December 13, 2020   The Third Sunday in Advent

Post date: Dec 10, 2020 4:39:52 PM

For The Third Sunday in Advent on December 13,  2020

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

I Thessalonians 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[a] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

                    This Week at Trinity 

Sun., Dec. 13   Third Sunday in Advent

                  8:00 am   Bible Class (CR)                  

                            9:00 am   Divine Service/HC (CR)

                          10:00 am   Fellowship time in Mt. Ayr & Creston

                          11:00 am   Divine Service (MA)

Mon., Dec. 14   8:30 am   Preschool

                           12:30 pm  Preschool

Tues., Dec. 15     6:30 am  Early Risers’ Bible Study

                8:30 am   Preschool

                            9:00 am   Handy Helpers n FH (CR)

                          12:30 am   Preschool

                            6:30 pm   Bible Study in Mt. Ayr

Wed., Dec. 16  8:30 am   Preschool

                          12:30 am   Preschool   

                            3:30 pm   Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr

                            6:00 pm   Advent Service in Creston

                            Church Council will meet after the Advent Service

                            7:00 pm   Youth Confirmation Class (CR)

Thurs., Dec. 17  8:30 am  Preschool

                            9:45 am  Preschool Chapel

                          12:30 pm  Preschool

                            1:45 pm  Preschool Chapel

Sun., Dec. 20      Fourth Sunday in Advent

                  8:00 am   Bible Class (CR)                  

                            9:00 am   Divine Service (CR)

                          10:00 am   Fellowship time in Mt. Ayr & Creston

                          11:00 am   Divine Service/HC (MA)

    Prayer List

Cancer:  Denice Creveling (member)

Dan Lutrick (member)

Phil Burmeister (member)

Ellen Kearney (member0

Otto Guiter (grandson of Kathy Parker)

Brian Raske (brother in law of Deb Melzer)

Vivian Herzberg (sister of Bruce Herzberg)

Susie Seals (friend of Mitzie Cellan)

Libbie Wilkenson (friend of Mitzie Cellan)

Kent Larsen (brother of Mark Larsen)

Don Goodman (brother-in-law of Kathy Parker)

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

Members:  Norm Schroeder ,Jay Bochart, Jean Kruse, Tracy Booth

Marie Burmeister

Oliver Gish (great nephew of Waunita Watt)

Bob Beatty (friend of Waunita Watt)

Rev. Dave Ericksen

Terry Melzer (brother of Deb Melzer)

Rev. Larry Troxel (former pastor at Trinity)

Roger Eyberg (friend of Eddie Ehm)

Bob Ritnour (friend of Mitzie Cellan)

Beverly Lyon (friend of Mitzie Cellan)

Maggie Dory

Makayla Burgmaier

Betty Mills (sister of Dorothy Cook)

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

Nelda Herzberg, Clara Buchanan, Doyle Hembry, Warren Kruse,

Mona Quee, Linda Schroeder

Military:  Nathan Nonneman (grandson of Sharon Nonneman)

Kyle Marchok (husband of Hembry’s granddaughter)

Missions: Concordia Mission Society

Pastor James and Christel Neuendorf (Puerto Rico)

Pastor Daniel Vogel (Denison Hispanic Ministry)

Pastor Herb and Markie Burch (Belize)

Pastor James and Angela Sharp and Family (Uruguay)

Pastor Stephen and Maggie Oliver and Family (Taiwan)

Life Care Clinic, (Stuart & Creston)

Trinity Preschool (Creston)

 Attendance:  From December 6, 2020

Creston   24              Mt. Ayr 16, Communed 16

From Midweek Lenten Service on December 9, 2020.      15

 Serving At Trinity    Sunday, December 13, 2020

Organist: (CR)  Sharon Eklund     (MA) Greg Storhoff

Ushers in  December:  (CR) Kevin Kruse, Randy Ehm, Dean Hadley, Dennis Brown

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

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

Finance Team in December: Dennis Brown and Joyce Kruse

Altar Guild for December: Ed & Tracy Booth

   Upcoming  Special Services in December

Dec. 16  6:00 pm  Advent Service #3 in Creston

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

Dec. 24  7:00 pm  Christmas Eve Service in Creston

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

Dec. 31  6:00 pm  New Year’s Eve Service with Holy Communion in Creston

 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.     You are also invited to join members in the fellowship hall after the 9:00 service or prior to the 11:00 service for a time of fellowship.

Attendance Cards: Visitors and members are asked to fill out an attendance card and to list names of each family member in attendance.  Turn in your card at the back of the church at the end of the service. 

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.

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

Attendance via Livestreamed and You Tube Services:  During this pandemic period, if you watch the Divine Service online and wish to have your attendance recorded, please call Linda at the church office 782-5095 or email her at

lhadley@trinitycreston.org and let her know the date of the service that you watched.

Private Communion Times:   If you would like to take holy communion privately, please call Pastor to set up an appointment.  Common cup is also available to families or small groups upon request.

Weekly bulletins, announcements, and sermons continue to be available on the church website.

Letter to congregation concerning the covid-19 pandemic:  Following the Dec. 3 elders’ meeting, a letter was sent out by email to the congregation concerning recommendations during this period of pandemic.  The letter is also available on the church website.  If you don’t have access to the internet and would like a copy of the letter, some are available in the narthex.   If you have an email address, but did not receive the letter by email, that may mean we don’t have your email address on file here at the church.  You may jot it down and leave it in the office or email it to lhadley@trinitycreston.org and we’ll get it entered in our church records. 

Removal of the Greens in Creston will be Sunday, January 3, 2021 following the Divine Service.

Library:  Don’t forget to stop by the church library and bookstore in the fellowship hall to check out the latest offerings.  A selection of materials is also  available at the Mt. Ayr location.

From the District Office:    Students in our Lutheran schools need your help!  While helping families, you get some help with your state taxes! The Iowa Lutheran Student Tuition Organization is at 35% of its $950,000 goal as of Dec. 1. You have until the end of the year – Dec. 31 – to mail your gift. We know the need is becoming greater because of Covid 19.  How can you help? A donation of cash, stock, or even grain, but giving is not limited to Lutherans.  If you know someone who could benefit from a 65% tax credit, please give them a donor form. Remember the financial benefit to a contributor is a 65% tax credit on Iowa income taxes (which can be carried over for five years) and also a charitable contribution on your federal form.  For more information about ILSTO go online to www.iowalutheransto.org or call Dewey Torkelson at 712-260-2991.