The Not-So-Silent Night

Many children from the elementary Sunday School program participated in a delightful Christmas pageant during the late service on Sunday. The premise of  The Not-So-Silent Night  targeted sounds and emotional responses in preparation for Jesus' birth. 

 The shepherds who visit baby Jesus on the night of his birth are so excited about the events of the evening that they make a great deal of noise and are arrested for disturbing the peace. The play takes place in the court room where the shepherds are on trial.

Click once on the picture to make it larger

Luke 1:35 ...the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.

Advent Noise!

Each Sunday in Advent is celebrated with a theme and a candle lighting in the sanctuary. Recently, the contrast between silence and noise were addressed at the beginning of the church service. In the midst of this season, pray for opportunities to listen for the Lord and speak of His love.

Women of the congregation, along with friends from the community, joined together in unity on Tuesday, December 3rd.

 An evening of delectable desserts and fellowship was enjoyed by more than 170 women in the CLC.

 The planning team designed the program to highlight Jesus as the Star of Unity. An invitation to students and faculty from Hartford Elementary, provided welcome "Advent Noise" to the evening. Ten students in the Morning Music program at Hartford performed three delightful songs on xylophones, uniting community neighbors with church members and friends.

Holy Trinity Quilters donated several quilts to the raffle as well as a generous assortment donated to the families of Hartford Elementary.

 The deep blue of Advent is meant to inspire in us the hope of faith, and to encourage us to keep watch for the promised light of Christ to break over the horizon, changing night into day, darkness into light, and filling our lives and our world with a holy and righteous splendor.

We need both silence and noise to journey through Advent. The joy of fellowship is especially sweet and the tranquility of silence allows us to ponder the treasures of this season.

"Prepare the way of the Lord." - Matthew 3:3

 

 

Darcy Trivia

Joy Sunday also marked a milestone celebration day for Darcy Mittelstaedt, serving ten years as Director of Youth & Family Ministry at Holy Trinity.

Notes, cards, and gifts were presented to Darcy by members and friends of the church, including a parade of youth who gathered to show their appreciation for her time and talents.

How well have you gotten to know Darcy? Check out her answers to the following questions:

1. What is your favorite color? Red
2. Have you had any pets before Peanut? Not when I was living by myself, but I grew up on a farm and had tons of pets including, cats, dogs, rabbits, goats, horses, pigs, cows, ducks, and chickens.
3. Where were you born? Uijongbu, South Korea
4. Besides your birth place, what other countries have you visited? I have been to Europe, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany) I ‘ve been to the Holy Land (Israel, Palestine).
5. What is your favorite drink? Lemonade
6. You're know for several hobbies. Do you have a favorite? Right now it is Viking Knitting Bracelets.
7. As a child, what did you daydream about? Being a world traveler.
8. What favorite foods do you prepare for guests in your home? Hmmm, I do not consider myself a very good cook, however, I love to bake. So I would probably prepare a garden salad, with garlic cheese monkey bread and a lasagna, with a Yummy chocolate Bundt cake.
9. What super power would you like to have? Why? A super power I would like to have would be to read other people’s minds because I am always wondering what others are thinking about.
10. What is an interesting fact that most people don't know about you? I was born without a left eardrum. And I have had 10 surgical procedures so far in my life.
11. What do you dislike? I dislike kimchi.
12. Do you have a pet peeve? People not using their car turn signals to turn!

Were you surprised by any of Darcy's answers? Continue the conversation with her and with others, building relationships and being present in your community. 



Thank you, Darcy! We appreciate you!

Celebrating the Birth of Martin Luther

Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483.

Luther taught that salvation and subsequently eternity in heaven is not earned by good deeds but is received only as a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. His theology challenged the authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge from God. Those who identify with these, and all of Luther's wider teachings, are called Lutherans.

His translation of the Bible (instead of Latin) made it more accessible, which had a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. It fostered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the writing of an English translation, the King James Bible. His hymns influenced the development of singing in churches. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry. Together, they had six children.

Martin Luther is also recognized for the Ninety-Five Theses and both the large and small Catechisms. He died at the age of sixty two, on February 18, 1546.

All Saints Day

On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed “Ninety-five Theses” to the Wittenberg Castle Church door, the date that Lutherans observe as Reformation Day, is also the eve of All Saints Day (All Hallows Day), commonly known in today’s culture as Halloween.

This Sunday, Holy Trinity will celebrate ALL who walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.  Some, having completed their kingdom work, now live in glory.  We, still doing kingdom work, live in the cross.  As we hear the bell tolls and the names of some of those who left us this year, please offer thanks to God for their witness … and the witness of ALL THE SAINTS.

Digital Discipleship

We don't generally link the words "digital" and "discipleship" together, but it's a topic worth considering--and discussing. ELCA Pastor Keith Anderson, from a congregation in Ambler, Pennsylvania, wrote a blog post for Living Lutheran, (read it here) addressing "Digital Discipleship."

The focus is on youth, and how social media devices "powerfully shape our faith in ways we are often unaware of — both by the information we receive through them (how we are formed), and how we live out our faith in digital spaces (how we enact our faith)." Really, his suggestions pertain to any individual, regardless of age, who relies on digital devices to receive news, socialize with friends, or gather information on any variety of topics.

Have you ever talked to your friends "about the intersection of faith and technology" and how to "become digital disciples and agents of grace...in social media?" Pastor Anderson's 2-session plan provides an overview and opportunity for conversation in your friend circles, Bible study class, Sunday School, and small groups.

 

What is 5th Sunday?

Nearly 50 members of our congregation participated in September's "5th Sunday" event, doing God's work in the city for good.

As Paul wrote to the Philippians and through whom God now speaks to you, “It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” ~ Philippians 2:13

Before heading into the community, the group was commissioned for service with prayer and support from the congregation.

"The Lord God has called you here this day to turn you around again and send you out to work in the city for good.  God’s work, your hands. May God grant you the wisdom, courage and strength to complete the tasks for which you have been called.

Go forth in the name of the Lord!"

Projects addressed in September:

• Cleaning and restocking shelves at the Lutheran Thrift Store, Hidden Treasures. Thrift store profits fund mission projects in the community.
• Cleaning and raking at Arrowhead park.
• Providing music and songs for the residents at Chandler Health Care.

Mark your calendar now for the next 5th Sunday work day: December 29, 2013. Planned efforts include placing beans and rice in plastic bags that will be forwarded to Chandler Care Center.  They in turn will be included in their weekly food distribution to friends in the community.

 

Plans are in place for a BIG 5th Sunday event on March 30, 2014. Just show up with a smile on your face, joy in your heart and a willingness to make a positive impact on the life of our community.
 What is planned?  After a brief worship service at 9am we will send our congregation into the community.  In partnership with the city of Chandler we will paint rooms, clean windows and yards, sing songs and package food for people in our community.

 

Consider your role in 5th Sunday efforts and look for updates in newsletters, bulletins, social media announcements, and right here on the church blog.

 

First Bibles

First Bibles were presented to the third grade class, gifted by longtime members, Morris and Ruth Bartling. Students attended two weeks of instruction classes with a parent, Godparent, or grandparent before receiving their Bibles on September 29th.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Proverbs 22:6 ⁶ Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Patience, Laughter, and Hope

Preschool and Kindergarten children practice patience and laughter in their classroom, learning about Abraham and Sarah's story of hope. Though very old, they were blessed with a son and named him Isaac. Did you know that laughter is associated with Isaac's name?

Preschool/Kindergarten

All Sunday School classes from Preschool thru 6th grade are learning Faith Traits and Bible Stories in the same sequence, making it easier for families with multiple children to continue the conversation at home. The Witness curriculum, published by Augsburg Fortress, pairs well with the Jesus Storybook Bible for young learners, providing vivid pictures and meaningful messages.

1st and 2nd Graders

In addition to regular curriculum, Preschool and Kindergarteners are learning to pray aloud. First and Second graders have begun to memorize the Lord's Prayer. Third and Fourth graders are learning and memorizing the Ten Commandments. Fifth and Sixth graders are focusing on the Apostle's Creed.

God's Promises Give Us Hope.

Daily Devotional

Are you looking for an online daily devotional? Visit our church website (click on the highlighted link) - and take a look at the homepage.

 On the bottom left side of the screen, the words "God Pause Daily Devotional" appear in a black box. Click on the blue & green symbol located just below the black box for a direct link to the daily devotional, presented by Luther Seminary.

Rain or Shine, Jesus Is The Light of The World!

Nearly 100 kids sloshed through the rain to take part in the "Backpack Blessing" and first day of Sunday school on September 8, 2013.

Take Jesus with you when you go to school, work, and everywhere you go each day! He is the light of the world.

Welcoming A New Bishop!

ELCA Presiding Bishop-elect Elizabeth A. Eaton will be installed Oct. 5 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago, which will be open to the public. Her official start date is Nov. 1.

Click on this link: Home - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to read more!

Spreading The News!

Pastor Scott played "Telephone" with a long line of eager listeners during the children's sermon on August 25th. What did they learn? Jesus loves you and He will never leave you.

Other Lutheran Links

Check out the new "Other Lutheran Links" bar on the right hand panel of the blog. Follow stories posted by fellow Lutherans and suggest other links you'd like to see added to our page.

Staying Connected

Welcome! You are reading the first blog post written for members and friends of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Please visit our web page and calendar, located (here) for more information on our church location, worship services, and upcoming events.

 

Social media has become the #1 activity on the world wide web. Staying connected with your church family is another opportunity for continuing conversations and building relationships.

 

Add this blog address to your "Favorites" list today and experience the love of God that changes lives for good!