December 14-15, 2024
WE WORSHIP TOGETHER
Worship Times: Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am This Week’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 61:1-11, Luke 4:16-21
This Weekend: Third Sunday of Advent / "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"
Join us for worship…This Sunday, we light the pink candle on our Advent wreath symbolizing Joy. Why joy? We are to be encouraged to continue our journey of waiting as the ancient ones awaited the long-expected savior, the Messiah, we are to wait with joyful hearts. Joy as we wait, joyful as we put in our energy not in things that we are against, but what we are for.
OUR 2024 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15th during the 10:30am Worship Service with a potluck lunch to follow. Hope to see you there!
THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS 12/14 & 12/15
Saturday 12/14 | 5:30pm
Leader: Jerry Janecek
Reader: Libby Timmons
Sunday 12/15 | 10:30am
Asst Leader: Diane Thompson
Reader: Linda Peterson
Comm Asst: Linda Peterson, Dave Thompson, Linda Mizotowich, Jan Wenski
Ushers: Tim Landgrebe, Tom Jareczek
Acolytes: Violet Martinez, Miles McCain
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Youth and Sunday School – Classes are held from 9:30-10:15am. Confirmation Class – Meet on Sundays at 9:30am.
Just a reminder we will not meet on 12/22 & 12/29 but Youth, Sunday School and Confirmation will resume once again on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Sunday, December 15th 10:30am Sunday School Christmas Program & Potluck
Wednesday, December 18th 6:30pm Rachel Circle Christmas at Cathy & Linda’s
Thursday. December 19th 9:00am Seniors Event – Drury Lane
RACHEL CIRCLE – Don’t forget you’re invited to a Rachel Circle Christmas at Cathy and Linda’s new home -13762 Steeples Road, Lemont, 60439 – this Wednesday, December 18th, starting at 6:30pm. Feel free to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. All are welcome and a carpool can be coordinated for those that would like to drive together.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION
BUILDING USAGE: Trinity Seniors Group
NEED TO KNOW
SCHOLARSHIPS- Trinity is offering scholarships to our members who are attending a college or university for the 2024/2025 school year. Scholarships are awarded to full-time students who are active members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Applications have been emailed to previous scholarship recipients and recent high school graduates. If you have not received an email, please reach out to Lynn Jareczek for the application (708) 826-0055. Please note, the application deadline is December 23rd. Scholarship Sunday will be held January 5th, 2025 at the 10:30am worship service and the recipients are asked to participate in worship that day.
WOMEN OF THE CHURCH - The Women of the Church board would like to thank the Trinity Members from the bottom of their hearts. Sixty-two presents were delivered to the Bethshan community in Palos. They were so appreciative and very grateful for the generosity we showed their residents. It will be a bright Christmas morning for them for sure!
Also, on December 5th, singer, Jeorge Holmes put on an amazing performance at our Christmas Gathering. We closed with a moving message and a candlelight singing of Silent Night. It was a beautiful evening of fellowship including delicious home baked treats that were enjoyed by all! Merry Christmas from the Women of the Church Board.
DIVINE DOLLARS - We have limited cards on hand for immediate purchase- please see the attached list. But we have lots of other gift card choices available to order. 12/15 is the last time to place orders for gift cards to receive 12/19. Starting January 1st, we will only be ordering cards on the 15th of each month. Stop by the gathering desk for more information or call Lynn Jareczek (708-826-0055)
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
THANK YOU, LYNN JARECZEK!
We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to Lynn Jareczek for her faithful service as our Sunday School Leader over the past two years. Lynn’s dedication, love, and guidance have made a lasting impact on our students and the lives of everyone she’s taught and mentored.
Lynn, thank you for your tireless efforts in preparing lessons, fostering spiritual growth, and building a nurturing environment for our children and families. While we will miss your leadership, we are excited to see how God will continue to use your gifts in the next chapter of your journey. Please join us in thanking Lynn for her faithful service. Thank you, Lynn, for being such a blessing to all of us!
JILL SCHUR TO LEAD SUNDAY SCHOOL AT TRINITY
Jill Schur will be stepping into the role of Sunday School Leader beginning in January. We are confident that under Jill’s leadership, our Sunday School program will continue to thrive and be a place where our children can grow in their faith, knowledge, and love for the Lord. Please join us in welcoming Jill to this important role and praying for her in Trinity’s youth and family ministry.
2025 TRINITY COUNCIL
The Council met on 12/10/24 and elected officers for 2025, as listed below. Terms for the 2025 Council begin January 1, 2024. Council members elected at the November 16 – 17, 2024 congregational meeting are bolded below:
Officers:
Trustee/ President: Gene Mondello
1st Vice President / Head Trustee: Larry Symanski
2nd Vice President / Head Deacon: Charlie Ryan
3rd Vice President / Head Elder: Linda Kay
Deacon / Financial Secretary: Sue Phelan
Deacon / Treasurer: Charlie Ryan
Deacon / Recording Secretary: Jobey Hendel
Trustees:
Gene Mondello
Larry Symanski
Dave Thompson
Bill Waterstraat
Deacons:
Jobey Hendel
Sue Phelan
Larry Reich
Charlie Ryan
Elders:
Amy Enderle
Tom Jareczek
Linda Kay Pat McNaughton-Janecek
JOYS and CARES
CONGRATULATIONS!– Peg and Kurt Staehlin wish to announce the birth of their granddaughter Penelope Jean, born on December 8th in Urbana, IL. Parents, Kevin and Laney Staehlin and baby are at home and doing well. May God Bless Penelope Jean!
ALTAR FLOWERS – Flowers on the altar this weekend are given by Peg & Kurt Staehlin to the Glory of God to celebrate the birth of their granddaughter, Penelope.
FOR ALL THE SAINTS – Trinity was saddened to hear the news that long time member, Jean Schuberth passed away on November 30th. A memorial service will be held at Trinity on Saturday, January 4, 2025, with a visitation beginning at 11:00am until the service at 12:00pm. Please keep Jean’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
LIVING NATIVITY - December 14th at 6:30pm & 7:30pm - Mt.Zion Lutheran Church - 10400 S. Kostner in Oak Lawn. All children may participate in the story of the Nativity, told with music and live animals. See attachement for more info.
PILGRIM FAITH FOOD PANTRY – The Pilgrim Faith Food Pantry is having a Ham Drive! They would like to provide hams to local families for their Christmas dinners. If you’d like to contribute please email pffoodpantry@gmail.com or visit https://www.pilgrimfaith.org/food-pantry to donate money via paypal.
NEXT WEEK’S WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS 12/21 & 12/22
Saturday 12/21 | 5:30pm
Leader: Jan Wenski
Reader: Kurt Staehlin
Sunday 12/22 | 10:30am
Asst Leader: Jobey Hendel
Reader:Maureen Ligeski
Comm Asst:Gene & Nancy Mondello
Ushers: Charlie Ryan, Larry Symanski
Acolytes: Bryce Cole, NEED ONE
TIME & TALENTS – There are many volunteer opportunities at Trinity Lutheran Church. We'd love to have you join our Volunteer Army! Contact the office or Click the link to pick a date to serve: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B44A8AB22A3FA7-51276092-youth
OFFICE HOURS *It is recommended that you call ahead, before stopping by. Thank you!*
Mon- 8am-2pm | Tues-CLOSED | Wed-8am-2pm | Thurs-8am-12pm | Fri-CLOSED
LOOKING AHEAD…
Tuesday, December 24th 6:30pm Christmas Eve Worship w/communion
Tuesday, December 24th 11:00pm Christmas Eve Worship w/communion
Wednesday, December 25th 10:30am Christmas Day Worship w/communion
Friday, January 3rd ASAP Council Annual Reports Deadline
Sunday, January 5th 10:30am College Scholarship Sunday
PRAYER LIST - December 14-15, 2024
Trinity Members
Randy Skendzel, Linda Jaeger, Karen Weaver, Ron Evans, Rosemarie Brudnak, Joe Thiel,
Friends & Family of Trinity Members
Manfred Strigun by the Gallagher Family
The Family of Jean Schuberth
The Family of Clint Riemer by Tom & Lynn Jareczek
Joe & Kathy Streit by the Bill & Sue Waterstraat
Bill & Faith P. by Barbara Boots
Michelle by Rebecca Garcia
Jerry Chopp by Don & Sharon Poljak
Sue Meyer by Karen Rascher
Beginning November 1st, names submitted to the Trinity Prayer List will remain on the list for four weeks. After four weeks, the name(s) will be taken off but they can be re-submitted. Please use the pew
Connection Cards or email office@trinityol.org for all prayer requests.
STAFF CONTACTS
Pastor Charisse Jensen Interim Pastor pastor@trinityol.org
Nicole Goodfellow Youth Director youthdirector@trinityol.org
Jan Enderle Office Manager office@trinityol.org
John Weaver Custodian johnweaver9701@trinityol.org
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
12/3 Shelly DeRousse
12/3 Joey Enderle
12/3 Sandy Green
12/6 David Cyze
12/6 Stacey Fox
12/7 Jake Sakal
12/8 Neila Pirkl
12/10 David Smith
12/11 Elsie Sabbithi
12/15 Janet Swanson
12/16 Max Kasick
12/19 Marcie Schultz
12/21 Paul Jaeger, Sr.
12/27 Myles Lanigan
12/27 Cathy Cepican
12/28 John Swanson
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
12/2 Raymond & Kathy McCanna
12/20 Jason & Shelley Jobb
12/31 Kevin & Tina Donoghue
