“As we grow in Christ’s love and the Word, We will share Christ’s love with the world.”

St. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 7925 Sashabaw Rd. Clarkston, MI 48348-2905 DECEMBER 2016

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus, What an honor and a pleasure it has been to be a part of the St. Trinity family over this past 30 days. As I have gotten to know many of you better, I have come to realize what an incredible congregation this is and how much love you have for our risen Lord, and each other. So as we walk through this time of transition together, it will be critical that we communicate with each other not only the desires of our church family, but also the deep personal needs. Along with the leadership team, we are constantly evaluating what we do and how we do it in order to better serve you, the congregation, and our Lord to bring Him glory. As we look at the type and style of worship services we offer here at St. Trinity, we must constantly seek a level of excellence in all that we do. Our desire is to create a worship experience for each and every person that comes on our campus, that they will feel the love and the presence of our Lord. Especially as we enter the Advent season, we are reminded of the gift that surpasses any gift we could ever receive in that of our Lord Jesus. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas. Today however, the Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate His eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s prayer during the Advent season. Let us all prepare our hearts for this glorious season of celebration by reaching out to someone we know, and invite them to join us here at St. Trinity to experience the love of Jesus, the promise of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, with the brotherhood of believers as we lock arms and sing the praises of our King! Come O Come, Emmanuel! May the Love and promise of this Advent season be with you all.

In Christ, Pastor Mike

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Mission Statement: “To involve the youth of St. Trinity in the full life of God’s church with focus on sharing the Gospel Message, Fellowship with one another, & encouraging a servant heart.”

Mark your calendars for these up-coming dates:

11/30, 12/7, 12/14 @4:30 pm Advent Dinner set-up & prep 12/02 —7:00 pm Family Fun & Fellowship/FLC & Gym 12/11—12:30 pm Christmas Party & Caroling at Heather Pines 12/14 —7:00 pm Advent Worship—Children’s Christmas Service

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” ~2 Timothy 3:14 & 15

Cost of Ministry for 2016 As of 10/31/2016

Offering Collected = $ 318,869.08

Actual Expenses = $ 311,005.69

OVER $ 7,863.39

When we meet planned expenses, our part in God’s mission is getting done.

J.O.Y. Group (Just Older Youth) The J.O.Y. group meets again on Thurs., December 15 at noon for a Christmas potluck & fellowship. We will be making Christmas table centerpieces. Bring a dish to pass & a place setting for fun, food & fellowship as we begin our celebration of Christ’s birth.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES The 2017 offering envelopes are now available in the Narthex for pick up. If you don’t find your envelopes & you would like some, please write your name on the list provided or call the church office.

MITTEN TREE The “Mitten Tree” is placed in the Narthex for your donations of hats, mittens, scarves, socks &

toothpaste. The donations this year will go to Clarkston Rotary where they will be distributed to children in the Clarkston School District. All items are to be on or under the tree by December 4th, so that we can sort and distribute them. Thank you for helping someone less fortunate stay warm through the winter.

ST. TRINITY STAFF APPRECIATION St. Trinity Members:

It has been a tradition here at St. Trinity to show our appreciation for our staff (Pastor Duchene; Secretary, Gretchen; Organist, Mona; Choir Director, Pam; and Preschool Director, Julie) at this time of year.

In keeping with that tradition, available in the Narthex and in the December 10 & 11 Worship Bulletins will be a “Staff Appreciation” offering envelope for your use. St. Trinity is blessed with such a wonderful staff and for that we are thankful to God. God’s blessings to you and your families this Christmas and in the New Year. ~Church Council

To our St. Trinity Family: May the love of God be reflected to you in this Christmas-time. May His hope shine bright within your lives. May His peace be with you and your loved ones. And may the greatest gift of all, God’s Son, laid in a manger, come to set His people free, lead you through the New Year with a celebration that never ends. Have a blessed Christmas as you share His joy with your family. Thank you for the privilege of serving you as we serve Him!

Pastor Duchene Gretchen Goolsby

Julie Schultz Marilyn Lash

Mona Bowmaster Pam Boadway

God’s Blessings at Christmas!

The Church Office Will Be Closed

December 23, 26, 30 and January 2

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

VOTE YOUR THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS BEFORE DECEMBER 31

Easy online options available to direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars:

Visit www.thrivent.com and select "Get Started."

Talk with a representative by calling 800-847-4836 and Saying "Thrivent Choice." Members can direct their accumulated Choice Dollars throughout the year. A minimum of $5 in Choice Dollars is required. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Orler, lead advocate for St. Trinity at 248-933-3400 or judyorler@msn.com

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ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS Advent devotional booklets produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries are now available in the Narthex. One per family please.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS GREAT GIFT—GOD WITH US? MAY IT BE LIKE THAT OF PETER AND JOHN: “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20)

SAMARITAN’S PURSE SHOEBOX PROJECT

The Operation Christmas Child Campaign for this year is now over. We delivered 39 gift boxes to the local collection center. Special thanks for the many donations of postage and materials, and for the group that gathered to check and process the boxes. We so appreciated the beautiful job Elaine Schultz did in wrapping the boxes so beautifully. We thank you for supporting this wonderful evangelistic effort. The children who will receive these boxes will be forever affected by the message of a loving God. We pray that many lives will be touched through these gift boxes. ~St. Trinity Ladies’ Guild

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS If you enjoy coffee on Sunday mornings, please consider volunteering to prepare

the coffee and clean up after services. It really doesn’t require much time at all and volunteers sign up for a month at a time. There is a sign-up sheet for 2017 near the coffee area or call the church office to find out which months are still available.

2017 GREETERS NEEDED

We are also in need of members to greet visitors on Sunday mornings. You may choose either the early or late service to serve. Just a handshake and a few welcoming words to visitors is all that is needed. Call the church office if you can serve as a greeter.

Advent By Candlelight Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 pm

The signup sheet for Advent by Candlelight is now available in the Narthex. The theme this year is “A Star is Born.” Everyone is welcome, so invite family, friends and neighbors. Hostesses are still needed. Hostesses provide table settings, (china from home or holiday paper products) holiday decorations, candles and a light meal or appetizers and dessert for a table of 8 to 10 ladies. Some tables use a pot luck format where ladies at the table provide a small dish to pass. Many partner with one or two others to host a table. If you want to host a table this year (or need more information before committing), please call Pam Boadway 248.420.7757.

ADVENT DINNER MENU:

All dinners are served from 5:30—6:45 pm Please sign up in the narthex.

Wed., Nov. 30 — Soup & Salad Wed., Dec. 07 — Burgers & chips Wed., Dec. 14 — Spaghetti & Salad

We are in need of dessert donations for the dinners. If you can provide desserts, please contact Pam Boadway or the church office.

2017 altar flower chart The 2017 Altar Flower Chart is now posted in the narthex. If you would like to provide the Altar Flowers as a memorial to a loved one, to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, just fill in your name

and phone number for the Sunday that you desire. The cost will be $30.00 which you may place in the offering plate or drop off at the church office.

ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

November 30 December 7

December 14 Children’s Service

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES December 24

7:00 pm Worship 11:00 pm Candlelight Service

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

December 25 10:00 am Worship w/Communion

NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP

December 31 6:00 pm Worship

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OUR MISSION: “As we grow in Christ’s love and the Word, We will share Christ’s love with the world.”

St. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 7925 Sashabaw Road Clarkston, Michigan 48348-2905 (248) 625– 4644 FAX (248) 625-2093 E-mail: sttrinity@comcast.net Website: www.sainttrinitylutheran.com Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mon., Tues., Wed. 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Thurs., Fri. Mike Duchene, Interim Pastor Mr. Richard Schempf, D.C.E. Emeritus Gretchen Goolsby, Church Secretary Sunday Worship: 8:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Saturday “Blended” Service: 6:00 p.m. Sunday School & Adult/Teen Classes: 9:45 a.m. Nursery Available ~~~~~~~~~ St. Trinity Preschool (248) 620-6154 sttrinityps@comcast.net Julie Schultz, Director

January Newsletter Deadline is Friday, December 9th

Thank-you to the congregational members for your support of our preschool fundraiser. Between items purchased, straight monetary donations, and Thrivent Choice dollars, the preschool raised over $1,500.00! The preschoolers enjoyed sharing their “A, B, C” and “1, 2, 3” songs with the congregation at the 11:00 a.m. youth service on Sunday, November 20th. The four year old class spent some quality time with their grandparents at our annual “Grand-friends’ Day” on Monday, November 21st. When we return from our Thanksgiving break, we will spend a week learning about hibernation; what is means and which animals take part. The next three weeks we turn our focus to the celebration of Christmas and learn about the true reason for the season. We have added a free field trip on Monday, December 12th at 9:15 a.m. to Lakeland Arena to see “Grinchie on Ice”. On Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. we will participate in the Children’s Advent service. Our class Christmas parties will be held on Thursday and Friday, December 15th and 16th. Preschool will be closed December 24th through January 8th for the Christmas holiday vacation.

In His Service, Julie Schultz, Director

Poinsettia Orders Again this year, the congregation has the opportunity to purchase Poinsettias that will be used for decorating the church sanctuary in celebration of the birth of Christ. Order forms are available in the Narthex. The cost of the plants this year will be $8.00 ea. with a choice of 2 colors—red or a variegated

pink and white. Please fill out the order forms and return to the basket provided or return to the church office. Deadline for ordering is Monday, December 5th.

Sign up to receive the `Lutheran Witness` Magazine in 2017

Again this year, we hope you will renew your subscriptions to the Lutheran Witness and continue to receive and enjoy this excellent official magazine of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It has very informative articles covering all aspects of the faith and outreach of our church body. The magazine covers many topics such as doctrine, synod events, missions, youth events and our Lutheran history and heritage. December 8th is the sign-up deadline to ensure the discounted rate this year of $11.60. A sign-up sheet is available in the narthex. Even if you received the magazine this past year you must sign-up again for 2017. Please write down your name and full address to insure your magazine will be mailed to the correct address and then either turn your $11.60 payment into the church office (check payable to St. Trinity) or include it in your weekly offering envelope on the “other” line noting “Lutheran Witness”. For any questions, please call Gretchen in the church office at 248.625.4644.