December 2023 Announcements
THE CHURCH WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW FOR THE NEW YEAR’S DAY HOLIDAY.
THERE IS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS MORNING but there is fellowship coffee. Sunday School will resume next week.
OUR THREE DAYS OF PRAYER BEGIN ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 2. Join us at 6:00 pm on Tuesday evening for Prayer & Pizza. On Wednesday, January 3, we will have a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary, led by Bob Becker and our Confirmation and High School students. On Thursday evening, we’ll have a Healing Prayer Service in the sanctuary at 6:00 pm. If you’re in need of healing, come and we’ll pray over you; if you’re not in need of healing, come and pray over others.
We also invite you to set aside time each day to devote yourself to prayer.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION will be held on Sunday, February 4. All Committee and Board reports are due in the church office by January 14.
THE GIDEONS INVITE YOU TO GIVE BIBLES THIS CHRISTMAS. There are ornaments on the tree in the narthex that can be given to those you are gifting, as well as envelopes that can be used to send your donation to the the Gideons.
BRADEN THOMAS AND HIS WIFE LUPE have both been deployed to Europe. Please keep them, and all of our military, in your prayers.
TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP: will not meet this week or next week.
NEVADA FOOD AT FIRST IS OFFERING FREE CARRY-OUT MEALS IN McCALLSBURG on Monday and Thursday evenings. No delivery on Thanksgiving Day. We need drivers who are able to go to Nevada to pick up the meals and bring them to McCallsburg. If you can help with this, please talk to Pastor Kathy or Linda Mahlow. Order meals by calling 515-215-3904 or go online to https://bit.ly/3c3bfS9. YOU WILL NEED TO ORDER YOUR OWN MEAL BEFORE 3:30 pm EACH TIME YOU WISH TO RECEIVE ONE.
THE BALANCE IN OUR GENERAL FUND has fallen very low. Please remember your offering even during these busy summer months.
A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION OF OUR DAILY BREAD, reflections on the Carols of Christmas, is available on the table in the narthex. Please help yourself.
THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE OF CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE is now available on the table in the narthex. This issue focuses pm the biblical time of the Judges. Please help yourself.
OUR DAILY BREAD FOR DECEMBER – FEBRUARY is available on the table in the narthex. Please help yourselves.
PORTALS OF PRAYER FOR JANUARY – MARCH are available on the table in the narthex. Please help yourself.
DECEMBER MISSION COLLECTION: Throughout the month of December, we’ll continue to collect items for the Bridge Home in Ames. They need packaged food that does not need to be refrigerated and that can be heated in a microwave with no additional preparation required. Canned ready-to-eat soups and other foods that can be opened without a can opener. Also socks and underwear for men and women as well as personal care items. Also hand and foot warmers. Bring your donations to the church and place them on the table in the upper hallway. They will be distributed to those in need at the Bridge Home in Ames as well as in our local communities.
BLANKET COLLECTION: The Mission Committee is collected blankets (new, gently used, or homemade) to be distributed to homeless and needy individuals in our area. Please bring your donations to church during November.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS WILLING TO LEARN TO RUN OUR SOUND/VIDEO SYSTEM. If God has gifted you with a skill for technology, please talk to Mark Thomas or Brad Becker to see how you can help. Brad has offered to teach a class to anyone interested in learning.
OUR CHURCH BUILDING WILL REQUIRE TUCKPOINTING in the near future and the Trustees are inviting everyone to contribute to a fund that will pay for this essential project. Simply mark your donation “Tuckpointing”—we appreciate whatever you can do.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY continues. Everyone is invited to join us at 8:00 am as we study Paul’s letters to Timothy.
SUNDAY NIGHT MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: All men of the congregation are invited to join in at 7:00 PM on Sunday evenings.
OUR DAYCARE IS HIRING. WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF MORE STAFF. We especially need part-time staff (able to work even a few hours a week) and people who would be able to fill in when regular staff is sick or otherwise unable to work. Please talk to Pastor Kathy if you are interested.
PARTICIPATING IN OUR SERVICE TODAY:
ORGANIST: Kirby Christensen
SCRIPTURE READER: Perry Ritland
ACOLYTE: Julie Banks
USHERS: Bryce Hendrick Family
SERVING FELLOWSHIP COFFEE: Luther League
PARTICIPATING IN OUR SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 7th:
ORGANIST: Kirby Christensen
SCRIPTURE READER: Bob Becker
ACOLYTE: Hayden Hendrick
SETUP COMMUNION: Linda and Richard Mahlow
USHERS: Perry Ritland, Jake Ritland, Lilly Skinner, Christine Skinner
SERVING FELLOWSHIP COFFEE: Dave and Chris Skinner, Aric and Suzie Jurgensen
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR
Sunday, December 31
8:00 am Bible Study
9:30 am Worship
10:30 am Fellowship Coffee
7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study
Monday, January 1
*Church Closed*
Tuesday, January 2
6:00 pm Prayer and Pizza
Wednesday, January 3
6:00 pm Confirmation
7:00 pm Luther League
7:00 pm Prayer Service
Thursday, January 4
6:00 pm Prayer Service