GRAPEVINE December 1, 2012

Transcription

1 GRAPEVINE December 1, 2012 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Live Nativity at Trinity Friday, December 14 thru Monday, December 24 from Main Street Westbrook, ME Karen Indorf, Pastor Elsie Reese, Editor Phone (207) Phone (207) PASTOR S REFLECTIONS The season of Advent is soon upon us, beginning December 2 nd. It is the time of waiting for the holiday, Holy Day, of Christmas. The trappings of the holidays are all around us. Many are secular, while others are traditions of other religions. But for Christians, Christmas is a Holy Day, the birth of Jesus who came to save the world. Preparation for the Holy Day at Trinity includes worship that is about anticipation of a Savior. Our waiting for the birth of Jesus is marked by the lighting of a new candle on the Advent wreath, the gradual addition of greens, the movement of the Wisemen closer to Bethlehem and the crèche. This year the choir will sing a cantata on December 23 rd and there will be at least one baptism during our time of holy waiting. During our anticipation of the holy birth of the child who taught love and kindness, the spirit of giving abounds as cookies are shared with shut-ins and college students. Carolers will be making their rounds. Gifts will be purchased for the Angel Tree Ministry of the Salvation Army, youth at Long Creek Youth Center, children of prisoners, a family from Saccarappa School, warm clothing for the homeless and those living in shelters. This year, the members and friends of Trinity will be proclaiming the coming of our Holy Day with a live outdoor nativity during the week before Christmas. Visitors will be welcomed in from the cold for the hospitality of hot chocolate and cookies. Amidst all of the bustle of the holidays, my wish is that you would be intentional about anticipating the Holy Day. Make spiritual preparation by worshiping with us each week during Advent. Give generously to the poor. Visit the lonely. Sing with the shut-ins. Proclaim the birth story to our community. And join me in extending this Christmas greeting to all: Happy Holy Day! Pastor Karen 1

2 BY THE GRACE OF GOD THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOOD GOING ON AT TRINITY!! TRINITY CELEBRATED THEIR 130 TH ANNIVERSARY on Sunday, November 18. Through the years Trinity has been greatly Blessed. The members of Trinity have and are sending out Blessings in many areas. A wonderful display was set up in the Fellowship Hall to show all the Outreach Trinity has and is carrying on. All the committees of Trinity also have a display to show their participation. Pictures were pulled out and set up of the beginnings of Trinity including a photo of the Danish people who donated the original ship. Photos of pastors and members from many years back to the present were on display. (Editor s Note: These are but some of the displays. You had to have been there.) SHOEBOXES: Brenda and Ethan delivered 58 boxes to this year's Drop off location, Stroudwater Baptist church in Portland. Our goal was 50 and we surpassed that. We had great a response from the congregation & Sunday school and then yesterday more people came through with donations for the shipping costs. It was an awesome feeling to be so organized and successful this year and we were extremely proud when we dropped our (Trinity's) boxes off yesterday afternoon. This program is the brain child of Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son. It is part of the Samaritan's Purse organization and for more than a decade, Operation Christmas Child has answered the call to share the love of Jesus Christ with hurting children around the world.... Since 1993, more than 94 million gift-filled shoe boxes have been distributed to children in more than 130 countries worldwide. TLC has participated for the past several years and will continue to support this wonderful program. COATS, HATS, GLOVES, AND SWEATSHIRTS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED at the Teen Center during the Community Meal that is sponsored by Trinity every Wednesday from 5-6pm. These gently used clothing items have been collected from the Trinity Congregation and very much appreciated by the recipients. 2

3 UPCOMING AT TRINITY ADVENT WORKSHOPS: After worship on December 2 nd, a pizza luncheon will be followed by a variety of activities geared around preparation for the holidays. There will be Advent wreath making, ginger bread house construction, cookie packaging for college students, alternative gift giving ideas including Serv items (Fair Trade), preparation of gifts for shut-ins, and the opportunity to participate in the holiday giving that is sponsored by Social Ministry such as Angel Tree, and needy Westbrook families (All gifts will need to be returned by Sunday, December 16). Baskets will be available to donate items for Long Creek and Preble Street. There will be something for everyone! We hope you will come. COOKIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS: Your Visioning Team is sponsoring a project of sending a box of goodies to our college students just in time for their final exams before Christmas break. Help us out by contributing cookies, brownies, fudge, etc by December 2 nd. At the Advent Workshops on that day, we will be packaging the goodies for mailing. Donations for postage is also appreciated. And if you have a student in college, please provide the church office with a mailing address. FESTIVAL OF TREES: Every year, Westbrook Warren Congregational Church sponsors a week long festival featuring around 50 Christmas trees that are displayed by various businesses, churches, and nonprofits. There is also a model railroad. Trinity will once again be displaying their Danish Tree at the festival, December 1-8. If you have never gone to this festival, it is a beautiful way to begin the holiday season. The festival is open most days until 8:00pm and a schedule is on the bulletin board. FESTIVAL OF TREES ECUMENICAL SERVICE: On December 2 at 7:00, the choir and Pastor Karen will be participating in this Advent worship at Westbrook Warren Congregational Church, a part of their annual Festival of Trees. Join us! DECEMBER WORSHIP AT TRINITY: Advent worship will begin on December 2 nd with the lighting of the first candle of the advent wreath. On December 23, the choir will be presenting a Christmas Cantata. On that day there will also be the baptism of Abigail, daughter of Amy and Donald. Christmas Eve candlelight services will be held at 6:00 and 9:00 on December 24. The offering for Christmas (Special Christmas Offering Envelope) has been designated for the Long Creek Youth Chaplaincy Fund. REJOICING SPIRITS: Our monthly service on December 16 will feature a pageant by the Rejoicing Spirits congregation. After worship we will have a meal and party, led by the Education Committee. Some of the worshippers will then participate in the outdoor nativity. 3

4 OUTDOOR NATIVITY: Thank you to the vast majority of our active members who have signed up to participate in a live nativity from December Hillary is bringing animals from the Barnyard at Smiling Hill Farm on certain nights. It will be held nightly from 5:00-7:00pm, weather permitting, in front of the church, visible to the many people who pass by. Visitors will be welcomed to a Bethlehem Café in the fellowship hall where they can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Elsie is making costumes and will be assisted in coordinating them by Betty. Ted and Ralph are building a stable. Betty is recruiting some carolers and musicians. Dorothy and others are baking cookies. It is not too late to sign up with Jane who is coordinating volunteers to be in the pageant or help with the cafe. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLING Led by the choir and anyone who would like to join in. Carolers will be singing with our elderly and shut-ins in two shifts on Saturday, December 15, 9:30-11:30, lunch at church, and then from 12:30-3:30; and on Friday evening, December 21 from 5:00-7:00, followed by dinner at Ruby Tuesday. All are welcome to join us for any or all of these fun times. CHRISTMAS CANTATA will be sung during Worship Hour on Sunday, December 23, at 10:30. The choir will be singing the cantata Comfort and Joy by Lloyd Larson and Pamela Martin. If you would like to join the choir, you are most welcome. The plan now is to rehearse the Cantata during the second half of choir rehearsal (7:45-8:30) when we meet to practice on Thursdays. ONGOING AT TRINITY ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN FELLOWSHIP IN SONG AND PRAYER Our Ethiopian and Eritrean brothers and sisters from Westbrook and greater Portland are meeting weekly at Trinity every Saturday at 3:00pm in the fellowship hall for a Celebration of Prayer and Praise in their native languages. REJOICING SPIRITS Third Sunday in the month at 4:00pm: Casual and user friendly for those with disabilities or mental challenges. We have a sign language interpreter. Families and caregivers, as well as anyone else who would like to attend is invited. A fellowship meal follows. This month, the attendees will take part in a pageant followed by a Christmas Party and then some will take part in the Outdoor Nativity that Trinity is holding. 4

5 PRAYER GROUP Meets Wednesday at 11:15. Many prayer concerns have been lifted up and many thanksgivings raised. We invite all who cannot attend to consider praying with us at 11:15 on Wednesday from wherever you are at that time. There are prayer request cards and a box to place them in after they are filled out on the table next to the office door. SENIOR SAINTS: Every third Wednesday of the month, Sr. Saints meet at 11:00am at North Deering Congregational Church, and then on to a health care facility at 2:00pm. For the month of December, Sr. Saints will take a break and meet again in January. PAUL S PALS will be taking a break for the month of December and resume singing at Health Care Facilities in January. COMMUNITY MEAL: Every Wednesday at the Mission Possible Teen Center, from 5:00-6pm, a free meal is served for anyone in the community. It is sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church doing food prep, serving and cleanup, and the Wayside Food Programs providing the ingredients. BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are being offered at the community meal. An R.N. has volunteered her time. Trinity will be expanding this program to help promote healthy life styles. Thank you to all the volunteers who make this Community Meal possible. October figures: 76 volunteers worked 271 hours to feed 749 people. The dollar value of the work hours as based on a per volunteer hour for the state of Maine is $4, ADULT FORUM: Every Sunday we are meeting in the fellowship hall from 9:15-10:00. This Fall we are discussing the gospel lesson assigned for that day, primarily from the gospel of Mark. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY: meets the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00am. CHOIR: Our choir meets every Thursday evening at 7:00pm to 8:30 pm. All are welcome. KNIT NIGHT PLUS: A group of knitters, hand crafters, etc. meet in the large Sunday School room between 5:30-7:00pm to knit prayer shawls, duduzas, cuddle bears, etc., or work on any art or craft project they find interesting. Beginners welcome. 5

6 POTPOURRI MEET RUTH: Ruth is the daughter of N. Peter and Jennie. She is 91 years old and still resides in her own home where she has lived for 58 years. Ruth worked as a hairdresser before going to work in the office of S.D. Warren. Ruth married Peter in 1943 at Trinity Lutheran Church. She has a daughter Cheryl who lives in Massachusetts and a son Steven who lives in California with his wife Freely. Ruth has three granddaughters, Robyn, Nancy and Brenna and one great granddaughter Jessica. Ruth has been a member of Trinity all her life and was baptized at Trinity when she was 3 days old. Ruth s favorite Bible verse is Seek Ye the Lord while He may be found, Call Ye upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6. She has many favorite hymns and enjoys playing her Player Piano and singing hymns. In the summer Ruth loves to be at the lake at the cottage her father built. She also likes to make Danish Rye Bread and her Danish recipes. Ruth loves to have company and she usually has a puzzle she is working on. If the puzzle is on the card table, she will expect you to help her by putting in at least one piece. EDITOR S NOTE CORRECTION: Please note that an error was made in Meet Warren. Warren has four grandchildren and their names are Aaron, Kristin, Erik and Krista and his three great grandchildren are Emily Lynn, Bode and Owen. CONGRATULATIONS on the adoption of Apollo! LIVE NATIVITY (Christmas in the Barn) sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church in Windham: The nativity will take place at the Hartwell Farm, 443 Sebago Lake Rd. (White Rock Rd.), Gorham, on Sunday, December 9 th at 1:00pm rain or shine. All are welcome. CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL: Saturday, December 1, at 12:00 noon. Tickets will be sold at the door. They are $10.00 each. Go early to get good seats. MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS: The preview will be Friday, December 14, at 2:00pm and all tickets will be $25. If you wish to go, contact Alice. THE LUTHERAN MAGAZINE subscription is due by January 1, If you are a subscriber, please pay Jane before that date. The cost is $7.95 per year. 6

7 PLEASE SAVE YOUR USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES note: ONLY SMALL INKJET TYPE. We are allowed to turn in 10 cartridges a month at Staples. At approximately $3.00 a cartridge, this adds up in rewards and saves money for us in the Office Supply budget. Please deposit them in the bag under the table by the secretary s office marked drop off for used ink cartridges. Thank you. HOLIDAY GRIEF SUPPORT MEETINGS: Sponsored by VNA Home Health Hospice. When: Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00 Dates: November 30, December 7, December 14 Where: 50 Foden Rd., South Portland, ME This will be a closed group (same group of people meeting for the 3 sessions) that works best if you are able to attend all sessions. To register or for more information call Linda Hopkins, MONTHLY GRIEF SUPPORT MEETINGS IN WINDHAM: VNA Home Health Hospice offers monthly grief support meetings in Windham on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:00 7:30 PM at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail, Rt. 302, Windham. GORHAM CANCER PRAYER AND SUPPORT GROUP meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 to 7:30 pm. If you re looking for the support during or after your involvement with cancer, please join us. Phone: (207) Website: PRAYER AND SUPPORT GROUP: We meet every 2 nd Tuesday of the month from 6:00-7:30pm at First Lutheran Church on 132 Auburn St., Portland. We support those who have or have had cancer and their caregivers. The Rev. Norman Bumby is the facilitator. To contact Pastor Bumby, you can reach him at (207) THANK YOU TO: THANK YOU Thanks to all those who donated coats, hats, gloves, and sweatshirts for distribution at the Community Meal. Special thanks to the Social Ministry Committee who tirelessly strive to help those in need. They are in full swing as we move into that special time of year. They remind us let us not forget the The Reason for the Season. They also wish to thank all the participants who are reaching out to others in need through the programs they organize. THANK YOU FROM: Pastor Workneh Tesfaye, Emmanuel Disciples Church, Boston Hope you know just how much you are appreciated. (This is in reference to the Ethiopian/Eritrean Festival.) 7

8 JUST FOR LAUGHS The minister asks the congregation "How many of you can forgive your enemies?" About 10 people raise their hand. He goes on with a sermon for about 15 minutes and asks again "Now, how many of you can forgive your enemies?" Everyone raises their hand except a little old lady in the back of the church. The minister asks the little old lady "How old are you & how come you can't forgive your enemies?" The little old lady says "I'm 96 yrs. old & I don't have any enemies". The minister says "That's amazing! Come down to the front of the church & tell everyone how you don't have any enemies". The little old lady, with the aid of her walker, goes to the front of the church, turns and faces the congregation, and says "I don't have any enemies because I outlived all the (censored)"!!!!! 8