The confirmation class has been studying the 10 commandments.

Recently, I taught on the 4th commandment, honor your parents. As

part of the class, the Jr. High students were to write 3 or more things

they appreciate about their parents. Here are some of their answers:

They care for me

They protect me

They provide for me

They love me

They are the best!

They are supportive

They love me

They care for me

I appreciate what my mom does for me

I appreciate how much my mom makes time for me in her busy

schedule

I appreciate how my mom always makes sure I’m O.K. before

she is worried about anything I broke.

They are kind

They are loving

They are AWESOME!

Cares for me when I am sick

They take time to drive me and my friends around

Give me shelter and nice meals each day

They feed me every night

They help me with all my problems

They give me shelter

They’re AWESOME!

They give me a place to live.

They help me with school work.

They love me!

Give me food and shelter

They’re loving and caring

They’re AWESOME!

They care for me

They are always there for me

They love me!

Feeding me

Helping me when I’m sick

Help me with homework

The list goes on….

Showing appreciation for our parents, saying, “Thanks mom, thanks

dad or grandma or whoever takes care of you,” goes a long way in

giving them honor; especially if you thank them in front of someone

else. We may not always agree on everything that our parents ask of

us, expect of us and teach us, but by looking at the list above you can

see how much our parents do for us.

When we honor our parents, we honor our Father in heaven. How

much more does our Father in heaven provide for us and love us

unconditionally. What do you do to appreciate your Father in heaven?

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in

the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

Gerad Von Holten

Youth and Family Ministries

One of the ways we do this is by investing our time and talents.  We are fortunate to have purchased a house that is adjacent to the church that is specifically meant for youth activities.  We are also blessed with a great team of volunteers and a fantastic Youth and Family Ministries Director, Gerad Von Holten.

If you are new to the community or looking for a place to have your family learn more about God’s Love; our youth program is a great place to start.  Through fun activities and meaningful service, our youth are building lasting friendship and a strong faith.

DECEMBER 2011

From the Pastor

ALL SHOOK UP……OR RATHER “STIRRED”!

The weeks prior to Christmas are called ADVENT, in the church. In the worship service each Sunday, we light candles on the Advent wreath, first one then another up to four, marking the time of getting closer to THE day. As the days grow in hours of darkness (at least until Dec. 21), the candles mark the light of Christ getting brighter, lighting our darkness, giving us light for the daily steps in our life.

Many of us have Advent wreaths in our homes as well. I wonder if they have become just one more holiday decoration or if perhaps they might be able to give you a sense of God’s presence in the midst of all the hustle of the Holidays. (Hustle including end of semesters and sporting tournaments and travelling plans as well as the festivities of shopping/eating/worship in this season. The hustle and bustle CAN take your breath away, so just maybe we need the Advent wreath as a moment taken each day to slow down, and breathe in the light of Christ, the presence of God. To get our Breath again.

The prayer for each Sunday in Advent begins “Stir Up Your Power, O Lord, and come”…come quickly.

In the midst of your lives, shaken up by the Holiday madness, my daily prayer for you is also that God’s spirit would be stirred up in you, giving more days of peace than pandemonium, rest instead of restlessness, hope instead of haggardness, joy instead of jitters.

In fact, on the first Sunday of Advent, all worshippers will be given a symbol of this prayer to take home with you for the Holiday season. Let’s do remember whose birthday it is and invite Him to the party and preparations as well. Blessings to you on being stirred…not shaken!                                  In Christ, Pastor Judi

This past month we have prayed for the following: Jack Guerrero, Julie Renner, Marie Thurber, Pastor Milner, Deana Seeley, Orin Peterson, Orville Kuehl, Lori Dewey, Harriett Reents and Melissa Arians. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

NOVEMBER PASTORAL ACTS

Baptism

Daniel Paul Straw

November 20, 2011

DECEMBER FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

For the month of December please bring in toothpaste, all kinds of soap, paper products, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, etc. Your cash donations and boxes of breakfast cereal are always welcomed. A great need again this month is packages of pasta (spaghetti, macaroni), rice, and dried beans. Your cash donations are always welcomed. Place items in the baskets located by the entrances.

Retired Old (er) Men Eating Out CLUB

All retired men are invited to come and have breakfast at Red Apple Restaurant in Sterling the fourth Wednesday morning of each month at 8:30 a.m. We will NOT meet in December.

Just Us Ladies Intentionally Eating Together

Same time and place as ROMEO (4^th Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. at the Red Apple in Sterling). We gather for breakfast and fellowship. Any interested females are welcome! We will not meet in December.

St. Paul Budget

2011 Budget       $240,668

Totals thru November 20, 2011:

Budgeted Expenses          $15,042 (3 weeks)

Actual Expenses                $9,853

Offerings                        $10,595

Our Veteran’s Day tribute was a success. Thanks to Cathy Cox for such a nice tribute and to Donna Kendall for making the banners and especially to all our Veterans for their service to our country.

LIBRARY NEWS

The new library books are: Heirs of the King, by Warren Wiersbe; A Good Yarn, by Debbie Macomber; The Thorn, by Beverly Lewis; The Sound of Sleighbells, by Cindy Woodsmall; Crossing the Threshold of Eternity, by Robert Wise.

Thank you for all the donations. If you have any books to donate please contact me. ~ Jill Straw

PADS Homeless Shelter is now open. Thanks to our November volunteers: Nancy Beck, Ed Hurley, Don Haag, Francis McFadden, Wil Vasquez, JoAnn & Ruben Garcia. We served 9 people that night and all went well. The sign-up sheet for December is on the bulletin board by the Sunday school office in the social hall for all who are interested in helping. Please pick your time to work, and/or if you would like to furnish any food. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Thank you and God Bless You! ~ JoAnn Garcia (815 626-3208 or 815 441-0122.)

CIRCLE NEWS

BIBLE STUDY: – To Follow and to Serve: The Gospel of Mark

The 2011–2012 Bible study, “Take heart; get up, [Jesus] is calling you,” challenges us – it’s an invitation to discipleship in the 21^st century. The study emphasizes what it means to follow Jesus Christ today. We are called to a living faith, a deeper and more courageous understanding of what it means to follow the one we first meet in Mark’s Gospel at his baptism at the River Jordan.

Theme: Take Heart

Bible Study: Session 4 – Beyond Boundaries

Theme verse: Mark 6:38

“In the Bible it seems that angels – messengers of God – are frequently telling us not to be afraid. What do they know that we don’t?”

Focus on Health: Connect. Only connect: Whether you share space with a hamster or a husband, living with other beings can help you beat disease – and enjoy a longer, happier life. During the Christmas season, when friends and family gather together, here’s the science on how companionship can boost your emotional and physical health.

Shepherdess Circle will meet Wednesday, December 14, at 9:30 a.m. for their Christmas party. Place to be announced, watch the bulletin for more information.

Friendship Circle will meet Wednesday, December 14, at 1:30 p.m. at Marcia Fields’ home.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Christmas Program – December 11 – 9:00 a.m. with lunch to follow

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship – Saturday, December 24 – 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Worship – Sunday, December 25 – 10:00 a.m.

LSSI Holiday Hope Chest

We have requested the names of 10 children (7 youth and 3 teens) from LSSI to purchase gifts for this year. Their names are and wish lists are posted in the west entryway. You may select a child’s name to purchase gifts for. Please write down your phone number opposite the name of the child selected on the sheet provided. As always, if you choose not to sponsor a specific child, games, toys, and gift items are always welcome. You also have the option to purchase gift cards for seniors. Cards may be purchased from the lists available and are to be turned in to the church office. The gift of money is another option and also can be turned in to the church office. Gifts need to be returned (unwrapped) to the church no later than DECEMBER 1 for delivery by December 5.

Historic Dixon Theater Presents: A Family Christmas with Mark & Gretch Hladish with Jo Hodgins on December 5,at 6:30 p.m. Gather you family and friends for a delightful Christmas musical performance! This unique concert experience is crafted with seasonal anecdotes, humorous and heartwarming, flowing from one song to the next. Tickets are available at: The First National Bank in Amboy and their Dixon locations, and Dixon Main Street office or at www.dixontheater.com. Tickets are: $10 in advance (additional fees apply if purchased online); $15 at the door. A collection of timeless holiday classics to celebrate with family!

Readings for December 2011

BIRTHDAYS FOR OUR CHURCH MEMBERS

If you don’t see your name on this list or there is a correction to be made, please let Sue know in the church office.

Marian Bollman

123 Liberty – A#10, Dixon, IL 61021

Janice Hulteen

509 Heinze Drive

Rock Falls, IL 61071

Jean Koster

327 S. Garfield St. Apt. 101

Monticello, WI 53570

Orville Kuehl

Good Neighbor Care

2705 Avenue E, Apt. 203

Sterling, IL 61081

Richard Landheer

303 Towne St., Morrison, IL 61270

Louise McDearmon

Alma Schettler

Sterling Pavilion

105 E. 23^rd Street

Sterling, IL 61081

Bette Oesterreich

Good Neighbor Care

2705 Avenue E, Apt. 105

Sterling, IL 61081

Jane Ommen

Coventry Living Center

612 W. St. Mary’s Road

Sterling, IL 61081

Marion Long – Apt. 114

Wayne Otten – Apt. 122

Marion Parsons – Apt. 115

Gladys Stern – Apt. 206

Norma Wiegand – Apt. 226

Heritage Woods

2205 Oak Grove Avenue

Sterling, IL 61081

Elmer Koster – Rm. 211

Harriet Reents – Rm. 134

Parkway Center

1801 Avenue G, Sterling, IL 61081

NOVEMBER COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Council Highlights—November 21, 2011

• Devotions on “blessings” led by President Jim Gorman
• Presentation from Pastor Kurt Nordby, assistant to the Bishop of Northern Illinois Synod: Pastor Nordby outlined possibilities of our choosing to have either a “Miracle Sunday” focused on the Youth and Outreach Project for our congregation or a capital campaign should we have a stronger, clearer vision for that. Pastor Nordby also assured us of a grant to help subsidize the Youth/Outreach Mission Project of our congregation for 2012. Pastor Judi and council will need to define some specific objectives and send those in writing to synod office at the first of the year for that grant.
• Reviewed our income/expense report to date. It is possible we will be approximately $25-30,000 in the red by year end. (Expenses exceeding income by that much) We will be approximately $60,000 under what we had budgeted. Discussion regarding proposed 2012 budget needing to take this into account.
• Youth and Education ministry has been in full swing. Very pleased with Gerad’s presence as our youth minister.
• Fellowship events, and worship “sharing of the peace” were highlighted as blessing for the year.
• Pastor’s report focused on the need for us to set goals for outreach which might include more public use of our building, as needed by groups in our community and getting an updated website for our exposure and name-recognition in the community. We perhaps need to have one designated “PR” person from our congregation.
• Council committees are asked to get their finalized budget proposals into the office by the first of December if at all possible. Council members will then need to meet to review the proposals, in order to get a finalized budget prepared for the annual meeting of the congregation in January.
• Memorial money will be used to repair the organ chimes.
• Looking for at least four new members on council. Nominations needed by annual meeting. Joann Garcia, Jim Gorman, Bill Duncan, Nancy Eilers all going off council.

These Council Highlights are presented as written. They will be approved at the December Congregation Council Meeting on December 19, and are therefore unofficial.

As we enter this season of Advent, we anticipate with joy the coming of Christ, remembering Jesus coming to us as the baby born to the Virgin Mary, and the promise Jesus made to his disciples that He would return. We not only prepare our hearts and lives for Jesus’ second coming, but also as he comes to us in the Lord’s supper, as we remember and renew our baptisms, as we hear God’s Word, as we endure life’s sufferings and life’s joys. Jesus does and will come. We don’t just prepare for Christ coming at the end times. For if we truly believe that God is present with us at all times and in all places, we need to always be prepared for Jesus.

Therefore, we can be patient knowing that God is with us, Emmanuel. Though we don’t always know where God is leading us, what life may throw at us next, or whose lives we might affect, we can live with the assurance of God’s unconditional mercy and grace, God’s promise of forgiveness and life. May we have it more abundantly as we patiently await Christ’s coming to us daily.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. [PSALM 37:7]

Gerad Von Holten

Youth and Family Ministries