The Trinity News

December 23, 2014 www.trinitylutherancville.org

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

WHAT’S INSIDE…

TLC 2 Preschool Children’s 2 Ministry Prayer 3 Concerns Birthdays 3 & Anniver- saries Council 4, 5 News SYNOD 5 News TLCEBF 6,7 Projects Thanks 8 Events 9 Calendar 10 Serving 11 in January "Glory to God in the

highest heaven,

and on earth peace

among those whom

he favors!"

Luke 2:14

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. By the time you receive this

newsletter it will be either before these events or between them –

depending how well the postal service does during this busy season.

Whenever you receive this newsletter the greeting and hope is still

expressed for you. But what do we mean when we use that phrase? What

are we communicating to the people we greet?

We live in a complex world and this is a hectic time of year. People are

under more stress and are filled with more than the usual amount of anxiety.

At the same time, this can be a wonderful time of the year spent with family

and friends (although time spent with some family members can add to your

stress and anxiety). All kidding aside, in the midst of every emotion we feel,

we really do want people to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

For me to wish someone a ‘Merry’ Christmas is to say that you will be able to

focus on the great gift that we receive at Christmas. Obviously I’m talking

about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a reason to be

‘merry’ (or joyous and joyful) about this miracle of love – God loving us so

much that God willingly sends his son into the world to be our Savior and

Lord.

We also wish people to have a ‘Happy’ New Year. January 1st is seen as a

time for new beginnings, a time when the slate is cleaned and we have the

opportunity to live our lives anew. Of course, reality sets in sometime

before the 15th of January, but at least we have hope of a new beginning. I

guess that is why we greet people with having a ‘Happy’ New Year. Content,

joyful, and joyous – that is what we are saying to those we greet. We can

bring God into this greeting, because it is through the Lord that the New

Year can be happy, joyful and joyous. And it is the Lord who gives us the

best (and only) chance to wipe the slate clean and offer us a new beginning.

Christmas and the beginning of a New Year have an important connection.

The birth of our Savior gives us that joyful greeting through His death on

the cross and His resurrection to a new life – which gives us that new

beginning. So, wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – knowing

that our Savior born on Christmas gives us the chance to have a Happy New

Year. And a happy everyday given only in Jesus’ Name……Amen.

Pastor Gerhard

PAGE 2 CHURCH NEWS

Gifts come in a lot of different forms. The preschoolers gifted the residents and staff at Brown Memorial with their smiles, singing

voices and all the presents donated by our families. The families of our preschoolers were blessed with the gift of our Christmas Programs where their little angels sang about Jesus’ birth. Our preschool staff received a gift and I would like to share it with you. A week or so ago I went to answer the door and noticed right away that it was one of our Dads from last year. I greeted him warmly and asked about his daughter. He told me that she was doing great in kindergarten and how happy he and his wife were that they had sent her to Trinity the year before. I remembered that when she came to us she was a shy, backward child. She never smiled and rarely communicated with us. By the end of the school year she was a happy, smiling and well adjusted 5 year old, ready to take on the world! Daddy said that his family had driven past Trinity and that his daughter said how much she missed her teachers from last year. She had made them a card and Dad was delivering it to us. I invited him in so he could hand deliver it to Mrs. White and Mrs. Koby. They chatted for a while and then I saw him out. As he left he looked at me with such sincerity and said he didn’t know how his daughter would be doing in kindergarten had they not first sent her to Trinity. I sent my best wishes and Merry Christmas to the family and felt the warmth and happiness that comes when you receive the perfect gift. Later Mrs. White told me that his visit had made her day. What a gift it is to work and teach here at Trinity Lutheran Christian Preschool and to be reminded in such a special way why we do what we do. I hope you are all blessed with many gifts in many forms this year. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you all! -Nancy Harrow, Director

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES

The children in the Sunday School program have had an exciting two weeks of lessons preparing for the Christmas Holiday. Our volunteers have done a wonderful job of keeping our lessons fun and interactive with the students while keeping a Christ-centered focus on Christmas and the weeks leading up to this wonderful holiday.

Last week, the children made heart-shaped ornaments to adorn trees in their homes and the homes of loved ones. The heart was representative of the love we need to keep in our hearts for Jesus. On the front of the ornament, the children used paint and the palm of their hand and fingers to make a manger holding the baby Jesus. On the reverse of the heart shaped ornament, the poem below makes clear the meaning of all aspects of the ornaments.

“I used my hand to make a manger, a place for Jesus to lay. I’ll use my heart so full of love, as a place for him to stay.”

The Christmas program this year was on Sunday, December 21 at 7:00PM. Many of the children from the Sunday School program joined the adults from the congregation in the program. As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my most heartfelt thank you to the wonderful volunteers who dedicate each Sunday to working with the children in our congregation. They are the backbone of the program and touch the lives of many children in our community. -Marisha Eveland, Director

CHILDREN’S

CHURCH NEWS PAGE 3

THE TRINITY NEWS December 23, 2014

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6

Mark Sandy Earl Palm

Beth Jacobs Charles Dunkle Marjorie Kerns Martha Peters

Eleanor Robinson Dudley Morris Judy Taggart Edy Holbrook

Jessica Mogan Betty Quincel

Beulah Temple Michael Culp Jr.

Steve Weber Myra Leroy Bea Miller Billy Roos

Please remember our featured shut-ins for January in your prayers and possibly send them a ‘thinking of you’ card: MRS ANN ADKINS 1083 PONTIUS RD CIRCLEVILLE OH 43113-9017 MRS PATRICIA BECK C/O PICKAWAY MANOR 391 CLARK DRIVE CIRCLEVILLE OH 43113

PRAYER REQUESTS please call 474-3151. You may also submit pray-er requests through the website at www.trinitylutherancville.org. Please be sure to let us know if we have per-mission to share the prayer request, we value your privacy.

PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED OF THE HOSPITALIZED. Call the church office to report a hos-pitalization so that our pastor has the opportunity to minister to those ill in our parish. Please don’t assume that we already know because we may not! Thank you for your assistance.

...to our

3/4 Century & Over Club

Congratulations to our couples!

to couples celebrating an anniversary with the number of years ending in ‘0’ or ‘5’ or over 45 years.

Congratulations! We are pleased to acknowledge Trinity wedding anniversaries (divisible by 5) in the monthly newsletter, but, we can only do that if we have that infor-mation. So, do we have yours??

1/20/62 Mr & Mrs Bill Davie

53 years

1/22/60 Mr & Mrs Terry Rife

55years

1/31/53 Mr & Mrs Ronald Swoyer

62 years

EVENTS THE REMAINDER OF DECEMBER:

Wed. 24th 5:00PM Family Christmas Eve Service - U.R. 6:30PM Music of Christmas 7:00PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service 10:00PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service Thurs. 25th MERRY CHRISTMAS! Fri. 26th CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 7:30PM AA Meeting Sun. 28th No Children’s Sunday School Mon. 29th 10:30AM Bible Study/Lunch Bunch 6:30PM Scout Troop 170

1/1 Ruth Rihl 1/2 Nancy Happenny

1/3 Lurhita Sturgell 1/10 Catherine Hartley

1/14 Jean Rife 1/14 Calvin Kleingartner

1/14 Lucille Montgomery 1/17 Tom Bevan

1/19 Mary Schreiner 1/20 Virginia Swoyer

1/22 Dorothy Cook 1/22 Barbara Gerhardt

1/25 Paul Miller 1/30 Bob Rustin

Needed Now

The following items we are running low

on in our storage area and are urgently

needed. Men's Sweat Pants (Small to X-Large) Men's Dress Shoes and Sneakers (10 to 13) Mens Winter Coats and Gloves Items may be brought to the church office now through January 11. Thank you.

PAGE 4 CHURCH NEWS

Council Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2014 The meeting was called to order by president, Tim Stevenson. Devotions and the opening prayer were given by Jeri Hartley. Present: Dennis Bothel, Jeri Hartley, Judy Manes, Bob Perkins, Dan Rhoades, Jim River, Tim Stevenson, Julie Strawser, Patty Truex, Rojanne Woodward, Doris Young, Pastor Kraus, Kim Faler. Excused: Mike Williams. Secretary’s Report: The November minutes were previously emailed to members with no corrections or additions. Judy Manes motioned to approve the minutes and Dennis Bothel seconded the motion. The motion passed. Treasurer’s Report: Kim Faler presented the November financial reports. Julie Strawser motioned to approve. Doris Young seconded the motion and the motion passed. The Pastor’s discretionary fund is down to $36.00. Patty Truex motioned to move $1,000.00 from the miscellaneous pass through account to the Pastor’s discretionary fund. Dennis Bothel seconded the motion and the motion passed. Pastor’s Report: Faith Highway website update – Pastor shared possible logo’s for the website. Christmas Offering – A special Christmas offering for the preschool’s 25

th anniversary begins now until

January 31st.

Advent – Mid-week Advent services have begun with “When God Breaks In” series and soup and sandwich supper before the service. Christmas Eve Worship Schedule: 5:00PM Family Worship in Upper Room; 7:00PM and 10:00PM Festival Worship in Sanctuary with half an hour of music before each service. Committee Reports Property: 317 S. Pickaway St. Rental – The house is now vacant and is termite infested with extensive damage. Repairs are estimated at a minimum of $25,000.00 to $30,000.00 with it likely being more. The cost to demolish the house is estimated at $10,000.00 to $12,000.00. We receive about $7,000.00 rent on the property and owe about $98,000.00 on it. After discussion about the expense of repairs and uncertainty of how much more it might entail, Judy Manes motioned to have the property team proceed with demolition. Julie Strawser seconded the motion and the motion passed. Worship: About 140 surveys have been returned. They will be sharing data with the task force and discussing in worship committee once all the information is compiled and organized. Congregational Life: Upcoming events: December 13

– Craft Bazaar 2PM

December 14 – Soup and Sandwiches for Carolers 12PM December 21 – Christmas Program 7PM January 11 – Congregational Connect 12PM – This event is to help connect all members from both services. January 25 – Congregational Meeting lunch February 14 – Sweetheart Ball Stewardship: Planning is underway for Consecration Sunday which is February 15

th.

Outreach: The tree for gift giving for nursing home residents has been successful and all gifts need to be returned by December 11

th. The Outreach team recently signed and sent Christmas cards to inmates.

Christian Education: Marisha is continuing to work on safe sanctuary training and is contacting those who still need to complete forms. The preschool Christmas program is December 21

st. Feed the Flock

ends December 10th and tentatively begins again January 14

th for the next semester.

Old Business Turkey Dash – 460 families were helped this year with $10,500.00 spent on food. Updyke Money – We are in the process of getting the money to the ELCA for support of Rev. John Lunn, a missionary to Tanzania.

Continued on Page 5

CHURCH NEWS PAGE 5

NEW SOUTHERN OHIO SYNOD WEBSITE The Southern Ohio Synod staff is pleased to announce that we have a new website! The URL is the same (http://www.southernohiosynod.org) but the look and navigation are quite different. We hope you'll agree that the new site is different in a good way! Our old site was launched in 2008. We made modifications to the site to fit the ever-changing needs of you, our readers, as well as the changing ministries of our synod. We felt the old site, while it did what it needed to do, didn't do it very well. So, we reached out to you, asking what you used on our old site and what you'd like to see on our new site. We tried to incorporate all of your feedback into the new design. Like any new website, it will take a few times for you to get used to the navigation. You can always use the 'search' field in the top right-hand corner of the home page to find what you're looking for.

A NOTE FROM BISHOP DILLAHUNT It is with excitement and much anticipation that I announce the expansion of the Lay School of Theology. Beginning in February 2015, we will have two sites for all interested lay people to participate in this ministry--Chillicothe and Dayton. Pr. Steve Kimpel joins Pr. Merlin Seitz as the directors of the ministry. Our Chillicothe Campus will expand to include advanced course study in Lutheran Theology, history, Old and New Testament, while the Dayton Campus will focus on introductory courses. The mission of the Southern Ohio Synod Lay School of Theology is to provide students with opportunities to reflect on their past and present ministries, while engaging in theological studies with peers, while receiving encouragement and guidance from the faculty who teach the various courses. The goal of the Lay School of Theology is to help students grow in faith and knowledge. The first class offered at the Dayton campus is an ‘Introduction to the Old Testament.’ The textbook Pr. Kimpel will use for the course is ‘A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible’ by John Collins. As we move forward in this special ministry for lay people, watch the website for opportunities to take advantage of the courses. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate and I encourage you to do so. This is a great way to learn more about who we are as Lutheran Christians and to get to know others from our synod. Please join me in encouraging members of your congregation to take part in either the courses offered at the Chillicothe or Dayton campus or, even better, both! “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” — Martin Luther In Christ, Bishop Suzanne D. Dillahunt

Council Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2014 Continued from Page 4

Maintain Trinity – Tim has been working with Lou Weigand on the details of how donations made to Maintain Trinity will be maintained through the Property Memorial Fund. The Investment committee has agreed to liquidate the Capital Securities account with a balance of $46,528.45 plus $2,500.00, if council will agree to add money to this account to bring the balance to $50,000.00. This is the account that must have $50,000.00 in it before money can be used from it. This will ensure that 100% of all donations made to Maintain Trinity will be matched and used for property projects and will not be at risk due to fluctuations in the stock market. Patty Truex motioned to take $555.00 from the TLCEBF line and the remaining amount from the Capital Improvements line to bring the account up to $50,000.00. Dennis Bothel seconded the motion and the motion passed. 2015 Budget – Patty Truex presented initial information for the 2015 budget. This will be completed and ready for a vote at next month’s council meeting. New Business Special Needs Dance – Tim has been contacted by a group wanting to hold dance classes for special needs students. He will let us know more when he has more details. Next Meeting: January 13 at 6:00PM

Respectfully Submitted, Rojanne Woodward, Council Secretary Questions or Comments for Trinity’s Leadership?

June 1, 2014—May 31, 2015 Administrative Team: Tim Stevenson - President; Patty Truex - Vice President; Rojanne Woodward - Secretary; Jim River - Member-at-Large

Full Council (June 2014—May 2015): Dennis Bothel, Jeri Hartley, Judy Manes, Dan Rhoades, Dr. Jim River,

Tim Stevenson, Julie Strawser, Patty Truex, Mike Williams, Rojanne Woodward, Doris Young

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH ENDOWED BENEVOLENT FUND PROJECTS

The TLC Endowed Benevolent Fund Disbursement Committee has 12 projects on the 2015 ballot set for Sunday, January 25, 2015. Each voting member of Trinity will have ten votes to use on the ballot in any manner desired, but not to exceed ten votes. Available funding will be divided among those projects receiving 3% or more of the votes. Additionally, projects that receive 2% or less of the total votes will be re-considered for next year's ballot. These steps will allow the desires of the congregation to be recognized while avoiding the need to make small and inconsequential donations.

LOCAL 1. Emergency Clearinghouse Association This organization is funded through the support of area churches. The United Way no longer supports this organization that provides families with emergency food and supplies. This program maintains the Food Pantry, supplies money for emergency prescriptions, prevents utility shut-offs, and provides funds for emergency needs of transients. For the past several years during Christmas, the Clearinghouse has been able to purchase meals (through SHARE Program) for numerous needy families. 2. Good Samaritan Fund This Trinity Lutheran Church fund is used for emergency needs of people in our community. These funds have been used to assist with the purchase of medicine and to assist in the payment of utilities for people living within Pickaway County. It is to be used above and beyond where the Emergency Clearinghouse Association can help. 3. Pickaway County Hands for the Disabled The Pickaway County Hands for the Disabled (PCHD) is located at 210 Lancaster Pike, sharing the building with Schieber Pharmacy. PCHD has medical equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, and things to make a house temporarily handicapped accessible, for loan to anyone in Pickaway County at no charge. They will assist with the purchase and repair of these items along with braces and hearing aids. Speech therapy services are provided at the summer speech and hearing clinic. Their only income is from the annual mail campaign, volunteer contributions, memorial gifts, and contributions from special events. One hundred percent of contributions stay in Pickaway County. 4. Trinity Lutheran Preschool Trinity Lutheran Christian Preschool is a vital and thriving component of the educational ministry here at Trinity. We serve an average of 100 children and their families each year and we are able to support and enhance our program with funds received from TLCEBF. The money received is used to: purchase educational materials and resources that allow us to stay current with ever-changing educational trends; meet curriculum standards and licensing requirements for the State of Ohio; replace old outdated and damaged toys, furniture and equipment with updated and safer items; provide weekly take-home student magazines that reinforce at home what is being taught at school; keep our tuition costs affordable and offer financial assistance to those who need it. Thank you for your continued support of this wonderful ministry. 5. Ruth Neff /D.A.R.E. Support Fund The Ruth Neff DARE Foundation was established in 2011 in memory of Ruth, who was a long time member at Trinity. She was a tireless builder and supporter of the DARE program in our county schools to instruct students about the dangers of drugs and to provide them with inspiration and coping skills to avoid using drugs. Initially, her memorial gifts were matched by Trinity from the general treasury and, together with family contributions, became the seed money for the Fund that is organized through the Pickaway County Community Foundation. State funding for DARE has been steadily decreasing, however the Sheriff’s Office still provides a deputy to make classroom instructional visits. The Fund supports all the other expenses that are necessary in a successful campaign. 6. Circle of Caring – Faith in Action (COC-FIA) COC—FIA caregiver program, based at Berger Health System, 1280 N. Court St., attempts to meet the everyday, but unmet, needs of frail, elderly, and disabled people in Pickaway County, helping them maintain independence, dignity and quality of life in their homes. Approximately 100 volunteers assist with transportation, handyman chores, minor home repairs, yard work, shopping, errands, friendly visits, respite care, building ramps, and light housekeeping on a casual, occasional basis. Last year volunteers built 21 ramps. In addition to donations, they are supported by an annual Garden Tour, golf tournament, dinner with concert, and the Kroger Rewards Program.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH ENDOWED BENEVOLENT FUND PROJECTS continued

7. Boy Scout Troop 170 Forty boys and growing! Their active program has a major activity every month, usually camping, but always involving the three aims of Scouting: citizenship, character, and fitness. At Pumpkin Show, their winning float proudly proclaims their association with Trinity and is a positive face for us in the community. The boys have several service projects involving the church and the community, most recently collecting 1,500 canned goods. Activities are funded through troop-conducted fundraisers, such as spaghetti suppers. Troop 170 won the Philmont Scout Ranch lottery and will be privileged to send a crew of 12 scouts and adults to New Mexico for three weeks in summer 2015. Cost for this life-changing trip is $1,500 per scout. Troop 170 is officially chartered through Trinity. Nationally, more than 12% of Scouts have their first contact with a church or synagogue by joining a troop. 8. Berger Hospice Care Every member of the hospice team is dedicated to optimizing a patient’s quality of life in the comfort and safety of a homelike environment that includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They use a holistic approach to care that provides for the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families regardless of their ability to pay. The whole hospice theme includes RNs, LPNs, aides, social workers and chaplains. Hospice volunteers provide companionship, support and comfort to hospice patients and their families by running errands, cooking meals and delivering supplies and equipment. Bereavement services are provided to the patient’s family for 13 months consisting of mailings, calls and a monthly support group. This is the only not-for-profit hospice in Pickaway County. 9. Maintain Trinity Trinity has a number of missions, outreach and local groups that rely on our facility each week. The Maintain Trinity Fund was created in order to maintain our facility, replace aging equipment and provide an inviting place for these groups to carry out their work.

REGIONAL AND GLOBAL 10. Uganda H20 (Help 2 Others) The initial focus of the project was to provide fresh drinking water to a small village and school in the Lira, Uganda (Northern Uganda) area. Information regarding the needs of the area and the Alemere School was presented to Trinity members by Fr. Francis Akono, a native of the area and teacher at the school and friend of Trinity member Brenda Palm, in May 2013. Since the inception of the program, funds have been raised through sponsorship by private parties as well as from the church to begin work on the wells. Efforts to begin drilling the wells are being coordinated by the ELCA Global Mission Office and Lutheran World Federation in Kampala, Uganda. The only water source for the village is a small stream some distance from the village. Providing fresh water is only the first step in helping the residents of the village. Children need clothing, school supplies, and school scholarships as well. Sponsoring a semester of school for a child is approximately $50 to $75 and provides school supplies, fees, and a uniform. 11. h2o church at the Ohio State University Nate and Katie Dresbach (parents Patty and Norman Dresbach from Trinity) are spreading the love of Christ to students on the Ohio State University campus. Their sending organization is Great Commission Ministries (GCM), which is located in Orlando, FL. GCM is a Christian, non-denominational missions organization that mobilizes missionaries to work with local churches for the gospel. As full time missionaries, Nate and Katie have the responsibility for raising all of their own funding for GCM. The local church they work with is called h2o, which is focused on impacting the Ohio State students and community for Christ and making disciples. Currently, hundreds of students are involved at h2o and they offer a Sunday service, small groups, and many other opportunities to deepen their faith. Nate and Katie focus on sharing the gospel with unbelievers, leading a small group community on campus, and discipling students as they learn to follow Jesus. 12. Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center (an agency of the ELCA), located in Richmond, IN, is a family-focused, child-centered agency providing opportunities for the growth, development and treatment of troubled children and their families - individually, interpersonally and socially - through caring programs and healing relationships, and through best-practice programs and a variety of therapy approaches. Wernle offers residential and outpatient service for adolescents (boys and girls) aged 10-21 who exhibit significant behavioral challenges. Some are physically and sexually abused or exhibit sexually maladaptive behavior, or they may have a high level of aggression, suicidal behavior, or AWOL risk. Wernle doesn’t just clinically treat young people. They educate them, nurture them, and return them to their families.

PAGE 8 CHURCH NEWS

The Outreach Team extends a big thank you to the wonderful Trinity congregation for graciously providing so many wonderful gifts for the Red Cross Giving Tree. Every name on the tree was taken and bountiful gifts were given. Thank you for being such a caring church family! Thank you to the many hands that came together to bring a wonderful Christmas Program to our church! We are so grateful to all who faithfully attended the practices and those that helped with sets, costumes and planning. Your efforts are most appreciated!

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

Now in our 25th year of Excellence in Early Childhood

Education

Special Christmas Offering In Thanksgiving for 25 years of

Ministry of the Trinity Lutheran

Christian Preschool

As part of God’s plan to grow the faith of the people in His church, He calls us to sacrificial giving from time to time. This Special Offering is an opportunity for us to grow in our faith and to prepare us for what God wants to do through our church in 2015. Will you begin praying now about what God would have you give, over and above your regular giving, to the Special Offering? Allow God to stretch your faith!

-Pastor Gerhard

This Special Offering begins now and continues until January 31, 2015.

CONGREGATION CONNECT January 11, 2015 12:00PM

Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to connect our congregation.

Congregation Connect: This event is exactly what the name suggests. This event is to help connect the members of our congregation with one another. Congregational Life Team is asking each member of the congregation to fill out a form with their name, number, their occupation (whether still working or what they did before they retired), and a few skills and hobbies. The information will then be made into a book. The information can be a handy reference if you are starting a project (i.e. sewing, knitting, woodworking, construction around the home, etc.). A member could contact you with questions or advice that would be helpful in your project of interest. The event is on Sunday, January 11th from 12:00-2:00PM in Noecker. This will be a time where members of the congregation can get together and meet one another and finally introduce yourself. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Please fill out this form and return it to any of the designated boxes by December 28th or drop it off at the church office.

Church directories will be available for pick-up at this event!

Name:_______________________________________

Phone Number:________________________________

Line of Work:__________________________________

Skills/Hobbies:_________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

THE TRINITY NEWS December 23, 2014

EVENTS & INFORMATION

JANUARY 3rd 9:00AM - TAKING THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS DOWN We’ve enjoyed the beauty of the Christmas decorations but all too quickly January will be here and the decorations will all need to come down. Please mark your calendar and set time aside to help take down the Christmas decorations at the church on Saturday, January 3rd at 9:00AM. We appreciate a great turnout to help this go quickly.

Many hands make light work. -John Heywood

SUNDAY, January 4th & 11th 5:00PM - EXTREME FAITH (6th-8th graders)

6:00PM - CATECHISM (7th and 8th grade students) 7:15PM - GADAC (high school youth)

ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE SUNDAY, January 4th

Ministry leaders, team leaders and committee leaders please remember that Annual Reports are due on this date. You may mail a copy of your report to the church office, deliver it personally, e-mail it, or submit it on a memory stick. Either of the two latter options is preferable, if possible. Thank you!

CONGREGATION CONNECT Sunday, January 11th Noon Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to connect our congregation. See page 8 of this newsletter for more information.

ANNUAL SKI TRIP January 16-19 Please be praying for our ski trip group as they travel for their annual ski trip fellowship. The participants not only enjoy a wonderful time on the slopes but spend time in worship and devotions as they grow in their faith and deepen friendships.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, January 25 at Noon Lunch will be served. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Christmas Eve Worship SERVICES:

5:00PM - Join us for a Relaxed Family Service in the Upper Room. This ser-vice includes Holy Communion.

7:00PM & 10:00PM - Come for worship at one of Trinity’s two Traditional Christmas Eve Services in the Sanctuary, each preceded by a half hour of the music of Christmas (6:30PM & 9:30PM respectively). Holy Communion and individual candle lighting will take place at both services.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 NEW YEAR’S DAY

OFFICE CLOSED 2

6:30AM MBA 7:30PM AA mtg. N.H.

3

9:00AM Taking Decorations Down

4

SNA 5:00PM Extreme Faith 6:00PM Catechism 7:30PM GADAC

5

Preschool Resumes 10:30AM Bible Study Lunch Bunch 6:00PM Worship Team 6:30PM Troop 170

6

9:00AM Clothing Center Work Day 5:30PM B.Y. Ex. Ed. 6:00PM Admin. Team

7

10:15AM Martha Circle 4:00PM FTF Planning 7:00PM Praise Team

8

9:00AM GT Quilters 9:30AM ECH Board 9:30AM Dorcas Circle 6:30PM Handbells 7:30PM Choir

9

6:30AM MBA 7:30PM AA mtg. N.H.

10

11 EPIPHANY

Noon Congregation Connect & Lunch SNA 5:00PM Extreme Faith 6:00PM Catechism 7:30PM GADAC

12

10:30AM Bible Study Lunch Bunch 6:00PM Stewardship 6:30PM Troop 170

13

9:30 & 1:00 Preschool Chapel 11:00AM News Folders 5:30PM B.Y. Ex. Ed. 6:00PM Council

14

9:30AM Preschool Chapel 7:00pm Praise Team

15

6:30PM Handbells 7:30PM Choir

16

6:30AM MBA 7:30PM AA mtg. N.H. SKI TRIP DEPART-------

17

SKI TRIP--------------------

18

SKI TRIP--------------------

19 Martin Luther King No Preschool 10:30AM Bible Study Lunch Bunch 6:30PM Troop 170

SKI TRIP RETURN

20

5:30PM BY Ex. Ed.

21

10:00-4:00 Red Cross Blood Drive 7:00PM Praise Team

22

9:30AM Dorcas Circle 6:30PM Handbells 7:30PM Choir

23

6:30AM MBA 7:30PM AA mtg. N.H.

24

25

Noon Congregational Meeting & Lunch

26

10:30AM Bible Study Lunch Bunch 6:30PM Troop 170

27

11:00AM News Folders 5:00-8:00PM AAUW 5:30PM BY Ex. Ed 6:00PM AAUW

28

7:00PM Praise Team

29

6:30PM Handbells 7:30PM Choir

30

6:30AM MBA Noon Preschool Staff 7:30PM AA mtg. N.H.

31

7:00-11:00AM Scouts Pancake Breakfast

SERVING IN JanuarySERVING IN JanuarySERVING IN January

ALSO SERVING:

SERVING: Contemporary Service 10:30AM

SERVING: Traditional Service 8:15AM

CHURCH NEWS Page 11

DATE GREETERS USHERS serve all month

LECTOR ASSISTING MINISTER

CRUCIFER ACOLYTE COMMUNION ASSISTANT

12/7 J & J Minor Madeline Sanders Annie Williams Tom Egbert Maddie Stevenson Marcy Dudgeon serve all month

12/14 G/S Montgomery Tom Egbert Doris Young Chris Spring Jared Minor Darby Minor H Burns/L Cochrun

12/21 Carl & Ruth Rihl Mike Geron Pat Beathard Lynne Svetek Makinley Trapp Riley Minor Theresa Kerns

12/28 J & K Ewing Dennis Bothel Justin Trapp Tanner Bigam Will Bullock Judy Manes

DATE COMMUNION PREPARER

REFRESHMENTS NURSERY 8:15am

NURSERY 9:25am

NURSERY 10:30am

ALTAR GUILD

BLOOD PRESSURE

12/7 serve all month Ryan & Val Trapp Sharon Justice Barb Crist T & L Stevenson serve all month Last Sunday

12/14 Becky Roush Kim Fausnaugh Patty Truex Tina Holtz Melinda Thatcher Cindy Ferguson of the Month

12/21 Jim River Nedra Betts Tammy Hughes Valeria Trapp D Woodward No screening

12/28 Betty/Paul Atwood D & J Bothel Erin Kirby Misty Brooks in December

DATE GREETERS USHERS

LECTOR ASSISTING MINISTER

SOUND TECH EASY WORSHIP

COMMUNION ASSISTANT

12/7 Pam Buskirk John Prince Team Carolyn Seitz Ted Wyant Trevor Connell serve all month serve all month

12/14 Bruce & Vicky Cook John Prince Team Lori Brown Doris Young Eric Debo Marci Wippel Cindy Ferguson

12/21 Charles & Linda Dunkle D & M Hammel Diane Smith Matthew Fuhrhop Justin Trapp ??

12/28 Kim Fausnaugh D & M Hammel S Speakman ?? ??

TIME GREETERS USHERS

LECTOR ASSISTING MINISTER

CRUCIFER ACOLYTE COMMUNION

ASSISTANTS

5:00PM Speakman Family Speakman Family N/A Mark Ruff N/A N/A TJ & M Eveland

7:00PM Doris Young August Team Keith Connell Christine Spring Miles Dresbach Brittany Reid J Hatfield, B Roush, D Young, D Young

10:00PM Bruce & Vicky September Team Dick Fisher Jim River Kenton Dresbach M Fausnaugh B & V Cook Pam Buskirk

SERVING: Christmas Eve

May your eyes always be open to see Christ's coming, and your heart open to welcome him. May your ears be ready to hear the good news of Jesus, and your voice ready to share it. May your hands be open to receive the gifts he brings, and ready to pass on his gifts of love to others.

The generous God of love, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless your days and your deeds with peace. Amen.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Circleville OH 43113

Permit No. 127

Trinity Lutheran Church 135 E. Mound St. Circleville OH 43113

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Church directories will be available for pick up at the Congregation Connect event on January 11th, Noon - 2:00PM. Please see page 8 of this

newsletter for more information about the event.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Traditional Worship: 8:15am

Education Hour: 9:25-10:15am Contemporary Worship: 10:30am

Senior Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Gerhard W. Kraus

cell: 513 293-4841 prgerhard@earthlink.net Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend John Mittermaier D.D.

Preschool Director: Nancy Harrow

Youth & Family Ministries Director: Tim Stevenson

Children & Family Ministries Director: Marisha Eveland Contemporary Worship Director: Liz Young

Organ/Keyboard: Diane Smith and Liz Young

Choir and Hand Bells Director: Larry Jeffers, Jr.

Administrative Associate: Theresa Weller

E-mail: roundtownlutheran@yahoo.com

Church Phone: 740-474-3151 Fax: 740-474-4268 Preschool Phone: 740-474-9870

Web Site: www.trinitylutherancville.org

CHRISTIAN COUNSELING AVAILABLE AT TRINITY Dr. Nina Helene has been counseling individuals, couples and families for over 25 years and has provided counseling to Trinity members and Circleville area residents for nearly 15 years. Dr. Helene holds her sessions at Trinity in a private, convenient location that protects client confidentiality. You may find out more about her practice and background and Cornerstone Family Services at http://www.cstoneohio.org/. Please call 614-906-6609 to speak to Dr. Helene or to schedule an appointment.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Would you like to volunteer with blood pressure screening the last Sunday of the month approximately twice a year? Next year we are planning to do screening in the parlor between services. Anyone willing to volunteer may contact Tina Holtz at 497-2687 or e-mail Tina at tlh1102@columbus.rr.com.

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS WEDNESDAY, December 10 Mid-week Advent: 22

SUNDAY, December 14: Christian Education Hour: Children: 9

Worship: (8:15) 106 (10:30) 133 = 239 Total WEDNESDAY, December 10 Mid-week Advent: 21

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21: Christian Education Hour: Children: 9

Worship: (8:15) 111 (10:30) 122 = 233 Total