Monthly Archives: December 2004

God’s peace to you in this New Year

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The New Year … a line in the sands of time drawn with invitation to take stock, to renew, to anticipate, to reflect. As God’s people, we do this corporately, together. We are invited to pause our lives and to come together to look forward — together, as a community of faith. So we each week we gather around the Word and holding on to one another, we dare to look into the mirror that God’s word holds up for us…

How are we doing trusting in God? How are we doing quieting the voices of fear and strengthening our muscles of faith? How are we doing being the hands and hearts and voice of God — peacemakers in a violent world? Will there be fewer hungry children in the world at the end of this year, because of our stewardship and discipleship? How can we get there from here? How are we growing together? Bible study? Small group? Prayer? Service?

Each week, the Word of God draws us into the global story of Emmanuel, God with us. In the first week of the New Year (January 2nd) we reflect on the mystery of the Epiphany, in the second week (January 9th) the powerful story of Jesus’ baptism and his movement toward public ministry. And we name and celebrate all those who were baptized in 2004 and the work of the Spirit in their lives. Also that week, we meet to make a decision about extending a Call to a new Youth Minister to serve God here at Holy Trinity.

In the 3rd week of the month we invest in the financial planning for the upcoming year of life and ministry together, with budget forums and preparation for our 4th Sunday, and our annual Congregational Meeting. The rhythms of the church year ebb and flow, but just beneath the surface of these seemingly mundane plans, pulses the Spirit of God, drawing us in and readying us for the challenges of faithful living that are just around the corner. And so the new year begins … full of promise, full of hope, full of opportunity to live closer to the adoption of the Word and one another.

Perhaps God is calling you to a new thing in this New Year. Is it tutoring a child across the street? Sponsoring an orphan in Africa with the means to attend school? Is it dedicating time for prayer or exercise or quiet? Perhaps its one call a week to a shut-in member or sharing yourself for one hour on a Sunday morning in a Village Sunday School classroom.

Maybe God is nudging you to invite a neighbor to join you at church, or prodding you to take seriously the rich hopeful signs of God’s reign that surround you. The deepest needs of our spirits are met in the things that happen within and beneath and around the schedule, drenched in the Word and prayer.

My prayer for each of us as we turn the pages of our calendars, is that we will listen for the Spirit’s invitation — take time to reflect and assess our connections to one another — and hold fast to our focus on the Word made flesh that is dwelling among us, full of grace and wonder.

God’s peace to you in this New Year…

Pastor Janet

Message from the Church Council President

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Awhile back, some friends of ours circulated a little prayer that had the ring of a New Year’s Resolution to it:

A PRAYER

So far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy or grumpy, been nasty selfish or overindulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed. And from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot more help. Amen.

Your Church Council has some New Year’s Resolutions for you to prayerfully consider, in the form of goals and visions for the church, which we’d like to share (among other things set forth in the official meeting notice found elsewhere in this Tempo) with you at the annual January Congregational Meeting, as is our mandate under the church constitution. Please join us as we set a course for the coming year. Happy New Year and God’s peace to you and your family in 2005! —Gary Bague

Honey Tree Early Childhood Center

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Honey Tree children had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas. They made gifts and decorations and sang many songs. They enjoyed watching the changes that happened in the sanctuary to get it ready for Christmas. Our Christmas programs were great and very well attended and enjoyed by all. We were happy to host the Happy Timers to lunch before our afternoon program. We thank Pastor Frank and Pastor Janet for sharing the Christmas story with the children.

Now onto 2005 and the New Year. Early in January, the children will get to play in some pretend snow.

Registration Information
The registration process for the 2005-2006 school year (which begins in September ‘05) starts very soon. Holy Trinity families have priority registration so if you have a child that is eligible to attend, please call the Honey Tree office at (805) 492-1232 as soon as possible and let us know your preference.

Epiphany: How Far Does Your Little Light Shine?

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“And God said ‘Let there be light.”’ Genesis 1:3. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12 and 9:5. He also admonished us to let our own light shine so that God might be glorified: Matthew 5:16. Paul says we should live as “children of light,” Eph. 5:8 for Christ, our true Light has claimed us as his own. And who of us has not at some time learned and recited some of these Bible verses or sung the happy song, “This Little Light of Mine”? Perhaps some of us even remember singing “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam — to shine for Him each day…”

Universally, humankind has referred to light and darkness in basic terms of safety and fear, love and hatred, liberty and oppression. Our loving God who knows us each, knows everything about us, and loves us with a steadfast love, knew that only Salvation’s Light could save us from ourselves for God’s kingdom of light and love. And so, God not only gave us light but became our Light — and charged us to be stewards of it, for it cannot be a static thing.

Our stewardship of that Light begins with our own life, and extends to the family we share that life with, at home, at school, at work, at worship, or at play. But we dare not let it be limited to these spheres which, after all, provide a certain amount of security and love for ourselves. Christ has commanded us to go “into all the world” to share His love and to care for God’s human family and the creation of Gods hands.

Soon we will be discussing and voting on our budget for ministries in 2005. We know about the needs “at home” here at Holy Trinity. They are many, important, and good. But, as we look at our needs — and at our abundance — we must be conscious of taking Christ’s command seriously. just as he was the healer and welcomer of the outcast, the speaker for those whose voice was never heard, the giver of bread and the Bread itself, it is incumbent upon us as individuals and as a congregation to consciously choose to be his presence in the world, bearers of his loving Light.

Let us make sure that our budget expenses for the year 2005, reflect the outpouring of Christ’s love for all in the amount we set aside to send to our Synod, for the church nationally and worldwide, for this is our major instrument in going “into all the world” in our Savior’s name. This is a major part of what moves us beyond our serving of only our own needs as a congregation.

“And there will be no more night; they will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light…” Rev. 22:5 is the final promise that we shall never be in darkness again. In thankful response to this promise, “let [our own] light shine, let it shine, let it shine!” Working with you in the Vineyard.

Stewardship Ministries. — IlaJean Kragthorpe

Thanks! Your Loose Change is Changing Lives

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Will we make the goal of sending $1,500 to the ELCA for an extra dose of love and ministry through our Stand with Africa: Helping Through Loose Change jar? We hope so; we are very close. As of this writing, on December 8th, we have $1,458.50 counted, rolled, and turned in, and loose coins amounting to $10.46 still in the jar. This means, in the next three weeks, we will need $30.04. You won’t be reading this until the very end of December, or the first part of January if you leave town for the holidays. Even so, we hope you will drop some of your loose change into the big jar in the Narthex to help us make our goal. We’ll let you know early in January how we did.

This has been an exciting vehicle to serve in extra ways, gifting chickens, trees, seeds, lambs, goats, even fish and farming tools! In a way, we have been giving ourselves the presents of these gifts all year, in honor of the Christchild we welcome during our Christmas and Epiphany seasons. Thanks be to God that we can become modern day Wisemen/women/youth/children, presenting our gifts in the name of our loving Savior.

Don’t forget, if you have a special ELCA goal for passionate giving, write it down on a slip of paper and drop it in the jar along with that loose change. We can choose one of them for our next year’s project. God bless each of you who have participated in this special offering venture. Many have been blessed by it, and surely, this includes ourselves! Stewardship Ministries — IlaJean Kragthorpe

Altar Flowers

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The altar flowers program has been such a beautiful and successful addition to the Sunday worship services. I want to thank everyone who signed up to provide flowers this year and invite more of you to sign up for a Sunday next year. The 2005 chart will be available for sign ups soon.

For those unfamiliar with this program, let me explain. Everyone has the opportunity to add a bouquet of flowers in their name to the weekly worship service. You can share a special occasion with the congregation, dedicate flowers in memory of a loved one or sign up just because you want to. Whatever the reason, the bouquets are placed behind the altar for all to enjoy.

Oakbrook Florists will continue to provide Holy Trinity with this service. The cost is $35.00 per arrangement (checks made payable to HTLC) and due by the Sunday for which you are scheduled. Patti Ruff, owner, invites you to contact the floral shop if you have any special requests for a particular color or type of flower to be used in the bouquet. She will do her best to fulfill your desires within the set price.

The flowers are delivered Saturday mornings and are available for pick up after the 11:00 AM worship service on Sundays.

Youth and Family Resource Center

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The Youth and Family Resource Center is available on the patio after services most Sundays. The books, compiled by the Youth and Family Institute in Minneapolis, MN are chosen for their high quality from various publishers. The books are for children, youth and adults on various topics from a Christian perspective. This Center is a service to the congregation making high quality books readily available. If the books are not on hand, they can be ordered and usually received in a week

Cultivating the contemplative spirit at home, strengthening your family identity nurturing the spiritual life of your children, creating a circle of peace; these are some gifts you can give your family during this advent season. Here are some books that tell you how to give such gifts to your family

Families Creating a Circle of Peace compiled by Jim McGinnins, Ken and Gretchen Lovingood and Jim Vogt. This book addresses the concerns of parents and family members who wish to take a stand for peace and justice. It includes 40 pages of stories, suggestions, activities and other resources to help people live each component of the Pledge of Nonviolence in their day-to-day lives.

Making a Home for Faith, Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Your Children by Elizabeth F. Caldwell — this book helps parents address hard issues and questions related to faith.

Seasons of a Family’s Life, Cultivating the Contemplative Spirit at Home by Wendy M. Wright. Every chapter in Wendy M. Wright’s thoughtful book is a lesson in gaining an awareness of the joy in our experience as families and letting the sacred be more present in our frantically paced daily lives. Wright shows us how to pay attention to the silence that underlies our lives and encourages us to be sensitive to the ordinary moments that connect us.

Family Traditions. Practical, Intentional Ways to Strengthen Your Family Identity by J. Otis Ledbetter and Tim Smith. Family traditions are an exciting way to bless your children and begin the pattern of blessing future generations as well. Included are over eighty practical traditions to try with your family.

A Decembered Grief, Living with Loss While Others Are Celebrating by Harold Ivan Smith — With keen perception, A Decembered Grief provides illustrations and insight for those facing grief-impacted holidays-while emphasizing God’s ability to miraculously transform the season into a time of grace and healing.

Prepare for your coming gracious God

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Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Prepare the church for your coming, gracious God. Inspire the whole church, in all of its marvelous diversity, to remain united in our common mission of proclaiming the love of Christ. O giver of hope, hear our prayer.

Prepare the nations for your coming, gracious God. Enlighten the world’s leadership to strive toward a vision of peace, where the wolf shall live with the lamb. O giver of hope, hear our prayer.

Prepare those who are outcast for your coming, gracious God. Shine the beacon of your hope on those who are lonely and forgotten, and who are victims of violence and injustice, that the too may know your joy. O giver of hope, hear our prayer.

Prepare those who suffer for your coming, gracious God. Encircle those who are ill with a mantle of healing. O giver of hope, hear our prayer.

Prepare this community of fait for your coming, gracious God. Empower us to embody Christ’s presence through our care for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We give thanks for the gift of the work of all our Lutheran missionaries, and in particular for the month of December, for Rev. Judith VanOsdol-Hansen, and La Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida in Argentina. We celebrate the local partnership in ministry that we share with our sisters and bothers at Trinity in Ventura. We pray for Pastor Dave Hall and Jon Christenson for deep faithfulness and strong ministry to reveal the light of God’s love in their communities. O giver of hope, hear our prayer.

Prepare our hearts for your coming, gracious God. Keep us in unity with those who have died in faith and who now rest in the joy of peace of your presence. O giver of hope, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Season of Advent

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December is upon us. Time seems to go by very quickly. The season of Advent is about time and the fullness of it. Advent is about reminding us that Christ has come, is present in our midst and will come again. It is about the past, present and future of the Kingdom. But, it does specifically focus us on the coming of Christ in the fullness of God’s time.

The word used for God’s time is “Kairos” not “Chronos”. It means put away your watches and wait, be patient for God is doing something marvelous in our midst. Look into your hearts, look into your families, and friendships, look within our congregation for the presence of Christ, God become flesh, dwelling amongst us.

God indeed comes in many and various ways, be alert for them, keep your lamps burning, be ever vigilant, don’t let the hectic rush of the season rob you of this great joy. Have a prayerful and thoughtful Advent, and your Christmas will be filled with joy.

At the time I write this Pastor Janet is in Tanzania, Africa. We pray for a safe journey for both Pastor Janet and Stacey Wise and their LWF group. I am sure we will hear testimony to the presence of Christ in Africa, when they return.

Blessings for a thoughtful Advent Season and we shall see each other in church,

Pastor Frank

Message from the New Church Council President

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To all of you who have offered your congratulations, and condolences, over the past few months following the Council’s election of a President Pro Tern, my heartfelt thanks.

Since our family began attending this church, I was always aware that Sherrie Smith, and Margaret Dove before her, as past Presidents of the Church Council, were diligently working on behalf of the congregation. My appreciation for their efforts has ratcheted up profoundly since the passing of the gavel into my hands.

Theirs was a labor of love I am sure. Holy Trinity is truly a special place, made such by so many special people. To want to contribute to the well being of this church can be an irresistible proposition, as it should be.

I can recall sitting in the sanctuary with my wife, Sherrie, the first few services we attended, unprepared for the emotional realization that our search for a spiritual home was over. Pastor Janet would later tell us that she had wondered who the new couple was, sitting off to the side, often looking tearful. She couldn’t know then, that those were tears of joy.

I am honored, and grateful for the privilege of serving as Church Council President. I look forward to continuing my work on your behalf together with Council, a group of individuals with many talents and a deep commitment to Holy Trinity and whose fellowship would have been reward enough for me to share.

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit shines down upon this congregation, as we work together to build on all that is good and right with our church.

Merry Christmas and God’s Blessings,
Gary Bague