The  CHIMES

Published weekly by Muhlenberg Lutheran Church

281 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801

V   Phone: 540-434-3496   V   Fax: 540-574-4023

E-mail address:  Muhlenberg@rica.net 

 V   Website:  http://home.rica.net/Muhlenberg

 

December 3, 2006

 


Selected Readings

  

    Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth thrown in.

   Aim at Earth and you get neither. 

C. S. Lewis

 

 

   You’ll never steer a straight course until you learn to look farther down the road.

                                   Anonymous

 

 

Luther Quote of the Day

   Grant dear Lord God, that the blessed day of thy Holy Advent may come soon so that we may be redeemed from all bodily and spiritual misery and be made like Thee.  Amen.

 

 

The weekly deadline for The Chimes

is 8:00 a.m. Thursday.

 

 

Today at Muhlenberg

Upcoming Events

Area Shepherd’s Meeting

For those currently serving as C.A.R.I.N.G. neighborhood shepherds, we plan to meet TODAY from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. to share with one another.  An invitation will be forthcoming, but please mark your calendar now.  A light supper will be served.

 

Advent-ure Sunday

TODAY

12:30 – 3:00 PM in the MAC

Start the Advent season by joining us Today for Advent-ure Sunday.  We will have crafts for the whole family including making your own Advent wreath with greenery and candles.  Lunch will be provided by the Alpha Teens immediately following the 11:00 worship service.  Please bring your straw wreath form from past years to re-decorate. 

 

 

A New Light is Shining

2007 VISION GOALS

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Once again it is time for us to think about our commitment to the ministries of Muhlenberg and Return Thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us.  Today we will be given a pledge card and a time and talent card.  Prayerfully consider your financial commitment to Muhlenberg and also the various ministries that you can join to serve this Congregation.  We will consecrate our pledges on Sunday December 12th.

 

Thank you

   My family and I have appreciated all the sympathy cards, thoughts and prayers, and fond memories expressed to us upon the passing of our mother, Grace Pettite.  Thank you for all the Christian love and concern shown to our family.

                       Louise Johnson

 

Bell Ringers

MLC’s newly confirmed 9th grade students and their mentors are going to ring bells for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 16.  They would like to invite any members who would also like to ring the Bells to be part of this serving experience.  If you are interested in serving as a Ringer, please contact Tim Peifer (438-9167) or Diane Bayer (434-3496) for more information.

 

 

Advent SEASON:

A NEW WORSHIP BOOKLET

AND THE YEAR OF LUKE

   The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new church year.  This year (cycle C of the 3-year lection­ary) focuses on the Gospel of Luke. 

   Today we use a musical setting of our liturgy which reflects the mood of Advent:  a time of waiting, preparing, and hoping.  It prepares us for the celebration of the coming of Christ at Bethlehem, it refers to Christ’s coming to us today in Word and Sacrament and in the communion of the Church, and it is a time of sober preparation for Christ’s coming again at the end of time.

   What will we do this year to prepare for the coming of Christ?  Will we make room in our lives and holiday preparations for daily devotions, lighting an Advent wreath, or a work of love and mercy for someone in need?  O come, O come, Emmanuel!

 

 

Christmas Giving Opportunity

Sponsored by J Crew

   Today is the last day to be part of this giving opportunity.  If you would still like to contribute, the J Crew will be filling the bags later today and you can drop off your items in the MAC until 3:00.  See the bulletin board for items needed.

 

 

Capital Campaign

Special Giving

   There will be special offering envelopes in the pews throughout Advent for a year-end gift towards the building of the new gathering area.  If God has so blessed you, please prayerfully consider making a special gift.

 

 

LPCM EXAM KITS

Brighten a student's day by donating home baked cookies/brownies/candy/Chex mix/etc. (individually wrapped), gum, pens, highlighters, post-it notes, small stress relieving toys,  or anything else that you would be happy to see during a week of tests!  (Contributions can be placed in the black bucket in the Narthex.)  For more information, contact Kathleen Haines (haineskb@jmu.edu or 432-9613).

 

SOPHIE MOELLER CIRLCE

will meet Monday, December 4th at 12:30 in the room off the church kitchen.  This will be our annual Christmas party so bring your favorite dish and don’t forget your contribution of snack food for the Roberta Webb Child Care Center.

   Juanita Propst will lead a program on the “Meaning of Advent.”

 

Ruth Sigmon Circle

We will have a potluck dinner Monday, December 4th at 6 PM, in Wayland Hall.  Please bring a poem or article pertaining to the season to share with the group.

 

Calling All Cookie Bakers

   If you can donate two dozen cookies for the goodie bags for Christmas Caroling to our senior members, please sign up on the bulletin board and bring cookies to the MAC kitchen before 11 a.m. Dec. 17th.  Thanks from the CARE Committee.

 


Faith Formation & Youth

 

J Crew News

Join us today in the MAC as we share a meal at Advent-ure Sunday and then go Christmas shopping for the Salvation Army’s Santa Bags.  Don’t forget to bring your items.  We will fill the bags when we return from shopping.

 

 

Alpha Teens News

Join us today as we serve lunch and help with Advent-ure Sunday.  Please remember to bring your items for the Salvation Army’s Santa Bags. 

 

 

JAMers News

(Elementary youth group 2-5 grades)

We will meet today in place of our normal meeting on the second Sunday of the month.  Please join us for time together at Advent-ure Sunday.  We will share a meal and do some crafts together. 

 

 

Fellowship Time …

…Every Sunday morning, 10:35-10:55 in the MAC.  The host group for December 3rd is the Nielsen Room Adult Class.

 

 

Weekly Health Report

A full Health Report is printed monthly in The Red Door and posted on the church bulletin board.

At RMH:  Mildred Onsgard

If you desire a visit in the hospital or to be placed on the prayer chain, please be sure to call the church office.

 

 

Weekly Report

November 26, 2006

Attendance:

  8:00 Worship 128                       

  9:30 Worship 144

11:00 Worship 154

  6:30 Worship    27

Total            453

Total Regular Offering:  $14,845.05*

Designated Receipts:

Capital Campaign II......          $         *4,365.00

Special Offerings............          $         312.00

Flower Fund..................          $         35.00

World Hunger................          $         57.00

Copies............................          $         185.00

Shoes for Central America       $         100.00

Salvation Army Santa Bags     $         75.00

Campus Room...............          $         200.00

Ford’s Theatre Trip.......          $         396.00

Kitchen Improvement Fund     $         376.00

Rwanda School Project..          $         24.00

Music Program..............          $         20.00

Sunday School:  Rwanda School  $    20.02

GRAND TOTAL..........          $         20,152.07

*includes Simply Giving Funds

“BUILDING THE DREAM”

Thanks to God and the generous stewardship of the Muhlenberg Family, all outstanding debt on the MAC, church renovations, and Garber property has been covered!  All gifts received now go towards building our new Gathering Area. 

Total received for the Gathering Area:

$46,646.00


Daily Devotions

“Praying Our Faith Together!”

For use by individuals and families at home, at the office, at mealtimes, over that morning cup of coffee or before bedtime.  Scripture citations taken from the Two Year Daily Lectionary in the Lutheran Book of Worship, pages 179-192.  (Year 2)

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

(The Apostle’s Creed)

Mon. 2 Peter 3:1-18   

Tues. Revelation 22:12-16     

Wed. Luke 11:29-32  

Thu.  Philippians 1:12-18a

Fri.    Philippians 1:18b-2b

Sat.   Luke 9;1-6

Sun.  Luke 3:1-6

 

Weekly Calendar

December 4 — December 10

Mon.  12:30 p.m.  Sophie Moeller Circle 

         6:00 p.m.  Ruth Sigmon Circle

Tues.  6:15 pm  Folk Choir Rehearsal

          6:30 pm   EFM

          7:00 pm 8:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

Wed.  7:30 am Bible Study

        10:00 am Staff Meeting

        12:00 noon  Holy Communion

          5:45 pm WAM Meal

          6:30 pm Children’s Choir

          6:30 pm Handbell Ringers

          7:00 pm Lutheran-Cath. Bible Study

          7:30 pm 11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

Thurs. 5:30 pm  Partners in Prayer

          7:30 pm Teen Choir

Sat.    8:00 pm JMU Lessons & Carols

Sun.  8:00 am  Holy Communion

          9:30 am Holy Communion

        11:00 am Holy Communion

         6:30 pm Holy Communion