Newsletter
Trinity Tidings December 2011
Christmas Greetings from your Pastor
Cold December hasn't been cold, but has been flying…yesterday, December 23rd, we got snow enough to see the chance for a landscape that glitters. However, at Christmas time, more than the snow, more than the ornaments, more than neon lights, we are given a renewal of knowing: it is the Light of Jesus that "shines all around us by day and by night."
Cold December hasn't been cold, but has been flying…yesterday, December 23, we got snow enough to see the chance for a landscape that glitters. However, at Christmas time, more than the snow, more than the ornaments, more than neon lights, we are given a renewal of knowing: it is the Light of Jesus that "shines all around us by day and by night."
As your pastor, I want to thank you again this year. So many have been ministered to by all of you at Trinity, so many have been ministering to others through their Trinity connections. We are not a typical congregation (if there is such a thing!)-we are folks who live in Cook County year round, folks who have a second home here, folks who have a cabin here, folks who have childhood connections here, folks who visit our vicinity once or twice a year. We are not only a Hovland place, we are God's place. We are not only Cook County people, we are God's people. If you know someone in need, please pass word to me or someone else at Trinity.
God calls us to to worship, to participate in life together, as followers of Jesus, and to prepare the way for others, that they too may know: they need not fear, in life. They are not alone, in life. There is abundant joy from within, without-the Holy Spirit is active in life and in your lives.
In this Christmas time of divine mystery, find time to reflect on God and on who God is inviting you to be and to encounter. And then share your reflections, with others, so that they too may know that Jesus, the Light of the world refreshes and transforms living.
In final verse of the early American Hymn "Jesus, the Light of the World" we sing:
"Hail, the heav'n born Prince of peace, Jesus the Light of the world."
In your Christmas, may the Holy Spirit lead you to hailing Jesus the Christ, the Prince of peace, the Light of the world.
Pastor Kris Garey
Again this year our Christmas season has included: four Sundays of Advent (waiting, waiting, together);
a Sunday afternoon Community Christmas Carol Sing (singing, singing…together);
and on Christmas Eve, we'll have the annual potluck (eating, eating… together)
then Candlelight Service (worshiping, worshiping…together)
and on Christmas Morning, Sunday the 25th (worshiping, worshiping…together, together).
...and now, more time together at our upcoming Annual Meeting (January 22)
Yes, we've been together in Advent waiting; in Christmas singing at Communion, coffee 'n, breakfasts and potluck;
now we will be together at the Annual Meeting, January 22, following Sunday morning worship. Please join us as we
consider upcoming ministry and God's call to Trinity!
2nd Sundays at Trinity, Winter Breakfast Invitations
A group at Trinity has decided to offer pancake breakfasts
(with scrambled eggs and ham!) during the winter. After worship, everyone invited. Next is January 8.
Financial Giving to Trinity
The Council President report on the back page shows that Trinity has been active in ministry! All comes with thought and prayer; all is made possible by God-and by your response to God with support of prayer, money, effort.
Economic times have hit budgets-giving to non-profits and churches around the United States and the world is down. In comparison, Trinity is doing well. But to meet our budget, ministries, and increased costs, we ask for additional funds. We know it's late in the year to point this out, but: money postmarked by Dec. 31 will be included in 2011 statements.
Your offerings are needed and important, whenever they arrive!
From your Council President, Dianne Pelto: What Has Trinity Lutheran Been Doing?
Merry Christmas to all of you-and may you feel God's peace now and in the New year!
I started thinking about Trinity's last five years when ten Trinity members traveled to Lutsen Evangelical Lutheran Church in October to attend "Matters of the Heart." This gathering was for churches in our area of the synod, and was led by Assistant to the Bishop Scott Jacobs. He gave an excellent presentation on stewardship and our work together through the ELCA. During a small group discussion, we were to tell others about each churches' ministry, benevolence and outreach. When it was my turn, I realized how much Trinity has been doing.
What came to mind as I thought about our last five years?
We have called our own pastor, experienced more pastoral visits, continued the summer series, had Advent/Christmas hymn sings, continued Christmas Eve potlucks and services, Christmas Day services, healing prayer times, weekly Bible studies, and gathered youth for Vacation Bible School. We've had Lenten services, Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day services, and, for the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11, a Healing of the Nations Prayer Service. Trinity has touched the poorest countries in this hemisphere-David Hahn went to Haiti with good will and art supplies; Pastor Kris went to Honduras with other Synod pastors to help teach congregations there. We've gathered funds for Dodoma Hospital in Tanzania, for a student at the Masaii Girls' School, for Cook County Food Shelf, the ELCA World Hunger appeal, Feed My Starving Children (also helped with packaging food), and the Twin Ports Seafarer's Center in Duluth (also making hats and scarves). Youth spear-headed a drive for Soles for Souls, gathering shoes for those in need. A computer for the treasurer and a copy machine for church materials have been purchased. We've continued our ministry at the Care Center, and with other Cook County churches in joint ministry in Christ.
Donations have been given to Trinity to increase our assistance to those in our community who face a disaster or unusual hardship. The Flaten Scholarship for St. Olaf College is in place, and scholarships awarded. There have been teas, pie socials, food at the July 4th Hovland Art Festival, Coffee an,' breakfasts, youth jumping into Lake Superior for benevolence. In 2011 we started a trial stipend position to assist with ministries at Trinity; it has evolved into community youth outreach. Recently Trinity signed up for a "trash pickup" section along Highway 61.
Our 2009 Centennial was a wonderful celebration, revitalizing contacts and friendships. A history book, cook book, and cemetery book were published. At our cemetery, the sign was refurbished, head-stones straightened, and new dirt added to smooth low spots. Our parsonage has been updated considerably-new windows to replace older inefficient ones, storms added, heating system upgraded, a small garden shed built, the parsonage paid off, and this spring a "garage sale" raised funds for a future garage at the parsonage. As part of our Centennial, we replaced our piano and organ with newer instruments to maintain our tradition of worship excellence.
Trinity purchased land adjacent to the church-and in just over two years the mortgage has been about half paid off. Trails were brushed, a gathering/bonfire area set up, seating and a picnic table built. VBS kids used it every day (even in the rain), and we held a church picnic there. At the church itself, we've upgraded the sound system, a video camera is available for events, a flat-screen television was donated, internet is available, the electrical system was upgraded, the Flaten carving of Christ was restored, the flower garden re-planted. To help control ground water seeping into the building, dirt and landscaping have been added outside. Our stone steps have been repaired.
Whew! All of this is important in our ministry to Teach, Live, and Share Christ.
There is probably more that I'm forgetting-but what is so amazing is that we have remained solvent through all of this. People continue to own what they feel excited about-and where God's work is involved, there is much excitement. It is amazing what GOD can do through one small church, one ELCA synod, the ELCA, the Christian church around the world. Thank you each and every one for all that you do to help the mission of Trinity. We look forward to the Christmas Eve potluck and candlelight service and to the Christmas Day Sunday service. May you feel God's peace now and in the New year! --Dianne Pelto
From a Christmas Day sermon in 1522 on Luke 1:1-14:
"This Gospel is so clear that it requires very little explanation, but it should be well considered and taken deeply to heart; and no one will receive more benefit from it than those who, with a calm, quiet heart, banish everything else from their mind, and diligently look into it." Martin Luther
Palm Sunday Bulletin Art
created by David Hahn