Real Christmas

Christmas is in full swing at Peace, and we’re working with you to live a Real Christmas.

Thank you to everyone who helped with Hometown Christmas this past weekend, including Joan Retberg, Cindy and Roger Commissaris, Joe and Sue Olivares, Shelly and Kart and Ethan and Ellise Wedge, Pam and Lilly Larson, and the Timmermanns.

Take a Journey to Bethlehem this Sunday December 15th to explore the first Christmas world - the Real Christmas. You can walk through displays set up in the style of 1st century Bethlehem, then enjoy a lunch with friends and family.

Our students will share the Christmas message on Sunday the 22nd. Keep practicing kids! https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/childrenschristmasservice2024

PS Be sure to grab a Christmas sticker and stick it in your stuff to share the Real Christmas! https://peaceotsego.org/realchristmas


 


Officer elections and appointments

At the end of the year, we typically look for nominations for officers in the coming year.

We're filling a number of positions as we look to 2025.

  • Congregational President or Vice- President

  • Maintenance Coordinator

  • Elder (not on council)

  • Assistant Financial Secretary

  • Music Coordinator

Some of these positions are elected positions, others are appointed. If you would like to nominate an individual for any of these positions, please speak with Pastor Timmermann.

Crazy Christmas Cookies!

December 24th after service in the

Bring cookies (or not) in a package of 12!

Take cookies!

Everyone (really everyone) is welcome to come and take cookies. If you can, bring some cookies. You don’t have to bring as many as you take or take as many as you bring. For example, bring a dozen to eat with friends; leave three dozen for someone else and take two dozen.

Enjoy some Christmas treats with your loved ones.

Special Christmastime Giving

We are so thankful for the Lord, his generosity to us, and your generosity to one another. I was talking with one of you who very suddenly had to stop attending and participating in God’s Word and mission. She mentioned a couple of people had called her, asked about her situation, and encouraged her. Thank you for doing that. I’m honored to be part of this loving group of people.

I know how many people ask you to give to certain causes and interests this time of year. Like you, I have things I like to support.

We at Peace want you to have a chance consider all your giving opportunities this season. I’ll put them all out there once and trust you to make a wise choice guided by the Holy Spirit.

God’s gospel demands everything from us. But it also gives everything to us. Nothing else in this world gives and takes likes this.

May the Lord enrich your experience of his coming in Word and Sacrament this Christmas.

Giving Tree

We’re glad to help a family connected to Sylvia’s Place get some Christmas cheer!

We’ve placed tags on a tree in the lobby that include their Christmas wishes.

Take as many tags as you would like but please remember to attach the tag to the gift(s) you are returning and don't wrap them.

Please try to return the unwrapped gift under the tree by December 15th with the card

God bless your generosity!

Tree of Warmth

We’re collecting new items including mittens, hats, gloves, and socks to keep people warm. Slippers and blankets are new this year based on a request from Sylvia’s Place.

Donations will go to local elementary schools Dix Street elementary, Washington Street elementary school, Gilkey, Alamo.

Please return donations by Sunday January 5th. We’ll distribute them afte that.

Christmas Bags for Kids

We’ll hand out small gift bags to the children that attend our Christmas services

We suggest small oranges (cuties), Christmas cards, coloring books, crayons, activity books, and individually wrapped candy.

We plan to give away 40 bags.

Drop off items in office by December 22nd 

We can’t wait to share Christmas with your family and friends!

Ushers

Ushers serve a simple but important role in the life of our congregation. Ushers

  • welcome people to the service

  • provide a friendly face

  • pass out service outlines and other materials

  • direct people to seats

  • watch for emergency situations

  • keep the doors locked as needed

Men or women can serve as ushers. We try to have two per week. We usually agree to serve for a month and can find someone else to fill in if we have to be gone.

Please reach out to the office (269-694-6104) or stop by the next steps table to sign up to usher in 2025.

Advent

We’ve started Advent, the time Christians call the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Advent is a great time to prayerfully reflect on the coming of Jesus. We consider three comings at the same time: 

  • His birth as a child to save us some 2,000 years ago

  • His coming to us now in Word and Sacrament to live in us and among us

  • His future return to restore all things

There are many good resources for your Advent meditation, both personal and family. I’ve included some of them and if you’d like more, please reach out to me. There are different ways to obtain each. 


Advent means “coming”; it also means "expectation". It helps us develop a joyful expectation of Christ’s return. This Advent as you meditate on God’s Word, may he match the expectations of your heart to his own so that his return is nothing but the greatest bliss, joy, pleasure, and satisfaction for you. 

This Advent as you meditate on God’s Word, may he match the expectations of your heart to his own so that his return is nothing but the greatest bliss, joy, pleasure, and satisfaction for you.

End of year donations

Thank you for all your gifts in support of Peace’s ministry in 2024. Please make final end of year donations by December 29th. Donations may be given on-site (cash or check) or online at https://peaceotsego.org/give

Please remember that Peace may receive Required Minimum Distributions. Individuals 70 ½ or older should also know that they can receive some excellent benefits through the end of the year IRA charitable distributions. Since the explanation is fairly lengthy, please visit the WELS page that explains. https://mcg.welsrc.net/download-mcg/ira-charitable-distributions/. If you need help, please speak with Ralph Holewa, Jim Winkel, or pastor.

You will receive statements reflecting your gifts in your on-site mailbox a few weeks into the new year.

Christmas gift for Pastor

We collect donations for a Christmas gift for pastor. Gifts may be put in the offering marked “Staff gift” or online at https://peaceotsego.org/give marked “Staff gift”. The last day to make gifts is December 2nd. Thank you for your love and encouragement of Pastor Timmermann.

 

December 15th 10:45 am Journey to Bethlehem

December 22nd 9:30 am Children’s Christmas Service

December 24th 5:00 pm Christmas Eve service

December 25th 9:30 am Christmas Day service

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Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org