Life in front of State Capitol 2:30 pm: MCCL Program on Capitol front steps
Prayer for the Sanctity of Human Life (from Portals of Prayer): For the Life You have granted, from womb to the tomb, we give You thanks, O Lord. Grant the joy of parenthood to all who seek to have children or are with child. Encourage all who work with the ill, disabled, or dying. Grant them compassion and joy in their service. Finally, may all that I say or do in Your name reflect the desire of Your life for all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries "It's Impossible!" December 23, 2016 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered (Luke 2:1). Read Luke 2:1-5. Every year I take my family across three states to spend Christmas with my brothers and their families in Ohio. It's a long trip, but we thoroughly enjoy it, reaching our destination the same day. My father once told me of a Christmas he spent travelling by train from California to Ohio on leave from the Navy. As we remember the birth of God's Son, we recall another long and difficult Christmas journey. That journey was set in motion by a command from the Roman emperor. But standing behind the mightiest man in the world -- Caesar Augustus -- stood God, the ultimate Ruler, moving His Son's chosen mother to the exact place were long ago He had announced His Son would be born. In Micah 5:2 we read, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." In another 30 years a Roman military governor will pass a judgment of his own, commanding this same Jesus to carry His cross on a journey to Mt. Calvary to be crucified. God stood behind that decision too, laying our guilt and sins on His own Son, who made that most difficult of journeys so that we could be forgiven and live with Him forever. THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for taking up Your cross and making that long journey to Mt. Calvary, where You set me free from sin, guilt, death and hell. Fill me with joy and patience no matter where I may travel this Christmastime. Amen.
Prayer for those who travel (from Portals of Prayer): Father in heaven, watch over all who travel. Give favorable weather and concentrated attention to those responsible for the journey, as well as their passengers. Should accidents occur, teach us that You can transform even adversity into a blessing. Remind us all that we are pilgrims in this world. Keep us faithful to You until our earthly journey ends in the everlasting joy of Your presence. In the name of Jesus. Amen.