December 2019

Trinity Lutheran Church

Villa Park, IL

Always Growing in Christ


	December 4th kicks the season off with the first simple supper at 5:30 pm followed by worship at 7 pm. Also, don't miss the fun of the hanging of the greens. All are welcome!


	Children's Christmas Program Join us Sunday, December 15th at 4:00 pm for Trinity Lutheran Church's annual Christmas Program, Soon! This joint production shares the story of Jesus' birth as told by Pre-K through 8th grade students in Trinity's Sunday School program and Trinity Christian Nursery School (TCNS). All are welcome to this family-friendly event. Come early to enjoy our pre-show, featuring the Golden Light Singers, or stop by our Hospitality Room and enjoy a coffee, hot chocolate, or other snack - Sponsored by Trinity Center Coffee Shop.


	Giving Tuesday December 3, 2019 Giving Tuesday, which is held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a generosity movement unleashing the power of people & organizations to transform their communities and the world. It was created in 2012. This idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. This year, Trinity joins the Giving Tuesday movement bringing people and resources together for a day of giving back. At Trinity, we give in many ways: our time, our expertise, our money, our love, our prayers. On Tuesday, December 3rd we are asking for your support to #GiveTrinity. You can help us meet our fundraising goals by donating in a variety of ways: Look for our donate button on our website: http://www.trinitylutheranvp.com/ Go social: follow us on Facebook, Twiitter, or Instagram. You can donate directly there. We are also asking you to share the posts with your followers and to share why you support Trinity on social media? What makes Trinity great to you? Why do you worship here? Why do you send your children to TCNS? What is the best thing that happens here? No social media? Prefer not to use the internet? Feel free to send an envelope to the church office or drop one in the offering plate and please write #GivingTuesday on the envelope. All money raised will support Trinity.


	December at TCNS Thank you to everyone who placed orders for Fannie May. We are using the fundraising money this year to purchase Christian books and toys to support our curriculum and replace old and outdated materials. We loved our visit from Dave Herzog's Marionettes, pcitured above. The children loved the show! In December we will be having a fundraiser at Chipotle. Simply dine in or carry out on Monday, Dec. 9th from 4-8 pm. When Christmas shopping has you running around, our fundraiser is a great excuse not to cook! We are looking forward to Santa visiting the classrooms again this year. This is always a highlight of Christmas!

Saturdays, Beginning January 11, 2020

10 am - 12 pm

We are forming an adult Bible Study that will also serve as a membership class for people who are interested in knowing more about Christianity. Whether you have questions about Christ or want to deepen your faith in Him, this class will explore what the Bible says about our God, and how His love gives direction and meaning to your life today and forever. This class is designed for those who are interested in learning or reviewing the foundations of the Christian faith. Attendance at the class may lead to membership in our church, but there are no obligations.

Child-care will be provided, and anyone who is interested in helping us organize child-care should call the office. If you are interested in knowing more about the course, go to www.lhm.org/GodConnects and watch the introductory video.

Is there someone at work, in your neighborhood, or at your dinner table who is not a member of a Christian church and that is weighing heavily on your heart? Invite (or refer) a friend to our class! Feel free to talk to pastor if you would like ideas on how to craft your invitation. Go to http://www.trinitylutheranvp.com/ to find an e-mail or text that you can send to your friends. Info cards to share are available in the Narthex if you prefer. You can also refer your friends using the referral card on the table in the Narthex.

GodConnects is a video series explaining the Christian faith in a way that makes it easy to invite a friend, family member, or church visitor. Plain language and helpful illustrations present God’s work of salvation in a concise manner. This series is ideal for those with questions about sin, judgment, redemption, Jesus, the believer’s life, and more. GodConnects—an excellent resource for amplifying and sharing key concepts of the Christian faith. Who has God put in your life that needs to hear His message?


	Dorcas News Dorcas Guild will meet on Tuesday, December 3, at 6:30pm for our annual Christmas party. All ladies are invited to join us in the Trinity Center for a holiday supper and “white elephant” exchange.


	The Projects Awarded Grant Psalms 128: 1-2: Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. The Projects: Trinity’s NEW ministry for junior high students was launched in spring of 2019. It has been recently awarded a grant by the English District of $50,000 over the next 5 years in order to grow the ministry. Getting the grant written and submitted would not have been possible for me to do without the hard work and thought put in by the Youth Board - Katie Wendorf, Mike Ticaric, Christopher Gore, and Stacy Warpool, plus Heidi Alvarez who is a professional grant writer. We are so blessed to have their support. Upcoming Sessions: Tuesdays @ 3:30 – 5:30 PM in the youth room on January 14, 21, 28, February 4 and April. We are always looking for high school, college, and adult volunteers. Raise your hand if you're interested


	More Youth News Sunday, December 1 @ 11:30 Help is needed to carry Christmas decorations up to the church after worship today. We can use help from kids and parents. Wednesday, December 4: 4:00 Confirmation We will decorate a tree on the prairie path today with the edible ornaments for the birds made by the Sunday School. Please dress appropriately for being outside. We encourage everyone to stop by and visit our tree on the Prairie Path for Joyful Traditions. Saturday, December 7 @ 5:00-8:30 The Projects at VP Library's St. Nick's Mart - Volunteers Needed! The items made at our sessions of The Projects will be sold at the library's craft show. This will help us raise some revenue for future sessions AND promote our program in the community. It would be great to have some junior high or high school volunteers there! Any kids OR parents who would be willing to sit at the table for an hour or 2 hour please contact me. 5:30 Advent Dinner - Tonight we'll be doing some community service by cooking at the Advent dinner. Wednesday, December 11: 4:00 Confirmation Class Saturday, December 14: @ 9:30 - 11:30 Confirmation Chime Group Breakfast with Mrs. Stahlke & Christmas Program Practice The Confirmation class will be playing music for the Christmas program on December 15 and today is rehearsal. Mrs. Stahlke is treating the group to breakfast before rehearsal. Meet her in the BIG kitchen at 9: 30 to start your day off with a delicious breakfast. Sunday, December 15 Christmas Program @ 3:30 Confirmation students - this is a fun way to show off all the chiming skills you've been learning. Let's give Mrs. Stahlke a nice big Christmas present by everyone being there to play. Wednesday, December 18: 4:00 Confirmation Class and Camp CHAOS Christmas Party Bring a gift from the Dollar Store to exchange and extra points for crazy wrapping! There will be Leah's homemade hot chocolate and snacks Friday, December 27 - Saturday, December 28: Big House Christmas After-Party at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee Cost: $110 - Make sure to help out at Advent Dinners so you can earn Church Bucks toward the trip High school AND 8th graders are invited to our most fabulous Christmas party EVER! Thursday, January 2 @ 9:00 - 2:00 Train Trip to Geneva (Weather Pending!) for ALL YOUTH Cost: Train Fare - $13.50 + money for lunch and shopping - STUDENTS, BRING YOU ID FOR A REDUCED FARE! You can pay 1/2 price if you have a current school ID with you.

Coffee Shop News:

Wednesday, December 11 @ 11:30 - 12:30 Santa's in the Coffee Shop! Skip the long lines at the mall and see Santa in The Trinity Center. He'll be available for photos and there will be hot chocolate and treats available.

Friday, December 13: The Trinity Center is holding a Christmas Party for our friends from UCP Seguin. Sheila is bringing a craft, there will be games and a story by Mitch and of course, the comfort dogs Emily and Noel will be there.

Sunday, December 15: The Trinity Center will host a hospitality room at the children's Christmas program. Stop in for some coffee, hot chocolate, and yummy treats before the show begins. The hospitality room is also available if you need a place for your restless kids to play.

Thursday, December 18 @ 9:00-11:00 Katie's special Holiday Massages and Christmas Spa Basket Raffle! Let Katie massage away your holiday stress and enjoy some special holiday snacks. Don't miss your last chance to relax before the kids are home on Christmas break. There is no charge for the raffle, which will include lots of fun holiday surprises.

The Trinity Center will be closed for Christmas Break on December 23 - January 6.

Help Wanted:

Must love junior high kids! The Projects after-school program is looking for high school and adult volunteers for the following positions:

Projects Leaders: We need people who have a talent to share with the kids, like cooking, sewing, writing, crafting, woodworking, etc. We supply materials and ideas or you can bring your own.

Mentors: An important part of The Projects is building relationships with participants. We're looking for helpers to hang out with the kids when they aren't engaged in a project. Eat a snack together, play a game, or just sit and talk.

Time Commitment: Tuesdays - January 14, 21, 28, and February 4 @ 3:00 - 5:30, plus one training session on January 7.

Contact Judy Bruschuk if you are interested in helping out: Jbruschuk@aol.com or 630-220-6364

Save the Date

Monday, Jan 6 - 7 pm Epiphany Worship

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