St. Stephen’s Weekly News: Week of December 22, 2019

Welcome Visitors If you are visiting today, we welcome you in our Risen and Living Savior, Jesus!

• Please let us know you worshiped with us by signing our guest book in the entryway or a Care Card in your pew and drop it in the offering basket.
• If visiting, please don’t feel obligated to give an offering. St. Stephen’s members express thankfulness to God through their voluntary offerings which then support the congregation’s work.
• Introduce yourself to a Pastor, and worship with us again!

Donation  of nativity donkey donated by Mr. & Mrs. John Henriksen in memory of Orv Henriksen Jr.

Radio Service: 9:30am on AM 1430 WBEV
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Sermon: God’s Mystery Revealed
Hymns: 66, 62, 55, 70
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Sermon: Hallowed Be Your Name
Hymns: 90, 120, 114, 123

Bible Studies

• Women’s Bible Study Group meets on Wednesday nights at 6pm. Copies of the study are available in the church entry and at study time. All women of the congregation are welcome.
• Men’s Bible Study will be recessed until January 5.
• Winter Bible Study “Our Journey through the Gospel of John”. This study will be an overview of the book of John. The beloved disciple’s goal in writing his gospel was to show us who Jesus truly is. This study begins January 6. We will meet Mondays at 7:00pm and Wednesdays at 11:00am. All are welcome!

Lutheran Teens will be going tubing on January 4, from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. The cost will be $25. More information and a sign up sheet are in the back of the church.

St. Stephen’s Radio Service Join us on WBEV 1430 for a special one hour Christmas radio service, Wednesday, Christmas Day, December 25 at 11am. This service is a composite recording of our School and Candlelight Christmas Eve Services from previous years.

2020 Offering Envelopes are now available for pick-up in the church basement.  Please use the initial offering envelope in the front of your packet to cover the cost of the envelopes.  Envelopes may then be placed in the collection plate or in the box in the basement.

School Open House: Today, Sunday, December 22^nd, the school classrooms will be open after all services (8:30a-11a) to view the many different Christmas decorations and projects the children have been crafting.

Church Office Holiday Hours  The church office will be closed  for the holidays – December 24-25 and Dec 31-Jan 1.

Christmas Invitations are on the table in back of church.  Please share with a friend or loved one.

Christmas Services at St. Stephen’s

December 24^th, 6:00 P.M. – Day School Children’s Service

December 24^th, 10:00 P.M. – Christmas Eve Candlelight

December 25^th, 9:00 A.M. – Christmas Day Worship

Weekly Worship in Español takes place at 6:30pm on Sunday evenings at St. Mark’s in Watertown.  There will be a special service for Christmas, today, December 22^nd.  The address is 215 N 6^th St in Watertown. All are welcome!  Any questions, please call 262-8504.

Thank You to the Ladies Aid for the beautiful poinsettias on the altar and to the Altar Guild for the fresh wreaths on the entry doors.

Membership Changes acted upon at this month’s Council Meeting:

Transferred to other WELS Congregations

Barbara Brautigam to Grace Lutheran, Waupun

Cathy Schultz and child, Abigail Schoenberger to Good Shepherd, BD

Released

Kari Kittel

Thank You to all members who have served the Lord with their time and talents to beautify our church building and services.

Annual Report Reminder As the year nears its close it’s time for our ministries, boards, committees and organizations to submit reports on their activity in 2019 for the congregation’s Annual Report booklet.  Reports should be to the church office no later than January 5.  They may be delivered personally or by e-mail (office@saintstephen.org).

PTS Cleaning Day will be on Saturday, January 11, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Everyone in the congregation is welcome to come and help.  The school parking lot door will be open and we will meet in the gym.  Feel free to come for the entire time or just a portion, all help will be welcomed and appreciated!  Cleaning supplies will be provided, but if you can bring a bucket or pail that would be helpful.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Emily at 920-344-0774.

Our Response to God’s Grace in Christ:

Participation:
Thursday, December 12:  71

Sunday, December 15:  96 + 142 + 97 = 335

Calendar: 

Sunday, December 22 – Ushers C

7:30am – Worship

8:30am – School open house

9:00am & 10:30 – Worship- Advent Song Service

9:30am – Radio Service, WBEV 1430

Tuesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve

6:00pm – School Christmas Service- Ushers E & A

10:00pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Ushers B

Wednesday, December 25

9:00am – Christmas Day
Worship – Ushers C

11:00am – Christmas Special, WBEV AM 1430

Sunday, December 29 – Ushers D

7:30, 9:00, 10:30am – Communion Worship

9:30am – Radio Service, WBEV 1430