Weekly Calendar

Saturday, December 13
11:00 a.m.                       Memorial Service for Hazel Knies

Sunday, December 14
9:00 a.m.                        Worship – SS Christmas Program

Tuesday, December 16
11:30 a.m.                         Exercise
3:00 p.m.                          Veteran’s Home Worship

Wednesday, December 17
9:30 a.m.                          Traditions worship
10:30 a.m.                        Park Lane Worship
6:00 p.m.                          Youth/Confirmation Christmas Party
7:00 p.m.                           Council

Thursday, December 18
11:30 a.m.                           Exercise

Sunday, December 21
9:00 a.m.                            Worship/Communion
10:00 a.m.                          Cross+Generational Christmas Party
4:00 p.m.                             Longest Night Service

Worship Assistants in December

Acolytes
7 Josh Bakken/Taylor Kerns
14 Braelynn Dierkes/Jezlyn Finseth
21 Rosemary Pikula/Maggie Wingert
24 4:30 pm Camryn Severson/Ava Severson
28 Sawyer Johnson/Jackson Fischer

Computer
7 Harper Pickett
14 Lily Ledin
21 Easton Grabau
24 4:30 pm Lilianna Dempewolf
28 Melony Wingert

Lectors
7 Dawn Hellickson
14 Sunday school Christmas program
21 Aaren Mathison
24 4:30 pm Steve Corson
28 tba-Twelve days of Christmas

Greeters
7 Dawn Hellickson/Nancy Hengeveld
14 LaVerne & Denise Paulson
21 Gary & Joyce Hellickson
28 Joyce & Kevin Every

Altar Guild……………Jennifer Pickett/Susan Hager/Chris Olson/Diane Johnson

Ushers………… …………….Todd Ebner/Darla Ebner/Darrel Olson/Tony Severson

Communion Assistants
December 7 ………………………….Katie Harstad/Amanda Heibel/Dawn Hellickson
December 21…………………………………..Dena Mathison/Randy Hahn/Mary Glaser
December 24 4:30 pm…………………….Melissa Severson/Carol Solberg/Sara Niemeyer
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*Please let the office or a member of the Church Council know if one of your loved ones is sick or has passed or if you or someone you know is going to be in the hospital so that we may acknowledge them in our prayer list or pay them a visit.

*2025 Advent Series and Devotions – Our theme this year is “The Power of YES,” and our lessons offer voices from different stories and different characters who have one thing in common; each of these people said YES to God. Refer to your December Ambassador on a complete worship schedule for December. There are also printed Advent devotionals available in the narthex or by PDF – let Amanda know if you want one emailed to you.

*Sunday School Christmas Program -The Sunday School Christmas Program will be Sunday, December 14, 2025, during the regular 9 AM worship service. We will be practicing the next couple of weeks, and will be extending our Sunday School time to allow for additional practice.

*Help Wanted – The church council is looking for additional individuals to manage the Sunday morning opening/closing responsibilities from approximately 8:15am-11:15am. Looking for others to help once or twice every 6 weeks or so. This position will be paid $35 each Sunday to unlock the church, turn on the audio and video systems, assist in the computer management for display and online livestreaming, and then shut down computer, TV’s and sound equipment at the end of each service and lock up the building. We require that individuals be at least 14 years old. We welcome all interested people to contact the church office with their name and phone number for further details. Thank you!

*CRAFT & BAKE SALE THANK YOU! To our incredible community: Thank you! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your participation and contributions to the 2025 Craft and Bake Sale. Your invaluable efforts and inspiring enthusiasm truly brought the congregation together. Sales totals are still being tabulated though we have exceeded last year’s totals. Ready to make next year’s sale even better? We’re seeking passionate volunteers for roles large and small. Please reach out to the committee today if you’d like to join us or have questions. Your involvement makes a difference!

2025 Craft and Bake Sale Committee members:
Gail Bunge, Janet Erdman, Teresa Hoff, Alison Leathers,
Kayla Peterson, Susan Pikula, Lori Winkels

*An Invitation to The Longest Night Worship Service – Sunday, December 21, 4 pm. Christmas can be a painful time for some. On the longest night of the year, we gather in a quiet, gentle space to acknowledge that the holiday season can be difficult for many. This service offers a time of reflection, prayer, and candlelight for those carrying grief, loneliness, or longing. The short service will be followed by a brief time for light refreshments and fellowship.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT CHRIST LUTHERAN

• Dec 21^st, 4 pm -The Longest Night Worship Service –
  Gather for a quiet, contemplative service on the longest night and the shortest day, the winter solstice. This service is symbolic of our darker nights when we find ourselves grieving, lonely, or longing for something different. The Longest Night service makes space during a season that is noisy with celebration, to acknowledge the “both/and” of our emotions. On this night, when things are their darkest, we will pause to remember that God’s light comes in the darkness, that in fact without the darkness, we will not notice the light. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
• Wed, Dec 24^th, 4:30 pm -Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion, “Shepherds Said Yes”, Luke 2:8-20. Through Scripture, beloved carols, candlelight, and Holy Communion, we reflect on the hope and light Christ brings into the world. This cherished service offers a sacred space to pause, worship, and welcome the birth of Jesus. Children receive a special gift. New to worship? There is a place for all at Christ Lutheran.
• Dec 28^th, 9 am -Twelve Days of Christmas Worship Service, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English Christmas carol that lists a group of increasingly superb gifts given on each of the 12 days of Christmas (the 12 days that make up the Christmas season, starting with Christmas Day through Epiphany, January 6.) This service combines scripture, carol, prayer, and explanations of the 12 gifts that are fundamental to the Christian faith. All ages will appreciate this service.

*HELP US FILL THE RED KETTLE! Bells will be ringing for the Salvation Army on Friday, December 19th 8:00-4:00 at F & M Community Bank in Preston and from 4:00-7:00 at Preston Foods. Bell ringing shifts will be 1⁄2 hour and everyone is welcome to ring! If you are interested in ringing bells or have any questions, give us a call at 507-765-3823 and ask for Cami or Brenda. Or you can email Brenda at brendar@fmcommunity.com. If you are not able to stop by the kettle on the 19th, financial contributions can be dropped off anytime or mailed to F & M Community Bank, PO Box 467, Preston, MN 55965. Checks should be made out to Salvation Army, Fillmore County. Thank you!

*NOTICE CHANGE OF DATE –Dec 17^th, 6-7:30 pm – Confirmation Christmas Party/Christmas Scavenger Hunt- for grades 6-12 – We have decided to combine the two parties to have one big party! 6^th graders and 10-12^th graders are still invited to attend!! This event requires a permissions slip for them because of the driving – register here: Pizza and lights. For more information check out our website www. Christlutheranpreston.org or our Facebook page.

*Distributions (QCDs)- If you are 70½ or older and taking distributions from an IRA, you may be able to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly to Holden or Dale. A QCD can lower your taxable income because the gift is sent straight from your IRA custodian to the church and does not count as taxable income. If you’re interested in this option, please contact your financial advisor or IRA custodian for details.

*CHRISTMAS GIFTS to Christ Lutheran – Your Christmas gift has a big impact on our ministries and those we serve. Christ Lutheran makes holiday giving easier than ever with a simple QR code.  Scan the QR code below to make a one-time or recurring gift today. Check out other opportunities for giving at www.christlutheranchurch.org. Thank you for your generosity.
                          *4 WAYS YOU CAN GIVE TO CHRIST LUTHERAN*

• 💵Cash & Check. Feel free to bring your gift to any worship service or mail it directly to the church office. Checks can be made payable to Christ Lutheran Church. Giving envelopes are available from Amanda in the church office.
• 🏦 Bill Pay Through Your Bank.  (no fees incurred, recurring giving option) You can set up automatic payments through your bank’s bill pay system. Just add our church as a payee and designate your gift amount and frequency. You may set this up as a recurring payment.
• 🌐 Online Giving Through Tithe.ly. (fees apply, you may choose to cover them or not). Visit our giving page at give.tithe.ly.com and give a one-time donation or set up recurring gifts.
• 📱 Text-to-Give. (fees apply, you may choose to cover them or not). Text **GIVE** to (844) 935-2668 and follow the instructions to quickly and securely give from your mobile phone.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Dec 14^th, 9am – Sunday School Christmas Program
• Dec 17^th, 6pm – Confirmation/Pizza Party and Christmas Scavenger Hunt (grades 6-12)
• Dec 21st, 9am – Worship; 10am– Cross+Generational Christmas Party; 4pm-Longest Night Worship
• Dec 24^th, 4:30pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

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Birthdays and Anniversaries
12/11 Joel Mielke, Janet Erdman
12/13 Chris & Kari Mensink – Anniv.
12/14 Jackie Do
12/16 Kari Bacon, Mike Woellert
12/18 Kelly Ristau, Chris Mensink

Please keep in your prayers….
The family of Hazel Knies
Marcella Keune, mother of Jim Keune
Logan Walker
Sharone Rustad
Colson King
Jodi Milne Trochlil
Amy Timmerman
Lynn Tienter
Marilyn Bunge, who is at Green Lea Manor, Mabel
Walt Hansen, who is at Minnesota State Veterans Home, Preston
Mary Lou Hansen, who is at Harmony Care Center
Ila Mae Olstad, who is at Park Lane Estates
Arlene Bakalyar, who is at Park Lane Estates
Arnie Keene,  who is at Park Lane Estates
Barb Barrett, who is at Park Lane Estates
Averlene Marzolf, who is at Traditions
Helen Haugerud, who is at Traditions
Linda Hahn Smith, who is at Traditions
Arlen Kiehne, who is at Chatfield Care Center
Val Christensen, who is at Chatfield Care Center
Jim Fossum, who is at The Fillmore Place