December 15, 2019   The Third Sunday in Advent

Post date: Dec 16, 2019 4:45:30 PM

For The Third Sunday in Advent on Dec. 15,  2019

Isaiah 35:1-10

James 5:7-11

Matthew 11:2-15

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

                       This Week at Trinity

Sun., Dec. 15    8:00 am   Bible Class (CR)

                         9:00 am   Divine Service (CR)

                       10:00 am   Sunday School (CR & MA)

                       10:00 am    Fellowship Time (MA)

                       11:00 am    Divine Service/HC (MA)

                         2:00 pm    Preschool Christmas Prog. in FH (CR)

                         3:00 pm   Youth Group meets at the parsonage  

                                          before going Christmas caroling

Mon.,  Dec. 16     8:30 am  Preschool

                          12:30 pm   Preschool

                            4:00 pm  Clover Kids 4H in FH (CR)

                                           This is a rescheduled meeting date.

Tues.,  Dec. 17   6:30 am  Early Risers Bible Study (CR)

                          8:30 am   Preschool

                          9:00 am  Handy Helpers Quilting in FH (CR)

                       12:30 pm   Preschool

                         5:00 pm   Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr

                         6:30 pm  Bible Study in Mt. Ayr

Wed., Dec. 18    8:30 am  Preschool

                        12:30 pm  Preschool

                          6:00 pm  Advent Service (CR)

                          After church  Youth Confirmation Class (CR)

                         Boards and Council will not meet in December.

Thurs., Dec. 19   8:30 am  Preschool

                           9:45 am   Preschool Chapel

                         12:30 pm   Preschool

                           1:45 pm  Preschool Chapel

             Preschool’s Christmas Break is Dec. 20-Jan. 5                     

Sun., Dec. 22    8:00 am   Bible Class (CR)

                         9:00 am   Divine Service/HC (CR)

                       10:00 am   Sunday School (CR & MA)

                       10:00 am   Fellowship Time (MA)

                       11:00 am   Divine Service (MA)

Tues., Dec. 24    Christmas Eve

                           5:00 pm  Christmas Eve Service in Mt. Ayr

                           7:00 pm  Christmas Eve Service in Creston

Wed., Dec. 25  Christmas Day

                           9:00 am  Christmas Day Service with Holy

                                          Communion in Creston

 Prayer List

Cancer:  Heidi Albaugh; Denice Creveling; Kent Larsen;

Diane England; Gary McCraken; Randy Nemitz; Steve McCann;

Ron Ludwig; Dale Snelling; Libbie Wilkenson; Steve Townsend;

Rev. Blake Rickbiel; Suzanne Troxel; Otto Guiter;

Dan Lutrick; Patty Gipple; Dave Goeglein; Arieta Miers

On-going health concerns, Hospitalized,  Surgery/Recovery: 

Norm Schroeder; Oliver Gish; Rev. Dave Ericksen; Rachel Heck;

Dan Lutrick; Nancy Cottrell; Byron Bilderback; Jay Bochart;

Eddie Ehm; Terry Melzer

Shut-ins: May Carlisle, Bertha Jensen, Lawrence Herzberg,

Walt & Nelda Herzberg, Clara Buchanan; Doyle Hembry;

Warren Kruse

Military:  Nathan Nonneman (in Kuwait); Kyle Marchok

Missions: Concordia Mission Society

Pastor James and Christel Neuendorf (Puerto Rico)

Pastor Daniel Vogel (Denison, Iowa)

Pastor Herb and Markie Burch (Belize)

Pastor James and Angela Sharp and Family (Uruguay)

Pastor Joel and Clarion Fritsche & Family (Dominican Republic)

Pastor Stephen and Maggie Oliver and Family (Taiwan)

Life Care Clinic, (Stuart & Creston)

Trinity Preschool (Creston)

 Attendance:  Please fill out an attendance card which is found in the pew rack.  List the names of each person in attendance.  Please hand the card to an usher.

In services when there is Holy Communion, please list the names of those who will be communing on the back side of card.  

 Attendance from December 8, 2019 CR 75  HC 60         MA 14

From Advent Service on Dec. 11   39

 Serving At Trinity    Sunday,  Dec. 15,  2019

Organist: (CR)   Julie Lang     (MA) Greg Storhoff 

Ushers in  December:  (CR) Ed Booth,  Randy Ehm, Dean Hadley, Kevin Kruse

Elders on Duty in December: (MA) Mike Sickels & Greg Storhoff     (CR) Bruce Herzberg

Acolyte:  (CR) Tyler Riley (MA)  Garrett or Jaxsen Walter

Finance Team in December: Kevin Kruse, Dennis Brown

Altar Committee for December:   (CR)  Ed and Tracy Booth

 Life Together

VISITORS:  We are so glad you joined us today.  We do collect offerings during our  worship services.  While we believe this is a chance for each believer to be a good steward of the gifts they have received from God, you are welcome but not expected to give an offering while you are our guest.  If you would like to learn more about the Lord’s ministry here at Trinity please call Pastor Rutz.  He would love to get acquainted and visit at a time that is convenient for you. 

Attendance Cards:  Visitors and members are asked to fill out an attendance card (found in the pew rack) and to list names of each family member in attendance.   On Sundays when there is Holy Communion please list the names of those who will be communing on the Holy Communion registration side of the card.   Hand the card to an usher.

If  you have moved or have a different phone number, or email address please note any changes on the attendance card so that we can update our records in the office. 

Trinity Preschool’s Christmas Program will be at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon in the fellowship hall.

Trinity Youth Group will meet this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the parsonage.   They will also go Christmas caroling.

Advent Services:    Our final mid-week Advent Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday December 18 in Creston.

Christmas Eve Services will be at 5:00 p.m. in Mt. Ayr and 7:00 p.m. in Creston.

Christmas Day Service will be at 9:00 a.m. in Creston.

Adult Bible Class will not meet on Sundays, December 29 and January 5.

New Year’s Eve Service will be at 6:00 p.m. in Creston.

Christmas Cards:  Trinity LWML has boxed Christmas cards for sale on the wire rack by the mailboxes. They are $5.00 per box.  Please put the money in the plastic box on that is found on the same side as the cards.  If you write a check, make it payable to Trinity LWML and in the memo section jot down that it’s for Christmas cards.  There are also some individual cards for sale on the other side of the wire rack for  $.25 each. 

Offering Envelopes for 2020

The new offering envelope boxes for 2020 are on the card table in the narthex (CR) and have been sent to Mt. Ayr.  If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Kruse, the financial secretary.

MISSIONS

Hat/Mitten Tree:  As in past years, a Christmas tree is in the narthex in Creston for the collection of hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves. Items will be shared with those in need in our community.

Message from Ellie Menz, IOWAY  (Individual Outreach With Adults and Youth) Director for Iowa District West: 

As many of you know, I am working with Kevin and Gail Petersen in Pacific Junction.  Progress is continuing.  They are nearly done with the inside painting. Kevin shared that he is looking for an old craftmatic style bed.  His wife is in the later stages of MS and she is confined to her lift chair 24/7. I asked what a craftmatic bed is and he said that it is like a hospital bed but sleeps two. Please let me know if you know of someone who has one.  Thank you.

Ellie Menz, IOWAY Director

Iowa District West-LCMS | 409 Kenyon Road, Suite B | Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Phone: (515) 370-1159