PASTOR'S NOTE
You, my child,These are the words of an elderly father to his infant son. The words of Zechariah to his son John are perhaps the advent of advent, the beginning of the preparation for Christ coming into the world. John will later be called "the Baptist" and he will point the way to Jesus – the way to find light in the darkness and life in the shadow of death.
shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins,
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Yesterday I flew over New York City. The sight brought tears to many on that flight. Over the city "darkness and the shadow of death" still linger. At times the shadow reaches out over the whole world. Yet there are also hints of the dawn, the advent of a new light.
I wonder if these words of "Father Zechariah" might be the Father's words for all of us today: "You, children of the Father, . . . Prepare the way! Tell people about God's forgiveness and love".
If we know the way to forgiveness and healing and new life, is it not up to us now to point the way to Jesus? John, even in the womb, jumped for joy to point out the coming of Christ into the world.
Christ is still coming into the world, a hope of new life waiting to be born in New York and Bethlehem and Central Minnesota. When you recognize him, then prepare the way, point him out, and share the Good News of God's love being born in our world. Now is the advent of the way of peace.
Blessings!
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Jan (Zippy) Zeman I am a native Minnesotan, born in Litchfield and raised in Hennepin County near Lake Minnetonka. I am the third of five children, sharing the same birth date with my twin sister who is 15 minutes older than me. Besides us, there is an older brother and a younger brother and sister. We were all christened and confirmed in the Moravian Church. My father died when I was seventeen and my mother moved and remarried the following year when I graduated from high school. I then enlisted in the Air Force, attending basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, going from there to Mather AFB near Sacramento, CA. I spent five years in the service before settling in San Francisco. Fifteen years later, a job change moved me to northern California for a few more years before I moved back to my home state of MN. I settled in Little Falls the summer of 1983 and have made my home here ever since.
While I first visited Our Saviour's Episcopal Church about ten years earlier, I did not become a member until 1998. It was then that I was drawn by the welcoming congregation and by other personal experiences that led me to seek a stronger relationship with God and I knew that I had found my "home". I am in my third year of Education for Ministry (EFM). I was called to the Ministry Team in 1999 as Christian Education Minister and in 2000 became the Communication Coordinator for Spirit of the Heartland. In August of this year, I received the awesome call to that of Lay Preacher.
I have a business background, mostly in the accounting field, having gotten my education at the Golden Gate College in San Francisco. My hobbies include genealogy research and some woodworking when I am able. I like to read, write, enjoy the outdoors and spend lots of time communicating, learning, and playing on the Internet. Mostly, I look forward to using a multitude of insights from my life experiences, and talents, as God shall reveal them, to help others experience the potential of God's Promise He has created in each of us. The biggest and best realities often come to us in the smallest moments. I look forward to sharing some of your small moments. God's peace be with you. - Zippy.
WHERE'S OUR TEAM?
Maren Kay Welsand
St. John's
The Total Ministry Team gathered at Good Samaritan in Sauk Centre on Saturday, November 10th. Along with our winter residents, we had Harriette here from her winter home in Arizona. It seems like a long time since we were together. The time at our team meetings is so fruitful that we just don't get enough time to just visit. There is a lot to learn and share that we start at 9 am and before you know it is 4 PM and time for the Eucharist. This day's meeting covered some of the dynamics of the team. One of the subjects that we covered was "Who's in charge here?" Shared Authority and Responsibility. Collaborative and Collegial Leadership Skills. Sandi Holmberg, Canon Missioner, was to be our trainer for the morning, but on the way to Sauk Centre she hit a turkey and smashed her windshield. Fortunately, though, Sandi was okay, and Pat, our mentor, presented the information and the rest of the meeting went on as scheduled.
We had a nice visit from Linda Maloney of St.John's Episcopal Church in St.Cloud and Father Donald B. Cozzens, a Catholic Priest, author of the book ‘The Changing Face of the Priesthood', reflecting on the issues, challenges, concerns, and realities of the priesthood today. Father Cozzens is currently teaching at St .Johns University. They stayed and shared the Eucharist with us. Together we can share in God's glory and have peace. God Bless you all. Maren Kay Welsand
MEET OUR PARISH MINISTERS
Bill Cheeseman, Church of our Saviour
I'm a cradle Episcopalian as were generations of preceding relatives before me. My first memory of Our Saviour's Church is attending instructions and catechism in the Children's Chapel in the undercroft. It can be said my roots are deep.
I was called into service with the 34th Infantry Division early in 1941. Five years later, well traveled and a bit wiser, I was discharged and attended the U of M. I applied my wisdom and married Marcella Lanper in 1948, completed my education and was called into the Army again in 1950 for the Korean War.
In 1978 I retired from the Department of Military Affairs, Adj. Gen. Office, moving to our Lake Alexander home. Eight years later we built a home in Little Falls for our final years of retirement to be nearer church, hospital and cemetery.
Our family consists of two lovely daughters and their worthy husbands, four grand children, two in college and two in high school, all residing in St. Paul. How lucky can we get?
Peace, Bill Cheeseman
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Good Samaritan will have Bible Study on "unfamiliar great stories from Genesis", beginning Tuesday, December 11 at 11:00 am.
St. Stephen's begins a new series: "RELIGIONS: Encountering People of Other Faiths".
December 6: Judaism
December 20: Christianity
Our Saviour's held its first of the series: "RELIGIONS: Encountering People of Other Faiths": Judaism, on November 25 and will continue the series, meeting the fourth Sunday morning of the month at 8:45 am.
December 23: Christianity
January 27: Islam
February 24: Hinduism
March: 24 (No Meeting: Palm Sunday)
April 28: Buddhism
May 26: Tribal Religions
PASTOR SNOWBIRD
Pat will be in Florida from November 19 to 23. She hopes she doesn't miss any snow while walking on the beach. In a pastoral emergency, please call her home number: 320-363-7422 to connect with a priest on call.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Good Samaritan continues Bible Study on Baptism, Tuesdays, November 13 & 27, at noon.
St. Stephen's continues Book Study on C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" on Thursdays, November 1 (Letters 21-30) and 15 (remainder of book), at 11 am. Contact Elaine (320-243-3808) or Joan (320-243-4756) for location.
Our Saviour's begins a new series: "RELIGIONS: Encountering People of Other Faiths." Fourth Sunday mornings, at 8:45 am.
November 25: Judaism
December 23: Christianity
January 27: Islam
February 24: Hinduism
March 24 (No Meeting: Palm Sunday)
April 28: Buddhism
May 26: Tribal Religions
HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
The Church of Our Saviour does have hearing assistance available for worship services. Try it out!
OPEN HOUSE
Christmas Tree Decorating Open House at Pat & Paul's on Friday, December 21, 3-9 PM. Contact pat at pat@motherflash.com for directions.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
December 15 - 7:30 PM -- Lessons and Carols for Advent at Good Sam
December 21 - 3-9 PM - Tree Decorating Open House at Pat & Paul's
December 24 - 2:00 PM - Holy Eucharist at St. Stephen's
December 24 - 4:00 PM - Holy Eucharist at Good Samaritan
December 24 - 7:00 PM - Holy Eucharist at Our Saviour's
December 25 - 11:00 am - Holy Eucharist at St. Michael's or Good
Samaritan
BISHOPS' VISITS
Mark your calendar for this year's bishops visitations:
Good Samaritan - July 28 - Bishop Jelinek
Our Saviour's - September 11 - Bishop Hultstrand
St. Stephen's - October 6 - Bishop Swenson
ST. STEPHEN'S NOTES
St. Stephen's will be having a CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-A-LONG on Sunday afternoon December 30 at 3:00 p.m. Everyone welcome - come have fun singing your favorite carols - meet your friends and neighbors - join in the coffee hour with cookies following the fun of joining your voices with others to sing your favorite carols.
ST. STEPHEN'S NOTES
If you are writing a check to the church please indicate on the check which fund it is for such as Pledge, Clergy Discretionary, Building Fund etc. It will be a big help to our Treasurer. Thank you.
If there is anyone you wish to send information to and request help with our "Building On History" project fund, please let Debbie McCrudden know.
If you did not have time to bring food items to church before Thanksgiving, the Food Shelf is glad to receive checks at any time. Help make someone's Holidays better than they might have been.
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Our Saviour's
November 14th -
CHURCH RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Courtesy of St. Thecla's Guild
PINWHEELS:
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
4 oz can green chilies
4 oz can chopped black olives(drain)
½ C green onions
1 C Shredded cheddar cheese
Mix: the above together until smooth. Season to taste with garlic powder and seasoned salt. Spread very thin layer on 10" tortilla. Roll tortilla and place seam side down in cake pan. Cover to prevent from drying out. Refrigerate overnight. Slice in ½" or 1" pieces and serve.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Church of the Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
December 22nd - Lucia Wilson
St. Stephens, Paynesville
December 3rd - Erin Kehr
December 11th - Rose Ekegren & Gene Huber
December 14th - Jack Burkhalter
December 14th - Erin & Antonia Kehr
Church of Our Saviour, Little Falls
December 2nd - Melissa Woidyla
December 2nd - Dick McCrudden
December 18th - Joe & Lu Tax
December 21st - Marge Hayden
December 21st - Bea Winkler
December 26th - Grace Hayden Brant
and Around ALL the World we celebrate...
December 25th - The birth of
Christ
MINISTRY SCHEDULES
Good Samaritan
Our Saviour's
St. Stephen's
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