Thanks to the Sunday School Children for their wonderful Christmas Program, ‘Let Us Keep Christmas”. Thanks, too, to Sandra, Shelley, and Karen Colwell for the program’s inception, direction, and costuming; and to Karen Robinson for providing the music! Great job, y’all!
Thanks to Laurie Bernard and all 20+ people who helped with the Holiday Dinner after the Christmas Program. We fed over 100 people, and the appreciation of those who shared in the meal was often stated. Thank you to all who prepared food, who helped set up, served, and cleaned up.
Thank You every last one! I am humbled by your generosity and kindnesses with the many cards and gifts given at Christmas. Your love shows so brightly in the words you shared in cards, and in the thoughtful gifts given. I am truly blest to be called as your pastor. Thank you, every last one, who has made this a Christmas to remember! — Pastor Alan
Thanks to all who offered a helping hand in the office this month, there are so many of you we don’t have enough space to name names, but please know how very thankful I am for each one of you!
A Special Thank You to everyone who brought cards, goodies, and gifts to me and my family. This congregation has many angels on earth! I am touched by your love and generosity. —Tracy Miller
Thanks to Amerischools College Preparatory Academy students for helping with the new ICS.
We will meet on Sat., January 14th at 10:00 am in room 105. We want all of you that have been making caps for Africa to come too as we bless those and the shawls. We'll have goodies, coffee, and juice and enjoy a fun time together. See you there, ~Dolores Syverson
Thrivent Members Take Note:
If you have not transferred your information to New Spirit from another church, please notify Joyce Dow or Gloria Burke. We need to get more matching funds for our church and need volunteer help for fundraising such as giving support for the youth going to their event this year. Our three coordinators have served for many years and new help is needed!
Deborah’s Gathering
 Happy New Year from the ladies at Deborah’s Gathering! We enjoyed a Christmas Sing-A-Long at our last meeting and ate lots of cookies. Our next Bible Study will be January 11th at 9:30 am. Jeanette Sather will be in charge of the Bible Study. Gloria Burke will be the hostess. Everyone is invited, start the new year on the right foot!
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Altar Care Team The Altar Care Team membership has taken a hit as members are becoming infirmed with physical issues. In that light, we would like to invite Baby Boomers, Generation-X, and Millenial Generation members to join the team. If “intinction” is not your preferred communion process, become an Altar Care Team member and help wash cups! Central to our life as Christ’s Church lies the Sacrament of the Altar, or Holy Communion, the Feast of Forgiveness. It is not arduous work, but it is a holy work that needs to be completed each and every Sunday here at New Spirit. Will you serve? Call or talk to Bob Daliege for more information and to arrange for training.
Greeters Greeters are needed at both services. The only requirement is a friendly smile and a warm handshake. To greet at 9:00 am call Carol Lowe, for the 11:00 am service please contact Karen Robinson.
 Ring! Ring! Why is the bell/chime choir called the GRACE NOTES? We are saved by Grace which is an important note in any area! Did you know there is a grace note in music? You have to really listen for it. It is printed as a small note with a slant line through the stem just before the note it embellishes and has a very, very short time value. But, just as in our lives, even the smallest things we do are important.
MARDI GRAS February 21st
Plan on joining us for good old New Orleans cuisine: Jambalaya, dirty beans & rice, Jezebel Sauce, and King Cake!!! Proceeds from Mardi Gras will be used to benefit the growing YOUTH MINISTRY programs here at New Spirit. Get out those masks and beads…. Its time to party!!!! Music will be provided by “Plan B” Blues Band featuring Jamie and Mark Buglewicz! WOO-HOO!!!
Costumes are encouraged! Invite the neighbors, friends, co-workers, cashiers at your favorite grocery store, your car mechanic, your paper-delivery person, your mail-person, everybody needs to enter the Season of Lent on a full stomach and with a joyful heart!!!!
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A Call to Prayer
The apostle Paul reminds us that we are to pray without ceasing. In an effort to increase our praying, we want to create a space in our newsletter where we will list prayers. These can be long term such as pray for our leaders, or a country in need, or your neighbor for next week’s surgery or the hard time an office mate has.
By adding this column we’re hoping to add more community and global prayers to New Spirit. To start with: Prayers for our new mayor, Jonathan Rothchild as he gets going in this new challenge.
 Faith in Action
Habitat Tucson volunteers are always needed to help build homes. If you are a Thrivent member and donate to Habitat, make a note on your check that it is for Thrivent Builds. Because of the donations, an $85,000 grant was received and the 5th house was built involving over 724 volunteers. $86,000 was just granted for a 2012 home. Help build new lives with new affordable homes by donating or volunteering.
Interfaith Community Services Resource Center
This is exciting news!!!! ICS has received a grant to open an east-side center to help people who are under-employed and unemployed with resources to get work. The office will help with resume creation, interviewing skills, networking with possible employers, and computer access to connect with online application sites. 
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 In Memory…Ruth Billeter
Ruth died December 19th after a brief illness. She was 98 years old. Her Memorial Service will be held at New Spirit on Thursday, January 5th, at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials in Ruth’s name are asked to be given to: New Spirit Lutheran Church-Ruth Billeter Memorial Fund. Our thanks to Robyn Huff-Eibl and Micaela who have been Ruth’s Caring Ministers for the past years. Their care for Ruth was just what Caring Ministers are to do. They visited weekly, played cards, shared conversation, offered communion, and loved one another.
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