Trinity Lutheran Church December 2011

Transcription

1 The Desert Voice Trinity Lutheran Church December 2011 Dear Beloved in Christ, Merry Christmas! Should it be said or celebrated? Each year this controversy rages in the public square. Maybe you re wondering if all the heated exchanges will settle the matter this year. The debate can seem very depressing. But, wait a minute. Maybe something wonderful is taking place. What s that? you ask. Well, for starters, Jesus birth is the subject under debate. Should we be getting all excited about the fact that God kept His promise to enter our world in order to save sinners? Yes, we should. Should we be passionate about the fact that by being conceived and born of the virgin Mary by the agency of the Holy Spirit, the Son of God would become the whole pleasing sacrifice for every sin by later dying on the cross? Yes, we should. The fact that many in our culture see the Biblical story of Christmas as threatening to their present sinful condition is not shocking. A Biblical identification of Christmas is divisive in the struggle between good and evil. After all, we re talking about how God, who will not compromise Himself with our sinful rebellion, entered our world in order to battle sin, Satan and death and gain a radical victory over them. Christmas is the story of how God interrupted history with His plan of saving love for every sinner. The Christmas account (Luke 2:1-20) shows how God impacted all walks of life from the Roman emperor to obsolete shepherds. His arrival involved glorious angels and animals in a barnyard stall. God s humble birth and feeding-trough bed would culminate in His great sacrificial death for our sins on an old rugged cross. His resurrection from the dead announces even now that He has completed that work of salvation. God has brought a comfort and joy. Praise His Name. Merry Christmas! Pastor Smith Inside this issue: MASS, Book Review TLC Family News SS Reformation Party Fall Choir Party One Day Christmas VBS TLC Youth News December/January Birthdays and Anniversaries Those Who Serve LWML Meeting 10 December Calendar 11 Tamale Sales 12

2 Page 2 The Desert Voice December 2011 MEN S NEXT M.A.S.S. MEETING December 6:00 pm TRINITY LUTHERAN MEMBERS AND FRIENDS Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Tis the season to be jolly and we certainly are a jolly bunch here at M.A.S.S. We love the work we do for the Lord, and that is helping finance and prayerfully keep our Seminary students in mind in their goal to be Lutheran Pastors - LCMS. The men of M.A.S.S. are a wonderful group of fellow Christian men. This month s meeting is on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:00 pm, Sloan s Restaurant located on the corner of Clinton St. & Hwy III in Indio. All you winter birds please come and join us year round folks for an hour of good food, devotions & caring. You can bring a friend! If you can t make the Tuesday meeting you can still help M.A.S.S. by dropping a check in the offering plate on Sundays marked for M.A.S.S. ANYONE can contribute to M.A.S.S. Have a wonderful, holy Christmas & God bless you and our work here at M.A.S.S. NO WINGS THIS MONTH SEE YOU IN JANUARY 2012! Women s Early Evening Bible Study continues on Thursday evenings at 5:00 pm. Class starts at 5pm led by Mary Helen Kelly. LWML CHRISTMAS PARTY, December 3rd at1:00 pm & Silent AUCTION There is still time to contribute things to our LWML Silent Auction. Please remember: Only new or very gently used items. If you have a question call the Church Office Please plan to attend the LWML Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 1-4pm. Silent Auction will be from 1pm to 2:30 pm.there will be plenty of time this year to view all the auction items on display. Be sure and bring your favorite cookies/candy or specialty for our enjoyment. Secret Prayer exchange Advent and Christmas carols. Winter ladies are very welcome The Man in the Middle Timothy S Goeglein President Bush began each day with prayer. He believed the Bible is truth and he believes the United States of America is exactly what New England Puritan John Winthrop said it was. The shining city upon a hill : This is a story about the depth of the president s character. It is a story about his magnanimity, sense of gratitude, servant leadership, loyalty and concern for real people, not just abstractions or staff. It is about something far deeper. Washington has too few men and women who exhibit exemplary moral fiber, but it was my privilege to work for one who did. TIMOTHY S. GOEGLEIN The Man in the Middle =============================== The quilting group will meet on December 21st at 11:15 am, their regular day. If you want a few hours away from the hustle & bustle of the season come and help with quilting. There s lots of things you can do; Bring a lunch.

3 * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 3 TLC Family Ministry Your faithfulness continues through all generations Psalm 119:90 December 2011 Mid Week Advent Schedule Wednesdays, November 30,December 7, 14, 6:00 pm Potluck TLC Family Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 4pm 7:00 pm The Word Fulfilled, The Word Made Flesh Christmas carols unite the whole world at Christmastime! Come join us as we raise our voices in song and spread the news that Jesus Christ is Born!!! We will meet at church at 4pm. Oh and Bring a friend! The Old and New Testament meet on another--in person Week 1 Hear The Word Of The Lord (Moses and Zechariah meet) Week 2 Here Am I, Send Me (Isaiah and Joseph volunteer) Week 3 God With Us (Elijah and Mary share notes on a still, small voice)

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6 Page 6 The Desert Voice December 2011 One Day Christmas VBS! Monday, December 19, am 11:30am Last year was such a success that we decided to have our 2nd annual One Day Christmas VBS. We will need volunteers for this exciting community outreach. The children will hear and learn traditional Christmas carols and the real reason for the season. Many children in our community don t know that Christmas is Jesus birthday and it is our hope to share this exciting news to them! There will be Christmas crafts, games and snacks. If you would like to help share the Christmas joy to the children of our community let the church office know and sign up now! Also, if you know of any children interested in participating in TLC s One Day Christmas VBS you can sign them up on the VBS sign up sheet located on the card tables located at the church entrance or sign up the day of the event!

7 * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 7 TLC Youth News TLC Youth/ Young Adult Bible Class Sundays 10am Come Join us in the study of God living Word Deepen your knowledge and your relationship with your loving Father in heaven! Sunday mornings are a perfect time to truly enjoy the day God has given us to set a side as a day of worship. Trinity is blessed with a new Bible study leader and you should come and the Sunday morning Bible study! December 2011 Youth Connection Sundays TBA By text message TLC Christmas Caroling Sunday, Dec. 4pm Bowling Thursday, Dec. 5pm Worship & the Word 6:30pm Postponed until January 2012 Bowling Date to be determined. Christmas Caroling Tis the season to be joyful! Christmas caroling is a great way to share the love of Jesus, out newborn King with others. We will be meeting at Trinity at 4:00pm and going to a near by nursing home and fellow TLC members that can use a Christmas Carol to get them in the mood of the season. So mark your calendars for December 11. Come and bring a friend! Hey! Let s get together for some fun and fellowship at Fantasy Lanes Bowling alley! We will be meeting at the church and heading to the lanes. The cost of $10.00 will cover the bowling and shoe rentals per person. Bring your own spending money for food and snacks. We will need to have a head count to know how many lanes we will need to rent so please RSVP to Bobbi Smith by December 18. You can her at, BobbiS1@verizon.net or call the church office, There will also be a Facebook invitation that you can respond to so keep your eyes open for the event.

8 Page 8 The Desert Voice December 2011 December Birthdays 6 Sylvia Kendall 6 Michael Maler 8 Annemarie Sonntag 9 Frank Fratto 16 Nicole Maler 19 Elsa Smith 20 Tom Spay 22 Frank Brady 24 Joyce Knapp 24 Marlene Langenwalter 27 Alex Negron 30 Kathy Hunter 31 Eva Balmes January Birthdays 4 Mary Helen Kelly 4 Paul Smith 5 Ramona Haugen 5 Noralyn Lorimer 10 Annie Negron 13 Kristen Balmes 13 Maggie Negron 13 Samantha Schuessler 16 Ann Guild 21 John Eide 22 Mary Ann Miller 23 Lisa Bonette 27 Mike Harai 29 Dorothy Fratto December Anniversaries December 6 Michael & Laura Maler Dec. 14, 2008 Bryan & Tammy Carlson Dec. 23, 1950 George & Trudi Intemann December 27, 1985 Pastor & Bobbi Smith January Anniversaries Jan.14, 1967 Wally & Cheryle Kortman Jan. 31,1958Vern & Marlene Langenwalter

9 * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 9 Those Who Serve in December 2011 Duties December 4 8:30 am Communion December 11 11:00 am Communion December 18 8:30 am Communion December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 11:00 am Communion 8:30 am Duty Elder 11am Frank Fratto Frank Fratto Frank Fratto Edwin Meyer 8:30am Readers 11am Frank Fratto Frank Fratto Frank Fratto Edwin Meyer 8:30am Larry Piunti & Terry Lahn Russ Campbell & Frank Brady Larry Piunti & Kris Hunter Terry Lahn & Kris Hunter Ushers 11am Jim Ducatte & Ed Pagan Paul Smith & Andy Schlange Ed Pagan & George Intemann Jim Ducatte & Paul Smith 8:30am Elder Elder Elder Elder Acolytes 11am Matt Hawkins Kylie Maxfield Elder Elder 8:30am Larry/Loretta Piunti Larry/Loretta Piunti Larry/Loretta Piunti Larry/Loretta Piunti Greeters 11am Winona White Winona White Winona White Winona White Flowers By Mark & Elsa Smith for birthdays of grandchildren Ethan Smith, Malachi & Liana Smith Christmas Eve December 24th, 2011 Ushers, November 30th 7pm Terry Lahn & Larry Piunti 7:00 pm Elder: Ushers: December 7th 7pm; Russ Campbell & Frank Brady Ushers: Kris Hunter & Terry Lahn Ushers: Dec. 14th 7pm Paul Smith & Russ Campbell New Year s Eve: Elder: Ushers: New Year s Eve: 7pm; Larry Piunti & Terry Lahn

10 Page 10 The Desert Voice December 2011 Lutheran Women s Missionary League Trinity Lutheran Church Advent/ Christmas Program 1p.m. - 4p.m. 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Silent Auction for Lutheran World Relief 2:30 p.m. Program Saturday, December 3, 2011 Advent - A Time for Preparation Devotion/Skit: What Women do to Prepare for Christmas Advent and Christmas Carols Secret Prayer Exchange - Good Fellowship Please bring cookies or bread for our enjoyment and for gifts to the shut-ins. We need new items for the Silent Auction. If you have items you would like to donate, such as handmade things, jewelry, kitchen wares, Christmas items, please bring to church as soon as possible. Help is needed to set up the Silent Auction Please notify Mary Helen Kelly if you are willing to help. NO EXPERIENCE NCESSARY! COME AND BRING A FRIEND!

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12 * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Stamp Trinity Lutheran Church Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pacific Southwest District Miles Ave Indio CA Robert E. Smith, Pastor Cell Phone: Emily Bonette, Church Secretary Church Office Phone: Cell Phone during office hours: only: Eloise Freeman, Preschool Director School Phone: Sunday Worship 8:30am & 11am Sunday School/ Bible Class 10:00am Holy Communion 8:30am 1st & 3rd Sundays 11am 2nd & 4th Sundays Order your tamales today! We will begin the monthly tamale sales this month. The Tamales benefit our circuits Hispanic Ministry in San Jacinto /Hemet Centro Cristiano Fuente De Vida Fountain of Life Christian Center -LCMS $12 per dozen Chili with Cheese, Cheese, Pork and Chicken Last Day to order is December 11 and will be ready for pick up the following Sunday, December 18. Cash or Check: to Juan Herrera