December 8, 2019  The Second Sunday in Advent

Post date: Dec 9, 2019 5:26:53 PM

For The Second Sunday in Advent on Dec. 8,  2019

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

    make his paths straight.’”

4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

           This Week at Trinity

Sun., Dec. 8      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)

                       10:00 am  Hanging of the Greens (CR)

                        Potluck brunch after the decorating (CR)

                       11:00 am  Divine Service (MA)

                        5:00 pm  Preschool Board Meeting (CR)

                        5:00 pm  Rachel Circle Christmas at Anita

                                            Wardenburg’s house

Mon.,  Dec. 9     8:30 am   Preschool

                        12:30 pm   Preschool

Tues.,  Dec. 10   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

                          4:00 pm  Clover Kids 4H in FH (CR)

                          6:00 pm  Elders Meeting in FH (CR)

Wed., Dec. 11    8:30 am  Preschool

                          9:00 pm  Pastor at Circuit Pastor’s Meeting

                        10:30 am  Naomi Circle Christmas Brunch in FH (CR)

                        12:30 pm  Preschool

                          1:30 pm  Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr

                          5:00 pm  FLOCK

                          6:00 pm  Advent Service (CR)

                          7:00 pm  Youth Confirmation Class (CR)

Thurs., Dec. 12   8:30 am  Preschool

                           9:45 am   Preschool Chapel

                         12:30 pm   Preschool

                           1:45 pm  Preschool Chapel

Sun., Dec. 15    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)

                       11:00 am   Divine Service/HC (MA)

                         2:00 pm   Preschool Christmas Prog. in FH (CR)

                         3:00 pm   Youth Group meets at the parsonage  

                                         before going Christmas caroling

  Prayer List

Cancer:  Heidi Albaugh; Denice Creveling; Kent Larsen;

Diane England; Gary McCraken; Randy Nemitz; Steve McCann;

Ron Ludwig; Dale Snelling; Libbie Wilkenson; Steve Townsend;

Rev. Blake Rickbiel; Suzanne Troxel; Otto Guiter;

Dan Lutrick; Patty Gipple; Dave Goeglein; Arieta Miers

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

Norm Schroeder; Oliver Gish; Rev. Dave Ericksen; Rachel Heck;

Dan Lutrick; Nancy Cottrell; Byron Bilderback; Jay Bochart

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

Walt & Nelda Herzberg, Clara Buchanan; Doyle Hembry;

Warren Kruse

Military:  Nathan Nonneman; Kyle Marchok

Missions: Concordia Mission Society

Pastor James and Christel Neuendorf (Puerto Rico)

Pastor Daniel Vogel (Denison, Iowa)

Pastor Herb and Markie Burch (Belize)

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)

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 Thanksgiving Eve 38,  HC 31

From Dec. 1, 2019  CR 62   MA 17, HC 15   Dec. 4 Advent 40

 Serving At Trinity    Sunday,  Dec. 8,  2019

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

Ushers in  December:  (CR) Ed Booth,  Randy Ehm, Dean Hadley, Kevin Kruse

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: Kevin Kruse, Dennis Brown

Altar Committee for December:   (CR)  Ed and 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. 

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.

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

Hanging of the Greens in Creston:  The Advent/Christmas decorating will be done in Creston today right after the Divine Service.  After decorating is done, a potluck brunch will be held.  Even if you can’t stay to eat, you are invited to help decorate.

Rachel Circle:  Rachel Circle will meet at Anita Wardenburg’s house this evening Sunday, December 8 at 5:00 p.m. for a Christmas party.  Bring a snack to share.  Soup will be provided.  Bring a gift wrapped in something funny or unusual.  Be creative for this grab bag fun.  Everyone is welcome. 

Naomi Circle:  Naomi Circle will meet on this Wednesday, December 11, at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall for a Christmas brunch, Christmas devotion, and fellowship. All ladies are welcome to attend.   Call Janette Lang if you have questions.

Advent Services:    Mid-week Advent Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:  December 11, and 18 in Creston.

Trinity Preschool will have their Christmas Program at 2:00 next Sunday, December 15 in the fellowship hall.

Trinity Youth Group will meet at the parsonage 3:00 pm next Sunday, December 15 and will go caroling.

Handy Helpers Quilters will meet on Tuesday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall.  On the monthly calendar there was a mistake and it listed them as meeting also on the 10th and 17th.  The 17th is the correct date.   Sorry for any confusion.

Christmas Eve Services will be at 5:00 p.m. in Mt. Ayr and 7:00 p.m. in Creston.

Christmas Day Service will be at 9:00 a.m. in Creston.

New Year’s Eve Service will be at 6:00 p.m. in Creston.

Christmas Cards:  Trinity LWML has boxed Christmas cards for sale on the wire rack by the mailboxes. They are $5.00 per box.  Please put the money in the plastic box on that is found on the same side as the cards.  If you write a check, make it payable to Trinity LWML and in the memo section jot down that it’s for Christmas cards.  There are also some individual cards for sale on the other side of the wire rack for  $.25 each. 

Offering Envelopes for 2020

The new offering envelope boxes for 2020 are on the card table in the narthex (CR) and have been sent to Mt. Ayr.  If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Kruse, the financial secretary.