Tidings 10/28/21

A Message from Pastor Amy

I’m healing.

If you have yet to hear my tale of woe, this is the abridged version: since Aug. 31 I’ve had three rounds of oral surgery and a month of antibiotics.

More specifically, I’ve had a bridge in my mouth for 27 years because I was missing an adult molar. Now that I’m an adult, it’s time to move on to a dental implant. That was oral surgery No. 1 – to remove a tooth and put in a bone graft.

Except I didn’t heal. Even after the round of preventative antibiotics they gave me, I had an infection in the site. Enter oral surgery No. 2. Of all the possible scenarios that ran through my head, I never once imagined the dentist would say, “We’re gonna have to take that (graft) out.” And away we went. Numbed up, removed, and sent home with more antibiotics.

But the dentist decided to leave part of the graft in because it “looked good.” My body, however, disagreed. Enter oral surgery No. 3 and antibiotic No. 3.

That was about the time I started telling everyone what was happening with me. I was exhausted, worried, and I knew I needed prayer. I asked the council to pray. I asked people on social media to pray. I shared this with Thursday night and online worship and asked for prayer.

Usually, I don’t share when I get my teeth cleaned or a filling because I take for granted how easy it will be. Plus, do we really want to talk about my oral hygiene? Doubtful. But by the end of September, I was in a stressful spot!

I didn’t mean to wait so long to ask for prayers. It all just happened before I even knew how serious it was. I know I need prayer. I know prayer makes a difference. I know that you will pray for me if I ask and I’m not too proud to ask.

I hope you’re not either. If you ever want to pray with me, please let me know. If you’re at the hospital for any reason, I will only know if you ask them or a family member to call the church. If you’re struggling emotionally, mentally, spiritually, I will only know if you reach out to me.

Every day, I pray for Trinity Lutheran Church. And it is a great privilege to pray for you individually. I will do so faithfully, just as you do for me. Please let me know, especially when things go haywire and you’re at the oral surgeon every week for rechecks!

Prayer is a great gift, an equalizer, a blessing. Let’s keep each other in prayer and reach out to each other with specific needs when they arise.

I’m on the mend now. Thank you for your prayers.

Pastor Amy

Pastoral Acts for October

Funerals: Danny Rees, Raymond Schultz, Gary Mattheisen, Lisa Jacobson
Baptisms: Harper Droster, Elizabeth Schoenherr
Good Samaritan Fund Distribution: $537.92, 1 rent payment, 2 utility payments

Thrivent Action Team Grants

Are you a Thrivent Member? Did you know that you can receive $250 grants for projects in the church? Learn more at www.thrivent.com/what-we-offer/generosity/thrivent-action-teams

“Supporting your community is easy with Thrivent Action Teams. Apply to lead a group in a fundraiser, educational event or service activity. Then, gather a team of volunteers to make an impact together. Thrivent provides a customized kit of resources to get you started. Your team provides the passion to bring it to life.”

First Communion Class

If you feel your child is ready for their first communion, bring them to the first communion class on Nov. 21 at noon! There will be lunch, followed by a class to prepare for the first communion. Parents and children are both to attend the class. All ages welcome, readiness at parent discretion.

Fellowship 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 if you are interested in reserving a spot! More information to follow as we get closer to the date.

STAR Hat and Mitten Drive

Warm Your Hearts by Keeping Others’ Hands and Heads Warm

Once again the STAR group is sponsoring a hat and mitten drive. All the Fort elementary schools are welcoming mittens and gloves to share with their students. Waterproof mittens are preferred by the kids. Some of the schools also want winter hats, and those can be handmade or purchased (scarves are considered a choking hazard, so they are not requested). Ear muffs and wide head bands are also OK.

All donations of hats, mittens and gloves will be shared. If they don’t seem to meet the schools requirements or children’s size, we will give then to the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry for distribution.

The donation boxes will be out beginning Oct. 31, and the drive will conclude at the Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 23.

Thank you for helping to keep our community warm through the winter.

Hiking Event

Hello Hikers! Here is the next Hiking/Fellowship event. Please note that the start time is different than our usual.

Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Devil’s Lake State Park south of Baraboo. Park at North Shore (see map). Pack a picnic lunch or we can organize to grill and picnic there as we get closer to this date and know how many people will be participating. We’ll hike about 5 miles around Devil’s Lake. Hope to see you there! Any questions, please contact Aurelio at callopeand86@gmail.com or 262-490-4923.

Little Free Pantry

There is an opening for stocking the Little Pantry on Mondays. If anyone would like to help out every Monday, the 1st and 3rd or the 2nd and 4th, please contact: Becky Tuttle (bjtuttle@charter.net) or Polly Schull (pollya@charter.net).

Reaching Out Respite

Volunteers needed! Training provided. Call Maise at (920) 723-7288 if interested. Respite meets on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (a.m./p.m. shifts available).

Prayers Requested For . . .

Terry Badura, Robert Bue, Don Clark, Jamie Dassow, Janice Garrett, Helen Haase, Cade Hein, Sara Jones, Linda Keene, Ron Kemmerling, Bob Kyle, Phyllis Lange, Barb Manwaring, Ken and Doris, Pam Nicholas, Violet Prust, Harold Rumppe, Luiz Sallasa, John Sanders, Ruth Smithback, Olaf Stokstad, Roger Strege, Suzanne, Bill Thiel, John Toso, Kay Woods, Keith Woods, Marilyn Young.

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!