December 29th - January 5th, 2024

First Sunday after Christmas

   When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

   according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation

   that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

   and for glory to your people Israel.”

   And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

   And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

   And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:22-40

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Staff Hours:

Pastor Davis is off on Fridays. If there is an emergency, please contact your Elder or the church office.

Anne Weaver works 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and is off on Mondays. Please email her and she will respond as needed.

In this edition

A lot of information repeats from week to week in the newsletter. Here are a few highlights to be found in this edition:

• LERT Training
• Leadership Retreat
• Coffee Hour Volunteers
• Anne Weaver's Announcement

Urgent Opportunity

Do you love children? Then we need you! Our Trinity Lutheran Academy has an immediate, urgent need for teachers — full time, part-time or substitute. If you or someone you know would like more information, contact our TLA Director Heather McMullan. She would love to talk to you. 

Can You Spare a Few Hours? 

The TLA needs you! While we search for a new director and assistant director, we need volunteers to sit at the front desk of the school and greet visitors, accept deliveries, answer the phone, etc. Contact Heather MacMullan (706-546-0670, hmacmullan@trinity-athens.org) if you can help. And thank you! 

LERT Training

   Trinity Lutheran Church has been awarded a $10,000.00 disaster relief grant for starting a new food trailer ministry. After the Apalachee School shooting last Fall and the 2 hurricanes that devasted our district and the district to the north of us, a need was realized for meals for the volunteers and those directly affected by disasters. Part of the grant requirements is training in disaster response relief.  

   On February 1st, 2025, Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) workshop. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end around 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided. Jay Wendlan, our LERT coordinator for the Florida/Georgia district will be leading the workshop as we learn about the "do's and don'ts" of disaster relief. Individuals will learn about the impact unexpected loss has on individuals, families, and communities. We will learn how to respond faithfully to requests for help. The workshop is a basic introduction to disaster response.

   Please contact the church office, Pastor Davis, or Marty Lambert, to sign up for the class. A sign-up sheet will be available in the Gathering Room at the church as well. The cost of the class is $35 per person which covers class materials and the meal. Registration is due the day of the class. Please be signed up by January 26th so Jay Wendland can prepare faithfully.

IN HIM

Pastor

A Note from Esther Sundstrom

For the past 14 years, I have completely taken it upon myself to send all occasion greeting cards to the church members. Even though this project has given me great joy, it is time to discontinue. In fact, I already did so in October. I will always proudly claim Trinity Lutheran Church as my church family.

Esther Sundstrom

Church Leadership Retreat - Saturday, January 25th

The annual church leadership retreat will take place on Saturday, January 25th.

Stay tuned for more details!

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed

The BCS would like to invite you to take a Sunday and host coffee hour. It does not need to be fancy and only a couple of items are needed. It is nice to have a bite to eat as we socialize with our church friends. Harry takes care of all aspects of the coffee- set up and clean up. There is a yearlong sign-up sheet on the table in the Gathering Room. If you have any questions, please talk to a BCS member. Thank you for considering this fun opportunity.  

An Announcement from Anne Weaver

Dear Trinity Lutheran Church family,

As most of you know by now, I have accepted a full time position as the Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas. This is an amazing opportunity for me to focus solely on music, which is my passion. I have treasured my time here at TLC where I have grown as a musician, a Christian, and a person. I cannot thank you all enough for the grace and love that you have extended to me during my time here. I look forward to the new opportunities ahead but I will hold all of you close to my heart.

My last Sunday will be January 12th. Stay tuned for information about a farewell party.

Blessings,

Anne Weaver

TABS - Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study - 11:00 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

Taking a break for the holidays

All women are invited to the Gathering Room for this Bible study led by Deaconess Carol. The study meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will occur on January 14th.

Trinity Lutheran Church

EDUCATION OFFERINGS 2024-2025

SUNDAY

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00-9:45 am, age 3-grade 2 taught by Celina Guven in TLA room 5, grade 3-6 taught by Ruth Wietbrock in church library (Middle and high school age class to be added if interested students.)

ADULT BIBLE CLASS 9:00-9:40 am, fellowship hall, led by Pastor Davis, finishing a study of the Gospel of Matthew, then moving to an Old Testament Book

CHILDREN’S CHURCH during second service sermon, led by Melissa Fowler

YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS 11:30-12:30, Pastor’s office, studying Luther’s Small Catechism and the Bible

SOLO DEO GLORIA 2nd and 4th Sunday after second service, church library, bring your own lunch and someone brings dessert to share, led by Virginia Reece, studying Psalms and then Proverbs

TUESDAY

TABS (Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study) for women 2nd and 4th Tuesday 11:00-12:30,

to resume on September 10, gathering room, led by Deaconess Carol, currently

studying the book of Revelation

TUESDAY’S CHILD 2nd and 4th Tuesday 7:00pm (beginning again Sept. 10), 1071 Sherwood Drive, Watkinsville (the Maluegs' house), led by Bill Malueg, topic to be chosen by group

WEDNESDAY

NEW! GREEK GEEKS 11:00-1:00, church library, very informal gathering, led by Pastor Davis, studying lessons for next Sunday, learning a little Greek and maybe some Hebrew

THURSDAY

FAMILY BIBLE STUDY 6:00-7:00 pm, childcare and food provided, fellowship hall, led by Pastor Davis, studying Jesus in the Old Testament

RASCHKES’ FELLOWSHIP 2nd and 4th Thursday 7:00pm, meeting during summer but taking break between Thanksgiving and New Year, 4265 Old Lexington Road, Athens (the Raschkes' house), led by Ron Raschke, studying book “Twelve Ordinary Men” and workbook by John MacArthur

SATURDAY

WaW (Wings and Word) for men one Saturday a month (TBA), 11:00-12:30 with lunch (bring a couple dollars or so to offset food expense), fellowship hall, led by Pastor Davis, studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians

TLA Awarded LWML Grant!

Trinity Lutheran Academy has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) to help with security issues such as locks and gates. The grant comes from the mite boxes we send to the Florida-Georgia District to support missions like our TLA outreach to the community. TLA says thank you to Trinity for supporting us through your mites!

The next Mite Box Sunday is January 5th.

Not seeing a birthday or anniversary that should be here?

Contact the church office to let us know!

Are you or a loved one celebrating a MILESTONE birthday that you would like to recognize in the newsletter? Contact the church office!

Prayer Chain

Are you aware of our Trinity Lutheran Church Prayer Chain? If you or a loved one are in need of prayer for reasons that you are comfortable sharing with the church, use prayerchain@trinity-athens.org to bring it to the attention of our prayer warriors. This is a great way to let your church family know if you or a loved one are in the hospital, awaiting surgery, going through a hardship, or any other reason you might desire our prayers. If you would like to be added to the prayer warriors to receive the Prayer Chain emails, please let Anne know.

(Please note that you should note share information without permission - this is a prayer chain, not a gossip chain.)

Shut In List

Here is a list of our brothers and sisters who are unable to venture from their home. Please consider sending them a card or encouraging note to remind them that they are loved.

Aluminum Can Recycling

This is a reminder that Trinity recycles aluminum cans (drink cans only). The receptacles are located in the fenced area behind the Fellowship Hall kitchen. You can’t miss it - there is a sign posted on the gate - just toss your bagged cans (squash them if you can, but it’s ok if you can’t). Proceeds go to special projects.

Follow us online and on social media!

Website: Trinity-Athens.org

Instagram: @trinitylutheranchurch_athens

Facebook: @Facebook.com/tlcathens

YouTube: @trinitylutheranchurchacade4823/streams