Gabriel’s Horn December 2025
Upcoming Events
Dec 1: Quilting 9 AM–Noon
Dec 3: Bible Study 10 AM – Hosea
Dec 5: Men’s Group 8 AM – Cracker Barrel
Dec 5: Disco Home School’s Holiday Gathering
Dec 7: Sunday School 9 AM – Readings for Today
Dec 7: One Service 10 AM
Dec 7: Council Meeting 12:15 PM
Dec 8: Quilting 9 AM–Noon
Dec 10: Bible Study 10 AM – Hosea
Dec 12: Men’s Group 8 AM – Cracker Barrel
Dec 13: Fair Recital 2 PM–4:30 PM
Dec 14: Sunday School 9 AM – Readings for Today
Dec 14: One Service 10 AM
Dec 14: Voter’s Meeting & Potluck Meal 11:15 PM
Dec 15: Quilting 9 AM–Noon
Dec 17: Bible Study 10 AM – Hosea
Dec 17: Youth Group 6–7:30 PM
Dec 19: Men’s Group 8 AM – Cracker Barrel
Dec 20: Birthday Breakfast for Jesus 9–11 AM
Dec 20: Cantata Rehearsal
Dec 21: Sunday School 9 AM – Readings for Today
Dec 21: One Service 10 AM
Dec 21: Cantata & Children’s Program – 10 AM Service
Dec 21: Board of Education Meeting 12:15 PM
Dec 22: Quilting 9 AM–Noon
Dec 24: Christmas Eve Services 3 PM & 7 PM
Dec 25: Christmas Day Service 10 AM
Dec 26: Men’s Group 8 AM – Cracker Barrel
Dec 28: Sunday School 9 AM – Readings for Today
Dec 28: One Service 10 AM
Dec 29: Quilting 9 AM–Noon
Dec 29: Red Cross Blood Drive 1–5 PM (FLC)
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve
Happy New Year
“Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
Christmas Services
Please Join Us
Christmas Eve Services: 3 PM & 7 PM
Christmas Day Service: 10 AM
Church Council
Church Council positions will be vacant at the end of the year.
Please prayerfully consider serving in one of these roles. Thank you!
Serving Our Lord
Greeters
10 AM – The Gamarys
Usher
10 AM – Dan Falkenstein
Lectors
Dec 7 – John Scherrer
Dec 14 – Denise Gamary
Dec 21 – Jon Collins
Dec 28 – Paul Gamary
Altar Guild
Phyllis Burt & Sheri Langsdorf
Counters
David Heitz & Denise Waczkowski
Nursery
One Service
Slideshow
One Service
Elders
Dec 7 – Chip Gray
Dec 14 – Dan Falkenstein
Dec 21 – Robert Hay
Dec 28 – Chip Gray
Attendance (November)
November 2 – 104
November 9 – 103
November 16 – 113
November 23 – 107
December Birthdays
Becky Holman
Russ Denter
Selah Weaver
Emily Irmick
Denise Gamary
Matthew Irmick
Thomas Irmick
John Bertalot
Terry Spena
Billy Pomeroy
Elijah Collins
Kyle Langsdorf
December Anniversaries
Nolan & Tiffany Vanover
Jeremy & Amy Ogg
Skyler & Morgan Maassel
Contact the office for more information.
Junior Confirmation
Junior Confirmation – Wednesday Nights 5:30 PM
Your child may join if they will turn 13 during this school year.
Saint John Lutheran Church Information
Saint John Lutheran Church
2300 HWY 96
Burns, TN 37029
615‑446‑2332
Blessedbythelord.org
Service Times
Traditional – 8:30 AM
Sunday School – 10 AM
Contemporary – 11:00 AM
December Meetings
December 7 – Council Meeting 11:15 PM
December 14 – Voter’s Meeting & Potluck 11:15 AM
December 21 – Board of Education 11:15 AM
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” – John 1:9
Youth Group
Youth Group – Wednesday December 17, 6–7:30 PM
Making friends & helping others in the community.
Birthday Breakfast for Jesus
December 20 – 9–11 AM
Toys collected will benefit the Help Center Toy Store.
Christianity 101 – New Class
New Class – Wednesday January 14, 6:30 PM
CHRISTIANITY 101
A Class to Learn Lutheran, Christian Teachings.
Volunteers Needed. Contact the office if you are interested.
Refreshments During Fellowship Time
Host by yourself or with a buddy.
Candy Cane Poem
Look at a candy cane – what do you see?
Stripes that are red like the blood shed for me!
White for my Savior, who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus, my Lord that’s for sure!
Turn it around and a staff you will see –
Jesus, my Shepherd, coming for me!
(Attributed to “FALALA DESIGNS.”)
Bible Study – Hosea
Bible Study – Wednesday Mornings 10 AM – Hosea
Scripture: The Fuel You Need for the Week
(New Class)
Deaconess Sunday – December 28
Please keep our adopted Deaconess in your prayers as she continues her studies at Concordia Theological Seminary.
Please place your donations in the deaconess basket. Thank you!
Deaconess Sunday – December 28
Advent Schedule 2025
Nov 30 – First Sunday: One Service 10 AM; Wednesday Dec 3 – Services 1 & 7 PM
Dec 7 – Second Sunday: One Service 10 AM; Wednesday Dec 10 – Services 1 & 7 PM
Dec 14 – Third Sunday: One Service 10 AM; Wednesday Dec 17 – Services 1 & 7 PM
Dec 21 – Fourth Sunday: One Service 10 AM – Christmas Cantata & Children’s Program
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve: 3 PM & 7 PM
Dec 25 – Christmas Day: 10 AM
Dec 28: One Service 10 AM
Birthday Breakfast for Jesus – December 20, 9–11 AM
Adult Bible Study 9 AM
Greeting Cards – LWML Mite Boxes
Greeting Cards – Brighten Someone’s Day
All proceeds go to the LWML Mite Boxes.
Just drop 35 cents in the coin box and pick your card.
In Memory – Harry Canter
Remembering Harry Canter
March 1, 1939 – October 30, 2025
Please keep Christine and his family in your prayers. Thank you.
Lutheran Witness Magazine Subscriptions
Time to renew or get a subscription to the Lutheran Witness magazine.
Cost to order through the church office: $15
Cost to renew through Concordia Publishing House: $28.25
The Mid‑South District funds $13.25 towards each subscription, so take advantage of this savings.
Subscription time runs from April 1 – March 31.
The Elders Among Us
Feel free to reach out to your elder if you have any questions.
Robert Hay
Chip Gray
Dan Falkenstein
(Ad for The Lutheran Witness magazine – “Subscribe today at cph.org/witness”)
Christmas Cantata
Christmas Cantata – Sunday Service – December 21, 2025
Practice Saturdays 10:30–11:30.
Quilting
Quilting – Mondays 9 AM–Noon
No experience necessary. Benefits the Red Cross.
See Barbara Bower.
Men’s Group
Men’s Group – Breakfast every Friday 8 AM
Join us for Food, Faith, & Fellowship at Cracker Barrel.
Feel free to invite a friend.
CarePortal – Help the Community
Help someone in the Dickson County community!
Give to our CarePortal Fund
Sign up for our team – Sign up today; just scan the QR codes to see how you may help.
St. John Lutheran Church CarePortal.
Member Profile – Kevin & Michelle
Kevin was born in McKinney, Texas where he joined the military. He has lived in Texas, Tennessee, and Germany. Kevin has twin sisters and one brother.
Michelle was born in Flint, Michigan. She has lived in South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, and Tennessee. Michelle has three brothers and three sisters. Both of her parents have passed away.
Kevin returned to Fort Campbell after his first deployment to Iraq on February 9th, 2004. The day he arrived he went with a friend to the mall to purchase cell phones. While there, his friend wanted to stop into a shop and say hi to his friend Michelle. It was love at first sight. Kevin asked Michelle for a date. She had him fill out a credit application (so she could make sure he paid his bills). She sold him a watch so he would not be late for their date. They were married four and a half weeks later. Kevin and Michelle returned to Texas for four years where Kevin retired from the military. They then moved back to Tennessee.
Kevin spent 23 years in the Army as a Network Technician. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. Currently he is working as a Security Firewall Engineer for a cyber security company in Franklin, TN. Kevin has a Bachelor of Arts degree. He enjoys riding his motorcycle when he can. He collects Star Wars items and enjoys bourbon.
Michelle was raised in Lutheran schools. She has a 30‑year career as a manager of jewelry stores. When she and Kevin moved to Tennessee, she was the manager that opened Dickson Kay Jewelers store. She retired after moving back to Tennessee from Texas and now enjoys collecting and redoing furniture. She has an antique booth at Junk Vision on Main Street in downtown Dickson. She enjoys quilting at the church and any other activities she has time to help with.
Kevin and Michelle were long‑term members of Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville, TN. When they moved back to Tennessee from Texas and settled in Dickson, they wanted to be part of a Lutheran church that helps and supports the local community they lived in.
Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” – is a meaningful Bible verse to Kevin.
Michelle’s best advice that she has received is: “Don’t expect what you would do, out of others.” Michelle says, “What you see is who I am. I don’t judge others off of other people’s opinions.”
Their family is what makes Kevin and Michelle smile and what they are most proud of. Kevin and Michelle have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Symbolism of Advent Wreath and Candles
Evergreens – continuous life across the seasons
Circular shape – representing God’s infinite love
Pinecones – promise of new life
Holly leaves – point ahead to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross
Berries – Christ’s sacrifice and the blood shed for sins
Candles
First candle – Hope
Second candle – Faith
Third candle – Joy
Fourth candle – Peace
Life Line Screening – Special Package
Special screening package for $129 for our members includes:
Carotid Artery Disease Screening
Atrial Fibrillation Screening
Peripheral Artery Disease Screening
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Wednesday January 28 – at Saint John Lutheran Church, 2300 HWY 96, Burns, TN 37029.
Sign up today – call 800‑324‑9458 and use code HABC001.
“Life Line Screening – The Power of Prevention”
Thank You from Susan Lopezarreola
“St. John congregation, thank you so much for the contributions. It’s truly appreciated.” – Susan Lopezarreola
GoFundMe: Help Ease Funeral Costs for Carlos – aids Susan and her family.
Sanctuary Sound Table Fund
Will you help us reach our $800 goal for the new sanctuary sound table?
See Greg Stevenson for more information.
Poinsettias
Honor a loved one this Christmas Eve by placing a poinsettia at the altar.
Plants are $10 each.
Please return the form to Barbara Bower or the church office by Sunday Dec 15.
Checks payable to St. John LWML.
Thank you.
Ladies Small Group
Ladies Small Group is taking a break until January 6th.
At that time, we will resume our study of the gospel of Matthew.
Watch for Small Group news in early 2026.
Red Cross Blood Drive
American Red Cross – “Give Something That Means Something”
Monday December 29, 1–5 PM in the FLC
Also includes a short graphic note:
Preventing Opioid Overdoses – How to Administer Narcan (Nasal Spray)
Steps summarized:
Remove Narcan from box.
Hold with thumb, first and middle finger.
Insert tip into either nostril.
Press the plunger firmly.
“If you suspect an overdose is occurring, call 911. Administer rescue breathing and naloxone (Narcan).”
Narcan at Church
Narcan restocked at First Aid Stations.
On November 18th, the Ladies Small Group and Hutch Hutchinson attended a short presentation on opioid abuse and Narcan administration.
Narcan is available in two places at St. John:
In the Nursery in the church building along with a first aid kit and the AED.
In the kitchen in the Family Life Center along with a first aid kit.
Members are encouraged to look in these two areas to be sure where these emergency items are located. See any of the Ladies Small Group or Hutch if you have questions.
