I've always felt a certain duality about this season of the year. The culture tells us it's Christmas time already, and has been since sometime in October. But the church says "not yet...wait a little longer..." We've heard a lot already this Advent about waiting, listening, voices crying in the wilderness, the chaos of this busy season, and the need for meditation, quiet and focus so that we can be stronger and more effective in serving God and those around us.

As a church musician, it's one of the busiest times of the year for me, so I feel the need as much as anyone. And for me, music is one of the keys that unlocks the door to this needed respite. In a world that is constantly bombarding me with sound (much of it unpleasant, nagging and wearisome), it is wonderful to just be "shut in" with silence, and have my thoughts focused by the Spirit of God through Scripture and music.

Funny thing--that's exactly what we will experience together next Sunday! We've designed our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent with those ideas in mind. You'll hear wonderful prophetic readings from Scripture, experience a shared silence, sing many of the stirring hymns of Advent, and hear our choir and strings provide music and words that will refresh your soul.

I know--it's a Sunday afternoon, and that is down time for a lot of us. The good news is that your effort to share in this service will be repaid with a renewed sense of God's peace, and refreshment for your soul and spirit. Top that off with a little time to visit together at the reception following the service, and it's an event not to be missed!

It is my privilege to serve this congregation musically, and I am joined by an amazing team of talented people who give willingly and sacrificially of their time to make this ministry possible. Advent Lessons and Carols is our gift to you-and to our God. Please come and join us!

David Brackley, Minister of Music

UPCOMING SUNDAY  

"Rejoice always," begins the reading from First Thessalonians. Isaiah and the psalmist make clear that God is turning our mourning into laughter and shouts of joy. "All God's children got a robe," go the words of the spiritual. It is not so much a stately, formal, pressed outfit as it is a set of party clothes, clothes that make us feel happy just to put on. We receive that robe in baptism, and in worship we gather for a foretaste of God's party.

• 8:30 a.m. - Eucharist (about 45 minutes)
• NO CHOIR
• 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School and Sunday Forum (below)
• 10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist 
• 4:00 p.m. - Lessons and Carols for Advent - See Below 

Sunday Forum - Lutherans Living with Religious Pluralism

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall
This season of Advent, anticipating the Word made flesh that is Jesus Christ, happens to be sandwiched between the Muslim Feast of Sacrifices (Nov. 7) and the Jewish Hanukkah (Dec. 20). Such liturgical connections are often obscured by ignorance, negative stereotypes, and even hostility toward religious others. Come and explore the rich resources Lutherans have for fostering friendships and collaboration with persons from other faith traditions. Led by Carol LaHurd.

Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent

Join us on Sunday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. for Holy Trinity's annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent. Scripture readings, anthems, Advent hymns, quiet meditation, candles, incense and prayer combine to provide a memorable service that will bring focus to your Advent experience. Music by the Holy Trinity Choir and Strings will include compositions by J. S. Bach, Thomas Ravenscroft and Healey Willan as well as traditional carol settings and the Collegium Regale setting of the Magnificat by Herbert Howells. Make Lessons and Carols a part of your Advent tradition!  Childcare will be provided in our nursery. 

Weekly readings 

Contemplative Eucharist - Tonight, 6:00 P.M.

Take a break from the busy city life, and join us for this simple, contemplative eucharist. 

Walk The Labyrinth This Advent

There are several times during the next two weeks that Passavant Hall will be open for Holy Trinity members and friends to walk the labyrinth. A brief guide is available. Walking the labyrinth is a way to reflect on our life journey; some people bring a particular concern or intention to the experience. Up to three persons can be walking at the same time. Please enter at 3609 Magnolia and Passavant Hall is upstairs.
+ Wednesdays, December 7 and 14, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (before or after the 6:00 contemplative eucharist)
+ Sunday, December 11, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (after worship until the beginning of Lessons and Carols for Advent)

Sponsor Poinsettias and Greens for Christmas

Sponsor the greens and poinsettias that will decorate our church at Christmas in honor or in memory of a friend or relative. To donate now, head to our online donation page and enter an amount from $20 - $100, as well as a designation. You can also bring or send a check to the office or place it in the offering plate on Sunday morning, just indicate "Christmas Greens" in the memo line.

Mom's Night Out - December 9th

Pastor Michelle and Julie Sevig will host the next Mom's Night Out. Give yourself a "time out" this Advent season and join other mom's for a relaxing and fun gathering at the Sevig home. Bring a favorite Christmas memento or story to share. Food and drink will be provided. Contact Pastor Michelle mmiller@htchicago.org for address and to RSVP.

Help The Sunday School Children Buy A Farm

This Christmas, the children are thinking about a big gift - not for themselves, but to help a family get a fresh start. Their goal is to raise $715 by Christmas to purchase the gift of a Family Farm through the ELCA's Good Gifts catalog. This will provide a family with a cow, a couple of goats, 10 chicks, two pigs, a duck, farming tools plus training and market support. The kids will be collecting donations after church, or you can talk to Pastor Miller or Becki Fiegel to learn more.

Holy Trinity Book Club

Our December meetings are our semi-annual dinner out evenings. This month we'll meet at Deleece on Southport (3747 N Southport) on December 19, at 6:30pm. All are welcome, even if you haven't read the book... oh, wait! There's no book for this month!! Instead, bring any ideas you have for what we could read over the next six months. See you there! Contact Susan Boin if you have any questions.

Winter Solstice Ritual and Christmas Decorating Party

On Wednesday, December 21 you are invited to join us for any or all of these: our regular 6:00 p.m. eucharist will be our final Advent service; at 6:30 p.m. there will be a brief winter solstice ritual (on the shortest day of the year) at 7:00 p.m we decorate the tree, put up lights, arrange flowers, set up the creche and fellowship together! If you are able to help decorate, please sign up at the back of the church or email Josh in the office.  

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

• Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent - Dec. 11, 4:00 p.m.
• Christmas Services:
  • Christmas Eve Services: 4:30 & 10:00 p.m.
  • Christmas Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m.
• New Year's Sunday Service, January 1, 2012 - 10:30 a.m.

Council Update:

• Thank you for supporting the Generosity Appeal and the Christkindl Market.
• Do you have a great idea for fellowship? Let us know, and we will help you advertise it to other Holy Trinity members.
• Join us for the December 8th council meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Passavant Hall. All are welcome.

8:30 - 21; 10:30 - 202

...And Heaven and Nature Sing - A Jazz Nativity

On Saturday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m., Saint Luke Church, at 1500 W. Belmont, will hold a Jazz Nativity concert with free-will offering to benefit the Anti-Cruelty Society. Admission and parking is free. Pets are welcome, and there will be pet adoptions before and after the service. Form more information, visit their website.

Meditation Retreat: Holding Intentions With Wisdom and Compassion

Start your new year by joining the Chicago Weekly Sitting Meditation Group for a one day Mindfulness meditation retreat, Saturday, January 7, 2012, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. here at Holy Trinity in Passavant Hall. We will explore how the meditative practice of Mindfulness can help us embrace life with more joy. This retreat is appropriate for both newcomers to Mindfulness and meditation as well as for experienced practitioners. For more information, download the flyer here or head online for more information on the retreat and how to register.

"Team Trinity" Volunteer Opportunities

Please consider joining Team Trinity today! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Check out Volunteer website for upcoming opportunites.  It is Holy Trinity's goal to register as many members on-line to assist in helping with our ministry projects within the community.  Simply log-in now and sign-up online to volunteer today

--The Crib

The Night Ministry has reopened their youth/young adult homeless shelter, The Crib. Holy Trinity will be preparing and serving a meal once per month. On the third Saturday of each month, volunteers will meet at Holy Trinity at 7 p.m. to prepare the meal, then will head to The Crib to serve the meal. For more information, speak with or email Ken Duckmann.

--The Night Ministry Outreach Van

Holy Trinity will be assembling and distributing 'meals in a bag' with the Night Ministry in Rogers Park on a quarterly basis. Stay tuned for more information and how to help out.

Next Baptism Dates: January 8, February 12. More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: January 22, April 15.  More info.

Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Wed., 12:00-7:00 p.m.; and Sun., 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

December 4, 2011
Advent 2b
Seminarian Chris Brown

LET'S CELEBRATE IN THE WILDERNESS

It is December 4th. The preparations we made for Thanksgiving are over. We went through the overwhelming sensation of trying to figure out what special side dishes to have, who is going to bring them, where Thanksgiving going is to be held, how are we going to get there.

Or if it is at our house, who are we going to invite, how are they going to get there? Are our in-laws coming? Do we need to prepare ourselves for the fact that our in-laws are coming? Is grandpa going to fall asleep on the recliner with the remote in his hand and the TV on the history channel again? If so, how are we going to get the remote away from him without waking him up?

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 

    5:00 p.m.  Labyrinth open - Passavant Hall (through 7:00 p.m.)  

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist
    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8   

    10:00 a.m. Weekly Bible Study - John 10

    7:00 p.m.  Peer Supervision Group (St. Mark's Room)

    7:15 p.m.  Congregation Council (Passavant)

    7:30 p.m.  Choir Rehearsal (Nave)   

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9  

    6:30 p.m. Mom's Night Out 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11  

    8:30 a.m.  Eucharist     

    NO CHOIR 

    9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Sunday Forum

    11:45 a.m. Labyrinth open - Passavant Hall (through 4:00 p.m.)      

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist    

    4:00 p.m.  Lessons and Carols for Advent  

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12  

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group  

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14  

    5:00 p.m.  Labyrinth open - Passavant Hall (through 7:00 p.m.) 

     6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist  

    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

Full Calendar of Events 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26481.

On Sunday, we welcomed in baptism the following children:

' Abigail Antoinette and Isaac Timothy Wurzburger, children of Dave and Dana Wurzburger. Abigail's sponsors are Joe and Laura Wurzburger, and Isaac's sponsors are Matthew Timm and Caitlin Gorman.

' Eleanor Virginia Ames, daughter of Kurt and Tonya Ames, sponsored by Steve Maertens and Karoline Whittaker.

Please send news about awards, new positions, life passages and other important events in your lives for this section of our e-news.

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