What is Advent?
Family Life Team • November 25, 2024
Pick up your personal advent devotion in the Ministry Center for yourself or take it a step further.
The church divides the year into different seasons that emphasize the life of Christ and the life of the church. Beginning on Sunday, December 1, we will enter the season of the church year called Advent. Advent is the season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas, and continuing to Epiphany January 6, 2025. So how can you use this devotion as a way to witness with friends and family?
SEEK GOD:
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of your friend.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to bless all interactions with your friends and family.
BE CREATIVE:
- Exchange stories of family Christmas traditions. You’ll learn about others’ current spiritual situation, and you can share what Jesus means to you.
- Invite your friends to make new traditions this year, especially if the Christmas season is stressful or depressing. Encourage them to read the devotions with you, invite them to our Blue Christmas service on Tuesday, Dec 17th, other special service, or participate in a servant event like our Thanksgiving canned food drive on Friday or decorating our sanctuary for Christmas on Dec 1st.
- Bring a friend or family member to help at a church activity before Christmas like Drums Alive, Young Adults, our Sisters in Christ group, or join our special choir for the big Organ Recital coming up in January. Getting to know people in a non-threatening way makes them more likely to attend future worship.
FOLLOW UP:
Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries can help keep your faith conversations going. Read, listen, email, or print at lhm.org/advent.
Pick up your printed copy of the Lutheran Hour Ministries daily advent devotion in the Ministry Center called, “Come, Let Us Adore Him.” Or you can download
The Lutheran Hour Ministries mobile app to your phone and listen there.
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Sermon by Pastor Adam McDowell
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I hope this note finds you well and encouraged in the Lord. St. Peter’s continues to be a place where God is at work through our preschool, school, various ministries, and the daily faithfulness of His people. I am grateful to serve the Lord with you in this place! As we continue to serve together, I want to update you on changes in our church office and ministry staff. As many of you know, Michelle Leahy has been serving as our “Interim Director of Operations,” providing support and coordination across many areas of congregational life. In the coming weeks, Michelle will be stepping into a new role, “Executive Director.” This means her work will shift from hands-on ministry support to more administrative leadership and oversight of the church office, properties, finances, and technology. This is an important step for us as a congregation as we continue to support our staff and serve our members. With this change, we want to ensure that daily ministry needs are met. After reviewing our current staffing and budget, we can make an adjustment that supports the ongoing ministry without increasing costs. To that end, Kami Jo Mogelvang will expand her role to serve as “Church Ministry Coordinator.” Many of you have already seen Kami Jo assisting Pastor McDowell in youth ministry two days each week. Under the new alignment, she will: Continue serving in youth ministry, and Help coordinate ministry efforts and volunteer connections with Pastor Nate and Pastor McDowell across the congregation. This will help us strengthen volunteer support and the many “connecting points” that help our church family care for one another. As Kami Jo transitions out of her receptionist duties, this change will open about 18 hours per week at the front desk, which we have posted. This staffing arrangement stays within our approved 2025 budget. I am thankful for Michelle, Kami Jo, our staff, and all our volunteers. I also appreciate the spirit of grace and partnership that marks our congregation. Please keep our staff and ministry leaders in your prayers as we move through these transitions. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for the privilege of serving Christ with you! In Christ, Pastor Danny Eggold St. Peter’s Lutheran Church & School
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