Sympathy to Pat Johnson

We extend our prayers of support to Pat Johnson on the loss of her sister and her nephew this fall. We pray for the strength of Christ to be with her and her family.

Sympathy to Micky Boethel and family

We extend our prayers to Micky and her family on the loss of her father, Clyde Dyer, the week of Thanksgiving. We pray for their comfort and the hope of the risen Lord Jesus.

Inviation to Pastor and Kathryn's Christmas Open House

Pastor Tart and Kathryn invite everyone to a Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 10 from 3:00-6:00. Drop by for some Christmas treats and fellowship. Our address is 5603 Springton Ln, Spring; (Terranova West Subdivision)

Pastor Tart's Sabbatical

The Staff Support Team along with council support is proposing that we grant Pastor Tart a sabbatical for rest, reflection and renewal from June 4,2007-Sept 4, 2007. This is in agreement with our congregation's policy of granting sabbaticals to full time workers after 7 years of service. The synod also recommends sabbaticals for pastors. At the congregation meeting on December 3 we will be voting on this proposal. If you have any questions you can contact Sue King or Pastor Tart.

Men's Shoes Collection

Kathryn Tart and the faculty of Texas Woman's University are collecting new and good used men's shoes for the Bread of Life Clinic for homeless men through December 10. Please place the shoes in the designated box in the narthex.

December 3 Congregation Meeting

We will have a congregation meeting December 3 following the 11:00 service with the following agenda:

Financial Update

Motion for Summer of 2007 Sabbatical for Pastor Tart

2007 Spending Priorites (sent out in December Newsletter)

For the Good of the Church

Thoughts that Seem Importantfor December-Pastor Tart

Peace on Earth, Good Will to ALL! were the words of the angels’ song as they proclaimed the birth of the savior of the world. As we now begin our Advent and then enter into the joyous days of Christmas, I would like us to ponder the question, “What difference did the birth of Jesus make?” Really, beyond the important jolt to the economy, what did the birth of this child in a manger so long ago mean for the world? Has his birth changed the world?
We can look at the Christmas proclaim of the angels and wonder, Where is the peace? Where is the good will? We all know very well the heartache of violence and war. We see on a daily basis the greed and selfishness of our community and we can wonder, “Were the angels right?”
On a individual basis we all need to struggle with this question. We all have to ask ourselves about the impact of the birth. I hope that during these next days you will take the time to think.
For me, I am going to ponder peace in my life. I am going to seek what ways the peace of Christ that passes all understanding is in my heart. I am going to seek ways to live in peace with others, even those I find difficult and irritable. I am going to seek to be a person of good will that opens my heart to the hearts of others. I am going to welcome and practice the hospitality of Christ.
These are the ways that that the birth of Christ makes all the difference in the world.
Remember: He makes a difference.

December Family Life Update

Merry Christmas to everyone. This is a busy season but I hope everyone will be able to take some time to be with those you love and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Camper Sunday is December 3rd. Matt Kindsvatter will be here at 9:30 am during Sunday School opening to talk about camp at Lutherhill. He will stay after opening to answer all parent questions. If you have one, wear your Lutherhill t-shirt! See you there!

CREW will have breakfast at Dennys on Sunday, the 3rd. Our annual Christmas party is on the 17th. Please bring scissors and tape to wrap seaman's boxes. Also bring a $5 gift to exchange (no gift cards) and a snack to share. If you would like to help bring Christmas Eve dinner to IHN meet me on the 24th at 11 am.

Confirmation Christmas party is on the 6th. Bring a $5 gift to exchange and something sweet to share. It is also time to register for confirmation camp. We will attend Lutherhill June 10-15th. We will register as a group. Please decide whether or not you will attend and get the necessary forms completed with a check for $85 made to Hosanna Camps.

Camp registration is here. 1st thru 6th graders will be going to Lutherhill the last week in July. We will register as a group. Please fill out the forms and return a $85 check made out to Hosanna Camps.

Synod Questions

Our synod will be electing a new bishop in June of 2007. A special transition team is issuing a monthly question for congregations to answer as preparation for this event. The question for this month has been posted to a special blog. The question is, "What is the mission of our synod, together, over the next six years, in identifying and training future lay and ordained leaders in our church?" The link is at the end of this post. Please leave your comments about the question. These will be emailed to the transition team. They want to hear from us so please take the time to share. All comments are welcome! -Pastor Tart synod questions blog

CREW Summer Trip

This is a reminder that we need your $50 registration fee for the mission trip to Arizona. Please make a check to Hosanna Youth and get it to Amber. We can not start planning until we know who is going. See Amber for more information. Thanks!

Jr. High Retreat

We have many youth attending the Jr. High Gathering this weekend. Please pray for their safety. Please include in your prayers: Abby & Anna Brown, Caty & Chelsea Oden, Marquette Henderson, Matt & Mark Moore, CJ Welshons, Jacob Romijn, Laura Greer, Amanda Boethel, Colin Haight, Emma Hartmann, Adrianne Alewine and our sponsors, Mike Black and Valerie Oden.

Time to Register for Camp 2007

Calling all 1st thru 6th graders. Lutherhill camp registration opens soon. This year they have included a new camp, called Alpha, for kids finishing 1st grade. We are hoping to attend camp July 29-Aug3. If you are interested in signing up go online to www.lutherhill.org on or after Nov. 15th, then please get your registration fee of $85 to Amber. If you have questions email me at www.amber.walker@welcometohosanna.com

Texas Lutheran University Vespers, December 3

If you would like to attend the annual Christmas musical vespers program at Texas Lutheran in Seguin on Sunday, December 3 at 4:00, please contact Pastor Tart as soon as possible. We will leave as soon as the congregation meeting ends, hopefully around 1:15. We will go out to dinner afterwards and should be back at Hosanna by 9:30 or 10:00. The tickets are free, with a request for a donation. -Pastor Tart

Sympathy to the family of Sherry Bergeron

Sherry Bergeron passed from this life to the next one in God's glory on Sunday, November 5 at 11:40 in the evening. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family and ask everyone to keep them in their prayers. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be on Saturday, November 11 at 10:00am at Hosanna. If you would like to assist in the service and fellowship reception afterwards, contact Nerisa McConnell or the church office

SHERRY CLOSS BERGERON of Spring, Texas, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and community volunteer, died on November 5, 2006. Sherry, born in Houston, Texas, on December 14, 1954, was preceded in death by her adored father, Junius Monroe Closs, Jr. Sherry earned a nursing degree from San Jacinto College and a B.S. in Psychology from Sam Houston State University. Sherry put her intellect, creativity, generosity and passion for service to work as a compassionate Nurse, active fund raiser, chairman and event organizer for multiple organizations including: Boys and Girls Country, Harris County Medical Society Alliance, Northwest Assistance Ministries, Depelchin Faith Home, Rotary Club, Spring Assistance Ministries and the Spring ISD Education Foundation. Sherry is survived by her husband , Jimmie L. Bergeron, M.D.; children, Frank Andrew Bergeron and Jennifer Suzanne Bergeron and grandson, Andrew Monroe Bergeron. Other family members left with loving memories are her mother and step-father, Esther (Judy) and Jim White of Arkansas; brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Brenda Closs of Dallas; sister and brother-in-law, Melanie and Andrew Newman of Maryland; lifelong friend Cynthia Wells and husband, Jerry; nephews: Jeffrey Closs, Alex Newman and Jason Newman. Stepchildren: James Bergeron and Michelle McGovern. Memorial services will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 16526 Ella Boulevard, Houston, TX 77069 on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 10:00a.m. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (www.nami.org), The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.com) or Depelchin Faith Home. The family wishes to express appreciation to all who displayed admiration, kindness, compassion and respect to Sherry.

Sympathy to Cantor Gay Zimmerman and family

Our sympathy to Cantor Gay and her family on the loss of her aunt Carol Foss of South Dakota.

Sympathy to Teresa White and her family

Our sympathy to Teresa White and her family on the loss of her mother, Marylou Fontana of Houston. Services were Thursday, November 1.

Sympathy to Teresa White and her family

Our sympathy to Teresa White and her family on the loss of her mother, Marylou Fontana of Houston. Services were Thursday, November 1.

Beth Johnson's sister, Lisa

Beth Johnson reports that her sister Lisa is responding well to chemo treatments and thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns.