BAPTISMS FOR DECEMBER:         

Inspired by the congregational pledge made in the service of Holy Baptism (see page 228, EvLW), we will be including names of those baptized at St. Luke's Zion in our monthly newsletters. 

We hope this will be a reminder to lift them up in prayer, wherever they may be in their faith-walk. 

The following were baptized in the month of December in previous years: 

Sharon L. T.                     Albert J. R.
William G.M. M.                Dolphis V. S.
Anson P. G.                     Jody A. H.
Chase M.P. H.                  Colton S. H.
Donald G. J.                     Emma R. B.
Bradley C. J.

IN OUR PRAYERS:

Please remember in your prayers our shut-in’s in long term care:

Helen B. – Holy Family Nursing Home

Laura G. - Red River Place, Selkirk

Albert J. – Middlechurch Home

Agnes J. – Middlechurch Home

Irene K. - River Park Gardens

Anna M. – Fred Douglas Lodge

Mary M. – Luther Home

Della S. - Donwood Manor

Elfrieda S. - Luther Home 

YOUTH:

Fri. Dec. 2nd CP Holiday Train & Sleepover at SPLC

Sun. Dec. 4th Youth Bake Sale & Lisa at SLZ

Sun. Dec. 4th Prairie Fire at Sherwood Park

Sun. Dec. 11th Lisa at SPLC

Tues. Dec. 13th Lisa at SLZ for Confirmation

Wed. Dec. 14th Community Hamper Help at ALL

Sun. Dec. 18th Lisa at ALL

Sun. Dec. 18th Advent / Christmas Travelling Supper

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS:

once again rather than making our own hampers, we will support other groups that are doing so.  Those who wish are invited to give either food or monetary donations to the Youth Hamper at Abundant Life, Lutheran Urban Ministry or Trinity Food Pantry.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP:

Dec. 24th – 7:00 p.m. – Candlelight Communion Service

Dec. 25th – 10:30 a.m. – Christmas Day Worship

Jan. 1st  – 10:30 a.m. – First Sunday after Christmas

LUM FUNDRAISING:

CHILI-BEAN SOUP / HEMP-SEED BANNOCK /

HEMP-HEARTS (includes recipe for our fabulous cookies) and the GIFT PACKAGE.

These are great to have on hand for a cold day and that time is creeping up really fast.  These make great gifts for teachers, co-workers, hard to buy for friends, students and anyone who wants a warm and hearty meal.  

LUM NEEDS:

Winter Needs: 
blankets/sheets/pillows, sleeping bags for the homeless, long johns, warm sweaters, mitts/hats/scarves, wool or warm socks, regular socks (men's, women's, children's), underwear (men's, women's, children's), towels, facecloths, coats any size (particularly men's large or extra-large), boots (any kind), slippers (handmade or otherwise), used backpacks (especially for adults - any condition as long as the zippers work) are always welcomed.

Need for Emergency Food at the Urban:
Pasta (macaroni, spaghetti, egg noodles, Side Kicks, rice); canned meat (salmon, tuna, ham, Klik or Spam, ravioli, zoodles); instant noodles (beef, chicken, mama noodles); cereal; soups (tomato, vegetable, chicken noodle, mushroom, Campbell's chunky soups); Kraft Dinner; peanut butter; jams; crackers; cookies; jarred baby food; baby formula; diapers (sizes 4 & 5); baby wipes; shampoos; socks (men's, women's & children's); toilet paper; sanitary pads/tampons, and tooth brushes.
Also needed:
empty margarine/yogurt containers; plastic grocery bags; and colouring books (can be partially used, we tear out the pages for Urban kids to colour here) and used crayons/pencil crayons. Coffee for the coffee urn and powdered creamer are always welcomed donations as the coffee is always on here for those who attend.
 

MUSIC CONCERT:

on Sat., Dec. 10th at 7:00 p.m.  Faith Peters’ music students will be holding their Charlie Brown Christmas Concert here at St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church. Everyone is invited to attend. Please join us in supporting these very talented music students.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS:

​Save the date!!!

The Sunday School will be presenting their ‘Star Trip - Our Faith Awakens’ Christmas Program during worship on January 8th, 2017.

Please join us in supporting our students.       Thank You!   

NEST: 

     Good News! The two families originally from the Sudan, and whose application for sponsorship was submitted in 2009, may be arriving in January!

     An application on behalf of Grace Lutheran Church was submitted in September for a young Syrian man. All caregiving, household goods and financial support will be provided by the congregation,

Up-Coming Events:

*There is no NEST meeting in December.

*the next NEST General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 24th, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church.

All are welcome to attend! Refreshments to follow.

*FLAPJACK Fundraiser at APPLEBEE’s:

1598 Regent Avenue W., on Sat., Feb. 11th, 2017. Tickets are $10.00. To get your tickets please see Dorothy Handkamer. 60% of the proceeds will be donated to NEST. Please see the poster on the bulletin board.

*NEST General Meeting in February will be held on Tues., Feb. 28th, 2017 at the Grace Lutheran Church. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments to follow.

~Dorothy H.

NEWS FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: 

Please hand in any Items for the January newsletter by December 23rd  to Joanne Janzen or email to the church stluzi@mymts.net or joannejanzen007@mymts.net Thank You!

Why don’t you tell us your Christmas Story for the next newsletter…you can even submit it anonymously if you like.

LUTHER VILLAGE UPDATE:

   Thank you to our 28 volunteers and those who have already donated to the Luther Village Giving Challenge 2016. Over 1100 connected phone calls were made, plus hundreds of other calls to people who weren’t available to answer.
   We have almost $13,000 already received toward our goal of $40,000. A great start to pledges/donations coming in. 
   There are 34 days left of our 50 day Giving Challenge…you can do it online (www.luthervillage.ca) or call in a credit card or mail a cheque to our winter office in Winnipeg. Thank you for helping to keep this vital ministry alive. 
In other news, 2017 information has been updated on our website. Watch for our new website design in January 2017…exciting changes happening.

FITNESS:

at St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church which started on Wed. Oct.12th, 2016 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. and runs each Wednesday for 10 weeks (Dec. 14th). The cost is $5.00 per drop in or $40.00 for 10 classes. The class is open to 50+ and anyone who wants to improve or maintain their fitness level. For more info: RAULPARAGAS@SHAW.CA OR (204) 997-9105.

TRINITY FOOD PANTRY:

Christmas Dinner

Trinity Food Pantry is hosting a Christmas Dinner on December 3. A full course turkey dinner will be served and gifts given to children 13 and under. About 35-40 gifts at an average cost of $25 each will be given by Santa.

Trinity Food Pantry is still operating out of Trinity Place (Aberdeen Mennonite Church) providing about 55 hampers to about 175 persons. A nutritious lunch (beef or chicken stew, chili) is served every distribution day.   

Donations toward the Christmas dinner and the gifts or the regular lunches or hampers marked Trinity Food Pantry may be made to the sponsoring congregation Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Avenue, Winnipeg, MB.

CLWR - GIFTS FROM THE HEART:

are meaningful and tangible gifts that will share God's love with the world. 
There is something to inspire and delight your friends and family members on any special occasion. 
No matter which you choose, the gifts you give are saving and changing lives.

Pick up your copy of ‘Gifts From The Heart’ catalogue today (SLZ) or you can give a Gift from the Heart online today at www.clwr.org/gfth

PALLIATIVE MANITOBA:

Upcoming Grief Seminars

Our grief seminars are free and open to the public.

Location: Cropo Funeral Chapel (1442 Main Street)

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm

December 6th - The Holidays can be a Difficult Season

December 14th - I'm not in the "Holiday Mood"

 Location: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home (4000 Portage Avenue)

Time: Noon - 1:00 pm 

BISON MEN’S CHORUS:

Annual Christmas Concert

The Bison Men’s Chorus is holding its Annual Christmas Concert at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2016
Lutheran Church of the Cross, 560 Arlington Street, Winnipeg.

Admission is free but we will ask you to make a “free will” offering in support of the Urban, a non-profit organization to help children and families in our community rise above circumstances into a world of hope.
Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $15 or more.

SENIOR’S INFORMATION DAYS:

No Place Like Home: Tips for Independent Living

Wednesday, November 30, 2:00 p.m.
St. James Anglican Church
Speaker: Vicki Russenholt
Topics: 
Fall Prevention
Independent Living Resources
Victoria Lifeline Services 

Housing Options

Options for downsizing living spaces, real estate decisions, principle residence rules, family cottages, condos, life lease, etc
Wednesday, December 7, 2:00 p.m.
Church of St. Stephen & St. Bede 
Speaker: Susan Tod B.A. LL.B

All seniors and their family members are welcome to attend.

WEBINAR: Restorative Justice and Victims:

On Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (EST), the Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General in British Columbia and Restorative Justice Victoria to offer a WebEx on "Meeting the Needs of Victims and Survivors in Restorative Justice Processes through Capacity Building and Collaboration."

Intended Audience 
Restorative justice practitioners; coordinators of RJ agencies; victim services workers; policy and program analysts and related criminal justice professional.

Registration 
Pre-registration is required - please email or call Laurie MacEachern (laurie.maceachern@justice.gc.ca or 613.952.3629) to register.

CANAD INNS WINTER WONDERLAND:

See the sights and a million lights from the warmth and comfort of your vehicle. Now in its sixteenth year, Canad Inns Winter Wonderland features more than 25 theme areas and displays as big as 125 feet wide and 40 feet high.

Open daily 6 to 10 p.m., closed Christmas Day.

December 2, 2016 - January 7, 2017

Free horse-drawn sleigh rides every weekend.

Address: 3977 Portage Avenue at the Red River Exhibition Park, just west of the Perimeter., Winnipeg, MB, R3K 2E8
Phone: 204-888-6990 / 204-989-3456

Manitoba’s largest drive-through light show.

FUNNY CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD NOTICES:

The following announcements appeared in various church bulletins:

1) Don't let worry kill you - let the church help.

2) Thursday night - Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

3) Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.

4) For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

5) The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

6) This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

***stay tuned for more in the January Newsletter

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

LTS President
Job Description:
Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is seeking a dynamic community builder to effect the changes necessary to train lay and ordained leaders able to equip and provide vision to a church in transition.

     As a school of theology, LTS is committed to training leaders appropriate for this time. LTS is owned by the four western synods of the ELCIC. LTS is committed to our partnership with the four western synods of our church.
     LTS is a small seminary sharing courses and professors with the Saskatoon Theological Union, located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.
     Together with our synodical partners the President of LTS must play an active role in student recruitment and the establishment of a firm and viable financial foundation.
LTS seeks a candidate with the following attributes:

-Ordained, or eligible to be ordained in the ELCIC, ELCA or our full communion partner.

-An earned Doctorate in a relevant area of theology.

-Prefer five years of experience in a leadership role in a congregation (may be a combination of lay leadership and rostered leadership).

-The willingness to assume some teaching responsibilities.

-An understanding of the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation process, and the ELCIC’s commitment to all areas of reconciliation.

-Prefer five years of educational administration in a North American Context.

-A collaborative leader who is willing to work in partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders.

-In agreement with the ELCIC Social Statement on Human Sexuality (http://elcic.ca/Human-Sexuality/documents/APPROVEDELCICSocialStatementonHumanSexuality.pdf)

To express and interest in this position and to receive the application documents please contact.
revrdlowe@gmail.com Preferred or       
The Rev. R. David Lowe
Chair of the Search Committee
158 Fairlane Ave, Winnipeg MB
(204) 918-7001

Lutheran Theological Seminary - Director of Donor Relations:
Lutheran Theological Seminary, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, is seeking a Director of Donor Relations.

The Director of Donor Relations will be responsible to and provide support to the Seminary President and work closely with the Director of Communication and Development in the following areas:

-Development of an annual fund development plan
-Donor relations
-Representing the Seminary throughout the four Western Synods of the ELCIC
-Communicating the vision and mission of LTS
-Assist the Director of Communication & Development
Qualifications
-Post-secondary education
-Knowledge and experience with non-profit organizations
-Experience and a proven track record in fund development
-Membership in a Philanthropic Association
-Excellent organizational, managerial and communication skills
-Excellent writing skills
-Knowledge and experience with fund raising software programs
-Must be able to travel throughout Western Canada

A full compensation and benefit package is available to the successful candidate.

If you wish to apply, please send a resume, work history and three references to Rev. Dr. Michael Nel at president.lts@usask.ca by November 30, 2016

SLZ - HELP WANTED: 

The following opportunities for service continue to be available.  Can you help?   All training is provided.

*Ministers of Transportation   (People need rides to church!)   *NEST Board Member   *Choir Members  

*Sunday Servants

Let Pastor Lynne know if you are able to help

Luke 2:8-12 (NRSV)

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.