GRAPEVINE NOVEMBER 2013 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 612 Main Street Westbrook, ME 04092 Karen Indorf, Pastor Bonnie Wright, Editor Phone (207) 854-5653 Phone (207) 854-5653 Email pastor@trinitywestbrook.com Email office@trinitywestbrook.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Regular hours of Worship 10:30 am Sunday School at 9:15 am for all ages PASTOR S REFLECTIONS A few weeks ago the gospel lesson was the story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus but only one turned to him to give thanks. November is a month in which there is ample opportunity to remember our many blessings, all of them gifts from God, and to then give thanks. On All Saints Sunday we will remember those saints who from their labors rest and give thanks for their abiding in peace with our Lord. On Veteran s Day, we will show our gratitude for those who have died in service to our country and the freedom that we share. November is stewardship month in the church, a time when we celebrate the many blessings we have as a congregation and the importance of our generosity. On the national holiday of Thanksgiving, we will gather with family and friends to give thanks for an abundant harvest and the many other riches that are ours. And as we move into December, we will prepare to receive the greatest gift of all, our Savior and Lord Jesus. For what are you grateful for today? Even in the midst of life s challenges, in sickness or grief, family or financial problems, many other pains and sorrows, our gracious God is there beside us, bestowing abundant grace and mercy. The Samaritan leper who returned and dropped to his knees before Jesus is a remarkable example of someone who recognized blessedness as a gift of grace from God. His gratitude demonstrated an awareness of the source of all good things. He did nothing to deserve healing. It was pure grace from a loving Lord. Let us be grateful for all of our blessings and mindful of their source. Thanks be to God! With a grateful heart for each one of you. Pastor Karen 1
WORK PROJECTS FOR A RETURN TO ETHIOPIA We have had the privilege of listening to people s concerns and helping them with whatever projects we were able to help them with since our return from Ethiopia. The people we did work projects with embraced our mission work and we are grateful to all. God s Blessings, Abera, Doug and Jane OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOE BOX MINISTRY Last Sunday 57 shoeboxes were filled for shipment to children around the world who live in poverty. We would like to reach 60, so donations will still be accepted for the next few weeks, including money for postage. Thanks to all!! 2
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARY OF RESCUE OF JEWS IN DENMARK Seventy years ago in Denmark, the vast majority of the Danish Jews were rescued from annihilation by the Nazi occupation forces and brought to safety in Sweden. In a letter to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, Danish Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Taksøe -Jensen recently described how in September 1943 it was learned that the Nazis occupying Denmark planned to capture and deport all the Danish Jews to prison camps. That news prompted the Danish bishop to send a letter of protest to the Nazis stating the church s opposition to the prosecution of the Jews. That letter was read from all the pulpits in Denmark. The letter said in part: Wherever Jews are persecuted because of their religion or race it is the duty of the Christian Church to protest against such prosecution. Our different religious views notwithstanding, we shall fight for the cause that our Jewish brothers and sisters may preserve the same [religious] freedom which we ourselves evaluate more highly than life itself. [while] there is a clear understanding of our duty to be law abiding citizens who will not groundlessly rebel against the authorities. [we shall] unequivocally adhere to the concept that we must obey God before we obey man. This public letter of protest from the church, the ambassador says, helped give Danes from all walks of life the courage to protect their Jewish neighbors by secretly taking them in early October to the coast of Sweden and safety. In just a few days without advance planning, Danish citizens, often using small fishing boats, took about 7,000 people to safety. Less than 500 of the Danish Jews were captured by the Nazis. The Lutheran church in Denmark has asked the members of the ELCA to remember in prayer the courageous work 70 years ago this October by Danish citizens that prevented most Danish Jews from being captured by the Nazis during World War II. - See more at: http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/elca-gms/anniversary-marksrescue-of-jews-in-denmark WHAT S NEW? REFORMATION SUNDAY and NEW MEMBERS We will celebrate Reformation on October 27 with special music and receiving new members. Breaking Bread with Friends, a ministry of Parish Care, will be welcoming new members on November 2 nd with a meal at the home of the Perks. BEST WISHES AND PRAYERS TO ECLA s NEW PRESIDING BISHOP - Our first national female bishop, Reverend Elizabeth Eaton, will take office on November 1 st. Rev. Eaton was formerly the bishop of Northeastern Ohio Synod. She is a native of Cleveland and graduated from Harvard Divinity School. Her husband is an Episcopal priest. LOBSTER ROLL LUNCH The Westbrook Women s Club is once again raising money for scholarships for two Westbrook High School seniors. They will be selling a lobster roll box lunch, including chips and dessert for $10. The orders must be placed by October 28 th for the November 6 th pick-up at Westbrook Warren Congregational Church. Contact Mary Ann at 854-4042 if you would like to order a lobster roll. LITURGICAL MOVEMENT All adults and children are welcome to a special workshop at Westbrook Warren Congregational Church on Saturday, November 2 nd from 9-12. Led by Laura, the workshop will teach skills that we can use to enhance our worship experience. 3
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY On November 3 rd, we will toll the bell and light a candle for members and friends whose deaths we have memorialized since last All Saints Sunday. Those to be remembered are Martha, Myrna, Doug, Douglas, Maatabee and Deborah. There will also be memory boards for anyone to post a picture of loved ones who have died, recently as well as in the past. BREAKING BREAD WITH OUR KIDS Members of Parish Care have been breaking bread with our seniors and shut-ins. We are expanding this much loved program to our kids and their families. Our first event will be on Friday night, November 15 at 5:00. All of our youth and their families and friends are invited to come for supper and then some intense fun including Wii. A signup sheet is on the door to the large Sunday School room. WINTER COATS We will once again be giving away gently used winter coats to those in need at our Community Meal. Donations of coats for men, women or children can be given to Jane. Before you donate, please make sure the coats are clean and in good condition. Thank You! ELECTION TIME - It is time for us to conduct elections for the Maine Chapter Officers for 2014 of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Elections for 2014 will be held during coffee hour on November 3. Two people from Trinity are on the ballot Ken-Records Director and Carey-Financial Director. See Jane for your ballot. TRINITY FELLOWSHIP EVENT - WINDHAM CENTER STAGE THEATER Join us on November 3rd for a 4:00 performance of Children of Eden in Windham. Some of the cast provided special music here during worship on October 13. A sign-up sheet is in the fellowship hall. Our Youth Group will also be attending. CHILDREN OF EDEN is an epic musical fable inspired by the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah and the flood. Written by musical theatre dynamos John Caird (Jane Eyre, Les Miserables) and Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin), and directed by David C. Delano, performances are Nov. 1-3 and 8-10 at Windham Town Hall. CHILDREN OF EDEN is a musical interpretation of some of the most popular stories from the Old Testament, spun on tales of conflict and family patterns passed from parent to child since Adam and Eve and their sons, Cain & Abel. For more information, please contact the Windham Center Stage Box Office at (207) 893-2098 or visit www.windhamtheater.org BAPTISM Harper Reese, daughter of Kaitlin and Jim, will be baptized on November 24. Harper is the sister of Reagan who was baptized at Trinity two years ago. THANKSGIVING ECUMENICAL SERVICE The ecumenical Thanksgiving Service will be held at Pride s Corner Congregational Church on Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00. The joint choirs will be singing. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Pantry. 4
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA MEMORIALS It s that time already to place your order for Christmas memorials. Please contact JoAnn at 892-2139. Thank you! COOKIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS On December 8 th, we will once again be packing boxes of cookies, bars, fudge, etc for our members in college. We welcome your donation of goodies or money for postage by December 8 th. We will also need people to join the packing assembly line right after church. Also parents of students please send current addresses to the church office by December 1 st so that we can make labels. The boxes will arrive just in time for finals and holiday festivities and will be a reminder to the students that their church family is thinking of them. ONGOING ADULT FORUM CLASS: Pastor Norm is leading the Adult Forum this month. The topic is How Can I Find God? Join him on Sundays at 9:15. WORSHIP NOTE We welcome an enthusiastic time of greeting one another during the passing of the peace. However, you are asked to return to your seats and observe respectful quiet during the choir anthem or special music. ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN FELLOWSHIP IN SONG AND PRAYER Our Ethiopian and Eritrean brothers and sisters from Westbrook and greater Portland are meeting weekly at Trinity every Saturday at 3:00pm in the fellowship hall for a Celebration of Prayer and Praise in their native languages. REJOICING SPIRITS Third Sunday in the month at 4:00 pm: Casual and user friendly for those with disabilities or mental challenges. We have a sign language interpreter. Families and caregivers, as well as anyone else who would like to attend is invited. The next worship service will be Sunday, November 17 fellowship meal hosted by the Property Committee. PRAYER GROUP Meets Wednesday at 11:15. Many prayer concerns have been lifted up and many thanksgivings raised. We invite all who cannot attend to consider praying with us at 11:15 on Wednesday from wherever you are at that time. There are prayer request cards and a box to place them in after they are filled out on the table next to the office door. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY meets the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00am. We would love to have you join us! PAUL S PALS (Paul s Pals meets on Sunday afternoons, one Sunday a month at 2:00 PM, to sing at an area Nursing Home.) Sunday, October 27 at Park Danforth and Sunday, November 10 South Portland Nursing Home. December No Performance SENIOR SAINTS (Senior Saints meets on Wednesday afternoons, the third Wednesday of every month at 2:00 PM, to sing at an area Nursing Home) - Wednesday, November 20 75 State Street December No Performance 5
COMMUNITY MEAL: Every Wednesday at My Place Teen Center, from 5:00-6pm, a free meal is served for anyone in the community. It is sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church doing food prep, serving and cleanup, with the Wayside Food Programs providing the ingredients. 500 meals were served at My Place Teen Center in August and 466 in September! This Outreach Mission is in need of volunteers on Wednesday afternoons to cook and later to serve or clean up. Please contact Jane Sinclair. BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are being offered at the community meal. An R.N. has volunteered her time. Trinity will be expanding this program to help promote healthy life styles. Thank you to all the volunteers who make this Community Meal possible. THURSDAY NOON COMMUNITY MEAL Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church at 810 Main Street - Thursday Noon Community Meals. See Trinity bulletin board for more information. If you have any questions please feel free to call the church (854-9157) Monday through Friday, 8am-3pm. Menu - 11/7 - Roast Pork; 11/14 - Chicken with stuffing; 11/21 - (sign up in advance) - Boiled dinner ($7) KNIT NIGHT PLUS: This group has been discontinued until further notice. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: A class has been formed here at Trinity for members and friends of our congregation who need assistance in learning to speak or improve their speaking of English. Several of our adults are volunteering as teachers. Contact Jane Sinclair if you are interested in participating in this class which will begin shortly. POTPOURRI It was agreed during the Church Council meeting of 3/11/13 that each month during the committee reports section of the Council agenda, that one committee would highlight its purpose and identity and that this would be reported in the following Grapevine. This month we are featuring the Worship Committee. The Worship Committee of Trinity Lutheran Church is currently comprised of: Betty-Chair, Pastor Karen, Peggy, Elsie, Alitza, Thomas, Joyce and Sue. The purpose of the Worship Committee is to ensure that our weekly worship services run smoothly and sometimes include special events in our worship services, such as our summer Worship in the Park; the recent special music provided by the Windham Center Stage Theater s production of Children of Eden; our recent Healing Service, with special music provided by the Ransomed Souls Barber Shop Quartet; and our upcoming Reformation Sunday, with new members, through the Affirmation of Baptism, being added to our Congregation; and All-Saints Sunday, with the church bell tolling for each deceased member from the past year and with picture boards displaying photographs of all deceased members placed in the sanctuary. The Worship Committee is also currently planning for the upcoming Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season as well as considering a contemporary service to be held once a month at 10:30 a.m. 6
NEWS FROM THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE Sunday School has long been considered a very important part of a healthy congregation. It is during the 45 minutes on Sunday morning when our children will hear the stories of the Bible and learn about the love of Jesus. Other than in a child s home, chances are that children will not hear the good news of Jesus any other place. When children are baptized, parents and sponsors agree to provide fundamental Christian education for the child. We need to remember these promises made at baptism to help children grow with a sound understanding of Christian faith. At Trinity, we have too many teachers and not enough kids. Let s change that. Doug P.S. Sunday 9:30-10:15 NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE As we move into the spirit of the holidays and celebrate the birth of Christ we also will spread the spirit to many others as we support several programs over the next few months. We will continue with the annual traditions for both the In House events and the Outreach projects. Here are some of the things you will see displayed and announced over this special time of year. November s Special Thanksgiving Offering will be for the Wayside Food Program. Ringing Bells for Salvation Army, Trinity is aiming for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30 th at Shaw s in Westbrook. Advent Sunday, Dec. 1 st, Will be an Intergenerational fellowship time after church with choices in making Gingerbread Houses, Advent Wreath making or Holiday crafts and will also be the Holiday Kickoff for Outreach programs. Gift selections will be available at this time. We ll provide gift ideas for 3 Angel Tree Prison Ministry children, one Westbrook family, 10 Salvation Army, local children and several options for Alternative Gift-giving. We have some exciting new choices this year and more info will be available soon. The Festival of Trees at Westbrook Congregational Church will be our annual participation in this wonderful community event. We are waiting confirmation to be the host on Friday Dec. 13 as Trinity Lutheran Church Day. The event runs Dec. 7-14 th. The Live Nativity is on the list of fun events that we do and details are in the works for this and will be noted in the December Grapevine. We look forward to your participation in all that Trinity Lutheran has to offer, please consider joining us as we celebrate the joy and the love of Christ. From your Social Ministry Team, Brenda, Deb, Jane, Kevin and Pastor Karen THE PROPERTY COMMITTEE has a list of areas in the church that need to be cleaned. If you are able to help, please sign the sheet in the Fellowship Hall designating the area you wish to clean. 7
PARISH CARE Thank you so much for the cards. I also enjoyed Breaking Bread with all of you! Ginnie L. Thank you to all the ladies who signed my thoughtful card!! Betty (Liz) Thank you for inviting me to Carla s beautiful home for a delicious luncheon. The fellowship was wonderful and I had a very nice time. Thank you, Love, Greta COUNCIL AND TLC COMMUNITY Thank you council members for the wonderful welcome and thank you note. I feel very fortunate to be here and you have all made me feel at home. I always welcome suggestions that will improve my service to you here at Trinity. I would like to encourage everyone s participation in your Grapevine newsletter by leaving me notes in my mailbox by the office door or sending me an email with pictures and/or interesting stories attached that I may publish for everyone s enjoyment. I rely on you to send me the things that make Trinity such a vibrant community. Thank you and blessings to all for a Happy Thanksgiving! Bonnie MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PASTOR JERRY PETERSEN May be sent to: St. Luke Lutheran Church, 4860 Arthur Road, Slinger, Wisconsin 53086 or The Kathy Hospice, 3232 Pleasant Valley Road, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095 A PRAYER BY A SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT Forgive our sins, renew us, bring peace to the world, help the ones that are poor and hungry. Amen. Written by Eleshadaye 8