The Night Before Jesus by Herb Brokering

E-Update

December 11, 2018

Forest Lake, Minnesota

We are called, gathered and sent to be a people living, loving and serving as Jesus did so that all may know Him.

Worship Time

Sundays:

9:00 AM &

10:30AM

Great Hall

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Stay Connected

www.hosannaforestlake.net

Join our email list here

The Night Before Jesus by Herb Brokering

A Note From Pastor Linda

Greetings Friends~

This Sunday (December 16 at both 9am and 10:30am) is the 4^th Annual Christmas Festival- a time where Hosanna shines! Our Story Teller shares a Christmas Story and in the midst of the story songs are sung by our many talented choirs: Hosanna Choir, Children's Choir, Bells and Worship Team. At points along the way, the Story Teller invites us into the journey to raise our voices in song.

This year the book is very special to me: The Night Before Jesus by Herb Brokering. I discovered this book at Jim and Karen Christensen's home as learned about the Christmas traditions of their family- both from Karen before her death and from the rest of the clan after her death. Set to the familiar rhythm of 'Twas the Night before Christmas, this children's book features clever rhymes and illustrations to teach children (of all ages!!) the important story of Jesus' birth. This is a story that our WORLD needs to remember. This is a story that I need to hear- over and over and over again.

I know we don't typically say it around here until December 24- but I'm going out on a limb: MERRY CHRISTMAS! See you on Sunday- invite the neighborhood to hear the GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY that is for ALL PEOPLE!

~Pastor Linda

REMINDER: Rehearsal for all participants on Saturday, December 15 at 9am in the Great Hall.

Prayer Requests

Comfort and Strength in Cancer Journey

Bill Grimes, father of Ryan Grimes; Megan Olrich Sullivan, family friends of Christenson family; Cindy, mother of Char Houle; Jackie, friend of Elaine Schumacher; Bob Murphy, friend of Mary Gookins; Jeremy; James Henriott; Bria Leisgang, niece of Sharon and Doug Sill; Deb Krinke; Ryder Clark, family friend of Rochelle Busch; Joe, brother of Teresa Bredahl; Beau Anderson, friend of Sill family; Tonya, friend and coworker of Vicki Croce; Beryl, friend of Elaine Schumacher; Terry Longville, friend of Sharon Sill; Bob Rupar

Healing, Recovering or Facing Other Health Issues

Leah Anderson, granddaughter of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; Hannah Bergan; Doug Sill; Ella Wenzel; Larry, brother of Michelle Spanjers; Marlys & Jerry Berg, sister and brother-in-law of Dave Oster; Leona Lucker, great aunt of James Henriott; Harry Eckert; Jeff Johnson, brother of Julie Ohman; Margot LeBoeuf, neighbor of Mary Thompson; Larry, friend of Elaine Schumacher; Joan Davis, grandmother of Mike Collins; Cole Behnken; Lynda Olson; Alex, niece of Dave and Laura Livermore; Dee Eckert; Dale, friend of Tammy Cortes; Stephanie Lackas, daughter of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; The Oster Family;Ashlyn; Juniper, granddaughter of Buck & Laura Carlson; Laura, mother of James Henriott; Joanne Johnson, mother of Julie Ohman; Sharyn, sister of Barbara Johansen; Matt Anagnostou; Nathan Acker; Dick Westcott; Sharon Kari; Cooper, great-nephew of Mary Gookins

Keep Safe From Harm

Cole Anderson, grandson of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; Adam, grandson of James Henriott

Comfort In Hospice

Steve Kari

Comfort in Grieving

Family and friends of Sean Ness; Family and friends of Joan Davis, grandmother of Michael Collins; Family and friends of Josh Diebel, friend of Livermore Family

Sarah Circle

Wednesday, December 12

10am

Sarah Circle will be having their monthly women's bible study on Wednesday, December 12 at 10am in the Garden Chapel. If you have questions or are interested in learning more about Sarah Circle, contact Kelsey Grachek.

Christmas Festival Rehearsals + Other Important information...

Wednesday Night &

Saturday, December 15 at 9:00 AM

ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES:

There will be rehearsals for the Christmas Festival on Wednesday Night & Saturday morning. All are welcome! If everyone can try their best to be present that would be much appreciated to help us have a JOYFUL time!

Preschool + Elementary Ages: Rehearsal will be during Music time in Faith Formation and will end later than normal. Wednesday END TIME: 7:45 pm **Preschoolers do not have to stay longer on Wednesday Night as we want to respect your time with family.

Saturday Morning Rehearsal- GREAT HALL, 9:00-10:30 am

All kids: Preschool + Elementary practice together, **PARENT/ GUARDIANS do need to STAY present with kids as we may finish early. Many thanks!

Sunday ARRIVE 10 min. EARLY!

MEET IN THE LIBRARY/GATHERING SPACE UPSTAIRS. Do try your best to be here early, we will warm up and head into our places. Between services there will be snacks and activities. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP IN THIS AREA- CONTACT PASTOR JEN.

Youth Christmas Cookie Baking + Sale

Saturday, December 15 at 9:00 am

Sunday, December 16

Before and After the Christmas Festival

Please fill out the following form to sign up for a time to volunteer for the YOUTH COOKIE SALE Fundraiser.

COOKIE SIGN UP

HOW CAN I HELP? You're invited to c lick link above and/or to whip up your own dough, which yields 2-3 dozen cookies, to be rolled out, cut, baked and decorated by our Youth. We also accept pre-baked cookies as well! Drop off donations by Saturday.

This is 1 of 2 annual fundraisers that helps to sustain the youth ministry at Hosanna. Your help is much appreciated. Please prayerful consider how you might join us in keeping this ministry thriving!

Before and after the Christmas Festival on December 16 the Hosanna Youth will be hosting a cookie sale. All proceeds benefit the Youth. If you have questions, talk to Pastor Jen.

Christmas Festival

Sunday, December 16

9 & 10:30 AM

Join us for this classic tale set to music. With the same rhythm and rhyme as "The Night Before Christmas", this charming twist on the classic poem brings the REAL Christmas story to our hearts and into our home. Join us- and invite a friend!

Advent: 200 Years of Silent Night

200 Years of Silent Night- all is calm, all is bright!
A year after writing the carol, Father Mohr was transferred to the village of Oberndorf in Austria, and it was in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf that Silent Night was first sung on Christmas Eve, 1818. This season we celebrate 200 years of Silent Night. Lord knows that we can use more PEACE and CALM and BRIGHT in our world. Join us for worship

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Wednesday Advent Family Faith Formation:

Last Family Advent this Wednesday, December 12
We will be making a wooden nativity scene, each week making a new piece.

Christmas Poinsettia Sale

Now through Sunday, December 16

We will be taking orders for poinsettias starting today to be received on Christmas Eve! They are $20 per plant with a variety of color choices. Orders are due Sunday, December 16. Please see the insert in the bulletin for details and to order or order here!

Toys For Tots Collection at Hosanna

Now through December 16

An acceptable donation is a NEW unwrapped toy. See the sign by the Giving Tree outside the Great Hall for some examples. All items must be new. Return all unwrapped donations to Hosanna by December 16. Contact Pastor Jen with questions.

Annual Connect360 Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 19

5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm LightHouse Worship - Christmas hymns 'n carols
6:45 pm Christmas Party - Showing "The Star" on the worship side of Garden Chapel. Adult + Kid sock exchange and special cookies!

*For sock exchange bring 1 pair of WRAPPED socks, adults or kid size.

Lutheran Social Services Homeless Youth Basket Collection at Hosanna

Now through December 19

Select a basket or an item off the Giving Tree outside the Great Hall (or two, or three) you would like to get for a homeless youth. You can work independently or get a group of people to contribute to your basket! All items must be new! Drop individual items off at Hosanna. Assemble baskets in a large storage container or laundry basket, as they can be reused, if you are making an entire basket and return it to Hosanna. All items must be returned by December 19. Contact Pastor Jen with questions.

Christmas Eve Worship Services

Monday, December 24

We will be having our Christmas Eve Worships on Monday, December 24 at 4 PM in the Great Hall and 9 and 10:30 PM in the Garden Chapel. We will be needing some volunteers for each of these worships. Please contact Kelsey Grachek if you are willing to help.

Church Office to be Closed

Monday, December 24

Tuesday, December 25

Monday, December 31

Tuesday, January 1

The Hosanna office will be closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day to allow our staff to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. The office will be open with regular hours December 26-27 and January 2-3.

Family Movie Night

Wednesday, January 2

Welcome in the New Year with laughs and family fun! The movie will start at 6pm. All ages welcome. Film TBD. Cost is free. You're welcome to bring your own meal or movie night treats. Some snacks will be provided.

Safeguarding God's Children

Sunday, January 6

This is an opportunity for those working in the areas of Children, youth and family to learn about best practices in child safety. This is open to anyone interested and strongly encouraged by church insurers for anyone working with children and youth. If you are interested in attending, please

Connect360

Registration is now OPEN!

We want YOU to join us for Connect360! Registration is now open on our website! If you haven't joined us for Connect360 Wednesday nights- give it a try!

5:00 pm - Dinner
6:00 pm - Lighthouse Worship
6:45 pm - Life Long Learning (L ³)

Life Long Learning is made up of Faith Formation, Confirmation, Higher Ground and Adult Education.

To receive more information, please contact the Church Office at [email protected]
or register on our website here.