Tidings 11/11/21

A message from Pastor Amy

Dear Trinity,

Advent is nearly upon us! I’m really looking forward to the return of some of our traditions. We begin the season with Thanksgiving Worship and Pie Fest on Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. First Communion will also be celebrated that night! (No worship on Thanksgiving Nov. 25.)

The first Sunday of Advent is Nov. 28. Because it is a big holiday weekend with a lot of travel, we’ll have one service at 9 a.m. followed by the Hanging of the Greens! This is a fun service activity that decorates Trinity for Advent and Christmas. We always need a lot of hands. We’ll have coffee, cocoa, and donuts too! (Don’t worry, we’ll be done by noon for the Packer game!) Feel free to stay after worship or come at 10 a.m. to help.

In December, our Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services continue throughout Advent.

On Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m., we will once again host a special service for those who are not feeling holly jolly. Blue Christmas is open to the whole community and focuses on reflection, emphasizes candlelight, and embraces tears that sometime accompany the holidays.

There will not be worship on Thursday, Dec. 23. But we will host three worship services on Friday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. Although all services welcome children and families, the 4 p.m. service will focus specifically on them including a special children’s sermon and glow sticks. Communion is served at all services as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

On Sunday, Dec. 26 we will enjoy a service of lessons and carols at 9 a.m. followed by coffee hour.

Throughout Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, we will focus on the theme Close to Home. This is a worship series from A Sanctified Art, the same people who brought us the Wilderness theme we used for Lent in 2020. This series is described as:

“When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas season, we journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. We carry the memories and truths of this season close to our hearts. Close to Home acknowledges the ‘already but not yet’ tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our everlasting home—is not fully realized. It names our deep longing for God to come close to us.”

11/28 @ 9 a.m. HOMESICK (HOPE): With deep longing, we watch for God. Thankfully, God enters a homesick world.
12/5 @ 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. LAYING THE FOUNDATION (PEACE) In this week, we focus on making space—in our lives and our imaginations— for God’s blessings to break through
12/12 @ 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. HOME FOR ALL (JOY) We are called to collectively build and repair the structures of our society; we are called to be kingdom builders. Wherever we build, God is there.
12/19 @ 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM (LOVE)

Sanctuary and safe space is so crucial for everyone. Sanctuary is anywhere God’s love dwells freely and abundantly.

Thank you congregation!

You really helped us and the Humane Society. We achieved our goal of helping the animals. THANKS! We raised $245.65 and 221 items. We appreciate your help and donations.

Humane Society Donations

6 blankets
21 lbs. of dry cat food
160 cans of wet cat food
59 lbs. of dry dog food
15 cans of wet dog food
20 cleaning supplies
2 toys
6 treat supplies

Hanging of the Greens

Come join us in decorating the church for the Advent/Christmas season! We will be decorating after the advent service at 9 a.m. on Nov. 28. We’ll be putting up decorations and setting up our brand-new tree in the sanctuary! All help is welcome and appreciated! There will be coffee, cocoa, and donuts!

Kay’s Guatemalen Boutique Coming Soon

This year Kay will have the beautiful Guatemalan fair trade items (and her scrubbies) available on two Sunday mornings: Nov. 21 and Dec. 5. There will be several new items and some favorite old standbys, great for gifting or adding to your home and décor. Each purchase helps the women earn a livable wage and keeps the school and other community services operating. Any profits over item cost and shipping are used to buy more items or donated back to UPAVIM for their most urgent needs.

So come browse the tables (near the education wing main entrance as usual). You may just find the perfect gift for your hard-to-buy-for friend or family member – or something you can keep and treasure for years to come!

Thrivent Action Team Grants

Are you a Thrivent Member? Did you know that you can receive $250 grants for projects in the church? Learn more at www.thrivent.com/what-we-offer/generosity/thrivent-action-teams

“Supporting your community is easy with Thrivent Action Teams. Apply to lead a group in a fundraiser, educational event or service activity. Then, gather a team of volunteers to make an impact together. Thrivent provides a customized kit of resources to get you started. Your team provides the passion to bring it to life.”

First Communion Class

If you feel your child is ready for their first communion, bring them to the first communion class on Nov. 21 at noon! There will be lunch, followed by a class to prepare for the first communion. Parents and children are both to attend the class. All ages welcome, readiness at parent discretion.

Fellowship at Fireside Theatre

We have reserved a group of tickets at the Fireside Theatre to see The Church Basement Ladies in “A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement” on May 15, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. Contact the church office if you are interested in reserving a spot! More information to follow as we get closer to the date.

STAR Hat and Mitten Drive

Warm Your Hearts by Keeping Others’ Hands and Heads Warm

Once again the STAR group is sponsoring a hat and mitten drive. All the Fort elementary schools are welcoming mittens and gloves to share with their students. Waterproof mittens are preferred by the kids. Some of the schools also want winter hats, and those can be handmade or purchased (scarves are considered a choking hazard, so they are not requested). Ear muffs and wide head bands are also OK.

All donations of hats, mittens and gloves will be shared. If they don’t seem to meet the schools requirements or children’s size, we will give then to the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry for distribution.

The donation boxes are out and the drive will conclude at the Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 23.

Thank you for helping to keep our community warm through the winter.

Trinity Hikers

Hello Hikers!

Here’s our next hike on Saturday, Dec. 4 starting at 10 a.m. Green Loop, about 5 miles, of Scuppernong Trails.

Click this link for map.

As always, bring water, snacks, hiking stick/trekking poles and be prepared for the weather and trail conditions. We can shorten the hike on that day if needed. We’ll go out for lunch afterwards for those who have extra time and are comfortable with this.

Any questions, contact Aurelio at 262-490-4923 or callopeand86@gmail.com.

Reaching Out Respite

Volunteers needed! Training provided. Call Maise at (920) 723-7288 if interested. Respite meets on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (a.m./p.m. shifts available).

Prayers requested for . . .

Terry Badura, Jeremy Barnes, Robert Bue, Don Clark, Ian Copp, Jamie Dassow, Janice Garrett, Helen Haase, Sarah Jones, Linda Keene, Ron Kemmerling, Bob Kyle, Phyllis Lange, Keith LaPointe, Barb Manwaring, Ken and Doris, Pam Nicholas, Violet Prust, Kelly Rhoel, Harold Rumppe, Luiz Sallasa, John Sanders, Ruth Smithback, Olaf Stokstad, Roger Strege, Suzanne, Bill Thiel, John Toso, Keith Woods, Marilyn Young, Dan Zick.

Do you have a prayer concern? Email the prayer force at prayerforcetlc@gmail.com. People will gladly pray for you or your loved one with their whole hearts!