December 27, 2020   The First Sunday after Christmas

Post date: Dec 23, 2020 6:04:07 PM

For The First Sunday after Christmas on December 27, 2020

Isaiah 61:10-62:3     Galatians 4:4-7    Luke 2:22-40

Presentation at the Temple

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[a] 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.[b] 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.

The Return to Nazareth

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. 27   8:00 am   Bible Class (CR)                  

                            9:00 am   Divine Service/HC (CR)

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

                          11:00 am   Divine Service (MA)

Tues., Dec. 29    No Early Risers

Thurs., Dec. 31  New Year’s  Eve    6:00 pm  New Year’s Eve Service in Creston

Fri., Jan. 1       New Year’s  Day

Sun., Jan. 3        8:00 am   Bible Class (CR)                  

                            9:00 am   Divine Service with installation of 2021  

                                             officers and board members(CR)

                          10:00 am   Removal of the Greens (Creston)

                          10:00 am   Fellowship time in Mt. Ayr

                          11:00 am   Divine Service/HC with installation of

                                            2021 officers and board members (MA)

Prayer List

Cancer:  Denice Creveling (member)

Dan Lutrick (member)

Phil Burmeister (member)

Ellen Kearney (member)

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, Jim Nelson, Beth Herzberg, Alexis Swanson

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

Ormas Stream (brother of Cindy Isdahl and b-i-l of Pat Stream)

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

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

Mona Quee, Linda Schroeder, Jean Stoll

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 20, 2020

Creston  48               Mt. Ayr    16  Communed 13

Serving At Trinity    Sunday, December 27, 2020

Organist: (CR)   Julie Lang        (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

 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.

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

Installation of 2021 Officers and board members will be held during the services next Sunday, January 3.

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

Offering Envelopes for 2021 are available to be picked up from your mailboxes,  in the narthex (Creston).  Envelopes have also been delivered to Mt. Ayr.

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:  Time is very short – December 31 is almost here! As of December 1, the Iowa Lutheran School Tuition Organization was at 35% of its goal of raising $950,000 for tuition assistance. Many Lutheran school students need this financial assistance to attend our schools so please consider a donation to ILSTO at this time. Your donation needs to be postmarked no later than December 31. Tax credits are available as of this date, but the closer you donate to the deadline please call to make sure credits are still available. For more information call Dewey Torkelson at 712-260-2991.

New Portals of Prayer for January-March are available to be picked up in the back of the church.

Used Portals of Prayer may be placed in the box located below the mailboxes in the Narthex. These will be distributed free next summer by the LLL at the Iowa State Fair.  There is a big demand for these. Thank you.

Card Shower

A card shower will be held for Warren and Jean Kruse in honor of their 75th Wedding Anniversary which is on December 31.    Cards may be sent to:

Warren and Jean Kruse

2234 205th St.

Afton, Iowa   50830