The Desert Voice Trinity Lutheran Church December 2017 Dear family and friends: Does the future seem menacing to you? I hear people remark, Things are so uncertain these days. And, Things aren t like they used to be. This is clearly a good time to remember God s promise to send His Son, our Savior, Jesus, as we focus on what this world is coming to. Jesus taught, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Luke 21:33). He declared this concerning the last days of this world and the impending Judgment Day. We should know that while impending judgment is assured, Jesus remains true to His promise to save us by His grace through faith and deliver us to our eternal home with Him. Meanwhile, this world faces some troubling times ahead. And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, with fear of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:25-26). How should we live in view of these events? Jesus instructs us, Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28). Jesus first arrival among us at Christmas leading to His crucifixion and resurrection victory gives us the complete assurance that we are His children and that He will deliver us. Jesus promise to return in glory calls upon us to remain awake in faith. But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. (Luke 21:35).Jesus calls us to rejoice and rely fully on His enduring Word. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). Through His mighty Word and Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, we are reassured of forgiveness, life and salvation. Although this present world is passing away, we trust in Christ s abiding Word. We need not fear or fret about the future. Inside this issue: M.A.S.S., Women s Bible Study, Quilters TLC SS/Youth Fellowship 2 3 TLC Family Ministry 4 LWML News 5 TLC Nov. Events 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries 7 Stewardship 8 MASS NEWS/Advent Suppers Schedule New Parking Lot/ Reformation Sunday 9 10 Those Who Serve 11 Calendar of Events 12 Hanging of the 13
Page 2 MEN S M.A.S.S. MEETING December 12, 6:00 pm Men Assisting Seminary Students M.A.S.S. meets on the second Tuesday, December 12th, at 6:00 pm, at Sloan s Restaurant in Indio, corner of Highway 111 and Clinton Streets. We are still meeting during the Christmas season. We are a dedicated group of men helping our younger cohorts continue through their Seminary years; doing the work of our Lord Jesus spreading the Word of God through helping them become ministers in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. We support them with our prayers, encouragement, communication and dollars. It is such a worthy cause. You can also donate on Sunday mornings by placing a check in the offering plate noted for MASS. Anyone, any age, can help. God bless you and God bless our work for MASS here at Trinity. Merry Christmas! The Desert Voice December 2017 TLC QUILTERS IN DECEMBER Trinity Quilters will meet in December on Dec. 6th, 13th & 27th unless you hear from Chairman Marilyn Mohr NO wings in December. Have a blessed holiday ladies. See you in January 2018! On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the American Army and Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy.... The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and so entered World War II. All of these events occurred on December 7th. It was on December 7th, 1941 that 353 Japanese bombers attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, destroying 19 ships, 188 aircraft and killing over 2,000 Americans. It was this act that drove the United States into World War II. This Month s Puzzle: Can you answer this Question?? According to Matthew 13. Who were Joses, Simon & Judas? First one to call wins.call RuthFarquhar760-574-3787. Women s Bible Study Thursdays at 5pm! Please join us ladies. Mary Helen Kelly, Instructor.
Www.TrinitIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 3 TLC Sunday School/Youth Fellowship TLC Sunday Morning Bible Hour TLC SS/Youth Christmas Pajama Party Friday, December 15 @ 6:00pm Ok! Let s have some fun! Let s have some dinner, make some cookies, make some Christmas decorations, sing some Christmas carols and play some Christmas games! What a great way to begin the Christmas vacation! Each family represented is to bring an up wrapped toy to be gathered for Martha s Village & Kitchen in Indio. Gonna be a fun night! Oh and WEAR YOUR PJs. TLC Christmas Program December 10 @ 11:00am This year s Children s Christmas Program, entitled Jesus the Greatest Gift, will be presented at the 11am worship service, Sunday, Dec. 10th. There will be a practice for all participants the day before Sat., Dec. 9th, from 9:30am to 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. In addition, all participants should arrive by 10:30 am the next day, Dec. 10th, to set up for the program. TLC is blessed with a great group of kids and their families. We thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Let s all have a wonderful Christmas! TLC Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class Noah: The Man, The Ark, The Flood The Bible s account of Noah, the ark, and the flood is legendary: To many people the Bible s account of Noah s flood sounds over the top almost mythical. But what if it is plausible? In this study we go to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, to interview scientists and theologians who discuss the Bible s account of Noah, the ark, and the flood. We also search for evidence of the biblical deluge in the records of ancient civilizations, on the earth s surface, and in the fossil record. The study began Nov 29, 2017 and continues this month in Pastor Smith s adult Bible Class @ 10am.
Page 4 The Desert Voice December 2017 TLC Family Ministry Your faithfulness continues through all generations Psalm 119:90 December 2017 The Lord blessed us with a good turn out for the 1st of the monthly Men & Young Men s Saturday Bible Breakfast. Twelve gathered for a pancake and sausage breakfast, fellowship and the first installment of The Great Deceiver Bible study. This month s breakfast continues with the next session, The Importance of Rest in our Spiritual Battle. The morning begins with breakfast at 8am and is followed by the morning study at 8:30am. Everything concludes promptly at 9:30am. and are held in the overflow room north of the sanctuary. This month s date is Saturday, December 9. All men and young men are encouraged to attend! TLC Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 10 @ 3:30pm We will meet at church and head out to TLC members that are now home bound and find it hard to come to TLC worship and events. We will end up back at church for soup and cookies. Make plans now and see you then! All ages welcome! NEW Adult Bible Fellowship Video Series Thursdays @ 7:00pm It s not too late to get in on this new Bible study. We will began last month with a study by Craig Groeshel entitled, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World. Soul Detox provides a source of inspiration and encouragement for a faithfilled lifestyle that will keep you free from spiritual toxins. So, come on out Thursday nights at 7pm. We meet in the overflow room, between the sanctuary and kitchen. And bring a friend!
Www.TrinitIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Lutheran Women s Missionary League Trinity Lutheran Church, Indio Christmas Celebration Saturday, December 2, 2017 1:30 P.M. Silent Auction The Silent Auction will be followed with Devotion & Carols Christmas Fun & Games Revealing of Secret Prayer Partners Drawing for new Prayer Partners Page 5 Please bring a wrapped white elephant gift and goodies/cookies to share and extras to pack for our shut-ins. Items are still needed for the Silent Auction. If you have items you would like to donate, only new, such as handmade things, jewelry, kitchen wares, Christmas items, please bring to the church office.
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Www.TrinitIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 7 December 2017 Birthdays 8 Annemarie Sonntag 9 Frank Fratto 9 Bea Main 12 Nicole Maler 15 Sheila Osterhold 19 Elsa Smith 24 Marlene Langenwalter 27 Alex Negron 30 Henry Bonette January 2018 Birthdays 4 Mary Helen Kelly 4 Paul Smith 5 Noralyn Lorimer 5 Ramona Haugen 10 Anne Negron 13 Maggie Negron 13 Samantha Schuessler 18 Jerry Norris 21 John Eide 22 Mary Ann Miller 27 Mike Harai 29 Dorothy Fratto 29 Linda Kastner 30 Lynn York 30 Bob Wirtenberger December Anniversaries December 23 George & Trudi Intemann December 27 Pastor Robert & Bobbi Smith January Anniversaries January 14 January 31 Wally & Cheryle Kortman Vern & Marlene Langenwalter
Page 8 The Desert Voice December 2017 Family and friends of Trinity Lutheran Christmas is coming. It is a joyous time of feasting. The Church feasts upon the Word of God in sermon, song, and sacrament. We hear the proclamation of the message of the angels: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10 11). We mingle our voices with theirs as we sing, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased (Luke 2:14)! We receive the proclaimed Savior, Christ the Lord, not wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in manger, but wrapped in bread and wine placed into our mouths for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. We feast in great joy indeed because of this great blessing from our Lord and God. God s people in ancient Israel also feasted with great joy. The Lord showered His abundant blessing on His people. And He commanded them to feast upon it (Deut. 16). The people were to go to the place appointed, where the Lord would make His name dwell, and give offerings, each man as he was able, according to the blessing of the Lord that He had given them (Deut. 16:10, 15, 17). And there the Lord would bless them with joy as they feasted upon what the Lord had provided. They ate of the choice parts of their offerings. They enjoyed the company of all the people of God as they together heard His promises of blessing, sang of His bountiful goodness, and partook of what He gave. We feast on the Word who became flesh to dwell among us, not just during Christmas, but throughout all the year. We feast not just on the salvation He has wrought for us in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, but we feast also on all the temporal blessings that God gives out of His fatherly divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in us. We enjoy the rich bounty that God provides, not only in Word and Sacrament, but also in house and home, property and income, family and friends. Let us then, as did our brothers in the faith from ancient Israel, give as we are able, according to the blessing of the Lord our God that He has given us. Let us, like them, give generously of the first fruits of our income, which He gives, so that all may know and enjoy the salvation He gives and the joy we have in the Savior born in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. Your Stewardship Committee
Www.TrinitIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 9 November MASS News!
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Www.TrinitIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 11 Those Who Serve in December 2017 Duties Dec. 3 8:30 am Communion Dec. 10 11am SS/Youth Christmas Program Dec. 17 8:30 am Communion Dec. 24 11:00 am Communion Dec. 31 New Year s Eve Duty Elder 8:30am Woody Kastner Webb Sprague Webb Sprague Woody Kastner Webb Sprague Woody Kastner 11am Readers 8:30am Webb Sprague Webb Sprague Webb Sprague 11am Woody Kastner Woody Kastner Woody Kastner Ushers 8:30am 11am Terry Lahn & Terry Lahn Bob Wirtenberger &Richard Robinson Denny York & Larry Piunti Jim Ducatte & Andy Schlange Charles Richardson & Russ Campbell Jim Ducatte & Richard Robinson Larry Piunti & Denny York Bob Wirtenberger & Jim Ducatte Russ Campbell & Denny York Jim Ducatte & Richard Robinson Acolytes 8:30 am 11:00 am Logan Ashbaugh Lily Tobin Anna & Ethan Frese Elder Lily Tobin Baron Chamberlain Elders Elders Elder Elder Greeters 8:30am 11am Ann Anderson & Margaret Miller Bob & Irene Wirtenberger Noralyn Lorimer & Margaret Miller Bob & Irene Wirtenberger Donna Wester & Noralyn Lorimer Bob & Irene Wirtenberger Donna Wester Linda & Woody Kastner Donna Wester Linda & Woody Kastner Flowers Doris Spiker for husband Don
Advent Services Usher Schedule Wed. Dec. 6 - Russ Campbell, Denny York Wed. Dec. 13 - Terry Lahn, Larry Piunti Wed. Dec. 20 - Russ Campbell, Larry Piunti
Www.TrinitIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Stamp Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pacific Southwest District Robert E. Smith, Pastor Cell Phone: 760-485-5171 Emily Bonette, Church Secretary Church Office Phone: 760-347-3971 Eloise Freeman, Preschool Director Preschool Phone: 760-347-3838 Sunday Worship 8:30am & 11am Sunday School/ Bible Class 10:00am Holy Communion 8:30am 1st & 3rd Sundays 11am 2nd & 4th Sundays Sunday, December 3, 2017 4:30 pm It s time to prepare the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season. All are invited to come share in the fun and to stay after for a lite supper. Each family is asked to bring a can of chili to add to the pot.