Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I don’t know why, but I’m always a little bit amazed and surprised as the season of Advent comes around. November’s leaves have blown off the trees. The first snow of December may fall on Sunday night. Our pine bough encircled Advent wreath hangs ready to go in St. Paul’s sanctuary. Believe it or not, Christmas is coming, too!
Here’s a summary of some of the highlights of St. Paul’s Advent/Christmas season.
I’ve been asked to lead an invocation at the lighting of the Closter Christmas tree on Sunday, December 8 at 4:30 PM. Join us, if you ‘d like, out in front of town hall. Other activities are also part of the Christmas Tree Lighting event.
We’re looking for help in decorating for Christmas. Koepchen Fellowship Hall Christmas Tree Decorating will take place on Wednesday, December 4 at 1 PM. St. Paul’s Sanctuary Christmas Tree Decorating will take place on Wednesday, December 11 at 11 AM. If you can help, please speak to Roy Merz.
St. Paul’s Quilters and the women of St. Paul’s Ladies Aid look forward to their Christmas Luncheon on Monday, December 9 at Noon in Koepchen Fellowship Hall. Women and friends of the congregation are invited to attend. Please let Janice Pierro or Carolyn Bieri know if you are coming. Janice reminds us that we will do a $5 gift exchange, as well.
The members of our Sunday School are getting ready for St. Paul’s Sunday School Christmas Service, which takes place on Sunday, December 15 at 10 AM. A light reception will follow downstairs in St. Paul’s library.
We will be warming up the griddle for St. Paul’s Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 21, from 9 AM to Noon. Helpers for the event are asked to come at 8 AM. A donation of $5 per child and $8 for each adult is recommended for this event. If you are able to help, please speak to Barbara Guile or Pastor Holsten.
Classic Ballet’s Nutcracker will take place on Saturday, December 21 at 4:30 PM at the Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest. Admission to the performance is free!
We look forward to sharing the Good News of Jesus’ birth here at St. Paul’s in our Candlelight Christmas Eve services, which will take place at 7 and 11 PM on Tuesday, December 24. Our Christmas Day Communion service is at 10 AM on Wednesday, December 25.
We ask God to let the light of His Word shine in our hearts in this Advent and Christmas season. We ask God to bless the sharing of His Word in church and community. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
At Christmas we celebrate the Father who gave, the Son who came to earth to lay down His life for us, and the Spirit, who breathes hope in Jesus’ name into our hearts and lives.
God bless you and be with you in this month to come!
In Christ,
Pastor Holsten
NOTES FROM PASTOR
Pastor Holsten and Pastor Ed Lazarchak invite the men of St. Paul’s and friends to come to our second Men of God Bible Study. This will take place in Room 14 at 9:30 AM on Saturday, December 7. Refreshments will be served.
St. Paul’s Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, December 15 at 11:30 AM in Room 14. We will vote on our annual budget at this meeting.
Our Traveling Light Bible Study will meet in Room 14 on Thursdays (December 5 and 12) at 10 AM. We will watch the movie, The Christmas Candle on Thursday, December 19 at 10 AM. Donna Munsch leads this study.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
ELDERS
- Met on Nov. 5th
- Reviewed Pastor’s report
- Set schedule for November.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
- Sunday School will be starting to prepare for the Christmas service.
- Adult Bible Study is continuing.
MISSIONS & EVANGELISM
- Met on Nov 3rd.
- Finished Honey Sunday for Dakota Ranch.
- Sent out 89 new neighbor cards.
- For November mission Family Promise we will be doing gift cards.
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP and SOCIAL ACTION
- Will be gearing up for the Santa breakfast.
PROPERTY
- Dealing with LOTS of leaves.
- Boiler needed a motor and leaky pipe repair.
- Bob Bieri and Roy did weather stripping on doors
STEWARDSHIP
- Going to Rockleigh home Thursday with a Thanksgiving skit.
- Visited with Linda Olsen.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
- MSC to present budget to congregation at Dec meeting by Barbara Guile and Gerrie Oliver.
- Tentative dates of; Dec 15th Congregational meeting, Sunday School service Dec 15th and Santa breakfast Dec 21st.
- Review of Synod constitution and proposed amendment.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
| 3 | Gerri Gibney, Kenneth Lieb |
| 6 | Cynthia Schama, Rosemary Huss |
| 7 | Jeanne Parietti, Kimberly Johnson |
| 10 | Joan Holsten, William Henshaw |
| 11 | Joan Curto |
| 1 | |
| 13 | Janet Riecken |
| 17 | Eric Holsten, Laureen Dahle |
| 19 | Michael Pierro, Brianna Ross |
| 21 | Philip Wiederholz |
| 30 | Alison Dana Keil |
| 31 | Anne Marie Bodnar |
LADIES AID