December 9, 2018   The Second Sunday in Advent

Post date: Dec 6, 2018 7:53:12 PM

For the Second Sunday in Advent on Dec. 9,  2018.  

Malachi 3:1-7b    Philippians 1:2-11    Luke 3:1-14 (15-20)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way    (verses 1-14 are printed here)

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin 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. 9 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.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

             This Week at Trinity

Sun., Dec. 9   8:00 am  Bible Class (CR)

                          9:00 am   Divine Service /HC(CR)

                         10:00 am  Hanging of the Greens at Creston followed  by a potluck brunch

                         10:00 am  Sunday School (CR & MA)

                         10:00 am  Fellowship Time (MA)

                         11:00 am  Divine Service (MA)

                           4:00 pm  Rachel Circle Christmas and  gift exchange at Anita Wardenburg’s house (1000 N. Lincoln)

                           5:00 pm   Preschool Board Meeting in FH (CR)

Mon., Dec. 10   8:30 am    Preschool

                           12:30 pm    Preschool

Tues., Dec. 11   6:30 am   Early Risers’ Bible Study in FH (CR)

                             8:30 am   Preschool

                           12:30 pm   Preschool

Wed., Dec. 12   8:30 am    Preschool

                             9:30 am   Naomi Circle’s Christmas brunch at Windrow Restaurant

                           12:30 pm   Preschool

                             3:30 pm   Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr

                             5:00 pm   F.L.O.C.K. in FH (CR)

                             6:00 pm   Advent Service in Creston

                             Fellowship Time after the service in FH

                             No elders meeting this month.

Thurs., Dec. 13   8:30 am  Preschool

                             9:45 am  Preschool Chapel

                           12:30 pm  Preschool

                             1:45 pm  Preschool Chapel

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

Sun., Dec. 16   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 & CR))

                         11:00 am  Divine Service/HC (MA)

                         Youth Confirmation Class after church in Mt. Ayr

                           2:00 pm  Preschool Christmas Program in FH (CR)

           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

Illness, Surgery or Recovery:  Norm Schroeder;  Kathy Parker; Oliver Gish; Rev. Leon Hodges; Lola Hembry; Dennis Foglesong; Bob Eklund; Tracy Booth

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 December 2,  2018    

Creston: 47                 Mt. Ayr  21     H/C 16

Serving At Trinity    Sunday, December 9,  2018

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

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.  

Thank You:  Thank you to Margaret and Jim Kneedler for the beautiful  quilt that was presented to me on Veterans Day.            From Tom Braymen

HANGING OF THE GREENS:  Today,  after the service in Creston, will be the “Hanging of the Greens.”   After decorating, a potluck brunch will be held.  

NAOMI CIRCLE will meet at 9:30 a.m.,  Wednesday, Dec 12, 2018, at the Windrow for our annual Christmas breakfast.  All ladies are invited to join us for a Christmas Devotion and fellowship.

Advent Service Fellowship Time: Since Advent services will be at 6pm this year there may be a little time for some fellowship directly following the service. Some bar cookies/brownies will be provided for refreshments.   Feel free to check the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex to see if any more treats are needed.   Thanks for your help!

Looking Ahead:  Note these extra dates and times.  

Dec. 9  10:00 a.m.  Hanging of the Greens in Creston followed by a potluck brunch.

Dec. 9  4:00 p.m.  Rachel Circle Christmas and gift

 Exchange at Anita Wardenburg’s house (1000 N. Lincoln)

Dec. 9  5:00 p.m.  Preschool Board Meeting

Dec. 12  9:30 a.m.  Naomi Circle’s Christmas Brunch at Windrow Restaurant

Dec. 12  3:30 p.m.  Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr

Dec. 12  5:00 p.m.  F.L.O.C.K. in Creston

Dec. 12  6;00 p.m.  Mid-week Advent Service in Creston

Dec. 16  Youth Confirmation Class in Mt. Ayr after church

Dec. 16  2:00 p.m.  Preschool’s Christmas Program

Dec. 19  9:00-Noon FH in use for Circuit Pastors’ Mtg. (CR)

Dec. 19  6:00 p.m.  Mid-week Advent Service in Creston

Dec. 19 Boards and Council meet after the service

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

Dec. 24  7:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Service in Creston

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

Dec. 31  6:00 p.m.  New Years Eve Service with Holy Communion in Creston

                MISSIONS

Mitten Tree:  Mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves are being gathered again this year to be shared with kids in need in the community.  Donations may be hung on the tree in the narthex (Creston).