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Happy Friday!

And Merry Christmas! The Christmas season officially starts this weekend. Join us tomorrow at 10am, 2, 4, or 6pm and again on Sunday for our regular 9am service as we celebrate the coming of our Savior. Saturday and Sunday services are different (different readings, hymns, and sermon) so you can attend both. We know the weather has been a bit iffy, but services will go on as scheduled. Be careful driving and prayers for safe travels!

We could still use someone to run the projector for the 2 and 4pm services. It is an easy job, just pushing a button to advance the slide and it guarantees you a spot to sit! There is also room for a couple of family members to sit with you if you want.

The office will be closed all of next week to give the staff some time to relax, be with family, and prepare the year end reports. They will be getting some work done, but there won't be set hours. If you have an emergency, you can contact Pastor Belt on his cell phone (231-920-2519). There also won't be any regular activities, including Chapel and Thursday service. You can join us for service again on Saturday, December 31 at 6:30pm.

In January we will begin taking photos for a new Church Directory. More information is below.

Upcoming dates to know:
December 24 - Christmas Eve Services (10am, 2, 4, 6pm)
December 25 - Christmas Day Service (9am)
December 26 - January 2 - Office Closed
December 31 - New Year's Eve Service (6:30pm)
January 5 - Epiphany Service (6:30pm)

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A head’s up for all our members, there is an email going around pretending to be Pastor Andrew asking if you can do a favor for me “real quick.” It is a scam, and will ask you for money/gift cards if you respond. Pastor Andrew (the real one!) would never ask you to give money personally. Always report any suspicious emails as spam and delete it should you receive it.

God’s peace to you all as we head into Christmas this week! Here is a verse that always comes to mind with dealing with forgeries. Looking forward to celebrating Christ’s birth with you all!

-Pastor Andrew

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭

Many thanks to the men's group for getting the downed branches cleaned up!

The children did a great job telling the story of Christmas!

December 2022 Ask the Pastor

If someone comes to you and says “I’m worried that I’m not saved” what would you say? (ie. How do I know I have the right confession?)

Why the common cup?

Is Christmas pagan?

Join us for Christmas services! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are different services (different hymns, readings, and sermon) so you can attend both days.

Christmas Eve: 10am, 2, 4, 6pm
Christmas Day: 9am

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Christmas Flowers! If you donated, you are welcome to take a plant home after Christmas Day service.

Your last chance to receive God's gifts in the Year of Our Lord 2022 is on December 31 at 6:30pm at our New Year's Eve service.

Eight days after Jesus was born he was circumcised and given the name Jesus. Join us on January 1 at 9am for our regular Sunday service as we celebrate this event.

New Year's Eve and Day will be different services so you can attend both.

Our dear sister in Christ, Betty Fischer, has been rescued from death and is now with our Lord who is the Resurrection and the Life. She rests from her labors and now waits for the renewal of all things when Jesus comes again in glory.
Prayers for the family as they mourn and hope for the peace that Jesus brings. Jesus came on Christmas to defeat death!

You can read her obituary here.

We are putting together a new Church Directory next year! The entire thing will be done in-house. You are welcome to submit a photo or have it taken by us next month. Sign-up forms are in the Narthex (January 8, 15, 22 before or after service, January 12 and 19 before service, January 11 after Chapel). You will be asked to review your household information when you come to get your photo taken (or it will be emailed to you if you submit a photo). Everyone who participates will have your photo emailed to you and a PDF of the entire directory. Printed copies will be available for $5.

The plan is also to include a business directory at the end of the book. If you own a business or have a trade, please bring a business card or your information with you when you get your photo taken. That way we can support members of our congregation.

The Congregational Meeting will be January 22 after the Education Hour (~11:15am). If you have something you would like discussed at the meeting, please let us know by the end of the month so it can be put on the agenda. The proposed budget for next year is available on the center table in the Narthex. If you are interested in serving on Council or a board, please contact the office or Pastor Belt.

Sunday School News

NO Class: December 25 or January 1

Sunday Morning (after service): Large Catechism.

Monday Morning Men's Breakfast (7:30am): Proverbs

Tuesday Afternoon (3pm): Led by Yvonne Rosche.

Wednesday Morning (9:30am): Romans. Led by Pastor Belt.

Once-a-Month Couple's Study: Contact Tim and Cheri Sterzinger at 715-387-2606 or email at sterz4@charter.net if interested.

Youth Bible Study: SaLT and Light (Sundays at 11:15am): Jr and Sr High Youth in the youth room (downstairs).

SACRED MUSIC & TALK FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON… You can listen 24/7 to sacred talk and music for the 12 days of Christmas at issuesetc.org, lutheranpublicradio.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, TuneIn, Apple HomePod and the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

CHRIST FOR YOU this week on KFUO AM850 & kfuo.org: Merry Christmas! Enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas through January 8, and hear special Christmas programming during this time. Regular programming resumes January 9!

A few interesting articles, events, and podcasts we shared this week on Facebook:

Why December 25?

Pastor Andrew D. Belt
revbelt18@gmail.com
Cell Phone: 231-920-2519

DCE Tammy Schwartz
dcetammy@yahoo.com

You can also friend them on Facebook.

Saturday, December 24
10am - Christmas Eve Service
2pm - Christmas Eve Service
4pm - Christmas Eve Service
6pm - Christmas Eve Service

Sunday, December 25
9:00am - Divine Service

Monday, December 26
Office Closed

Tuesday, December 27
Office Closed
7:30am - Men's Bible Study

Wednesday, December 28
Office Closed

Thursday, December 29
Office Closed, NO Service

Friday, December 30
Office Closed and Pastor's Day of Rest

Saturday, December 31
6:30pm - New Year's Eve Service

Sunday, January 1
9:00am - Divine Service

Thank you for your support of our mission and ministry!

December Tithe to Mission
(as of 12/18)
N. WI District and Social Ministries: $4979

Did you know that you can give your offering online? Go to Christmarshfield.org/give or download the App (search Christ Marshfield).

The Church has a Scrip Card Fundraiser. Find out how to participate here. You can get e-cards immediately if you sign-up for an account at raiseright.com (use enrollment code C4E4511D63916). Physical cards can also be ordered from the online account. Order forms can be found on the table in the Narthex if you don't want to create an online account.

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
- Galatians 4:3-7