Christmas Worship Opportunities
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Longest Night Service:
Friday, December 21, 5:00pm
(Keep reading below for details)
Family Christmas Eve Service:
Tuesday, December 24, 5:30pm
Traditional Christmas Eve Service:
Tuesday, December 24, 8:00pm
Intimate Candlelight Service:
Tuesday, December 24, 11:00pm
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Join our kids for their Christmas Program,
Room at the Inn
at both services on
Sunday, December 15!
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The Advent season has always been one of my favorite times of year. It is a time of preparation; radically different from everything around us that shouts loudly that Christmas is here, beginning November 1
st
. But we as Lutherans embrace the season of Advent, the four weeks before the actual day that slows everything down, when we steep in the prophecies and stories of the days leading up to Christ’s birth. We light the candles around the Advent wreath and we watch in silence as the flames flicker and dance. Silence is a part of Advent, one that is probably easier to experience when we live in a colder climate, with winter nights that are long and snowy. But regardless of what is happening with the weather, our lives are still busy, with so many things competing for our attention and time. It’s harder to slow down and prepare the way of the Lord.
Advent marks the beginning of the church year and we will change settings in our liturgy at our traditional first service worship and a new litany at our contemporary 2
nd
service. Another change that you will notice is that we will be observing the rubrics (directions in red letter writing) for the order of worship found in the hymnal that call for silences. We will take a little more time during the confession and also observe a time of silence for reflection following the sermon, before we sing the hymn of the day. All these small changes are to enhance our worship experience, to allow us to take the time to think about the Word proclaimed and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. The name of our church celebrates Advent every day…Emmanuel, God with us...and we are blessed.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Tricia
Save the Date
for the first weeks of January for the ELC Stewardship Drive! An information letter with materials will be mailed out the week after Christmas and we will focus on gratitude and thankfulness the first two Sundays in January with Commitment Sunday on January 19
th
. We will examine the many facets of stewardship including time, talents and resources. Our Annual Meeting happens on Sunday, January 26
th
and we will celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and vision into the future. Details about coming Cottage meetings occurring in February and March will roll out on the 26
th
as well. This is an exciting time at Emmanuel Lutheran Church!
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Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events at Emmanuel
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- Sunday, December 1: Advent begins
- Advent Event, noon
- Saturday, December 7: New! Saturday Evening Worship, 5:00pm
- Sunday, December 8: AED training, after 10:30am service
- Council Retreat at St. Luke's, 2:00pm
- Friday, December 13: Interfaith Meal, 11:00am
- Saturday, December 14: Cookie Exchange, 2:00pm
- Sunday, December 15: Children's Christmas Program at both services
- Wednesday, December 18: Young @ Heart, 11:30am
- Confirmation Caroling at Good Samaritan, 6:00pm
- Friday, December 20: Newsletter Deadline
- Saturday, December 21: Longest Night Service, 5:00pm
- Sunday, December 22: Choir Lessons and Carols at both services
- Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve
- Church Office has limited hours
- Family-focused service at 5:30pm
- Traditional service at 8:00pm
- Intimate candlelight service at 11:00pm
- Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day
- Church Office is closed until Monday, December 30
- Thursday, December 26: No Grief Group or Emotional Wellness Group
- Sunday, December 29: Combined Worship at 9:00am with drama
- God's Work, Our Hands projects followed by a potluck
- Wednesday, January 1: New Year's Day
- Church Office closed
- Sunday, January 5: Last day to submit annual reports
- Sunday, January 26: Annual Meeting
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December Outreach:
A
gape House
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Mission
We exist to provide long-term transitional housing for families who are without a residence. We actively seek to keep the families together while helping facilitate additional support services in order to equip the families for an independent and self-sustained future.
- Our model is built around mentorship
- We create network
- We bring in experts to teach the real building blocks
- We cultivate a creative collaboration
Find out more about
Agape House
by clicking HERE
. During December, you can make a contribution to
Agape House
through the monthly outreach, and if the project is close to your heart, you may learn more and volunteer.
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Christmas Cookie Exchange
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Pr. Tricia invites you to join her family’s holiday tradition of Christmas baking and sharing on
Saturday, December 7 at 2:00PM in the Fellowship Hall. Bring at least three dozen home-baked cookies or candies and exchange them for the same number of cookies others have brought to share, plus containers to bring your new cookies home!
This fun event will include a little Christmas music, game playing and general hilarity! It is open to folks of all ages, and if you plan to eat the treats while you are here, you might want to bring extra! You aren’t limited to how many treats you bring, but make sure you bring a snack to share as well, to counteract the sugar high! Sign up on the clipboard in the narthex so we know you are coming.
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From Pastor Adam and Faith Formation
Our Youth Group will be gathering on different Sundays than usual this month on December 8 and 22.
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Do You Like to Sing?
Praise Team is looking for more singers to join them at second service. Rehearsal time is at 9:45 am each Sunday morning. Occasionally there will be a 1/2-hour practice after worship for rehearing new music. If you would like to be a part of this musical experience, please contact Jonathan Hust.
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Special Advent Service for those who might find Christmas to be difficult this year
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Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.
The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken or lost relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation, the loss of a loved one—all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and emptiness; we need to know that we are not alone.
Our spirits sink as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.
For these reasons, Emmanuel Lutheran Church offers a special “Longest Night” Service on Saturday, December 21 at 5:00pm.
Join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle—and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness.
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December's Fifth Sunday combined service at 9:00am will be followed by a church-wide maintenance and potluck.
Have you noticed things around our church that need sprucing?
Let us know!
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Interfaith Meal
Join us for a delicious meal with wonderful fellowship on Friday, December 13 at 11:30am.
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It's Time to Sing!
Our confirmation class and mentors will be Caroling on Wednesday, December 18, 6:00-8:00pm at Good Samaritan Society Skilled Nursing Center in Prescott Valley.
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A Note from the Nominating Committee
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It’s that time of year again: Emmanuel is looking for new leaders for council and committees. We are convinced that the Spirit works through Emmanuel members to raise up new leaders. We have positions on the executive committee, church council, Synod Assembly delegates, and several other standing committees to fill. Nomination forms are on the table in the narthex -- if you know of someone who would like to be considered for a position, you don't need that person's permission. You also may nominate yourself. Nominations will be open for several weeks, in preparation for a vote at the Congregation's Annual Meeting in January.
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Join us at Young @ Heart for Christmas Carols!
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What
Luncheon and entertainment
When
Wednesday, December 19
at 11:30am
Where
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
Who
All our
Young at Hearts!
Why
Terrific times,
cool conversation,
and fantastic food!
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Adopt-a-Family Angel Tree
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Emmanuel has adopted four families from Mountain View Elementary School.
New
angels are now available on the Christmas Trees in the Narthex. The trees will contain a toy item and two clothing items for each child, a clothing item for each parent, and a family gift. In addition, our quilters will provide a quilt for each family and $250 from Thrivent Financial will be used to purchase Christmas dinner for each of the families.
Gifts will be due back by Wednesday, December 18
. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus as we provide joy to these needy families in our area.
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Financial Peace University
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Never worry about money again with
Financial Peace University
(FPU), the nine-lesson course that gives you the proven plan to master budgeting, pay off debt, build wealth, and give generously. The course centers around lessons taught by Dave Ramsey, Chris Hogan and Rachel Cruze, followed by small group discussions. FPU includes your member workbook as well as one year of free access to Financial Peace Membership, where you’ll find tons of online resources to help you start winning with money. Contact Jenni Johnson for more information.
The class will meet Saturdays starting January 11, 2020 and childcare will be provided. Cost is $100 per couple/family.
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The Food Bank is requesting the following items:
- Cereal
- Juice boxes
- Canned tuna/meat
- Holiday items:
- Cranberries
- Canned yams
- Gravy
- Dressing
- Pie ingredients
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Reaching Out
- Box Tops for Education (box in Narthex)
- "Thrive"
- Yavapai Gospel Rescue Mission
- Angel Trees
For more information see the church office or the Sunday Service Bulletin.
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Is there a change in your small group’s schedule? Are you skipping your next meeting because of the holiday?
Please click here to let the office staff know so that we can pass that on to the congregation! Especially because we have such limited space to work with, it’s always good to know if that space could be utilized in other ways for that brief time. We try our best to keep the master office calendar up-to-date, and in turn our online calendar, so we appreciate your input if your regularly-scheduled meeting changes.
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December 1: Ted Becker
December 1: Linda Conover
December 6: Roger Busboom
December 6: Ruth Martindale
December 6: Judith Reynolds
December 6: Jacob Roush
December 8: Debbie Deutsch
December 8: Carol Hotten
December 12: Ramona Walker
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December 13: Chuck Guenther
December 15: Gary Coe
December 18: Irene Clute
December 19: Terri Reid
December 20: Betty Ellingham
December 22: Benjamin Hale
December 24: Shelby Tate
December 30: Mary Mayer
December 30: Alis Seim
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December 11: Andy & Susan Youngblood, 43 years
December 21: Jim & Marjie White, 52 years
December 23: Mark & Mary Austin, 48 years
December 26: Wayne & Ann Theobald, 52 years
December 30: Marlene & Vincent Krencius, 29 years
December 31: Bee & Eric Sena, 21 years
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What's going on at the church?
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Thank you for all you do!
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Click on the contact list to get a better view!
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church
7763 E.Long Look
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
PH (928) 772-4135 • FX (928) 759-3541
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