2021
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
C.H.A.O.S.
I had a thought for the newsletter this week, and it was ironic how often I have heard the word this week that I was going to relate it to, so, I figured I’d go with it.
Chaotic is the word I want to talk about. Do you think life is a bit chaotic right now, during this Christmas season? Usually is. Most would say there is way too much going on. But even in our normal every day, things are chaotic! Anxiety is basically “chaos” of the mind. How does a person keep everything straight? Our society is definitely chaotic. There is a sense of uproar in our world today that makes it VERY difficult for a person to feel a sense of peace for even just a moment.
When I was thrown into an unusual amount of “chaos” some years back, I said “Hold On”. Look at this in a different way… we can draw nearer to God in the midst of chaos. Chaos in another light is Courage, Hope and Overwhelming Support. Through ANY of this life chaos we have friends, family, and our FAITH that help us and support us! Don’t let chaos get the best of you! Rest in the assurance of our Savior—born for us. Focus on Him and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season amidst all the chaos.
Rest in the assurance of our Savior—born for us.
Focus on Him and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season amidst all the chaos.
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS
& A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
REMINDERS
Sign up for the puzzle club so we are ready with snacks and age-appropriate puzzles for you!
NO BUSSING ON JAN. 3!
CALENDAR
Dec. 20-31: NO SCHOOL – CHRISTMAS BREAK
Jan.3: School Resumes
Jan. 11: Basketball game @ Prairie Lutheran
Jan. 13: Home Basketball
If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? –
Matthew 18:12
Puzzling
What is your process for putting together a jigsaw puzzle? Most commonly, all the pieces are dumped out and turned face up. Then the outer edges are gathered together and make a frame for the rest of the pieces. Sometimes, if there is a large area of one color; for example, the sky, a lot of times, those are separated from the rest and so on until all pieces have been placed just where they need to be. But there’s ONE piece missing. Frustrating, isn’t it? You swipe your hand across the smooth, finished surface, hoping it was just blending in. Not there. You search underneath the table, in the carpet, in the box…not satisfied until that piece is found and the puzzle is complete!
Reminds me of how our shepherd takes care of us on this adventure we’re trying to navigate–leaving his 99 to search for just one that may get off track. Our puzzle of life isn’t always easy, and we wonder where it’s taking us and how on earth it will even end up. We may feel down and out, and a bit lost at times, but God knows the final outcome. We need Him. We wouldn’t assemble a puzzle without the cover to look at for reference. In the same way, don’t try to tackle this life without the One who sees the whole picture. He has created us all to fit uniquely into the big picture of life and will search for us until we are found again, to fit in right where we belong!
REMINDERS:
Dress-Up Days
Mon.: PJ Day
Tues.: Flannels Day
Wed.: Red & White Day
Thurs.: Christmas Sweater Day
Friday: Santa Hat Day
Puzzle Club begins on Wednesdays in January, 3:30-4:30pm. Sign up with the school office.
CALENDAR:
Dec. 11: Handbell Gala (w/7th&8th Graders) @3pm
Dec. 12: Prek-8 students sing in church (8:40)
Dec. 12: ILC Choir Concert w/students (2:30)
Dec. 14: Team Pictures at 9 a.m./ Gingerbread Houses/ Home BBall Game
Dec. 16: ILS ChristmasService at 6 p.m.
Dec. 20-31: NO SCHOOL
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Well, these newsletter articles come from a long chain of thoughts usually. 
I did not know that December was National Pear Month; but while working on the State Hot Lunch Program, I learn a lot of new things. That then put the song “A Partridge in a Pear Tree” song in my head; and therefore, I had to research the meaning of the song….so then came this:
In the church calendar, the Christmas season lasts 12 days (Dec. 25-Jan. 5) until Epiphany–hence, the “12 days of Christmas” in the familiar song. According to an article by Pat Johnson, between 1558 and 1829, Roman Catholics in England were forbidden to openly practice religion so they used these lyrics of the song as an outline that would hopefully inspire more exploration. The “partridge” in a pear tree is meant to represent Jesus–the partridge–because it is a bird that will sacrifice its life to save its children.
To enlighten you on the rest:
2 turtledoves represent the Old and New Testament
3 French hens = Faith, hope and love
4 calling birds: Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5 golden rings: First 5 books of the Old Testament
6 geese-a-laying: Creation in 6 days
7 swans a-swimming: 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 maids-a-milking: 8 beatitudes
9 ladies dancing: Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 lords a-leaping: The 10 commandments
11 pipers piping: 11 faithful disciples
12 drummers drumming: 12 points of belief in the Apostle’s Creed
Just some food for thought during National Pear Month!
REMINDERS
There is NO cheerleading practice on Monday, Dec. 6. Resumes on Dec. 8.
Basketball and cheer team pictures were rescheduled to Dec. 14!
The Little Mermaid will be showing at Mayer Lutheran THIS weekend!
CALENDAR
Dec. 11: Handbell Gala (w/7th&8th Graders) @ 3 p.m.
Dec. 12: Prek-8 students sing in church
Dec. 12: ILC Choir Concert w/students!
Dec. 14: Team Pictures at 9 a.m./ Gingerbread Houses/ Home Baskebtall Game
Dec. 16: ILS Christmas Service at 6 p.m.
Dec. 20-31: NO SCHOOL
