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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 16, 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 16 - 23, 2007
TODAY:	9:00 AM	Worship Service (HC)
		Servicio de Adoración (SC)
	10:15 AM	Coffee Hour
	10:30 AM	Sunday School/Christian Growth / Christmas Sing-along
TUESDAY:	7:30 PM	Praise Team
WEDNESDAY:	7:15 PM	Upper Grade Christmas Program
		(followed by a reception in the lunchroom)
	8:00 PM	Directors
THURSDAY:	9:00 AM	Quilters
	7:00 PM	Hisp. Bible Class
		Choir Rehearsal
		Super Nova Group
SATURDAY:	5:30 PM	Contemporary Service (HC)
SUNDAY:	9:00 AM	Worship Service (NHC)
		Servicio de Adoración (NSC)
	10:30 AM	S. S. / Christian Growth Hour
		Carol Singing at Westlake Hospital

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. You can still send your Christmas Greetings to all your St. Paul friends this via (The Chimes). Your donation will help defray other church non-budgeted expenses. A new list will be included in The Chimes, next Sunday, Dec. 23^rd. Sign up sheets are available in the church narthex.

TRADITIONAL CAROL SING-ALONG – TODAY, Adult Education / Sunday School Hour. Come and sing your favorite carol – led by John Fiene. Enjoy Christmas cookies and coffee with your fellow members/friends. (You can still bring cookies for the Children Christmas Program that will take place this coming Wednesday.)

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.

TODAY, Dec.16, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., you are invited to join First Baptist Church Of Oak Park for their annual Journey to Bethlehem, a five-scene retelling of the story of Christ’s birth. Each scene is re-enacted by members of their congregation. The cast also includes sheep, goats, llamas, a donkey, and a camel. There is no charge for the event (as a Christmas gift to the community). Hot cocoa and hot cider are served at the Welcome Booth. First Baptist Church is located at 820 Ontario

Street in Oak Park.

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:

Armond “Bud” C.	Flossie 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. 15^TH – 21^ST

15:	Jerome S., Catalina L.
16:	Joanne L., Megan W.
17:	Regina C., Mariah E.
18:	Arcia E.
20:	Audrey W., Bathany V., Tatiana O.i, Zachary M.
21:	Yvonne D.

ü for Pvt. Benjamin B., friend of the Franz-Welter family, who was deployed to Kuwait the past week

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. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he asked them to give to the distressed Christians in Jerusalem. Paul told them their participation in the offering to Jerusalem was a way “to test the sincerity of [their] love” (2 Corinthians 8:8). True charity and generosity can’t be commanded. Paul wanted the Corinthians to prove their sincerity by giving selfishly and spontaneously. In the same way, we show our sincerity through our giving and by doing God’s will. “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). By God’s grace, we are empowered to give generously to those in need. In our giving, we demonstrate the love of Christ in our hearts.

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.

A MESSAGE from your CARE CORPS. Please remember to clip DIAPER COUPONS out of newspaper or magazine ads which the Proviso 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!

Upper Grade Christmas Program: Wednesday, December 19, 7:15 PM