December 2012 Tidings

TRINITY

EVANGELICAL

LUTHERAN

CHURCH

7 1 0 4 3 9 t h A v e n u e K e n o s h a , W I 5 3 1 4 2

T R I N I T YT R I N I T YT R I N I T Y T I D I N GT I D I N GT I D I N G SSS

December 2012

Volume 61 Published Jan.-Dec.

Saturday Morning Study ............. 2

Sunday’s Com’n ............................. 2

O Holy Night Nativity ................... 2

Carthage Christmas ...................... 2

Children, Youth & Family ........ 2

Holiday Sanity ........................... 3

Care for Creation ....................... 3

Adult Lunch Bunch ...................... 4

New Members ................................ 4

Opportunities for Ministry ............ 4

Financial Stewardship ................. 5

Getting into the “Tidings” .......... 5

Financial Gift Deadline ................ 5

Social Ministry/CUSH ............. 5

Memorials .................................. 6

Calendar of Events .................... 7

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my

messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one

crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his

paths straight’”. Isaiah 1:1, 2

For the body of Christ, the church, December is the season of

Advent. A time of preparing, of waiting for the arrival of the Lord.

Those of us who are disciples of Jesus Christ turn our primary focus

toward the nativity of Jesus even as we attend to the cultural tasks of

holiday decorating, event planning and gift buying. It’s a challenge to

have one foot in each of these worlds. But no one said being a

Christian was easy—it never has been.

So what does your ‘preparing for the Lord’ look like? I imagine we

all are preparing for something or someone. Some of us may be more

intentional than others about our goals and hopes. So if someone

looked at your appointment calendar, your checkbook or credit card

statement who or what would they say you are preparing for? Are you

preparing to celebrate the arrival of Jesus by being generous and

thankful for all God has and is doing through Christ? Or is faith more

or less an afterthought? Or maybe, no thought at all?

Our faith community is making great strides, guided by the Holy

Spirit, to proclaim the good news to more people in greater ways. Our

preschool is experiencing renewal and expanding enrollment. Our

children, youth and family ministry is gaining steam under Mike’s

leadership. Kerri has brought fresh perspective and abundant energy

to the music ministries of Trinity. And our monthly contemporary

service has averaged 80 worshippers. Trinity is preparing the way for

the Lord by reaching out to greater numbers of people who are

grieving, lonely, or struggling by sharing the good news that God is

present with us in this One. Jesus. Emmanuel.

You’re asked as a brother or sister in Christ to partner in this

ministry by sharing generously of your time and money. Financial

pledge cards for next year are available in the office. Please return

them by December 10th so that council may develop a spending plan

for next year. Use this opportunity to prepare the way of the Lord.

Blessings to you in Christ Jesus as you prepare the way for his

Advent into your heart.

Pastor Tom

Table of Contents

Baptism

Adults who desire to be baptized, or those who want to have their child

baptized, are invited to contact the church office. In the case of Adult

Baptism, candidates are encouraged to worship and attend a Sunday morning Bible Study. Those

who want to have their child baptized are asked to schedule a Baptism Preparation session with

Pastor Tom prior to the baptism. P.T. looks forward to talking with you! Please speak with him if

you have questions.

Saturday Morning Study

Saturday, December 8th, 8:30-10:00am (No meeting December 22nd)

Downstairs in the Great Hall

Prayer. Five hundred years ago Martin Luther, in How One Should Pray, for Master Peter the

Barber, said it is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of the morning and the last at

night. Henry French’s Book of Faith Lenten Journey, 40 days with the Lord’s Prayer states “in 14

short lines the Lord’s Prayer contains the heart and soul of Jesus’ teaching.” The Saturday Study

is going to spend some time with both of these resources as we look deeply into the Lord’s Prayer. It

is not necessary to attend each session. Come as you can and enjoy morning coffee and conversation.

For additional information, contact Tammie at [email protected] or 654-3256.

Sunday's Com'n

Each Wednesday morning at 8:30am, gather with Pastor Tom in the Gathering Space to

reflect on the scripture reading for the coming Sunday. No experience necessary. We read the

text and share how it makes us feel and the thoughts and questions it generates. It's all good!

O Holy Night Live Nativity

Please join us for a live reenactment of our Dear Savior’s birth. Cookies, refreshments, and

fellowship to follow! Oakvue Farm, December 7th and 8th, 6:30-7:30pm. The farm is located at

14700 104th St (Hwy Q), Kenosha, about 1.5 miles west of I-94. There is no admission charge, but

donations are accepted. For more information, call 262-206-0566.

A Carthage Christmas

Celebrate the holidays with the Carthage community by attending: Love’s Pure Light, a

Festival of Readings and Carols featuring the majestic sounds of the Fritsch Memorial Organ.

The program follows an age-old tradition of sharing the celebration of the birth of Christ through

readings and music and includes Carthage’s annual Service of Light. Students in the Carthage

Choir, Carthage Women’s Ensemble, Lincoln Chamber Singers, Gospel Messengers, A. F. Siebert

Chapel Choir, wind Orchestra and other Instrumental Ensembles as well as students from the

Theatre Department present identical programs on Friday, November 30th and Saturday,

December 1st at 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 2nd at 4:00pm at A. F. Siebert Chapel.

Reservations are required for these free concerts. Please call 262-551-5810 for reservations and

more information.

Worship and Christian Education

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Tiptoe to Bethlehem...Unto Us a Boy is Born

The Trinity Youth Christmas program will be held on Sunday, December

16th, between church services, at 9:15am in the Great Hall. Plan to join us as

Joy Bringer, God's very own Christmas Angel, tells the story of Jesus’ birth. Preparation for the

program is taking place in the next few weeks during Sunday school time. Please encourage

your children to attend so that they may be part of Tiptoe to Bethlehem. If you would like to

help in any way, please contact Tammie Sorensen, Krista Lichtenheld, or Mike Van Laningham.

Children, Youth and Family Ministry

mailto:[email protected]

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Care for Creation

As we begin the journey into Advent, we prayerfully await Christ’s entrance into

our world. As we wait, so does all creation. This season, we will be considering how

Advent is a call to environmental stewardship, and how we as a congregation can

work to lessen the environmental impact of our holiday season. Watch for suggestions to “green”

your home this Advent season.

First Sunday in Advent, December 2nd: Green Decorations Sunday

Second Sunday in Advent, December 9th: Green Gift Ideas Sunday

Third Sunday in Advent, December 16th: Wrapping Alternatives Sunday

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 23rd: Green Celebrations Sunday

Christmas lights will be collected for recycling from now until Sunday, January 6th. Drop your

old strings of lights into the decorated recycling tub in the entrance hallway.

Remember to bring a homemade ornament to hang on our congregation Christmas tree in the

Gathering Space.

How to Maintain Your Sanity at the Holidays

Used with permission from Money+Meaning by Nathan Dungan

We often go to incredible lengths to make the holiday season spectacular—like

tracking down the perfect gift for someone we love. But it can be tough to make that happen.

Sometimes the pressure to find the perfect gift(s) leads to increased stress and unnecessary

anxiety. That’s not exactly a recipe for an enjoyable holiday season.

With the “hot” toys topping $100, how is a family supposed to withstand the insane pressure

to spend, spend, spend? That’s the big challenge for most people, they work hard to live within

their means for 10 months out of the year and then watch it go out the window (or up the

chimney) in the final two months.

So, how does one withstand the overwhelming pressure to spend and still enjoy the best of

the holidays? Here are five tips to help you maintain your sanity:

1. Be realistic. Create a list of everyone you want to buy a gift for, compare that to your total

holiday gift budget and then assign a specific dollar amount for each gift. Then, when

possible, shop with cash, not plastic. This will help you stay on budget and maintain your

sanity well into the New Year.

2. Buy local. When buying gifts for friends and family, support local merchants. It might take

a little more time to source them out, but it is well worth it. When you give the gift, make

sure the recipient knows where it came from as it may inspire them to do the same.

3. Share time & money. If you want to really create some cool memories this year, give a

“share check” to friends and family. It’s super simple. Use a check from your checking

account, fill everything in except the “pay to order of” and then ask the person you share it

with to give the money away to a cause or charity they are passionate about. Time

permitting; offer to accompany them on a volunteer project for the recipient’s charity. The

memory will last a lifetime and nothing will end up in a landfill.

4. Mine your family stories. Some of the best holiday memories I have from years past was

listening to my grandparents and parents talk about their holiday experiences from their

childhood. Talk about reinforcing the notion of gratitude. Our family stories, the good and the

challenging, shape our family narrative. Don’t cede the narrative to the culture of consumption.

5. Drinking and online shopping don’t mix. If you are planning to shop online, don’t pour

a glass of wine before sitting down at your computer – it’s a bad combination. It’s amazing

how easy it is to click “buy” after a glass (or two) of your favorite Malbec. Save the drinking

until after the shopping is done.

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Equipping Ministry—Who do you call? Within our congregation there are many ministries to serve God and others.

Pastor Pastor Tom Smith [email protected] 287-8098

President Linda Kluck [email protected] 653-9491 Vice-Pres Mike Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032 Treasurer Jim Lichtenheld [email protected] 654-3940 Finance Mike Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032 Secretary Linda McKinney [email protected] 843-2851

Property Bruce Milne [email protected] 694-5859 Social Scott Blanchard [email protected] 945.2756 Stewardship Open Youth Sue Torres [email protected] 515-1844

Witness Rhonda Brennan [email protected] 942-0587 Worship & Music Tom Johnson [email protected] 652-7476

Children, Youth and Family Minister Mike Van Laningham [email protected] 653-1282 Adult Ed Open Opportunity Altar Guild/Flowers Donna Dezoma 298-5464

Bowling Woody Knutson [email protected] 658-3052 Busy Bees (Quilters) Donna Dezoma 298-5464 Care for Creation Dru Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032 Choirs Kerri Sherwood

Communion Asst [email protected] 694-5050 Co-op Pre-School Lea Ann Taber [email protected] 694-5192 CROP Walk Rhonda Brennan [email protected] 942-0587 CUSH Jay Labedz [email protected] 654-8852 Lenore Baumann [email protected] 654-1261

Nancy Lehrke [email protected] 694-2624 Fair Trade Coffee Nancy Lehrke [email protected] 694-2624

Grace Safe Place Summer Lunch Program Scott Blanchard [email protected] 945.2756 Health Ministry Cindy Johnson [email protected] 652-7476

Lectors Office [email protected] 694-5050 Library Dru Spitzer [email protected] 859-2032 Lutheran World Relief Lucille Brenneman 694-4097 Memorials Linda McKinney [email protected] 843-2851 Money Counting Ken Larsen [email protected] 654-4801

Mutual Ministry Jay Labedz [email protected] 654-8852 Parish Visitors Cindy Johnson [email protected] 652-7476 Saturday Bible Study Tammie Sorenson [email protected] 654-3256 Senior League Linda Kluck [email protected] 653-9491

Soup Kitchen/Shalom Center

Linda McKinney [email protected] 843-2851 Sunday Morning Coffee Rhonda Brennan [email protected] 942-0587 Sunday Morning Nursery Kaley Gerou Sunday School Open Opportunity

Tidings & Website Sheri Villers [email protected] 697-8238 Urban Outreach Center Scott Blanchard [email protected] 945-2756 Ushers Woody Knutson [email protected] 658-3052 VBS Mike Van Laningham [email protected] 653-1282

Women of the ELCA Roseann Knutson [email protected] 658-3052

Opportunities for Ministry Trinity Adult Lunch

Bunch

41st

Year

Dec 13th

Chicken wrapped in foil, rolls and

birthday cake for dessert.

*If school is cancelled due to bad

weather, there will be no lunch served

that day.

Linda Kluck, 262-653-9491

New Members (oops!)

We regret leaving off Kim and

Brent Stanley from the list of new

members in November’s Tidings.

Please welcome them and our other

new members:

Tom and Kim Stevens

Kelly Schmitz

Christian and Eleanora von Dehsen

Patricia Hasselburg

Andrew and Karen Terry

Mary Siebert

Eric Lin

Ann, Haddon and Margret Harms

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Dear members of Trinity,

October was a so-so

month; we had enough

funds, barely, in the

Unified Giving account but

were short in the Debt

Reduction account. We are

still behind in Unified for

the year.

Something major to

think about—we are over

$13,000 behind in our

budgeted giving! Please remember, our expenses will increase a lot with the heating bills. We also

have a major expense coming (flat roof) that looks like it will be around $10,000.

Please make sure to keep up with your Unified Giving and Debt Reduction.

I hope everyone has a very happy Christmas season, remembering Jesus’ birthday.

Also keep everyone in your prayers; they help!

Thanks,

Jim Lichtenheld

Treasurer

How are We Doing?

October 2012 YTD 2012

Income $16,864.60 $174,340.99

Expenses $16,612.62 $177,091.44

Unified Overage (Shortage) $251.98 ($2,750.45)

Estate Gift Transfer $0.00 $2,447.96

Building Debt Reduction Funds $4,118.50 $48,740.50

Mortgage Payment $4,900.83 $48,538.61

Mortgage Overage (Shortage) ($782.33) $2,649.85

Financial Stewardship

Getting into

TRINITY TIDINGS

The deadline to receive information for the January 2013 issue:

Saturday, December 15th

Articles may be left in the church office or E-mailed to Sheri Villers at

[email protected].

The Social ministry and CUSH committee will

not meet in December.

Please remember CANS FOR CUSH on

December 2nd. Please drop off any bagged

aluminum cans in the back hallway of the church

on the first Sunday of each month. The recycling

money will benefit CUSH.

Thank you for your support of CUSH and

Trinity’s Social Ministry programs.

We made $75.00 on the pecan sales.

Congregation members also

adopted the volunteers at the Urban Outreach

Center and their girl’s group for Christmas.

Please have the wrapped and tagged gifts to

Trinity by December 9th. Thanks to everyone for

their generosity.

Social Ministry and CUSH Corner

2012 Financial Gift Deadline

All financial gifts for 2012 must be received by

Sunday, December 30th for 2012 tax purposes. If a

copy of your gifts is needed to check your pledge

status, please call or leave a note in the church

office. Any posting errors must be fixed before

closing on January 1st.

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Memorials and Gifts

Offerings towards the Building Fund were received in honor of Pat

Brennan’s 50th birthday from Helen Oechler and Virginia Van Bendegom.

Offerings were given in memory of Donald Shidagis towards the

Building Fund, towards the Memorial Fund from Jim and Audrey Steel, Roseann and

Elwood Knutson and Marilyn Pinzger and towards the Bell Choir Fund from Dru and Mike

Spitzer, and Dan, Gay and Daena Voelz, towards the Handbell Fund from Diana Shidagis

and family, from his daughter and son-in-law, Dionne and Lee Kujawa, Fred and CarolAnn

Haerter, Jim and Krista Lichtenheld and Tammie Sorenson, towards Worship and Music

Fund from Diana Shidagis and family, John and Sue O’Day, Linda McKinney, Helen Oechler,

Jim and Judy Glover, Margie Slavik, Laurie Jacobs, Barb Petcoff , Linda McKinney, Jim and

Judy Glover, and towards the Unified Fund from Roberta Andersen, Donna Dezoma, and

Linda Kluck.

Offerings were given in memory of Enid Novy towards the Building Fund from Linda and

Donald Kluck, Roseann and Elwood Knutson, Jim and Audrey Steel, towards the Sound

System from Robert Nevoraski and Judy Gabron, and towards the Memorial Fund from

Lynn Novy, and Helen Upright.

Offerings were made in memory of Roger Palmen towards the Building Fund from

Roseann and Elwood Knutson, and Jim and Audrey Steel, towards the Memorial Fund from

Auto Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee, David and Barbara Wade, David and Bonnie

Mead, Helen Upright, Terri Palmen and family, friends and family Helen Oechler, Virginia

VanBendegom, Margie Slavik, Linda and Gerald Euting, Lorna and Chuck LeMay, towards

the Unified Fund, from LaVerne and Harold Kreuser, and towards the Worship and Music

Fund from Laurie Jacobs and Linda Kluck.

Offering were made in memory of Ed Baumann towards the Shalom Center from Ginny

Onserud, towards Unified Fund from Roseann and Elwood Knutson, towards the Building

Fund from Keith and Nancy Lehrke, towards the Memorial Fund from Margie Slavik, Doris

Kazel, Evelyn Stamm, Harold Huissen, Virginia VanBendegom, Mae and Jack Harris and Bob

and Lucille Brenneman, and towards the Bell Choir Fund from Jim and Krista Lichtenheld,

and Mike and Sue Scherr

Offerings were given in memory of Andy and Bea Fennema and Lynn (Fennema)

Anderson from Lynn and Don Beck towards the Memorial Fund.

Total offerings received: $3685

Funerals

Charles Steiber passed away 10/13 Memorial Service 10/23 Enid Novy passed away 10/27 Memorial Service 11/3 Roger Palmen passed away10/29 Funeral Service 11/3 Ed Baumann passed away 11/6 Funeral 11/10

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Saturday, December 1st

5:30pm 100 Wells Tour

7:30pm Carthage Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 2nd

First Sunday in Advent

8:00am Worship

9:15am Sunday School

10:15am Worship

10:15am Baptism: Jesse Quintero

2:00pm HS Group

4:00pm Carthage Christmas

Monday, December 3rd

6:00pm Boy Scouts Troop 525

Tuesday, December 4th

6:00pm Cub Scouts 525

7:00pm Venture Group

Wednesday, December 5th

8:30am Sunday's Com'n

6:30pm Choir Practice

7:30pm Bell Choir Practice

Friday, December 7th

6:00pm Jammies and Coco - Preschool

6:30pm O Holy Night Live Nativity

Saturday, December 8th

8:30am Saturday Morning Bible Study

9:00am Cupboard Bound

6:30pm O Holy Night Live Nativity

Sunday, December 9th

Second Sunday in Advent

8:00am Worship

9:15am New Traditions Service


10:15am Worship

10:15am Baptism: Paxten Parise

Monday, December 10th

Return 2013 Financial Pledge Cards

5:00pm P.E.O Sisterhood, Chapter BO




6:30pm Witness Ministry

7:00pm Worship & Music Ministry


7:00pm Pre-school Board Meeting





Thursday, December 13th

9:00am WELCA Bible Study

11:30am Trinity Adult Lunch Bunch


Third Sunday in Advent

8:00am Worship

9:15am Trinity Youth Christmas Program

10:15am Worship

2:00pm HS Youth Group




5:30pm Finance Ministry

6:00pm Council Ministry







Friday, December 21st

No School

Sunday, December 23rd

Fourth Sunday in Advent

8:00am Worship


10:15am Worship


No School

4:30pm Candlelight Service



Christmas Day

No School

9:30am Service of Lessons and Carols


No School




Thursday, December 27th

No School

Friday, December 28th

No School

4:00pm Soup Kitchen


First Sunday of Christmas

8:00am Worship


10:15am Worship

Monday, December 31st

No School

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December 2012

TRINITY TIDINGS Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

7104 39th Avenue

Kenosha, WI 53142

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U. S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 10

Kenosha, WI

TRINITY TIDINGS December 2012

Volume 61

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: (262) 694-5050

Website: www.trinitykenosha.org Email: [email protected]

STAFF Pastor, Rev. Thomas Smith ........................... ext. 24 Cell: 262-287-8098 Email: [email protected]

Parish Administrator, JoAnn Konkle .......... ext. 21

Children, Youth and Family Minister,

Mike Van Laningham ................................ 653-1282

Minister of Music, Kerri Sherwood

Co-op Preschool Administrator, Lea Ann Taber Co-op Preschool Financial Administrator Misty Van Laningham

Custodian, Sue Torres

Health Ministry Coordinator, Cindy Johnson, RN

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES Worship with Holy Communion .... 8:00 & 10:15am New Traditions ............ Second Sundays at 9:15am Hospitality & Coffee Hour ........................... 9:00am

Attended Nursery is available Sundays from 7:30 am to 11:45 for children 6 weeks to 4 years of age

Saved by Grace through Christ

to Serve

December

Christmas Worship Opportunities

Sunday, December 23rd

8:00am Worship

10:15am Worship

Christmas Eve, December 24th



Christmas Day, December 25th

9:30am Service of Lessons and Carols

Documents

December 2012 Tidings