Child bereavement service is Dec. 6

The Infant and Child Bereavement Program of Medcenter One will hold its annual Candlelight Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 6.

The service is sponsored by Birthcenter One and the Pastoral Care departments of Medcenter One in Bismarck.

The memorial service is dedicated to all babies who have died before or shortly after birth and to all children of any age who have died. Ornaments will be placed on a tree for the service. People may have an ornament inscribed with their baby or child’s name by calling the Pastoral Care office at 323-6086 or visiting the Web site at www.medcenterone.com/gardenofpeace. Ornaments also may be inscribed before the service from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

This event will take place in the Outpatient Services Center, 414 N. Seventh St.

During the day on Dec. 6, people are invited to leave a white flower at the base of the Angel of Hope statue at Fairview Cemetery, 2929 E. Century Ave. Throughout the United States, memorial services are being held at this time and date wherever there is an Angel of Hope statue.

 

A Blue Christmas Service of Healing

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday the Bismarck United Church of Christ at 1200 E. Highland Acres Road will have A Blue Christmas Service of Healing.

There is a familiar Christmas song that declares that Christmas is the “most wonderful time of the year,” says the Rev. Jim Moos, pastor at the Bismarck UCC. For many, however, it is not; for those who are ill, grieving or have other significant problems in life, this can be the most depressing time of the year, Moos said.

At the Service of Healing, prayer will be offered for healing of those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, Moos said: “We will also offer thanks for caregivers, and ask that God bless their continued efforts.

Those who desire anointing will have a drop of oil placed on their forehead.

“All are welcome to come and pray for themselves, for friends and family members, or offer prayers for the healing of our broken world. Those who receive the anointing oil may do so on their own behalf, or on behalf of others. “

The public is invited to attend. For more information, call the Bismarck United Church of Christ at 223-2915.

Breakfast and bake sale benefit Dec. 5

The public is invited to a pancake and sausage breakfast and bake sale benefit from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 in the basement of Calvary Free Lutheran Church, 417 S. Anderson St., Bismarck.

Proceeds will go toward a chair lift. Matching funds will be provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

A call to ‘Read the Bible’ in 2010

Marv Mutzenberger, professor of religion at Bismarck State College and retired pastor, will guide readers interested in reading the entire Bible.

Starting Dec. 20, Mutzenberger is offering “Read the Bible Library in 2010” at First Lutheran Church, 800 N. Seventh St., Bismarck.

The Bible is actually a “library” of books, Mutzenberger said — 39 “books” in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

This is not a study or interpretation of the Bible, but a “guided read,” Mutzenberger says.

Participants are invited to meet with Mutzenberger at 2 p.m. the third Sunday of each month to receive guidance for reading. Those who can’t be there may call or e-mail him or the church for a special appointment.

Participants will be guided in reading about 100 chapters a month, or 25 chapters a week, four chapters every day.

To contact Mutzenberger, e-mail mutzenberger@msc.com or call 223-1512; to contact First Lutheran, e-mail firstsecretary1@msn.com or call 223-4340.

‘Why Advent? Why Christmas?’

The community is invited to join the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday for Advent Evening Prayer followed by reflection on the meaning of Advent. There will be discussion on the Scripture readings and family customs and traditions that might help someone live a more meaningful Advent and Christmas season. The program is free of charge. Preregister by calling Sister Gerard Wald at 355-8909 or e-mail gerwald@umary.edu.

Food drive benefits Welcome House

Welcome House in Bismarck, a faith-based nonprofit serving women and families who are homeless in the community, was the recipient of the sixth annual Thanksgiving Food Drive at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck.

The Rev. Nadine Lehr said that this sharing is an expression of gratitude for the abundance many have.

“We also realize that as the weather gets colder and the holidays arrive, many families struggle all the harder to make ends meet because of added fuel costs and holiday traditions that take a toll on family budgets. We hope our gifts will lighten the load for these families and help them enjoy the holidays without pressure,” Lehr said.

For more information on Welcome House, call 751-1218 or visit www.welcome-house.net. Their office is at 2910 E. Broadway Ave., Suite 44, Bismarck.

‘Handling the Holidays’ series

A four-week small group series, “Handling the Holidays,” is planned at First Evangelical Free Church starting Thursday and continuing Dec. 10, 17 and 28.

The group will use the video “Handling the Holidays” featuring Darcie Sims, Ph.D., which deals with going through the holidays without a loved one.

The group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the four days. First Evangelical Free Church is at 205 43rd Ave., Bismarck.

For more information or to register, contact Pastor Kevin Lardy at 223-3330 or Deborah Weibel at 425-1276.

‘Tree of Love’ at First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church in Bismarck will have its “Tree of Love” set up by Sunday. Ornaments on the tree will be marked with a gift item and those choosing the ornaments purchase that gift item. Gifts are requested to be brought to the church by Dec. 13 and placed under the tree with the ornament attached.

Gifts will be given to families chosen by BECEP, Neighbors Network, Charles Hall Youth Services and the Child Care Center. Gift certificates and gifts of money may be placed in the gift box under the tree. All checks should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church.

German-English Advent Service

The Dakota Pioneer Chapter of the Germans from Russia will hold its annual German-English Advent Service at the United Church of Christ, 1200 E. Highland Acres Road, Bismarck, at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The Rev. Clayton Schaeffer will provide the sermon, with Clyde Bauman as soloist and the Faithful Quartet providing special music. Christmas treats and coffee will be served after the service.

Good Shepherd CD available soon

The latest recording from the Music and Worship Ministries of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is set to be released soon.

The CD “I Love You Lord — The Sounds of Good Shepherd, Chapter Four” features the church’s men’s quartet, Shepherds of Harmony.

Intern Pastor Craig Schweitzer says that the recording will be available for sale in the main office at Good Shepherd’s South Campus starting Dec. 7. For more information, contact Schweitzer at Craig@GoodShepherdBismarck.com.

Good Shepherd’s South Campus is located at Washington Street and Divide Avenue.

Sisters plan Day of Contemplation

The Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, today will observe a day of contemplation and prayer on “Thanksgiving and Stewardship.”

“This special time of year calls us to reflect on the many gifts God has given to us,” says Sister JoAnn Krebsbach. “As a monastic community, we sisters strive to practice good and wise stewardship in the way we live and serve others.”

It is the hope of the sisters that all will join them in prayer for this intention in their own homes and daily activities.

Walter Piehl set  to speak at UU

Artist Walter Piehl will speak on “How My Work Reflects My Values” at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 818 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck.

Piehl’s art transcends his Western themes and combines an expressionistic style with literal and interpretive investigations of Western American life. Since 1970, Piehl has been a professor in fine arts at Minot State University.

Coffee time begins at 10:30 a.m. The public is welcome. Child care is provided.