December 24, 2017
CHRISTMAS SERVICES Because today is Christmas Eve we are having only one service this Sunday morning. Sunday School and Bible Classes are at 8:45 with our worship service at 10:00 AM. The Christmas Eve Family Service of Lessons and Carols will be at 7 PM tonight. Each family is invited to bring a candle and holder to place on the tables up front to represent their family during the Candle lighting part of the service. Tomorrow we celebrate Christ’s Mass – a special Communion Service to celebrate the birth of Jesus at 10 AM.
Campus CONNECTion Care packages were sent out to all of our college students (that we have addresses for) just in time for finals. The students appreciated them VERY much! Thank you to Christy Lehenbauer for providing an Action Team to help pay for the shipping costs. Thank you to those who donated restaurant gift cards – each student received a gift card in their care package. A special THANK YOU to those who financially support this outreach; we were able to include $10 gas cards in each care package to help with the cost of coming home for the holidays! And last, but certainly not least, THANK YOU to Shirley Bernthal for baking homemade cookies for the care packages. If you would like to support this ministry, please sign up on the bulletin board in the Narthex or contact Casey Bolte.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR Today on KURM (790 AM) at 12:30 P.M. & The Bott Radio Network at 8 A.M. on 89.3 F.M Speaker: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus. “The Greatest Story Ever Told” What is your favorite story? This Christmas Eve Day, The Lutheran Hour speaks about God’s greatest story. (Luke 1:30-32a)
HOLY TRINITY BIBLE STUDIES
Sunday
9:30-10:30 A.M. Pam Pickett is leading a study of Acts in Classroom 1 (not meeting today or December 31)
9:30-10:30 A.M Women’s Bible Study entitled The Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Study is led by Libby Garner and meets in the Conference Room.
9:30-10:30 A.M Dave Lehenbauer
leads a study for the men in Classroom 2 on 1st Peter.
Monday 2nd & 4th Mondays at 2:00pm. – Led by Vern Schaefer Rotating Hostesses: Herb & Shirley Bernthal, Spike & Dolores Hermes, Joe & Barbara Raleigh, Maxine Reihman & Betty Jensen
Tuesday 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 2:00pm,
Pastor Bernthal’s Bible Study.
OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2018 have been placed at the Giving Center in the Narthex. Pick yours up today. If you can’t find yours or if you are a regular attender and want envelopes, see Dean Eisma or the church office.
THANK YOU Heartfelt appreciation to my wonderful family at Holy Trinity, for your prayers, visits, phone calls, and well wishes during my recent hospital stay. Merry Christmas to each of you and prayers for a wonderful New Year. – Mary Hartwig
THANK YOU FROM THE STAFF Pastor Besel and the whole staff here at Holy Trinity want to thank you for all the cards, gifts and glad tidings that we have received this Christmas season. We appreciate your support and want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Merry CHRISTmas SIGNS It’s not too late. The Outreach Ministry Team is providing signs for people to put up in their yards this Advent – Christmas season like we have the crosses for the Lenten season. Pick up your sign in the Narthex and share your faith in Jesus.
THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Yearly subscriptions to the Lutheran Witness run from April 1 through March 31. If you are currently a subscriber, it is time to renew your subscription. Cost per subscription is $15.00. Current subscribers need to let the church office know if you want to continue or cancel your current subscription. Also, let us know if you would like to be added to the list of subscribers.
CRAFT DAY Do you need some time to just sit, relax and craft? Saturday, Jan. 13th from 2-9pm we will be hosting a crafting event in the Life Center. Bring whatever you want to work on...scrapbooking, knitting, paper crafting or painting, you name it! Everyone will get their own 6ft table to work on. Bring a snack to share, drinks will be provided. Come and go as your schedule allows. Mission Crafts table will be set up if anyone wants to help make Scripture books. Happy Crafting!
LIFE QUOTES: “So celebrate that divine-human Gift who has so changed your life by His Spirit. Praise Him for His gracious forgiveness and rightenousness. Praise Him as the One who will one day transform the mortal into immortality. Indeed, He who was once a baby has changed and is changing lives and will one day change His whole creation.” Rev. David Fuerstenau, Holy Truth Lutheran Church, Ketchikan, Alaska– If you wish to support Lutherans for Life, go to their web site: www.lutherans for life.org
TO THINK ABOUT …
“The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace through faith, and this is not of ourselves.” -- St. Nicholas
LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR Jesus brought God delicately amidst sinners, as humble in crucifixion as He was helpless in conception. Yet this estate did not hinder but in fact heralded the full realm and reign of God for us. And thereby He reaffirmed the worth of even the feeblest human beings. God’s gift of life arrives all the better for the plain packaging He habitually hides it behind. Lamb of God, make our taking hold of You to cradle Your little ones as well. Amen. (Advent 4/Christmas Eve)
A POSITIVE THOUGHT
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem;
not to mention that Friday at Calvary.
Face it, He's crazy about you.
THIS WEEK AT HOLY TRINITY
December 24 through December 30, 2017
SUNDAY
Bible Study/Sunday School 8:45 A.M.
Handbell Choir 8:45 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Family Christmas Eve Service of 7:00 P.M.
Lessons & Carols
MONDAY –CHRISTMAS DAY
Communion 10:00 A.M
WEDNESDAY
News and Notes Due 12:00 P.M.
FRIDAY
Assemble Bulletin 1:00 P.M.
NEXT SUNDAY
Communion 8:00 A.M.
Bible Study/Sunday School 9:30 A.M.
Handbell Choir 9:30 A.M.
Communion 10:45 A.M.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS:
Circuit Church: Peace, Prairie Grove – Pray for the Lord’s leadership through their vacancy.
Church Ministry: Sunday School: Pray that our students, both young and old, grow in faith and learn to love and follow You.
Pray also for our Military: Especially remember, Timothy Gibson, son of Harry and Ann Gibson, serving in the U.S. Navy.