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December 2014
Trinity TopicsH O L Y T R I N I T Y L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
www.sancarloshtlc.org
Savior of the nations, come;Virgin’s son, make here your home.Marvel now, O heaven and earth:God has chosen such a birth.Martin Luther, 1483-1546 | ELW 263
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The other day a parishioner said to me, “Pastor, can you believe that another year has already passed?” It has indeed…almost.
Who thinks of Advent at this time? In spite of colored lights and faux wreaths going up in my neighborhood and TV commercials playing “Jingle Bells” on all channels, I am not in Advent, let alone Christmas, mood. Too much is going on. When I do dare to look at my December
calendar and see all the pre-Christmas events, concerts, and activities, all I want to do is hide until it’s over. Now, is this what Advent is about…hiding and waiting until it’s over???
Advent is first and foremost a season of patience and waiting. Two things I am notoriously not good at. (Who has the time to wait these days, anyway?) So much going on…so much to do…and so little time. I wonder whether or not I have caved in to the pressure of trying to fill my Advent season with too much of the “sweet holiday events” thereby
restricting time really to savor and ponder what this season is all about. What does Advent mean to YOU? Do you make time to pause, reflect, and prepare for the coming of the promised Savior or is this yet another year of going
through all the motions, without noticing what God is up to in our midst?
Advent is a time of hopeful waiting. In this season we follow the Holy Family to the manger and we are filled with hope when the baby is born. Babies always fill us with hope. Hope for future generations. Hope for all the new ideas
and thoughts a little one brings. Hope for our earth. Hope for the cosmos.
In this season of Advent, don’t fall into despair when things get busy around you and you feel overwhelmed. Rather,
consciously carve out a little time for yourself to contemplate what you are waiting for and how you are waiting. I’m hopeful that you will find the waiting filled with faith and hope.
Here at Holy Trinity we are waiting together. All we have to do is “show up.” Come as you are—no pretense. May
you find what you are waiting for: A little babe who brings hope and life to us and the whole world.
A blessed season of hoping and waiting,
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F E
Order Christmas Poinsettias
Continuing a tradition at Holy Trinity, we will beautify our sanctuary at Christmas time with poinsettias in celebration of Christ’s birth. The cost is $15.00 each.
Simply fill out the form on the table in the Narthex, place with your payment in the offering plate or turn in to the church office. Make your check payable to Holy Trinity and note “poinsettias” on the memo line. Please have orders in by December 14th.
Your gracious donation for a loved ones will enhance our worship throughout the Christmas season. Thank you.
"The Backward Christmas Pageant"
Sunday, December 14th | 5:00 pm
Bring your friends, family, and neighbors as our youth share the joy of Christmas through familiar songs and
pageant! Potluck dinner to follow.
All are welcome!
Practice sessions for children and youth:
Sun 11/23 at 9am and during Sunday School
Sun 11/30 at 9am and during Sunday School
Sun 12/7 at 9am and during Sunday School
Dress rehearsal: Sat, Dec 13th at 3 - 5pm
Celebrate Advent and Christmas at HTLC
The Sundays of AdventNovember 30, December 7, 14 & 21
9:00 a.m. Adult Forum10:15 a.m. Holy Communion Service with Children’s Time
& the Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Wednesdays, December 3, 10 & 177:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer
Sunday, December 145:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant
The Nativity Our LordChristmas Eve, December 24
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Eucharist with Special Music
Christmas Morning, December 2510:15 a.m. Festive Holy Communion Service
The First Sunday of Christmas, December 2810:15 a.m. Holy Communion Service with Children’s Time
H T L C / M L C Y o u t h C h r i s t m a s N i g h t
December 19 | 6:30 pm
The Knauth Residence2024 Alden Street|Belmont
A Christmas tradition…
All teens from HTLC and MLC are invited for a fun evening at the Knauth’s for games, Bratäpfel, hot cider and FUN.
Bring cookies to share!
RSVP [email protected]
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F E
Adult Forums in Advent
Sundays, December 7, 14, 21 | 9:00 a.m.
Adult Forums meet at 9:00 am in the Conference Room
November 30“Savior of the Nations Come” – Part I
Reflections, Traditions, and Spirituality on and around the season of Advent
December 7The SF Night Ministry
Pr. Lyle Beckman on the work of the church at night
December 14The Roman Catholic Church
Conversation with Rev. Mike Ghiorso, Deacon of the San Francisco Archdiocese
December 21“Savior of the Nations Come” - Part II
Reflections, Traditions, and Spirituality on the season of Christmas
No experience necessary. Come as you are!
Annual Messiah Sing/Play Along Friday, December 12 | 7:30 pmStanford Memorial Church
Sponsored by: Department of Music
This annual “sing and play it yourself” celebration of Handel’s masterwork, conducted by Stephen Sano, is a favorite of campus and community! Orchestral parts will be provided, and singers may purchase scores at the door or bring their own.
Admission: general $15 | student $10 | senior $10
Purchase tickets online athttp://sto.stanfordtickets.org/single/SelectSeating.aspx?p=6053
Please call the Stanford Ticket Office at 650.725.2787 if you require assistance.
For more info, contact Pamela or Greg Bohlmann.
Christmas Caroling 11:00 am We invite all voices to join for Christmas caroling on Laurel Street. We also need musicians to accompany us. This is a great way to share the Christmas spirit and have fun with others from Holy Trinity. Meet at 11:00 am in the BofA parking lot (760 Laurel).
All are welcome--no musical talent required.
Questions: contact Gary Wiessinger ([email protected])
Tree Trimming | 1:00 pm | Beilstein HallAll are invited to decorate this year's Christmas tree. Snacks and refreshments provided. We will use ornaments and lights that donated and handed down through the years. Please bring a special ornament to add to the tree! (returned after the holidays). Questions: contact Peter Meier ([email protected])
New Option for Giving – Stock TransferWhat shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? Psalm 116:12
As you plan your stewardship giving you should know that a new giving option is available for Holy Trinity. Whether you are giving to the General Budget, Spring Forth! or the Endowment you can now transfer stocks to Holy Trinity and avoid paying capital gains taxes.
Contact Treasurer, Petra Gilmore for details.
Saturday, December 6
Confirmation is taking a break for Christmas.
Class will resume Wednesday, January 7th
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y L I F E C O N T . . .
Senior Trip to Roaring Camp
and the Santa Cruz Redwoods
Pr. Erica Scemper with baby Hazel.
HTLC Adult Dinner Group
SFSU nursing students providing blood pressure checks in the courtyard.
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H O L Y T R I N I T Y M I N I S T R I E S
Samaritan House Gift Exchange
We are adopting 8 families this year from the Family Sharing Program at the Samaritan House. The Samaritan House serves families in San Mateo and Belmont. We will need a lot of help in all different ways. You can:
• buy gifts for an individual
• be a translator (Spanish)
• deliver gifts
• donate for a grocery store gift card
More details to come on the individual families. If you want to donate please do it soon by writing a check to Holy Trinity and note “Family Sharing” in the memo. If you want to help, email Hillary Wiessinger at [email protected] and let her know how you can help.
Russian Correspondence -- Fall 2014
Read the full Russian Missionary Newsletter on the HTLC website at “Words from Our Missionary”.
Bradn Buerkle is a Lutheran pastor serving through the Evangelical Lutheran Mission of Lower Saxony (ELM) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia, in charge of educational. He maintains relationships with partners (individuals and congregations) in the U.S. and Germany through his blog: www.russiancorrespondent.blogspot.com
Spring Forth! In Our MissionSee, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)
The people of Holy Trinity sense that God is really up to something in this place and they envision a bright future for current and new generations. It has been exciting to see all the new growth at Holy Trinity throughout 2014, much of it enabled through your bold participation in Spring Forth! The total Spring Forth! pledge from the congregation is over $400,000 and approximately $147,000 has been received towards those pledges as of October 31. Many thanks to everyone who made Spring Forth! donations this year. Please remember your Spring Forth! pledge as you complete your 2014 donations to HTLC.
The opportunity to refresh the beautiful HTLC campus allows us to make space for exciting ministries on the mid-Peninsula. The people of Holy Trinity expressed three strong goals to be fulfilled through our Spring Forth responses:
• Enlarge or improve the physical facilities of the church to expand or enhance our ministries. Our refreshed sanctuary has made it easier for more of our members to be comfortable in church and be active in music or other functions up front near the alter. The Glenwood landscape makeover will provide us the capability to expand worship outdoors as well as show our neighbors how we are Springing Forth!
• Change or improve the music of the church to deepen our worship experience. The addition of a beautiful grand piano brings a luster to Shirley’s musical accompaniment during worship.
• Expand outreach ministries that provide direct services to those living on the margins of society. Will have more outreach activities planned next year.
In addition to making Spring Forth! cash contributions, you may also donate stock. A brokerage account has been opened at Thrivent to receive stock contributions. For more information, please contact Petra Gilmore.
Also, as you submit your Spring Forth! donations, please designate them as “Spring Forth” or use one of the Spring Forth! envelopes available in the narthex. As you review your year-end giving report, please check that any Spring Forth! gifts made have been properly recorded.
These are exciting times for Holy Trinity and we are looking forward to our ministries continuing to Spring Forth!
H O L Y T R I N I T Y H A P P E N I N G S
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Happy BirthdayA birthday is God’s reminder to enjoy life.
May your birthday be a day of celebration!
2 Sandy Frojelin 5 Diane Beuthel
8 Ida Norgard 10 Stefan Reimann
13 Nicole Pitts 20 Arik Schoessow
22 Annika Fox 23 Eli Schrof Maya Rohrer
26 Tamara Bready 31 Karen Schornstein
Anniversary Wishes
Larry & Lillian Pogreba
12/28/1954
(59 years)
God bless you as you celebrate your years together!
Holy Trinity Dedication
Concert, November 16
Dr. Timothy Zerlang and Shirley Zimmerman
Reception following in Beilstein Hall.
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Glenwood Landscaping Project
H O L Y T R I N I T Y F A C I L I T I E S
The Glenwood landscaping project is nearly complete. Looking at the Glenwood property 8 months ago, the re-landscaping idea was daunting and seemed nearly impossible. How could we replace an overgrown lot and falling retaining walls with a drought-resistant landscaped yard, a peace garden and a water feature? From the first “clearing party” on March 8 to the last “planting party” on October 25 over 500 member volunteer hours augmented the work of Lance Webb (designer) and his crews to make the seemingly impossible become a reality.
S E Q U O I A C L U B
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F A C I L I T I E S C O N T . . .
The project was completed $20,000 under budget. The savings will enable:
•Installing dual-pane windows in Pastor’s and Monica’s offices.
•Updating Sunday school classrooms,downstairs hallway and transforming “stage room” into new chapel/meeting room.
•Installing new sanctuary roof (Manzanita-side).
S E Q U O I A C L U B
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M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R S . . .
Lydia Circle (of WELCA)
Tuesday, December 16
Beilstein Hall | Noon
Since Christmas is approaching and some of us still bake, we will have our annual cookie exchange. Don't bake? Then, purchase some of your favorites and bring them along! After lunch we will munch on cookies, share, and take some home for our families. We will have our Bible Study - "Faith in the Family" found on pg 32 - December issue of "Gather". Our "story" begins after the Israelites have been delivered from Egypt and continues to the spread of Christianity both during and after Jesus' lifetime. We also plan to have an ingathering for Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. Please watch for the little Christmas tree which you are all invited to decorate with little red stockings filled with your donations. Expect it to appear in the narthex by mid December! If you wish to have your donation recorded please attach a "post-it" so it can be recorded in your annual giving. Once totaled, the $s will be forwarded to LSS/No.CA.
& Book Study
Saturday, December 13
8:00 - 9:30 am | Beilstein Hall
We are starting a new book "God is Closer Than You Think" written by John Ortberg. All men welcome!
Ice Skating at Winter Lodge
Sunday, January 11th
3 - 5 pm
Sunday, December 7th
Blood Pressure CheckSandy Frojelin and her SFSU nursing students will be offering blood pressure checks after worship in the the courtyard.
Senior Event - December 11 | 7: 30 pm
“The Gift”—based on A Christmas Carol
A lavish musical theatre production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens at the Notre Dame Theatre in Belmont. In the spirit of “The Gift” audience members bring food and toys to be donated locally for the holidays.
Admission is free. We obtained eight (8) tickets for the play. The tickets will be awarded on a first come-first serve basis. To reserve your seat, please sign up in the breezeway or contact the church office. Prior to the play we will be going to a local restaurant for dinner.
Meet at HTLC Lot: 5:15 pm
Do your holiday shopping at
Mercy Center!
Check out our fabulous
assortment of gifts – from
scarves, bags, unusual jewelry
and art, to Nativity sets
from many cultures, music,
meditation aids and delightful
books for all ages.
Open Wednesday – Sunday
10am – 5pm
First Fridays each month
until 10pm
SPECIAL ORDER?
PLEASE CALL: 650.373.4511
2300 Adeline Drive
Burlingame CA 94010
SAVE THE DATES! January 11
Budget Preview Meeting
January 25 Annual Congregational Meeting
S E Q U O I A C L U B
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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4
www.sancarloshtlc.org/calendar
DECEMBER 2014
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
309:00 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
16:00 PMJazzercise
27:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
310:00 AM StaffMeeting7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:00 PM HoldenEvening Prayer
46:00 PM Jazzercise
57:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple-Beilstein Hall
611:00 AMChristmasCaroling1:00 PM TreeTrimming5:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
79:00 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
86:00 PMJazzercise
97:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
1010:00 AM StaffMeeting7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:00 PM HoldenEvening Prayer
116:00 PM Jazzercise7:30 PM SeniorEvent
127:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:00 PM AnnualMessiah Sing/PlayAlong7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple-Beilstein Hall
138:00 AM Men'sBreakfast -Beilstein Hall5:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
149:00 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:15 AM Worship & MusicMeeting11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom5:00 PM Christmas Pageant
156:00 PMJazzercise
1612:00 PM LydiaCircle7:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall7:00 PM CouncilMeeting
1710:00 AM StaffMeeting7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:00 PM HoldenEvening Prayer
186:00 PM Jazzercise
196:30 PM YouthChristmas Night7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple-Beilstein Hall
205:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
219:00 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
226:00 PMJazzercise
237:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
2410:00 AM StaffMeeting7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:00 PMCandlelightEucharist Service
25CHRISTMAS -OFFICE CLOSED10:15 AMChristmasMorning WorshipService
26OFFICE CLOSED7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple-Beilstein Hall
275:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
289:00 AM Adult Forum10:15 AM Worship Service11:15 AM Coffee andFellowship11:30 AM Choir Practice12:00 PM Webb Family Event5:00 PM AA Meeting--ConfRoom
296:00 PMJazzercise
307:00 PM AAMeeting--BeilsteinHall
3110:00 AM StaffMeeting7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom
1NEW YEARS DAY- OFFICE CLOSED6:00 PM Jazzercise
2OFFICE CLOSED7:00 PM AAMeeting--ConfRoom7:30 PM RussianGospel Temple-Beilstein Hall
35:00 PM AA Mtg(women's group)--Conf Room
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If a conflict prevents you from serving as scheduled, arrange a trade and/or substitute and notify the office at 650.593.0325 or [email protected]
W O R S H I P L E A D E R S
TRINITY TOPICSPublished by
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church149 Manzanita, San Carlos, CA 94070
www.sancarloshtlc.org650-593-0325
Do you have something to share with members of Holy Trinity?
Contact the church office 650-593-0325 or email
Deadline is the Second Friday of each month
To receive the Trinity Topics by email, contact the church office.
Contributors – All membersEditor – Office staff
12/7 12/14 12/21
12/24
Christmas
Eve
12/25
Christmas 12/28
Assisting
Minister
Anita
Reimann
Lori
Friedman
Karen
Schornstein
Lector James
Reimann
Laura Jane
Young
John
McDowell
Acolyte Maya
Rohrer
Cameron
Martin
Anna
Friedman
Sound
System
Operator
Bob
Beuthel
Greg
Bohlmann
Leroy
Padilla
Altar Guild Pamela
Bohlmann
Karen
Schornstein
Barbara
Richards
Greeter(s) Anni
Wunderlich
The
Wiessingers Peter Meier
Ushers
Dave Pitts
Richard
Wunderlich
Leroy
Padilla
Greg
Bohlmann
John
Schornstein
Sig
n U
p in
bre
eze
wa
y
Sig
n U
p in
bre
eze
wa
y
Sig
n U
p in
bre
eze
wa
y
Nursery
Assistant
Parent to
Stay
Parent to
Stay
Zoe
Reimann
Parent to
Stay
Coffee Host Lisa Kersten Cathy
Bready
Julianne
Fredericks
Counters
Mary
Webb
Andrea
Reiser
Leroy
Padilla
Mary
Webb
Greg
Bohlmann
Chris Kidwell
Lisa Telfer
Lisa Kersten
Sunday
School
Gaby,
Michelle,
Zoe
Lisa, Hillary,
Gail, Anna
Lori, Anita,
Peter,
Heather
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church149 Manzanita AvenueSan Carlos, CA 94070www.sancarloshtlc.orgPhone: [email protected] Worship 10:15 am
Want to Go Green? Please contact Holy Trinity ([email protected]) to replace your printed copy with an electronic copy of our newsletter.
CHURCH STAFF......................................... ............................................Pastor The Rev. Christian Jennert Office Administrator Monica Cryan
[email protected] [email protected]....... ................................................................Dir, Child & Family Ministries The Rev. Erica Schemper Nursery Care Jo O’Brien
[email protected] obrien@sancarloshtlc.org...................................Organist/Pianist Shirley Zimmerman
2014 COUNCIL OFFICERS & MINISTRY TEAM CHAIRS................................................... ..........................................................President Dr. Lori Friedman Worship & Music Erik Vorhes
[email protected] ...................................Evangelism & Outreach Gary Wiessinger................................................... .............................................................Vice President Peter Meier Stewardship Rick Gilmore
.................................................. ...............Secretary Barbara Richards Social Concerns Barbara Padilla & Hillary Wiessinger.............. .......................................................................Buildings & Grounds Bob Beuthel & Leroy Padilla Youth Lori Friedman
............................................. ..................................................Congregation Life Peter Meier Financial Secretary Mary Webb................... ................................................................Endowment. Cathy Bready & John McDowell Treasurer Petra Gilmore
..........................Education/Sunday School Anita Reimann
