"Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise."

 

 

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SC Synod Website: www.sclutheran.org  or  www.scsynod.com    

 

The E-news deadline is each Tuesday afternoon at 4:00. Not all items are suitable for the e-news; please submit early in case there are questions or concerns. Thanks.  Click to submit an item.

 

 
REMINDER: Please share how your congregation is observing Advent and Christmas! It's easy!

Please click on the "Conversations" tab on the SC Synod's Web site and let folks know what's going on at your church this Advent and Christmastime. It's a blog for ALL of us to share. Thank you!

Also, are you doing "extra" events, such as a live Nativity scene or a special Christmas concert? Please have ONE person in your congregation send the information to Celie Addy so that it can be included in a "Holiday Events" special e-news, which will go out very soon. Please keep it SHORT, and include:

Congregation and city: ________________
Location: __________________________
Event: ____________________________
Date:  ____________________________
Time:  ____________________________
Cost:  ___________ (if not free, where does the money go?)
Description - (50 words or less) ______________
For more information, contact: _______________

Please specify HOLIDAY CONGREGATIONAL EVENT in the subject line of your e-mail. Thanks.

  

 

Wheat Ridge Ministries offering three kinds of grants for local congregations

 

 

 

Wheat Ridge Ministries is "Lutherans seeding new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ." Wheat Ridge Ministries has a special interest in nurturing new health and human care ministries developed by local congregations and new faith-based organizations. Grant programs include:

 

Joshua Grants: One year, matching grants of $1,000-$5,000 to Lutheran congregations, organizations, and agencies committed to launching new ministries of health and hope in their community.

 

 Burst Project grants: One-time grants of up to $5,000 for a human care ministry project designed and led by young adult leaders between the ages of 20-35 in the Lutheran community.

 

The GrantsPlus Program: supports new and innovative health and human care programs led by congregations and nonprofit organizations affiliated with the Lutheran community.  Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 over two to three years.


 

Does your congregation have a Computer/Internet use policy?

 

If you don't, you may want to take a look at this sample policy that the ELCA has provided for congregations to consider. We've posted it on the SC Synod's Website for your convenience.

 

ELCA Good Gifts: Make a difference this year!  

 

As the season of Advent arrives, surely you have begun planning your holiday shopping list. Perhaps you're thinking of the latest gadgets, newest toys or other popular gifts. But what if you could give a gift that makes a real, life-changing difference? What if you could gift something that was not only thoughtful and valuable, but that would also transform the life of someone in need? This year, you can do just that. The ELCA Good Gifts catalog contains more than 50 different gift-giving options that help grow our church, support new leaders and care for those around the world who live with hunger and poverty. These gifts represent projects carried out by the ELCA church and support ministries and people that need them most. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' coming into this world, just think of how many other families are in need. Their lives could be changed with just one small gift. Each of the gifts in the ELCA Good Gifts catalog has the capacity to transform lives - all in God's name. Will you help with your gifts this Christmas? Visit ELCA.org/goodgifts.  

 
Inspire people with global stories during the holidays


Celebrate Christ's coming into the world during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany with three inspirational stories in the newest Hand in Hand: Stories from the Global Church. Request 1-10 free copies at 800-638-3522 or RIS@elca.org. Order 11-2,000 free copies at www.ELCA.org/GlobalMission-Resources . Free shipping and handling. You can also download these stories as copy-ready bulletin inserts at www.elca.org/Resources/GlobalChurch .

 

 

Two chuckles this week, 'cause I just couldn't decide.

 

FIRST:
It was Super Bowl Sunday and in the local Presbyterian church the time for the collection of tithes and offerings was approaching. The minister, a true sports enthusiast, reached into his pocket, took out a quarter, flipped it into the air, glanced at it as it landed, then in typical referee fashion joyfully announced: "The ushers have elected to receive!"

SECOND:
Because our new refrigerator was taller than our old one, I told my wife I'd have to cut away part of an overhanging cabinet to make it fit. Not wanting to mess it up, I called a local radio home-fix-it program for advice. I was in the middle of getting the instructions when my wife burst into the room. "You won't believe this," she said, "but there's a guy on the radio with the same problem!"  
   
...see what I mean?   
 
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