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December 12, 2009

Third Sunday in Advent - Signs of Joy


Last week we talked about signs of Peace that we see in our lives. This week Pastor is looking for people to bring their signs of Joy to church on Sunday. It’s easy to be joyful in our sanctuary thanks to the confirmation class members and sponsors as well as many volunteers who came last weekend to put up our tree and decorate the rest of the church. Come see for yourself! Check out the pictures on the bulletin board outside of the Bacmeister Room. Children will continue to make cards in Sunday School so Pastor Vickie can take them to our friends who can’t make it to church. The cookie exchange was very popular last Sunday, especially with a particular set of sisters! Thanks to all who participated.

Remember, this Advent season, be on the lookout for signs that God is leading and directing your life. 
Email your stories to Pastor Vickie at hadvl@comcast.net. Tell your story through pictures, words, poems ... be creative. 

Scripture readings this Sunday are:
Zephaniah 3:14 – 20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

Advent 4: December 20 – Love   (report signs of Love by Friday, 12/18)

Please read these reminders before coming to church. It all happens this Sunday.

Children continue the journey to Christmas with Emily Slavicek, our student intern, as she tells them stories of “Shepherds and Such” during the children’s sermon.

Church Holiday Dinner at 1:30 p.m.
This is after the Mission Hispana Service. All are welcome to participate and bring a dish to pass. It be in our
Fellowship Hall. We will still have our regular fellowship time immediately after worship.

Humboldt Park UMC Social Ministry is our mission this Sunday. Bring NEW hats, socks, scarves, gloves, and mittens or clean, slightly used coats or warm clothes to church!
Then join members of Mission Hispana on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. as they distribute the clothes to the homeless
shelter run by Humboldt Park UMC Social Ministry, late afternoon. Meet at our church. Call the office for details.

Deadline for ordering Christmas poinsettias to beautify the chancel on Sunday, December 20 through December 24th. Include the name of donor and commemorative designation (in memory of/in honor of/with thanks for/other ...) for each $10 plant purchase. Also indicate white or red poinsettia choice. You may take the flowers home after the Dec. 24th service.

Deadline for bringing donations for Food Pantry Toy Room. We also need shopping bags desperately!!!!!
The set-up for the pantry distribution is Tuesday night, Dec. 15. Volunteers are needed! Come around 6 if you’d like to
help. If you have time on Wednesday morning, help is needed in the toy room, in the sanctuary, with food distribution and
general traffic control. THANKS to all who have made donations. Try to come Tuesday or Wednesday to see this amazing
outreach in full swing.

Sing-Along Messiah at Irving Park Lutheran Church, 4100 N. Harding Ave. 3 p.m. - featuring soloists accompanied by a chamber orchestra and two choirs, including the Lutheran Choir of Chicago conducted by Roger L. Bingaman and Wilbert O. Watkins. For more information: call 773-267-1666 or go to irvingparkfinearts.org

Welcome to our Interim Minister of Music, Stephanie Escher
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Stephanie is a third year student at Garrett Evangelical Seminary. She is in the process to become a United Methodist pastor. Stephanie comes highly recommended and has served in the ministry of music position since she was a teenager. She has attended the University of Colorado where she studied music, psychology and underwater basket weaving.

Coming up ...

December 20 – Advent 4 – with Winter Solstice Service at 6 p.m. in sanctuary – see attached description of service!
Hands to Help Ministry is our mission this Sunday. www.handstohelpministries.org

December 22 – Christmas Caroling with neighbors, 7 p.m. Meet at Irving Park Lutheran Church, 3938 W Belle Plaine. Donations will be collected for the Hands to Help Ministry that reaches the homeless in our neighborhood.

Christmas Eve services – Dec. 24, 7 p.m.

December 27 – Lessons & Carols during worship

Prayers
For Rev. Kara Sherer, rector at St. John’s Church here in Irving Park. She is hospitalized with heart problems.
Gerry Sikora who has been hospitalized at Loyola. He is home now.
Pastor Vickie’s stepfather, Tom, who will be going into the hospital this week to have a port inserted for his transfusions.

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Please keep all those who have suffered loss or illness, lack of work, heartbreak or other life challenges in your prayers. Also raise up your joys! If you are interested in being part of our Prayer Network, or would like to have them pray for a special person or cause, contact Tina or Wally Felckowski: bwf79@sbcglobal.net
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Posted by vickie at 09:55 AM