HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! No, I haven’t gone through a time warp. This Sunday, we start a new church year (year A in the three-year lectionary, if you’re keeping track). Not coincidentally, we also begin the 4-week Advent season. Join us this Sunday at 9:00 am in the Ballard Middle School Board Room to learn more about the coming of Jesus.
By the way, I AM going to India on Monday. Things have fallen into place at work, so the trip will work out. Your packages will be delivered.
Please “Reply All” if you can bring treats this week. The readings will be:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 24:36-44
Upcoming events:
Sunday, November 30, etc. – 9:00 am – Worship at Shepherd
December 1 – 17: Trip to India
Saturday, December 6 – 10:00 am – Bethany Women’s Christmas Brunch – Iowa Stater
Sunday, December 7 & 14 – Pastor Marti will be filling in while I’m in India
Tuesday, December 23 – 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve Eve at Shepherd
Wednesday, December 24 – 5:30 pm – Christmas Eve at Bethany
Sunday, January 4 – Combined worship at Bethany (Pastor Jesse will be on vacation)
PLEASE pray for the following:
Pastor Swen in Tanuku has been having heart issues.
The nation of Israel and the civilians in harm’s way in Israel and Gaza
The people of Ukraine, as their nation is under attack.
Pastor James Puotyual while he awaits a kidney transplant
Paula, that her health might be restored
Please continue to keep the following friends in prayer: Bev, Bonnie, Byron, Cheryl, Dave, Dick, Doug, Paula, and Twyla.
The Grulke’s in Botswana; Enrique Estrada in Mexico; Pastors Shalem, Duggi, Swen, David, Dake, Moksha, Peter, Jonathan, Abdul, Subin Raj, and all the other faithful pastors as they minister in India
Matt and Simon, pastors in Estonia, as they minister in a climate that is resistant to return to Christianity.
Janis Diekonts and Ieva Diekonte, David and Angela Breidenbach, as they conduct mission work in Latvia and other parts of Eastern Europe
The people of South Sudan and Ethiopia as the civil war continues to rage – and for the South Sudanese Christians who have been forced to flee to Ethiopia
The children and staff at the Bethany-Good Shepherd Orphanage in Tanuku.
Pastor Duggi and the members of the Lutheran Church in Gudipadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the orphanage he operates.
Tim T. as he serves various Spanish-speaking missions around the country
Our nation and its leaders – for a return to God and the values on which this country was built.
Come worship with us this Sunday morning at 9:00 in the Ballard Middle School Board Room. If you can not join in person as always you can ZOOM (Zoom download link here) use ID 5153822077 and Passcode 3548999
Blessings,
Scott