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St.

Petri Messenger
December, 2020
faces, food, spending time with those I loved
The Real Joy of Christmas eating food, Lefse, Krumkake, Rosettes, Fruit
cake, Fattigman, Rommegrot, and of course
This December will mark my
Kringla.
60th Christmas. As I reflect on
all of those holidays from the As far as presents are concerned, they are not
time I was a child, through what is truly important about Christmas. The
young adulthood, and now as a true gift of Christmas is the presence of God
parent, I can picture in my mind so many of among us. And this year I believe we have an
those Christmases past. Some I recall only opportunity to make our Christmas celebration a
because of the pictures, like my first Christmas spiritual celebration of Christ breaking into our
with the picture of me standing with a grin and world with the message of peace and hope that
the Christmas tree fallen over behind me. his life embodied.

I remember getting brand new “Church Clothes” Oh, of course there will be presents, and of
for Christmas, then wearing them to the 10:00 course there will be food (at least there better be
p.m. service on Christmas Eve. One particular ) but all of the changes and challenges that the
year (I was maybe 8 years old) I remember COVID-19 Pandemic has presented us give us an
getting new shoes and a suit jacket. There was opportunity to reflect on what Christ really
snow on the ground and it was very slippery, means for us. In our world full of worries, Jesus
especially with my leather soled shoes, and the life assures us that we are loved. In our world
jacket was totally inadequate for the crisp cold full of alienation and loneliness, Jesus Christ
night. But walking into church I remember reminds us that we are not alone. In our world
feeling the warmth from the boiler, and also the where we feel vulnerable to many dangers, the
many people gathered for worship. Christ Child in the manger gives us confidence
in our future in the hands of God.
And those are the things I remember about
Christmases over the years. I don’t really Though we will not be able to be together in our
remember what the shoes or jacket looked like, traditional Christmas gatherings, we can still be
nor whether I liked them or not (I probably together in spirit and in the knowledge of God’s
didn’t being in 3rd grade or so,) because the love for us. Probably my favorite Christmas
people and the relationships, the joy and the cartoon is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I
anticipation, the experiences of Christmas as a encourage you to watch it together as a family
child are what stay with me. Putting up and this season. It is a good reminder of what the real
decorating the Christmas tree, Christmas joy of Christmas really is.
caroling, hot chocolate, food, music, food, happy P Pastor Scot McCluskey
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Family conversation guide for
“A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

1. Why is Charlie Brown so unhappy?


2. Lucy complains about getting toys and
clothes. What does she say she really
wants? Why is that strange?
3. Snoopy enters a Holiday Lighting and
Decorating contest. What does the
advertisement say is the real meaning of JESUS ~ THE BEST GIFT!
Christmas? Do you agree? Why or why
not? MERRY CHRISTMAS!
4. Sally explains, “All I want is what’s from the ST. PETRI STAFF
coming to me. All I want is my fair Pastor Scot McCluskey, Brandie Gossel and
share?” She says she has been very good Veronica Wright
this year so she thinks she deserves a Remember “Christ” this Christmas!
reward. Is that why you are good, just
“I’ll tell you what it really means to worship
to get a reward?
the Lord.
5. Why are the others not cooperating with
Remove the chains of prisoners who are
Charlie Brown?
chained unjustly.
6. Charlie Brown goes to get a tree for the Free those who are abused!
Christmas Play. One girl says, “Do Share your food with everyone who is hungry;
something right for a change Charlie share your home with the poor and homeless.
Brown.” When he decides on the little Give clothes to those in need;
tree, Linus says, “It doesn’t seem to fit don’t turn away your relatives.” Isaiah 58:6-8
with the modern spirit.” What does that
mean?
7. Why do the others think Charlie
Brown’s tree is terrible? What did they
expect from him?
8. How does Linus’ telling of the
Christmas story from the Bible change
everything?
9. What is the true meaning of Christmas?
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There are ELCA World Hunger Advent Study


booklets and Advent Calendars available to
you. You may pick them up at the church office St. Petri,
entry at your convenience.
Thank you so very much for your thoughtful
and generous donations to our food pantry!
The reverse Trick-or-Treat was such a great
idea! Special thanks also to our MS students,
Sam Braucher and Alana Thorson for humbly
serving other in our RS community!
We appreciate you! Angela Brian Sarah
From the Roland-Story Middle School
In November 2020
-Hospitalized/Recuperating-
Pat Murken, Jane Bauman
Shannon Sayre (daughter-in-law of Kevin &
Susan Ruby),
Karen Keech (sister-in-law of Kevin & Diana
Keech)
In Memoriam
Scott Rosene (Shirley Stakey’s nephew) WELCA Report
Phillip Wierson (Paul Wierson’s brother) December 10 2:00pm WELCA Bible Study
Mary Margaret Gansen Finley (mother of
Connie Phillips, Deb Holm, Doug Finley) December 14-16 9a-noon LWR Quilt making
Meralyn Buford (mother of Liz Johnson)
Tom Hutson (brother-in-law of Ordean & Liz
Johnson)
Ongoing Prayers
Linda Fevold, John Carlson, Kay Munsen, Kay
Disbrowe, Lynn Kelly (friend of Betty Grinde),
Mark Helland, Maxine Lekwa, John Satre,
Luke Baade (Judith Schnurstein’s great nephew)
Juli Tostlebe (daughter-in-law of Marilyn
(Tostlebe) Hanson, Howard Reisetter Members of St. Petri have made and
distributed many quilts. This year, they
Our missionaries, Patrick & Jaqueline Bencke, have donated 38 quilts to Hope Ministries
Japan in Des Moines (as well as 15 this past
Soldiers, Peace Workers, & Humanitarian Aid January), 93 quilts for Lutheran World
Workers Relief, 12 quilts to Beloit and 8 quilts to
Bremwood. Thank you for being the hands
and feet of Jesus!
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Driver-Thru Holiday Cookie Walk
We’ve done the baking for you!
Saturday, December 12th
10am-noon at St. Petri.
Lots of goodies will be
available!
Come and get treats for
your family gatherings, ST. PETRI’S
gifts… Open to the public! VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, December 13 at 9:30am
Come and join our St. Petri
Christmas Celebration!
December
Birthdays

December Birthdays
Christmas Candlelight Services with
Dec. 1: Ann Healy, John Hinz
Holy Communion
Dec. 2: Maddy Stevenson
Dec. 3: Carson Barber, Vivian Gossel, Thursday, December 24th
Brian Jones 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 4: Brian Holm, Jean Kailiawa Bring your whole family to
Dec. 5: Lowell Lande this special service
Dec. 6: Mariah Keech, Colleen Lamoreux, and celebrate
Alberta Olson our Savior’s birth
Dec. 8: Carl Fink, David Murken (Pending COVID
Dec. 9: Mark Helland, Beci Lande regulations)
Dec. 12: Patty Hoversten Please RSVP which service
Dec. 13: Mary Peterson you will attend.
Dec. 17: Nicole Bauman, Elin Reisetter,
Mari Reisetter
Dec. 18: Jaxson Fevold, Jo Murken
Dec 19: Tom Klett
Dec. 20: Megan Gustafson, Gloria Tussey
Dec. 21: Doug Braucher, Janet Mitchell
Dec. 22: Brittany Hill
Dec. 24: Mardell Christian
Dec. 26: Brandie Gossel
Dec. 27: Audrey Bauer, Gary Brown,
Larry Reisetter
Dec. 29: Samantha Olive, Sydney Olive
Dec. 30: Barb Frohling
Dec. 31: Cheryl Eddy
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If you would like to view St. Petri’s newsletters
online, go to: www.stpetrilutheran.weebly.com. January newsletter
articles are due
Sunday, December 20th.

Winter Begins
Any contribution received and dated
December 21st 2020 will be included in the
2020 budget year.

WINTER COAT DRIVE - Affordables by


Bethany Life and the Saints Peter & Paul Knights
of Columbus are collecting
Weather Cancellation Policy
Worship winter coats for children and
Check WHO or answer machine teens. Please drop off gently
Other events used coats at Affordables (630
When there is: Pennsylvania Ave. in Story
No School – Check Church answer City).
machine
Early Dismissal – Event cancelled
HEARTLAND SENIOR SERVICES
needs help to deliver “Meals on Wheels” in Story
City in the months of December thru April. If
you can help deliver meals, even
just one day, please contact
Connie at Heartland at
515.233.2906. Thanks for your consideration!
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ATTENTION CURRENT AND PAST
ROLAND RESIDENTS St Petri Evangelical Lutheran Church
Approved Council Meeting Minutes
HELP YOUR FAMILY HISTORY BE A PART
October 11, 2020 
OF ROLAND’S 150th CELEBRATION!
6:30 pm via Zoom
To celebrate Roland’s 150th anniversary, a book
will be created to commemorate the occasion. In attendance: Pastor Scot McCluskey, Willow Hill,
Besides sharing our town’s history, we’d like to Donna Guard, Brandie Gossel, Abby Patterson,
John Hinz, Rick Stover, Kendra Braucher, Carmen
include stories of the families who have made
Peter
Roland their home.
Please consider submitting a brief synopsis of  Called to order at 6:31pm by President Abby
your family story, whether you’ve been a life- Patterson
long Roland resident of just newly arrived. A  Eph 2:8-10 read and opening prayer by Pastor
photo can also be submitted if you desire. Please Scot
include names of those in the photo. Family  Call Committee Update:
stories will be included in the sesquicentennial o No update at this time
commemorative booklet to be available next  August meeting minutes presented by Secretary
Willow Hill.
summer.
o John Hinz moved to approve minutes,
While a town may be defined by its homes and
Kendra Braucher seconded. All in favor,
buildings, it’s the families who have called it minutes were approved and accepted.
home that make it special. Please consider  Financial Report presented by Treasurer
submitting your family’s story in the upcoming o September report shows -$1200 for the
commemorative book! month, $-17,440 for the year excluding PPP
We also welcome information about loan monies.
organizations and businesses. o PPP loan forgiveness paperwork needs to be
Stories and photos can be submitted by email in end of the month, Rick will work on this.
(roland150book@gmail.com) or in person at the o There was a credit for the utilities remaining
Roland Library. this month.
o Looking ahead to budget- the PPP may make
The deadline for inclusion in the book will be
the budget look WEIRD- CHANGE THIS,
January 15, 2021
so we will need to look at original amounts
without PPP factored in.
o Motion to approve the treasurer’s report as
presented by Kendra Braucher, seconded
Reminder to Council Members!
by John Hinz. All were in favor; the motion
Please have your was passed.
Annual Reports  Pastor’s Report was presented by Pastor Scot
to the o The executive committee met 2 weeks ago.
church office secretary The group had good discussion.
by Sunday, December 20th.  Pastor has 3 Sundays to take this year
yet and will be gone Nov 1 (NE IA
Synod staff will share a worship
service that day we can use),
November 29 (Sunday after
Thanksgiving and Paul Wierson will
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lead this service and utilize a Narrative generate what we need to pay and
Liturgy provided by Pastor), and Rick/Veronica will approve it in the system.
o Discussion on opportunities proposed by
December 27 (typically the Hymn Sing Lexie Green, a Prevention Specialist with
day). CFR in Ames. There were three requests
 Action items from meeting: Create a  Send the information flyer out with our
communication task force, technology newsletter and hang on the bulletin
task force, update contact information, board– yes
work on the Narrative Budget, getting  Offer NARCAM training to safely
a “donate” button for our online administer the drug to people overdosing
presence on opioids- the group had several
o It was brought up that some members would question s and Abby will follow up with
benefit from an occasional phone call from Lexie.
other members due to the increased isolation  Medical disposal bags that can break
this year. This could fall under the Outreach down leftover Rx meds to a level that is
Group. Pastor would like help organizing safe to throw away. They’re offering
this, Donna volunteered to help. Abby bags to the church. The council has
suggested we link this with updating question on this and needs more
membership information. information
o Synod fall conference is coming up. o Network Coordinators
Generally Pastor would travel and stay in a  Looking at goals and activities for next
hotel for 2 nights but this year will be via year that we’d like to do, leading into the
Zoom. It will be October 19-20 and there is budget, and writing an annual report.
no cost associated.  Assuming we’re in a similar situation,
o Brandie, Megan and pastor met with the what would we like to do for next year-
Youth Pastor Envisioning Team and are each coordinator can put together this
moving forward with Job Description, information.
Mission & Purpose documents  This needs to be in by November so we
o Ministerial association met with the RS can vote next month, and must be ready
school admin and went through all to present to the congregation in January.
procedures o Technology/Communication review- project
o Pastor got good feedback from the October 4 is on-going and has been kicked off
service with the Bishop in attendance. o Membership list- the list has been put into
o There has been issue with Facebook Excel format, members updated contact
streaming the past few weeks. The computer information is in progress
was changed from Tim’s personal computer o John presented the idea of a drop-off food
to a computer owned by the church and is drive as presented by Angie a week ago via
able to connect right to the audio. The end email.
goal is to have the power point constant on  Brandie presented some ideas for
the viewer’s screen as well as a camera Halloween as well, including a trunk or
pointed to the person talking. treat and a haunted house walk-through.
 Discussion on whether these activities
 NEW BUSINESS: follow our COVID 19 policies.
o October is generally the time we vote for  Motion to approve the drop off food
pastor’s insurance, but we have a contract in drive on Saturday October 31 made by
place stating we will offer the Gold Plus plan John Hinz, seconded by Carmen Peter.
so we don’t need to vote. Portico will No discussion, all were in favor.
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Motion passed. Abby will put together a presentation for the
 Motion to approve the “reverse” trunk congregation on this update.
or treat by Brandie Gossel, Carmen o Coordinator reports
seconded. No discussion, 6 were  WORSHIP COMMUNITY - Carmen
opposed; one in favor. The motion did agreed to lead her committee for one
not pass. year and feels that since she is a
 Motion to have the Halloween walk “distance member” she should not be
through haunted house in the church by
Brandie Gossel, seconded by Carmen the Worship Committee leader any
Peter. 6 were opposed, one in favor. longer.
Motion did not pass.  PROPERTY & TRUSTEES: John
o The PSAT test will be held at Immanuel reported that the furnace repair was
Church now instead of using St Petri.
made this week and it should be up
 OLD BUSINESS and running. Also there are 2 big ash
o Standing item on church reopening: trees in the parsonage that need
 Story County data shows that our removed. The Arbor Monkeys
current rate is at 6.4%, forecasts quoted $2,800 to remove them. The
show stable to downward trends for memorial Fund may be appropriate
October. to use for this. Motion to have the
 Our current policy states that we Arbor Monkeys remove the trees was
must open windows during services made by Carmen and seconded by
which may be too cold during the Kendra. Funds will come from 17-
winter months. 003-001 (Memorial). All were in
 Motion to continue in person favor, motion passed.
services, but with windows closed by  Christian Fellowship- none to report
John, seconded by Kendra. No due to COVID-19
discussion. All were in favor, motion o Brandie asked about holding girls scout
passed. meetings in the church when it’s too cold to
 Discussion on past Advent services meet outside.
and Children’s programs and how we  Motion to approve this group to use
may handle it this year due to the facilities under the conditions
needing to follow COVID policies. they follow our COVID policies (no
 Discussion on upcoming church food, social distance, wear masks,
activities effected by COVID-19 disinfect when done) by John,
o Follow up on proposal for collage with Jesus seconded by Carmen. All were in
depicted with different heritages as a way to favor, motion passed.
make everyone feel welcome. Carmen will o Council will meet second Sunday of
continue looking for a pictures of Jesus that November at 11am via Zoom.
would be more inclusive. o Adjourned at 7:55pm by President Abby
o Communion will be held on 2nd and 4th Patterson
Sunday of each month following plan o Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer by
proposed by Worship network. This was Pastor Scot McCluskey.
approved via email.
o FYI- four sets of pipes were removed from
the organ for cleaning on Fri., September 25.
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would like to share the message of LSI with your
community, please contact our Waverly office at
319.352.2630 to get started.
Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas from
LSI!
Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the
love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI
is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa
congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran
December 2020 Services in America). We proudly serve people of all
From Lutheran Services in Iowa ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities,
Merry Christmas from LSI national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual
orientations. Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
has not overcome it.” — John 1:5
As Christmas approaches, we give thanks to you! Continuum of Care
This year has been challenging for all of us, and we As she prepared to celebrate her 18th birthday, Sam
are grateful for the Iowans who have stepped up was also preparing to age out of foster care. She
just for the sake of giving and helping LSI in 2020. had lived with her foster mom, Marty, for years
Thank you for bringing the light of Christ to your and Marty wanted to ensure Sam had a smooth
neighbors who rely on these important services! transition into adulthood. That’s when they signed
up for LSI’s Host Homes program.
At LSI, we know many people experiencing deep
darkness. We know parents who feel hopeless, Provided through LSI’s Services for People with
with little resources to raise their young children. Disabilities, Host Homes provides personalized
We know adults with disabilities who feel care for Iowans with disabilities who find greater
voiceless, with no support system or connection to success living in a private family home instead of a
their community. We know teens who are aging busier community living environment with
out of foster care, who fear they will never have a roommates. Individuals are carefully matched with
forever family to love them. a Host Homes mentor and live with them in their
home, where they can build strong relationships
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for
and become better engaged with their
our neighbors who are so often overlooked in our
communities.
society. In the spirit of giving, the spirit of love,
and the spirit of working together, let us stand Marty became a Host Homes mentor so Sam could
with them and lift them up this Christmas season. continue living in her home and receive the same
If you would like to learn more about how you can care and support she was used to. Sam is thriving
support Iowa children and families, contact Deb and Marty gets to continue walking alongside her
Whitford, LSI’s director of philanthropy and as she builds a bright future full of independence.
church relations, at 563.676.2065 or They work on Sam’s goals every day, including
Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org. LSI is also cooking and planning meals. Marty especially
available to provide a customized virtual shared loves fishing and going on picnics with Sam and as
ministry opportunity for your congregation. If you a Host Homes mentor, she can continue serving as
a foster parent to other Iowa teens.
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The Bencke Family in Japan


November 2020-84番
Some of the prayers of
our hearts…
油断: (yudan) inattentive, negligent, or careless Come to our side, Lord,
as we yearn for justice,
On July 31st, Patrick and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. Patrick mercy, and for a chance to
and I met in 1997 during our missionary training in Chicago. He was on heal. Be at our sides for
his way to Japan with ELCA, I was on my way to Kenya with the Episcopal the difficult conversations.
Church. Back in those days, the training was ecumenical, and the Be present at the table
gatherings of trainees were very large. One evening, a few of us – Patrick while the kids ask tough
and I included – went to a ‘local establishment’ in the evening. That’s questions. Be manifest in
our words and deeds as we
where we met for the first time. We were all asking one another questions
seek to fulfill Your will in
about our destinations, and I remember so clearly when Patrick said he was our lives. Be with the
returning to Japan, I thought, “Japan?? How is it that missionaries are leadership of Japan and the
needed in Japan, one of the economic powerhouses of the world?” I had an United States, as both
image in my mind that missionaries only went to economically countries make a transition
impoverished places to serve. An unwritten prerequisite for a “mission at the top levels. Guide
destination” was that you couldn’t drink the local water. them, strengthen them for
your good, and make a path
In the 23 years that have passed since that thought cruised through my mind, for those leaving to reflect
I’ve had a chance to noodle that question of “mission destination” around. on their purpose going
forward.
Experience, diverse encounters with the Word and with other wise servants
who have seen the mission field evolve, and a good dose of humility have Thank you, Lord, for
shoved many of my immature ideas out of the way and opened more sustaining us through this
emotional and spiritual real estate in my heart and mind for what I believe is difficult time in human
a more authentic narrative of what God wants for the world. I read this history. Lord, continue to
passage recently: guide us through this valley
and be our strength and
“As Chuck De Groat reminds us, “Today’s best thinkers are courage during these
rediscovering the fact that we are relational to our core — storied tumultuous and unsteady
beings whose narratives are meant to reflect God’s master narrative.” times.
God’s grand narrative is more powerful and compelling than anything
Thank you, Lord, for your
we could conceive on our own, and ultimately our calling is not to go peace and strength as our
and do a hard thing in a hard place, but first and foremost to a family has transitioned into
relationship with God and sanctification by him. The story about our a new chapter. Be with
vocation, our stewardship of the gifts God has given us, should only be Emilie as she explores this
secondary to that calling. This can only help us have a narrative new life, and we ask for an
identity that is more oriented to growth and collaboration; that holds extra measure of peace in
space for other stories allowing us to be more generous with how we Hannah’s heart as she
lead and follow.” becomes the only child at
home without Emilie’s
comradery.
Matthew 9:35-36 says, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He
saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they
were weary and scattered, like
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sheep having no shepherd.” Isn’t that humanity right now? Weary and scattered? I’m not
just talking about the recent election. Even my thoughts in this newsletter feel scattered.

Yesterday’s gospel reading was the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids, At our international
service, Pastor Adachi shared the following perspective. In Japanese, there is a kanji
combination 油断, read “yudan.” The first Kanji means “oil” and the second kanji means “to
cut.” So, cut-oil. But oil, as you know, cannot be divided, just as our relationship with Jesus is
not breakable. The interesting ‘punchline,’ if you well, is that the word “yudan” doesn’t mean
“cut oil.” It means half-hearted, or negligent, or inattentive. It is so hard to be attentive when
we are weary and scattered!

God’s love has accounted for that, fortunately, in the Holy Spirit. We find our mutual mission
destination in our call to love one another, even those who we disagree with or who are
difficult to love. Joining together as One Body requires that we put aside ourselves and focus
only on God in the spirit of worship. In a very meek and humble attempt to bring you to our
morning chapel service, I uploaded one of the services from our college. It features a couple
of our hand bell players, playing “On Eagle’s Wings.” I was reminded of this service when
the President Elect Joe Biden referenced it in his speech a couple of days ago. The link and
translations of Pastor Che’s prayer are in in the box below.

Our current mailing address:


https://youtu.be/q6EwtbidCh8 BENCKE FAMILY
KUMAMOTO SHI
KITA-KU
~ Organ Prelude SHIMIZU MANGOKU 5-17-17
"Let's sing the first verse of Hymn 265. Please stand.” 861-8068
~ Hymn ~ “Revive us, O Lord” JAPAN
Phone from U.S.
"Today's Bible passage is Psalm 91, verses 1-16.” 011-81-96-344-2642
~Psalm 91
”Please sit down. Today is a music service by the chapel committee Email:
members.” jacqueline.bencke@gmail.com
~ Handbells play “On Eagle’s Wings”
~Prayer and benediction ELCA— Global Mission
If you are interested in learning more about
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
“Let us pray. America’s global mission and/or
God of grace, today we're going to start a new day with the beautiful tone opportunities to serve, please visit:
www.elca.org/globalmission
of the handbells.
May each of us be protected and guided by God's great depth, like the
thoughts in this song and the words of the Bible we heard earlier. Please
follow and guide us through our daily lives. Through the words of the Bible,
we learned through the Promises of the Word that God protects us day
and night.

In our region and the world in the life the threat of the new coronavirus is
imminent, but please give us peace of mind and the power necessary so
that we can first look at the learning and work given to us. And listen to this
prayer so that you can deliver the right help for the people of the region
and the people of the world who live in anxiety. Remember each and
every one of us who will be alive in God's work today. I pray only in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. November 2020 ● 84 ● Bencke ● (96) 344-2642

Please stand for the Benediction. The Lord will bless you and protect you.
The Lord will shine on you with his face and bless you. The Lord will turn his
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