Broadcast 200912

News for God’s people at Peace With Christ Lutheran Church December 2009

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given…. Isaiah 9:6 Pastor Patrick’s Pen ……………………………………………… Reena’s Writing………………………………………………... LWML……………………………………………………………. Joy Circle/Missions & Ministry…………………………………. TAG…………..…………………………………………………… Youth News……………………………..………..……………….. Marilyn’s Memo………...………………………………………... Dates to Remember……………………………………………….. Financial Update ………………………………………………….. Anniversaries …………………… ……………………………….. Birthdays. .…………………………..……………………………..

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FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR Members are invited to sign up to place flowers on our altar for special occasions: in memory or honor of a loved one or a special event. Please sign up on the flower chart located in the Sunshine Hall and see posted guidelines for flowers.

PEACE WITH CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 1412 West Swallow Road Fort Collins, CO 80526 Phone: (970) 226-4721 Fax: (970) 204-1570 Email:[email protected] On the web:www.pwchrist-fc.org Prayer Chain: 229-1459

Pastor: Ralph Patrick Parish Worker: Reena Linke Ministers: Members Editor: Marcy Petago Youth Coordinator: Marilyn Lasich Prayer Chain Coordinator: Cheryl Harsen

Radio Broadcast: KCOL (600 AM), at 9:00 AM Sundays

Church Elders: Wes Nierman, Head Elder.. ……………………………………..………….….226-5936 Ray Kaiser, Worship Elder…………………………………….….…………....223-0987 Dan Krueckeberg, Staff Elder…………………………………….….…….… ..482-9545 Art Pforr, Elder……………………………………………………………… . .223-8533 Dan Prevedel, Elder...…………………………………………………………..204-4008 Michael Rohlfs, Elder………………………...…………….….…….…………482-2663

Church Council: President, Chad Hamilton Vice President, Larry Siegfried Secretary, Ernestine Munsey Treasurer, Lisa Bernhardt Education Chairman, Eric Petago Education Co-Chair, Jane Pennington Evangelism Chairman, Rhonda Kaiser Fellowship Co-Chairman, Kerri Fagan/Linda Siegfried Youth Ministry Chairman, Amy Hoy Missions & Ministry Chairman, Jerry Buchleiter Head Trustee, Fred Kropp Hands in Harmony Chairman, Betty Keeney

Next month’s articles are due Sunday, December 20! 2

Pastor Patrick’s Pen

“Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Dear Children of God, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Those are the words from the familiar Christmas carol. In many ways, and for many people, it is. For Christmas is a magical, marvelous, magnificent time of giving and receiving, seeing and believing. But for others Christmas is a time of heartache and hardship. Poverty, sickness and death do not take a “Christmas break”. Why just today I already received a phone call from a single mother inquiring as to whether the church would be helping families during this holy season. Perhaps something or someone has put a damper on your “holiday spirit”. Perhaps you have little or no hope that next year will be better than this. Perhaps you are wondering how the mortgage will get paid, or whether you will ever find another job. If that is the case, then “fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy. Today is born to you in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord!” This joy of Christ Jesus is based not on temporal events, but eternal realities. Jesus is THE Savior! He has saved us from the effects of sin, from the grasp of the devil, and from eternal death. These are gifts that truly do keep on giving! This joy of Christ Jesus is not seasonal, but the lasts the year, yes, all your life long! We celebrated the gifts of Christ every Sunday when we gather in His presence to receive His grace and mercy, to enter into His presence in order to partake of His presents.

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This joy of Christ Jesus springs not from stockings filled with gifts, but from hearts filled with faith and love. Think of all that you have been given that can NEVER be taken from you! The gifts of the Spirit cannot be lost with the loss of a loved one or a job; they do not grow old or need thrown out like trees and wrappings; they never lose their luster like this year’s toys or jewelry. Peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and gentleness all come with a lifetime guaranty, signed by Jesus Christ Himself! This joy of Christ Jesus is seen not in manger scenes or Christmas movies, but in God’s Holy Word and His life-giving sacrament. It is white of Christ’s body and the red of His blood that reflect the real colors of Christmas. This joy of Christ Jesus bursts forth in song. Think of the lives of the main characters of the Christmas story: Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, the angels, Simeon. They all break forth in joyous song. Not because the Lord has sent them great earthly gifts, but because He has sent the gift of His Son. They rejoice in song not because God has delivered them from their earthly troubles, but because He has delivered them from their sins. Listen again to what Zechariah sings: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed his people And has raised up a horn of salvation for us . . . To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, And to guide our feet into the way of peace. The darkness of this life and the shadows of death will always be part of this life. But the light of Christ dispels those shadows and darkness. The Peace of God that surpasses all understanding, which is seen in the manger and on the tree, comes to us not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. This is the Good News of great joy that God brings to you both now and forever.

Peace, Pastor Patrick 4

Reena’s Writings After writing about the sign of the cross and “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” last month, I thought it would be appropriate to share a bit about reverencing and “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…” or the Gloria Patri. The Gloria Patri, also known as the “lesser doxology,” (the Gloria in Excelsis as the “greater doxology”) is a hymn of praise and is traditionally associated with the Psalms, though it can also be found at the end of the Nunc Dimittis and other liturgical texts, as the final verse of some hymns, and at the end of prayers. You will notice at the end of the Introit, we sing the Gloria Patri, praising God for His giving us salvation through His Word. While we praise God with our mouths, we can also worship with our whole bodies. Bowing is one way in which Christians have shown reverence before God in worship, hence why it is sometimes referred to as reverencing. We read in Psalm 95:6-7, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” Through the act of bowing, we are physically remembering our relationship to God as the Almighty King on His throne, who has forgiven our sins and the sins of the world through His Son. It reminds us to humble ourselves before God. Luther wrote, [Worship] is not a function of the mouth but of the whole body. It is to bow the head, bend the body, fall on the knees, prostrate oneself, and so forth, and to do such things as a sign and acknowledgment of an authority and power…Where worship

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is offered from the heart, there follows quite properly also that outward bowing, bending, kneeling, and adoration with the body.” (from “The Adoration of the Sacrament”) While the pews in the church may inhibit full prostration, we certainly are able to bow. The Gloria Patri is one such time when bowing is appropriate in honor of the Holy Trinity. We also can bow when the crucifix passes us during the procession, when we approach the altar, during the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), and at many other times, which I could share with those that are interested in knowing. Of course, just as with making the sign of the cross, bowing is not required and should not be looked at as a test of piety. It is yet another way that we can praise and worship God through our whole body, joining those in heaven who “fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. (Rev. 4:10). In Christ, Reena

Music for Advent and Christmas The music sign-up sheets have moved! They are now located outside of Marilyn and Reena’s offices. With services also on Wednesday evenings in Advent, we welcome pianists and/or organists to sign-up to play those Evening Prayer services. Also, begin thinking about what special music you might want to play during Advent or Christmas, so we can plan the schedule in advance and coordinate with the other musicians. Please talk to either Marilyn or Reena about selections.

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LUTHERAN WOMEN IN MISSION

♦ LWML will meet Sunday, December 13th at 2pm in the home of Norma Thaemert for our Annual Christmas Party! We’ll carpool from the church at 1:30pm. Remember to bring your Christmas “Dime Stocking” money, your mites, and a plate of cookies. Dime stocking money will support Crossroads Safehouse. Extra cookies will be used to make up holiday plates for shut-ins (so bring plenty!) Linda Siegfried will lead our program and have devotions and mites. All ladies of the congregation are invited for this special afternoon. ♦ LWML will be hosting the December 2nd Advent Soup Supper. Proceeds will benefit the Heiliger’s work in Turkey. ♦ There is no LWML Executive Board meeting in December. Our next meeting will be Monday, January 4th beginning at 6pm in the home of Bev Russman. All ladies are welcome!

Merry Christmas

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Sunday School for 2-3 years olds continued from page A new class is beginning for the 2-3 year olds during Sunday School hour called Growing in Christ for Parents & Twos. The class, which began with the new church year, November 29, will meet in the nursery after attending Sunday School opening in the sanctuary at 9:30am. If you have questions or would like to help teach , please contact Reena, [email protected]

MISSIONS & MINISTRY COMMITTEE Our annual Christmas Party for the Good Shepherd Home residents will be at the Church on December 6th at 6pm. Everyone is invited to join the fun and see the happy faces!

Joy Circle Our annual Christmas meeting will be Thursday, December 3, at 1pm at Cheryl Harsen’s home. We will have a short business meeting and program. Cheryl will provide treats and Marge Westhoff will have devotions. All women are welcome to come and join us!

TAG Tuesday Afternoon Group All older adults are welcome to attend the various activities and Bible studies of this Older Adult Ministry Group. Our Bible study and meal are on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Some months there will be an additional activity. Come and enjoy the fellowship. December 1st at Noon The meal will be catered so there isn’t a need for anyone to do any cooking during this busy time of the year. Please sign up for the meal so there will be enough for everyone. Bible study will follow at 1pm led by Pastor Caspersen. All older adults are welcome to attend. December 15th at 1:00pm It’s a Christmas Party! For a fun and relaxing afternoon let’s enjoy Christmas music and play Dubs Bridge. It’s easy and everyone can play. Bring cookies or snacks to share.

Poinsettia Orders A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex, $9.00 each, make check payable to PWC write poinsettia on memo line and give to Lu Buchholz by Dec. 13th. Please indicate which color you would like, Red or White. You may pick up your plant after Christmas Day service. If you’d like your plant to go to a shut-in or nursing home resident, please let me know. Thanks, 9

YOUTH NEWS

Season’s Opener Helpers Needed! If you would like to help decorate cookies, please sign-up to help at the Season’s Opener on December 5 at 4:00pm. Your help is needed to assist children with decorating sugar cookies for dessert that night. Senior High Christmas Party - Sunday, December 6th 4:00 7:30pm. Corrie Kaiser and her parents are hosting the party, 2643 Antelope Rd. Senior High Youth and their parents are invited. Please sign-up to attend and bring a food item. We will have a gift exchange ($5 limit, please). Hope to see you there! Confirmation Age Christmas Party - Immediately following the Children’s Christmas Service Rehearsal on Saturday, December 12th, we will have a party! We will make lunch together, have some fun and exchange gifts! Please sign-up to bring a snack and let us know if you plan to be there. Please bring a gift ($5 limit, please) for the gift exchange. Hope to see you there! Children’s Christmas Service - Plan to sign up to help, sing, read, or play your instrument at the Service December 16. Rehearsal is Saturday, December 12 at 10:00am. Christmas Caroling - December 19 at 2:00pm. We will be visiting nursing homes, shut-ins and other members of the congregation. It should be a great time - sign-up so we can plan rides! Driver’s needed! Senior High Lock-In - Plan to come to a lock-in on December 28 at 5pm here at PWC. We will begin the evening with a “surprise outing” (cost $8 - dinner included), then have Bible study, food, games, activities, movies, and sleep??? Sign-up! 10

MARILYN’S MEMO Dear PWC Family, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”, at least a lot like winter with another storm bringing us snow. In the stores, you will hear Christmas music and see all the Christmas decorations, gifts, etc. for sale. We are already being reminded that Christmas is quickly coming. For Christians, the time before Christmas is the season of Advent. It is the time to be preparing and looking forward to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is time to contemplate what this world would be like without Christ ever having come to earth as an infant. What a terrible, sinful, scary place this world would be as we would have no hope of forgiveness! Burdened and bowed down by all our sins, we would still be under the Law because we would not know the sweetness of the Gospel. Jesus Christ came to earth as an infant to live among us and then went to the cross to take the burden of our sins away and give us forgiveness. Just as a winter snowstorm covers everything with a beautiful blanket of pure, white snow, Christ’s blood covers us and makes us as pure as snow, too. Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow” and Isaiah 1:18 … “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” May each new snow remind us to rejoice in this wondrous gift we have received through Christ’s death and resurrection: Forgiveness! What a wonderful Christmas gift! Have a blessed month preparing for the birth of Christ. In Christ, Marilyn 11

Dates to Remember December 2 & 9 at 4:30pm and 7:15pm Advent Services

December 12 at 10:00am Youth & Children’s Christmas Service Rehearsal

December 16 at 6:30pm Youth and Children’s Christmas Service

December 19 at 2:00pm Christmas Caroling to nursing homes & shut-ins

December 24 at 4:00pm, 7:00pm & 10:00pm Christmas Eve Services

December 25 at 9:00am Christmas Day Service

Christmas Choir Rehearsal December 2 at 8:00pm December 9 at 8:00pm December 20 at Noon December 23 at 6:00pm

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CHRISTMAS CAROLING Everyone is invited to join the Youth on Saturday, December 19 at 2:00pm for caroling. We will be visiting the nursing homes, shut-ins and other members of the congregation. It should be a great time - sign up so we can plan rides! Drivers are needed.

“Shopping” with the Youth!! Now is the perfect time with Christmas right around the corner. The Scrip Program continues to help raise funds for Youth Events. The program offers many gift cards for purchase. You receive the FULL value of the card and the youth group receives a percentage of the value. Please check out the cards available for immediate purchase as well as those available by ordering. Thank you for your support! ********************************************************

Thank You On behalf of myself and my family I would like to thank all of the wonderful members of God’s family at Peace with Christ for your caring words spoken, the compassionate notes written, and the kind e-mails that I have received during this difficult time. I greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers both for me and my family. God bless you!

Pastor Patrick 13

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO .… Gene & Julie Frank Dennis & Susan Vanatta Karen & Mel Carlson Doug & Martha Scheiwe Rueben & Rosalee Blumenshine Stony & Jan Achziger Bill & Fran Watson Ed & Connie Jurischk Marv & June Grueber Ron & Norma Thaemert Marcus & Jennifer Mueller

December 7, 1969 December 11, 1999 December 14, 1990 December 16, 1972 December 16, 1956 December 18, 1965 December 19, 1948 December 19, 1970 December 21, 1952 December 27, 1964 December 28, 1991

We apologize if we missed your anniversary. Please notify the church office to update.

Financial Update As of September 2009 2009 budget: $359,000.00 Year-to-date total PWC income: $274,469.17 Year-to-date total PWC expenses: $282,691.23 Net Income: -$8,222.06

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HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY TO……. Patsy Cribbs Bernice Nansel Christoppher Derby Corrin Derby Scott French Lori Carillo Kim Molzer Marcy Petago Char Carlson Jaxon Boehnke Sharon Wiesner Naomi Pennington Randy Bernhardt Lewanda Fields Kaden Bauder Paul Carlson Melissa Mueller Chance Lacey Gail Neben Lillian Fischer Ann Caspersen Tanla Maiorka Anthony Johannsen Trevor Kropp Josh Daugherty Madeline Johannsen Larissa Parke Jennifer Saboy Robin Hamilton Sarah Krueckeberg Lydia Pennington

1st 3rd 4th 4th 4th 5th 5th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 10th 11th 12th 12th 13th 13th 16th 18th 18th 19th 23rd 25th 26th 26th 27th 28th 28th 31st

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1412 West Swallow Road Fort Collins, CO 80526

PEACE WITH CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

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