A message from Pastor Debra: .com



INCLUDEPICTURE "C:\\var\\folders\\ys\\g4zj7k3n7rg3ygj072z0yf2w0000gn\\T\\com.microsoft.Word\\WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles\\9k=" \* MERGEFORMAT Trinity Lutheran Church NewsletterJanuary 2021-26377103407Contact: E: tlc118@P: 204-735-Address: 43 River Ave Starbuck MBR0G 2P0Contact: E: tlc118@P: 204-735-Address: 43 River Ave Starbuck MBR0G 2P0A message from Pastor Debra:At the beginning of each new year, as we consider how God has blessed us in the past. As we ask for God’s blessing to be upon us in the year to come. I like to remember the legend of the fourth wiseman. You have heard me share this legend with you before. I thought this year it might be something that we take time to consider, especially as we look to the challenges that the first months of this new year may bring.The fourth wise man's name was Artivan. The gift which he carried was a gift of four precious jewels. The legend follows.Artivan, the fourth wise man, had searched and studies the stars like his colleagues, watching and waiting for the sign which would tell of the Saviours birth. When they spotted the star and determined that it was in fact the star which they were looking for, they agreed to meet at a particular rendezvous point so that they could begin their journey together. On the way to the rendezvous place Artivan, who was already running late came across a person who had been severely beaten and left for dead. Artivan himself thought that the person was dead until he saw a hand move and heard a weak moan. Artivan knew that even though he was already very late, he could not just leave the person lying there, so he gathered the individual up, put him on his horse and took him to an inn where he could receive the appropriate medical care and rest. Since all that Artivan had was his gift of four jewels, he gave one to the inn keeper as payment for the persons housing and care. Unfortunately, all of this took time and by the time Artivan got to the rendezvous place, the other wise men had already left. They had waited as long as they could, but had left a note indicating that they were on their way to Bethlehem.Artivan had to travel a long way to get to the town of Bethlehem. The going was very difficult especially as he was travelling on this own. When he finally arrived in Bethlehem, neither his colleagues or the infant was anywhere to be found. He was told that they had been there, but had left quickly in the night. As Artivan was about to begin his journey again in search of the child, some soldiers came. Soon all he could hear were the screams of mothers and infants. When one mother rushed by him, he quickly followed to see what the problem was. As she explained that a decree had been made that all boys two years of age and younger were to be killed, a vicious knock was made at her door. As the woman hid in fright with her child, Artivan went to the door. Once again, he gave one of his precious jewels in exchange for the infants’ life. Artivan continued on his way. As he travelled, he met groups of individuals who had specific needs. Early on, he sold the third of his four precious jewels as a way to help. Soon the weeks rolled into months and the months into years. Every time he thought he was close to finding Jesus something would happen, they never seemed to meet. While he searched, he served the people he met along the way. There were always people in need of his help. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and oppressed. Often, he offered words of hope and encouragement to those who were in prison. All the while he held tightly both to the last jewel, and to the hope that one day he would be able to offer it to the Messiah. After 33 years of searching Artivan was told that the Messiah could be found in the city of Jerusalem. Artivan arrived at the time of the Jewish Passover. The streets were crowded. He was told that the Messiah, the one that he knew to be the `King of the Jews' was about to be crucified. Before he could reach Golgotha, a young girl struggling at the hands of soldiers, fell at his feet and pleaded with him to help her. Artivan was torn, he was so close to giving his last jewel to the Messiah. He knew that in that moment, that same jewel would by the girl her freedom. Reluctantly, he offered the last jewel to the soldier, and the girl was released. -163497423011A message from the Editor:If you ever have any announcements or other content that you would like included in the newsletter, please email me at briannahoude@ by the last week of the month to be included in the next month’s newsletter. Thank you!-Brianna00A message from the Editor:If you ever have any announcements or other content that you would like included in the newsletter, please email me at briannahoude@ by the last week of the month to be included in the next month’s newsletter. Thank you!-BriannaAt that moment there was a great roar and the earth shook and Artivan fell. As he fell, he hit his head on a sharp object and died. In the moment of his death, Jesus appeared to him. Artivan distraught, asked for Christs forgiveness. He had had four jewels to offer as gifts, but they were all gone.Jesus explained, "Artivan, Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Artivan puzzled asked, but Lord, when was it that I saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that I saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that I saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And Jesus answered, "Truly I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Perhaps this story gives us some insight into the will of God, especially as we strive to seek God in our lives throughout this new year. As we move forward in our journey of faith, may we recognize that as we live lives in service to all God's people, we live lives in service to God. Amen. Sunday Morning Readings - January 2021:30121457298800January 3, 2021Christmas 2Old Testament Jeremiah 31:7-14Psalm Psalm 147:12-20Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-14Gospel Reading John 1:1-18January 10, 2021Baptism of Our LordOld Testament Genesis 1:1-5Psalm Psalm 29Second Reading Acts 19:1-7Gospel Reading Mark 1:4-11364461711366500January 17, 2021Epiphany 2Old Testament 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Psalm Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18Second Reading 1 Corinthians 6:12-20Gospel Reading John 1:43-51January 24, 2021Epiphany 3Old Testament Jonah 3:1-5, 10Psalm Psalm 62:5-12Second Reading 1 Corinthians 7:29-31Gospel Reading Mark 1:14-20January 31, 2021Epiphany 4Old Testament Deuteronomy18:15-20Psalm Psalm 111Second Reading 1 Corinthians 8:1-13Gospel Reading Mark 1:21-282559289205979This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC00This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC364390126549300415269920227600Christmas Cheer Drive:A big thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas cheer drive initiative this year. With your help, the community was able to support 20 families and raise over $4000!!32956752837190052225951061500-1644650-101317Trinity Lutheran Church Web Page: We encourage you to look at our Trinity web page. () The web page is updated regularly. Please check it out.0Trinity Lutheran Church Web Page: We encourage you to look at our Trinity web page. () The web page is updated regularly. Please check it out.TLC 2021 Annual Meeting:Our 2021 Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 31 following the 10:00 am worship service. We will conduct this meeting via ZOOM. We will have more information pertaining to this throughout the month of January. Your attendance at this meeting is needed as we continue to discern God’s calling for our future and the direction we are to take in this New Year. All committee and auxiliary reports ought be in by Friday January 8th. 339344020702300456167620652000396414818036000279273021299000Christmas Tree Fundraiser: The TLC Youth would like to express a tree-mendous THANK YOU to everyone for supporting the 2020 Christmas Tree fundraiser.The trees were very popular this year and sold quickly! ?Thanks to the route delivery team, and special thank you to our long serving and faithful deliverers who continue to help out year after year.Although CLAY did not take place as hoped this year, we look forward to when we can convene again. ?In the meantime, we are grateful for this Advent/Christmas outreach opportunity!285805329151800The Chalking of the Door:The chalking of the door is a centuries-old practice throughout the world. It is, an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very beginning, asking God’s blessing on our church and homes and on all who live, work, worship and visit there.The formula for the ritual - adapted for 2021 - is simple: take a piece of chalk and write the following above the entrance of your home, or in our case Trinity Lutheran Church 20 + C + M + B + 21The letters have two meanings. First, they?represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar - who came to visit Jesus with precious gifts. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase,?Christus Mansionem Benedicta:?“May Christ bless this house.” The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “21” at the end mark the year. Practicing traditions like the chalking of the doors helps us to live our Faith more concretely and it serves as an outward sign of our dedication to Our Lord.This year Pastor Debra will chalk the front door of our church building on New Years Eve on behalf of the members of Trinity.178117523857100New Years Eve:You are invited to join the pastor for a brief New Years Eve meeting via Zoom. This will be a time for us to reflect upon the year that has passed and pray for 2021. The meeting will take place from 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm on Thursday January 31, 2020.The Link was sent to you with your December 27, Worship Service.260674653347000Zoom Services:26066751576140014944727898900Please join us on Sunday mornings for 10:00 from our sanctuary Worship via ZOOM. We give thanks to God for the technology that allows us to continue to meet for Worship even when we cannot be together in personA note from our treasurer:Donation income was up in November, exceeding budget by 12%! While overall donations are down -22% for the year, the combination of $10,327 in Govt support in the spring and our reduced spending through the year (primarily on Repair & Maintenance) has reduced expenses by -21%, reducing our deficit sufficiently that our budget is nearly balanced.Jan -?Nov 20YTD BudgetTotal Income$103,098$131,268Total Expense$104,555$132,397Net Income-$1,457-$1,129-254035028800225234560419REFLECT REVIEW REPENT RENEW“HAPPY NEW YEAR”00REFLECT REVIEW REPENT RENEW“HAPPY NEW YEAR”2020 Advent Pilgrimage:27275366252900-2095536497Thank you to everyone who came to the church for your Advent pilgrimage. It was wonderful to come out from my office and see more symbols placed carefully on the tree. Thank you also for following all of our safety protocols. I hope this was a meaningful experience for all of you who participated. 00Thank you to everyone who came to the church for your Advent pilgrimage. It was wonderful to come out from my office and see more symbols placed carefully on the tree. Thank you also for following all of our safety protocols. I hope this was a meaningful experience for all of you who participated. Ice Candles: 1123717624800224178946242Thank you to everyone who contributed an ice candle for our sidewalk on Christmas Eve. There were 31 candles in total. I believe these helped us to be a visible presence to our community on Christmas Eve. They will be lighted again on New Years Eve after which time if you would like to pick them up, you may.00Thank you to everyone who contributed an ice candle for our sidewalk on Christmas Eve. There were 31 candles in total. I believe these helped us to be a visible presence to our community on Christmas Eve. They will be lighted again on New Years Eve after which time if you would like to pick them up, you may.381762024765000New Year Prayer 2021: Holy God, we thank You for the year that has passed and the many blessings You have showered upon us. We beg your pardon in our many failings and trespasses. Make the new year a more fruitful and blessed one.We also thank You for every test of time that has brought us stronger in faith and trust in You. Bestow upon us the gift of the Holy Spirit.But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021:At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021 was prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. They chose a theme based on John 15:1-17:?Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit. This theme expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the church and the human family. 11386612219400-7527116295600214362825844500-444526797000372020418805200 ................
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