Looking at Scripture - The Gift of Hope
This week’s Gospel (Luke 1:26-55) contains Mary’s response to the announcement of her pregnancy. Admittedly, she responds more hopefully and faithfully than I would have. Rather than feeling fear and trepidation, or even weighty obligation, she sees the announcement as a sign of hope and blessing.
Mary is able to respond in this way because she knows God’s track record. She knew the story of her people, of how God had been faithful to them time and time again. She knew that even when God’s gifts seemed unusual and confusing, they always turned out to be tremendous blessings for those receiving.
This is what Christmas is about. It’s not about a cute baby in a manger long ago. It’s about remembering how good God is at giving gifts. But it’s also about remembering that God’s love and grace is not just for others, but for us, too. When we remember these things, as Mary did, it makes it easy to look forward with hope and excitement to what God has in mind for us in the future.
Looking at Life Together - Generous Gift Giving
Our stewardship focus for December fits in with what many people do this month--giving gifts. However, when it comes to expressions of generosity, gift-giving can get a bad wrap. We’ve all witnessed (and complained) about the commercialism of the season, and we’ve seen when gifts are given out of obligation rather than genuine love. This taint doesn’t have to temper our own expressions of love and care.
Gifts can be about more than just material things. The greatest gifts are more than just stuff, but the relationships that stuff creates. When I had kids, I learned that they wanted me to play with them and their new toys as much as they wanted the toys themselves. A gift of food when someone is sick or grieving is as much about letting them know they aren’t alone as it is about feeding them.
In the book of James, we’re reminded: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (1:17). Every gift that we give is not just an expression of our own love, but from God. 1 John puts it this way: “We love because God first loved us” (4:19). Gifts are ways that we share our blessings with others in physical ways.
As you give gifts this season and throughout the year, I encourage you to find ways to give ones that convey more than just stuff, but generous expressions of your (and God’s) love and care.
Farewell to Members
Last Sunday, we had the honor of blessing members Jacob and Dairiane Cobb as they move to Smith Center. Although we will miss them, we’re thankful for the time we had with them and we wish them God’s blessing on the new chapter in their lives. If you’d like to send them a note of blessing and housewarming, their new address is 515 S. Washington St., Smith Center, KS 66967.
Women of the ELCA!
Shirley Circle will be meeting on Monday, December 10th, 6pm at Lona Ristine's for potluck and fellowship. All Hosanna! women are invite for a fun evening.
Please contact Lona at 816-429-8338 or Louise at 816-453-8406 for details.
Adult Sunday School Topics
- 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.
- December 16 to January 6 - The adult Sunday school will take a break for the Christmas season.
Hosanna! Children’s Christmas Program
There will be no official Sunday School classes for PreK-elementary children on December 9th 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).
Special Invitation
As our wedding day approaches, Dawn and I would like to say thank you to everyone at Hosanna for welcoming us into the congregation and for all of your support. We would like to invite you to attend the wedding on December 15th at 2pm. There will be a small reception afterward. Please RSVP to sarajmader@gmail.com or 785-477-9460.
Sara Mader and Dawn Harper
Parent’s Day Out
The God Squad is hosting another “Parent’s Day Out” on December 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 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.
Change of Plans with Cookie Tray Bakers!!!
There is a conflict with the drop off of the cookies on Saturday, the 15th. There is a wedding taking place at Hosanna that afternoon. If you plan to bring cookies for the trays, please DO NOT leave them in the kitchen. Instead, we will have a table set up inside the education wing door. I will set it up this Sunday, the 8th. Please use only that door when dropping off the cookies. You may drop them off that morning or between 4:00-5:00 that afternoon. Trays will still be ready for pick up on the 16th. Any questions, please contact Pam Schmidt at 816-792-2430 or pamschmidt68@yahoo.com.
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.
Lunch Bunch
All invited to the Hosanna Lunch Bunch at Longhorn Restaurant, Tuesday, December 18, 11:30 am. Come for the fun!
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.
Give an Alternative Gift
Looking for a gift for someone who already has everything? Have a friend or relative who is sick and may not be able to enjoy a gift, but you still want to do something special? Don’t know what to buy for a coworker?
- Donate to an organization or cause that is dear to them (and/or you).
- Tell them about the gift! Many organizations offer cards noting your gift.
- Need help finding a fitting gift? Check out the ELCA Good Gifts catalog for over 50 alternative gift ideas. You can give online at www.elca.org/goodgifts, pick up a catalog in the fellowship hall, and even make donations and receive cards on the spot through our Good Gifts fair on Sundays, Dec. 9 and 16.
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. Although we’re not at a point where we could host, we plan to provide meals for other host congregations in the community. If you would be willing to help with this ministry, please speak with Pastor Mike. Information about Family Promise is available at www.familypromisenorthland.org.
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 44 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 soon.
Thank you, Robert Hall, Council VP
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.
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).
New Members
This month we’re receiving the following new members: Mindy Denver; Dave and Linnea Caawe; Geremy, Margaret, Genevieve, and Melody Grote; Dawn Harper, Sara Mader, and AnnaMarie Naumen. Please introduce yourself and get to know them. Once we have pictures of everyone, we’ll print an insert for our picture directory that includes them and those who joined in our last group of new members. If your address, e-mail, or phone number have changed since the directory was printed, please send an e-mail to Cathy with the information so that we might include it in the update.
Invite neighbors to join us for Christmas at Hosanna!
Invitations to Christmas with Hosanna! have been included in this week’s bulletin for you to personally invite friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to join us for worship this Christmas. Extra copies are available in the fellowship hall. 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.
Dinner In / Dinner Out
Dinner In and Dinner out groups are forming now. This is a small group of approximately 8 people that will meet once a month. Dinner In groups will rotate between members’ homes, while the dinner out groups will select a restaurant each month. This is a great opportunity to get to make new friends or grow closer with old friends! The sign up will be in the fellowship hall and the last day to sign up is December 30th. Contact Anne Herman with questions ahermanpharmd@gmail.com.
Sunday's Order of Worship
Readings
Prayer Concerns
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