WELCOME TO TRINITY! The arrival of Jesus is fast approaching; the light from the Advent wreath is growing. How shall we prepare for God's coming among us? With joy! With resolute action! With prayer and thanksgiving! The Lord is near! It is today that the children will tell us the great story of Jesus' birth. Thank you to the children and to all the leaders who have had a big part in practicing and presenting this wonderful Christmas story. You are always welcome here at Trinity. A special welcome to those who are visiting with us. Please take time to sign our guest book in the entry leaving both an address and a telephone number.
The Advent Wreath: One of the best known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting in the midst of growing darkness strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the crown of Christ, or the wheel of time itself Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light.
THE GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Processional Hymn- "Angels, from the Realms of Glory" #275 ELW
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
We praise you, 0 God, for this victory wreath
that marks our days of preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the candles on this wreath,
strengthen our hearts as we await the Lord's coming in glory. Enlighten us with your grace,
that we may serve our neighbors in need.
Grant this through Christ our Lord,
whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
Light three candles
The Greeting: P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with your all. C: And also with you.
The Prayer of the Day: C: Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that rejoicing in your salvation we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE WORD
"SS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM-THE 12 SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS"
Grandpa: Mason Heise
Narrators: Andrew Koss, Evan DeBroux, Blake Underwood
Reader: Jacob Gruna
Introduction
Symbol 1-- The Christmas Tree
SONG -- "0 Christmas Tree, 0 Christmas Tree"- Sunday School Children
Symbol 2 -- Ornaments
Symbol 3 -- Lights and Candles
HYMN -- "The First Noel" # 300 ELW Congregation
Symbol 4 - The Bells
Symbol 5 -- Candy Canes
HYMN -- "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice" #288 ELW Congregation
Symbol 6 -- The Stars
SONG -- "We Three Kings of Orient Are"- Sunday School Children
Symbol 7 -- The Angel
SONG -- "Go Tell It on the Mountain"- Sunday School Children
Symbol 8 -- Holly
Symbol 9 -- Wreath
Symbol 10 -- Presents
Symbol 11 -- Wrapping Paper
SONG -- "Away in a Manger"- Sunday School Children
Symbol 12 -- Cookies
Closing Scene
THE SENDING
CONGREGATIONAL OFFERING
OFFERING HYMN "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"-- ELW # 276
OFFERING PRAYER
P: Good and loving God, C: we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to
bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER LORD'S PRAYER BENEDICTION
RECESSIONAL HYMN "Joy to the World" ELW # 267
THIS SUNDAY IS THE LAST CHANCE FOR THE GIVING TREE! This Sunday is the last chance to participate in the giving tree. If you choose to help, please choose a gift from the Giving Tree. Put your name and phone number on one of the paper ornaments and tear apart and place in the gift bag. Take the other ornament with you and return with your gift purchase. Please return the gifts no later than Tues., Dec. 18th. If you are not able to get them to church and need Haley to pick them up, please contact Haley Ellenbecker at St Peter
CONFIRMATION TAKES BREAK FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS: Confirmation will not meet during the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. Confirmation classes will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. Seventh graders will meet at 6 p.m. along with their mentors to begin the Dear Theophilus unit. Eighth graders will meet at 7 p.m. with their mentors present to begin their faith statements. These meetings will be at the Trinity basement.
DON'T FORGET WORSHIP TIMES ARE SWITCHED LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Worship times for December 30 and January 27th will be 8:30 a.m. at Trinity and 10:15 a.m. at St. Peter. Please get the word around about our change of worship times on the last Sunday of the month.
MEN'S BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY EVERY SECOND SATURDAY AT VILLAGE INN Men's breakfast and Bible Study will again be meeting on the second Saturday of the month starting in September. Next men's breakfast and Bible study is scheduled for January 12, 2019, 8:00 a.m. at the Village Inn in
Marathon. This is a great time for fellowship and a discussion on the upcoming
Sunday gospel. No sign up needed; just show up; friends and neighbors are welcome!
TRINITY WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY WILL NOT MEET IN DECEMBER: The Trinity Women's Bible Study will not meet in the month of December. They will meet again on January 22 for a special meeting at Kurt and Jo's at 11 am. This will be a belated Christmas celebration and we will use the December Gather magazine as our guide of Bible Study. Women from both Trinity and St. Peter are invited to come.
PASTOR PHIL WILL BE ON VACATION FROM DECEMBER 26 THRU JANUARY 2nd: Pastor Phil will take a week of vacation from December 26 through January 2. Pastor Ted Gulhaugen will be your supply pastor on Sun., Dec. 30 and Pastor Dan Sire will be on call for emergencies and can be reached at 715-212-7359.
TRINITY FINANCIAL BOOKS will close on Monday, December 31st. The church council asks that you complete your 2018 financial giving by that date. Any and all offerings received after December 31st by either the Treasurer or Financial Secretary whether mailed or in person, will be credited to 2019. There will be no exceptions
TRINITY ANNUAL REPORTS, committee and officer reports for the annual report need to be submitted to the church secretary by Sunday, January 6, 2019. You can either submit the reports either by email to trinitystettin@ yahoo.com or by placing them in the church secretary mailbox. Annual meeting will be held on January 20th following worship. Please mark your calendars to attend this important meeting
