AS WE GATHER This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new Church Year of grace. Our Church Year counts time differently than the secular calendar. We are tied to the fullness of time in which God sent His one and only Son into the womb of the virgin, born to save us. The First Sunday in Advent is the Sunday on or closest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day). Today, we begin a journey not simply to the manger but the familiar journey that takes us to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb. It is not merely a remembrance of what took place so long ago but also preparation for what is to come—our Lord’s return in glory to lay claim to His Church for all eternity. Encouraged by the Spirit, we devote ourselves to faithfully keeping what God has made known to us and showing forth our living faith in words and acts of repentance and holy living. But each Advent is a reminder that we are one step further from Bethlehem and one year closer to our Lord’s coming again.
BIBLE READING
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 64:1–9 (“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down.”)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:3–9 (He will sustain you to the end.)
HOLY GOSPEL READING: Mark 13:24-37 (Stay awake and keep prepared for Christ’s coming.)
AS WE GATHER ~ “O God, O Lord of heav’n and earth, Thy living finger never wrote That life should be an aimless mote, A death-ward drift from futile birth. Thy word meant life triumphant hurled In splendor through Thy broken world. Since light awoke and life began, Thou hast desired Thy life for man.” Martin Franzmann, 1907-76
God is the giver of life, health, and salvation. His vision of life is one of divine service—the total emptying of Himself up for us in time and eternity. In our daily living and worship we receive God’s divine gifts, and respond in gratitude and praise. Today we hear and receive God’s Word first, only then responding in prayer and praise.
BIBLE READING
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (God promises to shepherd His people directly.)
Please make arrangements in advance should you require access to the church outside of posted hours. Thank you
TLC’S UPCOMING SCHEDULE & EVENTS November – December 31, 2023
Nov 21st 11:00 am Bible Study
Nov 22nd 10:00 am Women’s Sewing for Missions
Nov 26th 10:30 am Worship Service / Memory Tree Ornament Workshop (1 Hr)
Nov 28th 11:00 am Bible Study
Nov 29th 10:00 am Sewing for Missions
Dec 3rd 10:30 am Communion Service / 1st Sunday in Advent
Dec 5th 9:30 am WINKEL
Dec 5th 11:00 am Bible Study
Dec 6th 10:00 am Sewing for Missions
Dec 10th 10:30 am Worship Service / 2nd Sunday in Advent / Prayer Pal Party
Dec 15th 5:30 pm Young Life Meeting
Dec 16th 4:30 pm Christmas Program / 6:00 pm Christmas Banquet
Dec 17th 10:30 am Communion Service / 3rd Sunday in Advent
Dec 24th 10:30 am Worship Service / 4th Sunday in Advent / Christmas Eve
Dec 24th 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Dec 25th 10:30 am Christmas Day Communion Service
Dec 31st 10:30 am Worship Service / New Year’s Eve
OFFICE ASSISTANCE The Elders would like to hear from any of the members who might be interested in providing some assistance in the Church office starting December 1. Please contact Eric, Lorne or John.
Volunteers are needed: It would be wonderful to have a list of volunteer readers to assist Pastor Henock Sunday mornings! They would read the Old Testament, Psalm & the Epistle Readings. If you can help, please speak to Pastor Henock or phone/email the church office.
Tuesday Adult Bible Study! Pastor Henock invites you to join him for his weekly Tuesday bible study, from 11:00 – 12:00pm. All are welcome to attend!
SEWING FOR MISSIONS
We have completed 100 shoebox/hygiene kits from Trinity church this year and have now delivered them to the drop-off church and soon they will be on their way to Calgary and then round the world.
THANKS to the 14 gals who came faithfully and sewed, and stuffed and assembled on Wed. and then took some more home to sew as well. Thank you Sew and Sews for helping fill these kits and boxes and get them ready for children. THANK you, members, for your donations to help with shipping charges for all these boxes and making this mission happen for Trinity, Abbotsford.
This year the shoeboxes are going to ten countries: West Africa (Gambiz, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea), Costa Rica, El Salvador, Philippines, Nicaragua, and Ukraine.
We plan on continuing with our Sew and Sews in 2024 and beginning work on more hygiene kits. So come and join us! Darlene and Lucille
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! TLC’s Annual Christmas Banquet will take place on Saturday, December 16th! Tickets will be on sale in the Narthex after Sunday Service November 26, December 3 & 10
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church is in full swing. It takes place every Sunday morning, starting right after the children’s message (about 15 minutes into the Divine Service).
All children from K to grade 7/8 are welcome. Teens are invited to come and help out. Please contact Hella if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
Mite Envelopes Mite envelopes are available in the Narthex. These donations, to help cover LWMLC Mission Projects, go to the national office, and they issue a tax receipt. You can hand your envelope in to Rosalind who remits the Mite donations once a month or as needed. Thank you.
Prayer Pal Party ~ Plans are underway for the annual Prayer Pal Party. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, December 10th. This will follow the regular Sunday service.
Learn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn to sing to Him, and say, “Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness, I am Your sin. You have taken upon Yourself what is mine and given me what is Yours. You have become what You were not so that I might become what I was not.” ― Martin Luther Quotes by Martin Luther (gracequotes.org)
UKRAINE AID FUND UPDATE: As of November 10, the people of LCC have raised a total of $778,242.89for the LCC Ukraine Relief Aid Fund. @ Lutheran Church-Canada Donate
REMINDER: Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s Ukraine Aid Fund directly supports our partner church, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) during this current crisis. The Ukraine Aid Fund established by Concordia Lutheran Mission Society (CLMS) will contribute to rebuilding efforts and other expenses, anticipating the significant financial need that will arise in the aftermath of this current conflict. As auxiliaries of LCC, the funds raised through CLMS, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Canada (LWMLC) to name another example, will be directed to our partner Church in Ukraine through LCC. This is just one of the ways that the various auxiliaries, listed service organizations, and people of our Synod are working together, as one Body under Christ in support of humanitarian works of mercy. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is also working to provide general humanitarian relief in Ukraine through the help of their partner organizations.
AS WE GATHER ~ During the last few Sundays of the Church Year we turn our attention to God’s new creation and the eternal kingdom. Though we find our busy lives constantly dealing with change, the Day of our Lord is coming and we have an appointment with the destiny prepared for us in Christ. As we wait without anxiety or fear, we focus on what He has done to prepare us for that day. He has called us from darkness into His marvelous light. By the aid of His Holy Spirit, we learn to live as children of light—watching and waiting for His return.
BIBLE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Zephaniah 1:7-16(The day of the Lord is near.)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (The day of the Lord will come suddenly.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents)
Please make arrangements in advance should you require access to the church outside of posted hours. Thank you
TLC’S UPCOMING SCHEDULE & EVENTS November – December 31, 2023
Nov 11th Remembrance Day
Nov 12th 10:30 am Worship Service /Guest Pastor Norm Miller/ Shoebox Deadline
Nov 13th Church Office Closed
Nov 14th 11:00 am Bible Study
Nov 15th 10:00 am Women’s Sewing for Missions
Nov 16th 6:45 pm Youth Worship Night / Walnut Grove Lutheran
Nov 17th 5:30 pm Young Life Meeting
Nov 19th 10:30 am Communion Service / Christmas Banquet Tickets available
Nov 21st 11:00 am Bible Study
Nov 22nd 10:00 am Women’s Sewing for Missions
Nov 26th 10:30 am Worship Service / Memory Tree Ornament Workshop (1 Hr)
Nov 28th 11:00 am Bible Study
Nov 29th 10:00 am Sewing for Missions
Dec 3rd 10:30 am Communion Service / 1st Sunday in Advent
Dec 5th 9:30 am WINKEL
Dec 5th 11:00 am Bible Study
Dec 6th 10:00 am Sewing for Missions
Dec 10th 10:30 am Worship Service / 2nd Sunday in Advent / Prayer Pal Party
Dec 15th 5:30 pm Young Life Meeting
Dec 16th 4:30 pm Christmas Program / 6:00 pm Christmas Banquet
Dec 17th 10:30 am Communion Service / 3rd Sunday in Advent
Dec 24th 10:30 am Worship Service / 4th Sunday in Advent / Christmas Eve
Dec 24th 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Dec 25th 10:30 am Christmas Day Communion Service
Dec 31st 10:30 am Worship Service / New Year’s Eve
OFFICE ASSISTANCE The Elders would like to hear from any of the members who might be interested in providing some assistance in the Church office starting December 1. Please contact Eric, Lorne or John.
REMEMBRANCE DAY: Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 2.3 million Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 118,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.
YOUTH WORSHIP NIGHT @ WALNUT GROVE LUTHERAN
Hello! I would like to extend an invitation on behalf of Walnut Grove Youth to our upcoming youth worship night! The worship night is for youth in grades six through twelve. We will be gathering at Walnut Grove Lutheran Church on Thursday, Nov. 16th from 6:45 to 9pm. The night will consist of music and singing, games, small groups and a talk based off of the theme “Love Thy Neighbour”.
Our hope and prayer is to connect the youth of the Fraser Valley in a fun and exciting environment where they can make new friends and be encouraged in their faith. If you are willing, please share this with your church’s youth. We look forward to connecting with you and worshipping God together!
At our event we will be collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We welcome you to be a part of this project and help us send these boxes to those in need. For more information on what this mission is about, or how to acquire and fill a box, you can find more details at https://www.samaritanspurse.ca/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child Please RSVP and let me know if you have any questions.
God bless! Kathleen Penner / Director of Youth Ministry Walnut Grove Lutheran Church
Volunteers are needed: It would be wonderful to have a list of volunteer readers to assist Pastor Henock Sunday mornings! They would read the Old Testament, Psalm & the Epistle Readings. If you can help, please speak to Pastor Henock or phone/email the church office.
Tuesday Adult Bible Study! Pastor Henock invites you to join him for his weekly Tuesday bible study, from 11:00 – 12:00pm. All are welcome to attend!
SEWING FOR MISSIONS~ OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE November 15th – 10:00-12:00pm
Hi everyone, We are excited to be part of the Christmas Child mission and pray that we can continue to bless children through the shoeboxes.
Please see / phone Darlene or Lucille if you need more information. THANK YOU for all your help!
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! TLC’s Annual Christmas Banquet will take place on Saturday, December 16th!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church is in full swing. It takes place every Sunday morning, starting right after the children’s message (about 15 minutes into the Divine Service).
All children from K to grade 7/8 are welcome. Teens are invited to come and help out. Please contact Hella if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
Christmas joy in a Shoe Box DEADLINE ~ November 12th! (This Sunday!)
The best Christmas gifts are the ones that come from the heart. And sometimes, they come from a Shoe Box!
These Shoe Boxes bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world, regardless of gender, race, religion or age.
Literature on the procedure of the project is included in each Shoe Box. Please fill a Shoe Box or two or even three and help bring the joy of Christmas to children around the world. **The return date for gift-filled Shoe Boxes is November 12th
TRINITY LWMLC Ingathering for Ann Davis Transition House, Chilliwack. Thank you to everyone who donated items for this worthy cause. The items were blessed at the Fall Gathering at St. Paul’s on November 5th and will be gratefully put to good use.
Mite Envelopes Mite envelopes are available in the Narthex. These donations, to help cover LWMLC Mission Projects, go to the national office, and they issue a tax receipt. You can hand your envelope in to Rosalind who remits the Mite donations once a month or as needed. Thank you.
Memory Tree Memorial Ornaments
If you wish to make a memorial ornament in remembrance of a family loved one who has passed away, please sign up on the sheet in the narthex. We will have a one hour “workshop” after the service on November 26th, if we have enough participants. There is a fee of $3. to help cover the cost of supplies. You can bring a small picture to include if you wish. The tree will go up for the start of Advent.
Prayer Pal Party ~ Plans are underway for the annual Prayer Pal Party. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, December 10th. This will follow the regular Sunday service.
“A Christian has no need of any law in order to be saved, since through faith we are free from every law. Thus, all the acts of a Christian are done spontaneously, out of a sense of pure liberty.” ― Martin Luther Martin Luther Quotes (notable-quotes.com)
UKRAINE AID FUND UPDATE: As of September 14, 2023, the people of LCC have raised a total of $777,867.89for the LCC Ukraine Relief Aid Fund. @ Lutheran Church-Canada Donate
REMINDER: Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s Ukraine Aid Fund directly supports our partner church, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) during this current crisis. The Ukraine Aid Fund established by Concordia Lutheran Mission Society (CLMS) will contribute to rebuilding efforts and other expenses, anticipating the significant financial need that will arise in the aftermath of this current conflict. As auxiliaries of LCC, the funds raised through CLMS, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Canada (LWMLC) to name another example, will be directed to our partner Church in Ukraine through LCC. This is just one of the ways that the various auxiliaries, listed service organizations, and people of our Synod are working together, as one Body under Christ in support of humanitarian works of mercy. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is also working to provide general humanitarian relief in Ukraine through the help of their partner organizations.
AS WE GATHER The final three weeks of the Church Year are traditionally concerned with “the last things.” The lessons of the Church bring a special opportunity to reflect on the end of time and on the end of our earthly lives. In the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm our belief in the resurrection of the body, which is God’s good but temporary gift to us while we are living on earth. With all who have died in the faith before us, we await the coming of the Lord. Paul writes, “We shall all be changed.” Our faithful worship helps us prepare for that glorious event!
BIBLE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Amos 5:18–24 (The Lord calls for justice.)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (The Day of the Lord is coming.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:1–13 (The parable of the wise and foolish virgins)
