UKRAINE RIBBON PINS AVAILABLE – There is a display in the Lobby. Please take a pin and make a donation to help the Red Cross in Ukraine (cash please). This is sponsored by Nataliya Gryb who works in the New Milford Post Office. Our member Susan Cheloudakis made ribbons and is a fellow worker.
PRAYERS AND SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE – The Ukrainian Lutheran Church and surrounding Eastern European partners are providing resources and accepting refugees fleeing war. They are expecting up to 4 million refugees from Ukraine being received by 5 surrounding countries. Please continue to pray for all those impacted. If you would like to donate by mail, make your check out to “The LCMS,” and write “Ukraine Relief” in the memo line. Mail to: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861. (or donate online) https://www.lcms.org/ukraine
Trinity Tidings December 2022 / January 2023
Dear Members and Friends of Trinity,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, our newborn King!
Memories are such a wonderful part of our mind. Some older folk lost part of their short term but retain their long-term memory. They remember their childhood very clearly and the events of long ago. Thinking back on Christmases past can bring a smile or even a laugh. We have such precious memories of our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who have gone ahead and left this planet.
We can be certain that Mary rejoiced at the birth of Jesus, her Son and her God. Now that Christ was born, Mary had a wonderful remembrance to cherish and ponder. She had happy memories of Jesus growing up just like any mother today has the same happy thoughts. Cherish the moment. Before you know it, they are all grown up. But sorrowful times were ahead for Mary. The terrible day would come when she would stand at the foot of the cross to watch Him die. But faith always sustained her. She had the memory of Jesus’ birth, when angels from heaven worshiped Him.
We learn from Mary to treasure our Christian experiences, pondering the truths we learn from God’s Word. Our faith in Jesus will sustain us in dark days. It helps us when we recall the joy of Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We remember carols and hymns, holiday greetings, our parents’ old expressions, and gifts of love. We can think back on worship services and the same, good old message: “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Young people today are beginning to add events in their lives, which they will remember years from now. Remember that “these are the good old days.”
And we remember the resurrection of our Savior and our relationship to the risen Lord. Remember the Holy Communion. Pray that you make a New Year’s resolution to attend the Blessed Sacrament and receive the Body and Blood of Christ. My prayer for you is that you make many wonderful memories in 2023 to look back on and cherish.
Have a blessed Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Pastor Christian Bunzel
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
ADVENT SERVICES – We prepare for the birth of Christ during the 4 Sundays before Christmas. The altar paraments are blue and the Advent Wreath is lit each week.
DECEMBER 24 – 7:00 p.m. Saturday: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Altar is white. Soloist is Jennifer Osborn. A festive worship with lit candles as we sing “Silent Night.”
DECEMBER 25 – 10:30 a.m. Sunday: Christmas Day Eucharist. The altar color is white. The regular worship time is maintained since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Mary Joyce born December 6, 1920. God bless you Mary as you celebrate and have blessed so many people for 102 years and still do!
FUNERALS
Clarence Joyce: (March 13, 1919 – August 18, 2022) husband of Mary. The Funeral Service was at Trinity on August 29, 2022. He was a long-time member of Trinity Church. Our deepest sympathy to Mary, daughter Nancy and Son-in-law Thomas and the entire family.
Irene Theresa (Bunzel) Reynolds (February 7, 1937 – August 1, 2022). Beloved sister of Pastor. She resided in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. “Who is this, that even the winds and the waves obey Him?” Our deepest sympathy to her children Robert, David, June and their families. She was predeceased by her son James.
Hermine Filippi (May 10, 1927 – September 28, 2022) Funeral Service was October 22, 2022 at Trinity Church. Interment at Center Cemetery, New Milford, Connecticut. Hermine was a long-time member of this parish. Our deepest sympathy to her children Peter, Anna, and Elly.
Mark Brian Sandquist (December 31, 1958 – October 22, 2022) son of Martha Ley. Our deepest sympathy to Martha and his daughters Farren DiNunzio and Melody Sandquist.
Petra Gebke, niece of Martha Ley. Our deepest sympathy to Martha and her Family in Germany. Petra resided in Germany.
Ella Tiberio: October 8, 1927 – November 15, 2022). Ella was a long-time member of Trinity Church. Funeral service was in upstate New York at Risen Christ Lutheran Church. Interment was November 30, 2022 at Center Cemetery, New Milford, Connecticut. Our deepest sympathy to her children Michael and Connie.
TRANSFERRED OUT – Erica and Dennis Craft to Bethany Lutheran Church, Parma, Ohio. We wish them God’s richest blessings in their new home.
WELCOME INTO MEMBERSHIP
George and Marybeth Folchi transferring from All Saints Lutheran Church, Billings, New York. They reside in New Milford, Connecticut.
Robert and Joanne Wolgast of Sherman, Connecticut.
They will be welcomed into Communicant membership of Trinity at a service in December.
THANK YOUS
- To Patrick Delzell for hanging our Advent Wreath!
- To Timothy and Susan Rosati for donating the Chancel Christmas Tree this year. It is another beautiful part of God’s creation brought in from the cold to grace our altar area and inspire our worshippers.
- To Elf Mark Haglund for transporting the Christmas Tree to the church and putting it up with lights and decorations. A big job and always very well done. Our tree is purchased from Scott’s Landscaping on Route 7 in New Milford.
- To Sunny Harris for beautifying our Sunday services with her solos to the Glory of God. Very inspiring pieces of music.
- To Cathy McGrath for picking up and setting up the 25 Poinsettia Plants from Agway on Housatonic Avenue in New Milford.
- To Randy Weimar and his son Ben for their work throughout the year taking care of the grounds mowing, cleaning up, and work inside the building.
- To The Barron Family for their time, hard work, and dedication in taking care of obtaining Habitat for Humanity who took our many items which filled the basement. Also to the Serenity at Sunrise AA Group for bringing the boxes up from the basement. A job well done!
- To all members who generously donated to the Autumn Giving Tree display. This is a big help with the fuel bills of the future!
- To our Treasurer Roger Arguello for his work all year taking care of the Sunday collections, banking, paying of parish bills, and much more behind the scenes. He also makes up your financial statements at the end of the year. We are truly blessed for Roger’s service!
- To Michael Gold who has served on the Church Council for 12 years as Elder. Michael has retired from the Council. We appreciate his advice and leadership capabilities. He continues to be a fine Christian example to us and to the community of New Milford.
- To George, Marybeth, and Peter Folchi for providing us with a laptop in the office.
THANK YOU – to our Acolytes who faithfully serve on the altar throughout the year. They are Ayden Gold, also a Eucharistic Minister, Ben Weimar, also a Eucharistic Minister, Nicholas Sartori, Brendan Sartori, Markus Wesaw III, and William Wesaw. We appreciate their service to Trinity during our worship services and in assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion.
SNOW CANCELLATIONS – Tune into Channel 3 (WFSB) during inclement weather and watch for Trinity Lutheran Church New Milford. On Sunday mornings the message will say “No Services” if the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist is cancelled. You can also access closing information on their website: https://www.wfsb.com/weather/closings/