advent & christmas schedule december...
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December 2016
Peace Lutheran
Church
A congregation of Lutheran
Congregations in Mission for Christ
www.peace2you.org 203 N. Jackrabbit Lane
Belgrade, MT 59714 406-388-1358
The Words Inside
Upcoming Events 1 & 2 Pastor Bob 3 Pastor Jeff 4 December Ministry Teams 5 Calendar 6 January Ministry Teams 7 Birthdays & Anniv. Service of Hope Many Thanks Baptisms 8 Blessings of Peace Annual Report Reminder Youth News CGA 9 Financials 10 Gary Gee
____________________ Pastor Bob Coughlin [email protected] Pastor Jeff Redlin [email protected] Mike Hansen Council President Karlene Swenson Church Office [email protected]
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Sunday, December 4 10:00 a.m. Advent Worship
10:30 a.m. Sunday School & Adult Forum
2:00 p.m. Service of Hope @ Dokken Nelson,
Wednesday, December 7 6:15 p.m. Soup & Bread
7:00 p.m. Advent Vespers – Holden Evening Prayer
Sunday, December 11 10:00 a.m. Advent Worship
10:30 a.m. Sunday School & Adult Forum
Wednesday, December 14 6:15 p.m. Soup & Bread
7:00 p.m. Advent Vespers – Holden Evening Prayer
Sunday, December 18 9:00 a.m. Advent Worship
10:30 a.m. Youth Christmas Breakfast
4:00 p.m. Christmas Caroling
Wednesday, December 21 6:15 p.m. Soup & Bread
7:00 p.m. Advent Worship – Holden Evening
Saturday, December 24 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Barn Service
@ Sorensen’s
8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship @ Peace
Sunday, December 25th
9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Worship @ Peace
No Sunday School or Adult Forum
WEDNESDAY’S in ADVENT we have a Soup & Bread meal at 6:15 p.m. Following the meal at 7:00 p.m. there will be an Advent evening worship service. Please come and join us. There are sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall to provide soup and bread.
Here we are in this "wonderful" and "busy" time of the year! We
want to inform you of the events that will be taking place during the
next few weeks of Sunday school.
Dec. 4th—Advent Lesson & Christmas Program Music Practice
Dec. 11th– Program Practice
Dec. 18th – Program Day (This will be during morning Worship. Please bring children
by 8:45 a.m. NO SPECIAL COSTUME ATTIRE. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
AFTER CHURCH SERVICE.
Dec. 25th &
Jan. 1 – No Sunday School
We will begin for the "new year" on Sunday Jan. 8th
. If you have any questions about
these dates, please ask your child's teacher.
Thank You, Peace Lutheran Sunday School Staff
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December 4, Sunday - Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service in Bozeman, is hosting the 7th
Annual Service of Hope
for those wishing to honor a loved one who has passed away. The service will include a message of
encouragement, candle lighting, and a memorial slide show—the service is free and all are welcome. For more
information please call 587-3184.
2016 Christmas Mission Store
Christmas is here and so is the Peace Lutheran Mission Store. December 11th & 18th the RePiecers will have our annual mission store set up in the Fellowship Hall. There will be crafts, jellies and goodies available with the proceeds going to our mission fund. The store will be ‘open’ during Fellowship following the Sunday services with a basket to place your checks or cash. Any questions –Carol White, Cheryl Bechtold, Diane Oddy, Marilyn Megaard or Laura Carter.
December 18, Sunday – Caroling –We will meet at Peace at 4 p.m. for chili and snacks then
head to Bozeman and around Belgrade for caroling. Everyone that enjoys singing and/or just
wants to share some Christmas joy is encouraged to join us. Families are welcome and
transportation is provided!
Christmas Poinsettias If you would like to honor a loved one or just “Praise His Birth” with a Christmas Poinsettia, please have them to the church by December 15 (with your name on the botton). Your name, as well as your loved one, will be printed in the bulletin if you wish, so let the office know. After the Christmas Day worship, you may take your poinsettia home, or leave it at the church.
December 18th, Sunday - Youth Christmas Breakfast - The breakfast will be served during Fellowship, following the Sunday Service. A free-will offering will be collected. Come to church hungry on December 18th! See Val Ross with questions or to help with food needs & preparation for the breakfast.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
CHRISTMAS EVE BARN SERVICE – 5:00 p.m. Peace Lutheran Church has a very special service on Christmas Eve. It is held in Dr.
Bruce and Virginia Sorensen’s barn on Bolinger Road. The barn is not heated and
everyone stands or sits on straw bales, so dress warm. (From Peace Lutheran Church
turn right on Jackrabbit Lane and right on Main Street/Frontage Road. Turn right on
Bolinger and left at the second driveway next to the trailer. Parking is in the field next
to Sorensen’s home. If you have any questions, please call the church office)
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT @ PEACE- 8:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY @ PEACE – 9:00 a.m.
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Dear Family at Peace Lutheran,
It’s that time of year! Even though I have been warned well in advance, it always seems to catch
me a little off guard. I find myself asking questions like: How did it come so fast? Where did
autumn go?
Though I often feel unprepared when the Christmas Season comes around, I am thankful for the
Church calendar that forces me to look again at God’s great gift to the world and the manner in
which he gave it. I’ve heard, read, spoke and sung about Christ’s birth for most of my life. But, it
still catches me with a sense of unexpected wonder. In wanting to show his love for us, God
wrapped his gift and sent it to earth in a way that we couldn’t even imagine. A baby, born to a
young girl and her reluctant husband after they had journeyed several miles on a donkey, to a
stable with an audience of shepherds and sheep… and angels. I have heard the story so many
times that it is comfortably familiar. But, examining it again this year, I am reminded of the
marvel and miracle that makes Christmas. I must give the credit to the children I get to spend time
with. Kids from the church, at Lady Bug Preschool, and my own grandchildren. They express
excitement and wonder like… well, like children.
In speaking to the 3 and 4 year-olds at Ladybug, I watched them listen and share with enthusiasm
as I told them of God’s gift of love that he wrapped in his Son and placed him in a stable. What a
story we have to tell! What love God has for us!
It is my prayer that the Christmas Story captures your heart this season. That you are able to break
through the “been there, done that” attitude that robs us of the majesty and miracle and childlike
wonder. It is my hope that the services we offer at PLC help to bring that perspective into your
life in the midst of the ‘Holiday Season’. The music of the Holden Evening Prayer service we are
using on Wednesdays during Advent is uplifting, inspiring and thoughtful. Each Sunday
encourages our watchfulness and waiting for the light that God brings into the darkness.
May your celebration be joyous at Christmastime and throughout the year.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Bob
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It is Advent again. This year our mid-week Advent vesper messages are based on the devotional booklet “From Heaven Above” by Michael Hoy. If you haven’t picked one up yet please do. They are placed on the Narthex table by the sanctuary doors. From Heaven Above is also the title of a hymn written by Martin Luther and we will be singing selected verses from that hymn during our Vesper services as well. Advent is derived from the Latin word that means “coming”. During the 4 week Advent season Christians understand that the subject of this “coming” is our Lord Jesus Christ and that his coming is to be considered in a two-fold manner. First, as Emmanuel, God with us, coming from heaven above, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a Bethlehem manger. Secondly, as the triumphant King of Kings who will come again from heaven above to make all things new and to bring creatures and creation under his final, eternal reign. Bible translator and author J.S. Phillips writes in The Dangers of Advent, “Nothing can alter the fact that we live in a visited planet. We shall be celebrating no beautiful myth, no lovely piece of traditional folklore, but a solemn fact. God has been here once historically, but, as millions will testify, he will come again with the same silence and the same devastating humility into any human heart ready to receive him.” Advent; “coming.” When you think about it, it is only in God’s coming, God’s visits that even the Bible itself has meaning and value to us, let alone all the other things of meaning and value that Christianity brings to the world. For one example, the words of Jesus Christ, God in flesh, “This is my body given for you” would have no meaning or value without that particular body of flesh and spirit actually visiting earth in the first place! Now I have a word of caution to share with you. What we need to be careful of this time of year is that the miracle of God’s initial visit to this planet on which we live would not be glossed over, brushed aside, or even rendered impotent by our over-familiarity with this miracle. What I mean is that our over familiarity with the wonder and mystery of the Christ child’s birth could actually leave us spiritually unmoved or indifferent, thus putting us in danger of being spiritually unprepared for our Lord’s second coming! With that in mind, the Advent season is much needed in the life of a Christian. In the midst of Christmas parties, cards, carols and company we can still hear and heed the ageless voice of John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These words can serve to bring our Lord Jesus Christ closer to us, bridging the gap between heaven above and earth below. God, the one in whom all things were created and in whose image we are made, has visited us and will visit us again. And what visits they are! The first time was to redeem the world; the second time will be to restore the world. That is why behind all our Christmas season fun and games, the presents under the tree, the lights and decorations we display, the food we prepare, the friends and family we welcome into our homes, we should never lose the sense of awe, wonder, reverence, and even the proper dose of fear at what God has done, is doing and will do. From Heaven Above, God visits us. Hallelujah! “Welcome to earth, O noble Guest, through whom this sinful world is blest! You turned not from our needs away how can our thanks such love repay?” (From Heaven Above, verse 8) Love in Christ,
Pastor Jeff
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December Ministry
Teams
December 4
2nd
Sunday in Advent
Sing a New Song
Advent Service
Pr. Jeff Redlin
Piano Connie Holton
Acolyte Cameron Handsaker
Usher/Lector/Refreshments
Steve & Tiina Smith
Megan Paulson
December 11
3rd
Sunday in Advent
Waiting & Watchful
Advent Service
Pr. Bob Coughlin
Piano Lorrie Hansen
Acolyte Stara Bell
Usher/ Lector/Refreshments
Ashby & Linda Miller
Carol & Bob White
Lynn Johnson
December 18
4th
Sunday in Advent
Waiting & Watchful
Advent Service
Pr. Jeff Redlin
Piano Jackie Currey
Acolyte Colter Handsaker
Usher/ Lector
Lynn Johnson
Fred & Kari Haas
December 24
Christmas Eve
5 p.m. Barn Service
@ Sorensen’s Barn
Pr. Jeff Redlin
December 24
Christmas Eve @ PLC
8 p.m. Communion Service
Pr. Bob Coughlin
Piano/Organ Jackie Currey & Jinx Sorensen
Acolyte Blaise Bolich
Dylan Swenson
Usher/ Lector Smith family
December 25
Christmas Day
9 a. m. Worship
Pr. Jeff Redlin
Piano Jinx Sorensen
Acolyte Zach Sherman
Ushers
Council for December
Bill Miller/Kari Haas/
Tiina Smith
Altar Guild for December
Misty Redlin/Jinx Sorensen
Kristy Rieger
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2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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12:00–6 p.m. Blood Drive @ Belgrade Community Church 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers 7:00 p.m. Bible Book Study
2 Pr. Jeff’s day off
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9:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. 7th Day Adventist
4 2nd Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 2:00 p.m. Service of Hope @ Dokken Nelson In Bozeman 5:00 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Choir
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Pr. Bob’s day off 5:00 – 6:00 PM Food Bank 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
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1:30 p.m. Crossways 6:30 p.m. 7th Day Adventist Prayer
7 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Peace Re-Piecers 11:00 a.m. Staff meeting 6:15 p.m. Advent Soup & Bread Supper 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship 7:30 p.m. Confirmation
8 9:30 a.m. Worship Comm. Mtg. 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers 7:00 p.m. Council Bible Book Study
9 Pr. Jeff’s day off
10 9:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. 7th Day Adventist
11 3rd Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. Worship – Chosen People/Dakota Road Children’s Christmas Program 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes 6:00 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Choir
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Pr. Bob’s day off 5:00 – 6:00 PM Food Bank 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
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1:30 p.m. Crossways 6:30 p.m.7th Day Adventist Prayer
14 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 6:15 p.m. Advent Soup & Bread Supper 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship 7:30 p.m. Confirmation
15 9:30 a.m. Mission & Outreach 1:00 p.m. Clothes Closet Training 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers 7:00 p.m. Bible Book Study
Newsletter & Annual
Reports Due
16 Pr. Jeff’s day off Belgrade Comm. Choir 6:00 p.m. @ Peace
17 9:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
7th Day Adventist
18 4th Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. Worship & Sunday School Program 10:00 a.m. YOUTH CHIRSTMAS BREAKFAST 4:00 p.m.. Chili Feed & Caroling 6:00 p.m. Confirmaiton
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Pr. Bob’s day off 1-4 p.m. Clothes Closet 5:00 – 6:00 PM Food Bank 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
20 1:30 p.m. Crossways
6:30 p.m. 7th Day Adventist Prayer
21 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 6:15 p.m. Advent Soup & Bread Supper 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship 7:30 p.m. Confirmation
No School
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23
24 Christmas
Eve 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. 7th Day Adventist
5:00 p.m. Service @ Sorensen’s Barn 8:00 p.m. Candlelight & Communion Service
25 Christmas Day
9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 4:30 p.m. Community Cafe in Bozeman
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Church Office Closed NO Food Bank 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
No School
27 1:30 p.m. Crossways 6:30 p.m. 7th Day Adventist Prayer
Karlene-Vacation 6
28 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
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30
31 9:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
7th Day Adventist
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January Ministry Team
In December a council member will be calling the
following January Ministry Team Members:
Andrew & Tracey Bolich
Lavern Brusven
Michael & Michelle Clark
Paul & Gayle Clifford
Dee Feddes
Paul & Theresa Flanagan
John & Jennifer Handsaker
Mike & Lorrie Hansen
Marilyn Megaard
Larry & Diane Oddy
Stan & Doreen Olean
Gary & Debbie Porter
Kyle & Joni Sando
Bruce & Virginia Sorensen
Daniel & Amanda Swenson
Jerry & Karlene Swenson
James & Reyel Tex
Jason & Tracy Weathers
Bill & Marcia Zankowski
If you would like to show your thanks for something in the
next newsletter, please fill out a “I give thanks to” sheet
and place it in the Give Thanks boxes that are located on
the counter in the back of the Sanctuary and on a table in
the Fellowship Hall.
Kris Bell for arranging the acolytes every month!
To all who provided supplies for Lefse.
To all the huge Lefse crew! Those who made
dough, set up the church, mixed, cut, rolled, grilled,
and bagged lefse. You are all awesome, we could
not do it without so much support!!
Thanks to everyone who helped put up the
Christmas Tree and decorate the sanctuary.
Thanks to Cindy Gee for our altar flowers, as well as
others who contribute throughout the year.
1 Ben Cestnick
Cody Handsaker
2 Tiina Smith
Nick Pipinich
4 Shelby Lee
6 Phil Davis
9 Kate Davis
Lee Paulson
11 Mark Salo
14 Laura Leininger
Brandon & Deanna Thurston
16 Megan Winchester
17 Ethan Campbell
18 Joe & Jodi Robbins
19 Mark Roadarmel
21 Dennis Bechtold
Gilean Murray
22 Kevin Mattson
26 Kristy Rieger
Julie Hanson
27 Lisa McCurley
28 Mark & Laurie Salo
Phillip & Megan Winchester
Al & Judith Arensmeyer
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Michael Spinelli
Max Weathers
Fred & Kari Haas
Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service is hosting the ninth annual Service of Hope, Sun., Dec. 4, at 2pm at Dokken-Nelson, 113 S. Willson,
for those wishing to set aside a time to remember a loved one who’s passed away. The service will include a message of encouragement, candle lighting, and a memorial slide show—the service is free and all are welcome. For info please call 587.3184.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Reports are due December 15th
from: Pastors, Congregational Life,
Council President, Education,
Library, Outreach Team, Servants of
Peace, Worship Committee, and
Youth & Family.
Re-Piecers Christmas Store
December 11 & 18th in the Fellowship Hall Support this worthwhile and very productive mission.
December
1
3
4
5
13
21
23
24
25
29
?
Dawn Pipinich
Thane Adams
Kameron Sando
Brooks Bolich
Bryleigh Larson
Phil Davis
Cameron Handsaker
Anders Paulson
Hudson Smith
Colter Handsaker
L.D. Severson
Ngovib Akukwe
Nick Pipinich
Morgan Mitchell
Judith Arensmeyer
Devyn Sando
Nancy Vitarius
Blessings of Peace
Matthew 7:7 says: “Ask and it will be given to you, seek
and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you.”
This article is about the greatest “Blessing” that I believe we,
at Peace Lutheran are given. That being the gift of “Prayer”.
Prayer is a gift of our Father in Heaven to ALL of us. He
encourages us to talk with Him as a child would talk with his
Father. We don’t need an appointment and we don’t need to
worry about how to express our feelings to Him. He loves us
perfectly. When we pray, we know that our Father in Heaven
is near and He is listening to us.
Being able to pray freely to our Father is truly a Blessing.
There are many Countries in the world right now that don’t
have this opportunity. In fact, Christians around the world
are still being persecuted in 2016. Some Christians have to
hide their Bibles; they can’t meet together to pray; Pastors are
imprisoned; believers in Christ suffer great bodily injury;
Churches are bombed; Christians lose their legal rights,
sometimes their homes; and many live in fear.
We, as members of Peace Lutheran Church get to pray from
our hearts and know that our Father will always answer our
prayers in the way and in the time that will be for our best
eternal good. We truly are Blessed!!
This will be the last “Blessings of Peace” for a while. I have
enjoyed visiting and being thoughtful about some of the
Blessings that I see and feel with our amazing Church Family.
I wish all of you a blessed Christmas season and pray that you
and your families have a happy, healthy 2017. God Bless all
of us….
Phillipians 4: 6-7; do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let
your requests be known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jackie Currey
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December Youth Events Thank you to the congregation for your support with your time and money for the Youth Group. Our fundraisers for Lefse and the Cat-Griz Flocking were big successes. Thank you all!! Christmas Breakfast! Sunday, December 18th, 2016 The youth will make and serve breakfast for the entire congregation after worship service. Come to church hungry!! Blessings! Val & Amy
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Each year, Christ's Gift Academy provides students and
their families with a practical gift at Christmas. This
year's Christmas Gift campaign, Food for the Holidays,
will provide all of our CGA families with food to help
sustain them during the long holiday. $20 provides food
for 1 child for the school holiday break. $50 provides
food for 1 family for the school holiday break. CGA’s
goal is to raise gifts to support 250 families. Please write
checks out to Peace Lutheran Church and indicate “CGA
Food for the Holidays” with your gift. We will be
collecting donations until December 10. Thank you.
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Gary Gee
1948 – 2016
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Peace Lutheran Church 203 Jackrabbit Lane
Belgrade, MT 59714
GUEST COPY
Please take this with you if you are visiting. If you would like to be added to
our mailing list, please contact the church office 388-1358 or email us at
The newsletter is available on the website www.peace2you.org.
If you do not have web access, we will be happy to mail the newsletter to you.
Peace Lutheran Church
203 Jackrabbit Lane
Belgrade, MT 59714
Phone: (406) 388-1358
Web Site: www.peace2you.org
LCMC: www.lcmc.net
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Peace Lutheran Staff Bob Coughlin, Pastor
Email: [email protected]
Jeff Redlin, Pastor
Email: [email protected]
Karlene Swenson, Office
Email: [email protected]
Scriptures for December
December 4 – 2nd
Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7
Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12
December 11 – 3rd
Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146
James 5:7-11 Matthew 11:2-15
December 18 – 4th
Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 7:10-17 Psalm 24
Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25
December 24 – Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
December 25 – Christmas Day Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 2
Hebrews 1:1-6(7-12) John 1:1-14(15-18)