Print/View the October 2019 Trinity Tidings in PDF format
Dear Trinity Lutheran Church,
On the morning of my installation here at Trinity, I arrived early as I prefer to do on Sundays and had my cup of coffee with God in the Sanctuary. We chat, you see, in prayer and song and silence. But this was a particularly important day for me, one I’d not imagined less than three years ago when I first came to Trinity Lutheran as your Associate Pastor. On September 15, I was installed as Lead Pastor and that meant God and I had lots to talk about . . . again.
It’s my habit to pray and listen to God. When I was younger, I only turned to God in times of distress but through my life I’ve trained myself with daily practice to converse with God through prayer and study and listening. Now my life is such that I constantly try to tune into (and re-tune to) God throughout my day.
On this day, I prayed that God would give me strength to lead with authenticity and sincerity; to admit when I need help and confess when I’ve been wrong. I prayed that God would use me to be the person God needs me to be in this world (this is the same prayer I pray over my sleeping children); that God would show me all the ways that together we can serve the community for God’s purpose. I prayed that God would make me wise and bold, brave and humble, compassionate and strong so that I may fulfill this calling to which I’ve been called.
I also prayed that God would bless you today and always so that you may know how much you are loved by the one who created you. I prayed that you would continue to be generous with your time and talent; to band together to serve your neighbors; to welcome others into the church and into your hearts. I prayed that God would fill you with all peace in believing so that you may be gentle yet courageous in a world that longs for it.
I look forward to the ministry God has set before us, for the time in which God will answer these prayers, and for the shape in which these prayers will be answered.
In peace and hope,
Pastor Amy
Sunday School News
Sunday school is off to a wonderful start. A big Thank you! to the 22 volunteers who are the backbone of our programming. Trinity is blessed with a rather large number of students, which requires dedicated volunteers with a heart for spreading God’s Word to children. “God’s Work – Our Hands”
It is never too late to register for Sunday school. The registration link is here.
Important dates:
Sept. 22 – Third grade Bible Sunday. Students in third grade received a Bible during either the 8:15 or 10:45 worship service.
Sept. 29 – Fifth grade students receive acolyte training during the Sunday school hour.
Oct. 6 – Fifth grade students are commissioned into serving as acolytes during either the 8:15 or 10:45 service.
Oct. 20 – Food Pantry collection, the congregation is encouraged to participate.
Nov. 3 – No Sunday school (Fort School’s fall break week-end)
The Sunday school program is seeking a guitar, piano player and/or vocalist who would enjoy helping lead music during the Sunday School Opening sessions from 9:30-9:45 on Sunday mornings. Contact Julie Vurva for more information at 563-4145 ex. 4 or julievtlc@yahoo.com.
Fall Clean up with Property Ministry Team
An indoor fall clean up has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16 beginning at 8:30. We hope to wipe down the Sanctuary, Narthex, Choir Loft and Hearth Room. Many hands will make the cleaning go quickly, and perhaps you will have a chance to get to know someone a bit better as you spend time volunteering on a project.
First Communion Instruction for All Ages
First Communion Instruction for All Ages is offered because age simply cannot define when a person is ready to receive communion. This class requires a parent to attend with their child and is a beginning step in a life-long learning about God’s Holy Supper. Parents know their children best. Does your kiddo have questions about communion? Do they love to pray with you? Ask big questions that leave you stumped? Do you believe your child is ready to engage with God in this Holy meal?
If you have questions, speak with Pastor Amy or Julie Vurva. We welcome the opportunity to think this through with you. Call us to register at (920) 563-4145.
First Communion is celebrated on Nov. 26 at the 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Worship. Followed by Trinity’s Pie Fest, this is a night of abundant celebration!
Special Congregational Meeting
There will be a special meeting between services in the sanctuary on Oct. 6. In the council’s efforts to get a boiler project underway we will need to have a special congregational meeting. The council rightly cannot spend this amount of money without congregational approval. We have two bids and the council will have a recommendation for the congregation at this meeting.
Confirmation Sunday
Join us as 15 young people Affirm their Baptisms during worship on Confirmation Sunday, Oct. 27 at 8:15 & 10:45.
Celebrate at a reception in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30-10:15.
All Saints Day
In worship on Oct. 31 and Nov. 3, we’ll remember all those who’ve died and been buried from Trinity this past year. We’ll light a candle in their honor and remember their place in our lives and hearts. You’re welcome to submit the name of anyone you’d like remembered on that day. Look for the information in the Narthex.
Addresses for Trinity’s College & Tech Students and Service Members
Did your young adult move to school or go into the service? STAR group is looking for the addresses of current Trinity college and tech students and service members for their card ministry. Email the office at officetlc314@gmail.com or fill out an index card in the Narthex. Please include their birthday too. Thank you!
A note from the Treasurer Chris Cluver
Losing Ann Zweifel tragically and unexpectedly last spring left a void for all who knew her. It was the family’s wish to have memorials given to the UPAVIM, the Guatemalan girls scholarship fund. A check was issued for $5,625 this month. God’s Spirit is alive and well. Ann would be so pleased to be remembered with such a fruitful gift.
New Church Directory
We are starting the photo sessions at the end of September for our NEW Directory!!! Please sign up for your photo session at the sign up center outside the Narthex.
You can also email or call Beatrice to schedule (920) 563-4145 No purchase necessary!!
Mitten & Hat Drive
STAR is again collecting your gently used/new/hand crafted mittens and hats. Please bring them freshly laundered (or tags still on) to Trinity beginning Oct. 6 until Nov. 3. These will keep the hands and heads of our local kids warm!
Thank you.
LIFT schedule for October
Oct. 16 – 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 – 6:30 p.m.
UPLIFT Oct. 23 – 6:30 p.m.
Pastor Amy’s schedule
Pastor Amy will be out of the office Oct. 6-8 for the 2019 Bishop’s Convocation.
Worship Volunteer Schedule
As of November we are going to do a sign up sheet for the Worship volunteer schedule. Everyone is welcome to sign up.
There will be two ways to sign up, either on line through Sign Up Genius at this link or at the sign up center outside of the Narthex.
Please contact Beatrice in church office if you have any questions. (920) 563-4145.
Please note there is also a Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 26 at 7:00 p.m.
School Kits
Thank you to everyone who contributed school kits or school kit supplies. We sent 168 school kits to Lutheran World Relief. We also were to send eight boxes of soap.
Thank you again for your generosity,
Ruth Circle
Prayers requested for . . .
Marsha Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Jean Baughman, Vern Borchardt, Andrew Campbell, Norma Dibbert, Linda Doerr, Isaiah Gravelle, Betty Greve, Kim Hannan, Renee Jensen, Bob Kyle, Jeff Kaufman, Dan Morrow, Diane Reuhl, Jeremy Schepp, Ruth Smithback, Mary Thiel, Tyler Waters, Karen Weber, Donna Weeks, Lori Williams, Donald Zuehlke and those we name silently in our hearts.
Time and Talent Sheets
Time and Talent sheets are now available for your use to volunteer in many ways to serve your church home. You can request a Time and Talent form in the church office, or click this link to download a form in PDF format.
We are especially in need of all volunteers for Sunday 10:45 services.
We are also in need of more Communion Assistants and Ushers at Sunday 8:15 services.
Please contact Beatrice in church office if you have any questions (920) 563-4145.
Interim Bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin named
The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Council is pleased to announce that they have affirmed the appointment by Presiding Bishop Eaton of Peter Rogness as the Interim Bishop. Bishop Rogness will begin on Sept. 26 and will serve until July 31, 2020.
Rogness is a graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Upon graduation, he served two Milwaukee parishes, the longest being 10 years at Hephatha Lutheran Church. In 1985, he was elected bishop of the Southern Wisconsin District of the former American Lutheran Church, with offices in Madison. With the advent of the ELCA in 1988, he served as bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod for the maximum three terms, until 2002. That year he was elected bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod, where he served until his retirement in 2014.
Since that time, he has served two interim positions in international English-speaking congregations related to the ELCA, first in Oslo, Norway, and most recently in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Peter and his wife Gerry have four adult children and four grandchildren. They reside in St. Paul, when they’re not at their lake cabin in northern Minnesota.
“I look forward to being a part of the life of this synod for the next 10 months. I don’t feel entirely a stranger, since I served this territory now over 30 years ago and served your neighboring synod for 14 years. But much has changed, and I’ve appreciated the conversations I’ve already had as we’ve talked about how my role here can help lay a good foundation for the next chapter in the life of this synod. I will meet many of you at the Bishop’s Convocation in October and will also seek to be in the conferences of this synod for further conversations. I am both hopeful and confident that these next months will bring good movement of the Spirit in our midst. Thank you for the invitation to serve.”
CONNECT:
Bishop Rogness can be reached at the synod office starting the first week in October. His email address is: peterr@scsw-elca.org and the synod office phone number is (608) 270-0201.
Please hold Bishop Rogness and the synod staff in your prayers during this time of transition.
Subscribe to the synod newsletter by emailing Deacon Vicki at vickih@scsw-elca.org. You’ll be added to the weekly email that shares events in our South Central Synod of Wisconsin and the whole ELCA. Anyone can subscribe!
2nd Lessons – Adult Sunday School with Pastor Amy
Very rarely does the 2nd lesson for a given Sunday get much attention in a sermon. But these lessons are chosen for a reason and written to early Christians. Come and study them with Pastor Amy. Learn what they addressed in their original context and hear what they have to say to us today.
Who: Everyone (9th grade to 99!) is welcome to attend this class.
When: Thursdays from 6:15-6:45 ~or~ Sundays from 9:45-10:15
*the same content is covered in both classes*
Where: Large Group Classroom (upstairs across from kitchenette)
Details: No previous Bible study experience is necessary.
Attend one; attend them all!
Bring a Bible or use one provided here.
Adult Education Schedule
Thursdays from 6:15-6:45 p.m.
Sundays from 9:45-10:15 a.m.
Oct. 3 & 6: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Oct. 10 & 13: Pastor Dan Dibbert
Oct. 17 & 20: 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5
Oct. 24 & 27: No class
Oct. 31 & Nov. 3: No class
Nov. 7 & Nov. 10: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Nov. 14 & 17: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Nov. 21 & 24: Colossians 1:11-20
Nov. 28 & Dec. 1: No class
Dec. 5 & 8: Romans 15:4-13
Dec. 12 & 15: No class
Dec. 19 & 22: No class
Dec. 26 & 29: No class
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