“PERFECTLY WRAPPED!”
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Like most guys, I am not very good at wrapping when it comes to presents. Now my wife,
Judy,
loves to wrap all kinds of gifts and they look like works of art. I am one who like those “gift
bags
with tissue paper.” If you get a gift from me, it’s going to come in a bag…but remember it is
the
thought that counts!
At Christmas, we can stress about getting the right gift and also the need to wrap it in a
certain
way. However, about 2,000 years ago God sent His only son into the world as His gift to
us. John
1 says that the WORD (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us. At His birth, angels
appeared in
the fields near Bethlehem (about 6 miles outside of Jerusalem) to announce to the
shepherds
that the Messiah had come. They were told to go find Him. Luke 2:12 says, “And you will
recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a
manager.” God’s greatest gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a feeding
trough
rather than in kingly garments in a palace. His gift was to all people who would receive
Him.
Jesus was God’s gift to us. What we do with Him is our gift to God. We can leave Him as a
baby
lying in a manger, but His birth isn’t what saves us. His birth was so God could be with us
and
identify with us. He knows our pains, our struggles and our temptations. His gift to God and
us
was His death on the cross which opened a way for us to be with God. He was born to die
so
that we may truly live. In response, our gift to God is a life wrapped in His grace, filled with
His
love and sharing His message to a world in need. When we unwrap the story of His life
and
what He did for us, we should desire to live a life that reflects that kind of love. The
wrapping
doesn’t have to be pretty and perfect because God doesn’t look on the outside like we do.
He
looks at our heart.
Christmas blessings to all,
Pastor Jack, Interim
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
For unto us a Son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulders,
and His name shall be called wonderful, counsellor,
the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace.
DECEMBER CALENDAR of EVENTS
Online Church Service on Facebook:
If you follow our Facebook page you should receive a notification of a "Live" video starting.
No login information will be required. The Facebook page is St. John's Lutheran Church of
Red House, MD. If you can’t join us in person, we hope you can connect with us via
Facebook anytime!
NOTICE: The Aurora/Eglon community is having a musical program for Christmas on
Sunday evening, December 21st. Any singers who are interested in being in the musical
presentation, please come to practices held every Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Maple
Springs Church.
Wednesday, November 26
NO Quilting Circle this week - Happy Thanksgiving!.
Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day
The concept of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the Holy Bible, where it represents a
fundamental aspect of God's people. In both the Old and New Testaments, Thanksgiving
emphasizes gratitude and praise to God for His many blessings. The biblical interpretation
of Thanksgiving refers to devotion and sacrifice.
Sunday, November 30 1st Sunday of Advent
9:30 am Worship Service led by Stephanie Arnett in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Kathy Cline
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs
Following worship, join the Dessert Club for fellowship, food, and laughs, bring a finger
food snack to share, help plan upcoming church events and enjoy each other’s Christian
fellowship.
Monday, December 1 Christmas Decorating
6:00 pm Come out and help decorate the church for Christmas!
Wednesday, December 3
10:00-2:00 The quilting Circle will meet at St. John's. Bring a packed lunch and share in
the fellowship. Everyone is welcome to attend so come and bring a friend! (Quilting
experience not required)
6:00 pm - Church Council meeting in the upstairs Sunday School room. All new council
members are encouraged to attend.
Sunday, December 7 2nd Sunday of Advent
9:30 am Worship Service led by Crystal Boone in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Joshua Adams
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs
Wednesday, December 10
10:00-2:00 The quilting Circle will meet at St. John's. Bring a packed lunch and share in
the fellowship. Everyone is welcome to attend so come and bring a friend! (Quilting
experience not required)
6:00-8:00 pm The Straight Arrow Archers Center Shot Ministry Program will continue
at the Mt. Grove VFD Community Building. The program is for children ages 7 through
adult. If you are interested in learning how to shoot a bow and learn more about God,
reach out to Bob Boone at 304-698-7020. Proverbs 3:6: In all ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your paths straight.
Sunday, December 14 3rd Sunday in Advent
9:30 am Worship Service led by Stephanie Arnett in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Savannah Arnett
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs.
Monday, December 15 - NEWS NOTES DUE
6 pm - The Toddler Play Group is scheduled for the third Monday of each month in the
church social room. This will be a fun time for toddlers and their parents. All are
welcome!
Wednesday, December 17 Last Circle Day until Spring
10:00-2:00 The quilting Circle will meet at St. John's. Bring a packed lunch and share inthe fellowship. Everyone is welcome to attend so come and bring a friend! (Quilting
experience not required) NOTE: December 17th will be the last day for the Quilting Circle
until spring. Thank you to everyone who came out this past year and quilted with us! We
are looking forward to seeing you in the spring.
Sunday, December 21 4th Sunday of Advent, Christmas Program
& Lunch
9:30 am Sunday School Christmas Program during church and communion worship
service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook followed by our Christmas lunch.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Levi Lantz
Following the worship service, please plan to stay and join us for our annual covered dish
Christmas Lunch. Everyone is welcome to stay and share in the fellowship and
delicious food! Ham, mashed potatoes and gravy will be provided. Bring your favorite
covered dish to share and celebrate God’s blessings! Invite and bring family and friends
with you!
7:00 pm The Aurora/Eglon community is having a Christmas musical program at
Maple Springs Church. All are welcome!
Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Service
5:00 pm All are welcome to join us for our family traditional Communion and Candle
Lighting Christmas Eve Service led by Pastor Jack. Bring your friends and family!
Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day – Happy Birthday
Jesus!
Sunday, December 28 The First Sunday of Christmas
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Lisa Skipper
Following service, plan to stay for the 12 Days of Christmas Celebration! Everyone
bring a wrapped gift for a white elephant gift exchange. Re-gift a bad Christmas gift, a joke
gift or whatever you like. Kids bring kids gift, adults bring adult gift. ....and each family
bring a dessert. Pastor Jack is also providing prizes for an UGLY Sweater Contest! Pizza
will be provided for lunch! You don't want to miss this fun celebration!
Greeter & Usher Coordinator: Willie Lantz
Communion Assistants & Offering Assignments: Pat Adams & Lisa Skipper
Flowers, Bulletins & Candles for December
Note: Until further notice… We continue to use our church artificial arrangements,
but we want to note the following loved ones that the flowers are to be donated in memory
or honor of:
7th The Flinn Family - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory
of Eugene & Barbara Flinn by the Flinn Family.
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given to the Glory of God and in memory of
Elaine Roth's birthday by the Lantz Family.
14th St. John’s Church Family - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in
honor of each faithful member and Pastor Jack that has generously given of his/her time
and talents this past year to keep our “Friendly Church on the Hill” a blessing to so many of
us!
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given in honor of Cheryl Skipper’s birthday by
Lisa & Frank Skipper Family.
21st – 28th The Poinsettias on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in Loving
Memory of Baity & Florence Ridder, L. T. & Harriett Farmer and Ken & Alice Ann Ridder
by Kathy Ridder and Bonnie & Mel Turner.
21st The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Erik
Cussins' birthday by the Lantz Family.
Reminder: The altar flowers are $25.00 for the two vases. Please make a check payable
to St. John’s Lutheran Church and put it in the offering plate with your name and Sunday
date you had the altar flowers. You can also mail the payment to the church at 3301
Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550. The bulletins are $7.00 per Sunday and the Eternal
Candle is $7.00 per Sunday. We wish to extend a “thank you” to everyone who
participates in these projects.
Altar Flowers for 2026: Please let Arlene Lantz, alantz.4h@gmail.com or 240-321-
8205 (evenings) know of any changes you would like to make to the list. September 6,
2026 is open for flowers and multiple openings for the bulletins and eternal candle if
others would like to donate flowers, bulletins, or the eternal candle in honor or in memory
of loved ones.
Christmas Poinsettias - the cost for the 6.5"pot is $13. If you would like to purchase
a poinsettia to adorn the church for Christmas, please complete a form and put it in
Diane's church mailbox or contact Diane M. Donham AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by phone:
301-334-4830 -please leave a message with phone number OR email:
ddonhamcpa@gmail.com. Please note how many poinsettias and who you would like to
give them in honor or memory of loved ones this Christmas season. The checks will be
made payable to: St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. All orders are due by December 14th.
A Christmas Prayer
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Council Updates –
1. At the November 9th Annual Congregational Meeting the 2026 budget was
approved and the following were elected to a 3 year term on council: Pat Adams,
Savannah Arnett, and DJ Wilson. We appreciate their dedication to St. John’s
and a special thanks to Willie Lantz who goes off council after his 6 years of
service. May God bless all for sharing their time and talents with the church!
2. At the November 16th Celebration Sunday:
a. We had 13 new members join the church!
b. We collected $424 which will be donated to the Oak Park Church Food
Bank.
c. Members donated 15 Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes that were
delivered to Pleasant View Baptist Church. Thank you to all who made boxes
which will go to deserving children throughout the world.
d. Thank you to those who turned in 29 pledge cards during our collection day
for our "What Shall We Bring" Stewardship Drive during celebration
Sunday. There have been over $35,400 in pledges turned in so far. We still
urge you to turn in your pledge cards either through the mail or offering plate.
The pledges will help the Council and the Call Committee in our future plans.
e. Thank you to Gay and Virginia Roth and The Red House Sewing Circle
for their monetary donations that will be used to purchase a new computer
and streaming hardware for us to better present video items during our
service and Live Stream our services on FaceBook and hopefully YouTube
soon.
3. Please NOTE: Pastor Jack will be out of town from November 18-
December 19 for a family memorial service in Florida and a well
deserved vacation! May God grant him and Judy safe travels, beautiful
weather, and fun times! Please contact Crystal Boone, Council
President if you are in need of pastoral care during this time. Crystal
can be reached at 304-704-4333. Please leave a message if she is not
able to answer your call during working hours.
4. WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA…is a national ministry that began with a vision of
a 12 year old boy who visited Arlington National Cemetery. Today that vision is a
reality with over million wreaths being placed by over 3 million volunteers at almost
5000 locations throughout the United States. If you would like to donate $17 for a
wreath, please go to www.WreathsAcrossAmerica and do so to “honor and thank”
all those who gave their lives for our peace and security.
Save the Dates:
-December 21st - Youth Christmas Program during church & Christmas lunch following
church
-December 28 th - 12 Days of Christmas Celebration
-Feb 15th - BINGO & Ice Cream Social
-May 16th - Chicken Burn Dinner & Bake & Yard Sale
-July 24-25 - Horizon School Dinner Theater at PVCC
-August 15, 2026 - The Summer’s Last Sizzle
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Joyce Tekavec can be reached at the following number: 276-
240-0059 Joyce has accepted the responsibility of being a nurture person. She also has
voice mail, so leave her a message if she is unavailable. Please contact her with all
happenings such as illnesses, births, hospitalization, deaths, etc. Joyce will see that the
prayer chain gets started and make the proper contacts.
CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME – We warmly welcome several of our
friends and family to our St. John’s church family who became “official” members on
Sunday, November 16th: Theresa Harsh Anthony, Michael Beard, Sara Beard,
Kathleen Cline, Brianna Glass, Darlene Jackson, Cordell McNear, Robbie Nelson,
Jocie, Sadie & Caroline Rembold, Jane Roberson, and DJ Wilson. Thanks to all who
stayed to welcome our new members at our Thanksgiving lunch following the service. We
thank Pastor Jack for his guidance and leadership of our church growth. We have so
many blessings to be thankful for and may God continue to bless our “Friendly Church on
the Hill.”
THANKS to all who made the Run for It a huge success. Here is the breakdown
of the event. Number of Racers – 40, Team Donations - $56,689 (past year fundraisers),
Half of the Entry Fees - $240, Winner of the Icon Award - $1,000, Winner of the Best Team
T-Shirt - $200, and the Garrett County Commission Award - $550…..TOTAL
DISTRIBUTION: $58,679
Get Well Wishes - Our love and continued prayers for Allen Strawser who continues
his recovery and for Beck Sherrard and Susan Baker who are battling cancer. May God
bless and keep all of our loved ones in his care.
Sympathy - to the family and friends of Claude Winters, 99, of Eglon, who passed
away on November 4, 2025, at his farm in Eglon, WV. A celebration of life was held on
November 15, 2025, at the Maple Spring Covenant Brethren Church. He will be laid to rest
at the Eglon Community Cemetery at a later date.
Cemetery Notes: The Red House Lutheran Cemetery Association relies on donations
to keep the cemetery mowed, trimmed and generally maintained. The purchase of grave
lots does not include perpetual care or continual maintenance/repair of individual
tombstones. Donations and memorials for the cemetery can be made to The Red House
Lutheran Cemetery Association and mailed to 3301 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD
21550. Any questions regarding the cemetery can be addressed to Diane M. Donham,
phone: 301-334-4830 or email: ddonhamcpa@gmail.com .
CHRIST IN OUR HOME– Copies of the daily devotional ‘Christ in Our Home’ are
available in the vestibule for October, November, and December. Please take a copy and
give one to a shut-in for their reading enjoyment. This is a publication of the ELCA, which
relates to the scriptures for each week.
POP TABS: Are you continuing to save your aluminum pop tabs? Remember, this is an
ongoing project for the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown. There is a box in the
narthex to place them in throughout the year. Thanks a million!
"HILL TOP BEACON" If you have any news items you wish to place in the monthly
newsletter or if your address has changed, please give the information to Arlene Lantz –
alantz.4h@gmail.com -Phone (240) 321-8205 (evenings) or Lisa Skipper –
mdskip4@aol.com. – Phone 301-616-2477.
BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWERS
November:
22 - Judy Palzer 3301 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550
29 – Pastor Jack and Judy Palzer’s Anniversary
December:
5 - Mary Jane Gnegy 757 Bill Roth Road, Oakland, MD 21550
88
14 - Margie McWilliams 4378 Seneca Trail, Eglon, WV 26716
88
January:
20 - Pastor Jack Palzer 3301 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550
SHUT-IN LIST below is a list of persons who would enjoy receiving a thinking-of-you
card.
Ethel Cosner Goodwill Retirement Home, 891 Dorsey Hotel Road, Grantsville, MD
21536
Mary Jane Gnegy Cortland Acres -D5, 39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292
Helen Roth Cortland Acres -39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292
Janet Shaluta Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home - 1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD
21550
Jarrod Wolfe 11020 California Avenue, Apt. A, Cumberland, MD 21502
HOSPITAL ADDRESSES -
Garrett Regional Medical Center - 251 N, Fourth St., Oakland, MD 21550
Ruby Memorial Hospital - Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506
Monongalia General Hospital - 1200 J.D. Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505
Western MD Regional Medical Center – 12500 Willowbrook Rd. Cumberland, MD 21502
Nursing Home Addresses:
Cortland Acres -39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292
Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home - 1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD 21550
Oakland Nursing & Rehab Center – 706 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550