ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 29 - January 4, 2025

First Sunday after Christmas

 Divine Service, Setting Four at 10:30AM

Streaming of the service begins at 10:15 AM

Exodus 13:1–3, Exodus 13:11–15; Colossians 3:12–17; Luke 2:22–40

SUNDAY Snacks with coffee - Thanks to all those who signed up to bring snacks. Please contact Lilly if you have questions or would like to help clean up.

 December 29 - Mary Beth Rigby

 January 5 - Amira Kummer

✛THIS WEEK and EVERY WEEK+ 

Altar Flowers - on Christmas Day were given by The Moyer Family. Sign up for altar flowers on the signup sheet outside Library bulletin board. Each bouquet is $20 and payment should be marked 'altar flowers' and date dedicated. You now have access to the new 2025 flower calendar on the wall outside library.

Sunday School - Classes for all age groups. Adult Bible class continues at 9:15 AM. We are reading Revelation in the adult class. CHOIR practice at 08:15 AM. BELL Choir Rehearsal: returns at 9:20AM. 

Tuesday - Bible Study is now studying Matthew. We meet at 1 PM  in the Mueller room at church.

Wednesday - Handmade Prayers (Prayer Shawl Ministry) meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10 AM in Mueller Library.

Thursday - Men's Bible Breakfast (MBB) meets on Thursday mornings at 8 AM via zoom. The format is discussion of the Lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. For more information email Dan Good.

✛FELLOWSHIP✛

Christmas Hymn Sing - Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is holding a Christmas Hymn Sing Friday January 3rd at 6p.  We'll meet at the church and sing a lot of Christmas hymns.  Julie, the organist at ORLC, and Pr. Thress from Faith, Bear will share the load of playing the organ.  After we sing for a while and hear the Christmas story through song, we'll share a light reception together.  Anyone who gathers is welcome to bring some treats to share.  If you have any questions, call the church: 302-737-6176.  The church is located at 10 Johnson Rd, Newark, 19713

January Pot Luck - Well, we made it through another year with all of God's blessings.  Let's start the new year with a pot luck on JANUARY 12 after our worship service in All Saints' Hall.  The theme is CHILI.  We will need at least 7 crock pots full of a variety of chili - perhaps some with beans, some without - some hot, some sweet.  It is totally up to you.  A sign up sheet will be passed around during the service.  Tortilla chips, plain potato chips and drinks will be provided.  I look forward to our fellowship time together.  As always bring a friend, neighbor, family, coworker.  All are welcome.   

✛EDUCATION✛

Lutheran Talk and Music App - You can listen to Lutheran talk and music 24/7, anytime, anywhere with the free Lutheran Public Radio app.  You can download for your cell phone at the App Store, Google Play or at issuesetc.org, or go to their mobilized websites: issuesetc.org and lutheranpublicradio.org.

Checkout the podcast Tangible, too. Scholarly insight on a variety of issues that make faith real–tangible. Search for it on your podcast app.

Sunday School - Classes by age group begin at 9:15.

Sunday Adult Bible - Meets in the Mueller Room at 9:15. We are now reading Revelation. 

Weekday Bible Study - We meet on Tuesdays at 1:00 PM with Pastor Dave.  We are reading Matthew.  

Men's Breakfast Bible Study - This group meets on Thursday at 8:00 A.M. to study the readings from the lectionary for the coming Sunday. For more information contact Dan Good. 

CATECHESIS - religious instruction given to a person in preparation for Christian baptism or confirmation typically using a catechism...i.e. Martin Luther's small Catechism.

Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is God's will done? God/s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God's name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.  THIS is His good and gracious will. What is the will of God? God's will is that all people come to know Him as their Father and live under the rule of His Son.  This petition is closely related to the petitions that His name be hallowed and His kingdom come.  We ask that God, in keeping with His will, would never allow Satan, the world, and our sinful flesh to take God's name and faith from us.   God strengthens us with His Word so that we can endure the sufferings that will come.

✛SERVICE✛

Trudy and Kathee served this Month

Faithful Servants,

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.”  

These encouraging words from the Apostle Paul to the Galatians are encouraging for us today too.  I cannot help but marvel at the fact that as 2024 is ending, we have been feeding the hungry folks at the Emmanuel Dining Room every month for the last 40 plus years.  Lots of casserole and brownie bakers with our great Preschool partners over the years help make this ministry a success.

On the 27th of December we again had the privilege of serving  172  fine people of Wilmington.

Thanks to all who continue to provide each month and to Kathee Butler and Trudy Fletcher for serving at the Dining Room on the 27th.

Looking forward to 2025 and wishing all a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Dale and George

Casseroles are needed for the 27th of January – Concordia's day to serve EDR! Help feed people who are hungry by making a casserole or brownies for EDR!  Recipe (Click).   

As a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Orphan Grain Train is a Christian volunteer network that sends donated clothing, shoes, medical and other needed items to people in need. We meet Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. to sort and pack donations for shipping. Our location is the warehouse next to the Dansko outlet: 8 Federal Rd, West Grove, PA, 19390. 

Read all about OGT on the bulletin board by the library, or visit our webpage for hours of operation, the latest updates, and to review the full list of materials our recipients need most. Donated items may be placed in the closet in All Saints' Hall (to the right as you enter the room). Contact Tom Fuesler or Carla Niesen with any questions. Hard to imagine how exciting it is for those who receive our 'throw aways / I don't need this anymore' possessions – we are so blessed! If you have questions please contact Tom Fuesler or Carla Niesen.

OGT NEWS Updates - Go to the SERVICE tab at the top and click on Orphan Grain Train. 

Meals on Wheels - Serving our community meals during the last full week of each month (January 27-31, 2025). The time commitment is usually 1 1/2 hrs. (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM). Please contact Susan Fuesler or email the office at info@concordiade.com. Meals are picked up at Silverside Church with directions for delivery route. Please consider volunteering; you will bless others and be greatly blessed as well!  

Handmade Prayers - Next meeting January 8, 2025 in the Mueller Library. This is a working meeting so bring your yarn projects! We welcome anyone that is interested in crocheting or knitting to join us. If you know someone that is in need of a gift from us, please let us know. 

✛STEWARDSHIP✛

Online Giving is Available – Click HERE. Let us thank Jesus that He continues to provide for us! Offerings can be set up through your bank or your credit card. Questions related to financial giving can be addressed to financialsec@concordiade.com. 

Offerings – Please help the counters: by writing your name on your envelope or attaching an address label.