Trinity Lutheran Church

April 21, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in April! Every Saturday in April, from 9 am till noon, we are collecting items as a fundraiser for the Women of Trinity.  All items should be clean and in good condition.  Place clothes and shoes in trash bags and all other items in boxes.

Men’s Band Worship, Sunday, May 5^th, 9 am

Smelt Feed, Sunday, May 5^th, 10am till 11:30 am. Smelt, Meatballs, Chips, Baked Beans, Garlic Bread, Dessert.  Free-will offering taken to benefit our Youth going to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering. 

Calling all Men! We are looking for help with the Smelt Feed on May 5^th.  See the sign-up in the Narthex.  We are also looking for some turkey fryers and oil as well. 

Graduate Recognition Sunday, May 19^th.

Final Push to New Orleans! Help the Youth Gathering Youth in their final push to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans! Use the sheet in your bulletin to donate and help feed and house our youth and put gas in the vans. Thank you for your support! See the thermometer in the Narthex for our progress towards our goal.

Lagers with the Lord May 20th, 6 pm at Buckshots.

Pastor Brad is going on sabbatical June 8th -July 9th . Please note that during this time he will be completely absent from the congregation and its ministry. He will not be returning calls, texts, or emails. If you need to have a baptism or wedding performed prior to his sabbatical or during the summer, please contact him ASAP to get it scheduled. You can find more information on his sabbatical in the Good News

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

 On Friday morning, I stepped on the scale to measure my weight fully expecting what number would show up.  I expected to be at the same weight I had been at for about the same month, maybe even a pound or two heavier.  I had good reason for this.  I had been to the doctor ten days prior who had told me to not be frustrated if I had a stall in my weight loss journey and that was to be expected, especially since a medication I was supposed to be on was out with a shortage and that sometimes you stall out for a little while.  Secondly, due to umpiring, sometimes I hadn’t been exercising as hard in the morning due to being pretty sore from some long games and late nights.  So imagine my surprise when I stepped on the scale for the first time in five days and found that I was five pound LIGHTER!  I was so surprised, in fact, that I weighted myself again, just to be sure.  But it was true.  I was completely surprised.  It was a good surprise, but a surprise nonetheless.

  Sometimes we think we got it all figured out.  Sometimes we think we know exactly how something is going to go. All the evidence points to something happening only one way.  But then something surprising happens.  That surprise can be a good thing.  It can be a bad thing.  But the fact that the surprise happens at all can shake us up.  It can make us question and wonder.  But surprises are a part of life.  After all, God is often present in the surprises of life, good or bad. God is there to comfort when the surprises are bad and there to rejoice when the surprises are good.  But God often uses the surprise of life to remind us that God is faithful to us.  No matter what happens, God will be there.  No matter what curveballs come our way, God will be there. Loving you.  Saving you.  Forgiving you. 

  Surprises will come our way.  Some will be good.  Some will be bad.  But you are ready for them.  You are ready because God is by your side.  You are ready for whatever life throws at your because you are saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ and God is faithful and will be with you always.  For that we can say, “Thanks be to God!”  

April 14, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

LAST CREW OF THE YEAR, APRIL 17^TH  3:30 pm till 5pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders.

Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in April! Every Saturday in April, from 9 am till noon, we are collecting items as a fundraiser for the Women of Trinity.  All items should be clean and in good condition.  Place clothes and shoes in trash bags and all other items in boxes.

Men’s Band Worship, Sunday, May 5^th, 9 am

Smelt Feed, Sunday, May 5^th, 10am till 11:30 am. Smelt, Meatballs, Chips, Baked Beans, Garlic Bread, Dessert.  Free-will offering taken to benefit our Youth going to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering. 

Calling all Men! We are looking for help with the Smelt Feed on May 5^th.  See the sign-up in the Narthex.  We are also looking for some turkey fryers and oil as well. 

Luther Park Work Day  Saturday, April 20^th, 8:30 am till 4:30 pm.  Help Luther Park get ready for the summer!  Painting, yard work, carpentry, wood splitting, staining, and much more!  If you are interested in going, please let PB know or just head on up to camp and they will assign you a job!  All ages can help!

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

   There is a t-shirt company that was founded by a single guy in Chicago called “Obvious Shirts” in which very straightforward obvious phrases are placed on a shirt.  It started with him making a shirt for himself and wearing it to Wrigley Field that said “Jake Arrieta is good at baseball” during one of the last regular season games in 2015.  It got so many positive comments from people at the game that he decided to start making shirts fulltime and now he has a thriving business that not only does Chicago shirts but shirts in other cities as well.  I own a couple of them, my favorite being, “The greatest game ever played was on a Wednesday in Cleveland,” referencing Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. 

  I also have one that says, “I like the Cubs.”  Straight forward.  Obvious (duh).  I like the Cubs.  States who I am.  We have a scripture reading in 1^st John that is an obvious statement that is so obvious that we might take it for granted.  Here it is, from 1John 3:1: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”  We are children of God.  You might be thinking to yourself, “Well, duh, PB.  I know this.  I’m a child of God.”

  But do you?  I think it is really easy to forget who we are.  I think the world likes to tell us all sorts of things about our identity and who we are or who we should be.  That we should place our identity on financial and material success.  That it should be placed on how other people view us, on accolades and accomplishments garnished at our jobs or in our communities.  I know I have done this.  I remember struggling when I turned 40 wondering how I would be perceived that I would no longer be considered the “young pastor.”  It is fun to hang out with young pastors now who actually accept me despite me being ten years older than them.  We so often wrap our identity up in so many other things than the one that matters the most: we are children of God.

  You are a child of God.  This means you are loved, even when you sin. You are a child of God, which means Jesus Christ is there to carry your burdens, forgive you of your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.  You are a child of God and God’s promises to you will never be taken away and you are never alone.  I know it seems to be the most obvious thing in the world.  But it is something we need to be reminded of every day.  Hmm, maybe we should put it on a shirt.  😊

  May God bless you today and always!

April 7, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lagers with the Lord, Monday, April 8^th, 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

Youth Service, Sunday, April 14^th, 9 am.

LAST CREW OF THE YEAR, APRIL 17^TH  3:30 pm till 5pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders.

Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in April! Every Saturday in April, from 9 am till noon, we are collecting items as a fundraiser for the Women of Trinity.  All items should be clean and in good condition.  Place clothes and shoes in trash bags and all other items in boxes.

Men’s Band Worship, Sunday, May 5^th, 9 am

Smelt Feed, Sunday, May 5^th, 10am till 11:30 am. Smelt, Meatballs, Chips, Baked Beans, Garlic Bread, Dessert.  Free-will offering taken to benefit our Youth going to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering. 

Calling all Men! We are looking for help with the Smelt Feed on May 5^th.  See the sign-up in the Narthex.  We are also looking for some turkey fryers and oil as well. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

With it being “spring,” the requests from our high school seniors for letters of recommendation have been coming fast and furious.  A letter of recommendation is, of course, a way to advocate for someone, whether it so that they can receive a scholarship or get a job or even an award.  I have had the pleasure and the honor to be someone that has had to advocate for someone else, to lift them up for something worthy, to be a champion if you will for them.  One of the things I loved as part of the Candidacy Committee of our Synod was advocating for our candidates when they needed someone to be there for them. 

   Here in 1 John we hear that Jesus is an advocate for us.  We need someone who will be there for us. for we sin and fall short of the glory of God.  Sure, we try our best.  We try to live according to God’s will, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to have no other Gods, to have faith in Jesus Christ.  We try to follow the commandments and be the hands and feet of God in the world.  But we so often fall short.  We make mistakes.  We put other things before God.  We make other things God.  We don’t always act with love and grace and compassion.  We covet power and riches and exploit those different than us and whom we deem to be less than us.  We sin.  We are sinners. 

  And yet, we have Jesus, the Son of God, the one who we put on the cross for our sins, advocating for us.  Sacrificing for us and for those sins.  This Jesus, this Messiah, does this for you because he loves you.  Despite your sin.  Despite your mistakes.  Despite all the times when you forget about him and put others before him.  That is the depth of Christ’s love for you.  He still dies for you.  He still advocates for you.  He still brings you to eternal life. 

   We are lucky to have an advocate for us like Jesus Christ.  May we take a moment to be an advocate for him from time to time, to share his grace and love with others, to lift up the lowly and be a voice for the voiceless and the persecuted and the downtrodden.  May we never take for granted the gracious gift of forgiveness we receive because the Son of God Jesus Christ advocates for us and becomes the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  For that we can say, “Thanks be to God!”

March 17, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?”

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.  OUR LAST ONE!

Crew on March 20th, 3:30 pm till 5pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders.

Butter Braids  Order Butter Braids to support our Youth Gathering Youth and Confirmation Youth!  Sale ends on April 7^th.  Please see any youth gathering youth or confirmation youth.  There is also an order form on the table in the Narthex.  You can also click on this link, select any student, and order from them:  https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/0ced3a55-9230-4e70-b708-e3cd8d6e1eff

Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in April! Every Saturday in April, from 9 am till noon, we are collecting items as a fundraiser for the Women of Trinity.  All items should be clean and in good condition.  Place clothes and shoes in trash bags and all other items in boxes.

Maundy Thursday Worship, March 28^th, 6:30 pm

Good Friday Worship, March 29^th, Noon &  6:30 pm

Easter Sunday Worship, March 31^st, 6:30 am & 9:00 am. 

Easter Breakfast March 31^st, 7:30 am till 8:30 am.  Biscuits & Gravy, Bacon, Sausage, Hashbrowns, Fruit, Beverage.  Free-will offering.  Served by the Confirmation Youth. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  We were absolutely surrounded.  Now, that might sound like an ominous sentence, but we were not in any danger.  There was no anger or fear or hatred involved here.  Rather, it was joy and awe.  Amy and I were on a whale watching tour off of Newport Beach, CA, but we were not surrounded by whales (we did see three, which was cool).  Instead of whales, what was all around our boat, were dolphins.

  Everywhere we looked, there were dolphins.  Not just 25 of them or 50 of them.  Not even a hundred of them.  Hundreds of them.  Even our guide was in awe.  They were swimming on all sides of the boat as we motored through the water.  As far as we looked, we could see them jumping and darting to and fro.  We were in absolute shock and awe.  Such grace, such beauty, such joy as we watched these magnificent creatures.  I mean, we had seen dolphins before.  Heck, on the tour we had seen a few here and there and we would even run into a pod of bottlenose dolphins (these were common dolphins).  But not like this.  Not out in their natural habitat.  Not so many of them.

  Despite everything else that happened on our vacation, I can safely say that this was our favorite moment.  It was also a reminder of just how amazing God’s creation is and how it can just leave us in awe.  It was also a reminder to be open to the unexpected in life.  You never know what might happen.  We went on a whale watching tour and though we saw whales, the best part was something different.  God brings unexpected joys in life.

  Side story: the other fun thing of the tour was we were joined by two friends, Rosie & Beth.  We actually met Rosie & Beth the day before during a Cocktail Class at the Food & Wine Festival at Disney’s California Adventure.  They were at our table and we mentioned the whale watching thing.  They were originally going to just going to go to the beach but thought the tour would be fun, so they called up the company we mentioned, and there they were.  They greeted us with “We aren’t stalking you!”  They were super fun people.  Again, unexpected joys.

  Allow yourself to be open to see the unexpected joys that God might bring in your life.  Remember that there is so much beauty and joy around you.  Take a risk from time to time.  You never know what might happen! 

  May God bless you today and always!

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Me, Amy, Nick (our Captain), Rosie, Beth

March 5, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?” Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30 pm, Meal at 5:30 pm every Wednesday night starting on February 21^st.

Strength (March 6): Following Jesus gives us strength beyond just ourselves. Matthew 11:28 -30. Meal served by Church Council.

Hope: (March 13) Following Jesus gives us hope for the future and an assurance that God’s mercy is for us. Hebrews 11:1. Meal served by the Women of Trinity.

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Crew on March 6th, 3:30 pm till 5pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders.

Order Easter Lillies! You can adorn the sanctuary with Easter Lillies for Easter by ordering them by Sunday, March 10^th.  Make checks payable to Trinity.  See attached form.  No orders will be accepted after March 10^th. 

Butter Braids  Order Butter Braids to support our Youth Gathering Youth and Confirmation Youth!  Sale ends on April 7^th.  Please see any youth gathering youth or confirmation youth.  There is also an order form on the table in the Narthex.  You can also click on this link, select any student, and order from them:  https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/0ced3a55-9230-4e70-b708-e3cd8d6e1eff

Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in April! Every Saturday in April, from 9 am till noon, we are collecting items as a fundraiser for the Women of Trinity.  All items should be clean and in good condition.  Place clothes and shoes in trash bags and all other items in boxes.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  Then God said, “Let there be light!” And there was light. Genesis 1:3

  Have you noticed something different recently?  Something maybe a little brighter?  Maybe as you drove by the church or when you stepped into the fellowship hall?  We have some new lights!  In our parking lot, the lights on our light pole were broken and instead of just replacing the old ones, we decided to upgrade to LED lights which are much brighter and more energy efficient.  At the same time, we decided to fix all the lights around the outside of the church as well over our door ways, again replacing all the lights with new LED ones.  Not only does this help to illuminate the outside of the church, it helps us with safety and security. 

  At the same time, despite heroic efforts from Lyndon Schmidt over the years, as well as others, our fellowship hall lights were starting to fail.  And so we made the decision to replace and upgrade all of those as well, again with energy efficient LED lights.  They are much brighter and now all the lights even match! 

  We were able to do this because of your generosity and your financial contributions.  Now, replacing lights might not seem like a big deal but it is.  The parking lot was dark and unsafe.  New lights have made it safer.  The new lights in the fellowship hall have really brightened it up and will save on our electric bill.  All of this is because of your financial support to this congregation.  So thank you!

  And don’t forget that every day God shines light into your life through Jesus Christ.  The light of the world shines upon you every day, showing you that you are loved, forgiven, and saved.  May God bless you today and always!

February 28, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?” Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30 pm, Meal at 5:30 pm every Wednesday night starting on February 21^st.

Purpose (February 28): Following Jesus gives a purpose and direction to our lives in an increasingly complex and confusing world. Galatians 5:13. Meal served by the Men of Trinity Strength (March 6): Following Jesus gives us strength beyond just ourselves. Matthew 11:28 -30. Meal served by Church Council.

Hope: (March 13) Following Jesus gives us hope for the future and an assurance that God’s mercy is for us. Hebrews 11:1. Meal served by the Women of Trinity.

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Crew on March 3rd, 3:30 pm till 5pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders.

Order Easter Lillies! You can adorn the sanctuary with Easter Lillies for Easter by ordering them by Sunday, March 10^th.  Make checks payable to Trinity.  See attached form.  No orders will be accepted after March 10^th. 

Butter Braids  Order Butter Braids to support our Youth Gathering Youth and Confirmation Youth!  Sale ends on April 7^th.  Please see any youth gathering youth or confirmation youth.  There is also an order form on the table in the Narthex.  You can also click on this link, select any student, and order from them:  https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/0ced3a55-9230-4e70-b708-e3cd8d6e1eff

Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in April! Every Saturday in April, from 9 am till noon, we are collecting items as a fundraiser for the Women of Trinity.  All items should be clean and in good condition.  Place clothes and shoes in trash bags and all other items in boxes.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  We live in an amazing age when all sorts of cool things are in existence and can happen.  I can go to either Florida or California and take a ride on the Millenium Falcon!  I’ve seen electric scooters that have been decked out to look like a Star Destroyer.  I can get a skin for my car and make it all tricked out with Star Wars stuff (do you see a theme here?)  I could even order a t-shirt at this very minute of Darth Vader playing golf (www.lifeisgood.com just in case you would like to order me one).  There is so much stuff that is Star Wars themed. I have eaten meals where I have used a Star Wars plate, silverware, drank out of a Star Wars glass, wiped my mouth with a Star Wars napkin, while wearing a Star Wars shirt, pants, and socks, with a Star Wars movie on the TV.  See what I’m getting at?

  Which is why the following is so disappointing (and no, it is not that so many of you reading this have never watched a Star Wars movie.  Please go do this. Make your pastor happy).  For over two weeks now I have been using a CPAP machine and it has gone fairly well. Outside of the first night, when I strapped the thing to my face but didn’t turn it on (because when the machine is ON all the lights are OFF, but when it is OFF, the lights are ON.  That was confusing), I have adjusted fairly well.  But I have one huge beef.  In 2024, it is just outrageous.  Outrageous.  What is this outrage? 

  MY CPAP MASK DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DARTH VADER’S MASK.  I’m literally breathing into this mask.  I can tell that sometimes I even sound, while breathing, like Darth Vader.  But I can’t get a Darth Vader CPAP mask (at least, not one my insurance will probably cover).  Why isn’t this a choice?  When I went to the CPAP store to try on mask, why wasn’t that an option? Why can’t we have other options as well?  You could have masks decorated with your favorite teams colors, or bedazzled, or in camo, or with you favorite Disney character on it!  The sky is the limit.

  But not.  They are clear.  With some gray.  That’s it.  So boring.  And so every night, as I strap on my mask, I say a little prayer.  I ask that the Lord might create a CPAP mask that looks like Darth Vader’s mask.  That maybe someday my dream may come true.  Because then, as I fall asleep with air pumping into me, I can say, “Luke, I am your Father.  Ooooo,  bbrrrrr.” 

  Have a wonderful and blessed week!

February 18, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?” Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30 pm, Meal at 5:30 pm every Wednesday night starting on February 21^st.

Belonging (February 21): Following Jesus together gives us a sense of belonging and community with one another. Matthew 4:18-22. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Purpose (February 28): Following Jesus gives a purpose and direction to our lives in an increasingly complex and confusing world. Galatians 5:13. Meal served by the Men of Trinity Strength (March 6): Following Jesus gives us strength beyond just ourselves. Matthew 11:28 -30. Meal served by Church Council.

Hope: (March 13) Following Jesus gives us hope for the future and an assurance that God’s mercy is for us. Hebrews 11:1. Meal served by the Women of Trinity.

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Lagers with the Lord  February 19^th, 6 pm, at Buckshot’s. 

Crew this Wednesday, February 21^st, 3:30 pm till 5pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders.

Looking for an usher for March.  If you are willing, please contact PB.

We are looking for substitute crossing guards.  Looking for especially afternoon shifts, a few times a month.  Shift is from 3 pm till 4 pm.  Training and equipment provided.  If you are interested, contact PB. 

Order Easter Lillies! You can adorn the sanctuary with Easter Lillies for Easter by ordering them by Sunday, March 10^th.  Make checks payable to Trinity.  See attached form.  No orders will be accepted after March 10^th. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ¹⁷God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16-17

  When I have to remind myself of something, I put it on a post it note.  It could be shopping list when we need groceries, it might be a to-do list that is next to my computer in the office.  Heck, even on this computer I have a digital post-it note to remind myself of things. That doesn’t even count the reminders that come from the calendar that is on my phone of upcoming events and appointments and the rest.  I really need a lot of reminders because not only do I have ADHD, but I tend to be busy and have a lot of balls in the air.  Maybe you are very similar.  You need those post-it notes, those text reminders, those calendar alerts to keep your life in order and to remember everything you are supposed to do.

  That is why the following verses give me comfort.  Because even God needs a reminder.  These verses are the end of the Noah’s Ark story.  God has flooded the earth but has made a covenant, a promise, with Noah and his descendants, to never do it again.  But to make sure God doesn’t forget that promise, God puts the rainbow in the sky to be a reminder of God’s promise.  Even God needs a post-it note.  Even God needs a reminder.  Even better, the rainbow isn’t just a reminder for God but a reminder for all of humanity of God’s promise to us as well.  For we of course would forget about the promise God made to us as well.

  Jesus is a reminder as well of God’s promise to love us.  We forget that we are loved and Jesus is that reminder that we are loved and that we have the promise of eternal life.  In those moments of doubt and pain, of searching and longing, Jesus is the assurance that God has not forgotten us.  Jesus is the reminder that God is there, defeating sin and death for us and bringing us to eternal life.  For it is easy to forget, even the biggest things in life. 

  Post-it notes remind me of the tasks and things I need to do in life.  The rainbow is a reminder to God, and to all of us, of God’s promise to us.  And Jesus is a reminder that no matter what, I am saved by grace through faith.  That I am loved and not alone.  Jesus is that same reminder for all of you.  If you ever doubt that you are loved, that there is hope, just look to Jesus. He is your reminder.  He is your post-it note that there is hope, that you are loved, and that you are saved.  May God bless you today and always!

February 11, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lent Begins on Wednesday, February 14^th.  Worship  is at Noon and at 6:30 pm.  February 14^th is Ash Wednesday and features a Baked Potato Bar served by the Confirmation Youth for the meal at 5:30 pm.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?” Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30 pm, Meal at 5:30 pm every Wednesday night starting on February 21^st.

Belonging (February 21): Following Jesus together gives us a sense of belonging and community with one another. Matthew 4:18-22. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Purpose (February 28): Following Jesus gives a purpose and direction to our lives in an increasingly complex and confusing world. Galatians 5:13. Meal served by the Men of Trinity Strength (March 6): Following Jesus gives us strength beyond just ourselves. Matthew 11:28 -30. Meal served by Church Council.

Hope: (March 13) Following Jesus gives us hope for the future and an assurance that God’s mercy is for us. Hebrews 11:1. Meal served by the Women of Trinity.

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Lagers with the Lord  February 19^th, 6 pm, at Buckshot’s. 

Looking for an usher for March.  If you are willing, please contact PB.

We are looking for substitute crossing guards.  Looking for especially afternoon shifts, a few times a month.  Shift is from 3 pm till 4 pm.  Training and equipment provided.  If you are interested, contact PB. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  Lent is often a time in which we give something up as an act of faithful discipline. Just as Christ gave his life for us, we give up meat, or booze, or cookies, or something else as a way to show our faith and acknowledge what Christ has done for us. Or, like me, I like to take something up, like eating vegetables or working out more or reading the Bible every day. But here is a new idea, one that comes from my wife Amy from a friend of hers. 40 days of giving. Instead of giving something up or taking something up, you give something every day for a charity.

   Maybe it is a tube of toothpaste, a canned good, or some socks. Maybe it is a financial donation to a charity of choice. Maybe it is giving an hour or two of your time to volunteer, whether it be at church, or for an organization in the community, or for your neighbor down the street. Whatever it is, you give something for the sake of something else.

  After all, giving is part of the traditional Lenten discipline, along with fasting and prayer. You can bring any items to the church and we will distribute them to Mission Partners that can use them. One thing that we will be hoping to collect when we head to New Orleans for the ELCA Youth Gathering for our mission partners there are cooling towels. These will be given out to the homeless and to the needy to help with the extreme heat that occurs in New Orleans. That can be an item you give as part of your 40 Days of Giving. You could designate a gift to a ministry of Trinity, like our Missions, our Youth Gathering Youth, or the General Fund.  Whether you participate or not, I hope that Lent is a time in which you grow in your faith and in your commitment to Jesus Christ. May God bless you today and always!

February 4, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Lent Begins on Wednesday, February 14^th.  Worship  is at Noon and at 6:30 pm.  February 14^th is Ash Wednesday and features a Baked Potato Bar served by the Confirmation Youth for the meal at 5:30 pm.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?” Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30 pm, Meal at 5:30 pm every Wednesday night starting on February 21^st.

Belonging (February 21): Following Jesus together gives us a sense of belonging and community with one another. Matthew 4:18-22. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Purpose (February 28): Following Jesus gives a purpose and direction to our lives in an increasingly complex and confusing world. Galatians 5:13. Meal served by the Men of Trinity Strength (March 6): Following Jesus gives us strength beyond just ourselves. Matthew 11:28 -30. Meal served by Church Council.

Hope: (March 13) Following Jesus gives us hope for the future and an assurance that God’s mercy is for us. Hebrews 11:1. Meal served by the Women of Trinity.

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Lagers with the Lord  February 19^th, 6 pm, at Buckshot’s. 

Looking for an usher for March.  If you are willing, please contact PB.

We are looking for substitute crossing guards.  Looking for especially afternoon shifts, a few times a month.  Shift is from 3 pm till 4 pm.  Training and equipment provided.  If you are interested, contact PB. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  A hodgepodge today (this is a word that we all should use more.  Hodgepodge).

I can’t believe I got to golf in January.  It is amazing.  I feel like I have fulfilled a top five life goal (which might say something about my life goals).  As I got ready to tee of on January 31^st, I kept telling myself to not take it for granted, to not worry about how I played and instead have fun.  I needed that since I hit my tee shot so far right it landed in the ocean.  It was great fun and I even ended the day holing a very long birdie putt.  I may never, ever, ever in my life get to tee it up in January in Northern Wisconsin, so I will savor the memory for a long time.  I also hope that there are things in your life that you take a moment to savor, to appreciate, to not take for granted.  To take it all in.  I said that to our dear Katie Wagner when I dropped her off at the airport for her trip to Disney World.  Enjoy it.  Take it all in.  Don’t worry about doing everything, just do what you want and enjoy everything around you.  I know, for myself, I’m trying to do that a little more.  I can be a little to go-go-go. 

You know who could be a little more go-go-go?  Baxter.  He loves to run around the house like a bat out of hell, but when we go on walks, he tends to stop.  A lot.  Sometimes being very stubborn and not moving at all.  Is he tired?  Is he scared?  Does he just want Mom and Dad to carry him like some privileged prince?  I’m not sure.  But it is messing up our walking flow.  He was a little better yesterday but he needs to get better quick otherwise he doesn’t get to come on walks with Mom and Dad, which would be sad for us.  Of course, every time I get frustrated with him, I see this face (see below in Picture of the Week) and I’m like, “Shoot.  Can’t be mad at that.” 

I have an obsession with shows about drug lords from the 1970’s-1990’s.  What can I say.  You make a show about a narco from that period, I’m going to watch it.  I’ve watched every season of “Narcos” I’ve watched countless documentaries about people like Pablo Escobar, and Amy and I just finished “Griselda” on Netflix about the female drug leader in Miami.   Ironically, never really watched “Breaking Bad.”  Maybe I just need by drug kingpins real.  I’m not sure.  It’s just weird. Now I need a show about a bacon cartel talked “Pork King” or something like that and I would totally be in.

After finishing “Griselda” last night, I was searching for something to watch and stumbled across “The Fugitive” with Harrison Ford.  They were only about 40 minutes in or so and I watched the rest of the movie.  Great movie.  Even better, a great Chicago movie.  Lots of great settings there.  Made me think of my favorite movies not only set in Chicago but shot in Chicago.  The shot in Chicago is important as though National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is set in the Chicago area, it was not shot there (sorry, not mountains around Chicago).  Here are my Top 5.

Honorable Mention: The Road to Perdition.  An underrated movie based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and future James Bond Daniel Craig.  It is a great Chicago Mob movie with Tom Hanks playing a hitman avenging the death of his son.  A great atmosphere movie with a slow build and great performances and Tom Hanks like you have never seen him.   

5. The Untouchables:  Brian DePalma’s masterpiece starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert DeNiro, and a young Andy Garcia.  Lots of great shots all over Chicago, especially Union Station.  The Connery monologue about “the Chicago Way” is an all-timer. 

4. While You Were Sleeping:  A great romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock that features the “L.”  Just a fun movie, though if you think a little TOO hard, it can be slightly disturbing.  Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman really make it worth it. 

3. The Fugitive:  Harrison Ford.  Tommy Lee Jones.  The St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Great shots of downtown and even some of Chicago neighborhoods. A young Jane Lynch (a Chicago area native) shows up along with Julianne Moore.  For me, my favorite Easter Eggs are seeing actual local Chicago broadcasters playing the media in the film, including John Drummond, Pam Zekman, and a very young Lester Holt, now lead anchor for NBC Evening News.

2. The Blues Brothers.  My Dad’s favorite movie.  John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. All-time music in this movie. Features Wrigley Field and Daley Plaza and lots of shots of the suburbs.  Special shout out to Joliet, where the film begins, my birthplace (not the prison.  The town).  Give me four fried chickens and a coke. 

1. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: John Hughes sets a lot of his movies in Chicago and its environs (Home Alone, Breakfast Club, etc), but this is the best and a top five movie for me all time.  So many iconic locations from Wrigley Field (I never not say, “Hey batta batta batta hey batta batta batta SWING batta!” when I go) to the Art Institute to Lake Shore Drive to the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) and the parade scene downtown, just an grade A classic.  Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.   

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

How can you ever be mad at this for too long?

January 29, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Super Bowl Pizzas!  Order Pizza’s by February 4^th to support our youth going to Luther Park Bible Camp this summer.  Pick them up on Super Bowl Sunday, February 11^th.  Form included in this email.

Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 4^th, at 10 am.

Lent Begins on Wednesday, February 14^th.  Worship  is at Noon and at 6:30 pm.  February 14^th is Ash Wednesday and features a Baked Potato Bar served by the Confirmation Youth for the meal at 5:30 pm.

Lent 2024: “Why Follow?” Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30 pm, Meal at 5:30 pm every Wednesday night starting on February 21^st.

Belonging (February 21): Following Jesus together gives us a sense of belonging and community with one another. Matthew 4:18-22. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

Purpose (February 28): Following Jesus gives a purpose and direction to our lives in an increasingly complex and confusing world. Galatians 5:13. Meal served by the Men of Trinity Strength (March 6): Following Jesus gives us strength beyond just ourselves. Matthew 11:28 -30. Meal served by Church Council.

Hope: (March 13) Following Jesus gives us hope for the future and an assurance that God’s mercy is for us. Hebrews 11:1. Meal served by the Women of Trinity.

Grace: (March 20) Following Jesus allows us to live in God’s grace each day and to share that grace with others. Ephesians 2:8-9. Meal served by the Youth Gathering Youth.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  I woke up this morning thinking about a couple of my friends.  I knew they were hurting, gutted inside.  I knew that maybe they didn’t sleep well or if they did, they might have woken up and felt like they had been through a nightmare.  I said a little prayer for them, a prayer that they might find comfort, that they might get through the day ok, that they might see the light in the midst of the darkness, some joy in the midst of their sadness.  Why were they sad, you ask?  Well, their football team, the Detroit Lions, blew a 17 point halftime lead to the San Francisco 49ers and were defeated, keeping them from their first trip to the Super Bowl in franchise history.

  Now, I know it seems stupid to think this way about a game, and it probably is.  I do the same things for people who have had real losses in life, like the death of a loved one, loss of a job, the ending of a relationship, and the like.  But the pain is still real.  You who are Packer fans know this.  You have experienced a lot of NFC Championship game losses in recent years (though, I admittedly, don’t feel as bad for you because you are so mean to me much of the year.  My Lion fan friends are much nicer!).  But I also know that pain, of being so close and falling short.  It hurts. 

  But the worse thing is that it can color everything else.  The pain of a loss like that takes away from the joy of a great season.  They won their first playoff game in three decades!  The won a division title!  It was a magical season for the Detroit Lions and it is easy to lose sight of that.  Frankly, in any loss, no matter how big or small it is, we often look only at the loss, instead of the what we got to experience.  Instead of the joy that was present before the loss.

  Think about relationships in your life that ended.  When they first end, you grieve that ending, you bemoan the pain of the relationship that has ceased, whether it be romantic or a friendship or whatever.  But over time, as the pain of the ending fades, you see the good times more than the bad.  When I think about my Dad, gone now for 30 years now, I don’t dwell so much on his death but on all the wonderful moments I had with him, all the good memories instead of the terrible ones at the end.  I know one of the reasons the Bears loss in the Super Bowl in February 2007 hurt so bad was that it would have brought some joy into awful times since my Mom died in November of 2006.  But as time as gone on, I have given thanks for that great season just as I have given thanks for all my memories with my Mom, including the time I spent with her in the hospital talking with her about the Bears that season.

   Losses hurt, no matter what form they take.  The hurt and they leave scars and they can stay with us for a long, long time.  But there are also victories, joyful moments, times of success and hope and fun.  The key for us is to not let the losses overwhelm the others.  After all, we have a Savior in Jesus Christ who gives us hope every day, who shows us that in him we have the victory every day and that nothing has power over us. Not any loss.  Not even death. For that we can say, “Thanks be to God!”