Ripples

Stillwater Free Lutheran Church

“Sharing Jesus Christ with Our Neighbors”

1401 Church Drive Pastor Craig Scavo

Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 253-7003

(406) 257-4614 Youth Pastor Dan Wilhelm

E-Mail Address: stillwtr@cyberport.net (406) 261-8004

www.stillwaterlutheranchurch.com Office Hours: 8:30-1:30 Tues – Fri

December

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of

Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

From the Pastors Desk

As the month of December starts, it brings with it the anticipation the Christmas

is just around the corner! The shopping, and parties, and decorating, and baking…

all those things that remind us that Christmas is almost here!

As you all know, I don’t do so well during this time of year. I am reminded that I

have a Grinch like attitude all during this season. I never seem to get caught up,

and always feel that there are things that I needed to get done but didn’t. All of it

leads to my Christmas cheer to be lacking! As I pondered this this year and

thought about ways to not let the Grinch come out this year, my attention was

directed toward the purpose of the four weeks before Christmas.

Do any of you remember what this time of year is? It’s called Advent. The word

means coming, or arriving, and it carries the idea of expectant waiting. During the

Advent season, we are in a time of expectant waiting. Waiting to celebrate the

amazing gift of God delivered in the form of His Son – Jesus. Born in a manger and

dying to take away the sins of the world!

BUT – the Advent season is also a time to slow down to savor the season.

Instead of sprinting toward Christmas morning, Advent invites us to breathe

deeply and appreciate the anticipation of Christ’s birth.

But how do we do it? How do you add just one more thing to our already

overwhelmed and overbooked holiday schedules? What we must realize is that

it’s not about adding one “more” thing. Advent is about making space for the best

thing, so our hearts have room for Jesus as Christmas arrives. It’s an opportunity

to set aside special moments to fully experience the joy and the miracle of

Christmas; to focus on Christ’s birth amid the chaos that covers our holiday to-do

lists.

This is an opportunity to embrace Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know I am God”

during one of the most hectic seasons of the year.

Be still, wait, and savor.

That’s what the Christmas season should be about.

Maybe this year you would consider slowing just a bit and contemplating the

reason for the season?

Think about it — are you hurried, hustling, and harried? Or are you slowing

down, focusing on God more than gifts, and asking Him to show you how to shine

a light during the season?

If you lean toward the hurried description, like I usually do at this time of year,

ask – what are some ways you, and your family, might benefit from a shift in focus

over the next few weeks?

Inviting family to slow down and celebrate Advent – the coming of the Savior of

the World – is a gift that has eternal returns.

Take some time and gather over Scripture or decorate your tree with a special

ornament each day or start a tradition with a traditional Advent Calendar.

Whatever you do, take some time and spend it with family as you ponder the

significance of the season!

This Advent, I pray you celebrate with expectant hearts, savoring the season as

we look forward with excitement to receiving the greatest gift God has ever given

His children.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Craig Scavo

Free Flyers Youth Group The Free Flyers are committed to serve the community through our strength in Jesus Christ.

December Youth Schedule

Dec. 5th - Jr. & Sr. Youth group 6-7

Dec. 8th - Christmas parade on Main Street (4:15 line-up)

Dec. 12th - Jr. & Sr. Youth group 6-7

Dec. 19th - TBD

Dec. 23rd - Christmas Program 10am

Dec. 26th - No youth group, Merry Christmas!

In March our Bible school in Minneapolis, MN hosts campus days from the 15th-17th. Campus days gives a quick look at what it would be like to attend the

Bible school. Our students will have the opportunity to interact with current students, attend worship service and classes. If you are in high school and are

interested, please let me know.

FLY registration is opening soon! The best price rate is before Jan 31st.

We also need adults to possibly take our youth to FLY. This year I am working as staff and need to be there earlier. If you are interested, please let me know.

As always please pray for our youth and myself! Thanks

Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns at 406-261-8004

From December 1996

Upcoming Events:

December 2,9,16,23 – Youth are selling Christmas Cookie Trays

Please bring goodies for the youth to put on trays!

Don’t forget your money to purchase trays between services!

December 7th – Decorate Parade Float @ the Fairgrounds @ 11:00

Please contact Nicole if you can help and she can give you further

information.

December 8th – Christmas Parade in Kalispell @ 5:00 p.m.

Let us know if you want to ride on the float and hand out

candy – we will be lining up around 4:15. Please let Nicole

know ahead of time so you can pick up your costume from

the church. The float will be a live nativity scene.

December 21st – WMF Christmas Potluck & Party @ Bonnie’s

@ 6:00 p.m.

December 23rd – Children’s Christmas Program @ 10:00 a.m.

Please come see our program!

December 24th – Christmas Eve Candle Light Services @ 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

December 31st – Feeding the Flathead

Let Judy Hogan know if you can help!

January 20th – Annual Meeting between services

2018 WMF Christmas Party

Pot-luck Dinner

Secret Prayer Sisters Revealed

Choose 2019 Prayer Sisters

Goodies

Prayer

Singing

Fellowship

White Elephant Gift Exchange

At Bonnie’s House

Friday December 21st

6:00 p.m. White Elephant Gift Exchange: Bring an inexpensive new or lightly used gift, wrapped

and without a name on it.

November 15th

Bonnie opened with devotions from 1Thesalonians 4:13-18 and 2Chronicles 5:1-10 and prayer. Our money will go to World Missions this month. The treasurer’s

report was given by Linda McGrew. We have $604 in the bank. We decided to send the birthday money to Hannah Lee this year, she is one of our

new missionary wives.

December 8th will be the Christmas Parade. We will have a float again this year. December 1st we will decorate the church for Christmas. Our Christmas play will be at 10:00 a.m. on December 23rd, this is taking the place of our Sunday Service.

Thanksgiving eve we will have one service at 7:00 p.m. and there will be a pie social after the service that our youth will serve so please bring a pie to share.

Nicole is updating our WMF handbook so if your birthdate is not in it, please let her know soon so we can get you added.

Elaine led our Bible Study titled “Hope Realized: When Hope Becomes Sight.” Linda McGrew will be ordering our Bible Study books for next year soon. They

are $12 each, if you would like a book, let her know and get her paid soon. Our Christmas Party will be a potluck at Bonnie’s house on December 21st at 6:00 p.m. We will reveal our prayer sisters that night so don’t forget to get a small gift for your prayer sister! Also, that night we will be picking our new secret prayer

sisters for 2019.

Thank you, Nicole, for opening our beautiful home for our meeting. A very delicious lunch was served.

Elaine Lessor; Secretary

Building Committee Report

At the end of 2015 and the start of 2016, the building committee revisited the subject of constructing a new building on the church property. Shortly thereafter some goals were set and a “Five Year Plan” was adopted by the committee and shared with the congregation. A civil engineering company was hired (WGM) and Ted Clarke was hired as our architect. With the help of WGM, local and state agencies and others, several preliminary steps were identified as needing to be completed before a building could be constructed. A review of the “Five Year Plan” reveals that our timelines were adjusted along the way, but we are still well within the window of having the new building completed and ready for occupancy by the end of 2021. As we begin 2019, we face three major steps yet to be accomplished! The first being the relocation of the pavilion. Timing for this move is still to be decided. Also, a new septic and drain field system must be built. Whether this gets done at the same time the new building is being constructed, or not, is still to be decided. Many decisions and much work remain as we move forward, but we are confident with God’s help, the steps ahead will be accomplished in a timely manner. Funding for this project will continue to be a major focus. Please keep the project and committee in your prayers. As we approach the Christmas season and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ, your building committee sends wishes for a joyous and blessed Christmas.

Respectfully submitted, Ed Van Scoten

Flash Back!! From the December 1985 Stillwater Church News:

Our AWANA kids received new Bibles and custom-made

bags with their names on them!

Thank you, Heather and Karen, for purchasing the Bibles with the

AWANA funds!

Thank you, Linda McGrew, for making the bags for us!

Thank you, Susan Shea, for putting our names on our bags!

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