Christmas Services

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 - All in the Sanctuary

4:30pm - Family Service with Children's Choir

6:00pm - Candlelight & Carols w/ Band of Believers

7:30pm - Candlelight & Carols w/ Sanctuary Choir

9:00pm - Candlelight & Carols w/ Soloist

Christmas Day, Dec. 25 in the Sanctuary

10:00am with Communion

La Casa Kids Birthday Bash

Birthday Bash is THIS Sunday, Dec. 15! Join us as we continue to learn the Christmas story and celebrate Jesus’ birthday together. There will be a special snack and games during this special morning of La Casa Kids. Children ages 4 yrs. old through 5th grade are welcome to join us at 9:15 or 10:30am, starting out in Room 101, and then we will break out into classrooms for the remainder of the morning. We can’t wait to see you there!

Journey Through Bethlehem



This past weekend was a highlight of the year! Journey Through Bethlehem was visited by more than 800 people, who were guided by shepherds through the town of Bethlehem, which was as authentic as an ancient city can be. We visited the marketplace which featured a baker, fish seller, oils and spices, a weaver and more. As the people continued on to be 'counted for the census,' the census official and guards were quite adept, shall we say, (or maybe a tad bossy?) at keeping order and moving people along!

Herod was holding court, instructing the shepherds and Magi to bring word to him of the new king who was to be born. He was quite irritated at the thought of someone who might replace him as King!

Then, as we entered the city, the angels greeted us with song, and a great deal of 'cuteness' before we came upon the Holy Family and some more cuteness at the sight of Baby Jesus!

The actors had been rehearsing for this production since mid-September and were so wonderful at portraying the Christmas story. Many thanks go to all involved in this production, including our own Pastor Matt, who wrote and directed JTB, along with assistant director, Staci Medina, and the person with the toughest job of all, Abby Ostlie, the director of the pint-sized angels, plus too many others to mention... from the set builders to the event greeters to the cookie bakers to the music director to the front office team to the a/v team to the 'tear down' team. But, a special thank you goes to Monty Scudder, who imagines, designs, and creates the set and props, and Amy Tratnack, who organizes the costumes for the entire cast!

Year-end Giving



We know many of you are planning your year-end giving, with favorite charities to support. If you have not yet pledged to the 2025 Ministry Fund, you may do so here.

Thank you all for your generosity all year long to so many wonderful charities, including our missionaries, all serving to build the Kingdom of God!

Cursillo



To all Cursillistas of La Casa de Cristo... I want to introduce myself as our Parish Representative to the Lutheran Cursillo Movement of Arizona. If you have been receiving the newsletters and emails from LCMA, you know that recently we held Men's Weekend #165 and Women's Weekend #166, and can joyfully report that there is a reinvigorated spirit of hope and enthusiasm. I have an email list for many LCdC Cursillistas, but I am sure there are more of you who I'm not aware of. 

Let me know if you want to receive communications from me. Just email me at suemersing@gmail.com and I will gladly see that you are added to our list.

Sue Mersing, Parish Rep

Answers to Trivia Questions from December Cristo Connection

Where is this piece of stained glass located in the Sanctuary? What is depicted on it?

Altar Window, New Jerusalem - The New Jerusalem stained glass window is located behind the altar and organ pipes. 

The New Jerusalem window above the altar envisions 'The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God' (Revelation 21:2). In the center is Christ the King, with arms extended to all. The white structural elements call to mind the holiness and sinless purity of the Son of God. Encircling the window are angels blowing trumpets and angels with incense, images from the Book of Revelation. 

The Sacraments are also depicted in this window. On one side is the baptismal shell as well as the dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit, who comes upon the one who is baptized. The flowing water pictures the cleansing water of baptism and the new life that God gives through the sacrament. On the other side, the symbols of Holy Communion are shown: the wheat and the chalice with the round host and the flow of wine reminding worshippers of the blood of Christ that flowed from the cross. 

The window reflects both the Gothic tradition and modern influences. 

Which animals were present during the birth of Jesus? 

Many depictions of the nativity scene can be found with all sorts of animals, from cattle to donkeys to sheep, but in the story from the Gospel of Luke, no animals are mentioned. "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." - Luke 2:6-7.

How did the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus know how to find him?

They followed an angel. The shepherds were visited by an angel of the Lord who told them how to find Jesus. (Luke 2:9-12) It was the Magi who followed the star to visit Jesus after he was born. (Matthew 2:1-12)  



Anticipating Surgery

• Candy Clark (12/13)
• Earl Dick (12/18)
• Carl Solberg (12/19)

Hospitalized

• Sandra Woodwyk

Rehabilitation Hospital

• Gary Spears, Jr.

Recuperating

• Tom Clark
• Thomas Koehler
• Mel Maust