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Second Sunday in Christmas! Within the gospel reading’s profound words lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God’s grace and truth. Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:[1-9] 10-18  First Lutheran Church of the Trinity 643 W 31st Street Chicago, IL 60616 312-842-7390 welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com FirstTrinityChicago.com All Are Welcome!

An Evening with Santa!

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This Sunday Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, they still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though he is nothing like an earthly king. His authority comes from the truth to which he bears witness, and those who recognize the truth voluntarily listen to him. We look forward to the day he is given dominion, knowing his victory will be the nonviolent victory of love. This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, and a celebration of the liturgical new year. Vicar Toby will be preaching. The color of the day is white. Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Psalm 93, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37   Thanksgiving Our next big event is coming soon!  Our Thanksgiving community meal takes place on Thanksgiving day, and is a full day of fun!  Doors will be open for cooking and fellowship around 2 pm, and dinner will be ready around 5.  Come all or part of the day, bring a dish to pass if you can.  There is also a small pie baking party the night before, see Rene if you want to know more.   Advent  In the season of anticipation, we both celebrate and long for God’s Something-New in this world. We join together in songs of longing, desire, and hope for a redeemed creation, finally at peace, were God’s justice shall reign, where all will be fed, where the lion shall lie down with the lamb.  This year, our Advent hymn is Bring Peace to Earth Again.  Read more and see the lyrics here.   Christmas Stuff!   The kids will are rehearsing the Christmas Pageant on Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7 (during God's Closet) next week.  Adults who want to help out are encouraged to talk to Pastor Tom.  The pageant will take place on the evening of Sunday, December 20. A tentative date has been set for Beer and Carols.  Location is still being worked out, but we are planning on Thursday, December 17, after the Darst Center's Holiday Open House. A tentative date for Visiting Seniors/Christmas Caroling has been set for Tuesday, December 22.  See Pastor Tom if you are interested in going.   Pastor Ben and SLCM in The Lutheran South Loop Campus Ministry was recently featured in The Lutheran.  At November's Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group, Pr. Ben will join us to discuss the article and the work that is done at SLCM.  All Are Welcome!  The article is available here, or we will have copies available.  Sunday, November 29at 9:15am Facebook event page  We will also take a freewill offering for SLCM that morning, cash and sock donations are appreciated.   The End of the Year is Near!   Help us reach our 2015 fundraising goal! Click here to join the Facebook event  Click here to donate online  Click here to read more!

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This Sunday November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. So the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love. Readings: Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8   Thanksgiving Our next big event is coming soon!  Our Thanksgiving community meal takes place on Thanksgiving day, and is a full day of fun!  Doors will be open for cooking and fellowship around 2 pm, and dinner will be ready around 5.  Come all or part of the day, bring a dish to pass if you can.  There is also a small pie baking party the night before, see Rene if you want to know more.   A Message from Dolores Dolores shared a story about coming to First Trinity for the 150th Anniversary.  Thanks to Chris for editing and uploading it, and to Zarana for interviewing.  See the video here!   Christmas Stuff!   The kids will begin rehearsing the Christmas Pageant on Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7 (during God's Closet) next week.  Adults who want to help out are encouraged to talk to Pastor Tom. A tentative date has been set for Beer and Carols.  Location and time are still being worked out, but the date will likely be Thursday, December 17. A tentative date for Visiting Seniors/Christmas Caroling has been set for Tuesday, December 22.  See Pastor Tom if you are interested in going.   Pastor Ben and SLCM in The Lutheran South Loop Campus Ministry was recently featured in The Lutheran.  At November's Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group, Pr. Ben will join us to discuss the article and the work that is done at SLCM.  All Are Welcome!  The article is available here, or we will have copies available.  Sunday, November 29at 9:15am Facebook event page  We will also take a freewill offering for SLCM that morning, cash and sock donations are appreciated.   31st Street Bus Monday, November 16 at 5:45pm - Join the coalition for the restored 31st St. and Lincoln Ave. routes, as we fight for fair transit and make our voices heard at the CTA's Budget Hearing. Rene and members of Bridgeport Alliance will meet at 5pm at Dunkin Donuts, 31 and Halsted, and take the #8 to the meeting!.  Details here! The End of the Year is Near!   Help us reach our 2015 fundraising goal! Click here to join the Facebook event  Click here to donate online  Click here to read more!

Regular Activities: Sunday: Worship 10:30 am Monday: Office Closed Tuesday: Lectio Divinia 9 am, God's Closet 5-7, Books to Prisoners 5-9, Bible Study 7 pm Wednesday - Yoga 7 pm Friday - God's Closet 10-noon, Office Hours 10-Noon, AA 8:00 Last Saturday of Each Month - 7pm Ben's Movie Night Last Sunday of Each Month - 9:15am The Lutheran Magazine Discussion Group Check out some of the groups who meet or perform in our space: The Bridge, Bridgeport Alliance, The Glint, LGBT Neighbors in Bridgeport, Midwest Books to Prisoners, The Group Project, Windy City Opera, and more!   Coming Up: Nov 22 - Christ the King Sunday (Christian New Year) Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Day (And Community Meal)  Nov 27 - Grey Friday - God's Closet open as usual Nov 29 - The Lutheran Magazine group with Pr. Ben Adams Nov 29 - December 24 - Advent Dec 6 -12:15PM - Annual Congregational Meeting Dec 17 - Beer and Carols Dec 20 - Christmas Pageant Dec 22 - Visit Seniors/Christmas Caroling Dec 24 - 7PM Candlelight Service, Lessons & Carols Dec 25 - 10:30 Christmas Day Worship & Brunch * as part of our  year-long 150th anniversary celebration we have invited the bishop and former pastors to preach Did you know, First Trinity is a member of Concordia Cemetery?   If you have news for the benefit of the community, please send it to welcome@firsttrinitychicago.com

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God keeps the promise made to David, to give him an everlasting throne. The angel tells Mary that God will give David's throne to her son Jesus. She is perplexed by Gabriel's greeting and by the news of her coming pregnancy, but she is able still to say, "Count me in." We who know that Jesus is called king only as he is executed still find it a mystery hard to fathom, but with Mary today we hear the news of what God is up to and say, "Count us in."

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:46b-55, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

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This week, it's going to be a busy week.  A couple things to note:

• Sunday after church Marge and Tom Fashing will be sharing latkes in celebration of Hanukkah.
• The Christmas Pageant on Sunday evening is going to be fantastic!  More information below.
• God's Closet will be open Tuesday and Friday as usual.
• Christmas morning we will be serving potluck brunch after worship.  You are more than welcome to bring a dish to pass.  Let us know if you know what you are bringing by replying to this email.

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve Event Page

Christmas Day Event Page

Good Gifts

What are ELCA Good Gifts?
ELCA Good Gifts are a creative, meaningful way to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. The items in the catalog lift up examples of work being done in different projects and programs supported by funds from the ELCA: the ELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, ELCA New Congregations, ELCA Vision for Mission, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response. Each of these programs is a long-term, partnership-based ministry that focus on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities.

How does this work?
When you give an ELCA Good Gift you are supporting work within a specific category of ministry. For example, when you give a gift to “stock a health clinic,” your donation goes on to support the health care ministries of ELCA World Hunger where needed most. This allows our global companions to determine how these funds can make the biggest impact in their local contexts, and ensure that our work is sustainable.

How does this work at First Trinity?
Easy!  Do you want to go in on a meaningful gift with members of our church community?  Sign up on the bulletin board in the kitchen, see Jim Peters or email firsttrinityoffice@gmail.com.  Be sure to indicate how much you intend to pledge.  Once we know how much we will have we can choose an appropriate gift.  Money will be collected before Christmas.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas Schedule

Happy holidays! 

First Trinity welcomes... well... Everybody. Even you!

We look forward to your visit.

643 W. 31st Street. 

Free parking on the north/south streets

& we have a small parking lot 

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

+Lessons & Carols+

Monday, December 24, 7 PM

Christmas Day Worship & Brunch

Tuesday, December 25, 10:30 AM

Commemoration of the Holy Innocents

Sunday, December 30, 10:30 AM

Guest Preacher Rev. Joan R. Harrell

God's Closet In Need of Toys and Winter Clothing!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

God's Closet, the free-store ministry of First Trinity is a completely volunteer run clothing-and-other-goods closet. All items are completely free to all visitors. And all donations are distributed to those in need.

God's Closet is currently asking for your help in easing the cold this season!

Donations of clean blankets, gloves, socks, and winter clothing are very much appreciated as our sisters and brothers, especially those currently without housing, seek to battle the cold.

We are also looking for toys as Christmas approaches, so that every kid can get something cool and fun under the Christmas tree!

Tax receipts are available upon request.

All are welcome to donate and to shop at God's Closet.

Tuesdays 5-7pm; Fridays 10-Noon.

First Trinity Community Center. 643 West 31st St.
Like us on facebook here!  312 842 7390