Worship with Us!
8:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. - Fellowship and Education
10:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship

Holy Communion
2nd and 4th Sundays
Sunday Worship Scripture Links
In This Issue
  • Note from Pastor Marlene
  • Eleanor Marie Elmstrom
  • Advent Study
  • Congregational Survey
  • Angel Tags
  • Sunday School Program
  • Council Vacancies
  • Legion Breakfast
  • Ugly Seniors
  • Calling Pastors
  • Who's Who
  • Holiday and Winter Activities
  • Community Prayers and Links
Cradle the Cross
It’s the same every year at this time, isn’t it? “So much to do, so little time to do it!” Or, “We/I can’t add another thing to this already crazy schedule!”

My prayer for all of you in these hectic days is that you will have the time and space to intentionally reflect on the comforting promise that even time is in God’s hands. And at just the right time, ‘…when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.’ Galatians 4.4-5

May this promise give you hope and encouragement in this busy but beautiful advent time as we continue to contemplate the mystery that the manger cradles the cross.

Peace✝,
Pastor Marlene

Speaking of time:
a) I understand this is usually the time of year when Rejoice would stop sharing the Peace as part of worship, (because of colds, flu, etc.) May I suggest that rather than not sharing the peace at all – because this is so important for community - we continue to do so but without the handshake. (Of course, for those more adventurous and fun-loving people, there’s always the fist or elbow bump.☺)
b) You still have time to add to the Noisy Offering for World Hunger, remembering that there is a generous matching amount for the first $250. Just place your gifts in the manger!
c) Hopefully many of you will take the time to sign up to help with Christmas Eve services. Sign up sheets will be available at worship this week.
d) You’ll want to make sure you take the time to be a part of the joy as our youngest ones tell the story of The King’s Birthday at the 10:30 service on Sunday, Dec 16.
e) Note the time change for worship services on Dec 23 and 30: one service each week at 9:30. And, finally,
f) Christmas Eve services (Monday, Dec 24) are at 3pm and 5pm.
Eleanor Marie Elmstrom
August 8, 1924 - December 4, 2018
Age 94 of Forest Lake passed away December 4, 2018

Preceded in death by husband, Robert; parents, William & Agnes Edquist; great-grandson, Alec Gillson. Survived by daughter, Karen (Fritz) Schuldt; son, Bill (Marlene) Elmstrom; 5 grandchildren, Susan (Glen) Gillson, Daniel Schuldt, Dale Schuldt, Jeanette (Joe) Wolfe and Elizabeth (Mike) Cromie; 12 great grandchildren; special friends, Jan Palmer, Mary Weaver, Angie Prchal, Caroline Lenihan; other relatives and friends. 

Memorial Service 11 AM Monday, December 10th with visitation beginning at 9:30 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Interment at a later date at Elim Cemetery, Scandia.
Journey with Jesus
Advent is the ideal time to join a Bible Study in preparation for the Christmas celebrations, and encourage each other to engage with the story and not get distracted by a Christmas season of over-consumption and indulgence!

Join the conversation in the meeting room for the Advent Bible Study between services each Sunday in Advent.
What Do You Think?
Our church council is looking for everyone's input on the topic of permanently moving to one worship service. Please take a moment to download and print this survey, or complete the survey on our website. Your opinion is very important! Have your survey submitted by this Sunday, December 9.
Angel Tag Gifts
Angel Tag gits for Pathways 4 Youth are due this Sunday, December 9. Thank you!
The King's Birthday at Rejoice
Don't miss the Sunday School Christmas program during worship:
  • Sunday, December 16
  • Practice that morning from 9-10:15 a.m.
  • Soup lunch will follow
  • If you're able to bring a soup or dessert to share, please sign up at the Sign up to Serve table
Search and Select
Our nominating committee has been carefully reviewing council positions that need to be filled during our annual meeting. If you receive a call from a member of our nominating committee, please prayerfully consider saying "yes", as wonderful things can happen at Rejoice with your leadership!
Serving Breakfast to Send Youth Servants
Enjoy a famous Clearwater Legion breakfast and help support the Rejoice youth mission trips:
  • December 16
  • 8:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
  • Clearwater American Legion Post 323
  • 505 Pine Street, Clearwater
It's the Most Tacky Time of the Year!
Young@Heart  community, dig out that “ugly” Yuletide sweater or tie from the back of the closet and join us for a fun day of Christmas Merriment!
  • Thursday, December 20

Reservations are encouraged, as it helps us to calculate how much food to make, and keep the cost down. Making your reservations is easy!
Call Committee
Are you interested in serving on the committee to call the next pastor at Rejoice? If so, let Pastor Marlene or Council President Wendy Storkamp know by Sunday, December 23.
‘Please tell me your name.’   (Gen 32.29)
On Sundays you will find name tags and pens on tables by the doors to the sanctuary. Please take one, write your name on it, and wear it during worship, as you leave the sanctuary and stop to shake hands or share an acknowledgement, and even as you share in coffee fellowship!

Peace ✝ ,
Pastor Marlene
Men's Mexico Mission Trip
There are spots available for men who want to escape our Minnesota winter and do some good deeds in Reynosa, Mexico. The group will travel to Children's Haven International :
  • Saturday, February 23 - Saturday, March 2, 2019

Children's Haven International provides home and refuge to 50+ needy children from broken, abusive, or impoverished families. C all James Kirchenbauer at 320.290.4879 or Ken Hutchinson at 612.845.4776 for more information or to sign up. We guarantee you'll return home with enough bright and sunny smiles to last you through the winter!
Ring a Bell at the Red Kettle
Be a bell ringer! Call 320.558.5678 or register online:  RegisterToRing.com . Just two hours of your time will help complete the American portrait of Christmas!
Christmas Basket
Sign up for your Christmas basket at the Food Shelf through Wednesday, December 12. Please stop in on one the of the following days to register for a basket: 
  • Mondays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays from 9-11:00 a.m. or 6-8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays from 3-5:00 p.m.

Christmas basket distribution will be Monday, December 17 from 4-6:00 p.m. in the Lion's Community Building. 
Make Noise to Stop Tummy Growling
Donate to World Hunger Relief to help alleviate hunger around the world throughout the season of Advent!
Rejoice Holiday Worship and Office Schedule
Worship at Rejoice:
  • Sunday, December 23
  • 9:30 a.m. Worship/Holy Communion
  • Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve
  • 3:00 p.m. Family Service Carols & Candlelight
  • 5:00 p.m. Service Carols & Candlelight w/Holy Communion
  • Sunday, December 30
  • 9:30 a.m. Worship

Rejoice church offices are closed:
  • Tuesday, December 25
  • Wednesday, December 26
  • Monday, December 31
  • Tuesday, January 1
Weekday Winter Walking
Don’t let the cooler weather keep you cooped up, come walk the halls at Rejoice on weekdays!
  • Monday through Thursday:
  • 7:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Friday:
  • 7:45-11:00 a.m.

For entry, push the buzzer on the right hand side of the door that leads to the library and office area.
Community Prayers
I f you have a loved one or friend in need of prayer, fill out a   prayer request   or use one of the prayer concern requests located on the Interest table and in the sanctuary welcome pads. The star(*) in front of a name denotes a Rejoice member. This is a dynamic list. Requests will be printed for up to four weeks; call the church office at 320.558.6851 to extend listing. If a name of a friend or loved one has been omitted please resubmit the name and/or concern using one of the prayer concern forms found in the red Welcome Pads in the worship area. 
We Mourn With:
Bill and Marlene Elmstrom in the loss of Bill’s mother, Eleanor
Receiving Treatment for Cancer:
Jodi Wipper Anderson (friend Mark Gohman)
Lorraine Hoff (mother, Jeff Hoff)
Michelle Wrightson (cousin, Mary Wilson)
Janice Novak (Ron & Carolyn Stensby)
Ruth Johnson (Laurie Hoff)
Kade Moore (Lori Lanes)
*Pete Lidberg
Others:
*Jean Meyer
*Bev Hugo
Esther Persen (mother, Jim Boucher)
*Alden Gjevre
Jody Nappa (sister, Chari Ahrenholz & John Gohman)
Karin Solis (mother, Lisa Pridgeon)
*Martha Johnson
Dawn Blair (friend, Lori Lanes)
Deployed or Returning from Active Duty:
* Keith Sand
Jon Fisher (brother, Joe Fisher)
Rejoice Staff
Marlene Elmstrom Interim Pastor
Carol Eich Office Administrator
Sara Miller Youth & Family Coordinator
Nicole Heberling Music Coordinator
Mary Bergeron Office Assistant