A Word or Two …

by Pastor Mark

As I look at the news, sometimes I think that they are doing the best

The Trumpet December, 2013 Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA 235 East 7th Street, Blue Earth, MN The mission of Trinity Lutheran Church, as God’s chosen and baptized people, nurtured by word and sacrament, is to live for others boldly sharing the good news of Christ; using all the gifts we have been given.

The King Is Born His name shall be Jesus

Come and Worship Him with Songs of Praise and Adoration!!!

All Services on Sunday Mornings are at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday, December 1st First Sunday in Advent with Communion Sunday, December 8th Choir and Hand Bell Festival of Music

Sunday, December 15th Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 22nd Worship with Holy Communion

Tuesday, December 24th Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. with Holy Communion

Sunday, December 29th Worship at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

A Word or Two

From Pastor Mark

The other day I was talking with a young lady who belongs to a religious group that doesn’t believe in celebrating Christmas. She informed me that Christmas used to be a pagan celebration, so that’s why it isn’t a good thing. Since she was at work, I couldn’t get into a discussion with her about this, but I will if I can at a later date. In the meantime, perhaps you, too, have heard this about Christmas, and I thought I might shed some light on why it is mistaken. Back in the days of the early church, Jesus’ birth was not celebrated at first. Christians were too busy with their greatest festival, Easter, the Resurrection of the Lord. However, with time a number of people felt that it was only right to mark the Savior’s birth, since without that we couldn’t have Easter. The problem was that the exact date was unknown. Searching around for a good time to celebrate, believers noted that the Romans really partied on December 25th, the Festival of the Invincible Sun God. Sun worship was very popular, so this was a key date in the year for the Roman Empire. Then it came to them: why not counteract Sun worship with “Son” worship! If they held Christmas on December 25th, Christians could offer an alternative to the raucous (and often immoral) Sun god activities, which would have the added advantage of giving new converts something to do on the day they had formerly observed as a pagan holiday. The Christian church as a whole agreed, and December 25th as Christmas is mentioned for the

first time in documents from 336 A.D. The point is this: Christmas was never a pagan holiday. It was cleverly designed to oppose one, and it worked. It quickly became a popular time to feast, share gifts as tokens of the gift of Jesus Christ, and help the poor. Unfortunately, it would have been more accurate if my young friend had said that Christmas has turned into a pagan holiday. That would be closer to the truth, since out-of-control spending, commercialism, and over-drinking have made it into anything but a celebration of Jesus for many. Nevertheless, it still remains a wonderful alternative to the materialism, worry, and sadness all around us. Just like those early Christians, we celebrate something that will not fade away after the tinsel comes down and the credit cards come due. Rather, we celebrate someone: the Prince of Peace. That’s what makes Christmas a good thing, indeed.

Betrinity.com This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported Trinity Lutheran this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to

make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit

the betrinity.com website. Forms are also available for Simply Giving® -- an automatic deduction from your checking or savings account that you can designate for the General Fund or the Building Fund. Contact Donna in the church office for more information.

On Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, we welcomed three family units into the Trinity family. Vanessa Bromeland: (wife of Ryan) has two sons and is expecting her third child any day. Vanessa owns and manages Curves in Blue Earth and Secure Office Solutions (an office and bookkeeping business). Jeremy and Maria Frank and their children Reyes and Lulu. Jeremy is employed at Seneca. Maria works part-time at Walmart in Fairmont. Dick and Darlene Mair: Dick has retired after 37 years in the Huntley Bank. Darlene has been involved in various volunteer positions, including 20+ years on the UHD Hospital Auxiliary.

Trinity Lutheran Church Women will meet on Thursday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place. Reminder -- TLCW will not be meeting in January, February nor March

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

– NOVEMBER 2013 $450.00 has been given for Sunday School stewardship through the end of October. For 2nd Term, each grade and room will have a drawing once a month for attendance; a prize will be given. Many businesses in town donated the prizes. Kim arranged for junior and senior youth to “Trick or Eat” and they collected 442 items for the food shelf. 35 youth attended a junior high lock-in supervised by the senior high youth. Care packages to go out to recently graduated seniors. On Dec 4th, the kids will be buying gifts for the Giving Tree.

Donations continue to be received for the screen/projector project. There will be a live band at the Children’s Christmas Program on December 15th. Tornado Shelter sign has been ordered. All fire extinguishers have been checked. Uneven sidewalks have been checked and marked. New members received November 10th. Eucharistic ministers met for their yearly meeting. Nominating Committee did a great job with nominations for Council positions, a full update of future members will be given in December. ELCA Model Constitution has been fully reviewed by Council.

Complete copy of minutes is available

on the display rack outside the office.

Reminder: Contributions must be postmarked before Dec 31 to be included on your 2012 statement. Offering envelopes for 2014 are on a table in the back of the sanctuary.

Faith and Life Bible study is a “no-threat” gathering of folks who love God’s word and want to know more about it and how it affects their lives. It meets Tuesday nights 6:30-8:00, and

Wednesday mornings 9:45-11:15 (same content at both) in the Gathering Place. Some people go every week, others once in a while. You can read and discuss, or just sit there and say nothing. And there are refreshments every week. Right now Faith and Life is in First and Second Corinthians. The church in Corinth was new to the faith. Many of the members were former pagans who lived wildly before meeting the Savior. Corinth itself was known for its many bars and huge ritual prostitution business, catering to the sailors and diplomatic personnel that spent time there. So notorious was it that a verb was spawned: to “corinthianize,” which meant to live a wild life (similar to sodomize being based on Sodom and Gomorrah). Consequently, the church in Corinth had to work out some issues as Paul tried to teach them a better way to live. We will see how Paul guides and disciplines this “bad boy” church, and learn much for our own walk with Christ. Try Faith and Life this week!

M A I L

Would you like to send greetings to our college students,

home bound members or those in the military? Stop in the church office for a list of addresses. And a reminder: Pastor Mark and Lynn Wilms receive their mail at: P.O. Box 192 Blue Earth, MN 56013

To The Family of Trinity:

May you have the gift of May you have the gift of May you have the gift of May you have the gift of Faith,Faith,Faith,Faith,

The blessing of Hope,The blessing of Hope,The blessing of Hope,The blessing of Hope, And the peace of His Love.And the peace of His Love.And the peace of His Love.And the peace of His Love. At Christmas and always.At Christmas and always.At Christmas and always.At Christmas and always.

The Trinity Staff

Cindy Donna Cindy Donna Cindy Donna Cindy Donna Kevin KimKevin KimKevin KimKevin Kim Pastor MarkPastor MarkPastor MarkPastor Mark and Lynnand Lynnand Lynnand Lynn

Listed below are birthdays of members in the church active data base. If there is an addition or correction, please call the church office (526-3463). Dec 1 – Simon Holland, Don Mueller, Judy Orvedal 2 – Troy Stindtman 3 – Tom Bromeland, Bonnie Gartzke, Todd Hanevik, Peggy Surratt 4 – Ann Ekse, Brian Knutson 5 – Scott Determan, Bud Schwab 6 – Pam Berndt, Kathy Johnson Deb Olson, Cali Teems 7 – Lois Willmert 8 – Lane Casey, Ray Hornke, Thomas Lindsey, Paul Peterson 9 – Kendall Surratt 10 – Jenna Hansen, Becky Jacobs, Phoebe Loge Louise Martig 11 – Katelyn Frahm 12 – Mary Amundson, Kevin Benson, Karli Olsen 13 – Emily Johnson, Barb Rame, Jan Volkenant 14 – Ray Rhoda, Jennifer Smith, Rhionna Weerts 15 – Donna Anderson, Carole Haugen, Gavin Hledik, Greg Keebaugh 16 – Riley Anderson 17 – Cassandra Hagedorn 18 – David Amundson, Jan Baker, Ronda Hanke, Jan Sohn 19 – Becky Benson, Lauren Schavey, Ella Schmidtke, Danika Stindtman 20 – Joan Rustad-Huisman, Keri (Werth) McGregor

21 – Sue Cassens, Jerry Sonich 22 – Travis Hagedorn, Hanna Knudtson, Donna Perryman 23 – Seth Holland, Matthew Meier 24 – Chandler Kienitz, Stephanie (Erichsrud) Stine 26 – Jacob Dikken, Rodney Peterson, Ashley Skaden, Harley Willmert 27 – Tasha Cartwright, Shriley Hannaman 28 – Berit Amundson, Nancy Bohling, Jeff Eckles, Marilyn Olson 29 – Ryan Bromeland, Sable Fuller, Jared Resutek, Carey Weber 30 – Craig Hougen, Maria Lindberg, Clarann Sayre, Wes Skaden, Les Wiborg, Kyle Zierke 31 – Cristine Schug, Bryce Wirth

Gift Ideas

Stumped about a gift to the person who has ‘everything’?!? How about a donation to these funds at Trinity Lutheran Church: line of credit reduction, screens/projectors, Endowment, Scholarship. Or a gift to a local charity. Or a gift to the ELCW “Good Gifts” (on-line at ELCA.com). Or a gift for disaster relief through Lutheran World Relief.

Hope

Peace

Joy

Love

December 8:30 Tom Bromeland Darwin Olson, Perry Olson Matt Dikken

10:45 Dave Pirsig, Bill Rotterman Harley Willmert, David Lein

General Church e-mail

Trinity@bevcomm.net Donna Perryman, Office Admin.

Rev. Dr. Mark F. WilmsRev. Dr. Mark F. WilmsRev. Dr. Mark F. WilmsRev. Dr. Mark F. Wilms Pastormark@bevcomm.net Lynn Wilms, MusicLynn Wilms, MusicLynn Wilms, MusicLynn Wilms, Music And Worship DeveloperAnd Worship DeveloperAnd Worship DeveloperAnd Worship Developer lynnmusic@bevcomm.net Cindy Bly, Education DirectorCindy Bly, Education DirectorCindy Bly, Education DirectorCindy Bly, Education Director Tlced@bevcomm.net Kim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth DirectorKim Jacobson, Youth Director KimmyKimmyj@gmail.com Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 p.m., 507-526-3463

If you would like to receive your Trumpet newsletter electronically, just send Donna an email at trinity@bevcomm.net

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Trinity Lutheran Church Blue Earth

Advent begins the Christian New Year! By celebrating Advent you can make Christmas more meaningful and restore Jesus to the center of your celebrations. Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (Dec. 1 this year). Advent activities can include lighting an Advent wreath, using an Advent calendar, reading scripture and praying together as a family. Each day during the season be sure the birth of Jesus is read, talked and sung about. The memories will last a life time!

A wonderful Advent activity here at Trinity is our annual Children’s Christmas musical.

“The Night Shift before Christmas”

It will be presented on Sunday, December 15 at both the 8:30 and 10:45 worship.

Sunday, Dec. 8 @ 12:00 Noon: Musical Dress Rehearsal for Grades 1-6

(lunch will be provided)

Sunday, Dec. 15: Children’s Christmas Musical 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

(a light breakfast will be served between services but children should eat something before coming for the first service)

Preschool Christmas program at 10:45 Worship

Other Important Dates:

Sunday, Dec. 22 – Vacation Sunday (no Sunday School) Sunday, Dec. 29 – Vacation Sunday (no Sunday School)

Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 – Sunday School Classes resume

9:30 – 10:40 a.m.

DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember Youth News Youth News Youth News Youth News What or who is on your list? Lists... we all have them. Grocery lists, to do lists, and of course this time of year we

have lists of gifts we need to buy for Christmas , and we don’t want to forget anyone.

Let’s face it: it can be overwhelming, overdone and over budget! I would admit that I

have experienced all of those things. Imagine with me for a moment...you start to

write your list of things to do and gifts to give for Christmas. You look down at your list,

it says ...GIVE your only begotten Son.

As I started to think about what I wanted in my newsletter this month I thought about the scripture pictured at the bottom. For GOD so LOVED the WORLD that HE GAVE his only BEGOTTEN SON. As a mother, with one son, that about takes my breath away. And as I type this letter goose bumps form over my arms at the thought of that night and the gift that was given to us! We were on HIS LIST! I am sure most of you will agree that there is definitely a trend of Christmas being over commercialized with stores feeling the need to open sooner and sooner to offer sales on items people don't even realize they need until the door buster ad comes out. I’ve started to really think about the phrase ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season’ when I read this scripture. I also started to wonder if there are people who believe that the only reason He was born was so that we can celebrate every December with lots of food, shopping and gifts. I know for a fact there are people who believe that to be true. Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t stand in judgment of any of those people but am starting to think about it in a whole new way. What if, on our list of things to do (gifts to buy and people to visit), we step out in boldness and ask people if they know the other reasons why He came.

Jesus came into this world to save sinners...…1st Timothy 1:15 Jesus came to seek and save the lost… Luke 19: 10 God sent his son into the world so that we might live through Him 1 John 4:9 Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly John 10: 10 And the list goes on and on. Longer than Santa’s list! He came for you. He came for me, what a gift!! Wouldn’t it be a shame to let another Christmas go by without being bold enough to ask the people you love what they know to be true about why He came. Bringing forth that gift would be the best gift they could ever receive and it’s one they can pass on!! Who are you going to add to your list? Merry Christmas and may God Richly bless you with the gifts He has given you, especially the gift of His only begotten son. Blessings, Kim

“For god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son...”

John 3:16

7UP

December 8th: December 8th: December 8th: December 8th: Serve coffee Serve coffee Serve coffee Serve coffee

Be at church at 8:00 a.m.Be at church at 8:00 a.m.Be at church at 8:00 a.m.Be at church at 8:00 a.m.

December 15th: 9:40 a.m.

December 22nd: 9:40 a.m..

Giving Tree

shopping will be Dec. 4th.

SALSA meet at Walmart at 4 p.m. and SWAP meet at 6: 30

SALSASALSASALSASALSA (Junior High Youth) 4th: GIVING TREE 4th: GIVING TREE 4th: GIVING TREE 4th: GIVING TREE 11th: NO GROUP, 11th: NO GROUP, 11th: NO GROUP, 11th: NO GROUP, COUNCIL NIGHT COUNCIL NIGHT COUNCIL NIGHT COUNCIL NIGHT 18TH: Christmas party! 18TH: Christmas party! 18TH: Christmas party! 18TH: Christmas party! Dinner and a movie Dinner and a movie Dinner and a movie Dinner and a movie

======================

SWAP (Senior High Youth) 4th: GIVIN4th: GIVIN4th: GIVIN4th: GIVING TREE G TREE G TREE G TREE 11TH: NO GROUP. 11TH: NO GROUP. 11TH: NO GROUP. 11TH: NO GROUP.

COUNCIL COUNCIL COUNCIL COUNCIL 18TH: Christmas party 18TH: Christmas party 18TH: Christmas party 18TH: Christmas party