12-08-2024
Second Sunday in Advent
Announcements: December 8, 2024
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Second Sunday in Advent on December 8, 2024
Malachi 3:1-7b Philippians 1:2-11
Luke 3: 1-14 (15-20) John the Baptist Prepares the Way
3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics[b] is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Prayer List
Cancer:
Dannie Stephens
Vicki Stephens
Lynn Shawley (mother of Deron Shawley)
Bob Sickels (father of Mike Sickels)
On-going health concerns, Hospitalized, or Surgery/Recovery:
Dona Bowman (member)
Mark Andresen (nephew of Dennis & Jean Foglesong)
Dick Stream (brother of Cindy Isdahl)
Kevin Larsen (brother of Mark Larsen)
John Needles (friend of Mitzie Cellan)
Anna Needles (friend of Mitzie Cellan)
Martin Herzberg (son of Bruce and Beth Herzberg)
Don Harris (brother-in-law of Mitzie Cellan)
Sharyn Harris (sister of Mitzie Cellan)
Javier Solis Saldana
Paul Stone (friend of Storhoffs)
Shut-ins: Clara Buchanan, Ellen Brown
Military:
Kyle Marchok (husband of Lola Hembry’s granddaughter)
Missions:
Trinity Preschool (Creston)
Concordia Mission Society
Pastor James and Christel Neuendorf (Puerto Rico)
Pastor Daniel Vogel (Denison Hispanic Ministry)
Pastor James and Angela Sharp and Family (Uruguay)
Pastor Stephen and Maggie Oliver and Family (Taiwan)
Life Care Clinic, (Stuart, Creston & Atlantic)
This Week at Trinity
Sun., Dec. 8 Second Sunday in Advent
8:00 am Bible Class in Creston
9:00 am Divine Service/HC in Creston
10:00 am Hanging of the Greens in Creston
10:00 am Fellowship time in Mt. Ayr
10:15 am Sunday School in Creston
11:00 am Divine Service in Mt. Ayr
2:00 pm Preschool Board Meeting in FH (CR)
5:00 pm Rachel Circle Christmas at Anita
Wardenburg’s house
Mon., Dec. 9 FH (CR) in use all day by LifeLine Screening
8:30 am Preschool
12:30 pm Preschool
Tues., Dec. 10 7:00 am Early Risers in FH (Creston)
8:30 am Preschool
12:30 pm Preschool
Wed., Dec. 11 8:30 am Preschool
12:30 pm Preschool
5:00 pm FLOCK in FH (CR)
6:00 pm Advent meal in Mt. Ayr
Bring a salad or dessert to share.
7:00 pm Advent Service in Mt. Ayr
Elders’ Mtg. in Mt. Ayr following the service
Thurs., Dec. 12 8:30 am Preschool
9:45 am Preschool Chapel
12:30 pm Preschool
1:45 pm Preschool Chapel
Sun., Dec. 15 Third Sunday in Advent
8:00 am Bible Class in Creston
9:00 am Divine Service/Message by children (CR)
10:00 am Fellowship time in Mt. Ayr & Creston
10:15 am Sunday School in Creston
11:00 am Divine Service/HC in Mt. Ayr
6:00 pm Food & Fellowship in FH (CR)
Attendance from last Sunday, December 1, 2024
Creston 72
Mt. Ayr 14 Communed 14
From Wednesday, December 4 Advent Service 27
When writing down names on the attendance side of the attendance cards, remember to include any children who are attending church with you.
Serving at Trinity on Sunday, December 8, 2024
Accompanists (CR) Sharon Eklund (MA) Greg Storhoff
Ushers in December: (CR) Ed Booth, Kevin Kruse, and Dean Hadley
Acolytes: Bethany Isdahl and Wyatt Swanson
Elder of the month for December: (CR) Dean Hadley (MA) Doug Gooding
Finance Team in December: Dennis Brown & Joyce Kruse
Altar Guild for December: Tracy & Ed Booth
LIFE TOGETHER
VISITORS: We are so glad you joined us today. We do collect offerings during our worship services. While we
believe this is a chance for each believer to be a good steward of the gifts they have received from God, you are welcome but not expected to give an offering while you are our guest. If you would like to learn more about the Lord’s ministry here at Trinity please call Pastor Rutz.
He would love to get acquainted and visit at a time that is convenient for you. You are also invited to join members in the fellowship hall after the 9:00 service or prior to the 11:00 service for a time of fellowship.
Attendance Cards: Visitors and members are asked to fill out an attendance card and to list names of each family member in attendance. Turn in your card at the back of the church at the end of the service.
On Sundays when there is Holy Communion please list the names of those who will be communing on the Holy Communion registration side of the card. Hand it to an usher as you go up for communion.
If you have moved or your phone number or email address have changed, please note any changes on the attendance card so that we can update our records in the office.
Weekly bulletins, announcements, and sermons continue
to be available on the church website.
Children in the Divine Service Sheets are available from the basket in the back of the church. Parents are encouraged to read these to/with their children. Each week will have a short explanation of a different part of the church service or about something found in the church. They another way to aid parents in teaching their children.
Invitation: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 800 17th St. in Corning, is hosting a Community Christmas Sing Along next Sunday, December 15 beginning at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome!
Giving Tree: Naomi Circle set up a “GIVING TREE” in the narthex to run through mid-December. Please bring hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, socks, etc. to decorate the tree and non-perishable gifts to put under the tree for local food pantries.
Offering Envelopes for 2025 have been placed in the church mailboxes. Reminder to pick your box up if you haven’t already.
Hanging of the Greens in Creston Today, December 8, following the Divine Service. With lots of helpful hands, the work will go more quickly.
Rachel Circle Christmas will be held this evening, Sunday, Dec. 8, at Anita Wardenburg’s house beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Schedule for Special Services and Activities
Dec. 8 Hanging of the Greens in Creston after church
Dec. 8 5:00 p.m. Rachel Circle Christmas at Anita
Wardenburg’s House
Dec. 11 1:30 pm Naomi Circle in FH (CR)
Dec. 11 5:00 pm FLOCK in Creston
Dec. 11 6:00 pm Supper in Mt. Ayr
Please bring a salad or dessert to share.
Dec. 11 7:00 pm Advent Service in Mt. Ayr
Elders’ Meeting following service in Mt. Ayr
Dec. 15 Children’s Program during Divine Service CR
Dec. 18 6:00 pm Supper hosted by LWML in Creston
Dec. 18 7:00 pm Advent Service in Creston
Dec. 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service in Mt. Ayr
Dec. 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service in Creston
Dec. 25 9:00 am Christmas Day Service/HC in Creston
Dec. 29 No morning service in Mt. Ayr on 29th
Dec. 29 Time TBA Closing Service for Mt. Ayr site
Dec. 31 7:00 pm New Year’s Eve Service in Creston
Fellowship Hall will be in use all day tomorrow, Dec. 9 by Life Line Screening. If you are interested in information about it, pick up a flyer from the table in the narthex.
Naomi Circle will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 11, in the fellowship hall. The lesion will be p. 7 in the Fall Quarterly, “A Reason to Celebrate.”
Midweek Advent Meal Advent Service will be held in Mt. Ayr this Wednesday, December 11 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Advent Service will follow at 7:00.
Elders’ Meeting will be held following the service.
Cards for Preschool Families: You are invited to share the love of Jesus with the Preschool families this Christmas season by giving each family a Christmas card. There are 25 families and 2 teachers (Mrs. Brown & Mrs. Holste). Keep your cards grouped together somehow, with a bag or rubber band perhaps, and place them in the designated container in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions speak with Alexis Swanson. Deadline for bringing cards is next Sunday, Dec. 15.
Building Healthy Families: As you prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth with your family, remember those who struggle. Lutheran Family Service is here as a uniquely Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod mission to help those in need as an extension of our church’s ministry all year long. No government dollars are used in order to keep its Christ-centered focus. Your partnership gift given before December 31 through the “We’re All in this Together” year-end giving appeal will make it possible for someone to receive help regardless of their ability to cover the cost of the care they need. Make your gift today online at https://lutheranfamilyservice.networkforgood.com/ or by mail to your closest LFS office or the LFS administrative office at 409 Kenyon Road, Suite C, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. We’re In This Together! Lutheran Family Service www.LutheranFamilyService.org