December 21-22, 2024
December 21-22, 2024
WE WORSHIP TOGETHER
Worship Times: Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am
This Week’s Bible Readings: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:26-45
This Weekend: Fourth Sunday of Advent / "Nothing is Impossible With God"
Join us for worship…This Sunday, Mary’s song this week echoes the promises that Isaiah delivered in last week’s reading. Reversals and transformations are part of God’s plans for recreating and renewing the world, and the child who Mary will bear will be the one to usher in this era of God’s kingdom. Impossible? Miraculous? Even Elizabeth’s pregnancy was miraculous, like Sarah’s and Hannah’s pregnancies in the Old Testament. Our God is a God of impossible surprises, even in our modern lives.
WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS 12/21 & 12/22
Saturday 12/21 | 5:30pm
Leader: Jan Wenski
Reader: Kurt Staehlin
Sunday 12/22 | 10:30am
Asst Leader: Larry Symanski
Reader:Maureen Ligeski
Comm Asst:Gene & Nancy Mondello
Ushers: Charlie Ryan, NEED ONE
Acolytes: Bryce Cole, NEED ONE
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Confirmation, Youth and Sunday School – Classes will resume January 5, 2025
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Join us for Christmas Worship with Communion – Christmas Eve: 6:30pm and 11:00pm and Christmas Day: 10:30am
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
As we enter into this season of joy, love, and hope, we enter with wonder and awe that God would see to it that a baby king would change the world. This past year, we at Trinity have a experienced a thing or two regarding change and through it all, our faith has remained a source of strength and resilience.
As we gather with our loved ones and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, we remember the gift of love that God bestowed upon us through the birth of Jesus Christ.
The story of the humble birth in Bethlehem reminds us that God's love knows no bounds and that hope is always present, even in the most unexpected places.
During this Christmas season, we open our hearts to the joy and wonder that the birth of Christ brings. As a church community, we have the opportunity to spread love, kindness, and compassion to those around us. Our actions will reflect the love that God has shown us, and we will be a source of hope for those who need it most. Let the joy of Christmas fill your hearts with warmth, let the love of God surround you, and let the hope of the season be a guiding light in your lives.
With heartfelt gratitude and love,
Rev. Charisse Jensen Interim Pastor
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. *REMINDER the deadline for scholarship applications is 12/23. We are not able to process the application for this year if it isn’t received by this date. 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.
DIVINE DOLLARS - There are still limited cards on hand for immediate purchase this weekend. 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)
PASTOR INFO - Pastor Charisse will be out of town from Wednesday, December 25th through January 2nd. If you need to speak to a pastor during this time, please email or call the church office and your call will be directed.
OFFICE HOURS **
Mon- 8am-2pm | Tues- 8-12pm | Wed-CLOSED | Thurs-CLOSED | Fri-CLOSED
**Please be aware that there are limited office hours over the next two weeks. Call ahead before stopping by or email office@trinityol.org
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION
BUS FUND: Trinity Travelers
DREAM FUND: Lorraine Bloom
SCHOLARSHIP FUND: The O’Connell and O’Hare Families
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 & 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.
2024 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM THANKS! - Thank you to everyone who attended our Sunday School Christmas Program during the worship service on 12/15. It was wonderful to see the church so full. Thank you to our wonderful Sunday School students and to so many others who helped behind the scenes, including:
Our Sunday School teachers – Pat Janecek, Delaney Cole, Becky McNaughton, Julie Constantine, Paul Enderle, Amy Enderle, and Dawn Evans.
Nicole Goodfellow – Confirmation student coordination
Lynn Jareczek – Director
Diane Thompson – Assistant director
Jan Wenski, Maureen Ligeski, Mary Green and Linda Mizutowich – Potluck team
Candace Peters – Music
Trish Miller – Photos
Ruth Enderle – Inspiration for the program
CHRISTMAS EVE 12/24- 6:30pm WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
Asst Leader: Jim Scheibel
Reader: Sue Phelan
Usher: Tim Landgrebe, NEED ONE
Acolyte: NEED TWO
Comm Asst: Sue Phelan, Jobey Hendel
Musician: Candace Peters
CHRISTMAS EVE 12/24- 11:00pm WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
Leader: Tom Jareczek
Reader: Lynn Jareczek
Usher: Dave & Diane Thompson
Acolyte: NEED TWO
Comm Asst: Jan Wenski, Linda Kay
Musician: Candace Peters
Sermon: Ely Peters/Linda Kay
CHRISTMAS DAY 12/25- 10:30am WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
Leader: Linda Bensen
Reader: NEED ONE
Communion Asst: Jan Wenski
Musician: Cindy Maynard
NEXT WEEK’S WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS 12/28 & 12/29
Saturday 12/28| 5:30pm
Leader: Larry Reich
Reader: Leslie Reich
Musician: Cindy Maynard
Sunday 12/29 | 10:30am
Presiding: Rev. Kurt Hendel
Reader: Jan Wenski
Comm Asst: Jan Wenski, NEED ONE
Usher: Tim Landgrebe, Tom Jareczek
Acolyte: NEED TWO
Musician: Craig Lanigan
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
LOOKING AHEAD…
Thursday, January 2nd 12:30pm Seniors Meeting
Friday, January 3rd ASAP Council Annual Reports Deadline
Saturday January 4th 12:00pm Jean Schuberth Memorial Service
Sunday, January 5th 10:30am College Scholarship Sunday
Christmas Poinsettias Given By:
Larry & Leslie Reich in Memory of Loved Ones
Maureen Ligeski in Memory of Alice & Harold Humphrey
Beth Kelly in Memory of Bill & Sal Evers
Kathy Baldea in Memory of Brian Baldea and Russ & Inez Brustmann
Jeff & Claudette Breuer in Memory of Hilda Breuer and Mayreno Gibson (2)
Karen Rascher in Honor of Kirsten Healy
Mary Green in Memory of Her Parents & Brothers
George & Georgeann Molitoris in Memory of George Lundstrom
George & Georgeann Molitoris in Memory of George & Ethel Molitoris
George & Georgeann Molitoris in Memory of Violet & Hayden Morgan
George & Georgeann Molitoris in Memory of Marcy & Jeff Rachuj
George & Georgeann Molitoris in Memory of Mark & Vicky Molitoris
George & Georgeann Molitoris in Memory of Gregory Lundstrom & Vickie Ambroz
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Take a look around Trinity and you will see some new “fixtures” this Christmas season. Huge shout outs to Tom Ollenburger for building the Advent house that Pastor Charisse uses during the children’s message and to Tom Jareczek for the new stable for
our outside nativity that even collapses for easy storage! We appreciate both of your help and expertise in building these two magnificent items!! See attachment for photos.
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
PRAYER LIST December 21-22, 2024
Trinity Members
Ely Peters, Larry Reich, Jim Gallagher, Frankie Jobb, Randy Skendzel, Linda Jaeger, Karen Weaver, Ron Evans, Rosemarie Brudnak, Joe Thiel
Friends & Family of Trinity Members
Isabel by the Peters Family
The Beldzig Family by the Gallagher Family
David Ketter by the Gallagher Family
Lindy Roth by Linda & Cathy
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
TRINITY’S PRAYER LIST REMINDER
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
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FILLED WITH GOD'S ABUNDANT BLESSSINGS!
