Church Bulletin Announcements
December 10, 2021
In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
Homebound
  • Dolores Appold
  • Doris Appold
  • Dorine Auernhammer
  • Gwen Bakus
  • Eleonore Begick
  • Vera Begick
  • Armond Beiser
  • Jon Ittner
  • Mike & Karen Kusch
  • Margaret Meyer
  • Julie Roark
  • Rose Anne Schmidt
  • Roy Schwab
  • Anna Spielhaupter
  • Al Wegener
  • Tim Wegener
  • Frank & Carol Wozniak

Bereaved
  • Jim Hoppenjam (friend of Ken Van Cise)
Special
  • Dean Bass
  • Jennifer Britton
  • Wyatt Crouse (Dan Bourdow’s grandson)
  • Dave Foster
  • Marlene Goupil
  • Howard Grantham
  • Kathleen Kernstock
  • Michelle Oswald
  • Ardie Reuther (hospitalized)
  • Jack Robinson (Jan Kinney's grandson; leukemia)
  • Rod Sauers (friend of Jeff Olson)
  • Don Schark (brain tumor)

This Week's Members
  • Miranda Ayala
  • Curtis & Janice Berger
  • Hilda Dijak
  • Gary & Carol Gibbon
  • Adam Jezowski
  • Stephen & Bethany LaFramboise
  • Gavin Nagy
  • Elizabeth Rodgers
  • Sharon, Andrew, Claire, & Henry Wills
Sunday, December 12
Worship with Communion 8 a.m.
Bible Class & Sunday School 9:15 a.m.
Worship with Communion 10:30 a.m.

Monday, December 13
Board of Business Management 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 14
Vocal Choir 6 p.m.
Bell Choir 7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 15
Children's Christmas Service 9 a.m.
Children's Christmas Service 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 16
Friendship Circle Christmas Party 6 p.m.

Friday, December 17
School - Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 19
Worship with Communion 8 a.m.
Bible Class & Sunday School 9:15 a.m.
Worship with Communion 10:30 a.m.
Communion Statement
The Lord's Supper is celebrated here in the confession and glad confidence that our Lord, as He says, gives not only bread and wine, but His very body and blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sin. In joyful obedience to the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus those are invited to His table who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us. They show forth His death until He comes. Because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and so are unable to receive the Sacrament are invited to meditate on God's Word in the distribution hymns and pray for the day when divisions will have ceased.
Church Attendance
Midweek Advent - 156 (95, 61)
Last Sunday - 293 (175, 118)
Song Service - 132

Livestream

The Lutheran Hour
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on WSAM 1400 AM
Donations mail to: Saginaw Valley Lutheran Hour; P.O. Box 133; Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Daily Bible Readings
December 12 – Proverbs 29
December 13 – Revelation 8
December 14 – Revelation 9
December 15 – Revelation 10
December 16 – Revelation 11
December 17 – Psalms 146-147
December 18 – Proverbs 30

Parsonage Open House
The Matyas Family warmly invites the families of St. Paul Church and School to their Parsonage Open House on Friday, December 10, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. There will be food, drinks, music, and laughter. The 12 Days of Christmas will be sung at 7:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Advent Season
December 15
Children's Christmas Service at 9 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Reception following the evening service
December 22
Services at 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
4-6 p.m. Supper hosted by the Alaska Mission
Menu: Sloppy Joe's or hot dogs, chips, coleslaw, & desserts

Christmas Season
December 24
3:30 p.m. Celebration & Praise Christmas Eve Service
6:30 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service
11 p.m. Christmas Vespers
December 25
9 a.m. Christmas Worship with Communion
December 31
No Service
January 6
6:30 p.m. Epiphany Service

Call for Donations
As we have taken ownership and moved into the Ministry Center it is evident, and was expected, that some items never intended to be part of the physical building costs are still needed. Some have been purchased already and some are still on the ‘Wanted’ list. The Procurement Committee (for lack of a better name) is seeking donations of new or gently used:
Step ladder, carpet spot cleaner, and large (4X4 ish) coffee table and bean bag chairs for the Youth Room.
Also, financial ‘sponsorship’ is desired for a Youth Room game table, Christmas decorations, and basic décor – artwork, artificial plants etc.
Please contact Melissa Appold, 989-225-6902, [email protected] with questions or to discuss a donation, and David Schultz, 989-450-2516 for Youth Room items. Thank you for your generous support!!

Blood Drive
We are hosting a blood drive in the Ministry Center on Thursday, December 30 from 2-6:30 p.m. Please call Darlene (989-737-9937) or Julia (989-225-1889) to schedule an appointment or click here to schedule online. All donors will receive a $ e-gift card. If you are healthy and able, please donate blood!

Sunday School recognizes perfect attendance for November
Congratulations to the following students who had perfect Sunday School attendance for the month of November:
Charles Begick, Elise Helmreich, Jane Helmreich, Noah Helmreich, Isaac Hendrick, Ethan Matyas, Espen Schlicker, Norah Schlicker, Maura Zeilinger

Sunday School Birthday Party for Jesus – December 19, 9:15 a.m.
During Sunday School on December 19, we will host the annual Birthday Party for Jesus. Children, Preschool through 8th Grade, can join us for activities, crafts, games, and treats, celebrating Jesus’ birthday. Please note that Sunday School will not meet on December 26 or January 2. Sunday School will resume on January 9.

Sunday Night Youth Group!
Lots of good things are going on Sunday nights, 5-7 p.m. in the new Youth Room! On top of all the normal activities you would expect from a youth group (interesting discussions, activities to build up relationships, stuff just for fun, the often-homemade supper every week!) there are also lots of out of the ordinary things coming in the next couple months to enjoy with your fellow teens.
  • Dec. 12 - A Christmas Cookie Making Party! 
Not to mention several other things we need to tackle as the year comes to a close like planning for the Christmas Eve 11:00 p.m. service, preparations for the National Youth Gathering, and recognizing our great volunteers. If you are in High School, you are invited and encouraged to come check out what is going on.

Joy-Filled Investing
Your investment in Church Extension Fund helps build facilities for the spreading of the Gospel. Your investment works for you earning competitive interest rates while serving the Lord; a double joy! For more information, contact St. Paul’s Congregation Rep, Luella Britton at 989-798-3156, or call toll-free 800-242-3944.
(The information provided here is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy CEF securities. The offering of CEF securities is made solely by our Offering Circular. CEF will offer and sell our securities only in states where authorized. The securities are subject to certain risk factors as described in our Offering Circular. CEF investments are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC, or any other governmental agency.)

Dear St. Paul Family
Thank you very much for the calls, cards, flowers, and well wishes during my knee surgeries. I truly appreciate all your love and support! God's blessings, Lisa Stanley

To the Members of St. Paul
Thank you so very much for your grocery donations. It is so appreciated, especially as we continue our holiday basket program. On behalf of those who serve and are served, many thanks. - Zion's Food Pantry

Updated Phone Directory
The new 2021 church phone directories have arrived! They are available in the narthex for you to pick up.

Please Help!
Our Video Display Team desires to add members to build playlists and/or operate screens for our worship services. Training is available. We’d like enough members so that each serves for one Sunday per month. Call Don Krueger (895-5737) if interested.

Stewardship Vision
Our vision is to identify the gifts and abilities and time and talents of our congregational family, and connect them to the needs and areas of service of the staff and the programs at St. Paul to further God’s kingdom.

Stewardship - A Way of Life
Philippians 4:5-6 – “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Wouldn’t you like to be free from worry and anxiety? Isn’t it worry and anxiety that often keep us from living the generous life God has called us to? St. Paul contrasts anxiety with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving in making our requests known to God. In other words, when you are tempted to anxiety and worry, pray to the Lord with a thankful heart and pour out your supplications before Him. 

Valley Lutheran Thanks You!
Thank you to all churches and people associated in any way with our fruit sale fundraiser. Our appreciation to all buyers, sellers, distributors and helpers for your cooperation & support. Money raised will help support music, drama, athletics & many other activities at Valley Lutheran High School. Through your support & the student body, we are fortunate and thankful to meet our goal. Total boxes sold for 2021 were 230, for 5,980 pounds. Wow!

Valley Vision
Click here for the December issue of Valley Vision.
Camp Lu Lay Lea is Now Hiring for Summer 2022!
Camp Lu Lay Lea is now hiring for all staff positions for the summer of 2022. Camp Lu Lay Lea is located in Lupton, Michigan (near Rose City/West Branch). Positions include the following: Kitchen Kats, Program Staff, Counselors, and various director positions. If you are looking for fun, summer employment while working with youth, ages 8-14, in a Christian atmosphere, then check out www.camplulaylea.org and click on the staff tab for more information. Applications are due by December 28th, 2021.
Old Testament Reading
Zephaniah 3:14–20
14Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
18I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
19Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the LORD.

Epistle Reading
Philippians 4:4–7
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Holy Gospel
Luke 7:18–28
18The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
24When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

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