THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT(DECEMBER 11, 2011)

Post date: Dec 9, 2011 3:40:14 PM

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 John 1:6–8, 19–28 The Coming of the Christ Brings True Rejoicing in His Forgiveness When he preaches repentance, John the Baptist points us to Christ Jesus. John was sent by God “as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, that all might believe through him” (John 1:7). He baptizes with water in order to “make straight the way of the Lord,” who shall redeem His people from their sins (John 1:23). That Lord Jesus “who comes after” John now stands among us and makes Himself known to us (John 1:26–27). He has been anointed by the Holy Spirit “to bring good news to the poor” and “to bind up the brokenhearted” (Is. 61:1). By the washing of the water with His Word and Spirit, He clothes His Church with “the garments of salvation” and adorns her with His own righteousness “as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Is. 61:10). Therefore, we “rejoice always” in the Lord, “pray without ceasing,” and “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16–18). For “the God of peace,” who has called you by the Gospel, will surely “sanctify you completely,” so that “your whole spirit and soul and body” will “be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23–24).

Witness

Join us for Family Bible Study on December 18. "The Real Saint Nick" A Video Bible study, hosted by the Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus-Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, examines a man who, next to Jesus Christ, is the most visible figure during the holidays-St. Nicholas or Santa Claus-as we know him in Western culture. Dating back to the third century, St. Nick is attributed with the doing of many benevolent and charitable acts of kindness and generosity. Revered and honored by Christians the world over, St. Nick has a resume of accomplishments and good deeds that would make the most celebrated saint envious.

If you are interested in hosting a bible study in your home please contact Pastor Watt

Word for Today Devotions are available by phone. Call (901) 328-7672. Regular long distance charges apply.

Issues Etc. reviews the new book "Everyday a Friday" by Joel Osteen: Joel Osteen is a true phenomenon in pop-American Christianity. He is pastor of the largest mega-church in the US, host of a weekly television show seen world-wide, author of several best-selling books and a frequent guest on secular media. Listen to the book review at http://issuesetc.org/osteen/

Mercy

Trinity has established a Christian Care fund to help people in our communities who are in need. Our Thanksgiving offering will be used to fund this account (use your Thanksgiving envelope). You may also give to the fund at any time simply use one of the Christian Care Fund envelopes on the narthex table. Any member of Trinity may request a gift for anyone in need. Find forms for requests on the Narthex table.

Please remember to bring a few items for the Creston food bank next week. The mission board has designate the third Sunday of every month as 'Caring for Your Neighbor' Sunday.

Become a Hospice Volunteer! Make a difference, you can help! Running Errands. Assisting with Activities. Reading the newspaper to a patient. Allowing the caregiver time for errands or rest. Helping with household chores. Help in the Hospice office. Please contact Dena Chapman (641)743-2264 or dchapman@careinitiatives.org

Building Healthy Families: Having faith and being a Christian doesn’t mean we will never make mistakes. It means that through our mistakes, we experience God’s grace and mercy, which are ours in Christ. This week, look for opportunities to practice mercy, grace, and forgiveness in your family. Lutheran Family Service of Iowa (515)251-4900

Life Quote: “The ultimate ‘crisis pregnancy’ occurred when an unmarried virgin is told she will conceive and carry and give birth to the promised Messiah. And hear Mary’s quiet confidence, “I am the Lord’s servant … may it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38) … there were certainly those in Nazareth whose tongues wagged about the ‘trouble’ Mary was in. But she accepted this that all the world might know hope!” Pastor Mark D. Barz, Pastor, Crown of Life Lutheran Church, San Antonio, Texas – A “Life Quote” from Lutherans For Life – www.lutheransforlife.org

Lutheran Family Service provides Christ-centered counseling to families throughout the state, pregnancy counseling and adoption services as an outreach of our congregation and the 275 other LCMS congregations in Iowa. All services are provided through a combination of fees collected from families served (based on their ability to pay) and contributions from LCMS individuals, organizations and congregations. Your support of this ministry to families this Christmas is needed and appreciated. Thank you!

Life Together

Attendance Report: Wed: 11/30 - 65; Sun: 12/4 - 83; Wed: 12/7 - 60

Don’t forget fill out your attendance cards. Please don't forget to put the date on the card. Put the name of all in attendance on the front and all those taking communion on the back.

Board meetings Scheduled for Wednesdays in December will be held after Advent services, unless other arrangements have been made. Please talk to your board chair.

If anyone would like to take over decorating the cross in the narthex, please talk to Pastor Watt.

Naomi Circle will meet for their annual Christmas Breakfast at 8:30 AM Wednesday, December 14 at the Windrow Restaurant. All ladies are welcome to join us.

Prayer Request pads can be found on the Narthex Table. Please fill out the form and give it to Pastor Watt or place it in the "Prayer Requests" mailbox. Unless otherwise requested prayer request will be repeated for three (3) Sundays.

Bulletin Announcement pads can be found on the Narthex Table. Please fill out the form and give it to Pastor Watt or place it in the "Bulletin Announcements" mailbox. Unless otherwise requested announcements will not be repeated.

The Junior and Senior Youth groups will meet tonight at 7pm. Christmas Caroling! All members of the congregation are invited to join us!

There are two more meals the Board of Ed would like to provide for confirmation students during Advent. If you could help provide food for either, that would be great! The meals are sloppy joes and spaghetti. Please see the sign up sheet in the narthex to see how you might help with this! Thanks in advance!

We are once again switching computer systems for the membership database and finances. Volunteers are needed for data entry. You can do the work at home as long as you have access to the internet. Please talk to pastor Watt if you would like to help. We'd like all the data entered by Christmas.

Young men attending Iowa State University in the Fall of 2012: Beta Sigma Psi, the National Lutheran Fraternity, is offering three $1500 scholarships for Lutheran men attending ISU this fall. There is no obligation to join in order to be eligible. Please visit <http://epsilon.betasigmapsi.org/recruits/scholarship.php> to apply online, and contact Beta Sigma Psi at betasigscholarship@iastate.edu or call at 515.259.0302 with any questions.

This Week at Trinity

Sun Dec 11 Third Sunday in Advent (B/V)

8:00am Divine Service (First Lutheran)

9:30am Divine Service

11:00am Sunday School Adult Bible Class

2pm Preschool Christmas Program

7:00pm Christmas Caroling!!

Youth Group and Jr. Youth Group

Mon Dec 12 Pastor's Day Off

Tue Dec 13 6:30am Early Risers (McDonalds)

1:30pm Streams of Living Water, Sermon Broadcast

www.PirateChristianaRadio.com

5:30pm Habitat for Humanity Meeting (FH)

6:30pm Preschool Board

Wed Dec 14 8:30am Naomi Circle Breakfast

Windrow Restaurant, Creston, Iowa

9:30am Circuit Winkle - Redeemer, Corning

6:00pm Jr. Confirmation

7:00pm Advent Service

8:00pm Church Council (Tentative)

Thu Dec 15 12:00pm Ministerial Alliance

First United Methodist Church, Creston, Iowa

Sun Dec 18 Fourth Sunday in Advent (B/V)

Caring for Your Neighbor-Bring food for the food bank

8:00am Divine Service (First Lutheran)

9:30am Divine Service

11:00am Family Bible Class - The Real Saint Nick

In Your Prayers

Baptized: Bristol Mae Goodrich(Lowe);

Christian Care: Jane, George, Jabes, Jefery our sponsored orphans in Africa;

Cancer: Dana Austin; (Mother of Dane Wardenburg's Girlfriend); Jaque Claubaugh (niece of Paula Bowman); Jeanne Herzberg; Jennifer Winters; Kara (classmate of Hannah Watt); Melinda Skellenger; Melissa Viers; Vivian Herzberg (daughter of Lawrence & Jeanne Herzberg);

Condolences: Family of Thelma Hentshke (Sister of Bertha Jenzen and Walt Herzberg);

Illness, Injury, Surgery or Recovering: Brenda Cook; (Non malignant brain tumor); Bristol Lowe; Chad Schroeder; Janice Nook; Lee Decker (Uncle of Joy Brown); Norm Schroeder; Bristol Goodrich;

Military: Carl Green (Grand Nephew of Gene Cook), Afghanistan; Michael Kaufman;

Missions: Concordia Mission Society; Dr Oliver (Seminary in Taiwan); Ivan and Jennifer Rasch, Africa; Pastor Daniel Vogel, Hispanic Missions in Iowa; Pastor Dennis Konkel, Deaf Missions in Iowa;

Shut in: Frieda Porter, Al Schroeder; Lonny Riley; Ruth Chase; Wilma Cottrell, Pauline Young;