when these things begin to take place,

straighten up and raise your heads, be-

cause your redemption is drawing

near” (Luke 21:28). Jesus’ first arrival

among us at Christmas leading to His

crucifixion and resurrection victory gives

us the complete assurance that we are

His children and that He will deliver us.

Jesus’ promise to return in glory

calls upon us to remain awake in faith.

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be

weighed down with dissipation and

drunkenness and cares of this life, and

that day come upon you suddenly like a

trap. For it will come upon all who

dwell on the face of the whole

earth.” (Luke 21:35).

Jesus calls us to rejoice and rely

fully on His enduring Word. “But stay

awake at all times, praying that you may

have strength to escape all these things

that are going to take place, and to stand

before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

Through His mighty Word and Sacra-

ments of Baptism and Holy Communion,

we are reassured of forgiveness, life and

salvation. Although this present world is

passing away, we trust in Christ’s abid-

ing Word. We need not fear or fret about

the future.

Pastor Smith

The Desert Voice

Dear Members & Friends :

Does the future seem menacing to

you? I hear people remark, “Things are

so uncertain these days.” And, “Things

aren’t like they used to be.”

This is clearly a good time to re-

member God’s promise to send His Son,

our Savior, Jesus, as we focus on what

this world is coming to.

Jesus taught, “Heaven and earth

will pass away, but my words will not

pass away” (Luke 21:33). He declared

this concerning the last days of this world

and the impending Judgment Day.

We should know that while im-

pending judgment is assured, Jesus re-

mains true to His promise to save us by

His grace through faith and deliver us to

our eternal home with Him.

Meanwhile, this world faces some

troubling times ahead. “And there will be

signs in sun and moon and stars, and on

the earth distress of nations in perplexity

because of the roaring of the sea and the

waves, people fainting with fear and with

foreboding of what is coming on the

world. For the powers of the heavens will

be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).

How should we live in view of

these events? Jesus instructs us, “Now

Inside this issue:

Trinity Lutheran Church December 2014

TLC Meetings 2

Those Who Serve 3

TLC Family Photo

Gallery

4

Sunday School News 5

Birthdays/

Anniversaries

6

TLC LWML Photos 7

TLC Family Ministry 8

Special Services 9

M.A.S.S. News 10

LWML News 11

TLCDC News 12

Stewardship 13

Calendar of Events

December 2014 14

Those Who Serve in

Midweek Services 15

Www.facebook.com/

trinitylutheran1

MASS NEWS December 2014

M.A.S.S. (Men Assisting Seminary Students)

will meet on December 9th at 6:00 pm,

Sloan’s Restaurant in Indio, corner of

Highway 111 and Clinton Streets.

Here at Trinity, we assist students with their

travels through the Seminary in St. Louis,

Missouri LCMS.

Men, winter visitors and regulars, please

join us in this month of our Savior's birth for

an hour away from the hustle n bustle of the

season; We meet on Tuesday, December

9th at Sloan’s Restaurant at 6pm. MASS is

such a good outreach from our church and

we need more men supporting those that

faithfully come every month! Won’t you

please give a few hours on Tuesday for this

worthy cause for your Lord? The blessings

are many. Also, anyone can help by plac-

ing a check in the offering on Sunday noted

for MASS, or you can mail your check to the

church: 81500 Miles Ave. Indio, CA

92201.Thank you! Russ Campbell (760) 360-

7215 God bless you and God bless our

work for MASS

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MEN’S NEXT M.A.S.S. MEETING November 11th, @ 6:00 pm

Women’s Thursday night Bible Study

will not meet during the month of De-

cember. Class will resume in January.

We thank Mary Helen Kelly, our teacher,

for her many hours of preparation and

faithful teaching of God’s Word.

December TRINITY QUILTING .

Trinity Quilters will meet

only once in the month of

December and that will be

on Wednesday, December

17th.@ 11:15 am. Bring a

lunch and join us. We are a

happy group of quilters.

DECEMBER WINGS Dec. 19th-5:30 pm FRIDAY

This month WINGS will be meeting at La Casita

Restaurant, Highway 111 in La Quinta (near

Kohl’s). We meet at 5:30 pm. Please call Emily

in the church office and let us know you will be

coming. 760-347-3971.

Page 2 The Desert Voice December 2014

PRAYER REQUESTS Do you have a Prayer Request or

know of someone who is in need of

our prayers? Please let our PRAYER

Chain know by calling the Church

Office (Emily) at 760-347-3971 and we will notify

our Prayer Chain chairmen of your request

either by phone or email. Thank you.

“Do you want to be on the prayer chain either by

e-mail or via phone? Please let the Church Office

know of your wishes (760)347-3971.

Page 3

Duties

,

Dec .7th, 2014

8:30 am

Communion

Dec. 14th, 2014

11:00 am

Communion

Dec.21, 2014

8:30 am

Communion

Dec.28, 2014

11:00 am

Communion

8:30 am

Duty Elder

11:00am

Mike Harai

Edwin Meyer

Mike Harai

Edwin Meyer

Don Lahn

Roy Culley

Don Lahn

Edwin Meyer

8:30am

Readers

11:00am

Roy Culley

Edwin Meyer

Roy Culley

Edwin Meyer

Roy Culley

Edwin Meyer

Don Lahn

Edwin Meyer

8:30am

Ushers

11:00am

Russ Campbell &

Terry Lahn

Richard Robinson &

Jim Ducatte

Jim Lorimer &

Dave Haugen

Andy Schlange

& Damon Brockman

Terry Lahn &

Larry Piunti

Damon Brockman

&Richard Robinson

Russ Campbell

& Jim Lorimer

Jim Ducatte &

Damon Brockman

8:30 am

Greeters

11:00 am

Roy & Sandy Culley

Kris Chamberlain

& Carol Castro

Bill & Christy Clark

Kris Chamberlain

& Carol Castro

Wayne & Sheila

Osterhold

Roy & Sandy

Culley

Roy & Sandy

Culley

Kris Chamberlain

& Carol Castro

8:30am

Acolytes

11:00am

Elder

Elder

Elder

Kylie Maxfield

Elder

Elder

Elder

Elder

Flowers

Richard & Tara

Robinson

memory of mom &

dad

Doris Spiker

memory of

Don Spiker

Poinsettias

Poinsettias

Those Who Serve in December 2014

Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net

Page 4

The Desert Voice December 2014

The children have begun Christmas program practices un-

der the direction of Mrs. Megan Gates. The children are

learning new Christmas songs and

practicing old ones directed by Mrs.

Bobbi Smith. The program will be

presented in the 11 am service on

Sunday, December 21. We invite

everyone to join us for this exciting

event and help the children cele-

brate the birthday of our promised

Savior, Jesus Christ!

Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 5

TLC Sunday School December News 2014

Christmas Program “God’s Gift to Us”

December 21 @ 11am

The Day in the life of Sunday School

Page 6

December 2014 Anniversaries

December 23, 1950 George & Trudi Intemann

December 27, 1985 Pastor & Bobbi Smith

January 2015 Birthdays

4 Mary Helen Kelly

4 Paul Smith

5 Noralyn Lorimer

5 Ramona Haugen

10 Anne Negron

11 Dominic Chaparro

13 Maggie Negron

13 Samantha Schuessler

16 Anne Guild

18 Jerry Norris

21 John Eide

22 Mary Ann Miller

27 Mike Harai

29 Dorothy Fratto

30 Lynn York

January 2015 Anniversaries

January 14, 1967 Wally & Cheryle Kortman

December 2014 Birthdays

The Desert Voice December 2014

If your birthday/anniversary is not listed, please let the office know so we can help

you celebrate! 760-347-3971

6 Sylvia Kendall

8 Annemarie Sonntag

9 Frank Fratto

9 Bea Main

19 Elsa Smith

20 Tom Spay

Marlene Langenwalter

27 Alex Negron

30 Kathy Hunter

31 Eva Balmes

31 Henry Bonette

Page 7 Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net

TLC Family Ministry

“Your faithfulness continues through all generations” Psalm 119:90 December 2014

Page 8 The Desert Voice December 2014

TLC Christmas Caroling Sunday, Dec. 7 @ 3:30 pm

TLC Mom’s & Babies’ Bible Fellowship @ 9:30am Thursdays, Dec 4, 11, & 18

With the start of flu and cold season it has

been a slow start after the summer break.

But we have begun and will meet three

times this month. We are studying vari-

ous mothers the Bible and are currently

on Hagar, the maid servant to Sarah of the

Old Testament. For more information

please call the church office, 760 347-

3971. And God bless you all!

We will meet at church at 3:30pm and

head out to carol to our shut ins and to Va-

lencia Palms Nursing Center in Indio. You

should bring a flash light. We will end up

at Pastor and Bobbi’s home for a lite din-

ner and goodies.

Come join us kick

off the Christmas

season with this

fun activity!

TLC Advent & Christmas Schedule Comfort & Joy

Advent Service—Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7pm— Peace of Christ

Advent Service—Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7pm—Pardon of Christ

Advent Service—Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7pm—Presence of Christ

Christmas Eve Service—Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7pm—Power of Christ

Christmas Day Service—Thursday, Dec. 25, 10am

New Year’s Eve Communion Service—Wednesday, Dec. 31, 7pm

Advent Potluck Suppers Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10 & 17

5:45pm

Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net Page 9

===========================

LWML Christmas Party & Silent

Auction

Saturday, December 6, 2014

1:30pm

Homemade baked items always sell very well at our Silent

Auction. Please bring to the church office on Friday or Satur-

day or see Emily as to where to put them. We are striving for

fun, unique quality items this year.

Please bring cookies, candy or something to share for the party. After the party,

cookies will be boxed up and taken to c o n v a l e s c e n t

homes in the area.

THOSE SERVING IN SPECIAL SERVICES IN DECEMBER, 2014

December 3 – Advent Service 7pm Ushers: Russ Campbell & Larry Piunti Elder: Don Lahn Greeters: Loretta & Larry Piunti December 10 – Advent Service 7pm Ushers: Terry Lahn & Jim Lorimer Elder: Don Lahn Greeter: Larry & Loretta Piunti December 17 – Advent Service 7pm Ushers: Russ Campbell & Jim Lorimer Elder: Don Lahn Greeters: Larry & Loretta Piunti

December 24th

– Christmas Eve – 7pm Ushers: Terry Lahn & Jim Lorimer Elder: Don Lahn Greeter: Marilyn Mohr Christmas Day Dec. 25th, 2014 10:00 am Ushers: Russ Campbell & Larry Piunti Elder: Edwin Meyer Greeters: Bill & Christy Clark New Year’s Eve Dec. 31st. 2014 7:00 pm Ushers: Terry Lahn & Larry Piunti Elder: Don Lahn Greeters: Larry & Loretta Piunti

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS Each year we decorate the chancel with poinsettias for the Christ-

mas season. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia for this

occasion they are $7.00 each. Also, there will be a form in Sunday bulletins

during the season. Make checks payable to TRINITY LWML and place it in

the offering plate or give to Wanda Lahn.

ADVENT SUPPERS We begin our Advent Season on Wednesday, December 3rd with a Potluck Supper at 5:45 pm. There will be 2 more Potluck suppers: December 10th & December 17th .Please bring an entrée, salad, side dish or dessert. For information please call the church office 347-3971.Join us and get to know your fellow friends at Trinity. All Welcome! Advent Services begin at 7:00 pm.

Page 10

Mass news for December 2014

Well there went another year. It seems like it was January just the other day and another year has passed.

We have accomplished much as we had our eighth student graduate and we started another student on

his way, with two in their vicarage year.

To quote Vicar Robert Jones: Once again, thank you so much for supporting Alison and I while we are

on vicarage and during our time at the seminary. Whether it be financially; prayerfully or some other ca-

pacity you are a great blessing to us and we thank God that He has moved you to help us and provide for

us.

Alison has now been working full time as an assistant for a school district, and the vicar is kept quite

busy with several projects. With Advent upon him he has additional duties to keep him from getting

bored. The winter is approaching as the say it is getting a little bleak outside. I think winter arrived in

November with the surprise frigid weather they will need a new type of California clothing.

Nicholas and Mikaela Duerr have settled into a routine, Mikaela has her full time position well in hand

and even has a little free time. She has turned 23 and is not happy with getting old. Just wait until she

gets to reside in her eighties as some of us do.

Nicholas is also busy with all the little duties a pastor has. Nicholas puts it, it is very nice to finally be up

in front of the church, getting a taste of what has been my goal for years. A reminder for all this is his

first year at the seminary. As was mentioned before they had a medical bill surprise them and a cost to

maintain the vehicle, but taking a course in financial management they were able to weather the storm.

They are doing just fine and are very thankful towards Trinity

Russ Campbell

The Desert Voice December 2014

Page 11 Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net

Trinity Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Saturday December 6, 2014

Advent / Christmas Program

1:30p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Silent Auction for Lutheran World Relief

”Shine Celebrating a Birthday”

Program: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

Advent and Christmas Carols

Secret Prayer Exchange - Good Fellowship

Please bring cookies or bread for our enjoyment and for gifts to the shut-ins.

We need new items for the Silent Auction.

Help needed to set up the Silent Auction Please notify Mary Helen Kelly

if you are willing to help. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

All ladies of Trinity are invited

Come and bring a friend !

Page 12 The Desert Voice December 2014

Page 13

The joy of Stewardship “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

God became man; he took on human flesh, so that men would once again dwell with God. In the

fullness of time, the Son of God from eternity became a part of history to be born under the law

in order to redeem those under the law. Christ came from heaven above to earth below for us

men and for our salvation. He who knew no sin became sin so that we would be declared right-

eous in God’s sight. He was defiled so that we would be cleansed. He was born so that we would

not die, and He died for us so that we would live in Him. He took upon Himself everything that

rightfully belongs to us—sin and death—and in exchange gave to us everything that rightfully

belongs to Him—righteousness, life, and the status as the sons of God.

This is what we celebrate in Advent and at Christmas. We celebrate the coming of our Lord to

save us from sin, death, and hell. We celebrate that God in Christ cared for us in body and soul,

for He came not only to reconcile us to the Father by taking away our sin, but also to redeem us

from death and hell so that we would live with Him in His kingdom, which has no end.

In a sermon on Acts 6 for St. Stephen’s Day, preached on December 26, 1522, Martin Luther said

this: “From this story we learn in the first place how a Christian community should be consti-

tuted. In addition, we have a true pattern of spiritual government that the apostles here provide.

They care for souls, occupy themselves with preaching and prayer, and yet also see to it that the

body is cared for; for they suggest several men who are to distribute the goods, as you have

heard. Thus the Christian rule is concerned for the people in body and soul, so that no one suf-

fers want . . . that all were richly fed and well cared for in both body and soul.”

And this is one reason we give to the church. We give so that people will see the church not just

as a place that cares for souls, that forgives sins, but also a place that cares for the body. For the

church is a place of mercy. It is a place where we inhale God’s mercy and loving kindness

through the Word and the Sacraments for the forgiveness of our sin. And it’s a place where we

exhale the mercy we received there in love and service to our neighbor. The church cares for

both the body and the soul.

The church is not so heavenly minded that it forgets those in need on earth. In fact, it cares for

the needs of this body and life precisely because it is heavenly minded. We seek to do what God

has done for us. The church is so ordered that it does both.

Giving to the church is a responsibility given to those who are the church. This can sometimes be

difficult. But it is also a great joy. For in giving to the church we are giving back to God for His

use for others what He has first given to us. In giving to the church, we participate in God’s work

here in time for all eternity. In giving to the church, we who are heavenly minded do what God

has done for us: dwell with those who live in a fallen world and care for

them in both body and soul. Let us, then, in this most joyous season of the

church year, dwell not on the struggles in giving, but rather on the joy set

before us in caring for body and soul as God in Christ has done for us.

Your Stewardship Committee December, 2014

Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net

Page 14 The Desert Voice December 2014

Robert E. Smith, Pastor

Cell Phone: 760-485-5171

T.J. Berger, Organist

Emily Bonette, Secretary

Church Office Phone: 760-347-3971

Eloise Freeman, Preschool Director

School Phone: 760-347-3838

Www.trinityindio.org

Trinity Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Pacific Southwest District

81-500 Miles Ave

Indio CA 92201-2923

Stamp

Sunday Worship

8:30am & 11am

Sunday School/

Bible Class

10:00am

Holy Communion

8:30am—1st & 3rd Sundays

11am—2nd & 4th Sundays

Www.TrinityIndio.org * Thedesertvoice@verizon.net

CHURCH WORKDAY

A

BIG SUCCESS! WOW! What a great day last

Saturday was for our church. 19 wonderful people turned out to clean and spiffy

up our church for the Advent and Christmas seasons. And what a fantastic job

they did! Beginning on Friday. John Eide, Bruce and Raejean Kuhnau scrubbed

the floors in the north patio, until they were shiny . A big job. Then in the afternoon

Ron and Nancy Ahsmuhs ‘power washed’ the entire front of the church and the

middle patio where we have our Coffee Hour. Another big, wet job!

Then, Saturday morning, starting at 8am the rest of the crew showed up: Jim

Lorimer (head trustee) Noralyn Lorimer, Luke & Marilyn Mohr, Francesca & Webb

Sprague, Roy and Sandy Culley, Denny York, (a brand new member) Elsa Smith

and Wanda Lahn. And of course, our “window specialist, Edwin Meyer! Cleaning

up our huge pile of aluminum cans and plastic bottles was Bill Bonette and mom

Emily Bonette. Also, thanks for the doughnuts, and coffee, Noralyn & Jim. Everyone

was washing, dusting, cleaning blinds and having such good fun; lots of laughs;

Guess what? YOU’RE ALL HIRED! Thank you, thank you for such a great job and

giving up your time for the Lord’s house.