"Welcome to the Advocate!"

A publication of celebrations and happenings in the lives of CTK family and friends. Formerly, the Advocate was a printed newsletter with church information. This Advocate (will be printed for those who would like it) will summarize what's happened, and give a preview to new events coming your way! So keep a lookout for the publication every 1st of the month. Birthdays and Anniversaries are near the bottom!

Advent Greetings

I remember my Nana would say: “Good things come to those who wait.” Yet, how many of us like to do so? Anticipating end of semester grades, results of medical tests, a baby to be born, a visitor to arrive, Christmas to come, Jesus to come again? I’m not a fan of waiting, for time drags on, focus wanders, restlessness and anxiety set in. Yet, here comes the in-between-space of Advent once again. It provides the opportunity to draw near to God in worship and prayer, expecting God to show up. 

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and for Christ to come again, the Advent sermon series called: “Meeting God in Surprising places” is meant to spark our imagination of how God meets humankind in the past, present and the future. It is based on the prophetic voice of Isaiah. Long ago, and still today, we meet God: On a mountain, in shoots from stumps, blooms in deserts, the promise of a Child, nighttime in a manger, and in the songs of Christmas.

So, how about expecting God to show up and surprise you? In everyday moments, places and spaces such as: the baptism of a child, the sound of children preparing for their Christmas program, the kind word of a friend, a delivered meal, the crisp cold evening, the Christmas lights of our neighbors.

Looking back, my Nana’s words make more sense. For when I have faith that good things will come, I look for the positive and live in the hope that God is not through with me/ us yet. When I have faith, my heart is open to the little surprises of Emmanuel in and through us. In the wait, we can trust and move forward in faith.

Blessed Advent,

Pr. Jackie

Thanksgiving is….

Thanksgiving is gratitude for the many, many blessings we receive from God. This year in particular, I give thanks to God for the ways that you care for one another: sending cards, phone calls and texts to those who are sick or injured. Dropping off soup and hot dishes. Dropping everything to sit with a friend, attending to a friend out in the cold. Bringing communion and visiting the shut-ins. Entrusting me and one another with the stories that shape and form us and knit us together as God’s people.

I praise God for the teachers and Sunday school and Confirmation children and youth who learn together. And for the unpredictable and uplifting sounds of children, toddlers and babies in worship who remind us of Jesus' words: “Let the little children come to me.” I am grateful for the prayerful worship, inspiring and heartfelt music.

As I begin my third-year ministering in and among and through you, I am humbled and grateful for your love and support of me, one another, and God’s mission in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving, dear ones!

Pr. Jackie

Join us for the Advent Season Series:

Meeting God in Surprising Places

 Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. Meet us where we are. Redeem us from our sins, and protect us with your mercy and grace. Give us hope, as we await your second coming. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Dec. 4th - Shoots from Stumps (Pastor Roy Nelson)

Dec. 11 - Blooms in Deserts

Dec. 18 -The Promise of a Child

Dec. 24 - Nighttime in a Manger

Dec. 25 Christmas day - In the Songs of Christmas

Don't forget to get your latest copy of Christ in Our Home - Jan. -March

Veterans Day Brunch sponsored by Thrivent on Nov. 13th, donations go to Camp Hometown Heroes

We had a beautiful Veterans Day service on Sunday November 13th followed by brunch in the Great Hall. Thrivent Financial sponsored the brunch, so donations went towards Camp Hometown Heroes, a non-profit organization in Grafton which provides free summer camp for children and siblings of fallen U.S. Service members. (hometownheroes.org.)

Many people enjoyed brunch

Presenting the colors

Scouts Color guard

Veterans Day Camp Hometown Heroes

Peyton leading us in song

Honoring our Veterans

Family Promise "Host" Week Nov. 27th - Dec. 3rd Response!

Family Promise continues to support families through the Shelter Program by providing apartments. The churches and some other organizations in the area support the program by providing food for the families. As you are all aware, we have been collecting food for the families these past two Sundays. The response was amazing! On Monday the 28th four families received food for the week - more than we expected! Each family received 3-4 entrees, dinner rolls, a dozen eggs, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, fresh fruits, potatoes, onions, carrots, salad mixes & salad dressing, snacks and desserts. They also received a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly. They are set for multiple meals this week thanks to all of you!! Thank you so much for adding a few items to your grocery list and bringing those items to church to be shared! We appreciated the food donations brought to us by members of St. Catherine's and Joan of Arc as well! Thank you to Jenni for creating the Sign Up Genius we used and to Toni and Shelly for sorting and packing up the boxes of food for delivery!  Thank you Church!  You sure know how to love your neighbors!!!

Car loads for Family Promise

Thank you for your generosity!

Thank You CTK from Outreach

Thank you for your generous support of Outreach projects over the last year. Because of your generosity we were able to help our local neighbors as well as our neighbors in our greater community, Wisconsin and the world. Your contributions, financial and other, have made a difference.

As we are in the Christmas season, Outreach will be offering opportunities to donate to several organizations. Please know that we are offering choices, and you should not feel obligated to donate to all the organizations. Please follow your heart.

PLEASE NOTE: If you see "Message Clipped: View entire message" in this email, that is not the end! There are more announcements!

Click "View entire message" to read more.

Confirmation class: class at 5:30 pm Dec 4th

Confirmation and Sunday School class Dec. 4th & Dec 11 for Christmas program practice after communion.

Shorehaven Giving Tree

Please consider purchasing a gift for the Shorehaven Outreach Christmas. A tree is in the Narthex. Take an ornament or two off the tree or see the attached wish list then go shopping for the items you would like to bless a Shorehaven resident with. Bring your unwrapped gifts back to CTK by Sunday, December 11^th. We will deliver the gifts to Shorehaven for their annual Christmas Party.

Purchasing Christmas gifts for a needy family at The Women's Center. Please put cash donations in an envelope marked "TWC - Christmas" and turn it in to the office or collection plate by Dec 8.

Join us in prayer                           

Ongoing Prayers: John E, Cheryl, Jill B, Jerry, Dave, Barb C, Tom F.,Donna S, Tom M, Dan, Anthony, Adam and Megan, Pam, those who suffer from addiction or mental illness, those in hospice and care facilities.

Evangelical Lutheran Churches in El Salvador and Tanzania and their Bishops, Imbaseny parish in Tanzania, Serenity Inn, Family Promise, Reformation Lutheran Church, Lutherdale Bible Camp, All God's Children, Mt. Meru Coffee Project & Outreach for Hope Congregations, those serving the military and their families and the Hope Center.

Committees/Meetings

Property and Grounds: Mondays at 6:30pm

Re-entry: 1st Monday of the month when needed

Prayer Shawl Ministry: 2nd & 4th Monday at 1:00pm 

Al Anon: Mondays 6:30pm

Women's Bible Study: select Mondays at 9:00am*

Worship and Music: 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30pm

Executive Team: 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm

Church Council: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm

Education: 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm *Moved to Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10:30am

Outreach: 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm

Alcoholics Anonymous: Fridays 7:00pm

Men's Bible Study: Fridays at 7:00am

Boys' Breakfast Bible Study: 1st & 3rd Saturdays at 8:00am (at CTK & via Zoom)

Special Dates

Dec 4th and 11th During Sunday School will be Christmas Program Practice

Dec 7th Care Ministry meeting (formerly Eucuristic team) at 9:30am

Dec. 11 Stewardship Commitment Sunday and Breakfast bake

Dec 11th Giving Tree gifts due

Dec 18th Sunday School Christmas Program and Happy Birthday Jesus, with Gingerbread Houses! forms due Dec. 12th

Dec 21st Blue Christmas with open Sanctuary for meditation 3-4pm

Dec. 24 at 2:30 and 4:30 Concert of Carols led by the Sanctuary Choir

Christmas Eve candlelight worship services at 3pm & 5pm

Christmas Day worship 9am

Please remember events and times are subject to change due to local COVID safety measures.

Please see the CTK calendar on the website for updates!

Stewardship

As we look forward to the coming year, it is clear that God calls us to grow in creative and adaptive ways. Our hope for 2023 is to Grow with God in our: faith, welcome, connections, and generosity! A letter was sent recently to all members that included your intention card. Take time to think prayerfully and consider how your contribution will help CTK Grow with God. On Commitment Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, you can make known your intended offering for the coming year by bringing in your card or filling it out online through our website. 

 Your participation in the life of CTK is life-giving to our mission and ministries. We have many things to be grateful for: meaningful and prayerful worship, creative staff, technology, a refurbished organ for special music, and a building shared with the community and partnerships.

To celebrate our commitments on Dec.11th come to join us for breakfast bake in the Great Hall having: Egg bake, mini muffins, fresh fruit, and Danish. This is sponsored through a Thrivent Grant and a free-will donation.

Click below to see the letter and to view how to pledge online.

Just in time for Christmas! Mt. Meru has two great gift ideas. The Holiday Sampler and a Christmas Traditions Blend. These two gift ideas are on display in the upper sanctuary. Orders placed by December 18^th will be available for pick up on December 21^st.

This global outreach is helping farm families in the Meru Diocese in Tanzania. This project is giving the farmers a hand up rather than a hand out. 

If you have any questions, please contact Toni Schnorr at afschnorr@gmail.com or call 262-416-8012

Blue Christmas is traditionally held on or around the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice. Blue Christmas will be observed at Christ the King on Dec. 21st with a meditation vigil from 3-4pm for anyone experiencing grief or sadness. The Sanctuary will be candlelit and quiet for this time of Prayer.

St Olaf's Annual Lutefisk Dinner, Bake Sale and Butik

(including delicious Swedish meatballs)

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Serving from 11- 4 pm

reservations preferred www.st-olaf.org

St Olaf has been serving Lutefisk with all the trimmings for more than 70 years.

St. Olaf Lutheran Church

W653 Roosevelt Road Located East of Alderly

Dodge County, Town of Ashippun

Birthdays

Justman, Andrew Dec 1

Kreklow, Andrew Dec 1

Goodrich, Gerald Dec 2

Udovich, Bryce Dec 4

Fedder, Helen Ann Dec 6

Sorensen, Alice Dec 7

Danielson, Brendan Dec 8

Turner, Sandra Dec 10

Winkels, Judy Dec 10

Solsrud, Jerry Dec 12

Armiger, Alex Dec 13

Houck, Kim Dec 14

Goetz, Samantha Dec 15

Marusinec, Joyce Dec 15

Ellena, Mitchell Dec 17

Schleich, Grant Dec 18

Ouradnik, Ann Dec 23

Borgwardt, Teri Dec 24

Hamilton, Linda Dec 25

Beiler, Ruth Dec 27

Sundquist, James Dec 27

Spencer, Arlene Dec 28

Armiger, Lynn Dec 30

Armiger, Scott Dec 30

Things to submit to the "Advocate" should be sent to office@ctkdelafield.org by the 20th of the month.

Pastor Jackie Cook

Office Coordinator - Maggie Thompson

Music Director - Maria Tyksinski

Faith Formation-Jenny Nettesheim