INSIDE THIS ISSUE: CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY MINISTRY 2

DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICES 2

YOUTH MINISTRY 3-5

LYON HAPPENINGS 4-5

PAUL’S MOVIE REVIEWS 6

WOMEN OF THE ELCA 6

NEW MEMBER INFORMATION 7

COMMUNITY OUTREACH 8

DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS 9

DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVANT SCHEDULE 10

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

DECEMBER 2016 VOLUME 23

Sharing Christ’s Message to Transform All Generations

SOWER PASTOR’S LOGOS (WORD)

The election is not over, this is one for the history books! I would like to make some predictions about the post-election results. Here they are:

1. Many are not going to be totally happy with the results.

2. There will be negative responses to the outcome.

3. Some of those responses will be violent and misdirected.

4. Some of those responses will be “I give up”.

5. In this election cycle, winners and los-ers are not just determined by the ballot box.

6. People of faith will find themselves in opposition to one another (not just based on doctrine but as much on sec-tarian politics) at a level seldom seen in US history.

7. Many people of faith will be anxious

and fearful following this election.

8. There are good and not so good rea-sons for the previous statement.

9. People of faith will be called upon to be those who bring hope, mercy, for-giveness and justice to our nation.

10. Many people of faith will find them-selves not to be the most popular peo-ple in the culture.

This all being said, it is not unusual for the church to be right in the middle of a histor-ical cultural/religious/political shift. All you have to do is go back to the time of the Reformation. Some folks think it was just about religion, but it transcended the or-ganizational structure of the Old World Church and its doctrines. Martin Luther is a national hero in Germany not just be-cause of his attempted reformation of the Roman Catholic Church. Ultimately he was kicked out of the Church. Luther is a national hero because he helped to bring a sense of nationhood to the German people,

the lifting up of the common persons and the unity of language (German) not Latin.

Today we face some very big challenges that will impact our children, our chil-dren’s children and quite possibly many generations to come. Our role as Chris-tians of the Lutheran tradition in all of this is to be people who follow the one who transcends sectarian politics and the cul-ture wars that seem to ensnare us. We have been called through Word and Sacra-ments to be light bearers, truth tellers, mer-cy sharers and grace proclaimers.

I know this political season has worn us out, but now we are in a new season, the one that speaks of a “God who so loved the world that he gave us his only Son”. This is the season we are in, when the darkness is overcome by the light of the world, when a child is more powerful than armies, when love shames the powerful and lifts up the downtrodden. This is God’s time and we share in it!!

Pastor Paul 

Mid-week Advent services will be on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm beginning November 30th. Join us for Advent narratives within the Holden Evening Prayer service set-ting. Come prepare your hearts for the arrival of the Savior!

Saturday Evening Worship services at 5:30 pm on December 3, 10, 17 and 31.

Sunday Morning Worship services at 8:30 am and 10:45 am on December 4, 11 and 18*.

*In lieu of a Children’s Christmas Program this year, kids and families will lead worship on Sunday, December 18 at the 10:45 am worship service.

Christmas Eve services will be at 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 11:00 pm on Saturday, December 24th.

Christmas Day there will be a 9:30 am service on Sunday, December 25th.

The following weekend, there will be a 5:30 pm service on Saturday, December 31st, with a 9:30 am service on Sunday, January 1st. All are invited to join in celebrating the Savior's birth!

DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICES

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord Luke 2:11

SOWER

CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY MINISTRY Emily Dalen is the Director of Children’s and Family Ministry at St. Paul’s. Contact Emily at edalen@splcomaha.org or 402-895-3366

PAGE 2

In May I started a series on the five princi-ples of faith formation that have been held up by Vibrant Faith. We’ve talked about faith being formed through personal, trust-ed relationships, that the church is a living partnership between the home and congre-gation, that home is church, too, and faith is more often caught than taught. All of these bring us to the fifth principle that says it takes Christian parents and other adults to raise Christian youth.

If I were to ask you to name one person

whose faith has had a major impact on your faith life, who would you name? I’ve mentioned this many times before, but my mom is usually the first person I name. And, I don’t name her because she made sure I went to Sunday School, took me to church, got me involved in youth group, paid for me to go to National Youth gath-erings or any variety of similar things. Yes, she did all of those things, but the reason my mom impacts my faith is be-cause she is still growing in hers. I’m cer-tain that if I walked into my parents’ house this afternoon, I’d find my mom’s Bible in its maroon case with pictures of our family on the front, sitting at the dining room table. I could find her Our Daily Bread devotion booklet open to today’s reading and I know that if I asked her, she’d tell me that she spent time reading her Bible before heading to school. I also know that she prayed today that God would show her who she’s supposed to help today and asked for God’s help in doing so.

My mom has helped to shape my faith because she continues to search for herself. She doesn’t think that she’s figured it all out. She still has questions and she’s open and honest about them. My mom still gets frustrated and wonders what God is doing and yet, she comes to the kitchen table daily to connect with her Savior.

As we think about sharing our faith with everyone around us, especially kids, I chal-lenge you to set an example of someone who is still growing in his or her faith. Kids don’t need to know that we have all the answers figured out or have read the WHOLE Bible, but they do need to see us learning and growing in relationship with our maker. If we look like we’re done learning, will our kids get the impression that they’re done after confirmation too? If we never read our Bibles, will they think they don’t have to?

How can you continue to grow in your relationship with God and share your faith with those around you?

Sock Challenge is On!

Jacey Hammer has challenged our congregation to donate new packages of socks that will be shipped to Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church in Kan-sas City. This was one of the sites on the Mission Trip our youth worked at last summer. Children’s Memorial Lutheran’s membership is mostly home-less folks in the Kansas City area. Research shows that this is the most need-ed item for this community. The challenge will be a competition between grades 6 to 12. The grade collecting the most pairs of socks will win a pizza party for their grade. Please place your donations in the boxes located in the Commons, the 3:6Teen room (112-113) or the Spirit Cave (in the basement). Please mark which grade gets credit for your donation. Hurry . . . Deadline is December 14th!

Parents Night Out

Parents Night Out #4 will be on December 2nd from 6 pm until 10 pm. Parents, drop off the kids with us and go Christmas shopping or go out to eat! It’s Date Night for you!

Also, on Friday Dec. 2, the Middle School grades are invited to go bowl-ing at Western Bowl from 9 to 10ish. If you are helping with Par-ents Night, you can leave early to bowl. Cost is only $5 so bring your friends!

Upcoming Youth Events for January

Variety Show January 29: Steak Dinner at 5 pm in the Family Life Center. Show at 6 pm in the Sanctuary. Sitter service will be available. Do you have a talent to share? Maybe an old skit or an Elvis song to share . . . Contact Bogart with your 5 minutes of serious goofiness or just plain seriousness.

PAGE 3 DECEMBER 2016

YOUTH MINISTRY Bogart Nomad is the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Paul’s. Contact Bogart at bnomad@splcomaha.org or 402-895-3366

Cookie Prayer Partners

Cookie time for all ages! Come help the Middle Schoolers make, bake and decorate cookies so they can be delivered to the homebound folks of St. Paul’s.

This annual service project is fun and tasty! Please join the youth on Sunday, December 4th from 9:30 am until 10:30 am and/or on Wednesday, December 7th from 7 pm until 8 pm in the Family Life Center Kitchen.

Caroling

Wednesday, December 14th from 7 pm until 8:30 pm. All are invit-ed to join us! Contact Bogart for information at the church office 402-895-3366.

Middle School Gathering (MSG) January 14 & 15: Middle Schoolers sign up for the Middle School Gathering. Saturday and Sunday January 14 and 15 in Grand Island. Contact Bogart in the office for details.

Arise, shine: for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

SOWER

YOUTH MINISTRY CONTINUED

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The Faith Awakens

Movie Sessions on Friday night and Saturday morning

Worship rocked with Peder Eide and his daughter, Allison leading.

Bogart’s selfie with Peder & Allison

Nebraska Synod ELCA LYON Assembly 2016

November 18-20

Lutheran Youth of Nebraska (LYON) was a big success. Lives were changed, sod was placed, hoodies were worn. Dances danced.

The Numbers… 23 St. Paul’s Youth 8 St. Mark’s Valley Youth 1 St. Timothy Youth 7 Adults

And One Fuzzy Green Hat

PAGE 5 DECEMBER 2016

YOUTH MINISTRY CONTINUED

Service Learning

On the count of three . . .

Durin conquers the stairs with the help of his team!

Low Ropes Team Building

If just one of you loosens your line, we’ll have to start over again!

Wait . . . Why am I leading again?

Don’t make me laugh!

We learned how to cut and roll sod . . . Lots of sod!

One last selfie before our Reflection Hike. Where’s my Fuzzy Green Hat?

And we learned how to lay the sod in its new location

SOWER PAGE 6

PASTOR PAUL’S MOVIE, BOOK & TV REVIEWS

.8

Currently in theaters, rated R for intense violence. I give this movie 3.8 stars. It is a true story of faith, courage, commitment and perseverance. A man who does not believe in killing, joins the army to become a medic. His faith is tested by both the enemy and his fellow soldiers. This is not a story of war, but of faith and being hu-man in the middle of the most inhumane activity on the planet, war. I was moved and empowered by this movie and I know you will be as well. By the way, this mov-ie is not for the faint of heart or children. But we will want to talk about it after you see this one.

Currently in theaters, rated PG-13. This Marvel movie superhero is quite different from the normal no-brains and all brawn scenario of the more physical Marvel super heroes. However, there is plenty of action and the good vs. evil motif is still there. But there are deeper issues confronting the hero, the question of how do we use the gifts we have been given to serve others, or ourselves. There are several spiritual and moral questions that arise in this film and I know you will want to talk about them.

Currently in selected theaters and will be available in more locations after the first of the year, Rated PG-13. This is a true story that takes place in England, when a noted “Holocaust Denier” sues a professor of history when she says that he is a liar and not using the facts of history to prove his claim that Jews did not die in the numbers and manner that history tells us. The press and courts are not necessarily on her side in this and it shows how public opinion can be swayed by persons telling convinc-ing lies well and often. This was a good movie, but it made me mad as well. After you see it, let’s talk.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA Growing up in Maine always meant there were definite signs that Christmas was coming. Lots of snow, slippery roads, the awful fact that it got dark by 4:30!!!! and ice for skating. In fact, if it didn’t freeze by Thanksgiving, it was very disappointing. This year was so different everywhere! Nebraska’s signs of the coming of Christ-mas were pretty artificial. All the stores were trying to remind us. TV programs showed up like “The Grinch” and the Hall-mark Channel’s Month of Christmas mov-ies. But I still ran to the grocery store with-out a coat just before Thanksgiving. Kids at school wore shorts, and there were roses blooming in the church garden way into November. The Friday after Thanksgiv-ing, my 2 year old grandson was distracted from baking Christmas cookies by the kid mowing the lawn outside my patio win-

dow. Hard to believe Christmas was actu-ally so close, and yet, think of it. Do we really need snow and cold weather or even

all our busy plans for Christmas to come? Amazing, if we check the climate in Beth-lehem all those years ago, I am sure snow

wasn’t part of the weather report. There were no cookies or Christmas movies. It was God’s Son given to the World to show His love for all of us. We don’t need all those reminders. We just need to Be still and Know that He is God, and He loves us! It doesn’t even need to be December!!! We carry this wonderful promise with us all year long!!! I will go ahead and say it ”Merry Christmas” !!!

Karen Hansen is the President of St. Paul’s Women of the ELCA

Calendar note:

This year the Christmas boxes will be a project of the Youth group. Watch for further information on how we can sup-port this community outreach.    

PAGE 7 DECEMBER 2016

NEW MEMBER FEATURE

Red Cross Blood Mobile is coming January 22, 2017 7am-11:45 am

In this season of giving one very special gift that will cost you nothing and may save up to 3 lives, is your gift of blood. Please consider this precious gift and call for an appointment. The sooner you call, the greater the selection of times.

Thank you so much and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Please contact Linda Kuehl at 402-895-0426 or jlkuehl1975@aol.com

New Member Classes

January 15 and January 22

between services 9:30-10:30

What do you do in your free time? Cheer on the huskers, spend time with family, and travel How would you like to get involved at St. Paul's? Find out where we are needed and go from there What would you like to get back from the church? A strong community and lifelong friends Favorite thing about Omaha: The convenience of having so much so close Favorite thing about St. Paul's: How inviting it is

Isaac, Leah and Will Zohner

13271 Millard Avenue Omaha, NE 68137

402-895-3366 www.splcomaha.org

COMMUNITY MEAL  

Maia Young heads the Community Meal team and Karen Hansen assists in procur-ing deserts for the meals that are served at First Baptist Church located at 421 Park Avenue in eastern Omaha.

On Saturday, November 26th, 110 people were served a meal of ham with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, rolls and a huge se-lection of deserts that were provided by the

members of St. Pauls.

Hannah Frasier and Sarah Eberly provided Blessing Bags for the folks. Hannah was in charge of a Community Service Project with Omaha Public Schools and worked with 20 Norris Middle School students to put together Blessing Bags. The bags in-cluded the following items:

Toothbrush & toothpaste Safety razor and shaving gel Wash cloth Shower gel Fleece scarf made by the students Snack foods Canned fruit

One gentleman in attendance at the meal inquired if the bag contained a razor. Up-on receipt of his bag, he immediately went into the men’s restroom and shaved his

face! The recipients were very grateful for these Blessing Bags. The meals and the bags let these folks know that somebody cares about them. If you’d like to get in-volved in this outreach program, give Maia Young a call at 402-850-4719 and help

make a difference in those less fortunate than us. A special thanks to Merry Jensen who took these photos and to her sister and nephew who were visiting for the weekend and came to help.

SOWER PAGE 8

ST. PAUL’S EVENTS Church Council 6:30 p.m. Mon. 12 Church Staff Meetings 9:30 a.m. Tue. 6, 13, 20, 29 Endowment Board Meeting 4:30 p.m. Thur. 10 Faith Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Thur. 15 Facility Team Meeting 6:30 p.m. Tue. 6 Finance Team Meeting 6:30 p.m. Thur. 8 Grace Circle 6:30 p.m. Mon. 26 Hope Circle 1:00 p.m. Thur. 15 Library Team 9:00 a.m. Tue. 6, 13, 20 Love Circle 11:30 a.m. Wed. 21 Memorial Committee Meeting 2:00 p.m. Wed. 21 Monday Night Quilter’s 6:30 p.m. Mon. 5, 12, 19 MOPS 9:00 a.m. Tue. 6 Wednesday Morning Book Club 10:00 a.m Wed. 14 MEMBER CARE Cards in the Family Life Center 12:30 p.m. Tue. 13 Exercise Class 8:15 a.m. Mon. 5, 12, 19 8:15 a.m. Fri. 2, 9, 16, 23 Health Ministry Team Meeting 6:30 p.m. Mon. 5 Home Communion at Millard Manor 11:00 a.m. Thur. 1 Tai Chi 9:00 a.m. Tue. 6, 13, 20 9:00 a.m. Thur. 1, 8, 15, 22 EDUCATION SCHEDULE Education Hour 9:30 a.m. Sun. 4, 11, 18 3:6Teen 7:00 p.m. Wed. 7, 14 Spirit 7:00 p.m. Wed. 7, 14 Tuesday Morning Bible Study 11:00 a.m. Tue. 6, 13, 20 Tuesday Evening Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Tue. 6 Thursday Morning Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Thur. 1, 8, 15, 22 Thursday Morning Bible Study 6:30 a.m. Thur. 1, 8, 15, 22 MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES Chancel Chimers 5:30 p.m. Tue. 6, 13, 20 Choir for Christ 7:00 p.m. Wed. 7, 21 Worship Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Wed. 7, 14, 21 Worship Team Rehearsal 4:30 p.m. Sat. 3, 10, 17 Worship Team Rehearsal 8:00 p.m. Wed. 7, 14, 21

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Calendar of Events

December, 2016

Sharing Christ’s message to transform all generations

SPECIAL EVENTS & MEETINGS Cookie Prayer Partners 9:30 a.m. Sun. 4 7:00 p.m. Wed. 7 NBA Ministry Basketball 8:35 p.m. Thur. 1, 8, 15, 22 Parent’s Night Out 6:00 p.m. Fri. 2 St. Paul’s Caroling Night 7:00 p.m. Wed. 14 Wed. Evening Meals 5:30 p.m. Wed. 7, 14 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE “Church Chat” Deadline 9:00 a.m. Mon. 5, 12, 19 “Sower” Deadline 9:00 a.m. Wed. 21 .

WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesday Worship Service 6:30 p.m. Wed. 7, 14, 21 Saturday Evening Worship Service 5:30 p.m. Sat. 3, 10, 17 Sunday Worship Service 8:30 a.m. Sun. 4, 11, 18 9:30 a.m. Sun. 25 10:45 a.m. Sun. 4, 11, 18 Nursery 9:15 a.m. Sun. 4, 11, 18 6:15 p.m. Wed. 7, 14,

Christmas Eve Services

4:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11:00 p.m.

Christmas Day

9:30 a.m.

December 3—5:30 p.m. Acolytes-Alex Karloff, Gracie Vokoun

Communion-, Kathryn Gannon, Sid Rames, Gudren Flesher

Vickey Marquardt Greeter-Harvey & Carol Applegate

Reader-Marie Witthoft Sound-Jayson Swope

Ushers-Todd Whitham, Doug Wallace Video-Jeanette Swope

December 4—8:30 a.m.

Acolytes-Matt DeLong Cantor, Pastor Paul

Communion-Barb Saighman, Fran Witt, Marvin & Corrine Wastell

Greeters-Patrick Runge, Sally Runge Hospitality-Marv & Corinne Wastell

Reader-Corinne Wastell Sound-Arno Neben

Ushers-Norm Bensinger, John Kuehl Video-Hunter Manzer

December 4—10:45 a.m.

Acolytes-Jacob Sauer, Lia Miller Communion-Toni Flermoen, Jane Coen, Cathy Bourne.

Tammy Aden, Judy Petersen Jerry & Naomi Warner

Greeters-Tim & Jennifer Collins Joel & Colleen Christensen

Hospitality-Ted & Donna Luedke Reader-Ryan Larsen Sound-Bryan Kreun

Ushers-John Bourne, Gary McDonald, Jay Schroeder, Donna Luedke

Video-Aaron Kreun

December 10—5:30 p.m. Acolytes-Laci Abendroth Greeter-Bev Steinbaugh

Reader-Sid Rames Sound-Jim Rames

Ushers-Dennis Verdick, Bill Jaquith Video-Sid Rames

December 11—8:30 a.m. Acolytes-Gracie Vokoun

Cantor-Patrick Runge Greeters-Bill & Deb Kistler

Hospitality-Nancy Steil Reader-Harold Cowan

Sound-Jim Kuehl Ushers-John Kuehl, Norm Bensinger

Video-Linda Kuehl

December 11—10:45 a.m.

Acolytes-Sabrina Delaney, Matt DeLong Greeters-Bob and Pat Mennenga

Larry & Gloria Bartels Hospitality-Barb Hough Reader-Sabrina Delaney Sound-Doug Rothgeb

Ushers-Jeff Hohenstein, John Keim, Cory Juma, Dustin Cox

Video-Jamie Wendt

December 17—5:30 p.m. Acolytes-Ally DeSordi, Laci Abendroth

Communion-Karla Neemann, Marie Witthoft, Jim MacDonald

Todd & Pat Whitham Greeter-Judy Petersen

Reader-Jeanne Simmons Sound-Jayson Swope

Ushers-Gary Norenberg, Dave Smith

Video-Jeanette Swope

December 18—8:30 a.m. Acolytes-Jacob Sauer, Matt DeLong

Cantor-Allen Darell Communion-Mike & Ginny Janis, Karen Hansen, Leanne Frasier

Greeters-Donna Lewis, Fran Witt Hospitality-Mary Holland

Reader-Matt DeLong Sound-William Koile

Ushers-John Kuehl, Norm Bensinger Video-Tyler Manzer

December 18—10:45 a.m. Acolytes-Cole Renken, Sydney Bauer Communion-Caleb Kreun, Judy Gray Kathy Bruneteau, Donna Snowdon

Joel & Colleen Christensen Tim & Shelly Floro

Greeters-Chris & Teri Cain Phil & Barb Hough

Donna Lesley, Sharla Fitzgerald Hospitality-Joy Marshall Reader-John conDohren

Sound-John Snowdon Ushers-Scott Custard, Gary McDonald

Jeff Hohenstein, Cory Juma Video-Corey Wendt

December 25—9:30 a.m.

Acolytes-As Assigned Greeters-Bill & Ina Averman,

Cal & Anna Mae Wamre Hospitality-Toni Flermoen

Reader-Patrick Runge Sound-Jim Nissen

Ushers–John Kuehl, Norm Bensinger, Video-Jayda Hammer

December 31—5:30 p.m.

Acolytes-As Assigned Communion-, Gudren Flesher Jim MacDonald, Marie Witthoft Greeter-Mike & Wanda Johnson

Reader-Sid Rames Sound-Jayson Swope

Ushers-Todd Whitham, Doug Wallace Video-Jeanette Swope

Worship Servants December 2016

If you are unable to serve on

the date you are scheduled,

please find your substitute

and then notify the church

office at 402-895-3366.