Hosanna!! The Servant s Song APRIL On the INSIDE. 9 Anniversaries. Pastor Jim Fowler. * Contact Info.

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1 On the INSIDE Hosanna!! APRIL 2017 The Servant s Song A Public a t io n o f Trinity Lutheran Church, V ermillio n, SD Holy Week and the Resurrection of Our Lord, 2017 Dear Friends in Christ, As I write this, we are about halfway through our Lenten journey. We have been reminded to remember that we are dust and will one day return to the dust. On the Lenten Wednesdays after Ash Wednesday through the Wednesday before Holy Week, we are being reminded of the basics of our faith through messages based on Martin Luther s Small Catechism. I have been sharing a message on the Ten Commandments, first with Trinity, and then with other congregations in our Southeastern Conference of the SD Synod. We are rapidly approaching the central observance of our faith: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Resurrection of Our Lord. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday The services on Thursday, April 13, and Friday, April 14, will both begin at 7:00 pm. On Maundy Thursday, we will be reminded of Jesus mandate (hence Maundy ) to those who follow him: love one another I have served you. We will share in Holy Communion, the Sacrament that Jesus instituted that first Maundy Thursday. There will be some fifth graders partaking of Communion during this service. On Good Friday, the service will be based on the account of Jesus betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion from the Gospel according to John. The Resurrection of Our Lord We break out the alleluias and pull out all the stops to celebrate Christ s Resurrection from the dead a Resurrection that is promised to us in our Baptism. Two services featuring the Easter narrative according to Matthew, wonderful music, and Holy Communion will be offered at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. I hope you will be able to join with your sisters and brothers in Christ at Trinity as together we observe these central mysteries of our faith. Yours in Christ, Pastor Jim Fowler New Member Orientation Trinity s next new member orientation session is scheduled for Thursday, April 27, 7:00 pm in the Sletwold Room. There will be a brief overview of what makes Lutheran Christians Lutheran, and opportunities for involvement in Trinity s ministry. Thanks to the Board of Deacons for providing hospitality for these orientations! We plan to receive new members during the services on the weekend of Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30. Questions? Call Pastor Jim! You can reach him at the church, (605) , or on his mobile, (281) Opportunities The View from the Bench From the President & Youth Ministry Book Club & Stephen Ministry People Want to Know... 9 Anniversaries & Birthdays Calendar pg 1 Calendar pg 2 * Contact Info.

2 Opportunities Blood Pressure Screenings: before and after worship in the Sletwold room, the second weekend of each month. Monthly prayer group: meets Tuesday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. with Lorraine Swee, 424 N. Dakota ST. Men s breakfast and scripture study: Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m. in the HyVee cafeteria Women s scripture study: Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. in the Sletwold room. Quilters: weekly on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in the quilting room at Trinity. The Ministry of the Month for April will go to support the life & ministries of The Luther Center, on the campus of USD. Women s Bible study groups meet Thursday, April 13 Esther: 9:30 a.m. in the Sletwold room at Trinity Naomi: 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jill Munger, 1018 Crestview Drive Martha: 7:30 p.m. at the home of Erma Larson, 1107 W. Main Street Noisy offerings will be collected: April 8 9 and April BLAST PARTICIPANTS (preschool through grade 5) WILL HAVE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN OUR APRIL 9, 2017 PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP EXPERIENCE! PLEASE HAVE THEM IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL BY 9:15am. THANK YOU! Sunday, April 30, 2017 during 10:00 AM Worship For April, The Vermillion Food Pantry would like to invite you to provide toilet paper. Thank you for your support! -Jessica McKenzie, Director 2 Come meet Helene Rasmussen Jackson, author of Daughter of the Reformation. For many years Helene has researched and performed original monologue of the life of Catharina von Bora, wife of Martin Luther. Come hear why we are called Lutherans.

3 O p p o r t u n i t i e s Trinity's Board of Property continues to be hard at work preparing for the 125 th Anniversary Legacy Project. Members are working diligently with prospective contractors to ensure that the project is defined as closely as possible and that we hire contractors who meet the needs of Trinity, both financially and in terms of the work they will do for us. There's still time to support the Project! Our congregation has been very generous, and at this point we have secured nearly $100k of our $125k goal to complete these projects. You will now find printed envelopes in the narthex in which donations to the Legacy Project can be placed, then deposited in the offering plate. Exciting things are happening at Trinity - thank you for being a part of it! The High School Youth will be compiling recipes for a Trinity Lutheran Church 125 th Anniversary Cookbook. Start thinking about which secret recipes you are willing to share. Information on how to submit recipes will come out in April. BLAST Kids need your help. We are going to have a 'pen pal' like project and are hoping to team up BLAST Kids with members of the congregation. Both kids and adults will complete a 'get to know you questionnaire' that will be passed on to the partner. Adults will be asked to attend BLAST on Wednesday, May 3rd and participate in activities that day. Sunday, May 7th both BLAST Kids and their adult pals will be performing in church. Our hopes are that this will help to build relationships between people in the church. If you would like to participate, please contact Liz DeVelder, ldevelder@gmail.com or put your name on the signup sheet on the BLAST bulletin board. (BLAST Kids do not need to sign up -- they are already included.) What does BLAST stand for? We still need to decide! BLAST has been extremely successful this year. Approximately 60 kids have participated in BLAST Kids and there are approximately 20 kids in BLAST Confirmation. Each Wednesday night they share a meal and then have an hour of Christian Education. Wednesday isn't just for the young kids though. High school youth group meets and so does the Book Club. It's time that we determine what BLAST stands for so get thinking. The Board of Education will go through the suggestions and will have a fun way to pick a winner! Please submit your suggestions to Liz DeVelder, ldevelder@gmail.com, or to any other Board of Education member. 3

4 O p p o r t u n i t i e s Thad Alberty, Senior Trumpet Recital Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 1:00pm Colton Recital Hall College of Fine Arts at the University of South Dakota Thad Alberty has been playing trumpet for us at Trinity for the last four years. The music director at his home church in Rapid City, Michael Rathke, ed me to tell me that this young musician was coming to USD and would I please encourage him to come and play for worship. Thad did indeed contact me, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now we are coming to the end of his time here in Vermillion, as he will graduate in May with a degree in trumpet performance. He will be attending graduate school in the fall. He will be very much missed here. Please attend his recital and thank him for offering his gift of music to us while he has been attending the University of South Dakota. THE USD BRASS ENSEMBLE IS COMING TO TRINITY! Mark your calendars: Tuesday, April 18 th is the day! 7:30pm in the sanctuary Come for an evening of wonderful music! The USD website states The Brass Ensemble is a select group of undergraduate and graduate musicians on trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion. The ensemble performs all types of music from Renaissance and Baroque, to contemporary brass originals and jazz. Directed by Mr. Eric Mahon. This is an experience not to miss! 4

5 T h e V i e w f r o m t h e B e n c h April 2017 Martin! Martin! Where are you now? Why aren t you studying? What are you ever going to make of your life? Can t you just hear Martin Luther s mother saying something like this? I sure can. Martin. Flogging yourself is not going to help you. You are the most observant monk here, yet you are never satisfied with your level of debasement. I am sure that his teachers and priests felt this way often, as Martin was trying to find a way to make himself worthy for God. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) Everyone! Everyone! Wake up, wake up! We are reading this all wrong. It is not us who have to make ourselves worthy of our salvation, it is God who has already made peace with us through our Lord Jesus Christ! This is the Good News! I can imagine Martin going through the cloister, making this idea known to his fellow students, monks, and priests. It has been said that he was reading Romans 5:1 when he actually interpreted it with new eyes. He began to see what it truly meant to be a follower of Christ. People had put a lot of constraints on religion; in Luther s new view, they were not necessary. Needless to say, Luther was in trouble for the rest of his life. Easter is coming soon! Martin Luther wrote a very strong Easter hymn that I have loved all of my life, even though most of the people I have met don t know it. It is hymn number 370, Christ Jesus Lay in Death s Strong Bands in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Here are verses 1, 3, and 5. Christ Jesus lay in death s strong bands for our offenses given; But now at God s right hand he stands and brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be and sing to God right thankfully Loud songs of hallelujah! Hallelujah! Here the true Paschal Lamb we see, whom God so freely gave us, Who died on the accursed tree so strong God s love! to save us. See, his blood now marks our door; faith points to it; death passes o er, And Satan cannot harm us. Hallelujah! Then let us feast this Easter day on Christ the bread of heaven; The Word of grace has purged away the old and evil leaven. Christ alone, our holy meal, the hungry soul will feed and heal; Faith lives upon no other! Hallelujah! Praise to our resurrected Christ! And thank you to Martin Luther for enabling our faith and the faith of many others to thrive. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing YOU in church! Christy Kimball 5

6 F r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t April 2017 The deadline for newsletter items is the 20 th of each month, so, happy first day of spring! Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion celebrates our 125 th anniversary during this year and especially on October 22, the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation -- a great dual celebration! SAVE THE DATE! Do that now. TLC also invites others to attend these activities and the October 22 nd worship service, such as former members who have moved away, and former pastors, and those who have survived their preaching partners. Please help spread word of our plans. For planning purposes, we do need all people to RSVP to the church office (605) or to: offfice@trinityvermillion.org if they plan to stay for lunch after the service. A deadline will be announced, so just go ahead and do that now. Thank you. Lent began with Ash Wednesday on March 1 and the series of Lenten services has been meaningful as we approach Easter Sunday on April 16. As you may have already noticed or read, extra recycling bins are provided around the church building, so please use them and help our congregation remain a green example in caring for God s Earth. Remember that provides a quick reference to learn of our many activities. Meetings of the congregational council (2 nd Tuesdays, 7 pm) and those of the various boards (times and days vary) are open to any interested members of our congregation. Those members you have selected will do the voting, but your opinion, advice and input are welcome. Finally, here s an update on providing a more formal or professional word to open and close our radio broadcasts. Brief, introductory remarks and an even briefer closing have been recorded and will be incorporated into the program. Basically, this says who we are, welcomes listeners to the radio service, invites them to attend in person when or if they can, and thanks them for joining us in worship. Doing this was among my first radio jobs (1970 and I hope you don t mind my reading the announcement for us. Bless you and see you in church! Tom Sorensen Y o u t h M i n i s t r y HS Youth News: The TLC HS Youth Group is a busy group of teenagers with a full schedule including family, school, 4-H, athletics, music, theatre and work. We meet on Wednesday nights to join in Christian fellowship, to talk about Jesus, to support one another, to have fun, and, of course, to eat. In service and ministry to others: The TLC Youth is writing letters to our military service personnel. TLC HS Youth will be taking orders for Easter Lilies on Sunday s April 2nd in the Narthex. There are extra order forms in the Narthex, if you d like to pick one up during the week. Youth Group Activities: Recent Highlights: We review the Lessons and Gospel in Sunday morning HS Sunday School. Late Night at church (sardines, Jesus in HD, food, laser light lesson) was held until midnight. A very yummy Lenten Soup Supper was served-thank YOU to the parents for helping! We sit as a group during Lenten services and collect offering. Sixteen youth and 2 adults became CPR certified! Upcoming: Letters to military service members. Church on a Friday followed by all night LOCK-IN! Easter Lilly sales-profit goes towards 2018 Texas Youth Gathering. Reading the lesson during church service. Election of new leadership. Senior farewell. Prayer requests for our youth good health, making choices that are pleasing to God, stress management, VHS teachers, staff and administration, peer pressure, peace with siblings. Thank you! to these TLC HS YG Supporters! To parents for everything you do every day, for providing soup, for sending money or food when asked, for supporting our program. Thank you! To Kevin & Cindy Brown for hosting a tailgate at Prairie Eye Clinic and giving the TLC HS YG the gate. We purchased a NEW vacuum, a new extension cord for the media cart, markers, and of course, food! Thank you so much for your generous donation. It s great to see teens actually argue about who gets to vacuum! 6 To the Congregation for the Lenten Soup Offering. We appreciate that we are able to share those offerings with the Confirmation youth. We are looking forward to the 2018 summer ELCA National Youth Gathering!

7 T L C B o o k C lu b N e w s April 2017 Our Lenten discussion book was The Emptiness of our Hands by Phyllis Cole Dai and James Murray. The two friends planned to live on the streets of Columbus, Ohio for the 40 days of Lent. That year Lent started in February, and they had no place to sleep the first nights but on the frozen ground beneath some pine trees. Later that night they were roused awake by security and told to move on. And that was the beginning of their experience of being homeless. Walking miles each day searching for food, they took no money or values (phones), no food and no blankets. They wanted to experience what homeless really meant. They took only their faith and good will. The Emptiness of our hands was discussed on Wed evening March 29 th. Our April read is on a timely topic Undocumented Aliens. Our pick this month is Enrique s Journey by Sonia Nazario. Sonia won a Pulitzer Prize for her story of Enrique traveling to America and trying to locate his mom eleven years after she left to find work. Enrique leaves his home in Honduras often riding atop of freight cars. He faces a hostile world full of thugs, bandits and corrupt police. Living by his wits with little money, he will reach America. But will he be able to stay? The discussion of Enrique s Journey will be on Wednesday, April 26 th at 7:00 pm. If you have read this book and would like to join us, we meet in the Sletwold Room. A limited number of books from the Library will be available on March 29th to pick up. Join us for an interesting discussion on the 26 th of April. This concludes our season of book discussions until September. Watch for our start-up dates. If you have a book that you have read and it would make a good discussion, let us know. Jan Olson and Mary Berglin ( ) ( ) S t e p h e n M i n i s t r y The Stephen Ministers at Trinity have been looking at the new book "Cancer-Now What" written by Kenneth Haugk, the founder of Stephen Ministry. This book was written to help people navigate the diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Haugk went through the cancer process with his wife Joan, who had cancer. He found very little information to help them along the way. After his wife's death, Dr. Haugk decided to write a book so others would have some support during the difficult journey of a cancer diagnosis. He interviewed 3,500 cancer survivors, medical professionals and loved ones of cancer patients, in writing this book. He shares some of their experiences and insights in the book. The book gives guidelines about medical decisions as well as how to care for yourself and your family. The book has a chapter dealing with spiritual matters and how to find the right kind of support for yourself. The book is easy to read and is set up so you can find help with the area you are struggling with. Some of the suggestions are easily put into place, and others simply give you a place to start. You can also order a guide to help you in knowing how to give someone this book. If you would like to know more about the book there is a website set up; We also have a copy available at Trinity if you would like to see the book. Please contact Barb Schwartz if you are interested. As a family member of someone who had cancer, I can see how helpful the book would be to someone going through the cancer diagnosis. It often felt like " what do we do now? " and this book helps give answers to that question. I liked how the book had ideas both for the family members and the patient themselves. It would certainly provide much needed support during a difficult time. Stephen Ministry also has a small library of other support books. If you would like more information talk to any Stephen Minister or the church office. Barb Schwartz- Stephen Leader 7

8 P e o p l e W a n t t o K n o w : W h a t D o I D o B e t w e e n W e e k e n d s? There is the old joke that says that pastors only work one day a week, on Sundays. At Trinity, that would have to be expanded to two days, since we have a Saturday evening service as well. The truth is, most things that I, and most pastors, do between weekends is not seen by most folks. Originally, I thought I would describe my typical week. But no week is typical. Every week has its unique challenges and opportunities. Every Week 1) Preparing to preach a) This usually includes a study with other preachers on the readings for the coming weekend. 2) Leading a staff meeting on Tuesday morning 3) Attending Men s Breakfast and Bible study early Wednesday mornings During the School Year 1) Preparing and teach confirmation classes a) Ninth grade confirmation capstone class in the fall leading up to the Rite of Confirmation on Reformation Sunday. I lead some, and some members of the congregation lead from their areas of expertise and experience. b) Sixth grade confirmation Bible overview. Trevor Mandernach joins me in this effort. 2)First Communion Class, preparing elementary school students for their first communion on Maundy Thursday. Monthly 1) Provide a Communion Service at the Vermillion Care Center on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month. Thanks to Esther Knutson for providing musical leadership from the piano! 2) Meet with President Tom Sorensen and VP Scott Munger a week before the meeting of the Council to plan the council s agenda for the month. 3) Meet with as many Board chairpersons as possible each month to plan their Board agendas with them. I don t get to every Board meeting every month, but I do my best. I am usually available to meet with a Board at its request. 4) Mutual Ministry Committee usually meets the on the third Tuesday evening of the month. We take the summer off. 5) Meet with the Pastors and other leaders of the Southeastern Conference of our Synod on the first Tuesday of every month. These meetings rotate among the Conference s Congregations. 6) Meet with my colleagues in the Vermillion Ministerial Association. We usually meet on the second Wednesday morning of the month, with no meetings in the summer months. 7) I do my best to visit some of our homebound folks every month. I am grateful to Marcy Lund and our Stephen Ministers for being my partners in this pastoral care ministry. On Occasion 1) Whenever a death occurs in the congregation, that becomes my highest priority until the funeral is complete. On the day the death occurs, or no later than the next day, I meet with the family at the funeral home to talk about the arrangements pertaining to the church. The date and time for the service is set, Scriptures, hymns, and other elements of the service are chosen. If the family wishes to have a meal or lighter fare for fellowship, all I need to do is call Karla and she sets the wheels in motion with Kay Long, Arlis Johnson and the funeral committee. 2) Hospital visits, especially when the hospitalization is more than outpatient. 3) As head of staff, I am responsible for the supervision and evaluation of the performance of other staff members, particularly the Office Manager and the Director of Worship and the Arts. Service in the Church Beyond Trinity 1) I teach in the program called Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest in Austin, Texas. I am responsible for two courses on the theology arising from the Lutheran Reformation of the 16 th Century and its application for ministry today. I am scheduled to teach in Austin in August 2017 and January ) For one year, beginning on April 1, I will serve as the Internship Supervisor for Maria Cabello Salamon, the pastoral leader at La Iglesia Luterana Pueblo de Dios, housed at Augustana Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Maria was one of my students with I last taught at LSPS, in Spanish. We both survived! Our own Jill Munger is Maria s relator on our Synod s Candidacy Committee. 3) I serve on the Board of Directors of Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota, and am also its secretary. I hope you ve heard from me how much I value camping ministry in the church. It provides a kind of faith development that cannot happen in a classroom. Many pastors and lay leaders in the church first hear a call to their ministry through being a camper and/or serving as camp staff. This has already become longer than I intended, and I could write even more. But I hope that this gives you some idea about how I serve between weekends. If you have questions or comments for me, just pick up the phone or stop by the office. I m always glad to visit with you! Cordially, Pastor Jim 8

9 A n n i v e r s a r ie s a n d B i r t h d a y s April Roger and Lori Gilbertson 4.9 Brad and Karol Brodersen 4.10 Jerry and Linda Walz 4.16 Randy and Mary Isaacson 4.17 Mick and Cheryl Breske 4.23 Ron and Ann Schoellerman 4.25 Michael and Jill Kjose 4.28 Jeremy and Gretchen Richardson 4.1 Rickey Proefrock; David Williams 4.2 Benjamin Finnegan; Cindy Johnson-Brown; Larry McPherson; Haleigh Melstad 4.3 Brayden Jepsen; Kayla Munger; Jerry Walz 4.4 Carol Finnegan; Joanne Martin 4.5 Jakob Learing 4.6 Nila Fostvedt; Mary Isaacson; Luella Watson 4.7 Amanda Granaas; Tyler Hauck; PK Holmes 4.8 Cheryl Breske; Cassie Waage 4.10 Davis Jerke 4.11 Alexis Anders 4.13 Charlie Farrar; Kim Gilkyson 4.15 Aubri Moeller; Katlyn Noteboom 4.16 Kara Klemme; Elizabeth Springer 4.18 Darlene Bottolfson; Kelly Deal; Hannah Finnegan; Arnold Nelson 4.19 Sarah Miller 4.20 Dennis Luft 4.21 Ann Waterbury 4.22 Robin Mandernach; Kelcy Orr; Larry Severson 4.23 Jeff Jensen; Eileen Johnson; Lauren Mandernach; Arlyce Newton; Kylee Retzlaff; Beth Syzmonski 4.24 Carter Gruhn; Peyton Larson 4.25 Jenna Peterson 4.26 Michael Kruse; Michelle Reidel 4.28 Jerry Sommervold Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. - Psalm 31:24 W o r s h i p L e a d e r s f o r A p r i l April 2 April 9 April 16 8AM 10AM Acolytes Mariah Steffan; Tatem Passick Coffee-tea hosts Deacons Nancy Nelson; Dennis Harvey; Pat Meyers Greeters Derek and Crystal Moeller Acolytes Ian Kocher; Caden Mandernach Coffee-tea hosts Chad & Kirney, Keeley, Tatem, Oscar Passick Deacons Dennis Luft; Jeaneite Lorenz; Pat Meyers; Nancy Nelson Greeters Scott and Jill Munger Acolytes Reece Proefrock; Nathan Fick, Gavyn Jepsen Coffee-tea hosts Deacons Greeters Bob and Kathy Nelson Acolytes Jakob Learing Caden West Jackson Girard Deacons Greeters Marcy Lund, Robin Mandernach April 23 April 30 Acolytes Hannah Gruhn; Kara Klemme Coffee-tea hosts Deacons Greeters David and Janice Olson Acolytes LaKayah Lucas; Sophia Nilson Coffee-tea hosts Deacons Greeters High school youth Lector Jan Olson Lector C.J. Kocher Lector Ross King Lector Darwin VanDenOever Lector Lori Hawley Lector Bob Long Ushers Doug and Joanne Martin; Craig and Tyler DeVelder Ushers Leanne Brown; Kathy Heles; Elayne Lande; Jolene Klemme Ushers Todd and Mary Brevik; Dean Spader, Vikki Fix Ushers Chuck and Lorna Dibley; Tom and Mary Sorensen Ushers Scott and Glenda Schempp; Keith Joy; Dennis Harvey Ushers Rick and Susanne Steenholdt; Lyle and Edna Timm 9

10 10 A p r i l C a l e n d a r p g 1 April 2017

11 A p r i l C a l e n d a r p g. 2 April

12 The Servant s Song Trinity Lutheran Church 816 E Clark Street Vermillion, SD U.S. POSTAGE PAID VERMILLION, SD PERMIT # 1 Problems? We d like to make it right! Misspelled Name Wrong Address TO: Contact Information Phone: Website: Facebook: Trinity Lutheran Vermillion, SD Pastor James Fowler jim@trinityvermillion.org Karla Tawzer, Office Manager office@trinityvermillion.org Christy Kimball, Director of Music, Worship & the Arts christy@trinityvermillion.org Marcy Lund, Parish Nurse grandmother_marcy2@hotmail.com Mission Called by God Forgiven in Christ United in Spirit Sent to Serve 12