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Mission Statement of St. Jacob's Lutheran Church is to:

Believe in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world

Grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God

Serve others in love through Christ

Pastor's Message Most of you know that my father died on

November 9 of this year. He had been sick, and he

declined very, very fast. But somehow that did not

prepare me for his death that Wednesday morning.

I remember feeling a strange mix of emotions: a

bizarre combination of shock, loss, and relief. I

even felt joy because he was finally out of pain and

with Jesus. During the next few days and weeks –

and even still today - those emotions constantly

bounce around inside of me.

This will be my first Christmas without my

dad, and even in the days following his death, as I

walked through the aisles of a local store looking

for foam board for the picture display at his

memorial service I was bombarded with joyful

voices singing, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,”

and colorful lights twinkling on Christmas trees, all

of which seemed to mock me and the grief I felt.

I know that many people are experiencing

loss at this time of year, especially. Your grief may

be from For example, you may have been divorced

since the last Christmas or one of your sons or

daughters may be at war or a friendship may have

been broken over the last year. Perhaps it’s health

problems that have robbed you of many activities

The Courier

December 2011

St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Church

99 East George Street

P.O. Box 216

York New Salem, PA 17371

717-792-9531

Web Page: stjacobsluthyns.com

Email: sjluthyns@verizon.net

Rev. Lisa Hair

717-699-4715 (home)

717-880-9497 (cell)

Revs. John G. Bernheisel & Marshall H. Gante

Pastors Emeriti

Marcy Winters, Organist/Choir Director

Heather Van Dyke, Church Secretary

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that were common to your life before this year or

someone you love may have died.

Grief is an experience that is common to

everyone. Nobody who has ever lived on this earth

has been able to avoid it, but it often comes to us

when we least expect it. We can easily be

overwhelmed and stuck in grief for years, if we do

not have some understanding of it. So in order to

help those of us who are grieving some loss over the

Advent and Christmas seasons, here are a few

things that might help you cope:

1. Grief usually comes in waves, which lasts

about 20 to 30 minutes. The body cannot sustain strong grieving for

much longer than that. Sometimes we may be afraid

that strong grief will just consume us. We fear that

our grief will drag us down into a dark hole and we

will never be able to come out again.

When we remember that the waves have a

limit, we feel safe to let go, to cry, or talk or write

our feelings down. As time goes on, the grief waves

will come less and less. I learned that the Holy

Spirit is the God of all comfort (2 Cor.1:1-3) and we

need only to ask Him to enter those grief waves

with us. He will, and he will bring comfort. The

grief may still hurt, but we may not be nearly as

afraid.

2. Emotions don’t know time and space. Memories are stimulated through the senses.

For example, you may hear a familiar song that

takes you emotionally back to a very sad place. The

smell of potpourri may cause you to think of

familiar previous family rituals that can no longer

occur. The sight of a Christmas ornament can

remind you of people who are no longer alive.

Pay attention to your senses before each

holiday season begins. Begin to say to yourself,

“That was then and this is now.” Learn to pause

between the stimuli and your response. Eventually

we begin to practice enjoying what we have “now,”

rather than automatically letting ourselves move

emotionally backward in our minds. Celebrate the

season for what it is “right now”, remembering the

birth of Jesus, counting the ways His birth has

brought blessings and joy into your life.

It is a discipline that we have to practice

and, year by year, but this process may help us to

live in the present.

3. Confine and assign time to your feelings We don’t need to ignore our feelings

altogether, but it’s helpful to deliberately make a

time and place for them.

Set aside a period of time to think about the

loved one who has died, or the situation that has

brought about your grief and loss. Write about it in

a journal. Look through a scrapbook and talk about

it with your children or grandchildren, light a

Christmas candle and give thanks for the person’s

life. But remember to place a time limit on your

grief and nostalgia.

This does mean exercising some self-

control, making a decision to invest most of our

energy into the family members who are still with

us, serving friends and strangers who have needs.

Invest your energy more and more into serving than

grieving, and creating new memories, rather than

looking back.

Years from now, you may find yourself

writing or telling your grief story. Your pain will be

less, because you will have experienced the Lord’s

comfort. You will have also practiced the process of

grieving. You will know that every day is a new

day. Every day will train you to help others in grief,

just as our Lord promised.

There’s no doubt that the holidays can be a

sad time for those of us who are experiencing loss.

But with God’s strength and grace, He can help us

make it through the sadness finding peace and

healing that is found in Him –The Prince of Peace.

Jesus continues to seek and find us at Christmas,

bringing hope to our hurting hearts.

On behalf of the staff of St. Jacob’s Lutheran

Church, I wish you and yours a Blessed Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

Peace, Pastor Lisa

(excerpts taken from Handling Grief at Christmas,

from justbetweenus.org)

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Our Prayer Corner

Members Not at Home

Frances Brenneman - Pleasant Acres

Joye Trone - Manor Care North

Betty Grove - Country Meadows

Miriam Strine - Delaware Nursing Home

Marie Strausbaugh - Lutheran Home at Sprenkle

Village

Doris Wolf - Autumn House

George Snyder - Wonders Assisted Living

Members At Home

Agnes & Paul Aldinger; Melvin Aldinger;

Michele Dodson; Leroy & Bernice Landis; Ethel

Rishel; Jacque & Julie Rohrbaugh; Sam &

Mary Wildasin; Annabel Shubert; Gary Lehr;

Marie Miller; Thelma Landis; Delores Brillhart;

Dave Trone; Patty Watson

Armed Forces Members

Jason Forry, Josh Strayer, Josh Smith, Aaron

Ackwith

December Anniversaries December 26 Homer & Michele Dodson

December 27 Christina Riccio

December 30 Morton & Sharon St. Hart

December Birthdays December 1 Viona Starner

December 2 Jerry Yohe, Sr.

Karen Storm

December 6 Marie Miller

December 10 Arlene Niedzielski

December 12 Kenneth Shearer

December 13 Velma Travis

Melvin Aldinger

December 15 Ethel Rishel

December 16 Justin Ackwith

December 17 Alice Beard

Jody Rutters

December 18 Jacqueline Kramer

December 19 Jenny Rohrbaugh

December 22 Curtis Parrish

December 24 Rosita Hamm

December 27 Bernice Landis

December 29 Ann McCauslin

William Kramer

Corey Rohrbaugh

http://www.birthverse.com/mybirthverse.cfm Check out the above website for the Scripture Verse for your Birthday!!

CORRECTION TO THE DIRECTORY

Doris & Dianne Paradies New address: 1407 Third Avenue, York, PA 17403

Dear friends, Thank you all for the care, prayers, and the many expressions of sympathy and love expressed to us after David's death. We cannot begin to tell you how much they meant to us during a very difficult time, and how much your continuing care means to us now. Thank you for being God's love to us! In Christ, Carol Bobb and Pastor Lisa

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December/January Sponsors

Courier December Dolly Emig in honor of Pastor Lisa

January Dolly Emig

Sanctuary Candle December Nellie & Harold Koller in memory

of loved ones

January OPEN

Altar Flowers

December 4 Gerald Gingerich in memory of

father, William Gingerich

December 11 Bev Hagan in memory of her

parents, Ben & Addie Hyser

December 18 Sandy Oberdick - for the love of

our parents

December 24 Poinsettias

December 25 Sharon Hermann

January 1 OPEN

January 8 OPEN

January 15 OPEN

January 22 OPEN

January 29 OPEN

Bulletins December 4 Jack Landis

December 11 Bev Hagan in memory of loved

ones

December 18 OPEN

December 24 Nellie & Harold Koller in memory

of loved ones

December 25 OPEN

January 1 OPEN

January 8 OPEN

January 15 OPEN

January 22 OPEN

January 29 OPEN

Sponsorship Costs

Courier - $12 Bulletins - $20

Altar Flowers - $25 Sanctuary Candle - $10

Those Who Serve During December/January

Altar Guild December Jean & Phil Gerberick

Sound Curt Parrish, Jack Landis

Head Ushers December 4 - Dave Trone

December 11 - Larry Metzger

December 18 - Wendy Boutilier

December 24 - Phil Gerberick

December 25 - Doug Drawbaugh

January 1 - Dave Trone

January 8 - Wendy Boutilier

January 15 - Tim Rohrbaugh

January 22 - Mary Ann Barnes

January 29 - Doug Drawbaugh

Lectors December 4 - Mary Winter

December 11 - Shirley Hyser

December 18 - Charlotte Roser

December 24 - Gail Rohrbaugh

December 25 - Lesson & Carols

January 1 - Karen Drawbaugh

January 8 - Mary Winter

January 15 - Gail Rohrbaugh

January 22 - Mary Ann Barnes

January 29 - Shirley Hyser

Deacons December 4 - Mary Winter, Wendy Mitchell

December 24 - Gail Rohrbaugh, Tim Rohrbaugh

January 1 - Karen Drawbaugh, Phil Gerberick

January 8 - Mary Winter, Betty Mitchell

Communion Bread December 4 - Mary & Jeff Winter

December 24 - Gail & Tim Rohrbaugh

January 1 - Dave Trone

January 8 - Wendy & Rick Boutilier

Nursery December 4 - Regina Markley

December 11 - Sandy Oberdick

December 18 - Angie Stanton

December 24 - TBD

December 25 - TBD

January 1 - Todd Rohrbaugh

January 8 - Darlene Rutters

January 15 - Amanda Brown

January 22 - Jean Gerberick

January 29 - Sharon St. Hart

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Articles to read....

What Are the Colors of Advent?

Advent Colors and What They Symbolize

By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide

Purple has traditionally been the primary color of Advent, symbolizing repentance and fasting. Purple is also the color of royalty, demonstrating the anticipation and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent. Today, however, many churches have begun to use blue instead of purple, as a means of distinguishing Advent from Lent. Pink (or rose) is also one of the colors of Advent used during the third Sunday. It represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and toward celebration. White is the color of the center Advent candle, representing purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

STUFF YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU DIDN'T KNOW

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury. Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

Coco-Cola was originally green. It is impossible to lick your elbow.

The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...) The percentage of North America that is

wilderness: 38%. The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $16,400.

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair. The first novel ever written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:

Spades - King David Hearts - Charlemagne

Clubs - Alexander the Great Diamonds - Julius Caesar

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the

horse has one front let in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2nd, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Q: Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what? A: Their birthplace.

Q: Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name? A: Obsession.

If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find "A"? A: One thousand.

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ST. JACOBS EVENTS PAGE

WINTER WORSHIP HOURS Our fall/winter schedule is 9:15 AM Sunday School and 10:30 AM worship service.

SPONSOR SIGN-UP SHEETS POSTED The sign-up sheets for sponsors for the Courier, Bulletins, and Sanctuary Candle for 2012 have been posted on the

bulletin board. The cost for each are as follows: Sanctuary Candle - $10.00/month, Courier - $12.00/issue, Bulletins - $20.00/week.

CHRISTMAS BANQUET

WELCOME ONE AND ALL Friday, December 2, 2011 at 6 p.m. we will be holding our Annual Christmas Banquet. It will be in the basement at the church. We will be using a new caterer. We will have Roast Turkey & Ham, potatoes, filling, vegetables, gravy, roll & butter, relish and fruit cake for dessert. Cost will be $10.00. Please make checks payable to: St. Jacob's Lutheran Church.

CHRISTMAS TREE SET-UP The Christmas tree will be set up on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 9 a.m. Please join us as we decorate the church for

Christmas - all help is much appreciated!

BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS

Our Birthday Party for Jesus will be held Sunday, December 11, 2011 during the worship service. Our gifts make it possible for the 365-plus residents of Pleasant Acres to receive a Christmas package. Your helping hand touches neighbors, family and friends who now call Pleasant Acres "home". Adult gifts will be delivered to Pleasant Acres. Children's gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army. They need games, toys, etc. Please label each gift as to man, woman, boy, or girl and the clothing size. Gifts may be wrapped. The children will again gather the gifts and place them under the tree.

Christmas Gift List 2011 Men - Pants(washable)-cotton blends or sweats-Elastic waist or fitted - size 34-54; Casual shirt-cotton blends-sizes S-XXXL; Fleece

sweat suits-sizes S-XXXL; Cardigan sweaters-acrylic or fleece - size S-XXXL; Underwear and t-shirt - all sizes Women - House Dresses-open front - size S-XXXL; Cardigan Sweaters-acrylic or fleece - size S-XXXL; Fleece sweat suits-size S-

XXXL; Sleeveless undershirts - size S-XXXL; Underwear-cotton blends or nylon - all sizes; Hair notions-Ponytail bands, brushes & barrettes General - Watches with large numbers; Boxed jewelry sets/necklaces(over the head); Cosmetics/nail polish/small mirrors;

tissues(boxes only); Postage stamps; Batteries(AA, AAA, C & D); Quarters for vending machines; Art Supplies-colored pencils, crayons, etc.; Inexpensive Universal Remote Controls for TV; Craft supplies-scrapbook supplies, yarn, craft paint & brushes, artificial flowers, fabric; Word search books(large print); Large print books/Magnifying glass; Small coin purses/wallets; Comforters/bedspreads(twin size); Throw blankets; Large piece puzzles(100 pc); Board games

Christian Life & Outreach Committee

ADVENT KNIT TREE The Advent Knit Tree will be in the narthex, November 27th through December 18th. Please decorate it with new knit items. The knit items will be taken after Sunday, December 18th to the Bell Family Shelter for Christmas Distribution.

Thank you! ---Joan Metzger

UPCOMING HOLIDAY SERVICE NOTES

Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th: Communion Service @ 7 p.m. Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th: Lessons & Carols Service @ 10:30 a.m., NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

New Years Day, Sunday, January 1st: Communion Service @ 10:30 a.m., NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN ENRICHMENT GROUP

The Christian Enrichment Group will resume on Thursdays in January 2012. More details to follow.

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UPCOMING CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

December 18, 2011 - Approve the budget, Nomination of Council and Cemetery Board Representatives

December 25, 2011 - Election of Council persons (if needed) January 29, 2012 - ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - Approve Annual Report

GIANT FOODS CASH/GIFT CARD PROJECT

Card sales in 2011 reached $18,705 at the end of October or a monthly average of $1,871. At this rate a profit (5% of sales) of over $1,100 can be achieved this year, the best yet! If you do or can shop at Giant, the gift cards can be used for general grocery shopping, gasoline, or gifts to others. In December, it is planned to have some $10 and $20 cards available -- great gifts for newspaper or mail delivery persons, etc. The cards can be purchased after most Sunday services in the "parlor" room back by the elevator. Denominations of $100, $50, and $25 are usually available. Join in this project to help pay General Fund expenses -- and THANKS to all already doing so. Finance Committee (LRM)

OCTOBER 22ND YARD SALE RESULTS

Total proceeds for the Yard Sale were $2343. The "Youth Bake Sale" amounted to $183; and 50% of that was deposited in the Youth account. $98 from the Quilt and Silver Tea Set raffle sales was deposited in the

Food Pantry. Kitchen food sales were significant and contributed $485 toward the Yard Sale results. The net remaining, after accounting for the Youth and Raffle deposits, was $2,154, which was split equally between the

Food Pantry and the Stained Glass Window Fund ($1077 each). A big thank you to Arlene (and Bob) Niedzielski for all the organization, plus the many volunteers that yielded such a successful Yard Sale for 2011.

It is hard to acknowledge the cooperative effort of many who contributed time, goods, food, etc. ----but........THANK YOU!!

GENERAL FUND DEFICIT - OCTOBER 31, 2011

The General Fund Deficit increased in October by $823, raising the 10 month deficit to $2,691. This is notably better than the equivalent 10 month deficits the prior three years, which were: 2010 - $6,511; 2009 - $8,191;

and 2008 - $6,038. Comparable reductions in 2009 and 2008 were: $3,829 to -$4,362, and $3,551 to -$2,557, as final deficits respectively.

Obviously, continuous deficits cannot be sustained. We have a reasonable chance to erase the present $2,691 deficit by year end, with good Nov.-Dec. givings. The Finance Committee recommended and Council approved having a special "Catch-Up Envelope" in December. You will find such an envelope attached to the December Courier. Of course, gifts can be placed in any plain envelope and labeled as "Catch-Up", and can be given up through December 25, the last 2011 collection. Later gifts would, of course, still lower the deficit

situation, but would probably be included in 2012 Income. The Christmas Envelope from your box can also be used for extra giving to achieve a surplus this year.

Please prayerfully consider your year-end gifts - which are crucial to support our on-going church activities! Make 2011 end with a General Fund Surplus!!

--Finance Committee (LRM)

DEADLINE FOR COURIER ARTICLES Articles and information for the Courier are due by the 15th of each month. Please place articles in the "newsletter" box in the office. Thank you.

Tip:

Detach this page and place on your refrigerator as a reminder of upcoming events!

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KIDS' CORNER

Luke 2 :1-14 (NIV)

Joseph Mary

Bethlehem baby born

wrapped clothes

manger room inn

shepherds watch

flocks angel appeared

afraid sign

glory peace earth

Bible Memory Verse

"This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:12 (NIV)

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KIDS' COLORING PAGE

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December 2011 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

LOOKING AHEAD:

January 1st - 10:30 a.m. - Communion Service (NO Sunday School) January 29th - Annual Congregational Meeting

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

1 Scouts - 6 p.m.

Pack Food Boxes

- 7 p.m.

2 CHRISTMAS

BANQUET - 6 P.M.

3 Breakfast with Santa

Claus @ St. Jacob's UCC - 9 a.m.

FOOD PANTRY - 10 am

4 2nd Sunday in Advent

Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Worship - 10:30 a.m.

5 Scouts - 6 p.m.

COUNCIL - 7 p.m.

6 7 8 Scouts - 6 p.m.

9 10 Christmas Tree

Set-up - 9 a.m.

11 3rd Sunday in Advent Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Birthday party for

Jesus during Worship

12 Scouts - 6 p.m.

13 14 15 COURIER

ARTICLES DUE

Scouts - 6 p.m.

Pack Food Boxes

- 7 p.m.

16 17 CHRISTMAS

FOOD PANTRY -

10 A.M.

18 4th Sunday in Advent Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Worship - 10:30 a.m.

CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING - Budget & Council Nominations

19 Scouts - 6 p.m.

20 21 22 Scouts - 6 p.m.

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Christmas Caroling

with St. Jacob's UCC

24 CHRISTMAS EVE

Communion Service - 7 p.m.

25CHRISTMAS DAY

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

-Lessons & Carols CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING - Council

Elections (if needed)

26 27

28 29 Scouts - 6 p.m.

30 31

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ST. JACOBS LUTHERAN CHURCH P.O. Box 216 York New Salem, PA 17371-0216

Return Service Requested

Come Join us for

Worship

Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Paid

BULK RATE

Permit No.1 York New Salem, PA