Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pines
Lutheran Church
2014
Church Website:
sotpministries.com
Greetings,
As we enter into a joyous Advent and Christmas Season are you getting excited to
celebrate the birth of our Savior? About a hundred years before the birth of Jesus, a
Greek mathematician wrote about the seven wonders of the world. His list was: the
Great Pyramid of Egypt, the lighthouse at Alexandria, the Hanging Gardens of
Babylon, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Tomb of Mausolus, the Statue of Zeus at
Olympia, and the Temple of Diana at Ephesus. Today we might list many more
buildings and towers.
As grand as many of civilizations wonders have been and will be, none are as
grand as Gods forests, oceans, mountains, His universe. Yet more wonderful still is
that the mightiest of the mighty - our God and Creator of the universes - loves you and
me as His own children! He lives and dwells in us by His Spirit. He came to us as
Jesus, Emmanuel, to save us from sin and death and to lift us above all that into life in
His forever family full of joy and hope.
Matthew 1:23 tells us, His name shall be called Emmanuel (which means, God
with us.) Jesus Christ born in a stable, shines into our hearts, giving light and life to us
all - not just at Christmas, but every day. There is no wonder of the world like Jesus.
As we kneel before Him this Advent and
Christmas, may we experience His presence
in our lives. O Child of Bethlehem, let me
gaze in wonder and love at You again and
again and rejoice! God IS with us, thats the
message of Christmas!! Our Advent and
Christmas theme this year is Slow Down and
Experience the Christmas You've Always
Longed For.
Christmas Blessings To All,
New Business:
Worship schedule was reviewed through December 14th.
Next BOLM meeting will be Thursday, December 18th at 7pm with newly elected Board Members and
EMT.
Congregational Meeting agenda was reviewed.
Dave Ramsey Momentum Team Report. The team thanked the Board for allowing them to attend the
training. There are currently 14 people going through the classes now. There will be 3 classes at
various times and days starting in January. The $50 rebate for attending all 9 classes will continue for
the 2015 classes pending approval of budget at the annual meeting.
Ron Bulthuis has a flash drive with the church propery inventory on it. It will be put in the safety box
at the bank.
Brenda Pressnalls sister would like to come and share a powerful testimony of Gods working in her
life. Pastor Bob will work out the details.
Pastor Bob will be showing short video clips from the Right Now Media on a few Sunday mornings to
kick off our journey to beginning our church wide Godly finance experience.
Jay Saldana made a motion and Deb seconded it to donate $500 to the Rice Elementary School Sharing
Tree Collection for families in need. Motion carried.
Thank you note from Pastor Bob was read thanking the congregation for the generous gifts he was
presented with for Pastor Appreciation Month.
Pastors comments. None
Leaders comments. None
Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Jay Saldana and seconded by Wayne Johnson. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:52pm
Closed with prayer circle prayer.
younger children) and cost less than $5. Each child also gets a coloring or
activity book or drawing paper, and crayons. Here is a list of the age ranges
and toy suggestions for each bag: Newborn to 18 months old Infant toys,
teething rings, rattles; 18 months to 3 years old Balls, toddler toys for 2
year olds is appropriate; 4 to 7 years old dolls, cars, action figures,
puzzles; 8 to 12 years old playing cards, legos, puzzles, craft kits; 13 years
old and up decks of playing cards, flashlights with batteries, disposable
cameras. Its important for these children to have a toy or two of their very
own. As you do your Christmas shopping this season, please keep these
children in mind, and pick up a toy for them. You can put them in the box
marked Bags of Love in the Fellowship Hall at church. Check the website
http://itsmyveryown.org for more info and for the list of Bags of Love
chapters in the United States.
We have been praying for our church
family each week as we go through our
church directory from A to Z. As you go
about your daily tasks lift a prayer for the
family of the week as the Lord brings them
to mind.
In December we will be praying for:
December 7 - DelRoy & Marlene Shane
December 14 - Dale & Terri Skajewski
Children: Eric, Jenna & Haley
December 21 - Darin & Sheila Smallfield
Child: Shane
December 28 - Brian & Tonya Soltis
Children: Nicholas Kersting, Peyton & Brody
DECEMBER NOISY
OFFERING!
We will
be
taking
up our
noisy offering on
Sunday, December
21st , for Habitat for Humanity.
Thank you for your support and
your generous donations!
Pastor Bob & Carol will be away on
vacation December 25th - January 3rd. If
you need pastoral care during this time
please call Pastor Greg
Tomhave at 320-493-9761
or call the SOTP office at
393-4295.
Hello Everyone,
Hope you are all staying warm since winter has
decided to come early this year. Sunday School is
going great. The kids seem to be enjoying the new
curriculum. We have a few exciting things coming
up this month. First on December 7th we will be
presenting the third graders with their Bibles during
both services. Second on December 21st we will be
presenting the Children's Christmas Message during
1.
Sunday
Mornings starting
Jan. 11th
9:30-11:30am.
2.
Monday
Mornings starting
Jan. 12th 9:00-11:00am
3. Thursday evenings starting
Jan. 15th 6:30-8:30pm
Childcare can be provided as
needed - please indicate that need
on the sign up sheets. Our goal is
for ALL of our congregation to take
the opportunity to participate in this
course for learning to walk in Goddirected finances. You'll learn to
take control of your money, invest
for the future, and experience God's
blessings in your finances The cost
is $100 for a couple or for single
persons. The church is offering a
$50 rebate for those who
complete the 9 week course.
Crusade Choir
Presents
Halleluiah! Light
Has Come
The Crusade Choir of St. Cloud
invites you and your family and
friends to experience Jesus as the
Light of the World in Hallelujah!
Light Has Come. This spiritually
uplifting collection of Christmas
music is arranged by such artists as
David T. Clydesdale, Lari Goss, BJ
Davis and Chris Tomlin. All
performances are at First
Presbyterian Church
340 5th Avenue South
St. Cloud
Coffee and cookies will follow each
performance.
Free will offering.
Worship Shepherds
December 7 Brad Jasmer
December 14 Jay Saldana
December 24 3:00pm Juli Popp
5:00pm Deb Erdmann
9:00pm Wayne Johnson
December 21 Keith Hackett
December 28 Brent Betker
December 7
December 14
December 21
December 28
December 7
8:00am
10:30am
Janet Maleska
Angela Frost
December 14
8:00am
10:30am
Jeanie Schroeder
Sandie Resch
December 21
8:00am
10:30am
Paul Tschida
December 28
8:00am
10:30am
Roxann Ree
Sandie Resch
December 7
December 14
Joyce Saldana
December 21
December 28
Shelley Pintok
DECEMBER COUNTERS
December 7 -
December 28 -
DECEMBER
Mary Bulthuis, Juli Popp,
Danette Brannen, Roxanne Peterson
PROJECTIONIST
December 7
December 14
December 21
December 28
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
RICE, MN
PERMIT NO. 32
Shepherd of the Pines Mission Statement: Connecting People to GodTo Othersand To Service
The purpose of this congregation is mandated for us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as found in the words of the Great
Commission (Matthew 28), namely first of all to Go. To leave our walls of refuge, going into all the world, comprising of our families
and neighbors. We plan to achieve our purpose by identifying persons with whom we are particularly well-equipped to serve and reach
with the challenge of becoming Disciples of Christ.
Second, to Make Disciples or in the words of St Paul, To equip the saints (Ephesians 4:12). This is to be understood as helping
people to live the Christian life here on earth. Preparing and encouraging young and old alike to find and to use their God given gifts
and abilities for the extension of His Kingdom, and to grow in fervent love for God and for others.
Thirdly, to Baptize as commanded by Jesus Himself. As God reaches down to mankind with His means of grace, He would have us
baptize His people, bringing them into His family and Kingdom, granting to them life, forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation.
And lastly, to continue steadfast in His Word, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. A continued
zeal for the study of His Word, the Bible, is necessary for the growth of any Christian congregation. Thus, the Word of God will be
taught and studied in full measure and His Word shall be the rule and norm of this congregations faith and life.
To that end, our every effort and energy will be used in motivating, training, and putting to use our time, and talents and treasures
to Make Disciples.