Christmas Eve Candlelight worship –

5:00 p.m.  Family Service

8:00 p.m. Traditional Worship with Holy Communio

Christmas Day worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.
 
The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation – all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.
 
For these reasons, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mt. Horeb will offer a special “Longest Night” service on December 21^st  at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel.

Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle  – and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.

Come and share in the joy of our young people as they re-tell the Christmas story at ELC this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.!

As the day draws near, two women, Mary and Elizabeth, share a common bond and a mutual experience of God’s miracles on earth.  But Jesus’ presence will be a challenge to the world’s ways.  Are we ready to celebrate God’s presence in our lives?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship with Holy Communion

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m.  Sunday School Christmas Program

Devotions for this week:

Jesus’ Birth Announced                                               December 17-18, 2016

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:

Sunday: Jesus’ Birth Announced, Luke 1:26-45 [46-56]

Monday: Introduction to Luke, Luke 1:1-4

Tuesday: An Angel Tells Zechariah of John’s Birth, Luke 1:5-25

Wednesday: Mary’s Song, Luke 1:46-56

Thursday: Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-66

Friday: Prophecy of Zechariah, Luke 1:67-80

Saturday, Birth of Jesus (Christmas Eve), Luke 2:1-14, [15-20]

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1:46-49

What to do now? Here is Mary, unmarried, now pregnant, but with the Son of God? There’s nothing else to do but take refuge at her cousin’s, where two women share a common bond and a mutual experience of God’s miracles on earth.  Then Mary spoke on behalf of a nation united in its anticipation of something better.

• How will Jesus’ arrival change the course of human history?
• When have you had to wait for someone or something that had the potential to change your life? What did you do to prepare for its arrival?
• What can you do to help mothers-to-be prepare for the arrival of their babies? How can your community of faith support them as they raise their children?

PRAY: Nothing is impossible with you, O Lord. Gladden our hearts with your promises, and do not let us keep silent about all you have done for us. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God bless whatever you are anticipating in your life. Amen.

 

Isaiah’s words are music to an exiled Israel’s ears. Could it be that deliverance was just around the corner?  Each generation finds itself in times that seem dark, but the promise of God is that a new day is coming.  Time to put away weeping, people of God—if you only knew what goodness is coming your way! 

Worship this week: 

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me                              December 10-11, 2016

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:

Sunday: Spirit of the Lord upon Me, Isaiah 61:1-11

Monday: God Is Gracious, Isaiah 63:7-14

Tuesday: Prayer of Repentance, Isaiah 63:15-64:12

Wednesday: New Creation, Isaiah 65:17-25

Thursday: Edom’s Betrayal and Israel’s Restoration, Obadiah 1:1-21

Friday: Jerusalem’s Victory, Zechariah 12:1-13:1

Saturday: The Coming Messenger, Malachi 3:1-7

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

Isaiah’s words are music to an exiled Israel’s ears. Could it be that deliverance was just around the corner? Time to put away weeping, people of God—if you only knew what goodness is coming your way!

• In what ways has creation been made new already?
• What binds you? What prevents you from being all that God has created you to be?
• What can you do this week to accept God’s freedom from the burden of your bondage?
• Who will you be, and what will you accomplish, knowing that in God you are free to live into the fullness of who God has created you to be and do?

PRAY:   You love justice and hate wrongdoing, O Lord. Plant within us this same love for what is right, that we might live it and be a beacon of your heavenly light. Through Jesus our Lord, Amen.

 BLESS: May God bless you abundantly with God’s Holy Spirit. Amen.