NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

HOT SPRINGS, AR 71901

PERMIT NO. 428

First Lutheran Church

105 Village Road

Hot Springs, AR 71913

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

First Lutheran Church - LCMS 105 Village Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 501-525-0322

E-mail: flchs@flchs.com Website: www.flchs.com

Worship Services 8:30 & 11 a.m. Watch us on Cable Ch. 10 —9pm Mon. & 8:30pm Sat.

December Events

Dec. 9 Christmas Caroling and Movie Night

Dec. 16 Children’s Christmas Program

Christmas Eve Worship Services at 5 & 7 p.m.

Christmas Day Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.

Invite your family and friends to experience the joy of Christmas!

FIRST WORD

SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE

This year we took 25 “Angels” to distribute. Thanks to everyone who took an angel from our tree!

Return unwrapped gifts by December 9. These gifts will be distributed on Saturday, December 15.

Families will come to the Christmas Center and the Christmas Gospel will be shared with them by local

pastors as the children receive their gifts. If you would like to volunteer with the distribution , contact

Pastor Jon or the Salvation Army @ 623-1628.

Week 49–Dec.3-8, 2018

Monday Proverbs 1:1-3:35 Tuesday Proverbs 4:1-27 Wednesday Proverbs 5:1-6:35 Thursday Proverbs 7:1-27 Friday Proverbs 8:1-36 Saturday Proverbs 9:10-18

Week 50–-Dec.10-15, 2018 Monday Proverbs 10:1-11:31 Tuesday Proverbs 12:1-13:25 Wednesday Proverbs 14:1-15:33 Thursday Proverbs 16:1-17:28 Friday Proverbs 18:1-19:29 Saturday Proverbs 20:1-21:31

Week 52–Dec.17-22, 2018 Monday Proverbs 22:1-23:35 Tuesday Proverbs 24:1-25:28 Wednesday Proverbs 26:1-27:27 Thursday Proverbs 28:1-29:27 Friday Proverbs 30:1-31:31 Saturday Eccl. 1:1-2:26

Week 52-Dec.24-29 , 2018 Monday Eccl. 3:1-4:16 Tuesday Eccl. 5:1-6:12 Wednesday Eccl. 7:1-8:17 Thursday Eccl. 9:1-10:20 Friday Eccl. 11:1-12:14 Saturday Song of Songs 1-3

2018

Feel Good—Give Blood! Sunday, December 2 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, you must be 16 years old and have a picture ID

with you. Let’s set a new record for units of blood donated to our

community with this drive. Donors get a limited edition long-sleeve

t-shirt for the holidays!

CHRISTMAS CAROLING PARTY

Sunday, December 9 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us as we sing Christmas carols

and share Christmas love with home-bound members of

our congregation on December 9! This activity is great

for young families and senior citizens alike. Here’s the schedule:

3-5 p.m. Sing Christmas carols at member homes and nursing homes

5-6 p.m. Back to church for a potluck supper of Christmas goodies

6-7:30 p.m. Christmas Movie “Silver Bells”

This faith-filled comedy tells of a father who discovers the true meaning of Christmas when

he is sentenced to community service as a Salvation Army bell ringer, following a brawl with

a referee at his son’s basketball game.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE DONATIONS WELCOME: We will assemble cookie plates to

gift each of the people we visit!

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Sunday, December 16 @ 6:00 p.m. (see page 4 for more details)

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES

Monday, December 24

5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

Tuesday, December 25

10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Worship

with Holy Communion

Ministry Highlights! Are you ready? Not only do we

want to finish well at the end of life,

but there are many things we want

to finish well throughout our life.

As we come to the end of the year

with all of the Christmas preparations, we tend to have a

lot to get ready. The same is true here at the church.

We have a church to decorate, a children’s program to

practice, extra organ and choir music to get ready, extra

services to plan, and so much more. Just check the list

of things going on here at First Lutheran in the month of

December. We are one busy church that loves to put

our faith into action!

But the one thing that often gets overlooked at this

busy time of year is our hearts! As we seek to get

everything else ready for Christmas our hearts and lives

can become frazzled, stressed out, exhausted, even upset

as others don’t help or do the things we want them to

do! This season is filled with all kinds of expectations

that don’t always get met the way we would like.

That is why I want to encourage you to take the time

you need this month to take care of you and your

spiritual and emotional health! I want to encourage you

to take the time to…

Enter into God’s Presence! In Psalm 16:11 it says,

“You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal

pleasures at your right hand.” That is what God wants

to do every time we enter into His presence with

hearts that are hungry for Him and His kingdom

blessings. He wants to fill our hearts with joy and

peace. In fact, if you really listen to His voice you will

hear him saying, “Come away with me and spend time

just with me.” It’s what I hear Him say to me! There

is no substitute for time spend in God’s presence

in worship, in the Word, in prayer, and in the fellow-

ship of the believers. So take the time this month to

be in worship every Sunday. Consider coming to one

of our many midweek Bible Studies. Commit to read-

ing Portals of Prayer, an Advent Devotion or the To-

day’s Light Bible reading every day. Get away and

just spend time in prayer with a listening ear to what

He wants to say to you. This is the best gift you can

give yourself this Christmas!

Listen to Christmas Music! The love of God fills

each Christmas song as it speaks of the birth of our

Savior Jesus. Let the words and the music minister to

your heart this season as you take the time to really

listen to what is being sung and proclaimed for all the

world to hear! My plan is to go and hear Handel’s

Messiah this year at St. Luke Episcopal Church.

Growing up it was one of my favorite things to listen

to at this time of year. Feel free to join me! You will

be blessed!

FIRST WORD

Bring Christmas to Others! One of the greatest joys

of this time of year is when we get to share the love

of God with others. We get blessed even as we seek

to bless others. You can join us for Christmas

Caroling, bringing a Christmas meal to Chaucer Street

Apartments and to the Juvenile Detention Center

(God willing), buying a special gift for a child on the

Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree, and more!

There are some amazing opportunities we have to

pour out God’s love to others and to be blessed in

return!

Know that God wants to bless you richly this Christmas

season. So take the time to take

care of yourself on the inside!

You will be glad you did. If there

is anything I can do to help you

in this way, please stop by and

see me. I would love to help!

Can’t wait to experience all

these wonderful things with you

this month! Love you all!

Pastor Jon

END OF YEAR GIFT: As you consider your end of

year giving to special things I want to encourage you to

join me in giving a special gift to our building fund. The

current balance is now just under $300,000. Every gift

that is received will go toward the principal of the loan.

This will get us closer to the day when we can burn the

mortgage and have extra dollars to put toward life

changing ministry! It will also be a great day to celebrate

the gift the Family Life Center has been to our church

and the ministry that has taken place there over the

years. If you have any questions, please come and see

me. I would love to tell you all about it!

Statement of Income & Expense 1/1/18—10/31/18

Church Total

INCOME $ 374,121

EXPENSE $ 355,151

Gain $ 18,970

Baptisms in November: 11/11 Ellanie Dawson Wyatt

Keaundra Marie Brown

Nariyah Snow Lawson

Saniyah Star Lawson

11/25 Emma Grace Wardlow We welcome you to our church family in Jesus’ Name!

DECEMBER 2018

KEEP IN PRAYER

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8 a.m.

Just for Men Children’s

Practice 11:00 am

2

7:45 Choir 8:30 Communion

9:45 Classes 11 Worship

BLOOD DRIVE

3

4

5 9:00 Bible Study Lifehouse After

School Program

Bible Study 6:30pm

6

6:00am Men’s Breakfast

Bereavement

Group 3pm

7

8 8 a.m.

Just for Men

9 7:45 Choir 8:30 Worship 9:45 Classes

11 Communion CAROLING

PARTY 3 PM. 5-8 Grade Party

10 LWML

12:00 pm

.

11

12 9:00 Bible Study

Lifehouse After

School Program

Bible Study 6:30pm

13

6:00am Men’s Breakfast

14

15

8 a.m.

Just for Men

Christmas Program Practice

11 a.m.

16 7:45 Choir 8:30 Communion

9:45 Classes 11 Worship

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 6 PM.

17 .

18

Chaucer Street

Lunch Noon

19 9:00 Bible Study

Lifehouse After

School Program

Bible Study 6:30pm

20

6:00am Men’s

Breakfast

Bereavement

Group 3pm

21

22

8 a.m.

Just for Men

23 7:45 Choir 8:30 Worship 9:45 Classes

11 Communion

24

CHRISTMAS

EVE

SERVICES

5 & 7 PM

25

CHRISTMAS

DAY

SERVICE

10 AM

26

27

6:00am Men’s Breakfast

28 29 8 a.m.

Just for Men

30 7:45 Choir 8:30 Worship 9:45 Classes

11 Worship

31

New Year’s

Eve

Members:

Ernestine Neighbors Pat Bennett Barb Meiners Shalanya Grigsby Pastor Roy Jacob Judy Slebodnik Joanna Hanson llse Stritzke Phil Benton Family and Friends Loretta Thompson (Don Thompson) Larry Smith (Laurie Smith) Elayne Moore (Noack) Natalie Kelmer (Taylor) Barbara Cutler (Slebodnik) Noah Campean (Benck) Colleen Hufford (Slebodnik) Billy Taylor (Taylor) Michelle Needler (Henry Thompson) Sissy Jones (Richter) Steven Swanigan (Johnson) J. C. Cloud (Richter) Beth & Kyle Stockwell (Chaney) Keith McCormick (Shirley McCormick)

Page 6

SMALL GROUPS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER! Small groups meet for Bible Study, prayer, and fellowship during the week. Get connected to Christ’s body at FLC... Bible Buddies—Odis & Lorene Burroughs, Leaders 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. at Burrough’s home ChicChat— Caren Knabe, Leader 1st & 3rd Thursdays 5:30 p.m. at Kay Helmich’s home Enlighteners—Lyle & Nancy Reininger, Leaders 1st & 3rd Monday 1:00 p.m. at church Men’s Breakfast—Jerry Edgin, Leader Thursdays 6:00 a.m. at English Muffin Café Wednesdays in the Word — Jackie Johnson, Leader Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. at church Wednesday Evening Study—Wayne Rowland, Leader Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. at church Just for Men—Pastor Jon, Leader Saturdays 8 a.m. Church Fellowship Hall If you would like information on joining a small group or starting a new group, contact the Church Office!

FIRST WORD

Memorials Given— In Memory of Dolly Noack: The Touch Team by Barney & Valerie Bond, Kenny & Christy Allen, the Noack family,

Fred & Elaine Lienemann; Choir Fund by Julie & Keith Keck;

General Fund by Bill & Jean Sexton; Bereaved Fund by Dorothy Oetken

In Memory of Julius Breckling: Building Fund by Cindy Mullett

In Memory of Helen Regina and Jay Taylor: Treehouse Children’s Ministry by Chris & Chris Wilmoth

In Memory of Grace Lane (Rich Chaney’s mother): Assimilation by Kenny & Christy Allen

In Memory of Elaine Martha Ames: Treehouse Children’s Ministry by Chris & Chris Wilmoth

SPONSOR A CHILD IN TANZANIA Falco’s Children’s Village in Karatu, Tanzania needs on-going support for the 80+ orphans who are in their special

family. A wonderful way to share Jesus’ love with these children is to sponsor a child with a monthly gift of $5 or

more. HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD? Choose a child’s picture from the Falco’s Village display.

Go to www.karatu-children-village.com Make a one-time or ongoing monthly gift to sponsor the child

you have chosen. Pray for your child and send emails to him/her at this address:

Info@Karatu-Children-Village.com

Donations can also be sent by mail to:

Falco’s Children Africa, Inc.

PO Box 140714

Broken Arrow, OK 74014.

God bless you for helping to give the orphans at Falco’s Children’s Village a healthy and happy life in Jesus’ love!

Follow this ministry on facebook @ Falco’s Children Village

FYI: KEEP SAVING NEWSPAPER SLEEVES!!! Jackie Wolff is using them all to make mats for the homeless!

SCRIPTURE WRITING FOR DECEMBER

This month, join the women and men who are writing God’s Word each day. Scripture becomes even more

meaningful as you write it. Grab a pen and paper and start writing. December’s theme is “The Birth of King Jesus”.

See the daily Scriptures on the “Snapshots” page in this newsletter or pick up a copy in each Worship Center.

THE WITNESS—Arkansas’ Musical Passion Play

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PRESENTATION—DEC. 8 @ 7:00 P.M. Everyone is invited to a special Christmas presentation of “The Witness” on December 8

@ 7:00 p.m. at the Hot Springs Convention Center Horner Hall. This a free community

event celebrating the birth, life, ministry, death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Donations

are encouraged and will benefit Teen Challenge of Arkansas.

8:30 Worship Service READERS

12/02 Bruin Snider 12/09 Bob Thompson 12/16 Don Thompson 12/23 Anne Stuhr 12/30 Wendy Kitkoski USHERS Don, Arin & CarrieThompson ELDER Randal Brockett Guest Services (Greeter) 12/02 Tanya Spencer 12/09 Cherie Rosborough 12/16 Tanya Spencer 12/23 Sally Kassaw 12/30 Lillian Vail Sunday Office 12/02 Lillian Vail 12/09 Peggy Brockett 12/16 Lillian Vail 12/23 Peggy Brockett 12/30 Joy Martsching ALTAR GUILD Peggy Brockett

DECEMBER—OUR CHURCH FAMILY IN SERVICE

NOVEMBER

ATTENDANCE

8:30 11:00 Total

11/4 106 123 229

11/11 119 130 249

11/18 103 107 210

11/25 107 105 212

Thanksgiving Eve 80

CHURCH ELDERS Randal Brockett 501-701-0269 brockettrandal@yahoo.com

David Rosamond 501-282-1959 djrosamond@att.net

Mark Dillard 501-767-5122 Corey.dillard35@yahoo.com Anthony Johnson 501-282-9938 Keithj72570@hotmail.com Jason Byers 501-282-5493 JasonByers1524@aol.com Brian Shelor 501-282-0338 brian.shelor@cablelynx.com Robert Snider 501-538-7393 sniderathome@sbcglobal.net Will Williams 916-812-1697 mail.wwilliams@gmail.com Clyde Hughley 501-282-9520 clydou1@gmail.com Jim Cozzetto 501-276-6954 jcozzetto@sbcglobal.net

FIRST WORD is online! Find the link on our church’s website www.flchs.com. Haven’t been to our website lately? There’s a whole library of past sermons & videos to watch! And you can register to give your offerings online!

11:00 Worship Service READERS

12/02 Gwendel Ellis 12/09 Clyde Hughley 12/16 Isaac Shelor 12/23 Nancy Slay 12/30 Jackie Johnson USHERS Angela & Jason Looney, Leo Gustafson and Wanice Pitts ELDER Brian Shelor Guest Services

12/02 Wanice Pitts, Pete & Doris Foelker 12/09 Jennifer Shelor, Kateena Walker 12/16 Laurie Smith & Mary Turner 12/23 Willie Brown & Courtney Abron, Marvin Hanson 12/30 Willie Brown & Courtney Abron, Pete & Doris Foelker ALTAR GUILD Peggy Brockett

Page 4 CHILDREN & YOUTH NEWS

DECEMBER KIDS’ CHURCH LESSONS This month, the children are learning the story of the birth of Jesus!

Children age 4-4th grade are excused before the sermon in each worship service.

12/02 Prophets Foretell Jesus’ Coming (Jeremiah 23:5-6) God Keeps His Promises.

12/09 An Angel Appears to Mary (Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-21)

God uses ordinary people who will serve Him.

12/16 Jesus is Born! (Luke 2:1-20) Jesus’ birthday is the BEST celebration.

12/23 Jesus is the Best Gift (Luke 2:1-7) God helps us be BOLD.

12/30 Christmas Movie Party!

CHILDREN & YOUTH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 @ 6:00 p.m. We are planning a very special Christmas program for the children and youth of

our congregation! There will be singing, speaking parts and a great celebration of

the greatest birth in all of history…. our Savior Jesus! We will have practices

on Saturday, November 1 & 15 @ 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

Let’s get our hearts ready for Christmas with Jesus at the center!

REFRESHMENT SIGN UP: We will serve refreshments following the program.

Please sign up this Sunday to bring Christmas cookies, fruit, cheese cubes, etc. Thanks!!

Jackie Johnson, Director

What is Advent? The Church divides the year into different seasons that emphasize the life of Christ and the

life of the Church. Beginning on Sunday December 2nd, 2018, we will enter the season of

the Church year called Advent. Advent is the season of preparation and anticipation leading

up to Christmas. The focus of Advent is two-fold. On the one hand, we prepare to

celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world as both God

and man so that our sins might be forgiven. On the other hand, we anticipate the day when

Jesus will return to Earth and bring an end to this world. Those will be scary days, but we

can look forward to the end of the world with hope because through faith in Jesus, the end

of this world will mean the beginning of a new life with Christ for eternity.

Advent, then, is a time for us to repent and believe. Knowing that Jesus was born to forgive our sins, we repent (admit

our failures to God) and believe that we are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf.

Also, knowing that Jesus is coming back, we repent and believe that when He returns, He will give us eternal life.

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH THRIVENT ACTION TEAMS

On Tuesday, December 18, an Action Team will serve a Christmas lunch at Chaucer Street

Apartments, a 20 unit complex for independent adults with disabilities. We’ll prepare the food

at church in the morning, then serve it in the community room. If you’d like to help with this

project please contact Karen Beyer @ 501-318-8632.

PRAYING THE PSALMS When standing alone...Psalm 124

When bearing a heavy cross... Psalms 30, 34, 86, 94

For trust in God . . . Psalms 18, 31, 121

For country and peace . . . Psalm 132

Submitted by Maxene Hanson, FLC Prayer Ministry

STOMP OUT HUNGER:

Bring donations of non-

perishable food to church

through December 15th!

More details on how you

can join the packing party

and distribution will come soon. Let’s help

stomp out hunger in our community this

season!

Page 5 FIRST WORD

LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission Monday, December 10 @ Noon. Our LWML will have a potluck Christmas

luncheon on Mon. Dec. 10th at noon in

the Fellowship Hall. All women, especially

those new to our congregation are invited

to come & get acquainted. Pastor Jon will

be our speaker.

Shirley McCormick, President

ORDER A POINSETTIA You can help make our church beautiful during this

holiday season by donating a poinsettia plant. Plants may

be taken home following Christmas

Day service. The cost for each plant

is $15.00. A sign-up sheet can be

found by Christy’s office.

WITNESSING: LIGHTING THE PATH

FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SEEK GOD:

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of your

friend. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bless all interactions

with your friends and family.

BE CREATIVE:

Exchange stories of family Christmas traditions. You’ll

learn about others’ current spiritual situation and be able

to share what Jesus means to you.

Invite your friends to make new traditions this year,

especially if the Christmas season is stressful or

depressing. Invite them to read the devotions with you,

go to Advent services or participate in a servant event.

Bring your friend or family member to help work at a

church activity before Christmas. Getting to know

people in a non-threatening way makes them more likely

to attend future worship.

FOLLOW UP:

Devotions from Lutheran Hour

Ministries can help keep your

faith conversations

going. Read, listen, e-mail or

print at lhm.org/advent

.

HOLIDAY GREETING CARD LIST We have a full listing of people

who could use a little extra

cheer this time of the year. Some are shut-in, some have

recently lost someone close, and some are simply alone.

Help us serve the Lord by sending a card to one or more

names on the Christmas card list. Be sure to include on

your card that you are from First Lutheran Church when

you sign your name.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

Boxes (and individual) Christmas cards are available

for sale in the church narthex.

THANK YOU’S:

Dear First Lutheran Church and Women’s

Bible Study Group, Thank you for the

thoughts, prayers, support, and comforting

cards during such a difficult time of my

father’s passing. Your prayers were felt and appreciated.

Blessings, Carina Robbins

THANKS to everyone who participated

in making shoeboxes for Operation

Christmas Child! 67 boxes were

delivered to the drop-off center on

November 19. Let’s lift up the children

around the world who will be blessed

with Jesus’ love through these gifts!

BEREAVEMENT SHARING GROUP Our group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the

month, 3:00—4:30 p.m. in the room next

to the church office. If you, your spouse,

or family members have lost someone to

death and would like to share your feelings

or just listen and be around others who

are experiencing the same feelings and

emotions, then come join us. Emotions

are real and strong and can take over our heart at times,

but there are times to smile and laugh about the good

times. I care!

Sharon Echols

FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE Help us decorate the Christmas tree in

the church narthex for Christmas.

Bring an ornament from your home that

shares the joy of our Savior’s birth and

put it on the tree!