FROM REV. DIANE KRAUSZER

Transcription

1 TRINITY LUTHERAN S NEWSLETTER FROM REV. DIANE KRAUSZER Dear beloved, This is the season of. There are many words we can choose from to complete this sentence. This is the season of love. This is the season of getting gifts. This is the season of Jesus birth. This is the season of Advent. This is the season of darkness and cold. This is the season of winter. This is the season of.. You get my drift E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy Fax: trinitylpalmerak@gmail.com I want to think about this as being the season of giving. I expect many of you have been busy making and buying gifts for the people you love. It feels so good to see someone s face light up with joy when they unwrap the gift you lovingly chose or made for them. Generous giving brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. We give gifts at Christmas time as a reminder of the gift of Jesus that God gave to all humanity. We can also think about Jesus gifts to us; unconditional love, hope, health, forgiveness, salvation, new beginnings, adoption into God s family, a spot at the eternal banquet Article continues on page 2 1

2 BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE Trinity is having its 13 annual Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale. The bazaar is December 3 from 10-4 p.m. Items for sale may be brought to the church and be displayed on December 2 nd, between 3-7 p.m. Please price the items you make. ADVENT SCHEDULE Soup supper, 6:00 p.m. Advent service, December 7 Advent service at River of Life (21301 Voyles Bld. Chugiak, AK 99567) December 14 Advent service at Trinity (10355 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer, AK 99645) December 21 Advent service at Trinity (10355 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer, AK 99645) Article continued from page 1 From Rev. Diane Krauszer table and life eternal with God. Here, too, you can add your own description of the gift that is most dear to you in this season of giving. Trinity Lutheran Church is a generous church made up of generous people. Because of you and your generosity, we can open the church doors every morning for the preschoolers and their families. The kids learn life lessons about getting along and loving God as well as their A B C s and numbers. Because of you and your generosity, the young adults in the Next Step Day School program have a safe place to learn life skills and social skills. Because of you, Trinity provides food and money to support the food pantries in Palmer and Wasilla. Because of you the garden is planted, cared for, harvested, and hungry people fed. Because of you, I am in the pastor s office when people stop in to talk or to ask for help with food or gas money. Because of you we have hymn books and Bibles, fellowship time and youth group, choir music and a warm sanctuary to worship in. Because of you Trinity Lutheran Church looks forward to a future of faithfully serving God, using our hands, our time and our finances to do God s work. Thank you for all that happens because of your generous gifts of money, time, and ability. This is the season of giving. Even as I say thank you, I also want to ask you to continue to give generously to the mission and ministry of Trinity Luther Church. We may be small, but through everyone s generosity we are doing great things in God s kingdom here in the Mat-Su Valley and around the world. Peace, Pastor Diane ADVENT SERVICES December 21 Longest Night service for those who suffered loss, at Trinity Lutheran. December 24 Christmas Eve candlelight service, at Trinity Lutheran. December 25 Christmas day service, at Trinity Lutheran. January 1 Pajama Sunday with café style worship. Come in your church appropriate pajamas for New Years Day. Start the year out with God. CHRISTMAS CHORUS Celebrating the Joys of Christmas presented by the Mat-Su Community Chorus Concert, 4:00 p.m. St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer on December 11. The admission is $5.00. Students and seniors get in free. Traditional caroling will be at Palmer s Colony Christmas on Saturday, December 10 th from 2-4pm! You can even sing along! 2

3 YOUTH GROUP LEADER We are in need of a youth group leader. Youth group meets every 1 and 3 Sunday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Faith, games, kids, and fun! If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please see Pastor Diane. STEWARDSHIP ARTICLE Abundance and Fear By Catherine Neelly Burton Do not be afraid. I hear this in scripture when an angel speaks to a person who has every reason to be afraid. I d like a message from a holy visitor. As a pastor I know what I m supposed to say about stewardship: that we worship a God of abundance and not scarcity, that there is more than enough. Theologically I believe this. Practically, I m not so sure. Theologically I know that the church of Jesus Christ is much more than one particular congregation. Practically I don t want the giving (and the ministries it supports) of this particular congregation to go down on my watch. CHRISTMAS GATHERING December 10, 3:00PM: A Christmas Gathering in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring an appetizer to share. Christmas cookies, candies, and hot cocoa will be provided. This will be a time to relax with friends, eat, and listen to Christmas music. There will be a cookie exchange for those who want to participate. Please call Lynn at for more information and to sign up for the cookie exchange. We hope to see you at the Christmas Gathering. CHRISTMAS PRODUCTIONS A Christmas Carol at the Glenn Massay Theater December 12, 13, 14 at Tickets are $ The Alaskan Nutcracker at the Glenn Massay Theater December 9 at and December 10 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 for youth and $19 for adults. Elf the Musical at the Valley Performing Arts Center December 16, and 17 at 7:00 p.m. I would never tell the congregation I serve that I m afraid, at least not so plainly. I hope to inspire confidence. All the time, but especially in our stewardship season, I aim to deliver sermons with just the right balance of humility and humor, information and inspiration, and, of course, good Biblical exegesis, all while encouraging generosity. If there is concern about giving I want to express it in an urgent yet calm manner. The catch is that even if I do all of this, there may or may not be enough. Of course there s enough of God s grace, but there might not be enough money to sustain the church at the level at which we re accustomed. Many of our ministries run on shoestring budgets, but staffing and facility are the underlying support structures, and both cost money. I serve an incredible, faithful, and generous congregation. Outside groups meet in our building five days a week. We re present in neighborhood schools. Our local outreach helps to clothe and provide transportation for our sisters and brothers in the city. We give money and look for hands-on ways to connect to people around the world. Our worship is vibrant. The congregation is creative and flexible, and sincerely seeks to follow Christ. People in the community like our church. There s an abundance of goodwill towards us, but goodwill only goes so far. For a lot of people, we re the church they would go to if they went to church. This is a nice distinction, but it doesn t pay staff. Part of my approach to stewardship this year, in particular, is to be honest with the faithful in our congregation, asking those who consistently give to keep giving, and encouraging them to give more. I am gently letting them know that the them we ve been waiting for and contribute financially to our congregation has shown up without much money. They are the teenagers from the neighborhood middle school, the family who s never gone to church before, and the people strapped with debt. All the while church leaders and I study future giving patterns and options. And we re learning; no idea is off the table. Ideas range from planned giving to crowdfunding; asking people to consider making the church a beneficiary on a life insurance policy and asking people to give $1.80 (or more) toward a new mission project. I find that each time I talk with a leader in the congregation about all of this, a funny thing happens. Another voice enters into the conversation and says, Do not be afraid. It s the Spirit reminding me that I am not to carry all of this alone, that despite my fear, God is at work and other people care as much as I do, if not more. While I can t predict or control the long-term financial outlook for this or any church, I know with 100% certainty that my anxiety and fear won t make any of it easier. And so I give thanks. Thanks to God who reminds me -- though not quite with a visit from an angel -- Do not be afraid, I am with you. Rev. Catherine Neelly Burton is senior pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas. 3

4 LETTER FROM RAPHAEL Dear families in Christ, Praise the Lord our family in Christ. The far we came is God. We Praise the Lord in union in Jesus Christ we a one. We a very proud of you that you have been very special in Gods ministry in Kenya. You made us today what we today as Church. We know you are in Gods heart. when you envolve in Great commission, in being A missionary Church. God Bless you. today our Rendille families can testify that God is Good all time, All time God is Good. We have today over 100 members in our Lokileng Church, outreach 5 Villages ministry, Our Sunday school goes to 150 in the Church. These Children A Blessing to us. God has been faithful through your Provision. Two of my Children Have completed last year high School, Nancy join Moi university in September While Noah will do engineering at Kenya water institute in January. Iam forwarding there admission and fee statement, so you Pray. kindly I wanted too see Noah will start on January Next year God willing 2017, while for Nancy two it will be next Semester. We know you have been having your own Plans for sending quarterly support Scott Eggers (Christ Lutheran Church, Waco, TX.) We appreciate this and Pray others will Continue serving God ministry in these way. you all a very Special. kindly Pray on these Two Children needs. We Pray for you Ildaani Family Fiends. Lokileleng Ministry is your Ministry. You have enable us to Serve God in Kenya Through your Support and so you all a Special. We Pray God will work out these needs Before January God Willing. Kindly I appeal to you to Pray for our Beloved friend Hank Roesing who has been Faithfully been Supporting our Ministry in Kenya for years. We came far with him, we know he will be rewarded for the perfect well done for Gods work in Kenya. He has been our link, between you folks and us. Currently he is old and have health issues. He is in our Hearts, you too can Pray for him, Kindly we Pray God can use you for those he shared lords work in Kenya. That you can carry the mission of Sharing Jesus even to the farthest end. Pastor Raphael Ildaani PASTOR ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES I am submitting this letter prior to our coming annual meeting. An overview of the responsibilities of the pastor is necessary to put the pastor activities in an appropriate context. Our pastor's stated responsibilities are; to preach the Word; administer the sacraments; conduct public worship; provide pastoral care; and speak publicly to the world ii solidarity with the poor and oppressed; calling for justice and proclaiming God's love for the world. Our pastor as a condition of our congregational call shall: offer instruction, confirm, marry, visit the sick and distressed, and bury the dead; supervise all schools and organizations of this congregation; install regularly elected members of the Congregation Council; and with the council, administer discipline. Further, Our pastor is charged with extending the Kingdom of God in the community, in the nation, and abroad; seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel; impart knowledge of this church and its wider ministry through distribution of its periodicals and other publications; and endeavor to increase the support given by the congregation to the work of the church wide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Churc1 in America (ELCA) and of the Alaska Synod of the ELCA. Our Pastor is required by the ELCA and Trinity Lutheran Church to have 50 contact hours of continuing education for which the congregation and the pastor share the cost. The pastor must attend Synod activities such as Synod assemblies and collegiums. Currently Pastor Diane is also a member of the Synod council which meets twice a year. In addition to all of the above the pastor is authorized four (4) weeks and four (4) Sundays of vacation each year. Also she is authorized all recognized national holidays. For any holidays occurring on a Sunday an alternate day is taken off. I am pleased to assure the congregation that our pastor meets all of the requirements of her call. As of our last council meeting Pastor Diane has four (4) vacation days and one vacation Sunday left in The Alaska Synod recommends that no more than one week of vacation time roll over to the next year. If she does not take that time off before the end of 20 16, she will take those days off in the first two months of Our pastor also works with the Table of Grace Lutheran congregation in Bethel, Alaska, at the request of Knik Cluster and the Alaska Synod. All of the Knik Cluster pastors preach periodically at Table of Grace. Our pastor's participation in this work is fully authorized by Trinity Lutheran Church congregation council and should require her to travel to Bethel only once or twice a year. This year Pastor Diane was also asked by Bishop Wickstrom to be a mentor for Hazel Davidson. Hazel is participating in the TEEM program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. As Hazel's mentor Pastor Diane attended the student/mentor conference this past September. This was a one-time occurrence as Hazel will graduate in January In the absence of the pastor for a Sunday service, the worship committee attempts to secure the services of an altemate pastor. If the worship committee is unable to secure these services, the Bishop of the Alaska ELCA Synod will authorize a lay person from Trinity Lutheran to conduct the full worship service. There are two persons authorized to date and one person in training. If anyone in the congregation is interested in performing this service please contact the pastor. Feel free to contact me should anyone need addition clarification please contact me. Richard Clinch 4

5 ALASKA CHILDREN S CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Saturday, December 10 at 4 p.m. St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer Tickets are $10 Sunday, December 11 at 2:30 p.m. Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage Tickets are $10 LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ALASKA Thank you to everyone who helped make this year s Thanksgiving Blessing such a success. We were blessed with thousands of canned corn, green beans, stuffing and cranberry sauce, collected by Anchor Lutheran School, First Christian Church and our Lutheran congregations. Thank you also to those who contributed financially and to those who volunteered their time to help with set-up and distribution. Many thanks to Central Lutheran Church for allowing us to host the 1462 households we served that day. This was an increase of 97 households over last year. Citywide Blessing served 8274 households which was an increase of 811 over last year. And also, thanks to Joy Lutheran Church for hosting this event in Eagle River. Thanks also to all who donated Christmas stockings for the children of the families we serve in the Food Pantry. These stocking with the Christmas story included bring hope and joy to our clients and their children. It is not too late to donate stockings as we distribute them through December 23rd. NATIVITY DISPLAY Frontiersman Come enjoy hundreds of nativities from all over the world, collected by local individuals, can be viewed at the Community Nativity Display at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 560 W. Arctic Ave. in Palmer. Held December 10 during Colony Christmas. Admission is free and the public is invited to walk through rooms that have been transformed with a theme to highlight the hundreds of nativities on loan for the week-end; that the entire family, young and old can enjoy. Many local musical groups and individuals will be performing throughout the day at the event. This is a community event that The Church of Jesus Christ has sponsored for 14 years as part of Colony Christmas, said Janet Dinwiddie, event organizer. I love helping to organize this event that highlights the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, during this Christmas Season. She said there are hundreds of different nativities in this year s display, but she hopes the community will bring their nativities to be displayed for the weekend, or even sign up to decorate a room. Christmas will soon be upon us and LSSA is collaborating with the Salvation Army, Marine Corp Toys for Tots program, the Food Bank of Alaska and Anchorage City Church to host the Neighborhood Gift program. This program provides many ways to share the spirit of the season. First, you can purchase gifts and drop them at a Marine Corp Toys for Tots or a Salvation Army drop-off location. These are located in the various malls and stores throughout Alaska. We again will be using the Sullivan Arena as our distribution site on Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14 from 12pm to 7pm both days. We are also looking for people to volunteer during the event. Volunteer shifts are on Tuesday, December 13th or Wednesday, December 14th from 10:30am to 3:30pm and from 3pm to 7pm for distribution. Volunteer on-line by going to the Salvation Army link at: Last January, approximately 800 men, women and children were served during the Project Homeless Connect in Anchorage. We are asking anyone who knits, crochets or sews to donate hats and/or scarves for this project. If you would like to volunteer at Project Homeless Connect, please visit The date of Project Homeless Connect is January 25, Soon you will have the opportunity to sign up for your 2017 PFD and we ask you to please consider a charitable contribution to LSSA through the Pick.Click.Give program. In November LSSA received $15,325 in contributions from 213 donors. Thank you to all who contributed in the past and to our future donors! God has truly blessed us and for that we are grateful. Joy resounds in the hearts of those who believe in the miracle of Christmas! Wishing you all the peace, joy, and love of the season! Together caring for others, Alan Budahl 5

6 COUNCIL MEMBERS President Richard Clinch Vice President Rhonda D Aigle Treasurer Pat Kilmain Secretary Mary Brothers Worship Deb Till Stewardship Glenn Jacob Education Paul Krauszer Outreach Deb Burlinski Property Mngmt Dana Tesch Reverend Diane Krauszer CDC Jana Moser Health/Wellness Richard Clinch If you are interested in being a part of the council, talk to Richard Clinch to see how you can qualify. NEWSLETTER ARTICLE Please send in your info for the January newsletter by December 26. WORSHIP HELPERS Lynn Anselm McKenzie Anselm Margaret Baldwin Deb Burlinski Jeffery Charvet Rhonda D Aigle Frank & Rosie Gamboa Phyllis Gielarowski Cathy Moorman Mike & Dorothy Sherman Deb Till Jan Walton Tabitha Winkleblack If you are not on a team and you would like to serve, please contact the church. LEARNING AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT TRINITY Gathered: This Thursday morning Bible study is held in the Trinity Room. The participants are using The Great Story, an introduction to the Bible. Come and join in on this discussion. Call Phyllis Gielarowski for more information at (September-May.) Bible Study: Join the Monday night group at in the Trinity Room as they study the Bible. Call Janet Jacob for more information at (September-May.) The Men s Breakfast Group: This group meets faithfully every Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. in the Trinity Room. After a delicious breakfast, they read and discuss the scripture for the coming Sunday. The conversation is lively and intense. For more information, call Glenn Jacob at Adult Forum: Join other adults as we discuss a series of Bible studies on the practices around caring for our world, our neighbors, and ourselves. 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning in the Trinity Room. Contact for more information. In Stitches: Come share your love of sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and any other crafts with our fine group of knit wits. On Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. in the Trinity Room. For more information, call Phyllis Gielarowski at (September-May.) Pastor Diane: This group of religious athletes meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Upper Room. Come experience the athlete in you. Prayer following exercise. Contact for more information. Mat-Su Grief Support Group: Are you grieving or know someone who is grieving? We are here to help. Come to the Mat-Su Grief Support Group every Thursday in the sanctuary at Call Mary Brothers at for more information. Preschool Chapel: Come worship with the little ones every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary while they learn that Jesus loves them. Call the preschool at 745-LOVE (5683) for more information. (September-May.) Trinity Singers and Players: Do you like to sing? Do you play an instrument? How about you join the Trinity Singers and Players? You get to participate in church, and they practice every Tuesday at in the sanctuary. Call Jana Moser at for more information. (September-May.) Sunday School: Bring kids to the Upper Room every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. for a children s Bible study. Call Jan Walton at for more information. Worship: Join us every Sunday at in the sanctuary to praise God and have communion with Pastor Diane. Contact for more information. Fellowship: Join us every Sunday following service for a chance to get to know your fellow Christian friends. Snacks available. Contact for more information. Youth Group: This is for age 6-12 grade, and they meet every 1 and 3 Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in the Trinity Room for faith and games. Contact for more information. (September-May.) Local Organizing Ministry: This group meets every other Sunday from 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. in the Trinity Room. All are welcome in learning the tools used for organizing. Call Richard Clinch at for more information. 6

7 7

8 Sunday M onday T uesday W ednesday T hursday Friday Saturday 4 Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. Worship, Fellowship, 11:30 a.m. Youth group, 5:30 p.m. Accapella 11 Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. Worship, Fellowship, 11:30 a.m. AK Children s Choir Christmas Program, 2:30 p.m. Celebrating Joys of Christmas, 4:00 p.m. 18 Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. Worship, Fellowship, 11:30 a.m. Youth group, 5:30 p.m. Nativity of our Lord, Fellowship, 11:30 a.m. 25 Adult Bible study, 5 12 Adult Bible study, LOM, 6:00 p.m. A Christmas Carol, 19 Adult Bible study, 26 Adult Bible study, Newsletter article due 2016 Trinity Singers and Players, Trinity Singers and Players, 6:00 p.m. Council, Outreach, 4:00 p.m. Trinity Singers and Players, Trinity Singers and Players, Men s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. Advent supper, 5:30 p.m. and worship at River of Life 7 14 Men s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. Advent supper, 5:30 p.m. and worship at Trinity Lutheran 21 Men s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. Advent supper, 5:30 p.m. and worship at Trinity Lutheran 28 Men s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. Advent supper, 5:30 p.m. and worship at 1 Grief Support Group, 8 Grief Support Group, 15 Exercise/Prayer, 8:30 a.m. Grief Support Group, 22 Longest night service, 29 Exercise/Prayer, 8:30 a.m. Grief Support Group, Bazaar set-up, 2-6 p.m. The Alaskan Nutcracker, Elf the Musical, Work day for teachers, no students 30 Mountain River Counseling, 9-4 Trinity Room Bazaar, 10-4 p.m. AK Children s Choir Christmas Program, 4:00 p.m. A Christmas Gathering, 3:00 p.m. The Alaskan Nutcracker, 2:00 and Nativity Display Mountain River Counseling, 9-4 Trinity Room Elf the Musical, Christmas Eve service, 31