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December 2011 Christ Tidings

Christ TidingsChrist TidingsChrist TidingsChrist TidingsChrist TidingsChrist TidingsChrist TidingsChrist Tidings 4383 Durston Rd, Bozeman, MT 59718 4064383 Durston Rd, Bozeman, MT 59718 406--587587--41314131

www.ctkbozeman.org www.ctkbozeman.org www. ctkbozeman.blogspot.com www. ctkbozeman.blogspot.com

Mission:

We are a

Christian community

rooted in the Gospel

of Jesus Christ

that gathers to

worship, learn and share,

and reaches out to

welcome, witness and serve

Vision:

Reflecting God’s love, this congregation builds a people a place with resources for ministry in Christ’s name through prayer study worship sacraments service Values:

Knowing all are saved by grace through faith, we value creativity diversity

generosity honesty hospitality justice respect teamwork

practiced through the joyful work of love.

COUNCIL

Mike Beehler, President, 587-1737 Ginger Dynneson, 522-9271 Sharon Erickson, 587-4085 Dennis Gaub, 690-5444

Mike Hegel, Treas., 582-4623 David Hughes, 581-3650

Jane Mangold, Sec’y., 586-2195 Patsy Olmstead, V.Pres., 388-6427

STAFF

Co-Pastors: Rev. Lindean Barnett Christenson [email protected]

Rev. Grant Barnett Christenson

[email protected]

Office Manager: Dawn Byrd [email protected]

Custodian: Ron Hanson Worship Coord.: Christa Sheasby Adult Choir Director: Carly Yearous

Nursery Attendant: Liz Harber

God’s work. Our hands.

New Years’ Eve Labyrinth Walk CtK will again be hosting the Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association labyrinth walk on New Year’s Eve. Come to the social hall between 7pm and 12 midnight on New Year’s Eve. Special time (7-8pm) has been set aside just for families with young children. Adults are invited from 8-midnight. Come join us for worship from 5:30-6:30 and then take a journey on the Labyrinth.

Labyrinths are single paths that wind from the entrance to the center, and are often used as prayer or meditation paths. It’s impossible to get lost or make a wrong turn, so one can focus on the journey.

Labyrinths are ancient. The labyrinth was a central feature in many of the European Roman Catholic churches in the middle ages and many of these still exist today. The most famous of these remaining labyrinths is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. The labyrinth at Chartres was built around 1200. It was walked as a pilgrimage and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage, it was a journey to become closer to God. When used for repentance, the pilgrims would walk on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The cross is at the center of the pattern of the labyrinth and is used in the construction as a guide. Even today, churches with labyrinths encourage people to walk the labyrinth during Lent and Advent.

Advent and Christmas Worship Schedule

Wednesday Evenings, Dec. 7th and 14th: Soup Supper at 6:00pm, Holden Evening Prayer at 7:00pm

Christmas: The Real Story Study at 7:45pm

Blue Christmas Service

Wednesday, December 21st, 7pm No Soup Supper or ABC Class this day

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th: Candlelight and Carols at 5:30pm and 8:30pm

Christmas Day, Dec. 25th: Worship with Holy Communion at 10:00am

Please invite your friends, coworkers and family to join you for worship! Pick up

postcard size invitations on Sunday mornings and hand them out!

December 2011 Christ Tidings 2

Worship at CtK in December 12/3-4, 10-11 & 17-18 —The Sundays of Advent

With expectation we prepare not only to celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord, but also for his coming again, even now.

12/7 & 14 — Wednesday Evening Advent Worship & Soup Suppers

As we journey toward the manger together, we will gather for a simple supper of soup and bread on Wednes-day evenings (Dec. 7th, & 14th) of Advent. We’ll have dinner at 6pm, and gather for Holden Evening Prayer at 7pm. (ABC students will eat from 6-6:15pm and have class from 6:15-7). Sign up on the poster in the social hall to help provide the soup and bread.

12/21 -- Blue Christmas Worship Service On the last Wednesday of Advent, December 21, CtK will host a “Blue Christmas” service at 7:00pm. Christmas can be a painful time for some people. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been diffi-cult.

The constant refrain on the radio, television, and internet, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of employment or unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation and depression-all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that

we are not alone. Our spirits sink as the days grow shorter and colder. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.

For these reasons, Christ the King Lutheran Church is offering a special “Blue Christmas” service on Wednesday, December 21 at 7pm. Come and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, God’s Word, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle-and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background, is welcomed.

Winter Learning Opportunities

Sunday Morning Adult Education (9-9:45am) Adult Forum -- Please join Pastor Grant for Adult Forum in the social hall at 9am on Sunday before worship. . (Adult Forum meets in the social hall).

12/4-- Advent marks the beginning of reading a new gospel for the church year. We will look at the gospel lesson for the day, Mark 1:1-8.

12/11-- Every church year, lessons from John’s gospel are read besides the gos-pel assigned for the year. We will look at the gospel lesson for the day, John 1:6-8, 19-28.

12/18-- Please join us in the worship space as the Sunday School students present their annual Christmas program.

12/25-- Merry Christmas! No class on this day.

1/1-- Happy New Year! No class on this day. Adult forum will resume January 8th with a study on the gospel of Mark, the assigned gospel for the church year.

Manna for Moms — Join us in December as we discuss how to keep “Christ” in Christmas. Designed to support busy moms with encouragement through God’s word, we meet in the Sanctuary. Questions? Con-tact Amy Yovich (920-1051 or [email protected]).

Digging Deeper— A study of Martin Luther’s Large Catechism. 12/4: The Second Commandment. 12/11: The Third Commandment. Need a copy? It’s not too late Pick one up in the office or email Pastor Lindean. College Student Study — Reading Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.


Winter Learning Opportunities (cont.) Tuesday Noon Bible Studies— This group studies the Gospel lesson for the coming Sunday, meeting at 12noon in the CtK library. Everyone is welcome to attend. A men’s group meets during the noon hour Tuesdays, as well, studying various topics.

Wednesday Evenings During Advent -- Christmas: The Real Story -- Many of us have an uneasy feeling about the way in which we celebrate Christmas. We sense there is more to Christmas than closets full of gifts, an exhausting social schedule, and a pilgrimage to church to see admittedly adorable children reenact the first Christmas. When we read the biblical account of Christmas, we find that even as a newborn, Jesus was turning the world upside down. Outcasts became honored witnesses to His birth, gentiles recognized Him as King, and an earthly king turned violent out of fear. In Christmas: The Real Story you’ll discover new wonder, richness, and inspiration in the story of the infant Jesus. Travel back 2000 years to relive the real reason for celebration. Join Pastor Grant for three Wednesday evenings at 7:45pm beginning November 30th for an in depth look at the real birth of Jesus Christ.

Saturday Morning Bible Studies— A Men’s Gathering/Study meets every Saturday at 7:00am at Perkins’ Restaurant on West Main in Bozeman. All men are welcome. Extra Master Builder Bibles for Men are available in the church office. Questions? Give Dave Hughes a call, 581-3650 for more info.

Also, a Women’s Gathering/Study meets at The Daily Coffee Shop at the corner of N. Rouse and Oak Street at 7:30am every Saturday morning. All are welcome. Questions? Give Pr. Lindean a call, 451-4250.

Women’s Monthly Bible Study— The December afternoon Bible Study will be held at 1:15pm in the church’s library on Monday, December 12th. The topic is TO FOLLOW AND TO SERVE, THE GOSPEL OF MARK- "Power and Authority”. Please join us, we are always glad to have you. We will have extra copies of the study if you don't subscribe to GATHER magazine. Come and bring a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

God Pause Daily Devotions—These e-mail devotions are short, meaningful reflections on the following Sunday's lessons and gospel delivered directly to your e-mail box. By Sunday, you'll be ready for an extra meaningful worship experience. Devotion writers are Luther Seminary alumni/ae. Read more about “God Pause” and subscribe to the daily devotion at http://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/daily_view.aspx or get there from the link on the CtK blog: www.ctkbozeman.blogspot.com.

God is good—All the time! All the time—God is good!

Thanks be to God for the generous ministry support members and friends of Christ the King Lutheran Church have given!

As of the end of November, 85 pledge cards have been received in the church office. $215,452 has been pledged for Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving, and $15,351.62 has already been received. $245,016.00 has been pledged for support of CtK’s spending plan for ministry in 2012.

Again, thanks be to God! And, thanks to all who so generously support the ministry that happens in Christ’s name in this place and beyond.


In Our Prayers . . . This Past Month: Jillian Hoblitt; Jerry Onsager;

Susan, Herb & Helene Coolidge; Betty (Robin Johnson’s mother); Barbara (Doug Wollant’s mother); Katie Trevette (Ron Hanson’s daughter) ; Kersten, Richard (Harbers’ request).

• Pray for all those who live in the midst of war and those who work in harm’s way in your prayers, including Forrest Devore, Patrick Marsh, Kevin Meyerhoff, Chris Reimer, Gregg Johnson, all currently deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Libya and other areas of the world. We give thanks for the safe return of Richard Huber.

• For Doug Wollant & Lisa Stoeffler, Adam, Benjamin at the death of Doug’s mother, Barbara Wollant.

Congratulations . . .

• Harper Olive Keller, daughter of Joshua and Jan (Andring) Keller, who was baptized Saturday, November 26th. Harper’s sponsors are Rebekah Olson, Julie Andring and congregational sponsor, Lisa Storey.

Annual Reports Due If you are responsible for a committee, ministry team, or task force of any kind at CtK, we will need to have a report for the Annual Report no later than Wednesday, December 14th. If you have any questions, please contact the church office or your ministry team’s council liaison.

Reports may be emailed to the church office, or typed up and brought in to the office manager. Thank you!

Thank you so much for the wonderful ways that you took care of us at the Love INC Annual Meeting. Your facility is great and we really do appreciate all of you.

--- Love INC Staff and volunteers

Know that you have filled stomachs, changed lives, and helped to build a stronger Gallatin Valley. We thank you for your generous support!

--- GV Food Bank Staff & volunteers

Family Promise Christmas Gift Tags

CtK will be collecting gifts for the families currently in the Family Promise program. Gift tags representing the wish list for family members in Family Promise, as well as tags for items needed by Love, INC and here at CtK are available on the Christmas trees in the narthex (lobby) and social hall.

Please make sure you return your tags with the gifts. Items for Love, INC and for CtK do NOT need to be gift-wrapped.

Want to help, but don’t want to shop? Shopping elves will be glad to hit the store for you, contact the church office.

Please deliver all gifts to CtK no later than December 18th. Family Promise gifts will then be delivered to the families on or before Christmas Eve. Your love and support for these families is always appreciated!

Blessings to you and yours this Advent season!

Finals Week Grab Bags Finals Week Grab Bags will be distributed to all MSU students and faculty attending worship on December 10/11th to help them get through the coming week of exams!

Volunteers are needed to help stuff Grab Bags on Friday, December 9th at 10am. IF you can help, please call the church office, 587-4131.

IF you can provide GOODIES for the Grab Bags, please bring your goodies with you to worship Dec. 3rd and/or 4th or drop off at the church office no later than 9am Friday, Dec. 9th. Please let the church office know in advance what you will be providing for the Bags so we can supply any items we are short.

Suggested goodies: homemade Christmas cookies (or any homemade goodies); granola bars, trail mix, fruit snacks, popcorn, wrapped tea bags, cocoa, cider, candy bars, fresh fruit (small size is best), gum, etc.


Singing Christmas Carols @ Bozeman Deaconess Join us for our third annual Christmas caroling at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital on Sunday, December 18th starting at 3pm. We will meet in the chapel of the hospital (near the main entrance) and travel from floor to floor spreading the good news of God’s love through song and merriment to patients, their families, and staff. Please plan to wear a red outfit and a Santa hat (if you own one). We will sing until 5pm.

For more information please contact Pastor Grant in the church office Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m.-noon.

You're Invited! Come to Love INC's Annual Open House on December 8, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Take a peek at this outreach ministry hub of our church and 42 other Christian churches in our area. Drop in, en-joy Christmas good-ies, take a tour, talk with staff and see what the church volunteers are doing to trans-form lives in Gallatin County! We hope you will come!

Unwrapping Presence—

The Gift of Sabbath and the Rhythms of Our Lives

WORSHIP—REFLECT—RENEW—RECREATE—REST

CtK Women’s Winter Retreat 2012

6pm Friday, January 6th— 1pm Sunday, January 8th

We will be staying at a private chalet in Firelight Meadows in Big Sky.

Space is limited, sign up now!

Cost = $20 plus shared groceries/food prep/cooking and a

no-host dinner out in Big Sky on Saturday evening.

More info coming. Talk with Pr. Lindean if you have questions.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Cookie Exchange and Potluck

Friday, December 9th 6:30-8:30pm

Potluck, Cookie Exchange

and Games!

Don’t miss out!

Bring 2 doz. of your favorite Christmas cookies and take home wide variety.


Library Notes By Agnes Luft

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins -- This book can help you renew and reclaim the real spirit of holiday traditions and meaning of Christmas

Light From Heaven by Jan Karon -- Jan Karon has written many books about Father Timothy Kavanagh, who is now retired and has been asked to revive a church that’s been closed for forty years. One more story about ordinary lives and some of the people you may have met in her previous novels.

Blest Be the Pie That Binds by Dick Hardel -- This book is written for mothers, fathers, grandparents and other caregivers interested in growing strong and loving families. This is about living in God’s grace.

The Red Tent by Anita Daimant -- Here we get a new view of Biblical women’s society through the story of Dinah...and her mothers, the four wives of Jacob, and the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood.

Insider, Outsider by Judith McWilliams Dickhart -- This author gives specific suggestions how congregations can find fulfillment as they look at different perspectives and find new vitality and gives the tools to do it.

Approaching Christmas: Meditations for Advent by Joyce Huggett -- With meditations for each day throughout Advent, Huggett helps us focus on the meaning of Christmas. A wonderful preparation for the Christmas season.

DINNER WITH THE PASTORS . . . MSU Student Dinner with Pastors Grant and Lindean, Sunday, December 11th, 5:30pm. Please let them know if you plan to attend – the pastors are cooking! (587-4131 OR 451-4250)

Thanks to the members and friends of the congregation who have been so faithful and generous in giving over this past year. Your offerings have made the mission and ministry we share possible.

If you would like to make any additional gifts this year (and want to claim them on your 2011 taxes), please make sure they are postmarked no later than December 31st.

The office will be closing out the books Friday, January 6th, 2012 and your annual giving statement will be mailed the following week (approx. January 10th).

Poinsettias for Christmas Season This year we are asking for donations to pur-chase poinsettias for the worship space (as in past years), however, this year, our goal is to pur-chase some of the larger (more expensive) poin-settias and have them surrounded by just a hand-ful of the smaller pots. Because of this change we cannot promise that the donor(s) will get to take a pot home with them after the Christmas season.

We hope you will consider making a donation toward the purchase of poinsettias for Christmas Eve and Day, and the season of Christmas. There are some really beautiful potted plants available.

Please write “Poinsettias” on your offering enve-lope or check.


Kid

s’

Page — Preparations for the Children’s Christmas Program begin during Sunday

School on December 4th.

— Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal is Saturday, December 17th at 10am. Following the rehearsal there will be a family Advent Activity from 11-11:45am—making “Chrismons” (special ornaments) for the CtK Christmas Tree!

— The Children’s Christmas Program is Sunday, December 18th. Children need to be at CtK by 9am, the program begins at 9:15am.


CtK Lutheran Youth D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Ctk Bozeman Youth

Coming Up:

• Family & Youth Ministry Team meeting, Tues., 12/6, 7pm. WE NEED YOU!

• For High School Students: Fri., 12/16, 8:3opm-Midnight—MIDNIGHT COOKIES.

• Sunday, 12/18, Sunday School Christmas Program, 9:15am.

• Sunday, 12/18, 3-5pm, Christmas Caroling at the Hospital.

• For Middle School Students: Christmas Party @ The Pastors’ house, Wed., 12/21, 6:30-9:30pm

Questions? Suggestions? New ideas? We want to hear from you! Contact Amy at [email protected]

Have you “liked” Christ the King Lutheran Church—Bozeman, Montana on facebook, yet?

From the FLBC Group Journal, Wednesday 7/27:

Q: List 5 things you’ve learned about others in the group this week.

A: 1. I learned that Claire is wonderful at swimming.

2. I learned that Ross is brilliant at card games.

3. I learned that others including Robert enjoy country music although I don’t.

4. I learned that although everyone is from the same church we live in different parts of the Gallatin Valley.

5. I also learned about our counselors and the interesting places they’ve been, including Italy & Germany. — Quinn

CTK HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH THIRD ANNUAL MIDNIGHT COOKIES

Friday, December 16th, 8:30pm-Midnight

Bring a friend (with a signed medical release form) and some cookie dough or other treats. Once again we’ll make, bake & decorate cookies to deliver to the fire and police stations, the 911 center and every nurses’ station at the hospital. This is a great way to say “thanks” to folks working the night shift during the holidays and is becoming quite the tradition. Questions? Contact Pr. Lindean

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY Wednesday, December 21st, 6:30-9:30pm

All Middle School students are invited to a party at the pastors’ house (call the church office for directions). We’ll play games, eat pizza and snacks and have a GIFT EXCHANGE. Please bring a gift costing no more than $5 to participate. Questions? Contact Pr. Lindean


Dr. Jerry Johnson graciously writes this column for CtK and his former congregation in Reno. He welcomes your comments and discussion with him of any of these topics.

God’s Work, Our Hands . . . by Dr. Jerrold Johnson

Those of us who were adults in the 1990’s can remember the mail and phone calls we received were from people we knew. Being interrupted at meal time by the phone was a rarity—no longer. Now we receive several telemarketing calls a day. The mail box contains 10 to 20 pieces of mail daily, mostly requests for money, but we are forced to check through it so as not to miss something important. My e-mail messages are seldom below 100 and always need deleting. It’s really a tangle if you try to stop unwanted messages—the doublespeak ties you in knots. Two or three weeks out of town and invariably there are at least two heavy baskets of mail to go through. It reminds me of the musical, Jesus Christ Super Star where Jesus is overwhelmed by lepers and pushed into the ground.

Most of us feel that way. We all want to give, but often we don’t know where to start and what’s legitimate. We at CtK just emptied our pockets to pay down our mortgage, and at the same time dramatically upped our budget to meet our ongoing needs, a real mark of thanksgiving. For several years we have been tops or near so in our Montana Synod in personal giving to ELCA Hunger. We have really hearkened to Jesus’ request in Matthew 25 to feed the hungry and love our neighbor through hunger giving and Family Promise. We clearly understand that people don’t eat in the long run, they must eat every day.

As we move through Advent we are again reminded of our blessings and God’s gift of Jesus to us. We in turn give to loved ones, friends and those whom we don’t know and are in great need. One billion people in the world are impoverished and hungry, often scraping by on one to two dollars a day. In the US more than 30 million people (including 12.6 million children) experience or are at risk for hunger. The “Catch 22” is we are faced with people out of work here, and the need to reach out beyond our borders. We want to buy local, and yet, give nationally and internationally.

For those of us who want to spend both ways, we have the ELCA Good Gifts Program. I have ordered Good Gifts catalogs to place in the narthex. There are many options here and abroad—farm animals, wells, malaria nets,

Bibles, farm tools, missionary support, micro-loans to women, seminary scholarships, survival kits, blankets, AIDs medicine, textbooks, school fees for girls—anything from $10 for baby chicks to $3000 for a new home for a disaster survivor to any amount wherever needed. You can order by mail using the catalog, by phone at 800-638-3522, ext. 2058, or online at [email protected] When you give a gift in someone’s name ELCA will send you a gift card designating the gift. Remember, it’s God’s work, our hands.

Financial Report Date Attend. General Designated 11/6 200 $17,033 $1,456 11/13 144 2,123 4,459 11/20 188 10,688 12,142 11/23 48 738 253 11/27 156 1,785 303 Total 736 $32,369 $18,613 Total Needed Monthly to meet 2011 Spending Plan: $26,920

Mortgage Balance: $482,539

World Hunger Appeal

World Hunger Cups: $167

Total World Hunger/Nov.: $1,092

2011 Total Hunger Giving: $6,322

2011 ELCA (disaster response)/All: $1,138

2010 Total Hunger Giving: $7219

Shampoo 58 Conditioner 15 Mousse 2 Toothpaste 7 Floss 3 Body Wash 3 Bar Soap 2 Baby Powder 1 Cotton balls 2

Cotton Rnds. 1 Naproxen 1 Band aids 16 Toothbrushes 10 Hand sanitizer 2

NOTE: Shampoo Needed!

Love, INC Personal Care Pantry, year-to-date donations ---


CtK Council Highlights Thursday, Nov.10th, 6:30pm Submitted by Jane Mangold, Secretary

Meeting called to order at 6:42 by President Beehler

Present: Mike Beehler, Mike Hegel, Pastor Grant, Pastor Lindean, Ginger Dynneson, Patsy Olmstead, Dennis Gaub, Jane Mangold, Sharon Erickson, Dave Hughes (by phone)

Opening devotions and prayer (Mangold)

Co-pastor’s Report (Pr. Lindean). Report is available on the website. Motion to continue Saturday service through January and re-evaluate it at the February meeting; Hegel, Mangold—MSC.

Lindean presented ideas for CtK’s participation in some programs for Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition. Motion to participate by hosting Sunday evening meal (5:00-6:30) provided by local restaurants starting in January 2012; Hegel, Dynneson—MSC.

Family and Youth Ministry Report (Dynneson)—Discussion on how Family and Youth Ministry team can move from being a fund raising task force to a true ministry for families and youth. Need more participation from congregational members so that youth are exposed to other adults besides parents who are involved with team.

Treasurer’s Report (Hegel)—Giving was up in October so we are current on all debts. Discussion on modified buy- down option to decrease interest rate on mortgage. This would reduce monthly payments by several hundred dollars; time term of mortgage would remain the same (payoff in 2024). Motion to move forward with modified buy down at 5% interest on 7-year adjustable mortgage with upfront cost of $4,800 (1% of loan balance); Erickson, Olmstead—MSC.

Motion to have mortgage payment automatically withdrawn from checking account; Erickson, Dynneson—MSC.

Motion to close Mission Investment Fund checking account and set up subsidiary ledger for designated money (i.e. gifts, memorials, etc.) and for “Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving Campaign;” Hegel, Mangold—MSC.

Motion to approve report; Mangold, Olmstead—MSC.

Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving (RIFGIG) Campaign Report (Hughes)-- ~$179,000 committed on November 6. Cards have been mailed and/or phone calls made to those who did not commit on November 6. ~$199,000 committed to general giving for 2012. Accounting procedures will be updated to ensure RIFGIG funds are kept separate from general offering. Council recommends Stewardship Team remain together to continue to emphasize importance and motivation surrounding stewardship and review benevolence projects/requests.

Discussion on how to streamline counting of offering.

Spending Plan Committee (Beehler, Olmstead, Hegel) is requesting that Council liaisons discuss with congregation’s

teams regarding financial needs for 2012. Hegel will send out a spreadsheet for all teams to use.

Annual meeting date—Sunday, January 29, 2012

Rein memorial fund update (Beehler)—Artist will be designing altar candle holders similar to Christ candle.

Snow removal (Beehler)—Discussion surrounding snow removal expenses and if pre-school should be paying for part of cost through rent. Olmstead suggested we discuss this with pre-school when Council meets to review their contract. Erickson will research standard cost of similar space for a pre-school.

Grief support newsletter—Unspent memorial funds will be used to subscribe to grief support newsletter for members who have lost a member of their immediate family starting November 11, 2011. Health Cabinet will help track this service.

Council discuss how various programs of church fit into tri-fold mission “Worship, Learn, and Serve.” Developing tri-fold umbrella may assist with organizing programs and activities. Pastor Lindean suggested holding adult forums during January to discuss further and present idea at 2012 annual meeting that will encourage members to get involved in mission(s) that is most appealing to them. Emphasize to members that they evaluate how the things they like doing and being involved in serve the larger goal of becoming a disciple of God through worship, learn, and serve.

Closed with Lord’s Prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

Next meeting—Thursday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Pastors’ house (1101 Bur Ave.) – Pastor Grant will lead opening prayer/devotion.

Moms (or dads) and Munchkins continues to meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. All newborn—preschool age children and their parents are invited!

December 1st—Keeping Advent with chil-dren.

December 15th—Making simple Christmas ornaments to take home.


Faith at Home

Prayer for Lighting the Christmas Tree

Use this prayer when you first illumine the tree or when you gather at the tree.

God our Creator, we praise you for this Christmas tree. It is a sign of your everlasting, evergreen presence. It is a sign of the reign of heaven, sheltering the creatures of the earth under its open arms. It is a sign of the cross, shining with the light of your grace and mercy.

Gracious God, let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree. Send us your Son, the tender shoot of Jesse, who brings us light and life. May all who stand in its light eagerly welcome the true Light which never fades. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

From Come, Lord Jesus:Devotions for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany (Augsburg Fortress, 1996).

Prayer for Opening Christmas Gifts

Gracious God,

Many years ago wise men travelled for miles to give gifts to the infant Lord Je-sus. As we open these gifts, help us remember your love for us and for the whole world, revealed to us in Immanuel, God-with-us. May we remember, too, with thankful hearts the love that comes with each pre-sent we open and the joy that comes with each gift given. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

St. Nicholas Day—Tuesday, December 6th

The feast day of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who died around 342, is December 6th. Though Nicholas is one of the church’s most beloved saints, not much is known about his life. He was a bishop in what is now Turkey, and legends about him tell of his love for God and neighbor, especially the poor. One famous story tells of Nicholas secretly giving bags of gold to the three daughters of a father who was going to sell them into prostitution because he couldn’t provide dowries for them. Saint Nicholas has become a symbol of anonymous gift giving.

On or around December 6th: as a household, think of an anonymous gift or service you can give—either to someone you know or to a stranger!


Scripture Readings for the month of DecemberScripture Readings for the month of DecemberScripture Readings for the month of December

Date First Lesson Second Lesson Gospel Text

3/4 Isaiah 40:1-11 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 10/11 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 17/18 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

24 Isaiah 9:2-7 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14, 15-20

25 Isaiah 62:6-12 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20 Scripture Readers: Please note that the gospel is read by the Pastor.

December ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care VolunteersDecember ‘11 Share Care Volunteers

Sundays/10:00am 4 11 18 25

Assisting Minister M. Beehler Jerry Johnson Julian Gaub Billie Ranard Bread Bakers J. Modde B. Hegel Communion Preparer H. Kringler Hegels Olmsteads Greeters Lufts Nielsens M/S Beehlers Readers P. Olmstead B. Nolan S. Beehler S. Erickson Ushers Hubers Hegels Hughes DuBose Coffee Hosts M. Nelsons, Zidacks Mangolds Ranards, Olsons DuBoses

Saturdays/5:30pm 3 10 17 24 31

Assisting Minister ----

Communion Prep. ---- Greeters Harbers

Readers J. Gaub D. Gaub

Ushers Kirks Dorrences

Christmas Eve Assistants -- 8:30pm Service

There will be no communion served or coffee hour on Christmas Eve. Assistants will consist of ushers, readers and greeters. Ushers: Allan & Lisa Kirk; Greeters: Dave Schrupp & Joanne Dunne; Readers: Athena Carlson.

For Assistants at the 5:30pm Xmas Eve Service see above listing --


December 2011

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 11:00 Moms & Munchkins

2 3 7:00 Men’s Study (Perkins) 7:30 Women’s Study @ (The Daily) 9:30 Quilters 5:30 Worship

4 9:00 Education Hour 10:00 Worship 11:15 Fellowship

5 6:00 NAMI Support

6 12:00 Men’s Study 12:00 Text Study 7:00 Family & Youth

7 6:00 Soup & Bread supper 6:15 ABC 7:00 Worship 7:45 Study

8 6:30 Council @ Prs.

9 10 MSU Grab Bag Assembly/Library 6:30 Ladies Nite Out

10 7:00 Men’s Study (Perkins) 7:30 Women’s Study @ (The Daily) 5:30 Worship

11 9:00 Education Hour 10:00 Worship 11:15 Fellowship 5:30 MSU Dinner @ Pastors’

12 1:15 Gather Study @ CtK Library 6:00 NAMI Support

13 12:00 Men’s Study 12:00 Text Study

14 10:00 Staff Devotions 6:00 Soup & Bread supper 6:15 ABC 7:00 Worship 7:45 Study

15 11:00 Moms & Munchkins 12:30 Salty Sr. potluck

16 8:30 Midnight Cookies

17 7:00 Men’s Study (Perkins) 7:30 Women’s Study @ (The Daily) 9:30 Quilters 10:00 Sunday School Program Dress Rehearsal 11:00 Family Advent Activity: Chrismons 5:30 Worship

18 9:00 Christmas Program 10:00 Worship 11:15 Fellowship 3:00 Caroling @ BDH

19 11:30 Staff Lunch 6:00 NAMI Support

20 12:00 Men’s Study 12:00 Text Study

21 --- No Soup Supper --- No ABC/Study 6:30 MS Xmas Party @ Prs 7:00 Blue Christmas Worship Service

22 5:00 String rehearsal

23 24 7:00 Men’s Study (Perkins) 7:30 Women’s Study @ (The Daily)

Christmas Eve 5:30 Candlelight Worship 8:30 Candlelight Worship

25 Christmas Day 10:00 Worship 11:15 Fellowship (Cookies & Coffee)

26 -- Office Closed 6:00 NAMI Support

27 --- No Men’s Study --- No Text Study

28 --- No ABC --- No Study

29 30 31 7:00 Men’s Study (Perkins) 7:30 Women’s Study @ (The Daily)

New Year’s Eve 5:30 Worship 7-Midnight -- Labyrinth

7-8 Children; 8-12 Adults


Christ the King Lutheran Church 4383 Durston Road, Bozeman, MT 59718 A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

December 2011

Read the Bible in 2011

This plan will help you read the whole Bible, straight through, in a year. Have fun! And when you have ques-tions, ask them!

December --

[_] 1 1 Corinth.12-14

[_] 2 1 Corinth.15-16

[_] 3 2 Corinth. 1-4

[_] 4 2 Corinth. 5-8

[_] 5 2 Corinth. 9-13

[_] 6 Galatians 1-6

[_] 7 Ephesians 1-3

[_] 8 Ephesians 4-6

[_] 9 Philippians 1-4

[_] 10 Colossians 1-4

[_] 11 1 Thess. 1-5

[_] 12 2 Thess. 1-3

[_] 13 1 Timothy 1-4

[_] 14 1 Timothy 5-6

[_] 15 2 Timothy 1-4

[_] 16 Titus/Philemon

[_] 17 Hebrews 1-5

[_] 18 Hebrews 6-9

[_] 19 Hebrews 10-11

[_] 20 Hebrews 12-13

[_] 21 James 1-5

[_] 22 1 Peter 1-5

[_] 23 2 Peter 1-3

[_] 24 1 John 1-5

[_] 25 2, 3 John, Jude

[_] 26 Revelation 1-3






Save the Date --

† Saturday, December 31st (New Year’s Eve) GVIA Labyrinth Walk in social hall.

† January 6th-8th—Women’s Retreat

† April 20th-22th—Montana Synod Middle School Gathering

Salty Senior Event

Thursday, December 15th 12:30pm

Potluck @ CtKLC

december 2011 print...

Documents