By this time of the holiday season, people are often weighed down. They feel guilty about presents that are not perfect, or parties that did not go as planned, or year-end projects that did not get completed. To top it all off, now is when it dawns on people how little attention they have given to the spiritual preparation Advent invites. If that is how we feel, perhaps the frenzy of December has actually done us a favor. We have been stretched to our limits. We have been made aware of our shortcomings. We have been humbled. Perfect! For being made aware of our weaknesses does not disqualify us from God's care. It does the opposite. It is what prepares us for the work he does best. He is a God who lifts up the humbled.

Join your fellow Trinity members and other members of our Waukesha community for an evening of board gaming. We will have all sorts of games available to play from classic board games to newer strategy games. Everyone is welcome to attend, from children all the way up through adults. Bring your own favorite game, or play one of ours!

We'll start with a brief devotion at 6:00 PM and will begin gaming at 6:15 PM. In order to help our organizers plan snacks for the event, please consider helping us by RSVP-ing by following the link found below.

Celebrate Christmass. The double “S” is not a typo. The word “Christmas” comes from the Old English phrase “Cristes Maesse,” meaning “The Mass of Christ.” “Mass” comes from the Latin verb that means “to send.” In the early church, “Mass” came to refer especially to Holy Communion. After the Lord’s Supper and blessing, God’s people were sent into the world to proclaim the grace and forgiveness they received in that holy meal.

In the 16th century, to distance themselves from false teachings about the Mass prevalent in the Catholic church, many Lutherans stopped using that term. That was wise. However, a potential negative consequence is that the connection between Christmas and the Lord’s Supper was diminished. At Christmas, God wraps himself in human flesh, not only so that he could die for our sin, but also so that he could give us his very body and blood in this most special feast. Christmas culminates in the Mass of Christ.

Just as it is easy to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas, so also, we can easily lose sight of the significance of Holy Communion. It is easy to approach the table casually, like it’s nothing but a liturgical snack. It is so much more! So, while we won’t bring the term “Mass” back, our prayer for this worship series is that it would change how we come to Christ’s table. In these midweek services, let us prepare our hearts to truly Celebrate Christmass.

What would it be like to meet God? We know he is almighty and holy. He loathes sin. No wonder that when God appears to his Old Testament people, their first response is typically terror. But when Jesus Christ came into our world, he hid his glory and power. He humbled himself so that sinners would be drawn to him rather than driven away in fear.

"Advent" is a Latin word that means "coming." The season of Advent is the four week period before Christmas that the Church uses to connect the two "comings" of Christ. The first time the Lord came into our world it was as a tiny, helpless baby, born in a manger in Bethlehem. However, when Jesus comes again, it will be in all his power and glory with his angelic army behind him. He will be coming as judge at the end of time. Let us use these four weeks to see how the events of Jesus' first coming remove all our fears about his second coming. We can hold our heads high when the Lord comes near.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD.

Give thanks at Trinity this Thanksgiving Eve with a community meal at 5:30pm followed by a special service in English and Spanish. A morning festival service in English will be at 9:00am on Thanksgiving Day,

• Thanksgiving Eve Community Meal: November 27, 5:30pm

• Thanksgiving Eve Bilingual Service: November 27, 6:30pm

• Thanksgiving Festival Service (in English): November 28, 9:00am

DEN GRACIAS AL SEÑOR, PORQUE ÉL ES BUENO.

Agradece en Trinity esta Noche de Acción de Gracias con una comida comunitaria a las 5:30 p.m., seguida de un servicio especial en inglés y español. Un servicio matutino de festival en inglés será a las 9:00 a.m. en el Día de Acción de Gracias.

• Comida comunitaria de Noche de Acción de Gracias: 27 de noviembre, 5:30 p.m.

• Servicio bilingüe de Noche de Acción de Gracias: 27 de noviembre, 6:30 p.m.

• Servicio de festival de Acción de Gracias (en inglés): 28 de noviembre, 9:00 a.m.

The Church has marked the passing of yet another Church Year, waiting for its Lord to return. How long will we have to wait and watch for Jesus to return? We do not know. Jesus said he would return soon. However, the definition of “soon” for the One who has no beginning or end will naturally differ from ours. Whenever Jesus returns, it will take us by surprise. So, how do believers avoid growing lethargic? How do we remain ready and watchful for Christ’s return? Our Savior points us to his Scriptures.

The promises Jesus has made us this past year—promises that give us comfort and hope and purpose—were not merely spoken. Jesus ensured those promises were written down in Scripture. As we see in Scripture all the promises that Christ has fulfilled, there is a discernable effect. The Spirit creates within us an eager anticipation regarding the Scriptural promises that are as-of-yet unfilled. While we cannot be certain when the day of fulfillment will come, we are completely confident of what that day will bring. No matter how many years we must mark, we watch with eager anticipation, and we pray, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

If you were making a list of things that might make society more peaceful, would you include “more judgment”? Likely not. Many people assume that judgement leads to conflict, not peace. However, a lack of judgment is a luxury many cannot afford. Our world is full of victims of abuse, violence, and oppression. In many cases this evil goes unnoticed and unpunished. A future without the hope of judgment means no peace. If there is no hope of judgment, victims would be driven either into total despair or to be consumed by the desire for revenge. A future that includes judgment, however, gives those who are wronged the peace of knowing that one day there will be perfect justice.

When we are horribly wronged, what are our options? Taking matters into our own hands? Despair? Jesus provides a better option. Trust that he will keep his promise to return, bringing judgment. The effect of that promise? We have peace, knowing that every wrong will eventually be righted by the one righteous Judge.

King David once said that guilt makes you feel like your very bones are rotting. Guilt makes you feel weak… sick. Guilt can make it hard to focus on anything else… hard to function. And guilt is an inescapable fact of life. Everyone carries guilt about something. Worse, our efforts to deal with guilt—minimizing our mistakes, making excuses for our sin—don’t help, they only make us feel worse. What alleviates the burden of guilt?

Just one thing—God’s gift of grace. Christ’s love is undeserved and unconditional. He pardons every sin. This is the entire reason Jesus came to earth. This was his mission—to give the gift of grace! When we receive that gift, our guilt melts. Left in its place is the joy of our salvation.

God grants the status of “saint” (which means “holy one”) to every believer. It might appear that status is of little practical value. If you achieve the status “billionaire” or “celebrity” or “senator” your life is going to be vastly different than most other people, most likely better. But if God calls you a saint, just like everyone else, you will struggle with trials, temptations, and sin. Being a saint does not make life easier. In some ways it makes life more difficult as we struggle against a world that is hostile toward Christ. This might lead us to ask, “Is it really that big a deal that God calls us saints?”

For centuries, the Church has answered that question by celebrating the Festival of All Saints. This week we take a peek at the saints who have died and now live in the glory of Christ’s light. Through eyes of faith we see the saints enjoying glory in the place where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:1-6). We realize what a precious gift this status of saint actually is. We understand that soon enough we shall join all the saints in that glorious heavenly city. And that gives us amazing stamina to face the challenges of this world with the strength Christ gives to all his saints.

Join your fellow Trinity members and other members of our Waukesha community for an evening of board gaming. We will have all sorts of games available to play from classic board games to newer strategy games. Everyone is welcome to attend, from children all the way up through adults. Bring your own favorite game, or play one of ours!

We'll start with a brief devotion at 6:00 PM and will begin gaming at 6:15 PM. In order to help our organizers plan snacks for the event, please consider helping us by RSVP-ing by following the link found below.

Many people believe that freedom means being able to do whatever you want. Jesus teaches that is absolutely false. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32). Jesus says that living however you want does not make you free. In fact, if you take that attitude toward life you will end up a slave. You will only be free—spiritually, emotionally, eternally— “If you hold to my teaching” and therefore “know the truth.” Truth is the cause that effects freedom.

A key principle Martin Luther established through the Reformation is sola scriptura, Scripture alone. Who or what is the final arbiter of the truth that provides freedom? Scripture alone. Heirs of the Reformation still bind themselves to Scripture. Does restricting ourselves in this manner curtail freedom? Just the opposite is true. God’s truth brings freedom from slavery to sinful delusions and the burden of guilt. This week we celebrate this cause and effect – the truth sets us free!

“Every why hath a wherefore.” That was Shakespeare’s poetic way of saying that very little happens by chance. Generally there is an agent behind an action. There is cause and effect. And to navigate life well, it is vital we understand both. If you want to enjoy the physical effects of a healthy heart, you need to know the causes of heart disease. Before a major purchase causes you to go into debt, you need to think about the effect that will have on your budget. If you want the peace of being close to God, you need to know what causes that effect.  Again, to navigate life well, it is vital we understand cause and effect.

We are nearing the end of the Church Year. This past year, we have reviewed Jesus’ life and teaching. The Scripture readings in these final weeks recall some of the major themes that are woven throughout the Church Year. In this final series we will be looking at those themes with the understanding that “every why hath a wherefore.” We conclude the year by talking about cause and effect in God’s Kingdom.

What is the Kingdom of God? People often use that phrase as a synonym for heaven. Scripture does indeed refer to “the kingdom of heaven.” Yet, the Kingdom of God is way more than that. When we talk about a “kingdom,” we are referring to all the territory that is under the authority and care of the king. And so, when Jesus would heal the sick or drive out evil spirits, he would sometimes say, “The kingdom of God has come near you.” King Jesus was proving that disease and demons are under his authority. Likewise, when Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come,” he wasn’t simply encouraging us to ask for heaven. In that prayer, we are asking King Jesus to reign within us.

Near the end of Trinity’s mission statement, we express our desire to “build God’s Kingdom.” As we conclude this worship series, we explore what that fully means. It is not just that Trinity would grow statistically so more people might enjoy heaven. We pray that Jesus would sit on the throne of our heart and rule over our lives with his grace. 

The American novelist William S. Burroughs coined the phrase, “When you stop growing you start dying.” Burroughs was referring to personal development. When individuals stop acquiring knowledge or developing skills, they may become stagnant, lose motivation, and feel unfulfilled. However, that phrase can be applied to our spiritual lives too. Believers will seek to grow in their relationship with God and their understanding of his Word. If they don’t… if believers stop growing spiritually… that can lead to diminished joy and a weakened ability to serve and witness.

Scripture drives this point home when it frequently compares believers to trees. Apart from the life-giving water of the Word, the believer’s faith starts to wither and perhaps even die. But fed by the Word, our faith grows. Our love for Christ grows. Our ability to apply God’s Word to life grows. Our desire to serve God and our neighbor grows. That is Trinity’s next mission objective. Through Trinity’s gospel mission, we pray he would lead our faith to blossom, bearing abundant fruit.

Connection. Identity. Validation. Survival. Purpose. Social psychologists will explain those are the top reasons that people seek to belong to a group. Connection: belonging to a group allows us to form relationships which are essential for our emotional and mental well-being. Identity: belonging to a group gives us a sense of who we are and what we are all about. Validation: belonging provides affirmation of our beliefs and values, as we see others in our group that share them. Survival: belonging to a group provides protection, shared resources, and mutual support. Purpose: belonging to a group provides the opportunity to help and serve others, as well as take part in a collective mission.

So, the next of Trinity’s mission objectives is “belong.” We not only want people to join Trinity, but we want our church to be a close-knit community. Our prayer is that through the gospel, the Spirit would lead us to actually think of our church as family to whom we belong, for connection, identity, validation, survival, and purpose.

Join your fellow Trinity members and other members of our Waukesha community for an evening of board gaming. We will have all sorts of games available to play from classic board games to newer strategy games. Everyone is welcome to attend, from children all the way up through adults. Bring your own favorite game, or play one of ours!

We'll start with a brief devotion at 6:00 PM and will begin gaming at 6:15 PM. In order to help our organizers plan snacks for the event, please consider helping us by RSVP-ing by following the link found below.

“We believe and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). Scripture repeatedly connects one’s heart and mouth. If you have sincere faith in Christ, you will tell others about him. Scripture does not say “you might tell others about Christ” nor “You should tell others about Christ.” It says, if you believe, you will tell others. You cannot help it, precisely because you sincerely believe Christ is the only way into heaven. It is the rhythm of the Church. Believers share the gospel with those that God brings into their life. Through the gospel, the Holy Spirit creates new believers. Those new believers share the gospel with others, and the Spirit creates yet more believers. And God’s salvation rolls on and on and on.

As we begin this worship series on Trinity’s mission, let us realize this fundamental truth. Because we believe in Christ, we gladly take up that mission – to boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ – so that others might come to believe in Christ. And on and on and on.

A mission statement summarizes an organization’s raison d'etre, it’s “reason to be.” Thus, it defines the justification for the organization’s existence. So, let us consider Trinity’s mission statement.

The members of Trinity Lutheran boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ to the Waukesha community and its neighbors that all might believe in Christ, belong to our spiritual family, blossom in faith, and build God’s Kingdom.

Note the subject: “members of Trinity.” This mission is not one that belongs only to Trinity’s pastors and teachers. If you are a member of Trinity, this is your personal mission.

Note the verb: “proclaim the gospel.” It doesn’t say “preach” or “teach.” The verb “proclaim” stresses that Trinity’s mission is accomplished, not only in a pulpit or classroom, but anywhere and anytime we have the opportunity to good news of Jesus: talking with a neighbor, having dinner with a friend, etc.

Note the object: “the Waukesha community and its neighbors.” We want to serve everyone in our community—all ages, all ethnicities—with the gospel. 

A good mission statement also contains objectives—what we hope happens as a result of our mission efforts. Trinity has four objectives. The Spirit empowers people to believe in Jesus Christ. They chose to belong to our Christian community. They blossom in their faith, growing in knowledge of the Word and service of others. In this way, we build God’s Kingdom!

In this next worship series, we ask the Spirit to empower and embolden us to take up that noble mission and accomplish those objectives.

There are more than 2,300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. In fact, out of all the masters competing for our service besides God, money is probably at the top of the list. Money provides us with a false comfort and sense of security. Money serves as a source of pride. This week, Jesus’ sharp words identify the impossibility of serving more than one master. More, Jesus teaches that if we dedicate our lives in service to money, money will always let us down. In contrast, God has proven that he is a master worth serving. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of it being a master to serve, it becomes a tool in our service of our true Master.