|
|
|
|
Last night at choir practice, we were learning a new song, “Mary, Did You Know?”
The first line that the men sing is: “Mary. did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?” What a wonderful line, praising the gift of life that Mary was bringing into the world.
When practice was finished, I related to choir that I was at the sight where the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. Today, the Church of the Annunciation stands over the cave that tradition holds to have been the home of the Virgin Mary. This is the fifth church that has been constructed over this site. Today’s basilica has a strikingly modern architectural style and is colorfully decorated. It became the largest Christian church in the Middle East when it was completed in 1969. It’s located in Nazareth, where Jesus spent his boyhood years. Nazareth was a relatively isolated village at the time of Jesus with a population of less than 200. Today Nazareth is home to more than 60,000 Israeli Arabs.
The above picture is of the main church that is built over Mary’s childhood home. There is an opening in front of the pews before the altar where you see the cave of Mary’s childhood.
When I was there it was late in the afternoon. It was starting to get dark and raining. I was looking for shelter from the cold rain and cool of the oncoming night. Once inside this church where I was dry and warm, I was surprised in what I saw and felt. There are two churches here. The upper one is the parish church for Nazareth’s Roman Catholic community. The lower level of the Church of the Annunciation enshrines a sunken grotto that contains the traditional cave-home of the Virgin Mary. The cave is flanked by remnants of earlier churches that were built on the site. Inside the cave stands an altar with the Latin inscription “Here the word was made flesh.”
The above picture is of the grotto that contains the cave of the Virgin Mary.
I like the way that church incorporates the holy site into the modern church. In the upper church, they have a large opening in front of the pews and before the altar where you can view the holy site below. Above this opening is a towering cupola that brings light from the outside into the church and grotto below.
Back to the song. A later line in the song “Mary, Did You Know?” is “When you kiss your little baby you have kissed the face of God.” How gentle and peaceful that when kissing your baby, you are kissing the face of God. The innocence of a baby, the purity of a newborn, with the hope that it brings into our world.
This picture is looking in the cave home of the Virgin Mary.
The Church of the Annunciation and The Church of Saint Joseph the Carpenter are situated in the same complex. Between the two churches is a large Franciscan convent called Terra-Santa (Holy Land). The Saint Joseph church is located, according to tradition, over the carpenter workshop of the Holy family. Other traditions identify it as the house of Joseph and of the Holy family.
Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife… She is to have a son and you are to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the Angel of the Lord had directed him. Mt 1:20-21, 24.
T he picture above is of the traditional site of Joseph workshop.
I visited the Holy Lands in December 2016 and January 2017. When we visited Nazareth, I was not expecting to see the childhood home of Mary the mother of Jesus. The Church of the Annunciation and the Church of Saint Joseph the Carpenter were unknown to me and a very nice surprise. The way this complex preserves and displays this site is tastefully done, yet it is brought into the everyday life of this church.
- Jim Hegge
|
|
|
Christmas Poinsettia Orders
 Deadline for ordering is Wednesday, December 13.
Forms are on the Welcome Desk.....Place completed order forms and checks made payable to "Church of the Resurrection" in the offering basket or put on the desk in the church office. Thank you!
Vespers Service
Please join us for our annual Advent Vespers service on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 5 pm.
Our service will be centered around the manger as we sing songs and listen to reflections of the Holy Family and that glorious night of Jesus' birth. A short reception will follow the service.
Breakfast in Bethlehem
Breakfast in Bethlehem is an opportunity for our youngest children to experience the Christmas Story. Families are welcome to join us for breakfast, followed by music and drama as we share together in the wonderful story of Jesus' birth. (And we are also expecting a special visit from Santa!)
|
Martin Luther Quote of the Week
Serenity Inn Meal
We need volunteers to prepare and serve the meal for the 15 men at Serenity Inns on Sunday evening, December 24. Please call the office if you are available to serve. We have suggested menus and directions for you.
Christmas cookie social
 On December 17th, following the Sunday school Christmas program, there will be a cookie social. Please bring a plate of cookies to share. Milk, juice, and coffee will also be served.
Offering Envelopes
In an effort to save money, the church will no longer be automatically mailing offering envelopes to members’ homes. You can find offering envelopes in your church mailbox and on a table in the narthex. If you would prefer to have envelopes mailed to you, please contact the office.
In addition, we offer Simply Giving. Simply Giving is an automated way for you to make your contributions to the church. You decide how much and when to donate (weekly, monthly, etc…) and the amount is automatically deducted from your checking or savings account per your instructions. Contact the church office to enroll today.
Hat, Mitten, Scarf Drive
 The Sunday school program will be hosting a hat, mitten, and scarf holiday drive to benefit the Hope Center of Waukesha. We will be collecting donations from December 1 to the 17.
Please consider picking up a hat, a pair of mittens, or scarf while you are out holiday shopping this season. All donations can be placed in the collection bin located in the narthex.
|
|
MEET, GREET AND MINGLE WITH NEW PASTOR CANDIDATE
December 8th--6:30PM--8:00PM
On Friday, December 8th, starting at 6:30PM, the congregation will have a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with our new Pastor Candidate ahead of the all-congregation vote on December 10th! You can come at any point during that time period to meet with the candidate. We'd like to provide some great hospitality to them.
So if you are planning on coming, and are able, please bring a small plate of cookies (or other holiday goodies. . .) to share. This is such an exciting time in our community life and we hope that many of you will be able to come and meet the new Pastor candidate.
Early Advent
Advent, from the Latin word “adventus,” means “coming.” The Christian church celebrates Advent, that precious time of preparing for the coming of our Lord at Christmas, during the four Sundays before Christmas.
Some of you have noted that on Christian calendars, Advent started Sunday, December 3. But, if you were in church last week, you know that here at Church of the Resurrection we started our Advent preparation November 25-26. Many churches have elected to make that change because this year, as sometimes happens, Advent 4 falls on December 24. So, to give Advent its full due and allow us the most amount of time to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord, we started Advent a week early. This means that December 24th can really be Christmas Eve, with all of its own attendant traditions and joys.
Hello Sunday school families
The Christmas program is on December 17 at the 10:00 service. Below is a summary of the activities your children will be  participating in for the Christmas program.
December 3 and 10 – Christmas program prep during Sunday school. Volunteers are needed to bring in and set up the stage after the 10:00 service on December 10.
December 17 – Christmas program – child/ren should wear their Christmas best and a hat and scarf to church. Please arrive at 9:30 am. A cookie social will follow the program. Please bring a plate of cookies to share.
As a service element this Christmas season, we will be collecting donations from December 1 through December 17 for the Hope Center. The Hope Center is a program based in Waukesha that assists residents in Waukesha County. It provides food, shelter, and clothing through service, partnerships, and community collaboration. We would like to collect hats, scarves, and mittens to support this program.
Please contact Susan Daniels, Shawn Motley, or Christine Piper with questions.
We are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas program!
Cindy Braunschweig, Susan Daniels, Erin Gould, Katrina Hergott, Kayla Larson, Shawn Motley, Jamie Niederbaumer, Christine Piper, and Kristin Warner – Christmas program volunteers
Christmas Eve Prelude Music
All music students are invited to share a sacred Christmas song as part of the prelude to our Christmas Eve services.
Please sign up at the Welcome Center. See Susan Daniels or Matt Stein with any questions.
 
 
Kringle Sale
The Church of the Resurrection annual kringle sale to benefit the Church of the Resurrection Scholarship Fund begins Saturday, November 18. This past year, we were able to provide college scholarships to three worthy members. Order forms will be available at the Welcome Desk. You may take forms home or to work. Please help out these terrific kids.
- 8 flavors: Pecan, Raspberry, Almond, Apple, Cherry, Wisconsin, Turtle and Maple Walnut. Kringles freeze well and make wonderful gifts for family, teachers, co-workers, clients, etc…
- $12 each for single sales. $11/kringle for orders of 3–9. $10/kringle for larger orders (10 or more)
- Payment is due upon pickup. (Cash, check, or card)
Schedule
- Order forms available November 18
- Assisted ordering with credit card payment after services Sunday, December 3
- Sampling and final order dates December 9 and 10
- Kringle pick-up December 16 and 17.
2018 ELCA Waukesha Area Churches Spring Adult Mission Trip
What: Hurricane Harvey recovery in the Houston area
When: Early Saturday, April 14 to late Saturday, April 20
Accommodations and Work Planning: Salem Lutheran Church, Tomball, TX
Work: Cleanup and rebuilding
Volunteer Cost: $400 - $500
Transportation: Rental vans – 15-passenger Ford Transit-style.
Target Count: 40 volunteers
Kick-off Meeting: Tuesday, Dec 5, 2017, 6:30 PM, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Waukesha
St. Luke’s Trip Contact: Don French, (262) 896-0225, d-french@sbcglobal.net
Please sign up early. We expect many people will want to help.
|
|
Monday Dec 4
7:00 p.m. SOPHIA Meeting
7:00 p.m. Education Team Meeting
Tuesday Dec 5
7:00 p.m. Dart Ball - Away
Wednesday Dec 6
5:15 p.m. Joyful Voices (K-8th Grade)
6:00 p.m. Joyful Praise Bells (4-8th Grade)
7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Confirmation
7:00 p.m. FYI
7:00 p.m. Wednesday Worship
Thursday Dec 7
6:30 a.m. Bible Class at This Great Coffee Place in Hartland
4:00 p.m. Full Staff Meeting
6:30 p.m. Resurrection Ringers - Adult Handbells
7:20 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
Saturday Dec 9
5:00 p.m. Advent Worship with Holy Communion
Sunday Dec 10
8:30 a.m. Advent Worship with Holy Communion
10:00 a.m. Advent Worship with Holy Communion
Sunday School Christmas Program Practice
Last Day of Kringle Sale
11:15 a.m. Congregational Meeting
|
|
|
We Pray For:
Prayers for our country, those serving in the armed forces, and our leaders
Concerns
- Jeanne Kunath,
- Ellen, Susan Daniel's cousin
- Don Schaf
- Ruben Zoroghlian, Leda Patrick's brother
- Olivia Hautula, Jesse Niederbaumer's cousins daughter
- Wayne Higgins, Ann-Marie Bergman's dad
- Gloria Harmmond
- Cindy Evinrude
- Dan Merkel
- Heather Swataek
- JR, Beth Berger's cousin
- Amy & Megan, friends of the Palovcsik's
- Tom Stone, Nancy & Art Mitchel, friends of the Perrigo's
- Darren Pacard
- Lauren, Bob Kunath's granddaughter
- Judy
- Michael & Kirstie, Sue Hader's grandchildren
- Brittany Caruso, Bob Patrick's granddaughter
- Phyllis - Aunt of Gail Wojtkunski
-Mary & Abbey; Anne & Terri, and Jami, friends of Laurie & Michelle Thalacker
- Michelle Thalacker
- Chip Schreiber, serving in Kuwait, son-n-law of Jim & Karen Pieper
- Kris, friend of Jim & Karen Pieper
- Derek
- Jerry, friend of Wayne
- Jim & Jill Ardis, friends of Salstrom's
- Marcia Ristock, mother of Cari Matter
- Tim, Dennis Faherty's brother
- Mary, mother of Bob Kunath's daughter-in-law
|
|
Birthdays This Week:
12/4
Starich, Karen
12/5
Klockow, Dawn
12/6
Allen, Christopher
Carlson, Bryce
Kohn, Sherry
Vernon, Nathan
12/7
Haglin, Ryan
12/8
Dunn, Mary
Nelson, Adeline
12/9
Duchow, Mary
Foker, Gregory
Worden, David
Zunker, Aida
12/10
Frederick, Cannon
Sullivan, Darrin
Zell, Kylee
|
|
|
Our mailing address is:
Church of the Resurrection
W287 N3700 North Shore Drive
Pewaukee, WI 53072
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
