FIRST FRUITS - o.b5z.neto.b5z.net/i/u/10140391/f/FIRSTFRUITS_1215_-_Copy.pdf · FIRST FRUITS WE...
6
FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON December 2015 Volume 18 No. 12 First Things First… O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! On Sunday, November 29 th , we will begin observing the four Sundays before Christmas known as the season of Advent. This is the beginning of the Christian liturgical church year. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “Adventus” which means “coming or grand entrance”. The early church observed this as a time of spiritual preparation for the “coming of our Lord”. During the weeks of Advent as we participate in this time of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, we hear from Scripture words from the prophets pointing us to Christ’s birth. It is also a time for Christians to look with hope for the second coming of Christ. It is a unique time of the year when we should step back and focus on what it really means to be a Christian, in the here and now. Advent should also be a time of intentional prayer where we pray for the light of Christ to fill not only the very darkest corners of our world, but also to illuminate our lives. Together let’s plan to quietly listen to the voice of God through Scripture and song over the next few weeks, and to pray that the light of Christ’s love will fill our hearts with hope, peace, joy and love. Remember…this journey is embedded in our worship and fellowship together as we move along a historical and theological road pilgrimaging into the birth of Christ. As we do so, expect to experience a range of emotions. From hope to joy, worry to peace, a yearning for deliverance and very possibly a life- changing transformation from darkness into the “Light of the World” as we will focus on the need for repentance and purity as we make the journey. Also remember that Advent has a three-fold meaning in the life of the church: 1. The coming of the Messiah in the flesh in the person of Jesus. (He came.) 2. The birth of Jesus not only in the flesh, but in our hearts. (He still comes today.) 3. The coming of our Lord at the end of history. (He will come again.) Watch your bulletin each week for details of the themes and content of each of our Advent services. I look forward as we together prepare for our Lord’s coming in the weeks ahead. Advent Events… This Sunday, November 29th beginning as always in worship of our Lord, the first candle on our Advent Wreath will be lit. Children of all ages are invited to join us beforehand in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School Hour for refreshments and a Make-it and Take-it Advent Wreath Workshop. Sunday School Christmas Program will be held at 10:45 am during our regularly scheduled worship on December 13. If your child or grandchildren plan to participate, please call the church office with their names. I so look forward to continuing our ministry together as we enter into the Season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Pastor Donna You Are Invited! On Wednesday, December 23 ~ Christmas Eve’s Eve Come Join Us For some Holiday Cheer! Come & Go 12:00 – 8:00 At the Parsonage Rodney & Pastor Donna’s Open House 302 Oscar St.
Transcript of FIRST FRUITS - o.b5z.neto.b5z.net/i/u/10140391/f/FIRSTFRUITS_1215_-_Copy.pdf · FIRST FRUITS WE...
FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON
December 2015 Volume 18 No. 12
First Things First…
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
On Sunday, November 29th
, we will begin observing the four Sundays before Christmas known as the season of Advent. This is the beginning of the Christian liturgical church year. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “Adventus” which means “coming or
grand grand entrance”. The early church observed this as a time of spiritual preparation for the “coming of our Lord”. During the weeks of Advent as we participate in this time of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, we hear from Scripture words from t from the prophets pointing us to Christ’s birth. It is also a time for Christians to look with hope for the second coming of Christ. It is a uni is a unique time of the year when we should step back and focus on what it really means to be a Christian, in the here and now.
Advent should also be a time of intentional prayer where we pray for the light of Christ to fill not only the very darkest corners of our wo our world, but also to illuminate our lives. Together let’s plan to quietly listen to the voice of God through Scripture and song over the ne the next few weeks, and to pray that the light of Christ’s love will fill our hearts with hope, peace, joy and love.
Remember…this journey is embedded in our worship and fellowship together as we move along a historical and theological road pilgrimaging into the birth of Christ. As we do so, expect to experience a range of emotions. From hope to joy, worry to peace, a yearning for deliverance and very possibly a life- changing transformation from darkness into the “Light of the World” as we will focus on the need for repentance and purity as we make the journey. Also remember that Advent has a three-fold meaning in the life of the church:
1. The coming of the Messiah in the flesh in the person of Jesus. (He came.) 2. The birth of Jesus not only in the flesh, but in our hearts. (He still comes today.) 3. The coming of our Lord at the end of history. (He will come again.) Watch your bulletin each week for details of the themes and content of each of our Advent services. I look forward as we together prepare for our Lord’s coming in the weeks ahead.
Advent Events…
This Sunday, November 29th beginning as always in worship of our Lord, the first candle on our Advent Wreath will be lit. Children of all ages are invited to join us beforehand in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School Hour for refreshments and a Make-it and Take-it Advent Wreath Workshop.
Sunday School Christmas Program will be held at 10:45 am during our regularly scheduled worship on December 13. If your child or grandchildren plan to participate, please call the church office with their names.
I so look forward to continuing our ministry together as we enter into the Season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
Pastor Donna
You Are Invited!
On
Wednesday, December 23 ~ Christmas Eve’s Eve
Come Join Us For some Holiday Cheer!
Come & Go 12:00 – 8:00
At the Parsonage
Rodney & Pastor Donna’s Open House
302 Oscar St.
First School
And Day Care ews
First school has 70 children and a full time factored
enrollment of 42. This year our Thanksgiving Feast
was a big success. Most of the parents came as
well as grandparents! We sure have a lot to be
thankful for this year! Also, I wanted to say a
special “thank you” to those who helped me lay
grass on the playground! It was a big help as we
are working so hard to get these kids outside! We
have a “Happy Birthday,” Jesus celebration coming
up on Friday, December 18th! Also our school will
have a float in the parade. This year the theme is
super heroes and our super hero will be Jesus! I
am also encouraging all of you to come out to our
Christmas Play, "Silent Night" on Tuesday,
December 15th, starting at 6:30 pm. We will have
the audience participating by singing along
to beautiful Christmas carols through the play. It
will be a heart-warming experience to see the
children focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Hope to see you there!
Many Blessings,
Bree Joines
First School Director
--- --- -- --- --- ---
12/06 Psalm Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6
12/13 Psalm (Isaiah 12:2-6); Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18
12/20 Psalm (Luke 1:46b-55); Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45[46-55]
12/27 Psalm 148; 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52
First School Activities
Entry in Annual Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 3rd
First School Pre-K Christmas Program
Tuesday, December 15th, 6:30 p.m.
Happy Birthday Jesus Party
Friday, December 18th
WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US
OR
Office hours: Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 4:30pm Wed: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Phone: 979-543-5847 Email: [email protected]
12/08 James Stewart
12/09 Ed Campbell
12/13 Doug Mathews
12/13 Daniel Wilfert
12/15 Jake Herrington
12/15 Jacqueline Lundy
12/18 Pat Marek
12/19 Karen Kight
12/22 Colton Labay
12/25 Loretta Johnson
12/26 Cori Bram
12/07 Michael Barosh
12/14 Lori Fiedler
12/23 Ted Schoenfield
12/24 Shirley Chatel
12/26 Daniel Wilfert
12/11 Harry &Marilyn Kight
12/11 Philip & Sheila Miller
12/22 David & Karen Kight
COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, December 17
th
6:00 p.m.
Pray for our loved ones
In the Military
Jake Barosh Sarah Langston Michael Monreal
Pastor Donna Zipp:
Email: [email protected] Phone: 979-332-2938
Our FLC Family
Dorothy Atchetee
Charles & Vernell Bard
Lorene Bard
Judy Bezdek
Henrietta Bram
Elenora Hadash
Thomas Hernandez
Nora Hollingsworth
Robert Hollingsworth
Jimmy Joines
Harry & Marilyn Kight
Justin Lormand
Forrest & Norma Newton
Odis & Lorraine Newton
Elsie Overstreet
All caregivers of FLC
First School – Teachers,
Families and Children
Friends of FLC
Eddie Graeter
George Jalowy
Vanessa
Lawrence & Marcy Berglund
Valrie Gann
Grace Lowery
Norma Englund Joslin
Vernon Winfield
Avery Roan
Shanelle Henson
Persecuted Christians
Anthony Preite
Meredith Borak
Ray & Penny Janak
A.W. Tvrdik
Rose Merta
Danevang Lutheran Church
Steve Burke
Lynn Messmore
Colleen Harris
Riley Sless
Sgt. Aaron Felty
Jackson Barnes
Chris & Gina Mattingly
WOMEN OF THE WORD
MEETING
Monday, December 14th
6:00 p.m.
WOW Food Drive
Sunday, December 6th
Prayer Meetings
December 2nd, 9th, & 16th
5:30 PM
(Before Advent Service)
Everyone is invited!
A Prayer for Christmas Day
“Rejoice, rejoice, this happy morn. A Savior unto us is born”
(LSB 391). What joy we have as we give glory to God for
sending us a Savior! We praise God for the good news the
angel announced to the shepherds at Bethlehem: “Unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord” (Luke 2:11). Let us give thanks to God for the gift of His
Son for us. Amen.
--- Portals of Prayer (October-December, 2015) p.109
Advent Schedule
Prayer Time – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
6:00 Advent Service: HOPE
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
6:00 Advent Service: PEACE
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
6:00 Advent Service: THE JOY OF LOVING JESUS
* * * * *
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
“What Child Is This?”
Thursday, December 24th 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Mall
December 5th & 6th
The Women of the Word will have their booth at
the Christmas Mall. They are looking for
volunteers to help with this project. Please sign
up to help.
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Anyone interested in being part of
a choir for the Christmas Eve service,
please contact Helen Kight.
Looking Ahead . . .
December 27, 2015 –
A Service of Lessons and Carols
January 5, 6, and 7, 2016 –
The Three Days of Prayer
Bible Study will begin again on Wednesday, January
6th and continue through Wednesday, February 3rd. + + + + + + + +
Flower Chart
There are open dates on the Flower Chart for the month of December. Please check the chart and sign up if you would like to provide flowers during this month.
End of Year Giving
All donations must be in the church office by
Dec. 31st
in order to receive credit for 2015.
All contributions received Jan. 1st
or later will
be credited to 2016, regardless of the date on
the check.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2
Prayer Time
5:30PM
Advent Service 6PM
3
FS in Christmas Parade
Manna Meals 5-6:30PM
4 5 WOW Booth @ Christmas Mall
6 Sunday School 9:30 AM
Worship Service 10:45 AM
w/Communion WOW Booth @ Christmas Mall
7
Manna Meals 5-6:30 PM
8 9
Prayer Time
5:30PM
Advent Service
6PM
10
Manna Meals 5-6:30PM
11
12
13 Sunday School
9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM
Christmas Program
14 WOW
Meeting 6PM
Manna Meals 5-6:30PM
15 Newsletter Items Due
First School Pre-K Christmas
Play 6:30PM
16
Prayer Time
5:30PM
Advent Service
6PM
17 Church Council
Meeting 6:00PM
Manna Meals 5-6:30PM
18 Happy Birthday Jesus Party FS
19
20 Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM
w/Communion
21
Manna Meals 5-6:30PM
FLC Team serves
22
23 Open House @Parsonage Noon – 8PM
24 Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service 7:00PM
FS closed
25 Merry
Christmas!
FS closed
26
27 Sunday School
9:30 AM Worship Service
10:45 AM
28
29 Church Office
Closed
30 Church Office
Closed
31 Church Office
Closed
December Responsibilities
ASSISTING MINISTER: Calvin Borak
SEXTON: Gaynard Wigginton
USHERS: Lynn Talafuse, Gaynard Wigginton
ALTAR GUILD: Helen Kight, Nelda Wagner
ACOLYTES READER
6th
Angelina Tijerina, Gabriella Tijerina Helen Johnson 13
th Nick Woodson, Ryan Woodson
Kirk Marek
20th
Sawyer Schoenfield Ty Schoenfield
24th
Sarah Thane 27
th Nick Woodson, Ryan Woodson
Nelda Wagner
If you are unable to serve on your date, please find someone to take your place.
DECEMBER FLOWER
CALENDAR
December 2015
6th
Open
13th
James & Sheila Herrington
20th
Open
27th
Open
First Lutheran Church
304 Oscar
El Campo, TX 77437
979-543-5847
Email: [email protected]
ESTABLISHED FEB 1893
Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century.
Donna Zipp, Pastor Helen Marie Kight, Organist
Christine Richter, Office Manager Bree Joines, Director of First School
Join us on FACEBOOK or check us out at
www.FIRSTLUTHERANEC.COM
CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Calvin Borak, Billie Jean Bram, Nerissa House, Doug Mathews,
Sheila Miller & Ted Schoenfield.
Our Newsletter
can be found on
our website at www.firstlutheranec.com
Join us for our Christmas Program
on Sunday morning, December 13th!
Sunday School – 9:30 a.m
Worship Service – 10:45 a.m.
