Trinity News~
During the last few weeks these are the members that we have been praying for~ Please continue to pray for these members: Dee Williamson, Peggy Strandvold, Rocke Verser, Kristina Fenton, Frank Benz, Jim Eames, Eleanor Stevens, Mary Ann Patrick, Olivia Marx, Florence McKinney, Rose Trinklein, Ray Moehring, Jamie Lawson, AnnMarie Patrick, and Brent Thorne .

We’re going Caroling on Sunday, December 20th. Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 for lunch and caroling.
All are Welcome~

~ Adult Education~
Adult Sunday School Classes
  Faith Seeking Understanding-- Meets through December 20
 Thus far we have covered what God is like and what humans are like--a disparaging comparison. Then we examined the merciful work of Christ, which makes us right with God. Now what? Rev. Barb Linder, will conclude with "the rest of the story" this month. December topics include: The Holy Spirit and the Church, The Kingdom of God, Heaven and Hell.
 
All adults are welcome to join us for any and all topics! We meet every Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:15 in the Fellowship Hall.  Childcare for children under 3 years of age is provided in the nursery.
 
Coming in January:  Dr Frank Benz will begin a study, "Travels Through Ancient Israel's History".

TLC Book Group Forming
 If you're interested in joining a book group at Trinity, it's not too late. Just contact Kristi Aberle at 225-2939 or tkaberle@earthlink.net. We'll get started in January.

THE KITCHEN LOAN HAS BEEN PAID OFF
On behalf of the Kitchen Committee, I would like to thank everyone who gave so generously to Trinity’s kitchen remodel project.  Trinity now has a modern and efficient kitchen to serve our congregation for decades to come.
As our church is used not only by our church family but from the Loveland community as well, there is always something in need of repair or replacement.  As an example this past year you have been asked reach deep into your pockets to help with the roof, the sound system, the sprinkling system and the kitchen.  I would ask that you continue to support all of these projects. 
Hopefully this spring there will be another auction where you can donate your goods and also pick up some great deals at the same time, and the proceeds will go toward all of these projects.
 So, again thank you all and God Bless.
 Bart Bartholomew

~Trinity News~
Goodtimers News
Join the Goodtimers for their Christmas Potluck and get a gift/grab a gift extravaganza! We will meet on Friday, December 11th at noon. Please bring a dish to share and a gift (value of $5) for our gift grab/exchange. Check out the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex. See you on the 11th!

ALTERNATIVE GIFT GIVING
Social Ministry will again be collecting contributions for these items after each worship service in the Reflectory. A complete listing of our Alternative Giving Shopping List is included in this issue of the Tidings. Please look for the bright pink insert~

For all of you who helped in any way to build the Thirvent Builds/Habitat for Humanity house for Sarah and Taylor Hovi: Sarah and Taylor have the keys to their new home and a new life. You helped make it happen. Thank you!
The Preschool has openings in the 3 year olds afternoon class & 4 year olds morning & afternoon class. Please let your family and friends know about our wonderful preschool. Thank you.

Sunday School News~
Trinity Lutheran Church Presents: Our 2009 Christmas Program: “Tree-Mendous Love… From the Manger to the Cross”
On Sunday December 13th at the 10:30am service the Sunday School youth and teachers will be putting on this program that is not only the story of Jesus’ birth with dialogues, music, and ornaments, but also has the gospel message of Jesus’ resurrection too!
An “all spruced up” party will take place following the service. And, the congregation gets to participate too! Hope to see you here then! Want to know more? Talk with Ann Maki.

~There will be no Education Hour on December 27th due to the Christmas holiday. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you back in class on January 3rd~

Trinity Lutheran Church is one of 10 local churches that are participating in the Loveland Emergency Overnight Shelter during the current cold weather season.  This shelter provides a brief respite from the cold and offers a warm, nutritious meal for one of our community’s most vulnerable groups --- our homeless neighbors.  The shelter is open throughout the night only when the temperature is 20 degrees or less.  Trinity has been assigned the weeks of December 7 – 14, 2009 and January 18 – 25, 2010.  Please look for the sign-up sheet posted in the narthex to help provide a meal or to volunteer as an overnight chaperone.  If you would like additional information, please contact Laurel Kayl or Paul & Kathy Hume from the Social Ministry Committee.    
Thank you for your help!

Trinity’s Preschool Christmas program is December 10th & 11th. We would love to see you there to hear the little ones sing.

Trinity Tidings
Come Let us Adore Him!
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, on Thursday, December 24th with our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at: 3 pm (with Holy Communion), 6 pm and 10::30 pm (with Holy Communion)
We hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We wish you all a joyful and blessed Christmas. Merry Christmas!
Happy 100th Birthday to
Frances Whitney
on December 16th~
She is a long time Trinity member and lives in her own home and is very much in charge of her own life. At Trinity she was very involved in Lutheran Church Women, and until a few years ago in the quilting group. She was a volunteer at McKee Medical center for years and still knits and crochets little hats for premature babies. She has been celebrating all summer long and will be again in December. Happy! Happy! Happy! Birthday Frances!
Love, your family at Trinity Lutheran Church~
*In observance of Christmas, the church office will be closed December 24-25th

Bible Studies
Faith Circle-  Tuesday, December 8th. Our regular December meeting will be a Christmas gathering at Barb Linder’s home. Please bring a covered dish or salad for everyone to enjoy.
Adult Fellowship Bible Study: Our group has concluded our video study, God is Closer Than You Think, by John Ortberg. We learned that God is always within our reach, that he desires to partner with us every day, and that we must learn how to listen to his voice. We will start up again January 10th with a 6 week study on peace, one of the fruits of the Spirit. We will meet every Sunday evening at 5:30. Please contact Kristi Aberle at 225-2939 or  tkaberle@earthlink.net if you'd like to join us. 

Men's Breakfast and Bible Study: Meets at 6:45 am on Monday mornings to discuss the upcoming lessons for the week.
Women's Morning Bible Study:
Our Beth Moore study of THE PATRIARCHS has concluded. We learned about how human the people of Genesis were--in fact, the book reads just like today's soap operas! Yet, in all their sinning, God still loved and cared for them.  We also gained some insight on the people of the Middle East, and how they view Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. We will start up again in the new year with another Beth Moore video series. Our meeting times will be on Wednesdays from 9:15-11:00 a.m. in the reflectory. See the January Tidings for additional information. Please contact Dee Hanneman at darlenehanneman@msn.com) if you have any questions.

Thank you
my Trinity Church Family,
Thank you so much for your concerns and prayers before, during and after my recent surgery. Thanks also to Pastor Ed for his visits and to Barbara Schmidt for administering communion the night before surgery. What a calming and comforting experience! And lastly, thanks to The person who knitted the beautiful Trinity Prayer Shawl. It’s a very special gift!
God Bless, Eleanor Stevens
Dear members,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you heart warming prayers, for the beautiful nice warm prayer shawl. For Communion at my house and visits in the hospital and my home. God bless you all.
Love, Shirley Schibline
Thank you for all friends and family who prayed for me, offered support during my surgery & recovery in November. Thanks to Pastor Ed & Charlotte Willert for visiting me and keeping Chris in line! ~Jamie Lawson~
To Trinity Lutheran Church,
Thank you for your generous gift of $225.00 Each day we serve 60-80 hot meals to those who need them. Thank you for helping to make this possible.
Sincerely, The Community Kitchen

Roll: Rick Allison, Stener Carlson, Matt Engelland, Linda Gibson, Paul Hume, Corey Laymon, Bill Luttes, Ann Maki, Tom Patrick, Beth Roth, June Schmidt, Pastor Smith, Mike Stahl, Tyler Treacy, Dale Stromberg, Merle Thowe, Jan Whelan Excused: Rick Allison, Matt Engelland, Paul Hume, Bill Luttes, Tyler Tracey
Visitors: Vi Niedermayr – Urn Garden, Terry Willert – Church constitution changes Meeting was called to order by Tom Patrick, Devotions: Beth Minutes – Motion to accept– Stener Second – Corey Passed Agenda – Motion to accept – Linda Second – Stener Passed Treasurer’s Report – Motion to accept – Jan Second – Stener Passed Vi Niedermayr gave an update on the Urn Garden activities that have happened since 2008. Terry Willert went over changes that need to be made in the constitution. We need to add all of the committees and get articles about their activities and duties to the church. Pastor’s Report – The Nicaragua trip will be July 17 – 26 next year. Went over new member’s list. They will join on Nov. 1st. Motion to accept new members – Pastor Smith Second – Tom Passed There is a request to sponsor JT Burke again for $1500.00 Motion to sponsor – Pastor Smith Second – Corey Passed Time and talent sheets need to be turned in. Campus Ministries in Ft. Collins is having trouble. Pastor Smith and Tom will go to a meeting at Spirit of Joy next week. Pastor Smith will take vacation Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Christian Ed – Barb Linder is leading a class on Faith Seeking Understanding Sunday night bible study is “God is closer than you think”. Christmas program will be Dec. 13. The program is Tree Mendus Love. Fellowship – They have purchased extra supplies for Sunday.
Global Missions – Would like to add $200 to the Help Our Own Fund.
Social Ministries – Motion to allow the homeless shelter again this year. Motion – Committee Second – Corey Passed
Stewardship – Letters and time and talent sheets have been sent out.
Youth – The committee is taking November and December to restructure. They will start fresh in Jan.
Budgets are due November 1st. Closing Prayer – Ann Maki Motion to adjourn Motion – Merle Second – Stener Passed Meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
June Schmidt, Council Secretary

Social Ministry
HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY SERVICE – HNS continues to provide food and other essential items to an increasing number of needy families in our community. Trinity Lutheran donated 120 items to HNS during October. Thank you so much for your generous support of this very vital program. Your help and prayers are very much appreciated by our less fortunate neighbors. We will not be collecting items specifically for HNS during the month of December. However, you may wish to contribute to the Christmas Food Basket program.
CROSSROADS
SAFEHOUSE~
We thank everyone for their donations to Crossroads Safehouse. This month in addition to the usual need for the Large sized diapers, paper towels & toilet paper, ibuprofen, Adult cold Meds and Neosporin/Triple Antibiotic Cream are requested donations. Donations may be left in the Crossroads ‘house’ in the narthex. Thank you for your continued support of this deserving outreach ministry.~

The Mitten Tree,
Once again the Mitten Tree will be up in the Narthex, collecting mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. The tree will be ready to accept contributions on Sunday, November 29th through December 13th. All gifts received will go to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. Lets fill the tree with warm thoughts and items from Trinity.

MUSIC NOTES....
DECEMBER LITURGY SCHEDULE
Sunday, December 6--Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 and 10:30--Holy Communion-- Carolyn Kibler, Musician
Sunday, December 13--Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 and 10:30 Sunday School Christmas program at 10:30 Vivaldi GLORIA at 4:00 and 7:00
Sunday, December 20--Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 and 10:30--Holy Communion ELO--Music Leaders
Thursday, December 24--Christmas Eve Carol Services 3:00, 6:00 and 10:30 pm Carolyn Kibler, Musician and lots of Special Music!
Sunday, December 27--College Student Services 8:00 and 10:30

DECEMBER HYMN OF THE MONTH Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme Sleepers, Wake!
This Lutheran hymn (ELW #436) is based on the chorale by Philipp Nicolai. The text comes from the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a cantata on this theme in 1731. The text and its themes are commonly associated with the early Sundays of Advent
GLORIA IN D
by
ANTONIO VIVALDI
(1678-1741)
Presented by the choirs of
Trinity Lutheran Church
and
Zion Lutheran Church
Sunday, December 13
4:00 at Trinity
7: 00 at Zion
Directed by
Marcia Green and Ginger Martin
with
Carolyn Kibler and Kathryn Peiffer on Keyboards
The words of the GLORIA first appeared in the New Testament.
This choral masterpiece is a favorite for Advent and Christmas.