Concordia Prep Weekly Update

Weekly Update – December 1, 2021

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

December is here! It is easy to get overwhelmed amidst the frantic gift shopping, putting up Christmas decorations, making plans for the holidays, and of course, getting all the school work wrapped up and tests studied for before Christmas break!

Christians all over the world during this time observe the season of Advent, and honestly, my heart, my life, and my family need this season now as much as we ever have! Advent is from the Latin word for “coming” and so it is a time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of the Savior, Jesus, to our world nearly 2000 years ago. It also is a time where we prepare and yearn for His second coming as Christ Triumphant! In our home and in many churches we light a candle for each week of Advent (this week we light one candle, next week we light two, then three, then four) as the anticipation builds.

And I encourage you and your family to take some time together to focus on what this season is all about! As it says in the song “Joy to the World,” - “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

NewThing is utilizing an advent devotional by Lutheran Hour Ministries called “Child of Promise” that is helping us see that the birth of Jesus is part of a much bigger story told throughout all of Scripture! Jesus is the centerpiece of that story and His life, death, and resurrection for those who believe connects us to that grand story of God!

Here is a link to the daily devotions (you can jump in on any of these).

https://subsplash.com/newthing/lb/ms/+kq5xbxz

There you will also find links to some of my favorite songs of the Christmas season! You could read the devotions individually or as a family, and you could also put on the song each day and reflect on the words or phrases that stand out to you.

If you are looking for more opportunities to prepare your heart during this season, NewThing has Advent worship gatherings throughout December on Sundays at 10:00am (in-person in the CPS Media Center) or online (https://newthing.live/livestream).

There will also be a worship gathering on Christmas Eve as we sing some of the most beloved Christmas hymns at 6:30pm.

O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Pastor Peter

Music Department Fundraiser – "Trim the Tree" this Sunday, December 5 at 4:00 pm

Please join the CPS Fine Arts Department as they kick off the Christmas season with their Christmas fundraiser "Trim The Tree" on Sunday, December 5 from 4:00 – 6:30 pm in the Media Center. Join in the fun at the annual cookie walk, and enjoy some hot chocolate, apple cider, and ornaments for decoration. A musical open mic will feature our CPS music students, and an art showcase will feature art from our CPS art students. All proceeds go to support the Music Department!

Cookie boxes will be available from $5-$20, hot chocolate will be $1, and ornaments will be available for purchase for $3.

Middle School One-Acts

The Middle School Drama II courses will be presenting two hilarious one-act plays, The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet and The Internet is So Distract–Oh Look, A Kitten! for two nights only, December 10 and 11 at 7:00 pm in the Black Box. Tickets may be purchased online for $10 for students/senior citizens and $15 for adults; limited tickets will be available at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the show. To purchase tickets, visit the following link: https://concordiaprepschool.org/events/middle-school-one-act-play/

From the Guidance Office – PSAT/NMSQT

For students who took the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT on October 13: If you provided your email address on your answer sheet on test day, you'll receive an email notifying you of when your scores are available.

The email will have a unique access code that will connect you to your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.

If you didn’t provide an email address on your answer sheet on test day, you can still access your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.

Don’t have a College Board account? Save time and set one up now:

https://cbaccount.collegeboard.org/iamweb/smartRegister?appId=395&DURL=https%3A%2F%2Fstudentscores.collegeboard.org%2Fhome

The College Board no longer sends paper score reports to schools. Score reports are available online only. PSAT scores are scheduled to be released on Monday, December 6, 2021.

Christmas Drive

Christmas Drive: Concordia Prep and NewThing are participating in a Christmas Drive with Compassion Place (Lutheran Mission Society), sharing the miracle of Christmas with local families in need! https://compassionplace.org/

The drive will run between now and Friday, December 3. Monetary gifts can be given (cash/check made out to LMS designated “Miracle of Christmas”) or through NewThing Giving (https://newthing.live/give-online)

This is a competition between Upper and Middle Schools. The group that collects the most items will receive an ice cream party. Donations of $5 will count for two items.

Upper School – collecting breakfast cereal/oatmeal
Middle School – collecting peanut butter/jelly

God has given us a great opportunity to help bring the Miracle of Christmas to local families in need! You have until Friday morning at 9 am to bring in your items or give financially! Every donation of $5 will count for 2 items!

Lost and Found

Ms. Stefanelli in the Front Office has created a online catalog to view items in the CPS lost and found – and there are many! If one of these items is your student's, please contact Ms. Stefanelli at carlynstefanelli@concordiaprepschool.org or call 410-825-2323 to arrange a time to pick it up. Items will be donated after a month of being posted.

CPS Lost and Found

Annual Broadway Trip

There are only 10 spots left to see Hamilton on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. As a reminder, the annual Drama Club/Art Club trip to Broadway is open to students in both the middle and upper school. Contact Mrs. Johnson (joyjohnson@concordiaprepschool.org) for more information.

Upcoming Spirit Nights

CPS Boys and Girls Lacrosse at Ledo's Whitemarsh, Wednesday, December 1 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. (download flyer)
CPS Music Department at Chipotle, 801 Goucher Blvd, Tuesday, December 14, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm (download flyer)