With Christ, We Welcome, Nurture, Equip and Serve. December 2016

Pella Lutheran Church

Ambassador

The Christ Child is Coming

Everyone Invited to Participate in Advent Activities

In preparation for Christmas, Pella is hosting special activities on each Sunday in Advent.

On November 27, the first Sunday in Advent, we gathered to make Advent calendar wreaths

(see photos). Folks of all ages gathered for a time of crafting and fellowship centered around

the traditions of Advent calendars and wreaths. Then we enjoyed lunch together.

The schedule for the next Sundays is: * December 4 (2nd Sunday in Advent)

10:30 – Join us to watch a seasonal movie and

string popcorn garland.

11:30 – Lunch

* December 11 (3rd Sunday in Advent)

10: 30 – Join us to bake and decorate cookies.

11:30 – Lunch

* December 18 (4th Sunday in Advent)

10:30 – Join us for a nativity walk. (More

information on page 3.)

11:30 – Lunch

Feel free to come to

whatever activities you

are interested in or

available for attending.

This is not a series of

events, so come when

you can. If you think

you might come, please

sign up in the

Gathering Commons.

Interim Reflection

by Pastor Joel As a community of faith we are moving from Thanksgiving to Anticipating to Celebrating all

in a matter of a month. Just three days after Thanksgiving Day we enter into the season of

Advent which anticipates the Nativity of Our Lord which is then celebrated on Christmas

Eve and Day.

This is not really so unusual to experience. We are reminded to “give thanks in all circum-

stances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and we are continually anticipating what is next, and our

celebrations never seem to end.

Thanksgiving

I really enjoyed the days surrounding Thanksgiving this year. Diane and I were able to visit

one son in Fargo and to be with all my siblings in Minnesota. I was thankful that the roads

were clear, the weather was mild and the food was delicious. I recognized how wonderful it

is to be part of family that welcomes you and accepts you.

I hope you were also able to give thanks during that time. Let us continue to give thanks for

all that we receive and are able to share with others as individuals and as a congregation.

Anticipating

I invite and encourage you to attend the Advent Activities that are being offered each Sunday

from November 27 to December 18. Along with activities that can be enjoyed by all ages

and families, there will be a soup and sandwich meal we will share. I hope that by

participating you will experience greater alertness to the gift we receive through Christ. Let

us continue to watch and look for the presence of Christ in our lives both personally and

corporately.

Celebrating

Christmas Eve & Day worship will celebrate the birth of Christ - the incarnation of God’s

Word. I look forward to the worship we will share and to share the joy of Christ bringing

God’s love for us all. All creation and all of heaven rejoiced in the birth of the Savior. Let us

continue to praise and glorify God our savior who is born in us and brings us to new life.

NOT MUCH ELSE HAPPENS during this time and yet it is a time that is full and points to

the “fullness of time.” It is a time that impacts us continuously.

Page 2 Ambassador

December 2016 Page 3

More on the Nativity Walk …

Do you display a nativity set during Advent? Why is it important to

you and your family? Would you be willing to share your nativity and

its importance with your Pella family? It is our hope that we fill our Classroom Commons with a variety of

nativity sets belonging to our members and friends. Then on December

18, the last Sunday in Advent, we will invite the congregation to the

“nativity walk,” where everyone has a chance to take a tour of the displays. You can

choose whether you want to be present with your nativity set to explain its importance or

you can fill out a display card that lets all the visitors know about it.

If you are willing to share your nativity set with us, a setup crew will be available on

Saturday, December 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sing With Us the Christmas Story

December 14: A Special Night

WBS Presents Christmas Program

Christmas Dinner Set

Please join the Wednesday Bible School students at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday,

December 14, in the Sanctuary. The students will be presenting “Sing With Us the

Christmas Story” as their annual Christmas program.

The Community Meal on Wednesday, December 14, will be the Annual Christmas

Dinner. The crew will begin serving at 6 p.m. Please join us! The free will offering will

benefit the Richland County Food Bank.

Christmas Eve Services Worship Schedule for Christmas Eve,

Saturday, December 24 3:30, 5:30 and 11:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Service

Worship Schedule for Christmas Day,

Sunday, December 25 9:00 a.m.

Decorating for Christmas The decorating of the church will be held on

Wednesday, December 7,

at 6:45 p.m. LYO and everyone welcome.

Special Music If you have special music you would like to share on Sunday mornings,

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, please contact the Church Office.

We would love to have you be a part of the services.

Page 4 Ambassador

Christmas Poinsettias Contributions may be made in honor or in memory of loved ones and will be listed in our Christmas Eve

bulletin. We will be purchasing 25 poinsettias—contributions received above what is needed for these

will be given to the radio fund.

Your name____________________________________________________

In memory of _________________________________________________

In honor of ___________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to Pella Lutheran Church and designate for “Poinsettias.”

Deadline for contributions: December 16

December 2016 Page 5

Scripture For December

12/4/16

2nd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10

Psalm 72:1-7,18-19

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

12/11

3rd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10

Psalm 146:5-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

12/18

4th Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 7:10-16

Psalm 80:1-7,17-19

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

12/24

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:2-7

Psalm 96

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-20

12/25

Christmas Day

Isaiah 62:6-12

Psalm 97

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:1-20 and John 1: -14

Goal Surpassed for Food

Bank Christmas Coalition

Thank you for helping us surpass our

goals for the Food Bank Christmas

Coalition. Pella was asked to collect

100 small cans of mandarin oranges

and 100 boxes of stuffing mix. Less

than a week before the deadline, we

had very few of each item. The office

sent requests out via Facebook and

email: Please bring your items

Wednesday evening. The cans and

boxes flooded in, and we met our goal

in one night! It was awesome to

witness, and we give thanks to

everyone who contributed. What a

way to serve our community.

Acolytes for December

4 Max Nicholson & Tyler Olson

11 Hattie Brothen & Mikael Savage

18 Jenna Anderson & Rowan Ellingson

24 [3:30, 5:30 & 11:00] TBA

25 TBA

(Contact the office if available for any

of the times on Christmas Eve or Day)

Care Packages Shipped to 19

Thank you to everyone who donated items to Pella’s care packages. Your generosity provid-

ed a variety of goodies in each box. This year LYO assembled packages for 19 students who are

away from home. Packages were shipped across Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado

and Washington. We know the students appreciate getting a surprise from their church family.

A special thanks to Carol Nankivel, who used one of her Thrivent Action Teams to help with

this project. Her $250 of seed money paid for nearly all of the shipping costs.

Giving Thanks for Our Volunteers

Pella’s mission statement is: With Christ, We Welcome, Nurture, Equip and Serve. We

couldn’t be doing all of these things without our many volunteers. If you are volunteering your

time and talent to Pella in any way, we graciously thank you for your service.

Here are some of the groups of volunteers we see regularly:

Community Meal workers

Nursery volunteers

Worship assistants

Money counters

Council members

Committee members

You might be in several of the above groups, or you might be volunteering in a way that is

not listed above. Either way, we give thanks for your willingness to help. YOU make Pella what

it is!

“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce

thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs

of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.”

2 Corinthians 9:11-12

Page 6 Ambassador

December 2016 Page 7

Thank you for your donations

to the various memorial funds

To Radio fund

In memory of Jim Hedegaard

Ruth Iversen

In memory of Reuben Hundtofte

Leo & Sharon Hundtofte

Doris & Darrell Goebel

Selma Levno

Dennis Hoovestal

Neil & Wendy Dennehy

Ralph & Thelma Poston

Louise Iversen

Allan & Audrey Herman

In memory of Agnes Collins

Louise Iversen

In memory of Shirley Dige &

Kenneth Dige

Iona Hansen

To Sign project

In memory of Reuben Hundtofte

Craig & Kathy Averett

To Memorial fund

In memory of Maddalyn Anderson

Curtis & Erin Anderson

To Set Free to Serve

In memory of Reuben Hundtofte

Bill & Carol Nankivel

Enid & Russell Huotari

Violet Tharp

Eddie Vaira

Randy & Kelly Johnson

To Set Free to Serve

In memory of Jim Hedegaard

Gene & Judy Sondeno

Enid & Russell Huotari

Hardanger Covers

Thank you to Harriet Minow for

making the new hardanger covers for the

communion chalices. They are beautiful!

Church Year-End Reports Committee chairpersons: It is that

time of year again, and year-end reports

are due December 15. If you have any

questions, please contact the office.

Page 8

Reformation 500 Books Now Available in the Library

The following books related to the 500th anniversary of the

Reformation are now available in Pella’s Library. The books were

received as a result of the Reformation 500 Bookstore, which was

sponsored by Augsburg Fortress and organized by Faith Circle.

When Lightning Struck: The Story of Martin Luther

Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career

Resilient Reformer: The Life and Thought of Martin Luther

Papa Luther: A Graphic Novel

Atlas of the European Reformations

Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses: With Introduction , Commentary, and Study Guide

The Annotated Luther, Volume 1: The Roots of the Reform

The Freedom of a Christian, 1520s: The Annotated Luther Study Edition

Treatise on Good Works, 1520: The Annotated Luther Study Edition

Luther’s Small Catechism Anniversary Study Edition

Day by Day We Magnify You: Daily Reading for the Entire Year, Revised Edition

40-Day Journey with Martin Luther

Martin Luther and the Called Life

The Wit of Martin Luther

Together by Grace: Introducing the Lutherans

Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry, and Eucharist

One Hope: Re-Membering the Body of Christ

Ambassador

Montana Synod Reformation Trip to Germany in May 2017 In anticipation of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, there will be a Montana

Synod trip to Germany, May 9-18, 2017. The 10-day trip is being arranged by Peterson-

Litts Travel out of Billings and will include visits to sites significant to Martin Luther

and the Reformation. Bishop Jessica Crist will accompany the tour, which is open to

members of the Montana Synod and their guests. For more information, visit

www.montanasynod.org/quincentenary.html.

The November 8 meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. No visitors were present, and

two letters from the Montana Synod were read regarding Mission support.

The previous minutes were amended to say “$500” went to the Pella Discretionary Fund,

instead of $1,500.

John Nelson gave the financial report. The checking account has a balance of $94,685.66,

and the general fund balance is $19,467.25. The Set Free to Serve loan balance is

$848,604.53 at this time. The report was accepted as presented.

Pastor Joel reported that besides the regular weekly activities and committee meetings he

also attended the Bishop’s Convocation in Helena and performed three baptisms.

Christian Education, Endowment, Evangelism and Pella Pantry committees had nothing to

report at this time. Personnel will be meeting soon in regards to the assistant janitorial

position that is open. Property and Grounds discussed the shortage of freezer space. The

community meal fund currently has the money to cover this purchase. The freezer purchase

was approved and the next Property and Grounds Committee meeting will be on November

28 at 5:30 p.m.

The Worship and Music Committee report was reviewed as printed.

Randy Iversen is working with the Nominating Committee, and they have a list of

possible candidates that will be contacted for positions on the Church Council and the Call

Committee.

Old Business: The Constitutional Task Force has been meeting. The Montana Synod has

provided two new Mission Support opportunities for Pella to sponsor, one of which has ties

to Montana.

New Business: Building requests were reviewed and approved. A resolution was

presented and passed recognizing and receiving the gift from the Eldon P. Steffens living

trust fund. Diane reminded members of the Council to please meet with their committees

and consider their duties, as listed in the Council Members Handbook. Budgetary

disbursements were approved for World Hunger and Missionary support. The Budget

Committee will have their first meeting on Tuesday, November 29, at 5:45 p.m.

Next Council Meeting: Thursday, December 15 @ 7 p.m.

Page 9 December 2016

Council News Summary

Page 10 Ambassador

Upper Missouri Ministries – Upcoming Events

Family Christmas Night at UMM – A Night in Bethlehem

Upper Missouri Ministries invites families to consider how to focus on “preparing the

way of the Lord” this season while enjoying all the festivities of the holidays. All ages

are welcome to come explore Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth and travel through

the city. Through hands-on experiences, find out about the most important baby ever

and learn that Jesus came to save us. Create family keepsakes, enjoy a meal together

(not cooked by you!) and end the evening singing Christmas carols.

Date: Saturday, December 3

Check in: 5:15 CST

Departure: 7:45 CST

Cost: $10/Person – $30 Family Maximum

Optional Sledding: Come early for family sledding starting at 4:00 p.m. CST

Event Dates Participants Cost

Beautiful Girl

Retreat

December 2-3

(Friday/Saturday)

Grades: 5-8

$80

Family Advent

Night December 3

(Saturday)

All Ages $20/Family

Winter Camp January 20-22

(Friday/Saturday)

Grades: 4-6 $95/$110 after

January 11

Winter Weekend February 17-18

(Friday/Saturday)

Grades: 7-9 &

10-12

$65/$80 after

February 1

DECEMBER 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 6:30 am Men’s

Breakfast and

Bible Study

9:30 am FLUTES

practice

2 3

4 8:15 am Choir

9 am Worship

10 am Fellowship

10:15 Personnel

Committee Mtg.

10:30 am Advent

Activity/Lunch

10:30 am

Hand bells

5

6:30 pm

Compassionate

Communication

Practice Group

6

8 am Quilting

*Council post-poned

to 12/15

7

5:15 pm WBS &

Praise Band Practice

6 pm Community Meal

6:45 pm Confirmation

& LYO (Decorating)

8

6:30 am Men’s

Breakfast and

Bible Study

9:30 am FLUTES

practice

6 pm Faith Circle

9 10

11 8:15 am Choir

9 am Worship

FLUTES playing

10 am Fellowship

10 am Blood

Pressures

10:30 am Advent

Activity/Lunch

10:30 am

Hand bells

12

6:30 pm

Compassionate

Communication

Practice Group

13 8 am Quilting

14

5:15 pm WBS &

Praise Band Practice

5:30 pm WBS

Christmas Program

6 pm Community Meal

Christmas Dinner

6:45 pm Confirmation

& LYO

15 6:30 am Men’s

Breakfast and

Bible Study

9:30 am FLUTES

practice

7 pm Council

Year-end

reports due

16 Ambassador

News articles

Due

Poinsettia

donations

due

17

18 8:15 am Choir

Choir Sings

9 am Worship

10 am Fellowship

10:30 am Advent

Activity/Lunch

10:30 am

Hand bells

19 10 am Extended

Care Service

6:30 pm

Compassionate

Communication

Practice Group

20 8 am Quilting

5:30 pm Christian

Education Comm.

21

NO WEDNESDAY

NIGHT ACTIVITIES

5:15 p.m. Praise Band

Practice

22 6:30 am Men’s

Breakfast and

Bible Study

9:30 am FLUTES

practice

23

Office

Closed in

afternoon

24

Christmas Eve

Services

3:30 pm

5:30 pm

11:00 pm

25

Christmas

9 am Worship

26

Office Closed

27

8 am Quilting

28

NO WEDNESDAY

NIGHT ACTIVITIES

29 6:30 am Men’s

Breakfast and

Bible Study

9:30 am FLUTES

practice

30

31

418 West Main Street

Sidney, MT 59270 Phone: (406) 433-3350

Fax: (406) 433-3352

Email: pella@pellachurch.net Facebook: Pella Lutheran Church Web page: www.pellachurch.net Radio Broadcast: 95.1 FM 9 a.m.

PELLA LUTHERAN

CHURCH

INTERIM PASTOR: Joel Westby

pastorjoel@pellachurch.net ADMIN. ASSISTANT:

Chole Butler cbutler@pellachurch.net

PARISH ASSISTANT: Becky Reidle

breidle@pellachurch.net

YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY COORDINATOR: Janelle Leader Lamb

jlamb@pellachurch.net CUSTODIAN:

Kenny Vannatta MISSION PARTNER

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy

COMPANION SYNOD Cape Orange Diocese Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa

COMPANION CONGREGATOIN Upington Parish

Northern Cape, South Africa

THE PELLA

AMBASSADOR IS

PUBLISHED MONTHLY

BY PELLA LUTHERAN

CHURCH

Office Hours

Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(Closed from Noon to

1:00 p.m. for lunch)

Pella Lutheran Church

418 West Main Street

Sidney, Montana 59270

No Wednesday Activities

December 21 & 28

Office closed

Friday afternoon, December 23

Monday, December 26