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TRINITY TOGETHER Trinity Lutheran Church

357 West Main Street Kutztown, Pennsylvania 19530

December 2017 Interim Pastor: The Rev. David Strobel 610-682-4353 david.strobel@me.com Director of Youth & Family Ministry: Seth Noggle 570-529-2325 Seth.noggle@gmail.com Editor/Administrative Assistant: Lisa Finke 610-683-3450 Office@trinitykutztown.com

Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Website: www.trinitykutztown.com

Our Mission Statement

Telling others of God’s unconditional love through worship; Empowering discipleship through education;

Leading others to this family of Faith as baptized believers; Calling all to follow Jesus’ example of servanthood.

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Scrapings and Parings Advent again! The ever-circling cycles of time have brought us again to the beginning of a new church-year. And, just as in our celebration of the calendar New Year, we reflect on where we’ve been and anticipate where we shall be going, full of hope and expectation. For Trinity, the old year, the year past, was one of dramatic change. A beloved pastor retires; the congregation settles-in to the new reality of a pastoral vacancy; an old war-horse, retired bishop fills just a few of the gaps in the interim; the call committee awaits candidates to interview. All the while in the year past, we have followed Jesus with St. Matthew, the Evangelist, as our guide, making our pilgrimage on the same paths we travel each church year from Advent to Christ the King, but having heard afresh from Matthew the old, old story of Jesus and his love. The gospel in the midst of change: a special message for Trinity last year, to be sure, but still the gospel of Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.” (Hebrews 13:8) Advent again! I find the poetry of T. S. Eliot in his Four Quartets so appropriate.

“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." (Little Gidding)

“Another voice”: as Trinity goes through the call process, that phrase has a particular and very special meaning. A new pastor called and installed, with a new voice to lead the congregation in making a new beginning – a genuine and realistic hope for the new church year. However the call process works itself out, there will be another voice for next year’s words. St. Mark, the Evangelist, will be our guide in following and learning from Jesus in the church year to come. Mark will introduce us to his distinctive Jesus, the Christ, the anointed one. He is at the same time the Son of God and the Son of man. Again and again, Jesus demands that no one announce who he truly is: this is the Markan secret. He will be fully revealed as the King of Creation in his suffering, death and resurrection. Advent again! It is an end and a beginning: a new church year to explore with St. Mark as our guide. Once again T. S. Eliot:

“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.” (Little Gidding)

Advent again! Pastor David Strobel

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Schedule & Volunteers

LAY READERS: Dec 3 8:00 AM Michele Zimmerman 10:15 AM Kris Tuerk Dec 10 9:00 AM Sue Mangold Dec 17 8:00 AM Kevin Stump 10:15 AM Bob Hobaugh Dec 24 9:00 AM to be determined 5:00 PM to be determined 7:30 PM Andrea Orwig Dec 31 9:00 AM to be determined

ACOLYTES: Dec 3 8:00 AM Elena Graff & Colin Pape 10:15 AM Rachel Hoffman & Alyssa Heffelfinger Dec 10 9:00 AM Jarrett Noecker Dec 17 8:00 AM Elena Graff & Will DeVall 10:15 AM Taylor Greenawalt & Justin Diehl Dec 24 9:00 AM Rachel Hoffman & Jarrett Noecker 5:00 PM Alyssa Heffelfinger & Justin Diehl 7:30 PM Colin Pape & Aidan Pape Dec 31 9:00 AM Kendall DeVall & Will DeVall

USHERS: Dec 3 8:00 AM Volunteers 10:15 AM Jim & Andrea Orwig Dec 10 9:00 AM Michele Zimmerman & Linda Geiring Dec 17 8:00 AM Volunteers 10:15 AM Trevor & Tracey Greenawalt Dec 24 9:00 AM Volunteers 5:00 PM Michele Dugan 7:30 PM The Esser Family Dec 31 9:00 AM Volunteers

COMMUNION USHERS: Dec 3 8:00 AM Richard Miller 10:15 AM Tina Billig & Kurt Rohrbach Dec 10 9:00 AM No Communion Dec 17 8:00 AM Randy Heffner & Marsha Hoyer 10:15 AM Karen Raudenbush Dec 24 9:00 AM No Communion 5:00 PM No Communion 7:30 PM to be determined Dec 31 9:00 AM No Communion ALTAR COMMITTEE: Nancy Hildenbrand &

Melanie Wessner

FLOWER CHAIRPERSON: Nancy Hildenbrand BIBLE STUDY: Every Wednesday at 10:00 AM

IMPORTANT DATES: Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent Advent Wreath Celebration Dec 10 Second Sunday of Advent Phase I Congregational Meeting Dec 17 Third Sunday of Advent Dec 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Year’s Eve

Christmas Eve Ushers Needed We are in need of 3 volunteers to usher at the 5:00 PM service on Christmas Eve. If interested, please contact Lisa in the church office at office@trinitykutztown.com or 610-683-3450.

Upcoming Newsletter Deadlines Because of the holidays the deadline for the

January newsletter has been moved up.

January Newsletter Deadline December 11

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I wanted to ask

everyone a favor for

Sunday mornings. If

you have any questions

or concerns for me

about the Sunday

services or want to add someone to the prayer

list please feel free to ask me. However, if you

have something else…an article for the

newsletter, a question about an upcoming

event, etc….please send me an email, leave a

note on my desk, or call and I will address those

questions on Monday morning. I would like to

spend Sunday mornings attending worship,

holding Teddy, listening to Cassidy sing a song,

and catching up with everyone else. Thank you

for your consideration in this matter.

Congregational Meetings

Phase I Congregational Meeting

December 10th, 2017

This meeting will be to elect new Council

members and to approve the 2017 Budget.

There will only be one service that day at 9:00

AM and the meeting will be held immediately

after the service in the sanctuary.

Phase II Congregational Meeting

January 28th, 2018

This meeting will be to review 2017 Committee

reports. There will only be one service that day

at 9:00 AM and the meeting in conjunction with

a covered dish brunch will take place

immediately after the service in the Fellowship

Hall. A sign-up sheet for the brunch will be on

the office door closer to the meeting day.

Student Food Pantry at KU Thank you to everyone who has contributed

time, groceries, and cash donations to this

ministry. This pantry which is a satellite of

Friend, Inc. started up for the new school year

on August 30th and it has been a busy year so

far. If you would like to contribute food items

please see the list below…

Peanut Butter Juice

Miscellaneous Snacks Crackers

Knorr Side Dish Packets Cereal

Instant Potato Packets Breakfast Bars

Toiletries Mac ‘n Cheese

Soup Tuna

Canned Fruits & Veggies Pasta

There is a box outside of the Parlor to put the

items in. If you have any questions, please

contact the church office.

Hope’s Table Trinity will be organizing several meals at Hope

Lutheran Church in Reading. The date for the

next meal is December 26th, and we would like

your help to serve food at this meal. The time

involved would be approximately 4:30 PM to 7

PM that night. If you would like to help out

please speak with the church office.

Interested in making one-time or ongoing contributions from your own home? You can now do this online! Just go to the church’s website

(www.trinitykutztown.com) and look in the sidebar on the left…the link is near the bottom. If you have any questions please call the church office at 610-683-3450.

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Looking ahead to the Christmas season: We will be decorating the sanctuary on

Saturday, Dec. 9th at 9:00 a.m. and the

Christmas tree on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 9:00

a.m. Please join us!

Your help is always appreciated to prepare for

the holiday season.

ELCA Youth Gathering: Houston, Texas June 27th-July 1st (Wednesday-Sunday) The Youth Gathering is only every 3 years and is done by the ELCA Lutheran synod. This is a huge nationwide church event, and is an amazing time. There are speakers, a mission element, a lot of activities, and chances to meet thousands of other High school students from all over the US. The cost will be $195, but then we'll all be tasked to raise the rest of the money which will help cover hotel and plane costs. This is a once in a life time opportunity, and I hope you all consider going.

I need to know if you are able to come to

this along with the 195 dollars no later than

February 15th!

Friend, Inc.

Holiday Boxes Once again we will be

participating in the

Holiday Box Project that Friend, Inc. has every

Christmas season. Below is a list of items that

can be purchased for each box but this is a

general guideline so if there is something you

would like to substitute or add please feel free.

Each family will receive a turkey along with the

box. Also, if you would like to decorate the box

or add the name of the organization that

prepared the box you are encouraged to do so.

Items that can be included are as follows:

2 CANS OF SWEET POTATOES 2 CANS OF CRANBERRY SAUCE

2 CANS OF DIFFERENT VEGETABLES LARGE CAN OF FRUIT JUICE

BOX OR BAG OF STUFFING MIX BAG OF APPLES (may substitute

applesauce) BAG OF POTATOES (may substitute canned

potatoes or mashed potatoes) CAN OF FRUIT COCKTAIL

COOKIES 1 CAN OF COFFEE OR COCOA

HOLIDAY NAPKINS

Christmas boxes need to be delivered to Trinity by December 10th Volunteers will take the boxes to Friend, Inc. for

distribution.

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The Adult Sunday

School Class

welcomes you to join

us in enjoying “Faith

in Action,” a program

that explores how

God empowers ordinary people to live actively

in faith for doing good in the world. Martin

Luther pointed out that where there is active

faith there is love for the neighbor. We will

read extensively from the books of Daniel,

James, the Acts of the Apostles, together with

Paul’s Letters to the Ephesians and Timothy.

We will find that our acts of stewardship in the

world are proof of faith because love for

neighbor flows from faith and through faith we

accept God’s grace. We will rediscover that

grace and faith come from God and that we as

faith actors must never think that those who

perform many acts are more faithful than those

who perform fewer acts. Rev. Jeanette Bialas

Strandjord, a retired ELCA pastor, has written

this study to help us to recognize how God

empowers us to do good in the world. Please

join us Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the

Library for conversation, coffee and fellowship.

Christmas Caroling at

Cabela's in Hamburg

for singers and

instruments Saturday

Dec. 16th from 2:00 to

4:00 pm. Join with

carolers from Zion

Lutheran Church,

Shoemakersville.

Please contact Bruce Rohrbach now to confirm

your attendance and pick up music.

Instrumentalists for

Christmas Eve

Willing to play an instrument for services

Christmas Eve? Please see Bruce Rohrbach now

for the music. We'll play December 24th for a

hymn at 9:00 am; 4:30 to 5:00 pm preludes for

the early service; and 7:00 to 7:30 pm preludes

for the late service. All instruments are

welcome.

Usher Coordinator Needed

There are many Trinity members who are

willing to serve as an usher and the Worship

Life Team wishes to thank you for your service.

We would be grateful if we could find someone

to serve as usher coordinator. This would

involve devising an usher schedule for the 10:15

and holiday services. If you would prayerfully

consider volunteering for this task, we would

appreciate your willingness to serve. Please

contact the church office to volunteer and if you

have questions regarding this ministry.

Open & Close on Sunday Mornings

We are looking for a few people

to open and close the church on Sunday

mornings. If we had four different people to

open in the morning and then four different

people to close that would be great. A checklist

has been created for anyone interested and

hands-on instruction would be provided if

needed. Please see the church office if

interested.

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Kutztown Community Choir

Christmas Choral Concert

The Kutztown Community Choir will present

their annual Christmas concert on Sunday,

December 10 at 3:00 PM, at Trinity Lutheran

Church, 357 W. Main St., Kutztown. This year’s

concert will include a wonderful collection of

cherished holiday music that runs the gamut of

festive, fun, and inspirational seasonal favorites.

Featured pieces include Christmas Day by

Hoist, Almost There by Amy Grant & Michael

W. Smith, Christmas Is the Best Time of Year, a

medley of Christmas standards, the joyous

Christmas spiritual We're Goin' Up to Bethlehem

and Echoes of the Season arranged by well-

known local composer Carl Nygard. And in

what has become an audience favorite, the

concert will once again conclude with the

Hallelujah chorus, from Händel’s Messiah, in

which the audience is invited to join the

chorus. There will be a reception with light

refreshments following the program and an art

show featuring the local artists of Art in the

Afternoon. The annual Christmas Concert has

become a treasured tradition in our town, one

that affords the community a time to come

together and enjoy the sounds and spirit of the

holiday season. Please plan on joining us for an

afternoon that is sure to delight.

“The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”

—Helen Keller

Advent Wreath Celebration

This year we’ll be having a

special family event at Trinity…an advent wreath-creating session ending with lighting the first candle in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity. This will be held on Sunday, December 3rd starting at 5:00 PM. We will have a meal to start off the evening. Then following the meal we will have craft projects for the whole family, warm drinks and snacks along with some Christmas carols and a time to reflect on our Advent season. We are asking everyone coming to bring their favorite Christmas cookie/dessert to share with the group. If you have greens (pine, boxwood, holly, etc.) to donate for the wreath making please speak with Seth or Lisa. This will be a great time of fellowship and fun, and we hope that you take time to join us!

Christmas Shoppe

Are there items in your house that you have purchased or have been given as gifts but are still unopened? We are collecting those items to create a Christmas Shoppe in our Fellowship Hall to give those who struggle during the holiday season a chance to shop for their friends and family. You can bring in any new unopened items you have to the church office to add to our “inventory”. We will also be needing people to help wrap presents, etc., when the Shoppe is open. The Shoppe will be open… Friday, December 15th from 6 to 8 PM Saturday, December 16th from 9 AM to

Noon Proceeds from this will go to the Helping Hand Fund. If you have any questions about what types of things are being collected or how to help out, you can contact Valarie Kutz at 610-790-5911.

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Ringing the Salvation Army

Bell Throughout the year, Friend, Inc.,

as a Salvation Army Service Unit, distributes thousands of dollars to local families that are in danger of getting evicted, or having their heat or power shut off. Our kettle, set up at various locations brings in funds that directly go to these needs. We need your help to keep volunteers ringing the bell during the holiday season. The following is the schedule and locations for this year… Dec. 1st & 2nd Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown Dec. 8th & 9th Boyer’s in Fleetwood Dec. 15th & 16th CVS Mall in Kutztown Dec. 22nd & 23rd CVS Mall in Kutztown If you would like to help out, please contact Pastor Dennis Ritter at 484-529-7801. Thank you in advance for your help.

We have received the

following contributions to

the Memorial Fund…

In memory of William J. Boyer, Jr.

Robert Moyer & Cynthia Kohler

Debra & James Kohler

In memory of Cliff Salvesen

Erma Bond & Leonard Dietrich

Holiday Senior Luncheon

Save the date! We will be holding our annual

holiday Senior Luncheon on Wednesday,

December 6th at 11:30 AM. The menu is

shepherd’s pie! A sign-up sheet is on the office

door. Hope to see you there!

Christmas Eve Schedule

9:00 AM Worship Service

5:00 PM “Because Christmas” Service

7:30 PM Christmas Eve Celebration Service

with Holy Communion

We hope you are able to join us for this joyous

time of year!

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