Sinai Lutheran Church ● 950 E. 8th St. ● Fremont, NE 68025

December 2015 January 2016

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Messenger Pastor Al’s Message

“And Mary gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

“if you ever need an extra room to stay in, a place where seeing and hearing have no edges, I have this place inside me now, and you are welcome there.” (an excerpt from, “The Extra Room,” a writing by Ellen Anthony)

With Jesus’ very birth, he identifies himself with those who are excluded; with those for whom “there is no room in the inn.” This reflects what all of Jesus’ life and mission will be.

As we take our first steps again into the season of Advent – the season of preparation to receive the “holy one”, I want to share a story that I have seen a number of times in a variety of places within the last couple of weeks. It is entitled, “Gate A-4 by Naomi Shihab Nye.”

Wandering around the Albuquerque Airport Terminal, after learning my flight had been delayed four hours, I heard an announcement: “If anyone in the vicinity of Gate A-4 understands any Arabic, please come to the gate immediately.” Well— one pauses these days. Gate A-4 was my own gate. I went there.

An older woman in full traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing. “Help,” said the flight agent. “Talk to her . What is her problem? We told her the flight was going to be late and she did this.”

I stooped to put my arm around the woman and spoke haltingly. “Shu-dow-a, shu-bid-uck, habibti? Stani schway, min fadlick, shu-bit-se-wee?” The minute she heard any words she knew, however poorly used, she stopped crying. She thought the flight had been cancelled entirely. She needed to be in El Paso for major medical treatment the next day. I said, “No, we’re fine, you’ll get there, just late, who is picking you up? Let’s call him.”

We called her son, I spoke with him in English. I told him I would stay with his mother till we got on the plane. She talked to him. Then we called her other sons just for the fun of it. Then we called my dad and he and she spoke for a while in Arabic and found out of course they had ten shared friends. Then I thought just for the heck of it why not call some Palestinian poets I know and let them chat with her? This all took up two hours.

She was laughing a lot by then. Telling about her life, patting my knee, answering questions. She had pulled a sack of homemade mamool cookies— little powdered sugar crumbly mounds stuffed with dates and nuts— from her bag and was offering them to all the women at the gate. To my amazement, not a single traveler declined one. It was like a sacrament. The traveler from Argentina, the mom from California, the lovely woman from Laredo— we were all covered with the same powdered sugar. And smiling. There is no better cookie. Then the airline broke out free apple juice and two little girls from our flight ran around serving it and they were covered with powdered sugar too. Continued on page 4

Page 2 Messenger

Sinai Lutheran Church welcomes, challenges, and nurtures disciples to serve the church and love God’s world.

Caring for and Helping Others

For I know the plans I have for you...to give you a

future of HOPE… Jeremiah 29:11

ELCA Nebraska has designated Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska for their annual December Christmas appeal to congregations. An insert is included in this Messenger and envelopes will be

available on a Sunday dur-ing Advent.

Hope came at Christmas.

Hope—a cherished gift.

Hope to children, mothers,

fathers, refugees.

Lutheran Family Services

may be the hands. But you are the heart. You fuel

the HOPE.

Love your coffee or tea? There are several choices of 100% Arabica organic, shade-grown coffee – rich, nutty and semi-sweet. Income helps

farming cooperatives build schools and health clinics in their communities. The organic Indian teas, available in several flavors, are hand picked on mountainsides by impoverished farm-ers. Other hand made gift items are available for your personal and gift purchases. Stop by the SERRV table in the narthex and choose something for yourself that will also benefit others.

A Bible Study on Mark – A

noontime bible study led by Pastor

David Nordstrom begins at 12:00pm

and will be done promptly at

1:00pm Mondays December 7,

and 14. Bring your own lunch and

enjoy this theological study of the

Gospel of Mark. All are welcome!

Adult forum is held in the fellowship hall each Sunday from 9:15-10:15. Open to all and refreshments will be available at 9am and during forum. Feel free to sign up to provide refreshments and make coffee on an upcom-ing Sunday!

Sunday, December 6--Karen Melang will finish up the study of When Christians Get it Wrong. At this closing forum, we invite both youth and adult to join us to both explore the issues surrounding the growing number of youth in our society that are aban-doning Christian beliefs and understand how this allows both Christians and non-Christians alike to reflect and understand one another.

Sunday, December 13—NO FORUM –Youth Christmas Program in sanctuary. Join us at 9:15 and enjoy cookies after the program!

Sunday, December 20, 27 and

January 3—NO FORUM

January 10—Conversation on Hospice Services

LARGE PRINT copies of the Sunday bulletin are available beginning in December if that would be a benefit to you.

The Adult Choir will present Journey of Promises, an Advent Cantata, on Sunday morning, December 20 during our 10:30 worship. The choir will be accompanied by an or-chestra made up of community mem-bers. The morning will be a musical

inspiration for all. Please join us as we follow the journey from promise to fulfill-ment - Our Savior's birth.

Cards for our Homebound are located in the fellowship hall for anyone to sign before we deliver or send on! They love to hear from their Sinai family! You

will also find some Advent resources for families with children as well as daily devotions. A daily digital resource can be

found from Luther Seminary called God

Pause and the link is available on the Sinai website. www.sinailutheran.com under the Documents & Forms tab. There is a separate Advent Devotional called Creator of the Stars of Night which is printed for you in standard and large print and available on the North entryway table.

Youth Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 13th between services at 9:15am in the sanctuary. A cookie reception will follow. Invite family and friends for this special program! Practice will be held on Saturdays, December 5 and 12 at 11:00am. Preschool through High School students are invited to participate. Sunday School families (pre-5th) are asked to bring 1-2 dozen cookies for the reception after the program.

Cookie Walk Fundraiser--Sinai’s youth

are hosting the annual Cookie Walk Fundraiser

Sunday, December 6th in the Narthex from 8:30

-noon. A clamshell is available to fill with a sug-

gested donation of $10.00. Think about giving to

a neighbor who may enjoy a treat, bring to a

holiday party or enjoy yourself! All donations will

be designated towards future Youth Mission

trips. Thanks to everyone who donated cookies

and treats!

NOTICE Change in worship schedule on

Sunday, December 20th NO 8am worship

9:15am Pre-5th Sunday school, NO HS, MS or Adult Forums

10:30am Worship with Advent Cantata

On Baptism of our Lord Sunday, Janu-

ary 10th, parents, sponsors and congrega-

tion will renew baptismal promises in worship

with our newly baptized members of the

calendar year 2015. We will recognize the

anniversary of baptism for Andi Knudsen,

Layna Reimnitz, Annabelle Workman, Johnna

Workman, Kathryne Dennin and Theodore

Navarrette.

Christmas Worship

Christmas Eve

December 24th

4 PM , 7 PM and 10 PM Worship

with Holy Communion

The Fellowship Committee would like to invite you to the

Annual Caroling and Chili/Soup Evening, Sunday, December 20th. We will leave the church at 4:30 pm and carol to our members in

care facilities and then meet back at the church for fellowship time together. We would like everyone to bring a pot of soup or chili to share and either cinnamon rolls or cookies to share. The fellowship committee will provide drinks, crackers and other soup fixings. Come join the fun and share some Christmas Spirit with our members who are not able to worship with us.

Choir changes in

schedule…

NO Bell Choir on

Dec 22, 20 or

January 5

NO Adult Choir on

Dec 23 or 30

Cantata Rehears-

al on Sat, Dec 19;

10-noon

NO Sinai Singers

on Dec 23 or 30

New member classes will be held in February. If you would like to learn more about Sinai Lutheran or are interested in joining as a member please, contact Pastor Al Duminy.

Page 3 Messenger

The Messenger is available on our website: www.sinailutheran.com Photos are posted on our Facebook page.

Prudence-Naomi Circle will NOT have a regular Bible Study in December but will meet on January 25 at 7:30 at the home of Gloria Breithaupt, 2909 Nebraska Ave. LaNelle Larson will lead our lesson which will look at Christian citizenship and Paul's encouraging letters to the early church in Philippi. During January through April the circle study will focus on the book of Philippi-ans. If you are interested in visiting circle, but don't want to make a long term commitment, this 4 month study would be a good opportunity to study God's word with us. Questions? Call Gloria at 402-727-4533. CHARITY CIRCLE will meet Thursday, December 17 at 1:30 pm at Vi Haecke’s home for a gift exchange. RUTH CIRCLE will meet Thursday, December 17 at 1:30 pm at the home of Janis Bond and Elvera Davis will lead the Bible Study. They will also meet on January 21 at 1:30pm with Dorothy Jacobs hosting and Carolyn Nordstrom leading in Bible Study.

Today we pray for the family and friends of

Donna Johnson Died November 11, 2015

(Friend of Alice Ann Johnson)

Naomi Adams Died November 14, 2015

(Aunt of Alice Ann Johnson)

Marian Pittman Died November 18, 2015

(Mother of Claire Bushong)

Tina Donchetz Died November 25, 2015 (Friend of the Kramme’s)

“So you have pain now: but I

will see you again, and your

hearts will rejoice , and no one will take your joy from you”

John 16:22

There will be NO Sunday School classes, Middle , High School or Adult forum or Cherub choir re-hearsal on Sundays, December 27 or January 3. Classes will resume on January 10th.

Looking Ahead - Committee Members, your annual report is due in to the church office by Tuesday, December 22nd This report should be a recap/summary of the year.

A Little About (ME)gan

Hey everyone! My

name is Megan Wherley,

and I am the intern for this

semester from Midland

University. I am originally

from Wayne, NE. I actually

went to Wayne State for my first two years of

college, before realizing my call was in fact not

in Human Service Counseling. I decided to

transfer to Midland in 2014 for many reasons:

the major of Youth and Family Ministry, it isn't

far from home, the cheer team, and to build on

my friendships that I developed at Carol Joy

Holling Camp. My major here is Youth and

Family Ministry, and I will be graduating

December 2016. I currently don't have any set

plans for after graduation, because that is still

quite a ways for me; things change a lot during

just a year of a person's life. I try to dwell in the

moment, instead of frantically attempting to

plan out my future. God really isn't a fan of me

doing that, so I quit trying. My ultimate goal is

to become a college pastor, but that's after I've

really lived life. I want to go on mission trips,

meet people, learn about different cultures,

and to be a light for all the different people I

find on my journey. I found myself at Sinai be-

cause I was told it's an incredible place full of

community, and I most certainly cannot deny

that. I enjoy small towns, and small churches,

so I was happy to apply to be an intern here

for the semester. I've been incredibly humbled

and blessed to be so welcomed into the com-

munity here, especially by Emily and Pastor

Al. My experience here has been exciting and

nerve-wracking as I step up and am a part of

the services, send out emails, and so forth.

This is a small church, but it has so much sup-

port and I pray that God allows this place to

prosper and continue growing. Thank you all

for your welcoming hearts!

-Megan Wherley Habakkuk 3:19

BLESSED HOLIDAYS

May Joy fill your home and Peace find it’s way

to you this Holiday season.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New

Year from the Sinai Staff!

Poinsettias for Christmas If you wish to pur-chase Poinsettias for our Christmas Eve services this year, there is a signup sheet in the Narthex. Cost is $10. We will send one of our elves to purchase the Poinsettias, as many as we have dollars for. You may designate in memory of or in honor of if you desire and may pick up to take home after 10:30 worship on December 27.

Attention...Office hours during the Holidays will be on a relaxed schedule. So please watch Sun-day’s announcements or call the office before stopping by.

Pastor Al Duminy Emily Wageman Claire Bushong Cindi Lamprecht Cheri Anderson Christine Seely

NOTICE: the annual meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2016 at 11:30am after worship service.

The Flower Chart 2016

is posted on the North bulletin board and ready for you to fill in your name for the Sunday altar flowers. Cost will continue to be $35.00 each Sunday for two bouquets with no flowers during Lent or Advent which will give you the option to donate a monetary gift to a charity of your choice.

Individuals NOMINATED for

Council, Synod Voting or Nominating

Committee—-please submit a bio to

the office by December 22nd. Also,

please plan to have your photo taken

on Sundays, January 3 and 10

between services.

Thanks to

everyone for

your prayers, calls, cards, visits

following my recent back surgery.

Knowing so many people care

helped my recovery go even faster.

I am getting stronger but continuing

to do well. Renee Coates

Thank you for keeping my moth-

er and my family in your prayers

through the last several years dur-

ing her illness. She fought a long

battle bravely, and her faith gave

her strength and comfort until the

very end. Your support and kind-

ness has meant a great deal to me

and my family. Claire Bushong

Thank you to all my Sinai friends

for the cards, visits and food and

the prayer shawl. My broken hip

and wrist is slowly healing.

Ann Hull

Thank you Pastor Al for the

visits and prayers while I was in the

hospital and thanks to the gals for

the prayer shawl. I am a little slow

and sure in places but not bad.

Thanks again. Paul E. Watson

Lives Under Construction….

SINAI LUTHERAN CHURCH 950 E. 8th St. ● Fremont, NE 68025

Address Service Requested

Continued from Pastor’s Al’s message on page 1...

And I noticed my new best friend— by now we were holding hands— had a potted plant poking out of her bag, some medicinal thing, with green furry leaves. Such an old country traveling tradition. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere. And I looked around that gate of late and weary ones and thought, This is the world I want to live in. The shared world. Not a single person in that gate— once the crying of confusion stopped— seemed apprehensive about any other person. They took the cookies. I wanted to hug all those other women too. This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost. With Jesus’ very birth, he identifies himself with those who are excluded; with those for whom “there is no room in the inn.” This reflects what all of Jesus’ life and mission will be. As we enter into the story again this year… as we prepare to celebrate and receive the baby Jesus, may we know at that very same time we are preparing for anyone who needs to be seen and heard. And I agree, this is the world that I want to live in. May we each be opened up again this Advent season to our God who is always in the midst of those who are pushed out of sight and hearing! Can you picture who that is? If not, then maybe like myself, you need to take more time to prepare… to make room… within yourself for the “holy one”… the other who needs to be seen and heard. And because this season of Advent is a season of preparation and renewal, may this “room” that we make be ready every day of our lives. May we all be nurtured again this year so that we are able to say, “if you ever need an extra room to stay in, a place where seeing and hearing have no edges, I have this place inside me now, and you are welcome there.” Peace,