A blessed Advent to you!

Today as we worship, we begin the season of anticipation, hope and preparation for the coming Messiah.

Welcome.

SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP THIS WEEK

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made ... ’”

(Jeremiah 33:14, NIV). Thanks, God, that we can depend on your promises.

PLEASE PRAY FOR: David Ancil, Katherine Bickett, Kathy Bishop, Tommy Blake, John Brooks,

Tom Burkhardt, Janice Burkhart, Jean Carr, Chris Cotter, Irv Dieterle, Kevin Dimmock, Brent Dunlap,

John Fulton, Carol Gray, Ken Kirkpatrick, Judy Marks, Scott Meyer, Walter Miller, Steve Neff, Kim

Nelson, Kurt Ostrander, Tina Parker, Dan Schroeder, Rod Tietz, Millie von Stein, and David Welther

DEATHS: Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Janet Hession who was called to rest from

her earthly labors on Wednesday, November 28. Please keep them in your prayers as they mourn their

loss. Visitation is on Sunday, December 2 from 4-7 p.m. at Soller-Baker (400 Twyckenham Blvd).

ALTAR FLOWERS

The flowers today are sponsored by Tom, Jack, and Abby McCain in celebration of wife/mother Kristy’s

birthday on December 1; and by Bill Buffington in loving memory of his wife Inge. If you would like to

sponsor flowers to commemorate a special day in your life, please sign up on the flower chart in the

church office. We are currently seeking additional sponsors for December 9 & 16. The cost of

sponsorship is $30 and you can take the flowers home after services to enjoy!

NURSERY

Have a little one crying or needing a diaper changed? We want you to know that the nursery/cry room

is always open for your use during worship services. There is a television in the room so that you won’t

miss out on anything happening in the sanctuary. The nursery/cry room is P204 (yellow classroom).

Preacher/Liturgist: Rev. Peter Heckert

Elder: Steve Schamber

Organist: Randy Strakis

Ushers: Sat. 6:00-Dick & Cathy Collison; Sun.

8:00-Scot & Ann Benham, Brett & Kathy Cowans;

Sun. 10:30-Tom & Kristy McCain, Ryan Darlage,

Diana Koger

Greeters: Sat.-Ed & Rosie Swanson; Sun. 8:00-

Ken & Pam Walschlager, Christa Pazera,

Sophia Pazera; Sun. 10:30-LaVaughan Evans

Acolytes: Sun. 8:00-Lilly Kult, Samantha Ford,

Noelle Moon, Aeryn Ford; Sun. 10:30-Kuentin

Schultz, Phillip VanLaere, Kelby Tarter, Jackson

Parker

Week of December 2, 2018

FELLOWSHIP TIME

Everyone is invited to enjoy the fellowship and some light refreshments in the cafeteria immediately

following the 8:00 a.m. Sunday service. Many thanks to Nancy Lee for providing the baked goods

today.

To help with our Sunday morning fellowship at St. James, we encourage families to bring in breakfast

food to share with our congregation. This will allow church and school families to give back to their

church family by sharing some tasty breakfast foods. Each week we will gather sponsor families to bring

in food for the Sunday school hour. St. James has typically purchased between 6-9 dozen donuts each

Sunday for this time. So instead of St. James purchasing the donuts, each family can sign up to bring in

coffee cake, sweet rolls, fruit, bagels, etc. Please make sure your donation is in the cafeteria before

the 8:00 a.m. service each week (food items may be dropped off in the cafeteria after school on Friday

or during Saturday evening service). Please label the food items for Sunday morning fellowship.

Questions/Answers:

1. Do the foods have to be homemade? No, you are welcome to bring in homemade food,

but you are also welcome to bring in purchased food.

2. Can an organization within St. James sponsor a week? Yes, we are strongly encouraging

organizations, classes, etc. to support a week.

3. What if we don’t get a sponsor for a week? Then we will order extra donuts for that week.

4. Will coffee and juice continue to be provided during this time? Yes, the normal coffee and

juice will continue to be provided by St. James. The sponsors are just providing the food.

We are continuing the trial run of this donut hour supplement through the end of this year. Please sign

up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aa5af2aa7f49-sunday if you want to help keep

this going.

SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES (9:15-10:15 A.M.)

WHAT CHILD IS THIS? led by elder Michael O’Donnell in the cafeteria (P212). The birth of a

certain child two thousand years ago in Bethlehem prompted a poet in the nineteenth century to ask a

very uncommon question in a hymn: “What Child Is This?” It was an uncommon question because it

asked about the birth of a very uncommon child. What Child Is This? The angel who announced this

child’s birth on Christmas Eve answered the question this way: “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The

hymnwriter answered it this way: “This, this is Christ the king.” They both want to make known the

identity of this child. Join Pastor to hear about the unmatched blessing of the Lord’s incarnation.

ADULT INFORMATION (NEW MEMBER) CLASS led by Pastor Heckert in the fellowship hall

(F202). This class is for all those who would like to join our congregation or just learn more about the

teachings of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. For members, this is also a great opportunity to

brush up on your fundamentals of the faith and to meet some potential new members. Everyone is

welcome!

A DEEPER LOOK moderated by Grace Gillespie in Room P202 (green classroom). This group

discusses the Bible lessons (pericopes) which are read in church each Sunday. You are invited every

Sunday, but will not be lost if you miss a Sunday. This is a casual class with lots of interaction. We

pray for each other and care for each other. Join us today and every Sunday.

SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:15-10:15 A.M.)

Every week, we will meet in the Orange Classroom for the opening of Sunday school. The classes will

then proceed to the following rooms:

2 Yr. Olds - Preschool: Yellow Classroom

K - 2nd Grade (Lower Elementary): Orange Classroom

3rd - 5th Grade (Upper Elementary): Red Classroom

6th - 8th Grade: Church Office Conference Room

High School: Church Office Work Room

What are the 2 year olds - 5th graders learning about? Starting with Genesis, we will work through

the Bible in three years through major Bible stories from the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Acts.

Students will learn and grow in faith alongside their peers as they explore the Bible, draw connections

to the Small Catechism, and learn the traditions of the Lutheran Church. If you have questions about

the Sunday school program, contact Rebecca Rowan at rowanrm@gmail.com or (423) 322-7326.

What are the 6th - 8th graders learning about? Led by Bill & Karin Crum each week, the class will

aid students in their preparation for confirmation. The class has allowed for incredible discussion and

participation by all who attend. The students WILL be in Scripture and the Catechism at EVERY

meeting. The program we are using can be found at https://steadfastlutherans.org/parish/lambsatpasture.

Ask to see your child’s work after class!

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES

COFFEE CLUB led by Pastor French on Thursdays 7:00-7:45 a.m. in the church conference room.

THURSDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY led by Pastor Heckert on Thursdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the

conference room. We are (a bit belatedly) back in action! Join us every Thursday night as we resume

our study of Genesis! Come for the discussion and strengthening of your faith, but stay for the off-topic

jocularity and Hebrew vocabulary lessons! See you there!

MEN’S BIBLE BREAKFAST led by Doug Schroeder on Fridays 6:00-7:00 a.m. at the Downtowner

Restaurant. You can come for coffee or breakfast at 6:00 a.m. or just for the Bible study on the Scripture

lessons for the coming Sunday which begins about 6:25 a.m.

TV & RADIO MINISTRIES

ISSUES, ETC.: Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and

produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. This week’s topics include: An Introduction to

the Koran, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Worship in the Tabernacle, The Abomination of Desolation and

more. You can listen live or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the LPR mobile app.

LUTHERAN RADIO STATION - KFUO: Listen to Worldwide KFUO.org, your radio station for

practical Lutheran talk, daily Bible and Confession studies, current issues from a Lutheran worldview,

and daily worship opportunities. All programs are archived at KFUO.org for 24/7 on-demand listening.

You can also find our programming wherever you get your podcasts! Have a question or comment?

Find us at @KFUOradio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Call (800) 730-2727 or e-mail

letstalk@kfuo.org to join the conversation on “Let’s Talk!”

LUTHERAN PUBLIC RADIO: Music of the Church anytime at www.LutheranPublicRadio.org.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Reality Therapy” by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler on December 2. The book

of Ruth deals with unimportant people and unimportant matters, but deals with them in such a way as to

show that God is active in ordinary lives - like yours and mine. Ruth’s story became an important part of

the story of Jesus. Listening to God’s work in her life can rescue us from dead end delusions and bring

us into what is most real - a Jesus-centered reality (Ruth 1-2). The Lutheran Hour is heard every week in

our listening area at 7:00 a.m. on station 720 AM, at 7:30 a.m. on 97.3 FM, at 9:04 a.m. on 107.7 FM, or

at 10:00 a.m. on 97.3 FM. Have questions? Contact our LHM ambassador at St. James - Jerry Ripke at

jerryripke@gmail.com, (765) 490-5254.

WORSHIP ANEW: This 30 minute Lutheran television worship service includes the readings for the

day, prayers, and a Lutheran pastor delivering a message that is one-on-one to the viewer. Worship

Anew is aired each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on WHMB-TV40. Visit www.WorshipAnew.org for more

information about this exciting program!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! The Board of Stewardship wants to thank all of you

who participated and supported our “Restoration Celebration” on November 17. Joan Tietz was our chili

cook-off winner and Charlie Wetzel and Harrison Shaffer were our two pie-eating contest winners!

We raised approximately $3,200 which has already gone back into the St James operating budget. Next

year, we plan on having another celebration, though it will likely be late September or early October.

We want to give special thanks to the following: Chris Northington and Ben Schoon for smoking the

pork all night long in the parking lot, Jan French for using her Thrivent grant and collecting supplies,

Jeff Haman for his expertise with setting up and serving alcoholic beverages, JT Hickman and the

German Polka Band for their lively music, Jason Plassard for MCing, the Lifelight Bible study ladies -

especially Mary Prill - for making the pie tarts, and Russ Shoemaker with his logistical assistance.

We also want to thank Brenda Bunton, Ab and Brandi Edmonds, Jeff Wetzel, Amanda Goodspeed,

Joy Plassard, Amy Schoon, Mike Grott, Eric Rodenberg, Lydia Roland, Mindy Schlotman, our youth

babysitters, Donnie Fahler, and our six area LCMS pastors. We are really looking forward to next year!

~ Stephanie Fahler, Cara Wetzel, Jenny Rodenberg

ADVENT SERMON SERIES: Advent is the time when we prepare for the coming of our King, but

can we ever truly be ready? This year we consider again who we are and what we are waiting for. Our

series “Your King Is Coming” begins by considering Psalm 80, a prayer of the guilty and God’s answer

to that prayer. Our series will conclude as we consider how blessed we are that our God continues to

make something out of nothing.

December 5 - Lessons & Carols

Dinner sponsor: St. James 8th Grade Class

December 12 - “Jesus: King of Guilt” (Psalm 80)

Dinner sponsor: St. James Honors Choir

December 19 - “Jesus: King of the Low” (2 Sam. 7:1–17; Luke 1:26–38)

Dinner sponsor: St. James Music Ministry

During Advent, dinner will be served each Wednesday from 4:45-5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria followed by

the worship service at 6:00 p.m.

WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS DINNER: It’s an annual Christmas tradition for the women of St. James to

gather together in December for a meal and small holiday program/devotion. The event will be held this

year on Monday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fowler House. Tickets are $20 and available between

the services in the Welcome Center or by calling Nola in the church office at 423-1616.

SCRIP GIFT CARDS ARE THE PERFECT GIFT FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST!

Visit the Scrip Shoppe before or after Saturday and Sunday church services and Wednesday Advent

services. Order forms are also being sent home with our school children, so be on the lookout!

Make your list and check it twice! Reminder: checks should be made payable to St. James Scrip.

School orders submitted to the school office by 12/14 will be returned on or before 12/21.

Church orders completed by noon on 12/16 will be available for pick-up on or after 12/21.

During this season of giving, please also remember it is the Scrip season of earning. Help us earn

another $9,000 for PTL and the same for school tuition and various St. James ministries this year!

We can do it if everyone buys gift cards from Scrip. It is the easiest fundraiser ever!

Also, join us for Culver's Nights on the last Tuesday of each month from 5:00-8:00 p.m. See you there!

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR: Life Thoughts are designed to help pastors and

congregations see the church year through the lens of the sanctity of human life; they are based on the

appointed readings from Lutheran Service Book. December 2 – Advent brings the gift of anticipating:

“none who wait for … [the Lord] shall be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3). A surprise pregnancy likewise

invites patient faith instead of using death as a solution to difficulty. So does struggling with infertility

or enduring permanent disability. Our Father’s salvation comes, not sluggish but steadfast (Psalm

25:10). Life is His promise, and He will move heaven and earth to fulfill it (Jeremiah 33:14). Son of

David, our coming King, establish us in hope. Amen.

CONGRATULATIONS to Katherine Wilcox, Amelia Goodspeed, Allie Neithammer, Brooke

Schlotman and Anna Cari-Taylor for being selected to the Indiana All-State Honor Choir. They will be

joining 150 other students from around the state at the Indiana Music Educators Conference this January

in Fort Wayne. We thank God for the talent He has given these young ladies!

“LIFE QUOTES” FROM LUTHERANS FOR LIFE (www.lutheransforlife.org): “Advent is about

Return—the Lord’s Second Coming, our return to Him, which is another way of saying ‘repentance.’

Repentance requires memory, for return requires memory. The Prodigal did some mental research and

remembered the facts about his father’s house from his personal history. Informed by a paternal history,

he struck a new course, which was to return. And the Homecoming was sweet, like the marriage supper

in paradise, when all history will be fulfilled, and the guests live happily ever after. Advent reminds us,

based on history that we know, that He is coming, which should remind us, Repent!” James M.

Kushiner, The Fellowship of St. James

CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP: What a nice way to share Christ’s love - send a card to a friend,

neighbor, or family member who needs a little joy. Check out the free card display in the welcome

center next to the scrip counter. Show your concern; send a little love. “My little children, let us not love

in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” 1 John 4:18.

DO THESE BELONG TO YOU? The following items were found on the church grounds and we don’t

know to whom they belong to return them:

Black 2-wheel cart

Green fold-up table

Box of plastic garland

Please contact Nola in the church office 423-1616 to arrange to pick them up. Thank you!

LOST AND FOUND: The lost and found tote is once again full. If you lost anything, please stop by the

Welcome Center and check to see if we found it. Remaining items will be donated to charity on Monday,

December 10.

HELP WANTED: St. James is seeking to fill the following positions:

Part-time custodian - Monday-Friday, 25-29 hours/week

Snow blower operator - Must be available to clear the sidewalks and steps of the church and

school buildings before 7:00 a.m. on snow days (and some evenings when necessary).

Please contact Daphine Prather at 423-1616 with questions. Employment applications are available in

the church office.

A NOTE FROM JANICE BURKHART: I want to thank everyone for all of the thoughts, prayers,

and cards that were given to me following my knee replacement surgery. Blessings!

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Luke 19:31 – “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are

you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” Consider the faithfulness of that man

who owned the donkey and colt. All he needed to hear was, “The Lord has need of it,” and he willingly

gave. The Lord has given each of us various callings in life – in our homes, in the Church, and in our

communities. In each calling we have good work to do, and that comes from the Lord’s hand. The Lord

has need of us in each calling. How is He calling you to generous giving in each of your vocations?

YOUTH GROUP NEWS FROM LYNN KEISER

CALLING ALL YOUTH TO ACTION …

Sunday, December 2 - Christmas Time (HS), 6:00-8:00PM

Ruth O’Connor (714 Kossuth Street, Lafayette, IN 48905) will host a meal and we will have a

white elephant gift exchange to start out the Christmas season, so bring a white elephant gift!

Be sure to come for good food and fun!

Sunday, December 9 - Caroling Party (JH/HS), 2:00-4:00 PM

This is in conjunction with the Board of Evangelism. We will carol for St. James shut-ins and at

area nursing homes.

Christmas Break - Pokagon State Park Tobogganing (JH/HS)

We will leave in the early morning, drive the three hours to the park, go tobogganing, eat at the

inn, then drive back! Be looking for more details as we get near the time!

Have questions about or suggestions for youth group events? Contact Lynn Keiser at (765) 366-7063 or

lkeiser@stjameslaf.org.

WEEKLY / MONTHLY

Funds Required to Meet the Budget

September

Week / Month

October

Week / Month

November

Week / Month

Offering: $12.5K / $54,166 $15.9K / $63,857 $10.7K / $42,972 $12.6K / $50,782

K - 8 Tuition: $11.5K / $49,910 $12K / $48,125 $11.4K / $45,901 $9.7K / $38.7K

Preschool Tuition: $3.3K / $14,447 $2K / $8,101 $2.8K / $11,186 $2.5K / $10,027

Childcare Tuition: $3.3K / $17,065 $2.7K / $11,044 $4.4K / $17,771 $3.8K / $15,258

After School Care: $1.4K / $5,238 $603 / $2,412 $569 / $2,277 $721 / $2,884

$ FINANCIAL NEWS FROM MINDY SCHLOTMAN $

WEEKLY OFFERING: Oct. 1 - 7 = $11,929.00 Oct. 8 - 14 = $8,555.09

Oct. 15 - 21 = $11,040.83 Oct. 22 - 28 = $10,616

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4 = $16,899.35 Nov. 5 - 11 = $11,699. 03

Nov. 12 - 18 = $11, 444.66 Nov. 19 - 25 = $10,748.72

BIRTHDAYS

Dec. 2 Stephen Kingsley, Sue Schultz

Dec. 3 N/A

Dec. 4 Noelle Moon

Dec. 5 Ben Bunton, Katrina Clark

Dec. 6 Nathaniel Forsythe, Jacob

VanderHoff

Dec. 7 Lexi Baumgartner, Noah

McClannen, Kathy Nelson

Dec. 8 N/A

Sun. 12/2

Mon. 12/3

Tue. 12/4

Wed. 12/5

Thu. 12/6

Fri. 12/7

Sat. 12/8

Worship (C)

Adult Education/Sunday School

Worship

Christmas Time (HS)

No Scheduled Events

Board of Parish Education

Board of Church Properties

Advent Dinner

Advent Service of Lessons & Carols

7th & 8th Grade (Public School) Confirmation Classes

Board of Youth Ministry

Coffee Club

Bell Choir Rehearsal

Adult Choir Rehearsal

Thursday Night Bible Study

Men’s Bible Breakfast

Worship

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

09:15 AM - 10:15 AM

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

05:00 PM - 07:00 PM

06:15 PM - 07:00 PM

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

04:45 PM - 05:45 PM

06:00 PM - 07:00 PM

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

07:30 PM - 08:30 PM

07:00 AM - 07:45 AM

05:30 PM - 06:30 PM

06:30 PM - 07:30 PM

07:00 PM - 08:30 PM

06:00 AM - 07:00 AM

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAYS

Elaina Beissler, Charley Bishop, Jo Blye,

Lizzy Bunton, Heather Forsythe, Nancy Lee,

Maddie Moffatt, Steve Ulrich

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK

Please take a moment to sign the Record of Fellowship pad today.

The birthday, anniversary, and baptismal birthday lists are generated from those records.

Bless you as you celebrate!

ANNIVERSARIES

Dec. 2 Mike & Barb Tarter (51 years)

Dec. 6 Victor & Amanda Brandenburg (4 years)

Dec. 7 Al & Sue Borges (38 years)

Christmas Poinsettias

Would you like to sponsor a Christmas poinsettia that will be used to decorate

the church during the Christmas season? The cost of each poinsettia is $15.00.

Orders must be received by December 19, 2018. (Sponsored plants can be taken

home to enjoy after the New Year’s Eve service.) If paying by check, please

make payable to “St. James” and write “poinsettia” on the memo line.

Return to:

St. James Lutheran Church

Attn: Nola Hecht

800 Cincinnati Street

Lafayette, IN 47901

Name _______________________________________________________

I would like to order ____________ poinsettia(s) to be placed in the church during the Christmas season.

The poinsettia is given in memory of; in honor of; or in celebration of

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Poinsettias

Would you like to sponsor a Christmas poinsettia that will be used to decorate

the church during the Christmas season? The cost of each poinsettia is $15.00.

Orders must be received by December 19, 2018. (Sponsored plants can be taken

home to enjoy after the New Year’s Eve service.) If paying by check, please

make payable to “St. James” and write “poinsettia” on the memo line.

Return to:

St. James Lutheran Church

Attn: Nola Hecht

800 Cincinnati Street

Lafayette, IN 47901

Name _______________________________________________________

I would like to order ____________ poinsettia(s) to be placed in the church during the Christmas season.

The poinsettia is given in memory of; in honor of; or in celebration of

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Christmas for Everyone is a community

ministry of compassion originally created by

the Tippecanoe Chapter of the American Red

Cross. The goal of this ministry is to provide

Christmas gifts for children of low-income

families. This year St. James has the privilege

of assisting in the goal of making Christmas a

celebration for everyone by sponsoring 50 boys

and girls in the Lafayette community. The

sponsorship information on these kids is

available on a bulletin board in the cafeteria.

There is a $40 suggested spending limit for the

items on the wish list of each child. All gifts

need to be left unwrapped and delivered to

the church office in their green bags by

Thursday, December 6. St. James has a fine

tradition of generosity in this area, and we look

forward to another year of the same.

Ladies – It’s not too late –

you can still go to the

Women’s Christmas Dinner!

It’s an annual Christmas tradition for the

women of St. James to gather together in

December for a meal and small holiday

program/devotion. The event will be held

this year on Monday, December 10 at

6:00 p.m. at the Fowler House. Stop by

the welcome center TODAY with $20 to

have your name put on the guest list.

Please Join Us to Shower the Parker

Family with Love and Support!

Tina, Jilli, and Jackson Parker lost their home and belongings in a

Thanksgiving Day fire. Please join us on Sunday, December 30 at noon in

the fellowship hall for food, pampering, and fun to shower them with

love, support, and items to replenish their home.

The Parkers are registered at JCPenney and Target.

Valerie Johnson will be demonstrating some Mary Kay products

with 30% of the proceeds from sales going to the Parker family.

Please bring photos of the Parker family to help replace lost photos.

Please RSVP to Kristy McCain at kkmccain@gmx.com or

(765) 714-0279 to help us plan food.

If you are unable to attend but want to provide support, scrip cards can

be purchased at the scrip counter and designated for the Parker family.

Thank you!