Are you kidding me? It’s December already? I certainly didn’t see that
coming. With the milder weather and lack of snow around lately, it’s
been hard for me to realize that, yes, Virginia, it really is December. But
much more than that, we are rapidly approaching the time when we
welcome a little babe born in a manger over 2,000 years ago into the
world and, more importantly into our hearts.
As Advent begins, I am reminded of a hymn that is in our Moravian Book
of Worship, “How Shall I We Meet You Jesus?” This is from a hymn in
our Moravian Book of Worship. The following is the first verse:
How shall I meet you Jesus? How shall I welcome you?
What all the world is seeking, great treasure of the soul!
O, set your light beside me, my spirit now renew,
So that I may discover what greatly pleases you.
When you read this, Advent will be in full swing, and before we realize it,
we will be gathering on Christmas Eve to celebrate and remember the
birth of Jesus Christ. I would ask each of us this Advent and Christmas
season to reflect on how, when and where we would meet Jesus? Do we
meet Jesus in worship on Sunday morning? Do we meet Jesus in the
homeless person on the street? Do we meet Jesus in our friends,
families and neighbors? Do we meet Jesus in our enemies? Or, do we
look for Jesus in the places we want to meet him? Do we keep our
searches confined to the places we are most comfortable—in our homes,
our safe places, within ourselves?
The Good News is that Jesus will meet us wherever we are. The catch is,
we have to open and allow Jesus to enter our hearts. I think the last
verse of the hymn describes it best:
No longer need we sorrow nor worry night and day
How we might draw him to us within our heart’s embrace.
He of his own will find us and full of love and grace
Take up each anxious burden and bless each soul with peace.
This Christmas, allow Jesus to meet you wherever you are, and allow
him to meet you not only during the Christmas season, but all
throughout the New Year and beyond. May God bless each of you this
Christmas and I pray that God’s blessings will follow you throughout the
New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Prayers for the Community & the World
Adeline Sanford, Amy Hewitt, Amy Hamilton, Connie Asquith,
Hilbert Baumgarten, Faith Hudson, Grace Hansen, Hope Hamre,
Janson Steffan, Jeanne Quenette, Rich Ellsworth,
Ann LaFortune, Judy Belter, Luella Laske, David Sterner,
Judy Roark, Sarah Fries, Ruby Olson, Kathy Hewitt, Gavin Maus,
Dorothy Scilley, Fred Heilman, Jacob Brown, Loretta Bernhoft,
Lloyd Heller, Donald Heuer
We remember all of our servicemen and servicewomen.
We pray for those who travel.
Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day.
Lord, hear our prayer…
You have blessed us, O God, with your word, creative
and life-giving, spoken through the ages, in Christ,
made flesh, in our hearts known as truth...
We praise you, O God, for we are truly blessed;
forgive us when we close our ears to your Word.
You have blessed us, O God, with your grace, abundant, and
undeserved, birthing us again, making us your children, giving us a
place in your family...
We praise you, O God, for we are truly blessed; forgive us when we
close our souls to your grace.
You have blessed us, O God, with your love, indiscriminate and
unfailing, freeing us from the law, revealing your glory, leading us to
life...
We praise you, O God, for we are truly blessed; forgive us when we
close our hearts to your love.
In you, Incarnate God, we are saved, liberated, restored...
In you we find who we are created to be...
In you we ourselves become little incarnations…
Manifesting your word, your grace and your life.
For these all these gracious blessings - one after the other, we give you
thanks and praise, great God of grace and glory!
Amen.
http://www.sacredise.com/index.php?option=com_multicategories&view=article&id=250:trulyblessed&Itemid=35
December Lectionary Readings
Sunday, December 4
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72
Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-2
Sunday, December 11
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Sunday, December 18
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 10-14
Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
Sunday, December 25
Nativity of the Lord
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14
We will have worship
Sunday, December
25th at 10am.
Your “One-Stop” Place for the “Goings-On”
2016 Congregational Watchword
“Paul wrote: ‘I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,
so that they may be saved.’”—I Corinthians 10:33
Church Women United will meet Friday, December 2 at 9:30am
at the New Life Center in Fargo.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday,
December 4 in celebration of Christ’s Coming.
The Women’s Study will be held on Friday, December 9
at 1:30pm at One Oak Place.
On Saturday, December 10, the Pastor Eric will hold
an Inquirer’s Class at 10am. All are welcome.
On Sunday, December 11, we will have the reception of members.
Following worship, a dinner will be held.
The Shepherd’s Christian Preschool will be on
Thursday, December 15 at 9:15am
Poinsettia orders need to be in by December 18.
The Joint Board will meet on Thursday, December 22 at 7pm.
Our traditional Lovefeast an Candlelight service for Christmas Eve
will be on Saturday, December 24 at 6pm.
There will be worship on Sunday, December 25 at 10am.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR 2017 DAILY TEXTS!!
Also available for e-readers.
If you need to hold an event at the church, please
check the master calendar in the office for availability.
Monthly Breakfast Opportunities!!
SOTP Women’s Breakfast
Saturday, December 17—1 :00 PM
Fargo Fryn’ Pan
ND Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, December 18— 8:00 AM
Mom’s Diner, Univ. Dr. & Main Ave., Fargo
Joyful Noise Offering — We take this offering on the first
Sunday of every month helps to extend a scholarship program to
those interested in attending Shepherd’s Christian Preschool.
The Food Collection basket—Please bring food items to feed
the homeless. The Lord says, “What you do for the least of these
my brothers and sisters, you do unto me.” We collect them on the
last Sunday of the month and deliver it to the Fargo Emergency
Food Pantry.
Prayer Shawl Ministry/Outreach — Want to do something for
a friend with cancer, a neighbor whose son/daughter is serving
overseas in the military, a new mother? Discover the blessing that
comes from blessing others. Once a month, we will share in the joy
of giving as we knit and/or crochet for the loved ones on our
prayer list. No experience required!
Unity Prayer Watch
Our annual day to participate in the Worldwide Unity Prayer
Watch is on Thursday, December 29. Times are 12-1, 4-5, 8-9
(both AM & PM). A signup sheet will be at the back of the
sanctuary.
Cancellation of Worship/Church Events
We are entering that time of year again when it might be possible
that worship service or other church events may be cancelled due to
weather conditions. If inclement weather causes a cancellation, an
announcement will be sent to all local radio and television stations.
An announcement will also be posted to Shepherd of the Prairie’s
Facebook page as well.
Having trouble getting to church on Sundays?
If there is a Sunday where you need assistance making it to
worship and are in need a ride, please call the church office, and we
may be able to connect you with someone in your area.
Pastor Eric’s Office Hours
By Appointment
Please call church or Pastor Eric on his cell phone,
701-318-7150, prior to coming to make an appointment.
The Shepherd's Christian Preschool had a great November! We
talked about what we are thankful for, and had some fun topics
such as hibernation, harvest, the Mayflower, pilgrims, Native
Americans, and of course, turkeys! Our month ended with a
wonderful Thanksgiving feast of our own!
The preschool Christmas program is on Thursday, December
15, starting at 9:15 a.m. We would love to have as many people
from the church attend as possible.
The Shepherd's Christian Preschool
COOKIE TIME
As a way to say, “Thank You,” and, “Merry Christmas,” we will
once again be preparing Christmas Cookie trays for the families
of the students of The Shepherd’s Christian Preschool. Watch
for more information.
INQUIRER’S CLASS
Interested in learning more about your faith
and the history of the Church? Thinking
about becoming a member?
Pastor Eric will lead a class on
Saturday, December 10 at 10am.
Talk to Pastor Eric if you are interested.
Christmas Scarf, Hat and
Mitten Tree
Our Scarf, Hat and Mitten tree is up once
again. We are asking for donations of new or
homemade scarves, mittens, gloves, and hats
to cover the tree from the bottom branches to
the top of the Moravian Star.
These items will be given
to needy families in the Fargo area.
Women’s News
Church Women United will hold their annual Christmas Coffee
on Friday, Dec 2 at 9:30 AM at the
New Life Center, 1903 3rd Ave. N., Fargo
Please bring any of the following unwrapped gifts:
Personal items for the YWCA
Winter items for Churches United for the Homeless
Personal Items for the New Life Center for men.
The women will continue their book study on Friday, December 9
at 1:30 at One Oak Place.
The Women’s Breakfast will be on Saturday, December 17
at 1:00pm at the Fargo Fryn’ Pan.
The Women’s Fellowship is collecting new or gently used blankets
to be donated to SENDCAA.
A basket is located in the foyer for your donations.
A church dinner is set for Sunday, December 11 following
worship. Roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, dessert,
and beverage will be provided.
Please bring a salad or side dish to share.
Christmas Eve
Lovefeast & Candlelight
This Christmas Eve, we invite you to celebrate
a traditional Moravian Lovefeast
and Candlelight service.
A lovefeast will be shared followed
by a candlelight service with “Morning Star.”
The service will begin at 6:00 PM.
Please join us for this spiritually uplifting service as we
celebrate the birth of our Savior!
Christmas Poinsettias
$10
each
Poinsettias will adorn the Sanctuary on Christmas Eve.
You may pick them up following worship.