When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife…’
St Matthew 1.24
Christmas angels are nice decorations on our trees…and we love to sing about them in carols…and we like to see our children dressed as angels in the church pageants. But in the Bible, they are first and foremost messengers of God, and the ancients did well to listen and obey what they saw and heard from angels in visions and dreams. Joseph was such a man, and when the angel told him to take Mary as his wife, he did so. Consider how incredibly difficult this was for him, seeing that Mary was already pregnant and he had already determined to divorce her (betrothal—engagement—in those days being equivalent to marriage).

When do we know deep down what God’s will for us is, and find it so very difficult to do it? Perhaps those situations are more common than we realize. Joseph is a strong example of listening carefully to God, with an open heart and mind—and then doing God’s will.

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE POOR: This weekend, our Social Ministry Board is asking us to help pack 37 food boxes on Friday evening, around 5pm. These boxes are for poor and needy families in our area. On Saturday morning around 9am, we need helpers to load and distribute the boxes to homes. If you can help with either or both of these Christ-like ministries of mercy, please contact Etta Mae Hitchcock or any member of the Social Ministries Board (see inside back cover of your Redeemer Directory for names).

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP

• Sunday, Dec. 23, 10am………Our final Advent worship will take on a Christmasy feeling since many of you will be unable to join us for our Christmas Eve services.
• Christmas Eve Day worship: 12 noon Candlelight Communion Service
• Christmas Eve: 7pm Candlelight Communion Service with Choir

PASTOR VACATION DAYS: I’ll be taking a few days of vacation time right after Christmas, to spend time with my family and relatives. Please contact the church office or one of our Elders if you need urgent pastoral care during these days from Dec. 26 – Dec. 30. I’ll return to the office on Dec. 31.

OUR SINCERE THANKS to the Choir and Altar Guild for their contributions and work in order to beautify our worship and our sanctuary during this wonderful season! Thanks also to each and every one of you who have contributed your time, energy, and gifts so generously to the various causes we as a church are supporting this month, from Union Gospel Mission / Simonka Place to Food Boxes to the Women’s Shelter to Foster Care Kids and other worthy charities in our area!

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS AND MUCH JOY TO ALL OF YOU AS WE CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF GOD’S LOVE ~ JESUS, THE HOLY CHILD WHO CAME TO SAVE US ALL FROM SIN AND DEATH ! !

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