2024 October Archive - Trinity Lutheran Church

Archive for October, 2024

Trinity Tidings- Oct 28

Posted on: October 28th, 2024 by Brad Peterson

October 28^th, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Men’s Band Worship Sunday, November 3^rd, 9 am.

Potato Pancake Feed, Sunday, November 3^rd, 10 am till 11:30 am. Potato Pancakes, Kielbasa Sausage, Apple Sauce, Bars, Beverage. This year we are featuring TWO kinds of Potato Pancakes, our traditional Scandanvian style and now German style. Free-will offering taken to benefit Trinity Missions.

Lagers with Lord is Monday, November 4th, at 6 pm at Buckshot’s! All are welcome for a time of faithful conversation.

Voices of Praise, every Wednesday night at 7 pm. Come join us to sing together in praise to the Lord!

Crew on Wednesday, October 30^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders!

MISSION MADNESS 2024: October 6-November 10^th: The annual tradition continues as we raise money for our Mission Partners and PB does embarrassing or weird things. Just designate your offering to either Mission Madness or to a specific mission partner like Luther Park or West CAP as an example. As a twist this year, if a certain number of Time & Talent sheets get turned in, since part of our Mission is using our gifts for God’s glory, that will also fulfill some Mission Madness goals.

Here are the goals:

$500 PB has to wear a Star Trek shirt (reminder: PB doesn’t like Star Trek). 25 Time & Talent sheets GOAL MET! PB WILL WEAR THIS IN THE FUTURE! CHECK OUT THE TRINITY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR PICTURES

$1,000 PB eats a serving size of Mayonnaise. 50 Time & Talent sheets GOAL MET! PB will do this after worship on NOVEMBER 3

$1,500 PB gets attacked with silly string by kids in the congregation.

$2,000 PB wears a full Packers outfit at the November Synod Gathering.

$2,500 PB gets hit in the face with a pie by the Bishop Martin Halom on November 17^th.

UPDATE:

DOLLARS RAISED: $1,245. HALFWAY THERE WITH TWO WEEKS TO GO!

TIME AND TALENT SHEETS TURNED IN: 51

High School Lock-In, Saturday, November 9^th, 6 pm till Sunday, November 10^th, 7 am. Scavenger Hunt, Games, Movies, and more! Friends welcome! Need to leave early for work? No problem! Just let PB know. Sign-up in the Narthex or talk to PB. Staffed by Luther Park Bible Camp.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

Take a close look at this picture. We always take a funny picture for confirmation and I decided that I would try to hold Drew Gretzlock in my arms. And, right here, it looks like I’m doing a pretty good job of it. But the truth is, I held him for about 1.8 seconds before I almost destroyed my back and my knees trying to hold him up. At one second I thought I had him, and then next I really, really didn’t (like the Bears game against the Commanders. Still smarting about that). It makes for a really good picture though.

I always like taking a funny picture along with the normal one that is displayed at the church because when I teach these youth (and we had 17 confirm their faith this past Sunday), I always have two goals. The first is to impart on them knowledge of their faith and the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. But the second is that the church is where they can always know that they are loved and accepted for who they are. That means having some fun from time to time, even if it means me embarrassing myself (which really isn’t hard to do). I want them to know the power of Jesus’ love for them but also the power of feeling that love in a place like Trinity.

Because life can be really hard and tough and they might find themselves in places that don’t love them very much or accept them for who they are. There might be times in their life where they might feel alone or lost or scared. I want them to know that Jesus is always there for them and that the church is a place that is there for them to, a place they belong, no matter what. A safe place.

I have no doubt God will do some cool things through those young people in the picture above. Some of them will move far away and some might not move away at all. But in the end, I hope that they will always remember that Jesus loves them and that Trinity is a place that loves them and will remind them of Jesus’ love for them too.

May God bless you today and always.

Trinity Tidings- Oct 21

Posted on: October 21st, 2024 by Brad Peterson

October 21^st, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Men’s Band Worship Sunday, November 3^rd, 9 am.

Lagers with Lord is Monday, November 4th, at 6 pm at Buckshot’s! All are welcome for a time of faithful conversation.

Voices of Praise, every Wednesday night at 7 pm. Come join us to sing together in praise to the Lord!

Crew on Wednesday, October 30^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders!

MISSION MADNESS 2024: October 6-November 10^th: The annual tradition continues as we raise money for our Mission Partners and PB does embarrassing or weird things. Just designate your offering to either Mission Madness or to a specific mission partner like Luther Park or WestCAP as an example. As a twist this year, if a certain number of Time & Talent sheets get turned in, since part of our Mission is using our gifts for God’s glory, that will also fulfill some Mission Madness goals.

Here are the goals:

$500 PB has to wear a Star Trek shirt (reminder: PB doesn’t like Star Trek). 25 Time & Talent sheets GOAL MET! PB WILL WEAR THIS IN THE FUTURE! CHECK OUT THE TRINITY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR PICTURES

$1,000 PB eats a serving size of Mayonnaise. 50 Time & Talent sheets GOAL MET! PB will do this after worship on NOVEMBER 3

$1,500 PB gets attacked with silly string by kids in the congregation.

$2,000 PB wears a full Packers outfit at the November Synod Gathering.

$2,500 PB gets hit in the face with a pie by the Bishop Martin Halom on November 17^th.

UPDATE:

DOLLARS RAISED: $1040

TIME AND TALENT SHEETS TURNED IN: 46

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

The other day, I was sitting out in our backyard around our outdoor firepit, with Amy and our niece Ashlie, who was visiting, with Baxter running around the backyard, and I took a second. Just a second. Trying to appreciate the moment. To drink it in a bit. A moment of appreciation.

On a recent Friday, I rolled in a pretty long putt for birdie during my normal round of golf with my friends Josh & Tim. I wasn’t playing particularly well and I was pretty happy with the putt as it was an actual moment of good in a lot of bad. And I took a second, just a second, to not appreciate the birdie, but to appreciate the moment with a good friend, doing something I enjoy, on a beautiful day.

Then this past Tuesday I was leading worship at Glenhaven, which I do once a month, and Bob Bird came with me. As we were singing together, I took a moment to appreciate making music with one of my favorite people, and music that was sharing the love of Christ.

I’m not sure what has prompted these moments of appreciation, but they have been coming a lot more frequently. Maybe it is the Holy Spirit reminding me to not take life for granted. Maybe it is the Holy Spirit prompting me to be more thankful for life. Maybe it is the Holy Spirit showing me that in a world that is filled with so much bad there is always moment of good. Maybe I’m just being a little wistful in my advancing age.

In the end, I guess my hope is that you might take a moment to appreciate something in your life today. That you would take a moment, a breath, a slice of time, and just look around and appreciate something or someone. To remember that life is a gift, no matter what is going on in it. For even in the very hardest moments of life, there is still light, there is still joy, there is still peace, there is still happiness, because there is always the Lord. For in the Lord, life is always a gift and the Lord gives a moment or two, every day, to remind us of that gift. May you be reminded today.

May God bless you today and always.

Trinity Tidings- Oct 14

Posted on: October 14th, 2024 by Brad Peterson

October 14^th, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fall Family Fest HAS BEEN MOVED TO Sunday, October 20^th, 3 pm till 5pm. Inflatables, food, pumpkin carving, games, and more for the whole family.

Lagers with Lord is Monday, October 14th, at 6 pm at Buckshot’s! All are welcome for a time of faithful conversation.

Voices of Praise, Wednesday, October 16^th, 7 pm! Like to sing? Want to sing praises to God? Want to sing with others? Hate to sing in front of an audience? This is the group for you! Come join us on Wednesday nights at 7 pm for the sole purpose of using our voices to give praise to God with others. This is a fellowship group that gathers to sing together with no expectation that we will sing during worship or in front of an audience. The only requirement is a love of singing and a love of God! All ages are welcome!

Crew on Wednesday, October 16^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders!

Crew snacks needed! We invite individuals and families to sign-up to provide snacks for 50-60 youth for Crew! Feel free to team up with others! You do not need to serve the snacks, just provide them! You can provide whatever you want. Items should be here by 3 pm on the day of Crew. Sign-up in the Narthex or call the office. Questions? Talk to PB.

MISSION MADNESS 2024: October 6-November 10^th: The annual tradition continues as we raise money for our Mission Partners and PB does embarrassing or weird things. Just designate your offering to either Mission Madness or to a specific mission partner like Luther Park or WestCAP as an example. As a twist this year, if a certain number of Time & Talent sheets get turned in, since part of our Mission is using our gifts for God’s glory, that will also fulfill some Mission Madness goals.

Here are the goals:

$500 PB has to wear a Star Trek shirt (reminder: PB doesn’t like Star Trek). 25 Time & Talent sheets

$1,000 PB eats a serving size of Mayonnaise. 50 Time & Talent sheets

$1,500 PB gets attacked with silly string by kids in the congregation. 75 time & Talent Sheets

$2,000 PB wears a full Packers outfit at the November Synod Gathering. 100 Time & Talent Sheets

$2,500 PB gets hit in the face with a pie by the Bishop Martin Halom on November 17^th.

UPDATE:

DOLLARS RAISED: $200

TIME AND TALENT SHEETS TURNED IN: 36

Men’s Band Worship Sunday, November 3^rd, 9 am.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

When I was younger, I had it through my head that I couldn’t show weakness. I don’t know if it was because I rarely saw it in my Dad, who I never saw cry until the last month of his life. I don’t know if it was the images I took in from advertising and media that portrayed strong men never cried, never showed doubt, never showed anything other than physical pain and that pain was only because they got shot or hit or attacked but just took it on the chin with stoicism. You “sucked it up” and moved on. You never displayed doubt about anything, concern about anything, or sadness about really anything. Weakness was not to be shown to anyone for any reason for that weakness could be exploited, or made fun of, or would make you “less than.”

I think that thought still is very prevalent today and I know is still with me today. I remember the first time I teared up in a funeral I was leading. I felt so ashamed that I let that emotion out. Felt like I had somehow failed in my calling, to be “strong” for the family. It wasn’t till later that in talking with that family that they appreciated that show of emotion. It was a connection to them. After all, I barely cried at my Dad’s funeral as I was now the “man of the house” and I took it as a challenge to not cry while I preached my Mom’s funeral sermon to show everyone just how strong I was. That I could handle it all.

What an idiot I was, and frankly, I sometimes still am. Weakness is not showing emotion. Strength is the ability to be what the world says is weak and keep going. Being honest in our emotions, whether it be sadness or anger or doubt. After all, as it says in our scripture reading from above, Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses because Christ knows all those emotions. He cried. He was angry. He asked God to take this cup from him. Jesus knows all the things we have felt because he felt them. And so we know that we have a Savior who is right there with us, who understands and knows the hardships of our lives, the emotions we feel, the things that make us feel weak and small. We don’t have to be afraid of them. Rather, we can face them with boldness for we don’t face them alone.

Don’t hide from those things that the world says make you weak. Don’t be afraid of sadness or grief or anger or doubt or any of those things. Those things don’t make you weak. Faith is still trusting in the one who knows those things and still going, still trying, still fighting, even when it is hardest. Jesus knows all of the things you are going through for he has experienced all of them. He has cried over friends. He has felt betrayed and abandoned. He has felt physical and emotional pain. He has felt like God has abandoned him. Christ has felt it all. He knows our weaknesses, our hurts, our everything. And that is why he is there. That is why Jesus invites you to place your burdens on him. That is why he promises to be with you always. And that is why we can be bold, for we are showered by his grace in our time of need and know that no matter what, we are never, ever alone and that in him, we have strength. Always.

May God be with you today and always.

Trinity Tidings- Oct 6

Posted on: October 7th, 2024 by Brad Peterson

October 6^th, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Oktoberfest Craft & Vendor Fair October 12^th 9 am till 2 pm at Boyceville High School There are events as well throughout Boyceville.

Fall Family Fest, Sunday, October 13^th, 3 pm till 5pm. Inflatables, food, pumpkin carving, games, and more for the whole family.

Lagers with Lord is Monday, October 14th, at 6 pm at Buckshot’s! All are welcome for a time of faithful conversation.

Voices of Praise, Wednesday, October 9^th, 7 pm! Like to sing? Want to sing praises to God? Want to sing with others? Hate to sing in front of an audience? This is the group for you! Come join us on Wednesday nights at 7 pm for the sole purpose of using our voices to give praise to God with others. This is a fellowship group that gathers to sing together with no expectation that we will sing during worship or in front of an audience. The only requirement is a love of singing and a love of God! All ages are welcome!

Crew on Wednesday, October 16^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th graders!

MISSION MADNESS 2024: October 6-November 10^th: The annual tradition continues as we raise money for our Mission Partners and PB does embarrassing or weird things. Just designate your offering to either Mission Madness or to a specific mission partner like Luther Park or WestCAP as an example. As a twist this year, if a certain number of Time & Talent sheets get turned in, since part of our Mission is using our gifts for God’s glory, that will also fulfill some Mission Madness goals.

Here are the goals:

$500 PB has to wear a Star Trek shirt (reminder: PB doesn’t like Star Trek). 25 Time & Talent sheets

$1,000 PB eats a serving size of Mayonnaise. 50 Time & Talent sheets

$1,500 PB gets attacked with silly string by kids in the congregation. 75 time & Talent Sheets

$2,000 PB wears a full Packers outfit at the November Synod Gathering. 100 Time & Talent Sheets

$2,500 PB gets hit in the face with a pie by the Bishop Martin Halom on November 17^th.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

Amy and I were at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, enjoying the three-mile walk when were passed this sign in the shade three exhibit. I have passed this sign many times, but it caught my eye and I stopped. What caught my eye wasn’t the various shapes of trees and their various characteristics. The thing that drew my attention was the sentence at the very bottom of the picture. “All shapes and sizes are worthy of your love.” I thought that not only was that an important phrase in terms of trees, but frankly for us as humans. All shapes and sizes are worthy of your love.

Now, we could look at that statement and only think of it in terms of physical appearance, and that is of course true and very important to remember. But I want to expand upon it. Everyone deserves love for we are all human beings. We are under a month until we have an election in this country and we are in a very polarized place politically. The rhetoric on both sides is hot and often pointed and harsh. It is often crossing the line. We need to remember that everyone involved is a human being. We need to remember that everyone deserves love and should be treated with respect and dignity. We need to think twice about the things we say, post, and comment on. For our words and rhetoric can have consequences and can be hurtful and damaging.

We might want to take into consideration Jesus’ words to love our neighbor as ourselves and to love our enemies. We might want to remember that it was this same Jesus who forgave the people who crucified him and the same Jesus who often sat with and listened to those who were most opposed to him. We might want to remember that we can be faithful to Jesus no matter who we vote for and the person next to us can also be faithful to Jesus too even if they vote for someone different than us.

Passion is important and being passionate for what you believe in is important. I know I am. That passion can be displayed in ways that are positive but can also be displayed in ways that are negative. My hope is that as we come into these final days of this election, no matter who you are passionate about in this election, that you would display that passion in a positive manner. That you might remember that everyone involved are also fellow human beings too, who love this country with the same passion you do, and who deserve the same love and respect that you do. That we might remember that above all we need the same love and grace from Jesus Christ, for we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God, who are all called to love our neighbors as we have been loved. For all shapes and sizes are worthy of your love.

May God bless you today and always.