Print/view the 11/24/20 Tidings in PDF
A Message from Pastor Dan
Dear Trinity,
I am writing to inform you that I will be ending my position as your visitation pastor the end of December 2020. My last Sunday preaching will be Dec. 13.
My wife will be retiring in January and we are both looking forward to beginning our retirement years together. Our plans are to spend more time with our grandchildren and do some traveling. We are hoping the current pandemic does not drastically alter those plans!
I have enjoyed working with Pastor Amy. In my many years of ministry I have found her to be one of my most favored and appreciated colleagues. I have also enjoyed my ministry with you! Trinity is a great congregation and I believe that you will emerge from these trying times a vibrant and strong
congregation. You are very supportive of one another and have a meaningful presence in the community.
I have told Pastor Amy that I will continue to make myself available to for preaching assistance when my schedule allows.
Thank you for your support and giving me an opportunity to be a part of your lives and the ministry of Trinity. God’s blessings on you all!
Peace,
Pastor Dan
Pastor Dan will be at Drive-Thru Communion on Dec.13 if you would like to send him off with well-wishes.
A Message from Pastor Amy
Dear Friends in Christ,
Even after adjusting our expectations, this year hasn’t been what we wanted. Now I need to share with you that we will not meet in person for Christmas Eve worship this year. It isn’t what I or the council want, but we know it is the right, although difficult, decision.
Our community and nation needs us to live out our Christian calling to love our neighbors as ourselves. Hospitals that care for the sickest people, where you or I would get transferred to, are overwhelmed and many are out of beds. Our own Fort Hospital put out a notice, featuring staff in full PPE to care for a patient, in which they asked the community to wear masks, social distance, and stop the spread. As the Pastor and as leaders on the Council, we believe that not meeting in person remains the best way we can stop the spread. By doing this we will save lives and respect frontline workers, many of whom are members here.
In my time at Trinity, you’ve always been a supporter of community projects. You’ve donated time, talent, and treasure to community needs. You welcome people warmly and tell people proudly where you worship. Now this church is choosing to back the community by foregoing something we treasure.
I’m proud of you for your sacrifice and for your continued commitment to this church. Thank you for your continued financial offerings, for coming to Drive Thru Communion, for reaching out to me and one another. Thank you for being the church even now. We will surely overcome this and when we do, we will rejoice together.
In the hope of Christ,
Pastor Amy
Christmas Eve Schedule
- Drive Thru Communion 4 p.m.
- Virtual Worship Premiere 5 p.m.
- Drive Thru Communion 6 p.m.
*You will be given a candle and copy of Silent Night at Drive Thru Communion to carry our Trinity tradition into your homes.
Pastoral Acts in November
Pastor Amy presided a funeral for Larry Schumacher on No.21, 2020.
November Sunday School
The Sunday school lessons for November 2020 feature Psalm 136:1-9 and Psalm 150:3-6. The theme for the month is “Giving Thanks and Praise to God.” Here is a sampling of each of these Psalms:
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6
Our personal celebrations of Thanksgiving may be different this year. Our routines are different. In the midst of this, let us encourage each other to remember God’s steadfast love lasts forever. If you have any questions about Sunday school, contact Julie Vurva at julievtlc@yahoo.com.
Christmas Recital
Help spread Christmas joy by showcasing the talents you have been blessed with! Send us a video of you or a group singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or even performing a dramatic reading. If you cannot record your performance on your own, then don’t worry, we can record for you! Please let Sarah know you need assistance. The recital will premiere online on Dec. 20.
Please follow these guidelines:
- All entries must be sent in by Dec. 10 to be included in the recital
- All performances should be less than 5 minutes
- Sign up online or over the phone with your act
- You must provide your own festive music/accompaniment
- Please keep in mind that this recital will be posted online
Sign up using the link below, or by calling the church at 920-563-4145 during regular office hours. https://trinityfort.elvanto.net/form/5d809f34-09f3-4750-b401-0dd00bc14e81
Our Hope and Expectation will be available during Drive Thru Communion while supplies last. You may also come pick one up M-Th, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This devotional provides daily devotions for the first Sunday of Advent (Nov. 29, 2020) through Epiphany (Jan. 6. 2021). Each devotion includes a scripture reading, photo, a reflection and a prayer. The devotional also offers additional prayers and blessings to be used throughout the season of Advent.
Christmas Neighbors
Just like every year, Trinity will be sponsoring 13 families for Christmas. It will look a little different this year, but our hearts will still be in the same place.
To find your tags this year, we have a few options:
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- There will be a sign up genius with some tags posted on our website
- There will be a traditional tree with tags on it just inside the east side doors
- You can email Kitty or Sarah and ask for information on tags
- You can donate money and we’ll do the shopping for you
- Kitty will be available to help you with tags during Drive Thru Communion
Please return your unwrapped gifts to church by Thursday, Dec. 17. They can be returned any day during office hours or during any Drive Thru Communion.
STAR Mittens and Hats
Thank you so much for your generous donations to our cold weather gear drive. We collected 203 items to help people stay warm this winter. Your gifts show the warmth of God’s love.
Sale of the Adams Street Property
The sale of the Adams Street Property is final! On Nov. 20 all paperwork was signed. Pastor Amy met the buyer, Richard, who plans to rehab the home for a rental or an adult group home for those with disabilities. After all was said and done, the church received $131,037.60. The council voted to add the money to our Money Market account so that it can earn interest while we decide what to do with it. The property committee previously brought up the need for new windows and doors. We’ve also had concern about our outdoor lighting. These are just some ideas. Thank you to Sharon Stade for all the showings, getting the zoning changed to residential with the city, and all the other ways you represented us.
Thank You!
Darryl Koch for taking care of the leaves in the church yard!- Russ Nord for creating a beautiful, matching piece of furniture to hold some technology for the projectors. (see picture)
- To everyone who came to our Take Home Tailgate! We served 112 dinners!
- Ron Capek for his generous donation which covered more than half of the cost of the technology upgrades in the sanctuary
UPAVIM
You do make a difference!
Keeping young minds in school is not only important for them as individuals, but it’s an important investment into the future of their families and their community. This is especially true in La Esperanza, Guatemala. Most students there stop their schooling at the end of 6th grade. UPAVIM wants to change that, and your help is still needed.
UPAVIM’s scholarship program provides hundreds of children with the life-changing power of education each year. It’s entirely funded by donations. Just $63 provides one primary or junior high student with the supplies he/she needs to stay in school, materials for a tutoring center and a portion of the center’s coordinator.
COVID-19 has caused additional financial challenges around the world. Scholarships are so vital! That’s why we’ve been collecting quarters and more for the past few years. As of the end of October, we’ve gathered about $650. Well done! But to help as much as possible, we’re collecting through December. Please continue to bring your donations to Drive-Thru Communion.
Thank you!
Little Free Pantry Update
The Little Pantry is being checked and stocked daily by our generous volunteers. Just a reminder that there is a box of food items in church marked for the Little Pantry that can be used to stock it. Also, we know that other concerned church members put food in the pantry from time to time.
Please only stock dry items with freezing overnight temperatures upon us.
Cards for Joanne
Joanne Nordeen recently tested positive for COVID-19, and will be in quarantine for quite a while. Her family is asking for those willing to send cards of encouragement to Joanne to help keep her spirits up during this trying time. If you are interested, you may send a card to Joanne directly:
Joanne Nordeen, c/o Fairhaven
435 W. Starin Rd,
Whitewater, WI 53190
Prayers Requested For . . .
Judy Almquist, Marsha Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Wayne Behselich, Linda Doerr, Chris Griffin, Bob Kyle, Phyllis Lang, Barb Manwaring, Dan Morrow, Pam Nicholas, Joanne Nordeen, Debbie Pierce, Tom Pomraning, Violet Prust, Paul Reed, Shelley Scheurm, Ruth Smithback, Roger Strege, Donna Weeks, 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!
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