A message from Pastor Debra: .com



INCLUDEPICTURE "C:\\var\\folders\\ys\\g4zj7k3n7rg3ygj072z0yf2w0000gn\\T\\com.microsoft.Word\\WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles\\9k=" \* MERGEFORMAT Trinity Lutheran Church NewsletterDecember 2020-28575190500-33020647700Contact: E: tlc118@P: 204-735-Address: 43 River Ave Starbuck MBR0G 2P0Contact: E: tlc118@P: 204-735-Address: 43 River Ave Starbuck MBR0G 2P03175381000A message from Pastor Debra:It is truly a sobering experience to read back through the Old Testament and see how frail and imperfect all the ‘heroes’ actually were. Abraham, the coward who could not believe the promise. Jacob, the cheat who struggled with everybody. Joseph, the immature and arrogant teen. Moses, the impatient murderer who could not wait for God. Gideon, the cowardly Baal-worshipper. Samson, the womanizing drunk. David, the power abusing adulterer. Solomon, the unwise wise man. --------All these individuals, as egocentric, deficient, and personally flawed as they were, were chosen by God for purposes that ultimately, in their moment, were good. It never ceases to amaze me why God could not have chosen ‘better’. Yet if God could use them, and reveal Godself through them in such marvelous ways, then perhaps God can use us, inadequate, unwise, and too often lacking in faith, that we are. If God can see beyond our flaws than perhaps, we also ought to look beyond our own flaws and the flaws of others. So that by our own self-righteous judgements, we do not put limits on what God can do. Friends we do, in our hearts and minds put limits on God. We put limits on God when we fail to see the wonder of God’s hand at work among us. We put limits on God when we dismiss the miracles that surround us as ordinary happenings or as things that can be explained. We put limits on God when we put limits on ourselves and others, believing that we know the extent of what is possible. With God all things are possible. We have seen this in the imperfect heroes of the Old Testament. And we see it in an unlikely heroine of the New Testament. Here we are presented with a noticeably young, seemingly insignificant Jewish girl, from a tiny village in a remote corner of the northern Kingdom of Israel. It is through her that what our ancestors of the faith waited for, is fulfilled. It is through her that all creation will be introduced to the incarnate God. This is the Advent of our Lord.Advent for us in the Western traditions of the Christian church is the beginning of the Church Year. The word Advent means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival.’ The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King, in his Second Advent. Advent then, is more than simply marking a 2000 + year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God. This truth is the revelation of God, that all creation may be reconciled to God through Christ.What historical event of Christmas will you be focusing on this year? Will it be the birth of our Lord and the joy that this event means for our world, or will it be on your own history with Christmas? I think that it is important that we acknowledge some of the losses we will feel. It is okay to feel badly that you will not be able to celebrate with some of the people whom you love and the traditions you are used to. I encourage you however not to stay there in that place. I invite you to reframe your Christmas experience. It might be helpful to look upon this season with expectancy rather than expectation. Expectancy takes away the conditions of what we expect ought to happen and it frees us to be awakened to new things.In this season, by the frailty of our weary hearts, let us not put limits on the possibilities and miracles that surround us. Let us not put these limits on God. God is with us! God is with you just as God has always been! This is Gods season, just as it will be Christs day. This is a season when God reconciles Gods self to us through the birth of Christ our King. Our incarnate God is light in the darkness, hope when we are despairing and resurrection where death has occurred. Friends take heart! The gift of love has arrived. Our incarnate God is come!-1604646323850012702794000 371348062039500Sunday Morning Readings for the Month of December 2020 & January 2021:343408014605000November 29, 2020 Advent 1 (Year B) First ReadingIsaiah 64:1-9-1671320217805A message from the Editor:If you ever have any announcements or other content that you would like included in the newsletter, please email me at briannahoude@ by the last week of the month to be included in the next month’s newsletter. Thank you!-Brianna00A message from the Editor:If you ever have any announcements or other content that you would like included in the newsletter, please email me at briannahoude@ by the last week of the month to be included in the next month’s newsletter. Thank you!-BriannaPsalmPsalm 80:1-7,17-19 Second ReadingI Corinthians 1:3-9Gospel Reading Mark 13:24-37December 6, 2020Advent 2 (Feast of St. Nickolas) First ReadingIsaiah 40:1-11PsalmPsalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Second Reading2 Peter 3:8-15aGospel Reading Mark 1:1-8December 13, 2020 Advent 3 First ReadingIsaiah 61:1-4, 8-11PsalmPsalm 126 Second ReadingI Thessalonians 5:16-24Gospel Reading John 1:6-8, 19-28December 20, 2020 Advent 4 First Reading2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16PsalmLuke 1:46b-55 343408012573000Second ReadingRomans 16:25-27Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve December 25, 2020 Christmas Day First ReadingIsaiah 62:6-12PsalmPsalm 97 Second ReadingTitus 3:4-7Gospel Reading Luke 2:8-20December 27, 2020 Christmas 1 First ReadingIsaiah 61:10--62:3PsalmPsalm 148 Second ReadingGalatians 4:4-7Gospel Reading Luke 2:22-40January 3, 2020Christmas 2 First ReadingJeremiah 31:7-14PsalmPsalm 147:12-20 Second ReadingEphesians 1:3-14Gospel Reading John 1:1-18January 10, 2020The Baptism of Our Lord First ReadingGenesis 1:1-5PsalmPsalm 29Second ReadingActs 19:1-7Gospel Reading Mark 1:4-11-1597025444500-44450-635000January 17, 2020Epiphany 2 First Reading1 Samuel 3:1-20PsalmPsalm 139:1-6, 13-18Second Reading1 Corinthians 6:12-20Gospel Reading John 1:43-51January 24, 2020Epiphany 3 First ReadingJonah 3:1-5, 10PsalmPsalm 62:5-12Second Reading1 Corinthians 7:29-31Gospel Reading Mark 1:14-20January 31, 2020Epiphany 4 First ReadingDeuteronomy 18:15-20PsalmPsalm 111Second Reading1 Corinthians 8:1-13Gospel Reading Mark 1:21-28December Dates to Remember:November 29 Advent 1 10:00 am ZOOM Worship Service11:00 amCongregational Call Meeting 7:00 pm. MICC Ecumenical ZOOM Advent Service37484054254500December 6Advent 2 10:00 am ZOOM Worship ServiceDecember 13 Advent 3 10:00 amZOOM Worship ServiceDecember 20 Advent 410:00 amZOOM Worship Service 7:00 pm ZOOM Blue Christmas Service December 24 Christmas Eve5:00 pm ZOOM Service of Readings and CarolsDecember 25 Christmas Day10:00 amZOOM Christmas Day service December 27 Christmas 110:00 amZOOM Worship Service December 31 New Years Eve 5:00 pm. ZOOM Service of Chalking of the Door131635520891500Ice Candles: On Christmas Eve it would be wonderful if we could light up the church lawn with candles. It was suggested that members make ice candles. If we are unable to gather as a congregation on Christmas Eve, perhaps we can be a ‘Lighted” visible presence to our community.-1577975889000-63501270000-3961765349250Trinity Lutheran Church Web Page: We encourage you to look at our Trinity web page. () The web page is updated regularly. Please check it out.0Trinity Lutheran Church Web Page: We encourage you to look at our Trinity web page. () The web page is updated regularly. Please check it out.206311522606000The Four Candles:Author UnknownThe Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...The first candle said, "I Am Peace, but these days, nobodywants to keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowlydiminished and went out completely.The second candle said, "I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.Sadly, the third candle spoke, "I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer.""People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." And waiting no longer, the candle of Love also went out completely.Suddenly...A child entered the room and saw the three candles no longer burning. The child began to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end."Then the Fourth Candle gently spoke, "Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, wecan re-light the other candles."With Shining eyes, the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. We are encouraged never to let the Flame of Hope go out in our lives. With Hope, no matter the difficulty of our experiences and the circumstances of those we love and care about Peace, Faith and Love can still Shine Brightly in our lives4318012065000206248027305Friends are angels that lift us up to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly00Friends are angels that lift us up to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly334010049117200Zoom Services:21326475048400 Please join us on Sunday mornings for 10:00 from our sanctuary Worship via ZOOM. We give thanks to God for the technology that allows us to continue to meet for Worship even when we cannot be together in person-1577975425450031753746500352932923304500Annual Congregational Meeting:Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday January 31, 2021 following the Sunday morning worship service. At this point we do not know whether we will be able to meet in person or not. The way things are going it is expected that AGM will be a ZOOM meeting. The Synod office is currently working on how to assist congregations with this. In the meantime, it will still be important to get all committee and auxiliary reports in. Please have them in by Friday January 8, 2021. It is important that everyone who is able, attend this meeting. We ask for your prayers as we approach this new year. May God continue to bless us with visions and excitement.243395514224000Our Advent Pilgrimage:You are invited to make an Advent pilgrimage to Trinity Lutheran Church through the season of Advent. Place your symbol on our Christmas Tree. After doing this pause briefly to say the prayer. Do not linger. Please wear a mask and use hand sanitizer. This way we will journey through Advent together. 319241719304000365315518796000Special Thanks:At this time, I would like to thank all of you for your ever faithful commitment to the work of our Lord, here at Trinity, during this past year. It has been a year in which we have been more away from our church building and family. than within it and gathered as a congregation. As I write this, we have only had five in-person worship services since March. We have had only one opportunity to share in our Lord’s supper. With this said, special thanks is still due. It is due to all those members who served as Ushers, Readers, Communion Assistants, on committees, as Sunday school teachers, choir members and musicians before the pandemic began. It is due to Ron Rasmussen for operating the sound system for our in-person worship, and to Monika Zinn of Springstein for decorating our church and sanctuary. Thank you for all your hard work leading up to the pandemic and when we could be together for worship and prayer. Well done good and faithful servants.A very special thanks to those who stepped when the pandemic hit. We thank the members of our property committee and Sunday school superintendents. We thank our musicians, readers and microphone and camera crew. We especially thank the members of our church council who have worked tirelessly in order to ensure that everything would still run smoothly during these very challenging times. Thank you to Rob Livingston (Council Chairperson), Kevin Vovchuk (Vice-Chairperson), Christine Swenson (Secretary), Loren Hendrickson (Treasurer), Jen Fischer, Brenda Halstead, Marcel Houde, Stuart Janke, Wayne Preusentanz, and Tammy Shirtliff. Well done good and faithful servants.Above all we give thanks to our ever-faithful God who continues to be with us in all things and through all things. May God’s richest blessings continue to surround each one of us and all of our loved ones.-1597025603250031756413500191008029019500Bible Study: Please join us on Wednesday mornings or our weekly ZOOM bible study. This year we will be following Bishop Susan’s, Living our Faith – Bible Book Club. During the month of December, we will be meeting on December 2, 9 and 16. This month we are studying the Psalms.Birth Announcements:It is with great joy and delight that we announce the birth of our two youngest members at Trinity.Beckett Gail Zinn to loving first parents Konrad and Dominique Zinn. Beckett was born on October 31, 2020 and weighed 8lb 7oz. Proud Oma and Opa are Monika and Johannes Zinn.Myles Rae Janke to loving parents Theo and Carlie Janke and big brother Zachary. Myles was born on November 10, 2020 and weighed 7lb 13oz. Proud Grandma and Grandpa are Elaine and Stuart Janke. We give thanks to God for these two new blessings.1906905122936000O Lord our God, creator of all that exists, we thank you for the joy of watching new life begin and for the privilege of sharing with you in your continuing creation. In your mercy grant that these blessings may continue to us and even to our children’s children, that generations yet unborn may bless your holy name. We pay for Konrad and Dominique Zinn as they care for their baby daughter Beckett and for Theo and Carlie Janke and big brother Zackary as they care for their baby son, Myles. We pray that you would guide and direct them and keep them happy and safe. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.From our Church Treasurer:Donation income is continuing to be below budget (-32% this month) down -16% to budget year to date. Expenses do remain lower at -13% so that greatly helps, but our deficit is now starting to increase to -$4300 vs -$1600 expected.Jan-Oct 20YTD BudgetTotal Income$100,567$119, 335Total Expense$104,866$120,998Net Income-$4,299-$1,663-1567957349250031753556000Virtual Christmas Carols and Campfire:364363052578000Youth, Young Adults and Families are invited to join together via Zoom for some story-sharing, song-singing, spirit-renewing fun.? Bring a candle to light in your own space and wear your favorite Christmas sweater! Email Deacon Michelle Collins mcollins@elcic.ca for Zoom meeting information.Sunday, Dec. 13 @ 7 pm Winnipeg TimeDate: December 13Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm237680526733600Blue Christmas:Please join me at 7:00 pm on Sunday December 20 for a special ZOOM Blue Christmas Service. A Blue Christmas service, is a service which recognizes that the holidays are sometimes "blue", or filled with difficult feelings around painful life events such as death, illness, poverty, and all manner of loss. This service is also called “The Longest Night”. In our Western Christian tradition, it is a day in the season of Advent which marks the longest night of the year. This year our world, our country, our provinces and our communities have experienced a great deal of change and have known significant loss. This night allows us to verbally acknowledge the griefs and pains in our lives that impact our celebrations. It is a reminder to us, that our Creator God, who loves us so much was willing to empty himself of his divinity in order to take on our humanity. God entered our world as a tiny baby, lived, worked and died for us, so that we would know that there was nothing we would ever experience, that God in Christ had also not experienced. God came to us as God did by humble means so that we would know that he was accessible to everyone.I encourage you, as you are able to attend this special service, offered in this special year. Blessings to you all! On behalf of my family back in Ontario, I wish each of you a blessed Advent Season and a Very Merry Christmas. May only good health and peace be in the news for 2021. I wish you God’s richest blessings for the year of our Lord 2021. Blessings and Peace. – Pastor Debra Johnston-44459461500 ................
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