Happy Winter Most are not feeling too happy right now. The fog...the lack of sunshine...the ice...the rain. All of this makes for less than enjoyable time.

Although it is true that we don’t have the usual reasons weather-wise for happiness, we can be joyful. Our joy is not externally dependent. It is internal. It comes from being a child of God who is loved completely, redeemed completely and save completely.

That is the joy we share with the children on a daily basis. May it be your joy also! As the Bible says. "The Lord is my strength."

*Reminder, everyone is invited to attend chapel at 8:45 am on Wednesdays with our children. The schedule for chapel leaders in the next few weeks is:

January 27 - Lutheran High February 3 - Pastor Hennig

Anytime you have a question please do not hesitate to call the office. -Thank you, Sharon & Lora

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The 3^rd through 8^th grade teams chosen at Concordia Spelling Bee last October competed at Lutheran High School in the area wide Lutheran Grade School spelling bee on Saturday, January 9^th. Special thanks and congratulations to all those who participated and represented their Lord at Concordia well. Those participating were:

Grade 3: Nick V. and Natalie B. (3^rd place)

Grade 4: Alicia B. and Jack W. (4^th place)

Grade 5: Katie E. and Kaitlyn W. (2^nd place)

Grade 6: Adam M. and Nick L. (1^st place)

Grade 7: Hanna W. and Emily M. (2^nd place)

Grade 8: Kyle D. and Jordan B. (2^nd place)

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Please invite anyone going into kindergarten next year to our round-up which will be held January 26th from 4:30-6:30pm. All prospective kindergarteners and their parents are invited to drop in and find out more about our kindergarten program here at Concordia Lutheran Church-School.

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Saviors Lutheran Church. This event will be hosted by the PTL Group at Our

Saviors and there is an admission fee of $3.00. This is a great opportunity to dance

and interact with other Lutheran youth in our area, and of course to have fun.

Recommended dress is "Sunday Best" and school dress code should be followed.

Parent volunteers are also welcome to chaperone. For more information, please contact

Jennie Nichelson at jennie@nichelson.com.

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Lutheran High School Summer Camp: June 7—August 6, 2010.

For more information see Sharon or Lora in the office for a brochure or contact Lutheran High by e-mailing them at Camp.Office@lsportal.net . Lutheran High’s website is: www.lutheranhs.pvt.k12.il.us.

$577.40 was received from Box Tops that were collected for the 1st 1/2 of the school year! All of those little Box Tops add up. We can collect these all year and send them in twice a year for our refund. They can be given to any student, teacher, the office or placed in the box in the Narthex.

Thank you for you ongoing support in this. Effort.

Topic: The State of Children (01-20-10) (like the "State of the Union")

Today I think that children play too many video games for too long. Children are very happy today because all of the electronics we get to play with and sweets we have to eat.

Back 20 years ago children didn’t have all of that good stuff.

I think that the state of children is all about technology. Kids and technology are two peas in a pod. All kids want today are the Playstation 3s, DSI, and Xboxes.

All of those things sum up the state of children today.

I think that we have it good as children. We have all the sweets we could ever want,

especially during Halloween! It is really cool being a kid.

I think that kids feel like they want summer vacation again

so they can leave school and go back to the pool! -Katie (5th grade)

I would like to address the children of today on how we can better improve the world that we live in. We need to get out into our community and help each other.

We also need to work together to help keep the Earth clean

because it seems that children of today do not care about the planet as much as we should!

The state of children in the United States of America is good.

The reason I believe it is good is because we have good schools and education.

If I was the President I would say this to the children of the United States. Remember children you need to get a good education. Remember to listen to your parents and respect others.

Don’t forget to have fun and play some sports and go out and get some exercise.

Treat others the way you would want to be treated!

I think that the children of America are just trying to have as much fun as they can.

Children are having fun by playing games and watching movies..

I thinkg children need to be able to have a lot more fun.

They need to have a special fair for children every year.

They could even make a holiday for children called "Children’s Day"!

Children of America should be taught to respect, love and obey their parents.

Children should also have the right to worship in a Christian school and have freedom of speech.

My brothers and I recycle soda cans which helps the environment and the community.

We also collect box tops to help our school to purchase school supplies.

I think that I make a difference in my brother Connor’s life.

I make a difference in his life because he looks up to me and I try to lead him down the right path. Most of the time he will listen to what I have to say.

One time I made a difference by helping out my grandma. I helped her to clean her house. She gave me five dollars! I love my grandma!

I think that I made a difference in my mom’s life when I gave her a ring.

The ring that I gave her is the color of my birthstone. I don’t think that my mom has ever taken it off! My mom was so happy when I gave it to her!

To make a difference I help my sister practice volleyball

so she knows how to better serve underhand and bump.

-The coupon books are here again! The cost is $30.00.

To get one ask one of Youth group members or inquire in the office.

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Also, we are looking for the person who received a "NO: plaque bought at the Love Shop. Unfortunately, this was only 1/2 of a 2-piece set. If you are this person, please check with Sharon or Lora in the office for the other 1/2 that makes the plaque say: "NOEL". Thank you again.

Mrs. Smith’s class room is needing 9x9 or 12x12 hard floor tiles for the base of Indian villages. These can be leftover tiles in any color. Thank you