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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 30, 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 30, 2007 – January 6, 2008
TODAY:	9:00 AM	Worship Service (HC)
		Servicio de Adoración (SC)
	10:15 AM	Coffee Hour
	10:30 AM	Sunday School/Christian Growth
MONDAY:	7:15 PM	New Year’s Eve Worship Service (HC)
TUESDAY:	Building Closed in Observance of the New Year
SATURDAY:	5:30 PM	Contemporary Service (NHC)
SUNDAY:	9:00 AM	Worship Service (HC)
		Servicio de Adoración (SC)
	10:30 AM	Sunday School / Christian Growth Hour

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.

New Year’s Eve Service:

Monday, Dec. 31, 7:15 PM (HC)

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:

Erna F.

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. 29^th – Jan. 4^th

29:	Lydia R., Margaret Y.
30:	Delbert M., James Y.
31:	Natalie J., Gayle S., Richard F.
Jan. 1:	Lorraine Z., Lonnie T.
2:	Elsie G., LeeAnn H., Jeremiah O., Renee C.
3:	Virgie J., Arlene G., Micahla S.
4:	Hector A.

ü For those who mourn,

The family of life time member of our church, Armond “Bud” Clauss, who died the morning of Dec. 28.

The family of Catalina L., on the death of her grandmother this past Dec. 24, in San Diego, Cal.

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. When things aren’t going well, we may find it difficult to be thankful. We look at our problems and think, “Woe is me!” God’s Word, however, tells us: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). How is this possible? Only as we focus on Christ can we be thankful, no matter what our circumstances are. Study the Biblical saints: Paul and Silas singing in prison; Peter and John rejoicing that they are counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Their secret was their focus on Christ instead of themselves.

To all our friends and church members who sent their Christmas Greetings this via….as well as to those who ordered their Poinsettia plants through the church office…Thank you! Have a Blessed New Year!

ST. PAUL SCHOOL NEWS this week

Click here for school newsletter page

IF YOU DIDN’T…have the opportunity to attend the Upper Grade Christmas Service, you missed a most wonderful retelling of the Christmas story. Through songs, Scripture readings, and dialogue, the children shared with the congregation the message of that first Christmas and the most precious present ever given to the world. A word of thanks goes to the children, their teachers, Chuck Haak, Frieda Zemke, Kristin Ulrich, Ollie Hemmann, Karen Koehler, and Sharon Boos for all the hard work and effort they put into this worship service.

THE THIRD MADE THE DIFFERENCE…This past week, the 7^th & 8^th grade boys’ basketball team, coached by Chuck Haak, went up against St. Luke – Itasca. In the opening quarter, Itasca took the lead by working the ball around the perimeter and hitting the outside shot. In the second period, your Crusaders pressured the guards, denied the open look at the basket, and had a three-point half-time lead. The third quarter marked the turning point in the game. St. Paul took command of both ends of the court. Your Crusaders were able to work the ball to the low post and hit the high percentage shot. The lead soon increased to double digits and that put the game out of reach for Itasca. CHALK UP ANOTHER VICTORY!!!

SPLIT RESULTS…This past Friday, both the girls’ basketball team and the 7^th & 8^th grade boys’ basketball team traveled to Concord – Bensenville. In the first half of the opening game, the lead continued to change hands. However, in the third quarter, your Lady Crusaders found themselves in foul trouble. This situation forced substitutions and Concord was able to establish their offensive. When the final buzzer sounded, Bensenville clinched the victory. The boys’ game was a much different matter. From the tip-off, your Crusaders took command. The team effectively crashed the boards and hit the outlet pass for the fast break. Control on the inside provided opportunities for shots in the paint. St. Paul put the game out of reach in the first quarter. This gave Coach Haak the opportunity to “clear the bench” and allow each member of the team to get substantial court time.

NEW YEAR TASTE BUD TREATS…This month, Market Day has treats and recipes that will make your mouth water. January features great deals on Beef Teriyaki Kit, Chipotle BBQ Pork Loin with Plank, Key West Lime Pie, Lemon Meringue Layer Pie, Rosemary Chicken Soup with Dumplings, and Strawberry Torte (These products are to be ordered at www.marketday.com.). Check out the recipes for Turkey, Cranberry & Walnut Salad, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, Turkey Tetrazzini, and Healthy Veggie Casserole. Don’t forget your favorites… ChicNSteakes, Stuffed Pork Chops, and Ranch Steaks. Just pick up an order form from the church narthex or from the box located in the hallway between the church and the cafeteria and place your order. Orders are due by Thursday, January 10^th. Pickup is set for Thursday, January 17^th, from 3:00 – 4:00. If you would like to volunteer to assist in sorting and packing orders, just show up an hour earlier.

CHRISTMAS EVE IS ONLY A DAY AWAY. Your shopping list probably has been completed…most likely the presents have all been wrapped…your plans for Christmas dinner have been finalized…and the stockings have been hung by the chimney with care. Although these are ingredients of Christmas, yet the real celebration lies in welcoming the Christ Child into our hearts. As all of these ingredients of Christmas are added to our celebration, may we ever remain focused on the real Gift of Christmas…the Gift of God’s Son. This Gift secured for each of us God’s final gift…the gift of eternal life…Merry CHRISTmas!

JANUARY NEWSLETTER ITEMS:

As the Newsletter is very cumbersome to duplicate online, a few important items from the most recent issue are included here. We will endeavor to keep them up to date.

PASTOR JOHNSON’S MONTHLY LETTER: