Calvary Lutheran Church Welcomes You! We invite you to explore the life of our congregation, learn about its diverse people and ministries, and get a feel for what it’s like to be part of our church family. For more information stop by the Welcome Center in the Courtyard. Then, take this booklet home to help plan your participation in Calvary activities and events.

The Advent Wreath The word advent means “coming”. Christians know and celebrate the season of Advent as a time of preparation & reflection in an-ticipation of Christmas- Jesus’ Birth. The origins of the Advent wreath are somewhat obscure, but it is thought that it originated in Germany or France. The wreath, a circle, represents the unending love of God. Evergreens adorning the wreath symbolize the hope of eternal life that God’s people share. Four candles set in the wreath represent the four weeks until Christmas. The lighting of an additional candle each week marks the growing an-ticipation for the Light who came into the world at Jesus’ birth.

Weekly Connect ion December 7 –13 2014

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Celebrations this Week Birthdays

Radine Pobuda 12/7 David McIntosh 12/8 Shae Archambault 12/9 Lilly Peterson 12/9 Ashlee Ponder 12/9 Garrett Ponder 12/9 John Bohne 12/10 Mel Kieschnick 12/10

Alan Krause III 12/10 Rene Noga 12/10 Jody Seiler 12/10 Devon Coates 12/11 Claudia Cole 12/11 John DeLalla 12/11 Delaney Miller 12/11 Jim Crosby 12/13

Celebrating Calvary’s New Crèche Today, Calvary will bless our very own Crèche which was recently donated by Ann & Jack Wadlington. A crèche also called a crib, nativity scene, or manger scene, refers to any depiction of the birthplace of Jesus. 800 years ago on Christmas Eve, St. Francis of Assisi, while visiting a rural town in Italy, built a crib and made it the center of an impromptu tableau with a few villagers standing in for Mary, Joseph, shepherds and some local livestock to complete the first crèche. Traditionally, the figures in the nativity set are added gradually to recount the historical Christmas story. On December 24th Baby Jesus is placed in the manger, and the following days the shepherds are added. On January 6th, Three Kings Day, the Kings are also added near the manger scene. It is customary to keep the Nativity set on display until February 2nd, which is the end of the Epiphany.

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Today at Calvary December 7, 2014

•8am Worship •9:30am Education •10:30am Worship

Education Hour

Adult Forum Are you ready for Fearless Conversation? Jesus

loved getting people to think. He asked provocative questions like “Who do you say that I am?” And he often asked one simple question: “What do you think?” This week, as we move through the season of Advent, we’ll be tackling the question, “Why did God come as a baby?” Come jump in on the conversation as we take a look at the nativity story in Luke 2. Facilitated by Teresa Kaldor.

High School students meet in the Gathering Room West-

downstairs in Sanctuary. Topic discussion-In Pursuit of Jesus: Jesus & Satan’s Family

Middle School students meet in the Luke Room-downstairs in Sanctuary.

Pre K (3 yrs)-6th Grade students meet in the WAVE for opening. Students will then break up into grade level classes for age ap-propriate lessons. Parents are welcome to participate in the opening.

Kids For Christ Choir meet in the Wave at 9am for practice.

Note: Parents please be sure to pick up your child(ren) promptly at 10:20 am so the teachers may attend worship service.

We love children in Worship, but if you feel the need to leave, a nursery is available during the education hour & 10:30 am Worship Service or if you would like to keep your child with you and still hear the service, there is a lounge off the narthex with comfortable seating, a changing table, & a few toys.

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STEPHEN MINISTRY

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Giving Thought for the Day

Share …begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this

ministry to the saints... 2 Corinthians 8:4

This Coming Week December 7-13, 2014

Sunday 4:00 pm Night In Bethlehem

Sunday 6:45 pm Calvary’s Music Presentation

Tuesday 6:30 pm Divorce Care

Wednesday Noon Prime Timers Luncheon

Wednesday 6:45 pm CLC Bible Study

Saturday 6:00 pm Calvary’s Christmas Party

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Buy your tickets TODAY December 7 at Calvary Lutheran Church

A Night in Bethlehem 4:00-6:30 pm in the Courtyard Calvary Ensembles Christmas Presentation

Featuring special guest San Diego Children’s Choir-Youth Choir

6:45-7:30 pm (Prelude at 6:30 pm) in the Sanctuary

All ages are invited to step back in time to Jesus’ birth in the town of Bethlehem. You will be able to sample foods from this time pe-riod at the outdoor marketplace. Help out in the bakery where you can make bread the way it used to be done. Visit with shop-keepers & create jewelry, toys, & other items. Of course, there will be the ever present Roman soldiers & tax collectors; you may even pass a shepherd or two. Don’t forget to sign in at the cen-sus booth to be counted in King Herod’s census. You will be hun-gry from your journey, so a light meal will be provided. Once the marketplace closes, join The Calvary Choir, CLC Ensemble, Kids for Christ with special guest San Diego Children’s Choir-Youth Choir in the sanctuary for a musical presentation. Tickets

for A Night in Bethlehem are $15/person or $45/family Christmas Presentation included. Christmas Presentation by themselves are $5/person or $15/ family. Tickets for both events are on sale at the Welcome Table. Tickets for Christmas Presentation will also be on sale at the door.

Prepare for Jesus’ Birth!

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Calvary’s Annual Christmas Party Saturday, December 13 from 6pm-10pm At the home of Steve & Teresa Kaldor

7836 Sendero Angelica, San Diego, CA All ages welcome! Sign-up at the Welcome Desk. Beverages and Entrée are provided, but please sign up for a specific dish to share. Childcare will be available.

• $10/adult • $5/child under 12 • $30/family maximum

Prime Timers Luncheon

Wednesday, December 10 at Noon in Fellowship Hall At this luncheon you will journey on two fascinating & meaningful tours.

Take a tour with TASHA DONAHUE as she shows her beautiful photos & tells of her experience, travelling to Ethiopia with World Vision. TASHA is a multi-talented, well-travelled woman, author & devoted mother. You may have already met her as she serves as one of Calvary’s

Sunday Ushers.

Have you been curious about the meanings & symbolism of Calvary’s beautiful stained glass windows? Take a tour with PASTOR HAND as he points out the messages in the extraordinary design of the windows

as well as in other artistic features of the church.

Please invite your friends & family. Sign-up at the church or with Hilde Koessler 858 481-5480 or Marian Duncan 858 922-0934.

Registration: $7:00

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Next Sunday

December 14, 2014 8am Worship • 9:30am Education • 10:30am Worship

Upcoming Events Parent’s Day Out Dec. 14 Calvary P.8

Calvary’s Cookie Exchange Dec. 16 Thomson Home P.8

CLC Volunteers needed at TACO Dec. 22 First Lutheran

One Worship Service at 9:30 am Dec. 28 Calvary

Poinsettias for Sale Advent season is here, so its time to decorate the Sanctuary with that beautiful burst of red color from Poinsettia Plants. Remember you get to take the plant home on December 24th after the last service. Sign up TODAY at the Welcome Table to purchase your Poinsettia Plant. 6 inch red plant, $9 each, 30 available 8 inch red bush, $21 each, 6 available

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Parent’s Day Out Sunday, December 14 from noon-4 pm There will be games, crafts, and lunch!

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon or get some shopping done while our well-trained youth watch your children! $25 for the first child; $10 for each additional sibling. Sign up at the Welcome Table, email Teresa at clcfaithform@roadrunner.com or call the church office at 858-755-2855! All proceeds go to help our youth attend the National Youth Gathering in Detroit. See page 12 for more infor-mation about the National Youth Gathering.

Cookie Exchange Tuesday, December 16 at 6:30pm

At the home of Pat Sweeney & Glee Thomson 15145 Rancho Real, Del Mar, CA

Everyone is welcome to join Calvary’s annual Cookie Exchange! Come share your cookies and go home with a great assortment for family and friends to enjoy at Christmas. Be sure to bring: 3 dozen cookies to swap the recipe(s) for your cookies a container to carry cookies home for an Angel family: a couple of Christmas cookie cutters Hors d'oeuvres & beverages will be served. Ques-tions? Contact Glee, 858-481-8104. Directions from church: East on Via de la Valle, left on El Camino Real (just past the polo fields), left on Rancho Real.

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Future Events Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!

Rejoicing Spirits No Shush Service Jan. 10 Calvary

CLC Volunteers needed at TACO Jan. 26 First Lutheran

Christmas Eve Services Wednesday, December 24

4pm Family Service 6pm Lessons & Carols

11pm Candlelight Communion

Giving Ministry Thanks to the many of you who responded with an Estimate of Giving Card that you received on Nov. 2nd or received in the mail the following week. Do you still need an Estimate of Giving Card? You will find extra ones in the Narthex on the counter. The goal of our Giving ministry is to help God’s people grow in their relationship with Jesus through the use of the time, talents, and finances that God has given them.

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Looking for Gift Ideas? Shop ELCA Good Gifts & give a gift that keeps giving!

What do you give someone who already has everything they need? An ELCA Good Gift of course. Here’s how it works: 1. Choose a gift; there are many options like a pig, honey bees, a mosquito net, water well, vaccinations for a child, food for a child, school fees & uniforms and much much more! 2. Tell your family or friend what gift you gave 3. Your gift starts changing lives! For more information and to see what other gifts you can give visit www.ELCA.org/goodgifts

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Upcoming Middle School & High

School Activities Dec. 14 Parent’s Day Out H.S. Youth providing babysitting

Noon-4pm

Jan. 7 Confirmation Classes Resume

Jan. 11 Youth Group dinner and a movie

Jan. 12 Youth & Family Faith Formation Committee meeting

at 7pm

Jan. 19 Study Break at Yogurtland

Prayer Station Check out our New Prayer Station!

Congregation members are invited to visit the new prayer station situated on the right-hand side of the sanctuary by the stained glass windows. It will be officially dedicated next Sunday. What is a prayer station? It is a self-directed, interactive center that en-courages quiet spiritual reflection and prayer through simple and creative activities. It is also a place where requests for prayers may be left. Calvary's confirmation students, in response to their unit on the Lord's Prayer, helped plan out a series of prayer sta-tions for the season of Advent. Please visit the station before or after worship services or after you have communed. Instructions are at the table.

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ELCA National Youth Gathering 2015

Over 30,000 Lutheran youth will gather in Detroit to worship to-gether, learn together, serve together, & have fun together. This is a triennial gathering so many youth only have the opportunity to attend once. Each day of the gathering, 10,000 youth will go out into Detroit and serve the community wherever there are needs such as schools, parks, community centers, etc. Our stu-dents’ goal is to raise $11,000 by the end of May.

How can you help? Make a donation check out to Calvary Lutheran Church for any amount you determine. Make a note in the Memo that it is for the National Youth Gathering Trip & the name of the student whom you are supporting. In appreciation, the student will babysit, mow a lawn, do clean-up work around your house, wrap presents, etc.

Send or drop off the check along with the Donation Form to: 424 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach, CA 92075 Attention: Faith Formation Team. Donation Forms are at the Welcome Desk & in the office.

Questions? Contact Teresa Kaldor at 858-245-6032 or clcfaithform@roadrunner.com.

Students going to the NYG 2015:

Jacob Terrill Erika Jansen Marcus Hartz

Erik Cederstav Madison Jones Trey Muschamp

Mally Waldvogel Miranda Reisman Christopher Singh

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Prayer & Care Three Ways to Submit and Update Prayer Requests

Complete a Prayer Request Card (found in pews) & place it in the offering plate.

Go to the www.CalvaryLutheranChurch.org click on “Prayer Request” link.

Leave a message on the confidential phone line, 858-793-2820.

Health & Healing Marie Stiegelmeier Steve Wong Virginia Yates Malcom Davis Dana McCarty Sally Karin Brevig Terry Douglas Phyllis Dowling Kristen Jorgensen Stephen Vorhes Ruth Corraggio Gladys Cole Alice Guerreiro Dave Wheeler Kay Sereno Nadine Mincin Sara Honda Peggy Julie Sish Ann Calvert Heidi Beard Susumu Honda Irene Honda Lana Holliday Mary Ann Bruce Night Joy Carlson Ray Stenstrom Margaret Stenstrom Charlotte Beth Stearman Mitchell Berk David Kieschnick Pat Hand Keith Stuessi

Bill Sayles Ed Hanz Gary Stott Vicky Olson Don Graumann Lauren Player Patrick Keegan Jacob Hautaluoma Ron Ludwig Heather Seipt Don Hovland Britt Cederstav

Guidance, Strength & Wisdom Stiegelmeier family Robbie Jim,Yung, Kathleen, Izzy Cheryl Carolyn Cooper Michael Sterner Wendy Carol &Loyd Manavi & Family Captain Luke Schaeffer Jonathan Ashbeck Don Cole Koffler Family Neto Jose Rodriguez Elvera Reuer Marisol & Oscar Kay Laurell Turner Carl Cederstav

Facing Surgery or Medical procedure Beca

Doris Senger

Recovering from Surgery Or Medical Procedure John DeLalla Alison Brian Donahue Herman Dick Al Marjorie Burton Pastor Sue Ericsson Matt Schaffer Shari Helsel Peggy Woodson Mosher Audrey Pine Mickie James

Safety & Protection [Spiritual & Physical] Peg Ross Jeffery Helsel Jolene Mullins Sarah Gaita Rev. John Lunn, Missionary to India & Liberia Matthew Tucker Joel Jonathan Heintz

Family and friends mourning for Tracey Sang (friend of Jones family) Richard Krull (Uncle of Meredith Manquist)

Please keep the following in your prayers this week:

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Calvary Lutheran Church 424 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach, CA 92075

(858) 755-2855 fax (858) 793-2821 www.CalvaryLutheranChurch.org

Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm \

Staff Senior Pastor—Rev. Dr. Lawrence L. Hand

clcpastor@roadrunner.com

Dir. Of Music—Dr. Aaron Mitchell clcmusicleader@gmail.com

Business Manager—Al Vanderpool clcbizmgr@roadrunner.com

Office Manager—Amanda Backsen

clcoffice@roadrunner.com

Property Maintenance —Hector Alcaraz clcoffice@roadrunner.com

Living in response to God's love, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus

Christ and equip all God's children to nurture and pass on faith.

Council

President Terry Bluemer Member Ann Hein

Vice-President Laura Riesenberg Member Anita Miller

Secretary Dick Beckman Member Mike Guerreiro

Treasurer Joe Dowling Member Jim Mainquist

Ministry Team Leaders

Communications & Technology Jeff Miller

Congregational Life OPEN

Faith Formation Teresa Kaldor

Giving Joanne Grueskin

Outreach Gene & Shari Helsel

Property Al Schlegel

Worship Dave & Pat Talmon