Bulletin

News & Notes

Christmas Eve and Day Schedule:

6 p.m. December 24th—Children’s Christmas Eve (Divine Service)

9 a.m. December 25th—Christmas Day (Divine Service)

“Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level way, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”  

(Luke 3:5-6)

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (December 28)

Jeremiah 31:15–17Revelation 14:1–5;Matthew 2:13–18

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children” (Jer. 31:15). Herod rages and sends to kill all boys two years and younger (Matt. 2:16), desperate to destroy the newborn King of kings. The Church remembers these innocent victims as martyrs. They died for the One who came to die for them. This dark commemoration bears witness to the cruelty of sinful men and the world’s hatred of Christ, who has sanctified our fragile life even from His conception and birth. But the boy who escaped Bethlehem’s bloody streets unscathed went on to face thorns, nails and spear for them and for us. He is the Lamb whose name is written with the Father’s name on the foreheads of His baptized saints (Rev. 14:1). By His death, He has redeemed an inheritance for Himself and brought peace at last by His blood. On the fourth day of Christmas, we sing “a new song” of the Lamb, of Christ the true martyr, whose death testifies that our redemption is won. We “follow the Lamb wherever he goes” (Rev. 14:3, 4), for He will bring our tears to an end

Holy Baptism:  Pennelope Faye Placke, daughter of Jerimy and Madison (nee Glause) Placke, is baptized into the saving name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit this morning.  By the promises added to this water, she is born from above by water and Spirit:  “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”  (John 3:5-6) Welcome, Pennelope, to the family of believers!

Upcoming Council and Voter’s Schedule:

  • Thursday, January 8 at 7 p.m. —Council
  • Monday, January 12 at 7 p.m.—Voters

Adult Instruction:  Another “Life With God” class designed primarily for those interested in becoming members of Zion, or who simply want to learn more about what the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations believe, teach, and confess, will start again soon.  (January?)  Pastor would be happy to share more information with those who may have questions.

Sanctity of Human Life: “Look back at how God changed you. Look ahead to what God promises for you. The future looks bright when you’re connected to the crucified and risen Lord Jesus. May the Lord continue to strengthen you to live in your baptismal grace all the days of your life.” Rev. Peter Sulzle, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, Minnesota – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org

Life Continues On:  As Good Shepherd Jesus walks with His sheep through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).  His presence does certainly does comfort us.  Yet, the process of saying “goodbye” to loved ones is a challenge, sometimes especially so during the holiday season.  A LWML devotional entitled “Life Continues On” available in the narthex is written to provide hope and encouragement for those who grieve.  Feel free to peruse, to take and read, and to share as you may find helpful.  (Note:  You will notice that our own Marilyn Bader has authored one of the devotions!  Glory to God in Christ.)

Thank You:   Brothers and Sisters in Christ! What joy filled my heart as you sang about the Savior’s birth to me at HCMC!  Touching my heart were especially the children, Trace, Ashlyn, and Addie and the drawings they made for me! Thank you for all your continued prayers. You are all in my heart and thoughts! God bless you all. May the Lord you all a joy filled and blessed Christmas. Joyfully in the Lord, Marilyn Bader

Congregational Offerings:  It has been reported that offerings during summer and through the fall are not keeping pace with budgetary obligations.  Would you therefore commit this matter to your prayers, and consider making a gift to help meet our commitments?  Through your sacrificial offerings, we are able to bring the gospel of Jesus to our church members, neighbors, and throughout the world.  Thank you! “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  (1 Peter 4:10)

Your Lifeline to the Lutheran Worldview: Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  Recent subjects include: How to Resist the Devil, The Importance of Family Meals, Critical Theory on the Right, Why Marriage 101 Should Be a Required College Course and more.  You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.                           

Prayer Requests

Grieving: Pat Wieck family, Roberta Schipman family; Shalee Peters and family grandmother Beverly Hansen); Joyce Bierbaum and family (sister Nadine Dahling of Iowa)

Healing, Recovery, Strength: Carly Niemoth (back surgery); Marie Glause son, Terry; Sue Larsen (varicose veins procedure); Marilyn Bader (broken ankle, surgery recovery); Mark Zechmann (kidney, testing); Andy Glause (cancer); Susan Willman (health issues, testing);  Rev. Micah Wildauer’s wife, Robin (cancer) and his father, Charley (stroke); Dick Spiehs niece, Diane (cancer); Bobby Larsen’s sisters, Jodie (heart surgery) and Jannie (cancer);

Family:  Praying for families desiring children, for children carried by mom in the womb, and for those families looking to adopt

World Peace: Tensions in Middle East (Israel/Iran; attacks on Rev. Nabil Nour family and friends at Haifa, Israel)

Military: Kurt Morthole; Joseph Markvicka

Missions, Outreach, and Christian Education: Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools/Trinity Lutheran School/Grand Island Lutheran High; Lutheran Church of Nigeria and Lutheran Bible Translator projects; Global missions—China; NE Dist.—Immanuel Lutheran, Loup City, NE; Concordia, Seward and all our Concordias;  Concordia Theological Sem., Ft. Wayne and Concordia Sem., St. Louis

This week’s memory verse:

(Luke 2:10-11)

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”