October 2017
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Michael Mueller, Interim Pastor, 262-930-2072 Church Phone 762-6626, Fax 762-6350 Web Site WWW.TLCSM.ORG OCTOBER 2017 Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 and 10:30 AM Education Hour Sunday 9:15 AM WHEN TO CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE CHURCH OFFICE: 762-6626 . When there is a birth in the family. When there is a death in the family. When someone close to you is ill or in the hospital, or in need of spiritual help. When someone in the family is going off to college or joining the armed forces. When there are marital problems and before you call the lawyer. When someone in the congregation has done something to anger you. When you have a suggestion for the congregation. When you have a question about the Bible, Christianity or Lutheranism. When something in your life is troubling you. When alcohol or drug dependency is a problem for you or someone close. When you move to a different area. When you just plain want someone to talk with. When you want to be specifically remembered in prayer. The pastor of a congregation does more than lead worship and preach on Sunday morning. A pastor is concerned with the lives of people and, unfortunately, the pastor is often times the last to know about major events in people’s lives because people forget to tell them. Whenever you need the pastor’s help or care…don’t hesitate to call, stop by or leave a note. OCTOBER EVENTS AT TRINITY September 30/October 1 Bible Weekend Seasons of Creation Reformation Book Sale October 2 6:30 PM Catechism Class October 3 9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Property Ministry Team 6:30 PM Congregational Life Ministry Team 7:00 PM Worship/Music Ministry Team Time to be Determined - Caring Ministry Team October 4 6:35 PM Carillon Ringers 7:45 PM Senior Choir October 5 10:30 AM Adult Bible Study October 7 & 8 The Stewards Identity Quilt Blessing Reformation Book Sale October 8 9:15 AM Ministry Team Fair October 9 1:00 PM Sarah Circle at Joanne’s 6:30 PM Catechism Service October 10 7:00 PM Finance Ministry Team October 11 6:35 PM Carillon Ringers 7:45 PM Senior Choir October 12 10:30 AM Adult Bible Study 1:30 PM Dorcas Circle at Phyllis’ 6:00 PM MET Meeting 7:00 PM Council Meeting October 14/15 The Stewards Purpose October 14 8:00 AM Box Car Loading 1:00 PM Saturday Stitchers October 15 10:30 AM Garlie/Sukkert Baptism 12:00 PM Diner’s Club and Packer Party 12:30 PM Girl Scouts October 16 6:30 PM Catechism Class 8:15 PM 10th Grade Confirmation Class October 17 9:00 AM Quilting October 18 Tidings Articles are due 6:35 PM Carillon Ringers 7:00 PM Thrivent Member Group 7:45 PM Senior Choir October 19 No Adult Bible Study 5:00 PM Community Meal October 21/22 The Stewards Lifestyle Commitment Sunday October 23 6:30 PM Catechism Leader Huddle October 25 6:35 PM Carillon Ringers 7:45 PM Senior Choir October 26 10:30 AM Adult Bible Study 6:30 PM MET Meeting 7:00 PM Executive Meeting October 28/29 Reformation Weekend October 28 Guesthouse Breakfast 6:15 PM Confirmation Rehearsal October 31 9:00 AM Quilting 5:30 PM Trick or Treating – Congregational Life Ministry Team PASTOR’S PAGE Living Each Day as a Steward! C.S. Lewis said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right, then, have it your way.’” As we grow to share the mind of Christ, our desire is to live each day as stewards who earnestly pray, “Thy will be done.” We are devoted to using all that we are and all that we have for God’s purposes. We live as God’s stewards each and every day. On the weekends of October 7/8, October 14/15, and October 21/22 the theme of our worship services and our Bible studies will be living each day as a steward. We will learn how the Holy Spirit, working through Word and Sacrament, transforms us to become more like our Chief Steward, Jesus, who willingly poured out his life in giving and serving. Just as Jesus faithfully served his Father by serving us, we are called to share the love we ourselves have received. “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” 1 Peter 4:10 - NRSV As your pastor, I pray that each of you will take advantage of these opportunities to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, that you might be strengthened in faith to live boldly and generously in love for others and the world God has made. The three weekly themes are as follows: October 7/8 “The Steward’s Identity” October 14/15 “The Steward’s Purpose” October 21/22 “The Steward’s Lifestyle” (Commitment Sunday) Additionally, at 9:15 on October 8, the Stewardship Ministry Team will host a Ministry Team Fair. Please come and see how God is at work through the ministry teams here at Trinity! May God grant us strength and wisdom to become a community of faithful stewards of the gospel! Pr. Michael Mueller, Interim Pastor President’s Report During this time when Mother Nature seems to be so angry at us at the moment and the devastation is incomprehensible to most of us, sometimes it becomes hard for us to find any type of peace in the world around us. We as believers in Jesus can have peace when there is uncertainty because we know that we are all his children and he loves & cares for all our needs. If we bring all our needs and concerns to him with thankfulness, our peace will come from the confidence that the Lord loves us and he is in control. He will provide us the comfort that settle our nerves, fills our minds with hope, and allows us reassurance even in the midst of devastation. Let us all keep those affected by all of the recent events in our thoughts & prayers that they may know that there are brighter tomorrows. God’s Blessings! Sandi Rogosienski “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called” Advice from a pumpkin Be well-rounded. Get plenty of sunshine. Give thanks for life’s bounty. Have a thick skin. Keep growing. Be outstanding in your field. Think big! —Ilan Shamir Adult Bible Study Opportunities in October Thursdays The Thursday morning Bible Study will meet this month on October 5, 12, and 26. We gather at 10:30 AM on Thursdays to explore the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. The first two weeks of our study this month will focus on stewardship themes, and the final week will be all about the Reformation. These are the readings: Oct 5 – Matthew 21:33-46 Oct 12 – Matthew 22:1-14 Oct 26 – John 8:31-36 Pr. Mueller will again take part in a regularly scheduled meeting for Interim Pastors in the Greater Milwaukee Synod on the third Thursday, Oct 19, so we will not meet for Bible Study that week. Sundays During September, the group that gathers during the Education Hour on Sundays began exploring questions related to Trinity’s transition to a new pastor. We used a psalm text to consider the experience of “wandering in the wilderness.” A healing story from John’s Gospel invited reflection on the different perspectives of insiders and outsiders, as well as ways that we may feel paralyzed and unable to move forward. The discussions have been insightful and have provided a safe space to name the feelings, challenges, and desires that are alive during this interim period. The central questions we will continue to explore include: who are we? (identity), where are we? (context), and why are we here? (purpose). The October focus on stewardship (Oct 8 and 15) and the Reformation (Oct 29) will provide a framework for asking these questions. All are encouraged to participate in one or both of these weekly opportunities to grow in relationship and stretch our faith and understanding. Praying with Scripture Often what we receive in weekly worship is related to what we bring to it. Dwelling in the word throughout the week can nurture a deeper level of attention and awareness when we arrive for worship on Saturday or Sunday. Praying with the scriptures opens up space for the Spirit to teach us, revealing new levels of truth that we couldn’t perceive before. Here is a simple method, which can be done individually or with others in your family or a group. If you are listening to a text together with others, first allow some time for silent reflection at each step, then invite each person who wishes to share their response. Choose a short passage. Take a few slow breaths and center your attention, then read the passage through slowly. Notice what word or image draws your attention. Listen to that. Next, read the passage again slowly. How does it speak to your own life? If it’s a story, which character do you most relate to? How does this word connect with your experience in the world? Chew on it. When you are ready, read the passage one more time. Ask yourself what God is inviting in you. Do you hear a call to action? Is God inviting a change? Is this a chance to simply rest in God’s promise? Speak to God about it, wrestle with it or give thanks.