080106

Selected Readings

The star shines in the night sky. It is only a sign. Like the Magi, we have the choice to journey toward it or stay stuck wherever we are.

-Lawrence Kushner

You cannot find wisdom if you look only through your human eyes...you must look through God's eyes..."

Gibran

Luther Quote of the Day

The God of this world is riches, pleasure and pride.

Today at Muhlenberg

Food Pantry Donations Today & Lay Communion Ministers Serving our Shut-ins

Today we receive non-perishable food donations for area food pantries.

Immediately after the Gospel reading, Pastor Vought will invite the children to help collect the food and place it in front of the altar table.

Lay Communion Ministers will be blessed and sent forth this morning.

Children’s Epiphany Program

TODAY at 10:15, there will be a Children’s Epiphany Program in the MAC. All Faith Formation Groups not participating are invited to attend—this includes the adult classes. The pastors will conclude the 9:30 Liturgy at 10:15 so members may attend the program. The whole congregation is invited to the program, not just the 9:30 worshippers.

This Week at Muhlenberg

Ruth Sigmon Circle

The Ruth Sigmon Circle will meet at Pano’s Monday, January 7th at 6:00 pm.

Sophie Moeller Circle

The Sophie Moeller Circle will meet Tuesday, January 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the room off the church kitchen.

“Wednesdays at Muhlenberg!”

Join your Church family each Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. for a community meal, catered by the Muhlenberg Kitchen Committee at a price you can’t beat: Adults - $3.00, Children 12 and under - FREE. Kitchen staff and servers eat free, too.

Then after dinner, join us for Bible Study, youth and music opportunities. (see “Weekly Calendar” for scheduling details). Sign up on the hallway bulletin board or call Janet Simmons at 434-5258 by Tuesday evening so we can plan for enough food.

**Remember, you don’t have to attend one of the activities to join us for dinner.**

Comfort Making

Begins this Thursday, January 10 in the Nielsen Room, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring scissors, a sweater, a bag lunch, and wear comfortable shoes. Call Katie Ray at 879-2427 for info.

Muhlenberg is Hosting HARTS

January 14-20

Volunteers needed for this ministry!

Muhlenberg will be hosting HARTS (Harrisonburg and Rockingham Thermal Shelter), a cold-weather shelter for Homeless People in the MAC, January 14-20. Muhlenberg will provide hospitality, an evening meal and a warm place to sleep each evening for our guests. Liz Brickhouse, who has worked with a similar shelter program, has agreed to be the Key Volunteer for this program. Volunteers are needed to provide and serve evening meals, stay overnight, spend time with the guests as well as set-up and cleanup each day. Sign-up TODAY on the Bulletin Board to share in this ministry! HARTS is sponsored by the Interfaith Association and the City of Harrisonburg.

Recycle Christmas Cards

Cleaning up after Christmas? Don't throw out your pretty Christmas cards. We may be able to recycle the fronts to make cards or crafts next year during Adventure Sunday and for our Christmas caroling recipients. Please limit to those with pretty scenes or nativity themes and tear or cut off just the fronts. Rubber band together and mark for “Care Ministry” and put in Care Committee box or on table next to it.

2008 Flower Chart Posted

Sign up early to reserve your special dates to provide Sunday altar flowers. Two families have the opportunity to donate flowers each week, which can be given as a memorial or in honor of special people in your life. The cost for flowers is $25.

Faith Formation & Youth

(Contact Diane Bayer at 434-3496 for more information on any of these events.)

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

THERE WILL BE

NO CHILDREN’S OPENING

IN THE SANCTUARY TODAY!

Advent Coin Folders

The Advent coin folders the Sunday morning Faith Formation groups have been saving will be collected Today, Epiphany Sunday, January 6. You may place them in the collection plate during worship, or you may give them to your Faith Formation teachers. All money received will go to our “Second Home” children. If you didn’t bring your folder today, you may place it in the offering plate next Sunday.

JCREW

We will meet TODAY in the MAC after the 11:00 liturgy. Contact Karen Thomsen (828-2808) for info.

Alpha Teens News

We will meet TODAY in the MAC after the 11:00 liturgy for lunch and a Matinee movie. Contact Saundra (433-0291) or Tim (438-9167) for info.

Bishop’s Bible Study

Visit Worley@vasynod.org to join the Bishop’s Bible Study Tuesdays and Fridays with the Small and Large Catechism, and the Augsburg Confession on Wednesdays.

Fellowship Time …

…Every Sunday morning, 10:35-10:55 in the MAC. The host group for today is the 7^th grade Confirmation Class. The host for next week January 13^th is the “Augsburg” Adult Class.

JAMers: Elementary Youth Group

We will meet next Sunday, January 13 at 4:00 in the MAC to do an Epiphany activity. Please come and join the fun. Contact Mary Delaney at 540-588-4831 or e-mail at catgemini@gmail.com.

Religions of the World

ADULT FORMATION GROUP

Please let Diane Bayer know ASAP if you are interested in this class continuing into the New Year or if you weren’t able to attend the first sessions and would like to attend them. Chris and Darryl would be glad to run the session again. In order to plan, we need to know of your interest. For more information, contact Chris Arndt 434-0452 or Darryl Nash 433-0255.

Dear Muhlenberg Family,

We want to thank everyone for your outpouring of affection and for all the many remembrances you have given to us. We are blessed to be part of the faithful Muhlenberg family. May our ministry together continue to be a blessing for all. Thank you and God’s blessings on each of you,

Pastor Dave+, Pastor Joe+,

Diane, Nancy, Linda & Barbara

Health Report Update

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

At Bridgewater Home: Ann and Erwin Weinrich

Doing Better & Removed from List:

Linda Morrison

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

December 30, 2007

Attendance:

8:00 Worship 97 Wed. noon 7

9:30 Worship 119

11:00 Worship 174

6:30 Worship 7

Total 397

Total Regular Offering: $17,888.00*

Designated Receipts:

Capital Campaign II...... $ 21,122.50*

Special Offerings............ $ 244.00

Flower Fund.................. $ 60.00

World Hunger................ $ 100.00

Pastors’ Discretionary Fund $ 25.00

Advent Folder (Second Home) $ 3.50

Caroling......................... $ 50.00

Postage.......................... $ 100.00

Sunday School: Rwanda School $8.75

Second Home................. $ 2,757.50*

Parish Nurse Program.... $ 500.00

Year-End Gift—Building Fund $ 1,250.00

Year-End Gift—Gifts & Offerings $3.00

Rwanda School Project.. $ 25,250.00

Memorials:

Ageon........................ $ 25.00

Voige......................... $ 25.00

Leonard..................... $ 50.00

Stidley....................... $ 100.00

Building Fund Memorial $ 25.00

Social Ministry.............. $ 80.00

GRAND TOTAL.......... $ 69,667.25

*Includes Simply Giving

“BUILDING THE DREAM”

Total received for the Gathering Area: $535,238.00

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 Three-Year Daily Lectionary in the new ELW, pages 1121 to 1153, (Year A).

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

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(The Apostle’s Creed)

Mon. Ephesians 3:14-21

Tues. Ephesians 4:7, 11-16

Wed. Luke 13:31-35

Thurs. Acts 9:1-9

Fri. Acts 9:10-19a

Sat. Acts 9:19b-31

Sun. Matthew 3:13-17

Weekly Calendar

January 7 - January 13

Mon. 7:00 pm Ruth Sigmon Circle

Tues. 1:30 pm Sophie Moeller Circle

Wed. 7:30 am Bible Study

10:00 am Staff Meeting

10:30 am No Experience Necessary

12:00 noon Holy Communion

5:00 pm Teen Choir

6:00 pm WAM Community Meal

6:30 pm Children’s Choir

6:30 pm Gloria Dei Ringers

6:30 pm Mary/Martha Group

6:45 pm Teen Theatre

7:00 pm Lutheran-Cath. Bible Study

7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir

Thurs. 9:30 am Joy of Living

10:00 am Comfort Makers

11:45 am Prayer Shawl Ministry

5:30 pm Partners in Prayer

Sun. 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 & 6:30 Holy Communion

4:00 pm JAMers

7:30 pm Sunday PM Bible Study

Published weekly by Muhlenberg Lutheran Church

281 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801

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