ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION will take place Sunday, February 5, after the worship service.

ANNUAL REPORTS of all committees and auxiliaries are due in the Parish Office no later than Sunday, January 22.

The Eighth Day of Christmas

January 1, 2012

10:00 AM

Carols, Communion, and Reflections on the Incarnation as 2012 Begins

Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled (Luke 6:21a).

A record number of Americans — nearly 1 in 2 — have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings considered to be low income.  You can make a difference in their lives with a gift to ELCA World Hunger. And between now and Dec. 31, all gifts to ELCA World Hunger will be matched entirely — 100 percent – thanks to a group of generous ELCA members. The need is more urgent than ever. Share the joy you’ve felt this Christmas and give hope to your neighbors in need. There are three ways to give and double your gift today:

• Donate online by visiting www.elca.org/hungerdonate anytime before the 12:00 a.m. CST deadline on Dec. 31.
• Donate over the phone by calling 800-638-3522 now through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST.
• Donate through the mail by sending a check to ELCA World Hunger, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764. Checks must be postmarked by Dec. 31 in order to be matched and tax deductible for 2011. Please write “Matching Challenge” in the memo line of your check.

God is calling us into the world — together. Thank you for responding to that call with your generous gifts.

Make sure to give before the 12:00 a.m. CST deadline on Dec. 31, 2011, and all gifts — up to $100,000 — will be matched, dollar for dollar. Gifts received before this deadline are also tax deductible as allowed by law for 2011.

Christmas Eve at St. Paul’s

Carols, Candlelight, and Holy Communion

Saturday, December 24   7:00 p.m.
Pre-Service Music            6:30 p.m.
Child Care is available beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Day at St. Paul’s

Sunday, December 25    10:00 a.m.

Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 4, 10:00 a.m., sung by St. Paul’s Choir, featuring music of Johann Franck, Paul Manz,  Stephen Caracciolo, and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Advent Evenings begin Thursday, December 8, with a pot luck supper served from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  You are invited to bring a main course, salad, or dessert to share.  From 7:00 until 7:30 p.m.., we gather for a time of Advent Scripture, Song and Prayer in the Parish Hall.  Choir rehearsal begins at 7:40 p.m.

Our 27th annual interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service will be held here at St. Paul’s on Wednesday, November 23, at 7:30 p.m.  This year’s theme is “Hope-Full”.  Particularly in these times, it is good to come together as people of faith across lines of tradition and belief to give thanks for our shared blessings.  There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for refreshments.  “Finger food” dessert items are requested.

On November 20, we welcomed the Rev. Erin Tamayo and Juan Torres, representing Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles (CLUE-LA), as part of our community’s observance of the Reign of Christ and Commitment Sunday.

A newly-organized independent group of elder leaders from many of the defining American social justice movements of the 20th century will lead an interfaith service of solidarity and host a conversation with Occupy demonstrators and other interested individuals on the south lawn of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles beginning at 2:00 p.m. The panel of elders are the Rev. Malcolm Boyd, the Rev. James Lawson, Rabbi Leonard Beerman, Dolores Huerta, the Rev. George Regas and Maher Hathout.  Similar events with other notable elders will be held in San Francisco, Oakland and New York.

Saturday, September 24 at 11:00 AM

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to The Joe Hoffman Memorial Fund for Worship, Music, and the Arts at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Please make checks payable to St. Paul’s, and indicate “Joe Hoffman Fund” in memo line.

10 a.m. service, festivities to follow.

Ages 3-12 are welcome.

Infant & toddler care provided.