Trinity Lutheran Church

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Cecil Strickland
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T R I NITY TIDINGS Trinity Lutheran Church June 2018 Pastor s Page Friends in Christ, I find myself at a loss for words.

It was heartbreaking to see so many students struggling with what had happened.

has been in the past. It is so sad to contemplate the hopelessness that some of these kids feel when dealing with the stress and anxiety they feel in today s world.

1 T R I NITY TIDINGS Trinity Lutheran Church June 2018 Pastor s Page Friends in Christ, I find myself at a loss for words. As many of you may have heard, there was a high school senior who committed suicide recently. I was contacted by the school and asked to be present the morning students found out about the death. It was heartbreaking to see so many students struggling with what had happened. While I was thankful to be able to be there to help comfort students and answer any questions they had, I found myself wresting with the fact that this seems to be a much more prevalent issue than it has been in the past. It is so sad to contemplate the hopelessness that some of these kids feel when dealing with the stress and anxiety they feel in today s world. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. These are words of hope and certainty that we are claimed by God as his children and he will never let us go. But I find myself asking what separates us so much from each other that something like this can occur? How can someone be without hope to the point that they take their own life? We live in an age where access to information and communication is instantaneous. But it seems as though our increased ability to connect with each other and the world has only heightened the disconnect that we have with each other. When the early church first began, everyone met together and even sold what they had to live in intentional community with each other. I wonder if we are not being intentional enough to make sure that our community is connected in ways that point to the hope we have in Christ and the fellowship we share. When I first began here at Trinity, there were several people who asked me what my vision for ministry was. After being here for almost two years, I feel like I can finally answer that question. My personal vision for Trinity is to be a light in the darkness, an oasis of love and hope in the desert of anxiety and hopelessness that many find themselves in. What would it be like, if there was a church that did everything they could to create a loving community that was a tremendous blessing to North Branch? What would it look like to have a community that made sure that everyone was aware of the love they had from God and from people they lived near each and every day? That is my vision for Trinity. A place where people come to hear about the love of God and then leave with the sense that they are compelled to give that love to others. God Bless, Pastor Jon This year we will be taking a bus to the Twins game vs. the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, July 31. We have 40 tickets reserved in Section 332, rows 3,4,5 in left field. The bus will leave Trinity at 5:30 pm. Sign up in the Narthex. Payment due to Trinity at sign up. May 27 through September 2 (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend) we will have ONE worship service at, followed by Fellowship Time at 9:45 a.m.

The youth continue to thank everyone for your generous support through prayers, kind words and the many fundraisers that have funded the upcoming mission trip to Denver as well as summer programs

May had 6 youth and 2 adults participate in the Spring roadside cleanup. The weather was perfect and a good time was had by all as we cleaned up Trinity s 2 mile stretch of road on Falcon Ave.

2 The youth continue to thank everyone for your generous support through prayers, kind words and the many fundraisers that have funded the upcoming mission trip to Denver as well as summer programs here at Trinity. God shines through in amazing ways when a congregation surrounds its youth with love and care as so many of you have. May had 6 youth and 2 adults participate in the Spring roadside cleanup. The weather was perfect and a good time was had by all as we cleaned up Trinity s 2 mile stretch of road on Falcon Ave. An interesting part of roadside cleanup is a heightened awareness of addictions and mental health issues in our community. (A good portion of items picked up are alcohol bottles, and this year, Reddi Whip canisters.) We sometimes make light of these issues but they are very real and very serious. It is a good reminder to surround people of all ages, who are struggling with addictions, with prayer and support. On a much lighter note, Summer in the Son will kick off on Wednesday, June 13. The youth are looking forward to leading this VBS and learning alongside the younger kids about God s great love! Please keep an eye out for the Summer in the Son Donation Board. We will be looking for snack items & craft items. Upcoming Dates to know: June 3: EDGE hosts Coffee Hour June 12: Summer in the Son Set up evening June 13: Summer in the Son June 20: Summer in the Son June 27: Summer in the Son June 28: Valleyfair Children s Ministry News We wrapped up another year of Sunday School on May 13 th with a year end celebration. Bubbles, shaving cream fun and outside time were highlights of the day. We honored five 5 th graders as they graduated from Sunday School and recognized all of the amazing teachers. We said farewell to Dawn Klesk, who has been leading the children in music for 6+ years and also said farewell to several teachers who graduated with their 5 th graders and to others who God is leading down a new path this year. Trinity has always been incredibly blessed with a great team of teachers and this year was no different. The end of every school year brings with it, bittersweet feelings, but it is with great anticipation that we look forward to seeing who God brings to the team for Perhaps He is whispering in your ear as you read this. Summer is just around the corner and Summer in the Son will be returning this year for 3 Wednesday mornings in June. Summer in the Son is a Vacation Bible School program for children ages 3 through incoming 6 th graders. Trinity s middle & high school youth are looking forward to bringing this program back to life this year! For families unable to take part in Summer in the Son, Trinity will also be offering Wednesday evening family fellowship opportunities in August. These will take place on Wednesday evenings, August 1, 8, 15 at Harder Park in North Branch. If you have any questions about either summer program please contact Mary at mjohnson@trinitynorthbranch.org. Upcoming Dates to know: June 13: Summer in the Son June 20: Summer in the Son June 27: Summer in the Son EDGE Youth Ministry NEWS Blessing Bag Updates Due to the overwhelming response we have received from donating Blessing Bags we have decided to make a few more for summer needs and also make some for children of homeless people. Items can be dropped off in the church office or the box in the Narthex. Needs and ideas for children include small packs of Kleenex, chap stick, shampoo, soaps, toothpaste and brushes, notebooks, colored pencils, juice or drink boxes, hair accessories, combs, small toys or card games. Needs for adults remain the same as previously posted and include rain ponchos, small flash lights, tooth brushes and paste, hand wipes, snack packs (no chocolate due to melting in summer), socks, soaps, razors, feminine hygiene products, Band-Aids, beef jerky, sunscreen, chap stick. Page 2 T RI NI TY LUT HER A N CHU R CH

HAVE WE FOUND ANY RENTERS FOR OUR EDUCATION BUILDING????? As most of you know, we have been seeking tenants to utilize our education wing for quite some time now.

As of this writing, I am happy to share with you that we have a very interested party that meets the criteria and that is the Phoenix Academy.

Within the last 3 weeks, they have decided that the space here at Trinity will more fully meet their needs and have decided to not seek the use of space at Access Church.

We are in the very early stages of tending to all those details and have every intention of sharing more with you as those details become available.

3 HAVE WE FOUND ANY RENTERS FOR OUR EDUCATION BUILDING????? As most of you know, we have been seeking tenants to utilize our education wing for quite some time now. We are only allowed to rent to certain types of entities, so the process has been difficult. As of this writing, I am happy to share with you that we have a very interested party that meets the criteria and that is the Phoenix Academy. Phoenix Academy is a Charter School that has a similar school in Isanti. Within the last 3 weeks, they have decided that the space here at Trinity will more fully meet their needs and have decided to not seek the use of space at Access Church. While we are excited to have this opportunity before us, it requires a great deal of attention to a host of details. We are in the very early stages of tending to all those details and have every intention of sharing more with you as those details become available. Contacts have been made with the City of North Branch and a preliminary lease document is being reviewed. The time line on this endeavor is relatively short as Phoenix wants to begin using the building this fall for the new school year. This is a great opportunity for Trinity and the community right here in the midst of the public school campus. We will keep you updated as this process unfolds. Dennis Aulich President, Church Council Gifts Given to the Glory of God To General Fund in memory of Karen Mittelstaedt from Mike & Barb Nelson, Dan & Sandra Johnson, Mary Sederberg, Steve & Barb Mork To Trinity s Grocery Shelf in memory of Karen Mittelstaedt from Ted & Jodi Nemetz To the Youth Mission Trip in memory of Joyce Beecher from Mike & Barb Nelson To the Music Fund in memory of Allen Ekstrom from Marvel Anderson To the Cemetery Fund in memory of Milton Nelson from Jeanette Burchill Trinity Lutheran Cemetery is having a grave sale. Through the end of June, graves will be $300. Regular price is $400 per grave. Contact Julie at with questions or to select a gravesite. The following people, having given evidence of their Christian faith, were confirmed April 29, 2018: Joe Belisle Aidan Dufeck Isabelle Dufeck Jacob Fenton Nathan Franklin Carrie Hall Nathan Hals Ryan Hink Gabriel Huset Trevor Johnson Zachary Johnson Alex Langevin Allen Matkaiti Paige Peaslee Brock Peterson Nicholas Peterson Jacqueline Preda Nicholas Sinn Mason Sletten Travis Schoeberl Paige Stevenson Benjamin Swanson Contributions reminder: If mailing in your contribution or using online bill pay, please include P.O. Box 447 in the mailing address. Also, please mark your contribution so the monies are directed to the appropriate fund. Thank you! Do you have extra plastic grocery bags? We have a group that will put them to good use by turning them into sleeping mats for the homeless. Drop off any extras in the church office! To help out, join them from 1-3pm on Tuesday, June 12 in our Genesis Room. No experience necessary! JUNE 2018 Page 3

3 Worship Service/ 10 Worship Service/ 17 Worship Service/

Thursday Friday Saturday Intinction/Praise

11 9:30 am Quilters 18 19 1:30 pm Fellowship 12 1:00 pm

7:00 pm Council Mtg 6 7 13 8:00-5:00 Summer in the Son

pm Fare for All 20 8:00-5:00 Summer in the Son Youth

8:00-5:00 Summer in the Son Youth Leaders 9:00-11:30 am

Leaders at Valleyfair 1 8 11:00 am Joyce Carlson funeral

4 3 Worship Service/ 10 Worship Service/ 17 Worship Service/ 24 Worship Service/ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Intinction/Praise Table/Traditional Intinction/Praise Intinction/Praise :30 am Quilters :30 pm Fellowship 12 1:00 pm Sleeping Mat Ministry 4:00-8:00 pm Summer in the Son setup 7:00 pm Council Mtg :00-5:00 Summer in the Son Youth Leaders 9:00-11:30 am Summer in the Son VBS 2:00-4:00 pm Fare for All 20 8:00-5:00 Summer in the Son Youth Leaders 9:00-11:30 am Summer in the Son VBS :00-5:00 Summer in the Son Youth Leaders 9:00-11:30 am Summer in the Son VBS Summer in the Son Youth Leaders at Valleyfair :00 am Joyce Carlson funeral (10:00 am visitation) 15 6:45 pm Fellowship at the movies Page 6 T RI NI TY LUT HER A N CHURCH

Trinity s Fellowship Team is going to the movies! All are welcome! Simply meet at the North Branch Theater on June 15 at 6:45 pm, and we will decide on a movie.

Members can download a QR code reader that allows for immediate one time or recurring giving.

This is open to everyone; the more that participate, the stronger the buying power of the program. Each month offers a $10 Produce Pack, $11 Mini Meat Pack, $20 Combo Pack (produce and mini-meat).

I would like to say THANK YOU for your prayers for our son John Elmstrand. We did not think he was going to live, but after 17 days he started to come back.

He still has a ways to go, but is at his home. So keep praying for him, maybe he will get more back and walk again with no walker.

5 Trinity s Fellowship Team is going to the movies! All are welcome! Simply meet at the North Branch Theater on June 15 at 6:45 pm, and we will decide on a movie. Discussion and dessert at Perkins after the movie! Give electronically using the QR code Scan to Pay or Give option. Members can download a QR code reader that allows for immediate one time or recurring giving. Iphone users use the Vanco Give + App Fare For All Express June pm Fare For All Express is a great way to save on groceries. This is open to everyone; the more that participate, the stronger the buying power of the program. Each month offers a $10 Produce Pack, $11 Mini Meat Pack, $20 Combo Pack (produce and mini-meat). June s Hot Buy is Boneless Beef Skirt Steaks (8 six oz steaks) $16 limit 1. Compare at $ See or call the church office with questions. ALTAR GUILD Serving for the month of June Pat Fairbanks Sharon Ramberg To sponsor altar flowers, please sign up on the calendar near the church office. Please bring an arrangement of fresh flowers prior to 8:45 am on that Sunday. See Julie or Deb with questions. Scripture Readings for the summer will be from the book of Revelation. I would like to say THANK YOU for your prayers for our son John Elmstrand. We did not think he was going to live, but after 17 days he started to come back. He has been in 3 different hospitals and one nursing/rehabilitation home. After a total of 206 days, they sent him home with a wheel chair, home health aides, and therapy 3 days a week. He still has a ways to go, but is at his home. So keep praying for him, maybe he will get more back and walk again with no walker. Roberta Elmstrand Scrip Gift Card Program: Do you need gifts for Father s Day or a graduation gift? Do you buy groceries or gas? Order gift cards through Trinity, and we receive a percentage of the sale price at no additional cost to you. Use them as gifts, or plan ahead and use them when shopping for gifts or things you d buy anyway. Forms are available in the office, or shop online for more options. Go to shopwithscrip.com, choose Get Started, Families, Enroll. Our Scrip Enrollment Code is BDE7C8LF12L8. We will be placing orders throughout the summer. We will notify you when cards arrive. Privacy laws prevent care facilities from contacting us regarding your stay. If you or someone close to you would like a visit or a call, please contact the office. Trinity hosted the Path Program for two weeks in May. This congregation made an uncomfortable situation for our homeless families a little more bearable. 55 volunteers worked 491 hours!! Plus the giving of towels, Mother's Day gifts and Blessing Bags! The families were very thankful to have such kindness and generosity expressed towards them. Without all this help this program would not be here and for that we would like to thank all of you! Teri Goebel & Shari Denny, Path Program Coordinators JUNE 2018 Page 5

Office: 651-674-7047 Church Fax: 651-674-7048 Church Office Hours: Monday Thursday 8 am 3 pm Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m & 10:00 am through May 20 9:00 a.m. May 27 through September 2 Church email: office@trinitynorthbranch.

6 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID North Branch, MN Permit Lincoln Trail PO Box 447 North Branch, MN Return Service Requested Mailing Label June 2018 Partners in Ministry: The People of Trinity Church Office: Church Fax: Church Office Hours: Monday Thursday 8 am 3 pm Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m & 10:00 am through May 20 9:00 a.m. May 27 through September 2 Church office@trinitynorthbranch.org Church website: Pastor Jon Yurk Cell: pastor@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 12 Sue Danielzuk, Church Administrator sdanielzuk@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 37 Mary Johnson, Sunday School Coordinator & Youth Director mjohnson@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 13 Deb Aulich, Director of Worship and Arts daulich@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 14 Julie Morgan, Church Office Manager jmorgan@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 10 Cheryl Immel: Financial Recorder cimmel@trinitynorthbranch.org Tyler Olson: Sr. Choir Director tolson@trinitynorthbranch.org ext. 15 Roger Anderson & David Nelson, Custodial & Cemetery Staff Todd Fisk, Church Treasurer Office Help: Judy Weiss Sharon Fairbanks Missionaries: Alison (Lindberg) Haupt, Dr. Stephen Swanson family Tanzania Our Sister Congregation in Tanzania - Church Council Members: Dennis Aulich, Council Chair Mike Nelson, Council Vice-Chair Shari Denny, Kristen Johnson, Steve Mork, Gary Porath, Ann Tanko, Vicky Trampe, Ryan Witte Are you receiving the Tidings by and by regular mail? To reduce our expenses and receive only the version, please contact Julie at jmorgan@trinitynorthbranch.org

Trinity Lutheran Church

T R I NITY TIDINGS Trinity Lutheran Church December 2018 Pastor s Page Brothers and sisters in Christ, Grace and peace to all of you! By the time you read this, Thanksgiving will be over and the Christmas