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Central Family,
Our Advent prayer is MAKE MY LIFE A BETHLEHEM. How is this prayer changing your life this Advent?
A few days ago Pastor Krogstad shared with the staff a fascinating article from the December issue of The National Geographic The article on Bethlehem begins. “This is not how Mary and Joseph came into Bethlehem, but this is how you enter it now. You wait at the wall. It’s a daunting concrete barricade, three stories high, thorned with razor wire. Standing beside it, you feel as if you’re at the base of a dam. Israeli soldiers armed with assault rifles examine your papers…” (National Geographic, December 2007 – Thank you to Pastor Krogstad for leading us to this article) If at all possible I encourage you to read the article and consider what it means for you as you journey to Bethlehem.
MORE IMPORTANTLY I encourage you to read the WORD from Luke 2:8-20. This is the WORD that will shape and define our life together on Sunday. This is the WORD that will give birth to our acts of witness next week. Each day as we move towards Bethlehem we are bombarded (and I mean that literally) with cultural hand grenades and consumer driven land mines that seek to prevent Jesus from being born in our midst. Will take 30 minutes before Sunday and read Luke 2:8-20?
- What’s going on with the Shepherds?
- What is the Angel announcement?
- What is the Angel’s song?
Take some time like Mary and ‘treasure all these words and ponder them in your heart.’ We don’t have to let the world squeeze us into its mold! We can be a people who know that the most important thing we can ever do is to listen to and do the WILL OF GOD. So – at least for this week – SIMPLIFY THE SEASON and gather at the feeding trough with the Shepherds. Who knows what will be born if you take the time to do this?
Paul Johansson
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Carolann Rosenthal and Band
Saturday, December 15 at 6:30 pm
Experience Real Hope at Christmas with Carolann Rosenthal and Band as they celebrate the CD Release of her new Christmas album "The Gift." Refreshments will be served and a freewill offering will be taken. Visit her website at www.carolannrosenthal.com. |
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Christmas Celebration Services
Christmas Eve Children's Services
2:00 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve Communion &
Candle Light Services
7:30 -11:00 pm
Christmas Day
10:00 am |
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Journey to Financial FreedomJanuary 12 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Why not start your new year out with a decision to change the way you manage your finances?! Central will be hosting Crown Financial’s “Journey to Financial Freedom” seminar on Saturday, January 12, 8:30-4:00. The cost is $30 and includes all resources as well as lunch and snacks.
Pre-registration is required so sign up in the church office with payment by January 6! Some scholarships are available.
Click here for more information |
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Men's Morning Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:30 am at The Backroads Café - Nowthen
Join a great group of guys on Thursdays for breakfast and a thought-provoking Bible study. First time you visit, your breakfast is on us! Contact Pastor Jeff.
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Tuesday Men's Prayer
Tuesdays at 6:30 am in the Sanctuary
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Elk River MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
2nd Monday of the month from 6:45-9:00 p.m.
MOPS is a group designed to nurture mothers with children from infancy through kindergarten. Come and enjoy a wonderful evening with other mothers of preschoolers for great conversation, learning, crafts and much more in a safe, fun, and caring environment! Childcare is available. For more information stop by the church office or contact Darbie Olofson at 274-1257 or visit the MOPS website to seek additional information at . |
Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study at the Coborn's Deli
Tuesdays from 6:45 - 7:45 am
What a Awesome way to start your day! Great Conversation around God's Word over breakfast with a bunch of Women!! I can't think of anything better! Bring your bible and join us as we begin our journey through the New Testament beginning in Luke. |
What Tempts you?
Come and explore the truth ...if you are a young woman in your 20's or 30's this is the perfect place for you! After service this Sunday, look for the "Y" in the lobby to find out more about temptations and this young women's group. If you have questions, contact Mandi Kattengell at 763-227-6708 or at mjskpixie@yahoo.com. |
Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship
December 14, from 6:00-10:00 pm. Quilt, do needlework, scrapbook, or any craft or activity. Bring a snack to share if you'd like. |
Women’s Bible Study of Proverbs
Beginning Thursday, January 10 from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Discover God’s truth and wisdom for everyday circumstances. Come to a fresh understanding of God’s guidance and His interest in our lives as we learn to observe, interpret, and apply Proverbs to our daily lives. This study begins Thursday January 10 and runs through February 7. We’ll meet in rooms 210/211 from 11:00 am – 12:15. Bring your favorite Bible. Additional study materials will be provided. |
Becoming the Woman You Want to Be
Beginning Monday, January 14, 2008 through April 7 from 7:00-8:15 pm
Ninety days to renewing body, mind and spirit is back by popular demand. Join with other women interested in developing life changing habits. Sonja Dixon will facilitate this encouragement course. Please pre-register in the church office or at the welcome center. Childcare is available upon request. |
Believing God
Central Women’s Beth Moore Fall Study
Thursday evening, January 10 through March 13, 6:45 -8:45 pm
Based on Isaiah 43:10, Believing God: Experiencing a Fresh Explosion of Faith explores what it means to believe God. Through studying the lives of Abraham, Moses, and others from Hebrews 11 as examples of persons who believed God, Beth encourages women to deepen their own trust in God and receive a fresh word from Him. |
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Sophomore Confirmation Journey Groups
Sunday, 6:00-7:30 pm (No JG December 9 - Go to Bridges)
Various Locations at the Church
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Freshman Confirmation
Sunday, 6:00-7:30 pm
Yüth Room
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SNL
Wednesdays at 7:07 pm in Studio 1103
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Bridges (Journey Group Worship)
Sunday, December 9 at 7:00 pm |
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Middle School Journey Groups! (7th & 8th Grade)
Monday, 6:00 -7:30 pm
Yuth Room |
WyldLife (7th & 8th Grade)
Wednesday 6:37pm
Yuth Room
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Food, Facts & Fun (Central’s Middle School Tutoring program)
Wednesdays from 3:00-5:30 pm
Brochures / Registration forms available at Central’s Welcome Center and the Yüth Board. Questions: Bev Johnson (763) 441-6429. |
WyldLife Christmas Bash!
December 19 at 6:37 pm
Family Life Center
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GettaLife (6th Grade)
Monday, 6:00 -7:30 pm
Family Life Center
(No GettaLIfe on December 24 or December 31)
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A Birthday Party for Jesus!
Thursday, December 6, 6:30 pm
You and a grown up are invited to a special birthday party for Jesus! You will get a special baby Jesus of your very own to take home to take care of through Christmas. Join us for this very special time just for two year olds and a grown up!
Sign up on line or at the Welcome Center. Please indicate which session you will be attending. Please bring a shoe box or oatmeal box to create a manger for Baby Jesus to sleep in! |
Operation Baby King - Children's Christmas Program
Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 pm |
Story Time Central
Monday, December 17 from 10:00 - 11:00 am or 6:30 - 7:30 pm
We will discover The Legend of Candy Cane.
Click here to register |
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GriefShare
Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:30 pm in the Caring Ministries lounge
GriefShare, a path through the grief process, for anyone who has lost a loved one through death. An education/support group. Jenny Stone will facilitate.
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DivorceCare
Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Caring Ministry lounge, room 126.
DivorceCare is support for separated or divorced people. Be sure to watch for the dates in October.
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Out of the Shadows
For those who have had experience with abuse of have helped women who struggle with this issue. If you would like to be part of a ministry to bring Christ’s healing for painful relationships. call JoAnne 763-753-8182 or Betty at 763-441-2363.
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BeFriender Ministry
BeFrienders is a ministry of listening presence. If you have a heart for helping others, people who are homebound, who are grieving or are going through a difficult experience.
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Blue Christmas
Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 pm at United Church of Christ
1118 NW 4th Street, Elk River
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Gifts Anonymous and Mitten Tree
Once again this year we will be collecting gifts for the disadvantaged in our community. A Christmas tree will be set up in front of the Family Life Center for donations of mittens, hats, and scarves. Place gifts of new toys for children under the tree! Donations can be left from Sunday, December 2 through Sunday, December 16th. God loves a cheerful giver! |
Christmas in a Basket
Sign up in Central’s lobby to sponsor a family and supply Christmas dinner and gifts for a needy family. Wish lists will be available for anonymous area families. Families or mission teams are encouraged to join together and gift a family with a special Christmas this year! Drop off wrapped purchases and groceries at Central before or on Saturday, December 22, noon-2:00 PM. If you are in need of a little Christmas help this holiday season, please contact Sonja Dixon in the church office, 441-2363, ext. 222. |
Christmas gifts in honor or in memory of a loved one
This year we are offering four different memorial opportunities, at four different gift giving levels, to be printed in our Christmas worship bulletins. Please drop off your gift with names of those to be honored, in the church office.
Poinsettia - $10 per plant
Children and Youth Bibles - $15 donation
CAER Foodshelf - $20 donation
World Hunger - $25 donation |
Mexicon Mission
Your cookie orders are due today and will be available for pickup on December 16. The shoe bags are here and available this Sunday in the lobby along with a suggested list of items for a boy or girl. In January, the Mexico Mission team will deliver the bags to the children. All bags need to be turned in by January 6. Contact Linda or Jim at 763-441-2465. On December 16, we will hold a silent auction in the lobby during all services. |
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Advent Events
Sunday, December 16
Old Fashioned Carol Sing and Cookies
4:00 pm at Central
Sunday, December 23
A Contemplative Christmas service
7:00 pm at Central
Already feeling the hustle and bustle of the season? Need some time to quiet your self and consider the Gift? You are invited to experience a gentle evening of scripture, music and quiet time Sunday, December 23, 7-8 PM in the sanctuary.
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Corner Bookstore and More
New items:
1. Handcrafted gifts from around the world such as nativity sets, jewelry, baskets, candle holders, ornaments
2. Christmas tapestries such as pillows and bell-pulls
3. Chocolate bars from Germany
4. An 'in-your-car' devotional book using road signs as the focus
5. Christmas gifts and ornaments in all price ranges
6. Advent wreaths, candles, calendars, and books
We are open on Sunday mornings, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. |
Guitar Player Needed
Guitar player needed for the 11:00 worship team. This is a great opportunity to use your gifts and be a part of a vital ministry at Central. Please talk with Phil Reesnes at church on Sunday morning, call 612-759-5000 or email him at phil.reesnes@clcelkriver.org. |
Ski Trip
The annual Central youth and family ski trip is scheduled for Friday, February 15, departing at 5 PM, through Tuesday morning, February 19. We will be traveling by charter coach bus to Bozeman Montana for a day of skiing at Bridger Bowl and then two days at Big Sky. The ticket price for the trip, including hotel lodging, transportation, breakfast and lunch on the slopes, 3 days of lift tickets, is $365. Sign up and pay your nonrefundable deposit of $100 in the church office. Deadline for registration is February 1. (This would make for a great Christmas gift!) |
Carolann Rosenthal and Band
Saturday, December 15 at 6:30 pm
Experience Real Hope at Christmas with Carolann Rosenthal and Band as they celebrate the CD Release of her new Christmas album "The Gift." Refreshments will be served and a freewill offering will be taken. Visit her website at www.carolannrosenthal.com. |
January Newsletter Submission Deadline
Wednesday, December 12
Email trisha.furstenberg@clcelkriver.org
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SCRIP
Scrip is gift certificates from national and local retailers. SCRIP retailers agree to sell gift certificates to our church at a discount. You buy the certificates for full face value, they are redeemable for full face value, and our church keeps the difference as revenue. Stop by the Welcome Center to purchase SCRIP on Sunday mornings, or stop by the office during the week. Special order SCRIP must be placed and paid for by December 16 to ensure delivery by December 21. |
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McC's Community Meal
Wednesdays from 5:15 - 6:15 pm at Central in the Family Life Center.
Pizza, Taco in a Bag, and Hot Dogs on a rotational basis.
McC's will be closed on November 21 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. A meal will be served at Central from 11:30 - 1:30 on Thanksgiving Day. All are welcome! No reservations necessary. |
Heart Bread Program
Do you know someone in need of free, fresh produce and bread/bakery items? The Heart Bread Program distributes these free items every Wednesday starting at 8:30 a.m. until items are gone. Come in Central at the south entrance. Anyone in need from the community is welcome! |
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