Calendar of Events for the Week of November 30, 2025: Monday - 5:30pm - Karate Tuesday - Wednesday - 11:00am - Bible Study; 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 9:00am - Living Nativity Costumes/Other Jobs; 9:00am - Quilting Group; 5:30pm - Karate; 6:00pm - Choir Rehearsal; 7:00pm - Lessons & Carols Friday - Saturday - 9:00am - Living Nativity Set-Up; 5:00pm to 7:00pm - Living Nativity; 7:00pm - Living Nativity Take-Down Sunday - 3:00pm - Living Nativity Set-Up; 5:00pm to 7:00pm - Living Nativity; 7:00pm - Living Nativity Take-Down
Our annual LIVING NATIVITY will be held Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th from 5pm-7pm each evening.
Sign-up sheets are on the table in the parlor for the many areas where help is needed, such as outside set-up, supplies needed and cookies and snacks for the nights of the Nativity along with the poster boards for the scenes on the bulletin board in the back of the church.
MARK THESE DATES!
SET-UP: Saturday November 29th at 9AM Saturday December 6th at 9AM Sunday December 7th at 3PM
CLEAN-UP: Saturday December 6th at 7pm Sunday December 7th at 7pm
FINAL CLEAN-UP: Saturday December 13th at 9AM
COSTUMES AND OTHER JOBS: Thursday December 4th at 9AM
Please mark your calendars and see where you can help before, during and after the Living Nativity
LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR ADVENT - THURSDAY DECEMBER 4th at 7PM Prepare the way! Advent is a time to reflect on prophesies and events that foreshadow the coming of Christ. The Good News Translation of the Bible is the source for our readings. We begin with the Lord’s Prayer and continue with the prophesies of Isaiah. We will move to Luke and the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary, then to Matthew for the announcement of the birth of Jesus. Advent would not be complete without the story, from Mark, of John the Baptist. We will close with words of assurance, from Romans, of the love of God through Christ. Take some time away from the busyness and business of this season to be calmed and refreshed with the words and music of Advent. Jesus is coming and soon will be here!
CASTING OUR NETS - The next gathering of the Casting Our Nets ministry group is Tuesday November 18th at 7pm.
WATCH "THE CHOSEN" - “The Chosen” viewing is on Thursdays at 6:30pm. There will be a quick synopsis of the episode before we start it. After viewing, there will be a Q & A.
* Thursday, Dec.11th - Season 1, Episode 5 - "The Wedding Gift" * Thursday December 18th - Season 1, Episode 6 – “Indescribable Compassion”
BIBLE STUDIES - Wednesday nights Bible Study is 7-8 pm. We are finishing Job and then moving on to Psalms. We will meet in the parlor. Our group focuses on reading the Bible from start to finish and discussing it. Join us and hear God's Word.
The Wednesday morning Bible Study meets the first & third Wednesdays of the month at 11:00am. We will continue with “The Workbook on the Christian Walk”. Everyone is welcome to join. Sessions last about an hour.
VALLEY FOOD PANTRY CHRISTMAS BOXES - Our congregation has been asked to supply napkins for this collection. Coffee and tea are always needed. Monetary donations are always appreciated as the pantry is experiencing its second lowest treasury amount to buy needed items. Have items here by December 14th.
POINSETTIAS AND HUNGER RELIEF DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS - Orders for poinsettias are now being taken. There will NOT be a sign-up sheet. Please use the envelopes from the basket on the table in the narthex. And make sure the information on the envelope is complete and clear. Place it in the offering plate or return to the church office. Fifty poinsettias will be purchased and the balance of money received will go to the Hunger Appeal. All gifts will be listed in the bulletin on Christmas Eve. The cost of a poinsettia is $10.00, but any amount of your donation is appreciated. All donations must be in the church office by Sunday December 14th.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - We will have Christmas Eve Service of communion and candle lighting at 7PM !!
JANUARY NEWSLETTER - Please note the deadline for all articles, information, etc. for the January newsletter is January 18th!!
WILLING WORKERS - Our annual Christmas party will be held Tuesday, December 9th at 12:00pm at the Lookout House. If you have not paid for your dinner, please see Jean Frye with your $25 payment. We are also collecting $5.00 if you wish to contribute. The money collected will be donated to a family/someone in need. All women of the church are invited to join us for the luncheon. For more information, contact Deb Jones through the church office.
HAVE THAT ‘HARD TO BUY FOR’ PERSON ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST? - Consider a gift to ELCA GOOD GIFTS. This includes God’s Global Barnyard and many other areas for donations for health care, food, plants, bibles, books, etc. An order form with all the information is on the table in the narthex on how to order, who to make your check out to and where to send your order. Also, cards are on the table to allow you to tell the recipient of your gift. Any questions, see Cindy.
YEAR-END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Please note – all donations for 2025 MUST be in the church office by Sunday December 28th to appear on your 2025 statement. Thanks.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - No December Supper. The next supper will be held on January 10th at 5:45pm downstairs in Roth Hall right after the Saturday worship service. You will need to bring your own beverages. Place settings will be provided. The simple entrée (soup or a casserole) will be provided, and it is sure to be yummy!
CHRISTMAS PLAY - Our children and a few adults will be presenting the Christmas play “A Christmas Road Trip” on Sunday December 21st at the 10:45am worship service. Join the Anderson family on their Christmas road trip to visit Grandpa and learn along the way about God’s love expressed to all of us when Jesus “hit the road” leaving Heaven and coming to Earth to become our Savior.
COOKIES COOKIES COOKIES - We will be delivering Christmas cookies to our local responders and nursing homes the week of December 21st. We are blessed by so many talented bakers and are asking if you could make an extra dozen or two of cookies and bring them to the church by Noon on Saturday December 20th. If baking is not an option, you would still like to contribute donations of Hershey Kisses and miniature candy bars are appreciated. We toss these among the cookies in the boxes. We will be packing them up that Saturday starting at Noon. I’ve done this before and have seen nurses start to cry because someone thought of them at Christmastime. It means more than you think. If you are able to bake, help pack, write out cards to go with the cookies or deliver cookies, see the sign-up on the table in the parlor. Lenora Hampton
EPIPHANY NATIVITY DISPLAY - Casting Our Nets will again host the display of Nativity sets in the church parlor and sanctuary for Epiphany. The display can be seen after the 4:30 worship service on Saturday January 10th and again on Sunday morning from 9 until 10:30 a.m. and after worship service until 1 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be served on Sunday.
If you would be willing to allow us to display one or more of your nativity sets, please use the sign-up sheet in the parlor to let us know your intent so we can plan for setup. All nativities should be brought to the church parlor on Saturday, January 10th between 10 and noon. Anyone who displays a Nativity will be responsible for pick-up after the event on Sunday by 2 p.m. or can make arrangements to get it during the following week when the office is open.
ADVENT GIVING - Advent is a season to be mindful and deliberate in our acts of charity and giving. Please consider joining other members of our congregation in collecting some of the most needed items for the Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center. Those who utilize the center are incredibly grateful for our congregation’s support and care for them.
The Heartwood Center Wish List is as follows: • Coffee (Hot Drink) cups • Powdered Coffee Creamer • Large Garbage Bags • Disinfectant Wipes • Plastic Spoons • Gloves (men & women) • Hand Sanitizer
Also, the center is always appreciative of any warm clothing and coats this time of year. To donate these items, please place them in the collection bin in the parlor or mark them for Heartwood and place them in the parlor closet. Please contact Brother Fred if you have any questions or have other items to donate.
BREAKFAST IS SERVED - The Valley Vets Auxiliary will host a breakfast on Sunday December 21st from 7am-11am. Everyone is invited.
CHRISTMAS AT CHRIST LUTHERAN, HAZLETON - Saturday December 6th from 11:00am-5:00pm (formerly Christkindlefest).
CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE VALLEY - Sponsored by the Conyngham Valley Historical Society on December 7th from 1pm-4pm. See information on the poster in the vestibule.
A CHRISTMAS CANTADA - “Night of the Father’s Love’ will be presented Sunday December 14th at 3pm at Faith UCC-Airport Road-Hazle Township presented by the Freeland Community Choir
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent disasters. Checks may be out to the church and marked "LDR". 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!!
STEPHEN MINISTRY - Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community.
* Congregations receive a practical and powerful way to respond to Christ’s commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV). * Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people. * Members develop and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others. * People who are hurting have a compassionate companion—a caring Christian friend who provides emotional and spiritual support.
If you are going through a challenging time, or if you know someone who is, please contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God’s love and care to those in need. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!