“The person who under sin’s oppression and pangs of death can say, this child, son of the Virgin Mary, named Jesus, saves me from my sin, and him I trust, not on anyone else in heaven or earth, that person will certainly be saved. A person can easily mouth the words, but to believe it truly from the heart, without doubting, that is hard to do day by day. What we need to remember is: when we are assaulted by ordinary earthly misfortunes, we can counter them most likely with the usual human resources; but when we lie at death’s door, then let go of all else, look only to this Savior, and say, I know one doctor, advocate, emperor, king, theologian, namely, the child Jesus. He can and will save me from eternal death.” Martin Luther

The Ancient Law Departs—LSB 898

The ancient Law departs, and all its fears remove,
For Jesus makes with faithful hearts,
A covenant of love.

His infant body now, begins the cross to feel;
Those precious drops of blood that flow
For death the victim seal.

Today the name is Thine, at which we bend the knee.
They call Thee Jesus, child divine;
Our Jesus deign to be.

Let us pray:

Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

December 04 Attendance: 18 children, 23 adults 0 guests. Offering: $21.00
11 Attendance: 17 children, 25 adults, 0 guests. Offering: $23.00
18 Attendance: — children, 25 adults, 1 guest. Offering: $21.00
25 Merry Christmas!
TEACHERS for the month of December include: Leah Peterson, Lorette Williams, Jacob Eckert, Cate Smith, Hope Small, Jim Phaup. Many thanks for giving of your time to serve the Lord in this important and special opportunity to teach the students about Jesus and His love for them.

The Adult Bible Class — Pastor Eckert leads the study for the Sunday morning Adult Bible Class. The study is based on the Book of Hebrews. Everyone is invited to attend!

Many thanks go out to many people: To Myrna Hall for so lovingly crocheting many little Christmas stockings for the children at St. Paul!

To Cookie Johnsey for putting together the brunch for the Children’s Christmas Program rehearsal and all who provided food.

To Elsie Schubert, Doug & Hilda Breden for putting together the fruit & candy bags for the children!

Thank you to Cate Smith for directing and also to Lorette Williams for helping with the music and preparations for the Children’s Christmas Program, “A Shepherd’s Christmas”. The program told the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, —very meaningful and very well done!
Thanks to all who helped with the program — your help is appreciated.

Thanks to Yvonne Trant for organizing the reception following the program and to all who helped and provided the refreshments.

To everyone who helped out and to all the children who participated—A BIG THANK YOU!

The Sunday School Students voted to send money for Five Hens and Chicks and Four Piglets to people in
Third World Countries through Lutheran World Relief.

Annette Peterson, Sunday School Superintendent — Reporting

The Giving Tree —$510.00 was collected from the Giving Tree and sent to Seminarian Peter Haugen. Please keep Peter, his wife and family in your prayers.

Advent Evening Meals— DELICIOUS! $335.00 was collected from donations for the Advent Evening Meals. This offering will go to the Joy Guild and Women’s Guild for assembling kits and for shipping for Lutheran World Relief.

CIRCUIT WIDE YOUTH LOCK IN—Messiah Lutheran Church in northwest Corpus Christi will be holding a circuit wide youth lock in on January 28 from 6 pm to 7 am. Church youth and a friend in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to attend. A Concordia Youth Ministry team from Concordia University, Austin, TX will be leading this event. The theme is “Above” based on Colossians 3:2. Activities will include games, bible devotions, movies, refreshments, praise time, and maybe a little sleep. A $5 donation per youth is suggested.
Robert Kunkel, Youth Chairperson
Messiah Lutheran Church
361-944-2257 cell phone

Welcome baby Cody!
Baby Cody Alfred Fry arrived on the scene December 6, 2011.
Son of Cody and Dawn Fry, baby Cody weighed 8 lbs. 2 ozs., at 22 inches long.
He was lovingly welcomed home by his big sisters, Faith and Grace.
May God bless and keep the Fry family!

Joy Guild —December, 2011

The members of the Joy Guild would like to thank everyone who helped make the Bake Sale at La Posada Bazaar such a success. It was certainly a joint effort and an opportunity to share with the community. The tables were overflowing with delicious and beautifully packaged baked goods. The giving of your time and your baked goodies during this often busy time of year is much appreciated.

We would also like to thank the ladies of the Women's Guild for putting together a lovely Christmas Social for all the ladies. The tables were decorated beautifully. It was a great evening to get together with our sisters in Christ to celebrate and fellowship together. Thanks for all your hard work.

The Joy Guild is requesting your favorite recipes to share in our 100th Anniversary Cookbook. Please place paper copies in the basket by the water fountain at church.
E-mail recipes to eckertcj1@yahoo.com

Respectfully submitted,
Jan Becker and Caroline Eckert

Men’s Bible Breakfast Group
The Men’s Bible Breakfast Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 14 in the Fellowship Room.
All men, high school age and up are invited and encouraged to attend. The topic of study is “Christian Life Today/Prayer.”

Good Samaritan Food Pantry at First Christian Church is in need of volunteers to work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9-11 a.m. Please consider volunteering your time and help for this worthy cause. Give them a call at 592-4911.

Membership at St. Paul— 2011

At the end of 2011 membership at St. Paul totals 255. Including 43 souls and 212 communicants.
During the 2011 year there were 6 baptisms, 11 confirmed, 5 transferred in, and 14 were added by Affirmation/ Profession of faith. 4 members went to be with our Lord and Savior.

The average attendance for Sunday Divine Service for the year 2011 was 102.

Approved at the Special Voter’s Meeting—
December 21.

2012 Budget — $221,870.

The following people were approved for their positions:
Congregational President— David Christopher
Vice President—Jim Phaup
Secretary— Anita Reyna
Treasurer—Sylvia Woelfel
Financial Secretary –Harriet Kirch
Head Usher-Jacob Eckert
Assistant Head usher –Open.

Elders: Newly elected-John Ford, Odis Michalk;
Board of Education-
Karen Moore (filling Michelle Hahn term) Yvonne Trant.
Board of Evangelism—Becky Hewett
Stewardship– Annette Peterson
Trustees– Reinhard Schmidt

Installation of Congregational Officers and Committee/Board Members, new and those filling out their terms will be held Sunday, January 8.

Voter’s Meeting — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18. All members of the congregation 18 years and older are encouraged to attend Voter’s Meetings. Come, be a part of the business of the House of the Lord here at St. Paul.

In Loving Memory

Our brother in Christ, Bryan Kriegel, went to be with his Lord and Savior December 19.

The Funeral Service for Bryan was held December 23 at 1:00 p.m. Burial followed at the Chamberlain Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Veterans of Kleberg County Military Funeral Detail.

Bryan is survived by several nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by all his family of God here at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

To God Alone Be The Glory!

Dear members of St. Paul,
We wish to express our appreciation and thanks for the Christmas gifts we received Christmas Eve. We are truly blessed by your generous gifts and by your expressions of love and kindness shown.
May God grant you all a blessed New Year!

In Christ,
Pastor Eckert, Lynette Yaklin, Harriet Kirch, Edna Garcia and John Ploug.

MANY THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC!

Many Thanks and our appreciation to Lynette Yaklin for giving of her time and talent to the glory of God each and every Sunday morning here at St. Paul. We love the beautiful Advent and Christmas music.

Thanks to Sarah Sedory, Cate Smith, Elizabeth Johnsey, Abigail Sedory for the beautiful musical selections performed during the month of December. Thanks for sharing your time and talent to the glory of God here at St. Paul.

Thanks to Elizabeth Johnsey for her solo “Holy, Holy, Holy”, to Abigail and Sarah Sedory for their piano duet “Silent Night” and the “Bell Carol” on Christmas Day. God has blessed St. Paul with many talented and gifted people who share their gifts to the glory of God with us!

Special thanks to Lorette Williams for her solo Christmas Eve “O Holy Night” and Christmas Day “Were You There on That Christmas Night?”. What a beautiful addition to our Worship Service.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Many thanks from the Women’s Guild to all who came out to decorate the sanctuary and fellowship room at the Hanging of the Greens. Decorating was made much quicker and easier with the extra helping hands—thank you all!
Again the Women’s Guild wishes to thank all who
donated money for the poinsettia plants decorating the altar area including: J.A. & Bernice Wiederanders, Ray & Sharon Smith, Craig & Helen Small, Myrna Hall, Stanley & Sylvia Woelfel, Keith & Yvonne Trant, Jim and Paeton Phaup, Jimmy & Sara Melcher, Terry & Molly Argo, Harvey & Jan Becker, Elsie Schubert, Forrest & Sharon Michalk, Steve & Adline Sedory, John & Shana Prukop, Pastor & Caroline Eckert, Margarett Gattis, Henry & Elvira Hooper, Luci Hedgecock, Wes & Harriet Kirch, and Becky Hewett.
The sanctuary and fellowship room were beautifully decorated to the glory of God! Many thanks to all!

WOMEN’S GUILD—December, 2011

The Women’s Guild would like to thank all those who purchased Raffle Tickets for the Drawing on December 9. Your support and generous donations are appreciated.

The beautiful hand sewn quilt given by Karen Moore was won by Henry Hooper. The leather rocker donated by John and Shana Prukop was won by Sarah Sedory, Pastor and Caroline Eckert won the Sunflower needle point picture by Kay Haunschild, Jim Phaup won the Baker’s Rack and goodies, and Abigail Sedory won the $100 gift certificate to King’s Inn. Many thanks for your support and generous donations.

Many thanks to the ladies who came to the Women’s Christmas Party. We enjoyed the fellowship and time together. Bernice Wiederanders, Margaret Carter, Helen Sailor and Sylvia Woelfel presented the Christmas Story with Carols led by Hope Small and Teo McDonald. The evening closed with the ornament gift exchange. Many thanks to all the ladies who came.

The next Women’s Guild meeting will be held 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 5. Sylvia Woelfel will lead the topic and hostess.
Women’s Bible Fellowship meets at 9:30 a.m. the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Thursdays of the month. All ladies of the congregation are cordially invited to attend.

Harriet Kirch, reporting

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 89:1

Friday, January 6 ~ Epiphany 7:30 p.m. Divine Service
Come and Worship! (The Christmas decorations will be taken down after the Service.)