Trinity Lutheran Church

March 15, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lent worship this Wednesday at 6:30 pm!   Holden Evening Prayer service.  Come join us!

Lent Meal from 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm. This week the meal is Homemade Soup and Garlic Bread served by the Mission Trip Youth.  Free-will offering taken to support them going to St. Louis this summer for their Mission Trip.

We are collecting items for our FREE FOOD, FREE STUFF, FOR ALL. This event will be on May 3rd and will be open to our community to help those in need. We are collecting the following items: soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks. Please bring those items to the church and place them in the bins in the Narthex.  

Crew is on Wednesday, March 26th, at 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3rd-6th grade youth

Butter Braid sales have begun! Purchase Butter Braids to help our youth attend Luther Park Bible Camp this summer! See any confirmation youth or the form on the table in the Narthex or use this link: https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/2136d1a2-8b11-4008-a855-701d9dca29c0

Lagers with the Lord March 24^th at 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex. Please make sure the cereal is not expired. 

Order your Easter Lilies!  Order deadline is March 30^th.  See form that is with this email. 

Confirmation Lock-In, Thursday, March 20^th, 6pm till March 21^st, 7 am.   Sign-up in the Narthex.  I need parent drivers for the Scavenger Hunt from 6:30 pm till 7:30 pm. 

Youth in Christ from United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm will be at Trinity on Sunday, March 23^rd at 9 am to lead worship.

New Member Class Sunday, March 30^th, 6pm.

SAVERS FUN DRIVE-Bring your household items and clothes to Trinity in May. Every Saturday in May, 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 white kitchen trash bags and all other items in boxes. Thank you for supporting the Women of Trinity!

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  I must admit, I have some weird quirks, especially when it comes to food.  I enjoy trying new things and take great pride in being adventurous with certain things.  It is why I like going to the Minnesota State Fair or the Food and Wine Festival at Disney World, as it gives me a chance to try weird things, like lamb testicles, alligator, or ghost pepper mac and cheese (first two were very good.  The last almost burned my tongue off). 

  Yet, I’m also the same guy that doesn’t like to eat mix my foods and, sometimes, the foods I really like I don’t like to mess with.  As many of you know, I love bacon.  It is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.  But I don’t like to mess with it.  I like a candied bacon.  But you put chocolate on my bacon?  No thank you.  Love chocolate.  Love bacon.  Not together.  And one of the most disappointing things I’ve ever had was chicken fried bacon.  Love fried chicken.  Obviously love bacon.  But didn’t like it together. 

  Same thing with popcorn, my favorite snack. There are so many varieties of popcorn out there.  A thousand.  But for me?  I just want butter and salt.  You can keep the rest.  Waffles and pancakes?  Two great sides dishes to have with bacon for breakfast.  You can do all sorts of things with them.  Add chocolate, fruit, all sorts of things.  Sorry.  Not for me.  Maple syrup and butter only please.  As God intended.

  What can I say?  I like things the way I like them.  I love orange flavored things but not real oranges.  Same for strawberries.  I like green grapes but not purple grapes.  I hate watermelon but like cantaloupe.  Love raw carrots but not cooked carrots.  Love cooked broccoli but not raw broccoli.  I love apple sauce, but only if it is runny and has no cinnamon in it, like I had it from my elementary school in 1984. 

   I’m weird.  But its ok.  You have to be true yourself.  In the end, just be who you got to be, whether it is with food and anything else.  Like what you like.  Even if it is peas.  May God bless you today and always! 

March 9, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lent worship this Wednesday at 6:30 pm!   Holden Evening Prayer service.  Come join us!

Lent Meal from 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm. This week the meal is the Baked Potato Bar served by the Confirmation Youth.  Free-will offering taken to support them going to Luther Park Bible Camp.

We are collecting items for our FREE FOOD, FREE STUFF, FOR ALL. This event will be on May 3rd and will be open to our community to help those in need. We are collecting the following items: soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks).

Crew is on Wednesday, March 12th, at 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3rd-6th grade youth

Butter Braid sales have begun! Purchase Butter Braids to help our youth attend Luther Park Bible Camp this summer! See any confirmation youth or the form on the table in the Narthex or use this link: https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/2136d1a2-8b11-4008-a855-701d9dca29c0

Lagers with the Lord March 24^th at 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex. Please make sure the cereal is not expired. 

Order your Easter Lilies!  Order deadline is March 30^th.  See form that is with this email. 

Confirmation Lock-In, Thursday, March 20^th, 6pm till March 21^st, 7 am.   Sign-up in the Narthex.  I need parent drivers for the Scavenger Hunt from 6:30 pm till 7:30 pm. 

Youth in Christ from United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm will be at Trinity on Sunday, March 23^rd at 9 am to lead worship.

New Member Class Sunday, March 30^th, 6pm.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  In my life, there are many things I have inherited from my Dad.  My loud voice.  My love of the Cubs and the Bears.  Enjoying the movie “The Blues Brothers.”  Having Psalm 23 as my favorite Bible verse.  The tradition of never, ever, ever, ever leaving a game early. An insane work ethic and perfectionism. A commitment that a person should give back to their community.  And there is nothing better than a nap.

  As many of you know, I love a good nap.  I try to take a little lunch nap every day, with the dogs on my lap (I often have to set an alarm so I don’t sleep to long).  But on the weekend, there is no need to worry about going back to work or having to be somewhere, so I am free to nap to my hearts content.  Frankly, I plan our free Saturday’s so I can nap as long as possible.  I front load my Saturday to get all the stuff I want to get done so that when lunch is over, napping can happen.  Amy will head up upstairs to read and take the dogs with her (she is such a saint), because nothing can ruin a good nap like either a phone call or the dogs barking at people walking by.  Amy heads upstairs and I get ready for bliss.

  Time for a quick aside: I can’t nap in my bed.  I’m sorry, but napping needs to happen outside of your bed.  It is meant for a recliner, a couch, a love seat.  But not for the bed. The bed is for deep sleep, multiple hours of sleep. The only time I’m going into the bed during daylight hours is coming off of a lock-in.  Otherwise, my naps stay out of the bed.  Now, you may disagree, and you have the right to do so, but you are wrong. 

   This Saturday, I got myself comfortable in the lazy boy, put on some golf on TV, and got ready to nap.  By the way, golf and baseball are the two best sports to watch when you want to nap.  Otherwise, I put on either Star Wars movies I know very well or I put on music.  And in due course, I was ready to be taken away into nap land.  A good nap is between twenty and forty minutes.  But this one was over an hour and it was a little too good.  I woke up like a drunken man who had been on a three day bender.  Wasn’t’ sure where I was.  My body felt sore.  I fell back asleep at least three more times for ten minute stretches.  Sure, it was a good nap, but I almost felt more tired than refreshed.  But that is sometimes the risk with a nap with no limits.

  That is true with all things in life.  Limits.  One or two chocolate chip cookies are good.  Seven in one sitting is bad.  But taking some time to rest, to take a nap, to take a break from the world and get refreshed I will always cherish.  Much of life is always go, go, go, especially for me.  I will always appreciate my naps till the end of time.  Frankly, many days I will later in the day do a workout, pairing my time of rest with a chance to be extra active.  My hope is that for you that you have something in your life that you use to take a break from the hectic pace of life, whether it be a nap or not. Just as I start my day taking a moment to center myself with scripture and prayer, I use the nap to renew my energy and take a rest from craziness that usually accompanies my days.  I hope you take a moment every day to remember what is most important in life, take a breath, and remember that life is more than the tasks and work you are doing.  To get a chance to be renewed and refreshed.

  May God bless you today and always!

March 2, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5^th with Ash Wednesday!  We will have two services on Ash Wednesday, at Noon and 6:30 pm.  Baked Potato Meal served at 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm by Confirmation youth. 

Blood Drive in honor of Kasen Iverson this Tuesday, March 4^th, Noon to 6 pm.  To donate, go to www.redcross.org

We are collecting items for our FREE FOOD, FREE STUFF, FOR ALL. This event will be on May 3rd and will be open to our community to help those in need. We are collecting the following items: soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, underwear (men’s & women’s), socks).

Crew is on Wednesday, March 12th, at 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3rd-6th grade youth

CREW SNACKS NEEDED FOR MARCH  26TH! We are in need of Crew snacks for about 45 youth. You can bring anything you want. You do not need to serve the snacks. Please see PB if you have any questions.

Butter Braid sales have begun! Purchase Butter Braids to help our youth attend Luther Park Bible Camp this summer! See any confirmation youth or the form on the table in the Narthex or use this link: https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/2136d1a2-8b11-4008-a855-701d9dca29c0

Lagers with the Lord March 24^th at 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex. Please make sure the cereal is not expired. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

   This Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time of renewal, of reconnecting with our faith, a time in which we gather as the church together to eat a lot of good food during our Wednesday meals, experience a different worship experience with our Holden Evening Prayer services (which begin on March 12^th), and where we walk with Jesus towards the cross, in which he will give his life for our sins.

  Speaking of the cross, from that cross Jesus spoke some last words, and that is going to be our Lenten theme this year.  And these last words are going to tell us a lot about Jesus and what Jesus’ work on the cross means for us.  We start on Ash Wednesday, a day in which we remember our mortality, with our two worship services at Noon and 6:30 pm (all other Lent Wednesday’s only have one service at 6:30 pm and this is only one that isn’t Holden Evening Prayer).  Not only will we remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return, we will hear words of forgiveness, words Jesus spoke from the cross.

  On March 12^th, after filling ourselves with delicious Taco’s served by the Women of Trinity, we gather for our first Holden Evening Prayer service and we will hear words of salvation spoken by Jesus from the Cross.  On March 19^th after a Homemade Soup meal served by the Mission Trip Youth, we will be reminded of the relationship we are in with our Savior as Jesus speaks of his mother from the cross.  On March 26^th, after the Men of Trinity serve spaghetti, we hear of the effects of our sin upon Jesus on the cross as he cries out in distress and abandonment from the cross, feeling all that he is enduring for us.  On April 2^nd, we hear of Jesus’ triumph over sin and death as the Church Council serves their annual meal of Brats & Hot Dogs.  And on our last Lenten Service on April 9^th, as the Women of Trinity service us Soup and Salad, we use Jesus’ last words to contemplate the reunion we will have in heaven not only with Jesus but with all who have gone before us as we look towards Easter. 

  Whether you join us for the delicious meals, the awesome Holden Evening Prayer lead by our incredible worship leaders of youth, men, and women; or come to hear how Jesus’ last words impact our faith and our daily life, Lent is a time to get closer to God and to each other.  I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday nights at 5:30pm for meals, 6:30 pm for worship, and throughout this Holy season.  May God bless you today and always!

February 23, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Crew, Wednesday, February 26^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd -6^th graders. It will be a snow day, so bring your snow gear as we will be doing activities outside!

Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5^th with Ash Wednesday!  We will have two services on Ash Wednesday, at Noon and 6:30 pm.  Baked Potato Meal served at 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm by Confirmation youth. 

Lagers with the Lord March 24^th at 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex. Please make sure the cereal is not expired. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  I’m going to be honest.  I was looking for something fun and kind of funny to write about this week.  Maybe something about how I was sick and how whiny I can be when I get sick.  Maybe something about the dogs or how offended I got when one of my seventh graders thought I was over 50 years old (the gall).

   But I got to be honest.  In a little bit, I’m going to preach on the following text, and sometimes Jesus’ words just really hit you.  And there is nothing funny about what Jesus is saying (though there is a part where Jesus sounds like a 7^th grade boy, all snarky and sarcastic).  And so, as you read these words of Jesus below, from Luke 6, ask yourself this question: how does this make you feel?

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

  So, how do you feel?  Think about it.  For my thoughts, check out my sermon from today, either on our Facebook page or the Trinity Boyceville YouTube channel.

  May God bless you this week and always.   

February 15, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lagers with the Lord February 17^th at 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex. Please make sure the cereal is not expired. 

The Crew, Wednesday, February 26^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd -6^th graders. It will be a snow day, so bring your snow gear as we will be doing activities outside!

Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5^th with Ash Wednesday!  We will have two services on Ash Wednesday, at Noon and 6:30 pm.  Baked Potato Meal served at 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm by Confirmation youth. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  On Wednesday at Crew, we did a bunch of activities around Valentine’s Day.  Our lesson was on loving God and loving your neighbor.  We had a scavenger hunt were many of the items were Valentine’s Day goodies, like bracelets, mini-puzzles, Rubix cubes, and more that were themed for Valentine’s Day, and at the end the kids made Valentine’s Day cards for the Glenhaven nursing home.  And then something cool happened.

  When we do the cards, we give the kids suggestions on what to write on the cards, besides supplies like crayons, paper, and some heart stickers.  We tell them they can write anything they want, but they can also write things like “God loves you,” “Thinking of you,” “Jesus loves you,” “Happy Valentine’s Day,” and the like.  The kids, for the most part, do a pretty good job and some are pretty creative.  We remind them that the residents of the home might not get to spend Valentine’s Day with their families and that this is a special treat for them and a way that they are spreading God’s love and that they are “loving their neighbor” as we had learned about earlier in the day. 

  But one kid took it even farther.  I saw him writing a lot in his card, not doing a ton of decoration.  He didn’t even color the front of his card, so much so that we had to write “Happy Valentine’s Day” on the front.  But inside, he had a heartfelt message.  And even more so, he had enclosed one of the toys he had found in the scavenger hunt.  He was gifting the toy to someone, taping it inside the card.  An act of generosity, of love, to a stranger. 

  We are called to love by our Savior, and that love is always outward.  It is always toward the other.  It is selfless, not selfish.  I was very proud of this student for their act of love and of generosity.  It is a reminder that our young people can and do absorb things if we are willing to teach them and show them.  At the same time, our young people can and do show us the way.  They are more willing to open their heart to others than us adults are, to embrace others, to love freely, to not see the differences that we so often see.  They can so often show us the way. 

  Speaking of that, as I was writing this, I got an email forwarded in from our Parish Manager Andrea of a thank you from Chaplain Steve Jensen, where he sent thanks from wounded members of our armed services who received handmade Valentine’s from our Sunday School kids.  He included a picture, which I have below.  May we continue to encourage our youth to spread love, and may we spread the love of God in Jesus Christ by reaching out to others in love like Jesus did, especially to those in need, to those alone, to the orphan, the widow, the stranger, and the other. 

February 3, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry.  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex.

Lagers with the Lord February 17^th at 6 pm at Buckshot’s.

If you ordered Super Bowl Pizza’s, you can pick them up Sunday morning, February 9^th, at Trinity.  Please get them before 11 am.

The Crew, Wednesday, February 12^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd -6^th graders. 

The Trinity Men’s Band will be performing at Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church in Elk Mound on Sunday, February 16^th, at 10 am.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  Random Thoughts . . .

• Amy and I went to the Minnesota Frost Hockey Game last week in St. Paul.  It was a lot of fun and incredibly affordable.  Sat in the 4^th row for $40 a ticket.  Incredible value and great hockey.  Go check them out! 
• Daphne got spayed last week.  Is there anything more sad than a dog wearing a cone of shame?  What has been most impressive is how Baxter has treated her. Been very kind and has not attacked her.  Poor girl.  She is progressing well. It is kind of funny when she freaks out though.  Kind of.
• I want to thank Lenny Lange for his six years on church council, including the past four as President.  A great leader and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lenny for all you have done for Trinity!
• I had some friends over Friday to watch the HBO documentary “Yacht Rock.”  A great documentary.  I love Yacht Rock.  Might have been listening to the smooth sounds of Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Steely Dan for the past few days.  Amazing to think that this music got big again because some comedians decided to make some videos. 
• I have never been more nervous than I was presenting as treasurer of Luther Park Bible Camp at their annual meeting on Saturday.  Note that I have run that meeting three times and that was nothing compared to this.  Went great though.  But I was sweating bullets!
• Got to try my new pellet smoker on Sunday.  Make Korean ribs, from a rub Amy gave me.  Turned out well. Thanks to Ron Peshaw for helping me put it together! 
• Naps still rule
• I am going to miss football when it ends on Sunday.  I don’t really care who wins, but I will say this: everyone is going to take the Eagles and they are the better team.  But don’t count out the Chiefs.  They just find a way. 
• Also, stop with all the stuff that the NFL rigs games for the Chiefs or any other team.  Calls go your way or against you sometimes.  Don’t get me started on the number of calls Aaron Rodgers got against the Bears over the years.  You can’t rig NFL football.  Just stop. 
• This year we are going to do Philly Cheesesteaks and Brisket Sandwiches for our Super Bowl foods.  When we were in KC this summer, the Brisket Sandwich was a big deal and we got it at every stop, along with ribs.
• I want to thank everyone that came to the Annual Meeting on Sunday.  Trinity is in a healthy and strong position across the board.  Thank you for your commitment to this ministry and to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  As always, it is a privilege and an honor to be your pastor.
• Lastly, a former colleague of mine who runs a store in Hudson met a girl from Boyceville today who was talking about her pastor, Pastor Brad, who was funny.  She delightfully told me this story.  So, thank you to Ellie who was saying nice things about this funny pastor.  As my Dad would say, I’m only “funny looking!” 
• May God bless you today and always!

January 26, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

First Communion Class Sunday, January 26^th at 10:30 AM Class is for all youth 3^rd grade and above who have not been previously instructed.  Please bring a Bible.  Parents should attend with their child.  Please contact PB if you cannot make this class.  First Communion Sunday is February 2^nd.

Crew January 29^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th grade youth.

Super Bowl Pizza’s  Order deadline is Sunday, February 2^nd.  Proceeds benefit our youth going to Luther Park Bible Camp.  See attached form. 

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry in January!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex.

Trintiy Lutheran Annual Meeting is on Sunday, February 2^nd, at 10 am.    

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? Romans 3:3

Have you heard the phrase “quid pro quo?”  It means, basically, you do something for me and then I do something for you.  Like, when I was a senior in high school, I nominated my friend Kirk to be on Student Council representing the math group Mu Alpha Theta and in turn, he nominated me to be on Student Council representing National Honor Society and that is how we both got on Student Council without having to be elected.  You do something for me and I’ll do something for you.

  Sometimes I think we feel like that is how God works.  That God will only love us if we love God back, or God will only bless us if we go to church every Sunday and give 10 percent of our income or do this or do that, like somehow God’s promises to us in Jesus Christ are contingent upon what we do.  Unfortunately, this kind of thinking, and preaching, is very prevalent today, even by some very popular preachers. 

  Paul talks about this very issue in the third chapter of Romans, and right after he asks the question above he says, “By no means!”  God’s faithfulness to us does not depend on our faithfulness to God.  After all, we are sinners who fall short of the glory of God.  We sin against God.  We forget God’s promises for us in Jesus Christ.  We make things like politicians, celebrities, money, power, fame, bacon, sports figures, and all sorts of other things more important than God.  We look for salvation from those same things instead of the God who sent his only Son to die for our sins.  For salvation is a gift, a gift to us who are sinners, and this gift is always there for us.  Because, God IS faithful.  Always.  And that faithfulness does not depend on us.

  With God, there is no quid pro quo.  How could there ever be?  What could we ever give back to God that could equal what God gives us?  After all, God gives us LIFE!  God blesses us, walks with us, strengthens us when we are weak, guides us when we are lost, and reminds us most of all that we are loved, forgiven, and saved.  We might be unfaithful but God in Jesus Christ is always faithful to us.  Always faithful to you.  As it says later in chapter 3 of Romans, “For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22b-24b). 

   Trust in the faithfulness of God my friends.  Trust in God above all things.  Never forget God’s promises for you, promises that will never be taken away.  For God is faithful.  Always.  May God bless you today and always! 

January 19, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lagers with the Lord, Monday, January 20^th, 6 pm, Buckshot’s

First Communion Class Sunday, January 26^th at 10:30 AM Class is for all youth 3^rd grade and above who have not been previously instructed.  Please bring a Bible.  Parents should attend with their child.  Please contact PB if you cannot make this class.  First Communion Sunday is February 2^nd.

Crew January 29^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th grade youth.

Super Bowl Pizza’s  Order deadline is Sunday, February 2^nd.  Proceeds benefit our youth going to Luther Park Bible Camp.  See attached form. 

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry in January!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex.

Trintiy Lutheran Annual Meeting is on Sunday, February 2^nd, at 10 am.    Annual reports will be available on Sunday, January 19^th. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

  I was feeling a little angry earlier this week and a little bit down about the world at large.  What had me feeling that way you might say?  Well, to put it bluntly, nothing angers me more than when something terrible happens and the first reaction isn’t to have sympathy for the victims of the tragedy, it is start to casting blame for the tragedy, especially when the blame is uniformed, idiotic, politically motivated, and wrong.  There is plenty of time to analyze and examine when something happens to think about why something happened.  But in the moment, the first thing that should be going through everyone’s mind is this: how can we help. Thoughts of sympathy, compassion, kindness.  It doesn’t matter if it is a shooting, a natural disaster, or whatever awful event that happens, those should be our first instincts.  And I fear that instead, the opposite happens.  It is blame.  It is to stoke more fear and collect political points and clicks and increase division in an already divided world.  And that makes me a little angry. 

  And so, it is in that mood that I turned on one of my newest favorite shows that was getting ready to have its season finale, “Skeleton Crew.”  This is a Star Wars show on Disney+, but outside of being a Star Wars show, what I love about it is that it is a show of that reminds me of movies like “Goonies,” and “ET,” of my youth.  It is fun, not too steeped in Star Wars lore (you barely have to know anything to enjoy it), and stars Jude Law who is absolutely awesome in it and a group of kids that are just great.  And there is a line in the season finale that just hit me as a reminder of a truth that I hold dear and that I can forget.  It was something that I needed to be reminded of when I get a little angry at the world and frankly when I start to lose a little faith in it. Because sometimes, even the most faithful of us doubt from time to time.

  The set up here is that one of the kids (I don’t want to say who so you won’t get spoiled in case you want to watch the show), has be reunited with their parent.  The parent has been lamenting that they were trying to protect their child from the galaxy, who they believe is a very dangerous place full of evil and dangerous people.  And the child says this: “Yeah, the galaxy is scary and dangerous.  Everywhere we went, even the worst places, there were good people too.  People that can help us.” Good people too. 

   It is so easy to look out at the world around us and only see the bad.  To not trust and to not trust in each other.  To only see the worst in each other.  Sometimes, I fall victim to that way of thinking.  But I think it is wrong.  I think we are fundamentally good.  Decent.  Kind.  Caring.  Compassionate.  Sometimes it can be hard to see, there is no doubt about that.  But it is there.  When I heard that line, it resonated with me.  I like to think it was God sending me a reminder, as God often does, to remember who we are.  God’s creation is good, as God declared in Genesis.  Sin mucks it up, but God has an answer for that in death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And God has an answer for that in us, the followers of Jesus, who bring the love and grace of Christ in the world.  Who can be examples of compassion, kindness, and love.  That look to embrace instead of divide.  Welcome instead of push away.  Accept instead of blame.

  Of course, historically the church hasn’t always been great at that either.  It is a history we have to wrestle with.  But we can start with our individual actions every day.  We start by the way we choose to look at the world.  When something is going on in the world, do we embrace the victims with compassion or do we play the blame game?  Will we be people of love or be people who further hate?  Will we be people who seek to understand those who are different than us and or will we demonize them?  The choice is ours.  But in this galaxy of ours, even in the worst places, there are good people.  People who will help.  For as it says in Genesis 1:31, “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”

  Speaking of help, if you would like to help regarding some of the recent tragedies, whether they be foreign or domestic, I encourage you to go to this link for the ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response: Lutheran Disaster Response.   They do an amazing job and stay often after others leave to help people rebuild and get back on their feet.  Of, consider giving to Trinity Missions, or stop in at WestCAP or Stepping Stones and volunteering some time or asking if there is a way you can make a difference. 

 May God bless you today and always. 

January 7, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Last Day to bring items for the Savers Fundrive is Wednesday, January 8^th!  We are looking for help to load on Thursday, January 9^th, at 9 am if you are able. 

First Communion Class this Sunday, January 12^th, WILL NOW BE AT 6:30 PM (WAS PREVIOUSLY AT 6 PM)  Class is for all youth 3^rd grade and above who have not been previously instructed.  Please bring a Bible.  Parents should attend with their child.  Make up class is January 26^th at 10:30 am.  First Communion Sunday is February 2^nd.

Crew January 15^th, 3:30 pm till 5 pm for all 3^rd-6^th grade youth.

Voices of Praise every Wednesday night at 7 pm!  Come join us for a time of song.  A great time to sing with others and have some fun!

Lagers with the Lord, Monday, January 20^th, 6 pm, Buckshot’s

We are collecting Cereal for the WestCAP food pantry in January!  Bring your boxes and place them by the altar in the Narthex.

Trintiy Lutheran Annual Meeting is on Sunday, February 2^nd, at 10 am.    Annual reports will be available on Sunday, January 19^th. 

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

SUNDAY, THE CHICAGO BEARS BEAT THE GREEN BAY PACKERS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 YEARS.  THE FOLLOWING SERMON WAS GIVEN THAT MORNING.  I HAVE INCLUDED THE TWO SCRIPTURES THAT WERE THE INSPIRATION FOR SAID SERMON.  REMINDER THAT I NEVER REALLY TRULY PREACH WHAT I WRITE, SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT IN FULL, GO TO THE TRINITY YOUTUBE PAGE OR FACEBOOK PAGE, IGNORING THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OF SILENCE BECAUSE I FORGOT TO MAKE SURE THE SOUND REMOTE WAS ON.  JUST FAST FORWARD TO THE SERMON PART.

First Reading:  Jeremiah 31:7-14

For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.

*Holy Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen

Well, today, it mercifully comes to an end. What might that be, you might ask?  The Chicago Bears football season.  It will end with their 11^th straight loss in a row, as the Packers will beat them today for the 12^th straight time.  . What started out with a season of promise has gone into the proverbial toilet.  Before the season started there was a lot of hope.  Two top ten picks, a great end to last year, a good defense, some good signings.  And things started great overall. We were 4-2 and just a few seconds from 5-2.  Then, a Hail Mary happened, and the entire season went down the tubes.  We lost so many close games. We fired our offensive coordinator and then our head coach.  And those firings didn’t make things better, we have actually gotten worse.  It has been bad.  Hopeless even.

  The people who first heard these words from the prophet Jeremiah today had it bad.  Hopeless even.  Jerusalem has been destroyed.  The people of Israel are scattered, and many are in exile.  They mourn the loss of their country, their homes, their place of worship.  Even their trust in God, who they blame for everything.  Yet, here is a vision of hope.  God will restore them.  God will lead them back.  God will redeem them, they will sing for joy, they will have feast, they will have comfort and gladness.  It is a promise, a promise of hope, of new life, and restoration and goodness for people who have had it bad.  It is a promise for us.

  We have this same promise that comes in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, the light that shines in the darkness.  For at times it feels like our world has been destroyed and we have been scattered into exile by sin, pain, and suffering.  We are in mourning and languish in hurt, but we have a God who has sent his only Son, full of grace and truth, to come in the flesh to us, to give us new life.  To give us the victory over sin and death, to restore us.  Sometimes in life it feels like we are on a ten-game losing streak and it will never end.  But in Jesus Christ, we have the final victory.  In Jesus Christ, who dies on a cross and rises from the dead for us, we have the promise of eternal life.  In Jesus Christ, we can rejoice for we are children of God, who gives us a feast of strength, hope, and love. 

  This is the promise we have in Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.  Just as I believe that someday the Bears might win again and even beat the Packers, I trust, even in the darkest of times, that the light of the world shines on me.  That light shines on you today and you are have the final victory through the word made flesh, the Son of God, who is full of grace and truth and gives that grace to you every day.  For that we can say, “Thanks be to God!”  Amen

December 22nd, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Eve Worship: 2 pm, 4:30 pm, 9 pm  All services have special music, Candlelight portion, and Holy Communion.  2 pm and 4:30 pm will have a children’s sermon.  Come worship the Newborn King!

NO Wednesday worship December 25^th or January 1^st.

Office closed December 25^th-27^th

No Bible Study December 23^rd or 30^th.

No Voices of Praise till January 8^th.

No Sunday School till January 5^th.

MUSINGS FROM PASTOR BRAD

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8

  This will be the last “Musings” for 2024 and I want to thank you for reading and for those of you who share these crazy thoughts of mine with others.  And I had a crazy thought pop into my head the other day as I thought about the story of Jesus birth.  It is related to the verse above.  We got the shepherds in the field, taking care of their sheep, as good shepherds do.  Then those angels show up.  Tell those shepherds about the birth of Jesus. And those shepherds go running into Bethlehem to see this baby. So my question is this: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHEEP?  Because though we see sheep in our nativity scenes, those shepherds didn’t bring the whole herd with them.  Impossible.  So what did they do with them?

  Did they leave one shepherd behind to watch them?  If they did, I feel bad for that guy. He got to see the angels, hear the good news, but then didn’t get to witness the baby.  That would suck.  But it would make sense.  I mean, good shepherds wouldn’t leave the sheep unattended. 

  Did they call up another shepherd?  Like, “Hey, Jonah, over there, can you come watch our sheep?  We just had an angel show up and tell us the Messiah was born and a whole choir of angels sang to us and we need to run into Bethlehem to check out this newborn king. You would really be doing us a solid and we will totally be there to help you out the next time you got a stray sheep or something. Thanks!”  Did that happen?

  Did they just leave them?  I mean, sheep aren’t the brightest creatures on planet earth.  It is not like they are going to just say, “Alright little sheep, just stay right here why we leave you to go check out a baby” and those sheep would just stay right there.  They are going to wander.  They are going to scatter.  Who knows what is going to happen to them.  Those shepherds are going to come back and they might get fired for losing those sheep.  Or, in the best case scenario, at least have a ton of work trying to get them all rounded up.

  Maybe they angels watched them.  The shepherds left and maybe those angels just made sure those sheep stayed right there.  We can’t rule it out, but don’t you think angels have more important things to do than babysitting some sheep?  They got more songs to sing and messages to bring.  But anything is possible.

  Either way, I do know this: those shepherds were so excited for what they had heard, they took off, and I’d like to think that no matter, those sheep were taken care of.  After all, we have a God who takes care of us, which is why Jesus is born for us.  I think that no matter what, those shepherds found those sheep safe and sound, despite the negligence of the shepherds. God would have made sure of it. Because that is what God does: loves us and cares for us.  No matter what.    May you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!