A Monthly Publication of Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) (Luke 2:36-45) abeth? Elizawere beth has apshared in. cause I think. cant.

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1 A Monthly Publication of Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) Who is Elizabeth? (Luke 2:36-45) beth would dance together beaui was really impressed with the tifully and he said, Who is Elizvariety of gifts and talents that abeth? Elizawere beth has apshared in peared in a the Christfew of our mas ProChristmas gram last programs bemonth. cause I think The effort she is signifiof the cant. But his youth who question got participatme thinking ed and the Elizaadult leadbeth is a sigers who led Sage Flory as Mary with Sophia Laumann as nificant charpractices Elizabeth acter in the and story altcoached them was visible in the hough she doesn t come in most presentation as it all came togethnativity sets. She is Mary s older er for a beautiful & creative tellrelative, and she too is pregnant ing of the story of Christmas. with a miracle baby (who grows About a week before the up to be John the Baptist). When program, I was inviting a friend Mary (a 14 year old un-married virto come to the program and I told gin) finds out from an Angel that him there would be Puppets and she is pregnant with the Messiah Music, Wise Men and Shepshe has a lot to think about and herds, Singing and Dancing... I prepare for. And so she goes to mentioned that Mary and Elizavisit her older relative, January 2017 Elizabeth. As soon as Mary is in Elizabeth s presence, the baby in Elizabeth s womb leaps for joy. Mary needs to be in the presence of somebody who can understand her questions of faith and somebody who will believe her, encourage her and mentor her. Mary is looking for refuge in a really overwhelming time in her life. Elizabeth may be one of the forgotten characters in this story but I think her role and her relationship with Mary is integral to the story. Continued on page 2 CONTENTS Pastor s Message Cont......p. 2 Christmas Program.....p. 2 Council President...p. 3 Those Serving in Worship.p. 4 January 2017 Calendar....p. 5 WELCA...p. 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries....p. 6 Announcements......p. 7

2 Trinity Tidings Page 2 January 2017 Elizabeth represents a person of faith who has experienced hardship (she who was said to be barren until this miracle pregnancy in her old age reminds me of Abraham and Sarah) and yet she kept her faith. And then when she experienced a miracle pregnancy in her old age, she accepted that gift with wonder and awe. The blessing goes both ways. Elizabeth s age, experience and encounter with the holy is a blessing to Mary as she embraces her role as the mother of the Messiah, but Mary is also a blessing to Elizabeth. Elizabeth also is blessed to have Mary enter her home, share her story, and trust Elizabeth with this incredible encounter with God. As a community of faith we are blessed when the old and the young intersect. I recently overheard a member approach a high school youth who was at worship on Sunday and she said something like, I don t know if you remember me from Sunday School but I was a Grandma in your class. It was super sweet. He didn t remember and yet he appreciated being remembered by her. I was sick one Sunday Sophia Laumann as Elizabeth Sage Flory as Mary with Sophia Laumann as Elizabeth morning and I didn t serve Communion and as I sat in the front pew with my children I noticed how many people walked by and greeted my kids with a smile, money for the Children s Offering, a How s it going? It was wonderful to see how many people made an effort to show that they care. The young people of this congregation (from birth to college) need to be known by caring adults in this community. Youth need 5 adults (in addition to their parents) in their life to be successful. Children who run around at the potluck and are greeted by numerous caring adults thrive and better absorb the values of the community than children who come for Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Group and only encounter those in their age specific group. We have a great opportunity as a congregation with every age group (from the cradle to the elderly) to build relationships across the generations. We, like Mary & Elizabeth are blessed when we share and grow together: the old, the young and those of us in the middle. My vision for ministry in the new year is that we would take steps to be intentional about intersecting the Marys of this congregation with the Elizabeths. Intersecting the Shepherds and the Wise Men with newborns. The vision at the manger is one where everybody gathers around the Messiah and in that picture all have a gift to offer the community of faith. Together, we find refuge in the Body of Christ in the most overwhelming and the most wonderful times in our life. Serving with you, Pastor Kari Vadis

3 Trinity Tidings Page 3 January 2017 From the Council President Greetings Brothers and Sisters! Years ago as a young trim carpenter I was partnered with a more " seasoned" trim carpenter who taught me a lot. He never moved fast but his work was great. On one project we were installing a set of double doors next to an existing set of doors in a less than perfect older home. I was setting the doors plumb and dead on level. The reveals were uniform and the operation flawless... then my partner says " ok young fella'. Step back here minute". As I stepped back and got a better view of my doors, I was shocked! My perfect install looked way out of place next to the existing doors and a nearby window. Of course they were a bit off plumb and my work stuck out like a sore thumb. Luckily it was a simple fix to make everything look uniform, but I was so obsessed with one thing that I forgot about the " big picture ". I can see some of this here at Trinity. We are so focused on so many different things that sometimes I wonder if we stopped and took a few steps back, what would we see? Would we see a community of believers living Christ centered lives, where we build each other up? Where we are willing to put our own biases aside and create a worship environment that is inviting to young families? Where we are actually reaching our target audience? Do we have a target audience? These are some of the things I'm praying on as we begin to set goals for Trinity. But I'm constantly stepping back so I can see the " big picture ". God bless us as we move forward. Kevin Eggers Youth NATH Coffee Drive Hunter Hicks is one of the youth who is going on the Vision Trip in July. As his ongoing project, we contacted Fredrick Place and asked what we could give through the year that is a consistent need and we were told that they are constantly running out of coffee. So, Hunter is inviting Wednesday Night Workshop youth to bring in coffee that we can donate to NATH. You re invited to participate if you d like as well. In early December, he delivered over 10 pounds and will continue to collect and deliver coffee. COUNCIL MEMBERS President Kevin Eggers Vice President Tim Vocke Secretary Keith McCaffery Trustee Carole Hansen Trustee Ellen Mathisen Trustee Rick Taylor Rep. Witnessing Yvonne Molinski Rep. Worship Margo Morey Rep. Education Jody Doro Rep. Resources Rick Molinski SUNDAY MORNING ADULT EDUCATION Join Pastor Tim Vadis for forty-five minutes of stimulating spiritual study and discussion on Sunday mornings from 8:30a.m.- 9:15a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Explore new frontiers of the faith as well as review some of the basics. No matter where you are in your Christian journey-- just starting or well accustomed--you can jump in and engage in spiritual learning. No registration is needed just grab a cup of coffee and join together on Sunday before worship from 8:30a.m. 9:15a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

4 Trinity Tidings Page 4 January 2017 Nancy Eisele If you are unable to help at your scheduled time, we ask you to find someone to fill in for you. If you need help finding someone to take your scheduled time you can contact the Laura Hetland at or Mary Taylor at They will have a list of possible names to call.

5 Trinity Tidings Page 5 January 2017 If you see anything missing from the calendar, please contact the church office at Thank you!

6 Trinity Tidings Page 6 January 2017 Board of Worship Letter We would like to thank everyone who volunteers their time and talent serving here at Trinity, and for your patience in helping us through the process. We understand there has been confusion on the lists that have been sent out previously. Please be patient with us as we are in the process of straightening everything out. We sent out the next 3 month schedule along with the list of volunteers and when you receive it please check to make sure you are on the list correctly. If you see a discrepancy, please contact Laura Hetland at or Mary Taylor at If you are on the schedule and need to change please find your own replacement. If you do not receive a schedule it means you are not on our list. We will be at the IOC table for a few weeks so please stop by and check the list. If you have not been on the list please consider signing up. We have approximately 500 members and only an average of 50 volunteers. Our church is growing, we need more help. We are the body of Christ and we all need to be active and engaged members to make things run smoothly. Please prayerfully consider signing up to help in our church services. Thank you, Board of Worship Welca Report December 2016 Present- Lynann, Ruby, Virginia Devotion Luke 2:1-7 read by Virginia Treasurer s Report read and accepted A funeral meal was served for Joan Belongia. The Sons of Norway have offered to buy a new 100 cup coffee maker for Trinity, we have accepted, with our thanks for their generosity. End of Year funds were distributed: $300 to Tyler Burgoyne for Mission Trip $800 Baby Care Kits $300 to Pastor Derek Harman and family (our missionary in Bratislava, Slovakia) $200 to NATH $ 50 Health Kits $100 SWO Convention $ 50 School Kits $200 Hunger Jug $ 35 Thankoffering $100 Katie s Fund $1000 Cover Girl s batting $100 LWR shipment for quilts/kits Next Mtg. Jan. 2, 2017 Birthdays & Anniversaries This Month GIFT & MEMORIAL January Birthdays 2 Carol Wambold 4 Gerald Sheahan 7 Gina Scheuer 8 Skip Mork 11 John Scheuer 12 Tom Miller 14 Helen Sigurdson 14 Howard Kalkofen 14 Keith Zickert 15 Joan Schluter 18 Collin Smith 18 Cody Chavez 20 Steven Karl 22 Ernie Schluter 24 Erica Koshak 24 Braden Mork 26 Cassandra Krueger 29 John Schwanz January Anniversaries 25, 1975 Tim & Maribeth Vocke 26, 2013 Bernie & Judy Peter In Memory of Marvin Barkhahn, Sharon Hofstetter s father from Bob & Ruth Aho, designated for the choir. In memory of Marvin Barkhahn from Sharon & Al Hofstetter, designated for the choir.

7 Trinity Tidings Page 7 January 2017 ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nath Wish List: Gently used & new items are appreciated. Top items needed for the homeless shelter are: Coffee, toilet paper, washclothes, bathroom cleaner, bowl cleaner, (HE) laundry detergent, Ziploc bags of all sizes, key chains, silverware, kitchen utensils, Ice melt. Personal care: Laundry baskets, alarm clocks, (he) laundry detergent,, dryer sheets, gift cards. Food/Kitchen: coffee, coffee creamer, hot dogs, butter, eggs, sugar, lunch meats. Cleaning/Paper: disinfectant wipes, large kitchen/garbage bags, toilet bowl cleaner, bathroom cleaner, napkins, scotch bright scouring pads. Resident Support: hair cut gift cards, coffee pots, pots/pans, small microwaves, tall dressers, lamps, twin beds, small kitchen table/chair sets, rapid cab cards or Northern Transit cards. Office Needs: Office Max gift cards, post-its, white out, masking tape, packing tape, key chains and flash drives. RAFP drives Weekend Food For Kids Program: Partnering with Rhinelander School District, they have assured that no child goes home hungry for the weekend. The program is currently serving over 200 children. The backpacks are distributed each Friday and returned to school on Monday. The food being distributed is intended to be nutritious, delicious and simple to prepare in case an adult is not available to do so. The cost is $4.40 a week. If you would like to give to this program, please designate your giving as RAFP/RSD. History of Christmas: Ernie Schluter shared his knowledge of Christmas History with the members of the GFWC Rhinelander Woman s Club during their December meeting at the Claridge Days Inn. This is the second year he has presented on the topic, and they have invited him back to present again next year. He and Brian Jones of Wales researched the topic. Hallmark Cards got their start with Christmas cards! Santa s suit was originally green and trees used to be decorated outside. He stated that he wished people would take Christmas more seriously and give more to charity, for that is where A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens changed the way the public celebrated the holiday and they focused more on family and kindness to others. A new member in the group stated it was very interesting and she joined the club because it helps the community and families. The ladies all had praise for the informative lesson on Christmas and it s real meaning to the world. Wednesday Services: Wednesday services will resume on January 4, If you have any questions, please contact the church office at THANK YOU S: KIN: Thank you from KIN, (Kids In Need) Rhinelander Youth Program for everything Trinity Lutheran Church has provided throughout the year. ELCA: ELCA Global Church Sponsorship Team...thank you for your gifts to God s global church! NATH: Thank you so very much for your continued partnership with NATH. Those experiencing homelessness are blessed to have your support. I would love to thank your church in person and give you an update. If you are interested in hearing me speak to any of your groups, please feel free to contact me at Merry Christmas! Tammy Mode, NATH Executive Director FIA Thank you: To all the wonderful people who have helped me during the year: raking leaves, finishing my bathroom, painting, plumbing works, etc. It s such a blessing to have such giving and caring people help those who struggle. Thank you so much and have a blessed Christmas with loved ones and family. Debra Meyer

8 Trinity Lutheran Church 235 N. Stevens St. Rhinelander, WI Non-Profit Rate U.S. Postage Paid Rhinelander, WI Permit #122 Address Service Requested Read our Newsletter on our website at We are a Lutheran congregation with a variety of ages, backgrounds and passions. We are a community striving to grow in our walk of faith with Jesus Christ to love and serve the world. We are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (often referred to as the ELCA) in the Northern Great Lakes Synod. These relationships help us to share the saving message of the gospel in our congregation, in the Rhinelander community, in our country and throughout the world. We welcome you to be part of our community and join us in the mission we share in Christ. For more information about Trinity Lutheran, to get involved in our ministries, or to learn more about becoming a member, please contact us. Phone: trinityelca@trinityrhinelander.org Website: You can also find us on Facebook