Worship: Sunday 9:30 AM Bible Class to follow

GOD’S ENCOURAGING WORDWhen I wonder if I will go to heaven

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

I saw my name on Santa’s list! I was so excited. I didn’t think it would be there. I got mad and hit my sister on Thanksgiving Day. I admitted my fault. Since then, I was very well behaved. After all, Santa brings good things to good boys, right? I saw MY name! I was getting a puppy for Christmas! I did it! I made up for my sin.

Christmas came and no puppy. I was crushed. I thought I deserved one. I thought Santa loved me. Was the name on Santa’s list someone else with the same name as mine? Did Santa think my apology was insincere? Was hitting my sister such a horrible thing that he would totally reject me? No puppy that Christmas. (It would be another 29 years before I got a puppy.)

What if God treated us like that? We would never be sure we are going to heaven. But God does not treat us like that, and we can be sure we are going to heaven. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…”

Notice what God did not say. “God so loved the ones that don’t hit their sisters…” “God so loved the good ones… the top 50%... those who help themselves.” No, God loves sinners, all sinners, you and me. He loves the whole world.

God gave us the greatest gift of all. Jesus, God’s Son, came at Christmas to save the world from sin and hell. God gave us a gift only he can give—eternal life. God did that by sending Jesus into this world to live a life without sin. Jesus never hit his sister. He never even thought angry or insulting thoughts about anyone. Jesus was punished for all our sins, in our place. Jesus rose from the dead to guarantee our sins are paid for. He did this for the whole world. That includes you.

Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. Trusting him as your Savior, you can be certain you will go to heaven. Enjoy God’s gift of Jesus this Christmas.

- From the WELS Outreach Newsletter

10203 W. Tieton Drive, Yakima WA 98908 Isaac P. Cherney, Pastorwww.redeemer-yakima.org (262) 204-8027

DECEMBER 2018See http://www.redeemer-yakima.org/#/calendarnews for

most recently updated calendarSun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

1

2

9:30am Worship11:00am Bible Study

4:30 PM Winter Auction

3 4 5

6:00pm ESL teaching @ Grace

7:00pm Advent Worship @ Grace

6 7 8

7:30am Elders’ Study

9:00am“Dying to Live”The Power of Forgiveness Study

99:30am Worship(Communion)11:00am Bible Study

3:00pm Grace German Christmas Service

10 11 12

6:00pm ESL teaching @ Grace

7:00pm Advent Worship @ Grace

13

7:00pmCouncil

14 159:00amGrace/RedeemerMen’s Gathering

8:00am Elder’s Meeting

12:00 pm Christmas Caroling

DECEMBER 2018See http://www.redeemer-yakima.org/#/calendarnews for

most recently updated calendarSun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat169:30pm Worship11:00am Bible Study4:00pm One Evening of Peace service

17 18 19

6:00pm ESL teaching @ Grace

7:00pm Advent Worship @ Grace

20 21 22

23

9:30am Worship(Communion)11:00am Bible Study

24

7:00 PMChristmas Eve Worship

25

9:30 AMChristmas Day Worship

26 27 28 29

309:30am Worship(Communion)11:00am Bible Study

DATE ATTENDANCE MINISTRATIONS – EVENTS OFFERINGS

Sunday, November 4, 2018 74 Grace 19 / Redeemer 25 $4,517.00Sunday, November 11, 2018 56 9 $2,460.00Sunday, November 18, 2018 76 17 $3,526.00

Thursday, November 22, 2018 46 $507.00Sunday, November 25, 2018 80 Christmas Decorating $2,376.00

“Christmas Celebrations,” an Article from Christmas Reflections

By John Hardison

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians

13:4-7

These days the celebration of Christmas takes on a life of its own. The world seems somehow a

better place. People talk to people they hardly speak to the rest of the year. God seems to give us a little

push to help those who have less than we do through various charity organizations. Yes, there is a big shopping rush and the stores stock extra goods to meet the wants of their customers, but why does it happen? Because the spirit of Christmas makes people want to share with family, friends, and others. Cookies are baked by the hundreds for the sole purpose of giving them away. Special music fills the air in stores we enter, cars we pass, and within our homes. Colored lights and decorations appear as if by magic all over the Christian world. Drive through the streets of any town in the United States and one can tell Christmas is here once again. Decorations are everywhere. Churches are planning concerts, programs, and special worship services. Television presents our favorite Christmas movie classics. The radio stations resonate with the sounds of Jingle Bells and Silent Night as the special day approaches.

Unfortunately, Christmas can be sad for some who are sick, grieving, or have suffered other losses. Death and sickness do not observe holidays. But,

Christians are assured those who are hurting will be comforted and those who have gone ahead are in a much better place free from the pain, misery, and sorrow of this far from perfect world. The Lord has a plan for each of us, though sometimes his plan seems less clear during the celebration of the Christmas Season.

Let us pray the Spirit of the Savior born on Christmas Day some two thousand years ago will guide each of us to comfort those in need with the promises God makes in his Word, and where possible and necessary, to help others with earthly needs. Let all members of the invisible Church take time from the multitude of Christmas celebrations to thank God for the gift of his Son. Let us share the real meaning of Christmas with people who desperately need to hear it. What better way of celebrating Christmas than presenting Jesus with the gift of our sharing the Gospel message with another person. May we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child this year in a Christ-pleasing way.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:40

Get to Know Your Redeemer Council:President – David Karnitz

For your prayers and encouragement we have been presenting our councilmen through our newsletter in the past months. We turn to our current president, David Karnitz.

A Washington native, David was born in Spokane, WA on January 29, 1958. David is the middle of five children, having one brother and three sisters. David joined our Redeemer family formally in 1996 and it was not long before he was also serving our congregation formally. Initially an elder in 1999, David would go on to serve as president starting in

2002. A break was followed in 2013 with president work again; terms of service which David will be wrapping up in the summer of 2019.

With his wife Rhonda, David shares five children: Jacob, Mandy, Samantha, Sabrina, and Jessica.

Favorite past-times and endeavors for David include fishing and hunting (but you probably guessed that if you ever caught the license plate to his truck).

When asked about what David gets excited about concerning Redeemer’s future, he comments, “I look

forward with excitement and confidence in the future growth of Redeemer. God has blessed us richly from pastor to pews. These abundant gifts can only lead to a strong and growing church!”

We thank David for his committed service and gospel motivation as he has served and continues to serve this critical office!

David and Rhonda on a ride through nature