‘A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way…it shall be for God’s people. No traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.’ Isaiah 35.8-9

In this beautiful, idyllic section of Isaiah, the prophet offers God’s people the great plan by which they will come home from exile. Although Isaiah 35.1-10 is the assigned First Reading for this coming Sunday, we won’t hear it in church because of the length of the Children’s Program.

So I invite you to read this on your own, and to be caught up in the marvelous vision it portrays. God has a Holy Way for his people to travel, and it leads home. In all the roads you travel this month, our beginning and ending point is where God is: in a baby Jesus lying in a manger. That’s home!

MIDWEEK ADVENT VESPERS continue Wednesday at 7pm. These 40 minutes can serve as a wonderful oasis in the midst of a busy time of year. If you can, come early for our Soup and Bread Supper at 6pm, followed at 7 with our Vespers. Our offerings for these Advent Vespers are dedicated to helping Redeemer Vietnamese Lutheran congregation with support of a new pastor who will eventually take over from Pastor Phan.

BE INFORMED: There is so much to be aware of this month, so many opportunities and gatherings and special events. So please do your part and pay attention to the wealth of information in the newsletter…the Sunday bulletin…the projector slides…oral announcements…posters and sign up sheets…and in these Midweek Reminders. If you can’t find it in these places, then call Sandy. We do our best to stay on top of things here!

LIVE NATIVITY SCENE needs volunteers to take part. Please sign up on the bulletin board. Dates are Dec. 19, 20, and 21.
~ DATES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING ~

• Dec. 12, 6pm….Soup Supper and Midweek Advent Vespers
• Dec. 14, 5pm…Caroling for our shut-ins. Meet at church, dress warmly!
• Sunday, Dec. 16, 10am…Worship with Children’s and Youth Christmas Presentation. Also, the Baptism of Natalie Shearer.
• Dec. 17, 7pm…Council
• Dec. 18, 7pm… Concordia School Christmas Program at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
• Dec. 19, 12 noon…OFF Potluck
• Dec. 19, 6pm…Soup Supper and Midweek Advent Vespers
• Dec. 21…Fill Christmas food boxes
• Dec. 22…Distribution of food boxes to 35 needy families. Please contact Etta Mae Hitchcock if you can help.
• Dec. 23…Sunday education hour and worship
• Dec. 24…12 noon Christmas worship, and 7pm Christmas Eve candlelight worship

All Month:

• Union Gospel Mission barrel out for you to contribute items (Redeemer Preschool project)
• Women’s Shelter: box near mailboxes with lists of needed items for you to donate
• Thrivent / Habitat for Humanity Build: gift wrap fundraiser at Lancaster Mall
• Food Boxes for 35 needy families: distribution volunteers needed (see above)
• Foster Kids Giving Tree in the lobby: choose a tag or two, bring unwrapped items and place by tree

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We Wish You God's Peace and Blessing

Sandy Cooper, Secretary
Redeemer Lutheran Church
503-393-7121
4663 Lancaster Drive. NE
Salem, OR 97305
office@redeemer-lcms.org