CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Mission Statement: Christ Lutheran Church

exists to “...continue to share the Good

News of Jesus Christ with members,

community & the world”.

Volume 15, Issue 12

December 1, 2012

Volume 15, Issue 12 The Christ Clarion

Dear Friends in Christ,

I’ve spent various parts of my day over the last few weeks building a table. This is the table that we will put our Christmas tree on. It will allow our tree to be 40 inches off the ground and well out of the reach of our children’s hands. The familiar Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World,” has been floating in my head as I think of pre-paring room for the table and the tree. The TV needs to be moved, toys need to be moved, and the floor will have to be vacuumed. In my mind, I’ve changed the words of the hymn to “Let eve-ry sore back, cut finger, and bewildered mind prepare some room!” It’s easy to lose our joy this time of year as schedules get busy, lines get long, and patience wears thin.

Remember that your joy comes from the Lord! He has come! Have you prepared room for Him? We all have “junk” that we need to clean from our hearts. We all have sins that need to be removed and thrown away. Our schedules need to be cleared out, and much time and room needs to be set apart for various things this time of year. How ironic that this joy-ful holiday season often leaves us stressed, worn out, and crunched for time.

The beauty of God’s love is that He has made all of the preparations for you already. He has given you Jesus to take away your sin and clear out the “junk” in your life. God made His plans, scheduled His time, and cleared a way for you to come to Him and receive your salvation. Instead of preparing some room for Jesus, you get to set apart all of your time for Him! Let Him bless you as you decorate your house, as you make meals, and as you welcome guests. Pre-pare all of your life for the One who has come and will come again!

The best way to prepare room for Jesus is to hear His Word and receive His sacraments. I pray that you include times of worship in your schedules this year.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Yours In Christ,

Pastor Grunklee

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let ea�h receive her King;

Let ev’ry hea� prepare Him room And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n , and heav’n and nature sing!

Volume 15, Issue 12 The Christ Clarion

DECEMBER’S SERVANTS

Assisting Minister Robert Ratliff

Altar Service Sue Huenergardt

Greeters North Door: Pat Bunyard

East Door: Mike Bunyard

South Door: Linda Faber

Lay Reader Mary Lou Riley

12/01 Michele Rogers 12/04 Dorothy Wuensche 12/08 Jessica Donahue 12/08 Caleigh Hoffman 12/08 Jerry Weaver 12/09 Jennifer Wilson

12/10 Chris Scroggins 12/12 Annie Miller 12/12 Ashley Roepke 12/13 Melanie Feagan 12/13 Hannah Weaver 12/14 Janice Pamperin 12/15 Amanda Lemon 12/20 Lauren Holloway 12/20 Lynn Jackson 12/20 Bob Watkins 12/21 Tatum North 12/22 Kim Jarrett

12/22 Bruce Kennedy 12/23 John Scivally 12/23 Vicky Sweetman 12/24 Pat Bunyard 12/24 Christian Thompson 12/25 Ken Albright 12/25 Dentler Erdman 12/25 Peter Wheeler 12/25 Bill Whitehead 12/26 Tom Jackson 12/29 Becky Bruning 12/31 Shane Key

12/4 Tom and Lynn Jackson 12/12 Clay and Tish Roepke 12/19 Greg and Leann Elkins 12/21 Herman and Irma Lorenz

12/21 Dick and Wanda Seaberg 12/22 Jim and Audrey McDonald 12/27 Myron and Sharon Trang 12/27 Steve and Chrystal Watson

DECEMBER’S OFFERING TELLERS

Laura Feagan

310 Frankford Ave, #106

Lubbock, TX 79416

Elaine Jenkins

6022 Van Dorn Drive

Wichita Falls, TX 76310

(940)696-8002

12/02 Jack Meeks Chris Morgan

12/09 Rebecca Meeks Lisa Morgan

12/16 Bob Watkins Dick Seaberg

12/23 Joyce Kuhl Ken Schoppa

12/30 Candy Schoppa Jane Goodpasture

Thank you for offering to help with this important

job. If you have questions, call Jim McDonald

at 792-8757 or email: mcdonald3182@sbcglobal.net

December 2, Lauren Elkins

December 5, Olivia Brewer

December 9, Kameron Deterding

December 12, Lane Fischer

December 16, Zachary Hazelwood

December 19, KT Kothmann

December 23, Lauren Elkins

December 24, Austin Woelfel

December 30, Kip Kothmann

BRAILLE NOTICE

We will not have Braille sessions in November OR December.

We are waiting for a new Book to be

printed. Our main office in Yucaipa, California is having

machine problems.

Enjoy your holidays!

Marilyn Ormsby

Volume 15, Issue 12 The Christ Clarion

There are large print bulletins

available each Sunday.

DONATIONS Please remember to drop off hygiene products and used

Christian literature in the box located in the kitchen.

DVDS AND CDS AVAILABLE

There are CDs and DVDs of

previous worship services that

are available for you on the

north table in the narthex.

LIFELIGHT BIBLE STUDY We will not be having a LifeLight

class in December.

Classes will resume in the Spring.

Happy Holidays!

Jane Goodpasture

Thrivent Financial Lubbock Area Chapter Leadership Board wishes to thank you for a most successful 2012 and to show our appreciation, a case of cups and a case of napkins will be delivered to your church before year end.

We look forward to working with you in 2013. Lubbock Area Chapter 30126,

Debbie Hedgcoth and Larry Franklin

2013201320132013 FLOWER CHARTFLOWER CHARTFLOWER CHARTFLOWER CHART

The 2013 flower char� has been posted on The 2013 flower char� has been posted on The 2013 flower char� has been posted on The 2013 flower char� has been posted on

the wall in the Nar�hex. If you would like the wall in the Nar�hex. If you would like the wall in the Nar�hex. If you would like the wall in the Nar�hex. If you would like

to honor someone special, celebrate a to honor someone special, celebrate a to honor someone special, celebrate a to honor someone special, celebrate a

child, mar+iage, anniversar., or child, mar+iage, anniversar., or child, mar+iage, anniversar., or child, mar+iage, anniversar., or

remember a loved one, sig/ up EARLY to remember a loved one, sig/ up EARLY to remember a loved one, sig/ up EARLY to remember a loved one, sig/ up EARLY to

reser1e the date. Flowers are $40.00 per reser1e the date. Flowers are $40.00 per reser1e the date. Flowers are $40.00 per reser1e the date. Flowers are $40.00 per

Sunday and youSunday and youSunday and youSunday and you are welcome to take your are welcome to take your are welcome to take your are welcome to take your

flowers home following the flowers home following the flowers home following the flowers home following the

Worship ser1ice.Worship ser1ice.Worship ser1ice.Worship ser1ice.

Just to keep you up to date on the Campbell’s label and Box Tops, we now have 219 little labels and

137 Box Tops. Keep them coming!

Just a note about housekeeping, the bar code alone does not qualify. It has to be

attached to the small label found on Campbell or Swanson products.

Dear Pastor Grunklee, Thank you and your congregation so much for your gift of $2,500 to the Faith Comes By Hearing Military BibleStick program. What a blessing to know that we are providing hope and comfort to thousands of men and women in uni-form who face pressures and dangers that few of us can imagine. Though we don’t fully understand what they are go-ing through, we know the one who does, and He can speak directly to their deep-est needs. Here’s some feedback from the troops about the Military BibleStick: It gives me the strength to carry on when it seems tough; I can use it while cleaning weapons, doing laundry, and then go to sleep while listening; It helped me to understand more; It reminds me that God and His angels always watch over me when I am afraid and troubled; It has helped me share the Good News.

Thanks for your heart to serve those who serve.

A Servant of Christ,

Volume 15, Issue 12 The Christ Clarion

Christ Lutheran Church,

“Come and see what the Lord has done” (Psalm 46:8) Every language in the world uses words that refer-ence “seeing.” Sometimes “seeing” is literal and ref-erences the attribute of the eyes to bring in light and transmit those light impulses to the brain. The brain

interprets these impulses and creates a men-tal picture of what is being observed. Other times language uses words like “seeing” to mean knowing or under-standing. The Psalmist is not implying that unless your eyes are healthy you cannot be saved, but that He is the creator, sustainer, Savior and Divine Friend of all.

Thank you for making it possible to send this invitation to people with visual impairment! So often, people who are sight-impaired are forgotten. Be-cause of you, thousands of people now know Jesus as their Savior and Divine Friend. Thank you for be-ing a Missionary of Light; without your prayers, labor, and support, many people would live in spiritual dark-ness, but your love of Christ brings Light!

May God bless you and fill you with His Spirit.

In Christ, Rev. Dr. Phillip Pledger, President

Christmas Worship Schedule Sunday December 16th: Christ Lutheran Church Choir Cantata: “A Great Light”

Sunday December 23rd: Children’s Christmas Program: “Message in the Manger” Monday December 24th, Christmas Eve at 6:30pm

Worship with Communion—Worship Like it’s Christmas: Jesus Monday December 24th, Christmas Eve at 11:00pm: Candlelight Worship

Tuesday December 25th, Christmas Day at 10:00am—Worship Like it’s Christmas: Again!

A NOTE FROM PARENT’S DAY OUT Betsy Fischer, PDO Director

WOW! It is hard to believe 2012 is coming to an end. This past year PDO has been

blessed in many ways. We have wonderful members who continue to support us with monetary donations and needed supplies. PDO has a special group of church

members who volunteer their time to read to our students. (The students really enjoy this reading time!) Our program is truly blessed with two caring, energetic, and loving teachers. (I am most thankful for this blessing!) What a great way for our church to reach out to families with small children. The stu-dents are also excited that Pastor Grunklee continues to lead us in chapel and music. This is a great

ministry that the church supports!

The teachers and I know that 2013 will bring just as many blessings and more! We hope you have a safe and restful holiday!

Volume 15, Issue 12 The Christ Clarion

L.S.S. NEWS Jackie Watkins

Health for Friends Clinic: We screened 801 people during the month with most being seen at the out-reach sites. We are almost out of prescription funds but have helped 204 this year. At present we are waiting to see if we will be approved for more pre-scription funds. We have 26 people committed to the glucose strip program but only 20 showed up during the month. We have reapplied for funds for the glu-cose strip program so hopefully more funds will be forth coming for next year. We screened 60 patients at the outreach sites that we have never seen before. There were 3 newly diagnosed diabetics in October for a total of 18 for the year. On Nov. 27, the “Victory Luncheon” for United Way will be held and we will know if they met their goal of 5-1/2 million dollars. Neighborhood House: Things have been crazy; try-ing to get people approved for the energy assistance funds. We have a lot of funds for utility assistance but it is more difficult to access the money than in years past. There have been lots of calls for the elderly and disabled but so many do not qualify. The rules have lowered the percentage of how much a person can earn to qualify. Most of the energy crisis money will be spent by the end of the year but will most likely quite a bit of money will be left in the elderly/disabled funds. These excess funds will revert back to the State. Utility assistance went to 258 for over $57,000. Food vouchers distributed to 154 for over $900. Dur-ing the month, 418 households were helped with 83 being the first time ever.

The congregational support for the Thanksgiv-ing boxes has been wonderful with donations amount-ing to $3,505 and Thrivent contributing $2250. Tur-key certificates have increased by $2 each. United Supermarket has been most helpful in the getting the food items together and delivering them to Redeemer Lutheran for distribution. 100 families will receive a turkey and 2 large bags of various food. Thank you to all who held with this project. Wedgewood South: October was a great month, maintained 48 residents with budget being 44, Traf-fic is steady, we had 21 tours/inquiries for the month. Presently, we have one small apartment available, with a ‘hold’ placed and hoping for a move-in in 2 weeks. We are also working with a waiting list! Things of GOOD at Wedgewood! Come see us!

Foster Care/Adoption: Our current census is at 55 which is 9 over budget census. WE currently have 21 families licensed and are working to get three other transfer families and 5 new families licensed. We have hired a new worker, Erin Imhoff who began to-day. We are currently trying to get everything com-pleted for our Christmas party and have a volunteer working with us and helping with that project. The Lutheran Witness featured our Braille Celebration in this month’s issue. We are still waiting to see Me-gan Fischer featured (hopefully soon). We currently have 2 barrels to fill for the Food Bank during this Thanksgiving period. They will remain un-til November 27th, so you still have time to participate if you have not done so yet. The offering from Thanksgiving Eve will also be donated to the Food Bank. A great time to share from our rich blessings. I just want to “thank you” for this opportunity to serve Christ Lutheran and the Lord this past year. It is al-ways rewarding to work with fellow Christians.

Thank you for supporting the LSSS Foster Care Angel Tree!! Please help us provide gifts for all 54 children currently being cared for by our Lubbock office. Directions are simple: Pick an ornament from the tree (attached to the ornament will be the child's name and gift suggestions); place the orna-ment in a small box located under the tree (attached to the box will be instructions); sign the notepad under the tree so we don't overlook a child. The wrapped gifts with the child's name attached as well as the Christmas ornament need to be re-turned by December 10th and placed under the tree in Fellowship Hall. A limit of $50 per child has been set. The Christmas party for the foster children will be

held at our church on December 15th. If you have questions, please contact

Mary Lee Franklin at 795-4445.

CLC Kid’s Corner

The Christ Clarion Volume 15, Issue 12

11:00 PM

CHRIST

LUTHERAN

CHURCH

7801 Indiana Avenue

Lubbock TX 79423-1805

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

LUBBOCK, TEXAS

PERMIT NO. 24

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Pastor Corey Grunklee

Phone: 806-799-0162

Fax: 806-799-2273

Web site:

www.christ-lutheran.com

Email:

info@christ-lutheran.com

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9:00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE CLASSES

10:15 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE

(Communion on 2nd and 4th Sundays)

Each Wednesday during Advent we will host a dinner beginning at 5:45pm.

We will have Children’s Christmas Program Practice at 6:15pm, Followed by worship at 7pm.

Wednesday December 5th 7:00pm: Worship Like it’s Christmas--Angels

Wednesday December 12th 7:00pm:

Worship Like it’s Christmas--Shepherds

Wednesday December 19th 7:00pm: Worship Like it’s Christmas--Mary