ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 22 - 28, 2024

Fourth Sunday in Advent

 Divine Service, Setting  Four, with Holy Communion at 10:30AM

Streaming of the service begins at 10:15 AM

Micah 5:2–5; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–56

December 22 - Divine Service at 10:30 a.m. (Sunday School/Adult Bible Study at 9:15 a.m.)

December 24 - Christmas Eve Divine Service at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

December 25 - Christmas Day Divine Service at 10 a.m.

The new ADVENT WREATH holding our advent candles was donated in Memory of Pat Dorler who now rests in the peace of her Savior. 

The Altar Guild has ordered 20 red poinsettias in 6” pots (same size as last year)to beautify our altar at Christmas. Each plant will be $9,00. A sign up sheet will be posted in the narthex. As last year if you want more than one, please use the same number of lines, i.e. 2 plants - 2 lines, etc. checks should be made out to Concordia with "poinsettias” noted on the check. If paid by cash please use church envelope and note on cover “poinsettia”.

SUNDAY Snacks with coffee - Thanks to all those who signed up to bring snacks. Please contact Lilly if you have questions or would like to help clean up.

 -December 22 - Trudy Fletcher

 -December 29 - Mary Beth Rigby

 -January 5 - Amira Kummer

✛THIS WEEK and EVERY WEEK+ 

Altar Flowers - today's altar flowers are presented by Neil and Sharon Cornell in memory of our parents, Chester and Margaret Cornell  and Lawrence and Viola Wingert. Sign up for altar flowers on the signup sheet outside Library bulletin board. Each bouquet is $20 and payment should be marked 'altar flowers' and date dedicated. You now have access to the new 2025 flower calendar on the wall outside library.

Sunday School - Classes for all age groups. Adult Bible class continues at 9:15 AM. We are reading Revelation in the adult class. CHOIR practice at 08:15 AM. BELL Choir Rehearsal: returns at 9:20AM. 

Tuesday - Bible Study is now studying Matthew. We meet at 1 PM  in the Mueller room at church.

Wednesday - Handmade Prayers (Prayer Shawl Ministry) meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10 AM in Mueller Library.

Thursday - Men's Bible Breakfast (MBB) meets on Thursday mornings at 8 AM via zoom. The format is discussion of the Lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. For more information email Dan Good.

✛FELLOWSHIP✛

CATECHESIS - religious instruction given to a person in preparation for Christian baptism or confirmation typically using a catechism...i.e. Martin Luther's small Catechism.

Hallowed be Thy Name - What are we asking when we pray that God's name be kept holy?  We pray that God our Father would help us to keep His name holy by: speaking truthfully about his word, living according to His Word.

How is God's name profaned?: Our Father's name is profaned (dishonored) - when anyone teaches something as His Word that is in fact NOT His Word, when anyone lives contrary to His will as expressed in His Word.

Thy Kingdom Come What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

 How does God's Kingdom come?  God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by HIS grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

What is the kingdom of God for which Jesus teaches us to pray?  It is the gracious rule and reign of God that was promised in the Old Testament *was ushered in by Jesus' incarnation, public ministry, death and resurrection, *comes to us here and now by His Spirit through the Word; *will be brought into its fullness when Christ restores all things and returns to glory.

✛EDUCATION✛

Lutheran Talk and Music App - You can listen to Lutheran talk and music 24/7, anytime, anywhere with the free Lutheran Public Radio app.  You can download for your cell phone at the App Store, Google Play or at issuesetc.org, or go to their mobilized websites: issuesetc.org and lutheranpublicradio.org.

Checkout the podcast Tangible, too. Scholarly insight on a variety of issues that make faith real–tangible. Search for it on your podcast app.

Sunday School - Classes by age group begin at 9:15.

Sunday Adult Bible - Meets in the Mueller Room at 9:15. We are now reading Revelation. 

Weekday Bible Study - We meet on Tuesdays at 1:00 PM with Pastor Dave.  We are studying Matthew.  

Men's Breakfast Bible Study - This group meets on Thursday at 8:00 A.M. to study the readings from the lectionary for the coming Sunday. For more information contact Dan Good. 

✛SERVICE✛

Dear, Concordia,

Many more thanks to all who provided the requested sandwiches for November. As you have read we provided at least 200 PB&J’s for distribution prior to Thanksgiving. Now we turn to December! Our day to serve is the 27th - just 2 days after Christmas! In the 17th verse of Proverbs 19 says “Whoever is generous to the poor gives honor to the Lord” and in Acts 20:5 we are told “It is more blessed to give than receive”. In this season of giving, let’s remember the less fortunate and food challenged resident of Wilmington and take time to prepare a casserole and/or brownies. Please have them in the freezer by Sunday, December 22. Thank you all for all you do for our needy neighbors,                                   

Dale and George

Casseroles are needed for the 27th of December; Concordia's day to serve EDR! Help feed people who are  hungry by making a casserole or brownies for EDR!  Recipe (Click).   

As a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Orphan Grain Train is a Christian volunteer network that sends donated clothing, shoes, medical and other needed items to people in need. We meet Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. to sort and pack donations for shipping. Our location is the warehouse next to the Dansko outlet: 8 Federal Rd, West Grove, PA, 19390. 

Read all about OGT on the bulletin board by the library, or visit our webpage for hours of operation, the latest updates, and to review the full list of materials our recipients need most. Donated items may be placed in the closet in All Saints' Hall (to the right as you enter the room). Contact Tom Fuesler or Carla Niesen with any questions. Hard to imagine how exciting it is for those who receive our 'throw aways / I don't need this anymore' possessions – we are so blessed! If you have questions please contact Tom Fuesler or Carla Niesen.

OGT NEWS Updates - Go to the SERVICE tab at the top and click on Orphan Grain Train. 

Meals on Wheels - Serving our community meals during the last full week of each month (January 27-31, 2025). The time commitment is usually 1 1/2 hrs. (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM). Please contact Susan Fuesler or email the office at info@concordiade.com. Meals are picked up at Silverside Church with directions for delivery route. Please consider volunteering; you will bless others and be greatly blessed as well!  

Handmade Prayers - Next meeting January 8, 2025 in the Mueller Library. This is a working meeting so bring your yarn projects! We welcome anyone that is interested in crocheting or knitting to join us. If you know someone that is in need of a gift from us, please let us know. 

✛STEWARDSHIP✛

Online Giving is Available – Click HERE. Let us thank Jesus that He continues to provide for us! Offerings can be set up through your bank or your credit card. Questions related to financial giving can be addressed to financialsec@concordiade.com. 

Offerings – Please help the counters: by writing your name on your envelope or attaching an address label.