TRINITY TOWER. Holy Week

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1 TRINITY TOWER Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. (The Message Luke 4: 1-2) Observing a Lenten discipline allows us to Make Room For God in ways that we might not do at other times of the year. Fasting, prayer and meditation help us to deepen our relationship with God and with ourselves. When we nurture these intimate relationships and discover who we really are, and who God really is, we might find ourselves, unexpectedly, in the wilderness. Desert time is vital to a mature relationship with God. If we are committed men and women of faith, then God is going to bring us to the desert at some point to look deeply at ourselves and see all of us the way God sees us. This means we will have to confront the dark spots of our lives and the things we do our best to hide from God and from the rest of the world. Jesus was no different. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the...devil. (Luke 4:1 2). Jesus faced Satan and then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (Matthew 4:11) We face Satan and our own temptations in our desert time, just as Jesus did. And just as Jesus was not alone in his desert battle, we are not alone either. As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us be led by the Spirit to have the courage to head into the desert as Jesus did. We pray that during these remaining weeks of Lent, God will strengthen us in our weakness the way Jesus was strengthened. As St. Paul reminds us, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Jesus time in the desert prepared him to begin his public ministry. When we leave our desert time and confront our demons with God s help, we are stronger. It is in the desert time our time of prayer, solitude, and aloneness with God that God readies us for our next steps. Feed the Need! We are more than 1/2 way to our goal of $82,000. We still need $18,000 to reach our goal of packing 375,000 meals. April 15-17,2016 Every day, at least 6,200 children die from hunger or hunger related causes. These are God s children, and we who are blessed with resources are called to respond. More on page 2 Sunday Worship March, 2016 Volume 24, Issue 3 8:45 & 10:15 March 2, 6:30 pm Lenten Worship Jaxon Clemenson March 6 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Holy Communion Joyful Noise & Sanctuary Choir March 9, 6:30 pm Lenten Worship Kari Newell March 13 John 12:1-8 Youth Choir 10am Altar Communion March 16, 6:30pm March 20 Holy Week Lenten Worship Charleen Baller Palm Sunday Luke 22:14-23:56 Holy Communion Sanctuary Choir March 24 Maundy Thursday 11:30 am, 7:00 pm March 25 Good Friday 7 pm Seven Last Words of Christ Sanctuary Choir March 27 Easter Festival Worship with Trinity Brass 8:00 & 9:15 am Sanctuary Choir 10:45 am Contemporary Ensemble Holy Communion 8:00 am March 30 6:00 pm Wednesday Night Live

2 One Hundred Reasons We Love Trinity! Thanks to all for your heartfelt responses! If you have already contributed THANK YOU!! If you haven t had a chance, consider donating by March 1 which will help inform our total packing quantity. We continue to collect donations during Lent. We have two very generous donors who will match all funds donated up to $40,000 April 15-17, 2016 challenging our congregation to turn hunger into hope. There are several ways to support the event: (1) Checks made payable to Trinity FMSC on memo line; (2) Donate with the link on Trinity s homepage; and (3) Ask your employer about matching gifts. Each meal costs 22 every dollar counts! Volunteer sign up begins soon! Everyone over age of 5 is encouraged to help. Training is provided for each two hour shift. Volunteer Shifts TENTATIVE Friday, April 15 2:00-4:00 pm Packing Shift 5 1:00 3:00 pm (set up 15 volunteers) 4:30-6:30 pm Packing Shift 6 4:00-6:00 pm Packing Shift 1 7:00-9:00 pm Packing Shift 7 (geared to HS youth) 6:30-8:30 pm Packing Shift 2 Sunday, April 17 Saturday, April 16 11:30 am 1:30 pm Packing Shift 8 9:00-11:00 am Packing Shift 3 2:00 4:00 pm Packing Shift 9 (childcare provided) 11:30 am 1:30 pm Packing Shift 4 4:00 6:00 pm (Clean up 20 volunteers) To volunteer: (1) Sign up on-line. See link on Trinity s website (Childcare needs OR groups 25+ should contact Beth Arends: barends175@gmail.com); (2) stop by FMSC Volunteer table in narthex; (3) or contact church office. 2

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4 Congregational Life Membership New Members were recognized on February 14 If you are interested in membership, talk with a pastor or complete the form found on the website. Welcome New Members! Ed & Sara Francis and Briana Dennis & Deborah Krump Justin & Alicia Larson and Jaxson William Loe Joe & Kathryn McPherson, Morgan and Brady Elizabeth Mitchell and Jacqueline Mike & Carol Swenson, Morgan and Molly Jason & Amanda Wiggins, Ella and Jack Baptisms I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43 Elowyn Stofferahn 5 th GRADE FAMILIES - 1st Communion Information Coming Soon! Here are some future dates you will want to keep in mind. Two parent/child class options: Sunday, April 3 OR Sunday, April 10, 11:30am-1:30pm A light lunch is served, parents and children participate in a learning session with Pastor Brian or Pastor Carrie, and kids have an opportunity to taste the bread and the wine. 1st Communion will be celebrated Sunday, April 24 at both services. Together at Trinity Hand-made cards are available for purchase in the narthex. There are a variety of cards all proceeds benefit Dorcas Circle s mission outreach. Easter Flowers may be given in honor/memory of a loved one. Forms are available at the Welcome Desk. Share the Love Dorcas Circle is continuing to collect diapers (any size), baby wipes and infant/toddler clothing (can be new or gently used ) during March. Donations will go to Life Haven Homeless Teen Mother shelter supported by LSS. The Grief Coalition meets Thursdays at 4:00 pm at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth, Old Rockford Rd, Trinitarian Event The Music of John Denver at the Plymouth Playhouse. March 16 at 1pm. Cost: $23. Sign up at the Sign-up Center in the Narthex by March 6. We celebrate Holy Communion as a congregation at Trinity on the first and third Sundays of the month, and all are welcome at the table. We also offer the sacrament at 10 a.m. (between services) at the altar in the sanctuary on the second, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month. This has become a very meaningful time for those who join in. New this year during Lent! Cross Crafts! As we way make our way to the cross, stop by with your family, mentee, spouse or friends and make a Lenten cross to take home. Each week, there will be a new cross! Stop by anytime: Cross Craft materials will be available from 5:00-6:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall. (There will be a free will offering for those who are able to help offset the material cost). Join us! Save the Date - Family 80 s Dance! Friday, April 29 6:30-9:00pm Trinity Great Hall (Gym) Trinity s Video Streaming Ministry We are just about ready to venture into the world of streaming media with our worship services. We have all the equipment installed and are just finishing up the final details which will allow for our worship services to be viewed on our very own Youtube channel. Now we need a group of volunteers who are willing to man the camera. This takes very little experience, and we are very willing to train individuals. Our streaming consultant has secured a very user-friendly high-end quality HD camera which will provide a wonderful experience for our viewers. If you are interested in being part of this ministry, please speak with Mark. We are looking for people to commit to recording one worship service each month, can be either 8:45 or 10:15. 5

5 Families Moving Forward Help needed! Our hosting week is just a few days away, March Sign up on-line or at church. Here s a note from FMF and how important this program is to families. Dear Trinity Lutheran Church Hosts, Many thanks for the multitude of ways you supported our families and also FMF this week. From serving awesome meals to helping out with flat tires Trinity Lutheran Church does it all! Our families truly enjoyed spending the week with you and fly around the center singing the Super Man Prayer: Thank you God for giving us fooooood! From Ruth, Family Advocate Thrivent Builds/Habitat El Salvador Trip, March A team from Trinity is joining another group for a week of construction. Please pray for safe travel, good health and their ministry of building homes and relationships. Travelers: Jerry Paulson, Ed Glover, Melanie DeLuca, Abby Norlin-Weaver, Betsy & Mike Taylor. Look What We Are Collecting- Can You Help? Gently used Shoes & Sandals (children/youth sizes) & Notebooks/Folders for San Pablo children. We are collecting by March 13- sneakers, crocs, and sandals for kids/youth and notebooks and pocket folders. Do you have any at home to donate? March is MN FoodShelf Month! This year s theme is Prevent Hunger. Help support it by donating food or money to prevent hunger in our community. Checks can be payable to Trinity with IOCP Food Shelf in memo line of check. Food donations can be placed in baskets by Sign up Center. Items to Repurpose Collecting for the AGAPE Market projects: pillow forms, bright colored fleece, lamp shades (12 or less), wide barn boards, School spiritwear, Professional MN sports teams and MN college sweatshirts, colored glass beads and beading wire. On-Going Donations Keep them coming! Used cell phones/batteries; hotel sized shampoo, soap, cream; grocery/coupon books (expired no more than 30 days); paper grocery bags; diapers (any size & quantity); socks (men & women) and reusable bags. Place donations in the bins by the Sign Up Center. Items are donated to local shelters & IOCP. Volunteer Opportunities Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace. 1 Peter 4:10 Simpson Shelter Breakfast, April 2, 5:30-8:30 am, volunteers (any age) are needed to help prepare and serve breakfast. Wednesday IOCP Church Night, March 9 (ReSale 101), 5:30-8:00 pm 6-8 volunteers 12 & up. Mpls Crisis Nursery, April 9, 6:30-9:30 am Help prepare/serve breakfast. 5-6 volunteers (12 & up) Stamping Group, March 8, 9-11 am meets in the Art room to create cards. No experience necessary. AGAPE Gift Market Workshops Help create different items for the market. Upcoming dates: Every Friday in March (9-11), Tues. 3/1 (6:30-8:30 pm) and Sun, 3/13 (10-11:30 am). Sunday morning & Lenten/Holy Week assistants: We are always looking to increase the number helping. Please consider being an usher, greeter, reader, serving refreshments, communion assistant, baking bread or helping with altar care. During March, we need ushers on Wednesday nights and assistants for Holy Week. Give it a try! Sign up in the notebooks at the narthex Sign-up Center, online or Linda Koltes at LindaK@trinitylonglake.org. Stop by the Sign up Center OR visit Thank you for the many ways of serving! To the many volunteers that help at Simpson breakfast, St. Stephen s Dinner, Mpls Crisis Nursery, IOCP Church Night, AGAPE & Stamping Workshops. Thanks for your gift of service & time. To the many, many volunteers who helped during February as worship assistants. Thanks to our ushers, greeters, refreshments hosts, altar care, communion assistants, bread bakers and readers. For the various donations to local organizations including all the sweatshirts for the shelters! Well done, good and faithful servant Matthew 25:23 Summer El Salvador Mission Trip Sistership/Seeds of Hope- July 30- August 8, Join us for a multi-generational trip! We ll spend time with our sister church, help with a work project, be part of the annual Lutheran march, and connect with Seeds of Hope children. Several people have signed up so far come along and join us! Questions? Please contact Kassy Heinrich or Jill Cornell. Information is available at the Welcome Desk or on the website. This trip is open to friends. All trip costs are paid by individuals and a donation from a donor. 6

6 Pottery Hymns Ice Fishing Karaoke J-Term Thank you to all who participated in J-Term 2016! A very special thanks to our J-Term hosts! J-Term is meant to be a time for fun and fellowship and it certainly was! Watch for future J-Term inspired events and think about hosting your own event in 2017! Trinity Kids Offering The Bash family flew to Jerusalem the end of February and visited their daughter Rachel, who is serving through the ELCA s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. They brought a check in the amount of $ which was given to the parent organization at the Helen Keller School for the Visually Impaired. These funds will be used to provide enrichment opportunities for the children attending the school. Thanks to our wonderful Trinity Kids and their families for this global gift! Help create Easter Cards for Rachel Bash & San Pablo, March Help decorate or write an Easter greeting for Rachel Bash and our sister church, San Pablo in El Salvador. A table will be in the narthex March Stop by on a Wednesday night, Sunday morning or another time. Thanks for sharing Easter greetings! I was showered with love through Christmas Greetings from my Trinity family. Wow! Sending back many thanks and peace from Jerusalem. Rachel 7

7 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 4 Long Lake, MN ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL Mpls Crisis Nursery High School Activities The Preschool Marvels at Cupid IOCP Church Night Trinity Supper Servers 8