Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 13:13-14)

Here is the link to This Week at Hosanna for December 2: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/weekly_news.pdf

Here is the link to the December Hotline: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf

I want to pass along part of an emaile from Pastor Bill I received this morning (with his permission): "I saw Kathleen again at the 6:00 a.m. visiting time. Most everything is the same as we left it last night. She was, however, able to crack her eyes open when I spoke to her, signaling some awareness, however vague. I gently began telling her the things I anticipate she would be wondering if at all aware - - mainly that her heart operation was successful, that it's Friday, that she's having a swelling problem, still in ICU, the trachea tube, etc."

Bill has email access at the hospital. Here is his address:

William Schwertlich swordly@sbcglobal.net

Highlights for the week ahead…

• December 2 is the First Sunday in Advent leading up to Christmas. We look forward to a visit from St. Nicholas of Myra with a message for the children about anonymous giving to others in times of need.
• Speaking of St. Nicholas, here’s a neat website about all things St. Nicholas for kids: http://www.stnicholascenter.org
• Try this page, too. It’s an online coloring book. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=424
• Congregation meeting AND POTLUCK is THIS Sunday, December 2, after 11 AM worship.

Other items…

• One of the church’s two new Bissell Carpet Cleaners is missing. If anyone has borrowed it, please return it ASAP.
• Next Sunday, December 9 @ 12:30 PM, is the Seniors (50+) Christmas Dinner. Sign up with your choice of food to bring. So far 30 are signed up.
• Confirmation Christmas Party—December 15 @ 3 PM at Main Event, 19441 I-45 North, Shenandoah, TX (near The Woodlands). Contact Theresa White for information.
• Rehearsals for the 4:30 PM Christmas Eve children’s service have begun... Sundays @ 9 AM in the children's choir room. All children grades pre-k through 6th grade are invited to sing!
• The Kempers extend an invitation to join them for some Ballroom Dancing, Saturday, December 15, 8:30 p.m. at the Chandelier Ballroom in the Heights, with Ed Gerlach and his big band music. Join the Christmas festivities! For Reservations: Call Earl and Dottie Kemper (832-229-4385) Cost: $12/person. Seating is limited.
• Hosanna’s next IHN rotation is Sunday, December 16 - Sunday, December 23. Our guests will be staying at the In Town Suites, not the church. Meals need to be prepared and delivered to In Town December 16, 17 and 18. Drivers are needed for the truck and van December 16. See the back of the green “Welcome” insert to sign up.
• Line up of services on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24:
• 4:30 PM - Service of Holy Communion with Candlelight-Child Friendly
• 7 PM - Festival Service of Holy Communion with Candlelight
• 9:30 PM - Christmas Eve Contemporary Service with Holy Communion and Candlelight

Family Life notes from Amber Walker…

• College Student Get Together - We have missed you! Please join Amber on December 18 from 7-8 pm for coffee and conversation. I want to hear all about what you have been doing.

Lastly, this from Lois Heckart: Please share with congregation our thanks for the many acts of kindness shown to my dad, Cecil Young, regarding his recent surgery. He was very pleased with his prayer shawl and the cards from all including “The Men of Hosanna”. He has looked at the cards several times. He is progressing well but still on restricted activity (but hard to keep down).

A Little Humor:

Six reasons why Santa can't possibly be a man:

• Men can't pack a bag.
• Men would rather be dead than be caught wearing red velvet.
• Men would feel their masculinity is threatened by having to hang out with all those elves.
• Men don't answer their mail.
• Men would refuse to allow their physique to be described as resembling a "bowlful of jelly."
• Then there’s that old thing about men and directions. What if he got lost on Christmas Eve?

One more for good measure:

• What do you call Santa's helpers?
• Subordinate Clauses.

Dale Bargmann
Hosanna Parish Communications