CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: WE ARE JOYFULLY GATHERED TOGETHER BY GOD’S GRACIOUS LOVE IN JESUS CHRIST TO WORSHIP HIM, TO GROW IN FAITH AND TO PROCLAIM JESUS BY WORD AND SERVICE. THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH VANCOUVER, WA JANUARY 2019 V OLUME 59 NUMBER 1 WWW. TRINITYVANCOUVER. ORG IDINGS Resolution to Grow Closer as the Body of Christ in 2019 and Live for Jesus “… I will make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19 By all indicators, 2018 was a divisive year. The politics of the year made for widespread conten- tion and a general distrust in public discourse. It seemed like no one could rise above it or get out from under it. It was pervasive. Many of us have never remembered having to live in such a frustrating year of non-faith rhetoric in our country’s history. Some of us wonder if it will be any different or better in 2019. But a new year brings new hope. At Trinity, we hope as the Body of Christ that we may grow deeper in faith in our Lord Jesus and grow in love for one another. When the world acts like there is only one way to do something, faith always knows there is another, better way laid out before us. If the church doesn’t seem to have something it needs, then the Lord of the church will provide a new way to think, to use what it has in a new way, or the Lord will just make a way. That is what the Lord of heaven and earth does for his people of faith. God makes a way! When the Herods of our world can only think of money, power, more power, and endless drivel of speech, the God of the Bible rises up with a message of hope and encouragement for the new year ahead. When the Pharoahs can only think in terms of the world’s ways of thinking about things, the God of the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the same God who raised Jesus from the dead, rises up with a message of resurrection and promise for the year ahead so that the people of God can grasp a vision of life worth pursuing into a new year. We don’t want the Herods’ and the Pharoahs’ vision of self -preservation, keeping their own way of life, having interest in only their family stock, their selfish pursuits. That is no vision for the church of the 21 st Century world God has created. We want the vision of God—to pursue life for others, the Word of God invading and blessing every last person on earth. God calls us to this grand vision. A brotherhood and sisterhood of peace and love for all nations is a vision big enough for the crea- tion God has brought forth in this world. It chooses to love a neighbor and seek their advantage, not take advantage. It chooses to be a neighbor, not deny the dignity that such a person exists for loving and honoring. It chooses to make Jesus known to all those born of the earth. Let 2019 be a year of the pursuit of being neighborly, a friend of all people, and living for Jesus in all we do. Jesus came to this world and took stock of all humanity and loved people to the very end. The message of hope for us and for our world is that our Lord Jesus chooses community over judgment as the Prince of Peace. May the Lord grant us his vision of hope and encouragement to live for the advancement of others in 2019. May God make a way glorious for Trinity in 2019! May the Lord preserve us for such productive pursuits! Pastors Gary and Ruth Larson
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CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: WE ARE JOYFULLY GATHERED TOGETHER BY GOD’S GRACIOUS LOVE IN JESUS CHRIST TO WORSHIP HIM, TO GROW IN FAITH
AND TO PROCLAIM JESUS BY WORD AND SERVICE.
THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH VANCOUVER, WA
JANUARY 2019 VOLUME 59 NUMBER 1
WWW.TRINITYVANCOUVER.ORG IDINGS
Resolution to Grow Closer as the Body of Christ in 2019 and Live for Jesus
“… I will make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19
By all indicators, 2018 was a divisive year. The politics of the year made for widespread conten-tion and a general distrust in public discourse. It seemed like no one could rise above it or get out from under it. It was pervasive. Many of us have never remembered having to live in such a frustrating year of non-faith rhetoric in our country’s history. Some of us wonder if it will be any different or better in 2019.
But a new year brings new hope. At Trinity, we hope as the Body of Christ that we may grow deeper in faith in our Lord Jesus and grow in love for one another. When the world acts like there is only one way to do something, faith always knows there is another, better way laid out before us. If the church doesn’t seem to have something it needs, then the Lord of the church will provide a new way to think, to use what it has in a new way, or the Lord will just make a way. That is what the Lord of heaven and earth does for his people of faith. God makes a way!
When the Herods of our world can only think of money, power, more power, and endless drivel of speech, the God of the Bible rises up with a message of hope and encouragement for the new year ahead. When the Pharoahs can only think in terms of the world’s ways of thinking about things, the God of the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the same God who raised Jesus from the dead, rises up with a message of resurrection and promise for the year ahead so that the people of God can grasp a vision of life worth pursuing into a new year.
We don’t want the Herods’ and the Pharoahs’ vision of self-preservation, keeping their own way of life, having interest in only their family stock, their selfish pursuits. That is no vision for the church of the 21st Century world God has created. We want the vision of God—to pursue life for others, the Word of God invading and blessing every last person on earth. God calls us to this grand vision.
A brotherhood and sisterhood of peace and love for all nations is a vision big enough for the crea-tion God has brought forth in this world. It chooses to love a neighbor and seek their advantage, not take advantage. It chooses to be a neighbor, not deny the dignity that such a person exists for loving and honoring. It chooses to make Jesus known to all those born of the earth.
Let 2019 be a year of the pursuit of being neighborly, a friend of all people, and living for Jesus in all we do. Jesus came to this world and took stock of all humanity and loved people to the very end. The message of hope for us and for our world is that our Lord Jesus chooses community over judgment as the Prince of Peace. May the Lord grant us his vision of hope and encouragement to live for the advancement of others in 2019. May God make a way glorious for Trinity in 2019! May the Lord preserve us for such productive pursuits!
The annual Children’s Christmas Program went well again this year
and we thank all those who helped make it run smoothly. I also want to thank everyone
who came out to watch. The kids really enjoyed the big crowd this year. Lastly, big thanks as always to Crystal, Fred, and their team for the always fun Gingerbread House making. It was a great
evening!
Trinity Kid’s Club!
On early release Mondays from 2:30—4:30 PM. We have had several new kids join us this year! What a fun
group. We play games, sing, do crafts, eat yummy snacks, hear Bible stories, and much more. It is free and a lot of fun. We can always use more adult volunteers
as well. If interested contact the office.
PAGE 5 TIDINGS
Youth Cake Auction
TLC Youth Newsletter
Upcoming
Events!
MERGE—Early release activities
for Middle school youth. Starts in Sep-
tember. 2:30—4:30 PM on
early release
Mondays
HS Lock-in
March 22nd
MS Lock-in
March 8th
Weekly Activities:
Confirmation—
6:15—7:30 PM
Wednesdays
HS Youth Group
1st and 3rd
Sunday nights
6:00—7:30 PM
Worship
Sundays 9:30 AM
and 11:00 AM
M.E.R.G.E.
Our Middle School Early Release program has been a hit so far. Playing games,
laughing, learning the Bible, doing service projects, etc.
Come join the fun! 2:30—4:30 PM on early
release Mondays.
HS Summer Mission Trip!
The mission trip will be to San Francisco this summer! July 14—20. The cost will be $250 per person or less depending on fundraising. Talk to Brian if you are
thinking of going! Register now with $50 deposit. We have 8 youth so far! Don’t miss these trips, they are well worth it.
Our annual cake auction will be Sunday, February 24 this year.
The theme will be the 50’s! Save the date and come support