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Behold! In gloomy stable stallThere lies the Ruler of us all;

Where once the hungry oxen fedThe Virgin finds her Child a bed

From his Christmas Oratorio in simple yet magnificent words J. S. Bach explains for us the significance ofwhat has just transpired outside an inn at Bethlehem. The creator of the entire universe, the Lord and ruler ofus all, becomes human.

Yet how does He choose to make Himself known? Not in pomp and circumstance, not with grand fanfareand a flourish of light and sound. Instead, He chooses to be placed in a manger; the feeding trough of theanimals. He is born in a stable where beasts are kept. Not the place you would go searching to find theRedeemer and Savior of the world.

But this is the amazing thing about our Savior. He chooses to be found in those places the world would leastexpect. He chooses to reveal Himself in those places the world considers unimportant. He chooses to exertHis power in what an unbelieving world considers weak and of little consequence.

The cruel cross of Calvary looms ahead of us even in Advent. Does the death of a condemned man seemcompelling enough to offer atonement? Could His life and sacrifice really save you? The surroundings andthe circumstances of His birth predict His death. They are the means by which we find peace with God andabsolution for our sin.

Ah! Dearest Jesus holy ChildMake Thee a bed soft undefiled,Within my heart, that it may beA quiet chamber kept for Thee.

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ZIONEWS

Published Monthly December 2008

Wednesday, December 3 Mid-Week Advent 1–7 p.m.“Long for the Savior’s Coming” –Isaiah 64:1-8Acolyte: Brett Hormann

Sunday, December 7 Second Sunday in Advent–Holy Communion“Prepare for the Savior’s Coming by Repentance” –Mark 1:1-8Acolyte: Shelby Kiess

Wednesday, December 10 Mid-Week Advent 2–7 p.m.“Prepare for the Savior’s Coming” –Isaiah 40:1-11Acolyte: Katie Linnemeier

Sunday, December 14 Third Sunday in Advent– The “O” AntiphonsBudget & Election Meeting“The Witness that Jesus is Christ” –John 1:6-8, 19-28Acolyte: Ben Miller

Wednesday, December 17 Mid-Week Advent 3–7 p.m.“The Witness of God’s anointed” –Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11Acolyte: Jacob Bergman

Sunday, December 21 Fourth Sunday in Advent–Holy Communion–Choir Service“In the fullness of time, Christ is born” –Luke 1:26-38Acolyte: Alan Bergdall

Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Children’s Program –7 p.m.Songfest to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day Worship–Holy CommunionA Service of Readings and Carols“Christ the Savior is born!” –Luke 2:1-20Acolyte: Madison Stoppenhagen

Sunday, December 28 Christmas 1“Recognition of the Savior in an infant born” –Luke 2:25-40Acolyte: Kyle Freimuth

Wednesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve Worship Service –7 p.m.“A New Year’s Message”Acolyte: Brett Hormann

If you can’t make it to church, listen to our services live on WZBD (92.7 FM) on Sunday morning from 9:05 a.m.to 9:50 a.m. You can also listen to the broadcast over the Internet. Just log on to our website(www.zionfriedheim.org) and click on “Listen to Zion’s worship service on WZBD radio from 9:05 - 9:50 a.m. onSunday mornings.”

LYF Ushers: James & Chris GormanAltar Guild: Evie Fuhrman & Shelly KieferMeals of Grace Coordinator: Sara Rhymer (547-4408)

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Board of Stewardship–Food for Thought

THE GIFT

So many people are hurting these days. Companies downsize, and jobs arelost. Retirees who looked forward to enjoying their grandchildren and travelingfind their benefits are being cut when they need health care the most. “For Sale” signs fill neighborhoods as lovely homes sitempty for want of buyerswith purchasing power. And it’s Christmas –the season of giving!

If our thoughts and desires are focused on things of this world, we could easilylose the joy of Christmas and its accompanying joy of giving. If we’re looking for security and pleasure from this world, we’ll find them fleeting, at best.

From Adam and Eve to the present, God has known our need. He has knownhow to give us security and eternal pleasure. He gives joy in abundancethrough THE GIFT of His Son.

Angels announced His birth with joyous singing from the heavens. Shepherdsran to the stable and bowed in humble adoration. Wise men from the Easttraveled far to bring Him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Josephand Mary watched over Him with tender care, fleeing to Egypt in order to savethe infant life.

That life was saved until the right time, the time of God’s own choosing. Just as God sent His Son“when the time had fully come” (Galatians 4:4), so Hechose the time when Jesus would“lay [His life] down of [His] own accord” (John 10:18). For us! And He promised,“I give [you] eternal life, and [you] shall never perish; no one can snatch [you] out of My hand”(John 10:28).

As Jesus gave His life for us, let us dedicate our lives to Him. With truecommitment, let us sing,

Take my life and let it beConsecrated, Lord, to Thee;Take my moments and my days,Let them flow in ceaseless praise,Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Memorials

Donations to our Stained Glass Window Repair Fund were received fromSean & Betty Sielschott in memory of Armilla Conrad and Walter Nuerge.

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Eicholtz and Linda & Larry Rohrbach each madecontributions to the Cemetery Fund in memory of Walter Nuerge.

Woodcrest Chapel

Pastor Dahling will be conducting the worship service at Woodcrest onThursday, December 18. Helpers are needed to assist residents to thisservice. If you are willing to help, please contact Pastor Dahling. You wouldneed to be at Woodcrest around 12:45 p.m.

Budget & Election Meeting

Our Budget & Election Meeting will be held following the worship service onSunday, December 14. Since the children will be practicing the Christmasprogram in the church, the meeting will be held in the church basement.Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Members of the 2009 ChurchCouncil will be installed on Sunday, December 28.

With Our Members

It’s a girl! It’s a girl! It’s a girl! Yes, our former fieldworker, Kyle Wright, and his wife, Keri, are the parents of triplets born onThursday, October 30.

Magdalen Jayne (Maggie) weighed 3 lbs. 14 oz. at birth, Gwendalen Claire(Gwen) weighed in at 3 lb. 15 oz., while Lilliann Samantha (Lilly) weighed 3 lb.15 oz. All three girls are over 5 pounds now and are doing well. In fact theWright family should be at home in Hamlet, Indiana as you read this. Theyalso have a just turned two-year old, Kathren Belle. (Think of all the dolls thatwill be in their home!) May the Lord bless this family. Pastor Dahling had theprivilege of baptizing the girls on Monday, November 3. If you wish to sendwords of congratulations and encouragement, you may reach them in care ofSt. Matthew Lutheran Church, 6 W Indiana Ave., Hamlet, IN 46532.

It’s a boy for Davon & Dianna (Bergelin) Bultemeier. Jacob Allen was born onWednesday, November 19, at Dupont Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He was

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welcomed home by big brother, Luke. May the Good Shepherd keep an ever-watchful eye on this most precious of His lambs.

We welcome into church membership through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism,Landon James Linnemeier, son of Ryan & Jessica (Krueckeberg) Linnemeierand Adalynn Rose Schaefer, daughter of Andrew & Monica (Manley) Schafer,who were baptized on Sunday, November 2. Diego Roberto Arriaga, son ofRoberto & Amy (Erxleben) Arriaga, was baptized on Sunday, November 9,while Colin J Ripley, son of Jeff & Tricia (Bultemeyer) Ripley, was baptized onNovember 16. We pray the Lord’s richest blessings on these little lambs.

Congratulations to Toney Bergman and his Bellmont football team. They wontheir first-ever sectional, regional, and semi-state titles and played for the state3A title Thanksgiving weekend. Toney was also voted as NHC Coach of theYear. In addition Elliot Conrad was named to the NHC second team as adefensive end, and Carlin Hormann (Doug’s son) was named second team defensive back. Congratulation guys! Clayton Stoppenhagen is also amember of this team.

James Gorman received “Honorable Mention” status for Academic All-Statehonors in cross country.

Bellmont Middle School and High School released their honor roll for the firstquarter. Distinction: Chris Gorman, James Gorman, Elliot Conrad, CarlinHormann, Clayton Stoppenhagen, High Honors: Jarvis Cale, Liz Kiefer,Brandan Bergdall, Matt Gorman, Jessica Linnemeier, Gunnar Cale, and EthanLichtle. Honors: Allison Hormann and Derek Schultz. Honor Roll: Tia Lee.Congratulations to all!

Anniversaries

December 6 Willis & Marlene Conrad–Happy 45th!Michael & Jodi Svoboda

`December 8 Roberto & Amy Arriaga, Jr.

December 13 Todd & Kristin Scheumann

December 19 Mike & Dawn Miller

December 27 Marvin & Laurina Conrad–Happy 67th!Joe & Becky Ruble

December 28 Dave & Deb Miller

December 30 Luke & Kim Case

December 31 Todd & Lisa Lee

Birthdays

December 1 Jane Thieme

December 2 Paul Des JeanDoug Hormann

December 3 Gerhard Werling

December 4 Dawn Miller

December 6 Dorothy HeckmanSara Werling

December 7 Marvin Conrad

December 9 Steve Conrad

December 10 Konner Steven Colwell—Happy 1st!

December 11 Zane BuuckMarkie Mourey

Todd Scheumann

December 12 Alex Baumann

December 13 Cheryl BultemeyerBernice Caston

Todd Gehres

December 14 Angela Sielschott

December 17 Ruth HeckmanShirley Hormann

December 18 Julie BockZach Stoppenhagen

December 19 Sean Bultemeier

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Alma KeidelVeronica Moellering

December 20 Brian Walker

December 21 Tia Lee

December 23 Larry Caston

December 24 Randy HockemeyerEd Miller

December 25 Oliver GehresJason Miller

December 26 Carol BrandtElizabeth Kiefer

Angie Werling

December 27 Cindy Des JeanBrian Schlemmer

December 29 Grayson KaehrAutumn Schamerloh

December 30 Emily Miller

We wish Cindy Berning and her daughter, Lindsay, God’s speed as they have transferred to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church. We pray the Lord’s blessing on them in their new church home, but still hope to see them for visitsback here.

Paul Drier was on the tech crew for Bellmont’s production of “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” The word is that the show was a great success!

Denise Conrad was elected president of the Indiana Dental Hygienists’ Association. Congratulations!

With Our Organizations

Serving on Altar Guild for December are Evie Fuhrman and Shelly Kiefer.

Would you like to place flowers (or plants) in church in 2009? A calendar for2009 has been included in this month’s newsletter. Perhaps, you would like toput flowers in church in celebration of a birthday, baptism, anniversary, etc., orin memory of a loved one. For your convenience, the Altar Guild can order theflowers for you. You can place your name next to a date, enclose your check(payable to Zion, Friedheim, Altar Guild), place it in an envelope, and eitherput it in the offering plate or give it to Shelly Kiefer. If you want anyacknowledgment in the bulletin, don’t forget to contact the church office. There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the south entranceway ofthe church. Please make sure your name is listed there too.

The cost for an altar arrangement is $30. To help with keeping the costsdown, how about doing a little recycling? If you are just throwing away thegreen plastic container that the flowers are being placed in, would youconsider bringing this container back to church and placing it in the churchbasement? These containers can be reused and it would be very muchappreciated. Thanks for the help!

The choir continues practice on Wednesday evenings (after the mid-weekAdvent service). They are also preparing for their Christmas service of song,which will be held on Sunday, December 21. If you enjoy singing, there isalways a spot for you in the choir!

The LWML welcomes the ladies of Friedheim to Advent by Candlelight onMonday, December 1, at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Doors will open at 6:30p.m. to enable everyone to look at the beautiful table decorations and have anopportunity to chat with the other attendees. Pam Durdahl, Executive DirectorofA Friend’s House Ministries (AFHM),and some of AFHM clients will be ourspecial guests. AFHM provides a safe place to live, learn, and be loved. Thegoal is to assist women to re-enter the community as productive, contributingmembers of society, emphasizing a Christian worldview that validates life andself-worth. The ingathering that evening will be a monetary one to benefit thisministry. Wal Mart gift cards are also being requested. (In fact, Kim Weilandwill be at Advent by Candlelight and will have SCRIP with her if you would liketo purchase a gift card.)

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Just a reminder to those who will be attending college next year, that theLWML has two scholarship programs available—Scholarship Fund and theHelen Hartman Scholarship Fund. Both are available to students in theIndiana District who are preparing for professional church work (college andseminary students). The deadline to apply is March 15. Check with one ofour local LWML officers for more information.

Sara Rhymer (Chris’s wife) has volunteered to serve as the Meals of Grace coordinator for December. If you know of someone who could benefit fromthis ministry, please contact her at 547-4408.

The LWML Thursday morning Bible Class will meet only once in December.Ann Crosby will host the group at her home on Thursday, December 11, at 9a.m.

The LYF will be serving supper prior to our mid-week Advent services onWednesday, December 3, 10, and 17. On the 3rd and 17th you can enjoysoup, salad, breadsticks, and desserts. On the 10th there will be spaghetti,salad, breadsticks, and dessert. LYF members are reminded to bring adessert each of those nights and a jar of spaghetti sauce on the 10th. Youthare asked to try to be at the Parish Hall by 5:30 p.m. on those evenings;serving begins at 6 p.m. A free-will offering will be accepted.

Chris & James Gorman are youth ushers for the month of December.

The Morning Glories are going to the Wyneken Craft Show on Saturday,December 6. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their booth will be in theMusic Room again this year.

If you haven’t been able to make it to any of the shows and would like to check out the crafts, you can come over to the Parish Hall after the worship serviceson Sunday, December 7, 14, and 21. The children will be practicing theirChristmas program in church and the Craft Room will be set up for you toshop if you wish. Just mark down your purchases in the book and place yourmoney in the box provided. All items should have a price on them or there willbe a note about the cost. Thanks for all your help in transporting items to theshows and helping in the booth. It is very much appreciated. Sales at two ofthe November shows were as follows: South Adams ($390.25) andCornerstone Church ($209.75).

Crafting will resume on Tuesday, January 6. Come for the fellowship! Hopeto see you then!

The Tabea Society will have their Christmas party at Concord Village onWednesday, December 3. The cost is $6.75. Please be there by 11:30 a.m.There will be no quilting this month. The group will resume in January.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Adams County Chapter, will have theirDecember 11 meeting, with breakfast, at 8 a.m. at Norm’s Preble Garden. Allboard members, coordinators, special advisors, CLU FIC Financialconsultants of our Thrivent Financial offices, members, spouses, and anyother interested party are encouraged to attend. Please notify ShirleyHormann (724-3101) by Monday, December 1, if you wish to attend.2009 Lenten Devotional Booklet

“Let Us Enter the Journey of Lent” is the title of our 2009 Lenten devotionalbooklet. Fifty volunteers are needed to write a short devotion. The deadlineto submit your devotion is January 15. More information was available inour October newsletter as to topics (log on to our website—www.zionfriedheim.org—click on the newsletter link, and go to the October2008 newsletter. Please contact Pastor Dahling and he can give you aspecific day, theme, and verse. Thanks!

Directory Updates

The new membership directory will be printed in mid-January. Please contactthe church office with any changes or corrections to your address, e-mailaddress, and/or phone number. (If it is more convenient, you can e-mail thisinformation to the office at churchoffice@zionfriedheim.org.)

Would like to have your name added to the “Prayer Chain” listing included in the directory? If so, please contact the church office. Thanks!

Wyneken Contributions

Donations of $3,850 were received in November, bringing the year-to-datetotal to $43,680. Of the 329 Thrivent members at Friedheim, contributionshave been received from 83 individuals, or 19% of those eligible to donate. Athank you goes out to those who have taken advantage of Thrivent’s GivingPlus program.

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Men’s Basketball

The season is underway and there are quite a few games in December. As isthe case each December, game locations, dates, and times vary. Please notethat all games, except the one on the 8th, will be played at Bellmont MiddleSchool. Please look at your schedule closely.

Date Time Location Opponent

Dec. 8 7:00 p.m. Monmouth PrebleDec.15 8:30 p.m. BMS Berne MissionaryDec. 16 9:30 p.m. BMS St. Mark’sDec. 22 8:00 p.m. BMS Church of GodDec. 23 8:00 p.m. BMS St. Mary’sDec. 29 6:00 p.m. BMS Cornerstone

Radio Broadcast

You will find a sign-up sheet for sponsoring our weekly broadcast. Althoughthe cost of broadcasting our service will be a line-item in our 2009 HomePurpose Budget, it was felt that there might be some families or individualswho would like to sponsor a week’s program in memory of or in honor of a loved one. It costs $40 for us to broadcast our worship service on Sundaymornings. If this is something you feel like you would like to do, pleasecomplete the form, include the payment, place it in an envelope, and put it inthe offering plate. If you want an acknowledgment in the bulletin, don’t forgetto contact the church office. The sign-up sheet is also in the southentranceway of the church. Make sure your name is also listed there.Thanks!

Busy Women’s Bible Class

This class will not meet during December, but will resume on Monday,January 5, at 7 p.m.

Parish Nurse

This month’s Blood Pressure Clinic will be held on Sunday, December 14.You can have your pressure checked either before or after the worshipservice.

Sunday School

Practice for the Christmas Eve Children’s service will begin on Sunday,December 7. The Sunday School classes will remain in the church to go overtheir parts. The Nursery-Kindergarten class will practice their part in churchand then will head over to the Parish Hall for their class.

Nativity Sets

Through a generous donation from the Harants family in loving memory oftheir daughter and granddaughter, Julie & Megan Sambol, nativity sets aregiven to each of our children. They receive their first pieces the year prior tothe start of kindergarten and receive a piece each year through the 8th grade.Those receiving their first pieces this year are Grayson Lehman, JordanRhymer, Remington Bultemeier, Max Stoppenhagen, Anna Lawson, andGrace Buuck. They will get their pieces during the worship service onSunday, December 7. All other children will get their pieces during theSunday School hour that day.

If your child is a baptized member and will be attending kindergarten nextschool year and his or her name is not listed above, please contact the churchoffice immediately. We don’t want to miss anyone on the 7th.

Worship for Shut-Ins

Over the past two years, Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. (LMM) has expandedtheir staff, their use of equipment, and are even contemplating expanding theirfacilities. They have also been blessed to expand their broadcasts into partsof six different continents, creating a worldwide opportunity to share the GoodNews of the Savior.

Did you know that their 2008 budget was over $400,000 and that the 2009budget will call for an even higher dollar amount? The Board of Directors ofLMM has authorized the Gospel Broadcasters Gift Society (GBGS). What isthis? It is their “Towers of Need”—General Operations, Programming Fees,and Production Costs. In General Operations, personnel (salaries, benefits,training, and payroll taxes) and business expenses (advertising, advancement,fund development, and volunteer services) are covered. Under ProgrammingFees, program sponsorships are covered—local channels, cable channels,internet, DIRECTV Channel 377, and the satellite network. Under Production

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Costs, the equipment (maintenance and replacement) and facilities (rental,maintenance, and furnishings) are addressed. The GBGS challenges patronsto supply on-going annual support applying dollars to their “Towers of Need.” You can designate your donation to one of the above “towers” or ask that it be placed “where needed most.”

For those who are interested in sponsoring a 30-minute “Worship for Shut-Ins” broadcast, the fee for sponsoring a full program is $1,200, with the cost of apartial program ranging from $300 to $1,199. Closed captioning or subtitlesponsorships cost $200.

Please prayerfully consider this mission outreach of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as you plan your budgets for the coming year.

Stewardship Opportunity–Synod Foundation

Federal legislation has opened new stewardship opportunities to strengthenministry. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 allows anindividual over the age of 70 1/2 to make a gift up to $100,000 from anindividual retirement account (IRA) to ministry without increasing taxableincome for 2008. Those interested in taking advantage of this special ruleneed to contact their IRA account administrator for the necessary paperworkto complete the transfer. To ensure that the transfer qualifies, a check from theIRA account administrator should be received by the ministry by December31, 2008.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

Lutheran Hour Ministries has instituted a new campaign, Thus far, no further!They are asking that individuals recommit themselves to help Lutheran HourMinistries move boldly forward for the sake of the Gospel. Four crucial areashave been identified which have the potential for tremendous impact, but onlyif more financial resources can be placed behind them. First, they wish toexpand their flagship program, The Lutheran Hour, from a weekly broadcastaudience of approximately 812,000 listeners to one million listeners. In orderto do this they wish to increase the program’s Internet presence and the use of digital media, and continue to broadcast on XM Satellite Radio. This monththey will test a weekly broadcast in Spanish in Texas, Florida, and SouthernCalifornia. Para el Camino (“For the Road”)has great potential to reach theincreasing number of Spanish speakers with the Gospel. In addition, they

would like to develop other special programming to reach a broader audience,including Christian broadcasting across Arab states. Second, they would liketo increase the reach of“Woman to Woman.”This weekly radio program,hosted by Phyllis Wallace, desires to strengthen the home and encourageswomen to trust Christ to take them through life’s daily challenges. Third, the firm establishment of their Men’s NetWork. This interactive, Internet-basedapproach will attempt to help men step up and see the Savior clearly. Thehope is to have 1,000 churches registered within a year and 10,000 menmaking use of the Men’s NetWork. Fourth, the expansion of their internationalministry is needed. In the last fiscal year, more than 540,000 responses werereceived from their international broadcasts and more than 225,000 peopleparticipated in their Bible Correspondence Course.

The anticipated cost to reach these goals is $2 million. A $500,000 MatchingGrant will double every dollar raised. You can donate online by visitingwww.lhmgift.org. Please include this ministry in your prayers. (There is aDVD in the office that further explains this program and includes historicLutheran Hour Ministry footage, as well as a message from Dr. OswaldHoffmann, testimonials, their overseas ministries in action, and more. Just callthe church office if you wish to borrow this DVD.

Thank You Notes

Members of Friedheim,

Jerry and I want to thank all of you for remembering us on our 50th

anniversary. It was a pleasant surprise and we feel honored to be included inyour church family. God bless all of you. We had a wonderful day! -- Jerry &Joan Sielschott

Zion (Friedheim)–Thank you for your contribution of $500 to the DecaturCircuit Lutheran Laymen’s League for the rebuilding of the Lutheran Hour billboard on U.S. 27.

The Trustees would like to thank Paul Werling and Jeff Bradtmueller for thework they have done at church and the Parish Hall these past few weeks. It isso much appreciated.

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News from Our Sister Congregations

“Immanuel House – Caring and Giving” is the “clothing bank” operated by Immanuel Lutheran Church (Union Township). It is located in the teacherageat Immanuel Lutheran Church (8545 N 550 E) across from the old school.There is a need for good clean, gently used clothing for adults and children.Items can be dropped off each Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. orby appointment. Shopping will be by referral from pastors, teachers, andfriends. Please contact Janice Fuelling at 724-7326 if you have anyquestions.

Circle Sunday, December 7, on your calendar. Martini Lutheran Church inNew Haven will have their Annual Live Nativity, starting at 5 p.m. andrepeating every one-half hour. There will be live animals, singing, and thenarration of the birth of Jesus. Cookies, hot chocolate, and coffee will beavailable in their Fellowship Hall.

Women’s Retreat

Camp Lutherhaven’s 16th Annual New Year’s Retreat for Women will be held on January 23-25. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend this retreatand explore the question,“What keeps you from giving Christ permission to renovate your soul?” Keynote presenter, Lynne Ford, host of WBCL’s Mid-morning, will examine the stumbling blocks and unmask their lies, paving theway for all of is to respond to God’s loving offer for a “Devine Redesign.” This “getaway” is dedicated to spiritual renewal and gives women of all ages theopportunity to grow through Scriptural presentations, small group Bible study,personal reflection, dynamic workshops, and times of singing and praise.Don’t miss the fellowship and encouragement of other women whose heartsare fueled by the love of Jesus. Prices range from $58 to $112 depending onlodging choice. For more information and a brochure, please call or e-mailLutherhaven at 260-636-7101 or camp@lutherhaven.org or download abrochure at www.lutherhaven.org.

Concordia News

The Drama season continues at Concordia Lutheran High School as ToyboxTheatre presents, James and the Giant Peach, December 6 and 7. RoaldDahl’sstory comes hilariously to life in this delightful dramatization that reveals

the wickedness of some, the goodness of others, and the indecisionencountered by many when they are faced with crises Performance timesare 7:30 p.m., Saturday and 2:00 p.m., Sunday and will be held in the schoolchapel/auditorium. Tickets for performances are $4 for adults, $3 for studentsand $2 for elementary students and are available at the door.

The next brunch will be Sunday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., inKatherine Luther Dining Hall on the CTS campus located at 6600 N. ClintonStreet. In addition to Christmas-themed favorites on the menu, enjoy thesounds of Christmas provided by instrumental ensembles from ConcordiaLutheran High School. When you purchase brunch tickets at CLHS, one-halfof the $11.00 ticket price ($10 for seniors) will be donated to the CLHS Need-Based Scholarship Fund. Simply stop by the office at the high school topurchase tickets for any CTS Sunday Brunch. For additional information onpurchasing tickets, call the high school at 260-483-1102.

Join Concordia Lutheran High School’s Music Department as they celebrate the birth of Jesus at the historic Embassy Theater in downtown Fort Wayne.The celebration, Emmanuel: God with Us, will begin at 4:00 p.m., on Sunday,December 14. The vocalists and instrumentalists look forward to premieringthe commissioned Christmas work “Emmanuel” by Edgar Struble. Tickets are available at Concordia Lutheran High School from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., and 2:00to 4:00 p.m. each weekday, December 1-12. Adults are $10, students andseniors are $5. Tickets sold at the Embassy only on the day of the concertand all tickets will be $10 that day.

Holiday shopping just got easier at the Concordia Lutheran High School ThriftShop where you will find half-off items throughout the entire store (someexceptions may apply). It is their year-end sale December 19 –January 3.The shop is located at 3436 N. Anthony Shopping Center and shop hours areMonday, 10:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., andSaturday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The Thrift Shop will be closed for December24, 25, 31, 2008 and January 1, 2009.

For the second year, the CLHS Bands have partnered with the very popularSpike and the Bulldogs for a special fundraising event. Mark you calendarsand make plans to attend this second annual event on Saturday, April 25,2009 at the Pine Valley Country Club. Tickets will be on sale at the highschool beginning January 12. A limited number of tickets will be available. For

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more information, or to make a gift or cash donation, please contact the CLHSMusic Department at 260.483.1102 ext 198.

A Positive Thought

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, yourphoto would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise everymorning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sentyou in Bethlehem; notto mention that Friday at Calvary. Face it, He’s crazy about you.

Remember: God answers Knee-Mail!!

“You Might Be a Lutheran if… Commandment #11 is: If it’s never been done that way before, don’t do it.”

Did you know that Martin Luther was the firstperson to translate Aesop’s Fables into German?

The 7 Ups!

1. Wake Up! Decide to have a good day. “This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” –Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is aninexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears andone mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listeningas talking. “He who guards his lips guards his soul.” –Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up! …for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we haveopportunity, let us do good….” –Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up! …to the Lord. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” –Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up! …for something higher. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledgeHim, and He will direct your path.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up! …your Prayers. “Do not worry about anything; instead pray abouteverything.” –Philippians 4:6

Ben Stein’s Confession (as recited by him in CBS Sunday Morning Commentary)

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it doesnot bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up,bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, ‘Merry Christmas,’ to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it.It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time ofyear. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe inGod are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea wherethe concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that weshould worship celebrities and we aren’t allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us wondering where these celebrities came from and where theAmerica we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one anotherfor a laugh, this is a little different. This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny; it’s intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Sow and Jane Clayson asked her, “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.She said, “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but foryears we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government, and to get our of our lives. And being the gentlemen that He is, Ibelieve He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us Hisblessings and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

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In light of recent events…terrorists attacks, school shootings, etc., I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Biblesays thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor asyourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we mightdamage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he’s talking about. And we said OK. Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. I think it has a great deal to do with “WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.”

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why theworld’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mailand they spread like wildfire bit when you start sending messages regardingthe Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgarand obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion ofGod is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many onyour address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you’re sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us thanwhat God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then justdiscard it…no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don’t sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My best regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say hello to someone who doesn’t much care about you.

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STEWARDSHIP DEVOTION

Scripture Readings

”Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life . . . but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you aswell” (Matthew 6:25, 33).

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Thank the Lord and Sing His Praise

Every Sunday, following the Lord’s Supper, we sing the words of the title of our devotion. How fitting they are, for God has just come to us in His Word and with His body and blood! These gifts are reason to rejoice and give thanks continually, regardless of the circumstances around us.

Just as there is reason to rejoice, not lament, so there is reason for confidence, not worry, for Jesus Himself is our confidence. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear,”He warns. And why not? Jesus gives us a couple of reasons:One, what does worry accomplish? “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to [your] life?” A rhetorical question, to be sure. Two, don’t you know,“Your Heavenly Father knows that you need [these things]”? (Matthew 6:27, 32).

Sadly, all too often we don’t trust those promises. Instead of giving as we’ve received, we work harder to amass more riches for ourselves, turning yesterday’s luxuries into today’s needs. Instead of relying on God’s goodness and grace to sustain us, we rely on our own efforts to maintain our lives. Life becomes a cycle of working and consuming, and we miss out on the joy and freedom Christ promises us as we trust in Him.

The Apostle Paul could have worried. Certainly he had plenty to worry about (You can read about some of his predicaments in 2 Corinthians11:23-29.), but his counsel to us is to rejoice, to pray continually, to give thanks in all things, for this is what God would have us do.

Discussion Thoughts:

Read Genesis 12:10-20.1. What was Abram worried about?2. How did he handle his worry?3. What was the result?4. Did Abram learn from this experience? (See Genesis 22:1-19.)

Prayer: For a closingprayer, use this time to focus on God’s grace in your lives. Take turns expressing aloud to God and each other what you arethankful.