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Advent/Christmas 2016
Markham Lutheran Church
The Church Mouse
FROM PASTOR’S DESK
Have you ever seen the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas? It’s a favorite
at our house. Unfortunately, that’s how many people treat Advent: as a night-
marish time of preparation for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There are
presents to shop for, whether on-line or at the mall, and maybe wrapping or
assembling to do, menus to plan, parties to host and attend, cookies to bake,
food to buy and prepare, decorations to bring out of storage, villages to arrange
(perhaps some of you are already working on that!), a tree to trim, or several,
one for every room in the house. And that’s all on top of the usual daily respon-
sibilities of work, meetings, possibly looking after an aging parent, taking care
of the house, feeding the family, chauffeuring the kids, and attending their
games and other activities. It’s go, go, go, from early in the morning ‘til late at
night.
This Advent and Christmas, do yourself and your family a favor. Designate
Sundays as family time for worship and being together. Meditate on Jesus and
his family and the significance of “family” to them. Set aside Wednesday nights
for fellowshipping with your church family and spending a quiet and relaxing
time with the Lord Emmanuel. Attend Worship with Holy Communion on both
Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. And remember, there are twelve days of
Christmas, not just one or two!
Here’s a poem by Mary Ann Jindra, Lord, Before This Fleeting Season, that you
can meditate on when things seem to be getting out of control….
“Lord, Lord…. In this fleeting season, let me remember to walk slowly. Lord,
bless my heart with love and with quiet. Give my heart a desire to hear carols.
Grace our family with contentment, and the peace that comes only from you.
Lord, help us to do less this busy season; go less; stay closer to home; kneel
more. May our hearts be Your heart. May we simply, peacefully, celebrate You.
Lord, Lord.”
By the way, kids: Where’s my Santa hat? I can’t find it anywhere! Can you help
me? I think the Church Mouse and eight of her friends have borrowed it. (There
she is, wearing her candle crown in honor of St. Lucy’s Day! A one page essay
about St. Lucy or St. Nicholas in your own words wins an extra
prize!)
Yours in the love of Emmanuel, God with us,
Pastor Larry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Advent Wreath ............ 2
Upcoming Events ............... 2
Keeping Christ in Advent & Christmas ........................... 2
Holiday Activities ............... 3
Sunday School Report ....... 4
Birthdays ............................ 4
Christmas Food Baskets….. 4
Christmas Customs…….…...5
Kids’ Page .....…………….…...6
Advent & Christmas…...…...7
SHINING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL ON OUR LU-THERAN-CHRISTIAN FAITH!
Join us for Illuminate on Mon-days, 7 p.m., or Morning Star on Tuesdays, 11 a.m.
“Being religious means
asking passionately the
question of the meaning
of our existence and being
willing to receive an-
swers, even if the answers
hurt.” Paul Tillich
Deadline to donate for poinsettias to decorate chancel & altar: Sunday, December 18th; cost: $10
Read Madeleine L’Engle’s The Twenty-four Days Be-
fore Christmas. It has great ideas for special family
activities as the Austin family prepare for Christmas!
Make your own family Advent calendar, or buy one of
the many great ones available. A simple idea would be
to buy an artificial wreath, decorate it as you like, and
clip cards to it with daily activities written on them,
such as volunteering to serve dinner to the homeless,
visiting an elderly shut-in, volunteering at Manteno
Veterans’ Home, preparing a meal for an ill or griev-
ing friend, or sharing FaceTime with distant relatives.
If you don’t have a favorite Advent wreath, you can
make one of those, too! It can be as simple or as elab-
orate as you wish.
Attend Sunday school/Adult Forum, 9 a.m., and Wor-
ship with Holy Communion, 10:15 a.m.; Wednesday
soup supper and Advent Vespers, 6 p.m. and 7 p.m..;
and MLC’s Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 10
p.m., and Christmas Day service, 10:15 a.m.
Include other Advent and Christmas themed activities in your family’s life. (More
info on next page.)
Gather non-perishable food items for MLC’s Christmas baskets or make a dona-
tion toward the purchase of gift cards.
THE ADVENT WREATH
KEEPING ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
The Advent wreath has come down to us
from the time of the Reformation. Its
purpose is to help us prepare for Christ’s
coming, as it “counts down” the weeks
before Christmas.
The wreath’s circular shape represents
eternity. The evergreens symbolize eternal
life in Jesus Christ. The candles mark the
weeks of Advent, one more candle lit each
week, until all four are burning by the end
of Advent. The purple candles reflect the
solemnity of the season, as we prepare our
hearts for Christ through self-examination
and repentance. The rose candle reflects
the joy of the season, which shines
through the solemnity.
Week 1: Light 1 purple candle
Week 2: Light 2 purple candles
Week 3: Light 2 purple candles and 1 rose candle
Week 4: Light all four candles
Before Christ’s birth, the light of prophecy
concerning him and his redemptive work
became brighter and brighter. In the
Church Year as we near the feast of his
birth, the greater the light! We meditate
on the darkness without God, and the
growing light of salvation through Christ’s
coming at the first Christmas!
COMMUNITY THANKSGIV-ING SERVICE, NOV 23RD, 7:30 P.M.
THE SOUTH SUBURBAN INTERFAITH MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION IS HOSTING THEIR POPULAR ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT THE PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH, 17951 DIXIE HWY., HOME-WOOD, IL.
CHILI COOK-OFF & CAROL-ING , DEC 9TH, 5:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M.
ENTER A POT OF CHILI OR JUST COME AND EAT SUP-PER AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE. AFTER THE RIBBONS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO THE TOP 3 CHILI CHEFS, WE’LL GO CAROLING. THEN WE’LL HEAD BACK TO MLC FOR HOT CHOCOLATE & CHRISTMAS COOKIES!
2
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Christkindlmarket Chicago, on Daley Plaza in the
Chicago Loop (between Dearborn, Washington and Clark
Streets), November 18-December 24;
A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre, Saturday,
November 19-Saturday, December 31;
www.goodmantheatre.org/
Advent Vespers at Holy Name Cathedral, 730
North Wabash, Chicago, IL; November 27, December 4,
11, 18; Organ concert: 3:30 p.m.; Vespers: 4 p.m.
Valparaiso University presents A Carol Festival
on Friday, December 2, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, December 3, 5 p.m.;
Tickets: $15 adult; $10 seniors/non-Valpo students
Concordia University, Chicago's annual Services of Lessons and Carols, Sat-
urday, December 3 at 4:00 and 7:00 pm and Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 pm. Hear Con-
cordia's choirs, orchestra, handbells, and readings and join in on congregational carols.
Admission and parking free. An offering will be accepted. Address: 7400 Augusta St.,
River Forest, IL
The Joffrey Ballet: Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker; var ious dates in
December; www.joffrey.org/calendar/2016-12; Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker; Gover-
nor’s State University, Saturday, Decem ber 3, 1 p.m . and 5 p.m .
Markham Lutheran Church’s Chili Cook-off & Caroling, Fr iday, Decem ber 9,
5:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m.
Grande Prairie Singers’ Winterlude 2016; Sunda y , December 11, 4 p.m.;
Tickets: $10-$20; St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 4101 St. Lawrence Ave., Matteson, IL;
grandeprairiechoral.org/tickets-for-grande-prairie-singers/
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Matinee; Sat-
urday, December 17, 3 p.m.; Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 S. Gougar Rd., New
Lenox, IL; Tickets: $35-$55; www.ipomusic.org
ESPECIALLY DURING ADVENT AND CHRIST-MAS, REMEMBER OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS...
IN THE MILITARY
ROBERT HULET
WADE KING
WHO ARE SHUT-INS
DOROTHY MCGRIFF
DOROTHY SCHROLL
CAROL TAUBER
EVA VAUGHT
ON OUR PRAYER LIST
SEE THE PRAYER LIST ON THE MLC WEBSITE OR IN THE SUNDAY BULLETIN.
Christmas is truly a time of joy for the Christian!
3
Sunday school got off to a great
start on September 11th with a
celebration breakfast. We’ve been
going strong ever since.!
On Friendship Sunday we enjoyed
a light breakfast and a super
hour of learning and fellowship,
Thank you to Bernie Postlewaite,
Sharron and Angela Davis and
Rosemary Schneekloth for provid-
ing a delicious lunch after church.
October 23rd’s Trunk and Treat
brought out about 45 children,
youth and adults. We ate hot dogs
with all the trimmings, then went
back outside for S’mores and
singing along to Pastor’s guitar
around the fire pit.
On Reformation Sunday, October
30th, the Sunday school sang
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
during worship.
The students and teachers are
looking forward to singing during
worship in Advent, and to MLC’s
chili cook-off and caroling on
December 9th.
On Christmas Day, Sunday, De-
cember 25th, the Sunday school is
excited to be participating in a big
way during Worship at 10:15 a.m.
You don’t want to miss it!
DECEMBER AND JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
Help us help those who are food insecure to enjoy special Thanksgiving and
Christmas feasts. Please bring non-perishable food items to the church by
Sunday, November 20 for Thanksgiving Eve delivery and by Sunday, Decem-
ber 18 for delivery on Friday, December 23. Please don’t donate dented
canned goods or torn packages.
December: 12/2 John Novy, Jr.;
12/5 Melanie Griffin Nowicki, Phillip
King; 12/7 Erin Biers; 12/15 Tim
Kuyper; 12/16 Christopher McIntire;
12/18 Florene Roberts; 12/25 Arian-
na Lawton; 12/27 Kyle Horlacher;
12/28 Joseph Wiltjer;
January: 1/1 Donna Gage; 1/2 Re-
becca Maynard; 1/4 Ethan Ferruci;
1/5 Ava Grace Ferruci; 1/10 Doris
Neely, Don Suhr, Lucas Tracy; 1/11
Alex Martin; 1/14 John Risser; 1/18
Brian Cloney; 1/19 Alan Johnson,
Alex Knaack; 1/21 Jessica Bega;
1/23 Star Ann Bucher; 1/24 Karly
Fortin; 1/25 Jeff Gage; 1/28 Wally
Mankiewicz, Neil Ryskamp, Jr.
CRISIS CENTER FOR SOUTH SUBURBIA
THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia assists women and
children fleeing abusive homes.
You can remember the Crisis Center as you purchase holi-
day gifts and all year long, too, by shopping at Neat Repeats
Resale shops, 9028 W. 159th St., Orland, and 7026 W. 111th
St., Worth. In 2015, Neat Repeats Resale was named
“Boutique of the Year” by the Daily Southtown Best of
Southland.
For more ways to help, visit their website: crisisctr.org/get-
involved/donateneeds-list/.
Thank you!
4
Turkey Raffle: $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5! See Jason Hill at coffee hour. Drawing: Sunday, November 20th.
South Suburban PADS provides emergency shelter and transitional and perma-nent housing to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, formerly homeless, or at-risk of homelessness. SSPADS' has 20 shelter loca-tions in 13 communities in the south suburbs of Chicago. PADS was developed around the idea that area churches could host guests for one night a week between October 1 through April 30. from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. A hot dinner is served and a sack lunch prepared to be given to the guests as they leave each morning. Trained volunteers from all over the south suburbs help to prepare and serve the evening meal, assemble the sack lunches and stay on site overnight. Currently there are twenty-three churches in the south suburbs that are affiliated with PADS. Some serve only men, others only women and/or families. Markham Lutheran Church member Meredith Postlewaite and her father have both volunteered with PADS. To learn how you can volunteer or how you can donate, go to: http://www.sspads.org/index.html
In Finland it’s dark by 3 p.m. in win-
ter. It's now traditional to visit the
graves of family members at Christ-
mas and leave hanging lanterns with
candles. The whole cemetery is alight
with glowing lanterns shining in the
snow - a winter wonderland.
Many countries celebrate St. Nicholas'
Day on December 6th. In the Nether-
lands and some other European coun-
tries, children leave clogs or shoes out
before going to bed on December 5th
to be filled with presents and sweets.
The Feast of St. Lucia, December 13th,
is popular in many countries. Lucia
took food to other Christians hiding in
the Roman catacombs wearing a can-
dlelit wreath on her head to light her
way so that she could carry a lot of
food!
In France the Nativity scene is dis-
played until February 2, known as
Candlemas (La Chandeleur in
French). This date is forty days after
Christmas Day and also the time when
new wax candles to be used on the
church altar are blessed.
About 1% of the population of China is
Christian. They attend special church
services, which are packed! On Christ-
mas Eve the congregation puts on
choral, dance and drama performanc-
es. Christmas Eve is called “Peaceful
Evening” because of the hymn Silent
Night. The word apple sounds like
“peace” in Mandarin, so people eat
apples!
In Argentina it’s summer in Decem-ber. They celebrate with Mass, maybe a barbecue, and fireworks!
Syrian children’s presents are brought to them on January 7 by the youngest of the three Wise Men’s camels. Children leave water and hay for her outside their homes. Syrian Christians sing hymns. The youngest members of the family read aloud the Christmas story. The Christmas feast is an important part of Syrian tradi-tion. The entire family gathers for dinner, which generally includes chicken, nuts, pastries and oranges.
SOUTH SUBURBAN PADS
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
5
KIDS’ PAGE
ANGELS: HEAVENLY SUPER HEROES
MAYBE YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SUPER HERO, SUCH AS WONDER WOMAN, BAT-MAN, SUPERMAN, SUPERGIRL, STORM, THOR, THE HULK OR SHE-HULK. (GIRLS, THERE DON’T SEEM TO BE AS MANY FE-MALE SUPER HEROES AS MALE. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? MAKE UP ONE OF YOUR OWN WITH CHARACTERISTICS AND VALUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU!)
ANGELS ARE LIKE SUPER HEROES. DID YOU EVER THINK OF THAT? THE WORD “ANGEL” MEANS “MESSENGER.” THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, WE READ ABOUT GOD SENDING HIS ANGELS TO DELIVER IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO PEOPLE. BUT THERE’S ANOTHER SIDE TO ANGELS. THEY ARE ALSO WARRIORS. ANGELS ARE SOMETIMES CALLED “THE HEAVEN-LY HOST.” A HOST IS AN ARMY! IN BOTH THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENTS THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL IS DESCRIBED AS A WARRIOR, DEFENDING GOD’S PEOPLE.
LOTS OF TIMES ANGELS ARE SHOWN IN PAINTINGS AND STATUES AND SUNG ABOUT IN HYMNS AND CHRISTMAS CAR-OLS AS GOLDEN HAIRED DELICATE CREATURES SINGING LULLABIES. THEY CAN CERTAINLY BE KIND AND HELPFUL AND GENTLE. BUT I THINK THAT WHEN THE ANGEL AP-PEARED TO THE SHEPHERDS, SHE WAS ON GUARD. SHE WAS WATCHING TO SEE WHAT SATAN MIGHT DO TO HER GOD WHO HAD DECIDED TO COME DOWN TO EARTH AND BE BORN AS A LITTLE HUMAN BABY LIKE ADDISON, WHO WAS BORN IN OC-TOBER. SHE’S A TINY, HELPLESS LITTLE ONE RIGHT NOW WHO DEPENDS ON HER PARENTS AND ALL OF US TO WATCH OUT FOR HER, RIGHT? WELL, THAT ‘S HOW JESUS WAS WHEN HE WAS BORN. THE ANGELS DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. THIS WAS AN AWESOME, NEW THING. BUT THEY KNEW HOW ROTTEN SATAN COULD BE. THEY KNEW HOW UNFAIR THE RO-MAN GOVERNMENT WAS. SO THEY WERE ON GUARD. BUT WHEN JESUS WAS BORN AND EVERYTHING LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE OKAY FOR THE TIME BEING, THE ANGELS BEGAN TO REJOICE. MAYBE MICHAEL WAS THE ANGEL WHO FIRST APPEARED TO THE SHEPHERDS ARRAYED IN ARMOR, HIS SWORD AT THE READY. (DO YOU THINK THAT MAYBE GA-BRIEL, WHO HAD BEEN THE ONE TO TELL MARY THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE THE MOTHER OF GOD’S SON WAS KEEPING WATCH OVER THE FAMILY?) AND SO FULL OF JOY THEY COULDN’T HOLD BACK, SUDDENLY ALL THE HEAVENLY HOST SHOWED THEMSELVES, PRAISING GOD, NOT ONLY BECAUSE JESUS HAD SAFELY BEEN BORN, BUT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WAR! THAT MUST HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING SIGHT AND SOUND! NO WONDER THEY HAD TO REASSURE THE SHEPHERDS THAT THEY DIDN’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID! AND NEITHER DO WE. OUR GOD REIGNS! HALLELUJAH!
How are angels described in
the Bible?
How many verses can you
find in the Bible about an-
gels?
“And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host prais-
ing God and saying, ‘Glory
to God in the highest, and
on earth, peace among
those with whom God is
pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14,
ESV)
What are the angels’
ranks?
DECORATING FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH AT 10 A.M. TO PREPARE THE CHURCH FOR ADVENT (NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 23) AND TO DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE!
ADVENT
The Sundays of Advent: November 27th, December 4th,
11th, and 18th. Soup Supper and Advent Vespers: Wednes-
day, November 30th, December 7th, and December 14th;
Soup supper: 6 p.m.; Vespers: 7 p.m. Thank you to Flor-
ene, Bernie and Meredith, Nancy and Faith for hosting the
soup suppers!
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Saturday, De-cember 24, 2016, 10 p.m.
Christmas Day Worship with Christ Mass and Sun-day school program, Sunday, December 25, 2016, 10:15 a.m. (No Adult Forum/Sunday school)
Feast of the Name of Jesus/New Year’s Day/World Day of Prayer for Peace, Worship with Holy Com-munion. January 1, 2017, 10:15 a.m. (No Sunday school)
Markham Lutheran Church
3518 W. 160th St.
Markham, IL 60428
708-331-4885
http://www.markhamlutheranhcurch.org/
