December 2008
The following individuals are serving as altar guild workers, assisting ministers, communion assistants, flower arrangers, greeters, offering counters or ushers for the month of December. If your name is on the list and you cannot serve on the scheduled date, please try to find a replacement and notify Jenny Pecht at 214-363-4355 as soon as possible.
Join Christ Lutheran Church as we celebrate the arrival of our Lord.
Advent Services
Each Sunday from Nov. 30 to Dec. 21, 8:30 and 11 a.m.
Wednesday prayer services, Dec. 3, 10 and 17 at 7:05 p.m.
*note: During Advent, our Wednesday evening worship will include a brief order of Holy Communion. Everyone is invited to receive the Word and Sacrament as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s birth.
Celebrate a New Beginning at Christ Lutheran Church
Christ Lutheran Church cordially invites you to celebrate the dedication of our new education, fellowship and administration building.
Join us for our 11th annual German Advent Service on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church.
The service is arranged by the members and friends of the Order of St. John and will be officiated by Rev. Mark Herbener, Lutheran Bishop Emeritus of the Northern Texas/Northern Louisiana Synod.
December is a busy month in the life of Christ Lutheran Church. Please keep these key dates in mind!
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Advent worship throughout December on Wednesdays and Sundays
- Christmas Eve worship services: 3:00 p.m. Traditional worship with special hymns and festive music; 5:00 p.m. Family service with a children’s sermon only 10:00 p.m. Candlelight service with our adult choir.
- The church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26, as well as on Thursday, January 1.
- The Epiphany of our Lord will be celebrated on the Second Sunday after Christmas, January 4.
- Dedication Sunday is set for January 11, 2009. Watch for more details!
- Our 2009 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 8, following the 11:00 worship service.
As always, there is much going on in the life of Christ Lutheran Church. Take a look!
The babies are here! After months of planning and preparation, we were so excited to welcome our doors to new infant families just a few weeks ago. It’s the favorite room in which to get a moment of inspiration or respite in a work day!
Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting with a woman who shared with me her entry into the journey of discernment for pastoral ministry. The conversation moved from a somber mood to laughter over what we thought were absurdities in our personal calls to ministry of Word and Sacrament. (I mean really, why would God call us (me) into ministry?) In the midst of our conversation, I was again reminded that this year of internship is a continuation of discernment, a fact that can be easy to forget when you are in the midst of ministry.
What a fabulous November! We certainly had a month of celebrations, beginning with All Saints Day on November 2, when we remembered our friends, family and loved ones who have died and gone to be with our Lord. Then we celebrated our Thank Offering service, when we have the opportunity to thank the women of our congregation for all their services in ministry. The following week, we celebrated Christ the King Sunday, observed a week early so that we could hold a Thanksgiving Service on the November 23. Then, we began our celebration of the season of Advent, on November 30, where we prepare our hearts for the coming of the infant Jesus.
Thank you to everyone who let the high school youth wash your car on Saturday, November 8, or donated money the next day and enjoyed some of the cookies that they baked during their Friday night lock-in. Together, the activities raised more than $300, which we expect will be doubled with a Thrivent match. The money will be used for the annual summer mission trip, which is so meaningful to our high school youth and the people they serve. This coming summer, after helping people in South Dallas, the youth will travel to New Orleans for the once-every-three-years national ELCA youth gathering.
As the leaves turn rust and bright orange, I am reminded of how the seasons of the year reflect the seasons of life! For everything there is a reason and for everything there is a season…Whether your season is like fall and your service is entering a resting period where you will give a little and find ways to nurture yourself so as to emerge later or whether your season is like the bright faces of my pansies ready to smile and give it all you have through the winter and early spring, there is a place for you at CLCW. We hope you will find a place in Christ’s congregation to use your season in life to reach out and change lives.
Lydia Circle would like to thank everyone who made contributions to our birthday party for MOSAIC residents. We had a ton of fun. The MOSAIC residents loved the games, the craft, taking pictures, and of course the goodies they got to take home. It would not have been possible without the generous contributions of this congregation.
It hardly seems possible we could be rolling into the holiday season, but here we go! With the New Year right around the corner and our building dedication set, we are working hard to have the building prepared. The following are items we have completed, some we plan to do in 2009, and some that are a prayer and will be answered in time.
Americans have chosen a new president in an historic election. I congratulate Senator Obama on his election to our nation’s highest office, and express gratitude to Senator McCain for his continuing commitment to public service. I commend both for participating in our nation’s democratic process, which serves our venerable tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.
We’re coming to the end. We’re just about there. The long wait is almost over. On Sunday, January 11, we’ll dedicate our new building with a grand celebration!
We’re coming to the end. We’re just about there. The long wait is almost over. On December 31, 2008 comes to a close. Another year gone by
We’re coming to the end. We’re just about there. The long wait is almost over. The season of Pentecost, and all six seasons of the church year, have come to a close. The cycle is complete: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and the long, long season of Pentecost.
