It’s become a tradition in our family to go out hunting in the woods for our Christmas tree. In specified areas of the Black Hills the Forest Service will let you cut down an evergreen… A CHRISTMAS TREE FOR BABY JESUS

Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful A Christmas Hymn #102 in The Lutheran Hymnal As familiar and well-loved as this hymn has become, there is surprisingly little known of its origin. The Latin poem “Adeste, Fideles”… Appreciating Our Lutheran Hymns

Daily Bible Readings 1999 The Spokesman extends hearty thanks to Pastor Roland H. Gurgel for these devotional readings for the coming year. The overall theme chosen for these readings is: “O sing unto the Lord.”… “O Sing Unto The Lord”

*OLD NEWS–BUT STILL GOOD NEWS (Paul R. Koch, taken from the Messiah, Eau Claire newsletter, the Messenger, Christmas issue, 1997) We suffer no shortage of access to news in our society–by papers, magazines, television, and… SMORGASBORD

“That We Might have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Judges Chapters Two Through Seven Victorious Against Impossible Odds After the death of Joshua, the Israelites failed to get rid of all the heathen people in the Promised… LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Matthew 18:21-35 On Extravagance — And Its Lack You will never be sinned against by anyone the way in which you have sinned against God. No one will ever commit the number of sins against… Parables Of The Master

Back “on-line” For over a year, a half-dozen Christian households in the Onalaska/Brice Prairie area (suburban LaCrosse, Wis.) had been deprived of their CLC home-page. That is, when St. Mark’s of Onalaska left the CLC… –New Preaching Station

At the request of the Spokesman, our four new pastors submitted biographical information about themselves. We thank them. George Dummann To a new pastor, his time may seem to be at more of a premium… Last Spring’s Seminary Graduates

Installation In accord with our usage and order, Leah Fossum who was called as full-time teacher, and Christine Fossum who was called as part-time teacher, by Holy Trinity Lutheran School, West Columbia, S.C. were installed… Announcements

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” — Luke 21:28. Jesus describes some frightening things that will happen in the world before the… Lift Up Your Heads