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Hosanna Lutheran ChurchDecember 2017HORIZONOFHOPECome people of God. Leave the cares of your day and concerns of your life. Come and be filled with the presence of God!WELCOMEWELCOME-WORSHIPWORSHIP-WITNESSWORSHIP TIMES8:30 A.M. Traditional Service9:30 A.M. Fellowship & Refreshments10:00 A.M. Contemporary Service andKid’s ChurchKeeping Christmas with Martin LutherMartin Luther loved a good paradox. In the fall of 1520, he was a very busy man. He received thePapal Bull entitled “Exsurge, Domine,” which means “Arise, O Lord.” It called on Luther to recant.Instead, Luther had a big bonfire and burned it. He was also writing his Three Treatises, among thembeing The Freedom of a Christian (sometimes called On Christian Liberty). In this work Luther declares,in a paradox:A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant to all, subject to all.Luther also returned again and again to the paradox Christ spoke of in the gospels that whoeverholds on to his life will lose it, while the one who loses his life for Christ’s sake will indeed find it (Matt.16:25). Luther even ends the 95 Theses with a paradox involving false teachers who promise peaceversus those teachers who preach the cross. But the paradox that seemed to captivate him the mostwas that of the first Christmas morn. The infinite God of the universe became an infant. Theincarnation was for Luther like it was for Mary, an occasion to ponder all these things in his heart (Luke2:19).Everything about the birth of Christ struck Luther as a paradox of sorts. Mary, though poor and rathersocially “insignificant,” was chosen. Bethlehem, “The City of David,” belonged to Christ, but there wasno room for him to be found anywhere in it. The announcement of Christ’s birth came not to thenoble and elite, as we might expect, but to the shepherds. Luther explores all of these paradoxes in hissermon on Christmas Day, 1530. “Is it not strange,” he asks, “that the birth of Christ occurs in coldwinter, in a strange land, and in such a poor and despicable manner?” And he adds, “How couldGod have shown his goodness in a more sublime manner than by humbling himself to partake of fleshand blood?” This is the paradox that rather gloriously confounds us all: God became human.The announcement from the angels that night was one that was a long time coming. The first peals ofit were heard in a garden, the Garden of Eden. A seed, promised, would come to reconcile a fallenand sinful humanity to a holy and righteous God. And then the promise echoes through the Scriptures.Abraham and Sarah heard it. Naomi heard it. David, Naomi’s great-great grandson by marriage,heard it. And the shepherds were the first to hear of the fulfillment: A child has been born in David’scity who is our redeemer.Salvation comes in and by and through an infant Son. This is more than a paradox, this is amiracle. And this miracle is the joy of the gospel and the true joy of Christmas. As Luther asks, “How isit possible for man to hear of greater joy?”Written by Stephen J. Nichols (PhD Westminster Theological Seminary)He serves as the president of Reformation Bible Collegeand chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries.

Horizon of HopePage 2Need a new book? Please make use of our COUNCIL MEETINGOur next council meeting is scheduled forbook table in the lobby.Thursday, December 21, 2017*************************All Council members phone numbersADULT STUDY OPPORTUNITIESThese small groups meet monthly and/or weeklyfor devotions, fellowship and service projects. Wehope you’ll find one or two to get involved with.are listed here for your convenience.HOSANNA COUNCIL MEMBERSMAY 2016-2017P T : N !!!Every Thursday from 10:00-10:30 a.m.Please join the church staff in the office as wepray for the Church, its ministries, and those whohave asked us to include them in our prayers. Planto join us! “Never doubt what one prayer can do.”L* , L - B / C1*2PresidentBrenda Shafer296-4358Vice-PresidentLaurie Voss296-4745297-1184 (c)SecretarySandy Frye296-7396Leigh LaRosa296-6795Bob Wills298-7442Grace Weisz297-0975Melinda Zimmerer298-7458TreasurerDave Steinkruger250-7737Financial SecretaryJenni Dasovic297-1670Property MaintenanceBill Wylie203-2949Next scheduled meeting of the Book Club will beon Wednesday, December 12th at 11:30 AM at BayHills Restaurant.We will be reading“Twelve Days of Christmas” by Debbie MacomberHOLY STITCHERSPlease join Helen and the ladies beginningagain on January 8thWOMEN’S GROUPNext Meeting: December 18th, 2017 at 7:00 PMW, , S - 8 9, 8 * EAT!Join the Saints when they go out to eat, Friday,December 29, 2017 at Mom’s CaféIf you have any questions, please callLinda Feder @402-298-8969PoinsettiasWe will again providepoinsettias in lovingmemory, or in honor ofyour loved ones duringthis Christmas season.Watch your bulletinfor price and orderforms.We welcome all people to worship Godby offering our lives in daily witnessto the love of Jesus Christ.Welcome Ministry - Worship Ministry Laurie VossLeigh LaRosaGrace WeiszWitness Ministry Sandy FryeVicki WeberYOU are always welcome to attend the meeting of ourCouncil. Council on the third Thursday of each month.at 7:00 PM.We have an opportunity for 2 crews to helppack food for:Kids Against Hungeron January 13, 2018.Please join us for this importantministry opportunity. Talk to LaurieVoss for more information, and watchfor sign up sheets in the Narthex!

December 2017Page 3Christ is coming!!That’s the theme of Advent – doesn’t it sound a little strange, because we talk of Christ present in ourlives each and every day? Just look at November 12th, we had a building full of very happy folks from thecommunity – God was with us. We sent many Christmas shoe boxes to kids in faraway places – God with us.We hosted several very successful fundraisers for people- God with us. We have finished this year – God withus.We need to talk of Christ coming at times, to remind us of God’s work in our lives; to remind us ofGod’s love and grace. Without God’s work, love and grace we would be in big trouble – Paul told us that thewages of sin is death! But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). Wow, what adifference God’s plan makes in our lives I hope and pray that you enjoyed this last year. I can’t thank you enough for all things we were able todo together. Our goal is getting to know God better – we live in God’s created world – created as God’s imagebearers to the world. It is vital that we know God and God’s plans for us. Jesus told us to go and makedisciples; teaching, and baptizing. It is easy to say that is what a pastor is for but that wasn’t God’s intention.We are all part of the Priesthood – we are all part of the body of Christ – we are all children of God. God ischanging our hearts of stone to one of flesh and has put his spirit inside us to change us from within – that’sChrist at work in us now!How about it, have you seen Christ at work in your life? I pray so. We will continue to lift up Christ’swork in our lives and celebrate our God who is present with us as we work in God's kingdom. We willcontinue to prepare ourselves to be better disciples and ready ourselves for Christ’s coming. With every act ofLove we bring the Kingdom come.Remember our cookie sale on the Sunday, December 10th. On Sunday, December 24th we will haveone service at 10am and Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services will be that Sunday at 5pm. Please, invitethose around you to experience the amazing gift God gave us in Christ. Be safe and have fun with family. OnNew Year’s Eve Sunday (a fifth Sunday) we will have brunch at 9am with one service at 10am. Comecelebrate together.With all that said – Remember, Hosanna is Christ’s church and Christ has been very active with us – Iknow he loves us and made a great sacrifice for us. Isn’t that great, Christ has made a big investment in us andpromises to be with us to the end of the age. We will not be forsaken or abandoned – lets be the Church Christwants us to be. Be in prayer asking for guidance.I can’t wait to see what God will do next God is blessing us,Pastor Jim

December 2017Page 4HOSANNA’S NUMBERSWeeklyIncomeNov 5Nov 12Nov 19Nov 26General26799881608n/aBenevolence0000Combined Worship AttendanceNov 5Attendance81Nov 1287Nov 19Nov 2687n/aYour Financial Gifts Please be mindful that Hosanna’s monthly financial obligations continue throughout the year.If you are unable to attend Sunday Worship Services, please consider mailing your commitment tothe church at P.O. Box 301, Plattsmouth, NE 68048. Thank You!Our Church continues to be grateful for all who faithfully support theongoing life and ministry operating costs of Hosanna.You make a difference!Thank you Members and Friends Of Hosanna!Worship Assistants are Needed!.We are looking for individualsto join our Worship Assistants volunteer list.Your commitment would only be one serviceper month. We are especially in need of:8:30 ServiceCommunion AssistantsGreeter/UshersFellowship servers10:00 ServiceReadersGreeters/UshersCommunion AssistantsIf you are willing to help out,please sign up in the narthex or call Diana at the churchoffice (296-2662). Thank you!Use what talent you possess. The woods would bevery silent if no birds sang except those who sangbest.”—Henry Van DykeCome join us!Every Monday evening at 6:30 PMPastor Jim takes a deeper look in theBible.We are learning about the book of TitusAll are welcome!Good news from heaven the angels bring,Glad tidings to the earth they sing:To us this day a child is given,To crown us with the joy of heaven.– Martin Luther

December 2017Page 5Helping Our CommunityNew Day for PrayerTime!Please join us onThursdays from10:00-10:30 AM aswe pray for ourchurch, ourcommunity andpeople in need.There’s alwaysplenty of coffee andwe’d love to seeyou!Searching for Jesus;The Jungle Safari10 amAge 3 through 4th gradeCome join us and bring afriend!Please letthe office(296-2662)know ofchanges to theprayer listsso that we cankeep our listscurrent.Thanks!Bruce ClassenO.C. ColemanBarb CulbertsonWanda DillonMarilyn ErdmanDave GreerBill GrunewaldStephanie HoshorCole JohnsonLisa KaffenbergerBeverly KwasnieskiVivianne MarousekRollie RydellEmily SeatonJoni StaneJohn WarsingEric WalkenhorstPlease remember our on-going collections –1st Sunday of every month. Cass County Food Bank: Non perishable food,paper goods, soap, detergent and cleaningproducts. NO JUNK FOOD, PLEASE!Please check the expiration dates on thefood. The food bank will not acceptfood with expired dates. Abundant Harvest Food Co-op @ Hosanna1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 5:00 PM Under His Wings Baby Pantry:Located at Under His WingsAlways needs diapers, Size 3, 4, 5, & 6Baby shampoo, lotion and wash. Under His Wings Thrift Shop:511 Main St.Hours: 10-5:00 pm Tues.-Sat Prevent Blindness Nebraska:Used eyeglasses – no sunglassesCampbell Soup Labels and General Mills Box TopsFor Education: Please save both labels for ourschools. The labels are redeemed for classroomitems to enhance our children’s education.“BE A RAINBOW IN SOMEONE ELSE’SCLOUD.”—MAYA ANGELOUPRAYERS FOR THOSESERVING IN THE MILITARY . . .Justin Bartlett, Marines(Nephew of Brian & Robin Brown)Meshack Casey, Army(Grandson of Dave & Jan Conley)Cory Clines, Air Force(Grandson of Dave and Jan Conley)Col. Mona Dolson,(Sister of Mitch Houchin)Zach Gehrig(Nephew of Leon and Jan Gehrig)Mason Jensen, Navy(Nephew of Scot and Tiffany SimonCalvin Johnson, Air Force(Nephew of Kermit & Fiorenza Reisdorph)Caleb Morehead, Army Reserves(Grandson of Bertha Black)Travis Roeder, Air Force(Son-in-law of Pastor Jim & Linda Spanjers)Brent Wiese, ArmyJennifer Zeitler and Marcus Hough, Air Force(Friends of the congregation)

Horizon of HopeHosanna Lutheran ChurchPresentsChristmas Cookie Sale!Sunday, December 10th9:00 am – 2:00 pmPage 6