Kids Choose ELCA Good Gifts Animals
Sunday, December 11
It’s this Sunday! Following worship, our kids (elementary and middle school) will gather with Heather and Melissa to learn more about the ELCA Good Gifts program and help choose what animals we will be purchasing. Thank you to all those who contributed to our Advent Giving Challenge! We look forward to sharing with the congregation the impact we were able to have!
Ring Bells with our Family Faith Night Crew and High Schoolers!
Monday, December 19, 5:00 – 8:00 pm @ Hy-Vee (2nd Ave)
We’ve recently picked up some slots to help ring bells for the Salvation Army and are encouraging our middle school and high school youth, along with participants in Family Faith Nights, to volunteer. But…the fun doesn’t need to be restricted!
If you’d like to join us for an hour shift, click here to sign up. We are starting with four volunteers per time slot (per door) but can expand if there is more interest. Please come 5-10 minutes before your shift, and consider wearing some festive apparel. Because we’re at Hy-Vee, we will be inside. No need to dress for sub-zero temps!
SOTC Christmas Party
Sunday, December 18, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Join us for a night of cookies, skits, carols, crafts, games and fun! We’ll start off the night by sharing with each other some of our favorite Christmas traditions over the generations and then participate in a group, spontaneous live nativity with carols. “Parts” needed for all ages! After our impromptu nativity story, we’ll play some Christmas games and the kids can make their own ornaments to take home with them. Bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share as we gather. If there are some left by the end of the evening, we’ll have a cookie swap
Add Your “Generations” Picture!
To embody the truth that it’s not just characters of times’ past that are a part of God’s story, we’re asking the congregation to bring in a picture that showcases generations in your family. It might be a picture with multiple generations present, or it might be a picture of a family member from several generations past. Either way, bring those pictures to church or email them to Kathy, and post them on our bulletin board. As the season progresses, watch for how our stories interweave with the story of Christ!
Christmas Poinsettias
Order by Sunday, December 11
Are you willing to help decorate our sanctuary with poinsettias this Christmas? Sign up in the narthex, or contact Kathy in the office, if you’re willing to purchase a plant. Please indicate if the poinsettia is purchased in honor/memory of someone and clearly mark the funds designated for flowers. Envelopes are available in the narthex near the sign up sheet.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who purchased gifts for children in our community through the LSI organization. Eleven children will have a book and an educational toy to open Christmas morning!
Christmas Eve Worship
Saturday, December 24 @ 4:00 pm
On Christmas Eve, we’ll trek to Bethlehem to adore the Christ child on bended knee. Worship will include holy communion and a candlelight service while singing “Silent Night.”
NOTE: We will not host Christmas Day worship. Stay tuned for details of services at other local congregations.
Year End Giving
Last day for 2022 Contributions: December 24
As you gather with us for Christmas Eve Worship, note that this will be the last worship service of 2022. If you are planning to make a year end donation, please do so by December 24. All gifts received after December 24 will be deposited in 2023.