Dear friends-
It is hard to find good news these days.
The media outlets seem to be in a frenzy to one-up each other with reports of the latest bombing, financial collapse, racially motivated incident, international crisis, or ridiculous statements by some political candidate.
Like always. If you are looking for good news in the media, you are going to have to be satisfied with a feel-good tag at the end of a broadcast.
But if you look to Jesus for good news, you get it- in spades. Jesus IS good news- the best news this tired, old, world has ever heard or had. And that news is that he loves the world, and has come to show us just how much. This is the time of year that we focus on that coming, that amazing incarnation, Jesus coming and living in our neighborhood.
And that should give us pause.
No matter how crazy the world gets, he remains the still point, the source of hope and joy. He knows our situation, our worries and fears, and has made provision for us to not just survive in this world, but to flourish. In fact, he challenges us to help him make it a better place, a place where love and peace prevail.
Don't get caught in the hype. Don't give in to your fears. Be still, and let him fill you with his peace.
That's the gift we need- this year, and always.
Hoping to see you soon!
Gary
CALENDAR
Sunday November 29 - Worship Service - 10:30 am - First Sunday in Advent.
- Handel's Messiah - 3 PM - Trinity Lutheran in Rockford, a few of us are going
and would love to have you join us. Talk to Colleen or Jennifer if interested.
Sunday December 6 - Worship Service with Communion -10:30 am - Second Sunday in Advent.
- Fellowship Time - The Green family is hosting us over at their house. Walk on
over!
Thursday December 10 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
Sunday December 13 - Worship Service - 10:30 am- Third Sunday in Advent.
- No refreshments after service, plan instead to come to attend the party tonight!
- ALL CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY - 5:30-8:30 PM - Gary and Jennifer's - Come
for the evening or just drop in for a short time - We will enjoy appetizers and
sweet treats. Time for fellowship and good food. We will sing our favorite
Christmas carols as well.
Tuesday December 15 - Christmas Caroling in Caledonia - Meet at church at 5:30 PM.
Thursday December 17 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - come to eat or serve or both!
Sunday December 20 - Worship Service - 10:30 am - Fourth Sunday in Advent.
- Fellowship Time - Deb Schroeder and Susan Siek are hosting us over at their
house.
Thursday December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 7 PM.
- Cookies and punch served afterwards in the fellowship room.
Friday December 25 - Celebrate Christ's Birth! Merry Christmas!
Sunday December 27 - Worship Service - 10:30 am.
- Refreshments in the fellowship room. Please bring a plate of cookies or treats
to share!
Study/Growth Opportunities
Wednesday Nights - Adult Study and Potluck - 5:45 PM at Barrick's home. Studying Gospel of Mark.
Thursday Nights - Alpha for Women - 6:30 PM at the church. Talk to Colleen Blaney if interested.
Service Opportunities
Blue Barrel - The holidays are a great time to think of others. Let's fill our barrel with food!
Flowers - Please sign up for a month to furnish flowers, a plant, or some type of decor for the altar. 2016 sign up sheet in the fellowship room.
Baking - Please consider bringing some cookies for our Christmas Eve service and also for Sunday Dec. 27.
Community Dinner - Talk to Sandy Free if you can help serve or want to come to eat and mingle with people.
Refreshments - Sign up sheet in the fellowship room.
Caledonia School - Contact Kelly Cotter, the principal, if you want to volunteer. 815-547-1977.
Other News
Happy December Birthdays !
25 - Jesus Christ
Looking Ahead
Sunday January 10 - All Church Annual Meeting and Potluck - directly after church in the basement.
Thursday January 28 - Women's Book Study is back! Details coming! Will probably be at 1 PM again.
It is hard to find good news these days.
The media outlets seem to be in a frenzy to one-up each other with reports of the latest bombing, financial collapse, racially motivated incident, international crisis, or ridiculous statements by some political candidate.
Like always. If you are looking for good news in the media, you are going to have to be satisfied with a feel-good tag at the end of a broadcast.
But if you look to Jesus for good news, you get it- in spades. Jesus IS good news- the best news this tired, old, world has ever heard or had. And that news is that he loves the world, and has come to show us just how much. This is the time of year that we focus on that coming, that amazing incarnation, Jesus coming and living in our neighborhood.
And that should give us pause.
No matter how crazy the world gets, he remains the still point, the source of hope and joy. He knows our situation, our worries and fears, and has made provision for us to not just survive in this world, but to flourish. In fact, he challenges us to help him make it a better place, a place where love and peace prevail.
Don't get caught in the hype. Don't give in to your fears. Be still, and let him fill you with his peace.
That's the gift we need- this year, and always.
Hoping to see you soon!
Gary
CALENDAR
Sunday November 29 - Worship Service - 10:30 am - First Sunday in Advent.
- Handel's Messiah - 3 PM - Trinity Lutheran in Rockford, a few of us are going
and would love to have you join us. Talk to Colleen or Jennifer if interested.
Sunday December 6 - Worship Service with Communion -10:30 am - Second Sunday in Advent.
- Fellowship Time - The Green family is hosting us over at their house. Walk on
over!
Thursday December 10 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
Sunday December 13 - Worship Service - 10:30 am- Third Sunday in Advent.
- No refreshments after service, plan instead to come to attend the party tonight!
- ALL CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY - 5:30-8:30 PM - Gary and Jennifer's - Come
for the evening or just drop in for a short time - We will enjoy appetizers and
sweet treats. Time for fellowship and good food. We will sing our favorite
Christmas carols as well.
Tuesday December 15 - Christmas Caroling in Caledonia - Meet at church at 5:30 PM.
Thursday December 17 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - come to eat or serve or both!
Sunday December 20 - Worship Service - 10:30 am - Fourth Sunday in Advent.
- Fellowship Time - Deb Schroeder and Susan Siek are hosting us over at their
house.
Thursday December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 7 PM.
- Cookies and punch served afterwards in the fellowship room.
Friday December 25 - Celebrate Christ's Birth! Merry Christmas!
Sunday December 27 - Worship Service - 10:30 am.
- Refreshments in the fellowship room. Please bring a plate of cookies or treats
to share!
Study/Growth Opportunities
Wednesday Nights - Adult Study and Potluck - 5:45 PM at Barrick's home. Studying Gospel of Mark.
Thursday Nights - Alpha for Women - 6:30 PM at the church. Talk to Colleen Blaney if interested.
Service Opportunities
Blue Barrel - The holidays are a great time to think of others. Let's fill our barrel with food!
Flowers - Please sign up for a month to furnish flowers, a plant, or some type of decor for the altar. 2016 sign up sheet in the fellowship room.
Baking - Please consider bringing some cookies for our Christmas Eve service and also for Sunday Dec. 27.
Community Dinner - Talk to Sandy Free if you can help serve or want to come to eat and mingle with people.
Refreshments - Sign up sheet in the fellowship room.
Caledonia School - Contact Kelly Cotter, the principal, if you want to volunteer. 815-547-1977.
Other News
Happy December Birthdays !
25 - Jesus Christ
Looking Ahead
Sunday January 10 - All Church Annual Meeting and Potluck - directly after church in the basement.
Thursday January 28 - Women's Book Study is back! Details coming! Will probably be at 1 PM again.
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