Children s Ministry News

Transcription

1 T R I NITY TIDINGS Trinity Lutheran Church January 2019 Pastor s Page Friends in Christ, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope and pray that all of you are able to connect with family and loved ones over the holidays. It is so much fun to hear some of you share family memories and traditions that have taken place over the years. I know that Christmas will always be a special time for me. The innocence and joy of the season helps to remind me of what a gift we have in the love of Christ. With 2019 just around the corner, its hard to believe that another year has flown by. I really believe 2018 was a great year for our congregation. We had many new members join our community of faith, as well as quite a few baptisms. We also had quite a few funerals. That's always the hard part for me this time of year. Going through the holiday season can make the absence of those we have lost seem more painful and profound. I hope that all of you, whether that be in the joy of family or the pain of loss, experience a felt presence of God this Christmas. As some of you may have heard, Mary Johnson, our Youth and Family coordinator, will be wrapping up her tenure here in August. I am so sad to see her go, but thankful that she has been here as a wonderful friend and role model to the youth of this congregation. As we move forward into 2019 we will begin searching for a candidate to replace her. If you are interested in the position or know someone who may be a good fit, please let me know. I also want to take a moment to thank the church council for all of the work they have done this past year. I know that Trinity is blessed to have such faithful and willing stewards helping to guide the daily life and ministry we do here. They always try to keep the congregations best interests at heart. They have also recently completed their member thank you calls. If you did not get a call, it is most likely because we have an incorrect number. Please let us know so that we can update the phone numbers we have for you. I am so excited for the new year and the amazing new ministry possibilities that could come our way! God Bless, Pastor Jon Sunday, December 23 One worship service at 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour following worship Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve worship 2:30 & 4:00 p.m. Worship with Communion 5:30 & 9:00 p.m. Candlelight worship with Communion Sunday, December 3o One worship service at 9:00 a.m. No Coffee Hour Date Night is back! 5:00-10:00 pm Friday, December 28! Bring your child for an hour or for the entire evening. Trinity s EDGE group will supervise and entertain them while you have an evening out. Your free will donation supports youth events!

2 EDGE Youth Ministry NEWS December is always a busy month. We began our journey into Advent with an evening of prayer stations. The stations allowed time for contemplation about ourselves and our communities in relationship with God s story. This first Wednesday of December also had us talking about changes and remembering how God directs our paths and walks beside us in each and every step. A year end shout out is definitely necessary to all of the youth who helped with the Sunday School Christmas program as well as the many church events throughout the year. It is a beautiful gift when young people quietly and cheerfully step up and step in to serve inside the church and outside of the church, as many of our youth do. On a final note, as this article is being typed, there are also plans for a tubing night at Wild Chutes in Taylors Falls, a Christmas party with fun fellowship activities and a Date Night/Lock In combo event. Please ask us how these events went when you see us in the New Year! Upcoming Dates to know: Friday, December 28: Date Night & Lock In January 16: 6:30. Poverty County Market January 2: NO EDGE January 19: Date Night January 6: EDGE hosts coffee hour January 23: 6;30 January 9: 6:30. Sleeping Mats & Chats January 30: 6:30 Meal & Food Shelf Collection Children s Ministry News Another Christmas Program is in the books and it was a wonderful event as always. The children sang beautifully and joyfully presented the story of Christ s birth. Santa was a fun addition this year and hopefully he helped us to remember to honor Jesus in all that we do. Program Thank You s go out to Trinity s Sunday School team, Sarah Krosschell for your organization and directing skills, Deb Aulich for accompanying on piano, Amery Kuhl s mother for accompanying on practice day, and thank you to our many youth helpers who brought comfort to the younger children, served treats and helped clean up after the program. You are all greatly appreciated!! Looking ahead to January, we will dive back in to our Bible stories and learn about The Baptism of Jesus, Jesus Temptation in the Wilderness and The Beatitudes is shaping up to be an exciting year in Sunday School! If the weather allows and we get some significant snow, we may be able to plan a Snow Fun Sunday too. If you are newer to Trinity, Snow Fun Sundays are days when we stay after the 10:00 service and play in the snow around the church and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and crafts. The past few years, we have not had the best weather for this but maybe this year will be different so stay tuned!! Upcoming Dates to know: Friday, December 28: Date Night 5-10pm January 6: Lesson: The Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:1-17 January 13: Lesson: Temptation in the Wilderness Matthew 4:1-17 Saturday, January 19: Date Night 5-10pm January 20: NO Sunday School January 27: Lesson: Let Your Light Shine (The Beatitudes) Matthew 5:1-20 January 2: No Confirmation Christmas Break January 9, 16, 23, 30: Confirmation 6:30-8:00 pm Confirmation students are expected to take an active role in worship as an acolyte, reader, usher, greeter, etc. ten times throughout the year. Please sign up on the sheets in the Narthex, or Julie at jmorgan@trinitynorthbranch.org to sign up. The Church Office will be closed the week of December 24. We will be open the morning of December 31, and will be closed on January 1. Contributions made by December 30 will be posted to your 2018 giving record. Please have all gifts for 2018 into the office by December 3oth. Contributions Reminder: If mailing in your contribution or using online bill pay, please include PO Box 447 in the mailing address. Also, please mark your contribution so the monies are directly to the appropriate fund. Page 2 T RI NI TY LUT HER A N CHU R CH

3 WOMEN S RETREAT!!! Women of Trinity! Are you looking for a place where you can come away with a renewed sense of God s presence...where you can develop friendships that could last a lifetime...where spiritual values are nurtured? If so, consider joining us at Refresh: A Retreat for Women. This retreat is hosted and located at Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center in Westboro, WI. The dates for this event are March 29-31, The cost for the weekend, which includes meals and lodging, is $151. Flyers are on the table in the narthex if you would like one. The speaker at the retreat will be Jim & Carol Shores performing their Acts of Renewal. If you are interested in going and want to carpool, there will be a chance to organize that. Any questions, Sarah Krosschell at skrosschell@trinitynorthbranch.org We hope you can join us for a weekend of fun & fellowship! Thank you to everyone who brought in gifts for our Giving Tree! Many veterans, foster children, shut-ins, and those needing grocery and gas cards are blessed by your generosity. Did you know Trinity has a Prayer Shawl ministry? The person making the shawl begins each shawl with prayers and blessings for the recipients, and intentions are continued through completion of the shawl. If you know if someone who would like a prayer shawl, or if you would like to knit or crochet prayer shawls, please contact Julie at jmorgan@trinitynorthbranch.org, or call the office at Trinity s Annual Meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 10 in our Fellowship Hall. EDGE youth will once again provide a soup lunch as a fundraiser for their mission trip to Louisville, Kentucky in July. Trinity is Seeking Candidates to Serve on the Church Council in 2019 Council members serve for a 3-year term. The family of Douglas Dick would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of support after his recent passing. Words cannot express our gratitude for this church and community. We would like to have a good representation of our congregation in all ways: gender, traditional and contemporary worshippers, age, etc. If you would like to share your gifts in this way, please see Dennis Aulich, Council chair or dlaulich@pnbmill.com. Or, Julie Morgan our office manager at jmorgan@trinitynorthbranch.org. Enjoy dinner at the Dalles House in St. Croix Falls with the Fellowship Team on Friday, January 25th at 5 pm. Sign up in the Narthex! Gifts Given to the Glory of God Thank you to the loving and caring congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church. Your generous donations throughout the year were such a blessing to us. You helped provide much needed good to those facing hardships within our community. We are grateful for the kindness you have shown us and the families that use the food shelf. Gayle-Food Shelf Coordinator Undesignated in memory of Emry Meyer from Mike & Barb Nelson Undesignated in memory of Dale Carlson from Lorraine Wenzel, Orv & Bev Otterness, Dale Carlson s family JANUA RY Page 3

4 6 Worship Service/ 13 Worship Service/ 20 Worship Service/ 27 Worship Service/ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Intinction/ 8:00 & 10:00 am 9:00 am Coffee Hour 9:00 am Sunday School Intinction 8:00 & 10:00 am 9:00 am Coffee Hour 9:00 am Sunday School Intinction 8:00 & 10:00 am 9:00 am Coffee Hour No Sunday School Intinction 8:00 & 10:00 am 9:00 am Coffee Hour 9:00 am Sunday School 7 6:30 pm Personnel Mtg 14 9:30 am Quilters 1 Church office is closed 8 1:30 pm Fellowship Mtg 6:00 pm Sr. Choir 15 6:00 pm Sr. Choir 7:00 pm Council Mtg February Tidings Articles cue :00 pm Sr. Choir :00 pm Sr. Choir 2 9 6:30 pm Confirmation 6:30 pm EDGE 16 2:00-4:00 pm Fare for All 6:30 pm Confirmation 6:30 pm EDGE 6:45 pm Women s Book Club 23 6:30 pm Confirmation 6:30 pm EDGE 30 6:30 pm Confirmation 6:30 pm EDGE :00 am Men s Bible Oak Inn 11 7:00 am Men s Bible Oak Inn 18 7:00 am Men s Bible Oak Inn 6:45 pm Fellowship at the movies 25 7:00 am Men s Bible Oak Inn 5:00 pm Fellowship Team at the Dalles House :00-10:00 pm Date Night 26 Page 4 T RI NI TY LUT HER A N CHURCH

5 Trinity s Fellowship Team is going to the movies! All are welcome! Simply meet at the North Branch Theater on January 18 at 6:45 pm, and we will decide on a movie. Discussion and dessert at Perkins after the movie! ALTAR GUILD Serving for the month of January Sharalyn Olson Jean Fairbanks To sponsor altar flowers, please sign up on the calendar near the church office. Please bring an arrangement of fresh flowers prior to 7:45 am on that Sunday. See Julie or Deb with questions. Give electronically using the QR code Scan to Pay or Give option. Members can download a QR code reader that allows for immediate one time or recurring giving. Iphone users use the Vanco Give + App Fare For All Express January pm Fare For All Express is a great way to save on groceries. This is open to everyone; the more that participate, the stronger the buying power of the program. Each month offers a $10 Produce Pack, $11 Mini Meat Pack, $20 Combo Pack (produce and mini-meat). January s Hot Buy is 2.5 lbs Tyson Chicken Thighs $3, limit 2. See or call the church office with questions. Scripture Readings January 6: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 January 13: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, January 20: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 January 27: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 Do you buy groceries or gas? Order gift cards through Trinity, and we receive a percentage of the sale price at no additional cost to you. Use them as gifts, or plan ahead and use them when shopping for gifts or things you d buy anyway. Forms are available in the office, or shop online for more options. Go to shopwithscrip.com, choose Join a Program. Our Scrip Enrollment Code is BDE7C8LF12L8. Trinity earned $ through the Scrip Program in 2018! Amazon Smile: When shopping on Amazon, search Trinity Lutheran Church North Branch on smile.amazon.com, and we will receive a % of your purchase at no charge to you! We earned $60.92 from Amazon Smile in 2018! Trinity Shout Out! There are so many people who give generously of their time and talent to the ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church. Each month in the Tidings we will have a Trinity Shout Out! naming and thanking various groups and individuals who give of themselves in a variety of ways. Some do their work totally behind the scenes, while others you see all the time sharing their gifts but may not know them by name. Do you ever wonder how the paraments (the various colors of quilted material on the altar and pulpit) magically get changed for the seasons of the church year? Who always makes sure the altar area is vacuumed and clean? Who launders the communion cloths? These and a variety of other tasks that insure our worship space is ready for worship fall to the Altar Guild. They work in groups of two, with each group being responsible for one month. We are blessed by their faithfulness to this ministry! These are the people who currently serve on the Altar Guild: Penny Boyce, Donna Brown, Connie Deminsky, Jean Fairbanks, Pat Fairbanks, Sharon Fairbanks, Tammy Good, Carol Grissman, Carol Gustafson, Sue Gustafson, Nan Hult, Vonnie Johnson, Helen Lindhart, Jane Magnison, Carol Meyer, Janelle Mork, Barb Nelson, Jan Nelson, Karen Nelson, Sharalyn Olson, Karin Perrault, Evonne Peterson, Sharon Ramberg, Sue Swenson, Mary Twitchell, Judy Weiss, Karen Young Next time you see one of them, say Thanks! (Another great way to show your appreciation is to join them! Contact Carol Gustafson or the church office and we ll get you scheduled with someone who has done it before who can help you figure it all out!) JANUA RY Page 5

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7 Trinity s Sunday School program was held at our 10:00 am service on Sunday, December 9, which included a visit from Santa. We have had some requests to share the poem that was read as Santa was kneeling at the manger. It was written by our own Sarah Krosschell for Santa to share with us. Santa's Preparation I am Santa Claus, and many folks see me, As the man who puts the joy in Christmas, and the gifts beneath the tree. While it is true that I do give, to many far and wide, I can only do this joyous job because Jesus is by my side. One wintry night, so bright and clear, God sent his son, whom he loved dear. He came to bring his love and light, And our hearts were filled that blessed night. I heard the news and my heart filled with joy, That God would provide for us, through this tiny little boy. I prayed to God, and said What can I do? How can I show your love? Can you give me a cue? In my own little way, I knew what I could do, On the night of Christ s birth, I could share gifts with you. So if you d like to make me smile, and get on my good list, Be kind to all and love our God, and love those often missed. Come to church, to sing and pray, and celebrate His Son, Then love your neighbors, and your friends, like Jesus would have done. And so I kneel to offer thanks, and give praises to above. That God sent his son to show us all about never-ending love. As you go about your holidays, and spend time with family, Remember God s love is found all around, and not underneath the tree. God then said to me, Go out and be giving. Show love and be kind; aim for Christ-like living. JANUA RY Page 7

8 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID North Branch, MN Permit Lincoln Trail PO Box 447 North Branch, MN Return Service Requested Mailing Label January 2019 Partners in Ministry: The People of Trinity Church Office: Church Fax: Church Office Hours: Monday Thursday 8 am 3 pm Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m & 10:00 am through May 20 9:00 a.m. May 27 through September 2 Church office@trinitynorthbranch.org Church website: Pastor Jon Yurk Cell: pastor@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 12 Sue Danielzuk, Church Administrator sdanielzuk@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 37 Mary Johnson, Sunday School & High School Youth Director mjohnson@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 13 Sarah Krosschell, Sunday School Assistant skrosschell@trinitynorthbranch.org Deb Aulich, Director of Worship and Arts daulich@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 14 Julie Morgan, Church Office Manager jmorgan@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 10 Cheryl Immel: Financial Recorder cimmel@trinitynorthbranch.org Tyler Olson: Sr. Choir Director tolson@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 15 Roger Anderson & David Nelson Custodial & Cemetery Staff Todd Fisk, Church Treasurer Office Help: Judy Weiss Sharon Fairbanks Missionaries: Dr. Stephen Swanson family Tanzania Our Sister Congregation in Tanzania Pawaga Church Council Members: Dennis Aulich, Council Chair Mike Nelson, Council Vice-Chair Shari Denny, Kristen Johnson, Steve Mork, Gary Porath, Ann Tanko, Vicky Trampe, Ryan Witte Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held February 10th at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall