December 2017 Newsletter Emmanuel Lutheran Church , Warren, Ohio 140 Cherry Avenue, NW, Warren, Ohio 44485

In the service of God, we seek to follow the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ

FROM PASTOR ANN MARIE WINTERS: Isaiah 9:6   For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders…

Jesus came as a little child, in peace and in humility.  As we lay the babe in the manger and remember his birth, let us also reflect on his coming as a great and powerful cosmic event.  He came as God’s son.  Jesus was destined to be the ruler of all the earth, and given titles similar to those given to an Egyptian king:  “Wonderful Counselor” refers to a political leader; “Mighty God” to a warrior; “Everlasting Father” to one who cares for his people; and the “Prince of Peace” to one who brings prosperity.  

These titles point to an aspect of Christmas that makes me reflect in wonder at God’s coming down.  And I stand in awe at the event of God stooping from his throne to be born in flesh and blood.  In this act of humbling himself, God “takes the government upon his shoulders”.  He is our King, no matter what political powers pertain to us, we are claimed as God’s subjects – in fact, we are his own sons and daughters.

For all its peace and mildness, Christmas is also a powerful moment!  Come and worship the newborn king!

Worshipping with you,Pastor Ann Marie Winters

FROM PASTOR WILLIAM D. LEITCH:  We are in the season of Advent, “to come”.  Jesus is coming, but not here yet.  We are to wait and to prepare.  We are to keep watch for Jesus, but stay busy preparing.

Jesus wants us to be so busy doing his will that we might not see him come.  Still, that is what pleases Jesus – to come and see us working for him as if he were right next to us.

As a small child, we visited an older couple and had supper together.  As I snooped around the house and looked at all their pictures and talked to their parakeet, I heard my parents bragging about how well I work around our house and helped with chores.  It was the best feeling I could ever have – to know that I pleased my parents.  I was ready to go home and get to work right then.

Jesus sees our care and hard work to do his will.  God is present in our lives always.  I asked a highway worker candidate in an interview once, “What would you do if the crew took a break someday and it seemed like they didn’t care to get back to work?”  He responded, “My work glorifies God, and God is always watching.”  Work for this highway worker was not just a paycheck, but rather, it was his passion to do it well for the safety and security of those he maintained the roads for and more importantly – for the glory of God.

We can share this blessing with everyone around us by sharing the one for whom we work – God – and to tell them of the joy we receive knowing that we please God by our caring and our working and our doing the best we can.

Go!  Tell!  Make believers!  That is what Jesus means when he tells us to prepare the way.  That “call” is part of everything we do.  We are called to tell about Jesus in everything we do.  We should be looking for every opportunity that presents itself to tell about this Jesus to whom we give the glory.    Pastor Bill

Clothes ClosetOctober 28 was “Make a Difference Day.” Girl Scout Troop 528 made 149 quilts for us. Knights of Columbus purchased 50 brand new coats for Christmas gifts. We at the Clothes Closet are so blessed. Clothes are still being sent to aid all our disasters. The Closet always needs 30 gallon black garbage bags, 13 gallon white kitchen bags, toilet tissue, deodorant, shampoo, tooth paste, dish soap, hand soap, baby powder, diapers, shampoo, jar food and baby wipes. Thank You, Lucille

Shopping Cart NeedsInstant potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy (jar or mix), Vienna sausages, canned fruit, cracker snacks, cans of food with pop top lids for easy opening.

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Special Emphasis Envelope for December: CLOTHES CLOSET SERVICE TIME CHANGE

Church Council has announced that our Sunday Worship Service will be changed to 10:00 A.M. beginning with the first Sunday in January (7 January 2018). Sunday School will change to 9:00 A.M. Please make a note of this. You will also receive a letter in the mail to remind you.

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2017 3 Vase 1&2: Given by : Pat Bryan Memorial Fund10 Vase 1: Given by Ken & Felicia MacMillan in Thanksgiving for Patt & Mackey’s Birthday Vase 2: Given by Dick Litton in Thanksgiving for God’s Blessings 17 Vase 1: & 2: Given by Emma Burin in Loving Memory of George Burin24 CHRISTMAS POINSTTIAS 31 Vase 1: Given by: Dick Litton in Appreciation of Pastor’s Ministries Vase 2: Given by: Dick Litton in Appreciation of Emmanuel’s ChoirNote: Please print when signing up for flowers on the bulletin board in the narthex. If the writing is not clear, it is hard to print the correct information. Thank You.

NOTICE: EACH FLOWER VASE WILL COST $ 15.00 BEGINNING THEFIRST SUNDAY OF JANUARY. THE NEW FLOWER CALENDAR WILLBE POSTED IN THE NARTHEX.

Thanks to Connie Cosma, Tom & Peggy Weller, Terry Wentworth, Cal Beeman, Dan Olson, John & Joyce Beach, Garry Kibler and Jill Weisse for the beautiful decorations in the Nave and Narthex this year! The church looks

6 - Advent Service-1 pm

Mid-Week Prayer Service-after Advent Service/Chapel 13 Advent Service 1 pm, Prayer Service after Advent Service 18 Elders-5:30 pm, Board of Properties-6:30 pm 20 Advent Service-1 pm, Prayer Service after Advent Service Christmas Party/Luncheon after Advent Service 21 Produce Distribution 22 Free Lunch/Grocery Distribution 24 Lessons & Carols-9:00 am 24 Christmas Eve Service-9:45 pm-Organ Concert, Service-10 pm 25 Christmas Day/Parish Office Closed 26 Newsletter Deadline 31 New Year’s Eve, Worship-9 am

Church Council, 6:30 pm, To Be Announced Repeating Dates Sunday , Sunday School-9 am Worship-10 am Choir: 9:15 am & 11:15 am CLOTHES CLOSET ~ every Tuesday, 9 am CFG ~ every Wednesday, 9:30 am Wed. Mid-Week Prayer Service-1 pm/Chapel Remember: All dates are subject to change. Please check your Sunday Bulletins

Birthdays in December:- 3-Laurie Barnes , Ruth Bradshaw, 8-KatelynnBacher, 9-Patricia Zander, 11-Jason Bacher, 12- Ralph Guy, 15-Pat Hardman, 22-Jill Weisse, 27-Carol Olson

Those Serving in December

Assisting Ministers/Lectors 3 Wentworth/Cosma 17 Patty Davis 10 Diane Pilger 24 Patti Wentworth 25 TBA Deacons – Randy Engler, Lee Bickel, Ken MacMillan, Garry Kibler, Cal Beeman ( sub)Altar Guild Bonnie Kopp

Greeters 3 Patty Zander 17 Jill Weisse 10 Art & Carol Allio 24 Sue Engler 31 Dorothy Sunderman

Sacristan – Garry Kibler

NEEDED- The Deacons of Emmanuel are responsible for the seating of worshippers, the distribution of worship materials and the collection of the offering. Volunteers are needed to share in this effort. If you might be willing to be a deacon, please see Garry Kibler

Call Committee The Call Committee of Emmanuel Church continues to be in contact with the Synod Office in an active search for pastoral candidates. Please ask the call committee members about any activity. Members are: Garland Bradshaw, Garry Kibler, Lindsay James, Patty Davis, Jill Weisse, Diane Pilger. We have not received any new candidate names from the Synod Office and would welcome suggestions from members.

GREETERS NEEDEDChurch Elders will be placing a calendar in the narthex for signing up to be a greeter on Sunday mornings. Think about volunteering for this important ministry here at Emmanuel. Questions?See Terry Wentworth.

THOUGHT: HAVE YOU PRAYED ABOUT IT AS MUCH AS YOU’VE TALKED ABOUT IT ?

We pray for peace in the world, for missionaries, for all leaders including our president, and for those in the military and overseas, including:

* PVT Kyle Clever. * USMC Bill Evan * USMC Chuck Carman SSGT Ronnie Saunders * PFC Levi Parson, SSGT Ronnie Saunders, *Capt. Brian Bevan, Warren,PV2 * EMCS Scott Burson

*PVT M Sgt. Scott Pinto * Jeffrey A. Osborne * Staff Sgt. Jose Santiago * USCG Tristan Foegelle * PFC Levi Parson * SRA David Clever * Pvt. Ryan Estes * MP Co. Barrie Zuver * Kyle Clever * SRA Melissa Jones * 1st LT Bayley Boggs

For December 2017

We pray for those who are ill, receiving treatment, recuperating, and others in the community, including

» * Billy Baker * Donald Vasbinger » * Shirley Harachik * Karletta Lightening» * Drs. Elliot & Jen Crop * Jack Withrow » * Bill Dunton * Harlene Huffstetler» * Billie Baker * Mary Sudik» * Dan Thompson * Tanner Noble» * Helen Lockhart * Ethan Scott» * The Call Committee * Felecia MacMillan » * The Pesko’s * Dr. Larry Pilger» * Larry Bass * Michael Moore » * Jamie Ankrom * Tim Morgan» * Edith Shunkwiler * Dee Sullivan

* Emily Lucick * Jamie Ankrom * Lee Sweitzer

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WEEKLY ADVENT SERVICESEmmanuel Church is offering a Mid-Week Advent Service. These services are at 1 pm on Wednesdays. There is a meditation and music. Won’t you come join us? Immediately after the Service we continueOur Mid-Week Prayer Service in the Chapel in an abbreviated form. We have a dedicated group that meets each week. Invite friends and

Home BoundBetty DavisLois EmrichJoan LittonDoris NagyJune StroupArt AndersonJim KiblerAnne ShimborskeRalph GuyGeorge NeumeisterMinnie JacksonVirginia MorrisMargauerite BottorffCarl WollamBilly Eckenrode

Advent/Christmas Services Wednesdays-1 pm-Advent Service Christmas Eve- 9 am – Lessons & Carols Christmas Eve Service-10 pm New Year’s Eve- 9 am – Regular Worship

► SERVICES BEGIN AT 10 AM ◄ BEGINNING 7 JANUARY 2018

Thank you for the lovely flower arrangement, very much appreciated. Still waiting for my surgery date on my heart valve. Mary L. SudikNOTE: Since Mary sent her thank you, we have found out her heart surgery is Dec. 12. Prayers for you, Mary !

Emmanuel Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America140 Cherry Avenue, NW Warren, Ohio 44485

December 2017

                            

       SUNDAY           October7   Ecumenical Evening Prayer                     6:00 p.m.

        St. Columba Catherdal             Youngso

                              Parish Hall...