December 7, 2014 Announcements

TODAY is the last day to place an order for a poinsettia.  The order form is in the bulletin. Place the order form and your check in the secretary mailbox.

Family Service raffle tickets (one for $1 or six for $5) for the flannel quilt tickets are available until December 14. Proceeds will be used to replenish Family Service quilting supplies and to provide support to a Texas LWML outreach to a Muslim Women’s Group (sewing quilts and sowing).

Quilters will meet from 11-2 on Thursday, Oct 9. We have a sack lunch at noon. More helpers are always welcome.

Thank you to the busy elves that came out in the cold last Sunday eve to beautify the church for the Advent season. The elves look familiar and go by the names Wayne and Marilyn, Linda N, David P, Maureen and Reiny, Katie F., Will and Gretchen, and Cindy B.  Please note the handcrafted banner on the north fellowship hall was made by Betty Licht our member went on to glory 8 years ago.

Fall Mission Project: The Sunday School will be directing offerings from September through December to the purchase of mittens and hats for needy children. The children can also bring NEW hats and mittens in as offerings as well.

Snacks or meals for hungry kids-  Please bring take home snacks for the school children for Christmas break. Let’s fill the food pantry bin with granola bars, fruit snacks, pudding cups and anything else that can go into a back pack for children to take home. Many of these kids depend on school meals for their daily food. These will be taken to the school before winter break begins for distribution.   If you would like to help these children in another way, you could donate Gift Cards from fast food restaurants so they can get a meal. (Please no gift cards from Walmart or Target or from grocery stores.)

Women’s Bible study group will be beginning a new Beth Moore study in January on “Esther: It’s tough being a woman”. The books will be $10. Please let the office know if you would like a book.  All women are invited to join us.

Offering Envelopes for 2015 are in– pick yours up on the table across from the sanctuary.

Thanks to everyone who chose an angel from the Angel Tree. Please bring the wrapped gifts back to the fellowship hall by December 14th. Also, please remember to attach the angel to your wrapped gift so we are sure each child gets the correct gift.

Merry Christmas to you all!!!   How quickly the holidays are here.  On Saturday, December 13th Carol and Keith Folkmann will be hosting this month’s Conversational Dinners.   The “Nice”   We are planning to meet at 5:30 to go caroling for some of our older members.  After caroling we will meet at the Folkmann’s for the “Naughty”…decadent desserts and hearty appetizers.  We also encourage you to BYOB.  We also would like to support the church’s Mittens and Hats  project by bringing adult mittens/gloves, scarves or hats…there are many in our community that do not have these things to keep them warm this winter.  Please let Drue and I know if you ARE or ARE NOT planning to attend.  We have already heard from a few people.   Also, if you would also let us know if you are bringing an appetizer or dessert. We hope to see all of you on the 13th.    Drue and Ellen.     515-292-3574.  druellen@hotmail.com

THANK YOU for sharing your abundance with the Food Pantry at Bethesda on November 23. Giving to others in need is being God’s hands on earth and showing His love. We gathered 330 food items and $831.61 so the food pantry can buy items at a reduced cost. Also thank you to Linda Naeve and Tom Henriksen for being our pilgrims in the living Thanksgiving display on the 26^th.

The Board of Education is holding a Silent Auction to support the quilts for graduates.  Auction items: a lap quilt, 2 table runners and a quilted cosmetic bag. Place bids until Dec. 14th.

We are in need of one or two Midweek teachers for 3^rd and 4^th grades starting in January to cover a 4-6 week period for our teacher during surgery and recovery. This is a great group of students who are excited about learning more about God’s word. Please pray about this call. It’s a great opportunity to get to know our youth better and to share your faith. Contact Cindy Baas if you are willing to teach.