December 17, 2017   The Third Sunday in Advent

Post date: Dec 21, 2017 5:29:44 PM

                       This Week at Trinity

Sun., Dec. 17    Third Sunday in Advent 

                           8:00 am       Bible Class (CR)

                           9:00 am       Divine Service  (CR)

                         10:00 am       Fellowship Time (MA & CR)

                         10:00 am       Sunday School in Creston and Mt. Ayr

                         10:45  am      Divine Service/HC (MA) 

                    After Divine Service in MA  Youth Confirmation Class

                           2:00 pm       Trinity Preschool’s Christmas Program

Mon., Dec. 18    8:30 am         Preschool

                         12:30 pm        Preschool

Tues., Dec. 19    6:30 am       Early Risers’ Bible Study in FH (CR)

                           8:30 am       Preschool

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

                         12:30 pm       Preschool

 Wed., Dec. 20     8:30 am       Preschool

                          12:30 pm       Preschool

                            5:30 pm      Supper for confirmation class

                            5:45  pm      Youth confirmation class

                            7:00 pm       Advent Service (CR)

                            After Advent Service—Council Meeting

Thurs., Dec. 21     8:30 am      Preschool

                             9:45 am      Preschool Chapel

                           12:30 pm      Preschool

                             1:45 pm      Preschool Chapel

Sun., Dec. 24   Fourth Sunday in Advent 

                           No Bible Class today.

                           9:00 am       Divine Service/HC (CR)

                           No Sunday School Today                      

                           No morning service in Mt. Ayr today

                           5:00 pm    Christmas Eve Service in Mt. Ayr                                         

                           7:00 pm    Christmas Eve Service in Creston

Mon., Dec. 25     Christmas Day

                              9:00 am    Christmas Day Service with Holy

                                             Communion in Creston.    No Christmas

                                             morning service in Mt. Ayr

Prayer List

Cancer:  Becky Nook; Al Davis; Denice Creveling; Diane England; Gary McCraken; Jamie Boos; Merle Triggs;  Paul Garchow; Randy Nemitz; Rhonda Smith; Steve McCann; Melynda Crawford; Ron Ludwig; Kent Larsen;  Dale Smelling; Jayne Livingston; Donna Williams; Libbie Wilkenson; Rod Stark; Brenda Miller; Tracy Konkler; Steve McDermott; Paula Bowman; Steve Townsend; Rev. Blake Rickbiel

Illness, Surgery or Recovery:  Norm Schroeder; Aaron Cottrell; Corene Ramsey

Hospice Care:   Dave Stuck

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 and 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,  Irene Hogue, Bertha Jensen, Sheree Zuniga, Lawrence Herzberg, Walt & Nelda Herzberg

For The Third Sunday in Advent on December 17,  2017.  

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.

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 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.

Attendance :  Please fill out an attendance card.   They are found in the pew racks.   Hand 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. 10 

 CR   71 and 64 communed      MA  20

Attendance from Advent Service on Dec. 13   38

    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 form 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.

THE WHITE POINSETTIA with purple bow in the chancel is given in loving memory of Ruth Chase by the Rod Chase family.

MEALS FOR CONFIRMATION CLASS: 

December 20 will be the last meal served to the confirmation kids during Advent.   The sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex.   Please take a look to see if any food or help is still needed. 

TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY IN MT. AYR will not meet on December 19.  The class will resume on January 2 at 6:30 p.m. 

SOME DATES TO REMEMBER FOR THE REMAINDER OF DECEMBER.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE SOME CHANGES IN TIMES AND/OR DATES DUE TO ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS.

Dec. 17    3rd Sunday in Advent - regular schedule

Dec 17    Youth confirmation class in Mt. Ayr right after church

Dec. 17    2:00 pm  Trinity Preschool’s Concert

Dec. 20    5:30 pm  Supper for confirmation class

Dec. 20    5:45 pm  Youth Confirmation

Dec. 20    7:00 pm  Midweek Advent in Creston

Dec. 20    Council meeting after the Advent service

Dec. 24    No Sunday School or Bible Class (CR & MA)

Dec. 24    Morning service only in Creston at 9:00

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 in Creston

Dec. 31    No Sunday School or Bible Class (CR & MA)

Dec. 31     9:00 am   Divine Service in Creston

Dec. 31    10:45 am  Divine Service in Mt. Ayr

No New Year’s Eve services.   Please note this change from previous years. 

Other than Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, the normal Sunday schedules for services and classes will be followed.

      MISSIONS

MILITARY BIBLE STICKS UPDATE:  Sunday, November 12th was the observance of Veteran's Day at Trinity in Creston and Mt Ayr.  An offering was taken to go towards the ministry of Military Bible Sticks. $755.00 was gathered between our two locations.  A few days ago we received a phone call stating that our gift was matched dollar for dollar. So now a total of $1510 will be used to purchase even more Military Bible Sticks.   Thank you for your support of this mission project.  

Used Portals of Prayer can be placed in the box located below the mailboxes.  These will be distributed next summer at the Iowa State Fair.  Thank you.

THANK YOU:  We thank the Sunday School  children (CR) for sharing the message of our Savior’s birth with us this morning.  Thank you to Julie Lang  for leading the children, to Jacob Rutz for being the reader, and to Heidi Brown and Tammy Burgmaier for helping the children with costuming. 

 Serving At Trinity

Sunday December 17

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

Acolyte:  (CR) Haylee Brown

Ushers in December:  (CR) Mike Lang, Kevin Kruse, Randy Ehm, Dennis Brown

Elders on Duty in December:  (MA) Mike Sickels, Doug Bullock   (CR) Kevin Kruse

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

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