Merry Christmas St. John’s,

This is it…from today forward, your Church is in full Christmas mode.  On Monday evening, as my Leadership Study group met in Walker Hall, we were serenaded by the choir for the German Christmas Eve service through the walls and enjoyed the blessing of the carols, the language and the joy with which they were sung.  It was beautiful.

Christmas is here.  For many, you have already taken care of the basic lists of Christmas.  For some, you have even checked your list twice, and now you simply have to execute Christmas plans.  You may be getting on an airplane to visit loved ones, or heading to the airport to pick up loved ones, or simply sitting back on a comfy chair and reflecting on this season of God making and keeping promises of redemption and new life.  Promises of His presence that He made to us and kept in the birth of Jesus.

This is a quick note to say thank you and Merry Christmas.  You make St. John’s fly and, for a year of great and impactful ministry, I’m grateful for you.  So often I send notes and don’t report back at how things have gone, and for that, I apologize.

At Thanksgiving time, I sent a letter to the congregation and alerted you to some slippage in our weekly giving and, from the time that letter hit, we have come a long way.  We have gone from roughly $125,000 short to about $25,000 short.  We have done some good work and, with two Sundays and Christmas before us, we have a chance to close the gap even more.  Thank you to all who made sacrificial gifts and gave joyfully to our life together.  Barb and I will send our $1000 in on the last day of the year, as is our plan.  We are excited to join you in supporting our congregation and our good work.

Thanks, especially, for Christmas and your willingness to serve.  Our choirs are ready to roll and the many volunteers who support them musically, those who serve as ushers, worship elders and communion assistants are ready to go.  Thanks to all who have set up and decorated the Auditorium and the Sanctuary.  Thanks to every person who parks a little farther away, sits in a different pew than their normal one, and may be inconvenienced a little for the sake of someone hearing the Gospel.  I’m grateful for your kindness and an understanding of how ministry works during Christmas. 

Services this weekend are on a normal schedule and our musicians and preachers are ready to go, with a few more joyful pieces that will warm your heart and get you ready for Christmas and then, of course, the celebration of Christmas, which starts on Monday with eight worship services in The Sanctuary and two worship services in Walker Hall.

Christmas Schedule

God bless us together as we celebrate the gift of God’s Son, our Lord Jesus.  Timing of Jesus is everything…Paul writes,

“ But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.  God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 

Galatians 4:4-5

Blessings to you and your dear family and friends  -- and see you at Christmas and on into 2019!!

Much Grace and Love,

Pastor Tim Klinkenberg