1

Office hours: M-R, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.1310 Main St. Eau Claire, WI 54701 715-832-2421 office@spiritlutheran.org www.spiritlutheran.org

NEWSSunday, December 17

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:30 a.m. Shine (Education) 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 5:00 p.m. Dinner, worship,

SHINE Youth & Adult Education

LET'S THANK PADEE! (BRING YOUR CARDS AND GIFTS TO SPIRIT) Padee has been the “face of Spirit Lutheran” for 3 years (even before Spirit was born) and we will miss her. She has been the one who welcomes and greets anyone coming through the doors during the week. Padee has developed our social media presence, and been the “go to” person for just about everything. Even as I write this newsletter article, I wonder what it will be like without Padee around here!

Being the creative, hardworking soul that she is, please join me in blessing Padee as she leaves us for the next chapter in her life. Whatever that might be,

know that we will always admire you for the mother, wife, and family member that you are, balancing this along with your outside work and volunteer activities. Remember that the door to Spirit is always open for you, as you have taught us how to be welcoming to all people.

Padee has politely declined the invitation for us to wish her well with Sunday coffee (or even another ice cream social)! If you know her, she doesn’t like to be the center of attention. But please take the opportunity to thank her with a card or gift for all she has done for Spirit. You can bring your cards to the office, and we will see that they are delivered, along with our thoughts and prayers to Padee and her family.

– Pastor Jim Ahlquist

Mercy Circle will meet Tuesday, December 19 for potluck, 5:30pm at Gloria Seidel's place.

2

The congregation of Spirit Lutheran and the Spirit Lutheran Foundation give thanks for the following gifts received in November 2017:

A gift in memory of Ernest Anderson & Nethis PetersonA gift in honor of Jan Andresen & Tony HotujecA gift in memory of Peggy BuckleyGifts in memory of Mark EvensonA gift in memory of Harold & Adeline HoffeeGifts in memory of Harold LavikGifts in memory of Milo MoeA gift in memory of David Nanstad

REACHING OUT IN LOVE

Spirit Worship Attendance

Wednesday, December 6 5:50 pm: 55

Sunday, December 108:30 am: 12610:30 am: 90

Spirit's November Offerings

November Offerings: $19,162.42Automatic Giviing: $13,511Total Offerings: $32,673.42

November Memorials: $1,130.00November Noisy Offering: $458.61 Malawi Bowl: $83.75

Spirit Prayer Chain

Prayer is powerful and we need to pray for each other within our family of Spirit. This is the start of our prayer list, with people being prayed for by name in worship. Please take a moment each day to inlcude these Spirit people in your prayers.

Charlie A.Helene A.Daniel B.Joyce B. Mel B.Ruth B.Barbara E. Lowell H. Keith J. Barbara K.

If you, or someone you know would like to be on our prayer list or is hospitalized, please contact the church at 715-832-2421.

Sharon L. Curt M. Phyllis N.Braxten P.Arne P. Sonja T. Diane S.Paul S.Tonya S.Charles

Purchase Poinsettias!

• Poinsettias are available to purchase for $6.25 each.

• Supply is limited to 25 plants.• Find our signup sheet in the narthex.• Plants may be picked up at church

following worship on Christmas Day.• Payment is due by Sunday, December 17.• Make checks payable to Spirit Lutheran.

3

STAY INFORMED! Share Your Christmas with Christ!

You are invited to share your Christmas with Christ at Spirit Lutheran during this Advent and Christmas season. Come and worship!

December 17 – 8:30 a.m. Advent Worship Service– 10:30 a.m. Shine Christmas Program – 3:00 p.m. "The Spirit of Christmas" Music Celebration

December 24 – 9:00 a.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service – 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 25 – 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Festival Service

December 31 – 9:00 a.m. 1st Sunday of Christmas Worship Service

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

This Friday, December 15 will be Padee’s last day with us. If you, or someone you know might be interested in sharing some volunteer time, please let Mark in the office know. Also, if you have suggestions for potential candidates for the position, contact Jeff Lorentz at 715-864-1436, as our Executive Team continues to meet. Thank you!

Have a good day.

I use this phrase quite often. I say it to my children when they head out to the bus stop. I say it to my childcare provider and I say it often to the many familiar and unfamiliar faces that walk into or out of my office at Spirit. Spirit, formerly the Our Savior’s building, has been my sanctuary for the past three years. I’ve had the opportunity to work with hardworking individuals and met many graceful and loving members. Though Spirit has been a wonderful and supportive place, it’s time I shift my focus back on goals I’ve set for myself many years ago to pursue other opportunities in the creative field. I am sad to say my last day here will be December 15. I look forward to see the continued growth and noise here! Spirit has come a long way!

Thank you all who have made this place comfortable for me and I’ll cherish that forever. Have a good day!

–Padee Khang, Communications Manager

Thank you for your generous donations throughout the year!

Many of you will want to make a gift in December. Keep in mind if the donation is dropped into the offering plate, or turned in to the church office, or mailed to the church, the church must receive your offering on or before December 31. If you are out of town and plan on mailing in your last donation for 2017, please make sure it is postmarked on or before December 30. All offerings given or postmarked in 2018 will go on your 2018 giving statement. If any questions, please contact Brenda Thalacker at bthalacker@spiritlutheran.org

Hospitalized? Upcoming surgery? Moving?

Recently, a member of Spirit was hospitalized for almost 3 weeks, and the pastors were not aware of it. No longer do the hospitals let us know, and sometimes due to system glitches and confidentiality, we never find out. Pastors Jim and Roger want to visit and pray with you, and are usually at the hospitals several times a week. Please let us know if you, a family member, or a friend would like us to visit, or at least include you in our prayers.

Thanks to our Care Partners, we try to visit and give Communion to people unable to come to church. We appreciate you letting us know if you are missed. If you would like a visit from a pastor, let us know. If you know of someone we are missing, we are not offended by your suggestions! And if you would like to be a Care Partner, we would love to equip you with what might be helpful in your visits.

Did you know that our congregation has over 140 people age 80+? Three of these (soon four) are 100+! What wonderful resources of wisdom are these children of God! What a blessing for all of us! Don’t miss out on opportunities to get to know these Saints!

Spirit invites you to give a special Christmas gift!

This Christmas season we have the opportunity to share our generosity with The Boys & Girls Club and The Community Table with meaningful gifts! Your gift will help Spirit and our community in three important ways.

Spirit plans to provide a meaningful, life-changing worship service every week of the year! To facilitate this we will replace our analog sound system in the sanctuary with a new digital system. In doing so we will return our current analog system to the Boys & Girls Club. This will allow them to preserve and use the former First Lutheran sanctuary for community events, celebrations, etc.

Spirit will tithe 10% of the gifts received to help The Community Table as they are struggling financially. We can help to ensure that their services can continue for those in need. To give to the special Christmas appeal, please use the special Christmas envelope that refers to Boys & Girls Club, Community Table and the sound system.Your Christmas envelope from your regular offering envelopes will not be used for this special appeal.

The Bible tells us, “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).

God’s Richest Blessings, Your Generosity & Resource Committee

5

Calling All Spirit Members & Friends!

We hope to see you over the Advent/Christmas Season, and then look forward to the New Year 2018!

Sunday December 31 – Worship all together at 9:00 AM. Why not spend an hour with God on the last day of the year, giving thanks for past, present and future blessings!

Sunday January 7 – Worship all together at 9:00 AM. Let’s pack the pews of Spirit Lutheran on the first Sunday of the New Year! Wouldn’t it be great to set up chairs in the overflow, and have all Saints accounted for? As we seek to update our ranks here at Spirit, come and commune together as a family.Then at 10:15 AM downstairs in Fellowship Hall, the Facility Use Task Force will give us an update on their findings, and encourage all to complete a survey providing your input on where God is leading us. “Let’s Talk” was attended by 150 of you in 3 different sessions, but this meeting will allow all of us to talk and listen together. There may even be coffee and treats! SHINE will meet during this time, with some special activities planned for our young people.

MAKE GOD AND SPIRIT A PRIORITY IN 2018! (You won’t be sorry).

A Christmas Sing-Along and Holiday Treats with Spirit's Just Older Youth

Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 2:00 pmat The Meadows at Otter Creek, 4880 Otteson Lane The Christmas Sing-Along will include:• YOU – All Spirit’s JOY - Just Older

Youth!• Kathryn Sandquist on the piano• Jim Seipel leading us in songs of the

season! • Christmas Treats will be generously

created and donated by the residents of The Meadows.

Please call the Spirit Lutheran office at 715-832-2421, if you would like a ride!

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Shine Christmas Program will be presented on Sunday, December 17 at the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service

Shine kids have been working hard to learn songs and rehearse their lines. Please mark your calendars for the following rehearsal times.

Rehearsal for ALL SHINE KIDS:Saturday, December 16 9:00-10:30 a.m.

AND, we are also in need of adult volunteers to help with scenery, props and costume fittings. Please let us know if you’re able to help out. We’re looking forward to working together to make this year’s program a success!

Please see Bev Smith, Kristina Johnson & Kristan Motszko for more info.

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRYLuther Park Bible Camp, Inc. Annual Meeting Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Luther Park Bible Camp at 10:00 a.m.

Each congregation is entitled to three voting delegates, either clergy or lay. Any number from your congregation may attend but only three may serve as delegates. Each delegate shall have one vote. Please make every effort to have your church represented. Thank you!

Shine News!

Wednesday, December 20 – Meal & Worship, followed by Christmas party for kids of all ages. All are welcome to join us in the fellowship hall to celebrate Jesus’ birthday as we decorate cookies, make an ornament and play games!

***(Shine will not meet on Sunday, December 24, Wednesday, December 27 and Sunday, December 31. Our regular schedule resumes on Wednesday, January 3).

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIESAn opportunity to help a Spirit family

Braxten Prochnow was born with plagiocephly, which is a bulge on his head. After many visits with doctors here and specialists in Rochester it was determined he needs a helmet to help guide his growth to a normal shape. Braxten is now seven months old, and the time for this helmet to offer the most benefit is now, before his 1st birthday. Unfortunately, even after multiple appeals and letters from doctors, the Prochnow’s insurance does not consider the helmet “medically necessary”. The cost of the helmet will be nearly $4,000, in addition they will need to travel to Rochester weekly for fittings. The family has set up a “Go Fund Me” page at https://www.gofundme.com/tf8297-braxten-helmet. If you prefer, donations can be given to Spirit Lutheran for this worthy cause. Your donation should be written to Spirit Lutheran and indicate on the envelope or memo line of your check Prochnow Family.

Our 6th graders enjoyed some time bell ringing for the season, and had some treats afterwards! Good job Spirit kids!

Braxten Prochnow

7

COMMUNITY NEWSCheck out these evidence-based prevention programs offered through the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County! Registrations are open for workshops starting in early 2018:• Strong Bones strength and balance training information sessions on

December 13 and January 4• Stepping On falls prevention program starts January 16• Living Well chronic disease self-management starts February 7• Healthy Living with Diabetes starts March 26• Powerful Tools for Caregivers starts April 3

Register online at www.adrcevents.org or contact us at 715-839-4735, 1-888-338-4636, tty: use Relay (711), or email adrc@co,eau-clarie.wi.us.

HumanKIND Potluck & International Folk DanceSaturday, January 27, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Spirit Lutheran

You're invited to a family-friendly event and encouraged to share a traditional dish! Join us for food, fun, and International Folk Dancing lead by Mark Helpsmeet of Eau Claire International Folk Dancing. For more info, email humanKIND.ec@gmail.com.

The World Cultural Center invites you to a discussion of Christmas Around the World! Monday, December 18, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Spirit Lutheran We will talk about different customs, traditions and beliefs! Plus you will be asked to share your most memorable Christmas! And to make it a very special occasion, I would like each and every one of us to bring a dish to share. We will start our Christmas special with four beautiful renditions of great Christmas songs by the most known tenors and a well known musician, plus my favorite saxophonist will accompany our dinner with his Christmas album.

R.S.V.P. REQUIRED ~ Free entrance for all ages! Please call Anne Marie at 715.833.1633 or email, NANOUB@CHARTER.NET.

CVA SING invites all singers!Chippewa Valley Area Singers Involved in Neighborhood Giving10th Anniversary Benefit concert for Feed My People

2018“The Psalms”For Choir, Brass Quintet, Timpani, and Pianoby Warren HermodsonDirector: Gary Rambo

Rehearsal Schedule at Trinity Lutheran ChurchSundays 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Sectionals optional Inclement weather: rehearsal called at 4:00 p.m.

January 14January 21January 28February 4 – 2:00 p.m. – Super Bowl SundayFebruary 11February 18February 25

Saturday, March 3 @ 1:00 p.m.

Concert Day Sunday, March 4, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church-Warm-up/picture @ 1:00 p.m.-Concert Performances2:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.

8

Spirit Lutheran Urgent Contacts

Support the mission & ministry of Spirit Lutheran. Scan this QR code with your smart phone for a quick and easy process!

8:30 a.m. Helpers

Greeters: Dave Hoffe Mary Hoffe

Ushers:

Communion Assistants:Mary Leitzke Darrell Leitzke Betty Qualheim Joyce Linderholm

Rover: Loreen Yager

Reader: Tom Guelzow

Kid Talk:

10:30 a.m. Helpers

Greeters:

Ushers: Tyler Bauer

Communion Assistants:

Rover:

Reader:

Kid Talk:

Visitation Pastor Roger Benrud 715-836-7158

Pastor Jim Ahlquist 715-210-2245

Monday, December 189:00 AM Spirit Lutheran Serves @ Community Table9:30 AM Staff Meeting1:00 PM Book Club Meeting6:00 PM Foundation Board Meeting6:00 PM Mission & Outreach Committee6:15 PM Hope Circle Christmas Gathering @ Olive Garden7:00 PM World Cultural Center

Tuesday, December 199:30 AM Love Circle at The Meadows5:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting5:30 PM Mercy Circle6:00 PM Spirit Lutheran Council Meeting

Wednesday, December 208:30 AM Wednesday Quilters4:15 PM Spirit Ring Rehearsal5:00 PM Supper - Pork Sandwiches5:50 PM Worship6:30 PM SHINE Youth & Adult Education

Thursday, December 219:30 AM Joy Circle10:30 AM "Conversations with God" at The Meadows2:00 PM Spirit's JOY (Just Older Youth) Christmas Carol Sing at The Meadows6:00 PM Contemporary Choir Practice7:00 PM AL-ANON Meeting

Sunday, December 24 9:00 AM Christmas Eve Worship4:00 PM Contemporary Candlelight Service7:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service

‘Spirit Lutheran News’ ©2017 Spirit LutheranSubmissions for publication in our newsletter are due by 12:00 p.m. on Monday. Spirit Lutheran News will be published, printed & emailed by Thursday. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions for content, quality, brevity, and accuracy. Any content submitted to Spirit Lutheran becomes the sole property of the congregation and cannot be used in part or in whole without the congregation’s consent.