10/16/22 Tidings

A Message from Pastor Amy

During our first meeting of A Cup of TLC, Pearl Luebke shared that every morning she sits at the side of her bed and says:

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
thy great salvation so rich and free.

“One morning this refrain popped into my head,” Pearl said. That was over 20 years ago! Our musician that day, Wayne Deloach, knew the song and played a little on his guitar, much to Pearl’s delight.

We’d already worshiped, shared a meal, and visited. People got to know each other. We laughed and shared common experiences. A feeling of connection and friendship grew. That’s when Pearl decided to share her morning prayer with us. This is the blessing of being a living community of Christ! We get to know, trust, and care for one another. Good things grow within and among us and it begins in our worship life.

Our central unifying activity as Trinity Lutheran Church is worshiping the Lord. Everything else we do radiates from this point. The Little Free Pantry gets generously filled because the God we worship is full of abundance. The Hiking Fellowship Group exists to marvel in God’s creation together. LIFT gathers because our loving God loves all ages of people, and we want our youth to know you never age out of God’s love. Even the administrative acts of Church Council happen because we worship a God who calls us together (and there’s a lot of ‘us’ to organize).

Worship is the central action of God’s people. For me, personally, it is a time when I’m away from everything else. My phone is gone, and the world can wait. I’m in the presence of God. Worship is an appointment I keep, yes, as your Pastor, but also as person because worship is good for me. I work diligently in preparation to lead worship so that I can open my heart to the presence of God in worship with you.

In worship, I’m moved by the various voices lifting people up in prayer. In worship, I’m touched, almost tearful, when children hold big Bibles while praying, their arms holding God’s word to their hearts as their hands clasp in front of them. In worship, my body is busy with the standing, sitting, shaking hands during the peace, and walking at communion time. What I witness and experience in worship, connects and inspires me.

Worship is good for all of us, especially when we make it part of our regular practice. We get to know each other, have a cup of coffee after, and learn new things that amaze us. Pearl’s practice/habit/routine of a brief morning prayer anchors each of her days. Worship anchors the life of the community God calls us to be. In worship, good things grow within and among us.

See you soon,

Pastor Amy

Please Note: Pastor Amy & Pastor Madeline will be away from the office attending the Bishop’s Convocation Meeting from Oct. 16 – Oct. 18.

Last call. Advent Devotions.

Prepare your heart for the gift of Jesus by following daily readings in The Way of Love Bible Challenge. We’ll meet over lunch on Mondays for discussion. Sign up now for your copy of the devotion book by emailing office@trinityfort.org. Cost is $13 and, as always, the church will help with cost if needed. Registration closes Oct. 19.

Meeting Dates: Nov. 7, 14, 21 and Dec. 5 and 12.
Meeting Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Meeting Location: Large Group Classroom

Bring your lunch! Bring a friend! Let’s grow in the love of God!

Sunday School

The 4K-6th grade students received a new bible during worship last week, on Bible Sunday. Please encourage your youth to reference and rely on God’s word throughout their daily lives.

The fifth graders completed their Acolyte Training and are ready to perform acolyte duties . Join us during worship, Sunday, October 16; together we will bless the new acolytes and charge them in their responsibilities.

A Cup of TLC provides you with a midday opportunity to participate in worship at Trinity along with a chance to visit while enjoying a healthy lunch. Pastor Amy, Pastor Madeline, Kitty and Julie will take turns leading. All located in the Hearth Room and Kitchenette, which means no steps to navigate and minimal walking required. Cab Vouchers are available. Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Join us Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. This is designed for those who would enjoy a smaller service or have mobility issues. RSVP and questions to Kitty or Julie at (920) 563-4145.

Hello Hikers

Our next hike on Saturday, Nov. 5 starting at 9 a.m. The Green Loop, about 5 miles, of Scuppernong Trails. 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 heads have portable water and toilets.

As always, bring water, snacks, hiking poles/stick, bug spray, hat, etc. We’ll go out for lunch afterwards for those who have extra time and are comfortable with this.

Any questions, contact: Aurelio at 262-490-4923 or callopeand86@gmail.com
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wisconsin/scuppemong-loop

UPAVIM Thank You

As of October 9, we have collected $755 in the Quarters Can Make A Difference jar. Envelopes and Tithe.ly donations came to $950, for a grand total of $1,705! While it didn’t quite match last year’s total, it way exceeded our pledge to the Guatemalan women’s cooperative of $1,000 for scholarships. That will allow more than 20 children from the poor area attend classes. They and their families can now use the tutoring program and library, as well. These children will get a nourishing meal each day and be safely off the sometimes violent streets, able to learn and play at recess in a safe environment.

The UPAVIM Community Development Foundation and the families in La Esperanza thank you. You really do make a big difference in many lives!

While the quarter jar is retired for the winter, you can joyfully thank God and share your blessings year round by putting spare change in a clean can, jar or box until next May. Then we’ll have a head start for next year’s fund.

Upavim Craft Sale before/after Worship 11/22 & 12/4

The STAR group is once again seeking to help the elementary school children in Fort Atkinson keep warm this winter. We talked with all four public schools and learned they could use waterproof mittens and gloves for when the kids go out to recess.

In addition, one school could use boots, coats and snow pants because some students arrive without such winter gear.

This year, they also asked for items they could share with kids that get wet on the way to school or at recess:

Underwear for boys and girls, sizes 4 through 14
Socks in children’s sizes
Black or navy sweatpants in various children’s sizes

Our Winter Warmth drive begins now and runs through Nov. 13. STAR members will sort all items received and get them to the schools right after Thanksgiving.

If you don’t care to shop for these items but want to help, you can place monetary donations (make out checks to Trinity with “Winter Warmth” written on the For line) in an envelope. Special envelopes will be available at the usher table. Just drop in the offering plate, at the church office or in the mail. STAR members will shop for you. Items donated may be gently used.

Thanks in advance. We know you’ll be generous in sharing God’s loving warmth.

New Time for STAR

STAR will be meeting next at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21. Typically STAR has met on the second Monday of each month. We’re moving to a new DATE, the third Monday of each month. Please join us! STAR needs new members. No specific talent needed. Just caring and sharing for our church community and local areas. Come join with us for 2 hours of using our hearts, hands and souls to spread God’s word.

Food Pantry November Needs

Once again members of Trinity will be serving as food distribution representatives for the month of November at our local food pantry. We invite you to come join us in one of Trinity’s most gratifying community outreach programs. The need is great!

New volunteers are paired with Trinity volunteers who have served in the past. Training is simple, the work is light and the camaraderie is a blessing. We distribute food on Mondays and Thursdays each week. Shifts run from 2:45 to 5:30 p.m. Volunteer for just one shift or more if your schedule allows. Contact Gary Thom if you’d like to be included on the November schedule. Phone 920-563-3555 or email to garybthom@gmail.com.

But what can you do if your schedule just doesn’t allow you the time to help? Donate! Because of the increase in the number of families using the pantry and because of a lack of availability caused by the current supply chain shortages we are in need of certain items. These items are things we can not currently get from our sources so we find ourselves needing to buy them locally at normal retail price. Please consider a donation of pancake mix, syrup, pasta (any kind), chicken soup or Hamburger Helper. These are items placed in all family baskets as basic staple items.

And let’s not forget plastic bags! We can always use more plastic bags for distribution days.

Donated food items and bags can be left on the shelves at the end of the hallway by the parking lot.

Thank you for considering volunteering with us in November and for the food donations. The Fort Atkinson Food Pantry continues to show me, on a daily basis, just how blessed we are to live in this wonderful community.

Nitardy Funeral Homes Program

For most, the holidays are a time for festivities and joyous family gatherings. After the loss of a loved one, the approaching season may leave you and your family members feeling sad and lonely. The celebrations to come won’t be the same without the presence of that special person.

The staff at Nitardy Funeral Homes understands this pain and sense of loss at this time of year and we would like to ease the burden. In order to help transition with this difficult time, we invite all families to join us at a supportive gathering. We will present a program that will give helpful suggestions for managing one’s grief during the holidays. The program will be available in-person and virtually. Following the program, refreshments will be served.

Our speaker will be Pastor Scott Marrese-Wheeler and he will present on the topic of discussion “Experiencing the Holidays After a Loss.” Time will be available after the presentation to meet Pastor Scott to discuss any specific concerns you may have.

The program will be held Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson, 1008 Madison Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538.

Guests may attend virtually at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6847019571 the day of service. If you plan to attend, it would be helpful if you call (920) 563-5898 or email nitardy@nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Volunteers Needed

St. Vincent De Paul can use volunteers of all kinds — whether you have just a few hours here and there or would like to volunteer on a regular basis, your help is appreciated.

We are located at 1525 Summit Drive, Fort Atkinson. Please consider sharing your time and talents to support those in need within our community. Contact Bill Roberts at 920-563-5343. We thank you!

Special Worship Dates

OCTOBER

RITE OF CONFIRMATION
Sunday, October 23

REFORMATION SUNDAY
Wear the color RED!
Sunday, October 30

NOVEMBER

ALL SAINTS DAY
Sunday, November 6

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP & PIE FEST
Tuesday, November 22, 6:30 p.m.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
“Hanging of the Greens”
Sunday, November 27, after worship

DECEMBER

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, December 18, during worship

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Saturday, December 24
Three service options:
4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Neighbors

Watch for the Christmas Neighbors tree coming soon. Pick a tag, bring the item to Trinity (Kitty’s Office) and the youth group will wrap and deliver before Christmas.