Trinity Lutheran Church

October 26, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mission Madness 2025!  Runs from October 5^th till November 16^th.  You can give to a specific mission partner (like Luther Park or WestCAP) or just designate your gift towards Mission Madness.  Every time we hit a giving goal, PB will do the following:

$500  PB has to eat five red grapes: Already happened

$1,000 PB has to eat a hard boiled egg: DONE

$1,500 PB has to wear a Packers or Brewers tie every day for one week: DONE

$2,000 PB has to eat cold tuna noodle pasta salad with peas (the meal he hated the most as a child): DONE

$2,500 PB has to drink two ounces of black church coffee.  (PB does not drink hot beverages nor coffee of any kind). Happening November 2^nd!

Currently we have raised $3,801!  We only have $850 left to fulfill all our Mission goals for the year!  Let’s close them all out and PB will add some extra stuff.  If you have an idea, let him know!

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our Mission Partners!

Crew Wednesday, October 29th from 3:30-5:00pm, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Men’s Band Worship Sunday, November 2^nd, 9am!  Join us for a morning of great music and fun!

Potato Pancake Meal, Sunday, November 2^nd, 10 am till 11:30 am Two kinds of Potato Pancakes, Kielbasa Sausage, Apple Sauce, Dessert, Beverage.  Free-will offering taken to benefit Trinity Missions. 

Calling all men!  We need your help on Sunday, November 2^nd, to serve the Potato Pancake meal.  Come at 9 am to help prep and then serve the meal. 

Annual Mitten Tree is up!  Bring in hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves to decorate the tree.  We are also collecting items for the Coat Closet as well, like boots, snowpants, and winter coats, which you can put in the box by the Mitten Tree. 

Voices of Praise is back every Wednesday at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wheeler will be having its final worship celebration on Saturday, November 1^st, at 9:15 am.  Fellowship following the service to share refreshments and memories of the past 128 years of ministry.  Public is welcome. 

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a phone number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  As I looked over all the stuff that I would have to do for Mission Madness this year, I really thought the worse thing I was going to have to do was the Tuna Noodle Casserole with peas.  I mean, I hated this meal as a child, and outside of the noodles, we have done three of those ingredients as Mission Madness things in the past: peas, canned tuna, and mayonnaise.  I was dreading it and if there was anything that I might spew, it was going to be that.  As a child, I was a master of hiding it in napkins, getting it to the dog to eat, and taking as little as possible to get out of eating it.  But I had to eat my portion publicly and it had been a long time since I had eaten it.

  I know there is nothing that this congregation loves more (outside of Jesus, of course), than to watch me suffer.  It is why you enjoy these eating challenges and such, so I saw the glee on our faces as I prepared to eat this monstrosity, especially since I had already suffered through a hard-boiled egg (why do you people eat things that smell like bad farts?)  But the thing was, I had an angel on my side.  And that angel was Cheryl Wyss.  See, when I first discussed the Mission Madness challenges with my sounding board group, the illustrious quilters, there were very excited about the Tuna Noodle Casserole and Cheryl wanted to make it.  And Cheryl is not my mother.  I loved my mother dearly. But my Mom was not a great cook.  Adequate, but not great.  Cheryl is.

   Cheryl decided if she was going to make this, she was going to make it as she would make it for herself.  So she used something that was foreign in my household growing up outside of salt and Lawry’s seasoning salt: spices and seasoning.  And when I opened up the container, it looked nothing like what I remembered as a kid.  I could tell there was pepper in it (which was just something on our table that we never used).  I could tell there was other things in it outside of mayo, peas, and tuna.  And I thought I might have a chance.  When I sent a picture of it to Amy, I think she was a little bummed because it wasn’t going to be as bad as possible.  And she was right.

  Mind you, when I tasted that tuna and those peas, I wanted to spew like a garden hose.  But my experience that stuff came into play.  But the noodles on their own without that other disgusting crap?  Delicious.  And that saved me.  My guardian angel saved me.  So thank you Cheryl and may God bless you always.

  But you know what has sucked beyond all measure?  Wearing a tie for six days straight.  And not even the Packer tie part (thank you Brian & Katie Moll, Bill & Julie Fisher, and  Terry & Beth Ford for the ties).  I’m used to wearing those disgusting colors.  No, it is wearing the tie part.  I wear a tie once a year: for prom.  That’s it.  Part of the joy of being a pastor is I get to wear a clerical and so I don’t have to wear a tie.  I hate it.  I hate stuff around my neck and tight around my neck.  It is why I have never worn necklaces or chains or anything like that.  Even worse, this week I had a series of long meetings that went very late at night so I was often wearing a tie till after 9 pm.  Ugh.  When I finally took the tie off on Saturday night for the last time I felt just like I do when I hear God’s promise of forgiveness in Jesus Christ: pure freedom.  Wearing a tie every day might be my version of torture.  It makes eating peas seems almost blissful. 

  But, we must sacrifice for the Lord, and we do, because we have raised almost $4,000 for our Mission Partners, and I hope that we can hit our ultimate goal of covering all our benevolences of the year.  Two more weeks to go and I hope that you will join us on November 2^nd for the Men’s Band concert and Potato Pancake meal.  All the money raised at that meal goes to Mission Madness and you get to see me do the last challenge, drinking coffee.  I hate coffee and I don’t drink hot things.  Should be fun.  Well, not for me but for all of you. But it will be better than wearing a tie. 

  May God bless you today and always!

Me in the tie on Saturday with                                       Tuna Noodle Casserole with peas

Tracy Danovsky (now Kubala)

after her wedding.  Tie supplied by

Katie & Brian Moll

October 19, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lagers with the Lord on Monday, October 20^th, 6 pm at Buckshot’s. 

Mission Madness 2025!  Runs from October 5^th till November 16^th.  You can give to a specific mission partner (like Luther Park or WestCAP) or just designate your gift towards Mission Madness.  Every time we hit a giving goal, PB will do the following:

$500  PB has to eat five red grapes: Already happened

$1,000 PB has to eat a hard boiled egg: Happening October 19th

$1,500 PB has to wear a Packers or Brewers tie every day for one week: Happening starting October 20th

$2,000 PB has to eat cold tuna noodle pasta salad with peas (the meal he hated the most as a child): Happening October 19^th!

$2,500 PB has to drink two ounces of black church coffee.  (PB does not drink hot beverages nor coffee of any kind). Happening November 2^nd!

Currently we have raised $3,556!  We only have $1,900 left to fulfill all our Mission goals for the year!  Let’s close them all out and PB will add some extra stuff.  If you have an idea, let him know!

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our Mission Partners!

Men’s Band Worship Sunday, November 2^nd, 9am!  Join us for a morning of great music and fun!

Potato Pancake Meal, Sunday, November 2^nd, 10 am till 11:30 am Two kinds of Potato Pancakes, Kielbasa Sausage, Apple Sauce, Dessert, Beverage.  Free-will offering taken to benefit Trinity Missions. 

Annual Mitten Tree is up!  Bring in hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves to decorate the tree.  We are also collecting items for the Coat Closet as well, like boots, snowpants, and winter coats, which you can put in the box by the Mitten Tree. 

Voices of Praise is back every Wednesday at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Crew Wednesday, October 29th from 3:30-5:00pm, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wheeler will be having its final worship celebration on Saturday, November 1^st, at 9:15 am.  Fellowship following the service to share refreshments and memories of the past 128 years of ministry.  Public is welcome. 

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a confirmation number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  When you are in need of something or you need to find something out, I bet you do what I do: you Google it.  Maybe you might turn to YouTube if you need help with something.  Then, you might call a friend or a neighbor or a family neighbor.  Maybe you might turn to Wikipedia for a piece of information or find out some fact about something.  When we need help with something, we now have a variety of resources that we can turn to, many of them at right at our fingertips with a few presses of a button.

  But there are somethings we need help with that can’t be solved by a Google search or a YouTube video.  Sometimes we need help and we have to turn to something a little greater than that.  Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? ² My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  Sadly, at times, we turn to the Lord only as a last resort.  When the problem seems too big for us, we turn to our God in desperation.  We turn to the Lord in the last moments, often out of fear.  Of course, there are those problems, those issues, that are just too big that frankly only the Lord can deal with, that only the Lord can handle for us. 

  The good news for us is that our Lord is there, ready and waiting for us to bring our problems to this loving God, this loving Savior, who is ready to bear our burdens and problems, ready to be our help.  After all, this loving Lord has already defeated sin and death for us and has the promise of eternal life for us.  This Lord promises to be with us always to the end of the age.  This Savior promises that nothing will ever separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ.  This Lord is ready and willing to hear our problems, to be our help, to be our refuge and strength in the midst of trouble. 

  We all have problems, both big and small.  We can turn to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first to be our help.  God does not have to be our last resort but can be our first.  For our loving Lord is there to provide us comfort and hope.  We might not always get the help we want or the answers we desire, but if nothing else, we get the assurance that we are not alone, that our problems are heard, and that our Savior Jesus Christ is with us, that your Savior is with you, always, till the end of the age.  And there are no pop up ads, like on Google or YouTube!

  May God bless you this week and always! 

October 12, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crew this Wednesday, October 15th from 3:30-5:00pm, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Mission Trip Meeting Wednesday, October 15^th, 7 pm!

Mission Madness 2025!  Runs from October 5^th till November 16^th.  You can give to a specific mission partner (like Luther Park or WestCAP) or just designate your gift towards Mission Madness.  Every time we hit a giving goal, PB will do the following:

$500  PB has to eat five red grapes: Happening this Sunday, October 12^th!

$1,000 PB has to eat a hard boiled egg: Happening October 19th

$1,500 PB has to wear a Packers or Brewers tie every day for one week Happening starting October 20th

$2,000 PB has to eat cold tuna noodle pasta salad with peas (the meal he hated the most as a child): Happening October 19^th!

$2,500 PB has to drink two ounces of black church coffee.  (PB does not drink hot beverages nor coffee of any kind). Happening November 2^nd!

Currently we have raised $3,100!  We raised that during the WestCAP fundraiser last week!  We only have $2,300 left to fulfill all our Mission goals for the year!  Let’s close them all out and PB will add some extra stuff.  If you have an idea, let him know!

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our Mission Partners!

Voices of Praise is back every Wednesday at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Thank you to all of our volunteers that helped at the WestCAP spaghetti dinner last Sunday and all those that helped at Oktoberfest Craft and Vendor sale on Saturday and those that packed LWR boxes this past Wednesday!

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a confirmation number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:5-7

  The following verses were the second reading this past Sunday, October 5^th, and I preached on them on Wednesday night at Trinity, and the day before at my monthly nursing home service at Glenhaven (I didn’t preach on them at Trintiy on Sunday, the 5^th, as I was on vacation that morning).  I enjoy these verses, as Paul reminds Timothy of his faith, a faith that as passed on to him from his grandmother and mother.  For many of us, that is how our faith is passed on.  From grandparent to parent to us.  I know I can trace my faith that way.  Passed on from generation to generation to generation.  It is one of the things that is so important about the church, the gathering of the generations, sharing the same faith, modeling the importance of faith, of living out your faith in the multitude of generations, not only in families, but just seeing it being in lived and shared and encouraged in people of all ages, supporting each other as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ.

  Of course. it isn’t only faith that we pass on from generation to generation.  It was something I was thinking about when I preached on these verses, as I was wearing a Cubs jersey at the time on Wednesday as the Cubs were playing the Brewers in the playoffs.  On Wednesday, it was 36 years to the day I attended my first ever Cubs playoff game with my Dad in 1989 as they faced the Giants in the NLCS.  It was the only game they won that series (and was my first time ever in a bar, but that is a story for another time).  6 days earlier, on Tuesday of this year, I attended by second playoff game ever, this time with my nephew and his Dad, as we went to Game 1 of the Wild Card round, also a Cubs victory.  I have spoken of passing on my Dad’s legacy of fandom to my nephew, and last night we both mourned the end of another Cubs season (congrats to the Brewers). 

  But we don’t just pass on faith in Jesus Christ to other generations.  We pass on team loyalties.  We pass on traits, characteristics, ways of looking at the world, traditions, and all sorts of other things.  Many of them are positive, like how my parents taught me to try to make a difference in the community I live in and how you should always hold the door open for someone or compliment someone when they look nice or do something well.  Some are innocuous, like whether you have a star or an angel at the top of your Christmas tree or if you have ham or turkey on Christmas Eve for dinner.  Some things we pass on might not be so good, like racism, bigotry, or hatred of people different than yourself.  But we do pass on things on.  We do leave legacies. 

  What legacy are you passing on?  What lessons are you leaving for future generations?  Have you thought about what things you are lifting up to your children, your grandchildren, your nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors about what is truly important in life?  As I have grown older, I am constantly more and more thankful for the mentors and elders in my life who passed on lessons and legacies that have shaped me, from my parents and grandparents to teachers and coaches and others in my community, like members of my home church, that made a positive and lasting impact on how I see the world.  For without them, I would not be who I am today.

  It doesn’t take much to leave a lasting legacy upon someone else.  All it takes is sharing a part of yourself.  Sharing your faith, sharing your love, your wisdom, your heart.  I hope you will consider how you can impact someone else today, tomorrow, and in the future, whether it be a relative, a neighbor, or a complete stranger. Do not be afraid to share yourself with others.  Do not be afraid to share your faith and pass on what you have learned in this life.  Do not be afraid to share yourself and make a lasting impact on the future generations, for they need you. May God be with you as you leave that legacy to others.

May God bless you this week and always! 

September 28, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crew this Wednesday, October 1st from 3:30-5, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Join us as we pack up Lutheran World Relief Kits this Wednesday, October 1^st,

at 9 am

Reminder to 9^th grade confirmands that your confirmation folders are due on Wednesday, October 1^st!

Fall Family Fest and WestCAP Fundraiser: Sunday, October 5, 4pm till 7pm.  Inflatables, Games, and fun for the whole family starting at 4 pm.  Spaghetti meal at 5 pm.  Men’s Band concert at 6 pm.  Free-will offering taken to benefit WestCAP food pantry here in Boyceville. 

Voices of Praise is back every Wednesday at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Mission Trip registration forms are due on Sunday, October 5^th!

Mission Madness 2025!  Runs from October 5^th till November 16^th.  You can give to a specific mission partner (like Luther Park or WestCAP) or just designate your gift towards Mission Madness.  Every time we hit a giving goal, PB will do the following:

$500  PB has to eat five red grapes

$1,000 PB has to eat a hard boiled egg

$1,500 PB has to wear a Packers or Brewers tie every day for one week

$2,000 PB has to eat cold tuna noodle pasta salad with peas (the meal he hated the most as a child)

$2,500 PB has to drink two ounces of black church coffee.  (PB does not drink hot beverages nor coffee of any kind). 

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our Mission Partners!

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a confirmation number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  Yesterday, we hosted our first Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair here at Trinity.  Neighbor to Neighbor, for those that don’t remember, is a ministry of our Synod that reaches out to the Latino population, and one of the things that they do is hold Health Fairs to bring needed resources to a population that often has a hard time accessing such resources.  We had all sort of providers and organizations here, such as Hearing and Vision Screening, Mayo Clinic, Dunn County Health Department, as well as places like Arbor Place, The Bridge to Hope, Stepping Stones, WestCap, and others, like Luther Park, Chippewa Valley Voters, and JONAH.  We had a Mexican Food Truck here to provide food truck, our local one from right here in Boyceville that you see at Pickle Fest, and one thing that we did that many don’t do is we did a personal care item distribution of things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, detergent, soap, and more.  We had a wonderful turnout on a beautiful day and I was really pleased with how it all turned out, even with a little more wind than we wanted and some pesky bees!

  But what I was really pleased with was our incredible group of volunteers that came to help.  We had people that came to help set-up, those that came to work the event, and those that came to tear down, which was really great for me, because I had to leave a half hour after the event to go to the Twin Cities to perform a wedding!  Even better, our volunteers ran the gambit, from some of our oldest members to confirmation and high school students.  Parents served with their children, which is a great example of modeling faith and service.  Helping at this kind of event can be very difficult and put us outside of our comfort zone as interact with people that we don’t know and can’t communicate easily with, especially a little short on interpreters.  But what came through was our volunteer’s joy and welcoming smiles.   This is what it means to be the church.  To open ourselves up in love to others and to try a make a difference in their lives.  To lift up others.  To really embody what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves.

  I want to thank all of you that also dropped donations over the past couple of weeks as well that helped make our distribution a success.  Your generosity is appreciated.  My vision is for us to continue to be a church that reaches out in our community.  I love the fact that so many of you give of your time to our ministry partners, whether it be to WestCAP or Stepping Stones or many others.  This upcoming Sunday, October 5^th, we are going to be helping out WestCAP with our Fall Fest fundraiser for them and I hope that you will join us for the Spaghetti Meal at 5 pm and the Men’s Band Concert at 6 pm.  They need our help and they do so much.  Bring the kids at 4 pm to have fun with the inflatables, then stay for the meal and concert.  Be generous as Mission Madness starts because the funds we send to our partners in ministry makes a direct impact on the lives of other people. 

  We are church together and as the church, we look outward toward our neighbor, as Jesus has called us to.  A church not in action is a dead church.  A church only worried about itself is a dying church.  A church standing still is sinking slowly into irrelevance and complacency.  But a church focused on pushing outward, on serving, on meeting the needs of others, that is a vibrant church.  That is a growing church.  That is a church that is answering God’s call in Jesus Christ to love.  That is who I want us to be.  That is who I think we are.  May we continue to be that and more and never lose sight of it. 

  May God bless you this week and always! 

September 14, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crew starts back up Wednesday, Sept 17th from 3:30-5, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Lagers with the Lord Monday, September 15^th, 6 pm at Buckshot’s. 

Voices of Praise is back starting Wednesday, Sept 10th at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Mission Trip Informational Meeting Sunday, September 21^st, 10 am.  We will be heading to Denver June 13-20, 2026.  If you are a high school student but can’t attend the meeting, please see PB. 

Crew snacks needed! See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex or call the church. We are looking for snacks for 50 youth. No need to serve them, just to provide them! You can bring anything you want! Cookies, cheese, fruits, vegetables, anything you can dream up the kids will eat! Make it as big or as small as you want! Talk to PB if you have questions.

It’s back to school time!! The WOT will be collecting items for our local schools and for kits to go to Lutheran World Relief. There are two different boxes set out for collection so make sure you put yours in the box you want your items to go to. The bags you take off the pews are the ones that go to Lutheran World Relief and each bag has a printed copy of all items needed to fill that bag. There are copies of items needed for our local schools on the display table by the kitchen. Thank you for helping us help others!

Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair, September 27th, 10 am till 1 pm. This event is to provide resources and information specifically for the Hispanic population of our area and in conjunction with the Northwest Syn od of Wisconsin. We are collecting personal care items as well to hand out during this event. Items include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks. Want to help? See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex.  We need help setting up, taking down, manning the Trinity table, and passing out items for our personal care distribution. 

Do you know someone who speaks Spanish? We are looking for Spanish speakers to be interpreters for the Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair.  They  would go around with families during the fair to help translate for the participants and providers.  If you know of someone, ask them if they are willing to help and contact PB as well. 

Fall Family Fest and WestCAP Fundraiser: Sunday, October 5, 4pm till 7pm.  Inflatables, Games, and fun for the whole family starting at 4 pm.  Spaghetti meal at 5 pm.  Men’s Band concert at 6 pm.  Free-will offering taken to benefit WestCAP food pantry here in Boyceville. 

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a confirmation number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  As many of you know, I love food.  I love a good meal.  But sometimes, you just need something simple.  Something delicious.  And there is nothing more delicious, and more simple, than popcorn. I love popcorn.  This love of popcorn is inherited from my mother, who ate it I swear six out of seven days.  She basically survived on Diet Coke, coffee, and popcorn for the most part, and she could eat popcorn by the tonnage. 

  In recent years, there is trend to have all sorts of different flavors of popcorn.  Heck, in the store the other day I saw Pickle flavored popcorn.  That crap is not for me.  Give me popcorn as God intended: butter and salt.  That’s it.  All it needs.  Frankly, I do love my popcorn salty and I take my own salt shaker into the movie theater to make sure of it.  Movie theater popcorn is the best popcorn around and, in my humble opinion, Alamo Drafthouse (there is one in Woodbury) has the best popcorn out there.  Love it.  They use clarified butter and serve it in a big metal bowl, which makes eating it even better.  Heavenly.

  My friend Pastor Tim Schmidt is also a popcorn fiend.  When he would travel around to watch his kids play sports, he would rate each school’s popcorn.  When we go out for lunch to places there is nothing better than when there is free popcorn and we have to be careful to not ruin our lunch by eating the popcorn. One of the things that baffles me is that while he announces games for Cumberland, he eats popcorn.  He has to have it.  I can’t imagine eating while announcing (at the same time, he can’t believe that I don’t eat popcorn while I announce).  Popcorn is just that good.

  Why am I talking about popcorn?  Well, I guess for one I just love it.  But also it is a reminder to appreciate the simple things.  It is easy to forget about the simple joys of life.  I know I can forget about them at times.  The little things that we take for granted.  With the craziness of the world, we sometimes have to stop and remember and appreciate the small things that bring us joy.  Popcorn is one of those things for me.  It not only connects me with my Mom and my closest friend, it reminds me that you can have something delicious that is pretty simple.  It is comforting and makes me feel happy when I eat it, whether it is at the movie theater or at home with Amy while we watch a show.  It is the food I sometimes want after a long day that just makes me feel good.

  So take a moment today or this week to appreciate the small things, the simple things.  Think about something like that which brings you joy, makes you feel comfort, brings you a memory or connects you to the people you love.  For these small things are gifts from God. And have some popcorn.  With lots of butter and salt.  Nothing better. 

  May God bless you today and always! 

September 7, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday School Rally Day is Sunday, September 7^th, at 9:45 am!

Voices of Praise is back starting Wednesday, Sept 10th at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Crew starts back up Wednesday, Sept 17th from 3:30-5, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Crew snacks needed! See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex or call the church. We are looking for snacks for 50 youth. No need to serve them, just to provide them! You can bring anything you want! Cookies, cheese, fruits, vegetables, anything you can dream up the kids will eat! Make it as big or as small as you want! Talk to PB if you have questions.

It’s back to school time!! The WOT will be collecting items for our local schools and for kits to go to Lutheran World Relief. There are two different boxes set out for collection so make sure you put yours in the box you want your items to go to. The bags you take off the pews are the ones that go to Lutheran World Relief and each bag has a printed copy of all items needed to fill that bag. There are copies of items needed for our local schools on the display table by the kitchen. Thank you for helping us help others!

Lagers with the Lord Monday, September 15^th, 6 pm at Buckshot’s. 

Mission Trip Informational Meeting Sunday, September 21^st, 10 am.  We will be heading to Denver June 13-20, 2026.  If you are a high school student but can’t attend the meeting, please see PB. 

Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair, September 27th, 10 am till 1 pm. This event is to provide resources and information specifically for the Hispanic population of our area and in conjunction with the Northwest Syn od of Wisconsin. We are collecting personal care items as well to hand out during this event. Items include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks. Want to help? See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex.  We need help setting up, taking down, manning the Trinity table, and passing out items for our personal care distribution. 

Do you know someone who speaks Spanish? We are looking for Spanish speakers to be interpreters for the Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair.  They  would go around with families during the fair to help translate for the participants and providers.  If you know of someone, ask them if they are willing to help and contact PB as well. 

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a confirmation number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

   There was a man who fell in the ocean and he couldn’t swim. When a boat came by, the captain yelled, “Do you need help, sir?” The man calmly said “No, I’ve prayed and God will save me.” A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, “Hey, do you need help?” The man replied again, “No, I’ve prayed and God will save me.” Eventually the man drowned & went to heaven. The man asked God, “God, I prayed for you to save me.  Why didn’t you save me?” God replied, “Fool, I sent you two boats!”

  I’ve always loved this little story, and other versions that are similar.  And I think there is an important lesson in this story.  God works through people.  God sends people into our lives to answer prayers.  Even more so, God sends you to people to answer their prayers. 

  I think this is important to remember.  Of course, God does act by God’s own hand.  But often, God works in and through others.  I know I have often spent countless times waiting for God to act, looking for the signs that God is doing something, when all along God had sent others to me to show me that God had heard my prayers and was answering them and maybe answering them in ways I wasn’t expecting and showing me that I had been heard.

  At the same time, as we have faith and trust in God, we also put that faith in action by going out into the world.  We don’t just lock ourselves away.  We use the gifts that God has given us, our voices, our talents, our treasurers, to do God’s work in the world.  We offer prayers but we also follow those prayers up with using our gifts to help others, encourage others, and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in whatever way we can.  I think of Jesus, who took time out for prayer but then went out and healed and taught and served and gave his life so that we would be saved and reminded us that he would be with us always till the end of the age.

  As you go out into the world, know that the God is working in and through others for you and that you are God’s vessel for others.  Continue to pray for the world and for others.  But don’t just pray.  Act as well.  Use your gifts for the sake of the world, as Jesus did, for in doing so you are someone’s answered prayer.

  May God bless you today and always.  

August 31,  2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Women of Trinity Fall Gathering, Saturday, September 6^th, 9 am.  Brunch meal, with speaker Rev. Jeanne Hartfield. 

Sunday School Rally Day is Sunday, September 7^th, at 9:45 am!

Voices of Praise is back starting Wednesday, Sept 10th at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Crew starts back up Wednesday, Sept 17th from 3:30-5, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Crew snacks needed! See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex or call the church. We are looking for snacks for 50 youth. No need to serve them, just to provide them! You can bring anything you want! Cookies, cheese, fruits, vegetables, anything you can dream up the kids will eat! Make it as big or as small as you want! Talk to PB if you have questions.

It’s back to school time!! The WOT will be collecting items for our local schools and for kits to go to Lutheran World Relief. There are two different boxes set out for collection so make sure you put yours in the box you want your items to go to. The bags you take off the pews are the ones that go to Lutheran World Relief and each bag has a printed copy of all items needed to fill that bag. There are copies of items needed for our local schools on the display table by the kitchen. Thank you for helping us help others!

Lagers with the Lord Monday, September 15^th, 6 pm at Buckshot’s. 

Mission Trip Informational Meeting Sunday, September 21^st, 10 am.  We will be heading to Denver June 13-20, 2026.  If you are a high school student but can’t attend the meeting, please see PB. 

Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair, September 27th, 10 am till 1 pm. This event is to provide resources and information specifically for the Hispanic population of our area and in conjunction with the Northwest Syn od of Wisconsin. We are collecting personal care items as well to hand out during this event. Items include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks. Want to help? See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex.  We need help setting up, taking down, manning the Trinity table, and passing out items for our personal care distribution. 

Do you know someone who speaks Spanish? We are looking for Spanish speakers to be interpreters for the Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair.  They  would go around with families during the fair to help translate for the participants and providers.  If you know of someone, ask them if they are willing to help and contact PB as well. 

There is a new way to give at Trinity: Venmo!  You can find us using: @TrinityLutheranBoyceville. If it asks you for a confirmation number, use 1349

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

   Ah, my friends, it is that great time of year.  Football season has arrived!  Not only that, but it is still golf season and baseball season and your friendly neighborhood pastor is in sports heaven.  Since the Cubs are still in a playoff hunt, I’m fully invested in watching baseball every night.  At the same time, the weather is perfect for golf and I can get out and play as much as my schedule will allow.  Plus, my favorite non-major event, the Ryder Cup, is coming up later in September and I follow that very closely, even though I fear the Americans are just going to get it handed to us on American soil.  And now football is going.

  Let me set the scene for you.  On Friday, I played golf (and actually played mostly well).  Friday night, at home, I had the Boyceville game on my computer watching the live stream of their win in Cameron while at the same time watching multiple college football games on my phone as Amy and I were finishing shows up on the main TV.  On Saturday night, since Amy wanted to read, I had the Cubs game up on the TV and college games going on my computer and my phone (yes, I have a sickness.  A disease.  Its ok.  I embrace it).  I was in sports heaven.

  Throw in the start of the NFL season on Thursday?  Let’s go.  Prime time joy time for ol’ PB.  Of course, it is slightly dampened by the fact that all of the Packer fans I live with are sky high right now after the Micah Parsons trade, as you should be.  I’m assuming you have all booked your hotel rooms for the San Francisco area for this year’s Super Bowl in preparation for your eventual championship and already have the parade planned.  I’m cautiously optimistic about my Chicago Bears who, despite being last in the NFC North last year somehow are tied for second hardest schedule in the NFL this year.  I’ll complain all the same and as long as we win one against the heavily favored Packers, like last year, it will make for a good year.  😊

  No matter what, it will be sports joy for me.  Heck, this week alone I will see football every single day for the most part, as I work three games this week in the booth for Boyceville, watch games as much as I can, and take a moment to appreciate the joy of the sport I love.  Because in the end, it is all about appreciation.  For when you enjoy something, you need to take a moment to appreciate it. 

  It is something I’ve been trying to do more of.  I can get a little negative about the sports teams I love and even the sports I play (at this moment, my friends and Amy are saying, a little?  That’s an understatement).  I tend to take a fatalistic approach, which is opposite of how I take most of life.  But these are meant to be escapes and I do love them.  And so I’m trying to appreciate them more.  Be thankful more, even when the Cubs get swept in SF or if the Bears offense looks awful or when I chunk an approach shot from 90 yards in the middle of the fairway.  Sports are a gift, not a burden, and I’m hoping being a little more appreciative, and little more thankful, will be better for my mental health and a reminder again of the gift it all is. 

  I hope that you take a moment to be thankful for the things, hobbies, pursuits and passions in your life that you enjoy.  They are gifts.  And no matter who you cheer for, on the football field or anywhere, that you enjoy watching them play and give thanks for that gift.  May God bless you today and always!

August 24, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Bible Study on Monday

Confirmation Parent Meeting, Wednesday, August 27^th, 7pm for all 7^th & 8^th grade confirmation students & parents.

Women of Trinity Fall Gathering, Saturday, September 6^th, 9 am.  Brunch meal, with speaker Rev. Jeanne Hartfield. 

Sunday School Rally Day is Sunday, September 7^th, at 9:45 am!

Voices of Praise is back starting Wednesday, Sept 10th at 7pm, join us for singing and fellowship!

Crew starts back up Wednesday, Sept 17th from 3:30-5, for all 3rd-6th graders!

Crew snacks needed! See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex or call the church. We are looking for snacks for 50 youth. No need to serve them, just to provide them! You can bring anything you want! Cookies, cheese, fruits, vegetables, anything you can dream up the kids will eat! Make it as big or as small as you want! Talk to PB if you have questions.

It’s back to school time!! The WOT will be collecting items for our local schools and for kits to go to Lutheran World Relief. There are two different boxes set out for collection so make sure you put yours in the box you want your items to go to. The bags you take off the pews are the ones that go to Lutheran World Relief and each bag has a printed copy of all items needed to fill that bag. There are copies of items needed for our local schools on the display table by the kitchen. Thank you for helping us help others!

Neighbor to Neighbor Health Fair, September 27th, 10 am till 1 pm. This event is to provide resources and information specifically for the Hispanic population of our area and in conjunction with the Northwest Syn od of Wisconsin. We are collecting personal care items as well to hand out during this event. Items include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks. Want to help? See the sign-up on the table in the Narthex

You can now give to Trinity through Venmo!  You can find us @TrinityLutheranBoyceville.  If they ask you for a confirmation code, please put in 1349. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

Some quick hits:

• I had a lot of fun announcing the Cucumber Festival Parade this past Sunday, August 17^th.  I have to admit, I was incredibly nervous.  One, I was following a living legend in Joe Pieters.  Two, I had no idea what I was doing and when I have no idea what I’m doing, I’m always a little nervous.  Three, since it was in front of the whole town, I really didn’t want to suck.  I’m not sure about the last part, but I think it went ok and I had fun doing it.
• I had to give a shout out to my partner in crime, Beth Heifner, who did a great job being my assistant, taking care of the little things, and having Pickle jokes ready when I needed them.  Thanks for being a great teammate!  You still don’t get to touch the microphone though!
• Another big shout out goes to Tillie, who just does so much work for Pickle Fest and the parade.  She did a great job making sure I didn’t sound like too much of an idiot.  Thank you Tillie for everything you do!
• My favorite part was getting some free food during the parade.  I asked for it as a joke and I actually got it!  Thanks to the awesome businesses that brought it to us and I look forward to trying it out on others next year! 
• My voice afterward sounded like a cross between Oscar the Grouch and the way a garbage disposal sounds when you stick bolts in it. 
• It was weird not being on the Trinity float for the first time in forever (Frozen line!).  I think they had more fun without me.  Thanks to everyone who made the float possible and all who rode on it!
• Important service announcement: preseason football does not matter.  Stop worrying about it.  Thank you.
• Another important service announcement: saying to me, “How about the Cubs?” does not actually bother me.  I get mad when the Cubs lose a game in April. I’m already bothered and your comment does not move me one inch. I’m well aware of their collapse.  A reminder that YOU think of the Cubs as a rival.  The Brewers are number 9 on my list of teams I care about.  I get more upset when the Pirates beat the Cubs than when the Brewers do. Heck, I even cheered for you against the Reds before you played the Cubs because it helped the Cubs.  All I care about is that the Cubs make the playoffs for the first time in three years.  How has winning the division done for you the past few years Brewers fans?  😊
• Sorry about that last line.  That was petty.  But the Cubs did win the season series.  When the Brewers win the World Series this year, I’ll raise a glass in your honor and be truly happy for you.  I will. I want good things for you.  Mostly. 
• I watched college football today.  That makes me happy. 
• This is my favorite time of year for sports.  Golf is still on.  Football is starting.  Baseball pennant races.  Glory.
• I believe there are two kinds of parents.  The kind who cry buckets when their kids go back to school, and the kind who throw a party when their kids go back to school. There is no in between. 
• Everyone complains that Christmas stuff comes out to early.  But the fact that Halloween stuff is going out and Disney Parks are having Halloween parties in August is worse. 
• Speaking of that, I’m out of the office Monday and Tuesday at our “Fall Ministry” retreat.  Again, this also seems wrong but it is true. 

Have a good week and remember that God loves you in Jesus every day!

August 10, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lagers with the Lord, Monday, August 11, 6 pm at Buckshot’s!

Annual Lunch & Pie Social, Sunday, August 17^th, 10 am to 4 pm!  We are in need of workers on Saturday, August 16^th from 9 am till 11 am to prep and set up and then Sunday from 9 am till clean up after 4 pm.  There are sign-ups on the table in the Narthex or you can call the church office at 715-643-3821 to help us with this important Trinity tradition that the community looks forward to every year!

Float riders needed for the Trinity Parade float on Sunday, August 17^th!  All ages are welcome!  Youth get their own candy bag.  Please come to the church at Noon and meet by the shed.  Let PB know if you are willing to ride as we “Let our Light Shine!” 

No Wednesday Worship on August 20^th.  Join the Trinity Men’s Band at First Lutheran Church, Cumberland, at 6 pm.  There is a Corn Feed that starts at 4 pm.  Please note that the service will be outside. 

Confirmation Parent Meeting, Wednesday, August 27^th, 7pm for all 7^th & 8^th grade confirmation students & parents.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  This past Thursday, it was one of my favorite events of the year, the Luther Park Golf Outing.  I get to play golf with my friends, I get to honor a dearly departed friend, and I get to help out one of my favorite places, Luther Park Bible Camp.  I have been privileged to help to run this event the past few years and though it is a lot of work, I enjoy doing it and I’m proud that the church is a sponsor and so many of you come and play in it, which makes it even more fun.  It is really a great day and things went really well this year.

  But, every year, there is one big hiccup.  I normally play really crappy golf.  I mean, really bad golf.  It is such a tradition for me to play badly that I expect it.  I just expect to play bad.  I could be playing great all the way up to the outing and when it comes, it will seem like I don’t know how to play golf.  I will spray drives, chunk chips, shank irons, and miss three-foot putts.  It is bad.  I know that some of this is because I’m helping to run the event, I’m in a different head space.  I’m in “got to organize and run this thing” mode, not “let’s play some golf” mode.  Also, because I WANT to play so well, I put pressure on myself and that makes me play even worse.  I’ve played so badly that I just assume it is going to happen and I’m basically ok with it.  The point of the even is to raise some money, have some fun, and make sure everything else goes ok.

  But something weird happened this year.  I played really well.  Drove the ball mostly well.  Hit my irons really well.  Coming into Thursday I was hitting my irons as well as my dog Baxter was.  Hitting out and out shanks.  But Thursday?  Darts.  I hit some good putts and good chips.  It was strange.  I think I was so sure I was going to play badly that I put no pressure on myself and I just played, and so I played well.  You just never know what might happen and what you can expect.

  Now, I’m not sure there is a great lesson here.  I could go out and play this week and just play incredibly crappy again and when this event happens next year, I could play terribly again.  But sometimes you get surprised.  Sometimes, things don’t happen the way you think and things turn out better than you expect.  So, believe in yourself. You never know.  Maybe this one thing I should try to remember for myself as well.

  I hope I get a chance to see all of you at Pickle Fest this weekend, especially at the Lunch and Pie Social on Sunday at Trinity from 10 am till 4 pm.  May God bless you today and always! 

July 28, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Results of the Congregational Meeting from Sunday, July 27^th, to authorize the Church Council to sell the existing parsonage and to borrow up to $100,000 to build a new parsonage on church property next to Trinity Lutheran Church.  Vote passed 76-2.

Adopt-A-Highway, Sunday, August 3^rd, 1 pm.

Luther Park Golf Outing, Thursday, August 7^th, 9 am.  $50 per person, includes cart.  At Sioux Creek Golf Course in Chetek.  9 holes.  Prizes, Raffle, and fun to help Luther Park Bible Camp!  To register, email at info@lutherpark.org or talk to Pastor Brad. 

Lagers with the Lord, Monday, August 11, 6 pm at Buckshot’s!

Annual Lunch & Pie Social, Sunday, August 17^th, 10 am to 4 pm!  We are in need of workers on Saturday, August 16^th from 9 am till 11 am to prep and set up and then Sunday from 9 am till clean up after 4 pm.  There are sign-ups on the table in the Narthex or you can call the church office at 715-643-3821 to help us with this important Trinity tradition that the community looks forward to every year!

Float riders needed for the Trinity Parade float on Sunday, August 17^th!  All ages are welcome!  Youth get their own candy bag.  Please come to the church at Noon and meet by the shed.  Let PB know if you are willing to ride as we “Let our Light Shine!” 

Confirmation Parent Meeting, Wednesday, August 27^th, 7pm for all 7^th & 8^th grade confirmation students & parents.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  I’m sitting here in my office, a little tired, as we have come off a couple of crazy weeks, centered around our youth, having done Vacation Bible School and the Mission Trip in back-to-back weeks.  As I was looking at the week ahead, I noticed that the calendar was going to turn to August on Friday, which for me really means the end of summer.  Time to start planning for confirmation, Crew, and all of our fall events.  But August also means an anniversary for me as August 1^st was my start date at Trinity back in 2002. 

   But as I thought back to these past two weeks, I thought of those who helped to make VBS and the Mission Trip happen, and all those who make our ministry happen on a daily and regular basis.  As many of you may have heard, nothing annoys me more than when I hear Trinity referred to as “Pastor Brad’s” church.  Sure, I have been here now 23 years, but it is first and foremost Jesus’s church, and then it is your church.  We are partners together and this ministry doesn’t happen without you, without your faith, your dedication, your generosity, and your support.

  And so as I sit here, I’m incredibly grateful.  I’m grateful for our incredible staff, for Andrea, Trudie, Becky, Ginny, and Lee, who give so much to keep this place going every single day.  I’m grateful for our Church Council, their leadership, vision, and dedication to the mission of this church and keeping what is important at the center of everything we do, which is to proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and risen and serve our community.  I’m thankful for all those who gave so much to make VBS happen, like Chaele, Liz, Karen, Renae, Joan, Barb, Sawyer, Walter, Trudie, Christina, and all our snack providers.  The amazing Mission Trip we just had in St. Louis, in which our kids did amazing work for the people of St. Louis and were just absolute rock stars, doesn’t happen without your generosity but doesn’t happen at all without our incredible chaperones Tessa, Melissa, Beth, and Rich.  I think about all the little things that happen all the time, like Lionel taking the trash to the dump, Lonna, Peggy, and Trudie taking care of garden, Dan and Amy and Bill and others mowing the lawn; Perry making sure our services get out over live stream, Teana & Marik handling Wednesday nights when I am gone; Craig taking this past Sunday for me, and all those who usher, read, do Altar Guild, and so many others that I don’t have the time and space to name.  Thank you, every single one of you, who takes the time, the effort, and uses your gifts to lift up Trinity and make it go.  I am incredibly grateful and thankful. 

  Trinity is not one person.  It is not about the person in the big white dress waving his hands in the front.  It is a group of disciples, working together to proclaim the love of Jesus and serve in Jesus’ name near and far.  This congregation isn’t even all here in Boyceville or even all in Wisconsin as we reach people all over.  What connects us is shared faith and shared mission.  We are Trinity, together, and this is our church.  All of us, together.  I continue to be grateful and thankful to be your pastor for the past 23 years and hope for some years to come.  May the Lord continue to bless us and be with us and bless Trinity in its mission and ministry.

  May God bless you today and always!