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be changed and redeemed to become God’s new creation. We yearn, espe-cially during this season, for God’s kingdom to come and be born among us. We yearn for peace, for whole-ness, for healing, for the honoring and valuing of people, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the libera-tion of the unjustly imprisoned and detained.
Advent brings into contrast both the misery of the cur-rent creation and the hopefulness we have through the coming of Jesus. For we defiantly proclaim that one day the God of love will prevail in the
redemption of the entire world, and in the fulfillment of the new creation!
Advent has always been one of my favorite church seasons of the year. I suppose that is because it such a stir-ringly emotive season. It is the season of expectation, not only for Christmas, but for the fulfillment of all of God’s desires for the world. Just as Mary was pregnant with Jesus before giving birth, so too is this world expectantly “groaning in labor pains” (Romans 8:22) for the birth one day of God’s kingdom. The yearning, the expectancy, inherent in the season of Ad-vent focuses clearly on the stark reality of this world: that all is not yet as it should be. Misery, hunger, calamity, poverty, illness, discrimina-tion, war, and death still prevail. And yet our loving God desires and is work-ing toward the day when this world will
MUDDY CREEK LUTHERAN w w w . m c l c h u r c h . o r g 3 3 6 - 2 7 7 0
S pe c i a l po i n t s o f
i n t e r e s t :
Christmas Eve
Caroling
Ladies’ Night Out
Giving Tree
Choir Cantata
Sunday School Christ-
mas Program
D e c e mbe r 2 0 1 6
From the Pastors
Advent: A Time of Expectation and Yearning
Advent and Christmas Worship December 4—Second Sunday of Advent, Communion at 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
December 11—One Service of Carols and the Sunday School Christmas Program, 10:15 a.m.,
followed by the Congregational Meeting
December 18—One Service, Christmas Cantata at 10:15 a.m.
December 24—Christmas Eve Services
4:30 p.m.—Candlelight Service with carols, readings, children’s message, sermon, special music. The children’s bells will perform.
10:30 p.m.—Candlelight Service with carols, readings, sermon, Muddy Creek Choir, and communion.
December 25—One Service at 9:30 a.m.
January 1—One Service at 9:30 a.m.
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Upcoming Opportunities
Choir Cantata
10:15 a.m.
Sunday, December 18
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to enjoy this special Sunday where there will be congrega-tional carol singing as well as the choir cantata! Why not invite a friend to join you as we celebrate the season!
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Services
Come and celebrate the season with our youth and children who will be offering their gifts of music and drama to remind us again of the wondrous story of Christ’s birth! There will be music, joy, bells, and the opportunity to join your voice with everyone in many favorite carols.
On Christmas Eve, you will have two worship options to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The first service is at 4:30 p.m. and will include carols, a chil-dren’s message, a sermon, spe-cial music, childrens’ bells, and candlelighting. This may be a good option for those who have other evening celebra-
tions with family, prefer not to drive late at night, or who have family members who go to bed at an earlier hour.
The second service is at 10:30 p.m. and will include carols, sermon, music from the choir, communion, and candlelighting. This is an excel-lent traditional option for those who wish to wor-ship late in the evening and greet Christmas Day at midnight.
We hope to see you on Christmas Eve, along with any family who may be visiting or friends that you wish to invite. What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Christ!
Giving Tree
Beginning November 27, you are invited to support our holiday “Giving Tree” project by bringing in items for House of His Crea-tion in Lititz. The Giving Tree will be located over by the mailboxes. Please take a tag from the tree listing a gift to bring in for the mothers and children served by this organization. There will also be tags for yarn to bring in for the Prayer Shawl group.
Please bring in your gifts by Sunday, December 18th. Please wrap the gifts for the House of His Cre-ation and attach the tag you took from the Giving Tree. Yarn can be brought in at any time.
Thank you for helping to make Christmas more happy for children and families, and for supporting this project of the Social Ministry Committee at Muddy Creek.
Christmas Eve
Lawn Signs
Help spread the word about Muddy Creek’s Christmas Eve services! Beginning Dec. 4, the Evangelism Committee will be handing out yard signs which list the times of Christmas Eve services at Muddy Creek. All are invited to take one to put up on your lawn.
Questions, contact Brenda Berger at 336-6886 or [email protected].
Poinsettias The deadline for ordering red or white poinsettias (5 buds each) to help decorate the church for the Ad-
vent/Christmas Season is Sunday, December 4. The cost is $6.30 each, and they may be given in honor or in memory of someone. Forms are available at the church, or you may call the office to place your order.
Service of Carols
And Sunday School
Christmas Program
10:15 a.m. December 11
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Upcoming Opportunities
Youth, Children and Family
Christmas Caroling (Cookies too!)
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6:30 -8:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to come and sing carols to some special people near the church and then enjoy a few homemade Christmas cookies! Jingle bells and Santa hats appreciated!
Ladies’ Night Out
Friday, Dec. 9, 6:00 p.m.
Cookie Exchange & Christmas Games
Come join the ladies of Muddy Creek and friends for a fun night out. The night will begin with a provided lunch followed by some Christmas games. The evening will conclude with a cookie exchange. In order to collect cookies to take home with you, bring 5 dozen of the same kind of cookie, and a copy of the recipe. And don’t forget to also bring an empty cookie container to take home your cookie assort-ment! Please sign up on the table under the mailbox-es. Everyone can bring one guest. Note: Each person who wants to collect cookies should bring 5 dozen cookies with them! Hope to see everyone there!
Congregational Meeting
Sunday December 11
The Congregational Meeting to approve the 2017 Budget and elect Church Council members and Cem-etery Board members will be on Sunday, Dec. 11, fol-lowing the 10:15 Sunday School Christmas Program and Service. Copies of the proposed budget are availa-ble on the table under the mailboxes.
The Nominating Committee is nominating the fol-lowing people for the election to Church Council (four to be elected): Nick Duong, Tim Fritz, Mike Leid, John Schutter and John Shreiner. Dean Lutz is being nominated for the Cemetery Board.
Also, a Budget Hearing will be held on Sunday Dec. 4 at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall. This is an excellent opportunity to come with any questions, or to learn more about the budget.
Confirmation Gatherings
Youth in grades 6—9 are invited to attend mid-week gatherings at the church. Friends always welcome!
This month’s Wednesday Gatherings
6:30—8:00 pm
December 7
December 21 (Christmas Caroling)
This month’s Parent Class
Sunday, December 4 at 9 a.m.
Jesus ‘n Me Parent/Child Group
Monthly Sunday Mornings 9:00 am
0—4 year olds
Come join the fun in this interactive experience for parents and children (grandparents, or other adults are welcome with their little ones too!). Pastor Peter will lead everyone in simple songs, stories, activities, para-chute play, puppets, and more.
December meeting: December 18
Theme: “A Christmas Celebration”
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News and Notes
We welcomed Landon Jacob Brooks through baptism on October 30th. Landon is the son of Cole and Katie Brooks.
Our sympathy to the family of Ruth Leid Potteiger, who died on November 10, 2016. The funeral was held at Mud-dy Creek on November 17.
Church Council
The Church Council received a presentation about the Lutheran Camping Corporation from the district dean, Rev. Tim Craven. The Nominating Committee presented five names for the Dec. 11th Church Council election, and one name for the Cemetery Board Election. Proposed changes from the ELCA for our Congregational Constitution were reviewed, for presentation at the January Congregational meeting.
Christian Education
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Youth Soup and Sandwich Fundraiser. Special thanks to Audrey Noll for coordinating the event. The youth raised nearly $800 for upcoming youth events!
Parish Life
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Corn Maze event a great success. There was a great turn out.
Property
The Property Committee wishes to thank the numerous wonderful volunteers who came out to rake leaves and help for the Outdoor Clean Up on Nov. 5. Also, the re-glazing of the all the storm windows covering the stained glass windows on both the south and east sides of the church was completed.
Council and Committee Highlights
2017 Offering Envelope Change: To be more cost effective, the 2017 envelopes will be issued in alphabetical order. This will eliminate numbers not currently being used.
Giving Statements for 2016: Anyone wishing to receive a giving statement who did not receive one in the past should contact Nedra Bearinger at 336-7444 before January 1, 2017 in order to receive one. 2017 Envelopes: These will be available in your mailbox in the annex beginning Sunday, Dec. 4. Please be sure to write your designations for your offering on the outside of each envelope: Current: general operating expenses Benevolence: mission dollars for the work of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA Building/Improvement: building and improvement projects at Muddy Creek Other: special needs designated by your choice such as altar flowers, Organ Fund, World Hunger, Good Samaritan Fund, Ephrata Area Social Services, Luther Care etc. Special Envelopes: (Communion, Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) money goes to the mission of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA unless it is designated otherwise. Simply Giving Program: This is an option, used by many at Muddy Creek, whereby you can have your contributions electronically deducted from your bank account. You will still receive envelopes in case you want to use them for spe-cial offerings, or if you would like to place an empty envelope in the plate with SG written in the top right corner. Electronic giving provides convenience for you and much needed donation consistency for our congregation. Getting started is easy and can be done by using forms available in the money counting room following worship each Sunday. Bank Bill Pay: Please also consider using your bank’s online bill pay option to give offering to Muddy Creek .
Offering Envelope and Year End Giving Statement Information
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December Birthdays
A Special Happy Birthday to our “Over 80” Members
Brenda & Friends Tours
Dec. 1—Gaither Christmas Concert at the Giant Center
Dec. 3—Dickens of a Christmas in Wellsboro
Dec. 10—Christmas at Mount Vernon
For more info contact Brenda at 336-6886 or
More info also on hallway table outside church office
Andrew Rutt
John Lutz-Kulp
Scott Youndt
Misty Ebersole
Brett Kemper
Haley Leed
Stanley Weaver
Cynthia Czarnecki
Stephen Ramsey
Timothy Leed
Kendra Seidel
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JoAnn Loose
Mark Brier
Travis Gerhart
Lydian Leed
Ella Sensenig
Cannon Youndt
Wade Nixon
Robin Schnader
Mikayla Eshleman
Fern Lausch
Heather Colabove
Kash Weaver
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December 11, 1930 Ella Sensenig
Age 86 Fairmount Home
33 Wheat Ridge Dr.
Ephrata, PA 17522
December 14, 1928 Fern Lausch
Age 88 68 St. John Circle
Lititz, PA 17543
December 24, 1931 Mary Ann Fritz
Age 85 28 East Swartzville Rd.
Denver, PA 17517
NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 11, 2016
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John Muscavage
Anne Nuss
Amanda Dittmer
Avery Rideout
Robert Rutt
Jerrry Beck
Karen Schnader
Nicole Snader
Donald Busser
Carter Greene
Shelby Stuck
Alexander Stuck
Carissa Witmer
Mary Ann Fritz
Mary Jo Wummer
Michael Bordner
Sandra Schutter
Todd Schweitzer
Hunter Heist
Jennifer Schweitzer
Holly Schnader
Claire Brier
Cole Brooks
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ANNUAL REPORT DEADLINE: December 11, 2016
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Coffee Ministry
December
4 Terri and Will Meckley
11 The Youndt family
18 Still needed
25 No Coffee Ministry
(please sign up on the clipboard on coffee table to help)
Money Counters
December
4 Lori and Mike Martin, Josephine Martin
11 Linda and Tim Fritz, David Sensenig
18 Gail and Ted Bare
25 Jeanette and Mike Leid
January 2017
1 Connie Harding, Diane Leed
8 Walter and Marie Buohl, John Schutter
15 Gloria Aseli, Brenda Berger, Audrey Noll
22 Sara and Ken Frazer, Carl Schenskie
29 Linda Gerhart, Hollie Kemper, Jim Weber
Ushers
December 4 Team 2, Michael Leid, Capt.
December 11,18,25 Team 8, Church Council
Dec. 24 (4:30 pm) Team 8, Church Council
Dec. 24 (10:30pm) Team 1, Julie Emrhein, Capt. Altar Guild
December Brenda Shreiner and Jane Wenger
January Marie and Walter Buohl
Bulletin Folders
(Thursday unless noted)
December
1 Joyce and Ernie Litzenberger
8 Kathleen Ebling, Charmaine Wenrich
15 Joe Dietrich
22 Becky and Bud Thunberg
29 Audrey and Roger Noll
January
5 Brenda and John Shreiner
12 June and Neal Leid
19 Charles and Janet Frantz, Pat Artz
26 Audrey and Roger Noll
Lay Readers
December
4 William Wood
11 none needed
18 none needed
25 none needed
Worship Helpers
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January 29, Sunday —Annual Congregational Meeting
March 1, Wednesday—Ash Wednesday Service
Worship Helpers
Acolytes
December
4 Brandon Walzl
11 Ryan Brubaker
18 Sada Aungst
24 Needed (4:30 p.m.)
24 Courtney Zwally (10:30 p.m.)
25 Needed (9:30 a.m.)
January 2017
1 Needed (9:30 a.m.)
8 Will Meckley
15 Clay Hartman
22 Lucas Killian
29 Brandon Walzl
Upcoming Events
Worship Sunday School
October 30 139 19
November 6 143 44
November 13 120 33
November 20 105 36
Income Actual Expenses
October $ 17,941.86 $ 13,540.11
Year thru Oct. $153,336.47 $160,166.69
Attendance and Giving Report
Nursery
(10:15 unless noted)
December
4 8 a.m. Don & Nora Busser
10:15 a.m. Michelle and Scott Dimitris
11 No Nursery—SS Christmas Program
18 Jill Youndt, Brandon Walzl
25 No Nursery
January 2017
1 No Nursery
8 8 a.m. Don and Nora Busser
10:15 a.m. Michelle and Scott Dimitris
15 Michelle Walzl, Brenda Shreiner
22 Jill Youndt, Brandon Walzl
29 Jeff and Anne Brubaker
Communion Assistant
December 4 Kelby Weaver
December 24 Janine Aungst (10:30 p.m.)
January 8 Courtney Zwally
December Office Hours
Church Office: Tues & Thurs 9:00 am—11:30 am
Pastors: Tuesday 9:00 am—11:00 am
Thursday 9:00 am– 11:00 am
Additional hours by appointment and at
various times throughout the week
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Mar
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Bre
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inda
Ber
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Pre
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Bra
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Vic
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Walt
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Council
Sec
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Gail
Bare
Tre
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Str
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T
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Mudd
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Lu
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hu
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1 S
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udd
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Road
, D
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