Trinity Family
How to keep Christ in Christmas?
On Facebook this weekend I saw lots of picture of kids visiting Santa at the mall. Church families… enjoying Santa, but recognizing that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. How do you put the two together?
“Kneeling Santa” is one of the images that helped me the most. It’s a piece of pottery with Santa kneeling in front of the manger. If you know some of the history of St. Nicolaus (St. Ni-Claus) Santa and Jesus actually fit well together. Bishop Nicolaus of Myra (in southern Turkey) lived in the 4th century AD, born into wealth, he eventually gave it all away to the poor and needy. St. Nicolaus Day has been celebrated on Dec. 6 for many generations in Europe, as a day of gift-giving.
Although 20th century America secularized Santa Claus, we can honor the tradition of a Christian leader who encouraged the giving of gifts to others in need (without a sleigh, reindeer, and surreptitious entry down a chimney.) We can also describe Santa Claus to our kids as an example of someone who learned that Jesus is the Best Gift of all, and loves to see people giving gifts. That also gives us the opportunity to confront greed and selfishness when our kids put too much emphasis on WHAT I CAN GET.
As you plan for Christmas, here are a couple of simple things to do at home that will connect church & home, and prepare your family, especially kids, for Christmas Day:
AN ADVENT CALENDAR What in the world is “Advent?” It’s Latin for “Coming.” It’s the season of preparation for the coming of Jesus. An Advent Calendar lets kids mark off the 24 days in December before Christmas. Some Advent calendars have 24 little cardboard “windows” that can be opened each day…some reveal a short Bible verse relating to Christmas, others just an image. Google it, search for it on Pinterest, ask others what they use — there are literally thousands of Advent calendars. From do it yourself options to store-bought sets, you can find printed calendars with cardboard windows or wooden sets that have little tiny doors to open each day. Choose or create one that will spark some interest in your family and serves as a daily reminder of what December 25th is all about.
AN ADVENT WREATH One of the special traditions in our house was the four purple candles marking the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Lighting the candles for a few minutes at mealtime was always a big deal in our family. Taking turns blowing them out after reading a Bible verse, or talking about getting ready for Jesus’ birthday – that was the fun part – then watching the smoke go “up to heaven.” Kids learn well with visual cues and interactive learning, so these interactive family traditions really mean a lot. You can purchase an advent wreath or make it yourself. It can be as simple or as creative as you want. But be sure to make it special for your family and incorporate it into your evening family routine together. Then, when you’re in church this month, you can point out the purple colors on the altar, and the big Advent wreath, as well as the Christmas trees and decorations. You can tell them that we use evergreens for Christmas because Jesus came to bring us everlasting life in heaven. Simple lessons – yet powerful lessons!
Please… share your Christmas traditions, pass on your ideas how to keep CHRIST in Christmas for our kids and for the sake of a world desperately in need of the SAVIOR!
Also, please remember to share that hope of Christ with friends and neighbors who may not have a home church where they worship on Christmas. In the narthex you can find printouts with holiday service times, and Welcome cards with regular worship times. Please take a few and pass them on to someone with an invitation to be our guest.
God Bless You! –Pastor Jim Martin
Advent Wednesday Worship: Our “Signs of the Savior” series continuing December 9 and 16, at either 12:10-12:50 lunch hour service, or at 7pm for evening worship. If you’re coming for the evening service, come early for a Soup & Bread Supper from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall.
Longest Night December 19
The day when the least amount of sunshine is coming. This means that darkness will cover our city longer than any other night of the year. Trinity offers a Christmas service near that longest night for the people who are living in a personal dark time. If you or anyone you know is suffering loss of any kind, hurts from pain of rejection or loneliness, needs the comfort and reassurance of Hope, this is where Christmas joy needs to be celebrated. The happy music and lilting voices of children are often negative experiences to those of us who can’t find any reason to be merry. But, sadness, doubt, fear and pain do not remove the need to connect with hope and love. Come to the Christmas Celebration where traditional Christmas songs and Scripture reading will recognize how dealing with darkness is difficult. Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong, Director of Lutheran Counseling Services will share a comforting and spiritually strengthening message. The candlelight service begins at 6:00 p.m.
An urgent plea from Trinity’s leaders: Time to Catch up on our Giving
If you have fallen behind in what you intended to give for Trinity’s ministries, this is a great time to catch up. Like most families, there are times when expenses pile up. Right now Trinity faces tax & insurance bills as well as benefits payments, in addition to our regular payroll and expenses. We have been able to keep expenses in line with budget, but since offerings are about $70,000 short of pledges since July 1, we have no cash reserves for high-expense times like this. We can’t wait til Christmas to catch up. Please, give as God has blessed you. And, if you are able, consider a one-time Thanksgiving Gift. Together we can prevent a financial crisis. Prayer: “Dear Lord, thank-you for all Your blessings in our Trinity family. Please move your people to provide what is needed for Your work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Less than 10 Days Before Delivery
Gifts have been purchased and some returned as delivery time for Trinity Shares Christmas approaches. Now you can experience how a small act of kindness brings deep gratitude and joy. Please contact Glenda to offer assistance for 1 or 2 hours to deliver the gifts and holiday meal items. Also,if you would like to help sort the items, or have any questions about Trinity Shares Christmas, please contact Glenda Frazier at whitemice@bellsouth.net.
Trinity Members with Children in the K-8 or CDC School Ministries
The Outreach Team is looking for Trinity members with children in the CDC and school to assist with introducing school families to our church family. If you have a heart for the Gospel and Great Commission, we need your help! Please contact Outreach Ministry Team Facilitator, Bill Ruffier at wruffier@dwklaw.com. Thank you.
Christmas Babysitting (a National Youth Gathering Fundraiser)
A perfect time to get some last minute shopping done! December 12th, 2-6pm, ages 2 and up. Contact Mike at 727-686-7403.
Send a Christmas Card to our Overseas Missionaries
Did you know that we support four missionary families?
- The Trumps (Kenya)
- The Clausings (Eastern Africa)
- The Wasmunds (S Korea)
- The Lehmans (Spain)
For more information about each of these families, please check the missionary page on Trinity’s website. You can see newsletters and bios, and contact information (you could send a Christmas Card?). Want to help us get the word out? We need a volunteer to update our Missionary Display in the sanctuary. If you can help, please contact Chanda at TLC@TrinityDowntown.com or 407-488-1919 x101.
Growing Together Christmas Tree Ornaments
Available in Trinity offices now! Red and Green with the Growing Together Logo. $5 each. Proceeds benefit Trinity Outreach efforts!
Every Little Girl Wants to be an Angel
All Trinity Children are invited to tell the true Christmas story on stage! Yes, our church is a stage…it is the place where a true and wonderful drama about love, sacrifice and happy endings is told. So, let your little girl be an Angel, or Mary. Let your son show off as Joseph or a Wise Man. The best script ever written is ready for practice every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in our church and school music room. The only performance is Christmas Eve at 3:00 p.m. If you are excited to be a part of this and can help in any way, please contact Pam Yates at pmyates4@gmail.com.
Worship Schedule Change
There will be no Saturday service on Dec. 26th. Please be sure to join us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, and also Sunday, Dec 27th. Thanks & God Bless, Mike Kunze
The Lutheran Federal Credit Union is open for YOUR business!
So who are we? The Lutheran Federal Credit Union (LFCU) is a federally chartered credit union that serves the LCMS community nationwide. It’s focus is to support those within the LCMS community by offering awesome everyday banking products to fit your needs with low costs and with easy access. The credit union serves also as a sponsorship source for ministry and provides a lower cost option for checking accounts for congregational and LCMS entities. What We Offer: Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Loans (Mortgage, Auto, and Personal), Credit Cards. Find out everything you want to know at www.lutheranfcu.org or call 314.394.2790. (more information available in the Narthex)
Redeeming Life Maternity Home is seeking a part-time staff member!
The staff schedule consists of rotating weeks. Shifts begin Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. through Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. with the staff member remaining in the home overnight. The staff member will manage living operations of the home; be a supportive and loving role-model to each resident by living out the gospel in everyday life. This role functions as a teacher, role model, advocate, and listener while overseeing the residents and enforcing rules and regulations. Please email resume to Tricia@rlom.org.
Enjoy “JOY: An Irish Christmas”
Christian singers, Keith and Kristyn Getty (“In Christ Alone”), live at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, on Saturday, December 19th, 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at: www.drphillipscenter.org.
Youth News
Middle School & High School Bible Classes available at 9:30 Sunday Mornings
MS and HS Youth Sunday classes provide opportunities for students to grow deeper in their relationship with God as well as their relationships with others. Meet the Youth Ministry Team leaders in the second floor classrooms of the K-8 building for fellowship and study time each week.
Middle School Youth
- December 6 During Confirmation Class Ice cream will be provided for snack but we need toppings from families that day to help with our Sunday Sundae making!
- December 9 Confirmation students will attend Wednesday evening 7pm Advent worship together.
- December 20 Confirmation Class and fellowship time! Get ready to wrap a friend. Please bring a dozen cookies to share with group – maybe you have a favorite recipe to wow the group with? Milk will be provided.
High School Youth
- Saturday, December 12th
- 2pm: Christmas Shopping Fundraiser/Servant Event (Babysitting)
- 6pm: Christmas Party
- July 2016–National Youth Gathering–check website for more information!
For more info: Contact Laura (407) 404-3242 or Mike (727) 686-7403, email TrinityHSYouth@gmail.com, check the Trinity Website or the Trinity HS Youth Facebook page!
Important Dates
December 4 Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola, “The Gift”
December 9, 16 Wednesday Advent Worship at 12:10 – 12:50 pm and 7 pm.
December 9, 16 “Soup Suppers” served 5:30-6:30 pm
December 19 Service of the Longest Night – Comfort for those who are hurting – 6 pm
December 24 through January 3 Trinity Campus/all offices/programs closed (except for worship services)
December 24 Christmas Eve worship services
3pm Children’s Program
5pm, 7pm, 9pm and 11pm Candlelight Communion Worship
December 25 Christmas Day Worship 10 am
December 26 No Saturday worship tonight
January 4 Offices Open and School back in session
December 31 New Year’s Eve Worship 7pm
January 10 Epiphany Cantata in all Worship Services
January 23 Touch-a-Truck
January 30 New Century Center Dedication
Attendance & Giving
| Nov. 29, 2015 | |
| Worship Attendance | |
| 6:00 p.m. | 23 |
| 8:00 a.m. | 43 |
| 9:30 a.m. | 84 |
| 11:00 a.m. | 120 |
| Thanksgiving | 129 |
| Total | 399 |
| Sunday School | |
| Adult’s Bible Class | 27 |
| Contributions | |
| Current & Missions: | |
| C & M Budget | $ 21,660 |
| C & M Actual | $ 12,195 |
| Faithfully Forward | $ 6,617 |
| Historical Debt | $ 35 |
| SOS/Faith Factor | $ 150 |
| Dedicated Funds | $ 233 |
