TRINITY TRUTH TIS THE SEASON TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2015

Transcription

1 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2015 TIS THE SEASON I was recently asked why we had all those funny names attached to the Sundays when we come together to worship, and what the changing colors throughout the church year meant. It seemed a good topic to share with everyone. On January 6th we celebrate the Festival of the Epiphany. It always comes exactly 12 days after Christmas and marks the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. It has often been called, The Christmas of the Gentiles, because this marks the first time that people outside the Jewish nation came to worship the Savior. Epiphany means a sudden appearance or manifestation; especially of a deity. This name identifies a number of Sundays, expanding and contracting by the years depending on the date of Easter. Each Sunday the readings lead us to see the unfolding glory and majesty of Jesus, as more and more the world comes to know Him as the Promised One, the Only Son of the Father. Together with the visit of the Magi, we remember Jesus baptism when the Father declared out of heaven that He was, My Son, Whom I love. We also mark the call of the disciples, and the miracles that proved Jesus divine nature. Epiphany season ends with the Sunday of the Transfiguration. This was when Peter, James, and John saw the unveiled glory of Christ on the mountain top just prior to His Crucifixion. The color for the season of Epiphany is always white to begin and end with. White symbolizes the purity and glory of the Christ as God s only Son. The Sundays in between always use the color green, which symbolizes growth; as the understanding and faith in the One God promised continues to grow throughout the world. Epiphany continues to be a very important season for us today. We rejoice that God has included all people to share in His love and gift of salvation. This is when we realize that even gentiles like us have a special place in the kingdom of our Savior. It also challenges us toward personal growth in our knowledge and faith. As the glory of the Savior shines ever more brightly, the faith of His people burns ever more strongly. Finally, we are reminded of the great responsibility given to us by our Lord. His message is to be preached, and His glory to be seen unto the utter most parts of the earth. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Psalm 50:2 Pastor Tom Trinity Lutheran Church Phone: (480) Web: Thomas Daly, Pastor: pastor@tlc.phxcoxmail.com or (480) (Cell) Amy Heuer, Director of Family Ministry: amy@tlc.phxcoxmail.com or (480) (Cell) Carolyn Hallock, Office secretary: secretary@tlc.phxcoxmail.com; Office Hours 9:00 AM-12 Noon, Monday-Friday

2 PAGE 2 Rise Up To Wellness The third installment of the rise up to wellness health series will be held on Thursday, January 15, beginning at 12:30PM. This month s topic is about the annual wellness visit. Dr. Summers will share with you the importance of having an annual wellness visit and give you pointers on things you should be asking your doctor. This event is free and all are welcome to attend. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Great Job to all the kids who participated in the Celebration of Christmas Program! Thanks to Jessica, Jane, Sophie, Sophia, Vanessa, Chloe, Gavin, Catherine, Esther, Freddy, Ani, Eva, Starli, Summer, Gannon, Xander, Turner, Hannah, Seth, Karson, and Sydney. Thank you for sharing the Good News and Great Joy of Jesus birth with your family and friends at Trinity! MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS Youth Confirmation Classes continue to meet on Monday afternoons from 3:45-4:45 PM. Please note, there will be no class on January 19. FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline to submit news items for the February edition of The Trinity Truth is Tuesday, January 20. Please bring written items to the church office or them to newsed@tlc.phxcoxmail.com. Sunday School Schedule Sunday mornings in January, students will learn who Jesus is and hear about the early life of Jesus as well as the early part of His earthly ministry. We invite all children (age 3-grade 5) to join us each Sunday from 9:30-10:15 AM. Friends are always welcome!

3 JANUARY 2015 PAGE 3 UN-DECK THE HALLS Help is needed on Monday, January 5 and Saturday, January 10 to "put Christmas away" until next year. We will take down the outdoor Nativity scene on Monday, January 5, at 8:00 AM. This should take a shorter time than the set-up, but we still need helpers. On Saturday, January 10, at 8:30 AM, we will take down the Christmas trees and wreaths in the sanctuary. We need both men and women for this project. We hope to see you there. COMMITMENT SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH Our new Stewardship Committee will be making a few important presentations to the congregation during the month of January. They have scheduled Commitment Sunday for the 25th. Please pay careful attention to the information they bring to you, and be ready to prayerfully and generously respond that day. INSTALLATION OF CHURCH COUNCIL Members of the 2015 Church Council will be installed on Sunday, January 4 (at the end of the 8:00 and beginning of the 10:30 AM services). We ask that all church council members attend the installation. Congregation, please join us in welcoming our officers and praying for them throughout the year. Please contact Dianne Immenga or Pam Miskawitz with any questions. TRINITY LUTHERAN LEADERSHIP PASTOR PASTOR TOM DALY PASTORAL STAFF AMY HEUER DIR. OF FAMILY MINISTRY JOANI PETERSON ORGANIST DIANNE IMMENGA VOICES OF PRAISE DIRECTOR & BELL CHOIR DIRECTOR CAROLYN HALLOCK SECRETARY LAY LEADERS DERRICK SCHROEDER PRESIDENT TODD WITTLINGER VICE PRESIDENT DIANE ANNETT SECRETARY JOANN CEGON TREASURER JAN VISSER FINANCIAL SECRETARY LEE SKISTAD CHAIR, ADMINISTRATION NATALIE WALLACE EDUCATION CHRISTINE COLLEY INREACH ANDREA LAWSON OUTREACH CAROL CAMPBELL STEWARDSHIP PETER WILDEMAN TRUSTEES ROGER RIGGERT HEAD ELDER AL AXELSON DOUG BOYER BOB EDGREN DARRELL KAHL STEVE KRAUSE HAL LUCAS CORKY PETERSEN DAN PETERSON ELDERS

4 PAGE 4 THANK YOU! Thank you to those who helped to set up our Nativity Scene on December 1. The task was much easier with many hands on deck. Thanks to Pete Visser, Ray Rahn, Rick Toth, Roman Jess, Mark Rey, Roger Riggert, Al Immenga, Martin Smith, Jerry Campbell, Gary Spedl, Dave Johnson, and Randy Bronner, whose family presented the Nativity figures to our congregation many years ago. Thanks, also, to Grace Kahl and Dianne Immenga who served the annual Nativity Breakfast to the workers when the task was finished. MORE THANKS! Thank you to the following who helped with putting up the Christmas trees and hanging wreaths in the sanctuary: Pete Visser, Tim Minihan, Roger and Sherry Riggert, Ray and Rosie Rahn, Linda Swanson, Jessica and Susan Adams, Doug Boyer, Cherie Ringer, Roman Jess, Pam Miskawitz, Amy Heuer, Pastor Tom, Al and Joy Axelson, and Dianne and Al Immenga. Thanks, also, to Grace Kahl for setting up refreshments in the kitchen for the workers. THANK YOU FROM THE HISPANIC MINISTRY Thank you very much for the support of the Christmas Angel Program of the LCMS - Hispanic Ministry, in Phoenix. Please make sure all members of your congregation know our gratitude for your donations. From Pastor Artigas (on the behalf of the children receiving the Christmas gifts you shared with them!)

5 PAGE 5 Link to online Calendar: Special Note On January 24, Concordia University Irvine and President Kurt Krueger will be hosting a Learn-Live- Love weekend in the Phoenix area. These events are intended to bring people to a deeper understanding of God s Word, while at the same time encouraging deepening relationships and motivation to love God and our neighbors. On Saturday, from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, you are invited to participate in an in-depth Bible Study on the book of Romans at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City, led by Concordia professor, Dr. Mike Middendorf, who has written a two-part Romans Commentary published by Concordia Publishing House. The event is free of charge and includes a complimentary lunch. For detailed information about the event or to register for the Bible Study, please call or LaVeda Carter at (949) or laveda.carter@cui.edu.

6 PAGE 6 The monthly meeting of Trinity s Lutheran Women in Mission will be Saturday, January 17, at 10:00 AM. All women of Trinity are invited to join us for a short business meeting and devotion. ADVENT DINNER THANK YOU Thank you to all of the wonderful cooks who prepared, served, and cleaned up after the Advent Suppers. The foods you prepared were delicious and your hard work was appreciated by many. HOUSE FOR SALE Ron and Doris Terrelli need a little help in selling there house. If you know someone who is looking to buy a home in Fountain Hills, please pass along the following information to them. Great views, walk to fountain, single level home with great floor So thank you Christine Colley, Grace Kahl, Sherry Riggert, Natalie Wallace, Bonnie Spedl, Laverne Sondrol, Andrea Lawson, Jan Visser, and Linda Swanson. plan. Well maintained three bedroom, two bath, two car garage. Low $300s. Please call Ron for more details. EXTENDED HANDS FOOD BANK COLLECTION During the first quarter of 2014 we will be collecting soups and crackers for the Extended Hands Food Bank. Please bring your donations of any nonperishable food to Trinity and place them in the green receptacles by either of the main doors. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

7 J ANUARY 2015 P AGE 7 R ECENT H APPENINGS Above: Dedication of Trinity s Columbarium on Sunday, December 7. Above and Right: Volunteers plant 350 desert plants on Trinity s property. Below: Participants of Trinity s Children s Christmas Program. Above: Modeling the Candy Cane ornaments made at the Women s Christmas Party.

8 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH P.O. Box Fountain Hills, AZ Phone: Web site: A FAMILY FRIENDLY CHURCH JANUARY SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE 8:00 AM Worship Followed by fellowship 9:30 AM Christian Education for all ages 10:30 AM Worship Holy Communion is celebrated at all Sunday morning worship services. BIBLE STUDIES Sunday Morning at 9:30 AM with Pastor Tom Tuesday Morning at 10:00 AM with Pastor Tom 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Women s Bible Study Thursday at 7:00 PM with Pastor Tom 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 9:00 AM Men s Bible Study Please call (480) to confirm times and places.