LINKS Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA.org Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Godslove.org
PASTOR Larry D. Laine MINISTER OF MUSIC Patricia A. Shoup SECRETARY Kay F. Moosch SEXTON Harold J. Wambold, Sr.
PRAYERS AND SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NOVEMBER .
25th Sunday after Pentecost: November 15 Prayer for the Week Almighty God, your sovereign purpose brings salvation to birth. Give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, trusting that your kingdom comes and your will is done through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. SUNDAY: Daniel 12:1-3 MONDAY: Daniel 8:1-14 TUESDAY: Daniel 8:15.27 WEDNESDAY: Zecharlah 12:1—13:1 THURSDAY: Ezekiel 28:1-10 FRIDAY: Ezekiel 28:20-26 SATURDAY: Ezekiel 28:20-26 ek
Christ the King Sunday: November 22 Prayer for the Week Almighty and ever God, you anointed your beloved Son to be priest and sovereign forever. Grant that all the people of the earth, now divided by the power of sin, may be united by the glorious and genfle rule Of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. SUNDAY: Daniel 7:9.10, 13.14 MONDAY: Daniel 7:19-27 TUESDAY: Ezekiel 29:1-12 WEDNESDAY: Ezekiel 30:20-26 THURSDAY: Joel 2:21 -27 FRIDAY: Hebrews 10:26.39 Cal! for endurance SATURDAY: Psalm 13 Prayer for salvation
First Sunday in Advent: November 29 Prayer for the Week Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. SUNDAY: Luke 21:25-36 MONDAY: Numbers 17:1-11 TUESDAY: 2 Samuel 7:18-29 WEDNESDAY: Luke 11:29-32 THURSDAY: Isaiah 1:24-31 FRI DAY: 2 Peter 3 SATURDAY: Psalm 90
NOVEMBER 2015 Kimberly Bailey — 11/17 Kenden Bair - 11/14 Sayde Bair — 11/24 Patricia Banghart — 11/29 Duane Brugler — 11/9 Tristan Burd — 11/18 Kirsten Caiazzo — 11/19 James DeLabar II — 11/26 James DeLabar III - 11/9 Ethan Gabriel — 11/28 Tracy Gabriel — 11/21 Angeline Giboy — 11/8 Roger Gist — 11/8 Larry Godshalk — 11/22 Braie Haycock — 11/11 Brayden Howard — 11/28 Charles Hudnall 1 1/1 Jordan Kmetz •— 11/27 Joseph Kmetz —11/27 Heather Kromer — 11/7 Haakon Mathewson — 11/16 Janet Miller — 11/8 Nadine Miller — 11/4 Amanda Papasso — 11/1 William Smith — 11/7 Owen Sylvester — 11/7 Zachary Sylvester — 11/16
Pastor Laine and Donald Jones participated in the Veterans Day Program at Bangor Memorial Park this week. See the text of Pastor Laine's Invocation and Benediction at the bottom of this page.
New Approach Performing At Trinity December 6 The New Approach Christmas Concert will be held 2:00pm December 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tickets Cost $5.00 with proceeds going to the Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry
Victorian Tea December 12 A Victorian Tea will be held from 2-4pm Saturday, December 12 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway in Bangor. A ventriloquist will entertain. Cost for the tickets is $7.00. Call the church at 610-588-2023 to order.
God Is Light God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another . . . John 1:5-7 To see the light sometimes, we need to embrace the darkness. When darkness overcomes us we can be consumed. Or, if we just relax for a moment or two and allow the darkness to surround us, we begin to see the flicker of stars and then the moon. The night can be strange and horrifying or it can be an opportunity to see light that we have never seen before. There isn’t a person that I know who hasn’t experienced moments of darkness, days of darkness, sometimes months and years. The darkness may take the form of a minor disappointment or a life changing event that shocks and numbs your senses. The darkness may simply be the remembrance of a hurtful or painful experience or event. The darkness may be simply a critical comment or a dramatic encounter with high and intensive emotion. Whether the darkness is simple or complex, it is still darkness and it can touch us deeply. But even in the darkest nights there is light if we choose to see it. There is light that can help us find our way – light that will illuminate our path. If we stop for a moment, sit down, relax, focus and embrace the comment, the experience or the event we can begin to put it all into perspective. There will be some light in that darkness. There will be a spark and a flame that will begin to warm your heart. I believe this is the light that shines within. To share your darkness with a friend, a soul-mate, is something that you will always cherish. You will find that in the conversation, the touch, the hug, the embrace there will be a warmth that will ignite the light in your life. I think that is what the gospel writer is trying to communicate to us. If we experience darkness - admit it, embrace it and share it we will feel the light and the warmth of God’s presence and there “will be no darkness at all.” And if we share it with a soul mate our life will be in fellowship – not only with God- but with one another. Try it when darkness approaches. May the light of God awaken you to fellowship – one with another! Blessings – Pastor Laine
Blessings, Pastor Laine
TRINITY BOOK CLUB
Trinity Book Club will meet Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00 pm at the home of Janice and Larry Cory, 335 South Franklin St., Pen Argyl The book we are reading is The Secrets of Lake Road by Karen Katchur. Any questions call Janice Cory at 610-863-1988.
OCTOBER’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 1, All Saints’ Sunday. Worship, Service of Word & Prayer at 10:00 A.M. There will be no Holy Communion. On this day we remember in our prayers, our members, family and friends who passed away since last All Saints’ Day. A list of our deceased members will be listed in the bulletin that day. Sunday School is at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday, November 8, the 24 Sunday after Pentecost. Worship, celebrating Holy Communion at 10:00 A.M. We will recognize our veterans and those that are still serving during the worship service. Sunday School is at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday, November 15, the 25 Sunday after Pentecost. Worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 A.M. Sunday School at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday, November 22, Christ the King Sunday. This is the last Sunday of the church year. Worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 A.M. Sunday School at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday, November 29, the lS Sunday in Advent. Worship, celebrating Holy Communion at 10:00 A.M.. Sunday School at 9:00 A.M.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY CONTINUES
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at Terry Smith’s home, 138 Red Oak Lane, Bangor on Tuesday evening, November 10 Please bring your yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks. We will be making prayer shawls and teaching those who want to learn. Contact Terry at 610-417-2034 if you would like to attend the meeting
TRINITY’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING COVERED DISH will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 22 at 4:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a covered dish and/or dessert and your appetite. We are planning a time to get together to thank God for all of His blessings and to share good food and fellowship with our church family. Everyone is welcome!
A THANKSGIVING ECUMENICAL SERVICE TO BE HELD Everyone is invited to attend the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service at Ackermanville United Methodist Church on Sunday evening, November 22 at 6:00 P.M.
OPEN DATES FOR ALTAR FLOWERS Altar Flowers are needed for November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29, December 6, December 13, December20 and December 27. If you are interested in any of these dates, please see Kay after worship or call the church office, 610-588-2023. The cost is $20.00 for one vase, $40.00 for two vases.
BULLETIN SPONSORS ARE NEEDED Bulletin sponsors are needed for November 22, November 29, December 13, December 20 and December 27. If you are interested in any of these dates, please see Kay afier worship of call the church office, 610-588-2023. The cost is $15.00 per bulletin sponsor.
Junior Youth Group News
November 2015 I will be honest with you when I say that there are some Wednesdays that I am not too excited to be going to youth group.. ..so here is a story that I would like to share. The first meeting in October was planned- pumpkin carving for the Bangor Octoberfest. Kirsten was going to be there and I just wasn’t sure what kids. I was feeling pressure since I had committed to the pumpkins. As I drove to church, I was dreading there not being enough kids for the 20 pumpkins I had purchased. I pulled in the parking lot and saw Gage and a friend I had not met bicycling around the vacant lot. I shouted hello and went into the church. I turned on lights and went to the kitchen to turn on the ovens for the food we would be having. A few minutes Gage and his friend walk in. They enjoyed standing in the “upper pantry” handing me what I needed. As I was doing this, we began to talk. They asked me how and why there are different religions, what is an atheist and who Jesus was. BIG questions for 6 graders. I had an honest conversation- answering them the best I could and hoping Pastor would walk in the door- he didn’t. Then Gage’s friend said he heard that a friend of Jesus “ratted him out” then later killed himself in a field- WOW! So 1 spoke about how and why Jesus died- who it was who ratted him out and yes, he did kill himself later. I explained why Jesus had to die- for us and our sins! And then, in my pause or words- Gage says “Hmm.. .Jesus is really a great guy! I get it now!” And now I get why it is I do what I do! In November the youth will be taking orders and money for the calendars. The calendars cost $7 and we will have a sample for you to see. The money raised will go to the Bear Creek scholarship firnd. We will be down in the Fellowship Hall after church or you can see me to place your order. We will begin practicing for Christmas caroling- we will go Saturday, Dec. 5 from 1- 5pm. Meeting dates for Nov. will be the 4 and 18 6-7:3Opm. Together in service, Christina Hagan
Christian Education
OCTOBER 2015 Our committee met and discussed the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Starting in November, the Sunday school children will be participating in the Sunday worship service at 10:00am. The first Sunday of each month, a Sunday school class will do something special during worship. Please make sure your child is present at Sunday school so they don’ t miss these special events. Our choir director, Pat Shoup, has graciously agreed to teach our Sunday school children how to play the chimes I am so excited to see what they can do. On November 21st the Sunday school will sponsor an ADVENT WORKSHOP. Anyone in the congregation and Sunday school is invited to. take part in this time of fellowship. We make crafts for our shutins and make a few Christmas decorations for ourselves. Please feel free to come out and join us for a night of fun, food, and fellowship. The workshop starts at 4:00pm and ends about 6:30pm. Our Sunday school Christmas play will take place on December 13 starting at 4:00pm We will hold a covered dish dinner before the play begins. Please join us, it will be a wonderful celebration of JESUS’ birth. Starting in November we will be practicing our Christmas program. It is most important that your child attend Sunday school so he will know his part in this play. . . . We will be collecting mittens for the needy starting in the middle of November. Please bring your donations to the Parish Hall and hang them on. our clothesline. Thank You. God Bless . Billie Bair Chair of Christian Education
Pastor Laine's Invocation and Benediction for Vets Day Program
Invocation: Let us pray:
God of all creations, God of all nations, God of all peoples, God of all wisdom and knowing, We invoke your presence now To recognize and thank those special persons, Who have given unselfishly to protect Our vision of this nation - The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness In a free and democratic society.
Many of these people can be found In homes and factories, construction sites, Office buildings, recreational centers, Government, entertainment and medical facilities They can be found working, studying, playing, reading, relaxing Engaging in community activities and recreation. They can be found in the professions of medicine, law, politics, Civic affairs, civil services – janitors, electricians, mechanics, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, clerical workers, entertainers and entrepreneurs.
Many have scars inflicted by weapons of war, Where human appendages once were. Many have mental visions that haunt and debilitate their lives Suffering from depression, PTSD, alcoholism and drug addiction. Many are unemployed, homeless and wanderers And many are no longer with us.
Yet they all share and have shared a common etiological destiny. They all gave their oath to our country Where all men and woman are Created equal in the sight of God They all gave and give their allegiance To a flag which symbolizes The merging of differing peoples and states Into one body, one united nation. They all gave their service To protect the values of human dignity, The integrity of personal choice, The freedom of movement And the rights of equality and justice In a free society for all men, women and children – Black and white, red and brown – Regardless of ethnic background, social class, Gender or religious orientation.
Many of these people have now retired. Many continue to service In the army, navy, air force, coast guard and marine corps. Many ended their patriotic service and their life while in the military On the shores of Normandy, On the islands of the Philippines, In the jungles of Korea In the rice fields of Vietnam, On the desserts of Iraq In the mountains of Afghanistan.
It is to all of these unselfish, giving people, Alive and deceased, Known and unknown, Visible and invisible That we must share our deepest gratitude, Our heartfelt appreciation, Our honor, pride and respect And above all our love.
May God help us never to forget them And the vision of our nation they helped to protect and secure. Let us never forget the unselfish, Dedicated men, woman and adolescent children Who have given and continue to give So much for so long.
Amen.
Benediction: Let us pray:
Now may the Author of Liberty toll the bell of Freedom In the blood of every human heart To foster the cause of human dignity, Equality and justice. May a day be realized when The lion shall lie down with the lamb When peace will reign throughout the world In our minds, bodies and souls In our families, communities and nations. May our people, O Lord, pour Out compassion and fight injustice Recognizing that to you There are no borders that can divide No floods that can drown No fires that consume The heart of human freedom. Let us go now from this place as lovers of Peace, reconciliation, compassion, justice and Freedom, In the name of our King, our Lord and our God.