12-15-2024

Third Sunday in Advent

Announcements: December 15, 2024

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Third Sunday in Advent on December 15, 2024

Zeph. 3:14-20 Phil. 4:4-7

Luke 7:18-28 (29-35) Messengers from John the Baptist

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers[a] are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus[b] began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Prayer List

Cancer:

Dannie Stephens

Vicki Stephens

Lynn Shawley (mother of Deron Shawley)

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

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. 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)

Mon., Dec. 16 8:30 am Preschool

12:30 pm Preschool

Tues., Dec. 17 7:00 am Early Risers in FH (Creston)

8:30 am Preschool

12:30 pm Preschool

6:00 pm Bible Study in Mt. Ayr

Boards & Council are not meeting tonight.

Wed., Dec. 18 8:30 am Preschool

12:30 pm Preschool

6:00 pm Advent meal in Creston Hosted by LWML.

7:00 pm Advent Service in Creston

Thurs., Dec. 19 8:30 am Bible Class

9:45 am Preschool Chapel

12:30 pm Preschool

1:45 pm Preschool Chapel

Sun., Dec. 22 Fourth Sunday in Advent

8:00 am Bible Class in Creston

9:00 am Divine Service/HC

10:00 am Fellowship time in Mt. Ayr & Creston

10:15 am Sunday School in Creston

11:00 am Divine Service in Mt. Ayr

Attendance from last Sunday, December 8, 2024

Creston 64 Communed 57

Mt. Ayr 14

From Dec. 11 Advent service in Mt. Ayr 30

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 15, 2024

Accompanists (CR) Sharon Eklund (MA) Greg Storhoff

Ushers in December: (CR) Ed Booth, Kevin Kruse, and Dean Hadley

Acolytes: Lydia Williams and Londynn Means

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.

Portals of Prayer for Jan.-Mar. are available in the back of the church this morning. These are excellent home devotion readings.

Offering Envelopes for 2025 have been placed in the church mailboxes. Reminder to pick your box up if you haven’t already.

Special thanks to the children for their help in presenting the message of Christmas during the service this morning.

Invitation: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 800 17th St. in Corning, is hosting a Community Christmas Sing Along today, December 15 beginning at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome!

Food & Fellowhip: Tonight, 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Bring a snack to share and come and play games.

Deadline for Giving Tree: Wednesday, Dec. 18 is the deadline for bringing hats, gloves, socks and/or food items before items will be delivered to local pantries.

Midweek Advent Meal & Advent Service will be held in Creston this Wednesday, December 18 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Soups will be provided. A sign up sheet for furnishing crackers, rolls, sides, or desserts is found on the table in the narthex.

The Advent Service will follow at 7:00.

Birthday Celebration: Next Sunday, Dec. 22, Jack Quee will be turning 90 years young! His family is hosting a card shower for him and will have cake in his honor during fellowship time following the service on the 22nd. All are invited to stay and celebrate. If you’d like to mail a card his address is:

Jack Quee 2306 190th St. Afton, IA 50830

Maggie Dory will be having open heart surgery on January 6th. Prayers would be appreciated as she anxiously and apprehensively awaits this procedure. If you'd like to send her and Dave a Christmas card and/or Maggie a card, their address is: 1025 W. Nobes Rd. York, NE. 68467

Upcoming Schedule for Special Services and Activities

Dec. 18 6:00 pm Advent 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 2:00 pm Closing Service for Mt. Ayr site

Dec. 31 7:00 pm New Year’s Eve Service in Creston

Jan. 5 8:30 a.m. Bible Class and Sunday School

Jan. 5 9:30 a.m. Divine Service

Beginning January 5, 2025 Note New Schedule

8:30 a.m. Bible Class and Sunday School

9:30 a.m. Divine Service/HC

Fellowship time following the service.

Building Healthy Families: This time of the year finds many of so busy shopping, wrapping, baking, hosting parties, attending concerts…you know the list! While these activities aren’t bad, let this be your friendly reminder to slow down, be still, and not miss the reason we celebrate. Refocus if you need to! “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 Lutheran Family Service www.LutheranFamilyService.org