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1 Trinity Lutheran Church Lake Norden, SD Member NALC Pastor David Patterson Trinity Office: Secretary: Brittany Larson Parsonage: C: (605) Website: H: (605) C: (605) Like us on Facebook! Pg 1 Membership Pg 2 Pastor s Page Pg 3-4 Council Minutes Pg 5 Birthdays Prayer Program Pg 6 Kidz Page Pg 7 Holiday Happenings Pg 8 Evangelism Page Pg 9 Calendar Pg 10 Mail Page Marriages: None. Deaths: None. Baptisms: None. Confirmations: None. Transfers In: None. Transfers Out: None. 1

2 On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 2 Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of those old favorite Christmas carols that you hear again and again over the holidays. More than any other carol, it is a favorite to sing at parties, not because it has a particularly meaningful message, but more than any other carol, it is the one that is guaranteed to get everyone laughing by the end. It is silly and it is frivolous, and there is no reason whatsoever that you might have ever taken a serious look at its lyrics. But this year I did, and I discovered something I had never thought about before. Did you realize that the gifts given in the carol are cumulative. So while on the first day the singer is given a partridge and a pear tree, on day two the singer is not only given two turtle doves, but another partridge and another pear tree to go with it. And so with each successive day the singer receives not only the new gift for the day, but all the gifts given each preceding day. This means that between the date of December 25 and January 5, the singer has received: 12 Partridges and 12 Pear Trees, 22 Turtle Doves, 30 French Hens, 36 Calling Birds, 40 GOLDEN RINGS, 42 Geese (and however many eggs they laid), 42 Swans, 40 Milkmaids (and as they are milking, the 40 milk cows to go with them), 36 Dancers (all women), 30 Noblemen with a passion for track & field competition (especially the high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump), and a Bagpipe band made up of 22 pipers and 12 drummers (not sure that s such a great gift). That is a total of 416 gifts over the twelve days of Christmas. Yes, this is a truly silly Christmas carol, but it got me thinking; don t the gifts of God work just like this? We read in Isaiah 55: "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. What God gives to us is not just a one-time gift, but a gift that continues to cumulate blessing from the day it is given for each and every day through the rest of our mortal lives and results in an infinite number of blessed days to come. And so if the true love of the song gave the cumulative earthly gifts of the carol, doesn t that make God our truest love? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). So as you are enjoying the holiday season and all the fun and frivolity that comes with it, remember who the season is truly about, and the truest and greatest gift that we celebrate each Christmas. Merry Christmas! On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: His only true, begotten Son. Pastor Dave 2

3 Council Minutes Trinity Lutheran Church 08 November 2017 Meeting was conducted by President Larry Jensen Thursday November 8, :30 pm Present: Bob Hauschildt, Aaron Swanson, Lee Swanson, Brittany Larson, Charles Anderson, Brian Jager, Larry Jensen, and Pastor Patterson Absent: Bud Larrabee Devotions: Pastor had devotions Secretary s Report: Brian made a motion to approve the minutes. Seconded by Bob. Motion carried Treasurer s Report: Treasurer s report for last two months reviewed. Bob made a motion to approve. Seconded by Brittany. Motion carried. Committee Reports: Christian Ed: Brittany reported that Christmas program was tentatively set for Dec. 17. The Covenant Church may combine with Trinity for a program. Evangelism: Pastor reported Harvest Festival turnout was not as good as last year. The committee is reviewing changes for next year. The committee is also looking at projects for Lent Season. Property: Bob reported that the toilet in the basement needs to be fixed. Parsonage has some outlet issues with GFI in basement. Larry will contact electrician. The west end of education unit has some sagging in the ceiling causing the division curtains to sag. Old Business: Parsonage still need receipts for parsonage upgrade from Pastor so a motion can be made to make restitution to them. Pastor will bring them at next meeting. Church Treasurer Theresa Hauschildt has volunteered to act as the church treasurer. A short council meeting was held the previous Sunday to address the number of Christmas Services. See those minutes for details. Brittany reported on the Thanksgiving Meal service project the Trinity Women are conducting. New Business: Thanksgiving offering will go to the Food Pantry. Charles made a motion for this and Brian seconded. Motion carried. Discussed the Focus on the Family insert. Pastor said there were other resources that could be used without additional cost. Aaron made a motion to cancel the Focus on the Family bulletin. Seconded by Charles. Motion carried. 3

4 Next meeting will be Thursday December 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Lee will have devotions. Lee made a motion to adjourn and seconded by Brittany. Motion carried. Submitted by: Lee Swanson Present: Absent: TLC Church Council Minutes Special Meeting Sunday, November 5 th 2017, 12 pm Brian Jager, Bubba Jensen, Aaron Swanson, Lee Swanson, Bud Larrabee, Bob Hauschildt, Brittany Larson, Pastor Dave. Charles Anderson Special meeting called to order by President Bubba Jensen. Joint meeting was scheduled to be held in Badger on Wednesday, November 8 th at 7 pm. Badger s president was scheduled to be out of town, decision needing to be made whether or not we push joint meeting back until December. Discussion held regarding Christmas Eve services. This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, which would cause pastor to make 5 separate sermons. (2 morning services, 1 at care center, and 2 evening services). Badger has cancelled their morning service that day and will have their 4 pm Christmas Eve service only. Motion by Brittany to cancel our morning service that Sunday also. Motion seconded by Brian Jager. Motion carried. Joint meeting has been set for December 6 th at 7 pm in Badger to discuss joint issues. Trinity will meet again on December 14 th to discuss our Budget and end of year issues. Invoices for office supplies from Office Peeps and invoice for parsonage dishwasher heating element were passed around. No questions regarding these. Will give to Terry for payment. Still seeking a treasurer to replace Terry in January. If no replacement is found, we will need to look into hiring a bookkeeper/accountant to maintain books. Regular meeting will occur this month on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 7:30 pm. All members in agreement. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted by Brittany Larson 4

5 December 3 rd : Larry & Tanya Jensen; Terry Hauschildt; Mark Anderson; Brent Koisti 3 Marcey (Jager) Hagedorn 3 Barb Ruotsalainen 5 James Juntunen 8 Deano Hartwig 8 Patricia Larrabee 9 Ashley Nelson 10 Ron Dickson 10 David Lee 11 George Grape 12 Terry Kasten 14 Donna Steffensen 17 Dylan Kastein 20 Linnea (Swanson) Sando 20 Doriane Paso 21 Christiana Anderson 22 Ericka (Koistinen) Stormo 24 Barbara Halonen 26 Sharon Thue 29 Dacia (Pedersen) Sorrell 30 Madalyn Bos 31 Janet Andrews December 10 th : Gerry & Doris Koisti; Roger & Donna Anderson; Paul Kasten December 17 th : Darren Kastein; Unice Jager; Steven Hauschildt; Jane Espland December 24 th : Raquel (Jager) Donnelly; Marcey (Jager) Hagedorn; Pat & Nina Harding December 31 st : Floyd Arneson; Larry Barnett; Stacy Hakeman The above list is people that we remember in our prayers this month. Each month we have different members of the church that we pray for each week. An additional list can be published for those that are needing extra prayers, whether due to health concerns general or specific illness, or other things that may be going on in your life. Communications Due to privacy laws, it is recommended that a family member or a friend notify either Brittany or Pastor Patterson directly with any hospitalizations, nursing homes admits, or if any pastoral care is needed. We don t want anyone to be left hanging during times of need. We want to hear from you not only in times of need, but also in your times of joy! Let the office know what is happening in your lives we love to hear from you! 5

6 After Mary learned she was pregnant with God s Son, what relative also miraculously pregnant did she go visit? A. Esther B. Elizabeth C. Anne D. Anna Answer: B (See Luke 1:39-40.) 6

7 Join us on Wednesday, December 6 th at 2 pm at the Lake Norden Care Center to help decorate walls and doors with the residents for Christmas. Please bring a plate of goodies for coffee and your singing voices for singing Christmas Carols. We will decorate after coffee and visiting with the residents. Gifts have been purchased with Thrivent Action Funds to be given to the residents this day also. Join us on Sunday, December 17 th at 5 pm for our Sunday School Christmas Program. BBQ dinner will follow the service along with Christmas Goodies. We would love for you to join us! 9:00 Trinity Please note that with Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday this year, we will NOT be having a morning service that Sunday. Badger will have their Christmas Eve service at 4 pm. No Sunday School will be held on December 24 th of December 31 st for the Christmas & New Year s holidays. 7

8 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3) You probably know a mother or father who has a child who looks so much like one of his or her parents that it s almost uncanny. Thanks to the 1997 movie Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, we have a term coined just for such lookalikes mini me. I am fortunate to have a mini me in my 15-yearold daughter, Anna. (Not sure she s so happy about it, but I like it!) But here s the thing: Anna may look a lot like me, but she s her own person. She has gifts and abilities that I don t have, and I have some natural talents that she doesn t share. We may look alike, but we are two unique people. We share DNA, but she is not a clone of her mother or her father. There is one and only one case where the mini me is the exact imprint and likeness of his Father. That one is Jesus. The word used in the Greek to describe this is wait for it, because it s profound character. This description from Hebrews is less concerned with Jesus physical appearance or what he did in his every day life and ministry than it is with who Jesus is. Jesus is God, fully man and fully human. Jesus is the exact image of God the Father, in the flesh, sent to the world to save the world from sin and sorrow. That s what the incarnation of God is all about. Jesus was not born of Mary to be a prophet or an ambassador or a representative of the Creator of the universe. He IS God, who took on flesh, as John 1 reminds us. He came to dwell among us, to pitch his holy tent among us and live beside us and experience everything that we creatures experience every day. Why would God do such a thing? Doesn t he already know how we feel, what we experience, and how we need him? Of course he does; that s not the problem. It was not God s need to be human that brought him to earth as a man, it was humanity s need to know that God knows what it s like to be us. Let me say that again: God took on our flesh and blood so that we would know that he knows what it s like to be human. He wanted us to see and know without a shred of doubt how much he loves us and that he is in complete solidarity with us as human beings, as his children and through Jesus we see the exact nature and being of the Living God. ~ Amy Little (Sola Publishing) 8

9 Pastor Dave Patterson: Secretary: Brittany Larson Office open by appointment Parsonage: (605) C: H: Office: C: (605) Website: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Confirmation will be held in Badger for the month of December. *denotes service with communion Year s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Hal Borland pm Worship & Music meeting 3 1 st Sunday in Advent pm TLC Christmas Care Center 9:30 am Sunday School 12:30-3 Food Adult Bible Class 7 5:30 pm Confirmation 10:45 am Worship Pantry pm in Badger 7 pm Joint Council Mtg in Badger 7 pm TLCW Meeting 10 2 nd Sunday in Advent :30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Worship* 12:30-3 Food Pantry Adult Bible Class 7 pm in Badger 5:30 pm Confirmation 6:30 pm Evangelism Mtg 7 pm Council Mtg 17 3 rd Sunday in Advent :30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Worship 5 pm Christmas Program 12:30-3 Food Pantry 1:30 pm Nursing Home 7 pm Adult Bible Class 5:30 pm Confirmation 8:45 am Fold Newsletter 24 Christmas Eve Food Pantry CLOSED! No Sunday School No morning Service 9 pm Christmas Eve service No Adult Bible Class 1 pm Quilting No Confirmation class 31 1 st Sunday after Christmas Audio Visual: 12/3 No Sunday School 10:45 am Worship 12/10 Renae Jager 12/17 12/24 12/31 Scripture Reader: 12/3 Brian Jager 12/10 Don Thue 12/17 Lee Swanson 12/24 12/31 Rusty Antonen Ushers: 12/3 Al Brendsel & Kathy Antonen 12/10 Don Thue 12/17 Hauschildt Family 12/24 Rusty & Kirby Antonen 12/31 Rusty & Kirby Antonen 9

10 RETURN SERVICE REQUIRED Return to: TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH RD AVE N P.O. BOX 230 LAKE NORDEN, SD