In Prayer this week, please remember:
*THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR HOSPITALIZED: Rick Holm (Arne Brown’s friend); Orlyn Johnson; Roger Klinghagen (Lorraine Kracke’s brother-in-law); Sylvia Ofstedal; Amy Pedersen; Randy Soma; Bonnie (Mary Fiedler’s sister-in-law).
*THOSE WHO ARE HOMEBOUND: Ruth Lindsey; Bruce & Donna Neyhart; Ron Olson; Harold Widvey.
*THOSE ACTIVATED FOR MILITARY SERVICE: Mark Gile (Son of Jean Josephson).
Weekly Announcements from the UPDATE
Ascension Lutheran Church Scholarship: If you are a member of Ascension and a Brookings High School senior this year, you are eligible to apply for the Ascension Lutheran Church Scholarship. Applications are available on the website or in the church office and need to be returned to the church office by December 15.
The Sunday School Christmas Program will be held December 16th at both services. Program Rehearsal will be held at 10am, Saturday, December 15.
MSYG Caroling and Chili/Cornbread Cook-off! On December 16 the MSYG will carol at Edgewood and Stoneybrook Assisted Living. Meet at the church at 4:40pm. The whole congregation is invited to join them for their Chili/Cornbread Cook-off starting at 6:15pm that same evening. Bring your chili and/or cornbread to compete for Best Chili, Most Creative Chili, and Best Cornbread! We’ll have a time of sampling and crowd judging before a time of festive fellowship over food! See you there!
Advent Meals & Worship: In celebration of Advent, we will have a Wednesday 6:00 pm service December 19th. Prior to worship the HSYG will be serving an Advent meal starting at 5:15pm. On the menu this week is Super Nachos. A Free Will Offering may be given to support the tje
HSYG mission trip.
3-4 grade Sunday School Teacher(s) Needed! Please let Heather Kepner or any Christian Ed Board member know if you are willing and able to help meet this need!
Year-End Giving Reminders: All 2018 contributions must be received in the church office by 4:00pm Monday, December 31, or postmarked no later than December 31. If you are giving a contribution to the church by means of a stock transfer or retirement distribution, please contact Lanita Vanderbush at the church office, 692-6565 or lanitav@brookings.net, to inform her. As a reminder, if you have not turned in your 2019 Pledge card, please complete and return it to the church office as soon as possible. Cards are available on the kiosk. Your financial commitment to this congregation is appreciated!
Share the Warmth this Advent! Add a hat, a pair of gloves, a scarf or other warm item to the Christmas Tree by the Conference room. Items will be distributed to those in need in January.
Faith Fest 2019: Fruit of the Spirit Retreat for 6-8th graders: February 9-10 @ Augustana, middle school youth will explore what is means to live out the fruits of the Spirit. Friends are welcome! Registration is due January 18. The cost is $50/youth but enter code “AscenLutBr” and Ascension will pay half. More Faith Fest info is available at http://augie.edu/student-life/campus-ministry/faith-fest-2019-fruit-spirit. We need adult volunteers to sign up for the entire event (for free), the number based on how many youth sign up.
Work and Play will resume January 9th.
Year-End Giving Reminders: All 2018 contributions must be received in the church office by 4:00pm Monday, December 31, or postmarked no later than December 31. If you are giving a contribution to the church by means of a stock transfer or retirement distribution, please contact Lanita Vanderbush at the church office, 692-6565 or lanitav@brookings.net, to inform her. As a reminder, if you have not turned in your 2019 Pledge card, please complete and return it to the church office as soon as possible. Cards are available on the kiosk. Your financial commitment to this congregation is appreciated!
Proposed Bylaws Changes are on the website http://www.ascensionbrookings.org/annual-meeting-resources.html and will be voted on at the Annual Meeting, January 27.
No Sunday School: Due to the holidays there will be no Sunday School the following Sundays: 12/16 (Christmas Programs), 12/23, and 12/30.
Peer Ministry: The remaining fall session will be held December 12. Adults interested in helping with Peer Ministry, or anyone with questions, talk to Robin Schulte (695-5810) or Pastor Fred.
Our next Sunday School service project will be collecting canned soups in January for Feeding Brookings during our annual "Souper Bowl Sunday" event. All classes, Preschool through Adult, are encouraged to participate. There will be boxes located in each classroom for donations.
Ascension serves Meals on Wheels January 14-25. Have you ever considered volunteering for this opportunity? This is a great way to let God’s Light shine. There are three routes each week, five days per week. Please sign up on the kiosk or contactact the office if you are able to help.
The Ascension Mission Diversity Travel Experience Award is offered annually to assist those participating in mission/service experiences. A selection committee determines the recipient(s) and the amount of the award. Applications may be picked in the church office during office hours and are due back by January 31st. The award is to be used to participate in a domestic (cross cultural) or international mission/service project experience as part of Ascension’s (or SDSU University Lutheran Center’s) mission outreach program as deemed appropriate by the selection committee. Awards will be announced March 1st; committee decisions will be final.
Male Confirmation Guide Needed Men looking for a way to get involved? Pastor Fred is in need of a Small Group Leader for the 8th Grade Confirmation Boys to help facilitate conversation and encourage participation. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8pm. Start on January 9th, 2019. Contact Pastor Fred for more information.
Camp Registration & Early bird pricing going on now! Lutherans Outdoors in SD offers Bible camp experiences for youth 1st grade and older, adults, and families. Check out the LOSD summer schedule and register on their website, www.losd.org. Ascension covers 20% of the registration fee for youth attending camp. Register online and then let the office know what week & camp you plan to attend. High Schoolers, college students, and adults are able to attend Christikon in Montana for a week of backpacking. See www.christikon.org and talk to Rich Reid or Les Olive for more information.
Talk to your friends about joining you at summer camp! As always, camperships are available. Cost should never be a factor in deciding if a child can go to camp. Talk to Pastor Michael if there is a need.
Middle School Youth Group Service Opportunity
Where: Ascension and Brookings Regional Humane Society
When: Saturday, December 29th @ 11
Details: We will meet at Ascension at 11 for pizza, then caravan to the Humane Society to volunteer from 12 to 2. After volunteering, youth are welcome to stay longer to spend time with the animals. Depending on the number of youth who sign up, we may need one or two adult volunteers to assist with driving and supervising. Friends are welcome. A sign up sheet will be available on the kiosk. Both an Ascension (if you haven't filled one out already) and Humane Society waiver need to be filled out. The Humane Society waiver can be found here:
http://brookingshumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Volunteer-Application.pdf or copies will be available on the kiosk. We will also be collecting donations through the month of December in the Gathering Area. A wish list can be found here:
http://brookingshumane.org/wish-list/ or by the donation box. Contact Kyle Kepner with any questions (320-760-4369 or kepner.kyle@gmail.com).
Your purchases can make a difference! AmazonSmile donates to Ascension Lutheran Church when you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/46-0315096
HELP NEEDED: We are currently seeking an interim, part-time, Sunday School Administrator. The Sunday School Administrator will involve and support as many members as possible in providing Christian education to children, youth, and adults. Knowing that faith is passed on at home, this staff person will equip parents and teachers to pass on faith to their children and the children of the church. The position is a paid position and will require a background check. Minimum qualifications are a high school diploma (or equivalent) and knowledge of the Christian Church and Holy Scriptures. The SSA must be able to speak in a public forum, be able to lifet and carry typical Sunday School materials, and work Sunday mornings (A limited number of Sundays off will be granted by request). See the full notice on the church kiosk bulletin board or on our website.
Brookings Pub Theology Different Brews, Different Views. Held at Eponymous Brewing Company (126 Main Ave. S., Brookings) on Thursdays starting at 8pm. All Perspectives Welcome. Get to know others and enjoy a time of great conversation. Contact Pastor Fred for more information or email us at brookingspubtheology@gmail.com
ATTENTION YOUTH!!! Need a place to have fun and get some schoolwork done? Join us after school on Wednesdays, until 6:00pm, for a time of study (some help available) before a time of games, activities, fellowship and fun. Grab a participation form in the Welcome area for more details. Adults with expertise in various areas are invited to help the youth in their studies and join in the fun. Contact Pastor Fred, fredb@brookings.net, for more information.
Feeding Brookings is a free food distribution for those in need that takes place at Ascension from 4:00-5:00pm each Thursday.
DECEMBER ITEMS OF THE MONTH: Canned Meat (tuna, chicken, spam, ham). January's food of the month will be Rice and Pasta.
HYGIENE ITEMS: toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste
Volunteers are always needed. (Please sign up at www.feedingbrookings.org)
Feeding Brookings is a United Way sponsored organization and an equal opportunity provider.
MSYG Caroling and Chili/Cornbread Cook-off! On December 16 the MSYG will carol at Edgewood and Stoneybrook Assisted Living. Meet at the church at 4:40pm. The whole congregation is invited to join them for their Chili/Cornbread Cook-off starting at 6:15pm that same evening. Bring your chili and/or cornbread to compete for Best Chili, Most Creative Chili, and Best Cornbread! We’ll have a time of sampling and crowd judging before a time of festive fellowship over food! See you there!
Advent Meals & Worship: In celebration of Advent, we will have a Wednesday 6:00 pm service December 19th. Prior to worship the HSYG will be serving an Advent meal starting at 5:15pm. On the menu this week is Super Nachos. A Free Will Offering may be given to support the tje
HSYG mission trip.
3-4 grade Sunday School Teacher(s) Needed! Please let Heather Kepner or any Christian Ed Board member know if you are willing and able to help meet this need!
Year-End Giving Reminders: All 2018 contributions must be received in the church office by 4:00pm Monday, December 31, or postmarked no later than December 31. If you are giving a contribution to the church by means of a stock transfer or retirement distribution, please contact Lanita Vanderbush at the church office, 692-6565 or lanitav@brookings.net, to inform her. As a reminder, if you have not turned in your 2019 Pledge card, please complete and return it to the church office as soon as possible. Cards are available on the kiosk. Your financial commitment to this congregation is appreciated!
Share the Warmth this Advent! Add a hat, a pair of gloves, a scarf or other warm item to the Christmas Tree by the Conference room. Items will be distributed to those in need in January.
Faith Fest 2019: Fruit of the Spirit Retreat for 6-8th graders: February 9-10 @ Augustana, middle school youth will explore what is means to live out the fruits of the Spirit. Friends are welcome! Registration is due January 18. The cost is $50/youth but enter code “AscenLutBr” and Ascension will pay half. More Faith Fest info is available at http://augie.edu/student-life/campus-ministry/faith-fest-2019-fruit-spirit. We need adult volunteers to sign up for the entire event (for free), the number based on how many youth sign up.
Work and Play will resume January 9th.
Year-End Giving Reminders: All 2018 contributions must be received in the church office by 4:00pm Monday, December 31, or postmarked no later than December 31. If you are giving a contribution to the church by means of a stock transfer or retirement distribution, please contact Lanita Vanderbush at the church office, 692-6565 or lanitav@brookings.net, to inform her. As a reminder, if you have not turned in your 2019 Pledge card, please complete and return it to the church office as soon as possible. Cards are available on the kiosk. Your financial commitment to this congregation is appreciated!
Proposed Bylaws Changes are on the website http://www.ascensionbrookings.org/annual-meeting-resources.html and will be voted on at the Annual Meeting, January 27.
No Sunday School: Due to the holidays there will be no Sunday School the following Sundays: 12/16 (Christmas Programs), 12/23, and 12/30.
Peer Ministry: The remaining fall session will be held December 12. Adults interested in helping with Peer Ministry, or anyone with questions, talk to Robin Schulte (695-5810) or Pastor Fred.
Our next Sunday School service project will be collecting canned soups in January for Feeding Brookings during our annual "Souper Bowl Sunday" event. All classes, Preschool through Adult, are encouraged to participate. There will be boxes located in each classroom for donations.
Ascension serves Meals on Wheels January 14-25. Have you ever considered volunteering for this opportunity? This is a great way to let God’s Light shine. There are three routes each week, five days per week. Please sign up on the kiosk or contactact the office if you are able to help.
The Ascension Mission Diversity Travel Experience Award is offered annually to assist those participating in mission/service experiences. A selection committee determines the recipient(s) and the amount of the award. Applications may be picked in the church office during office hours and are due back by January 31st. The award is to be used to participate in a domestic (cross cultural) or international mission/service project experience as part of Ascension’s (or SDSU University Lutheran Center’s) mission outreach program as deemed appropriate by the selection committee. Awards will be announced March 1st; committee decisions will be final.
Male Confirmation Guide Needed Men looking for a way to get involved? Pastor Fred is in need of a Small Group Leader for the 8th Grade Confirmation Boys to help facilitate conversation and encourage participation. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8pm. Start on January 9th, 2019. Contact Pastor Fred for more information.
Camp Registration & Early bird pricing going on now! Lutherans Outdoors in SD offers Bible camp experiences for youth 1st grade and older, adults, and families. Check out the LOSD summer schedule and register on their website, www.losd.org. Ascension covers 20% of the registration fee for youth attending camp. Register online and then let the office know what week & camp you plan to attend. High Schoolers, college students, and adults are able to attend Christikon in Montana for a week of backpacking. See www.christikon.org and talk to Rich Reid or Les Olive for more information.
Talk to your friends about joining you at summer camp! As always, camperships are available. Cost should never be a factor in deciding if a child can go to camp. Talk to Pastor Michael if there is a need.
Middle School Youth Group Service Opportunity
Where: Ascension and Brookings Regional Humane Society
When: Saturday, December 29th @ 11
Details: We will meet at Ascension at 11 for pizza, then caravan to the Humane Society to volunteer from 12 to 2. After volunteering, youth are welcome to stay longer to spend time with the animals. Depending on the number of youth who sign up, we may need one or two adult volunteers to assist with driving and supervising. Friends are welcome. A sign up sheet will be available on the kiosk. Both an Ascension (if you haven't filled one out already) and Humane Society waiver need to be filled out. The Humane Society waiver can be found here:
http://brookingshumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Volunteer-Application.pdf or copies will be available on the kiosk. We will also be collecting donations through the month of December in the Gathering Area. A wish list can be found here:
http://brookingshumane.org/wish-list/ or by the donation box. Contact Kyle Kepner with any questions (320-760-4369 or kepner.kyle@gmail.com).
Your purchases can make a difference! AmazonSmile donates to Ascension Lutheran Church when you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/46-0315096
HELP NEEDED: We are currently seeking an interim, part-time, Sunday School Administrator. The Sunday School Administrator will involve and support as many members as possible in providing Christian education to children, youth, and adults. Knowing that faith is passed on at home, this staff person will equip parents and teachers to pass on faith to their children and the children of the church. The position is a paid position and will require a background check. Minimum qualifications are a high school diploma (or equivalent) and knowledge of the Christian Church and Holy Scriptures. The SSA must be able to speak in a public forum, be able to lifet and carry typical Sunday School materials, and work Sunday mornings (A limited number of Sundays off will be granted by request). See the full notice on the church kiosk bulletin board or on our website.
Brookings Pub Theology Different Brews, Different Views. Held at Eponymous Brewing Company (126 Main Ave. S., Brookings) on Thursdays starting at 8pm. All Perspectives Welcome. Get to know others and enjoy a time of great conversation. Contact Pastor Fred for more information or email us at brookingspubtheology@gmail.com
ATTENTION YOUTH!!! Need a place to have fun and get some schoolwork done? Join us after school on Wednesdays, until 6:00pm, for a time of study (some help available) before a time of games, activities, fellowship and fun. Grab a participation form in the Welcome area for more details. Adults with expertise in various areas are invited to help the youth in their studies and join in the fun. Contact Pastor Fred, fredb@brookings.net, for more information.
Feeding Brookings is a free food distribution for those in need that takes place at Ascension from 4:00-5:00pm each Thursday.
DECEMBER ITEMS OF THE MONTH: Canned Meat (tuna, chicken, spam, ham). January's food of the month will be Rice and Pasta.
HYGIENE ITEMS: toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste
Volunteers are always needed. (Please sign up at www.feedingbrookings.org)
Feeding Brookings is a United Way sponsored organization and an equal opportunity provider.