“Adam or Christ?” ~ In our Adult Bible Class on Romans 8 today in the Fellowship Centre at about 9:30 a.m., we hear (again) the message that God’s grace in Christ overcomes Adam’s sin – and ours. Please join us!

This Wednesday’s Advent Midweek Services ~ on December 17 (beginning at 12:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) have the theme “Company Comes.” In this third service in “Our Dear Christ Enters In” series for Advent, we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, just as we get ready when company comes to our homes. You are invited!

A Midweek Fellowship Supper ~ will be served this Wednesday, December 17, 5:30 p.m. Please join us!

“Baby Names” ~ In our Divine Worship next Sunday (December 21), we’ll contemplate the name Jesus given to our Savior at His birth, a reminder to us of His reason for entering into our world. Join us for this next “stop” in our Advent adventure at 8:15 or 11 a.m. as God encourages us to “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” in His Word!

Our Sunday School Children ~ and HIS Kids! will be part of both services next Sunday, December 21. Support them as they help us to celebrate our Savior’s coming and birth.

Undecorate the Christmas Tree! ~ Please pick an ornament or even a couple of them from the tree in the narthex, purchase a blanket, and attach the ornament to your gift- wrapped packages. Gifts are due back to church TODAY. Also, please sign up today to help with dinner on December 18!

Older Wiser Loving Saints ~ meet Thursday, December 18, at 11 a.m. The school children will be joining us for food and entertainment!

The Christmas Dinner for Our Friends with Developmental Disabilities ~ will be held on Thursday, December 18, at Mount Helena Church. Meet there at 5:30 p.m. to lend a hand! Note calendar change: Joy Vibe will be helping at this event, too.

First Lutheran School ~ will hold its Christmas Program at First Lutheran Church, 11 a.m., on Friday, December 19. You are invited!

Make Plans to Celebrate Christmas ~ with your First Lutheran family on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 3, 5, 7, and 11 p.m. We will also celebrate Christ’s Birth on Christmas Day at 10 a.m.

One Worship Service Will Be Held December 28 ~ at 10 a.m. NO Sunday School or Bible Studies will be held that day. Please join us for this continuing celebration of Jesus’ Birth!

Sign Up in the Fellowship Hall ~ to bring food or help with the God’s Love Servant Event on Sunday, December 28. Meet at God’s Love at 2:30 p.m. Thank you!

A Big Thank You ~ to our Elders and helpers for preparing, setting up, and cleaning up our Midweek Fellowship Supper last Wednesday. If you would like to help with a Midweek Supper and/or dessert, sign-up sheets are by the kitchen window.

A Young Adult Bible Study ~ will soon be starting on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. Young adults between the ages of 18(ish) to 28(ish) are encouraged to join us. Please watch the announcements for more information.

PRO-8: The Bible Study for Men ~ meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. in the church basement. PROverbs 8: “Does not wisdom cry out … To you, O MEN, I call, and my voice is to the sons of MAN.” Making wise unto salvation … Questions? Call or Text Rick Northrup (406-422-7319) or Bill Spellman (307-631-1384).

God’s Creation 2026 Calendars ~ Our youth will be selling God’s Creation calendars, as a fundraiser. They will be available for $10 each or 2 for $18. These beautiful calendars, with inspiring verses, will look lovely in your home and make wonderful Christmas gifts. Thank you for supporting our youth.

What is the Relation between Lutheran Schools and the State? ~ Our Lutheran schools seek to abide by all civil laws and regulations, including those that govern education. At the same time, our school ultimately serves the ministry of God’s Word. We are called to proclaim the Gospel and teach the Scripture. Thereby, in the case of civil government trespassing on faith, morality, and the like, our school will maintain our right to the constitutional right to religious freedom and will obey God, not man (Acts 5:29).
*The Theology and Philosophy of Lutheran Education, May 2025

Christmas Card Packages ~ are available TODAY in Ziegler Hall for $5. Packages include 15 cards both secular and religious. Proceeds from the card sales go toward our church youth programs. Thank you so much for your support of Cards-4-Kids! Janice Larison

Helena Food Share Items ~ In December, we are collecting green beans, canned fruit, and any canned or boxed items that can be used in a holiday meal. Please place any donations under the mailboxes in Ziegler Hall. Thank you.

On The Lutheran Hour Next Sunday ~ Hear Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler speak on “Pictures of Patience.” Patience can be practiced, tested, strained, and lost. Christians are called to return the patience God in His mercy has shown us, in Christ
(James 5:7-8). The Lutheran Hour may be heard Sundays on Christian Satellite Network, 91.1 FM, at 8 a.m., and on Sirius XM 131, Family Talk.

Lutherans for Life ~ Christmas tells us the weak and vulnerable matter just as much as the strong and independent. God Himself chose to enter the world in the most vulnerable condition possible: as a tiny embryo, and then a fetus, and then a newborn baby lying in a manger. This turned ancient ‘might makes right’ morality on its head. It suggests that human dignity is not determined by age, size, power, or independence.” Paul Stark, Communications Director for Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life o lutheransforlife.org.

Please Pray for ~

+ Those Needing God’s Help and Healing ~ members and friends of our congregation and school dealing with struggles of body and soul!

+ Our World, Our Nation, Our Communities, and Our Neighborhoods ~ for God’s protection, deliverance, and care in these days, weeks, and months of trials, tribulations, and troubles!

+ Those Who Don’t Yet Know the Christ of Christmas ~ as their Savior from sin, death, and the devil, that we may show and tell the Good News about Jesus to them and for their lives!

And Praise God for ~

+ Friends in Christ, in Our Congregation and Beyond ~ who are there to help us in our times of need to God’s glory and our good!

+ Blessing Us to Be a Part of His Mission and Ministry ~ to bless others in Jesus Name, with the tithes, and offerings, and gifts we can give!

+ Sending Jesus, His Son ~ to be the long-promised and longed-for Savior of mankind and especially our Lord and Savior from sin, death, and the devil!

Our Thanks to God ~ and to those who respond to God’s great love, in service to our Lord and to us this Sunday

SUNDAY, December 14
Third Sunday of Advent
8:15 a.m. Worship (C)
9:30 a.m. Fellowship / Coffee
Sunday School / Bible Classes / HIS Kids!
11:00 a.m. Worship (C)

MONDAY, December 15

TUESDAY, December 16
12:00 noon GIFT Bible Study

WEDNESDAY, December 17
9:00 a.m. Dorcas Quilters
10:30 a.m. First Lutheran School Chapel
11:00 a.m. WNT Bible Study
12:10 p.m. Advent Midweek Worship
4:00 p.m. Confirmation Classes
5:30 p.m. Midweek Fellowship Supper
6:30 p.m. Advent Midweek Worship (C)
7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir

THURSDAY, December 18
11:00 a.m. Older Wiser Loving Saints
12:00 noon Men’s Bible Study
5:30 p.m. DD Christmas Dinner (Mount Helena Church) Joy Vibe Meets

FRIDAY, December 19
Pastor’s Day of Rest
9:00 a.m. Bulletin Folders
11:00 a.m. FLS Christmas Program

SATURDAY, December 20

SUNDAY, December 21
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:15 a.m. Worship (C)
Children’s Christmas Service
9:30 a.m. Fellowship / Coffee
Sunday School / Bible Classes
11:00 a.m. Worship (C)
Children’s Christmas Service