Sunday, December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday in Advent
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online and in-person worship at 9:00 a.m.
bulletin: 12.21.2025.pdf
Longest night service bulletin: 12.21.25LongestNight.pdf
The Power of YES 2025 Advent devotions:
Advent_To_Go_Vol_3___Advent_Devotional___full_color___digital_1_.pdf
Weekly Calendar
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
Wednesday, December 24
4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service/Communion
Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
-office closed-
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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CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT CHRIST LUTHERAN
- Dec 21st, 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 24th, 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 28th, 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 services
Join us in the fellowship hall as we celebrate Jesus’ birth with a “Happy Birthday Jesus!” party during our Sunday School time on Dec. 21st. All are welcome!
We’ll assemble birthday cake kits for the Preston Food Shelf, have birthday treats, play nativity bingo, and other various Christmas-themed crafts and activities.
*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.
*The Holiday Giving Tree is now up! Mittens, gloves, hats, scarfs and socks can all be hung on there! Items donated will go to Fillmore Central School and Fillmore County Foodshelf. Thanks for your generous support, all items are greatly appreciated
*2026 Offering Envelopes – If you have been getting offering envelopes in the past, they are now ready to be picked up in west coatroom. If you don’t see your name but would like to have some envelopes, talk to Amanda in the office!
*Women’s Fellowship – The next Women’s Fellowship meeting will take place at the church on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. There is no December meeting. Join us as we discuss the first four chapters (through page 27) of Joan Chittister’s The Gift of Years : Growing Older Gracefully.
*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!
*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.
*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.
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.
Total Profit: $20,130.58 (from $21,026.38 income and $895.80 in expenses)
$19,500 has been entrusted to the Council to determine how to best support local, national, and global missions and church needs.
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
- 💵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:
- Sun., Dec 21st, 9am – Worship; 10am– Cross+Generational Christmas Party; 4pm-Longest Night Worship
- Wed., Dec 24th, 4:30pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service/Holy Communion
- Sun., Dec 28, 9:00am – The Twelve Days of Christmas Service
- Sun., Jan 4, 9:00am – Christmas 2 Service – God Says Yes
- Thurs., Jan 8, 6:30-7:30 – Book Read at Nancy Hengeveld’s
- Sun., Jan 11, 10:00am – Donuts and Devos, grades 7-12 in Youth Room
12/18 Kelly Ristau, Chris Mensink
12/19 Pam Ristau
12/20 Jonathon Winkels
12/21 Sandy Amundson
12/22 John Marzolf
12/23 Wayne & Donna Dreier – Anniv.
12/24 Nancy Hengeveld
12/25 Gary Parker; Jeff & Roxie Knies – Anniv.
Please keep in your prayers….
Arnie Keene
LaVerne Paulson
The family of Marcella 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
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