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Trinity Connections Newsletter

“Bishop’s Christmas Message”

Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, My wife Diane went into the woods yesterday and dug up a little pine tree of unknown origin and planted it in a simple clay pot. As she stood beside it she said with great pride, “Here’s our Christmas tree!” The Christmas Queen she ain’t. She is a Christmas minimalist at best. But she is one of the finest Christians I know. She just gets it.

She gets love. She gets grace. She gets creation. She gets generosity. She gets patience. She gets hope. She gets kindness.

And every year when we gather around the table for Christmas Eve dinner, I wonder, how was I ever so blessed to “get” her? I don’t deserve her. I sure as heck didn’t earn her and lord knows, I didn’t win her. She is just pure gift.

We seem to be living in a time, and in a country where being kind is a vanishing gift. I wish more people could spend time with my family at Christmas. If being kind was given a dollar value, I would be the richest guy in the world.

Maybe that’s the gift we could all focus on this year. Just be kind. Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Or as my mom used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice about somebody, don’t say anything at all.” She actually lived that way…until she turned 90. Then she gave herself permission to get a little snarky once in a while. But until then…

I have never quite gotten this Advent “wait” thing the church talks about…but there are lots of things I don’t get. So, this year, I’m just going to try to be a little bit more like the woman who loves me when I’m not kind. And I’m going to work on being a little kinder…to her, to my enemies, to my friends and to Jesus. Because, I don’t deserve Him either.

Merry Christmas! Bishop Rick Hoyme

A Message from Bishop Hoyme:

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2017 Bulletin Sponsors

Betty Johnson is looking for bulletin sponsors! They are still only $8! See Betty at Church or email her at

alsgal63@baldwin-telecom.net.

HAVE YOU TRIED THE GIVING STATION YET? It's located at the secretary's office window and it's available 24/7. With the swipe of a debit or credit card you can give regular offerings, pay for youth events, give a memorial gift and much more. You'll receive a receipt by email. Instructions are on the window. Come give it a try and let us know how you like it!

Giving Station Thank you for all the ways you

give to God through Trinity and

the ministries we do together!

Hudson Goliath Mobile Pack

Save the Date: Feed My Starving Children

February 17 & 18, 2017 Hudson YMCA

Thank you so much to all those that participated in the Secret Santa Program this year at Trinity. We were amazed at how quickly the tags came

off of each tree this year!

The returned gifts were wrapped so beautifully too. In addition to your generosity of buying and wrapping the gifts; we also had the following given

to our Secret Santa Program this year:

1. Trinity Quilters gave three quilts 2. Someone donated three large laundry detergents 3. The Trinity ladies donated $200 to buy miscellaneous household

items. 4. A Trinity family donated a variety of frozen pork to each family.

Trinity certainly blessed three families this past Christmas Season. Two families were a part of the Holiday Angels Program at St. Croix Central

Elementary.

Thank you again!! Dar Sittlow, Nancy Newman & Marti Peterson

Upcoming events:

Passing the bucket at church and Cake Raffle on Feb. 12th Meat Raffle at Parkside on Feb. 24th Event at Schuggy’s end of Jan./beginning of Feb.

Watch Sunday Bulletins for more details!

Secret Santa

CONFIRMATION CLASSES RESUME WED. JAN. 4TH from 7-8 p.m. Please keep our young people in your prayers as they continue their faith journey.

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Christmas Flowers

Heath, Kelly, and Taylor Browning In memory of our loved ones Dan and Sally Doornink In memory of Elmo and Mary Ann Bond, Louis Frank, and Trevor Doornink Daryl and Susan Frank In honor and celebration of children and grandchildren; Nick and Kari Frank, Olivia and Owen Amanda and Cory Schone, Haylee and Lydia DJ and Rachel Frank, Lyric and Mia Liz and Chris Pizzi Todd and Deb Henry In memory of Todd’s mom, Marcy, Papa George, and Deb’s Grandparents Jennifer Jeske and family In memory of grandparents who have passed and family members who can’t be with us this Christmas In honor of my 3 beautiful children; Addison, Lucas and Emily Pauline Klingensmith and family In memory of husband, father and Grandfather; Dale Klingensmith Bev Medes In memory of Cliff Medes Ron and Glenda Pratt In honor of families Bruce and Jo Moll and family In memory of Luke Murphy, Kyle Forsythe, and Burnell Holman

Harold and Lenore Moll In celebration of the freedom we have in our country Peter and Kathy Nusbaum and family In memory of Donald Johnson and John and Shirley Nusbaum In honor of Nancy Johnson on her birthday, Christmas Eve, December 24 Kerry, Marthann, Chris, and Justin Peterson In memory of Violet Christensen and Jack and Mary Lou Peterson In honor of Art Christensen Christine Pommerening In honor of Grandpa Orrin and Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Henry and Grandma Sue & Great Grandma Ruth Sarah Pommerening In honor of my Trinity family, daughter Christine, and family and friends! Nancy and Scott Post In memory of parents, and Andrea and Megan Pastor Ralph and Andrea Olson In honor of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jim and Karen Riley In honor of our Trinity family Angie, Preston, Tyler, and Mike Amy and Dave, Aidan and Brock In memory of Rosemary Shay

Thank you to all who were generous in contributing to the beauty of our sanctuary at this special time of year!

Extra thanks go out to Mark and Gretchen Iverson for donating the beautiful trees in the sanctuary and narthex; and wreaths and outdoor column swags.

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T-Shirts for Sale!

Show your Trinity Pride! Get your Trinity T-shirt NOW! Sizes are: Adult small to 3XL

Cost is $12.oo Contact Deb Henry to purchase or fill out

the order form at church! Proceeds will go to the Sign Marque fund!

Bulletin Sponsors

Trinity Annual Meeting

January 1st BULLETIN: Charlie and Vera Grant wishing everyone a Happy New Year. WELCA: Wishing all families a HAPPY NEW YEAR! January 8th BULLETIN: Irene Burch: Thankful for my beautiful and healthy great grandchildren. January 15th BULLETIN: No Sponsor January 22nd BULLETIN: No Sponsor

January 29th BULLETIN: No Sponsor

Like Trinity Lutheran, Hammond, WI to get updates and photos of what is going on at church!

SEVERAL ADULT SMALL GROUPS ARE MEETING and growing in faith together. They study the Bible, engage in lively and caring conversations, pray, and serve together. The groups' meeting times are:

Hope Study - 2nd Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room, using the WELCA "Gather" Bible study. Facilitated by Pastor Ralph. Jumpstart - 2nd & 4th Wednesday’s of the month at 9AM in Trinity's Library, using various Bible studies. Facilitated by Vera Grant. Yadda, Yadda Prayer Group - Tuesday mornings at noon at the American Heritage Care Center.

Adult Small Groups

Monday Morning Mom’s group is looking to get started again, now that the Holidays are over! If you are interested in joining the Monday Morning Mom’s group, please contact Jamie McCulloch at (themccullochs2008@gmail.com) or Becky Fowler (fowlerra@frontiernet.net). They look forward to you joining them in our motherhood journey. Watch bulletins for more info!

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION is Sun. Jan. 29th following worship. Agenda items include, but are not limited to, adoption of the 2017 Ministry Spending Plan, updates to Trinity's constitution, and election of officers and council members. All members are encouraged to attend to help us make these important decisions about the direction of Trinity’s ministries in 2017.

Youth sizes are

now available!!

Small- X-large

Mom’s Group

2016 ANNUAL REPORTS are due in the church office by Thursday, January 5th. Annual reports will be published and available for members to preview on Sunday, January 15th.

Annual Reports are due Jan. 5th!

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Dear Members of Trinity Lutheran Church,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the gallons of milk – 84 to be exact – for the BW Backpack Buddy Food Program. Your thoughtfulness and

generosity truly makes a difference for families. Our plan is to use these during the Holiday season when

students are home and families need extra resources.

You truly are HIS Hands in action. In gratitude, Carol Lebo

School Counselor Greenfield Elementary

Church Record

JUMPSTART!

Jumpstart! is a great way to start your day with coffee and prayer. We meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 9:00am in the church library. Come join us as we share daily devotions and various materials along with personal issue discussions.

For more info, see Vera Grant.

Card Making Dates

Join us for the following card making dates: January 15th: after worship

See Deb Henry or Sarah Pommerening for more details!

All are welcome!

Funeral

Bernice Tormoen

Funeral: December 27, 2016

Luther Point-Director’s Report December 2016

We are having exciting times at Luther Point. Our

staff has been in transition the past couple of months

and a we have a few new people to introduce to you:

Al Arndt assumed the Office Manager position the

end of September and will handle a multitude of

tasks including retreat coordinating and summer

registration as well as bookkeeping and

communication.

Jon Hoyme joined the staff on December 1 as part-

time interim Executive Director. He served as

director at Shetek Lutheran Ministries in Slayton,

Minnesota for 29 years and this is his third interim.

Sam Campeau will join the staff in early January as

Associate/Program Director. He brings a strong

background in youth and family ministry as well as

outdoor ministry. He and his family will be

relocating from Huntington Beach, California and

will live in camp housing.

Finally, two positions have remained the

same. Jenny Campbell continues as cook and

housekeeper and Clay Trittelwitz as the property

manager. They are willing to go the extra mile to

serve the LP campers.

We all look forward to serving you in the days

ahead, be it retreats, summer camp or day camp.

Summer 2017 brochures have been sent to the

printer and should be available by the first of

January. Watch our website for the 2017 camp

schedule.

Congregations have received an update on their per

baptized member assessment gifts and letters have

been mailed to all of our donors. These gifts are

essential as we move into the new year. We pledge

to be good stewards of these gifts, provide quality

Christ centered programs in a safe secure

environment.

Your Luther Point staff

Grace and Peace,

Jon Hoyme, Interim Executive Director

Thank you card!

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Ministry Team Reports Fellowship – Deb Henry, Chair

Tuesday, January

10th, we are hosting a bloodmobile from

12-6pm. We will be looking for 1 or 2 people to check

people in and serve them goodies.

YOU ARE THE “KEY” to SUCCESS in 2017 The Fall Stewardship drive is underway. You should have received an envelope in the mail around the end of November/beginning of December with a time and talent form and a stewardship drive form. If you have not done so, please return those forms to Trinity as soon as possible so we can update records and provide the congregation with accurate information for the Annual Congregation meeting at the end of this month.

Thank you for all you do here at Trinity! It is very appreciated!

Stewardship – Scott Post, Chair

Youth-Darla Feyereisen, Chair

New Year’s Eve Overnight! Open to Middle

and High School students! Saturday,

December 31st

starting at 7pm. Ring in the

New Year at Trinity and have lots of fun!

Head home the next morning after worship!

January 2017, we will start fundraising for

the NEXT NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING!

We are going to be headed to Houston TX! We

will be having a youth meeting on Sunday,

January 15th

after worship!

Thank you to all who helped make

Scandinavian cookies and those who

purchased! We appreciate your support with

Trinity youth activities!

Youth Facebook Group is up and running!

Please like Trinity Lutheran Youth,

Hammond, WI to keep updated on youth

events and meetings!

Evangelism – Betty Johnson, Chair

A big shout out of THANKS for all that helped put the door hangers on MANY doors in Hammond. You did not let the cold temperature stop you. You were brave and faithful servants to Trinity. God’s Work, Our Hands. God, Bless you! Betty

WELCA- Lois Worbes, Chair

GREETINGS TO ALL YOUNG, SEASONED LADIES:

As you go about the end of this year, realize this is a great beginning for some of us.

If you are a woman coming to this church, you are a welcomed member of WELCA. Come and join in on the fun & encouragement we get from each other.

Meetings will be announced via email or phone. Please know that we are all a very important piece of God’s puzzle bringing us together! Joy in Serving, Lois

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Blankets of Love

Blankets of love will be tied in the quilting room @ 9 am, on January 11th & 18th.

All are welcome to join us in

knot tying.

Thank you for the donations of material & sheets that allow us to do the mission of blankets

of love.

C ORNER

Quilting

Worship & Music-Wanda Johnson

Epiphany of our Lord is celebrated each year on January 6, marking the manifestation of Christ to the whole world. White is the color for Epiphany as a reminder that it is a festival of the light of Christ.

The first Sunday after Epiphany is the Baptism of our Lord, in observance of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Jesus is also designated as the Son of God.

Hello Sunday School Families –

The Sunday School presented New Star, during our Christmas Program on December 11th. The kids did a great job retelling the story of the birth of Jesus. They also sang several songs that morning along with the Pre-K through first grade singing Jesus Loves Me and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Stay tuned as we will be having an Easter Skit performance in the beginning of April to tell the story of Jesus is Alive! Hallelujah! There will be no Sunday School on January 1st.

God’s Blessings to all! Trinity Sunday School Staff

Education-Kelly Browning, Chair

There is the naming and blessing of Jesus.

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Trinity Council

Trinity Lutheran Church Council Minutes

December 5, 2016

Present: Marti Peterson, Rachel McHenry, Deb Henry, Lois Worbes, Betty Johnson, Darla Feyereisen, Mark Iverson, Bob Bodelson, Interim Pastor Ralph Olsen, Sarah Pommerening.

Absent: Scott Post, Kirk Hodnefield, Kelly Browning, Wanda Johnson.

Rachel called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Interim Pastor Ralph led devotions.

Secretary’s Report: The November 7, 2016 Council Minutes were reviewed. Action: Motion by Deb to approve; Mark second. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Rachel reported the November 30 ending balance is $13,667.36. Action: Motion by Deb to approve. Mark Second. Carried.

Old Business Sound System. Rachel to talk to her contact and put together a bid for new wireless microphone and Speakers for the Sanctuary.

Council & Committee Structure. Remove for now.

Christmas Eve & Day Services-Services are set and ready to go. Becky Retherford will play both Services and Ellen Lindquist will join her on violin. Pastor Ralph put a phone call in to Wade Gardner to see if he would sing. Motion to pay Becky an additional $50 for playing the piano on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day by Mark Iverson. Betty Second. Carried

Council Chairperson Open Positions. We have at least one person for every Council position with the exception of Council President. We are still looking for some people to run for Council President. If you are interested please see Deb Henry, Rachel McHenry, Kirk Hodnefield or Pastor Ralph. If you are interested in running for Financial Secretary, Property and Grounds or Worship and Music please let them know as well.

Drum Set. Tabled.

Organ. Organ is gone. June Lindquist removed the placard and took a photo and will be getting it framed so it can be hung in church.

2016 Staff Reviews. Work in progress. Sarah’s review is done. They still need to meet with Betty.

4K. Taken care of issue at hand with storage space.

New Business

Building Requests Received. Reviewed. (See Att. A)- no building requests.

2017 Budget (Phase 3). Rachel reported she is working on getting a real picture of what the budget really looks like.

2016 Annual Reports are due: Sarah reported Committee Annual reports need to be to her NO LATER THAT JAN. 8th!

3 Leftover tables. There are still three 8 ft. tables for grabs.

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Free Little Pantry. Sarah reported Christine is interested in building a free little pantry to help be housed outside for people to come and get items that might need. Items would be different every day, week or month depending on how used the pantry will be. The council thought this was a good idea and Christine is going to make a plan to build this and have it ready for next summer.

Other Business: Pastor Ralph reported 2 small changes needed in the Trinity Constitution. We need to add some numbers for terms for Financial Secretary and Mission Endowment Fund Committee.

Pastor Ralph also reported that he purchased 300 door hangers that Congregation youth and adults will be hanging up on Dec. 14th.

Pastor’s Report: Pastor Ralph had 1 funeral and his first service was Nov. 27th. Thank you for your patience during this time of transition.

President’s Report: Kirk reported via email that all Council spots have at least one person running for the position.

Committees

Youth: Darla reported cookie baking on Dec. 8-10th. Dec. 31st will be a youth overnight at church. The youth are serving Wednesday Advent meals through Dec. 21st.

Church Properties: No Report.

Mission & Human Needs: Marti reported we provided Thanksgiving meals for 5 Trinity families. Thanks to everyone who contributed and Jumpstart for their shopping expertise. We have also provided Secret Santa gifts for two families through the Elementary School and one Trinity family that was in need. Thanks to everyone’s generosity the tags were gone in two Sundays.

Fellowship: Deb reported Thank you dinner went well. Contacting 4 team leaders to go over the Fellowship Team.

Evangelism: Betty reported they will be hanging up door hangers starting at 4pm. Confirmation kids will help.

Stewardship: No Report.

WELCA: Lois reported that WELCA will have a meeting on Dec. 7th. She was going to look into to see if WELCA could help cover postage for Operation Christmas Child ($94.) Also, going to hold a Christmas Shopping Night/Date night on Dec. 16th from 5-9pm.

Worship & Music: Kathy Gustafson reported for Wanda asking the Council if the money for the Blooming Cross and Banners be put back into the budget for Music & Worship. Wanda also reported via email that Mark Iverson and family will be donating a Christmas tree and plans to put it up and decorate this week. Christmas Eve worship at 4:30pm. Christmas Day Service will be at 9:30am. Thanks to Judy Larson for telling the story of Saint Nick on Dec. 4th.

Education: Kelly reported the Sunday School children packed 51 boxes for Operation Christmas Child and we will be tracking where our boxes go. I have updated the bulletin board with pictures from packing day and a map to show everyone where our boxes will go. We will be starting earlier in asking for shipping cost donations next year from the congregation, with 51 boxes packed we needed 357 dollars. Our telling of the birth of Jesus will happen this Sunday, Dec. 11 at 9:30 am. We will have practice on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8:30-9:30am. The following Sunday (19th) we will be decoration cookies and watching a movie in our PJs during Sunday School. We will resume Sunday School on Jan. 8th.

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Monday thru Friday

9 am-11am & 3:45-5:45 pm

Church Office Secretary Hours

Newsletter Mailing Options

Trinity would like to cut down on paper and postage costs by sending your newsletter via email. Starting this month, those who have specified wanting your newsletter sent via email will be receiving the November Newsletter electronically! This will help Trinity cut down on a lot of cost associated with printing and mailing the newsletters!

COMMUNION HELPERS

December 18: Rachel McHenry December 25: Betty Johnson January 1: Youth

TELLER VOLUNTEERS

December 7: (WED) December 21: (WED) December 11: Marti Peterson December 24: December 14: (WED) December 25: December 18: Marti Peterson January 1: January 8:

Motion to adjourn by Mark, Deb second. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm. The gathering closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Next Meeting is Monday, January 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm at Trinity Recorded by: Sarah Pommerening, Church Secretary Approved by: Darla Feyereisen, Council Secretary Subject to approval by full Council on January 9, 2016

CHECK THIS OUT!

Library News

Our church library has received recently many wonderful donations.

So, take a moment to stop in and look at our new books or maybe find a must-read oldie but goodie.

A huge thank you to all who generously donate their books to our library.

Trinity Lutheran Church, On behalf of the St. Croix Central School District, I would like to extend an ENORMOUS THANK YOU for supporting two families through the Holiday Angels Program! Your Kindness and generosity demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas. We are fortunate to have your participation to support our district’s families. It has been a pleasure working with you. Have a healthy and joyous holiday season! Alyssa Fritsche, School Counselor

Thank You Card! Special Dates: Jan. 1: New Year’s Day

Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

THE ANNUAL HEARTS-ON-FIRE CHILI COOK-OFF is Sun. Jan. 29th immediately following Trinity's annual congregational meeting. Come sample a wide variety of chili’s, or sign up to bring your own creation.

Hearts on Fire Chili Cook-off

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Remembering our Year by Jolene Roehlkepartain

It's easy to live at such a fast pace that we neglect taking the time to remember where we have been and the highlights of our year. As a family, take the time to think about what happened in the past year as you begin the New Year.

Season: Winter good activity for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day

Items needed: Bible, copies of the Highlights of Our Year worksheet (one per person), pens or pencils

Website: http://www.vibrantfaithathome.org/item/remembering-our-year

Activity Plan

1.Say this prayer aloud to begin.

1. God, we thank you for your presence in our lives during this year. Amen.

2. Ask someone to read aloud Acts 20:35 "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Then ask another family member to read aloud 1 Corinthians 11:2:

2. "Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you."

3.Give each person a copy of the Highlights of Our Year worksheet and a pen or pencil. Read through the major categories together. Add any categories to the bottom that are important to you, making note that each family member may have a different added category depending on how their year went. For example, some family members may add a sports, music, or activity category.

2.

4.If your children are young, have an adult go through their worksheet to write what they thought were highlights to them. Afterward, encourage your child to draw a picture on the front or back.

3. 5.Consider going through photos of your year, or the family calendar to jog your memory of different highlights.

4. 6.Variation: Consider making some type of family keepsake, such as a scrapbook, memory book, or photo album to document the highlights of your year.

5. 7.Consider doing this activity every year at the end of the year. If you create a keepsake, you can then look back over the previous years as well.

Vibrant Faith at Home www.vibrantfaithathome.org

Trinity Lutheran Church Interim Pastor Ralph Olsen 1250 Broadway Street

PO Box 68

Hammond, WI 54015

Church office: 715-796-2788

trinityhammond@centurytel.net

www.trinityhammond.org

Non-Profit Organization

U. S. POSTAGE PAID Hammond WI

54015 Permit No. 16

Trinity Connections Newsletter

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