Messenger. Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Nov. 3 All Saint s Tea 10:05 a.m. Nov. 10 Stewardship Sunday. Nov. 17 New Member Sunday Potluck 12:30 p.m.

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1 The Trinity Lutheran Church Moorhead, Minnesota Messenger Volume 78 Issue 11 November 2013 Nov. 3 All Saint s Tea 10:05 a.m. 65+ Dinner 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Stewardship Sunday Nov. 17 New Member Sunday Potluck 12:30 p.m. Nov. 23 Jr. High Youth Gathering Nov. 24 ELCA Hunger Sunday Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Eve service 7 p.m. Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Day Communion service 10 a.m. Community Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday, Nov :30 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church Cost: Free For anyone who would be alone on Thanksgiving Day, we invite you to share this special day with us! Sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Joseph s Catholic Church

2 From the Pastor's Desk Our mission as children of God is to live together in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, acting with compassion in the world as we proclaim the promises of God. As you make that prayerful deliberation, and because of the continuous deficit we appear to be running, if possible, I want to encourage you to specifically consider -increasing your gift from last year; -using Joyful-E-Giving, our electronic bank withdrawal program. I know that both of these considerations will have a significant impact upon our ability to live together in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, acting with compassion in the world as we proclaim the promises of God, allowing us to keep focused, current, and consistent as we move forward. Please mark this November 10th date on your calendar and plan to attend. Your participation is vital as we prepare and plan for the coming year. Dear Friends in Christ, Senior Pastor Simon Fensom On Sunday, November 10th we will be celebrating Stewardship Sunday under the theme Always Being Made New, and you will have the opportunity to respond to God s love by making a commitment of your time and money to our mission and ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church. To that end, during the week of November 4th, you will receive a packet in the mail with a pledge card and a letter (written by members of the congregation), that will invite you to prayerfully consider your financial contribution for the coming year. Additionally, in keeping with our theme: Always Being Made New, you will notice a few changes with how we will share of our time and talents. Beginning on November 10th, and subsequently, on the second Sunday of each and every month, we will take a moment to fill out Opportunities To Serve cards at the beginning of each worship service. This will be your opportunity to help us live out our mission and ministry in specific and timely ways. The cards will be divided into two areas: Calendar Events and Ongoing Opportunities, and will be available online, by Thursday, November 7th, on our website Take a look, or print out a card before you come to worship, and see where you can use your gifts and abilities. Please know, you will be contacted to confirm your participation in an activity or a group, so please sign up, even if you will need more information before making a commitment. As good Lutherans, we are always more than a little cautious when talking about our response to God s love and grace, just in case we get caught up in the thorny wicket of works righteousness (attempting to earn God s love as if!). However, there still is a response, or better yet, a responsibility that we share as Christians to one another and to the world, and it is that responsibility that we live out as a community of faith through our contributions of time, talents and money. Grace and peace, Pastor Simon The Trinity Messenger USPS (619000), is published monthly for members and friends by Trinity Lutheran Church 210 7th Street South, Moorhead, MN Periodicals postage paid at Moorhead, Minn. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Trinity Messenger, PO Box 188, Moorhead, MN Page 2

3 20/30 Somethings Project F-M November Events Monday, Nov. 4: Theology Pub - Stories from the Other Side of the World: What it s like to hang out in another country for a year, with Matt Bishop, Sara Adam and Jen Engquist, at Sidestreet Grille and Pub, 7:30-9 p.m. All three of these people have spent a year as Young Adults in Global Mission. Hear what that was like for them, and share your own stories of travel and accompaniment. Facebook.com/Trinity2030Somethings Sunday, Nov. 10: Sounds Sacred (to me) - For all the Saints, at Studio 222, 7:30 p.m. A service of poetry and music exploring the saints in our lives. Monday, Nov. 11: Where s the Faith Book Club - Pastrix, at Spirit Room, 7:30 p.m. Tonight s discussion will be on chapters 15-to the end of the book. Monday, Nov. 18: Theology Pub at The Sidestreet Grille and Pub, 7:30-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24: Cracked Word Writing Group at Atomic Coffee, Broadway, 7:30-9 p.m. New people come all the time, so feel free to check it out! Social Concerns Ministry 19th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner It is that time of year again when Trinity Lutheran Church teams up with St. Joseph s Catholic Church for the Thanksgiving Dinner. This year the event is at Trinity and we will need A LOT of help. Here is a list of what we need: Food: 60 pies 20 fruit salads 20 vegetable salads 40 dozen buns oz cans of cranberries 32 - $20 cash donations Day Before (Wednesday, Nov. 27): Potato peelers at 8:30 a.m. Dining room setup at 6 p.m. Day Of (Thursday, Nov. 28): Turkey carvers at 7:30 a.m. Food prep from 8-11:30 a.m. Take-out packing from 10-11:30 a.m. Meal delivery from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Drivers from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Table servers from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. AND 1-3 p.m. Kitchen help from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. AND 1-3 p.m. Clean up crew from 2-3:30 p.m. Please look over these and decide how you will be a part of this amazing outreach event. Keep your eyes open for sign-up sheets in the coming weeks and join us for this great opportunity of fellowship with our neighbors in the community! Date: Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 Time: 12-2 p.m. Where: Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Laura Stancher ext. 353 laura@trinitymhd.org Small Group Ministry Pastor CJ Valenti ext. 354 cj@trinitymhd.org Spiritually Hungry? Sunday, November 10th 2:00-5:00 p.m. Trinity s CLC Classrooms Join Trish Tallakson of Sacred Whisperings for this unique SoulCollage workshop and gratitude retreat. Partake in a spiritually fulfilling afternoon where you will learn a new and creative spiritual practice. Please bring food for the physically hungry during this Thanksgiving season! We ve all heard the expression that the eyes are the window to the soul. But did you know that images you are drawn to may also provide access to your soul and reveal spiritual insights? SoulCollage explores this truth in a fun, creative, and profoundly deep and spiritual way. We will discover images, create a gratitude collage, and learn to discern its spiritual message. You will leave with a deeper understanding of the many God-given gifts in your life, of gratitude and thanksgiving, and of your Trinity neighbor. Cost is $50 and includes all material. Bring a food gift for Churches United and receive $1 off for each item up to $10 off! Scholarships are also available. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor CJ (cj@trinitymhd.org). Please register in advance at the information window or by calling Page 3

4 News and Notes The Trinity Preschool now has a Tuition Scholarship fund. Please keep this in mind during your giving. This fund is going to enable those struggling to pay for quality child care to remain enrolled at Trinity Preschool when times are difficult. This fund was set up from money generously given by the Trinity Women from the 2013 Salad & Pie Luncheon. The Haiti work team is looking for members to travel and work in Pignon, Haiti. No construction experience is required. We will be traveling to Haiti on Friday, Jan. 3 and returning Jan. 12, This has been an annual mission since Please contact Gary and Cindy Nolte at Wednesday Night Family Supper - The Boy Scouts serve meals from 5-6 p.m. each Wednesday in the CLC. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Everyone is welcome! November menu: 11/6: Stuffed pork chops, baked potatoes, corn 11/13: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn 11/20: Glazed ham, scappoped potatoes, corn Laurie Baker from F-M Coalition for Homeless Persons will be speaking about the state of homelessness in the F-M area at 10:05 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 during School of Discipleship. Erika Yoney, from Trinity, will be speaking about F-M Sheltering Churches at Trinity. Adult Education - The Apostles Creed The God who created the universe wasn t satisfied with setting it in motion and stepping away this creed is much more than the words recited at church on Sunday. In an amazing act of love, God came down as Jesus to live, love, die and open the way to God. When Christ returned to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to call us to God, gather us into his body, enlighten us to God s truth and keep us in the true faith. God is three, yet God is one (Fink). Pastor CJ and Pastor Laura will be teaching a threeweek study on The Apostles Creed starting Sunday, Nov. 10. During the study, we will discuss the three persons of the Trinity - God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Come explore the Bible, the Small Catechism, and your faith through this series. This is a safe place to ask ALL your questions and deepen your faith. No experience or expertise needed! Parents, this is a great way to learn about what your children are being taught in confirmation! Held at 10:05 a.m. in the CLC classrooms. Flu shot clinic at Trinity will be held Friday, Nov. 1 from 1-2 p.m. in the Lounge. Bring your Medicare Part B Card. If you have Advantage Health Plan, bring that card. If you are paying for the flu shot, it is $40. Sign-up in the church office. Adult Home Bible Study s Christmas Potluck will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Christian Life Center. New members are welcome! Groups meet monthly in member s homes, September through May. For further information, contact June & Steve Aabye at In June, heavy rains created a flooding in the lower level of the New Life Center facility, the oldest, and largest, homeless shelter in the F-M area. An extensive restoration project currently is underway. The second phase requires that kitchen and food storage areas will be unavailable for approximately a period in October and November. Church Auxiliary members have been asked to provide evening meals during this period. Trinity has signed up to provide meals on Sunday, Nov. 17. We have reserved the kitchen for the afternoon that day to organize, and prepare, the meals for transporting to the New Life Center. A volunteer team is needed to prepare, transport, and serve these meals at the New Life Center. All are welcome to join this team. Please sign up at the Information Desk, and call Carol Johnson at with any questions, or concerns. Thank you. Funeral workers needed - One of the services we can provide for people experiencing the death of a loved one is to prepare and serve refreshments following the funeral. Funeral groups serve for a two-week period, four times a year. If you have day-time hours free, please consider helping. No one is expected to be there every time, but your assistance is very much appreciated. If you can be a part of this valuable opportunity, please leave your name and phone number at the church office. Questions? Call Alice at or e- mail alice@trinitymhd.org. Giving Tree for Churches United Christmas Store - The Churches United Christmas Store giving tree is back! Select a tag from the tree Sunday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Dec. 8 and help a person in need. The gifts will support the Christmas Store, Dec , at Churches United, where families in our community can pick out free gifts for their loved ones. We re also collecting new and gently-used sleeping bags for Sheltering Churches in our community. All gifts should be returned new, unwrapped and with the tree tag to Trinity s office by Wednesday, Dec. 11. For more information, contact Amanda Peterson at amandajpeterson@ gmail.com. Thank you! The Risen Lord Copyright Dr. He Qi Page 4 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. -II Corinthians 13:13 We are still in need of volunteers to help with the pictorial directory. If you would like to help, call Kristin Johnson at Need to have your photo taken? Book your session online at or call Selah ( to reflect or pause in Hebrew) is an opportunity for college students to be connected to a faith community and/ or have a place to meet new people, create relationships, and belong. For more information, connect with our Facebook group. We will meet upstairs on Nov. 10 from 7-9 p.m. for malts and conversation and Dec. 15 from 7-9 p.m. for a study break! We will have games, food, and open classrooms.

5 Trinity Music Peggy Johnson will be playing in an organ recital on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. The focus will be music for All Souls and All Saints. Composers include Mendelssohn, Langlais, Brahms, Bach, and others. Free admission. The Trinity Music program is offering a special musical opportunity for men of all ages who like to sing. We are going to have our 2nd annual Men s Choir that will sing for the 9 & 11 a.m. services in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Nov. 24. Rehearsals for the choir will be at 10 a.m. in the lower choir room on Sundays: Nov. 3, 10 and 17. If Lost and Found Ministry you love to sing and want to have a great time without a lot of extra rehearsals, please come and join us. We would like to have 50 men in the choir this year sons, dads, grandfathers make this a family experience and contribute to worship at Trinity. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Weber m.weber@ndsu.edu. Let s sing a mighty song unto the Lord! The Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale will present Across the Pond-British Chorale Masterpieces on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Gethsemane Cathedral in South Fargo. Trinity members are a part of this ensemble. Denise Peterson denise@lostandfoundministry.org The Power of Friends Helping Friends who are Struggling with Substance Abuse It s never easy to tell a friend that he or she has a problem but isn t that what a friend would do? No one ever thinks that trying drugs is going to lead to a life-threatening addiction. Does my friend have a drug problem? Does your friend seem like a different person when they drink or get high? Maybe they have been letting you down lately and you think it s connected to drug use. Or maybe some of the things they do when they are drunk or high are just scary. This can be a difficult situation to deal with, and sometimes the situation gets worse before it gets better. Don t make excuses. Talk to your friend. What are the signs? If your friend does one or more of the following, you should talk to him/her. Gets drunk or high on a regular basis. Drinks or uses drugs when he/she is alone. Shows up at school drunk or high or has skipped class to use. Needs drugs or alcohol to have a good time or cope with everyday life. Plans for drug use in advance. Starts hanging out with new friends who will do drugs with him/her or can score for him/her. Lies about drug use. Pressures others to use drugs. Has broken plans with you, or showed up late, because he/she was getting drunk or high. Shows little interest in or quits sports or activities he/she once enjoyed. Has driven a car while drunk or high. Borrows or steals money to buy drugs or alcohol. Also, even if your friend doesn t exactly fit any of these, but you feel like he/she is headed in the wrong direction, you can say something. You don t have to wait for it to get worse. Your friend s pain hurts you, too. Call a counselor at Lost and Found Ministry at if you want to talk about what to say. Lost and Found Ministry is here to help those lost in another s addiction. Lost and Found Now Does Chemical Dependency Evaluations - Had a DUI and need a CD Eval? Contact Lost and Found at for an appointment. Timely and thorough. Book and Bake Sale - Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 111 7th St. So., Moorhead. Proceeds benefit the Lost and Found Library. Hosted by Lost and Found Ministry Library and MSUM Social Work students. Don t Miss! Find a good read and a sweet treat! Help Trinity see double! It s never been easier to help give back to Trinity. If you are a Thrivent Financial member and have Thrivent Choice Dollars available, you can designate those dollars to Trinity by calling ; when prompted, say, Thrivent Choice. You may also visit Thrivent.com/choicedollars to make your designation. Please consider directing your 2013 Choice Dollars to Trinity before the end of the year. Thrivent Financial will double all Choice Dollars directions made to churches between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, Trinity has received $13,627 since this program began in thank you Thrivent members! If you would like to learn more about how to make the most of the Thrivent Financial Choice program, please feel to contact Trinity member and Thrivent representative, Paul Holtan, directly at Page 5

6 Senior Ministry Friday Fellowship: Nov. 1 Marjorie and Jessica Markusen were in central Europe this past summer learning about their heritage as Carpatho-Rusyns. Hear about their unique history, religion and language. Andy Warhol was Carpatho-Rusyn. Nov. 15 Tracy Alin, Spiritual Care Staff at Villa Maria Home in Fargo works with orphans in India and also works to end child trafficking in the world. She will show pictures and talk about her work in India. Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch visit on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. Meet at Trinity s CLC entrance by 1:30 p.m. Tour the facility and hear the stories of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Sign up so Pastor Lew can arrange transportation. Temple Beth El Visit - We will visit the Jewish Synagogue in Fargo on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. We will meet in Trinity s CLC entrance at 1:45 p.m. and go over to the Synagogue. Sign up so Pastor Lew can arrange transportation. The PRISM Concert at Concordia features 3 bands, numerous instrumental choirs, chamber groups and soloists. The audience sits in the middle with musicians on all four sides. The concert is Sunday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium. The event is free. Do sign up now. November s Lunch with Lew & Larrel will be at TNT Diner in West Fargo on Monday, Nov. 18. We can take 8 people with us, so please sign up early. Holiday Theatre Getaway - We are going to the Twin Cities on Dec. 4-5 to see A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater. We have a backstage tour scheduled as well as dinner at the Level 5 Café in the Guthrie. The next day we see Christmas of Swing The Andrews Sisters USO Show at the History Theatre. Maxene Andrews is played by Stacey Lindell, who grew up at Trinity Lutheran. Her parents are David and Becky Lindell. Cost of the tour is $310. Brochures are at the Info Desk. Sign up early. Pastor Lew Clefisch ext. 310 lewin@trinitymhd.org The Concordia Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Starting time is 2 p.m. Cost of the tickets is $11 for seniors. For those who wish, we will go to the Fargo Fryn Pan Restaurant afterwards for supper. Pastor Lew will order tickets on November 5. Do sign up before then, so we can get seats together on the main floor. Season of Light at MSUM Planetarium - is a program the MSUM Planetarium presents each Advent. We will go on Monday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Cost is $2.50 for seniors. The winter sky and stars are featured as is the Star of Bethlehem. Sign up so Pastor Lew can arrange transportation Holiday Pops Concert - Christmas in the Caribbean with special guests: Fuego Tropical Steel Drum Band from MSUM at the Fargo Theater on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for seniors. Sign up early to get good seats. Fargo Theater Noon Organ Concert - This annual Christmas Organ Concert is filled with hymns and familiar Christmas music. Hear local organists play your favorites on the mighty Wurlitzer Organ. We will go on Tuesday, Dec. 17. We will leave the church at 11:30 a.m. After the concert we will go out for lunch at a local restaurant. Sign up so we know how much transportation to provide. Israel - Pastor Lew and Pastor Colin Grangaard, our TiM from will be leading a 10-day tour of Israel from Feb , Registration closes on Nov. 11. Cost of the tour is $3,499. Brochures are at the Info Desk. Germany - Mark your calendars now for a 13-day tour of Germany. We leave on May 15 and return on May 27, The brochure on Germany is at the Info Desk. We have 24 people signed up for the trip already. If you plan to go, please sign up soon before we fill. New Members Each year from September through May, we provide several opportunities for people to become new members at Trinity. Every other month we have new member orientations, a new member welcome potluck, and a new member Sunday. If you have any questions about Trinity or if you re interested in becoming a member, please contact Pastor Matt McWaters or Pastor Simon Fensom at or him at matt@ trinitymhd.org. Orientation Schedule: Nov. 7 Page 6 Potluck: Nov. 17 New Member Sunday: Nov. 17 Advent Funshop Sunday, Dec p.m. Fellowship Hall Lunch available Projects for young and old Start the season with family fun! We Are Praying For You During November and December, the Prayer Team will be praying for every member and staff of Trinity. We want you to know that you will be prayed for by name during specific weeks in these months. If you have specific prayer concerns that you would like to include, please let the church office know. Everything will be confidential. Week of: Nov. 3 - Last name A-B Nov Last name C-E Nov Last name F-G Nov Last name H-J Dec. 1 - Last name K-L Dec. 8 - Last name M-O Dec Last name P-R Dec Last name S-T Dec Last name U-Z

7 Children s Ministry Sunday School Christmas Programs! Christmas program practice begins November 3rd! Practice for three-year-olds to sixth graders will be held each Sunday during the Sunday school hour (10:05-10:55 a.m.). We invite and encourage all kids to attend Sunday school regularly during this time of preparation. Mark your calendars for Sunday, Dec.15. The three-year-olds to first graders will present their program at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The second-sixth graders will present their program at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Christian Life Center. Kindergarten Faith Milestone Kindergartners will receive Spark Story Bibles at the 9 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Nov. 17. Parents, please come to the lounge at 8:45 a.m. to pick up a storybook for your child before the worship service. Following the service, we invite families to remain in the Sanctuary to meet Noah (yes, the Noah who built the ark) and participate in a fun storytelling activity. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please have your child bring a stuffed animal to church this Sunday. Elementary Day at Camp Emmaus Saturday, Nov. 9 Calling all fourth, fifth, and sixth graders! Summer is over, school has started but camp is still in session! Come out to camp for the first time or come back to the place you love and take part in an afternoon of fun! This day is a great opportunity to see camp in a different season, hang out with summer staff, and take part in fun camp activities and worship. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the gathering will go until 6 p.m. with dinner included. So bring a friend and come to camp this fall! The cost is $10 per person. Registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 4. For more information, contact Annie Trafton, Pathways Program Director at Find registration forms online at: www. pathwaysbiblecamps.com. Yes! We Have Sunday School on December 1 We will have Sunday school the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you have guests in town, please bring them with you to worship and Sunday school. All are welcome! Family Faith Practices Sandra Anderson Director of Children s Ministry ext. 319 sandra@trinitymhd.org November Practicing Gratefulness In the Lord s Prayer, we ask God to give us our daily bread. Praying at meals can be a good reminder to be thankful for all that we have been given. Trinity Preschool has recently earned a Parent Aware rating of Four out of Four possible Stars! By voluntarily becoming rated, Trinity Preschool is showing they care enough about early learning to use the best practices for getting children ready for kindergarten. This includes a commitment to the latest training and to daily routines and play spaces that help children learn. It s great to have this assurance. With non-rated programs, parents do not have the same assurances about the program s early education quality. Birth-Three Fold your hands around your child s hands and say thanks to God as you name each kind of food on the table. Thank you, God, for carrots! Thank you, God, for chicken! Thank you, God, for rice! Amen. Younger Elementary Invite all family members to use permanent markers or acrylic paint to add their initials to a smooth rock. Before you eat, pass the rock around the table, having each person name one thing for which he or she is thankful that day. Remember to use this ritual of gratefulness at your Thanksgiving meal, too, wherever you are. Preschool-Kindergarten Learn a table prayer that keeps the needs of hungry people in your hearts: Give us, Lord, our daily bread. By your hands we all are fed. And may there be a goodly share on every table everywhere. Amen. Older Elementary Find or make a small bowl. Place it in the center of your table as a visible reminder to pray for those who do not have enough food and are hungry. On the flipside, give thanks for the ways God fills up the bowl for your family with good food, love, family, and friends. As a family, plan a way to feed hungry people, and follow through. Page 7

8 Friends in Faith 65 & Older Turkey Dinner Sunday, Nov. 3 Youth and parents, please sign-up to be part of this wonderful intergenerational event. How often do you sit and visit with someone of another generation, particularly those from our congregation? For some of you, it may not be very often. We invite you to be part of this special event. Set-up will begin as soon as CLC worship is done. Between the grilling of the turkeys in the morning and serving the meal by 12:30p.m., this meal has become a highlight for all generations. Each person will be assigned a food item to bring. We ll serve, sit at tables and visit, clean-up and be done between 2 2:30 p.m. Sign up with Ashley or Kathy as soon as you can. 78th on FiF St. Mentor Groups and Sr. High Small Groups are off to a great start. If you are just getting into the swing of things and want to join either of these groups, we want you to! Contact Ashley or Kathy and we ll help you get connected. These are both wonderful opportunities to pause in the week and connect with other youth and adults in meaningful ways. Registration begins now for the Montana Ski/Snowboard Trip on February We ll spend our time near Bozeman, Montana at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky Ashley Strelau Associate Director of Youth Ministry ext. 356 ashley@trinitymhd.org Kathy Hunstad Director of Youth Ministry ext. 314 kathy@trinitymhd.org Resorts. This is a wonderful opportunity for beginners to learn to ski or snowboard and experts to practice their skills. Group time in the evening brings us all together to be reminded of God s presence in all we do. Go to the website for more information. Brochures can be picked up at Trinity. Please note the following new information about the 7th and 8th Grade Gathering: 7th and 8th grade youth will be attending the Synod Youth Gathering at the Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, MN, Nov. 22 and 23. The cost for the trip is $70 until November 6, which is the early-bird price. Beginning Nov. 7, the cost goes to $90. If you haven t registered, please do so now. The trip meeting for both parents and youth is Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7:30p.m. The theme, All In will be led with music Rachel Kurtz and Agape, both amazing musicians, song leaders and speakers. This will be a great time to worship, learn and grow in faith with your peers from all over the Northwest Minnesota Synod as well as Eastern North Dakota. As always, should you have any questions please contact us: Kathy ext. 314 or kathy@trinitymhd.org Ashley ext. 356 or ashley@trinitymhd.org Health and Caring Ministry Pastor CJ Valenti ext. 354 cj@trinitymhd.org Page 8 For the saints of all the ages who have baked the bread of faith and allured us with the aroma, we sing praise. For the saints in our own lives who, finding their way through the dark became our light, we give thanks. For the unseen saints in this world who hold it up with their prayers, whose hope and labor save us without our ever knowing, we cry glory. For the suffering saints who are our only hope in this world, who languish in prisons and slums, reservations and townships, who labor in fear, who are trafficked and tortured, who die of hunger even as we pray, we ask blessing. May we all be made holy in wonder and gratitude and steadfast loving kindness toward all that lives. -A poem from Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes On All Saints Day, we will remember the promises of Jesus Christ, even as we continue to grieve the death of those we love. We are reminded that we are not alone in our sorrow. God is with us, and our church community is here to support us in prayer and wrap us in love. In recognition of All Saints Day, the Health and Caring committee will be hosting the All Saints Tea where we will gather together to remember the ones we miss, celebrate their legacy and remember the hope we have in Jesus Christ. You all are invited to join us on Sunday, Nov. 3, in the Trinity Lutheran Lounge at 10:05 a.m. Please feel free to bring a token of remembrance from your loved one. We will display them on a table for the tea and then return them to you at the end. While we do lament, we also have this deep hope of resurrection in our bones. No matter what hardship or grief we face, we can take comfort that God is dwelling within us. God s love is shining through our pain and grief. God uses our witness of lament to bring healing hope and wholeness to the world around us. So come and share your story. Let us live in community with one another. Let us hold each other when we lament and ask questions. Let us also live into the hope of the glorious resurrection that we cannot fully imagine. God s peace be with you, Pastor CJ and the Health and Caring Ministry Team

9 Stewardship Is......Everything I do after I say I believe I just returned from my college class 50th reunion at Pacific Lutheran University. Over the course of three days we gathered and shared our stories. When I was first notified of the event I thought it to be too expensive, but with persuasion I relented and went. What a blessing! First, I was reminded of the uncertainty of life. I had looked forward to finally seeing some of my friends of 50 years ago. I was astounded at how many of them were not there because they have already died. I just take living for granted, but I shouldn t, none of us should. Each day is a new gift from our God who gave us life in the first place and has provided for everything we have needed. Secondly, I was reminded of the many different tracks our lives have been lived out on. So many different and changing opportunities. I found some that had spent at least a part of their experiences right in our community. Others told me they couldn t figure out why any of us would live here. California, Arizona, the Pacific Northwest, how can anyone endure North Dakota and Minnesota?! Council Highlights October Council Highlights Financial Report - Income for the month of September totaled $93,514; expenses totaled $90,857. Trinity s year-todate budget balance is $28, /10 disbursement for The council approved the 90/10 Committee s proposal for the allocation of funds. Thank you for your offerings to the /10 fund! This act of reverse tithe offering has been a part of Trinity Lutheran s history for the over 30 years. Trinity sends support to local, regional and global ministries. The following allocations were recommended by the /10 Committee and were approved for distribution by the church council. LOCAL Milk Money (to Moorhead Elementary Schools) 1,500 Great Plains Food Bank 500 Dorothy Day House 500 Churches United for the Homeless 1,000 Concordia College Campus Ministry 500 FM Coalition of Homeless Persons 500 FM Sheltering Churches Project 500 Hospice of the Red River Valley 1,000 Lost and Found Ministry 1,000 MSUM Campus Ministry 500 RSVP/Metro Youth Partnership 500 Emergency Food Pantry 1,000 Project FM 500 Central Cities Ministry 500 Recovery Worship 500 Trinity Preschool Scholarships 500 Total $11,000 It was interesting to find that most of us are still involved in the issues of our day. Some are doing volunteer work, great stewardship of time and talents. One couple told me how on every Monday they go into Seattle to protest war. They said they aren t political in terms of party, they just oppose the whole concept of war and so they protest in their own way. Another told about being a caretaker for an elderly person. This classmate is still full of energy and able. He comes from a family with deep faith, and continues to live out that faith. We had people of considerable financial wealth. Funny thing, in our conversations that wasn t a point of focus, though in may have been inferred as they told about the way in which they have been able to witness to their faith. As we are in the stewardship mode, it is important that stewardship is lived out in many ways. It is true, often our ministry in and through Trinity is limited by our financial support. And so, as Rev. Fensom encouraged us in the last Messenger, let us all be led by God s spirit as we make our financial commitments for Jerry Protextor 90/10 ALLOCATIONS 2013 The funds distributed this year totaled $23,695. A local, regional and global disbursement plan was followed Audit Report - was presented to the council by CPAs Reid Mattson and Lisa Giese of Eide Bailly Mission Plan - Pastor Simon reported the Executive Team is beginning preliminary work on the 2014 Mission Plan. REGIONAL/NATIONAL Jail Chaplains 695 Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch 500 Lutheran Disaster Response-US Flooding 1,000 Lutheran Social Services 1,000 American Red Cross 1,000 Pathways 2,000 Cass Lake People s Church 500 Total $6,695 GLOBAL ELCA Malaria Campaign 500 China Service Ventures 500 Friends in Faith Orphanage in India 1,000 Haiti Habitat Project 2,000 Pastor Phil Knutson ELCA Missionary 2,000 Total $6,000 Grand Total $23,695 90/10 Allocations 2013 Team Eric Greiff Jana Kasper Jeanne Laugtug Dennis Martin Amanda Peterson Nancy Stene Pastor CJ Valenti Page 9

10 Be a part of Trinity s directory Sessions are filling up fast, so book your appointment today! Visit our website at and follow the registration link. Someone will help you register by calling the church office at We are also looking for volunteers to help with check-in. Please call the church to sign up! Photo Sessions Available: November 1: 2-9 p.m. November 2: 10-4:30 p.m. November 5: 2-9 p.m. November 6: 2-9 p.m. November 7: 2-9 p.m. November 8: 2-9 p.m. November 9: 10-4:30 p.m. November 12: 2-9 p.m. November 13: 2-9 p.m. November 14: 2-9 p.m. November 15: 2-9 p.m. November 16: 10-4:30 p.m. November 20: 2-9 p.m. November 21: 2-9 p.m. November 22: 2-9 p.m. November 23: 10-4:30 p.m. November 29: 2-9 p.m. November 30: 10-4:30 p.m. Two million meals and counting... Together we can achieve three Million feed meals with the need Lifetouch understands the importance of reaching out to the community in times of need. During designated times of the year, Lifetouch s FEED THE NEED meal program donates the value of 4 meals* for every family we photograph in our partnering organizations. Earned funds are then donated by the organization to local food banks or other charitable causes. This special partnership has already earned the value of 2,000,000 meals from Help us meet our three million meal goal with Lifetouch s FEED THE NEED program. To learn more about how Lifetouch helps support you and your community please visit us at or call * Based on the reported value of 4 meals purchased by selected local food banks in the United States Rev 10/12

11 Trinity Lutheran Church PO Box 188 Moorhead, MN Periodical Pastors Simon Fensom Lew Clefisch Matt McWaters Laura Stancher CJ Valenti Program Ministries Sandra Anderson Director of Children s Ministry Kathy Hunstad (kathy@trinitymhd.org) Director of Youth Ministry Ashley Strelau (ashley@trinitymhd.org) Associate Director of Youth Ministry Kay Heidrich (kay@trinitymhd.org) Director of Trinity Preschool Church Council Joel Bakken, President Shellie Simonson Ulven, Vice President Chad Hanson, Treasurer John Lenarz, Secretary Chris Lien, Romina Hillier, Kathy Benson, Craig Wagstrom, Shelly Strand, Craig Hagen, Sandy Bekkerus, Curt Kallander, David Manning, Alison Andreasen, Jenny Stenehjem Support Staff Charlotte Tallakson (char@trinitymhd.org) Receptionist/Secretary Jan McCormick (jan@trinitymhd.org) Business Administrator Lois Wagner (lois@trinitymhd.org) Bookkeeper Kristin Johnson (kristin@trinitymhd.org) Communications Coordinator Sue Ellingson (sue@trinitymhd.org) Office Assistant Ministry Staff custodians Dale Myrum Steve Twito TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS Deb Flaskerud Lyle Nelson Sound Board Assistants, Sanctuary Steve Sebelius Projection Assistant, CLC Mark Wallis Audio Engineer, CLC Music Staff Peggy Johnson Organist Choir directors Mike Weber Cathedral Choir Jessamy Thomas Youth Choirs Rachel Horan Celebration Singers Sue Dale Joyful Noise Sharon Christensen-Clark Joy Ringers (bells) Angie Schulz Minims Nat Dickey Trinity Brass Peggy Johnson Adult Bell Choir MISSION Philip and Lou-Marie Knutson Missionaries in South Africa Trinity Lutheran Church Street South, Moorhead, MN ; Fax: Emergency Number: (after hours) Web site: Radio broadcast: 9 am: KVOX (740 AM) Telecast (Ch 99): Mhd Wed., 7 p.m. (Ch 99): Fgo Sun., 11:30 a.m. Lost and Found Ministry Street South, Moorhead, MN ; Fax: Denise Peterson, Executive Director Barbe Isaacson, Bookkeeper Susan Aukes, Manager Kris Webb, Library Aide Beth Brantner, Lead Counselor Jennifer Reid, Lead Counselor Sandy Hanson, Counselor