The poinsettias were given to the Glory of God this Advent season in memory of the parents and loved ones from the following: The Gathering

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2 BURNING OF THE GREENS Come and invite your friends and family and bring your old Christmas tree to our Annual Burning of the Greens on Friday, January 6 at 6 p.m. We will gather around the fire and sing carols while our trees burn. We will ask for nice weather! Bring a dish to pass. In the Christian tradition, the 12 th day commemorates the visit of the Magi (three wise men) to adore Jesus. From a very early period, the Church has believed that the magi were the first Gentiles to worship the Christ Child. The feast day is also known as The poinsettias were given to the Glory of God this Advent season in memory of the parents and loved ones from the following: Herb & Mary Buckley Bob Peters & Marie Chellis Lloyd & Carol Hansen Ed & Sue Jabrocki Leon & Belinda Jabrocki Carl & Alice Kronlein Otto & Sally Larson Nancy Nielsen Jean Sterley Christie McDonald Gordon & Janet Groth Roger & Phyllis Thompson Dick and Chris Weinert In memory of Bill Kelley, Tom Maddix and Ernie & Frieda Johnson by Joanne Kelley In memory of Grammie Jeannie Smith from Caleb & Gavin Smith In memory of Jeannie Smith from Gary In memory of Jeannie Smith from the Mike Smith Family In memory of Grandparents by John & Shirley Tanis In memory of Ralph Egeler by Polly Egeler In memory o Thank you to all who purchased Poinsettias! THE GATHERING Living Water Ministries is a ministry of the ELCA Synods in Michigan (Ohio and Indiana), Episcopal and UCC congregations. We believe that through continued partnership and ecumenism we can continue coming together, while making an impact in the world and in the lives of the youth that attend. Convening for its 34 th year, The Gathering offers participants an opportunity to experience meaningful worship, engage in small groups, serve others, grow in faith and have a blast! We will spend one of our program days in service to the greater Lansing area. Besides doing service projects, our young people will gather and donate Pop Tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. They also have a Penny Offering to help fund scholarships for this event. Collections jars are by the organ at Victory Trinity and in the entrance at Bethany.. Thanks!

3 Advent Ebenezer Scrooge is a man in dire need of a second chance. Is redemption possible for such a greedy, dark and sad character? During Advent, we study The Redemption of Scrooge: Connecting Christ and Culture to discover how the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic, go from Bah, humbug! to a blessed Advent and Merry Christmas as you rediscover and reinvigorate your Christian faith this Advent and Christmas season and look at this familiar classic through the lens of faith. Mark your calendar for our Four Corners Advent Celebrations. This year our Advent Series begins at 6 pm with worship. This is followed at 6:30 pm with the simple meal consisting of salad, soup, sandwiches and desserts. Afterwards we are offered a 45 minute video series, The Redemption of Scrooge: Connecting Christ and Culture On December 14 th we meet at Victory Trinity and finally on December 21 at Emanuel Lutheran Church. We hope that you can join us for as many of these services as possible. Please offer to furnish food or help at these events when your church is scheduled to host the event. Thank You! The 4 Corners group will meet January 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church

4 Successful Hunters Michelle Henri took a 5 point buck during bow season and a doe during firearms season. Roger & Phyllis Thompson s grandson Brandon with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. He met him after an interview with his congressman for an appointment to Annapolis the Naval Academy. Rev. Mick Shriver during the Children s Sermon during Pulpit Exchange. Rev. Mick Shriver took home two nice bucks this season, a 7 point and an 8 point. Kevin Nash bagged a 7 point buck in Sheridan Twp. during firearms season. He will show you his trophy. Congratulations to all the other successful hunters not named here.

5 JOHN CITRON Our condolences to the family and friends of John Citron. John was 85 years young when he passed away in Hot Springs Valley, Arkansas. He was born in Paris, France and was married for more than 30 years to Georgie. He is survived by his wife and two daughters Pamm Huether and Hilary Cleary. He attended Joy Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Valley. He leaves behind seven grand children. John was a Master Gardener he also enjoyed photography, music and Community Theater. He also helped develop a robotic mail system where he worked and did voice overs for commercials. Claude Loren Cregg Claude passed away November 19, 2016 The celebration of Claude s life was held at Victory Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 25. On December 1, friends and family of Irene E. Larsen celebrated her life at Bethany Lutheran Church. Irene was born September 29, 1923 to Nels and Serena Lund. She married Edward Larsen on November 17, 1945 and she passed away November 17. Irene always enjoyed spending time with her family and gardening. She is survived by her sons, Craig (Polly), Douglas, Brian (Joanne), Gordon (Gail), David (Susan) and daughters Margaret Nicholls and Judy (David) Bahr. She is survived by two sisters and brothers, Jack and Nels Lund as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. Claude Cregg was born on May 12, 1936 in Holton Twp. Muskegon County. Claude married the love of his life Carol Beebe on May 4, She preceded him in death in In 1960 the family moved to Scottville and developed the Cregg Dairy Farm on Fountain Road. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and also enjoyed pla ying cards. Claude is survived by his four daughters Claudia (Gene) Wilks, Colleen (Rod) Brookens, Cleo (Dale) Smith and Cathy (David) Kempf and son, Charlie (Lori) Cregg of Fountain. He also had fourteen grandchildren and eleven greatgrandchildren. Hymn Selection 10 a.m. January 3, 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church Hanna Petersen Room What hymns would you like included in our future services?

6 Attending: Marie Chellis, Polly Egeler, Janet Groth, Carol Hansen, Pastor Huether, Joanne Kelley, Sally Larson, Christie McDonald, Roger Thompson and Chris Weinert. Absent: Jennifer Miller, Bob Peters, Gary Smith and Don Thompsen. Also Attending: Lloyd Hansen, Nancy Nielsen and Phyllis Thompson. The meeting was called to order by Vice President C. Weinert quorum was verified. Pastor opened with a prayer. Minutes from Sept. 18 were approved. Pastor s Report: Pastor submitted his reports for September and October. CROP Walk raised $6,025 which was more this year than the previous year. Bethany s Vendors Market was a Victory Trinity Lutheran Church Brief Council Meeting Minutes-November 17, 2016 success. He officiated at the funeral of John Franklin (10-27) and the internment of Jeannie Smith (10-30). Treasurer s Report: Kelley distributed reports for Sept.-Oct. for review and discussion. She noted that the insurance bill went down rather and up this year. Financial Secretary s Report: R. Thompson handed out his report. Discussion followed. Motion to approve Treasurer s and Financial Secretary s Reports were approved. Learning Committee Report: P. Thompson distributed her report. Due to low attendance in Sunday school, there will not be a children s Christmas presentation. Caleb Smith and Alana Calhoun are taking Confirmation classes. Sam Miller may attend the ELCA Youth Gathering on December Five people from Victory

7 Trinity usually attend Faith Formation. WELCA will meet 12-4 (now changed to 12-11). Council discussed whether or not to host Vacation Bible School because attendance is expected to be low. Council felt VBS should be continued. The program will be Maker Fun Factory-Created by God, Built for a Purpose. The next Prayer Shawl meeting will be on Saturday, 12-3 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bethany. The group will make more Twiddle Muffs and Twiddle Mats (busy blankets) for Tendercare and Oakview nursing homes. These items comfort Alzheimer/dementia patients. Property Committee Report: L. Hansen reported that the grass was mowed for the last time, the lawn mower, outside pipes and hoses were winterized and adjust the organ lights. The outside planters will be removed. Witness Committee Report: N. Nielsen handed out copies of her report. Greeting cards were sent. Newsletters were handed out or sent. 50 copies of the combined newsletter were given to Bethany. They will supply paper and ink to off set the cost of their newsletters. Tuesday, 12/6, Victory Trinity will host the Mitten Tree sponsored by Church Women United. Pastor said this year the 4-Corners will send out a signed picture postcard for Christmas Victory Trinity will supply printed address labels. A motion was made and passed to purchase poinsettias from the Zonta Club this year. Service Committee Report: M. Chellis reported that as of 11-17, 25 Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes had been collected. She reported on the results of the Community Table. Next year Bethany/Victory Trinity will host the Community Table April 11 and June 20. She also said that a Community Table Emergenc y Supplies tote was filled and donated by Victory Trinity. If a host church uses any of these supplies, they will be responsible for replacing them. Stewardship Committee Report: R. Thompson & J. Kelley will soon work on 2017 budget. Old Business: 4-Corners photo directories were discussed. Our churches will self-publish the directories. Victory Trinity will host the Advent Worship Service/Soup meal on Dec. 14. (see Advent page). January 15 and May 21 have been set to officially welcome new members into our congregation. Informational letters will be sent to all potential individuals and families. New Business: A motion was made and passed to join the Four Corners Churches to pay $22.25 for a Christmas ad in the Ludington Daily News. Hanging of the Greens/decorating for Advent and Christmas is Thursday, December 8 th at 6 pm bring snacks for later. Chris Weinert will contact Carl and Alice Kronlein to see if they will provide a tree. The Burning of the Greens is January 6. C. Hansen will ask Kwik Print for a quote on preparing new communion cards. A motion was made to disburse mission funds as follows: Emanuel Thanksgiving Dinner $110, Salvation Army $100, HELP Ministries $100 and Hamlin Township firefighter Dennis Vandervest $150. The annual Congregational Meeting will be January 29, A motion was made and passed to purchase a 36 month economy package for our own website: victorytrinitylutheranchurch.org from GoDaddy. The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m. The next Council meeting will be the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 29, 2017 immediately following the worship service. The ladies from Grace Episcopal Church Invite you to join them on Monday, December 26 th, at noon and LADIES OUT TO LUNCH House of Flavors (ELCA) Noon-Tuesday, December 13 th Ladies, come sit down and enjoy a lunch together. MEN S BREAKFAST Every Thursday at 8:30 am at Brenda s Café