Love in Action

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

1300 Belt Line Road Collinsville Illinois 62234

618-344-3151 (Church) 618-344-3153 (School) 618-344-3378 (Fax)
Pastors M. Walther & P. Hemenway  Vol. 32  No. 12   December  2009

I’ve always been intrigued by this song released by Joan Osborne in 1995. The song asks some important questions like "If you were faced with him in all his glory / What would you ask if you had just one question?" Or, "If God had a face what would it look like / And would you want to see / If seeing meant you had to believe?" But the most important question is found in the refrain: "What if God was one of us / Just a slob like one of us / Just a stranger on a bus / Trying to make his way home?"

Okay, anyone can see that some of these lyrics don’t jive well with the Bible. Jesus wasn’t "Just a stranger on a bus / Trying to make his way home." Jesus came for a very specific purpose: "To seek and to save the lost." He wasn’t a "slob" either. No one in the Bible ever thought of Jesus in that way. Instead thousands walked for miles to hear Him speak.

But the basic question is still worth pondering: "What if God was one of us?" In a few weeks we will be celebrating the birth of Christ. If anyone is really serious about that question, they should look carefully at the Christmas account. What does it tell us? God did become one of us. The angel said His name will be Immanuel, which means "God with us." By becoming one of us in Jesus, the Son of God, put Himself in our place with all our weaknesses and limitations. He experienced the pain and struggle of life. He experienced temptation and persecution. He saw first hand the terrible effects of sin in this world.

I think it is good for people to ask the question, "What if God was one of us?" But I would urge them not to sit back and speculate. Instead I would encourage them to hear the word of the Lord… Let’s tell the world the Christmas truth this year: God is one of us in Jesus Christ. I would hope they could see that Jesus wasn’t just a slob but rather a savior… their Savior from sin. Pastor Walther

The children of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will present the message of Jesus’ birth at a special service on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. All the children will be in the choir and will learn the Christmas songs and hymns during the Sunday School openings. Practices for children with parts will be Dec. 6 from 1-2 p.m. and Dec 13 from 6-7 p.m. Practice for everyone (choir included) will be on Dec. 22 from 1-2:30 p.m.

All members of the congregation are encouraged to join the children in this service. Children will play pre-service Christmas music beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Preschool and Kindergarten Sunday School class will do a recitation at the start of the 10:30 service on Dec. 20. The students will also sing "Away in a Manger" at the 6 p.m. service with the "big kids". They do not have to attend any of the afternoon practices.

All older adults are invited to attend the Older Adult Christmas Dinner on Monday, December 14^th at 12 noon. Anyone retired or over the age of 59 is encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to the church office by December 10^th. This is a way to honor our older members for all they have done and continue to do for our congregation as the youth from our school help serve and entertain. This dinner will take the place of the Lunch Bunch for December.

Looking for a way to serve? We are in need of ushers for our 10:30 services. Members confirmed and older are eligible to help with this important opportunity at our worship services. For more information, contact Marty Hoffman at 344-3151.

GriefShare

A Grief Recovery Support Group

No matter what the circumstances, grief recovery is a painful process. On Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. we will hold an organizational meeting for GriefShare, a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them.  This group is sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during this difficult time. 

Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar and group discussion. A workbook assists you with note taking, Journaling and grief study. The videos feature top experts on grief recovery, reenactments about living with grief and real-life stories of people who have experienced losses like yours. During the small group discussion time, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with others who experienced a recent loss, learn about their experiences and share your own.

GriefShare is a nondenominational group and features biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics.

Please join us for the organizational meeting and first session held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in the fellowship room. It should last about 2 ½ hours. At this time we will decide the best time to meet weekly. There will be a $10.00 fee for the workbook. Scholarships are available upon request. Please register by e-mailing lcookparishnurse@charter.net or phone the church secretary 344-3151.

All Ladies of the Church (young, "mature," and in-between) you are most cordially invited to help LWML usher in the Advent Season by joining us on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 6:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is our annual Christmas party, where there will be lots of Christian fellowship, worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through the reading of scripture and the singing of our favorite Christmas carols, and of course, lots of good food!

Those members of LWML whose last names begin with the letters "A" through "K" are asked to bring a dozen or so Christmas cookies; persons with last names beginning with "L" through "Z" should bring an appetizer to be shared by all.

If you signed up to provide gifts for children of an LCFS family, you should bring the wrapped gift (marked per instructions) to the party and place it under the Christmas tree. These will then be distributed through Lutheran Children and Family Services. Others may want to bring hats and mittens for the Hat/Mitten tree, which will be distributed to needy children to provide extra warmth during the coming winter months.

• There will be no meeting in January, 2010;
• February’s regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2010. Pastor Hemenway will provide the program entitled "Hidden Meanings in Popular Lyrics". Everyone is asked to bring one or two valentines, which we will address at the meeting to send to college students, GSLC members in the Armed Services and shut-ins. (Don’t forget to put a stamp on the envelope.)

The LWML Pledge: In fervent gratitude for the Savior’s undying love and His blood bought gift of redemption, we dedicate ourselves to Him with all that we are and have; and in obedience to His call for workers in the harvest fields, we pledge Him our willing service, wherever and whenever He has need of us. We consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our will to do His will, and every power of our life to the great task of bringing the lost and erring into eternal fellowship with Him.)

Need that special "one-of-a-kind" gift? Well this is the perfect gift – a refreshing, uplifting day with God and other Christian women. Encourage the women in your life to join us at the 10^th annual Women’s Day of Renewal on Saturday, March 13, 2009 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The theme, Encouraged in Heart – United in Love is based on Colossians 2:2-3. Our Keynote Presenter, Concordia University Wisconsin professor, Dr. Mary Hilgendorf, is a well-known humorous and inspirational speaker and Bible Class leader. Women will be able to personalize their experience with two workshops. A continental breakfast and catered lunch will be included at the cost of $25.00 if registering by December 31. Between January 1 and February 22 the fee will be $30. After February 28, the registration deadline, the fee will be $35.

This year we have added a special Friday Night event to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of the Women’s Day of Renewal. The WDR 10^th Anniversary Tea Party will be held on March 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. Through very generous donations, this pre-WDR evening celebration is being offered for the minimal cost of $5.00 per person. Phyllis Wallace, nationally syndicated radio host of "Woman to Woman," will present, You Are a Designer Original!

For more information see the poster in the narthex or on the LWML bulletin board. Brochures with registration forms are available in the narthex or connecting hallway. Attend Friday night only, Saturday only, or BOTH!

Do you have too much month at the end of the money? Would you like to learn how to use a budget, talk about money with your spouse, and handle money God’s way?

Financial Peace University is a 13-week video hands-on workshop that will change the way you think about personal finance. Personal finance advisor Dave Ramsey teaches about how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving. This is not an investing class or a Bible study (although Biblically-based).

On average, a family pays off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 13 weeks. Maybe you heard about the last round of Financial Peace University that ended earlier this year from one of the approximately 70 members who went through the class? You will hear their success stories during class.

"The scariest thing about FPU was letting go of "my way" of doing things, giving this whole thing to God and letting Him guide my path. I was a huge skeptic in the beginning, however with reassurance from my 'accountability person', much much prayer and perseverance, I'm two debts away from being DEBT FREE. I never thought I could save money EVER in my life - I'm a spender, but it actually happened!" said Julie Wrigley, FPU class graduate.

Classes start January 16 2010 at 3 p.m. and the cost for Good Shepherd members is $50.   Half the cost of materials for Good Shepherd members is covered by a donor.

Non-members are welcome and the cost for them is $99.  Free Babysitting provided.

All former class members are invited to sit in again, if there is any session you missed last time or you would like a refresher!

Please sign up in the narthex by December 11 so that we know how many materials to order!

Any questions, please call Tim Meister at 636-734-6515.

Next event will be December 4^th – Tacos & a movie (details to follow). December 13^th – Potluck after church. For more information & updates visit our facebook page or e-mail klosterjoy@sbcglobal.net.

Braille Workers: will not meet in December & January.

Blood Pressure Screening: December 6 in the connecting hallway

Congregational Life will be collecting hats and mittens for the area Head Start children and for children serviced by Lutheran Social Services from November 28-December 13.

A special thank you to the men who mowed the grass at Good Shepherd this year - Cliff Meissner, Jim Preston, Mike Scaggs, Archie Schoenbeck, Irv Simpson, & Jerry Wudtke.   Your hard work is sincerely appreciated.

Please pick up your 2010 Offering Envelopes from one of the tables in the narthex. Please do not use these envelopes until January 1, 2010.

Please remember to recycle your gift wrapping paper and aluminum cans at Good Shepherd during the Christmas season. Your support is appreciated.

Please call the church office at 344-3151 if you would like to sponsor the palms for a month in 2010. The cost is $40.00 per month.

Baptisms (Children): Jocelyn Alyss Wright, Aaliyah Skylar Sivumaki, Makenzie Ann Milos

Received Through Transfer: Leah Meyer from Holy Cross, Collinsville

Marriages: Patrick Thomas McGinthy and Sara Elizabeth Nail

Funerals: Julia Eva Hoffman, Theodore Ketcham, David Henry Schneider

Souls: 1,718                                  Comm.: 1,404

Life Line Screening, the largest mobile vascular screening service in the nation, will be available to the community on December 1 from 9-3 in the Fellowship Hall. The screenings, including screenings for stroke, osteoporosis, abdominal aortic aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease, using ultrasound equipment. Other tests are offered as well.

Each youth is asked to bring five wrapped gifts to the meeting on December 6^th. They should each cost $1 or less. They can be anything from a candy bar to a Christmas decoration to lip balm to playing cards. Each child will return home with at least three gifts. Youth will only meet once in December.

• December 2 Soup Supper by Sr. High Youth
• December 6 REFUGE - Bonfire at Ruckman’s
• December 11-12 Confirmation Retreat #2
• December 15 The Deepend "Paul in Rome" Part 2
• December 20 REFUGE - Christmas Party
• December 30 Sr. High "A Day in St. Louis"
• January 1-2 Jr. High Lock-in

December 6 arrive at church by 5:45 p.m. if you need a ride to the Ruckman’s. Otherwise, meet at the Ruckman’s at 6:00 for a bonfire, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and games. We’ll return to church by 8:30 p.m.

December 20, we’ll have our annual Christmas party! Please bring a white elephant gift and a plate or package of your favorite cookies. White elephant exchange: Regifts from past years accepted. Wrap them up and keep it a secret! White elephant means something you already have or a gag gift that costs little to no money. These are for fun, not meant to be a cherished item!

The December 2^nd Soup Supper will be served by our senior high youth and we are raising funds for the National Youth Gathering. All youth can help, those attending the NYG are expected to be there! Please sign up for a shift on the youth board.

Sr. High Youth, join us for some fun in St. Louis from morning to night! We’ll start our day serving at Trinity Soulard’s Soup Kitchen, then we’ll go to lunch and the zoo, and then we’ll take a trip through City Museum! Cost should be about $20. Bring cash or a card to pay your own way for the museum and lunch. Meet at church by 8:00 a.m., we’ll return by 6:00 p.m. College students welcome!

Hey 7^th and 8^th graders! Parents too! We’re looking forward to a weekend of fun and encouragement with many of you. We’ll be studying "The Backwards Kingdom" and learning just how different God’s ways are than the rest of the world. Make sure you eat dinner before you arrive at 5:00 p.m., bring your sleeping bag in a labeled garbage bag, and get excited! A complete list of what to bring can be found in the school office, in the Jr. High drop box lower level - church, or online on the church website. Call Jaime for concerns or questions!

Formerly called Remember Lock-in, this will take place on New Year’s Night into Saturday morning. We want to remember those "heroes" in our lives who sacrifice so much for our safety everyday. We will be making cookies, thank you cards and care packages for police officers, fire fighters and men & women serving overseas. The lock-in will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 a.m. Please sign up on the Jr. High board downstairs by Christmas Day, December 25. Parents, please sign up to help for a shift of time. I especially need help for the midnight shift!

Coming up in January during Martin Luther King Weekend is the Sr. High and college ski trip. Please keep that weekend set aside if you would like to go. More details to come in the next newsletter!

It's been another busy month of using coupons and collecting all kinds of free or almost free items to be distributed by the upcoming holidays.  I've added a couple of organizations to my list of places to receive donations. Elmwood Nursing Home residents will receive Christmas gifts of lotions, lip balm, lozenges and other health and beauty items that we can get for free at Walgreens through their Register Rewards program.  Boxes are also being delivered to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry in addition to the Collinsville, Maryville, and Concordia Seminary food pantries.  Hundreds of items have again been donated! 

The dogs and cats at Collinsville's Humane Society will be enjoying another almost 100 items of dry and wet dog food, dog biscuits and cat treats that I just got delivered in the middle of November. 

Again, I would like to thank all of you for supplying me with so many coupon inserts each week.  I appreciate any extra coupons you may find also.  A special thank you to those of you who are dropping off their coupons already cut out.    

If anyone is in need of coupons for something that you use that might be an expensive item like diapers, formula, or vitamins, to name a few, I might be able to help you save some money.  If you would just contact me, I could be saving those for you.  Those are the kind of items that I wouldn't really be buying for this project. 

One more thing I would like to share is that Kmart has a new reward program.  You can go to Kmart.com to register or maybe they have information at the store about it.  You will be sent a card that you can use at Kmart (and Sears) that will give you points every time you make a purchase there.  If you shop at these stores on a regular basis, you may be able to take advantage of this program. 

If anyone has any questions about couponing or this project, you can contact me at 344-5305.  Thanks again to everyone and God's blessings!  Debbie Jones

Christmas Caroling

If you enjoy Christmas caroling, come join the choir as they host a Christmas caroling party, December 12. Meet in the church basement at 6:20 p.m. After caroling at several houses, everyone will enjoy refreshments at the home of Tim and Pam Meister.

"Return to Bethlehem" is a re-creation of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth presented by Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Chesterfield.  Tours of the re-created Bethlehem will be conducted the first weekend of December as follows:  Friday December 4, 6 - 8 p.m., Saturday December 5, 2 - 5 p.m., Sunday December 6, 2 - 5 p.m.  Lord of Life is located at 15750 Baxter Road in Chesterfield, south of I-64 on Clarkson Road.  Reservations are not required, you should be able to complete your tour within an hour after you arrive.  Donations are appreciated but not required.

Save the date – Saturday, December 19, for two performances by the National Lutheran Choir: 4:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis. Tickets for the choir’s concerts are available in advance for $20 (general admission) by calling 1-888-747-4589 or online at www.ncla.com. Doors open 45 minutes prior to performance. The program titled "Heaven and Earth Sing Gloria!" is a unique & memorable experience with music that will warm & inspire you. Posted

Workshop at Concordia Seminary

The Concordia Seminary Pro-Life Group is sponsoring "Making Abortion Unthinkable."  The workshop on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Sieck Hall 202 on the Seminary campus will begin with registration from 8:30 to 9:00 am, and will conclude promptly at 2:30 pm.  The workshop will include video-based presentations as well as discussions segments; Dr. Jeff Gibbs, professor of New Testament at Concordia, will serve as the moderator for the workshop.  Suitable for adults and older teens. Each participant will also receive a helpful manual of materials.  The $12 per person fee includes lunch and the manual. The workshop will strengthen and clarify understanding for those who attend, as well as equip them to speak more effectively and winsomely on behalf of the unborn.  For more information or to pre-register, please contact Concordia Seminary Continuing Education at 314/505-7486 or email ce@csl.edu  Registration ends January 20.

"Look Toward the Heavens: The Art of He Qi," an exhibit of 43 sacred artworks by renowned Chinese artist He Qi ("huh chee") is now on display at Concordia Seminary in the gallery of the Concordia Historical Institute through January 2010. Posted.

Chaplain Dann Ettner lost five members of the division to which he was assigned as chaplain at Fort Hood. Ettner, an active duty reservist is now ministering to the the living following the rampage that left thirteen dead and 42 wounded.

Ettner continues to work with the hospitalized, their families who have traveled to Fort Hood as well as with the soldiers who have been released from the hospital. Ettner said that survivor’s guilt is a huge problem. Soldiers are starting to say, "I should have, could have, would have."