St.

Johns Lutheran Church ELCA

1300 W. Benjamin Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 371-1985
stjohn@cableone.net
www.stjohnsnorfolk.com

Our Mission: Loving God . . . Loving People . . . Reaching Out!

Please remember in prayer:
Janet Jundt
Dallas Esser
Norma Hunter
Bradley Wise
Stephanie Rabbass
Ann Schroeder
Don Freese
Warren DeWald
Thad Murren
Bailey Suehl
Boston DeWald
Pr. David Cox
Rosemary Westerhold
Bob Henning
Tom Daoust
Tyrone Uhlir
Chris & Gail Ermels on the loss of her grandmother, Helen Hitz
If you know someone who is in need of prayer but whose name is not listed, it may be that they
have asked not to be included in the printed bulletin. Please remember them in your personal
prayers.

Celebrate with Zac Carhart, Brynn Sterud and Josh Schavee as they take First Communion
this weekend.
Flowers on the altar this weekend are sponsored by Sara Fegley in loving memory of her
parents, Kenneth & Ruth Born; and by Nancy Schwertley in memory of loved ones.
Everyone is invited to Fellowship Hour for coffee and rolls between
services each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.
Please be mindful of our members and visitors who would benefit most from the handicap
and senior parking areas at the front of the church. During the winter months, our
seniors need the assurance of a shorter, level walk in to the building.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
If you would be interested in providing some special music prior to one of the Christmas Eve
services, please contact the church office @ 402-371-1985 and Vern Krause will contact you.
Whether you play an instrument or sing or both, wed love to hear from you. Thank you!

2016 Offering Envelopes are now available in the west hallway.

Dr. David E. Cox Interim Senior Pastor
Justin Wiese Assistant Pastor, NeLCM-Norfolk Campus Pastor
Jacquie Samway PMA, Coordinator of Congregational Care
Jolene Ziebell Coordinator of Youth Ministries
Gail Ermels Office Manager
Jim Carter Custodian/Grounds Keeper
Midge Hedrick Office Assistant

SUNDAY, DEC 13
8:30 am ....................................................... Worship
9:30 am ........................................... Fellowship Hour
9:45 am .............................. Life of Christ Bible Study
Lower Level Hoppe Community Room
9:45 am .............................................. Sunday School
11:00 am ..................................................... Worship
7:00 pm .................... Gods Ambassadors ChristCare
Kristy Booras, 402-371-6218
MONDAY, DEC 14
10:00 am ............................................. Staff Meeting
5:30 pm ................................... Executive Committee
6:30 pm ............................Stephen Ministry Training
7:00 pm ............................................. Praise Forever
8:30 pm .......................................... Solid Rock
TUESDAY, DEC 15
GOOD NEIGHBORS PACKING
7:00 am ................................ Mens Prayer Breakfast
6:00 pm ........................................Temple ChristCare
Pat Monson, 402-371-8803
7:00 pm ....................................... Beloved ChristCare
Tracy Meister, 402-379-2484
WEDNESDAY, DEC 16
GOOD NEIGHBORS DELIVERY
1:30 pm .................................... Searchers ChristCare
Connie Hagstrom, 402-649-4862
7:00 pm ............................................. Church Council
7:30 pm .......................................... Mens ChristCare
Rollie Downs, 402-649-0256
THURSDAY, DEC 17
9:00 am ............................................. Rebekah Circle
1:30 pm .................................................... Ruth Circle
6:30 pm .......................................... Cantata Practice
7:15 pm ................................. Majesty Choir Practice
SATURDAY, DEC 19
5:00 pm ........................................................ Worship

SHOP FOR MINISTRY

DEC 13
DEC 20

8:30 am
11 am
8:30 am
11 am

Linda Downs
Lisa Echtenkamp
Margie Frank
Nancy Jacobs

OFFERINGS
Mission Emphasis (DEC) ................. Good Neighbors
Greenfiber Funds for OCT-DEC ......................Mosaic
General offering for 12/6/15 .................... $8,824.24
The above general offering figure reflects
weekly additions of direct deposits and advance
pledges.
End of Oct. Net Profit / (Loss) .................{$3,621.46)
Year-to-Date Net Profit / (Loss) ............($25,152.46)
Attendance 12/6/15 ....................... (33, 67, 106) 208

Dear St. Johns Benefaction,

SMILE, Inc. was abel to provide another
summer of Recreational Therapy on
Horseback to 135 families per week with
your continued support. The Benefaction
Boards gift has been a huge blessing for
the special needs children and adults in
our community and surrounding
communities. We had another huge group
of visitors from the Norfolk Public Schools,
including 120 from Lincoln Elementary, to
learn about ponies. Norfolk High School,
Junior High and Middle School brought out
their special education summer school
students 30 students participated and
some for the whole summer.
All of the above happens because of
your support. Your funds allow everyone
to participate at an affordable fee.
Gods blessings in helping others!!!!
Patty Prauner, Program Director
SMILE, Inc.

ELCA Good Gifts Advent Tree

The average American spends more that
$700 on Christmas gifts each year.
Rethink the tradition of gift-giving with
ELCA Good Gifts. Your family is invited to
select an ornament from the Advent tree in
the back of the sanctuary representing a
gift you would like to give and take it home
as a reminder of your giving. Your gift
carries Gods love to others, making a
difference in their lives and around the
world. Consider giving a donation toward
the purchase of a cow through the Good
Gifts impossible to wrap program!
Donations can be placed inside your
offering envelope marked Good Gifts.
If you choose an ornament from the tree
and would like to purchase something
other than a cow, please indicate on the
envelope what your donation should
purchase. Please make all checks payable
to St. Johns. THANK YOU!

GOOD NEIGHBORS PACKING

THIS WEEK
The week of packing and delivery of Good
Neighbors boxes has finally arrived!!
If you would like to help, folks will gather at
St. Johns on Wednesday, Dec. 16 @ 9am
for packing, and Thursday, Dec. 17 for
delivery. Please contact Carol Severa for
any additional information.
402-371-3324.

Lous and HyVee Shop for Ministry cards

are available in the church office during the
week for all your Christmas gift needs! One
size fits all! They make excellent gifts for
the newspaper carrier, garbage man, postal
carrier, teachers and more. Let us help you
make your shopping easier!

We will need many service helpers for the Christmas Eve worship services -- ushers,
communion assistants, and greeters. Because each family has a different tradition, please
sign up on todays Registration Slip to volunteer for the service you will be attending. Also,
please let us know how you would like to serve. The 5PM worship service will be the largest
of the evening, and we will be serving communion at 4 stations. Please consider helping if
you are able.

BENEFACTION BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

November 12, 2015
The St. Johns Benefaction Board ended the
calendar year by funding one request and reviewing
the benefaction fund investments.
A request for $2,000 was funding with an
increase to $3,000. Oasis Counseling asked for the
money to fund the Befriend Mentoring Program
which they started in Norfolk and now serves the
Columbus and Fremont areas as well. This
program matches families at risk or struggling with
caring, mentoring families providing informal
support and positive relationships. The increase
was approved to bring the amount Norfolk agencies
funded closer to the amounts from Fremont and
Columbus.
The board also gave early approval to funding
camp scholarships for next year to allow families to
plan earlier and take advantage of early savings.
Finally, the board reviewed changes in
investments for the year and looked back over the
last four years to see that about 35 requests were
funded for over $300,000 while also increasing the
funds holdings by over $100,000.
The next meeting of the Benefaction Board is
February 11, 2016. Requests for funds should be
submitted three weeks before the meeting, must be
signed by the principal contact and a sponsoring St.
Johns member, and include a budget.

November COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The St. Johns Council heard reports from several
committees and boards, and reviewed the 2016
budget at their monthly meeting on November 18.
The Property Committee is working on a number
of projects. The current project is to improve the
safety of the west entrance and stairways. Carpeting
is also being planned for the office area and west
hallways.
Reports from the Benefaction Board and
Memorial Committees listed requests and suggestions
that were funded. The Worship Life Committee also
presented a report from the organ tuner indicating a
need to build supports for some of the large pipes. A
proposal has been received for the sound system
update and replacements.
Council members also reviewed a revised budget
for 2016 which now goes back to the Finance
Committee for fine tuning and consideration for
council approval in December.
A complete copy of the minutes is available by
mail or email by contacting the church office.

Christmas Eve Worship Services

Warmth, Peace and
Pajamas
The Salvation Army is
again collection pajamas
for children in Norfolk
who may otherwise go to
bed cold this winter season.
Please consider making either a
monetary donation or buying a new pair of
pajamas to donate. Sizes needed: 2T
Adult XL, both girls and boys. Expecially
needed sizes 8-18. Checks should be
made payable to Norfolk Salvation Army
Pajama Project and can be dropped off or
mailed to Salvation Army, 610 W. Norfolk
Ave., Norfolk. New pajamas can be
dropped off at Salvation Army, Deadline
Dec. 16.

5 PM An Illustrated Christmas is our

family-friendly interactive worship of
candlelight and Holy Communion where you
#drawthestory and share your art during the
service through smartphones, tablets, or oldfashioned paper. You wont want to miss this
fun!
7 PM Festival of the Nativity is the
traditional Christmas Eve candlelight and Holy
Communion worship service as we gather and
give thanks for the birth of Christ.
9 PM Festival of Lessons & Carols is a
service of readings and familiar Christmas
hymns. No sermon is preached. Candlelight
and Holy Communion are given with a sense
of the wonder of the Word made flesh, as we
celebrate the coming of the Christ child.

Madison Co. Detention Center Treats

Chosen Christcare will be contributing money
and Christmas goodies to the Madison County
Juvenile Detention Center in Madison,
Nebraska, again this year. Our money
provides a McDonald's meal, a Subway
sandwich, and Papa Murphy's pizza
for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New
Year's for the 32 young people who are at the
center. Each one is also given a small bag
with toiletries if enough money. (Last year our
money also purchased board games and
basketballs.)
If you are interested, please put your money
gift in the church office envelope or put it in the
offering plate marked for Madison County
Juvenile Detention Center. If you are
interested in donating Christmas goodies,
please have them at the church office no later
than December 23 at 2 o'clock. Jesse Jensen
will pick everything up along with a check for
the amount of the donations at 5 o'clock that
day.
We thank you very much. Merry Christmas!
Chosen Christcare
NOTE; BE SURE TO CLARIFY THAT THIS
IS NOT THE DIVERSION CENTER WHO IS
COUPLING WITH THE ZONE. This is still the
Juvenile Detention Center in Madison.

Christmas for a Soldier

Jeann & Desiree
Granstra will continue
organizing holiday boxes to
be sent to single soldiers serving abroad.
To guarantee a box by Christmas, the
mailing deadline was Dec. 10, but these
young men and women would enjoy
receiving a box of warm fuzzies from
home anytime!
All would love to receive movies, books,
a deck of cards or non-perishable food
items (no homemade items, please). Use
your own ideas to fill, decorate and send
words of encouragement.
Please contact Jeann at 402-860-2667
or jegtb@hotmail.com for more details.
She has the boxes along with the
information sheets needed to get these
mailed. For many soldiers, this is their first
deployment or time away from home. Lets
make a difference in their lives as they
make a difference in ours!
The First Sargent who is one of those who
receives the boxes and then distributes
them, sent a picture to Desiree that shows
some of the troops holding up the contents
of one of the boxes that arrived . He
said thank you to all that are sending care
packages over there, and that they are
much appreciated by the troops who
receive them. That makes it all worthwhile!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
5 PM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
DANNY OLSON
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
GREETERS/USHERS Rod & Shirley Hughes
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
8:30 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
DANNY OLSON
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
CONNIE HAGSTROM
GREETERS Dan Melkus, Richard & Leona
Pfeifer
USHERS Mark Polenske, Mike Frank,
Mike Kai
READER Richard Pfeifer
FELLOWSHIP HOUR Ruth Circle
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Rolie & Linda
Downs, Rick & Diana Uhlir
PRAYER LEADER __________
POWERPOINT John Skogstoe

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
11 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
DANNY OLSON
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
CONNIE HAGSTROM
GREETERSKen Wragge, Terry Hall
USHERS Dennis & Brenda Smith,
Echtenkamp Family
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Carol Timperley,
Carol Severa, Ken Wragge, Terry Hall
PRAYER LEADER Brenda Smith
POWERPOINT C laire Thompson
LECTIONARY READINGS:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
5 PM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
DAVID PEDERSEN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
JIM CARTER
GREETERS/USHERS Rod & Shirley Hughes
READER Shirley Hughes
PRAYER LEADER __________
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
8:30 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
DAVID PEDERSEN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
MIKE / KAREN WIDHALM
GREETERS Carol Sorsen, Danny Olson
USHERS Dennis & Lois Braesch
READER Tom Hedrick
FELLOWSHIP HOUR Jan Henning
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Sherri Kuk,
Diane Sobotka, __________, __________
PRAYER LEADER Sara Fegley
POWERPOINT Midge Hedrick

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
11 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
DAVID PEDERSEN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
MIKE / KAREN WIDHALM
GREETERSMichelle Dagerman,
Martha Thompson
USHERS Kevin Bonderson, Don Meister,
Carol Severa
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Beth Bonderson,
Janet Erickson, Tracy Meister,
Kristy Booras
PRAYER LEADER Lon Timperley
POWERPOINT Emma Dagerman
LECTIONARY READINGS:
Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6