St. Paul Lutheran Church 10792 N Co Rd 210 E, Seymour, IN 47274 Phone: (812) 522-7364 Office Email:[email protected] Web site:http://www.stpaul-borchers.org

December 2016

From the Pastor’s Desk

Advent It is difficult to believe that Advent is quickly approaching. In fact, it will be upon us before the end of Nov. I thought I would use this space to share some information about the history of Advent and the Advent wreath. This material is adapted from Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins. Advent is a Latin word meaning ‘the coming.’ Officially established by church leaders in the sixth century, Advent was originally meant to be a time when Christians reflected on the meaning of Christmas and when new believers spiritually prepared themselves for baptism. Beginning on the Sunday nearest November 30th and running until Christmas Eve. Advent was essentially four weeks set aside to contemplate what the coming of Jesus meant not only to the world but to every individual’s soul. Even in the early church, the clergy and the laypeople looked for tangible ways to help believers remember the season of advent. In far northern Europe, the Vikings who had converted to Christianity grasped upon the idea of Advent with an exuberance that did not exist in the rest of the world. Because the Norse winters were so long and dark, the light that Jesus brought to the earth, along with the promise of everlasting life beyond the bounds of a harsh world, meant a great deal to these new believers. Out of this faith and their cultural interpretation of the Christmas season, the Viking created the Advent wreath. The evergreen tree was a wonderful inspiration to the people of northern Europe. Trapped by long harsh winters, going weeks suffering through black cold nights and short bitter days, these people looked upon the heartiness and strength of the fir trees with awe. During a time when almost everything else died, here was a plant that even winter could not stunt or stop. Because of this, the Christians of this region saw the tree as a symbol for faith. During the season of Advent, they took limbs from the evergreen and shaped them into a wheel-like decoration. Then, to mark the passing days and remember the strength of their faith, they placed a candle on the wreath to represent the light brought to the world with Christ’s birth. These Advent wreaths were the first symbols used to mark the month long period anticipating Christmas. Over time the custom of the Advent wreath spread across Europe. As it did, more candles were added, one for each week of the season. Though the candles varied in color from church to church and from country to country, the meaning of each light remained the same. Three of the candles, most commonly purple, represented what many Christians believed to be the most precious gifts of Christmas: hope, peace and love. The final candle, most often red (pink) in color, symbolized the joy of new life gained through the gift of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Some added a white candle to the wreath. It was lit on Christmas Eve and stood for Jesus’ birth.

December Birthdays 1 3 4 5 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 12 12

Luke Schnitker Trish Tangman Dagan Kleffman Eric Kruse Dorothy Simmons Oliver Kinnett Curtis Kruse Katie Wahlstrom Presley Ebner Alicia Perry Kim Ingle Marlis Kidd Wanda Engelau Staci Eglen

12 13 13 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17

Gunnar Taulman Camden Sifflard Levi Claycamp Marshall Claycamp Lyla O’Neal Elsie Herbert Dylan Hatfield Morgan Jones Erin Rieker Paul Newkirk Jon Claycamp Eric Hoene Mike Hoevener Katie Labiak

17 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 2` 22 23

Vivian Newkirk Ryker Fields Max Schafstall Cole Kleffman Elizabeth Rust Charlie Douglass Mark Rust Jill Otte Chad McCory Stephen McGrew Katie Otte Luke Wente Leah Otte Virgil Kleffman

23 23 26 26 27 27 27 28 30 30 31 31

Warren Newkirk Howard Wente Stacey Claycamp Sarah Davis Kamie Ronsheim Logan Runge Mairi Shaw Whitley Rieker Valerie McIntosh Alyssa Gorbett Erin Otte Morgan Gray

January Volunteers

December Volunteers

Greeters Paul & Ruth Ann Newkirk (8:00) Bill & Judy Wonning (10:15)

Greeters Pete & Wanda Engelau (8:00) Leon & Linda Seitz (10:15)

Communion Assistants Tammi Reinbold (8:00) Bill Wonnig (10:15)

Communion Assistants Ruth Ann Newkirk (8:00) Dan Davis (10:15)

Altar Care Jan 1—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center Jan. 8—Mandy Otte (8:00) Jan. 15— Gretchen Lawles(10:15) Jan. 22—Leah Otte (8:00) Jan. 29—no communion at either service

Altar Care Dec. 4—Shirley Lewis (8:00) Linda Seitz (10:15) Dec. 11—Tammi Reinbold (8:00) Teresa Browning (10:15) Dec. 18—Doris Rorick (8:00) Judy Wonning (10:15) Dec. 25—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center

Lectors Jan. 1—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center Jan. 8—Jamie Baker (8:00) Terri DeVoe (10:15) Jan. 15—Lois Bryden(8:00) Leon Seitz (10:15) Jan. 22—Mark Hoffmeier(8:00) Laberta Otte (10:15) Jan. 29—Maggie Newkirk (8:00) Judy Wonning (10:15)

Lectors Dec. 4—Leah Otte (8:00) Amy Rotert (10:15) Dec. 11—Dot Goodwin (8:00) Madison Jones (10:15) Dec. 18—Susan Holle (8:00) Karen Davis (10:15) Dec. 25—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center Acolytes Dec. 4—Abby Hoevener (8:00) Tyson Lawles (10:15) Dec. 11—Adam Newkirk (8:00) Eamon Shaw (10:15) Dec. 18—Meg Brown (8:00) Brooke Schafstall (10:15) Dec. 25—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center

Acolytes Jan. 1—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center Jan. 8—Carly Kaiser (8:00) Eli Lane (10:15) Jan. 15—Melina Engelau (8:00) Isaac Rust (10:15) Jan. 22—Kori Otte (8:00) John Harris Jr. (10:15) Jan. 29 — Ella Engelau (8:00) Lexi Morris (10:15)

Projectors Dec. 4—Erin Otte (8:00) Charlotte Rust (10:15) Dec. 11—Doris Rorick (8:00) Chloe Bryden (10:15) Dec. 18—Cam Mansfield (8:00) Rachel Hildebrand (10:15) Dec. 25—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center

Projectors Jan. 1—one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center Jan. 8—Kaelen Eglen(8:00) Eli Wood (10:15) Jan. 15—Jamie Baker(8:00) Hannah Wood (10:15) Jan. 22—Erin Otte(8:00) Charlotte Rust (10:15) Jan. 29—Doris Rorick (8:00) Chloe Bryden (10:15)

Children’s Sermon– December 4 Leah Otte December 18 High School Youth

Children’s Sermon– January 1-one service-sign up to volunteer at the Welcome Center January 29—High School Youth

Welcome Center—Linda Rust (8:00) Judy Wonning (10:15)

Welcome Center—Shirley Lewis (8:00) Laberta Otte (10:15)

Flowers Dec. 4—Linda Seitz Dec. 11—Linda Seitz Dec. 18—Lou Ann Hoevener Dec. 25—Lou Ann Hoevener

Flowers Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29 2

SIGN UP AT WELCOME CENTER

Upcoming Worship Below are the lessons and some thoughts about the upcoming Sundays. Please take some time to look over the lesson and reflect upon them in preparation of the upcoming weeks in worship.

December 4th:

Text— Matthew 3:1-12

At the heart of our advent preparations stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the light of Christ’s coming. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.

December 11th:

Text— Isaiah 35:1-10

A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom. Jesus points to signs of God’s reign: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflections and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonder of Christ’s advent among us.

December 18th:

Text— Isaiah 7:10-16

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent, we pray, ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel,’ a beloved hymn based on ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday in Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.

December 25th:

Text— Luke 2:1-20 (Christmas Day—One Service @ 9:00 AM)

On this Christmas morning the people of God gather to celebrate the birth of the Word made flesh, Christ our Lord. Luke recounts the familiar story of shepherds and angels; John’s gospel tells of the Word that dwells among us, full of grace and truth. The meaning of Christmas is made clear: the light shines in the darkness. It is in the liturgy that we encounter the Word made flesh—in the people of God gathered together as the body of Christ, and in the meal around the holy table. We go forth to be bearers of light as we proclaim this good news to all the ends of the earth.

CHURCH COUNCIL

Financial Statements

Chairman—Dan Holle Secretary—Karen Davis Financial Secretary—Casey Engelau Elders—Gene Kruse & Bill Kidd Deacons—Tyler Shaw & John Harris Treasurer—Wanda Engelau Trustees—Louis Wonning & Tony Herkamp

If you would like to review your 2016 financial statement, leave an envelope with your name on it in Financial Secretary/Casey Engelau’s mailbox. If you do not wish to receive offering envelopes, but maintain an offering account, please leave a note in Casey’s mailbox. Thank you to our out-going Church Council membets: Karen Davis, Casey Engelau, Gene Kruse, Louis Wonning, and Tyler Shaw. We thank you for serving the church by being a part of church council!

Congratulations to our new Church Council members who were elected at the October quarterly congregational meeting. They will begin serving January 2017. Secretary—Amy Rosenberger Financial Secretary—Pam Huffman Elder—Howard Wente Trustee—Chuck Newkirk Deacon (8:00) - awaiting council appointment 3

OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2017

Congratulations to Mitchel & Kristen (Scheidt) who were married on September 17. Mitchel is the son of Nina & Deryl Pastwater.

will be available in the narthex in December

If you have not had envelopes and would like to have some or if you no longer wish to have envelopes, please notify the church office.

Congratulations to Casey & Mallory (Loyd) Paswater who were married on October 15. Casey is the son of Nina & Deryl Paswater,

GROUP TREASURERS

please have the Treasurers books and annual reports in the office by January 8 They may be placed in a marked box in the office workroom. Thank you.

Congratulations to Jakie & J.R. Davenport on the birth of their son, Ronald Wyne Davenport III, on September 16, 2016 He joins big sister, Kolby. Proud great-grandmother is Eunice Lutes.

Group Meetings

Congratulations to Elias & Jordana Hendrix on the birth of their son, Thomas de Oliveira, on October 19, 2016 Proud grandparents are Bryan (KY) & Ruth Ann Hendrix and greatbrandmother is Lois Rust,

will meet on Monday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Susan Kaiser

Congratulations to Jay & Sara McGrew on the birth of their twins, Isabelle Malaya and Elijah Stephen, on November 1. Proud grandparents are Jo & Steve McGrew.

will meet Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m.at the church. Laberta Otte’s the hostess

WINGS

RUTH CIRCLE

Congratutaltions to Carrie Neal & Cody Martin on the birth of their daughter, Dakota Ray, on November 3. Proud great-grandmother is Eunice Lutes.

HANNAH CIRCLE

Will not meet in December

St. Paul Lutheran Cookbook Reduced price: $7 each (Was $14)

Cookbooks are available in the church office.

2016 Borchers Supper & Bazaar totals

Dartball

Meals served: 823

Dartball has begun!

Final amounts were not available yet.

Games are on Monday nights at 8:00 p.m.

Please watch for details in future bulletins and January’s newsletter.

Please contact Merrell Otte if you are interested in playing. 4

PRAYER SHAWL

Ukulele Group

WILL NOT MEET in December

Group Practices / Jam Nights Wednesdays December 7 & 21

BOOK BUZZ

We will be practicing “Silent Night” to play during pre-service music on Christmas Eve,

WILL NOT MEET in December

Questions? Talk to Michael or Jamie Baker.

Look in upcoming bulletins for the title of our book for January.

LWR Blanket Making

Adult Bells

We have so much fabric that blanket making will begin in December!

will practice

December 7 & 14

December 7 and 14

and will play at both services on

9:00 a.m. in the adult Sunday School room

Sunday, December 18

Blankets are made for Lutheran World Relief to send to those in need all over the world.

Communion During Advent

ANGEL TREE Angel Tree gifts are due to the church by Sunday, December 18

The season of Advent is a time of preparation One of the dominant themes throughout the readings during Advent is that of preparing for the coming of the Messiah. The word, Advent, itself means coming.

Please attach the Angel or Star that you took with your gifts/food items.

Most of us are pretty good at preparing for the coming season as we decorate our homes, buy Christmas gifts, etc. However, the main question is how do we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus spiritually?

We thank you in advance for helping these children!!

LIVE NATIVITY

One way in which we can prepare ourselves is through receiving Holy Communion—the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

December 24

During the four weeks of Advent we will be having the opportunity for people to receive Holy Communion at both services.

from 6:00-7:00 and 8:00-8:30 in front of the church Sponsored by Luther League

Any questions, please talk with Pastor Steve. 5

Christmas Caroling December 11 1:00-3:00 p.m. ALL are invited to join us! Please sign up on the bulletin board in the church office.

Sunday School Opening will be held on December 4 only this month to allow time for Christmas Eve Program Practice

Brave Cave: A Mini-Day Camp Extravaganza Sunday, January 22

Children with December birthdays are encouraged to bring pennies to celebrate their birthdays on the 4th (bring the same number of pennies as your age.)

Come for a fun filled afternoon of games, crafts, Bible stories, skits, music, and most importantly, pizza!

Sunday School Opening is held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following early service until 9:15 a.m.

(immediately after 10:15 service)

Sign ups will begin in December.

All youth are invited to join us for songs, prayer and celebration!

All children preschool through 5th grade are invited and encouraged to bring friends!

Thank you!

Coming soon . . .

God Squad

Thanks to everyone who supported Operation Christmas Child. We sent 95 boxes!! The Tweeners especially enjoyed shopping and filling the shoeboxes. Tyler Claycamp

January 8 4:00-6:00 p.m.

We just wanted to say thank you for your very generous donation to Turning Point! It means so much and we just want you to know how much we appreciate it! Beth Caldwell Turning Point Board Member

This is our new program to take the place of TREATS. It will be a Daycamp-like event, meeting one Sunday a month, which is for children in Kindergarten-Grade 5. We will be studying the life of Joseph through participating in different stations and will conclude the evening with a meal together.

I am overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness of your congregation! Their gift of $1,735 is amazing and matched at 50% bringing it to $2,602.50! I felt blessed to worship with you recently. Thank you for helping us bring hope and healing to our youth. Blessings, Rev. Cliff Nunn

Parent Meeting December 10 at 9:00 a.m.

(meeting will be during Christmas Program practice) For all parents who are interested in their child/children attending this program. 6

St. Paul Borchers Care Team MISSION CARE/ COMMUNITY CARE:

Borchers Supper & Bazaar Meals

FOOD PANTRY Mac & Cheese

Sixteen meals from last month’s annual supper were delivered to folks in the community who were unable to attend. Deliveries were made by Leah & Florence Otte, Cathy Wente, Debbie & Becca Herbert, and Jeff & Bonnie Lane. Thanks for making these deliveries and allowing the meal recipients to be involved in the event by enjoying a delicious meal!

Please place your donations in the wooden box in the hallway near the kitchen, or in the basket near the main entry doors. Donations are given to food pantries at Provisions, Anchor House, Human Services, and Turning Point.

Birthday Kits

Recycling Tip of the Month

Thanks goes to folks who donated items for birthday kits assembled recently! These were given to a local homeless shelter. Kits include all that’s needed for a modest birthday party for children living temporarily at the shelter. A total if 12 kits were assembled! Your willingness to be involved in community efforts is commendable!

Not ready to dive into composting all the way? Start by tossing your eggs shells and coffee grounds into your garden instead of the trash. You’ll be diverting a little waste and enriching the soil at the same time

SORRY!!!

Church Bus Fund

November’s Red Cross blood drive was cancelled

A church bus fund was established at the October quarterly meeting! This vehicle would be available for use by all ages engaged in church-related activities. If you’d like to donate toward the purchase of this vehicle please write “Church Bus” on your check or offering envelope. Thank you for the donations already received!

A miscommunication prevented our expected date from being scheduled. We are anticipating the next drive at Borchers to be in February or late January. Please watch your bulletins and January newsletter for a complete 2017 schedule of blood drive dates at St. Paul.

FRIENDLY CARE:

Coffee & Coloring Will not be held in December This activity will resume in January

Stephen Ministers with active caregiving relationships continue to meet for monthly supervision. Twice-yearly Dinner & Updates are held in September and March. 7

St. Paul Borchers Care Team HEALTH & WELLNESS CARE:

SENIOR CARE:

Borchers Breakfast Club Borchers Breakfast Club (BBC) meets every Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 for breakfast, activities, and social time. YOU are welcome to join the group just for breakfast, or for the entire morning. Leftovers from weekly BBC breakfasts are available to be delivered to anyone who would appreciate this effort. If you or someone you know might like a weekly or occasional delivery, please let Joe Hoene or Trish Tangman know. Mandy Otte is leading exercises with seniors using a newly purchased set of DVDs. Join the group after breakfast as we experiment with new ways to maintain balance and flexibility as we age. There is still be time for games and visiting after exercises!

Borchers Devotions Thursday, December 1 at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary Until warm weather arrives next Spring, “Borchers Chapel Devotions” will take place in the sanctuary. Everyone from the congregation and the community is invited to attend the brief monthly services held on the first Thursday of each month. Start your day off with an encouraging message from Pastor Steve!

by Susie Schnitker, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner This time of year as the hours of daylight shorten many people see little sunlight due to work conditions and it may seem to some that it is dark all the time. Some people will even develop a type of depression called seasonal affect disorder or “SAD” for short. This type of depression is closely tied to the seasonal variations in light. Symptoms of SAD are low mood, hopelessness, anxiety, loss of energy, social withdrawal, oversleeping and weight gain. There are varying degrees of SAD and many people experience at least slight forms of it at some point in their life. Spring is a long way off and there are some things you can do to help prevent these feelings from minor “winter blues” to a full blown case of SAD. Exercise is a great way to combat feelings of being down. Continuing your exercise routine or beginning an indoor routine in the winter can help fight some of the winter blues and can improve one’s overall health. Participating in social activities with others enhances feelings of wellbeing. Social isolation can contribute to depression and anxiety and increased isolation can create a downward spiral of events. Pushing yourself to get out and be social with others will help boost your disposition and can offset any feelings of low mood. Things become stressful for many as we try to plan the perfect holiday. It is important to take time for yourself to relax. Taking time to relax with a massage, yoga, or other enjoyable things for yourself can improve energy and motivation levels and decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. Artificial light therapy can be an effective treatment for SAD. This is accomplished by the use of a portable light box for 30 minutes a day. The special lights are available without a prescription but should be discussed with your healthcare provider before using. Vitamin D (we talked about this a couple months ago) is the “sunshine vitamin”. Research is not conclusive that Vitamin D helps SAD but if you are known to have low Vitamin D levels you should discuss taking a supplement with your healthcare provider. Some people with a known history of SAD use antidepressants seasonally and routinely take them beginning in early fall and taper off in the spring. This would be a decision between you and your healthcare provider. Keep in mind, December 21 st will be here soon and we can then enjoy the fact that we will be gaining daylight every day after. 8

St. Paul Borchers Care Team SENIOR CARE:

Faith Through The Years

Many seniors at St. Paul-Borchers have shared their favorite bible verses or favorite hymns. A series of brief narratives about how particular verses or hymns have influenced the lives of these members have also been published in newsletters. These “faith stories” are shared with the hope of passing on inspirational thoughts that might encourage others to persevere in their own Christian walks. This month’s faith story was written after an interview with Bertha Otte. Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good to those that love God”, is one of Bertha Otte’s favorite Bible verses. When Bertha looks back on her 94 years on this Earth, she is reminded over and over again of the truth in this Bible verse.

On October 19, 1922 Bertha Carolyn Stockamp was born to William and Cordelia Schafstall Stockamp. Four years later Bertha’s sister, Verl, was born. The family’s homeplace, where William was also raised, is a short distance west of St. Paul-Borchers. (The homeplace now belongs to Bertha’s daughter, Karen Weisehan, and her family.) Bertha remembers the Stockamp’s Sunday trips to St. Paul were usually made in a Model T Ford, except for springtime when the narrow tires on the car would be inclined to get stuck in the long, muddy, dirt lane which led from their house to the main road. In order to avoid getting stuck, Bertha’s dad would ready a horse and buggy for the trip. Upon arrival for worship the women sat on one side of the sanctuary and the men sat on the other side. As soon as children were old enough to sit still, they sat in the front pews – girls on one side, boys on the other. Services were conducted in German and Bertha remembers her family spoke “low” German at home when she was a child. She can still recite the Lord’s Prayer in German, as well as a prayer spoken before meals. The prayer she sang with her mother at bedtime stills comes easily to her as well. Another of Bertha’s early memories is of making her very first quilt when she was eight years old. Her mother taught her how to measure and cut blocks from cloth chicken feed sacks, and how to embroider some of the blocks with different types of flowers. The two of them pieced the blocks together and finished the quilt Bertha still has today. When Bertha was a teenager, she learned from her mother the fine art of quilting, which involves creating an allover raised design on the top of a quilt, or other fabric piece, using very tiny stitches. After Bertha graduated from high school in 1940 she worked several years at Reliance Manufacturing Company in Seymour where she spent much of her time machinesewing cuffs onto the sleeves of shirts. Bertha and the love of her life, Arthur Orville Otte, wrote letters back and forth while Art served in the Army on the island of Corsica, in North Africa, during World War 2. The couple was married after the war and their son Paul was born in 1949. Twin daughters Karen and Carol arrived two years later. A few years after the twins were born, their daughter Doris arrived, and then daughter Phyllis. With all those little girls to dress, Bertha kept busy for many years sewing for her family. As the children became more independent Bertha was able to help Art with all sorts of farm jobs and the couple enjoyed spending a lot of time farming together throughout their marriage. Art died in 1988. During the next phase in Bertha’s life she once again spent a lot of her time sewing. She regularly stitched fabric pieces together to make blankets for Lutheran World Relief and she began using the quilting techniques she learned from her mother to stitch beautiful patterns onto quilts for folks locally and for people all over the country. Eventually arthritis in her shoulders became too painful for Bertha. So after sewing many Lutheran World Relief blankets and quilting over 100 quilts, she had to give up machine-sewing and quilting. Bertha was still able to enjoy counted cross-stitching, and over the years she has created a cross-stitched Christmas stocking for each of her five children… and their spouses, … and each of her 13 grandchildren… and their spouses, and each of her 12(so far)great-grandchildren! In 2003, at the request of Karen McCory, Bertha stitched The Lord’s Prayer in counted cross-stitch. On the day she was interviewed for this story Bertha was working on her 113th request for a cross-stitched Lord’s Prayer! Her beautiful Lord’s Prayer pieces can be found in many homes, businesses, and churches in Jackson County and in places as far away as a church in Hanes City, Florida and a home in Loveland, Colorado. When asked how she is still able to create such beautiful work at her age Bertha responds, “The Lord has blessed me with nimble fingers and good eyesight”. A common thread woven throughout Bertha’s life has been her love for sewing. From learning how to sew as a young child to sharing her cross- stitch creations with people all over the country, Bertha has found ways to use her love for sewing, along with her blessings, to share Christ’s love with others. Recently she received a thank you note from the recipient of one of her Lord’s Prayer pieces. The note closed with a blessing, “Thank you and May God continue to bless you as you stitch for Him”. Like all senior citizens Bertha has become less and less physically active as she has aged. Instead of lamenting over personal losses and physical pain, Bertha has allowed God to work through her love for sewing and her blessings of “nimble fingers and good eyesight” to be a witness for Christ. As Bertha has always believed, “God makes all things work together for good”! 9

St. Paul’s Youth and Family Ministries LUTHER LEAGUE Luther League will be decorating the church on Saturday, December 3 at 1:00. After we finish decorating, we will be going to Indianapolis for supper and to the zoo to see Christmas lights. Bring money for supper and zoo admission. We ask that everyone please try to attend the decorating. It makes the process go much quicker if everyone helps! Luther League will be delivering Angel Tree gifts on Thursday, December 22 at 9:00 a.m. We will meet at the church to load gifts, then we will split up to deliver. We will meet in Seymour for lunch after delivering gifts, so bring money for lunch. Also, December 24 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. the Luther League will be doing a Live Nativity at the church prior to and after the Children’s Christmas service. We will talk more about the nativity at the meal after gift delivery.

JR. HIGH Jr. High youth will be participating in the Christmas program this year. We will be going to play laser Tag on Sunday, January 8 at 4:00 p.m. Following Laser Tag, we will meet at the church for supper with the God Squad group at 6:00.

TWEENERS Tweeners will be going Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 11 beginning at 1:00 and returning to the church around 3:00 p.m. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the church office.

KID’S BELLS Kid’s Bells will practice on Sunday, December 4 at 5:00 and 5:30. We will also have a quick run though on Saturday, December 17 around 1 1 : 00 after the Christmas program practice. They will both be playing at the Children’s Christmas Service on Saturday, December 24. Team 1 will play during the preservice music at 6:30 and Team 2 will play during the offering at the Christmas program. They will not practice again until Sunday, January 15.

KID’S PRAISE We will practice on Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m., and then sing at both services on Sunday, December 11. Any questions, talk to Erin Engelau.

Carolyn: Cell Phone: 521-0281

JOYFUL FOR JESUS Joyful for Jesus will practice on Sunday, December 4 at 6:00. We will sing at both services on Sunday, December 11.

[email protected] Tyler Claycamp (Intern): Cell Phone 216-7027 [email protected]

MISSION TRIP There will be an information meeting about the mission trip to South Dakota on Sunday, December 4 at 9:15 a.m. in the high school Sunday School room. Any student in grade 8-12 is invited to go on the mission trip in June 2017. If you are interested in going on this trip you must attend this meeting or get in contact with Carolyn Jones or Pastor Steve.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Carolyn will be on vacation December 26 -January 2 If you need anything, contact the church office.

Sunday School Christmas Service practice will be held during Sunday School on December 4, 11, 18. The program will be for those children ages 3-grade 8. There will be 2 Saturday practices on December 10 and 17 from 9-11:00 a.m. We ask that all kids participating in the Christmas Service be at Sunday School each week as well as the Saturday practices. Parents please help your child/children learn his/her parts and practice at home. The Christmas Service will be on Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. The children need to arrive arund 6: 40 and report to their Sunday School classrooms. There will be pre-service music/hymn sing prior to the Children’s Service at 6:30 for anyone interested. There will be a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center. 10

November 2016 Sun

Mon

Tue

1

6

All Saints’

Daylight Savings ends SS items for shoeboxes due Blood Drive Kid’s Praise sing 8:00 am Communion 9:00 am SS Opening 9:15 am Sunday School 10:15 am Communion 11:30 am Tweeners lunch & shop 2:00 pm Luth. Comm. Home service

7

9:00 am Preschool

5:00 pm Kid’s Bells 1 5:30 pm Kid’s Bells 2 6:00 pm Joyful for Jesus

13

Shoeboxes due Newsletter deadline Kid’s Bells 1 play Joyful for Jesus sings 8:00 am WOV Comm. 9:15 am Sunday School 10:15 am LBW Worship 11:45 am Confirmation

14

9:00 am Preschool

Kid’s Bells 2 play 8:00 am LBW Worship 9:00 am SS Opening 9:15 am Sunday School/ Pass out Christmas parts 9:15 am LL set up Angel Tree 10:15 am LBW Comm.

9:00 am Preschool

1st Sunday of Advent 8:00 am Communion 9:15 am Sunday School 10:15 am Communion

VACATION

Fri

6:00 pm Ukulele 6:30 pm Ukulele Jam 6:30 pm Adult Bells

7:00 pm WINGS 7:30 pm Ruth Circle

8

9

10

11

7:00 pm Prayer Shawl

6:30 pm Adult Bells

7:00 pm Bazaar follow-up meeting

7:00 pm Luther League Lock-In

15

16

17

18

19

24

25

26

9:00 am Hannah Circle

9:00 am Preschool

9:00 am Preschool

9:00 am Preschool 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm

22

8:30 am Devotions in sanctuary 9:00 am Borchers Breakfast Club

9:00 am Borchers Breakfast Club

9:00 am Borchers Breakfast Club

4

9:00 am Preschool

9:00 am Preschool

9:00 am Preschool

23

No Preschool

No Preschool

CAROLYN ON VACATION 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Eve Service

29

30

7:00 pm Prayer Shawl

6:00 pm Ukulele 6:30 pm Ukulele Jam 6:30 pm Adult Bells

1:00 pm Book Buzz

12

8:00 am Luther League Lock-In ends

Ukulele Ukulele Jam Adult Bells Preschool Dad’s Nite

Happy Thanksgiving!

9:00 am Preschool

5

Borchers Bazaar 4:00—7:00 pm

1:30 pm Clothing Center

28

Sat

3

5:00 pm Kid’s Bells 1 5:30 pm Kid’s Bells 2 6:00 pm Joyful for Jesus 6:00 pm Coloring

27

Thu

2

7:00 pm Church Council

20 Christ the King 21

Wed

9:00 am Preschool 9:30 am Preschool Chapel

Holiday Services Dec. 18 — Service in Borchers Chapel at 7:00 p.m. Dec. 24 — Children’s Program at 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 25 — Communion Service at 9:00 a.m. NOTE: 1 service this day!! Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. Jan. 1 — Communion Service at 9:00 a.m. NOTE: 1 service this day!!