Come to worship this joyous season!

Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve Worship

Holy Communion services will be offered at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Please see the insert in this issue of the Good News for details.

Sunday, December 25

Christmas Day Worship

We will celebrate Holy Communion at one worship service beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, January 1, 2006

New Year’s Day Worship

We will celebrate Holy Communion at one worship service beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Nelson’s Notes

As I write this I am trying to get everything done. Yes, it’s the flurry of pre-Christmas things to attend to, but also I have to get all the bulletins and services for Christmas ready for the staff and for duplication because on December 12 I will have (but by the time you read this, I will have had) rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder. I had the same kind of surgery eight years ago on the right shoulder. However, my left side is my writing, eating, main arm and shoulder for just about everything I do. After Dr. Don Gore is done with me, I will be in a sling for six weeks and not much good for even raising my arm at all for a couple weeks, which brings us to just before Christmas Eve. That’s why all the preparation now - and early. I’m not sure I can brush my teeth with only my right hand, or wash my hair and I surely can’t tie my shoes. It will be a great frustration to me, impatient as I am, to have to ask for help. Fortunately, Kathy is a saint and will be there when I’m grumpy, frustrated, irritated, immobile, limited and weak. What grace and what a great gift to have my wife and others willing to offer to do the most mundane tasks for me when I am not always going to be pleasant.

Our Lord Jesus came to earth to give us the gift of himself, totally giving everything, including his life, that we might know his unconditional and total love for us. All we can do in response to such a gift is to praise and worship Him and offer our greatest generosity to others in His name. There are so many people in great need for which we can offer some help. We are so fortunate that our church takes your gifts of generosity from your hearts and uses them to reach out in gratitude to God to help others.

I am not able to lift both my arms in giving you God’s blessing this our final year together, but I will bless you and give God thanks for you as we together worship and praise God for the gift of Jesus who saves and walks with us in our daily journey. I especially look forward to seeing you in church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Pastor Karl

Soup Luncheon

All VILs and guests are invited for Pastor Truby’s famous soup and bread on Monday, January 23, at 12:00 noon, in fellowship hall, complete with beverages and desserts. Following lunch we’ll all enjoy the movie, “March of the Penguins.” If you need a ride, be sure to call the church office and we’ll arrange a ride for you. And please call the church office for reservations so that Pastor Truby has an idea as to how much soup he needs to prepare!

We offer our Christian love to the family of Pokey Morgenroth at her death; and to the family of Bill Moir at the death of his father.

Donuts & Dialogue

Donuts and Dialogue will not meet for the rest of 2005, but mark your calendars now for January’s adult forum offerings! On January 8 we will hear from members Patty Aker, Wade Botsford, and George Dippold about their experiences with the Red Cross hurricane relief efforts this past fall. Then, on January 15, we will begin a new series called “With the Whole Church: A Study Guide for Renewing Worship.” This study is a part of an ELCA-wide effort to produce a new worship resource and will engage congregational members in conversations about our understanding of worship. Join us for this important conversation throughout the winter season.

January 1: No Donuts and Dialogue

January 8: Red Cross Hurricane Relief

January 15: Renewing Worship

January 22: Renewing Worship

January 29: Annual Meeting, Part 2

Sheboygan Area Lutheran Singles

The December 2005 calendar for the Sheboygan Area Lutheran Singles is available in the kiosk in the gathering area. This group exists to assist singles in their Christian walk and includes activities such as eating out, concerts, and a New Year’s Eve party. For more information, please call 457-6336 after 6 p.m.

We Say “Yes” to Stewardship

Thanks to all who filled out your 2006 Stewardship Responses. If you have not returned your response, please do so at your earliest convenience. If you are interested in giving through the electric funds transfer program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans underwrites the cost of this Simply Giving program. There is a form that needs to be filled out, and we can mail that to you. Please consider increasing your percentage of giving to your God through First United. When we say “yes” to stewardship, we can do so much more to help those in our church family, in our community and around the world.

We also thank those of you who give securities to First United at the end of the year. Some of you may have questions about the procedure for giving gifts of stock. The easiest procedure for First United is that you go through your stock broker and ask them to notify us of your gift as soon as possible. If you choose to bring the actual certificate to the church office, it is best not to sign the certificate. Before we can accept the certificate in the church office, we need you to sign a special authorization form for the church’s and for your protection. Please see Cindy or Kori for the form or if you have any questions.

Adopt-a-Chair

The choirs of First United need new chairs! For safety, posture, good singing, we invite you to “adopt-a-chair!” The cost is $80 for each chair, and we need a total of 50 chairs. If you are willing to “adopt” one, please make your check payable to First United. Thank you!

Good News Deadline

The next deadline for Good News articles is Sunday, December 22. This issue will be in homes on Wednesday, January 4. Thank you!

Please Note:

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, December 26, and Monday, January 2.

Please bring or mail any contributions for 2005 to the church office on or before Friday, December 30. The office closes at 4:00 p.m. on the 30th.

Help Is Needed at Bridgeway

We are in need of two volunteers on Saturday, January 7, to help prepare an evening meal at Bridgeway, a transitional housing facility for women with children. Bridgeway is located at 1251 Geele Avenue, and is run by the Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO), of which we are a member, and have agreed to help with their evening meal programon the seventh of every month. This may include helping the moms prepare, serve and clean up the evening meal, or it might be playing with the children so the moms can make dinner. The food is provided by Bridgeway, and the volunteers are invited and asked to stay for dinner to eat with the family. Can you help? Please sign up on the kiosk or call the office (452-2401). Thank you!

Gifts in a Jar

Do you need Christmas gifts for family, friends or teachers? Look no further because the youth of First United are once again creating those great “Gifts in a Jar.” This year we have four different recipes in the quart-sized jars. There are two different soup mixes, a muffin mix and a cookie bar mix. We also have three recipes in the pint-sized jar. The ever popular Mochaccino mix has returned, as well as a Tea mix, and this year we feature one just for the man on your list - a Nuts & Bolts mix. This fund raiser will continue through December.

Worship Responsibilities

As Christmas quickly approaches, please check the worship responsibility page in this issue to see if you are scheduled to serve on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. And if for some reason you cannot serve on either of those days, PLEASE try to find someone to switch with, and notify the church office as soon as possible. We realize Christmas is a time that everyone wants to be with their families, but we also need people to serve those that visit First United, as well. Thank you!

Monday Night Books

Order your books now for the next Monday Night Books! On February 6 at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the Genszler Room to discuss C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. With the movie just released in theaters, this might be a good time to read the book as well! All ages are welcome at this conversation.

Our last Monday Night Books session will take place in May and we will read Doris Betts’ Souls Raised From the Dead. When you order C.S. Lewis’ book, you may want to order this last book as well and join us for great discussions! A sign-up sheet and book description for the February 6 meeting is on the kiosk in the gathering area. Questions? Please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

A Christmas Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with our Adopt-a-Family program, the Thrivent Cookie & Bake Sale, and Christmas Treasures!

A special thanks to all who donated toys and gifts for Christmas Treasures, and to Cathy Britton, who delivered all the gifts.

A special thanks to everyone who baked special treats for the Thrivent Cookie &Bake Sale, to Mary Eissens, who organized the sale, everyone who helped, and everyone who bought baked goods. This year’s sale raised $933, which will be given to the Adopt-a-Family program. Thanks to everyone who supported our Adopt-a-Family program in any way: by shopping, wrapping, sorting, typing, delivering, “adopting,” or giving a financial gift! A special thanks to Cindy Van Akkeren, who helps to coordinate the program every year! With your help, 77 families were given gifts & food certificates through our Adopt-a- Family program (317 people: 116 adults and 201 children)!

Thank you for your generosity of time, talents, and treasure, to help so many in need! It is a tremendous joy to witness the TRUE spirit of Christmas through your many gifts of love! May the love of Christ dwell in your hearts this joyous season!

~ Deaconess Deb