“He’s coming, he’s coming!” What an exciting exclamation, made from the mouth and heart, in anticipation, eagerly awaiting the arrival of someone. It can be the joy of a loved one returning from a long absence; it can be the jubilation of a child anticipating Santa; it can be proclaimed in the thrill of a game of suspense or a sporting event. “He’s coming, he’s coming!”

As we conclude our church year and begin our season of Advent, “He’s coming, he’s coming!” is a cry of anticipation for our Lord Jesus Christ. As we have heard throughout the last few weeks of worship, this call reminds us that our Lord is not dead and lifeless in eternity. He who is the great keeper of promises has assured us that He will indeed come again in the clouds with power and glory to judge both the living and the dead. For those who believe and trust those words of Jesus, who lived, died and rose again for our sin and its forgiveness, the cry of “He’s coming, he’s coming!” will be a shout of joy and eternal peace.

But Jesus is coming to “judge” the living and the dead. That means that there are some who will shout, “He’s coming, he’s coming!” with great fear and dread. For those who know not the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will find their selves at the fearful end of this exclaim. “He’s coming, he’s coming!” will serve only as a warning of the fulfillment of condemnation.

As we prepare for our season of Advent, that time of the year where we live in the anticipation of the very first time our Lord Jesus fulfilled the prophets by being “born of the virgin Mary,” “He’s coming, he’s coming!” is relived in our hearts as we receive Him who humbled Himself in the likeness of man. Advent reminds us that Christ will come, Christ has come, and Christ will come again.

“He’s coming, he’s coming!” May your Advent and Christmas

preparation be a blessing to you and your family as we invite you to allow St. John’s and our worship services make your anticipation special times for you.

The peace of the Lord be with you!

Pastor Young

“The Messenger Who is Sent Before You”

Imagine someone showing up at your door, claiming to be a messenger and having good news for you. At first, you would become very skeptical, since in times past those who have shown up at your door were either thieves and robbers (aka door-to-door salesman), wanting to steal and destroy, or they were from some other ‘church’ wanting to converse with you in their interpretation of the End Times, the Rapture, the 144,000, or some other speculation that is ungrounded in Holy Scripture.

But what if that one claiming to be a messenger was John the Baptizer himself? What if the message he proclaimed was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” Does your faith call you to that repentance, doing what Martin Luther suggests in the Small Catechism when he says, “Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?” (SC: Confession).

“Yes, I have,” you answer, and you have guilt. But God forgives your sins and renews your strength like the eagle’s. He sent His Son Jesus Christ as a baby to Bethlehem on that first Christmas, and reminds us each and every Christmas, that He loves us. And, through the daily reading of His Word, He continues to tell us of His great love.

Our focus this month is setting aside time for personal or family devotions. Many people like to make “New Years’ Resolutions.” Perhaps you would be inclined to consider how beneficial daily Scripture reading is for your faith. Within the family, the Bible, a devotional book, and a prayer book are all that are needed to set up the “Family Altar.” There are several plans available, ranging from a devotional plan of reading three chapters a day from the Bible to finish it in one year (as outlined on the weekly inserts in the bulletin) or using a devotional booklet, such as Portals of Prayer or My Devotions (for children) or other daily devotional book. It is through these daily devotions that God’s ‘Messenger’ comes to you. That ‘Messenger’ tells you of Jesus Christ; just as John the Baptizer did in his ministry (see Luke 3:1-6). That ‘Messenger’ is your daily devotions that show you the path of God’s righteousness in His Holy Word.

As you prepare and celebrate Christmas and New Years and as you daily read, mark, learn, and inwardly take to heart God’s Word, may you be blessed by God who so loves you to send His Son to give you eternal life!

Pastor Ron Brauer

Matthew 11:28-30

Principal’s Report

From Mr. Wippich:

11/23-24 No School-Thanksgiving Break

11/29 Pizza Hut Night 4-11 pm

12/1 Christmas Concert 7:00 pm (Church)

12/4 Bell ringing-Salvation Army

12/7 Grade 2-Barker Mansion Field Trip

12/13 Pizza Hut 4-11:00 pm

12/20 School Christmas Program 6:30 pm (Church)

12/21 Craft Fair

12/22 Last day of school (Christmas Vacation)

1/8/07 School Resumes

1/14 Washington D.C. Fundraiser Breakfast (Cafeteria)

136 Ps-8th

1. Grades 6-8 will be taking a trip to Washington D.C. in May of 2007. We are in need of monetary donations to help some out our students attend. They would be willing to work for you this fall and winter...please call Mr. Wippich at 362-6692 if you can hire a student to work or if you are able to contribute money to this event that can be distributed as a scholarship to those in need. Thanks for your consideration of this matter. The cost of attending the trip is $620 per person.

Stocking stuffers are available. Scented pencils called Smencils are available in the school office for $1.00, and candy is for sale for $1.00 from most 6^th-8^th grade students. The profits go to the D.C. trip.

3. The next Pizza Hut Fundraiser Nights are coming up 11/29 and 12/13 from 4-11:00 p.m. Please pick up a voucher at the school office or in the front of the church. This voucher must be handed to the delivery or counter person for us to receive the 20% credit. These proceeds also go to the D.C. trip. Thanks for your help.

4. Congratulations to the following St. John’s graduates for participation and achievement at the high school:

5. Congratulations to the following St. John’s Honor Roll Students

Grade 5: Grace Wilczewski, Kelsey Vergin,

Alyssa Gerick, Haley Alexander

Grade 6: David Cooley, Nathan Gerick

Grade 7: Laura Cloud, Brody Shoffner

Grade 8: Kerry Cooley

Honors:

Grade 5: Belle Schuster, Elin Boklund, Allison Back

Grade 6: Taylor Baima, Ashley Neil

Grade 7: Ellen Hough, Nick Wilczewski

Grade 8: Hannah Looney

Grade 7: Sky Shortt, Renate Wiltfong, Taylor Kneifel

Grade 8: Kat Scherer

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Foglesong. Pastor Brauer gave an opening devotion and prayer.

The minutes of the August 2, 2006 meeting, which had been previously published in the church newsletter, were approved as published.

New voting members received were Sue Howell, Nicole Schuster, Shireen Shortt, Russell Spreeman, and Wayne Wilczewski.

Jim Crum made a motion to fill vacancies with the following:

Motion was approved.

Pastor Brauer reported upon the 150^th Anniversary plans, the Pastors Conference in Indianapolis, the “Lutheran Service Book”, and the Bible classes currently in progress.

Mr. Wippich’s report was distributed. Highlights were the upcoming book fair, Christmas Concert, School Christmas program, the faculty attendance at a Professional Development event, Mrs. Bremer and Mr. Wippich’s recognition in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”, the Innisbrook Fundraiser (earned $4,200), the Washington D.C. trip for grades 6-8 in May 2007, the Pizza Hut Fundraiser Nights, and the Teaching Staff’s certification in CPR and emergency procedures.

A motion was made to change the starting time of the Saturday night church service to 6:00 p.m. starting December 2, 2006. The motion was amended to include only the CST period. The amendment was not approved. The original motion was not approved either.

A motion was made to approve the 2007 Spending Plan. The motion was approved.

Dale Fischer reported on the General Fund 01/01-09/30/06. It was suggested the fourth column be revised to show all differences.

A motion was made to hold Saturday night church services at 6:00 p.m. during Central Standard Time and at 7:00 p.m. during Central Daylight Savings Time. The motion was not approved.

Since there was considerable discussion about the survey, the Chairman asked the Elders to review this subject.

Mr. Wippich mentioned the Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army is going to be a “contest” this year.

Pastor Brauer promised seven (7) easily sung hymns for the Thanksgiving Eve Service.

Orv Ulmer conveyed Ron Barnhart’s thanks to the Pastors for replacing the American flag.

The LILY Event needs volunteers (sign-up sheet in the church). If we cannot get volunteers soon, the event may have to be cancelled.

Pastor Brauer closed the meeting with prayer and was joined by all in The Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Scherer, for Penny Nelson, Secretary

Look for a mailing in January telling about the events for this coming year and how you can become involved to help St. John’s celebrate God’s gift of grace for these past 150 years. The first ‘event’ is our “Every Member Sunday” with a potluck meal at noon. Please mark this date, January 28, 2007, on your calendars and join your fellow members for worship, meal, and a preview of the coming year’s anniversary activities.

Thank you to those who participated in the Bible listening activity of reading through the New Testament in 40 days. If you are moved to make a donation to help translate the Burmese language into the format to give them the Bible in their language, please use the envelope provided when you picked up your disks.

There are still some disks available for those interested in listening to the New Testament. These are MP3 format, which can be run on most computers and some DVD players. There are also some ‘KIDZ’ versions available. These will be in the narthex of the church until they are gone.

Pastor Brauer will lead ‘First Tuesday Night’ Bible studies on “Elijah, the Prophet of God,” on Tuesday December 5, and, after the Christmas-New Years’ break, resume February 6 and March 6. We will begin at 1 Kings 18 in December.

On November 28 Pastor Brauer leads a “one shot topic” on “St. Andrew, Apostle of God,” discussing his life and what the lives of the Apostles were like. The ‘Fourth Tuesday Night’ Bible studies will resume January 23 with “St Timothy, Pastor and Confessor.”

Come join us in the Ladies Lounge at 7 P.M. on these days and bring your Bible and a friend.

Do you have 3 hours or more a month that you would like to spend with other people, maybe meet some new friends, and at the same time be a big help to your church? If so, we would be so happy to add your name to our list of volunteers at our Thrift Shop. There is a great need for more helpers. Anyone interested in joining us please call Arlene Hacker. Your willingness to help will be most appreciated and of great benefit to our congregation

Ushers are needed for all services, but urgently needed for the Saturday evening and the 10:45 AM services. Please contact Jim Peters if you can help out.

Thanks to everyone that made the Fall Bazaar and Luncheon a success. We raised $1732.68 for the School Heating, Ventilating and Cooling Fund. Thrivent will contribute $800 which makes the total contribution $2532.68. Again many thanks.

The Newspaper Stuffers wish to thank all who have participated in the Al’s and Kroger certificate endeavor. In the three months we have been selling them, we have a profit of $500, with all profits going to the General Fund to benefit both the church and the school.

The first and second Sunday of the month, we will be selling them between services at the school. The third Sunday of the month Alyce Compton will be selling them in the church from 10:25-10:45 AM. She may be there other Sundays as well.

From the Board of Parish Fellowship:

Please put these upcoming events on your December and January calendars.

First of all, our "Christmas Cookie Fest" will be December 10 during Fellowship Coffee Hour at 9:00 a.m. A variety of cookies will be baked with love and served by our Board for your enjoyment. Come for coffee, cookies, fellowship and Bible study.

St. John's 150th Anniversary celebratory events start January 2007.

Every Member Recommitment Sunday is January 28, 2007 (this is not a football Sunday). Following the 10:45 a.m. worship service, we will have a noon potluck. Every family is asked to bring a dish or two of generous proportions to enable us to have enough food for everyone. You may bring your dishes of food to the kitchen before the service to keep cold or hot. Please bring table service for your family. Beverages will be provided.

The 2006 Adult Confirmands will be recognized and honored at this time as well. Last, and most importantly, it is the kick-off for St. John's 150th Anniversary. You will learn of the celebration plans during 2007 as well as the theme, logo, and anniversary hymn that best depicts this year-long celebration.

Our quest for property continues. Representatives from DLHS met with the Westville Town Council. The school’s intentions were discussed. Necessary data for utility services to the site are being gathered. More preliminary work needs to be done before the school’s proposals are presented to the La Porte County Plan Commission. (The property we are negotiating for lies between US 6 and IN 2 immediately to the west of the Westville town limits. A school sign is now on the property). However, the school’s immediate need is for larger temporary space. The facilities at Immanuel, Michigan City, are filled to capacity. Information and help in locating larger facilities for the next couple of years are welcome.

http://www.stjohns-lpin.org - copyright 2000-2008 - St. John's Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN. All rights reserved. Contact the church at: St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350, or call us at 219-362-3726.  For questions, updates or comments regarding this web site contact St. John's Web servant, debra@dreamercreative.com.

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