Gift of Love

Do you love to give and receive gifts?

Think for a moment of the best gift you have ever received. Think of why it was given to you. Was it something that you really needed? Something of great value to you?

How about a gift you gave? Did you try to think of something the person really needed? Did you search eagerly for it? Did you wait expectantly for the gift to be opened?

We have the best gift of all! Christ is the gift we need. He is always by our side. He is “God is with us”.

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ʻGod is with us.ʼ” Matthew 1:23

How does God love you? How do you love others? Is there someone to call or pray for today?

End of Year Worship Schedule-Weekday Advent Services: Pre-recorded, can be found on the worship page on the website and via email-Christmas Eve: Pre-recorded. In Concordia Center and Sanctuary- 3pm, 5pm, 7pm. Concordia Center only- 10pm. -Christmas Day: 10am, livestreamed-No New Years Eve Service

“Images of Nativity Story in Paintings” Online Recording Betsy Solomon, Shepherdʼs Center of Webster-Kirkwood

Fra Filippo Lippi Annuncation c. 1443

Go to Shepherdʼs Center website at https://shepherdscenter-wk.org/blog/. Scroll down to “Online Class Recordings” to “Images of Nativity Story in Paintings.” This will take you to a YouTube link to the recording of this class.

Enjoyed this online class? If you desire to make a donation in support of the Shepherdʼs Center, go back to https://shepherdscenter-wk.org/blog/ for information on how to do this or mail to the Shepherdʼs Center Webster-Kirkwood, 1320 W. Lockwood, St. Louis, MO 63122.

Communion ServicesIf you have not been attending in-person worship and would like to receive Holy Communion, we invite you to join us for a brief, socially distanced Communion service on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 4pm. We will also be hosting a communion service this Sunday, December 20th at 11am in the Sanctuary.

Prayers of the ChurchWeek of December 13

Prayer of Thanksgiving: As we light the candle of Joy on the Advent wreath, let us remember the joy that we have in Christ.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Youth celebrating their Baptismal Birthdays this week: Emily Canava, Ty Lowry, Patrick Schoedel, Audrey Ostermann

Adults celebrating their Birthdays this week: Charles Kieschnick, Kristen Kieschnick, Jenny Gross, Amy Kielbasa, Patti Dolle, Cassidy Griffith, Emily Maise, Chad Thurman, Judy Turner, Ann Knese, Patty Olsen, Mike Speckhard, Katie Mulchek, Ron Kramer, Steve Bongard, Marge Schuppan, Susan Dooling, Daniel Hoskins, Matthew Reisner, Ken Jones, Josh Scholl, Molly Taylor, Deanne Pfyl, Steve Hanske, Lynn Wilson, Wayne Jacobi

We pray for…

Mike Russ

Karen Starnes

Tom Tempel

Members and friends of Concordia with medical concerns…

Tim Ema Janet Gerdingʼs mother Dave and Marie Gravattʼs son, Tim Irene Hartmann Norma Hollmann Anita Kreienkampʼs sister, Marjorie Rosenkotter Hilde McAllister Julie McCormick Marjorie Moore Pegi and Norm Nardoni

Cindy Nicholsʼ son, Eric Sharon Rose Alice Trebus Lori Voges Barbara Warnekeʼs sister, Shari Ann Yemm

We also pray: For all our first responders, doctors, nurses and all of those who work in nursing homes and hospitals who are working on the frontline of the pandemic…

For all of those who are affected by the Coronavirus and those caring for them throughout the world...

For those who are remembering the loss of a loved one this holiday season…

Sympathy: For Ed Wells and family upon the death of his wife, Christi (12/13)

For Todd Cross and his family upon the death of his brother, Mike

For Mildred Wilhelm and family upon the death of her son, Wally (12/3)

For Amy Krueger and family upon the death of her sister, Carolyn Matthews (12/3)

For Irene Hartmann and family upon the death of her husband, John (12/4)

For Greg Filley and family upon the death of his wife, Max (12/3)

For all those who serve in the military in the combat zone, and their families… Lindsay Barnes, Cynthia Camp, Erik Carlson, Pete Carlson, Andrew Detmers, Elizabeth Hays, Owen Ray, Julie Ritz, Michael Smith

For all who serve in the military not in the combat zone, first responders, and their families… Brendan Kunderas, Tom Saeger, Tom Watson

Weekly DevotionWhere is God?

This is the question we have been considering every week of our current sermon series. Each week we unpack a different aspect of the question. Like considering a different part of a diamond or looking at a different perspective, we continue to unpack what this question means for God's people. And it means a tremendous amount. This question is asked, poked, and prodded by so many in our culture. And truth be told, it is a question that is often asked by God's people throughout the ages. But the beauty we have every single week is the reminder of where He is present. He is present with us to the very end of the age as Jesus reminds us. He is present through our local community. He is present through the communicated Word. He is present through His Holy meal and washing. And this truth grounds us as we think about our reflection for today. Where is God, especially in our fear? He is right where he always has been. He is still present with His people, encouraging, uplifting, and reminding them of His good and gracious will. It is in this hope that we reflect on our fear and place them in the loving and capable hands of God. Everyone has been in fearful moments. Everyone has experienced fear. Everyone knows what itʼs like to feel out of control and be uncertain of the outcome. This fear is uncomfortable but a very common

experience. What have you been fearful of in the past or still are fearful of at the moment? Maybe you are fearful of missing a holiday gathering with a loved one. Maybe it is finances and not knowing how to pay bills or feed yourself and the ones you love. Maybe it is the virus. Reflect for a moment on yourself. What fearful moments bubble up within you? As you reflect, hear the potential fear and a response of confidence from one of God's servants in the Holy Scriptures from Luke 1:26-38:

In the sixth month of Elizabethʼs pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Donʼt be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the

Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. Whatʼs more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lordʼs servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

This must have been one of the most potentially fearful moments in Mary's life. An angelic presence from heaven communicating that this woman would be pregnant and with the Christ child no less. Truly many things to be potentially fearful of. However, after Mary was encouraged by the angel, she responds in joy and confidence. Why? Because this is how the peace we have that surpasses all understanding works. God fills us with confidence to accept and accomplish tasks and circumstances that we never thought were possible. Even being pregnant and being the mother of the Christ child will not shake Mary because of the confidence she has in the messages of God.

So this week, cling to this Scriptural hope and example. Mary who was filled with faith and not fear. Reflect on your own positions of potential fear and trust in the infant king who has given us a reason for confidence. Because the hope that Mary

had you have as well. It is the hope that this Jesus will overcome everything. That he will set all things right. That by his very presence he overcomes sin, death, and the power of the devil. Live in this hopeful presence and cling to our infant king, Jesus.

Blessings,Pastor Jacob Schultz

Weekly DevotionWhere is God?

This is the question we have been considering every week of our current sermon series. Each week we unpack a different aspect of the question. Like considering a different part of a diamond or looking at a different perspective, we continue to unpack what this question means for God's people. And it means a tremendous amount. This question is asked, poked, and prodded by so many in our culture. And truth be told, it is a question that is often asked by God's people throughout the ages. But the beauty we have every single week is the reminder of where He is present. He is present with us to the very end of the age as Jesus reminds us. He is present through our local community. He is present through the communicated Word. He is present through His Holy meal and washing. And this truth grounds us as we think about our reflection for today. Where is God, especially in our fear? He is right where he always has been. He is still present with His people, encouraging, uplifting, and reminding them of His good and gracious will. It is in this hope that we reflect on our fear and place them in the loving and capable hands of God. Everyone has been in fearful moments. Everyone has experienced fear. Everyone knows what itʼs like to feel out of control and be uncertain of the outcome. This fear is uncomfortable but a very common

experience. What have you been fearful of in the past or still are fearful of at the moment? Maybe you are fearful of missing a holiday gathering with a loved one. Maybe it is finances and not knowing how to pay bills or feed yourself and the ones you love. Maybe it is the virus. Reflect for a moment on yourself. What fearful moments bubble up within you? As you reflect, hear the potential fear and a response of confidence from one of God's servants in the Holy Scriptures from Luke 1:26-38:

In the sixth month of Elizabethʼs pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Donʼt be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the

Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. Whatʼs more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lordʼs servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

This must have been one of the most potentially fearful moments in Mary's life. An angelic presence from heaven communicating that this woman would be pregnant and with the Christ child no less. Truly many things to be potentially fearful of. However, after Mary was encouraged by the angel, she responds in joy and confidence. Why? Because this is how the peace we have that surpasses all understanding works. God fills us with confidence to accept and accomplish tasks and circumstances that we never thought were possible. Even being pregnant and being the mother of the Christ child will not shake Mary because of the confidence she has in the messages of God.

So this week, cling to this Scriptural hope and example. Mary who was filled with faith and not fear. Reflect on your own positions of potential fear and trust in the infant king who has given us a reason for confidence. Because the hope that Mary

had you have as well. It is the hope that this Jesus will overcome everything. That he will set all things right. That by his very presence he overcomes sin, death, and the power of the devil. Live in this hopeful presence and cling to our infant king, Jesus.

Blessings,Pastor Jacob Schultz