December 30, 2018   The First Sunday after Christmas

Post date: Dec 27, 2018 7:53:43 PM

For the First Sunday after Christmas on December 30, 2018

For your own personal reading at home this week.

Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15   Colossians 3:12-17       Luke 2:22-40

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

                 This Week at Trinity      

Sun., Dec. 30 Holy Communion  in Creston and  Mt. Ayr

                          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)

Mon., Dec. 31   New Year’s Eve

                           6:00 pm  Divine Service/HC in Creston

Wed., Jan. 2    6:30 pm  Elders’ Meeting in FH (CR)

                              Note this earlier meeting time.

Sun., Jan. 6      8:00 am  Bible Class (CR) Guest speaker,

             Rev. Mick Wolfram from Lutheran Family Service

                          9:00 am   Divine Service (CR)

                        10:00 am  Sunday School (CR & MA)

                        10:00 am   Removal of the Greens (CR)

                        10:00 am   Fellowship Time (MA)

                        11:00 am  Divine Service/HC(MA)

             After church in Mt. Ayr, presentation by Rev. Mick Wolfram from Lutheran Family Service

             Also after church in Mt. Ayr youth confirmation class 

Mon., Jan.7   Preschool classes resume

 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; Jim Kaufman

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

 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. 23,  2018     Creston 71, HC 65   Mt. Ayr 14

Christmas Eve   MA 40    CR  150   Christmas Day CR 33, H/C 32

Serving At Trinity    Sunday, December 30,  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. 

New Year’s Eve Divine Service with Holy Communion will be held on Dec. 31 at 6:00 p.m. in Creston.

Elders Meeting:  The elders will meet in the fellowship hall in Creston at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2.   Please note this earlier starting time.

Rachel Circle:   Due to the first Tuesday of January being on January 1, the Rachel Circle will change their meeting to Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m.    They will meet at Tracy Booth’s house, 2553 110th Ave., Murray, Iowa.

Guest Speaker:   Next Sunday, January 6, Rev. Mick Wolfram from Lutheran Family Service (LFS) will be our guest speaker.   He will preach the sermon in Creston and Mt. Ayr.   During Bible Class time in Creston he will present an overview of the work of Lutheran Family Service.   After the service in Mt. Ayr, Rev. Wolfram will present the same topic in Mt. Ayr.

Removal of the Greens:  Next Sunday, January 6, the Christmas decorations in Creston will be removed after the church service.   With plenty of help, it will go more quickly. 

THANK YOU to the congregation for the Christmas gift of cash and to all who sent gifts and cards to remember our family for Christmas.  We have been blessed with your support and encouragement.  Looking forward to serving you with God’s gifts in the coming year.            From Pastor, Julie, Molly, Jacob, and Jeremy Rutz

THANK YOU to the members of Trinity for the nice Christmas gift.  Your kindness is appreciated.   May God bless all the members of Trinity as we begin a new year as a church family.               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             From Linda Hadley

MISSIONS

From the District Office:  Time is short – December 31 is almost here! The Iowa Lutheran Student Tuition Organization (ILSTO) will gladly accept your gift that will provide financial assistance to our students. ILSTO has raised 90% of its goal as of December 25. Tax credits are available now but other STOs have filled their credits so the closer you donate to the deadline please call to make sure credits are available. You will receive a 65% tax credit on your Iowa taxes. To get more information for donating to the ILSTO go online to www.iowalutheransto.org or call Dewey Torkelson at 712-260-2991.

A diaper drive will begin in January and continue through the end of February.  This drive is to help out the Life Care Clinic here in Creston.  Diapers that are needed are Huggies and Pampers in sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.  All diapers can be dropped off at the Clinic or brought to church and put in a receiving blanket lined basket in the narthex.  The Creston Clinic hours are: Monday 10-2; Tuesday & Thursday 1-7.  The address is 1109 S. Sumner, Creston, IA 50801.  641-782-2150.  Thank you in advance for helping out the families at the LC Clinic.                                From The Mission Board.