The Trinitarian Our Mission Is to Worship… Learn… Serve… Our Vision Is to Seek, Serve, and Accept All

. The Trinitarian Our Mission is to Worship… Learn… Serve… Our Vision is to Seek, Serve, and Accept All.

November 2020

Dear People of God, Fall Worship Schedule

We will be holding Communion services live on On November 29, Advent begins. A short, anticipatory Sundays in November at 4 pm in the parking lot. Bring season of liturgical joy. Speaking for myself, I would your mask and a lounge chair from enjoy nothing more than an Advent hymn/carol-sing, home or sit in your car. Due to working through every song in the ELW! But, I imagine restrictions, only 50 people will be I would be in the minority on that. able to participate. Sign up with the Each time I write for the Trinitarian now, I wonder if it church office via phone or email, or will be my last newsletter with you. The Trinity call use the Signup Genius link in the process is moving forward and before you know it, you weekly Tidings. [Note: your RSVP ensures we have a will likely be getting introduced to your prospective preliminary count for communion, as well as a means new pastor. How exciting for you and for them! And to contact you if we cancel due to inclement weather.] I can't think of a better season than Advent to Continuing this week at the service, we will be anticipate a new pastor. collecting food donations for Living Faith Lutheran The world in which we find ourselves is desperate and Church’s food pantry, alongside the offering plate. The chaotic. We have taxed our environment to the point items will be gathered and added to the next Food where it is crying out in pain, and people are dying as Drive delivery on November 21. a result. We have a pandemic that is killing hundreds Volunteers Needed: Parking Lot Services run of thousands. The unity of our own nation is at a smoother when we have volunteers willing to help as breaking point—black and brown, LGBTQ, and women Lector/Prayer Leader, Usher, Entrance Greeter, or find themselves pressed against a great white wall of Equipment Setup, one or more Sundays in November. Proud Boys, Law and Order voices, neo-Nazis The signup link is in the Tidings or contact the office as responding to an increasing crescendo of dog whistles. above to reserve your spot. Thank you! And in the middle of it all, stands the church. Virtual services, Faith Formation resources, and The ancient prayer of Advent is Come, Lord Jesus. musical meditations continue to be posted on Trinity’s While we don't always know precisely what to do, Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3eHOnsK Advent comes and reminds us to keep this prayer constantly on our lips. Because, as we all know, anytime Jesus appears, everything changes. Live your life. Be courageous. And pray, Come, Lord Jesus.

Pr Kern

Trinity Lutheran Church | 11200 Old Georgetown Road | North Bethesda, MD 20852-3202 A Reconciling in Christ and a Stephen Ministry congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 301.881.7275 [email protected] TrinityELCA.org facebook.com/trinityelca Brief Update from the Call Committee 2020 Gifts of Hope We are now entering a critical phase of the call Our community, our country, and process. We have narrowed our pastor search to two our world face health and candidates and in the next phase of our process we livelihood issues in 2020 and will be getting to know these individuals better. We beyond due to COVID-19. Gifts of ask for your continued prayers so that our Hope (GOH) is responding to discernment of God’s will for our congregation these issues by changing in the following ways: becomes clear. Your prayers and support of this Instead of visiting tables in church buildings in process are key to its success. November and December, individuals can support David K, Chair GOH through the Current Catalog on the Gifts of Hope Nalini A website (www.giftsofhopedc.org) or by mail (an order Angela B form is included in the catalog). Gifts of Hope wanted Matthew C to honor the health of the volunteers and donors, Trevor H even if congregations return to on-site worship. Sabrina R The size of the catalog has been reduced to 20 available gifts in 2020, which are more general in Community Family Life Services’ Annual scope, not for specific projects. You will have the Give-a-Gift Program choice of supporting one or more of our 19 beneficiary Sundays, November 15 through December 6, and organizations, which will need to maintain flexibility as Saturday, November 21 they find new and sometimes unique ways to serve their clients, and GOH wants to be flexible for them. The holiday season, a time of giving and sharing, is coming upon us! CFLS provides services to Advent Hope + Peace + Joy + Love reentry women, survivors of domestic violence, Listen in the Silence homeless residents, and their children. Trinity has a wonderful opportunity to help brighten this holiday Join me in Advent for a quiet, season for the families at CFLS. gentle time of prayer, scripture, silence, and quiet conversation. Trinity is collecting new toys, games, books and Using a short liturgy created by clothes for children infant through 18 years old for Way To Lead and accompanying Community Family Life Services. Toys should be new drawings by Vonda Drees of the and in their original packaging, but not wrapped. Grunewald Guild, we will spend some time reflecting Collection Times on the theme and the readings, writing poetry, and coloring. o Sunday Services Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 o Saturday Nov. 21, 9am-Noon (during food drive) The day and time is not set yet so watch for upcoming announcements for those details. We will gather over On December 12-14th CFLS will also need volunteers Zoom for about an hour. If you can’t make all the to assist with sorting toys and preparing for weeks, no problem. You will need to gather 4 candles, distribution. If interested, contact Alexma Alvarado, coloring tools (markers/crayons/colored pencils), CFLS Drop-In Center Coordinator at 202-864-6295 or pen/pencil, and a printed copy of the liturgy. The [email protected]. weekly liturgy and image for coloring will be sent out with the Zoom link. If you have any questions, please Third Quarter Giving Statements contact me at [email protected]. Thank you. Statements are being mailed this week. Please let Carol Valerie M B, Financial Secretary, know if you don’t receive it.

2 Report from the President Council Notes Dear Trinity Siblings, Pastor Kern reported that an ad hoc reconciliation team has reached out to Trinity The Lord be with you. Last month I wrote to you about members who were known to have the Council Retreat. We concerns or who had not been completed it over the course of heard from in a while. The team has two Saturdays and one Monday concluded its work. evening. Not surprisingly, our aspirations were greater than reality, but we laid the Council members received a briefing on Trinity’s groundwork for further discussion and engaging all of processes for budgeting and financial reporting. you in achieving the goals we identified. As I shared Trinity has received a federal loan from the Paycheck last month, the theme of the retreat was Protection Program and is waiting for confirmation “Revitalization: Becoming a Vital Congregation”. We from the government that the loan will be forgiven. ended the retreat with a vision of a “Vital The reopening team reported that the first outdoor Congregation” being a “place that changes services have gone well, with attendance in the low relationships and changes lives” in Christ. We adapted 20s. the five ELCA church-wide goals (found at https://www.elca.org/future) by collapsing them into The Council approved Seth Katz of Smart Computer three. We want to invite you to work with us to help Co. to provide information technology support to Trinity be: Trinity’s computer system.

Kim B, Secretary • A thriving and nurturing church • A visible, inviting, and welcoming church that engages the community Sew What? • A well-governed, connected and sustained church Lutheran World Relief (LWR) has a tradition dating back to the 1940s of distributing handmade “mission To begin achieving these goals, we will be inviting you quilts” as part of international disaster relief efforts. to join us in renewing small group activities that can Members of Trinity’s Social Ministry Committee be done remotely and/ or safely in person, sharing organized a pilot project to make quilts for LWR your skills and passions, and taking advantage of distribution. technology to enhance worship, stewardship, service opportunities, and communication. Thanks to fabric and batting donations from the Trinity community, together with a Thrivent grant Peace be with you, obtained by Valerie M, we had the basis for the initial Sarah M, Council President phase of this project. We now have six finished quilts and ten more in process—made by a small group of Women’s Shelter Dinner—Postponed volunteers to develop an “appropriately distanced” quilt assembly line. Thanks to all who signed up for the Social Ministry dinner for InterFaith Women’s Shelter on Sunday We hope that others will want to participate in the November 1. The dinner has been postponed to a later next phase of this ministry. This would involve date. Please contact Margaret F if you are interested assembling quilt tops (independently) from prepared in bringing food for future dinners. “kits” of pre-cut fabric, each containing enough to create a simple 60 x 80-inch quilt top, and including detailed instructions. (Only straight-line sewing would be required.) Please contact Julie N if you would be interested in learning more about these kits or in assisting with other aspects of quilt assembly.

3 All Saints Day Deaths since All Saints Day 2019 This year All Saints Day falls on June R +November 9, 2019 (mother of Lois R) Sunday, November 1. When Jesus sits Hermine Janet L + December 7, 2019 on the mountain and begins his long Mary Ellen D +December 25, 2019 sermon in Matthew’s gospel, he Darwin C +January 26, 2020 (brother of Keith C) begins with these statements of Carlota R M +January 27, 2020 (family of Ani S G) blessing. Blessed are the poor in Tige G +2020 (sister of Tigist G) spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger Alonzo S +March 5, 2020 (husband of Susan S) and thirst for righteousness, and so on. Jesus speaks Sarah D +April 11, 2020 (friend of Julie N) of the positive outcomes of these conditions: they will Chris S +April 29, 2020 (friend of Valerie & Mike M) be comforted, they will inherit the earth, they will be Eric O +April 30, 2020 (friend of Valerie & Mike M) filled. “Blessed are you now,” Jesus is saying, as well Katherine Jean C +May 1, 2020 (mother of David C) as “Blessed you will be.” Margaret C +May 4, 2020 (mother of Cathy C) Susan O +May 15, 2020 (aunt of Mike M) God’s promises are for today as much as they are for Nora K +May 16, 2020 (mother of Jeanine B) after we die. We trust that baptized into a death like Robert N, Jr. +May 21, 2020 (friend of Nancy N) Jesus’ death, we are also baptized into a resurrection Marian D +June 4, 2020 (friend of Leslie C) like Jesus’ resurrection. In baptism we are clothed Charla P +July 2, 2020 (friend of Nancy N) with the righteousness of Christ, sealed with the Holy Sandra F-H +July 5, 2020 (aunt of Leslie C) Spirit, and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Shari C +July 15, 2020 (cousin of Dan S) Proclaimed on a mountain or in the valleys that can Kate V +July 15, 2020 (aunt of Dan S) come in daily life, our identity as blessed, baptized June L +July 24, 2020 saints moves us to live in ways that give thanks to God Judy W +August 1, 2020 (friend of Diana & Bill B) for God’s many gifts and blessings. Rev. Kathleen B +August 13, 2020 All Saints Day isn’t just about remembering those who (former member of Trinity) have died and whose names may be read during Mary Louise S B +August 17, 2020 worship today. All Saints Day is about all the saints, (sister of Frederic S) the ones who have gone before, those living now, and Luther V. (Sonny) L +August 22, 2020 those still to come. Today we remember with (uncle of Sabrina R) thanksgiving our brothers and sisters in Christ who Donna D +September 30, 2020 (aunt of Jim K) have died within the past year, and we also give James T +October 17, 2020 thanks for the saints who labor and worship on this Members of Trinity in bold side of heaven’s gate.

Today we recall and celebrate with those who have gone before us as we gather at the font and the table, where in water and word, wine and bread, God reminds us, “Blessed are you.” We are blessed, and so we live in ways that manifest this blessing for and toward others.§ Trinity will be acknowledging all members and friends who have died since November 3, 2019 during our Virtual and Parking Lot Services on November 1. §Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

Reverse Advent Calendar

This year we are offering an alternative to the traditional Advent calendar…the Reverse Advent Calendar. Reverse? Yes, instead of getting a piece of chocolate from behind a door, you are being asked to place a specific non-perishable food item into a grocery bag or box for the Living Faith pantry. Bring the items you have collected to date to any Sunday parking lot service in December, the December food drive on the 19th, Christmas Eve worship, or on Sunday, December 27th. Alternatively, if you would like your items picked up, arrangements can be made for that. Please print this graphic with the complete list and put it in a spot where you will see it regularly as a reminder. Watch the weekly Tidings for the upcoming week’s list of items AND a different weekly devotional. Please contact Valerie M if you have any questions. Thank you.

Next Food Drive is December 19 in the main parking lot, 9am to noon.

Adult Forum on Zoom Men’s Group is Meeting via Zoom David K continues a study on the Old The Trinity Men’s Group has begun meeting via Zoom Testament books of First and Second on the second Wednesday of each month at 1pm. The Samuel for the next few Sundays at next gathering will take place on November 11. For 9:30 am. Please email David for the the Zoom url or phone number to call in, please Zoom link, or call the church office to have your name contact Dick J or the church office. added to the class list.

5 . November 2020

November is Stewardship month

Monday, November 2 7:30pm Heavenly Handbells (Zoom) Sunday, November 1 All Saints Day Tuesday, November 3 9:30am Adult Forum & Sunday School (Zoom) 11:00am Staff Meeting (Zoom) 4:00pm Parking Lot Service Holy Communion 6:30pm Stephen Ministry Supervision (Zoom) 7:00pm Call Committee (Zoom) Thursday, November 5 7:30pm Trinity Singers rehearsal (Zoom)

Monday, November 9 7:30pm Heavenly Handbells (Zoom) Sunday, November 8 Lectionary 32 / 23 Pentecost Tuesday, November 10 9:30am Adult Forum & Sunday School (Zoom) 11:00am Staff Meeting (Zoom) 4:00pm Parking Lot Service Holy Communion Wednesday, November 11 6:00pm Youth Group (Zoom) 1:00pm Trinity Men’s Group (Zoom)

Thursday, November 12 7:30pm W&M Meeting (Zoom)

Monday, November 16 Sunday, November 15 Lectionary 33 / 24 Pentecost 7:30pm Heavenly Handbells (Zoom) 9:30am Adult Forum & Sunday School (Zoom) Tuesday, November 17 12:15pm Social Ministry (Zoom) 11:00am Staff Meeting (Zoom) 4:00pm Parking Lot Service Holy Communion 7:30pm Congregation Council (Zoom) Trinitarian December Newsletter Deadline Thursday, November 19 7:30pm Trinity Singers rehearsal (Zoom)

Monday, November 23 Sunday, November 22 Christ the King Sunday 7:30pm Heavenly Handbells (Zoom) 9:30am Adult Forum & Sunday School (Zoom) Tuesday, November 24 4:00pm Parking Lot Service Holy Communion 11:00am Staff Meeting (Zoom) Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Day—office closed

Sunday, November 29 First Sunday of Advent Monday, November 30 9:30am Adult Forum & Sunday School (Zoom) 7:30pm Heavenly Handbells (Zoom) 4:00pm Parking Lot Service Holy Communion

. Remember in Your Prayers Passages and Milestones THE CHURCH November Birthdays our synod & bishops: Bishops Elizabeth Eaton & Leila 01. Amanda M 19. Atticus D Ortiz 10. Barbara B 19. Logan D our missionaries: Stephen Deal & Marta Giron, Cent. 11. Brian S 22. James K America 14. Yulie N 23. Christopher S our congregation: Trinity Church 16. Catya B 24. Rebecca P THE NATIONS: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, 16. Mary Louise D 27. Matthew B Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Korea, Iran, 16. Mark J 29. Angela B Iraq, Israel, Liberia, Libya, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, 16. Marjorie W 29. Robert P Palestine, Somalia, Spain/Cataluña, Sudan, Syria, 30. Christine B Ukraine, United States, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe

November Baptismal Days THE SICK AND SUFFERING 01. Andy B 18. Alissa C nursing/rehabilitation center: 03. Stella B A 24. Laura S T Philip T (Manor Care Potomac) Martha R (Bethesda Health & Rehab) 06. Brian S 24. Mary W home: 09. Nicholas C 27. Linnea S Tigist G, Len S, Margo W 10. Barbara B 28. David K family and friends*: 11. Gina C 29. John B Brian B, former Trinity Admin Assistant 16. Leslie S 30. Diana B Benigno D C, friend of Nancy N Commemorations for November Mari J, friend of Sarah M & Tom K Gabriel L, nephew of Ani S G & Len S Sunday, November 1—All Saints Day Hazel & Earl N, aunt & uncle of Julie N On this day, many congregations will remember the Sue S, mother of Elizabeth R faithful who have died during the past year. first responders: Tuesday, November 3—Martín de Porres, renewer of Vicky C, friend of Valerie & Mike M Paul M, son of Valerie & Mike M society, died 1639 Lisbeth N-D Saturday, November 7—John Christian Frederick Greta S & Linda A, sister & sister-in-law of Anita S Heyer, died 1873; Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, died Vanessa B, friend of Elizabeth & Ben R 1719; Ludwig Nommensen, died 1918; missionaries Andrew S, brother of Elizabeth R Wednesday, November 11—Martin, Bishop of Tours, *For family and friends, prayer requests will be kept on the list for four weeks. After four weeks, please died 397 complete another card. Wednesday, November 11—Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, teacher, died 1855 Death Tuesday, November 17--Elizabeth of Hungary, James T +October 17, 2020 renewer of society, died 1231 The Funeral and Inurnment Service will be private. The family is planning to record the service and make it Monday, November 23—Clement, Bishop of Rome, available to those who cannot attend in person. died circa 100; Miguel Agustín Pro, martyr, died 1927 Donations may be made in memory of James to the Tuesday, November 24--Justus Falckner, died 1723; Trinity Mission Endowment Fund, or the Trinity Jehu Jones, died 1852; William Passavant, died 1894; Columbarium Fund. pastors in North America Wednesday, November 25—Isaac Watts, hymnwriter, died 1748.

Trinity Lutheran Church Non-profit Org Date Mailed 11200 Old Georgetown Road US Postage Paid October 28, 2020 Permit #34 North Bethesda, MD 20852-3202 Suburban, MD 208 Address Service Requested

301-881-7275 [email protected] www.trinityelca.org facebook.com/TrinityELCA

Tidings deadline Thank you for your offering. Your gifts make the is 9:00 am Wednesday. ministry of Trinity possible. Electronic giving may be The Trinitarian deadline available through your bank or financial institution. is the 15th of the prior month. Offerings mailed to the church office will be promptly Submissions should be no more deposited. than 150 words. The editor and church staff reserve the right to determine the content of The Trinitarian and may edit articles for clarity, grammar, or length.