ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Lillian Greenlee in loving memory of her husband, John, and in thankfulness to God for His many blessings. Flowers are also given to the glory of God by Zora Oglesby in thankfulness to God for His many blessings and to honor the November birthdays of her parents.
A REMINDER OF GOD’S PROVISION AND LOVE The extra bouquet of roses on the altar are from the 140+ roses around our church campus. They are a reminder of God’s eternal love for us.
THIS AFTERNOON All members of Historic First Lutheran are invited and highly encouraged to attend the Spanish Misa today at 1:00 p.m. as we celebrate the 4th Anniversary of our Spanish Worship Community. A festive gathering will follow the service in the gym, including lots of great food and some folklorico dances.
THE WHITE PARAMENTS The white paraments adorning our altar, lectern and pulpit were gifts given in memory of Paul W. Daniels.
EXPLANATION OF OUR WHITE PARAMENTS White is the color for purity, holiness and righteousness. Our particular parament set is called “The Great I Am.” The altar parament includes the Cross in the center, surrounded by the words “I Am,” a reminder of many of Jesus’ claims about Himself. A “Chi Ro” rises out of the top of the Cross, representing the first two Greek letters of the Name “Christ.” On the extreme sides of the altar parament are the Greek letters “Alpha” and “Omega,” reminding us that Christ is the Beginning and the End. The lectern parament contains the combined Cross and “Chi Ro” seen on the altar parament. The pulpit parament contains the Alpha and the Omega seen on the altar parament. Particularly designed for the Easter Season (although also used for Christmas and Epiphany), our parament set contains what looks to be lightning flashes, reminding us of the brilliance of the Christmas Star and the Resurrection of Jesus.
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP The Annual Christmas Tea will be held on Saturday 6 December at 11:30 AM in the Parish Hall. Our guest speaker will be Laura Page who will talk about her ministry to the homeless. We will have a delightful luncheon, door prizes, entertainment and fun. A free-will offering will cover the cost. Everyone is invited to bring usable clothing and shoes (for both men or women) as well as personal hygiene items. Leave those items in the Green Room. Reservations are a must! Let Ann Price (Christmas Party Chair), Harriet Dickens, Jessica Valentine or Carol Numrich know if you plan to attend or drop your response in the offering plate. In addition, as part of our Hispanic ministry, there will be three evenings of caroling in the neighborhood around Christmas. Lutheran Women’s Fellowship has agreed to help collect candy and money to purchase piñatas. Candy should be wrapped. Donations may be made for the piñatas. Candy should be left in the box in Green Room. Monies should be given to Carol Numrich.
THANK YOU! The Schaar Family thanks everyone for their sympathies, their calls and their cards at the death of Marvin last Friday. Memorial Gifts may be made to the Endowment Fund of Historic First Lutheran.
MARVIN SCHAAR MEMORIAL A memorial service for Marvin Schaar is scheduled for Friday 5 December at 11:00 a.m. at Historic First Lutheran. A luncheon will follow in the gym.
MISSION & EVANGELISM SUNDAY Next Sunday we will welcome Pastor Phil Pledger, Executive Director of Lutheran Braille Workers in Yucaipa. A doughnut reception will follow the service.
A TRUE STORY OF DEATH AND LIFE Ann Price recently gifted Pastor Schaar with a book called 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper, a minister involved in a horrific auto accident who was pronounced dead at the scene for 90 minutes until another minister prayed for him at the scene and he regained his earthly life. Pastor Schaar highly recommends this book for everyone to read. It’s a powerful confirmation of the hope of eternal life in Heaven we each have because of Jesus.
DON’T FORGET! Before you eat your turkey, make sure to attend our special service on Thanksgiving morning at 10:00 a.m.
EXERCISE CLASS EXPANDS Please note that our Exercise Class in the Gym is now being offered 3 times a week – on Monday and Friday at 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend and participate!
PETAL PUSHERS NEEDED Would you like a chance to help decorate “The Lutheran Hour” Rose Parade Float and many others? “Petal Pushers” are needed, especially on Sunday 7 December. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Dick Gast, Float Chairman, at 949-472-1130.
TWO LOCAL CELEBRITIES Our own Pastor Marcello Gómez has been asked to be a rider on “The Lutheran Hour” Rose Parade Float on 1 January 2009! This will be the second time a staff member of Historic First Lutheran has ridden on the float, the first being Maria Garcia-Bratton, our Director of Community Outreach Ministries, in 2002. In addition, Erica McDaniel, daughter of Gerald and Trina Freeny and granddaughter of Charlie Freeny, will be riding on the float! Congratulations to both!
USHERS TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #1 – Bernadette Hendry, Greg Hendry and Ann Price.