Messenger The Pacific Hills

Church Events Sunday 8:00am Eucharist

9:15am Choir Rehearsal

9:15am Education Hour

10:30am Eucharist

11:30am Youth Choir

2:00pm Hanging of the Greens

3:00pm Gamblers Annual Dinner

Monday 6:30pm Quilters

Tuesday 8:00am Staff Meeting

9:30am Care Ministry Comm.

9:30am Alanon

5:30pm Lutheran Family Service

Wednesday9:30am Eucharist

10:30am Fellowship

2:00pm Worship

5:15pm Children’s Music

7:00pm Worship

8:00pm Campus Ministry

Thursday 7:00pm Gamblers

Friday 7:30pm Omaha Philatelic Soc.

Sunday 8:00am Lessons and Carols

9:00am Blood Pressure Checks

9:15am Choir Rehearsal

9:15am Education Hour

10:30am Lessons and Carols

11:30am Worship & Music Comm.

11:30pm Youth Choir

3:00pm Preschool Children’s

Christmas Program

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF PACIFIC HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2, 2016 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 37

The word “Advent” … means “coming” or “arrival.”

The focus of the entire season is preparation to celebrate the birth Christ in

His First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ as our King in His

Second Advent.

There are many themes associated with Advent — hope, joy and

anticipation are central but so are the more somber themes of sin, repent-

ance and judgment. This is reflected in some of the scripture readings for

Advent where we find strong prophetic tones of accountability and judgment

on sin.

Advent is a season that brings into focus what we should be doing

everyday —living lives of repentance and trust. King David knew something

about that when he said: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a

right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10) .

Advent Blessings, Pastor Bryan E. Drebes

Plan now to join us for these special services and events:

Greening of the Church — December 4th at 2:00 PM

Wednesday Midweek Advent Worship — 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Punch and Cookie Fellowship after the 2:00 PM service

Advent Lessons and Carols — December 11th at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM

Preschool Christmas Program — December 11th at 3:00 PM

Christmas Caroling at Methodist Hospital — December 23rd at 4:00 PM

Christmas Eve Family Worship — 5:00 PM

Christmas Eve Traditional Service with Communion — 7:00 PM

Christmas Day Worship — 10:30 AM (only one service on Christmas Day)

Today’s altar flowers are given to the glory of God by Joe and Carla Risko Family in memory of Joe Risko, Sr.

Walking the Road to Bethlehem: Week 5: This week 12 members "walked" 845 miles. Turn in your "miles" weekly. Follow the travel blog of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the hallway. As we "walk" this week, the second week of Advent, let us reflect on the description of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6. May we all have the opportunity to bring the Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace to everyone we meet this Christmas season.

Adopt an Angel for Christmas. Thank you members who selected names of foster children and senior citizens for the Secret Angel project. Gifts need to be

returned by December 11. Social Ministry Board

Youth Confirmation Reminder. Confirmation is currently on break for the Advent and Christmas Seasons and will resume with the Ninth and Tenth Commandments on January 4, 2017, at 6pm.

Tai Chi: There will be no classes in the month of December and the first week in January. Classes will begin on January 10. If Omaha Public Schools are

closed due to weather, there will be no Tai Chi class.

If you have not turned in your pledge card, it is not too late. A supply of pledge cards have been placed

in the narthex for your convenience.

Please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes from the table in the coatroom. Also, the 2017 calendars are available, too.

The 2017 Flower Chart has been placed on the coat-room bulletin board. Please sign up as sponsor for your special Sunday. The cost is still $25.

Parish Prayer Process: Beginning January 1, 2017, PHLC will be instituting a new process for names on the Parish Prayer List. When a request is made in the front office for a friend or relative to be added to the published parish prayer list, the name will be added for two weeks and then removed unless the family requests that it be on for a longer period of time. This will keep the list more current and reflective of immediate prayer needs.

If you need to receive gluten free communion wafers or alcohol removed wine, contact pastor, an elder, or an usher, for Sunday and Wednesday communion (and visitation to shut-ins).

Events of Other Congregations and Agencies

CHRISTMAS AT CONCORDIA - Two opportunities will be offered to enjoy Christmas concerts at Concordia Jr.-Sr. High.

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - Friday, December 9, 7pm in the main gym. This annual concert will feature vocalists from the Concordia Chorale, Singers, Harmonix (Contemporary A Capella) and Platinum (Show Choir), and instrumentalists in the Hand- bell Choir, Sr. High Orchestra, Jazz Band and Concert Band.

Jr. High is happening the next week on Monday, December 12, 7pm at Concordia in the auxiliary gym. It will include the JV Jazz Band and Jr. High musicians in band, choir and orchestra and Jr. Handbells. There is no admission charge for either concert - a free-will offering will be taken.

Make a difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees right here in Omaha by teaching or assisting on a weekly basis at the Peace International Friendship Center! This local mission could use more ELL and Citizenship teachers/assistants, a sewing teacher or assistant, and children’s ministry workers while parents attend classes. Or, for a one-time event, at our 3

rd

Annual Christmas Dinner/Program on Saturday, December 10, 6pm to 8pm. Contact the center’s Director, Rev. Jim Haack (jim@bslcomaha.org or call 402-331-7376) for specific ways you can serve our Lord and our neighbors!

St. Paul students invite you to attend a Christmas Carol sing-along on Tuesday, December 20, at 6:30pm. The students will be singing some of their favorite Christmas songs and will read the Nativity. After the program hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Items to be given to the Open Door Mission/Lydia House will be assembled.

The Nebraska Foster Care Review Office is looking for volunteer board members to serve on a local review boards in Omaha, Papillion, or Bellevue. Do you have a few hours a month to dedicate to serving Nebraska’s foster children? The citizen reviewer plays a critical role as a case reviewer on a local review board. Please call our office for more information (402-471-4665). Background checks are required. Training is provided.

Catholic Charities is looking for experienced moms to provide mentoring support to pregnant and parenting young women. Mentors enter a friendship role: they give encouragement, demonstrate positive parenting, and simply just listen. We invite you to consider giving your time and talents to make a difference in the lives of these young women and their children. For more information, contact Laurel Determan at laureld@ccomaha.org or 402-829-9283, or Kathy Milbrath at kathym@ccomaha.org or 402-829-9289.

PRAYER LIST December 2, 2016

(Family and Friends: Please call the church office to add/remove names below.)

Erika, Logan and Ellie

Carol Copple (sister-in-law of Doris Anderson)

Kuany Gatbel Loang (nephew of James Gatluak)

Jim Pape (father of Debbie Fraser)

Jon Pearson (son of Vernon and Elaine Pearson)

Bob Nelson (son of Barb and Lew Nelson)

Sean Palmerton (grandson of Leroy and Nancy Stuckenschmidt)

Charlotte Thompson (sister of Leon Siedlyk)

Patty Dyer (niece of Leon Siedlyk)

Nathan Kander in Military (nephew of Alice Osborn)

Philip Kander in Military (nephew of Alice Osborn)

Ron Ethan (friend of Helen Glanzer and Kae Stille)

Laura (niece of Sandy Frazier)

Sharlene Grindle (sister-in-law of Dennis Grindle)

Ann Schroeder (friend of Helen Glanzer and Kae Stille)

Special Intercessions:

Those who travel and those who protect us

All who lead us ecclesiastically and politically

Missions/Missionaries of the Church

Our Campus Ministry program

Our Lamb of God Preschool

All Lutheran Schools

The pastors, staffs, and members of our North Circuit congregations, schools, and preschools.

Ministry of Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha

Concordia University, Seward

Mentally ill, their caregivers, and PHLC Care Ministries

The ill, hospitalized, dying, and grieving

Health and protection of all children, including the unborn

Unemployed/financial difficulties

End to terrorism and for justice and peace among all nations

The incarcerated

Pray for God’s grace and mercy upon all who face trials, chronic illnesses, or addictions, and upon all who lack a saving faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

Unrest in the U.S. and the world

Victims of storms across the country

Readings for Sunday, December 11: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-11; Matthew 11:2-15

Anniversary John & Rita Klingman 12/8

Birthdays

Dick Laughlin 12/2

Dorothy Ebener 12/3

Lena Dunlow 12/4

Peter Thuok Chol 12/4

Roger Wohlers 12/5

Larry Webster 12/7

Charlotte Berkland 12/8

John Klingman 12/9

Chris Larson 12/10

Death: Naomi Ernstmeyer (mother of Constance

Ernstmeyer

PHLC Members: Marilyn Walker, Geraldine Rueter,

Grady Chastain, Chris Stastny, Paul Gladman,

Christopher Kiihne, Harriet Moore, Leon Rottmann,

Leon Siedlyk, JoAn Werblow, Frank Bladt, Rita

Klingman, John Klingman, James Koun, Bob Loeck,

Duane Fieck, Carolyn Vierck, Jim Mueller, Sara

Young, Carol Lacz, Al Erickson, Roy Anderson,

Vernon Pearson, Mary Lou Chastain, Debra Mueller,

Dennis Grindle, Mike Horton, Jeannine Fulner, David

Haar, Tim Haar, Ramona

In Assisted Living Facilities: Charlotte Berkland,

Mary Lou Chastain, Dorothy Ebener, Lois Eggers,

Jeannine Fulner, Mike Lessmann, Norma Payne, Jean

Schmieding, Alfred Simonsen, Dena Zak, Bob Bailey,

Ruth Baumgartner, Jan Bouc, Helene Stigge

Friends and Relatives:

Gavin Webster (grandson of Larry and Judy Webster)

Elizabeth Grindle (mother of Dennis Grindle)

Jo Anna Perkins (friend of Dennis Grindle)

Madison Thomas (granddaughter of John and Sara Thomas)

Helen Small (grandmother of Kristen Karl)

Johnathan Osborn

Alma Meseke (aunt of Barbara Fremder)

Vera Krengel (mother of Barbara Fremder)

Sandy Botrell (cousin of Barbara Fremder)