News for God’s people at Peace With Christ Lutheran Church

December 2009

For to us a Child is born,

to us a Son is given….
Isaiah 9:6

Pastor Patrick’s Pen ……………………………………………… Page 3

Reena’s Writing………………………………………………... Page 5
LWML……………………………………………………………. Page 7
Joy Circle/Missions & Ministry…………………………………. Page 8
TAG…………..…………………………………………………… Page 9
Youth News……………………………..………..……………….. Page 10
Marilyn’s Memo………...………………………………………... Page 11
Dates to Remember……………………………………………….. Page 12
Financial Update ………………………………………………….. Page 14
Anniversaries …………………… ……………………………….. Page 14
Birthdays. .…………………………..…………………………….. Page 15
 FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR

Members are invited to sign up to place flowers on our altar

for special occasions: in memory or honor of a loved one or
a special event. Please sign up on the flower chart located
in the Sunshine Hall and see posted guidelines for flowers.

PEACE WITH CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

1412 West Swallow Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: (970) 226-4721
Fax: (970) 204-1570
Email:pwchrist@pwchrist-fc.org
On the web:www.pwchrist-fc.org
Prayer Chain: 229-1459
Pastor: Ralph Patrick
Parish Worker: Reena Linke
Ministers: Members
Editor: Marcy Petago
Youth Coordinator: Marilyn Lasich
Prayer Chain Coordinator: Cheryl Harsen

Radio Broadcast: KCOL (600 AM), at 9:00 AM Sundays

Church Elders:
Wes Nierman, Head Elder.. ……………………………………..………….….226-5936
Ray Kaiser, Worship Elder…………………………………….….…………....223-0987
Dan Krueckeberg, Staff Elder…………………………………….….…….… ..482-9545
Art Pforr, Elder……………………………………………………………… . .223-8533
Dan Prevedel, Elder...…………………………………………………………..204-4008
Michael Rohlfs, Elder………………………...…………….….…….…………482-2663

Church Council:
President, Chad Hamilton
Vice President, Larry Siegfried
Secretary, Ernestine Munsey
Treasurer, Lisa Bernhardt
Education Chairman, Eric Petago
Education Co-Chair, Jane Pennington
Evangelism Chairman, Rhonda Kaiser
Fellowship Co-Chairman, Kerri Fagan/Linda Siegfried
Youth Ministry Chairman, Amy Hoy
Missions & Ministry Chairman, Jerry Buchleiter
Head Trustee, Fred Kropp
Hands in Harmony Chairman, Betty Keeney

Next month’s articles are due Sunday, December 20!

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Pastor Patrick’s Pen

“Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy that will
be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Dear Children of God,

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Those are the
words from the familiar Christmas carol. In many ways, and for
many people, it is. For Christmas is a magical, marvelous, mag-
nificent time of giving and receiving, seeing and believing. But
for others Christmas is a time of heartache and hardship. Pov-
erty, sickness and death do not take a “Christmas break”. Why
just today I already received a phone call from a single mother
inquiring as to whether the church would be helping families
during this holy season.
Perhaps something or someone has put a damper on your
“holiday spirit”. Perhaps you have little or no hope that next
year will be better than this. Perhaps you are wondering how the
mortgage will get paid, or whether you will ever find another job.
If that is the case, then “fear not, for I bring you good news of
great joy. Today is born to you in the city of David a savior who is
Christ the Lord!”
This joy of Christ Jesus is based not on temporal events, but eternal
realities. Jesus is THE Savior! He has saved us from the effects of sin,
from the grasp of the devil, and from eternal death. These are gifts
that truly do keep on giving!
This joy of Christ Jesus is not seasonal, but the lasts the year, yes,
all your life long! We celebrated the gifts of Christ every Sunday when
we gather in His presence to receive His grace and mercy, to enter into
His presence in order to partake of His presents.

Continued on page 4

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 Continued from page 3

This joy of Christ Jesus springs not from stockings filled with
gifts, but from hearts filled with faith and love. Think of all that you
have been given that can NEVER be taken from you! The gifts of
the Spirit cannot be lost with the loss of a loved one or a job; they do
not grow old or need thrown out like trees and wrappings; they
never lose their luster like this year’s toys or jewelry. Peace, pa-
tience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and gentleness all come
with a lifetime guaranty, signed by Jesus Christ Himself!
This joy of Christ Jesus is seen not in manger scenes or Christ-
mas movies, but in God’s Holy Word and His life-giving sacrament.
It is white of Christ’s body and the red of His blood that reflect the
real colors of Christmas.
This joy of Christ Jesus bursts forth in song. Think of the
lives of the main characters of the Christmas story: Mary, Eliza-
beth, Zechariah, the angels, Simeon. They all break forth in joyous
song. Not because the Lord has sent them great earthly gifts, but
because He has sent the gift of His Son. They rejoice in song not be-
cause God has delivered them from their earthly troubles, but be-
cause He has delivered them from their sins. Listen again to what
Zechariah sings:

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

For He has visited and redeemed his people
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us . . .
To give light to those who sit in darkness and in
the shadow of death,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The darkness of this life and the shadows of death will always be
part of this life. But the light of Christ dispels those shadows and
darkness. The Peace of God that surpasses all understanding, which
is seen in the manger and on the tree, comes to us not only at Christ-
mas, but throughout the year.
This is the Good News of great joy that God brings to you
both now and forever.

Peace,

Pastor Patrick

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 Reena’s Writings

After writing about the sign of the cross and “In the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” last
month, I thought it would be appropriate to share a bit about
reverencing and “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Spirit…” or the Gloria Patri. The Gloria Patri,
also known as the “lesser doxology,” (the Gloria in Excelsis
as the “greater doxology”) is a hymn of praise and is tradi-
tionally associated with the Psalms, though it can also be
found at the end of the Nunc Dimittis and other liturgical
texts, as the final verse of some hymns, and at the end of
prayers. You will notice at the end of the Introit, we sing
the Gloria Patri, praising God for His giving us salvation
through His Word.

While we praise God with our mouths, we can also worship

with our whole bodies. Bowing is one way in which Chris-
tians have shown reverence before God in worship, hence
why it is sometimes referred to as reverencing. We read in
Psalm 95:6-7, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let
us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God, and
we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His
hand.” Through the act of bowing, we are physically re-
membering our relationship to God as the Almighty King on
His throne, who has forgiven our sins and the sins of the
world through His Son. It reminds us to humble ourselves
before God. Luther wrote,
[Worship] is not a function of the mouth but of
the whole body. It is to bow the head, bend the
body, fall on the knees, prostrate oneself, and so
forth, and to do such things as a sign and acknowl-
edgment of an authority and power…Where worship

Continued on page 6

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 Continued from page 5

is offered from the heart, there follows quite prop-

erly also that outward bowing, bending, kneeling,
and adoration with the body.” (from “The Adoration
of the Sacrament”)
While the pews in the church may inhibit full prostration,
we certainly are able to bow. The Gloria Patri is one such
time when bowing is appropriate in honor of the Holy Trin-
ity. We also can bow when the crucifix passes us during the
procession, when we approach the altar, during the Sanctus
(Holy, Holy, Holy), and at many other times, which I could
share with those that are interested in knowing. Of course,
just as with making the sign of the cross, bowing is not re-
quired and should not be looked at as a test of piety. It is yet
another way that we can praise and worship God through
our whole body, joining those in heaven who “fall down be-
fore him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives
for ever and ever. (Rev. 4:10).

In Christ,
Reena

Music for Advent and Christmas

The music sign-up sheets have moved! They are now lo-
cated outside of Marilyn and Reena’s offices. With ser-
vices also on Wednesday evenings in Advent, we wel-
come pianists and/or organists to sign-up to play those
Evening Prayer services. Also, begin thinking about what
special music you might want to play during Advent or
Christmas, so we can plan the schedule in advance and
coordinate with the other musicians. Please talk to either
Marilyn or Reena about selections.

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 LUTHERAN
WOMEN
IN MISSION

♦ LWML will meet Sunday, December 13th at 2pm in the home

of Norma Thaemert for our Annual Christmas Party! We’ll
carpool from the church at 1:30pm. Remember to bring your
Christmas “Dime Stocking” money, your mites, and a plate of
cookies. Dime stocking money will support Crossroads Safe-
house. Extra cookies will be used to make up holiday plates
for shut-ins (so bring plenty!) Linda Siegfried will lead our
program and have devotions and mites. All ladies of the con-
gregation are invited for this special afternoon.

♦ LWML will be hosting the December 2nd Advent Soup Sup-

per. Proceeds will benefit the Heiliger’s work in Turkey.

♦ There is no LWML Executive Board meeting in December.

Our next meeting will be Monday, January 4th beginning at
6pm in the home of Bev Russman. All ladies are welcome!

Merry Christmas

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 Sunday School for 2-3 years olds
continued from page
A new class is beginning for the 2-3 year
olds during Sunday School hour called
Growing in Christ for Parents & Twos. The
class, which began with the new church year,
November 29, will meet in the nursery after attending
Sunday School opening in the sanctuary at 9:30am. If you
have questions or would like to help teach , please contact
Reena, reena@pwchrist-fc.org

MISSIONS & MINISTRY COMMITTEE

Our annual Christmas Party for the Good Shepherd
Home residents will be at the Church on December
6th at 6pm. Everyone is invited to join the fun and
see the happy faces!

Joy Circle
Our annual Christmas meeting will be
Thursday, December 3, at 1pm at Cheryl
Harsen’s home. We will have a short
business meeting and program. Cheryl
will provide treats and Marge Westhoff
will have devotions. All women are wel-
come to come and join us!
 TAG
Tuesday Afternoon Group

All older adults are welcome to attend the various activi-

ties and Bible studies of this Older Adult Ministry
Group. Our Bible study and meal are on the 1st Tues-
day of the month. Some months there will be an addi-
tional activity. Come and enjoy the fellowship.

December 1st at Noon

The meal will be catered so there isn’t a need for anyone
to do any cooking during this busy time of the year.
Please sign up for the meal so there will be enough for
everyone. Bible study will follow at 1pm led by Pastor
Caspersen. All older adults are welcome to attend.

December 15th at 1:00pm

It’s a Christmas Party! For a fun and relaxing afternoon
let’s enjoy Christmas music and play Dubs Bridge. It’s
easy and everyone can play. Bring cookies or snacks to
share.

Poinsettia Orders
A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex, $9.00 each,
make check payable to PWC write poinset-
tia on memo line and give to Lu Buchholz by Dec. 13th.
Please indicate which color you would like, Red or
White. You may pick up your plant after Christmas Day
service. If you’d like your plant to go to a shut-in or
nursing home resident, please let me know. Thanks,

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 YOUTH NEWS

Season’s Opener Helpers Needed! If you would like to help deco-

rate cookies, please sign-up to help at the Season’s Opener on De-
cember 5 at 4:00pm. Your help is needed to assist children with
decorating sugar cookies for dessert that night.

Senior High Christmas Party - Sunday, December 6th 4:00 -

7:30pm. Corrie Kaiser and her parents are hosting the party, 2643
Antelope Rd. Senior High Youth and their parents are invited.
Please sign-up to attend and bring a food item. We will have a gift
exchange ($5 limit, please). Hope to see you there!

Confirmation Age Christmas Party - Immediately following the

Children’s Christmas Service Rehearsal on Saturday, December
12th, we will have a party! We will make lunch together, have some
fun and exchange gifts! Please sign-up to bring a snack and let us
know if you plan to be there. Please bring a gift ($5 limit, please)
for the gift exchange. Hope to see you there!

Children’s Christmas Service - Plan to sign up to help, sing, read,

or play your instrument at the Service December 16. Rehearsal is
Saturday, December 12 at 10:00am.

Christmas Caroling - December 19 at 2:00pm. We will be visiting

nursing homes, shut-ins and other members of the congregation. It
should be a great time - sign-up so we can plan rides! Driver’s
needed!

Senior High Lock-In - Plan to come to a lock-in on December 28

at 5pm here at PWC. We will begin the evening with a “surprise
outing” (cost $8 - dinner included), then have Bible study, food,
games, activities, movies, and sleep??? Sign-up!

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 MARILYN’S MEMO

Dear PWC Family,

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”, at least a lot like

winter with another storm bringing us snow. In the stores, you will
hear Christmas music and see all the Christmas decorations, gifts,
etc. for sale. We are already being reminded that Christmas is
quickly coming. For Christians, the time before Christmas is the
season of Advent. It is the time to be preparing and looking forward
to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is time to contemplate what
this world would be like without Christ ever having come to earth as
an infant. What a terrible, sinful, scary place this world would be as
we would have no hope of forgiveness!

Burdened and bowed down by all our sins, we would still be under
the Law because we would not know the sweetness of the Gospel.
Jesus Christ came to earth as an infant to live among us and then
went to the cross to take the burden of our sins away and give us
forgiveness. Just as a winter snowstorm covers everything with a
beautiful blanket of pure, white snow, Christ’s blood covers us and
makes us as pure as snow, too. Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with hyssop,
and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow” and
Isaiah 1:18 … “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like
wool.”

May each new snow remind us to rejoice in this wondrous gift we

have received through Christ’s death and resurrection: Forgiveness!
What a wonderful Christmas gift!

Have a blessed month preparing for the birth of Christ.

In Christ, Marilyn

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 Dates to Remember

December 2 & 9 at 4:30pm and 7:15pm -

Advent Services

December 12 at 10:00am -
Youth & Children’s Christmas Service Rehearsal

December 16 at 6:30pm -
Youth and Children’s Christmas Service

December 19 at 2:00pm -
Christmas Caroling to nursing homes & shut-ins

December 24 at 4:00pm, 7:00pm & 10:00pm -

Christmas Eve Services

December 25 at 9:00am -
Christmas Day Service

Christmas Choir Rehearsal

December 2 at 8:00pm

December 9 at 8:00pm

December 20 at Noon

December 23 at 6:00pm

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 CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Everyone is invited to join the Youth on
Saturday, December 19 at 2:00pm for
caroling. We will be visiting the nursing
homes, shut-ins and other members of the
congregation. It should be a great time - sign up so we
can plan rides! Drivers are needed.

“Shopping” with the Youth!!

Now is the perfect time with Christmas right
around the corner.

The Scrip Program continues to help raise funds for Youth

Events. The program offers many gift cards for purchase.
You receive the FULL value of the card and the youth group
receives a percentage of the value. Please check out the
cards available for immediate purchase as well as those
available by ordering. Thank you for your support!

********************************************************

Thank You
On behalf of myself and my family I would like to thank
all of the wonderful members of God’s family at Peace
with Christ for your caring words spoken, the
compassionate notes written, and the kind e-mails that I
have received during this difficult time. I greatly
appreciate your thoughts and prayers both for me and my
family. God bless you! Pastor Patrick

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 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO .…
Gene & Julie Frank
Dennis & Susan Vanatta
Karen & Mel Carlson
Doug & Martha Scheiwe
Rueben & Rosalee Blumenshine
Stony & Jan Achziger
Bill & Fran Watson
Ed & Connie Jurischk
Marv & June Grueber
Ron & Norma Thaemert
Marcus & Jennifer Mueller
December 7, 1969
December 11, 1999
December 14, 1990
December 16, 1972
December 16, 1956
December 18, 1965
December 19, 1948
December 19, 1970
December 21, 1952
December 27, 1964
December 28, 1991

We apologize if we missed your anniversary. Please notify

the church office to update.

Financial Update
As of September 2009

2009 budget: $359,000.00

Year-to-date total PWC income: $274,469.17

Year-to-date total PWC expenses: $282,691.23

Net Income: -$8,222.06

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HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY
TO…….
Patsy Cribbs 1st
Bernice Nansel 3rd
Christoppher Derby 4th
Corrin Derby 4th
Scott French 4th
Lori Carillo 5th
Kim Molzer 5th
Marcy Petago 5th
Char Carlson 6th
Jaxon Boehnke 7th
Sharon Wiesner 8th
Naomi Pennington 9th
Randy Bernhardt 10th
Lewanda Fields 10th
Kaden Bauder 11th
Paul Carlson 12th
Melissa Mueller 12th
Chance Lacey 13th
Gail Neben 13th
Lillian Fischer 16th
Ann Caspersen 18th
Tanla Maiorka 18th
Anthony Johannsen 19th
Trevor Kropp 23rd
Josh Daugherty 25th
Madeline Johannsen 26th
Larissa Parke 26th
Jennifer Saboy 27th
Robin Hamilton 28th
Sarah Krueckeberg 28th
Lydia Pennington 31st

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 Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit #355
Fort Collins, Colorado
80521
PEACE WITH CHRIST LUTHERAN
CHURCH
1412 West Swallow Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED