Trinity Lutheran Church December 2021 Newsletter

Newsletter Archive

December 2021

Trinity Lutheran Church

Villa Park, IL

Always Growing in Christ

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The Lion's Roar

Amos 3:8

The lion has roared; who will not fear? 

The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

Ephesians 1:15-18

 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints...

I was recently sitting in an airport and listening to a conversation in the seats behind me between two ladies discussing their respective churches.  They were singing the praises of their congregations, talking about soup kitchens, food drives, praise bands and informative sermon series on various aspects of “how to live life.”  Not once in their conversation did I hear the name of Jesus. I did not hear anything about forgiveness of sins and I certainly did not hear about the Lord’s body and blood in the Holy Sacrament.  These women could have been discussing any social service agency or civic club and said most of the same things: good works, good music and informative lectures.  I was sad for them.  They were obviously Christians, but they were living on PB&J when the Lord offers them filet mignon.

If someone were to ask me about what is good about my church, I would say this.  I attend a church that is 108 years old and you can tell.  You can’t tell because the plaster is cracked or the carpet is worn.  You can tell because it sits on so solid a foundation.  Trinity is founded on God’s Word and His Holy Sacraments.  Sure, we have fun church-dinners, and participate in service projects like making mittens and scarves for those without proper winter attire or sewing quilts for people who have undergone some kind of disaster. But all of that stuff is just the way we act out the faith that God has created in us.  God chose to give us faith. US! People who deserve nothing, He chose to create faith in us and then feed it so that for 108 years, that faith has been growing generation to generation.  Trinity is different from many other congregations in the same way a person who has been faithful in reading her Bible and receiving the Sacraments is different from an adolescent who just began to understand what faith is and what it can do.  Faith is old at Trinity and it flows through the halls giving them life and vigor that you just do not sense in regular buildings or even in many churches.  

It is a joy to be the pastor of Trinity.  Rather than feeling like a quarterback whose entire defensive line is made up of middle school cheerleaders (a feeling to which many pastors can resonate), I feel like the captain of a warship that has come through many battles victorious and has a tried-and-true crew. I have officers who know who we serve and desire to know Him as well as I do. I have Chiefs who know the ship inside and out and will make every sacrifice necessary to see that she is at full readiness at all times.  I have a crew who not only strives to remain strong themselves but works tirelessly to strengthen those around them and their own families, and this they have done sometimes for three or more generations on the same ship. Trinity is a fortress, not a fortress against the world but a fortress for the world. She is a fortress seeking to protect all who are led astray, to seek and find those who are lost, and to strengthen everyone for greater service.

I understand how St. Paul felt when he wrote to the Ephesians.  In a world that always seemed to be going to Hell in a handbasket, the Church in Ephesus was a beautiful example of what God could do with a few faithful people. Likewise, in the same kind of world in which we still live, Trinity is a shining example of what God can do with His people when they are faithful to His Word and Sacraments. 

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Advent Worship Schedule

Advent Services

Wednesdays @ 7 pm on Dec. 8, 15

Christmas Eve

December 24th at noon, 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Christmas Day

December 25th at 10 a.m. (NO 4:30 Worship Service)

Sunday, December 26th, 8 am & 10:30 a.m.

New Year's Eve 

December 31st at 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 2nd, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Epiphany

January 6th at 7 p.m.

ADvent Dinners

WEDESDAYS, 8, 15 @ 5:30 - 6:30

During Advent, the youth will host family dinners before worship. To-go meals will also be available at the dinners or after the worship service. If you'd like to prepare some food to contribute there is a sign-up in the Narthex. Or you can contact Katie Wendorf: 630-709-5965 or katiegrace2987@gmail.com.

ADVENT LETTER FROM PASTOR

Dear Trinity Family,

This Advent letter is to wish you all God’s richest blessings during this Advent season as we prepare our hearts not only to celebrate our Lord’s birth but also to remember to stay vigilant as we await His return for us!  May God grant you wisdom, joy and blessings during this Holy season.

I also want to remind everyone that we will have three (3) opportunities to worship on Christmas Eve at 12 noon, 5:30 pm and 11:00 pm. The Christmas Day service with be at 10 am and there will be no 4:30 service that Saturday.  On New Year’s Eve we will celebrate the Eve of the Name of Jesus at 7:00 pm and there again will be no 4:30 worship service on New Year’s Day which is a Saturday.  The Epiphany of Our Lord will be celebrated on Jan. 6th at 7:00 pm.

During the Christmas season, we will be conducting worship in much the same way as we have been during the past year with various Covid19 precautions in place. Beginning Sunday, January 9, 2022, we will return to the altar for Holy Communion. However, for those who are being extra careful, continuous communion will be practiced as well. Here is how it will work.

  1. Ushers will dismiss a maximum of 8 people to come forward to kneel at each side of the altar.
  2. While I am distributing the body, any who would like to receive in the center aisle as we have been doing, may come forward and line up in the center aisle.
  3. When I have completed distributing the body, while the Lay Minister is distributing the blood, I will step into the aisle to commune any who are lined up.
  4. When I have communed all in the center aisle, I will dismiss those at the altar railing.
  5. When those at the altar railing have entered the side aisles, the ushers will dismiss a maximum of 8 people per side to come forward up the middle aisle and kneel at the altar railing.

This practice will allow everyone to receive the Lord’s body and blood in a way that is most comfortable for them.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or Deb Banks, the chairperson of the Covid19 Committee.  Finally, remember that our favorite son from the seminary, Jackson Scofield, will be preaching for us on January 2nd at both services. We look forward to seeing everyone in church during this Holy season and wish you all many blessings.

In His Service,



Pastor Rogers

Breakfast With Santa

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11 @ 9:00 - 11:00

Hosted by the youth attending the 2022 National Youth Gathering in Houston $10 per plate for Pastor's pancakes, sausage, fruit, juice, and coffee. Also - photos with Santa, shop for crafts & baked goods, and massages with Katie! The knitters will hold a Yarn Drive to collect worsted weight yarn for their charity projects.

11:30-12:30 SANTA PAWS

Bring your dog or cat for a picture with Santa!

 

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Love Christmas Music?

Join Choir or Bells

Join just for the Christmas season! If you love Christmas music, but can't commit to an entire school year of participation, here is your opportunity: Choir rehearsals from 8:00-9:00 pm on Dec. 9, 16, and 23. Bell rehearsals for Christmas from 7:45-8:30 on Dec. 8, 15, and 22. If you have any questions, contact Mary Stahlke at 708-552-1271 or mary@trinityvp.com.

Adult Membership Class

Sundays, January 9th - February 7th

9:15 a.m. Fireside Room

  • For anyone who wants to become a member of Trinity Lutheran Church
  • For anyone who is interested in what the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod teaches, believes and confesses
  • For anyone who wishes to be confirmed in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
  • For anyone who wants to review basic Christian teachings
  • For anyone who wants to meet and support new folks coming to Trinity
  • For anyone…

Come to the Fireside room which is off of the main fellowship hall in the basement.  Bring your Bible if you have one. If you need a Bible, just ask Pastor.  Bring a friend with you!

Amazon Smile

Shop at smile.amazon.com & select Trinity as your charity. The link is also on
trinitylutheranvp.com. This is a great way to support Trinity through something you are already doing.

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Worship Services

Saturdays 4:30 pm

Sundays 8 am & 10:30 am

Each month you will receive a newsletter from Trinity in your email.  If you have any upcoming news, events, photos or other information to share, please email Marna Rundgren @ marnarundgren@gmail.com


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