December's Newsletter Highlights
All Saints Sunday
We observed All Saints Day, one of the oldest observances on the church calendar, on November 4th. We gave thanks to God for the lives of saints past and present, saints being all those who truly follow Christ. We remembered loved ones who have gone to join the Church Triumphant in the past year as we lit a candle in their memory, giving thanks to God for their presence with us. The saints we remembered were:
Eleanor Bixler
Bette Bowman
Nick Dunkle
Florence Kodack
Michael Kodack
Gloria Miller
Russell Reiner
Brenda Schaeffer
Carol Tallman
Agape Community Meal
The November Agape Community meal had an attendance of 80. Thanks to all who helped cook, set up, serve, and clean up. Helpers are always appreciated, especially with serving and clean up. If you can give a bit of time to help with either of these, please sign the teal colored sheet on the easel at the back of the church.
Operation Christmas Child, Blessing of the Shoeboxes
On Sunday, November 18th, members of our Junior Youth Group brought 53 shoeboxes prepared for Operation Christmas Child to the front of the sanctuary for a blessing. We are grateful for their participation in this important project. They gathered these shoeboxes together, collected from the generosity of our faith community, to be sent as symbols of God’s love to various places around the world – to Bangladesh where hunger is a big issue for children; to Honduras which is the second poorest country in Central America; to Haiti where tens of thousands are still homeless from an earthquake in 2010; to South Africa where many live in ghettos made up of houses made from sheet metal; to Madagascar where the average worker makes $1 a day; to places where God knows there is need. Together we pray for these places and the children who will receive our shoeboxes. We pray for God’s love to shine on the children who receive these boxes and for our love to reach them.
Annual Nativity Puppet Show
On Sunday, November 25th we had our 10th Annual Nativity Puppet Show to prepare for Advent and the Christmas season. We had a wonderful response for readers, puppeteers, and children watching. After the show, Serta the Lamb asked the kiddos some questions about the First Christmas, and they knew every answer. We were so proud of them and their knowledge of the real meaning of Christmas!
Miles to Mend
In November, we fulfilled two Miles to Mend requests for assistance. We are thankful that God is able to use our resources to help those in need! Miles to Mend funds are also used for “personal assistance” situations. Please feel free to nominate someone for help using the forms located at the office entrance at the church building.
Adopt an Apartment for the Brethren Housing Association (BHA)
The Discipleship Committee is pleased to report that Trinity completed our second apartment for the BHA. This apartment was a recently-renovated three-bedroom unit at 203 Hummel Street in Harrisburg. With items donated by members of Trinity and items purchased from monetary donations and money earned from selling Trinity cookbooks, we were able to completely furnish this apartment. This apartment was dedicated this past Sunday and from the thank you note in the newsletter “Mail Box”, our work was greatly appreciated by the persons who funded the renovations. Thank you to all who contributed to making this apartment a home for a homeless mother, her eight year old daughter and her three year old son.
Congratulations, Pam
Congratulations to Pam Ulicny for completing the Philadelphia Marathon. As a result of her effort in Philadelphia, she also qualified for the 2020 Boston Marathon!
Trinity cookbooks still available!
The Kitchen Committee still has about 20 cookbooks left for sale. If you need a quick Christmas gift, these might just be what you’re looking for! The price is $8 per book, and all money raised benefits Brethren Housing Association (BHA). So far, our cookbooks have raised over $830 for BHA, some of which was already used to help stock the apartment we just completed.
***Cookbook Correction***: A correction needs to be made to the Trinity filling recipe on p. 66 in the new cookbook. One lb. of butter/margarine is required, not two as stated in the recipe. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.
Special Music for Christmas Eve
Interested in providing special vocal or instrumental music for the 9:30 Christmas Eve service? If so, please sign the Christmas Eve Special Music sheet on the bulletin wall. The sheet will be up until Sunday, December 16th.
DVD’s of Christmas Services Available
Orders will be taken for DVDs of the Children’s Christmas Program and the Christmas Eve Service. Payment of $5 must be included with the order. Envelopes will be provided in the bulletin or put write your name and DVD requested along with payment in an envelope and mail to the church or put in the offering plate.
AmazonSmile
As we begin Christmas shopping, don’t forget about the contribution Amazon will make on your behalf when you designate Trinity as the recipient charity on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. When you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Trinity is registered with the AmazonSmile program to receive donations from Amazon when purchases are made from Amazon accounts. To shop at AmazonSmile enter smile.amazon.com in the web browser on your computer or mobile device. To choose Trinity as the recipient, enter “Lutheran Church Valley View” (do not enter PA) in the charity search box. Trinity Lutheran Church Valley View PA should appear after you press enter.
DVD Service Delivery
Our new sound and video system provides us the ability to record DVDs of our services. To help keep our shut-ins feeling part of our church family, we will be delivering DVDs of our worship services with a player to our shut-ins. We are looking for volunteers to help with the delivery. All you need to do is drop off the DVD and player, pick it back up when they are done watching, and then take it back to the church. If you are willing to participate, please speak to Pastor Brian.