2015 No. 11 December 2015/January 2016 Issue

God So Loved the World

Christmas Eve Worship Candlelight Services

1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

O Come Let us Adore Him

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

Advent Worship Services Begin November 28 & 29

Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. Sundays, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.

The Promised Savior Weekend Message Series for Advent

November 28 & 29 “Our Wonderful Counselor”

December 5 & 6 “Our Mighty God”

December 12 & 13 “Our Everlasting Father”

December 19 & 20 “Our Prince of Peace”

Children’s Christmas Program

December 6, 2:00 p.m.

Bring family and friends! Everyone is invited to stay for

fellowship and cookies after the program.

Offerings to Date ................................................ $539,450 Other Income to Date ............................................ 20,160 Total Income to Date............................................ 559,610 Income Budget to Date ........................................ 550,263 Expenses to Date .................................................. 558,912 Expense Budget to Date ....................................... 571,984

TRINITY’S FINANCIAL

UPDATE

Year-to-Date through October 31, 2015

NOVEMBER COUNCIL NOTES by Judy Dicke, Council Secretary

Trinity Lutheran Church Council met November 9, 2015, in the Fireside Room. President Kendall Christensen called the meeting to order. Pastor White led the recharge.

Logan Bronson, Transition Advisory Board Member, reported 255 Trinity members had taken the CAT survey. There will be another Retreat November 20 and 21 at the church as part of the Transitions Planning Process.

Kendall Christensen reported the Call Committee had interviewed Billy Czapla and is recommending a call to Billy with approval of the Church Council which was granted. The Trinity Congregation will receive a letter concerning the recommendation to call Billy Czapla as a part-time pastor. A vote by Trinity members will be added to the Agenda of the Special Congregation Meeting on November 22.

Pastor White reported there is a minor delay in the drywall process for the Chancel Remodel, but it is still on track. There has been a delay in getting Chancel Furniture designs, but the issue is receiving attention. November 23 is the scheduled date to commence carpet laying.

Pastor White reported the Raise the Roof event was successful with approximately $27,000 raised.

The meeting closed with prayer. The next Council Meeting will be December 14, 2015, at 7 p.m.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2015 must be dated no later than

December 31, 2015. ● Place contributions in offering plates on 12/19,

12/20, 12/24, 12/26 and 12/27. ● Bring contributions to the Church Office by noon on

12/31/15. ● Mail and have them postmarked by 12/31/15. ● Post to website at “ONLINE GIVING” by 12/31/15.

12/24 Christmas Eve............ Office Closes at Noon 12/25 Christmas Day ........................ Office Closed 12/28 Monday ................................... Office Closed 12/31 New Year’s Eve ......... Office Closes at Noon

Keith Bamesberger Dennis Durkop Marla Ernst Mike Kruse

Dan Mickey Staci Mueller

Vern Ramaekers Randy Schaefer

Mike Sloup Jim Wiese

Pastor Tim White Wayne Zysset

TRINITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Kendall Christensen ..................................................... President Ron Leimser ........................................................ Vice-President Judy Dicke .................................................................. Secretary Doug Stejskal .............................................................. Treasurer LeAnn Kjergaard .........................................Recording Secretary

A Big Word of THANKS! Thanks to all of you at Trinity for the wonderful encouraging cards, words of blessing and gifts we received for Pastor Appreciation Month. We value your kind thoughts and words of gratitude. Bless you for your kindness.

Pastor and Cindy White Pastor and Sue Zurek Pastor and Gayleen Nestor

CHRISTMAS DEC0RATING The Seasonal Decorators Committee will be decorating for the Christmas Season on Sunday, November 29, at 11:30 a.m. immediately after the 10:30 service.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Confirmation students can use this task as a service project, but they must bring a parent. The decorations will come down at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 3.

ORDERING POINSETTIAS The deadline is Monday, December 14.

PICKING UP DONATED POINSETTIAS AFTER CHRISTMAS

Poinsettias can be picked up after the 7:30 p.m. service on December 24, December 29-31 or January 2-3.

ALL COMMITTEE NIGHT

Monday January 18 at 7 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

TRINITY’S PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY By Pat Ernst

Trinity's prayer shawl ministry is one way to reach out in Christian love to those in need of special blessings. This ministry consists of a group of seven women from Trinity (and one non-member) who knit or crochet shawls for people who are in the hospital or in nursing homes, someone who has lost a loved one, shut-ins, people recovering from surgeries, lonely, elderly, broken-hearted or for any other reason someone would benefit by receiving one. As we knit or crochet each shawl, we pray for the person who is to receive the shawl and a small wooden cross is attached. As it is presented a card is enclosed informing the recipient that a group of women from Trinity are praying for them, that we believe that God can and does reach out to each of us in tangible ways and we pray that when they use the shawl they will feel God's loving arms around them and His unconditional love and healing. The shawls are free!

We meet in the Fireside Room on the first Tuesday of each month to knit or crochet; have coffee; discuss patterns, problems and successes; share ideas and enjoy fellowship. There are eight very faithful dedicated women currently participating. Everyone who knits or crochets is invited to join us. Don't know how? One of us will teach you.

We have created 791 shawls since we started in 2006. Requests for shawls can be made by calling the Church Office or Pat Ernst at 402-564-4553, and a shawl will be provided to you. Donations of yarn and money are welcomed. Thank you to all who have made donations to this ministry. God Bless You!

Check it out at www.trinityalive.org.

Select “What’s New” and then “Tidings Newsletter”

2015 ANNUAL REPORTS All Committee and Ministry Heads, please submit your reports to the Church Office by January 19. Your cooperation is appreciated.

RAISE THE ROOF OUTCOME RTR3 Sees Great Response

by Pastor White

Another Raise the Roof Dinner and Auction was concluded on the evening of Sunday, November 8. It was truly a celebration of God’s people united in purpose, joyous fellowship and generosity. It began with a beautifully displayed Silent Auction. Thanks to the diligence of the Auction Committee and generous donors, there were almost 50 percent more Silent Auction items than in previous years. After the crowd enjoyed a delicious steak dinner, Master of Ceremonies Rex Davies got them laughing with a co-opted Jimmy Fallon bit. The Live Auction followed with local auctioneer Tyler Runge. Bidding was lively and entertaining to all as thirty items went to their highest bidder. A big thanks also to the generous donors.

Total net proceeds for Raise the Roof Three came to a whopping $29,643, a new Raise the Roof record! This amount includes dinner ticket sales, iPad drawing, a grain sale donation and the live and silent auction totals. Thank you to all who participated in any way. The RTR3 proceeds plus prior donations for the Chancel remodeling are both matched by Trinity Endowment making a grand total of $222,932. We’re closing in fast!

Special thanks to the many people who worked with great energy and to the committee chairpersons: Vern Ramaekers (Dinner Committee), Lisa Cherry (Tickets and Marketing Committee), Todd & Jolene Connelly (Logistics Committee), Tambri & Clint Paulsen and Tricia & David Kersting (Auction Committee). Tom and Karen Zimmerman served as the overall Raise the Roof Chairpersons. They did a superb job keeping things organized and on track.

DEC.EMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016 by Glenda Lundstrom

WEEKEND OPPORTUNITIES – All Stars Express Sunday mornings 9:30-10:15 Age 3 - Grade 6

GUESTS WELCOME - BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

Breakout Review Night “The BORN Identity”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 This is our theme verse for all of Breakout. It was also our theme for the November review and fun night.

Some of the lessons the students reviewed and tested on were: Purpose, The Bible, What is Sin, Reading God’s Word, Spiritual Gifts and Serving. However, that test doesn’t take long when they come prepared.

Kids had fun making string-art crosses. They added a tag with their own fingerprints and key verse to remind them of how Jesus is recreating them into the person He designed them to be.

www.trinitykidsandteens.com

First Communion Class January 17 & 24

Parents of Fifth Graders, The Holy Communion classes are designed for you to participate with your Fifth Grade child. It is an opportunity for your child to learn about this gift from God–the history behind it, how to prepare for and receive it and how to respond after communing.

We will meet at the Columbus High School Library during the All Stars Express time, 9:30-10:15 A.M. Look for a letter soon inviting your child to come with you and learn about this meal of grace.

“Christmas In A Box”

Kids bring the Christmas story to life like only kids can do. You won’t want to miss it!

Bring your family and friends and stay for refreshments and fellowship after the program.

Practices continue on Sunday mornings through December 6.

Thanks to the families of Grades 1-6 for providing the cookies!

This month the parent link has some creative ideas to help parents with the Christmas time “tug-of-war.” There are tips for balancing gift giving and still keeping Christ in Christmas.

2:00 p.m. December 6

Grade 5

HOW TO DIRECT YOUR DESIGNATED CHOICE DOLLARS

Choose from thousands of nonprofit organizations nationwide, including your local congregation. You may designate your Choice Dollars at any time. All Choice Dollars for 2015 must be designated by March 31, 2016. Choose one of these options: 1. Call Thrivent Financial at 1-800-847-4836. A

representative will ask for your name and Thrivent ID number. Have this number handy before you call. The ID number is on the policy and information statements you receive in the mail. A representative will help you designate your Choice Dollars. (Thrivent no longer accepts your address as your ID.)

2. Direct your Choice Dollars online. Log in to My Thrivent with your user ID and password. Answer the security question. Click on the Get Started box. Select one of the following areas: a. Search Organization. Direct your Choice Dollars

to an organization you have previously directed on your Activity History page. Click on the Find box. Follow the instructions.

b. Search for Enrolled Organization by entering the city/state in the box, then click on Search. Follow the instructions to Direct Your Choice Dollars.

ATTENTION THRIVENT MEMBERS

TRINITY’S PIECE MAKERS wish to thank all of you who have contributed material to our group this year. Through your generosity and Thrivent's help, we made a total of 361 full-sized quilts, 12 baby quilts and 34 child quilts. The 361 quilts and 10 blankets were taken to the “Orphan Grain Train” in Norfolk to be distributed throughout the world. Three baby quilts were given to The Center for Survivors & nine were given to Youth For Christ, and the 34 child quilts went to our local hospital for their “Project Linus.”

Again we ask for your help for the coming year. Sheets and material are our biggest need. There are so many needy people out there who need a warm covering. We will be back putting quilts together in January; please come and join us.

Keep up to date with Trinity events and activities by following Trinity Lutheran Church - LCMC on Facebook!

Make sure you follow the OFFICIAL page ~ the one with a picture of all three pastors and the cover photo “IMAGINE A CHURCH” in black & white as seen above. Make sure you SHARE it too!

There are a couple of unofficial Trinity Facebook pages. If you or someone you know has created one of these pages please remove it or call the Church Office and let us know any information you may have. We want the official page to be the only one functioning so there is no confusion as to the validity of the information posted. Thank you for your cooperation!

1st Aubrey Kallweit Colin Kruse Dallas Worrell

2nd Sharon Carr Myron Franzen Aimee Michener

3rd Christine Ahlstrom Janice Nelson

4th

Lisa Cherry Shirley Reicks Reese Ruehling Riley Ruehling Gayla Taylor

5th

Aubrey Shelden Brett Wragge Duane Wragge

6th

Brooklyn Cherry Ron Leimser Leonard Luebker Marie Muhle

7th Lars Barcel Dan Beyer Lonnie Labens Terrel Mason Avery McMeekin Tambri Paulson Tucker Riha Bob Runquist

8th

Donna Belitz Gayle Borchers Larry Derochie Susan Graham Ben Manak Karma Zysset

9th

Patricia Boss Beth Drinnin Riley Garrelts Dennis Schaf Brandon Stange Brad Stirek

10th Jenny French Robert French Kathy LeCuyer Mackenzie Motz Danae Perry Olivia Remmers Sandra Swanson Abby Wilson William Wray Syl Zwick

11th Mary Hasselbalch Brian Klink Amber Lueschen Mark Mercer Richard Unger Ron Went

12th

Vern Fittje Emilee Henry Owen Robak Marilyn Schmidt Matt Travers Lorie Young

13th

Betty Bruner Larry Christensen Twyla Lewis Jennie Stockman

14th Michelle Carpenter Barb Lange Gayleen Nestor Teresa Nore

15th

Ashton Cherry Liam Czapla Matthew Kurtenbach Ken McMeekin Jason Reinke

16th

Holly Blahak Kendall Christensen Connie Falk Jim Swanson Joan Talbott Brady Westring

17th Stephen Garrelts Steve Kallweit Amy Reiner Dick Woltman

18th

Shanon Fittje Stan Gottschall Lori Muhle

19th

Weston Jeffryes Ginny Olson Marissa Sanchez

20th Nathan Brown Dennis Nelson

21st

Carson Bell Derek Hueschen Scott Hueschen Eli Thomson

22nd

Pam Eikenhorst Esther Kummer Eric Schroeder Cindy White Rob Wright

23rd Jolene Connelly Torrie Dovenbarger Robert Lenz Paul Rullo Anne Weber Helen Welin

24th

Cody Hans Robert Mann Bonnie Willets

25th

Sandra Jochens Diana Lippstreu

26th Carter Hagelstien Sharon Nauenburg Bev Nelson Hunter Oshel Aiden Parker Jarek Rurup Jaxon Rurup Morgan Suhr

27th Alex Hall Tara Jo Hollis Randy Rawhouser Andrea Stuhr

28th

Denise Czapla Jessica Larson Troy Ohnemus

29th

Alexander Beyer Katelyn Curry Jennifer Eickmeier Sophia Fittje Abigail Jensen Hans Jensen Michelle Klug

30th

Lance Barcel Sr Shelby Bright Diane Buhl Matt Lundstrom Scott Messersmith Jenni Moje Jackie Schrad Gay Stover

31st

Marcus Gillespie Nancy Johnson Karis Kersting Cindy Vrba Jeanne Went

Tuesday, December 1 1:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry

Wednesday, December 2 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ - Fireside Room 6:30 Breakout (Grades 3-6) 6:30 Plugged-In Confirmation 6:30 Marriage Matters Class 6:30 Kidz Kare 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12) Thursday, December 3 6:00 Children’s Christmas Program Rehearsal (Character actors & speaking parts)

Friday, December 4 6:30 Friday Men’s Ministry 11:45 NAOMI’s Columbus Senior Center

Saturday, December 5 9:00 Children’s Christmas Program Rehearsal (speaking parts only) 5:30 Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, December 6 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:15 Children’s Christmas Program Rehearsal (Grades 1-6) 9:30 Education Hour 11:30 Mission Board 2:00 Children’s Christmas Program

Monday, December 7 3:30 Holy Communion Prairie Village Tuesday, December 8 5:15 Endowment Board

Wednesday, December 9 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ - Fireside Room 6:30 Breakout (Grades 3-6) 6:30 Plugged-In Confirmation 6:30 Marriage Matters Class 6:30 Kidz Kare 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12)

Saturday, December 12 7:30 SAMM’s Men’s Bible Study 5:30 Holy Communion Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, December 13 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Holy Communion Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour 2:00 GOD’S SQUAD Rehearsal 3:00 Billy Czapla Graduation Service 3:45 Billy Czapla Reception

Monday, December 14 9:30 Faith Circle 5:30 KTLX Board 6:15 Finance Committee 7:00 Trinity Council Meeting Tuesday, December 15 9:15 Peace Circle 2:30 Joy Circle Wednesday, December 16 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ - Fireside Room 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12) Friday, December 18 6:30 Friday Men’s Ministry Saturday, December 19 10:00 Red Cross Blood Drive until 4:00 5:30 Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, December 20 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour 9:30 GOD’S SQUAD Rehearsal Monday, December 21 3:00 Holy Communion Golden Living Center

Wednesday, December 23 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ - Fireside Room

Thursday, December 24 NOON CHURCH OFFICE CLOSES 1:00 Holy Communion Christmas Eve Service 3:00 Holy Communion Christmas Eve Service 5:00 Holy Communion Christmas Eve Service 7:30 Holy Communion Christmas Eve Service

Friday, December 25

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, December 27 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour

Monday, December 28 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Wednesday, December 30 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ - Fireside Room 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12)

Thursday, December 31 NOON CHURCH OFFICE CLOSES

WORSHIP SERVICE BROADCAST

KTLX 91.3 FM – Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ♦♦ Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. live broadcast.

CABLE TELEVISION – Worship Service Rebroadcast ... one week delay on Columbus Cable TV Channel 13: Saturday at 2 p.m. ♦♦ Sunday at 6 p.m. ♦♦ Monday at 11 a.m.

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED December 25 - 28

“PLUGGED IN” HAYRACK RIDE

HOW TO PASS ON A LEGACY IT CAN BE A GIFT TO

TRINITY’S ENDOWMENT TRUST FUND

At your death: ♦ A gift in the form of a Bequest in your Last Will

and Testament ♦ A gift of Life Insurance by naming the Endowment

Trust Fund as a partial or full beneficiary ♦ A Charitable Gift thru a variety of Trust

arrangements During your lifetime:

♦ A gift of Appreciated Assets or Property (usually quickly converted to cash for the Endowment Trust Fund). This might include stocks, mutual funds, municipal bonds, art collections, gun collections or debt-free real estate.

ENDOWMENT BOARD OFFICERS Rod Rinne, President Rex Davies, Vice-President Barb Sanders, Secretary Lon Jochens, Treasurer

If you and/or your friends would like to provide a meal for the CRM, sign up sheets are at Grand Central. Trinity has committed to provide meals on the third Tuesday of each month. The supper meal is served at 5:30 p.m. in the basement dining room at the Rescue Mission. Food may be cooked in their kitchen, but check in advance if they have the required equipment and utensils. It may be better to prepare food in advance and bring it in. Meals may also be purchased and brought in if the server prefers. Dishes and silverware are provided at the shelter. Cleanup is done by Rescue Mission workers. An information sheet is available at Grand Central with additional details.

You may wish to purchase Altar Flowers in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one.

Please call the Church Office, 402-564-8547, for available dates and payment. Dates are not guaranteed until booked.

Cost is $25 for one bouquet or $50 for two.

Thank you to everyone who donates Altar Flowers to glorify God.

NOW IN ADULT FORUM “Finding BETHLEHEM in the

midst of Bedlam”

BEGINNING IN JANUARY — “LIFE’S RULES” God has a set of basic rules which, when followed, improve current relationships and mend hurting ones.

Christmas or confusion …which will you choose this year? The truth is God in Christ has entered into the confusion of our lives to bring peace and comfort.

Exciting NEW Bible study! Starts January 3rd

HOSEA Bible Study In the Fireside Room

Sundays 9:30 a.m.

Service of Seminary Graduation for Billy L. Czapla

Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 3 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church - Reception will follow

Billy has completed his course of study for Pastoral Ministry at Niagara Lutheran Theological Institute and has been certified in Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. You are invited to attend and share the joy of this occasion with Billy and his family.

SAMM’s (Saturday Morning Men’s) Ministry

SAMM’s meets every other Saturday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for a hot breakfast, good fellowship and lively Bible study. Check the Tidings Calendar for meeting dates in December and January. Contact the Church Office (402-564-8547) to indicate attendance or for further information.

FRIDAY MEN’S MINISTRY This group meets on scheduled Friday mornings from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. The goals are Service, Growing in Christ and Christian Fellowship. Small group discussion and a hot breakfast are part of every meeting. Check the Tidings Calendar for meeting dates in December and January. Call the Church Office (402-564-8547) if you plan to attend.

TRINITY ANGEL TREE On December 5 and 6 Trinity members will again be able to stop by our Fellowship Hall and pick out an Angel Tree Tag. You can choose either a gift for an adult or a child or provide a food or utility voucher. All gifts need to be returned to the church by the following Sunday, December 13. Be sure to register your tag before leaving the Fellowship Hall. Again, thank you for helping to give someone a very merry and blessed Christmas.

1st Katherine Dicke Todd Tisthammer

2nd Eileen Carnahan

3rd Ray Baker Sharon Cutler Bobbie Ruehling

4th

Lyle Cattau Jolene Gragert Mary Huntley Joe Seipel

5th Larry Barcel Marilyn Klug Chris Schmidt Jennifer Sutton

6th Steve Davis Scott Hellbusch Caleb Jenkinson Larry Lindquist Luke Loveless Marcia Martys

7th Benson Calahan Sarah Mueller

8th Blaine Muhle

9th Marv Charipar Liliana Hancock Kyle Jensen Dana Reinke Samantha Ziemba

10th

Samantha Blezek Norman Schoch Jr Theresa Shank

11th Adele Boss Thomas Ernst Nina Nelson

12th Karley Christensen

13th Amanda Jensen Angie Quincy Misty Wilson

14th Bill Ingold Brooke Kallweit

15th Michael Bamesberger Lawrence Klink Galen Kluck Michelle Messersmith Connie Ohnemus Norma Schettler Craig Schroeder Pamela Wachal

16th Toni Anderson Reginald Briza Rebecca Gelster Sheri Heidemann Jeffrey Loveless Zachary Quigley

17th Tucker Boden John Brewer Warren Hammer Brenna Quincy Judd Went

18th

Joy Anderson Fred Fricke Thomas Moeller Rod Rinne

19th Kenneth Anderson Brenda Beveridge Bobby Bright Grace Fricke Jaymee Mueller Paityn Stockman

20th Beverly Blessen Eli Kruse Cindy Lueschen Brittany Perdue

21st Donna Anderson Kadence Calahan Kim Forney Sarah Mueller Cash Petersen Duane Schroeder Jerron Tiemeyer

22nd Sue Zurek

23rd John Olander Megan Schultz

24th Taylor Bardsley Gale Barnes Dan Carnes Traci Cerny Kami French Ava Mueller Diana Wick Jacob Young

25th

Darryl Anderson Dominic Ernst Jim Hackney Kate Nelson

26th Sophia Armbruster Donovan Dunn Jeffrey Endorf Josh Finecy Gerae Novak

27th

Lois Hellbusch Angie Kruse Tim Swanson

28th Kiara Barnes Steve Barnes Dillon Greenlee Minnie Johnson Vikki Mihulka Thomas Shank

29th Adriana Carnes Roger Lescelius Lyle Oppliger

30th

Kelli Schoch

31st Debra Linder

Friday, January 1 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 5:00 Weber/Rieger Wedding Rehearsal

Saturday, January 2 3:00 Weber/Rieger Wedding 5:30 Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, January 3 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour 11:30 Solid Rock Cafe

Monday, January 4 3:30 Holy Communion Prairie Village

Tuesday, January 5 1:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry

Wednesday, January 6 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ Fireside Room 6:30 Breakout (Grades 3-6) 6:30 Plugged-In Confirmation 6:30 Marriage Matters Class 6:30 Kidz Kare 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12)

Friday, January 8 6:30 Friday Men’s Ministry

Saturday, January 9 5:30 Holy Communion Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, January 10 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Holy Communion Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour 11:30 Mission Board Meeting 2:00 GOD’S SQUAD Rehearsal

Monday, January 11 9:30 Faith Circle 5:30 KTLX Board 6:15 Finance Committee Meeting 7:00 Trinity Council Meeting

Tuesday, January 12 9:30 Peace Circle 2:30 Joy Circle 5:15 Endowment Board Meeting

Wednesday, January 13 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ Fireside Room 6:30 Breakout (Grades 3-6) 6:30 Plugged-In Confirmation 6:30 Marriage Matters Class 6:30 Kidz Kare 7 :00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12)

Thursday, January 14 1:00 Piece Makers

Friday, January 15 6:30 Friday Men’s Leadership Meeting Saturday, January 16 5:30 Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, January 17

8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour 9:30 First Communion Class (5th graders and parents) Monday, January 18 3:30 Holy Communion Golden Living Center 7:00 All Committee Night 7:00 Evangelism Meeting

Wednesday, January 20 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ Fireside Room 6:30 Breakout (Grades 3-6) 6:30 Plugged-In Confirmation 6:30 Marriage Matters Class 6:30 Kidz Kare 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12)

Thursday, January 21 1:00 Piece Makers

Friday, January 22 6:30 Friday Men’s Ministry 11:45 NAOMI’s at Senior Center

Saturday, January 23 5:30 Holy Communion Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, January 24 8:15 Prayer Group 8:30 & 10:30 Holy Communion Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour 9:30 First Communion Class (5th graders and parents)

Wednesday, January 27 12:00 Wednesday Noon Sisters in Christ Fireside Room 6:30 Breakout (Grades 3-6) 6:30 Plugged-In Confirmation 6:30 Marriage Matters Class 6:30 Kidz Kare 7:00 High School Gravity (Grades 9-12)

Thursday, January 28 1:00 Piece Makers

Saturday, January 30 5:30 Worship Service

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday, January 31

8:15 Prayer Group

8:30 & 10:30 Worship Services 9:30 Education Hour

WORSHIP SERVICE BROADCAST

KTLX 91.3 FM – Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ♦♦ Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. live broadcast.

CABLE TELEVISION – Worship Service Rebroadcast ... one week delay on Columbus Cable TV Channel 13: Saturday at 2 p.m. ♦♦ Sunday at 6 p.m. ♦♦ Monday at 11 a.m.

God Was in Christ… by Pastor Doug Zurek

In a cartoon from Family Circus, big sister was attempting to tell B.J. the Christmas story. It went something like this: “Jesus was born just in time for Christmas at the North Pole surrounded by Mary his mother and by eight tiny reindeer. Then Santa showed up with lots of toys and presents and swaddling clothes. The three wise men and their elves sang Christmas songs while the little drummer boy played along. Joseph and Mary trimmed the Christmas tree and Frosty the Snowman looked at the star shining in the East.” This story would probably be a lot funnier if it didn’t have an element of truth to it. For many people Christmas is a jumble of all kinds of stories and traditions. And even adults mix mangers with Mattel, God with Santa, shepherds and wise men with Rudolph and reindeer. Because of that, many worry that the true meaning of Christmas will be lost in all the confusion and attempt to make Christmas politically correct. But the real danger to Christmas is not confusing elves with angels or wise men with reindeer as sad as this may be. The real danger is when we keep Christmas as a past event. The real danger is when we fail to see this tiny baby grown up, giving His life for us on a cross, resurrected three days later and now reigning as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The real danger to Christmas is when we fail to recognize Jesus’ presence in our world today, discover His comfort and peace in times of worry and fear and worship Him as our personal Savior and Lord.

During a church’s Christmas program one year, the director had used a plastic doll in the manger to take the part of baby Jesus. But when the program actually took place on Christmas morning, a real baby was used to add to the authenticity. Everyone knew about the substitution except one of the little angels, who approached the manger, was shocked by what she saw and then completely forgetting her

lines and cried out in her loudest voice, “Hey, everybody! There’s a real baby in there.” Yes, there was a real baby in that manger during the program, and there was a real baby in the manger on that first Christmas morning. And that baby is still here and all grown up. In Christ, God has come to dwell among us, to give us peace and joy and bring everlasting life. In the first chapter of John’s Gospel we read the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. And we beheld His glory as of the only Son of God. So if you sometimes get the Christmas story a little confused and mix elves with angels and wise men with reindeer, make sure that you never forget that the baby in the manger is the Lord and Savior who gives eternal life. Never forget that it was for you that He came; it was for you He suffered and died and for you He gives eternal life. Never forget that and you will keep the true message and meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Radio Specials for You and Your Family on Your Radio Station, KTLX 91.3 fm

Specials will air a couple times each from Dec 20 through Dec 27 Watch the Trinity Worship Folder for specific airtimes!