Winter 2020/2021
Advent and the Church Year
The word “advent” is from the Latin word for “coming,” and as such, describes the “coming” of our Lord Jesus Christ into the flesh.
Advent begins the church year because the church year begins where Jesus’ earthly life began — in the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation. After Advent comes Christmas, which is about his birth; then Epiphany, about his miracles and ministry; then Lent, about his Calvary-bound mission; then Easter, about his resurrection and the sending of the apostles; and then Ascension (40 days after Easter) and Pentecost, with the sending of the Holy Spirit.
The first half of the church year (approximately December through June) highlights the life of Christ. The second half (approximately June through November) highlights the teachings of Christ. The parables and miracles play a big part here. That’s “the church year in a nutshell,” and it should help reveal how Advent fits into “the big picture.”
Advent specifically focuses on Christ’s “coming,” but Christ’s coming manifests itself among us in three ways — past, present, and future.
The readings which highlight Christ’s coming in the past focus on the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation at Bethlehem. The readings, which highlight Christ’s coming in the future, focus on his “second coming” on the Last Day at the end of time. And the readings that highlight Christ’s coming in the present focus on his ministry among us through Word and Sacrament today.
The purple candles matched the purple/blue paraments on the altar (purple for the royalty of the coming King). Each Sunday in Advent has a different focus based on the appointed Scripture readings for the day. A candle is lit for each of the services as Christmas draws near. The themes revolve around hope, peace, joy, and love. The pink candle is the third candle to be lit (not the fourth) on Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. “Gaudete” means “Rejoice!” in Latin, which is taken from Phil. 4:4.
(“Rejoice! … the Lord is near”). Hence a “pink” candle was used to signify “rejoicing.” Some also included a white “Christ candle” in the middle to be lit during the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25 to Jan. 5).
Our celebration of the Savior’s birth will culminate with services of celebration on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, we are adding a service to give the opportunity to socially distance. Service times are 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm on December 24th, Christmas Eve. A service including the Lord’s Supper will take place on Christmas Day at 9:00 am. There will be no mid-week Wednesday service on December 23rd.
LC-MS North Dakota District Convention Postponed
Due to concerns over the Corona Virus the ND District convention that had been scheduled for December 25-27 in Fargo has been postponed to January 2022. The current elected officers will remain in office until the 2022 convention.
Narcotics Anonymous
A group of individuals who are recovering from addition to narcotics meet each Monday night at the Salvation Army. However, during the month of December, the Salvation Army building is not available for their use. As a result, they have asked if they might use our building on Monday evening each week in December. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide a meeting space for this support group to encourage one another and hold each other accountable. We pray that the Lord would give them the strength to resist temptation even as He draws them to Him as Lord and Savior.
Faith and Blue
On December 13 Shepherd of the Valley will recognize Faith and Blue as Major Tom Iverson from the ND Highway Patrol will be present to tell us about his role in law enforcement during the education hour. This will be an opportunity for members of our congregation to learn about the struggles and joys of law enforcement. We will also hear practical ways that we can support law enforcement personnel.
Shed Update
I am Grayson Lawyer, for the past 3 months I have been building the shed next to the church as part of my Eagle Scout Project. All that is left is to attach doors , shingle the roof and paint the sides. But due to the delays caused by Covid, the final painting and landscaping will be done in the spring. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed, and for your continued support as we finish this project.
Middle School/ HIgh School Event!
The youth of Shepherd of the Valley and Bethel are invited to a youth group event on Sunday December 13th. We will meet after church at 1:00 at Shepherd of the Valley. Pastor Woodside will lead a Bible study on the topic “The HIstorical Jesus: How do we Know that He was Who He said He Was?” Lunch will also be provided. Afterwards we will all work together to put together Christmas bags for Wachter MIddle School students. It is a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with our neighbors! RSVP to : pastorwoodside@gmail.com or call or text me at 951-217-3385!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 29:13
With all that is going on in the world today we still have so much to be thankful for. One of those many blessings is our financial position at Shepherd of the Valley. Even through the current Covid-19 pandemic and it’s affects on lives and economy, you continue to be faithful in supporting the operations of the church and the ongoing sharing of the gospel through your financial gifts. And for this, we are eternally grateful!
Your Brother in Christ,
Doug Hintz
December-January Acolytes
*Dec 6 Kallen H. 815am
Reese D. 1045am
Dec 13 Zeva B. 815am
Mathew P. 1045am
*Dec 20 Blake N. 815am
Makenna B. 1045am
Dec 27 Dax L. 815am
Brekken Z. 1045am
*Jan 3 Taylor B. 815am
Gavin V. 1045am
Jan 10 Jensen H. 815am
Shaylee C. 1045am
*Jan 17 Jason C. 815am
Daisy A. 1045am
Jan 24 Reese D. 815am
Kallen H. 1045am
*Jan 31 Zeva B. 815am
Mathew P. 1045am
| DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Dan Jackson 12/1 Beth Robinson 12/2 Nate Harling 12/2 Kennedy Williams 12/2 Donte Brewer 12/4 Norman Sorge 12/4 Paul Pansegrau 12/4 Jeremy Kuusisto 12/5 Curt Carlson 12/7 Clair Sorge 12/7 Pat Hintz 12/8 Doris Weidrich 12/8 Lonny Lang 12/9 Dwight Cook 12/14 Jesse Kitzman 12/14 Kristin Vranicar 12/18 Shirley Cook 12/19 Don Albrecht 12/24 Adam Dever 12/24 Tammy Urness 12/27 Patrick Reiman 12/31
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| DECEMBER BAPTISMAL
BIRTHDAYS Robert Kramer 12/1 Jason Kuusisto 12/1 Blake Nelson 12/3 Hudson Hintz 12/5 Keaton Hintz 12/5 Logan Peterson 12/5 Susan Brockel 12/10 Roger Lawyer 12/10 Arlan Kostek 12/13 Becky Gildea 12/14 Shari Zeis 12/14 Clair Sorge 12/15 Darlene Kautzman 12/21 Emma Lewis 12/24 Adam Dever 12/25 Jordon Kitzman 12/25 Jaden Austin 12/27 Jeremy Kuusisto 12/27
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| THE PURPOSE OF SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH IS TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL NURTURE THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENT, LIVE THE FAITH AND REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. |
| December Elders
1-15 Kevin Olson 301-7194 16-30 Craig Helm 224-1605
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| December Anniversaries
Jacob & Jayne Fetzer 12/12/88 Dennis & Gloria Dollinger 12/19/89 Melvin & Marilyn Sutheimer 12/28/74 Brad & Darlene Kautzman 12/30/82 Dale & LaDonna Kitzman 12/30/82 |
| Due to covid we are using single prepackaged treats for fellowship . Donations of treats or money in basket is appreciated. It cost around $15 for treats and coffee each Sunday. Thanks! Any questions: Cathy Sitter 400-5545 or Pam Dever 391-6332. Stewardship. |
| January Elders
1-15 16-30
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| January Anniversaries
Joel & Brittni Williams 1-05-12
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| Due to covid we are using single prepackaged treats for fellowship . Donations of treats or money in basket is appreciated. It cost around $15 for treats and coffee each Sunday. Thanks! Any questions: Cathy Sitter 400-5545 or Pam Dever 391-6332. Stewardship. |
| JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
Lucas Borneman Kristina Hausauer Jacob Fetzer Sherrald Kostek Steph Issak Don Gienger Shaylee Issak Sara Kapp Luella Richter Alice Ganskop Corrin Fahrni Matthew Kalonick John Hoffman Cindy Bittner Joshua Lawyer Larry Walker Kallen Hintz |
| BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAYS
Doris Weidrich 1-12 Leona Mittag 1-13 Dwight Cook 1-19 Patrick Reiman 1-20 Kristina Hausauer 1-29 |