December 16, 2018   The Third Sunday in Advent

Post date: Dec 13, 2018 8:20:56 PM

For the Third Sunday in Advent on Dec. 16,  2018.  

Zeph. 3:14-20

Phil. 4: 4-7

Luke 7:18-28 (29-35)

Messengers from John the Baptist

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

24 When John's messengers had gone, 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? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

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

    who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

 This Week at Trinity

Sun., Dec. 16  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 & CR))

                         11:00 am  Divine Service/HC (MA)

                   Youth Confirmation Class after church in Mt. Ayr

                    2:00 pm  Preschool Christmas Program in FH (CR)

Mon., Dec. 17    8:30 am    Preschool

                           12:30 pm    Preschool

Tues., Dec. 18   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

 Wed., Dec. 19   8:30 am     Preschool

                             9:00-Noon FH in use for Circuit Pastors’ Mtg. (CR)

                           12:30 pm     Preschool

                             6:00 pm     Advent Service in Creston

                             Fellowship Time after the service in FH

                             Boards and Council Meeting after the service

 Thurs., Dec. 20 8:30 am    Preschool

                             9:45 am  Preschool Chapel

                           12:30 pm    Preschool

                             1:45 pm  Preschool Chapel

Sun., Dec. 23    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 & CR))

                         11:00 am  Divine Service/HC (MA)

Prayer List

Cancer:  Heidi Albaugh; Denice Creveling; Kent Larsen; Diane England; Gary McCraken; Jamie Boos; Paul Garchow; Randy Nemitz; Steve McCann; Melynda Crawford; Ron Ludwig; Dale Smelling; Jayne Livingston; Libbie Wilkenson; Steve McDermott; Steve Townsend; Rev. Blake Rickbiel; Paul Robinson; Kathy Eblen

Illness, Surgery or Recovery:  Norm Schroeder;  Kathy Parker; Oliver Gish; Rev. Leon Hodges; Lola Hembry; Dennis Foglesong; Tracy Booth

Military:  Nathan Nonneman; Kyle Marchok

Missions: Concordia Mission Society

James and Christel Neuendorf (Dominican Republic)

Pastor Daniel Vogel (Denison, Iowa)

Pastor Herb and Markie Burch (Peru)

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)

Student Ministry at SWCC

Seminary Student: Luke Watt

Shut-ins: May Carlisle, Bertha Jensen, Sheree Zuniga, Lawrence Herzberg, Walt & Nelda Herzberg, Clara Buchanan; Doyle Hembry

Condolences:  We also remember in our prayers the family of our member, Sara Hadley, who passed away  on December 13. 

At the time of the printing of these announcements, arrangements were still pending.

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 Dec. 9,  2018  Creston: 78  H/C 73        Mt. Ayr 13

 From Advent Service on Dec. 12   39

Serving At Trinity    Sunday, December 16,  2018

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

Ushers in December:  (CR) Kevin Kruse, Randy Ehm, Dave Dory, Dean Hadley

Elders on Duty in December: (MA) Mike Sickels  

(CR) Charlie Bowman

Finance Team in December: (CR) Kevin Kruse, Dave Dory

Altar Committee for December: (CR) Dave & Maggie Dory

                                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.  

Thank You:  We thank the children for helping to share the Christmas message this morning. 

Advent Service Fellowship Time: Since Advent services will be at 6pm this year there may be a little time for some fellowship directly following the service. If you would be willing to provide some bars, cookies, etc. to serve after church please check the sign up sheet in the narthex to see if anything is still needed.   Thanks for your help!

2019 Offering Envelopes:  The new offering envelopes for 2019 can be found on a table in the narthex (CR) and they were sent to Mt. Ayr in the transfer box.   If you have any questions about them contact Cindy Nelson.

Looking Ahead:  Note these extra dates and times.   Dec. 16  Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr after church

Dec. 16  2:00 p.m.  Preschool’s Christmas Program in FH (CR)

Dec. 19  9:00-Noon Circuit Pastors’ Mtg. in FH (CR)

Dec. 19  6:00 p.m.  Mid-week Advent Service in Creston

Dec. 19 Boards and Council meet after the service

Dec. 24  5:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Service in Mt. Ayr

Dec. 24  7:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Service in Creston

Dec.25  9:00 a.m.   Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion in Creston

Dec. 31  6:00 p.m.  New Years Eve Service with Holy Communion in Creston

                            MISSIONS

Mitten Tree:  Mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves are being gathered again this year to be shared with kids in need in the community.  Donations may be hung on the tree in the narthex (Creston).

Thank You:    We received the following thank you from Matura. 

Thank you for all your donations during thru the year.  Your support is much appreciated.

                                      From Matura Outreach