Looking at Scripture - Christ is King
Each of our readings this week (Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Revelation 1:4b-8, and John 18:33-37) provides a different perspective on Christ as king. Although it might have been a more relatable metaphor in medieval times than it is for us today, it still bears relevance. God is powerful. God is in charge. God does not fail us. God is worthy of praise.
We tend to think of kings as those who inherit power, riches, and an easy life while the rest of us plebeians have to work hard and earn everything we have. However, that’s not the picture of a king painted by these scriptures. God has inherited nothing, but rather made everything the rest of us enjoy. In the Gospel reading, Jesus is on trial before the rich and powerful of this world, and wins glory and honor by his actions (of creation, of sacrifice, of love), not by his privilege. We join the heavenly host in worshipping God this and every week out of genuine respect and gratitude, not because we are forced to. We truly love the God who first showed love and grace to us. We call Christ “king” and offer our worship because God is nothing like the earthly tyrants we’ve come to know.
Looking at Life Together - First-Third World Dinner this Sunday
We live in an increasingly connected world, and yet we still spend much of our lives in echo chambers where we mostly only see and hear reflections of our own experience. Nonetheless, God calls us to be hospitable--to pay attention to those who have different experiences. You are invited to our First-Third World Dinner this Sunday, November 25 after worship to learn a little more the experiences of those who live in different socio-economic contexts.
You are invited to stay after worship and visit for a little bit until the meal is ready. Once we have any idea who is staying, you’ll be assigned a class in our world: first, second, or third. The meal will be served according to those classes. However, the meal isn’t the point of the dinner. Although the disparities may lead us to greater perspective in our conversation, it’s not expected that you will suddenly know exactly what the lives of others are like. What you will hopefully walk away with a greater awareness about economic disparity in our world, a fuller care for our neighbors, and ideas about how we can faithfully respond together.
Attendees don’t have to sign up or bring anything to the meal. Kids are welcome to participate as they are able, and may really get into the experience.
First-Third World Dinner
Hospitality is more than just inviting people to events, but taking the time to understand them and providing for their needs. Join us after worship on Sunday, Nov. 25 for our First-Third World Dinner. Each attendee will be randomly assigned a class in our world: “first world,” “second world,” and “third world.” The meal will be distributed based on this assignment. The supper is an opportunity for us to experience and learn about hunger and other issues of global justice. We need a few people to help cook and host the dinner. If you’d be willing to contribute or would like more information, please speak with Pastor Mike.
25 Days of Prayer
The holiday season is a busy and stressful time, and we all need prayer through it. If you would like someone to pray for you, sign up for our 25 Days of Prayer partnership by completing the sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall or registering online at https://tinyurl.com/HLC25Prayers. Once you’re signed up, someone in the congregation will pray for you every day from December 1 through Christmas. Prior to Dec. 1, we’ll give you the name of someone else, a few suggestions for praying, and ask you to take 2 minutes out of each day to pray for them. Please sign up by this Sunday, November 25.
Hosanna! Children’s Christmas Program
Sun 11-25-18: We realize that many families may be traveling this weekend but if you are in town, we will be practicing for the Hosanna! Christmas Program after worship.
There will be no official Sunday School classes for PreK-elementary children Dec 2 and Dec 9 due to Christmas Program practice.
Sunday, December 16 is the Program.
If you were not at the information session about the program on Sunday the 11th, please let Alison Kern know if your kids are able to participate (alisonkern@gmail.com).
Parent’s Day Out
The God Squad is hosting another “Parent’s Day Out” on December 1st and 15th from
3-7pm. Pizza and lots of fun will be provided. Please come and support our God Squad’s Parking Lot fundraiser! The cost is $10 per child, this will be a flat fee. Any additional donations are always welcome! Sign up sheets are around the church. Please see any member of The God Squad for more information.
Annual Pledge Cards
Every year you and your family base your financial stability on information that is readily available to you to forecast what next year will look like.
One way we as a church are able to forecast and plan our financial abilities for the next year is heavily weighted on the annual pledge cards and commitments. Last year we received 49 pledges from families, and this year we have only received 38 thus far. If you plan on contributing the same, more or less, it's important for us to know to better allow us to plan and forecast for 2019.
If you have not yet turned in your 2019 pledge card, please do so.
Thank you, Robert Hall, Council VP
In As Much Ministry
It's that most wonderful time of the year, when we look forward to holiday meals with family and friends. The people who rely on the In As Much Ministry (IAMM) food pantry also look forward to special, festive foods of the season. Below are suggestions for the December 2 Food Sunday:
- Canned sweet potatoes
- Stuffing mix
- Pickles, olives
- Mayonnaise
- Vegetable Oil - pantry is currently out of vegetable oil! small bottles are fine.
- Decorating sugars and frostings for cookies and cakes
- Kleenex
IAMM serves families, elderly and special needs people throughout Clay County. Special needs clients are served in a separate group and are accompanied by case managers or volunteer mentors from the community.
Without the donations from local churches such as Hosanna! many people would not have a nourishing meal on the table. If you are unable to bring your items on Dec. 2,
we will collect them throughout the month.
Thank you for your generous support! Social Ministry Team
Grief Group Meeting Dec. 2
The grief group will meet Sunday, December 2 at 8:30 to share the ups and downs of our journeys. Anyone is welcome to join the group at any time to share griefs old and new. We meet in the 1 Samuel conference room.
Adult Sunday School Topics
- December 2 - Join us for conversation about Christmas gift-giving. We’ll share our own stories of meaningful gifts we’ve given and received, and then talk about how to give meaningful gifts that embrace the Spirit of God’s gift to us and honor the people to whom we give them.
- December 9 - We constantly hear people talking about the “reason for the season,” or the “true meaning of Christmas.” But what does that really mean for us as Christians? What kind of gift has God given us through Jesus? Join us as we talk about what difference the baby Jesus actually makes in our own lives and in the life of the world.
Interested in Membership with Hosanna?
Several households are planning to join Hosanna’s membership this fall. If you would like to join or know more about the congregation, please connect with Pastor Mike, on Sunday, by e-mail to pastormike@hosannalutheranchurch.org, or by calling the office. We welcome, love, and care for non-members just the same, but membership gives us the opportunity to publicly express our commitment to one another in Christ, and to faithfully organize how we work together as the Body of Christ.
Looking Ahead to Worship at Christmas
Our Christmas worship schedule this year will be as follows:
- Sunday, December 16 at 9:30 am - Children’s Christmas Program
The children and youth will present their take on the Christmas story during regular worship.
- Friday, December 21 at 7:00 pm - Blue Christmas
No matter how much time passes after the death of a loved one, the holidays are hard without them. This service is held for those who want a calm space in the middle of the season’s jubilations to acknowledge this reality and remember God’s faithfulness.
- Monday, December 24 at 6:00 and 8:00 pm - Christmas Eve
Join us on Christmas Eve as we hear the message of God’s great gift to us, reflect on its meaning, give thanks for that gift, and remember that God is with us even now. Both services will be similar.
Poinsettias
It’s that time of year again, time to start thinking about your Christmas Poinsettia order. Order forms are inserted in today’s bulletin or you can find one here. The cost for this years plants (red in six inch pots) will be $8. Our deadline is a little early this year - December 7th. So begin now to think about who you would like to honor with a beautiful plant. For questions or more information, see Robbin Musgrave.
MLM Christmas Store Volunteer Opportunity!
In July, you heard several heartfelt stories from fellow Hosanna! members who have helped at the Metro Lutheran Ministry Christmas Store. Now you have an opportunity to experience it first hand by volunteering at the store!
When: Friday, December 7
Time: 9 - 1:30
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Road (Westport area of Kansas City) We will be carpooling from Hosanna! for those who are interested.
How can you help at the Christmas Store?
- You can greet family members who arrive to shop.
- You can be an "elf" to help a family member select Christmas gifts.
- You can help load their gifts into cars.
The MLM Christmas store started in 1971 to serves three families and now serves approximately 1000 families. Each family will receive a blanket, food voucher, Bible and a gift for each family member.
The sign up sheet is available in the fellowship hall. If you would like to volunteer, but that time doesn't work for you, please feel free to visit the MLM website at www.mlmkc.org to see the other times that might fit your schedule. All volunteers are needed and much appreciated. If you have any questions, please see a member of the Social Ministry team.
Annual Cookie Trays Are Coming!!
Do you have a sweet tooth? Need a gift for that special someone? Running out of time to get your Christmas baking done? Has the God Squad got a deal for you! Their annual cookie trays are on sale now for $15 per tray. Trays will be ready for pick up on Sunday, December 16th before or after service. Sign up for as many as you need. See a member of the God Squad to get yours ordered.
On a side note, if you are one of the lucky ones that has time to bake, we could sure use your help! These trays can only happen with the help of all the baker elves here at Hosanna. If you could bake around 5 dozen of something, please let us know. Even if it's only 2 dozen or 12 dozen, it will all add up. Cookies/goodies will need to be delivered to church on Saturday, December 15th by 3:00. We will be assembling the trays at 3:00. Thank you in advance for all of your help! Any questions, contact Pam Schmidt 792-2430 or pamschmidt68@yahoo.com.
Consider Electronic Giving
Regular givers to Hosanna! are invited to have their offerings automatically withdrawn from their bank account, credit card, or debit card. To continue participating in the act of giving during worship, givers may place one of the “I give electronically” cards (located in the chair pockets) in the offering plate. Sign-up forms may be turned into the church office, or you can visit www.hosannalutheranchurch.org and click “Give” to set up an account to begin or modify your gifts at any time (gifts initiated by paper form can only be modified through the office).
Family Trivia Night Fund Raiser
Mark this Date!!!! December 30, Pre New Years party. at Hosanna!
Everyone Welcome! 5:30 PM to ? “Family Trivia Night”, lots of fun and fellowship for all, (nursery provided).
This is the first FUND RAISER for Hosanna’s much needed parking lot repairs. Bring your family and friends and join teams for trivia questions, winners reaping rewards. Trivia Categories to be determined. Please bring a appetizer/finger food to share and $10.00 donation each team member age 13 and above. Please help support Hosanna in this fun-filled way. Questions? See Donna Krugman, 286-5414 or Janeen Bollhoefer, 786-5136.
Supporting Local Homeless Families
Family Promise of the Northland works with churches to help unemployed and underemployed homeless families in Clay and Platte Counties achieve self-sufficiency by providing temporary housing in their buildings a few weeks each year. We held a brief meeting Sunday, Nov. 18 to gauge interest at Hosanna! Although there isn’t sufficient interest at this time to serve as a host congregation, we plan to provide meals for other host congregations in the community. If you would be willing to serve as Hosanna’s contact, please speak with Pastor Mike. Stay tuned for more information in the spring time. Information about Family Promise is available at www.familypromisenorthland.org.
Election of a Bishop
The 2019 Synod Assembly will elect a Bishop for a six-year term. The intent is for the members of the Synod to have the opportunity to actively participate in the election process. This will help the members of the CSS discern God's hope for the Synod and for the possible nominees to discern their call. An important step in the process of electing a bishop, and thereby providing input into the direction of the Synod, is through a survey.
All members are invited to complete it at https://goo.gl/forms/qxVrawr6G7Rq9tiV2
Sunday's Order of Worship
Readings
Prayer Concerns
Poinsettia Order form
|
|
|
|
|
