MessengerTrinity MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH – GENOA APRIL 2020

Introducing Pastor Gauger In This Issue Pastor Bill was born in Chicago in January of 1972 and is a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Introducing Pastor Gauger 1-2 (LCMS). His father, Mel, is a retired computer programmer Pastor Contact 2 and a dedicated lay volunteer. His mother, Andrea, is a retired LCMS English teacher and administrator, mainly at Final Thoughts by Vicar Bill 3 the high school level. Both parents are thus excellent Board Info to Share 4 models of Christian service. Bill grew up in Park Ridge, a suburb bordering the northwest side of Chicago. His first TLC Scholarship 4 home congregation was St. Andrew’s, Park Ridge, where Sunday School Update 4 he was baptized, confirmed and graduated from the day 4 school. He then graduated from Luther High School North VBS 2020 in Chicago in 1990. VBS Registration 5-6 Health & Wellness 7 Bill then pursued a career in the business world. He graduated with a degree in accounting in 1994 and began Comfort Corner 7 his career in corporate finance. Some of the companies he Musicians Diary 8 worked for include Prudential Insurance, BNSF Railroad and General Electric. Services 9 National Volunteer Month 10 After a few years, he enrolled in the evening MBA program Thank You 10 at Northwestern University, completing his degree in 2002 with majors in Finance, Management, Technology, and Birthdays & Anniversaries 11 Entrepreneurship. Coloring Page 12

Continued on page 2 Just for Fun 13 In the later years of his corporate career, Bill felt that God Pastor’s Contact Info. might be leading him in a different direction. In 1996 a job change had led him to move a bit west to Itasca, and he joined Rev. William Gauger, The Lutheran Church and School of St. Luke, Itasca. It was at St. Luke that God especially provided Bill with many Senior Pastor opportunities to grow by serving Him. Bill’s main focus was helping out in Youth Ministry (one of his passion areas), but he 30331 Pebble Beach Cir. was also able to serve in other areas, such as on the Church Genoa, IL 60135 Council and the Board of Elders. Through this service God increasingly placed on Bill’s heart a desire to serve Him full- C: 217-853-7689 time. [email protected] In June 2004 he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Seminary was in many ways challenging, but also a great opportunity to grow both spiritually and professionally. Bill Pastor’s extension at did his fieldwork at Mount Olive and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is “11”. Churches in St. Louis, two historic congregations that later merged. One memorable experience was seeing God join together not only two different congregations but also multiple cultures: mostly

Caucasian and Vietnamese people, but also some African Americans, worship and serve together. Bill served his vicarage at Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was blessed with a diverse vicarage experience, including much emphasis in preaching, teaching (adults, youth, and religion in the associationNew day school), To and Our pastoral Family visitation. Upon his graduation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and his ordination at St. Luke, Itasca, Bill began his ministry as Associate Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Decatur, Illinois. He then served six years as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sadorus, Illinois. He comes to Trinity after serving the past four years as Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Florence, Kentucky.

Pastor Bill hopes it doesn’t take 108 years for his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, to win the World Series again. He also is a fan of the Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks. Watching movies and playing board and card games are other things that he enjoys.

Pastor Bill lives in Genoa with his wife, Janice; stepdaughter, Alyx; and their rescue dog, Fluff.. “Final thoughts” by Vicar Harder

This is my last newsletter to my dear friends at Trinity. I’ve enjoyed my time spent with you over these past seven months. It is a joy to bring the good news to you. Our theme during Advent was “Arise, shine for your light has come” (Is 60:1). Jesus came as the light of the world. In Epiphany, we continued with the sharp contrast between darkness and light. How human beings sit in the darkness, but Jesus came to bring his people into his marvelous light. Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, came to reveal his love, his grace and mercy during his earthly ministry Today we prepare for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, , Easter Sunday. But this Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the churches will be empty. It is not by choice, but it is our civic duty to slow the virus by isolating ourselves. Things are not the same. But Services are available over the internet. This year, Christians are placing our efforts to helping others less fortunate than ourselves. Many live-in isolation, loneliness, and fear. The days seem dark as we watch the Daily Briefing by the President and the Coronavirus Taskforce working to save American lives. The numbers contracting the disease and deaths are increasing daily and the stock market continues to decline. Perhaps you wonder where is Jesus in during this crisis? Maybe you watched Monday’s briefing featuring America’s corporations rising to the task of making personal protective equipment. Mike Lindell, president of My Pillow, said it best when he essentially said that It is time to pull out your Bible, start reading God’s Word, and pray. On national TV! Here is the CEO of a public business speaking and reminding Christians what we should be doing. It is a time for God’s Word and Prayer. It is time to hear the promises of Jesus who is always with you. Jesus came to give you life! He did that through his innocent suffering and death on the cross. But that is not the end of the story. Jesus was resurrected from the dead just as he said! He freed you from the bonds of sin, death, and Satan. Jesus rose in power. He gives you the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life out of his love for you. Even when you are alone, Jesus is there with you. He gives you his peace. Having God’s peace during this pandemic gives us reassurance that he will not leave you or for- sake you. In my lifetime there have been many fears. The cold war between the US and USSR (Russia) waiting for nuclear annihilation. Polio before the vaccine, the Vietnam War, the HIV crisis. 911, and COVID-19. Even during this pandemic, we place our trust in the Crucified and Risen LORD. We listen to Paul’s words “28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28) We are called according to his purpose, to bear the fruits in good works to give abundantly what we have received from God. Today is the day to begin in our daily tasks to live your faith in Jesus. We do not fear because “the LORD is my helper; I will not fear what can man do to me?”(Heb 13:6). May the LORD strengthen you this day in his word so that we too can have that boldness of Mike Lindell to speak of Jesus to a world, full of anxiety. May God Bless you richly with his Word, and with your new Pastor, Pastor Gauger.

In Christ, Vicar Bill. Board Info to Share…. What a difference a month can make- last month we met in person as usual in the music room to discuss Church business. March’s meeting we held via Google Meet –which was a group video meeting and on the phone. The good news was that Pastor Gauger was able to join us. As we continue as a country to try and slow the growth of the coronavirus, we have limited or postponed events at Trinity. This is a trying time; however, we hope that in doing this that we are successful in the virus losing ground.

Our hope is that by , we can once again meet together in worship. We have confirmation at the end of the month and the close of Sunday school. During the summer months, we will have our week of VBS!

Watch the weekly bulletin as the Trinity Scholarship applications forms will be available. Check in on your neighbors, give them a call –conversation will be welcome!

TLC Scholarship Attention 2020 Graduating students. We are excited to be accepting scholarship applications. VBS 2020 Forms are available for download on our website at www.tlcgenoa.org. Qualifications and July 13-17 stipulations are attached to the application form. The deadline for submission has been extended to Friday May 22nd. Any questions please contact Brian Zoellick at [email protected]

Sunday School Update

Parents and students,

As many of you know, Governor Pritzker

extended the “stay at home” order to April 30th.

Being that our last day of Sunday school was scheduled to be April 26th we will no longer be meeting for the remainder of this Sunday This year the children will discover that trusting school year, but will resume again next fall. Jesus pulls them through life's ups and downs.

We would like to thank all the people who There will be a VBS meeting helped make this Sunday school year Monday, May 4 at 6:30pm. possible. We at Trinity are so grateful for your time and hark work. Also, a big thank you to If you would like to volunteer for VBS you can fill out the students who attended Sunday school this the VBS volunteer form attached (pg 4) and return it year. We had a wonderful time teaching you to the church office or contact me at Gods word, singing, dancing and playing [email protected]. games! We hope to see every one of you back next fall and can’t wait to see what exciting Cam Durham things lay ahead.

Gods Blessings

Health & Wellness

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15). People are reminded on Earth Day, April 22, to be faithful caretakers of the environment. Tending the earth can benefit the earth and our souls.

Jason Wilson in an article, How Gardens Are Good for the Environment, shares the following information. *Gardens Increase Oxygen in the Air. While plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, humans inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. So, breathe on indoor plants while watering them in a sunny room. Plant a tree.

*Gardens Decrease Excessive Global Warming. The sun is the source of heat that warms the earth. Plants transform the sun's energy and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere providing energy and oxygen for humans. So, the sun warms the earth, and green space keeps it from being too warm.

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). Give thanks for blessings of life on earth.

*Peace on Earth, Especially in Spring. Delight in seeing the first robin. Look for perennials to come up. Get your hands dirty pulling weeds. Feel the warmth of the sun on longer days. Go to church without wearing a coat.

*Joy on Earth, Especially in a Garden. Charles A. Miles,in the hymn, "In the Garden," expresses the peace of spending time alone in a garden with God. "I came to His garden alone...And He walks with me and He talks with me...And He tells me I am His own...And the joy we share as we tarry there...None other has ever known." Looking for time alone in a garden? Trinity has one north of the hall. Walcamp has a Prayer Garden,

Happy Earth Day, Bonnie Koerner

Our team met with Tobias Comfort Dog and his trainer Jenn to learn more about the ministry. As Tobias put on his Facebook page: I spent this morning with a future comfort dog team from Trinity Lutheran Church- Genoa IL! As they wait for their four-legged missionary, I answered questions and offered suggestions to help them prepare. ‘Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. Ecclesiastes 4:9.

How much has changed in our world since that meeting- In March Comfort Dog teams were busy on their local visits. Now, they like us have been limited to their contact with those they had been providing comfort. They continue to train and wait. For our team in waiting, we continue to prepare and Vicki recently had the joy of speaking with a couple that were interested in this ministry. We spent an hour recently at McDonalds visiting about the ministry and the possible opportunity available for them to join us and serve. Please pray as they consider this, that God leads them to join us. If you are thinking about the ministry, please reach out to myself or any of our team members. This is a ministry that we all can participate in- and we will never have too many members.

We did not have a March meeting, due to the restrictions on meeting- however for all- if you are on Facebook- search for Tobias Comfort Dog, or Beloved Comfort Dog, or Adeena Comfort Dog to name a few and read their Facebook page. It will give you a peek of what they bring day in and day out to folks! From the Musician’s Diary

Regardless of the season, we continually focus on the cross of Christ. While it was a place of gruesome punishment for Jesus, it’s also a place of glory where death and sin were conquered forever. Jesus’ torturous sacrifice requires a response, and that’s exactly what the hymn “Lift High the Cross” offers. With a triumphant melody, this hymn calls Christians to bring the story of the cross to the entire world. We are to “lift high the cross for the world to see, so that they might come and adore Christ, the victorious King.” This hymn is excellent for use throughout the year, but especially for the Easter season.

The text of this hymn, written by George Kitchin, was published in 1887, and modified in 1916 by Michael Newbolt. The tune, “,” was composed by Sydney Nicholson, also in 1916. Mr. Kitchin (born 1827; died 1912) was an Anglican clergyman, ordained in the in 1900. The text, based on passages from the four Gospels and many other New Testament books, makes it clear that the cross is a symbol of Christ’s love. There are a possible eight verses, depending on which denomination’s hymn book is used. I chose to include three of the verses. The composer, Sydney Nicholson, was born in 1875, in London, died in 1947, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, his last organist position. He was an English organist, choir director and composer, as well as the founder pf the Royal School of Church Music. In 1938 he was knighted for his services to church music.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adores His sacred name. Come, Christians, follow where our Savior trod, The Lamb victorious, Christ, the son of God. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adores His sacred name. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as thou Has promised, draw the world to Thee. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adores His sacred name. So, shall our song of triumph ever be: Praise to the Crucified for victory. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adores His sacred name.

Have a blessed and happy Easter!

Kathy Fane

Look for EASTER SERVICES Online

Good Friday

April 10th

Easter Sunday These are truly unprecedented April 12th times and we are devastated that we can’t hold these services here, Services will be posted on our website at Trinity. www.tlcgenoa.org When we are able to meet again, And our Facebook Page we will celebrate “Holy Week” Trinity Lutheran Church - Genoa together as a congregation.