Links to worship and all of our ministries are at www.HosannaTogether.org. If online worship doesn’t work well for you or you’d like printed copies of the newsletter and bulletin, call the church office at 781-7991 and we’ll send you copies and recordings.
Blood and Plasma Drive Coming to Hosanna!
Blood is critically short in the Kansas City area right now. Hosanna! will be hosting a blood drive in partnership with the Community Blood Center of Kansas City on Thursday, January 7, 2:00-6:00. Donations through CBCKC will be used in Kansas City area hospitals. They will also be collecting convalescent plasma from donors who have received a positive COVID test and recovered. Find information about the drive, donating, and eligibility or sign up now to donate at www.hosannatogether.org/blood.
Pastor Mike is on vacation through January 1. If you have pastoral care needs during this time, please call the church office at 816-781-7991 and leave a message. We’ll get back to you shortly.
December Bless Boxes are Still Available
Kids can still pick up their December Bless Box anytime from the Rubbermaid tub by the front doors. This month’s box focuses on God being near to us, and includes materials to build a nativity, as well as other activities.
Do Not Be Afraid! The Kids’ Christmas Program Is Available!
During worship on December 20, the kids of Hosanna! shared their (virtual) take on the Christmas story. The program (without the rest of the worship service) is available to watch and share at www.hosannatogether.org/program. We can also provide DVD video recordings if you call the church office. Thank you to all the families of the congregation who contributed on screen, holding cameras, and behind the scenes, as well as Alison Kern for organizing this year’s program.
Free Devotion Books Available
Christ in Our Home quarterly devotional books have finally arrived! Pick up one from the tub outside the front doors of the church building, or call the church office to make other arrangements. These devotionals provide brief daily scripture readings, reflections, and prayers for each day. They are free to anyone who would like them.
Bless Your Home for the New Year
Most of us are ready to be done with 2020 and to look forward to a new year. This is the perfect time to revive a centuries-old practice of blessing homes by writing “C M B” and the year in chalk over your door. C M B stands for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, the names attributed to the Magi in Christian lore, but also for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates to “May Christ bless this home.”
Whether you do it on January 1 or wait until Epiphany on January 6, write 20 + C + M + B + 21 over your door with chalk. It’s not going to magically ward off evil spirits, but rituals like this put our faith into something tangible, and help us cling to our trust that God abides with us throughout the year. After writing the letters, say this or another prayer: O Lord, visit this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and lead us to carry your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. Guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
Illustrated Faith Formation
Illustrated Ministry has put together scripture, discussion questions, an activity, and a coloring sheet to go deeper each week this Christmas an Epiphany. Much of the resource is fitting for both kids and adults who find coloring to be enjoyable and meditative. Download a free copy of this resource each week at www.hosannatogether.org/coloring. A coloring page to list hopes, dreams, goals, and intentions is also available.
Death of Tony Musgrave
We are sad to share that Hosanna! member Tony Musgrave died last week after a being hospitalized with breathing issues related to COVID-19. We extend our sympathy to Robbin and the rest of Tony's family. An online prayer service is being considered for early January.
Death of Tina Hyland
We are sad to share that Hosanna! member Tina Hyland died this week as a result of steadily declining health. We extend our sympathy to Mary Kunkel (Tina’s daughter) and the rest of Tina's family. An in-person and online memorial service is being planned.
Enjoy Christmas Carols with Hosanna!
Dr. Dan and several members of Hosanna! have recorded nine Christmas carols for your enjoyment. Listen as you relax, play the music in the background as you celebrate, join in the choir singing with your family, or sing along at the top of your lungs! The music can be played, downloaded, and shared from www.hosannatogether.org/carols.
Children’s Offering to Provide Clean Water
It’s been a while since we’ve collected the children’s offering during worship, but in the first 3 months of the year, they gave $575.92 to be used to provide clean water. Lack of access to safe water is one of the biggest challenges to overcoming poverty. With a simple water well, spring box or other water point, as many as 500 families gain access to clean water, freeing women and children have time for work and school, and allowing families to spend less money on medical expenses and more on food and education. Learn more about the difference clean water makes at https://youtu.be/AftOMnWfBDo, and give a gift in honor of someone this Christmas at www.elca.org/goodgifts.
Gathered in Worship
Sunday, December 20th Worship attendance: 70+. If you’re joining us online, please leave a comment or reaction on our webpage or the Facebook video so that we know that you were part of our worship!
December 27th Prayer Concerns
Birthdays
Don Summers December 25
Braylon Williams December 26
Luke Plesko December 27
Mitchell Miller December 28
Scott Schmidt December 28
Marjorie Yates December 28
Natalie Canuteson December 29
La Reta Godsey January 1
Anniversaries
John & Laura Canuteson December 27
Christian Sympathy
Family and Friends of Tina Hyland - Hosanna! member who died Dec. 22
Family and Friends of Tony Musgrave - Hosanna! member who died last week
Bob Scheiderer of Peace Lutheran in Salisbury, MO died of COVID-19
Shawn (relative of Tony Belcher) - died unexpectedly last week
Concerns
Ruth Linneman (grandmother of Catherine Noel) - hospitalized and moving to nursing care facility
Robbin Musgrave - heart catheterization been scheduled for Jan. 7
Amy (Tony and Robbin Musgrave’s daughter-in-law) - having cancer surgery on Dec. 28th
Lona Ristine - recovering at home from COVID-19 after hospitalization (12/10)
All who are sick with COVID (12/10)
Margaret Elder (grandmother of Margaret Grote) - diagnosed with COVID and facing other challenges (12/10)
Kimberly Berry, recovering from hip surgery (11/16 )
Ongoing
Rose Harris - (Cheryl Jennings mother) care at Liberty Health & Wellness
Adam Goins - serving in Coast Guard, deploying in late July
Ryan Jackson - active military
Adam Morehouse - active military
Sam Matula - active military
Grey Tucker - Army National Guard
Nathan Wilkerson - serving in Army
Crewe – Great-grandnephew of Art & Shirley Harnish severe health concerns
