The Message - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church...

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The Message . . . December 2015 Advent Vespers at Holy Trinity The Season of Advent began on November 28. The lectionary readings of Advent all point us to signs of God coming – whether we are ready or not – of days and times advancing toward us. Of hopes and expectations of a future held to the promises of God...- so we find in the Lutheran worship planner Sundays and Seasons, 2016. This guide goes on to say... Advent is not a four-week exploration of waiting only for a baby. It is also about Jesus coming every way possible: in a meal, by a word, as a light, as we are gathered together, as a complete surprise following a long wait...suddenly...or as a child.I think the most important thing for us to acknowledge about Advent, is that it is not a pre-Christmasseason - though it is definitely a waiting time.This year, during the Season of Advent, I invite you to join me on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the chapel of the church sanctuary, beginning December 2. We will share a time of candlelight, the contemplative music of Advent, Songs from Taize (provided by David Dorn) hearing God speak to us through the word, and prayer. This will be a relatively short service – about 30 minutes – but a holy time for watching and waiting for the One who comes to us –not only as the Baby of Bethlehem, but also as The King of Glory. I look forward to sharing this sacred time with you! +Pastor Lynda

Transcript of The Message - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church...

Page 1: The Message - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA)holytrinitynashville.com/files/documents/December-2015-eMessage.… · The Message . . . December 2015 Advent Vespers at Holy Trinity

The Message . . . December 2015

Advent Vespers at Holy Trinity The Season of Advent began on November 28. The lectionary readings of Advent all point us to signs of God coming – whether we are ready or not – of days and times advancing toward us. Of hopes and expectations of a future held to the promises of God...” - so we find in the Lutheran worship planner Sundays and Seasons, 2016. This guide goes on to say... “Advent is not a four-week exploration of waiting only for a baby. It is also about Jesus coming every way possible: in a meal, by a word, as a light, as we are gathered together, as a complete surprise following a long wait...suddenly...or as a child.” I think the most important thing for us to acknowledge about Advent, is that it is not a “pre-Christmas” season - though it is definitely a “waiting time.” This year, during the Season of Advent, I invite you to join me on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the chapel of the church sanctuary, beginning December 2. We will share a time of candlelight, the contemplative music of Advent, Songs from Taize (provided by David Dorn) hearing God speak to us through the word, and prayer. This will be a relatively short service – about 30 minutes – but a holy time for watching and waiting for the One who comes to us –not only as the Baby of Bethlehem, but also as The King of Glory. I look forward to sharing this sacred time with you! +Pastor Lynda

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CHURCH CALENDAR

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Wednesday December 2 7:00 pm Advent Vespers

“Baptized, We live” class (immediately following)

Saturday December 5 Christmas Program rehearsal

Sunday December 6 9:30 am Worship

10:45 am Fellowship/Christmas Program Rehearsal/Bible Study

Greening of the Sanctuary

Wednesday December 9 7:00 pm Advent Vespers

“Baptized, We live” class (immediately following)

Thursday December 10 7:00 pm Gourmand Society at the Tavern Midtown

Sunday December 13 9:30 am Worship—Children/Youth Christmas Program

10:45 am Fellowship/Bible Study

*Blood Pressure Screenings in the office*

Wednesday December 16 7:00 pm Advent Vespers

“Baptized, We live” class (immediately following)

Sunday December 20 9:30 am Worship

10:45 am Fellowship/Bible Study

Wednesday December 23 7:00 pm Advent Vespers

“Baptized, We live” class (immediately following)

Thursday December 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship

Sunday December 27 9:30 am Worship

10:45 am Fellowship

“Keep It Simple” (Alcoholics Anonymous) meets every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. (closed meeting) and every

Saturday morning at 10 a.m. (open meeting) in the Dahlinger Fellowship Hall.

Please tell others about this hope-giving resource.

Holy Trinity Office Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:00am-12:00 noon.

Please submit announcements by 9:00am Tuesday morning for the upcoming bulletin.

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Worship Assistants

Volunteers are needed for Greeter, Lay Reader and Fellowship!

If you have any questions or changes to be made to the schedule please contact Gail White at

615-943-4445 or [email protected].

Nursery volunteers please contact Les Dahl: (615) 927-4514 or [email protected]

December 6, 2015 - Second Sunday Advent

Greeter: Susan Dronberger

Acolyte: Gray Janovitz

Assisting Minister: William Gable

Lay Reader: Mike Franklin

Communion Set-up: Barbara Hansen

Communion Assistant: Susan Dronberger

Ushers: Julie Foss and Dennis Christian

Tellers: Lindsay Bishop and Bob Poole

Fellowship: Martha Christian and Melanie Reitz

Nursery Attendant: Les Dahl

December 13, 2015 – Third Sunday Advent

Greeter: Carolyn Akland

Acolyte: Zane Shook

Assisting Minister: Barbara Hansen

Lay Reader: NONE NEEDED

Communion Set-up: Suzi Sittel

Communion Assistant: Julie Foss

Ushers: Bob Poole and ST White

Tellers: Tom Cullen and Ron Hansen

Fellowship: Steve & Lee and Elaine Franklin

Nursery Attendant: No Nursery

December 20, 2015 – Fourth Sunday Advent

Greeter: Lee Perry

Acolyte: Taylor Dahl

Assisting Minister: Melanie Reitz

Lay Reader: Debbie Anderson

Communion Set-up: William and Virginia Gable

Communion Assistant: Ann Bishop

Ushers: ST White, Dennis Christian

Tellers: Mike Franklin and Charlene Cullen

Fellowship: Pat Cowan and Carolyn Akland

Nursery: Les Dahl

December 27, 2015 - First Sunday Christmas

Greeter: Lee Perry

Acolyte: Logan Phillips

Assisting Minister: Gail White

Lay Reader: Kathy Poole

Communion Set Up: Linn Folger

Communion Assistant:

Ushers: ST White, Dennis Christian

Tellers: Mike Cottingham and Russ Anderson

Fellowship: Debbie Anderson and Julie Foss

Christmas Eve – December 24, 2015

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Crucifer: Caleb Fauth

Acolyte: Shannon Fauth

Lay Reader: Linn Folger

Communion Set-up:

Communion Assistant: Ann Bishop

Ushers: ST White and Dennis Christian

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Advent Vespers Please joins us for Advent Vespers Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the chapel of the church sanctuary, beginning December 2. We will share a time of candlelight, the contemplative music of Advent, Songs from Taize (provided by David Dorn) hearing God speak to us through the word, and prayer.

Greening the Sanctuary

We will be greening the Sanctuary after worship on December 6th. Please grab

some coffee and a snack and help us prepare for the Christmas season

Peter Mayer at First Lutheran Peter Mayer’s Stars & Promises 2015 – “A Restless World, A Silent Night” Christmas Tour will stop at First Lutheran on December 3rd at 7 pm. A love offering will be taken to benefit Room In The Inn and Lutheran Services of Tennessee.

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The Holy T Youth and Children present

MORE THAN A CHRISTMAS TREE What do pine trees, ornaments, candy canes and

lights have to do with the birth of Jesus?

More than you think! Sunday, December 13th during Worship!

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Faith Formation

The class “Baptized, We Live” will continue on Wednesday evenings immediately following Advent Vespers in Pastor Lynda’s office. You are welcome to bring a sandwich or

snacks.

On December 2nd, we will continue with a study of Baptism, it’s greater emphasis in the Lutheran Church today, as well as

styles of fonts and modes of Baptism- from the past to the present. All are invited to join this class at any time!

Focus on the Ministries of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Check out “Christian Education Month” in the Narthex, beginning this Sunday! Please stop by, see what we are doing...AND see if

there is a place for you in our mission. ALL are welcome!

Sunday School

Children's Sunday School lessons will resume on January 10, 2016

Adults are invited to join Peter Velander, who is hosting an adult Bible study

after worship on Sunday morning.

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Poinsettia Order Form

I, _________________________________________________________

Would like to place _____ poinsettia(s) in the Sanctuary for Christmas

Services.

In Memory of:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

In Honor of:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

The cost for each poinsettia is $12.00. Please make checks payable to Holy

Trinity and write poinsettias in the memo line. Completed forms and pay-ment can be turned in to the office or placed in the offering plate. Orders are

due by Sunday, December 13th. Thank you!

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Special Offering

The special offering for the month of December is Thistle Farms. Thistle Farms is a powerful community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking or addiction.

Please make a note on the memo line of your check/envelope that you are giving a gift for the special offering.

Alleluia Aloha

The Alleluia Aloha is back! Mark your calendar for

Saturday, February 6th from 5:00 –8:00 pm.!

Join in the fun of planning for

this festive pre-Lenten event!

The Alleluia Aloha team will be meeting again

on Tuesday, January 5th at 6:30 pm at church.

Contact Rundi Ream at [email protected] with

any questions

Gourmand Society This group meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at a locally owned (non-chain) restaurant. We are working thru the alphabet and the next restaurant name will begin with the letter “T,” Meet us at The Tavern Midtown at 1904 Broadway, Nashville, Thursday, December 10th. Please RSVP to Carol Cottingham ([email protected]) by Monday, December 7.

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Blood Pressure Screenings The Wholeness Team will hold the next Blood Pressure screening on December 13th

Screenings will be done in the outer office by the copy machine!

A message from our Council President

Holiday Greetings Holy Trinity members!

We have been making adjustments in Sunday worship services, so you will no doubt

notice a few changes, stemming from feedback from the congregation. We hope you like

the changes and hope you will continue to give us positive, constructive feedback, as we

seek to serve and glorify God through meaningful worship service.

On a personal note, I am co-hosting an open house with my colleague Rod Kochtitzky

December 14, 4:00 - 7:00 PM at my office at 4525 Harding Pike, 2nd Floor in the

Truxton Trust Building in Belle Meade. I would love for my Holy Trinity family to join

us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres that afternoon. Let me know if you can make it; just email

me at [email protected] or call me at 404.444.1058.

I continue to thank God for our beautiful, inclusive congregation, and our brilliant and

dedicated Pastor Lynda. How blessed are we?

In Christ’s abundant love,

Jeannie Ingram

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December Birthdays

Prayer Needs

For healing, God’s presence and comfort –

December Anniversaries

Is your special day missing from

this list? Please let Michelle know

in the Holy Trinity office!

Members: Tsegaye Arku for safety as he continues to serve in Kuwait Friends: Art (friend of Julie Foss), in hospice care; Wilma Campbell (Les Dahl’s aunt), health and peace; Mathew Alexander (grandson of Sue Alexander), Naval deployment to Middle East; Family of Kathy Paxman, on her passing; Tony; Phyllis; John Ott (Elaine Franklin’s brother), chemotherapy; Jeff Burnett (friend of Julie Jones), guidance, safety, protection and peace in his new 3-year job assignment; Rose Fitzgerald (Ron Hansen’s sister), end of life hospice care; Terry Burns, battling cancer For Christ’s Church- Our bishops, Elizabeth Eaton (ELCA) and Julian Gordy (Southeastern Synod) and their staffs

12/11 Frank S. Irlinger 12/14 Carol Hood 12/14 Duane Fauth 12/16 Tom Cullen 12/17 Les Dahl 12/19 Melanie Reitz 12/20 Anna Kay Irlinger 12/21 Harlie Ivey 12/30 Pia Chocklett

12/19 Tim & Debbie Robert 12/26 Tom and Charlene Cullen 12/28 Frank S. and Elsie E. Irlinger

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HT Women’s Group The HT Women’s Group will be putting together bags for shut-ins this holiday season. Donations can be placed in the box in the Narthex. If you have a friend or loved one who benefit from a care package, please email the office ([email protected]). Helpful Items: candy, pens, memo pads, bandages, tissue, stamps, snacks or foods in individual packaging, warm socks, lip balm, hand sanitizer, jar openers, lotion, tea or cider packets, etc.

Operation Christmas Child

Way to go, Holy Trinity!! Our congregation donated more than 40 boxes

of goodies and necessities to the children of Operation Christmas Child.

Thanks to Kate Cottingham for coordinating, and all who participated in

this project!

May you rejoice in the mira-

cle, the gift and the promise

of Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the staff

at Holy Trinity Lutheran

Church

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Holy Trinity Staff Rev. Lynda Ernst Pastor

(cell) 901-605-5275 email: [email protected]

Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton Pastor Emeritus

David Dorn Director of Music

Michelle Janovitz Administrative Assistant

Bill Gable Organist Emeritus

Church Phone #: 615.673.6289

Church Fax #: 615.673.6292

Church Email: [email protected]

525 Sneed Road Nashv i l l e , TN 37221

Holy Trinity Lutheran

Church Mission

Statement

Disciples of Jesus Christ called to

proclaim God's grace and serve the

community