Surprised By Christmas

Isaiah 9:1-7

If we took a poll of the most boring places on earth, a significant number of votes would probably go to doctors' offices. But it was in a boring doctor's office that Robert Fulghum was surprised, and even reminded of God. Fulghum had been under the weather for a while, so on a bleak February day he went to the doctor. As he sat in the waiting room, he noticed an attractive elderly couple waiting, too. The woman wore holly berries and poinsettia leaves in her hair. The man leaned toward Fulghum, smiled, and announced, "Merry Christmas!" Fulghum replied in same before he realized what he was saying. It wasn't Christmas. It was February. Then the man began singing Christmas carols. The receptionist addressed the old man as Uncle Ed, bidding him Merry Christmas and asking him to come on back for his appointment. After the old man left, his wife moved over next to Fulghum to explain his strange behavior.

The Woman had noticed that, after a couple of strokes some years back, her husband’s behavior was changing. Then, one March morning quite unexpectedly, he had come down the stairs announcing that he had forgotten it was Christmas. He urged his wife to help him put up decorations and wrap gifts. The bewildered woman called up their daughters, and the whole family got together and celebrated Christmas that day. It was actually a warm, enjoyable experience.

After their daughters left, the man asked his wife to tell him about his childhood Christmases. Maybe it was merciful that he didn’t remember his abusive childhood, when his family never celebrated Christmas. His wife, who had never lied

Surprised Continued . 2

Giving Opportunities 3

Christmas Activities 4

Calendars 5/6

Teach the Children 7

Ways to Give 8

Rev. Grant Quever, Pastor Cell: 1-262-332-9300

Office: 262-782-8370 Fax: 262-782-0957

E-mail Addresses: gethsemanebrookfield@gmail.com gethsemanepastor@att.net

www.gethsemanebrookfield.org website

Worship Opportunities

Every Sunday 9:15am Worship Celebration

with Communion 10:30am Sunday School 10:45am Choir Practice

Tuesdays 1:00pm Bible Study

Wednesdays 9:30am Bible Study

6:00pm Handbell Choir

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Gethsemane Ev. Lutheran Church 13200 W. Greenf ie ld Avenue Brookf ie ld , WI 53005 -7120

Surprised Cont’d on Pg 2

Garden Notes

Worship Celebrations

Gethsemane Ev. Lutheran Church

13200 W. Greenfield Avenue, Brookfield

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Morning Worship

December 23, 2018

9:15 a.m.

Christmas Eve Worship

Monday, December 24, 2018

5:30 p.m.

To Spread God’s

Life-Changing

Message,

We will

Keep God’s Word

Reflect God’s Love

Preserve God’s World

Share God’s Bounty

Do God’s Work.

Our Mission Statement

Page 2 December 2018

Surprised Cont’d from Pg 1

to him, loved him too much to tell him the truth. So she spun tales of wonderful holidays, full of love, and family traditions, and memorable gifts. Her husband was pleased. Now every few months, the woman explained, her husband will suddenly announce that it is Christmas, and the family will once again gather to celebrate the occasion. The daughters think of these celebrations as Father’s Day, their time to make him happy. No one ever knows when the Christmas conviction will strike, but they are ready and willing to participate in it whenever it does. The woman remarked, “It’s kind of refreshing to have Christmas come as a surprise. ”(Robert Fulghum, MAYBE (MAYBE NOT) New York: Villard Books, 1993 pp.57-63).

IF THERE IS ONE THING WE CAN SAY ABOUT CHRISTMAS, IT IS THAT IT IS A SURPRISE. There have been a few events in history that were quite as surprising.

The shepherds out on the hillside were certainly surprised. In fact, the whole thing so unnerved them that they were “filled with fear.” This was no ordinary night. I wonder, if later, as they tried to tell their story to their neighbors about what they saw that night, if people didn’t look at them like some of us do those people in Roswell, New Mexico who claim to have seen UFOs. Can’t you hear their friends and neighbors: You saw what? Angels? They did what? They sang? The shepherds were surprised by Christmas.

Mary and Joseph were surprised. The whole affair put a terrible strain on their relationship, as you can imagine. It took the intervention of an angel first to Mary and then to Joseph to put their hearts at peace. The birth of the Son of God is not something that happens every day to just anyone. Mary and Joseph were surprised.

Certainly Herod was surprised. “Go find the child that is to be born king of the Jews that I may come and worship him, too.” We know better than that. Herod was so shocked by the whole situation that he had a whole generation of baby boys wiped out. Herod was surprised.

Even more importantly, the people of Israel were surprised. The Messiah was to come, they were convinced of it, but not like this. The Messiah was to come with power and might. To be sure, Isaiah had written, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…” But Isaiah wrote that several hundred years before the birth of the Christ child. Besides, the Messianic passages of the Hebrew Bible are a bit obscure. You can read lots of things into them...but a babe? God in a manger? Surprise?

May you too be surprised this Christmas. At least pleasantly surprised at the gift that God gave you in Jesus to show how deeply and unconditionally he loves you.

With warmth and love——with every good wish at Christmas,

Pr. Grant Quever

1. Robert Fulghum, MAYBE (MAYBE NOT) (New York: Villard Books,1993)

Outreach and WELCA

We will be working together to start a new venture for our

church. We will be working with a group called STREET

ANGELS MILWAUKEE OUTREACH. This group is a 100%

volunteer-run outreach team whose mission is

to provide life-sustaining support and hope to

Milwaukee’s homeless community. STREET

ANGELS has many projects including personal

interaction with the homeless. Every Tuesday,

Thursday and Sunday evening they distribute

food, clothing, hygiene kits and many other necessities. I’m

hoping to have one of the founders of the organization speak

to us so we can get a better understanding of what they do

and how we can help. One of the most needed and least

donated are socks. We have decided to collect insulated

socks, hand and foot warmers. I know we

ask a lot of our members for donations but

every little bit helps. There will be a jar next

to the collection barrel for money. Every

dollar helps so if you can give a dollar that

would be much appreciated, as it all adds

up for us to purchase some of these items.

Thank you.

Prayer List

Adams, Gale

Anne, Kevin & Phillip

Aurie & Don

Dave & Pat B.

Baylor, Kara Rev.

Ferch, Dian

Goodman, Carol

Momberg, Sara

Plehn, Clare

Ronnie K.

Schmidt, Gail

Schnell, Sutton

Vigo, Malinda

Deborah S.

Regarding the

newsletter Prayer List

In order to keep an up-to-date Prayer List, the list will be revised every month. If you would like to add a name to the list or if you would like the name you have placed on the list to remain on the list, please call Gethsemane’s church office (262-782-8370) or e-mail.

Page 3 December 2018

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

There is still

some time to

contribute to

the Hope

Center Knittin’ Tree or the

ERAs Giving Tree at church.

Please bring your knitting

gifts such as hats, gloves,

and scarves and hang on

the tree. For the ERAs tree,

take a paper ornament off,

make that purchase and

place in the return box.

The deadline date for both

of these trees is coming up

soon, December 9th!

Christmas Gift Sug-

gestions

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity,

To every child, a good exam-

ple.

To yourself, respect.

—Oren Arnold

Women Alone

Thursday, December 6th, at Noon. Meyer’s Restaurant 4260 S. 76th St. (Forest Home Avenue), Greenfield

We will have an optional $5.00 gift exchange. Please make sure you let Dian Ferch or Kathy Adelmeyer know if you will be coming and if you will

be participating in the gift exchange.

Many happy returns Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart’s possessing Returns to you glad. —John Greenleaf Whittier

Page 4 December 2018

5

7

28

Kyle Higgins

Sherry Nelson

Mike Nelson

21 Jon and Bonnie Pearson

CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE

Please help celebrate the Birth of

our Savior on Monday, December

24, 2018. The service will begin at

5:30 pm. There will be scripture

readings, familiar Christmas

hymns, special music and a read-

ing by Pastor for the children. Spe-

cial music plans consist of several

instruments and special anthems

including the children singing. We

will also have some special music

projected on the screen. See you

there.

Worship and Music Committee

CHRISTMAS COOKIE WALK

WELCA invites everyone to the Chirstmas

Cookie Walk in Fellowship Hall after the

service on December 9th. Please consid-

er baking some cookies. We would ap-

preciate you delivering cookies down-

stairs by 9:00 A.M that Sunday or Friday,

December 7th (9:00 A.M.-12:00). Cook-

ies will be sold for $6.00 per pound.

Please indicate the name of the cookie

and if it contains nuts. This is always a

fun day to gather some goodies for holi-

day guests or just snacking. Contact

Kathy Adelmeyer for more information.

Thank you

DE

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

9:30 am Evangelism Meeting

2 9:15am Worship Celebration 10:30 am Sunday School 10:45am Choir Practice and Christmas Rehearsal

3 7:00pm Dartball

4 No Bible Study 7:00pm Christian Education

5 9:30am Women’s Bible Study 6:00pm Handbell Choir

6 10:30am Social Ministry & Fellowship 12:00pm Women Alone

7

9:00am to Noon Office Open

8 8:30am Property Committee

9 8:30 am Choir Warmup 9:15am Worship Celebration 10:30am Sunday School 10:45am Choir Practice and Christmas Rehearsal

10 7:00pm Dartball

11 9:30am Busy Bee Quilters 1:00pm Bible Study 7:00pm Worship & Music Meeting

12 9:30am Women’s Bible Study 6:00pm Handbell Choir

13 12:00pm Outreach 1:00pm Women of the ELCA

14

9:00am to Noon Office Open

15

16 8:30am Choir Warm-up 9:15am Worship Celebration 10:30am Sunday School Choir Practice & Christmas Rehearsal 10:45am

17 7:00pm Dartball

18 1:00pm Bible Study 7:00pm Council Meeting

19 No Bible Study 6:00pm Handbell Choir

20 21

9:00am to Noon Office Open

22

23 9:15am Worship Celebration No Sunday School 10:45 am Choir Practice

24 4:45 pm Choir Warm-up 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Service

25

26 No Bible Study No Handbell Choir

27 28

9:00am to Noon Office Open

29 8:00am Men’s Breakfast

30 9:15am Worship Celebration No Sunday School No Choir

31 New Year’s Eve

DECEMBER 2018

If you have a schedule conflict and are not able to cover your date of service, please find a replacement. Then

please let the church office know. There are a number of Volunteer Needed slots. Let the person who makes

Date

Time

Sunday

December 2

9:15 am

Sunday

December 9

9:15 am

Christmas Eve Monday Night

December 24

5:30 pm

Sunday

December 30

9:15 am

Sunday

December 23

9:15 am

Sunday

December 16

9:15 am

Assisting

Minister

Curt Hansen

B Schroeder T Engler Volunteer Needed

K Rogers J Vreeland C Hansen

Communion

Assistant J. Horvat

Volunteer Needed

Volunteer Needed

P Johnson C Hansen N. Horvat

Lector (Reader)

Conni Henning H. Ebben P. Johnson

Volunteer Needed

J. Vreeland K. Rogers E. Gonzalez

Acolyte(s) L. Gonzalez C. Hansen Volunteer Needed

L. Gonzalez Volunteer Needed

J. Hofstetter

Greeters

Conni Henning

M. Groblewski

Volunteer

J/S Kiel

M/S Nelson

Volunteers Needed

D. Ferch

D/C Henning

J/B Pearson

T/A Spohn

P/D Johnson

T/J Douglas

Nursery

Attendants C. Gonzalez N. Vreeland

Volunteer Needed

S. Kiel J. Clark J. Horvat

AV Techs

Erica Woollums E Woollums G. Zinda

Volunteer Needed

E. Woollums E. Woollums E. Woollums

Ushers

Erica Woollums

M/S Nelson

P/D Johnson

A/K Rogers

L Hofstetter

J. Hofstetter

Volunteers Needed

T/A Spohn

B/G Oerichbauer

J/S Kiel

D/C Henning

T/D Engler

Volunteer

R. Rebatzke

Counters

Sue Kiel

K./A Rogers

J. Rogers

S. Kiel

C. Hansen

D. Johnson

Volunteers Needed

K/A Rogers

J. Rogers

L. Hofstetter

R. Hedman

J. Pearson

K. Adelmeyer

Mail

Greeters D White C Perra

Volunteers Needed

C. Perra J Krieger B. Schwenke

Altar Set-up

Cheryl Perra

M Groblewski

J Krieger

M Groblewski

J Krieger

M Groblewski

J Krieger

M Groblewski

J Krieger

M Groblewski

J Krieger

M Groblewski

J Krieger

Altar

Clean-up

Cheryl Perra

B. Pearson

K. Rogers

B. Pearson

K. Rogers

B. Pearson

K. Rogers

B. Pearson

K. Rogers

B. Pearson

K. Rogers

B. Pearson

K. Rogers

D E C EM B E R 2 0 1 8

Page 7 December 2018

Teach the Children

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened I just finished the household chores for the night and

was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my

surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “What are you doing?” I started to ask. The words choked up in my

throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.

Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. “TEACH THE CHILDREN!” I

was puzzled; what did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood

bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days

Christmas has forgotten.”

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure

green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles

point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven.”

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of

promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise.”

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. “Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light

of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of he who displaces the darkness.”

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the Children that the wreath

symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.”

He then Pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. “Teach the Children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and

good will we feel during the month of December.”

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. “Teach the Children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown

of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him.”

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, “Teach the Children that God so loved the world that he gave…”Thanks be to

God for his unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with

gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men.”

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. “Teach the Children that the candy

cane represents the shepherds’ crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane

is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper.”

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news

of the Savior’s birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men.”

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. “Teach the Children that as the lost sheep

are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.”

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back

in his eyes. He said, Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not

put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to

worship Him, our Lord, our God.”

Worship and Music Committee

Page 8 December 2018

Ways to Give

In Person Place checks or cash in an offering envelope and drop

in the offering plate as it goes by.

Giving App Download the ‘Give Plus Church’ app to set up a one-

time or recurring donation. Available for Apple phones. Android coming soon!

Online Visit www.gethsemanebrookfield.org or scan the QR

Code below to set up a one time or recurring donation.

OUR PHILOSPHY

At Gethsemane Lutheran Church, we are committed to giving back to God for all He has given us so that we

can help others locally and around the world.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Volunteer Opportunities

Snow Removal: Volunteer to remove snow for a senior or an

adult with disabilities this winter. Meals on Wheels cannot

deliver meals if the recipient’s walkway is not shoveled. Be-

come a snow angel today!

Help Deliver Holiday Packages!

This year, Eras Senior Network is restructuring our Holiday

Giving Program. This program aims to provide self-sufficiency

items to our clients, both seniors and adults with disabilities,

who are low-income and have very little connection with

friends or family during the holidays. The Holiday Giving Pro-

gram is intended to be an additional support for those inidi-

viduals who use our program throughout the year.

Clerical Work and Data Entry: Eras staff members are in

need of someone to help in the main office with various cleri-

cal tasks. Volunteer once a week for 2-4 hours (depending

on what is needed) to help with scanning, filing, and data

entry.

Contact Marisa for more details on how to fill our urgent

needs at (262) 522-2402 or MarisaS@ErasWaukesha.org.

A HUGE THANK YOU to my Gethsemane family for all

your prayers, caring, visits, calls and cards during my

recent hospitalization and surgery after my horrible fall.

I have been told my recovery will be long, slow and pain-

ful. However, I know God will continue to be with me

every step of the way and I’ll be Okay. I hope it won’t be

too much longer before I can try to resume some of my

activities.

Thanks so much again, Diane Ferch