From the Pastor. How to Do This Activity

Transcription

1 Trinity Lutheran Church Inviting all to Know and Grow in Christ Reverend Diane Krauszer Phone: / Fax: Website: From the Pastor Dearly Beloved, The days are lengthening. This morning as I drove to Trinity Lutheran I could see the outline of the mountains as dawn approached! The word that we translate as Lent comes from an old Germanic root word that means to lengthen. There is more day light. The days are growing longer! There is more time to get more things done. For some of us pressure mounts as spring draws near. Yet Lent, as a season of the church year, invites us to do just the opposite. During Lent we are asked to slow down, to make room for God in the lengthening of our days. Believe me, it is just as hard for me to do that as it is for you! The ELCA has asked pastors to slow down, to find a time to Be Still. It is good for us not only spiritually but also physically. I would like to share with you some of the suggestions given by Portico Benefit Services- a Ministry of the ELCA and invite you also to Be Still during these next five weeks of Lent. Intentional, daily practice can help us calm our minds, clarify our relationship with God, and restore our sense of self. Less encumbered by fear and anxiety, we re more resilient people, better able to shape healthy, resilient communities. How to Do This Activity Strive to practice 5 10 minutes most days. Be gentle with yourself if you need to skip a day or shorten your practice. Try each topic gratitude, strength & vulnerability, self-awareness for at least two weeks. Be patient. Let yourself discover a rhythm. When you find something that works, stay with it. If you struggle, make adjustments. Explore how your practice feels at different times of the day: upon rising, at mid-day, at dusk, before going to bed. Remember, your goal isn t to cram one more thing onto your plate. It s to establish a regular prayer practice that helps you live a more centered and resilient life. Deepen Your Awareness of God s Grace: Gratitude Ancient Roots: Examen Developed in the 16th century by St. Ignatius Loyola, Examen invites you to review the day s events to detect God s presence and direction for you. Choose from the following daily gratitude practices. Consider one that pulls you outside your comfort zone.

2 Each practice invites you to reflect on the same set of questions. Continue for at least two weeks, trying more than one gratitude practice if you d like. Reflection When practiced alone, this option provides an opportunity for quiet meditation. When practiced with others, it invites each person to share what stirred in them. 1. Light a candle (or other light source) as a reminder of God s presence. 2. Ask yourself or share with others: What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that? What is troubling me? How is God present in that? Close with a prayer and extinguish the candle. Journaling Many journaling teachers encourage writers to use pen and paper, believing that when we write with our hands, our words are closer to our hearts. Choose a medium that feels secure (notebook, computer program, blog, etc.). Start by writing for five minutes. Work up to 10 minutes or more. Respond to these questions: o What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that? o What is troubling me? How is God present in that? Footsteps Our bodies often register emotions before our minds do, if only we stop to listen. This option invites you to slow down one of the body s most routine motions to focus on a single step. 1. Take one step and ask yourself: What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that? 2. Pause to scan your body. Notice where you feel gratitude for example, a loosening of the jaw, or relaxing of the shoulders. Repeat this process two more times. 3. Take another step and ask yourself: What is troubling me? How is God present in that? 4. Again, pause to notice physical sensations. Repeat this process twice more for a total of six steps. 5. Movement Regular walkers often say it takes several minutes (or even several miles) along the path before they start to sense mental calmness. With this option, engage your body as a way of quieting your mind. Choose an activity that doesn t require too much concentration like walking, jogging, or a familiar yoga routine. Once you fall into a rhythm, reflect on these questions: o o What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that? What is troubling me? How is God present in that? Claim Your Strengths and Vulnerabilities Ancient Roots: Lectio Divina Started in early monastic communities, Lectio Divina invites slow and prayerful reading of scripture as Living Word. Read the day s scripture three times. Allow the repetition to draw you deeper into the text, hearing it differently and opening yourself to new insights each time. Continue this practice for at least two weeks.

3 1. Light a candle (or other light source) as a reminder of God s presence. 2. Read the text once, listening for a word or phrase that touches your heart. Gently recite it. Reflect silently or share with others. 3. Read the text again, listening for how the word or phrase touches your life today. Reflect silently or share with others. 4. Read the text once more, listening for what Christ is nudging you to do or become. Ask yourself or share with others: In which areas of my life am I strong? How is God present in that? In which areas of my life am I vulnerable? How is God present in that? Close with a prayer and extinguish the candle. Daily Scripture Monday: 1 Cor.1:18 25 Thursday: Romans 6:3-4 Tuesday: Mark 9:33-37 Friday: 2 Cor. 12:9-10 Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Saturday: Philippians 2:5-11 Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Make Intentional Choices to Strengthen Your Well-Being Ancient Roots: Prayer Labyrinth For centuries, the labyrinth has been found in religious traditions around the world. Ours follows the pattern in the 13th century floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. The winding path of a labyrinth acts as a mirror for our lives, touching our sorrows and releasing our joys. The labyrinth has only one path. There are no tricks or dead ends; you can t get lost. 1. Print the Wholeness Wheel Labyrinth and instructions. 2. Optionally, learn more about the Wholeness Wheel 3. Pray the Wholeness Wheel Labyrinth daily. Sit comfortably in a quiet place. Place your finger at the entrance to the labyrinth. Trace your finger slowly along the path. Rest in the center. Return slowly on the same path. Each time, carry one of the following with you: What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that? What is troubling me? How is God present in that? In which areas of my life an I strong? How is God present in that? In which areas of my life am I vulnerable? How is God present in that? What is troubling me? How is God present in that? In which areas of my life an I strong? How is God present in that? In which areas of my life am I vulnerable? How is God present in that? What area of my life might God be nudging me to tend? In, Psalm 46:10, God says, Be still and know that I am God. May this exercise in stillness enrich your relationship with God and with others around you. Peace, Pastor Diane

4 CDC Preschool Our preschool offers classes for 3-4 year olds and 4-5 year olds. For more information, call any of the following staff at 745-LOVE (5683). Melanie Shaw- Teacher Jennifer Horacek- Teacher Jana Moser- Director The preschool all dressed as kings for Epiphany. You may also call the church office at or visit trinitylutheranak.org/preschool. Worship Helpers Trinity Singers Jennie & Barrett Barge Mary Brothers Richard & Gail Clinch Barbara Dotterweich Glenn & Janet Jacob Lucy Locklear Shawn & Jana Moser Julie Santamaria Stan & Shirley Platt Jill St. Germain If you are not on a team and you would like to serve, please contact the church. Gail and Richard Clinch Rhonda D Aigle-Pianist Janet and Glenn Jacob Paul and Diane Krauszer Jana Moser Joyce Lund- Pianist Stan and Shirley Platt Jill St. Germain Dana Tesch Deb Till Jan Walton If you would like to be part of the Trinity singers, please see Pastor Diane.

5 TLC Boxes We have extra TLC boxes in the Fellowship Hall. If you do not have a box and would like one, let us know. Or, if you have a box and do not wish to have one, let us know, too. Books & CD s There is a bookshelf outside the church office in the Fellowship Hall. If you see any books or CDs that you would like, feel free to borrow and return them, or leave books for other people to borrow. Leer The Directory Do we have all your current information in our directory? Mailing & physical address Phone numbers Birthday Anniversary Have you signed the photo permission form? Council Members President Richard Clinch Vice President Betty Hein Treasurer Pat Kilmain Secretary Mary Brothers Standing Committees Worship Deb Till Stewardship Glenn Jacob Education Jan Walton Outreach Rhonda D Aigle Property Mgmt. Dana Tesch Staff Reverend Diane Krauszer Admin Assistant Micaela Wedge Special Committees CDC Jana Moser Health /Wellness Richard Clinch RN Richard Clinch 9 Lynn Anselm Joyce Lund Jennifer Charvet Brittany Lawton Jan Walton Audrey Badger Micaela Wedge Lewis & Brunhilde O Brien* Sarah Lawton Diane Krauszer Troy & Claudia Swanson* Rhonda D Aigle

6 Letter from Cathy Moorman Margaret Baldwin Dear church family: Thank you so very much for designating the children's offering in January to help Jeremy. God is so good! His first MRI after treatment showed great results with the tumors in his brain and on the brain stem decreasing, and no regrowth of tumor at the surgical site! I am so thankful beyond words for all of the prayers and support we have received from all of you! It helps so much just knowing you all are praying and thinking of us. The type of tumor Jeremy has is very aggressive and he will need continued frequent follow-up always, with continued trips to Texas and Seattle. This financial support helps greatly. Again, my deepest heart-felt thanks to all of you! Cathy Moorman and family Learning and Fellowship Opportunities at Trinity Gathered The 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning Bible study is held in the Trinity Room. The participants are using the Women of the ELCA s award-winning magazine Gathered as the basis of its weekly study. The Bible study is prepared by women from throughout the ELCA and accompanied by articles and stories that uphold and strengthen faith. Come and join in the learning and the fellowship. Call Phyllis Gielarowski for more information at Bible Study Join the Monday night group at 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity Room as they study the book of Mark. Call Janet Jacob for more information at The Men s Breakfast Group meets faithfully every Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Trinity Room. After a delicious breakfast, they read and discuss the scripture for the coming Sunday. The conversation is lively and intense. For more information, call Glenn Jacob at Bibles and Bagels Join Sunday school for all ages at 9:00 a.m. in the Trinity Room. Come for one session, come for all. For more information, contact Jan Walton at In Stitches Come share your love of sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and any other crafts with our fine group of knit wits. On Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity Room. For more information, call Phyllis Gielarowski at

7 Helping One Another Please be aware that we have a number of people who have problems with breathing. One way that we can help them breathe more comfortably is by eliminating the fragrances we wear. The deadline for the March newsletter is February 25 th. Please send your information to trinitylpalmerak@gmail.com. Synod News If you would like to get the synod news sent directly to your inbox, please let elcaalaska@gmail.com know. Directory Updates Cathy Moorman s new is, themoormans@mtaonline.net. Office Rentals We currently have all rental space occupied. Ash Wednesday is February 18, 7:00 p.m. Everything is possible for one who believes. -Mark 9:23 Missing Hymnals We are missing some hymnals. If you have any, please return them as soon as you can. Mark the date Spaghetti fundraiser for Jeremy Wedge, March 21, More details to come later. Questions? See Glenn Jacob. Mid-week Lenten Mid-week Lenten service and soup (6:00 p.m.) starts on 2-25 with Holden Village Service at 7:00 p.m.

8 Feb. Newsletter-Jan Walton Christian Education: Consider setting time aside each week with your family or alone to listen and reflect on the Word of God. Use these passages from the lectionary each week. Feb. 8, 5 Epiphany Isa. 40:21-31 Words of Hope Ps. 147:1-11, 20 c In Praise of God 1 Cor. 9: Rights and Duties of an Apostle Mark 1:29-39 Healing at Simon s House Feb. 15, Transfiguration 2 Kings 2:1-12 Elijah and Elisha Ps. 50:1-6 True Worship 2 Cor. 4: 3-6 Spiritual Treasure in Clay Pots Mark 9:2-9 Jesus on the Mountaintop Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday Joel 2: 1-2, A Call to Repentance Ps. 51: 1-17 A Prayer for Forgiveness 2 Cor. 5: 20b-6:10 Friendship with God Through Christ Matt 6:1-6, Teaching about Charity Feb. 22, 1 Lent Gen. 9:8-17 God s Covenant with Noah Ps. 25: 1-10 A Prayer for Guidance and Protection 1 Peter 3:18-22 Suffering for Doing Right Mark 1:9-15 The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus March 1, 2 Lent Gen. 17:1-7, Ps. 22: Rom. 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38 A Sign of the Covenant A Song of Praise The Faith of Abraham Jesus Speaks about his Suffering and Death

9 Scriptural Way of the Cross Trinity Lutheran Church is once again setting up a meditative walk through the entry of Trinity Barn Plaza during the Lenten season and Holy Week (Feb. 25- March 11, 2015). The meditative walk is called, Scriptural Way of the Cross. Short passages of scripture relating to Jesus last week are posted on the walls for people to read. Each passage is accompanied by an original piece of art work to aid in meditation. Some of the art work will be used again, but we are also looking for new art work. Anyone who is a member of Trinity, a tenant in the building, or a regular visitor to the building is invited to consider creating a piece of art for this project. The choice of medium and type of art is left up to each person. If you or your organization would like to participate, please contact Pastor Diane at or stop by her office. She has the list of scriptural passages that need representation. Worship & Music Committee Article I am beginning my first year as chair of the Worship and Music Committee, and I m excited and humbled to serve the congregation in this capacity. Following worship, during the fellowship time on Sunday February 8 th, there will be a brief committee meeting for anyone who has interest in helping in this area. I m interested in any ideas the church family has about worship and music, and how we can make worship continue to reflect the body of Christ, perhaps in new and different ways. Even if you don t want to formally serve on a committee, your ideas are welcome. I can best be reached on my cell phone, or by at debby@mtaonline.net In His Service, Deb Till

10 Stewardship Article PARENTS LEGACY OF GRATITUDE & GENEROSITY By Julie Jolivette I have never known anything but gratitude and generosity! As I look back, I realize this is the legacy of my parents. When I was in kindergarten, I remember feeling so grown-up on Christmas Eve when only I the oldest child of 5 got to go to Midnight Mass with my dad and grandparents. Dad gave me a nickel to put into the offering plate and I took this responsibility very seriously. There were many magical moments for me that night. As we arrived home it occurred to me that Santa may have already been at our house and could I take a peek? The bride doll left for me was beautiful, but I recall being aware that it didn t top the feeling I experienced giving that nickel in the offering and participating in such a special worship service. That awareness was one of my first spiritual experiences of gratitude and generosity. The next Christmas, mom took us kids shopping. We were each given a couple dollars and instructed to buy something we would really like ourselves. Our next stop was to drop these gifts off where they would later be shared with children who would not receive a Christmas gift otherwise. Again, this act of giving felt good. It wasn t until I was much older that my parents shared how financially challenged they were that year my dad stayed home with us 5 kids and we lived on my mom s long-term teacher sub job. They used their Christmas gift money from my grandma to purchase little gifts for us. At the time, I had no idea we ourselves may have been considered poor. I m not sure when our family started sponsoring children through Christian Children s and Compassion International for most of my life a picture and bio of one would hang on our refrigerator and we would have fun corresponding and feeling connected as we personally knew someone half-way around the world. When I received my first paycheck, I immediately started my own sponsorship. Now I see pictures of sponsored children on the refrigerators of my own grown children and our son has even traveled to Haiti several times to spend time with the young boy he sponsors. Our family has multiplied from seven original members to 40 (including grand and great-grand children). When we get together for Christmas it includes projects like two hours of food packing at Kids Against Hunger and/or accompanying my mom as she takes her turn collecting recycling in our little hometown. It s also pretty common to have a jar on the table collecting donations for a special project. Grandchildren bring their suggestions now too and the causes we collaboratively help support physically and financially change from year to year. Somewhere along the journey, Mom started a new tradition. At Thanksgiving everyone is given money to give away by Christmas. Give it to something or someone in need that you feel passionate about and be prepared to share when we get back together at Christmas. As stories are shared, I am overwhelmed by two things the glimpses into the hearts of my family members and the collective contribution our variety of gifts make throughout the world. In some cases, even by grandchildren, donations are expanded and even doubled with their own money! The first year Claire, our 3-year old granddaughter, participated in sharing how she (and her family) chose to give their money, she presented great grandma with a box of cards she received as a thank you from the organization that helps save endangered animals. She then proceeded to tell her the names of the animals and how much she liked them and wanted them to stay on the earth. I m not sure if Claire even knows what the words gratitude and generosity mean, but I do know that she is headed into a life that will practice both because of the family in which she was born. And that will make a huge positive difference to her and the world! While dying of cancer 18 years ago, Thank you was the phrase that Dad spoke the most to the personnel from Hospice and to his family and friends who came to visit. He clearly entered the next life filled with gratitude. Mom continues to live this life filled with gratitude and outpouring actions of generosity! For this legacy I am sincerely grateful. Thank you Dad and Mom! Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary

11

12

13 Hand in Hand Blog 2/3/2015 My amazing actors after their Nativity play. Catie Gibbons is spending a year in the United Kingdom as part of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program. "I missed you while you were away, Catie!" one of my precious kids proclaimed as she walked into Girl's Brigade this evening. I was only gone for a week on a short retreat with other Time for God and Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers, but my little friend missed me and my heart hurt just thinking about how much we would miss one another when I've been gone for weeks, months, and years from my placement in England. So many times I get asked here by people in the community, "What are you doing here?" They assume I'm here studying at one of Manchester's nice universities, or sometimes they assume I'm a parent of one of the fellow kids in their child's Sunday school class. I can totally understand the change in their faces when I explain a bit about being a volunteer. Usually it just ends up in me trying to describe this whole experience in a few phrases which is virtually impossible. Although I can't put to words the "what" of volunteering, I can certainly pin down a lot of the "whys." I get reminded of why I volunteer daily when children I work with run up to show me their loose or missing teeth or beg to play a game I've shown them. When kids in the art club I run exclaim, "Cool! I didn't know we could make things like that!" There're so many little reminders of the "why" of volunteering that I see on the surface level, which I hope hold deeper significance on other levels for them. When my little friend told me she missed me while I was away, I was reminded of all the others who still miss me currently. Being away from family and close friends for half a year is not easy. However, I can absolutely see the worth of my work, and as the rest of my year of service goes by, I hope I can expect seeds of enrichment to be planted in my work here that continue to shape my community even after I'm gone. Because that's why I'm here. And that's why I volunteer.

14 Newsletter Article for February 2015 Lutheran Social Services of Alaska Happy New Year! I am thankful to all the wonderful people who have shared their time, talents and financial resources with our ministry. It is because of your concern and care that we were able to touch the lives of over 20,000 of our neighbors in need last year. First I need to thank everyone who made our Harvest of Hope Auction such a great success. To the planning committee, donors, volunteers, and to all who attended a great big thank you. Soon we start planning for next years auction and if you would like to be a part of that committee please give me a call. We are especially looking for a co-chair of the event, so if you are interested I would be pleased to meet with you and explain the duties. A great big thank you to all the individuals and groups who got busy to help us provide Christmas stockings to the children of our clients in the Food Pantry. These stocking really do mean a lot to families who receive them. We served over 4,000 families and close to 8,000 children at this year's Neighborhood Gift Thanks to everyone who purchased toys for the Salvation Army or Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaigns, volunteered their time for set-up and distribution. We couldn t do this without a tremendous effort from so many of you. Beginning January 1 st you will again have the opportunity to contribute to our ministry through the Pick.Click.Give. when you apply for your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. When applying on-line, you will have an option called the Gift of Giving. Simply follow the instructions to make a donation. In 2014 LSSA received $18,250 in donations through this program from 241 donors. Together caring for others, Alan Budahl Executive Director Fish If you have extra fish to share, please contact the church office at

15 5 Year Anniversary 2014 Help celebrate The Kuwaa Missions 5th Anniversary Pray, Volunteer, Donate or Partner With God all things are possible Matt 19: 4 During this Holiday season please join the Kuwaa Mission Board as we celebrate five years of God's work. On November 9th 2014 Board member Lolitha Shepard celebrated with Bethany Lutheran Church in Slidell Louisiana, the birthplace of the Kuwaa Mission. The members were moved to see how God is transforming the lives of the Kuwaa people in far away West Africa. This transformation was supported by donors like you and church congregations who have prayed and decided to pledge their financial support to the Kuwaa Mission. Much work has been accomplished in the past five years including the installation or repair of wells in thirteen of the sixteen villages. There have been many helpful workshops and training from well pump operation to the proper use of water filters. In the last year the Kuwaa Mission has been blessed to build a clinic in the village of Kondesu which will serve many of the surrounding villages with much needed medical care. There is much work still to do in the coming months and years, please pause to pray and send much needed financial support for both the Kuwaa Mission and the Ebola epidemic. We the Kuwaa Mission Board would like to thank all our Men & Women who have served in the United States Military as we observed Veterans Day Nov 11, The Kuwaa Mission Board would like to thank each and every person who has prayed, donated their time, talent and treasures to the service of caring for God's people. Please pray for The Kuwaa Mission Board members and their families. Especially Cindy Bye, Rev Dick Thompson and Stan Olsen as they recover from surgery and the Bishop of the LCL Jensen Seyenkulo and all other aide works from around the world involved in the Ebola epidemic in Liberia.

16

17 Weekly Events Sundays: 9:00 a.m.- Sunday school (all ages). 10:30 a.m.- Worship (fellowship to follow). Mondays: 7:00 p.m.- Adult Bible Study (Trinity Room). 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Exercise and prayer with Pastor Diane (old sanctuary). Tuesdays: 7 p.m.-trinity singers and players. Sunday M onday T uesday W ednesday T hursday Friday Saturday Confirmation, 12:15 p.m. Council workshop, 9:00 a.m Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m.- Women s Bible Study (Trinity Room). 8:30-9:30 a.m.- Exercise and prayer with Pastor Diane (old sanctuary). 11:00 a.m.- In Stitches (Trinity Room). Thursdays: 7:00 p.m.- Grief Support Group (sanctuary). 8:30-9:30 a.m.- Exercise and prayer with Pastor Diane (old sanctuary). 10:00-10:20 a.m.- Preschool Chapel (sanctuary, September-May). Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. - Men s Prayer Breakfast (Trinity Room). Birthdays and Anniversaries* 1 Richard Clinch 9 Lynn Anselm 8 Will Walton 10 Joyce Lund Jennifer Charvet 11 Brittany Lawton Jan Walton 13 Audrey Badger 14 Micaela Wedge Lewis & Brunhilde O Brien* 18 Sarah Lawton 19 Diane Krauszer 21 Troy & Claudia Swanson* 23 Rhonda D Aigle 28 Ray Gielarowski Margaret Baldwin 8 Confirmation, 12:15 p.m. 15 Confirmation, 12:15 p.m. 22 Confirmation, 12:15 p.m. Lent begins 9 10 Outreach Committee, 3:30 p.m Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. 18 Ash Wednesday service, 7:00 p.m Holden Evening Prayer, 7:00 p.m. with supper at 6:00 p.m