At a congregational meeting on December 8, the following people were elected to serve 3-year terms on Church Council: Jill Jentes Banicki, Zinny Bond, Mike Christman, Phil Kochheiser, and Dave Reed. We thank them for their willingness to serve. Thanks, too, to outgoing Council Partners: Mark Abell, Bob Kammeyer, and Denise Meyer.
Again we come to the time of the year when we mark the great miracle of Christ becoming one of us. The Apostle John wrote, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Jesus came to Earth; He bore humiliation and ridicule; He died that we might live; He was raised that we, too, might rise again and live forever with God. “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16). How can we thank God but to give ourselves and our lives in service to God! For more information on stewardship, please contact Max Buban.
For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 120819
It’s December and preparations for Christmas are underway. Unfortunately, for some, this is a period of great stress, inadequate sleep, and too much busyness. Is this what Advent is all about? Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). What a pleasant request! Shut the door of the world. Open the door of your heart. Enjoy fellowship with Jesus! For more information,contact Max Buban.
For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 120119
Invite your friends and family to join us for any of our three worship opportunities on Tuesday, December 24:
Are you involved in a ministry activity that you’d like to shout about? If so, please drop an email (we really like pictures) to laura.hudson@engagedbygrace.org so we can spread the word.
As winter nears, many sigh with regret. We long for the budding of the trees, not the falling of leaves. We yearn for warm breezes, not stinging winds. Yet, we rely on God’s grace, for we know God will bring us again the warmth and life of spring. We can also rely on God to provide all our needs, even as we go through the lean, cold periods of our lives. God promises to make us “rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:11). For more information about stewardship, please contact Max Buban.
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia to help beautify the sanctuary on Christmas Eve, please sign up at the Collection & Sign-up Corner in the Gathering Place or contact the church office. The cost is $8 per plant.
As Advent begins, we focus on the wonderful news that “unto us a Child is Born…”
A Wonderful Child, a Holy Child, A Savior Child being BORN!!! It’s so EXCITING!!
Being a mother, and having three children, I can tell you all kinds of things about children being born… maybe more than you’d like to hear…
As a mother, I bring that perspective to interpreting the Biblical texts.
I’m sure I’m not the only mother who views the coming of Jesus the Messiah through that lens.
There are: Birth mothers, Adoptive mothers, Foster mothers, Grandmothers, Mothers in Heart & Spirit, Mothers of babies who have died, Mothers of miscarried babies, Mothers of babies given in adoption, Mothers whose hopes and dreams did not come to fruition, Mothers of healthy babies, and Mothers of babies who are differently abled, and Women who did not become mothers by choice or circumstance.
We all come from mothers in some way, shape, or form.
As worship texts shift from Luke to Matthew for the next church year, Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, and this genealogy, includes five specific women, four of whom are specifically named. This, in itself is shocking, since women weren’t often mentioned, let alone specifically named, in the culture, or in the Bible.
However, it’s an indication of how God touches and values all of us, men and women, to do God’s beautiful work of redemption in the world.
So, this Advent, let’s learn about these women – all of whom were mothers.
Starting on December 1, I am going to preach a four-part sermon series on the mothers listed in this genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, the wife of Uriah and Mary. I realize that’s five women and only four weeks to preach – but I want to discuss all of them – even if I have to do some combinations. I’m excited to preach this series and to engage in this learning with all of you!
Males and females, we all learn a lot from our mothers.
Women often are mothers, however women are also not defined solely by their motherhood, despite the fact that society often defines us that way – both Biblically, as well as currently.
Exploring God’s amazing glory at work in the world, through these mothers, affords us the oppportunity to greatly appreciate God’s glory at work in the world … thanks to the Child born to us.
Peace & joy,
Vicar Sara
Welcome to my running online dialog on matters of our life together in faith community at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church—where the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord engages each of us and, in turn, sends us out to engage others with that grace as well. I look forward to learning and growing together.
- Pastor Steve Wachtman
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America News