Congregational Update: 12/8/2023

Dear Church Family,

Saturday, Dec. 9th:
THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9th, has been CANCELLED. We will practice after church on Sunday.

Sunday 12/10/2023

• ATTENTION KIDS/FAMILIES, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS:  Sunday 9am, SILENT MESSENGERS will be leading us in worship. Please join us and invite others! A freewill offering will be received.  http://www.silentmessengers.net
• 10am Coffee
• Sunday School Christmas Program Practice from 10-11.

We will be streaming an old but good service because of copyright issues on Sunday.

Wednesday, Dec 13:  

• Handbells 5:10, 
• Supper 5:30, 
• Confirmation and Christmas program practice from 6-7pm.
• COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wednesday, Dec. 13th, 7pm (or a bit before) Council will meet at Norm Osero's home. Please bring treats to share.

Thursday, Dec 14:  

• Ruth Circle will meet this Thursday.

Saturday, Dec 16th: 

• CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE from 9-11am.

Sunday, Dec. 17th: 

• 9am our children will present "The Greatest Gift Christmas Pageant" during worship. They have been working so hard and look forward to performing for all of us. They are wonderful singers! Don't miss it!

Advent Calendars with matching Advent Studies are available for pickup.

In December, Gerri Bieniasz-Smith will be our Lector, and Jim & Linda Kuchenmeister will be our Ushers and provide Communion Bread.

GIFTS for the SECRET SANTA PROGRAM:  Presents delivered. Thanks so much for your generosity!

THANK YOU FROM AMERY AREA FOOD PANTRY DIRECTORS Peg Bavin & Cheryl Bowman to the Amery Ministerium:  Many thanks for the $1,277 and 78 lbs. of food collected at the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service! We are blessed to have had your support all these years! These gifts will help feed many families this holiday season!

JIM'S BARNYARD TREE is up in the entryway for families to take their ornaments to use as gifts for family and friends. Checks for these ornaments should be made payable to First Lutheran Church with "Good Gifts" in the memo line. For families who wish to donate to Good Gifts for something other than what is on the ornaments (roosters, Family Farm, goat, cow, bees, etc., please pick up the ELCA Good Gifts catalog by the Advent calendars and Bible Study booklets. For the younger folks, there are coloring books, stickers, and piggy banks up front by the candy dish!   Visit Jim's Barnyard

Happy Birthday Blessings!
10 Ashley Christensen, Carly Williamson
12 Marge Hover, Doug Johnson, Teresa Soderberg
14 Dave Osero, Anna Williamson
15 April Ziemer

SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE BELL RINGING!!  Ringers are desperately needed! Register now to ring bells for the Salvation Army from November 16th-December 23rd. Go to Register to Ring or call Patty Gallaty at 715-554-4928. There is a special need for ringers the week of Thanksgiving.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim & Karen