The Real Meaning of Easter

Transcription

1 March 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS The Real Meaning of Easter The best way to understand the real meaning of Easter would be from Jesus. The real meaning is a three- word answer the new covenant. Jesus had come into town for the Passover celebration and was getting ready to be betrayed by one of his disciples, publicly humiliated and mocked, beaten beyond recognition and hung on a cross to die. Knowing what was to come he made a special request for his followers to remember that he gave his body for us and poured out his blood as a sacrifice for us. The heart of Easter is found in his words, the new covenant between God and his people. Father God, there is sometimes controversy about how, when and what to call the remembrance of the greatest day in history the day Jesus rose from the dead and brought the gift of forgiveness and eternal life to all who would receive it the new covenant. Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon all who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Christ we have been given victory over sin and death and your promise of never leaving us or forsaking us for eternity. May we who are the body of Christ, the church, be united in purpose and mission to bring the message of grace to all who will listen. Help us love others like you loved others because the world needs a message of hope. The message is found in two words LOVE WINS! Christ is risen! Go and share the good news! Looking forward to seeing you and your guest this Easter, Pastor Ralph

2 Synergy President s Corner Rose Kuebker Coffee Chat with the Treasurer Synergy the Greek word meaning working together or the combing of two products, groups, substances or agents to produce the combined effects of greater than their separate effects. Synergy with God can make things happen. Our February council meeting opened with devotions and the collaborative sharing of our hopes and dreams desired for Trinity. Those expressed were: - Increasing the engagement of our youth group - Actively engaging all members in Trinity - Reaching beyond the walls of Trinity to let the community know that, This is Home - Trinity as the center of Faith The council discussed the need to put a finance and mutual ministry committee into place. Congregational member strengths and talents will be needed to support this work. Members interested in these teams should contact Pastor Ralph or Rose Kuebker. Council members will also be attending an educational opportunity, to enhance skills in building stronger ministry teams. Pastor shared the active work occurring within Trinity and our community, during our Lenten season. These included: - Sharing a weekly devotion service and lunch between Gethsemane and Trinity - Trinity Lent services and youth suppers - A Walk with Jesus for the community at Cross Lutheran Our Tuesday March 13 th, council meeting will have quest speaker Pastor John Sutherland in attendance. We will have an opportunity to understand options Trinity has with our interim Pastor, what the work of the transition committee is about and how this work informs a call committee. We will also discuss and review what would be needed, if we had two annual meetings, one in January and one in September. As we continue to follow God s path, work and grow together, Trinity s Synergy will call us for continued connections and action. -Deb Henry, Chair Thank you to all that participated in our Fat Tuesday Dinner and the potluck. The fellowship and food, as always, was great! Save the dates: April 22 - Potluck April 29 Assembling May Day Church Record Update Baptism Elsie Annette Brown Daughter of Adam & Jessica Brown Sponsors: Eric Brown, Danielle Brown & Samantha Criego Baptized: January 21, 2018 Myles Wayne Sandow Son of Lacey & Anthony Sandow Sponsors: Austin Sandow & Rachael Rahn Baptized: February 25, 2018 Rachel McHenry Dear Trinity Gift Givers, Some changes are happening early in 2018, as discussed in the annual meeting. The fellowship & building funds are now officially moved into the general checking account. The funds will be incorporated in the monthly financial statements. As we move forward in 2018, the Sunday school and Youth accounts will also become part of the general checking account and all income and expenses will be organized in our financial reports. For January, this skews the total income a bit by bringing the balance of the and Building Fund accounts into the General account. However, going forward you will all have a more accurate picture of Trinity's monthly Income/Expense Accounts. January Numbers overview: Income Offering 17,615 5,695 SCC Fundraiser 120 Worship Music 314 4K Rent 1,600 Building Income Total $30,914 Expenses Administration 7,747 Worship Music 1,103 Church Property 2,210 Mission Human Education Stewardship 115 Evangelism Building 2,613 Expense Total $13,789 January Income $17,125 Thank you, Rachel McHenry, Treasurer FOOD PANTRY UPDATE Next Food Shelf Sunday is: March 11 Thank you for helping others in need!

3 Greetings BOLT families- Education-Kelly Browning, Chair Mark your calendars for VBS 2018 where we will strap on your life jacket and get ready for a rip-roaring river ride with Splash Canyon: God's Promise on Life's Wild Ride. Please join us July 30 through August 2, 2018 for our VBS. Dinner will begin at 5:30 pm each night and is for the entire family. VBS will begin promptly at 6:00 pm with it finishing up at 7:45 pm. We are continuing to have a great time in BOLT! We have 39 kids registered for BOLT and attendance has been great since we started in September. Thanks to the families for bringing their children to BOLT and share in God s love. We are currently working on lessons on What is the Church and people, like you, me, and them are the church. BOLT will be collecting donation for Operation Christmas Child all year long. The donation bin is located in the Education wing if you would like to contribute. Thank you to those who have brought in donations this past month. When I have been shopping, I have noticed the winter hats and gloves clearance, so some good deals! We packed 66 boxes this past year and we are aiming for 100 this coming year, so if you have items to donate, please bring them in anytime of the year. Each month I will share some ideas to consider donating, so this month, let s think about Accessories. Puppet ministry is coming back to Trinity, the 4 th and 5 th Graders will be working on some new skits to present during church service. The kids are meeting on Sundays after church the following days, February 25, March 11, March 25, April 8, April 15, and April 29 for 45 minutes. Any questions, please contact Jennifer Haugen, timnjen@baldwin-telecom.net Every day there will be music, lessons, games, crafts, snacks, and fun. More details will be shared in the coming months, but if you are interested in volunteering, please let me know. Friendly reminder that we have a Closed Facebook group where I post what is happening with BOLT on a regular basis. You can request to join here; Trinity Lutheran BOLT Your Co-Worker in Christ, Kelly, BOLT Leader WELCA-Kathy Jensen, Chair Sunday, March 4 th at 10:00 am will be a WELCA meeting! ALL Women are welcome!! QUILTER S CORNER We will be Quilting on Thursday, March 8th and the 22nd at 9 am. Join us to tie knots in the Quilting room. Thank you for the donation of fabric and sheets that are used in making the quilts. Come have coffee and cookies after the Quilting. IMPORTANT BOLT DATES * May Day Baskets April 25 * End of Year Celebration-May 23 Education cont. The 4 th and 5 th graders are going to be having a Lock-In on Friday April 13 and Saturday April 14. We are looking at having some fun and doing a service project with them. Also, the 4 th graders will be starting 1 st Communion Classes on February 21 and will received 1 st Communion on Maundy Thursday, which is March 29.

4 Cayden LaVenture s Faith Statement When I hear the word Faith, I immediately think of God, church, and praying, but then, I also think of believing in something or wishing/hoping for something. As I write about what my faith means to me, I will discuss both these different meanings. For as long as I can remember, I have attended church, Sunday School, and the confirmation. I have listened to many Bible stories and learned about our religious traditions and their meanings. I have sat in church having faith that it would be over in time for us to be home before the Vikings game started. I do believe in God and I believe in the many stories I learn at church. Why? Or How do I know? I guess that is faith. My faith makes me a better person because I have a belief in something bigger than me, and I continue to work at being a good person every day. My faith helps me wrestle with big questions like death. It always reminds me that my family members who have passed are safe. A few years ago, my Grandma Linda died very suddenly. She was not sick and I did not get to say good bye. I was very sad, and it was really hard to see all my family sad too. At her funeral, the Pastor talked about Heaven. I don t remember much, but I remember him telling us that my Grandma was happy, and she was probably enjoying talking to all her relatives up there, or playing cards or needlepoint. I can not visit Heaven or see pictures in book, but I do believe in it. I believe my Grandma is happy there because of my faith. Sometimes my faith gives me motivation and perseverance through sports, school and in everyday life. I know God is with me 24 hours every day helping me get through life and helping me be the best person I can be. God watches me and protects me as much as he can. When I pray I know God will find me someone to answer my prayer (just like Pastor Ralph said in church last week.) Maybe it won t be the way I want it, but maybe it will help me too. My continued faith gives me strength mentally when life is hard. God is always giving the words of encouragement that you will get through this. Some people think that a kid can t have hard times, but we can. Going to church or praying might not make those hard times go away, but they do make me feel better sometimes. Because of my faith I will always try my best to help and respect the Lutheran church, the Pastor and the staff. I know that I still have a lot to learn about the church, God and Jesus, but I have been given a good start. I want to continue with that learning because I know it is important. My faith in God is very strong. I know that will never lose that faith. This is how I feel now, and as I grow older I hope my faith in the Lord grows even more. Mission & Human Needs -Marti Peterson Thank you to Deb Henry and all who helped with s Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper. Thank you to all who came. The proceeds went to the SCC Backpack Program. March 11, 2018 is the next Food Shelf Sunday. Please remember those less fortunate when you attend church this Sunday. March 18, 2018 will be the Dad s Belgian Waffles Fundraiser for the 2 nd year. The Fundraiser will be held at the SCC High School and proceeds will go to SCC Teen Suicide Prevention and Awareness. Please mark your calendars and come support this great cause. Questions: Ask Scott or Nancy Post. March 25, 2018 Faith Community Church in New Richmond will be hosting Silent Messengers performing Celebrating A Savior. They are serving a soup supper beginning at 5:00 p.m. followed by the performance at 6:00 p.m. The free will offering for both dinner and show will go to Grace Place and Serenity Home Shelters. You can RSVP by calling or logging onto: Some thoughts for Lenten Giving: 1. Keep a jar in your kitchen for loose change from your pockets, etc. $0.25 per day over the 40 days of Lent would amount to $ Donate this to your favorite charity. 2. Need to clean your closet? Keep a garbage bag in your bedroom. Remove one item of clothing every day that you no longer wear. Donate to Good Will, Treasures of the Heart, or other nonprofits. 3. Grocery shopping? Pick up an extra item to bring to church on Sunday (or bring a grocery bag full on Easter morning. Thank you for your continued support of our Food Shelf, our Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library, our support of Grace Place and our support of the SCC Backpack Program. Blessings on you all. Marti Save the Date: Sunday, April 8 th during fellowship Make-it okay to talk about Mental Health

5 March Ministry Calendar Please consider how you might do God s work with your hands. Sign up at the Communication Corner or call the church office. Instruction available for every role & a reminder call or a few days before your commitment. 4 WED WED WED THURS. 29 FRI. 30 GREETERS Ushers (2) Reader Acolyte Power Point Harold & Lenore Sarah McHenry & Janessa Olson Lenore Livvie Rose Kuebker Sarah McHenry & Janessa Olson Scott Post Mitchell Larson Kathy Gustafson Rose Kuebker Autumn Afdahl Livvie Bryn & Kiara Afdahl Zach Wittmer Zach Wittmer Lois Koosmann Chris & Judy Larson Marti Peterson Noah Nusbaum Kathy Gustafson Zach Wittmer Zach Wittmer Bev Medes Laura Ellsworth Judy Larson Nusbaum s Nusbaum s Rob Munson Kathy Gustafson Aidan & Brock Thorsen Sound Tech Communion Helpers Communion Set Up Bread Baker Offering Counter1 Offering Counter2 Bulletin Sponsors BOLT Sponsors Worship Claire Jill Foster Laura Ellsworth Deb Henry Rose Kuebker Worship Rose Kuebker Marti Peterson Worship Claire + + Deb Henry To Sponsor a Bulletin, please see Betty Johnson Servers Exterior Property Mission #13-Myke LaVenture Mission #13- Myke LaVenture March Bulletin Sponsors G- Dave & Becky Fowler #13-Myke LaVenture Mission #13- Myke LaVenture I-Sue Bork #1- Kirk & Susan Hodnefield Mission #1- Kirk & Susan Hodnefield H- Steve & Jean Peterson #1- Kirk & Susan Hodnefield No #1- Kirk & Susan Hodnefield See Betty Johnson to sponsor a bulletin! Just $8.00! No #1- Kirk & Susan Hodnefield March 4th BULLETIN: Happy Birthday Pete Nusbaum from your family. Rick and Rose Kuebker in honor of daughter Resa s wedding. March 11th BULLETIN: Happy Birthday Lillian Jorgenson from grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dorothy Hage in celebration of family. March 18th BULLETIN: WELCA. Charlie and Vera Grant in gratitude of our church family. The Nusbaum family in honor of Charli s Birthday. March 25th BULLETIN: Charlie and Vera Grant in gratitude of our church family. Do you have a special day, memory or event coming up? Sign up to be a bulletin sponsor in 2018! Call ( ), (alsgal63@baldwin-telecom.net) or talk to Betty Johnson at church! Only $8.00!!

6 March Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00pm Yadda, Yadda Prayer American Heritage, Apt :00am Worship w/communion 10:45am Coffee am SCV 6:30pm Cub Scouts 5:30pm Lenten Meal 6:30-7:15pm BOLT 6:30pm 1 st Communion class 7:00pm Lenten Worship 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda Prayer American Heritage, Apt :00pm Youth Meat Raffle, Parkside 8am-4pm Christ Jam, Bethany Lutheran, Rice Lake 9:00am Worship Food Shelf Sunday 10:00am Coffee 6pm Girl Scout Leaders 4:00pm Hammond Royalty :00am Jumpstart! 9am-4pm 6:30-8pm Cub 7:00pm Church 5:30pm Lenten Meal Walking Scouts Council 6:30-7:15pm BOLT Together, 7:00pm Lenten Worship UW-EC 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda Prayer American Heritage, Apt :00am 10am Heritage 9:00am Worship 5:30pm Lenten Dinner Quilting Mission w/communion 10:00am Coffee Newsletter items due! 6:30pm BOLT 6:30pm IGNITE (7 th Grade) 7:00pm Lenten Worship 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda Prayer American Heritage, Apt. 111 to set up for Silent Auction 9:00am Worship 10:00am Coffee /Potluck :00am Jumpstart! NO BOLT 10am Newsletter Folding & Treats 6:30pm Cub Scouts 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service TBD- A Walk with Jesus Cross Lutheran, Roberts 7:00pm Good Friday Service You are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you. ~ Romans 5:8

7 Christ Jam 2018 Stewardship-Ron Pratt, Chair Dear Trinity Lutheran Church, Thank you for being such a treasured friend to FMSC and kids around the world! On January 29, 2018 you gave $59.80 to provide 271 nourishing MannaPack meals that are reaching kids in need around the world. Your donation is so much more than a gift of food. You give hope. You give joy. You show kindness. Hunger is no match for the power of your love. Thank you for your generosity! For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. ~1 Corinthians 4:20 Until ALL are fed, Mark Crea Executive Director/CEO Feed My Starving Children Thanks to the support of 47 family units who have made 2018 commitments of approximately $90,000 so that Trinity s budget for 2018 will be met, and Trinity s various ministries can be supported. There s still time to make your 2018 commitment. Please consider using Simply Giving or the USPS this winter if you re spending time in warmer climates so that Trinity is up-to-date with its ministries. Please me at dunie01@gmail.com if you have any questions or ideas for our team. Again, thanks for all you do for God s work at Trinity. Respectively submitted, Ron Pratt Tuesday Community Night Supper The Tuesday Community Supper is served the first Tuesday of every month at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1350 Florence Street, Baldwin, Wisconsin. This is a free meal open to anyone in the community, served from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Area churches, businesses and organizations take turns preparing and serving good nutritious food every month. Gethsemane Lutheran Church will be preparing and serving the meal on March 6th, The menu is BBQ s, baked beans, celery & carrot sticks and assorted dessert bars. LITTLE FREE PANTRY The Free Little Pantry is open to all! The posted hours are Monday through Friday, 9-11am and 2:30-5pm. Wednesday nights from 5-8pm and Sunday mornings 8:30-12(noon). The pantry is located inside Trinity by the Fireside room. Please share with others and let them know it is available! Take what you need, give what you can.

8 7:01pm- Rose Kuebker called the Meeting to order. Devotions were held with Psalm 145. Those present include Sarah Pommerening, Christine Pommerening, Pastor Ralph Olson, Rose Kuebker, Deb Henry, Kathy Jensen, Rachel McHenry, Betty Johnson, Laurie Posey, Tim Haugen (in for Kelly Browning), Marti Peterson, Sue Frank, and Ron Pratt- (on phone). An introduction of council members was held with each sharing their hopes and dreams for Trinity. Approve Minutes from January 8, Motion made by Marti, second by Tim to approve the January Council Minutes. Treasurer s and Stewardship Report- Rachel shared the year to date income and expenses. She has closed the, Mission & Human Needs, and Building Fund accounts and combined them into the general fund. Rachel is entering the budget into our software we currently have. She will be looking for other software that would be easier to get the information we need all year. Ron shared that the 3M stocks were given to be used towards principle reduction. The 4k rent is also used for that purpose with the extra going towards utility expenses. Ron reported that the Stewardship team has 47 pledges for 2018 totaling $90,000. Betty moved to accept the Treasurer s and Stewardship reports. Seconded by Marti Peterson. Motion carried. Pastor s Report- Pastor Ralph shared that Gethsemane and Trinity will be alternating a weekly Lenten devotion service held at noon with a light lunch to follow at Gethsemane on February 21, Trinity on February 28, and Gethsemane on March 7. A Walk with Jesus will be held at Cross Lutheran on Good Friday at 7:00pm. There may be booths for kids to Experience Easter. Wednesday Lenten services will be based on 2 Peter How Faith is built. There are 11 4th graders who will receive their 1st Communion on Maundy Thursday. He also met with SCC s District Accountant to renew our contract. Their board will be discussing it on February 19. He attended a conference meeting on social media. There was a speaker talking about the mission investment fund from Thrivent. He said Trinity is moving forward in a positive way with many good things happening. He wanted to Thank everyone who helps out with every part of everything that happens here at Trinity! Old Business Rose reported on the Congregational Meeting. It went very well with lots of participation. Benevolence Giving- Luther Point and Synod. We agreed to give to Luther Point quarterly and tabled the synod giving to the March meeting. New Business Trinity Council Minutes for February 12th, 2018 Pastor Ralph went over the Constitution requirements needed in order to start the call process. All council members were given a copy of our Constitution and Bylaws to read over. We had Executive Committee votes. Vice President is Laurie Posey, and recording Secretary is Deb Henry. Mutual Ministry - Pastor Ralph and Rose will appoint 3 church members to serve on this team. Council meeting times will be from 7:00pm-8:30pm and will start and end on time. Splitting Annual Meeting- Tabled until March. Bill Drinken will be invited to come to the March meeting to discuss options in regards to holding one or two annual meetings a year. John Sutherland will be attending our Council Meeting in March. Gmail accounts were made for each council member. The goal is for everyone to get into their accounts and be able to use them by next month. Pastor Ralph shared that his computer hasn t worked in a few weeks and needs to be looked at or replaced. New computers are in the budget for 2018 and Sarah, Christine, and Rachel will research computers that will work best for our office setting. Brian Owens will be contacted first to look at Pastor Ralph s computer. Ron shared that the need for food in the summer for our area youth is great. It was said to contact area churches to see if we could work together on this.

9 February Trinity Council Minutes continued Deb will contact Carissa Ditlefsen about coming and promoting Luther Point on March 25. The website and social media will be updated by Sarah. Betty shared that we welcomed one new family to Trinity in January and the Waffle Breakfast is being worked on and will be held March 18 at the SCC High School. Communion Helpers February 18- (kneeling)- Marti Peterson, Kathy Jensen, and Laura Ellsworth March 4- (intinction)sue and Daryl Frank, Rachel McHenry, and Laurie Posey Teller Volunteers February 25: Marti Peterson March 11: Deb Henry Betty will be doing the March meeting devotions We adjourned with the Lord s Prayer at 8:26pm. Motion by Rachel and seconded by Marti. *Our Next Meeting is Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 7:00pm at Trinity with John Sutherland- Respectfully submitted by, Deb Henry Recording secretary * Note different day* 2 nd Annual Dad s Belgian Waffles Come join Trinity Lutheran Church for our 2nd Annual Dad's Belgian Waffles at St. Croix Central High School on Sunday, March 18 from 8:30am-12:30 pm! It is all you care to eat including waffles, sausages, toppings, and beverages. $9 Adults/Kids 5& under free. Purchase tickets after church on Sunday s or at the door. Proceeds go to SCC Teen Suicide Prevention and Awareness. Youth Meat Raffle Where: Parkside Restaurant, Hammond WI Date: Friday, March 9 th Time: 8:00 pm Help the raise money to go to the National Youth Gathering in June! Devotions and Lunch Gethsemane in Baldwin and Trinity will be alternating a weekly Lenten devotion service held at noon with a light lunch to follow. Join us at Gethsemane on March 7 and Trinity on March 14. Walking Together Event Date: Saturday, March 17 th Time: 9:00am-4:00pm Location: Davies Center, UW-Eau Claire Getting the Word out! 1-2 Sound Person(s) needed for Sunday Mornings! Youth can earn service credits for helping out! Contact the church office for more information! Join us at Cross Lutheran in Roberts on Good Friday for a special Event. Watch the bulletins for more information!

10 March 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER JOIN US SUNDAY MORNINGS FOR WORSHIP AT 9:00 AM BOLT & CONFIRMATION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 6:30PM TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 1250 BROADWAY STREET PO BOX 68 HAMMOND WI Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Hammond WI Easter Worship Schedule: Sun. Mar. 25: Palm Sunday, 9 AM Thurs. Mar. 29: Maundy Thursday, 7 PM Fri. Mar. 30: Good Friday, 7PM Sun. Apr. 1: Sunrise Service, 6:30 AM, Breakfast served by Youth, 7-9 AM, Easter Morning 9 AM RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED