Verbal Announcements
As We Gather
When God comes to save, everything changes—joyfully. Isaiah writes that it would be like the desert turning green or as people’s lives being turned around. When Jesus came, for many who were blind, deaf, and leprous, everything changed in an instant as they were healed. We were certainly changed when God adopted us as His children in our Baptism. Now we are changed, completely forgiven in Christ. In our joy we can wait patiently, as James encourages in the Epistle. We know that when our Lord returns, though He will come as Judge, Isaiah promised, “He will come and save you.” Saved from sin, death, and the devil: that changes everything!
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated today with the confession that we receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in, with and under (a way of saying that Christ is fully present in) the bread and wine. Christ's presence gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and to nourish our faith. This is a solemn celebration, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1Corinthians 11:29). The Lord’s Supper is meant for our good, not to our judgment. But, before presenting yourself ask these questions:
1. Am I sorry for my sins and need forgiveness?
2. Did Christ die and rise to forgive my sins?
3. Am I receiving the very body and blood of Christ Jesus?
If your answers are yes, you are welcome. If you are not a member of a LCMS church, or have further questions about The Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor.
Stewardship
Isaiah 35:4 – “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’ ”
The return of our Lord at the Last Day is a cause of joy and anticipation for us believers. We know our Lord and His love, and we look forward to His Second Advent. Indeed, how we live our lives here and now flows from our certain hope of resurrection and eternal life.
Lutherans For Life
“As sure as Christmas will come again on December 25, our Lord will come again. As we look forward to the Last Day, let’s dress for the occasion, putting on godliness and repentance. Let’s celebrate everything He did the first time He came to assure us of our home of righteousness. Let’s be spiritually awake and alert for His coming again, knowing that we will enjoy God’s perfect paradise, our eternal home.” Rev. Peter Sulzle, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, Minnesota – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Altar Flowers
The Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex by the drinking fountains. Check chart for donation opportunities and availability.
Children Sunday School
This week in Sunday School invites children to experience the familiar nativity story in a fresh way by imagining themselves as witnesses to the first Christmas—seeing it through the eyes of the shepherds or Joseph and considering the thoughts, emotions, and sensory details they might have felt. Remind them that these events happened to real people, and, if time allows, let them practice retelling the story in their own words. Most importantly, emphasize why Jesus’ birth matters: He came not as an exalted king but as a humble, helpless baby, beginning a life of perfect obedience to His Father as He carried out God’s plan to save us from our sins.
Congregational Christmas Breakfast
In the Fellowship Hall to celebrate the birth of our Savior by enjoying food and fellowship, (maybe some trivia and other games). Come, be known and encouraged.
Cookie Walk
Christmas Cookies Exchange/Walk is an opportunity to eat and take home delicious cookies made with love and maybe a few made by faceless bakers bought in a chain store. Satisfy your Christmas cookie appetite and help support the youth group.
Angel Tree
An Angel Tree will be set up in the Narthex beginning in Advent. We are supporting the same families from Kenwood Elementary that we did for Thanksgiving. Take an angel (or two) and put your name and phone number next to the angel number on the signup sheet. ALL GIFTS need to be returned, wrapped, and underneath the tree so we can distribute them to the families in time for Christmas. Contact Jean Grieve for more information:
Contact Jean.
Youth Christmas Party
The Youth Christmas Party is a mystery dinner set in the North Pole. We are citizens of town, who, by-the-way, desperately need to hear the good news of the Savior's birth. See Curtis for your character assignment.
Lacey Kringel is once again hosting the annual Kringel’s Block Party in Holly Hills. The RSVP list for this year’s event has you on edge. Hollyberry Town’s rumor mill has been churning with scandals—blackmail, backstabbing, and deception have shaken this once-peaceful community. You’re certain drama is inevitable. With a few personal grudges of your own to settle, you’re eager to see what unfolds.
Youth Group
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Children’s Choir for students in Grades 1–6! All kids who love to sing—or just want to give it a try—are invited to join. The choir will learn fun, faith-filled music and prepare to share their voices in worship throughout the year. Rehearsals will be held weekly, and no prior experience is needed. Come help us raise a joyful noise to the Lord!
For more information contact Katie Ott.
Christmas Eve Choir Practice
All singers are invited to join us for choir practice each Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or just love to make a joyful noise, there’s a place for you! Come rehearse, enjoy fellowship, and help lead our congregation in worship.
David Ott.
Advent Meals
The youth group is serving meals on Advent Wednesdays before the evening worship service. Dinner is served from 5:30 until 6:15 PM
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.
American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered scouting ministry for girls ages 5-18. AHG offers badge programs, service projects, girl leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences to its members.
The troop meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
The AHG Oath: “I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country, and serve in my community.
For more information contact Adrienne Cook.
Benevolence
Benevolence is an act of mercy (compassionate acts to relieve suffering). We have a benevolence fund to assist people in financial need. The fund needs contributors to support this ministry. Please consider contributing to our benevolence fund. (Online to donate: https://www.shalimar.church/human-care)
Marionette Puppets
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree ... that all the world should be counted... People were looking for someone to save them and when Jesus was born.
Concert Series
4th in the 2025 concert series "Sheep May Safely Graze" featuring classical music groups. A community event to reach out and draw people in. For more information contact David Ott
Staff Appreciation Gift
If you would like to contribute toward a Christmas gift for the Staff of GSLC, please put your gift in a Staff Appreciation envelope provided in your bulletin. You may place your envelope in the offering plate, bring it to the office, or use the online giving dropdown on our church website www.shalimar.church. Since we recently celebrated Clergy Appreciation, Pastor Klemme & Family Life Minister Curtis is not included in the allocation of these funds. Your donation will be reflected on your record of contributions.
Charitable Contributions Tax Reminder
Thank you for supporting the mission and work of your congregation. To ensure your contribution is counted for this year's charitable giving, we must receive it by December 31st.
Once you reach age 70½, you can take advantage of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to reduce your IRA balance and future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). In 2025, you may donate up to $108,000 directly from your IRA to qualified charities without any tax consequences on the withdrawal. If you are already of RMD age, these donations count toward your RMDs and remain tax-free.
Military Love & Care Bags
As a church community grounded in compassion and service, we have a special opportunity to come together and make a real difference in the lives of local military families who are facing financial hardship. For the month of November, we are requesting baby formula. Monetary donations are also welcome.
Mite Boxes
Lutheran Women in Mission use the Mite Box to gather loose change throughout the month to support national, district, and local ministries. Lutheran Women all over, raise funds through this voluntary offering. The first Sunday of the month is when we receive your collected mites in the LWML Mite Box.
Board Of Outreach Meeting
Philemon 4-6. The Board of Outreach has a two fold mission: To Communicate the Gospel of Christ through the members of our congregation and in the endeavor to identify the congregation with the Gospel in the local community. Meets with Pastor Klemme in the Cafe.
Properties Board Meeting
For the maintenance and repair of the congregation’s facilities; to enable the congregation and its members to carry out our Christ centered ministries. Meets in the Library. For more information contact Jeff Adams
The Way Cafe
Join us for Thanksgiving Eve Worship at 6:30 PM, as well as Advent Worship on December 3, 10, and 17 at 6:30 PM (preceded by a meal at 5:30 PM) . We will also gather for Christmas Eve Worship at 6:30 PM and New Year’s Eve Worship at 6:30 PM. Way Café will continue through these services and return to the Café space on January 7th.
Board of Elders Meeting
Meeting with the Called Ministers and the Board of Elders to discuss, plan, and implement strategies to carry out corporate worship, and addressing the spiritual health of the congregation.
For more information contact Joe Staton
Sharing and Caring
A ministry supported by our congregation through donations of non-perishable food items, placed in the collection basket in the inner Narthex. Sharing and Caring serves individuals and families in need by providing food, clothing, and emergency assistance. It brings hope, encouragement, and practical support to those experiencing hardship or crisis.
Council Meeting
Let us do everything with love. The Church Council is a gathering of elected advisers who serve and guide the ministries of the congregation toward our given mission. (Matthew 28:19-20). We meet in the library.
Commemoration of Daniel and the Three Young Men
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Daniel the prophet and the Three Young Men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—were among the leaders of the people of Judah who were taken into captivity in Babylon. Even in that foreign land they remained faithful to the one true God in their piety, prayer, and life. On account of such steadfast faithfulness in the face of pagan idolatry, the Three Young Men were thrown into a fiery furnace, from which they were saved by the Lord and emerged unharmed (Daniel 3). Similarly, Daniel was thrown into a pit of lions, from which he also was saved (Daniel 6). Blessed in all their endeavors by the Lord—and in spite of the hostility of some—Daniel and the Three Young Men were promoted to positions of leadership among the Babylonians (Daniel 2:48-49; Daniel 3:30; Daniel 6:28). To Daniel in particular the Lord revealed the interpretation of dreams and signs that were given to King Nebuchadnezzar and King Belshazzar (Daniel 2, Daniel 4, Daniel 5). To Daniel himself the Lord gave visions of the end times.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Adam and Eve
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Adam was the first man, made in the image of God and given dominion over all the earth (Genesis 1:26). Eve was the first woman, formed from one of Adam's ribs to be his companion and helper (Genesis 2:18-24). God placed them in the Garden of Eden to take care of the creation as his representatives. But they forsook God's Word and plunged the world into sin (Genesis 3:1-7). For this faithlessness God drove them from the Garden. Eve had to suffer the pain of childbirth and be subject to Adam; Adam had to toil amid thorns and thistles and return to the dust of the ground. Yet God promised that the woman's Seed would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:8-24). Sin had entered God's perfect creation and changed it until God would restore it again through Christ. Eve is the mother of the human race, while Adam is representative of all humanity and the Fall, as St. Paul writes, “For in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1Corinthians 15:22).
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Katharina von Bora (1499-1552) was placed in a convent when still a child and became a nun in 1515. In April 1523 she and eight other nuns were rescued from the convent and brought to Wittenberg. There Martin Luther helped return some to their former homes and placed the rest in good families. Katharina and Martin were married on June 13, 1525. Their marriage was a happy one and blessed with six children. Katharina skillfully managed the Luther household, which always seemed to grow because of his generous hospitality. After Luther's death in 1546, Katharina remained in Wittenberg but lived much of the time in poverty. She died in an accident while traveling with her children to Torgau in order to escape the plague.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Festival of St. Thomas, Apostle
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
The Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). We have the testimony of the truth, so that the Church is not “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning” (Ephesians 4:14). As the Lord confirmed His truth to Gideon (Judges 6:36-40), so He does not turn away Thomas, but reveals His crucified and risen body to him, creating faith (John 20:27-28). Christ’s wounds are the source of our redemption and peace. Strengthened by this, Thomas is said to have brought the Gospel to India and faced a martyr’s death. Those who follow the Master will suffer on account of His name (John 15:18-21). But by the confession of the truth, the Body of Christ grows “up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15), whom Thomas praised as his “Lord” and his “God” (John 20:28).
Source: LCMS Calendar of Feasts and Festivals.