The Monthly Messenger

December 2020

Happy Church New Year!
 Worship With Us!

Advent is the first season in the church year,
comprising the four weeks before Christmas. The Sunday Schedule
word “Advent” comes from the Latin, “to come,” and 9:00 am
the church has observed Advent as weeks of
Praise & Thanksgiving
preparation since the fifth century with themes of
watchfulness, preparation, and hope infusing this Communion
season. Together we both anticipate the celebration of Presiding: Pastor David Hill
God’s coming in the form of the Christ child and the Livestream on Facebook
final coming of Christ in the time to come. Blue or
purple is the appointed color for the season. Blue is Due to current statewide COVID
the color of choice by Saron. The color blue is Restrictions, In-door service has
referred to often in scripture, but many say it been suspended until further
represents heaven. notice.

Please join us on Facebook for worship at 9 am. If
you would like to pick up a disposable chalice for
communion during the service, you are welcome to
call the church office, and pick them up. You may
prefer using your own bread and wine.
You will continue to receive a
weekly email every Friday with the
upcoming Sunday’s Bulletin, which
you can use to follow along on
Facebook Sunday mornings at 9am.

Let us join together each Sunday for worship and https://www.facebook.com/SaronLu

prepare for the coming of our Savior. theranEscalon

If you have any further questions,

Table of Contents please contact the church office at
(209) 838-7695
Pastor’s Message page 2
Message from Council page 3
Message to Congregation /
Bunco Update page 4
Birthdays page 5
Random Acts of Kindness page 6
Kris Kringle page 7
Community Holiday Events pages 8 & 9
Upcoming Events page 10
Bible Crossword page 11
Bible Verse Wordsearch page 12
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Dear Saron Family:

We have come through a turbulent and
unsettling period of our lives. Covid19,
massive destructive forest fires, social
unrest, and hurricanes and isolation from
our families and friends.

The Advent and Christmas season will give

us an opportunity to refresh our hearts,
minds, bodies, and spirits. We will be
reminded of our Lord's gracious act of
becoming flesh and dwelling among us.
Immanuel! God Is with us.

Jesus came to give us new life full of Hope,

Joy, Peace, and most of all God's
unconditional divine Love. We can take a
deep breath of the Holy Breath of God who
will continue to empower us even through
these seemingly difficult times. In the words
of a Gospel hymn, “God on the Mountain”
is also still God of the valley and our Lord
promises to be with us always, even to end
of this age.

May each of you and your loved ones

have a very blessed and joy-filled
Christmas season. In Jesus you will
find ‘Peace and Love.’
Pastor David
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You Might be Lutheran if…
You only serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season

We are Thankful
Thank you to everyone who contributed $7,400 to the
Thankoffering on Sunday. If you were unable to
come, we also greatly appreciated those that mailed
their gift or left it at the church office.

We are very happy to see you,

and greet you with a wave.
Our hearts are full of longing,
for worship and fellowship, we do crave. C.A.R.E. requests for the month of
You are a blessing to the congregation. December 2020
We will remain strong and true. “Hot Chocolate”
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, we surely miss you!
• Also, any additional items
including cereal & canned goods
Your Thankoffering means so much. Thank you!
We are blessed to be a blessing! • Monetary Donations are always
welcome
Your Church Council

RIDDLE
QUESTION:
What’s never
used until
it’s broken?
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A message to the congregation:

Dear Saron family:

Enclosed is my annual gift in memory of David and Hilma

Magnuson, my Grandparents and your spiritual founder(s).

As we live through this pandemic (and fires and election) as a

church family, I think of Saron having gone through the 1918
– 1919 pandemic just nine/few years after its founding. It
survived and flourished with God’s help as we will this time.
My own congregation, St. Francis, also survived the 1918-
1919 pandemic, so I think of both parishes as successful
survivors.

As I read your newsletter each month I note that you haven’t

been hasty, but instead deliberate with your call process, and
also have had more than one pastor in this interim period. You
are going through this time of discernment in a wise way you
will be far more prepared to work with your new pastor once
he/she is with you because you have been patient and careful
as well as prayerful.

Blessing to you on your amazing journey!

Tom Tragardh
David Cortez

Bunco!
Blessed to be a Blessing
The Witness & Service Ministry Team thanks
you for sharing your blessing to bless those in
need of assistance in Escalon during the
holidays. Because of your generous gifts
$4,371.00 was sent to the Escalon Ministerial
Association to assist these individuals with food
vouchers from our local grocery stores. This
was truly a gift and a blessing to many.
Thank you all
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Birthdays!
December
02 Josef Peters
03 Tony Adametz
03 Lori Armstrong
05 Sarah White
The Messenger, Saron’s monthly 06 Bobo Gonzalez
newsletter is for all the family of 06 Chris Holck
Saron. If you have anything you’d like 07 Kathy Pendleton
included such as a committee 07 Katie Smith
announcement, family update, 10 Dorene Bookwalter
interesting tidbit, photos, personal 14 Buck Sappenfield
experience or anything you think 16 Steve (Sven) Pearson
others might find interesting, please 19 Grace Olson
feel free to email all information to 21 Suzanne Tengelsen
Karen Peters at 22 Jackie Johnson
saronmessenger@gmail.com 28 Trevor Thomasser
We will do our best to include it in
upcoming Messengers. Please include
“Messenger” in the subject line on
your email.
Deadline to send information for
JANUARY MESSENGER is
12-20-2020
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Random Acts of Kindness, revisited during the

Coronavirus Pandemic
A few years ago we passed out ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ cards
with each Kris Kringle Market purchase. These were a great idea
for the time, but many of the acts involved one-on-one Human
contact, not a safe idea as we move into our 10th month of a
dangerous pandemic. But we can still reach out and let others
know we care during the time of COVID-19. Below are just a few
ideas because sometimes during the hustle & bustle of the holiday
season it’s easy to forget about those around us for whom the
holidays are not so joyful, especially those living alone. When
you see an opportunity to help someone, please do! And
remember, Kindness is appreciated all year long!
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Saron Lutheran Church’s

5th Annual
Kris Kringle Market
Saturday, 12-12-20
10am – 2pm Kris Kringle Market:
1742 North Street, Escalon December 12th
Call 838-7695 for more information
Come to the Kris Kringle
Outdoor Shopping
Market from 10 am – 2 pm on
Please wear a mask & Social Distance
December 12th at the church.
Grab lunch To-Go! There will be crafts, jams,
Your choice of jellies, baked goods, etc… You
• Baked Potato lunchHotdog lunch will find everything you need to
• Bowl of Chili lunch top off your Christmas
• Combo of Baked Potato w/a Cup of Chili shopping.
Hotdog lunch No need to go home and cook.
We got Baked You may purchase a baked
goods for ya!
potato or chili luncheon or a
combination of both. You won’t
s
• Holiday Item s Items fo
r your want to miss this delicious meal
ea
• Great Gift Id Furry F
riends! made especially for you.
D ec or
• Seasonal
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2ND ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS &
Join us on Facebook! DECORATIONS CONTEST
Search for us by
CONTEST RUNS FROM DEC 5TH – 14TH
“Saron Lutheran
Church,” our icon is
Bring out your Christmas lights & decorations and enter in our contest! Christmas lights & decorations are
the front of the church. key to a postcard-perfect Christmas scene. Wrap 'em around porches and stair rails, stuff them in trees and
bushes, and deck out just about everything else for the most cheerful house and business in town. Let’s have
fun this holiday season and decorate Escalon. Sign up online at
https://www.escalonchamberofcommerce.org/christmas-light-contest

The community is encouraged to follow the map and vote online at our website by December 14th.
Also vote for your favorite Business decorations!
First, Second and Third Prizes will be awarded (valued up to $250.00) and can be picked up at
Farmer’s Insurance on Main St after December 16th.
Contest is for all Escalon businesses and homes that are in the areas shown on the website. Lights &
Decorations have to be visible from our cars. You have to enter to win!

So join us for a fun Holiday event!

Any questions call or text Pat at 209-988-0582 or Debbie 209-402-0505.

Sponsored by
Escalon Chamber of Commerce

Friday, December 11th

Quality Service, Inc.
Parking Lot
2996 McHenry Ave.

MOVIE BEGINS AT
6:00pm & 8:30pm
Pa i g L O e a 5:30
S ace i Li i ed!

S cial di a ci g g ideli e be f ll ed
Y e ai i ide ehicle i he bed f a ck
La ge ehicle a k i back
All ehicle lea e di ec l f ll i g ie
This movie is sponsored by:
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As we all know, this year is a little diffe en .join us for the

Christmas on Main St. 2020 Edition

Proudly brought to you by
The Escalon Chamber of Commerce, City of Escalon and the
Christmas on Main St Committee

Friday, December 11th

Drive In Movie Night
Movie begins at 6:00pm & 8:30pm (lot opens at 5:30pm)
Quality Service, Inc. Parking Lot - 2996 McHenry Ave, Escalon
All viewers must remain in their vehicle. Large vehicles must park in the back.
All vehicles must leave directly following movie. No Snack bar onsite.
Space is Limited.
Check city website and FB for more details.

Saturday December 12th

Escalon Light Parade 2020 Drive THRU Edition
Light parade will operate 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
Parade display will be parked on Main Street between First St. & Third St.
The parade will NOT move. This is NOT a walking/standing event.
Traffic flow will be ONE WAY during the parade. Viewers will DRIVE thru the route enjoying the parked
floats and Main Street sidewalks decorated for the holiday season by local businesses.
Viewers are welcome to drive thru the parade more than once.
Santa will arrive early and spend some time in the parade to share his smile and wave to
festive parade goers. Please NO stopping or exiting the vehicle.

Parade entry form located on the Escalon Chamber Website and FB.

December 5th through December 14th

2nd Annual Escalon Christmas Lights/Decorations Contest
Open to Residential & Businesses
Lights/Decorations must be exterior & visible from street.

A map will be compiled and shared on the Chamber website.

The community is encouraged to follow the map and vote for their favorite entry online
via the Escalon Chamber Website www.escalonchamberofcommerce.org

Voting runs from December 5th - December 14th.

1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes will be awarded (valued up to $250.00).
Prizes may be picked up at Farmers Insurance on Main St after December 16th.

Light decorating contest entry form located on the Escalon Chamber Website.

Answers to November 2020 Crossword

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Those That Serve

Altar GuildSpecial Thanks

Flowers It is a good time to pause and thank everyone for what they are
Greeters doing to help keep Saron together during this frustrating time.
Musicians We are reaching and saying thank you to everyone that helps
Usher prepare for and lead the worship each Sunday. It must be
Lector somewhat strange to preach, play the piano or organ, read the
lessons, or pray with the congregation with a sanctuary of empty
Refreshments
Assisting pews. But you are here. You serve the Lord with happiness.
Minister Because of that the congregation can continue to worship and
Communion commune weekly. Thank you. You are loved. You are a blessing
Assistants to us as a congregation.
Money
Counters

Upcoming Events
THIS MONTH: FUTURE DATES:
th
Dec 10 Jan 1st
6:00pm – Council Meeting New Year’s Day
th
Dec 12 Jan 31st
10am-2pm - Kris Kringle Market Annual Meeting (following the
th
Dec 24 service)
Christmas Eve Candlelight
Service: It is our hope to have a worship service (most likely outdoors)
on Christmas Eve. You will receive more information by e-mail
th
Dec 25 or phone from the church office.
Christmas Day
Dec 31st
New Year’s Eve

RIDDLE
ANSWER:
An egg
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