Worship into the Week-Witnesses

Worship into the Week-

 Matthew 11: 2-15
Messengers from John the Baptist

John had heard about Jesus- the Christ,
while he was in prison
 and sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was "the one."
Jesus responds by telling those
 who had been with him-
 to tell John about what they had seen and heard.
They were witnesses,
they knew.
But, Jesus may not have seemed like
the Messiah.
The expectation was different
 than who arrived to fill the role.
In this moment Jesus speaks highly of John
and highlights the job 
of the one who came before.

Lord, help me to see the ways 
that I can be Your witness
 in each and every day. Amen. 

(This reading had me remembering 
childhood conversations about what we would
 fear the most- going blind, deaf,
 getting a bad disease or that we can't walk.
Now, I think about these things with being much older,
 and simply must cling in trust to my Jesus.
In the end- Jesus heals all things.)

Supplies:
Visual Faith Printable
childrens-bulletin-matthew-112-15-121519
Colored Pencils
Junk Mail 
Magazine cutouts

Family Gathering- New Life Celebration

The funeral for Grandma D- Florene Denninger 

brought us all together from British Columbia, Canada,

Ontario, Canada, Virginia, Iowa and Michigan.

We gathered back at Lutheran Life Villages

 to eat and tell stories.

All the littles were gifted a harmonica- 

to remind us all to dance with joy because we 

"know that our Redeemer Lives."

Time with Papa and his guitar.

 We loved letting them all sing

 and make a joyful noise.

Time was spent looking 

at Grandma D's life albums.

So many stories of God's faithfulness.

 The littles had fun with each other.

 The Nord family gathers together.

 Time to hold and cuddle is always a good thing.

 Then biggest grand love 

with the youngest grand love.

#dengrandloves

 John gets some time to talk
 with his older brother.

Sara, David and Kathy with the 2 littlest grands.

The Denninger sisters- Top

The Graft sisters- Bottom 

(with spouses) 

Funerals are life moments 
to review and see priorities.
We give thanks that this 
faithful servant, Florene, could say:
"I have fought the good fight, 
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7

We give thanks for the faithful generations 
that have followed Florene.
May the Lord grant us each 
such a legacy too.

(Some edits have been made
 because of an adoption in process. 
We know you understand.)

Faithful Servant- Florene Denninger

Florene Alma Marie Droegemueller Denninger

June 16, 1920- November 12, 2019

Nurse, Sunday School and Bible Class teacher, 
Lutheran School teacher 
for 25 years in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 
pianist and accompanist, Stephen minister.
But most of all, Florene-
 witnessed the life of invitation
 into her home-
 where she shared the truth of Scripture, 
and encouragement to all.
She lived out the joy and peace 
beyond understanding 
that grew out of her faith and trust 
in her Lord and Savior.

 Her Baptism Certificates-
Baptism- June 27, 1920

 An Advent Funeral is a Regeneration-

Genesis Again

New Life Forever.

An Advent funeral 
is our own journey to Bethlehem.

 The remembrance that this season 

before Christmas brings us HOPE.

Rev. Mike Wakeland reads God's Word

 at the funeral held at the 

Chapel at Lutheran Life Villages

 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

 Mother to Four Children.

Doris Denninger Hrachovina (already in Heaven)

David Denninger

Lois Denninger Nord

John Denninger

Grandma D to:

Martin, Micah and Aaron Nord

Jessica (Denninger) Meier

Laura (Denninger) Schumacher

Sara (Denninger) Wilson

Great Grandmother to:

Magdalena and Ezra Nord

Ruby and Eloise Nord 

Jackson and Charleston Meier

Griffin, Gordon and Hadley Schumacher

Levi, Isaiah, and Jonah Wilson

We sang Jesus Loves Me- 

to include all the young children

 as participants in the funeral.

 Funerals are often where 

one generation honors 

the previous generation.

And tries to make sense of death

 for the generation to follow.

Because Christ Lives

 we do not fear death.

Rev. Tom Eggold conducts

 the committal at Concordia Gardens.

 We watched the entombment.

 Grandma's resting space- 

now with Grandpa Bill.

We give thanks for the gift of life

 lived out so generously 

to her own family and others.

We give thanks for 

God's faithfulness to Florene.

The final words she heard on earth were:

 "For I am convinced that...

nothing in all creation, 

will be able to separate us from

 the love of God that is in 

Christ Jesus our Lord."

Manger Walk at the National Cathedral

This past week we visited

 the National Cathedral with friends.

 These weeks include the Nativity 

set displays from around the world.

 Time to just wander and see all the ways countries 

around the world celebrate the birth of their Savior.

 Joy to the World- 

the Lord is Come!

Worship into the Week- Prepare

Worship into the Week- 

Matthew 3: 1-12

Prepare the Way for the Lord

What makes me think about preparing?
Lists, errands, and the calendar count down
 for Christmas.
What makes me think about preparing my heart?
Mission moments, opportunities,
looking for places that His plan
 is being revealed.
May I seek the ways...
not hinder... 
get ready...
and bless others along the way
this Advent.

Supplies:
 Visual Church Year
childrens-bulletin-matthew-31-12-12819
Watercolors
Colored pencils
Fine-point Sharpie pen
Junk mail
Scrapbook paper
Washi tape

Worship into the Week- Behold

Worship into the Week-
Matthew 21
The Triumphal Entry
Advent 1-
the beginning of Advent.

It may seem odd to read 
the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
 as the start for Advent, 
but it is truly about the coming of our King.
Humble as a child, 
humble as a triumphal king,
and humble in his fulfillment 
of his earthly journey.
 As I start this Advent Journey, 
may I begin this new year in prayer.
To remember my King, who comes for me.

Supplies:
Visual Faith Worship into the Week
childrens-bulletin-matthew-211-11-12119
Watercolor pencils
Magazine cutouts
Junk Mail
Fine-point Sharpie pen

Scripture Doodles- November

Scripture Doodles- November.

One word or phrase a day

from my daily Portals of Prayer 

devotional reading.

Four colored pencils.

The visual for the journey.

This month's devotions were written by 

Jennifer Babisak of Forney, Texas.