Someone’s coming! What wonderful news!Someone’s coming! But I’m not ready!Parties and visitors are often a part of the holi-day season. There is so much to do to be pre-pared for guests who are coming. We want ourhouse and our table to look their best. We wanteverything to be perfect!What can we do to make our guests feel impor-tant to us? What can we do to indicate to thosesoon to be arriving that we are excited and gladthat they are coming? If our words and actionsare not welcoming, will our guests feel “athome”?In this Advent season, we hear the message ofJohn the Baptist heralding the coming of some-one important and calling for preparation andrepentance. His words are filled with hope,expectation and challenge. Are we ready forChrist’s coming? John the Baptist reminds usthat our lives should reflect the desire to changeand to be ready in our hearts for Christ to come.Our actions, words, and care for others are thefruits of our true preparation for God to comeinto our lives. But if we are truly honest withourselves and with God, we must confess thatwe are never truly ready. On our own, we cannever be truly worthy for God to enter into ourlives. We know the truth of John the Baptist’swords: “One who is more powerful than I iscoming; I am not worthy to untie the thong ofhis sandal (vs. 16).” On our own, we are neverready.The good news is that even though we are notready, God comes still. And in the end, Godreadies us – forgiving us and cleansing ourhearts. The guest becomes the host, and we arewelcomed at the table which has been preparedfor us. And so we can dare to pray: “Amen!Come, Lord Jesus and be our guest!”PrayerStir up your power, O Lord, and come. Cleanseand prepare us, so that we might reflect yourcoming in all we say and do. Amen.

ConnectionsSt. Mat thew Lutheran Church – Connec t i ng Fa i th W i th L i fe !

CALENDAR of EVENTSSAT., DECEMBER 15THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

10am-12pm Concord Room Reserved/Al-Anon Mtg.

10am-2pm ECIRMAC 5:00 pm Holden Evening Prayer

SUN., DECEMBER 16THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

9:30 am Christmas Story Worship10:45 am Advent Brunch10:45 am Creative Christmas

Craft Raffle 4:00 pm Daisy Scouts 6:00 pm Hops & Hymns at Riggs

No Youth Group TonightMON., DECEMBER 17

8:30 am Morning Prayer Group

9:00 am Pastors’ Text Study 7:00 pm Girl ScoutsTUES., DECEMBER 18

9:00 am January Insight Deadline10:00 am Men’s Coffee at

Harvest Market 7:00 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Gentler Yoga 7:00 pm Boy ScoutsWED., DECEMBER 19

7:00 pm Longest Night/Blue ChristmasService in the Chapel

No Bible Study, Huddle or Choir TonightMerry Christmas!

FRI., DECEMBER 21 9:15 am Chairish Yoga 7:00 pm ReLit DiscussionSAT., DECEMBER 22

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT10am-12pm Concord Room Reserved/

Al-Anon Mtg.10am-2pm ECIRMAC 5:00 pm Holden Evening Prayer 6:30 pm H.S. Youth Christmas Party!

SUN., DECEMBER 23FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

9:30 am Worship10:45 am Coffee Fellowship10:45 am Sunday School10:45 am Adult Forum 4:00 pm Daisy Scouts

STAFF OF ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCHPHONE: 367-1189 www.stmatthewurbana.org

Pastor Robert J. RasmusOffice Manager Gayla PellumNursery Ruby Splittstoesser & Emma LacefieldParish Nurses Aziza Awate, Kathie Pound, and Beth Riddle

Connections Deadline: Submit announcements in writing to the church office or by e-mailto gayla.stm@stmatthewurbana.org no later than 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. Thank you!

Please note: Names on the list for prayers will be posted for one month unless otherwise requested.Please contact the church office with any updates or extensions. Thank you.

Specialist Sean Splittstoesser,grandson of Ruby & Dan Splittstoesser

Brody Welshofer, friend of Danielle DeckDonna Gehrt, aunt of Jill DalyChris Galvin, friend of Morgan JohnsonVirginia, Meghan & Chris,

friends of Chris BedfordJohn Sheehan,

grandfather of Walker WestfieldGloria & family, aunt of Jill DalyNathan Koplinski & 3rd Battalion India Company,

son of Beth KoplinskiFema, sister-in-law of Cherylin StiversFred Gould, brother-in-law of Gary VolkeningTom & Beth Graham,

family of Dorothy Graham****************Jared & Julie, friends of Chris BedfordBill, Mary & sons Severinghaus,

friends of Dorothy GrahamJessica Holmes,

friend of Stewart & Garris GrahamTonia & family, friends of Garris Graham****************Rita, aunt of Cheryl Light-ShrinerCarmen, aunt of Cheryl Light-ShrinerJohn Light, father of Cheryl Light-Shriner

Paula, daughter of Diana & Jim MarshallDr. Bob Williamson,

friend of Garris Graham****************Polly Morrow, Saupe family relative****************Carma Deck, Shaw family friend****************John Gantz Isabella GonzalezDanielle Deck Bruce CarrollHervin Buhr Gerald SmithPr. Bill & Kathryn HarumGarris Graham Cherylin StiversDon Saupe Lana WegengMary Laskowski Mary Jane RasmusJoyce Hayn****************Remember our shut-ins:Elaine Ebeling Leona Saathoff

Prayer Requests

Meet Your Stephen Ministry TeamSarah Jackson: Stephen MinisterI became a member of St Matthew in 2001 when I was baptized. Istarted attending church with Tom as his girlfriend and we weremarried in 2003, the same summer I graduated from Illinois StateUniversity. I have a deep love of music and enjoy singing onSaturday nights during our evening service at St Matthew. I alsoenjoy crocheting and I hope to learn how to knit this winter. Familyis important to me, and I enjoy spending time with our family. Ienjoy being a Stephen Minister because I get to help others by listening. I enjoy car-ing for others and this ministry gives me a chance to do just that.

Jack Frost: Stephen MinisterI am married to Joyce, and we have 7 children between us. Plus abaker’s dozen of grandchildren, some of whom also now havechildren. I am retired and Joyce teaches 3rd grade at JudahChristian School. We have been worshipping with St Matthewsince 2012. I completed my Stephen Ministry training two yearsago. One of the enjoyments of retirement for me is being interrupt-ible and having time to devote to other people.

Jen Carter: Stephen MinisterI've been a member of St Matthew since 1990. I am married toMike and we have 3 kids: Tyler, Ana, & Becca. We live in Tolono.I got involved in Stephen Ministers because of my Mom. I am soglad I did. It's rewarding and you get to learn so much about yourcare receiver on a deeper level.

We will feature more of our Stephen Ministers in January. If youare interested in learning more about Stephen Ministry or would liketo meet with one please contact Pastor Bob or Mike Krumwiede.

Welcome!St. Matthew Lutheran Church

is a fellowship of Christian believers called to: grow in Christ, share the Gospel, serve God’s people.Do come again to St. Matthew Lutheran Church

where you are always welcome.Worship ServicesSaturday, 5:00 pm A relaxed & informal worship held in the Christ Chapel.Sunday, 8:30 am Spirited traditional worship that focuses on participation through the liturgy, the great hymns of the Church, & corporate confession of our faith. Sunday, 10:45 amPraise & worship in an open & accessible style.

ALTAR FLOWERSThe flowers on the altar this weekend are given by PaulaVanier in loving memory of her parents, Bill & Rita Vanier.May they watch over us today and always.Help make our altar beautiful! Celebrate a birthday, anniver-sary, someone’s life or just because. The sign up sheet islocated on the bulletin board in the narthex. The 2019 sign upsheet is now posted on the bulletin board in the narthex.

While Advent is a season of hope and Christmas is a season of Joy,not everyone feels hopeful or like celebrating. Our Longest Night worship service will providea time and space of solace during the often frenetic days surrounding the celebration of Christmas.

We will come together on THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH AT 7PM

for a quiet candlelight service of hymns, prayer, and healing.

It’s Time to Make Up the Next Worship Assistant Schedule!I will be scheduling worship assistants in early January for theFebruary through May 2019 services. If you are currently part ofthe schedule, please contact me to let me know if you are unavailablefor certain weekends and/or if you have a scheduling preference.We can add people to any of the assisting duties and would love to seemore of you helping out! If you are currently not on our schedule, please considergiving any of our assisting positions a try! We will be happy to train anyone whois interested. Please have your requests and/or preferences emailed to me at my office address(gayla.stm@stmatthewurbana.org) no later than January 10th. If you have anyquestions, please give me a call at the office 367-1189.

Thank you! Gayla Pellum

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUMRecurring questions of our faith from an international blog. Tom Galyenleads the conversation on what others wonder about the Christian faithfrom the well-informed to the antagonistic. Sundays at 9:50am in theAugsburg Room.

WEDNESDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9TH.

MEN’S COFFEE THIS WEEK!Our Men’s Coffee group has decided to meet twice a month! Allavailable STM men are invited to gather for a cup of coffee & con-versation on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Our nextmeeting will be Tuesday, December 18th at 10:00am at HarvestMarket on South Neil St. in Champaign. Men of all ages are welcome& encouraged to join our discussions.

RELIT THIS WEEK!The Re-Lit Book Group will meet on Friday, December 21st at 7:00pm.We’ll be discussing The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by MitchAlbom. This is a great book selection, one that you’re sure to enjoy.This is the epic story of Frankie Presto – the greatest guitar player whoever lived – and the six lives he changed with his six magical bluestrings. His amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the1940s, ’50s and ’60s, with his stunning playing and singing talent affecting numer-ous stars (Duke Ellington, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley) until, as if predestined, hebecomes a pop star himself. Frankie Presto’s gift is also his burden, as he realizesthe power of the strings his teacher gave him, and how, through his music, he canactually affect people’s lives. At the height of his popularity, tortured by his biggestmistake, he vanishes. We glimpse into the lives that were changed by one manwhose strings could touch the music—and the magic—in each of us. Enjoy the readand then join us for the discussion (and desserts!), all are welcome.

POINSETTIAS - LAST WEEKEND TO ORDER!It is time to order our poinsettias to decorate the altar forChristmas. For only $7.50 each, beautiful 6” foil covered potswith big blooms will be delivered to church in time for ourChristmas Eve services. A sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the narthex. Thank you!

Greetings from the choir loft,Christmas is upon us and I can think of no better wayto get into the spirit of the season than through thesinging of carols! The choir would like to invite youto join us through Advent. All levels of participationare welcome. If you can only come for one week orif you only want to rehearse and not sing at the serv-

ice fear not for you are more than welcome. The choir rehearses on Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:00pm in the choir loft. Wehope to see you there! Best wishes, Mark Woodcock

NO ADULT FORUM TODAY!

Christmas Eve Service AssistantsThere is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in thenarthex for service assistants for our 7pm and11pm Christmas Eve services. These services arevery well attended and many assistants will beneeded. All congregation members, youth &adults, are welcome and encouraged to assist at these services. We would like tohave all these assistants in place before Advent begins. Won’t you please considerassisting the night we celebrate the birth of the Christ child? Please sign up today!

Please join us forCHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES7pm & 11pmCandlelight Services with Holy Communion

NEW OFFERING ENVELOPESYour 2019 offering envelopes are available for pick up just outsidethe chapel now. They are arranged alphabetically. Please recycle any2018 envelopes you had left at the end of the year. Also, if you givethrough Simply Giving you still have envelope packets to be picked up. Envelopepackets not picked up will soon be mailed out at an expense to the church. Please getyours today!

CONTRIBUTIONS REMINDEROur Keeping the Faith Capital Campaign has crossed$380,000 in pledges which is almost 85% of our goal of$450,000. If you have not had a chance to turn in your com-mitment card, we look forward to receiving it soon. Our church receives funds for many purposes. Please help us to count your contri-butions accurately. For any checks from you (or investment companies) towards ourcapital campaign, please note on the memo line “Capital Campaign 2018.” Thankyou for your generosity.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDYThe WELCA Bible Study will meet at Prairie Winds of Urbanaon the last Thursday of the month at 9:30am. If you would liketo join the women's Bible studies based on the GathermagazineBible studies (& we would welcome any other Bible study ideas) pick up one of thecomplimentary copies of the magazine today in the outside the Concord Room &join us on December 27th for fellowship & coffee. Hope to see you then!

Thanks ladies, Mary Anderson, 898-0350, mladcs@illinois.edu.

ADULT MISSION TRIP 2019We are planning our next adult mission trip back toNew Orleans. We will be leaving February 16th andreturning February 24th. A sign up sheet will be in thenarthex. If you have any questions call or email JohnWarriner at 2175523876 or jwarriner51@ live.com.

SUPPORTING THE STM FOOD PANTRY The first full weekend of every month, we ask the members ofour congregation to bring in items for our food pantry. Ourfood pantry provides a week's worth of meals to families with-in the community on a regular basis. You can pick up a full listof the items you can choose to donate in the narthex. The fol-lowing items are needed at this time: vegetable soup, peaches, pears, pineapple,applesauce, peas, kidney beans, chili beans, pork & beans, canned or bottlejuices, boxed mashed potatoes, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, ketchup & mus-tard. Note: Please do not donate shampoo.You are welcome to place items in the food box at any time throughout themonth also. We so appreciate all that you do for our food pantry each month.Thank you!

STMFood Pantry

Thank you for warming the hearts and soles of the seniors at Champaign County

Nursing Home this year!