Christmas Edition
December, 2014
Monthly Newsletter of Trinity Lutheran Church
A Word From Our Pastor...
Christmas Season Worship
Schedule
Advent Services
Dec 3
Dec 10
Dec 17
7PM
7PM
7PM
Christmas Eve
4:30 PM Contemporary
Christmas Eve Worship
11:00 PM Candlelight
Christmas Eve Worship
Christmas Day
10 AM Traditional Christmas
Worship
Advent is upon us. Last Sunday we remember Christ
the King and His future return and now we go back to
the beginning . . . actually before the beginning. Our
church calendar has entered a new year and we start
all over again.
As a child, I both loved and hated Advent. On one
hand, it was really hard to wait until Christmas to open
presents with all of the Christmas decorations taunting
me. On the other hand, I found comfort when we
would light another candle on the Advent wreath at
church signaling we have taken another step close to
the birth of Jesus. Every Sunday (during Advent) kept
getting brighter and brighter!
Speaking of light, there is a little known story of hope
that happened during the Civil War. It was during the
dark winter of 1864. At Petersburg, Virginia, the
Confederate army of Robert E. Lee faced the Union
divisions of General Ulysses S. Grant.
The war was now three and a half years old and the
glorious charge had long since given way to the muck
and mud of trench warfare.
Late one evening one of Lee’s generals, Major
General George Pickett, received word that his wife
had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. Up and down
the line the Southerners began building huge bonfires
in celebration of the event.
Continued on page 2...
Pastor Continued …
These fires did not go unnoticed in the
Northern camps and soon a nervous
Grant sent out a reconnaissance patrol
to see what was going on.
The scouts returned with the message
that Pickett had had a son and these
were celebratory fires.
On behalf of operation Christmas Child ~ Thank you,
Thank you ~ for participating in this wonderful opportunity of bringing gifts in Jesus name to so many precious children.
As these shoe boxes are distributed around the world,
they serve as a reminder to the children that they have a
father in heaven who loves them, and will never forget
them. Your shoe boxes are on there way ~ all 68 of
them....They were taken to there first destination by Ray
and Chuck.
Think of the happiness and big smiles on the face of each
child as they open their box. Maybe it's the one you filled
so beautifully just for them. They will be so thankful to
you ~ and they will have such fun ~ because they will feel
God's love too!
Praise to God and Big Thank You's to each of you that
packed one or more shoe boxes.
God's Blessings to all,
Kathie Godfrey
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will
be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be
called
Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah
It so happened that Grant and Pickett
had been contemporaries at West Point
and knew one another well, so to honor
the occasion Grant too ordered that
bonfires should be built.
What a peculiar night it was. For miles on
both sides of the lines fires burned. No
shots fired. No yelling back and forth. No
war fought. There was only light,
celebrating the birth of a child.
But it didn’t last forever. Soon the fires
burned down and once again the
darkness took over. The darkness of the
night and the darkness of war resumed.
The good news of Advent and Christmas
is that in the midst of a great darkness
there came a light, and the darkness was
not able to overcome the light. It was not
just a temporary flicker. It was an eternal
flame.
We need to remember that. There are
times, in the events of the world and in
the events of our own personal lives, that
we feel that the light of the world might
be snuffed out or not draw close to us.
However, the story of Christ’s life, from
his birth until his ascension, tells us that
He is the light of the world and of our
lives.
Happy Advent and Merry Christmas,
Pr. Ben
Merry Christmas
From Pastor Ben & Rachel
Introducing A New Column In Your Trinity Tidings!
TLC
A MINUTE FOR MOVIES
Talk, Lunch, Crafts
By Trinity’s Resident Movie Critic — Al Corbett!
“INTERSTELLAR”
Bright Star or Black Hole?
“Interstellar” is a science fiction film that will produce a wide variety of individual reactions. The film has outstanding cinematography, excellent acting and a creative script. On the other hand, it
runs a bit long and the story utilizes several experimental and theoretical principles from modern physics to make this story work.
(think the relationship between velocity and time, wormholes, and
black holes). This complicates the viewers understanding of the
narrative.
I have seen a large number of science fiction films. There is only
one that reminds me of “Interstellar” and that is “2001 – A Space
Odyessy”. The stories are not similar; however, both films have an
exceptional visual look and stories which require more than the
usual attention on the part of the viewer.
Matthew McConaughey continues to demonstrate his transition
from “hunk” to outstanding actor. In fact, the entire cast gives
excellent performances.
The story has a premise that the earth is rapidly becoming uninhabitable and NASA is charged with finding other planets/physical
entities to which humans could migrate. Then the action begins
Despite the strong role physics plays in this movie, Interstellar reaffirms the importance of family and love in any environment.
I think this movie is much more a “bright star” than a black hole.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 9th from 12-3 pm.
Remember to bring a sack lunch and
drink (dessert will be provided) so
that we can enjoy lunch and fellowship together. After lunch feel free
to bring any crafts that you may be
working on, or just come for conversation and friendship time.
We had a great time last month making ribbon stars or at least attempting to learn how to make them. Marie was so patient working with us
and she said that she will continue to
help us learn the craft of ribbon
folding.
This month we’re doing a Christmas
cookie exchange. If you would like
to participate in the exchange please
bring 3 dozen of your favorite cookies and container to bring home a
variety of yummy cookies.
You may come for the entire time or
part of the time. Invite a friend if
you would like. We would love to
see you.
Any questions please feel free to call
Jill Powell at (847) 506-1986.
Birthdays
Carl Wendt
Rachel Bergren
Kylie Ann Gatz
Shirley Witt
Jan Bankert
Janet Wessel
Noelle Mueller
01
04
05
10
10
14
16
Rick Sabatka
Jenny Strader
Jesus Christ
Robert Schmid
Sue Thomson
Joseph Bisesi
Al Carlsen
18
18
25
25
27
29
31
Congregational Meeting:
Agenda: Adopting 2015 Budget.
Dec 21st 9:30 AM
For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
We received this card from our realtor. At first glance, one might think that it was a sign that
we would finally sell our house, but Judy's card held a meaning that meant so much more...
Thanksgiving is a time that brings us closer to God!
There is only one other time in my life where I saw God working in me and through me in a
most exceptional way. It has happened again! It all started when He prompted Katie to go to
Kibera. From that moment on, everything changed. God has used her trip to touch the
hearts of an ever growing circle of people. I think it is rare for us to see God's plans unfold
and continue to grow and expand right before our very eyes! It started and continues here
at Trinity. It has also encompassed an artist group, a middle school, a grade school, two
more churches, a book club, friends of friends, a library, and on and on it goes. I get chills
just thinking about it. I can honestly tell you that I feel God's power and might! Expect the
Exceptional! When God is ready, and everything is in place, it is amazing to be a part of the
experience! Let me show you what I mean.
is meeting Thur Dec 11th at 6:30
PM at Morettis on Algonquin Rd.
On November 19th, Cindy from Bringing Miracles told me that although they were trying to
finish the construction, the money was running out, and while she knew God would provide,
she was still scared. The next day, on her birthday, she was told that she would be receiving a check from Thrivent for $1,000! Worry crept in again when the responses to our invite
for our "To Kibera With Love" event on Nov. 22nd were sparse, to say the least. My family
cooked for an army, and I kept saying that we could freeze these soups if no one really
came. I have to admit that I was surprised on Friday the 21st when I realized that we had
received almost $1,000 from people who would not be able to attend our event. On Friday
night, I was over tired as I worked at my mother-in-law's preparing for Saturday. My best
friend Barb came, and we divided the work so that it was manageable. On Saturday, the
family rushed around preparing for the day. Barb was there, and Lynnea came early to help.
Then it happened. People kept coming, one after another, from 2:00 to 5:00 in a steady
stream. It truly felt like a "fishes and loaves" moment!!! Expect the Exceptional! We had
sixteen Silent Auction items and everything was bid upon! When things began to wind
down, Barb, Tanya, Lynnea, and Jean helped us clean up. I was exhausted, but we sat on
the floor and started counting the exceptional blessings of the day. Including the money from
Thrivent and the money taken in before the event, we had taken in $5,000!!! But there is
more... On Sunday my mother-in-law called to say that she had been given an additional
$700 from members at her church and we are still waiting for a few more promised donations to arrive! Something else happened as well! Without even promoting it on Saturday,
we also had four more people sponsor our kids! So what does this all mean?
All women from Trinity are invited. Come join the fun! Please RSVP
to Kathy Linning, 847-791-7741 or
at [email protected].
We now have 18 out of our 60 orphans sponsored with $2,700 in sponsorship money!
Bringing Miracles will be receiving at least $5,700 towards the completion of the new school!
(My mother-in-law & I donated all the food & drink. We took nothing from what was donated.)
We sent $709 to the six single moms for their jewelry sales which they will use towards their
children's tuition!
Please bring a wrapped white elephant gift.
I never finished the official count, as of yet, but here is a listing of some of the supplies that
we have collected for the school and children: 557 Pencils / 3 boxes of Chalk / 1 Picture
and Word Card Set / 1 Bible Picture Card Set / 32 Spirals / 10 Wireless Notebooks / 8 Composition Books / 11 Pairs of socks / 45 plus crayons / A Brand New Math Curriculum with
Work Books at various grade levels / 168 Pencils / 13 Pencil sharpeners / 24 Rulers / 296
Erasers / 5 Teacher Plan Books / 7 Scissors / Glue Sticks / 15 Teacher Guides / 4 Giant
Classroom Storybooks / 69 Children's books and classroom books / 3 Adult Devotionals /
10 Scrapbooks that we made for the teaching staff / Shoes / 3 dedicated packages to sponsored children/ and the list will grow as I finish the tallies! There is also $186 to help send
the supplies!
Altar Guild Announcement
Anyone interested in serving on
Altar Guild would be
greatly appreciated.
It only requires a once
a month commitment.
Please consider helping.
Thank you,
Jill Powell 847-506-1986
Trinity's Woman's Ministry
...And it all started with fundraising for a girl who was going to teach at a school in
Kibera during the month of July. It grew into 150 handmade books and funds to
send them there! I told Barb that I love it when God's miracles are slow enough...
and bold enough, that you just can't miss them! All this has happened in a very
short amount of time, and I know that the plan will continue to unfold! There is
more to see, and I believe that God has some very special children living in Kibera
who will make a difference in this world!
Electronic Giving
As 2014 draws to a close, we thank everyone who has supported Trinity this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in
the year ahead.
Electronic giving options are a convenient way to make regular
weekly or monthly offerings and keep current on your 2015
pledge.
Please contact Dan Phillips at [email protected] for more information. Thank you for your generosity and support!
As a final note, our realtor has been trying to find new avenues to reach out even
further in helping us meet our children's needs. She was at the fundraiser and
was one of the many people who helped to make this Thanksgiving Exceptional!
God's Blessings as we move into Advent and the Christmas Season,
Sue Thomson (BringingMiracles.com)
Congregational Meeting:
Agenda: Adopting 2015 Budget.
Dec 21st 9:30 AM
Elders Prayer Schedule




Dec 07 Elder Kathie Godfrey
Dec 14 Elder Ray Godfrey
Dec 21 Elder Rick Johnson
Dec 28 Elder Gary Powell
Anniversaries
Glenn and Joan Anderson
23-Dec-1953
Jim & Mari Carlsen
22-Dec-1996