Welcome in the name of Jesus! Imagine coming into this sanctuary today and being told, “Repent!” Would you be offended? Would you turn away and find another place like ‘Cheers’ where everybody knows your name? Would you be more offended to be labeled as an offspring of a poisonous snake? That’s even worse! But that label was given those who came to John the Baptizer at the Jordan to be baptized. The Pharisees and Sadducees were challenged in their hypocrisy to truly turn from their self-righteous piety and bear the fruit of repentance. So are we today. That is because the reign of God, the kingdom of heaven, is here. Are you prepared? The season of Advent teaches us the message of repentance, not just for one month, but for a lifetime until Jesus, our Righteous King, brings us salvation.

"A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT"

Romans 15:4-13: “Ready-Set-Come!” Who are God’s watchful and wise stewards? They are people of hope who, while waiting for our Lord’s return, live in harmony with one another and practice hospitality and other Christian acts of kindness. (LCMS)

From the Board of Parish Fellowship: You will find a wonderful array of homemade Christmas Cookies at Fellowship Coffee today, in the school cafeteria. Come, enjoy the fellowship and Bible study.

January 13, 2008 features a “Surprise” at Fellowship Coffee. You must attend to find out what the secret ingredient is in every treat.

The “Every Member Sunday” potluck is Sunday, January 27, 2008. A new feature is planned — a hymn fest, singing the music of Paul Gerhardt, at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Plan to worship at 10:45 a.m., attend the potluck dinner in the gym and the hymn fest in the Chapel.

Your ticket to get in is bring a hot or cold dish of generous proportions to share. Bring table service for your family. Beverages will be provided. As usual, you may bring your dishes to the school kitchen before the worship service. Do not bring any serving utensils. Please pick up your dishes from the serving tables as you leave. Other Missouri Synod Churches will be invited to attend the festivities.

His Word, Our Joy: His Word, Our Joy will meet today, Sunday, December 9, in the music room at 6:30 PM. Everyone is invited to join this time of study, singing and fellowship.

Important Dates to remember for Sunday School:
Sunday, December 16^th – Sunday School Sings at 10:45 Service
Sunday, December 23^rd – Movie: The Toy that Saved Christmas

Sunday, December 30^th and January 6^th – No Sunday School
Sunday School Resumes, Sunday, January 13^th

Other news: From now until December 23^rd, Sunday School is collecting non-perishable food for the St. John’s food pantry. The class that brings in the most food items will win a special treat!

Are You Interested in a New Bible Study? A new, informal, opportunity for Bible Studying/Worshiping/Singing, is in the works for Thursday evenings. If you have any questions, or to sign up, contact Pastor Young or Susan Rosselli. If there is an interest, it will begin soon!

From Shadetree Mechanics: In December, the Shadetree Mechanics will begin meeting on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Anyone in the congregation who enjoys the challenge of fixing things is welcome to attend. For more details, call Luke Vandercar at 393-1741 or Jim Peters at 393-3496. If you have a project, please call Luke or Jim.

FROM SUE ROSSELLI: THANK YOU MOST HEARTILY, all of you who helped with the Christmas concert and reception. The willing hearts and hands helping to decorate, set up, tear down, record, usher, chauffeur, chaperone, help with publicity, prepare and serve refreshments, give prayer support and bring people to hear the concert, made it all possible. It was a great blessing to me and to the choir to be able to present this concert, and I pray the Lord's continued blessing upon you all through this Advent and Christmas season!

And a note for the approaching New Year - This is also a season of new beginnings. If the choir ministered to you or someone you know, perhaps this could be a time to prayerfully consider joining our choir ministry. Our small, devoted choir accomplishes great things with the Lord's help. However, many wonderful, faithful people who sang in the past have gone on to be with the Lord, have moved, gone off to college, or had various other life changes, and people are needed to carry on where they left off. We resume practice on Monday Dec. 10 at 7:00 P.M. in the school music room, and would most warmly welcome new faces (and voices!) Sue Rosselli

Poinsettias: It is time for us to start asking for donations for the poinsettias. We do appreciate all your help in the past and pray that you will be so generous again this year. The cost per poinsettia is $12.00 this year. You can give your donation to the Church Office, Marilyn Boardman, Mary Jo Uebele, or Sherrill Lee. Please let us know at that time if you will be picking up your poinsettia. The poinsettias will be taken down after the 2nd service on the Sunday, December 30. If you are going to take your poinsettia, please be there to pick it up at that time. If not for yourself, maybe you know someone who would really appreciate a flower and a visit from you. Thank you again for your donations.

Thanks to Pastor Young and Pastor Brauer, and to all who sent cards, gifts, prayers and to those who visited me while I was in the hospital recovering from a fall. It meant so much to me. Dorothy Wolfe

I wish to thank everyone who sent me cards and good wishes, and who continue to offer prayers for me during my recent illness. Karen and I really appreciate your concern. Sincerely, Orv Ulmer

Dorothy Wolfe made a donation to the Church Door Fund in loving memory of her husband, Cal, whose birth date was December 4.

Ron and Marilyn Boardman made a donation to the Worship Supply Fund for eternal candles.

Russ and Judy Bernacchi made a donation to the Computer Fund in honor of their 40th Wedding Anniversary.

Mildred Roempagel has made a donation to the Church Door Fund in memory of her husband, Elmer Roempagel, whose death date was December 10.

The Newspaper Stuffers made a $1000.00 donation to the General Fund and an additional donation to the Computer Fund.

Circle 6 made a donation to the General Fund and to the Church Door Fund.

St. John’s Thrift Shop made a donation to the Computer Fund.

CORRECTION

All Saturday evening Worship Services begin at 6:00 PM. They were inadvertently listed as starting at 7:00 PM in the last bulletin. Sorry for the inconvenience!

12/10/2007 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 7:00p-WLC Rehearsal-MR

12/11/2007 (Tues.) 2:45p-Daisy GS#278-YR 6:30p-School Bd-LIB 7:00p-Social Ministry-CAF 7:00p-Stewardship-MR 7:00p-Bd Parish Ed-CAF

12/12/2007 (Wed.) 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 8:05a-Chapel 10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wed. Warriors-LL 12:30p-Circle 7 Christmas Party 6:00p-7th/8th Cat. Class-LL

7:00p-Worship

12/13/2007 (Thurs.) 1:00p-Circle 6-LL 2:30p-Girl Scout #234-YR 7:00p-Elders-L.L 7:00p-Trustees-LIB

12/14/2007 (Fri.) Pastor Young’s Day Off 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class.-GYM 12:00p-Ladies Aid-LL

12/15/2007 (Sat.) 8:00a-Banner Com.-4th Gr. 9:30a-Market Day-CAF 6:00p-Worship

12/16/2007 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship/Communion 9:15a-Coffee-CAF 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 9:30a-Sunday School-CHLL 10:45a-Worship/Sunday School Prgrm

The Saint John’s School Christmas Program is Wednesday, December 19, at 6:30 PM in the school gymnasium.

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Organist Susan Rosselli

Altar Guild: Lois Diedrich, Sherrill Lee

Elders on Duty: 6:00 PM: Terry Scherer, Paul Tibbs

8:00 AM: Jim Woodruff

10:45 AM: Luke Vandercar, Ron Scherer

The Altar flowers this week were sponsored by the congregation.

Official Acts

Baptism: We rejoice with James and Bethany McCoy on the new life and salvation being given to their son, Devlin, through Holy Baptism today.

Adult Confirmation: We welcome Tim and Susan Yoder, and Brian and Rhonda Meyer as new members of St. John’s today.

Funeral: Walter Gesse returned to the Lord on Tuesday, November 27, and received a Christian Burial on Saturday, December 1.

WEEKLY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

Wed. 10:00 AM: 8    Sat. 4:30PM: 40   Sat. 6:00 PM: 38

Sun. 8:00 AM: 63    Sun. 10:45AM: 127

Total: 276

ST. JOHN’S COMMUNION STATEMENT: As a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we believe Scripture teaches that the Lord's Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused, St. John’s communes only those instructed in the teachings of the LCMS and our church who have confessed their faith in these teachings. Prompted by the love for God’s Word, love for God’s people, and love for the Bible’s deep concern for doctrinal truth (Romans 16:17), guests who desire to commune are asked to speak with the pastor before service.

Opening Hymn: LSB 344 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”

Introit (See insert, chant alternating whole verses with Pastor)

Kyrie (Spoken, page 208)

Gospel Reading (Please rise for the Gospel reading)

Hymn Of The Day: LSB “346 When All the World Was Cursed”

Sermon: “So, Who Told You?”

Text: Matthew 3:1-12

Adult Confirmation (10:45 AM)

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