Greetings in the name of Jesus!
The leaves of summer have fallen, the celebration of Reformation Day has come and gone, and now we are drawing to the end of the current Church year.
These can be dark days as far as the weather is concerned with the usual increase of clouds and rain.
The moods for the Sundays at the end of the church year are generally somber as they deal with the sinfulness of the world, and the accountability that everyone has before God.
We look forward to the days of preparation and celebration that are soon to come as we turn our thoughts to the birth of Jesus. So, like the trumpet heralds in the picture, we have the wonderful task of announcing the day of Thanksgiving and the season of Advent that follows immediately after.
At Emmanuel we celebrate Thanksgiving on the evening before. On Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 25th at that 7 PM service we will receive special expressions of Thanksgiving by gathering food stuffs and health and hygiene products for the Hudson food shelf. Our Thanksgiving gifts of money will be designated for the mission outreach that is being done through "The friends of China" ministries. All this follows the exhortation: "O give thanks unto the Lord"
A special gift to the church will be seen for the first time on the Sunday following Thanksgiving as a seasonal stole is presented for pastor to wear. The color is purple, the traditional color for the Advent Season which begins on Sunday Nov. 29th this year. (The Advent season continues through December up to the 23rd.) These stoles and others as they may be added, will become a welcome addition to the altar cloths that are currently shown decorating the altar, pulpit and lecturn of church.
During Advent the following worship schedule will be observed:
11/29 - 9AM 1st Sunday in Advent
12/2 - 7PM 1st Wed in Advent (Preceded by a family potluck time in the fellowship areas of church)
12/6 - 9AM 2nd Sunday in Advent
12/9 - 7PM 2nd Wed in Advent (Preceded by a family potluck time in the fellowship areas of church)
12/13 - 9AM 3rd Sunday in Advent
12/16 - 7PM 3rd Wed in Advent (Preceded by a family potluck time in the fellowship areas of church)
12/20 - 9AM special family pre-Christmas service for Sunday school and preschool children and their families. The public is invited to join our congregation as always for this special service.
12/24 - 7PM Christmas Eve Service
12/25 - 9AM Christmas Day service
You are welcome to join our Emmanuel families for any and all of these services and activities. If you have any questions please give the church office (715-386-9851) or Pastor Kogler (651-283-9876) a call.
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