The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’" - Luke 3:22
Isn’t this what we all want to hear from the people who gave us life? We want that approval, we crave knowing that we are fully known and fully loved. Not because of our accomplishments, or our earnings, or our relationships, or how many likes we get on an instagram post, but because we are God’s beloved.
In a world that constantly tells us that we are not enough, or that we don’t have enough, or that we have to strive to prove ourselves, the reality that God calls Jesus, and by extension us, beloved speaks volumes. It is simply being loved by God, fully and completely. There is nothing we can do to deserEve this love more, and there is nothing we can do to deserve this love less. We are loved just as we are.
As we come to understand this love more fully we are able to take larger strides in how we respond to this relationship of being the Beloved of God. We find ourselves living more fully into gratitude, and service, in joyfully praising God. One might say that we live more fully into Embodying True Love and Compassion for All God’s creation.
In knowing we are God’s beloved we find ourselves free from the pressure to perform. We can therefore live with the gratitude and joy that this freedom brings.
How are you living out of that joy?
Peace, Pastor Erin
Welcome to Our Newest TLC Members! Let's give a warm welcome to our newest TLC members: Diane Wallis, Elena Pomposo, Heidi Gose, Marie Pefley, Murray Bromley, Connor Walsh, and Kerry McCarthy, who officially joined TLC last Sunday!
Start the New Year with Recurring Giving As we begin 2025, we invite you to consider setting up a recurring gift to support TLC! Recurring giving offers steady support for our mission and comes with great benefits:
Convenience: Set it up once, and your giving is taken care of for the year.
Flexibility: Spread the financial impact of your gift across the entire year with manageable monthly payments.
To set up or update your recurring gift for 2025, visit www.tlcventura.org/give. If you give through Simply Giving and need to make changes, please contact Anna at abcwagner12@gmail.com.
TLC Preschool Priority Registration Fall registration is coming up soon! We are excited to welcome back returning children of TLC Preschool and Trinity Lutheran Church members.
Registration Schedule: Monday, February 3, 2025: Registration opens for returning children of TLC Preschool and Trinity Lutheran Church members. Tuesday, February 18, 2025: Remaining spaces will be open for registration to the community.
How to Register: To register your child, please send an email to tlcpreschool196@gmail.com with the following information: Child's name, Date of birth, Phone number Number of days per week your child will attend (2, 3, or 5 days)
We look forward to hearing from you!
Mark Your Calendar: Special Sunday on January 26
Single Worship Service: On January 26, we will have only one worship service at 10:00am. Congregational Meeting: Immediately after the service, we will hold a congregational meeting to approve the 2025 spending plan. No Godly Play: Please note that there will be no Godly Play on this date. Childcare: Childcare will be available in the Garden Room during the congregational meeting. Pastor Bruce's Retirement Reception: Following the meeting, join us in the Coffee Shop for a special reception celebrating Pr. Bruce's retirement.
We look forward to seeing you on this meaningful day!
Get Ready for Super Bowl Sunday Join us for a viewing party in the Fellowship Hall on February 9 at 3:00pm. Gather with friends for an afternoon of fun, food, and football! Watch the big game on a 15-foot screen with our new sound system and projector, generously funded by a Thrivent Action Plan and an anonymous donor. Bring an appetizer to share (in a disposable dish) and your own drink.
Sign up at the Welcome Desk, and for any questions, contact John Crowley or Jim Aguirre. The game will be shown on a 15' screen with a new sound system and projector, made possible by a generous donation from Thrivent Action Plan and an anonymous donor.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the friends and families for the recent passing of Edele Lorraine Johnstone
January Blood Pressure Check Schedule
January 19 - 10:00am and Noon in the Prayer Room
Blood pressure checks are available the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the prayer room between services. Our faith community nurse, Karen Jensen, RN, PhD, will be on hand.
Project Understanding is in need of canned and packaged goods, and hotel-size shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, disposable razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste for making hygiene kits.
City Center is in need of any type of cleaning supplies and size 6 diapers.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please place items in the baskets located in the gathering space.
January 16 - Dara Martinson, Benjamin Zeko January 17 - Rebecca Iverson, Melissa White January 19 - Amanda Bergevin, Kari Jensen, Deanna Kemble, Sandra Nolan January 21 - Parker Powers, Bailey Simpson
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
For Healing and Comfort: April Pike Marie Amore Mike Diaz
'25 Goal based on 2.5%+ over '24 actuals - $548,020.88/52 weeks. '25 YTD Challenge Goal based on 50% over 5 Years (8.5%) - $646,641.45/52 weeks. We are in Year 5
Attendance Week 1, 2025: Individuals in Person - 153 Estimated Individuals Online - 0
Attendance Week 1, 2024: Individuals in Person - 145 Estimated Individuals Online - 53
