Pastor James Fowler

WORSHIP

SATURDAY

5:30 PM

SUNDAY

10:00 AM

Live 10:00 AM

Radio Broadcast KVTK, AM 1570

9:00 AM

• Coffee Fellowship

• Sunday school

• Adult choir

The Servant’s Song

November—December 2015

T R I N I T Y L U T H E R A N C H U R C H , V E R M I L L I O N , S D

Dear Friends,

Thanks so much for all the kind words and expressions of hospitality you have extended since I arrived in the Vermillion community. I’m still getting to know names and connect them with the people to whom they belong. I have learned already that Trinity Lutheran Church is comprised of thoughtful, generous people. We have the potential of doing some wonderful ministry together, and so I’m excited to see how God will use our partnership over the next several years!

I’ve been using the last month-plus to learn the territory and this congregation’s ministries as they now stand, and I have some ideas about what could be done to enhance the things that are good, as well as those which need improvement. I do have some ideas about “easy wins” that will make a positive difference. For exam-ple, the hallway from the narthex to the Askeland Lounge is dreary. Nothing about that hallway says “Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!” There’s not much we can do about the length of that walk, but we can make it a more inviting one by improving the lighting and painting and decorating the walls imaginatively. Maybe we could have bulletin boards featuring coloring, writing, and crafts that our Sunday Schoolers have done.

Ephesians 4:12 says that the work of pastors and other leaders in the church is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” I understand that to mean that pastors are primarily coaches. Our job as pastors is not so much to do the ministry of the church, but to coach up the saints, the members of the church, to do “the work of ministry.” Part of that coaching up is leading a coalition of the willing to do the hard- and time-consuming work of discernment of the mission to which God calls us, in this time and place. Another dimension of “equipping (or coaching up) the saints for the work of ministry” is to match the gifts of Trinity’s members with the tasks that are needed to accomplish God’s mission.

How, you might ask, can that matching of gifts and ministries be accomplished? Presbyterian pastor and author Frederick Buechner writes: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” What do you love to do that meets a real need, and where can this gift that brings you great joy be employed?

In the months ahead, I plan to help each of you discover the particular gifts you have received by the Holy Spirit. With that information, it should become clear the ministry to which God is calling you: in the world and in the church.

Every blessing, Pastor Jim

P A G E 2

Stewardship and Thanksgiving

In these seasons of thanksgiving and hope, a sincere THANK YOU is in order to everyone who supports Trinity’s mission and ministries.

Stewardship is living by faith. Lives are changed and transformed through your financial gifts to the congregation.

Each dollar is spent to support the congregation’s mission and ministries.

For those of you who are interested, Trinity offers convenient electronic giving options for making donations on a scheduled, automated basis. Authorization forms are in the gathering area or from the church office.

WE ARE THE CHURCH! We need each other! As we move forward in our ministry, we need workers to carry out our mission. The main mission of the church is to gather in worship in order to be sent out to serve the world around us.

We are needing people – 6th grade and up – to volunteer to be assisting ministers on Sunday mornings. We will have special bulletins marked just for you and will show you how to do this important task. Please prayerfully consider this calling. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Fowler or Christy Kimball at the church office.

We look forward to serving with you!

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

Trinity Lutheran Church Choir – for 9th grade and up! I have heard from many of you that you would like an increase in music participation at Trinity. You would like it if “the choir” would sing more often. I must tell you that I would like the same thing. I invite you to come to choir on Sunday morn-ings at 9:00am in the Fellowship Hall. We are an all-volunteer choir, which means that some-times things do not work out as I had originally planned. The choir members are faithful, but they do have families too. So help us out – join us. We would love to have you!!!

Christy Kimball

Barton Kjellsen, President

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

In the book of Acts 2:42-47, Luke is describing how God’s people are called

to live in community with one another,

the same holds true today. Spiritual and

Relational vitality is the force of power that people of faith experience together

as they pursue God’s vision in their lives

and of the life of the congregation.

There are four elements of Spiritual and Relational Vitality:

1. Encountering God’s Holiness

2. Experiencing God’s Grace

3. Engaging in Community

4. Embracing Unity

Where do you see yourself and how can

Trinity help you on your faith journey?

In the seasons of the Church, we are

coming to the end of Pentecost and to the beginning of Advent!!

Just as the four seasons bring change,

the end of the year approaches bringing change to officers and board members.

If asked to be on a particular board,

please prayerfully consider your gifts

and talents.

God does not call the qualified.

God qualifies the called!

Praise be to God.

P A G E 3

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Yes, Christmas will be here before we know it! Here is our seasonal schedule, starting with Advent.

Advent 1: November 29 – Worship with communion and the lighting of the Advent wreath Advent 2: December 6 – Worship with communion and the lighting of the Advent wreath Advent 3: December 13 – Sunday School Christmas program as the message during worship, along with communion and the lighting of the Advent wreath Advent 4: December 20 – Worship with communion and the lighting of the Advent wreath Christmas Eve: December 24 – Services at 4:00pm, 7:00pm, and 10:00pm, all with communion and candle lighting. Christmas 1: December 26-27 – Carol service with communion Christmas 2: January 2-3 Worship with communion

P A G E 4

Pastor James E Fowler

Sunday, December 6, 2015

10:00 AM Worship with Holy communion

Bishop David Zellmer

You are cordially invited to attend this most auspicious occasion.

P A G E 5

November Opportunities

5> 9:00 am—Piecemakers Quilting

12> Women’s Bible study groups

Esther, 9:30 AM, Sletwold room at Trinity

Martha, 7:30 PM, to be announced

Naomi, 7:30 PM, Lorna Dibley’s home

19> 9:00 am –Piecemakers Quilting

December Opportunities

3> 9:00 am—Piecemakers Quilting

4> 12 noon—Christmas Salad Luncheon

17> 9:00 am—Piecemakers Quilting

CULTUAL LEARNING TRIP

Join Sharing the Dream founder, Diane Nesselhuf, January 25th- Feb. 3rd— for a learning trip to Guatemala.

A “learning trip”, in Sharing the Dream’s philosophy is that we travel to Guatemala to “be” with people instead of to “do” for people. This is important because we don’t have all the answers and we want the Guatemalan people to understand we are on equal terms with them. The Guatemalan people are very kind, respectful people who have built a relationship with the Sharing the Dream staff and have taught us a lot over the years. Throughout the trip you will have the opportunity to lis-ten to their hopes and dreams and learn about their vibrant culture. We will be welcomed into their homes to learn how they make their beautiful crafts and about their work with Sharing the Dream. Our hope is that you will return home with a new appreciation for our neighbors here and abroad. Service is a lifelong way of living our lives and a commitment to sustainable fair trade is only one of many ways to see a difference in a person’s life. The itinerary will include visiting several of the cooperatives, working with the staff to serve the elders in our elder project, taking a cayuca ride on beautiful Lake Atitlan, visiting a school in a small village, and exploring some of the beautiful areas around Guatemala. This is much more than a “tour”. This is an amazing way to learn about a country and its people with Diane who has worked with the people of Guatemala for over 29 years. The trip is limited to 8 people so sign up soon. Contact Diane at diane@sharingthedream.org or stop by the store at 10 W. Main St. to pick up a brochure for more information.

DESIGN TRIP

Diane will be taking a group of people to Guatemala for a design trip. May 30th-June 8th. The people on this

trip will spend a day in Antiqua looking at ideas in the different shops. The rest of the trip will be spent work-

ing with the different groups on design, colors and getting to know the people who make the beautiful

Sharing the Dream products. The people in the group can learn how to do beading, back strap weaving, foot

loom weaving and can work with the group on carving spoons. Hopefully the people in this group will bring

new ideas for the groups in Guatemala. The group is limited to 8 participants. If you would like more infor-

mation, Contact Diane at diane@sharingthedream.org

PRAYER CIRCLE

November 10 at 9:30 AM

Jan Olson’s home, 214 Oak Place

December 9 at 9:30 AM, location, yet to be determined

Men’s scripture study and breakfast

Wednesday mornings at HyVee

7:30 AM

Marcy Lund, Parish Nurse

P A G E 6

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

Ministry of the Month (Noisy Offerings)

December

Dec. 12 & 13 and 19 & 20

Sharing the Dream in Guatemala

A non-profit organization that promotes fair trade with cooperatives and small

businesses in Guatemala.

November

Nov. 14 & 15 and 21 & 22

Prison Congregations of America

Each prison congregation has its own

personality and worship style, they are

alike in that they have denominational

support and oversight, their own pastor

and a relationship with churches on

the outside who come as worship

guests and who support them finan-

cially. Together we are the hands and

voices of God.

Saturday & Sunday, NOV 14 & 15, Blood pressure

screenings before and after worship.

Valarie Hower, AEMT, with the Vermillion ambulance department, will teach CPR and AED {automatic external defibrillator} training at church on Saturday morning 9:30am January 9, 2016, before and after worship services on Sunday January 10.

Blessings to your health now and into the new year.

P A G E 7

IT'S NOT TOO LATE to Join the TLC Book Club!!! We have room for more around the discussion table! If you enjoy reading, please think about joining us! The last Wednesday evening of the month will be our time to get together and talk about the books (when date doesn't hit a holiday week). TEN members met briefly to sort out the best day to meet and the time. We plan to meet in the Sletwold Room at church . Our First Book Discussion will be the paperback "Here If You Need Me." by Kate Braestrup on 11-11-15. This is a true story of mother of four children who suddenly is widowed. It is a National Bestseller and is available in paperback wherever contemporary books are sold. No book discussion is planned for December which will allow us to focus on Advent. First 2016 book discussion will be "Ordinary Grace" by William Kent Krueger. This is the "One Book South Da-kota" for 2015. It is an amazing book about life in small town rural Minnesota in 1961. It is also available in paperback wherever books are sold. Questions? Jan Olson (624-3990) and Mary Berglin (624-8488)

Make plans now to attend

Annual Christmas Salad Luncheon

Friday, December 4, 2015, 12:00 noon, Fellowship hall

The high school choir, under the direction of Mrs. Trisha Fisher, will provide musical selections.

Please bring a salad that will feed 12—15 people.

Invite friends, neighbors, co-workers to enjoy this time of fellowship & great salads.

Reservations for a table of 6 or more can be made by contacting: Su-sanne Steenholdt at 659-5598.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Celebrate the Season with us at Trinity!

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

Jacob, Caleb, Cody Derek and Crystal

Moeller; Aubri, Braxton Tim and Cristi McClel-

land; Emily, Hannah Harvey and Barb Mount Rick Retzlaff Craig and Lisa Sorensen;

Emma Donnie Stewart Steve and Jane Stewart Lyle and Edna Timm John and Glenda Walker;

Noah John and Brenda Wort-

mann; Cody

NOVEMBER

Brad and Karol Brodersen

Kevin and Cindy Brown Bob and Elaine Brown Curtis Crichton Reta Eidem Carol Finnegan; Rachel,

Amanda, Ben Michelle Gerten Jason, Kylee, Keegan

Retzlaff Paul and Jeanne Hagenbuch Mark and Lori Jerred Sierra Johnson Sid Johnson Steve and Jan Mattes;

Remember these folks with a card, phone call or visit. Folks who have served with us in the past. Katherine Melstad

Serving Group for November (contact Parish Life to help lead worship)

P A G E 8

Serving Group for December (contact Deacons to help lead worship) Julie Fallan, Erika Kelsy Fallan, Kyler Harold and Bev Fischer Larry and Lori Hawley Kaius and Paula Helenurm Craig and Chris Johnson; Courtney,

Jeremiah Richard and Ramona

Kellogg Marcy Lund Mark and Pat Meyers Jane O’Brien David and Janice Olson

DECEMBER

Caroline Anderberg; Parker

Greg and Linda Baedke

Ryan Baedke Mary Lynn Berntson Dave and Shelly

Brunick; Ashley, Ryan, Michael

Tim and Kim Cowman

Craig and Liz DeVelder; Tyler, Kate

Keith Emerson, Jr.

Ron and Ann Schoellerman Tom and Mary Sorensen Jason and DeAnn Szymonski Remember these folks with a card, phone call or visit. Folks who have served with us in the past. Max and Linda Andersen Eileen Johnson Sigrid Nissen Opal Smith

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

Deacons

Teresa Gilbertson

Pat Meyers

Jeaneite Lorenz

Scott Schempp

Darlene Bottolfson

Nancy Nelson

Cyndie Madsen

Parish Life

Cindy Nelson

April Noteboom

Larry Madsen

Clare Wagner Glenda Schempp

Cindy Osborne

Mary Baer

P A G E 9

November Birthdays

11.10 Darin Jerke, Sarah

Wittmuss

11.11. Ana Nesselhuf,

Mary Sorensen

11.12 John Walker

11.13 Richard Cayce, Jeff

Gilbertson, Jennifer Law

11.14 Dan Christopherson,

Candace O’Connor, Brad

Waage

11.15 Heath Johnson

11.17 Junior Brunick, Rich

Schoellerman

11.18 Tyler DeVelder,

Ann Schoellerman

11.19 Leona Druin

11.21 Gracie Wood, Brean-

na Bottolfson, Dave Lorenz

11.1 Caleb Johnson, Jacob

Manger, Dennis Olsen, Lor-

raine Swee

11.2 Nicole Ebel, Grace

Kjelden, Cindy Osborne

11.3 Morgan Hower

11.4 Alisha McPherson

11.5 Michelle Fostvedt, Arlis

Johnson, Kathy Jo Nelson,

Michael Pickett

11.6 Lucas Gilbertson, Barton

Kjellsen, Lowell Oswald

11.7 Mary Kay Mollet

11.8 Stephanie Kocher,

Emmy Krogman, Curt Nelson,

Tara Wedel

11.9 Brock Allen, Carson

Schmeling

11.22 Teagan McNary

11.24 Jack Brown,

Kim Cowman, Ann Jensen,

Melvin Walz

11.26 Jim Orr, Oscar Passick

11.27 Aaron Baedke

11.28 Van Larson,

Ford Sommervold

11.29 Jordan Krogman, Hunter

Lerfald, Kaleb Wragge

11.30 Pat Meyers

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

November Anniversaries

11.2 Robert & Linda Iverson

11.4 Bob & Kay Long

11.5 David & Janice Olson

11.5 Lowell & Maxine Tanderup

11.7 Steve & Jane Stewart

11.17 Doug & Joanne Martin

11.21 Scott & Julia Iverson

11.24 Craig & Chris Johnson

11.26 Ron & Jenny Peterson

11.29 Mike & Laurie Kruse

11.30 Jim & Jenny Orr

P A G E 1 0

“To catch the

reader's attention,

place an

interesting

sentence or quote

from the story

here.”

December Birthdays

December Anniversaries 12.3 Bruce & Ruby Plate

12.10 Roger & P.K. Holmes

12.10 Reed & Caroline Anderberg

12.13 Mike & Amy Richardson

12.20 Jim & Rose Henze

12.27 Alvin & Darlene Engbrecht

12.28 Chad & Denise Peterson

12.31 Michael Granaas & Clarice Wagner

12.11 Elaine Brown, Shaun Klemme, Deb Nelson

12.12 Autumn Barnett 12.13 Christine Sorensen

12.14 Sid Johnson

12.16 Bill Huber 12.17 Linda Baedke

12.18 Jacob Peterson, Sarah Wells

12.20 Natalie Gerten

12.21 Richard Anderson

12.23 Jenna Stewart 12.24 Cheryl Koithan

12.25 Talon Johnson, Steven Mattes, Jennifer

Stewart 12.26 Shirley Brunick, Carol King, Bowen Miller, Kara Terry

12.27 Steven Deal, Sandy Pederson, Donna Sommervold

12.29 Candy Joy, Michael Kjose

12.30 Dwight Berglin, Elizabeth DeVelder 12.31 Jill Becker

12.1 Marjorie Johnson

12.2 Brenda Job, Allison Odens, Janice Olson

12.3 Christopher Harvey, Linda Iverson, Richard Kellogg, Maxine Tanderup

12.4 Paul Granaas, Donnie Stewart, Hadley Wragge

12.5 Diane Nesselhuf, Karla Tawzer, Ella Wittmuss

12.7 Curt Haakinson

12.8 Jan Mattes, Cody Sommervold, Josh Stewart 12.9 Jerami West 12.10 Roger Gilbertson; Sheri Morse

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

YOUTH MINISTRY

PARISH FAMILY

CHRISTMAS TREE

By December 11, bring an

ornament with the year and

your name on it to hang on

the family Christmas tree.

A great way to clean your house and support our youth at the same time!

Donate items to the TLC Youth Group account at New 2 You!

Drop-offs accepted Wednesdays 10:30 AM-

4:30 PM and Saturdays 9 AM-3 PM

Please mark boxes with “TLC Youth Group” and date dropped off. Thank you!

P A G E 1 1

Make plans now to attend the Annual Christmas Salad Luncheon Friday, December 4, 2015, 12:00 noon

Fellowship hall

The high school choir, under the direction of Mrs. Trisha Fisher, will provide musical selections.

Please bring a salad that will feed 12—15 people.

Invite friends, neighbors, co-workers to enjoy this time of fellowship & great salads.

Reservations for a table of 6 or more can be made by contacting Susanne Steenholdt at 659-

5598.

We look forward to seeing you there! Celebrate the Season with us at Trinity!

During worship on Sunday, DEC 13 at 10:00 AM, the children will share the Christmas story.

Come Let Us Adore HIM, Christ the Lord.

ANNUAL MEETING

In order to compile the Annual Report of the Congregation, all summaries are due in the church office by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015. Please submit all information via electronic e-mail attachments or pdf to: office@trinityvermillion.org

Financial reports are due the first week of January or as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please call Karla (605-624-4442) or email her at: office@trinityvermillion.org

The Annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary.

Ministry of the Month (a.k.a. Noisy Offerings) 2016

January ~ Lutherans Outdoors July ~ Malaria Campaign

February ~ yet to be determined August ~ Lutheran World Relief

March ~ Lutheran Social Services September yet to be determined

April ~ St Dysmas October ~ Vermillion Food Pantry

May ~ yet to be determined November ~ Prison Congregations of America

June ~ yet to be determined December ~ Sharing the Dream in Guatemala

Sponsor a RADIO BROADCAST in 2016. Sign up sheets

are in the gathering area. $80.00 sponsors a Sunday morning radio broadcast.

Through your gift, the WORD is shared with our family and neighbors.

P A G E 1 2 Announcements

P A G E 1 3

November Calendar

P A G E 1 4

December Calendar

T H E S E R V A N T ’ S S O N G

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