Tidings Jan 2016 | Page 3

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 301 E. Stuart Street Fort Collins, CO 80525 www.trinitylutheranfc.org WORSHIP TIMES SATURDAY: 5 PM SUNDAY: 8 & 10 AM (FELLOWSHIP: 8:45 & 11:30 AM) FAITH VILLAGE: 9 AM Pastor Gabi Aelabouni [email protected] Pastor Meghan Aelabouni [email protected] Minister for Faith Formation, FOCOLU Kevin Dragseth [email protected] Director of Faith Formation— Children and Families Kelli Karst [email protected] Visitation Pastor Reverend Paul Schairer Chancel Choir Director Christopher Reed [email protected] Church Musician/Handbell Director Cecilia Burrough [email protected] TLC Preschool Director Brenda Harju [email protected] Financial Secretary Debbie Schwartz [email protected] Office Administrator Deana Andrist [email protected] Director of Communications Natalie Grapes [email protected] Church phone: (970) 482-1226 Church fax: (970) 482-0817 Email: [email protected] TLC Preschool: (970) 221-9852 OFFICE HOURS: 9 AM - 3 PM MON. - THU. 9 AM - 1 PM FRI. FEB. 2016 Issue Deadline: January 15, 2016 We’ll continue to grow in our worship and faith, in our partnership through the FOCOLU shared Lutheran ministry for youth, in our Faith Village for kids and families, in our seniors gathering for JOY, in our events and participation in the community and global ministry. We anticipate that 2016 will bring struggles, celebrations, and surprises! But we look to the future with hope and in trust that God will be with us every step of the way. In a new year, we also invite you to give thanks for what’s past and look forward to what’s ahead. The promise of a new year is ours every day, through Jesus Christ: forgiveness offers us a fresh start, grace brings us to a new day, love points us toward possibilities and people. God guides us into the future. In a time of “resolutions” for the new year, we invite you to include participation in the life of Trinity in your plans. Consider joining a new ministry, small group, or Bible study, signing up to help with an event, or chatting with one of us pastors about how we can help you use your gifts and passions in ministry. It is never too late for the gifts God offers in Christ; any moment is the “right time” for a new beginning. As Trinity’s ministries for 2016 begin, know that you are invited and welcome to join us in this “welcoming faith community living together in God’s love to share the joy of Jesus Christ.” And may the new year bring you health, joy, and love. In Christ, Pastors Gabi and Meghan In the Bleak Midwinter... By Pastor Paul “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak winter, long ago.” (Hymn 294) As I write this, it is snowing, beautiful white snow, it is winter wonderland. It is also the holiday season. With you I think of spouses, children, friends, soldiers and others who have affected our lives and who now are under the snow….the peaceful and quiet Memorial Garden of Trinity, the cemeteries, and the unknown places where they rest. Several of Trinity passed in 2015 and there will be more in 2016: may they all rest in peace in the loving arms of Him whose birth we celebrated. Again, I encourage you to make necessary decisions and plans for THAT DAY and it would be well to consider the beauty and serenity of the Memorial Garden where the bleak midwinter is no longer so bleak with new fallen snow, which tells us that our sins are forgiven. Psalm 50:7 says it, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness.” The “list” remains about the same...Marvin Jensen is in Good Samaritan on Trilby, expecting to go home soon. Ron Bycroft and Lowell Hemken have passed to the church triumphant. Bev Bainer, Inez Greisen, Shirley Linton, Jerry Jungmeyer, Ken Oakleaf, Irene Ekblad, Helen and Jim Waag, Lou Stitzel and others remain in their respective positions. Bob and Martha Strohman are housebound. There will be memorial service for Myrtle Preuss on January 23rd at Allnut Funeral Home. I am certain I have missed some names and that would be due to my old age! Pastor Paul and Rocco 3