decemeber 2009 pathways

8/14/2019 Decemeber 2009 Pathways

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PathwaysD e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

T R I N I T Y P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H

TRINITYPRESBYTERIAN STAFF

PastorGary Hanson

Home: (651) 501-1820Cell: (651) 373-1821

[email protected]

Administrator/PastoralCare Coordinator

Dee LindblomMon-Fri 8:30am-2:[email protected]

Cell:(651) 353-6724

Christian EducationDirector

Joe Pendal [email protected]

(651) 436-3435

Church MusicianJoyce Piper

(651) 458-0341

Choir DirectorNeal Strand

(651) 501-8225

Child Care AttendantsAmanda Ulrich

Kristina Deneen

CustodiansJeff LindblomKaren Patraw

2125 Tower DriveWoodbury MN 55125

Phone & Fax:(651) 738-0045

ADVENT IS UPON US!The beginning of our church calendar is here again! Advent officiallystarts on Sunday, November 29 . Join us at Trinity for worship eachAdvent Sunday during this special Holy season as we await the arrivalof our Savior Jesus Christ, given by God, through the obedience of Mary.

There will be two worship services on Christmas Eve , December 24a child oriented service at 5 pm and a candlelight/communion serviceat 10 pm .

In addition to our seasonal Advent celebration, you are invited to fol-low along with Trinity‘s first online Advent Calendar . Like a traditionalchocolate filled calendar, ours is filled with spiritual treats for youthand adults alike.

For adults, each day in Advent contains a Scripture passage whichbuilds on the themes of reflection, anticipation and joy. For children,each day provides a clue for a weekly theme. Check your answers atJoe Pendal‘s office and earn a special sweet treat every Sunday andon Christmas Eve.

The angel said unto her, “Do not be afraid,

Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And now, you will conceive in your womb

and bear a son, and you will name him

Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the

throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the

house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there

will be no end. — Luke 1: 30-33 (NRSV)



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MUSINGS AND AMUSINGS FROM THE PASTOR…

Committees

Building & GroundsMike Schenck 739-3727

Christian EducationKirk Breen 436-4212Gretchen White 337-0159

Clerk of SessionMarnelle Andersen735-3287

CommunicationsSusan Jamison 578-7100

Long Range Planning Darryl Willison 739-2674

Mental Health GroupDee Lindblom738-0045 or [email protected]

Mission & ActionJoan Nichols 714-8314

Moderator of DeaconsGarry Espe 730-6805

Newsletter Mark Allen [email protected]

NominatingWilson Ekinde 501-3661Nursery Coordinator Tina Hacker 714-9671

Pastoral CareGary Hanson 738-0045

Personnel Steve Theiss 578-9348

Prayer ChainDee Lindblom738-0045 or [email protected]

Shared Ministry Marnelle Andersen735-3287

Special EventsBarb Freeman 731-1220

Stewardship & FinanceJohn Upson 730-9690

WorshipKara Klink 735-0866

One of the really wonderful entertainment stories of 2009 was whencontestant # 43212 walked onto the stage of the ―Britain‘s Got Tal-ent‖ auditions in April of this year. ―Britain‘s Got Talent‖ is the

―across the pond‖ version of ―American Idol.‖ The three judges didnot hide their cynicism as Susan Boyle, a very plain, plump 47-year-old from Blackburn, a small village in Scotland, came out on stage.As they smirked, Susan told them she wanted to become a famoussinger. But she came across as flippant, frivolous and looked verynervous. The judges, the spectators, and certainly the huge televi-sion audience must have all been thinking, ―I sure hope she canmake it through without falling apart.‖

However, as soon as Susan opened her mouth and sang the firstnotes of her chosen selection, ―I Dreamed a Dream,‖ from the stage

play ―Les Miserables,‖ everyone was in total awe. Long before theend of her rendition, the entire house was on its feet. As the weeksplayed out, Susan Boyle did not end up winning the contest, but shehas achieved her stated goal of becoming a professional singer. Iread this week that her recently released album, ―I Dreamed aDream,‖ has apparently broken all pre -sale records on Amazon.

A large part of what has made Susan Boyle an overnight sensationwould not have been possible even five years ago. Her performancewas uploaded to the internet and circled the globe almost instantly.In fact, her original presentation on ―Britain‘s Got Talent‖ is the mostviewed piece ever on U Tube with a count somewhere around 80 mil-lion hits. I‘ve watched it a few times myself and I especially enjoythe reactions of the three judges, particularly the cantankerousSimon Cowell, who admitted afterwards that he had never expectedanything like that. I‘m sure none of them did.

The Christmas story also provides a surprise result...Two millenniaago a little baby was born in a humble peasant village. For all thatbaby, who grew up to be about 33 years old, accomplished in hislifetime, could anyone in his realm — shepherds, wise men, familymembers, townsfolk, Roman authorities — have expected anythingout of him?

Yet by now we are blessed to know the outcome of what Jesus didfor all of humanity. During this Advent season, let‘s continue to bewatchful and observant in our expectations. Let‘sstand in awe and wonder of the Christ Child andnot doubt. Put your life in His hands each andevery day.

Sincerely, Gary



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Soup & Salad Bar Luncheon & Christmas Cookie ExchangeSaturday, December 5 ▪ 11:30 – 1:00PM

You are cordially invited to join other Trinity women for this special event on Saturday, De-cember 5 beginning at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Bring $3.00 for the meal plus four (4)dozen of the SAME recipe. Depending on how many you nibble, you will leave with approxi-

mately four dozen of an assortment of cookies. Here are the basic guidelines:Christmas cookies preferred (no chocolate chip or ―no - bake‖ cookies)

Arrange your cookies on a platter or box and bring a separate container for what you‘ll takehome

Christmas attire encouraged!

PARISH PERSONALSBaptisms: Anna Bette Klink and Paige Louise Sehnert were baptized on October 25.

Recently Hospitalized: Harry Krueger, Jack Emeott (Jack is now residing at the Pillars HospiceHome in Oakdale)

ABOUT S OME OF O UR S ENIORS

Oak Meadows Senior Living, where BetteSherburne lives, was recently nominated for the annual multi-family Acorn Award by theEconomic Development Commissionthrough the City of Oakdale. You will recog-nize Bette holding the left side of the sign.(picture to the right)

Pauline Wiken is living at Green GablesHome in Mahtomedi. Her daughter, Penny , recently visited from California, bringing CDs of the “old” songsthat Pauline and the residents love to sing. Pauline sends greeting to her friends at Trinity. Her address is 140

Quail Street, Mahtomedi 55115 if you’d like to send her bestwishes.

Jean Blanck (right) enjoys living at Augustana Health Care Cen-ter in Hastings and participates in many of the various activitiesoffered. Here she is taking in the sun on a fishing outing this sum-mer. (picture to the left)



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DECEMBER 1 Roger Knott

3 Carol Paleen

5 Tove Griffiths

6 Zachary Allen

7 Rich Williams

9 Sue Bergeron

13 Nick Behler

15 Ryan Griffin

16 Bob Paleen20 Jack Dahlquist

Angeline Ekinde

Kay Johnson

21 Josh Upson23 Suzanne White

25 Jesse Carpentier

28 Gavin Pendal

29 Stephanie Bensen

30 Jennifer Ellis

31 Lars Espe

We regret if we missed your birthday;if we have, please phone the office!

738-0045

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Trinity Presbyterian Program Financial Summary Oct 2009 Month Actual YTD Actual Yr. Budget

Total Program Donations $18,435.32 $197,422.96 $259,562.45

Total Program Expenditures $20,939.84 $199,361.48 $259,520.38

Donations Less Expenses ($2,504.52) ($1,938.52) $42

Building Fund Donations $5,115.97 $57,745.39

Building Mortgage Payment $6,691.00 $70,168.00

Mortgage Balance $781,658.88

Friday Study Group

Trinity‘s Friday Study meets each Friday from 10 -11:30 AM. For Advent, we‘ll meet December4, 11 & 18 to read and discuss: Hanukkah: Bringing Together the Meaning of the Light of Ha-nukkah and the Light of the World . The study/devotional booklets are $3.00 payable duringthe group. Questions: 651-501-1820 (Please see the announcement on page 6 about the De-cember 18 meeting.)



DECEMBER 2009

HEALTHY MIND MATTERSThere will be no mental health presentation in December, but a number of excellent programsare already scheduled for 2010. The next newsletter will include more information about theJanuary 25 and subsequent monthly topics.

TRINITY RECEIVES THE NAMI AWARDTrinity Presbyterian Church was awarded the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota(NAMI- MN)'s Faith Community of the Year Award for 2009. The award program read: ―Trinityexemplifies the belief that the church leads by welcoming, treating with parity and dignity, andadvocating for those affected by mental illness. They educated their congregants by providingmonthly programs throughout the year on a variety of mental health topics, and formed a col-laborative of area churches to share with the community at large programs about seeking eq-uity, justice and human dignity for those affected by mental illness.‖

This is an honor for Trinity‘s Mental Health & Wellness group which has worked to make themonthly mental health presentations a reality, and to Pastor Gary Hanson for preaching on the

topic of mental health and how it is a faith as well as a medical issue. The collaboration of areachurches Trinity is working with to decrease stigma by showing that those affected by mentalillnesses are included in the grace of God include Woodbury Lutheran, King of Kings, Crossroads,and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Our work is not finished. Our goal is to continue to invite churches of all denominations to jointhe effort to ensure that people with a mental illness and their families have a right to and arewelcomed to live their lives in our churches and community with full acceptance.

- Dee Lindblom

RESULTS FOR NAMIWALK 2009On September 26, at least 2300 people came together at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis for thelargest NAMIWalks event to date to raise awareness about mental illness and to raise funds forNAMI's important programs that offer education, support and advocacy for individuals with men-tal illnesses and their families. Bruce and Jane Williams , Ewan Ha , and Dee Lindblom tookpart in the Walk to help break down the wall of silence surrounding mental illness and to advo-cate for those with mental illnesses to receive the same treatment as any other illness. The2009 total is $280,899 (and still counting until the end of November). Many thanks to the gen-erous donors who pledged Trinity‘s walkers.

The More the Merrier

December Lunch Bunch and Friday Study Group will gather Friday, December 18 at the homeof Beth Hanson , 8201 Somerset Road. The study group will meet for a devotional and discus-sion from 10:00 – 11:00AM and the brunch will begin at 11:15AM . Please call Beth Hanson (651) 501-1820 or Susan Rooney (651) 769-2377 if you would like to attend. The meal willbe provided. All members and/or guests of Trinity are more than welcome!

Directions to Hanson’s: From Radio Drive, go west on Pinehurst. Take an immediate right onDonegal and then a left on Somerset. #8201 is a red brick on the corner of Somerset & Done-gal. If you are tentative walking up an incline for any reason, please feel free to park in thedriveway.



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PASTORAL CARE MESSAGE"My Cup Overflows " – Psalm 23:5

This verse from Psalm 23 means "I have more than enough for my needs." This psalm of theGood Shepherd is a favorite of many people because it is one in which the Lord leads us to lush

green pastures and restful waters where our souls are refreshed (v. 2). We are assured thatGod walks with us through the dark valleys, and we have no need to fear evil (v. 4). This psalmis reassuring for me because lately I have felt that ―my cup overflows‖ with more than enoughworry for people I care deeply about. So many family and church members, friends andneighbors are facing serious hardships such as health problems, job losses, financial struggles,and the need to make difficult decisions. I feel that what I have to offer them is not enough tomeet their needs. I am not a doctor, have no jobs to offer, and possess only inadequate an-swers to their question of ―why?‖ ―what?‖or ―how?‖

It‘s good for me to remember that I don‘t have to have all the answers; I just have to do mybest, and God will do the rest. What I need is the desire to walk with those in pain and lend myear to listen and my shoulder to lean on. God will do what I can‘t. The promise that God will

guide me and give me courage is the reassurance I need to know that my cup will only ―over -flow‖ with what I can handle.

I know I am not the only one experiencing a ―cup runneth over‖ with stress and concern. Manyfaces I look into are suffering, and in some cases I can only guess what their pain is. My hope isthat we can all put our cares and hopes into the arms of the Good Shepherd, knowing that withGod ―goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life (v. 6).

Blessings, Dee Lindblom

technology. Transplants can consume from 2

to 50 units of blood. Accident victims mayneed from 4 to 100 units of blood. These ex-amples represent the tip of the proverbial ice-berg of need. Despite the great need, only 3out of every 100 people donate blood. Now,not everyone who wants to donate can do so;medical conditions, for example, may preventit. If you are able to donate, then Trinity'sdrive offers an easy way for you to donate. Setthe date aside, and respond to the sign-up op-portunities that will be offered by your deaconor posted in the church meeting areas in lateDecember and January. The community will bea little better because of your thoughtfulnessand generosity.

I know what you discerning Trinityites arethinking: ―In his last Discursion, Garry wrotethat he would take up the topic of 'leaving mehigh'. Has he left us hanging?‖ Let me takethe topic up right now. A couple months ago,

my son Alex was discussing something with hismom (hmmm, I know her... Oh yeah, my wifeDebi !). To share in the celebration of some

minor triumph, he attempted a hand-bumpwith her. She totally missed the opportunity,leading him to exclaim ―Hey, you left mehigh!‖, meaning she did not acknowledge hispublic gesture of support. Thank goodness thiswas a mother-son exchange, because it couldhave been very awkward in other circum-stances.

What's the connections with deacons? Well,deacons and elders met early in November fora bit of team building, and one idea that arose

was that we should not be afraid to start upconversations of faith. Such a conversationmight feel awkward, perhaps because we usu-ally talk more easily about the weather orsports or music. When we connect with eachother at church on Sunday, at Logos onWednesday, at Elder Friends and in otherways, we should risk a bit of awkwardness andask each other, ―How is your faith today?‖

(Continued from page 3)



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The newsletter is also available onthe church website:

http://www.trinitywoodbury.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ACTIVITIES AT TRINITY

Sunday Schedule

Education Hour9:00 am

Worship10:00 am

Fellowship andCoffee11:00 am

-=-

Child care isavailable during

worship service

Upcoming Events

December 5Women‘s Luncheonand Cookie Exchange

December 13Caroling (4:15 pm)and Chili Feast (6 pm)

December 18Bible Study andChristmas Brunch

Additional parking is available in New Horizon‘s parking lotdirectly across from Trinity and by parking along one side

of the driveway.

DecemberSchedule

December 6

Communion

December 13

December 20

December 24Christmas Eve5 & 10 pm

December 27(no education hour)

Next Newsletter Deadline:

January 15, 2010

Pastor‘s Column 2

Mission and Action 3

About our Seniors 4

Birthdays 5

Healthy Mind Matters 6

Pastoral Care 7

decemeber 2009 pathways

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