4 2019 Messiah Lutheran Church Christmas Hampers The annual Christmas Hamper Program is upon us and we need your help! The Christmas tree with Ornament tags is up in the Gathering Space and still has many tags left!!! Messiah Lutheran Church (MLC) members have distributed “Christmas Hampers” to families in need in our community for over 50 years. Gifts: There will be an ornament for everyone on the small tree in the Gathering Space. You are encouraged to take as many ornaments as you would like. Purchase and wrap a gift for the person listed and return the gift with the ornamental card attached no later than Tuesday, December 17th. When you take an ornament, please sign your name and your telephone number on the list that is provided beside the tree. Cash and Food: Cash gifts for food purchases are being accepted now. Checks should be made payable to ‘Messiah Lutheran Church’ with an indication it is for “Hampers.” We’d like to raise approximately $5,000 for bulk purchase of food for 60 families. There will be sign-up sheets posted in the Gathering Space next to the tree for donations of turkeys, hams and cookies. For storage and freshness, we ask that you bring these items on Tuesday, December 17 th . Schedule of events for the week of December 18-21: WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18: Set up tables in Galli Hall. Tape and distribute the boxes. Starting time is 5:00 p.m. We will need a few strong people for setting up tables and many hands for assembling and distributing the boxes. THURSDAY, DEC. 19: We will need 5 to 6 people with trucks or SUVs to meet at 8:30 a.m. at Fred Meyer. We will load up trucks and bring everything to the church, unload it, and divide it into the individual families’ assigned boxes. This is where the majority of work/fun takes place; there is plenty of work for everyone who can join us. Work at the church will begin at 9:00 a.m. until we are done! If you can meet us with a truck or SUV, please let us know! On Thursday we will also be working on clothing room and distributing and wrapping gifts starting about 10 a.m. There are lots of small tasks! FRIDAY, DEC. 20: Time to fine tune gi fts, distribute bakery goods, cookies, work on clothing room, make calls for gifts that have not arrived yet, wrap gifts for last minute adds, etc., starting at 9:00 a.m. SATURDAY, DEC. 21: CHRISTMAS HAMPERS PICKUP/DELIVERY DAY! This is the day when we will need people to make deliveries, greet the public, carry boxes to cars, and clean up. We should all try to be at the church around 8:30 a.m., doors open promptly at 9:00 a.m. Please feel free to contact us and let us know when you are available to volunteer your time, or just show up at any of the times listed. Your presence and assistance is always appreciated. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing. Thank you so much to all who have and will make this project so much fun and so worthwhile. Laurie and Dwight Bishop [email protected] (206) 678-7544 Sheilia and Mike McLaughlin (253) 886-0925 1 Adult Education The Adult Education Class meets today at 9:30am in Classroom E. On December 15 and 22 Pastor Jim Rismiller will be teaching class on The First Testament (OT): A Book of Grace Pointing to Jesus. We will explore how the same God of grace fills the whole Bible not just the New Testament and look for the shadows of Jesus from the story of creation until his birth. Holy Communion All are welcome to the Lord’s table, and this always includes children! We believe that the Risen Christ comes to us in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion with gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation for all. Please indicate your intention to receive bread and wine with open hands. Folded hands signifies that you choose to receive a blessing rather than bread and wine. Gluten free wafers are also available. We practice communion by intinction—the dipping of bread into either the larger chalice of wine or, for those who prefer, the smaller chalice of grape juice. In the name of the Risen Christ, welcome to the Lord’s Table. Welcome Welcome to Messiah Lutheran Church. No matter who you are, you are welcome here! Our hope is that through Messiah’s worship, fellowship, and acts of service, you will experience a caring place to belong and exciting growth in your faith. Following Jesus is what we do, and we invite you along as a companion with us on the journey. Messiah Weekly December 15-22, 2019 “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8b Midweek Advent Meal and Worship Join us for our Midweek Advent meal and worship on Wednesday, December 18. We will be having theme dinners each week and using Holden Evening Prayer Service as our worship service following dinner. The meal on December 18th will be taco night! The staff will provide meat and beans. Bring your favorite toppings and shells to share. Please contact Tia Monsen if you have questions. Christmas Eve Organ Concert Join our organist, Katie Walda, for her annual Christmas Eve Organ Concert with music of J.S. Bach, Corelli, and Walda. This year the organ concert will include instrumentalists Brian and Melinda Wharton, Shannon and Andrew Spicciati, and Heather Caffoe. Music includes: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, with oboe and organ (Walda improv), Wake, Awake with violin and organ (Bach), Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, with flute and organ (Bach), Pastorale from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto for strings and organ. The concert will begin at 10:30pm on Christmas Eve. 2nd Annual Congregation Christmas Party Join us TONIGHT Sunday, December 15th at 5:00pm for this all-ages event. We will have a baked potato bar, cookies and beverages. Please bring your favorite baked potato topping to share. We will be watching “Elf”, singing Christmas carols, decorating cookies and doing Christmas crafts. Please come and share in the holiday spirit with your Messiah Family!