I’m not sure what day I first noticed that one of our local FM stations was already doing all ‘Christmas’ music, but I know that it was a least three weeks before the season of Advent was set to begin. Then again, what passes as Christmas music has a lot more to do with meteorology than it does with a baby born in Bethlehem. The first three songs I heard were “Let it snow”, “Frosty the Snowman” and “White Christmas”. Now I enjoy those songs (although I’ll enjoy them a lot more when it is actually closer to December 25^th), but it always reminds me that we could easily miss the real power of Christmas music if we don’t listen to the words of some the great old and new carols. Listen to verses 3 & 4 of “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”:

…

And you, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

…

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever circling years
Shall come the time foretold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

…

Here is message of hope and life for us. Take a moment this season to ‘rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.”

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Sometimes I am struck by the different ways we talk about the church. In November we gather for our annual meeting, and by necessity, we speak of elections, budgets, and constitutional requirements. But that portion of being the church is only there to support our true purpose of sharing the blessings of Jesus’ love with a world in need. Our congregation’s mission statement claims that we are: “A family in faith, reaching out to share God’s love with all people.” This seems much closer to Paul’s description of ministry than elections, budgets and constitutions.

The business of the annual meeting is important, but we must never confuse the organizational necessities with the ministry imperatives. What Paul describes to the Thessalonians is a good description of what we should be doing. Notice that our ministry begins with compassion: “so deeply do we care for you”. That needs to be a hallmark of every gathering and every encounter we have with each other, and with every neighbor and newcomer who crosses our path. We need to be known as a people who care deeply about others. That means going out of our way to introduce ourselves, invite others to share in our worship, and include others in our fellowship. It means creating opportunities to gather, whether that be for worship, Bible Study, service in the community, or just to have fun together.

Then, as we share of ourselves, we also share the Good News of Jesus’ love. God has put us here for the purpose of sharing the blessings that we have first been given. We can reach out to bless. We can speak the words of forgiveness and compassion. We can hold up the needs of others in our prayers, and simply be a presence of God’s grace in a fearful world. Our ministry begins with Jesus, who said: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34b-35)

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23^RD ELC will be welcoming anyone interested in becoming members of ELC on Sunday, November 23^rd. New member orientation sessions will take place on three consecutive Wednesdays, November 5^th, 12^th, and 19^th, in the Fellowship Hall following the potluck supper. If you, or someone you know, is interested in pursuing membership, please contact Pastor John or the church office.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8: 28

Greetings and Shalom,

As I sit down to write this newsletter today, I am reminded that there is so much to be thankful for in life. November is that special time of year when the seasons are changing and we celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. As people of the family of God, we have been blessed, and we have been called to be a light into this world. Psalm 118:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Thank you Lord for this day and all that you have given!

Recently, in October our Confirmation youth and adult Guides went into the community of Mt. Horeb to participate in our annual service project to collect food for the Mt. Horeb Food Pantry. I was so impressed with our Confirmation youth and adults. We were amazed at the generosity of people! Combined with the congregation collection, we totaled 827 lbs of food! This amount of food will really help with needs in the community. I want to encourage you to continue donating food items for the Mt. Horeb Food Pantry here at church, which can be dropped off in the basket in the Narthex.

A favorite prayer that I would like to share with you today was written by Saint Francis of Assisi and can be found in our green Lutheran Book of Worship.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness joy. Lord, may I not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. Because it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned.”

Peace and Joy in Jesus!

Jim

“Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. “ I Peter 4:10 CEV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First and foremost I want to express my gratitude to God and for all of you who have been so faithful and generous in supporting the ministry of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mt. Horeb. Because of your involvement and support our congregation is able to touch lives and bring God’s love to our neighbors, our community, and our world. We have all been blessed with many of God’s wonderful gifts, and so many of you have shared those gifts in the service of our church.

As we met in our congregational meeting, I hope you recognized the blessing that Ruby and Dorothy were able to provide by the wise use of their gifts. Because of their faithfulness we were able to take some actions, and begin making some plans for ministry in years to come.

Now I would like each of you to consider Peter’s instruction: “So use your gift well”. In the center of this newsletter you will find a response form. This form deals with the use of the financial gifts that have been entrusted to you for the coming year. (You will receive a separate time and talent response form later this year.) As we make plans for our annual meeting, and plans for ministry in the coming year, we need each of you to look at your management of God’s wealth, and commit yourselves to the support of ELC’s ministry.

What proportion of God’s wealth will you need to keep for yourself, and what proportion can you make available to support ministry which touches lives here at home and around the world?
Please return this form to church on Sunday, October 26th. As our young people make their affirmation of baptism on Confirmation Day, I ask each of you to commit to your involvement in ministry as well.

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

“God spoke: “Light!” And light appeared. God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. God named the light Day; He named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning-Day One.” Genesis 1:1-2

This year our Rotation Sunday school Design Team chose the Creation story in the book of Genesis to begin our Sunday school year. As you read through those first three chapters of Genesis, it is truly amazing to ponder at all that our loving God did. God created the heavens and the earth. Life was breathed into all the plants, fish, animals and humans. God called us his children and desired a relationship with all!

Our Confirmation class this year is studying the Old Testament and New Testament Bible stories in our Faith Inkubators curriculum. Our Confirmation class will also begin with the Creation story.

I want to encourage you today, to read those first three chapters of Genesis as a family. Take a walk outside, on a nice autumn day or on a star filled night, and look and ponder and give thanks for all that God has given!

Upcoming

ELC Youth Group Nights (7th-12th grade)

• Sunday, October 12 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Church House
• Sunday, October 26 from 7:00-8-30 p.m. at the Church House

Bring a friend to Youth Group nights!

Fall Festival

On Saturday, October 4 from 9:00-5:00 p.m. our ELC Youth Group will be selling brats and hot dogs to help raise money for a future Youth Mission Trip.

Bucky Book

Our ELC Youth and Family Ministry is selling the Bucky Book through the month of October for $35/each. Purchasing a Bucky Book is a great way to save money on family meals and entertainment. Also, you will be helping support our our future Youth Mission Trips.

Peace and Joy in Jesus,

Jim