Family and friends of Michael Baus
PRAYERS – Jon Cook; Millie Mutka; Jim Moravec; Myria Strong; Kathy Mayo; Barb Zima’s friends Mick, Steven and Marilyn Hummel; Gregory Bowens; Laurie Nelson; Amber Ross’s daughter Linda; Jerrie Van Haverbeke’s niece Jolane Gervasi; Sandy Bishop’s friend Kelly Newman; Randy & Diane Niemczyk’s daughter Julia VanAvery, niece Sarah Joda, Denise Runde and Denise Hazel; Dick Volland; Valeria Hesselberg; Chris Markussen; Anne Verona’s sister/brother-in-law Pat & Woody Woodworth and friends Dennis Peterson, Natalie Madine, Eli Peters and Randy Ballard; Strong’s friend Erin Molle; Debbie Cyrtmus’ mother, Rose Wicker and sister, Corrie Trittin; the Ebert’s friend Patricia Kulzick; Karen Stanton’s friend Mary Lou Zelinski; Patricia Rasmussen’s sister Christine; Joyce Leander’s cousin Laurie Nelson and friend Casey Hohs; Sandy Bishop’s brother Larry; Ashley Clark’s friends Keith & Becky Hernandez and Kristie Dehart; the Waggoner’s sister-in-law Cheryl Busse, and friends Karla Zyhowski, Melissa Branta ; Karen Engels niece Lisa and friend Bob; Ann Carlson’s people David, Walt, Darren, Curt and Troy; peace for all nations and comfort for those in distress.
PRAYER LIST PROCEDURE – Submit your prayer requests to the office in writing, by phone, by email or in person. If requesting prayers for someone other than yourself or an immediate family member, please obtain permission – unless the circumstances are public in nature.
GUESTS – if you are visiting us today, please sign our book at the entrance to the sanctuary.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM PASTOR GRANT –
Dear Friends,
What a year of blessings to be ministering with you. If you are around, I personally invite you to today’s Blue Christmas Service at 1:00 p.m. and our Christmas Eve Candlelight service this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. If you travel, prayers of safety and goodness with family and friends. Remember, Christ isn’t looking for the perfect time, but faithfulness in the time we share. May your Christmas be filled with love and the gift of the Christ Child.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Grant
BIRTHDAY SUNDAY – join us after worship and celebrate the following birthdays: Waylon Clark, Dick Anderson, Mark Licktieg, Dale Sharpee, Dave Roberts and Chris Ebert. (I did forget to print it out on the bulletin – apologies for that)
GRAB A CUP? GRAB TWO ! – we need assistance with coffee hour. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Please consider assisting with set-up or clean-up.
MITTEN AND HAT TREE – God’s Work – Our Hand’s is collecting gloves and hats to go to the NPHS district schools. We will be collecting all of December. There is a tree in the Narthex to hang your donations.
LWR QUILTERS ARE ON A HIATUS! Knot even kidding. Next quilters meeting will be Feb 18, 2026. Same time, same place, same bat(ting) channel.
JOLABOKAFLOD – yol-a-book-a-flo-d is the tradition of gifting a book to someone on Christmas Eve. Books will be wrapped and here for the taking after our Christmas Eve service. (Please do not purchase new books).
ICE SCREAM – YOU SCREAM – If anyone wants some frozen treats – please raid the downstairs freezer. Take however much you want! Thanks!
NEW YEARS GAME DAY – but early. On December 28 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, the Christian Ed team will be hosting an appetizer potluck with games for all ages. Drinks will be provided. Bring an appetizer (or not. It isn’t required) but bring your game face ‘cause it’s on like Donkey Kong!*.
* “It’s on Like Donkey Kong” is an iconic slang term that originated from the world of video games, specifically the classic arcade game Donkey Kong. This phrase encapsulates a sense of excitement, intensity, and readiness for a challenge.
FUN FACT: Since we’re trying to offload the frozen treats in the downstair freezer – maybe some history might stimulate some interest during the cold days of December.
The earliest mention of ice cream sandwiches in North America occurs in 1899. Street vendors in New York sold slabs of ice cream between sheets of paper, called “hokey pokey”, until someone had the idea of using cookies instead. Photos from the Jersey Shore circa 1905 show ice cream sandwiches being sold at 1¢ each. The earliest US patent having to do with ice cream sandwiches (No. 1,387,613) is by Russell H. Proper for an “Ice Cream Sandwich Machine” in 1921
The Bomb Pop was invented by James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 30, 1955. In 1971, Bomb Pop was trademarked. In 1975, Bomb Pop was patented by then President of Merritt Foods, James W. Wilkerson.
Fudgesicles were invented in the 1920s by Frank Epperson, an American entrepreneur and inventor. Epperson created the first Fudgesicle by accident when he left a mixture of powdered soda and chocolate on his porch with a stirring stick in it. The mixture froze overnight, and when Epperson discovered it the next morning, he was delighted to find that it had turned into a tasty, frozen treat.
NOTES FROM ANN – So I missed all of the Advent Wednesdays except for last night. And boy – am I glad that is the one I attended. For several reasons – but first and foremost was the message:
The message was to reflect on “wonder” after reading Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11
“Wonder is one of God’s simplest gifts-and one of the easiest to lose.
When you really look at something-light on a candle flame, the lines on a leaf, the shine on fresh snow-you sometimes see beauty you never saw before.
Isaiah tells us that God gives us:
• a garland instead of ashes
• beauty where we expected brokenness
• joy where we felt small
• hope where we were tired
Wonder is not childish. Wonder is holy. It opens our hearts wide enough to recognize God’s healing, God’s creativity, God’s delight.
Sometimes the world feels heavy.Sometimes we feel like ashes. But God is in the business of turning ashes into beauty-and wonder is how we notice it.
So I wonder. ..
• Where have you seen something beautiful that surprised you lately?
• Where has something heavy become just a little lighter?
• Where do you sense joy beginning to sparkle again?”
For me – living in the Northwoods gives me joy and wonder every day. The other night – when it was clear – I walked out to the barn to do chores and looked up – just in time to see a shooting star pass by over my head.
The picture at the top is from Betty Wright. It doesn’t even look real. But – it really is a buck alongside their driveway. He is standing on a hill and according to Betty – he stood there and waited for her to take his picture!
What are some of the wonders you have seen lately? Do you have a picture or a story to share?
The other wonderful thing about going to the service last night – besides fellowship and the message – was the SOUP! Omigosh – there were three versions of chicken and wild rice soup. There were zero leftovers. Very tasty and very much appreciated.
Huge shoutout to the Eberts for leading us in the Holden Evening Prayer. What a beautiful service. If you have yet to experience one, do yourself a favor and make sure you go next year. They do a fantastic job.
Finally – the last picture – none of you have to be reminded – but wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was as excited about Baby Jesus as they are about Santa?
[Go Bears!]
