Tidings 02/17/22

A Message from Pastor Amy

When facing changes that I don’t particularly like or am not really ready for, I remind myself that I believe in resurrection. Sometimes things must die for us to make room for God to work anew. When I sat on the Whitewater Middle School PTO board several years ago, this perspective caused an uproar! No one came to the meeting to elect new officers. No one wanted to serve and the rest of us were aging out of the school. “Perhaps it’s time to think about doing this different, letting this model go and allowing something new to be born,” I suggested. The mere suggestion of letting it die was enough to inspire new leadership! (But a particular founding teacher would not speak to me for the rest of the year!) Trusting that death of programs, ideas, structures, even people leads to new life is an act of faith.

Things are going to be different this Lenten season. We must remind ourselves that we believe in the resurrection to new life. God is up to something amazing.

So what is changing? Well, this year we won’t be meeting as an ecumenical community for Mid-Week Lenten Worship on Wednesdays. Instead, we will open our doors to invite any and all people to join us at Trinity for a daytime worship service. (See the schedule below). Our community partners are all in different stages of renewal between new Pastors and transitions. We will continue our collaborations in many areas, and I anticipate returning to shared worship opportunities; it isn’t happening this Lent. I’m really looking forward to our mid-week Lenten worship! You may recall from previous letters, I love trees. I notice them when I walk my dogs. I find solace and restoration in nature. I see the hand of God in their changes. I’m excited, therefore, to be using Tales of Trees as a Lenten Drama series this year.

My friend and colleague, Pastor Jennifer Jelenik, has written five, beautiful, meaningful dramas about different trees found in scripture. Join us on Thursday evenings from March 10 to April 7 for a special mid-week Lenten worship service that looks at and listens to the Tales of Trees. Together we’ll think about the rootedness of our faith; God’s family tree; grafting, growing, and even transplanting. Every Thursday at worship, a special devotional essay on trees written by one of our members will be available for you to pick up. God lead me to invite five specific people to write a devotional essay for all of us. EACH OF THEM SAID YES! Kim Anderson, Pete Nysather, Brad Wilcox, Mike Wessley, and Sue Bradley are in the process of writing a reflection on trees.

Come to worship as early as 6 p.m. on Thursdays for some fellowship crafts and seasonal prayer time in the narthex with me. This is designed for all ages!

Finally, our midweek Lenten Offering is designated for: Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson (HCFA) for regular operating expenses. You can give in any amount! Please consider giving in any amount. Just think:

$2 pays for a day of gas to heat the house (that’s 1 cup of coffee at Dunkin!)
$5 pays for a day of electricity for the house (that’s 1 tall Concrete Mixer!)
$8 pays for a day of utilities (that’s a car wash!)
$15 pays for a day of office expenses (that’s the monthly cost of Netflix Standard Subscription!)
$70 pays for a night out of the cold at a motel (that’s the cost of a lift ticket at Alpine Valley!)

See you this season!

Pastor Amy

March 2 Ash Wednesday worship at 12 noon and 6:30 p.m.
(no worship March 3)

Wednesdays March 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6
Mid Week Lent worship Tale of Trees

Fellowship at 11:30 a.m. in the Narthex
Worship at Noon in the Sanctuary

Thursdays March 10, 17, 24, 31 & April 7
Mid Week Lent worship Tale of Trees

Fellowship at 6 p.m. in the Narthex
Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Holy Week Worship

April 10 PALM SUNDAY – 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.

April 14 MAUNDY THURSDAY – 6:30 p.m.

April 15 GOOD FRIDAY – 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

April 17 EASTER SUNDAY – 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., & 10:45 a.m.

Lenten Book Study: Unclobber

Check your email or mail for a special invitation from Pastor Amy to the Lenten Study.

Unclobber Lenten Book Study – Led by Pastor Amy
Meeting dates Mondays, March 7 – April 4. No class during spring break (March 21).
Weekly on Mondays in person, 11:30 a.m., Trinity OR online at 6:30 p.m.

*You can sign up for a copy of the book even if you’re unable to make the group meetings.

RSVP to Sarah in the Office to Order Books or use the link on the church website. Cost $10.

Q&A and Voting on Pastoral Candidate

Between services on Feb. 27 there will be a meet and greet with Madeline Burbank, the pastoral candidate for the assistant pastor position. This will also be a time for an official vote on the candidate. Your attendance and participation in the vote is greatly appreciated!

Fellowship Event at Fireside Theatre

We have reserved a group of tickets at the Fireside Theatre to see The Church Basement Ladies in “A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement” on May 15, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. Contact the church office to reserve your spot and to ensure you get the group rate ($70.95/ticket). All payments need to be made to Trinity Lutheran Church by the end of April.

Winter Weather Advisory Policy

In the event of a winter weather advisory, our policy is to follow school closures. If Fort Atkinson schools are cancelled that day, then any event at church (i.e. worship, LIFT, confirmation, etc.) is also cancelled. Worship cancellation will also be posted on social media (make sure you’re following us!),as well as broadcast on channel 3000 and WFAW. If an event is cancelled, please also spread the word to those who may not hear otherwise.

New Member Sunday

Sunday is on Feb. 27. There will be a meeting between services on Feb. 20 for those interested in becoming a member of Trinity. RSVP with the office or with Pastor Amy.

STAR is looking for more members!

Just 1 requirement: wanting to work and play with fellow members to do good for our church community, our neighbors in need, and to share God’s Love.

Prayers Requested For . . .

Cortlyn Almquist and Judy Almquist, Terry Badura, Jeremy Barnes, Dan Burke, Keith Burrow, Jamie Dassow, Jean Fico, Janice Garrett, Helen Haase, Curtis Hoeffer, Sarah Jones, Linda Keene, Brandi, Sandy Klinkowitz, Darryl & Ingrid Koch, Pat & Bob Kyle, Keith LaPointe, Barb Manwaring, Sherry McLellon, Ken and Doris, Ashley Montanye, Pam Nicholas, Violet Prust, Aldo Rodriegez, Harold Rumppe, John Sanders, Jeremy Schepp, Ruth Smithback, Olaf Stokstad, Roger Strege, Elna Verniese, Keith Woods, Marilyn Young, Ethel, Dan Zick.

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!