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Advent II
Art Thou He that shall come, or are we to look for another? MATTHEW 11:3Three great strands of meaning are blended on this Sunday. John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask whether Christ is in truth the Messiah and it is in answering that question that the Gospel focuses our attention upon the advent theme of preparation for the coming ministry of Jesus. He is the Messiah because in His life can be seen the signs which the prophet Isaiah predicted would accompany His coming. The blind can see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them. Yet it is not only to prepare for the ministry of Christ that this Gospel is placed here. It is to place that preparation in its historical context in reference to the preaching of John the Baptist. He had proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah and seen himself as His precursor. Now, wearied with Herod's long imprisonment, he was unsure and sent his disciples to ask. We move from the life of Christ and its meaning to all men, to its meaning to one man, suffering because of what he had said about Him. In this John represents much more than himself. He is the priest whose life is spent in preparing the way for Christ in others; the priest who under the pressure of events has his doubts. Advent is the season of ordination and so this third theme is particularly important. When John's disciples have gone away Jesus turns to those round about Him and commends His faithful forerunner as a "prophet and more than a prophet" because he was the expected messenger, sent to prepare the way of the Messiah. John, as a true minister of God, is therefore exalted by Jesus because, however great his human failings, he has faithfully accomplished that duty of opening the way into the hearts and minds of people. The Christian Calendar
RECTOR'S CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 16 1:00 - 3:00 PM 4404 Ward Street Please join us in Christmas Love and Friendship
Advent Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 16 5:30pm Please come and enjoy a traditional Advent Lessons and Carol service, complete with candles. No Holy Eucharist.
Looking Ahead Holy Trinity Christmas Schedule December 16, Sunday: Rector's Christmas Open House. 1:00-3:00pm. 4404 Ward St. December 16, Sunday: Advent Lessons and Carols at 5:30pm. No Holy Eucharist. December 24, Monday: Christmas Eve: 5:30pm - Christmas Pageant with Holy Eucharist Rite II. 10:30pm - Holy Eucharist, Rite I, with Incense and Bells. December 25, Christmas Day: 10:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. December 30: First Sunday after Christmas—Kings College Cambridge Lessons and Carols at 10:00am. No Holy Eucharist.
Advent Adventures Please join us! The Parish of Holy Trinity is invited to come together during this time of ADVENT on Wednesday evenings beginning with supper at 5:30pm and continuing with our adventures in learning, sharing and creating. Our "intergenerational" time together is facilitated by Paula Howbert and Karen Parnell. December 5: Advent wreaths and celebration of St. Nicholas' Day. December 12: Hanging of the greens, exploring our Christmas traditions, baking cookies and decorating. December 19: Caroling to the homebound members of our Parish family. Join us for a hayride after caroling, (weather permitting).
"A Christmas Story" Holy Trinity’s Children’s Christmas Pageant 5:30pm Service Christmas Eve 1st Rehearsal – Saturday December 22 10am – 12noon 2nd Rehearsal – Sunday December 23 Costume fitting and practice 2:00 – 4:00pm 3rd Rehearsal in Full costume Monday – December 24 10am – 12noon All children are welcome to be a part of the "production".
THIS WEEK AT HOLY TRINITY Sunday, December 9 8:00am Holy Eucharist
Monday, December 10 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall
Tuesday, December 11 7:00am HE and Women’s Breakfast
Wednesday, December 12 7:00am HE and Men’s Breakfast
Thursday, December 13 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall
Friday, December 14 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall Saturday, December 15 10:00am Salvation Sandwiches, Kitchen Sunday, December 16 1:00pm Rector’s Open House 5:30pm Advent Lessons and Carols
Wednesday Night Supper Wednesday Night Supper December 12 If you would like to cook or help, call Angela Stephens at 685-4135
Lay Eucharistic Ministry December 9, 2007 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 8:00am Holy Eucharist David Overton Mike Peek 10:00am Holy Eucharist Laura Scott Mark Wheeler 5:15pm Holy Eucharist Marilyn Allen
Altar Guild Team VI will serve December 8-14. Elizabeth Greaves, Captain. Harriet Barnes, Lucia Gray, Ann Curtis.
Tuesday Morning Women’s Breakfast Mary Lou Cassidy will serve breakfast on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.
Men’s Club Tom Scott, Flake Tompkins, Dow Hamm will serve breakfast on Wednesday, December 12, 2007, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.
Birthdays and Anniversaries December 9-15 Those having a birthday: Gary Crook, Buffy Powell, Riley Blake, Abigail Smith, Jack Herbig, Jody Gilles, Harry Graham, Manny Sirgo, Libby Lea.Those having an anniversary: None.
Prayer List For Those in Trouble, Sorrow, Need, Sickness or Any Other Adversity: Diane, Don, Connie, Joe & Martha, Richie, Gay, Britt, Clayton, Margot, Pauline, Heather, Camden, Beth, Marci, Carol, Jim, Jessica, Susie, Mike, Wanda, Denise, Christopher, Kylie, Liz, Eric, Allison, Kathy, Phil, Julie, Kathleen, Debbie, Bill, Bettie, Jan, Becky, Jennifer, Ann, James Jr., Meg, Livi, Kay. For Those in the Military: David, John, Miller, Michael, Drew, Bo, Eli, Nick, James, Kimberly, Chris, Rosemary, Justin, Lisa, Craig, Jody, Andrew, David, Steven, Jordan, Sean, Patrick, Etienne, Annie, Casey, Nick and his platoon, the 293rd; and Victor. If you know of anyone in the Armed Forces, please feel free to call the Parish Office and place his or her name on the Prayer List. Please call the Parish Office to place a name on the Prayer List. Deadline is Friday at 2:30pm.
HOSPITAL VISITS Please call the Parish Office at 683-4207, and let us know when someone from Holy Trinity is in the hospital or rehab center. We don't want to miss anyone. Thanks!
Comunidad Alabare Every Wednesday, Bob Hilton comes to Holy Trinity to pick up food in the grocery cart in the Parish Hall to give to the poor who attend Comunidad Alabare. Please remember to bring food, especially canned or dry goods. Remember, need knows no season. Thank you!
Staff Email Addresses Fr. Mark : frmark@holytrinity.org Cindy Wimberly: cindy@holytrinity.org Karen Parnell, Director of Children's Education: karen@holytrinity.org OR cdo@holytrinity.org Tyree Johnson: tyreejohnsonmusic@yahoo.com
Adult Education SUNDAY · Study of Matthew 5:1-11. The Blessed Life - a Study of the Beatitudes.WEDNESDAY · Women's Bible Study: 11:30am. Brown-bag lunch and fellowship in the Parish Hall followed by Bible study from 12noon - 1:00pm.· Advent Adventures —Intergenerational activities for Advent.THURSDAY · Rector’s Bible Study, Thursdays at 9:45am in Room 1. Join us for a study of Luke’s Gospel.
Faces of Children Prayer Ministry Wednesdays 11:30am First Presbyterian Church This ministry prays for children throughout the world—children at risk and in crisis.
WE NEED YOU!!! Holy Trinity has been supporting the MIDLAND SOUP KITCHEN for nine years! Our commitment to serve others in this outreach ministry is based on help from everyone in the Parish. Please consider giving some of your time to this worthwhile project. Even one or two hours a month will greatly help the others who so diligently give of their time. Remember, STEWARDSHIP includes more than just money...it's also your time and talents. Holy Trinity volunteers serve: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00am to 1:00pm
YOUTH ALERT
Feed yourself - Body and Soul Donuts with Deborah and Juice with Jim 9:00am in the Youth House (if you are usually late- come at 8:55am) An enlightening and revealing discussion of the "Propers" (what are the Propers, anyway?) Come find out what you always wondered, but were afraid to ask!
Youth Confirmation Sundays at 9:00am in the Youth House. Need more information? Call Paula Howbert at 697-6536.
Recipe for a GREAT YOUTH PROGRAM
Calling all YOUTH! where are you… we miss you…
CHILDREN'S EXPRESS
Godly Play Training Tuesday, December 11 6:00 – 8:00pm (Drinks and snacks will be provided) Deacon Mary Collier – Trainer Please come and be a part of this amazing new program – we need many people: Carpenters/Builders, Organizers, Decorators, Storytellers, Door Keepers. We would love to see our Jr. High and High School kids. For additional information call Karen at 413-0331.
Sunday School 9am Preschool and Kindergarten Room 6 Grades 1-5 Room 11
Godly Play coming January 6!What is Godly Play? In a traditional Sunday school children are told who God is – in Godly Play children "discover" who God is.
Children’s Chapel 10am Children from preschool to 2nd grade are welcome to be a part of the "little church".
Baby Church 10am Nursery
Wednesdays 6-7pm "Inter-generational Adventures" 5:30 Dinner then …December 12th – Hanging of the greens Exploring our Christmas Traditions Cookie baking and decorating December 19th – Caroling to our Parish homebound HAYRIDE after caroling (weather permitting)
HOLY TRINITY BOOKSTORE & GIFTS The Bookstore will be closed temporarily. If you would like to make a purchase, please call the Parish Office, 683-4207 to make an appointment. Thank you for your patience.
Shawl Ministry Please consider joining us to share your talents or to learn how to knit or crochet. We’ll spin some yarns and spend time together making beautiful gifts from hand and heart. Watch here for more details. Call Cindy Olive 686-9545.
Help Needed for Thailand Mission Trip We Need TRAVEL SIZE Shampoo Conditioner Toothpaste Mouthwash Shower Gel Bar Soap Please bring to the Parish Office. This is to help 1st Presbyterians' Mission Trip in January.
Renovaré A Regional Conference on Spiritual Renewal Friday and Saturday, February 1-2, 2008 About the Conference: Richard Foster and Marti Ensign, both well know speakers, along with George Skramstad will lead this joyous, worship-packed conference as they teach us ways to strengthen our personal relationships with Jesus. Open to all people of faith, Renovaré, will benefit those seeking a balanced approach to spirituality. This conference will give Christians and Christian organizations of all denominations a plan for revitalizing, deepening, and renewing their relationship with God. Registration: Registration is $25.00 (if registering by January 20), and includes Saturday lunch, conference materials, and a copy of A Spiritual Formation Workbook. Please register early as space is limited. Stop by the Parish Office for a registration form or go to www.renewmidland.com to download a registration form.
Did You Know? Sitting in a different pew on Sunday mornings from one’s usual place, can provide an entirely new perspective? Our beautiful altar seen from a new angle is even more beautiful. And it may be an opportunity to greet an entirely new circle of friends.
Hospice of Midland "Handling the Holidays" December 13 7:00-8:30pm 911 W. Texas For more information, call Crystal or Cindy, 682-2855.
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