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Of all the gifts for which we thank God, above all is the gift of Himself to us, His erring but redeemed children! “Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).

Our purpose is to reach out to families and individuals of all backgrounds and bring them into healing and transforming relationships with the Lord Jesus and with others in His Church through the sharing of God’s Word and Sacraments.

THE CHIMES December 9, 2007 Listen to Sermon Here St. Paul Lutheran Church and School a multiethnic family of faith 1025 Lake Street * Melrose Park, IL 60160 Church Ph. No. 708-343-1000 * School Ph. No. 708-343-5000 Fax No. 708-343-8635 www.stpaulmp.org Rev. Thomas R. Johnson, Pastor  Mr. Douglas Grebasch, Principal

CALENDAR

EVENTS THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL, December 9 - 16, 2007
TODAY:	9:00 AM	Worship Service (NHC)
		Servicio de Adoración (NSC)
	10:15 AM	Coffee Hour
	10:30 AM	Sunday School/Christian Growth
TUESDAY:	7:30 PM	Praise Team
WEDNESDAY:	7:15 PM	Advent Service (Dinner 6:00 PM)
	8:00 PM	Stewardship / Ed
THURSDAY:	9:00 AM	Quilters
	7:00 PM	Hisp. Bible Class
		Choir Rehearsal
		Super Nova Group
SATURDAY:	5:30 PM	Contemporary Service (NHC)
SUNDAY:	9:00 AM	Worship Service (HC)
		Servicio de Adoración (SC)
	10:30 AM	S. S. / Christian Growth Hour / Carol Sing-along

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. Remember to send your Christmas Greetings to all your St. Paul friends via The Newsletter (to be mailed on Thursday, Dec. 13). Your donation in lieu of postage will help defray other church non-budgeted expenses. An additional list will also be included in the Chimes of Dec. 23^rd. Sign up sheets are available in the church narthex.

TODAY Care Corps Distribution Sunday for Shut-ins Christmas bags and Portals of Prayer. You are welcome to take along one or several bags, deliver them to the Shut-ins and spend a few minutes of visitation. The bags are available in the Cafeteria during the coffee hour.

TRADITIONAL CAROL SING-ALONG. Next Sunday, December 16 - Adult Education/ Sunday School Hour. Come and sing your favorite carol – led by John F. Enjoy Christmas cookies and coffee with your fellow members/friends.

(You can still bring cookies for the Sing-along and for the Children Christmas Program. Please leave your goodies in the school kitchen.)

Carol Sing at Westlake Hospital, Sunday, December 23 after the Coffee Hour. ALL are invited to sing – meet in the cafeteria at 10:30 AM.

Please include the following prayer needs in your personal and family devotions this week.

ü We pray for those in care facilities and at home who are physically unable to worship with us. We also ask God to heal and comfort the following members and/or friends of our congregation:

Lois R.	Armond “Bud” C.	Alma M.
We also want to continue to remember those in nursing facilities, those who are recovering, and those who are receiving ongoing treatments.

*(If you would like us to pray for someone, please let Maria, our church secretary; know, either by phone or with a request card. Names of congregational members will remain on this list for 4 weeks unless additional requests are received.)

ü We pray for those celebrating birthdays the week of Dec. 8^TH – 14^TH

4:	Aimee C.
11:	Gladys M., Antoinette S., Kameron T.
13:	Lester F., Annie H.
14:	Dan L., Jamall H.

FROM PASTOR JOHNSON. “If you are in the hospital or are in need of pastoral care, please notify Maria in the church office. If it is an emergency, please call my mobile phone (in printed copy of chimes). Please don’t hesitate to call me at any hour if it is important; I keep the phone with me at all times. If the matter is important enough to think about calling a pastor, by all means call me. Please do not think you will disturb me or I will think the matter unimportant. Thanks!”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

STEWARDSHIP CORNER. It is true that God “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” without distinction (Matthew 5:45), but He tells us that blessings come to those who share with others (Acts 20:35). He asks us to share our material blessings, our time, and our gifts. Most importantly, God asks us to share His Word. “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17), Jesus told Peter, and we, as His stewards, continue to carry out that command.

Women’s Bible Study. Have you started making your New Years Resolutions? How about joining a 12 week Bible Study Group! Let’s join together to learn more about our Wonderful Lord through His Word and through each other. “RETURNING TO GOD” A study of the Book of Judges, led by Mia Koehne. Tuesdays: 6:30-8:00 PM, starting January 8, 2008. Please RSVP to the church office, 708-344-1000.

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SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS JOY. Buy a Red Poinsettia for the chancel Christmas decoration to be picked up after the Christmas Day Service (which then can be used as a gift for a needy person). Large plant (6+ blooms) price: $13. Place your order (form below) through the church office or give to an usher in a separate envelope marked “Poinsettia Plant”.

Name:_____________________________________________Telephone: __________________

No. of Plants: ________ Payment included ____Yes ____No Amount: $_______________

A MESSAGE from your CARE CORPS. Our thanks for your generous support for the Proviso Food Pantry. The canned fruit brought the last two weekends will add variety and nutrition to those who benefit from using the Pantry. Another way in which you can help it in a simple way is to clip DIAPER COUPONS out of newspaper or magazine ads which the Pantry can hand out to patrons. You will find a container in the narthex to deposit coupons, (or you can mail them to the church office, attention Maria). Your effort can be very helpful for those in need. This will be an ongoing project. Thank you! The Care Corps.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS! Howdy St. Paul Youth! A few things to keep your heads up about:

§ CAMP FORMS DUE BEFORE CHRISTMAS! Parents, if your students have not gotten them to you yet, ask me. I want your child(ren) to be able to come, so if I have to hand th