January 2018 FROM PASTOR MARK LOVE: A YEAR OF LISTENING

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1 January 2018 FROM PASTOR MARK LOVE: A YEAR OF LISTENING Silence is a text easy to misread. These words, taken from Reader s Digest s Quotable Quotes, reveal a great truth about how people communicate. Lack of communication leaves any relationship to be guided by ignorance and guesswork. A lack of honest, continuous communication is the chief cause of breakdown in many relationships. Jesus Christ was born into the flesh to accomplish several things, one of which was that God might speak to us in these latter days by His Son (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus still does this to make sure that there is no lack of honest and continuous communication from God to us. There is no silence from God for us to misread. God offers no reason for our relationship with Him to be guided by ignorance or guesswork, or to break down. God s communication with us is continuous He speaks to us anew every day. This may seem hard to believe, but we must remember that, The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). But as much as the Lord would speak to us anew every day are we listening? If we are listening, HOW are we listening? When you listen to God as you read His Word, do you listen with a been there, done that attitude? Do you skip words (Continued on page 2) Traditional Sunday Worship: 8 & 10:30 am Contemporary Sunday Worship: 10:45 am Wednesday Worship & Bible Study: 7:00 pm Adult Bible Class & Sunday School: 9:15 am 4560 Glendale Avenue Toledo, Ohio Phone: / Fax: Trinitylutheran.org

2 (Continued from page 1) because you already know this? Or do you expect God, in His living and active Word, to speak to you revealing some new thing? His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Now, if His mercies, offered to us through His Word, are new every morning, will His speaking to us be new every morning, afternoon, and evening? There are times when it seems as if the Lord is silent. But since He has given us His Word, God never leaves us silence to misread. If, however, we read the Bible or listen to a sermon with an I know this already attitude, God may seem silent. This is not because He has stopped talking, but because we have stopped really listening. If we approach listening to God in this way, our faith will die, for faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The believer approaches every opportunity to listen to God with the expectation of hearing God speak to him or her personally. For the Word of God is not only living and active, but it is most useful for the daily life of everyone. God promises, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). In this new year, as you begin a new period of time, I hope that you make time to listen to the Lord, and after that time, talk to Him about what you heard Him say. For He is the one that declares anew every morning, by grace you are saved and this not of yourselves, it is a gift from Me (Ephesians 2:8). In Christ s Service and yours, Pastor Love Dear Trinity Family, Happy New Year! We pray for Trinity Family members that it will be a happy and healthy New Year. It s going to be an exciting New Year around our church and school. For months, and now for years, we have aggressively searched and planned for renovations like new and adequate lighting, refinished pews, new carpeting and repainted walls and new flooring under the pews, not to mention most of the renovations for our beautiful sanctuary. As a result of a very active, comprehensive building committee led by Ed Mauntler and educated engineers we are almost ready to present a complete plan to you all. This will likely be done in February as we get the final bids in from different sources. The plans also include heating and air conditioning. With God s help, we will have updates that will last well into the decades to come. Thank you for your patience, Trinity family. You all are a Godsend, and with God s help, we will accomplish everything planned for Trinity Lutheran Church. This will be a God-pleasing atmosphere for us and for visitors that come seeking God s word in its truth and purity. Some say religion is outdated, but the Word of God never is outdated and there s no fake news in the Bible. We refuse to change it to our liking it s established as God s Word to us. God be with you throughout the coming year and I look forward to seeing many of you in church and many of you return to your church this New Year. God bless you, Roger Schlade President, Trinity Lutheran Church

3 INTENTIONAL WEDNESDAYS Beginning January 3, 7pm Christian Symbolism With emojis used more often in communications, understanding the power of symbols is increasingly important. Pastor Love will explore Christian Symbolism and how different symbols are still used as messengers of the faith today. This class will meet in the Luther Room. A Man Named Martin, Part III: The Movement Pastor Kleimola continues a look at Reformation History with Part 3 of the video-based class, A Man Named Martin. This 5-week series looks at the Reformation movement s effects on the world as we know it. This class will meet in the Trinity Room. Financial Peace University Come learn to be weird at Financial Peace University! This 9-week class starts Wednesday, January 3, and runs 7-8:30pm. We have the materials & can offer them at a special rate of $75 per family! Sign up online at daveramsey.com/findaclass and choose the "No, I already have materials" option. Contact Pastor Kleimola with any questions. This class will meet in the sixth-grade classroom. Great Women of the Bible Deaconess Hibbard will lead a study of some of the women in the Bible. See God s grace in action as He called and led these women. Learn about their strengths and weaknesses, trials and triumphs. In the process, we ll reflect on God s grace in our own lives. This class will meet in the music room.

4 LWML News The Lutheran Women s Missionary League (LWML) has many service opportunities for 2018! The LWML Toledo Zone will have a one-day retreat on March 3. Join us at Ohio Living-Swan Creek, 5916 Cresthaven, Toledo. Registration begins at 8am, with a continental breakfast at 8:15. Opening devotions are at 9am; the retreat will close at 2:30pm. Expect personal enrichment and fellowship with women of Toledo-area churches. Watch for further information in the upcoming News & Notes. The LWML Toledo Zone Spring Rally will be Saturday, May 5, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 710 Buckeye St., Toledo. Mark your calendar now and plan to join us! The 27th Biennial LWML Ohio District Convention, Walk in the Light, will be June 22-24, This event will be held at the Embassy Suites in Dublin, Ohio, and hosted by the ladies of the Central Zone. The agenda will include Bible study, mission speakers, fellowship, selection of mission grants, and election of new officers. Look for additional information and registration forms in the next issue of the Ohio District Edition (ODE). Interested in attending? Please contact Grace at or Lillian at A Short Term Mission Trip to MOST Ministries, Ann Arbor, Michigan, is planned for the third Thursday of each month. This one-day trip will go from about 8:15am to 3pm. We hope that you will take the opportunity to join us! Learn about the eye glass ministry and other ministries that MOST is involved in. Watch the newsletters and bulletins for additional information on these events. Your involvement of Prayer and Mite Giving supports the LWML Mission Grants. Do you use your Mite Box regularly? Here are some suggestions to increase your mite giving: Round up when shopping or paying a bill and place the difference in change into your Mite Box Contribute an amount by counting your blessings for the years of your life: the number of children or grandchildren, years of marriage, years of employment or retirement Place your Mites coins, cash, or check into an envelope and bring it to church on Sunday, January 21. Deposit your gifts into the large Mite Box at the Welcome Centers. Mite gifts in November totaled $ March 31, 2018 is the close of the biennium. Your gifts in the next few months will enable the LWML to fund the Ohio District mission grants. Check out the winter issue of the Lutheran Woman s Quarterly! Read inspiring stories, updates on mission grants, and Bible studies. Don t forget to pick up a copy of the Ohio District Edition (ODE), which has news about the LWML Ohio District. Remember the following LWML mission grant in your prayers: TANZANIAN SEWING CENTER In a remote area of Tanzania, southeast of Lake Victoria, is an extremely arid region of 19,601 square miles. Many girls live here in small villages. They do not go to school or work and depend on their villages for assistance. Many girls marry at a very young age just so they have someone to take care of them. Some become involved in human trafficking, becoming slaves or [Cont. on page 8] FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS Oh, the January weather is frightful So Friendship Circle will NOT meet in January 2018! But mark your calendars for Thursday, February 8, at 11:30am! We ll have a Baked Potato Bar and Game Day at Trinity! Look for details in the February newsletter or Sunday News & Notes.

5 Anna s Comfort Corner Hi, everyone! December was quite an exciting month! Here are some of the highlights: My friends, Barnabas Comfort Dog and Isaiah Comfort Dog, and I traveled to Hopkins Int'l Airport in Cleveland for their annual Fantasy Flight for children with serious health problems. We joined Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, superheroes, princesses, and other volunteers to welcome families to the "North Pole." What a blessing to make so many new friends and provide love, comfort, and fun for precious children and their families. presence to those who may not know Jesus Christ without proselytizing. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia R. Bates welcomes LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ezra as a member of her team, serving individuals affected by crime. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ezra will remain an LCC owned staff dog to maintain a separation of church and state. His court system scheduling will be handled through the Prosecutor s Office in coordination with LCC and Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ezra will have three court system handlers, two victim advocates and one Deputy Sheriff, plus six handlers from Trinity Lutheran Church. (Excerpts from Lutheran Church Charities writings.) But the most important event of the month was the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Wishing all a blessed New Year! Ezra Comfort Dog s Bible verse: Nehemiah 8:10: Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' I also enjoyed a great visit with the people at St. Peter s Lutheran Church in Florida, OH. Ezra Comfort Dog and I met lots of new friends as we greeted before their 10:00 service. After worship was a Christmas dinner potluck. We talked to them a lot about the Comfort Dog Ministry, and they seemed to enjoy learning about the ministry. Speaking of Ezra, have you seen the news? He s been deployed to Toledo! There was a press conference and everything about this exciting opportunity! Here s what they are saying about him: The LCC K-9 Ministry will now bring the mercy and compassion of Christ to individuals during court system situations. In many cases, individuals experience a range of emotions, including anxiety and even fear, while going through adoption, cases of abuse, or other legal processes where testimony is required. Working with the Prosecutor s office in Lucas County, Ohio, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ezra has been placed in the primary role of bringing a calming presence to those in the court system. This placement provides LCC with a new ministry opportunity to bring a Christian In His service, Anna Comfort Dog Psalm 62:8

6 WE NEED GREETERS! Please consider volunteering as a greeter during one of our services! New greeters are welcome at the 8am, 10:30am, and 10:45 services to say hello and welcome people as they gather to worship. We especially need a new volunteer to schedule the greeters for the 8am and 10:30 services! Contact the church office if you would like to sign up. Want to greet at the 10:45 service? Contact Leslie Wilt at: or

7 Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Giving is not a natural act. We must deny a sinful nature that is all about getting and keeping. We re inclined to put ourselves first and others second. Our heavenly Father knows that giving requires the grace of Christ. Through His grace, the Holy Spirit helps us break the grip of sinfulness on our abilities and gifts of money and time. When we give our first and best to the Lord, we show that our faith and trust are in Him. God wants us; He has made us new in the image of Christ, the giver of all good gifts. He wants us to live to give by faith, not live to get gifts. When Jesus asked the rich young man in Mark 10 to give all that he had to the poor, he went away sad because he was unable to give up his possessions. The rich young man didn't possess his possessions; they possessed him. When Zacchaeus heart was changed, he willingly gave half of his possessions to the poor. His gratitude for Jesus' love for him changed his perspective on money and possessions. We can give because of what God has done for us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). We can love "because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). As recipients of God's grace and love, we are empowered to share God's gifts with Him and others. May God enrich us as we grow in our giving during our Ten for Ten effort. Wondering if school is delayed or closed? We do not follow Toledo Public Schools or Toledo Christian s decisions. If there is bad weather, look for Trinity Lutheran Toledo on the list of school delays & closings. Not sure? Please call the school office at Trinity Makes Giving Easy! We added another way to give! If you have a smartphone, you can download the tithe.ly app from the Google Play or Apple store and find our church and give from your phone. Please note that there is a processing fee associated with all electronic methods, but we want to share the convenience with you.

8 [LWML News, Cont.] prostitutes, and contract HIV. With no skills to support themselves, these girls lead lives of despair and desperation. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania South-East Lake Victoria Diocese (ELCT-SELVD) has established a sewing center to teach young girls life skills and the Gospel. The church s goal is to build classrooms and a dormitory for 50 students. An LWML grant will help them provide supplies such as sewing machines, sewing materials, furniture, and instruction. Within one year of training, their sewing skills will enable the girls to have pocket money, be able to purchase a sewing machine, and buy materials to create sewn items to sell for income. LWML s support will help ELCT-SELVD fulfill their mission of connecting with their people, even those living in remote areas. ELCT-SELVD leaders can make a difference to these girls and their families, bringing them the Gospel and the hope of eternal life with Jesus, showing and teaching them the love of Jesus, and guiding them toward a future with hope and the knowledge of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. SPECIAL THANKS to everyone whose gifts helped decorate the Hat and Mitten Tree. The students and their families at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, will benefit from your generous giving. Some gifts will be given to the needy in our area, to be delivered in early January. The LUTHERAN WOMAN S QUARTERLY and OHIO DISTRICT EDITION (ODE) are available in the narthex or at the Welcome Center near the gym door. Be sure to pick up a copy of each periodical. STAMPS for MISSIONS Thank you for saving Stamps for Missions! Since April 1, 2016, the LWML Ohio District has received a total of $3,570 for the stamps you have saved! PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: Please save ONLY Commemorative and Foreign stamps, NOT common stamps. What is a Commemorative Stamp? It is a stamp issued to recognize a significant date, or to honor a person, place, event, or object. The subject is usually printed on the stamp. These stamps are also a little larger than a common stamp. What is a common stamp (which are no longer accepted)? ALL flag, flower, Love, etc. stamps that do not commemorate a specific person, place, event, or object! When saving stamps, please keep this in mind: Stamps should be cut off envelopes, with a ¼ inch edge around the stamp Stamps must be cancelled Please do not save non-profit stamps Please do not save stamps that are damaged, creased, or taped Postcards are welcome! Please save the entire card, not just the stamp! As always, stamps can be left in the special stamp box in the narthex. Thank you!

9 J u B hd y & An rs e God s richest blessings to those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this month! If your name has been accidentally left off this list, please contact the church office so we can have the correct information. 1. Karen Miller 2. Tammy Green Kathryn Guilbault Cheryl Meldrum Michael Stainbrook 3. Bernice Gibson Kati Kleimola Vivian Liebnau Matt Manges Elizabeth Paulsen 4. Keira Dery Cindy Janowiecki Teagan Kennedy Kristin Tucker 6. Tom Plageman Jim Wollenweber 7. John Henry Diehl Todd Miller 8. Melissa Kisandi Jon Stainbrook 9. Susan Marshall Brittany Shulters Charlene Smolinski 10. Charlette Jackman Marjorie Kohler Jim Landskroener Elena Lohmann Tim Miller 11. Arthur Garn, Jr. Diane Lark Scott Skiver 12. Riley Case-Holt 13. Lynne Bartlett Sheryl Bodi Sheila Hayes 14. Chuck Dvorak 15. Benjamin Miller Brittney Myers 16. Mary Sirois Ian Tucker Corri Werning Carol Williams Julia Zieber 17. Carson Randall Alyson Winkler 18. Carol Norton Rachel Semro Payton Shively 20. Pamela Garn Emily Manges 21. Dawson Cervetto Jacob Huner 22. Annabelle Ames Patty Pacheco Rex Shanahan Abbey Yambert 23. Terri Marter Julie Paulsen 24. Robin Deal Sylvia Schuster 25. Yvonne Hawkins Lillian Young 26. Michael Burchfield Beau Craig Paul Svatik 27. Marianne Gordon Ernest Heller 28. Emily Gibson Kathryn Haessler John Mikolajczak Ellen Schave Kevin Yarnell Lena Zieber 30. Keenan Marter 31. Roger Schlade Anniversaries 1. Mark & Diane Love 2. Edgardo & Sallyann Freyre 5. Glenn & Sarah Teems 7. John & Lisa Stacy 8. James & Roxanne Crisp 9. Charles & Judith Walker 22. Tom & Kathy Sink 28. William & Caroline Yarnell

10 Edit: Communion at 8&10:30 not at 10:45 Edit: Comm at 10:45 not at 8&10:30 Edit: Communion at 8&10:30 not 10:45 Edit: Comm at 10:45 not at 8&10:30

11 Memorials have been given to Trinity in memory of Gary Slicker by: Dick & Leora Stainbrook, Bonnie Kranz, Karen & Don Notzka, Roger & Ruth Ann Schlade, Carl & Carol Williams A memorial has been given to Trinity in memory of James Harvey by Phyllis Harvey A memorial has been given to Trinity s Comfort Dog ministry in memory of William Miller by the Miller family (Ellie, Todd, & Lynne) A memorial has been given to Trinity s Altar Guild in memory of Larry Driver by Roger & Ruth Ann Schlade A donation has been made to Trinity by Bob and Marylin Hodak in honor of their anniversary. A memorial has been given to the Drager Fund by Lawrence, Doris, and Sandra Schoenfelt in memory of Cathy Schoenfelt, Dave Ankney, Ron Williams, and parents and grandparents. A memorial has been given to Trinity in memory of Jack Gump by Tom & Susan Pellitieri. (Memorials received after this issue is published will be acknowledged in the following newsletter. Thank you for your patience!) Sector Elder Members Sector Elder Members Phil Snyder (cell) phillipdsnyder@yahoo.com Charles Fahncke fahncke@bex.net Timothy Semro hjsemro@hotmail.com Mark Snyder mark.snyder@owenscorning.com Keith Taylor taylor0645@sbcglobal.net Jeff Hutchins tracy_jeff@yahoo.com A - Brisbin 7. Britt Deal 8. Debo - F 9. G Hench 10. Hendricks Kinsel Kisandi - Letherby Austin Bettin austin.bettin@gmail.com Daniel Pinkelman daniel.pinkelman@gmail.com Bernie DuShane dadof3angels2015@gmail.com Derek Dierks ddierks@hotmail.com Ed Mauntler elm@toast.net Bryan O Neill Oneill2110@yahoo.com Lewandowski- Meyer Michalak Periat Perry Schmeltzer Schmidt Stacy Stainbrook-V W - Z Church Finances General Fund November 30, 2017 Contributions November Year-to-Date General $89,636 $397,471 School Income $50,915 $260,762 Other Income* $61 $49,118 TOTAL $140,612 $707,351 Expenses Salaries-Benefits $108,525 $530,903 Operations $28,832 $139,299 TOTAL $137,357 $670,202 Net Income or (Loss) $3,255 $37,149 *Includes bequest of $46, Capital Improvement Fund 11/30/17 Funds Available: $81,528. Please note this (loss) does not represent the full amount owed to our Designated Fund which as of November 30 is ($129,275.39). Line of credit is $180,000.

12 Trinity Lutheran Church & School 4560 Glendale Avenue Toledo, Ohio Trinitylutheran.org WORSHIP & STUDY OPPORTUNITIES Traditional Worship: Sundays, 8 & 10:30am Contemporary Worship (Gym): Sundays, 10:45am Midweek (Traditional) Worship: Wednesdays, 7:00pm Sunday School / Adult Bible Class: 9:15am Holy Communion Traditional Services: First & Third Sundays Contemporary Services: Second & Fourth Sundays Wednesday Services: First Wednesday of the month Fifth Sunday: All services Should you have questions or desire to speak with one of us, we invite you to call: Pastor Mark W Love Pastor Ryan Kleimola Deaconess Mary Anne Hibbard Principal Jim Landskroener Church Office School Office Fax To submit prayer requests, call the church office or secretary@trinitylutheran.org Trinity Lutheran Church & School 4560 Glendale Avenue Toledo, Ohio Trinitylutheran.org