Pastor Andy Keltner

"Tis the season" we will be bombarded by Christmas marketing and Christmas stories during the next few weeks.  The debate about keeping Christ in Christmas will rage as a vocal group of antagonists seek to make December about having a happy holiday instead of a blessed Christmas.  We are bombarded by the Coca Cola Santa, with reindeer and elves.  TV exploits the season.  I remember once seeing a "Kiss" Christmas cartoon and there was no Christ but the fat Santa in the red costume played a prominent role in delivering presents.  Since I watch too many cartoons I am aware that our children have a very slanted and sad portrayal of the Christmas story.

Even in our churches the Biblical account of Christmas is not always accurately portrayed.  The three kings were not at the birth of Christ. From scripture we know they were scholars and not kings.  Also in reading the Bible we know there were three significant gifts for the King of Kings but we do not know how many wise men brought these gifts.  I can state that the hymn that says "no crying he makes" about the baby Jesus is probably hyperbole.  And after much Study of scripture I can with confidence say that the little drummer boy is not part of the Biblical account.  It is a great story.  But it is not the Christmas Story.

One of my favorite Christmas programs is a Charlie Brown Christmas.  The shabby tree, the attempt at a Christmas pageant and then in the mist of the chaos of the season Linus with his blanket brazenly shares the truth from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke.  He shares the Biblical narrative on prime time TV.  By the way, that is the Christmas story.  It is the story of a humble birth.  It is the story of God breaking into our brokenness as a babe in a manger.  It is about a Savior born in Bethlehem.  It is about the creator becoming a man.  It is about the bread of life being hungry.  It is about living water thirsting.  That is the Christmas story.

There is an Old Testament tradition that at the Passover the family gathers together for the Seder meal.  Then the youngest child who is able to tell the story of the Passover shares this truth with the rest of the family.  It is powerful to read the Christmas narrative from Luke chapter two at your Christmas gatherings.  I recommend this as part of your family Christmas dinner.  Yet if we want this to be a truth that is part of our children's life it would be wise to encourage them and listen to them as they share with you in their words the Christmas Story.  I pray that as beloved children of God the true story of Christmas is one we can share in its purity and truth.

I pray you have a blessed Christmas.  Celebrate the Christmas season with your family.  Come to worship.  We will have two Christmas Eve services and a Christmas day communion service.  Remember the Christmas story is a story about God's great love for you, your children and your children's children.

May god richly bless you as you share his love this Christmas Season.

Pastor Andy and family

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Wednesday evenings during Advent, the basement will be full of delicious food and members of the congregation engaged in fellowship as we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth.  Dinner begins at 5:30 and will be finished in time for everyone to attend the Advent services at 7:00 p.m.

Cindy Karrow wanted to let everyone know that this year they will be supplying bread, peanut butter and jelly for those who would like to make a sandwich instead of the meal.

Thank you Cindy Karrow for organizing everything this year!  Also, Thank you to all those taking time out of their busy schedules to prepare and serve meals!

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Each year, Sandy Barsh and volunteers from our congregation work to make the Sanctuary and Church beautiful for Christmas.  They put up two Christmas Trees, decorate them, and put other decorations throughout the church.

This year, Sandy would like to decorate on Saturday, December 13th at 9:00 a.m. to approximately 11:00 a.m.  She is in need of two to three tall men to help put the Christmas trees together (this will involve being on a ladder).  She also needs help with decorating the trees and the church.

Please consider taking time out of your day on the 13th to help. Contact Sandy Barsh at 837-2997 if you are able to help.

Christ Our Savior will be working at the Louisburg Food Pantry on Wednesday, December 17th from 8:15 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m.  The Food Pantry is located at 3 S. Second Street East.  We will park in the Middle School parking lot and walk over to the Food Pantry.

We are in need of 4 to 5 volunteers to work inside filling boxes and 1 to 2 volunteers to carry boxes out to vehicles.  Space inside the Pantry is very limited, so please do not bring little ones along to help.  We are afraid they might get hurt.

If you have any questions or you are able to attend, please contact Sandy Barsh (913-837-2997). This is a great opportunity to serve others in our community!

From the Heart - Sharing Love at Christmas is the program that gathers Christmas gifts for children in need here in Louisburg.  We have participated in the past and are excited at the opportunity to brighten someone's Christmas again this year.  A display with tags for you to take will be placed in the narthex the week of December 1st.  From the Heart has asked that gifts be wrapped and returned to the church by Sunday, December 14th.  We will have a box in the narthex for you to return your gifts. Thank you so much in advance for participating!

When you have lost someone you love, the holidays can seem daunting or difficult.  Crossroads Hospice offers a workshop for coping with grief during the holidays and finding ways to remember the ones you love through meaningful new traditions.

Thursday, December 4, 2014 - 6:30 p.m.

King of Kings Lutheran Church

306 E. Madison

Gardner, KS 66030

During our time together, we will focus on noticing signs/symptoms of grief/stress fatigue, self-care, and then some ideas for remembering loved ones during the holidays (for example: preparing a favorite dish of theirs, lighting a candle, setting a place at the table, remembering favorite holiday memories with the loved one).

Presented by Marissa Ebeling

www.crossroadshospice.com

Youth Group says "Thank You"!

The youth group would like to say "Thank You" to those who participated in Operation Christmas Child for our October/ November Servant Event either by bringing in shoeboxes or praying for the people packing the boxes, the volunteers who will be collecting, processing, and delivering the gifts, and for the children receiving them - Thank You!

COS "You"th Group Caroling/Party/Meeting

WHAT: Youth Group Caroling/Party/Meeting

WHO:  COS "YOU"th in grades 6-12 & family

Date: Sunday, December 21st  

Time: 11:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Where: COS Basement/ Nursing Homes

What to Bring:  Yourself & your family; your favorite potluck meal to share; a white elephant gift from around your house (preferably!); your singing voice.

What:  Discuss our next FUN event in January and our next fundraiser for New Orleans!

Sign-up: on the bulletin board in the narthex - please sign-up so we know who is coming and what you are planning on bringing.  

We had a great time on Saturday, November 15th.   We watched the movie "How to Train Your Dragon 2," played some foosball before/after the movie and had a brief meeting before we started.  We also munched on loads of seasoned popcorn and lots of pop!  We had a great time and hope to have another movie night in the spring.

December Youth Fundraiser - Selling Hot Chocolate/

Spiced Cider - We need you to sign-up!!!!

Saturday, December 6

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

We need the youth to sign up to work at least one 2 hour time period.  We also need at least one parent to volunteer to help supervise the youth during a 2 hour time period as well.  The sign-up sheet is in the narthex on the bulletin board.  

*7:45 helpers need to help with setting up hot chocolates, hot ciders, cups, napkins, table and pricing list. 

**1:45 helpers will need to help with the clean-up of the hot chocolates, hot ciders, cups, napkins, and table.

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