Carols, Candlelight and Holy Communion.

Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.

Dear friends in Christ and brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

We write today to invite you to join us in prayer and action for the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Like you, we became children of God in the waters of Baptism. And, like you, we have found our primary identity with this church through local congregations, including the ones to which we now belong. This is where we receive Word and Sacrament that keep faith alive. We have also been blessed through the other two expressions of this church: our synods and the churchwide organization of the ELCA. All are gifts from God. Through them:

• Our faith was nourished in Sunday church school.
• Our gifts for leadership were nurtured in youth ministry.
• Our education at our colleges and seminaries enhanced our witness and service.
• Our vocations to serve Jesus Christ as pastors and leaders have been opened for us.
• Our call to minister to the poor and hungry and those treated unjustly is fulfilled.
• Our connection to believers in companion churches around the world has enriched us.

All of this and much more have happened because we have been part of the ELCA, a church whose roots reach all the way back to the beginning of Lutheranism in this country.

In recent months, our society and this church have been sailing through rough waters. Personal income is down for many; some are unemployed. We recognize that some sisters and brothers in Christ were disappointed in the decisions regarding human sexuality at the churchwide assembly, although we believe they were the right decisions. As a result, some have withdrawn or reduced support for our mission. The consequences of these events are painful. This church’s mission and ministry have been diminished.

Our troubled world needs the Good News of the Gospel and all that flows from it.

Our differences must not divide us at a time like this. We are absolutely certain that we can continue to live together and serve as one family in the ELCA.

This is why we are calling on you, our brothers and sisters in the faith, to pray daily for the unity of this church and its mission.

We ask you to join us as we step up our support of the ELCA with a generous gift. You may wish to do so before the end of the year and on occasion in the months to come. You may make your gift to the ELCA’s Vision for Mission in one of three ways:

• Online at http://www.elca.org/supporttheelca 
• By check made payable to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and sent to:
  Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  PO Box 71764
  Chicago, IL 60694-1764
• By credit or debit card by calling 800-638-3522.

This effort is entirely through the Internet. We urge you to send this e-mail message to your friends who share our concern for this church.
Sincerely in Christ,

Herbert W. Chilstrom   ELCA presiding bishop, 1987-1995
H. George Anderson   ELCA presiding bishop, 1995-2001

An Epiphany “un-decorating” party will be held this Wednesday, January 6, beginning at 2 p.m.

Bring your left-over goodies and stop by for an hour or two to “put Christmas away.” An Epiphany potluck will help conclude the day.

Dimitry Olevsky, violin, in recital with Pavel Gintov, piano. Wednesday, January 20, 8 p.m. The music of Franck, Ravel and Schubert will be features.

Annual reports of all committees and auxiliaries are due in the Parish Office no later than Sunday, January 24.

The annual meeting of the Congregation will be held on Sunday, February 8, immediately following services.

You are invited to join a group of St. Paul’s folks interested in visiting the Eagle Rock studios of the stained glass artisans who are working on the crucifixion window to be placed in the balcony in February. We’ll have the opportunity to see our windows being crafted on Tuesday, January 19, at 10:30 a.m. There are five remaining places left out of the 20 person limit. Sign up in the Narthex or contact the church office.

This Sunday at 10 a.m. St. Paul’s will participate in a “Pulpit Exchange” with our neighbors from down the street at the United Methodist Church as we recognize our “Full Communion” status between ELCA and the UMC.