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Pastor’s Desk

I was rooting through a home desk drawer the other day when I found a supply of unused Christmas cards.

One in particular jumped out at me, so I thought I would share these powerful words with you.

This Christmas, do something special. Seek out a forgotten friend.

Share some treasure. Find the time. Appreciate.

Keep a promise. Laugh a lot.

Listen. Speak to a neighbor. Be kind, be gentle. Make a child happy. Take time to care.

Write a letter. Be at peace with yourself.

Smile. Enjoy life. Share love. Talk to God.

The words speak for themselves but let me point out what immediately struck me about these precious

thoughts; they all have to do with connecting. Christmas is about God reaching out and into each of our

hearts to connect with us. The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about God desperately wanting to connect to us.

And according to what Jesus tells us, in order for us to firm up the connection with God, we need to

connect to each other. Only after all those connections are made do we find ourselves at peace (the inner

connection God also wishes for us).

Christmas is about the joy of God's gifts to us and the greatest of all gifts is the gift of love. Love is the

one constant that surrounds us, gives life meaning and purpose, makes us truly joyful and becomes the

bond that draws us close to each other and to the giver of the gift.

This Christmas, become increasingly conscious of those connections and celebrate them. They are worth

far more than the wrapped presents under our trees on Christmas morning!

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TRINITY HI-LITES "ABOUT US"

First Edition December 2013

Published by:

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

64 South Main Street

Boonsboro, Maryland 21713

Office Phone - 301-432-2226

Pastor’s Residence - 240-675-1604

E-mail: pastortrinity@yahoo.com

E-mail: trinitylutheran@myactv.net

Web site: www.trinitylutheranboonsboro.org

Pastor: The Rev. Joseph I. Donovan

Editors: Mrs. Susan Brown

Mr. Ross Cunningham

The following members and friends of Trinity were included

in our prayer list during November:

Kyle Lefler April Ellis

Karen Saylor Boots Eccard

Della Greenlee Sissy Miller

Kenny Semler Dixie Patton

Dave Butcher Matt Fortese

Marsha Leach Ed Reddick

Laurie Metz Judy Koontz

Susan Toms Mina Greenfield

Christopher Nally Bev Banzhoff

Charlie Ratigan Madelyn Fitzgerald

Faith Pike Preston Miller

Debbie Cramer Kristin Toth

Holly Strayer Karen Saylor

Peggy Lewis Johnny Juan

Linda Treher Lib Cline

Kaylee & Ian Horteis Linda Shaff

Rylan Ruse Matt Iager

Patsy Haupt Linda Donovan & family

ATTENTION

Announcements for the bulletin must be submitted to the

church office NO LATER than 9:00 Friday morning.

Newsletter article should be submitted into the church office

NO LATER than the 15th of the month.

SECRETARY AND PASTOR OFFICE HOURS:

Wednesday & Friday 9:00 AM – Noon

December Birthdays

Dec. 1 Arthur Poffenberger

1 Beth Seabright

2 Keith Detrow

2 Kevin May

3 Parker DeBaugh

4 Emma Smith

5 Alexandra Bowl

5 Mark Poffenberger

5 Louise Richardson

6 Theresa Foster

7 Katie Clevenger

7 Robert Harbaugh

8 Joshua Bikle

16 Cathy Beachley

16 Jacob McElroy

21 Brandi Hutchinson

22 Tony Nally

22 Rebecca Rockwell

23 Janice Gantz

26 Benjamin Otto

27 Owen Smith

Do you want to use the social room for a church,

community or personal family activity? Contact the

church office at 301-432-2226 or email Pastor Donovan

at pastortrinity@yahoo.com for permission.

Worship schedule for December:

Dec 1 First Sun. of Advent with Holy Communion

Dec 8 Second Sun. of Advent - Contemporary Service

Dec 15 Sunday School Christmas Program and party

Dec 22 Fourth Sun. of Advent

Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service 6:45 PM with Holy

Communion - NOTE THE TIME!

Dec 29 First Sun. of Christmas – Service of Lessons and

Carols

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OFFERING ENVELOPES

The offering envelopes for the new calendar year are ready

for you to pick up on the table in the education wing. Please

pick up your envelopes as soon as possible.

DECEMBER ALTAR FLOWERS

Dec. 1 Smith

Dec. 8 Bikle

Dec. 15

Dec. 22 taken

Dec. 29

The above dates are for flowers to be placed on the altar in

honor or memory of a loved one. The 2014 Flower

Calendar is on the podium in the narthex for those who

would like to place flowers on the altar in memory of or

in honor of a loved one.

As Altar Guild chair, I would like to thank the individuals

and families who placed flowers on Trinity’s altar this

past year. Your flowers truly added beauty and life to

our altar and services. Please know that I appreciated

your generous gift to Trinity.

Sincerely,

Karen Cunningham,

Altar Guild Chair

CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

The announcement of the cancellation of Sunday School

and/or worship services due to snow or ice can be heard on

the following radio stations:

WCRH (90.5 FM) WFRE (99.9 FM)

WJEJ (1240 AM)

NURSERY SCHEDULE FOR 10:15 WORSHIP

December 1 Julie Williams

December 8 Karen Tribett & Jean McCammon

December 15 Julie Hartman

December 22 Andrea Smith

December 29 Tammy DeBaugh

Please be considerate to others when placing your

children in the nursery during worship time. The nursery

is for children age infant to 4 years old. Older children 5

and older should not be in the nursery. Thank you for

your cooperation to ensure our little ones are properly

well cared for.

Our Children’s Church Program at Trinity is a

wonderful ministry to our young people ages 4

through grade 3. Children’s church is offered the

3rd and 4th Sunday’s of the month as part of our

10:15 A.M. worship service.

Children's Church Volunteers

December- Zane Poffenberger and Klaire Williams January- Jen and Mark Poffenberger February- Karen and Jared Tribett March- Julie Hartman April- Andrea Smith May- Laura & Noah Iager June- Need a volunteer July- Need a volunteer August- Need a volunteer Thanks for volunteering!

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Joyful Noise Choir

Children ages 3 and older are encouraged to participate in the Joyful Noise choir. We practice the last 15 minutes of Sunday school and sing to the congregation on the 4th Sunday of each month. If you have any questions, please call Jen Poffenberger at 301-432-0456

The Men's Bible study meets on Sunday, Dec. 1 & 15 at 8 AM to continue our study. Join us for this very meaningful opportunity for fellowship and study.

Dear Members at Trinity, I just wanted to thank you for the get well cards while recovering from having back surgery. It sure was nice knowing others were praying for me. Thanks so much! Matt Iager

FIRST FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP FOR DECEMBER

First Friday is on the Second Friday! December's First Friday will be held on the Second Friday this month! Come and enjoy a meal with friends and family on Friday, December 13th from 5:30 to 7 PM. Dinner will be followed by some social time as the children rehearse for the Christmas Play under the direction of Charles Hutchinson. We are planning a Mac and Cheese Mania! Bring along a salad item or dessert to accompany this popular comfort food. RSVPs are absolutely necessary! Please contact Kristy at kristyathome@hotmail.com or 301-432-8615 no later than December 11th to make your reservation. A donation basket will be available to help offset costs with extra proceeds being donated to Trinity's Sunday School Programs. There will be no First Friday in January.

CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

The announcement of the cancellation of Sunday school

and/or worship services due to snow or ice can be heard on

the following radio stations:

WCRH (90.5 FM) WFRE (99.9 FM)

WHAG (1410 AM) WJEJ (1240 AM)

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OUR RENOVATED KITCHEN

Isn't it nice to have such a beautiful kitchen in our church to use and enjoy for fellowship events? Please do your part to keep it in tip

top shape.

When using the kitchen and social room, be sure to take everything you brought with you when you leave. Do not leave behind

leftovers as a "donation," including drinks, open drinks, and food items. If you plan

ahead and drop things off for an event, be sure to mark them clearly with their purpose

and the date.

We have two built in trash/recycling drawers. One is to the left of the sink area

and the other is near the ovens. Please remember to put trash in the front can and recycling in the one in the back, and don't forget to empty these to the appropriate

place if they are more than 3/4 full.

To do our part for the environment and to keep costs down, coffee drinkers are asked to bring a distinctive ceramic mug or cup to use here at church. When you leave the building, please rinse your mug and put it in the dishwasher. We'll take it from there!

Finally, be sure to leave the kitchen a little better than you find it each time you visit.

COOKIE WALK

Once again we will have fundraiser for Micah’s Backpack . Date: Saturday, December 07, 2013 Please consider how you will help. Will you bake cookies? Will you help with set-up or clean-up? Will you be a greeter or a cookie handler?

By now you have baked cookies or are volunteering to help (maybe both). December 7, 2013 from 10 AM until 2 PM we will be offering homemade cookies for a suggested donation of $4.00/dozen. Hoping you will stop by to support Micha's Backpack. See you there! jjbain510@gmail.com or 240-818-8308. Thanks, JJ

The Advent Wreath Tradition & Meaning

The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen

branches representing eternity. On that wreath, five

candles are typically arranged. During the season of

Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a

part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an

aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the

Lord, Jesus Christ.

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Advent Wreath Candles

Set on the branches of the wreath are four candles: three

purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the

wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles

represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

On the First Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is

lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle"

in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who

foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope

or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the

Second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit.

This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call

this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's

manger.

The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice)

Sunday. On this day we celebrate that our waiting for the

birth of Jesus on Christmas day is almost over. Rose is a

liturgical color that is used to signify joy, so we light the

single pink candle, or rose-colored candle on the third

Sunday of Advent. This pink candle is customarily called

the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.

The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the

"Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the Fourth

Sunday of Advent.

On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally

lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and

represents the life of Christ that has come into the world.

The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless,

spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as

Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than

snow.

PRIME TIMERS CHRISTMAS TOUR - Join us for the annual “Lunch Bunch”, AKA "Prime Timers" Christmas luncheon tour journeys to Thurmont, MD to enjoy Christmas decorations and displays and have lunch at the Cozy Restaurant. The tour will take place on Wednesday, December 4. We will leave the church parking lot at 10:30 AM and return by mid-afternoon. Please sign the sign-up sheet in the narthex if you would like to go. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet if you can provide transportation to Thurmont.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

TIS THE SEASON

DO YOU LIKE SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS? The season is approaching fast and we have been invited to sing Christmas carols in the Boonsboro Park for the Olde Time Christmas Celebration once again on Friday evening, December 6, 2013. The Boonsboro Middle School chorus will be joining us. As always, we will provide the words and you can supply the spirit and voices. We will also be caroling to shut-ins and this year we have added Easter Seals Adult Day Services. If you would like to join in this outreach we will be setting up the schedule, soon. The visits are well received and we always have a great time. For more information contact Barb Holder, bholder@myactv.net or 301-432-8933.

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Trinity will again support Toys for Tots. About

17,000 toys were collected last year in this county

and distributed to families in severe financial

difficulty across Washington County. Bob Glausier

is the Marine Corps representative for the

Boonsboro and Keedysville area. He placed our

T4T boxes in the social room and under the coat

rack in the education wing. When you are out and

about this fall, doing your Christmas gift and food

shopping, please remember the children in our

community who are in greatest need and pick up a

few toys. Please place them unwrapped into one of

the boxes. Bob (one of Santa’s helpers!) and his

elves will do the rest! The toys and toy boxes will

be picked up on 14 December, so don’t delay.

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The annual Christmas play is Sunday, December 15 during 10:15 a.m. worship. Mr. Hutch will practice with each Sunday school class during Sunday school time from this Sunday through December 2. Rehearsals immediately follow 10:15 worship on Sundays, December 2 and 9. Dress rehearsal is Friday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. You may contact Mr. Hutch at cinhutch@aol.com or 301-432-2602.

COUNCIL DINNER MEETING

As has become our custom the past few years, the December

council meeting, on Tuesday, December 10, will be a

Christmas party/dinner/organizational meeting. The dinner

begins at 6:00 p.m. in the parsonage. All 2013 council

members and the newly elected members are invited to

attend. Following the meal, we conduct our December

council meeting.

If you wish to contribute a monetary Christmas gift to

Pastor Joe, please place your gift into the offering plates

in a brown envelope and mark Christmas gift for Pastor

Joe. We will receive these gifts from now until Dec. 16.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Everyone is

invited to

attend!!!!

Immediately

following the

Christmas

program on

Sunday, December 15th the Sunday School classes

will be hosting a Birthday Party for Jesus. We will

enjoy a mini luncheon together provided by the

Sunday school classes. If you would like to

contribute something but don’t attend Sunday

school items such as cheese and crackers, vegetables

and dip, meatballs, mini sandwiches, fruit etc. would

be graciously accepted. We will conclude the party

by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Join us to celebrate Christmas at our Christmas Eve service. The Christmas Eve service begins at 6:45 p.m. on December 24 and includes favorite Christmas carols and Holy Communion.

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POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS Every year we like to decorate the chancel with lovely poinsettias for the Fourth Sunday in Advent (December 22) and Christmas Eve. If you would like to place a poinsettia in the church for a loved one, order it from your favorite florist and have it delivered to the church by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21. We would like for them to have green foil and a red ribbon. The color of the flower may be red, white or pink (red preferred!). Please have your dedication information to Susan by Wednesday, December 18, so that it can be ready for the Christmas bulletin. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Karen Cunningham @ 301-797- 8274.

Date Night at Trinity!

Dinner and Dancing will be on tap for Saturday,

January 25th here at Trinity. Enjoy a meal of salmon or steak with all the

accoutrements, and a dance lesson by our own stars, Kim and Tony Nally.

Cost is $35 per couple. A limited number of tickets will be sold beginning January 5th. Plan ahead!

Proceeds benefit Trinity's Sunday School Programs. See Kristy Smith for more details.

The Outreach Team seeks to help our Trinity

congregation excel in:

Carrying out social ministry and outreach to

the local community

Befriending visitors to our worship services

and other gatherings

Reconnecting with absent members

Increasing fellowship opportunities in our

church community

Members of our congregation devote themselves to a

wide range of outreach activities, including providing

prepared meals, companionship, transportation, gift

cards, groceries, toys, household assistance, words of

encouragement and prayers. We will never know the full

range or consequence of this work, but we can be sure

that many, many members of our community have been

comforted by these touches of God’s love. The Outreach

Team offers it’s support and assistance to all such

endeavors by members of Trinity.

Especially during this Christmas season, we are asking

all members to stay alert for any needs of food,

transportation, companionship, housework, yard work or

other assistance by individuals or families in the

Boonsboro area (and especially in your neighborhood)

and bring this to the attention of the Outreach Team.

There are many fun and meaningful activities coming up

in December, such as the annual Cookie Walk, caroling,

Toys for Tots and Prime Timers Christmas Luncheon.

We are also hoping to organize a team to work at the

REACH shelter for a couple of days between Christmas

and New Year. Stay tuned.

Everyone is invited to join in on our regular First Friday

fellowship and dinner. The food is delicious and the

conversation and fellowship is enlivening.

The Outreach Team meets in the Funk Center monthly at

7:00 PM on the 4th Tuesday. All are invited to

participate.

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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8 AM Men’s Bible study

9 AM SCS

10:15 AM Worship

w/Communion

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7 PM Contemporary

Choir

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1-3 PM Food Bank

7 PM AA Meeting

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6:30 PM Olde Tyme

Christmas caroling

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10AM-2PM

Cookie Walk

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9 AM SCS

10:15 AM – Contemporary

Worship –

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6 PM Council

Dinner & Meeting

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7 PM Adult Choir

8 PM Music and

Worship Committee

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1-3 PM Food Bank

7 PM AA Meeting

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5:30-7 PM First Friday

Fellowship

6 - 8 PM Christmas

program dress rehearsal

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15

8 AM Men’s Bible study

9 AM SCS - 10:15 AM –

Sunday School Program &

Party

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7 PM Adult Choir

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1-3 PM Food Bank

7 PM AA Meeting

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22

9 AM SCS

10:15 AM Worship

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24

6:45 PM

Christmas Eve

Service -

Communion

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MERRY

CHRISTMAS!

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1-3 PM Food Bank

7 PM AA Meeting

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9 AM SCS

10:15 AM – Worship

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