With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.'  Isaiah 12.3

There's a saying about 'going to the well'.  It usually refers to going deep inside yourself to draw up strength for what you may be facing.  Isaiah puts a different spin on this.  He points to the Lord and invites us to draw strength from God's promised salvation.  That shifts our attention from our own strength to what God gives as his gift.  Not having to depend on ourselves, we go to the well of God's promises and he delivers us the living waters of grace.  And, lest we forget, his promises bring joy to our hearts and lives!

MIDWEEK ADVENT VESPERS BEGIN WEDNESDAY:  7pm, Holden Evening Prayer worship.  6pm, Soup and Bread Supper.  My theme for these Vesper services will be "Prisoners of Hope", a look at how people (in Biblical times and since) who were imprisoned kept their hope alive, and ignited hope in others.  Come as you are to both Supper and Worship!

FOOD WAGON / BARREL:  What a joy to see each week's wagon load of food donations wheeled to the altar for a Sunday blessing!  Your thankful and generous hearts result in these gifts of food to the poor through Marion Polk Food Share, our partner agency.

'WALK TO BETHLEHEM':  Currently, we have about 50 Redeemer members signed up!  By tracking the miles we walk for exercise each week, we hope to cover enough miles to complete a 'walk' to Bethlehem in time for Christmas.  Please see Jonet Schutz, our Faith Community Health Minister, for information and for a pedometer to help you keep track of your miles.

THANK YOU!  With your help and generosity, we've sent 13 Christmas boxes to military personnel stationed away from home this year.  Also, we've gathered enough money through your donations to purchase the fence outside the old Concordia School buildings.  This fence will be used to help provide security for our Redeemer Community Garden.

CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE:  Once again this year, we thank Pam and Bernie Pearson, daughter and son-in-law of Lloyd and Wilma Bauer, for our beautiful tree.  And we thank those who set it up and decorated it in honor of Jesus' birth on Christmas.

BURIAL SERVICE FOR ALBERT SPEGEL will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 1pm at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.  Pastor Joel will lead.  Please continue to remember Loretta and the family in your prayers as they grieve.

ON SUNDAY, DEC 20,  our Sunday School children and youth will help lead our worship with their Christmas drama.  Please come and support our kids as they offer this gift to us.

DATES AND EVENTS TO NOTE ~
Wednesday, Dec. 9...............6pm, Soup Supper / 7pm, Midweek Advent Vespers
Saturday, Dec 12..................Habitat Build
Saturday, Dec 12..................2pm, Baby shower for Darcie French
Monday, Dec 14....................7pm, Church Council
CHRISTMAS EVE DAY................12 noon and 7pm worship opportunities