03/04/21 Tidings

A Message from Pastor Amy

Dear Trinity,

I’ve been thinking about communion a lot lately.

This sacrament is made up of bread and wine + the command from Jesus. “Take and eat,” He says as he offers the bread that is his body. “Take and drink,” the cup that is His blood. A command from God + a physical element = a sacrament. Communion and Baptism are the only sacraments in the Lutheran Church.

We can’t fully understand how the bread becomes Jesus’ body and the wine His blood . . . let alone how they remain wine and bread. It is the power of God to make such things happen. Our job is to receive and believe.

I’ve served congregations that celebrate communion in their own unique ways. From pouring chalices to loaves of bread to common cups to wafers, it is all the Lord’s supper made true by the power of God. It is our job to receive and believe.

When people receive communion, sometimes they utter, ‘Amen’ or ‘thank you.’ Sometimes they’re silent. Some people cross themselves. Some bow their heads. Sometimes they keep their eyes closed. In every response, the power of God is at work. It is our job to receive and believe.

In the past year, you’ve received communion in the most foreign of places: your vehicle. But the Spirit has opened my eyes to the sacredness of this meal on the move – literally! Coming to communion and driving off into the world fed by the body and blood of the Lamb feels right! It is right because in the sacrament (command + element) is the power of God to transform people and places, including cars. It’s right because God constantly shows up in the messy parts of our lives. (Although your vehicles are very clean, but just go with the metaphor.) It’s right because the power of God makes ordinary things extraordinary. It’s our job to receive and believe . . .

Even when it’s hard to believe the situation we’re in and the accommodations we’ve made. Even when we, like Luther, confess that “by my own power and understanding I cannot believe” but the work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to faith. In all of it, God’s power is present making this meal – in every form – sacred.

Pastor Amy

Hiking/Snowshoe/Fellowship Event

Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., meet at the Scuppernong Trails parking lot on County Highway ZZ just east of Highway 67 north of the Village of Eagle, www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/wisconsin/scuppernong-nature-trail?ref=sidebarview-full-map

It will take about 30 minutes to drive to the trail head parking lot.

This is a fee area, so you’ll need a yearly Wisconsin state parks pass for your vehicle ($28) or you will have to purchase a day pass ($8) for your vehicle. The trail head has potable water and toilets. Bring face mask for using toilets.

Bring a water bottle, trekking poles or walking stick if you have/want them, snacks in case you need an energy pickup, winter cap, hat and/or sunglasses. Hiking boots are recommended. Feel free to try snowshoes if you have some. Dress in layers, wool or synthetic materials that wick away perspiration for underneath your jacket. Cotton is not recommended.

The Scuppernong Nature Trail (Green/Orange/Red Trail) is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a river, rolling characteristic through hardwood forest and pine plantations, and kettle moraine terrain within the South Kettle Moraine State Forest. It is marked as a Moderate trail with elevation changes. www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wisconsin/scuppernong-nature-trail

Any questions, please contact Aurelio at callopeAnD86@gmail.com or 262-490-4923.

Guest Preachers

Rich Vurva will be filling in as guest preacher on March 14 while Pastor Amy is on vacation. Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe will be a guest preacher on March 21. Pastor Amy will be back in the office.

Call Committee

We’re excited! We’re forming a Call Committee! At our February meeting, the Council approved the forming of a Call Committee to seek a half time, ordained person. Just as Kitty focuses on Youth and Family Ministry, our hope is that this new person would focus on Children and Family Ministry along with regular preaching and Pastoral Care. The other half of the call will be extended from the Synod for Campus Ministry at UWW. Under advice from the Bishop, we are forming a joint Call Committee to design one call that will serve both places. Please keep this process in prayer – especially for the person who may come to join us!

Amount collected:

112 cans of pork ‘n beans
136 cans of carrots

2020 Good Samaritan Report

Category	# of Households	Amount	Total
Rent	29	$250.00	$7,250
	1	$81.97	$81.97
	1	$920	$920 (help for member approved by council
Auto	2	$250	$500
Utilities	1	$132.66	$132.66
Funeral	1	$250	$250
Gift	1	$1,000	$1,000 Gift from anonymous members for a specific family in need
			$10,134.63*
Final total			$9,884.63

*NOTE: a check for $250 was voided

National Lutheran Choir – Hope Lives

Winter Virtual Program
Sunday, March 14 at 4 p.m.

Online at NLCA.com

A free program blending songs, images, hymns and poetry featuring guest artists: The Keith Hampton Singers and Friends

Volunteers Needed: In- Person Worship

We are in need of volunteers willing to serve on Sundays for in-person services. We need a few more volunteers to be ushers and assisting ministers. If interested in serving, contact Sarah in the office.

Special Congregational Meeting: March 7

We will be having a special congregational meeting on Sunday, March 7 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. The only item on the agenda will be the approval of the 2021 budget. Updated financial reports will be available soon. Please contact Sarah in the office to sign up and receive the Zoom link.

Prayers Requested For . . .

Sandy Anderson, Terry Badura, Wayne Behselich, Jay Blom, Maggie Dostalek, Roger Draeger, Bobby Frandson, Paul, Alice Jacobson, Meg Kessler, Rich Kessler, Bob Kyle, Phyllis Lang, Barb Manwaring, Dan Morrow, Debbie Pierce, Violet Prust, Paul Reed, Harold Rumppe, Shelley Scheurm, Ruth Smithback, Roger Strege, Kathryn Woods, Donald Zuehlke

Do you have a prayer concern? Email the prayer force at prayerforcetlc@gmail.com. People will gladly pray for you or your loved one with their whole hearts.