Contact: Nicole •
[email protected] To see a full listing of volunteer opportunities, visit southwoodlutheran.org/give-back/mission
Serve at Neighborhood Food Distribution
Tuesdays, November 29 and December 6 • 4:00–6:00 p.m. Help hand out food to over 400 people in our community. All volunteers need to be at least 10 years old. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com
Spirit of Giving Christmas Store
December 15 • 4:45–7:30 p.m. Southwood is teaming up with Mourning Hope this holiday season to provide some holiday joy to children who have lost a parent/caregiver. Children will have the opportunity to shop in our Christmas store for a gift for their primary parent/caregiver. Volunteers are needed to help with store set-up, meal, personal shopping, crafting, and gift wrapping. Volunteers must be 19 years or older. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com
Global Mission
Interested in traveling to Honduras or Tanzania? • Honduras: Trip Dates: March 11–18, 2017 (LPS Spring Break) • Approx. cost: $1,500 • Contact Jeremy Elder if interested
[email protected] • Honduras—Dental Trip: Information meeting December 5 • 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Trip Dates: June 3–9, 2017 • Approx. cost: $1,525 • Tanzania: Trip Dates: June 27–July 14, 2017 • Approx. cost: $3,500 • Contact Scott Koehn if interested
[email protected]
Ongoing Community Missions
Details and sign-up forms are available at Southwood Central. • Clinic with a Heart—December 15 & 20 • Gathering Place—December 12 & 15 • Chapter 25 (formerly Kids Against Hunger)—November 21 • Matt Talbot—November 22 • Neighborhood Food Distribution—November 29, December 6 • Piecemakers—December 1 & 15 • Southwood Food Distribution in Palmyra—December 17
T RAN SFO R MED to be a Generous Giver
November 20, 2016
Make a Commitment Kenneth Blanchard once wrote: “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses—only results.” To turn this around, God is not only interested in you, supporting you only when it is convenient; He is committed to you and to a thousand generations beyond to accept no excuses, only results. Everyone who is reading this article is obviously interested in what Southwood Lutheran is doing; otherwise, you would not be here today. Perhaps you are interested in developing a deeper faith, or you are interested in learning about how you can better serve the God that has made an everlasting commitment to you. Or perhaps you are simply searching for something missing in your life. Whatever the reason you are here, you are welcome in this church and we hope we can help you find whatever it is you are seeking. The question today, however, is whether you are ready to move from an interest in Southwood to a commitment to its work. Are you ready to make a commitment to further what Southwood is trying to do in this congregation, this community, this country, and this world? Thanks to the commitment of many of you over the past years, both with your time and your financial resources, Southwood has been blessed to be able to change many things and touch many lives. But our work is not done. With a commitment from each one of you, both financially and of your time, Southwood is prepared even more to change things in this world by bringing the Good News of the Gospels to those who will listen and by serving those in need. Be a part of what is happening at Southwood, not just through your interest in its work, but through a commitment to make it happen. Thank you all for your support! Dan Klaus President of the Church Council
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE Wednesday November 23 • 6:30 p.m. Take time to prepare your heart for Thanksgiving. Hear a powerful personal story of gratitude shared by a Southwood member and join us for worship on Thanksgiving Eve to reflect on the blessings in your life and give thanks to God!
Prayer Room
We have recently transformed the Library into a Prayer Room, providing a sacred space devoted to prayer, meditation and reflection. Stop in and prepare your hearts for this Season of Thanksgiving.
Prayer Room Hours: Sundays 7–12:30 Mondays 8–5 Tuesdays 8–5 Wednesdays 8–8 Thursdays 8–5 Fridays 8–5 Saturdays closed
Giving Trees Help make someone else’s Christmas brighter this year! Look for the Christmas Trees in the main entryway and by Education Station. This year the Giving Tree tags will feature gift opportunities for Southwood families, Tanzania Scholarship Students and six other local Lincoln nonprofits. Return unwrapped gifts (with tag) to the church by December 4. 402.423.5511 • southwoodlutheran.org
[email protected] Mailing: p.o. box 22767 • Lincoln, ne 68542 Physical: 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd. Lincoln, ne 68516
Contact: Faye Koehn •
[email protected]
Advent Festival
Sunday, December 4, 2:00–5:00 p.m. Come and begin your preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Southwood’s annual Advent Craft Festival. Bring your family, invite your friends, stop in for a short time or spend the afternoon creating small treasures that remind us of Christmas and Jesus’ birth.
Joyful Volunteers are needed to help
create fun memories for families at our annual Advent Festival on Sunday, December 4. Please consider helping with set up, assisting with crafts or clean up—you will love celebrating Jesus’ birth and you may even score a sugar cookie! Please contact Deb Raatz at draatz@ southwoodlutheran.org.
Contact: Pam Dinneen •
[email protected]
Contact: Jo Sheets •
[email protected]
Library Resources
Young Adult/YoPro Volleyball Team Forming
Due to the Transformation of the Library into our new Prayer Room, we have moved some of our resources. All spiritual growth materials remain in the Prayer Room for you to use or check out. Other resources on topics such as parenting, finances, marriage, grief and others are located in the Group Room next to the Nursery. Feel free to take advantage of these resources at any time.
Healing Prayer Service Wednesday, December 21 • 7:30 p.m. This service is for anyone desiring special prayers for healing, whether physically, emotionally, relationally, grieving, or those praying for someone going through difficult times. The special music, communion and a time for anointing will make this service a meaningful time of prayer and reflection.
Ongoing Care Ministries Contact: Drew Jagadich •
[email protected]
DELVE (Confirmation) • 6th–8th grade • 6th & 7th Grade: in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. Today and Sundays, December 4, 11, 18 • 8th Grade: in the Fellowship Hall at 6:15–7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, November 30, December 7, 14
Life and Lattes: Tuesdays • 3:00–5:00 p.m. at Southwood. Come enjoy a coffee beverage, games, and fun! Youth Group tonight • 6:00–8:00 p.m. We will celebrate Friendsgiving together. Please bring a side dish to share. Invite a friend.
Held in the Group Room next to the Nursery `` Renewed Hope—today • 11:00 a.m. `` GriefShare—December 4 • 11:00 a.m. `` Prayer Shawl Ministry—Dec. 7 • 6:30 p.m. | Dec. 8 • 10:00 a.m. `` Prayer Shawl Ministry and Blessing—December 21 • 6:30 p.m.
Caring 3 Tips for Everyday
TRANSFORMED
Financial Health No matter where you are in your relationship with money, there are resources that can help us grow into the money managers that God wants us to be. As we consider how God wants us to use our money, also consider helping others with the following tips: ff Model good stewardship and teach your children how to budget their money. ff Set up a vacation fund so you and your family can afford to do something fun and make cherished memories. ff Do a random act of kindness and give to someone in need.
Hey, college students/twenty-somethings! Come join Southwood’s first co-ed recreation volleyball team! The six Sunday afternoon games (plus a one-day tournament) in this church league will start January 8 all played at Lincoln Lutheran MS/HS. Friends welcome! Have questions? Contact Pastor Beth Ann
[email protected] Sign up online at southwoodlutheran.org • Events
Thanksgiving Eve Volunteers
Will you help us make Southwood a welcoming place? We are looking for volunteer ushers and nursery assistants. Contact Michelle to sign up by emailing
[email protected] or calling 402-423-5511.
Men’s Studies: Half Truths by Adam Hamilton
Join Adam Hamilton in searching for the whole truth by comparing common Christian clichés to the message and ministry of Jesus. The clichés include: Everything happens for a reason. God helps those who help themselves. God won’t give you more than you can handle. God said it, I believe it, that settles it. Love the sinner, hate the sin. This study is offered at two times: • Thursday Morning Men’s Group December 1, 8, 15, 22 • 6:00 a.m. • Saturday Morning Men’s Breakfast December 3, 17, January 7 at 7:30 a.m. Register at southwoodlutheran.org • Events
Visit southwoodlutheran.org for a complete listing of events and registrations.
