Dear Friends,
As we get ready to turn the calendar page and look forward to the promises of 2019, I want to thank so many of you for being such a blessing to our congregation and communities in 2018.
This year concluded in wondrous ways for our faith community. Over three services on Christmas Eve, we had well over 500 people praising our newborn king (This is in addition to 200 the day before at our Christmas Pageant) I have received many positive comments about the energy in the room at worship and especially the power, grace, and beauty expressed in the music. A big thanks to Nicole Kruvczuk and our children and youth, Marcella Curtiss and our choirs, Lynette Becattini , Charles Armstrong, and Wendy Leinhauser for all of their work behind the scenes, and all of you who volunteered so much of your time during the Advent and Christmas season. Also, a huge word of thanks is extended for your financial support throughout the year and especially on Christmas Eve where we experienced tremendous generosity The way you have opened your hands, your hearts,and your voices has brought more blessings to people in this community and abroad than you will ever know.
Tomorrow we will have one Worship Service at 10 AM (No Saturday worship tonight)
Next Sunday, January 6, we will celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord as we return to our regular worship schedule with worship at 5 PM on Saturday, Sunday Worship at 8:15 & 11 AM, and Christian Education on Sunday at 9:30 AM.
Also on Sunday, January 6 we begin two new exciting adult education gatherings at 9:30 AM:
Music Since the Reformation (meeting upstairs in Choir Room)
This series, led by Dr. Don Joye, will cover music development from the Reformation and touch on contributions by the masters (including Bach, Handel, Beethoven, and Haydn) as well as other modern examples.
Sin of Certainty (meeting upstairs in Daniel's Den)
Difficult passages of and questions about the Bible and how we often mistake "correct belief" for faith when what is really needed is trust.
Finally, I make a sad face as I inform you that Christmas decorations will start coming down on Monday January 7 at 6:30 PM. Time marches on and while admittedly it is not as much fun as putting the decorations up, the company is just as good. If you would be willing to help, it would be greatly appreciated.
The month of December was quite a ride for us. Now it's time to follow Jesus through the joys and challenges of 2019. A blessed New Year to all. See you in church!
Peace,
Pastor Mueller
standrewslutheran.com
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