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Lesson for This Weekend:

Luke 2:8-20

Regular Worship Services Saturdays, 5:30 PM

Sundays, 8:00 & 10:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Study

Sunday 9:30 AM

Welcome to Worship! Members and Visitors—Please complete the worship attendance cards in the pews and

place them in the offering plates. If you are visiting with us, we welcome you!

We hope to meet you at Fellowship time (Sunday, 9-9:25 am).

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Newsletter for the Nativity of our Lord Weekend,

December 24 & 25, 2016.

Upcoming Special Services

New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31 Worship Service at 6:00 pm

New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2017 Worship Service at 10:00 am

Sunday, January 29, 2017 Prayer & Healing Service at 10:45 am

This Week at St. Luke’s Sunday, December 25

10:00-Christmas Day Worship (Sanctuary)

Monday, December 26

Church Office Closed

Tuesday, December 27

8:00-Men’s Basketball (FLC)

Wednesday, December 28

4:00-Private Rental (FLC, Youth Loft, Small Gym, Gathering Area)

Thursday, December 29

Friday, December 30

Saturday, December 31

New Year’s Eve 5:30-New Year’s Eve Worship (Sanctuary) 6:00-PADS (FLC, Kitchen & Small Gym)

Met the Match! WOW! Incredible...Praise God! While God gets all the glory, we still want to thank our anonymous donor and the congregational members who have been able to give thus far. Even though we’ve met the match, let’s keep the donations coming! Please prayerfully consider whatever special gifts you are able to contribute, so that we can get the new year off to a good start by bringing all of our outstanding bills, mortgage, and Concordia bills current. Please continue to mark your special gifts with “MDRF” (or “Matching Debt Reduction Fund”), or use the special envelopes available at the Information Desk in the Narthex.

THANK YOU & CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO ALL!

Update: As of December 18, we have received $56,395.00 for the Matching Debt Reduction Fund (MDRF).

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Prayer Request Updates We welcome your prayer requests to pray for your needs or the needs of others. Please remember to submit an update after two weeks so that we can pray more effectively, whether it be prayers of thanksgiv-ing or to continue to pray as directed. Without these updates, the prayer request will be removed after two weeks as we will assume that these needs have been met.

“Pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him.” 1 Timothy 2:1

NO Sunday School & Adult Bible Study for the remainder of 2016. Classes will resume on January 8, 2017.

Pausing The Story for Advent! Advent is a time for preparing for the coming of Jesus. We look forward to His coming by preparing our hearts and our homes. We are looking forward to this Advent season, as we will be anticipating the coming of Christ in some new and exciting ways during our worship services.

We began our Advent study on November 26-27, pausing The Story study and the 9:30 education hour until after the new year. We will resume The Story, along with our adult education, Sunday school, and small group Story studies on the weekend of January 7-8, 2017.

Financial Peace University Coming January 19 Conflict over Money! What do married couples fight over? The #1 subject is money. This is not necessary – often it’s simply because people do not know how to make wise financial decisions (or, their partner doesn’t!). Prevent fights – learn some new money-management skills through Financial Peace University, a nine-session course beginning Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 pm in the school Multi-Purpose Room. The first six to sign up are free! (after that, it’s $99 per person or couple.) Call the church office to sign up! (630-892-9309, or chris.hanson@stlcfamily.org)

Food With Friends The next Food with Friends will be January 15, 2017 at noon and will be hosted by Chancel Guild. Even though it’s the Food with Friends for 2017, our theme is the “LAST Supper”. Here’s your challenge….Please bring a side dish or dessert that starts with the first letter of your LAST name! CHancel will be providing CHicken! Please sign up in the binder on the Information Desk!

If you are looking to host, we still have March 2017 open!! Sign up in the binder at the information desk or call Bruce Twedt at 630-892-2964.

OWLS January Luncheon The OWLS January luncheon will be Thursday, January 12 at Noon. We will meet at Olive Garden in Oswego, and order from the menu. OWLS (Older Wiser Loving Seniors) is fellowship for all people ages 60 + or younger if you want to! Please sign up on the OWLS board! Any questions call Florence Cahill at 630-892-5649.

Janitor Needed! St. Luke’s is in need of an afternoon janitor for 15 to 25 hours per week and starting as soon as possible. Maintenance ability is a plus. To apply contact Nancy McNeilly at nancymcneilly@stlcschool.com or 630-896-2348. Applicants will need to pass a background check.

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THRED Project Lutheran Hour Ministries is starting a new project called THRED. At Lutheran Hour we want to engage 25-35 year-olds in a conversation about Life, Faith, and Jesus. That is why we started the THRED project. The goal of the project is to dialogue with people who have either left the church or have never been involved in church at all. We are striving to have a conversation, and to have a conversation you need voices…PEOPLE! So, we are looking for Christians who are willing to be on our Online Ministry Team and share the Hope of the Gospel with people online. Members of our Online Ministry Team will participate in two types of ministries.

1. Email Ministry: Our team members will respond to questions from people who have logged into THRED.org and have specific questions for a THRED representative.

2. Social Listening Ministry: In this ministry, we search online for people who have publicly posted on forums about questions or problems that they are having. Our team members respond with empathy, the hope of the Gospel, and Christian resources.

Online Ministry Team members will receive training through an online training system, coaching, and ongoing opportunities to connect to other volunteers to learn and pray together. Team members will commit to 2-3 hours a week for terms of six-months. Because this is an online volunteer opportunity you can participate anywhere, anytime!

Join us in this ministry and join the conversation today! Apply online at www.lhm.org/volunteer.

Photo Session Hosts Needed I am in need of Host/Hostess to greet folks when they arrive for their photo session and to check them in. Please review the photo session times on page 8, and if your schedule will allow you to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Contact Bob Cano at bobc8539@att.net or 630-881-5954.

POINSETTIAS Thank you to all the individuals and families who purchased the poinsettias used to beautify the sanctuary for the Christmas services. The plants will be available for pick up after the Christmas Day services by those who purchased them.

Tom & Chris Seibert The Davis Family Nancy Vargo Carol Steinwart

Tim & Shandra Tremain Sylvia Rogers Angie Daniels Connie Pittman

Chris & Nancy Nelson Steven & Heather Claxton Kim & Chloe Pearce Connie Pinks

Bruce & Helen Twedt Marilyn Bogda Bernadette O. Schmidt The Ludwig Family

Henry & Sheila Treftz

Thank you to all those members who so generously blessed needy families by providing gifts for names on the Narthex Giving Tree! There will be many happy children and parents on Christmas morning! Many blessings to you this Christmas! (And a special thanks to Hollie Shriber for coordinating it all and ensuring everything was delivered!)

Thank you to those who gave to the Holiday Meal Project for Christmas! We were able to provide holiday meal gift cards to 12 families. Thanks for your generosity!

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2016-2017 Budget & Income (#s reported are as of 12/18/16)

Monthly Need $83,831

Weekly Need $19,345

November Tithe $4,645

Accounts Payable $4,694

Concordia Plan Services (CPS) payments due (6) $69,217

Monthly Anticipated Offering Income for December $86,730

Current Month’s To Date Offering Income Contributions to General Fund $44,278

Current Month’s To Date Income Received from School to General Fund $16,000

Current Month To Date Contribution Total to General Fund $60,278

Previous Month’s Contribution Total to General fund $62,051

Mortgage Payments Past Due (3) $32,217

Budget #s effective 8/2/15: 10.5% Tithe from your offerings includes .5% to LBT,

2% to Mission trip fund, .5% to LCC, .5% to Walcamp, .5% to San Pablo, 6% to NID, .5% to Joe Boway New Life.

General Fund is used for mortgage, CPS, accounts payable bills, and payroll. Does not include contributions given to a specific fund or ministry (Parking Lot Fund, Youth, flowers, etc.).

Accounts Payable includes maintenance, utilities, office supplies, printing, security systems, commercial insurance, ministry expenses (communion, worship, advertising, etc.), and school expenses. (Does not include payroll & mortgage.)

Concordia Plan Services includes health care, retirement, and disability for church and school staff.

Download a QR Reader app and scan here to make a contribution to

St. Luke’s from your mobile device.

Give Online. It’s easy.Give Online. It’s easy. Stlcfamily.org Stlcfamily.org

Last Week’s Attendance

Regular Worship December 17 & 18 227

Communed 85

Advent Worship December 14 63

2017 Offering Envelopes Your January & February envelopes should have arrived in your mail by now. And you should start using them on January 1! If you have NOT received them, or if you wish to opt out for the next mailing please contact Connie Pittman in the Church Office at connie.pittman@stlcfamily.org, or 630-892-9309 ext. 115.

Look for St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on Facebook. Like us and turn on

notifications!

Wayside Cross Ministries for December

In December, we will be collecting, cold meds, aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol. Please place your donations in the LWML box located outside the secretary’s office.

We wish you all a blessed Christmas season and a happy and healthy New Year. Thank you, again, for helping the men at Wayside Cross.

Help Needed to PACK IT UP! Well, it was fun putting it up, and very enjoyable to look at, but now we will need your help on Saturday, January 7 at 11:00 am to take down the beautiful decorations, pack them up, and get them back in storage for next year. If you have any questions, please contact Connie Pittman or Julia Granholm.

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63 Fernwood Road Montgomery, IL 60538 Church 630-892-9309 School 630-892-0310

Reverend Peter Hoffman, Senior Pastor Mrs. Linda King, Principal

stlcfamily.org / churchoffice@stlcfamily.org

Panera Bread Pick Up December 30

Dan & Shirley Anderson

Preacher/Liturgist Al Krodel / Chuck Snyder Acolytes & Cross Bearers 5:30 Jose Sandoval & Emma McGraw 10:00 Jamie Rasmussen & Vinny Hamann Chancel 5:30 Angie Daniels 10:00 Carol Beacham Finance Assistants Cheryl Somers Friendly Callers Tony Abbattista Greeters 5:30 Ron & Bette Seifert / Mike & Ann McCue 10:00 Bob & Kim Hamann Organist/Pianist 5:30 Beth Omar 10:00 Beth Omar Readers 5:30 Debby Springborn 10:00 Brenda Kardatzke Sound & Video 5:30 Doug Treftz 10:00 TBD Ushers 5:30 Elias Omar & Kevin Cuyler 10:00 John Odean & Kelly Biebel Worship Assistants Chuck Snyder / Steve Claxton

Servants for the Weekend of December 31, 5:30 & January 1, 10:00

Planning Ahead

Jan 8-7/8th Confirmation Jan 8-Jr & High School Youth Group Jan 9-Back to School Jan 9-Culver’s Night Jan 9-Stewardship Ministry Meeting Jan 10-14-Directory Photo Sessions Jan 12-OWLS Luncheon Jan 12-Stephen Ministry Jan 12-Prayer Team Meeting Jan 12-School Board Meeting Jan 12-PADS Jan 14-GO Team Jan 15-Youth Breakfast Jan 15-Jr & High School Youth Group Jan 16-NO School Jan 16-Church Office Closed Jan 16-Autumn Leaves Chapel Jan 17-PALS Jan 19-Ladie’s Night Out Jan 19-Financial Peace University Jan 22-7/8th Confirmation Jan 22-Jr & High School Youth Group Jan 23-National Lutheran Schools’ Week Jan 26-Financial Peace University Jan 29-7/8 Confirmation Jan 29-Prayer & Healing Service 10:45 Jan 29-Scout Pinewood Derby Jan 29-Jr & High School Youth Group

DVDs are available! All services are recorded. If you would like a copy, please contact Lisa Steinwart, or leave a note on the credenza in the Narthex.

To Reach the Church During Services If you have an emergency during a scheduled worship service, and need to reach someone at the church, please call (630) 892-9309 ext. 140, and the ushers will take your call.

Newsletter Deadline Any new or updated articles and inserts for the weekly newsletter are due to the Church Office by 3:00 pm on the Wednesday before article is to run. Submit via email to connie.pittman@stlcamily.org or mailbox #82. Any questions, contact Connie Pittman at 630-892-9309, x-115.

Please pick up your January Focus on the Family Bulletin on the Information Desk in the Narthex. New Year equals New Life! And as always, great info on parenting and family!

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St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Newsletter for New Year’s Weekend,

December 31, 2016 & January 1, 2017.

Lesson for This Weekend:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

This Week at St. Luke’s

Sunday, January 1

10:00-New Year’s Day Worship (Sanctuary)

Monday, January 2

Church Office Closed 6:30-Boy Scouts (Small Gym)

Tuesday, January 3

7:00-Choir (Balcony) 8:00-Men’s Basketball (FLC)

Wednesday, January 4

7:00-Prayer Meeting (Sanctuary)

Thursday, January 5

Friday, January 6

4:30-Cub Scout Electronics Overnight (FLC, Small Gym, Kitchen)

Saturday, January 7

8:00-Praise Team (Sanctuary) 8:30-LWML (Library) 11:00-Christmas Take-Down (Sanctuary) Noon-Private Rental (FLC) 5:30-Worship (Sanctuary) 6:00-PADS (FLC, Kitchen & Small Gym)

Altar flowers for this weekend are given by

Terry & Brenda Kardatzke in celebration of Ben Wallace’s 37th birthday on January 3.

Preacher/Liturgist Bob Toepper / Steve Steinwart Acolytes & Cross Bearers 5:30 Henry & Luke Granholm 8:00 Julie Adorjan, Raven Biebel & Ythan Houston 10:45 Hailey Harris & Serena Shriber Chancel 5:30 Carol Beacham 8:00 Veronica Bailey 10:45 Brenda Kardatzke Children’s Message 5:30 TBD 8:00 TBD Fellowship TBD Finance Assistants Gloria Meas & Garrett Rentz Friendly Callers Tim Scott & Shirley Anderson Greeters 5:30 Judy Bakalar 8:00 Kim & Chloe Pearce 10:45 Virginia Stahl & Esther Spitz Information Desk Lisa Steinwart Organist/Pianist 5:30 Ralph Gabrielson, Jr. 8:00 Ralph Gabrielson, Jr. Readers 5:30 Kent Johnson 8:00 Sheila Treftz 10:45 Eileen Wendorf Sound & Video 5:30 Middendorf Team 8:00 Steve Steinwart Ushers 5:30 Tim Scott & Chuck Granholm 8:00 Ruth Henning, Mariann Benda & Miranda Konrad 10:45 Greg & Bonnie Randa Worship Assistants Steve Steinwart / Tom Gargrave

Servants for the Weekend of January 7 & 8

Panera Bread Pick Up January 6

Ruth Henning

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We wish to thank all the families who have scheduled their photo sessions for the 2017 Photo directory.

There are still prime times available. Don’t miss out, schedule your appointment now!

Here’s How:

On Line: Go to our website www.stlcfamily.org , on the home page under What’s Happening at St. Luke’s click on “info/link regarding the new photo directory” and scroll down to “on line scheduling at” and click on the link and just follow the prompts.

At Church After Services: A station in the Narthex will be available for schedul-ing after all the services. No manned scheduling station over the Christmas week-end. However, written appointment request forms will be available.

E-mail: E-mail Bob Cano at bobc8539@att.net include the following info, Name, Phone, e-mail address, number of folks in the photo, day and hour you wish to schedule your session. Your session will be scheduled sometime during the hour you selected. You will receive an e-mail confirmation.

Phone: You may phone Bob Cano at 630-881-5954 to schedule your session.

Photo Packet: After you have scheduled your photo session, be sure to pick-up important photo information contained in a plastic bag (Green Lettering “Feed the Need”) on a table next to the rack of devotional booklets in the Narthex.

Military Page: We plan to have a military page for those currently serving. Please contact Bob Cano if you have family serving in the military.

Photo Session Schedule

Tuesday, January 10 from 2pm until 9pm Wednesday, January 11from 2pm until 9pm Thursday, January 12th from 2pm until 9pm Friday, January 13th from 2pm until 8pm Saturday, January 14th from 9am until 3pm.

Photo Sessions are scheduled every 10 minutes. Allow one hour for photo session and review of photos.