The wonderful season of Advent begins today. In Psalm 80, the psalmist asks God to “stir up Your might; come and save us.” We, too, cry out to God for salvation, as we wait expectantly for His Second Coming, while preparing to remember His First Coming. Each of the four weeks of Advent is traditionally marked with the lighting of a separate candle on the Advent Wreath, symbolizing another step in the wait for the Savior as we journey towards Bethlehem. We will observe the lighting of the candles each week with a brief word of explanation, accompanying Scriptures, and an appropriate carol stanza.

HEARING DEVICES are available for those who have a difficult time hearing the worship service. If you would like to use one of these, please speak to the audio technician in the sound booth.

WELCOME AND INFORMATION CENTER - If you are visiting with us today for the first time and would like more information about Woodlands Lutheran Church or Woodlands Lutheran School, please stop by the Welcome and Information Center located under the portico. We would love the opportunity to shake your hand and present you with a gift for just being with us today.

TODAY WE WELCOME INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD through the waters of Holy Baptism ALEXZANDER ELLIOTT BUFFARD, son of Eric and Amber (nee Taylor) Buffard.

WE OFFER OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY to the Brecheen family upon the death of Casey in an automobile accident this past week.

TODAY IS YOUTH SUNDAY! In addition to the youth mentioned on the bulletin cover, we thank the following: Children’s Message: Sara Cork and Amorandah Ferris; Ushers, Callie Klemash, Chandler Shiley, Katherina Bayona, Anna Burns, Franklin Fisher, Carter Varga and Kaci Durling. We also thank the members of the Youth Praise Band for providing some of the worship music at the 8:30 AM service.

WOMEN OF WOODLANDS. The W.O.W. are asking for volunteers who would like to help at the Light up Winter Garden on December 5, 2008 at 6:00 PM. We will have a booth and be giving out invitations to our Christmas programs. If you would like to participate please call Priscilla Boothe at 352-429-4504 or Ruth Waters at 352-243-4384. The City of Winter Garden is asking that participants bring donations for “Toys for Tots.” There will be a box in the sanctuary for toy donations or you may donate money.

THE WOMEN OF WOODLANDS (WOW) will be sponsoring a Christmas Star Tree to collect gifts to be given to the residents of Westminister Care Center of Clermont. The Star Tree will be outside the church near the welcome table on Sunday mornings. Take a star with name and desired gift on the back. Put the star on top of an wrapped gift and return it to church or give it to Gloria Adell no later than Friday, December 21st. Call Gloria at 352-243-6171 if you have any questions. Thank you for helping make Christmas better for these residents.

ATTENTION ALL OF OUR ALPHA FAMILY: You have saved the date! December 14th is our Christmas ALPHA reunion potluck luncheon following the 11:00 AM service. Now it is time to call Joan Schkolenko, our luncheon coordinator, at 352-348-8766 to let her know what you would like to bring. We look forward to a wonderful time of fellowship, good food and a new Nicky Gumbel video “Why Christmas.”

"THE LUTHERAN HOUR" topic for December 7th “Prince of Peace and Power.” Many people think Christmas is all about peace on earth and good will, but Christ is the Prince of Peace and Power. (Mark 1:7) "The Lutheran Hour" can be heard on Sundays on WFLF/WFLA 540 AM at 7:30 AM.
TRACT RACK - Before and after each service, the congregation is encouraged to utilize the pamphlets available in the Tract Rack on the patio. Today’s tract focus is "Our Daily Bread.” This three month (Dec.-Feb.) daily devotional booklets can be used for personal and family devotions. It has been published since 1956 by RBC Ministries and used by countless Christians throughout the world. In addition, RBC Ministries has a special Christmas Edition for the month of December. You will find them on top of the tract rack in a separate bin and extra copies will be in the bottom row.

WHEN SENDING YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS this year, take one card and send it to this address: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20307-5001. If everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

WOODCHIPS BY EMAIL. Wood Chips newsletter resides in the paperless cyberworld of www.woodlandschurch.com. For church members who would prefer getting Wood Chips via the Internet rather than “on paper,” we now offer the option of a monthly e-mail “tickler” that will remind you when it has been posted. The advantages of choosing to read Wood Chips electronically are several: Photos really do come to life; there’s room for more content; paper, handling, and postage are reduced; and there are no worries about delayed or lost mail. The online version will look a little different with a design that will make it easier to read. To opt for the electronic version: E-mail office@woodlandschurch.com. Include your name, address, phone number and e-mail in the message field.

A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL: We thank all of the church members who contributed to the success of this past Wednesday's Thankful Feast here at the school. "Many hands make work light" was one of my mom's favorite expressions, and we appreciate all of our volunteer help.

SEEN IN A CHURCH BULLETIN – “For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.”

WOODLANDS HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
FALL/WINTER 2008-2009

SUNDAYS
Morning Worship 8:30 & 11:00 AM

WED DEC 03
Musical Family Christmas 7:00 PM

WED DEC 10
Living Nativity Walk * 7:00 PM

FRI DEC 12
Living Nativity Walk * 7:00 PM

WED DEC 17
Worship led by School 7:00 PM

WED DEC 24
Candlelight Services 6:00, 8:00 & 11:00 PM

THU DEC 25
Christmas Day Worship (Communion) 9:00 AM

WED DEC 31
New Year’s Eve (Communion) 7:00 PM

THU JAN 1
No services on New Year’s Day

* Same program each night!

RADICAL GRACE, a Christian talk radio show has been spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ, both locally by means of broadcasting, and around the world via the internet. Radical Grace is broadcast on 1510 AM, WWBC in Cocoa, FL, a 50,000 watt station with 87 Florida Zip codes in its broadcast area. Their mission is to introduce listeners to the Scriptural teaching about God’s radical grace toward us in Christ, coming from a Lutheran perspective. “In a day and time, when Law and Gospel are often confused in public proclamation, here’s a tool to help people place their confidence solidly on the grace of God, thus giving honor to Christ and comfort to the troubled conscience.” Gerard Michael, President, Florida-Georgia District LCMS

THE GIFT AT LAKE EOLA! On Friday, December 5th at 7:30 PM, Trinity Lutheran Downtown will return to the Lake Eola bandshell with a special musical celebration of Christ’s birth in both traditional contemporary performances called The Gift. The production features WESH-Channel 2 News Anchor Jim Payne as host and narrator, a Vietnamese choir, a liturgical dance troupe, a 20-piece steel drum orchestra, children’s choirs and both jazz and praise bands. Proceeds go to Compassion Corner programs recently located to Trinity campus on Magnolia Ave. The event is free to the public. For special needs or further information go to www.trinitydowntown.org or call the church office at 407-422-5704.