This Sunday: 

"The Life-Giving Word"

John 1:1-14

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

We are coming to the end of Advent which means that we can say, “Merry Christmas!”

I remember my Dad telling me that when he was young, his family would go out into the woods on Christmas Eve to cut down their Christmas tree and to bring it home. Christmas didn’t start until the 24^th of December and then they went to church on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the second day of Christmas. Unwrapping present didn’t take long. Each child received one present, a pair of new socks and a paper bag filled with peanuts and candy. It was a German tradition from a poor farming family in northern Iowa.

My father didn’t continue with that tradition. Christmas began the minute Thanksgiving was over in our home and unwrapping gifts took all night long (yes, we unwrapped gifts on Christmas Eve after church). When I was in Seminary, I worked part time at a jewelry store in the Dayton building in downtown Minneapolis. Christmas started there in June with the 8^th floor of the building filled with Christmas decorations and gift ideas. Many people began their Christmas plans and shopping in June!

No matter when or how you celebrate Christmas, I want to wish you a very blessed Christmas where God’s promises are revealed, and we are reminded of how great this gift of God truly is.

He (the angel) said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2: 10-12)

You will have three opportunities to join us for Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve, our Family Christmas Service is at 3:00 pm and our Candlelight Christmas is at 6:00 pm. On Christmas Day you can join us for worship at 10:30 am.

May the joy, hope, peace, and love of this Christmas be with you all! Merry Christmas!

Pastor Steve

• Prayers for healing for Theresa Nguyen following a cancer diagnosis.
• Prayers for Miss Brooke's daughter and their family as they navigate her health and treatment.
• Kayla, Aurien Preiss' half sister in Nebraska had back surgery a week ago, and is still in severe pain. Prayers for pain relief and a fast recovery.
• Aurien Preiss' sister, Penny, has a severe upper respiratory infection. Prayers for quick healing.
• Prayers for continued improvement for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with physical and occupational therapy.
• Prayers for healing for Phyllis Ostrand.
• Prayers for comfort and peace for Marjorie Reese as she is entering her final stages of life.
• Prayers for healing for Jennifer, niece of Kathleen Reese.
• Prayers for health and peace for Dana Engstrom's father.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.
• Prayers for continued healing for Jennifer Coughenour's mom, Lavita Costley, following a hospitalization.
• Prayers for comfort and healing for Sharon Dalbke, niece of Ron and Phyllis Ostrand, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
• Prayers for comfort and peace for Marilyn, Annie Duarte's great aunt, as she is in hospice care.
• Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is in need of continued prayers as he navigates his diagnosis.
• Dana Engstrom, the preschool director, is battling long COVID. Prayers for complete healing for her.