From Pastor Brauer: May God’s Word comfort you this day! The beginning words of a book or poem are significant and important. The first words of Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians last week set the tone of his instruction to the Corinthians as he pointed out their spiritual gifts given in Jesus Christ. Today’s Gospel reading introduces the Evangelist’s telling the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Our Old Testament reading begins the second ‘book’ of the prophet Isaiah as he introduces the theme of the preaching of John the Baptizer. Sadly the first chapter of our lives shows only original and actual sins. But thanks be to the God of our salvation! He stirs up our hearts and prepares them for His coming to us in Word and Sacrament! By these He gives you comfort!

Come join us for our special midweek services, on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, with the theme on the songs of Advent. Invite your friends to join you as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus as our

Redeemer and King. December 10—“The Song of Mary”

December 17—“The ‘O’ Antiphons of Advent”

2 Peter 3:8-14: St. Peter reminds us that our lives as God’s redeemed stewards should be holy and dedicated to God as we await the second coming of our Lord. Wise stewards know how to make the most of their time, talents and treasure in service to our Lord and His church.

From the Board of Elders: Bread of Life Lutheran Church (LCMS) is a new mission congregation in Georgetown, Kentucky. A Toyota plant has stimulated growth in the area, and an opportunity for church growth. To assist the congregation, we will take a “door offering” this weekend, December 6 & 7. May the Lord bless the growth of Bread of Life Lutheran Church.

PEP Candlelight Tour: St. John’s Church will be one of the stops on this years PEP (People Engaged in Preservation) Candlelight Tour on this Saturday, December 6, from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM and this Sunday, December 7, from 1:00 PM-5:00 M.

His Word, Our Joy: HIS WORD, OUR JOY will meet TONIGHT, December 7th, in the Music Room at 6:30. If you are planning to participate in the Candlelight Tour, come on over after you enjoy your refreshments!

Youth Group: Youth Group meets today at 4:00 PM in the Youth Room. All youth are invited to join us for fun and fellowship today.

From the Board of Parish Fellowship: Next Sunday is “Christmas Cookie Fest” at Fellowship Coffee, after the 8:00 AM service. Come enjoy delicious homemade cookies and coffee or punch. You are welcome to stay for Bible Study at 9:30 AM.

Note from Sunday School: The Sunday School is preparing for a special service on December 21 at the 10:45 AM service. Please check the bulletin for more information regarding this special service. If you ever have questions or would like to get involved with Sunday School, don't hesitate to contact me (Tracy Fronk).

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN: Put a big star on your calendars for Sunday, December 14th at 3:00 PM for our CHRISTMAS CONCERT! Entitled "With You Always," this year's concert presented by the Walther League Chorus, Christus Chorus, King's Kids and Pre-K, as well as some wonderful soloists promises to be a most special event that will fill you with the joy of knowing our loving Lord. Come, join us afterwards in the cafeteria for refreshments, and bring friends, neighbors and co-workers. The concert is here at the church, and is free. See you there!

Poinsettias: It is time to start asking for donations for the poinsettias. We do so appreciate your help in the past and pray that you will be so generous again this year. The cost per plant is $12.00. You can make your donation to the Church Office, Judy Schreiber, Mary Jo Uebele, Joan Scherer or Sherrill Lee. Please let us know at that time if you will pick up your plant afterwards. The poinsettias will be taken down after the 2nd service Sunday, December 28. If you are going to take your plant, please be there to pick it up at that time. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Church Office (219-362-3726). Thank you again for your donations to the flower fund.

Thanks: Thanks to that special group of people who came to decorate the church on Tuesday evening. The church is beautiful, thanks again for a job well done!

PTL Cookie Walk: St. John’s PTL is sponsoring a cookie walk on Saturday, December 13, from 8:00 AM-11:00 AM. Church and school families and the public are invited to come pick out cookies for just $5.00 per pound. Homemade cookies are still desperately needed for the walk. If you can donate, please call Annette Williams.

Winter is Upon Us: The early snow of the third week of November reminds us that Northwest Indiana can have some brutal weather. Snowfall and hazardous driving conditions may prevent people from coming to Church for services. Please take this piece of Pastoral advice: If the weather is threatening your safe travel, best to stay home and use the time in personal Bible reading and meditation. Our 8 A.M. service is generally broadcast on WLOI, 1540 on the AM dial, at 11:00 AM. Other services include Worship for Shut-Ins, on channel 26 at 10:00 AM or Cable channel 60 (you need ‘the box’ now) at 11:30 A.M. Worship for Shut-Ins may also be viewed anytime on Internet by going to www.worshipforshutins.org. Please remember, however, that the expenses continue at Church, so remember your offering by bringing it the very next week, or by dropping it off the church office or mailing it. We thank you for your faithful stewardship.

Also, as we clear the walkways to the building, we use ice melt to clear the ice. Rather than purchase this, an idea was shared with the Church office to invite members who are so inclined to donate a bag of ice melt for use at our entrances. We would be pleased to receive your donation of a bag of ice melt anytime; simply bring it to the entrance by the church/school office when you come to St. John’s. Thank you.

Offering Envelopes: The offering envelopes for next year are now available for pick up in the Narthex. Your envelope number has probably changed, so please do not use your new envelopes until January. If you have any questions concerning your offering envelopes, please call Ron Scherer or Linda Peters.

Donations: Mildred Roempagel made a donation to the Door Fund in loving memory of Elmer Roempagel, husband, whose death date was December 10.

John and Alyce Compton made a donation to the Door Fund in loving memory of her parents, Bill and Dorothy Schultz

From the LILY Event Committee: Mark your calendars for the next LILY Event on February 6, 2009, from 6-12 PM. This year the theme is “HeART of the Matter.” We will be featuring a live auction, silent auction, raffles, dinner, drinks, and a DJ.

12/8/2008 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM

6:00p-Concert Rehearsal/ALL-CH

12/9/2008 (Tues.) 6:30p-School Bd-CAF 7:00p-Parish Fellowship-CHO 7:00p-Stewardship Bd-LL 7:00p-Social Ministry-MR

12/10/2008 (Wed.) 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 8:00a-Chapel 10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wed. Warriors-LL 12:00p-Circle 7 Party-Round the Clock 6:00p-Confirmation Class-LL 7:00p-Worship Altar Guild Meeting (after service)

12/11/2008 (Thurs.) 1:00p-Circle 6-LL 2:30p-Girl Scouts #234-YR 7:00p-Trustees-CAF

12/12/2008 (Fri.) 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 10:30a-Bible Study-LL 1:30p-Ladies Aid-LL 6:30p-Concert Rehearsal/ALL-CH

12/13/2008 (Sat.) 8:00a-PTL Cookie Walk-GYM 9:30a-Market Day-CAF 6:00p-Worship/Communion

12/14/2008 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Coffee Hour/Christmas Cookie Fest-CAF 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 9:30a-Youth Bible Study-YR 9:30a-Sunday School-CHLL 10:45a-Worship/Communion 3:00p-Christmas Concert and Reception

Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Organist

Susan Rosselli

6:00 PM Dean Ebbott

8:00 AM Jim Woodruff

Luke Vandercar

10:45 AM Luke Vandercar

Altar Guild

Lois Diedrich

Sherrill Lee

Judy Schreiber

The Altar Flowers this week were sponsored by the congregation.

(Omitted from online version)

Offerings Received For Home and Missions $ 11,026.31

Memorials $

Other $ 82.00

TOTAL $ 11,108.31

Needed weekly $ 19,015.05

YTD Collected $ 724,127.13

YTD Budget $ 912,722.35

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”

Opening Versicles (p. 260-for Advent)

Readings (Please rise for the Gospel reading)

Responsory (p. 263-For Advent)

Sermon Hymn: LSB 347 “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”

Sermon: “Be Comforted and Prepared to Meet Your God!”

Text: Isaiah 40:1-11

Closing Hymn: LSB 349 “Hark the Glad Sound”

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

Introit (insert), Kyrie

Hymn of Praise: LSB 357 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (v. 1)

Hymn Of The Day: LSB 347 “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”

Sermon: “Be Comforted and Prepared to Meet Your God!”