Winter Wonderland and Welcome Back

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Hello, Friends.

Did you get to walk in the winter wonderland? Winter storms make the holiday season all the more festive. Safe travels and see you this week in person and on Zoom!

Holiday Highlights

There are so many fun holiday events hosted by our communities. Here is one that is hosted in Carmel. Read the article and spot phrases. Churches and communities offer opportunities to enjoy the traditions of the season.

The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition. Local libraries are offering a sample of the classic ballet. Performances at Carmel Clay Library

Cornerstone Lutheran Christmas Concert launches the holiday season with classic and modern Christmas music. Enjoy Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.

Christmas Traditions

There are so many traditions that make the season beloved. Christmas is celebrated in the United States as both a religious and a secular holiday. 

Secular features include: visits with Santa, elves, Nutcracker performances, gift exchanges, holiday greetings, holiday parties, movies, decorations. cookies, candy canes, bazaars, decorated trees.

Churches offer concerts, advent services, nativity stories, and special services.

International Friends Meeting Notes

Some of our students are working out of town and cannot always make or evening meeting. We are trying setting up a concurrent Zoom to loop everyone into the meeting. Look for the e-mail. Even if you do not regularly come to this class, you are welcome to be a part of this hybrid experiment.

Join us! Click here to register.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We are reading the letter to the Hebrews. This is a great complement and counterpoint to our study of Exodus. The author introduces many topics that would be familiar to the Hebrews. The structure and development of the concepts in this letter are interesting Notice how the author is building concepts and ideas in chapter. Notice how the author refers to common stories, music, and history to present ideas and underscore the intended focus and direction.

• Hebrews 1 tells who Jesus is. That Jesus is the Son of God, higher than the angels, creator, and savior who sits at the right hand of God. Much of this chapter refers to beloved books of the Jewish Torah and refer to the prophets and psalms that foretold his coming.
• Hebrews 2 builds to describe the love that Jesus has for people and how he is not ashamed of them but call them brothers and sisters. He fulfills and saves.
• Hebrews 3 retells about Moses (the great tie to Exodus) and warns the Hebrews to look to Jesus and not doubt him or his teaching, but to turn to him.
• Hebrews 4 focuses on Sabbath rest to be sure that people take the time to be renewed.
• Hebrews 5 is for the priests and leaders to grow and teach and not to be complacent, but to mature in their knowledge and understanding to grow in their relationship with God and to lead others to do likewise.

December 1: We continue to read the Letter to the Hebrews.

American English and Culture: Thursday, 9:00 AM- 11:00 PM, Zoom

December 4:  Join us back on Zoom after Thanksgiving Break in the jolly month of December. Share your holiday adventures. We will start with the short announcement about the Santa Tours in Carmel. Here are three sources of information about the event to compare and contrast:

• Current In Carmel News Article
• Hamilton County Reporter Article
• City of Carmel

American English and Culture: Thursday, 7-8:30 PM, CLC, Carmel, Room 102

December 4: Join us at Cornerstone Lutheran Church. We are going to talk about interviews and getting a job. What do you need to know? How do you talk?

American English for Kids: Friday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

Share vacation adventures.

December 5:  Write a couple of paragraphs telling about Japanese agriculture. This is not a research project, but a reflection or opinion piece.

Words and Phrases and Resources

compare: notice similarities and differences

complement: something that completes or brings something to perfection

contrast: notice differences

counterpoint: opposing view

loop in: communicate to people to connect them 

underscore: emphasize